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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

     
(Mark One)
þ
  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
   
For the quarterly period ended March 27, 2005 or
 
   
o
  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 0-12933

LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   94-2634797
     
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

4650 Cushing Parkway
Fremont, California 94538


(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)

(510) 572-0200


(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES þ NO o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES þ NO o

     As of April 27, 2005, there were 138,601,642 shares of Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.

 
 

 


LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
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  43
  44
 EXHIBIT 11.1
 EXHIBIT 11.2
 EXHIBIT 31.1
 EXHIBIT 31.2
 EXHIBIT 32.1
 EXHIBIT 32.2

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share data)
                 
    March 27,     June 27,  
    2005     2004  
    (unaudited)     (1)  
ASSETS
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 436,462     $ 163,403  
Short-term investments
    289,830       266,069  
Accounts receivable, net
    257,496       245,508  
Inventories
    120,353       108,249  
Deferred income taxes
    68,386       102,731  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    11,353       10,428  
 
           
Total current assets
    1,183,880       896,388  
Property and equipment, net
    43,167       42,444  
Restricted cash
    112,468       112,468  
Deferred income taxes
    102,685       106,505  
Other assets
    40,821       40,821  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 1,483,021     $ 1,198,626  
 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Trade accounts payable
  $ 64,242     $ 93,394  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    224,238       172,343  
Deferred profit
    86,872       108,369  
Current portion of long-term liabilities
          2,500  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    375,352       376,606  
Long-term liabilities less current portion
    3,318       9,554  
 
           
Total liabilities
    378,670       386,160  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Preferred stock, at par value of $0.001 per share; authorized - 5,000 shares, none outstanding
           
Common stock, at par value of $0.001 per share; authorized - 400,000 shares; issued and outstanding - 139,554 shares at March 27, 2005 and 134,988 shares at June 27, 2004
    140       135  
Additional paid-in capital
    749,134       628,076  
Deferred stock-based compensation
    (1,334 )     (1,839 )
Treasury stock, at cost, 3,634 shares at March 27, 2005 and 1,385 shares at June 27, 2004
    (87,535 )     (19,742 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (9,988 )     (15,283 )
Retained earnings
    453,934       221,119  
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    1,104,351       812,466  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 1,483,021     $ 1,198,626  
 
           


(1)   Derived from June 27, 2004 audited financial statements.

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    March 27,     March 28,     March 27,     March 28,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Total revenue
  $ 349,337     $ 231,128     $ 1,148,686     $ 606,374  
Cost of goods sold
    174,767       125,337       560,453       336,179  
Cost of goods sold — restructuring recoveries
          (322 )           (1,651 )
 
                       
Total cost of goods sold
    174,767       125,015       560,453       334,528  
 
                       
Gross margin
    174,570       106,113       588,233       271,846  
 
                       
Research and development
    47,226       42,914       144,641       120,518  
Selling, general and administrative
    34,518       37,218       120,920       105,352  
Restructuring charges, net
    14,201       1,317       14,201       8,327  
 
                       
Total operating expenses
    95,945       81,449       279,762       234,197  
 
                       
Operating income
    78,625       24,664       308,471       37,649  
Other income, net
    643       877       1,949       2,794  
 
                       
Income before income taxes
    79,268       25,541       310,420       40,443  
Income tax expense
    19,817       6,385       77,605       10,110  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 59,451     $ 19,156     $ 232,815     $ 30,333  
 
                       
Net income per share:
                               
Basic net income per share
  $ 0.42     $ 0.14     $ 1.69     $ 0.23  
 
                       
Diluted net income per share
  $ 0.41     $ 0.13     $ 1.64     $ 0.22  
 
                       
Number of shares used in per share calculations:
                               
Basic
    139,967       133,251       137,566       130,893  
 
                       
Diluted
    144,756       147,365       142,362       138,527  
 
                       

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    March 27,     March 28,  
    2005     2004  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net income
  $ 232,815     $ 30,333  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    18,008       18,221  
Amortization
    1,204       3,750  
Deferred income taxes
    38,165       3,445  
Restructuring charges, net
    14,201       6,676  
Amortization of premiums on securities
    2,614       2,958  
Amortization of deferred stock-based compensation
    367       3,051  
Income tax benefit from stock option exercises
    30,353        
Other, net
    17       722  
Change in other working capital accounts
    (45,698 )     5,589  
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    292,046       74,745  
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Capital expenditures
    (18,623 )     (11,011 )
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
    (179,817 )     (418,475 )
Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities
    152,073       431,456  
Other, net
          (200 )
 
           
Net cash (used for)/provided by investing activities
    (46,367 )     1,770  
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Principal payments and redemptions on long-term debt and capital lease obligations
          (12 )
Treasury stock purchases
    (67,793 )      
Reissuances of treasury stock
          9,057  
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    90,848       54,862  
 
           
Net cash provided by financing activities
    23,055       63,907  
 
           
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    4,325       1,314  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    273,059       141,736  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    163,403       167,343  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 436,462     $ 309,079  
 
           

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 27, 2005
(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Lam Research Corporation (the Company or Lam) for the fiscal year ended June 27, 2004, which are included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, File Number 0-12933. The Company’s Form 10-K, Forms 10-Q and Forms 8-K are available online at the Securities and Exchange Commission website on the Internet. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov. The Company also posts the Form 10-K, Forms 10-Q and Forms 8-K on the corporate website at http://www.lamrc.com.

     The Company’s reporting period is a 52/53-week fiscal year. The Company’s current fiscal year will end June 26, 2005 and includes 52 weeks. The quarter ended March 27, 2005 and the quarter ended March 28, 2004 both included 13 weeks.

     Reclassifications: Certain amounts presented in the comparative financial statements for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2005 presentation.

NOTE 2 — RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

     In March 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) reached a consensus on recognition and measurement guidance previously discussed under EITF 03-01. The consensus clarifies the meaning of other-than-temporary impairment and its application to investments classified as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” and investments accounted for under the cost method or the equity method. In September 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a final FASB Staff Position, (FSP) EITF Issue 03-01-1, which indefinitely delays the effective date for the measurement and recognition guidance of EITF 03-01. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting EITF 03-01.

     In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs — An Amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4,” which clarifies the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material (spoilage). The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 151 in fiscal year 2006 and its adoption is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

     In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment.” This Statement is a revision of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, and supersedes Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and its related implementation guidance. In March, 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (SAB 107) which provides the Staff’s views regarding interactions between SFAS No. 123(R) and certain SEC rules and regulations and provides interpretations of the valuation of share-based payments for public companies. SFAS No. 123(R) requires that compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements. That cost will be measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. This statement is effective for Lam for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005, with early adoption permitted. SFAS No. 123(R) will be effective for the Company beginning with the quarter ended September 25, 2005, and the Company has no plans for early adoption.

     The effects of the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) on the Company’s results of operations and financial position are dependent upon a number of factors, including the number of employee stock options outstanding and unvested, the number of stock-based awards which may be granted in the future, the life and vesting features of stock-based awards which may be granted in the future, the future market value and volatility of the Company’s stock,

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movements in the risk free rate of interest, award exercise and forfeiture patterns, and the valuation model used to estimate the fair value of each award. The Company is currently evaluating all of these variables, including expected volatility, in the design of its equity compensation program as well as the accounting requirements under SFAS No. 123(R) and SAB 107. Accordingly, it is not yet possible to reliably estimate the effect of the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) on the Company’s results of operations and financial position. However, the Company believes that the quarterly expense will range from $4 million to $11 million, net of taxes.

     In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29.” The amendments made by SFAS No. 153 are based on the principle that exchanges of nonmonetary assets should be measured based on the fair value of the assets exchanged. SFAS No. 153 also eliminates the exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a broader exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. SFAS No. 153 is effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company will apply its provisions prospectively upon adoption, and its adoption is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

NOTE 3 — STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

     The Company has adopted stock-based compensation plans that provide for the grant to employees of various equity incentive awards, including options to purchase shares of Lam common stock. In addition, these plans permit the grant of nonstatutory stock options to paid consultants and provide for the automatic grant of nonstatutory stock options to outside directors. The Company also has an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) that allows employees to purchase its common stock.

     The Company currently accounts for its stock option plans and stock purchase plan under the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (APB 25) and FASB Interpretation (FIN) 44, “Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation — an Interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25” (FIN 44). Pro forma information regarding net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share is required by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure” as if the Company had accounted for its stock option and stock purchase plans under the fair value method of SFAS No. 123 and SFAS No. 148. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and net income per share if the Company had accounted for its stock option and stock purchase plans under the fair value method of accounting under SFAS No. 123 and SFAS No. 148:

                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    March 27,     March 28,     March 27,     March 28,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
    (in thousands, except per share data)  
Net income — as reported
  $ 59,451     $ 19,156     $ 232,815     $ 30,333  
Add: compensation expense recorded under APB 25, net of tax
    53       212       275       2,288  
Deduct: SFAS No. 123 compensation expense, net of tax
    3,270       6,297       13,469       20,881  
 
                       
Net income — pro forma
  $ 56,234     $ 13,071     $ 219,621     $ 11,740  
 
                               
Basic net income per share — as reported
  $ 0.42     $ 0.14     $ 1.69     $ 0.23  
Basic net income per share — pro forma
    0.40       0.10       1.60       0.09  
Diluted net income per share — as reported
    0.41       0.13       1.64       0.22  
Diluted net income per share — pro forma
  $ 0.39     $ 0.09     $ 1.54     $ 0.08  

     For pro forma purposes, the estimated fair value of the Company’s stock-based awards is amortized over the options’ vesting period (for options) and the respective four, eight, or twelve-month purchase periods (for stock purchases under the employee stock purchase plan). The fair value of the Company’s stock options and stock purchase plan awards were estimated using a Black-Scholes option valuation model. The model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including expected stock price volatility and the estimated life of each option. The fair value of all of the Company’s stock-based awards was estimated assuming no expected dividends and estimates of expected life, volatility and risk-free interest rate at the time of grant. The fair value of the Company’s

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stock-based awards granted in the three and nine-month periods of fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004 was estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:

                                                                 
    Options     ESPP  
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    March 27,     March 28,     March 27,     March 28,     March 27,     March 28,     March 27,     March 28,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004     2005     2004     2005     2004  
Expected life (years)
    3.3       3.4       3.6       3.2       0.7       0.8       0.6       0.5  
Expected stock price volatility
    74 %     74 %     74 %     74 %     74 %     74 %     74 %     74 %
Risk-free interest rate
    3.1 %     2.1 %     2.9 %     2.0 %     2.9 %     2.0 %     2.9 %     2.0 %

NOTE 4 — INVENTORIES

     Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. Inventories consist of the following:

                 
    March 27,     June 27,  
    2005     2004  
    (in thousands)  
Raw materials
  $ 53,458     $ 45,070  
Work-in-process
    28,612       41,353  
Finished goods
    38,283       21,826  
 
           
 
  $ 120,353     $ 108,249  
 
           

NOTE 5 — PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

     Property and equipment, net, consist of the following:

                 
    March 27     June 27,  
    2005     2004  
    (in thousands)  
Manufacturing, engineering and office equipment
  $ 99,182     $ 98,046  
Computer equipment and software
    63,595       59,062  
Leasehold improvements
    41,244       41,256  
Furniture and fixtures
    4,990       3,204  
 
           
 
    209,011       201,568  
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (165,844 )     (159,124 )
 
           
 
  $ 43,167     $ 42,444  
 
           

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NOTE 6 — ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

     Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following:

                 
    March 27,     June 27,  
    2005     2004  
    (in thousands)  
Accrued compensation
  $ 91,941     $ 76,896  
Warranty reserves
    38,571       28,401  
Income and other taxes payable
    29,925       33,972  
Restructuring reserves
    21,675       5,093  
Other
    42,126       27,981  
 
           
 
  $ 224,238     $ 172,343  
 
           

NOTE 7 — OTHER INCOME, NET

     The significant components of other income, net, are as follows:

                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    March 27,     March 28,     March 27,     March 28,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
    (in thousands)  
Interest income
  $ 4,812     $ 2,437     $ 10,394     $ 7,387  
Interest expense
    (421 )     (627 )     (1,408 )     (1,996 )
Foreign exchange gain (loss)
    (3,353 )     258       (3,047 )     (49 )
Debt issue cost amortization
          (425 )           (1,275 )
Charitable contributions
                (3,250 )      
Other, net
    (395 )     (766 )     (740 )     (1,273 )
 
                       
 
  $ 643     $ 877     $ 1,949     $ 2,794  
 
                       

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NOTE 8 — NET INCOME PER SHARE

     Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed, using the treasury stock method, as though all potential common shares that are dilutive were outstanding during the period. The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted computations for net income per share.

                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    March 27,     March 28,     March 27,     March 28,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
    (in thousands, except per share data)  
Numerator:
                               
Numerator for basic net income per share
  $ 59,451     $ 19,156     $ 232,815     $ 30,333  
 
                       
Add:
                               
Interest expense on convertible subordinated 4% notes, net of income taxes
          434              
 
                       
Numerator for diluted net income per share
  $ 59,451     $ 19,590     $ 232,815     $ 30,333  
 
                       
Denominator:
                               
Basic average shares outstanding
    139,967       133,251       137,566       130,893  
Effect of potential dilutive securities:
                               
Employee stock plans and warrant
    4,789       7,437       4,796       7,634  
Assumed conversion of convertible subordinated 4% notes
          6,677              
 
                       
Diluted average shares outstanding
    144,756       147,365       142,362       138,527  
 
                       
Net income per share - Basic
  $ 0.42     $ 0.14     $ 1.69     $ 0.23  
 
                       
Net income per share - Diluted
  $ 0.41     $ 0.13     $ 1.64     $ 0.22  
 
                       

     For purposes of computing diluted net income per share, weighted-average common shares do not include potential dilutive securities whose exercise prices exceed the average market value of the Company’s common stock for the period. The following potential dilutive securities were excluded:

                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    March 27,     March 28,     March 27,     March 28,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
    (in thousands)  
Number of potential dilutive securities excluded
    955       1,488       3,915       1,615  
 
                       

     In addition, during the nine months ended March 28, 2004, 6.7 million potential dilutive securities related to the Company’s convertible subordinated 4% notes were excluded for purposes of computing diluted net income per share because the effect would have been antidilutive. These Notes were repaid in June, 2004, two years prior to their maturity.

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NOTE 9 — COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

     The components of comprehensive income are as follows:

                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    March 27,     March 28,     March 27,     March 28,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
    (in thousands)  
Net income
  $ 59,451     $ 19,156     $ 232,815     $ 30,333  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    4,855       251       6,664       1,724  
Unrealized gain (loss) on fair value of derivative financial instruments, net
    (43 )     (183 )     (126 )     (293 )
Unrealized gain (loss) on financial instruments, net
    (1,804 )     633       (1,650 )     154  
Reclassification adjustment for loss (gain) on financial instruments included in earnings
    188       (5 )     407       (293 )
 
                       
Comprehensive income
  $ 62,647     $ 19,852     $ 238,110     $ 31,625  
 
                       

     The balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss is as follows:

                 
    March 27,     June 27,  
    2005     2004  
    (in thousands)  
Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment
  $ (6,681 )   $ (13,345 )
Accumulated unrealized loss on fair value of derivative financial instruments, net
    (76 )      
Accumulated unrealized loss on financial instruments
    (3,231 )     (1,938 )
 
           
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
  $ (9,988 )   $ (15,283 )
 
           

NOTE 10 — GUARANTEES

     The Company accounts for its guarantees in accordance with FASB Interpretation 45 “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (FIN 45). FIN 45 requires a company that is a guarantor to make specific disclosures about its obligations under certain guarantees that it has issued. FIN 45 also requires a company (the Guarantor) to recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the obligations it has undertaken in issuing the guarantee.

     In March and June of 2003, the Company transferred certain lease agreements relating to various properties at its Fremont, California campus to a new lessor. These agreements require the Company to guarantee residual values of the leased properties to the lessor at the end of the lease terms in fiscal 2008 (in the case that the leases are not renewed, the Company does not exercise the purchase options, the lessor sells the properties and the sale price is less than the lessor’s costs) of up to $98.7 million ($48.4 million for March 2003 and $50.3 million for June 2003). The terms of the guarantees are equal to the remaining terms of the related lease agreements. Under the accounting provisions of FIN 45, the Company recognized a liability of approximately $1.0 million ($0.5 million in March 2003 and $0.5 million in June 2003) for the related residual value guarantees under the leases. The value of these guarantees was determined by computing the estimated present value of the respective probability-weighted cash flows that might be expended under the guarantees over the respective leases’ terms, and was discounted using the Company’s risk adjusted borrowing rate of approximately 2%. The values of these respective guarantees have been recorded as prepaid rent, with the offset recorded as a liability, and the amounts are being amortized to income (for the liability) and to expense (for the prepaid rent) on a ratable basis over the five-year period of the leases. The total value of these guarantees as of March 27, 2005 was $ 0.6 million.

     During the quarter ended March 27, 2005, the Company recognized additional liabilities of $14.2 million in connection with

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its guaranteed residual value obligation on certain leased facilities included in prior restructuring plans. During the March 2005 quarter, the Company contacted the lessor regarding the marketing of these facilities for sale. Please see Note 12 for additional discussion on the amount due and expected timing of payments.

     The Company has issued certain indemnifications to its lessors under some of its operating lease agreements, such as, indemnification for various environmental matters. The Company has entered into certain insurance contracts to minimize its exposure related to such indemnifications. As of March 27, 2005, the Company has not recorded any liability on its financial statements in connection with these indemnifications, as the Company does not believe, based on information available, that it is probable that any amounts will be paid under these guarantees.

     The Company has an agreement with a financial institution that guarantees payment of its Japanese subsidiary’s overdraft protection obligation. At March 27, 2005, the maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under this agreement was approximately $2.9 million, although the Company’s Japanese subsidiary did not owe any amounts under this agreement.

     The Company has an agreement enabling it to sell to a financial institution certain U.S. Dollar-denominated receivables generated from the sale of its systems, subject to recourse provisions. The Company insures these sold receivables for approximately 90% of their value and guarantees payment of the remaining uninsured receivable value in the event that the payment obligation is not satisfied. Based on historical payment patterns, the Company has experienced negligible default on payment obligations and therefore, believes the risk of loss from default is minimal. The terms of these guarantees are from 90 days past the due date of the receivable, until collected. At March 27, 2005 the maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under this agreement is approximately $3.6 million. As of March 27, 2005, the Company has not recorded any liability in connection with these guarantees, as the Company does not believe, based on information available, that it is probable that any material amounts will be paid under these guarantees.

     Generally, the Company indemnifies, under pre-determined conditions and limitations, its customers for infringement of third-party intellectual property rights by its products or services. The Company seeks to limit its liability for such indemnity to an amount not to exceed the sales price of the products or services subject to the Company’s indemnification obligations. The Company does not believe, based on information available, that it is probable that any material amounts will be paid under these guarantees.

     The Company offers standard warranties on its systems that run generally for a period of 12 months from system acceptance, not to exceed 14 months from the date of shipment of the system to the customer. The liability amount is based on actual historical warranty spending activity by type of system, customer, and geographic region, modified for any known differences such as the impact of system reliability improvements.

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     Changes in the Company’s product warranty reserves during the nine months ended March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004, were as follows:

         
    (in thousands)  
Balance at June 29, 2003
  $ 16,985  
Warranties issued during the period
    15,429  
Settlements made during the period
    (11,405 )
Change in liability for pre-existing warranties during the period, including expirations
    (2,851 )
 
     
Balance at March 28, 2004
  $ 18,158  
 
     
         
    (in thousands)  
Balance at June 27, 2004
  $ 28,401  
Warranties issued during the period
    32,383  
Settlements made during the period
    (15,547 )
Change in liability for pre-existing warranties during the period, including expirations
    (6,666 )
 
     
Balance at March 27, 2005
  $ 38,571  
 
     

NOTE 11 — DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING

     The Company carries derivative financial instruments (derivatives) on the balance sheet at their fair values in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (SFAS No. 133). The Company has a policy that allows the use of derivative financial instruments, specifically foreign currency forward exchange rate contracts, to hedge foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on forecasted revenue transactions denominated in Japanese Yen and other foreign currency denominated assets. The Company does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

     The Company’s policy is to attempt to minimize short-term business exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risks using an effective and efficient method to eliminate or reduce such exposures. In the normal course of business, the Company’s financial position is routinely subjected to market risk associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. To protect against the reduction in value of forecasted Japanese Yen-denominated sales, the Company has instituted a foreign currency cash flow hedging program. The Company enters into foreign currency forward exchange rate contracts that generally expire within 12 months, and no later than 24 months. These foreign currency forward exchange contracts are designated as cash flow hedges and are carried on the Company’s balance sheet at fair value with the effective portion of the contracts’ gains or losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently recognized in earnings in the same period the hedged revenue is recognized. Each period, hedges are tested for effectiveness by comparing the change in value of the derivative with the change in the value of the anticipated sales transactions. No gain or loss was recorded in the three and nine month periods ended March 27, 2005 and during the three months ended March 28, 2004 associated with forecasted transactions that failed to occur. A net gain of $0.3 million during the nine months ended March 28, 2004 was recognized in Other Income and Expense associated with cash flow hedges where the original forecasted transactions did not occur within the specified hedge period.

     At March 27, 2005, the Company expects to reclassify the entire amount of $76,000 accumulated in other comprehensive income to earnings during the next 12 months due to the recognition in earnings of the hedged forecasted transactions.

     The Company also enters into foreign currency forward exchange rate contracts to hedge the gains and losses generated by the remeasurement of Japanese Yen-denominated receivable balances. Under SFAS 133, these forward contracts are not designated hedges. Therefore, the change in fair value of these derivatives is recorded into earnings as a component of other income and offsets the change in fair value of the foreign currency denominated intercompany and trade receivables.

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NOTE 12 — RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES

     The Company distinguishes regular operating cost management activities from restructuring activities. Accounting for restructuring activities requires an evaluation of formally committed and approved plans. Restructuring activities have comparatively greater strategic significance and materiality and may involve exit activities, whereas regular cost containment activities are more tactical in nature and are rarely characterized by formal and integrated action plans or exiting a particular product, facility, or service.

     The Company has historically developed plans and incurred restructuring charges to respond to the high level of volatility and, at times, depressed levels of capital investment by the semiconductor industry. The Company systematically reviews its revenue outlook and forecasts and assesses their impact on required employment levels, facilities utilization, and outsourcing activities scope. Based on these evaluations, the Company’s senior management committed to cost reduction and exit activities in the quarters ended March 28, 2004 (the March 2004 Plan), December 28, 2003 (the December 2003 Plan), September 28, 2003 (the September 2003 Plan), June 29, 2003 (the June 2003 Plan), March 30, 2003 (the March 2003 Plan), December 29, 2002 (the December 2002 Plan), December 30, 2001 (the December 2001 Plan), and September 23, 2001 (the September 2001 Plan).

     Prior to the end of each quarter noted above, the Company initiated the announced restructuring activities and management with the proper level of authority approved specific actions under the respective Plan. Severance packages to potentially impacted employees were communicated in enough detail such that the employees could determine their type and amount of benefit. The termination of the affected employees occurred as soon as practical after the restructuring plans were announced. The amount of remaining future lease payments recorded in the restructuring charges include facilities for which a contract was terminated in accordance with its terms and charges for facilities, or a portion of facilities the Company ceased to use. Expenses were based on management’s estimates using known prevailing real estate market conditions at that time based, in part, on the opinions of independent real estate experts. Leasehold improvements relating to the vacated buildings were written off, where these items were determined to have no future economic benefit to the Company and have been abandoned.

     As of March 27, 2005, the overall restructuring reserve balance consisted of the following:

                         
    Severance              
    and              
    Benefits     Facilities     Total  
Fiscal 2004 restructurings
  $     $ 11,789     $ 11,789  
Fiscal 2003 restructurings
          5,394       5,394  
Fiscal 2002 restructurings
    200       6,351       6,551  
Pre-fiscal 2002 restructurings
          612       612  
 
                 
Balance at March 27, 2005
    200       24,146       24,346  
 
                 
Less: portion included in other current liabilities
    200       21,475       21,675  
 
                 
Included in long-term liabilities
  $     $ 2,671     $ 2,671  
 
                 

     The severance and benefits-related balance is anticipated to be utilized by the end of calendar year 2005. The facilities balance consists primarily of lease payments on vacated buildings and is expected to be utilized by the end of fiscal year 2010.

Fiscal 2005 Activity

     During the quarter ended March 27, 2005, the Company recognized additional liabilities of $14.2 million in connection with its guaranteed residual value obligation on certain leased facilities included in prior restructuring plans. During the March 2005 quarter, the Company contacted the lessor regarding the marketing of these facilities for sale. The Company concluded, under the provisions of SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies”, that a liability had been incurred. This transaction resulted in an increase of $10.2 million and $4.0 million to the Company’s Fiscal 2004 and Fiscal 2002 restructuring plans accruals, respectively, as noted in the tables below. These amounts are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Condensed

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Consolidated Balance Sheet as the Company expects payment to occur within the next twelve months.

Fiscal 2004 Restructuring Activities

     The Company’s fiscal 2004 restructuring activities included reducing its workforce by less than 40 employees, primarily in North America and Europe and by vacating selected facilities located in North America and Asia deemed to be no longer necessary to its operations. The employees were from a range of functions and at multiple levels of the organization.

     The Company recorded net restructuring charges during fiscal 2004 of approximately $6.7 million, consisting of severance and benefits for involuntarily terminated employees of $1.2 million, charges for the present value of remaining lease payments on vacated facilities of $2.8 million, and the write-off of related leasehold improvements of $1.6 million. The Company also recorded a charge of approximately $1.0 million due to the cancellation of a lease agreement related to one of its facilities in Japan and $2.1 million for the write-off of related leasehold improvements.

     The Company recognized $1.9 million of additional facilities-related expenses due to changes in estimates of restructuring plans initiated prior to fiscal 2004. Charges during the year were partially offset by the recovery of $1.5 million of previously accrued expenses related to the remaining lease payments on vacated facilities in Japan. Additional offsetting items include recovery of $0.7 million due to lower than previously estimated employee severance and benefits costs and $1.7 million of recovered inventory from unanticipated sales to the Company’s installed base of certain portions of inventory previously written off as part of its September 2001 restructuring. The inventory recovery was recorded as a credit in cost of goods sold.

     The fiscal 2005 restructuring charge of $10.2 million in the table below is for the additional liabilities for unoccupied facilities discussed above in Fiscal 2005 Activity.

     The following is a table summarizing restructuring activities relating to the Company’s fiscal year 2004 restructuring plans:

                         
    Severance              
    and              
    Benefits     Facilities     Total  
Balance at June 27, 2004
  $ 30     $ 2,077     $ 2,107  
Fiscal 2005 restructuring charge
          10,157       10,157  
Cash payments
    (30 )     (445 )     (475 )
 
                 
Balance at March 27, 2005
  $     $ 11,789     $ 11,789  
 
                 

Fiscal 2003 Restructuring Activities

     The Company’s senior management committed to cost reduction and exit activities during fiscal 2003 through its June 2003, March 2003 and December 2002 Plans and recorded restructuring charges during fiscal 2003 of approximately $18.1 million. The Company’s fiscal 2003 restructuring activities included reducing its workforce in North America, Europe, and Asia by approximately 200 people and vacating selected sales and administrative facilities located in North America, Europe, and Asia deemed to be no longer required for its operations. The employees included in the Plans were from a broad range of functions and at multiple levels of the organization, with the majority of the reductions in North America.

     The $18.1 million restructuring charges consisted of $5.7 million of severance and benefits for involuntarily terminated employees and $12.4 million of facilities-related charges. The facilities-related charges consisted of the present value of remaining lease payments on vacated facilities, a loss on the fair value of a vacated facility and the write-off of related leasehold improvements. In June 2003, a lease covering one of the Company’s vacated facilities at its Fremont, California campus was amended, combined, restated, and transferred to a new lessor under a single lease structure. At the time of the amendment, the leased facility’s fair value was less than its original cost by

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approximately $1 million. Accordingly, this amount was recorded as a loss on the fair value of the vacated facility and included in the $18.1 million of restructuring charges.

The following is a table summarizing restructuring activities relating to the Company’s fiscal year 2003 restructuring plans:

                         
    Severance              
    and              
    Benefits     Facilities     Total  
Balance at June 27, 2004
  $ 183     $ 6,451     $ 6,634  
Cash payments
    (183 )     (1,057 )     (1,240 )
 
                 
Balance at March 27, 2005
  $     $ 5,394     $ 5,394  
 
                 

Fiscal 2002 Restructuring Activities

     The Company’s senior management committed to cost reduction and exit activities during fiscal 2002 through its December 2001 and September 2001 Plans and recorded restructuring charges during fiscal 2002 of approximately $54.8 million. The Company’s fiscal 2002 restructuring activities included reducing its workforce in North America, Europe, and Asia by approximately 1,020 people, vacating selected facilities at its Fremont, California campus deemed to be no longer required for its operations, the closure of certain offices in Asia, and discontinuance of the manufacture of specific products within its etch product lines. The employees were from a broad range of functions and at multiple levels of the organization, with approximately 83% from North America and approximately 17% from Europe and Asia Pacific locations.

     The restructuring charges included severance and benefits for involuntarily terminated employees, charges for remaining lease payments on vacated facilities, write-off of related leasehold improvements and fixed assets, and inventory write-downs. The inventory charge of approximately $7.6 million related to the Company’s decision to discontinue manufacture of specific systems within its etch product lines. The Company recovered approximately $1.7 million during fiscal year 2004, $1.0 million during fiscal year 2003, and $0.7 million during fiscal year 2002, from unanticipated subsequent sales of these inventories to its installed base. The Company physically disposed of approximately $1.0 million of this inventory during fiscal 2004 and $2.7 million during fiscal 2003 and 2002. During fiscal 2002, the Company also recovered approximately $1.0 million of the $54.8 million due to lower than estimated employee termination costs of $0.7 million and lower than planned expenses related to a vacated facility of $0.3 million. During fiscal 2004, the Company recorded approximately $0.4 million of additional restructuring charges due to a revision in estimates for one of its vacated facilities and the Company recovered approximately $1.4 million, net, due to the difference between costs previously accrued and actual costs to terminate a lease agreement for a facility for which it entered into a lease cancellation agreement during fiscal 2004.

     During fiscal 2003, the Company recovered approximately $2.7 million for benefits offered that were not utilized by terminated employees and $2.0 million was recovered due to revisions to the net amount of lease payments remaining on vacated facilities. The Company also recorded additional restructuring charges during fiscal 2003 of $3.1 million due to revisions the Company made in sublease assumptions for two of its vacated buildings in Fremont, California, $0.1 million due to additional facility restoration costs, and $0.4 million for revisions that the Company made in its estimates for employee termination costs.

     The fiscal 2005 restructuring charge of $4.0 million in the table below is for the additional liabilities for unoccupied facilities discussed above in Fiscal 2005 Activity.

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The following is a table summarizing restructuring activities relating to the Company’s fiscal year 2002 restructuring plans:

                         
    Severance              
    and              
    Benefits     Facilities     Total  
Balance at June 27, 2004
  $ 389     $ 3,496     $ 3,885  
Fiscal 2005 restructuring charge
          4,044       4,044  
Cash payments
    (189 )     (1,189 )     (1,378 )
 
                 
Balance at March 27, 2005
  $ 200     $ 6,351     $ 6,551  
 
                 

Fiscal 2001 Restructuring Activities

     During the second quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company completed the remaining elements of its restructuring activities under the June 2001 Plan. A final $1.1 million of restructuring charges was recovered due to lower than estimated employee termination costs. The remaining $0.6 million facilities balance as of March 27, 2005 is expected to be paid by January, 2006.

NOTE 13 – STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

     In October, 2004, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to $250 million of Company common stock from the public market or in private purchases. The terms of the repurchase program permit the Company to repurchase shares through September 30, 2007. The Company plans to continue to execute the program. Share repurchases for the nine months ended March 27, 2005 were as follows:

                         
                      Maximum Amount  
      Total Number             of $’s that May Yet  
      of Shares     Total Cost of     Be Purchased Under  
Period   Purchased     Repurchase     the Plan  
    (in thousands)  
Quarter Ending December 26, 2004
        $     $ 250,000  
Quarter Ending March 27, 2005
    2,250       67,793     $ 182,207  
 
                   
Total
    2,250     $ 67,793          
 
                   

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

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

With the exception of historical facts, the statements contained in this discussion are forward-looking statements, which are subject to the Safe Harbor provisions created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to our future revenue, product development, demand, acceptance and market share, competitiveness, gross margins, levels of research and development (R&D), outsourcing plans and operating expenses, tax expenses, our management’s plans and objectives for our current and future operations, management’s plans for repurchasing Company stock pursuant to the authorization of our Board, the effects of our restructurings and consolidation of operations and facilities, our ability to complete contemplated restructurings or consolidations on time or within anticipated costs, the levels of customer spending or R&D activities, general economic conditions and the sufficiency of financial resources to support future operations, and capital expenditures. Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in condition, significance, value and effect, including those discussed below under the heading “Risk Factors” within the section of this report entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), such as our last filed Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 27, 2004, our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 26, 2004, and our current reports on Form 8-K. Such risks, uncertainties and changes in condition, significance, value and effect could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed herein and in ways not readily foreseeable. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof and are based on information currently and reasonably known to us. We undertake no obligation to release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, which may be made to reflect events or circumstances, which occur after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence or effect of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Documents To Review In Connection With Management’s Analysis Of Financial Condition and Results Of Operations

     This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes presented in this Form 10-Q and the financial statements and notes in our last filed Annual Report on Form 10-K as of June 27, 2004 and Form 10-Q for the three and six months ended December 26, 2004 for a full understanding of our financial position and results of operations for the three and nine months ended March 27, 2005.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     Lam Research Corporation (Lam or the Company) is a major supplier of wafer fabrication equipment and services to the world’s semiconductor industry. We actively market and sell product offerings that include single-wafer plasma etch systems with a wide range of applications, wafer cleaning systems, and an array of services designed to optimize the utilization of these systems by our customers.

     The semiconductor industry is cyclical in nature and has historically experienced periodic downturns and upturns. Over recent business cycles, the severity of these fluctuations has increased, and today’s leading indicators of changes in customer investment patterns may not be any more reliable than in prior years. Demand for our equipment can vary significantly from period to period as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, economic conditions, supply, demand, and prices for semiconductors, customer capacity requirements, and our ability to develop and market competitive products. For these and other reasons, our results of operations for the three and nine months ended March 27, 2005 may not necessarily be indicative of future operating results.

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New Orders

     New orders recorded into backlog during fiscal year 2005 were approximately:

                         
Three Months Ended  
March 27,     December 26,     September 26,  
2005     2004     2004  
(in millions)  
$
    315     $ 387     $ 429  

     Regional geographic breakdown of new orders is as follows:

                         
    Three Months Ended  
    March 27,     December 26,     September 26,  
    2005     2004     2004  
North America
    16 %     14 %     20 %
Europe
    19 %     9 %     19 %
Asia Pacific
    29 %     25 %     26 %
Korea
    14 %     40 %     15 %
Japan
    22 %     12 %     20 %

     Indicators of customer demand for wafer processing equipment improved in the quarter ended September 28, 2003 and continued through the quarter ended September 26, 2004. New orders for the quarter ended December 26, 2004 decreased by approximately 10% compared to the quarter ended September 26, 2004. New orders for the quarter ended March 27, 2005 decreased 19% sequentially. The March 2005 quarter sequential decline realized in Korea was tempered by new orders growth in Japan, Europe and Asia Pacific while North America remained essentially flat.

     The basis for recording new orders is defined in our backlog policy. Our policy is to make adjustments to our backlog to reflect, among other things, customer delivery date changes as well as order cancellations. Please refer to Item 1, Business, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended on June 27, 2004 for additional information on our backlog policy. Unshipped orders in backlog were approximately $399 million as of March 27, 2005.

     We expect new orders for the quarter ending June 26, 2005 to remain essentially flat from the quarter ended March 27, 2005.

Revenue

                                         
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    March 27,     December 26,     March 28,     March 27,     March 28,  
    2005     2004     2004     2005     2004  
    (in thousands)     (in thousands)  
Revenue
  $ 349,337     $ 379,800     $ 231,128     $ 1,148,686     $ 606,374  

     Revenue for the quarter ended March 27, 2005 was consistent with our expectations and decreased approximately 8% sequentially as a function of the decline in new orders combined with customer acceptance cycle times around the world. Revenue increased significantly in both the three and nine months ended March 27, 2005 as compared with the same periods in the prior year. These increases reflected an improved market environment which was evidenced by expanded levels of capital investments by semiconductor manufacturers and customer acceptance cycle times. Our deferred revenue balance was $152.8 million as of March 27, 2005. The invoice value of orders

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shipped from backlog to Japanese customers that are not recorded as deferred revenue, until title transfers, was approximately $49 million as of March 27, 2005. These shipments are classified as inventory and carried at cost.

     Our current estimate for revenues for the June 2005 quarter ranges from $340 million to $360 million.

     Regional geographic breakdown of revenue is as follows:

                                         
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    March 27,     December 26,     March 28,     March 27,     March 28,  
    2005     2004     2004     2005     2004  
North America
    17 %     14 %     15 %     15 %     20 %
Europe
    13 %     12 %     19 %     11 %     20 %
Asia Pacific
    17 %     42 %     41 %     41 %     40 %
Korea
    35 %     15 %     12 %     18 %     9 %
Japan
    18 %     17 %     13 %     15 %     11 %

Gross Margin

                                         
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    March 27,     December 26,     March 28,     March 27,     March 28,  
    2005     2004     2004     2005     2004  
    (in thousands, except percentages)     (in thousands, except percentages)  
Gross Margin
  $ 174,570     $ 198,902     $ 106,113     $ 588,233     $ 271,846  
Percent of total revenue
    50.0 %     52.4 %     45.9 %     51.2 %     44.8 %

     Gross margin of 50.0% during the quarter ended March 27, 2005 exceeded our expectations of 48%-49%, primarily as a result of more efficient installation and warranty performance and our focus on field resource utilization. Gross margin during the March 2005 quarter decreased sequentially on lower revenues and a return to a more normal mix of customer configuration choices and material content.

     The increase during both the quarter and nine months ended March 27, 2005 as compared with the same periods in the prior year is primarily due to sales volume growth and improved utilization of factory and field resources. In addition, continued expense control, asset management, and our focus on installation and warranty contributed to the improvement.

     We expect gross margin as a percent of revenue will be approximately 50% in the June 2005 quarter.

Research and Development

                                         
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    March 27,     December 26,     March 28,     March 27,     March 28,  
    2005     2004     2004     2005     2004  
    (in thousands, except percentages)     (in thousands, except percentages)  
Research and Development
  $ 47,226     $ 47,057     $ 42,914     $ 144,641     $ 120,518  
Percent of total revenue
    13.5 %     12.4 %     18.6 %     12.6 %     19.9 %

     We continue to invest significantly in research and development while focusing on opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our spending. Our investments have been aimed at strengthening our product and services portfolio via the introduction of next-generation products as well as enhancing our existing offerings. As expected, R&D expenses for the quarter ended March 27, 2005 were essentially flat as compared with the quarter ended December 26, 2004. The growth in absolute spending levels during the three and nine months ended March 27, 2005 as compared to the same periods in the prior year is primarily due to increases in salary and benefits costs of approximately $1 million and $6 million, respectively, for planned increases of employee base compensation as

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well as roughly $2 million and $10 million, respectively, for incentive-based benefits triggered by higher profits. The remainder of the increase during the nine-month period ended March 27, 2005, as compared to the same period in the prior year, was primarily the result of an increase in R&D supplies expense of approximately $6 million.

Selling, General and Administrative

                                         
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    March 27,     December 26,     March 28,     March 27,     March 28,  
    2005     2004     2004     2005     2004  
    (in thousands, except percentages)     (in thousands, except percentages)  
Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A)
  $ 34,518     $ 43,275     $ 37,218     $ 120,920     $ 105,352  
Percent of total revenue
    9.9 %     11.4 %     16.1 %     10.5 %     17.4 %

     SG&A expenses for the quarter ended March 27, 2005 decreased sequentially primarily as a result of the receipt of a tax refund of $8.0 million, net of professional fees incurred. The California State Board of Equalization issued this refund to us for previously paid sales and use tax. Excluding the tax refund, the underlying SG&A cost structure during the quarter ended March 27, 2005 remained essentially flat as compared with the quarter ended December 26, 2004. The decrease in SG&A expenses during the quarter ended March 27, 2005 as compared with the quarter ended March 28, 2004 includes the net tax refund noted above of $8.0 million, partially offset by increases in salary and benefits costs of approximately $2 million due to planned increases of employee base compensation and headcount increases as well as roughly $3 million due to incentive-based benefits triggered by higher profits.

     Increases during the nine months ended March 27, 2005 as compared with the same period in the prior year include increases in salary and benefits costs of approximately $4 million due to planned increases of employee base compensation as well as roughly $14 million due to incentive-based benefits triggered by higher profits, offset by the $8 million net tax refund noted above and approximately $3 million in compensation expense recorded in the quarter ended September 28, 2003 in connection with the modification of terms of a fixed stock option award previously issued to our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Certain discretionary information technology projects also contributed to the increase.

     We expect total operating expenses (R&D and SG&A) in the June 2005 quarter to be in the range of $93 million to $94 million primarily as a result of accelerated R&D investments in new products and product enhancement programs.

Restructuring Activities

     We distinguish regular operating cost management activities from restructuring activities. Accounting for restructuring activities requires an evaluation of formally committed and approved plans. Restructuring activities have comparatively greater strategic significance and materiality and may involve exit activities, whereas regular cost containment activities are more tactical in nature and are rarely characterized by formal and integrated action plans or exiting a particular product, facility, or service.

     We have historically developed plans and incurred restructuring charges to respond to the high level of volatility and, at times, depressed levels of capital investment by the semiconductor industry. We systematically review our revenue outlook and forecasts and assess their impact on required employment levels, facilities utilization, and outsourcing activities scope. Based on these evaluations, our senior management committed to cost reduction and exit activities in the quarters ended March 28, 2004 (the March 2004 Plan), December 28, 2003 (the December 2003 Plan), September 28, 2003 (the September 2003 Plan), June 29, 2003 (the June 2003 Plan), March 30, 2003 (the March 2003 Plan), December 29, 2002 (the December 2002 Plan), December 30, 2001 (the December 2001 Plan), and September 23, 2001 (the September 2001 Plan).

     Prior to the end of each quarter noted above, we initiated the announced restructuring activities and management

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with the proper level of authority approved specific actions under the respective Plan. Severance packages to potentially impacted employees were communicated in enough detail such that the employees could determine their type and amount of benefit. The termination of the affected employees occurred as soon as practical after the restructuring plans were announced. The amount of remaining future lease payments recorded in the restructuring charges include facilities for which a contract was terminated in accordance with its terms and charges for facilities, or a portion of facilities we ceased to use. Expenses were based on management’s estimates using known prevailing real estate market conditions at that time based, in part, on the opinions of independent real estate experts. Leasehold improvements relating to the vacated buildings were written off, where these items were determined to have no future economic benefit to us and have been abandoned.

As of March 27, 2005, the overall restructuring reserve balance consisted of the following:

                         
    Severance              
    and              
    Benefits     Facilities     Total  
Fiscal 2004 restructurings
  $     $ 11,789     $ 11,789  
Fiscal 2003 restructurings
          5,394       5,394  
Fiscal 2002 restructurings
    200       6,351       6,551  
Pre-fiscal 2002 restructurings
          612       612  
 
                 
Balance at March 27, 2005
    200       24,146       24,346  
 
                 
Less: portion included in other current liabilities
    200       21,475       21,675  
 
                 
Included in long-term liabilities
  $     $ 2,671     $ 2,671  
 
                 

     The severance and benefits-related balance is anticipated to be utilized by the end of calendar year 2005. The facilities balance consists primarily of lease payments on vacated buildings and is expected to be utilized by the end of fiscal year 2010.

Fiscal 2005 Activity

     During the quarter ended March 27, 2005, we recognized additional liabilities of $14.2 million in connection with our guaranteed residual value obligation on certain leased facilities included in prior restructuring plans. During the March 2005 quarter, we contacted the lessor regarding the marketing of these facilities for sale. We concluded, under the provisions of SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies”, that a liability had been incurred. This transaction resulted in an increase of $10.2 million and $4.0 million to our Fiscal 2004 and Fiscal 2002 restructuring plans accruals, respectively, as noted in the tables below. These amounts are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as we expect payment to occur within the next twelve months.

Fiscal 2004 Restructuring Activities

     Our fiscal 2004 restructuring activities included reducing our workforce by less than 40 employees, primarily in North America and Europe and by vacating selected facilities located in North America and Asia deemed to be no longer necessary to our operations. The employees were from a range of functions and at multiple levels of the organization.

     We recorded net restructuring charges during fiscal year 2004 of approximately $6.7 million, consisting of severance and benefits for involuntarily terminated employees of $1.2 million, charges for the present value of remaining lease payments on vacated facilities of $2.8 million, and the write-off of related leasehold improvements of $1.6 million. We also recorded a charge of approximately $1.0 million due to the cancellation of a lease agreement related to one of our facilities in Japan and $2.1 million for the write-off of related leasehold improvements.

     We recognized $1.9 million of additional facilities-related expenses due to changes in estimates of restructuring plans initiated prior to fiscal 2004. Charges during the year were partially offset by the recovery of $1.5 million of

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previously accrued expenses related to the remaining lease payments on vacated facilities in Japan. Additional offsetting items include recovery of $0.7 million due to lower than previously estimated employee severance and benefits costs and $1.7 million of recovered inventory from unanticipated sales to our installed base of certain portions of inventory previously written off as part of our September 2001 restructuring. The inventory recovery was recorded as a credit in cost of goods sold.

     As a result of the fiscal 2004 restructuring activities, we expect quarterly savings, relative to the cost structure immediately preceding the activities, in total expenses of approximately $0.3 million from the March 2004 Plan, $0.7 million from the December 2003 Plan and $0.5 million from the September 2003 Plan. The majority of the savings are expected to be realized within Operating Expenses, mainly Selling, General and Administrative expenses. These estimated savings from the Plans’ discrete actions are primarily related to lower employee payroll, facilities, and depreciation expenses. Actual savings may vary from these forecasts, depending upon future events and circumstances, such as differences in actual sublease income versus estimated amounts. Through March 27, 2005, we believe actual savings from these Plans are largely consistent with original estimated quarterly savings.

     The fiscal 2005 restructuring charge of $10.2 million in the table below is for the additional liabilities for unoccupied facilities discussed above in Fiscal 2005 Activity.

     The following is a table summarizing restructuring activities relating to our fiscal year 2004 restructuring plans:

                         
    Severance              
    and              
    Benefits     Facilities     Total  
Balance at June 27, 2004
  $ 30     $ 2,077     $ 2,107  
Fiscal 2005 restructuring charge
          10,157       10,157  
Cash payments
    (30 )     (445 )     (475 )
 
                 
Balance at March 27, 2005
  $     $ 11,789     $ 11,789  
 
                 

Fiscal 2003 Restructuring Activities

     Our senior management committed to cost reduction and exit activities during fiscal 2003 through our June 2003, March 2003 and December 2002 Plans and recorded restructuring charges of approximately $18.1 million. Our fiscal 2003 restructuring activities included reducing our workforce in North America, Europe, and Asia by approximately 200 people and vacating selected sales and administrative facilities located in North America, Europe, and Asia deemed to be no longer required for our operations. The employees included in the Plans were from a broad range of functions and at multiple levels of the organization, with the majority of the reductions in North America.

     The $18.1 million restructuring charges consisted of $5.7 million of severance and benefits for involuntarily terminated employees and $12.4 million of facilities-related charges. The facilities-related charges consisted of the present value of remaining lease payments on vacated facilities, a loss on the fair value of a vacated facility and the write-off of related leasehold improvements. In June 2003, a lease covering one of our vacated facilities at our Fremont, California campus was amended, combined, restated, and transferred to a new lessor under a single lease structure. At the time of the amendment, the leased facility’s fair value was less than its original cost by approximately $1 million. Accordingly, this amount was recorded as a loss on the fair value of the vacated facility and included in the $18.1 million of restructuring charges.

     As a result of the fiscal 2003 restructuring activities, we expect quarterly savings, relative to the cost structure immediately preceding the activities, of approximately $1.0 million from the June 2003 Plan, $1.0 million from the March 2003 Plan, and $3.0 million from the December 2002 Plan. The majority of the savings were expected to be realized within Operating Expenses, mainly Selling, General and Administrative expenses. These estimated savings were primarily from lower payroll, facilities, and depreciation expenses. Through March 27, 2005, we believe realized savings are consistent with original forecasts. However, other factors may significantly influence our future cost structure and, consequently, partially or totally offset savings from these Plans.

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     The following is a table summarizing restructuring activities relating to our fiscal year 2003 restructuring plans:

                         
    Severance              
    and              
    Benefits     Facilities     Total  
Balance at June 27, 2004
  $ 183     $ 6,451     $ 6,634  
Cash payments
    (183 )     (1,057 )     (1,240 )
 
                 
Balance at March 27, 2005
  $     $ 5,394     $ 5,394  
 
                 

Fiscal 2002 Restructuring Activities

     Our senior management committed to cost reduction and exit activities during fiscal 2002 through our December 2001 and September 2001 Plans and recorded restructuring charges during fiscal 2002 of approximately $54.8 million. Our fiscal 2002 restructuring activities included reducing our workforce in North America, Europe, and Asia by approximately 1,020 people, vacating selected facilities at our Fremont, California campus deemed to be no longer required for our operations, the closure of certain offices in Asia, and discontinuance of the manufacture of specific products within our etch product lines. The employees were from a broad range of functions and at multiple levels of the organization, with approximately 83% from North America and approximately 17% from Europe and Asia Pacific locations.

     The restructuring charges included severance and benefits for involuntarily terminated employees, charges for remaining lease payments on vacated facilities, write-off of related leasehold improvements and fixed assets, and inventory write-downs. The inventory charge of approximately $7.6 million related to our decision to discontinue manufacture of specific systems within our etch product lines. We recovered approximately $1.7 million during fiscal year 2004, $1.0 million during fiscal year 2003, and $0.7 million during fiscal year 2002, from unanticipated subsequent sales of these inventories to our installed base. We physically disposed of approximately $1.0 million of this inventory during fiscal 2004 and $2.7 million during fiscal 2003 and 2002. During fiscal 2002, we also recovered approximately $1.0 million of the $54.8 million due to lower than estimated employee termination costs of $0.7 million and lower than planned expenses related to a vacated facility of $0.3 million. During fiscal 2004, we recorded approximately $0.4 million of additional restructuring charges due to a revision in estimates for one of our vacated facilities and we recovered approximately $1.4 million, net, due to the difference between costs previously accrued and actual costs to terminate a lease agreement for a facility for which we entered into a lease cancellation agreement during fiscal 2004.

     During fiscal 2003, we recovered approximately $2.7 million for benefits offered that were not utilized by terminated employees and $2.0 million was recovered due to revisions to the net amount of lease payments remaining on vacated facilities. We also recorded restructuring charges during fiscal 2003 of $3.1 million due to revisions we made in sublease assumptions for two of our vacated buildings in Fremont, California, $0.1 million due to additional facility restoration costs, and $0.4 million for revisions that we made in our estimates for employee termination costs.

     The fiscal 2005 restructuring charge of $4.0 million in the table below is for the additional liabilities for unoccupied facilities discussed above in Fiscal 2005 Activity.

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     The following is a table summarizing restructuring activities relating to our fiscal year 2002 restructuring plans:

                         
    Severance              
    and              
    Benefits     Facilities     TOTAL  
Balance at June 27, 2004
  $ 389     $ 3,496     $ 3,885  
Fiscal 2005 restructuring charge
          4,044       4,044  
Cash payments
    (189 )     (1,189 )     (1,378 )
 
                 
Balance at March 27, 2005
  $ 200     $ 6,351     $ 6,551  
 
                 

Fiscal 2001 Restructuring Activities

     During the second quarter of fiscal 2003, we completed the remaining elements of our restructuring activities under the June 2001 Plan. A final $1.1 million of restructuring charges was recovered due to lower than estimated employee termination costs. The remaining $0.6 million facilities balance as of March 27, 2005 is expected to be paid by January, 2006.

Other Income, net

     Other income, net consisted of the following:

                                         
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    March 27,     December 26,     March 28,     March 27,     March 28,  
    2005     2004     2004     2005     2004  
    (in thousands)  
Interest income
  $ 4,812     $ 3,189     $ 2,437     $ 10,394     $ 7,387  
Interest expense
    (421 )     (444 )     (627 )     (1,408 )     (1,996 )
Foreign exchange gain (loss)
    (3,353 )     (117 )     258       (3,047 )     (49 )
Debt issue cost amortization
                (425 )           (1,275 )
Charitable contributions
          (1,250 )           (3,250 )      
Other, net
    (395 )     (80 )     (766 )     (740 )     (1,273 )
 
                             
 
  $ 643     $ 1,298     $ 877     $ 1,949     $ 2,794  
 
                             

     The sequential increase in interest income during the quarter ended March 27, 2005 was due primarily to the increase in cash balances while the increase during both the three and nine months ended March 27, 2005 as compared with the same periods in the prior year was primarily the result of an increase in interest rate yields. The increase in foreign exchange losses in both the three and nine months ended March 27, 2005 was primarily due to the Company’s exposure to U.S. dollar denominated assets held by non-U.S. dollar functional subsidiaries where certain foreign currencies, primarily the Taiwan Dollar and Singapore Dollar, strengthened against the U.S. dollar. Interest expense and debt issue cost amortization decreased due to the early retirement of our convertible subordinated 4% notes in June 2004.

Income Tax Expense

     Our effective tax rate was 25% for the three and nine months ended March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004. Our effective tax rate reflects the underlying profitability of the Company, the region where profits are recorded and the respective tax rates imposed. Our fiscal 2005 tax rate estimate is based on our current profitability outlook, including our continued and substantial investments in research and development programs qualifying for R&D tax benefits, and our expectations of earnings from operations in lower-tax jurisdictions throughout the world. We have implemented strategies to, in the longer-term, limit our tax liability on the sale of our products worldwide. These tax

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strategies are structured to align the asset ownership and functions of our various legal entities around the world, with our forecasts of the level, timing, and sources of future revenues and profits.

     On October 22, 2004 the American Jobs Creation Act (AJCA) was signed into law. The AJCA provides for a deduction of 85% of certain non-U.S. earnings that are repatriated to the U.S., as defined in the AJCA. We may elect to apply this provision to qualifying earnings repatriations in either fiscal 2005 or 2006. On January 13, 2005 the U.S. Treasury published Notice 2005-10 providing guidance on the implementation of the repatriation deduction. Based on our current understanding of the AJCA, we believe the range of possible amounts that we may consider for repatriation under this provision is between zero and $500 million. The potential range of related income tax that may be incurred as a result of the repatriation is between zero and $51 million.

Deferred Income Taxes

     We had gross deferred tax assets arising from temporary differences, net operating losses, and tax credit carryforwards of $265.2 million and $303.3 million as of March 27, 2005 and June 27, 2004, respectively. The gross deferred tax assets were offset by deferred tax liabilities of $26.3 million and a valuation allowance of $67.8 million, both as of March 27, 2005 and June 27, 2004. Net deferred tax assets decreased by $38.2 million from June 27, 2004 to March 27, 2005 due to the utilization of net operating loss tax assets against our tax profits. This utilization was partially offset by an increase to our deferred tax assets due to the recognition of $30.4 million in tax benefits related to the exercise of employee stock options during the current fiscal year. Our judgment is that the benefit of these tax deductions are probable to be realized in the current fiscal year thus decreasing the amount of net operating loss we had previously expected to utilize. This entry had the effect of increasing our deferred tax assets as well as additional paid-in capital. Realization of our net deferred tax assets is dependent on future taxable income. We believe it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized; however, ultimate realization could be negatively impacted by market conditions and other variables not known or anticipated at this time. We evaluate the realizability of the deferred tax assets quarterly and will continue to assess the need for additional or less valuation allowances, if any, in subsequent quarters.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain judgments, estimates and assumptions that could affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We based our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other assumptions believed to be applicable, and evaluated them on an on-going basis to ensure they remained reasonable under current conditions. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

     A critical accounting policy is defined as one that has both a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations and requires us to make difficult, complex and/or subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain. We believe that the following critical accounting policies reflect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements.

     Revenue Recognition: We recognize all revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred and title has passed or services have been rendered, the selling price is fixed or determinable, collection of the receivable is reasonably assured, and we have completed our system installation obligations, received customer acceptance or are otherwise released from our installation or customer acceptance obligations. In the event that terms of the sale provide for a lapsing customer acceptance period, we recognize revenue upon the expiration of the lapsing acceptance period or customer acceptance, whichever occurs first. In circumstances where the practices of a customer do not provide for a written acceptance or the terms of sale do not include a lapsing acceptance provision, we recognize revenue where it can be reliably demonstrated that the delivered system meets all of the agreed to customer specifications. In situations with multiple deliverables, revenue is recognized upon the delivery of the separate elements to the customer and when we receive customer acceptance or are otherwise released from our customer acceptance obligations. Consideration from multiple element arrangements is allocated among the separate elements based on their relative fair values, provided the elements have value on a stand alone basis, there is

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objective and reliable evidence of fair value, the arrangement does not include a general right of return relative to the delivered item and delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in our control. The maximum revenue recognized on a delivered element is limited to the amount that is not contingent upon the delivery of additional items. Revenue related to sales of spare parts and system upgrade kits is generally recognized upon shipment. Revenue related to services is generally recognized upon completion of the services requested by a customer order. Revenue for extended maintenance service contracts with a fixed payment amount is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract.

     Inventory Valuation: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using standard costs, which approximate actual costs on a first-in, first-out basis. We maintain a perpetual inventory system and continuously record the quantity on-hand and standard cost for each product, including purchased components, subassemblies and finished goods. We maintain the integrity of perpetual inventory records through periodic physical counts of quantities on hand. Finished goods are reported as inventories until the point of title transfer to the customer. Generally, title transfer is documented in the terms of sale. When the terms of sale do not specify, we assume title transfers when we complete physical transfer of the products to the freight carrier unless other customer practices prevail.

     Standard costs are re-assessed at least annually and reflect achievable acquisition costs, generally the most recent vendor contract prices for purchased parts, currently obtainable assembly and test labor performance levels, and overhead for internally manufactured products. Manufacturing labor and overhead costs are attributed to individual product standard costs at a level planned to absorb spending at average utilization volumes. All intercompany profits related to the sales and purchases of inventory between our legal entities are eliminated from our condensed consolidated financial statements.

     Management evaluates the need to record adjustments for impairment of inventory at least quarterly. Our policy is to assess the valuation of all inventories, including manufacturing raw materials, work-in-process, finished goods and spare parts in each reporting period. Obsolete inventory or inventory in excess of management’s estimated usage requirements over the next 12 to 36 months is written down to its estimated market value, if less than cost. Inherent in the estimates of market value are management’s forecasts related to our future manufacturing schedules, customer demand, technological and/or market obsolescence, general semiconductor market conditions, possible alternative uses and ultimate realization of excess inventory. If future customer demand or market conditions are less favorable than our projections, additional inventory write-downs may be required, and would be reflected in cost of sales in the period the revision is made.

     Warranty: Typically, marketing and selling semiconductor capital equipment includes providing parts and service warranty to customers as part of the overall price of the system. We offer standard warranties for our systems that run generally for a period of 12 months from system acceptance, not to exceed 14 months from shipment of the system to the customer. When appropriate, we record a provision for estimated warranty expenses to cost of sales for each system upon revenue recognition. The amount recorded is based on an analysis of historical activity, which uses factors such as type of system, customer, geographic region, and any known factors such as tool reliability trends. All actual parts and labor costs incurred in subsequent periods are charged to those established reserves through the application of detailed project record keeping.

     Actual warranty expenses are incurred on a system-by-system basis, and may differ from our original estimates. While we periodically monitor the performance and cost of warranty activities, if actual costs incurred are different than our estimates, we may recognize adjustments to provisions in the period in which those differences arise or are identified. Accordingly, actual costs that exceed the estimates are expensed as incurred, and at the same time, additional probable and estimable liabilities may be recorded.

     We do not maintain general or unspecified reserves; all warranty reserves are related to specific systems. Historically, including the three and nine months ended March 27, 2005, all warranty obligations have been determined with reasonable estimates.

     In addition to the provision of standard warranties, we offer customer-paid extended warranty services. Revenues for extended maintenance and warranty services with a fixed payment amount are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract. Related costs are recorded either as incurred or when related liabilities are determined to be probable and estimable.

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     Employee Stock Purchase Plan and Employee Stock Option Plans: We account for our employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) and stock option plans under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25 “Accounting For Stock Issued to Employees” (APB 25) and Interpretation No. 44, “Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation — an Interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25” and make pro forma footnote disclosures as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 148, “Accounting For Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure”, which amends SFAS No. 123, “Accounting For Stock-Based Compensation”. Our ESPP is a non-compensatory plan, and our stock option plans are accounted for using the intrinsic value method under the provisions of APB 25. Please see Recent Accounting Pronouncements below regarding the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R) which will become effective during our quarter ending September 25, 2005.

     Pro forma net income (loss) and pro forma net income (loss) per share disclosed in the footnotes to our condensed consolidated financial statements are estimated using a Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and which are fully transferable. In addition, the Black-Scholes model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including expected stock price volatility and the estimated life of each option. We are currently evaluating all of the variables associated with the valuation of equity compensation including valuation model and volatility.

     Deferred Income Taxes: Deferred income taxes reflect the net effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Realization of our net deferred tax assets is dependent on future taxable income. We believe it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized; however, ultimate realization could be negatively impacted by market conditions and other variables not known or anticipated at this time. In the event that we determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax assets, an adjustment would be charged to earnings in the period such determination is made. Likewise, if we later determine that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets would be realized, then the previously provided valuation allowance would be reversed. Our current valuation allowance of $67.8 million relates to the tax benefit from the exercise of employee stock options and foreign tax credits. When stock option tax benefits are realized, the related deferred tax asset will reverse and a portion of the valuation allowance will also be reversed and credited to capital in excess of par value.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

     In March 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) reached a consensus on recognition and measurement guidance previously discussed under EITF 03-01. The consensus clarifies the meaning of other-than-temporary impairment and its application to investments classified as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity under SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” and investments accounted for under the cost method or the equity method. In September 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a final FASB Staff Position, (FSP) EITF Issue 03-01-1, which indefinitely delays the effective date for the measurement and recognition guidance of EITF 03-01. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting EITF 03-01.

     In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs — An Amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4,” which clarifies the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material (spoilage). We are required to adopt SFAS No. 151 in fiscal year 2006 and its adoption is not expected to have a significant impact on our results of operations or financial position.

     In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment.” This Statement is a revision of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, and supersedes Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and its related implementation guidance. In March, 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No.

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107 (SAB 107) which provides the Staff’s views regarding interactions between SFAS No. 123(R) and certain SEC rules and regulations and provides interpretations of the valuation of share-based payments for public companies. SFAS No. 123(R) requires that compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements. That cost will be measured based on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. This statement is effective for us for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005, with early adoption permitted. SFAS No. 123(R) will be effective for us beginning with the quarter ended September 25, 2005, and we have no plans for early adoption.

     The effects of the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) on our results of operations and financial position are dependent upon a number of factors, including the number of employee stock options outstanding and unvested, the number of stock-based awards which may be granted in the future, the life and vesting features of stock-based awards which may be granted in the future, the future market value and volatility of our stock, movements in the risk free rate of interest, award exercise and forfeiture patterns, and the valuation model used to estimate the fair value of each award. We are currently evaluating all of these variables, including expected volatility, in the design of our equity compensation program as well as the accounting requirements under SFAS No. 123(R) and SAB 107. Accordingly, it is not yet possible to reliably estimate the effect of the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) on our results of operations and financial position. However, we believe that the quarterly expense will range from $4 million to $11 million, net of taxes.

     In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29.” The amendments made by SFAS No. 153 are based on the principle that exchanges of nonmonetary assets should be measured based on the fair value of the assets exchanged. SFAS No. 153 also eliminates the exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a broader exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance. SFAS No. 153 is effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. We will apply its provisions prospectively upon adoption, and its adoption is not expected to have a significant impact on our results of operations or financial position.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     As of March 27, 2005, we had $838.8 million in cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, and restricted cash compared with $541.9 million at June 27, 2004 as a direct result of our profitability and working capital management. During the nine months ended March 27, 2005, cash and cash equivalents increased by $273.1 million, including cash provided by operating activities of $292.0 million and cash provided by financing activities of $23.1 million, partially offset by cash used for investing activities of $46.4 million.

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

     Net cash provided by operating activities of $292.0 million during the nine months ended March 27, 2005, consisted of (in thousands):

         
Net income
  $ 232,815  
Non-cash charges (restructuring, depreciation and amortization)
    33,413  
Income tax benefit of stock option exercises
    30,353  
Net decrease in deferred income taxes
    38,165  
Change in other working capital accounts
    (45,698 )
Other
    2,998  
 
     
 
  $ 292,046  
 
     

     Significant changes in assets and liabilities during the nine months ended March 27, 2005 include an increase of $11.6 million in net accounts receivable reflecting increased sales volumes. To accelerate the collection of cash, we continue to have an agreement with a financial institution that enables us to sell certain U.S. dollar-denominated accounts receivable. The amount of accounts receivable that were sold during the quarter ended March 27, 2005 and remained uncollected as of March 27, 2005 was $35.6 million. Trade payables decreased by $29.2 million due to reduced purchasing activity during the period. Deferred profit decreased by $21.8 million. Accrued liabilities increased by $27.4 million primarily due to increased warranty reserves on higher sales volumes, increased variable-based compensation accruals, and an increase in restructuring reserves related to additional liabilities recorded for facilities included in prior restructuring plans.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

     Net cash used for investing activities during the nine months ended March 27, 2005 was $46.4 million and consisted of net purchases of $27.8 million of short-term investments in addition to net capital expenditures of $18.6 million which consisted primarily of engineering equipment.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

     Net cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended March 27, 2005 was $23.1 million including net proceeds of $90.8 million from the issuance of our common stock from stock option exercises and employee stock purchase plan purchases, partially offset by stock repurchases of $67.8 million.

     In October, 2004, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to $250 million of our common stock from the public market or in private purchases. The terms of the repurchase program will permit us to repurchase shares through September 30, 2007. During the three months ended March 27, 2005 we repurchased 2,250,000 shares of common stock at a total price of $67.8 million. As of March 27, 2005, the total amount available for repurchase under this program was $182.2 million. We expect to continue to purchase shares under this program.

     Given the cyclical nature of the semiconductor equipment industry, we believe that maintaining sufficient liquidity reserves is important to support sustaining levels of investment in R&D and capital infrastructure. Based upon our current business outlook, our levels of cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments at March 27, 2005 are expected to be sufficient to support our presently anticipated levels of operations, investments, and capital expenditures, through at least the next 12 months.

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     In the longer term, liquidity will depend to a great extent on our future revenues and our ability to appropriately manage our costs based on demand for our products. Should additional funding be required, we may need to raise the required funds through borrowings or public or private sales of debt or equity securities. We believe that, in the event of such requirements, we will be able to access the capital markets on terms and in amounts adequate to meet our objectives. However, given the possibility of changes in market conditions or other occurrences, there can be no certainty that such funding will be available in needed quantities or on terms favorable to us.

Commitments

     We have certain obligations, some of which are recorded on our balance sheet and some which are not, to make future payments under various contracts. Obligations are recorded on our balance sheet in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The obligations recorded on our consolidated balance sheet include restructuring liabilities which are outlined in the following table and are discussed below. Our off-balance sheet arrangements include contractual relationships and are presented as operating leases and purchase obligations in the table below. Our contractual cash obligations and commitments relating to these agreements, and our guarantees are included in the following table:

                                 
    Restructuring     Operating     Purchase        
    Liabilities     Leases     Obligations     Total  
    (in thousands)  
Payments due by period:
                               
Less than 1 year
  $ 21,675     $ 15,284     $ 105,691     $ 142,650  
1-3 years
    2,627       18,241       56,746     $ 77,614  
4-5 years
    44       74,938       29,988     $ 104,970  
Over 5 years
          1,027       1,094     $ 2,121  
 
                       
Total
  $ 24,346     $ 109,490     $ 193,519     $ 327,355  
 
                       

Restructuring Liabilities

     Our total restructuring reserves as of March 27, 2005 were $24.3 million, including $0.2 million of severance and benefits-related costs and $24.1 million related to lease payments and minimum residual value guarantees on vacated buildings. Through cash generated from operations, we expect $21.7 million to be paid over the next twelve months and $2.6 million to be paid between fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2010. Please see the related discussion in “Restructuring Activities” within “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Operating Leases

     We lease most of our administrative, R&D and manufacturing facilities, regional sales/service offices and certain equipment under non-cancelable operating leases, which expire at various dates through 2021. Certain of our facility leases for buildings located at our Fremont, California headquarters and certain other facility leases provide us with an option to extend the leases for additional periods. Certain of our facility leases provide for periodic rent increases based on the general rate of inflation.

     In March and June of 2003, lease agreements relating to certain properties at our Fremont, California campus were transferred to a new lessor, amended, combined and restated. As part of the lease agreements, we have the option to purchase the buildings at any time for a total purchase price for all properties related to these leases of approximately $112.5 million. In addition, we are required to guarantee the lessors a residual value on the properties of up to $98.7 million at the end of the lease terms in fiscal 2008 (in the case that the leases are not renewed, we do not exercise the purchase options, the lessor sells the properties and the sale price is less than the lessor’s costs). At the time of the June amendment, one of the leased property’s current fair value was less than its original cost by approximately $1.0 million. The leased property was a building that had been part of our past restructuring

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activities, and the non-cash loss was recorded as a restructuring charge during fiscal 2003. As a result, we recorded a $1.0 million liability for the loss on the leased property. We maintain cash collateral of $112.5 million as part of the lease agreements as of March 27, 2005 in separate, specified interest-bearing accounts which is recorded as restricted cash in our consolidated balance sheet. The lessor under the lease agreements is a substantive independent leasing company that does not have the characteristics of a variable interest entity (VIE) as defined by FASB Interpretation 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”, and is therefore not consolidated by us. The residual value guarantees are included in the table above. During the quarter ended March 27, 2005, we recognized additional liabilities of $14.2 million in connection with our guaranteed residual value obligation on certain leased facilities included in prior restructuring plans. During the March 2005 quarter, we contacted the lessor regarding the marketing of these facilities for sale. We concluded, under the provisions of SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” that a liability had been incurred. This transaction resulted in an increase of $14.2 million to our restructuring liabilities, included in the table above.

     The remaining balance primarily relates to non-cancelable facility-related operating leases expiring at various dates through 2021.

Purchase Obligations

     Purchase obligations consist of significant contractual obligations either on an annual basis or over multi-year periods related to our outsourcing activities or other material commitments, including vendor-consigned inventories. We continue to enter into new agreements and maintain existing agreements to outsource certain activities, including elements of our manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, facilities maintenance, certain information technology functions, and certain transactional general and administrative functions. The contractual cash obligations and commitments table presented above contains our minimum obligations at March 27, 2005 under these arrangements and others. Actual expenditures will vary based on the volume of transactions and length of contractual service provided. In addition to minimum spending commitments, certain of these agreements provide for potential cancellation charges.

     Consignment inventories, which are owned by vendors but located in our discrete storage locations and warehouses, are not reported as Lam inventory until title is transferred to us or our purchase obligation is determined. At March 27, 2005, vendor owned inventories held at our locations and not reported as Lam inventory were approximately $17.0 million.

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Risk Factors

     In addition to the other information in this Form 10-Q, the following risk factors should be carefully considered in evaluating the Company and its business because such factors may significantly impact our business, operating results, and financial condition. As a result of these risk factors, as well as other risks discussed in our other SEC filings, our actual results could differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. No priority or significance is intended, or should be attached, to the order in which the risk factors appear.

Our Quarterly Revenues and Operating Results are Unpredictable

     Our revenues and operating results may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter due to a number of factors, not all of which are in our control. We manage our expense levels based in part on our expectations of future revenues. If revenue levels in a particular quarter do not meet our expectations, our operating results may be adversely affected. Because our operating expenses are based in part on anticipated future revenues, and a certain amount of those expenses are relatively fixed, a change in the timing of recognition of revenue and/or the level of gross profit from a single transaction can unfavorably affect operating results in a particular quarter. Factors that may cause our financial results to fluctuate unpredictably include, but are not limited to:

•   economic conditions in the electronics and semiconductor industry generally and the equipment industry specifically;
 
•   the extent that customers use our products and services in their business;
 
•   timing of customer acceptances of equipment;
 
•   the size and timing of orders from customers;
 
•   customer cancellations or delays in our shipments, installations, and/or acceptances;
 
•   changes in average selling prices and product mix;
 
•   our ability in a timely manner to develop, introduce and market new, enhanced and competitive products;
 
•   our competitors’ introduction of new products;
 
•   legal or technical challenges to our products and technology;
 
•   changes in import/export regulations;
 
•   transportation, communication, demand, information technology or supply disruptions based on factors outside our control such as acts of God, wars, terrorist activities and natural disasters;
 
•   legislative, tax, accounting, or regulatory changes or changes in their interpretation;
 
•   procurement shortages;
 
•   manufacturing difficulties;
 
•   the failure of our suppliers or outsource providers to perform their obligations in a manner consistent with our expectations;
 
•   new or modified accounting regulations; and
 
•   exchange rate fluctuations.

     Further, because a significant amount of our R&D and administrative operations and capacity is located at our Fremont, California campus, natural, physical, logistical or other events or disruptions affecting these facilities (including labor disruptions, earthquakes and power failures) could adversely impact our financial performance.

We Derive Our Revenues Primarily from a Relatively Small Number of High-Priced Systems

     System sales constitute a significant portion of our total revenue. Our systems can typically range in price from approximately $0.4 million to $5.0 million per unit, and our revenues in any given quarter are dependent upon the acceptance of a rather limited number of such systems. As a result, the inability to declare revenue on even a few systems can cause a significant adverse impact on our revenues for that quarter.

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Variations in the Amount of Time it Takes for Our Customers to Accept Our Systems May Cause Fluctuation in Our Operating Results

     We generally recognize revenue for new system sales on the date of customer acceptance or the date the contractual customer acceptance provisions lapse. As a result, the fiscal period in which we are able to recognize new systems revenues may be subject to the length of time that our customers require to evaluate the performance of our equipment after shipment and installation, which could cause our quarterly operating results to fluctuate.

The Semiconductor Equipment Industry Is Volatile and Reduced Product Demand Has a Negative Impact on Shipments

     Our business depends on the capital equipment expenditures of semiconductor manufacturers, which in turn depend on the current and anticipated market demand for integrated circuits and products using integrated circuits. The semiconductor industry is cyclical in nature and historically experiences periodic downturns. Business conditions historically have changed rapidly and unpredictably.

     Fluctuating levels of investment by semiconductor manufacturers could continue to materially affect our aggregate shipments, revenues and operating results. We will attempt to respond to these fluctuations with cost management programs aimed at aligning our expenditures with anticipated revenue streams, which sometimes result in restructuring charges. Even during periods of reduced revenues, we must continue to invest in research and development and maintain extensive ongoing worldwide customer service and support capabilities to remain competitive, which may temporarily harm our financial results.

We Depend on New Products and Processes for Our Success. Consequently, We are Subject to Risks Associated with Rapid Technological Change

     Rapid technological changes in semiconductor manufacturing processes subject us to increased pressure to develop technological advances enabling such processes. We believe that our future success depends in part upon our ability to develop and offer new products with improved capabilities and to continue to enhance our existing products. If new products have reliability or quality problems, our performance may be impacted by reduced orders, higher manufacturing costs, delays in acceptance of and payment for new products, and additional service and warranty expenses. We may be unable to develop and manufacture new products successfully, or new products that we introduce may fail in the marketplace. Our failure to complete commercialization of these new products in a timely manner could result in unanticipated costs and inventory obsolescence, which would adversely affect our financial results.

     In order to develop new products and processes, we expect to continue to make significant investments in R&D and to pursue joint development relationships with customers, suppliers or other members of the industry. We must manage product transitions and joint development relationships successfully, as introduction of new products could adversely affect our sales of existing products. Future technologies, processes or product developments may render our current product offerings obsolete, leaving us with non-competitive products, or obsolete inventory, or both.

We Are Subject to Risks Relating to Product Concentration and Lack of Product Revenue Diversification

     We derive a substantial percentage of our revenues from a limited number of products, and we expect these products to continue to account for a large percentage of our revenues in the near term. Continued market acceptance of our primary products is, therefore, critical to our future success. Our business, operating results, financial condition, and cash flows could therefore be adversely affected by:

•   a decline in demand for even a limited number of our products;
 
•   a failure to achieve continued market acceptance of our key products;
 
•   an improved version of products being offered by a competitor in the market we participate in;
 
•   technological change that we are unable to address with our products; and
 
•   a failure to release new enhanced versions of our products on a timely basis.

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We Have a Limited Number of Key Customers

     Sales to a limited number of large customers constitute a significant portion of our overall revenue. As a result, the actions of even one customer may subject us to revenue swings that are difficult to predict. Similarly, significant portions of our credit risk may, at any given time, be concentrated among a limited number of customers, so that the failure of even one of these key customers to pay its obligations to us could significantly impact our financial results.

We Are Dependent Upon a Limited Number of Key Suppliers

     We obtain certain components and sub-assemblies included in our products from a single supplier or a limited group of suppliers. We have established long-term contracts with many of these suppliers. These long-term contracts can take a variety of forms. We may renew these contracts periodically. In some cases, these suppliers sold us products during at least the last four years, and we expect that we will continue to renew these contracts in the future or that we will otherwise replace them with competent alternative suppliers. However, several of our outsourced assembly suppliers are new providers to us so that our experience with them and their performance is limited. Where practical, our intent is to establish alternative sources to mitigate the risk that the failure of any single supplier will adversely affect our business. Nevertheless, a prolonged inability to obtain certain components could impair our ability to ship products, lower our revenues and thus adversely affect our operating results and result in damage to our customer relationships.

Our Outsource Providers May Fail to Perform as We Expect

     Outsource providers have played and will play key roles in our manufacturing operations and in many of our transactional and administrative functions. Although we aim at selecting reputable providers and secure their performance on terms documented in written contracts, it is possible that one or more of these providers could fail to perform as we expect and such failure could have an adverse impact on our business. In addition, the expansive role of outsource providers has required and will continue to require us to implement changes to our existing operations and to adopt new procedures to deal with and manage the performance of these outsource providers. Any delay or failure in the implementation of our operational changes and new procedures could adversely affect our customer relationships and/or have a negative effect on our operating results.

Once a Semiconductor Manufacturer Commits to Purchase a Competitor’s Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment, the Manufacturer Typically Continues to Purchase That Competitor’s Equipment, Making It More Difficult for Us to Sell our Equipment to That Customer

     Semiconductor manufacturers must make a substantial investment to qualify and integrate wafer processing equipment into a semiconductor production line. We believe that once a semiconductor manufacturer selects a particular supplier’s processing equipment, the manufacturer generally relies upon that equipment for that specific production line application. Accordingly, we expect it to be more difficult to sell to a given customer if that customer initially selects a competitor’s equipment.

We Are Subject to Risks Associated with Our Competitors’ Strategic Relationships and Their Introduction of New Products and We May Lack the Financial Resources or Technological Capabilities of Certain of Our Competitors Needed to Capture Increased Market Share

     We expect to face significant competition from multiple current and future competitors. We believe that other companies are developing systems and products that are competitive to ours and are planning to introduce new products, which may affect our ability to sell our existing products. We face a greater risk if our competitors enter into strategic relationships with leading semiconductor manufacturers covering products similar to those we sell or may develop, as this could adversely affect our ability to sell products to those manufacturers.

     We believe that to remain competitive we will require significant financial resources to offer a broad range of products, to maintain customer service and support centers worldwide, and to invest in product and process R&D. Certain of our competitors have substantially greater financial resources and more extensive engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and customer service and support resources than we do and therefore have the potential

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to increasingly dominate the semiconductor equipment industry. These competitors may deeply discount or give away products similar to those that we sell, challenging or even exceeding our ability to make similar accommodations and threatening our ability to sell those products. For these reasons, we may fail to continue to compete successfully worldwide.

     In addition, our competitors may provide innovative technology that may have performance advantages over systems we currently, or expect to, offer. They may be able to develop products comparable or superior to those we offer or may adapt more quickly to new technologies or evolving customer requirements. In particular, while we currently are developing additional product enhancements that we believe will address future customer requirements, we may fail in a timely manner to complete the development or introduction of these additional product enhancements successfully, or these product enhancements may not achieve market acceptance or be competitive. Accordingly, we may be unable to continue to compete in our markets, competition may intensify, or future competition may have a material adverse effect on our revenues, operating results, financial condition, and/or cash flows.

Our Future Success Depends on International Sales and the Management of Global Operations

     Non-U.S. sales, as a percentage of total revenue, accounted for approximately 82% in fiscal 2004, 72% in fiscal 2003 and 71% in fiscal 2002. We expect that international sales will continue to account for a significant portion of our total revenue in future years. We are subject to various challenges related to the management of global operations, and international sales are subject to risks including, but not limited to:

•   trade balance issues;
 
•   regional economic and political conditions;
 
•   changes in currency controls;
 
•   differences in the enforcement of intellectual property and contract rights in varying jurisdictions;
 
•   ability to develop relationships with local suppliers;
 
•   compliance with U.S. and international laws and regulations, including U.S. export restrictions;
 
•   fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates; and
 
•   the need for technical support resources in different locations.

     Our international sales depend, in large part, on our ability to obtain export licenses from the U.S. Government. Our failure or inability to obtain such licenses would substantially limit our markets and severely restrict our revenues. Many of the challenges noted above are applicable in China, which is a fast developing market for the semiconductor equipment industry and therefore an area of potential significant growth for our business. As the business volume between China and the rest of the world grows, there is inherent risk, based on the complex relationships between China, Taiwan and the United States, that political and diplomatic influences might lead to trade disruptions which would adversely affect our business with China and/or Taiwan and perhaps the entire Asia-Pacific region. A significant trade disruption in these areas could have a material, adverse impact on our future revenue and profits.

     We currently enter into foreign currency forward contracts to minimize the short-term impact of exchange rate fluctuations on Japanese Yen-denominated assets and will continue to enter into hedging transactions for the purposes outlined in the foreseeable future.

Our financial results may be adversely impacted by higher than expected tax rates or exposure to additional income tax liabilities

     As a global company, our effective tax rate is highly dependent upon the geographic composition of worldwide earnings and tax regulations governing each region. We are subject to income taxes in both the United States and various foreign jurisdictions, and significant judgment is required to determine worldwide tax liabilities. Our effective tax rate could be adversely affected by changes in the split of earnings between countries with differing statutory tax rates, in the valuation of deferred tax assets, in tax laws or by material audit assessments, which could affect our profitability. In particular, the carrying value of deferred tax assets, which are predominately in the United States, is dependent on our ability to generate future taxable income in the United States. In addition, the amount of income taxes we pay is subject to ongoing audits in various jurisdictions, and a material assessment by a governing

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tax authority could affect our profitability. Further, if we elect to repatriate cash held outside the United States pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, our tax rate may increase even if by a lesser amount than without such legislation.

A Failure to Comply with Environmental Regulations May Adversely Affect Our Operating Results

     We are subject to a variety of governmental regulations related to the discharge or disposal of toxic, volatile or otherwise hazardous chemicals. We believe that we are in general compliance with these regulations and that we have obtained (or will obtain or are otherwise addressing) all necessary environmental permits to conduct our business. These permits generally relate to the disposal of hazardous wastes. Nevertheless, the failure to comply with present or future regulations could result in fines being imposed on us, suspension of production, cessation of our operations or reduction in our customers’ acceptance of our products. These regulations could require us to alter our current operations, to acquire significant equipment or to incur substantial other expenses to comply with environmental regulations. Our failure to control the use, sale, transport or disposal of hazardous substances could subject us to future liabilities.

If We Are Unable to Adjust the Scale of Our Business in Response to Rapid Changes in Demand in the Semiconductor Equipment Industry, Our Operating Results and Our Ability to Compete Successfully May Be Impaired

     The business cycle in the semiconductor equipment industry is characterized by frequent periods of rapid change in demand that challenge our management to adjust spending on operating activities. During periods of rapid growth or decline in demand for our products and services, we face significant challenges in maintaining adequate financial and business controls, management processes, information systems and procedures and in training, managing, and appropriately sizing our work force and other components of our business on a timely basis. Our success will depend, to a significant extent, on the ability of our executive officers and other members of our senior management to identify and respond to these challenges effectively. If we do not adequately meet these challenges, our gross margins and earnings may be impaired during periods of demand decline, and we may lack the infrastructure and resources to scale up our business to meet customer expectations and compete successfully during periods of demand growth.

If We Choose to Acquire or Dispose of Product Lines and Technologies, We May Encounter Unforeseen Costs and Difficulties That Could Impair Our Financial Performance

     An important element of our management strategy is to review acquisition prospects that would complement our existing products, augment our market coverage and distribution ability, or enhance our technological capabilities. As a result, we may make acquisitions of complementary companies, products or technologies, or we may reduce or dispose of certain product lines or technologies, which no longer fit our long-term strategies. Managing an acquired business, disposing of product technologies or reducing personnel entails numerous operational and financial risks, including difficulties in assimilating acquired operations and new personnel or separating existing business or product groups, diversion of management’s attention away from other business concerns, amortization of acquired intangible assets and potential loss of key employees or customers of acquired or disposed operations among others. There can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve and manage successfully any such integration of potential acquisitions, disposition of product lines or technologies, or reduction in personnel or that our management, personnel, or systems will be adequate to support continued operations. Any such inabilities or inadequacies could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition, and cash flows.

     In addition, any acquisitions could result in changes such as potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities, the amortization of related intangible assets, and goodwill impairment charges, any of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations and/or the price of our Common Stock.

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The Market for Our Common Stock is Extremely Volatile, Which May Affect Our Ability to Raise Capital or Make Acquisitions

     The market price for our Common Stock is extremely volatile and has fluctuated significantly over the past years. The trading price of our Common Stock could continue to be highly volatile and fluctuate widely in response to factors, including but not limited to the following:

•   general market, semiconductor, or semiconductor equipment industry conditions;
 
•   global economic fluctuations;
 
•   variations in our quarterly operating results;
 
•   variations in our revenues or earnings from levels that securities analysts forecast;
 
•   announcements of restructurings, technological innovations, reductions in force, departure of key employees, consolidations of operations, or introduction of new products;
 
•   government regulations;
 
•   developments in, or claims relating to, patent or other proprietary rights;
 
•   success or failure of our new and existing products;
 
•   disruptions with key customers or suppliers; or
 
•   political, economic, or environmental events occurring globally or in any of our key sales regions.

     In addition, the stock market experiences significant price and volume fluctuations. Historically, we have witnessed significant volatility in the price of our Common Stock due in part to the actual or anticipated movement in interest rates and the price of and markets for semiconductors. These broad market and industry factors have and may again adversely affect the price of our Common Stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. In the past, following volatile periods in the price of stock, many companies became the object of securities class action litigation. If we are sued in a securities class action, we could incur substantial costs, and it could divert management’s attention and resources and have an unfavorable impact on the price for our Common Stock.

We Rely Upon Certain Critical Information Systems for the Operation of our Business

     We maintain and rely upon certain critical Information Systems for the effective operation of our business. These Information Systems include telecommunications, the internet, our corporate intranet, various computer hardware and software applications, network communications, and e-mail. These Information Systems may be owned by us or by our outsource providers or even third parties such as vendors and contractors and may be maintained by us or by such providers and third parties. These Information Systems are subject to attacks, failures, and access denials from a number of potential sources including viruses, destructive or inadequate code, power failures, and physical damage to computers, hard drives, communication lines, and networking equipment. To the extent that these Information Systems are under our control, we have implemented security procedures, such as virus protection software and emergency recovery processes, to address the outlined risks; however, security procedures for Information Systems cannot be guaranteed to be failsafe and our inability to use or access these Information Systems at critical points in time could unfavorably impact the timely and efficient operation of our business.

The Potential Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Certificate of Incorporation May Inhibit a Change of Control Desired by Some of Our Stockholders

     Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes issuance of 5,000,000 shares of undesignated Preferred Stock. Our Board of Directors, without further stockholder approval, may issue this Preferred Stock on such terms as the Board of Directors may determine, which also could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of Lam. The issuance of Preferred Stock could also adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our Common Stock, including causing the loss of voting control. Moreover, Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law restricts certain business combinations with “interested stockholders”, as defined by that statute. Such factors might deter certain acquirers from making takeover proposals or tender offers, even if such takeover proposals or control changes could improve our short-term stock price.

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Intellectual Property and Other Claims Against Us Can Be Costly and Could Result in the Loss of Significant Rights Which Are Necessary to Our Continued Business and Profitability

     Third parties may assert infringement, unfair competition or other claims against us. From time to time, other parties send us notices alleging that our products infringe their patent or other intellectual property rights. In addition, our Bylaws and indemnity obligations provide that we will indemnify officers and directors against losses that they may incur in legal proceedings resulting from their service to Lam. In such cases, it is our policy either to defend the claims or to negotiate licenses or other settlements on commercially reasonable terms. However, we may be unable in the future to negotiate necessary licenses or reach agreement on other settlements on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, and any litigation resulting from these claims by other parties may materially adversely affect our business and financial results.

We May Fail to Protect Our Proprietary Technology Rights, Which Would Affect Our Business

     Our success depends in part on our proprietary technology. While we attempt to protect our proprietary technology through patents, copyrights and trade secret protection, we believe that our success also depends on increasing our technological expertise, continuing our development of new systems, increasing market penetration and growth of our installed base, and providing comprehensive support and service to our customers. However, we may be unable to protect our technology in all instances, or our competitors may develop similar or more competitive technology independently. We currently hold a number of United States and foreign patents and pending patent applications. However, other parties may challenge or attempt to invalidate or circumvent any patents the United States or foreign governments issue to us or these governments may fail to issue patents for pending applications. In addition, the rights granted or anticipated under any of these patents or pending patent applications may be narrower than we expect or, in fact provide no competitive advantages.

Compliance with Internal Control Attestation and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Independence

     Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we will be required, beginning with our fiscal year ending June 26, 2005, to include in our annual report our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and our audited financial statements as of the end of fiscal 2005. Furthermore, our independent registered public accounting firm (Firm) will be required to attest to whether our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting is fairly stated in all material respects and separately report on whether it believes we maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 26, 2005. We have not yet completed our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control. If we fail to timely complete this assessment, or if our independent registered public accounting firm cannot timely attest to our assessment, we could be subject to regulatory sanctions and a loss of public confidence in our internal control. In addition, any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to timely meet our regulatory reporting obligations.

     Our independent registered public accounting firm communicates with us at least annually regarding any relationships between the Firm and the Company that, in the Firm’s professional judgment, might have a bearing on the Firm’s independence with respect to the Company. If, for whatever reason, our independent registered public accounting firm finds that it cannot confirm that it is independent of the Company based on existing securities laws and registered public accounting firm independence standards, we could experience delays or other failures to meet our regulatory reporting obligations.

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ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     For financial market risks related to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, refer to Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 27, 2004.

     Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio and synthetic leases. We maintain a conservative investment policy, which focuses on the safety and preservation of our invested funds by limiting default risk, market risk, and reinvestment risk. We mitigate default risk by investing in high credit quality securities and by constantly positioning our portfolio to respond appropriately to a significant reduction in a credit rating of any investment issuer or guarantor. The portfolio includes only marketable securities with active secondary or resale markets to achieve portfolio liquidity and maintain a prudent amount of diversification.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

     As required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b), as of the close of our quarter ended March 27, 2005, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e). Based upon that evaluation, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer along with our Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level.

     We intend to review and evaluate the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures on an ongoing basis and to correct any material deficiencies that we may discover. Our goal is to ensure that our senior management has timely access to material information that could affect our business. While we believe the present design of our disclosure controls and procedures is effective to achieve our goal, future events affecting our business may cause us to modify our disclosure controls and procedures. The effectiveness of controls cannot be absolute because the cost to design and implement a control to identify errors or mitigate the risk of errors occurring should not outweigh the potential loss caused by the errors that would likely be detected by the control. Moreover, we believe that disclosure controls and procedures cannot be guaranteed to be 100% effective all of the time. Accordingly, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

     From time to time, we have received notices from third parties alleging infringement of such parties’ patent or other intellectual property rights by our products. In such cases it is our policy to defend the claims, or if considered appropriate, negotiate licenses on commercially reasonable terms. However, no assurance can be given that we will be able in the future to negotiate necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, or that any litigation resulting from such claims would not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or operating results.

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

     In October, 2004, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to $250 million of Company common stock from the public market or in private purchases. The terms of the repurchase program permit us to repurchase shares through September 30, 2007. We plan to continue to execute the program. Share repurchases for the nine months ended March 27, 2005 were as follows:

                         
                    Maximum Amount  
    Total Number             of $’s that May Yet  
    of Shares     Total Cost of     Be Purchased Under  
Period   Purchased     Repurchase     the Plan  
    (in thousands)  
     
Quarter Ending December 26, 2004
        $     $ 250,000  
Quarter Ending March 27, 2005
    2,250       67,793     $ 182,207  
 
                   
Total
    2,250     $ 67,793          
 
                   

ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

ITEM 5. Other Information

     As noted in Note 12 – “Restructuring Activities” in Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as well as in “Restructuring Activities” within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, during the quarter ended March 27, 2005, we recognized additional liabilities of $14.2 million in connection with our guaranteed residual value obligation on certain leased facilities included in prior restructuring plans. During the March 2005 quarter, we contacted the lessor regarding the marketing of these facilities for sale. We concluded, under the provisions of SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies”, a liability had been incurred. This transaction resulted in an increase of $10.2 million and $4.0 million to our Fiscal 2004 and Fiscal 2002 restructuring plans accruals, respectively. These amounts are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as we expect payment to occur within the next twelve months.

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ITEM 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   (a) Exhibits

     
11.1
  Third Amended and Restated Uncommitted Insured Trade Receivables Purchase Agreement between Lam Research Corporation, Lam Research International SARL and ABN Amro Bank N.V., dated March 22, 2005
 
   
11.2
  Third Amended and Restated Guaranty between Lam Research Corporation and ABN Amro Bank N.V., dated March 22, 2005
 
   
31.1
  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Principal Executive Officer)
 
   
31.2
  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Principal Financial Officer)
 
   
32.1
  Section 1350 Certification (Principal Executive Officer)
 
   
32.2
  Section 1350 Certification (Principal Financial Officer)

   (b) Reports on Form 8-K

     On February 23, 2005, Lam Research Corporation (the Company) filed a current report on Form 8-K announcing the adoption of executive incentive plan performance goals for the first half of calendar year 2005 for its named officers other than the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer. The Company also announced that its Board of Directors unanimously voted to amend and terminate its Stockholder Rights Plan. Additionally, the Company announced that its Board of Directors unanimously voted to amend the Company’s bylaws including an increase of the Board size to seven. The Company also announced that its Board of Directors had appointed Dr. Seiichi Watanabe to fill the newly-created directorship on the Board.

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LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION

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.

Date: May 5, 2005

     
 
  LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
 
   
  (Registrant)
  /s/ Martin B. Anstice
  Martin B. Anstice
  Vice President, Finance,
  Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

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EXHIBIT INDEX

     
Exhibit    
Number   Description
11.1
  Third Amended and Restated Uncommitted Insured Trade Receivables Purchase Agreement between Lam Research Corporation, Lam Research International SARL and ABN Amro Bank N.V., dated March 22, 2005
 
   
11.2
  Third Amended and Restated Guaranty between Lam Research Corporation and ABN Amro Bank N.V., dated March 22, 2005
 
   
31.1
  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Principal Executive Officer)
 
   
31.2
  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Principal Financial Officer)
 
   
32.1
  Section 1350 Certification (Principal Executive Officer)
 
   
32.2
  Section 1350 Certification (Principal Financial Officer)

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