Business Wire | Aug 18, 2020 04:01PM EDT

Cree Reports Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2020

Aug. 18, 2020

DURHAM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 18, 2020--Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE) today announced revenue of $205.7 million for its fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, ended June 28, 2020. This represents an 18% decrease compared to revenue of $251.2 million reported for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, and a 5% decrease compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2020. GAAP net loss from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest for the fourth quarter was $39.5 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, compared to GAAP net loss from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest of $34.5 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. On a non-GAAP basis, net loss from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 was $20.0 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, compared to non-GAAP net income from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 of $11.6 million, or $0.11 per diluted share.

For fiscal year 2020, Cree reported revenue of $903.9 million, which represents a 16% decrease when compared to revenue of $1,080.0 million for fiscal 2019. GAAP net loss attributable to controlling interest from continuing operations was $191.7 million, or $1.78 per diluted share. This compares to a GAAP net loss attributable to controlling interest from continuing operations of $57.9 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, for fiscal 2019. On a non-GAAP basis, net loss from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest for fiscal year 2020 was $49.1 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, compared to non-GAAP net income from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest of $76.9 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, for fiscal 2019.

"Our performance in the fourth quarter demonstrates solid execution despite the unprecedented challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic and geopolitical concerns. I would like to thank all our employees for their tremendous efforts in allowing us to safely operate our business and support our customers around the world," said Cree CEO, Gregg Lowe. "Fiscal 2020 marked a transition year in our journey to become a global semiconductor powerhouse and we remain firmly committed to our capacity expansion plans to capitalize on what we believe to be a multi-decade growth opportunity for silicon carbide."

Business Outlook

For its first quarter of fiscal 2021, Cree targets revenue in a range of $203 million to $217 million. GAAP net loss is targeted at $83 million to $87 million, or $0.76 to $0.79 per diluted share. Non-GAAP net loss is targeted to be in a range of $22 million to $26 million, or $0.20 to $0.24 per diluted share. Targeted non-GAAP net loss excludes $61 million of estimated expenses, net of tax, related to stock-based compensation expense, amortization or impairment of acquisition-related intangibles, factory optimization restructuring and start-up costs, net accretion on convertible notes, and project, transformation, transaction and transition costs. The GAAP and non-GAAP targets do not include any estimated change in the fair value of Cree's Lextar investment.

Quarterly Conference Call:

Cree will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time today to review the highlights of the fourth quarter results and the fiscal first quarter 2021 business outlook, including significant factors and assumptions underlying the targets noted above.

The conference call will be available to the public through a live audio web broadcast via the Internet. For webcast details, visit Cree's website at investor.cree.com/events.cfm.

Supplemental financial information, including the non-GAAP reconciliation attached to this press release, is available on Cree's website at investor.cree.com/results.cfm.

About Cree, Inc.

Cree is an innovator of Wolfspeed(r) power and radio frequency (RF) semiconductors and lighting class LEDs. Cree's Wolfspeed product families include silicon carbide materials, power-switching devices and RF devices targeted for applications such as electric vehicles, fast charging inverters, power supplies, telecom and military and aerospace. Cree's LED product families include blue and green LED chips, high-brightness LEDs and lighting-class power LEDs targeted for indoor and outdoor lighting, video displays, transportation and specialty lighting applications.

For additional product and Company information, please refer to www.cree.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

This press release highlights the Company's financial results on both a GAAP and a non-GAAP basis. The GAAP results include certain costs, charges and expenses that are excluded from non-GAAP results. By publishing the non-GAAP measures, management intends to provide investors with additional information to further analyze the Company's performance, core results and underlying trends. Cree's management evaluates results and makes operating decisions using both GAAP and non-GAAP measures included in this press release. Non-GAAP results are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and non-GAAP information should be considered a supplement to, and not a substitute for, financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Investors and potential investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures attached to this press release.

Forward Looking Statements:

The schedules attached to this release are an integral part of the release. This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that may cause Cree's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements about our plans to grow the Wolfspeed business and our ability to achieve our targets for the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including but not limited to, risks relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of new and different government restrictions that limit our ability to do business, the risk of infection in our workforce and subsequent impact on our ability to conduct business, the risk that our supply chain or customer demand may continue to be negatively impacted, the risk that the current outbreak or continued spread will lead to a global recession and the potential for costs associated with our operations during the fiscal 2021 first quarter and future quarters to be greater than we anticipate as a result of all of these factors; the risk that the economic and political uncertainty caused by the tariffs imposed by the United States on Chinese goods, and corresponding Chinese tariffs and currency devaluation in response, may negatively impact demand for our products; risks related to international sales and purchases, including the risk that U.S. government actions with respect to Huawei Technologies Co. and its affiliates or other foreign customers or vendors may have a greater impact on our business and results of operations than our expectations; the risk that we may not obtain sufficient orders to achieve our targeted revenues; price competition in key markets; the risk that we may experience production difficulties that preclude us from shipping sufficient quantities to meet customer orders or that result in higher production costs, lower yields and lower margins; our ability to lower costs; the risk that our results will suffer if we are unable to balance fluctuations in customer demand and capacity, including bringing on additional capacity on a timely basis to meet customer demand; the risk that longer manufacturing lead times may cause customers to fulfill their orders with a competitor's products instead; product mix; risks associated with the ramp-up of production of our new products, and our entry into new business channels different from those in which we have historically operated; risks associated with our factory optimization plan and construction of a new fabrication facility, including design and construction delays and cost overruns, issues in installing and qualifying new equipment and ramping production, poor production process yields and quality control, and potential increases to our restructuring costs; the risk that we or our channel partners are not able to develop and expand customer bases and accurately anticipate demand from end customers, which can result in increased inventory and reduced orders as we experience wide fluctuations in supply and demand; ongoing uncertainty in global economic conditions, infrastructure development or customer demand that could negatively affect product demand, collectability of receivables and other related matters as consumers and businesses may defer purchases or payments, or default on payments; risks resulting from the concentration of our business among few customers, including the risk that customers may reduce or cancel orders or fail to honor purchase commitments; the risk that our investments may experience periods of significant stock price volatility causing us to recognize fair value losses on our investment; the risk posed by managing an increasingly complex supply chain that has the ability to supply a sufficient quantity of raw materials, subsystems and finished products with the required specifications and quality; the risk we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings if our remaining goodwill or amortizable assets become impaired; risks relating to confidential information theft or misuse, including through cyber-attacks or cyber intrusion; our ability to complete development and commercialization of products under development, such as our pipeline of Wolfspeed products, improved LED chips and LED components; the rapid development of new technology and competing products that may impair demand or render our products obsolete; the potential lack of customer acceptance for our products; risks associated with ongoing litigation; the risk that customers do not maintain their favorable perception of our brand and products, resulting in lower demand for our products; risks associated with integration or transition of the operations, systems and personnel of the Lighting Products business unit, each, as applicable, within the terms of the post-closing transition services agreement between IDEAL Industries, Inc. and Cree; the risk that our products fail to perform or fail to meet customer requirements or expectations, resulting in significant additional costs; and other factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, and subsequent reports filed with the SEC. These forward-looking statements represent Cree's judgment as of the date of this release. Except as required under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, Cree disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, developments, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

Cree(r) and Wolfspeed(r) are registered trademarks of Cree, Inc.

CREE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

Three months ended Twelve months ended

(in millions of U.S. Dollars, June 28, June 30, June 28, June 30,except per share data) 2020 2019 2020 2019

Revenue, net $205.7 $251.2 $903.9 $1,080.0

Cost of revenue, net 154.9 162.5 655.6 689.0

Gross profit 50.8 88.7 248.3 391.0

Gross margin percentage 25 % 35 % 27 % 36 %



Operating expenses:

Research and development 46.5 40.7 184.2 157.9

Sales, general and 51.3 57.1 211.4 200.7 administrative

Amortization or impairment of 3.6 3.9 14.5 15.6 acquisition-related intangibles

(Gain) loss on disposal or (0.5) (1.1) 1.4 4.7 impairment of other assets

Other operating expense 14.2 13.7 46.2 28.0

Operating loss (64.3) (25.6) (209.4) (15.9)

Operating (loss) income (31) % (10) % (23) % (1) %percentage



Non-operating (income) expense, (26.8) 5.6 (19.0) 29.3 net

Loss before income taxes (37.5) (31.2) (190.4) (45.2)

Income tax expense (benefit) 1.4 3.4 0.2 12.7

Net loss from continuing (38.9) (34.6) (190.6) (57.9) operations

Net loss from discontinued - (99.2) - (317.2) operations

Net loss (38.9) (133.8) (190.6) (375.1)

Net income (loss) attributable 0.6 (0.1) 1.1 - to noncontrolling interest

Net loss attributable to ($39.5) ($133.7) ($191.7) ($375.1) controlling interest



Basic and diluted loss per share

Continuing operationsattributable to controlling ($0.36) ($0.33) ($1.78) ($0.56) interest

Net loss attributable to ($0.36) ($1.26) ($1.78) ($3.62) controlling interest



Weighted average shares - basic 108,585 105,922 107,935 103,576 and diluted (in thousands)

CREE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)

(in millions of U.S. Dollars) June 28, 2020 June 30, 2019

Assets

Current assets:

Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term $1,251.7 $1,051.4 investments

Accounts receivable, net 114.0 128.9

Inventories 179.1 187.4

Income taxes receivable 6.6 0.2

Prepaid expenses 26.3 23.3

Other current assets 13.8 19.7

Current assets held for sale 1.3 1.9

Total current assets 1,592.8 1,412.8

Property and equipment, net 831.1 625.2

Goodwill 530.0 530.0

Intangible assets, net 179.6 197.9

Other long-term investments 55.9 39.5

Deferred tax assets 6.3 5.6

Other assets 35.3 5.9

Total assets $3,231.0 $2,816.9



Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable and accrued expenses $220.8 $200.9

Accrued contract liabilities 38.3 45.8

Income taxes payable 3.2 3.0

Finance lease liabilities 3.6 -

Other current liabilities 25.3 18.5

Total current liabilities 291.2 268.2



Long-term liabilities:

Convertible notes, net 783.8 469.1

Deferred tax liabilities 1.8 2.0

Finance lease liabilities - long-term 11.4 -

Other long-term liabilities 53.6 36.4

Total long-term liabilities 850.6 507.5



Shareholders' equity:

Common stock 0.1 0.1

Additional paid-in-capital 3,106.2 2,874.1

Accumulated other comprehensive income 16.0 9.5

Accumulated deficit (1,039.2) (847.5)

Total shareholders' equity 2,083.1 2,036.2

Non-controlling interest 6.1 5.0

Total equity 2,089.2 2,041.2

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $3,231.0 $2,816.9

CREE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

Twelve months ended

(in millions of U.S. Dollars) June 28, June 30, 2020 2019

Operating activities:

Net loss from continuing operations ($190.6) ($57.9)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization 123.9 122.4

Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount 26.3 18.3

Gain on partial extinguishment of debt (11.0) -

Stock-based compensation 53.3 49.6

Loss on disposal or impairment of long-lived assets 4.7 4.7

Amortization of premium/discount on investments 1.7 2.3

Realized (gain) loss on sale of investments (2.0) 0.1

(Gain) loss on equity investment (14.2) 16.2

Foreign exchange (gain) loss on equity investment (2.2) 1.3

Deferred income taxes (0.9) (0.6)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable, net 14.9 9.6

Inventories 9.9 (35.8)

Prepaid expenses and other assets (1.0) (3.1)

Accounts payable, trade (16.3) 29.3

Accrued salaries and wages and other liabilities (25.4) 42.2

Accrued contract liabilities (0.1) 21.6

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of (29.0) 220.2 continuing operations

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of - (17.9) discontinued operations

Cash (used in) provided by operating activities (29.0) 202.3

Investing activities:

Purchases of property and equipment (237.1) (131.3)

Purchases of patent and licensing rights (7.2) (6.3)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 2.6 0.3

Purchases of short-term investments (833.4) (517.2)

Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments 460.6 177.4

Proceeds from sale of short-term investments 127.6 46.4

Proceeds from sale of business, net - 219.0

Net cash used in investing activities of continuing (486.9) (211.7) operations

Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued - (15.4) operations

Cash used in investing activities (486.9) (227.1)

Financing activities:

Proceeds from long-term debt borrowings - 95.0

Payments on long-term debt borrowings, including finance (145.1) (387.0) lease obligations

Proceeds from issuance of common stock 76.4 158.0

Tax withholding on vested equity awards (16.9) (21.6)

Proceeds from convertible notes 575.0 575.0

Payments of debt issuance costs (13.6) (12.9)

Incentive-related refundable escrow deposits (11.5) -

Cash provided by financing activities 464.3 406.5

Effects of foreign exchange changes on cash and cash (0.1) (0.1) equivalents

Net change in cash and cash equivalents (51.7) 381.6

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 500.5 118.9

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $448.8 $500.5

CREE, INC. FINANCIAL RESULTS BY OPERATING SEGMENT (unaudited)

The following tables reflect the results of the Company's reportable segments as reviewed by the Company's Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM), for the three and twelve months ended June 28, 2020 and June 30, 2019. The CODM does not review inter-segment transactions when evaluating segment performance and allocating resources to each segment. As such, total segment revenue is equal to the Company's consolidated revenue.

Three months ended

(in millions of U.S. Dollars, except June 28, June 30, Changepercentages) 2020 2019

Wolfspeed revenue $108.4 $134.2 ($25.8) (19) %

Wolfspeed percent of revenue 53 % 53 %

LED Products revenue 97.3 117.0 (19.7) (17) %

LED Products percent of revenue 47 % 47 %

Total revenue $205.7 $251.2 ($45.5) (18) %

Twelve months ended

(in millions of U.S. Dollars, June 28, June 30, Changeexcept percentages) 2020 2019

Wolfspeed revenue $470.7 $538.2 ($67.5) (13) %

Wolfspeed percent of revenue 52 % 50 %

LED Products revenue 433.2 541.8 (108.6) (20) %

LED Products percent of revenue 48 % 50 %

Total revenue $903.9 $1,080.0 ($176.1) (16) %

Three months ended

(in millions of U.S. Dollars, except June Junepercentages) 28, 30, Change 2020 2019

Wolfspeed gross profit $38.3 $67.4 ($29.1) (43) %

Wolfspeed gross margin 35 % 50 %

LED Products gross profit 22.2 28.3 (6.1) (22) %

LED Products gross margin 23 % 24 %

Unallocated costs ^(1) (9.7) (7.0) (2.7) (39) %

Consolidated gross profit $50.8 $88.7 ($37.9) (43) %

Consolidated gross margin 25 % 35 %

^(1) Unallocated costs for the three months ended June 28, 2020 include $8.4million in incremental manufacturing costs relating to COVID-19.

Twelve months ended

(in millions of U.S. Dollars, except June 28, June 30, Changepercentages) 2020 2019

Wolfspeed gross profit $184.6 $258.7 ($74.1) (29) %

Wolfspeed gross margin 39 % 48 %

LED Products gross profit 91.1 150.0 (58.9) (39) %

LED Products gross margin 21 % 28 %

Unallocated costs ^(1) (27.4) (17.7) (9.7) (55) %

Consolidated gross profit $248.3 $391.0 ($142.7) (36) %

Consolidated gross margin 27 % 36 %

^(1) Unallocated costs for the twelve months ended June 28, 2020 include $8.5million in incremental manufacturing costs relating to COVID-19.

Reportable Segments Description

The Company's Wolfspeed segment's products consists of silicon carbide and gallium nitride (GaN) materials, and power devices and RF devices based on wide bandgap semiconductor materials and silicon. The Company's LED Products segment's products consist of LED chips and LED components.

Financial Results by Reportable Segment

The Company's CODM reviews gross profit as the lowest and only level of segment profit. As such, all items below gross profit in the consolidated statements of loss must be included to reconcile the consolidated gross profit presented in the preceding table to the Company's consolidated (loss) income before taxes.

The Company allocates direct costs and indirect costs to each segment's cost of revenue. The allocation methodology is based on a reasonable measure of utilization considering the specific facts and circumstances of the cost being allocated. Certain costs are not allocated when evaluating segment performance. These unallocated costs consist primarily of manufacturing employees' stock-based compensation, annual incentive plans and matching contributions under the Company's 401(k) Plan.

For the three and twelve months ended June 28, 2020, unallocated costs include incremental costs relating to operating our manufacturing operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of these incremental costs comprise additional labor costs paid to our manufacturing employees, increased cleaning costs, cleaning supplies and protective equipment, and the costs of implementing preventative safety measures, including increased wellness checks.

Cree, Inc. Non-GAAP Measures of Financial Performance

To supplement the Company's consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, Cree uses non-GAAP measures of certain components of financial performance. These non-GAAP measures include non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating (loss) income, non-GAAP non-operating income (expense), net, non-GAAP net (loss) income, non-GAAP diluted (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations and free cash flow.

Reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measure of all historical non-GAAP measures included in this press release can be found in the tables included with this press release. Both our GAAP targets and non-GAAP targets do not include any estimated changes in the fair value of our Lextar investment.

Non-GAAP measures presented in this press release are not in accordance with or an alternative to measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, these non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. Non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with Cree's results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures should only be used to evaluate Cree's results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures.

Cree believes that these non-GAAP measures, when shown in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures, enhance investors' and management's overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance and the Company's prospects for the future, including cash flows available to pursue opportunities to enhance shareholder value. In addition, because Cree has historically reported certain non-GAAP results to investors, the Company believes the inclusion of non-GAAP measures provides consistency in the Company's financial reporting.

For its internal budgeting process, and as discussed further below, Cree's management uses financial statements that do not include the items listed below and the income tax effects associated with the foregoing. Cree's management also uses non-GAAP measures, in addition to the corresponding GAAP measures, in reviewing the Company's financial results.

Cree excludes the following items from one or more of its non-GAAP measures when applicable:

Stock-based compensation expense. This expense consists of expenses for stock options, restricted stock, performance stock awards and employee stock purchases through its Employee Stock Purchase Program. Cree excludes stock-based compensation expenses from its non-GAAP measures because they are non-cash expenses that Cree does not believe are reflective of ongoing operating results.

Amortization or impairment of acquisition-related intangibles. Cree incurs amortization or impairment of acquisition-related intangibles in connection with acquisitions. Cree excludes these items because they arise from Cree's prior acquisitions and have no direct correlation to the ongoing operating results of Cree's business.

Factory optimization restructuring. In May 2019, the Company started a significant, multi-year factory optimization plan ("factory optimization plan") to be anchored by a state-of-the-art, automated 200mm silicon carbide fabrication facility. In September 2019, the Company announced the intent to build the new fabrication facility in Marcy, New York to complement the factory expansion underway at its U.S. campus headquarters in Durham, North Carolina. As part of the plan, the Company will incur restructuring costs associated with the movement of equipment as well as disposals on certain long-lived assets. Because these charges relate to assets which had been retired prior to the end of their estimated useful lives, Cree does not believe these costs are reflective of ongoing operating results. Similarly, Cree does not consider the realized net losses on sale of assets relating to the restructuring to be reflective of ongoing operating results.

Severance and other restructuring. For the fiscal year ended June 28, 2020, these costs relate to the Company realigning its sales resources as part of the Company's transition to a more focused semiconductor company. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, these costs relate to the Company realigning the Company's cost base with a long-range business strategy that was announced in February 2018. Cree does not believe these costs are reflective of ongoing operating results.

Project, transformation and transaction costs. The Company has incurred professional services fees and other costs associated with completed and potential acquisitions and divestitures, as well as internal transformation programs focused on optimizing the Company's administrative processes and upgrading the Company's enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to support the Company's expected future growth. Cree excludes these items because Cree believes they are not reflective of the ongoing operating results of Cree's business.

Factory optimization start-up costs. The Company has incurred and will incur start-up costs as part of the factory optimization plan. Cree does not believe these costs are reflective of ongoing operating results.

Non-restructuring related executive severance. The Company has incurred costs in conjunction with the termination of key executive personnel. Cree excludes these items because Cree believes they have no direct correlation to the ongoing operating results of Cree's business.

Transition service agreement costs. As a result of the sale of the Lighting Products business unit, the Company is providing certain IT services under a transition services agreement which will not be reimbursed. Cree excludes the costs of these services because Cree believes they are not reflective of the ongoing operating results of Cree's business.

Asset impairment. In fiscal 2019, the Company incurred impairment charges in conjunction with the sale of the Lighting Products business unit for assets excluded from the purchase agreement. Cree excludes these items because Cree believes they are not reflective of the ongoing operating results of Cree's business.

Net changes in fair value of our Lextar investment. The Company's common stock ownership investment in Lextar Electronics Corporation is accounted for utilizing the fair value option. As such, changes in fair value are recognized in income, including fluctuations due to the exchange rate between the New Taiwan Dollar and the United States Dollar. Cree excludes the impact of these gains or losses from its non-GAAP measures because they are non-cash impacts that Cree does not believe are reflective of ongoing operating results. Additionally, Cree excludes the impact of dividends received on its Lextar investment as Cree does not believe it is reflective of ongoing operating results.

(Loss) gain on arbitration proceedings. In the third quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company won an arbitration proceeding with a former vendor on defective inventory. The arbitration victory resulted in a cash settlement beyond the legal fees incurred and was recognized as a gain in other income. Additionally, a small legal settlement was paid in the fourth quarter. Cree excludes these items because Cree believes it is not reflective of the ongoing operating results of Cree's business.

Gain on partial debt extinguishment. In April 2020, the Company issued $575 million in convertible notes (the 2026 Notes) and used a portion of the net proceeds from the offering to repurchase approximately $150 million of the $575 million of convertible notes previously issued by the Company in August 2018 (the 2023 Notes). This repurchase resulted in a gain on extinguishment of convertible notes. Cree excludes this item because Cree believes it is not reflective of the ongoing operating results of Cree's business.

Accretion on convertible notes. The issuance of the 2023 and 2026 Notes results in interest accretion on the convertible notes' issue costs and discount. Cree considers these items as either limited in term or having no impact on the Company's cash flows, and therefore has excluded such items to facilitate a review of current operating performance and comparisons to the Company's past operating performance.

Income tax adjustment. This amount reconciles GAAP tax expense (benefit) to a calculated non-GAAP tax expense (benefit) utilizing a non-GAAP tax rate. The non-GAAP tax rate estimates an appropriate tax rate if the listed non-GAAP items were excluded. This reconciling item adjusts non-GAAP net (loss) income to the amount it would be if the calculated non-GAAP tax rate was applied to non-GAAP (loss) income before taxes.

Cree may incur some of these same expenses, including income taxes associated with these expenses, in future periods. In addition to the non-GAAP measures discussed above, Cree also uses free cash flow as a measure of operating performance and liquidity. Free cash flow represents operating cash flows from continuing operations less net purchases of property and equipment and patent and licensing rights. Cree considers free cash flow to be an operating performance and a liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the business after the purchases of property and equipment, a portion of which can then be used to, among other things, invest in Cree's business, make strategic acquisitions, strengthen the balance sheet and repurchase stock. A limitation of the utility of free cash flow as a measure of operating performance and liquidity is that it does not represent the residual cash flow available to the company for discretionary expenditures, as it excludes certain mandatory expenditures such as debt service.

CREE, INC.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures

(in millions of U.S. Dollars, except per share amounts and percentages)

(unaudited)

Non-GAAP Gross Margin

Three months Twelve months ended ended

June June June 28, June 30, 28, 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019

GAAP gross profit $50.8 $88.7 $248.3 $391.0

GAAP gross margin percentage 25 % 35 % 27 % 36 %

Adjustments:

Stock-based compensation expense 3.1 3.2 10.6 8.8

Factory optimization restructuring 0.5 - 0.5 -

Project, transformation and - - - 2.7 transaction costs

Non-GAAP gross profit $54.4 $91.9 $259.4 $402.5

Non-GAAP gross margin percentage 26 % 37 % 29 % 37 %

Non-GAAP Operating (Loss) Income

Three months ended Twelve months ended

June 28, June 30, June 28, June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019

GAAP operating (loss) income from ($64.3) ($25.6) ($209.4) ($15.9) continuing operations

GAAP operating (loss) income (31) % (10) % (23) % (1) %percentage

Adjustments:

Stock-based compensation expense:

Cost of revenue, net 3.1 3.2 10.6 8.8

Research and development 2.5 2.2 9.7 7.7

Sales, general and administrative 8.0 10.3 34.6 33.1

Total stock-based compensation 13.6 15.7 54.9 49.6 expense

Amortization or impairment of 3.6 3.9 14.5 15.6 acquisition-related intangibles

Factory optimization 5.3 4.1 9.0 4.1 restructuring

Severance and other restructuring (0.2) 1.6 0.6 4.2

Project, transformation and 5.1 6.2 25.5 19.6 transaction costs

Factory optimization start-up 4.5 1.5 9.5 1.5 costs

Non-restructuring related - 0.3 2.1 1.3 executive severance

Transition service agreement 4.1 3.0 14.8 3.0 costs

Asset impairment - (0.8) - 4.3

Total adjustments to GAAP 36.0 35.5 130.9 103.2 operating income

Non-GAAP operating (loss) income ($28.3) $9.9 ($78.5) $87.3

Non-GAAP operating (loss) income (14) % 4 % (9) % 8 %percentage

Non-GAAP Non-Operating Income,net

Three months ended Twelve months ended

June 28, June 30, June 28, June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019

Non-operating income (expense), $26.8 ($5.6) $19.0 ($29.3) net

Adjustments:

Net changes in the fair value of (24.4) 4.1 (16.4) 17.5 Lextar investment

Gain on partial debt (11.0) - (11.0) - extinguishment

Loss (gain) on arbitration 0.1 - (7.9) - proceedings

Accretion on convertible notes 9.0 5.6 26.2 18.3

Non-GAAP non-operating income, $0.5 $4.1 $9.9 $6.5 net

Non-GAAP Net (Loss) Income

Three months ended Twelve months ended

June 28, June 30, June 28, June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019

GAAP net loss from continuing ($38.9) ($34.6) ($190.6) ($57.9) operations

Net income attributable to $0.6 ($0.1) $1.1 $- noncontrolling interest

GAAP net loss from continuingoperations attributable to ($39.5) ($34.5) ($191.7) ($57.9) controlling interest

Adjustments:

Stock-based compensation expense 13.6 15.7 54.9 49.6

Amortization or impairment of 3.6 3.9 14.5 15.6 acquisition-related intangibles

Factory optimization 5.3 4.1 9.0 4.1 restructuring

Severance and other (0.2) 1.6 0.6 4.2 restructuring

Project, transformation and 5.1 6.2 25.5 19.6 transaction costs

Factory optimization start-up 4.5 1.5 9.5 1.5 costs

Non-restructuring related - 0.3 2.1 1.3 executive severance

Transition service agreement 4.1 3.0 14.8 3.0 costs

Asset impairment - (0.8) - 4.3

Net changes in the fair value of (24.4) 4.1 (16.4) 17.5 Lextar investment

Gain on partial debt (11.0) - (11.0) - extinguishment

Loss (gain) on arbitration 0.1 - (7.9) - proceedings

Accretion on convertible notes 9.0 5.6 26.2 18.3

Total adjustments to GAAP netloss from continuing operationsattributable to controlling 9.7 45.2 121.8 139.0 interest before provision forincome taxes

Income tax adjustment - benefit 9.8 0.9 20.8 (4.2) (expense)

Non-GAAP net (loss) income fromcontinuing operations ($20.0) $11.6 ($49.1) $76.9 attributable to controllinginterest



Non-GAAP diluted (loss) earningsper share from continuing ($0.18) $0.11 ($0.45) $0.74 operations attributable tocontrolling interest

Non-GAAP weighted average shares 108,585 105,922 107,935 103,576 (in thousands)

Free Cash Flow

Three months ended Twelve months ended

June 28, June 30, June 28, June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019

Net cash provided by (used in)operating activities of $10.5 $40.5 ($29.0) $220.2 continuing operations

Less: PP&E spending (68.2) (38.0) (237.1) (131.3)

Less: Patents spending (2.0) 0.7 (7.2) (6.3)

Total free cash flow ($59.7) $3.2 ($273.3) $82.6

CREE, INC.

Business Outlook Unaudited GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

Three Months Ended

(in millions of U.S. Dollars) September 27, 2020

GAAP net loss outlook range ($87) to ($83)

Adjustments:

Stock-based compensation expense 15

Amortization or impairment of acquisition-related 4intangibles

Factory optimization restructuring and start-up costs 4

Accretion on convertible notes, net of capitalized interest 9

Project, transformation, transaction and transition costs 17

Total adjustments to GAAP net loss before provision for 49income taxes

Income tax adjustment 12

Non-GAAP net loss outlook range ($26) to ($22)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200818005747/en/

CONTACT: Tyler Gronbach Cree, Inc. Vice President, Investor Relations Phone: 919-407-4820 investorrelations@cree.com