UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended August 2, 2015
OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___ to ___

Commission file number 0-15451


PHOTRONICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Connecticut
 
06-0854886
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

15 Secor Road, Brookfield, Connecticut
 
06804
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code
 
(203) 775-9000

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes   No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes   No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer
Accelerated Filer
Non-Accelerated Filer
Smaller Reporting Company

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes   No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class
 
Outstanding at September 1, 2015
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
 
66,768,764 Shares



Forward-Looking Statements

     The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Photronics, Inc. ("Photronics" or "the Company" or “we”). These statements are based on management's beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "projects," “could,” “estimate,” “intend,” “may,” “will” and similar expressions, or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. In particular, any statement contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q or in other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases or in the Company's communications and discussions with investors and analysts in the normal course of business through meetings, phone calls, or conference calls regarding, among other things, the consummation and benefits of transactions and acquisitions, expectations with respect to future sales, financial performance, operating efficiencies, or product expansion, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Various factors may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Factors that might affect forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, overall economic and business conditions; economic and political conditions in international markets; the demand for the Company's products; competitive factors in the industries and geographic markets in which the Company competes; federal, state and international tax requirements (including tax rate changes, new tax laws and revised tax law interpretations); interest rate and other capital market conditions, including changes in the market price of the Company's securities; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; changes in technology; the timing, impact, and other uncertainties relating to transactions and acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures as well as decisions the Company may make in the future regarding the Company’s business, capital and organizational structure and other matters; the seasonal and cyclical nature of the semiconductor and flat panel display industries; management changes; damage or destruction to the Company's facilities, or the facilities of its customers or suppliers, by natural disasters, labor strikes, political unrest, or terrorist activity; the ability of the Company to (i) place new equipment in service on a timely basis; (ii) obtain additional financing; (iii) achieve anticipated synergies and cost savings; (iv) fully utilize its tools; (v) achieve desired yields, pricing, product mix, and market acceptance of its products and (vi) obtain necessary export licenses. Any forward-looking statements should be considered in light of these factors. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company's expectations will be realized. The Company does not assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements and does not assume an obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.
 
2

PHOTRONICS, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX
 
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Page
   
 
Item 1.
4
     
 
4
     
 
5
     
 
6
     
 
7
     
 
8
     
Item 2.
20
     
Item 3.
25
     
Item 4.
26
     
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1A.
26
     
Item 6.
27
 
3

PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PHOTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
   
August 2,
2015
   
November 2,
2014
 
   
   
 
 
ASSETS
       
         
Current assets:
       
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
191,562
   
$
192,929
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $3,375 in 2015 and $3,078 in 2014
   
104,701
     
94,515
 
Inventories
   
23,266
     
22,478
 
Other current assets
   
21,037
     
26,570
 
                 
Total current assets
   
340,566
     
336,492
 
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
   
568,921
     
550,069
 
Investment in joint venture
   
93,040
     
93,122
 
Intangible assets, net
   
26,280
     
30,294
 
Deferred income taxes
   
11,801
     
11,036
 
Other assets
   
5,483
     
8,170
 
                 
Total assets
 
$
1,046,091
   
$
1,029,183
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
                 
Current liabilities:
               
Current portion of long-term borrowings
 
$
16,577
   
$
10,381
 
Accounts payable
   
110,945
     
86,495
 
Accrued liabilities
   
34,014
     
42,241
 
                 
Total current liabilities
   
161,536
     
139,117
 
                 
Long-term borrowings
   
118,457
     
131,805
 
Other liabilities
   
20,051
     
18,767
 
                 
Total liabilities
   
300,044
     
289,689
 
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Equity:
               
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 2,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding
   
-
     
-
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 66,507 shares issued and outstanding at August 2, 2015 and 65,930 shares issued and outstanding at November 2, 2014
   
665
     
659
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
524,924
     
520,182
 
Retained earnings
   
111,438
     
85,435
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   
(8,256
)
   
21,774
 
                 
Total Photronics, Inc. shareholders' equity
   
628,771
     
628,050
 
Noncontrolling interests
   
117,276
     
111,444
 
                 
Total equity
   
746,047
     
739,494
 
                 
Total liabilities and equity
 
$
1,046,091
   
$
1,029,183
 
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
4

PHOTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
August 2,
2015
   
August 3,
2014
   
August 2,
2015
   
August 3,
2014
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Net sales
 
$
131,699
   
$
124,852
   
$
382,513
   
$
331,276
 
                                 
Costs and expenses:
                               
                                 
Cost of sales
   
(94,456
)
   
(96,202
)
   
(283,991
)
   
(257,554
)
                                 
Selling, general and administrative
   
(12,430
)
   
(12,394
)
   
(36,795
)
   
(38,092
)
                                 
Research and development
   
(6,253
)
   
(5,199
)
   
(16,743
)
   
(16,111
)
                                 
Operating income
   
18,560
     
11,057
     
44,984
     
19,519
 
                                 
Other income (expense):
                               
Gain on acquisition
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
16,372
 
Interest expense
   
(1,209
)
   
(1,809
)
   
(3,812
)
   
(5,610
)
Interest and other income (expense), net
   
1,449
     
641
     
1,312
     
2,346
 
                                 
Income before income tax provision
   
18,800
     
9,889
     
42,484
     
32,627
 
                                 
Income tax provision
   
(3,390
)
   
(2,545
)
   
(7,775
)
   
(7,291
)
                                 
Net income
   
15,410
     
7,344
     
34,709
     
25,336
 
                               
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
   
(3,304
)
   
(3,158
)
   
(8,706
)
   
(3,617
)
                                 
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders
 
$
12,106
   
$
4,186
   
$
26,003
   
$
21,719
 
                                 
Earnings per share:
                               
                                 
Basic
 
$
0.18
   
$
0.07
   
$
0.39
   
$
0.35
 
                                 
Diluted
 
$
0.17
   
$
0.07
   
$
0.37
   
$
0.34
 
                                 
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
                               
                                 
Basic
   
66,454
     
61,436
     
66,250
     
61,336
 
                                 
Diluted
   
78,569
     
62,432
     
78,300
     
77,706
 
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
5

PHOTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
August 2,
2015
   
August 3,
2014
   
August 2,
2015
   
August 3,
2014
 
                 
Net income
 
$
15,410
   
$
7,344
   
$
34,709
   
$
25,336
 
                                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of $0:
                               
                                 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
   
(25,326
)
   
2,088
     
(32,894
)
   
5,194
 
                                 
Amortization of cash flow hedge
   
32
     
32
     
96
     
96
 
                                 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
   
(25,294
)
   
2,120
     
(32,798
)
   
5,290
 
                                 
Comprehensive income (loss)
   
(9,884
)
   
9,464
     
1,911
     
30,626
 
                                 
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
   
1,105
     
3,703
     
5,939
     
4,116
 
                                 
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders
 
$
(10,989
)
 
$
5,761
   
$
(4,028
)
 
$
26,510
 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
6

PHOTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
August 2,
2015
   
August 3,
2014
 
   
 
   
 
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
       
Net income
 
$
34,709
   
$
25,336
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
61,465
     
58,412
 
Gain on acquisition
   
-
     
(16,372
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
   
(13,744
)
   
(1,479
)
Inventories
   
(1,814
)
   
(3,339
)
Other current assets
   
1,496
     
1,657
 
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other
   
9,715
     
(2,377
)
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
91,827
     
61,838
 
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
   
(80,107
)
   
(58,278
)
Cash from acquisition
   
-
     
4,508
 
Other
   
(283
)
   
(759
)
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(80,390
)
   
(54,529
)
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Repayments of long-term borrowings
   
(7,152
)
   
(27,432
)
Payments of deferred financing fees
   
-
     
(336
)
Proceeds from share-based arrangements
   
2,375
     
1,043
 
Other
   
(171
)
   
(597
)
                 
Net cash used in financing activities
   
(4,948
)
   
(27,322
)
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
   
(7,856
)
   
736
 
                 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
   
(1,367
)
   
(19,277
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
192,929
     
215,615
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
191,562
   
$
196,338
 
                 
Supplemental disclosure of noncash information:
               
                 
Accrual for property, plant and equipment purchased during the period
 
$
40,632
   
$
30,795
 
Noncash net assets from acquisition
   
-
     
110,211
 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
7

PHOTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Three Months and Nine Months Ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share amounts)
 
NOTE 1 - BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

     Photronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Photronics" or “the Company") is one of the world's leading manufacturers of photomasks, which are high precision photographic quartz plates containing microscopic images of electronic circuits. Photomasks are a key element in the manufacture of semiconductors and flat panel displays ("FPDs"), and are used as masters to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers and flat panel substrates during the fabrication of integrated circuits ("ICs") and a variety of FPDs and, to a lesser extent, other types of electrical and optical components. The Company currently operates principally from nine manufacturing facilities, two of which are located in Europe, three in Taiwan, one in Korea, and three in the United States.
 
On April 4, 2014, DNP Photomask Technology Taiwan Co., Ltd. (“DPTT”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (“DNP”), merged into Photronics Semiconductor Mask Corporation (“PSMC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Photronics. All of the assets and liabilities of DPTT existing prior to the merger were assumed by the renamed surviving entity of the merger, Photronics DNP Mask Corporation (“PDMC”). Photronics and DNP own 50.01 percent and 49.99 percent of PDMC, respectively.

     The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, adjustments, all of which are of a normal recurring nature, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The Company is typically impacted during its first fiscal quarter by the North American and European holiday periods, as some customers reduce their effective workdays and orders during these periods. Additionally, the Company can be impacted during its first or second quarter by the Asian New Year holiday period, which may also reduce customer orders. Operating results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending November 1, 2015. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 2, 2014.

NOTE 2 – ACQUISITION OF DNP PHOTOMASK TECHNOLOGY TAIWAN CO., LTD.

    On April 4, 2014, DPTT merged into PSMC, the Company’s IC manufacturing subsidiary located in Taiwan, to form PDMC. Throughout this report the merger of DPTT into PSMC is referred to as the “DPTT Acquisition.” In connection with the DPTT Acquisition, the Company transferred consideration with a fair value of $98.3 million. The Company owns 50.01 percent of PDMC and includes its financial results in its consolidated financial statements, while DNP owns the remaining 49.99 percent of PDMC. The Company also has the ability to appoint the majority of the directors of PDMC, including the chairman of its board of directors, select its management responsible for implementing its policies and procedures, and establish its operating and capital decisions and policies. Photronics determined it has control of PDMC by virtue of its tie-breaking voting rights within PDMC’s Board of Directors, thereby giving it the power to direct the activities of PDMC that most significantly impact its economic performance, including its decision making authority in the ordinary course of business. The DPTT Acquisition was the result of the Company’s desire to combine the strengths in logic and memory photomask technologies of PSMC and DPTT in order to enhance its capability with customers in the region.

    The DPTT Acquisition met the conditions of a business combination as defined by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805 and, as such, is accounted for under ASC 805 using the acquisition method of accounting. ASC 805 defines the three elements of a business as Input, Process and Output. As a result of the DPTT Acquisition, Photronics acquired the machinery and equipment utilized in the processes to manufacture product, the building that houses the entire operation and the processes needed to manufacture the product, all previously owned by DPTT. The former DPTT employees hired by Photronics in connection with the acquisition brought with them the skills, experience and know-how necessary to provide the operational processes that, when applied to the acquired assets, represent processes being applied to inputs to create outputs. Having met all three elements of a business as defined in ASC 805, the Company determined that the DPTT Acquisition should be accounted for as a business combination.
 
8

    The following table summarizes the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed of DPTT, the fair value of the noncontrolling interests and consideration for DPTT at the acquisition date.

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
4,508
 
Accounts receivable (gross amount of $28,560, of which $500 is estimated to be uncollectable)
   
28,060
 
Inventory
   
1,279
 
Deferred tax asset
   
9,787
 
Other current assets
   
11,517
 
Property, plant and equipment
   
95,431
 
Identifiable intangible assets
   
1,552
 
Other long-term assets
   
1,328
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
(32,410
)
Deferred tax liability
   
(3,042
)
Other long-term liabilities
   
(3,291
)
         
Total net assets acquired
   
114,719
 
Noncontrolling interests retained by DNP
   
57,348
 
         
     
57,371
 
Consideration – 49.99% of fair value of PSMC
   
40,999
 
         
Gain on acquisition
 
$
16,372
 

    In addition to recording the fair values of the net assets acquired, the Company also recorded a gain on acquisition of $16.4 million in the three month period ended May 4, 2014, in accordance with ASC 805 using the acquisition method of accounting. The gain on acquisition was primarily due to the difference between the market values of the acquired real estate and personal property exceeding the fair value of the consideration transferred. In addition, a deferred tax liability of $3.0 million was recorded in the opening balance sheet, which had the effect of reducing the gain on acquisition to $16.4 million. Prior to recording the gain, the Company reassessed whether it had correctly identified all of the assets acquired and all of the liabilities assumed. Additionally, the Company also reviewed the procedures used to measure the amounts of the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration transferred.

    The fair value of the first component of consideration represents 49.99 percent of the fair value of PSMC, and is based on recent prices paid by the Company to acquire outstanding shares of PSMC (prior to the acquisition). As a result of the merger, the Company acquired the net assets of DPTT having a fair value of $114.7 million, less noncontrolling interests of $57.3 million retained by DNP, and transferred consideration with a fair value of $41.0 million, resulting in a gain of $16.4 million. The fair value of the total consideration transferred as of the acquisition date was $98.3 million, comprised of the 49.99% noncontrolling interest in DPTT of $57.3 million, and 49.99% of the fair value of PSMC of $41.0 million (112.9 million shares, or 49.99% of the outstanding common stock of PSMC).

    We estimated the $114.7 million fair value of DPTT as of the acquisition date by applying an income approach as our valuation technique. Our income approach followed a discounted cash flow method, which applied our best estimates of future cash flows and an estimated terminal value discounted to present value at a rate of return taking into account the relative risk of the cash flows. To confirm the reasonableness of the value derived from the income approach, we also analyzed the values of comparable companies which are publicly traded. The acquisition date fair value of the property, plant and equipment of DPTT was $95.4 million, which was determined by utilizing the cost and, to a lesser extent, the market approach, based on an in-use premise of value. Inputs utilized by the Company to determine fair values of DPTT’s property, plant and equipment included a cost approach, which was adjusted for depreciation and condition for equipment, and adjusted for depreciation and local market conditions for real property. The noncontrolling interest of DPTT was calculated using the 49.99% of its total fair value of $114.7 million. The Company also used a market approach to corroborate the enterprise value of DPTT. This fair value measurement is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represents a fair value measurement categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Key assumptions include local and current construction replacement cost multipliers, amounts of ancillary replacement costs, physical deterioration, and economic and functional obsolescence to adjust the current replacement costs by, as well as the estimated economic lives of the assets.
 
9

    Identifiable intangible assets acquired were primarily customer relationships, which represent the fair value of relationships and agreements DPTT had in place at the date of the merger. The customer relationships had a fair value of $1.5 million at the acquisition date, determined by using the multi-period excess earnings method, and are amortized over a twelve year estimated useful life. The acquisition date fair value of the remainder of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed were equivalent to, or did not materially differ from, their carrying values

Acquisition costs related to the merger were $2.5 million for the nine month period ended August 3, 2014, and are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

NOTE 3 - CHANGES IN EQUITY

The following tables set forth the Company's consolidated changes in equity for the three and nine month periods ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014:
 
   
Three Months Ended August 2, 2015
 
   
Photronics, Inc. Shareholders
     
                   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
         
 
Common Stock
   
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
   
Retained
Earnings
   
Non-
controlling
Interests
     
                   
Total
Equity
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
                             
Balance at May 3, 2015
   
66,298
   
$
663
   
$
522,873
   
$
99,332
   
$
14,838
   
$
116,277
   
$
753,983
 
                                                         
Net income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
12,106
     
-
     
3,304
     
15,410
 
Other comprehensive loss
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(23,094
)
   
(2,200
)
   
(25,294
)
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plans
   
194
     
2
     
1,076
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
1,078
 
Restricted stock awards vesting and expense
   
15
     
-
     
268
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
268
 
Share-based compensation expense
   
-
     
-
     
680
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
680
 
Purchase of common stock of subsidiary
   
-
     
-
     
27
     
-
     
-
     
(105
)
   
(78
)
                                                         
Balance at August 2, 2015
   
66,507
   
$
665
   
$
524,924
   
$
111,438
   
$
(8,256
)
 
$
117,276
   
$
746,047
 
 
   
Three Months Ended August 3, 2014
 
   
Photronics, Inc. Shareholders
     
                   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
         
   
Common Stock
   
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
   
Retained
Earnings
       
Non-
controlling
Interests
     
                       
Total
Equity
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
                             
Balance at May 4, 2014
   
61,408
   
$
614
   
$
495,514
   
$
76,972
   
$
30,019
   
$
106,620
   
$
709,739
 
                                                         
Net income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
4,186
     
-
     
3,158
     
7,344
 
Other comprehensive income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
1,575
     
545
     
2,120
 
Sale of common stock through employee
stock option and purchase plans
   
17
     
-
     
75
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
75
 
Restricted stock awards vesting and expense
   
27
     
1
     
307
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
308
 
Share-based compensation expense
   
-
     
-
     
675
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
675
 
                                                         
Balance at August 3, 2014
   
61,452
   
$
615
   
$
496,571
   
$
81,158
   
$
31,594
   
$
110,323
   
$
720,261
 
 
10

   
Nine Months Ended August 2, 2015
 
 
Photronics, Inc. Shareholders
                   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
         
   
Common Stock
   
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
   
Retained
Earnings
       
Non-
controlling
Interests
     
                       
Total
Equity
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
                     
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance at November 2, 2014
   
65,930
   
$
659
   
$
520,183
   
$
85,435
   
$
21,774
   
$
111,443
   
$
739,494
 
                                                         
Net income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
26,003
     
-
     
8,706
     
34,709
 
Other comprehensive income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(30,030
   
(2,768
)    
(32,798
)
Sale of common stock through employee
stock option and purchase plans
   
433
     
4
     
1,932
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
1,936
 
Restricted stock awards vesting and expense
   
144
     
2
     
800
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
802
 
Share-based compensation expense
   
-
     
-
     
1,982
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
   
1,982
 
Purchase of common stock of subsidiary
-
-
27
-
-
(105 ) (78 )
                                                         
Balance at August 2, 2015
   
66,507
   
$
665
   
$
524,924
   
$
111,438
   
$
(8,256)
   
$
117,276
   
$
746,047
 

   
Nine Months Ended August 3, 2014
 
   
Photronics, Inc. Shareholders
     
                   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
         
   
Common Stock
   
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
   
Retained
Earnings
       
Non-
controlling
Interests
     
                       
Total
Equity
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
                             
Balance at November 3, 2013
   
61,083
   
$
611
   
$
498,861
   
$
59,439
   
$
26,403
   
$
2,517
   
$
587,831
 
                                                         
Net income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
21,719
     
-
     
3,617
     
25,336
 
Other comprehensive income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
4,792
     
498
     
5,290
 
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plans
   
213
     
2
     
765
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
767
 
Restricted stock awards vesting and expense
   
156
     
2
     
1,005
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
1,007
 
Share-based compensation expense
   
-
     
-
     
2,122
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,122
 
Acquisition of DPTT
   
-
     
-
     
(6,291
)
   
-
     
411
     
105,404
     
99,524
 
Redemption of common stock by subsidiary
   
-
     
-
     
109
     
-
     
(12
)
   
(1,713
)
   
(1,616
)
                                                         
Balance at August 3, 2014
   
61,452
   
$
615
   
$
496,571
   
$
81,158
   
$
31,594
   
$
110,323
   
$
720,261
 
 
11

NOTE 4 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

   
August 2,
2015
   
November 2,
2014
 
   
 
   
 
 
Land
 
$
8,106
   
$
8,598
 
Buildings and improvements
   
121,696
     
124,787
 
Machinery and equipment
   
1,460,316
     
1,367,691
 
Leasehold improvements
   
19,671
     
20,165
 
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment
   
12,677
     
12,086
 
Construction in progress
   
15,538
     
81,351
 
                 
     
1,638,004
     
1,614,678
 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
   
1,069,083
     
1,064,609
 
                 
   
$
568,921
   
$
550,069
 

Equipment under capital leases are included in above property, plant and equipment as follows:

   
August 2,
2015
   
November 2,
2014
 
   
 
   
 
 
Machinery and equipment
 
$
56,245
   
$
56,245
 
Less accumulated amortization
   
14,648
     
10,430
 
                 
   
$
41,597
   
$
45,815
 
 
 Depreciation and amortization expense for property, plant and equipment was $19.4 million and $56.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended August 2, 2015, respectively, and $19.8 million and $52.9 million for the three and nine month periods ended August 3, 2014, respectively.

NOTE 5 - JOINT VENTURE, TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AND OTHER AGREEMENTS WITH MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

In May 2006, Photronics and Micron Technology, Inc. ("Micron") entered into the MP Mask joint venture (“MP Mask”), which develops and produces photomasks for leading-edge and advanced next generation semiconductors. At the time of the formation of the joint venture, the Company also entered into both an agreement to license photomask technology developed by Micron and certain supply agreements.

This joint venture is a variable interest entity ("VIE") (as that term is defined in the ASC) because all costs of the joint venture are passed on to the Company and Micron through purchase agreements they have entered into with the joint venture, and it is dependent upon the Company and Micron for any additional cash requirements. On a quarterly basis the Company reassesses whether its interest in MP Mask gives it a controlling financial interest in this VIE. The purpose of this quarterly reassessment is to identify the primary beneficiary (which is defined in the ASC as the entity that consolidates a VIE) of the VIE. As a result of the reassessment in the current quarter, the Company determined that Micron is still the primary beneficiary of the VIE, by virtue of its tie-breaking voting rights within MP Mask’s Board of Managers, thereby giving it the power to direct the activities of MP Mask that most significantly impact its economic performance, including its decision making authority in the ordinary course of business and its purchasing the majority of products produced by the VIE.

The Company has utilized MP Mask for both high-end IC photomask production and research and development purposes. MP Mask charges its variable interest holders based on their actual usage of its facility. MP Mask separately charges for any research and development activities it engages in at the requests of its owners. The Company recorded cost of sales of $1.5 million and $4.9 million and research and development expenses of $0.2 million and $0.7 million during the three and nine month periods ended August 2, 2015. Cost of sales of $1.1 million and $3.0 million and research and development expenses of $0.2 million and $0.7 million were recorded during the three and nine month periods ended August 3, 2014. As of August 2, 2015 and November 2, 2014, the Company owed MP Mask $4.5 million and $4.2 million, respectively, and had a receivable from Micron of $10.1 million and $6.8 million, respectively, both primarily related to the aforementioned supply agreements.
 
12

MP Mask is governed by a Board of Managers, appointed by Micron and the Company. Since MP Mask's inception, Micron, as a result of its majority ownership, has held majority voting power on the Board of Managers. The voting power held by each party is subject to change as ownership interests change. Under the MP Mask joint venture operating agreement, the Company may be required to make additional capital contributions to MP Mask up to the maximum amount defined in the operating agreement. However, should the Board of Managers determine that further additional funding is required, MP Mask shall pursue its own financing. If MP Mask is unable to obtain its own financing, it may request additional capital contributions from the Company. Should the Company choose not to make a requested contribution to MP Mask, its ownership percentage may be reduced.

The Company's investment in the VIE, which represents its maximum exposure to loss, was $93.0 million at August 2, 2015 and $93.1 million at November 2, 2014. These amounts are reported in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets as "Investment in joint venture." The Company did not realize a gain or a loss from its investment in the VIE in the three month period ended August 2, 2015, and realized a loss of $0.1 million from its investment in the VIE in the nine month period ended August 2, 2015. The Company recorded income of $0.1 million from its investment in the VIE in the three and nine month periods ended August 3, 2014.

On March 24, 2015, the Company announced that the MP Mask joint venture would not be renewed after May 5, 2016. The MP Mask operating agreement provides that Micron will make a payment to the Company to purchase the Company’s equity interest in MP Mask based on the Company’s ownership percentage of the net book value of MP Mask at that time, which, as of March 5, 2015, was approximately $93 million. The Company does not expect that it will incur a significant gain or loss on this transaction. Concurrently, the Company announced that it entered into supply and technology license agreements with Micron. This supply agreement, which commences on May 6, 2016, with a one-year term subject to mutually agreeable renewals, provides that the Company will be the majority outsource supplier of Micron’s photomasks and related services. This technology license agreement commenced in March 2015 and continues through the earlier of one year from the termination of the initial technology license agreement on May 5, 2016, or when Micron certifies that it has transferred certain defined technology to the Company. The Company forevermore has the rights to use the technology obtained under these technology license agreements.

NOTE 6 - LONG-TERM BORROWINGS

     Long-term borrowings consist of the following:

   
August 2,
2015
   
November 2,
2014
 
   
 
   
 
 
3.25% convertible senior notes due in April 2016
 
$
57,500
   
$
115,000
 
                 
3.25% convertible senior notes due in April 2019
   
57,500
     
-
 
                 
2.77% capital lease obligation payable through July 2018
   
16,643
     
20,481
 
                 
3.09% capital lease obligation payable through March 2016
   
3,391
     
6,705
 
                 
     
135,034
     
142,186
 
Less current portion
   
16,577
     
10,381
 
                 
   
$
118,457
   
$
131,805
 

     The Company’s credit facility, which expires in December 2018, has a $50 million limit with an expansion capacity to $75 million, and is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets located in the United States and common stock the Company owns in certain of its foreign subsidiaries. The credit facility is subject to a minimum interest coverage ratio, total leverage ratio and minimum unrestricted cash balance financial covenants, all of which the Company was in compliance with at August 2, 2015. The Company had no outstanding borrowings against the credit facility at August 2, 2015, and $50 million was available for borrowing. The interest rate on the credit facility (1.69% at August 2, 2015) is based on the Company’s total leverage ratio at LIBOR plus a spread, as defined in the credit facility.
 
13

     In January 2015 the Company privately exchanged $57.5 million in aggregate principal amount of its 3.25% convertible senior notes with a maturity date of April 1, 2016, for new 3.25% convertible senior notes with an aggregate principal amount of $57.5 million with a maturity date of April 1, 2019. The conversion rate of the new notes is the same as that of the exchanged notes, which were issued in March 2011 with a conversion rate of approximately 96 shares of common stock per $1,000 note principal, equivalent to a conversion price of $10.37 per share of common stock, and is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, which are described in the indenture dated January 22, 2015. Note holders may convert each $1,000 principal amount of notes at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding April 1, 2019, and the Company is not required to redeem the notes prior to their maturity date. Interest on the notes accrues in arrears, and is paid semiannually through the notes’ maturity date. The Company intends to repay $50 million of its outstanding 3.25% convertible senior notes due in April 2016 with borrowings against its credit facility and, therefore, has classified $50 million of these notes that were outstanding as of August 2, 2015, as long term.
 
     In August 2013 a $26.4 million principal amount, five year capital lease commenced to fund the purchase of a high-end lithography tool. Payments under the capital lease, which bears interest at 2.77%, are $0.5 million per month through July 2018.  Under the terms of the lease agreement, the Company must maintain the equipment in good working order, and is subject to a cross default with cross acceleration provision related to certain nonfinancial covenants incorporated in its credit facility. As of August 2, 2015, the total amount payable through the end of the lease term was $17.4 million, of which $16.6 million represented principal and $0.8 million represented interest.
 
     In April 2011 the Company entered into a five year, $21.2 million capital lease for manufacturing equipment. Payments under the lease, which bears interest at 3.09%, are $0.4 million per month through March 2016. The lease agreement provides that the Company must maintain the equipment in good working order, and includes a cross default with cross acceleration provision related to certain non-financial covenants incorporated in the Company's credit facility agreement. As of August 2, 2015, the total amount payable through the end of the lease term, substantially all of which represented principal, was $3.4 million.

NOTE 7 - SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has a share-based compensation plan ("Plan"), under which options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance stock, performance units, and other awards based on, or related to, shares of the Company's common stock may be granted from shares authorized but unissued or shares previously issued and reacquired by the Company. The maximum number of shares of common stock approved by the Company’s shareholders to be issued under the Plan was increased from six million shares to nine million shares during fiscal year 2014. Awards may be granted to officers, employees, directors, consultants, advisors, and independent contractors of the Company or its subsidiaries. In the event of a change in control (as defined in the Plan), the vesting of awards may be accelerated. The Plan, aspects of which are more fully described below, prohibits further awards from being issued under prior plans. Total share-based compensation costs for the three and nine month periods ended August 2, 2015, were $0.9 million and $2.8 million, respectively, and $1.0 million and $3.1 million for the three and nine month periods ended August 3, 2014, respectively. The Company received cash from option exercises of $1.1 million and $2.1 million for the three and nine month periods ended August 2, 2015, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.8 million for the three and nine month periods ended August 3, 2014, respectively. No share-based compensation cost was capitalized as part of an asset and no related income tax benefits were recorded during the periods presented.

Stock Options

Option awards generally vest in one to four years, and have a ten-year contractual term. All incentive and non-qualified stock option grants have an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The grant date fair values of options are based on closing prices of the Company’s common stock on the dates of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company's stock. The Company uses historical option exercise behavior and employee termination data to estimate expected term, which represents the period of time that the options granted are expected to remain outstanding. The risk-free rate of return for the estimated term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the date of grant.
 
14

The weighted-average inputs and risk-free rate of return ranges used to calculate the grant date fair value of options issued during the three and nine month periods ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014, are presented in the following table.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
August 2,
2015
   
August 3,
2014
   
August 2,
2015
   
August 3,
2014
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Expected volatility
   
42.9%
 
   
58.1%
 
   
53.9%
 
   
61.0%
 
                                 
Risk free rate of return
   
1.4% – 1.6%
 
   
1.4%
 
   
1.3% - 1.6%
 
   
1.4%
 
                                 
Dividend yield
   
N/A
   
N/A
   
N/A
   
N/A
                                 
Expected term
 
4.7 years
   
4.6 years
   
4.7 years
   
4.6 years
 

Information on outstanding and exercisable option awards as of August 2, 2015, is presented below.

 
 
 
 
Options
 
Shares
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding at August 2, 2015
   
3,873,693
   
$
7.29
 
6.3 years
 
$
7,075
 
                           
Exercisable at August 2, 2015
   
2,323,643
   
$
6.92
 
4.8 years
 
$
6,110
 

There were 63,000 share options granted during the three month period ended August 2, 2015, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $3.46 per share, and there were 20,000 share options granted during the three month period ended August 3, 2014, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $4.24 per share. There were 667,800 share options granted during the nine month period ended August 2, 2015, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $3.82 per share and 632,500 share options granted during the nine month period ended August 3, 2014, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $4.44 per share. As of August 2, 2015, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested option awards was approximately $4.5 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average amortization period of 2.5 years.

Restricted Stock

The Company periodically grants restricted stock awards. The restrictions on these awards typically lapse over a service period of less-than-one year to four years. 10,000 restricted stock awards were granted during the three month period ended August 2, 2015, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $8.84 per share and 121,334 restricted stock awards were issued during the nine month period ended August 2, 2015, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $8.28 per share. No restricted stock awards were granted during the three month period ended August 3, 2014, and 111,667 restricted stock awards were issued during the nine month period ended August 3, 2014, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $8.86 per share. As of August 2, 2015, the total compensation cost not yet recognized related to unvested restricted stock awards was approximately $1.1 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average amortization period of 2.1 years. As of August 2, 2015, there were 212,776 shares of restricted stock outstanding.

NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES

   The effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% in the three and nine month periods ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014, primarily due to earnings being taxed at lower statutory rates in foreign jurisdictions, the partial reversal of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance, and various investment credits in foreign jurisdictions. Valuation allowances in jurisdictions with historic losses eliminate the effective rate impact of these jurisdictions.
 
   During the three month period ended May 3, 2015, the Company determined that deferred tax assets of $1.5 million, whose realization was previously not considered to be more likely than not, are realizable. Therefore, their related valuation allowances were reduced and the deferred tax assets were recognized. In the three month period ended August 2, 2015, $0.2 million of additional deferred tax assets were recognized.
 
15

   Unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions were $5.6 million at August 2, 2015, and $5.1 million at November 2, 2014, of which $5.5 million and $5.0 million, respectively, would, if recognized, favorably impact the Company's effective tax rate. Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits was $0.2 million at August 2, 2015, $0.1 million of which was recognized during the nine month period ended August 2, 2015. As of August 2, 2015, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits is not expected to significantly increase or decrease in the next twelve months.
 
   Due to changes in the operational structure of a foreign subsidiary and a related redemption of the subsidiary’s investment in shares of an affiliate, the Company has determined that, as of August 2, 2015, the historic and future accumulated earnings of that subsidiary were not required for future reinvestment. Accordingly, earnings of $127.2 million that were considered to be indefinitely reinvested at November 2, 2014, were reduced by $16.4 million, against which a $5.7 million deferred tax liability that is offset by fully valued loss carryforwards has been established.
 
   PKLT, the Company's FPD manufacturing facility in Taiwan, has been accorded a tax holiday that started in 2012 and expires in 2017. The PKLT tax holiday had no dollar or per share effect on the financial results of the three or nine month periods ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014. PDMC, as a result of the DPTT Acquisition, acquired an IC manufacturing facility in Taiwan that has been accorded a tax holiday that commenced in 2015 and expires in 2019. The Company realized $0.1 million and $0.2 million in tax benefits from the PDMC tax holiday for the three and nine month periods ended August 2, 2015, respectively, and no dollar benefit for the three and nine month periods ended August 3, 2014. The tax holiday had no per share effect on the financial results for the three or nine month periods ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014.

NOTE 9 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share is presented below.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
August 2,
2015
   
August 3,
2014
   
August 2,
2015
   
August 3,
2014
 
                 
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders
 
$
12,106
   
$
4,186
   
$
26,003
   
$
21,719
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                               
Interest expense on convertible notes, net of related tax effects
   
1,071
     
-
     
3,292
     
4,626
 
                                 
Earnings for diluted earnings per share
 
$
13,177
   
$
4,186
   
$
29,295
   
$
26,345
 
                                 
Weighted-average common shares computations:
                               
Weighted-average common shares used for basic earnings per share
   
66,454
     
61,436
     
66,250
     
61,336
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                               
Convertible notes
   
11,085
     
-
     
11,085
     
15,423
 
Share-based payment awards
   
1,030
     
996
     
965
     
947
 
                                 
Potentially dilutive common shares
   
12,115
     
996
     
12,050
     
16,370
 
                                 
Weighted-average common shares used for diluted earnings per share
   
78,569
     
62,432
     
78,300
     
77,706
 
                                 
Basic earnings per share
 
$
0.18
   
$
0.07
   
$
0.39
   
$
0.35
 
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.17
   
$
0.07
   
$
0.37
   
$
0.34
 
 
16

The table below shows the outstanding weighted-average share-based payment awards that were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their exercise price exceeded the average market value of the common shares for the period, and convertible notes that, if converted, would have been antidilutive.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
August 2,
2015
   
August 3,
2014
   
August 2,
2015
   
August 3,
2014
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Share-based payment awards
   
1,667
     
1,869
     
1,636
     
2,044
 
Convertible notes
   
-
     
15,423
     
-
     
-
 
                                 
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded
   
1,667
     
17,292
     
1,636
     
2,044
 

NOTE 10 - CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME BY COMPONENT

The following tables set forth the changes in the Company's accumulated other comprehensive income by component (net of tax of $0) for the three and nine month periods ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014:

   
Three Months Ended August 2, 2015
 
   
Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustments
   
Amortization
of Cash
Flow Hedge
   
Other
   
Total
 
                 
Balance at May 3, 2015
 
$
15,648
   
$
(370
)
 
$
(440
)
 
$
14,838
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
   
(25,342
)
   
-
     
16
     
(25,326
)
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income
   
-
     
32
     
-
     
32
 
                                 
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
   
(25,342
)
   
32
     
16
     
(25,294
)
Less: other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
   
(2,208
)
   
-
     
8
     
(2,200
)
                                 
Balance at August 2, 2015
 
$
(7,486
)
 
$
(338
)
 
$
(432
)
 
$
(8,256
)

   
Three Months Ended August 3, 2014
 
   
Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustments
   
Amortization
of Cash
Flow Hedge
   
Other
   
Total
 
                 
Balance at May 4, 2014
 
$
30,928
   
$
(498
)
 
$
(411
)
 
$
30,019
 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
   
2,088
     
-
     
-
     
2,088
 
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income
   
-
     
32
     
-
     
32
 
                                 
Net current period other comprehensive income
   
2,088
     
32
     
-
     
2,120
 
Less: other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
   
541
     
-
     
4
     
545
 
                                 
Balance at August 3, 2014
 
$
32,475
   
$
(466
)
 
$
(415
)
 
$
31,594
 
 
17

   
Nine Months Ended August 2, 2015
 
   
Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustments
   
Amortization
of Cash
Flow Hedge
   
Other
   
Total
 
                 
Balance at November 2, 2014
 
$
22,651
   
$
(434
)
 
$
(443
)
 
$
21,774
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
   
(32,915
)
   
-
     
21
     
(32,894
)
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income
   
-
     
96
     
-
     
96
 
                                 
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
   
(32,915
)
   
96
     
21
     
(32,798
)
Less: other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
   
(2,778
)
   
-
     
10
     
(2,768
)
                                 
Balance at August 2, 2015
 
$
(7,486
)
 
$
(338
)
 
$
(432
)
 
$
(8,256
)

   
Nine Months Ended August 3, 2014
 
   
Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustments
   
Amortization
of Cash
Flow Hedge
   
Other
   
Total
 
                 
Balance at November 3, 2013
 
$
27,797
   
$
(562
)
 
$
(832
)
 
$
26,403
 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
   
5,176
     
-
     
18
     
5,194
 
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income
   
-
     
96
     
-
     
96
 
                                 
Net current period other comprehensive income
   
5,176
     
96
     
18
     
5,290
 
Less: other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
   
498
     
-
     
-
     
498
 
Other comprehensive income allocated to noncontrolling interests
   
-
     
-
     
411
     
411
 
Redemption of common stock by subsidiary
   
-
     
-
     
(12
)
   
(12
)
                                 
Balance at August 3, 2014
 
$
32,475
   
$
(466
)
 
$
(415
)
 
$
31,594
 

The amortization of the cash flow hedge is included in cost of sales in the condensed consolidated statements of income for all periods presented.

NOTE 11 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The accounting framework for determining fair value includes a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to measure fair value, which enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements. The fair value hierarchy consists of three tiers as follows: Level 1, defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical securities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

The Company did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis at August 2, 2015 or November 2, 2014.
 
18

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

The fair values of the Company's cash and cash equivalents (Level 1 measurements), accounts receivable, accounts payable, and certain other current assets and current liabilities (Level 2 measurements) approximate their carrying value due to their short-term maturities. The fair value of the Company’s convertible senior notes is a Level 2 measurement that is determined using recent bid prices.

The table below presents the fair and carrying values of the Company's convertible senior notes at August 2, 2015 and November 2, 2014.

   
August 2, 2015
   
November 2, 2014
 
   
Fair Value
   
Carrying Value
   
Fair Value
   
Carrying Value
 
                 
3.25% convertible senior notes due 2016
 
$
59,329
   
$
57,500
   
$
122,544
   
$
115,000
 
3.25% convertible senior notes due 2019
 
$
60,835
   
$
57,500
   
$
-
   
$
-
 

NOTE 12 - SUBSIDIARY SHARE REPURCHASE

In June 2015 the Company increased its ownership interest in PKL, a subsidiary of the Company based in Korea, to 99.77% from 99.75%, by purchasing 15,000 shares of its common stock from noncontrolling interests at a cost of $0.1 million.

In January 2014 the Company increased its ownership percentage in PSMC, a subsidiary of the Company based in Taiwan, to 100% at a cost of $1.7 million for the then remaining 3.0 million shares that were not owned by the Company. In April 2014 DPTT merged into PSMC to form PDMC. See Note 2 for further discussion relating to this transaction.

The table below presents the effect of the change in the Company’s ownership interest in its subsidiaries on the Company's equity for the three and nine month periods ended August 2, 2015 (15 thousand shares of common stock acquired), and the nine month period ended August 3, 2014, (3.0 million shares of common stock acquired and 112.9 million shares of common stock issued). The Company’s ownership interest in its subsidiaries did not change during the three month period ended August 3, 2014.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
August 2,
2015
   
August 3,
2014
   
August 2,
2015
   
August 3,
2014
 
                 
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders
 
$
12,106
   
$
4,186
   
$
26,003
   
$
21,719
 
                                 
Increase (decrease) in Photronics, Inc.'s  additional paid-in capital
   
27
     
-
     
27
     
(6,182
)
                                 
Increase in Photronics, Inc. shareholders’ accumulated other comprehensive income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
399
 
                                 
Change from net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders and transfer from noncontrolling interest
 
$
12,133
   
$
4,186
   
$
26,030
   
$
15,936
 

NOTE 13 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

As of August 2, 2015, the Company had commitments outstanding for capital expenditures of approximately $3 million.

The Company is subject to various claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes such claims, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
19

NOTE 14 - RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

   In April 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-03 – “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” This update requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from that debt liability, consistent with the presentation of a debt discount. This ASU will be effective for the Company in its first quarter of fiscal 2017. Upon adoption, all prior periods presented should be restated to reflect the amendments in this update. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

    In May 2014 the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 – “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of this ASU is that revenue should be recognized for the amount of consideration expected to be received for promised goods or services transferred to customers. This ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments, and assets recognized for costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. ASU 2014-09 allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. In August 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 “Deferral of the Effective date,” which defers the required adoption date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. As a result of the deferred effective date, ASU 2014-09 will be effective for the Company in its first quarter of fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted but not before the Company’s original effective date of its first quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company is evaluating the transition method that will be elected and the potential effects of the adoption of this ASU on its financial statements.

Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

Management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") of the Company's financial condition, results of operations and outlook should be read in conjunction with its condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes. Various segments of this MD&A contain forward-looking statements, all of which are presented based on current expectations and may be adversely affected by uncertainties and risk factors (presented throughout this filing and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal 2014 year), that may cause actual results to materially differ from these expectations. On April 4, 2014, DNP Photomask Technology Taiwan Co., Ltd. (“DPTT”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (“DNP”), merged into Photronics Semiconductor Mask Corporation (“PSMC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Photronics. All of the assets and liabilities of DPTT existing prior to the merger were assumed by the renamed surviving entity of the merger, Photronics DNP Mask Corporation (“PDMC”). Photronics and DNP own 50.01 percent and 49.99 percent of PDMC, respectively, and the results of DPTT are included in the condensed consolidated financial statements since the date of the acquisition. Throughout this report the merger of DPTT into PSMC is referred to as the “DPTT Acquisition.”

The Company sells substantially all of its photomasks to semiconductor designers and manufacturers, and manufacturers of FPDs. Photomask technology is also being applied to the fabrication of other higher performance electronic products such as photonics, micro-electronic mechanical systems and certain nanotechnology applications. Thus, the Company's selling cycle is tightly interwoven with the development and release of new semiconductor designs and flat panel applications, particularly as it relates to the semiconductor industry's migration to more advanced design methodologies and fabrication processes. The Company believes that the demand for photomasks primarily depends on design activity rather than sales volumes from products produced using photomask technologies. Consequently, an increase in semiconductor or FPD sales does not necessarily result in a corresponding increase in photomask sales. However, the reduced use of customized ICs, reductions in design complexity, other changes in the technology or methods of manufacturing or designing semiconductors, or a slowdown in the introduction of new semiconductor or FPD designs could reduce demand for photomasks even if demand for semiconductors and FPDs increases. Advances in semiconductor, FPD and photomask design and semiconductor production methods could also reduce the demand for photomasks. Historically, the semiconductor industry has been volatile, with sharp periodic downturns and slowdowns. These downturns have been characterized by, among other things, diminished product demand, excess production capacity and accelerated erosion of selling prices.

The global semiconductor industry, including mobile displays, is driven by end markets which have been closely tied to consumer driven applications of high performance semiconductor devices including, but not limited to, mobile communications and computing solutions. The Company is typically required to fulfill its customer orders within a short period of time, sometimes within 24 hours. This results in the Company having a minimal level of backlog orders, typically one to two weeks for IC photomasks and two to three weeks for FPD photomasks. The Company cannot predict the timing of the industry's transition to volume production of next generation technology nodes or the timing of up and down cycles with precise accuracy, but believes that such transitions and cycles will continue into the future, beneficially and adversely affecting its business, financial condition and operating results in the near term. The Company believes its ability to remain successful in these environments is dependent upon achieving its goals of being a service and technology leader and efficient solutions supplier, which it believes should enable it to continually reinvest in its global infrastructure.
 
20

Material Changes in Results of Operations
Three and Nine Months ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014

The following table represents selected operating information expressed as a percentage of net sales.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
August 2, 2015
   
August 3, 2014
   
August 2, 2015
   
August 3, 2014
 
                 
Net sales
   
100.0
%
   
100.0
%
   
100.0
%
   
100.0
%
Cost of sales
   
(71.7
)
   
(77.1
)
   
(74.2
)
   
(77.7
)
                                 
Gross margin
   
28.3
     
22.9
     
25.8
     
22.3
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
(9.4
)
   
(9.9
)
   
(9.6
)
   
(11.5
)
Research and development expenses
   
(4.8
)
   
(4.1
)
   
(4.4
)
   
(4.9
)
                                 
Operating income
   
14.1
     
8.9
     
11.8
     
5.9
 
Gain on acquisition
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
4.9
 
Other income (expense), net
   
0.2
     
(1.0
)
   
(0.7
)
   
(1.0
)
                                 
Income before income tax provision
   
14.3
     
7.9
     
11.1
     
9.8
 
Income tax provision
   
(2.6
)
   
(2.0
)
   
(2.0
)
   
(2.2
)
                                 
Net income
   
11.7
     
5.9
     
9.1
     
7.6
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
   
(2.5
)
   
(2.5
)
   
(2.3
)
   
(1.0
)
                                 
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders
   
9.2
%
   
3.4
%
   
6.8
%
   
6.6
%

Note: All of the following tabular comparisons, unless otherwise indicated, are for the three months ended August 2, 2015 (Q3-15) and August 3, 2014 (Q3-14) and for the nine months ended August 2, 2015 (YTD-15) and August 3, 2014 (YTD-14), in millions of dollars.

Net Sales

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
     
Q3-15
     
Q3-14
   
Percent
Change
   
YTD-15
   
YTD-14
   
Percent
Change
 
                                 
IC
 
$
104.0
   
$
100.6
     
3.4
%
 
$
309.3
   
$
253.4
     
22.1
%
FPD
   
27.7
     
24.3
     
14.1
%
   
73.2
     
77.9
     
(6.1
)%
                                                 
Total net sales
 
$
131.7
   
$
124.9
     
5.5
%
 
$
382.5
   
$
331.3
     
15.5
%

Net sales for Q3-15 increased 5.5% to $131.7 million as compared to $124.9 million for Q3-14. The increase was primarily a result of increased high-end sales of both IC and FPD photomasks. Revenues attributable to high-end products increased by $5.4 million to $57.0 million in Q3-15 as compared to $51.6 million in Q3-14. High-end photomask applications include mask sets for 45 nanometer and below for IC products, and G8 and above and active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display screen technologies for FPD products. By geographic area, net sales in Q3-15, as compared to Q3-14, increased (decreased) by $(1.8) million or (3.5)% to $50.5 million in Taiwan, $4.4 million or 13.1% to $37.6 million in Korea, $5.4 million or 19.1% to $33.8 million in the United States, and $(0.8) million or (8.4)% to $9.1 million in Europe.
 
21

Net sales for YTD-15 increased to $382.5 million as compared to $331.3 million for YTD-14 principally associated with the acquisition of DPTT in Taiwan as discussed in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, and to a lesser extent, increased sales in the United States. Revenues attributable to high-end products increased by $43.8 million to $165.4 million in YTD-15 as compared to $121.6 million in YTD-14, primarily due to increased high-end IC sales in Taiwan, which was partially offset by lower high-end FPD sales.

The Company’s quarterly revenues can be affected by the seasonal purchasing of its customers. Demand for the Company's products is typically negatively impacted during the first six months of its fiscal year by the North American, European and Asian holiday periods, as some customers reduce their effective workdays and orders during this period.

Gross Margin

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
     
Q3-15
     
Q3-14
   
Percent
Change
   
YTD-15
   
YTD-14
   
Percent
Change
 
                                 
Gross margin
 
$
37.2
   
$
28.7
     
30.0
%
 
$
98.5
   
$
73.7
     
33.6
%
Percentage of net sales
   
28.3
%
   
22.9
%
           
25.8
%
   
22.3
%
       

Gross margin percentage increased to 28.3% in Q3-15 from 22.9% in Q3-14 primarily due to increased sales and improved manufacturing efficiencies. The gross margin percentage increased to 25.8% in YTD-15 from 22.3% in YTD-14 primarily due to increased sales. The Company operates in a high fixed cost environment and, to the extent that the Company's revenues and utilization increase or decrease, gross margin will generally be positively or negatively impacted.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
     
Q3-15
     
Q3-14
   
Percent
Change
   
YTD-15
   
YTD-14
   
Percent
Change
 
                   
   
   
   
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
$
12.4
   
$
12.4
     
-
%
 
$
36.8
   
$
38.1
     
(3.4
)%
Percentage of net sales
   
9.4
%
   
9.9
%
           
9.6
%
   
11.5
%
       

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $12.4 million in Q3-15 and Q3-14, and were $36.8 million in YTD-15 and $38.1 million in YTD-14. The year-to-date decrease was primarily the result of expenses related to the acquisition of DPTT of $2.5 million in YTD-14 as discussed in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Research and Development

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
     
Q3-15
     
Q3-14
   
Percent
Change
   
YTD-15
   
YTD-14
   
Percent
Change
 
                                 
Research and development
 
$
6.3
   
$
5.2
     
20.3
%
 
$
16.7
   
$
16.1
     
3.9
%
Percentage of net sales
   
4.8
%
   
4.1
%
           
4.4
%
   
4.9
%
       

Research and development expenses consist primarily of global development efforts related to high-end process technologies for advanced sub-wavelength reticle solutions for IC technologies. Research and development expenses increased by $1.1 million to $6.3 million in Q3-15, as compared to $5.2 million in Q3-14, and by $0.6 million to $16.7 million in YTD-15, as compared to $16.1 million in YTD-14. The increased research and development expenses in Q3-15 and YTD-15 as compared to the same periods in the prior year were primarily due to increased activities at advanced nanometer technology nodes for IC photomasks.
 
22

Other Income (Expense), net

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
     
Q3-15
     
Q3-14
   
YTD-15
   
YTD-14
 
                         
Gain on acquisition
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
16.4
 
Interest expense
   
(1.2
)
   
(1.8
)
   
(3.8
)
   
(5.6
)
Interest and other income (expense), net
   
1.4
     
0.6
     
1.3
     
2.3
 
                                 
Other income (expense), net
 
$
0.2
   
$
(1.2
)
 
$
(2.5
)
 
$
13.1
 

    In April 2014 DNP Photomask Technology Taiwan Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP), merged into PSMC and operates under the name of Photronics DNP Mask Corporation (PDMC). The acquisition resulted in the Company recording a gain of $16.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2014. See Note 2 of the condensed consolidated financial statements for more information.

Interest expense decreased by $0.6 million in Q3-15, as compared to Q3-14, and by $1.8 million in YTD-15, as compared to YTD-14, primarily as a result of reduced outstanding borrowing balances.

Interest and other income (expense), net, increased in Q3-15 as compared to Q3-14 by $0.8 million primarily as a result of increased foreign currency gains offset in part by reduced interest income. Interest and other income, net, decreased by $1.0 million in YTD-15, as compared to YTD-14, primarily as a result of financing expenses related to the Company’s exchange of convertible debt in Q1-15 and reduced interest income, which were offset in part by increased foreign currency gains.

Income Tax Provision

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
     
Q3-15
     
Q3-14
   
YTD-15
   
YTD-14
 
                         
Income tax provision
 
$
3.4
   
$
2.5
   
$
7.8
   
$
7.3
 
                                 
Effective income tax rate
   
18.0
%
   
25.7
%
   
18.3
%
   
22.3
%

   The Company’s effective income tax rate is sensitive to its jurisdictional mix of earnings, due in part to the non-recognition of tax benefits on losses in jurisdictions in which the Company has established valuation allowances for such benefits.
 
   The effective income tax rate decrease in Q3-15, as compared with Q3-14, was primarily attributable to a greater percentage of income before income taxes being earned in jurisdictions where the Company maintains valuation allowances and, therefore, does not recognize a tax expense or benefit. The effective income tax rate decrease in YTD-15, as compared with YTD-14, was primarily attributable to a reduction in fiscal year 2015 of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance and a greater percentage of income before income taxes being earned in jurisdictions where the Company maintains valuation allowances, while in fiscal year 2014 a non-taxable gain related to the DPTT Acquisition was offset by a lower percentage of income before income taxes being earned in jurisdictions in which the Company maintains valuation allowances (and, therefore, does not recognize a tax expense or benefit).
 
   As of each reporting date, the Company considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could impact management’s views with regards to the future realization of deferred tax assets. In Q2-15, the Company determined that sufficient positive evidence existed in a foreign jurisdiction that it was more likely than not that additional deferred taxes of $1.5 million were realizable and, therefore, reduced the valuation allowance accordingly.

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased $0.1 million to $3.3 million in Q3-15, as compared to $3.2 million in Q3-14, and by $5.1 million to $8.7 million in YTD-15, as compared to $3.6 million in YTD-14, primarily as a result of changes in the ownership structure of the Company’s IC manufacturing facility located in Taiwan. During Q2-14, the Company exchanged a 49.99% noncontrolling interest in PDMC, the Company’s IC manufacturing subsidiary in Taiwan, in return for the net assets of an acquiree. See Notes 2 and 12 of the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.
 
23

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's working capital was $179.0 million at August 2, 2015, and $197.4 million at November 2, 2014. The decrease in working capital was primarily related to planned capital equipment purchases. Cash and cash equivalents were $191.6 million at August 2, 2015, and $192.9 million at November 2, 2014. Net cash provided by operating activities was $91.8 million for the nine month period ended August 2, 2015, as compared to $61.8 million for the nine month period ended August 3, 2014, the increase primarily due to increased income in 2015, as well as net income in 2014 included a $16.4 million noncash acquis