Form: 10-Q

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

February 11, 2008



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended:  December 31, 2007
 
Commission File Number:  0-22175
 
 
Company Logo

EMCORE Corporation
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

New Jersey
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

22-2746503
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

10420 Research Road SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123
(Address of principal executive offices)

(505) 332-5000
(Registrant's telephone number)


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  ¨

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. (Check one): 
¨ Large accelerated filer
x Accelerated filer
 ¨ Non-accelerated filer
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   Yes ¨    No x

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s no par value common stock as of February 4, 2008 was 57,028,010.
 


 
1

 

EMCORE Corporation
FORM 10-Q
For the Quarterly Period Ended December 31, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS


 

 
PAGE
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
   
3
20
32
33
   
   
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
   
34
36
36
36
36
36
37
   
38


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
EMCORE CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
             
Product revenue
  $ 44,501     $ 35,626  
Service revenue
    2,386       2,970  
Total revenue
    46,887       38,596  
                 
Cost of product revenue
    35,482       30,941  
Cost of service revenue
    1,532       2,159  
Total cost of revenue
    37,014       33,100  
Gross profit
    9,873       5,496  
                 
Operating expenses:
               
Selling, general and administrative
    16,237       12,539  
Research and development
    7,190       6,611  
Total operating expenses
    23,427       19,150  
                 
Operating loss
    (13,554 )     (13,654 )
                 
Other expenses (income):
               
Interest income
    (427 )     (1,651 )
Interest expense
    1,205       1,262  
Loss on disposal of equipment
    86       -  
Foreign exchange gain
    (13 )     -  
Total other expenses (income)
    851       (389
                 
Net loss
  $ (14,405 )   $ (13,265 )
                 
Per share data 
               
Net loss per basic and diluted share
  $ (0.28 )   $ (0.26 )
                 
Weighted-average number of basic and diluted shares outstanding
    52,232       50,875  

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


EMCORE CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2007
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
   
As of
 December 31,
2007
 
As of
September 30,
2007
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
14,610
   
$
12,151
 
Restricted cash
   
1,307
     
1,538
 
Marketable securities
   
15,150
     
29,075
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $798 and $802, respectively
   
41,282
     
38,151
 
Receivables, related party
   
332
     
332
 
Inventory, net
   
29,625
     
29,205
 
Income tax receivable
   
130
     
-
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
4,100
     
4,350
 
                 
Total current assets
   
106,536
     
114,802
 
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
   
60,294
     
57,257
 
Goodwill
   
41,681
     
40,990
 
Other intangible assets, net
   
4,899
     
5,275
 
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
   
14,872
     
14,872
 
Other non-current assets, net
   
2,001
     
1,540
 
                 
Total assets
 
$
230,283
   
$
234,736
 
                 
LIABILITIES and SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
 
$
24,309
   
$
22,685
 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
   
27,413
     
28,776
 
Income tax payable
   
593
     
137
 
                 
Total current liabilities
   
52,315
     
51,598
 
                 
Convertible subordinated notes
   
85,012
     
84,981
 
                 
Total liabilities
   
137,327
     
136,579
 
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
               
                 
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par, 5,882 shares authorized, no shares outstanding
   
-
     
-
 
Common stock, no par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 52,351 shares issued and 52,192 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2007; 51,208 shares issued and 51,049 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2007
   
453,358
     
443,835
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(358,309
)
   
(343,578
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(10
)
   
(17
)
Treasury stock, at cost; 159 shares
   
(2,083
)
   
(2,083
)
Total shareholders’ equity
   
92,956
     
98,157
 
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
$
230,283
   
$
234,736
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


EMCORE CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 For the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
 (in thousands)
(unaudited)
   
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
2007
   
2006
 
Net loss
  $ (14,405 )   $ (13,265 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used for operating activities:
               
Stock-based compensation expense
    5,448       2,326  
Depreciation and amortization expense
    2,465       2,515  
Accretion of loss from convertible subordinated notes exchange offer
    31       49  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    42       244  
Compensatory stock issuances
    209       153  
Loss from disposal of property, plant and equipment
    86       -  
Reduction of note receivable due for services received
    130       130  
Total non-cash adjustments
    8,411       5,417  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
               
Accounts receivable
    (3,173 )     (10,219 )
Inventory
    (419 )     (477 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    249       543  
Other assets
    (1,020 )     (203 )
Accounts payable
    1,625       (1,997
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    (2,267 )     (2,939 )
Total change in operating assets and liabilities
    (5,005 )     (15,292 )
                 
Net cash used for operating activities
    (10,999 )     (23,140 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchase of plant and equipment
    (4,985 )     (1,164 )
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate
    -       (13,734
Proceeds from employee notes receivable
    -       121  
Proceeds from notes receivable
    -       750  
Funding of restricted cash
    (269 )     (224 )
Purchase of marketable securities
    (7,000 )     (10,875 )
Sale of marketable securities
    20,931       41,600  
                 
Net cash provided by investing activities
    8,677       16,474  

Cash flows from financing activities:
           
Payments on capital lease obligations
    (2 )     (17 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    4,776       256  
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan
    -       202  
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    4,774       441  
                 
Effect of foreign currency
    7       -  
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    2,459       (6,225 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    12,151       22,592  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 14,610     $ 16,367  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
               
Cash paid during the period for interest
  $ 2,349     $ 2,421  
Cash paid for income taxes
  $ -     $ 1,701  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


EMCORE Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
 
 
NOTE 1.  Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of EMCORE Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “EMCORE”). All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

These statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim information, and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all information considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements has been included. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for an entire fiscal year. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2007 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of such date. For a more complete understanding of EMCORE’s financial position, operating results, risk factors and other matters, please refer to EMCORE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007.

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management of the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Management develops estimates based on historical experience and on various assumptions about the future that are believed to be reasonable based on the best information available. EMCORE’s reported financial position or results of operations may be materially different under changed conditions or when using different estimates and assumptions. In the event that estimates or assumptions prove to differ from actual results, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information.  Certain reclassifications have occurred to the quarter ended December 31, 2006 to conform to the quarter ended December 31, 2007.  The reclassification consists of a reduction to revenue of $78,000, a reduction to cost of goods sold of $64,000, and a reduction to research and development expense of $14,000 from the amounts previously recognized in first quarter of fiscal 2007.  This reclassification relates to a cost-sharing R&D arrangement, under which the actual costs of performance are divided between the U.S. Government and EMCORE, no revenue is recorded and the Company’s R&D expense is reduced for the amount of the cost-sharing receipts.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2007, options representing 5,096,185 shares of common stock were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculations. For the quarter ended December 31, 2006, options representing 3,166,199 shares of common stock were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculations. These options, along with the Company’s convertible subordinated notes, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share in the periods as the Company incurred a net loss for the period and any effect would have been anti-dilutive.


NOTE 2.  Recent Accounting Pronouncements

FIN 48 - In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 applies to all tax positions related to income taxes subject to SFAS 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. Differences between the amounts recognized in the statements of financial position prior to the adoption of FIN 48 and the amounts reported after adoption should be accounted for as a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to the beginning balance of retained earnings. FIN 48 was adopted by the Company on October 1, 2007.  See Note 13, “Income Taxes” of this Form 10-Q for additional information, including the effects of adoption on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

SFAS 157 - In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) 157, Fair Value Measurements, which defines fair value, provides a framework for measuring fair value, and expands the disclosures required for fair value measurements. SFAS 157 applies to other accounting pronouncements that require fair value measurements; it does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and is required to be adopted by the Company on October 1, 2008. Although the Company will continue to evaluate the application of SFAS 157, management does not currently believe adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.


SFAS 159 - In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115. The fair value option permits entities to choose to measure eligible financial instruments at fair value at specified election dates. The entity will report unrealized gains and losses on the items on which it has elected the fair value option in earnings. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and is required to be adopted by the Company on October 1, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting SFAS 159, but does not expect it to have a material impact on its consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

SFAS 141(R) - In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), Business Combinations. This Statement replaces SFAS 141, Business Combinations, and requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, including those arising from contractual contingencies, any contingent consideration, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date, with limited exceptions specified in the statement. SFAS 141(R) also requires the acquirer in a business combination achieved in stages (sometimes referred to as a step acquisition) to recognize the identifiable assets and liabilities, as well as the noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, at the full amounts of their fair values (or other amounts determined in accordance with SFAS 141(R)). In addition, SFAS 141(R)'s requirement to measure the noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at fair value will result in recognizing the goodwill attributable to the noncontrolling interest in addition to that attributable to the acquirer. SFAS 141(R) amends SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, to require the acquirer to recognize changes in the amount of its deferred tax benefits that are recognizable because of a business combination either in income from continuing operations in the period of the combination or directly in contributed capital, depending on the circumstances. It also amends SFAS 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, to, among other things, provide guidance on the impairment testing of acquired research and development intangible assets and assets that the acquirer intends not to use. SFAS 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Management is currently assessing the potential impact that the adoption of SFAS 141(R) could have on our financial statements.

SFAS 160 - In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements. SFAS 160 amends Accounting Research Bulletin 51, Consolidated Financial Statements, to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It also clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS 160 also changes the way the consolidated income statement is presented by requiring consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated statement of income, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest. SFAS 160 requires that a parent recognize a gain or loss in net income when a subsidiary is deconsolidated and requires expanded disclosures in the consolidated financial statements that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent owners and the interests of the noncontrolling owners of a subsidiary. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal periods, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Management is currently assessing the potential impact that the adoption of SFAS 160 could have on our financial statements.

NOTE 3.  Equity

Stock Options

EMCORE has stock option plans to provide long-term incentives to eligible employees, officers, and directors in the form of stock options.  Most of the stock options vest and become exercisable over four to five years and have ten-year terms. EMCORE maintains two incentive stock option plans: the 2000 Stock Option Plan (“2000 Plan”), and the 1995 Incentive and Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan (“1995 Plan” and, together with the 2000 Plan, the “Option Plans”). The 1995 Plan authorizes the grant of options to purchase up to 2,744,118 shares of EMCORE's common stock. The 2000 Plan authorizes the grant of options to purchase up to 9,350,000 shares of EMCORE's common stock. As of December 31, 2007, no options were available for issuance under the 1995 Plan and 956,572 options were available for issuance under the 2000 Plan. Certain options under the Option Plans are intended to qualify as incentive stock options pursuant to Section 422A of the Internal Revenue Code.


The following table summarizes the activity under the Option Plans as of December 31, 2007, and changes during the quarter then ended:
   
 
 
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
(in years)
Outstanding as of October 1, 2007
   
5,697,766
   
$
5.46
         
Granted
   
148,250
     
9.15
         
Exercised
   
(1,123,193
)
   
4.25
         
Tolled
   
658,989
     
5.19
         
Cancelled
   
(86,398
)
   
5.94
         
                         
Outstanding as of December 31, 2007
   
5,295,414
   
$
5.78
     
7.12
 
                         
Vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2007
   
3,759,653
   
$
5.59
     
6.65
 
                         
Exercisable as of December 31, 2007
   
2,324,953
   
$
5.18
     
5.60
 

The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $6.29 and $4.29, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the first quarter of fiscal year 2008 and 2007 was $8.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.  The total fair value of options vested during the first quarter of fiscal years 2008 and 2007 was $0.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of fully vested and expected to vest share options as of December 31, 2007 was $37.2 million.  The aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable share options as of December 31, 2007 was $24.3 million.

A summary of the status of the company’s nonvested shares as of December 31, 2007, and changes during the quarter then ended, is as follows:

   
 
Number
of Shares
   
Weighted-
Average Grant-
Date
Fair Value
 
Nonvested as of October 1, 2007
    2,979,486       4.82  
Granted
    148,250       6.29  
Vested
    (72,787 )     3.66  
Forfeited
    (84,488 )     4.71  
Nonvested as of December 31, 2007
    2,970,461     $ 4.93  

As of December 31, 2007 there was $7.0 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock-based compensation arrangements granted under the Option Plans. This expense is expected to be recognized over an estimated weighted-average life of 2.56 years.

Stock-based compensation expense is measured at grant date, based on the fair value of the award, over the requisite service period.  As required by SFAS 123(R), Share-Based Payment (revised 2004), management has made an estimate of expected forfeitures and is recognizing compensation expense only for those equity awards expected to vest. The effect of recording stock-based compensation expense during the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was as follows (in thousands, except per share data):



   
For the
three months ended
December 31, 2007
 
For the
three months ended
December 31, 2006
                 
Stock-based compensation expense by award type:
               
Employee stock options
 
$
1,074
   
$
2,326
 
Former employee stock option tolling agreement
   
4,374
     
-
 
Total stock-based compensation expense
 
$
5,448
   
$
2,326
 
                 
Net effect on net loss per basic and diluted share
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.05
)
 
Former Employee Stock Option Tolling Agreement

Under the terms of option agreements issued under the 2000 Plan, terminated employees who have vested and exercisable stock options have 90 days after the date of termination to exercise the options. In November 2006, the Company announced suspension of reliance on previously issued financial statements, which in turn caused the Form S-8 registration statements for shares of common stock issuable under the Option Plans not to be available. Therefore, terminated employees were precluded from exercising their options during the remaining contractual term.  To address this issue EMCORE’s Board of Directors agreed in April 2007 to approve an option grant “modification” for these individuals by extending the normal 90-day exercise period after termination date to a date after which EMCORE became compliant with its SEC filings and the registration of the option shares was once again effective.  The Company communicated the terms of the tolling agreement with its terminated employees in November 2007.  The Company’s Board of Directors approved an extension of the stock option expiration date equal to the number of calendar days during the Blackout Period before such option would have otherwise expired (the “Tolling Period”).   Former employees were able to exercise their vested stock options beginning on the first day after the lifting of the Blackout Period for a period equal to the Tolling Period.  We accounted for the modification of stock options issued to terminated employees as additional compensation expense in accordance with SFAS 123(R) in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 as presented in the table above.

Valuation Assumptions

EMCORE estimated the fair value of stock options using a Black-Scholes model. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model and the straight-line attribution approach using the following weighted-average assumptions.

Black-Scholes Weighted-Average Assumptions
 
 
 
For the
three months ended
December 31, 2007
Expected dividend yield
   
0.00
%
Expected stock price volatility
   
81.34
%
Risk-free interest rate 
   
3.45
%
Expected term (in years)
   
5.46
 
Estimated pre-vesting forfeitures
   
23.30
%

Expected Dividend Yield:  The Black-Scholes valuation model calls for a single expected dividend yield as an input. EMCORE has not issued any dividends.

Expected Stock Price Volatility:  The fair values of stock-based payments were valued using the Black-Scholes valuation method with a volatility factor based on EMCORE’s historical stock prices.

Risk-Free Interest Rate:  EMCORE bases the risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes valuation method on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term. Where the expected term of EMCORE’s stock-based awards do not correspond with the terms for which interest rates are quoted, EMCORE performed a straight-line interpolation to determine the rate from the available maturities.

Expected Term: EMCORE’s expected term represents the period that EMCORE’s stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding and was determined based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior as influenced by changes to the terms of its stock-based awards.


Estimated Pre-vesting Forfeitures: When estimating forfeitures, EMCORE considers voluntary termination behavior as well as future workforce reduction programs, if any.

 
Preferred Stock

EMCORE’s restated certificate of incorporation authorizes the Board of Directors to issue up to 5,882,352 shares of preferred stock of EMCORE upon such terms and conditions having such rights, privileges and preferences as the Board of Directors may determine.  As of December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2007, no shares of preferred stock are issued or outstanding.


Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In fiscal 2000, EMCORE adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). The ESPP provides employees of EMCORE an opportunity to purchase common stock through payroll deductions. The ESPP is a 6-month duration plan, with new participation periods beginning the first business day of January and July of each year. The purchase price is set at 85% of the average high and low market price for EMCORE's common stock on either the first or last day of the participation period, whichever is lower, and contributions are limited to the lower of 10% of an employee's compensation or $25,000. In November 2006, the Company suspended the ESPP due to its review of historical stock option granting practices.  The Company reinstated the ESPP on January 1, 2008.  The number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the ESPP is 2,000,000 shares.

The amount of shares issued for the ESPP are as follows: 
   
Number of
Common Stock
Shares Issued
 
Purchase Price
per Common
Stock Share
Amount of shares reserved for the ESPP
   
2,000,000
         
                 
Number of shares issued in calendar years 2000 through 2003
   
(398,159
)
  $
1.87 - $40.93
 
Number of shares issued in June 2004 for first half of calendar year 2004
   
(166,507
)
  $
2.73
 
Number of shares issued in December 2004 for second half of calendar year 2004
   
(167,546
)
  $
2.95
 
Number of shares issued in June 2005 for first half of calendar year 2005
   
(174,169
)
  $
2.93
 
Number of shares issued in December 2005 for second half of calendar year 2005
   
(93,619
)
  $
3.48
 
Number of shares issued in June 2006 for first half of calendar year 2006
   
(123,857
)
  $
6.32
 
                 
Remaining shares reserved for the ESPP as of December 31, 2007
   
876,143
         


Future Issuances 
 
As of December 31, 2007, EMCORE had reserved a total of 19,314,786 shares of its common stock for future issuances as follows:

   
Number of
Common Stock
Shares Available
For exercise of outstanding common stock options
   
5,295,414
 
For conversion of subordinated notes
   
12,186,657
 
For future issuances to employees under the ESPP plan
   
876,143
 
For future common stock option awards
   
956,572
 
         
Total reserved
   
19,314,786
 


NOTE 4.  Acquisition

On December 17, 2007, EMCORE entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Intel Corporation (“Seller”) which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Form 10-Q.  Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company will purchase certain of the assets of Seller and its subsidiaries relating to the telecom portion of Seller’s Optical Platform Division for a purchase price of $85 million, as adjusted based on an inventory true-up, plus specifically assumed liabilities.  The purchase price will be paid $75 million in cash and $10 million in cash or common stock of the Company, at the Company’s option.

The Company and Seller each made certain representations, warranties and covenants in the Agreement, including, among others, covenants by Seller to use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact the assets to be transferred to the Company and to refrain from taking certain non-ordinary course transactions during the period before consummation of the transaction.  The parties have agreed to enter into a transition services agreement under which Seller will provide selected services to the Company for a limited period after closing.  The parties have also entered into an intellectual property agreement under which Seller will license, subject to certain conditions, certain related intellectual property to the Company in connection with the Company’s use and development of the assets being transferred to it.
 
The Agreement contains termination rights for both the Company and Seller including a provision allowing either party to terminate the Agreement if the transaction has not been consummated by June 18, 2008.


NOTE 5.  Restructuring Charges
 
As EMCORE has acquired businesses and consolidated them into its existing operations, EMCORE has incurred charges associated with the transition and integration of those activities. In accordance with SFAS 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, expenses recognized as restructuring charges include costs associated with the integration of several business acquisitions and EMCORE’s overall cost-reduction efforts.   Restructuring charges are included in SG&A.  These charges primarily relate to our Fiber Optics operating segment.  These restructuring efforts are expected to be completed in calendar year 2008.  Costs incurred and expected to be incurred consist of the following:

 (in thousands)
 
 
 
Amount
Incurred in
Period
   
Cumulative
Amount
Incurred
to Date
   
Amount
Expected
in Future
Periods
   
Total
Amount
Expected to
be Incurred
 
                         
One-time termination benefits
  $ 275     $ 3,454     $ 180     $ 3,634  


The following table sets forth changes in the accrual for restructuring charges during the first quarter of fiscal year 2008:

(in thousands)
   
     
Balance at October 1, 2007
 
$
2,112
 
Increase in liability due to relocation of corporate headquarters
   
275
 
Costs paid or otherwise settled
   
(895
)
         
Balance at December 31, 2007
 
$
1,492
 


NOTE 6.  Receivables

The components of accounts receivable consisted of the following:

(in thousands)
 
As of
December 31,
2007
   
As of
September 30,
2007
 
             
Accounts receivable
  $ 36,827     $ 35,558  
Accounts receivable – unbilled
    5,253       3,395  
                 
Accounts receivable, gross
    42,080       38,953  
                 
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    (798 )     (802 )
                 
Total accounts receivable, net
  $ 41,282     $ 38,151  


 
Receivables from a related party consisted of the following: 

 
(in thousands)
 
As of
December 31,
2007
   
As of
September 30,
2007
 
             
Velox investment-related
  $ 332     $ 332  
                 
Total receivables from a related party
  $ 332     $ 332  


NOTE 7.  Inventory, net

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined using the standard cost method that includes material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs.  The components of inventory consisted of the following:
(in thousands)
 
As of
December 31,
2007
   
As of
September 30,
2007
 
             
Raw materials
  $ 18,890     $ 19,884  
Work-in-process
    7,592       6,842  
Finished goods
    11,928       10,891  
Inventory, gross
    38,410       37,617  
                 
Less: reserves
    (8,785 )     (8,412 )
                 
Total inventory, net
  $ 29,625     $ 29,205  


NOTE 8.  Property, Plant, and Equipment, net

The components of property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following:
 
(in thousands)
 
As of
December 31,
2007
   
As of
September 30,
2007
 
             
Land
  $ 1,502     $ 1,502  
Building and improvements
    43,632       43,397  
Equipment
    76,498       75,631  
Furniture and fixtures
    5,709       5,643  
Leasehold improvements
    2,141       2,141  
Construction in progress
    7,271       3,744  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, gross
    136,753       132,058  
                 
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (76,459 )     (74,801 )
                 
Total property, plant and equipment, net
  $ 60,294     $ 57,257  


As of December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2007, EMCORE did not have any significant capital lease agreements.  Depreciation expense was $1.7 million and $2.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2007, respectively.

NOTE 9.  Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net

The following table sets forth changes in the carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment during the first quarter of fiscal year 2008:
 
(in thousands)
 
Fiber Optics
   
Photovoltaics
   
Total
 
                   
Balance as of October 1, 2007
  $ 20,606     $ 20,384     $ 40,990  
                         
Acquisition – earn-out payments
    691       -       691  
                         
Balance as of December 31, 2007
  $ 21,297     $ 20,384     $ 41,681  


The following table sets forth changes in the carrying value of intangible assets, consisting of patents and acquired intellectual property (“IP”), as of December 31, 2007 by reportable segment:
 
(in thousands) 
 
As of December 31, 2007
   
As of September 30, 2007
 
   
Gross Assets
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Net Assets
   
Gross Assets
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Net Assets
 
                                     
Fiber Optics:
                                   
Patents
  $ 909     $ (403 )   $ 506     $ 845     $ (358 )   $ 487  
Ortel acquired IP
    3,274       (3,002 )     272       3,274       (2,893 )     381  
JDSU acquired IP
    1,040       (561 )     479       1,040       (512 )     528  
Alvesta acquired IP
    193       (193 )     -       193       (187 )     6  
Molex acquired IP
    558       (474 )     84       558       (446 )     112  
Phasebridge acquired IP
    603       (368 )     235       603       (347 )     256  
Force acquired IP
    1,075       (492 )     583       1,075       (443 )     632  
K2 acquired IP
    583       (274 )     309       583       (248 )     335  
Opticomm acquired IP
    2,504       (494 )     2,010       2,504       (321 )     2,183  
Subtotal
    10,739       (6,261 )     4,478       10,675       (5,755 )     4,920  
                                                 
Photovoltaics:
                                               
Patents
    715       (294 )     421       615       (260 )     355  
Tecstar acquired IP
    1,900       (1,900 )     -       1,900       (1,900 )     -  
Subtotal
    2,615       (2,194 )     421       2,515       (1,888 )     355  
                                                 
Total
  $ 13,354     $ (8,455 )   $ 4,899     $ 13,190     $ (7,915 )   $ 5,275  

 
Based on the carrying amount of the intangible assets, and assuming no future impairment of the underlying assets, the estimated future amortization expense is as follows:

(in thousands)
       
         
Period ending:
       
Nine-month period ended September 30, 2008
 
$
1,194
 
Year ended September 30, 2009
   
1,301
 
Year ended September 30, 2010
   
1,188
 
Year ended September 30, 2011
   
727
 
Year ended September 30, 2012
   
355
 
Thereafter
   
134
 
Total future amortization expense
 
$
4,899
 


NOTE 10.  Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

The components of accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:

(in thousands)
 
 
As of
December 31,
2007
 
As of
September 30,
2007
Compensation-related
 
$
7,957
   
$
8,398
 
Interest
   
600
     
1,775
 
Warranty
   
1,361
     
1,310
 
Professional fees
   
4,583
     
6,213
 
Royalty
   
1,031
     
705
 
Self insurance
   
822
     
794
 
Deferred revenue and customer deposits
   
649
     
687
 
Tax-related
   
4,657
     
3,460
 
Restructuring accrual
   
1,492
     
2,112
 
Other
   
4,261
     
3,322
 
                 
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
$
27,413
   
$
28,776
 



NOTE 11.  Commitments and Contingencies

EMCORE leases certain land, facilities, and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. The leases provide for rental adjustments for increases in base rent (up to specific limits), property taxes, insurance and general property maintenance that would be recorded as rent expense. Net facility and equipment rent expense under such leases amounted to approximately $0.2 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

As of December 31, 2007, EMCORE had four standby letters of credit issued totaling approximately $1.8 million.

Credit Market Conditions

The Company plans to fund the asset purchase of Intel’s Optical Platform Division through (i) debt financing, (ii) equity financing and/or (iii) asset sales.  Currently, the U.S. capital markets are experiencing turbulent conditions in the credit markets, as evidenced by tightening of lending standards, reduced availability of credit vehicles accompanied by a reduction in certain asset values.  This potentially impacts EMCORE’s ability to obtain this additional funding through financing or asset sales.  Although management believes it will be able to obtain the funding necessary to fund the acquisition, despite the reduced availability of these credit vehicles, no assurance can be made that the Company will be able to finance the acquisition on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

Legal Proceedings

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that are discussed below. The Company is also subject to certain other legal proceedings and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of business and which have not been fully adjudicated.  The Company does not believe it has a potential liability related to current legal proceedings and claims that could individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, liquidity or results of operations. However, the results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty. Should the Company fail to prevail in any legal matters or should several legal matters be resolved against the Company in the same reporting period, the operating results of a particular reporting period could be materially adversely affected.

SEC Investigation

On November 6, 2006, the Company informed the staff of the SEC of the Special Committee’s investigation regarding the Company’s historical review of stock option granting practices.  After the Company’s initial contact with the SEC, the SEC opened a non-public investigation concerning the Company’s historic option granting practices since the Company’s initial public offering.  The Company has fully cooperated with the SEC’s investigation.  Although we cannot predict the outcome of this matter, we do not expect that such matter will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.


Shareholder Derivative Litigation Relating to Historical Stock Option Practices

On February 1, 2007, Plaintiff Lewis Edelstein filed a purported stockholder derivative action (the “Federal Court Action”) on behalf of the Company against certain of its present and former directors and officers (the “Individual Defendants”), as well as the Company as nominal defendant, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Edelstein v. Brodie, et. al., Case No. 3:07-cv-00596-FLW-JJH (D.N.J.).   On May 22, 2007, Plaintiffs Kathryn Gabaldon and Michael Sackrison each filed a purported stockholder derivative action against the Individual Defendants, and the Company as nominal defendant, in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Somerset County, Gabaldon v. Brodie, et. al., Case No. 3:07-cv-03185-FLW-JJH (D.N.J.) and Sackrison v. Brodie, et. al., Case No. 3:07-cv-00596-FLW-JJH (D.N.J.) (collectively, the “State Court Actions”).

Both the Federal Court Action and the State Court Actions alleged, using essentially identical contentions that the Individual Defendants engaged in improprieties and violations of law in connection with the Company’s historical issuances of stock options.  Each of the actions seeks the same relief on behalf of the Company, including, among other things, damages, equitable relief, corporate governance reforms, an accounting, rescission, restitution and costs and disbursements of the lawsuit.  On July 10, 2007, the State Court Actions were removed to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

On September 26, 2007, the plaintiff in the Federal Court Action signed an agreement in principle with the Individual Defendants and the Company to settle that litigation in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (the “MOU”) filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2006.  That same day, the plaintiffs in the State Court Actions advised the Federal Court that the settlement embodied in the MOU would also constitute the settlement of the State Court Actions.

The MOU provides that the Company will adhere to certain policies and procedures relating to the issuance of stock options, stock trading by directors, officers and employees, the composition of its Board of Directors, and the functioning of the Board’s Audit and Compensation Committees.  The MOU also provides for the payment of $700,000 relating to plaintiff’s attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses, which the Company’s insurance carrier has committed to pay on behalf of the Company.  

On November 28, 2007, a Stipulation of Compromise and Settlement (the “Stipulation”) substantially embodying the terms previously contained in the MOU was fully executed by the Company and the other defendants and the plaintiffs in the Federal Court Action and the State Court Actions. The Stipulation was filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2007.

The Stipulation provides that the Company will adhere to certain policies and procedures relating to the issuance of stock options, stock trading by directors, officers and employees, the composition of its Board of Directors, and the functioning of the Board’s Audit and Compensation Committees.  The Stipulation also provides for the payment of $700,000 relating to plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses, which the Company’s insurance carrier has committed to pay on behalf of the Company.  A motion to approve the settlement reflected in the Stipulation was filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on December 3, 2007.   The Court granted the motion for preliminary approval of the settlement on January 3, 2008.  In the order of preliminary approval, the Court required the Company to provide notice to shareholders by February 14, 2008 and to set a date for a hearing for final approval of the settlement for March 28, 2008.  Upon such approval the settlement will become final and binding on all parties and represent a final settlement of both the Federal Court Action and the State Court Actions.

We have recorded $700,000 as a liability for the stipulated settlement in fiscal year 2006 since events that led to the litigation existed as of that date.  Although we anticipate that our insurance carrier will cover the stipulated settlement, we have not recorded any receivable, or gain contingency, since the settlement is still contingent upon certain future events.
 

Indemnification Obligations

Subject to certain limitations, we are obligated to indemnify our current and former directors, officers and employees in connection with the Special Committee’s investigation of our historical stock option practices, the related SEC non-public investigation and shareholder litigation. These obligations arise under the terms of our restated certificate of incorporation, our bylaws, applicable contracts, and New Jersey law. The obligation to indemnify generally means that we are required to pay or reimburse the individuals’ reasonable legal expenses and possibly damages and other liabilities incurred in connection with these matters. We are currently paying or reimbursing legal expenses being incurred in connection with these matters by a number of our current and former directors, officers and employees. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, the Company has a director and officer liability insurance policies that limits its exposure and enables it to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. 


Intellectual Property Lawsuits

We protect our proprietary technology by applying for patents where appropriate and in other cases by preserving the technology, related know-how and information as trade secrets. The success and competitive position of our product lines is significantly impacted by our ability to obtain intellectual property protection for our R&D efforts.

We have, from time to time, exchanged correspondence with third parties regarding the assertion of patent or other intellectual property rights in connection with certain of our products and processes. Additionally, on September 11, 2006, we filed a lawsuit against Optium Corporation (Optium) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania for patent infringement. In the suit, EMCORE and JDS Uniphase Corporation (JDSU) allege that Optium is infringing on U.S. patents 6,282,003 and 6,490,071 with its Prisma II 1550nm transmitters. On March 14, 2007, following denial of a motion to add additional claims to its existing lawsuit, EMCORE and JDSU filed a second patent suit in the same court against Optium alleging infringement of JDSU's patent 6,519,374 ("the '374 patent").  On March 15, 2007, Optium filed a declaratory judgment action against EMCORE and JDSU. Optium seeks in this litigation a declaration that certain products of Optium do not infringe the '374 patent and that the patent is invalid. The '374 patent is assigned to JDSU and licensed to EMCORE.

On December 20, 2007, the Company was served with a complaint in another declaratory relief action which Optium had filed in the Federal District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.  This action seeks to have U.S. patents 6,282,003 and 6,490,071 declared invalid or unenforceable because of certain conduct alleged to have occurred in connection with the grant of these patents.  These allegations are substantially the same as those brought by Optium by motion in the Company’s own case against Optium, which motion had been denied by the Court.  The Company intends to assert that the allegations in the complaint are without merit and intends to contest them.


NOTE 12.  Segment Data and Related Information

EMCORE has four operating segments: (1) EMCORE Fiber Optics and (2) EMCORE Broadband, which are aggregated as a separate reporting segment, Fiber Optics, and (3) EMCORE Photovoltaics and (4) EMCORE Solar Power, which are aggregated as a separate reporting segment, Photovoltaics.  EMCORE's Fiber Optics revenue is derived primarily from sales of optical components and subsystems for cable television (“CATV”), fiber to the premise (“FTTP”), enterprise routers and switches, telecom grooming switches, core routers, high performance servers, supercomputers, and satellite communications data links.  EMCORE's Photovoltaics revenue is derived primarily from the sales of solar power conversion products, including solar cells, covered interconnect solar cells, and solar panels.   EMCORE evaluates its reportable segments in accordance with SFAS 131, Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. EMCORE’s Chief Executive Officer is EMCORE’s Chief Operating Decision Maker pursuant to SFAS 131, and he allocates resources to segments based on their business prospects, competitive factors, net revenue, operating results and other non-GAAP financial ratios.

The following table sets forth the revenue and percentage of total revenue attributable to each of EMCORE's reporting segments for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.
 
(in thousands)
Segment Revenue
 
2007
   
2006
 
   
Revenue
   
% of
Revenue
   
Revenue
   
% of
Revenue
 
                         
Fiber Optics
  $ 33,960       72 %   $ 25,322       66 %
Photovoltaics
    12,927       28       13,274       34  
Total revenue
  $ 46,887       100 %   $ 38,596       100 %


The following table sets forth EMCORE's consolidated revenues by geographic region for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.  Revenue was assigned to geographic regions based on the customers’ or contract manufacturers’ billing address.
 
(in thousands)
Geographic Revenue
 
2007
   
2006
 
   
Revenue
   
% of
Revenue
   
Revenue
   
% of
Revenue
 
                         
North America
  $ 26,823       57 %   $ 25,746       67 %
Asia and South America
    15,340       33       11,036       28  
Europe
    4,587       10       1,814       5  
Australia
    137       -       -       -  
Total revenue
  $ 46,887       100 %   $ 38,596       100 %
 
The following table sets forth operating losses attributable to each EMCORE reporting segment and to corporate for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.

(in thousands)
Statement of Operations Data
 
2007
   
2006
 
             
Operating loss by segment and corporate:
           
Fiber Optics
  $ (3,527 )   $ (6,205 )
Photovoltaics
    (3,551 )     (3,996 )
Corporate
    (6,476 )     (3,453 )
                 
Operating loss
    (13,554 )     (13,654 )
                 
Other expenses (income):
               
Interest expense (income), net
    778       (389
Loss on disposal of equipment
    86       -  
Foreign exchange gain
    (13 )     -  
Total other expenses (income)
    851       (389
                 
Net loss
  $ (14,405 )   $ (13,265 )
 
Long-lived assets (consisting of property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets) for each reporting segment are as follows: 
 
(in thousands)
Long-lived Assets
 
As of
December 31,
2007
   
As of
September 30,
2007
 
             
Fiber Optics
  $ 57,131     $ 56,816  
Photovoltaics
    49,743       46,706  
                 
Total
  $ 106,874     $ 103,522  


NOTE 13.  Income Taxes

Effective October 1, 2007, the Company adopted FIN 48.  As a result of the adoption of FIN 48, the Company recorded an increase in accumulated deficit and an increase in the liability for unrecognized state tax benefits of approximately $326,000 (net of the federal benefit for state tax liabilities). All of this amount, if recognized, would reduce future income tax provisions and favorably impact effective tax rates. During the quarter ended December 31, 2007, there were no material increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits.  Management expects that over the next twelve months the liability for unrecognized state tax benefits will substantially decrease and does not anticipate any material increases over the next twelve months.

The Company’s historical accounting policy with respect to interest and penalties related to tax uncertainties has been to classify these amounts as income taxes, and the Company continued this classification upon the adoption of FIN 48.  At December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $117,000 of interest and penalties accrued as tax liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal, state and local jurisdictions.  No federal, state and local income tax returns are currently under examination. Certain income tax returns for fiscal years 2004 through 2006 remain open to examination by U.S. federal, state and local tax authorities.

 
NOTE 14.  Subsequent Event

Conversion of Convertible Subordinated Notes

The Company may redeem some or all of its convertible notes, at par value, if the closing price of the Company's common stock exceeds $12.09 per share for at least twenty trading days within a period of any thirty consecutive trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date of mailing the notice of redemption.  The notice of redemption must be mailed to the holders of the convertible notes at least 20 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date.  Once the notice of redemption is mailed by the Company to the holders of its convertible notes, the convertible notes become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date.  Each of the indentures governing the convertible notes requires the Company to deposit funds sufficient to cover the redemption price of, plus accrued and unpaid interest on, the convertible notes to be redeemed with the Trustee one business day prior to the redemption date.  The holders of the convertible notes can convert the convertible notes into shares of the Company’s common stock at any time before maturity, or with respect to convertible notes called for redemption, until the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the redemption date.  The number of shares issuable upon conversion is determined by dividing the principal amount to be converted by the conversion price in effect on the conversion date.  The conversion price is $7.01, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments.

On January 29, 2008, the Company, in privately negotiated transactions, entered into separate agreements with holders of approximately 97.5%, or approximately $83.3 million aggregate principal amount, of its outstanding 5.50% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2011 (the “Notes”) pursuant to which this small number of holders converted their Notes into the Company’s common stock.  Upon conversion of the Notes, the Company will issue 11.9 million shares of its common stock, based on a conversion price of $7.01, in accordance with the terms of the Notes.  The issuance of the Company’s common stock upon conversion of the Notes will be made in reliance on the exemption from the registration requirements provided under Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933.  To incentivize the holders to convert their Notes, the Company made cash payments to such holders equal to 4% of the principal amount of the Notes converted, or $3.3 million, plus accrued interest of approximately $1.0 million on the Notes converted.  This supplemental payment will be charged to expense in the second quarter of fiscal 2008, along with the acceleration of deferred financing costs of approximately $0.7 million.  After giving effect to these transactions, the Company expects to have approximately 64 million shares of common stock outstanding.

In addition, on January 29, 2008, the Company called for redemption all of its outstanding Notes.  After giving effect to the conversions, the Company expects that approximately $2.1 million aggregate principal amount of Notes will remain outstanding and subject to redemption. The redemption date will be February 20, 2008, and the redemption price, will be 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date.  The closing price of EMCORE's common stock on January 29, 2008 was $11.77. Note holders who wish to convert their Notes must do so by the close of business on February 19, 2008.


ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition of our business. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", believes", "estimates", “targets”, “can”, “may”, “could”, “will”, and variations of these terms and similar phrases. Management cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to business, economic, and other risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that may cause actual results to be materially different from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. The cautionary statements made in this Report should be read as being applicable to all forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this Report. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, including the related notes.

These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any and all statements or implications regarding:

 
·
The ability of EMCORE Corporation (the “Company”, “we”, or “EMCORE”) to remain competitive and a leader in its industry and the future growth of the company, the industry, and the economy in general;
 
·
Difficulties in integrating recent or future acquisitions into our operations;
 
·
The expected level and timing of benefits to EMCORE from on-going cost reduction efforts, including (i) expected cost reductions and their impact on our financial performance, (ii) our continued leadership in technology and manufacturing in its markets, and (iii) our belief that the cost reduction efforts will not impact product development or manufacturing execution;
 
·
Expected improvements in our product and technology development programs;
 
·
Whether our products will (i) be successfully introduced or marketed, (ii) be qualified and purchased by our customers, or (iii) perform to any particular specifications or performance or reliability standards; and/or
 
·
Guidance provided by EMCORE regarding our expected financial performance in current or future periods, including, without limitation, with respect to anticipated revenues, income, or cash flows for any period in fiscal 2008 and subsequent periods.

These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including without limitation, the following:

 
·
EMCORE’s cost reduction efforts may not be successful in achieving their expected benefits, or may negatively impact our operations;
 
·
The failure of our products (i) to perform as expected without material defects, (ii) to be manufactured at acceptable volumes, yields, and cost, (iii) to be qualified and accepted by our customers, and (iv) to successfully compete with products offered by our competitors; and/or
 
·
Other risks and uncertainties described in EMCORE’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) such as: cancellations, rescheduling, or delays in product shipments; manufacturing capacity constraints; lengthy sales and qualification cycles; difficulties in the production process; changes in semiconductor industry growth; increased competition; delays in developing and commercializing new products; and other factors.

Neither management nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this Report and subsequent facts or circumstances may contradict, obviate, undermine, or otherwise fail to support or substantiate such statements. We assume no obligation to update the matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to conform such statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations, except as required by applicable law or regulation.


Business Overview

EMCORE is a leading provider of compound semiconductor-based components and subsystems for the broadband, fiber optic, satellite and terrestrial solar power markets.  We have two reporting segments: Fiber Optics and Photovoltaics.  EMCORE's Fiber Optics segment offers optical components, subsystems and systems that enable the transmission of video, voice and data over high-capacity fiber optic cables for high-speed data and telecommunications, cable television (“CATV”) and fiber-to-the-premises (“FTTP”) networks.  EMCORE's Photovoltaics segment provides solar products for satellite and terrestrial applications. For satellite applications, EMCORE offers high-efficiency compound semiconductor-based gallium arsenide (“GaAs”) solar cells, covered interconnect cells (“CICs”) and fully integrated solar panels.  For terrestrial applications, EMCORE offers its high-efficiency GaAs solar cells and integrated PV components for use in solar power concentrator systems.  For specific information about our company, our products or the markets we serve, please visit our website at http://www.emcore.com.  The information on our website is not incorporated into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  We were established in 1984 as a New Jersey corporation.


Management Summary

Our principal objective is to maximize shareholder value by leveraging our expertise in advanced compound semiconductor technologies to be a leading provider of high-performance, cost-effective product solutions in each of the markets we serve.

We target market opportunities that we believe have large potential growth and where the favorable performance characteristics of our products and high volume production efficiencies may give us a competitive advantage over our competitors.  We believe that as compound semiconductor production costs continue to be reduced, existing and new customers will be compelled to increase their use of these products because of their attractive performance characteristics and superior value.

With several strategic acquisitions and divestures in the past year, EMCORE has developed a strong business focus and comprehensive product portfolios in two main sectors: Fiber Optics and Photovoltaics.

Fiber Optics

Our fiber optics products enable information that is encoded on light signals to be transmitted, routed (switched) and received in communication systems and networks.  Our fiber optics products provide our customers with increased capacity to offer more services, at increased data transmission distance, speed and bandwidth with lower noise video receive and lower power consumption.  Our Fiber Optics segment primarily targets the following markets:

 
·
Cable Television (CATV) Networks - We are a market leader in providing radio frequency (RF) over fiber products for the CATV industry.  Our products are used in hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) networks that enable cable service operators to offer multiple advanced services to meet the expanding demand for high-speed Internet, on-demand and interactive video and other advanced services, such as high-definition television (HDTV) and voice over IP (VoIP).

 
·
Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) Networks - Telecommunications companies are increasingly extending their optical infrastructure to the customer’s location in order to deliver higher bandwidth services. We have developed and maintain customer qualified FTTP components and subsystem products to support plans by telephone companies to offer voice, video and data services through the deployment of new fiber-based access networks.

 
·
Data Communications Networks - We provide leading-edge optical components and modules for data applications that enable switch-to-switch, router-to-router and server-to-server backbone connections at aggregate speeds of 10 gigabits per second (G) and above.

 
·
Telecommunications Networks - Our leading-edge optical components and modules enable high-speed (up to an aggregate 40G) optical interconnections that drive advanced architectures in next-generation carrier class switching and routing networks.  Our products are used in equipment in the network core and key metro optical nodes of voice telephony and Internet infrastructures.

 
·
Satellite Communications (Satcom) Networks - We are a leading provider of optical components and systems for use in equipment that provides high-performance optical data links for the terrestrial portion of satellite communications networks.


 
·
Storage Area Networks - Our high performance optical components are also used in high-end data storage solutions to improve the performance of the storage infrastructure.

 
·
Video Transport - Our video transport product line offers solutions for broadcasting, transportation, IP television (IPTV), mobile video and security & surveillance applications over private and public networks. EMCORE’s video, audio, data and RF transmission systems serve both analog and digital requirements, providing cost-effective, flexible solutions geared for network reconstruction and expansion.

 
·
Defense and Homeland Security - Leveraging our expertise in RF module design and high-speed parallel optics, we provide a suite of ruggedized products that meet the reliability and durability requirements of the U.S. Government and defense markets.  Our specialty defense products include fiber optic gyro components used in precision guided munitions, ruggedized parallel optic transmitters and receivers, high-frequency RF fiber optic link components for towed decoy systems, optical delay lines for radar systems, EDFAs, terahertz spectroscopy systems and other products.

 
·
Consumer Products - We intend to extend our optical technology into the consumer market by integrating our Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (“VCSELs”) into optical computer mice and ultra short data links.  We are in production with customers on several products and currently qualifying our products with additional customers.  An optical computer mouse with laser illumination is superior to LED-based illumination in that it reveals surface structures that a LED light source cannot uncover. VCSELs enable computer mice to track with greater accuracy, on more surfaces and with greater responsiveness than existing LED-based solutions.

Photovoltaics

We believe our high-efficiency compound semiconductor-based multi-junction solar cell products provide our customers with compelling cost and performance advantages over traditional silicon-based solutions.  These include higher solar cell efficiency allowing for greater conversion of light into electricity, an increased ability to benefit from use in solar concentrator systems, ability to withstand high heat environments and reduced overall footprint.  Our Photovoltaics segment primarily targets the following markets:

 
·
Satellite Solar Power Generation.  We are a leader in providing solar power generation solutions to the global communications satellite industry and U.S. Government space programs.  A satellite’s operational success and corresponding revenue depend on its available power and its capacity to transmit data. We manufacture advanced compound semiconductor-based solar cell and solar panel products, which are more resistant to radiation levels in space and generate substantially more power from sunlight than silicon-based solutions.  Space power systems using our multi-junction solar cells weigh less per unit of power than traditional silicon-based solar cells. These performance characteristics increase satellite useful life, increase satellites’ transmission capacity and reduce launch costs.  Our products provide our customers with higher sunlight to electrical power conversion efficiency for reduced size and launch costs; higher radiation tolerance; and longer lifetime in harsh space environments.  We design and manufacture multi-junction compound semiconductor-based solar cells for both commercial and military satellite applications. We currently manufacture and sell one of the most efficient and reliable, radiation resistant advanced triple-junction solar cells in the world, with an average "beginning of life" efficiency of 28.5%.  In May 2007, EMCORE announced that it has attained solar conversion efficiency of 31% for an entirely new class of advanced multi-junction solar cells optimized for space applications.  EMCORE is also the only manufacturer to supply true monolithic bypass diodes for shadow protection, utilizing several EMCORE patented methods. EMCORE also provides covered interconnect cells (CICs) and solar panel lay-down services, giving us the capability to manufacture complete solar panels. We can provide satellite manufacturers with proven integrated satellite power solutions that considerably improve satellite economics. Satellite manufacturers and solar array integrators rely on EMCORE to meet their satellite power needs with our proven flight heritage.
    
 
·
Terrestrial Solar Power Generation.  Solar power generation systems use photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight to electricity and have been used in space programs and, to a lesser extent, in terrestrial applications for several decades.  The market for terrestrial solar power generation solutions has grown significantly as solar power generation technologies improve in efficiency, as global prices for non-renewable energy sources (i.e., fossil fuels) continue to rise, and as concern has increased regarding the effect of carbon emissions on global warming. Terrestrial solar power generation has emerged as one of the most rapidly expanding renewable energy sources due to certain advantages solar power holds over other energy sources, including reduced environmental impact, elimination of fuel price risk, installation flexibility, scalability, distributed power generation (i.e., electric power is generated at the point of use rather than transmitted from a central station to the user), and reliability. The rapid increase in demand for solar power has created a growing need for highly efficient, reliable and cost-effective solar power concentrator systems.


EMCORE has adapted its high-efficiency compound semiconductor-based multi-junction solar cell products for terrestrial applications, which are intended for use with solar concentrator systems in utility-scale installations.  In August 2007, EMCORE announced that it has obtained 39% peak conversion efficiency on its terrestrial concentrating solar cell products currently in volume production.  This compares favorably to typical efficiency of 15-21% on silicon-based solar cells and 35% for competing multi-junction concentrating solar cells. We believe that solar concentrator systems assembled using our compound semiconductor-based solar cells will be competitive with silicon-based solar power generation systems because they are more efficient and, when combined with the advantages of concentration, we believe will result in a lower cost of power generated.  Our multi-junction solar cell technology is not subject to silicon shortages, which have led to increasing prices in the raw materials required for silicon-based solar cells. While the terrestrial power generation market is still developing, we have received production orders from multiple CPV systems integrators and provided samples to several others, including major system manufacturers in the United States, Europe and Asia.  Recent announcements from the Company include:

 
·
On December 12, 2007, EMCORE announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding for the supply of 60 Megawatts (MW) of solar power systems that are scheduled for deployment in Ontario, Canada over the next three years. EMCORE will supply and install turn-key solar power systems in the Sault Ste Marie area utilizing EMCORE's CPV systems developed at its Albuquerque, NM facility. EMCORE also has the right to substitute other solar technologies in portions of the projects. The project developer, Pod Generating Group (PGG), has secured the licenses and permits for the project through the Ontario Power Authority Standard Offer Program and system deployment is expected to begin in mid-2008. PGG is a developer of photovoltaics-based power generation facilities in Northern Ontario, Canada.

 
·
On December 17, 2007, EMCORE announced that it has received a purchase order to supply 5.7 MW of EMCORE's CPV systems for alternative energy projects in South Korea, along with a letter of intent for follow-on projects of 14.3 MW, expected to be released within the next six months. EMCORE also signed an agreement with DI Semicon, a semiconductor packaging company in Seoul, Korea, regarding the formation of a joint venture among DI Semicon, EMCORE and other parties. This joint venture, when fully established and commenced operations, will manufacture CPV systems in Korea for EMCORE, including systems for the 14.3 MW follow-up projects described above and will also involve a minimum purchase commitment of 15 MW annually of EMCORE CPV systems to be deployed in South Korea.

 
·
On January 23, 2008, EMCORE announced that it will supply its solar Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) components and systems to the Spanish market through several agreements.

• EMCORE was awarded a 300-kilowatt (kW) CPV system contract by Spain’s Institute of Concentrator Photovoltaics Systems (ISFOC). EMCORE expects to have its CPV systems installed in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain by December 2008.

• EMCORE reached an agreement to construct an 850-kW solar power park in Extremadura, Spain. EMCORE will be utilizing its CPV solar power system and provide a turn-key solution with a scope of work including engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC). This project is expected to be completed before July 2008 in order to take advantage of the current high feed-in tariff.

• EMCORE received a purchase order for one million CPV components from a prominent CPV system integrator. This order is expected to be completed by March 2009 with CPV products being deployed in projects within the Spanish market.

 
·
On January 31, 2008, EMCORE announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding for the supply of between 200 MW and 700 MW of solar power systems that are scheduled for deployment in utility scale solar power projects under development in the southwestern region of the United States. EMCORE will supply and install turn-key solar power systems utilizing EMCORE's concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) systems developed at its Albuquerque, NM facility. The project developer, SunPeak Solar, is securing land and grid access throughout 2008 and project construction is expected to begin in early 2009. This agreement is not expected to contribute revenues until 2009 and is dependant on the renewal of the federal investment tax credit (ITC) extending into 2009 and beyond.


We are committed to the ongoing evaluation of strategic opportunities that can expand our addressable markets and strengthen our competitive position. Where appropriate, we will acquire additional products, technologies, or businesses that are complementary to, or broaden the markets in which we operate. We plan to pursue strategic acquisitions, investments, and partnerships to increase revenue and allow for higher overhead absorption that will improve our gross margins.

Recent acquisition activity includes:

 
·
On December 17, 2007, EMCORE entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Intel Corporation (“Seller”).  Under the terms of the Agreement, EMCORE will purchase certain of the assets of Seller and its subsidiaries relating to the telecom portion of Seller’s Optical Platform Division for a purchase price of $85 million, as adjusted based on an inventory true-up, plus specifically assumed liabilities.  The purchase price will be paid $75 million in cash and $10 million in cash or common stock of EMCORE, at our option.  The Agreement contains termination rights for both EMCORE and Seller, including a provision allowing either party to terminate the Agreement if the transaction has not been consummated by June 18, 2008.

This acquired business, when consummated, will be part of EMCORE's Fiber Optics reporting segment.  

EMCORE is committed to achieving profitability by increasing revenue through the introduction of new products, reducing our cost structure and lowering the breakeven points of our product lines.  We have significantly streamlined our manufacturing operations by focusing on core competencies to identify cost efficiencies. Where appropriate, we transferred the manufacturing of certain product lines to contract manufacturers.

In May 2007, EMCORE announced the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Langfang, China. Our new company, Langfang EMCORE Optoelectronics Co. Ltd., is located approximately 20 miles southeast of Beijing and currently occupies a space of 22,000 square feet with a Class-10,000 clean room for optoelectronic device packaging.  Another 60,000 square feet is available for future expansion.  We will transfer our most cost sensitive optoelectronic devices to this facility.  This facility, along with a strategic alignment with our existing contract-manufacturing partners, should enable us to improve our cost structure and gross margins. We also expect to develop and provide improved service to our global customers using a local presence in Asia.

EMCORE’s restructuring programs are designed to further reduce the number of manufacturing facilities, in addition to the divesture or exit from selected businesses and product lines that were not strategic and/or were not capable of achieving desired revenue or profitability goals.  Recent facility consolidations include:

 
·
In August 2007, we announced the consolidation of our North American fiber optics engineering and design centers into our main operating sites. EMCORE's engineering facilities in Virginia, Illinois, and northern California were consolidated into larger primary sites in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Alhambra, California. The consolidation of these engineering sites should allow EMCORE to leverage resources within engineering, new product introduction, and customer service.  The design centers in Virginia and northern California have been closed and the design center in Illinois was vacated in October 2007.

 
·
In October 2006, we announced the move of our corporate headquarters from Somerset, New Jersey to Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Financial operations and records have been transferred and the New Jersey facility was vacated in September 2007.

Our results of operations and financial condition have and will continue to be significantly affected by severance and restructuring charges, impairment of long-lived assets and idle facility expenses incurred during facility closing activities.  Please refer to Risk Factors under Item 1A and Financial Statements and Supplemental Data under Item 8 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, for further discussion of these items.
 
Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Management develops estimates based on historical experience and on various assumptions about the future that are believed to be reasonable based on the best information available. EMCORE’s reported financial position or results of operations may be materially different under changed conditions or when using different estimates and assumptions, particularly with respect to significant accounting policies, which are discussed below. In the event that estimates or assumptions prove to differ from actual results, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information. EMCORE's most significant estimates relate to accounts receivable, inventory, goodwill, intangibles, other long-lived assets, warranty accruals, revenue recognition, and valuation of stock-based compensation.


Valuation of Accounts Receivable. EMCORE regularly evaluates the collectibility of its accounts receivable and accordingly maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to meet their financial obligations to us. The allowance is based on the age of receivables and a specific identification of receivables considered at risk. EMCORE classifies charges associated with the allowance for doubtful accounts as SG&A expense. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, additional allowances may be required.

Valuation of Inventory. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined using the standard cost method. EMCORE reserves against inventory once it has been determined that: (i) conditions exist that may not allow the inventory to be sold for its intended purpose, (ii) the inventory’s value is determined to be less than cost, or (iii) the inventory is determined to be obsolete. The charge related to inventory reserves is recorded as a cost of revenue. The majority of the inventory write-downs are related to estimated allowances for inventory whose carrying value is in excess of net realizable value and on excess raw material components resulting from finished product obsolescence. In most cases where EMCORE sells previously written down inventory, it is typically sold as a component part of a finished product. The finished product is sold at market price at the time resulting in higher average gross margin on such revenue. EMCORE does not track the selling price of individual raw material components that have been previously written down or written off, since such raw material components usually are only a portion of the resultant finished products and related sales price. EMCORE evaluates inventory levels at least quarterly against sales forecasts on a significant part-by-part basis, in addition to determining its overall inventory risk. Reserves are adjusted to reflect inventory values in excess of forecasted sales, as well as overall inventory risk assessed by management. We have incurred, and may in the future incur, charges to write-down our inventory. While we believe, based on current information, that the amount recorded for inventory is properly reflected on our balance sheet, if market conditions are less favorable than our forecasts, our future sales mix differs from our forecasted sales mix, or actual demand from our customers is lower than our estimates, we may be required to record additional inventory write-downs.

Valuation of Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an acquired business or assets over the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Intangible assets consist primarily of intellectual property that has been internally developed or purchased. Purchased intangible assets include existing and core technology, trademarks and trade names, and customer contracts. Intangible assets are amortized using the straight-lined method over estimated useful lives ranging from one to fifteen years.

EMCORE evaluates its goodwill and intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Circumstances that could trigger an impairment test include but are not limited to: a significant adverse change in the business climate or legal factors; an adverse action or assessment by a regulator; unanticipated competition; loss of key personnel; the likelihood that a reporting unit or significant portion of a reporting unit will be sold or otherwise disposed; results of testing for recoverability of a significant asset group within a reporting unit; and recognition of a goodwill impairment loss in the financial statements of a subsidiary that is a component of a reporting unit. The determination as to whether a write-down of goodwill or intangible assets is necessary involves significant judgment based on the short-term and long-term projections of the future performance of the reporting unit to which the goodwill or intangible assets are attributed. As of December 31, 2006, we tested for impairment on our goodwill and intangible assets and based on that analysis, we determined that the carrying amount of the reporting units did not exceed their fair value.  The Company will conduct its annual test for impairment during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 utilizing balances as of December 31, 2007.

Valuation of Long-lived Assets. EMCORE reviews long-lived assets on an annual basis or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired. A long-lived asset is considered impaired when its anticipated undiscounted cash flow is less than its carrying value. In making this determination, EMCORE uses certain assumptions, including, but not limited to: (a) estimates of the fair market value of these assets; and (b) estimates of future cash flows expected to be generated by these assets, which are based on additional assumptions such as asset utilization, length of service that assets will be used in our operations, and estimated salvage values. As of December 31, 2006, we tested for impairment of our long-lived assets and based on that analysis, we recorded no impairment charges on any of EMCORE’s long-lived assets.  The Company will conduct its annual test for impairment during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 utilizing balances as of December 31, 2007.

Product Warranty Reserves. EMCORE provides its customers with limited rights of return for non-conforming shipments and warranty claims for certain products. In accordance with SFAS 5, Accounting for Contingencies, EMCORE makes estimates of product warranty expense using historical experience rates as a percentage of revenue and accrues estimated warranty expense as a cost of revenue. We estimate the costs of our warranty obligations based on our historical experience of known product failure rates, use of materials to repair or replace defective products and service delivery costs incurred in correcting product failures. In addition, from time to time, specific warranty accruals may be made if unforeseen technical problems arise. Should our actual experience relative to these factors differ from our estimates, we may be required to record additional warranty reserves. Alternatively, if we provide more reserves than we need, we may reverse a portion of such provisions in future periods.


Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized upon shipment provided persuasive evidence of a contract exists, (such as when a purchase order or contract is received from a customer), the price is fixed, the product meets its specifications, title and ownership have transferred to the customer, and there is reasonable assurance of collection of the sales proceeds. In those few instances where a given sale involves post shipment obligations, formal customer acceptance documents, or subjective rights of return, revenue is not recognized until all post-shipment conditions have been satisfied and there is reasonable assurance of collection of the sales proceeds. The majority of our products have shipping terms that are free on board (FOB) or free carrier alongside (FCA) shipping point, which means that EMCORE fulfills its delivery obligation when the goods are handed over to the freight carrier at our shipping dock. This means the buyer bears all costs and risks of loss or damage to the goods from that point. In certain cases, EMCORE ships its products cost insurance and freight (CIF). Under this arrangement, revenue is recognized under FCA shipping point terms, but EMCORE pays (and bills the customer) for the cost of shipping and insurance to the customer's designated location. EMCORE accounts for shipping and related transportation costs by recording the charges that are invoiced to customers as revenue, with the corresponding cost recorded as cost of revenue. In those instances where inventory is maintained at a consigned location, revenue is recognized only when our customer pulls product for its use and title and ownership have transferred to the customer. Revenue from time and material contracts is recognized at the contractual rates as labor hours and direct expenses are incurred.  EMCORE also generates service revenue from hardware repairs and calibrations that is recognized as revenue upon completion of the service.  Any cost of warranties and remaining obligations that are inconsequential or perfunctory are accrued when the corresponding revenue is recognized.

Distributors - EMCORE uses a number of distributors around the world. In accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition, EMCORE recognizes revenue upon shipment of product to these distributors. Title and risk of loss pass to the distributors upon shipment, and our distributors are contractually obligated to pay EMCORE on standard commercial terms, just like our other direct customers. EMCORE does not sell to its distributors on consignment and, except in the event of a product discontinuance, does not give distributors a right of return.

Solar Panel Contracts - EMCORE records revenues from certain solar panel contracts using the percentage-of-completion method in accordance with AICPA Statement of Position 81-1 ("SOP 81-1"), Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts. Revenue is recognized in proportion to actual costs incurred compared to total anticipated costs expected to be incurred for each contract. If estimates of costs to complete long-term contracts indicate a loss, a provision is made for the total loss anticipated. EMCORE has numerous contracts that are in various stages of completion. Such contracts require estimates to determine the appropriate cost and revenue recognition. EMCORE uses all available information in determining dependable estimates of the extent of progress towards completion, contract revenues, and contract costs. Estimates are revised as additional information becomes available.

Government R&D Contracts - - R&D contract revenue represents reimbursement by various U.S. Government entities, or their contractors, to aid in the development of new technology. The applicable contracts generally provide that EMCORE may elect to retain ownership of inventions made in performing the work, subject to a non-exclusive license retained by the U.S. Government to practice the inventions for governmental purposes. The R&D contract funding may be based on a cost-plus, cost reimbursement, or a firm fixed price arrangement. The amount of funding under each R&D contract is determined based on cost estimates that include both direct and indirect costs. Cost-plus funding is determined based on actual costs plus a set margin. As we incur costs under cost reimbursement type contracts, we record revenue. Contract costs include material, labor, special tooling and test equipment, subcontracting costs, as well as an allocation of indirect costs. An R&D contract is considered complete when all significant costs have been incurred, milestones have been reached, and any reporting obligations to the customer have been met.  Government contract revenue is primarily recognized as service revenue.

EMCORE also has certain cost-sharing R&D arrangements.  Under such arrangements in which the actual costs of performance are divided between the U.S. Government and EMCORE, no revenue is recorded and the Company’s R&D expense is reduced for the amount of the cost-sharing receipts.
 
 
The U.S. Government may terminate any of our government contracts at their convenience as well as for default based on our failure to meet specified performance measurements. If any of our government contracts were to be terminated for convenience, we generally would be entitled to receive payment for work completed and allowable termination or cancellation costs. If any of our government contracts were to be terminated for default, generally the U.S. Government would pay only for the work that has been accepted and can require us to pay the difference between the original contract price and the cost to re-procure the contract items, net of the work accepted from the original contract. The U.S. Government can also hold us liable for damages resulting from the default.
    
Stock-Based Compensation. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the straight-line attribution approach to determine the fair-value of stock-based awards under SFAS 123(R), Share-Based Payment (revised 2004). The Company elected to use the modified prospective transition method as permitted by SFAS 123(R) and accordingly prior periods were not restated to reflect the impact of SFAS 123(R). The modified prospective transition method requires that stock-based compensation expense be recorded for all new and unvested stock options and employee stock purchase plan shares that are ultimately expected to vest as the requisite service is rendered beginning on October 1, 2005, the first day of the Company’s fiscal year 2006.  The option-pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the option’s expected life and the price volatility of the underlying stock. EMCORE’s expected term represents the period that stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding and is determined based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior as influenced by changes to the terms of its stock-based awards. The expected stock price volatility is based on EMCORE’s historical stock prices. See Note 3, “Equity” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

The above listing is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by U.S. GAAP.  There also are areas in which management's judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result. For complete discussion of our accounting policies and other required U.S. GAAP disclosures, we refer you to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007.
 
Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the condensed consolidated statements of operations data of EMCORE expressed as a percentage of total revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.

For the three months ended December 31,
   
2007
   
2006
 
               
Product revenue
   
94.9
%
 
92.3
%
Service revenue
   
5.1
   
7.7
 
Total revenue
   
100.0
   
100.0
 
               
Cost of product revenue
   
75.7
   
80.2
 
Cost of service revenue
   
3.3
   
5.6
 
Cost of revenue
   
79.0
   
85.8
 
Gross profit
   
21.0
   
14.2
 
               
Operating expenses:
             
Selling, general and administrative
   
34.6
   
32.5
 
Research and development
   
15.3
   
17.1
 
Total operating expenses
   
49.9
   
49.6
 
               
Operating loss
   
(28.9
)
 
(35.4
)
               
Other expenses (income):
             
Interest (income) expense, net
   
1.6
   
(1.0
)
Loss on disposal of equipment
   
0.2
   
-
 
Total other expenses (income)
   
1.8
   
(1.0
)
               
Net loss
   
(30.7
)%
 
 (34.4
)%


Comparison of three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006

Consolidated Revenue

For the three months ended December 31, 2007, EMCORE’s consolidated revenue increased $8.3 million or 22% to $46.9 million from $38.6 million, as reported in the prior year. For the three months ended December 31, 2007, international sales increased $7.2 million or 56%, when compared to the prior year. For the three months ended December 31, 2007, revenue from government contracts, which are primarily service contracts, decreased $1.0 million or 32% to $2.1 million from $3.1 million, as reported in the prior year. A comparison of revenue achieved at each of EMCORE’s reportable segments follows:

Fiber Optics.

Over the past several years, communications networks have experienced dramatic growth in data transmission traffic due to worldwide Internet access, e-mail, and e-commerce. As Internet content expands to include full motion video on-demand, HDTV, multi-channel high quality audio, online video conferencing, image transfer, online multi-player gaming, and other broadband applications, the delivery of such data will place a greater demand on available bandwidth and require the support of higher capacity networks. The bulk of this traffic, which continues to grow at a very high rate, is already routed through the optical networking infrastructure used by local and long distance carriers, as well as internet service providers. Optical fiber offers substantially greater bandwidth capacity, is less error prone, and is easier to administer than older copper wire technologies. As greater bandwidth capability is delivered closer to the end user, increased demand for higher content, real-time, interactive visual and audio content is expected. We believe that EMCORE is well positioned to benefit from the continued deployment of these higher capacity fiber optic networks.   Customers for the Fiber Optics segment include: Avago Technologies, Inc., Alcatel, Aurora Networks, BUPT-GUOAN Broadband, C-Cor Electronics, Cisco Systems, Inc., Finisar, Hewlett-Packard Corporation, Intel Corporation, Jabil, JDSU, Motorola, Network Appliance, Sycamore Networks, Inc., and Tellabs.

For the three months ended December 31, 2007, EMCORE’s fiber optic revenues increased $8.7 million or 34% to $34.0 million from $25.3 million, as reported in the prior year. The increase in revenue was primarily related to sales of our CATV products and FTTP components, as well as a recovery of 10G products that serve the digital fiber optics sector, which increased 13% year-over-year and 16% from the prior quarter.  The communications industry in which we participate continues to be dynamic. The driving factor is the competitive environment that exists between cable operators, telephone companies, and satellite and wireless service providers. Each are rapidly investing capital to deploy a converging multi-service network capable of delivering “triple play services”, i.e. digitalized video, voice and data content, bundled as a service provided by a single communication provider. As a market leader in RF transmission over fiber products for the CATV industry, EMCORE enables cable companies to offer multiple forms of communications to meet the expanding demand for high-speed Internet, on-demand and interactive video, and other new services (such as HDTV and VOIP). Television is also undergoing a major transformation, as the U.S. Government requires television stations to broadcast exclusively in digital format, abandoning the analog format used for decades. Although the transition date for digital transmissions is not expected for several years, the build-out of these television networks has already begun. To support the telephone companies plan to offer competing video, voice and data services through the deployment of new fiber-based systems, EMCORE has developed and maintains customer qualified FTTP components and subsystem products. Our CATV and FTTP products include broadcast analog and digital fiber optic transmitters, quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) transmitters, video receivers, and passive optical network (PON) transceivers. Government contract revenue for fiber optics products for the three months ended December 31, 2006 totaled $0.2 million. There was no government contract revenue during the three months ended December 31, 2007.  Fiber optics revenue represented 72% and 66% of EMCORE's total revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Photovoltaics.

EMCORE provides advanced compound semiconductor solar cell products and solar panels, which are more resistant to radiation levels in space and convert substantially more power from sunlight than silicon-based solutions.  EMCORE’s Photovoltaics segment designs and manufactures multi-junction compound semiconductor solar cells for both commercial and military satellite applications as well as for use in terrestrial concentrating photovoltaic solar power systems. Customers for the Photovoltaics segment include Boeing, General Dynamics, the Indian Space Research Organization (“ISRO”), Lockheed Martin, Space Systems/Loral and Green and Gold Energy.

For the three months ended December 31, 2007, EMCORE’s photovoltaic revenues decreased $0.4 million or 3% to $12.9 million from $13.3 million, as reported in the prior year. The decline in revenue resulted from delivery and installation delays on capital equipment purchased for its new expanded concentrator photovolatics (“CPV”) solar cell and receiver manufacturing line.  All required capital equipment is expected to be on line in the second fiscal quarter and shipment of CPV receivers should commence shortly.  Government contract revenues for photovoltaics products were $2.1 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Photovoltaics revenue represented 28% and 34% of EMCORE's total revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  


We see additional areas for growth resulting from the successful deployment of terrestrial solar power systems that relay on our multi-junction solar cells and CPV components.  Concentrating PV systems have the potential to provide cost effective solar power in regions of high solar resource and several countries such as Italy, Spain and Greece have provided favorable feed in tariffs for utility-scale solar power installations.  EMCORE has developed high efficiency multi-junction solar cells and integrated PV components that function as the engine in concentrating photovoltaic systems and we are well positioned to provide the enabling components in these large-scale deployments.  In the satellite industry, we see increased opportunity in the commercial area as the number of geosynchronous communication satellite launches have recovered from the decline observed earlier in the decade, with Space Systems Loral winning a substantial share of the awards over the last several years. Government and military procurement remains steady, and we have succeeded in gaining market share in that area. We have recently been awarded solar panel government contracts for military and science missions, and this represents an expansion of our customer base.
 
 
Gross Profit

For the three months ended December 31, 2007, gross profit increased to $9.9 million compared to $5.5 million, as reported in the prior year. Compared to the prior year, gross margins increased to 21% from 14%. On a segment basis, margins for Fiber Optics increased from 18% to 24% due to increased revenue and restructuring efforts completed by the Company in the prior year.  Margins for the Photovoltaics segment improved from 8% as reported in the prior year to 15% due to favorable product mix and improved manufacturing yields.

Actions designed to improve our gross margins (through product mix improvements, cost reductions associated with product transfers and product rationalization, maximizing production yields on high-performance devices and quality improvements, among other things) continue to be a principal focus for us.  The establishment of a modern solar panel manufacturing facility, adjacent to our solar cell fabrication operations, should facilitate consistency, as well as reduce manufacturing costs. The benefit of having these operations located at one site is expected to provide high quality, high reliability and cost-effective solar components. We focus our activities on developing new process control and yield management tools that enable us to accelerate the adoption of new technologies into full-volume production, while minimizing their associated risks.
   
For both the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, gross profit included the effect of $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and employee stock purchases under SFAS 123(R).


Operating Expenses

Selling, General and Administrative. For the three months ended December 31, 2007, SG&A expenses increased $3.7 million or 30% to $16.2 million from $12.5 million, as reported in the prior year.  Consistent with prior years, SG&A expense includes corporate overhead expenses.  As a percentage of revenue, SG&A increased from 33% to 35%.  A significant portion of the year-over-year increase in operating expenses was due to non-cash stock-based compensation expense.  During the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, SG&A included stock-based compensation expense of $4.9 million and $1.6 million, respectively.   In 2007, the Company incurred approximately $4.4 million in additional non-cash stock-based compensation expense related to the modification of stock options issued to former employees, which is described further in Note 3, “Equity” in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Research and Development.   Our R&D efforts have been sharply focused to maintain our technological leadership position by working to improve the quality and attributes of our product lines. We also invest significant resources to develop new products and production technology to expand into new market opportunities by leveraging our existing technology base and infrastructure. Our efforts are focused on designing new proprietary processes and products, on improving the performance of our existing materials, components, and subsystems, and on reducing costs in the product manufacturing process. In addition to using our internal capacity to develop and manufacture products for our target markets, EMCORE continues to expand its portfolio of products and technologies through acquisitions.
 
For the three months ended December 31, 2007, R&D expenses increased $0.6 million or 9% to $7.2 million from $6.6 million, as reported in the prior year.  During the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, R&D included stock-based compensation expense of  $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively. As a percentage of revenue, R&D decreased from 17% to 15%.  We believe that recently completed R&D projects have the potential to greatly improve our competitive position and drive revenue growth in the next few years.


As part of the ongoing effort to cut costs, many of our projects are to develop lower cost versions of our existing products and of our existing processes, while improving quality. Also, we have implemented a program to focus research and product development efforts on projects that we expect to generate returns within one year. Our technology and product leadership is an important competitive advantage. Driven by current and anticipated demand, we will continue to invest in new technologies and products that offer our customers increased efficiency, higher performance, improved functionality, and/or higher levels of integration.

 
Other Income & Expenses

Interest Income.  EMCORE realized a significant decrease in interest income due to the Company’s decreased cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities position.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Conclusion

We believe that our current liquidity should be sufficient to meet our cash needs for working capital through the next twelve months. If cash generated from operations and cash on hand are not sufficient to satisfy EMCORE's liquidity requirements, EMCORE will seek to obtain additional equity or debt financing.  On December 17, 2007, EMCORE entered into an asset purchase agreement with Intel Corporation to purchase certain assets of Intel's Optical Platform Division for a purchase price of $85 million.  The purchase price will be paid $75 million in cash and $10 million in cash or EMCORE common stock, at EMCORE's option.  EMCORE has plans to improve its liquidity position through additional equity financing, as well as potential asset sales. Additional funding may not be available when needed, or on terms acceptable to EMCORE. If EMCORE is required to raise additional financing and if adequate funds are not available or not available on acceptable terms, our ability to continue to fund expansion, develop and enhance products and services, or otherwise respond to competitive pressures may be severely limited. Such a limitation could have a material adverse effect on EMCORE's business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flow.

Credit Market Conditions

The Company plans to fund the asset purchase of Intel’s Optical Platform Division through (i) debt financing, (ii) equity financing and/or (iii) asset sales.  Currently, the U.S. capital markets are experiencing turbulent conditions in the credit markets, as evidenced by tightening of lending standards, reduced availability of credit vehicles accompanied by a reduction in certain asset values.  This potentially impacts EMCORE’s ability to obtain this additional funding through financing or asset sales.  Although management believes it will be able to obtain the funding necessary to fund the acquisition, despite the reduced availability of these credit vehicles, no assurance can be made that the Company will be able to finance the acquisition on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

Working Capital

As of December 31, 2007, EMCORE had working capital of approximately $54.2 million compared to $63.2 million as of September 30, 2007.  Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities at December 31, 2007 totaled $29.8 million, which reflects a net decrease of $11.5 million from September 30, 2007.  The decrease is primarily due to payment of professional fees incurred with our review of historical stock option granting practices, legal costs associated with our patent infringement lawsuits against Optium Corporation, interest payments on our convertible subordinated notes, capital expenditures, and various other increases in net working capital requirements.

Cash Flow

Net Cash Used For Operations
 
For the three months ended December 31, 2007, net cash used for operations decreased $12.1 million to $11.0 million from $23.1 million, as reported in the prior year.  For the three months ended December 31, 2007, significant changes in working capital include an increase in receivables of $3.2 million, an increase in inventory of $0.4 million, an increase in accounts payable of $1.6 million and a decrease in accrued expenses of $2.2 million. For the three months ended December 31, 2006, changes in working capital include an increase in receivables of $10.2 million, an increase in inventory of $0.5 million, a decrease in accounts payable of $2.0 million and a decrease in accrued expenses of $2.9 million.  


Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities
 
For the three months ended December 31, 2007, net cash provided by investing activities decreased by $7.8 million to $8.7 million from $16.5 million, as reported in the prior year. Changes in investing cash flows for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 consisted primarily of:

 
·
An increase in capital expenditures to $5.0 million from $1.2 million, as reported in the prior year.

 
·
An investment of $13.7 million, inclusive of $0.2 million in transaction costs, in WorldWater during the quarter ended December 31, 2006.

 
·
Net sales of $13.9 million in marketable securities compared to $30.7 million for the same period in the prior year.


Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

Cash provided by financing activities was $4.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007 compared to $0.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006.  The increase in cash was due to proceeds from stock option exercises.


Financing Transaction

The Company may redeem some or all of its convertible notes, at par value, if the closing price of the Company's common stock exceeds $12.09 per share for at least twenty trading days within a period of any thirty consecutive trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date of mailing the notice of redemption.  The notice of redemption must be mailed to the holders of the convertible notes at least 20 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date.  Once the notice of redemption is mailed by the Company to the holders of its convertible notes, the convertible notes become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date.  Each of the indentures governing the convertible notes requires the Company to deposit funds sufficient to cover the redemption price of, plus accrued and unpaid interest on, the convertible notes to be redeemed with the Trustee one business day prior to the redemption date.  The holders of the convertible notes can convert the convertible notes into shares of the Company’s common stock at any time before maturity, or with respect to convertible notes called for redemption, until the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the redemption date.  The number of shares issuable upon conversion is determined by dividing the principal amount to be converted by the conversion price in effect on the conversion date.  The conversion price is $7.01, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments.
 
On January 29, 2008, the Company, in privately negotiated transactions, entered into separate agreements with holders of approximately 97.5%, or approximately $83.3 million aggregate principal amount, of its outstanding 5.50% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2011 pursuant to which this small number of holders converted their Notes into the Company’s common stock.  Upon conversion of the Notes, the Company will issue 11.9 million shares of its common stock, based on a conversion price of $7.01, in accordance with the terms of the Notes.  The issuance of the Company’s common stock upon conversion of the Notes will be made in reliance on the exemption from the registration requirements provided under Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933.  To incentivize the holders to convert their Notes, the Company made cash payments to such holders equal to 4% of the principal amount of the Notes converted, or $3.3 million, plus accrued interest of approximately $1.0 million on the Notes converted.  This supplemental payment will be charged to expense in the second quarter of fiscal 2008, along with the acceleration of deferred financing costs of approximately $0.7 million.  After giving effect to these transactions, the Company expects to have approximately 64 million shares of common stock outstanding.

In addition, on January 29, 2008, the Company called for redemption all of its outstanding Notes.  After giving effect to the conversions, the Company expects that approximately $2.1 million aggregate principal amount of Notes will remain outstanding and subject to redemption. The redemption date will be February 20, 2008, and the redemption price, will be 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. Note holders who wish to convert their Notes must do so by the close of business on February 19, 2008.


ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
We are exposed to financial market risks, including changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates.  We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

Currency Exchange Rates. Although EMCORE enters into transactions denominated in foreign currencies from time to time, the total amount of such transactions is not material. Accordingly, fluctuations in foreign currency values would not have a material adverse effect on our future financial condition or results of operations. However, some of our foreign suppliers may adjust their prices (in $US) from time to time to reflect currency exchange fluctuations, and such price changes could impact our future financial condition or results of operations.  The Company does not currently hedge its foreign currency exposure.

Interest Rates. We maintain an investment portfolio in a variety of high-grade (AAA), short-term debt and money market instruments such as auction-rate securities, which carry a minimal degree of interest rate risk. Due in part to these factors, our future investment income may be slightly less than expected because of changes in interest rates, or we may suffer insignificant losses in principal if forced to sell securities that have experienced a decline in market value because of changes in interest rates.  The Company does not currently hedge its interest rate exposure.


ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company intends to maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the specified time periods and accumulated and communicated to management, including its Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Interim Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer), as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management, under the supervision and with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Interim Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer), evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Act), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that, as of that date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
 
Attached as exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are certifications of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Interim Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer), which are required in accordance with Rule 13a-14 of the Act. This Disclosure Controls and Procedures section includes information concerning management’s evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures referred to in those certifications and, as such, should be read in conjunction with the certifications of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Interim Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer).

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls
 
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal controls will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within EMCORE have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.  Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls.  The design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.  Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with associated policies or procedures.  Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that are discussed below. The Company is also subject to certain other legal proceedings and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of business and which have not been fully adjudicated.  The Company does not believe it has a potential liability related to current legal proceedings and claims that could individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, liquidity or results of operations. However, the results of legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty. Should the Company fail to prevail in any legal matters or should several legal matters be resolved against the Company in the same reporting period, the operating results of a particular reporting period could be materially adversely affected.

SEC Investigation

On November 6, 2006, the Company informed the staff of the SEC of the Special Committee’s investigation regarding the Company‘s historical review of stock option granting practices.  After the Company’s initial contact with the SEC, the SEC opened a non-public investigation concerning the Company’s historic option granting practices since the Company’s initial public offering.  The Company has fully cooperated with the SEC’s investigation.  Although we cannot predict the outcome of this matter, we do not expect that such matter will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Shareholder Derivative Litigation Relating to Historical Stock Option Practices

On February 1, 2007, Plaintiff Lewis Edelstein filed a purported stockholder derivative action (the “Federal Court Action”) on behalf of the Company against certain of its present and former directors and officers (the “Individual Defendants”), as well as the Company as nominal defendant, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Edelstein v. Brodie, et. al., Case No. 3:07-cv-00596-FLW-JJH (D.N.J.).   On May 22, 2007, Plaintiffs Kathryn Gabaldon and Michael Sackrison each filed a purported stockholder derivative action against the Individual Defendants, and the Company as nominal defendant, in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Somerset County, Gabaldon v. Brodie, et. al., Case No. 3:07-cv-03185-FLW-JJH (D.N.J.) and Sackrison v. Brodie, et. al., Case No. 3:07-cv-00596-FLW-JJH (D.N.J.) (collectively, the “State Court Actions”).

Both the Federal Court Action and the State Court Actions alleged, using essentially identical contentions that the Individual Defendants engaged in improprieties and violations of law in connection with the Company’s historical issuances of stock options.  Each of the actions seeks the same relief on behalf of the Company, including, among other things, damages, equitable relief, corporate governance reforms, an accounting, rescission, restitution and costs and disbursements of the lawsuit.  On July 10, 2007, the State Court Actions were removed to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

On September 26, 2007, the plaintiff in the Federal Court Action signed an agreement in principle with the Individual Defendants and the Company to settle that litigation in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (the “MOU”) filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2006.  That same day, the plaintiffs in the State Court Actions advised the Federal Court that the settlement embodied in the MOU would also constitute the settlement of the State Court Actions.

The MOU provides that the Company will adhere to certain policies and procedures relating to the issuance of stock options, stock trading by directors, officers and employees, the composition of its Board of Directors, and the functioning of the Board’s Audit and Compensation Committees.  The MOU also provides for the payment of $700,000 relating to plaintiff’s attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses, which the Company’s insurance carrier has committed to pay on behalf of the Company.  

On November 28, 2007, a Stipulation of Compromise and Settlement (the “Stipulation”) substantially embodying the terms previously contained in the MOU was fully executed by the Company and the other defendants and the plaintiffs in the Federal Court Action and the State Court Actions. The Stipulation is filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2007.

The Stipulation provides that the Company will adhere to certain policies and procedures relating to the issuance of stock options, stock trading by directors, officers and employees, the composition of its Board of Directors, and the functioning of the Board’s Audit and Compensation Committees.  The Stipulation also provides for the payment of $700,000 relating to plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses, which the Company’s insurance carrier has committed to pay on behalf of the Company.  A motion to approve the settlement reflected in the Stipulation was filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on December 3, 2007.   The Court granted the motion for preliminary approval of the settlement on January 3, 2008.  In the order of preliminary approval, the Court required the Company to provide notice to shareholders by February 14, 2008 and to set a date for a hearing for final approval of the settlement for March 28, 2008.  Upon such approval the settlement will become final and binding on all parties and represent a final settlement of both the Federal Court Action and the State Court Actions.


We have recorded $700,000 as a liability for the stipulated settlement in fiscal year 2006 since events that led to the litigation existed as of that date.  Although we anticipate that our insurance carrier will cover the stipulated settlement, we have not recorded any receivable, or gain contingency, since the settlement is still contingent upon certain future events.  

Indemnification Obligations

Subject to certain limitations, we are obligated to indemnify our current and former directors, officers and employees in connection with the Special Committee’s investigation of our historical stock option practices, the related SEC non-public investigation and shareholder litigation. These obligations arise under the terms of our restated certificate of incorporation, our bylaws, applicable contracts, and New Jersey law. The obligation to indemnify generally means that we are required to pay or reimburse the individuals’ reasonable legal expenses and possibly damages and other liabilities incurred in connection with these matters. We are currently paying or reimbursing legal expenses being incurred in connection with these matters by a number of our current and former directors, officers and employees. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, the Company has a director and officer liability insurance policies that limits its exposure and enables it to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. 

Intellectual Property Lawsuits

We protect our proprietary technology by applying for patents where appropriate and in other cases by preserving the technology, related know-how and information as trade secrets. The success and competitive position of our product lines is significantly impacted by our ability to obtain intellectual property protection for our R&D efforts.

We have, from time to time, exchanged correspondence with third parties regarding the assertion of patent or other intellectual property rights in connection with certain of our products and processes. Additionally, on September 11, 2006, we filed a lawsuit against Optium Corporation (Optium) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania for patent infringement. In the suit, EMCORE and JDS Uniphase Corporation (JDSU) allege that Optium is infringing on U.S. patents 6,282,003 and 6,490,071 with its Prisma II 1550nm transmitters. On March 14, 2007, following denial of a motion to add additional claims to its existing lawsuit, EMCORE and JDSU filed a second patent suit in the same court against Optium alleging infringement of JDSU's patent 6,519,374 ("the '374 patent").  On March 15, 2007, Optium filed a declaratory judgment action against EMCORE and JDSU. Optium seeks in this litigation a declaration that certain products of Optium do not infringe the '374 patent and that the patent is invalid. The '374 patent is assigned to JDSU and licensed to EMCORE.

On December 20, 2007, the Company was served with a complaint in another declaratory relief action which Optium had filed in the Federal District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.  This action seeks to have U.S. patents 6,282,003 and 6,490,071 declared invalid or unenforceable because of certain conduct alleged to have occurred in connection with the grant of these patents.  These allegations are substantially the same as those brought by Optium by motion in the Company’s own case against Optium, which motion had been denied by the Court.  The Company intends to assert that the allegations in the complaint are without merit and intends to contest them.


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
 
Credit Market Conditions

The Company plans to fund the asset purchase of Intel’s Optical Platform Division through (i) debt financing, (ii) equity financing and/or (iii) asset sales.  Currently, the U.S. capital markets are experiencing turbulent conditions in the credit markets, as evidenced by tightening of lending standards, reduced availability of credit vehicles accompanied by a reduction in certain asset values.  This potentially impacts EMCORE’s ability to obtain this additional funding through financing or asset sales.  Although management believes it will be able to obtain the funding necessary to fund the acquisition, despite the reduced availability of these credit vehicles, no assurance can be made that the Company will be able to finance the acquisition on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

Please see “Item 1A - Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 for additional risk factors.

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Not Applicable

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not Applicable

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 
(a)
The Registrant held its 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on December 3, 2007.

 
(b)
Charles Scott and Hong Q. Hou were elected to the EMCORE Board of Directors for three-year terms expiring in 2010.  Thomas J. Russell, Reuben F. Richards, Jr. and Robert Bogomolny will continue to serve on EMCORE’s Board of Directors until the election in 2008.  Thomas G. Werthan and John Gillen will continue to serve on EMCORE’s Board of Directors until the election in 2009.

 
(c)
(i)
The total shares voted in the election of Directors were 41,315,195.  There were no broker non-votes.  The shares voted for each Nominee were:

Charles Scott
For          35,527,497
Withheld          5,787,698
     
Hong Q. Hou
For          40,816,511
Withheld          498,684
 
 
 
(ii)
The Shareholders ratified the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, as follows:

For
41,153,394
Against
130,480
Abstain
31,321
 
 
 
(iii)
The Shareholders approved the Company’s 2007 Director’s Stock Award Plan, as follows:

For
30,251,209
Against
354,979
Abstain
98,864
 
ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

Not Applicable


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
 
Exhibit No.
Description
   
2.1*
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated December 17, 2007, between EMCORE Corporation and Intel Corporation
   
10.1*
2007 Director’s Stock Award Plan
   
31.1*
Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
   
31.2*
Certification by Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
   
32.1*
Certification by 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 by Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
 
__________
* Filed herewith


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
EMCORE CORPORATION
     
Date:  February 11, 2008
By:
/s/ Reuben F. Richards, Jr.
   
Reuben F. Richards, Jr.
     
   
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
     
Date:  February 11, 2008
By:
/s/ Adam Gushard
   
Adam Gushard
     
   
Interim Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


 
Exhibit No.
Description
   
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated December 17, 2007, between EMCORE Corporation and Intel Corporation
   
2007 Director’s Stock Award Plan
   
Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
   
Certification by Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
   
Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
   
Certification by Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
 
__________
* Filed herewith
 
 
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