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:  March 31, 2016 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:  0-25426  

  

  

NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION  

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)  



  

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (512) 338-9119  

__________________________

  

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 period 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 the 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.  



  

   



 

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NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION  

  

INDEX  





  

   

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION  

  

ITEM 1.Financial Statements  

  

NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION  

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  

(in thousands, except per share data)  

  

  

  

  



 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. 

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NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION  

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME  

(in thousands, except per share data)  

(unaudited)  

  

  





The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION  

 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  

(in thousands)  

(unaudited)  

  





 

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NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  

(in thousands)  

(unaudited)  

  

  



 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.  

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NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

  

Note 1 – Basis of presentation  

  

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2015, included in our annual report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring items) considered necessary to present fairly our financial position at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, and the results of our operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015. Our operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.



 

  

   

Note 2 – Earnings per share  

  

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding (if dilutive) during each period. The number of common share equivalents, which include stock options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”), is computed using the treasury stock method.  

  

The reconciliation of the denominators used to calculate basic EPS and diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, are as follows:

  

Stock awards to acquire 393,847 shares and 46,400 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were excluded in the computations of diluted EPS because the effect of including the stock awards would have been anti-dilutive.

 

  

Note 3 – Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments  

  

The following tables summarize unrealized gains and losses related to our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments designated as available-for-sale:



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The following tables summarize the contractual maturities of our short-term investments designated as available-for-sale:



  

 

  

   

Note 4 – Fair value measurements 

  

We define fair value to be the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, we consider the principal or most advantageous market that market participants may use when pricing the asset or liability.   

We follow a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Fair value measurement is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three values of the fair value hierarchy are the following:   

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities   

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly   

Level 3 – Inputs that are not based on observable market data   

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Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:







We value our available-for-sale short-term investments based on pricing from third party pricing vendors, who may use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 inputs) or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2 inputs) in determining fair value. We classify all of our fixed income available-for-sale securities as having Level 2 inputs. The valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of our financial instruments having Level 2 inputs were derived from non-binding market consensus prices that are corroborated by observable market data, quoted market prices for similar instruments, or pricing models, such as discounted cash flow techniques. We believe all of these sources reflect the credit risk associated with each of our available-for-sale short-term investments. Short-term investments available-for-sale consists of debt securities issued by states of the U.S. and political subdivisions of the U.S., corporate debt securities and debt securities issued by U.S. government organizations and agencies. All short-term investments available-for-sale have contractual maturities of less than 56 months.  

  

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Derivatives include foreign currency forward and option contracts. Our foreign currency forward contracts are valued using an income approach (Level 2) based on the spot rate less the contract rate multiplied by the notional amount. Our foreign currency option contracts are valued using a market approach based on the quoted market prices which are derived from observable inputs including current and future spot rates, interest rate spreads as well as quoted market prices of similar instruments. We consider counterparty credit risk in the valuation of our derivatives. However, counterparty credit risk did not impact the valuation of our derivatives during the three month period ended March 31, 2016. There were no transfers in or out of Level 1 or Level 2 during the three month period ended March 31, 2016.  

  

As of March 31, 2016, our short-term investments did not include sovereign debt from any country other than the United States. 

  

We did not have any items that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.  

  

The carrying value of net accounts receivable, accounts payable, and long-term debt contained in the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximates fair value.

 

Note 5 – Derivative instruments and hedging activities  

  

We recognize all of our derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in our statement of financial position at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and further, on the type of hedging relationship. For those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, we designate the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation.

   

We have operations in over 50 countries. Sales outside of the Americas accounted for approximately 61% and 59% of our net sales during the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our activities expose us to a variety of market risks, including the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These financial risks are monitored and managed by us as an integral part of our overall risk management program.   

  

We maintain a foreign currency risk management strategy that uses derivative instruments (foreign currency forward and purchased option contracts) to help protect our earnings and cash flows from fluctuations caused by the volatility in currency exchange rates. Movements in foreign currency exchange rates pose a risk to our operations and competitive position, in that exchange rate changes may affect our profitability and cash flow, and the business or pricing strategies of our non-U.S. based competitors.

   

The vast majority of our foreign sales are denominated in the customers’ local currency. We purchase foreign currency forward and option contracts as hedges of forecasted sales that are denominated in foreign currencies and as hedges of foreign currency denominated financial assets or liabilities. These contracts are entered into to help protect against the risk that the eventual dollar-net-cash inflows resulting from such sales or firm commitments will be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates. We also purchase foreign currency forward contracts as hedges of forecasted expenses that are denominated in foreign currencies. These contracts are entered into to help protect against the risk that the eventual dollar-net-cash outflows resulting from foreign currency operating and cost of sales expenses will be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates.

   

We designate foreign currency forward and purchased option contracts as cash flow hedges of forecasted net sales or forecasted expenses. In addition, we hedge our foreign currency denominated balance sheet exposures using foreign currency forward contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments. None of our derivative instruments contain a credit-risk-related contingent feature.

 

  Cash flow hedges  



  To help protect against the reduction in value caused by a fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates of forecasted foreign currency cash flows resulting from international sales over the next one to three years, we have instituted a foreign currency cash flow hedging program. We hedge portions of our forecasted net sales and forecasted expenses denominated in foreign currencies with forward and purchased option contracts. For forward contracts, when the dollar strengthens significantly against the foreign currencies, the change in the present value of future foreign currency cash flows may be offset by the change in the fair value of the forward contracts designated as hedges. For option contracts, when the dollar strengthens significantly against the foreign currencies, the change in the present value of future foreign currency cash flows may be offset by the change in the fair value of the option contracts net of the premium paid designated as hedges. Our foreign currency purchased option contracts are purchased “at-the-money” or “out-of-the-money.” We purchase foreign currency forward and option contracts for up to 100% of our forecasted exposures in selected currencies (primarily in Euro, Japanese yen, Hungarian forint, British pound, Chinese yuan and Malaysian ringgit) and limit the duration of these contracts to 40 months or less.  

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For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and reclassified into earnings in the same line item (net sales, operating expenses, or cost of sales) associated with the forecasted transaction and in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings or expenses during the current period and are classified as a component of “net foreign exchange loss.” Hedge effectiveness of foreign currency forwards and purchased option contracts designated as cash flow hedges are measured by comparing the hedging instrument’s cumulative change in fair value from inception to maturity to the forecasted transaction’s terminal value.   



We held forward contracts with the following notional amounts:









The contracts in the foregoing table had contractual maturities of 40 months or less at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.  

  

At March 31, 2016, we expect to reclassify $2.1 million of losses on derivative instruments from accumulated OCI to net sales during the next twelve months when the hedged international sales occur, $1.1 million of losses on derivative instruments from accumulated OCI to cost of sales during the next twelve months when the cost of sales are incurred and $1.0 million of losses on derivative instruments from accumulated OCI to operating expenses during the next twelve months when the hedged operating expenses occur. Expected amounts are based on derivative valuations at March 31, 2016. Actual results may vary materially as a result of changes in the corresponding exchange rates subsequent to this date.  

  

We did not record any ineffectiveness from our hedges during the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.  



Other Derivatives  

Other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments consist primarily of foreign currency forward contracts that we use to hedge our foreign denominated net receivable or net payable positions to help protect against the change in value caused by a fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates. We typically attempt to hedge up to 90% of our outstanding foreign denominated net receivables or net payables and typically limit the duration of these foreign currency forward contracts to approximately 120 days or less. The gain or loss on the derivatives as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedge item attributable to the hedged risk is recognized in current earnings under the line item “net foreign exchange loss.” As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we held foreign currency forward contracts with a notional amount of $83 million and  $97 million, respectively.   

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The following tables present the fair value of derivative instruments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. 

  





   





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The following tables present the effect of derivative instruments on our Consolidated Statements of Income for three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively:

























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Note 6 – Inventories, net 

  

Inventories, net consist of the following: 







  

Note 7 – Intangible assets, net  

  

Intangible assets at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are as follows:

  

  

Software development costs capitalized for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were $8.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively, and related amortization expense was $4.4 million and $4.6 million, respectively. Capitalized software development costs for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 included costs related to stock based compensation of $324,000 and $95,000, respectively. The related amounts in the table above are net of fully amortized assets.



Amortization of capitalized software development costs is computed on an individual product basis for those products available for market and is recognized based on the product’s estimated economic life, generally three years. Acquired technology and other intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives, which range from three to eight years. Patents are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit, generally 10 to 17 years. Total intangible assets amortization expenses were $9.4 million and $8.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

 



 Note 8 – Goodwill 

  

The carrying amount of goodwill as of March 31, 2016 was as follows:



The excess purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. As we have one operating segment, we allocate goodwill to one reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis, and between annual tests if indicators of potential impairment exist, using a fair-value-based approach based on the market capitalization of the reporting unit. Our annual impairment test was performed as of February 28, 2016.  No impairment of goodwill was identified during 2016 or 2015.  

   

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Note 9 – Income taxes  

  

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts which are more likely than not to be realized.  

  

We account for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in our financial statements using prescribed recognition thresholds and measurement attributes for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on our tax returns. We had $12.8 million and $12.5 million of unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, all of which would affect our effective income tax rate if recognized. We recorded a $218,000 change in unrecognized tax benefits for the three month period ended March 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2016, it is reasonably possible that we will recognize tax benefits in the amount of $3.4 million in the next twelve months due to the closing of open tax years. The nature of the uncertainty is related to deductions taken on returns that have not been examined by the applicable tax authority.  Our continuing policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. As of March 31, 2016, we had approximately $1.2 million accrued for interest related to uncertain tax positions. The tax years 2008 through 2016 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which we are subject.  

 

Our provision for income taxes reflected an effective tax rate of 24% and 23% for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, our effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% as a result of an enhanced deduction for certain research and development expenses, profits in foreign jurisdictions with reduced income tax rates, the research and development tax credit, and a tax benefit from disqualifying dispositions of equity awards that do not ordinarily result in a tax benefit.   For the three months ended March 31, 2015, our effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% as a result of an enhanced deduction for certain research and development expenses, profits in foreign jurisdictions with reduced income tax rates, and a tax benefit from disqualifying dispositions of equity awards that do not ordinarily result in a tax benefit.



Our earnings in Hungary are subject to a statutory tax rate of 19%. The difference between this rate and the statutory U.S. rate of 35% resulted in income tax benefits of $589,000 and $901,000 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

  

The tax position of our Hungarian operation continues to benefit from assets created by the restructuring of our operations in Hungary. In addition, our research and development activities in Hungary continue to benefit from a tax law in Hungary that provides for an enhanced deduction for qualified research and development expenses. Partial release of the valuation allowance on assets from the restructuring and the enhanced tax deduction for research expenses resulted in income tax benefits of $1.3 million and $1.8 million for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.



Earnings from our operations in Malaysia are free of tax under a tax holiday effective January 1, 2013. This tax holiday expires in 2027. If we fail to satisfy the conditions of the tax holiday, this tax benefit may be terminated early. The tax holiday resulted in income tax benefits of $342,000 and $447,000 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.



No other taxing jurisdictions had a significant impact on our effective tax rate. We have not entered into any advanced pricing or other agreements with the IRS with regard to any foreign jurisdictions.

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Note 10 – Comprehensive income    



Our comprehensive income is comprised of net income, foreign currency translation, unrealized gains and losses on forward and option contracts and securities classified as available-for-sale. The accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, consisted of the following:  











 

   

Note 11 – Authorized shares of common and preferred stock and stock-based compensation plans

  

Authorized shares of common and preferred stock



Following approval by the Company’s Board of Directors and stockholders, on May 14, 2013, the Company’s certificate of incorporation was amended to increase the authorized shares of common stock by 180,000,000 shares to a total of 360,000,000 shares. As a result of this amendment, the total number of shares which the Company is authorized to issue is 365,000,000 shares, consisting of (i) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, and (ii) 360,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share.



Stock option plans  

  

Our stockholders approved the 1994 Incentive Stock Option Plan (the “1994 Plan”) in May 1994. At the time of approval, 13,668,750 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance under this plan. In 1997, an additional 10,631,250 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance under this plan, and an additional 1,125,000 shares were reserved for issuance under this plan in 2004. The 1994 Plan terminated in May 2005, except with respect to outstanding awards previously granted thereunder.  

  

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Awards under the plan were either incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code or nonqualified options. The right to purchase shares under the options vested over a five to ten-year period, beginning on the date of grant. Vesting of ten year awards may have accelerated based on the Company’s previous year’s earnings and revenue growth but shares could not accelerate to vest over a period of less than five years. Stock options were required to be exercised within ten years from date of grant. Stock options were issued with an exercise price which was equal to the market price of our common stock at the grant date. We estimated the potential forfeitures of stock grants and adjusted the compensation cost recorded accordingly. During three month period ended March 31, 2016, we did not make any changes in accounting principles or methods of estimates related to the 1994 Plan.  



Restricted stock plan  

  

Our stockholders approved our 2005 Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) in May 2005. At the time of approval, 4,050,000 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance under this plan, as well as the number of shares which had been reserved but not issued under the 1994 Plan (our incentive stock option plan which terminated in May 2005), and any shares that returned to the 1994 Plan as a result of termination of options or repurchase of shares issued under such plan. The 2005 Plan, administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, provided for granting of incentive awards in the form of restricted stock and RSUs to directors, executive officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. Awards vest over a three, five or ten-year period, beginning on the date of grant. Vesting of ten year awards may accelerate based on the Company’s previous year’s earnings and growth but ten year awards cannot accelerate to vest over a period of less than five years. The 2005 Plan terminated on May 11, 2010, except with respect to outstanding awards previously granted thereunder. There were 3,362,304 shares of common stock that were reserved but not issued under the 2005 Plan as of May 11, 2010.  

  

Our stockholders approved our 2010 Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”) on May 11, 2010. At the time of approval, 3,000,000 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance under this plan, as well as the 3,362,304 shares of common stock that were reserved but not issued under the 1994 Plan and the 2005 Plan as of May 11, 2010, and any shares that are returned to the 1994 Plan and the 2005 Plan as a result of the forfeiture or termination of options or RSUs or repurchase of shares issued under these plans. The 2010 Plan, administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, provides for granting of incentive awards in the form of restricted stock and RSUs to employees, directors and consultants of the Company and employees and consultants of any parent or subsidiary of the Company. Awards vest over a three, five or ten-year period, beginning on the date of grant. Vesting of ten year awards may accelerate based on the Company’s previous year’s earnings and growth but ten year awards cannot accelerate to vest over a period of less than five years. The 2010 Plan terminated on May 12, 2015, except with respect to the outstanding awards previously granted thereunder. There were 2,518,416 shares of common stock that were reserved but not issued under the 2010 Plan as of May 12, 2015.



Our stockholders approved our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) on May 12, 2015. At the time of approval, 3,000,000 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance under this plan, as well as the 2,518,416 shares of common stock that were reserved but not issued under the 2010 Plan as of May 12, 2015, and any shares that were returned to the 1994, 2005, and the 2010 Plans as a result of the forfeiture or termination of options or RSUs or repurchase of shares issued under these plans. The 2015 Plan, administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, provides for the granting of incentive awards in the form of restricted stock and RSUs to employees, directors and consultants of the Company and employees and consultants of any parent or subsidiary of the Company. Awards vest over a three, five or ten-year period, beginning on the date of grant. Vesting of ten year awards may accelerate based on the Company’s previous year’s earnings and growth but ten year awards cannot accelerate to vest over a period of less than five years. There were 5,447,059 shares available for grant under the 2015 Plan at March 31, 2016.   

    

We estimate potential forfeitures of RSUs and adjust compensation cost recorded accordingly. The estimate of forfeitures will be adjusted over the requisite service period to the extent that actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from such estimates. Changes in estimated forfeitures will be recognized through a cumulative catch-up adjustment in the period of change and will also impact the amount of stock compensation expense to be recognized in future periods. During the three month period ended March 31, 2016, we did not make any changes in accounting pri