10-Q 1 d10q.htm FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005

 

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

 

For the transition period from:              to             

 

Commission File Number 001-31560

 


 

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Cayman Islands   98-0355609

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

P.O. Box 309GT

Ugland House, South Church Street

George Town, Grand Cayman

Cayman Islands

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

Telephone: (345) 949-8066

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 


 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:   None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  

Common shares, par value $0.00001

per share

 

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  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

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

 

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

 

As of October 21, 2005, 480,502,732 shares of the registrant’s common shares, par value $0.00001 per share, were issued and outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

INDEX

 

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

 

          PAGE NO.

PART I

   FINANCIAL INFORMATION     

Item 1.

   Financial Statements     
     Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets ( September 30, 2005 (unaudited) and July 1, 2005    3
     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations ( Three Months ended September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2004 (unaudited)    4
     Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ( Three Months ended September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2004 (unaudited)    5
     Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity ( Three Months ended September 30, 2005 (unaudited)    6
     Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)    7

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    30

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    61

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    62

PART II

   OTHER INFORMATION     

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    63

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    66

Item 5.

   Other Information    66

Item 6.

   Exhibits    66
     SIGNATURES    72

 

2


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PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

 

    

September 30,

2005


   

July 1,

2005 (a)


 
ASSETS (See Note 2)                 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 831     $ 746  

Short-term investments

     961       1,090  

Accounts receivable, net

     1,116       1,094  

Inventories

     477       431  

Other current assets

     144       141  
    


 


Total Current Assets

     3,529       3,502  

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net

     1,565       1,529  

Other assets, net

     284       213  
    


 


Total Assets

   $ 5,378     $ 5,244  
    


 


LIABILITIES

                

Accounts payable

   $ 1,000     $ 1,108  

Accrued employee compensation

     174       266  

Accrued expenses

     401       356  

Accrued income taxes

     43       46  

Current portion of long-term debt

     4       4  
    


 


Total Current Liabilities

     1,622       1,780  

Other liabilities

     195       187  

Long-term debt, less current portion

     736       736  
    


 


Total Liabilities

     2,553       2,703  

Commitments and contingencies

                

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Common shares and additional paid-in capital

     642       632  

Deferred stock compensation

     (2 )     (3 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (8 )     (9 )

Retained earnings

     2,193       1,921  
    


 


Total Shareholders’ Equity

     2,825       2,541  
    


 


Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 5,378     $ 5,244  
    


 



(a) The information in this column was derived from the Company’s audited consolidated balance sheet as of July 1, 2005.

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended

 
     September 30,
2005


    October 1,
2004


 

Revenue

   $ 2,088     $ 1,558  

Cost of revenue

     1,553       1,283  

Product development

     180       152  

Marketing and administrative

     86       65  

Restructuring, net

     4       1  
    


 


Total operating expenses

     1,823       1,501  
    


 


Income from operations

     265       57  

Interest income

     15       6  

Interest expense

     (13 )     (11 )

Other, net

     5       4  
    


 


Other income (expense), net

     7       (1 )
    


 


Income before income taxes

     272       56  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     —         2  
    


 


Net income

   $ 272     $ 54  
    


 


Net income per share:

                

Basic

   $ 0.57     $ 0.12  

Diluted

   $ 0.54     $ 0.11  

Number of shares used in per share calculations:

                

Basic

     479       462  

Diluted

     506       494  

Dividends declared per share

   $ 0.08     $ 0.06  

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended

 
    

September 30,

2005


   

October 1,

2004


 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                

Net income

   $ 272     $ 54  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     137       112  

Stock-based compensation

     16       1  

Tax benefit from stock options

     (5 )     —    

Other non-cash operating activities, net

     (2 )     1  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts receivable

     (22 )     (135 )

Inventories

     (46 )     70  

Accounts payable

     (108 )     32  

Accrued expenses, employee compensation and warranty

     (35 )     (15 )

Accrued income taxes

     2       2  

Other assets and liabilities

     (3 )     (6 )
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     206       116  
    


 


INVESTING ACTIVITIES

                

Acquisition of property, equipment and leasehold improvements

     (169 )     (97 )

Purchases of short-term investments

     (1,159 )     (963 )

Maturities and sales of short-term investments

     1,284       981  

Acquisition of Mirra, Inc., net of cash acquired

     (15 )     —    

Other investing activities, net

     (57 )     (2 )
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (116 )     (81 )
    


 


FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                

Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options and employee stock purchase plan

     28       29  

Dividends to shareholders

     (38 )     (28 )

Tax benefit from stock options

     5       —    
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (5 )     1  
    


 


Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     85       36  

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

     746       422  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

   $ 831     $ 458  
    


 


Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

                

Cash paid for interest

   $ 5     $ 3  

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds

     4       3  

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

 

    

Number

of

Common

Shares


  

Par

Value

of

Shares


  

Additional
Paid-in

Capital


    Deferred
Stock
Compensation


   

Retained

Earnings and
Accumulated Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)


    Total

 

Balance at July 1, 2005

   477    $ —      $ 632     $ (3 )   $ 1,912     $ 2,541  

Comprehensive income:

                                            

Unrealized loss on marketable securities

                                 (2 )     (2 )

Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges

                                 3       3  

Net income

                                 272       272  
                                        


Comprehensive income

                                         273  

Issuance of common shares related to exercise of employee stock options

   1             4                       4  

Issuance of common shares related to employee stock purchase plan

   2             24                       24  

Tax benefit from stock options

                 5                       5  

Dividends to shareholders

                 (38 )                     (38 )

Stock-based compensation

                 15       1               16  
    
  

  


 


 


 


Balance at September 30, 2005

   480    $ —      $ 642     $ (2 )   $ 2,185     $ 2,825  
    
  

  


 


 


 


 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Nature of Operations—The Company designs, manufactures and markets rigid disc drives. Rigid disc drives, which are commonly referred to as disc drives, are used as the primary medium for storing electronic information in systems ranging from desktop and notebook computers and consumer electronics devices to data centers delivering information over corporate networks and the Internet. The Company produces a broad range of disc drive products addressing enterprise applications, where its products are primarily used in enterprise servers, mainframes and workstations; desktop applications, where its products are used in desktop computers; mobile computing applications, where its products are used in notebook computers; and consumer electronics applications, where its products are used in digital video recorders, digital music players, gaming devices, global positioning navigation systems and photo printers. The Company sells its disc drives primarily to major original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, and also markets to distributors under its globally recognized brand name.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates— The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such difference may be material to the financial statements.

 

The Company establishes certain distributor and OEM sales programs aimed at increasing customer demand. These programs are typically related to a distributor’s level of sales, order size, advertising or point of sale activity or an OEM’s level of sale activity or agreed upon rebate programs. The Company provides for these obligations at the time that revenue is recorded based on estimated requirements. These estimates are based on various factors, including estimated future price erosion, distributor sell-through levels, program participation, customer claim submittals and sales returns. Significant actual variations in any of these factors could have a material effect on the Company’s operating results. In addition, our failure to accurately predict the level of future sales returns by our distribution customers could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

The Company’s warranty provision considers estimated product failure rates, trends and estimated repair or replacement costs. The Company uses a statistical model to help with its estimates and the Company exercises considerable judgment in determining the underlying estimates. Should actual experience in any future period differ significantly from its estimates, or should the rate of future product technological advancements fail to keep pace with the past, the Company’s future results of operations could be materially affected. The actual results with regard to warranty expenditures could have a material adverse effect on the Company if the actual rate of unit failure or the cost to repair a unit is greater than that which the Company has used in estimating the warranty expense accrual.

 

The Company’s recording of deferred tax assets each period depends primarily on the Company’s ability to generate current and future taxable income in the United States and certain foreign jurisdictions. Each period the Company evaluates the need for a valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets and adjusts the valuation allowance so that net deferred tax assets are recorded only to the extent the Company concludes it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will be realized.

 

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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The Company also has other key accounting policies and accounting estimates relating to uncollectible customer accounts, valuation of inventory and valuation of stock-based payments (see Note 4). The Company believes that these other accounting policies and other accounting estimates either do not generally require it to make estimates and judgments that are as difficult or as subjective, or it is less likely that they would have a material impact on its reported results of operations for a given period.

 

Basis of Presentation — The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company and have not been audited. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted. The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all material adjustments necessary to summarize fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows and shareholders’ equity for the periods presented. Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended July 1, 2005 are included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on August 1, 2005. The Company believes that the disclosures included in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, when read in conjunction with its consolidated financial statements as of July 1, 2005 and the notes thereto, are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.

 

The results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006.

 

The Company operates and reports its financial results on a fiscal year of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Friday closest to June 30. The quarters ended September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2004 were 13 weeks. Fiscal year 2006 will be comprised of 52 weeks and will end on June 30, 2006.

 

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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Net Income Per Share

 

In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement (“SFAS”) No. 128, “Earnings per Share,” the following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2004 (in millions, except per share data):

 

     Three Months Ended

    

September 30,

2005


  

October 1,

2004


Numerator:

             

Net Income

   $ 272    $ 54
    

  

Denominator:

             

Denominator for basic net income per share—weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period

     479      462

Incremental common shares attributable to exercise of outstanding options

     27      32
    

  

Denominator for diluted net income per share—weighted average shares

     506      494
    

  

Net income per share:

             

Basic

   $ 0.57    $ 0.12
    

  

Diluted

   $ 0.54    $ 0.11
    

  

 

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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Sales and distribution of shares by New SAC

 

New SAC originally acquired the Company in November 2000 from Seagate Technology, Inc.  From November 2000 to December 2002, the Company was a wholly owned subsidiary of New SAC. From time to time since December 2002, New SAC has sold and distributed shares of the Company’s common stock to its shareholders. As of the end of fiscal year 2005, New SAC owned 169,500,246 common shares of the Company, or 35.6% of total outstanding common shares.

 

In March 2005, New SAC stated that it expected to make quarterly distributions of 25 million of the Company’s common shares owned by it to the more than 200 New SAC shareholders beginning in the spring of 2005 and continuing for the next three quarters thereafter, for a total distribution in this manner of 100 million common shares. Through October 2005, New SAC distributed approximately 75 million of the Company’s common shares owned by it to the New SAC shareholders, through three quarterly distributions, with the remaining quarterly distribution expected in January 2006. These distributed shares will be illiquid and not eligible for re-sale in the public markets under Rule 144 until 12 months from the date of their distribution out of New SAC unless they are subsequently registered for resale. The shareholders of New SAC with the power to request registration of these shares have consented to an agreement among themselves not to do so until August 2006.

 

On August 2, 2005, New SAC sold 44,500,000 of the Company’s common shares, owned by New SAC at a price of $18.73 per share pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3, which it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 19, 2005. New SAC received gross proceeds of $833 million and distributed its proceeds to holders of its ordinary shares including approximately $132 million to current and former officers and employees of the Company who hold ordinary shares of New SAC. The Company did not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of these shares.

 

In August 2005, New SAC stated that it had suspended any further significant sales of the Company’s common shares and intends to dispose of the approximately 50 million remaining shares that would not be distributed pursuant to the quarterly distribution program above through monthly distributions of 10 million shares per month. As of September 30, 2005, New SAC owned 90,000,610 common shares of the Company, or 18.7% of total outstanding common shares.

 

On October 11, 2005, the Company filed a post-effective amendment to its January 19, 2005 registration statement on Form S-3 to facilitate the public resale by New SAC shareholders and their transferees and distributees who have received, and will continue to receive, the Company’s common shares through the approximately 10 million common share monthly distributions by New SAC. Offers to the public by the selling shareholders named in the post-effective amendment to the Company’s January 19, 2005 registration statement on Form S-3 of the approximately 50 million common shares to be distributed by New SAC on a monthly basis may be made pursuant to the post-effective amendment to the Company’s January 19, 2005 registration statement on Form S-3 only after such registration statement is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

The following table summarizes the activity related to New SAC’s ownership of Seagate Technology’s common shares:

 

New SAC ownership as of July 1, 2005

   169,500,246  

Shares sold by New SAC

   (44,500,000 )

Quarterly distribution of restricted shares

   (24,999,753 )

Monthly distribution of registered shares

   (9,999,883 )
    

New SAC ownership as of September 30, 2005

   90,000,610  

Quarterly distribution of restricted shares

   (24,999,752 )

Monthly distribution of registered shares

   (9,999,883 )
    

New SAC ownership as of October 21, 2005

   55,000,975  
    

 

2. Balance Sheet Information

 

    

September 30,

2005


   

July 1,

2005


 
     (in millions)  

Accounts Receivable:

                

Accounts receivable

   $ 1,143     $ 1,126  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (27 )     (32 )
    


 


     $ 1,116     $ 1,094  
    


 


Inventories:

                

Components

   $ 132     $ 118  

Work-in-process

     66       70  

Finished goods

     279       243  
    


 


     $ 477     $ 431  
    


 


Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements:

                

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements

   $ 3,345     $ 3,183  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (1,780 )     (1,654 )
    


 


     $ 1,565     $ 1,529  
    


 


Accrued Warranty:

                

Short-term accrued warranty included in accrued expenses on the balance sheet

   $ 121     $ 115  

Long-term accrued warranty included in other liabilities on the balance sheet

     134       128  
    


 


     $ 255     $ 243  
    


 


 

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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

2. Balance Sheet Information (continued)

 

Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities

 

The Company’s senior secured credit facilities, comprised of a five-year $350 million term loan facility and a $150 million revolving line of credit, are secured by a first priority pledge of substantially all the tangible and intangible assets of Seagate Technology HDD Holdings, the Company’s wholly-owned direct subsidiary, and many of its subsidiaries. In addition, the Company and many of its direct and indirect subsidiaries have guaranteed the obligations under the senior secured credit facilities. On July 28, 2005, our board of directors approved a resolution, which authorized management to either restructure or repay the $350 million term loan and the $150 million revolving line of credit. On October 18, 2005, the Company paid off its term loan facility in the amount of $341 million, including accrued interest, and is in the process of replacing its existing revolving line of credit. In addition to providing the Company the ability to repurchase some of its common shares once the revolving line of credit has been replaced, the repayment of the term loan and the anticipated replacement of the revolving line of credit may also result in increased flexibility with respect to payment of dividends. See Note 12, Subsequent Events.

 

3. Income Taxes

 

The Company is a foreign holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with foreign and U.S. subsidiaries that operate in multiple taxing jurisdictions. As a result, its worldwide operating income either is subject to varying rates of tax or is exempt from tax due to tax holidays or tax incentive programs in China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. These tax holidays or incentives are scheduled to expire in whole or in part at various dates through 2015.

 

The Company’s provision for income taxes recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2005 differs from the provision for income taxes that would be derived by applying a notional U.S. 35% rate to income before income taxes primarily due to the net effect of (i) the tax benefit related to the aforementioned tax holiday and tax incentive programs, and (ii) a decrease in the Company’s valuation allowance for certain foreign deferred tax assets. The Company’s provision for income taxes recorded for the three months ended October 1, 2004 differed from the provision for income taxes that would be derived by applying a notional U.S. 35% rate to income before income taxes primarily due to the net effect of (i) the tax benefit related to the aforementioned tax holiday and tax incentive programs, (ii) an increase in the Company’s valuation allowance recorded for U.S. deferred tax assets, and (iii) U.S. federal and state tax benefits related to U.S. restructuring costs recorded in the three months ended October 1, 2004.

 

Based on the Company’s foreign ownership structure, participation in tax holiday and tax incentive programs in the Far East, and subject to potential future increases in its valuation allowance for U.S. and certain foreign deferred tax assets, the Company anticipates that its effective tax rate in future periods will generally be less than the U.S. federal statutory rate. Dividend distributions received from the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries may be subject to U.S. withholding taxes when, and if distributed. Deferred tax liabilities have not been recorded on unremitted earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, as these earnings will not be subject to tax in the Cayman Islands or U.S. income taxes if remitted to the Company’s foreign parent holding company.

 

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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

3. Income Taxes (continued)

 

As of September 30, 2005, the Company has recorded net deferred tax assets of $53 million, the realization of which is primarily dependent on its ability to generate sufficient U.S. and certain foreign taxable income in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. Although realization is not assured, the Company’s management believes that it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will be realized. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, may increase or decrease in subsequent quarters, when the Company reevaluates the underlying basis for its estimates of future U.S. and certain foreign taxable income.

 

During the third quarter of fiscal year 2005, the Company underwent a change in ownership within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC Section 382) due to the sale of additional common shares to the public by its largest shareholder, New SAC. As a result, the Company’s pre-change net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards are subject to an annual limitation based upon (i) the aggregate fair market value of the Company’s U.S. business operations immediately before the ownership change multiplied by (ii) the long-term tax exempt rate (within the meaning of IRC Section 382(f)) in effect at that time. The annual limitation of $44.8 million is cumulative and therefore, if not fully utilized in a year, can be utilized in future years in addition to the IRC Section 382 limitation for those years. To the extent the Company believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets consisting of the pre-change net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards will not be realized, a valuation allowance has been provided.

 

The Internal Revenue Service is currently examining the Company’s federal income tax returns for fiscal years ending in 2001-2004. The timing of the settlement of these examinations is uncertain. The Company believes that adequate amounts of tax have been provided for any final assessment that may result.

 

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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

4. Stock-Based Compensation

 

Stock-Based Benefit Plans

 

Seagate Technology 2001 Share Option Plan—In December 2000, the Company’s board of directors adopted the Seagate Technology 2001 Share Option Plan (the “2001 Plan”). Under the terms of the 2001 Plan, eligible employees, directors, and consultants can be awarded options to purchase common shares of the Company under vesting terms to be determined at the date of grant. A total of 100 million shares have been authorized for issuance under this plan. Through September 30, 2005, options to purchase 99,438,502 common shares were granted to employees under the 2001 Plan, net of cancellations. During the three months ended September 30, 2005, options to purchase 810,150 common shares were granted under this plan. Options granted under this plan generally vest as follows: 25% of the shares will vest on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date and the remaining 75% will vest proportionately each month over the next 36 months. Except for certain options granted with an exercise price below deemed fair market value of the common stock in fiscal year 2003, all other options granted under the 2001 Plan were granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the common stock . Options granted up through September 5, 2004 expire ten years from the date of grant while options granted subsequent to September 5, 2004 expire seven years from the date of grant.

 

Seagate Technology 2004 Stock Compensation Plan—On August 5, 2004, the Company’s board of directors adopted the Seagate Technology 2004 Stock Compensation Plan (the “2004 Plan”), and on October 28, 2004, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2004 Plan. Under the terms of the 2004 Plan, eligible employees, directors, and consultants can be awarded options to purchase common shares of the Company under vesting terms to be determined at the date of grant. A total of 27.5 million shares have been authorized for issuance under this plan. No options were granted under the 2004 plan during the fiscal year ended July 1, 2005. During the three months ended September 30, 2005, options to purchase 7,601,454 common shares were granted to employees under this share option plan, net of cancellations. Options granted under this plan generally vest as follows: 25% of the shares will vest on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date and the remaining 75% will vest proportionately each month over the next 36 months. All options granted under the 2004 Plan were granted with an exercise price no less than the fair market value of the common stock and expire seven years from the date of grant.

 

Stock Purchase Plan—The Company established an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) in December 2002. A total of 20 million shares of common stock have been authorized for issuance under the ESPP, plus an automatic annual increase on the first day of the Company’s fiscal year beginning in 2003 equal to the lesser of 2.5 million shares or 0.5% of the outstanding shares on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year, or such lesser number of shares as is determined by the Company’s board of directors. In no event shall the total number of shares issued under the ESPP exceed 75 million shares. The ESPP permits eligible employees who have completed thirty days of employment prior to the commencement of any offering period to purchase common stock through payroll deductions generally at 85% of the fair market value of the common stock. The ESPP has a one-year offering period with two six-month purchase periods with a maximum of 2.5 million shares issued in each purchase period.

 

14


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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

4. Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

 

Adoption of SFAS 123(R)

 

Prior to July 2, 2005, the Company’s stock-based employee compensation plans were accounted for under the recognition and measurement provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APBO”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APBO 25”), and related Interpretations, as permitted by FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” (“SFAS 123”). The Company generally did not recognize stock-based compensation cost in its statement of operations for periods prior to July 2, 2005 as most options granted had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. However, compensation expense was recognized under APBO 25 for certain options granted shortly prior to the Company’s initial public offering of its common stock in December 2002 based upon the intrinsic value (the difference between the exercise price at the date of grant and the deemed fair value of the common stock based on the anticipated initial public offering stock price. See Deferred Stock Compensation).

 

Effective July 2, 2005, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(Revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS 123(R)”), using the modified-prospective-transition method, except for options granted prior to the Company’s initial filing of its registration statement on Form S-1 in October 2002 for which fair value was determined using the minimum value method. Under this transition method, stock-based compensation cost recognized in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 includes: (a) compensation cost for all unvested stock-based awards as of July 2, 2005 that were granted subsequent to the Company’s initial filing of its registration statement on Form S-1 in October 2002 and prior to July 2, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123, (b) compensation cost for all stock-based awards granted subsequent to July 1, 2005, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123(R) and (c) compensation cost based on the intrinsic value method for options granted prior to the Company’s initial filing of its registration statement on Form S-1 in October 2002. Results for prior periods have not been restated.

 

As a result of adopting SFAS 123(R) on July 2, 2005, the Company’s income before income taxes and net income for the three months ended September 30, 2005 are each $15 million lower than if it had continued to account for share-based compensation under APBO 25. Basic and diluted net income per share for the three months ended September 30, 2005 would have been $0.60 and $0.57, respectively, if the Company had not adopted SFAS 123(R).

 

Determining Fair Value

 

Valuation and amortization method—The Company estimates the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing formula and a single option award approach. This fair value is then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period.

 

Expected Term—The Company’s expected term represents the period that the Company’s stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding and was determined based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior as influenced by changes to the terms of its stock-based awards.

 

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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

4. Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

 

Expected Volatility—Stock-based payments made prior to the Company’s initial filing of its registration statement on Form S-1 in October 2002 were accounted for using the intrinsic value method under APBO 25. The fair value of stock based payments made subsequent to the Company’s initial filing of its registration statement on Form S-1 in October 2002 through the quarter ended October 1, 2004, were valued using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation method with a volatility factor based on the stock volatilities of the Company’s largest publicly traded competitors because the Company did not have a sufficient trading history. Commencing in the quarter ending December 31, 2004 and through the quarter ended July 1, 2005, the Company’s volatility factor was estimated using its own trading history. Effective July 2, 2005, pursuant to the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin 107, the Company reevaluated the assumptions used to estimate volatility, including whether implied volatility of its traded options appropriately reflects the market’s expectations of future volatility and determined that it would use a combination of the implied volatility of its traded options and historical volatility of its stock price. The impact of this change in the assumptions used to determine volatility was not significant.

 

Expected Dividend—The Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model calls for a single expected dividend yield as an input. The dividend yield is determined by dividing the expected per share dividend during the coming year by the grant date stock price. The expected dividend assumption is based on the Company’s current expectations about its anticipated dividend policy. Since Seagate has demonstrated a stable dividend yield in past years and has no foreseeable plans to change its dividend policy, it uses its historical dividend yield to estimate the fair value of its options. Also, because the expected dividend yield should reflect marketplace participants’ expectations, the Company does not incorporate changes in dividends anticipated by management unless those changes have been communicated to or otherwise are anticipated by marketplace participants.

 

Risk-Free Interest Rate—The Company bases the risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation method on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term. Where the expected term of the Company’s stock-based awards do not correspond with the terms for which interest rates are quoted, the Company performed a straight-line interpolation to determine the rate from the available term maturities.

 

Estimated Forfeitures—When estimating forfeitures, the Company considers voluntary termination behavior as well as analysis of actual option forfeitures.

 

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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

4. Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

 

Fair Value—The fair value of the Company’s stock options granted to employees for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2004 was estimated using the following weighted- average assumptions:

 

     Three Months Ended

    

September 30,

2005


 

October 1,

2004


Option Plan Shares

        

Expected term (in years)

   3.5   3.0

Volatility

   0.43   0.75

Expected dividend

   1.7 –2.2%   1.7 –2.3%

Risk-free interest rate

   4.1%   3.2%

Estimated forfeitures

   4.8%   —  

Weighted-average fair value

   $4.74   $6.36

ESPP Shares

        

Expected term (in years)

   0.5 –1.0   0.5 – 1.0

Volatility

   0.41   0.33 –0.56

Expected dividend

   1.7%   2.1%

Risk-free interest rate

   3.6 –3.8%   1.6 – 2.0%

Weighted-average fair value

   $5.33   $3.43

 

Stock Compensation Expense

 

Deferred Stock Compensation—In connection with certain stock options granted in fiscal year 2003, the Company, in accordance with APBO 25, recorded deferred stock compensation aggregating $9.7 million, representing the difference between the exercise price of the options and the deemed fair value of the Company’s common shares on the dates the options were granted. This deferred stock compensation is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting periods of the underlying stock options of 48 months. Through September 30, 2005, the Company has amortized approximately $8 million of such compensation expense, with approximately $1 million being amortized in the three months ended September 30, 2005.

 

Stock Compensation Expense—The Company recorded $15 million of stock-based compensation for the three months ended September 30, 2005 in addition to the amortization of the deferred compensation above.

 

As required by SFAS 123(R), management made an estimate of expected forfeitures and is recognizing compensation costs only for those equity awards expected to vest.

 

At September 30, 2005, the total compensation cost related to unvested stock-based awards granted to employees under the Company’s stock option plans but not yet recognized was approximately $139 million, net of estimated forfeitures of $4 million. This cost will be amortized on a straight-line basis over a weighted-average period of approximately 3.1 years and will be adjusted for subsequent changes in estimated forfeitures.

 

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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

4. Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

 

At September 30, 2005, the total compensation cost related to options to purchase the Company’s common shares under the ESPP but not yet recognized was approximately $21 million. This cost will be amortized on a straight-line basis over a weighted-average period of approximately 0.6 years.

 

Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), the Company presented all tax benefits of deductions resulting from the exercise of stock options as operating cash flows in its statement of cash flows. In accordance with guidance in SFAS 123(R), the cash flows resulting from excess tax benefits (tax benefits related to the excess of proceeds from employee’s exercises of stock options over the stock-based compensation cost recognized for those options) are classified as financing cash flows. During the three months ended September 30, 2005, the Company recorded $5 million of excess tax benefits as a financing cash inflow.

 

Stock Option Activity

 

The Company issues new shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options. The following is a summary of option activity for Seagate Technology’s stock option plans:

 

Options

 

   Number of
Shares


    Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price


   Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term


   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value


     (in millions)               (in millions)

Outstanding at July 1, 2005

   56.2     $ 8.32            

Granted

   8.4       15.24            

Exercised

   (1.0 )     3.48            

Forfeitures and cancellations

   (0.4 )     10.78            
    

                 

Outstanding at September 30, 2005

   63.2     $ 9.30    6.6    $ 447
    

        
  

Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2005

   59.7     $ 9.00    6.6    $ 440
    

        
  

Exercisable at September 30, 2005

   29.4     $ 6.05    6.3    $ 301
    

        
  

 

The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying awards and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock for the 55.9 million options that were in-the-money at September 30, 2005. During the three months ended September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2004, the aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised under the Company’s stock option plans was $15 million and $18 million, respectively, determined as of the date of option exercise.

 

ESPP Information

 

     Number of
Shares


   Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price


   Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term


   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value


     (in millions)              (in millions)

Outstanding at September 30, 2005

   5.0    $ 13.47    0.6    $ 12
    
         
  

Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2005

   5.0    $ 13.47    0.6    $ 12
    
         
  

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2004, the aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised under the Company’s ESPP was $24 million and $4 million, respectively.

 

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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

4. Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

 

The following table shows the shares issued, and their respective weighted-average exercise price, pursuant to the ESPP during the three months ended September 30, 2005.

 

Purchase date

     July 29, 2005

Shares issued

     2,486,522

Weighted-average purchase price per share

   $ 9.82

 

Pro-forma Disclosures

 

The following table illustrates the effect on net income and net income per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 to options granted under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans prior to July 1, 2005. For purposes of this pro forma disclosure, the value of the options was estimated using a Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing formula and amortized on a straight-line basis over the respective vesting periods of the awards.

 

    

Three
Months

Ended


 
    

October 1,

2004


 

Net income – as reported

   $ 54  

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation

        expense determined under fair value method

     (11 )
    


Net income – pro forma

   $ 43  

Net income per share:

        

Basic – as reported

   $ 0.12  
    


Basic – pro forma

   $ 0.09  
    


Diluted – as reported

   $ 0.11  
    


Diluted – pro forma

   $ 0.09  
    


 

Disclosures for the three months ended September 30, 2005 are not presented because stock-based payments were accounted for under SFAS 123(R)’s fair-value method during this period. Additionally, the stock-based employee compensation determined under the fair-value method for the three months ended October 1, 2004 has been adjusted to exclude the effect of the options granted prior to the Company’s initial filing of its registration statement on Form S-1 in October 2002, as those options were valued for pro forma purposes using a minimum value method.

 

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Table of Contents

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

5. Restructuring Costs

 

In the three months ended September 30, 2005, the Company recorded restructuring costs of approximately $4 million in connection with its on-going restructuring activities. These costs were a related to a restructuring plan established to continue the alignment of the Company’s global workforce with existing and anticipated future business requirements. The restructuring costs were comprised of employee termination costs relating to a continuing effort to optimize our production around the world. The Company expects these restructuring activities to be substantially completed by December 30, 2005.

 

The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s restructuring accrual for the three months ended September 30, 2005:

 

    

Severance

and

Benefits


 
       (in millions )

Accrual balance, July 1, 2005

   $ 2  

Restructuring charge

     4  

Cash payments

     (1 )
    


Accrual balance, September 30, 2005

   $ 5  
    


 

6. Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2005, comprehensive income included net income, an unrealized loss of $2 million on marketable securities and an unrealized gain of $3 million on foreign currency forward exchange contracts. For the three months ended October 1, 2004, comprehensive income included net income, and an immaterial amount of unrealized gains on marketable securities and foreign currency forward exchange contracts. The Company records unrealized gains and losses on the mark-to-market of its investments and its foreign currency forward exchange contracts designed as cash flow hedges as components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2005 and at July 1, 2005 was $8 million and $9 million, respectively.

 

 

7. Acquisition of Mirra, Inc.

 

In September 2005, the Company acquired Mirra, Inc. (“Mirra”) for a cash purchase price of $15 million. Mirra is a leading provider of networked digital content protection products for the home and small business markets.

 

The Company preliminarily allocated the purchase price to the tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired. The residual amount of approximately $12 million was allocated to goodwill, which is included in Other assets, net in the accompanying balance sheet. The acquisition of Mirra had an immaterial effect on the Company’s results of operations or cash flow for the three months ended September 30, 2005.

 

20


Table of Contents

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

8. Guarantees

 

Indemnifications to Officers and Directors

 

The Company has entered into indemnification agreement, a form of which is incorporated by reference in the exhibits of this report, with the members of our Board of Directors to indemnify them to the extent permitted by law against any and all liabilities, costs, expenses, amounts paid in settlement and damages incurred by the directors as a result of any lawsuit, or any judicial, administrative or investigative proceeding in which the directors are sued as a result of their service as members of our Board of Directors.

 

Intellectual Property Indemnification Obligations

 

The Company has entered into agreements with customers and suppliers that include limited intellectual property indemnification obligations that are customary in the industry. These guarantees generally require the Company to compensate the other party for certain damages and costs incurred as a result of third party intellectual property claims arising from these transactions. The nature of the intellectual property indemnification obligations prevents the Company from making a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount it could be required to pay to its customers and suppliers. Historically, the Company has not made any significant indemnification payments under such agreements and no amount has been accrued in the accompanying consolidated financial statements with respect to these indemnification obligations.

 

Product Warranty

 

The Company estimates probable product warranty costs at the time revenue is recognized. The Company generally warrants its products for a period of one to five years. The Company uses estimated repair or replacement costs and uses statistical modeling to estimate product return rates in order to determine its warranty obligation. Changes in the Company’s product warranty liability during the three months ended September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2004 were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended

 
    

September 30,

2005


   

October 1,

2004


 
     (in millions)  

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 243     $ 125  

Warranties issued

     34       22  

Repairs and replacements

     (24 )     (34 )

Changes in liability for pre- existing warranties, including expirations

     2       16  
    


 


Balance, end of period

   $ 255     $ 129  
    


 


 

The Company offers extended warranties on certain of its products. Deferred revenue related to extended warranties has not been material to date.

 

21


Table of Contents

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

9. Litigation

 

See Part II, Item 1, “Legal Proceedings.”

 

10. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

Effective July 2, 2005, the Company adopted SFAS 123(R), using the modified-prospective-transition method except for options granted prior to the initial filing of its registration statement on Form S-1 in October 2002. As a result, the Company has included stock-based compensation costs in its results of operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, as more fully described in Note 4 to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs” (“SFAS 151”). SFAS 151 amends Accounting Research Board No. 43, Chapter 4, “Inventory Pricing.” This statement clarifies the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material, and requires that these items be recognized as current period charges regardless of whether they meet the criterion of “so abnormal.” Additionally, SFAS 151 requires that the allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The Company adopted SFAS 151 in its first quarter of fiscal year 2006. The adoption of SFAS 151 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

 

In June 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections” (“SFAS 154”). SFAS 154 replaces APBO No. 20 (“APBO 20”) and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements”, and applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle, and changes the requirements for accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. APBO 20 previously required that most voluntary changes in accounting principle be recognized by including in net income of the period of change a cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle whereas SFAS 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of a voluntary change in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable. SFAS 154 enhances the consistency of financial information between periods. The Company early adopted SFAS 154 in its first quarter of fiscal year 2006. The adoption of SFAS 154 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

 

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

 

On May 13, 2002, Seagate Technology HDD Holdings, or HDD, issued $400 million in aggregate principal amount of 8% senior notes due 2009. HDD is the Company’s wholly-owned direct subsidiary, and the Company has guaranteed HDD’s obligations under the 8% senior notes, on a full and unconditional basis. The following tables present parent guarantor, subsidiary issuer and combined non-guarantors condensed consolidating balance sheets of the Company and its subsidiaries at September 30, 2005 and July 1, 2005, the condensed consolidating results of operations and consolidating cash flows for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and October 1, 2004. The information classifies the Company’s subsidiaries into Seagate Technology-parent company guarantor, HDD-subsidiary issuer, and the combined non-guarantors based upon the classification of those subsidiaries under the terms of the 8% senior notes. The Company is restricted in its ability to obtain funds from its subsidiaries by dividend or loan under both the indenture governing the 8% senior notes and the credit agreement governing the senior secured credit facilities. Under each of these instruments, dividends paid by HDD or its restricted subsidiaries would constitute restricted payments and loans between the Company and HDD or its restricted subsidiaries would constitute affiliate transactions.

 

22


Table of Contents

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (continued)

 

Consolidating Balance Sheet

September 30, 2005

(In millions)

 

     Seagate
Technology
Parent
Company
Guarantor


   HDD
Subsidiary
Issuer


   Combined
Non-
Guarantors


   Eliminations

    Seagate
Technology
Consolidated


Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 26    $ —      $ 805    $ —       $ 831

Short-term investments

     —        —        961      —         961

Accounts receivable, net

     —        —        1,116      —         1,116

Inventories

     —        —        477      —         477

Intercompany loan receivable

     —        192      —        (192 )     —  

Other current assets

     —        —        144      —         144
    

  

  

  


 

Total Current Assets

     2 6      192      3,503      (192 )     3,529
    

  

  

  


 

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net

     —        —        1,565      —         1,565

Equity investment in HDD

     2,800      —        —        (2,800 )     —  

Equity investments in Non-Guarantors

     —        3,257      —        (3,257 )     —  

Other assets

     —        6      278      —         284
    

  

  

  


 

Total Assets

   $ 2,826    $ 3,455    $ 5,346    $ (6,249 )   $ 5,378
    

  

  

  


 

Accounts payable

   $ —      $ —      $ 1,000    $ —       $ 1,000

Accrued employee compensation

     —        —        174      —         174

Accrued expenses

     —        12      389      —         401

Accrued income taxes

     —        —        43      —         43

Intercompany loan payable

     —        —        192      (192 )     —  

Current portion of long-term debt

     —        3      1      —         4
    

  

  

  


 

Total Current Liabilities

     —        15      1,799      (192 )     1,622
    

  

  

  


 

Other liabilities

     1      —        194      —         195

Long-term debt, less current portion

     —        640      96      —         736
    

  

  

  


 

Total Liabilities

     1      655      2,089      (192 )     2,553
    

  

  

  


 

Shareholders’ Equity

     2,825      2,800      3,257      (6,057 )     2,825
    

  

  

  


 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 2,826    $ 3,455    $ 5,346    $ (6,249 )   $ 5,378
    

  

  

  


 

 

23


Table of Contents

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (continued)

 

Consolidating Balance Sheet

July 1, 2005

(In millions)

 

     Seagate
Technology
Parent
Company
Guarantor


   HDD
Subsidiary
Issuer


   Combined
Non-
Guarantors


   Eliminations

    Seagate
Technology
Consolidated


Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 9    $ —      $ 737    $ —       $ 746

Short-term investments

     —        —        1,090      —         1,090

Accounts receivable, net

     —        —        1,094      —         1,094

Inventories

     —        —        431      —         431

Intercompany loan receivable

     —        224      —        (224 )     —  

Other current assets

     —        —        141      —         141
    

  

  

  


 

Total Current Assets

     9      224      3,493      (224 )     3,502
    

  

  

  


 

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net

     —        —        1,529      —         1,529

Equity investment in HDD

     2,536      —        —        (2,536 )     —  

Equity investments in Non-Guarantors

     —        2,952      —        (2,952 )     —  

Other assets

     —        7      206      —         213
    

  

  

  


 

Total Assets

   $ 2,545    $ 3,183    $ 5,228    $ (5,712 )   $ 5,244
    

  

  

  


 

Accounts payable

   $ —      $ —      $ 1,108    $ —       $ 1,108

Accrued employee compensation

     —        —        266      —         266

Accrued expenses

     —        4      352      —         356

Accrued income taxes

     —        —        46      —         46

Intercompany loan payable

     —        —        224      (224 )     —  

Current portion of long-term debt

     —        3      1      —         4
    

  

  

  


 

Total Current Liabilities

     —        7      1,997      (224 )     1,780
    

  

  

  


 

Other liabilities

     4      —        183      —         187

Long-term debt, less current portion

     —        640      96      —         736
    

  

  

  


 

Total Liabilities

     4      647      2,276      (224 )     2,703
    

  

  

  


 

Shareholders’ Equity

     2,541      2,536      2,952      (5,488 )     2,541
    

  

  

  


 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 2,545    $ 3,183    $ 5,228    $ (5,712 )   $ 5,244
    

  

  

  


 

 

24


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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (continued)

 

Consolidating Statement of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

(In millions)

 

     Seagate
Technology
Parent
Company
Guarantor


   HDD
Subsidiary
Issuer


    Combined
Non-
Guarantors


    Eliminations

    Seagate
Technology
Consolidated


 

Revenue

   $ —      $ —       $ 2,088     $ —       $ 2,088  

Cost of revenue

     —        —         1,553       —         1,553  

Product development

     —        —         180       —         180  

Marketing and administrative

     —        —         86       —         86  

Restructuring

     —        —         4       —         4  
    

  


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

     —        —         1,823       —         1,823  
    

  


 


 


 


Income from operations

     —        —         265       —         265  

Interest income

     —        2       15       (2 )     15  

Interest expense

     —        (11 )     (4 )     2       (13 )

Equity in income of HDD

     272      —         —         (272 )     —    

Equity in income of Non-Guarantors

     —        281       —         (281 )     —    

Other, net

     —        —         5       —         5  
    

  


 


 


 


Other income (expense), net

     272      272       16       (553 )     7  
    

  


 


 


 


Income before income taxes

     272      272       281       (553 )     272  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     —        —         —         —         —    
    

  


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 272    $ 272     $ 281     $ (553 )   $ 272  
    

  


 


 


 


 

25


Table of Contents

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (continued)

 

Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

(In millions)

 

     Seagate
Technology
Parent
Company
Guarantor


    HDD
Subsidiary
Issuer


    Combined
Non-
Guarantors


    Eliminations

    Seagate
Technology
Consolidated


 
Operating Activities                                         

Net Income

   $ 272     $ 272     $ 281     $ (553 )   $ 272  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:

                                        

Depreciation and amortization

     —         —         137       —         137  

Stock-based compensation

     —         —         16       —         16  

Tax benefit from stock options

     —         —         (5 )     —         (5 )

Equity in income of HDD

     (272 )     —         —         272       —    

Equity in income of Non-Guarantors

     —         (281 )     —         281       —    

Other non-cash operating activities, net

     —         —         (2 )     —         (2 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net

     (3 )     6       (215 )     —         (212 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (3 )     (3 )     212       —         206  
Investing Activities                                         

Acquisition of property, equipment and leasehold

Improvements

     —         —         (169 )     —         (169 )

Purchase of short-term investments

     —         —         (1,159 )     —         (1,159 )

Maturities and sales of short-term investments

     —         —         1,284       —         1,284  

Acquisition of Mirra, Inc., net of cash acquired

     —         —         (15 )     —         (15 )

Other investing activities, net

     —         1       (58 )     —         (57 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     —         1       (117 )     —         (116 )
Financing Activities                                         

Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options and

employee stock purchase plan

     28       —         —         —         28  

Loan to Non-Guarantor from HDD

     —         (2 )     2       —         —    

Loan repayment to HDD from Non-Guarantor

     —         34       (34 )     —         —    

Dividend paid to Parent from HDD

     30       (30 )     —         —         —    

Dividend paid to shareholders

     (38 )     —         —         —         (38 )

Tax benefit from stock options

     —         —         5       —         5  
    


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     20       2       (27 )     —         (5 )
    


 


 


 


 


Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     17       —         68       —         85  

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

     9       —         737       —         746  
    


 


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

   $ 26     $ —       $ 805     $ —       $ 831  
    


 


 


 


 


 

26


Table of Contents

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (continued)

 

Consolidating Statement of Operations

Three Months Ended October 1, 2004

(In millions)

 

     Seagate
Technology
Parent
Company
Guarantor


   HDD
Subsidiary
Issuer


    Combined
Non-
Guarantors


    Eliminations

    Seagate
Technology
Consolidated


 

Revenue

   $ —      $ —       $ 1,558     $ —       $ 1,558  

Cost of revenue

     —        —         1,283       —         1,283  

Product development

     —        —         152       —         152  

Marketing and administrative

     —        —         65       —         65  

Restructuring, net

     —        —         1       —         1  
    

  


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

     —        —         1,501       —         1,501  
    

  


 


 


 


Income from operations

     —        —         57       —         57  

Interest income

     —        1       6       (1 )     6  

Interest expense

     —        (9 )     (3 )     1       (11 )

Equity in income of HDD

     54      —         —         (54 )     —    

Equity in income of Non-Guarantors

     —        62       —         (62 )     —    

Other, net

     —        —         4       —         4  
    

  


 


 


 


Other income (expense), net

     54      54       7       (116  )     (1 )
    

  


 


 


 


Income before income taxes

     54      54       64       (116 )     56  

Provision for income taxes

     —        —         2       —         2  
    

  


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 54    $ 54     $ 62     $ (116  )   $ 54  
    

  


 


 


 


 

27


Table of Contents

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

11. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (continued)

 

Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended October 1, 2004

(In millions)

 

     Seagate
Technology
Parent
Company
Guarantor


    HDD
Subsidiary
Issuer


    Combined
Non-
Guarantors


    Eliminations

    Seagate
Technology
Consolidated


 
Net Income    $ 54     $ 54     $ 62     $ (116 )   $ 54  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:

                                        

Depreciation and amortization

     —         —         112       —         112  

Stock-based compensation

     —         —         1       —         1  

Equity in income of HDD

     (54 )     —         —         54       —    

Equity in income of Non-Guarantors

     —         (62 )     —         62       —    

Other non-cash operating activities, net

     —         —         1               1  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net

     (21 )     1       (32 )     —         (52 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (21 )     (7 )     144       —         116  
Investing Activities                                         

Acquisition of property, equipment and leasehold

Improvements

     —         —         (97 )     —         (97 )

Purchase of short-term investments

     —         —         (963 )     —         (963 )

Maturities and sales of short-term investments

     —         —         981       —         981  

Other investing activities, net

     —         —         (2 )     —         (2 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     —         —         (81 )     —         (81 )
Financing Activities                                         

Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options and employee stock purchase plan

     29       —         —         —         29  

Loan repayment to HDD from Non-Guarantor

     —         18       (18 )     —         —    

Investment by Parent in HDD

     (2 )     2       —         —         —    

Dividend paid to Parent from HDD

     13       (13 )     —         —         —    

Dividend paid to shareholders

     (28 )     —         —         —         (28 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     12       7       (18 )     —         1  
    


 


 


 


 


Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (9 )     —         45       —         36  

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

     14       —         408       —         422  
    


 


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

   $ 5     $ —       $ 453     $ —       $ 458  
    


 


 


 


 


 

28


Table of Contents

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

12. Subsequent Events

 

The Company’s board of directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $400 million of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock. On October 18, 2005, the Company paid off its term loan facility in the amount of $341 million, including accrued interest, and is in the process of replacing its existing revolving line of credit to allow the Company to repurchase its common shares. In addition to providing the Company the ability to repurchase some of its common shares once the revolving line of credit has been replaced, the repayment of the term loan and the anticipated replacement of the revolving line of credit may also result in increased flexibility with respect to payment of dividends. Notwithstanding repayment of the term loan facility and prospective stock repurchases, the Company anticipates that quarterly dividends during fiscal year 2006 will be treated as a return of capital.

 

29


Table of Contents

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following is a discussion of the financial condition and results of operations for our fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2005 for Seagate Technology. Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used herein, the terms “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Seagate Technology, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and its subsidiaries. In November 2000, we acquired the disc drive business and the storage area networks business of Seagate Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which we refer to herein as “Seagate Delaware”, in a series of transactions that we refer to herein as the November 2000 transactions. We sold our storage area networks business in November 2002.

 

You should read this discussion in conjunction with the financial information and related notes included elsewhere in this quarterly report. Except as noted, reference to any fiscal year means the twelve-month period ending on the Friday closest to June 30 of that year.

 

Our Company

 

We are a leader in the design, manufacturing and marketing of rigid disc drives. Rigid disc drives, which are commonly referred to as disc drives or hard drives, are used as the primary medium for storing electronic information in systems ranging from desktop and notebook computers, and consumer electronics devices to data centers delivering information over corporate networks and the Internet. We produce a broad range of disc drive products that make us a leader in the industry with products addressing enterprise applications, where our products are used in enterprise servers, mainframes and workstations; desktop applications, where our products are used in desktop computers; mobile computing applications, where our products are used in notebook computers; and consumer electronics applications where our products are used in digital video recorders, digital music players, gaming devices, global positioning navigation systems and photo printers.

 

We sell our disc drives primarily to major original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, and also market to distributors under our globally recognized brand name. For the fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2005, July 1, 2005 and October 1, 2004, approximately 72%, 76% and 71%, respectively, of our disc drive revenue was from sales to OEMs, including customers such as Hewlett-Packard, Dell, EMC, Apple and Lenovo. We have longstanding relationships with many of these OEM customers. We also have key relationships with major distributors, who sell our disc drive products to small OEMs, dealers, system integrators and retailers throughout most of the world. Shipments to distributors were approximately 25%, 23% and 28% of our disc drive revenue in the fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2005, July 1, 2005 and October 1, 2004, respectively. Retail sales in the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2005 as a percentage of our disc drive revenue increased to 3% from 1% and 1% in the fiscal quarters ended July 1, 2005 and October 1, 2004, respectively. For the fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2005, July 1, 2005 and October 1, 2004, approximately 28%, 31% and 33%, respectively, of our disc drive revenue came from customers located in North America, approximately 29%, 24% and 29%, respectively, came from customers located in Europe and approximately 43%, 45% and 38%, respectively, came from customers located in the Far East. Substantially all of our revenue is denominated in U.S. dollars.

 

30


Table of Contents

Certain Forward-Looking information

 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements identify prospective information. Important factors could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those in the forward-looking statements. In some cases you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will” and “would” or other similar words. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our future expectations, contain projections of our future results of operations or of our financial position, or state other “forward-looking” information. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. There may, however, be events in the future that we are not able to accurately predict or control. The factors listed in the sections captioned “—Factors That May Affect Future Results” and “—Risk Factors” below, as well as any other cautionary language in this quarterly report, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements. You should be aware that the occurrence of the events described in these risk factors and elsewhere in this quarterly report could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made.

 

Overview

 

Industry Overview. Our industry is characterized by several trends that have a material impact on our strategic planning, financial condition and results of operations.

 

First, we believe that the industry is continuing to experience several trends relative to overall demand, including:

 

    a proliferation of applications in the consumer electronics market that utilize disc drives for media-rich digital content in applications such as music, photographic and video storage. We estimate that in the most recent quarter industry shipments of disc drives to consumer electronics applications grew approximately 22% from the year-ago quarter. We believe technological advances have supported this trend in storage capacity per square inch, cost per gigabyte, power and ruggedness. The combination of these technological advances has enabled entirely new and emerging applications. These emerging applications include digital video cameras, personal digital assistants, automotive systems, global positioning navigation systems, home entertainment systems, cell phones, personal media players, and other converged hand-held devices. The consumer electronics market is intensely competitive as evidenced by recent competition from flash memory in the September 2005 quarter, with product transitions at manufacturers of digital music players leading to a reduction in industry demand of disc drives smaller than 2.5-inch form factor previously used in such applications. Notwithstanding the intensely competitive market, there continues to be new opportunities for disc drives in new and existing applications; and

 

    a continued growth in consumer and commercial client computing systems including enterprise storage applications. We believe that a portion of the growth, particularly in the mobile computing market, is a result of consumers shifting from desktop computers to notebook computers, a trend that we believe may be accelerating while continued growth in enterprise storage applications was fueled by non-mission critical applications across multiple interfaces. We also believe that recent increased growth rates in the desktop market probably comes from different geographies outside of the more mature markets.

 

We believe that for some of the fastest growing applications described above, the demand is focused on higher capacity products.

 

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Table of Contents

Second, our industry has been characterized by continuous and significant advances in technology, which have contributed to rapid product life cycles, the importance of being first to market with new products and the difficulty in recovering research and development expenses. In the current environment, the industry is characterized by:

 

    continuous increase in the rates of overall price erosion, particularly in periods where there are few new products;

 

    the need to successfully execute product transitions, as factors such as quality, reliability and manufacturing yields become of increasing competitive importance; and

 

Growth in demand for higher capacity products has and will continue to place some strain on industry capacity and availability of certain key components such as media and heads. The increased industry demand and strains on industry capacity may have resulted in some unmet demand during the September 2005 quarter and may continue in the December 2005 quarter as we expect the industry to continue to experience component supply tightness, especially for glass substrates. The lead times and capital requirements necessary to build component capacity can be substantial. This strain on industry and key component capacity may be reducing the potential for excess industry supply and accelerated price erosion and may be increasing the potential for market share shifts among industry competitors due to product availability. This dynamic may also slow the rate of industry cost reductions.

 

Finally, to the extent that our industry builds product based on expectations of demand that do not materialize, the distribution channel may experience an oversupply of products that could lead to increased price erosion. The industry, excluding Seagate, exited the September 2005 quarter with what we believe to be approximately 6 weeks of distribution channel inventory.

 

To address the growing demand for higher capacity products, the industry is currently beginning a transition to perpendicular recording technology, which is necessary to achieve continued growth in areal density. Perpendicular recording technology poses various technological challenges including a complex integration of the recording head, the disc, the recording channel, drive software and firmware as a system. At this time it is unclear what impact this transition to perpendicular recording will have on the industry.

 

32


Table of Contents

Seagate Overview. We are a leader in the disc drive industry with products that address substantially all of the available consumer electronics, mobile computing, enterprise and desktop storage markets. We maintain a highly integrated approach to our business by designing and manufacturing a significant portion of the components we view as critical to our products, such as read/write heads and recording media. We believe that our control of these key technologies, combined with our platform design and manufacturing, enable us to achieve product performance, time-to-market leadership and manufacturing flexibility, which allows us to respond to customers and market opportunities. Our technology ownership combined with our integrated design and manufacturing has allowed us to effectively leverage our leadership in traditional computing markets into new, higher-growth markets with only incremental product development and manufacturing costs.

 

Revenue in the September 2005 quarter of $2.09 billion was driven primarily by increased demand in the mobile and desktop markets, initial shipments of some of the products introduced in June 2005, and increased shipments in the consumer electronics and enterprise markets compared to the year-ago September 2004 quarter.

 

    Consumer Electronics – In the September 2005 quarter we shipped 3.9 million units in the consumer electronics market, a decrease of 37% from the immediately preceding quarter and an increase of 34% from the year-ago quarter. We experienced some transitional activities related to handheld and gaming applications during the September 2005 quarter, which resulted in a lower total available market. Despite these challenges, we performed well in this market which highlights the broad set of consumer electronics applications utilizing our disc drives. With respect to digital video recorders and disc drive based DVD recorders, some of the consumer electronics market’s fastest growing applications, we shipped 2.2 million units, an increase of 111% from the year-ago quarter. We believe the lower total available market in the September 2005 quarter in the consumer electronics market was transitional and we expect new applications will drive increased demand going forward.

 

    Mobile – Our market share of mobile computing products continued to increase during the September 2005 quarter. We saw strong demand for the September 2005 quarter with shipments of 2.4 million units, an increase of 19% from the immediately preceding quarter and an increase of 254% from the year-ago quarter. We also saw an increase in higher capacity mobile disc drives, with shipments of disc drives with a capacity of 80GB and greater in the September 2005 quarter increasing 42% from the June 2005 quarter. During the September 2005 quarter we saw capacity constraints in the supply of glass substrates, which impacted our ability to produce disc drives for the mobile compute market.

 

    Enterprise – The total available market for enterprise disc drives decreased from the immediately preceding quarter and increased from the year-ago quarter. Despite the decrease in the total available market, we maintained our leadership position in this market with shipments of 3.1 million units in the September 2005 quarter, a decrease of 18% from the immediately preceding quarter and an increase of 1% from the year-ago quarter.

 

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Table of Contents
    Desktop – In the September 2005 quarter we continued to lead the desktop market with shipments of 17.4 million units, an increase of 14% from the immediately preceding quarter and 16% from the year-ago quarter. Our product mix continued to improve as shipments in the September 2005 quarter of products 200 GB and larger increased 35% compared to the June 2005 quarter. We believe Seagate continued its areal density leadership in the desktop market with shipments of desktop products at an areal density of 160GB per platter of approximately 700,000 units. We believe that many of our competitors may have to transition to perpendicular recording technology for their 160GB per platter desktop products. Our success in extending longitudinal recording provided us with a faster time to market path, an option we were able to choose due to our areal density leadership, platform strategy and vertical integration. We exited the September 2005 quarter with less than 4 weeks of distribution channel inventory for desktop products, which we believe was at the low-end of the industry average.

 

Historically, we have exhibited seasonal higher unit demand during the first half of each fiscal year. Because of continued component constraints during the September 2005 quarter and the dramatic rates of growth exhibited by the consumer electronics applications in the March 2005 and June 2005 quarters, we did not experience a significant traditional seasonal increase in the September 2005 quarter. Given the rate and unpredictability of product transitions and new product introductions in the consumer electronics market, we may experience significant variability in unit demand in future periods, which may be exacerbated by the highly seasonal nature of consumer electronics products generally. The lack of seasonality in calendar year 2005 is unprecedented in the disc drive industry and there can be no assurance that seasonality will not occur again, with a potential for even greater seasonal decline for the reasons given above.

 

In this period of rapid industry unit growth and strain on industry capacity and component availability, we believe that our internal manufacturing source of heads and media has contributed to our ability to meet market demand. In the September 2005 quarter, as we broadened our product portfolio and gained acceptance in markets previously unaddressed by us, demand for our products in certain markets outpaced production capacity, which may have resulted in some unmet demand. During the September 2005 quarter we saw capacity constraints in the supply of glass substrates, which impacted our ability to produce disc drives for the mobile compute market. We expect constraints for glass media to continue well into the December 2005 quarter but expect to have a balanced supply of aluminum media to meet expected demand. In particular, these component constraints will limit our ability to meet demand for certain notebook products in the December 2005 quarter. We have continued to increase our capital investment and will add capacity in a measured manner, particularly in our key components capacity, to ensure that we can meet existing customer requirements.

 

We are in the process of upgrading our enterprise resource planning (ERP) software package and will continue to do so during the second and third quarters of fiscal year 2006. If we fail to successfully upgrade our ERP systems and related integrations at all or on a timely basis, or if we fail to maintain management systems and resources sufficient to keep pace with our business needs, our business could be disrupted or constrained, and our operating results could suffer.

 

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Table of Contents

Registration of Common Shares and Consummation of Secondary Offering of Common Shares

 

New SAC originally acquired us in November 2000 from Seagate Technology, Inc. From November 2000 to December 2002, we were a wholly-owned subsidiary of New SAC. From time to time since December 2002, New SAC has sold and distributed shares of our common stock to its shareholders. As of the end of fiscal year 2005, New SAC owned 169,500,246 of our common shares, or 35.6% of total outstanding common shares.

 

In March 2005, New SAC stated that it expected to make quarterly distributions of 25 million of our common shares owned by it to the more than 200 New SAC shareholders beginning in the spring of 2005 and continuing for the next three quarters thereafter, for a total distribution in this manner of 100 million common shares. Through October 2005, New SAC distributed approximately 75 million of our common shares owned by it to the New SAC shareholders, through three quarterly distributions, with the remaining quarterly distribution expected in January 2006. These distributed shares will be illiquid and not eligible for re-sale in the public markets under Rule 144 until 12 months from the date of their distribution out of New SAC unless they are subsequently registered for resale. The shareholders of New SAC with the power to request registration of these shares have consented to an agreement among themselves not to do so until August 2006.

 

On August 2, 2005, New SAC sold 44,500,000 of our common shares, owned by New SAC at a price of $18.73 per share pursuant to our registration statement on Form S-3, which we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 19, 2005. New SAC received gross proceeds of $833 million and distributed its proceeds to holders of its ordinary shares including approximately $132 million to our current and former officers and employees who hold ordinary shares of New SAC. We did not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of these shares.

 

In August 2005, New SAC stated that it had suspended any further significant sales of our common shares and intends to dispose of the approximately 50 million remaining shares that would not be distributed pursuant to the quarterly distribution program above through monthly distributions of 10 million shares per month. As of September 30, 2005, New SAC owned 90,000,610 of our common shares, or 18.7% of total outstanding common shares.

 

On October 11, 2005, we filed a post-effective amendment to our January 19, 2005 registration statement on Form S-3 to facilitate the public resale by New SAC shareholders and their transferees and distributees who have received, and will continue to receive, our common share through the approximately 10 million common share monthly distributions by New SAC. Offers to the public by the selling shareholders named in the post-effective amendment to our January 19, 2005 registration statement on Form S-3 of the approximately 50 million common shares to be distributed by New SAC on a monthly basis may be made pursuant to the post-effective amendment to our January 19, 2005 registration statement on Form S-3 only after such registration statement is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The following table summarizes the activity related to New SAC’s ownership of Seagate Technology’s common shares:

 

New SAC ownership as of July 1, 2005

   169,500,246  

Shares sold by New SAC

   (44,500,000 )

Quarterly distribution of restricted shares

   (24,999,753 )

Monthly distribution of registered shares

   (9,999,883 )
    

New SAC ownership as of September 30, 2005

   90,000,610  

Quarterly distribution of restricted shares

   (24,999,752 )

Monthly distribution of registered shares

   (9,999,883 )
    

New SAC ownership as of October 21, 2005

   55,000,975  
    

 

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Results of Operations

 

We list in the tables below the historical condensed consolidated statements of operations in dollars and as a percentage of revenue for the periods indicated.

 

     Fiscal Quarter Ended

 

(dollars in millions)

 

  

September 30,

2005


  

October 1,

2004


 

Revenue

   $ 2,088    $ 1,558  

Cost of revenue

     1,553      1,283  
    

  


Gross margin

     535      275  
    

  


Product development

     180      152  

Marketing and administrative

     86      65  

Restructuring, net

     4      1  
    

  


Income from operations

     265      57  

Other income (expense), net

     7      (1 )
    

  


Income before income taxes

     272      56  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     —        2  
    

  


Net income

   $ 272    $ 54  
    

  


 

     Fiscal Quarter Ended

 
    

September 30,

2005


   

October 1,

2004


 

Revenue

   100 %   100 %

Cost of revenue

   74     82  
    

 

Gross margin

   26     18  
    

 

Product development

   9     10  

Marketing and administrative

   4     4  

Restructuring, net

   —       —    
    

 

Income from operations

   13     4  

Other income (expense), net

   —       —    
    

 

Income before income taxes

   13     4  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

   —       —    
    

 

Net income

   13 %   4 %
    

 

 

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Revenue. Revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 was $2.088 billion, down 4% from $2.179 billion in the immediately preceding quarter, and up 34% from $1.558 billion in the year-ago quarter. The decrease in revenue from the immediately preceding quarter was primarily due to lower disc drive shipments with respect to our consumer electronics and enterprise products. The increase in revenue from the year-ago quarter was primarily due to higher overall disc drive shipments, specifically in the desktop and mobile markets, as well as an improved product mix of our new products. Unit shipments for our products in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 were as follows:

 

    Consumer Electronics – 3.9 million, down from 6.2 million units in the immediately preceding quarter, and up from 2.9 million units in the year-ago quarter.

 

    Mobile – 2.4 million, up from 2.0 million and 0.7 million units in the immediately preceding and year-ago quarters, respectively.

 

    Enterprise – 3.1 million, down from 3.7 million units in the immediately preceding quarter, and flat when compared with the year-ago quarter.

 

    Desktop – 17.4 million, up from 15.3 million and 15.0 million units in the immediately preceding and year-ago quarters, respectively.

 

Our overall average sales price per unit (ASP) for our products was $78 for the quarter ended September 30, 2005. ASP’s for our products decreased approximately $2 over the June 2005 quarter, which was within our expectations at the beginning of the September 2005 quarter.

 

We continue to maintain various sales programs aimed at increasing customer demand. We exercise judgment in formulating the underlying estimates related to distributor inventory levels, sales program participation and customer claims submittals in determining the provision for such programs. Given the sales mix shift from our OEM customers to our distribution and retail customers, where the various sales programs are more prevalent, sales programs recorded as contra- revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 were approximately 6% of our gross revenue, compared to 5% and 6% of our gross revenue for the immediately preceding and year-ago quarters, respectively.

 

Cost of Revenue. Cost of revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 was $1.553 billion, down 5% from $1.639 billion in the immediately preceding quarter, and up 21% from $1.283 billion in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 was 26% as compared with 25% and 18%, respectively, for the immediately preceding and year-ago quarters. The increase in gross margin as a percentage of revenue from the immediately preceding quarter was primarily due to an increased mix of new higher-margin products and improving manufacturing yields, offset by price erosion. The increase in gross margin as a percentage of revenue from the year-ago quarter was primarily due to higher overall unit shipments and an increased mix of new higher-margin products partially offset by price erosion.

 

Product Development Expense. Product development expense increased by $9 million, or 5%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 when compared with the immediately preceding quarter, and increased by $28 million, or 18%, when compared with the year-ago quarter. The increase in product development expense from the immediately preceding quarter was primarily due to $5 million in stock-based compensation. The increase in product development expense from the year-ago quarter was primarily due to increases of $11 million in variable performance-based compensation, $10 million in salaries resulting from increased headcount and benefits costs and $5 million in stock-based compensation.

 

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Marketing and Administrative Expense. Marketing and administrative expense decreased by $1 million, or 1%, when compared with the immediately preceding quarter, and increased by $21 million, or 32%, when compared with the year-ago quarter. The decrease in marketing and administrative expense from the immediately preceding quarter was primarily due to decreases of $4 million each in variable performance-based compensation and in the allowance for doubtful accounts, partially offset by a $5 million increase in stock-based compensation. The increase in marketing and administrative expense from the year-ago quarter was due to increases of $15 million in salaries resulting from increased headcount and benefits costs and increased variable performance-based compensation, as well as increases of $5 million in stock-based compensation and $6 million in outside and legal services, partially offset by a decrease of $6 million in the allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

Restructuring. During the quarter ended September 30, 2005, we recorded $4 million in restructuring charges. These costs were related to a restructuring plan established to continue the alignment of our global workforce with existing and anticipated future business requirements. The restructuring costs were comprised of employee termination costs relating to a continuing effort to optimize our production around the world. We expect these restructuring activities to be substantially complete by December 30, 2005. Upon completion of these restructuring activities, we estimate that annual salary expense will be reduced by approximately $4 million.

 

Net Other Income (Expense). Net other income was $7 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 compared to net other income of $10 million in the immediately preceding quarter, and net other expense of $1 million in the year-ago quarter. Net other income for the September 2005 quarter was mainly comprised of a $5 million gain from the sale of obsolete assets, while the net other income for the immediately preceding quarter primarily included $10 million in proceeds from a legal settlement. The change from the year-ago quarter was primarily due to an increase in interest income of $9 million resulting from higher average interest rates and higher average balances in our interest bearing accounts partially offset by an increase of $2 million in interest expense arising from higher average interest rates.

 

Income Taxes. We are a foreign holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with foreign and U.S. subsidiaries that operate in multiple taxing jurisdictions. As a result, our worldwide operating income either is subject to varying rates of tax or is exempt from tax due to tax holidays or tax incentive programs in China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. These tax holidays or incentives are scheduled to expire in whole or in part at various dates through 2015.

 

Our provision for income taxes recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2005 differs from the provision for income taxes that would be derived by applying a notional U.S. 35% rate to income before income taxes primarily due to the net effect of (i) the tax benefit related to the aforementioned tax holiday and tax incentive programs and (ii) a decrease in our valuation allowance for certain foreign deferred tax assets. Our provision for income taxes recorded for the three months ended October 1, 2004 differed from the provision for income taxes that would be derived by applying a notional U.S. 35% rate to income before income taxes primarily due to the net effect of (i) the tax benefit related to the aforementioned tax holiday and tax incentive programs, (ii) an increase in our valuation allowance recorded for U.S. deferred tax assets, and (iii) U.S. federal and state tax benefits related to U.S. restructuring costs recorded in the three months ended October 1, 2004.

 

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Based on our foreign ownership structure, participation in tax holiday and tax incentive programs in the Far East, and subject to potential future increases in our valuation allowance for U.S. and certain foreign deferred tax assets, we anticipate that our effective tax rate in future periods will generally be less than the U.S. federal statutory rate. Dividend distributions received from our U.S. subsidiaries may be subject to U.S. withholding taxes when, and if distributed. Deferred tax liabilities have not been recorded on unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries, as these earnings will not be subject to tax in the Cayman Islands or U.S. income taxes if remitted to our foreign parent holding company.

 

As of September 30, 2005, we recorded net deferred tax assets of $53 million, the realization of which is primarily dependent on our ability to generate sufficient U.S. and certain foreign taxable income in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. Although realization is not assured, we believe that it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will be realized. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, may increase or decrease in subsequent quarters, when we reevaluate the underlying basis for our estimates of future U.S. and certain foreign taxable income.

 

During the third quarter of fiscal year 2005, we underwent a change in ownership within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC Section 382) due to the sale of additional common shares to the public by our largest shareholder, New SAC. As a result, our pre-change net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards are subject to an annual limitation based upon (i) the aggregate fair market value of our U.S. business operations immediately before the ownership change multiplied by (ii) the long-term tax exempt rate (within the meaning of IRC Section 382(f)) in effect at that time. The annual limitation of $44.8 million is cumulative and therefore, if not fully utilized in a year, can be utilized in future years in addition to the IRC Section 382 limitation for those years. To the extent we believe it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets consisting of the pre-change net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards will not be realized, a valuation allowance has been provided.

 

The Internal Revenue Service is currently examining our federal income tax returns for fiscal years ending in 2001-2004. The timing of the settlement of these examinations is uncertain. We believe that adequate amounts of tax have been provided for any final assessment that may result.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The following is a discussion of our principal liquidity requirements and capital resources.

 

The credit agreement that governs our senior secured credit facilities contains covenants that Seagate Technology HDD Holdings, our wholly-owned subsidiary that operates our disc drive business, must satisfy in order to remain in compliance with the agreement. These covenants require Seagate Technology HDD Holdings, among other things, to maintain the following ratios: (1) an interest expense coverage ratio for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of at least 2.50 to 1.00; (2) a fixed charge coverage ratio for any four consecutive fiscal quarters of at least 1.50 to 1.00; and (3) a net leverage ratio of not more than 1.50 to 1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter. We are currently in compliance with all of these covenants, including the financial ratios that we are required to maintain.

 

The calculated financial ratios for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2005 are as follows:

 

    

Required


   September 30, 2005

Interest Coverage Ratio

   Not less than 2.50    268.38

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio

   Not less than 1.50    3.97

Net Leverage Ratio

   Not greater than 1.50    (0.70)

 

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In connection with our senior credit facility, Seagate Technology HDD Holdings and Seagate Technology (US) Holdings, Inc. entered into a $150 million revolving line of credit, under which $109 million was available to these entities for borrowing as of September 30, 2005. Although no borrowings have been drawn under this revolving line of credit to date, we had utilized $41 million of the revolving line of credit for outstanding letters of credit and bankers’ guarantees as of September 30, 2005.

 

The degree to which we are leveraged could materially and adversely affect our ability to obtain financing for working capital, capital expenditures, product development efforts, strategic acquisitions, investments and alliances or other purposes and could make us more vulnerable to industry downturns and competitive pressures. Although we are currently not a party to any agreement or letter of intent with respect to potential investments in, or acquisitions of, complementary businesses, products or technologies, we may enter into these types of arrangements in the future, which could also require us to seek additional equity or debt financing. Additional funds may not be available on terms favorable to us or at all. We will require substantial amounts of cash to fund scheduled payments of principal and interest on our indebtedness, future capital expenditures and any increased working capital requirements. If we are unable to meet our cash requirements out of existing cash or cash flow from operations, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain alternative financing on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

 

Discussion of Cash Flows

 

At September 30, 2005, our working capital was $1.907 billion, which included cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $1.792 billion. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments decreased $44 million from July 1, 2005 to September 30, 2005. This decrease was primarily due to investments in property, equipment and leasehold improvements, the acquisition of Mirra, Inc. for cash, investments in long-term assets and dividends to shareholders partially offset by cash provided by operating activities and proceeds from employee stock option exercises and employee stock purchases.

 

Cash provided by operating activities for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 was $206 million and consisted primarily of net income adjusted for depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation partially offset by a decrease in our working capital.

 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2005, we invested approximately $169 million in property, equipment and leasehold improvements, including deposits and prepayments. The $169 million investment comprised:

 

    $54 million for manufacturing facilities and equipment related to our subassembly and disc drive final assembly and test facilities in the United States and the Far East;

 

    $69 million to upgrade the capabilities of our thin-film media operations in the United States, Singapore and Northern Ireland;

 

    $39 million for manufacturing facilities and equipment for our recording head operations in the United States, the Far East and Northern Ireland; and

 

    $7 million for other purposes.

 

In fiscal year 2006, we expect that our investment in property, equipment and leasehold improvements will be in the range of $700 million to $800 million in order to satisfy our customer’s requirements. We plan to finance these investments from existing cash balances and cash we expect to generate from operations in fiscal year 2006.

 

Until required for other purposes, our cash and cash equivalents are maintained in highly liquid investments with remaining maturities of 90 days or less at the time of purchase. Our short-term investments consist primarily of readily marketable debt securities with remaining maturities of more than 90 days at the time of purchase.

 

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Liquidity Sources and Cash Requirements and Commitments

 

We are paying and expect to continue to pay our common shareholders a quarterly distribution of up to $0.08 per share ($0.32 annually) so long as the aggregate amount of the distributions does not exceed 50% of our cumulative consolidated net income plus 100% of net cash proceeds received from the issuance of capital, all of which are measured from the period beginning June 30, 2001 and ending the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements are internally available. We are restricted in our ability to pay dividends by the covenants contained in the indenture governing our senior notes and the credit agreement governing our senior secured credit facilities. Our declaration of dividends is also subject to Cayman Islands law and the discretion of our board of directors. In deciding whether or not to declare quarterly dividends, our directors will take into account such factors as general business conditions within the disc drive industry, our financial results, our capital requirements, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends by our subsidiaries to us or by us to our shareholders, the impact of paying dividends on our credit ratings and such other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant. On August 19, 2005, we paid a dividend of approximately $38 million, or $0.08 per share, to our common shareholders of record as of August 5, 2005. On October 17, 2005, we declared a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share to be paid on or before November 18, 2005 to our common shareholders of record as of November 4, 2005.

 

On October 18, 2005, we paid off our term loan facility in the amount of $341 million, including accrued interest. We may also use cash to repurchase up to $400 million of our outstanding shares of common stock as authorized by our board of directors.

 

Our principal sources of liquidity as of September 30, 2005 consisted of: (1) $1.792 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, (2) a $150 million revolving credit facility, of which $41 million had been used for outstanding letters of credit and bankers’ guarantees as of September 30, 2005, and (3) cash we expect to generate from operations.

 

Our principal liquidity requirements are to service our remaining debt and meet our working capital, research and development and capital expenditure needs. In addition, since the second half of fiscal year 2002 and through fiscal years 2003, 2004, 2005 and the quarter ended September 30, 2005, we have paid dividends to our shareholders.

 

We believe that our sources of cash will be sufficient to fund our operations and meet our cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. Our ability to fund these requirements and comply with the financial covenants under our debt agreements will depend on our future operations, performance and cash flow and is subject to prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. In addition, as part of our strategy, we may selectively pursue strategic alliances, acquisitions and investments that are complementary to our business. Any material future acquisitions, alliances or investments will likely require additional capital. We cannot assure you that additional funds from available sources will be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

 

The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our most critical accounting policies have a significant impact on the results we report in our consolidated financial statements. The SEC has defined the most critical accounting policies as the ones that are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and operating results, and require us to make our most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are highly uncertain at the time of estimation. Based on this definition, our most critical policies include: establishment of sales program accruals, establishment of warranty accruals, and valuation of deferred tax assets. Below, we discuss these policies further, as well as the estimates and judgments involved. We also have other key accounting policies and accounting estimates relating to uncollectible customer accounts, valuation of inventory and valuation of stock-based payments. We believe that these other accounting policies and accounting estimates either do not generally require us to make estimates and judgments that are as difficult or as subjective, or it is less likely that they would have a material impact on our reported results of operations for a given period.

 

Establishment of Sales Program Accruals. We establish certain distributor and OEM sales programs aimed at increasing customer demand. These programs are typically related to a distributor’s level of sales, order size, advertising or point of sale activity or an OEM’s level of sale activity or agreed upon rebate programs. We provide for these obligations at the time that revenue is recorded based on estimated requirements. These estimates are based on various factors, including estimated future price erosion, customer orders and sell-through levels, program participation, customer claim submittals and sales returns. During periods in which our distributors’ inventories of our products are at higher than historical levels, such as the second quarter of fiscal year 2004, our estimates upon which our recorded contra-revenue is based are subject to a greater degree of subjectivity and the potential for actual results to vary is accordingly higher. Currently, our distributors’ inventories of our products are at the low end of the historical range. Significant actual variations in any of the factors upon which we base our estimates could have a material effect on our operating results. In addition, our failure to accurately predict the level of future sales returns by our distribution customers could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Establishment of Warranty Accruals. We estimate probable product warranty costs at the time revenue is recognized. We generally warrant our products for a period of one to five years. We use estimated repair or replacement costs and use statistical modeling to estimate product return rates in order to determine our warranty obligation. We exercise judgment in determining the underlying estimates. Our judgment is subject to a greater degree of subjectivity with respect to newly introduced products because of a lack of past experience with those products upon which to base our estimates. We recently introduced a number of new products, some of which we are in the early stages of volume shipment. If the actual rate of unit failures is greater than what we used in estimating the warranty expense accrual, we would need to increase our warranty accrual and our results of operations could be materially affected.

 

Valuation of Deferred Tax Assets. The recording of our deferred tax assets each period depends primarily on our ability to generate current and future taxable income in the United States and certain foreign jurisdictions. Each period we evaluate the need for a valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets and we adjust the valuation allowance so that we record net deferred tax assets only to the extent that we conclude it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will be realized.

 

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Risk Factors

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

Competition—Our industry is highly competitive and our products have experienced significant price erosion and market share variability.

 

Even during periods when demand is stable, the disc drive industry is intensely competitive and vendors typically experience substantial price erosion over the life of a product. Our competitors have historically offered existing products at lower prices as part of a strategy to gain or retain market share and customers, and we expect these practices to continue. We may need to reduce our prices to retain our market share, which could adversely affect our results of operations. Based on our recent experience in the industry with respect to new product introductions, we believe that the rate of growth in areal density, or the storage capacity per square inch on a disc, is slowing from its previous levels. This trend may contribute to increased average price erosion. To the extent that historical price erosion patterns continue, product life cycles may lengthen, our competitors may have more time to enter the market for a particular product and we may be unable to offset these factors with new product introductions at higher average prices. A second trend that may contribute to increased average price erosion is the growth of sales to distributors that serve producers of non-branded products in the personal storage sector. These customers generally have limited product qualification programs, which increase the number of competing products available to satisfy their demand. As a result, purchasing decisions for these customers are based largely on price and terms. Any increase in our average price erosion would have an adverse effect on our result of operations.

 

Moreover, a significant portion of our success in the past has been a result of increasing our market share at the expense of our competitors. Our market share for our products can be negatively affected by our customers’ diversifying their sources of supply as the slowing rate of growth in areal density has resulted in longer product cycles and more time for our competitors to enter the market for particular products. When our competitors successfully introduce product offerings, which are competitive with our recently introduced new products, our customers may quickly diversify their sources of supply. Any significant decline in our market share would adversely affect our results of operations.

 

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Principal Competitors—We compete with both independent manufacturers, whose primary focus is producing technologically advanced disc drives, and captive manufacturers, who do not depend solely on sales of disc drives to maintain their profitability.

 

We have experienced and expect to continue to experience intense competition from a number of domestic and foreign companies, including other independent disc drive manufacturers and large captive manufacturers such as:

 

Independent


 

Captive


Maxtor Corporation

  Fujitsu Limited

Western Digital Corporation

  Hitachi Global Storage Technologies

Cornice Inc.

  Samsung Electronics Incorporated

GS Magicstor Inc.

  Toshiba Corporation

 

The term “independent” in this context refers to manufacturers that primarily produce disc drives as a stand-alone product, and the term “captive” refers to disc drive manufacturers who themselves or through affiliated entities produce complete computer or other systems that contain disc drives or other information storage products. Captive manufacturers are formidable competitors because they have the ability to determine pricing for complete systems without regard to the margins on individual components. Because components other than disc drives generally contribute a greater portion of the operating margin on a complete computer system than do disc drives, captive manufacturers do not necessarily need to realize a profit on the disc drives included in a computer system and, as a result, may be willing to sell disc drives to third parties at very low margins. Many captive manufacturers are also formidable competitors because they have more substantial resources than we do. In addition, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (together with affiliated entities) and Samsung Electronics Incorporated also sell other products to our customers, including critical components like flash memory, application-specific integrated circuits, or ASICs and flat panel displays, and may be willing to sell their disc drives at a lower margin to advance their overall business strategy. This may improve their ability to compete with us. To the extent we are not successful competing with captive or independent disc drive manufacturers, our results of operations will be adversely affected.

 

In addition, in response to customer demand for high-quality, high-volume and low-cost disc drives, manufacturers of disc drives have had to develop large, in some cases global, production facilities with highly developed technological capabilities and internal controls. The development of large production facilities and industry consolidation can contribute to the intensification of competition. We also face indirect competition from present and potential customers who evaluate from time to time whether to manufacture their own disc drives or other information storage products.

 

We have also started to experience competition from other companies that produce alternative storage technologies like flash memory, where increased capacity and lower cost of these technologies have resulted in competition with our lower capacity, smaller form factor disc drives.

 

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Volatility of Quarterly Results—Our quarterly operating results fluctuate significantly from period to period, and this may cause our stock price to decline.

 

In the past, our quarterly revenue and operating results fluctuated significantly from period to period. We expect this fluctuation to continue for a variety of reasons, including:

 

    changes in the demand for the computer systems, storage subsystems and consumer electronics that contain our disc drives, due to seasonality and other factors;

 

    changes in purchases from period to period by our primary customers, particularly as our competitors are able to introduce and produce in volume comparable product technology or alternative storage technology solutions, such as flash memory;

 

    competitive pressures resulting in lower selling prices;

 

    increased costs or adverse changes in availability of supplies;

 

    delays or problems in the introduction of our new products due to inability to achieve high production yields, delays in customer qualification or initial product quality issues;

 

    shifting trends in customer demand which, when combined with overproduction of particular products, particularly at times like now where the industry is served by multiple suppliers, results in supply/demand imbalances;

 

    the impact of corporate restructuring activities that we may engage in;

 

    adverse changes in the level of economic activity in the United States and other major regions in which we do business;

 

    our high proportion of fixed costs, including research and development expenses; and

 

    announcements of new products, services or technological innovations by us or our competitors.

 

As a result, we believe that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our revenue and operating results may not be meaningful, and that these comparisons may not be an accurate indicator of our future performance. Our operating results in one or more future quarters may fail to meet the expectations of investment research analysts or investors, which could cause an immediate and significant decline in the trading price of our common shares.

 

New Product Offerings—Market acceptance of new product introductions cannot be accurately predicted, and our results of operations will suffer if there is less demand for our new products than is anticipated.

 

We are continually developing new products in the hope that we will be able to introduce technologically advanced disc drives into the marketplace ahead of our competitors.

 

The success of our new product introductions is dependent on a number of factors, including market acceptance, our ability to manage the risks associated with product transitions, the effective management of inventory levels in line with anticipated product demand, and the risk that our new products will have quality problems or other defects in the early stages of introduction that were not anticipated in the design of those products. Accordingly, we cannot accurately determine the ultimate effect that our new products will have on our results of operations.

 

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In addition, the success of our new product introductions is dependent upon our ability to qualify as a primary source of supply with our OEM customers. In order for our products to be considered by our customers for qualification, we must be among the leaders in time-to-market with those new products. Once a product is accepted for qualification testing, any failure or delay in the qualification process or a requirement that we requalify can result in our losing sales to that customer until new products are introduced. The limited number of high-volume OEMs magnifies the effect of missing a product qualification opportunity. These risks are further magnified because we expect competitive pressures to result in declining sales and declining gross margins on our current generation products. We cannot assure you that we will be among the leaders in time-to-market with new products or that we will be able to successfully qualify new products with our customers in the future.

 

Smaller Form Factor Disc Drives—If we do not continue to successfully market smaller form factor disc drives, our business may suffer.

 

The disc drive industry is experiencing significant increases in sales of smaller form factor disc drives for an expanding number of applications, in particular notebook computers and consumer electronics devices, but also including personal computers and enterprise storage applications. Many of these applications have typically used disc drives with a 3.5-inch form factor, which we currently manufacture. Some of these applications, such as consumer electronics applications like digital music players and digital cameras, represent fast growing markets for disc drives. We initiated volume shipments of our first small form factor disc drive, the Momentus notebook disc drive, to a number of OEMs in the second quarter of fiscal year 2004. In June 2004, we announced our first 1-inch form factor disc drive, additional capacity models of our Momentus notebook disc drive and a 2.5-inch form factor disc drive for enterprise storage applications. In June 2005, we announced an 8GB 1-inch form factor disc drive, which will primarily be used in hand-held consumer electronics devices such as digital music players and digital cameras, and new versions of our 2.5-inch disc drives for the mobile computing and consumer electronics markets

 

We have also started to experience competition from other companies that produce alternative storage technologies like flash memory, where increased capacity and lower cost of these technologies have resulted in competition with our lower capacity, smaller form factor disc drives.

 

If we do not suitably adapt our product offering to successfully introduce additional smaller form factor disc drives, customers may decrease the amounts of our products that they purchase which would adversely affect our results of operations.

 

Seasonality—Because we experience seasonality in the sales of our products, our results of operations will generally be adversely impacted during our fourth fiscal quarter.

 

Because sales of computer systems, storage subsystems and consumer electronics tend to be seasonal, we expect to continue to experience seasonality in our business as we respond to variations in our customers’ demand for disc drives. In particular, we anticipate that sales of our products will continue to be lower during our fourth fiscal quarter than the rest of the year. In the desktop computer, notebook computer and consumer electronics sectors of our business, this seasonality is partially attributable to our customers’ increased sales of personal computers and consumer electronics during the winter holiday season. In the enterprise sector of our business, our sales are seasonal because of the capital budgeting and purchasing cycles of our end users. Because our working capital needs peak during periods in which we are increasing production in anticipation of orders that have not yet been received, our operating results will fluctuate seasonally even if the forecasted demand for our products proves accurate.

 

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Furthermore, it is difficult for us to evaluate the degree to which this seasonality may affect our business in future periods because our overall growth may have reduced the impact of this seasonality in recent periods. For instance, given the dramatic rates of growth exhibited by the consumer electronics applications in the March 2005 and June 2005 quarters, we did not experience a traditional seasonal decline in fiscal year 2005. Given the rate and unpredictability of product transitions and new product introductions in the consumer electronics market, we may experience significant variability in unit demand in future periods, which may be exacerbated by the highly seasonal nature of consumer electronics products generally. The lack of seasonality in calendar year 2005 was unprecedented in the disc drive industry and there can be no assurance that seasonality will not occur again, with a potential for even greater seasonal decline for the reasons given above.

 

Difficulty in Predicting Quarterly Demand—If we fail to predict demand accurately for our products in any quarter, we may not be able to recapture the cost of our investments.

 

The disc drive industry operates on quarterly purchasing cycles, with much of the order flow in any given quarter coming at the end of that quarter. Our manufacturing process requires us to make significant product-specific investments in inventory in each quarter for that quarter’s production. Because we typically receive the bulk of our orders late in a quarter after we have made our investments, there is a risk that our orders will not be sufficient to allow us to recapture the costs of our investment before the products resulting from that investment have become obsolete. We cannot assure you that we will be able to accurately predict demand in the future.

 

Other factors that may negatively impact our ability to recapture the cost of investments in any given quarter include:

 

    our inability to reduce our fixed costs to match sales in any quarter because of our vertical manufacturing strategy, which means that we make more capital investments than we would if we were not vertically integrated;

 

    the timing of orders from, and the shipment of products to, key customers;

 

    unanticipated fluctuations in unit volume purchases from our customers, particularly our distributor customers who from time to time constitute a large portion of our total sales;

 

    our product mix and the related margins of the various products;

 

    accelerated reduction in the price of our disc drives due to technological advances and/or an oversupply of disc drives in the market, a condition that is exacerbated when the industry is served by multiple suppliers and shifting trends in demand which can create supply demand imbalances;

 

    manufacturing delays or interruptions, particularly at our major manufacturing facilities in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand;

 

    variations in the cost of components for our products;

 

    limited access to components that we obtain from a single or a limited number of suppliers;

 

    the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the cost of producing our products and the effective price of our products to foreign consumers; and

 

    operational issues arising out of the increasingly automated nature of our manufacturing processes.

 

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Dependence on Supply of Equipment and Components—If we experience shortages or delays in the receipt of critical equipment or components necessary to manufacture our products, we may suffer lower operating margins, production delays and other material adverse effects.

 

The cost, quality and availability of components, certain equipment and raw materials used to manufacture disc drives and key components like media and heads are critical to our success. The equipment we use to manufacture our products and components is frequently custom made and comes from a few suppliers and the lead times required to obtain manufacturing equipment can be significant. Particularly important components for disc drives include read/write heads, recording media, ASICs, spindle motors, printed circuit boards and suspension assemblies. We rely on sole suppliers or a limited number of suppliers for some of these components, including recording media that we do not manufacture, ASICs, spindle motors, printed circuit boards and suspension assemblies. In the past, we have experienced increased costs and production delays when we were unable to obtain the necessary equipment or sufficient quantities of some components and/or have been forced to pay higher prices or make volume purchase commitments or advance deposits for some components, equipment or raw materials, such as precious metals, that were in short supply in the industry in general.

 

In addition, the recent increases in demand for small form factor mobile products, have led to shortages in the components used in smaller form factor disc drives such as the glass substrates used to make the recording media for such drives. Increasing unit growth for 3.5-inch disc drives could lead to constraints for the supply of aluminum media.

 

Historically, the technology sector specifically, and the economy generally have experienced economic pressure, which has resulted in consolidation among component manufacturers and may result in some component manufacturers exiting the industry or not making sufficient investments in research to develop new components.

 

If there is a shortage of, or delay in supplying us with, critical components, equipment or raw materials, then:

 

    it is likely that our suppliers would raise their prices and, if we could not pass these price increases to our customers, our operating margin would decline;

 

    we might have to reengineer some products, which would likely cause production and shipment delays, make the reengineered products more costly and provide us with a lower rate of return on these products;

 

    we would likely have to allocate the components we receive to certain of our products and ship less of others, which could reduce our revenues and could cause us to lose sales to customers who could purchase more of their required products from manufacturers that either did not experience these shortages or delays or that made different allocations; and

 

    we might be late in shipping products, causing potential customers to make purchases from our competitors and, thus, causing our revenue and operating margin to decline.

 

We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain critical components in a timely and economic manner, or at all.

 

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Importance of Reducing Operating Costs—If we do not reduce our operating expenses, we will not be able to compete effectively in our industry.

 

Our strategy involves, to a substantial degree, increasing revenue and product volume while at the same time reducing operating expenses. In this regard, we have engaged in ongoing, company-wide manufacturing efficiency activities intended to increase productivity and reduce costs. These activities have included closures and transfers of facilities, significant personnel reductions and efforts to increase automation. For example, in our fourth quarter of fiscal year 2004, we undertook significant restructuring activities to reduce the costs of our operations and we continue to look at opportunities for further cost reductions, which may result in additional restructuring activities in the future. We cannot assure you that our efforts will result in the increased profitability, cost savings or other benefits that we expect. Moreover, the reduction of personnel and closure of facilities may adversely affect our ability to manufacture our products in required volumes to meet customer demand and may result in other disruptions that affect our products and customer service. In addition, the transfer of manufacturing capacity of a product to a different facility frequently requires qualification of the new facility by some of our OEM customers. We cannot assure you that these activities and transfers will be implemented on a cost-effective basis without delays or disruption in our production and without adversely affecting our customer relationships and results of operations.

 

Industry Demand—Changes in demand for computer systems and storage subsystems has caused and may cause in the future a decline in demand for our products.

 

Our disc drives are components in computers, computer systems, storage subsystems and consumer electronics devices. The demand for these products has been volatile. In a weak economy, consumer spending tends to decline and retail demand for personal computers and consumer electronics devices tends to decrease, as does enterprise demand for computer systems and storage subsystems. During economic slowdowns such as the one that began in 2000, demand for disc drives, particularly in the enterprise sector was adversely impacted as a result of the weakened economy and because enterprises shifted their focus from making new equipment purchases to more efficiently using their existing information technology infrastructure through, among other things, adopting new storage architectures. Unexpected slowdowns in demand for computer systems and storage subsystems generally cause sharp declines in demand for disc drive products.

 

Additional causes of declines in demand for our products in the past have included announcements or introductions of major operating system or semiconductor improvements or changes in consumer preferences, such as the shift from desktop to notebook computers. We believe these announcements and introductions have from time to time caused consumers to defer their purchases and made inventory obsolete. Whenever an oversupply of disc drives causes participants in our industry to have higher than anticipated inventory levels, we experience even more intense price competition from other disc drive manufacturers than usual.

 

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Dependence on Distributors—We are dependent on sales to distributors, which may increase price erosion and the volatility of our sales.

 

A substantial portion of our sales has been to distributors of desktop disc drive products. Product qualification programs in this distribution channel are limited, which increases the number of competing products that are available to satisfy demand, particularly in times of lengthening product cycles. As a result, purchasing decisions in this channel are based largely on price, terms and product availability. Sales volumes through this channel are also less predictable and subject to greater volatility than sales to our OEM customers. In the second half of fiscal year 2004, a number of disc drive manufacturers independently launched initiatives to improve the stability of the distribution channel, particularly with respect to the purchasing behavior of these distributors while other disc drive manufacturers have not. These actions have further increased the uncertainty as to demand within this market segment. To the extent that distributors reduce their purchases of our products or prices decline significantly in the distribution channel, our results of operations would be adversely affected.

 

Longer Product Life Cycles—Lengthening of product life cycles can make planning product transitions difficult and may reduce the favorable impact of new product transitions.

 

In contrast to historical trends, based on our recent experience in the industry with respect to new product introductions, we believe that the current rate of growth in areal density is slowing from the rate of the last several years. We believe that this slowdown in the rate of growth in areal density will continue until a significant advance in technology for the electronic storage of data, such as perpendicular recording technology, becomes commercially available.

 

When the rate of growth in areal density slows, it may contribute to increased average price erosion to the extent historical price erosion patterns continue, a limitation in our ability to introduce new products at higher prices and lengthened product life cycles which permits competitors more time to enter the market for a particular type of disc drive. In addition, the lengthening of product life cycles can make planning product transitions more difficult. To the extent that we prematurely discontinue a product, or do not timely introduce new products, our operating results may be adversely affected.

 

Because the rate of growth in areal density is slowing, the favorable impact of new product introductions on our results of operations may be minimized. Historically, the introduction of new products generally has had a favorable impact on our results of operations both because the new products are introduced at higher prices than existing competitive offerings and because advances in areal density technology have enabled lower manufacturing costs through a reduction in components such as read/write heads and discs. However, in contrast to when the rate of growth in areal density is increasing, a slowing rate of growth in areal density can limit the cost benefits of new products because it is technologically more difficult to reduce the number of read/write heads and discs in a particular drive. In addition, given the environment of intense price competition, in the absence of significant capacity or reliability increases, it is difficult to obtain higher prices for new products.

 

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Importance of Time-to-Market—Our operating results may depend on our being among the first-to-market and achieving sufficient production volume with our new products.

 

To achieve consistent success with our OEM customers, it is important that we be an early provider of new types of disc drives featuring leading, high-quality technology. Historically, our operating results have substantially depended upon our ability to be among the first-to-market with new product offerings. However, during a period of slowing areal density growth, such as we are in now, the importance of time-to-market may be less critical. Our market share and operating results in the future may be adversely affected, particularly if the rate of growth in areal density resumes its historical pattern, if we fail to:

 

    consistently maintain our time-to-market performance with our new products;

 

    produce these products in sufficient volume;

 

    qualify these products with key customers on a timely basis by meeting our customers’ performance and quality specifications; or

 

    achieve acceptable manufacturing yields, quality and costs with these products.

 

If delivery of our products is delayed, our OEM customers may use our competitors’ products to meet their production requirements. If the delay of our products causes delivery of those OEMs’ computer systems into which our products are integrated to be delayed, consumers and businesses may purchase comparable products from the OEMs’ competitors.

 

Moreover, we face the related risk that consumers and businesses may wait to make their purchases if they want to buy a new product that has been shipped or announced but not yet released. If this were to occur, we may be unable to sell our existing inventory of products that may have become less efficient and cost effective compared to new products. As a result, even if we are among the first-to-market with a given product, subsequent introductions or announcements by our competitors of new products could cause us to lose revenue and not achieve a positive return on our investment in existing products and inventory.

 

Dependence on Key Customers—We may be adversely affected by the loss of, or reduced, delayed or cancelled purchases by, one or more of our larger customers.

 

Some of our key customers, including Hewlett-Packard, Dell, EMC, Apple and Lenovo, account for a large portion of our disc drive revenue. We have longstanding relationships with many of our customers, however, if any of our key customers were to significantly reduce their purchases from us, our results of operations would be adversely affected. While sales to major customers may vary from period to period, a major customer that permanently discontinues or significantly reduces its relationship with us could be difficult to replace. In line with industry practice, new customers usually require that we pass a lengthy and rigorous qualification process at the customer’s cost. Accordingly, it may be difficult for us to attract new major customers. Additionally, mergers, acquisitions, consolidations or other significant transactions involving our customers generally entail risks to our business. If a significant transaction involving any of our key customers results in the loss of or reduction in purchases by these key customers, it could have a materially adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.

 

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Dependence on Growth in Consumer Electronics Products—Our recent results have been materially benefited by significant growth in new consumer electronics products, which can experience significant volatility due to seasonal and other factors which could materially adversely impact our future results of operations.

 

Our recent results have been materially benefited by significant growth in new consumer electronics applications like digital video recorders and digital music players which are experiencing unexpected growth after the typically high demand holiday season. While this growth has enabled us to offset the traditional seasonal decline experienced in the March and June quarters of fiscal year 2005, the demand for consumer electronics products can be even more volatile and unpredictable than the demand for the compute products, which have been our traditional markets. This potential for unpredictable volatility is increased by the possibility of competing alternative storage technologies like flash memory, meeting the customers’ cost and capacity metrics, resulting in a rapid shift in demand from our products and disc drive technology, generally, to alternative storage technologies. Unpredictable fluctuations in demand for our products or rapid shifts in demand from our products to alternative storage technologies in new consumer electronics applications could materially adversely impact our future results of operations.

 

New Product Development and Technological Change—If we do not develop products in time to keep pace with technological changes, our operating results will be adversely affected.

 

Our customers have demanded new generations of disc drive products as advances in computer hardware and software have created the need for improved storage products with features such as increased storage capacity, improved performance and reliability of smaller form factors. We, and our competitors, have developed improved products, and we will need to continue to do so in the future. For fiscal years 2005, 2004 and 2003, we had product development expenses of $645 million, $666 million and $670 million, respectively. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully complete the design or introduction of new products in a timely manner, that we will be able to manufacture new products in sufficient volumes with acceptable manufacturing yields, that we will be able to successfully market these new products or that these products will perform to specifications on a long-term basis. In addition, the impact of slowing areal density growth may adversely impact our ability to be successful.

 

When we develop new products with higher capacity and more advanced technology, our operating results may decline because the increased difficulty and complexity associated with producing these products increases the likelihood of reliability, quality or operability problems. If our products suffer increases in failures, are of low quality or are not reliable, customers may reduce their purchases of our products and our manufacturing rework and scrap costs and service and warranty costs may increase. In addition, a decline in the reliability of our products may make us less competitive as compared with other disc drive manufacturers.

 

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Economic Risks Associated with International Operations—Our international operations subject us to risks related to currency exchange fluctuations, longer payment cycles for sales in foreign countries, seasonality and disruptions in foreign markets, tariffs and duties, price controls, potential adverse tax consequences, increased costs, our customers’ credit and access to capital and health-related risks.

 

We have significant operations in foreign countries, including manufacturing facilities, sales personnel and customer support operations. We have manufacturing facilities in China, Malaysia, Northern Ireland, Singapore and Thailand, in addition to those in the United States. A substantial portion of our desktop disc drive assembly occurs in our facility in China.

 

Our international operations are subject to economic risks inherent in doing business in foreign countries, including the following:

 

    Disruptions in Foreign Markets. Disruptions in financial markets and the deterioration of the underlying economic conditions in the past in some countries, including those in Asia, have had an impact on our sales to customers located in, or whose end-user customers are located in, these countries.

 

    Fluctuations in Currency Exchange Rates. Prices for our products are denominated predominately in U.S. dollars, even when sold to customers that are located outside the United States. Currency instability in Asia and other geographic markets may make our products more expensive than products sold by other manufacturers that are priced in the local currency. Moreover, many of the costs associated with our operations located outside the United States are denominated in local currencies. As a consequence, the increased strength of local currencies against the U.S. dollar in countries where we have foreign operations would result in higher effective operating costs and, potentially, reduced earnings. From time to time, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates have negatively affected our operations and profitability and there can be no assurance that these fluctuations will not adversely affect our operations and profitability in the future.

 

    Longer Payment Cycles. Our customers outside of the United States are often allowed longer time periods for payment than our U.S. customers. This increases the risk of nonpayment due to the possibility that the financial condition of particular customers may worsen during the course of the payment period.

 

    Seasonality. Seasonal reductions in the business activities of our customers during the summer months, particularly in Europe, typically result in lower earnings during those periods.

 

    Tariffs, Duties, Limitations on Trade and Price Controls. Our international operations are affected by limitations on imports, currency exchange control regulations, transfer pricing regulations, price controls and other restraints on trade. In addition, the governments of many countries, including China, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, in which we have significant operating assets, have exercised and continue to exercise significant influence over many aspects of their domestic economies and international trade.

 

    Potential Adverse Tax Consequences. Our international operations create a risk of potential adverse tax consequences, including imposition of withholding or other taxes on payments by subsidiaries.

 

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    Increased Costs. The shipping and transportation costs associated with our international operations are typically higher than those associated with our U.S. operations, resulting in decreased operating margins in some foreign countries.

 

    Credit and Access to Capital Risks. Our international customers could have reduced access to working capital due to higher interest rates, reduced bank lending resulting from contractions in the money supply or the deterioration in the customer’s or its bank’s financial condition, or the inability to access other financing.

 

Political Risks Associated with International Operations—Our international operations subject us to risks related to political unrest and terrorism.

 

We have manufacturing facilities in parts of the world that periodically experience political unrest. This could disrupt our ability to manufacture important components as well as cause interruptions and/or delays in our ability to ship components to other locations for continued manufacture and assembly. Any such delays or interruptions could result in delays in our ability to fill orders and have an adverse effect on our results of operation and financial condition. U.S. and international responses to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the ongoing hostilities in Afghanistan and Iraq and the risk of hostilities with North Korea could exacerbate these risks.

 

Legal and Operational Risks Associated with International Operations—Our international operations subject us to risks related to staffing and management, legal and regulatory requirements and the protection of intellectual property.

 

Operating outside of the United States creates difficulties associated with staffing and managing our international manufacturing facilities, complying with local legal and regulatory requirements and protecting our intellectual property. We cannot assure you that we will continue to be found to be operating in compliance with applicable customs, currency exchange control regulations, transfer pricing regulations or any other laws or regulations to which we may be subject. We also cannot assure you that these laws will not be modified.

 

Potential Loss of Licensed Technology—The closing of the November 2000 transactions may have triggered change of control or anti-assignment provisions in some of our license agreements, which could result in a loss of our right to use licensed technology.

 

We have a number of cross-licenses with third parties that enable us to manufacture our products free from any infringement claims that might otherwise be made by these third parties against us. A number of these licenses contain change of control or anti-assignment provisions. We have taken steps to transfer these licenses in connection with the closing of the November 2000 transactions; however, we cannot assure you that these transfers will not be challenged. For example, Papst Licensing GmbH, IBM and Hitachi initially took the position that their license agreements did not transfer to our new business entities. Subsequently, we entered into new license agreements with IBM and Hitachi in December 2001. In September 2002, we settled a broader dispute with Papst that also resolved the claim by Papst that its license agreement was not properly transferred.

 

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We received a letter dated November 19, 2002 from Read-Rite Corporation asserting that we do not currently have a license to its patented technology and that our disc drive products infringe at least two of its patents. We have since received additional letters from Read-Rite Corporation making the same claims. Seagate Technology, Inc. entered into a Patent Cross License Agreement dated December 31, 1994, which covered the two patents referenced in the November 19, 2002 letter, as well as other intellectual property of Read-Rite Corporation. Prior to the November 19, 2002 letter, Read-Rite Corporation had not responded to our efforts to confirm that under the Patent Cross License Agreement we were entitled to a new license agreement in our own name and on materially the same terms as the 1994 agreement. In order to clarify the parties’ rights under the Patent Cross License Agreement, we filed a declaratory judgment action on May 7, 2003 in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, seeking a declaration that we are entitled to a cross-license, effective as of November 22, 2000, under terms substantially identical to those contained in the Patent Cross License Agreement. On June 11, 2003 Read-Rite Corporation answered the complaint putting forward a general denial and asserting various affirmative defenses. On June 17, 2003, Read-Rite Corporation filed a voluntary petition for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Upon notice, our declaratory judgment action has been stayed. On July 23, 2003, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved Western Digital Corporation’s bid to acquire the assets of Read-Rite Corporation, including the intellectual property that was the subject of Read-Rite’s dispute with us, in a transaction that closed on July 31, 2003. In the Bankruptcy Court, we objected to the Chapter 7 Trustee’s assumption and assignment to Western Digital of the Patent Cross-License Agreement. On November 14, 2003, the Bankruptcy Trustee made a motion, continued from time to time, to assume or reject certain Read-Rite executory contracts, rejecting the Patent Cross-License Agreement. On November 12, 2004, we filed our election to retain the benefits of the Patent Cross-License Agreement to the extent permitted by Section 365(n) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Chapter 7 Trustee and Western Digital opposed our election to retain the benefits of the license. On March 29, 2005, we reached agreement with the Bankruptcy Trustee, subject to Bankruptcy Court approval, to allow us to retain the benefits of the Patent Cross-License in exchange for us withdrawing our proof of claim against the bankruptcy estate. Western Digital objected to that settlement. On July 7, 2005, the Bankruptcy Trustee filed a motion to approve settlement of all bankruptcy disputes with Western Digital and indicated that he no longer supported the agreement we reached with him. Pursuant to this motion, the Bankruptcy Trustee sought approval to appoint Western Digital as the estate’s attorney in fact involving our election to retain the benefits of the Patent Cross-License Agreement. Thereafter, we, the Bankruptcy Trustee, and Western Digital stipulated to the Trustee’s withdrawal of his motion to approve the Seagate settlement. At a hearing on July 27, 2005, the Bankruptcy Court approved the Western Digital settlement and set a hearing for September 27, 2005 on our 365(n) election to retain the benefits of the Patent Cross-License Agreement. The hearing proceeded as scheduled and the judge ordered post-hearing briefing. We expect the judge to issue his decision shortly after briefing is completed in mid-November 2005.

 

To the extent that third party cross-licenses, including the Patent Cross License Agreement dated December 31, 1994 between Read-Rite Corporation and Seagate Technology, Inc., are deemed not to have been properly transferred to us in the November 2000 transactions, our inability to either obtain new licenses or transfer existing licenses could result in delays in product development or prevent us from selling our products until equivalent substitute technology can be identified, licensed and/or integrated or until we are able to substantially engineer our products to avoid infringing the rights of third parties. We might not be able to renegotiate agreements, be able to obtain necessary licenses in a timely manner, on acceptable terms, or at all, or be able to re-engineer our products successfully. Moreover, the loss of or inability to extend any of these licenses would increase the risk of infringement claims being made against us, which claims could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

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Risk of Intellectual Property Litigation—Our products may infringe the intellectual property rights of others, which may cause us to incur unexpected costs or prevent us from selling our products.

 

We cannot be certain that our products do not and will not infringe issued patents or other intellectual property rights of others. Historically, patent applications in the United States and some foreign countries have not been publicly disclosed until the patent is issued, and we may not be aware of currently filed patent applications that relate to our products or technology. If patents are later issued on these applications, we may be liable for infringement. We may be subject to legal proceedings and claims, including claims of alleged infringement of the patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights of third parties by us, or our licensees in connection with their use of our products. We are currently subject to a suit by Convolve, Inc. and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a suit pending in Nanjing, China. In addition, as noted above, Read-Rite Corporation, in a letter dated November 19, 2002 and in correspondence after that date, asserted that we do not currently have a license to Read-Rite Corporation patented technology and that our disc drive products infringe at least two Read-Rite Corporation patents.

 

Intellectual property litigation is expensive and time-consuming, regardless of the merits of any claim, and could divert our management’s attention from operating our business. In addition, intellectual property lawsuits are subject to inherent uncertainties due to the complexity of the technical issues involved, and we cannot assure you that we will be successful in defending ourselves against intellectual property claims. Moreover, software patent litigation has increased due to the current uncertainty of the law and the increasing competition and overlap of product functionality in the field. If we were to discover that our products infringe the intellectual property rights of others, we would need to obtain licenses from these parties or substantially reengineer our products in order to avoid infringement. We might not be able to obtain the necessary licenses on acceptable terms, or at all, or be able to reengineer our products successfully. Moreover, if we are sued for infringement and lose the suit, we could be required to pay substantial damages and/or be enjoined from using or selling the infringing products or technology. Any of the foregoing could cause us to incur significant costs and prevent us from selling our products.

 

Dependence on Key Personnel—The loss of some key executive officers and employees could negatively impact our business prospects.

 

Our future performance depends to a significant degree upon the continued service of key members of management as well as marketing, sales and product development personnel. The loss of one or more of our key personnel would have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. We believe our future success will also depend in large part upon our ability to attract, retain and further motivate highly skilled management, marketing, sales and product development personnel. All of the incentive compensation provided to our senior management at the time of the privatization vested as of November 2004. We may not be able to provide our senior management with adequate additional incentives to remain employed by us after this time. We have experienced intense competition for personnel, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to retain our key employees or that we will be successful in attracting, assimilating and retaining personnel in the future.

 

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System Failures—System failures caused by events beyond our control could adversely affect computer equipment and electronic data on which our operations depend.

 

Our operations are dependent upon our ability to protect our computer equipment and the information stored in our databases from damage by, among other things, earthquake, fire, natural disaster, power loss, telecommunications failures, unauthorized intrusion and other catastrophic events. As our operations become more automated and increasingly interdependent, our exposure to the risks posed by these types of events will increase. A significant part of our operations is based in an area of California that has experienced power outages and earthquakes and is considered seismically active. We do not have a contingency plan for addressing the kinds of events referred to in this paragraph that would be sufficient to prevent system failures and other interruptions in our operations that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

SOX 404 Compliance—While we believe that we currently have adequate internal control procedures in place, we are still exposed to future risks of non-compliance and will continue to incur costs associated with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

We have recently completed the evaluation of our internal controls over financial reporting as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Although our assessment, testing, and evaluation resulted in our conclusion that as of July 1, 2005, our internal controls over financial reporting were effective, we cannot predict the outcome of our testing in future periods. If our internal controls are ineffective in future periods, our financial results or the market price of our stock could be adversely affected. We will incur additional expenses and commitment of management’s time in connection with further evaluations.

 

Ownership of Our Common Shares by Our Sponsor Group—Because New SAC holds a significant interest in us and five of our directors are New SAC directors, these directors have significant influence over corporate actions and conflicts of interest could arise between us and New SAC.

 

As of October 21, 2005, New SAC owns approximately 11.4% of our outstanding common shares. New SAC was formed in connection with the November 2000 transactions and is owned by our sponsor group and members of our management. Through their ownership of New SAC, as of October 21, 2005, affiliates of Silver Lake Partners, Texas Pacific Group, August Capital, J.P. Morgan Partners, LLC and investment partnerships affiliated with Goldman, Sachs & Co. indirectly own approximately 3.6%, 2.5%, 1.3%, 0.8% and 0.3%, respectively, of our outstanding common shares. In addition, affiliates of Silver Lake Partners, Texas Pacific Group, August Capital, J.P. Morgan Partners, LLC and investment partnerships affiliated with Goldman, Sachs & Co. directly own approximately 6.3%, 4.4%, 2.2%, 1.3% and 0.4%, respectively, of our outstanding common shares as of October 21, 2005.

 

Five of our directors are also directors of New SAC and therefore have significant influence over matters such as the control over business, policies and affairs; and the nomination for election of our directors; and other matters submitted to our shareholders. Conflicts of interest could arise between us and New SAC or our sponsor group, and any conflict of interest may be resolved in a manner that does not favor us.

 

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Conflicts of interest could arise between us and New SAC or our sponsor group, and any conflict of interest may be resolved in a manner that does not favor us. The members of our sponsor group may continue to retain significant influence over us for the foreseeable future, even after New SAC distributes its shares in us to the New SAC shareholders, as it began to do so in May 2005 and continued to do so through October 2005, distributing an aggregate of approximately 95 million of our outstanding common shares owned by it. The members of our sponsor group may decide not to enter into a transaction in which you would receive consideration for your common shares that is much higher than the cost to you or the then-current market price of those shares. In addition, the members of our sponsor group could elect to sell a significant interest in us and you may receive less than the then-current fair market value or the price you paid for your shares. Any decision regarding their ownership of us that members of our sponsor group may make at some future time will be in their absolute discretion.

 

Future Sales—Additional sales of our common shares by New SAC, our sponsors or our employees or issuances by us in connection with future acquisitions or otherwise could cause the price of our common shares to decline.

 

If New SAC or—after further distributions to our sponsors of our shares by New SAC—our sponsors sell a substantial number of our common shares in the future, the market price of our common shares could decline. The perception among investors that these sales may occur could produce the same effect. New SAC and our sponsors have rights, subject to specified conditions, to require us to file registration statements covering common shares or to include common shares in registration statements that we may file. Specifically, any of New SAC, Silver Lake Partners, Texas Pacific Group or August Capital can unilaterally require that we file registration statements covering common shares held by New SAC. In addition, either Silver Lake Partners or Texas Pacific Group can unilaterally cause New SAC to distribute its shares in us to our sponsor group and New SAC’s other shareholders. By exercising their registration or distribution rights and selling a large number of common shares, New SAC or any of the sponsors could cause the price of our common shares to decline. Furthermore, if we were to include common shares in a registration statement initiated by us, those additional shares could impair our ability to raise needed capital by depressing the price at which we could sell our common shares.

 

New SAC has stated that it has suspended any further significant sales of our common shares and intends to dispose of its remaining shares through quarterly and monthly staged distributions to its more than 200 shareholders. In particular, New SAC stated that it expected to make quarterly distributions of 25 million of our common shares owned by it to the New SAC shareholders beginning in the spring of 2005 and continuing for the next three quarters thereafter, for a total distribution in this manner of 100 million common shares by January 2006. Through October 2005, New SAC distributed an aggregate of approximately 75 million of our common shares owned by it to the New SAC shareholders with the remaining quarterly distribution expected in January 2006. Absent registration, these distributed shares will be illiquid and not eligible for re-sale in the public markets under Rule 144 until 12 months from the date of their distribution out of New SAC. The shareholders of New SAC with the power to request registration of these shares have consented to an agreement among themselves not to do so until August 2006.

 

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In addition, New SAC has determined that, in addition to the distributions described in the previous paragraph, it will distribute its remaining holdings of approximately 50 million of our common shares by making monthly distributions of approximately 10 million of our common shares to New SAC shareholders. The first two of these monthly distributions were made in September 2005 and October 2005. Offers to the public by the selling shareholders named in the post-effective amendment to our registration statement on Form S-3 of the approximately 50 million common shares distributed by New SAC on a monthly basis may be made pursuant to the post-effective amendment to our registration statement on Form S-3 only after such registration statement is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any resulting sales by New SAC shareholders, their transferees or distributees could cause the market price of our common shares to decline.

 

One component of our business strategy is to make acquisitions. In the event of any future acquisitions, we could issue additional common shares, which would have the effect of diluting your ownership percentage of the common shares and could cause the price of our common shares to decline.

 

Volatile Public Markets—The price of our common shares may be volatile and could decline significantly.

 

The stock market in general, and the market for technology stocks in particular, has recently experienced volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of companies. If these market or industry-based fluctuations continue, the trading price of our common shares could decline significantly independent of our actual operating performance, and you could lose all or a substantial part of your investment. The market price of our common shares could fluctuate significantly in response to several factors, including among others:

 

    actual or anticipated variations in our results of operations;

 

    announcements of innovations, new products or significant price reductions by us or our competitors;

 

    our failure to meet the performance estimates of investment research analysts;

 

    the timing of announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts or acquisitions;

 

    general stock market conditions;

 

    the occurrence of major catastrophic events;

 

    changes in financial estimates by investment research analysts; and

 

    the sale of our common shares held by New SAC, members of our sponsor group or members of management.

 

Failure to Pay Quarterly Dividends—Our failure to pay quarterly dividends to our common shareholders could cause the market price of our common shares to decline significantly.

 

We paid a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share on August 19, 2005 to our common shareholders of record as of August 5, 2005. On October 17, 2005 we declared a dividend of $0.08 per share to be paid on or before November 18, 2005 to our common shareholders of record as of November 4, 2005.

 

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Our ability to pay quarterly dividends will be subject to, among other things, general business conditions within the disc drive industry, our financial results, the impact of paying dividends on our credit ratings, and legal and contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends by our subsidiaries to us or by us to our common shareholders, including restrictions imposed by the covenants contained in the indenture governing our senior notes and the credit agreement governing our senior secured credit facilities. Any reduction or discontinuation of quarterly dividends could cause the market price of our common shares to decline significantly. Moreover, in the event our payment of quarterly dividends is reduced or discontinued, our failure or inability to resume paying dividends at historical levels could result in a persistently low market valuation of our common shares.

 

Potential Governmental Action—Governmental action against companies located in offshore jurisdictions may lead to a reduction in the demand for our common shares.

 

Recent federal and state legislation has been proposed, and additional legislation may be proposed in the future which, if enacted, could have an adverse tax impact on either the Company or its shareholders. For example, the eligibility for favorable tax treatment of taxable distributions paid to U.S. shareholders of the Company as qualified dividends could be eliminated.

 

Securities Litigation—Significant fluctuations in the market price of our common shares could result in securities class action claims against us.

 

Significant price and value fluctuations have occurred with respect to the publicly traded securities of disc drive companies and technology companies generally. The price of our common shares is likely to be volatile in the future. In the past, following periods of decline in the market price of a company’s securities, class action lawsuits have often been pursued against that company. If similar litigation were pursued against us, it could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Interest Rate Risk. Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio and long-term debt. We currently do not use derivative financial instruments in either our investment portfolio, or to hedge debt.

 

We invest in high credit quality issuers and, by policy, limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. As stated in our policy, we are averse to principal loss and ensure the safety and preservation of our invested funds by limiting default risk and market risk.

 

We mitigate default risk by maintaining a diversified portfolio and by investing in only high quality securities. We constantly monitor our investment portfolio and position our portfolio to respond appropriately to a reduction in credit rating of any investment issuer, guarantor or depository. We maintain a highly liquid portfolio by investing only in marketable securities with active secondary or resale markets.

 

We have both fixed and floating rate debt obligations. We enter into debt obligations to support general corporate purposes including capital expenditures and working capital needs. We have used derivative financial instruments in the form of an interest rate swap agreement to hedge a portion of our floating rate debt obligations. Our last interest rate swap agreement matured in November 2002. We currently have no swap agreements.

 

The table below presents principal (or notional) amounts and related weighted average interest rates by year of maturity for our investment portfolio and debt obligations as of September 30, 2005. All investments mature in three years or less.

 

     2006

    2007

    2008

    2009

    2010

   Thereafter

   Total

    Fair Value
September 30,
2005


     (in millions)

Assets

                                                        

Cash equivalents:

                                                        

Fixed rate

   $ 689                                       $ 689     $ 688

Average interest rate

     3.75 %                                       3.75 %      

Short-term investments:

                                                        

Fixed rate

   $ 116     $ 502     $ 103     $ 11               $ 732     $ 725

Average interest rate

     3.72 %     3.32 %     3.95 %     4.17 %               3.48 %      

Variable rate

   $ 237                                       $ 237     $ 237

Average interest rate

     3.78 %                                       3.78 %      

Total investment securities

   $ 1,042     $ 502     $ 103     $ 11               $ 1,658     $ 1,650

Average interest rate

     3.75 %     3.32 %     3.95 %     4.17 %               3.64 %      

Long-Term Debt

                                                        

Fixed rate

                           $ 400               $ 400     $ 418

Average interest rate

                             8.00 %               8.00 %      

Floating rate

                                                        

Tranche B (LIBOR +2%)

   $ 4     $ 336                               $ 340     $ 340
       5.88 %     5.88 %                               5.88 %      

 

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Foreign Currency Exchange Risk. We transact business in various foreign countries. Our primary foreign currency cash flows are in emerging market countries in Asia and in European countries. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2004, we instituted a foreign currency hedging program to protect against the increase in value of foreign currency cash flows resulting from expenses over the next year. We hedge portions of our forecasted expenses denominated in foreign currencies with forward exchange contracts. When the U.S. dollar weakens significantly against the foreign currencies, the increase in the value of the future foreign currency expenditure is offset by gains in the value of the forward contracts designated as hedges. Conversely, as the U.S. dollar strengthens, the decrease in value of the future foreign currency cash flows is offset by losses in the value of the forward contracts.

 

As of September 30, 2005, our notional values of foreign exchange forward contracts totaled $158 million. We do not believe that these derivatives present significant credit risks, because the counterparties to the derivatives consist of major financial institutions, and we manage the notional amount of contracts entered into with any one counterparty. We maintain settlement and revaluation limits as well as maximum term of contracts based on the credit rating of the financial institutions. We do not enter derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. The table below provides information as of September 30, 2005 about our derivative financial instruments, comprised of foreign currency forward exchange contracts. The table is provided in U.S. dollar equivalent amounts and presents the notional amounts (at the contract exchange rates) and the weighted average contractual foreign currency exchange rates.

 

(In millions, except average contract rate)


  

Notional

Amount


  

Average

Contract

Rate


  

Estimated

Fair

Value (1)


Foreign currency forward exchange contracts:

                  

Thai Baht

   $ 80    41.35    $ 1

Singapore Dollar

     11    1.68      —  

British Pound

     15    1.77      —  

Danish Krone

     52    6.06      1
    

       

     $ 158         $ 2
    

       


(1) Equivalent to the unrealized net gain on existing contracts.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days before the filing date of this quarterly report. Based on that evaluation, our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, concluded that, as of September 30, 2005, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. There have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to their evaluation.

 

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PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The following discussion contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to our legal proceedings described below. Litigation is inherently uncertain and may result in adverse rulings or decisions. Additionally, we may enter into settlements or be subject to judgments that may, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

 

Intellectual Property Litigation

 

Convolve, Inc. and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”) v. Seagate Technology LLC, et al. — Between 1998 and 1999, Convolve, Inc., a small privately held technology consulting firm headed by a former MIT doctoral candidate, engaged in discussions with Seagate Delaware with respect to the potential license of technology that Convolve claimed to own. During that period, the parties entered into non-disclosure agreements. We declined Convolve’s offer of a license in late 1999. On July 13, 2000, Convolve and MIT filed suit against Compaq Computer Corporation and us in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging patent infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract, tortious interference with contract and fraud relating to Convolve and MIT’s Input Shaping® and Convolve’s Quick and Quiet™ technology. The plaintiffs claim their technology is incorporated in our sound barrier technology, which was publicly announced on June 6, 2000. The complaint seeks injunctive relief, $800 million in compensatory damages and unspecified punitive damages. We answered the complaint on August 2, 2000, and filed counterclaims for declaratory judgment that two Convolve/MIT patents are invalid and not infringed and that we own any intellectual property based on the information that we disclosed to Convolve. The court denied plaintiffs’ motion for expedited discovery and ordered plaintiffs to identify their trade secrets to defendants before discovery could begin. Convolve served a trade secrets disclosure on August 4, 2000, and we filed a motion challenging the disclosure statement. On May 3, 2001, the court appointed a special master to review the trade secret issues. The special master resigned on June 5, 2001, and the court appointed another special master on July 26, 2001. After a hearing on our motion challenging the trade secrets disclosure on September 21, 2001, the special master issued a report and recommendation to the court that the trade secret list was insufficient. Convolve revised the trade secret list, and the court entered an order on January 1, 2002, accepting the special master’s recommendation that this trade secret list was adequate. On November 6, 2001, the USPTO issued US Patent No. 6,314,473 to Convolve. Convolve filed an amended complaint on January 16, 2002, alleging defendants’ infringement of this patent and we answered and filed counterclaims on February 8, 2002. Discovery is in process. On July 26, 2002, we filed a Rule 11 motion challenging the adequacy of plaintiffs’ pre-filing investigation of the first two patents alleged in the complaint and seeking dismissal of plaintiffs’ claims related to these patents and reimbursement of attorneys’ fees. The court denied our motion on May 23, 2003. Briefing on claims construction issues has been completed and a claims construction (Markman) hearing has been requested. No trial date has been set. We believe the claims are without merit, and we intend to defend against them vigorously.

 

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On May 6, 2003, the USPTO issued to Convolve U.S. Patent No. 6,560,658 B2, entitled “Data Storage Device with Quick and Quiet Modes.” Convolve has indicated that it will seek leave of the court to add this patent to the lawsuit. This latest patent is a continuation of a patent currently in the lawsuit (U.S. Patent No. 6,314,473). We similarly believe any claims that may relate to this continuation patent would be without merit, regardless of whether such claims were added to the ongoing litigation or asserted against us in a separate lawsuit. Judge John Martin, who was assigned this case, announced his retirement from the federal bench. The case was reassigned to Judge George B. Daniels. On October 14, 2003, the Special Master resigned from the case due to Convolve’s claim that he had a conflict of interest. Magistrate Judge James C. Francis IV was appointed to handle all discovery matters. Plaintiffs have indicated that they will dismiss claims regarding U.S. Patent No. 5,638,267 from the case. The claims construction hearing on U.S. Patent Nos. 4,916,635 and 6,314,473 was held on March 30 and 31, 2004. On August 11, 2005, the court entered an order construing the patent claims. Both Seagate and Compaq moved for reconsideration in light of intervening new law in the Federal Circuit’s recent decision in Phillips v. AWH Corp., et al., 415 F.3d 1303 (Fed. Cir. 2005). Convolve also moved for clarification. All briefing is completed, and we await the court’s order or a schedule for oral argument. No trial date has been set.

 

Shao Tong, et al. v. Seagate International (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. – In July 2002, we were sued in the People’s Court of Nanjing City, China, by an individual, Shao Tong, and a private Chinese company, Nanjing Yisike Network Safety Technique Co., Ltd. The complaint alleged that two of our personal storage disc drive products infringe Chinese patent number ZL94111461.9, which prevents the corruption of systems data stored on rigid disc drives. The suit, which sought to stop us from manufacturing the two products and claimed immaterial monetary damages, was dismissed by the court on procedural grounds on November 29, 2002. On December 3, 2002, plaintiffs served us with notice that they had refiled the lawsuit. The new complaint contained identical infringement claims against the same disc drive products, claimed immaterial monetary damages and attorney fees, and requested injunctive relief and a recall of the products from the Chinese market. Manufacture of the accused products ceased in May 2003. At a hearing on March 10, 2003, the court referred the matter to an independent technical advisory board for a report on the application of the patent claims to the two products. On June 10, 2003, we presented our non-infringement case to the technical panel. The panel issued a technical advisory report to the court finding no infringement. The court heard oral arguments on the technical advisory report in September 2003, and issued an order that Seagate products do not infringe the patent and rejected plaintiffs’ lawsuit. Plaintiffs filed an appeal with the Jiangsu High Court, and we filed our opposition brief on January 21, 2004. The PRC Patent Reexamination Board (“PRB”) declared patent ZL94111461.9 invalid on March 28, 2004. The Jiangsu High Court stayed the appeal on the infringement case pending a final judgment on patent invalidity. On June 22, 2004, Shao Tong filed a lawsuit in the Beijing Intermediate People’s Court against the PRC PRB challenging its patent invalidity decision. On November 29, 2004, the court affirmed the decision of patent invalidity. In December 2004, Shao Tong appealed the decision to the Beijing High People’s court, the highest appellate court, and a hearing was held June 22, 2005. We await the court’s order. We believe the claims are without merit, and we intend to defend against them vigorously.

 

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Seagate Technology v. Read-Rite Corporation. In order to clarify our rights under a Patent Cross-License Agreement between Seagate Delaware and Read-Rite Corporation, we filed a declaratory judgment action on May 7, 2003, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, seeking a declaration that we are entitled to a cross-license, effective as of November 22, 2000, under terms substantially identical to those contained in the original Patent Cross-License Agreement. On June 11, 2003, Read-Rite Corporation answered the complaint putting forward a general denial and asserting various affirmative defenses. On June 17, 2003, Read-Rite Corporation filed a voluntary petition for bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Upon notice, our declaratory judgment action has been stayed. On July 23, 2003, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved Western Digital Corporation’s bid to acquire Read-Rite’s assets, including intellectual property that was the subject of Read-Rite’s dispute with us, in a transaction that closed on July 31, 2003. In the Bankruptcy Court, we objected to the Chapter 7 Trustee’s assumption and assignment to Western Digital of the Patent Cross-License Agreement. On November 14, 2003, the Bankruptcy Trustee made a motion, continued from time to time, to assume or reject certain Read-Rite executory contracts, rejecting the Patent Cross-License Agreement. On November 12, 2004, we filed our election to retain the benefits of the Patent Cross-License Agreement to the extent permitted by Section 365(n) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Chapter 7 Trustee and Western Digital opposed our election to retain the benefits of the license. On March 29, 2005, we reached agreement with the Bankruptcy Trustee, subject to Bankruptcy Court approval, to allow us to retain the benefits of the Patent Cross-License in exchange for us withdrawing our proof of claim against the bankruptcy estate. Western Digital objected to that settlement. On July 7, 2005, the Bankruptcy Trustee filed a motion to approve settlement of all bankruptcy disputes with Western Digital and indicated that he no longer supported the agreement we reached with him. Pursuant to this motion, the Bankruptcy Trustee sought approval to appoint Western Digital as the estate’s attorney in fact involving our election to retain the benefits of the Patent Cross-License Agreement. Thereafter, we, the Bankruptcy Trustee, and Western Digital stipulated to the Trustee’s withdrawal of his motion to approve the Seagate settlement. At a hearing on July 27, 2005, the Bankruptcy Court approved the Western Digital settlement and set a hearing for September 27, 2005 on our 365(n) election to retain the benefits of the Patent Cross-License Agreement. The hearing proceeded as scheduled and the judge ordered post-hearing briefing. We expect the judge to issue his decision shortly after briefing is completed in mid-November 2005.

 

Other Matters

 

We are involved in a number of other judicial and administrative proceedings incidental to our business, and we may be involved in various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of our business in the future. Although occasional adverse decisions or settlements may occur, we believe that the final disposition of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

We did not sell any securities during the quarter ended September 30, 2005 that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

FY 2006 Restricted Stock Bonus Awards

 

On October 24, 2005, the Company awarded restricted stock bonuses to certain officers by granting a total of 880,000 common shares under the Company’s 2004 Stock Compensation Plan, including grants to each of the Company’s named executive officers. These grants of shares of restricted stock were made as part of the annual review of stock grants performed by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. The number of share of the Company’s restricted stock granted to the named executive officers are as follows: William D. Watkins (200,000); Charles C. Pope (100,000); David A. Wickersham (100,000); Brian S. Dexheimer (100,000); and William L. Hudson (70,000). These grants contain the terms and conditions set forth in the Company’s standard forms of Restricted Stock Bonus Agreement and Restricted Stock Bonus Grant Notice previously approved by the Compensation Committee for use under the 2004 Stock Compensation Plan. Option grants for fiscal year 2006 were previously made by the Compensation Committee to certain officers and employees, including the Company’s named executive officers, as part of the Company’s fiscal year 2006 On-going Stock Program.

 

Each restricted stock bonus grant is subject to the vesting schedule set forth in the standard forms of Restricted Stock Bonus Agreement and Restricted Stock Bonus Grant Notice, which provide that one-fourth (1/4th) of the shares of restricted stock will vest each year on the first four anniversaries of the grant date (for these grants, October 24, 2005). The vesting of restricted stock is contingent on the recipient’s continued service with the Company and the recipient’s adequate provision for any federal, state or other tax withholding obligations associated with the vesting of restricted stock. The shares of restricted stock are subject to the Company’s reacquisition right. Therefore, in connection with the termination of service of the recipient for any reason, the Company will automatically reacquire the unvested shares of restricted stock without payment of any consideration.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number


 

Description


2.1   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2000, by and among Suez Acquisition Company (Cayman) Limited, Seagate Technology, Inc. and Seagate Software Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
2.2   Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of March 29, 2000, by and among VERITAS Software Corporation, Victory Merger Sub, Inc. and Seagate Technology, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
2.3   Indemnification Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2000, by and among VERITAS Software Corporation, Seagate Technology, Inc. and Suez Acquisition Company (Cayman) Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
2.4   Joinder Agreement to the Indemnification Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2000, by and among VERITAS Software Corporation, Seagate Technology, Inc. and the SAC Indemnitors listed therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
2.5   Consolidated Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement, Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, and Indemnification Agreement, and Consent, dated as of August 29, 2000, by and among Suez Acquisition Company (Cayman) Limited, Seagate Technology, Inc., Seagate Software Holdings, Inc., VERITAS Software Corporation and Victory Merger Sub, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.5 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
2.6   Consolidated Amendment No. 2 to Stock Purchase Agreement, Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, and Indemnification Agreement, and Consent, dated as of October 18, 2000, by and among Suez Acquisition Company (Cayman) Limited, Seagate Technology, Inc., Seagate Software Holdings, Inc., VERITAS Software Corporation and Victory Merger Sub, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.6 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
2.7   Letter Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2000, by and between VERITAS Software Corporation and Suez Acquisition Company (Cayman) Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.7 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
2.8   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2002, by and among Oak Investment Partners X, Limited Partnership, Oak X Affiliates Fund, L.P., Oak Investment Partners IX, Limited Partnership, Oak IX Affiliates Fund, L.P., Oak IX Affiliates Fund-A, L.P., Seagate Technology Holdings, Seagate Technology SAN Holdings and XIOtech Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.8 to amendment no. 6 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on November 8, 2002)

 

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2.9   Amendment No. 1, dated as of October 31, 2002, to the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2002, by and among Oak Investment Partners X, Limited Partnership, Oak X Affiliates Fund, L.P., Oak Investment Partners IX, Limited Partnership, Oak IX Affiliates Fund, L.P., Oak IX Affiliates Fund-A, L.P., Seagate Technology Holdings, Seagate Technology SAN Holdings and XIOtech Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.9 to amendment no. 6 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on November 8, 2002)
3.1   Third Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association of Seagate Technology (formerly known as Seagate Technology Holdings) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (file no. 001-31560) filed with the SEC on October 29, 2004)
3.2   Third Amended and Restated Articles of Association of Seagate Technology (formerly known as Seagate Technology Holdings) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (file no. 001-31560) filed with the SEC on October 29, 2004)
4.1   Form of 8% Senior Notes due 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
4.2   Indenture, dated as of May 13, 2002, by and among Seagate Technology HDD Holdings, Seagate Technology Holdings and U.S. Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
4.3   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2002, by and among Seagate Technology HDD Holdings, Seagate Technology Holdings, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Salomon Smith Barney Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
4.4   Specimen Common Share Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to amendment no. 1 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-1 (reg. no. 333-100513) filed with the SEC on November 8, 2002)
4.5   Shareholders Agreement by and among Seagate Technology Holdings, New SAC, Silver Lake Technology Investors Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Investors Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Partners Cayman, L.P., SAC Investments, L.P., August Capital III, L.P., J.P. Morgan Partners, L.L.C., GS Capital Partners III, L.P., GS Capital Partners III Offshore, L.P., Goldman Sachs & Co. Verwaltungs GmbH, Stone Street Fund 2000 L.P., Bridge Street Special Opportunities Fund 2000, L.P., Staenberg Venture Partners II, L.P., Staenberg Seagate Partners, LLC, Integral Capital Partners V, L.P., Integral Capital Partners V Side Fund, L.P. and the Shareholders listed on the signature pages thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (file no. 001-31560) filed with the SEC on February 10, 2003)
4.6   Amendment, dated as of April 23, 2004, to the Shareholders Agreement dated as of December 6, 2002, among Seagate Technology, New SAC, Silver Lake Technology Investors Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Investors Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Partners Cayman, L.P., SAC Investments, L.P., August Capital III, L.P., J.P. Morgan Partners (BHCA), L.P., GS Capital Partners III, L.P., GS Capital Partners III Offshore, L.P., Goldman Sachs & Co. Verwaltungs GmbH, Stone Street Fund 2000 L.P., Bridge Street Special Opportunities Fund 2000, L.P., Staenberg Venture Partners II, L.P., Staenberg Seagate Partners, LLC, Integral Capital Partners V, L.P., Integral Capital Partners V Side Fund, L.P. and the individuals listed on the signature pages thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-3 (reg. no. 333-117517) filed with the SEC on July 20, 2004)

 

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4.7   Second Amendment, dated as of September 2, 2004, to the Shareholders Agreement dated as of December 6, 2002, as amended by the first Amendment to the Shareholders Agreement dated as of April 23, 2004, among Seagate Technology, New SAC, Silver Lake Technology Investors Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Investors Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Partners Cayman, L.P., SAC Investments, L.P., August Capital III, L.P., J.P. Morgan Partners (BHCA), L.P., GS Capital Partners III, L.P., GS Capital Partners III Offshore, L.P., Goldman Sachs & Co. Verwaltungs GmbH, Stone Street Fund 2000 L.P., Bridge Street Special Opportunities Fund 2000, L.P., Staenberg Venture Partners II, L.P., Staenberg Seagate Partners, LLC, Integral Capital Partners V, L.P., Integral Capital Partners V Side Fund, L.P. and the individuals listed on the signature pages thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K/A (file no. 001-31560) filed with the SEC on September 3, 2004)
10.1   Credit Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2002, by and among Seagate Technology Holdings, Seagate Technology HDD Holdings, Seagate Technology (US) Holdings, Inc., the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as joint bookrunner and co-lead arranger, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as syndication agent, joint bookrunner and co-lead arranger, Citicorp USA, Inc., as documentation agent, Merrill Lynch Capital Corporation, as documentation agent, and Credit Suisse First Boston, as documentation agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.2(a)   Form of Employment Agreement by and between Seagate Technology (US) Holdings, Inc. and the Executive listed therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(a) to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.2(b)   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of July 3, 2004, by and between Seagate Technology (US) Holdings, Inc. and Stephen J. Luczo (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(b) to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K (file no. 001-31560) filed with the SEC on August 10, 2004)
10.2(c)   Employment Agreement, dated as of February 2, 2001, by and between Seagate Technology (US) Holdings, Inc. and William D. Watkins (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(c) to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.3(a)   Form of Management Retention Agreement by and between the Employee listed therein and Seagate Technology, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(a) to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.3(b)   Management Retention Agreement, dated November 1998, by and between Seagate Technology, Inc. and Stephen J. Luczo (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(b) to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.4   Management Participation Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2000, by and among Seagate Technology, Inc., Suez Acquisition Company (Cayman) Limited and the Senior Managers party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.5   Form of Rollover Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2000, by and among New SAC, Seagate Technology HDD Holdings and the Senior Manager listed therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.6   Seagate Technology HDD Holdings Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)

 

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10.7(a)   New SAC 2000 Restricted Share Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(a) to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.7(b)   Form of New SAC 2000 Restricted Share Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(b) to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.8(a)   New SAC 2001 Restricted Share Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8(a) to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.8(b)   Form of New SAC 2001 Restricted Share Agreement (Tier 1 Senior Managers) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8(b) to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.8(c)   Form of New SAC 2001 Restricted Share Agreement (Other Employees) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8(c) to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.9   Seagate Technology Holdings 2001 Share Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.10   Shareholders Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2000, by and among New SAC, Silver Lake Technology Investors Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Investors Cayman, L.P., Silver Lake Partners Cayman, L.P., SAC Investments, L.P., August Capital III, L.P., Chase Equity Associates, L.P., GS Capital Partners III, L.P., GS Capital Partners III Offshore, L.P., Goldman, Sachs & Co. Verwaltungs GmbH, Stone Street Fund 2000 L.P., Bridge Street Special Opportunities Fund 2000, L.P., Staenberg Venture Partners II, L.P., Staenberg Seagate Partners, LLC, Integral Capital Partners V, L.P., Integral Capital Partners V Side Fund, L.P. and the individuals listed therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.11   Management Shareholders Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2000, by and among New SAC and the Management Shareholders listed therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.12   Disc Drive Research and Development Cost Sharing Agreement, dated as of June 29, 1996, by and among Seagate Technology, Inc., Seagate Technology International, Seagate Technology (Ireland), Seagate Technology (Clonmel), Seagate Technology International (Wuxi) Co., Ltd., Seagate Microelectronics Limited and Seagate Peripherals, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.13   World-Wide Services Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1993, by and among Seagate Technology, Inc. and Seagate Technology International (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.14   Promissory Note, dated as of May 8, 1998, by and between Seagate Technology, Inc., as lender, and David Wickersham, as borrower (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)

 

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10.15   Promissory Note, dated as of October 10, 2000, by and between Seagate Technology LLC, as lender, and Brian Dexheimer, as borrower (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.16   Promissory Note, dated as of February 16, 2001, by and between Seagate Technology LLC, as lender, and Jeremy Tennenbaum, as borrower (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.17   Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2002, by and among Seagate Technology HDD Holdings, Seagate Technology Holdings and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and the other initial purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002)
10.18   Form of Indemnification Agreement between Seagate Technology Holdings and the director or officer named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to amendment no. 1 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on July 5, 2002)
10.19   Reimbursement Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2002, by and among New SAC and its subsidiaries party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-1 (reg. no. 333-100513) filed with the SEC on October 11, 2002)
10.20   Promissory Note, dated as of October 10, 2000, by and between Seagate Technology LLC, as lender, and Patrick J. O’Malley III and Patricia A. O’Malley, as borrowers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to amendment no. 7 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on November 18, 2002)
10.21   Amendment No. 1, dated December 5, 2002, to the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2002, by and among Seagate Technology Holdings, Seagate Technology HDD Holdings, Seagate Technology (US) Holdings, Inc., the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as joint bookrunner and co-lead arranger, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as syndication agent, joint bookrunner and co-lead arranger, Citicorp USA, Inc., as documentation agent, Merrill Lynch Capital Corporation, as documentation agent, and Credit Suisse First Boston, as documentation agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to amendment no. 9 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-4 (reg. no. 333-88388) filed with the SEC on December 6, 2002)
10.22   Amendment No. 2, dated January 28, 2004, to the Credit Agreement dated as of May 13, 2002, by and among Seagate Technology Holdings, Seagate Technology HDD Holdings, Seagate Technology (US) Holdings, Inc., the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as joint bookrunner and co-lead arranger, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding Inc., as syndication agent, joint bookrunner and co-lead arranger, Citicorp USA, Inc., as documentation agent, Merrill Lynch Capital Corporation, as documentation agent, and Credit Suisse First Boston, as documentation agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (file no. 001-31560) filed with the SEC on February 3, 2004)
10.23   Seagate Technology Annual Incentive Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (file no. 001-31560) filed with the SEC on May 3, 2004)

 

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10.24   Seagate Technology 2004 Stock Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K (file no. 001-31560) filed with the SEC on October 29, 2004)
10.25   Seagate Technology 2004 Stock Compensation Plan Form of Option Agreement (For Outside Directors) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (file no. 001-31560) filed with the SEC on October 29, 2004)
10.26   Seagate Technology 2004 Stock Compensation Plan Form of Option Agreement (For Officers) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-8 (file no. 333-128654) filed with the SEC on September 28, 2005)
10.27   Seagate Technology 2004 Stock Compensation Plan Form of Option Agreement (For Non-Officer Employees) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-8 (file no. 333-128654) filed with the SEC on September 28, 2005)
10.28   Summary description of Seagate Technology’s compensation policy for independent members of the board of directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q (file no. 001-31560) filed with the SEC on April 29, 2005)
31.1*   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

* Filed herewith

 

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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.

 

        SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

DATE:

 

October 28, 2005

  BY:  

/s/ WILLIAM D. WATKINS


            William D. Watkins
            Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
            (Principal Executive Officer)

 

DATE:

 

October 28, 2005

  BY:  

/s/ CHARLES C. POPE


            Charles C. Pope
            Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
            (Principal Financial Officer)

 

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