National Semi net lower; sales, EPS top expectations
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National Semi net lower; sales, EPS top expectations

- Sales outlook for Q1 of fiscal 2009 expected to range from $460 million to $475 million

SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- National Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: NSM) today reported sales of $462 million and net income of $83 million, or 34 cents per share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 which ended May 25, 2008. National's fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 results included $9 million of pre-tax charges primarily for severances related to previously announced actions. Fourth quarter results also included approximately $6 million of discrete tax benefits.

National's fourth quarter fiscal 2008 sales of $462 million were 2 percent higher sequentially from the third quarter of fiscal 2008, when the company reported $453.4 million in sales and earnings of 29 cents per share.

Gross margin of 65.9 percent in National's fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 was up from the 64.3 percent gross margin achieved in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The sequential improvement was driven by strong manufacturing performance and cost efficiencies as well as improved product mix of higher-value analog products.

"Business conditions improved in the quarter, and we were able to turn this into higher gross margins," said Brian L. Halla, National's chairman and CEO. "We are focused on growth, expanding our base business into new, attractive markets leveraging our PowerWise(R) product portfolio to help our customers be much more energy efficient in their systems."

Compared to last year, fourth quarter fiscal 2008 sales were up from the $455.9 million reported in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, and earnings per share were above the 28 cents recorded a year ago. Gross margin in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 was also higher than the 62.5 percent reported in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.

Bookings for Q4, Fiscal 2008

National's total company bookings in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 increased by 12 percent sequentially over the third quarter. This increase was primarily driven by higher orders from the distribution channel as well as increased bookings for wireless handsets and other personal mobile devices. Regionally, fourth quarter bookings grew in all regions except Japan. Total company bookings exceeded billings in the fourth quarter.

Summary of Fiscal 2008

Annual sales were $1.89 billion compared to $1.93 billion in fiscal 2007. For fiscal 2008, National reported net income of $332 million, including $90 million of pre-tax stock compensation expenses under FASB Statement 123(R), compared to net income of $375 million in fiscal 2007. Earnings per share for the year were $1.26 compared to $1.12 in fiscal 2007 which included $111.5 million of pre-tax stock compensation expenses. National's gross margin in fiscal 2008 increased to 64.4 percent compared to 60.7 percent in fiscal 2007 reflecting continued improvements in the company's higher-value analog portfolio and strong execution in manufacturing. The company's effective tax rate was 26.4 percent for fiscal 2008 compared to 29.3 percent for fiscal 2007. Return on invested capital for fiscal 2008 was approximately 23 percent compared to approximately 21 percent for fiscal 2007.

Other Notable Items in Q4, Fiscal 2008 Results

Fourth quarter fiscal 2008 net results included approximately $9.1 million in expenses for severances and a factory modernization effort as well as $6 million of discrete tax benefits. Also included in fourth quarter fiscal 2008 results was $20 million in pre-tax stock compensation expense under FASB Statement 123(R). One year ago, the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 included $25 million of pre-tax stock compensation expense.

Outlook for Q1, Fiscal 2009

National anticipates that sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 will range from $460 million to $475 million.

Stock Repurchase Program

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, the company repurchased approximately $224 million of stock under its stock buyback program. As of the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, National had approximately $256 million of authorization still available under approved programs for future stock repurchases. National Semiconductor's fully diluted weighted average share count for the fourth quarter of fiscal of 2008 was 246.3 million shares, down from 255.5 million shares in the third quarter of fiscal 2008.

Company Declares Dividend

The company announced today that the Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.06 per outstanding share of common stock. This dividend will be paid on July 7, 2008 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 16, 2008.

Special Note

This release contains forward-looking statements dependent on a number of risks and uncertainties pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including management's expectations regarding future performance, are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not restricted to, such factors as new orders received and shipped during the quarter, the degree of factory utilization, the sale of inventories at existing prices, and the ramp up and sale of new analog products. Other risk factors are included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 27, 2007 under the captions "Outlook", "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations" contained therein and the 10-Q for the quarter ended February 24, 2008.

About National Semiconductor

National Semiconductor creates energy-efficient analog and mixed-signal semiconductors. Its PowerWise(R) products enable systems that consume less power, extend battery life, and generate less heat. Headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., National reported sales of $1.89 billion for fiscal 2008 which ended May 25, 2008. Additional company and product information is available at http://www.national.com.

     Media Contact:              Financial:
     LuAnn Jenkins               Mark Veeh
     National Semiconductor      National Semiconductor
     (408) 721-2440              (408) 721-5007
     luann.jenkins@nsc.com       invest.group@nsc.com



    NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
    (In millions, except per share amounts)

                             Three Months Ended        Twelve Months Ended
                            May 25,      May 27,      May 25,      May 27,
                              2008         2007         2008         2007

    Net sales               $462.0       $455.9     $1,885.9     $1,929.9
    Cost of sales            157.4        171.1        671.5        757.7
    Gross margin             304.6        284.8      1,214.4      1,172.2

    Research and
     development              90.2         95.7        363.0        363.7
    Selling, general
     and administrative       79.8         75.0        315.5        310.9
    Severance and
     restructuring
     expenses                  9.1          0.6         27.2          4.6
    Gain on sale of
     manufacturing plant
     assets                      -            -         (3.1)           -
    Litigation settlement        -            -          3.3            -
    In-process research
     and development
     charge                      -            -            -          6.1
    Other operating income,
     net                      (0.4)        (0.6)        (0.6)        (2.8)

    Operating expenses       178.7        170.7        705.3        682.5

    Operating income         125.9        114.1        509.1        489.7
    Interest income            4.8          9.8         33.8         40.1
    Interest expense         (19.6)         0.1        (85.5)        (1.2)
    Other non-operating
     income (expense), net     1.1          0.9         (6.2)         2.0

    Income before taxes      112.2        124.9        451.2        530.6
    Income tax expense        29.0         34.8        118.9        155.3

    Net income               $83.2        $90.1       $332.3       $375.3

    Earnings per share:
    Basic                    $0.35        $0.29        $1.31        $1.17
    Diluted                  $0.34        $0.28        $1.26        $1.12

    Selected income
     statement ratios as a
     percentage of sales:

    Gross margin             65.9%        62.5%        64.4%        60.7%
    Research and development 19.5%        21.0%        19.2%        18.8%
    Selling, general and
     administrative          17.3%        16.5%        16.7%        16.1%
    Net income               18.0%        19.8%        17.6%        19.4%

    Effective tax rate       25.8%        27.9%        26.4%        29.3%



    NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
    (In millions)

                                                      May 25,        May 27,
                                                       2008           2007
    ASSETS
    Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                       $736.8         $828.6
      Receivables                                      137.3          150.6
      Inventories                                      148.6          176.0
      Deferred tax assets                               80.2           73.2
      Other current assets                              66.0           62.1

      Total current assets                           1,168.9        1,290.5

    Net property, plant and equipment                  557.3          583.5
    Goodwill                                            60.5           63.6
    Deferred tax assets                                208.7          197.8
    Other assets                                       112.2           69.9

    Total assets                                    $2,107.6       $2,205.3

    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
      Current portion of long-term debt                $62.5             $-
      Accounts payable                                  53.5           59.9
      Accrued expenses                                 180.3          122.7
      Income taxes payable                              12.3          117.4

      Total current liabilities                        308.6          300.0

    Long-term debt                                   1,414.8           20.6
    Long-term income taxes payable                     143.4              -
    Other non-current liabilities                       85.4          157.7

      Total liabilities                             $1,952.2         $478.3

    Commitments and contingencies

    Shareholders' equity:
      Common stock of $0.50 par value                 $116.3         $155.1
      Retained earnings                                125.9        1,685.7
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss             (86.8)        (113.8)

      Total shareholders' equity                       155.4        1,727.0

    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity      $2,107.6       $2,205.3



    NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
    (In millions)

                                                       Twelve Months Ended
                                                      May 25,        May 27,
                                                       2008           2007
    Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net income                                        $332.3         $375.3
    Adjustments to reconcile net income with net
     cash provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization                    132.7          144.7
      Share-based compensation expense                  89.7          111.5
      Excess tax benefit from share-based
       payment arrangements                            (17.0)         (12.6)
      Tax benefit associated with stock options         27.5           29.6
      Loss (gain) on investments                         6.0           (2.0)
      Loss on disposal of equipment                      3.3            0.7
      Non-cash restructuring expenses                    4.5              -
      Gain on sale of manufacturing plant assets        (3.1)             -
      In-process research and development charge           -            6.1
      Other, net                                         4.0            2.4
      Changes in certain assets and liabilities,
       net:
        Receivables                                     13.3           57.9
        Inventories                                     27.1           15.7
        Other current assets                           (19.3)           7.9
        Accounts payable and accrued expenses           44.5         (126.0)
        Income taxes                                    29.4            2.7
        Other non-current liabilities                  (30.6)           4.4
    Net cash provided by operating activities          644.3          618.3
    Cash flows from investing activities:
    Purchase of property, plant and equipment         (111.3)        (106.6)
    Business acquisition, net of cash acquired             -           (8.2)
    Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and
     equipment                                          16.6            1.2
    Sale and maturity of available-for-sale securities     -          110.8
    Proceeds from sale of investments                    0.2              -
    Funding of benefit plan                             (5.6)          (8.5)
    Other, net                                          (1.9)           2.9
    Net cash used in investing activities             (102.0)          (8.4)

    Cash flows from financing activities:
    Proceeds from unsecured senior notes, net of
     issuance costs                                    992.9              -
    Proceeds from bank borrowings, net of issuance
     costs                                           1,996.5              -
    Repayment of bank borrowing                     (1,546.8)             -
    Payment on software license obligations             (8.7)          (8.7)
    Excess tax benefit from share-based payment
     arrangements                                       17.0           12.6
    Minimum tax withholding paid on behalf of
     employees for net share settlements               (14.6)          (1.4)
    Issuance of common stock                           103.7          103.1
    Purchase and retirement of treasury stock       (2,123.5)        (774.0)
    Cash dividends declared and paid                   (50.6)         (45.1)
    Net cash used in financing activities             (634.1)        (713.5)
    Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents          (91.8)        (103.6)
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year     828.6          932.2
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of year          $736.8         $828.6



    PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    EARNINGS PER SHARE (Unaudited)
    (In millions, except per share amounts)

                             Three Months Ended       Twelve Months Ended
                            May 25,      May 27,      May 25,      May 27,
                             2008         2007         2008         2007

    Earnings per share:
      Basic                  $0.35        $0.29        $1.31        $1.17
      Diluted                $0.34        $0.28        $1.26        $1.12

    Net income used in
     basic and diluted
     earnings per share
     calculation             $83.2        $90.1       $332.3       $375.3

    Weighted-average
     shares outstanding:
      Basic                  236.8        312.0        252.8        319.5
      Diluted                246.3        327.5        264.3        334.2



    OTHER FINANCIAL STATEMENT DETAIL
    (In millions)

    Other operating          Three Months Ended       Twelve Months Ended
     income, net           May 25,      May 27,      May 25,      May 27,
                             2008         2007         2008         2007

    Net intellectual
     property income         $(0.4)       $(0.6)       $(0.6)       $(1.8)
    Other                        -            -            -         (1.0)
      Total other
       operating
       income, net           $(0.4)       $(0.6)       $(0.6)       $(2.8)

    Other non-operating
     income (expense), net

    Gain (loss) on
     investments              $1.1         $0.9        $(6.0)        $2.0
    Charitable contribution      -            -         (0.2)           -
    Total other
     non-operating income
     (expense), net           $1.1         $0.9        $(6.2)        $2.0

Web site: http://www.national.com/