form10k.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K

x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended October 30, 2011
 
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 0-15451

 
PHOTRONICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Connecticut   06-0854886
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
 
15 Secor Road, Brookfield, Connecticut 06804
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
 
(203) 775-9000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share - NASDAQ Global Select Market
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes o No x

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 x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer o Accelerated Filer x Non-Accelerated Filer o Smaller Reporting Company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No x

As of May 1, 2011, which was the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the shares of the registrant's common stock held by non-affiliates was approximately $494,018,059 (based upon the closing price of $8.73 per share as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market on that date).

As of December 31, 2011, 60,194,533 shares of the registrant's common stock were outstanding.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
     
Proxy Statement for the 2012
   
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
 
Incorporated into Part III
to be held in March 2012
 
of this Form 10-K
 


 
 

 
 
Forward-Looking Statements

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Photronics, Inc. ("Photronics" or the "Company"). These statements are based on management's beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "projects", and similar expressions, or the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. In particular, any statement contained in this annual report on Form 10-K, in press releases, written statements, or other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or in the Company's communications and discussions with investors and analysts in the normal course of business through meetings, phone calls, or conference calls, regarding the consummation and benefits of future acquisitions, expectations with respect to future sales, financial performance, operating efficiencies, or product expansion, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. These factors may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that might affect such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, overall economic and business conditions; economic and political conditions in international markets; the demand for the Company's products; competitive factors in the industries and geographic markets in which the Company competes; changes in federal, state and international tax requirements (including tax rate changes, new tax laws and revised tax law interpretations); interest rate fluctuations and other capital market conditions, including changes in the market price of the Company's common stock; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; changes in technology; the timing, impact, and other uncertainties of future acquisitions; the seasonal and cyclical nature of the semiconductor and flat panel display industries; management changes; damage or destruction to the Company's facilities or the facilities of its customers or suppliers by natural disasters, labor strikes, political unrest, or terrorist activity; the ability of the Company to (i) place new equipment in service on a timely basis; (ii) obtain additional financing; (iii) achieve anticipated synergies and other cost savings in connection with acquisitions and productivity programs; (iv) fully utilize its tools; (v) achieve desired yields, pricing, product mix, and market acceptance of its products and (vi) obtain necessary export licenses. Any forward-looking statements should be considered in light of these factors. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company's expectations will be realized. The Company does not assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements and does not assume an obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.

 
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PART I

ITEM 1.BUSINESS

General

Photronics, Inc. is a Connecticut corporation, organized in 1969. Its principal executive offices are located at 15 Secor Road, Brookfield, Connecticut 06804, telephone (203) 775-9000. Photronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as "Photronics" or the "Company". The Company's website is located at http://www.photronics.com. The Company makes available, free of charge through its website, its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information contained or incorporated in the Company's website is not part of these documents.

Photronics is one of the world's leading manufacturers of photomasks, which are high precision photographic quartz plates containing microscopic images of electronic circuits. Photomasks are a key element in the manufacture of semiconductors and flat panel displays ("FPDs"), and are used as masters to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers and flat panel substrates during the fabrication of integrated circuits ("ICs") and a variety of FPDs and, to a lesser extent, other types of electrical and optical components. The Company currently operates principally from eight manufacturing facilities; two of which are located in Europe, two in Taiwan, one in Korea and three in the United States. In the first quarter of fiscal 2012 the Company ceased the manufacturing of photomasks at its Singapore facility.

Manufacturing Technology

The Company manufactures photomasks, which are used as masters to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers and flat panel substrates. The photomasks are manufactured in accordance with circuit designs provided on a confidential basis by the Company's customers. IC and FPD photomask sets are manufactured in layers, each having a distinct pattern which is etched onto a different photomask. The resulting series of photomasks is then used to image the circuit patterns onto each successive layer of a semiconductor wafer or flat panel substrate. The typical manufacturing process for a photomask involves the receipt and conversion of circuit design data to manufacturing pattern data. A lithography system then exposes the circuit pattern onto the photomask blank. The exposed areas are developed and etched to produce that pattern on the photomask. The photomask is then inspected for defects and conformity to the customer's design data. After any defects are repaired, the photomask is cleaned using a proprietary process, any required pellicles (protective translucent cellulose membranes) are applied and, after final inspection, the photomask is shipped to the customer.

The Company currently supports customers across the full spectrum of IC production and FPD technologies by manufacturing photomasks using electron beam or optical (laser-based) technologies. Electron beam and laser-based systems are the predominant technologies used for photomask manufacturing. These technologies are capable of producing the finer line resolution, tighter overlay and larger die size for the larger and more complex circuits currently being designed. Electron beam and laser generated photomasks can be used with the most advanced processing techniques to produce the most advanced semiconductors and FPDs for use in an array of products. However, in the case of IC production, electron beam technologies fabricate the large majority of critical layer photomasks. End markets served with IC photomasks include devices used for microprocessors, memory, telecommunications and related applications. The Company currently owns a number of high-end and mature electron beam and laser-based systems. Photomasks produced using laser-based systems are less expensive and less precise than those manufactured on high-end electron beam systems.

The first several layers of photomasks are sometimes required to be delivered by the Company within 24 hours from the time it receives customers' design data. The ability to manufacture high quality photomasks within short time periods is dependent upon robust processes, geographic proximity to customers, efficient manufacturing methods, high production yield and high equipment reliability. The Company works to meet these requirements by making significant investments in research and development, manufacturing, and data processing systems, and by utilizing statistical process control methods to optimize the manufacturing process and reduce cycle times.
 
 
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Quality control is an integral part of the photomask manufacturing process. Photomasks are manufactured in temperature, humidity, and particulate controlled clean rooms because of the high level of precision, quality and manufacturing yield required. Each photomask is inspected several times during the manufacturing process to ensure compliance with customer specifications. The Company continues to make substantial investments in equipment to inspect and repair photomasks to ensure that customer specifications are met.

The majority of IC photomasks produced for the semiconductor industry employ geometries of 65 nanometers or larger. At these geometries, the Company can produce full lines of photomasks and there is no significant technology employed by the Company's competitors that is not also available to the Company. The Company is also capable of producing full lines of photomasks for high-end IC and FPD applications. In the case of ICs, this includes photomasks at and below the 45 nanometer technology node and, for FPDs, at and above the Generation 8 technology node and active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display screens. The Company has access to technology and customer qualified manufacturing capability that allows it to compete in high-end markets, serving both IC and FPD applications.

Sales and Marketing

The market for photomasks primarily consists of domestic and international semiconductor and FPD manufacturers and designers, including a limited number of manufacturers who have the capability to internally manufacture photomasks. Photomasks are manufactured by independent merchant manufacturers like Photronics, and by semiconductor and FPD manufacturers that produce photomasks exclusively for their own use (captive manufacturers). Since the mid-1980s, there has been a strong trend in Asia, Europe and North America towards the divesture or closing of captive photomask operations by semiconductor manufacturers and an increase in the share of the market served by independent manufacturers. This trend has been driven by the increased complexity and cost of capital equipment used in manufacturing photomasks.

Generally, the Company and each of its customers engage in a qualification and correlation process before the Company becomes an approved supplier. Thereafter, the Company typically negotiates pricing parameters for a customer's orders based on the customer's specifications. Some prices may remain in effect for an extended period of time. In some instances, the Company enters into sales arrangements with an understanding that, as long as the Company's performance is competitive, the Company will receive a specified percentage of that customer's photomask requirements.

The Company conducts its sales and marketing activities primarily through a staff of full-time sales personnel and customer service representatives who work closely with the Company's management and technical personnel. In addition to the sales personnel at the Company's manufacturing facilities, the Company has sales offices throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.

The Company supports international customers through both its domestic and international facilities. The Company considers its presence in international markets to be an important factor in attracting new customers, providing global solutions to its customers, minimizing delivery time, and serving customers that utilize manufacturing foundries outside of the United States, principally in Asia. See Note 17 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for the amount of net sales and long-lived assets attributable to each of the Company's geographic areas of operations.

Customers

The Company primarily sells its products to leading semiconductor and FPD manufacturers. The Company's largest customers (listed alphabetically) during the fiscal year ended October 30, 2011 ("fiscal 2011") included the following:

ASML Holding N.V.
 
LG Electronics, Inc.
AU Optronics Corp.
 
Magnachip Semiconductor
Dongbu HiTek Co. Ltd.
 
Nanya Technology Corporation
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
 
Novatek Microelectronics Corp., Ltd.
Global Foundries, Inc.
 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
HannStar Display Corp.
 
ST Microelectronics, Inc.
Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.
 
Systems on Silicon Manufacturing Co. Pte. Ltd.
IM Flash Technologies, LLC
 
Texas Instruments Incorporated
Inotera Memories, Inc.
 
TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc.
Jenoptik AG
 
United Microelectronics Corp.
 
 
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During fiscal 2011, the Company sold its products and services to approximately 600 customers. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. accounted for approximately 20% of the Company's net sales in fiscal 2011 and 19% of the Company's net sales in fiscal 2010 and 2009. This included sales of both IC and FPD photomasks. The Company's five largest customers, in the aggregate, accounted for approximately 45%, 39% and 42% of net sales in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. A significant decrease in the amount of sales to any of these customers could have a material adverse effect on the financial performance and business prospects of the Company.

Seasonality

The Company's quarterly revenues can be affected by the seasonal purchasing of its customers. The Company is typically impacted during its first quarter by the North American and European holiday periods, as some customers reduce their effective workdays and orders during this period. Additionally, the Company can be impacted during its first or second fiscal quarter by the Asian New Year holiday period, which also may reduce customer orders.

Research and Development

The Company conducts its primary research and development activities for IC photomasks at its MP Mask Technology Center, LLC ("MP Mask"), a joint venture with Micron Technology, Inc. (“Micron”) located in Boise, Idaho, at PK, Ltd. (“PKL”), its subsidiary in Korea, and at Photronics Semiconductor Mask Corporation (“PSMC”), one of its subsidiaries in Taiwan, and for FPD photomasks at PKL, and in site-specific research and development programs to support strategic customers. These research and development programs and activities are designed to advance the Company's leadership in technology and manufacturing efficiency. The Company also conducts application oriented research and development activities to support the early adoption of new photomask or supporting data and services technology into the customers' applications. Currently, research and development photomask activities for ICs are focused on 32 nanometer node and below, and for FPDs on Generation 8 and higher and AMOLED technology. The Company believes these core competencies will continue to be a critical part of semiconductor and FPD manufacturing, as optical lithography continues to scale device capabilities at and below 45 nanometer and at and above Generation 8. The Company has incurred research and development expenses of $ 15.5 million, $14.9 million and $15.4 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company believes that it owns, controls, or licenses valuable proprietary information that is necessary for its business as it is presently conducted. This includes trade secrets as well as patents. The Company believes that its intellectual property and trade secret know-how will continue to be important to its technical leadership in the field of photomasks.

Patents and Trademarks

The Company has ownership interests in over 40 issued U.S. Patents, and over 40 registered patents in other parts of the world. The subject matter of these patents, which are registered in various countries, generally relates to the manufacture of IC photomasks or the use of photomasks to manufacture other products. The expiration dates of these patents range from 2011 to 2028. Additionally, pursuant to a technology license agreement with Micron, the Company has access to certain technology of Micron and MP Mask. The Company also has a number of trademarks and trademark registrations in the United States and in other countries.

While the Company believes that its intellectual property is, and will continue to be, important to the Company's technical leadership in the field of photomasks, the Company's operations are not dependent on any one individual patent. The Company protects its intellectual property rights regarding products and manufacturing processes by utilizing patents. The Company also relies on non-disclosure agreements with employees, customers and vendors to protect its intellectual property and proprietary processes.

 
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Materials, Supplies and Equipment

Raw materials used by the Company generally include high precision quartz plates (including large area plates), which are used as photomask blanks, primarily obtained from Japanese and Korean suppliers; pellicles and electronic grade chemicals, which are used in the manufacturing process; and compacts, which are durable plastic containers in which photomasks are shipped. These materials are generally sourced from several suppliers. Although the Company is not dependent on any one supplier for most of its raw materials, glass blanks used for the production of certain high-end photomasks are only available from one supplier. The Company believes that its utilization of a select group of strategic suppliers enables it to access the most technologically advanced materials available. On an ongoing basis, the Company continues to consider additional supply sources.

The Company relies on a limited number of equipment suppliers to develop and supply the equipment used in the photomask manufacturing process. Although the Company has been able to obtain equipment on a timely basis, an inability to obtain equipment when required could adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations.
The 2011 earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Japan did not have a significant impact on the Company’s ability to obtain raw materials or capital equipment.
 
Backlog

The first several layers of a set of photomasks for a circuit pattern are often required to be shipped within 24 hours of receiving a customer's designs. Because of the short period between order and shipment dates (typically from 1 day to 2 weeks) for a significant amount of the Company's sales, the dollar amount of current backlog is not considered to be a reliable indicator of future sales volume.

International Operations

International sales were approximately 69%, 71% and 72% of the Company's net sales in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company believes that its ability to serve international markets requires it to have, among other things, a local presence in the markets that it serves. This requires a significant investment in financial, managerial, operational, and other resources.

Operations outside of the United States are subject to inherent risks, including fluctuations in exchange rates, political and economic conditions in various countries, unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, tariffs and other trade barriers, difficulties in staffing and managing international operations, longer accounts receivable collection cycles and potentially adverse tax consequences. These factors may have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to generate sales outside of the United States and to deploy resources where they could otherwise be used to their greatest advantage and, consequently, may adversely affect its financial condition and results of operations. Note 17 of the notes to the Company's consolidated financial statements reports net sales and long-lived assets by geographic region.

Competition

The photomask industry is highly competitive and most of the Company's customers utilize multiple photomask suppliers. The Company's ability to compete depends primarily upon the consistency of its products’ quality, timeliness of delivery, as well as pricing, technical capability and service, which the Company believes are the principal factors considered by customers in selecting their photomask suppliers. The Company also believes that proximity to customers is an important factor in certain markets where cycle time from order to delivery is critical. A few competitors have greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other resources than the Company. An inability to meet these requirements could adversely affect the Company's financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The Company believes that it is able to compete effectively because of its dedication to customer service, investment in state-of-the-art photomask equipment and facilities, and experienced technical employees.
 
 
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The Company estimates that for the types of photomasks it manufactures (IC and FPD) the size of the total market (captive and merchant) is approximately $3.7 billion. Competitors include Compugraphics, Inc., Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., Hoya Corporation, SK-Electronics Co. Ltd., Taiwan Mask Corporation, Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. and Toppan Chungwha Electronics Corporation. The Company also competes with semiconductor manufacturers' captive photomask manufacturing operations that supply photomasks for internal use and, in some instances, also for external customers and foundries. The Company expects to face continued competition which, in the past, has led to pressure to reduce prices. The Company believes the pressure to reduce prices has contributed to the decrease in the number of independent manufacturers, and expects such pressure to continue in the future.

Employees

As of October 30, 2011, the Company had approximately 1,350 employees. The Company believes it offers competitive compensation and other benefits and that its employee relations are good.
 
ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS
 
The Company's dependency on the semiconductor industry which, as a whole, is volatile and could have a negative material impact on its business.

The Company sells substantially all of its photomasks to semiconductor designers, manufacturers and foundries, as well as to other high performance electronics manufacturers. The Company believes that the demand for photomasks depends primarily on design activity rather than sales volume from products using photomask technologies. Consequently, an increase in semiconductor or FPD sales does not necessarily result in a corresponding increase in photomask sales. In addition, the reduced use of customized ICs, a reduction in design complexity, other changes in the technology or methods of manufacturing or designing semiconductors or a slowdown in the introduction of new semiconductor or FPD designs could reduce demand for photomasks even if the demand for semiconductors and FPDs increases. Further, advances in design and production methods for semiconductors and other high performance electronics could reduce the demand for photomasks. Historically, the semiconductor industry has been volatile, with sharp periodic downturns and slowdowns. These downturns have been characterized by, among other things, diminished product demand, excess production capacity and accelerated erosion of selling prices. The semiconductor industry experienced a downturn in fiscal 2008, which continued through fiscal 2009, and had an adverse impact on the Company's 2009 operating results.

The Company's results may suffer if either the IC or FPD photomask market does not grow or if the Company is unable to serve these markets successfully. The Company believes that the demand for photomasks for both ICs and FPDs depends primarily on design activity and, to a lesser extent, upon an increase in the number of production facilities used to manufacture ICs or FPDs. As a result, an increase in IC or FPD sales will not necessarily lead to a corresponding increase in photomask sales. A slowdown in the development of new technologies for fabricating ICs or FPDs could reduce the demand for related photomasks even if the demand for ICs or FPDs increases.
 
The Company incurred a net loss in fiscal year 2009, and may incur future net losses.

The Company incurred a net loss of $41.9 million in fiscal 2009 due, in part, to the global recession and related severe downturn experienced by the semiconductor industry that began in 2008. The net loss incurred in fiscal year 2009 included significant non-cash charges for restructurings and impairments of long-lived assets. The Company returned to profitability and had net income attributable to Photronics, Inc. of $16.2 million in fiscal 2011 and $23.9 million in fiscal 2010, but cannot provide assurance that it will not incur future net losses.
 
 
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The Company's quarterly operating results fluctuate significantly and may continue to do so in the future.

The Company has experienced fluctuations in its quarterly operating results and anticipates that such fluctuations will continue and could intensify in the future. Fluctuations in operating results may result in volatility in the prices of the Company's common stock and financial instruments linked to the value of the Company's common stock. Operating results may fluctuate as a result of many factors, including the size and timing of orders and shipments, the loss of significant customers, changes in product mix, the flow of customer design releases, technological change, fluctuations in manufacturing yields, competition and general economic conditions. The Company operates in a high fixed cost environment and should its revenues and asset utilization decrease, its operating margins could be negatively impacted.

The Company's customers generally order photomasks on an as-needed basis, and substantially all of the Company's net sales in any quarter are dependent on orders received during that quarter. Since the Company operates with little backlog and the rate of new orders may vary significantly from quarter-to-quarter, the Company's capital expenditures and, to some extent, expense levels are based primarily on sales forecasts. Consequently, if anticipated sales in any quarter do not occur when expected, capital expenditures and expense levels could be disproportionately high, and the Company's operating results would be adversely affected. Due to the foregoing factors, the Company believes that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of its operating results are not necessarily meaningful and that these comparisons cannot be relied upon as indicators of future performance. In addition, in future quarters the Company's operating results could be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors which, in turn, could materially adversely affect the market price of the Company's common stock.

The photomask industry is subject to rapid technological change and the Company might fail to remain competitive, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations.

The photomask industry has been, and is expected to continue to be, characterized by technological change and evolving industry standards. In order to remain competitive, the Company will be required to continually anticipate, respond to and utilize changing technologies of increasing complexity in both traditional and emerging markets that it serves. In particular, the Company believes that, as semiconductor geometries continue to become smaller and FPDs become larger with improved performance, it will be required to manufacture increasingly complex photomasks. Additionally, the demand for photomasks has been, and could in the future be, adversely affected by changes in semiconductor and high performance electronics fabrication methods that affect the type or quantity of photomasks utilized, such as changes in semiconductor demand that favor field programmable gate arrays and other semiconductor designs that replace application-specific ICs. Furthermore, increased market acceptance of alternative methods of transferring IC designs onto semiconductor wafers could reduce or eliminate the need for photomasks in the production of semiconductors. As of the end of fiscal 2011, one alternative method, direct-write lithography, has not been proven to be a commercially viable alternative to photomasks, as it is considered to be too slow for high volume semiconductor wafer production. However, should direct-write or any other alternative method of transferring IC designs to semiconductor wafers without the use of photomasks achieve market acceptance, the Company's business and results of operations would be materially adversely affected. If the Company is unable to anticipate, respond to or utilize these or other technological changes, due to resource, technological or other constraints, its business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

The Company's operations will continue to require substantial capital expenditures, for which it may be unable to obtain funding.

The manufacture of photomasks requires substantial investments in high-end manufacturing capability at existing and new facilities. The Company expects that it will be required to continue to make substantial capital expenditures to meet the technological demands of its customers and to position itself for future growth. The Company's capital expenditure payments for fiscal 2012 are expected to be in the range of $60 million to $80 million, of which $19 million was in accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of October 30, 2011. The Company cannot provide assurance that it will be able to obtain the additional capital required to fund its operations on reasonable terms, if at all, or that any such inability will not have a material adverse effect on its business and results of operations.
 
 
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The Company's agreements with Micron have several risks; should either company not comply or execute under these agreements it could significantly disrupt the Company's business and technological activities, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operations or cash flows.

On May 5, 2006, Photronics and Micron entered into a joint venture known as MP Mask. The joint venture develops and produces photomasks for leading-edge and advanced next generation semiconductors. As part of the formation of the joint venture, Micron contributed its existing photomask technology center located at its Boise, Idaho, headquarters to MP Mask and Photronics paid Micron $135 million in exchange for a 49.99% interest in MP Mask, a license for photomask technology of Micron and certain supply agreements. Since the formation of the joint venture, the Company has, through October 30, 2011, made contributions to MP Mask of approximately $25 million and received returns of investments of $10 million.

MP Mask is governed by a Board of Managers, appointed by Micron and the Company. Since MP Mask's inception, Micron, as a result of its majority ownership, has had greater voting power, if necessary, within MP Mask’s Board of Managers. The number of managers appointed by each party is subject to change as ownership interests change. Under the MP Mask joint venture operating agreement, the Company may be required to make additional capital contributions to the joint venture up to the maximum amount defined in the operating agreement. During fiscal 2011, the Company made additional capital contributions of $18.3 million to the MP Mask joint venture, primarily related to capital calls requested by the joint venture.

On May 19, 2009, the Company's capital lease agreement with Micron for the Company's state-of-the-art nanoFab facility ("U.S. nanoFab") in Boise, Idaho, was canceled, at which time Photronics and Micron agreed to enter into a new lease agreement for the U.S. nanoFab building. Under provisions of the new lease agreement, quarterly lease payments were reduced, the lease term was extended, and ownership of the property will not transfer to the Company at the end of the lease term. As a result of the new lease agreement, the Company reduced its lease obligations and the carrying value of its assets under capital leases by approximately $28 million. The Company paid the lease obligation in full with a portion of the net proceeds of the March 2011 issuance of its 3.25% convertible senior notes.

The failure of Photronics or Micron to comply or execute under any of these agreements, capitalize on the use of existing technology or further develop technology could result in a significant disruption to the Company's business and technological activities, and could adversely affect the Company's operations and cash flows.

The Company has been dependent on sales to a limited number of large customers; the loss of any of these customers or a significant reduction in orders from these customers could have a material adverse effect on its sales and results of operations.

Historically, the Company has sold a significant proportion of photomasks to a limited number of IC and FPD manufacturers. During fiscal 2011, one customer, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., accounted for approximately 20% of the Company's net sales. The Company's five largest customers, in the aggregate, accounted for approximately 45%, 39% and 42% of net sales in fiscal 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. None of the Company's customers has entered into a significant long-term agreement with the Company requiring them to purchase the Company's products. The loss of a significant customer or a significant reduction or delay in orders from any significant customer, (including reductions or delays due to customer departures from recent buying patterns), or an unfavorable change in market, economic, or competitive conditions in the semiconductor or FPD industries, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial performance and business prospects. The consolidation of semiconductor manufacturers or an economic downturn in the semiconductor industry may increase the likelihood of losing a significant customer and also have an adverse effect on the Company's financial performance and business prospects.
 
 
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The Company depends on a small number of suppliers for equipment and raw materials and, if the Company's suppliers do not deliver their products to it, the Company may be unable to deliver its products to its customers, which could adversely affect its business and results of operations.

The Company relies on a limited number of photomask equipment manufacturers to develop and supply the equipment it uses. These equipment manufacturers currently require lead times of up to twelve months or longer between the order and the delivery of certain photomask imaging and inspection equipment. The failure of such manufacturers to develop or deliver such equipment on a timely basis could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations. Further, the Company relies on equipment manufacturers to develop future generations of manufacturing equipment to meet its requirements. In addition, the manufacturing equipment necessary to produce advanced photomasks could become prohibitively expensive.

The Company uses high precision quartz photomask blanks, pellicles, and electronic grade chemicals in its manufacturing processes. There are a limited number of suppliers of these raw materials and, for production of certain high-end photomasks, there is only one available supplier, whose manufacturing facilities are located in Japan. The Company has no long-term contracts for the supply of these raw materials. Any delays or quality problems in connection with significant raw materials, particularly photomask blanks, could cause delays in the shipments of photomasks, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations. The fluctuation of foreign currency exchange rates, with respect to prices of equipment and raw materials used in manufacturing, could also have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations.

The Company faces risks associated with the use of sophisticated equipment and complex manufacturing processes and technologies. The inability of the Company to effectively utilize such equipment and perform such processes and technologies could have a material adverse effect on its business and results of operations.

The Company's complex manufacturing processes require the use of expensive and technologically sophisticated equipment and materials, and are continually modified in an effort to improve manufacturing yields and product quality. Minute impurities, defects or other difficulties in the manufacturing process can lower manufacturing yields and make products unmarketable. Moreover, manufacturing leading-edge photomasks is more complex and time consuming than manufacturing less advanced photomasks, and may lead to delays in the manufacturing of all levels of photomasks. The Company has, on occasion, experienced manufacturing difficulties and capacity limitations that have delayed the Company's ability to deliver products within the time frames contracted for by its customers. The Company cannot provide assurance that it will not experience these or other manufacturing difficulties, or be subject to increased costs or production capacity constraints in the future, any of which could result in a loss of customers or could otherwise have a material adverse effect on its business and results of operations.

The Company's debt agreements limit its ability to obtain financing and may obligate the Company to repay debt before its maturity.

Financial covenants related to the Company’s credit facility include Total Leverage Ratio, a Minimum Fixed Charge Ratio, and Minimum Unrestricted Cash Balances. Existing covenant restrictions limit the Company's ability to obtain additional debt financing and, should Photronics be unable to meet one or more of these covenants, its lenders may require the Company to repay any outstanding balance prior to the expiration date of the agreements. The Company's ability to comply with the financial and other covenants in its debt agreements may be affected by worsening economic or business conditions, or other events. The Company cannot assure that additional sources of financing would be available to pay off any long-term borrowings, so as to avoid default.  Should the Company default on certain of its long-term borrowings, a cross default would occur on other long-term borrowings, unless amended or waived.

 
10

 
 
The Company's prior and future acquisitions may entail certain operational and financial risks.

The Company has made significant acquisitions throughout its history. The focus of the Company’s most recent significant acquisitions has been on increasing its manufacturing presence in Asia, including its acquisition in 2000 of Precision Semiconductor Mask Corporation, a Taiwanese photomask manufacturer, and in 2001 of PK Ltd., a Korean photomask manufacturer, and increasing its technology base through the MP Mask joint venture between Photronics and Micron in 2006. The Company may make additional acquisitions in the future. Acquisitions place significant demands on the Company's administrative, operational and financial personnel and systems. Managing acquired operations entails numerous operational and financial risks, including difficulties in the assimilation of acquired operations, diversion of management's attention from other business concerns, managing assets in multiple geographic regions, determining values of acquired intangible assets and the potential loss of key employees of acquired operations. Sales of acquired operations may decline following an acquisition, particularly if there is an overlap of customers served by the Company and the acquired operation, and these customers transition to another vendor in order to ensure a second source of supply. Furthermore, the Company may be required to utilize its cash reserves and/or issue new securities to fund future acquisitions, which could have a dilutive effect on its earnings per share.

The Company's cash flow from operations and current holdings of cash may not be adequate for its current and long-term needs.

The Company's liquidity is highly dependent on its sales volume and the timing of its capital expenditures, (which can vary significantly from period to period), as it operates in a high fixed cost environment. Depending on conditions in the semiconductor and FPD markets, the Company's cash flows from operations and current holdings of cash may not be adequate to meet its current and long-term needs for capital expenditures, operations and debt repayments. Historically, in certain years, the Company has used external financing to fund these needs. Due to conditions in the credit markets, some financing instruments used by the Company in the past may not be currently available to it. Therefore, the Company cannot provide assurance that additional sources of financing would be available to it on commercially favorable terms, if at all, should its cash requirements exceed its cash available from operations, existing cash, and cash available under its credit facility.

The Company may fail to realize projected benefits related to its fiscal 2012 restructuring in Singapore or, it may incur unforeseen charges related to any other possible future facility closures or restructurings.

In order to lower its operating costs and increase its manufacturing efficiencies, in December 2011 the Company ceased the manufacture of photomasks at its facility in Singapore. However, the Company cannot assure that this action will result in its realizing the projected benefits related to this restructuring. The Company also cannot provide assurance that there will not be additional facility closures or other restructurings in the near or long-term, nor can it assure that it will not incur significant charges, should there be any additional future facility closures or restructurings.
 
The Company operates in a highly competitive industry; should the Company be unable to meet its customers' requirements for product quality, timeliness of delivery or technical capabilities, it could adversely affect the Company's sales.

The photomask industry is highly competitive, and most of the Company's customers utilize more than one photomask supplier. The Company's competitors include Compugraphics, Inc., Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., Hoya Corporation, SK-Electronics Co., Ltd., Taiwan Mask Corporation, Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. and Toppan Chunghwa Electronics Corporation. The Company also competes with semiconductor manufacturers' captive photomask manufacturing operations, some of which market their photomask manufacturing services to outside customers. The Company expects to face continued competition from these and other suppliers in the future. Many of the Company's competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, sales, marketing and other resources than it has. Also, when producing smaller geometry photomasks, some of the Company's competitors may be able to more rapidly develop, produce, and achieve higher manufacturing yields than the Company. The Company believes that consistency of product quality and timeliness of delivery, as well as price, technical capability, and service are the principal factors considered by customers in selecting their photomask suppliers. The Company's inability to meet these requirements could have a material adverse effect on its business and results of operations. In the past, competition led to pressure to reduce prices which, the Company believes, contributed to the decrease in the number of independent photomask suppliers. This pressure to reduce prices may continue in the future.
 
 
11

 
 
The Company's substantial international operations are subject to additional risks.

International sales were approximately 69%, 71% and 72% of the Company's net sales in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company believes that maintaining significant international operations requires it to have, among other things, a local presence in the geographic markets that it supplies. This requires significant investments in financial, managerial, operational, and other resources. Since 1996, the Company has significantly expanded its operations in international markets by acquiring existing businesses in Europe, acquiring majority equity interests in photomask manufacturing operations in Korea and Taiwan and building a new manufacturing facility for FPD photomasks in Taiwan. The Company, in order to enable it to optimize its investments and other resources, closely monitors the semiconductor and FPD manufacturing markets for indications of geographic movement and, in conjunction with these efforts, continues to assess the locations of its manufacturing facilities. These assessments may result in the opening or closing of facilities.

Operations outside of the United States are subject to inherent risks, including fluctuations in exchange rates, unstable political and economic conditions in various countries, unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, tariffs and other trade barriers, difficulties in staffing and managing international operations, longer accounts receivable payment cycles and potentially adverse tax consequences. These factors may have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to generate sales outside of the United States and, consequently, on its business and results of operations.

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates could materially, adversely affect the Company's results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

The Company's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principals generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and are reported in U.S. dollars. The Company's international operations have transactions and balances denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the Korean won, New Taiwan dollar, Japanese yen, Singapore dollar, euro, and the pound sterling. In fiscal 2011, the Company recorded a net gain from changes in foreign currency exchange rates of $0.4 million in its statement of operations, while its net assets were increased by $3.3 million as a result of the translation of foreign currency financial statements to U.S. dollars. In the event of significant foreign currency fluctuations, the Company's results of operations, financial condition or cash flows may be adversely affected.

The Company's business depends on managerial and technical personnel, who are in great demand, and its inability to attract and retain qualified employees could adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations.

The Company's success depends, in part, upon key managerial, engineering and technical personnel, as well as its ability to continue to attract and retain additional qualified personnel. The loss of certain key personnel could have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business and results of operations. There can be no assurance that the Company can retain its key managerial, and technical employees, or that it can attract similar additional employees in the future.

The Company may be unable to enforce or defend its ownership and use of proprietary technology, and the utilization of unprotected Company developed technology by its competitors could adversely affect the Company's business, results of operations and financial position.

The Company believes that the success of its business depends more on its proprietary technology, information and processes, and know-how than on its patents or trademarks. Much of its proprietary information and technology related to manufacturing processes is not patented and may not be patentable. The Company cannot offer assurance that:

 
·
it will be able to adequately protect its technology;

 
·
competitors will not independently develop similar technology; or

 
·
international intellectual property laws will adequately protect its intellectual property rights.
 
 
12

 
 
The Company may become the subject of infringement claims or legal proceedings by third parties with respect to current or future products or processes. Any such claims, with or without merit, or litigation to enforce or protect its intellectual property rights, or that require the Company to defend itself against claimed infringements of the rights of others, could result in substantial costs, diversion of resources, and product shipment delays or could force the Company to enter into royalty or license agreements, rather than dispute the merits of these claims. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial position.

The Company may be unprepared for changes to environmental laws and regulations and may incur liabilities arising from environmental matters.

The Company is subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations that impose various environmental controls on, among other things, the discharge of pollutants into the air and water and the handling, use, storage, disposal and clean-up of solid and hazardous wastes. Changes in these laws and regulations may have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position and results of operations. Any failure by the Company to adequately comply with these laws and regulations could subject it to significant future liabilities.

In addition, these laws and regulations may impose clean-up liabilities on current and former owners and operators of real property as well as parties who arrange for the disposal of hazardous substances at off-site locations owned or operated by others, without regard to fault, so that these liabilities may be joint and several with other parties. In the past, the Company has been involved in remediation activities related to its properties. The Company believes, based upon current information, that environmental liabilities relating to these activities or other matters are not material to its financial position or operations. However, there can be no assurances that the Company will not incur any material environmental liabilities in the future.

The Company's production facilities could be damaged or disrupted by a natural disaster or labor strike, either of which could adversely affect its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

A major catastrophe, such as an earthquake or other natural disaster, labor strike, or work stoppage at any manufacturing facility of the Company, its suppliers, or its customers, could result in a prolonged interruption of the Company’s business. A disruption resulting from any one of these events could cause significant delays in shipments of the Company's products and the loss of sales and customers, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The Company's facilities in Taiwan are located in a seismically active area.

The Company's sales can be impacted by the health and stability of the general economy, which could adversely affect its results of operations and cash flows.

Unfavorable general economic conditions in the U.S. or other countries in which the Company does business may have the effect of reducing the demand for photomasks. Economic downturns may lead to a decrease in demand for end products whose manufacturing processes involve the use of photomasks, which may result in a reduction in new product design and development by semiconductor manufacturers, and adversely affect the Company's results of operations and cash flows.

Additional taxes could adversely affect the Company's financial results.

The Company's tax filings are subjected to audit by tax authorities in the various jurisdictions in which it does business. These audits may result in assessments of additional taxes that are subsequently resolved with the authorities or through the courts. Currently, the Company believes there are no outstanding assessments whose resolution would result in a material adverse financial result. However, the Company cannot offer assurances that unasserted or potential future assessments would not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.
 
 
13

 
 
The Company's business could be adversely impacted by global or regional catastrophic events.

The Company's business could be adversely affected by terrorist acts, major natural disasters, widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases, or the outbreak or escalation of wars, especially in the Asian region, where the Company generates a significant portion of its sales, and in Japan where it purchases raw materials and capital equipment. Such events in the geographic regions in which the Company does business, including escalations of political tensions and military operations within the Korean Peninsula, where a major portion of the Company's foreign operations are located, could have material adverse impacts on its sales volume, cost of raw materials, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Technology failures or cyber security breaches could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations.
 
The Company relies on information technology systems to process, transmit, store, and protect electronic information. For example, a significant portion of the communications between the Company’s personnel, customers, and suppliers depends on information technology. Information technology systems of the Company may be vulnerable to a variety of interruptions due to events beyond its control including, but not limited to, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, hackers, and other security issues. The Company has technology and information security processes and disaster recovery plans in place to mitigate our risk to these vulnerabilities. However, these measures may not be adequate to ensure that our operations will not be disrupted, should such an event occur.

Servicing the Company's debt requires a significant amount of cash, and the Company may not have sufficient cash flow from its operations to pay its indebtedness.

The Company's ability to make scheduled payments of debt principal and interest or to refinance its indebtedness depends on its future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond the Company's control. The Company's business may not continue to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future to both service its debt and make necessary capital expenditures. If the Company is unable to generate such cash flow, it may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. The Company's ability to refinance its indebtedness will depend upon the conditions in the capital markets and the Company's financial condition at such time. The Company may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on its debt obligations.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None

ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY

The following table presents certain information about the Company's photomask manufacturing facilities:

 
Location
 
Type of
Interest
   
         
Allen, Texas
 
Owned
   
Boise, Idaho
 
Leased
   
Brookfield, Connecticut
 
Owned
   
Bridgend, South Wales
 
Leased
   
Cheonan, Korea
 
Owned
   
Dresden, Germany
 
Leased
   
Hsinchu, Taiwan
 
Leased
   
Singapore
 
Leased
 
(1)
Taichung, Taiwan
 
Owned
 
(2)

(1)  The Company ceased the manufacturing of photomasks at its Singapore facility in December 2011.

(2)   The Company owns its manufacturing facility in Taichung, however, it leases the related land.

 
14

 
 
The Company believes that its existing manufacturing facilities are suitable and adequate for its present purposes. The Company also leases various sales offices. The Company's administrative headquarters are located in Brookfield, Connecticut, in a building that it owns.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is subject to various claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes such claims, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on the business of the Company.

ITEM 4. [Removed and reserved]

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDERS' MATTERS

The Common Stock of the Company is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market ("NASDAQ") under the symbol PLAB. The table below shows the range of high and low sale prices per share of each quarter for fiscal years 2011 and 2010, as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market.


   
High
   
Low
 
             
Fiscal Year Ended October 30, 2011:
           
             
Quarter Ended January 30, 2011
  $ 7.25     $ 5.63  
Quarter Ended May 1, 2011
    10.15       6.47  
Quarter Ended July 31, 2011
    10.13       7.46  
Quarter Ended October 30, 2011
    7.93       4.58  
                 
Fiscal Year Ended October 31,  2010:
               
                 
Quarter Ended January 31, 2010
  $ 5.14     $ 3.73  
Quarter Ended May 2, 2010
    5.98       3.52  
Quarter Ended August 1, 2010
    5.64       4.03  
Quarter Ended October 31, 2010
    6.86       3.88  
 
On December 31, 2011, the closing sale price of the Common Stock per the NASDAQ Global Select Market was $6.08. Based on information available to the Company, the Company believes it has approximately 9,400 shareholders.

The Company, to date, has not paid any cash dividends on PLAB shares and, for the foreseeable future, anticipates that earnings will continue to be retained for use in its business. Further, the Company's revolving credit facility precludes it from paying cash dividends.

The information regarding the Company's equity compensation required to be disclosed by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K is incorporated by reference from the Company's 2012 definitive Proxy Statement into Item 12 of Part III of this report.

In the second and third quarters of fiscal 2011 the Company, in two separate transactions, acquired $35.4 million of its 5.5% convertible senior notes in exchange for 5.2 million shares of its common stock, with a fair value of $45.7 million, and cash of $22.9 million (the note holders received 147.529 shares and cash of $647 for each $1,000 note). The Company, in connection with these transactions, recorded extinguishment losses of $35.1 million, which included the write-off of deferred financing fees of $2.0 million. The losses are included in other income (expense) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
 
 
15

 
 
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial data is derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial statements. The data should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and other financial information included elsewhere in this Form 10-K (in thousands, except per share amounts).
 
   
Year Ended
 
   
October 30,
2011
     
October 31,
2010
     
November 1,
2009
     
November 2,
2008
     
October 28,
2007
 
                                       
OPERATING DATA:
                                     
                                       
Net sales
  $ 512,020       $ 425,554       $ 361,353       $ 422,548       $ 421,479  
                                                 
Cost and expenses:
                                               
Cost of sales
    (375,806 )       (333,739 )       (304,282 )       (349,841 )       (321,958 )
Selling, general and administrative
    (45,240 )       (42,387 )       (41,162 )       (55,167 )       (61,507 )
Research and development
    (15,507 )       (14,932 )       (15,423 )       (17,475 )       (17,300 )
Consolidation, restructuring and related credits (charges)
    -         4,979  
(c)
    (13,557 )
(e)
    (510 )
(h)
    -  
Impairment of long-lived assets
    -         -         (1,458 )
(f)
    (66,874 )
(i)
    -  
Impairment of goodwill
    -         -         -         (138,534 )
(j)
    -  
Gain on sale of facility
    -         -         2,034         -         2,254  
Operating income (loss)
    75,467         39,475         (12,495 )       (205,853 )       22,968  
                                                 
Other income (expense):
                                               
Debt extinguishment loss
    (35,259 )
(a)
    -         -         -         -  
Interest expense
    (7,258 )       (9,475 )       (22,401 )       (11,878 )       (5,928 )
                                                 
Investment and other income (expense), net
    2,949  
(b)
    2,553  
(d)
    (2,208 )
(g)
    5,562         6,844  
Income (loss) before income tax (provision) benefit
    35,899         32,553         (37,104 )       (212,169 )       23,884  
Income tax (provision) benefit
    (15,691 )       (7,471 )       (4,323 )       2,778         3,178  
Net income (loss)
    20,208  
(a)(b)
    25,082  
(c)(d)
    (41,427 )
(e)(f)(g)
    (209,391 )
(h)(i)(j)
    27,062  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (3,979 )       (1,160 )       (483 )       (1,374 )       (2,539 )
Net income (loss) attributable to Photronics, Inc.
  $ 16,229  
(a)(b)
  $ 23,922  
(c)(d)
  $ (41,910 )
(e)(f)(g)
  $ (210,765 )
(h)(i)(j)
  $ 24,523  
                                                 
Earnings (loss) per share:
                                               
                                                 
Basic
  $ 0.28  
(a)(b)
  $ 0.45  
(c)(d)
  $ (0.97 )
(e)(f)(g)
  $ (5.06 )
(h)(i)(j)
  $ 0.59  
Diluted
  $ 0.28  
(a)(b)
  $ 0.43  
(c)(d)
  $ (0.97 )
(e)(f)(g)
  $ (5.06 )
(h)(i)(j)
  $ 0.56  
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
                                               
                                                 
Basic
    57,030         53,433         43,210         41,658         41,539  
Diluted
    58,458         65,803         43,210         41,658         51,282  
 
 
16

 
 
BALANCE SHEET DATA
     
   
As of
 
   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
   
November 1,
2009
   
November 2,
2008
   
October 28,
2007
 
                               
Working capital
  $ 209,306     $ 86,573     $ 89,542     $ 66,419     $ 96,606  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    368,680       369,814       347,889       436,528       531,578  
Total assets
    817,854       703,879       663,656       758,007       1,059,780  
Long-term debt
    152,577       78,852       112,137       202,979       191,253  
Equity
    559,756       495,943       449,696       432,398       703,749  
 
(a)
 
Includes losses recorded in connection with the acquisition of $35.4 million face amount of the Company’s 5.5% convertible senior notes, in exchange for 5.2 million shares of its common stock and cash of $22.9 million.
     
(b)
 
Includes non-cash mark-to-market charge of $0.4 million net of tax in connection with warrants issued to purchase the Company’s common stock.
     
(c)
 
Includes consolidation and restructuring credits of $5.0 million in connection with the closure of the Company's Shanghai, China, facility.
     
(d)
 
Includes non-cash mark-to-market charge of $0.9 million net of tax in connection with warrants issued to purchase the Company's common stock.
     
(e)
 
Includes consolidation and restructuring charges of $13.6 million ($12.9 million net of tax) in connection with the closures of the Company's Shanghai, China, and Manchester, U.K., manufacturing facilities.
     
(f)
 
Includes impairment charge of $1.5 million ($1.1 million net of tax) related to the Company's Manchester, U.K., manufacturing facility.
     
(g)
 
Includes non-cash mark-to-market charge of $0.3 million net of tax in connection with warrants issued to purchase the Company's common stock.
     
(h)
 
Includes consolidation and restructuring charges of $0.5 million ($0.4 million net of tax) in connection with the closure of the Company's Manchester, U.K., manufacturing facility.
     
(i)
 
Includes impairment charge of $66.9 million ($60.9 million net of tax) for certain long-lived assets in Asia and Europe.
     
(j)
 
Includes impairment of goodwill charge of $138.5 million ($137.3 million net of tax).

ITEM 7.
 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations for the Years Ended October 30, 2011, October 31, 2010 and November 1, 2009

Overview

The Company sells substantially all of its photomasks to semiconductor designers and manufacturers, and manufacturers of FPDs. Photomask technology is also being applied to the fabrication of other higher performance electronic products such as photonics, micro-electronic mechanical systems and certain nanotechnology applications. Thus, the Company's selling cycle is tightly interwoven with the development and release of new semiconductor designs and flat panel applications, particularly as it relates to the semiconductor industry's migration to more advanced design methodologies and fabrication processes. The Company believes that the demand for photomasks primarily depends on design activity rather than sales volumes from products manufactured using photomask technologies. Consequently, an increase in semiconductor or FPD sales does not necessarily result in a corresponding increase in photomask sales. However, the reduced use of customized ICs, reductions in design complexity, other changes in the technology or methods of manufacturing or designing semiconductors, or a slowdown in the introduction of new semiconductor or FPD designs could reduce demand for photomasks even if demand for semiconductors and FPDs increases. Advances in semiconductor, FPD and photomask design and semiconductor and FPD production methods could also reduce the demand for photomasks. Historically, the semiconductor industry has been volatile, with sharp periodic downturns and slowdowns. These downturns have been characterized by, among other things, diminished product demand, excess production capacity and accelerated erosion of selling prices. The semiconductor industry experienced a downturn in 2008 that continued into 2009, which had a negative impact on the Company's 2009 operating results. The Company's 2009 operating results were also negatively impacted by the global recession.
 
 
17

 
 
The global semiconductor industry, including mobile display devices, is driven by end markets which have been closely tied to consumer driven applications of high performance semiconductor devices including, but not limited to, mobile communications and computing solutions. The Company is typically required to fulfill its customer orders within a short period of time, sometimes within 24 hours. This results in the Company having a minimal level of backlog orders, typically one to two weeks for IC photomasks and two to three weeks for FPD photomasks. The Company cannot predict the timing of the industry's transition to volume production of next generation technology nodes or the timing of up and down cycles with precise accuracy, but believes that such transitions and cycles will continue into the future, beneficially and adversely affecting its business, financial condition and operating results in the near term. The Company believes its ability to remain successful in these environments is dependent upon its achieving its goals of being a service and technology leader and efficient solutions supplier, which it believes should enable it to continually reinvest in its global infrastructure.

Since the recession that began in 2008, to some extent, it has been increasingly difficult to obtain external sources of financing to fund operations. As the Company continues to face challenges in the current and near term that require it to continue to make significant improvements in its competitiveness, it continues to evaluate further cost reduction initiatives.

The Company is focused on improving its competitiveness by advancing its technology and reducing costs and, in connection therewith, has invested in manufacturing equipment to serve the high-end market. In order to lower its operating costs and increase its manufacturing efficiencies, in 2009 the Company ceased the manufacture of photomasks at its facilities in Manchester, U.K. and Shanghai, China, and, in December 2011 at its facility in Singapore.

As of December 2011 state-of-the-art production for semiconductor masks is considered to be 45 nanometer and lower for ICs and Generation 8 and above and AMOLED display based process technologies for FPDs. However, 65 nanometer and above geometries for semiconductors and Generation 7 and below process technologies for FPDs constitute the majority of designs currently being fabricated in volume. The Company expects 45 nanometer designs to continue to move to wafer fabrication throughout fiscal 2012, and believes it is well positioned to service an increasing volume of this business as a result of its investments in manufacturing processes and technology in the global regions where its customers are located.

The photomask industry has been, and is expected to continue to be, characterized by technological change and evolving industry standards. In order to remain competitive, the Company will be required to continually anticipate, respond to, and utilize changing technologies. In particular, the Company believes that, as semiconductor geometries continue to become smaller, it will be required to manufacture even more complex optically-enhanced reticles, including optical proximity correction and phase-shift photomasks. Additionally, demand for photomasks has been, and could in the future be, adversely affected by changes in semiconductor and high performance electronics fabrication methods that affect the type or quantity of photomasks used, such as changes in semiconductor demand that favor field-programmable gate arrays and other semiconductor designs that replace application-specific ICs. Furthermore, increased market acceptance of alternative methods of transferring circuit designs onto semiconductor wafers could reduce or eliminate the need for photomasks in the production of semiconductors. As of the end of fiscal 2011, one alternative method, direct-write lithography, has not been proven to be a commercially viable alternative to photomasks, as it is considered too slow for high volume semiconductor wafer production, and the Company has not experienced a significant loss of revenue as a result of this or other alternative semiconductor design methodologies. However, should direct-write or any other alternative method of transferring IC designs to semiconductor wafers without the use of photomasks achieve market acceptance, and the Company does not anticipate, respond to, or utilize these or other changing technologies due to resource, technological or other constraints, its business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
 
 
18

 
 
Both revenues and costs have been affected by the increased demand for high-end technology photomasks that require more advanced manufacturing capabilities, but generally command higher average selling prices ("ASPs"). The Company's capital expenditure payments aggregated approximately $188 million for the three fiscal years ended October 30, 2011, resulting in significant increases in operating expenses. The Company intends to continue to make the required investments to support the technological demands of its customers and position itself for future growth, and expects capital expenditure payments to be between $60 million and $80 million in fiscal 2012.

The manufacture of photomasks for use in fabricating ICs and other related products built using comparable photomask-based process technologies has been, and continues to be, capital intensive. The Company's integrated global manufacturing network, which consists of eight manufacturing sites, and its employees represent a significant portion of its fixed operating cost base. Should sales volumes decrease as a result of a decrease in design releases from the Company's customers, the Company may have excess or underutilized production capacity that could significantly impact operating margins, or result in write-offs from asset impairments.

The vast majority of photomask units produced for semiconductor manufacturers employ geometries of 65 nanometers or larger for ICs, and the vast majority of photomask units produced for FPD manufacturers are Generation 7 technologies or lower. At these geometries, the Company can produce full lines of photomasks and there is no significant technology employed by the Company's competitors that is not available to the Company. Semiconductor fabrication also occurs below 65 nanometer for ICs, and FPD fabrication also occurs at Generation 8 and above.

     In the first quarter of fiscal 2012 the Company ceased the manufacture of photomasks at its Singapore facility.  The Company expects that the restructuring costs of this action will not exceed $2.5 million, all of which it expects to record in fiscal 2012.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2011 the Company issued, through a private offering pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, $115 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% convertible senior notes. The notes mature on April 1, 2016, and note holders may convert each $1,000 principal amount of notes to 96.3879 shares of common stock (equivalent to an initial conversion price of $10.37 per share of common stock) at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding April 1, 2016. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, which are described in the indenture dated March 28, 2011. The Company is not required to redeem the notes prior to their maturity date. Interest on the notes accrues in arrears, and is paid semiannually through the notes’ maturity date. Interest payments on the notes commenced on October 1, 2011. The net proceeds of the notes were approximately $110.7 million, which were used, in part, to repurchase $35.4 million of the Company’s 5.5% convertible senior notes, which were to mature in October 2014, and to pay, in full, its then outstanding obligations under capital leases of $19.8 million.

In the second and third quarters of fiscal 2011 the Company, in two separate transactions, acquired $35.4 million of its 5.5% convertible senior notes in exchange for 5.2 million shares of its common stock, with a fair value of $45.7 million, and cash of $22.9 million (the note holders received 147.529 shares and cash of $647 for each $1,000 note). The Company, in connection with these transactions, recorded extinguishment losses of $35.1 million, which included the write-off of deferred financing fees of $2.0 million. The losses are included in other income (expense) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

In 2011 the board of directors of PSMC authorized PSMC to repurchase shares of its outstanding common stock for retirement.  These repurchase programs resulted in 21.6 million shares being purchased for $9.9 million.  PSMC’s repurchase of these shares increased the Company’s ownership percentage in PSMC from 57.53% at October 31, 2010 to 62.25% as of October 30, 2011.

 
19

 
 
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 the Company issued approximately 11.1 million shares of its common stock at a price of $4.15 per share. Gross proceeds from the offering were $46.0 million which were reduced by underwriting commissions and other expenses to yield net proceeds of approximately $43.1 million. The net proceeds from the offering were used to reduce outstanding amounts under the Company's credit facility.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 the Company issued $57.5 million aggregate principal amount of 5.5% convertible senior notes which mature on October 1, 2014. Note holders may convert each $1,000 principal amount of notes to 196.7052 shares of stock (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $5.08 per share of common stock) on September 30, 2014. The conversion rate may be increased in the event of a make-whole fundamental change (as defined in the prospectus supplement filed by the Company on September 11, 2009) and the Company may not redeem the notes prior to their stated maturity date. The net proceeds of the offering were approximately $54.9 million, which were used to reduce outstanding amounts under the Company's credit facility. As discussed above, as of October 30, 2011, $35.4 million of the convertible senior notes have been converted. Concurrent with the issuance of the 5.5% convertible senior notes, the Company issued warrants to Intel Capital Corporation to purchase a total of 750,000 shares of the Company's common stock, 500,000 of which were at an exercise price of $4.15 per share and 250,000 at an exercise price of $5.08 per share. The warrants expire on September 10, 2014, and were issued to Intel Capital Corporation, an affiliate of Intel Corporation, in consideration for an agreement between the Company and Intel Corporation to share technical and operations information regarding the development of the Company's products, the capabilities of the Company's photomask manufacturing lines and the alignment of photomask toolsets. As of October 30, 2011, none of the warrants issued to Intel Capital Corporation have been exercised. Intel Capital Corporation also invested in the Company's 2009 convertible debt offering.

In the third quarter of 2009 the Company ceased the manufacture of photomasks at its Shanghai, China, facility. Through the end of fiscal 2009, the Company recorded total restructuring charges related to this action of $10.2 million, including $9.9 million related to asset write-downs, primarily for the Shanghai manufacturing facility whose fair value was determined by management using a market approach. Approximately seventy-five employees were affected by this action. During fiscal 2010, the Company recorded net restructuring credits related to the Shanghai facility closing of $5.0 million. The net credit was primarily the result of a gain of $5.4 million related to the sale of the facility.

In the first quarter of 2009 the Company ceased the manufacture of photomasks at its Manchester, U.K., facility and in connection therewith, restructuring charges (primarily for termination costs and asset write-downs) of $3.3 million ($2.7 million net of tax) were incurred in fiscal 2009. Approximately eighty-five employees were affected by this action.

In the first quarter of 2008 a capital lease agreement commenced for the U.S. nanoFab facility. Quarterly lease payments, which bore interest at 8%, were $3.8 million through January 2013. This lease was cancelled in the third quarter of 2009, at which time the Company and Micron (the lessor) entered into a new lease agreement for the facility. Under the provisions of the new lease agreement, quarterly lease payments were reduced from $3.8 million to $2.0 million, the term of the lease was extended from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2014, and ownership of the property will not transfer to the Company at the end of the lease term. The interest rate of the new lease agreement was also 8%. As a result of the new lease agreement, the Company reduced its lease obligation and the carrying value of its assets under capital leases by approximately $28 million. The lease obligation was paid in full with a portion of the net proceeds of the March 28, 2011, issuance of its 3.25% convertible senior notes. The lease will be accounted for as an operating lease during the additional two years of the new lease term.

 
20

 
 
Results of Operations

The following table presents selected operating information expressed as a percentage of net sales:

   
Year Ended
 
   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
   
November 1,
2009
 
                   
Net sales
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of sales
    (73.4 )     (78.4 )     (84.2 )
Gross margin
    26.6       21.6       15.8  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    (8.9 )     (10.0 )     (11.4 )
Research and development expenses
    (3.0 )     (3.5 )     (4.3 )
Consolidation, restructuring and related credits (charges)
    -       1.2       (3.8 )
Impairment of long-lived assets
    -       -       (0.4 )
Gain on sale of facility
    -       -       0.6  
Operating income (loss)
    14.7       9.3       (3.5 )
Debt extinguishment loss
    (6.9 )     -       -  
Interest expense
    (1.4 )     (2.3 )     (6.2 )
Investment and other income (expense), net
    0.6       0.6       (0.6 )
Income (loss) before income tax provision
    7.0       7.6       (10.3 )
Income tax provision
    (3.1 )     (1.7 )     (1.2 )
Net income (loss)
    3.9       5.9       (11.5 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (0.8 )     (0.3 )     (0.1 )
Net income (loss) attributable to Photronics, Inc.
    3.1 %     5.6 %     (11.6 )%
 
Note: All the following tabular comparisons, unless otherwise indicated, are for the fiscal years ended October 30, 2011 (2011), October 31, 2010 (2010) and November 1, 2009 (2009), in millions of dollars.

Net Sales

                     
Percent Change
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010 to
2011
   
2009 to
2010
 
                               
IC
  $ 391.2     $ 329.8     $ 272.9       18.6 %     20.9 %
FPD
    120.8       95.8       88.5       26.2       8.3  
Total net sales
  $ 512.0     $ 425.6     $ 361.4       20.3 %     17.8 %
 
 
21

 
 
Net sales for 2011 increased 20.3% to $512.0 million as compared to $425.6 million for 2010. The increase was primarily related to increased high-end IC and FPD sales, mainly resulting from increased unit demand and ASPs for both high-end ICs and FPDs.  FPD sales increased primarily as a result of increased unit demand for high-end products. High-end photomask applications, which typically have higher ASPs, include photomask sets for IC products using 45 nanometer and below technologies, and for FPD products using G8 and above and AMOLED technologies. Sales of high-end IC photomasks increased to $95 million in 2011 as compared to $37 million in 2010, and sales of high-end FPD photomasks increased to $67 million in 2011 as compared to $37 million in 2010. By geographic area, net sales in 2011 as compared to 2010 increased by $47.4 million or 18.3% in Asia, increased by $34.3 million or 27.7% in North America, and increased by $4.8 million or 11.4% in Europe. As a percent of total sales in 2011, sales were 60% in Asia, 31% in North America and 9% in Europe.

Net sales for 2010 increased 17.8% to $425.6 million as compared to $361.4 million for 2009. The increase was primarily related to increased IC sales, mainly resulting from increased high-end unit demand, and to a lesser extent increased mainstream unit demand.  FPD sales increased modestly as a result of increased unit demand for high-end products. Sales of high-end IC photomasks increased to $37 million in 2010 as compared to $14 million in 2009. By geographic area, net sales in 2010 as compared to 2009 increased by $36.8 million or 16.5% in Asia, increased by $23.9 million or 23.9% in North America, and increased by $3.5 million or 9.1% in Europe. As a percent of total sales in 2010, sales were 61% in Asia, 29% in North America and 10% in Europe.

Gross Margin
 
                     
Percent Change
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010 to
2011
   
2009 to
2010
 
Gross margin
  $ 136.2     $ 91.8     $ 57.1       48.4 %     60.9 %
Gross margin %
    26.6 %     21.6 %     15.8 %     -       -  

Gross margin percentage increased to 26.6% in 2011 from 21.6% in 2010. This increase was primarily due to increased sales of high-end IC photomask units which typically have higher ASPs. Increased unit sales of high-end FPDs also contributed to the higher gross margin percentage in 2011. Gross margin percentage increased to 21.6% in 2010 from 15.8% in 2009. This increase was primarily due to increased sales and increased high-end IC and FPD photomask units. Increased mainstream unit volume also contributed to the increased gross margin percentage in 2010. The Company operates in a high fixed cost environment and, to the extent that the Company's revenues and utilization increase or decrease, gross margin will generally be positively or negatively impacted.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

                     
Percent Change
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010 to
2011
   
2009 to
2010
 
S,G&A expense
  $ 45.2     $ 42.4     $ 41.2       6.7 %     3.0 %
% of net sales
    8.9 %     10.0 %     11.4 %     -       -  

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $2.8 million to $45.2 million in 2011, as compared with $42.4 million in 2010. The increase was primarily related to increased employee compensation and benefit expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased slightly by $1.2 million to $42.4 million in 2010, as compared with $41.2 million in 2009. This increase was also primarily related to increased employee compensation and benefit expenses.
 
 
22

 
 
Research and Development
 
                     
Percent Change
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010 to
2011
   
2009 to
2010
 
R&D expense
  $ 15.5     $ 14.9     $ 15.4       3.9 %     (3.2 )%
% of net sales
    3.0 %     3.5 %     4.3 %     -       -  

Research and development expenses consist primarily of global development efforts related to high-end process technologies for advanced sub-wavelength reticle solutions for IC technologies. Research and development expense did not change significantly in 2011 as compared to 2010, or in 2010 as compared to 2009.

Consolidation, Restructuring and Related (Credits) Charges

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                   
                   
Asset write-downs and other
  $ -     $ -     $ 10.9  
Net gain on sales of assets
    -       (5.2 )     -  
Employee terminations
    -       0.2       2.7  
Total consolidation, restructuring and related (credits) charges
  $ -     $ (5.0 )   $ 13.6  

Shanghai, China, Facility

In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company ceased the manufacture of photomasks at its Shanghai, China, facility. In connection with this restructuring, the Company recorded total net charges of $5.2 million, including $4.7 million of net asset write-downs through its completion in fiscal 2010. The fair value of the assets written down was determined by management using a market approach. Approximately 75 employees were affected by this restructuring.

The Company recorded an initial restructuring charge of $10.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, which included $7.7 million to write down the carrying value of the Company's Shanghai manufacturing facility to its estimated fair value at that time. In the second quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company sold its facility in Shanghai, China, for net proceeds of $12.9 million which resulted in a gain of $5.4 million, which was recorded as a credit to the restructuring reserve in that quarter.

Manchester, U.K., Facility

During the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company ceased the manufacture of photomasks at its Manchester, U.K., facility and, in connection therewith, incurred total restructuring charges of $3.9 million through its completion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, primarily for employee termination costs and asset write-downs. This initiative began in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 with the recording of a $0.5 million charge for the impairment of certain long-lived assets located at the facility. Approximately 85 employees were affected by this restructuring.

Singapore Facility

In the first quarter of fiscal 2012 the Company ceased the manufacture of photomasks at its Singapore facility. The Company expects that the restructuring costs of this action will not exceed $2.5 million, all of which it expects to record in fiscal 2012.

The Company continues to assess its global manufacturing strategy. This ongoing assessment could result in future facility closures, asset redeployments, workforce reductions, and the addition of increased manufacturing facilities, all of which would be predicated on market conditions and customer requirements.
 
 
23

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

In the second quarter of 2009, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1.5 million to reduce the carrying value of its Manchester, U.K., facility to its estimated fair value, which was determined by management using a market approach.

Gain on Sale of Facility

In connection with the closing of its Manchester, U.K., manufacturing facility in the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company sold that facility for $4.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, and realized a gain of $2.0 million.

Other Income (Expense)

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                   
Debt extinguishment
  $ (35.3 )   $ -     $ -  
Interest expense
    (7.2 )     (9.5 )     (22.4 )
Investment and other income (expense), net
    2.9       2.6       (2.2 )
Total other expense, net
  $ (39.6 )   $ (6.9 )   $ (24.6 )

In the second and third quarters of fiscal 2011, the Company acquired $35.4 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.5% convertible senior notes by delivering $22.9 million in cash and 5.2 million shares of its common stock, with a fair value of $45.7 million. In connection with these 2011 acquisitions the Company recorded total debt extinguishment losses of $35.1 million, which included the write-off of $2.0 million of deferred financing fees. A portion of the net proceeds of the Company’s March 28, 2011, 3.25% convertible senior notes offering was used to repurchase these notes.

Interest expense decreased in 2011, as compared to 2010, primarily as a result of higher interest rate debt being replaced with the 3.25% convertible senior notes issued by the Company in March 2011.  In addition, in 2010, the Company wrote off $1.0 million of deferred financing fees, that was charged to interest expense, in connection with refinancing its credit facility.  Investment and other income (expense), net, increased in 2011 as compared to 2010 primarily due to increased investment earnings on the Company’s higher cash balances in 2011, lower non-cash losses related to changes in the fair value of certain of the Company’s common stock warrants and increased earnings on its equity method investment, all of which were largely offset by less favorable foreign currency transaction results.

Interest expense decreased in 2010 as compared to 2009, primarily as a result of lower debt levels and lower average interest rates on the Company's long-term borrowings. In addition, the Company incurred significantly higher amortization of deferred financing fees in 2009 that were related to amendments to its credit facility. Interest expense includes $1.0 million in 2010 and $2.9 million in 2009 related to the write-off of deferred financing fees in connection with amendments to the Company’s credit facility. The outstanding balance of the Company's variable rate debt and related higher interest costs were reduced substantially during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, with net proceeds from its common stock and convertible debt offerings of that year. Investment and other income (expense), net, increased in 2010 as compared to 2009, primarily due to improved foreign currency transaction results, which were offset, in part, by a $0.6 million increase in non-cash losses recorded to adjust certain common stock warrants to their fair value.

Income Tax Provision

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                   
Income tax provision
  $ 15.7     $ 7.5     $ 4.3  
                         
Effective income tax rate
    43.7 %     23.0 %     11.7 %

The effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% in fiscal year 2011 primarily due to the impact of the non-deductible debt extinguishment losses and the impact of a foreign subsidiary tax settlement offset by a higher level of earnings taxed at lower statutory rates in foreign jurisdictions. Further, in Korea and in Taiwan, various investment tax credits have been earned, which also reduced the Company’s effective income tax rate in 2011.
 
 
24

 

The effective income tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% in 2010 primarily due to tax rates being lower than the U.S. rate in other countries where the Company’s income is taxed. In 2009, the effective income tax rate differed from the U.S. statutory rate because income tax expenses incurred in jurisdictions where the Company generated income before income taxes were, due to valuation allowances, not significantly offset by income tax benefits realized in jurisdictions in which the Company incurred losses before income taxes.  The Company, in 2010 and 2009, also benefitted from the utilization of various investment tax credits in Korea and Taiwan.
 
The Company considers all available evidence when evaluating the potential future realization of its deferred tax assets and, when based on the weight of all available evidence, it determines that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized, reduces its deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance.  As a result of these evaluations, the valuation allowance was (decreased) increased by $(8.2) million, $10.9 million and $5.7 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The Company also regularly assesses the potential outcomes of ongoing and future examinations and, accordingly, has recorded accruals for such contingencies.

PKLT, the Company's FPD manufacturing facility in Taiwan, has been accorded a tax holiday which starts in 2012 and expires in 2017. In addition, the Company was accorded a tax holiday in China which expired in 2011. The availability of these tax holidays did not have a significant impact on the Company's decision to increase its Asian presence, which was in response to fundamental changes that took place in the semiconductor industry that the Company serves. These tax holidays had no dollar or per share effect on the 2011, 2010 or 2009 fiscal years.

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased $2.8 million to $4.0 million in 2011, as compared to 2010, and $0.7 million to $1.2 million in 2010, as compared to 2009, primarily as a result of increased net income at PSMC, the Company's non-wholly owned subsidiary in Taiwan.

In 2011 the board of directors of PSMC authorized PSMC to repurchase shares of its outstanding common stock for retirement.  These repurchase programs resulted in 21.6 million shares being purchased for $9.9 million.  PSMC’s repurchase of these shares increased the Company’s ownership percentage in PSMC from 57.53% at October 31, 2010, to 62.25% as of October 30, 2011.  The Company’s ownership percentage in its subsidiary in Korea was 99.7% at October 30, 2011 and October 31, 2010.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
   
November 1,
2009
 
   
(in millions)
   
(in millions)
   
(in millions)
 
                   
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 189.9     $ 98.9     $ 88.5  
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 136.6     $ 95.9     $ 68.1  
                         
Net cash used in investing activities
  $ (100.7 )   $ (58.2 )   $ (24.7 )
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
  $ 54.5     $ (32.4 )   $ (40.5 )

As of October 30, 2011, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $189.9 million compared to $98.9 million as of October 31, 2010. The Company's working capital increased $122.7 million to $209.3 million at October 30, 2011, as compared to $86.6 million at October 31, 2010. The increase in working capital was primarily the result of cash proceeds from the issuance of $115 million of 3.25% convertible senior notes (of which a portion of the proceeds was used to repay higher interest rate debt) and increased cash generated from operating activities.

Cash provided by operating activities was $136.6 million in fiscal 2011, as compared to $95.9 million in fiscal 2010. The increase was the effect of improved year-over-year operating results (excluding the effect of the non-cash debt portion of the extinguishment loss) as a result of increased sales. Cash provided by operating activities increased to $95.9 million in fiscal 2010, as compared to $68.1 million in fiscal 2009, due to improved operating results in fiscal 2010 as a result of increased sales.

 
25

 
 
Cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2011 increased to $100.7 million, as compared to $58.2 million in 2010, primarily due to increases in the Company’s investment in MP Mask as a result of capital calls, net proceeds from the sale of the Company’s former manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China, which reduced total net proceeds used in investing activities in fiscal 2010, and increased capital expenditures in 2011. Capital expenditures for the 2011, 2010, and 2009 fiscal years were $82.1 million, $71.4 million and $35.0 million, respectively. The Company expects capital expenditure payments for fiscal 2012 to be approximately $60 million to $80 million, primarily related to investment in high-end IC manufacturing capability.

Cash provided by financing activities was $54.5 million in fiscal 2011 as compared to $32.4 million used in financing activities in fiscal 2010, and was primarily comprised of the net proceeds received from the March 2011 issuance of 3.25% convertible senior notes, partially offset by the repayment of certain other higher interest rate long-term borrowings. Cash used in financing activities was $32.4 million in fiscal 2010, a decrease of $8.1 million from $40.5 million used in fiscal 2009, and is primarily comprised of $31.3 million in net repayments of long-term borrowings. These 2010 repayments were primarily made with cash generated by operations.

In March 2011 the Company issued $115 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% convertible senior notes.  The Company realized net proceeds of $110.7 million from the issuance of the notes, which mature on April 1, 2016, and commenced paying interest semiannually on October 1, 2011. During the three month period ended May 1, 2011, the Company used $19.7 million of the net proceeds of the 3.25% convertible senior notes and issued common stock to repurchase approximately $30.4 million principal amount of its 5.5% convertible senior notes, and used an additional $19.8 million of the net proceeds to repay its outstanding obligations under capital leases.  In June 2011 the Company acquired an additional $5.0 million principal amount of its outstanding 5.5% convertible senior notes for $3.2 million and common stock.  The Company may use a portion of the remaining net proceeds of its 3.25% convertible senior notes to repurchase additional amounts of its outstanding 5.5% senior convertible notes and for capital expenditure and working capital purposes.

In March 2011 the Company and its lenders amended its revolving credit facility.  Under the terms of the amended credit facility, the total amount available to the Company to borrow was reduced from $65 million to $30 million.  The credit facility bears interest (2.50% at October 30, 2011), based on the Company’s total leverage ratio, at LIBOR plus a spread, as defined in the agreement. The credit facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets located in the United States, as well as common stock the Company owns in certain of its foreign subsidiaries, and is subject to financial covenants, including the following, as defined in the agreement:  minimum fixed charge ratio, total leverage ratio and minimum unrestricted cash balance.  In January 2011 a $10 million irrevocable stand-by letter of credit, which expired in July 2011, for the purchase of manufacturing equipment was issued under the credit facility.  As of October 30, 2011, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the credit facility and $30 million was available for borrowing.

In April 2011 the Company entered into a 5 year, $21.2 million capital lease of manufacturing equipment.  Payments under the lease, which bears interest at 3.09%, are $0.4 million per month through March 2016.  As of October 30, 2011, the total lease amount payable through the end of the lease term was $20.6 million, of which $19.2 million represented principal and $1.4 million represented interest.

In May 2009 the Company amended its revolving credit facility and entered into a warrant agreement with its lenders for 2.1 million shares of its common stock. Forty percent of the warrants were exercisable upon issuance, while the remaining warrants were cancelled as a result of the Company's September 2009 early repayment of a portion of the outstanding balance under its June 6, 2007, credit agreement. As of October 30, 2011, 0.7 million warrants were exercised, including 0.1 million exercised during fiscal 2011.  The remaining 0.2 million warrants which were outstanding at October 30, 2011, were exercised in December 2011.  The warrants were exercised for one share of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $.01 per share. The warrant agreement included a net cash settleable put provision exercisable starting in May 2012 and a call provision exercisable starting in May 2013, both of which were exercisable only if the Company's common stock is not traded on a national exchange. As a result of the aforementioned net cash settleable put provision, the warrants were initially recorded as a liability (included in other liabilities) and were subsequently reported at their fair value.
 
 
26

 
 
In addition to the former credit facility discussed above, the Company also entered into a term loan agreement on June 8, 2009, with an aggregate commitment of $27.2 million. This loan was repaid in February 2010 with funds from the credit facility.

In September 2009 the Company sold, through a public offering, $57.5 million aggregate principal amount of 5.5% convertible senior notes which mature on October 1, 2014. As discussed above, $35.4 million principal amount of these notes were acquired during 2011, leaving an outstanding principal amount of $22.1 million at October 30, 2011. Note holders may convert each $1,000 principal amount of notes to 196.7052 shares of stock (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $5.08 per share of common stock) on September 30, 2014. The conversion rate may be increased in the event of a make-whole fundamental change (as defined in the prospectus supplement filed by the Company on September 11, 2009) and the Company may not redeem the notes prior to their maturity date. The net proceeds of the convertible senior notes offering were approximately $54.9 million, which were used to reduce outstanding amounts under the Company's credit facility.

The Company's liquidity is highly dependent on its sales volume, cash conversion cycle, and the timing of its capital expenditures (which can vary significantly from period to period), as it operates in a high fixed cost environment. Depending on conditions in the semiconductor and FPD markets, the Company's cash flows from operations and current holdings of cash may not be adequate to meet its current and long-term needs for capital expenditures, operations and debt repayments. Historically, in certain years, the Company has used external financing to fund these needs. Due to conditions in the credit markets, some financing instruments used by the Company in the past may not be currently available to it. The Company continues to evaluate further cost reduction initiatives. However, the Company cannot assure that additional sources of financing would be available to it on commercially favorable terms, should its cash requirements exceed cash available from operations, existing cash, and cash available under its credit facility.

At October 30, 2011, the Company had outstanding purchase commitments of approximately $18.5 million, which include approximately $14.4 million related to capital expenditures, primarily for investment in high-end IC photomask manufacturing capability. The Company intends to finance its capital expenditures with working capital and cash generated from operations, and, if necessary, with borrowings under its credit facility.

Cash Requirements

The Company's cash requirements in fiscal 2012 will be primarily to fund its operations, including capital spending, and to service its debt. The Company believes that its cash on hand, cash generated from operations and amounts available under its credit facility will be sufficient to meet its cash requirements for the next twelve months. The Company regularly reviews the availability and terms on which it might issue additional equity or debt securities in the public or private markets. However, the Company cannot assure that additional sources of financing would be available to the Company on commercially favorable terms, should the Company's cash requirements exceed its cash available from operations, existing cash, and cash available under its credit facility.
 
 
27

 
 
Contractual Cash Obligations

The following table presents the Company's future contractual obligations as of October 30, 2011:

   
Payments Due
 
   
 
Total
   
Less
Than
1 Year
   
1 - 3
Years
   
3 - 5
Years
   
More
Than
5 Years
 
                               
Long-term borrowings
  $ 137,054     $ -     $ 22,054     $ 115,000     $ -  
                                         
Operating leases
    21,036       2,324       16,828       1,011       873  
                                         
Capital leases
    19,218       4,043       8,835       6,340       -  
                                         
Unconditional purchase obligations
    18,549       16,806       1,743       -       -  
                                         
Interest
    21,805       5,592       10,717       5,496       -  
                                         
Other noncurrent liabilities
    7,097       -       907       -       6,190  
Total
  $ 224,759     $ 28,765     $ 61,084     $ 127,847     $ 7,063  

As of October 30, 2011, the Company had an outstanding balance of $1.9 million for a loan from a customer which was not included in the above table. The proceeds of the loan were used to purchase manufacturing equipment. This loan is expected to be repaid with product supplied to the customer, typically on a monthly basis, and the Company estimates that the loan will be fully repaid in fiscal 2013.

As of October 30, 2011, the Company had recorded an accrual for uncertain tax positions of $1.9 million which was not included in the above table due to the high degree of uncertainty regarding the timing of future payments related to such liabilities.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Under the MP Mask joint venture operating agreement, in order to maintain its 49.99% ownership interest, the Company may be required to make additional capital contributions to the joint venture up to the maximum amount defined in the operating agreement. Cumulatively, through October 30, 2011, the Company has contributed $24.4 million to the joint venture, and has received distributions from the joint venture totaling $10.0 million. During fiscal 2011, the Company contributed $18.3 million to MP Mask. The Company received no distributions from MP Mask during fiscal 2011.


The Company leases certain office facilities and equipment under operating leases that may require it to pay taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses related to the properties. Certain of these leases contain renewal or purchase options exercisable at the end of the lease terms. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on these operating leases.

In May 2009 the Company and Micron entered into a new lease agreement for the U.S. nanoFab building and cancelled its prior lease agreement. The new lease, among other changes discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, extended the lease term from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2014. The Company was to continue to account for the lease as a capital lease for the remainder of its original term, and will account for it as an operating lease for the period of the lease extension. Rental payments due during the lease extension period total $13.9 million. In 2011 the Company paid this capital lease obligation in full with a portion of the net proceeds of the March 2011 issuance of its 3.25% convertible senior notes.
 
 
28

 

Business Outlook

A majority of the Company's revenue growth is expected to continue to come from the Asian region as customers increase their use of manufacturing foundries located outside of North America and Europe. Additional revenue growth is also anticipated in North America, as the Company expects to benefit from advanced technology it may utilize under its technology license with Micron. The Company's Korean and Taiwanese operations are non-wholly owned subsidiaries and, therefore, a portion of earnings generated at each location is allocated to the noncontrolling interests.

The Company continues to assess its global manufacturing strategy and monitor its market capitalization, sales volume and related cash flows from operations. This ongoing assessment could result in future facility closures, asset redeployments, additional impairments of intangible or long-lived assets, workforce reductions, or the addition of increased manufacturing facilities, all of which would be based on market conditions and customer requirements.

The Company's future results of operations and the other forward-looking statements contained in this filing involve a number of risks and uncertainties. While various risks and uncertainties have been discussed, a number of other unforeseen factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The Company's consolidated financial statements are based on the selection and application of accounting policies, which require management to make significant estimates and assumptions. The Company believes that the following are some of the more critical judgment areas in the application of the Company's accounting policies that affect its financial condition and results of operations.

Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in them. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company's estimates are based on the facts and circumstances available at the time they are made. Changes in accounting estimates used are likely to occur from period to period, which may have a material impact on the presentation of the Company's financial condition and results of operations. Actual results reported by the Company may differ from such estimates. The Company reviews these estimates periodically and reflects the effect of revisions in the period in which they are determined.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair values of the Company's 3.25% and 5.5% convertible senior notes are estimated by management based upon reference to quoted market prices and other available market information. The fair values of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, certain other current assets and current liabilities, and variable rate borrowings approximate their carrying value due to their short-term maturities.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment, except as explained below under "Impairment of Long-Lived Assets," are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Repairs and maintenance, as well as renewals and replacements of a routine nature, are charged to operations as incurred, while those that improve or extend the lives of existing assets are capitalized. Upon sale or other disposition, the cost of the asset and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated statement of operations.

Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Buildings and improvements are depreciated over 15 to 40 years, machinery and equipment over 3 to 10 years and furniture, fixtures and office equipment over 3 to 5 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvement, whichever is less. Judgment and assumptions are used in establishing estimated useful lives and depreciation periods. The Company also uses judgment and assumptions as it periodically reviews property, plant and equipment for any potential impairment in carrying values whenever events such as a significant industry downturn, plant closures, technological obsolescence or other changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable.
 
 
29

 

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist primarily of a technology license agreement, a supply agreement and acquisition-related intangibles. These assets, except as explained below, are stated at fair value as of the date acquired less accumulated amortization. Amortization is calculated using the straight-line method or another method that more fairly represents the utilization of the assets.

The Company periodically evaluates the remaining useful lives of its intangible assets to determine whether events or circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining periods of amortization. In the event that the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining useful life has changed, the remaining carrying amount of the intangible asset is amortized prospectively over that revised remaining useful life. If it is determined that an intangible asset has an indefinite useful life, that intangible asset would be subject to impairment testing annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not, based on future undiscounted cash flows or market factors, be recoverable, and an impairment loss would be recorded in the period so determined. The measurement of the impairment loss would be based on the fair value of the intangible asset.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on the Company's judgment and estimates of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. Measurement of an impairment loss for long-lived assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the fair value of the assets. The carrying values of assets determined to be impaired are reduced to their estimated fair values. Fair values of the impaired assets would generally be determined using a market or income approach.

Investments in Joint Ventures

Investments in joint ventures over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence and that, in general, are at least 20 percent owned are accounted for under the equity method. An impairment loss would be recognized whenever a decrease in the value of such an investment below its carrying amount is determined to be other than temporary. In judging "other than temporary," the Company would consider the length of time and the extent to which the fair value of the investment has been less than the carrying amount of the investment, the near-term and longer-term operating and financial prospects of the investee, and the Company's longer-term intent of retaining its investment in the investee.

Variable Interest Entities

The Company accounts for the investments it makes in certain legal entities in which equity investors do not have 1) sufficient equity at risk for the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or, 2) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk do not have either the power, through voting or similar rights, to direct the activities of the legal entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance or, 3) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the legal entity or the right to receive expected residual returns of the legal entity. These certain legal entities are referred to as “variable interest entities”, or “VIEs”.

The Company would consolidate the results of any such entity in which it determined that it had a controlling financial interest. The Company would have a “controlling financial interest” in such an entity if the Company had both the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb the losses of, or right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE. On a quarterly basis, the Company reassesses whether it has a controlling financial interest in any investments it has in these certain legal entities.

 
30

 
 
Income Taxes

The income tax provision is computed on the basis of the various tax jurisdictions' income or loss before income taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effects of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, as well as the tax effects of net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. The Company uses judgment and assumptions to determine if valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets are required, if their realization is not more likely than not, by considering future market growth, forecasted operations, future taxable income, and the amounts of earnings in the tax jurisdictions in which it operates.

The Company considers income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which it operates in order to determine its effective income tax rate. Current income tax exposure is identified and temporary differences resulting from differing treatments of items for tax and financial reporting purposes are assessed. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, the Company evaluates the potential realization of deferred income tax assets from future taxable income and establishes valuation allowances if their realization is deemed not more likely than not. Accordingly, income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations are impacted by changes in the valuation allowances. Significant management estimates and judgment are required in determining any valuation allowances recorded against net deferred tax assets.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions by recording a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in its tax returns. The Company includes any applicable interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in its income tax provision.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.  Delivery is determined by the shipping terms of the individual sales transactions. For sales with FOB destination shipping terms, delivery occurs when the Company’s product reaches its destination and is received by the customer. For sales with FOB shipping point terms, delivery occurs when the Company’s product is received by the common carrier. The Company uses judgment when estimating the effect on revenue of discounts and product warranty obligations, both of which are accrued when the related revenue is recognized.

Warranties and Other Post Shipment Obligations – For a 30-day period, the Company warrants that items sold will conform to customer specifications. However, the Company’s liability is limited to the repair or replacement of the photomasks at its sole option. The Company inspects photomasks for conformity to customer specifications prior to shipment.  Accordingly, customer returns of items under warranty have historically been insignificant.  However, the Company records a liability for the insignificant amount of estimated warranty returns based on historical experience. The Company’s specific return policies include accepting returns of products with defects, or products that have not been produced to precise customer specifications. At the time of revenue recognition, a liability is established for these items.

Share-based Compensation

The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 718, related to share-based compensation, on October 31, 2005, using the modified prospective method described in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment".Subsequently, compensation expense has been recognized in its consolidated statements of operations over the service period that the awards are expected to vest. The Company recognizes expense for all share-based compensation with graded vesting granted on or after October 31, 2005, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the entire award. For awards with graded vesting granted prior to October 31, 2005, the Company recognized compensation cost over the vesting period following accelerated recognition as if each underlying vesting date represented a separate award. Share-based compensation expense includes the estimated effects of forfeitures, which are adjusted over the requisite service period to the extent actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from such estimates. Changes in estimated forfeitures are recognized in the period of change and will also impact the amount of expense to be recognized in future periods. Determining the appropriate option pricing model, calculating the grant date fair value of share-based awards and estimating forfeiture rates requires considerable judgment, including the estimations of stock price volatility and the expected term of options granted.
 
 
31

 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value employee stock options. The Company estimates stock price volatility based on daily averages of its historical volatility over a term approximately equal to the estimated time period the grant will remain outstanding. The expected term of options and forfeiture rate assumptions are derived from historical data.

Effect of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 23 of the Company's consolidated financial statements for a summary of recent accounting pronouncements that may affect the Company's financial statements.

ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company records derivatives on the balance sheet as assets or liabilities, measured at fair value. The Company does not engage in derivative instruments for speculative purposes. Gains or losses resulting from changes in the values of those derivatives are reported in the consolidated statement of operations, or as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, a separate component of equity, depending on the use of the derivatives and whether they qualify for hedge accounting. In order to qualify for hedge accounting, among other criteria, a derivative must be a hedge of an interest rate, price, foreign currency exchange rate, or credit risk that is expected to be highly effective at the inception of the hedge, be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item during the term of the hedge and formally documented at the inception of the hedge. The types of risks that the Company has hedged are those related to the variability of future cash flows caused by movements in foreign currency exchange and interest rates. The Company documents its risk management strategy and hedge effectiveness at the inception of, and during the term of, each hedge.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

The Company conducts business in several major international currencies throughout its worldwide operations and its financial performance may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rates of these currencies. Changes in exchange rates can positively or negatively affect the Company's sales, operating margins, assets, liabilities, and equity. The functional currencies of the Company's Asian subsidiaries are the Korean won, New Taiwan dollar and the Singapore dollar. The functional currencies of the Company's European subsidiaries are the British pound and the euro.

The Company attempts to minimize its risk of foreign currency transaction losses by producing its products in the same country in which the products are sold (thereby generating revenues and incurring expenses in the same currency), and by managing its working capital. In some instances, the Company may sell or purchase products in a currency other than the functional currency of the country where it was produced. There can be no assurance that this approach will continue to be successful, especially in the event of a significant adverse movement in the value of any foreign currency against the U.S. dollar. Prior to 2010, the Company had periodically experienced significant foreign exchange losses on these transactions.

The Company's primary net foreign currency exposures as of October 30, 2011, included the Korean won, the Japanese yen, the Singapore dollar, the New Taiwan dollar, the British pound, and the euro. As of October 30, 2011, a 10% adverse movement in the value of these currencies against the U.S. dollar would have resulted in a net unrealized pre-tax loss of $2.6 million. The Company does not believe that a 10% change in the exchange rates of other non-U.S. dollar currencies would have a material effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Interest Rate Risk

At October 30, 2011, the Company did not have any outstanding variable rate borrowings. A change in interest rates would not have had a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows in the year ended October 30, 2011.
 
 
32

 
 
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
     
   
Page
     
 
34
     
 
35
     
 
36
     
 
37
     
 
38
     
 
39
 
 
33

 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Shareholders
Photronics, Inc.
Brookfield, Connecticut

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Photronics, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of October 30, 2011 and October 31, 2010 and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity and other comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the three fiscal years ended October 30, 2011, October 31, 2010 and November 1, 2009.  We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of October 30, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting in Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Photronics, Inc. and subsidiaries as of October 30, 2011 and October 31, 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three fiscal years ended October 30, 2011, October 31, 2010 and November 1, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of October 30, 2011, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Hartford, Connecticut
January 12, 2012
 
 
34

 
 
 
PHOTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
 
             
ASSETS
           
             
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 189,928     $ 98,945  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $4,055 in 2011and $4,235 in 2010
    85,540       82,951  
Inventories
    22,100       15,502  
Deferred income taxes
    609       1,173  
Other current assets
    7,030       7,231  
Total current assets
    305,207       205,802  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    368,680       369,814  
Investment in joint venture
    79,984       61,127  
Intangible assets, net
    42,462       47,748  
Deferred income taxes
    11,239       10,132  
Other assets
    10,282       9,256  
Total assets
  $ 817,854     $ 703,879  
                 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
                 
Current liabilities:
               
Current portion of long-term borrowings
  $ 5,583     $ 11,467  
Accounts payable
    54,772       77,630  
Accrued liabilities
    35,546       30,132  
Total current liabilities
    95,901       119,229  
                 
Long-term borrowings
    152,577       78,852  
Deferred income taxes
    737       499  
Other liabilities
    8,883       9,356  
Total liabilities
    258,098       207,936  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Equity:
               
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 2,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, 59,651 shares issued and outstanding at October 30, 2011, and 53,779 shares issued and outstanding at October 31, 2010
    597       538  
Additional paid-in capital
    486,674       436,825  
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
    13,605       (2,624 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    10,171       7,062  
Total Photronics, Inc. shareholders' equity
    511,047       441,801  
Noncontrolling interests
    48,709       54,142  
Total equity
    559,756       495,943  
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 817,854     $ 703,879  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
35

 
 
PHOTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
   
Year Ended
 
   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
   
November 1,
2009
 
                   
Net sales
  $ 512,020     $ 425,554     $ 361,353  
                         
Cost and expenses:
                       
                         
Cost of sales
    (375,806 )     (333,739 )     (304,282 )
                         
Selling, general and administrative
    (45,240 )     (42,387 )     (41,162 )
                         
Research and development
    (15,507 )     (14,932 )     (15,423 )
                         
Consolidation, restructuring and related credits (charges)
    -       4,979       (13,557 )
                         
Impairment of long-lived assets
    -       -       (1,458 )
                         
Gain on sale of facility
    -       -       2,034  
                         
Operating income (loss)
    75,467       39,475       (12,495 )
                         
Other income (expense):
                       
                         
Debt extinguishment loss
    (35,259 )     -       -  
                         
Interest expense
    (7,258 )     (9,475 )     (22,401 )
                         
Investment and other income (expense), net
    2,949       2,553       (2,208 )
                         
Income (loss) before income tax provision
    35,899       32,553       (37,104 )
                         
Income tax provision
    (15,691 )     (7,471 )     (4,323 )
                         
Net income (loss)
    20,208       25,082       (41,427 )
                         
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (3,979 )     (1,160 )     (483 )
                         
Net income (loss) attributable to Photronics, Inc.
  $ 16,229     $ 23,922     $ (41,910 )
                         
Earnings (loss) per share:
                       
                         
Basic
  $ 0.28     $ 0.45     $ (0.97 )
                         
Diluted
  $ 0.28     $ 0.43     $ (0.97 )
                         
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
                       
                         
Basic
    57,030       53,433       43,210  
                         
Diluted
    58,458       65,803       43,210  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
36

 
 
PHOTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Equity and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Years Ended October 30, 2011, October 31, 2010 and November 1, 2009
(in thousands)

   
Photronics, Inc. Shareholders
                   
                           
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
                   
   
Common Stock
   
Add'l
Paid-In
   
Retained
Earnings
Accum -
ulated
   
Unrealized
Investment
Gains
   
Cash
Flow
   
Foreign
Currency
               
Total
Photronics,
   
Non-
Controlling
   
Total
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
(Deficit)
   
(Losses)
   
Hedges
   
Translation
   
Other
   
Total
   
Inc.
   
Interests
   
Equity
 
                                                                         
Balance at November 2, 2008
    41,712     $ 417     $ 384,502     $ 15,364     $ (62   $ (1,652 )   $ (15,520 )   $ (267 )   $ (17,501 )   $ 382,782     $ 49,616     $ 432,398  
                                                                                                 
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                                                                               
Net (loss) income
    -       -       -       (41,910 )     -       -       -       -       -       (41,910 )     483       (41,427 )
Unrealized holding losses reclassification adjustment
    -       -       -       -       62       -       -       -       62       62       39       101  
Amortization of cash flow hedges
    -       -       -       -       -       576       -       -       576       576       -       576  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    -       -       -       -       -       -       10,712       -       10,712       10,712       342       11,054  
Other
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (238     (238     (238     (101 )     (339 )
Total comprehensive (loss) income
                                                                            (30,798 )     763       (30,035 )
Subsidiary dividend
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (438 )     (438 )
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plan
    28       -       117       -       -       -       -       -       -       117       -       117  
Restricted stock awards vestings and expense
    121       1       809       -       -       -       -       -       -       810       -       810  
Share-based compensation expense
    -       -       1,326       -       -       -       -       -       -       1,326       -       1,326  
Common stock issued in public offering (net)
    11,084       111       42,986       -       -       -       -       -       -       43,097       -       43,097  
Common stock warrants issued
    -       -       2,081       -       -       -       -       -       -       2,081       -       2,081  
Common stock warrants exercised
    66       1       339       -       -       -       -       -       -       340       -       340  
Balance at November 1, 2009
    53,011       530       432,160       (26,546     -       (1,076 )     (4,808 )     (505 )     (6,389 )     399,755       49,941       449,696  
                                                                                                 
Comprehensive income:
                                                                                               
Net income
    -       -       -       23,922       -       -       -       -       -       23,922       1,160       25,082  
Unrealized holding losses
    -       -       -       -       147       -       -       -       147       147       62       209  
Less: reclassification adjustments
    -       -       -       -       (147     -       -       -       (147     (147     (62     (209
Amortization of cash flow hedges
    -       -       -       -       -       129       -       -       129       129       -       129  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    -       -       -       -       -       -       13,451       -       13,451       13,451       3,123       16,574  
OCI reclassification
    -       -       -       -       -       -       (214 )     214       -       -       -       -  
Other
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (129 )     (129 )     (129 )     (82 )     (211 )
Total comprehensive income
                                                                            37,373       4,201       41,574  
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plan
    242       2       520       -       -       -       -       -       -       522       -       522  
Restricted stock awards vestings and expense
    58       1       509       -       -       -       -       -       -       510       -       510  
Share-based compensation expense
    -       -       1,374       -       -       -       -       -       -       1,374       -       1,374  
Common stock warrants exercised
    468       5       2,235       -       -       -       -       -       -       2,240       -       2,240  
Common stock issuance costs
    -       -       27       -       -       -       -       -       -       27       -       27  
Balance at October 31, 2010
    53,779       538       436,825       (2,624 )     -       (947 )     8,429       (420 )     7,062       441,801       54,142       495,943  
                                                                                                 
Comprehensive income:
                                                                                               
Net income
    -       -       -       16,229       -       -       -       -       -       16,229       3,979       20,208  
Amortization of cash flow hedges
    -       -       -       -       -       128       -       -       128       128       -       128  
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    -       -       -       -       -       -       3,040       -       3,040       3,040       227       3,267  
Other
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (25 )     (25 )     (25 )     (10 )     (35 )
Total comprehensive income
                                                                            19,372       4,196       23,568  
Common stock issued to extinguish debt
    5,229       52       45,585       -       -       -       -       -       -       45,637       -       45,637  
Sale of common stock through employee stock option and purchase plan
    440       5       851       -       -       -       -       -       -       856       -       856  
Restricted stock awards vestings and expense
    81       1       1,035       -       -       -       -       -       -       1,036       -       1,036  
Share-based compensation expense
    -       -       1,422       -       -       -       -       -       -       1,422       -       1,422  
Common stock warrants exercised
    122       1       1,157       -       -       -       -       -       -       1,158       -       1,158  
Repurchase of common stock by subsidiary
    -       -       (201 )     -       -       -       -       (34 )     (34 )     (235 )     (9,629 )     (9,864 )
Balance at October 30, 2011
    59,651     $ 597     $ 486,674     $ 13,605     $ -     $ (819 )   $ 11,469     $ (479 )   $ 10,171     $ 511,047     $ 48,709     $ 559,756  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
37

 
 
PHOTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
 
   
Year Ended
 
   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
   
November 1,
2009
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 20,208     $ 25,082     $ (41,427 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment
    86,661       81,374       76,530  
Amortization of deferred financing costs and intangible assets
    6,799       8,926       13,944  
Debt extinguishment loss
    27,399       -       -  
Consolidation, restructuring and related charges (credits)
    -       (5,059 )     10,514  
Share-based compensation
    2,458       1,883       2,136  
Deferred income taxes
    (224 )     168       (2,943 )
Impairment of long-lived assets
    -       -       1,458  
Gain on sale of facility
    -       -       (2,034 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
                       
Accounts receivable
    (1,806 )     (13,352 )     2,709  
Inventories
    (6,544 )     (84 )     3,111  
Other current assets
    223       (725 )     3,087  
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other
    1,379       (2,294 )     1,063  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    136,553       95,919       68,148  
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (82,121 )     (71,381 )     (34,995 )
Investment in joint venture
    (18,271 )     -       -  
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments and other
    (345 )     289       996  
Proceeds from sale of facilities
    -       12,880       4,321  
Return of investment from joint venture
    -       -       5,000  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (100,737 )     (58,212 )     (24,678 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Proceeds from debt and equity offerings
    115,000       -       103,500  
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    17,000       41,680       28,112  
Repayments of long-term borrowings
    (64,107 )     (72,932 )     (161,841 )
Payments of expenses related to debt and equity offerings
    (4,201 )     -       (5,539 )
Deferred financing costs and other
    (117 )     (1,285 )     (4,734 )
Repurchase of common stock by subsidiary
    (9,878 )     -       -  
Proceeds from share-based arrangements
    828       81       -  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    54,525       (32,456 )     (40,502 )
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash
    642       5,155       1,808  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    90,983       10,406       4,776  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    98,945       88,539       83,763  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 189,928     $ 98,945     $ 88,539  
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
                       
Changes in accrual for purchases of property, plant and equipment
  $ (20,836 )   $ 28,717     $ (13,551 )
Capital lease obligation for purchases of property, plant and equipment
  $ 21,248     $ -     $ (28,244 )
Common stock issued to extinguish debt
  $ 20,234     $ -     $ -  
Issuances of common stock warrants
  $ -     $ -     $ 5,320  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
38

 

PHOTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended October 30, 2011, October 31, 2010 and November 1, 2009
(in thousands, except share amounts)

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business

Photronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company" or "Photronics") is one of the world's leading manufacturers of photomasks, which are high precision photographic quartz plates containing microscopic images of electronic circuits. Photomasks are a key element in the manufacture of semiconductors and flat panel displays ("FPDs"), and are used as masters to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers and flat panel substrates during the fabrication of integrated circuits ("ICs") and a variety of FPDs and, to a lesser extent, other types of electrical and optical components. The Company currently operates principally from eight manufacturing facilities; two of which are located in Europe, two in Taiwan, one in Korea, and three in the United States. The Company closed its manufacturing facilities in Manchester, United Kingdom, and Shanghai, China, during the year ended November 1, 2009, and in December 2011 ceased manufacturing photomasks at its facility in Singapore.

Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Photronics, Inc. and its majority-owned subsidiaries that the Company controls. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in them. Actual results may differ from such estimates.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company records derivatives in the consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities, measured at fair value. The Company does not engage in derivative instruments for speculative purposes. Gains or losses resulting from changes in the values of those derivatives are reported in the consolidated statements of operations, or as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, a separate component of equity, depending on the use of the derivatives and whether they qualify for hedge accounting. In order to qualify for hedge accounting, among other criteria, a derivative must be a hedge of an interest rate, price, foreign currency exchange rate, or credit risk that is expected to be highly effective at the inception of the hedge, be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item during the term of the hedge and formally documented at the inception of the hedge. In general, the types of risks the Company has hedged are those related to the variability of future cash flows caused by movements in foreign currency exchange and interest rates. The Company documents its risk management strategy and hedge effectiveness at the inception of, and during the term of, each hedge.

Fiscal Year

The Company's fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to October thirty-first, and, as a result, a 53-week year occurs every 5 to 6 years. Fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009 each included 52 weeks, as will fiscal year 2012.
 
 
39

 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 3 months or less. The carrying values of cash equivalents approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.

Inventories

Inventories are primarily comprised of raw materials and are stated at the lower of cost, determined under the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method, or market.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment, except as explained below under "Impairment of Long-Lived Assets," are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Repairs and maintenance, as well as renewals and replacements of a routine nature, are charged to operations as incurred, while those that improve or extend the lives of existing assets are capitalized. Upon sale or other disposition, the cost of the asset and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated statement of operations.

Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Buildings and improvements are depreciated over 15 to 40 years, machinery and equipment over 3 to 10 years and, furniture, fixtures and office equipment over 3 to 5 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvement, whichever is less. Judgment and assumptions are used in establishing estimated useful lives and depreciation periods. The Company also uses judgment and assumptions as it periodically reviews property, plant and equipment for any potential impairment in carrying values whenever events such as a significant industry downturn, plant closures, technological obsolescence, or other change in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist primarily of a technology license agreement, a supply agreement and acquisition-related intangibles. These assets are stated at fair value as of the date acquired less accumulated amortization. Amortization is calculated using the straight-line method or another method that more fairly represents the utilization of the assets.

The Company periodically evaluates the remaining useful lives of its intangible assets to determine whether events or circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining periods of amortization. In the event that the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining useful life has changed, the remaining carrying amount of the intangible asset is amortized prospectively over that revised remaining useful life. If it is determined that an intangible asset has an indefinite useful life, that intangible asset would be subject to impairment testing annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not, based on future undiscounted cash flows or market factors, be recoverable, and an impairment loss would be recorded in the period so determined. The measurement of the impairment loss would be based on the fair value of the intangible asset.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on the Company's judgment and estimates of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. Measurement of an impairment loss for long-lived assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the fair value of the assets. The carrying values of assets determined to be impaired are reduced to their estimated fair values. Fair values of any impaired assets would generally be determined using a market or income approach.
 
 
40

 
 
Investments in Joint Ventures

Investments in joint ventures over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence and that, in general, are at least 20 percent owned are stated at cost plus equity in undistributed net income (loss) of the joint venture. An impairment loss would be recognized whenever a decrease in the fair value of such an investment below its carrying amount is determined to be other than temporary. In judging "other than temporary," the Company would consider the length of time and the extent to which the fair value of the investment has been less than the carrying amount of the investment, the near-term and longer-term operating and financial prospects of the investee, and the Company's longer-term intent of retaining its investment in the investee.

Variable Interest Entities

The Company accounts for the investments it makes in certain legal entities in which equity investors do not have 1) sufficient equity at risk for the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or, 2) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk do not have either the power, through voting or similar rights, to direct the activities of the legal entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance or, 3) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the legal entity or the right to receive expected residual returns of the legal entity. These certain legal entities are referred to as “variable interest entities”, or “VIEs”.

The Company would consolidate the results of any such entity in which it determined that it had a controlling financial interest. The Company would have a “controlling financial interest” in such an entity if the Company had both the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb the losses of, or right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE. On a quarterly basis, the Company reassesses whether it has a controlling financial interest in any investments it has in these certain legal entities.

Income Taxes

The income tax provision is computed on the basis of the various tax jurisdictions' income or loss before income taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effects of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, as well as the tax effects of net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. The Company uses judgment and assumptions to determine if valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets are required, if their realization is not more likely than not, by considering future market growth, forecasted operations, future taxable income, and the mix of earnings in the tax jurisdictions in which it operates.

The Company considers income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which it operates in order to determine its effective income tax rate. Current income tax exposure is identified and temporary differences resulting from differing treatments of items for tax and financial reporting purposes are assessed. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, the Company evaluates the potential realization of deferred income tax assets from future taxable income and establishes valuation allowances if their realization is deemed not more likely than not. Accordingly, the income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations are impacted by changes in the valuation allowance. Significant management estimates and judgment are required in determining any valuation allowances recorded against net deferred tax assets.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions by recording a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in its tax returns. The Company includes any applicable interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in its income tax provision.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period, excluding any dilutive common share equivalents. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if certain share-based payment awards or financial instruments were exercised, earned or converted.
 
 
41

 
 
Share-Based Compensation

The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 718 related to share-based payments on October 31, 2005, using the modified prospective method.  Subsequently, compensation expense has been recognized in its consolidated statements of operations over the service period that the awards are expected to vest. The Company recognizes expense for all share-based compensation with graded vesting granted on or after October 31, 2005, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the entire award. For awards with graded vesting granted prior to October 31, 2005, the Company recognized compensation cost over the vesting period following accelerated recognition as if each underlying vesting date represented a separate award. Share-based compensation expense includes the estimated effects of forfeitures, which are adjusted over the requisite service period to the extent actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from such estimates. Changes in estimated forfeitures are recognized in the period of change and will also impact the amount of expense to be recognized in future periods. Determining the appropriate option pricing model, calculating the grant date fair value of share-based awards and estimating forfeiture rates requires considerable judgment, including the estimations of stock price volatility and the expected term of options granted.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value employee stock options. The Company estimates stock price volatility based on daily averages of its historical volatility over a term approximately equal to the estimated time period the grant will remain outstanding. The expected term of options and forfeiture rate assumptions are derived from historical data.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred, and consist primarily of global development efforts related to high-end process technologies for advanced sub-wavelength reticle solutions for IC photomask technologies. Research and development expenses also include the amortization of the carrying value of a technology license agreement with Micron Technology, Inc. (“Micron”). Under this technology license agreement, the Company has access to certain photomask technology developed by Micron.

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company's international subsidiaries maintain their accounts in their respective local currencies. Assets and liabilities of such subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates. Income and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Foreign currency translation adjustments are accumulated and reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of equity. The effects of changes in exchange rates on foreign currency transactions, which are included in investment and other income (expense), net, were a gain of $0.4 million, a gain of $2.0 million and a loss of $3.1 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests represents the minority shareholders' proportionate share in the equity of the Company's two majority-owned subsidiaries, PK Ltd. ("PKL") in Korea of which noncontrolling shareholders owned approximately 0.3% as of October 30, 2011 and October 31, 2010, and Photronics Semiconductor Mask Corporation ("PSMC") in Taiwan, of which noncontrolling interests owned approximately 38% and 42%, as of October 30, 2011 and October 31, 2010, respectively. The effect on its equity of the change in the Company’s ownership interest in PSMC is presented in Note 15.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.  Delivery is determined by the shipping terms of the individual sales transactions. For sales with FOB destination shipping terms, delivery occurs when the Company’s product reaches its destination and is received by the customer. For sales with FOB shipping point terms, delivery occurs when the Company’s product is received by the common carrier. The Company uses judgment when estimating the effect on revenue of discounts and product warranty obligations, both of which are accrued when the related revenue is recognized.
 
 
42

 
 
Warranties and Other Post Shipment Obligations – For a 30-day period, the Company warrants that items sold will conform to customer specifications. However, the Company’s liability is limited to the repair or replacement of the photomasks at its sole option. The Company inspects photomasks for conformity to customer specifications prior to shipment.  Accordingly, customer returns of items under warranty have historically been insignificant.  However, the Company records a liability for the insignificant amount of estimated warranty returns based on historical experience. The Company’s specific return policies include accepting returns of products with defects, or products that have not been produced to precise customer specifications. At the time of revenue recognition, a liability is established for these items.

Sales Taxes – The Company presents its revenues, in the consolidated statements of operations, net of any sales taxes billed to its customers.

NOTE 2 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
 
             
Land
  $ 7,330     $ 7,983  
Buildings and improvements
    90,455       80,458  
Machinery and equipment
    1,195,007       1,115,371  
Leasehold improvements
    8,778       7,647  
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment
    13,988       15,273  
Construction in progress
    4,694       26,265  
      1,320,252       1,252,997  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    951,572       883,183  
    $ 368,680     $ 369,814  
 
Property under capital leases are included in above property, plant and equipment as follows:

   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
 
             
Buildings and improvements
  $ 33,621     $ 33,621  
Machinery and equipment
    21,327       19,912  
      54,948       53,533  
Less accumulated amortization
    24,660       21,082  
    $ 30,288     $ 32,451  
 
NOTE 3 - INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets are amortized based on their estimated useful lives, which range from 3 to 15 years. Intangible assets include assets related to the purchase of additional shares of PKL and the investment to form the MP Mask joint venture.  Amortization expense of intangible assets was $5.3 million, $6.0 million and $6.5 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Intangible asset amortization is forecasted to range from $4.3 million to $5.1 million per year for the next 5 years.
 
 
43

 
 
Intangible assets consist of:

As of October 30, 2011
 
Gross
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Net
Amount
 
Technology license agreement
  $ 59,616     $ 21,528     $ 38,088  
Customer lists
    7,210       4,154       3,056  
Supply agreement
    6,959       5,802       1,157  
Software and other
    3,557       3,396       161  
    $ 77,342     $ 34,880     $ 42,462  
As of October 31, 2010
                       
                         
Technology license agreement
  $ 59,616     $ 17,554     $ 42,062  
Customer lists
    7,210       3,431       3,779  
Supply agreement
    6,959       5,355       1,604  
Software and other
    3,863       3,560       303  
    $ 77,648     $ 29,900     $ 47,748  

NOTE 4 -
 JOINT VENTURE, TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AND OTHER AGREEMENTS WITH MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

On May 5, 2006, Photronics and Micron entered into the MP Mask joint venture (“MP Mask”), which develops and produces photomasks for leading-edge and advanced next generation semiconductors. As part of the formation of the joint venture, Micron contributed its existing photomask technology center located in Boise, Idaho, (headquarters of MP Mask) and Photronics invested $135 million in exchange for a 49.99% interest in MP Mask (to which $64.2 million of the original investment was allocated), a license for photomask technology of Micron, and certain supply agreements.

This joint venture is a variable interest entity ("VIE") (as that term is defined in the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") ) because all costs of the joint venture are passed on to the Company and Micron through purchase agreements they have entered into with the joint venture, and it is dependent upon the Company and Micron for any additional cash requirements. On a quarterly basis the Company reassesses whether its interest in MP Mask gives it a controlling financial interest in this VIE. The purpose of this quarterly reassessment is to identify the primary beneficiary (which is defined in the ASC as the entity that consolidates a VIE) of the VIE. As a result of the reassessments in fiscal year 2011, the Company determined that Micron is still the primary beneficiary of the VIE, by virtue of its tie-breaking voting rights within MP Mask’s Board of Managers, thereby giving it the power to direct the activities of MP Mask that most significantly impact its economic performance, including its decision making authority in the ordinary course of business and its purchasing the majority of products produced by the VIE.

The Company has utilized MP Mask for both high-end IC photomask production and research and development purposes. MP Mask charges its variable interest holders based on their actual usage of its facility and charges separately for any research and development activities it engages in at the requests of its owners.

MP Mask is governed by a Board of Managers, appointed by Micron and the Company. Since MP Mask's inception, Micron, as a result of its majority ownership, has held majority voting power on the Board of Managers. The voting power held by each party is subject to change as ownership interests change. Under the MP Mask joint venture operating agreement, the Company may be required to make additional capital contributions to MP Mask up to the maximum amount defined in the operating agreement. However, should the Board of Managers determine that further additional funding is required, MP Mask shall pursue its own financing. If MP Mask is unable to obtain its own financing, it may request additional capital contributions from the Company. Should the Company choose not to make a requested contribution to MP Mask, its ownership percentage may be reduced. During fiscal 2011 the Company made additional capital contributions of $18.3 million to the MP Mask joint venture, which were primarily related to capital calls made by the joint venture. The Company made no capital contributions to MP Mask during fiscal 2010, and did not receive any distributions from MP Mask during fiscal 2011 or fiscal 2010.
 
 
44

 
 
The Company's investment in the VIE, which represents its maximum exposure to loss, was $80.0 million and $61.1 million at October 30, 2011 and October 31, 2010, respectively. These amounts are reported in the Company's consolidated balance sheets as "Investment in joint venture". The Company recorded income from its investment in MP Mask of $0.6 million and $0.2 million in fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, respectively. Income from MP Mask is included in “Investments and other income, net” in the consolidated statements of operations.

As of October 30, 2011, the Company owed MP Mask $6.3 million and had a receivable from Micron of $3.4 million, both primarily related to the aforementioned supply agreements. The Company, in 2011, recorded $1.7 million of commission revenue earned under the supply agreements it has with Micron and MP Mask. Amortization of $0.5 million of the supply agreement intangible asset resulted in net earnings related to the supply agreements of $1.2 million in 2011. The recorded commission revenue of $1.7 million represents the excess of $35.0 million in orders received from Micron over the Company's cost of $33.3 million to fulfill the orders through MP Mask. The Company, for certain sales made during 2011, also recorded cost of sales in the amount of $18.5 million for photomasks produced by MP Mask for the Company's customers, and incurred outsourcing expenses of $3.1 million from MP Mask for research and development activities and other goods and services purchased by the Company. In 2011, the Company purchased equipment from MP Mask for $4.6 million, of which $2.3 million was recorded as the cost of the equipment and $2.3 million was recorded as an investment in joint venture.

As of October 31, 2010, the Company owed MP Mask $5.4 million and had a receivable from Micron of $4.9 million, both primarily related to the supply agreements. The Company, in 2010, recorded $1.7 million of commission revenue earned under the supply agreements it has with Micron and MP Mask. Amortization of $0.5 million of the supply agreement intangible asset resulted in net earnings related to the supply agreements of $1.2 million in 2010. The recorded commission revenue of $1.7 million represents the excess of $35.3 million in orders received from Micron over the Company's cost of $33.6 million to fulfill the orders through MP Mask. The Company, for certain sales made during 2010, also recorded cost of sales in the amount of $5.9 million for photomasks produced by MP Mask for the Company's customers, and incurred outsourcing expenses of $1.9 million from MP Mask for research and development activities and other goods and services purchased by the Company.

The Company, in 2009, recorded $1.8 million of commission revenue earned under the supply agreements it has with Micron and MP Mask. Amortization of $0.9 million of the supply agreement intangible asset resulted in net earnings related to the supply agreements of $0.9 million in 2009. The recorded commission revenue of $1.8 million represents the excess of $37.9 million in orders received from Micron over the Company's cost of $36.1 million to fulfill the orders through MP Mask. The Company, for certain sales made during 2009, also recorded cost of sales in the amount of $4.2 million for photomasks produced by MP Mask for the Company's customers, and incurred outsourcing expenses of $2.0 million from MP Mask for research and development activities and other goods and services purchased by the Company.

In the first quarter of 2008 a capital lease agreement commenced for the U.S. nanoFab facility. Quarterly lease payments, which bore interest at 8%, were $3.8 million through January 2013. This lease was cancelled in the third fiscal quarter of 2009, at which time the Company and Micron (the lessor) entered into a new lease agreement for the facility. Under the provisions of the new lease agreement, quarterly lease payments were reduced from $3.8 million to $2.0 million, the term of the lease was extended from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2014, and ownership of the property will not transfer to the Company at the end of the lease term. The interest rate of the new lease agreement is also 8%. As a result of the new lease agreement, the Company reduced its lease obligation and the carrying value of its assets under capital leases by approximately $28 million. The Company paid the lease obligation in full with a portion of the net proceeds of the March 2011 issuance of its 3.25% convertible senior notes. The lease will be accounted for as an operating lease during the additional two years of the new lease term.
 
 
45

 
 
NOTE 5 - ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accrued liabilities consist of the following:

   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
 
             
Income taxes
  $ 10,194     $ 3,814  
Property, plant and equipment
    7,587       13,552  
Salaries, wages and related benefits
    7,073       5,501  
VAT and other taxes
    2,875       2,369  
Other
    7,817       4,896  
    $ 35,546     $ 30,132  

NOTE 6 - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company utilizes derivative instruments to reduce its exposure to the effects of the variability of interest rates and foreign currencies on its financial performance when it believes such action is warranted. Historically, the Company has been a party to derivative instruments to hedge either the variability of cash flows of a prospective transaction or the fair value of a recorded asset or liability. In certain instances, the Company has designated these transactions as hedging instruments. However, whether or not a derivative was designated as being a hedging instrument, the Company's purpose for engaging in the derivative has always been for risk management (and not speculative) purposes. The Company has historically not been a party to a significant number of derivative instruments and does not expect its derivative activity to significantly increase in the foreseeable future.

In addition to the utilization of derivative instruments discussed above, the Company attempts to minimize its risk of foreign currency exchange rate variability by, whenever possible, procuring production materials within the same country that it will utilize the materials in manufacturing and, by selling to customers from manufacturing sites within the country in which the customers are located.

In May 2009, in connection with an amendment to its credit facility, the Company issued 2.1 million warrants, each exercisable for one share of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share. Forty percent of the warrants were exercisable upon issuance, and the remaining balance was to become exercisable in twenty percent increments at various points in time after October 31, 2009. As a result of certain net cash settleable put provisions within the warrant agreement, the warrants were recorded as a liability in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. As of the issuance date, and for future periods that such warrants remain outstanding, the Company has, and will continue to, adjust the liability based upon the current fair value of the warrants, with any changes in their fair value being recognized in earnings. Due to the warrants' exercise price of $0.01 per share, their fair value will approximate the market price of the Company's common stock. Approximately 1.2 million of these warrants were cancelled as a result of the Company's early repayment of certain amounts under its credit facility during the year ended November 1, 2009, and the associated liability was reduced accordingly.

The Company was a party to two foreign currency forward contracts which expired during the year ended November 1, 2009, both of which were not accounted for as hedges, as they were economic hedges of intercompany loans denominated in U.S. dollars that were remeasured at fair value and recognized immediately in earnings. A portion of an existing loss on a cash flow hedge in the amount of $0.1 million is expected to be reclassified into earnings during fiscal year 2012.
 
 
46

 
 
The table below presents the effect of derivative instruments on the Company's consolidated balance sheets at October 30, 2011 and October 31, 2010.

Derivatives Not Designated
     
Fair Value at
 
as Hedging Instruments
     
October 30,
   
October 31,
 
Under ASC 815
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
2011
   
2010
 
                 
Warrants on common stock
 
Other liabilities
  $ 1,147     $ 1,881  
 
In December 2011 the above warrants on common stock were exercised.

The table below presents the effect of derivative instruments on the Company's consolidated statements of operations for the years ended October 30, 2011 and October 31, 2010.

       
Amount of Loss
Recognized Related to
Derivative Instruments
 
       
Year Ended
 
Derivatives Not Designated as
Hedging Instruments Under ASC 815
 
Location of Loss Recognized Related to
Derivative Instruments
 
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
 
                 
Warrants on common stock
 
Investment and other income (expense), net
  $ (424 )   $ (916 )

NOTE 7 - LONG-TERM BORROWINGS

Long-term borrowings consist of the following:

   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
 
             
3.25% convertible senior notes due on April 1, 2016
  $ 115,000     $ -  
                 
5.50% convertible senior notes due on October 1, 2014
    22,054       57,500  
                 
3.09% capital lease obligation payable through March 2016
    19,218       -  
                 
4.75% financing loan with customer
    1,888       2,954  
                 
8.0% capital lease obligation
    -       16,220  
                 
5.6% capital lease obligation
    -       8,645  
                 
Borrowings under revolving credit facility, which bear interest at a variable rate, as defined (3.81% at October 31, 2010)
    -       5,000  
      158,160       90,319  
Less current portion
    5,583       11,467  
    $ 152,577     $ 78,852  
 
 
47

 
 
As of October 30, 2011, long-term borrowings, excluding capital lease obligations, mature as follows: $1,540, $348, $22,054, $0 and $115,000 in fiscal years  2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively. The maturity date for the 4.75% financing loan with a customer is dependent upon the timing of photomasks shipped to that customer. The Company currently estimates that the loan will be fully repaid in fiscal 2013, and has reflected that estimate in the yearly maturity amounts presented above.

As of October 30, 2011, minimum lease payments under the Company's capital lease obligations were as follows:

Fiscal Years:
     
       
2012
  $ 4,580  
2013
    4,961  
2014
    4,580  
2015
    4,580  
2016
    1,909  
      20,610  
Less interest
    1,392  
Net minimum lease payments under capital leases
    19,218  
Less current portion of net minimum lease payments
    4,043  
Long-term portion of minimum lease payments
  $ 15,175  

In March 2011 the Company issued through a private offering pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, $115 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% convertible senior notes. The notes mature on April 1, 2016, and note holders may convert each $1,000 principal amount of notes to 96.3879 shares of common stock (equivalent to an initial conversion price of $10.37 per share of common stock) at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding April 1, 2016.  The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, which are described in the indenture dated March 28, 2011.  The Company is not required to redeem the notes prior to their maturity date. Interest on the notes accrues in arrears, and is paid semiannually through the notes’ maturity date. Interest payments on the notes commenced on October 1, 2011. The net proceeds of the notes were approximately $110.7 million, which were used, in part, to acquire $35.4 million of the Company’s 5.5% convertible senior notes which were to mature on October 1, 2014, and to repay, in full, its then outstanding obligations under capital leases of $19.8 million.

In March 2011 the Company amended its revolving credit facility (“the credit facility”) which, as amended, included, among other things: i) a reduction of the aggregate commitments of the lenders from $65 million to $30 million; ii) a reduction of the applicable interest rates and modifications of the leverage ratios related thereto; iii) an extension of the maturity date to April 30, 2015; iv) an increase in the permitted amount of certain financed capital assets up to $75 million outstanding at any one time; v) an allowance to issue the 3.25% convertible senior notes; vi) an increase in the investments “basket” from $15 million to $25 million per year; vii) an allowance to repurchase the 5.5% convertible senior notes and other indebtedness; and viii) removal of the limitation on maximum last twelve months capital expenditures.  The credit facility bears interest (2.50% at October 30, 2011), based on the Company’s total leverage ratio, at LIBOR plus a spread, as defined in the credit facility.

The credit facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets located in the United States, as well as common stock the Company owns in certain of its foreign subsidiaries, and is subject to the following financial covenants:  minimum fixed charge ratio, total leverage ratio and minimum unrestricted cash balance.  The Company, in connection with a February 2010 amendment to the credit facility, wrote off $1.0 million of deferred financing fees in its second quarter of fiscal 2010.  As of October 30, 2011, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the credit facility and $30 million was available for borrowing.
 
 
48

 
 
In June 2011 the Company acquired $5.0 million of its 5.5% convertible senior notes in exchange for 0.7 million shares of its common stock with a fair value of $6.5 million and cash of $3.2 million (the note holders received 147.529 shares and cash of $647 for each $1,000 note). The Company, in connection with this repurchase, recorded an extinguishment loss of $5.0 million, which included the write off of deferred financing fees of $0.3 million. The loss is included in other income (expense) in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

In March 2011 the Company acquired $30.4 million of its 5.5% convertible senior notes in exchange for 4.5 million shares of its common stock with a fair value of $39.2 million and cash of $19.7 million (the note holders received 147.529 shares and cash of $647 for each $1,000 note). The Company, in connection with this repurchase, recorded an extinguishment loss of $30.1 million, which included the write off of deferred financing fees of $1.7 million. The loss is included in other income (expense) in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

In September 2009 the Company issued, through a public offering, $57.5 million aggregate principal amount of 5.5% convertible senior notes, which were to mature on October 1, 2014.  Under the terms of the offering, the note holders could convert each $1,000 principal amount of notes to 196.7052 shares of common stock (equivalent to an initial conversion price of $5.08 per share of common stock) on, or before, September 30, 2014.  The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events which are described in the indenture dated September 16, 2009.  The Company is not required to redeem the notes prior to their maturity.  The net proceeds of this offering were approximately $54.9 million, which were used to reduce amounts outstanding under the Company’s credit facility. As discussed above, $35.4 million aggregate principal amount of these notes were acquired by the Company during 2011.

In the first quarter of 2008 a capital lease agreement with Micron commenced for the U.S. nanoFab facility. Quarterly lease payments, which bore interest at 8%, were $3.8 million through January 2013. This lease was cancelled in the third fiscal quarter of 2009, at which time the Company and Micron (the lessor) entered into a new lease agreement for the facility. Under the provisions of the new lease agreement, quarterly lease payments were reduced from $3.8 million to $2.0 million, the term of the lease was extended from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2014, and ownership of the property will not transfer to the Company at the end of the lease term. The interest rate of the new lease agreement remained at 8%.  As a result of the new lease agreement, the Company reduced its lease obligation and the carrying value of its assets under capital leases by approximately $28 million. The Company paid the lease obligation in full with a portion of the net proceeds of the March 2011 issuance of its 3.25% convertible senior notes. The lease will be accounted for as an operating lease during the additional two years of the new lease term.

In April 2011 the Company entered into a five year, $21.2 million capital lease for manufacturing equipment. Payments under the lease, which bears interest at 3.09%, are $0.4 million per month through March 2016. The lease agreement provides that the Company must maintain the equipment in good working order, and includes a cross default with cross acceleration provision related to certain non-financial covenants incorporated in the Company's credit facility agreement. As of October 30, 2011, the total amount payable through the end of the lease term was $20.6 million, of which $19.2 million represented principal and $1.4 million represented interest.

In October 2007 the Company entered into a capital lease agreement in the amount of $19.9 million associated with certain equipment.  Payments under the lease were $0.4 million per month over a five year term at a 5.6% interest rate.  In April 2011 the Company used a portion of the net proceeds of the March 2011 issuance of its 3.25% convertible senior notes, to repay in full the $7.0 million outstanding balance of this lease. In connection with this repayment, the Company paid a $0.2 million prepayment penalty which was recorded as a debt extinguishment loss, included in other income (expense) in the Company's statements of operations.

In January 2010 the Company borrowed $3.7 million from a customer to purchase manufacturing equipment. This loan bears interest at 4.75% and is primarily being repaid with product supplied to the customer. Product valued at $1.1 million and $0.7 million was shipped to the customer and applied against the loan during 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company estimates that the loan will be fully repaid in fiscal 2013.

Interest payments were $9.7 million, $7.8 million and $20.8 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, including deferred financing cost payments of $4.3 million, $1.3 million and $6.5 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
 
49

 
 
NOTE 8 - COMMON STOCK WARRANTS

In September 2009 the Company entered into two warrant agreements with Intel Capital Corporation to purchase a total of 750,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Under one warrant agreement 500,000 shares of the Company's common stock can be purchased at an exercise price of $4.15 per share and under the second warrant agreement 250,000 shares of the Company's common stock can be purchased at an exercise price of $5.08 per share. The warrant agreements expire in September 2014. Also in September 2009, the Company and Intel Corporation entered into an agreement to share technical and operations information regarding the development of the Company's products, the capabilities of the Company's photomask manufacturing lines and the alignment of photomask toolsets. Intel Capital Corporation also invested in the Company's convertible debt offering of September 2009. The warrants were recorded at their fair value on their date of grant, which was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. As of October 30, 2011, none of the warrants issued to Intel Capital Corporation had been exercised.

In conjunction with a May 2009 amendment to its credit facility, the Company also entered into a warrant agreement with its lenders. See Note 6 for further discussion of these warrants.

NOTE 9 - OPERATING LEASES

The Company leases various real estate and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. Rental expense under such leases amounted to $2.9 million in fiscal years 2011 and 2010, and $3.6 million in fiscal year 2009. As discussed in Note 7, in fiscal 2009 the Company entered into a new lease agreement for the U.S. nanoFab, under which the lease was being accounted for as a capital lease through December 31, 2012 (the end date of its original lease term), and, thereafter, will be accounted for as an operating lease through its expiration on December 31, 2014. In 2011 the Company paid this capital lease obligation in full with a portion of the net proceeds of the March 2011 issuance of its 3.25% convertible senior notes.

At October 30, 2011, future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases with initial terms in excess of one year are as follows:

2012
  $ 2,206  
2013
    8,294  
2014
    8,506  
2015
    521  
2016
    489  
Thereafter
    873  
    $ 20,889  

See Note 7 for disclosures related to the Company's capital lease obligations.

NOTE 10 – SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

In March 2007 the Company's shareholders approved a new share-based compensation plan ("Plan"), under which options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance stock, performance units, and other awards based on, or related to, shares of the Company's common stock may be granted from shares authorized but unissued or shares previously issued and reacquired by the Company. The maximum number of shares of common stock approved by the Company's shareholders to be issued under the Plan was increased from 3.0 million shares to 6.0 million shares during the second quarter of fiscal 2010. Awards may be granted to officers, employees, directors, consultants, advisors, and independent contractors of the Company or its subsidiaries. In the event of a change in control (as defined in the Plan), the vesting of awards may be accelerated. The Plan, aspects of which are more fully described below, prohibits further awards from being issued under prior plans. The Company incurred total share-based compensation cost of $2.5 million, $1.9 million and $2.1 million in fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. No share-based compensation cost was capitalized as part of inventory and no related income tax benefits were recorded during the fiscal years presented.
 
 
50

 
 
Stock Options

Option awards generally vest in one to four years, and have a ten year contractual term. All incentive and non-qualified stock option grants must have an exercise price no less than the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The grant date fair values of options are based on the closing prices of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company's stock. The Company uses historical option exercise behavior and employee termination data to estimate expected term, which represents the period of time that the options granted are expected to remain outstanding. The risk-free rate of return for the estimated term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the date of grant. The weighted-average inputs and risk-free rate of return ranges used to calculate the grant date fair values of options issued during fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009 are presented in the following table:

   
Year Ended
 
   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
   
November 1,
2009
 
                   
Expected volatility
    98.7 %           89.9 %           69.8 %      
                         
Risk-free rate of return
    0.7 – 1.9 %           1.5 – 2.4 %           1.9 - 2.5 %      
                         
Dividend yield
    0.0 %           0.0 %           0.0 %      
                         
Expected term
 
4.2 years
   
4.4 years
   
4.7 years
 

A summary of option activity under the Plan as of October 30, 2011, and changes during the year then ended is presented as follows:

 
 
Options
 
 
Shares
   
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
   
Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
 
                         
Outstanding at October 31, 2010
    3,901,909     $ 9.34              
Granted
    625,750       6.77              
Exercised
    (318,974 )     1.28              
Cancelled and forfeited
    (174,769 )     16.11              
Outstanding at October 30, 2011
    4,033,916     $ 9.28       6.1 years     $ 7,300  
Exercisable at October 30, 2011
    2,068,448     $ 14.32       4.3 years     $ 2,166  
Expected to vest as of October 30, 2011
    1,651,417     $ 3.73       8.0 years     $ 4,711  
 
 
51

 
 
The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during the fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $4.75, $2.98 and $0.44, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal years 2011 and 2010 was $2.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively. A summary of the status of the Company's unvested options as of October 30, 2011, is presented below:

 
 
Unvested Options
 
 
Shares
   
Weighted-Average
Fair Value
at Grant Date
 
             
Unvested at October 31, 2010
    1,968,554     $ 1.71  
Granted
    625,750       4.75  
Vested
    (616,473 )     1.63  
Cancelled and forfeited
    (12,363 )     1.75  
Unvested at October 30, 2011
    1,965,468     $ 2.70  

The Company received cash from option exercises of $0.4 million and $0.1 million in fiscal years 2011 and 2010, respectively, and there were no options exercised during fiscal year 2009. As of October 30, 2011, the total unrecognized compensation cost of unvested option awards was approximately $3.3 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average amortization period of 2.7 years.

Restricted Stock

The Company periodically grants restricted stock awards. The restrictions on these awards lapse over a service period that has ranged from less-than-one to eight years. The weighted-average grant date fair values of restricted stock awards issued during fiscal years 2011 and 2009 were $6.71 and $0.76, respectively. No restricted stock awards were granted during fiscal 2010.  The total fair value of awards for which restrictions lapsed was $0.5 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 million during fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively. As of October 30, 2011, the total compensation cost for restricted stock awards not yet recognized was approximately $1.3 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average amortization period of 2.6 years. A summary of the status of the Company's outstanding restricted stock awards as of October 30, 2011, is presented below:

 
 
 
 
Restricted Stock
 
 
 
 
Shares
   
Weighted-
Average
Fair Value
at Grant
Date
 
    
           
Outstanding at October 31, 2010
    97,272     $ 14.60  
Granted
    176,250       6.71  
Vested
    (80,695 )     9.79  
Cancelled and forfeited
    (1,000 )     17.02  
Outstanding at October 30, 2011
    191,827     $ 9.37  
Expected to vest as of October 30, 2011
    163,220     $ 9.23  
 
52

 
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") permits employees to purchase shares at 85% of the lower of the fair market value at the commencement of the offering or the last day of the payroll payment period. The maximum number of shares of common stock approved by the Company's shareholders to be purchased under the ESPP was increased from 0.9 million shares to 1.2 million shares during fiscal 2010. The vesting period for shares purchased under the ESPP is approximately one year. Under the ESPP, approximately 1.0 million shares had been issued through October 30, 2011, and approximately 62,000 shares are subject to outstanding subscriptions. As of October 30, 2011, the total compensation cost related to the ESPP not yet recognized was $0.1 million, all of which is expected to be recognized within fiscal 2012.
 
NOTE 11 - EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS

The Company maintains a 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan ("401(k) Plan") which covers all full-time domestic employees who have completed three months of service and are 18 years of age or older. Under the terms of the 401(k) Plan, employees may contribute up to 50% of their salary, subject to certain maximum amounts, which will be matched by the Company at 50% of the employee's contributions that are not in excess of 4% of the employee's compensation. Employee and employer contributions vest upon contribution. Employer contributions amounted to $0.4 million in fiscal years 2011 and 2010 and $0.2 million in 2009.

The Company's international subsidiaries maintain retirement plans for their employees, which vary by country. The obligations and cost of these plans are not significant to the Company's consolidated financial statements.
 
NOTE 12 - CONSOLIDATION, RESTRUCTURING AND RELATED CHARGES (CREDITS)

2009 Restructurings

Shanghai, China, Facility

In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company ceased the manufacture of photomasks at its Shanghai, China, facility. In connection with this restructuring, the Company recorded total net charges of $5.2 million, including $4.7 million of net asset write-downs through its completion in fiscal 2010. The fair value of the assets written down was determined by management using a market approach. Approximately 75 employees were affected by this restructuring.

The Company recorded an initial restructuring charge of $10.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, which included $7.7 million to write down the carrying value of the Company's Shanghai manufacturing facility to its estimated fair value at that time. In the second quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company sold its facility in Shanghai, China, for net proceeds of $12.9 million which resulted in a gain of $5.4 million, which was recorded as a credit to the restructuring reserve in that quarter.
 
 
53

 
 
The following tables set forth the Company's restructuring reserve as of October 31, 2010 and November 1, 2009, related to its Shanghai, China, facility, and reflect the activity affecting the reserve for the years then ended.

   
Year Ended October 31, 2010
 
   
November 2,
2009
   
Charges
(credits)
   
Utilized
   
October 31,
2010
 
                         
Net gain on sale of assets
  $ -     $ (5,189 )   $ 5,189     $ -  
                                 
Employee terminations and other
    134       210       (344 )     -  
    $ 134     $ (4,979 )   $ 4,845     $ -  
 
   
Year Ended November 1, 2009
 
   
November 3,
2008
   
Charges
   
Utilized
   
November 1,
2009
 
                         
Asset write-downs
  $ -     $ 9,908     $ (9,908 )   $ -  
                                 
Other
    -       324       (190 )     134  
    $ -     $ 10,232     $ (10,098 )   $ 134  

Manchester, U.K. Facility

During the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company ceased the manufacture of photomasks at its Manchester, U.K., facility and, in connection therewith, incurred restructuring charges of $3.9 million through its completion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, primarily for employee termination costs and asset write-downs. The Company, in fiscal 2009, also recorded an impairment charge of $1.5 million to reduce the carrying value of the Manchester facility to its estimated fair value, which was determined by management by using a market approach. Approximately 85 employees were affected by this restructuring. The following table sets forth the Company's 2009 restructuring reserve related to its Manchester, U.K., facility as of November 1, 2009, and reflects the activity affecting the reserve for the year then ended.

   
Year Ended November 1, 2009
 
   
November 3,
2008
   
Charges
   
Utilized
   
November 1,
2009
 
                         
Employee terminations
  $ -     $ 2,375     $ (2,375 )   $ -  
                                 
Asset write-downs and other
    -       950       (950 )     -  
    $ -     $ 3,325     $ (3,325 )   $ -  

Singapore Restructuring

In the first quarter of fiscal 2012 the Company ceased the manufacture of photomasks at its Singapore facility. The Company anticipates that the restructuring costs of this action will not exceed $2.5 million, all of which are expected to be incurred in fiscal 2012.
 
 
54

 
 
NOTE 13 - INCOME TAXES

The income (loss) before income tax provision consists of the following:

   
Year Ended
 
   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
   
November 1,
2009
 
                   
United States
  $ (20,396 )   $ (27,507 )   $ (35,228 )
Foreign
    56,295       60,060       (1,876 )
    $ 35,899     $ 32,553     $ (37,104 )

The income tax provision consists of the following:

   
Year Ended
 
   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
   
November 1,
2009
 
Current:
                 
Federal
  $ 291     $ -     $ -  
State
    74       -       -  
Foreign
    15,550       7,303       7,266  
                         
Deferred:
                       
Federal
    -       -       -  
State
    -       -       -  
Foreign
    (224 )     168       (2,943 )
Total
  $ 15,691     $ 7,471     $ 4,323  

The income tax provision differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to the income (loss) before income taxes as a result of the following:
 
   
Year Ended
 
   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
   
November 1,
2009
 
U.S. federal income tax at statutory rate
  $ 12,564     $ 11,393     $ (12,986 )
Debt extinguishment losses
    11,942       -       -  
Distributions from foreign subsidiaries
    1,925       1,750       10,407  
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
    503       (1,270 )     (464 )
Changes in valuation allowances
    (8,334 )     9,693       6,427  
Foreign tax rate differentials
    (4,467 )     (6,381 )     3,497  
Tax credits in foreign jurisdictions
    (522 )     (2,954 )     (1,581 )
Uncertain tax positions, including reserves, settlements and resolutions
    1,499       93       (1,218 )
Shanghai, China operations closure
    -       (6,127 )     -  
Other, net
    581       1,274       241  
    $ 15,691     $ 7,471     $ 4,323  
 
Subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s 2010 consolidated financial statements, the Company identified two errors in the classifications of line items within the Tax Rate Reconciliation table (above). The first error of $6 million was primarily due to incorrectly including the tax effects of cumulative earnings from a foreign subsidiary whose earnings were considered not to be reinvested resulting in an overstatement of both the Distributions from foreign subsidiaries line and the Changes in valuation allowances line of the 2010 Tax Rate Reconciliation table. The second error of $1 million was due to a State tax benefit that was not recorded as the result of the Shanghai, China operations closure resulting in an overstatement of the State income taxes, net of federal benefit line and an overstatement of the Changes in valuation allowances line. As a result, the Tax Rate Reconciliation table has been restated from the amounts previously reported. The corrections had no effect on the net deferred tax asset, the income tax provision, the consolidated balance sheet and statements of operations previously reported for all years presented. In addition to these restatements, the Company has reclassified certain prior amounts from the Foreign tax rate differentials line into a separate line, Tax credits in foreign jurisdictions line, to conform with the current year presentation within this table.
 
 
55

 
 
The effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% in fiscal year 2011 primarily due to the impact of the non-deductible debt extinguishment losses related to the Company’s acquisition of a portion of its 5.5% convertible senior notes and the impact of a foreign subsidiary tax settlement offset by a higher level of earnings taxed at lower statutory rates in foreign jurisdictions.
 
The Company's operations in Shanghai, China, were closed in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010. The Company recognized a $10.5 million U.S. tax benefit as a result of the investment writedown. In China, additional income was recognized as a result of asset sales and intercompany loan settlements and the related China income tax liability was offset by accumulated net operating losses. As a result of the closure, the Company wrote off its Shanghai, China, subsidiary’s deferred tax asset of $4.4 million, which arose as a result of unused operating losses. The deferred tax asset written off had been offset in its entirety by a valuation allowance.
 
The net deferred income tax assets consist of the following:

   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
 
Deferred income tax assets:
           
Reserves not currently deductible
  $ 5,889     $ 5,007  
Net operating losses
    51,991       57,764  
Alternative minimum tax credits
    3,217       2,926  
Tax credit carryforwards
    5,410       9,770  
Future lease obligation
    3,108       5,705  
Other
    3,359       3,796  
      72,974       84,968  
Valuation allowances
    (53,063 )     (61,303 )
      19,911       23,665  
Deferred income tax liabilities:
               
Property, plant and equipment
    (2,744 )     (5,369 )
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries
    (4,417 )     (4,428 )
Investments
    (1,203 )     (2,622 )
Other
    (481 )     (440 )
      (8,845 )     (12,859 )
Net deferred income tax assets
  $ 11,066     $ 10,806  
Reported as:
               
Current deferred tax assets
  $ 609     $ 1,173  
Long-term deferred tax assets
    11,239       10,132  
Accrued liabilities
    (45 )     -  
Long-term deferred tax liabilities
    (737 )     (499 )
    $ 11,066     $ 10,806  

Subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s 2010 consolidated financial statements, the Company’s management determined that there was an error in the classification of and within the deferred income tax assets and liabilities presented in the 2010 table of deferred tax assets and liabilities footnote presentation. The error primarily related to an overstatement of the Company’s gross net operating loss carryforwards and the related $13 million deferred tax asset related to those same losses due to taxable gains that should have been recorded in a prior year on various intercompany transactions. Because a full valuation allowance has also been previously recorded against this overstated deferred tax asset, the error had no effect on the net deferred tax assets recorded in the financial statements. Additionally, the Company determined that certain deferred tax assets and liabilities had previously been improperly netted within the net operating loss line of the deferred tax asset composition table. As a result, the amounts presented in the 2010 table of deferred income tax assets and liabilities have been restated from the amounts previously reported. The corrections had no effect on the net deferred tax assets, the income tax provision, the consolidated balance sheet and statements of operations previously reported for all years presented.
 
 
56

 
 
Unrecognized tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions were $1.9 million at October 30, 2011, of which $0.5 million was recorded in income taxes payable and the balance in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet, and were $2.0 million at October 31, 2010 included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. If recognized, the benefits would favorably affect the Company's effective tax rate in future periods. Included in these amounts were $0.1 million and $0.3 million for interest and penalties in the two years, respectively. The Company includes any applicable interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in its income tax provision. As of October 30, 2011, the Company believes it is not reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease in the next twelve months. Currently, the statutes of limitations remain open subsequent to, and including, 2008 in the U.S., 2009 in the U.K., 2008 in Germany, 2011 in Korea, 2006 in Taiwan and in Singapore.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, is as follows:

   
Year Ended
 
   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
   
November 1,
2009
 
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 1,676     $ 1,573     $ 1,988  
                         
Additions (reductions) for tax positions in prior years
    709       (351 )     -  
                         
Additions based on current year tax positions
    502       454       377  
                         
Settlements
    (1,063 )     -       (685 )
                         
Lapses of statutes of limitations
    -       -       (107 )
Balance at end of year
  $ 1,824     $ 1,676     $ 1,573  

As of October 30, 2011, the Company had available U.S. Federal tax operating loss carryforwards of approximately $111.9 million which expire between 2020 and 2030, and research and development tax credit carryforwards of approximately $2.9 million which expire between 2018 and 2029.

The Company has established a valuation allowance for a portion of its deferred tax assets because it believes, based on the weight of all available evidence, that it is more likely than not that a portion of its net operating loss carryforwards may expire prior to utilization. The valuation allowance (decreased) increased by $(8.2) million, $10.9 million and $5.7 million in fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

As of October 30, 2011, the Company had $3.2 million of alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards that are available to offset future federal income taxes payable. The Company also has state tax credits available of $1.6 million which, if they are not utilized, will begin to expire in 2012.

As of October 30, 2011, the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries included in consolidated retained earnings amounted to $80.3 million, of which $12.6 million of earnings is considered not to be permanently reinvested. The amount of undistributed earnings is calculated taking into account the net amount of earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries considering its multi-tier subsidiary structure and translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect as of the balance sheet date. During fiscal year 2008 a decision was made to not indefinitely reinvest earnings in certain foreign jurisdictions. No provision has been made for taxes due on the remaining undistributed earnings of $67.7 million considered to be indefinitely invested. Should the Company elect in the future to repatriate the foreign earnings so invested, it may incur additional income tax expense on those foreign earnings, the amount of which is not practicable to compute.

PKLT, the Company's FPD manufacturing facility in Taiwan, has been accorded a tax holiday, which starts in 2012 and expires in 2017. In addition, the Company had been accorded a tax holiday in China which expired in 2011. These tax holidays had no dollar or per share effect in the fiscal years ended October 30, 2011, October 31, 2010 and November 1, 2009. In Korea and at Photronics Semiconductor Mask Corporation (PSMC) in Taiwan, various investment tax credits have been earned to reduce the Company's effective income tax rate.
 
 
57

 
 
Income tax payments were $10.4 million, $8.9 million and $9.6 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Cash received for refunds of income taxes paid in prior years amounted to $0.2 million in fiscal 2011 and $0.1 million in both fiscal years 2010 and 2009.
 
NOTE 14 - EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share is presented as follows:

   
Year Ended
 
   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
   
November 1,
2009
 
                   
Net income (loss) attributable to Photronics, Inc.
  $ 16,229     $ 23,922     $ (41,910 )
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Interest expense on convertible notes, net of related tax effects
    -       4,085       -  
Earnings (loss) for diluted earnings (loss) per share
  $ 16,229     $ 28,007     $ (41,910 )
Weighted-average common shares computations:
                       
Weighted-average common shares used for basic earnings (loss) per share
    57,030       53,433       43,210  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Share-based payment awards
    1,145       996       -  
Common stock warrants
    283       63       -  
Convertible notes
    -       11,311       -  
Dilutive potential common shares
    1,428       12,370       -  
Weighted-average common shares used for diluted earnings (loss) per share
    58,458       65,803       43,210  
                         
Basic earnings (loss) per share
  $ 0.28     $ 0.45     $ (0.97 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
  $ 0.28     $ 0.43     $ (0.97 )
 
 
58

 
 
In periods in which the Company incurred a net loss, the assumed exercises and vestings of certain outstanding share-based awards had an antidilutive effect. The assumed exercise of certain outstanding common stock warrants and the conversion of convertible senior notes to common stock would also have been antidilutive in the periods that the Company reported a net loss. The table below shows the amounts of incremental weighted-average shares of these share-based payment awards, common stock warrants, and convertible debt that were not considered potentially dilutive common shares in the fiscal years presented.
 
   
Year Ended
 
   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
   
November 1,
2009
 
                   
Convertible notes
    -       -       1,429  
Common stock warrants
    -       -       804  
Share-based payment awards
    -       -       793  
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded
    -       -       3,026  

The table below shows the outstanding weighted-average share-based payment awards and common stock warrants that were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because their exercise price exceeded the average market value of the common shares for the period or, under application of the treasury stock method, they were otherwise determined to be antidilutive. The table also shows convertible notes that, if converted, would have been antidilutive.

   
Year Ended
 
   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
   
November 1,
2009
 
                   
Convertible notes
    13,994       -       -  
Share based payment awards
    2,407       2,684       2,243  
Common stock warrants
    213       745       2  
Total potentially dilutive shares excluded
    16,614       3,429       2,245  

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, the Company awarded approximately 0.5 million shared-based payment awards to its employees and directors.
 
 
59

 
 
NOTE 15 – SUBSIDIARY SHARE REPURCHASE

During fiscal year 2011, the board of directors of PSMC, a subsidiary of the Company based in Taiwan, authorized PSMC to repurchase for retirement shares of its outstanding common stock on the open market. The repurchase programs, the last of which expired in October 2011, resulted in 21.6 million shares being repurchased for $9.9 million. PSMC’s repurchase of these shares increased the Company’s ownership of PSMC from 57.53% at October 31, 2010, to 62.25% at October 30, 2011. The tables below present the effect of the change in Photronics, Inc.'s ownership interest in PSMC on the Company's equity for fiscal years ended October 30, 2011, October 31, 2010 and November 1, 2009.

   
Year Ended
 
   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
   
November 1, 2009
 
                   
Net income (loss) attributable to Photronics, Inc.
  $ 16,229     $ 23,922     $ (41,910 )
                         
Decrease in Photronics, Inc.'s additional  paid-in capital for PSMC's repurchase of 21.6 million shares of its common stock
    (201 )       -         -  
Change from net income (loss) attributable  to Photronics, Inc. and transfer to noncontrolling interest
  $ 16,028     $ 23,922     $ (41,910 )
 
NOTE 16 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

At October 30, 2011, the Company had outstanding purchase commitments of $19 million, which included $14 million related to capital expenditures, and had recorded purchase commitments, consisting primarily of liabilities for the purchase of manufacturing equipment, of $19 million and $40 million at October 30, 2011 and October 31, 2010, respectively. See Note 9 for operating lease commitments.

The Company is subject to various claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes such claims, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
 
 
60

 
 
NOTE 17 - GEOGRAPHIC AND SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMER INFORMATION

The Company operates as a single operating segment as a manufacturer of photomasks, which are high precision quartz plates containing microscopic images of electronic circuits for use in the fabrication of IC's and FPDs. Geographic net sales are based primarily on where the Company's manufacturing facility is located. The Company's 2011, 2010 and 2009 net sales by geographic area and for ICs and FPDs, and total long-lived assets by geographic area were as follows:
 
   
Year Ended
 
   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
   
November 1,
2009
 
Net sales
                 
Asia
  $ 307,402     $ 259,951     $ 223,138  
Europe
    46,613       41,850       38,344  
North America
    158,005       123,753       99,871  
    $ 512,020     $ 425,554     $ 361,353  
                         
IC
  $ 391,158     $ 329,767     $ 272,866  
FPD
    120,862       95,787       88,487  
    $ 512,020     $ 425,554     $ 361,353  
                         
   
October 30,
2011
   
October 31,
2010
   
November 1,
2009
 
Long-lived assets
                       
Asia
  $ 197,956     $ 221,283     $ 199,179  
Europe
    10,879       14,182       9,579  
North America
    159,845       134,349       139,131  
    $ 368,680     $ 369,814     $ 347,889  
 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. accounted for approximately 20%, 19% and 19% of the Company's net sales in fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

NOTE 18 – CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk principally consist of trade accounts receivables and temporary cash investments. The Company sells its products primarily to manufacturers in the semiconductor and FPD industries in North America, Europe and Asia. The Company believes that the concentration of credit risk in its trade receivables is substantially mitigated by the Company's ongoing credit evaluation process and relatively short collection terms. The Company does not generally require collateral from customers. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information.

The Company's cash and cash equivalents are deposited in several financial institutions, including institutions located within all of the countries in which it manufactures photomasks. Portions of deposits in some of these institutions may exceed the amount of insurance available for such deposits at these institutions. As these deposits are generally redeemable upon demand and are held by high quality, reputable institutions, the Company considers them to bear minimal credit risk. The Company further mitigates credit risks related to its cash and cash equivalents by spreading such risk among a number of institutions.
 
 
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NOTE 19 – OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The Company's other comprehensive income, as reported in the consolidated statements of equity, consists of all changes in equity during the periods presented except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. The components of other comprehensive income for the last three fiscal years, net of tax, were as follows:

   
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
   
Amortization
of Cash Flow
Hedges
   
Changes in
Unrealized
Investment
Gains (Losses)
   
 
 
Other
   
Total Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Year Ended October 30, 2011
                             
                               
Attributable to Photronics, Inc.
  $ 3,040     $ 128     $ -     $ (29 )   $ 3,139  
Attributable to noncontrolling interests
    227       -       -       (11 )     216  
Total other comprehensive income
    3,267       128       -       (40     3,355  
Income tax benefit (expense)
    -       -       -       5       5  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
  $ 3,267     $ 128     $ -     $ (35 )   $ 3,360  
                                         
   
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
   
Amortization
of Cash Flow
Hedges
   
Changes in
Unrealized
Investment
Gains (Losses)
   
 
 
Other
   
Total Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Year ended October 31, 2010
                                       
                                         
Attributable to Photronics, Inc.
  $ 13,451     $ 129     $ -     $ (159 )   $ 13,421  
Attributable to noncontrolling interests
    3,123       -       -       (117 )     3,006  
Total other comprehensive income
    16,574       129       -       (276     16,427  
Income tax benefit (expense)
    -       -       -       65       65  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
  $ 16,574     $ 129     $ -     $ (211 )   $ 16,492  
                                         
   
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
   
Amortization
of Cash Flow
Hedges
   
Changes in
Unrealized
Investment
Gains (Losses)
   
 
 
Other
   
Total Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Year ended November 1, 2009
                                       
                                         
Attributable to Photronics, Inc.
  $ 10,712     $ 576     $ 62     $ (238 )   $ 11,112  
Attributable to noncontrolling interests
    342       -       39       (101 )     280  
Total other comprehensive income
    11,054       576       101       (339 )     11,392  
Income tax benefit (expense)
    -       -       -       -       -  
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
  $ 11,054     $ 576     $ 101     $ (339 )   $ 11,392  
 
 
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NOTE 20 - OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the Company is also the vice chairman of the board and majority shareholder of a company that provides secure managed information technology services to Photronics. Another director of the Company is also a shareholder, chief executive officer and executive chairman of the board of this company. Since 2002, the Company has entered into various service contracts with this company to provide services to all of the Company's worldwide facilities. The Company incurred expenses for services provided by this company of $1.8 million, $2.6 million and $2.8 million in fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively and, as of October 30, 2011, had an outstanding balance of $0.2 million due to this company. As of October 30, 2011, the Company had contracted with this company for various services through October 2013, at a cost of $3.2 million.

The Company purchases photomask blanks from a company of which an officer of the Company is a significant shareholder. The Company purchased $21.4 million, $21.9 million and $25.5 million of photomask blanks from this company in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, for which the amount owed to this company was $2.9 million at October 30, 2011 and $4.3 million at October 31, 2010.

The Company believes that the terms of its transactions with related parties described above were negotiated at arm's length and were no less favorable to the Company than terms it could have obtained from unrelated third parties. See Note 4 for other related party transactions.
 
NOTE 21 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Accounting guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. An "orderly transaction" is a transaction that assumes exposure to the market for a period prior to the measurement date to allow for marketing activities that are usual and customary for transactions involving such assets or liabilities (i.e. it is not a forced transaction). The transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability is a hypothetical transaction at the measurement date, considered from the perspective of a market participant that holds the asset or owes the liability. Therefore, the objective of a fair value measurement is to determine the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability (an exit price) at the measurement date.

A fair value measurement further assumes that the hypothetical transaction occurs in the principal (or if no principal market exists, the most advantageous) market for the asset or liability. Further, a fair value measurement assumes a transaction involving the highest and best use of the asset and the consideration of assumptions that would be made by market participants when pricing the asset or liability, such as transfer restrictions (in the case of an asset) or nonperformance risk.

This guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted, quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (including when the liabilities are traded as assets) while giving the lowest priority to unobservable inputs, which are inputs that reflect the Company's assumptions about the factors that market participants would use in valuing assets or liabilities, based upon the best information available under existing circumstances. In cases when the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. When, due to changes in the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure its fair value, an asset or liability is transferred between levels of the fair value hierarchy, the Company recognizes all transfers to or from any level to be as of the beginning of the reporting period. Assessing the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of factors specific to the asset or liability. The hierarchy consists of the following three levels:
 
 
63

 
 
Level 1 - Inputs are prices in active markets for identical securities that are accessible at the measurement date.

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. At October 30, 2011 and October 31, 2010, the Company's Level 2 liabilities are certain common stock warrants, which are included in other liabilities.

Level 3 - Inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The tables below present the Company’s liabilities as of October 30, 2011 and October 31, 2010, that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company had no assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the dates presented.

   
October 30, 2011
 
   
Quoted
Prices
in Active
Markets
for Identical
Instruments
(Level 1)
   
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
 
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
                         
Common stock warrants
  $ -     $ 1,147     $ -     $ 1,147  
Total liabilities
  $ -     $ 1,147     $ -     $ 1,147  
       
   
October 31, 2010
 
   
Quoted
Prices
in Active
Markets
for Identical
Instruments
(Level 1)
   
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
 
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
                                 
Common stock warrants
  $ -     $ 1,881     $ -     $ 1,881  
Total liabilities
  $ -     $ 1,881     $ -     $ 1,881  
 
The fair value of the common stock warrants liability was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. A significant observable input into the model was the market price of the Company's common stock at the measurement date. Gains or losses related to fair value adjustments to the common stock warrants liability are included in other income (expense), net.
 
 
64

 
 
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The Company did not have any nonfinancial assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at October 30, 2011 or October 31, 2010.

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

The fair values of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and certain other current assets and current liabilities approximate their carrying value due to their short-term maturities. The fair value of the Company's variable rate long-term debt approximates its carrying value due to the variable nature of the underlying interest rates. The estimated fair value of the Company's 3.25% convertible senior notes was approximately $109.3 million at October 30, 2011, and the estimated fair value of the Company’s 5.5% convertible senior notes was approximately $32.8 million and $83.2 million at October 30, 2011 and October 31, 2010, respectively. The Company acquired $35.4 million principal amount of its 5.5% convertible senior notes during fiscal year 2011.
 
 
65

 
 
NOTE 22 - QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

     The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly financial data:

   
First
   
Second
   
Third
   
Fourth
   
Year
 
Fiscal 2011:
 
(a)
   
(b) (c)
   
(d) (e)
   
(e)
   
(f) (g)
 
                               
Net sales
  $ 120,823     $ 133,103     $ 135,935     $ 122,159     $ 512,020  
Gross margin
    30,594       36,486       38,240       30,893       136,214  
Net income (loss)
    13,584       (15,033     12,622       9,035       20,208  
Net income (loss) attributable to Photronics, Inc.
    12,111       (16,438     11,265       9,291       16,229  
                                         
Earnings (loss) per share:
                                       
Basic
  $ 0.23     $ (0.30   $ 0.19     $ 0.16     $ 0.28  
Diluted
  $ 0.20     $ (0.30   $ 0.16     $ 0.14     $ 0.28  
                                         
Fiscal 2010:
 
(h) (i)
   
(j) (k) (l)
   
(m)
   
(n) (o)
   
(l) (p) (q)
 
                                         
Net sales
  $ 98,197     $ 105,070     $ 112,251     $ 110,036     $ 425,554  
Gross margin
    18,177       22,090       26,272       25,276       91,815  
Net income
    408       8,605       7,607       8,462       25,082  
Net income attributable to Photronics, Inc.
    213       7,873       7,691       8,145       23,922  
                                         
Earnings per share:
                                       
Basic
  $ 0.00     $ 0.15     $ 0.14     $ 0.15     $ 0.45  
Diluted
  $ 0.00     $ 0.14     $ 0.13     $ 0.14     $ 0.43  

(a)
Includes non-cash mark-to-market loss of $0.1 million, net of tax, in connection with warrants issued to purchase the Company’s stock.

(b)
Includes debt extinguishment loss of $30.3 million, net of tax, in connection with the acquisition of $30.4 million principal amount of the Company’s 5.5% convertible senior notes, with original maturity date of October 2014.

(c)
Includes non-cash mark-to-market loss of $0.7 million, net of tax, in connection with warrants used to purchase the Company’s stock.

(d)
Includes debt extinguishment loss of $5.0 million, net of tax, in connection with the acquisition of $5.0 million principal amount of the Company’s 5.5% convertible senior notes, with original maturity date of October 2014.
 
(e)
Includes non-cash mark-to-market gain of $0.2 million, net of tax, in connection with warrants used to purchase the Company’s stock.
 
(f)
Includes debt extinguishment loss of $35.3 million, net of tax, in connection with the acquisition of $35.4 million principal amount of the Company’s 5.5% convertible senior notes, with original maturity date of October 2014

(g)
Includes non-cash mark-to-market loss of $0.4 million, net of tax, in connection with warrants used to purchase the Company’s stock.

(h)
Includes consolidation and restructuring charges of $0.2 million, net of tax, in connection with the closure of the Company’s Shanghai, China, manufacturing facility.

(i)
Includes non-cash mark-to-market gain of $0.1 million, net of tax, in connection with warrants issued to purchase the Company’s stock.

(j)
Includes consolidation and restructuring credits of $5.0 million, net of tax, that primarily resulted from the sale of the Company’s Shanghai, China, manufacturing facility, which was sold in connection with its closure.

(k)
Includes non-cash mark-to-market charge of $0.9 million, net of tax, in connection with warrants issued to purchase the Company’s stock.

(l)
Includes $1.0 million charge, net of tax, for the write-off of deferred financing fees that resulted from an amendment to the Company’s revolving credit facility.
 
(m)
Includes non-cash mark-to-market gain of $0.4 million, net of tax, in connection with warrants issued to purchase the Company’s stock.
 
(n)
Includes consolidation and restructuring credits of $0.2 million, net of tax, that primarily resulted from the sale of the Company’s Shanghai, China, manufacturing facility, which was sold in connection with its closure.
 
(o)
Includes non-cash mark-to-market charge of $0.5 million, net of tax, in connection with warrants issued to purchase the Company’s stock.

(p)
Includes consolidation and restructuring charges of 5.0 million, net of tax, in connection with the closure of the Company’s Shanghai, China, manufacturing facility.
 
(q)
Includes non-cash mark-to-market charge of $0.9 million, net of tax, in connection with warrants issued to purchase the Company’s stock.

 
66

 
 
NOTE 23 - RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2011 the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income”, with the purpose of increasing the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income.  The amended guidance requires that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate statements.  The amendments also required that reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) be presented on the face of the financial statements.  However, in December 2011 the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12 that deferred the effective date for amendments to the presentation of reclassifications of items out of other comprehensive income.  ASU No. 2011-12 was issued to allow the FASB time to redeliberate whether it is necessary to require entities to present reclassification adjustments, by component, in both the statement where net income is presented and the statement where comprehensive income is presented for both interim and annual financial statements, as originally required under ASU No. 2011-05.  During the FASB’s redeliberation period, entities will continue to report reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income using guidance in effect before ASU No. 2011-05 was issued.  ASU No. 2011-05 is to be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of this ASU will have no effect on the Company’s reported financial condition, financial performance or cash flows.
 
In May 2011 the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, "Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs", which amended its guidance on fair value measurements with the purpose of achieving commonality of its fair value measurement and disclosure requirements with those of IFRSs. ASU No. 2011-04 clarifies the FASBs intentions regarding the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, changes certain principles for measuring fair value and changes the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASU No. 2011-04 is to be applied prospectively and is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the effect, if any, ASU No. 2011-04 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company has established and currently maintains disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company's chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
 
The Company's management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level as of the end of the period covered by this report.

 
67

 
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of October 30, 2011, based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in "Internal Control - Integrated Framework." Management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's chief executive officer and chief financial officer, assessed that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of October 30, 2011.
 
The Company's independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has audited the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of October 30, 2011, as stated in their attestation report on page 34 of this Form 10-K.
 
January 12, 2012

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information as to Directors required by Item 401, 405 and 407(c)(3)(d)(4) and (d)(5) of Regulation S-K is set forth in the Company's 2012 definitive Proxy Statement which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K under the caption "PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS," "SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE" and in paragraph three under the caption "MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD," and is incorporated in this report by reference. The information as to Executive Officers is included in the Company's 2012 definitive Proxy Statement under the caption "EXECUTIVE OFFICERS" and is incorporated in this report by reference.
 
The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or controller. A copy of the code of ethics may be obtained, free of charge, by writing to the vice president general counsel of Photronics, Inc. at 15 Secor Road, Brookfield, Connecticut 06804.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by Item 402 of Regulation S-K and paragraph (e)(4) and (e)(5) of Item 407 is set forth in the Company's 2012 definitive Proxy Statement under the captions "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION," "CERTAIN AGREEMENTS", "DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION", "COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION" and "COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT," respectively, and is incorporated in this report by reference.

 
68

 
 
ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K is set forth in the Company’s 2012 definitive Proxy Statement under the caption “EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION”, and is incorporated in this report by reference. The information required by Item 403 of Regulation S-K is set forth in the Company's 2012 definitive Proxy Statement under the caption "OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK BY DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS", and is incorporated in this report by reference.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by Items 404 and Item 407(a) of Regulation S-K is set forth in the Company's 2012 definitive Proxy Statement under the captions "MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD" and "CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS", respectively, and is incorporated in this report by reference.

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
 
The information required by Item 9(e) of Rule 14a-101 of the Exchange Act is set forth in the Company's 2012 definitive Proxy Statement under the captions "FEES PAID TO THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS" and "AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT," and is incorporated in this report by reference.
 
PART IV

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

The following documents are filed as part of this report:

 
   
 
   
Page
       
No.
         
1.
 
Financial Statements: See "INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
 
33
         
2.
 
Financial Statement Schedules:
   
         
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Financial Statement Schedule for the years ended October 30, 2011, October 31, 2010 and November 1, 2009
 
70
         
   
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended October 30, 2011, October 31, 2010 and November 1, 2009
 
70
         
   
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable.
   
         
3.
 
Exhibits
 
71

 
69

 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Financial Statement Schedule

Board of Directors and Shareholders
Photronics, Inc.
Brookfield, Connecticut
 
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Photronics, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of October 30, 2011 and October 31, 2010, and for each of the three fiscal years ended October 30, 2011, October 31, 2010 and November 1, 2009, and the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of October 30, 2011, and have issued our report thereon dated January 12, 2012; such report is included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Our audits also included the consolidated financial statement schedule of the Company listed in Item 15. This consolidated financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, such consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Hartford, Connecticut
January 12, 2012


   
Schedule II
 
       
   
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
   
for the Years Ended October 30, 2011, October 31, 2010
 
   
and November 1, 2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
       
   
Balance at
Beginning of
Year
   
Charge to
Costs and
Expenses
   
Deductions
     
Balance at
End of
Year
 
                           
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
                         
                           
Year ended October 30, 2011
  $ 4,235     $ 298     $ (478 )
(a)
  $ 4,055  
Year ended October 31, 2010
  $ 2,669     $ 1,975     $ (409 )
(a)
  $ 4,235  
Year ended November 1, 2009
  $ 2,788     $ 538     $ (657 )
(a)
  $ 2,669  
                                   
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance
                                 
                                   
Year ended October 30, 2011
  $ 61,303     $ -     $ (8,240 )
 (b)
  $ 53,063  
Year ended October 31, 2010
  $ 50,449     $ 20,419     $ (9,565 )
 (c)
  $ 61,303  
Year ended November 1, 2009
  $ 44,769 (d)   $ 6,427     $ (747 )     $ 50,449  

(a)  
Uncollectible accounts written off

(b)
Primarily due to utilization of net operating losses and expiration of investment tax credit.

(c)  
Primarily due to reversal of valuation allowance for Shanghai, China, facility closure and impact of reduced income tax rates in Taiwan.

(d)
The valuation allowance balance at the beginning of the year ended November 1, 2009 has been adjusted to reflect the error discussed  in Note 13.
 
 
70

 
 
 
   
EXHIBITS INDEX
     
Exhibit
Number
 
 
Description
     
3.1
 
Certificate of Incorporation as amended July 9, 1986, April 9, 1990, March 16, 1995, November 13, 1997, April 15, 2002 and June 20, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 28, 2007).
     
3.2
 
By-laws of the Company, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File Number 33-11694, which was declared effective by the Commission on March 10, 1987).
     
4.1
 
Form of Indenture between the Company and the Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 File Number 333-160235 which was filed on June 25, 2009).
     
4.2
 
Indenture dated September 16, 2009 between the Company and the Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8K filed September 17, 2009 (Commission File Number 0-15451)).
     
4.3
 
Supplement to Indenture dated September 16, 2009 between the Company and the Bank of New York, as Trustee relating to the issuance of the Company’s 5.5% Convertible Notes due 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8K filed September 17, 2009 (Commission File Number 0-15451)).
     
4.4
 
Indenture dated March 28, 2011 between the Company and the Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company of New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 29, 2011).
     
10.1
 
Master Service Agreement dated January 11, 2002 between the Company and RagingWire Telecommunications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 1, 2009).
     
10.2
 
Underwriting Agreement between the Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated dated September 10, 2009  relating to the issuance of  the Company’s 5.5% Convertible Notes due 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8K filed September 11, 2009 (Commission File Number 0-15451)).
     
10.3
 
Underwriting Agreement between the Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated dated September 10, 2009 relating to the issuance of 9,638,554 shares of common stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8K filed September 11, 2009 (Commission File Number 0-15451)).
     
10.4
 
Warrant Agreement between the Company and Intel Capital Corporation dated September 10, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8K filed September 11, 2009 (Commission File Number 0-15451)).
     
10.5
 
Warrant Agreement between the Company and Intel Capital Corporation dated September 10, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8K filed September 11, 2009 (Commission File Number 0-15451)).
     
10.6
 
The Company’s 1992 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, File Number 33-47446 which was filed April 24, 1994).+
     
10.7
 
Amendment to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan as of March 24, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 30, 2011).+
     
10.8
 
Amendment to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan as of April 8, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 10, 2010).+
     
10.9
 
The Company’s 2007 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-151763, which was filed on June 18, 2008).+
     
10.10
 
Amendment to the 2007 Long Term Equity Incentive Plan as of April 8, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 10, 2010).+
     
10.11
 
Consulting Agreement between the Company and Constantine S. Macricostas, dated July 11, 2005.* +
 
 
71

 
 
10.12
 
Amendment No. 1 to the Consulting Agreement between Constantine S. Macricostas and the Company dated November 10, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10K for the fiscal year ended November 2, 2008 (Commission File No. 0-15451)).+
     
10.13
 
Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and Sean T. Smith dated February 20, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 1, 2009).+
     
10.14
 
Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of MP Mask Technology Center, LLC between Micron Technology, Inc. ("Micron") and Photronics, Inc. ("Photronics") dated May 5, 2006.* #
     
10.15
 
Contribution and Units Purchase Agreement between Micron, Photronics and MP Mask Technology Center, LLC ("MP Mask") dated May 5, 2006.* #
     
10.16
 
Technology License Agreement among Micron, Photronics and MP Mask dated May 5, 2006.* #
     
10.17
 
Photronics to Micron Supply Agreement between Micron and Photronics dated May 5, 2006.* #
     
10.18
 
Company to Photronics Supply Agreement between MP Mask and Photronics dated May 5, 2006.* #
     
10.19
 
Operating Lease Agreement dated May 19, 2009 between the Company and Micron (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8.02 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8K filed on July 6, 2009 (Commission File N0. 0-15451)).
     
10.20
 
Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and Soo Hong Jeong dated May 31, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 8, 2011). +
     
10.21
 
Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and Christopher J. Progler, Vice President, Chief Technology Officer dated September 10, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 11, 2008 (Commission File No. 0-15451)).+
     
10.22
 
Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and Peter Kirlin dated May 21, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 10, 2010).+
     
10.23
 
Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and Richelle Burr dated May 21, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 10, 2010).+
     
10.24
 
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of February 12, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 16, 2010).
     
10.25
 
Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement dated as of May 7, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 13, 2010).
     
10.26
 
Amendment No. 2 to the Credit Agreement dated September 17, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 21, 2010).
     
10.27 
 
Amendment No. 3 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of March 18, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 29, 2011).
     
10.28 
 
Security Agreement dated December 12, 2008 by and among the Company, the subsidiaries of the Company listed on the signature page and JPMorgan Chase Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the quarterly period ended May 3, 2009 (Commission File Number 0-15451)).
     
21
 
List of Subsidiaries of the Company.*
     
23
 
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.*
     
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
 
 
72

 
 
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
     
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
     
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
     
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
     
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
     
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
     
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
     
+
 
Represents a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
     
#
 
Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
     
*
 
Represents an exhibit that is filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
     
   
The Company will provide a copy of any exhibit upon receipt of a written request for the particular exhibit or exhibits desired. All requests should be addressed to the Company's general counsel at the address of the Company's principal executive offices.
 
 
73

 
 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 
PHOTRONICS, INC.
 
        (Registrant)
 
                                                          
By
/s/ SEAN T. SMITH
   
   
January 12, 2012
 
Sean T. Smith
Senior Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer/
Principal Financial Officer)
   
                                                             
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
By
/s/ CONSTANTINE S. MACRICOSTAS
     
January 12, 2012
 
Constantine S. Macricostas
Chairman of the Board
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
         
                                                             
 
                                                          
By
/s/ SEAN T. SMITH
   
  
January 12, 2012
 
Sean T. Smith
Senior Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer/
Principal Financial Officer)
   
                                                             
 
                                                          
By
/s/ WALTER M. FIEDEROWICZ
   
   
January 12, 2012
 
Walter M. Fiederowicz
Director
         
                                                             
   
                                                          
By
/s/ JOSEPH A. FIORITA, JR.
   
   
January 12, 2012
 
Joseph A. Fiorita, Jr.
Director
  
                                                             
   
                                                          
By
/s/ GEORGE C. MACRICOSTAS
   
   
January 12, 2012
 
George C. Macricostas
Director
     
                                                             
   
                                                          
By
/s/ MITCHELL G. TYSON
   
   
January 12, 2012
 
Mitchell G. Tyson
Director
    
                                                             
 
 
74