cfocommentary.htm

CFO Commentary on Fourth Quarter FY 2010 Results

Commencing with the fourth quarter, non-GAAP is now defined to include stock based compensation. As a result, stock-based compensation will no longer be a reconciling item between GAAP and non-GAAP measures. All historical non-GAAP measures presented below have been prepared on this basis.

Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 was $982.5 million, up nearly 9 percent from $903.2 million in the prior quarter and higher than our guidance of around 2 percent growth. Revenue more than doubled from that of a year ago, and represented our fourth consecutive quarter of strong revenue growth.

GAAP gross margin for the quarter was 44.7 percent, up 1.3 points over the prior quarter’s GAAP gross margin of 43.4 percent and also above our guidance of 40 to 42 percent. The company’s third quarter results included a $25.1 million credit for insurance proceeds, of which $24.1 million was recorded as a benefit to cost of revenue. Excluding this benefit, non-GAAP gross margin improved 4.0 points from the third to fourth quarters.

GAAP net income for the quarter was $131.1 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared with a GAAP net income of $107.6 million, or $0.19 per share, in the prior quarter. Excluding the aforementioned insurance benefit and the associated tax impact, third quarter non-GAAP net income was $77.4 million, or $0.13 share.

(in millions)	Q4’10	Q3’10	Q/Q%
GPU	$572.9	$464.5	+23%
MCP	199.9	247.9	-19%
Professional	157.8	129.6	+22%
Consumer/Other	51.9	61.2	-15%
Total	$982.5	$903.2	8.8%

Our GPU business, which includes desktop, notebook and memory, was up 23 percent sequentially. Demand was strong in both the desktop and notebook segments, with many customers experiencing periods of allocation during the quarter. While the availability of 40nm products remained in tight supply throughout the quarter, 40nm process yield continued to improve. As a result, 40nm revenues were up 178 percent over the prior quarter.

The desktop segment of our GPU business was up approximately 19 percent quarter over quarter, primarily due to increases in high-end and mainstream sales. While channel inventories remained lean throughout the quarter, they recovered slightly to about five weeks of supply, up approximately one week from last quarter’s record low of four weeks.

The notebook segment of our GPU business was up approximately 27 percent quarter over quarter. Notebook demand was particularly strong as our 40nm design wins on Calpella notebooks started to ramp.

Our MCP business represented 20 percent of total revenue and was down 19 percent sequentially. Two main factors contributed to this decline: typical seasonality in the desktop channel, and inventory management ahead of a first quarter product transition. We expect this business to be up in the first quarter as this product ramps.

Revenue for our Professional business, which includes workstation graphics and computing, represented 16 percent of total revenue. Our workstation business continued to experience strong recovery in demand with revenue up 25 percent sequentially. Improved product mix helped lift ASPs and gross margins for this segment as well. The computing segment of this business was down slightly quarter over quarter as customers anticipated the availability of our newest GPU computing architecture, called Fermi, which is currently in volume production and will commence shipping later this quarter.

Our Consumer and Other business, which includes cell phone products, as well as embedded entertainment, represented 5 percent of total revenue.

GAAP gross margin for the fourth quarter was 44.7 percent and was up 1.3 points sequentially. Non-GAAP gross margin was also 44.7 percent and was up 4.0 points sequentially. This was the fourth consecutive quarterly increase. The major components of this 4.0 point increase are:

·	Cost reductions from yield improvements and reduced waste: 1.9 points

·	Favorable mix from our Professional business: 0.8 points

·	Increased revenues of $79 million: 0.5 points

·	Other mix benefits: 0.8 points

GAAP operating expenses for the fourth quarter were $304.4 million, in line with guidance. Sequentially, operating expenses were up $20.5 million, largely due to bring-ups of various new products, some salary reinstatements following company-wide reductions last year, and the fact that it was a 14 week quarter.

NVIDIA’s worldwide employment at the end of the quarter stood at 5,706.

Accounts receivable at the end of the quarter were down $22.9 million sequentially, notwithstanding $79.3 million of higher revenues. DSO at quarter-end was 37 days, a 3-day improvement over the prior quarter.

Inventories at the end of the quarter, which amounted to $330.7 million, were 19 percent higher than the previous quarter. Inventory days on hand at quarter-end was 60, versus 49 at the end of the third quarter. Substantially all of the inventory increase in the fourth quarter related to 40nm products that we ramped to meet Q4 demand and position us for increased Q1 demand.

Depreciation and amortization expense for the fourth quarter amounted to approximately $47.9 million. Capital expenditures were $22.6 million.

Cash flow from operating activities was $69.2 million during the fourth quarter. Free cash flow for the fourth quarter of $46.6 million was down from the prior quarter as a result of increased inventory and a higher than normal payout of certain accruals.

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at the end of the quarter were approximately $1.73 billion, up approximately $94.1 million from the third quarter, with the principle contributors being cash earnings (net income after adding back non-cash expenses) less increases in working capital due to higher revenues and capital expenditures.

Effective with the first quarter of fiscal 2011, we will no longer separate our MCP and GPU segments as such segmentation no longer reflects the way we manage these businesses. As we’ve indicated previously, as a result of our on-going dispute with Intel over the terms of our cross licensing agreement we have ceased development of all future MCP products. Furthermore, our MCP and GPU products serve the same customer needs, brands cross both segments and the teams now currently report into the same general manager. We will, however, continue to give qualitative information about each segment.

First Quarter Outlook

Our outlook for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 is as follows:

·	Revenue is expected to be flat from the fourth quarter.

·	GAAP gross margin is expected to be in the range of 44 to 45 percent.

·	GAAP operating expenses are expected to be flat at approximately $305 million.

·	Tax rate of 12% to 14% assuming a renewal of the U.S. R&D tax credit, 14% to 16% otherwise.

We estimate stock-based compensation expense in the first quarter to be $25 million and depreciation and amortization and capital expenditures to be relatively flat when compared to the fourth quarter.

Diluted shares for the first quarter are expected to be approximately 591 million.

For further information, contact:

Michael Hara Robert Sherbin

Investor Relations Corporate Communications

NVIDIA Corporation NVIDIA Corporation

(408) 486-2511 (408) 566-5150

mhara@nvidia.com rsherbin@nvidia.com

Non-GAAP Measures

To supplement NVIDIA’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets presented in accordance with GAAP, the company uses non-GAAP measures of certain components of financial performance. These non-GAAP measures include non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per share and free cash flow. In order for NVIDIA’s investors to be better able to compare its current results with those of previous periods, the company has shown a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures. These reconciliations adjust the related GAAP financial measures to exclude a charge related to the weak die/packaging material set that was used in certain versions of NVIDIA’s previous generation chips, net of insurance reimbursements, a non-recurring charge related to a tender offer purchase, a non-recurring charge against cost of revenue related to a royalty dispute, a non-recurring restructuring charge against operating expenses, a non-recurring contract termination charge against operating expenses, and the associated tax impact of these items, where applicable. Free cash flow is calculated as GAAP net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property and equipment and intangible assets. NVIDIA believes the presentation of its non-GAAP financial measures enhances the user's overall understanding of the company’s historical financial performance. The presentation of the company’s non-GAAP financial measures is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the company’s financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP, and our non-GAAP measures may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies.

Certain statements in this document including, but not limited to, statements as to: NVIDIA’s financial projections for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different than expectations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: global economic conditions; development of more efficient or faster technology; design, manufacturing or software defects; the impact of technological development and competition; changes in consumer preferences and demands; customer adoption of different standards or our competitor's products; changes in industry standards and interfaces; unexpected loss of performance of our products or technologies when integrated into systems as well as other factors detailed from time to time in the reports NVIDIA files with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended October 25, 2009. Copies of reports filed with the SEC are posted on our website and are available from NVIDIA without charge. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, NVIDIA disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

© 2010 NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved. NVIDIA, the NVIDIA logo, Tesla, CUDA, GeForce and Tegra are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. Features, pricing, availability, and specifications are subject to change without notice.

NVIDIA CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(In thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended									Twelve Months Ended
	January 31,			October 25,			January 25,			January 31,			January 25,
	2010			2009			2009			2010			2009

GAAP gross profit	$	438,721		$	391,783		$	141,666		$	1,176,923		$	1,174,269
GAAP gross margin		44.7	%		43.4	%		29.4	%		35.4	%		34.3	%

Net warranty charge against cost of revenue arising from a weak die/packaging material set (A)		-			(24,115	)		(6,665	)		95,878			189,289
Non-recurring charge related to a royalty dispute		-			-			-			-			4,500
Stock option purchase charge related to cost of revenue (B)		-			-			-			11,412			-
Non-GAAP gross profit	$	438,721		$	367,668		$	135,001		$	1,284,213		$	1,368,058
Non-GAAP gross margin		44.7	%		40.7	%		28.1	%		38.6	%		39.9	%

GAAP net income (loss)	$	131,076		$	107,577		$	(147,665	)	$	(67,987	)	$	(30,041	)
Net warranty charge against cost of revenue arising from a weak die/packaging material set (A)		-			(25,105	)		(8,000	)		93,949			187,954
Restructuring charges		-			-			(382	)		-			7,956
Stock option purchase charge (B)		-			-			-			140,241			-
Non-recurring charge related to a royalty dispute		-			-			-			-			4,500
Non-recurring charge related to contract termination (C)		-			-			18,912			-			18,912
Income tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments (D)		-			(5,072	)		(8,132	)		(24,820	)		(28,997	)
Non-GAAP net income	$	131,076		$	77,400		$	(145,267	)	$	141,383		$	160,284

Diluted net income (loss) per share
GAAP	$	0.23		$	0.19		$	(0.27	)	$	(0.12	)	$	(0.05	)
Non-GAAP	$	0.23		$	0.13		$	(0.27	)	$	0.26		$	0.29

Shares used in diluted net income (loss) per share computation		582,081			574,381			537,595			549,574			548,126

Metrics:
GAAP net cash flow provided by / (used in) operating activities	$	69,245		$	141,317		$	(19,845	)	$	487,807		$	249,360
Purchase of property and equipment and intangible assets		(22,575	)		(16,593	)		(42,975	)		(77,601	)		(407,670	)
Free cash flow	$	46,670		$	124,724		$	(62,820	)	$	410,206		$	(158,310	)

(A) Excludes a net charge related to the weak die/packaging material set that was used in certain versions of our previous generation chips, net of insurance reimbursement.

(B) During the three months ended April 26, 2009, the Company completed a tender offer to purchase an aggregate of 28.5 million outstanding stock options for a total cash payment of $78.1 million. As a result of the tender offer the Company incurred a charge of $140.2 million, consisting of the remaining unamortized stock-based compensation expenses associated with the unvested portion of the options tendered in the offer, stock-based compensation expense resulting from amounts paid in excess of the fair value of the underlying options, plus associated payroll taxes and professional fees. The $140.2 million stock option purchase charge for the three months ended April 26, 2009 relates to personnel associated with cost of revenue (for manufacturing personnel), research and development, and sales, general and administrative of $11.4 million, $90.5 million, and $38.3 million, respectively.

(C) Excludes $18.9 million for the three months ended January 25, 2009, towards a non recurring charge related to termination of a development contract for a new campus construction project we have put on hold.

(D) The income tax impact of non-GAAP adjustments has only been reported during fiscal quarters that include other GAAP to non-GAAP reconciling items, as well as in the full fiscal year results during which the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciling items occur. As such, any effective tax rate differences between GAAP and non-GAAP results that result from such adjustments have not been reported separately in the non-GAAP results for a fiscal quarter that does not contain other GAAP to non-GAAP reconciling items.