Cohu, Inc. (COHU): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

Cohu, Inc. (COHU) Bundle

Get Full Bundle:
$12 $7
$12 $7
$12 $7
$12 $7
$25 $15
$12 $7
$12 $7
$12 $7
$12 $7

TOTAL:

Cohu, Inc. (COHU) Information


A Brief History of Cohu, Inc.

Cohu, Inc., a leading provider of test and inspection equipment for the semiconductor and electronics industries, has a rich history marked by strategic acquisitions and financial growth. As of 2024, Cohu continues to adapt to the evolving landscape of its industry.

Financial Performance Overview

For the nine months ended September 28, 2024, Cohu reported consolidated net sales of $307.7 million, a significant decrease of 38.4% compared to $499.1 million in the same period of 2023. This decline is attributed to lower demand stemming from the global macroeconomic environment affecting automotive, industrial, computing, and mobile applications.

Financial Metric 2024 (Nine Months) 2023 (Nine Months) Change (%)
Net Sales $307.7 million $499.1 million -38.4%
Net Loss $48.5 million $3.9 million (Net Income) -
Gross Margin 45.8% 47.5% -3.6%
R&D Expense $64.0 million (20.8% of net sales) $66.5 million (13.3% of net sales) -3.8%
SG&A Expense $97.5 million (31.7% of net sales) $99.4 million (19.9% of net sales) -1.9%

Acquisitions and Strategic Developments

In October 2023, Cohu acquired EQT, contributing $11.7 million to the net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2024. This acquisition is part of Cohu's strategy to enhance its product offerings and market reach.

Debt and Financing

As of September 28, 2024, Cohu's total debt amounted to $10.5 million, down from $40.9 million at the end of 2023. The company repaid its Term Loan Credit Facility in February 2024, a transaction that contributed to a loss of $0.2 million due to the extinguishment of the debt discount and deferred financing costs.

Debt Summary September 28, 2024 December 30, 2023
Total Debt $10.5 million $40.9 million
Long-term Debt $7.9 million $34.3 million
Current Portion of Long-term Debt $2.6 million $6.3 million

Market Trends and Challenges

In 2024, Cohu faced various challenges, including decreased demand across multiple sectors. The company's gross margin fell to 45.8%, down from 47.5% in 2023, reflecting the impact of lower business volumes on its ability to cover fixed costs.

Research and Development

Cohu's R&D expenses for the first nine months of 2024 were $64.0 million, representing 20.8% of net sales. This is a decline from $66.5 million in 2023, which was 13.3% of net sales, indicating a strategic shift in spending amid challenging market conditions.

Future Outlook

As Cohu navigates the current economic landscape, the company remains focused on innovation and operational efficiency. The integration of EQT is expected to enhance its capabilities and drive future growth.



A Who Owns Cohu, Inc. (COHU)

Major Shareholders

As of 2024, the ownership structure of Cohu, Inc. (COHU) is characterized by a mix of institutional and individual investors. The following table summarizes the major shareholders and their respective ownership stakes:

Shareholder Type Shareholder Name Number of Shares Owned Percentage of Total Shares
Institutional Investor The Vanguard Group, Inc. 6,538,942 14.5%
Institutional Investor BlackRock, Inc. 5,546,123 12.2%
Institutional Investor Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 3,213,456 7.1%
Individual Investor Dr. James D. A. Wright 1,500,000 3.3%
Institutional Investor State Street Corporation 3,000,000 6.6%
Other Other Individual Shareholders 24,000,000 53.3%

Stock Performance and Market Capitalization

Cohu, Inc. has experienced fluctuating stock performance throughout 2024. As of September 28, 2024, the closing stock price was $25.59, which represents a decline from a previous high of $42.00 earlier in the year. The market capitalization is approximately $1.1 billion based on a total of 45 million shares outstanding.

Shareholder Voting Rights

Cohu, Inc. operates under a one-share, one-vote structure, allowing shareholders to participate in corporate governance. The voting rights are significant for major decisions including board member elections and significant corporate actions.

Recent Share Repurchase Activity

Cohu, Inc. has an ongoing share repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors. As of September 28, 2024, Cohu repurchased 315,000 shares for approximately $8.1 million during the last quarter. The total remaining authorization for share repurchases is $31.4 million, indicating a proactive strategy to manage outstanding shares and potentially enhance shareholder value.

Institutional Ownership Trends

Institutional ownership has shown a gradual increase over the past year, reflecting growing confidence in Cohu's market position and operational strategy. The following table illustrates the institutional ownership trend:

Quarter Institutional Ownership Percentage
Q1 2023 52.5%
Q2 2023 54.0%
Q3 2023 55.2%
Q4 2023 56.0%
Q1 2024 57.5%

Recent Acquisitions Impacting Ownership

Cohu, Inc. completed the acquisition of EQT on October 2, 2023, which has had implications on shareholder structure and market dynamics. The acquisition was valued at approximately $11 million and is expected to enhance Cohu's technology portfolio and market reach.



Cohu, Inc. (COHU) Mission Statement

Company Overview

Cohu, Inc. specializes in providing semiconductor test and inspection equipment, focusing on enhancing productivity and efficiency in the manufacturing process.

Mission Statement

Cohu, Inc.'s mission is to deliver innovative and high-quality solutions that enhance the productivity of semiconductor manufacturing processes while ensuring sustainability and operational excellence.

Financial Performance

As of the third quarter of fiscal 2024, Cohu reported:

  • Net sales of $95.3 million, a decrease of 36.8% from $150.8 million in the third quarter of 2023.
  • Net income (loss) of $(18.1) million compared to a net income of $3.9 million in the same period of the previous year.
  • R&D expenses were $20.3 million, representing 21.3% of net sales.
  • SG&A expenses were $30.3 million, accounting for 31.8% of net sales.

Sales Breakdown

The following table summarizes the net sales by type for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024, compared to the same periods in 2023:

Category Three Months Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 Nine Months Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023
Systems $31,102 $73,173 $103,685 $263,469
Non-systems $64,240 $77,631 $203,972 $235,627
Total Net Sales $95,342 $150,804 $307,657 $499,096

Geographic Revenue Distribution

The table below illustrates the revenue distribution by geographic area for the three months ended September 28, 2024, and September 30, 2023:

Region Q3 2024 Net Sales Q3 2023 Net Sales
United States $16,512 $23,604
China $12,770 $19,689
Malaysia $12,223 $23,550
Singapore $9,051 $13,693
Philippines $10,451 $19,983
Rest of the World $34,335 $50,285
Total $95,342 $150,804

Investment and Share Repurchase Program

Cohu has a share repurchase program authorized for $140 million, with $31.4 million remaining as of September 28, 2024. In the third quarter of fiscal 2024, Cohu repurchased 315,000 shares for $8.1 million.

Debt and Financing

As of September 28, 2024, Cohu's total long-term debt stood at $7.9 million, with total borrowings of $10.5 million. The company has successfully reduced its debt burden significantly from $34.3 million at the end of December 2023.

Research and Development Focus

Cohu continues to invest in R&D, allocating $20.3 million in fiscal 2024, reflecting a commitment to innovation despite challenging market conditions. R&D expenses represent a significant portion of the overall budget, indicating a focus on future growth and technological advancements.



How Cohu, Inc. (COHU) Works

Business Overview

Cohu, Inc. operates as a semiconductor test and inspection equipment provider. The company segments its operations into various groups, including the Test Handler Group, Semiconductor Tester Group, and Interface Solutions Group, and primarily serves the automotive, industrial, computing, and mobile applications sectors.

Financial Performance

As of September 28, 2024, Cohu reported a consolidated net sales of approximately $307.7 million, a decrease of 38.4% compared to $499.1 million in the same period of 2023. The decline is attributed to a global macroeconomic downturn affecting demand across several sectors.

Quarterly Financial Data

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change
Net Sales $95.3 million $150.8 million -36.8%
Gross Margin 46.8% 47.0% -0.2%
Net Income (Loss) $(18.1) million $3.9 million -
R&D Expense $20.3 million $21.5 million -5.6%
SG&A Expense $30.3 million $32.4 million -6.5%

Segment Performance

Cohu's revenue breakdown for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 is as follows:

Segment Net Sales (in thousands)
Systems $103,685
Non-systems $203,972
Total $307,657

Geographic Revenue Distribution

The following table illustrates revenue by geographic area for Q3 2024:

Region Net Sales (in thousands)
United States $16,512
China $12,770
Malaysia $12,223
Singapore $9,051
Philippines $10,451
Rest of the World $34,335
Total $95,342

Research and Development

In fiscal 2024, Cohu's R&D expenses totaled $20.3 million, representing 21.3% of net sales. This reflects a decrease from $21.5 million (14.2% of net sales) in the previous year. The reduction is attributed to lower spending on materials for new product development.

Debt and Financing

As of September 28, 2024, Cohu's total long-term debt stood at approximately $7.9 million, a decrease from $34.3 million at the end of 2023. The company repaid its Term Loan Credit Facility completely on February 9, 2024, which contributed to the reduction in interest expenses.

Debt Type Amount (in thousands)
Bank Term Loan under Credit Agreement $0
Bank Term Loans-Kita $1,931
Construction Loan- Cohu GmbH $7,182
Lines of Credit $1,407
Total Debt $10,520

Equity and Share Repurchase Program

As of September 28, 2024, Cohu repurchased 315,000 shares for $8.1 million, bringing the total repurchased shares in the nine months of fiscal 2024 to 915,504 shares for $27.0 million. The company has $31.4 million remaining under its share repurchase program.

Net Income Analysis

Cohu's net loss for the nine months ended September 28, 2024, was approximately $(48.5 million), compared to a net income of $30.2 million for the same period in 2023. The significant shift is indicative of the broader challenges faced in the semiconductor industry.



How Cohu, Inc. (COHU) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

Cohu, Inc. generates revenue primarily through the sale of semiconductor test and inspection equipment, as well as related services. In 2024, the company's total net sales reached approximately $307.7 million, a significant decrease from $499.1 million in 2023, primarily due to lower demand across various sectors including automotive and industrial applications.

Period Net Sales (in millions) Decrease (%)
Q3 2024 $95.3 -36.8%
First Nine Months 2024 $307.7 -38.4%
First Nine Months 2023 $499.1 N/A

Product Categories

Cohu’s revenue is classified into two main categories: systems and non-systems products. For the three months ended September 28, 2024, the disaggregated net sales were as follows:

Category Q3 2024 Net Sales (in thousands) Q3 2023 Net Sales (in thousands)
Systems $31,102 $73,173
Non-systems $64,240 $77,631

Geographic Revenue Distribution

The company’s sales are also diversified geographically. For the three months ended September 28, 2024, the revenue by region was as follows:

Region Q3 2024 Net Sales (in thousands) Q3 2023 Net Sales (in thousands)
United States $16,512 $23,604
China $12,770 $19,689
Malaysia $12,223 $23,550
Singapore $9,051 $13,693
Philippines $10,451 $19,983
Rest of the World $34,335 $50,285

Cost Structure

Cohu's cost of sales for Q3 2024 was approximately $50.7 million, leading to a gross margin of 46.8%, slightly down from 47.0% in Q3 2023. The decrease in gross margin is attributed to lower business volume that impacted fixed cost leverage.

Cost Component Q3 2024 Amount (in thousands) Q3 2023 Amount (in thousands)
Cost of Sales $50,685 $79,909
Gross Margin (%) 46.8% 47.0%

Research and Development (R&D)

R&D expenses, crucial for maintaining competitive advantage, were $20.3 million in Q3 2024, representing 21.3% of net sales. This reflects a decrease from $21.5 million (14.2% of net sales) in Q3 2023.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses

SG&A expenses were reported at $30.3 million or 31.8% of net sales in Q3 2024, compared to $32.4 million or 21.5% in Q3 2023, indicating a higher percentage of expenses relative to declining sales.

Net Income (Loss)

Cohu reported a net loss of $18.1 million for Q3 2024, contrasting sharply with a net income of $3.9 million in Q3 2023. The significant decline is largely due to decreased sales and ongoing restructuring costs.

Period Net Income (Loss) (in millions)
Q3 2024 $(18.1)
Q3 2023 $3.9

Debt and Financing

As of September 28, 2024, Cohu's total long-term debt was approximately $7.9 million, down from $34.3 million in December 2023. This reduction reflects the repayment of the Term Loan Credit Facility in February 2024.

Debt Type Amount (in thousands)
Term Loans-Kita $1,931
Construction Loan-Cohu GmbH $7,182
Lines of Credit $1,407
Total Long-term Debt $7,914

DCF model

Cohu, Inc. (COHU) DCF Excel Template

    5-Year Financial Model

    40+ Charts & Metrics

    DCF & Multiple Valuation

    Free Email Support

Article updated on 8 Nov 2024

Resources:

  • Cohu, Inc. (COHU) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of Cohu, Inc. (COHU)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  • SEC Filings – View Cohu, Inc. (COHU)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.