Edgar Filing: COHU INC

Form 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended March 28, 2015

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

Commission file number 001-04298

COHU, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware		95-1934119
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

12367 Crosthwaite Circle, Poway, California		92064-6817
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (858) 848-8100

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 þ 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 þ 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.

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer þ 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 Act). Yes ¨ No þ

As of March 28, 2015 the Registrant had 25,907,539 shares of its $1.00 par value common stock outstanding.

COHU, INC.

INDEX

FORM 10-Q

MARCH 28, 2015


	Page Number

Part I Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements:

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets March 28, 2015 (unaudited) and December 27, 2014		3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) Three Months Ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014		4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (unaudited) Three Months Ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014		5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) Three Months Ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014		6

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements		7

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		17

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		23

Item 4. Controls and Procedures		23

Part II Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings		24

Item 1A. Risk Factors		24

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		30

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities		31

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures		31

Item 5. Other Information		31

Item 6. Exhibits		32

Signatures		33

Item 1.

COHU, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except par value)


	March 28,			December 27,
	2015			2014 *
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	68,609		$	70,885
Short-term investments		1,110			1,155
Accounts receivable, net		67,233			73,646
Inventories:
Raw materials and purchased parts		29,286			26,734
Work in process		22,490			21,738
Finished goods		6,595			7,073

		58,371			55,545
Deferred income taxes		3,831			4,406
Other current assets		8,791			9,180

Total current assets		207,945			214,817
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:
Land and land improvements		11,341			11,762
Buildings and building improvements		30,901			31,123
Machinery and equipment		41,639			42,352

		83,881			85,237
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(53,127	)		(53,383	)

Net property, plant and equipment		30,754			31,854
Goodwill		60,326			63,132
Intangible assets, net		31,036			33,087
Other assets		5,421			5,928

	$	335,482		$	348,818


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	30,477		$	25,964
Accrued compensation and benefits		13,704			19,643
Accrued warranty		4,539			5,109
Deferred profit		7,723			7,445
Income taxes payable		3,732			3,133
Other accrued liabilities		6,571			7,184

Total current liabilities		66,746			68,478
Accrued retirement benefits		15,277			13,815
Deferred income taxes		10,254			11,061
Noncurrent income tax liabilities		7,125			7,321
Other accrued liabilities		1,193			1,075
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value; 1,000 shares authorized, none issued		—			—
Common stock, $1 par value; 60,000 shares authorized, 25,908 shares issued and outstanding in 2015 and 25,692 shares in 2014		25,908			25,692
Paid-in capital		98,221			97,938
Retained earnings		129,870			134,152
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(19,112	)		(10,714	)

Total stockholders’ equity		234,887			247,068

	$	335,482		$	348,818

*	Derived from December 27, 2014 audited financial statements

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

COHU, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)


	Three Months Ended
	March 28,			March 29,
	2015			2014
Net sales	$	68,068		$	64,864
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales		46,309			42,664
Research and development		9,629			10,560
Selling, general and administrative		13,835			15,063

		69,773			68,287

Loss from operations		(1,705	)		(3,423	)
Interest and other, net		6			15

Loss from continuing operations before taxes		(1,699	)		(3,408	)
Income tax provision (benefit)		1,041			(56	)

Loss from continuing operations		(2,740	)		(3,352	)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax (Note 2)		—			5

Net loss	$	(2,740	)	$	(3,347	)

Income (loss) per share:
Basic:
Loss from continuing operations	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.13	)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		—			0.00

Net loss	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.13	)


Diluted:
Loss from continuing operations	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.13	)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax		—			0.00

Net loss	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.13	)


Weighted average shares used in computing income (loss) per share:
Basic		25,751			25,123

Diluted		25,751			25,123


Cash dividends declared per share	$	0.06		$	0.06

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

COHU, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)


	Three Months Ended
	March 28,			March 29,
	2015			2014
Net loss	$	(2,740	)	$	(3,347	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(8,343	)		285
Adjustments related to postretirement benefits		(55	)		44

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		(8,398	)		329

Comprehensive loss	$	(11,138	)	$	(3,018	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

COHU, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)


	Three Months Ended
	March 28,			March 29,
	2015			2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(2,740	)	$	(3,347	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Asset impairment charge		273			—
Operating cash flows of discontinued operations		—			(61	)
Depreciation and amortization		2,913			3,424
Share-based compensation expense		1,729			1,481
Deferred income taxes		(781	)		(415	)
Other accrued liabilities		217			133
Changes in other assets		(78	)		—
Changes in current assets and liabilities, excluding effects from acquisitions and divestitures:
Accounts receivable		6,171			(5,912	)
Inventories		(4,466	)		(3,641	)
Other current assets		678			(1,147	)
Accounts payable		5,275			911
Deferred profit		387			265
Income taxes payable, including excess stock option exercise benefit		505			(44	)
Accrued compensation, warranty and other liabilities		(5,868	)		(589	)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		4,215			(8,942	)
Cash flows from investing activities, excluding effects from acquisitions and divestitures:
Sales and maturities of short-term investments		45			125
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(1,071	)		(722	)
Changes in other assets		—			111
Investing cash flows of discontinued operations		—			(8	)

Net cash used in investing activities		(1,026	)		(494	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid		(1,539	)		(1,504	)
Repurchase of common stock		(1,230	)		(765	)

Net cash used in financing activities		(2,769	)		(2,269	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(2,696	)		80

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(2,276	)		(11,625	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		70,885			51,668

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	68,609		$	40,043


Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes	$	(703	)	$	310
Inventory capitalized as property, plant and equipment	$	108		$	61
Dividends declared but not yet paid	$	1,543		$	1,507

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

Cohu, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 28, 2015

1.	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Our fiscal years are based on a 52- or 53-week period ending on the last Saturday in December. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 27, 2014 has been derived from our audited financial statements at that date. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 28, 2015 (also referred to as “the first quarter of fiscal 2015” and “the first three months of fiscal 2015”) and March 29, 2014 (also referred to as “the first quarter of fiscal 2014” and “the first three months of fiscal 2014”) are unaudited. However, in management’s opinion, these financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring items) necessary to provide a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The first quarter of fiscal 2015 and 2014 were each comprised of 13 weeks.

Our interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that should be expected for the full year. For a better understanding of Cohu, Inc. and our financial statements, we recommend reading these interim condensed consolidated financial statements in conjunction with our audited financial statements for the year ended December 27, 2014, which are included in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the following notes to our interim condensed consolidated financial statements, Cohu, Inc. is referred to as “Cohu”, “we”, “our” and “us”.

Reclassifications

We have reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on the financial position or results of operations or cash flows for the periods presented.

Risks and Uncertainties

We are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may significantly impact our future operating results. These risks and uncertainties are discussed under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” included in this Form 10-Q. Understanding these risks and uncertainties is integral to the review of our interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

Discontinued Operations

On June 6, 2014 we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of our video camera segment, Cohu Electronics, and its operating results are being presented as discontinued operations and all prior period amounts have been reclassified accordingly. See Note 2, “Disposal of Video Camera Segment” for additional information. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts herein relate to continuing operations.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, short-term investments and trade accounts receivable. We invest in a variety of financial instruments and, by policy, limit the amount of credit exposure with any one issuer.

Trade accounts receivable are presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.2 million and $0.3 million at March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, respectively. Our customers include semiconductor manufacturers and semiconductor test subcontractors and other customers located throughout many areas of the world. While we believe that our allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate and represents our best estimate at March 28, 2015, we will continue to monitor customer liquidity and other economic conditions, which may result in changes to our estimates regarding collectability.

Goodwill, Other Intangible Assets and Long-lived Assets

We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually and when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. We test goodwill for impairment by first comparing the book value of net assets to the fair value of the reporting units. If the fair value is determined to be less than the book value, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment as the difference between the estimated fair value of goodwill and the carrying value. We estimated the fair values of our reporting units primarily using the income approach valuation methodology that includes the discounted cash flow method, taking into consideration the market approach and certain market multiples as a validation of the values derived using the discounted cash flow methodology. Forecasts of future cash flows are based on our best estimate of future net sales and operating expenses, based primarily on customer forecasts, industry trade organization data and general economic conditions.

Cohu, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 28, 2015

We conduct our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1st of each year. As of October 1, 2014, we concluded there was no impairment as the estimated fair values of our semiconductor equipment and microwave communications reporting units exceeded their carrying values by approximately 35% and 17%, respectively. Subsequent to our annual goodwill impairment test, in the fourth quarter of 2014, we determined an interim analysis was required and as of December 27, 2014 concluded that the fair market value of our microwave communications reporting unit goodwill was lower than its carrying value. As a result, we recorded a non-cash, pre-tax impairment charge of $5.0 million, comprised of $3.1 million of goodwill, and $1.9 million other assets in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Long-lived assets, other than goodwill, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets, impairment losses are only recorded if the asset’s carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted, probability-weighted future cash flows. We measure the impairment loss based on the difference between the assets carrying amount and estimated fair value.

Foreign Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities of our wholly owned foreign subsidiaries that use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency are translated using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period, except for nonmonetary assets, such as inventories and property, plant and equipment, which are translated using historical exchange rates. Revenues and costs are translated using average exchange rates for the period, except for costs related to those balance sheet items that are translated using historical exchange rates. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are recognized as incurred. Certain of our foreign subsidiaries have designated the local currency as their functional currency and, as a result, their assets and liabilities are translated at the rate of exchange at the balance sheet date, while revenue and expenses are translated using the average exchange rate for the period. During the first quarter of 2015 strengthening of the U.S. dollar, against primarily the Swiss Franc and Euro resulted in approximately $0.2 million of gains being recognized in our consolidated statement of operations in the first quarter of 2015. Gains and losses were not significant in any other period presented. Cumulative translation adjustments resulting from the translation of the financial statements are included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

Share-Based Compensation

We measure and recognize all share-based compensation under the fair value method. Our estimate of share-based compensation expense requires a number of complex and subjective assumptions including our stock price volatility, employee exercise patterns (expected life of the options), future forfeitures and related tax effects. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of share-based awards represent our best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. Although we believe the assumptions and estimates we have made are reasonable and appropriate, changes in assumptions could materially impact our reported financial results.

Reported share-based compensation is classified, in the condensed consolidated interim financial statements, as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	March 28,			March 29,
	2015			2014
Cost of sales	$	115		$	75
Research and development		338			490
Selling, general and administrative		1,276			916

Total share-based compensation		1,729			1,481
Income tax benefit		(44	)		(41	)

Total share-based compensation, net	$	1,685		$	1,440

Cohu, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 28, 2015

Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted income per share includes the dilutive effect of common shares potentially issuable upon the exercise of stock options, vesting of outstanding restricted stock units and issuance of stock under our employee stock purchase plan using the treasury stock method. In loss periods, potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the per share computations due to their anti-dilutive effect. For purposes of computing diluted income per share, stock options with exercise prices that exceed the average fair market value of our common stock for the period are excluded.

The following table reconciles the denominators used in computing basic and diluted income (loss) per share (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	March 28,		March 29,
	2015		2014
Weighted average common shares		25,751		25,123
Effect of dilutive stock options		—		—

		25,751		25,123

Cohu has utilized the “control number” concept in the computation of diluted earnings per share to determine whether potential common stock instruments are dilutive. The control number used is income/loss from continuing operations. The control number concept requires that the same number of potentially dilutive securities applied in computing diluted earnings per share from continuing operations be applied to all other categories of income or loss, regardless of their anti-dilutive effect on such categories. Therefore, no dilutive effect has been recognized in the calculation of income from discontinued operations per share for the three months ended March 29, 2014.

Revenue Recognition

Our revenue recognition policy is disclosed in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2014. As more fully described in that policy, revenue from products that have not previously satisfied customer acceptance requirements is recognized upon customer acceptance. The gross profit on sales that are not recognized is generally recorded as deferred profit and reflected as a current liability in our consolidated balance sheet.

At March 28, 2015, we had deferred revenue totaling approximately $12.0 million and deferred profit of $7.7 million. At December 27, 2014, we had deferred revenue totaling approximately $11.3 million and deferred profit of $7.4 million. The periodic increase is primarily a result of deferrals of revenue associated with shipments of semiconductor equipment.

Comprehensive Loss

Our accumulated other comprehensive loss balance totaled approximately $19.1 million and $10.7 million at March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014, respectively, and was attributed to all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity and consists of, on an after-tax basis where applicable, foreign currency adjustments resulting from the translation of certain of our subsidiary accounts where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar and adjustments related to postretirement benefits. Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income during the three months of fiscal 2015 and 2014 were not significant.

Retiree Medical Benefits

We provide post-retirement health benefits to certain executives and directors under a noncontributory plan. The net periodic benefit cost incurred during the three months of fiscal 2015 and 2014 was not significant.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements – In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance on reporting discontinued operations and disclosures of disposals of components of an entity, which amends the existing definition of a discontinued operation and requires entities to disclose additional information about disposal transactions that do not meet the discontinued operations criteria. The guidance redefines a

Cohu, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 28, 2015

discontinued operation as a component or group of components of an entity that has been disposed of by sale or other than by sale or is classified as held for sale and represents a strategic shift that has a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The guidance was effective prospectively for disposals or components classified as held for sale in periods on or after December 15, 2014 with early adoption permitted. Cohu elected to implement this new guidance in the second quarter of fiscal 2014 and the adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements – In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on revenue from contracts with customers. The amended guidance outlines a single comprehensive revenue model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The guidance supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that “an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.” Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or modified approach to adopt the guidance. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. In April 2015, the FASB agreed to propose a one-year deferral of the revenue recognition standard’s effective date for all entities, which would change the effectiveness to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with the option to adopt as early as December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on our financial statements and have not yet determined which transition method we will utilize upon adoption.

In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on going concern, which requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. We do not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

On April 15, 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-04, Compensation-Retirement Benefits, to provide a practical expedient for the measurement date of defined benefit plan assets and obligations. The practical expedient allows employers with fiscal year-end dates that do not fall on a calendar month-end (e.g., companies with a 52/53-week fiscal year) to measure pension and post-retirement benefit plan assets and obligations as of the calendar month-end date closest to the fiscal year-end. The FASB also provided a similar practical expedient for interim remeasurements for significant events. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. We do not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

2.	Disposal of Video Camera Segment

In June 2014, we sold substantially all the assets of our video camera segment, Cohu Electronics for $9.5 million in cash and $0.5 million in contingent consideration. Our decision to sell Cohu Electronics resulted from management’s determination that this industry segment was no longer a strategic fit within our organization.

Operating results of our discontinued video camera segment is summarized as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	March 28,		March 29,
	2015		2014
Net sales	$	—	$	3,553

Operating income before income taxes	$	—	$	121
Loss on disposal of video camera segment		—		(116	)
Income tax provision		—		—

Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	—	$	5

In connection with the sale of the assets of our video camera segment we incurred divestiture-related costs that would not have been incurred otherwise. These costs consist of legal advisory services, success based compensation arrangements and certain other items that are incremental to normal operating charges and were expensed as incurred. In the first three months of 2014 we incurred $0.1 million of divestiture related costs included above in the loss on disposal.

Cohu, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 28, 2015

3.	Geographic Consolidation

In May 2014, our wholly owned subsidiary Broadcast Microwave Services, Inc. (“BMS”) implemented a geographic consolidation plan to relocate the manufacturing, engineering and administrative functions of its German operation to its headquarters facility in Poway, California. The consolidation plan was substantially complete in September 2014 and for the three-month period ended March 28, 2015, BMS recorded charges to selling, general and administrative totaling $24,000 for severance and one-time termination benefits. There were no costs associated with this geographic consolidation plan in the first quarter of 2014.

The following table reconciles amounts accrued and paid under the consolidation plan (in thousands):


	Severance and
	Other Payroll
Balance, December 27, 2014	$	231
Costs accrued		24
Amounts paid or charged		(185	)
Impact of currency exchange		(17	)

Balance, March 28, 2015	$	53

4.	Goodwill and Other Purchased Intangible Assets

Changes in the carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment during the year ended December 27, 2014 and the three-month period ended March 28, 2015 were as follows (in thousands):


	Semiconductor			Microwave			Total
	Equipment			Communications			Goodwill
Balance, December 28, 2013	$	67,983		$	3,330		$	71,313
Impact of currency exchange		(4,851	)		(275	)		(5,126	)
Impairment of goodwill		—			(3,055	)		(3,055	)

Balance, December 27, 2014		63,132			—			63,132
Impact of currency exchange		(2,806	)		—			(2,806	)

Balance, March 28, 2015	$	60,326		$	—		$	60,326

Purchased intangible assets, subject to amortization are as follows (in thousands):


	March 28, 2015						December 27, 2014
	Gross Carrying		Accumulated		Remaining		Gross Carrying		Accumulated
	Amount		Amortization		Useful Life		Amount		Amortization
Rasco technology	$	26,697	$	21,090		1.8 years	$	29,845	$	22,616
Ismeca technology		27,751		7,950		5.8 years		27,014		6,879

	$	54,448	$	29,040			$	56,859	$	29,495

Amortization expense related to intangible assets in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 and 2014 was approximately $1.8 million and $2.1 million, respectively. The amounts included in the table above for the period ended March 28, 2015 exclude approximately $1.9 million and $3.7 million, related to the trade names of Rasco and Ismeca, respectively, and for the period ended December 27, 2014 exclude approximately $2.1 million and $3.6 million for Rasco and Ismeca respectively for trade name which have indefinite life and are not being amortized. Changes in the carrying values of these intangible assets are a result of the impact of fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

Cohu, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 28, 2015

5.	Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value

Our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments consisted primarily of cash and other investment grade securities. We do not hold investment securities for trading purposes. All short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value. Investment securities are exposed to market risk due to changes in interest rates and credit risk and we monitor credit risk and attempt to mitigate exposure by making high-quality investments and through investment diversification.

Gains and losses on investments are calculated using the specific-identification method and are recognized during the period in which the investment is sold or when an investment experiences an other-than-temporary decline in value. Factors that could indicate an impairment exists include, but are not limited to: earnings performance, changes in credit rating or adverse changes in the regulatory or economic environment of the asset. Gross realized gains and losses on sales of short-term investments are included in interest income. Realized gains and losses for the periods presented were not significant.

Investments that we have classified as short-term, by security type, are as follows (in thousands):


	March 28, 2015
			Gross		Gross		Estimated
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
Municipal securities	$	110	$	—	$	—	$	110
Bank certificates of deposit		1,000		—		—		1,000

	$	1,110	$	—	$	—	$	1,110


	December 27, 2014
			Gross		Gross		Estimated
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
Municipal securities	$	155	$	—	$	—	$	155
Bank certificates of deposit		1,000		—		—		1,000

	$	1,155	$	—	$	—	$	1,155

Effective maturities of short-term investments are as follows (in thousands):


	March 28, 2015				December 27, 2014
	Amortized		Estimated		Amortized		Estimated
	Cost		Fair Value		Cost		Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	1,110	$	1,110	$	1,155	$	1,155

Our municipal securities include variable rate demand notes which can be put (sold at par) typically on a daily basis with settlement periods ranging from the same day to one week and have varying contractual maturities through 2034. These securities can be used for short-term liquidity needs and are held for limited periods of time. At March 28, 2015 and December 27, 2014 these securities had amortized cost and fair value of $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, and are included in “Due in one year or less” in the table above.

Accounting standards pertaining to fair value measurements establish a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. When available, we use quoted market prices to determine the fair value of our investments, and they are included in Level 1. When quoted market prices are unobservable, we use quotes from independent pricing vendors based on recent trading activity and other relevant information, and they are included in Level 2.

Cohu, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 28, 2015

The following table summarizes, by major security type, our assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):


	Fair value measurements at March 28, 2015 using:
							Total estimated
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		fair value
Cash	$	59,145	$	—	$	—	$	59,145
Municipal securities		—		110		—		110
Money market funds		—		9,464		—		9,464
Bank certificates of deposit		—		1,000		—		1,000

	$	59,145	$	10,574	$	—	$	69,719


	Fair value measurements at December 27, 2014 using:
							Total estimated
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		fair value
Cash	$	66,467	$	—	$	—	$	66,467
Municipal securities		—		155		—		155
Money market funds		—		4,418		—		4,418
Bank certificates of deposit		—		1,000		—		1,000

	$	66,467	$	5,573	$	—	$	72,040

6.	Employee Stock Benefit Plans

Our 2005 Equity Incentive Plan is a broad-based, long-term retention program intended to attract, motivate, and retain talented employees as well as align stockholder and employee interests. Awards that may be granted under the program include, but are not limited to, non-qualified and incentive stock options, restricted stock units, and performance-based stock units. We settle employee stock option exercises, ESPP purchases, and the vesting of restricted stock units, and performance-based stock units with newly issued common shares. At March 28, 2015, there were 591,373 shares available for future equity grants under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan.

Stock Options

Stock options may be granted to employees, consultants and directors to purchase a fixed number of shares of our common stock. The exercise prices of options granted are at least equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the dates of grant and options generally vest and become exercisable after one year or in four annual increments beginning one year after the date of grant. Stock options granted under the program have a maximum contractual term of ten years.

At March 28, 2015, we had 2,268,229 stock options outstanding. These options had a weighted-average exercise price of $11.31 per share, an aggregate intrinsic value of approximately $3.0 million and the weighted average remaining contractual term was approximately 5.2 years.

At March 28, 2015, we had 1,917,729 stock options outstanding that were exercisable. These options had a weighted-average exercise price of $11.53 per share, an aggregate intrinsic value of $2.6 million and the weighted average remaining contractual term was approximately 4.7 years.

Restricted Stock Units

We issue restricted stock units to certain employees, consultants and directors. Restricted stock units vest over either a one-year or a four-year period from the date of grant. Prior to vesting, restricted stock units do not have dividend equivalent rights, do not have voting rights and the shares underlying the restricted stock units are not considered issued and outstanding.

For the three months ended March 28, 2015, we awarded restricted stock units covering 435,601 shares of our common stock to employees and at March 28, 2015, we had 1,169,719 restricted stock units outstanding with an aggregate intrinsic value of approximately $12.9 million and the weighted average remaining vesting period was approximately 1.9 years.

Cohu, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 28, 2015

Equity-Based Performance Stock Units

In March 2012, we began granting equity-based performance units covering shares of our common stock to certain employees. The number of shares of stock ultimately issued will depend upon the extent to which certain financial performance goals set by our Board of Directors are met during the one-year award measurement period. Based upon the level of achievement of performance goals the number of shares we ultimately issue can range from 0% up to 150% of the number of shares under each grant which vest over 3 years from the date of initial grant. In 2014, we began awarding equity-based performance stock units to senior executives with vesting that is contingent on the level of achievement of certain performance goals, market return and continued service (“market-based PSUs”) and in 2015, the market-based PSUs granted are only subject to certain adjustments resulting from performance of Cohu’s Relative Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) to a selected peer group over a two-year measurement period following the date of grant based on the percentage by which our TSR exceeds or falls below the selected peer group. Market-based PSUs earned will vest at the rate of 50% on the second and third anniversary of their grant. We estimated the fair value of market-based PSUs using a Monte Carlo simulation model on the date of grant. Compensation expense is recognized ratably over the measurement period of each vesting tranche. We record a provision for equity-based performance units outstanding based on our current assessment of achievement of the performance goals. New shares of our common stock will be issued on the date the equity-based performance units vest.

For the three months ended March 28, 2015, we awarded 148,370 market-based performance stock units to senior executives, and at March 28, 2015, we had 404,867 PSUs and market based PSUs outstanding with an aggregate intrinsic value of approximately $4.5 million and the weighted average remaining vesting period was approximately 1.8 years.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

The Cohu, Inc. 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“the Plan”) provides for the issuance of shares of our common stock. Under the Plan, eligible employees may purchase shares of Cohu common stock through payroll deductions at a price equal to 85 percent of the lower of the fair market value of Cohu common stock at the beginning or end of each 6-month purchase period, subject to certain limits. During the three-month period ended March 28, 2015, we did not sell any shares to our employees under the Plan and we have 183,591 shares available for future issuance.

7.	Income Taxes

Ordinarily, interim tax provisions are calculated using the estimated effective tax rate (“ETR”) expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year. However, when a reliable estimate of the annual ETR cannot be made, the actual ETR for the year-to-date period may be the best estimate of the annual ETR. For the three months ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014 we used the actual year-to-date ETR in computing our tax provision or benefit, as a reliable estimate of the annual ETR cannot be made, since relatively small changes in our projected income or loss produce a significant variation in our ETR. The actual year-to-date ETR on loss from continuing operations for the three months ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014, was (61.3)% and 1.6%, respectively. The tax provision or benefit on loss from continuing operations in 2015 and 2014 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to the inability to benefit our domestic losses as a result of our valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, foreign income taxed at lower rates, changes in our deferred tax asset valuation allowance, state taxes and changes and interest related to unrecognized tax benefits.

There was no material change to our unrecognized tax benefits and interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits during the three months ended March 28, 2015.

8.	Industry Segments

Our reportable segments are business units that offer different products and are managed separately because each business requires different technology and marketing strategies. As discussed in Note 2, in June 2014, we sold substantially all the assets of Cohu Electronics, which comprised our video camera segment and have presented financial information for this segment as discontinued operations. Subsequent to this transaction Cohu’s remaining reportable segments are semiconductor and microwave communications equipment.

We allocate resources and evaluate the performance of segments based on profit or loss from operations, excluding interest, corporate expenses and unusual gains or losses. Intersegment sales were not significant for any period.

Cohu, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 28, 2015

Financial information by industry segment is as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	March 28,			March 29,
	2015			2014
Net sales by segment:
Semiconductor equipment	$	63,447		$	60,170
Microwave communications equipment		4,621			4,694

Consolidated net sales for reportable segments	$	68,068		$	64,864


Segment profit (loss):
Semiconductor equipment	$	1,236		$	(825	)
Microwave communications equipment		(926	)		(539	)

Profit (loss) for reportable segments		310			(1,364	)
Other unallocated amounts:
Corporate expenses		(2,015	)		(2,059	)
Interest and other, net		6			15

Loss from continuing operations before taxes	$	(1,699	)	$	(3,408	)

A small number of customers of our semiconductor equipment segment historically have been responsible for a significant portion of our consolidated net sales. Significant customer concentration information is as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	March 28,	March 29,
	2015	2014
Customers individually accounting for more than 10% of consolidated net sales	two	two
Percentage of consolidated net sales	31%	27%

9.	Contingencies

From time-to-time we are involved in various legal proceedings, examinations by various tax authorities and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of our businesses. The outcome of any litigation is inherently uncertain. While there can be no assurance, we do not believe at the present time that the resolution of the matters described above will have a material adverse effect on our assets, financial position or results of operations.

10.

Guarantees

Our products are generally sold with warranty periods that range from 12 to 36 months following sale or acceptance. Parts and labor are covered under the terms of the warranty agreement. The warranty provision is based on historical and projected experience by product and configuration.

Changes in accrued warranty were as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	March 28,			March 29,
	2015			2014
Balance at beginning of period	$	6,184		$	5,155
Warranty expense accruals		1,439			1,039
Warranty payments		(1,891	)		(1,378	)

Balance at end of period	$	5,732		$	4,816

Accrued warranty amounts expected to be incurred after one year are included in non-current other accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Cohu, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

March 28, 2015

From time-to-time, during the ordinary course of business, we provide standby letters of credit for certain contingent liabilities under contractual arrangements, including customer contracts. As of March 28, 2015, the maximum potential amount of future payments that Cohu could be required to make under these standby letters of credit was approximately $0.3 million. We have not recorded any liability in connection with these guarantee arrangements beyond that required to appropriately account for the underlying transaction being guaranteed. We do not believe, based on historical experience and information currently available, that it is probable that any amounts will be required to be paid under these arrangements.

11.

Subsequent Event

On April 6, 2015, Cohu and Computershare Inc., a Delaware corporation (successor-in-interest to Mellon Investor Services LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company), (the “Rights Agent”) entered into an Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Rights Agreement (the “Amendment”) with respect to the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated as of November 10, 2006 by and between Cohu and the Rights Agent (the “Rights Agreement”). The Amendment changes the “Final Expiration Date” in Section 7(a) of the Rights Agreement from November 9, 2016 to April 6, 2015, effectively terminating the Rights Agreement as of that date. In addition, on April 6, 2015 we eliminated from the Cohu Certificate of Incorporation all matters related to the Series A Preferred Stock that was previously authorized in conjunction with the Rights Agreement.

Cohu, Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

March 28, 2015

This Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements including expectations of market conditions, challenges and plans, within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is subject to the Safe Harbor provisions created by that statute. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs, including estimates and projections about our industries and include, but are not limited to, statements concerning financial position, business strategy, and plans or objectives for future operations. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict and may cause actual results to differ materially from management’s current expectations. Such risks and uncertainties include those set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors”. The forward-looking statements in this report speak only as of the time they are made, and do not necessarily reflect management’s outlook at any other point in time. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or for any other reason, however, readers should carefully review the risk factors set forth in other reports or documents we file from time to time with the SEC after the date of this Quarterly Report.

OVERVIEW

Cohu operates in two business segments. Our primary business is the development, manufacture, sale and servicing of test handling, burn-in, thermal sub-systems, contactors and MEMS test solutions for the global semiconductor industry through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Delta Design, Inc., Rasco GmbH and Ismeca Semiconductor Holding SA. Our primary business is significantly dependent on capital expenditures by semiconductor manufacturers and test subcontractors, which in turn is dependent on the current and anticipated market demand for semiconductors that is subject to cyclical trends. We expect that the semiconductor equipment industry will continue to be cyclical and volatile in part because consumer electronics, the principal end market for integrated circuits, is a highly dynamic industry and demand is difficult to accurately predict.

Average orders for back-end semiconductor equipment, as reported by Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI), increased each month of the first quarter of 2015. Consistent with the broader market, the orders generated by our semiconductor equipment segment increased 53% sequentially in the first quarter of 2015. The increase in orders was in part a result of a large order for equipment utilized to test mobility products. We continue to experience broad demand across our product lines and customer base with our pick and place and gravity handlers benefiting in particular from continued demand from the automotive and industrial segments. Demand for our thermal subsystems is being driven by the continuing popularity of consumer products, including tablets and smartphones and the sustained improvement in the results within our turret business are being driven largely by the consumer mobility and solid state lighting markets. We continue to be optimistic about the long-term prospects for the semiconductor equipment industry due to the increasing technological functionality of mobile devices, growing integrated circuit content in automotive, consumer and industrial applications, and the projected adoption of high brightness LEDs in general lighting.

Our microwave communications equipment segment comprised approximately 8% of our consolidated revenues during the three-year period ended December 27, 2014 and approximately 7% for the quarter ended March 28, 2015. Our microwave communications equipment segment develops, manufactures and sells mobile microwave communications equipment, antenna systems and associated equipment. These products are used in the transmission of video, audio and telemetry data. Applications for these microwave data-links include unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAVs”), public safety, security, surveillance, electronic news gathering and live broadcast television. Customers for these products are government agencies, public safety organizations, UAV program contractors, television broadcasters and other commercial entities.

Application of Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience, forecasts and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, however actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies have a significant impact on the results we report in our financial statements. Some of our accounting policies require us to make difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain.

Cohu, Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

March 28, 2015

Our critical accounting estimates that we believe are the most important to an investor’s understanding of our financial results and condition and require complex management judgment include:

•

revenue recognition, including the deferral of revenue on sales to customers, which impacts our results of operations;

•

estimation of valuation allowances and accrued liabilities, specifically product warranty, inventory reserves and allowance for bad debts, which impact gross margin or operating expenses;

•

the recognition and measurement of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, unrecognized tax benefits and the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, which impact our tax provision;

•

the assessment of recoverability of long-lived assets including goodwill and other intangible assets, which primarily impacts gross margin or operating expenses if we are required to record impairments of assets or accelerate their depreciation or amortization; and

•

the valuation and recognition of share-based compensation, which impacts gross margin, research and development expense, and selling, general and administrative expense.

Below, we discuss these policies further, as well as the estimates and judgments involved. We also have other policies that we consider key accounting policies; however, these policies typically do not require us to make estimates or judgments that are difficult or subjective.

Revenue Recognition: We generally recognize revenue upon shipment and title passage for established products (i.e., those that have previously satisfied customer acceptance requirements) that provide for full payment tied to shipment. Revenue for products that have not previously satisfied customer acceptance requirements or from sales where customer payment dates are not determinable is recognized upon customer acceptance. In certain instances, customer payment terms may provide that a minority portion (e.g. 20%) of the equipment purchase price be paid only upon customer acceptance. In those situations, the majority portion (e.g. 80%) of revenue where payment is tied to shipment and the entire product cost of sale are recognized upon shipment and passage of title and the minority portion of the purchase price related to customer acceptance is deferred and recognized upon receipt of customer acceptance. For arrangements containing multiple elements the revenue relating to the undelivered elements is deferred using the relative selling price method utilizing estimated sales prices until delivery of the deferred elements. We limit the amount of revenue recognition for delivered elements to the amount that is not contingent on the future delivery of products or services, future performance obligations or subject to customer-specified return or adjustment. On shipments where sales are not recognized, gross profit is generally recorded as deferred profit in our consolidated balance sheet representing the difference between the receivable recorded and the inventory shipped.

Accounts Receivable: We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of our customers deteriorates, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

Warranty: We provide for the estimated costs of product warranties in the period sales are recognized. Our warranty obligation estimates are affected by historical product shipment levels, product performance and material and labor costs incurred in correcting product performance problems. Should product performance, material usage or labor repair costs differ from our estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.

Inventory: The valuation of inventory requires us to estimate obsolete or excess inventory as well as inventory that is not of saleable quality. The determination of obsolete or excess inventory requires us to estimate the future demand for our products. The demand forecast is a direct input in the development of our short-term manufacturing plans. We record valuation reserves on our inventory for estimated excess and obsolete inventory and lower of cost or market concerns equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future product demand, market conditions and product selling prices. If future product demand, market conditions or product selling prices are less than those projected by management or if continued modifications to products are required to meet specifications or other customer requirements, increases to inventory reserves may be required which would have a negative impact on our gross margin.

Income Taxes: We estimate our liability for income taxes based on the various jurisdictions where we conduct business. This requires us to estimate our (i) current taxes; (ii) temporary differences that result from differing treatment of certain items for tax and accounting purposes and (iii) unrecognized tax benefits. Temporary differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities that are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet. The deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based upon all available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Establishing, reducing or increasing a valuation allowance in an accounting period generally results in an increase or decrease in tax expense in the statement of operations. We must make significant judgments to determine the provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities, unrecognized tax benefits and any valuation allowance to be recorded against deferred tax assets. Our gross deferred tax asset balance as of March 28, 2015 was approximately $45.8 million, with a valuation allowance of approximately $39.0 million. Our deferred tax assets consist primarily of reserves and accruals that are not yet deductible for tax and tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards.

Cohu, Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

March 28, 2015

Goodwill, Purchased Intangible Assets and Other Long-lived Assets: We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually and when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. We test goodwill for impairment by first comparing the book value of net assets to the fair value of the reporting units. If the fair value is determined to be less than the book value, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment as the difference between the estimated fair value of goodwill and the carrying value. We estimated the fair values of our reporting units primarily using the income approach valuation methodology that includes the discounted cash flow method, taking into consideration the market approach and certain market multiples as a validation of the values derived using the discounted cash flow methodology. Forecasts of future cash flows are based on our best estimate of future net sales and operating expenses, based primarily on customer forecasts, industry trade organization data and general economic conditions.

We conduct our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1st of each year. As of October 1, 2014, we concluded there was no impairment as the estimated fair values of our semiconductor equipment and microwave communications reporting units exceeded their carrying values by approximately 35% and 17%, respectively. Subsequent to our annual goodwill impairment test, in the fourth quarter of 2014, we determined an interim analysis was required and as of December 27, 2014 concluded that the fair market value of our microwave communications reporting unit goodwill was lower than its carrying value. As a result, during the fourth quarter of 2014, we recorded a non-cash, pre-tax impairment charge of $5.0 million, comprised of $3.1 million of goodwill, and $1.9 million other assets.

Contingencies: We are subject to certain contingencies that arise in the ordinary course of our businesses which require us to assess the likelihood that future events will confirm the existence of a loss or an impairment of an asset. If a loss or asset impairment is probable and the amount of the loss or impairment is reasonably estimable, we accrue a charge to operations in the period such conditions become known.

Share-based Compensation: Share-based compensation expense related to stock options is recorded based on the fair value of the award on its grant date, which we estimate using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock unit awards is calculated based on the market price of our common stock on the grant date, reduced by the present value of dividends expected to be paid on our common stock prior to vesting of the restricted stock unit. Share-based compensation on performance stock units with market-based goals is calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation model on the date of the grant.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a description of accounting changes and recent accounting pronouncements, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects, if any, on our consolidated financial statements, see Note 1, “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Cohu, Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

March 28, 2015

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

In June 2014, we sold our video camera segment, Cohu Electronics, and its operating results are being presented as discontinued operations. All prior period amounts have been reclassified and unless otherwise indicated the discussion below covers the comparative results from continuing operations.

The following table summarizes certain operating data as a percentage of net sales:


	Three Months Ended
	March 28,			March 29,
	2015			2014
Net sales		100.0	%		100.0	%
Cost of sales		(68.0	)%		(65.8	)%

Gross margin		32.0	%		34.2	%
Research and development		(14.1	)%		(16.3	)%
Selling, general and administrative		(20.3	)%		(23.2	)%

Loss from operations		(2.4	)%		(5.3	)%

First Quarter of Fiscal 2015 Compared to First Quarter of Fiscal 2014

Net Sales

Our consolidated net sales increased 4.9% to $68.1 million in 2015, compared to net sales of $64.9 million in 2014. Sales of semiconductor equipment in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 were $63.4 million, and increased $3.3 million or 5.4% from 2014 and represented 93.2% of consolidated net sales in 2015 versus 92.8% in 2014. Semiconductor equipment sales in 2015 benefitted from higher demand for test equipment products used by automotive, mobile, consumer, discrete and industrial semiconductor customers.

Mobile microwave communications equipment sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 were $4.6 million, representing 6.8% of consolidated net sales in 2015, and decreased $0.1 million or 1.6% when compared to 2014.

Gross Margin

Gross margin consists of net sales less cost of sales. Cost of sales consists primarily of the cost of materials, assembly and test labor, and overhead from operations. Our gross margin can fluctuate due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the mix of products sold, product support costs, inventory reserve adjustments, and utilization of manufacturing capacity. Our gross margin, as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 32.0% in 2015 from 34.2% in 2014. In 2015, our gross margin continues to benefit from the transition of our supply chain and manufacturing activities to Asia, however it decreased as compared to the first quarter of 2014 primarily as a result of the product mix in our semiconductor equipment segment.

Our gross margin has been impacted by charges to cost of sales related to excess, obsolete and lower of cost or market inventory issues. We compute the majority of our excess and obsolete inventory reserve requirements using a one-year inventory usage forecast. During the first quarter of fiscal 2015 and 2014 we recorded charges to cost of sales of approximately $0.4 million and $1.4 million for excess and obsolete inventory, respectively. While we believe our reserves for excess and obsolete inventory and lower of cost or market concerns are adequate to cover known exposures at March 28, 2015, reductions in customer forecasts or continued modifications to products, as a result of our failure to meet specifications or other customer requirements, may result in additional charges to operations that could negatively impact our results of operations and gross margin in future periods.

Research and Development Expense (“R&D Expense”)

R&D expense consists primarily of salaries and related costs of employees engaged in ongoing research, product design and development activities, costs of engineering materials and supplies, and professional consulting expenses. R&D expense was $9.6 million or 14.1% of net sales in 2015, compared to $10.6 million or 16.3% in 2014, the decrease in 2015 resulted from product development programs that have concluded or are nearing completion as planned, and cost control measures implemented within both our semiconductor and microwave communications equipment segments.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense (“SG&A Expense”)

SG&A expense consists primarily of salaries and benefit costs of employees, commission expense for independent sales representatives, product promotion and costs of professional services. SG&A expense was $13.8 million or 20.3% of net

Cohu, Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

March 28, 2015

sales in 2015, compared to $15.1 million or 23.2% in 2014, decreasing primarily as a result a $0.7 million reduction in costs incurred in connection with transitioning our semiconductor equipment manufacturing to Asia in 2015. SG&A expense in 2015 also benefitted by $0.2 million as a result of the U.S. Dollar strengthening against the Euro and Swiss Franc and tight cost controls within our semiconductor and microwave communications equipment segments.

Income Taxes

There was no material change to our unrecognized tax benefits and interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits during the three months ended March 28, 2015.

Income from Continuing Operations and Net Income

As a result of the factors set forth above, our loss from continuing operations was $2.7 million in 2015 and $3.4 million in 2014. Our net loss, which includes the results of our discontinued video camera segment, was not materially different from loss from continuing operations in either period.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our primary business is dependent on capital expenditures by semiconductor manufacturers and test subcontractors that are, in turn, dependent on the current and anticipated market demand for semiconductors. The cyclical and volatile nature of demand for semiconductor equipment, our primary industry, makes estimates of future revenues, results of operations and net cash flows difficult.

Our primary historical source of liquidity and capital resources has been cash flow generated by our operations and we manage our businesses to maximize operating cash flows as our primary source of liquidity. We use cash to fund growth in our operating assets and to fund new products and product enhancements primarily through research and development. As of March 28, 2015, $52.2 million of our cash and cash equivalents was held by our foreign subsidiaries. If these funds are needed for our operations in the U.S., we may be required to accrue and pay U.S. taxes if we repatriate these funds. Except for certain geographic locations where we have curtailed operations and from which repatriation would not result in incremental U.S. or foreign withholding tax, our intent is to indefinitely reinvest these funds in our foreign operations and we have no current plans that would require us to repatriate these funds to the U.S.

Liquidity

Working Capital: The following summarizes our cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and working capital:


	March 28,		December 27,					Percentage
(in thousands)	2015		2014		Decrease			Change
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	$	69,719	$	72,040	$	(2,321	)		(3.2	)%
Working capital	$	141,199	$	146,339	$	(5,140	)		(3.5	)%

Cash Flows

Operating Activities: Operating cash flows consist of our net loss, adjusted for non-cash expenses and changes in operating assets and liabilities. Non-cash items include asset impairment charges, depreciation and amortization, non-cash share-based compensation expense and deferred income taxes. Our net cash provided by operating activities in the first three months of fiscal 2015 totaled $4.2 million. Cash provided by operating activities was impacted by changes in current assets and liabilities and, excluding the impact of the sale of Cohu Electronics, included decreases in accounts receivables of $6.2 million and accrued compensation, warranty and other liabilities of $5.9 million and increases in inventory of $4.5 million and accounts payable of $5.3 million. The decrease in accounts receivables resulted from a sequential decrease in product shipments made by our semiconductor equipment segment and the timing of the resulting cash conversion cycle. Accrued compensation, warranty

Cohu, Inc.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

March 28, 2015

and other liabilities decreased as a result of the payment of incentive compensation that was accrued during fiscal 2014. Material purchases made by our semiconductor equipment segment to fulfill customer orders for equipment expected to ship in future quarters led to an increase in our inventory balance and accounts payable increased as a result of the timing of cash payments made to our suppliers and vendors.

Investing Activities: Investing cash flows consist primarily of cash used for capital expenditures in support of our businesses, proceeds from investment maturities, asset disposals and divestitures and cash used for purchases of investments and business acquisitions. Net cash used in investing activities in the first three months of fiscal 2015 totaled $1.0 million and were driven, primarily, by additions to property, plant and equipment of $1.1 million made to support the operating and development activities of our semiconductor equipment business.

Financing Activities: Cash flows from financing activities consist primarily of net proceeds from the issuance of common stock under our stock option and employee stock purchase plans and cash used to pay dividends to our stockholders. We issue stock options and maintain an employee stock purchase plan as components of our overall employee compensation. In the first three months of fiscal 2015, we used $1.2 million to repurchase common stock related to our employee stock plans and we paid dividends totaling $1.5 million, or $0.06 per common share. Future quarterly dividends are subject to our cash liquidity, capital availability and periodic determinations by our Board of Directors that cash dividends are in the best interests of our stockholders.

Capital Resources

We have a secured letter of credit facility (the “Secured Facility”) under which Bank of America, N.A., has agreed to administer the issuance of letters of credit on behalf of Cohu and our subsidiaries. The Secured Facility requires us to maintain deposits of cash or other approved investments, which serve as collateral, in amounts that approximate our outstanding letters of credit. As of March 28, 2015, we had approximately $0.3 million of standby letters of credit outstanding under the Secured Facility. We also have credit agreements with multiple financial institutions under which they administer lines of credit on behalf of our wholly owned Ismeca subsidiary. The agreements provide Ismeca with 2.5 million Swiss Francs of available credit and at March 28, 2015 no amounts were outstanding. We expect that we will continue to make capital expenditures to support our business and we anticipate that present working capital will be sufficient to meet our operating requirements for at least the next twelve months.

Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Contractual Obligations: Our significant contractual obligations consist of operating leases that have not changed materially from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2014.

Purchase Commitments: From time to time, we enter into commitments with our vendors and outsourcing partners to purchase inventory at fixed prices or in guaranteed quantities. We are not able to determine the aggregate amount of such purchase orders that represent contractual obligations, as purchase orders may represent authorizations to purchase rather than binding agreements. Our purchase orders are based on our current manufacturing needs and are fulfilled by our vendors within relatively short time horizons. We typically do not have significant agreements for the purchase of raw materials or other goods specifying minimum quantities or set prices that exceed our expected requirements for the next three months.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements: During the ordinary course of business, we provide standby letters of credit instruments to certain parties as required. As of March 28, 2015, the maximum potential amount of future payments that we could be required to make under these standby letters of credit was approximately $0.3 million. No liability has been recorded in connection with these arrangements beyond those required to appropriately account for the underlying transaction being guaranteed. We do not believe, based on historical experience and information currently available, that it is probable that any amounts will be required to be paid under these arrangements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Investment and Interest Rate Risk.

At March 28, 2015, our investment portfolio included short-term, fixed-income investment securities with a fair value of approximately $1.1 million. These securities are subject to interest rate risk and will likely decline in value if interest rates increase. Our future investment income may fall short of expectations due to changes in interest rates or we may suffer losses in principal if we are forced to sell securities that decline in market value due to changes in interest rates. As we classify our short-term securities as available-for-sale, no gains or losses are recognized due to changes in interest rates unless such securities are sold prior to maturity or declines in fair value are determined to be other-than-temporary. Due to the relatively short duration of our investment portfolio, an immediate ten percent change in interest rates would have no material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

We evaluate our investments periodically for possible other-than-temporary impairment by reviewing factors such as the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below cost basis, the financial condition of the issuer and our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient for anticipated recovery of market value. As of March 28, 2015, we had no investments with loss positions.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk.

We have operations in several foreign countries and conduct business in the local currency in these countries. As a result, we have risk associated with currency fluctuations as the value of foreign currencies fluctuate against the U.S. dollar, in particular the Swiss Franc, Euro, Malaysian Ringgit, Chinese Yuan and Philippine Peso. These fluctuations can impact our reported earnings.

Fluctuations in currency exchange rates also impact the U.S. dollar amount of our net investment in foreign operations. The assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the fiscal year-end balance sheet date. Income and expenses accounts are translated at an average exchange rate during the year which approximates the rates in effect at the transaction dates. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. The U.S. dollar strengthened relative to many foreign currencies as of March 28, 2015 compared to December 27, 2014 and consequently, our stockholders’ equity decreased by $8.4 million as a result of the foreign currency translation.

Based upon the current levels of net foreign assets, a hypothetical 10% devaluation of the U.S. dollar as compared to these currencies as of March 28, 2015 would result in an approximate $13.2 million positive translation adjustment recorded in other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity. Conversely, a hypothetical 10% appreciation of the U.S. dollar as compared to these currencies as of March 28, 2015 would result in an approximate $13.2 million negative translation adjustment recorded in other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.

It should be noted that any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met. In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

(b) Changes in Internal Controls. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonable likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

The information set forth above under Note 9 contained in the “Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

The risks described below may not be the only risks we face. Additional risks that we do not currently believe are material may also impair our business operations. The risk factors set forth below with an asterisk (*) next to the title contain changes to the description of the risk factors associated with our business as previously disclosed in Item 1A to our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. If any of the events or circumstances described in the following risks occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could suffer, and the trading price of our common stock and our market capitalization could decline.

* We are exposed to risks associated with acquisitions, investments and divestitures.

We have made, and may in the future make, acquisitions of, or significant investments in, businesses with complementary products, services and/or technologies. Acquisitions and investments involve numerous risks, including, but not limited to:

•

difficulties and increased costs in connection with integration of the personnel, operations, technologies and products of acquired businesses;

•

increasing the scope, geographic diversity and complexity of our business;

•

diversion of management’s attention from other operational matters;

•

the potential loss of key employees or customers of Cohu or acquired businesses;

•

lack of synergy, or the inability to realize expected synergies, resulting from the acquisition;

•

failure to commercialize purchased technology; and

•

the impairment of acquired intangible assets and goodwill that could result in significant charges to operating results in future periods.

We may be required to finance future acquisitions and investments through a combination of borrowings, proceeds from equity or debt offerings and the use of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.

With respect to divestitures, we may divest businesses or assets that do not meet our strategic objectives, or do not meet our growth or profitability targets and may not be able to complete proposed divestitures on terms commercially favorable to us.

Mergers, acquisitions and investments are inherently risky and the inability to effectively manage these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. At March 28, 2015 we had goodwill and net purchased intangible assets balances of $60.3 million and $31.0 million, respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2014 we determined that the carrying value of our microwave communications equipment segment was higher than its current fair market value and, as a result, we recorded a non-cash, pre-tax impairment charge of $5.0 million.

We are exposed to the risks of operating a global business.

We are a global corporation with offices and subsidiaries in certain foreign locations to support our sales and services to the global semiconductor industry and, as such, we face risks in doing business abroad that we do not face domestically. Certain aspects inherent in transacting business internationally could negatively impact our operating results, including:

•

costs and difficulties in staffing and managing international operations;

•

unexpected changes in regulatory requirements;

•

difficulties in enforcing contractual and intellectual property rights;

•

longer payment cycles;

•

local political and economic conditions;

•

potentially adverse tax consequences, including restrictions on repatriating earnings and the threat of “double taxation”; and

•

fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which can affect demand and increase our costs.

Additionally, managing geographically dispersed operations presents difficult challenges associated with organizational alignment and infrastructure, communications and information technology, inventory control, customer relationship management, terrorist threats and related security matters and cultural diversities. If we are unsuccessful in managing such operations effectively, our business and results of operations will be adversely affected.

We are in the process of transitioning our manufacturing to Asia. Our inability to manage multiple manufacturing sites during this transition and secure raw materials meeting our quality, cost and other requirements, or failures by our suppliers to perform, could harm our sales, service levels and reputation.

Our reliance on overseas manufacturers exposes us to significant risks including complex management, foreign currency, legal, tax and economic risks, which we may not be able to address quickly and adequately. In addition, it is time consuming and costly to qualify overseas supplier relationships. Therefore, if we should fail to effectively manage overseas manufacturing operations or if one or more of them should experience delays, disruptions or quality control problems, or if we had to change or add additional manufacturing sites, our ability to ship products to our customers could be delayed. Also, the addition of overseas manufacturing locations increases the demands on our administrative and operations infrastructure and the complexity of our supply chain management. If our overseas manufacturing locations are unable to meet our manufacturing requirements in a timely manner, our ability to ship products and to realize the related revenues when anticipated could be materially affected.

Our suppliers are subject to the fluctuations in general economic cycles, and the global economic conditions may impact their ability to operate their business. They may also be impacted by the increasing costs of raw materials, labor and distribution, resulting in demands for less attractive contract terms or an inability for them to meet our requirements or conduct their own businesses. The performance and financial condition of a supplier may cause us to alter our business terms or to cease doing business with a particular supplier, or change our sourcing practices generally, which could in turn adversely affect our own business and financial condition.

Our microwave communications equipment segment depends on governments for a significant portion of its sales, creating uncertainty in the timing of and funding for projected contracts.

A significant portion of the sales of our microwave communications equipment segment are made to federal, state, local and foreign government agencies as a prime or sub-contractor. Government spending has historically been cyclical. A decrease in government spending or changes in spending allocation could result in one or more of the programs being reduced, delayed or terminated. Reductions or delays in the funding process or changes in funding caused by automatic budget cuts (“sequestration”) or unforeseen world events can impact the timing of available funds or can lead to changes in program content or termination. The loss of anticipated funding or the termination of multiple or large programs could have an adverse effect on our future sales and earnings.

The semiconductor industry we serve is highly volatile and unpredictable.

Visibility into our markets is limited. Our operating results are substantially dependent on our semiconductor equipment business. This capital equipment business is in turn highly dependent on the overall strength of the semiconductor industry. Historically, the semiconductor industry has been highly cyclical with recurring periods of oversupply and excess capacity, which often have had a significant effect on the semiconductor industry’s demand for capital equipment, including equipment of the type we manufacture and market. We anticipate that the markets for newer generations of semiconductors and semiconductor equipment may also be subject to similar cycles and severe downturns. Any significant reductions in capital equipment investment by semiconductor integrated device manufacturers and test subcontractors will materially and adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations. In addition, the volatile and unpredictable nature of semiconductor equipment demand has in the past and may in the future expose us to significant excess and obsolete and lower of cost or market inventory write-offs and reserve requirements. In 2014, 2013 and 2012, we recorded pre-tax inventory-related charges of approximately $3.9 million, $7.8 million, and $8.6 million, respectively, primarily as a result of changes in customer forecasts.

Due to the nature of our business, we need continued access to capital, which if not available to us or if not available on favorable terms, could harm our ability to operate or expand our business.

Our business requires capital to finance accounts receivable and product inventory that is not financed by trade creditors when our business is expanding. If cash from available sources is insufficient or cash is used for unanticipated needs, we may require additional capital sooner than anticipated.

We believe that our existing sources of liquidity, including cash resources and cash provided by operating activities will provide sufficient resources to meet our working capital and cash requirements for at least the next twelve months. In the event we are required, or elect, to raise additional funds, we may be unable to do so on favorable terms, or at all, and may incur expenses in raising the additional funds and future indebtedness could adversely affect our operating results and severely limit our ability to plan for, or react to, changes in our business or industry. We could also be limited by financial and other restrictive covenants in credit arrangements, including limitations on our borrowing of additional funds and issuing dividends. If we choose to issue new equity securities, existing stockholders may experience dilution, or the new equity securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing holders of common stock. If we cannot raise funds on acceptable terms, we may not be able to take advantage of future opportunities or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements. Any inability to raise additional capital when required could have an adverse effect on our business and operating results.

The semiconductor equipment industry in general and the test handler market in particular, is highly competitive.

The semiconductor test handler industry is intensely competitive and we face substantial competition from numerous companies throughout the world. The test handler industry, while relatively small in terms of worldwide market size compared to other segments of the semiconductor equipment industry, has several participants resulting in intense competitive pricing pressures. Future competition may include companies that do not currently supply test handlers. Some of our competitors are part of larger corporations that have substantially greater financial, engineering, manufacturing and customer support capabilities and provide more extensive product offerings. In addition, there are emerging semiconductor equipment companies that provide or may provide innovative technology incorporated in products that may compete successfully against our products. We expect our competitors to continue to improve the design and performance of their current products and introduce new products with improved performance capabilities. Our failure to introduce new products in a timely manner, the introduction by our competitors of products with perceived or actual advantages, or disputes over rights to use certain intellectual property or technology could result in a loss of our competitive position and reduced sales of, or margins on our existing products. We believe that competitive conditions in the semiconductor test handler market have intensified over the last several years. This intense competition has adversely impacted our product average selling prices and gross margins on certain products. If we are unable to reduce the cost of our existing products and successfully introduce new lower cost products we expect these competitive conditions to negatively impact our gross margin and operating results in the foreseeable future.

Semiconductor equipment is subject to rapid technological change, product introductions and transitions which may result in inventory write-offs, and our new product development involves numerous risks and uncertainties.

Semiconductor equipment and processes are subject to rapid technological change. We believe that our future success will depend in part on our ability to enhance existing products and develop new products with improved performance capabilities. We expect to continue to invest heavily in research and development and must manage product transitions successfully, as introductions of new products, including the products obtained in our acquisitions, may adversely impact sales and/or margins of existing products. In addition, the introduction of new products by us or by our competitors, the concentration of our revenues in a limited number of large customers, the migration to new semiconductor testing methodologies and the custom nature of our inventory parts increases the risk that our established products and related inventory may become obsolete, resulting in significant excess and obsolete inventory exposure. This increased exposure resulted in significant charges to operations during each of the years in the three-year period ended December 27, 2014. Future inventory write-offs and increased inventory reserve requirements could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

The design, development, commercial introduction and manufacture of new semiconductor equipment is an inherently complex process that involves a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks include potential problems in meeting customer acceptance and performance requirements, integration of the equipment with other suppliers’ equipment and the customers’ manufacturing processes, transitioning from product development to volume manufacturing and the ability of the equipment to satisfy the semiconductor industry’s constantly evolving needs and achieve commercial acceptance at prices that produce satisfactory profit margins. The design and development of new semiconductor equipment is heavily influenced by changes in integrated circuit assembly, test and final manufacturing processes and integrated circuit package design changes. We believe that the rate of change in such processes and integrated circuit packages is accelerating. As a result of these changes and other

factors, assessing the market potential and commercial viability of handling, MEMS, system-level and burn-in test equipment is extremely difficult and subject to a great deal of risk. In addition, not all integrated circuit manufacturers employ the same manufacturing processes. Differences in such processes make it difficult to design standard test products that are capable of achieving broad market acceptance. As a result, we might not accurately assess the semiconductor industry’s future equipment requirements and fail to design and develop products that meet such requirements and achieve market acceptance. Failure to accurately assess customer requirements and market trends for new semiconductor test products may have a material adverse impact on our operations, financial condition and results of operations.

The transition from product development to the manufacture of new semiconductor equipment is a difficult process and delays in product introductions and problems in manufacturing such equipment are common. We have in the past and may in the future experience difficulties in manufacturing and volume production of our new equipment. In addition, as is common with semiconductor equipment, our after sale support and warranty costs have typically been significantly higher with new products than with our established products. Future technologies, processes and product developments may render our current or future product offerings obsolete and we might not be able to develop, introduce and successfully manufacture new products or make enhancements to our existing products in a timely manner to satisfy customer requirements or achieve market acceptance. Furthermore, we might not realize acceptable profit margins on such products.

Global economic conditions may have an impact on our business and financial condition in ways that we currently cannot predict.

Our operations and financial results depend on worldwide economic conditions and their impact on levels of business spending, which have deteriorated significantly in many countries and regions and may remain depressed for the foreseeable future. Continued uncertainties may reduce future sales of our products and services. While we believe we have a strong customer base and have experienced strong collections in the past, if the current market conditions deteriorate, we may experience increased collection times and greater write-offs, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our cash flow.

In addition, the tightening of credit markets and concerns regarding the availability of credit may make it more difficult for our customers to raise capital, whether debt or equity, to finance their purchases of capital equipment, including the products we sell. Delays in our customers’ ability to obtain such financing, or the unavailability of such financing would adversely affect our product sales and revenues and therefore harm our business and operating results. We cannot predict the timing, duration of or effect on our business of the economic slowdown or the timing or strength of a subsequent recovery.

A limited number of customers account for a substantial percentage of our net sales.

A small number of customers of our semiconductor equipment segment have been responsible for a significant portion of our net sales. During the past five years, the percentage of our sales derived from these significant customers has varied greatly. Such variations are due to changes in the customers’ business and their purchase of products from our competitors. It is common in the semiconductor test handler industry for customers to purchase equipment from more than one equipment supplier, increasing the risk that our competitive position with a specific customer may deteriorate. No assurance can be given that we will continue to maintain our competitive position with these or other significant customers. Furthermore, we expect the percentage of our revenues derived from significant customers will vary greatly in future periods. The loss of, or a significant reduction in, orders by these or other significant customers as a result of competitive products, market conditions including end market demand for our customers’ products, outsourcing final semiconductor test to test subcontractors that are not our customers or other factors, would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, the concentration of our revenues in a limited number of large customers is likely to cause significant fluctuations in our future annual and quarterly operating results.

If we cannot continue to develop, manufacture and market products and services that meet customer requirements for innovation and quality, our revenue and gross margin may suffer.

The process of developing new high technology products and services and enhancing existing products and services is complex, costly and uncertain, and any failure by us to anticipate customers’ changing needs and emerging technological trends accurately could significantly harm our market share and results of operations. In addition, in the course of conducting our business, we must adequately address quality issues associated with our products and services, including defects in our engineering, design and manufacturing processes, as well as defects in third-party components included in our products. In order to address quality issues, we work extensively with our customers and suppliers and engage in product testing to determine the cause of quality problems and appropriate solutions.

Finding solutions to quality issues can be expensive and may result in additional warranty, replacement and other costs, adversely affecting our profits. In addition, quality issues can impair our relationships with new or existing customers and adversely affect our reputation, which could lead to a material adverse effect on our operating results.

The cyclical nature of the semiconductor equipment industry places enormous demands on our employees, operations and infrastructure.

The semiconductor equipment industry is characterized by dramatic and sometimes volatile changes in demand for its products. A number of factors including the semiconductor industry’s continually changing and unpredictable capacity requirements and changes in integrated circuit design and packaging, result in changes in product demand. Sudden changes in demand for semiconductor equipment have a significant impact on our operations. Typically, we reduce and increase our workforce, particularly in manufacturing, based on customer demand for our products. These changes in workforce levels place enormous demands on our employees, operations and infrastructure since newly hired personnel rarely possess the expertise and level of experience of current employees. Additionally, these transitions divert management time and attention from other activities and adversely impact employee morale. We have in the past and may in the future experience difficulties, particularly in manufacturing, in training and recruiting the large number of additions to our workforce. The volatility in headcount and business levels, combined with the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, may require that we invest substantial amounts in new operational and financial systems, procedures and controls. We may not be able to successfully adjust our systems, facilities and production capacity to meet our customers’ changing requirements. The inability to meet such requirements will have an adverse impact on our business, financial position and results of operations.

The loss of key personnel could adversely impact our business.

Certain key personnel are critical to our business. Our future operating results depend substantially upon the continued service of our key personnel, many of whom are not bound by employment or non-competition agreements. Our future operating results also depend in significant part upon our ability to attract and retain qualified management, manufacturing, technical, engineering, marketing, sales and support personnel. Competition for qualified personnel, particularly those with technical skills, is intense, and we cannot ensure success in attracting or retaining qualified personnel. In addition, the cost of living in the San Diego, California, Kolbermoor, Germany and La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland areas, where the majority of our development personnel are located, is high and we have had difficulty in recruiting prospective employees from other locations. There may be only a limited number of persons with the requisite skills and relevant industry experience to serve in these positions and it may become increasingly difficult for us to hire personnel over time. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected by the loss of any of our key employees, by the failure of any key employee to perform in his or her current position, or by our inability to attract and retain skilled employees.

Failure of critical suppliers to deliver sufficient quantities of parts in a timely and cost-effective manner could adversely impact our operations.

We use numerous vendors to supply parts, components and subassemblies for the manufacture of our products. It is not always possible to maintain multiple qualified suppliers for all of our parts, components and subassemblies. As a result, certain key parts may be available only from a single supplier or a limited number of suppliers. In addition, suppliers may cease manufacturing certain components that are difficult to replace without significant reengineering of our products. On occasion, we have experienced problems in obtaining adequate and reliable quantities of various parts and components from certain key suppliers. Our results of operations may be materially and adversely impacted if we do not receive sufficient parts to meet our requirements in a timely and cost effective manner.

Third parties may violate our proprietary rights or accuse us of infringing upon their proprietary rights.

We rely on patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws to establish and maintain proprietary rights in our technology and products. Any of our proprietary rights may expire due to patent life, or be challenged, invalidated or circumvented. In addition, from time to time, we receive notices from third parties regarding patent or copyright claims. Any such claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming to defend, result in costly litigation, divert management’s attention and resources and cause us to incur significant expenses. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us and our failure or inability to license the infringed technology or to substitute similar non-infringing technology, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

A majority of our revenues are generated from exports to foreign countries, primarily in Asia, that are subject to economic and political instability and we compete against a number of Asian test handling equipment suppliers.

The majority of our export sales are made to destinations in Asia. Political or economic instability, particularly in Asia, may adversely impact the demand for capital equipment, including equipment of the type we manufacture and market. In addition, we face intense competition from a number of Asian suppliers that have certain advantages over United States (“U.S.”) suppliers, including us. These advantages include, among other things, proximity to customers, favorable tariffs and affiliation with significantly larger organizations. In addition, changes in the amount or price of semiconductors produced in Asia could impact the profitability or capital equipment spending programs of our foreign and domestic customers.

Unanticipated changes in our tax provisions or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could affect our profitability.

We are subject to income and other taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Our tax liabilities are affected by, among other things, the amounts our affiliated entities charge each other for intercompany transactions. We may be subject to ongoing tax examinations in various jurisdictions. Tax authorities may disagree with our intercompany charges or other matters and assess additional taxes. While we regularly assess the likely outcomes of these examinations in order to determine the appropriateness of our tax provision, tax audits are inherently uncertain and an unfavorable outcome could occur. An unanticipated, unfavorable outcome in any specific period could harm our operating results for that period or future periods. The financial cost and management attention and time devoted to defending income tax positions may divert resources from our business operations, which could harm our business and profitability. Tax examinations may also impact the timing and/or amount of our refund claims. In addition, our effective tax rate in the future could be adversely affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, changes in tax laws and the discovery of new information in the course of our tax return preparation process. In particular, the carrying value of our deferred tax assets and the utilization of our net operating loss and credit carryforwards are dependent on our ability to generate future taxable income in the U.S. and other countries. Furthermore, these carryforwards may be subject to annual limitations as a result of changes in Cohu’s ownership.

Compliance with regulations may impact sales to foreign customers and impose costs.

Certain products and services that we offer require compliance with U.S. and other foreign country export and other regulations. Compliance with complex U.S. and other foreign country laws and regulations that apply to our international sales activities increases our cost of doing business in international jurisdictions and could expose us or our employees to fines and penalties. These laws and regulations include import and export requirements, the U.S. State Department International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and U.S. and other foreign country laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), and local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to governmental officials. Violations of these laws and regulations could result in fines, criminal sanctions against us, our officers or our employees, prohibitions on the conduct of our business and damage to our reputation. Although we have implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with these laws, there can be no assurance that our employees, contractors or agents will not violate our policies, or that our policies will be effective in preventing all potential violations. Any such violations could include prohibitions on our ability to offer our products and services to one or more countries, and could also materially damage our reputation, our brand, our international expansion efforts, our ability to attract and retain employees, our business and our operating results. Further, defending against claims of violations of these laws and regulations, even if we are successful, could be time-consuming, result in costly litigation, divert management’s attention and resources and cause us to incur significant expenses.

In addition to government regulations regarding sale and export, we are subject to other regulations regarding our products. For example, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted disclosure rules for companies that use conflict minerals in their products, with substantial supply chain verification requirements in the event that the materials come from, or could have come from, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or adjoining countries. These new rules and verification requirements will impose additional costs on us and on our suppliers, and may limit the sources or increase the cost of materials used in our products. Further, if we are unable to certify that our products are conflict free, we may face challenges with our customers that could place us at a competitive disadvantage, and our reputation may be harmed.

Our business and operations could suffer in the event of security breaches.

Attempts by others to gain unauthorized access to information technology systems are becoming more sophisticated and are sometimes successful. These attempts, which might be related to industrial or other espionage, include covertly introducing malware to our computers and networks and impersonating authorized users, among others. We seek to detect and investigate all security incidents and to prevent their recurrence, but in some cases, we might be unaware of an incident or its magnitude and effects. The theft, unauthorized use or publication of our intellectual property and/or confidential business information could harm our competitive position, reduce the value of our investment in research and development and other strategic initiatives or otherwise adversely affect our business. To the extent that any security breach results in inappropriate disclosure of our customers’ or licensees’ confidential information, we may incur liability as a result. In addition, we may be required to devote additional resources to the security of our information technology systems.

The occurrence of natural disasters and geopolitical instability caused by terrorist attacks and other threats may adversely impact our operations and sales.

Our Corporate headquarters is located in San Diego, California, our Asian sales and service headquarters is located in Singapore and the majority of our sales are made to destinations in Asia. In addition, we have manufacturing plants in the Philippines, Malaysia and China. These regions are known for being vulnerable to natural disasters and other risks, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, and floods, which at times have disrupted the local economies. A significant earthquake or tsunami could materially affect operating results. We are not insured for most losses and business interruptions of this kind, and do not presently have redundant, multiple site capacity in the event of a natural disaster. In the event of such disaster, our business would suffer. Furthermore, we have customers throughout the Middle East and terrorist attacks, protests or other threats in this region may cause geopolitical instability, which may have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our financial and operating results may vary and may fall below analysts’ estimates, which may cause the price of our common stock to decline.

Our operating results may fluctuate from quarter to quarter due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to:

•

cyclical nature of the semiconductor equipment industry;

•

timing and amount of orders from customers and shipments to customers;

•

inability to recognize revenue due to accounting requirements;

•

inventory writedowns;

•

inability to deliver solutions as expected by our customers; and

•

intangible and deferred tax asset writedowns.

Due to these factors or other unanticipated events, quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our operating results may not be reliable indicators of our future performance. In addition, from time to time our quarterly financial results may fall below the expectations of the securities and industry analysts who publish reports on our company or of investors in general. This could cause the market price of our stock to decline, perhaps significantly.

We have experienced significant volatility in our stock price.

A variety of factors may cause the price of our stock to be volatile. In recent years, the stock market in general, and the market for shares of high-technology companies in particular, including ours, have experienced extreme price fluctuations, which have often been unrelated to the operating performance of affected companies. During the last three years the price of our common stock has ranged from $14.16 to $7.96. The price of our stock may be more volatile than the stock of other companies due to, among other factors, the unpredictable and cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, our significant customer concentration, intense competition in the test handler industry, our limited backlog and our relatively low daily stock trading volume. The market price of our common stock is likely to continue to fluctuate significantly in the future, including fluctuations related and unrelated to our performance.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

Item 6. Exhibits.



3(i).1		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cohu, Inc. incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1(a) from the Cohu, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1999

3(i).2		Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cohu, Inc. incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1(a) from the Cohu, Inc. Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2000

3(ii)		Amended and Restated Bylaws of Cohu, Inc. incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 from the Cohu, Inc. Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 12, 1996

4.1		Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated November 10, 2006, between Cohu, Inc. and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as Rights Agent, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 from the Cohu, Inc. Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2006

31.1		Certification pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2		Certification pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


				COHU, INC.
				(Registrant)

Date: May 4, 2015				/s/ Luis A. Müller
				Luis A. Müller
				President & Chief Executive Officer

Date: May 4, 2015				/s/ Jeffrey D. Jones
				Jeffrey D. Jones
				Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer
				(Principal Financial & Accounting Officer)

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.		Description

3(i).1		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cohu, Inc. incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1(a) from the Cohu, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1999

3(i).2		Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cohu, Inc. incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1(a) from the Cohu, Inc. Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2000

3(ii)		Amended and Restated Bylaws of Cohu, Inc. incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 from the Cohu, Inc. Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 12, 1996

4.1		Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated November 10, 2006, between Cohu, Inc. and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as Rights Agent, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 from the Cohu, Inc. Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2006

31.1		Certification pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2		Certification pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents