10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended January 28, 2018

OR

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

For the transition period from ___ to ___

Commission file number 0-15451

PHOTRONICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes ☒ No ☐

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

Large Accelerated Filer ☒	Accelerated Filer ☐	Non-Accelerated Filer ☐	Smaller Reporting Company ☐
Emerging Growth Company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ☐  No ☒

The registrant had 69,878,876 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 1, 2018.

Forward-Looking Statements

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

2

PHOTRONICS, INC.

INDEX

PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION	Page
Item 1.	Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	4
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 28, 2018 and October 29, 2017	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017	6
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017	7
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	8
Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	18
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	23
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	24
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	25
Item 6.	Exhibits	25

3

PART I.      FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PHOTRONICS, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

	January 28, 2018		October 29, 2017
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	348,560	$	308,021
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $2,422 in 2018 and $2,319 in 2017		104,638		105,320
Inventories		26,997		23,703
Other current assets		12,162		12,080
Total current assets		492,357		449,124
Property, plant and equipment, net		548,307		535,197
Intangible assets, net		16,224		17,122
Deferred income taxes		20,583		15,481
Other assets		3,985		3,870
Total assets	$	1,081,456	$	1,020,794
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term borrowings	$	3,259	$	4,639
Accounts payable		54,973		50,834
Accrued liabilities		29,841		26,303
Total current liabilities		88,073		81,776
Long-term borrowings		57,366		57,337
Other liabilities		17,570		16,386
Total liabilities		163,009		155,499
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 2,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding		-		-
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 68,869 shares issued and outstanding at January 28, 2018 and 68,666 shares issued and outstanding at October 29, 2017		689		687
Additional paid-in capital		549,328		547,596
Retained earnings		195,288		189,390
Accumulated other comprehensive income		32,128		6,891
Total Photronics, Inc. shareholders' equity		777,433		744,564
Noncontrolling interests		141,014		120,731
Total equity		918,447		865,295
Total liabilities and equity	$	1,081,456	$	1,020,794

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

PHOTRONICS, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	January 28, 2018			January 29, 2017
Revenue	$	123,446		$	109,831
Cost of goods sold		(95,784	)		(86,832	)
Gross profit		27,662			22,999
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative		(11,750	)		(10,871	)
Research and development		(4,104	)		(3,485	)
Total operating expenses		(15,854	)		(14,356	)
Operating income		11,808			8,643
Other income (expense):
Interest income and other income (expense)		(3,531	)		(1,524	)
Interest expense		(574	)		(559	)
Income before income taxes		7,703			6,560
Income tax benefit (provision)		1,778			(2,050	)
Net income		9,481			4,510
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(3,583	)		(2,564	)
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$	5,898		$	1,946
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.09		$	0.03
Diluted	$	0.09		$	0.03
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic		68,755			68,176
Diluted		69,372			69,169

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

PHOTRONICS, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	January 28, 2018			January 29, 2017
Net income	$	9,481		$	4,510
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of $0:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		30,087			(634	)
Amortization of cash flow hedge		32			32
Other		(32	)		-
Net other comprehensive income (loss )		30,087			(602	)
Comprehensive income		39,568			3,908
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(8,433	)		(3,821	)
Comprehensive income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$	31,135		$	87

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

PHOTRONICS, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	January 28, 2018			January 29, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	9,481		$	4,510
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		22,363			20,896
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		4,692			6,799
Inventories		(2,385	)		(1,199	)
Other current assets		432			1,659
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and other		(3,721	)		(1,126	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		30,862			31,539
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(10,995	)		(9,600	)
Acquisition of business		-			(5,400	)
Other		(134	)		(396	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(11,129	)		(15,396	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term borrowings		(1,381	)		(1,343	)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest		11,998			-
Proceeds from share-based arrangements		798			1,113
Other		(261	)		(16	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		11,154			(246	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		9,652			(275	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		40,539			15,622
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		308,021			314,074
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	348,560		$	329,696
Supplemental disclosure information:
Accrual for property, plant and equipment purchased during the period	$	1,544		$	2,029

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

7

PHOTRONICS, INC.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Three Months Ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except share amounts and per share data)

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

Photronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Photronics", "the Company", "we", “our”, or "us") is one of the world's leading manufacturers of photomasks, which are high precision photographic quartz or glass plates containing microscopic images of electronic circuits. Photomasks are a key element in the manufacture of semiconductors and flat panel displays ("FPDs"), and are used as masters to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers and flat panel display substrates during the fabrication of integrated circuits ("ICs" or “semiconductors”) and a variety of FPDs and, to a lesser extent, other types of electrical and optical components. We currently operate principally from nine manufacturing facilities, two of which are located in Europe, three in Taiwan, one in Korea, and three in the United States. We have commenced construction of two manufacturing facilities in China and anticipate production to begin at these facilities in 2019.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information, and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, adjustments, all of which are of a normal recurring nature, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Our business is typically impacted during the first, and sometimes the second, quarter of our fiscal year by the North American, European, and Asian holiday periods, as some customers reduce their development and buying activities during those periods. Operating results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending October 28, 2018. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 29, 2017.

NOTE 2 - CHANGES IN EQUITY

The following tables set forth our consolidated changes in equity for the three months ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017:

	Three Months Ended January 28, 2018
	Photronics, Inc. Shareholders
	Common Stock								Accumulated
					Additional				Other		Non-
					Paid-in		Retained		Comprehensive		controlling		Total
	Shares		Amount		Capital		Earnings		Income		Interests		Equity
Balance at October 30, 2017		68,666	$	687	$	547,596	$	189,390	$	6,891	$	120,731	$	865,295
Net income		-		-		-		5,898		-		3,583		9,481
Other comprehensive income		-		-		-		-		25,237		4,850		30,087
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plans		116		1		701		-		-		-		702
Restricted stock awards vesting and expense		87		1		386		-		-		-		387
Share-based compensation expense		-		-		497		-		-		-		497
Contribution from noncontrolling interest		-		-		148		-		-		11,850		11,998
Balance at January 28, 2018		68,869	$	689	$	549,328	$	195,288	$	32,128	$	141,014	$	918,447

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	Three Months Ended January 29, 2017
	Photronics, Inc. Shareholders
	Common Stock								Accumulated
					Additional				Other			Non-
					Paid-in		Retained		Comprehensive			controlling		Total
	Shares		Amount		Capital		Earnings		Loss			Interests		Equity
Balance at October 31, 2016		68,080	$	681	$	541,093	$	176,260	$	(7,671	)	$	115,111	$	825,474
Net income		-		-		-		1,946		-			2,564		4,510
Other comprehensive (loss) income		-		-		-		-		(1,859	)		1,257		(602	)
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plans		175		1		1,087		-		-			-		1,088
Restricted stock awards vesting and expense		78		1		297		-		-			-		298
Share-based compensation expense		-		-		640		-		-			-		640
Balance at January 29, 2017		68,333	$	683	$	543,117	$	178,206	$	(9,530	)	$	118,932	$	831,408

NOTE 3 - INVENTORIES

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined under the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method, or net realizable value. Presented below are the components of inventory at the balance sheet dates:

	January 28, 2018		October 29, 2017
Finished goods	$	1,201	$	664
Work in process		3,753		2,957
Raw materials		22,043		20,082
	$	26,997	$	23,703

NOTE 4 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

	January 28, 2018		October 29, 2017
Land	$	10,301	$	9,959
Buildings and improvements		128,073		125,290
Machinery and equipment		1,614,502		1,547,870
Leasehold improvements		20,826		20,050
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment		13,474		12,989
Construction in progress		74,987		72,045
		1,862,163		1,788,203
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(1,313,856)		(1,253,006)
	$	548,307	$	535,197

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

	January 28, 2018			October 29, 2017
Machinery and equipment	$	34,917		$	34,917
Accumulated amortization		(14,717	)		(13,843	)
	$	20,200		$	21,074

Depreciation and amortization expense for property, plant and equipment was $21.1 million and $19.7 million for the three month periods ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017, respectively.

During the three month periods ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017, we entered into noncash transactions with a customer for the acquisition of equipment with fair values of approximately $6.7 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

NOTE 5 – PDMCX JOINT VENTURE

In January 2018, Photronics, through its wholly-owned Singapore subsidiary (hereinafter, within this Note “we”, or “Photronics”), and Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., through its wholly owned subsidiary “DNP Asia Pacific PTE, Ltd.” (hereinafter, within this Note “DNP”) entered into a joint venture under which DNP obtained a 49.99% interest in our recently established IC business in Xiamen, China, which includes the facility currently under construction. The joint venture, known as “Photronics DNP Mask Corporation Xiamen” (hereinafter, “PDMCX”), was established to develop and manufacture photomasks for leading edge and advanced generation semiconductors. We entered into this joint venture to enable us to compete more effectively for the merchant photomask business in China and to benefit from the additional resources and investment that DNP will provide to enable us to offer advanced process technology to our customers.

As of January 28, 2018, Photronics and DNP have each contributed cash of approximately $12 million to the joint venture. We estimate that, over the next several years, per the agreement, DNP and Photronics will each contribute an additional $43 million of cash and additional local borrowings. 

Under the PDMCX joint venture operating agreement (“the Agreement”), DNP is afforded, under certain circumstances, the right to put its interest in PDMCX to Photronics. These circumstances include disputes regarding the strategic direction of PDMCX that arise after the initial two year term of the Agreement and cannot be resolved between the two parties. In addition, both Photronics and DNP have the option to purchase, or put, their interest from, or to, the other party, should their ownership interest fall below 20% for a period of more than six consecutive months. Under all such circumstances, the sales of ownership interests would be at the exiting party’s ownership percentage of the joint venture’s net book value, with closing to take place within three business days of obtaining required approvals and clearance.

We recorded a net loss from the operations of the PDMCX joint venture of approximately $0.5 million, in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. No gain or loss was recorded upon the formation of the joint venture. General creditors of PDMCX do not have recourse to the assets of Photronics, Inc., and our maximum exposure to loss from PDMCX at January 28, 2018, was $11.6 million.

10

As required by the guidance in Topic 810 - “Consolidation” of the Accounting Codification Standards, we evaluated our involvement in PDMCX for the purpose of determining whether we should consolidate its results in our financial statements. The initial step of our evaluation was to determine whether PDMCX was a variable interest entity (“VIE”). Due to its lack of sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, we determined that it was a VIE. Having made this determination, we then assessed whether we were the primary beneficiary of the VIE, and concluded that we were the primary beneficiary during the current reporting period; thus, as required, the PDMCX financial results should be consolidated with Photronics, Inc. Our conclusion was based on the fact that we held a controlling financial interest in PDMCX, which resulted from our having the power to direct the activities that most significantly impacted its economic performance, the obligation to absorb losses, and the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to PDMCX. Our conclusion that we had the power to direct the activities that most significantly affected the economic performance of PDMCX during the current period was based on our right to appoint the majority of its board of directors, which has, among others, the powers to manage the business (through its rights to appoint and evaluate PDMCX’s management), incur indebtedness, enter into agreements and commitments, and acquire and dispose of PDMCX’s assets. In addition, as a result of the 50.01% variable interest we held during the current period, we had the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to PDMCX.

The carrying amounts of PDMCX assets and liabilities, included in our condensed consolidated balance sheet, as of January 28, 2018, are presented in the following table, along with our exposure to loss related to these assets and liabilities.

Classification	Carrying Amount		Photronics Interest
Current assets	$	13,864	$	6,933
Non-current assets		12,403		6,203
Total assets		26,267		13,136
Current liabilities		3,038		1,519
Non-current liabilities		16		8
Total liabilities		3,054		1,527
Net assets	$	23,213	$	11,609

NOTE 6 - LONG-TERM BORROWINGS

Long-term borrowings consist of the following:

	January 28, 2018			October 29, 2017
3.25% convertible senior notes due in April 2019	$	57,366		$	57,337
2.77% capital lease obligation payable through July 2018		3,259			4,639
		60,625			61,976
Current portion		(3,259	)		(4,639	)
	$	57,366		$	57,337

In January 2015, we privately exchanged $57.5 million in aggregate principal amount of our 3.25% convertible senior notes with a maturity date of April 1, 2016, for new 3.25% convertible senior notes with an aggregate principal amount of $57.5 million with a maturity date of April 1, 2019. The conversion rate of the new notes is the same as that of the exchanged notes, which were issued in March 2011 with a conversion rate of approximately 96 shares of common stock per $1,000 note principal, equivalent to a conversion price of $10.37 per share of common stock, and is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, which are described in the indenture dated January 22, 2015. Note holders may convert each $1,000 principal amount of notes at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding April 1, 2019, and we are not required to redeem the notes prior to their maturity date. Interest on the notes accrues in arrears, and is paid semiannually through the notes’ maturity date.

Our credit facility, which expires in December 2018, has a $50 million limit with an expansion capacity to $75 million, and is secured by substantially all of our assets located in the United States and common stock we own in certain of our foreign subsidiaries. The credit facility stipulates that we may not pay cash dividends on Photronics, Inc. stock, and is subject to the following financial covenants: minimum interest coverage ratio, total leverage ratio and minimum unrestricted cash balance financial covenants, with all of which we were in compliance at January 28, 2018. We had no outstanding borrowings against the credit facility at January 28, 2018, and $50 million was available for borrowing. The interest rate on the credit facility (2.82% at January 28, 2018) is based on our total leverage ratio at LIBOR plus a spread, as defined in the credit facility.

11

In August 2013, we entered into a $26.4 million principal amount, five year capital lease to fund the purchase of a high-end lithography tool. Payments under the capital lease, which bears interest at 2.77%, are $0.5 million per month through July 2018. The lease is subject to a cross default with cross acceleration provision related to certain nonfinancial covenants incorporated into our credit facility. As of January 28, 2018, the total amount payable through August 2018 (the end of the lease term) was $3.3 million, substantially all of which represented principal.

NOTE 7 - SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

In March 2016, shareholders approved a new equity incentive compensation plan (the “Plan”), under which incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock grants, stock-based awards, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance units, performance stock, and other stock or cash awards may be granted. Shares to be issued under the Plan may be authorized and unissued shares, issued shares that have been reacquired by us (in the open-market or in private transactions), shares that are being held in the treasury, or a combination thereof. The maximum number of shares of common stock approved that may be issued under the Plan is four million shares. Awards may be granted to officers, employees, directors, consultants, advisors, and independent contractors of Photronics or its subsidiaries. In the event of a change in control (as defined in the Plan), the vesting of awards may be accelerated. The Plan, aspects of which are more fully described below, prohibits further awards from being issued under prior plans. We incurred total share-based compensation expenses of $0.9 million in each of the three month periods ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017, and we received cash from option exercises of $0.7 million and $1.0 million during those respective periods. No share-based compensation cost was capitalized as part of an asset and no related income tax benefits were recorded during the periods presented.

Stock Options

Option awards generally vest in one-to-four years and have a ten-year contractual term. All incentive and non-qualified stock option grants have an exercise price no less than the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The grant date fair values of options are based on closing prices of our common stock on the dates of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our common stock. We use historical option exercise behavior and employee termination data to estimate expected term, which represents the period of time that the options granted are expected to remain outstanding. The risk-free rate of return for the estimated term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the date of grant.

The weighted-average inputs and risk-free rates of return used to calculate the grant date fair value of options issued during the three month periods ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017, are presented in the following table.

	Three Months Ended
	January 28, 2018		January 29, 2017
Volatility		31.6%		32.2%
Risk free rate of return		2.2%		1.9%
Dividend yield		0.0%		0.0%
Expected term	5.0 years		5.0 years

Information on outstanding and exercisable option awards as of January 28, 2018, is presented below.

Options	Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at January 28, 2018		3,304,820	$	7.98	5.1 years	$	4,468
Exercisable at January 28, 2018		2,421,655	$	7.19	3.8 years	$	4,441

12

There were 252,000 share options granted during the three month period ended January 28, 2018, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $2.74 per share, and there were 338,750 share options granted during the three month period ended January 29, 2017, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $3.60 per share. As of January 28, 2018, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested option awards was approximately $2.4 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average amortization period of 2.3 years.

Restricted Stock

We periodically grant restricted stock awards, the restrictions on which typically lapse over a service period of one-to-four years. The fair value of the awards is determined on the date of grant, based on the closing price of our common stock. There were 280,000 restricted stock awards issued during the three month period ended January 28, 2018, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $8.63 per share, and there were 260,000 restricted stock awards issued during the three month period ended January 29, 2017, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $11.35 per share. As of January 28, 2018, the total compensation cost not yet recognized related to unvested restricted stock awards was approximately $4.1 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average amortization period of 3.0 years. As of January 28, 2018, there were 488,673 shares of restricted stock outstanding.

NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES

The benefit effective tax rate of (23.1%) differs from the post U.S. Tax Reform blended statutory rate of 23.4% in the three month period ended January 28, 2018, primarily due to the benefit from U.S. Tax Reform (as discussed below), earnings being taxed at lower statutory rates in foreign jurisdictions, and the benefit of various investment credits in a foreign jurisdiction.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”), was signed into law, enacting significant changes to the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that we expect to have a positive impact on our future after-tax earnings.  Under ASC Topic 740 – “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), the effects of the new legislation are recognized in the interim and annual accounting periods that include the enactment date, which falls within our interim period ended January 28, 2018. In December 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address situations in which the accounting under ASC 740 is incomplete for certain income tax effects of the Act. We adopted SAB 118 in our first quarter of fiscal year 2018.

SAB 118 summarizes a three-step process to be applied at each reporting period to account for and qualitatively disclose; (1) the effects of the change in tax law for which accounting is complete; (2) provisional amounts (or adjustments to provisional amounts) for the effects of the tax law for where accounting is not complete, but that a reasonable estimate has been determined; and (3) a reasonable estimate cannot yet be made and therefore taxes are reflected in accordance with law prior to the enactment of the Act.

We continue to analyze the provisions of the Act addressing the net deferred tax asset revaluation and its calculations, the deemed earnings repatriation, including the determination of undistributed non-U.S. earnings, and evaluate potential actions we may consider in light of the Act that could affect our fiscal year of 2018 U.S. taxable income. As such, our accounting for certain elements within the Act is preliminary, and subject to further clarification of the Act by Internal Revenue Service. The following is a discussion of the major provisions of the Act that affect our financial statements, and our preliminary assessment of the impact of such provisions on the statements.

· The Act repeals the corporate alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, and provides that existing AMT credit carryforwards are fully refundable over a four year period, starting with the tax year beginning after December 31, 2017. We have approximately $3.9 million of AMT credit carryforwards that we previously determined were not more likely than not going to be realized and, as such, established a valuation allowance for these carryforwards. Accordingly, the Act has changed our determination regarding the realization of the benefit of the carryforwards; therefore, the related valuation allowance has been reversed and the $3.9 million tax benefit has been recorded in our tax provision, excluding any impact of potential future sequestration reductions.

· As of January 1, 2018, the Act reduces the corporate income tax rate from a maximum 35% to a flat 21%. Our fiscal year 2018 blended statutory tax rate is approximately 23.4%, the weighted daily average rate between the pre-enactment U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35% applicable to our 2018 fiscal year prior to the rate change effective January 1, 2018 and the post-enactment U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21% applicable to the balance of our 2018 fiscal year. The 21% rate will be applicable to fiscal year 2019 and beyond. Under generally accepted accounting principles, we are required to revalue our deferred tax assets and liabilities utilizing the rate applicable to the period when a temporary difference will reverse. Our preliminary analysis of the two stepped revaluation indicates that our net deferred tax asset will be increased by $2.5 million, with an offsetting change in the related valuation allowance resulting in a provisional net zero impact for our period.

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· The Act imposes a transition tax for a one-time deemed repatriation of the accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The transition tax effective rates are 15.5% on accumulated earnings held in cash (as defined by the Act), and 8% on any remaining balance. Our preliminary analysis indicates an estimated deemed repatriation transition tax of $28.4 million. The preliminary analysis also indicates that the entire amount of transition tax will be fully offset by tax credits and/or available loss carryforwards, resulting in a provisional net zero impact on our period, due in part to an offsetting change in the related valuation allowance. We do not expect that future earnings of foreign subsidiaries will be subject to U.S. federal income tax. No change has been or is anticipated to be made with respect to the year-end fiscal year 2017 indefinite reinvestment  assertion of foreign subsidiary earnings.

· Our preliminary analysis of other provisions of the Act, including, but not limited to, 100 percent bonus depreciation and changes to the limitations on the deducibility of meals and entertainment expenses indicate that under our current tax profile there should be limited or no provisional impact for our period.

· Based on the effective date of certain provisions, we will be subject to additional requirements of tax reform beginning in fiscal year 2019. Those provisions include a tax on global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI), a tax determined by base erosion tax benefits (BEAT) from certain payments between a U.S. corporation and foreign subsidiaries, a limitation of certain executive compensation, a deduction for foreign derived intangible income (FDII) and interest expense limitations. We have not completed our analysis of those provisions and the estimated impact.

On January 18, 2018, the Taiwan Legislature Yuan approved amendments to the Income Tax Act, enacting an increase in the corporate tax rate from 17% to 20%. Under generally accepted accounting principles, we are required to revalue our deferred tax assets and liabilities utilizing the rate applicable to the period when a temporary difference will reverse. Our analysis indicates that our Taiwan deferred tax asset will be increased and, accordingly, a net benefit of $0.2 million is reflected in our period tax provision.

The 19.0% effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% in the three month period ended January 29, 2017, primarily due to earnings being taxed at lower statutory rates in foreign jurisdictions, combined with the benefit of various investment credits in a foreign jurisdiction. Valuation allowances in jurisdictions with historic losses eliminate the tax benefit of these jurisdictions. Two five-year tax holidays in Taiwan, one that expired in 2017 and the other that expires in 2019, reduced foreign taxes by $0.1 million in the three month periods ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017, respectively. These tax holidays had no effect on the earnings per share of either period.

There were unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions of $3.7 million at January 28, 2018, and $3.4 million at October 29, 2017, all of which, if recognized, would favorably impact the Company’s effective tax rate. Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits was $0.1 million at January 28, 2018 and October 29, 2017. Although the timing of the expirations of statutes of limitations may be uncertain, as they can be dependent upon the settlement of tax audits, we believe that it is reasonably possible that up to $1.4 million of our uncertain tax positions (including accrued interest and penalties, and net of tax benefits) may be resolved over the next twelve months. Resolution of these uncertain tax positions may result from either or both of the lapses of statutes of limitations and tax settlements.

NOTE 9 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

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

	Three Months Ended
	January 28, 2018		January 29, 2017
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$	5,898	$	1,946
Effect of dilutive securities		-		-
Earnings used for diluted earnings per share	$	5,898	$	1,946
Weighted-average common shares computations:
Weighted-average common shares used for basic earnings per share		68,755		68,176
Effect of dilutive securities:
Share-based payment awards		617		993
Potentially dilutive common shares		617		993
Weighted-average common shares used for diluted earnings per share		69,372		69,169
Basic earnings per share	$	0.09	$	0.03
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.09	$	0.03

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The table below shows the outstanding weighted-average share-based payment awards that were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their exercise price exceeded the average market value of the common shares for the period or, under application of the treasury stock method, they were otherwise determined to be anti-dilutive. The table also shows convertible notes that, if converted, would be antidilutive.

	Three Months Ended
	January 28, 2018		January 29, 2017
Convertible notes		5,542		-
Share-based payment awards		1,583		993
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded		7,125		993

NOTE 10 - CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME BY COMPONENT

The following tables set forth thechanges in our accumulated other comprehensive income by component (net of tax of $0)for the three month periods ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017.

	Three Months Ended January 28, 2018
	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Amortization of Cash Flow Hedge			Other			Total
Balance at October 30, 2017	$	7,627		$	(48	)	$	(688	)	$	6,891
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		30,087			-			(32	)		30,055
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		-			32			-			32
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		30,087			32			(32	)		30,087
Less: other comprehensive (income)loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(4,866	)		-			16			(4,850	)
Balance at January 28, 2018	$	32,848		$	(16	)	$	(704	)	$	32,128

	Three Months Ended January 29, 2017
	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Amortization of Cash Flow Hedge			Other			Total
Balance at October 31, 2016	$	(6,567	)	$	(177	)	$	(927	)	$	(7,671	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(614	)		-			(20	)		(634	)
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		-			32			-			32
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(614	)		32			(20	)		(602	)
Less: other comprehensive (income)loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(1,267	)		-			10			(1,257	)
Balance at January 29, 2017	$	(8,448	)	$	(145	)	$	(937	)	$	(9,530	)

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NOTE 11 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

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

We did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value, on a recurring or a nonrecurring basis, at January 28, 2018 or October 29, 2017. The assets acquired in connection with our acquisition discussed in Note 4 were recorded at fair value.

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

The fair values of our cash and cash equivalents (Level 1 measurements), accounts receivable, accounts payable, and certain other current assets and current liabilities (Level 2 measurements) approximate their carrying value due to their short-term maturities. The fair value of our convertible senior notes is a Level 2 measurement, as it was determined using inputs that were either observable market data, or could be derived from, or corroborated with, observable market data. These inputs included our stock price and interest rates offered on debt issued by entities with credit ratings similar to ours.

The table below presents the fair and carrying values of our convertible senior notes at January 28, 2018 and October 29, 2017.

	January 28, 2018				October 29, 2017
	Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value
3.25% convertible senior notes due 2019	$	64,486	$	57,366	$	67,396	$	57,337

NOTE 12 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

As of January 28, 2018, the Company had commitments outstanding for capital equipment expenditures of approximately $190 million.

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

NOTE 13 - RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In December 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address situations where the accounting under ASC Topic 740 – “Income Taxes” is incomplete for certain income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was signed into law on December 22, 2017, and changed existing U.S. tax law. We adopted this guidance in our first quarter of fiscal year 2018. Please see Note 8 for a discussion of the effects of adopting this guidance.

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In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18 “Restricted Cash”, which requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for Photronics, Inc. in its first quarter of fiscal year 2019 and should be applied on a retrospective transition basis. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We are currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16 “Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory”, which eliminates the exception of recognizing, at the time of transfer, current and deferred income taxes for intra-entity asset transfers other than inventory. ASU 2016-16 is effective for us in our first quarter of fiscal year 2019 and should be applied on a modified retrospective transition basis. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period for which interim or annual financial statements have not been issued or made available for issuance. We are currently evaluating the effect this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 “Measurement of Credit Losses”, the main objective of which is to provide more useful information about expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments of an entity to extend credit. In support of this objective, the ASU replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology, found in current GAAP, with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. This ASU requires a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. ASU 2016-13 is effective for Photronics, Inc. in its first quarter of fiscal year 2021, with early adoption permitted beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. We are currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016 – 09 “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”, which simplifies the accounting for share-based payment transactions including their income tax consequences, classification as either equity or liability awards, classification on the statement of cash flows, and other areas. The method of adoption varies with the different aspects of the Update. Adoption of this guidance in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2018 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)”, which requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and corresponding liabilities for all leases with an initial term in excess of twelve months. ASU 2016-02 is to be adopted using a modified retrospective approach, which includes a number of practical expedients, that requires leases to be measured and recognized under the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The ASU is effective for Photronics, Inc. in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, with early application permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, which will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The core principle of this ASU is that revenue should be recognized for the amount of consideration expected to be received for promised goods or services transferred to customers. This ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments, and assets recognized for costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year and allows entities to early adopt, but no earlier than the original effective date. ASU 2014-09 will now be effective for Photronics, Inc. in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2019. This update allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10 “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” which amends guidance previously issued on these matters in ASU 2014-09. The effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2016-10 are the same as those for ASU 2014-09.

We anticipate that the adoption of this ASU will result in the accelerated recognition of certain revenue streams as, upon adoption of this Update, some amounts in our work-in process inventory will be considered to represent promised goods transferred to our customers, requiring us to recognize consideration for those transferred goods in amounts we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for them. However, we cannot currently quantify with reasonable certainty the effect this anticipated acceleration of revenue will have on our consolidated financial statements. We expect to adopt this guidance using the modified retrospective approach.

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

Overview

Management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") of the Company's financial condition, results of operations and outlook should be read in conjunction with its condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes. Various segments of this MD&A contain forward-looking statements, all of which are presented based on current expectations, which may be adversely affected by uncertainties and risk factors (presented throughout this filing and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal 2017 year), that may cause actual results to materially differ from these expectations.

We sell substantially all of our photomasks to semiconductor and FPD designers and manufacturers. Photomask technology is also being applied to the fabrication of other higher performance electronic products such as photonics, micro-electronic mechanical systems and certain nanotechnology applications. Our selling cycle is tightly interwoven with the development and release of new semiconductor and FPD designs and applications, particularly as they relate to the microeletronic industry's migration to more advanced product innovation, design methodologies and fabrication processes. We believe that the demand for photomasks primarily depends on design activity rather than sales volumes from products manufactured using photomask technologies. Consequently, an increase in semiconductor or FPD sales does not necessarily result in a corresponding increase in photomask sales. However, the reduced use of customized ICs, reductions in design complexity, other changes in the technology or methods of manufacturing or designing semiconductors, or a slowdown in the introduction of new semiconductor or FPD designs could reduce demand for photomasks ‒ even if the demand for semiconductors and FPDs increases. Advances in semiconductor, FPD and photomask design and semiconductor and FPD production methods that shift the burden of achieving device performance away from lithography could also reduce the demand for photomasks. Historically, the microelectronic industry has been volatile, experiencing periodic downturns and slowdowns in design activity. These downturns have been characterized by, among other things, diminished product demand, excess production capacity and accelerated erosion of selling prices.

We are typically required to fulfill customer orders within a short period of time, sometimes within 24 hours. This results in a minimal level of backlog orders, typically one to two weeks of backlog for IC photomasks and two to three weeks of backlog for FPD photomasks.

The global semiconductor and FPD industries are driven by end markets which have been closely tied to consumer-driven applications of high performance devices, including, but not limited to, mobile display devices, mobile communications, and computing solutions. While we cannot predict the timing of the industry's transition to volume production of next-generation technology nodes, or the timing of up and down cycles with precise accuracy, we believe that such transitions and cycles will continue into the future, beneficially and adversely affecting our business, financial condition and operating results as they occur. We believe our ability to remain successful in these environments is dependent upon the achievement of our goals of being a service and technology leader and efficient solutions supplier, which we believe should enable us to continually reinvest in our global infrastructure.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we announced the successful closing of the China joint venture agreement with Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (“DNP”), which we had agreed to enter into and announced in the third quarter of fiscal 2017. Under the agreement, our wholly-owned Singapore subsidiary owns 50.01% of the joint venture, which is named Photronics DNP Mask Corporation Xiamen (PDMCX), and a subsidiary of DNP owns the remaining 49.99%. The financial results of the joint venture are included in the Photronics, Inc. consolidated financial statements. See Note 5 of the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information on the joint venture.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, we announced that Photronics UK, Ltd., our wholly owned subsidiary, signed an investment agreement with the Hefei State Hi-tech Industry Development Zone to establish a manufacturing facility in Hefei, China. Under the terms of the agreement, through our subsidiary, we will invest a minimum of $160 million, a portion of which may be funded with local borrowings, to build and operate a research and development and manufacturing facility for high-end and mainstream FPD photomasks. The Hefei State Hi-tech Industry Development Zone will provide certain investment incentives and support for this facility, which will have initial capability to produce up to G10.5+ large area masks and AMOLED products. Construction began in late 2017 and production is anticipated to commence in 2019.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, Photronics Singapore Pte, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary, signed an investment agreement with the Administrative Committee of Xiamen Torch Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone (Xiamen Torch) to establish an IC manufacturing facility in Xiamen, China. Under the terms of the agreement, we will build and operate an IC facility to engage in research and development, manufacture and sale of photomasks, in return for which Xiamen Torch will provide certain investment incentives and support. This expansion is also substantially supported by customer commitments for its output. As discussed above, in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we entered into a joint venture agreement with DNP, under which they obtained a 49.99% ownership interest in this facility. The total investment, per the agreement, is $160 million to be funded over the next several years with cash and local borrowings. Construction began in 2017 and production is anticipated to start in 2019.

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Material Changes in Results of Operations

Three Months ended January 28, 2018, October 29, 2017 and January 29, 2017

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

	Three Months Ended
	January 28, 2018			October 29, 2017			January 29, 2017
Revenue		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%
Cost of goods sold		(77.6	)		(78.1	)		(79.1	)
Gross profit		22.4			21.9			20.9
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(9.5	)		(8.4	)		(9.9	)
Research and development expenses		(3.3	)		(3.2	)		(3.1	)
Operating income		9.6			10.3			7.9
Other income (expense), net		(3.4	)		0.4			(1.9	)
Income before income taxes		6.2			10.7			6.0
Income tax benefit (provision)		1.5			(2.0	)		(1.9	)
Net income		7.7			8.7			4.1
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(2.9	)		(4.2	)		(2.3	)
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders		4.8	%		4.5	%		1.8	%

Note: All of the following tabular comparisons, unless otherwise indicated, are for the three months ended January 28, 2018 (Q1 FY18), October 29, 2017 (Q4 FY17) and January 29, 2017 (Q1 FY17) in millions of dollars.

Revenue

	Q1 FY18 FROM Q4 FY17								Q1 FY18 FROM Q1 FY17
	Revenue in Q1 FY18		Percent Change			Increase (Decrease)			Revenue in Q1 FY18		Percent Change			Increase (Decrease)
IC
High-end	$	33.4		9.6	%	$	2.9		$	33.4		50.6	%	$	11.2
Mainstream		62.3		(5.0	%)		(3.3	)		62.3		(3.0	%)		(1.9	)
Total	$	95.7		(0.4	%)	$	(0.4	)	$	95.7		10.7	%	$	9.3
FPD
High-end	$	18.7		9.6	%	$	1.7		$	18.7		8.9	%	$	1.5
Mainstream		9.0		15.4	%		1.2			9.0		45.3	%		2.8
Total	$	27.7		11.4	%	$	2.9		$	27.7		18.5	%	$	4.3
Total Revenue	$	123.4		2.0	%	$	2.5		$	123.4		12.4	%	$	13.6

Revenue increased 2.0% in Q1 FY18, compared with Q4 FY17, mainly due to increased FPD and high-end IC revenues, partially offset by decreased mainstream IC sales. The high-end IC increase was driven by sales of high-end logic to Asian foundries. For FPD, demand for LCD masks improved as our customers released new designs in an effort to improve factory utilization. Sales of mainstream IC products were down due to seasonal softness.

Revenue increased 12.4% in Q1 FY18, compared with Q1 FY17, mainly due to increased FPD and high-end IC revenues, partially offset by decreased mainstream IC sales. The high-end IC increase was driven by high-end logic and memory sales to Asian foundries, as demand in the prior year had been soft for these products. For FPD, demand of LCD masks improved as our customers released new designs in an effort to improve factory utilization.  Mainstream IC demand was softer compared to last year.

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In Q1 FY18, we changed the threshold for the definition of high-end IC, from 45 nanometer or smaller to 28 nanometer or smaller, to reflect the overall advancement of technology in the semiconductor industry. All comparisons to prior period results in this MD&A reflect this modification. Our definition of high-end FPD products remains as G8 and above and active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display screens. High-end photomasks typically have higher ASPs than mainstream products.

The revenue momentum at the end of 2017 has continued into 2018. We anticipate that most of our high-end markets should continue to grow in Q2 FY18, the exception being high-end logic where, given the increase in business that we have experienced during the last two quarters, there may be a pause.

Our quarterly revenues can be affected by the seasonal purchasing tendencies of our customers. As a result, demand for our products is typically negatively impacted during the first, and sometimes the second, quarters of our fiscal year by the North American, European, and Asian holiday periods, as some of our customers reduce their development and, consequently, their buying activities during those periods.

The following tables present changes in revenue from Q4 FY17 and Q1 FY17 to Q1 FY18 by geographic area:

	Q1 FY18 FROM Q4 FY17								Q1 FY18 FROM Q1 FY17
	Revenue in Q1 FY18		Percent Change			Increase (Decrease)			Revenue in Q1 FY18		Percent Change			Increase (Decrease)
Taiwan	$	56.5		2.7	%	$	1.5		$	56.5		21.6	%	$	10.0
Korea		33.0		14.0	%		4.0			33.0		8.9	%		2.7
United States		25.0		(5.5	)%		(1.5	)		25.0		5.9	%		1.4
Europe		8.5		(12.8	)%		(1.2	)		8.5		(2.8	)%		(0.2	)
Other		0.4		(48.7	)%		(0.4	)		0.4		(44.8	)%		(0.3	)
	$	123.4		2.0	%	$	2.4		$	123.4		12.4	%	$	13.6

Gross Profit

	Three Months Ended
		Q1 FY18			Q4 FY17		Percent Change				Q1 FY17		Percent Change
Gross profit	$	27.7		$	26.4			4.6	%	$	23.0			20.3	%
Gross margin		22.4	%		21.9	%					20.9	%

Gross profit and gross margin both increased in Q1 FY18 from Q4 FY17 as a result of increased revenue and reduced labor and overhead costs, with the greatest reductions experienced in equipment maintenance and outsourced manufacturing costs. These reductions were somewhat offset by increased material costs. Gross profit and gross margin increased in Q1 FY18, compared with Q1 FY17, primarily due to an increase in overall revenue, which was predominantly driven by increased sales of high-end IC photomasks. We operate in a high fixed cost environment and, to the extent that our revenues and utilization increase or decrease, our gross margin and gross profit will generally be positively or negatively impacted.

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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $1.6 million, or 15.4%, to $11.8 million in Q1 FY18, from $10.2 million in Q4 FY17, primarily due to bad debt reserve adjustments that occurred in the prior quarter and increased professional fees in the current quarter. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in Q1 FY18 by $0.9 million, or 8.1%, to $11.8 million, from $10.9 million in Q1 FY17, primarily as a result of increased professional fees, freight, and travel expenses, which increased as a result of activities related to our expansion into China.

Research and Development

Research and development expenses primarily consist of development efforts related to high-end process technologies for 28nm and below IC nodes, G8 and above FPDs, and AMOLED applications. Research and development expenses increased by $0.3 million, or 6.9%, to $4.1 million in Q1 FY18 from $3.8 million in Q4 FY17, and by $0.6 million, or 17.8%, from Q1 FY17, with both of the increases primarily resulting from increased customer qualification costs for high-end IC reticles in the U.S.

Other Income (Expense), net

	Three Months Ended
		Q1 FY18			Q4 FY17			Q1 FY17
Interest income and other income (expense), net	$	(3.5	)	$	1.1		$	(1.5	)
Interest expense		(0.6	)		(0.6	)		(0.6	)
Other income (expense), net	$	(4.1	)	$	0.5		$	(2.1	)

Other income (expense), net decreased in Q1 FY18 by $4.6 million and $2.0 million from Q4 FY17 and Q1 FY17, respectively. The decreases were primarily the result of significant foreign currency losses in Q1 FY18, while in Q4 FY17, we recognized a net gain, and in Q1 FY17, we recognized a more moderate loss from our cross-currency transactions.

Income Tax Benefit (Provision)

	Three Months Ended
		Q1 FY18			Q4 FY17			Q1 FY17
Income tax benefit (provision)	$	1.8		$	(2.5	)	$	(2.1	)
Effective income tax rate		(23.1	)%		19.0	%		31.3	%

The effective income tax rate is sensitive to the jurisdictional mix of earnings, due, in part, to the non-recognition of tax benefits on losses in jurisdictions with valuation allowances. The effective income tax rate decrease in Q1 FY18, compared with Q1 FY17 and Q4 FY17, is primarily attributable to the recognition of $3.9 million of previously unrecognized deferred tax benefits related to alternative minimum tax credits as a result of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Act"), which was signed into law on December 22, 2017 (See Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information), and an increase of deferred tax assets of $0.2 million, which was the result of an increase in the Taiwan tax rate. These benefits were partially offset by a higher percentage of income before income taxes being generated in jurisdictions where we recorded income tax provisions which, due to valuation allowances, were not offset by income tax benefits recorded in jurisdictions in which we incurred losses before income taxes.

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was $3.6 million in Q1 FY18, which represented a decrease of $1.5 million and an increase of $1.0 million from Q4 FY17 and Q1 FY17, respectively. The changes from both comparative periods were due to changes in net income at our IC manufacturing facility in Taiwan, in which we hold a 50.01% ownership interest.

21

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our working capital at the end of Q1 FY18 was $404.3 million, compared with $367.3 million at the end of Q4 FY17, and our cash and cash equivalents increased in Q1 FY18 by $40.5 million from $308.6 million at October 29, 2017. Favorable effects of foreign currency exchange rates contributed $9.7 million to our increase in cash in Q1 FY18. Net cash provided by operating activities was $30.9 million in Q1 FY18, compared with $31.5 million in Q1 FY17, as increased net income and noncash expenses were exceeded by net cash consumed by operating assets and liabilities by $0.7 million. Net cash used in investing activities was $11.1 million in Q1 FY18, a decrease of $4.3 million from the $15.4 million used in Q1 FY17. The decrease was primarily attributable to cash of $5.4 million used to acquire a business in Q1 FY17, which was somewhat offset by a $1.4 million increase in purchases of property, plant and equipment in Q1 FY18. Cash flows from financing activities increased from funds used of $0.2 million in Q1 FY17 to $11.2 million provided in Q1 FY18, primarily due to the receipt of $12.0 million from a noncontrolling interest for their investment in our recently established IC business in China.

As of January 28, 2018 and October 29, 2017, our total cash and cash equivalents included $213.3 million and $190.0 million, respectively, held by our foreign subsidiaries.

Our credit facility, which expires in December 2018, has a $50 million limit with an expansion capacity to $75 million, and is secured by substantially all of our assets located in the United States and the common stock of certain foreign subsidiaries. The credit facility is subject to a minimum interest coverage ratio, total leverage ratio and minimum unrestricted cash balance financial covenants, all of which we were in compliance with at January 28, 2018. We had no outstanding borrowings against the credit facility at January 28, 2018, and $50 million was available for borrowing. The interest rate on the credit facility (2.82% at January 28, 2018) is based on our total leverage ratio at LIBOR plus a spread, as defined in the credit facility.

As of January 28, 2018, we had capital commitments outstanding of approximately $190 million. We intend to finance our capital expenditures with our working capital, cash generated from operations, and, if necessary, additional borrowings. We have entered into a joint venture that is constructing an IC facility in China with an estimated total investment of $160 million. Our remaining funding commitment for the joint venture is approximately $68 million, over the next several years. We have also commenced construction of an FPD facility in China, in which we will invest $160 million over that same period. We believe that our cash on hand, cash generated from operations and amounts available to borrow will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements for the next twelve months. We regularly review the availability and terms at which we might issue additional equity or debt securities in the public or private markets. However, we cannot assure that additional sources of financing would be available to us on commercially favorable terms, should our capital requirements exceed our existing cash, cash generated by operations, and cash available under our credit facility.

Our liquidity, as we operate in a high fixed cost environment, is highly dependent on our revenue, cash conversion cycle, and the timing of our capital expenditures (which can vary significantly from period to period). Depending on conditions in the semiconductor and FPD markets, our cash flows from operations and current holdings of cash may not be adequate to meet our current and long-term needs for capital expenditures, operations and debt repayments. Historically, in certain years, we have used external financing to fund these needs. Due to conditions in the credit markets and covenant restrictions on our existing debt, some financing instruments we have used in the past may not be available to us when required. Consequently, we cannot assure that additional sources of financing would be available to us on commercially favorable terms, should our long-term cash requirements exceed our existing cash and cash available under our credit facility.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In January 2018, Photronics, through its wholly-owned Singapore subsidiary, and DNP, through its wholly owned subsidiary “DNP Asia Pacific PTE, Ltd.” entered into a joint venture under which DNP obtained a 49.99% interest in our IC business in Xiamen, China. The joint venture, known as “Photronics DNP Mask Corporation Xiamen” ( “PDMCX”), was established to develop and manufacture photomasks for leading edge and advanced generation semiconductors. Under the Joint Venture Operating Agreement of Photronics DNP Mask Corporation Xiamen (“the Agreement”), DNP is afforded, under certain circumstances, the right to put its interest in PDMCX to Photronics. These circumstances include disputes regarding the strategic direction of PDMCX, that arise after the initial two year term of the Agreement, that cannot be resolved between the two parties. In addition, both Photronics and DNP have the option to purchase, or put, their interest from, or to, the other party, should their ownership interest fall below 20% for a period of more than six consecutive months. Under all such circumstances, the sales of ownership interests would be at the exiting party’s ownership percentage of the joint venture’s net book value, with closing to take place within three business days of obtaining required approvals and clearance. Should DNP exercise an option to put their, or purchase our, interest in PDMCX we may, depending on the relationship of the fair and book value of PDMCX's net assets, incur a loss.

In April 2014, we acquired a 50.01% controlling interest of PDMC, our IC manufacturing facility located in Taiwan. Under the PDMC joint venture operating agreement the shareholders of PDMC may be requested to make additional contributions to PDMC. In the event that PDMC requests additional capital from its shareholders, we may, in order to maintain a 50.01% ownership interest, be required to make such contributions to PDMC. The PDMC operating agreement limits the amount of contributions that may be requested during both PDMC’s first four years and during any individual year within those first four years.As of January 28, 2018, we had not been requested to make any additional capital contributions to PDMC.

We lease certain office facilities and equipment under operating leases that may require us to pay taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses related to the properties. Certain of these leases contain renewal or purchase options exercisable at the end of the lease terms.

22

Business Outlook

A majority of our revenue growth is expected to continue to come from the Asian region, predominantly in China. In response to this expectation, we have entered into a joint venture that will complete the construction of an IC research and development and manufacturing facility in Xiamen, China, in late 2018. Production is anticipated to begin at this facility in 2019. In addition, in August 2017, we entered into an investment agreement to construct an FPD manufacturing facility in Hefei, China. Construction of this facility commenced in Q1 FY18, and production is anticipated to begin in 2019.

We continue to assess our global manufacturing strategy and monitor our revenue and related cash flows from operations. This ongoing assessment could result in future facility closures, asset redeployments, additional impairments of intangible or long-lived assets, workforce reductions, or the addition of increased manufacturing facilities, all of which would be based on market conditions and customer requirements.

Our future results of operations and the other forward-looking statements contained in this filing involve a number of risks and uncertainties. While various risks and uncertainties were discussed in Part1, Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 29, 2017, a number of other unforeseen factors could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations.

Effect of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See “Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements– Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 13 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for recent accounting pronouncements that may affect the Company’s financial reporting.

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We conduct business in several major international currencies throughout our worldwide operations, and our financial performance may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rates of these currencies. Changes in exchange rates can positively or negatively affect our reported revenue, operating income, assets, liabilities, and equity. The functional currencies of our Asian subsidiaries are the South Korean won, the New Taiwan dollar, the Chinese renminbi and the Singapore dollar. The functional currencies of our European subsidiaries are the British pound and the euro. In addition, we have transactions and balances in Japanese yen.

We attempt to minimize our risk of foreign currency transaction losses by producing products in the same country in which the products are sold (thereby generating revenues and incurring expenses in the same currency), and by managing our working capital. However, in some instances, we sell products in a currency other than the functional currency of the country where it was produced, or purchase products in a currency that differs from the functional currency of the purchasing manufacturing facility.

There can be no assurance that this approach will protect us from the need to recognize significant foreign currency transaction gains and losses, especially in the event of a significant adverse movement in the value of any foreign currency in which we conduct business against any of our functional currencies, including the U.S. dollar.

As of January 28, 2018, a 10% adverse movement in the value of currencies different than the functional currencies of our subsidiaries would have resulted in a net unrealized pre-tax loss of $16.0 million, which represents an increase of $3.0 million from October 29, 2017. The increase in foreign currency rate change risk is primarily the result of increased US and JPY denominated exposures in Taiwan and South Korea.

Interest Rate Risk

At January 28, 2018, we did not have any variable rate borrowings. A 10% change in interest rates would not have had a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows in the three month period ended January 28, 2018.

23

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We have established and currently maintain disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

24

PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to risks relating to our business as disclosed in Part 1, Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended October 29, 2017.

Item 6. EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits

Exhibit Number	Description
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

SIGNATURES

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

	Photronics, Inc.
	(Registrant)
By:	/s/ JOHN P. JORDAN
	JOHN P. JORDAN
	Senior Vice President
	Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Accounting Officer/
	Principal Financial Officer)

Date:  March 8, 2018

25

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

I, Peter S. Kirlin, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Photronics, Inc.

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report.

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report.

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ PETER S. KIRLIN

Peter S. Kirlin

Chief Executive Officer

March 8, 2018

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

I, John P. Jordan, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Photronics, Inc.

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report.

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report.

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ JOHN P. JORDAN

John P. Jordan

Chief Financial Officer

March 8, 2018

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer

I, Peter S. Kirlin, Chief Executive Officer of Photronics, Inc. (the “Company”), certify, to my knowledge, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C Section 1350, that:

(1) The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ended January 28, 2018, (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

The foregoing certification is being furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and will not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference

/s/ PETER S. KIRLIN

Peter S. Kirlin

Chief Executive Officer

March 8, 2018

EX-32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer

I, John P. Jordan, Chief Financial Officer of Photronics, Inc. (the “Company”), certify, to my knowledge, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C Section 1350, that:

(1) The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ended January 28, 2018, (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

The foregoing certification is being furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and will not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference

/s/ JOHN P. JORDAN

John P. Jordan

Chief Financial Officer

March 8, 2018

XML

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2018	Mar. 01, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	PHOTRONICS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000810136
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-28
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		69,878,876
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jan. 28, 2018

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 28, 2018	Oct. 29, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 348,560	$ 308,021
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $2,422 in 2018 and $2,319 in 2017	104,638	105,320
Inventories	26,997	23,703
Other current assets	12,162	12,080
Total current assets	492,357	449,124
Property, plant and equipment, net	548,307	535,197
Intangible assets, net	16,224	17,122
Deferred income taxes	20,583	15,481
Other assets	3,985	3,870
Total assets	1,081,456	1,020,794
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term borrowings	3,259	4,639
Accounts payable	54,973	50,834
Accrued liabilities	29,841	26,303
Total current liabilities	88,073	81,776
Long-term borrowings	57,366	57,337
Other liabilities	17,570	16,386
Total liabilities	163,009	155,499
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 2,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 68,869 shares issued and outstanding at January 28, 2018 and 68,666 shares issued and outstanding at October 29, 2017	689	687
Additional paid-in capital	549,328	547,596
Retained earnings	195,288	189,390
Accumulated other comprehensive income	32,128	6,891
Total Photronics, Inc. shareholders' equity	777,433	744,564
Noncontrolling interests	141,014	120,731
Total equity	918,447	865,295
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,081,456	$ 1,020,794

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Jan. 28, 2018	Oct. 29, 2017
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, allowance	$ 2,422	$ 2,319
Equity:
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	2,000	2,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	150,000	150,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	68,869	68,666
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	68,869	68,666

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2018	Jan. 29, 2017
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 123,446	$ 109,831
Cost of goods sold	(95,784)	(86,832)
Gross profit	27,662	22,999
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	(11,750)	(10,871)
Research and development	(4,104)	(3,485)
Total operating expenses	(15,854)	(14,356)
Operating income	11,808	8,643
Other income (expense):
Interest income and other income (expense)	(3,531)	(1,524)
Interest expense	(574)	(559)
Income before income taxes	7,703	6,560
Income tax benefit (provision)	1,778	(2,050)
Net income	9,481	4,510
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,583)	(2,564)
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$ 5,898	$ 1,946
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.09	$ 0.03
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.09	$ 0.03
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	68,755	68,176
Diluted (in shares)	69,372	69,169

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2018	Jan. 29, 2017
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 9,481	$ 4,510
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of $0:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	30,087	(634)
Amortization of cash flow hedge	32	32
Other	(32)	0
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	30,087	(602)
Comprehensive income	39,568	3,908
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(8,433)	(3,821)
Comprehensive income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$ 31,135	$ 87

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2018	Jan. 29, 2017
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax	$ 0	$ 0

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2018	Jan. 29, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 9,481	$ 4,510
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	22,363	20,896
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	4,692	6,799
Inventories	(2,385)	(1,199)
Other current assets	432	1,659
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and other	(3,721)	(1,126)
Net cash provided by operating activities	30,862	31,539
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(10,995)	(9,600)
Acquisition of business	0	(5,400)
Other	(134)	(396)
Net cash used in investing activities	(11,129)	(15,396)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term borrowings	(1,381)	(1,343)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	11,998	0
Proceeds from share-based arrangements	798	1,113
Other	(261)	(16)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	11,154	(246)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	9,652	(275)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	40,539	15,622
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	308,021	314,074
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	348,560	329,696
Supplemental disclosure information:
Accrual for property, plant and equipment purchased during the period	$ 1,544	$ 2,029

XML

BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation [Abstract]

BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

Photronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Photronics", "the Company", "we", “our”, or "us") is one of the world's leading manufacturers of photomasks, which are high precision photographic quartz or glass plates containing microscopic images of electronic circuits. Photomasks are a key element in the manufacture of semiconductors and flat panel displays ("FPDs"), and are used as masters to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers and flat panel display substrates during the fabrication of integrated circuits ("ICs" or “semiconductors”) and a variety of FPDs and, to a lesser extent, other types of electrical and optical components. We currently operate principally from nine manufacturing facilities, two of which are located in Europe, three in Taiwan, one in Korea, and three in the United States. We have commenced construction of two manufacturing facilities in China and anticipate production to begin at these facilities in 2019.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information, and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, adjustments, all of which are of a normal recurring nature, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Our business is typically impacted during the first, and sometimes the second, quarter of our fiscal year by the North American, European, and Asian holiday periods, as some customers reduce their development and buying activities during those periods. Operating results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending October 28, 2018. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 29, 2017.

XML

CHANGES IN EQUITY

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

CHANGES IN EQUITY [Abstract]

CHANGES IN EQUITY

NOTE 2 - CHANGES IN EQUITY

The following tables set forth our consolidated changes in equity for the three months ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017:

	Three Months Ended January 28, 2018
	Photronics, Inc. Shareholders
	Common Stock								Accumulated
					Additional				Other		Non-
					Paid-in		Retained		Comprehensive		controlling		Total
	Shares		Amount		Capital		Earnings		Income		Interests		Equity
Balance at October 30, 2017		68,666	$	687	$	547,596	$	189,390	$	6,891	$	120,731	$	865,295
Net income		-		-		-		5,898		-		3,583		9,481
Other comprehensive income		-		-		-		-		25,237		4,850		30,087
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plans		116		1		701		-		-		-		702
Restricted stock awards vesting and expense		87		1		386		-		-		-		387
Share-based compensation expense		-		-		497		-		-		-		497
Contribution from noncontrolling interest		-		-		148		-		-		11,850		11,998
Balance at January 28, 2018		68,869	$	689	$	549,328	$	195,288	$	32,128	$	141,014	$	918,447

	Three Months Ended January 29, 2017
	Photronics, Inc. Shareholders
	Common Stock								Accumulated
					Additional				Other			Non-
					Paid-in		Retained		Comprehensive			controlling		Total
	Shares		Amount		Capital		Earnings		Loss			Interests		Equity
Balance at October 31, 2016		68,080	$	681	$	541,093	$	176,260	$	(7,671	)	$	115,111	$	825,474
Net income		-		-		-		1,946		-			2,564		4,510
Other comprehensive (loss) income		-		-		-		-		(1,859	)		1,257		(602	)
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plans		175		1		1,087		-		-			-		1,088
Restricted stock awards vesting and expense		78		1		297		-		-			-		298
Share-based compensation expense		-		-		640		-		-			-		640
Balance at January 29, 2017		68,333	$	683	$	543,117	$	178,206	$	(9,530	)	$	118,932	$	831,408

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INVENTORIES

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

INVENTORIES [Abstract]

INVENTORIES

NOTE 3 - INVENTORIES

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined under the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method, or net realizable value. Presented below are the components of inventory at the balance sheet dates:

	January 28, 2018		October 29, 2017
Finished goods	$	1,201	$	664
Work in process		3,753		2,957
Raw materials		22,043		20,082
	$	26,997	$	23,703

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT [Abstract]

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

NOTE 4 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

	January 28, 2018		October 29, 2017
Land	$	10,301	$	9,959
Buildings and improvements		128,073		125,290
Machinery and equipment		1,614,502		1,547,870
Leasehold improvements		20,826		20,050
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment		13,474		12,989
Construction in progress		74,987		72,045
		1,862,163		1,788,203
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(1,313,856)		(1,253,006)
	$	548,307	$	535,197

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

	January 28, 2018			October 29, 2017
Machinery and equipment	$	34,917		$	34,917
Accumulated amortization		(14,717	)		(13,843	)
	$	20,200		$	21,074

Depreciation and amortization expense for property, plant and equipment was $21.1 million and $19.7 million for the three month periods ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017, respectively.

During the three month periods ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017, we entered into noncash transactions with a customer for the acquisition of equipment with fair values of approximately $6.7 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

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PDMCX JOINT VENTURE

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

PDMCX JOINT VENTURE [Abstract]

PDMCX JOINT VENTURE

NOTE 5 – PDMCX JOINT VENTURE

In January 2018, Photronics, through its wholly-owned Singapore subsidiary (hereinafter, within this Note “we”, or “Photronics”), and Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., through its wholly owned subsidiary “DNP Asia Pacific PTE, Ltd.” (hereinafter, within this Note “DNP”) entered into a joint venture under which DNP obtained a 49.99% interest in our recently established IC business in Xiamen, China, which includes the facility currently under construction. The joint venture, known as “Photronics DNP Mask Corporation Xiamen” (hereinafter, “PDMCX”), was established to develop and manufacture photomasks for leading edge and advanced generation semiconductors. We entered into this joint venture to enable us to compete more effectively for the merchant photomask business in China and to benefit from the additional resources and investment that DNP will provide to enable us to offer advanced process technology to our customers.

As of January 28, 2018, Photronics and DNP have each contributed cash of approximately $12 million to the joint venture. We estimate that, over the next several years, per the agreement, DNP and Photronics will each contribute an additional $43 million of cash and additional local borrowings. 

Under the PDMCX joint venture operating agreement (“the Agreement”), DNP is afforded, under certain circumstances, the right to put its interest in PDMCX to Photronics. These circumstances include disputes regarding the strategic direction of PDMCX that arise after the initial two year term of the Agreement and cannot be resolved between the two parties. In addition, both Photronics and DNP have the option to purchase, or put, their interest from, or to, the other party, should their ownership interest fall below 20% for a period of more than six consecutive months. Under all such circumstances, the sales of ownership interests would be at the exiting party’s ownership percentage of the joint venture’s net book value, with closing to take place within three business days of obtaining required approvals and clearance.

We recorded a net loss from the operations of the PDMCX joint venture of approximately $0.5 million, in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. No gain or loss was recorded upon the formation of the joint venture. General creditors of PDMCX do not have recourse to the assets of Photronics, Inc., and our maximum exposure to loss from PDMCX at January 28, 2018, was $11.6 million.

As required by the guidance in Topic 810 - “Consolidation” of the Accounting Codification Standards, we evaluated our involvement in PDMCX for the purpose of determining whether we should consolidate its results in our financial statements. The initial step of our evaluation was to determine whether PDMCX was a variable interest entity (“VIE”). Due to its lack of sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, we determined that it was a VIE. Having made this determination, we then assessed whether we were the primary beneficiary of the VIE, and concluded that we were the primary beneficiary during the current reporting period; thus, as required, the PDMCX financial results should be consolidated with Photronics, Inc. Our conclusion was based on the fact that we held a controlling financial interest in PDMCX, which resulted from our having the power to direct the activities that most significantly impacted its economic performance, the obligation to absorb losses, and the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to PDMCX. Our conclusion that we had the power to direct the activities that most significantly affected the economic performance of PDMCX during the current period was based on our right to appoint the majority of its board of directors, which has, among others, the powers to manage the business (through its rights to appoint and evaluate PDMCX’s management), incur indebtedness, enter into agreements and commitments, and acquire and dispose of PDMCX’s assets. In addition, as a result of the 50.01% variable interest we held during the current period, we had the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to PDMCX.

The carrying amounts of PDMCX assets and liabilities, included in our condensed consolidated balance sheet, as of January 28, 2018, are presented in the following table, along with our exposure to loss related to these assets and liabilities.

Classification	Carrying Amount		Photronics Interest
Current assets	$	13,864	$	6,933
Non-current assets		12,403		6,203
Total assets		26,267		13,136
Current liabilities		3,038		1,519
Non-current liabilities		16		8
Total liabilities		3,054		1,527
Net assets	$	23,213	$	11,609

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LONG-TERM BORROWINGS

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

LONG-TERM BORROWINGS [Abstract]

LONG-TERM BORROWINGS

NOTE 6 - LONG-TERM BORROWINGS

Long-term borrowings consist of the following:

	January 28, 2018			October 29, 2017
3.25% convertible senior notes due in April 2019	$	57,366		$	57,337
2.77% capital lease obligation payable through July 2018		3,259			4,639
		60,625			61,976
Current portion		(3,259	)		(4,639	)
	$	57,366		$	57,337

In January 2015, we privately exchanged $57.5 million in aggregate principal amount of our 3.25% convertible senior notes with a maturity date of April 1, 2016, for new 3.25% convertible senior notes with an aggregate principal amount of $57.5 million with a maturity date of April 1, 2019. The conversion rate of the new notes is the same as that of the exchanged notes, which were issued in March 2011 with a conversion rate of approximately 96 shares of common stock per $1,000 note principal, equivalent to a conversion price of $10.37 per share of common stock, and is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, which are described in the indenture dated January 22, 2015. Note holders may convert each $1,000 principal amount of notes at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding April 1, 2019, and we are not required to redeem the notes prior to their maturity date. Interest on the notes accrues in arrears, and is paid semiannually through the notes’ maturity date.

Our credit facility, which expires in December 2018, has a $50 million limit with an expansion capacity to $75 million, and is secured by substantially all of our assets located in the United States and common stock we own in certain of our foreign subsidiaries. The credit facility stipulates that we may not pay cash dividends on Photronics, Inc. stock, and is subject to the following financial covenants: minimum interest coverage ratio, total leverage ratio and minimum unrestricted cash balance financial covenants, with all of which we were in compliance at January 28, 2018. We had no outstanding borrowings against the credit facility at January 28, 2018, and $50 million was available for borrowing. The interest rate on the credit facility (2.82% at January 28, 2018) is based on our total leverage ratio at LIBOR plus a spread, as defined in the credit facility.

In August 2013, we entered into a $26.4 million principal amount, five year capital lease to fund the purchase of a high-end lithography tool. Payments under the capital lease, which bears interest at 2.77%, are $0.5 million per month through July 2018. The lease is subject to a cross default with cross acceleration provision related to certain nonfinancial covenants incorporated into our credit facility. As of January 28, 2018, the total amount payable through August 2018 (the end of the lease term) was $3.3 million, substantially all of which represented principal.

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION [Abstract]

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

NOTE 7 - SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

In March 2016, shareholders approved a new equity incentive compensation plan (the “Plan”), under which incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock grants, stock-based awards, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance units, performance stock, and other stock or cash awards may be granted. Shares to be issued under the Plan may be authorized and unissued shares, issued shares that have been reacquired by us (in the open-market or in private transactions), shares that are being held in the treasury, or a combination thereof. The maximum number of shares of common stock approved that may be issued under the Plan is four million shares. Awards may be granted to officers, employees, directors, consultants, advisors, and independent contractors of Photronics or its subsidiaries. In the event of a change in control (as defined in the Plan), the vesting of awards may be accelerated. The Plan, aspects of which are more fully described below, prohibits further awards from being issued under prior plans. We incurred total share-based compensation expenses of $0.9 million in each of the three month periods ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017, and we received cash from option exercises of $0.7 million and $1.0 million during those respective periods. No share-based compensation cost was capitalized as part of an asset and no related income tax benefits were recorded during the periods presented.

Stock Options

Option awards generally vest in one-to-four years and have a ten-year contractual term. All incentive and non-qualified stock option grants have an exercise price no less than the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The grant date fair values of options are based on closing prices of our common stock on the dates of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our common stock. We use historical option exercise behavior and employee termination data to estimate expected term, which represents the period of time that the options granted are expected to remain outstanding. The risk-free rate of return for the estimated term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the date of grant.

The weighted-average inputs and risk-free rates of return used to calculate the grant date fair value of options issued during the three month periods ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017, are presented in the following table.

	Three Months Ended
	January 28, 2018		January 29, 2017
Volatility		31.6%		32.2%
Risk free rate of return		2.2%		1.9%
Dividend yield		0.0%		0.0%
Expected term	5.0 years		5.0 years

Information on outstanding and exercisable option awards as of January 28, 2018, is presented below.

Options	Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at January 28, 2018		3,304,820	$	7.98	5.1 years	$	4,468
Exercisable at January 28, 2018		2,421,655	$	7.19	3.8 years	$	4,441

There were 252,000 share options granted during the three month period ended January 28, 2018, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $2.74 per share, and there were 338,750 share options granted during the three month period ended January 29, 2017, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $3.60 per share. As of January 28, 2018, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested option awards was approximately $2.4 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average amortization period of 2.3 years.

Restricted Stock

We periodically grant restricted stock awards, the restrictions on which typically lapse over a service period of one-to-four years. The fair value of the awards is determined on the date of grant, based on the closing price of our common stock. There were 280,000 restricted stock awards issued during the three month period ended January 28, 2018, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $8.63 per share, and there were 260,000 restricted stock awards issued during the three month period ended January 29, 2017, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $11.35 per share. As of January 28, 2018, the total compensation cost not yet recognized related to unvested restricted stock awards was approximately $4.1 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average amortization period of 3.0 years. As of January 28, 2018, there were 488,673 shares of restricted stock outstanding.

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INCOME TAXES

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

INCOME TAXES [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES

The benefit effective tax rate of (23.1%) differs from the post U.S. Tax Reform blended statutory rate of 23.4% in the three month period ended January 28, 2018, primarily due to the benefit from U.S. Tax Reform (as discussed below), earnings being taxed at lower statutory rates in foreign jurisdictions, and the benefit of various investment credits in a foreign jurisdiction.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”), was signed into law, enacting significant changes to the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that we expect to have a positive impact on our future after-tax earnings.  Under ASC Topic 740 – “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), the effects of the new legislation are recognized in the interim and annual accounting periods that include the enactment date, which falls within our interim period ended January 28, 2018. In December 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address situations in which the accounting under ASC 740 is incomplete for certain income tax effects of the Act. We adopted SAB 118 in our first quarter of fiscal year 2018.

SAB 118 summarizes a three-step process to be applied at each reporting period to account for and qualitatively disclose; (1) the effects of the change in tax law for which accounting is complete; (2) provisional amounts (or adjustments to provisional amounts) for the effects of the tax law for where accounting is not complete, but that a reasonable estimate has been determined; and (3) a reasonable estimate cannot yet be made and therefore taxes are reflected in accordance with law prior to the enactment of the Act.

We continue to analyze the provisions of the Act addressing the net deferred tax asset revaluation and its calculations, the deemed earnings repatriation, including the determination of undistributed non-U.S. earnings, and evaluate potential actions we may consider in light of the Act that could affect our fiscal year of 2018 U.S. taxable income. As such, our accounting for certain elements within the Act is preliminary, and subject to further clarification of the Act by Internal Revenue Service. The following is a discussion of the major provisions of the Act that affect our financial statements, and our preliminary assessment of the impact of such provisions on the statements.

· The Act repeals the corporate alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, and provides that existing AMT credit carryforwards are fully refundable over a four year period, starting with the tax year beginning after December 31, 2017. We have approximately $3.9 million of AMT credit carryforwards that we previously determined were not more likely than not going to be realized and, as such, established a valuation allowance for these carryforwards. Accordingly, the Act has changed our determination regarding the realization of the benefit of the carryforwards; therefore, the related valuation allowance has been reversed and the $3.9 million tax benefit has been recorded in our tax provision, excluding any impact of potential future sequestration reductions.

· As of January 1, 2018, the Act reduces the corporate income tax rate from a maximum 35% to a flat 21%. Our fiscal year 2018 blended statutory tax rate is approximately 23.4%, the weighted daily average rate between the pre-enactment U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35% applicable to our 2018 fiscal year prior to the rate change effective January 1, 2018 and the post-enactment U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21% applicable to the balance of our 2018 fiscal year. The 21% rate will be applicable to fiscal year 2019 and beyond. Under generally accepted accounting principles, we are required to revalue our deferred tax assets and liabilities utilizing the rate applicable to the period when a temporary difference will reverse. Our preliminary analysis of the two stepped revaluation indicates that our net deferred tax asset will be increased by $2.5 million, with an offsetting change in the related valuation allowance resulting in a provisional net zero impact for our period.

· The Act imposes a transition tax for a one-time deemed repatriation of the accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The transition tax effective rates are 15.5% on accumulated earnings held in cash (as defined by the Act), and 8% on any remaining balance. Our preliminary analysis indicates an estimated deemed repatriation transition tax of $28.4 million. The preliminary analysis also indicates that the entire amount of transition tax will be fully offset by tax credits and/or available loss carryforwards, resulting in a provisional net zero impact on our period, due in part to an offsetting change in the related valuation allowance. We do not expect that future earnings of foreign subsidiaries will be subject to U.S. federal income tax. No change has been or is anticipated to be made with respect to the year-end fiscal year 2017 indefinite reinvestment  assertion of foreign subsidiary earnings.

· Our preliminary analysis of other provisions of the Act, including, but not limited to, 100 percent bonus depreciation and changes to the limitations on the deducibility of meals and entertainment expenses indicate that under our current tax profile there should be limited or no provisional impact for our period.

· Based on the effective date of certain provisions, we will be subject to additional requirements of tax reform beginning in fiscal year 2019. Those provisions include a tax on global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI), a tax determined by base erosion tax benefits (BEAT) from certain payments between a U.S. corporation and foreign subsidiaries, a limitation of certain executive compensation, a deduction for foreign derived intangible income (FDII) and interest expense limitations. We have not completed our analysis of those provisions and the estimated impact.

On January 18, 2018, the Taiwan Legislature Yuan approved amendments to the Income Tax Act, enacting an increase in the corporate tax rate from 17% to 20%. Under generally accepted accounting principles, we are required to revalue our deferred tax assets and liabilities utilizing the rate applicable to the period when a temporary difference will reverse. Our analysis indicates that our Taiwan deferred tax asset will be increased and, accordingly, a net benefit of $0.2 million is reflected in our period tax provision.

The 19.0% effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% in the three month period ended January 29, 2017, primarily due to earnings being taxed at lower statutory rates in foreign jurisdictions, combined with the benefit of various investment credits in a foreign jurisdiction. Valuation allowances in jurisdictions with historic losses eliminate the tax benefit of these jurisdictions. Two five-year tax holidays in Taiwan, one that expired in 2017 and the other that expires in 2019, reduced foreign taxes by $0.1 million in the three month periods ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017, respectively. These tax holidays had no effect on the earnings per share of either period.

There were unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions of $3.7 million at January 28, 2018, and $3.4 million at October 29, 2017, all of which, if recognized, would favorably impact the Company’s effective tax rate. Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits was $0.1 million at January 28, 2018 and October 29, 2017. Although the timing of the expirations of statutes of limitations may be uncertain, as they can be dependent upon the settlement of tax audits, we believe that it is reasonably possible that up to $1.4 million of our uncertain tax positions (including accrued interest and penalties, and net of tax benefits) may be resolved over the next twelve months. Resolution of these uncertain tax positions may result from either or both of the lapses of statutes of limitations and tax settlements.

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EARNINGS PER SHARE

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]

EARNINGS PER SHARE

NOTE 9 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

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

	Three Months Ended
	January 28, 2018		January 29, 2017
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$	5,898	$	1,946
Effect of dilutive securities		-		-
Earnings used for diluted earnings per share	$	5,898	$	1,946
Weighted-average common shares computations:
Weighted-average common shares used for basic earnings per share		68,755		68,176
Effect of dilutive securities:
Share-based payment awards		617		993
Potentially dilutive common shares		617		993
Weighted-average common shares used for diluted earnings per share		69,372		69,169
Basic earnings per share	$	0.09	$	0.03
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.09	$	0.03

The table below shows the outstanding weighted-average share-based payment awards that were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their exercise price exceeded the average market value of the common shares for the period or, under application of the treasury stock method, they were otherwise determined to be anti-dilutive. The table also shows convertible notes that, if converted, would be antidilutive.

	Three Months Ended
	January 28, 2018		January 29, 2017
Convertible notes		5,542		-
Share-based payment awards		1,583		993
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded		7,125		993

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CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME BY COMPONENT

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME BY COMPONENT [Abstract]

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME BY COMPONENT

NOTE 10 - CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME BY COMPONENT

The following tables set forth thechanges in our accumulated other comprehensive income by component (net of tax of $0)for the three month periods ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017.

	Three Months Ended January 28, 2018
	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Amortization of Cash Flow Hedge			Other			Total
Balance at October 30, 2017	$	7,627		$	(48	)	$	(688	)	$	6,891
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		30,087			-			(32	)		30,055
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		-			32			-			32
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		30,087			32			(32	)		30,087
Less: other comprehensive (income)loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(4,866	)		-			16			(4,850	)
Balance at January 28, 2018	$	32,848		$	(16	)	$	(704	)	$	32,128

	Three Months Ended January 29, 2017
	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Amortization of Cash Flow Hedge			Other			Total
Balance at October 31, 2016	$	(6,567	)	$	(177	)	$	(927	)	$	(7,671	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(614	)		-			(20	)		(634	)
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		-			32			-			32
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(614	)		32			(20	)		(602	)
Less: other comprehensive (income)loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(1,267	)		-			10			(1,257	)
Balance at January 29, 2017	$	(8,448	)	$	(145	)	$	(937	)	$	(9,530	)

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

NOTE 11 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

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

We did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value, on a recurring or a nonrecurring basis, at January 28, 2018 or October 29, 2017. The assets acquired in connection with our acquisition discussed in Note 4 were recorded at fair value.

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

The fair values of our cash and cash equivalents (Level 1 measurements), accounts receivable, accounts payable, and certain other current assets and current liabilities (Level 2 measurements) approximate their carrying value due to their short-term maturities. The fair value of our convertible senior notes is a Level 2 measurement, as it was determined using inputs that were either observable market data, or could be derived from, or corroborated with, observable market data. These inputs included our stock price and interest rates offered on debt issued by entities with credit ratings similar to ours.

The table below presents the fair and carrying values of our convertible senior notes at January 28, 2018 and October 29, 2017.

	January 28, 2018				October 29, 2017
	Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value
3.25% convertible senior notes due 2019	$	64,486	$	57,366	$	67,396	$	57,337

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

NOTE 12 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

As of January 28, 2018, the Company had commitments outstanding for capital equipment expenditures of approximately $190 million.

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

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RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS [Abstract]

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

NOTE 13 - RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In December 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address situations where the accounting under ASC Topic 740 – “Income Taxes” is incomplete for certain income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was signed into law on December 22, 2017, and changed existing U.S. tax law. We adopted this guidance in our first quarter of fiscal year 2018. Please see Note 8 for a discussion of the effects of adopting this guidance.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18 “Restricted Cash”, which requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for Photronics, Inc. in its first quarter of fiscal year 2019 and should be applied on a retrospective transition basis. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We are currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16 “Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory”, which eliminates the exception of recognizing, at the time of transfer, current and deferred income taxes for intra-entity asset transfers other than inventory. ASU 2016-16 is effective for us in our first quarter of fiscal year 2019 and should be applied on a modified retrospective transition basis. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period for which interim or annual financial statements have not been issued or made available for issuance. We are currently evaluating the effect this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 “Measurement of Credit Losses”, the main objective of which is to provide more useful information about expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments of an entity to extend credit. In support of this objective, the ASU replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology, found in current GAAP, with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. This ASU requires a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. ASU 2016-13 is effective for Photronics, Inc. in its first quarter of fiscal year 2021, with early adoption permitted beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. We are currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016 – 09 “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”, which simplifies the accounting for share-based payment transactions including their income tax consequences, classification as either equity or liability awards, classification on the statement of cash flows, and other areas. The method of adoption varies with the different aspects of the Update. Adoption of this guidance in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2018 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)”, which requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and corresponding liabilities for all leases with an initial term in excess of twelve months. ASU 2016-02 is to be adopted using a modified retrospective approach, which includes a number of practical expedients, that requires leases to be measured and recognized under the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The ASU is effective for Photronics, Inc. in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, with early application permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, which will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The core principle of this ASU is that revenue should be recognized for the amount of consideration expected to be received for promised goods or services transferred to customers. This ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments, and assets recognized for costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year and allows entities to early adopt, but no earlier than the original effective date. ASU 2014-09 will now be effective for Photronics, Inc. in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2019. This update allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10 “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” which amends guidance previously issued on these matters in ASU 2014-09. The effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2016-10 are the same as those for ASU 2014-09.

We anticipate that the adoption of this ASU will result in the accelerated recognition of certain revenue streams as, upon adoption of this Update, some amounts in our work-in process inventory will be considered to represent promised goods transferred to our customers, requiring us to recognize consideration for those transferred goods in amounts we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for them. However, we cannot currently quantify with reasonable certainty the effect this anticipated acceleration of revenue will have on our consolidated financial statements. We expect to adopt this guidance using the modified retrospective approach.

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INVENTORIES (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

INVENTORIES [Abstract]

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined under the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method, or net realizable value.

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

Employee Stock Option [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Accounting

Option awards generally vest in one-to-four years and have a ten-year contractual term. All incentive and non-qualified stock option grants have an exercise price no less than the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The grant date fair values of options are based on closing prices of our common stock on the dates of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our common stock. We use historical option exercise behavior and employee termination data to estimate expected term, which represents the period of time that the options granted are expected to remain outstanding. The risk-free rate of return for the estimated term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the date of grant.

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INCOME TAXES (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

INCOME TAXES [Abstract]

Income Taxes

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”), was signed into law, enacting significant changes to the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that we expect to have a positive impact on our future after-tax earnings.  Under ASC Topic 740 – “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), the effects of the new legislation are recognized in the interim and annual accounting periods that include the enactment date, which falls within our interim period ended January 28, 2018. In December 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address situations in which the accounting under ASC 740 is incomplete for certain income tax effects of the Act. We adopted SAB 118 in our first quarter of fiscal year 2018.

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]

Fair Value Financial Instruments

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

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RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address situations where the accounting under ASC Topic 740 – “Income Taxes” is incomplete for certain income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was signed into law on December 22, 2017, and changed existing U.S. tax law. We adopted this guidance in our first quarter of fiscal year 2018. Please see Note 8 for a discussion of the effects of adopting this guidance.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18 “Restricted Cash”, which requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for Photronics, Inc. in its first quarter of fiscal year 2019 and should be applied on a retrospective transition basis. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We are currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16 “Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory”, which eliminates the exception of recognizing, at the time of transfer, current and deferred income taxes for intra-entity asset transfers other than inventory. ASU 2016-16 is effective for us in our first quarter of fiscal year 2019 and should be applied on a modified retrospective transition basis. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period for which interim or annual financial statements have not been issued or made available for issuance. We are currently evaluating the effect this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 “Measurement of Credit Losses”, the main objective of which is to provide more useful information about expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments of an entity to extend credit. In support of this objective, the ASU replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology, found in current GAAP, with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. This ASU requires a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. ASU 2016-13 is effective for Photronics, Inc. in its first quarter of fiscal year 2021, with early adoption permitted beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. We are currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016 – 09 “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”, which simplifies the accounting for share-based payment transactions including their income tax consequences, classification as either equity or liability awards, classification on the statement of cash flows, and other areas. The method of adoption varies with the different aspects of the Update. Adoption of this guidance in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2018 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)”, which requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and corresponding liabilities for all leases with an initial term in excess of twelve months. ASU 2016-02 is to be adopted using a modified retrospective approach, which includes a number of practical expedients, that requires leases to be measured and recognized under the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The ASU is effective for Photronics, Inc. in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, with early application permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, which will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The core principle of this ASU is that revenue should be recognized for the amount of consideration expected to be received for promised goods or services transferred to customers. This ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments, and assets recognized for costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year and allows entities to early adopt, but no earlier than the original effective date. ASU 2014-09 will now be effective for Photronics, Inc. in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2019. This update allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10 “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” which amends guidance previously issued on these matters in ASU 2014-09. The effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2016-10 are the same as those for ASU 2014-09.

We anticipate that the adoption of this ASU will result in the accelerated recognition of certain revenue streams as, upon adoption of this Update, some amounts in our work-in process inventory will be considered to represent promised goods transferred to our customers, requiring us to recognize consideration for those transferred goods in amounts we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for them. However, we cannot currently quantify with reasonable certainty the effect this anticipated acceleration of revenue will have on our consolidated financial statements. We expect to adopt this guidance using the modified retrospective approach.

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CHANGES IN EQUITY (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

CHANGES IN EQUITY [Abstract]

Consolidated changes in equity

The following tables set forth our consolidated changes in equity for the three months ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017:

	Three Months Ended January 28, 2018
	Photronics, Inc. Shareholders
	Common Stock								Accumulated
					Additional				Other		Non-
					Paid-in		Retained		Comprehensive		controlling		Total
	Shares		Amount		Capital		Earnings		Income		Interests		Equity
Balance at October 30, 2017		68,666	$	687	$	547,596	$	189,390	$	6,891	$	120,731	$	865,295
Net income		-		-		-		5,898		-		3,583		9,481
Other comprehensive income		-		-		-		-		25,237		4,850		30,087
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plans		116		1		701		-		-		-		702
Restricted stock awards vesting and expense		87		1		386		-		-		-		387
Share-based compensation expense		-		-		497		-		-		-		497
Contribution from noncontrolling interest		-		-		148		-		-		11,850		11,998
Balance at January 28, 2018		68,869	$	689	$	549,328	$	195,288	$	32,128	$	141,014	$	918,447

	Three Months Ended January 29, 2017
	Photronics, Inc. Shareholders
	Common Stock								Accumulated
					Additional				Other			Non-
					Paid-in		Retained		Comprehensive			controlling		Total
	Shares		Amount		Capital		Earnings		Loss			Interests		Equity
Balance at October 31, 2016		68,080	$	681	$	541,093	$	176,260	$	(7,671	)	$	115,111	$	825,474
Net income		-		-		-		1,946		-			2,564		4,510
Other comprehensive (loss) income		-		-		-		-		(1,859	)		1,257		(602	)
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plans		175		1		1,087		-		-			-		1,088
Restricted stock awards vesting and expense		78		1		297		-		-			-		298
Share-based compensation expense		-		-		640		-		-			-		640
Balance at January 29, 2017		68,333	$	683	$	543,117	$	178,206	$	(9,530	)	$	118,932	$	831,408

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INVENTORIES (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

INVENTORIES [Abstract]

Components of inventory

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined under the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method, or net realizable value. Presented below are the components of inventory at the balance sheet dates:

	January 28, 2018		October 29, 2017
Finished goods	$	1,201	$	664
Work in process		3,753		2,957
Raw materials		22,043		20,082
	$	26,997	$	23,703

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT [Abstract]

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

	January 28, 2018		October 29, 2017
Land	$	10,301	$	9,959
Buildings and improvements		128,073		125,290
Machinery and equipment		1,614,502		1,547,870
Leasehold improvements		20,826		20,050
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment		13,474		12,989
Construction in progress		74,987		72,045
		1,862,163		1,788,203
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(1,313,856)		(1,253,006)
	$	548,307	$	535,197

Equipment under capital leases included in property, plant and equipment

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

	January 28, 2018			October 29, 2017
Machinery and equipment	$	34,917		$	34,917
Accumulated amortization		(14,717	)		(13,843	)
	$	20,200		$	21,074

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PDMCX JOINT VENTURE (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

PDMCX JOINT VENTURE [Abstract]

Carrying amounts of assets and liabilities along with exposure to loss related to assets and liabilities

The carrying amounts of PDMCX assets and liabilities, included in our condensed consolidated balance sheet, as of January 28, 2018, are presented in the following table, along with our exposure to loss related to these assets and liabilities.

Classification	Carrying Amount		Photronics Interest
Current assets	$	13,864	$	6,933
Non-current assets		12,403		6,203
Total assets		26,267		13,136
Current liabilities		3,038		1,519
Non-current liabilities		16		8
Total liabilities		3,054		1,527
Net assets	$	23,213	$	11,609

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LONG-TERM BORROWINGS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

LONG-TERM BORROWINGS [Abstract]

Long-term borrowings

Long-term borrowings consist of the following:

	January 28, 2018			October 29, 2017
3.25% convertible senior notes due in April 2019	$	57,366		$	57,337
2.77% capital lease obligation payable through July 2018		3,259			4,639
		60,625			61,976
Current portion		(3,259	)		(4,639	)
	$	57,366		$	57,337

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION [Abstract]

Weighted-average inputs and risk-free rate of return ranges used to calculate the grant date fair value of options

The weighted-average inputs and risk-free rates of return used to calculate the grant date fair value of options issued during the three month periods ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017, are presented in the following table.

	Three Months Ended
	January 28, 2018		January 29, 2017
Volatility		31.6%		32.2%
Risk free rate of return		2.2%		1.9%
Dividend yield		0.0%		0.0%
Expected term	5.0 years		5.0 years

Information on outstanding and exercisable option awards

Information on outstanding and exercisable option awards as of January 28, 2018, is presented below.

Options	Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at January 28, 2018		3,304,820	$	7.98	5.1 years	$	4,468
Exercisable at January 28, 2018		2,421,655	$	7.19	3.8 years	$	4,441

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EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

EARNINGS PER SHARE [Abstract]

Calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share

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

	Three Months Ended
	January 28, 2018		January 29, 2017
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$	5,898	$	1,946
Effect of dilutive securities		-		-
Earnings used for diluted earnings per share	$	5,898	$	1,946
Weighted-average common shares computations:
Weighted-average common shares used for basic earnings per share		68,755		68,176
Effect of dilutive securities:
Share-based payment awards		617		993
Potentially dilutive common shares		617		993
Weighted-average common shares used for diluted earnings per share		69,372		69,169
Basic earnings per share	$	0.09	$	0.03
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.09	$	0.03

Outstanding securities excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings or loss per share

The table below shows the outstanding weighted-average share-based payment awards that were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their exercise price exceeded the average market value of the common shares for the period or, under application of the treasury stock method, they were otherwise determined to be anti-dilutive. The table also shows convertible notes that, if converted, would be antidilutive.

	Three Months Ended
	January 28, 2018		January 29, 2017
Convertible notes		5,542		-
Share-based payment awards		1,583		993
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded		7,125		993

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CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME BY COMPONENT (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME BY COMPONENT [Abstract]

Schedule of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component

The following tables set forth thechanges in our accumulated other comprehensive income by component (net of tax of $0)for the three month periods ended January 28, 2018 and January 29, 2017.

	Three Months Ended January 28, 2018
	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Amortization of Cash Flow Hedge			Other			Total
Balance at October 30, 2017	$	7,627		$	(48	)	$	(688	)	$	6,891
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		30,087			-			(32	)		30,055
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		-			32			-			32
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		30,087			32			(32	)		30,087
Less: other comprehensive (income)loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(4,866	)		-			16			(4,850	)
Balance at January 28, 2018	$	32,848		$	(16	)	$	(704	)	$	32,128

	Three Months Ended January 29, 2017
	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Amortization of Cash Flow Hedge			Other			Total
Balance at October 31, 2016	$	(6,567	)	$	(177	)	$	(927	)	$	(7,671	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(614	)		-			(20	)		(634	)
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		-			32			-			32
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		(614	)		32			(20	)		(602	)
Less: other comprehensive (income)loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		(1,267	)		-			10			(1,257	)
Balance at January 29, 2017	$	(8,448	)	$	(145	)	$	(937	)	$	(9,530	)

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2018

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]

Fair and carrying values of convertible senior notes

The table below presents the fair and carrying values of our convertible senior notes at January 28, 2018 and October 29, 2017.

	January 28, 2018				October 29, 2017
	Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value
3.25% convertible senior notes due 2019	$	64,486	$	57,366	$	67,396	$	57,337

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BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2018 Facility
Manufacturing Facilities By Geographical Region [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	9
Estimated production start-by date	Oct. 27, 2019
Europe [Member]
Manufacturing Facilities By Geographical Region [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	2
Taiwan [Member]
Manufacturing Facilities By Geographical Region [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	3
Korea [Member]
Manufacturing Facilities By Geographical Region [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	1
United States [Member]
Manufacturing Facilities By Geographical Region [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	3
China under Construction [Member]
Manufacturing Facilities By Geographical Region [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	2

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CHANGES IN EQUITY (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2018	Jan. 29, 2017
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 865,295	$ 825,474
Net income	9,481	4,510
Other comprehensive (loss) income	30,087	(602)
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plans	702	1,088
Restricted stock awards vesting and expense	387	298
Share-based compensation expense	497	640
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	11,998	0
Ending balance	918,447	831,408
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 687	$ 681
Beginning balance (in shares)	68,666	68,080
Net income	$ 0	$ 0
Other comprehensive (loss) income	0	0
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plans	$ 1	$ 1
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plans (in shares)	116	175
Restricted stock awards vesting and expense	$ 1	$ 1
Restricted stock awards vesting and expense (in shares)	87	78
Share-based compensation expense	$ 0	$ 0
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	0
Ending balance	$ 689	$ 683
Ending balance (in shares)	68,869	68,333
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 547,596	$ 541,093
Net income	0	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income	0	0
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plans	701	1,087
Restricted stock awards vesting and expense	386	297
Share-based compensation expense	497	640
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	148
Ending balance	549,328	543,117
Retained Earnings [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Beginning balance	189,390	176,260
Net income	5,898	1,946
Other comprehensive (loss) income	0	0
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plans	0	0
Restricted stock awards vesting and expense	0	0
Share-based compensation expense	0	0
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	0
Ending balance	195,288	178,206
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Beginning balance	6,891	(7,671)
Net income	0	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income	25,237	(1,859)
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plans	0	0
Restricted stock awards vesting and expense	0	0
Share-based compensation expense	0	0
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	0
Ending balance	32,128	(9,530)
Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Beginning balance	120,731	115,111
Net income	3,583	2,564
Other comprehensive (loss) income	4,850	1,257
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plans	0	0
Restricted stock awards vesting and expense	0	0
Share-based compensation expense	0	0
Contribution from noncontrolling interest	11,850
Ending balance	$ 141,014	$ 118,932

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INVENTORIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 28, 2018	Oct. 29, 2017
INVENTORIES [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 1,201	$ 664
Work in process	3,753	2,957
Raw materials	22,043	20,082
Inventory	$ 26,997	$ 23,703

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2018	Jan. 29, 2017	Oct. 29, 2017
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 1,862,163		$ 1,788,203
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,313,856)		(1,253,006)
Property, plant and equipment, net	548,307		535,197
Depreciation and amortization expense	21,100	$ 19,700
Equipment under capital leases included in property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Machinery and equipment	34,917		34,917
Accumulated amortization	(14,717)		(13,843)
Capital leased assets, net	20,200		21,074
Equipment acquired in exchange for product	6,700	$ 2,100
Land [Member]
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	10,301		9,959
Buildings and Improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	128,073		125,290
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,614,502		1,547,870
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	20,826		20,050
Furniture, Fixtures and Office Equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	13,474		12,989
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 74,987		$ 72,045

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PDMCX JOINT VENTURE (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2018 USD ($)
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Initial term of agreement	2 years
Trigger period for option to purchase, or put, their interest from, or to, other party if ownership interest falls below 20%	6 months
Operating loss	$ (500)
Initial consolidation, gain (loss)	0
Maximum loss exposure, amount	$ 11,600
Methodology use for determining whether enterprise is primary beneficiary	As required by the guidance in Topic 810 - “Consolidation” of the Accounting Codification Standards, we evaluated our involvement in PDMCX for the purpose of determining whether we should consolidate its results in our financial statements. The initial step of our evaluation was to determine whether PDMCX was a variable interest entity (“VIE”). Due to its lack of sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, we determined that it was a VIE. Having made this determination, we then assessed whether we were the primary beneficiary of the VIE, and concluded that we were the primary beneficiary during the current reporting period; thus, as required, the PDMCX financial results should be consolidated with Photronics, Inc. Our conclusion was based on the fact that we held a controlling financial interest in PDMCX, which resulted from our having the power to direct the activities that most significantly impacted its economic performance, the obligation to absorb losses, and the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to PDMCX. Our conclusion that we had the power to direct the activities that most significantly affected the economic performance of PDMCX during the current period was based on our right to appoint the majority of its board of directors, which has, among others, the powers to manage the business (through its rights to appoint and evaluate PDMCX’s management), incur indebtedness, enter into agreements and commitments, and acquire and dispose of PDMCX’s assets. In addition, as a result of the 50.01% variable interest we held during the current period, we had the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to PDMCX.
Consolidation liabilities, recourse	$ 0
DNP [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	49.99%
Photronics Singapore Pte, Ltd [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	50.01%
Minimum [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	20.00%
Number of business days for obtaining required approvals and clearance for exiting party	3 days
Carrying Amount [Member]
Carrying amounts of assets and liabilities along with exposure to loss related to assets and liabilities [Abstract]
Current assets	$ 13,864
Non-current assets	12,403
Total assets	26,267
Current liabilities	3,038
Non-current liabilities	16
Total liabilities	3,054
Net assets	23,213
Photronics Interest [Member]
Carrying amounts of assets and liabilities along with exposure to loss related to assets and liabilities [Abstract]
Current assets	6,933
Non-current assets	6,203
Total assets	13,136
Current liabilities	1,519
Non-current liabilities	8
Total liabilities	1,527
Net assets	11,609
Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Financial or other support, amount	12,000
Future support to be provided	43,000
Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Financial or other support, amount	12,000
Future support to be provided	$ 43,000

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LONG-TERM BORROWINGS (Details)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2016 USD ($) shares $ / shares	Jan. 31, 2015 USD ($) shares $ / shares	Jan. 28, 2018 USD ($)	Oct. 29, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Long-term borrowings [Abstract]
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations			$ 60,625,000	$ 61,976,000
Current portion			(3,259,000)	(4,639,000)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations non current			$ 57,366,000	57,337,000
Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term borrowings [Abstract]
Maturity date of debt			Dec. 31, 2018
Current borrowing capacity			$ 50,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity			75,000,000
Amount outstanding under credit facility			0
Available borrowing capacity			$ 50,000,000
Interest rate			2.82%
3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due on April 2019 [Member]
Long-term borrowings [Abstract]
Convertible debt			$ 57,366,000	57,337,000
Face amount of debt			$ 57,500,000
Interest rate percentage			3.25%
Maturity date of debt			Apr. 01, 2019
Number of shares each note is convertible to (in shares) | shares		96
Face amount of each note converted		$ 1,000
Conversion price per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 10.37
3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due in April 2016 [Member]
Long-term borrowings [Abstract]
Face amount of debt					$ 57,500,000
Interest rate percentage	3.25%
Maturity date of debt	Apr. 01, 2016
Number of shares each note is convertible to (in shares) | shares	96
Face amount of each note converted	$ 1,000
Conversion price per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 10.37
2.77% Capital Lease Obligation Payable through July 2018 [Member]
Long-term borrowings [Abstract]
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations			$ 3,259,000	$ 4,639,000
Face amount of debt			$ 26,400,000
Interest rate percentage			2.77%
Maturity date of debt			Jul. 31, 2018
Repayment period of debt			5 years
Periodic payments			$ 500,000
Frequency of periodic payment			per month
Amount payable through the end of lease term			$ 3,300,000

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2018	Jan. 29, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Date and terms of plan modification	In March 2016, shareholders approved a new equity incentive compensation plan (the “Plan”), under which incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock grants, stock-based awards, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance units, performance stock, and other stock or cash awards may be granted.
Maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued (in shares)	4,000,000
Share-based compensation costs incurred	$ 900	$ 900
Cash received from option exercises	700	1,000
Share-based compensation cost capitalized	0	0
Income tax benefits realized from stock option exercises	$ 0	$ 0
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Contractual term	10 years
Weighted-average inputs and risk-free rate of return ranges used to calculate the grant date fair value of options [Abstract]
Volatility	31.60%	32.20%
Risk free rate of return	2.20%	1.90%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Expected term	5 years	5 years
Outstanding and exercisable option awards [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)	3,304,820
Exercisable at end of period (in shares)	2,421,655
Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Weighted average exercise price, Outstanding at end of period (in dollar per share)	$ 7.98
Weighted average exercise price, Exercisable at end of period (in dollar per share)	$ 7.19
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life [Abstract]
Weighted average remaining contractual life, Outstanding at end of period	5 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted average remaining contractual life, Exercisable at end of period	3 years 9 months 18 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]
Aggregate intrinsic value, Outstanding at end of period	$ 4,468
Aggregate intrinsic value, Exercisable at end of period	$ 4,441
Stock options, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Share options granted (in shares)	252,000	338,750
Weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollar per share)	$ 2.74	$ 3.60
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested option awards	$ 2,400
Period for recognition of compensation cost not yet recognized	2 years 3 months 18 days
Stock Options [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	1 year
Stock Options [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	4 years
Restricted Stock [Member]
Stock options, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Period for recognition of compensation cost not yet recognized	3 years
Restricted Stock [Abstract]
Restricted stock awards granted (in shares)	280,000	260,000
Weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock awards (in dollar per share)	$ 8.63	$ 11.35
Compensation cost not yet recognized related to unvested restricted stock awards	$ 4,100
Number of shares of restricted stock outstanding (in shares)	488,673
Restricted Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	1 year
Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	4 years

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INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		10 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 28, 2018	Jan. 29, 2017	Oct. 28, 2018	Oct. 27, 2019	Oct. 28, 2018	Oct. 29, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Effective tax rate		23.10%	19.00%
U.S. statutory rate	35.00%		35.00%
Toll charge rate on accumulated earnings in cash		15.50%
Toll charge rate on accumulated earnings not in cash		8.00%
Change in tax rate, deferred tax asset, provisional income tax expense		$ (2.5)
Change in tax rate, deferred tax asset, valuation allowance		2.5
Provisional income tax expense (benefit)		0.0
Estimated deemed repatriation transition tax		28.4
Estimated deemed repatriation transition tax, valuation allowance		$ (28.4)
Income Tax Holiday [Line Items]
Term of tax year holidays		5 years
Dollar effect of income tax holiday		$ 0.1	$ 0.1
Per share effect of income tax holiday (in dollars per share)		$ 0	$ 0
Unrecognized tax benefits		$ 3.7					$ 3.4
Interest and penalties accrued related to uncertain tax positions		0.1					$ 0.1
Amount of reasonably possible decrease in uncertain tax positions		$ 1.4
Taiwan Agency of the Ministry of Finance [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Foreign statutory rate		20.00%					17.00%
Foreign income tax expense (benefit)		$ (0.2)
Federal Alternate Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Credit carryforwards refund period		4 years
Tax credit carryforward, amount		$ 3.9
Valuation allowance change		$ (3.9)
Plan [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
U.S. statutory rate				21.00%	21.00%	23.40%
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Holiday [Line Items]
Income tax holiday termination date		October 31, 2017
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Income Tax Holiday [Line Items]
Income tax holiday termination date		December 31, 2019

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EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2018	Jan. 29, 2017
Calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. shareholders	$ 5,898	$ 1,946
Effect of dilutive securities	0	0
Earnings used for diluted earnings per share	$ 5,898	$ 1,946
Weighted-average common shares computations [Abstract]
Weighted-average common shares used for basic earnings per share (in shares)	68,755	68,176
Effect of dilutive securities [Abstract]
Share-based payment awards (in shares)	617	993
Potentially dilutive common shares (in shares)	617	993
Weighted-average common shares used for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	69,372	69,169
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.09	$ 0.03
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.09	$ 0.03
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	7,125	993
Convertible Notes [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	5,542	0
Share-Based Payment Awards [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	1,583	993

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CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME BY COMPONENT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2018	Jan. 29, 2017
CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME BY COMPONENT [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income, tax	$ 0	$ 0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	744,564
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	30,087	(602)
Ending Balance	777,433
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	6,891	(7,671)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	25,237	(1,859)
Ending Balance	32,128	(9,530)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	7,627	(6,567)
Ending Balance	32,848	(8,448)
Amortization of Cash Flows Hedge [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(48)	(177)
Ending Balance	(16)	(145)
Other [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(688)	(927)
Ending Balance	(704)	(937)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	30,055	(634)
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income	32	32
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	30,087	(602)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	30,087	(614)
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income	0	0
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	30,087	(614)
Amortization of Cash Flows Hedge [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income	32	32
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	32	32
Other [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(32)	(20)
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income	0	0
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(32)	(20)
AOCI Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Less: other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4,850)	(1,257)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Less: other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4,866)	(1,267)
Amortization of Cash Flows Hedge [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Less: other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Other [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Less: other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	$ 16	$ 10

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2018	Oct. 29, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 0	$ 0
Total liabilities	$ 0	$ 0
3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due in April 2019 [Member]
Fair and carrying values of the Company's convertible senior notes [Abstract]
Interest rate percentage	3.25%	3.25%
Maturity date of debt	Apr. 01, 2019	Apr. 01, 2019
Fair Value [Member] | 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due in April 2019 [Member]
Fair and carrying values of the Company's convertible senior notes [Abstract]
Convertible senior notes	$ 64,486	$ 67,396
Carrying Value [Member] | 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due in April 2019 [Member]
Fair and carrying values of the Company's convertible senior notes [Abstract]
Convertible senior notes	$ 57,366	$ 57,337

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) $ in Millions	Jan. 28, 2018 USD ($)
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]
Outstanding commitments for capital expenditure	$ 190