Broadcom Limited Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2016 Financial Results and Interim Dividend

• Quarterly interim dividend doubled to $1.02 per share from the prior quarter
  
• Quarterly GAAP gross margin of 52.5 percent; Quarterly non-GAAP gross margin from continuing operations of 60.8 percent
• Quarterly GAAP diluted loss per share of $1.59; Quarterly non-GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $3.47

SAN JOSE, Calif. and SINGAPORE, Dec. 08, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Broadcom Limited (Nasdaq:AVGO), a leading semiconductor device supplier to the wired, wireless, enterprise storage, and industrial end markets, today reported financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended October 30, 2016, and provided guidance for the first quarter of its fiscal year 2017. 

Basis Of Presentation

Broadcom Limited is the successor to Avago Technologies Limited (“Avago”). Following Avago’s acquisition of Broadcom Corporation (“BRCM”) on February 1, 2016 (the “Acquisition”), Broadcom Limited became the ultimate parent company of Avago and BRCM. Financial results for the fiscal periods prior to the Acquisition relate solely to the Company’s predecessor, Avago. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this press release to “Broadcom,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” and similar terms are to Broadcom Limited from and after the effective time of the Acquisition and, prior to that time, to its predecessor, Avago. The financial results from businesses that have been classified as discontinued operations in the Company’s financial statements are not included in the results presented below, unless otherwise stated.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2016 GAAP Results

Net revenue was $4,136 million, an increase of 9 percent from $3,792 million in the previous quarter and an increase of 125 percent from $1,840 million in the same quarter last year.

Gross margin was $2,171 million, or 52.5 percent of net revenue. This compares with gross margin of $1,782 million, or 47.0 percent of net revenue, in the prior quarter, and gross margin of $997 million, or 54.2 percent of net revenue, in the same quarter last year.

Operating expenses were $1,790 million. This compares with $2,046 million in the prior quarter and $483 million for the same quarter last year.

Operating income was $381 million, or 9 percent of net revenue. This compares with operating loss of $264 million, or 7 percent of net revenue, in the prior quarter, and operating income of $514 million, or 28 percent of net revenue, in the same quarter last year.

Net loss, which includes the impact of discontinued operations, was $668 million, or $1.59 per diluted share. This compares with net loss of $315 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, for the prior quarter, and net income of $429 million, or $1.49 per diluted share, in the same quarter last year. 

Net loss attributable to ordinary shares was $632 million. Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest (restricted exchangeable limited partnership units (“REUs”)) in the Company’s subsidiary, Broadcom Cayman L.P. (the “Partnership”), was $36 million.

The Company’s cash balance at the end of the fourth fiscal quarter was $3,097 million, compared to $1,961 million at the end of the prior quarter.

During the fourth quarter, the Company generated $1,352 million in cash from operations and received $200 million in net cash proceeds from the completion of divestitures. In the fourth quarter, the Company spent $193 million on capital expenditures.

On September 30, 2016, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.51 per ordinary share, totaling $202 million. On the same date, the Partnership, of which the Company is the General Partner, paid holders of REUs a corresponding distribution of $0.51 per REU, totaling $11 million.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2016 Non-GAAP Results From Continuing Operations

The differences between the Company’s GAAP and non-GAAP results are described generally under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below, and presented in detail in the financial reconciliation tables attached to this release.

Net revenue from continuing operations was $4,146 million, an increase of 9 percent from $3,802 million in the previous quarter, and an increase of 124 percent from $1,853 million in the same quarter last year.

Gross margin from continuing operations was $2,522 million, or 60.8 percent of net revenue. This compares with gross margin of $2,297 million, or 60.4 percent of net revenue, in the prior quarter, and gross margin of $1,149 million, or 62.0 percent of net revenue, in the same quarter last year. 

Operating income from continuing operations was $1,719 million, or 41 percent of net revenue. This compares with operating income from continuing operations of $1,489 million, or 39 percent of net revenue, in the prior quarter, and $811 million, or 44 percent of net revenue, in the same quarter last year.

Net income from continuing operations was $1,549 million, or $3.47 per diluted share. This compares with net income of $1,293 million, or $2.89 per diluted share last quarter, and net income of $737 million, or $2.51 per diluted share, in the same quarter last year.

“Fiscal 2016 was clearly transformative for our company with the acquisition of Broadcom Corporation. We finished the year on a very strong note, delivering a record level of revenue with 9 percent sequential revenue growth in the fourth quarter,” said Hock Tan, President and CEO of Broadcom Limited. “Reflecting the operating leverage from our larger scale and improved profitability, we announced today a doubling of our dividend.”

Other Quarterly Data



Fiscal Year 2016 Financial Results From Continuing Operations

Net revenue from continuing operations was $13,240 million, an increase of 94 percent from $6,824 million in the prior year. Gross margin was $5,940 million, or 44.9 percent of net revenue, versus $3,553 million, or 52.1 percent of net revenue, in fiscal year 2015. Operating loss was $409 million compared with operating income of $1,632 million in the prior year. Net loss, which includes the impact from discontinued operations, was $1,861 million, or $4.86 per diluted share. This compares with net income of $1,364 million, or $4.85 per diluted share, in fiscal year 2015. Net loss attributable to ordinary shares was $1,739 million in fiscal year 2016.  Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest REUs in the Partnership was $122 million.

Non-GAAP net revenue from continuing operations was $13,292 million, an increase of 92 percent from $6,905 million in the prior year. Non-GAAP gross margin was $8,046 million, or 60.5 percent of net revenue, versus $4,184 million, or 60.6 percent of net revenue, in fiscal year 2015. Non-GAAP operating income from continuing operations was $5,320 million. This compares with $2,926 million in the prior year. Non-GAAP net income was $4,672 million, or $11.45 per diluted share. This compares with non-GAAP net income of $2,613 million, or $8.98 per diluted share, in fiscal year 2015.

First Quarter Fiscal Year 2017 Business Outlook

Based on current business trends and conditions, the outlook for continuing operations for the first quarter of fiscal year 2017, ending January 29, 2017, is expected to be as follows:

• Non-GAAP net revenue includes $10 million of licensing revenue not included in GAAP revenue, as a result of the effects of purchase accounting for acquisitions;
  
  
• Non-GAAP gross margin includes the effects of $10 million of licensing revenue, and excludes the effects of $558 million of amortization of intangible assets, $14 million of share-based compensation expense, and $6 million of restructuring charges;
  
  
• Non-GAAP operating expenses exclude $441 million of amortization of intangible assets, $196 million of share-based compensation expense, $30 million of acquisition-related costs, and $21 million of restructuring charges;
  
  
• Non-GAAP tax provision excludes $40 million of tax provision representing the tax effects of the projected reconciling items noted above; and
  
  
• Non-GAAP diluted share count excludes the impact of share-based compensation expense expected to be incurred in future periods and not yet recognized in the Company’s financial statements, which would otherwise be assumed to be used to repurchase shares under the GAAP treasury stock method.

Capital expenditures for the first fiscal quarter are expected to be approximately $330 million. For the first fiscal quarter, depreciation is expected to be $116 million and amortization is expected to be approximately $999 million. Cash taxes expected to be paid during fiscal year 2017 are approximately $400 million.

The guidance provided above is only an estimate of what the Company believes is realizable as of the date of this release. Among other things, this guidance is based on an initial estimate of purchase accounting adjustments and allocations, all of which are subject to revision. The guidance also excludes the impact of any additional mergers, acquisitions and divestiture activity that may occur during the quarter. Actual results will vary from the guidance and the variations may be material. The Company undertakes no intent or obligation to publicly update or revise any of these projections, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Broadcom will be meeting with investors on January 4-6, 2017, at the 2017 International CES and presenting at the J.P. Morgan 15^th Annual Tech Forum at the 2017 International CES on January 5, 2017 and the Citi 2017 Internet, Media and Telecommunication Conference in Las Vegas on January 5, 2017.

Interim Dividend

The Company’s Board of Directors has approved a quarterly, interim cash dividend of $1.02 per ordinary share. A corresponding distribution will also be paid by the Partnership, of which the Company is the General Partner, to holders of REUs, in the amount of $1.02 per REU.

The dividend and the distribution are both payable on December 30, 2016 to shareholders or unitholders of record, as applicable, at the close of business (5:00 p.m.) Eastern Time on December 16, 2016.

Financial Results Conference Call

Broadcom Limited will host a conference call to review its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2016, ended October 30, 2016, and to provide guidance for the first quarter of fiscal year 2017, today at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Those wishing to access the call should dial (866) 310-8712; International +1 (720) 634-2946. The passcode is 12782522. A replay of the call will be accessible for one week after the call. To access the replay dial (855) 859-2056; International +1 (404) 537-3406; and reference the passcode: 12782522. A webcast of the conference call will also be available in the “Investors” section of Broadcom’s website at www.broadcom.com. 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to GAAP reporting, Broadcom provides investors with net revenue, net income, operating income, gross margin, operating expenses and other data on a non-GAAP basis. This non-GAAP information includes the effect, where applicable, of purchase accounting on revenues, and excludes amortization of intangible assets, share-based compensation expense, restructuring, impairment and disposal charges, acquisition-related costs, including integration costs, purchase accounting effect on inventory, gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, income (loss) from discontinued operations and income tax effects of non-GAAP reconciling adjustments. Management does not believe that these items are reflective of the Company’s underlying performance. However, internally, these non-GAAP measures are significant measures used by management for purposes of evaluating the core operating performance of the Company, establishing internal budgets, calculating return on investment for development programs and growth initiatives, comparing performance with internal forecasts and targeted business models, strategic planning, evaluating and valuing potential acquisition candidates and how their operations compare to the Company’s operations, and benchmarking performance externally against the Company’s competitors. The presentation of these and other similar items in Broadcom’s non-GAAP financial results should not be interpreted as implying that these items are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual. Broadcom believes this non-GAAP financial information provides additional insight into the Company’s on-going performance and has therefore chosen to provide this information to investors for a more consistent basis of comparison and to help them evaluate the results of the Company’s on-going operations and enable more meaningful period to period comparisons. These non-GAAP measures are provided in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP financial data is included in the supplemental financial data attached to this press release.

About Broadcom Limited

Broadcom Limited (NASDAQ:AVGO) is a leading designer, developer and global supplier of a broad range of digital and analog semiconductor connectivity solutions.  Broadcom Limited’s extensive product portfolio serves four primary end markets: wired infrastructure, wireless communications, enterprise storage and industrial & other. Applications for our products in these end markets include: data center networking, home connectivity, set-top box, broadband access, telecommunications equipment, smartphones and base stations, data center servers and storage, factory automation, power generation and alternative energy systems, and electronic displays.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended) concerning Broadcom.  These statements include, but are not limited to, statements that address our expected future business and financial performance and statements about (i) the expected benefits of acquisitions, (ii) our plans, objectives and intentions with respect to future operations and products, (iii) our competitive position and opportunities, (iv) the impact of acquisitions on the market for our products, (v) other statements identified by words such as “will”, “expect”, “intends”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “should”, “intend”, “plan”, “potential”, “predict” “project”, “aim”, and similar words, phrases or expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and beliefs of the management of Broadcom, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, such management, current market trends and market conditions and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the Company’s and management’s control, and which may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements.  Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on such statements.

Particular uncertainties that could materially affect future results include any risks associated with our recent acquisition of Broadcom Corporation and other acquisitions we may make, such as delays, challenges and expenses associated with integrating acquired companies with our existing businesses and our ability to achieve the benefits, growth prospects and synergies expected from such acquisitions, including our pending acquisition of Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.; loss of our significant customers and fluctuations in the timing and volume of significant customer demand; our dependence on contract manufacturers and outsourced supply chain; our ability to accurately estimate customers’ demand and adjust our manufacturing and supply chain accordingly; our significant indebtedness, including the need to generate sufficient cash flows to service and repay such debt; our ability to improve our manufacturing efficiency and quality; increased dependence on a small number of markets; quarterly and annual fluctuations in operating results; cyclicality in the semiconductor industry or in our target markets; global economic conditions and concerns; our competitive performance and ability to continue achieving design wins with our customers, as well as the timing of those design wins; rates of growth in our target markets; prolonged disruptions of our or our contract manufacturers’ manufacturing facilities or other significant operations; our dependence on outsourced service providers for certain key business services and their ability to execute to our requirements; our ability to maintain or improve gross margin; our ability to maintain tax concessions in certain jurisdictions; our ability to protect our intellectual property and the unpredictability of any associated litigation expenses; any expenses or reputational damage associated with resolving customer product and warranty and indemnification claims; dependence on and risks associated with distributors of our products; our ability to sell to new types of customers and to keep pace with technological advances; market acceptance of the end products into which our products are designed; and other events and trends on a national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive and regulatory nature.

Our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which you may obtain for free at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov, discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We undertake no intent or obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.