UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THESECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended August 30, 2018September 2, 2021
OR
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from            to
Commission file number 1-10658
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Micron Technology, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware75-1618004
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(IRS Employer Identification No.)
8000 S. Federal Way, Boise, Idaho83716-9632
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
Registrant'sRegistrant’s telephone number, including area code(208) 368-4000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.10 per shareNASDAQMUNasdaq Global Select Market
Common Stock Purchase Rights
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes T No ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.  Yes ¨ No T
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 T No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes T No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
YesNo
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.YesNo
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.YesNo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).YesNo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filerx
Accelerated Filero
Non-Accelerated Filero
Smaller Reporting Companyo
Emerging Growth Companyo
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).YesNo
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o No x
The aggregate market value of the voting stockand non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant,was $79.9 billion based uponon the closing price of such stockreported on March 1, 2018, as reported by the NASDAQNasdaq Global Select Market was approximately $45.0 billion.on March 4, 2021. Shares of common stock held by each executive officer and director and by each person who owns 5% or more of the outstanding common stock have beenwere excluded in that such personsas they may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
The number of outstanding shares of the registrant'sregistrant’s common stock as of October 8, 20181, 2021 was 1,134,255,375.1,118,623,738.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:REFERENCE
Portions of the Proxy Statement for the registrant'sregistrant’s Fiscal 20182021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on January 16, 201913, 2022 are incorporated by reference into Part II and Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.




Micron Corporate Profile
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Founded on October 5, 1978
Headquartered in
Boise, Idaho, USA
$27.7B
FY21 annual revenue

4th
Largest semiconductor company
in the world*
135
On the 2021 Fortune 500
47,500+
Patents granted and growing**
17
Countries**
12
Manufacturing sites and
14 customer labs**
~43,000
Team members**
It’s All About Data
Data is today’s new business currency, and memory and storage are a critical foundation for the data economy. Memory and storage innovations will help transform society and enable significant value forall.
Who We Are
Micron designs, develops and manufactures industry-leading memory and storage products. By providing foundational capability for AI and 5G across data center, the intelligent edge, and consumer devices, we unlock innovation across industries including healthcare, automotive and communications. Our technology and expertise are central to maximizing value from cutting-edge computing applications and new business models which disrupt and advance the industry.
Our Vision
As a global leader in memory and storage solutions, we are transforming how the world uses information to enrich life for all. By advancing technologies to collect, store and manage data with unprecedented speed and efficiency, we lead the transformation of data to intelligence. In a world of change, we remain nimble, delivering products that help inspire the world to learn, communicate and advance faster than ever.
Our Commitment
*Based on Gartner Market Share: Semiconductors by End Market, Worldwide, 2020 (April 2021), excluding IP/software revenue.
**Micron data as of September 2, 2021.
Our customers depend on our innovative solutions every day. We dedicate ourselves to demonstrating our environmental conscience, an inclusive team culture where all voices are heard and respected, and engaging in our communities to enrich life for all.
Media Inquiries
mediarelations@micron.com

Government Inquiries
govaffairs@micron.com

Investor Inquiries
investorrelations@micron.com
Global Product Portfolio
DRAM | NAND | NOR | Solid-State Drives | Graphics and High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) | Managed NAND and Multichip Packages
Connect with us on micron.com
© 2021 Micron Technology, Inc. Micron, the Micron orbit logo, the M orbit logo, Intelligence AcceleratedTM, and other Micron trademarks are the property of Micron Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Products and specifications are subject to change without notice. Rev 10/21 CCMMD-1707390403-3712






Micron’s Global Footprint

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Micron’s global footprint map highlights locations that include our manufacturing sites, centers of excellence, customer labs, and large offices. Not all Micron locations are represented on this map.
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Table of Contents
Introduction
PART I
Item 1.Business
Item 1A.Risk Factors
Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2.Properties
Item 3.Legal Proceedings
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures
PART II
Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Item 6.[Reserved]
Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A.Controls and Procedures
Item 9B.Other Information
Item 9C.Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
PART III
Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance
Item 11.Executive Compensation
Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14.Principal Accountant Fees and Services
PART IV
Item 15.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule
Item 16.Form 10-K Summary
Signatures

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Forward-Looking Statements


This Form 10-K contains trend information and other forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-lookingSuch forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "pledge," "committed," "plans," "opportunities," "future," "believe," "target," "on track," "estimate," "continue," "likely," "may," "will," "would," "should," "could," and variations of such words and similar expressions. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Specific forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements such as those made regarding controller development; increasing salesthe impact of DDR4, 3D NAND, 3D XPointTM memory, and client and cloud SSDs; growth incoronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) to our productionbusiness; expected bit shipments; the completion of and timing for closing the market for, NAND products;pending sale of our productionLehi facility; the sufficiency of DRAM products; our joint researchcash and development arrangements with Intel;investments; the need to obtain additional patent licenses or renew existing license agreements; the entry into additional sales or licensespayment of intellectual propertyfuture cash dividends; and partnering agreements; debt incurred to finance our capital investments; and cash expenditures for property, plant, and equipment.spending in 2022. Our actual results could differ materially from our historical results and those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, those identified in "Item“Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors." All period references are to our fiscal periods unless otherwise indicated.



Definitions of Commonly Used Terms


As used herein, "we," "our," "us,"“we,” “our,” “us,” and similar terms include Micron Technology, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise. Abbreviations, terms, or acronyms are commonly used or found in multiple locations throughout this report and include the following:
TermDefinitionDefinitionTermTermDefinition
2021 MSAC
2023 Notes2.497% Senior Notes due 2023LPDDRLow-Power Double Data Rate DRAM
2024 Notes4.640% Senior Notes due 2024LPDRAMLow-Power DRAM
2024 Term Loan AVariable Rate MSAC Senior Secured Term Loan A due 2024 entered into on May 14, 2021MicronMCPMultichip packaged solutions with managed NAND and LPDRAM.
2025 Notes5.500% Senior Notes due 2025MicronMicron Technology, Inc. (Parent Company)
2021 MSTW Term LoanVariable Rate MSTW Senior Secured Term Loan due 2021MLCMulti-Level Cell (two bits per cell)
2022 Notes5.88% Senior Notes due 2022MMJMicron Memory Japan, Inc.
2022 Term Loan BSenior Secured Term Loan B due 2022MMJ CompaniesMAI and MMJ
2023 Notes5.25% Senior Notes due 2023MMJ GroupMMJ and its subsidiaries
2023 Secured Notes7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2023MMTMicron Memory Taiwan Co., Ltd.
2024 Notes5.25% Senior Notes due 2024MSPMicron Semiconductor Products, Inc.
2025 Notes5.50% Senior Notes due 2025MSTWMicron Semiconductor Taiwan Co., Ltd.
2026 Notes5.63%4.975% Senior Notes due 2026MTTWMTUMicron Technology Taiwan, Inc.Utah, LLC
2032C2027 Notes4.185% Senior Notes due 20272.38%NVMeHardware interface for SSDs that connect via a PCIe bus.
2029 Notes5.327% Senior Notes due 2029OEMOriginal Equipment Manufacturer
2030 Notes4.663% Senior Notes due 2030PCIeHigh-speed motherboard connection for peripheral devices such as storage drives.
2032D Notes3.125% Convertible Senior Notes due 2032NanyaNanya Technology Corporation
2032D Notes3.13% Convertible Senior Notes due 2032OEMOriginal Equipment Manufacturer
2033 Notes2033E and 2033F NotesQimondaQimonda AG
2033E NotesDDRDouble Data Rate DRAM1.63% Convertible Senior Notes due 2033QLCQLCQuad-Level Cell (four bits per cell)
2033F NotesEBITDAEarnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization2.13% Convertible Senior NotesRevolving Credit Facility$2.5 billion Revolving Credit Facility due 2033R&DResearch and DevelopmentMay 2026
2043G NotesEUVExtreme ultraviolet lithography3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2043SATASG&ASelling, General,Hardware interface for connecting to storage devices such as hard disk drives and AdministrationSSDs.
IMFTExtinguished 2024 Term Loan ASenior Term Loan A due 2024 repaid on May 14, 2021IM Flash Technologies, LLCSLCSingle-Level Cell (one bit per cell)
InoteraGDDRGraphics Double Data RateSOFRSecured Overnight Financing Rate
ICIntegrated CircuitSSDSolid State Drive
IMFTIM Flash Technologies, LLCTITexas Instruments Incorporated
InoteraInotera Memories, Inc.SSDTLCSolid-State Drive
IntelIntel CorporationTera ProbeTera Probe, Inc.
LPDRAMMobile Low-Power DRAMTLCTriple-Level Cell (three bits per cell)
MAIIntelIntel CorporationMicron Akita, Inc.UFSVIEVariable Interest EntityUniversal Flash Storage
MCPLIBORLondon Interbank Offered RateMulti-Chip PackageuMCPUFS-based MCP

Micron, Crucial, Ballistix, any associated logos, and all other Micron trademarks are the property of Micron. Intel and 3D XPoint is a trademarkare trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.subsidiaries. Other product names or trademarks that are not owned by Micron are for identification purposes only and may be the registered or unregistered trademarks of their respective owners.




All period references are to our fiscal periods unless otherwise indicated. Our fiscal year is the 52 or 53-week period ending on the Thursday closest to August 31. Fiscal 2021 contained 52 weeks, fiscal 2020 contained 53 weeks, and fiscal 2019 contained 52 weeks. Our fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 contained 14 weeks and all other fiscal quarters in the years presented contained 13 weeks.
2 | 2021 10-K



PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS




Overview


Micron Technology, Inc., including its consolidated subsidiaries, is an industry leader in innovative memory and storage solutions. Through our global brands – Micron®, Crucial®, and Ballistix® – our broad portfolio of high-performance memory and storage technologies, including DRAM, NAND, NOR Flash and 3D XPoint memory, issolutions transforming how the world uses information to enrich life. Backed by 40 years oflife for all. With a relentless focus on our customers, technology leadership, ourand manufacturing and operational excellence, Micron delivers a rich portfolio of high-performance DRAM, NAND, and NOR memory and storage solutions enable disruptive trends, includingproducts through our Micron® and Crucial® brands. Every day, the innovations that our people create fuel the data economy, enabling advances in artificial intelligence machine learning, and autonomous vehicles, in key market segments like cloud,5G applications that unleash opportunities — from the data center networking,to the intelligent edge and mobile.across the client and mobile user experience.


We manufacture our products at our worldwide, wholly-owned facilities and joint venture facilities. In recent years, we have increased ouralso utilize subcontractors to perform certain manufacturing scale and product diversity through strategic acquisitions, expansion, and various partnering arrangements.

processes. We make significant investments to develop proprietary product and process technology, which isare implemented in our manufacturing facilities. WeAdvancements in product and process technology generally increase the density per wafer and reduce manufacturing costs of each generation of product through advancements in product and process technology, such as our leading-edge line-width process technology and 3D NAND architecture.product. We continue to introduce new generations of products that offer improved performance characteristics, including higher data transfer rates, reduced package size,advanced packaging solutions, lower power consumption, improved read/write reliability, and increased memory density. Storage

The introduction of 176-layer NAND and 1α (1-alpha) DRAM represent major technology breakthroughs for our company and the first time in our history that we have achieved industry leadership across these two flagship technologies. In 2021, we introduced our industry leading 1α memory node, the world’s most advanced memory node in high-volume production. This advancement has been realized across our standard compute DRAM and LPDRAM product lines. We are shipping these products incorporatingin volume, and we have partnered with customers to provide value-added innovation, speed market adoption of our new solutions, and prepare the ecosystem for broad adoption of our offerings across markets. We also launched 176-layer NAND based solutions into the market in 2021. Our managed NAND and SSD products incorporate NAND, a controller, firmware, and firmware constitute a significant andin some cases, DRAM. An increasing portion of our sales. We generally develop firmware and expect to introduceSSDs incorporate proprietary controllers into our SSDs in the first half of 2019.and firmware that we have developed. Development of advanced technologies enables us to diversify our product portfolio toward a richer mix of differentiated, high-value solutions and to target high-growth markets.markets and specific customer requirements across data center, intelligent edge, client, and mobile environments.


We market our products through our internal sales force, independent sales representatives, distributors, and e-tailers, primarily to original equipment manufacturers and retailers located around the world. We face intense competition in the semiconductor memory and storage markets and in order to remain competitive we must continuously develop and implement new products and technologies and decrease manufacturing costs. Our success is largely dependent on obtaining returns on our research and development (“R&D”) investments, efficient utilization of our manufacturing infrastructure, development and integration of advanced product and process technologies, market acceptance of our diversified portfolio of semiconductor-based memory and storage solutions, and efficient capital spending.

Lehi, Utah Fab and 3D XPoint

In the second quarter of 2021, we updated our portfolio strategy to further strengthen our focus on memory and storage innovations for the data center market. In connection therewith, we determined that there was insufficient market validation to justify the ongoing investments required to commercialize 3D XPoint at scale. Accordingly, we ceased development of 3D XPoint technology and engaged in discussions with potential buyers for the sale of our facility located in Lehi that was dedicated to 3D XPoint production. As a result, we classified the property, plant, and equipment as held for sale and ceased depreciating the assets. On June 30, 2021, we announced that we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our Lehi facility to TI for cash consideration of $900 million. The sale is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2022. Select tools and other equipment will be retained for redeployment to our other manufacturing sites or for resale to other buyers.

In the third quarter of 2021, we recognized a charge of $435 million included in restructure and asset impairments (and a tax benefit of $104 million included in income tax (provision) benefit) to write down the assets held for sale to
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the expected consideration, net of estimated selling costs, to be realized from the sale of these assets and liabilities. In the second quarter of 2021, we also recognized a charge of $49 million to cost of goods sold to write down 3D XPoint inventory due to our decision to cease further development of this technology. Our 3D XPoint technology development and Lehi facility operations are primarily included in our CNBU segment results.

Impact of COVID-19 on Our Business

Events surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic initially resulted in a reduction in economic activity across the globe, and the timing and extent of the ongoing economic recovery remains uncertain. As a result, we have experienced volatility in the markets that our products are sold into, driven by the move to a stay-at-home economy and fluctuations in consumer and business spending, which has affected demand for certain of our products. The ultimate extent to which COVID-19 will impact our business depends on future developments, which are highly uncertain and very difficult to predict, including the effectiveness and utilization of vaccines for COVID-19 and its variants, the severity of COVID-19 and its variants, and the effectiveness of the actions to contain or limit their spread.

From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we proactively implemented preventative protocols, which we continuously assess and update for changes in conditions and emerging trends. These preventative protocols are intended to safeguard our team members, contractors, suppliers, customers, distributors, and communities, and to ensure business continuity. Government restrictions or severe outbreaks can impact our operations at certain sites. While all our global manufacturing infrastructure, successful ongoing developmentsites are currently operating with close to full staff and integrationat normal capacity levels, our facilities could be required to temporarily curtail production levels or temporarily cease operations based on government mandates or our health and safety protocols. We may be required, or deem it to be in the best interest of advanced productour employees, customers, partners, suppliers, and process technology, return-driven capital spending,stakeholders, to alter our business operations in order to maintain a healthy and successful R&D investments.safe environment. It is not clear what potential effects any such alterations or modifications may have on our business, including effects on our customers, employees, or on our financial results. We are following government policies and recommendations designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 and remain committed to the health and safety of our team members, contractors, suppliers, customers, distributors, and communities.



We continuously assess our efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, which have included the following:

In locations experiencing continued community COVID-19 infections, we prohibit onsite visitors and are generally requiring team members to work from home where possible or practical. Where work from home is not possible, all on-site team members must complete health questionnaires, pass through thermal scanning equipment to ensure they do not have an elevated body temperature, and adhere to physical distancing requirements, mask protocols, and team member separation protocols. We have also enhanced our contact tracing, significantly decreased business travel, and where possible, made ventilation and other health and safety enhancements at our facilities, and provided COVID-19 testing and vaccinations for our team members.
Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, we mandated that all U.S. employees and, in addition, contractors that enter our U.S. buildings and certain other locations, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to disability and religious exemptions, by November 15, 2021.
We continue to work closely with our customer base to best match our supply to changing market conditions.
We evaluate our supply chain and communicate with our suppliers to identify supply gaps and have taken steps to provide continuity, to the extent possible, though we expect that constraints within our supply chain for certain IC components may somewhat limit our bit shipments in the near term. In some cases, we have added alternative suppliers and increased our on-hand inventory of raw materials needed in our operations.
We have added assembly and test capacity to provide redundant manufacturing capability through our network of captive operations and external partners.
We have evaluated all our construction projects across our global manufacturing operations and enacted protocols to enhance the safety of our team members, suppliers, and contractors.
We have developed strategies and implemented measures to respond to a variety of potential economic scenarios, such as limitations on new hiring and business travel and reductions of discretionary spending.
We are working with government authorities in the jurisdictions where we operate and continuing to monitor our operations in an effort to ensure we follow government requirements, relevant regulations, industry
4 | 2021 10-K



standards, and best practices to help safeguard our team members, while safely continuing operations at our sites across the globe.

We believe these actions are appropriate and prudent to safeguard our team members, contractors, suppliers, customers, and communities, while allowing us to safely continue operations. We cannot predict how the steps we, our team members, government entities, suppliers, or customers take in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will ultimately impact our business, outlook, or results of operations.


Sales, Markets, and Products


Product Technologies

Our product portfolio of memory and storage solutions, advanced solutions, and storage platforms areis based on our high-performance semiconductor memory and storage technologies, including DRAM, NAND, 3D XPoint memory,NOR, and other technologies. We sell our products into various markets through our four business units (which are also our reportable segments) in variousnumerous forms, including wafers, components, modules, SSDs, managed NAND, and MCP products. Our system-level solutions, including SSDs and managed NAND, combine NAND, a controller, firmware, and in MCPssome cases DRAM.

DRAM: DRAM products are dynamic random access memory semiconductor devices with low latency that combine DRAM, NAND, and/or NORprovide high-speed data retrieval with a controllervariety of performance characteristics. DRAM products lose content when power is turned off (“volatile”) and firmware. We are relentlessly focused on evolving our product portfoliomost commonly used in client, cloud server, enterprise, networking, graphics, industrial, and automotive markets. LPDRAM products, which are engineered to a richer mix of high-value solutionsmeet standards for performance and cultivating deeper relationships with customers. Our position as a developer and manufacturer of DRAM, NAND, NORpower consumption, are sold into smartphone and other emergingmobile-device markets (including client markets for Chromebooks and notebook PCs), as well as into the automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.

NAND: NAND products are non-volatile, re-writeable semiconductor storage devices that provide high-capacity, low-cost storage with a variety of performance characteristics. NAND is used in SSDs for the enterprise and cloud, client, and consumer markets and in removable storage markets. Managed NAND is used in smartphones and other mobile devices, and in consumer, automotive, and embedded markets. Low-density NAND is ideal for applications like automotive, surveillance, machine-to-machine, automation, printer, and home networking.

NOR: NOR products are non-volatile re-writable semiconductor memory technologies uniquely enables us to collaborate with our customers to ensure ourdevices that provide fast read speeds. NOR is most commonly used for reliable code storage (e.g., boot, application, operating system, and execute-in-place code in an embedded system) and for frequently changing small data storage and is ideal for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications.

3D XPoint: 3D XPoint is a class of non-volatile technology between DRAM and engineering roadmaps deliver critical features. We continuously introduce new products on our advanced technologies, delivering performance, quality,NAND in the memory and cost advantages to our customers.storage hierarchy. In 2021, we ceased development of 3D XPoint technology.


Products by Business Unit and Market

Compute and Networking Business Unit (“CNBU”)


CNBU includes memory products and solutions sold into client, cloud server, enterprise, client, graphics, and networking markets. CNBU reported revenue of $15.25$12.28 billion in 2018, $8.622021, $9.18 billion in 2017,2020, and $4.53$9.97 billion in 2016. In 2018, we significantly increased our production2019. CNBU sales in 2021 consisted primarily of DRAM products produced on 1x, 1y, and 1z technology nodes. In 2021, we were the first to introduce products built using 1Xnm1α DRAM process technology, which offers major improvements in bit density, power, and continued to focus on developing our 1Ynm technology. In 2018, we achieved volume productionperformance. Our 1α DRAM is ramping in various products across PC, server, and mobile and accounted for a meaningful portion of our 8Gb GDDR6 memory, which delivers significant performance improvements overrevenue by the fourth quarter of 2021.

Client: CNBU sales to the client market in 2021 consisted primarily of DDR4 and LPDDR4 DRAM products. Our products sold to the client market support both commercial and consumer PC growth, with growth driven by the rapid deployment of PCs to support the work-from-home and e-learning environments as the world responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Cloud Server: CNBU sales to the cloud market in 2021 consisted primarily of our GDDR5 design, and enables bandwidth-intensive applications in our core CNBU markets in a variety of applications such as artificial intelligence and networking.



Cloud Server:DDR4 DRAM products. The cloud server market was CNBU's fastest growing marketcontinued to experience healthy demand in 2018, particularly in datacenters, with2021 due to work-from-home and e-learning environments, video streaming, and significant increases in DRAM content per server.e-commerce activity around the world. The cloud server market has also been driven, in part, by intelligent edge devices capable of artificial intelligence and augmented reality that store and access data in the cloud. ArtificialCloud servers supporting artificial intelligence serversand data-centric workloads require significantly increasing quantities of DRAM and, as the number and capabilities of these intelligent edge devices increase, more data is stored, processed, and accessed in the cloud, creating a virtuous cycle between the cloud and edge devices. We anticipate continued growth of our 1Xnm portfolio with the continued ramp of our second-generation 1Xnm 8Gb DDR4 products, which were validated with key partners and customers in 2018.


Enterprise: Similar CNBU sales to the cloud server market, the enterprise market in 2021 consisted primarily of our DDR4 DRAM products. In 2021, we continued to make progress on our transition to DDR5, which doubles bandwidth and reduces power consumption, and we are on track to support customers as they begin to introduce DDR5-enabled platforms in the second half of calendar year 2021. The enterprise market is experiencing strong demanddriven by hybrid cloud growth from intelligent edge devices that require rapid data analysis and storage in enterprise and cloud servers to enable machine learning, training, and inferencing. Our enterprise RDIMM DRAM memory modules provideas part of the high performance, reliability, and integrity requirements for such applications. In 2018, we qualified our 32GB non-volatile module ("NVDIMM") at key OEMs and also began shipping in volume our 128GB through-silicon via-based ("TSV") RDIMMS.ongoing digital transformation.


ClientGraphics: In 2018, we achieved significant production and CNBU sales to the clientgraphics market fromin 2021 consisted primarily of GDDR6 graphics products. In late 2020, we started shipping GDDR6 DRAM products for next-generation gaming consoles and also introduced our 1Xnm technology.GDDR6X graphics memory, which delivers unprecedented speed and bandwidth for high-performance graphics and computing. The graphics market is driven by the need for high-performance, high-bandwidth, and cost-effective memory solutions. Our products sold to the client market support both PC unit growth, driven primarily by corporate replacement cycles from upgraded operating systems, as well as increases in content per unit. Additionally, our products sold to the client market are incorporated into gamingGDDR6 and ultra-thin notebooks.

Graphics: Our GDDR5/5xGDDR6X DRAM graphics products are incorporated into game consoles, PC graphics cards, and graphics processing unit-based data center solutions, which are the driving force behind applications providingsuch as artificial intelligence, virtual reality,and augmented reality, 4K and crypto-mining technology. In 2018, we benefitted from strong demand8K gaming, and professional design. Our GDDR6X products feature innovative signal transmission technology enabling the industry’s fastest GDDR for compute and graphics memory in gaming console applications, as well as a higher attach-rate of graphics DRAM products in performance and enthusiast graphics cards. In 2018, we migrated and scaled production of our 8Gb GDDR5 to our 1Xnm DRAM technology, which augmented production of our GDDR5/5x DRAM memory on our 20nm line-width technology. We remained focused on execution of technology transitions and achieved volume production of our 8Gb GDDR6 DRAM for the graphics and crypto-mining markets in 2018.workloads.


Networking: The networking memory market is characterized by long life-cycle DRAM products, and accordingly, a significant portion of our CNBU sales to the networking market in 2021 consisted primarily of products manufactured on our legacy 30nmDDR4 and 25nm-seriesDDR3 DRAM technology.products. In 2018, we accelerated a shift from DDR32021, demand was driven, in part, by increased 5G build-out in certain geographic locations to DDR4 DRAM and beganfurther support the growth of the advanced 5G networking infrastructure.

3D XPoint: CNBU sales of 4Gb DDR4 DRAM into emerging 5G applications.3D XPoint memory consisted primarily of wafers sold to Intel.


Mobile Business Unit (“MBU”)


MBU includes memory products sold into smartphone and other mobile-device markets and includes discrete NAND, DRAM, discrete NAND, and managed NAND. MBU managed NAND includes eMMCembedded multi-media controller (“e.MMC”) and universal flash storage ("UFS"(“UFS”) solutions, each of which each combine high-capacity NAND with a high-speed controller and firmware, in a small ball-grid array, and eMCPeMCP/uMCP products, which combine an eMMC/e.MMC/UFS solution with LPDRAM. MBU reported revenue of $6.58$7.20 billion in 2018, $4.422021, $5.70 billion in 2017,2020, and $2.57$6.40 billion in 2016.2019. In 2018,the first quarter of 2021, we announced new 64-layer, second-generation 3Dwere the first to market with uMCP5, the industry’s first UFS 3.1 multichip package with LPDDR5, which combines high-performance, high-density, and low-power memory and storage in one compact package, equipping smartphones to handle data-intensive 5G workloads with dramatically increased speed and power efficiency. In the second quarter of 2021, we began shipping 1α node-based LPDDR4x DRAM, which provides power-efficiency improvements ideal for preserving battery life in mobile phones with memory intensive use cases like smart photography. In 2021, we also began volume shipments of our 176-layer NAND storage products,UFS 3.1 mobile solution, which supportfeatures improved performance, faster downloads, and smoother application response times, enabling 5G mobile experiences.

Smartphone: MBU sales to the high-speed UFS 2.1 standardsmartphone market in 2021 consisted primarily of LPDDR4, LPDDR5, and eMMC 5.1 standard. These new mobile solutions are based on our industry-leading TLC 3Dmanaged NAND technology, empowering smartphone makers to enhance the user experience with next-generation mobile features such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and facial recognition. Our 1Xnm LPDRAM solutions provide power efficiency, particularly critical to our mobile customers, and our 1Ynm 12Gb LPDDR4 solutions, the highest capacity LPDRAM monolithic die available in the industry, provide both power efficiency and higher capacity to our mobile customers.

Smartphone:solutions. In 2018,2021, we achieved product qualification of our 1Xnm LPDDR4 DRAM with major mobile phone OEMs. Our LPDRAM offers low-power, high-performance solutions to performrecord MCP revenue as we benefited from the growth in extreme environments demanded by high-end5G-enabled smartphones. High-end smartphones incorporate higher levels of NAND and LPDRAM that enable features such as larger 4K displays, multiple high-resolution cameras, and 4K high-dynamic range video recording. Additionally, our smartphone products are utilized by OEMs to enable artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and life-like virtual reality capabilities into high-end phones, including facial and voice recognition, real-time translation, fast image search, and scene detection. In 2018, our managed NAND

Other: MBU sales in 2021 also included products achieved strong growth, including our new 128GB NAND plus 4GB DRAM MCPsold into the feature and our first high-performance UFS managed NAND products introduced in the fourth quarterdisposable phone markets, mobile PC, and tablet markets. Sales primarily consisted of 2018.LPDDR4, uMCPs, and eMCPs.



6 | 2021 10-K




Storage Business Unit (“SBU”)


SBU includes SSDs and component-level solutions sold into enterprise and cloud, client, and consumer storage markets as well as otherand discrete storage productsNAND sold in component and wafer forms to the removable storagefor usage in various markets. SBU sales also include "non-trade" products consisting of products manufactured and sold to Intel through IMFT under a long-term supply agreement at prices approximating cost, which included 3D XPoint memory and NAND products. SBU reported revenue of $5.02$3.97 billion in 2018, $4.512021, $3.77 billion in 2017,2020, and $3.26$3.83 billion in 2016.2019. In 2018,2021, we continued to ramp our 64-layerbegan volume shipments of the world’s first 176-layer 3D NAND flash memory. Based on our second-generation replacement-gate architecture, our 176-layer NAND is the industry’s most advanced node in high-volume production. In 2021, we drove an increased mix of our QLC NAND technology. The low cost per bit of our NAND QLC technology enables us to offer SSD products at a price point that drives accelerated replacement of hard disk drives in a number of market segments. QLC SSD adoption continues to grow and achieved bit output crossover relative to 32-layerthe majority of our client SSD bits shipped in the second halffourth quarter of 2018. In 2018, we also extended2021 included NAND with our leadership position in 3D NAND technology by delivering the industry's first commercially available QLC 3D NAND technology. Leveraging our 64-layer structure, the new QLC NAND technology achieves 1 terabit ("Tb") density per die, which has a 33% higher array density as compared to TLC, enabling new operating points for density and cost in the enterprise, cloud, and client-storage markets. In 2018, we advanced development of our third-generation 96-tier 3D NAND structure, providing a 50 percent increase in layers. Both the 64-layer QLC and 96-layer TLC 3D NAND technologies utilize CMOS under the array ("CuA") technology to reduce die sizes and deliver improved performance when compared to competitive approaches. By leveraging four planes versus two, our new NAND flash memory can write and read more cells in parallel, which delivers faster throughput and higher bandwidth at the system level.


SSDs: SSD storage products incorporate NAND, a controller, and firmware and offer benefitssignificant performance and features over HDDs of ahard disk drives, including smaller form factor,factors, faster read and write speeds, and solid-state architecture. SSDs offer significant performance and features, including speed,higher reliability, and lower power consumption. We offer SSD solutions utilizing our NAND technology to the enterprise and cloud, client, and consumer markets.


Enterprise and Cloud SSDs: SBU sales to the enterprise and cloud SSD markets in 20182021 consisted primarily of our flagship SATA 51005210, 5300, 7300, and 52009300 series SSDs. In 2018,2021, we enhanced our SATA 5200 series SSD achieved qualification at enterprise server OEMs, cloud service providers,portfolio of NVMe SSDs and enterprise customers. Similar to trends in the memory market,first quarter of 2022, we announced the availability of our PCIe Gen4 enterprise SSDs with Micron-designed controllers. The enterprise and cloud storage markets have beenare driven by intelligent edge devices capablethe growth of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and other featuresapplications that store, access, and analyze data in the cloud. ArtificialApplications such as artificial intelligence servers require significantly higher SSD capacity, and our 64-layer QLC NAND technology provides cost-optimized storage solutions, providing significantly lower total cost of ownership for read-intensive cloud workloads. Our 5200 series SATA SSDs, which deliver best-in-classfast access to data with low latency, predictable performance, and capacity, are based on the same proven architecture as our 5100 series. We shipped our first 5200 series SATA SSDs in the third quarter of 2018 and received broad acceptance in the enterprise and cloud SSD markets. By leveraging our advanced CuA NAND in enterprise and cloud SSDs, we deliver low cost, high density, high performance storage solutions.capacities.


Client SSDs: SBU sales to the client SSD market in 20182021 consisted primarily of our 11002300 and 2210 series 3D NAND SATA Client SSD, which isclient SSDs. Our client SSDs, targeted for leading personal computer OEMs, as a replacement to HDDs. Our client SSDs,have mostly replaced hard disk drives used in notebooks, desktops, workstations, and relatedother consumer applications, and deliver high performance, power efficiency, security, and capacity tocapacity. In 2021, we announced volume production of our customers. Infirst PCIe Gen4 SSDs, the first halfMicron 2450 and 3400, built with our 176-layer NAND and available in a variety of 2019, we expect to introduce our 2200 series 3D NAND PCIe client SSD incorporating our internally-developed controller, enabling us to offer additional differentiated storage solutions for our client customers.form factors.


Consumer SSDs: SBU sales to the consumer SSD market in 20182021 consisted primarily of our Crucial-branded MX500 and BX500 SATA SSDs and our P1, P2, P5, and P5 Plus PCIe SSDs, which utilize our NAND QLC and TLC technologies. We had record consumer SSD utilizingrevenue in 2021, assisted by the growth of our 64-layer TLC 3D NAND. SimilarQLC SSDs, and we continued to transition our product line of consumer SSDs from SATA to NVMe. In 2021, we began shipping 176-layer NAND based consumer SSDs and announced the clientavailability of our Crucial P5 Plus PCIe SSDs as an expansion of our NVMe SSD market,portfolio to offer high-performance internal Gen4 storage options to consumers. We also expanded our consumer portable SSD portfolio by introducing the high-capacity 4TB and value-priced 500GB Crucial X6 external SSDs to offer consumers more options for external storage performance, capacity and value at any price point. Our consumer SSD solutions are replacing HDDsinstalled hard disk drives as end-usersend users and system builders/integrators seek the higher performance, power savings, and reliability of our SSDs.


Components and Wafers:Wafers: SBU sales of components and wafers in 20182021 consisted primarily of our 32-layer TLC NAND technology96-layer and our 64-layer176-layer TLC and QLC NAND technology. We continue to transition our business from a storage components supplier to a storage solutions provider with a richer mix of high-value solutions such as SSDs and mobile managed NAND. As a result, SBU sales of products in component and wafer form declined in 2018 as compared to 2017.products.

3D XPoint memory: 3D XPoint memory has 10 times the chip density of DRAM, 1,000 times the endurance capability of NAND, and is 1,000 times faster than NAND. These specifications create a significant value opportunity for 3D XPoint memory in solutions between DRAM and NAND in the memory and storage hierarchy. Trends in machine learning, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence are driving demand for the features offered by 3D XPoint memory. We are collaborating with our customers to develop 3D XPoint memory products and expect to sample such products in late calendar 2019.




Embedded Business Unit (“EBU”)


EBU includes memory and storage products sold into industrial, automotive, industrial, and consumer markets and includes discrete and module DRAM, discrete NAND, managed NAND, SSDs, and NOR. EBU reported revenue of $3.48$4.21 billion in 2018, $2.702021, $2.76 billion in 2017,2020, and $1.94$3.14 billion in 2016.2019. The embedded market ishas traditionally been characterized by long life-cycle DRAM and NANDnon-volatile products manufactured on our mature process technologies. With strong trends of digitization, connectivity, and intelligence in every device, demand continues to grow for leading-edge products from newer process technologies emerging in the embedded market. Our embedded products enable edge devices to store, connect, and sharetransform information in the growing internet of things ("IoT"(“IoT”) market and are utilized in a diverse set of applications in the automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.


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Industrial: EBU sales to the industrial market in 2021 consisted primarily of DDR4 and DDR3 DRAM, LPDDR4 DRAM, SLC NAND, NAND MCPs, and NOR. Our products enable applications in the growing industrial IoT market, including machine-to-machine communication, factory automation, transportation, surveillance, retail, and smart infrastructure.

Automotive: Our EBU sales to the automotive market in 2021 consisted primarily of LPDDR4 DRAM, e.MMC managed NAND, DDR3 DRAM, and eMMC managed NANDLPDDR2 DRAM. In 2021, we began sampling the industry’s first automotive-grade LPDDR5 that is hardware-evaluated to meet the most stringent Automotive Safety Integrity Level, ASIL D. We also began sampling the industry’s first UFS 3.1 solution for automotive applications. Advancements in autonomous driving, advanced driver-assistance systems, and in-vehicle infotainment systems continue to increase the requirements for high-performing memory and storage products, with higher reliability requirements for leading-edge products. Automotive memory and storage products enable connected, large displayadvanced infotainment systems with increasingly larger and higher definition 4K displays and support improved voice and gesture control in automotive applications.control. In addition, our products enable increasingly advanced vision and sensor based automated systems to support driver assistance solutions and vehicle safety. Our comprehensive and expanding portfolio of DRAM, NAND, and NOR solutions to the automotive market, as well as our extensive customer support network, also support advancementsenable us to maintain our strong leadership position in autonomous driving and automated driver assistance systems, which require high reliability and high performance memory and storage.this market.

IndustrialConsumer: Our industrial products, featuring SLC and MLC NAND, NOR, EBU sales to the consumer market in 2021 consisted primarily of our LPDDR4 DRAM, DDR3 DRAM, and MCP managed NAND, enable applications in the growing industrial IoT market, including factory automation, transportation,SLC NAND. These embedded memory and surveillance. In 2018, we announced availability of our 128GB and 256GB density of edge storage microSD card solutions and collaboration with several leading video surveillance solution providers to promote surveillance-grade edge storage, utilizing our 64-layer TLC 3D NAND technology. This newly released solution enables greater capacity in a smaller space, delivering up to 30 days of surveillance video storage in the camera.

Consumer: Our DDR3 DRAM, SLC NAND, and eMCP managed NAND products sold into the consumer market are used in a diverse set of consumer products, including service provider and IP set-top boxes, digital home assistants, digital still and video cameras, home networking, ultra-high definition televisions, and many more applications. Our embedded memory and storage solutions enable edge devices in the consumer products market to store, connect, and sharetransform information in the IoT.


Manufacturing

We manufacture our products at our worldwide, wholly-owned and joint venture facilities located in Taiwan, Singapore, the United States, Japan, and China and also utilize subcontractors to perform certain manufacturing processes. Nearly all of our products are manufactured on 300mm wafers in facilities that generally operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Semiconductor manufacturing is extremely capital intensive, requiring large investments in sophisticated facilities and equipment. A significant portion of our semiconductor equipment is generally replaced every five to seven years with increasingly advanced equipment. Our DRAM, NAND, 3D XPoint memory, and NOR Flash products share a number of common manufacturing processes, enabling us to leverage much of our product and process technology and manufacturing infrastructure across these product lines.

Our process for manufacturing semiconductor products is complex and involves a number of precise steps, including wafer fabrication, assembly, and test. Efficient production of semiconductor products requires utilization of advanced semiconductor manufacturing techniques and effective deployment of these techniques across multiple facilities. The primary determinants of manufacturing cost are process line-width, 3D non-volatile layers, NAND cell levels, process complexity, including number of mask layers and fabrication steps, and manufacturing yield. Other factors that contribute to manufacturing costs are the cost and sophistication of manufacturing equipment, equipment utilization, process complexity, cost of raw materials, labor productivity, package type, cleanliness of our manufacturing environment, and utilization of subcontractors to perform certain manufacturing processes. We continuously enhance our production processes, increasing bits per wafer and transitioning to higher density products. In 2018, we significantly increased our volume production of 1Xnm process node DRAM and expect to achieve bit crossover by the end of the first quarter of 2019. In 2018, we continued to ramp our 64-layer 3D NAND technology and achieved bit output crossover relative to 32-layer in the second half of 2018.

Wafer fabrication occurs in a highly-controlled clean environment to minimize dust and other yield and quality-limiting contaminants. Despite stringent manufacturing controls, individual circuits may be nonfunctional or wafers may need to be scrapped due to equipment errors, minute impurities in materials, defects in photomasks, circuit design marginalities or defects, and air particle defects. Success of our manufacturing operations depends largely on minimizing defects to maximize yield of high-quality circuits. In this regard, we employ rigorous quality controls throughout the manufacturing, screening, and testing processes. We are able to recover certain devices by testing and grading them to their highest level of functionality.



We sell semiconductor products in both packaged and unpackaged (i.e., "bare die") forms. Our packaged products include memory modules, SSDs, and managed NAND including MCPs and eMMCs. We assemble many products in-house and, in some cases, outsource assembly services for certain memory modules, SSDs, and MCPs.

We test our products at various stages in the manufacturing process, conduct numerous quality control inspections throughout the entire production flow, and perform high temperature burn-in on finished products. In addition, we use our proprietary AMBYX™ line of intelligent test and burn-in systems to perform simultaneous circuit tests of semiconductor die during the burn-in process, capturing quality and reliability data and reducing testing time and cost.

In recent years, we have produced an increasingly broad portfolio of products and system solutions, which enhances our ability to allocate resources to our most profitable products but also increases the complexity of our manufacturing and supply chain operations. Although our product lines generally use similar manufacturing processes, our cost efficiency can be affected by frequent conversions to new products, the allocation of manufacturing capacity to more complex, smaller-volume products, and the reallocation of manufacturing capacity across various product lines.


Arrangements with Intel

IMFT

Since 2006, we have owned 51% of IMFT, a joint venture between us and Intel. IMFT is governed by a Board of Managers, for which the number of managers appointed by each member varies based on the members' respective ownership interests. IMFT manufactures semiconductor products exclusively for its members under a long-term supply agreement at prices approximating cost. In the first quarter of 2018, IMFT discontinued production of NAND and subsequent to that time has been entirely focused on 3D XPoint memory production. IMFT sales to Intel were $507 million, $438 million, and $457 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

The IMFT joint venture agreement extends through 2024 and includes certain buy-sell rights. At any time through December 2018, Intel can put to us, and from January 2019 through December 2021, we can call from Intel, Intel's interest in IMFT, in either case, for a price that approximates Intel's interest in the net book value of IMFT plus member debt at the time of the closing. If Intel exercises its put right, we can elect to set the closing date of the transaction any time between six months and two years following such election by Intel and we can elect to receive financing of the purchase price from Intel for one to two years from the closing date. If we exercise our call right, Intel can elect to set the closing date of the transaction to be any time between six months and one year following such election. Following the closing date resulting from exercise of either the put or the call, we will continue to supply to Intel for a period of one year between 50% and 100%, at Intel's choice, of Intel's immediately preceding six-month period pre-closing volumes of IMFT products for the first six-month period following the closing and between 0% and 100%, at Intel's choice, of Intel's first six-month period following the closing volumes of IMFT products for the second six-month period following the closing, at a margin that varies depending on whether the put or call was exercised.

IMFT's capital requirements are generally determined based on an annual plan approved by the members, and capital contributions to IMFT are requested as needed. Capital requests are made to the members in proportion to their then-current ownership interest. Members may elect to not contribute their proportional share, and in such event, the contributing member may elect to contribute any amount of the capital request, either in the form of an equity contribution or member debt financing. In 2018, Intel provided debt financing of $1.01 billion to IMFT pursuant to the terms of the IMFT joint venture agreement. Under the supply agreement, the members have rights and obligations to the capacity of IMFT in proportion to their investment, including member debt financing. Any capital contribution or member debt financing results in a proportionate adjustment to the sharing of output on an eight-month lag. Members pay their proportionate share of fixed costs associated with IMFT's capacity.

R&D Arrangements

We have agreements to jointly develop NAND and 3D XPoint technologies with Intel. We continue to jointly develop NAND technologies with Intel through the third generation of 3D NAND, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2019. In the second quarter of 2018, we and Intel agreed to independently develop subsequent generations of 3D NAND in order to better optimize the technology and products for our respective business needs. We continue to jointly develop 3D XPoint technologies with Intel through the second generation of 3D XPoint technology, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2019. To better optimize 3D XPoint technology for our product roadmap and maximize the benefits for our


customers and shareholders, in the fourth quarter of 2018, we announced that we will no longer jointly develop with Intel subsequent generations of 3D XPoint technology. As a result of the above actions, we expect reimbursements under our cost-sharing agreements to decrease in early fiscal 2019.


Supply Chain, Materials, and Use of Third-Party Service Providers

Our supply chain and operations are dependent on the availability of materials that meet exacting standards and the use of third parties to provide us with components and services. We generally have multiple sources of supply for our raw materials and services. However, only a limited number of suppliers are capable of delivering certain raw materials and services that meet our standards and, in some cases, materials, components, or services are provided by a single supplier. Various factors could reduce the availability of raw materials or components such as chemicals, silicon wafers, gases, photoresist, controllers, substrates, lead frames, printed circuit boards, targets, and reticle glass blanks. Shortages or increases in lead times may occur from time to time in the future. Our manufacturing processes are also dependent on our relationships with third-party manufacturers of controllers used in a number of our products and with outsourced semiconductor assembly and test providers, contract manufacturers, logistic carriers, and other service providers. Certain raw materials are primarily available in certain countries, including rare earth minerals available primarily from China, and trade disputes or other political or economic conditions may limit our availability to obtain such raw materials. We and/or our suppliers and service providers could be affected by tariffs, embargoes or other trade restrictions, as well as laws and regulations enacted in response to concerns regarding climate change, conflict minerals, and responsible sourcing practices, which could limit the supply of our raw materials and/or increase the cost. In addition, disruptions in transportation lines could delay our receipt of raw materials. Lead times for the supply of raw materials have been extended in the past. The disruption of our supply of raw materials, components, services, or the extension of our lead times could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition. We monitor and manage supply-chain activities to mitigate risks associated with raw materials and service providers.



Marketing and Customers


We continueseek to transform how we interact with our customers from transactional opportunistic sales of standardized memory components tobuild collaborative relationships where we work with our customers to understand their unique opportunities and challenges. We engageBy engaging with our customers early in the product life-cycle to identify and design features and performance characteristics into our products, that our customers need in their end products, and thenwe are able to manufacture products that better anticipate and fit theiraddress our customers’ changing needs. By collaboratingCollaborating with our customers on their design needs in a changing end market, wemarkets and meeting their timelines for qualifying new products, allows us to differentiate our memory and storage solutions, which provides greater value to our customers.


Our semiconductor memory and storage products are offered under our Micron Crucial, and BallistixCrucial brand names and through private labels. We market our semiconductor memory and storage products primarily through our own direct sales force and maintain sales or representative offices to support our worldwide customer base. Our products are also offered through independent sales representatives, distributors, and retailers. Our independent sales representatives obtain orders, subject to final acceptance by us, and we then make shipments against these orders directly to customers or through our distributors. Our distributors carry our products in our primary markets around the world.inventory and typically sell a variety of other semiconductor products, including competitors’ products. We sell our Crucial-branded products through a web-based customer direct sales channel as well as through channel and distribution partners. Our products are also offered through independent sales representatives, distributors, and e-tailers. Our independent sales representatives obtain orders subject to final acceptance by us, and we make shipments against the orders directly to our customers. Our distributors carry our products in inventory and typically sell a variety of other semiconductor products, including competitors' products. We maintain inventory at locations in close proximity to certain key customers to facilitate rapid delivery of products. Many of

Due to volatile industry conditions, our customers require a thorough review or qualificationare generally reluctant to enter into long-term, fixed-price purchase contracts. We typically accept orders with acknowledgment that pricing, quantity, and other terms may be adjusted to reflect market conditions at the time of semiconductor products, which may take several months.shipment.


In each of the last three years, approximately one-half of our total net sales were torevenue was from our top ten customers. For other information regarding our concentrations and customers, see "Part“Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Certain Concentrations."




Competitive Conditions

Backlog

Because of volatile industry conditions, customers are generally reluctant to enter into long-term, fixed-price contracts. Accordingly, new order volumes for our memory and storage products may fluctuate significantly. We typically accept orders with acknowledgment that the terms may be adjusted to reflect market conditions at the date of shipment. For these reasons, we do not believe that our order backlog as of any particular date is a reliable indicator of actual sales for any succeeding period.


Product Warranty

Because the design and manufacturing process for semiconductor products is highly complex, it is possible that we may produce products that do not comply with applicable specifications, contain defects, or are otherwise incompatible with end uses. In accordance with industry practice, we generally provide a limited warranty that our products are in compliance with applicable specifications existing at the time of delivery and will operate to those specifications during a stated warranty period. Under our standard terms and conditions of sale, liability for certain failures of product during a stated warranty period is usually limited to repair or replacement of defective items or return of, or a credit with respect to, amounts paid for such items. Under certain circumstances, we provide more extensive limited warranty coverage than that provided under our standard terms and conditions.


Competition


We face intense competition in the semiconductor memory and storage markets from a number of companies, including Intel; Kioxia Holdings Corporation (formerly Toshiba Memory Corporation); Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; SK Hynixhynix Inc.; Toshiba Memory Corporation; and Western Digital Corporation. Some of our competitors are large corporations or conglomerates that may have greater resources to invest in technology, capitalize on growth opportunities, and withstand
8 | 2021 10-K



downturns in the semiconductor markets in which we compete. Consolidation of industry competitors could put us at a competitive disadvantage. In addition, some governments have providedWe and may continue to provide significant assistance, financial or otherwise, to some of our competitors or to new entrants and may intervene in support of national industries and/or competitors. In particular, we face the threat of increasing competition as a result of significant investment in the semiconductor industry by the Chinese government and various state-owned or affiliated entities that is intended to advance China's stated national policy objectives. In addition, the Chinese government may restrict us from participating in the China market or may prevent us from competing effectively with Chinese companies.

Our competitors generally seek to increase silicon capacity, improve yields, and reduce die size in their product designs, or increase production capacity, which may result in significant increases in worldwide supply and downward pressure on prices. Increases in worldwide supply of semiconductor memory and storage also result from fabrication capacity expansions, either by way of new facilities, increased capacity utilization, or reallocation of other semiconductor production to semiconductor memory and storage production. Our competitors may increase capital expenditures resulting in future increases in worldwide supply. We, and some of our competitors, have plans to ramp, or are constructing or ramping, production at new fabrication facilities. Increases in worldwide supply of semiconductor memory and storage, if not accompanied by commensurate increases in demand, would lead to declines in average selling prices for our products and would adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. If competitors are more successful at developing or implementing new product or process technology, their products could have cost or performance advantages.

Certain of our memory and storage products are manufactured to industry standard specifications and, as such, have similar performance characteristics to those of our competitors. For these products, the principal competitive factors are generally price and performance characteristics including:including operating speed, power consumption, reliability, compatibility, size, and form factors.factor. Some of our competitors may use aggressive pricing to obtain market share or take business of our key customers.





ResearchSome governments may provide, or have provided, and Development

Our process technology R&D efforts are focused primarily on development of process technology that enables continuous improvement to cost structures and performance enhancements for our future products. We are also focused on developing new fundamentally different memory structures, materials, and packages, which are designed to facilitate our transition to next generation products. Additional process technology R&D efforts focus on the enablement of advanced computing, storage, and mobile memory architectures, the investigation of new opportunities that leverage our core semiconductor expertise, and the development of new manufacturing materials. Product design and development efforts include our high density DDR4 and DDR5 DRAM and LPDRAM products as well as high density and mobile 3D NAND (including TLC and QLC technologies), 3D XPoint memory, SSDs (including firmware and controllers), managed NAND, specialty memory, and other memory technologies and systems.

To compete in the semiconductor memory and storage markets, we mustmay continue to develop technologically advanced products and processes. We believe that expansionprovide, significant assistance, financial or otherwise, to some of our semiconductor product offerings is necessary to meet expected market demand for specific memory and storage products and solutions. Our process, design, and package development efforts occur at multiple locations across the world, with our largest R&D center located in Boise, Idaho and other R&D centers in Japan, China, Italy, Singapore, Taiwan, and other sites in the United States.

R&D expenses vary primarily with the number of development wafers processed, the cost of advanced equipment dedicatedcompetitors or to new productentrants and process development, and personnel costs. Becausemay intervene in support of national industries and/or competitors. In particular, we face the lead times necessary to manufacture our products, we typically begin to process wafers before completionthreat of performance and reliability testing. Development of a product is deemed complete when it is qualified through reviews and tests for performance and reliability. R&D expenses can vary significantly depending on the timing of product qualification.

Our R&D expenses were $2.14 billion, $1.82 billion, and $1.62 billion for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. We share the cost of certain product and process development activities under development agreements with partners, including agreements to jointly develop NAND and 3D XPoint technologies with Intel. These R&D expenses reflect net reductions of $201 million, $213 million, and $205 million for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively,increasing competition as a result of reimbursements undersignificant investment in the semiconductor industry by the Chinese government and various state-owned or affiliated entities that is intended to advance China’s stated national policy objectives. In addition, the Chinese government may restrict us from participating in the China market or may prevent us from competing effectively with Chinese companies. Some of our cost-sharing arrangementscompetitors may benefit from policies and regulations that favor domestic companies or may not be subject to certain regulations or restrictions to which we are subject, which may allow them access to certain sales opportunities from which we may be restricted. In addition, our customers may redirect their business to our competitors based on government policy, national preference, or other factors.


Manufacturing

We manufacture our products within our own facilities located in Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, the United States, Malaysia, and China, and also utilize subcontractors to perform certain manufacturing processes. Our products are manufactured on 300mm wafers in facilities that generally operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Semiconductor manufacturing is extremely capital intensive, requiring large investments in sophisticated facilities and equipment. Our DRAM, NAND, and NOR products share a number of common manufacturing processes, enabling us to leverage our product and process technology and certain resources and manufacturing infrastructure across these product lines.

Our process for manufacturing semiconductor products is complex and involves numerous precise steps, including wafer fabrication, assembly, and test. Efficient production of semiconductor products requires utilization of advanced semiconductor manufacturing techniques and effectively deploying those techniques across multiple facilities. The primary determinants of manufacturing cost are process line-width, 3D non-volatile layers, NAND cell levels, process complexity (including the number of mask layers and fabrication steps), and manufacturing yield. Other factors include the cost and sophistication of manufacturing equipment, equipment utilization, cost of raw materials, labor productivity, package type, cleanliness of our manufacturing environment, and utilization of subcontractors to perform certain manufacturing processes. As we continue to increase our production of high value products and solutions, manufacturing costs are increasingly affected by the costs of application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) controllers and other semiconductors, advanced and complex packaging configurations, and testing at progressively higher performance speeds and quality levels. We continuously enhance our production processes, increase bits per wafer, transition to higher density products, and utilize advanced testing and assembly processes.

Wafer fabrication occurs in a highly-controlled clean environment to minimize yield loss from contaminants. Despite stringent manufacturing controls, individual circuits may be nonfunctional or wafers may be scrapped due to equipment errors, minute impurities in materials, defects in photomasks, circuit design marginalities or defects, or contamination from airborne particles, among other factors. Success of our manufacturing operations depends largely on minimizing defects and improving process margin to maximize yield of high-quality circuits. In this regard, we employ rigorous quality controls throughout the manufacturing, screening, and testing processes. We continue
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to heighten quality control as our product offerings expand into higher-end segments that require increasing performance targets.

Our products are manufactured and sold in both packaged form and as unpackaged bare die. Our packaged products include packaged die, memory modules, and system-level solutions, such as SSDs, managed NAND, and MCPs. We assemble many products in-house and, in some cases, outsource assembly services for certain packaged die, memory modules, SSDs, and MCPs. We test our products at various stages in the manufacturing process, conduct numerous quality control inspections throughout the entire production flow, and perform high temperature burn-in on finished products. In addition, we use our proprietary AMBYX™ line of intelligent test and burn-in systems to perform simultaneous circuit tests of semiconductor die, capturing quality and reliability data and reducing testing time and cost.

In recent years, we have produced an increasingly broad portfolio of products and system solutions, which enhances our ability to allocate resources to our most profitable products but also increases the complexity of our manufacturing and supply chain operations. Although our product lines generally use similar manufacturing processes, our costs can be affected by frequent conversions to new products; the allocation of manufacturing capacity to more complex, smaller-volume products; and the reallocation of manufacturing capacity across various product lines.


Resources

Supply Chain, Materials, and Third-Party Service Providers

Our supply chain and operations are dependent on the availability of materials that meet exacting standards and the use of third parties to provide us with development partners.components and services. We generally have multiple sources of supply for our materials and services. However, only a limited number of suppliers are capable of delivering certain materials and services that meet our standards and, in some cases, materials, components, or services are provided by a single or sole source. Various factors could impact the availability of materials or components such as chemicals, silicon wafers, gases, photoresist, controllers, substrates, lead frames, printed circuit boards, targets, and reticle glass blanks. Shortages or increases in lead times have occurred in the past, are currently occurring with respect to some materials and components, and may occur from time to time in the future.



Our manufacturing processes are also dependent on our relationships with third-party manufacturers of controllers, analog integrated circuits, and other components used in some of our products and with outsourced semiconductor foundries, assembly and test providers, contract manufacturers, logistic carriers, and other service providers. Although we have certain long-term contracts with some of our suppliers, many of these contracts do not provide for long-term capacity commitments. To the extent we do not have firm commitments from our third-party suppliers over a specific time period or for any specific capacity and/or quantity, our suppliers may allocate capacity to their other customers and capacity and/or materials may not be available when we need it or at reasonable prices. Inflationary pressures and shortages may increase costs for materials, supplies, and services. Regardless of contract structure, large swings in demand may exceed our contracted supply and/or our suppliers’ capacity to meet those demand changes in the required timeframe resulting in a shortage of parts, materials, or capacity needed to manufacture our products.

Geographic InformationTrade disputes or other political conditions, economic conditions, or public health issues, such as COVID-19, may limit our ability to obtain materials necessary to produce Micron products. Certain materials are primarily available in a limited number of countries, including rare earth elements, minerals, and metals available primarily from China. Although these rare earth and other materials are generally available from multiple suppliers, China is the predominant producer of certain of these materials. If China were to restrict or stop exporting these materials, our suppliers’ ability to obtain such supply may be constrained and we may be unable to obtain sufficient quantities, or obtain supply in a timely manner, or at a commercially reasonable cost. Constrained supply of rare earth elements, minerals, and metals may restrict our ability to manufacture certain of our products and make it difficult or impossible to compete with other semiconductor memory manufacturers who are able to obtain sufficient quantities of these materials from China.


See "Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Geographic Information."
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Patents and Licenses


We are a recognized leader in per capita and quality of patents issued. As of August 30, 2018,September 2, 2021, we owned approximately 13,75015,400 active U.S. patents and 5,0007,300 active foreign patents. In addition, we have thousands of U.S. and foreign patent applications pending. Our patents have various terms expiring through 2038.2041.


From time to time, we sell and/or license our technology to other parties and continue to pursue opportunities to monetize our investmentinvestments in our intellectual property through partnering and other arrangements. We have also jointly developed memory and storage product and process technology with third parties on a limited basis.


We have a number of patent and intellectual property license agreements and have, from time to time, licensed or sold our intellectual property to third parties. Some of these license agreements require us to make one-time or periodic payments while others have resulted in us receiving payments. We may need to obtain additional licenses or renew existing license agreements in the future, and we may enter into additional sales or licenses of intellectual property and partnering arrangements. We are unable to predict whether these license agreements can be obtained or renewed on terms acceptable to us.






EmployeesResearch and Development


Our R&D efforts are focused primarily on development of industry leading memory and storage solutions that enable continuous improvement in performance and cost structure for our products. We are focused on developing new fundamentally different memory structures, materials, and packages designed to facilitate our transition to next generation products. Additional R&D efforts focus on the enablement of advanced computing, storage, and mobile memory architectures and the investigation of new opportunities that leverage our core semiconductor expertise. Product design and development efforts include high-density DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR4, LPDDR5, High Bandwidth Memory, Compute Express Link (CXL) based products, and advanced graphics DRAM; 3D NAND (including TLC and QLC technologies); mobile and storage solutions (including firmware and controllers); managed NAND; SSDs; and other memory technologies and systems.

To compete in the semiconductor memory and storage markets, we must continue to develop technologically advanced products and processes. The continued evolution of our semiconductor product offerings is necessary to meet expected customer requirements for memory and storage products and solutions. Our process, design, firmware, controller, package, and system development efforts occur at multiple locations across the world. Our primary R&D centers are located in Boise, Idaho; Singapore; Japan; Taiwan; Italy; China; India; Germany; and other sites in the United States.

R&D expenses vary primarily with the number of development and pre-qualification wafers processed and end-product solutions developed, personnel costs, and the cost of advanced equipment dedicated to new product and process development, such as investments in EUV lithography equipment. Because of the lead times necessary to manufacture our products, we typically begin to process wafers before completion of performance and reliability testing. Development of a product is deemed complete when it is qualified through internal reviews and tests for performance, functionality, and reliability. R&D expenses can vary significantly depending on the timing of product qualification.


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Human Capital

We depend on a highly educated and experienced workforce to design, develop, and manufacture high-quality, cutting-edge memory and storage solutions. As of September 2, 2021, we had approximately 43,000 employees located in the following regions:
RegionPercentPercent Women
Asia74 %34 %
United States24 %19 %
Europe%21 %
Total100 %30 %

As of August 30, 2018,September 2, 2021, 30% of our global workforce were women, compared to 29% as of September 3, 2020. 23% of our technical or engineering roles were held by women, as compared to 21% on September 3, 2020. Women comprised 15% of our senior leaders as of September 2, 2021, as compared to 13% as of September 3, 2020.

In 2021, we had approximately 36,000 employees.added one female director to our Board of Directors, resulting in a Board of Directors that is comprised of four men and four women as of September 2, 2021, compared to five men and three women as of September 3, 2020. In addition, as of September 2, 2021, based on self-identification, one member of our Board of Directors is Asian, one member is African-American, and six members are White. One member of our Board of Directors is a veteran of the U.S. military.



Talent Acquisition, Engagement, and Retention

Finding and retaining the best and brightest people in an extremely competitive industry environment is a strategic imperative for our business. We have partnerships with colleges and universities worldwide and through this collaboration, we offer curricula and mentorship programs that reinforce awareness of and engagement with Micron among students and graduates. In addition, we use artificial intelligence to reduce or eliminate the potential for bias from resumes, allowing us to focus on individual merit over personal characteristics.

Periodically, we invite all team members to participate in our internal engagement survey, which covers questions that measure and provide insight into leadership and inclusive behaviors. In April 2021, 88% of our team members participated in the survey. Management uses feedback from the survey to identify and implement continuous improvements to our culture and workplace practices.

Compensation and Benefits

Our compensation programs are designed to support our team members’ financial and personal well-being by providing a valuable return for their contributions to the company. Our total compensation strategy includes base salary, annual bonuses, equity awards, a discounted stock purchase plan, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion

We have made powerful commitments in 2021 to hold ourselves even more accountable for progress towards diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI), by setting six global DEI commitments:

Increase representation of underrepresented groups
Drive equitable pay and inclusive benefits
Strengthen our culture of inclusion
Advocate for racial and LGBTQ+ equality
Engage with minority-owned financial institutions for cash management
Increase representation and spend with diverse suppliers

We have a regular review of pay globally, including base pay and stock awards, to drive compensation equitability. In 2021, we achieved comprehensive global pay equity for all employees in total compensation across base,
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bonuses, and stock rewards. In addition, a portion of our company-wide annual bonus program is based on the achievement of DEI-related goals.

Health, Safety, and Wellness

Proactive efforts to prevent occupational illnesses and injuries allow us to maintain a safe, healthy, and secure workplace. Each of our sites have health and safety committees, which are designed to promote overall operations and communications regarding safety and to help lead and implement secure and compliant work areas. Our safety program creates a unified corporate safety culture by establishing a formal training structure and common safety practices across our global facilities.

In addition to our proactive efforts on safety, we have increased our focus on providing enhanced services to our team members including free mental health and counseling support, providing critical-incident stress management services and emotional support sessions, launching a work-from-home toolkit, and encouraging team members to earn incentives by participating in well-being challenges and measuring their personal progress.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we went well beyond local, state, and federal requirements. With COVID-19 vaccines now available, we have launched a task force to monitor vaccine availability for team members, provided on-site vaccinations where available, provided monetary incentives, and, for U.S. team members, required vaccinations to improve vaccination rates. See “Item 1. Business – Overview – Impact of COVID-19 on Our Business.”

We are a member of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), a group of leading companies focused on promoting responsible working conditions, ethical business practices, and environmental stewardship throughout our global supply chain. We strive to adhere to both our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (available on our website) and the RBA code of conduct, which is a demonstration of our commitment to integrity and responsible practices.


Government Regulations

Our worldwide business activities are subject to various federal, state, local, and foreign laws and our products are governed by a number of rules and regulations. Compliance with these laws, rules, and regulations are presently not material to our results of operations, capital expenditures, or competitive position. Nevertheless, compliance with existing or future government laws, including, but not limited to, our operations, products, global trade, business acquisitions, employee health and safety, and taxes could have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations, capital expenditures, or competitive position. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” for a discussion of these potential impacts.

Environmental Compliance


We approach environmental stewardship and sustainability proactively to ensure we meet all government regulations regarding use of raw materials, discharges, climate change and energy use, emissions, and solid wastes from our manufacturing processes.processes and address the evolving expectations of our investors, customers, team members, and other stakeholders. Compliance with the law and other compliance obligations is considered a minimum environmental expectation at Micron. Our wafer fabrication facilities continued to conform to the requirements of the International Organization for Standardization ("ISO"(“ISO”) 14001 environmental management systems standard to ensure we are continuously improving our performance. As part of the ISO 14001 framework, we have established a global environmental policy and meet requirements in terms of environmental policy,aspects evaluation and control, compliance planning, management, structure and responsibility,obligations, commitment, training, communication, document control of documented information, operational control, emergency preparedness and response, record keeping, and management review. While we have not experienced any material adverse effects to our operations from environmental regulations, changes in the regulations could necessitate additional capital expenditures, modification of our operations, or other compliance actions.



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DirectorsTrade Regulations

Sales of our memory and storage products, and the transfer of related technical information and know-how, including support, are subject to laws and regulations governing international trade, including, but not limited to, export control, customs, and sanctions regulations administered by U.S. government agencies such as the Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Other jurisdictions, such as the European Union or China, also maintain, or may implement, similar laws and regulations with which we must comply. Any such laws or regulations may require that we either obtain licenses or other authorizations to export certain of our products or sell them to certain countries, companies, or individuals, or, in the absence of such licenses or authorizations, not export or sell the applicable products or transfer the related technical information and know-how to the affected countries, companies, or individuals. In addition, increased tariffs imposed by the countries in which our products are sold can increase the cost of our product to our customers. The laws and regulations that govern international trade change frequently, sometimes without advance notice. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Related to Laws and Regulations – Trade regulations have restricted our ability to sell our products to several customers, could restrict our ability to sell our products to other customers or in certain markets, or could otherwise restrict our ability to conduct operations” and “ – Risks Related to Our Business, Operations, and Industry – We face geopolitical and other risks associated with our international sales and operations that could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition.”

We and/or our suppliers and service providers could be affected by tariffs, embargoes, or other trade restrictions, as well as laws and regulations enacted in response to concerns regarding climate change, conflict minerals, responsible sourcing practices, public health crises, contagious disease outbreaks, or other matters, which could limit the supply of our materials and/or increase the cost. Environmental regulations could limit our ability to procure or use certain chemicals or materials in our operations or products. In addition, disruptions in transportation lines could delay our receipt of materials. Lead times for the supply of materials have been extended in the past. Our ability to procure components to repair equipment essential for our manufacturing processes could also be negatively impacted by various restrictions or disruptions in supply chains, among other items. The disruption of our supply of materials, components, or services, or the extension of our lead times could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition. Similarly, if our customers experience disruptions to their supplies, materials, components, or services, or the extension of their lead times, they may reduce, cancel, or alter the timing of their purchases with us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


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Information About Our Executive Officers of the Registrant


Our executive officers are appointed annually by our Board of Directors (the "Board") and our directors are elected annually by our shareholders. Any directors appointed by the Board to fill vacancies on the Board serve until the next election by our shareholders. All officers and directors serve until their successors are duly chosen or elected and qualified, except in the case of earlier death, resignation, or removal.


AsThe following presents information, as of August 30, 2018, the followingSeptember 2, 2021, about our executive officers and directors were subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.officers:
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Scott R. Allen
Corporate Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Mr. Allen, 53, joined us in September 2020 as Corporate Vice President of Accounting. Mr. Allen was named Corporate Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer in October 2020. From August 2016 to September 2020, Mr. Allen held several executive roles at NetApp,Inc. including Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Allen holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Siena College.
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April S. Arnzen
Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer
Ms. Arnzen, 50, joined us in December 1996 and has served in various leadership positions since that time. Ms. Arnzen was named Senior Vice President, Human Resources in June 2017 and named Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer in October 2020. Ms. Arnzen holds a BS in Human Resource Management and Marketing from the University of Idaho and is a graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program.
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Manish Bhatia
Executive Vice President, Global Operations
Mr. Bhatia, 49, joined us in October 2017 as our Executive Vice President, Global Operations. From May 2016 to October 2017, Mr. Bhatia served as the Executive Vice President of Silicon Operations at Western Digital Corporation. From March 2010 to May 2016, Mr. Bhatia held several executive roles at SanDisk Corporation including Executive Vice President of Worldwide Operations until it was acquired by Western Digital in May 2016. Mr. Bhatia holds a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA, each from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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Michael W. Bokan
Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales
Mr. Bokan, 60, joined us in 1996 and has served in various leadership positions since that time. Mr. Bokan was named Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales in October 2018. Mr. Bokan holds a BS in Business Administration from Colorado State University.
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Scott J. DeBoer
Executive Vice President, Technology & Products
Dr. DeBoer, 55, joined us in February 1995 and has served in various leadership positions since that time. Dr. DeBoer was named Executive Vice President, Technology Development in June 2017 and named Executive Vice President, Technology & Products in September 2019. Dr. DeBoer holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering and an MS in Physics from Iowa State University. He completed his undergraduate degree at Hastings College.
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Name Age Officer/ Director Since Position
April S. Arnzen 47 2015 Senior Vice President, Human Resources
Manish Bhatia 46 2018 Executive Vice President, Global Operations
Scott J. DeBoer 52 2007 Executive Vice President, Technology Development
Sanjay Mehrotra 60 2017 President and Chief Executive Officer, Director
Joel L. Poppen 54 2013 Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary
Sumit Sadana 49 2017 Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer
Steven L. Thorsen, Jr. 53 2012 Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales
David A. Zinsner 49 2018 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Robert L. Bailey 61 2007 Director
Richard M. Beyer 69 2013 Director
Patrick J. Byrne 57 2011 Director
Mercedes Johnson 64 2005 Director
Lawrence N. Mondry 58 2005 Director
Robert E. Switz 71 2006 Chairman of the Board of Directors
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Sanjay Mehrotra
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director
Mr. Mehrotra, 63, joined us in May 2017 as our President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director. Mr. Mehrotra co-founded and led SanDisk Corporation as a start-up in 1988 until its eventual sale in May 2016, serving as its President and Chief Executive Officer from January 2011 to May 2016, and as a member of its Board of Directors from July 2010 to May 2016. Mr. Mehrotra served as a member of the Board of Directors for Cavium, Inc. from July 2009 until July 2018 and for Western Digital Corp. from May 2016 to February 2017 and currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of CDW Corporation. Mr. Mehrotra holds a BS and an MS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley and is a graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program.
mu-20210902_g12.jpg
Joel L. Poppen
Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary
Mr. Poppen, 57, joined us in October 1995 and has held various leadership positions since that time. Mr. Poppen was named Vice President, Legal Affairs, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary in December 2013 and named Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary in June 2017. Mr. Poppen holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois and a JD from the Duke University School of Law.
mu-20210902_g13.jpg
Sumit Sadana
Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer
Mr. Sadana, 52, joined us in June 2017 as our Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer. From April 2010 to May 2016, Mr. Sadana served in various roles at SanDisk Corporation, including Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, and General Manager, Enterprise Solutions until it was acquired by Western Digital in May 2016. Mr. Sadana currently serves on the Board of Directors of Silicon Laboratories, Inc. Mr. Sadana holds a B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India and an MS in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University.
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David A. Zinsner
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Zinsner, 52, joined us in February 2018 as our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. From April 2017 to February 2018, Mr. Zinsner served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Affirmed Networks. From January 2009 to April 2017, Mr. Zinsner served as the Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Analog Devices. From July 2005 to January 2009, Mr. Zinsner served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Intersil Corporation. Mr. Zinsner holds an MBA, Finance and Accounting from Vanderbilt University and a BS in Industrial Management from Carnegie Mellon University.

April S. Arnzen joined us in December 1996 and has served in various leadership positions since that time. Ms. Arnzen was named Senior Vice President, Human Resources in June 2017. Ms. Arnzen holds a BS in Human Resource Management and Marketing from the University of Idaho, and is a graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program.

Manish Bhatia joined us in October 2017 as our Executive Vice President of Global Operations. From May 2016 to October 2017, Mr. Bhatia served as the Executive Vice President of Silicon Operations at Western Digital Corporation. From March 2010 to May 2016, Mr. Bhatia held several executive roles at SanDisk Corporation including Executive Vice President of Worldwide Operations when it was acquired by Western Digital in May 2016. Mr. Bhatia holds a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA, each from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.



Scott J. DeBoer joined us in February 1995and has served in various leadership positions since that time. Dr. DeBoer was named Executive Vice President, Technology Development in June 2017. Dr. DeBoer holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering and an MS in Physics from Iowa State University. He completed his undergraduate degree at Hastings College.

Sanjay Mehrotra joined us in May 2017 as our President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director. Mr. Mehrotra co-founded and led SanDisk Corporation as a start-up in 1988 until its eventual sale in May 2016, serving as its President and Chief Executive Officer from January 2011 to May 2016, and as a member of its Board of Directors from July 2010 to May 2016. Mr. Mehrotra served as a member of the Board of Directors for Cavium, Inc. from July 2009 until July 2018 and for Western Digital Corp. from May 2016 to February 2017. Mr. Mehrotra holds a BS and an MS in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley and is a graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program.

Joel L. Poppen joined us in October 1995 and has held various leadership positions since that time. Mr. Poppen was named Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary in June 2017. Mr. Poppen holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois and a JD from the Duke University School of Law.

Sumit Sadana joined us in June 2017 as our Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer. From April 2010 to May 2016, Mr. Sadana served in various roles at SanDisk Corporation, including Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, and General Manager, Enterprise Solutions when it was acquired by Western Digital in May 2016. Mr. Sadana currently serves on the Board of Directors of Silicon Laboratories, Inc. Mr. Sadana holds a B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India and an MS in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University.

David A. Zinsner joined us in February 2018 as our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. From April 2017 to February 2018, Mr. Zinsner served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Affirmed Networks. From January 2009 to April 2017, Mr. Zinsner served as the Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Analog Devices. From July 2005 to January 2009, Mr. Zinsner served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Intersil Corporation. Mr. Zinsner holds an MBA, Finance and Accounting from Vanderbilt University and a BS in Industrial Management from Carnegie Mellon University.

Steven L. Thorsen, Jr. joined us in September 1988 and has served in various leadership positions since that time. Mr. Thorsen was named Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales in June 2017. Mr. Thorsen holds a BA in Business Administration from Washington State University. On September 20, 2018, Mr. Thorsen announced his intention to retire from Micron in early November 2018. Mr. Thorsen served as our Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales through September 30, 2018.

Robert L. Bailey was Chief Executive Officer of Blue Willow Systems, Inc. from August 2017 until August 2018. Blue Willow is a software as a service resident safety platform for senior living facilities. Mr. Bailey was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of PMC-Sierra, Inc. from 2005 until May 2011 and also served as PMC's Chairman from February 2000 until February 2003. Mr. Bailey served as a director of PMC from October 1996 to May 2011. He also served as the Chief Executive Officer of PMC from July 1997 until May 2008. Within the past five years, Mr. Bailey also served on the Board of Directors of Entropic Communications. Mr. Bailey holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Bridgeport and an MBA from the University of Dallas.

Richard M. Beyer was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. from 2008 through June 2012 and served as a director with Freescale until April 2013. Prior to Freescale, Mr. Beyer was President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Intersil Corporation from 2002 to 2008. He also has previously served in executive management roles at FVC.com, VLSI Technology, and National Semiconductor Corporation. Within the past five years, Mr. Beyer served on the Board of Directors of Microsemi Corporation, Analog Devices, Inc., and Freescale. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Dialog Semiconductor. Mr. Beyer served three years as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He holds a BA and an MA in Russian from Georgetown University and an MBA in Marketing and International Business from Columbia University Graduate School of Business. Mr. Beyer is the Chair of the Board of Directors' Governance and Sustainability Committee.

Patrick J. Byrne has served as Senior Vice President of Fortive Corporation since July 2016, when Danaher Corporation completed the separation of its Test & Measurement and Industrial Technologies segments. Mr. Byrne was President of Tektronix, a subsidiary of Danaher, from July 2014 to July 2016. Previously, he was Vice President of Strategy and Business Development and Chief Technical Officer of Danaher from November 2012 to July 2014. Danaher designs, manufactures, and markets innovative products and services to professional, medical, industrial, and commercial customers. Mr. Byrne served as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Intermec, Inc. from 2007 to May 2012. Within the past five years, Mr. Byrne


served on the Board of Directors of Flow International. Mr. Byrne holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and an MS in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University.

Mercedes Johnson was the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Avago Technologies Limited, a supplier of analog interface components for communications, industrial, and consumer applications, from December 2005 to August 2008. She also served as the Senior Vice President, Finance of Lam Research Corporation from June 2004 to January 2005 and as Lam's Chief Financial Officer from May 1997 to May 2004. Ms. Johnson holds a degree in Accounting from the University of Buenos Aires and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Juniper Networks, Inc., Teradyne, Inc., and Synopsys, Inc. She also served on the Board of Directors for Intersil Corporation from August 2005 to February 2017. Ms. Johnson is the Chair of the Board of Directors' Audit Committee and Finance Committee.

Lawrence N. Mondry has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Stream Gas & Electric, Ltd., a provider of energy, mobile, and protective services, since February 2016. Mr. Mondry was the Chief Executive Officer of Apollo Brands, a consumer products portfolio company, from February 2014 to February 2015. Mr. Mondry was the Chief Executive Officer of Flexi Compras Corporation, a rent-to-own retailer, from June 2013 to February 2014. Mr. Mondry was the President and Chief Executive Officer of CSK Auto Corporation, a specialty retailer of automotive aftermarket parts, from August 2007 to July 2008. Prior to his appointment at CSK, Mr. Mondry served as the Chief Executive Officer of CompUSA Inc. from November 2003 to May 2006. Mr. Mondry is the Chair of the Board of Directors' Compensation Committee.

Robert E. Switz was the Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of ADC Telecommunications, Inc., a supplier of network infrastructure products and services, from August 2003 until December 2010, when Tyco Electronics Ltd. acquired ADC. Mr. Switz joined ADC in 1994 and throughout his career there held numerous leadership positions. Within the past five years, Mr. Switz served on the Board of Directors of GT Advanced Technologies Inc., Broadcom Corporation, Cyan, Inc., Pulse Electronics Corporation, Leap Wireless International, Inc., and Gigamon, Inc. Mr. Switz currently serves on the Board of Directors for Marvell Technology Group Ltd. and FireEye, Inc. Mr. Switz holds an MBA from the University of Bridgeport and a BS in Business Administration from Quinnipiac University. Mr. Switz was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2012.


There are no family relationships between any of our directors or executive officers.




Available Information


Micron, a Delaware corporation, was incorporated in 1978. Our executive offices are located at 8000 South Federal Way, Boise, Idaho 83716-9632 and our telephone number is (208) 368-4000. Information about us is available at our website, www.micron.com. Also available on our website are our:our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Governance and Sustainability Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, Audit Committee Charter, Finance Committee Charter, Security Committee Charter, and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Any amendments or waivers of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will also be posted on our website within four business days of the amendment or waiver. Copies of these documents are available to shareholders upon request. Information contained or referenced on our website is not incorporated by reference and does not form a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


We useInvestors and others should note that we announce material financial information about our business and products through a variety of means, including our investor relations website http://investors.micron.com as a routine channel for(investors.micron.com), filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), press releases, public conference calls, and webcasts. We use
16 | 2021 10-K



these channels to achieve broad, non-exclusionary distribution of important information including news releases, analyst presentations,to the public and financial information. for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information we post on such channels.

Our filings are available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,SEC, including our annual and quarterly reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, our proxy statements, and any amendments to those reports or statements. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s ("SEC")SEC’s website, www.sec.gov, contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Materials filed or furnished by us with the SEC are also available at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room is available by calling (800) SEC-0330. The content on any website referred to in this Form 10-K is not incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K unless expressly noted.






ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS


In addition to the factors discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K, the following arethis section discusses important factors the order of which is not necessarily indicative of the level of risk that each poses to us, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements made by us. The order of presentation is not necessarily indicative of the level of risk that each factor poses to us. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, or stock price. Our operations could also be affected by other factors that are presently unknown to us or not considered significant. Any

Risk Factor Summary

Risks Related to Our Business, Operations, and Industry
the effects of the factors belowCOVID-19 pandemic;
volatility in average selling prices of our products;
our ability to maintain or improve gross margins;
the highly competitive nature of our industry;
our ability to develop and produce new and competitive memory and storage technologies, products, and markets;
dependency on specific customers, concentration of revenue with a select number of customers, and customers who are located internationally;
our international operations, including geopolitical risks;
limited availability and quality of materials, supplies, and capital equipment and dependency on third-party service providers for ourselves and our customers;
products that fail to meet specifications, are defective, or are incompatible with end uses;
disruptions to our manufacturing operations from natural disasters or other events;
breaches of our security systems or those of our customers, suppliers, or business partners;
attracting, retaining, and motivating highly skilled employees;
achieving or maintaining certain performance obligations associated with incentives from various governments;
future acquisitions and/or alliances;
restructure charges;
customer responsible sourcing requirements and related regulations; and
a downturn in the worldwide economy.

Risks Related to Intellectual Property and Litigation
protecting our intellectual property and retaining key employees who are knowledgeable of and develop our intellectual property;
legal proceedings and claims;
allegations of anticompetitive conduct;
risks associated with our former IMFT joint venture with Intel;
claims that our products or manufacturing processes infringe or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of others or failure to obtain or renew license agreements covering such intellectual property; and
alleged patent infringement complaints in Chinese courts.

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Risks Related to Laws and Regulations
compliance with tariffs, trade restrictions, and/or trade regulations;
tax expense and tax laws in key jurisdictions; and
compliance with laws, regulations, or industry standards.

Risks Related to Capitalization and Financial Markets
our ability to generate sufficient cash flows or obtain access to external financing;
our debt obligations;
changes in foreign currency exchange rates;
counterparty default risk;
volatility in the trading price of our common stock; and
fluctuations in the amount and timing of our common stock repurchases and payment of cash dividends and resulting impacts.

Risks Related to Our Business, Operations, and Industry

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

The effects of the public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures being taken to limit COVID-19’s spread are uncertain and difficult to predict, but may include, and in some cases, have included and may continue to include:

A decrease in short-term and/or long-term demand and/or pricing for our products and global economic volatility that could reduce demand and/or pricing for our products, resulting from the spread of COVID-19 and/or the actions taken by governments, businesses, and/or the general public in an effort to limit exposure to and the spread of COVID-19, such as travel restrictions, quarantines, and business shutdowns or slowdowns;
Negative impacts to our operations, including:
reductions in production levels, R&D activities, product development, technology transitions, yield enhancement activities, and qualification activities with our customers, resulting from our efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 through measures we have enacted at our locations around the world in an effort to protect our employees’ and contractors’ health and well-being, including working from home, limiting the number of meeting attendees, reducing the number of people in certain of our sites at any one time, quarantines of team members, contractors, or vendors who are at risk of contracting, or have contracted, COVID-19, and limiting employee travel;
increased costs resulting from our efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 through physical-distancing measures, working from home, upgrades to our sites, COVID-19 testing and vaccination, enhanced cleaning measures, and the increased use of personal protective equipment at our sites;
increased costs, business disruptions, attrition, and/or reduced employee morale resulting from our mandate that all U.S. employees and, in addition, contractors that enter our U.S. buildings and certain other locations, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to disability and religious exemptions, by November 15, 2021, as a condition of working for us;
increased costs for, or unavailability of, transportation, raw materials, components, electricity and/or other energy sources, or other inputs necessary for the operation of our business;
reductions in, or cessation of operations at any site or in any jurisdiction resulting from government restrictions on movement and/or business operations or our measures to prevent and/or mitigate the spread of COVID-19 at one or more of our sites, such as we have experienced at some of our facilities from time to time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic;
our inability to continue, or increased costs of, construction projects due to delays in obtaining materials, equipment, labor, engineering services, government permits, or any other essential aspect of projects, which could impact our ability to introduce new technologies, reduce costs, or meet customer demand; and
disruptions to our supply chain in connection with the sourcing and transportation of materials, components, equipment and engineering support, and services from or in geographic areas that have been impacted by COVID-19, by efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, or by follow-on effects on the worldwide supply chain;
18 | 2021 10-K



Deterioration of worldwide credit and financial markets that could: limit our ability to obtain external financing to fund our operations and capital expenditures; result in losses on our holdings of cash and investments due to failures of financial institutions and other parties; or result in a higher rate of losses on our accounts receivable due to credit defaults.

While several COVID-19 vaccines have been approved and are available for use in the United States and certain other countries, we are unable to predict how widely utilized the vaccines ultimately will be, whether they will be effective in preventing the symptoms and spread of COVID-19 (including its variant strains), and when or if normal economic activity and business operations will resume.

These effects, alone or taken together, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition,condition. The continuation of the pandemic or stock price.expanded or recurring outbreaks could exacerbate the adverse impact of such measures.


We have experienced volatilityVolatility in average selling prices for our semiconductor memory and storage products which may adversely affect our business.


We have experienced significant volatility in our average selling prices, including dramatic declines as noted in the table below, and may continue to experience such volatility in the future. In some prior periods, average selling prices for our products have been below our manufacturing costs and we may experience such circumstances in the future. Decreases in averageAverage selling prices for our products that decline faster than our costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.
 DRAMNAND
(percentage change in average selling prices)
2021 from 2020%(12)%
2020 from 2019(34)%(9)%
2019 from 2018(30)%(47)%
2018 from 201736 %(13)%
2017 from 201618 %(10)%
  DRAM Trade NAND
     
  (percentage change in average selling prices)
2018 from 2017 37 % (11)%
2017 from 2016 19 % (9)%
2016 from 2015 (35)% (20)%
2015 from 2014 (11)% (17)%
2014 from 2013 6 % (23)%


We may be unable to maintain or improve gross margins.


Our gross margins are dependent, in part, upon continuing decreases in per gigabit manufacturing costs achieved through improvements in our manufacturing processes and product designs, including, but not limited to, process line-width, additional 3D memory layers, additional bits per cell (i.e., cell levels), architecture, number of mask layers, number of fabrication steps, and yield. In future periods, we may be unable to reduce our per gigabit manufacturing costs at sufficient levels to maintain or improve gross margins. Factors that may limit our ability to maintain or reduce costs include, but are not limited to, strategic product diversification decisions affecting product mix, the increasing complexity of manufacturing processes, difficulties in transitioning to smaller line-width process technologies or additional 3D memory layers or NAND cell levels, process complexity including number of mask layers and fabrication steps, manufacturing yield, technological barriers, changes in process technologies, and new products that may require relatively larger die sizes. Persizes, and start-up or other costs associated with capacity expansion.

Many factors may result in a reduction of our output or a delay in ramping production, which could lead to underutilization of our production assets. These factors may include, among others, a weak demand environment, industry oversupply, inventory surpluses, difficulties in ramping emerging technologies, declining selling prices, and changes in supply agreements. A significant portion of our manufacturing costs are fixed and do not vary proportionally with changes in production output. As a result, lower utilization and corresponding increases in our per gigabit manufacturing costs may adversely affect our gross margins, business, results of operations, or financial condition.

In addition, per gigabit manufacturing costs may also be affected by a broader product portfolio, which may have smaller production quantities and shorter product lifecycles. Our business and the markets we serve are subject to rapid technological changes and material fluctuations in demand based on end-user preferences. As a result, we may have work in process or finished goods inventories that could become obsolete or in amounts that are in excess of our customers’ demand. Consequently, we may incur charges in connection with obsolete or excess
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inventories. In addition, due to the customized nature of certain of the products we manufacture, we may be unable to sell certain finished goods inventories to alternative customers or manufacture in-process inventory to different specifications, which may result in excess and obsolescence charges in future periods. Our inability to maintain or improve gross margins could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


The semiconductor memory and storage markets are highly competitive.


We face intense competition in the semiconductor memory and storage markets from a number of companies, including Intel; Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; SK Hynixhynix Inc.; Toshiba MemoryKioxia Holdings Corporation; and Western Digital Corporation. Some of our competitors are large corporations or conglomerates that may have greater resources to invest in technology, capitalize on growth opportunities, and withstand downturns in the semiconductor markets in which we compete. Consolidation of industry competitors could put us at a competitive disadvantage.disadvantage as our competitors may benefit from increased manufacturing scale and a stronger product portfolio. In addition, some governments may provide, or have provided and may continue to provide, significant assistance, financial or otherwise, to some of our competitors or to new entrants and may intervene in support of national industries and/or competitors. In particular, we face the threat of increasing competition as a result of significant investment in the semiconductor industry by the Chinese government and various state-owned or affiliated entities that is intended to advance China'sChina’s stated national policy objectives. In addition, the Chinese government may restrict us from participating in the China market or may prevent us from competing effectively with Chinese companies. Some of our competitors may use aggressive pricing to obtain market share or take business of our key customers.


OurWe and our competitors generally seek to increase siliconwafer capacity, improve yields, and reduce die size in their product designs which may result in significant increases in worldwide supply and downward pressure on prices. Increases in worldwide supply of semiconductor memory and storage also result from fabrication capacity expansions, either by way of new facilities, increased capacity utilization, or reallocation of other semiconductor production to semiconductor memory and storage production. Our competitors may increase capital expenditures resulting in future increases in worldwide supply. We, and some


of our competitors, have plans to ramp, or are constructing or ramping, production at new fabrication facilities. Increases in worldwide supply of semiconductor memory and storage, if not accompanied by commensurate increases in demand, wouldcould lead to further declines in average selling prices for our products and wouldcould materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition. If competitors are more successful at developing or implementing new product or process technology, their products could have cost or performance advantages.


The competitive nature of our industry could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

We may be unable to generate sufficient cash flows or obtain access to external financing necessary to fund our operations, make scheduled debt payments, and make adequate capital investments.

Our cash flows from operations depend primarily on the volume of semiconductor memory and storage products sold, average selling prices, and manufacturing costs. To develop new product and process technology, support future growth, achieve operating efficiencies, and maintain product quality, we must make significant capital investments in manufacturing technology, capital equipment, facilities, R&D, and product and process technology. We estimate that net cash expenditures in 2019 for property, plant, and equipment will be approximately $10.5 billion plus or minus 5%, which reflects the offset of amounts we expect to be funded by our partners. Investments in capital expenditures, net of amounts funded by our partners, were $8.20 billion for 2018.

As a result of the corporate reorganization proceedings of MMJ initiated in 2012, and for so long as such proceedings are continuing, MMJ is prohibited from paying dividends, including any cash dividends, to us and such proceedings require that excess earnings be used in MMJ's business or to fund the MMJ creditor payments. In addition, pursuant to an order of the Tokyo District Court, MMJ cannot make loans or advances, other than certain ordinary course advances, to us without the consent of the Tokyo District Court and may, under certain circumstances, be subject to approval of the legal trustee. As a result, the assets of MMJ are not available for use by us in our other operations. Furthermore, certain uses of the assets of MMJ, including certain capital expenditures of MMJ, may require consent of MMJ's trustees and/or the Tokyo District Court.

In the past we have utilized external sources of financing when needed. As a result of our debt levels, expected debt amortization, and general economic conditions, it may be difficult for us to obtain financing on terms acceptable to us. There can be no assurance that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flows, use cash held by MMJ to fund its capital expenditures, access capital markets or find other sources of financing to fund our operations, make debt payments, and make adequate capital investments to remain competitive in terms of technology development and cost efficiency. Our inability to do any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


Our future success depends on our ability to develop and produce competitive new memory and storage technologies.


Our key semiconductor memory and storage products and technologies face technological barriers to continue to meet long-term customer needs. These barriers include potential limitations on stacking additional 3D memory layers, increasing bits per cell (i.e., cell levels), meeting higher density requirements, and improving power consumption and reliability. We may face technological barriers to continue to shrink our products at our current or historical rate, which has generally reduced per-unit cost. We have invested and expect to continue to invest in R&D for new and existing products which involves significantand process technologies, such as EUV lithography, to continue to deliver advanced product requirements. Such new technologies can add complexity and risk to our schedule and uncertainties.may affect our costs and production output. We may be unable to recover our investment in R&D or otherwise realize the economic benefits of reducing die size or increasing memory and storage densities. Our competitors are working to develop new memory and storage technologies that may offer performance and/or cost advantages to existing technologies and render existing technologies obsolete. Accordingly, our future success may depend on our ability to develop and produce viable and competitive new memory and storage technologies. There can be no assurance of the following:


that we will be successful in developing competitivenew semiconductor memory and storage technologies;
that we will be able to cost-effectively manufacture new products;
that we will be able to successfully market these technologies; and
that margins generated from sales of these products will allow us to recover costs of development efforts.


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We develop and produce advanced memory and storage technologies including 3D XPoint memory, a new class of non-volatile technology. There isand there can be no assurance that our efforts to develop and market new product technologies will be successful. Unsuccessful efforts to develop new semiconductor memory and storage technologies could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.



A significant portion of our revenue is concentrated with a select number of customers.


In each of the last three years, approximately one-half of our total revenue was from our top ten customers. A disruption in our relationship with any of these customers could adversely affect our business. We could experience fluctuations in our customer base or the mix of revenue by customer as markets and strategies evolve. Our customers’ demand for our products may fluctuate due to factors beyond our control. In addition, any consolidation of our customers could reduce the number of customers to whom our products may be sold. Our inability to meet our customers’ requirements or to qualify our products with them could adversely impact our revenue. A meaningful change in the inventory strategy of our customers, particularly those in China, could impact our industry bit demand growth outlook. The loss of, or restrictions on our ability to sell to, one or more of our major customers, such as occurred with our former customer, Huawei Technologies, Co. Ltd. (“Huawei”), or any significant reduction in orders from, or a shift in product mix by, customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

We face geopolitical and other risks associated with our international sales and operations that could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

In 2021, 56% of our revenue was from sales to customers who have headquarters located outside the United States. We ship our products to the locations specified by our customers. Customers with global supply chains and operations may request we deliver products to countries where they own or operate production facilities or to countries where they utilize third-party subcontractors or warehouses. As a result, 89% of our revenue in 2021 was from products shipped to customer locations outside the United States.

A substantial portion of our operations are conducted in Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, China, and India, and many of our customers, suppliers, and vendors also operate internationally. Our operations, and the global supply chain of the technology industry, are subject to a number of risks, including the effects of actions and policies of various governments across our global operations and supply chain. For example, political, economic, or other actions from China could impact Taiwan and its economy, and may adversely affect our operations in Taiwan, our customers, and the technology industry supply chain. In addition, the U.S. government has in the past restricted American firms from selling products and software to certain of our customers and may in the future impose similar bans or other restrictions on sales to one or more of our significant customers. These restrictions may not prohibit our competitors from selling similar products to our customers, which may result in our loss of sales and market share. Even when such restrictions are lifted, financial or other penalties or continuing export restrictions imposed with respect to our customers could have a continuing negative impact on our future revenue and results of operations, and we may not be able to recover any customers or market share we lose while complying with such restrictions.

Our international sales and operations are subject to a variety of risks, including:

export and import duties, changes to import and export regulations, customs regulations and processes, and restrictions on the transfer of funds, including currency controls in China, which could negatively affect the amount and timing of payments from certain of our customers and, as a result, our cash flows;
imposition of bans on sales of goods or services to one or more of our significant foreign customers;
public health issues (for example, an outbreak of a contagious disease such as COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (“SARS-CoV”), avian and swine influenza, measles, or Ebola);
compliance with U.S. and international laws involving international operations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, export and import laws, and similar rules and regulations;
theft of intellectual property;
political and economic instability, including the effects of disputes between China and Taiwan;
government actions or civil unrest preventing the flow of products, including delays in shipping and obtaining products, cancellation of orders, or loss or damage of products;
problems with the transportation or delivery of products;
issues arising from cultural or language differences and labor unrest;
mu-20210902_g5.jpg21



longer payment cycles and greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable;
compliance with trade, technical standards, and other laws in a variety of jurisdictions;
contractual and regulatory limitations on the ability to maintain flexibility with staffing levels;
disruptions to manufacturing or R&D activities as a result of actions imposed by foreign governments;
changes in economic policies of foreign governments; and
difficulties in staffing and managing international operations.

If we or our customers, suppliers, or vendors are impacted by any of these risks, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Our business, results of operations, or financial condition could be adversely affected by the limited availability and quality of materials, supplies, and capital equipment, or dependency on third-party service providers.

Our supply chain and operations are dependent on the availability of materials that meet exacting standards and the use of third parties to provide us with components and services. We generally have multiple sources of supply for our materials and services. However, only a limited number of suppliers are capable of delivering certain materials and services that meet our standards and, in some cases, materials, components, or services are provided by a single or sole source. Various factors could impact the availability of materials or components such as chemicals, silicon wafers, gases, photoresist, controllers, substrates, lead frames, printed circuit boards, targets, and reticle glass blanks. Shortages or increases in lead times have occurred in the past, are currently occurring with respect to some materials and components, and may occur from time to time in the future. As a result, we expect that constraints within our supply chain for certain IC components may somewhat limit our bit shipments in the near term, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Our manufacturing processes are also dependent on our relationships with third-party manufacturers of controllers, analog integrated circuits, and other components used in some of our products and with outsourced semiconductor foundries, assembly and test providers, contract manufacturers, logistic carriers, and other service providers. Although we have certain long-term contracts with some of our suppliers, many of these contracts do not provide for long-term capacity commitments. To the extent we do not have firm commitments from our third-party suppliers over a specific time period or for any specific capacity and/or quantity, our suppliers may allocate capacity to their other customers and capacity and/or materials may not be available when we need it or at reasonable prices. As mentioned in the preceding paragraph, we are currently experiencing constraints within our supply chain for certain IC components. Inflationary pressures and shortages, such as those the market is currently experiencing, may increase costs for materials, supplies, and services. Regardless of contract structure, large swings in demand may exceed our contracted supply and/or our suppliers’ capacity to meet those demand changes resulting in a shortage of parts, materials, or capacity needed to manufacture our products.

Certain materials are primarily available in a limited number of countries, including rare earth elements, minerals, and metals available primarily from China. Trade disputes or other political conditions, economic conditions, or public health issues, such as COVID-19, may limit our ability to obtain such materials. Although these rare earth and other materials are generally available from multiple suppliers, China is the predominant producer of certain of these materials. If China were to restrict or stop exporting these materials, our suppliers’ ability to obtain such supply may be constrained and we may be unable to obtain sufficient quantities, or obtain supply in a timely manner, or at a commercially reasonable cost. Constrained supply of rare earth elements, minerals, and metals may restrict our ability to manufacture certain of our products and make it difficult or impossible to compete with other semiconductor memory manufacturers who are able to obtain sufficient quantities of these materials from China.

We and/or our suppliers and service providers could be affected by tariffs, embargoes, or other trade restrictions, as well as laws and regulations enacted in response to concerns regarding climate change, conflict minerals, responsible sourcing practices, public health crises, contagious disease outbreaks, or other matters, which could limit the supply of our materials and/or increase the cost. Environmental regulations could limit our ability to procure or use certain chemicals or materials in our operations or products. In addition, disruptions in transportation lines could delay our receipt of materials. Lead times for the supply of materials have been extended in the past. Our ability to procure components to repair equipment essential for our manufacturing processes could also be negatively impacted by various restrictions or disruptions in supply chains, among other items. The disruption of our supply of materials, components, or services, or the extension of our lead times could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition. Similarly, if our customers experience disruptions
22 | 2021 10-K



to their supplies, materials, components, or services, or the extension of their lead times, they may reduce, cancel, or alter the timing of their purchases with us. For example, currently, some PC customers are adjusting their memory and storage purchases due to shortages of non-memory components that are needed to complete PC builds. Reduction, cancellation, or alteration of the timing of customer purchases could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Our operations are dependent on our ability to procure advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment that enables the transition to lower cost manufacturing processes. For certain key types of equipment, including photolithography tools, we are sometimes dependent on a single supplier. From time to time, we have experienced difficulties in obtaining some equipment on a timely basis due to suppliers’ limited capacity. Our inability to obtain equipment on a timely basis could adversely affect our ability to transition to next generation manufacturing processes and reduce our costs. Delays in obtaining equipment could also impede our ability to ramp production at new facilities and could increase our overall costs of a ramp. Our inability to obtain advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment in a timely manner could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Our construction projects to expand production and R&D capacity are highly dependent on available sources of labor, materials, equipment, and services. Increasing demand, supply constraints, inflation, and other market conditions could result in increasing shortages and higher costs for these items. Difficulties in obtaining these resources could result in significant delays in completion of our construction projects and cost increases, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Our inability to source materials, supplies, capital equipment, or third-party services could affect our overall production output and our ability to fulfill customer demand. Significant or prolonged shortages of our products could halt customer manufacturing and damage our relationships with these customers. For example, recently several automotive manufacturers have experienced shortages of non-memory semiconductor-based components from other suppliers, forcing a curtailment of production lines. Any damage to our customer relationships as a result of a shortage of our products could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

New product and market development may be unsuccessful.


We are developing new products, including system-level memory and storage products and solutions, which complement our traditional products or leverage their underlying design or process technology. We have made significant investments in product and process technology and anticipate expending significant resources for new semiconductor product and system-level solution development over the next several years. Additionally, we are increasingly differentiating our products and solutions to meet the specific demands of our customers, which increases our reliance on our customer'scustomers’ ability to accurately forecast the end-customer's needs and preferences.preferences of their customers. As a result, our product demand forecasts may be impacted significantly by the strategic actions of our customers. In order to continue our success,

It is important that we must develop, manufacture, and qualify thedeliver products our customers needin a timely manner with increasingly advanced performance characteristics at the time they needour customers are designing and evaluating samples for their products. If we do not meet their product design schedules, our customers may exclude us from further consideration as a supplier for those products. The process to develop new products requires us to demonstrate advanced functionality, performance, and performance,reliability, often well in advance of a planned ramp of production, in order to secure design wins with our customers. The effects of the public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures being taken to limit COVID-19’s spread has negatively impacted, and could in the future negatively impact, our ability to meet anticipated timelines and/or expected or required quality standards with respect to the development of certain of our products. In addition, some of our components have long lead-times, requiring us to place orders several monthsup to a year in advance of anticipated demand. Such long lead-times increase the risk of excess inventory or loss of sales in the event our forecasts vary substantially from actual demand. There can be no assurance of the following:that:


that our product development efforts will be successful;
that we will be able to cost-effectively manufacture new products;
that we will be able to successfully market these products;
that we will be able to establish or maintain key relationships with customers, or that we will not be prohibited from working with certain customers, for specific chip set or design requirements;
that
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we will be able to introduce new products into the market and qualify them with our customers on a timely basis; or
that margins generated from sales of these products will allow us to recover costs of development efforts.


Our unsuccessful efforts to develop new products and solutions could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Our joint ventures and strategic relationships involve numerous risks.

We have entered into strategic relationships, including our joint development partnership and our IMFT joint venture with Intel, to develop new manufacturing process technologies and products and to manufacture certain products. These joint ventures and strategic relationships are subject to various risks that could adversely affect the value of our investments and our results of operations, including the following:
diverging interests between us and our partners and disagreements on the following:
ongoing or future development, manufacturing, or operational activities;
the amount, timing, or nature of further investments; and
commercial terms in our joint ventures or strategic relationships;
competition from our partners;
access by our partners to our proprietary product and process technology which they may use;
difficulties in transferring technology to joint ventures;
difficulties and delays in ramping production at joint ventures;
limited control over the operations of our joint ventures;
inability of our partners to meet their commitments to us or our joint ventures;
differences in participation on funding capital investments in our joint ventures due to differing business models or long-term business goals;
inadequate cash flows to fund increased capital requirements of our joint ventures;
difficulties or delays in collecting amounts due to us from our joint ventures and partners;
disputes with partners regarding the terms of arrangements or that terms of such arrangements are unfavorable; and
changes in tax, legal, or regulatory requirements that necessitate changes in the agreements with our partners.

Our joint ventures and strategic relationships, if unsuccessful, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

A significant concentration of our net sales is to a select number of customers.

In each of the last three years, approximately one-half of our total net sales were to our top ten customers. A disruption in our relationship with any of these customers could adversely affect our business. We could experience fluctuations in our customer base or the mix of revenue by customer as markets and strategies evolve. In addition, any consolidation of our


customers could reduce the number of customers to whom our products could be sold. Our inability to meet our customers' requirements or to qualify our products with them could adversely impact our sales. The loss of one or more of our major customers or any significant reduction in orders from, or a shift in product mix by, these customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


Increases in sales of system solutions may increase our dependency upon specific customers and our costs to develop and qualify our system solutions.


Our development of system-level memory and storage products is dependent, in part, upon successfully identifying and meeting our customers'customers’ specifications for those products. Developing and manufacturing system-level products with specifications unique to a customer increases our reliance upon that customer for purchasing our products inat sufficient volume, quantity,volumes and prices in a timely manner. If we fail to identify or develop products on a timely basis, or at all, that comply with our customers'customers’ specifications or achieve design wins with our customers, we may experience a significant adverse impact on our salesrevenue and margins. Even if our products meet customer specifications, our sales of system-level solutions are dependent upon our customers choosing our products over those of our competitors and purchasing our products at sufficient volumes and prices. Our competitors'competitors’ products may be less costly, provide better performance, or include additional features when compared to our products. Our long-term ability to sell system-level memory and storage products is reliant upon our customers'customers’ ability to create, market, and sell their products containing our system-level solutions at sufficient volumes and prices in a timely manner. If we fail to successfully develop and market system-level products, our business, results of operations, or financial condition may be materially adversely affected.


Even if we are successful in selling system-level solutions to our customers in sufficient volume, we may be unable to generate sufficient profit if our per-unit manufacturing costs exceed our per-unit selling prices. Manufacturing system-level solutions to customer specifications requires a longer development cycle, as compared to discrete products, to design, test, and qualify, which may increase our costs. Additionally, someSome of our system solutions are increasingly dependent on sophisticated firmware that may require significant customization to meet customer specifications, which increases our costs and time to market. Additionally, we may need to update our controller and hardware design as well as our firmware or develop new firmware as a result of new product introductions or changes in customer specifications and/or industry standards, which increases our costs. System complexities and extended warranties for system-level products could also increase our warranty costs. Our failure to cost-effectively manufacture system-level solutions and/or controller, hardware design, and firmware in a timely manner may result in reduced demand for our system-level products and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


Products that fail to meet specifications, are defective, or that are otherwise incompatible with end uses could impose significant costs on us.


Products that do not meet specifications or that contain, or are perceived by our customers to contain, defects or that are otherwise incompatible with end uses could impose significant costs on us or otherwise materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition. From time to time, we experience problems with nonconforming, defective, or incompatible products after we have shipped such products. In recent periods, we have further diversified and expanded our product offerings, which could potentially increase the chance that one or more of our products could fail to meet specifications in a particular application. AsOur products and solutions may be deemed fully or partially responsible for functionality in our customers’ products and may result in sharing or shifting of product or financial liability from our customers to us for costs incurred by the end user as a result weof our customers’ products failing to perform as specified. In addition, if our products and solutions perform critical functions in our customers’ products or are used in high-risk consumer end products, such as autonomous driver assistance programs, home and enterprise security, smoke and noxious gas detectors, medical monitoring equipment, or wearables for child and elderly safety, our potential liability may increase. We could be adversely affected in several ways, including the following:


we may be required or agree to compensate customers for costs incurred or damages caused by defective or incompatible products and to replace products;
we could incur a decrease in revenue or adjustment to pricing commensurate with the reimbursement of such costs or alleged damages; and
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we may encounter adverse publicity, which could cause a decrease in sales of our products or harm our reputation or relationships with existing or potential customers.


Any of the foregoing items could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


Debt obligationsIf our manufacturing process is disrupted by operational issues, natural disasters, or other events, our business, results of operations, or financial condition could be materially adversely affect our financial condition.affected.


We have incurredand our subcontractors manufacture products using highly complex processes that require technologically advanced equipment and continuous modification to improve yields and performance. Difficulties in the past,manufacturing process or the effects from a shift in product mix can reduce yields or disrupt production and expect to incurmay increase our per gigabit manufacturing costs. We and our subcontractors maintain operations and continuously implement new product and process technology at manufacturing facilities, which are widely dispersed in multiple locations in several countries including the future, debt to financeUnited States, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, and China. As a result of the necessary interdependence within our capital investments, business acquisitions, and restructuringnetwork of manufacturing facilities, an operational disruption at one of our capital structure. As of August 30, 2018, we had debt withor a carrying value of $4.64 billion andsubcontractor’s facilities may borrow up to an additional $2.00 billion under an undrawn revolving credit facility. In addition, as of August 30, 2018, the conversion value in excess of principal of our convertible notes was $1.85 billion, basedhave a disproportionate impact on the trading price of our common stock of $52.76 per share on such date.



Our debt obligations could adversely impact us. For example, these obligations could:

require us to use a large portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on debt, which will reduce the amount of cash flow available to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, R&D expenditures, and other business activities;
require us to use cash and/or issue shares of our common stock to settle any conversion obligations of our convertible notes;
result in certain of our debt instruments being accelerated to be immediately due and payable or being deemed to be in default if certain terms of default are triggered, such as applicable cross payment default and/or cross-acceleration provisions;
adversely impact our credit rating, which could increase future borrowing costs;
limit our future ability to raise funds for capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions or business opportunities, R&D, and other general corporate requirements;
restrict our ability to incur specified indebtedness, create or incur certain liens, and enter into sale-leaseback financing transactions;produce many of our products.
increase
From time to time, there have been disruptions in our vulnerability to adverse economic and semiconductor memory and storage industry conditions;
increase our exposure to interest rate risk from variable rate indebtedness;
continue to dilute our earnings per sharemanufacturing operations as a result of power outages, improperly functioning equipment, disruptions in supply of raw materials or components, or equipment failures. We have manufacturing and other operations in locations subject to natural occurrences and possible climate changes, such as severe and variable weather and geological events, including droughts, earthquakes, tsunamis, or other occurrences, such as the conversion provisionsrecent Taiwan drought, that could disrupt operations, resulting in increased costs, or disruptions to our convertible notes;or our suppliers’ or customers’ manufacturing operations. In addition, our suppliers and
require us to continue to pay cash amounts substantially customers also have operations in excesssuch locations. Other events, including political or public health crises, such as an outbreak of the principal amounts upon settlementcontagious diseases like COVID-19, SARS-CoV, avian and swine influenza, measles, or Ebola, may also affect our production capabilities or that of our convertible notessuppliers, including as a result of quarantines, closures of production facilities, lack of supplies, or delays caused by restrictions on travel or shipping. For example, previously in response to minimize dilutionincreasing positive cases of COVID-19 in Johor State, Malaysia, we reduced our earnings per share.

Our abilityworkforce on-site at our Muar facility, which reduced output levels from that facility, though it is now operating at normal levels. In addition, climate change may pose physical risks to meet our payment obligations undermanufacturing facilities or our debt instruments depends on our abilitysuppliers’ facilities, including increased extreme weather events that could result in supply delays or disruptions. The events noted above have occurred from time to generate significant cash flowstime and may occur in the future. This,As a result, in addition to some extent, is subjectdisruptions to market, economic, financial, competitive, legislative, and regulatory factors as well as other factors that are beyondoperations, our control. There can be no assurance that our business will generate cash flow from operations,insurance premiums may increase or that additional capital will be available to us, in amounts sufficient to enable us to meet our debt payment obligations and to fund other liquidity needs. Additionally, events and circumstanceswe may occur which would cause us to not be able to satisfy applicable draw-down conditions and utilize our revolving credit facility. fully recover any sustained losses through insurance.

If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows to service our debt payment obligations, weproduction is disrupted for any reason, manufacturing yields may need to refinancebe adversely affected, or restructure our debt, sell assets, reduce or delay capital investments, or seek to raise additional capital. If we are unable to implement one or more of these alternatives, we may be unable to meet our debt payment obligations,customers’ requirements and they may purchase products from other suppliers. This could result in a significant increase in manufacturing costs, loss of revenue, or damage to customer relationships, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


Breaches of our security systems, or those of our customers, suppliers, or business partners, could expose us to losses.

We maintain a system of controls over the physical security of our facilities. We also manage and store various proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data relating to our operations. In addition, we process, store, and transmit large amounts of data relating to our customers and employees, including sensitive personal information. Unauthorized persons or employees may gain access to our facilities or network systems to steal trade secrets or other proprietary information, compromise confidential information, create system disruptions, or cause shutdowns, including through cyberattacks. These parties may also be able to develop and deploy viruses, worms, and other malicious software programs that disrupt our operations and create security vulnerabilities. Breaches of our physical security, attacks on our network systems, or breaches or attacks on our customers, suppliers, or business partners who have confidential or sensitive information regarding us and our customers and suppliers, could result in significant losses and damage our reputation with customers and suppliers and may expose us to litigation if the confidential information of our customers, suppliers, or employees is compromised. The foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

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We must attract, retain, and motivate highly skilled employees.

To remain competitive, we must attract, retain, and motivate executives and other highly skilled, diverse employees, as well as effectively manage or plan for succession for key employees. Competition for experienced employees in our industry continues to be intense. Hiring and retaining qualified executives, engineers, technical staff, sales representatives, and other employees is critical to our business. If other employers are perceived as offering a greater degree of workplace flexibility or other employment benefits to employees than us, we may experience difficulty in attracting, retaining, and motivating the employees needed for our business operations. Our inability to attract, retain, and motivate executives and other employees or effectively manage or plan for succession of key employees may inhibit our ability to maintain or expand our business operations. In September 2021, we mandated that all U.S. employees and, in addition, contractors that enter our U.S. buildings and certain other locations, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to disability and religious exemptions, by November 15, 2021 as a condition of working for us, which could result in increased attrition, loss of critical skills, and reduced employee morale, potentially resulting in business disruptions or increased expenses to address any disruptions. Additionally, changes to immigration policies in the numerous countries in which we operate, including the United States, as well as restrictions on global travel as a result of local or global public health crises requiring quarantines or other precautions to limit exposure to infectious diseases, may limit our ability to hire and/or retain talent in, or transfer talent to, specific locations. If our total compensation programs and workplace culture cease to be viewed as competitive and inclusive, our ability to attract, retain, and motivate employees could be weakened, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Our incentives from various governments are conditional upon achieving or maintaining certain performance obligations and are subject to reduction, termination, or clawback.

We have received, and may in the future continue to receive, benefits and incentives from national, state, and local governments in various regions of the world designed to encourage us to establish, maintain, or increase investment, workforce, or production in those regions. These incentives may take various forms, including grants, loan subsidies, and tax arrangements, and typically require us to perform or maintain certain levels of investment, capital spending, employment, technology deployment, or research and development activities to qualify for such incentives. We may be unable to obtain significant future incentives to continue to fund a portion of our capital expenditures and operating costs, without which our cost structure would be adversely impacted. We also cannot guarantee that we will successfully achieve performance obligations required to qualify for these incentives or that the granting agencies will provide such funding. These incentive arrangements typically provide the granting agencies with rights to audit our compliance with their terms and obligations. Such audits could result in modifications to, or termination of, the applicable incentive program. The incentives we receive could be subject to reduction, termination, or clawback, and any decrease or clawback of government incentives could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

We may make future acquisitions and/or alliances, which involve numerous risks.

Acquisitions and the formation or operation of alliances, such as joint ventures and other partnering arrangements, involve numerous risks, including the following:

integrating the operations, technologies, and products of acquired or newly formed entities into our operations;
increasing capital expenditures to upgrade and maintain facilities;
increased debt levels;
the assumption of unknown or underestimated liabilities;
the use of cash to finance a transaction, which may reduce the availability of cash to fund working capital, capital expenditures, R&D expenditures, and other business activities;
diverting management’s attention from daily operations;
managing larger or more complex operations and facilities and employees in separate and diverse geographic areas;
hiring and retaining key employees;
requirements imposed by government authorities in connection with the regulatory review of a transaction, which may include, among other things, divestitures or restrictions on the conduct of our business or the acquired business;
inability to realize synergies or other expected benefits;
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failure to maintain customer, vendor, and other relationships;
inadequacy or ineffectiveness of an acquired company’s internal financial controls, disclosure controls and procedures, compliance programs, and/or environmental, health and safety, anti-corruption, human resource, or other policies or practices; and
impairment of acquired intangible assets, goodwill, or other assets as a result of changing business conditions, technological advancements, or worse-than-expected performance of the acquired business.

The global memory and storage industry has experienced consolidation and may continue to consolidate. We engage, from time to time, in discussions regarding potential acquisitions and similar opportunities. To the extent we are successful in completing any such transactions, we could be subject to some or all of the risks described above, including the risks pertaining to funding, assumption of liabilities, integration challenges, and increases in debt that may accompany such transactions. Acquisitions of, or alliances with, technology companies are inherently risky and may not be successful and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

We may incur restructuring charges in future periods.

From time to time, we have, and may in the future, enter into restructure initiatives in order to, among other items, streamline our operations, respond to changes in business conditions, our markets or product offerings, or to centralize certain key functions. We may not realize expected savings or other benefits from our restructure activities and may incur additional restructure charges or other losses in future periods associated with other initiatives.

We have ceased development of 3D XPoint technology and on June 30, 2021, we announced that we have entered into a definitive agreement to sell our Lehi facility that was dedicated to 3D XPoint production to TI for cash consideration of $900 million. There is no assurance that we will be able to close the sale to TI in a timely manner or at all. The net assets and liabilities of the Lehi facility were classified as held for sale and are carried at the net consideration expected to be realized from the sale. We recognized a $435 million impairment charge in the third quarter of 2021 and could recognize additional losses as a result of changes in the assets and liabilities prior to the closing date of the transaction. Our inability to close the transaction in a timely manner or additional impairment losses could adversely affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

In connection with any restructure initiatives, we could incur restructure charges, loss of production output, loss of key personnel, disruptions in our operations, and difficulties in the timely delivery of products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Compliance with customer responsible sourcing requirements and any related regulations could increase our operating costs, or limit the supply and increase the cost of certain materials, supplies, and services, and if we fail to comply, customers may reduce purchases from us or disqualify us as a supplier.

Many of our customers have adopted responsible sourcing programs that require us to periodically report on our environmental, social, and governance efforts to ensure that our performance and the materials, supplies, and services we use and incorporate into the products we sell are consistent with their programs. Some of our customers may elect to disqualify us as a supplier or reduce purchases from us if we are unable to verify that our performance or products meet the specifications of their responsible sourcing programs. Meeting customer requirements may increase operating requirements and costs or limit the sourcing and availability of some of the materials, supplies, and services we use, particularly when the availability of such materials, supplies, and services is concentrated to a limited number of suppliers. From time to time we remove suppliers based on our responsible sourcing requirements and may be unable to replace them in a timely or cost effective manner. This may affect our ability and/or the cost to obtain sufficient quantities of materials, supplies, and services necessary for the manufacture of our products. Our inability to comply with customers’ responsible sourcing requirements or with any related regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

A downturn in the worldwide economy may harm our business.

The health crisis caused by COVID-19 has adversely affected economic conditions and caused a downturn in the worldwide economy. Downturns in the worldwide economy, including the downturn and subsequent volatility driven
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by the COVID-19 pandemic, have adversely affected our business in the past. Adverse economic conditions affect demand for devices that incorporate our products, such as personal computers, smartphones, automobiles, and servers. Reduced demand for these or other products could result in significant decreases in our average selling prices and product sales. Future downturns could also adversely affect our business. In addition, to the extent our customers or distributors have elevated inventory levels, we may experience a decrease in short-term and/or long-term demand and/or pricing for our products.

A deterioration of conditions in worldwide credit markets could limit our ability to obtain external financing to fund our operations and capital expenditures. In addition, we may experience losses on our holdings of cash and investments due to failures of financial institutions and other parties. Difficult economic conditions may also result in a higher rate of losses on our accounts receivable due to credit defaults. As a result, downturns in the worldwide economy could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Risks Related to Intellectual Property and Litigation

We may be unable to protect our intellectual property or retain key employees who are knowledgeable of and develop our intellectual property.


We maintain a system of controls over our intellectual property, including U.S. and foreign patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing arrangements, confidentiality procedures, non-disclosure agreements with employees, consultants, and vendors, and a general system of internal controls. Despite our system of controls over our intellectual property, it may be possible for our current or future competitors to obtain, copy, use, or disclose, illegally or otherwise, our product and process technology or other proprietary information. The laws of some foreign countries may not protect our intellectual property to the same degree as do U.S. laws, and our confidentiality, non-disclosure, and non-compete agreements may be unenforceable or difficult and costly to enforce.


Additionally, our ability to maintain and develop intellectual property is dependent upon our ability to attract, develop, and retain highly skilled employees. Global competition for such skilled employees in our industry is intense. Due to the volatile nature of our industry and our operating results, aA decline in our operating results and/or stock price may adversely affect our ability to retain key employees whose compensation is dependent, in part, upon the market price of our common stock, achieving certain performance metrics, levels of company profitability, or other financial or company-wide performance. If our competitors or future entrants into our industry are successful in hiring our employees, they may directly benefit from the knowledge these employees gained while they were under our employment.


Our inability to protect our intellectual property or retain key employees who are knowledgeable of and develop our intellectual property could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.



Legal proceedings and claims could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


From time to time we are subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise out of the ordinary conduct of our business or otherwise, both domestically and internationally. See “Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Contingencies.” Any claim, with or without merit, could result in significant legal fees that could negatively impact our financial results, disrupt our operations, and require significant attention from our management. We may be associated with and subject to litigation, claims, or arbitration disputes arising from, or as a result of:

our relationships with vendors or customers, supply agreements, or contractual obligations with our subcontractors or business partners;
the actions of our vendors, subcontractors, or business partners;
our indemnification obligations, including obligations to defend our customers against third-party claims asserting infringement of certain intellectual property rights, which may include patents, trademarks, copyrights, or trade secrets; and
the terms of our product warranties or from product liability claims.

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As we continue to focus on developing system solutions with manufacturers of consumer products, including autonomous driving, augmented reality, and others, we may be exposed to greater potential for personal liability claims against us as a result of consumers’ use of those products. We, our officers, or our directors could also be subject to claims of alleged violations of securities laws. There can be no assurance that we are adequately insured to protect against all claims and potential liabilities, and we may elect to self-insure with respect to certain matters. Exposures to various legal proceedings and claims could lead to significant costs and expenses as we defend claims, are required to pay damage awards, or enter into settlement agreements, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

We are subject to allegations of anticompetitive conduct.

On April 27, 2018, a complaint was filed against Micron and other DRAM suppliers in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Subsequently, two substantially identical cases were filed in the same court. The lawsuits purported to be on behalf of a nationwide class of indirect purchasers of DRAM products. On September 3, 2019, the District Court granted Micron’s motion to dismiss and allowed the plaintiffs the opportunity to file a consolidated, amended complaint. On October 28, 2019, the plaintiffs filed a consolidated, amended complaint that purported to be on behalf of a nationwide class of indirect purchasers of DRAM products. The amended complaint asserted claims based on alleged price-fixing of DRAM products under federal and state law during the period from June 1, 2016 to at least February 1, 2018, and sought treble monetary damages, costs, interest, attorneys’ fees, and other injunctive and equitable relief. On December 21, 2020, the District Court dismissed the plaintiffs’ claims and entered judgment against them. On January 19, 2021, the plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. On May 3, 2021, several plaintiffs filed a substantially identical complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California purportedly on behalf of a nationwide class of indirect purchasers of DRAM products. On July 19, 2021, the District Court dismissed the May 3, 2021 complaint pursuant to an agreement between the plaintiffs and Micron providing that the plaintiffs may refile the complaint if the District Court’s December 21, 2020 dismissal order is not affirmed on appeal.

On June 26, 2018, a complaint was filed against Micron and other DRAM suppliers in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Subsequently, four substantially identical cases were filed in the same court. On October 28, 2019, the plaintiffs filed a consolidated, amended complaint. The consolidated complaint purported to be on behalf of a nationwide class of direct purchasers of DRAM products. The consolidated complaint asserted claims based on alleged price-fixing of DRAM products under federal and state law during the period from June 1, 2016 through at least February 1, 2018, and sought treble monetary damages, costs, interest, attorneys’ fees, and other injunctive and equitable relief.On December 21, 2020, the District Court granted Micron’s motion to dismiss and granted the plaintiffs permission to file a further amended complaint. On January 11, 2021, the plaintiffs filed a further amended complaint asserting substantially the same claims and seeking the same relief. On September 3, 2021, the District Court granted Micron’s motion to dismiss the further amended complaint with prejudice.

Additionally, six cases have been filed in the following Canadian courts: Superior Court of Quebec, the Federal Court of Canada, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The substantive allegations in these cases are similar to those asserted in the cases filed in the United States.

On May 15, 2018, the Chinese State Administration for Market Regulation (“SAMR”) notified Micron that it was investigating potential collusion and other anticompetitive conduct by DRAM suppliers in China. On May 31, 2018, SAMR made unannounced visits to our sales offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen to seek certain information as part of its investigation. We are cooperating with SAMR in its investigation.

We are unable to predict the outcome of these matters and therefore cannot estimate the range of possible loss. The final resolution of these matters could result in significant liability and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

We face risks associated with our former IMFT joint venture with Intel.

We face risks from our arbitration proceeding with Intel in connection with our former IMFT joint venture, in which we and Intel have made claims against each other for damages relating to the joint venture. For information regarding the arbitration proceeding, see “Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Contingencies.” The foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.
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Claims that our products or manufacturing processes infringe or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of others, or failure to obtain or renew license agreements covering such intellectual property, could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


As is typical in the semiconductor and other high technology industries, from time to time others have asserted, and may in the future assert, that our products or manufacturing processes infringe upon, misappropriate, misuse, or otherwise violate their intellectual property rights. We are unable to predict the outcome of these assertions made against us. Any of these types of claims, regardless of the merits, could subject us to significant costs to defend or resolve such claims and may consume a substantial portion of management'smanagement’s time and attention. As a result of these claims, we may be required to:


pay significant monetary damages, fines, royalties, or penalties;
enter into license or settlement agreements covering such intellectual property rights;
make material changes to or redesign our products and/or manufacturing processes; and/or
cease manufacturing, having made, selling, offering for sale, importing, marketing, or using products and/or manufacturing processes in certain jurisdictions.


We may not be able to take any of the actions described above on commercially reasonable terms and any of the foregoing results could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition. (See "Part“Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Contingencies.")


We have a number of intellectual property license agreements. Some of these license agreements require us to make one-time or periodic payments. We may need to obtain additional licenses or renew existing license agreements in the future. We are unable to predict whether these license agreements can be obtained or renewed on terms acceptable to us. The failure to obtain or renew licenses as necessary could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


We have been served with complaints in Chinese courts alleging patent infringement.


We have been served with complaints in Chinese courts alleging that we infringe certain Chinese patents by manufacturing and selling certain products in China. The complaints seek orders requiring us to destroy inventory of the accused products and equipment for manufacturing the accused products in China,China; to stop manufacturing, using, selling, and offering for sale the accused products in China,China; and to pay damages plus court fees.


We are unable to predict the outcome of these assertions of infringement made against us and therefore cannot make a reasonable estimate of the potential loss or range of possible loss.losses. A determination that our products or manufacturing processes infringe the intellectual property rights of others or entering into a license agreement covering such intellectual property could result in significant liability and/or require us to make material changes to our operations in China, products, and/or manufacturing processes. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition. (See "Part“Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Contingencies.")


Litigation could have a material adverse effect onThe acquisition of our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

From time to time we are subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise outownership interest in Inotera from Qimonda AG (“Qimonda”) has been challenged by the administrator of the ordinary conductinsolvency proceedings for Qimonda.

In January 2011, Dr. Michael Jaffé, administrator for Qimonda’s insolvency proceedings, filed suit against Micron and Micron Semiconductor B.V. (“Micron B.V.”), in the District Court of our businessMunich, Civil Chamber. The complaint seeks to void a share purchase agreement between Micron B.V. and Qimonda signed in 2008, pursuant to which Micron B.V. purchased substantially all of Qimonda’s shares of Inotera, representing approximately 18% of Inotera’s outstanding shares at that time, and seeks an order requiring us to re-transfer those shares to the Qimonda estate. The complaint also seeks, among other things, to recover damages for the alleged value of the joint venture relationship with Inotera and to terminate a patent cross-license between us and Qimonda entered into at the same time as the share purchase agreement. See “Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Contingencies” for further information regarding the matter.

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We are unable to predict the outcome of the matter and cannot make a reasonable estimate of the potential loss or otherwise, both domestically and internationally. Any claim, with or without merit,range of possible losses. The final resolution of this lawsuit could result in significant legal fees that could negatively impact our financial results, disrupt our operations, and require significant attention from our management. We could be subject to litigationthe loss of the Inotera shares or arbitration disputes arising from our relationships with vendors or customers, supply agreements, or contractual obligations with our subcontractors or business partners. We may also be associated with and subject to litigation arisingmonetary damages, unspecified damages based on the benefits derived by Micron B.V. from the actionsownership of our subcontractors the Inotera shares, and/or business partners. We may also be subject to litigation as a resultthe termination of indemnities we issue, primarily with our customers, the terms of our product warranties, and from product liability claims. As we continue to focus on developing system solutions with manufacturers of consumer products, including autonomous driving, augmented reality, and others, we may be exposed to greater potential for personal liability claims against us as a result of consumers' use of those products. There can be no assurance that we are adequately insured to protect against all claims and potential liabilities, and we may elect to self-insure with respect to certain matters. Exposures to various litigation could lead to significant costs and expenses as we defend claims, are required to pay damage awards, or enter into settlement agreements, any ofpatent cross-license, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.



Risks Related to Laws and Regulations

If our manufacturing process is disrupted, our business, results of operations, or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

We and our subcontractors manufacture products using highly complex processes that require technologically advanced equipment and continuous modification to improve yields and performance. Difficulties in the manufacturing process or the effects from a shift in product mix can reduce yields or disrupt production and may increase our per gigabit manufacturing costs. We and our subcontractors maintain operations and continuously implement new product and process technology at manufacturing facilities, which are widely dispersed in multiple locations in several countries including the United States, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, and China. Additionally, our control over operations at IMFT is limited by our agreements with Intel. From time to time, there have been disruptions in the manufacturing process as a result of power outages, improperly functioning equipment, disruptions in supply of raw materials or components, equipment failures, earthquakes, or other environmental events. If production is disrupted for any reason, manufacturing yields may be adversely affected or we may be unable to meet our customers' requirements and they may purchase products from other suppliers. This could result in a significant increase in manufacturing costs, loss of revenues, or damage to customer relationships, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


Increases in tariffs or other trade restrictions or taxes on our or our customers’ products or equipment and supplies could have an adverse impact on our operations.


In 2018, 88%2021, 89% of our sales wererevenue was from products shipped to customers locatedcustomer locations outside the United States. We also purchase a significant portion of equipment and supplies from suppliers outside the United States. Additionally, a significant portion of our facilities are located outside the United States, including in Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, and China.

The United States and other countries have levied tariffs and taxes on certain goods. General trade tensions between the U.S.United States and China have been escalating insince 2018, with three rounds of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods taking effect in July, August, and September 2018, each followed by a round of retaliatory Chinese tariffs on U.S. goods. Some of our products are included in these announced tariffs. Higher duties on existing tariffs and further rounds of tariffs have been announced or threatened by U.S. and Chinese leaders. Additionally, the United States has threatened to impose tariffs on goods imported from other countries, which could also impact certain of our customers’ or our operations. If the U.S.United States were to impose current or additional tariffs on components that we or our suppliers source, from China, our cost for such components would increase. We may also incur increases in manufacturing costs and supply chain risks due to our efforts to mitigate the impact of tariffs on our customers and our operations. Additionally, tariffs on our customers’ products could impact their sales of such end products, resulting in lower demand for our products.

We cannot predict what further actions may ultimately be taken with respect to tariffs or trade relations between the United States and other countries, what products may be subject to such actions, or what actions may be taken by other countries in retaliation. Further changes in trade policy, tariffs, additional taxes, restrictions on exports or other trade barriers, or restrictions on supplies, equipment, and raw materials including rare earth minerals, may limit our ability to produce products, increase our selling and/or manufacturing costs, decrease margins, reduce the competitiveness of our products, or inhibit our ability to sell products or purchase necessary equipment and supplies, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial conditions.condition.


We must attract, retain, and motivate highly skilled employees.

To remain competitive, we must attract, retain, and motivate executives and other highly skilled employees. Hiring and retaining qualified executives, engineers, technical staff, and sales representatives are critical to our business, and competition for experienced employees in our industry can be intense. Our inability to attract and retain key employees may inhibitTrade regulations have restricted our ability to expandsell our businessproducts to several customers, could restrict our ability to sell our products to other customers or in certain markets, or could otherwise restrict our ability to conduct operations. Additionally, changes

International trade disputes have led, and may continue to immigration policies in the numerous countries in which we operate, including the United States, maylead, to new and increasing trade barriers and other protectionist measures that can increase our manufacturing costs, make our products less competitive, reduce demand for our products, limit our ability to hire and/sell to certain customers or retain talent in specific locations. If our total compensation programs and workplace culture cease to be viewed as competitive,markets, limit our ability to attract, retain,procure components or raw materials, impede or slow the movement of our goods across borders, impede our ability to perform R&D activities, or otherwise restrict our ability to conduct operations. Increasing protectionism, economic nationalism, and motivate employeesnational security concerns may lead to further changes in trade policy, domestic sourcing initiatives, or other formal and informal measures that could make it more difficult to sell our products in, or restrict our access to, some markets and/or customers.

Escalating tensions between the United States and China have led to increased trade restrictions and have affected customer ordering patterns. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) has enacted increasingly broad trade restrictions with respect to Huawei (which represented approximately 10% of our revenue in the fourth quarter of 2020), culminating with restrictions that took effect on September 15, 2020 and that prevent us and many other companies from shipping products to Huawei. We cannot predict the duration these restrictions will remain in place, whether the BIS will grant us or others licenses to ship products to Huawei, or whether the BIS or other U.S. or foreign government entities will enact similar restrictions with respect to other customers, markets, or products. We may not be able to replace the lost revenue opportunities associated with such restrictions.

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The United States has also imposed other restrictions on the export of U.S. regulated products and technology to certain Chinese technology companies, including certain of our customers. These restrictions have reduced our sales, and continuing or future restrictions could adversely affect our financial results, result in reputational harm to us due to our relationship with such companies, or lead such companies to develop or adopt technologies that compete with our products. It is difficult to predict what further trade-related actions governments may take, and we may be unable to quickly and effectively react to such actions. For example, U.S. legislation has expanded the power of the U.S. Department of Commerce to restrict the export of “emerging and foundational technologies” yet to be identified, which could impact our current or future products.

Trade disputes and protectionist measures, or continued uncertainty about such matters, could result in declining consumer confidence and slowing economic growth or recession, and could cause our customers to reduce, cancel, or alter the timing of their purchases with us. Sustained trade tensions could lead to long-term changes in global trade and technology supply chains, which could adversely affect our business and growth prospects. Trade restrictions that may be imposed by the United States, China, or other countries may impact our business in ways we cannot reasonably quantify, including that some of our customers’ products which incorporate our solutions may also be impacted. In addition, further increases in trade restrictions or barriers may negatively impact our revenue, and any licenses we have received or could receive in the future could be weakened, which couldrendered ineffective. Any such changes may have a materialan adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


The acquisition of our ownership interest in Inotera from Qimonda has been challenged by the administrator of the insolvency proceedings for Qimonda.

On January 20, 2011, Dr. Michael Jaffé, administrator for Qimonda's insolvency proceedings, filed suit against Micron and Micron Semiconductor B.V., our Netherlands subsidiary ("Micron B.V."), in the District Court of Munich, Civil Chamber. The complaint seeks to void, under Section 133 of the German Insolvency Act, a share purchase agreement between Micron B.V. and Qimonda signed in fall 2008, pursuant to which Micron B.V. purchased substantially all of Qimonda's shares of Inotera (the "Inotera Shares"), representing approximately 18% of Inotera's outstanding shares as of August 30, 2018, and seeks an order requiring us to re-transfer those shares to the Qimonda estate. The complaint also seeks, among other things, to recover damages for the alleged value of the joint venture relationship with Inotera and to terminate, under Sections 103 or 133 of the German Insolvency Code, a patent cross-license between us and Qimonda entered into at the same time as the share purchase agreement.



Following a series of hearings with pleadings, arguments, and witnesses on behalf of the Qimonda estate, on March 13, 2014, the court issued judgments: (1) ordering Micron B.V. to pay approximately $1 million in respect of certain Inotera Shares sold in connection with the original share purchase; (2) ordering Micron B.V. to disclose certain information with respect to any Inotera Shares sold by it to third parties; (3) ordering Micron B.V. to disclose the benefits derived by it from ownership of the Inotera Shares, including in particular, any profits distributed on the Inotera Shares and all other benefits; (4) denying Qimonda’s claims against Micron for any damages relating to the joint venture relationship with Inotera; and (5) determining that Qimonda's obligations under the patent cross-license agreement are canceled. In addition, the Court issued interlocutory judgments ordering, among other things: (1) that Micron B.V. transfer to the Qimonda estate the Inotera Shares still owned by Micron B.V. and pay to the Qimonda estate compensation in an amount to be specified for any Inotera Shares sold to third parties; and (2) that Micron B.V. pay the Qimonda estate as compensation an amount to be specified for benefits derived by Micron B.V. from ownership of the Inotera Shares. The interlocutory judgments have no immediate, enforceable effect on us, and, accordingly, we expect to be able to continue to operate with full control of the Inotera Sharestechnology industry is subject to further developments in the case. Weintense media, political, and regulatory scrutiny, which can increase our exposure to government investigations, legal actions, and penalties. Although we have filed a noticepolicies, controls, and procedures designed to help ensure compliance with applicable laws, there can be no assurance that our employees, contractors, suppliers, or agents will not violate such laws or our policies. Violations of appeal, and the parties have submitted briefs to the appeals court.

We are unable to predict the outcome of the matter and, therefore, cannot estimate the range of possible loss. The final resolution of this lawsuit couldtrade laws, restrictions, or regulations can result in the loss of the Inotera Sharesfines; criminal sanctions against us or monetary damages, unspecified damages based on the benefits derived by Micron B.V. from the ownership of the Inotera Shares, and/our officers, directors, or the termination of the patent cross-license, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Breaches of our security systems could expose us to losses.

We maintain a system of controls over the physical security of our facilities. We also manage and store various proprietary information and sensitive or confidential data relating to our operations. In addition, we process, store, and transmit large amounts of data relating to our customers and employees, including sensitive personal information. Unauthorized persons or employees may gain access to our facilities or network systems to steal trade secrets or other proprietary information, compromise confidential information, create system disruptions, or cause shutdowns. These parties may also be able to develop and deploy viruses, worms, and other malicious software programs that disrupt our operations and create security vulnerabilities. Breaches of our physical security and attacks on our network systems could result in significant losses and damage our reputation with customers and suppliers and may expose us to litigation if the confidential information of our customers, suppliers, or employees is compromised, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Across our global operations, significant transactions and balances are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar (our reporting currency), primarily the euro, Singapore dollar, New Taiwan dollar, and yen. Although we hedge our primary exposures to changes in currency exchange rates from our monetary assets and liabilities, the effectiveness of these hedges is dependent upon our ability to accurately forecast our monetary assets and liabilities. In addition, a significant portion of our manufacturing costs are denominated in foreign currencies. Exchange rates for some of these currencies against the U.S. dollar, particularly the yen, have been volatile in recent periods. If these currencies strengthen against the U.S. dollar, our manufacturing costs could significantly increase. Exchange rates for the U.S. dollar that adversely change against our foreign currency exposures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

We may make future acquisitions and/or alliances, which involve numerous risks.

Acquisitions and the formation or operation of alliances, such as joint ventures and other partnering arrangements, involve numerous risks, including the following:

integrating the operations, technologies, and products of acquired or newly formed entities into our operations;
increasing capital expenditures to upgrade and maintain facilities;
increased debt levels;
the assumption of unknown or underestimated liabilities;
the use of cash to finance a transaction, which may reduce the availability of cash to fund working capital, capital expenditures, R&D expenditures, and other business activities;
diverting management's attention from daily operations;
managing larger or more complex operations and facilities and employees in separate and diverse geographic areas;
hiring and retaining key employees;


requirements imposed by governmental authorities in connection with the regulatory review of a transaction, which may include, among other things, divestitures or restrictions prohibitions on the conduct of our business or the acquired business;
inability to realize synergies or other expected benefits;
failure to maintain customer, vendor, and other relationships;
inadequacy or ineffectiveness of an acquired company's internal financial controls, disclosure controls and procedures, compliance programs, and/or environmental, health and safety, anti-corruption, human resource, or other policies or practices; and
impairment of acquired intangible assets, goodwill, or other assets as a result of changing business conditions, technological advancements, or worse-than-expected performance of the acquired business.

In previous years, supply of memory and storage products has significantly exceeded customer demand resulting in significant declines in average selling prices. The global memory and storage industry has experienced consolidation and may continue to consolidate. We engage, from time to time, in discussions regarding potential acquisitions and similar opportunities. To the extent we are successful in completing any such transactions, we could be subject to some or all of the risks described above, including the risks pertaining to funding, assumption of liabilities, integration challenges, and increases in debt that may accompany such transactions. Acquisitions of, or alliances with, technology companies are inherently risky and may not be successful and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Our business, results of operations, or financial condition could be adversely affected by the limited availability and quality of materials, supplies, and capital equipment, or the dependency on third-party service providers.

Our supply chain and operations are dependent on the availability of materials that meet exacting standards and the use of third parties to provide us with components and services. We generally have multiple sources of supply for our raw materials and services. However, only a limited number of suppliers are capable of delivering certain raw materials and services that meet our standards and, in some cases, materials, components, or services are provided by a single supplier. Various factors could reduce the availability of raw materials or components such as chemicals, silicon wafers, gases, photoresist, controllers, substrates, lead frames, printed circuit boards, targets, and reticle glass blanks. Shortages or increases in lead times may occur from time to time in the future. Our manufacturing processes are also dependent on our relationships with third-party manufacturers of controllers used in a number of our products and with outsourced semiconductor assembly and test providers, contract manufacturers, logistic carriers, and other service providers. Certain raw materials are primarily available in certain countries, including rare earth minerals available primarily from China, and trade disputes or other political or economic conditions may limit our availability to obtain such raw materials. We and/or our suppliers and service providers could be affected by tariffs, embargoes or other trade restrictions, as well as laws and regulations enacted in response to concerns regarding climate change, conflict minerals, and responsible sourcing practices, which could limit the supply of our raw materials and/or increase the cost. In addition, disruptions in transportation lines could delay our receipt of raw materials. Lead times for the supply of raw materials have been extended in the past. The disruption of our supply of raw materials, components, services, or the extension of our lead times could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Our operations are dependent on our ability to procure advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment that enables the transition to lower cost manufacturing processes. For certain key types of equipment, including photolithography tools, we are sometimes dependent on a single supplier. From time to time, we have experienced difficulties in obtaining some equipment on a timely basis due to suppliers' limited capacity. Our inability to obtain equipment on a timely basis could adversely affect our ability to transition to next generation manufacturing processes and reduce our costs. Delays in obtaining equipment could also impede our ability to ramp production at new facilities and could increase our overall costs of a ramp. Our inability to obtain advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment in a timely manner could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

A downturn in the worldwide economy may harm our business.

Downturns in the worldwide economy have harmed our business in the past and future downturns could also adversely affect our business. Adverse economic conditions affect demand for devices that incorporate our products, such as personal computers, mobile devices, SSDs, and servers. Reduced demand for these products could result in significant decreases in our average selling prices and product sales. A deterioration of current conditions in worldwide credit markets could limit our ability to obtain external financing to fund our operations and capital expenditures. In addition, we may experience losses on our holdings of cash and investments due to failures of financial institutions and other parties. Difficult economic conditions may also result in a higher rate of losses on our accounts receivables due to credit defaults. As a result, a downturn in the worldwide economy could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.



Our results of operations could be affected by natural disasters and other events in the locations in which we or our customers or suppliers operate.

We have manufacturing and other operations in locations subject to natural occurrences such as severe weather and geological events, including earthquakes or tsunamis, that could disrupt operations or result in construction delays. In addition, our suppliers and customers also have operations in such locations. A natural disaster, fire, explosion, or other event that results in a prolonged disruptiondamage to our operations, or the operations of our customers or suppliers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.reputation.

Our incentives from various governments are conditional upon achieving or maintaining certain performance obligations and are subject to reduction, termination, or clawback.

We have received, and may in the future continue to receive, benefits and incentives from national, state, and local governments in various regions of the world designed to encourage us to establish, maintain, or increase investment, workforce, or production in those regions. These incentives may take various forms, including grants, loan subsidies, and tax arrangements, and typically require us to perform or maintain certain levels of investment, capital spending, employment, technology deployment, or research and development activities to qualify for such incentives. We cannot guarantee that we will successfully achieve performance obligations required to qualify for these incentives or that the granting agencies will provide such funding. These incentive arrangements typically provide the granting agencies with rights to audit our performance with the terms and obligations. Such audits could result in modifications to, or termination of, the applicable incentive program. The incentives we receive could be subject to reduction, termination, or clawback, and any decrease or clawback of government incentives could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

A change in tax laws in key jurisdictions could materially increase our tax expense.

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and many foreign jurisdictions. Changes to income tax laws and regulations in any of the jurisdictions in which we operate, or in the interpretation of such laws, could significantly increase our effective tax rate and ultimately reduce our cash flow from operating activities and otherwise have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. For example, as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") enacted on December 22, 2017 by the United States, our effective tax rate may increase to the low teens percentage in 2019, depending on the amount and geographic mix of our taxable income. Additionally, various levels of government are increasingly focused on tax reform and other legislative action to increase tax revenue. Further changes in the tax laws of foreign jurisdictions could arise as a result of the base erosion and profit shifting project undertaken by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, which represents a coalition of member countries and recommended changes to numerous long-standing tax principles. If adopted by countries, such changes, as well as changes in U.S. federal and state tax laws or in taxing jurisdictions' administrative interpretations, decisions, policies, and positions, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


We may incur additional tax expense or become subject to additional tax exposure.


We operate in a number of locations outside the United States, including Singapore, where we have tax incentive arrangements that are conditional, in part, upon meeting certain business operations and employment thresholds. Our domestic and international taxes are dependent upon the geographic mix of our earnings among these jurisdictions. Our provision for income taxes and cash tax liabilities in the future could be adversely affected by numerous factors, including challenges by tax authorities to our tax positions and intercompany transfer pricing agreements,arrangements, failure to meet performance obligations with respect to tax incentive agreements, expanding our operations in various countries, and changes in tax laws and regulations. Additionally, we file income tax returns with the U.S. federal government, various U.S. states, and various other jurisdictions throughout the world and certain tax returns may remain open to examination for several years. The results of audits and examinations of previously filed tax returns and continuing assessments of our tax exposures may have an adverse effect on our provision for income taxes and cash tax liability. The foregoing items could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


A change in tax laws in key jurisdictions could materially increase our tax expense.

We may incur additional restructuring charges in future periods.

From timeare subject to time, we have, and mayincome taxes in the future, enter into restructure initiativesUnited States and many foreign jurisdictions. Changes to income tax laws and regulations, or the interpretation of such laws, in orderany of the jurisdictions in which we operate could significantly increase our effective tax rate and ultimately reduce our cash flows from operating activities and otherwise have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. For example, our effective tax rate increased from 1.2% for 2018 to among9.8% for 2019 primarily as a result of tax reform by the United States. Additionally, various levels of government are increasingly focused on tax reform and other items, streamline our operations, respondlegislative actions to increase tax revenue. The current administration has various proposals that, if enacted, would increase U.S. federal income taxes on corporations. Further changes in business conditions, our marketsthe tax laws of foreign jurisdictions could arise as a result of the base erosion and profit shifting project undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which represents a coalition of member countries and recommended changes to numerous long-standing tax principles. If implemented by taxing authorities, such changes, as well as changes in U.S. federal and state tax laws or product offerings, or to centralize certain key functions. We may not realize expected savings or other benefits from our restructure activitiesin taxing jurisdictions’ administrative interpretations, decisions, policies, and may incur additional restructure charges or other losses in future periods associated with other initiatives. In connection with any restructure initiatives, we could incur restructure charges, loss of production output, loss of key personnel, disruptions in our operations,


and difficulties in the timely delivery of products, whichpositions, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


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We face risks associated with our international sales and operations that could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

A substantial majority of our consolidated net sales are to customers outside the United States. In addition, a substantial portion of our manufacturing operations are located outside the United States. In particular, a significant portion of our manufacturing operations are concentrated in Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, and China. Our international sales and operationsothers are subject to a variety of risks, including:

export and import duties, changeslaws, regulations, or industry standards, including with respect to import and export regulations, customs regulations and processes, and restrictions on the transfer of funds;
compliance with U.S. and international laws involving international operations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, export and import laws, and similar rules and regulations;
theft of intellectual property;
political and economic instability;
problems with the transportation or delivery of products;
issues arising from cultural or language differences and labor unrest;
longer payment cycles and greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable;
compliance with trade, technical standards, and other laws in a variety of jurisdictions;
contractual and regulatory limitations on the ability to maintain flexibility with staffing levels;
disruptions to manufacturing operations as a result of actions imposed by foreign governments;
changes in economic policies of foreign governments; and
difficulties in staffing and managing international operations.

Many of our customers, suppliers, and vendors operate internationally and are also subject to the foregoing risks. If we or our customers, suppliers, or vendors are impacted by these risks, it couldclimate change, that may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Compliance with customer requirements and regulations regarding the use of conflict minerals could limit the supply and increase the cost of certain metals used in manufacturing our products.

Increased focus on environmental protection and social responsibility initiatives led to the passage of Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the "Dodd-Frank Act") and its implementing SEC regulations. The Dodd-Frank Act imposes supply chain diligence and disclosure requirements for certain manufacturers of products containing specific minerals that may originate in or near the Democratic Republic of the Congo (the "DRC") and finance or benefit local armed groups. These "conflict minerals" are commonly found in materials used in the manufacture of semiconductors. The implementation of these regulations may limit the sourcing and availability of some of these materials. This in turn may affect our ability to obtain materials necessary for the manufacture of our products in sufficient quantities and may affect related material pricing. Some of our customers may elect to disqualify us as a supplier or reduce purchases from us if we are unable to verify that our products are DRC conflict free. In addition, many of our customers have or are planning to adopt responsible sourcing programs with requirements that our broader in terms of minerals and geographies than DRC conflict minerals programs. Our inability to comply with requirements regarding the use of conflict and other minerals could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.



We and others are subject to a variety of laws and regulations that may result in additional costs and liabilities.


The manufacturing of our products requires the use of facilities, equipment, and materials that are subject to a broad array of laws and regulations in numerous jurisdictions in which we operate. Additionally, we are subject to a variety of other laws and regulations relative to the construction, maintenance, and operations of our facilities. Any of thesechanges in laws, regulations, or regulationsindustry standards could cause us to incur additional direct costs, as well as increased indirect costs related to our relationships with our customers and suppliers, and otherwise harm our operations and financial condition. Any failure to comply with these laws, regulations, or regulationsindustry standards could adversely impact our reputation and our financial results. Additionally, we engage various third parties as sales channel partners or to represent us or otherwise act on our behalf and we partner with other companies in our joint ventures, all of whomwho are also subject to a broad array of laws, regulations, and regulations.industry standards. Our engagement with these third parties and our ownership in these joint ventures may also expose us to risks associated with their respective compliance with these laws and regulations.

Climate change concerns and the potential resulting environmental impact may result in new environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations that may affect us, our suppliers, and our customers. Such laws or regulations could cause us to incur additional direct costs for compliance, as well as increased indirect costs resulting from our customers, suppliers, or both incurring additional compliance costs that are passed on to us. These costs may adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

As a result of thesethe items detailed in this risk factor, we could experience the following:


suspension of production;production or sales of our products;
remediation costs;
alteration of our manufacturing processes;
regulatory penalties, fines, and legal liabilities; and
reputational challenges.


OurCompliance with, or our failure, or the failure of our third-party agentssales channel partners or joint ventures,agents, to comply with, these laws, and regulations, or industry standards could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


Risks Related to Capitalization and Financial Markets

We may be unable to generate sufficient cash flows or obtain access to external financing necessary to fund our operations, make scheduled debt payments, pay our dividend, and make adequate capital investments.

Our cash flows from operations depend primarily on the volume of semiconductor memory and storage products sold, average selling prices, and manufacturing costs. To develop new product and process technology, support future growth, achieve operating efficiencies, and maintain product quality, we must make significant capital investments in manufacturing technology, capital equipment, facilities, R&D, and product and process technology.

We estimate capital expenditures in 2022 for property, plant, and equipment, net of partner contributions, will be between approximately $11 billion and $12 billion. Investments in capital expenditures may not generate expected returns or cash flows. In addition, we invest our capital in areas that we believe best align with our business strategy and will yield future profitability. Significant judgment is required to determine which capital investments will result in optimal returns, and we could invest in projects that are ultimately less profitable than those projects we do not select. Delays in completion and ramping of new production facilities, or failure to optimize our investment choices, could significantly impact our ability to realize expected returns on our capital expenditures, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

In the past we have utilized external sources of financing when needed. As a result of our debt levels, expected debt amortization, and general economic conditions, it may be difficult for us to obtain financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. We have experienced volatility in our cash flows and operating results and may continue to experience such volatility in the future, which may negatively affect our credit rating. Our credit rating may also be affected by
mu-20210902_g5.jpg33



our liquidity, financial results, economic risk, or other factors, which may increase the cost of future borrowings and make it difficult for us to obtain financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. There can be no assurance that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flows, access capital or credit markets, or find other sources of financing to fund our operations, make debt payments, pay our quarterly dividend, and make adequate capital investments to remain competitive in terms of technology development and cost efficiency. Our inability to do any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Debt obligations could adversely affect our financial condition.

We have incurred in the past, and expect to incur in the future, debt to finance our capital investments, business acquisitions, and restructure of our capital structure. As of September 2, 2021 we had debt with a carrying value of $6.78 billion and $2.50 billion of our Revolving Credit Facility was available to us. Our debt obligations could adversely impact us as follows:

require us to use a large portion of our cash flow to pay principal and interest on debt, which will reduce the amount of cash flow available to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, R&D expenditures, payment of dividends, and other business activities;
result in certain of our debt instruments being accelerated to be immediately due and payable or being deemed to be in default if certain terms of default are triggered, such as applicable cross payment default and/or cross-acceleration provisions;
adversely impact our credit rating, which could increase future borrowing costs;
limit our future ability to raise funds for capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions or business opportunities, R&D, and other general corporate requirements;
restrict our ability to incur specified indebtedness, create or incur certain liens, and enter into sale-leaseback financing transactions;
increase our vulnerability to adverse economic and semiconductor memory and storage industry conditions; and
increase our exposure to interest rate risk from variable rate indebtedness.

Our ability to meet our payment obligations under our debt instruments depends on our ability to generate significant cash flows or obtain external financing in the future. This, to some extent, is subject to market, economic, financial, competitive, legislative, and regulatory factors as well as other factors that are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that our business will generate cash flow from operations, or that additional capital will be available to us, in amounts sufficient to enable us to meet our debt payment obligations and to fund other liquidity needs. Additionally, events and circumstances may occur which would cause us to not be able to satisfy applicable draw-down conditions and utilize our Revolving Credit Facility. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows to service our debt payment obligations, we may need to refinance or restructure our debt, sell assets, reduce or delay capital investments, or seek to raise additional capital. If we are unable to implement one or more of these alternatives, we may be unable to meet our debt payment obligations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

Across our global operations, significant transactions and balances are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar (our reporting currency), primarily the euro, Malaysian ringgit, Singapore dollar, New Taiwan dollar, and yen. In addition, a significant portion of our manufacturing costs are denominated in foreign currencies. Exchange rates for some of these currencies against the U.S. dollar have been volatile and may be volatile in future periods. If these currencies strengthen against the U.S. dollar, our manufacturing costs could significantly increase. Exchange rates for the U.S. dollar that adversely change against our foreign currency exposures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

We are subject to counterparty default risks.


We have numerous arrangements with financial institutions that subject us to counterparty default risks, including cash deposits, investments, capped call contracts on our common stock, and derivative instruments. Additionally, we are subject to counterparty default risk from our customers for amounts receivable from them. As a result, we are subject to the risk that the counterparty to one or more of these arrangements will default on its performance obligations. A counterparty may not comply with theirits contractual commitments which could
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then lead to theirits defaulting on theirits obligations with little or no notice to us, which could limit our ability to take action to mitigate our exposure. Additionally, our ability to mitigate our exposures may be constrained by the terms of our contractual arrangements or because market conditions prevent us from taking effective action. If one of our counterparties becomes insolvent or files for bankruptcy, our ability to recover any losses suffered as a result of that counterparty'scounterparty’s default may be limited by the liquidity of the counterparty or the applicable laws governing the bankruptcy proceedings. In the event of such default, we could incur significant losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


The operationstrading price of MMJ are subjectour common stock has been and may continue to continued oversightbe volatile.

Our common stock has experienced substantial price volatility in the past and may continue to do so in the future. Additionally, we, the technology industry, and the stock market as a whole have on occasion experienced extreme stock price and volume fluctuations that have affected stock prices in ways that may have been unrelated to the specific operating performance of individual companies. The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate widely due to various factors, including, but not limited to, actual or anticipated fluctuations in our financial condition and operating results, changes in financial estimates by us or financial or other market estimates and ratings by securities and other analysts, changes in our capital structure, including issuance of additional debt or equity to the Tokyo District Court duringpublic, interest rate changes, regulatory changes, news regarding our products or products of our competitors, and broad market and industry fluctuations.

Our operating results have fluctuated in the pendencypast and will continue to do so, sometimes materially. Many of the corporate reorganization proceedings.

Because MMJ's planmatters discussed in this Risk Factors section could impact our operating results in any fiscal quarter or year. If our operating results fall below our forecasts and the expectations of reorganization provides for ongoing payments to creditors followingpublic market analysts and investors, the closingtrading price of our acquisitioncommon stock may decline.

For these reasons, investors should not rely on recent or historical trends to predict future trading prices of MMJ,our common stock, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Investors in our common stock may not realize any return on their investment in us and may lose some or all of their investment. Volatility in the reorganization proceedingstrading price of our common stock could also result in Japan (the "Japan Proceedings") are continuingthe filing of securities class action litigation matters, which could result in substantial costs and MMJ remains subject to the oversightdiversion of management time and resources.

The amount and frequency of our share repurchases may fluctuate, and we cannot guarantee that we will fully consummate our share repurchase authorization, or that it will enhance long-term shareholder value. Share repurchases could also increase the volatility of the Tokyo District Courttrading price of our stock and will diminish our cash reserves.

The amount, timing, and execution of our share repurchases pursuant to our share repurchase authorization may fluctuate based on our operating results, cash flows, and priorities for the trustees (includinguse of cash for other purposes. For example, we repurchased 66.4 million shares for $2.66 billion in 2019, 3.6 million shares for $176 million in 2020, and 15.6 million shares for $1.20 billion in 2021.These other purposes include, but are not limited to, operational spending, capital spending, acquisitions, and repayment of debt. Other factors, including changes in tax laws, could also impact our share repurchases. Although our Board of Directors has authorized share repurchases of up to $10 billion of our outstanding common stock, the authorization does not obligate us to repurchase any common stock.

We cannot guarantee that our share repurchase authorization will be fully consummated or that it will enhance long-term shareholder value. The repurchase authorization could affect the trading price of our stock and increase volatility, and any announcement of a trustee designated by us, who we refer to as the business trustee, and a trustee designated by the Tokyo District Court, who we refer to as the legal trustee), pending completion of the reorganization proceedings. The business trustee is responsible for overseeing the operation of the business of MMJ, other than oversightpause in, relation to acts that need to be carried out in connection with the Japan Proceedings, which are the responsibility of the legal trustee. MMJ's reorganization proceedings in Japan, and oversight of the Tokyo District Court, will continue until the final creditor payment is made under MMJ's plan of reorganization, which is scheduled to occur in December 2019, but may occur on a later date to the extent any claims of creditors remain unfixed on the final scheduled installment payment date. MMJ may petition the Tokyo District Court for an earlyor termination of, this program may result in a decrease in the reorganization proceedings once two-thirdstrading price of all payments under the plan of reorganization are made. Although such early terminations are customarily granted, thereour stock. In addition, this program will diminish our cash reserves.

There can be no assurance that the Tokyo District Courtwe will grantcontinue to declare cash dividends in any such petition in this particular case.amounts or at all.


During the pendencyOur Board of the reorganization proceedings in Japan, MMJDirectors has adopted a dividend policy pursuant to which we currently pay a cash dividend on our common shares on a quarterly basis. The declaration and payment of any dividend is obligated to provide periodic financial reports to the Tokyo District Court and may be required to obtain the consent of the Tokyo District Court prior to taking a number of significant actions relating to its businesses, including transferring or disposing of, or acquiring, certain material assets, incurring or guaranteeing material indebtedness, settling material disputes, or entering into certain material agreements. The consent of the legal trustee may also be required for matters that would likely have a material impact on the operations or assets of MMJ or for transfers of material assets, to the extent the matters or transfers would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect execution of MMJ's plan of reorganization. Accordingly, during the pendency of the reorganization proceedings in Japan, our ability to operate MMJ as part of our global business or to cause MMJ to take certain actions that we deem


advisable for its business could be adversely affected if the Tokyo District Court or the legal trustee is unwilling to consent to various actions that we may wish to take with respect to MMJ.

The operations of MMJ being subject to the continued oversightapproval of our Board of Directors and our dividend may be discontinued or reduced at any time. There can be no assurance that we will declare cash dividends in the future in any particular amounts, or at all.

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Future dividends, if any, and their timing and amount, may be affected by, the Tokyo District Court during the pendencyamong other factors: our financial condition, results of the corporate reorganization proceedingsoperations, capital requirements, business conditions, debt service obligations, contractual restrictions, industry practice, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. A reduction in or elimination of our dividend payments could have a material adversenegative effect on the trading price of our business, results of operations, or financial condition.stock.




ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS


None.




ITEM 2. PROPERTIES


Our corporate headquarters are located in Boise, Idaho. In addition to our principal facilities described below, we own or lease numerous other facilities in locations throughout the world used for design, R&D, and sales and marketing activities. The following is a summary of our principal facilities as of August 30, 2018:September 2, 2021:
mu-20210902_g15.jpg
LocationPrincipal Operations
TaiwanWafer fabrication, component assembly and test, module assembly and test
SingaporeTaiwanR&D, wafer fabrication, component assembly and test, module assembly and test
SingaporeR&D, wafer fabrication, component assembly and test, module assembly and test
JapanR&D, wafer fabrication
United StatesR&D, wafer fabrication, reticle manufacturing
JapanMalaysiaR&D and wafer fabrication
ChinaComponent assembly and test, module assembly and test
MalaysiaChinaComponent assembly and test, module assembly and test


We own or lease a number of other facilities in locations throughout the world that are used for design, R&D, and sales and marketing activities. Substantiallygenerally utilize all of our manufacturing capacity is fully utilized. Certaincapacity; however, a portion of our properties are collateral to secured borrowing arrangements. (See "Part II – Item 8. Financial StatementsMTU facility was underutilized for 2021, 2020, and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Debt.")

2019 and was classified as held for sale as of September 2, 2021. We believe that our existing facilities are suitable and adequate for our present purposes. We do not identify or allocate assets by operating segment, other than goodwill. (See "Part“Part II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Lehi, Utah Fab and 3D XPoint” and “ – Geographic Information.")



36 | 2021 10-K




ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


See "PartFor a discussion of legal proceedings, see “Part II – Financial Information – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Contingencies"Contingencies” and "Item“Item 1A. Risk Factors" for a discussionFactors” of other legal proceedings.this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Reorganization ProceedingsSEC regulations require disclosure of certain proceedings related to environmental matters unless we reasonably believe that the MMJ Companies

In 2013, we completed the acquisition of Elpida Memory, Inc., now known as MMJ, a Japanese corporation, pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Agreement on Support for Reorganization Companies (as amended, the "Sponsor Agreement") that we entered into in 2012 with the trustees of the MMJ Companies' pending corporate reorganization proceedings under the Corporate Reorganization Act of Japan. Under the Sponsor Agreement, we agreed to provide certain support for the reorganization of the MMJ Companies and the trustees agreed to prepare and seek approval from the Tokyo District Court and the MMJ Companies' creditors of plan of reorganization consistent with such support.

The plan of reorganization provides for payments by the MMJ Companies to their secured and unsecured creditors in an aggregate amount of 200 billion yen, less certain expenses of the reorganization proceedings and certain other items. The plan of reorganization also provided for the investment by us pursuant to the Sponsor Agreement of 60 billion yen paid at closing in cash into MMJ in exchange for 100% ownership of MMJ's equity and the use of such investment to fund the initial installment payment by the MMJ Companies to their creditors of 60 billion yen, subject to reduction for certain items specified in the Sponsor Agreement and plan of reorganization.



Under MMJ's plan of reorganization, secured creditors will recover 100% of the amount of their fixed claims and unsecured creditors will recover at least 17.4% of the amount of their fixed claims. The actual recovery of unsecured creditorsrelated monetary sanctions, if any, will be higher, however, based in part on events and circumstances occurring following the plan approval. The remaining portionless than a specified threshold. We use a threshold of the unsecured claims will be discharged, without payment, over the period that payments are made pursuant to the plan of reorganization. The secured creditors will be paid in full on or before the sixth installment payment date, while the unsecured creditors will be paid in seven installments. The unsecured creditors of MAI were scheduled to be paid in seven installments; however, in connection with our sale of MAI in 2017, the remaining MAI creditor obligation was paid in full and MAI's reorganization proceedings were closed.$1 million for this purpose.


Because MMJ's plan of reorganization provides for ongoing payments to creditors following the closing of the MMJ acquisition, the reorganization proceedings in Japan are continuing and MMJ remains subject to the oversight of the Tokyo District Court and of the trustees (including a trustee designated by us, who we refer to as the business trustee, and a trustee designated by the Tokyo District Court, who we refer to as the legal trustee), pending completion of the reorganization proceedings. The business trustee is responsible for overseeing the operation of the businesses of the MMJ Companies, other than oversight in relation to acts that need to be carried out in connection with the Japan Proceedings, which are the responsibility of the legal trustee. MMJ's reorganization proceedings in Japan, and oversight of the Tokyo District Court, will continue until the final creditor payment is made under MMJ's plan of reorganization, which is scheduled to occur in December 2019, but may occur on a later date to the extent any claims of creditors remain unfixed on the final scheduled installment payment date. MMJ may petition the Tokyo District Court for an early termination of the reorganization proceedings once two-thirds of all payments under the plan of reorganization are made. Although such early terminations are customarily granted, there can be no assurance that the Tokyo District Court will grant any such petition in this particular case.

During the pendency of the reorganization proceedings in Japan, MMJ is obligated to provide periodic financial reports to the Tokyo District Court and may be required to obtain the consent of the Tokyo District Court prior to taking a number of significant actions relating to its businesses, including transferring or disposing of, or acquiring, certain material assets, incurring or guaranteeing material indebtedness, settling material disputes, or entering into certain material agreements. The consent of the legal trustee may also be required for matters that would likely have a material impact on the operations or assets of MMJ or for transfers of material assets, to the extent the matters or transfers would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect execution of MMJ's plan of reorganization. Accordingly, during the pendency of the reorganization proceedings in Japan, our ability to effectively integrate MMJ as part of our global operations or to cause MMJ to take certain actions that we deem advisable for its businesses could be adversely affected if the Tokyo District Court or the legal trustee is unwilling to consent to various actions that we may wish to take with respect to MMJ.


ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES


Not Applicable.

applicable.



PART II


ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'SREGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES


Market for Common StockInformation


Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQThe Nasdaq Global Select Market and trades under the trading symbol "MU." The following table represents the high and low closing prices for our common stock as reported by NASDAQ for each quarter of 2018 and 2017:“MU.”
  Fourth Quarter Third Quarter Second Quarter First Quarter
2018        
High $61.39
 $62.62
 $48.81
 $49.68
Low 47.10
 45.89
 39.40
 32.07
         
2017        
High $32.50
 $30.77
 $24.79
 $20.13
Low 27.49
 25.15
 18.61
 16.62


Holders of Record


As of October 8, 2018,1, 2021, there were 2,0621,844 shareholders of record of our common stock.


Dividends


On August 2, 2021, we announced that our Board of Directors had declared a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share, payable in cash on October 18, 2021, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on October 1, 2021.

We have not declared or paidcurrently expect quarterly dividends to continue in future periods and aim to grow our dividend payments over time. However, the declaration and payment of any future cash dividends since 1996are at the discretion and do not intendsubject to the approval of our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors' decisions regarding the amount and payment of dividends will depend on many factors, such as our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, business conditions, debt service obligations, contractual restrictions, industry practice, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. We cannot guarantee that we will continue to pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future.a dividend in any future period.
As a result of the Japan Proceedings, for so long as such proceedings continue, MMJ is subject to certain restrictions on dividends, loans, and advances. Our ability to access IMFT's cash and other assets through dividends, loans, or advances, including to finance our other operations, is subject to agreement by Intel.


Equity Compensation Plan Information


The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information to be included in our 20182021 Proxy Statement under the section entitled "Equity“Equity Compensation Plan Information," which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC within 120 days after August 30, 2018.September 2, 2021.


mu-20210902_g5.jpg37



Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities


Common Stock Repurchase Authorization:

In May 2018, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized the discretionary repurchase of up to $10 billion of our outstanding common stock beginning in 2019. We may purchase shares on a discretionary basis through open-market purchases, block trades, privately-negotiated transactions, derivative transactions, and/or pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan,plans. The repurchase authorization has no expiration date, does not obligate us to acquire any common stock, and is subject to market conditions and our ongoing determination of the best use of available cash. The repurchase authorization does not obligate us to acquire any common stock.

PeriodTotal number of shares purchasedAverage price paid per shareTotal number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs
Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under publicly announced plans or programs (in millions)
June 4, 2021July 8, 20211,872,825 $80.48 1,872,825 
July 9, 2021August 5, 20217,735,146 76.63 7,735,146 
August 6, 2021September 2, 20214,242,303 72.29 4,242,303 
13,850,274 $75.82 13,850,274 $5,962


Period (a) Total number of shares purchased (b) Average price paid per share (c) Total number of shares (or units) purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (d) Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares (or units) that may yet be purchased under publicly announced plans or programs
June 1, 2018July 5, 2018 
 $
    
July 6, 2018August 2, 2018 
 
    
August 3, 2018August 30, 2018 
 
    
    
     $10,000,000,000
For information on repurchases of our common stock subsequent to August 30, 2018, see "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Equity – Micron Shareholders' Equity."

Shares of common stock withheld as payment of withholding taxes and exercise prices in connection with the vesting or exercise of equity awards are also treated as common stock repurchases. Those withheld shares of common stock are not considered common stock repurchasesrequired to be disclosed under an authorized common stock repurchase planItem 703 of Regulation S-K and accordingly are excluded from the amounts in the table above.


Performance Graph


The following graph illustrates a five-year comparison of cumulative total returns for our common stock, the S&P 500 Composite Index, and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) from August 31, 2013,2016, through August 31, 2018.2021. We operate on a 52 or 53 week fiscal year which ends on the Thursday closest to August 31. Accordingly, the last day of our fiscal year varies. For consistent presentation and comparison to the industry indices shown herein, we have calculated our stock performance graph assuming an August 31 year end.
a2013q4_chart-42352a02a09.jpgmu-20210902_g16.jpg
Note: Management cautions that the stock price performance information shown in the graph above may not be indicative of current stock price levels or future stock price performance.


38 | 2021 10-K



The performance graph above assumes $100 was invested on August 31, 20132016 in common stock of Micron Technology, Inc., the S&P 500 Composite Index, and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX). Any dividends paid during the period presented were assumed to be reinvested. The performance was plotted using the following data:
 201620172018201920202021
Micron Technology, Inc.$100 $194 $318 $275 $276 $447 
S&P 500 Composite Index100 116 139 143 174 229 
Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX)100 141 181 198 303 464 

  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Micron Technology, Inc. $100
 $240
 $121
 $122
 $236
 $387
S&P 500 Composite Index 100
 125
 126
 142
 165
 197
Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) 100
 143
 139
 186
 263
 336





ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA[RESERVED]



  2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
           
  (in millions except per share amounts)
Net sales $30,391
 $20,322
 $12,399
 $16,192
 $16,358
Gross margin 17,891
 8,436
 2,505
 5,215
 5,437
Operating income 14,994
 5,868
 168
 2,998
 3,087
Net income (loss) 14,138
 5,090
 (275) 2,899
 3,079
Net income (loss) attributable to Micron 14,135
 5,089
 (276) 2,899
 3,045
Diluted earnings (loss) per share 11.51
 4.41
 (0.27) 2.47
 2.54
           
Cash and short-term investments 6,802
 5,428
 4,398
 3,521
 4,534
Total current assets 16,039
 12,457
 9,495
 8,596
 10,245
Property, plant, and equipment 23,672
 19,431
 14,686
 10,554
 8,682
Total assets 43,376
 35,336
 27,540
 24,143
 22,416
Total current liabilities 5,754
 5,334
 4,835
 3,905
 4,791
Long-term debt 3,777
 9,872
 9,154
 6,252
 4,893
Redeemable convertible notes 3
 21
 
 49
 68
Redeemable noncontrolling interest 97
 
 
 
 
Total Micron shareholders’ equity 32,294
 18,621
 12,080
 12,302
 10,760
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 870
 849
 848
 937
 802
Total equity 33,164
 19,470

12,928

13,239

11,562

In December 2016, we acquired the 67% remaining interest in Inotera and began consolidating Inotera's operating results. In the periods presented above through December 2016, Inotera sold DRAM products exclusively to us through supply agreements. The cash paid for the Inotera Acquisition was funded, in part, with a term loan of 80 billion New Taiwan dollars and $986 million from the sale of 58 million shares of our common stock. (See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Acquisition of Inotera."


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


This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the year ended August 30, 2018.September 2, 2021. All period references are to our fiscal periods unless otherwise indicated. Our fiscal year is the 52 or 53-week period ending on the Thursday closest to August 31. OurFiscal 2021 contained 52 weeks, fiscal 2018, 2017,2020 contained 53 weeks, and 2016 each containfiscal 2019 contained 52 weeks. All production data includesOur fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 contained 14 weeks and all other fiscal quarters in the production of IMFT and Inotera.years presented contained 13 weeks. All tabular dollar amounts are in millions, except per share amounts.


For an overview of our business and certain related trends, see "Part“Part I – Item 1. Business – Overview."





Results of Operations


Consolidated Results

For the year ended202120202019
Revenue$27,705 100 %$21,435 100 %$23,406 100 %
Cost of goods sold17,282 62 %14,883 69 %12,704 54 %
Gross margin10,423 38 %6,552 31 %10,702 46 %
Research and development2,663 10 %2,600 12 %2,441 10 %
Selling, general, and administrative894 %881 %836 %
Restructure and asset impairments488 %60 — %(29)— %
Other operating (income) expense, net95 — %— %78 — %
Operating income6,283 23 %3,003 14 %7,376 32 %
Interest income (expense), net(146)(1)%(80)— %77 — %
Other non-operating income (expense), net81 — %60 — %(405)(2)%
Income tax (provision) benefit(394)(1)%(280)(1)%(693)(3)%
Equity in net income (loss) of equity method investees37 — %— %— %
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests— — %(23)— %(45)— %
Net income attributable to Micron$5,861 21 %$2,687 13 %$6,313 27 %

For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
Net sales $30,391
 100 % $20,322
 100 % $12,399
 100 %
Cost of goods sold 12,500
 41 % 11,886
 58 % 9,894
 80 %
Gross margin 17,891
 59 % 8,436
 42 % 2,505
 20 %
             
Selling, general, and administrative 813
 3 % 743
 4 % 659
 5 %
Research and development 2,141
 7 % 1,824
 9 % 1,617
 13 %
Other operating (income) expense, net (57)  % 1
  % 61
  %
Operating income 14,994
 49 % 5,868
 29 % 168
 1 %
    

        
Interest income (expense), net (222) (1)% (560) (3)% (395) (3)%
Other non-operating income (expense), net (465) (2)% (112) (1)% (54)  %
Income tax provision (168) (1)% (114) (1)% (19)  %
Equity in net income (loss) of equity method investees (1)  % 8
  % 25
  %
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (3)  % (1)  % (1)  %
Net income (loss) attributable to Micron $14,135
 47 % $5,089
 25 % $(276) (2)%

Total Net Sales

Revenue:Total net salesrevenue for 20182021 increased 50%29% as compared to 2017. Higher sales2020 primarily due to increases in 2018 for both DRAM and NAND products as compared to 2017 were driven by strong execution in delivering high-value products featuring our 1Xnm DRAM and 64-layer 3D NAND technologies combined with strong demand for products across our primary markets.sales. Sales of DRAM products for 20182021 increased 64% from 201738% as compared to 2020 primarily due to angrowth in
mu-20210902_g5.jpg39



bit shipments in the high-20% range and a high single-digit percent increase in average selling pricesprices. Sales of approximately 35%NAND products for 2021 increased 14% as compared to 2020 primarily due to increases in bit shipments in the high-20% range, partially offset by a low-10% range decline in average selling prices. In the first quarter of 2022, we expect that our bit shipments may be adversely impacted as some customers are adjusting their memory and storage purchases due to shortages of non-memory components and due to constraints within our supply chain for certain IC components.

Total revenue for 2020 decreased 8% as compared to 2019 primarily due to a decline in DRAM sales partially offset by an increase in sales volumes of approximately 20% as a result of strong market conditions, particularly for cloud, enterprise, mobile, and graphics markets, combined with increased sales into high-value markets. Sales of trade NAND products for 2018 increased 26% from 2017 despite declines in average selling prices primarily due to an increase in sales volumes of approximately 40% driven by increases in sales of high-value SSD and mobile managed NAND products enabled by strong demand and our execution in delivering 3D NAND products.

Total net sales for 2017 increased 64% as compared to 2016 due to strong conditions across our primary markets, particularly for enterprise, mobile, client, and SSD storage.sales. Sales of DRAM products for 2017 increased 80% from 20162020 decreased 14% as compared to 2019 as average selling prices declined in the mid-30% range due to an increasechallenging market conditions, partially offset by growth in bit shipments in the low-30% range driven by cloud server, enterprise server, and mobile markets. Sales of NAND products for 2020 increased 14% as compared to 2019 primarily due to increases in bit shipments in the mid-20% range driven by sales volumes of approximately 50%SSDs to data center customers and an increasesales of managed NAND products, partially offset by a high-single-digit percent decline in average selling prices of approximately 20% as a result of the strong market conditions. Sales of trade NAND products for 2017 increased approximately 50% as compared to 2016 due to an increase in sales volumes of approximately 65% resulting from strong market demand for our 3D NAND products, which was partially offset by declines in average selling prices. Increases in DRAM and NAND sales volumes for 2017 as compared 2016 were enabled by higher manufacturing output due to improvements in product and process technology and solid execution. Increases in sales volumes for NAND products for 2017 were also enabled by key customer qualifications of new products.


Overall Gross Margin

:Our overall gross margin percentage increased to 59%38% for 20182021 from 42%31% for 20172020, primarily due to favorable market conditions across key markets combined withthe increases in DRAM average selling prices and cost reductions resulting from strong execution in delivering products featuring advanced technologies, including 1Xnm DRAM and 64-layer 3D NAND, enabling manufacturing cost reductions. For 2018 as compared to 2017, pricing for DRAM products increased while manufacturing costs declined and, for NAND products, manufacturing cost reductions outpacedpartially offset by the declines in NAND average selling prices. Our gross margins included the impact of underutilization costs at MTU of $335 million for 2021, $557 million for 2020, and $384 million for 2019. Underutilization costs at MTU declined in 2021 primarily due to the plan to sell MTU’s Lehi facility and classification of assets as held for sale at the end of the second quarter of 2021, which resulted in the cessation of depreciation on those assets (See “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Lehi, Utah Fab and 3D XPoint”). Effective as of the beginning of the second quarter of 2021, we changed our method of inventory costing from average cost to first-in, first-out (“FIFO”). Concurrently, as of the beginning of the second quarter of 2021, we modified our inventory cost absorption processes used to estimate inventory values, which affects the timing of when costs are recognized. These changes resulted in a one-time increase to cost of goods sold of approximately $293 million in 2021.


Our overall gross margin percentage increaseddecreased to 42%31% for 20172020 from 20%46% for 20162019, primarily due to strong markets that drove favorable pricing conditions and solid execution in manufacturing cost reductions from improvements in product and process technology. For 2017 as compared to 2016, pricing for DRAM products increased while manufacturing costs declined


and, for NAND products, manufacturing cost reductions outpaced declines in average selling prices. We periodically assessprices, partially offset by the effect of decreases in non-cash depreciation expense from the revision in estimated useful lives of equipment in our property, plant,NAND wafer fabrication facilities, cost reductions resulting from strong execution in delivering products featuring advanced technologies, and equipment. In the fourth quartercontinuous improvement initiatives to reduce production costs. Based on our assessment of 2016, we identified factors such as the lengthening period of time between DRAM productplanned technology node transitions, an increasedcapital spending, and re-use rate of equipment, and industry trends. As a result,rates, we revised the estimated useful lives of the existing equipment in our DRAMNAND wafer fabrication facilities and our research and development facilities from five years to seven years inas of the fourthbeginning of the first quarter of 2016.2020. The effect of the revision was not material for 2016 andin estimated useful lives reduced NAND manufacturing depreciation expense at the timeand benefited cost of goods sold by approximately $100$400 million per quarter.for 2020.


From January 2013 through December 2015, we purchased all of Inotera's DRAM output under supply agreements at prices reflecting discounts from market prices for our comparable components. After December 2015 through December 6, 2016, the date we acquired the remaining interest in Inotera, the price for DRAM products we purchased from Inotera was based on a formula that equally shared margin between Inotera and us. Under these agreements, we purchased $504 million and $1.43 billion of DRAM products from Inotera in 2017 and 2016, respectively, which represented 9% of our aggregate DRAM gigabit production for 2017 and 30% for 2016.

Net SalesRevenue by Business Unit

For the year ended 2018 2017 2016For the year ended202120202019
CNBU $15,252
 50% $8,624
 42% $4,529
 37%CNBU$12,280 44 %$9,184 43 %$9,968 43 %
MBU 6,579
 22% 4,424
 22% 2,569
 21%MBU7,203 26 %5,702 27 %6,403 27 %
SBU 5,022
 17% 4,514
 22% 3,262
 26%SBU3,973 14 %3,765 18 %3,826 16 %
EBU 3,479
 11% 2,695
 13% 1,939
 16%EBU4,209 15 %2,759 13 %3,137 13 %
All Other 59
 % 65
 % 100
 1%All Other40 — %25 — %72 — %
 $30,391
 
 $20,322
 

 $12,399
 

$27,705 $21,435 $23,406 
Percentages are of total net sales butrevenue may not total 100% due to rounding.


CNBU salesChanges in revenue for 2018 increased 77%each business unit for 2021 as compared to 20172020 were as follows:

CNBU revenue increased 34% primarily due to strong market conditions and demandbroad-based increases in key markets, including cloud server, client, enterprise serverbit shipments across markets and graphics markets, which drovehigher average selling prices for DRAM.
MBU revenue increased 26% primarily due to increases in bit shipments for high-value mobile MCP products.
40 | 2021 10-K



SBU revenue increased 6% as increases in bit shipments for NAND products outpaced declines in average selling prices.
EBU revenue increased 53% primarily due to increases in bit shipments driven by strong demand growth in automotive, industrial, and consumer markets and improved pricing in industrial and sales volumes. Sales into cloud and graphics markets more than doubledconsumer markets.

Changes in 2018revenue for each business unit for 2020 as compared to 2017. MBU sales for 2018, which2019 were comprised primarily of mobile LPDRAM and managed NAND products, increased 49% as compared to 2017follows:

CNBU revenue decreased 8% primarily due to customer qualifications for LPDRAM and managed NAND products, which combined with higher memory content in smartphones to drive improvements in DRAM pricing and increases in sales volumes. SBU sales of trade NAND products for 2018 increased 13% as compared to 2017price declines driven by higher sales of SSD storage products, which increased by 72%,imbalances in supply and demand, partially offset by bit sales growth across key markets, particularly in the cloud server and graphics markets. In addition, in the second quarter of 2020, we determined that the 3D XPoint technology and product roadmap were more closely aligned with our CNBU strategy than our SBU strategy and 3D XPoint became an integral part of CNBU. Accordingly, we began to report all 3D XPoint activities within CNBU from that date.
MBU revenue decreased 11% primarily due to price declines, partially offset by bit sales growth for high-value mobile MCP products.
SBU revenue decreased 2% primarily due to the decline in 3D XPoint revenue in SBU after the first quarter of 2020 as noted above and NAND componentselling price declines, partially offset by bit sales from a strategic reallocation of supply from component sales to SSD and mobile managed NAND products. Increases ingrowth for SSDs. SBU sales volumes for 2018 resulting from strong demand for cloud and enterprise SSD markets more than offset declines in selling prices. SBU sales also include "non-trade" products consisting ofrevenue included products manufactured and sold to Intel through IMFT under a long-term supply agreement at prices approximating cost, which included 3D XPoint memory and NAND, products, aggregating $541 million, $553 million, and $501$124 million for 2018, 2017,2020 and 2016, respectively. $682 million for 2019.
EBU sales for 2018 increased 29% as compared to 2017revenue decreased 12% primarily due to strong demand across EBU's primary markets including consumer, industrial multimarkets, and automotive. EBU sales were comprised of products incorporating DRAM, NAND, and NOR Flash in decreasing order of revenue.

CNBU sales for 2017 increased 90% as compared to 2016 due to increases in average selling prices due to strong demand across key markets, growth in the cloud market driven by significant increases in DRAM content per server, and increases in sales of our GDDR5 and GDDR5X products into the graphics market driven by strong demandprice declines resulting from the gaming industry. MBU sales for 2017 increased 72% as compared to 2016 primarily due to significant increases in sales volumes, driven by customer qualifications for LPDRAMimpact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on automotive, industrial, and managed NAND products, combined with higher memory content in smartphones and growth in sales of eMCP products. MBU sales growth in 2017 wasconsumer segments partially offset by declines in average selling prices for tradebit sales growth from transitions to an increasing mix of high-density DRAM and NAND products. SBU sales of trade NAND products for 2017 increased 41% as compared to 2016 primarily due to increases in sales volumes from strong demand, particularly for component NAND and client and cloud SSD storage products, partially offset by declines in average selling prices. SBU sales of SSD storage products increased by 137% for 2017 as compared to 2016 primarily as a result of the launch of new SSD products incorporating our TLC 3D NAND technology. EBU sales for 2017 increased 39% as compared to 2016 primarily due to strong demand and higher sales volumes for DRAM and eMCP in consumer markets and DRAM and eMMC products in the automotive markets.




Operating Income (Loss) by Business Unit

For the year ended 2018 2017 2016For the year ended202120202019
CNBU $9,773
 64% $3,755
 44% $(25) (1)%CNBU$4,295 35 %$2,010 22 %$4,645 47 %
MBU 3,033
 46% 927
 21% 97
 4 %MBU2,173 30 %1,074 19 %2,606 41 %
SBU 964
 19% 552
 12% (123) (4)%SBU173 %36 %(386)(10)%
EBU 1,473
 42% 975
 36% 473
 24 %EBU1,006 24 %301 11 %923 29 %
All Other 
 % 23
 35% 28
 28 %All Other20 50 %(2)(8)%13 18 %
 $15,243
   $6,232
   $450
   $7,667 $3,419 $7,801 
Percentages reflect operating income (loss) as a percentage of net salesrevenue for each business unit.


Changes in operating income or loss for each business unit for 2021 as compared to 2020 were as follows:

CNBU operating income for 2018 improved from 2017 primarily due to improved pricing and higher sales volumes resulting from strong demand for our products combined with manufacturing cost reductions. MBU operating income for 2018 improved from 2017increased primarily due to increases in pricing and sales volumes for LPDRAM products,bit shipments, higher sales of high-value managed NAND products, and manufacturing cost reductions. SBU operating income for 2018 improved from 2017 primarily due to manufacturing cost reductions enabled by our execution in transitioning to 64-layer TLC 3D NAND products and improvements in product mix. SBU operating income for 2018 was adversely impacted by higher costs associated with IMFT's production of 3D XPoint memory products at less than full capacity. EBU operating income for 2018 increased as compared to 2017 as a result of increases in average selling prices, manufacturing cost reductions, and lower MTU underutilization costs.
MBU operating income increased primarily due to increases in sales volumes,of high-value MCP products, manufacturing cost reductions for low-power DRAM, and increases in DRAM bit shipments.
SBU operating income increased primarily due to lower manufacturing costs and increases in bit shipments, partially offset by decreases in selling prices and higher R&D costs.

CNBUEBU operating margin for 2017 improved from 2016income increased primarily due to improved pricing in industrial and consumer markets, cost reductions from strong market conditions,an increasing mix of leading edge bits, and higher bit shipments.

Changes in operating income or loss for each business unit for 2020 as compared to 2019 were as follows:

CNBU operating income decreased primarily due to declines in DRAM pricing and MTU underutilization costs in 2020 related to 3D XPoint.
MBU operating income decreased primarily due to declines in low-power DRAM and NAND pricing, partially offset by increases in sales of high-value MCP products and manufacturing cost reductions.
SBU operating margin improved primarily due to lower 3D XPoint underutilization costs, manufacturing cost reductions, and product mix. MBU operating income for 2017 improved from 2016 primarily due to manufacturing cost reductions and higherincreases in sales volumes, partially offset by higher R&D costs and declines in average selling prices for trade NAND products. SBU operating margin for 2017 improved from 2016 primarily due to manufacturing cost reductions,product mix, partially offset by declines in average selling prices.
mu-20210902_g5.jpg41



EBU operating income for 2017 increased as compared to 2016decreased as a result of manufacturing cost reductions, which outpaced declines in average selling prices, andpricing, partially offset by increases in sales volumes.volumes to the automotive and industrial markets.



Operating Expenses and Other


Selling, General, and Administrative

SG&A expenses for 2018 were 9% higher than 2017 primarily due to increases in legal costs, technical and consulting fees, and employee compensation. SG&A expenses for 2017 were 13% higher than 2016 primarily due to increases in employee compensation as well as transaction costs related to the Inotera Acquisition.

Research and Development

:R&D expenses vary primarily with the number of development and pre-qualification wafers processed, the cost of advanced equipment dedicated to new product and process development, and personnel costs. Because of the lead times necessary to manufacture our products, we typically begin to process wafers before completion of performance and reliability testing. Development of a product is deemed complete when it is qualified through internal reviews and tests for performance and reliability. R&D expenses can vary significantly depending on the timing of product qualification.


R&D expenses for 2018 were 17% higher than 20172021 increased 2% as compared to 2020 primarily due to increases in employee compensation and depreciation expense resulting from higher capital spending, partially offset by lower volumes of development and prequalification wafers. R&D expenses for 2020 were 7% higher as compared to 2019 primarily due to increases in volumes of development and pre-qualification wafers, a reduction of R&D reimbursements from our partners, increases in employee compensation, and increases in subcontractor expense, partially offset by lower depreciation expense from the revision of the estimated useful lives of equipment.

Selling, General, and Administrative:SG&A expenses for 2021 were relatively unchanged as compared to 2020. SG&A expenses for 2020 were 5% higher as compared to 2019 due to increases in employee compensation and legal costs, partially offset by a reduction in consulting fees.

Restructure and Asset Impairments: In 2021, we ceased development of 3D XPoint technology and classified our Lehi facility assets as held for sale. We recognized a restructure charge of $435 million to write down the assets held for sale to the expected consideration to be received under our agreement with TI. For further discussion see “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Lehi, Utah Fab and 3D XPoint.”

Other Operating and Non-Operating Income (Expense): See “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net” and “ – Other Non-Operating Income (Expense), Net.”

Interest Income (Expense): Net interest expense for 2021 increased by $66 million as compared to 2020 primarily due a decrease of $77 million in interest income as a result of increasesdecreases in capital spending. R&D expensesinterest rates on our cash and investments. Net interest expense for 2017 were 13% higher than 20162020 was $80 million, as compared to $77 million of net interest income for 2019 (a change of $157 million), primarily due to higher volumes(1) a $91 million decrease in interest income as a result of development and pre-qualification wafers and increasesdecreases in employee compensation,interest rates, partially offset by lower engineeringhigher average levels of cash and other professional services costs.

We share the cost of certain productinvestment balances and process development activities under development agreements with partners, including agreements(2) a $66 million increase in interest expense primarily due to jointly develop NANDan increase in our average debt outstanding and 3D XPoint technologies with Intel. We continue to jointly develop NAND technologies with Intel through the third generation of 3D NAND, which is expected to be completeda reduction in the second halfamount of 2019. In the second quarter of 2018, we and Intel agreed to independently develop subsequent generations of 3D NANDinterest expense capitalized in order to better optimize the technology and products for our respective business needs. We continue to jointly develop 3D XPoint technologies with Intel through the second generation of 3D XPoint technology, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2019. To better optimize 3D XPoint technology for our product roadmap and maximize the benefits for our customers and shareholders, in the fourth quarter of 2018, we announced that we will no longer jointly develop with Intel2020.



subsequent generations of 3D XPoint technology. As a result of the above actions, we expect reimbursements under our cost-sharing agreements to decrease in early fiscal 2019. Our R&D expenses were reduced by reimbursements under these development partner arrangements by $201 million, $213 million, and $205 million for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Income Taxes

On December 22, 2017, the United States enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") which lowered the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% and significantly affects how income from foreign operations is taxed in the United States. Our U.S. statutory federal rate was 25.7% for 2018 (based on the 35% corporate rate through December 31, 2017 and 21% from that date through the end of fiscal year 2018) and will be 21% beginning in 2019. The Tax Act imposed a one-time transition tax in 2018 on accumulated foreign income (the "Repatriation Tax"); provided a U.S. federal tax exemption on foreign earnings distributed to the United States after January 1, 2018; and beginning in 2019, created a new minimum tax on certain foreign earnings in excess of a deemed return on tangible assets (the "Foreign Minimum Tax"). The Tax Act allows us to elect to pay any Repatriation Tax due in eight annual, interest-free payments in increasing amounts beginning in December 2018. In connection with the provisions of the Tax Act, we made an accounting policy election to treat the Foreign Minimum Tax provision as a period cost in the period the tax is incurred.

SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118") allows the use of provisional amounts (reasonable estimates) if our analyses of the impacts of the Tax Act have not been completed when our financial statements are issued. The provisional amounts below for 2018 represent reasonable estimates of the effects of the Tax Act for which our analysis is not yet complete. As we complete our analysis of the Tax Act, including collecting, preparing, and analyzing necessary information, performing and refining calculations, and obtaining additional guidance from the IRS, U.S. Treasury Department, FASB, or other standard setting and regulatory bodies on the Tax Act, we may record adjustments to the provisional amounts, which may be material. In accordance with SAB 118, our accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act will be completed during the measurement period, which should not extend beyond one year from the enactment date. At August 30, 2018, there were no provisions for which we were unable to record a reasonable estimate of the impact.

:Our income tax (provision) benefit consisted of the following:
For the year ended202120202019
Income before taxes$6,218 $2,983 $7,048 
Income tax (provision) benefit(394)(280)(693)
Effective tax rate6.3 %9.4 %9.8 %
For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
Provisional estimate for the Repatriation Tax, net of adjustments related to uncertain tax positions $(1,030) $
 $
Remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities reflecting lower U.S. corporate tax rates (133) 
 
Provisional estimate for the release of the valuation allowance on the net deferred tax assets of our U.S. operations 1,337
 
 
Utilization of and other changes in net deferred tax assets of MMJ, MMT, and MTTW (68) 54
 (114)
U.S. valuation allowance release resulting from business acquisition 
 
 41
Other income tax (provision) benefit (274) (168) 54
  $(168) $(114) $(19)
       
Effective tax rate 1.2% 2.2% (6.8)%


Our income taxes reflect various impactseffective tax rate decreased in 2021 as compared to 2020 primarily as a result of the Tax Act, including the remeasurement of deferreda $104 million tax assets and liabilities at the lower U.S. corporate rate of 25.7% for 2018 and 21% for subsequent years and provisional estimatesbenefit recorded for the Repatriation Tax anddiscrete $435 million charge to write down the releaseLehi assets held for sale to the estimated consideration to be realized from the sale of a substantial portion ofthese assets, less expected selling costs. Other changes to our effective tax rate in the valuation allowance onperiods presented were primarily due to the net deferred tax assetsgeographic mix of our U.S. operations.earnings. Our income tax rates also include operationsprovision decreased in 2020 as compared to 2019 primarily as a result of reductions in our profit before tax.

We operate in a number of jurisdictions outside the United States, including Singapore, where we have tax incentive arrangements that further decrease our effective tax rates. Beginning in 2019, our effective tax rate may increase to the low teens percentage depending on the amount and geographic mix of taxable income. Income taxes for 2018, 2017, and 2016 included tax benefits of $1 million, $28 million, and $58 million, respectively, related to the favorable resolution of certain tax matters, which were previously reserved as uncertain tax positions.

During 2018, we reassessed our capital structure, including our Board of Directors' authorization to repurchase up to $10 billion of our outstanding common stock beginning in 2019, the future cash needs of our global operations, and the effects of the Tax Act. As a result of this reassessment, we deemed a portion of our foreign earnings to be no longer indefinitely reinvested. As a result of the Repatriation Tax, substantially all of our accumulated foreign earnings prior to December 31, 2017


were subject to U.S. federal taxation. Although these earnings have been subject to U.S. federal income tax under the Repatriation Tax, the repatriation to the United States of all or a portion of these earnings would potentially be subject to foreign withholding and state income tax. As of August 30, 2018, we had a deferred tax liability of $82 million associated with our undistributed earnings.

We operate in a number of tax jurisdictions outside the Unites States, including Singapore, where we have tax incentive arrangements, whicharrangements. These incentives expire, in whole or in part, at various dates through 2031, that2034 and are conditional, in part, upon meeting certain business operations and employment thresholds. The effect of tax incentive
42 | 2021 10-K



arrangements reduced our tax provision by $1.96 billion$758 million (benefiting our diluted earnings per share by $1.59)$0.66) for 2018,2021, by $742$215 million ($0.640.19 per diluted share) for 2017,2020, and were not material in 2016.by $756 million ($0.66 per diluted share) for 2019.


(See "Item“Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Income Taxes.")


Other

Net interest expense decreased 60% for 2018 as compared to 2017 due to decreases in debt obligations and increases in interest income. Net interest expense increased 42% for 2017 as compared to 2016 primarily due to increases in debt obligations, including our borrowings of 80 billion New Taiwan dollars in December 2016 in connection with our acquisition of Inotera and $1.25 billion from the issuance of our 2023 Secured Notes in April 2016.

Further discussion of other operating and non-operating income and expenses can be found in the following notes contained in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements":

Equity Plans
Research and Development
Other Operating Income (Expense), Net
Other Non-Operating Income (Expense), Net


Liquidity and Capital Resources


Our primary sources of liquidity are cash generated from operations and financing obtained from capital markets and financial institutions. Cash generated from operations is highly dependent on selling prices for our products, which can vary significantly from period to period. We are continuously evaluating alternatives for efficiently funding our capital expenditures and ongoing operations. We expect, from time to time, to engage in a variety of financing transactions for such purposes, including the issuance of securities. We have an undrawn revolving credit facility that expires in July 2023 and provides for borrowingsAs of upSeptember 2, 2021, $2.50 billion was available to $2.00 billion.draw under our Revolving Credit Facility. We expect that our cash and investments, cash flowsto receive $900 million of proceeds from operations, and available financing will be sufficient to meet our requirements at least through the next 12 months.

To develop new product and process technology, support future growth, achieve operating efficiencies, and maintain product quality, we must continue to invest in manufacturing technologies, facilities and equipment, and R&D. We estimate that capital expenditures in 2019 for property, plant, and equipment, net of partner contributions, to be $10.5 billion plus or minus 5%, focused on technology transitions and product enablement. The actual amounts for 2019 will vary depending on market conditions. As of August 30, 2018, we had commitments of approximately $1.8 billion for the acquisition of property, plant, and equipment, substantially all of which is expected to be paid within one year.

In May 2018, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized the discretionary repurchase of up to $10 billionsale of our outstanding common stock beginning in 2019. We may purchase shares on a discretionary basis through open-market purchases, block trades, privately-negotiated transactions, derivative transactions, and/or pursuantLehi facility to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, subject to market conditions and our ongoing determination of the best use of available cash. The repurchase authorization does not obligate us to acquire any common stock.

From August 31, 2018 through October 12, 2018, we repurchased an aggregate of $1.65 billion of our common stock under an accelerated share repurchase ("ASR") agreement, a Rule 10b5-1plan, and through open market repurchases. Pursuant to the ASR, we entered into an agreement with a financial institution to purchase $1.00 billion of our common stockTI in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The number of shares ultimately purchased will be calculated by dividing $1.00 billion by a volume-weighted average price of our common stock from September 5, 2018 through as late as November 29, 2018 (the2022.


"Measurement Period"), subject to an agreed-upon discount. On September 5, 2018, we paid $1.00 billion to the financial institution and received an initial installment of 14 million shares, with the final share amount to be determined as of the end of the Measurement Period.

See "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Equity."


Cash and marketable investments totaled $7.28 billion and $6.05$10.40 billion as of August 30, 2018September 2, 2021 and August 31, 2017, respectively.$9.19 billion as of September 3, 2020. Our investments consist primarily of bank deposits, money market funds, and liquid investment-grade, fixed-income securities, which are diversified among industries and individual issuers. To mitigate credit risk, we invest through high-credit-quality financial institutions and by policy generally limit the concentration of credit exposure by restricting the amount of investments with any single obligor. As of August 30, 2018, $3.08September 2, 2021, $3.69 billion of our cash and marketable investments was held by our foreign subsidiaries.


LimitationsTo develop new product and process technology, support future growth, achieve operating efficiencies, and maintain product quality, we must continue to invest in manufacturing technologies, facilities and equipment, and R&D. We estimate capital expenditures in 2022 for property, plant, and equipment, net of partner contributions, to be between $11 billion and $12 billion, and we expect the timing of our capital expenditures to be weighted more toward the first half of 2022. Capital expenditures for 2022 are driven by our continued 176-layer NAND transition, pilot line enablement for next generation NAND and DRAM, and continued infrastructure and prepayments to support the introduction of EUV lithography. Actual amounts for 2022 will vary depending on market conditions. As of September 2, 2021, we had purchase obligations of approximately $2.87 billion for the Useacquisition of Cashproperty, plant, and Investmentsequipment, of which approximately $2.56 billion is expected to be paid within one year.


MMJ Group:CashFor a description of contractual obligations, such as debt, leases, and marketable investmentspurchase obligations, see “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Debt,” “ – Leases,” and “ – Commitments.”

Our Board of Directors has authorized the discretionary repurchase of up to $10 billion of our outstanding common stock through open-market purchases, block trades, privately-negotiated transactions, derivative transactions, and/or pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The repurchase authorization has no expiration date, does not obligate us to acquire any common stock, and is subject to market conditions and our ongoing determination of the best use of available cash. Through September 2, 2021, we have repurchased an aggregate of $4.04 billion of the authorized amount. See “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Equity.”

On August 2, 2021, we announced that our Board of Directors had declared a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share, payable in cash on October 18, 2021, to shareholders of record as of August 30, 2018 included $1.67 billion held by the MMJ Group. As a resultclose of business on October 1, 2021. The declaration and payment of any future cash dividends are at the corporate reorganization proceedings of MMJ initiated in March 2012,discretion and for so long as such proceedings are continuing, the MMJ Group is prohibited from paying dividends to us. In addition, pursuant to an order of the Tokyo District Court, the MMJ Group cannot make loans or advances, other than certain ordinary course advances, to us without the consent of the Tokyo District Court and may, under certain circumstances, be subject to the approval of our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors' decisions regarding the amount and payment of dividends will depend on many factors, such as our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, business conditions, debt service obligations, contractual restrictions, industry practice, legal trustee. As a result, the assetsrequirements, regulatory constraints, and other factors that our Board of the MMJ Group are not available for use by us inDirectors may deem relevant.

We expect that our other operations. Furthermore, certain uses of the assets of the MMJ Group, including investments in certain capital expenditures, may require consent of MMJ's trustees and/or the Tokyo District Court.

IMFT: Cash and marketable investments included $91 million held by IMFT as of August 30, 2018. Our ability to access funds held by IMFT to finance our other operations is subject to agreement by Intel and contractual limitations. Amounts held by IMFT are not anticipated to be available to finance our other operations.

Indefinitely Reinvested: As of August 30, 2018, $1.71 billion of cash and marketable investments, including substantially all ofcash flows from operations, and available financing will be sufficient to meet our requirements at least through the amounts held by MMJ, was held by foreign subsidiaries whose earnings were considered to be indefinitely reinvested. Determination ofnext 12 months and thereafter for the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liabilities related to investments in these foreign subsidiaries is not practicable.foreseeable future.


mu-20210902_g5.jpg43



Cash Flows:
For the year ended202120202019
Net cash provided by operating activities$12,468 $8,306 $13,189 
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities(10,589)(7,589)(10,085)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities(1,781)(317)(2,438)
Effect of changes in currency exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash41 11 26 
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$139 $411 $692 


For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
Net cash provided by operating activities $17,400
 $8,153
 $3,168
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities (8,216) (7,537) (3,044)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities (7,776) 349
 1,745
Effect of changes in currency exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (37) (12) 19
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $1,371
 $953
 $1,888

Operating Activities: For 2018, Cash provided by operating activities reflects net income adjusted for certain non-cash items, including depreciation expense, amortization of intangible assets, asset impairments, and stock-based compensation, and the effects of changes in operating assets and liabilities. The increase in cash provided by operating activities for 2021 as compared to 2020 was primarily due primarily to cash generated by our operationshigher net income adjusted for non-cash items compared with the prior period and the effect of working capital adjustments, which included a $1.73 billionlower inventories, partially offset by an increase in receivables due to a higher level of net sales.

For 2017, The decrease in cash provided by operating activities for 2020 compared with 2019 was due primarily to cash generated by our operations and the effect of working capital adjustments, which included a $1.65 billion increase in receivables due to a higher level oflower net sales, $361 million of payments attributed to intercompany balancesincome and changes in connection with the Inotera Acquisition, and a $564 million increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses.working capital.


For 2016, cash provided by operating activities was due primarily to cash generated by our operations and the effect of working capital adjustments, which included a $465 million decrease in receivables due to a lower level of net sales, offset by an increase of $549 million in inventories.



Investing Activities: For 2018,2021, net cash used for investing activities consisted primarily of $7.99$10.03 billion of expenditures for property, plant, and equipment, (net of partner contributions), partially offset by $164inflows of $502 million of partner contributions for capital expenditures, and $1.06 billion of net inflowsoutflows from purchases, sales, maturities, and purchasesmaturities of available-for-sale securities.


For 2017,2020, net cash used for investing activities consisted primarily of $4.73$8.22 billion of expenditures for property, plant, and equipment, (netpartially offset by inflows of $272 million of partner contributions), $2.63 billion of net cash paidcontributions for the Inotera Acquisition (net of $361 million of payments attributed to intercompany balances with Inotera included in operating activities),capital expenditures, and $269$415 million of net outflowsinflows from purchases, sales, maturities, and purchasesmaturities of available-for-sale securities.


For 2016,2019, net cash used for investing activities consisted primarily of $5.75$9.78 billion of expenditures for property, plant, and equipment, (net of partner contributions) and $148 million for the acquisition of Tidal Systems, Ltd., partially offset by $2.66inflows of $754 million of partner contributions for capital expenditures. Net cash used for investing activities also included $1.17 billion of net inflowsoutflows from purchases, sales, maturities, and purchasesmaturities of available-for-sale securities.


Financing Activities: For 2018,2021, net cash used for financing activities consisted primarily of $1.20 billion for the acquisition of 15.6 million shares of our common stock under our $10 billion share repurchase authorization, $295 million of payments on equipment purchase contracts, $185 million of cash payments to settle conversions of our 2032D Notes, and $147 million of repayments of finance leases and other debt. In addition, we received proceeds of $1.19 billion under an unsecured 2024 Term Loan A and used the proceeds to repay the $1.19 billion Extinguished 2024 Term Loan A.

For 2020, net cash used for financing activities consisted primarily of $4.37 billion of cash payments to reduce our debt, including $9.42$2.50 billion to pay down borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, $621 million for repayments of IMFT’s debt obligations to Intel, $534 million to prepay or repurchase debt andour 2025 Notes, $266 million to settle conversions of notes, and $774$248 million for scheduled repayment of finance leases; $744 million for the acquisition of Intel’s noncontrolling interest in IMFT; and $176 million for the acquisition of 3.6 million shares of our common stock under our share repurchase authorization. Cash used for financing activities was partially offset by proceeds of $2.50 billion from our Revolving Credit Facility, $1.25 billion from the 2023 Notes, and $1.25 billion from the Extinguished 2024 Term Loan A.

For 2019, net cash used for financing activities consisted primarily of $2.66 billion for the acquisition of 67 million shares of treasury stock under our share repurchase authorization and cash payments to reduce our debt, including $1.65 billion to settle conversions of notes, $728 million to prepay the 2022 Term Loan B, $316 million for repayments of IMFT’s debt obligations to Intel, and $643 million for scheduled repayment of other notes and capital leases. Cash used for financing activities was partially offset by net proceeds of $1.36$3.53 billion from the aggregate issuance of 34 million shares of our common stock for $41.00 per share in a public offeringthe 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes, 2027 Notes, 2029 Notes, and $1.01 billion of proceeds from IMFT Member Debt.2030 Notes.

For 2017, net cash provided by financing activities consisted primarily of $2.48 billion of net proceeds from the 2021 MSTW Term Loan, and $795 million of net proceeds from the 2021 MSAC Term Loan, partially offset by $1.63 billion to repurchase notes, repayments of $381 million of capital lease obligations, repayments of $550 million of other debt and convertible notes, and payments of $519 million on equipment purchase contracts.

For 2016, net cash provided by financing activities consisted primarily of $2.20 billion of proceeds from issuance of notes and $765 million from equipment sale-leaseback financing transactions, partially offset by repurchase of $870 million of debt and $125 million for the open-market repurchase of 7 million shares of our common stock.


See "Item“Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Debt."


Potential Settlement Obligations of Convertible Notes

Since the closing price of our common stock exceeded 130% of the conversion price per share of all our convertible notes for at least 20 trading days in the 30 trading day period ended on September 30, 2018, holders may convert these notes through the calendar quarter ended December 31, 2018. The following table summarizes the potential settlements that we could be required to make for the calendar quarter ending December 31, 2018 if all holders converted their notes. The amounts in the table below are based on our closing share price of $52.76 as of August 30, 2018.
44 | 2021 10-K
  Settlement Option   If Settled With Minimum Cash Required If Settled Entirely With Cash
  Principal Amount Amount in Excess of Principal Underlying Shares Cash Remainder in Shares 
2032D Notes Cash and/or shares Cash and/or shares 14
 $
 14
 $758
2033F Notes Cash Cash and/or shares 10
 239
 5
 515
2043G Notes Cash and/or shares Cash and/or shares 35
 
 35
 1,843
    
 59
 $239
 54
 $3,116




As of August 30, 2018, convertible notes in the table above included an aggregate of $165 million for the settlement obligation (including principal and amounts in excess of principal) for conversions of 2033F Notes that will settle in cash in the first quarter of 2019.



Contractual Obligations
  Payments Due by Period
As of August 30, 2018 Total Less than 1 year 1-3 years
 3-5 years
 More than 5 years
Notes payable(1)(2)
 $4,705
 $592
 $609
 $853
 $2,651
Capital lease obligations(2)
 965
 339
 331
 108
 187
Operating leases(3)
 616
 37
 93
 95
 391
Purchase obligations(4)
 3,350
 2,892
 385
 17
 56
Other long-term liabilities(5)
 596
 375
 192
 10
 19
Total $10,232
 $4,235
 $1,610
 $1,083
 $3,304
(1)
Amounts include MMJ Creditor Payments, convertible notes, and other notes.
(2)
Amounts include principal and interest.
(3)
Amounts include contractually obligated minimum lease payments for operating leases having an initial noncancelable term in excess of one year.
(4)
Purchase obligations include all commitments to purchase goods or services of either a fixed or minimum quantity that meet any of the following criteria: (1) they are noncancelable, (2) we would incur a penalty if the agreement was canceled, or (3) we must make specified minimum payments even if we do not take delivery of the contracted products or services. If the obligation to purchase goods or services is noncancelable, the entire value of the contract was included in the above table. If the obligation is cancelable, but we would incur a penalty if canceled, only the dollar amount of the penalty was included as a purchase obligation. Contracted minimum amounts specified in any take-or-pay contracts were included in the above table as they represent the portion of each contract that is a firm commitment.
(5)
Amounts represent future cash payments to satisfy other long-term liabilities recorded on our consolidated balance sheet, including $375 million for the current portion of these long-term liabilities. We are unable to reliably estimate the timing of future certain payments related to uncertain tax positions and deferred tax liabilities; therefore, the amount has been excluded from the preceding table. However, other noncurrent liabilities recorded on our consolidated balance sheet included these uncertain tax positions and deferred tax liabilities.

The timing of payment amounts of the obligations discussed above is based on current information. Any redemptions, repurchases, or conversions of debt could impact the amount and timing of our cash payments.


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have capped calls which are intended to reduce the effect of potential dilution, see "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Equity – Micron Shareholders' Equity – Outstanding Capped Calls."

We have an ASR agreement with a financial institution to purchase $1.00 billion of our common stock in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. See "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Equity – Micron Shareholders' Equity – Common Stock Repurchase Authorization – Accelerated Share Repurchase."


Critical Accounting Estimates


The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and related disclosures. Estimates and judgments are based on historical experience, forecasted events, and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and judgments may vary under different assumptions or conditions. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. Our management believes the accounting policies below are critical in the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management'smanagement’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments.


Business acquisitionsContingencies: Accounting for acquisitions requires us to estimate the fair value of consideration paid and the individual assets and liabilities acquired, which involves a number of judgments, assumptions, and estimates that could materially affect the amount and timing of costs recognized in subsequent periods. Accounting for acquisitions can also involve significant judgment to determine when control of the acquired entity is transferred. We typically obtain independent third party


valuation studies to assist in determining fair values, including assistance in determining future cash flows, discount rates, and comparable market values. Items involving significant assumptions, estimates, and judgments include the following:

Debt, including discount rate and timing of payments;
Deferred tax assets, including projections of future taxable income and tax rates;
Fair value of consideration paid or transferred;
Intangible assets, including valuation methodology, estimations of future revenue and costs, profit allocation rates attributable to the acquired technology, and discount rates;
Inventory, including estimated future selling prices, timing of product sales, and completion costs for work in process; and
Property, plant, and equipment, including determination of values in a continued-use model.

Consolidation: We have interests in entities that are VIEs. Determining whether to consolidate a VIE requires judgment in assessing whether an entity is a VIE and if we are the entity's primary beneficiary. If we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we are required to consolidate it. To determine if we are the primary beneficiary, we evaluate whether we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Our evaluation includes identification of significant activities and an assessment of our ability to direct those activities based on governance provisions and arrangements to provide or receive product and process technology, product supply, operations services, equity funding, financing, and other applicable agreements and circumstances. Our assessments of whether we are the primary beneficiary of our VIEs require significant assumptions and judgments.

Contingencies: We are subject to the possibility of losses from various contingencies. Significant judgment is necessary to estimate the probability and amount of a loss, if any, from such contingencies. An accrual is made when it is probable that a liability has been incurred or an asset has been impaired and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We accrue a liability and charge operations for the estimated costs of adjudication or settlement of asserted and unasserted claims existing as of the balance sheet date. In accounting for the resolution of contingencies, significant judgment may be necessary to estimate amounts pertaining to periods prior to the resolution that are charged to operations in the period of resolution and amounts related to future periods.


Goodwill and intangible assets: We test goodwill for impairment in theour fourth quarter of our fiscaleach year, or more frequently if indicators of an impairment exist, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit with goodwill is less than its carrying value. For reporting units for which this assessment concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value is more than its carrying value, goodwill is considered not impaired and we are not required to perform the goodwill impairment test. Qualitative factors considered in this assessment include industry and market considerations, overall financial performance, and other relevant events and factors affecting the fair value of the reporting unit. For reporting units for which this assessment concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value is below the carrying value, goodwill is tested for impairment by determining the fair value of each reporting unit and comparing it to the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is considered not impaired. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then we would record an impairment loss up to the difference between the carrying value and implied fair value. For 2021, our qualitative assessment indicated that the fair value for all of our reporting units substantially exceeded their carrying value and that a quantitative assessment was unnecessary.


Determining when to test for impairment, the reporting units, the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, and the fair value of the reporting unit requires significant judgment and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates, forecasted manufacturing costs, and other expenses and are developed as part of our long-range planning process. The same estimates are used in business planning, forecasting, and capital budgeting as part of our long-term manufacturing capacity analysis. We test the reasonableness of the output of our long-range planning process by calculating an implied value per share and comparing that to current stock prices, analysts'analysts’ consensus pricing, and management'smanagement’s expectations. These estimates and assumptions are used to calculate projected future cash flows for the reporting unit, which are discounted using a risk-adjusted rate to estimate a fair value. The discount rate requires determination of appropriate market comparables. We base fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. Actual future results may differ from those estimates.


We test other identified intangible assets with definite useful lives when events and circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable by comparing the carrying amount to the sum of undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. We test intangible assets with indefinite lives annually for impairment using a fair value method such as discounted cash flows. Estimating fair values involves significant assumptions, including future sales prices, sales volumes, costs, and discount rates.



Income taxes: We are required to estimate our provision for income taxes and amounts ultimately payable or recoverable in numerous tax jurisdictions around the world. These estimates involve significant judgment and interpretations of regulations and are inherently complex. Resolution of income tax treatments in individual jurisdictions may not be known for many years after completion of the applicable fiscal year. We are also required to evaluate the realizability of our deferred tax assets on an ongoing basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires the assessment of our performance and other relevant factors. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on our ability to generate future taxable income. In recent periods, our results of operations have benefitted from increases in the amount of deferred taxes we expect to realize, primarily from the levels of capital spending and increases in the amount of taxable income we expect to realize in Japan and the United States. Our income tax provision or benefit is dependent, in part, on our ability to forecast future taxable income in theseJapan, the United States, and other jurisdictions. Such forecasts are inherently difficult and involve significant judgments including, among others, projecting future average selling prices and sales volumes, manufacturing and overhead costs, levels of capital spending, and other factors that significantly impact our analyses of the amount of net deferred tax assets that are more likely than not to be realized.


Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of average cost or net realizable value.value, with cost being determined on a FIFO basis. Effective as of the beginning of the second quarter of 2021, we changed our method of inventory
mu-20210902_g5.jpg45



costing from average cost to FIFO. Cost includes depreciation, labor, material, and overhead costs, including product and process technology costs. Determining net realizable value of inventories involves significant judgments, including projecting future average selling prices and future sales volumes, and costs to complete products in work in process inventories.volumes. To project average selling prices and sales volumes, we review recent sales volumes, existing customer orders, current contract prices, industry analyses of supply and demand, seasonal factors, general economic trends, and other information. Actual selling prices and volumes may vary significantly from projected prices and volumes due to the volatile nature of the semiconductor memory and storage markets. When these analyses reflect estimated net realizable values below our manufacturing costs, we record a charge to cost of goods sold in advance of when inventories are actually sold. As a result, the timing of when product costs are charged to costs of goods sold can vary significantly. Differences in forecasted average selling prices used in calculating lower of cost or net realizable value adjustments can result in significant changes in the estimated net realizable value of product inventories and accordingly the amount of write-down recorded. For example, a 5% variance in the estimated selling prices would have changed the estimated net realizable value of our inventory by approximately $577$301 million as of August 30, 2018.September 2, 2021. Due to the volatile nature of the semiconductor memory and storage markets, actual selling prices and volumes often vary significantly from projected prices and volumes; as a result, the timing of when product costs are charged to operations can vary significantly.


U.S. GAAP provides for products to be grouped into categories in order to compare costs to net realizable values. The amount of any inventory write-down can vary significantly depending on the determination of inventory categories. We review the major characteristics of product type and markets in determining the unit of account for which we perform the lower of average cost or net realizable value analysis and categorize all inventories primarily as memory (including DRAM, NAND, and other memory). as a single group.


Property, plant, and equipment: We periodically assess the estimated useful lives of our property, plant, and equipment based on technology node transitions, capital spending, and equipment re-use rates. We also review the carrying value of property, plant, and equipment for impairment when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and/or disposition. In cases where undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets. The estimate of future cash flows involves numerous assumptions which require significant judgment by us, including, but not limited to, future use of the assets for our operations versus sale or disposal of the assets, future selling prices for our products, and future production and sales volumes. In addition, significant judgment is required in determining the groups of assets for which impairment tests are separately performed.


We periodically assess the estimated useful lives of our property, plant, and equipment. We revised the estimated useful lives of equipmentRevenue recognition: Revenue is primarily recognized at a point in our DRAM wafer fabrication facilities from five to seven years in the fourth quarter of 2016. The effecttime when control of the revision was not materialpromised goods is transferred to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for 2016 and reduced depreciation expensethose goods. Contracts with our customers are generally short-term in duration at the time by approximately $100 million per quarter. (See "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Significant Accounting Policies.")

Research and development: Costs related to the conceptual formulation and design of products and processes are expensed as R&D as incurred. Determining when product development is complete requires significant judgment by us.fixed, negotiated prices with payment generally due shortly after delivery. We deem development ofestimate a product complete once the product has been thoroughly reviewed and testedliability for performance and reliability. Subsequent to product qualification, product costs are included in cost of goods sold.

Stock-based compensation: Stock-based compensation is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expensereturns using the straight-line amortizationexpected value method over the requisite service period. For performance-based stock awards, the expense recognized is dependent on our assessment of the likelihood of the performance measure being


achieved. We utilize forecasts of future performance to assess these probabilities and this assessment requires significant judgment.

Determining the appropriate fair-value model and calculating the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date requires significant judgment, including estimating stock price volatility and expected option life. We develop these estimates based on historical data and market informationreturns. In addition, we generally offer price protection to our distributors, which can change significantly over time. A small change inis a form of variable consideration that decreases the estimates used can result in a relatively large change in the estimated valuation.transaction price. We use the Black-Scholes option valuation model toexpected value employee stock options and awards granted under our employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP"). We estimate stock price volatilitymethod, based on an averagehistorical price adjustments and current pricing trends, to estimate the amount of historical volatilityrevenue recognized from sales to distributors. Differences between the estimated and the implied volatility derived from traded options on our stock.actual amounts are recognized as adjustments to revenue.




Recently IssuedAdopted Accounting Standards


See "Item“Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Recently Adopted Accounting Standards.”


Recently Issued Accounting Standards."Standards



No material items.


46 | 2021 10-K



ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


Interest Rate Risk


We are exposed to interest rate risk related to our indebtedness and our investment portfolio. As of August 30, 2018September 2, 2021 and August 31, 2017,September 3, 2020, we had fixed-rate debt of $3.1$3.9 billion and $5.7$4.9 billion, respectively, and as a result, the fair value of our debt fluctuates with changes in market interest rates. We estimate that, as of August 30, 2018September 2, 2021 and August 31, 2017,September 3, 2020, a decrease in market interest rates of 1% would increase the fair value of our fixed-rate debt by approximately $79$200 million and $273$300 million, respectively. As of August 30, 2018 and August 31, 2017,September 2, 2021, we had variable-rate debt of $725 million$2.09 billion and, $4.2 billion, respectively. As of August 30, 2018 and August 31, 2017,therefore, a 1% increase in the interest rates of our variable-rate debt would result in an increase in annual interest expense of approximately $7 million$21 million. As of September 3, 2020, we had variable-rate debt of $1.25 billion and, $43 million, respectively.therefore, a 1% increase in the interest rates of our variable-rate debt would result in an increase in annual interest expense of approximately $13 million.


Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk


The information in this section should be read in conjunction with the information related to changes in the currency exchange rates in "Part“Part I – Item 1A. Risk Factors." Changes in currency exchange rates could materially adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.


The functional currency for all of our operations is the U.S. dollar. The substantial majority of our sales are transacted in the U.S. dollar; however, significant amounts of our debt, operating expenditures and capital purchases, and certain assets and liabilities, are incurred in or exposed to other currencies, primarily the euro, Malaysian ringgit, New Taiwan dollar, Singapore dollar, and yen. We have established currency risk management programs for our monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies to hedge against fluctuations in the fair value and volatility of future cash flows caused by changes in currency exchange rates. We generally utilize currency forward contracts in these hedging programs, which reduce, but do not always entirely eliminate, the impact of currency exchange rate movements. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.


Based on monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, we estimate that a 10% adverse change in exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar would result in losses of approximately $78$122 million as of August 30, 2018September 2, 2021 and $391$98 million as of August 31, 2017.September 3, 2020. We hedge our exposure to changes in currency exchange rates by utilizing a rolling hedge strategy for our primary currency exposures with currency forward contracts that generally mature within ninethree months. The effectiveness of our hedges is dependent, among other factors, upon our ability to accurately forecast our monetary assets and liabilities.measure exposures on a timely basis. To hedge the exposure of changes in cash flows from changes in currency exchange rates for certain capital expenditures and manufacturing costs, we may utilize currency forward contracts that generally mature within 12 months.two years. (See "Item“Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Derivative Instruments.")

mu-20210902_g5.jpg47




ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA


Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Micron Technology, Inc.
Page
Consolidated Financial Statements as of August 30, 2018 and August 31, 2017 and for the fiscal years ended August 30, 2018, August 31, 2017, and September 1, 2016
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm



MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share amounts)

For the year endedSeptember 2,
2021
September 3,
2020
August 29,
2019
Revenue$27,705 $21,435 $23,406 
Cost of goods sold17,282 14,883 12,704 
Gross margin10,423 6,552 10,702 
Research and development2,663 2,600 2,441 
Selling, general, and administrative894 881 836 
Restructure and asset impairments488 60 (29)
Other operating (income) expense, net95 78 
Operating income6,283 3,003 7,376 
Interest income37 114 205 
Interest expense(183)(194)(128)
Other non-operating income (expense), net81 60 (405)
6,218 2,983 7,048 
Income tax (provision) benefit(394)(280)(693)
Equity in net income (loss) of equity method investees37 
Net income5,861 2,710 6,358 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests— (23)(45)
Net income attributable to Micron$5,861 $2,687 $6,313 
Earnings per share
Basic$5.23 $2.42 $5.67 
Diluted5.14 2.37 5.51 
Number of shares used in per share calculations
Basic1,120 1,110 1,114 
Diluted1,141 1,131 1,143 

For the year ended August 30,
2018
 August 31,
2017
 September 1,
2016
Net sales $30,391
 $20,322
 $12,399
Cost of goods sold 12,500
 11,886
 9,894
Gross margin 17,891
 8,436
 2,505
       
Selling, general, and administrative 813
 743
 659
Research and development 2,141
 1,824
 1,617
Other operating (income) expense, net (57) 1
 61
Operating income 14,994
 5,868
 168
       
Interest income 120
 41
 42
Interest expense (342) (601) (437)
Other non-operating income (expense), net (465) (112) (54)
  14,307
 5,196
 (281)
       
Income tax provision (168) (114) (19)
Equity in net income (loss) of equity method investees (1) 8
 25
Net income (loss) 14,138
 5,090
 (275)
       
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (3) (1) (1)
Net income (loss) attributable to Micron $14,135
 $5,089
 $(276)
       
Earnings (loss) per share      
Basic $12.27
 $4.67
 $(0.27)
Diluted 11.51
 4.41
 (0.27)
       
Number of shares used in per share calculations      
Basic 1,152
 1,089
 1,036
Diluted 1,229
 1,154
 1,036




























See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

48 | 2021 10-K



MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Micron Technology, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in millions)

For the year endedSeptember 2,
2021
September 3,
2020
August 29,
2019
Net income$5,861 $2,710 $6,358 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Gains (losses) on derivative instruments(67)46 (3)
Gains (losses) on investments(7)
Pension liability adjustments15 (6)
Foreign currency translation adjustments— (1)
Other comprehensive income (loss)(69)62 (1)
Total comprehensive income5,792 2,772 6,357 
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests— (23)(45)
Comprehensive income attributable to Micron$5,792 $2,749 $6,312 

For the year ended August 30,
2018
 August 31,
2017
 September 1,
2016
Net income (loss) $14,138
 $5,090
 $(275)
       
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax      
Gains (losses) on derivative instruments (15) 15
 7
Pension liability adjustments (3) 1
 (9)
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments (2) 
 3
Foreign currency translation adjustments 1
 48
 (49)
Other comprehensive income (loss) (19) 64
 (48)
Total comprehensive income (loss) 14,119
 5,154
 (323)
Comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests (3) (1) (1)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Micron $14,116
 $5,153
 $(324)








































































See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

mu-20210902_g5.jpg49



MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Micron Technology, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETSConsolidated Balance Sheets
(in millions, except par value amounts)
As ofSeptember 2,
2021
September 3,
2020
Assets
Cash and equivalents$7,763 $7,624 
Short-term investments870 518 
Receivables5,311 3,912 
Inventories4,487 5,373 
Assets held for sale974 — 
Other current assets502 538 
Total current assets19,907 17,965 
Long-term marketable investments1,765 1,048 
Property, plant, and equipment33,213 31,031 
Operating lease right-of-use assets551 584 
Intangible assets349 334 
Deferred tax assets782 707 
Goodwill1,228 1,228 
Other noncurrent assets1,054 781 
Total assets$58,849 $53,678 
Liabilities and equity
Accounts payable and accrued expenses$5,325 $5,817 
Current debt155 270 
Other current liabilities944 548 
Total current liabilities6,424 6,635 
Long-term debt6,621 6,373 
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities504 533 
Noncurrent unearned government incentives808 643 
Other noncurrent liabilities559 498 
Total liabilities14,916 14,682 
Commitments and contingencies00
Micron shareholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.10 par value, 3,000 shares authorized, 1,216 shares issued and 1,119 outstanding (1,194 shares issued and 1,113 outstanding as of September 3, 2020)122 119 
Additional capital9,453 8,917 
Retained earnings39,051 33,384 
Treasury stock, 97 shares held (81 shares as of September 3, 2020)(4,695)(3,495)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)71 
Total equity43,933 38,996 
Total liabilities and equity$58,849 $53,678 



As of August 30,
2018
 August 31,
2017
Assets    
Cash and equivalents $6,506
 $5,109
Short-term investments 296
 319
Receivables 5,478
 3,759
Inventories 3,595
 3,123
Other current assets 164
 147
Total current assets 16,039
 12,457
Long-term marketable investments 473
 617
Property, plant, and equipment 23,672
 19,431
Intangible assets 331
 387
Deferred tax assets 1,022
 766
Goodwill 1,228
 1,228
Other noncurrent assets 611
 450
Total assets $43,376
 $35,336
     
Liabilities and equity    
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $4,611
 $3,664
Deferred income 284
 408
Current debt 859
 1,262
Total current liabilities 5,754
 5,334
Long-term debt 3,777
 9,872
Other noncurrent liabilities 581
 639
Total liabilities 10,112
 15,845
     
Commitments and contingencies 

 

     
Redeemable convertible notes 3
 21
Redeemable noncontrolling interest 97
 
     
Micron shareholders' equity    
Common stock, $0.10 par value, 3,000 shares authorized, 1,170 shares issued and 1,161 outstanding (1,116 shares issued and 1,112 outstanding as of August 31, 2017) 117
 112
Additional capital 8,201
 8,287
Retained earnings 24,395
 10,260
Treasury stock, 9 shares held (4 shares as of August 31, 2017) (429) (67)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 10
 29
Total Micron shareholders' equity 32,294
 18,621
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries 870
 849
Total equity 33,164
 19,470
Total liabilities and equity $43,376
 $35,336




See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

50 | 2021 10-K



MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Micron Technology, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITYConsolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
(in millions)millions, except per share amounts)

Micron Shareholders  
Common StockAdditional CapitalRetained EarningsTreasury StockAccumulated Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Total Micron Shareholders’ EquityNoncontrolling Interests in SubsidiariesTotal Equity
Number
of Shares
Amount
Balance at August 30, 20181,170$117 $8,201 $24,395 $(429)$10 $32,294 $870 $33,164 
Cumulative effect from adoption of new accounting standards— — — 92 — — 92— 92 
Net income— — — 6,313 — — 6,313 36 6,349 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net— — — — — (1)(1)— (1)
Stock issued under stock plans14178 — — — 179 — 179 
Stock-based compensation expense— — 243 — — — 243 — 243 
Repurchase of stock(2)— 103 (39)(2,792)— (2,728)— (2,728)
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interest— — — — — (17)(16)
Reclassification of redeemable convertible notes, net— — — — — — 
Cash settlement of convertible notes— — (515)— — — (515)— (515)
Balance at August 29, 20191,182$118 $8,214 $30,761 $(3,221)$$35,881 $889 $36,770 
Net income— — — 2,687 — — 2,687 15 2,702 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net— — — — — 62 62 — 62 
Stock issued under stock plans14224 — — — 225 — 225 
Stock-based compensation expense— — 328 — — — 328 — 328 
Repurchase of stock(2)— (11)(64)(176)— (251)— (251)
Settlement of capped calls— — 98 — (98)— — — — 
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interest— — 120 — — — 120 (904)(784)
Cash settlement of convertible notes— — (56)— — — (56)— (56)
Balance at September 3, 20201,194$119 $8,917 $33,384 $(3,495)$71 $38,996 $— $38,996 
Net income— — — 5,861 — — 5,861 — 5,861 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net— — — — — (69)(69)— (69)
Stock issued under stock plans13223 — — — 225 — 225 
Stock-based compensation expense— — 378 — — — 378 — 378 
Repurchase of stock(2)— (12)(82)(1,200)— (1,294)— (1,294)
Stock issued for convertible notes111(1)— — — — — — 
Cash settlement of convertible notes— — (52)— — — (52)— (52)
Cash dividends declared ($0.10 per share)— — — (112)— — (112)— (112)
Balance at September 2, 20211,216$122 $9,453 $39,051 $(4,695)$$43,933 $— $43,933 

  Micron Shareholders    
  Common Stock Additional Capital Retained Earnings Treasury Stock 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 Total Micron Shareholders' Equity Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries Total Equity
  
Number
of Shares
 Amount       
Balance at September 3, 2015 1,084
 $108
 $7,474
 $5,588
 $(881) $13
 $12,302
 $937
 $13,239
Net income (loss)       (276)     (276) 1
 (275)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net           (48) (48) 
 (48)
Stock issued under stock plans 11
 1
 47
       48
   48
Stock-based compensation expense     191
       191
   191
Contributions from noncontrolling interests             
 37
 37
Distributions to noncontrolling interests             
 (34) (34)
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests             
 (93) (93)
Repurchase and retirement of stock (1) 
 (10) (13)     (23)   (23)
Repurchase of treasury stock         (125)   (125)   (125)
Settlement of capped calls     23
   (23)   
   
Reclassification of redeemable convertible notes, net     49
       49
   49
Conversion and repurchase of convertible notes     (38)       (38)   (38)
Balance at September 1, 2016 1,094
 $109
 $7,736
 $5,299
 $(1,029) $(35) $12,080
 $848
 $12,928
Net income       5,089
     5,089
 1
 5,090
Other comprehensive income (loss), net           64
 64
 
 64
Stock issued under stock plans 20
 3
 139
       142
   142
Stock-based compensation expense     217
 (2)     215
   215
Repurchase and retirement of stock (2) 
 (13) (22) 

   (35)   (35)
Stock issued to Nanya for Inotera Acquisition 4
 
 70
 (104) 1,029
   995
   995
Settlement of capped calls     192
   (67)   125
   125
Reclassification of redeemable convertible notes, net     (21)       (21)   (21)
Conversion and repurchase of convertible notes     (33)       (33)   (33)
Balance at August 31, 2017 1,116
 $112
 $8,287
 $10,260
 $(67) $29
 $18,621
 $849
 $19,470
Net income       14,135
     14,135
 3
 14,138
Other comprehensive income (loss), net           (19) (19) 
 (19)
Stock issued in public offering 34
 3
 1,363
       1,366
   1,366
Stock issued under stock plans 22
 2
 287
       289
   289
Stock-based compensation expense     198
       198
   198
Contributions from noncontrolling interests             
 18
 18
Repurchase and retirement of stock (2) 
 (71)       (71)   (71)
Settlement of capped calls     429
   (429)   
   
Reclassification of redeemable convertible notes, net     18
       18
   18
Conversion and repurchase of convertible notes     (2,310)   67
   (2,243)   (2,243)
Balance at August 30, 2018 1,170
 $117
 $8,201
 $24,395
 $(429) $10
 $32,294
 $870
 $33,164












See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

mu-20210902_g5.jpg51



MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWSMicron Technology, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in millions)
For the year endedSeptember 2,
2021
September 3,
2020
August 29,
2019
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income$5,861 $2,710 $6,358 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities  
Depreciation expense and amortization of intangible assets6,214 5,650 5,424 
Amortization of debt discount and other costs30 26 49 
Restructure and asset impairments454 40 (97)
Stock-based compensation378 328 243 
(Gains) losses on debt prepayments, repurchases, and conversions(40)396 
Change in operating assets and liabilities  
Receivables(1,446)(723)2,431 
Inventories866 (435)(1,489)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses210 725 (174)
Deferred income taxes, net(50)79 150 
Other(50)(54)(102)
Net cash provided by operating activities12,468 8,306 13,189 
Cash flows from investing activities  
Expenditures for property, plant, and equipment(10,030)(8,223)(9,780)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities(3,163)(1,857)(4,218)
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities1,250 814 1,541 
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities856 1,458 1,504 
Proceeds from government incentives495 262 748 
Other(43)120 
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities(10,589)(7,589)(10,085)
Cash flows from financing activities  
Repayments of debt(1,520)(4,366)(3,340)
Payments to acquire treasury stock(1,294)(251)(2,729)
Payments on equipment purchase contracts(295)(63)(75)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest in IMFT— (744)— 
Proceeds from issuance of debt1,188 5,000 3,550 
Other140 107 156 
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities(1,781)(317)(2,438)
Effect of changes in currency exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash41 11 26 
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash139 411 692 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period7,690 7,279 6,587 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period$7,829 $7,690 $7,279 
Supplemental disclosures  
Income taxes paid, net$(361)$(167)$(524)
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized(171)(165)(53)
Noncash equipment acquisitions on contracts payable and finance leases684 278 119 

For the year ended August 30,
2018
 August 31,
2017
 September 1,
2016
Cash flows from operating activities      
Net income (loss) $14,138
 $5,090
 $(275)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities  
  
  
Depreciation expense and amortization of intangible assets 4,759
 3,861
 2,980
Amortization of debt discount and other costs 101
 125
 126
Loss on debt prepayments, repurchases, and conversions 385
 99
 4
Stock-based compensation 198
 215
 191
Gain on remeasurement of previously-held equity interest in Inotera 
 (71) 
Change in operating assets and liabilities  
  
  
Receivables (1,734) (1,651) 465
Inventories (472) 50
 (549)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 549
 564
 272
Payments attributed to intercompany balances with Inotera 
 (361) 
Deferred income taxes, net (265) (22) (15)
Other (259) 254
 (31)
Net cash provided by operating activities 17,400
 8,153
 3,168
       
Cash flows from investing activities  
  
  
Expenditures for property, plant, and equipment (8,879) (4,734) (5,817)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities (760) (1,239) (1,026)
Payments to settle hedging activities (185) (274) (152)
Acquisition of Inotera 
 (2,634) 
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities 604
 776
 2,314
Proceeds from government incentives 355
 21
 16
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities 320
 194
 1,376
Proceeds from settlement of hedging activities 163
 184
 335
Other 166
 169
 (90)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities (8,216) (7,537) (3,044)
       
Cash flows from financing activities  
  
  
Repayments of debt (10,194) (2,558) (870)
Payments on equipment purchase contracts (206) (519) (46)
Proceeds from issuance of stock 1,655
 142
 48
Proceeds from issuance of debt 1,009
 3,311
 2,199
Proceeds from equipment sale-leaseback transactions 
 
 765
Other (40) (27) (351)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities (7,776) 349
 1,745
       
Effect of changes in currency exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (37) (12) 19
       
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 1,371
 953
 1,888
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 5,216
 4,263
 2,375
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $6,587
 $5,216
 $4,263
       
Supplemental disclosures  
  
  
Income taxes paid, net $(226) $(99) $(90)
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized (312) (468) (267)
Noncash investing and financing activity      
Equipment acquisitions on contracts payable and capital leases 84
 813
 993


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

52 | 2021 10-K



MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Micron Technology, Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(All tabular amounts in millions, except per share amounts)


Significant Accounting Policies


Basis of Presentation:Presentation

Micron Technology, Inc., including its consolidated subsidiaries, is an industry leader in innovative memory and storage solutions. Through our global brands – Micron, Crucial, and Ballistix – our broad portfolio of high-performance memory and storage technologies, including DRAM, NAND, NOR Flash, and 3D XPoint memory, issolutions transforming how the world uses information to enrich life. Backed by 40 years oflife for all. With a relentless focus on our customers, technology leadership, ourand manufacturing and operational excellence, Micron delivers a rich portfolio of high-performance DRAM, NAND, and NOR memory and storage solutions enable disruptive trends, includingproducts through our Micron® and Crucial® brands. Every day, the innovations that our people create fuel the data economy, enabling advances in artificial intelligence machine learning, and autonomous vehicles, in key market segments like cloud,5G applications that unleash opportunities — from the data center networking,to the intelligent edge and mobile. across the client and mobile user experience.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Micron Technology, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to current period presentation. See

“Inventories” below for changes to our significant accounting policies, and the “Inventories” note for additional
information.

Our fiscal year is the 52 or 53-week period ending on the Thursday closest to August 31. Fiscal years 2018, 2017, and 2016 each2021 contained 52 weeks, fiscal 2020 contained 53 weeks, and fiscal 2019 contained 52 weeks. Our fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 contained 14 weeks and all other fiscal quarters in the years presented contained 13 weeks. All period references are to our fiscal periods unless otherwise indicated.


Derivative and Hedging Instruments:Instruments

We use derivative instruments to manage our exposure to changes in currency exchange rates from (1) our monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and (2) forecasted cash flows for certain capital expenditures.expenditures and manufacturing costs. We also use derivative instruments to manage our exposure to changes in commodity prices for manufacturing supplies and to minimize certain exposures to changes in the fair value of fixed-rate debt that result from fluctuations in benchmark interest rates. Derivative instruments are measured at their fair values and recognized as either assets or liabilities.

The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivative instruments is based on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. For derivative instruments that are not designated for hedge accounting, gains or losses from changes in fair values are recognized in other non-operating income (expense).

For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the realized and unrealized gains or losses on derivatives isare included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income areand reclassified into earnings in the same line items and in the same periods in which the underlying transactions affect earnings. For the periods presented prior to the second quarter of 2018, the ineffective and excluded portion of the realized and unrealized gain or loss was included in other non-operating income (expense). As a result of adopting Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-12, beginning in the second quarter of 2018, such amounts are included in the same line item in which the underlying transactions affect earnings.

For derivative forward contractsinstruments designated as fair valuecash flow hedges, hedge effectiveness is determined by the change in the fair value of the undiscounted spot rate of the forward contract. The changes in fair values of hedge instruments attributed to changes in undiscounted spot rates are recognized in other non-operating income (expense). The time value associated with hedge instruments is excluded from the assessment of effectiveness and the effectivenessgains and losses attributable to time value are recognized in earnings. For derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair values of hedgesthe derivative instruments and isthe offsetting changes in the fair values of the underlying hedged items are both recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of hedges to other non-operating income (expense).in earnings.


We enter into master netting arrangements with our counterparties to mitigate credit risk in derivative hedge transactions. These master netting arrangements allow us and our counterparties to net settle amounts owed to each other. Derivative assets and liabilities that can be net settled with each counterparty have been presented in our consolidated balance sheet on a net basis.


mu-20210902_g5.jpg53



Financial Instruments:Instruments

Cash equivalents include highly liquid short-term investments with original maturities to us of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash. Other investments with remaining maturities of less than one year are included in short-term investments. Investments with remaining maturities greater than one year are included in long-term marketable investments. The carrying value of investment securities sold is determined using the specific identification method.


Functional Currency:Currency

The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for us and all of our consolidated subsidiaries.


Goodwill and Non-Amortizing Intangible Assets:

We perform an annual impairment assessment for goodwill and non-amortizing intangible assets in theour fourth quarter of our fiscaleach year.



Government Incentives


Government Incentives:We receive incentives from governmental entities related to expenses, assets, and other activities. Our government incentives may require that we meet or maintain specified spending levels and other operational metrics and may be subject to reimbursement if such conditions are not met or maintained. Government incentives are recorded in the financial statements in accordance with their purpose: as a reduction of expenses, a reduction of asset costs, or other income. Incentives related to specific operating activities are offset against the related expense in the period the expense is incurred. Incentives related to the acquisition or construction of fixed assets are recognized as a reduction in the carrying amounts of the related assets and reduce depreciation expense over the useful lives of the assets. Other incentives are recognized as other operating income. Government incentives received prior to being earned are recognized in current or noncurrent deferred income, whereas government incentives earned prior to being received are recognized in current or noncurrent receivables. Cash received from government incentives related to operating expenses areis included as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows, whereas cash received from incentives related to the acquisition of property, plant, and equipment areis included as an investing activity.


Inventories:Inventories

Effective as of the beginning of the second quarter of 2021, we changed the method of inventory costing from average cost to FIFO. The difference between average cost and FIFO was not material to any previously reported financial statements. Therefore, we have recognized the cumulative effect of the change as a reduction of inventories and a charge to cost of goods sold of $133 million as of the beginning of the second quarter of 2021.

Inventories are stated at the lower of average cost or net realizable value.value, with cost being determined on a FIFO basis. Cost includes depreciation, labor, material, and overhead costs, including product and process technology costs. DeterminingWhen net realizable value of inventories involves numerous judgments, including(which requires projecting future average selling prices, sales volumes, and costs to complete products in work in process inventories. When net realizable valueinventories) is below cost, we record a charge to cost of goods sold to write down inventories to their estimated net realizable value in advance of when inventories are actually sold. We review the major characteristics of product type and markets in determining the unit of account for which we perform the lower of average cost or net realizable value analysis and categorize all inventories primarily as memory (including DRAM, NAND, and other memory). as a single group. We remove amounts from inventory and charge such amounts to cost of goods sold on a FIFO basis.

54 | 2021 10-K



Leases

We adopted ASC 842 in the first quarter of 2020 under the modified retrospective method and elected to not recast prior periods. We determine if an average cost basis.arrangement is a lease, or contains a lease, at the inception of the arrangement and evaluate whether the lease is an operating lease or a finance lease at the commencement date. We recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for operating and finance leases with terms greater than 12 months. Right-of-use assets represent our right to use an asset for the lease term, while lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments. We do not separate lease and non-lease components for real-estate and gas plant leases. Sublease income is presented within lease expense.


Product and Process Technology:Technology

Costs incurred to (1) acquire product and process technology, (2) patent technology, and (3) maintain patent technology, are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging up to 12.5 years. We capitalize a portion of the costs incurred to patent technology based on historical data of patents issued as a percent of patents we file. Capitalized productProduct and process technology costs are amortized over the shorter of (1) the estimated useful life of the technology, (2) the patent term, or (3) the term of the technology agreement. Fully-amortized assets are removed from product and process technology and accumulated amortization.


Product Warranty:Warranty

We generally provide a limited warranty that our products are in compliance with applicable specifications existing at the time of delivery. Under our standard terms and conditions of sale, liability for certain failures of product during a stated warranty period is usually limited to repair or replacement of defective items or return of, or a credit with respect to, amounts paid for such items. Under certain circumstances, we provide more extensive limited warranty coverage than that provided under our standard terms and conditions. Our warranty obligations are not material.


Property, Plant, and Equipment:Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment is stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of generally 10 to 30 years for buildings, 5 to 7 years for equipment, and 3 to 5 years for software. Assets held for sale are carried at the lower of costestimated fair value or estimated faircarrying value and are included in other noncurrentcurrent assets. When property, plant, or equipment is retired or otherwise disposed, the net book value is removed and we recognize any gain or loss in results of operations.


We capitalize interest on borrowings during the period of time we carry out the activities necessary to bring assets to the condition of their intended use and location. Capitalized interest becomes part of the cost of assets.


We periodically assess the estimated useful lives of our property, plant, and equipment. In the fourth quarter of 2016, we revised the estimated useful lives of equipment in our DRAM wafer fabrication facilities from five to seven years as a result of the lengthening period of time between DRAM product technology node transitions, an increased re-use rate of equipment, and industry trends. The effect of the revision reduced depreciation expense at the time by approximately $100 million per quarter.

Research and Development:Development

Costs related to the conceptual formulation and design of products and processes are charged to R&D expense as incurred. Development of a product is deemed complete when it is qualified through reviews and tests for performance and reliability. Subsequent to product qualification, product costs are included in cost of goods sold. Product design and other R&D costs for certain technologies may be shared with a development partner. Amounts receivable from cost-sharing arrangements are reflected as a reduction of R&D expense.


Revenue Recognition:Recognition

Revenue is primarily recognized at a point in time when control of the promised goods is transferred to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods. Contracts with our customers are generally short-term in duration at fixed, negotiated prices with payment generally due shortly after delivery. We recognize product or license revenue when persuasive evidence thatestimate a sales arrangement exists, delivery has occurred,liability for returns using the expected value method based on historical returns. In addition, we generally offer price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured,protection to our distributors, which is generally ata form of variable consideration that decreases the timetransaction price. We use the expected value method, based on historical price adjustments and current pricing trends, to estimate the amount of revenue recognized from sales to distributors. Differences between the estimated and actual amounts are recognized as adjustments to revenue.



mu-20210902_g5.jpg55


of shipment to our customers. If we are unable to reasonably estimate returns or the price is not fixed or determinable, sales made under agreements allowing rights of return or price protection are deferred until customers have resold the product.

Stock-based Compensation
Stock-based Compensation:
Stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and recognized as expense under the straight-line attribution method over the requisite service period. We account for forfeitures as they occur. We issue new shares upon the exercise of stock options or conversion of share units.


Treasury Stock:Stock

Treasury stock is carried at cost. When we retire our treasury stock, any excess of the repurchase price paid over par value is allocated between additional capital and retained earnings.


Use of Estimates:Estimates

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires our management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and related disclosures. Estimates and judgments are based on historical experience, forecasted events, and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and judgments may differ under different assumptions or conditions. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. Actual results could differ from estimates.




Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In November 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2018-18 – Collaborative Arrangements, which clarifies that certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted for as revenue when the collaborative arrangement participant is a customer in the context of a unit of account and precludes recognizing as revenue consideration received from a collaborative arrangement participant if the participant is not a customer. We adopted ASU 2018-18 in the first quarter of 2021 under the retrospective adoption method to the date we adopted ASC 606, which was August 31, 2018. The adoption of this ASU did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured on the basis of amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. This ASU requires that the income statement reflect the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets as well as the increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. This ASU requires that credit losses of debt securities designated as available-for-sale be recorded through an allowance for credit losses and limits the credit loss to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. We adopted ASU 2016-13 in the first quarter of 2021 under the modified retrospective adoption method. The adoption of this ASU did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.


Lehi, Utah Fab and 3D XPoint

In the second quarter of 2021, we updated our portfolio strategy to further strengthen our focus on memory and storage innovations for the data center market. In connection therewith, we determined that there was insufficient market validation to justify the ongoing investments required to commercialize 3D XPoint at scale. Accordingly, we ceased development of 3D XPoint technology and engaged in discussions with potential buyers for the sale of our facility located in Lehi that was dedicated to 3D XPoint production. As a result, we classified the property, plant, and equipment as held for sale and ceased depreciating the assets. On June 30, 2021, we announced a definitive agreement to sell our Lehi facility to TI for cash consideration of $900 million. The sale is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2022.

56 | 2021 10-K



In the third quarter of 2021, we recognized a charge of $435 million included in restructure and asset impairments (and a tax benefit of $104 million included in income tax (provision) benefit) to write down the assets held for sale to the expected consideration, net of estimated selling costs, to be realized from the sale of these assets and liabilities. The impairment charge was based on Level 3 inputs including expected consideration and the composition of assets included in the sale, which were derived from the agreement with TI. In the second quarter of 2021, we also recognized a charge of $49 million to cost of goods sold to write down 3D XPoint inventory due to our decision to cease further development of this technology.

As of September 2, 2021, the significant balances of assets held for sale in connection with our Lehi facility were as follows:
As ofSeptember 2,
2021
Property, plant, and equipment$1,334 
Other current assets50 
Impairment(435)
Lehi assets held for sale$949 

As of September 2, 2021, we also had a $50 million finance lease obligation included in the current portion of long-term debt and $11 million of other liabilities that we expect to transfer with the sale. The expected cash consideration, net of estimated selling expenses, approximates the carrying value of the net assets and liabilities expected to transfer in the sale, after giving effect to the impairment charge discussed above.


Variable Interest Entities


We have interests in entities that are VIEs.variable interest entities (“VIEs”). If we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we are required to consolidate it. To determine if we are the primary beneficiary, we evaluate whether we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE'sVIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Our evaluation includes identification of significant activities and an assessment of our ability to direct those activities based on governance provisions and arrangements to provide or receive product and process technology, product supply, operations services, equity funding, financing, and other applicable agreements and circumstances. Our assessments of whether we are the primary beneficiary of our VIEs require significant assumptions and judgments.


Unconsolidated VIEs

PTI Xi'an: Powertech Technology Inc. Xi'an ("PTI Xi'an") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Powertech Technology Inc. ("PTI") andThrough October 31, 2019, IMFT was created to provide assembly services to us at our manufacturing site in Xi'an, China. We do not have an equity interest in PTI Xi'an. PTI Xi'an is a VIE because of the terms of its service agreement with us and its dependency on PTI to finance its operations. We have determined that we do not have the power to direct the activities of PTI Xi'an that most significantly impact its economic performance, primarily because we have no governance rights. Therefore, we do not consolidate PTI Xi'an. In connection with our assembly services with PTI, we had capital lease obligations and net property, plant, and equipment of $63 million and $63 million, respectively, as of August 30, 2018 and $80 million and $76 million, respectively, as of August 31, 2017.

Consolidated VIE

IMFT:IMFT is a VIE because all of its costs arewere passed to us and its other member, Intel, through product purchase agreements and because IMFT iswas dependent upon us or Intel for additional cash requirements. The primary activities of IMFT arewere driven by the constant introduction of product and process technology. Because we performperformed a significant majority of the technology development, we havehad the power to direct its key activities. We consolidateconsolidated IMFT because we have thedue to this power to direct the activities of IMFT that most significantly impact its economic performance and because we have theour obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits from IMFT that could have been potentially be significant to it. (See "Equity – Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries – IMFT" note.)



Recently Issued Accounting Standards

InOn October 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-16 – Intra-Entity Transfers Other Than Inventory, which requires an entity31, 2019, we paid $1.25 billion to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. This ASU will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2019 and requires modified retrospective adoption. We do not anticipate the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact to our financial statements.



In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured on the basis of amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. This ASU requires that the income statement reflect the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. This ASU requires that credit losses of debt securities designated as available-for-sale be recorded through an allowance for credit losses and limits the credit loss to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. This ASU will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2021 with adoption permitted as early as the first quarter of 2020. This ASU requires modified retrospective adoption, with prospective adoption for debt securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment had been recognized before the effective date. We are evaluating the timing and effects of our adoption of this ASU on our financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 – Leases, which amends a number of aspects of lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize operating leases with a term greater than one year on their balance sheet as a right-of- use asset and corresponding liability, measured at the present value of the lease payments. This ASU, as amended, will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2020 with early adoption permitted and allows for either a modified retrospective adoption or a retrospective adoption by recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The adoption of this ASU will result in an increase to our consolidated balance sheets for these right-of-use assets and corresponding liabilities. We are evaluating the timing and other effects of our adoption of this ASU on our financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 – Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial assets and liabilities. This ASU will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2019 and requires modified retrospective adoption, with prospective adoption for amendments related to equity securities without readily determinable fair values. Our assets and liabilities subject to this standard are not material.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The core principal of this ASU, as amended, is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. This ASU is effective for us in the first quarter of 2019 and we expect to elect the modified retrospective adoption method.

As a result of the adoption of this ASU, we will recognize revenue from sales of products to our distributors (which generally have agreements allowing rights of return or price protection) at the time control transfers to our distributors, which is generally earlier than recognizing revenue only upon resale by our distributors under existing revenue recognition guidance. Revenue recognized upon resale by our distributors under these arrangements was 19%, 20%, and 25% of our consolidated revenue for the 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. As of August 30, 2018, deferred income related to our distributor sales was $232 million. Upon adoption of this ASU, amounts deferred related to our sales to distributors, net of estimated price adjustments, will be recognized as an increase to retained earnings, net of taxes. We will also reclassify certain allowances from accounts receivable to accounts payable and accrued expenses in connection with new presentation requirements of this ASU. The tax effects of the adoption of this ASU will be recorded primarily as a reduction of net deferred tax assets.


Acquisition of Inotera

Through December 6, 2016, we held a 33% ownershipacquire Intel’s noncontrolling interest in Inotera, nowIMFT and settle IMFT’s debt obligations to Intel, at which time IMFT (now known as MTTW, Nanya and certain of its affiliates heldMTU) became a 32% ownership interest, and the remaining ownership interest was publicly held. On December 6, 2016, we acquired the 67% remaining interest in Inotera not owned by us (the "Inotera Acquisition") and began consolidating Inotera's operating results. The cash paid for the Inotera Acquisition was funded, in part, with proceeds from the 2021 MSTW Term Loan and the sale of the Micron Shares (as defined below) to Nanya. Inotera manufactures DRAM products at its 300mm wafer fabrication facility in Taoyuan City, Taiwan, and previously sold such products exclusively to us through supply agreements. SG&A expenses for 2017 and 2016 included transaction costs of $13 million and $3 million, respectively, incurred in connection with the Inotera Acquisition.



wholly-owned subsidiary. In connection with the Inotera Acquisition, we revalued our previously-held 33% equity interest to its fair value. In determining the fair value, we used various valuation techniques, including the share price of Inotera prior to the announcement of the Inotera Acquisition and discounted cash flow projections using inputs including discount rate and terminal growth rate (Level 3). As a result,therewith, we recognized a non-operating gain$160 million adjustment to equity for the difference between the $744 million of $71cash consideration allocated to Intel’s noncontrolling interest and its $904 million carrying value.

IMFT manufactured semiconductor products exclusively for its members under a long-term supply agreement at prices approximating cost. In 2018, IMFT discontinued production of NAND and subsequent to that time manufactured 3D XPoint memory. IMFT sales to Intel were $158 million through the date of our purchase of Intel’s noncontrolling interest in 2020, and $731 million in 2017.2019.


In connection with the Inotera Acquisition, we sold 58 million shares of our common stock to Nanya (the "Micron Shares") and received cash proceeds of $986 million. Because the sale of the Micron Shares to Nanya was contemporaneous with, and contingent upon, the closing of the Inotera Acquisition, the issuance of the Micron Shares was treated in purchase accounting as a non-cash exchange for a portion of the shares of Inotera held by Nanya. The Micron Shares were issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and were subject to certain restrictions on transfers at the time of sale. To reflect the lack of transferability, the fair value of the Micron Shares (based on the trading price of our common stock on the acquisition date) was reduced by a discount of $81 million, based on the implied volatility derived from traded options on our stock and on the duration of the lack of transferability (Level 2).

The allocation of purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Inotera was as follows:
mu-20210902_g5.jpg57
Consideration  
Cash paid for Inotera Acquisition $4,099
Less cash received from sale of Micron Shares (986)
Net cash paid for Inotera Acquisition 3,113
Fair value of our previously-held equity interest in Inotera 1,441
Fair value of Micron Shares exchanged for Inotera shares 995
Other 3
Payments attributed to intercompany balances with Inotera (361)
  $5,191
   
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed  
Cash and equivalents $118
Inventories 285
Other current assets 27
Property, plant, and equipment 3,722
Deferred tax assets 82
Goodwill 1,124
Other noncurrent assets 130
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (232)
Debt (56)
Other noncurrent liabilities (9)
  $5,191




The Inotera Acquisition enhances our flexibility to drive new technology, optimize the deployment of capital, and adapt our product offerings to changes in market conditions. As a result of these synergies, we allocated goodwill of $829 million, $198 million, and $97 million to CNBU, MBU, and EBU, respectively. Goodwill resulting from the Inotera Acquisition is not deductible for Taiwan corporate income tax purposes; however, it is deductible for Taiwan surtax purposes.



Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information

The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of operations as if the Inotera Acquisition had occurred on September 4, 2015. The pro forma financial information includes the accounting effects of the business combination, including adjustments for depreciation of property, plant, and equipment, interest expense, elimination of intercompany activities, and revaluation of inventories. The unaudited pro forma financial information below is not necessarily indicative of either future results of operations or results that might have been achieved had the Inotera Acquisition occurred on September 4, 2015.
  Year ended
  August 31,
2017
 September 1,
2016
Net sales $20,317
 $12,341
Net income (loss) 5,172
 (543)
Net income (loss) attributable to Micron 5,171
 (544)
Earnings (loss) per share    
Basic 4.68
 (0.50)
Diluted 4.42
 (0.50)
The unaudited pro forma financial information for 2017 includes our results for the year ended August 31, 2017 (which includes the results of Inotera since our acquisition of Inotera on December 6, 2016), the results of Inotera for the three months ended November 30, 2016, and the adjustments described above. The pro forma information for 2016 includes our results for the year ended September 1, 2016, the results of Inotera for the twelve months ended August 31, 2016, and the adjustments described above.

Technology Transfer and License Agreements with Nanya

Effective December 6, 2016, the terms of technology transfer and license agreements provided Nanya with options to require us to transfer to Nanya certain technology for Nanya's use and deliverables related to the next DRAM process node generation after our 20nm process node (the "1X Process Node") and the next DRAM process node generation after the 1X Process Node (the "1Y Process Node"). Nanya's option for the 1X Process Node expired unexercised. If Nanya exercises its right for the 1Y Process Node, Nanya would pay us royalties for a license to the transferred 1Y Process Node technology based on revenues from products utilizing the technology, subject to specified caps, and we would also receive an equity interest in Nanya upon the achievement of certain milestones.




Cash and Investments


Substantially all of our marketable debt and equity investments were classified as available-for-sale as of the dates noted below. Cash and equivalents and the fair values of our available-for-sale investments, which approximated amortized costs, were as follows:
20212020
As ofCash and EquivalentsShort-term Investments
Long-term Marketable Investments(1)
Total Fair ValueCash and EquivalentsShort-term Investments
Long-term Marketable Investments(1)
Total Fair Value
Cash$5,796 $— $— $5,796 $3,996 $— $— $3,996 
Level 1(2)
Money market funds38 — — 38 1,828 — — 1,828 
Level 2(3)
Certificates of deposits1,907 69 — 1,976 1,740 10 1,752 
Corporate bonds429 1,134 1,572 266 592 861 
Asset-backed securities95 509 612 31 211 243 
Government securities190 122 313 115 243 364 
Commercial paper87 — 91 50 96 — 146 
7,763 $870 $1,765 $10,398 7,624 $518 $1,048 $9,190 
Restricted cash(4)
66 66 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$7,829 $7,690 
(1)The maturities of long-term marketable securities range fromone tofour years.
As of 2018 2017
  Cash and Equivalents Short-term Investments 
Long-term Marketable Investments(1)
 Total Fair Value Cash and Equivalents Short-term Investments 
Long-term Marketable Investments(1)
 Total Fair Value
Cash $3,223
 $
 $
 $3,223
 $2,237
 $
 $
 $2,237
Level 1(2)
                
Money market funds 2,443
 
 
 2,443
 2,332
 
 
 2,332
Level 2(3)
                
Corporate bonds 3
 172
 272
 447
 
 193
 315
 508
Certificates of deposit 806
 11
 2
 819
 483
 24
 3
 510
Government securities 5
 63
 103
 171
 1
 90
 126
 217
Asset-backed securities 
 34
 96
 130
 
 2
 173
 175
Commercial paper 26
 16
 
 42
 56
 10
 
 66
  6,506
 $296
 $473
 $7,275
 5,109
 $319
 $617
 $6,045
Restricted cash(4)
 81
       107
      
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $6,587
       $5,216
      
(2)The fair value of Level 1 securities is measured based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
(1)
The maturities of long-term marketable securities range from one to four years.
(2)
The fair value of Level 1 securities is measured based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
(3)
The fair value of Level 2 securities is measured using information obtained from pricing services, which obtain quoted market prices for similar instruments, non-binding market consensus prices that are corroborated by observable market data, or various other methodologies, to determine the appropriate value at the measurement date. We perform supplemental analysis to validate information obtained from these pricing services. No adjustments were made to the fair values indicated by such pricing information as of August 30, 2018 or August 31, 2017.
(4)
Restricted cash is included in other noncurrent assets and included balances related to the MMJ Creditor Payments. The restrictions on the MMJ Creditor Payments lapse upon approval by the trustees and/or Tokyo District Court. Restricted cash as of August 31, 2017 also included interest reserve balances related to our 2021 MSTW Term Loan, which were released in 2018 in connection with our prepayment of the 2021 MSTW Term Loan. (See "Debt" note.)

(3)The fair value of Level 2 securities is measured using information obtained from pricing services, which obtain quoted market prices for similar instruments, non-binding market consensus prices that are corroborated by observable market data, or various other methodologies, to determine the appropriate value at the measurement date. We perform supplemental analysis to validate information obtained from these pricing services. No adjustments were made to the fair values indicated by such pricing information as of September 2, 2021 or September 3, 2020.
(4)Restricted cash is included in other noncurrent assets and primarily relates to certain government incentives received prior to being earned and for which restrictions lapse upon achieving certain performance conditions.

Gross realized gains and losses from sales of available-for-sale securities were not materialsignificant for any period presented.

In addition to the amounts included in the table above, we had $153 million and $92 million of non-marketable equity investments without a readily determinable fair value that were included in other noncurrent assets as of September 2, 2021 and September 3, 2020, respectively. We recognized gains in other non-operating income on these non-marketable investments of $70 million and $13 million for 2021 and 2020, respectively. These gains primarily resulted from adjustments of these investments to the value indicated by transactions in the same or similar investments.


Receivables
As of20212020
Trade receivables$4,920 $3,494 
Income and other taxes264 232 
Other127 186 
$5,311 $3,912 

58 | 2021 10-K




Inventories
As of20212020
Finished goods$513 $1,001 
Work in process3,469 3,854 
Raw materials and supplies505 518 
$4,487 $5,373 

Effective as of the beginning of the second quarter of 2021, we changed our method of inventory costing from average cost to FIFO. This change in accounting principle is preferable because in an environment with continuously changing production costs FIFO more closely matches the actual cost of goods sold with the revenues from sales of those specific units, better represents the actual cost of inventories remaining on hand at any period-end, and improves comparability with our semiconductor industry peers. The change to FIFO was not material to any prior periods, nor was the cumulative effect of $133 million material to the second quarter of 2021. As such, prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted, and the cumulative effect was reported as an increase to cost of August 30, 2018, there were no available-for-sale securities that had beengoods sold for the second quarter of 2021 of $133 million, with an offsetting reduction to beginning inventories. This charge resulted in a loss positioncorresponding reduction to operating income, a $128 million reduction to net income, and an $0.11 reduction to diluted earnings per share for both the second quarter and the year ended 2021.

Beginning in the second quarter of 2021, we changed the classification of spare parts for equipment to better align with the manner in which they are used in operations. As a result, we now present spare parts as other current assets and no longer than 12 months.as a component of raw materials inventories. This reclassification was applied on a retrospective basis. As a result, $254 million of spare parts were presented in other current assets as of September 2, 2021, and we reclassified $234 million of spare parts from inventories to other current assets in the accompanying balance sheet as of September 3, 2020.




Receivables

As of 2018 2017
Trade receivables $5,056
 $3,490
Income and other taxes 161
 100
Other 261
 169
  $5,478
 $3,759




Inventories

As of 2018 2017
Finished goods $815
 $856
Work in process 2,357
 1,968
Raw materials and supplies 423
 299
  $3,595
 $3,123


Property, Plant, and Equipment
As of20212020
Land$280 $352 
Buildings14,776 13,981 
Equipment(1)
51,902 48,525 
Construction in progress(2)
1,517 1,600 
Software987 873 
 69,462 65,331 
Accumulated depreciation(36,249)(34,300)
 $33,213 $31,031 

(1)Includes costs related to equipment not placed into service of $1.99 billion as of September 2, 2021 and $1.63 billion as of September 3, 2020.
(2)Includes building-related construction, tool installation, and software costs for assets not placed into service.
As of 2018 2017
Land $345
 $345
Buildings (includes $483 and $475, respectively, under capital leases) 8,680
 7,958
Equipment(1) (includes $1,336 and $1,331, respectively, under capital leases)
 38,249
 32,187
Construction in progress(2)
 1,162
 499
Software 655
 544
  49,091
 41,533
Accumulated depreciation (includes $868 and $626, respectively, under capital leases) (25,419) (22,102)
  $23,672
 $19,431
(1)
Included costs related to equipment not placed into service of $1.73 billion and $994 million, as of August 30, 2018 and August 31, 2017, respectively.
(2)
Included building-related construction and tool installation costs for assets not placed into service.


Depreciation expense was $4.66$6.13 billion,, $3.76 $5.57 billion,, and $2.86$5.34 billion for 2018, 2017,2021, 2020, and 2016,2019, respectively. As of August 30, 2018, production equipment, buildings, and land with an aggregate carrying value of $2.33 billion were pledged as collateral under various notes payable. Interest capitalized as part of the cost of property, plant, and equipment was $44$66 million, $7$77 million, and $43$103 million for 2018, 2017,2021, 2020, and 2016,2019, respectively.



We periodically assess the estimated useful lives of our property, plant, and equipment. Based on our assessment of planned technology node transitions, capital spending, and re-use rates, we revised the estimated useful lives of the existing equipment in our NAND wafer fabrication facilities and our research and development (“R&D”) facilities from five years to seven years as of the beginning of the first quarter of 2020. This revision reduced our aggregate depreciation expense by approximately $675 million in 2020, of which approximately $165 million remained capitalized in inventory as of the end of 2020. After adjusting for the effect of the reduced amount of depreciation
mu-20210902_g5.jpg59


Equity Method Investments

Equityexpense remaining in inventory, the revision in estimated useful lives benefited both operating income and net income (loss) of equity method investees, net of tax, included the following:
For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
Inotera $
 $9
 $32
Tera Probe 
 (3) (11)
Other (1) 2
 4
  $(1) $8
 $25

Inotera

We held a 33% interest in Inotera, a Taiwan DRAM memory company, through December 6, 2016, at which time we acquired the remaining 67% interest in Inotera. From January 2013 through December 2015, we purchased all of Inotera's DRAM output under supply agreements at prices reflecting discounts from market prices for our comparable components. After December 2015 and until our acquisition of the remaining interest in Inotera, the price for DRAM products purchased by us was based on a formula that equally shared margin between Inotera and us. Under these agreements, we purchased $504approximately $510 million and $1.43 billion of DRAM products in 2017 through the date of our acquisition and 2016, respectively. In 2016, we manufactured and sold specialized equipment to Inotera and recognized net sales of $55 million and margin of $16 million.diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.45 for 2020.





Tera Probe

In 2017, we sold our 40% interest in Tera Probe, which provided semiconductor wafer testing and probe services to us, in a transaction that included the sale of our assembly and test facility located in Akita, Japan. In 2017 and 2016, we recorded impairment charges of $16 million and $25 million, respectively, within equity in net income (loss) of equity method investees to write down the carrying value of our investment in Tera Probe to its fair value based on its trading price (Level 1). We incurred manufacturing costs for services performed by Tera Probe of $47 million and $70 million in 2017 through the date of sale and 2016, respectively.


Intangible Assets and Goodwill

20212020
As ofGross
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Gross
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Product and process technology$633 $(284)$616 $(282)
Goodwill1,228 1,228 

As of 2018 2017
  
Gross
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Gross
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
Amortizing assets        
Product and process technology $567
 $(344) $756
 $(477)
Non-amortizing assets        
In-process R&D 108
 
 108
 
         
Total intangible assets $675
 $(344) $864
 $(477)
         
Goodwill $1,228
   $1,228
  

In 2018, 2017,2021, 2020, and 2016,2019, we capitalized $48$106 million, $29$73 million, and $30$91 million, respectively, for product and process technology with weighted-average useful lives of 9 years, 10 years, 11and 8 years, respectively. Amortization expense was $82 million, $78 million, and 10 years,$82 million for 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Expected amortization expense is $72 million for 2022, $61 million for 2023, $55 million for 2019, $382024, $34 million for 2020, $332025, and $26 million for 2021, $23 million for 2022,2026.


Leases

We have finance and $17 million for 2023.

In 2016,operating leases through which we acquired Tidal Systems, Ltd., a developer of PCIe NAND Flash storage controllers,obtain the right to enhanceuse equipment and facilities in our NAND Flash controller technology for $148 million. In connection therewith, we recognized $108 million of in-processmanufacturing operations and R&D; $81 million of goodwill, which was derived from expected cost reductions&D activities as well as office space and other synergiesfacilities used in our SG&A functions. Our finance leases consist primarily of gas or other supply agreements that are deemed to contain embedded leases in which we effectively control the underlying gas plants or other assets used to fulfill the supply agreements. Our operating leases consist primarily of offices, other facilities, and was assignedland used in SG&A, R&D, and certain of our manufacturing operations. Certain of our operating leases include one or more options to SBU;extend the lease term for periods from one year to 10 years for real estate and $41 millionone year to 30 years for land.

Certain supply or service agreements require us to exercise significant judgment to determine whether the agreement contains a lease of deferred tax liabilities; which, in aggregate, representeda right-of-use asset. Our assessment includes determining whether we or the supplier control the assets used to fulfill the supply or service agreement by identifying whether we or the supplier have the right to change the type, quantity, timing, or location of the output of the assets. Our gas supply arrangements generally are deemed to contain a lease because we have the right to substantially all of the output of the assets used to produce the supply and we have the right to change the quantity and timing of the output of those assets. In determining the lease term, we assess whether we are reasonably certain to exercise options to renew or terminate a lease, and when or whether we would exercise an option to purchase price.the right-of-use asset. Measuring the present value of the initial lease liability requires judgment to determine the discount rate, which we base on interest rates for borrowings with similar terms and collateral issued by entities with credit ratings similar to ours.

Operating lease costs include short-term and variable lease expenses. Short-term, variable leases, and sublease income are not material for the periods presented. The in-process R&Dcomponents of lease expense are presented below:
For the year ended20212020
Finance lease cost
Amortization of right-of-use asset$69 $140 
Interest on lease liability20 22
Operating lease cost108 102 
$197 $264 

Operating lease expense under the previous ASC 840 lease accounting guidance was valued using$93 million for 2019.

60 | 2021 10-K



Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
For the year ended20212020
Cash flows used for operating activities
Finance leases$21 $24 
Operating leases(1)
106 39
Cash flows used for financing activities from financing leases85248
Noncash acquisitions of right-of-use assets
Finance leases395107 
Operating leases2711
(1)Includes $48 million of reimbursements received for tenant improvements for 2020.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
As of20212020
Finance lease right-of-use assets (included in property, plant, and equipment and assets held for sale)$766 $426 
Current operating lease liabilities (included in accounts payable and accrued expenses)5554
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)
Finance leases55
Operating leases77
Weighted-average discount rate
Finance leases3.14 %4.51 %
Operating leases2.63 %2.67 %

Maturities of lease liabilities existing as of September 2, 2021 were as follows:
For the year endingFinance LeasesOperating Leases
2022$127 $68 
2023115 69 
202489 61 
202574 50 
202674 47 
2027 and thereafter454 372 
Less imputed interest(130)(108)
$803 $559 

The table above excludes any lease liabilities for leases that have been executed but have not yet commenced. As of September 2, 2021, we had such lease liabilities relating to (1) operating lease payment obligations of $147 million for the initial 10-year lease term for a replacement cost approach,building, which included inputsmay, at our election, be terminated after 3 years or extended for an additional 10 years, and (2) finance lease obligations of reproduction cost, including developer's profit,$553 million over a weighted-average period of 15 years for gas supply arrangements deemed to contain embedded leases. We will recognize right-of-use assets and opportunity cost. We expect to begin amortizingassociated lease liabilities at the in-process R&D in 2019 and will amortize it over its estimated useful life. The goodwill is not deductibletime such assets become available for tax purposes.our use.




mu-20210902_g5.jpg61



Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

As of20212020
Accounts payable$1,744 $2,191 
Property, plant, and equipment1,887 2,374 
Salaries, wages, and benefits984 849 
Income and other taxes364 237 
Other346 166 
$5,325 $5,817 

As of 2018 2017
Accounts payable $1,692
 $1,333
Property, plant, and equipment payables 1,238
 1,018
Salaries, wages, and benefits 841
 603
Income and other taxes 402
 163
Customer advances 207
 197
Other 231
 350
  $4,611
 $3,664





Debt

20212020
Net Carrying AmountNet Carrying Amount
As ofStated RateEffective RatePrincipalCurrentLong-TermTotalPrincipalCurrentLong-TermTotal
Finance lease obligations
N/A3.14 %$803 $154 $649 $803 $486 $76 $410 $486 
2023 Notes2.497 %2.64 %1,250 — 1,247 1,247 1,250 — 1,245 1,245 
2024 Notes4.640 %4.76 %600 — 598 598 600 — 598 598 
2024 Term Loan A0.975 %1.01 %1,188 — 1,186 1,186 — — — — 
2026 Notes4.975 %5.07 %500 — 498 498 500 — 498 498 
2027 Notes(1)
4.185 %4.27 %900 — 901 901 900 — 895 895 
2029 Notes5.327 %5.40 %700 — 696 696 700 — 696 696 
2030 Notes4.663 %4.73 %850 — 846 846 850 — 845 845 
2032D NotesN/AN/A— — — — 134 131 — 131 
Extinguished 2024 Term Loan AN/AN/A— — — — 1,250 62 1,186 1,248 
OtherN/AN/A— — 
 $6,792 $155 $6,621 $6,776 $6,671 $270 $6,373 $6,643 
(1) In 2021, we entered into fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps on the 2027 Notes with an aggregate $900 million notional amount equal to the principal amount of the 2027 Notes. The resulting variable interest paid is at a rate equal to SOFR plus approximately 3.33%. The fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps are accounted for as fair value hedges, as a result, the carrying value of our 2027 Notes reflects adjustments in fair value.
As of 2018 2017
        Net Carrying Amount   Net Carrying Amount
Instrument Stated Rate Effective Rate Principal Current Long-Term 
Total(1)
 Principal Current Long-Term 
Total(1)
IMFT Member Debt N/A
 N/A
 $1,009
 $
 $1,009
 $1,009
 $
 $
 $
 $
Capital lease obligations N/A
 3.86% 845
 310
 535
 845
 1,190
 357
 833
 1,190
MMJ Creditor Payments N/A
 9.76% 520
 309
 183
 492
 695
 $157
 474
 631
2022 Term
Loan B
 3.83% 4.24% 735
 5
 720
 725
 743
 5
 725
 730
2025 Notes 5.50% 5.56% 519
 
 515
 515
 519
 
 515
 515
2032D Notes(2)
 3.13% 6.33% 143
 
 132
 132
 177
 
 159
 159
2033F Notes(2)(3)
 2.13% 4.93% 107
 235
 
 235
 297
 278
 
 278
2043G Notes(2)(4)
 3.00% 6.76% 1,019
 
 682
 682
 1,025
 
 671
 671
2021 MSAC Term Loan 4.42% 4.65% 
 
 
 
 800
 99
 697
 796
2021 MSTW Term Loan 2.85% 3.01% 
 
 
 
 2,652
 
 2,640
 2,640
2023 Notes 5.25% 5.43% 
 
 
 
 1,000
 
 991
 991
2023 Secured Notes 7.50% 7.69% 
 
 
 
 1,250
 
 1,238
 1,238
2024 Notes 5.25% 5.38% 
 
 
 
 550
 
 546
 546
2026 Notes 5.63% 5.73% 
 
 
 
 129
 
 128
 128
2032C Notes 2.38% 5.95% 
 
 
 
 223
 
 211
 211
2033E Notes 1.63% 1.63% 
 
 
 
 173
 202
 
 202
Other notes 2.50% 2.50% 1
 
 1
 1
 216
 164
 44
 208
      $4,898
 $859
 $3,777
 $4,636
 $11,639
 $1,262
 $9,872
 $11,134
(1)
Net carrying amount is the principal amount less unamortized debt discount and issuance costs. In addition, the net carrying amount as of August 30, 2018 and August 31, 2017 included $132 million and $31 million, respectively, of derivative debt liabilities recognized as a result of our election to settle entirely in cash converted notes with an aggregate principal amount of $35 million and $16 million, respectively.
(2)
Since the closing price of our common stock exceeded 130% of the conversion price per share for at least 20 trading days in the 30 trading day period ended on June 30, 2018, these notes are convertible by the holders through the calendar quarter ended September 30, 2018. Additionally, the closing price of our common stock also exceeded the thresholds for the calendar quarter ended September 30, 2018; therefore, these notes are convertible by the holders at any time through December 31, 2018.
(3)
Current debt as of August 30, 2018 included an aggregate of $165 million for the settlement obligation (including principal and amounts in excess of principal) for conversions of our 2033F Notes that will settle in cash in the first quarter of 2019. The remainder of the 2033F Notes were classified as current as of August 30, 2018 because the terms of these notes require us to pay cash for the principal amount of any converted notes and holders of these notes had the right to convert their notes as of that date.
(4)
The 2043G Notes outstanding as of August 30, 2018 have an original principal amount of $815 million that accretes up to $911 million through the expected term in November 2028 and $1.02 billion at maturity in 2043.


Our convertible andAs of September 2, 2021, all of our debt, other senior notesthan our finance leases, are unsecured obligations that rank equally in right of payment with all of our other existing and future unsecured indebtedness and are effectively subordinated to all of our other existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. As of August 30, 2018,September 2, 2021, Micron had $1.56$5.97 billion of unsecured debt (net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs), including all of its convertible notes and the 2025 Notes, that was structurally subordinated to all liabilities of its subsidiaries, including trade payables. The terms of our indebtedness generally contain cross payment default and cross acceleration provisions. Micron guarantees certain debt obligations of its subsidiaries, but does not guarantee the MMJ Creditor Payments. Micron'sMicron’s guarantees of its subsidiary debt


obligations are unsecured obligations ranking equally in right of payment with all of Micron'sMicron’s other existing and future unsecured indebtedness.


IMFT Member Debt

In 2018, Intel provided debt financing ("IMFT Member Debt") of $1.01 billion to IMFT pursuant to the terms of the IMFT joint venture agreement. IMFT Member Debt is non-interest bearing, matures upon the completion of an auction and sale of assets of IMFT prior to the dissolution, liquidation, or other wind-up of IMFT, and is convertible, at the election of Intel, in whole or in part, into a capital contribution to IMFT. Additionally, to the extent IMFT distributes cash to its members under the terms of the IMFT joint venture agreement, Intel may, at its option, designate any portion of the distribution to be a repayment of the IMFT Member Debt. In the event Intel exercises its right to put its interest in IMFT to us, or if we exercise our right to call from Intel its interest in IMFT, any IMFT Member Debt outstanding at the time of the closing of the put or call transaction will transfer to Micron. (See "Equity – Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiaries – IMFT" note.)

Capital Lease Obligations

In 2018, we recorded capital lease obligations aggregating $20 million at a weighted-average effective interest rate of 4.6%, with a weighted-average expected term of five years. In 2017, we recorded capital lease obligations aggregating $220 million.

MMJ Creditor Payments

Under the MMJ Companies' corporate reorganization proceedings, which set forth the treatment of the MMJ Companies' pre-petition creditors and their claims, the MMJ Companies were required to pay 200 billion yen, less certain expenses of the reorganization proceedings and other items, to their secured and unsecured creditors in seven annual installment payments (the "MMJ Creditor Payments"). The MMJ Creditor Payments do not provide for interest and, as a result of our acquisition of the MMJ Companies in 2013, we recorded the MMJ Creditor Payments at fair value. The fair-value discount is accreted to interest expense over the term of the installment payments.

Under the MMJ Companies' corporate reorganization proceedings, the secured creditors of MMJ will recover 100% of the amount of their fixed claims in six annual installment payments through October 2018 and the unsecured creditors will recover at least 17.4% of the amount of their fixed claims in seven annual installment payments through December 2019. The remaining portion of the unsecured claims of the creditors of MMJ not recovered pursuant to the corporate reorganization proceedings will be discharged, without payment, through December 2019. The following table presents the remaining amounts of MMJ Creditor Payments (stated in Japanese yen and U.S. dollars) and the amount of unamortized discount as of August 30, 2018:
2019 ¥36,392
 $326
2020 21,720
 194
  58,112
 520
Less unamortized discount (3,186) (28)
  ¥54,926
 $492

Pursuant to the terms of an Agreement on Support for Reorganization Companies that we executed in 2012 with the trustees of the MMJ Companies' pending corporate reorganization proceedings, we entered into a series of agreements with the MMJ Companies, including supply agreements, research and development services agreements, and general services agreements, which are intended to generate operating cash flows to meet the requirements of the MMJ Companies' businesses, including the funding of the MMJ Creditor Payments.

2022 Senior Secured Term Loan B

In April 2016, we issued $750 million in principal amount of 2022 Term Loan B notes due April 2022. The 2022 Term Loan B provides for periodic repricing of the interest rates and, as of August 30, 2018, the 2022 Term Loan B generally bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.75%. We may elect to convert outstanding term loan interest to other variable-rate indexes. Principal payments are due quarterly in an amount equal to 0.25% of the initial aggregate principal amount with the balance due at maturity and may be prepaid without penalty. Interest is payable at least quarterly.



The 2022 Term Loan B is collateralized by substantially all of the assets of Micron and MSP, a subsidiary of Micron, subject to certain permitted liens on such assets. Included in our consolidated balance sheet as of August 30, 2018 were $8.32 billion of assets which collateralize these notes. The 2022 Term Loan B is structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of all of Micron's subsidiaries that do not guarantee these debt obligations and is guaranteed by MSP.

The 2022 Term Loan B contains covenants that, among other things, limit, in certain circumstances, the ability of Micron and/or its domestic restricted subsidiaries to (1) create or incur certain liens and enter into sale-leaseback financing transactions; (2) in the case of domestic restricted subsidiaries, create, assume, incur, or guarantee additional indebtedness; and (3) in the case of Micron, consolidate or merge with or into, or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to another entity. These covenants are subject to a number of limitations, exceptions, and qualifications.

2025Unsecured Notes


The 2025 unsecured notesOur 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes, 2027 Notes, 2029 Notes, and 2030 Notes (the “Senior Unsecured Notes”) each contain covenants that, among other things, limit, in certain circumstances, our ability and/or the ability of our domestic restricted subsidiaries (which are generally domestic subsidiaries in the U.S. in which we own at least 80% of the voting stock)stock and which own principal property, as defined in the indenture governing such notes) to (1) create or incur certain liens andliens; (2) enter into certain sale and lease-back transactions, (2) create, assume, incur, or guarantee certain additional secured indebtedness and unsecured indebtedness of our domestic restricted subsidiaries,transactions; and (3) consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer, or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets, to another entity. These covenants
62 | 2021 10-K



are subject to a number of limitations exceptions, and qualifications.

Cash Redemption at Our Option: Prior to August 1, 2019, we may redeem the 2025 Notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal to the principal amount of the 2025 Notes to be redeemed plus a make-whole premium as described in the indenture governing the 2025 Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest. On or after August 1, 2019, we may redeem the 2025 Notes, in whole or in part, at prices above the principal amount that decline over time, as specified in the indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest.
Convertible Senior Notes

  
Holder Put
Date
(1)
 Maturity Date Conversion Price Per Share 
Conversion Price Per Share Threshold(2)
 Underlying Shares of Common Stock 
Conversion Value in Excess of Principal(3)
 
Principal
Settlement
Option(4)
2032D Notes May 2021 May 2032 $9.98
 $12.97
 14
 $615
 Cash and/or shares
2033F Notes(5)
 Feb 2020 Feb 2033 10.93
 14.21
 10
 408
 Cash
2043G Notes Nov 2028 Nov 2043 29.16
 37.91
 35
 824
 Cash and/or shares
          59
 $1,847
  
(1)
Debt discount and debt issuance costs are amortized through the earliest holder put date.
(2)
Represents 130% of the conversion price per share. If the trading price of our common stock exceeds such threshold for a specified period, holders may convert such notes during a specified period. See "Conversion Rights" below.
(3)
Based on the trading price of our common stock of $52.76 as of August 30, 2018.
(4)
It is our current intent to settle in cash the principal amount of our convertible notes upon conversion. As a result, only the amounts payable in excess of the principal amounts upon conversion of our convertible notes are considered in diluted earnings per share under the treasury stock method. For each of our convertible notes, we may elect to settle any amounts in excess of the principal in cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination thereof.
(5)
Holders may put their notes to us on February 15, 2023.

Conversion Rights: Holders of our convertible notes may convert their notes under the following circumstances: (1)exceptions. Additionally, if the notes are called for redemption; (2) during any calendar quarter if the closing price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding calendar quarter is more than 130% of the conversion price (see "Conversion Price Per Share Threshold" in the table above); (3) if the trading price of the notes is less than 98% of the product of the closing price of our common stock and the conversion rate of the notes during the periods specified in the indentures; (4) if specified distributions or corporate events occur, as set forth in the indenture for the notes; or (5) during the last three months prior to the maturity date of the notes. For the calendar quarter ended September 30, 2018, the closing price of our common stock exceeded 130% of the conversion price for each series of our convertible notes; therefore, those notes are convertible by the holders through December 31, 2018.



In August 2018, holders of our 2033F Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $35 million converted their notes, which were settled in cash the first quarter of 2019. As a result of our election to settle all amounts due upon conversion in cash for these notes, such settlement obligations became derivative debt liabilities in 2018 subject to mark-to-market accounting treatment based on the volume-weighted-average price of our common stock over a period of 20 consecutive trading days. Accordingly, at the dates of our elections to settle the conversions in cash, we reclassified the fair values of the equity components of each of the converted notes from additional capital to derivative debt liabilities within current debt in our consolidated balance sheet. The net carrying amount for 2018 included $132 million for the fair values of the derivative debt liabilities as of August 30, 2018. The 20 consecutive trading day period ended in the first quarter of 2019, and we settled the conversion for $153 million in cash.

Cash Redemption at Our Option: We may redeem our convertible notes under the circumstances listed in the table below. The redemption price for the notes will equal the principal amount at maturity, or the accreted principal amount in the case of the 2043G Notes redeemed on or after November 20, 2018, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Conditional Redemption Period
at Our Option(1)
Unconditional Redemption Period
at Our Option
Redemption Period Requiring
Make-Whole
2032D NotesOn or after May 1, 2017On or after May 4, 2021
Prior to May 4, 2021(2)
2033F NotesN/AOn or after Feb 20, 2020N/A
2043G NotesPrior to Nov 20, 2018On or after Nov 20, 2018
Prior to Nov 20, 2018(3)
(1)
We may redeem for cash on or after the applicable dates if the volume weighted average price of our common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price for at least 20 trading days during any 30 consecutive trading day period.
(2)
If we redeem prior to the applicable date, we will pay a make-whole premium in cash equal to the present value of the remaining scheduled interest payments from the redemption date to May 4, 2021.
(3)
If we redeem prior to the applicable date, we will be required to pay a make-whole premium only if, as a result of our redemption notice, holders convert their notes. The make-whole premium will be based on the price of our common stock and the conversion date, as set forth in the indenture, and is payable at our election in cash and/or shares.

Cash Repurchase at the Option of the Holders: We may be required by the holders of our convertible notes to repurchase for cash all or a portion of the notes on the "Holder Put Date" listed in the table above. The repurchase price would equal the principal amount, or the accreted principal amount in the case of the 2043G Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Also, upon a change inof control or a termination of trading,triggering event occurs, as defined in the respective indentures holders ofgoverning our convertiblesenior unsecured notes, may require uswe will be required to repurchase for cash all or a portion of their notes.

Other: Interest expense for our convertibleoffer to purchase such notes consisted of contractual interest of $44 million, $51 million, and $51 million for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, and amortization of discount and issuance costs of $32 million, $37 million, and $36 million for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. As of August 30, 2018 and August 31, 2017, the carrying amountsat 101% of the equity components of our convertible notes, which are included in additional capital inoutstanding aggregate principal amount plus accrued interest up to the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, were $208 million and $287 million, respectively.purchase date.


Available Revolving Credit Facility


On August 9, 2018,May 14, 2021, we terminated our existing undrawn revolving credit facility scheduled to expire in February 2020, under which we were able draw up to the lesser of $750 million or 80% of the net outstanding balance of certain trade receivables.

On July 3, 2018, weand entered into a revolving credit facility that expires in July 2023, under whichnew five-year unsecured Revolving Credit Facility. Under the Revolving Credit Facility, we can draw up to $2.00 billion. Borrowings under the facility will$2.50 billion which would generally bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.25%1.00% to 2.00%1.75%, depending on our corporate credit ratings or leverage ratio.ratings. Any amounts drawn are collateralized by substantially all ofoutstanding under the assets of MicronRevolving Credit Facility would mature in May 2026 and MSP, a subsidiary of Micron, subject to certain permitted liens. Additionally, any amounts drawn are pari passu with the 2022 Term Loan B and are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of all of Micron's subsidiaries that do not guarantee these debt obligations, and is guaranteed by MSP.borrowed may be prepaid without penalty. As of August 30, 2018, thereSeptember 2, 2021, no amounts were no outstanding amounts drawn under this facility. We may suspend the security interest in the collateral under the facility upon achieving specified credit ratingsRevolving Credit Facility and repayment of the 2022 Term Loan B; however, the security interest will be automatically reinstated upon a decline in our corporate credit rating.$2.50 billion was available to us.


Under the terms of the revolving credit agreement,Revolving Credit Facility, we must maintain a leverage ratio, calculated as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, of total indebtedness to adjusted EBITDA not to exceed 2.75 to 1.00. We must also maintain a ratio of adjusted EBITDA to net interest expense of not less than 3.503.25 to 1.00. The facilityRevolving Credit Facility contains other covenants that, among other things,


limit, in certain circumstances, our ability and/or the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to (1) create or incur certain liens and enter into sale and lease-back transactions, (2) create, assume, incur, or guarantee certain additional secured indebtedness and unsecured indebtedness of our restricted subsidiaries, and (3) consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer, lease, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets, to another entity. These covenants are subject to a number of limitations, exceptions, and qualifications.


2024 Term Loans

On May 14, 2021, we drew $1.19 billion under an unsecured 2024 Term Loan A and used the proceeds to repay the $1.19 billion Extinguished 2024 Term Loan A. The 2024 Term Loan A bears interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 0.625% to 1.375% based on our current corporate credit ratings. The principal amount is due October 2024 and may be prepaid without penalty. The 2024 Term Loan A contains the same leverage ratio and substantially the same other covenants as the Revolving Credit Facility.

Debt Prepayments, Repurchases, and ConversionsActivity

During 2018, we prepaid, repurchased, and settled conversions of debt with an aggregate principal amount of $6.96 billion. When we receive a notice of conversion for any of our convertible notes and elect to settle in cash any amount of the conversion obligation in excess of the principal amount, the cash settlement obligations become derivative debt liabilities subject to mark-to-market accounting treatment based on the volume-weighted-average price of our common stock over a period of 20 consecutive trading days. Accordingly, at the date of our election to settle a conversion in cash, we reclassify the fair value of the equity component of the converted notes from additional capital to derivative debt liability within current debt in our consolidated balance sheet.


The following table below presents the effects of issuances, prepayments, repurchases,and settlements of debt conversions in 2021.
Increase (Decrease) in PrincipalIncrease (Decrease) in Carrying ValueIncrease (Decrease) in CashDecrease in EquityGain (Loss)
Issuance of 2024 Term Loan A$1,188 $1,186 $1,186 $— $— 
Prepayment of Extinguished 2024 Term Loan A(1,188)(1,186)(1,188)— (2)
Settlement of Conversions of 2032D Notes(1)
(134)(134)(185)(52)
$(134)$(134)$(187)$(52)$(1)
(1)In 2021, substantially all holders of our 2032D Notes converted their notes. We settled these conversions and all remaining 2032D Notes with $185 million in cash and 11.1 million shares of our stock.

In 2020, we recognized aggregate non-operating gains of $40 million in connection with debt prepayments and conversions of debt in 2018:
  Decrease in Principal Increase (Decrease) in Carrying Value Decrease in Cash Decrease in Equity Gain (Loss)
Prepayments and repurchases          
2021 MSAC Term Loan $(730) $(727) $(730) $
 $(3)
2021 MSTW Term Loan (2,625) (2,616) (2,625) 
 (10)
2023 Notes (1,000) (991) (1,046) 
 (55)
2023 Secured Notes (1,250) (1,238) (1,373) 
 (135)
2024 Notes (550) (546) (572) 
 (25)
2026 Notes (129) (129) (139) 
 (11)
2033F Notes (66) (63) (316) (252) (1)
Other Notes (46) (44) (46) 
 (2)
Settled conversions          
2032C Notes (223) (216) (1,230) (965) (50)
2032D Notes (34) (31) (182) (145) (6)
2033E Notes(1)
 (173) (203) (552) (297) (52)
2033F Notes (124) (118) (596) (462) (16)
2043G Notes (6) (4) (13) (5) (4)
Conversions not settled          
2033F Notes(2)
 
 132
 
 (117) (15)
  $(6,956) $(6,794) $(9,420) $(2,243) $(385)
(1)
Settlement included issuance of 4 million shares of our treasury stock in addition to payment of cash.
(2)
As of August 30, 2018, an aggregate of $35 million principal amount of our 2033F Notes (with a carrying value of $165 million) had converted but not settled. These notes settled in the first quarter of 2019 for $153 million in cash.

In 2017, we repurchased $631 million$3.77 billion of principal amount of our 2025 Notesnotes (carrying value of $625 million), repurchased $321 million of principal amount of our 2026 Notes (carrying value of $318 million), and redeemed $600 million principal amount of our 2022 Notes (carrying value of $592 million)$3.90 billion) for an aggregate of $1.63$3.92 billion in cash.

In connection with the transactions,2019, we recognized aggregate non-operating losses of $94$396 million in 2017.

In 2016, we repurchased $57 millionconnection with debt prepayments, repurchases, and conversions of $1.80 billion of principal amount of our 2033E Notesnotes (carrying value of $54 million)$1.60 billion) for $94 millionan aggregate of $2.38 billion in cash. The liability and equity components of the repurchased notes had previously been stated separately within debt and equity in our consolidated balance sheet. As a result, the repurchase decreased the carrying value of debt by $54 million and equity by $38 million.



mu-20210902_g5.jpg63




Maturities of Notes Payable and Future Minimum Lease Payments


As of August 30, 2018,September 2, 2021, maturities of notes payable (including the MMJ Creditor Payments) and future minimum lease payments under capital lease obligations were as follows:
2022$
20231,250 
2024600 
20251,188 
2026500 
2027 and thereafter2,450 
Unamortized discounts(21)
$5,968 

  Notes Payable Capital Lease Obligations
2019 $501
 $339
2020 274
 231
2021 151
 100
2022 713
 66
2023 
 42
2024 and thereafter 2,439
 187
Unamortized discounts and interest, respectively (287) (120)
  $3,791
 $845



Commitments


As of August 30, 2018,September 2, 2021, we had commitments of approximately $1.8$6.5 billion for purchase obligations, of which approximately $5.0 billion will be due within one year. Purchase obligations include payments for the acquisition of property, plant, and equipment. Weequipment, and other goods or services of either a fixed or minimum quantity and exclude any lease certain facilities and equipment under operatingpayments for leases for which expense was $63 million, $52 million, and $46 million for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Minimum future operating lease commitments as of August 30, 2018 were as follows:that have been executed but have not yet commenced.

2019 $37
2020 43
2021 50
2022 50
2023 45
2024 and thereafter 391
  $616



Contingencies


We have accrued a liability and charged operations for the estimated costs of adjudication or settlement of various asserted and unasserted claims existing as of the balance sheet date, including those described below. We are currently a party to other legal actions other than those described below arising from the normal course of business, none of which isare expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.


Patent Matters


As is typical in the semiconductor and other high-tech industries, from time to time, others have asserted, and may in the future assert, that our products or manufacturing processes infringe upon their intellectual property rights.


On August 12, 2014, MLC Intellectual Property, LLC filed a patent infringement action against Micron in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The complaint alleges that Micron infringes a single U.S. patent and seeks damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs.

On November 21, 2014, Elm 3DS Innovations, LLC ("Elm"(“Elm”) filed a patent infringement action against Micron; Micron MSP,Semiconductor Products, Inc.; and Micron Consumer Products Group, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. On March 27, 2015, Elm filed an amended complaint against the same entities. The amended complaint alleges that unspecified semiconductor products of ours that incorporate multiple stacked die infringe 13 U.S. patents and seeks damages, attorneys'attorneys’ fees, and costs. On July 14, 2021, the action was dismissed with prejudice pursuant to a stipulation of dismissal filed by the parties.


On December 15, 2014, Innovative Memory Solutions, Inc. ("IMS") filed a patent infringement action against Micron in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint alleges that a variety of our NAND products infringe eight8 U.S. patents and seeks damages, attorneys'attorneys’ fees, and costs. On July 23, 2018, IMS served a patent infringement complaint on Micron Semiconductor (Deutschland) GmbH and Micron Europe Limited alleging that products including our SSDs infringe a European patent. The complaint seeks unspecified damages and an order forbidding Micron Semiconductor (Deutschland) GmbH and Micron Europe Limited from offering to sell, using, and importing the accused products. On August 31, 2018,


Micron was served with a complaint filed by IMS in Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court in Guangdong Province, China. The complaint alleges that certain of our NAND flash products infringe a Chinese patent. The complaint seeks an order requiring Micron to stop manufacturing, using, selling, and offering for sale the accused products in China, and to pay damages of 1 million Chinese yuan plus expenses.

On June 24, 2016, the President and Fellows of Harvard University filed a patent infringement action against MicronSubsequently, 6 patents were invalidated or withdrawn, leaving 2 asserted patents in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The complaint alleged that a variety of our DRAM products infringed two U.S. patents and sought damages, injunctive relief, and other unspecified relief. On March 1, 2018, we executed a settlement agreement resolving this litigation. The settlement amount did not have a material effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.Court.


On March 19, 2018, Micron Semiconductor (Xi’an) Co., Ltd. ("MXA"(“MXA”) was served with a patent infringement complaint filed by Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd. ("Jinhua"(“Jinhua”) in the Fuzhou Intermediate People’s Court in Fujian Province, China (the "Fuzhou Court"“Fuzhou Court”). On April 3, 2018, Micron Semiconductor (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. ("MSS"(“MSS”) was served with the same complaint. The complaint alleges that MXA and MSS infringe a Chinese patent by manufacturing and selling certain Crucial DDR4 DRAM modules. The complaint seeks an order requiring MXA and MSS to destroy inventory of the accused products and equipment for manufacturing the accused products in China, China;
64 | 2021 10-K



to stop manufacturing, using, selling, and offering for sale the accused products in China,China; and to pay damages of 98 million Chinese yuan plus court fees incurred.


On March 21, 2018, MXA was served with a patent infringement complaint filed by United Microelectronics Corporation ("UMC"(“UMC”) in the Fuzhou Court. On April 3, 2018, MSS was served with the same complaint. The complaint alleges that MXA and MSS infringe a Chinese patent by manufacturing and selling certain Crucial DDR4 DRAM modules. The complaint seeks an order requiring MXA and MSS to destroy inventory of the accused products and equipment for manufacturing the accused products in China,China; to stop manufacturing, using, selling, and offering for sale the accused products in China,China; and to pay damages of 90 million Chinese yuan plus court fees incurred.


On April 3, 2018, MSS was served with another patent infringement complaint filed by Jinhua and twoan additional complaintscomplaint filed by UMC in the Fuzhou Court. The three additional complaints allege that MSS infringes threetwo Chinese patents by manufacturing and selling certain Crucial MX300 SSDs and certain GDDR5 memory chips.SSDs. The two complaintscomplaint filed by UMC each seekseeks an order requiring MSS to destroy inventory of the accused products and equipment for manufacturing the accused products in China,China; to stop manufacturing, using, selling, and offering for sale the accused products in China,China; and to pay damages of 90 million Chinese yuan plus court fees incurred. The complaint filed by Jinhua seeks an order requiring MSS to destroy inventory of the accused products and equipment for manufacturing the accused products in China,China; to stop manufacturing, using, selling, and offering for sale the accused products in China,China; and to pay damages of 98 million Chinese yuan plus court fees incurred. On October 9, 2018, UMC withdrew its complaint that alleged MSS infringed a Chinese patent by manufacturing and selling certain GDDR5 memory chips.


On July 5, 2018, MXA and MSS were notified that the Fuzhou Court granted a preliminary injunction against those entities that enjoins them from manufacturing, selling, or importing certain Crucial and Ballistic-brandedBallistix-branded DRAM modules and solid-state drives in China. The affected products makemade up slightly more than 1% of our annualized revenues.revenue in 2018. We are complying with the ruling and have requested the Fuzhou Court to reconsider or stay its decision.


On May 4, 2020, Flash-Control, LLC filed a patent infringement action against Micron in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. The complaint alleges that 4 U.S. patents are infringed by unspecified DDR4 SDRAM, NVRDIMM, NVDIMM, 3D XPoint, and/or SSD products that incorporate memory controllers and flash memory. The complaint seeks damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs. On July 21, 2020, in a separate matter, the District Court ruled that 2 of the 4 asserted patents are invalid, and on July 14, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the ruling of invalidity.

On April 28, 2021, Netlist, Inc. filed two patent infringement actions against Micron, Micron Semiconductor Products, Inc. and Micron Technology Texas, LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. The first complaint alleges that a single U.S. patent is infringed by certain of our non-volatile dual in-line memory modules. The second complaint alleges that 3 U.S. patents are infringed by certain of our load-reduced dual in-line memory modules. Each complaint seeks injunctive relief, damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs.

On May 10, 2021, Vervain, LLC filed a patent infringement action against Micron, Micron Semiconductor Products, Inc., and Micron Technology Texas, LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. The complaint alleges that 4 U.S. patents are infringed by certain SSD products. The complaint seeks injunctive relief, damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs.

Among other things, the above lawsuits pertain to substantially all of our DRAM, NAND, and other memory and storage products we manufacture, which account for a significant portionsubstantially all of our net sales.revenue.

We are unable to predict the outcome of assertions of infringement made against us and therefore cannot estimate the range of possible loss. A determination that our products or manufacturing processes infringe the intellectual property rights of others or entering into a license agreement covering such intellectual property could result in significant liability and/or require us to make material changes to our products and/or manufacturing processes. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.




Qimonda


On January 20, 2011, Dr. Michael Jaffé, administrator for Qimonda'sQimonda’s insolvency proceedings, filed suit against Micron and Micron Semiconductor B.V., our Netherlands subsidiary (" (“Micron B.V."), in the District Court of Munich, Civil Chamber. The complaint seeks to void, under Section 133 of the German Insolvency Act, a share purchase agreement between Micron B.V. and Qimonda signed in fall 2008, pursuant to which Micron B.V. purchased substantially all of Qimonda'sQimonda’s shares of Inotera (the "Inotera Shares"“Inotera Shares”), representing approximately 18% of Inotera'sInotera’s outstanding shares as of August 30, 2018,at that time, and seeks an order requiring us to re-transfer those shares to the Qimonda estate. The complaint also seeks, among other things, to recover damages for the alleged value of the joint venture relationship with Inotera and to terminate,
mu-20210902_g5.jpg65



under Sections 103 or 133 of the German Insolvency Code, a patent cross-license between us and Qimonda entered into at the same time as the share purchase agreement.


Following a series of hearings with pleadings, arguments, and witnesses on behalf of the Qimonda estate, on March 13, 2014, the court issued judgments: (1) ordering Micron B.V. to pay approximately $1 million in respect of certain Inotera Shares sold in connection with the original share purchase; (2) ordering Micron B.V. to disclose certain information with respect to any Inotera Shares sold by it to third parties; (3) ordering Micron B.V. to disclose the benefits derived by it from ownership of the Inotera Shares, including in particular, any profits distributed on the Inotera Shares and all other benefits; (4) denying Qimonda'sQimonda’s claims against Micron for any damages relating to the joint venture relationship with Inotera; and (5) determining that Qimonda'sQimonda’s obligations under the patent cross-license agreement are canceled. In addition, the court issued interlocutory judgments ordering, among other things: (1) that Micron B.V. transfer to the Qimonda estate the Inotera Shares still owned by Micron B.V. and pay to the Qimonda estate compensation in an amount to be specified for any Inotera Shares sold to third parties; and (2) that Micron B.V. pay the Qimonda estate as compensation an amount to be specified for benefits derived by Micron B.V. from ownership of the Inotera Shares. The interlocutory judgments havehad no immediate, enforceable effect on us, and Micron, accordingly, we expect to behas been able to continue to operate with full control of the Inotera Shares subject to further developments in the case. We haveOn April 17, 2014, Micron and Micron B.V. filed a notice of appeal with the German Appeals Court challenging the District Court’s decision. After opening briefs, the Appeals Court held a hearing on the matter on July 9, 2015, and thereafter appointed an independent expert to perform an evaluation of Dr. Jaffé’s claims that the parties have submitted briefsamount Micron paid for Qimonda was less than fair market value. On January 25, 2018, the court-appointed expert issued a report concluding that the amount paid by Micron was within an acceptable fair-value range. The Appeals Court held a subsequent hearing on April 30, 2019, and on May 28, 2019, the Appeals Court remanded the case to the appeals court.

We are unableexpert for supplemental expert opinion. On March 31, 2020, the expert presented a revised opinion to predict the outcome ofAppeals Court which reaffirmed the matter and therefore cannot estimateearlier view that the amount paid by Micron was still within an acceptable range of possible loss. The final resolutionfair value. On March 4, 2021, the Appeals Court issued an order setting forth a new legal view that whether the 2008 sale of this lawsuit could result in the loss of the Inotera Shares or monetary damages, unspecified damages basedis voidable depends on the benefits derived byquestion whether, in October 2008, Qimonda had a restructuring plan in place, and whether Micron B.V. from the ownershipwas aware of the Inotera Shares, and/or the termination of the patent cross-license, which could haveand reasonably relied on that restructuring plan sufficient to form a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation, or financial condition.belief that Qimonda was not imminently illiquid.


Antitrust Matters


On April 27, 2018, a purported class-action lawsuitcomplaint was filed against Micron and other DRAM suppliers in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California assertingCalifornia. Subsequently, 2 substantially identical cases were filed in the same court. The lawsuits purported to be on behalf of a nationwide class of indirect purchasers of DRAM products. On September 3, 2019, the District Court granted Micron’s motion to dismiss and allowed the plaintiffs the opportunity to file a consolidated, amended complaint. On October 28, 2019, the plaintiffs filed a consolidated, amended complaint that purported to be on behalf of a nationwide class of indirect purchasers of DRAM products. The amended complaint asserted claims based on alleged price-fixing of DRAM products under federal and state law during the period from June 1, 2016 to at least February 1, 2018. Similar cases were subsequently filed in federal court in the United States, as well as in Canadian courts in Quebec, Montreal2018, and Toronto, Ontario. The complaints seeksought treble monetary damages, costs, interest, attorneys'attorneys’ fees, and other injunctive and equitable relief. WeOn December 21, 2020, the District Court dismissed the plaintiffs’ claims and entered judgment against them. On January 19, 2021, the plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. On May 3, 2021, several plaintiffs filed a substantially identical complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California purportedly on behalf of a nationwide class of indirect purchasers of DRAM products. On July 19, 2021, the District Court dismissed the May 3, 2021 complaint pursuant to an agreement between the plaintiffs and Micron providing that the plaintiffs may refile the complaint if the District Court’s December 21, 2020 dismissal order is not affirmed on appeal.

On June 26, 2018, a complaint was filed against Micron and other DRAM suppliers in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Subsequently, 4 substantially identical cases were filed in the same court. On October 28, 2019, the plaintiffs filed a consolidated, amended complaint. The consolidated complaint purported to be on behalf of a nationwide class of direct purchasers of DRAM products. The consolidated complaint asserted claims based on alleged price-fixing of DRAM products under federal and state law during the period from June 1, 2016 through at least February 1, 2018, and sought treble monetary damages, costs, interest, attorneys’ fees, and other injunctive and equitable relief. On December 21, 2020, the District Court granted Micron’s motion to dismiss and granted the plaintiffs permission to file a further amended complaint. On January 11, 2021, the plaintiffs filed a further amended complaint asserting substantially the same claims and seeking the same relief. On September 3, 2021, the District Court granted Micron’s motion to dismiss the further amended complaint with prejudice.

66 | 2021 10-K



Additionally, 6 cases have been filed in the following Canadian courts: Superior Court of Quebec, the Federal Court of Canada, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The substantive allegations in these cases are unablesimilar to predictthose asserted in the outcome of these matters and therefore cannot estimatecases filed in the range of possible loss. The final resolution of these matters could result in significant liability and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.United States.


On May 15, 2018, the Chinese State Administration for Market Regulation ("SAMR"(“SAMR”) notified Micron that it was investigating potential collusion amongand other anticompetitive conduct by DRAM suppliers in China. On May 31, 2018, SAMR made unannounced visits to our sales offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen to seek certain information as part of its investigation. We are cooperating with SAMR in its investigation.


Securities Matters

On March 5, 2019, a derivative complaint was filed by a shareholder against certain current and former officers and directors of Micron, allegedly on behalf of and for the benefit of Micron, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware alleging securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duties, and other violations of law involving misrepresentations about purported anticompetitive behavior in the DRAM industry. The complaint seeks damages, fees, interest, costs, and other appropriate relief.

On February 9, 2021, a derivative complaint was filed by a shareholder against Sanjay Mehrotra and other current and former directors of Micron, allegedly on behalf of and for the benefit of Micron, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware alleging violations of securities laws, breaches of fiduciary duties, and other violations of law involving allegedly false and misleading statements about Micron’s commitment to diversity and progress in diversifying its workforce, executive leadership, and Board of Directors. The complaint seeks damages, fees, interest, costs, and an order requiring Micron to take various actions to allegedly improve its corporate governance and internal procedures.

Other


On December 5, 2017, Micron filed a complaint against UMC and Jinhua in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The complaint alleges that UMC and Jinhua violated the Defend Trade Secrets Act, the civil provisions of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, and California'sCalifornia’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act by misappropriating Micron'sMicron’s trade secrets and other misconduct. Micron'sMicron’s complaint seeks damages, restitution, disgorgement of profits, injunctive relief, and other appropriate relief.



On June 13, 2019, current Micron employee, Chris Manning, filed a putative class action lawsuit on behalf of Micron employees subject to the Idaho Wage Claim Act who earned a performance-based bonus after the conclusion of 2018 whose performance rating was calculated based upon a mandatory percentage distribution range of performance ratings. On July 12, 2019, Manning and three other Company employees filed an amended complaint as putative class action representatives. On behalf of themselves and the putative class, Manning and the three other plaintiffs assert claims for violation of the Idaho Wage Claim Act, breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and fraud. On June 24, 2020, the court entered judgment in favor of Micron based on the statute of limitations, and the plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on July 23, 2020.


On July 31, 2020, Micron and Intel entered into a binding arbitration agreement under which the parties agreed to present to an arbitral panel various financial disputes related to the IMFT joint venture between Micron and Intel, which ended October 31, 2019, and to other agreements relating to the joint development, production, and sale of non-volatile memory products. Each party alleges that the other owes damages relating to allegations of breach of 1 or more agreements.

On July 13, 2015, Allied Telesis, Inc. and Allied Telesis International (Asia) Pte Ltd. filed a complaint against Micron in the Superior Court of California in Santa Clara alleging breach of implied and express warranties and fraudulent inducement to contract arising from plaintiffs’ purchase of certain allegedly defective DDR1 products between 2008 and 2010. Through subsequent amendments to the complaint, the plaintiffs substituted Allied Telesis K.K. as plaintiff, withdrew the warranty claims, and added claims of fraudulent concealment, negligent misrepresentation, negligence, and strict products liability. The plaintiff’s amended complaint seeks an unspecified award of damages, including punitive damages and lost profits. On September 3, 2020, the Superior Court granted summary judgment dismissing the claims for negligence and strict products liability and denied summary judgment as to the claims for negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, and fraudulent inducement to contract. A trial is scheduled to begin on January 10, 2022.
mu-20210902_g5.jpg67




In the normal course of business, we are a party to a variety of agreements pursuant to which we may be obligated to indemnify the otheranother party. It is not possible to predict the maximum potential amount of future payments under these types of agreements due to the conditional nature of our obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. Historically, our payments under these types of agreements have not had a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.



Redeemable Convertible Notes

UnderWe are unable to predict the termsoutcome of the indentures governing our 2033 Notes, upon conversion, we would be required to pay cash equal to the lesser of (1) the aggregate principal amountpatent matters, Qimonda matter, antitrust matters, securities matters, binding arbitration with Intel, or (2) the conversion valueany other matters noted above, and cannot make a reasonable estimate of the notes being converted. Topotential loss or range of possible losses. A determination that our products or manufacturing processes infringe the extentintellectual property rights of others or entering into a license agreement covering such intellectual property could result in significant liability and/or require us to make material changes to our products and/or manufacturing processes. Any of the conversion value exceedsforegoing, as well as the principal amount, weresolution of any other legal matter noted above, could pay cash, shareshave a material adverse effect on our business, results of common stock,operations, or financial condition.

We are currently a combination thereof, at our option, forparty to legal actions other than those described in this note arising from the amountnormal course of such excess. The closing pricebusiness, none of our common stock met the threshold for conversion and our 2033 Notes were convertible by their holders as of August 30, 2018 and August 31, 2017. As a result, the balance of these notes was classified as current debt and the difference between the principal amount and the carrying value was classified as redeemable convertible notes in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.


Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

Redeemable noncontrolling interest reflects 100,000 preferred shares authorized and issued by Micron Semiconductor Asia Operations Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Micron, in August 2018 for proceeds, net of issuance related costs, of $97 million, which are redeemable by the holders after August 29, 2028. The preferred shareholders are entitledexpected to have a cumulative fixed dividendmaterial adverse effect on our business, results of 7.75% per annum, which is reflected in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, and a liquidation preference senior to the entity's common shares. We have the right to reacquire the preferred shares during the period beginning August 31, 2020 through August 29, 2026.operations, or financial condition.




Equity


Micron Shareholders'Shareholders’ Equity


Common Stock Repurchase AuthorizationRepurchases: In May 2018, we announced that our Our Board of Directors hadhas authorized the discretionary repurchase of up to $10 billion of our outstanding common stock beginning in 2019. We may purchase shares on a discretionary basis through open-market purchases, block trades, privately-negotiated transactions, derivative transactions, and/or pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan,plans. The repurchase authorization has no expiration date, does not obligate us to acquire any common stock, and is subject to market conditions and our ongoing determination of the best use of available cash. The repurchase authorization does not obligate us to acquire any common stock.

Accelerated Share Repurchase: On August 10, 2018, we entered into an accelerated share repurchase ("ASR") agreement with a financial institution to purchase $1.00 billion of our common stock under our common stock repurchase authorization. The number of shares purchased will be calculated by dividing $1.00 billion by a volume-weighted average price of our common stock from September 5, 2018 through as late as November 29, 2018 (the "Measurement Period"), subject to an agreed-upon discount. On September 5, 2018, we paid $1.00 billion to the financial institution and received an initial installment of 14 million shares, equal to $750 million divided by the closing price of our common stock on September 4, 2018. Based on the final number of shares purchased at the end of the Measurement Period, we will either receive an incremental number of shares, or settle any amount owed to the financial institution in either cash or shares, at our option. In the first quarter of 2019, we recorded the initial shares as treasury stock. The second installment is treated as an equity-linked contract indexed to our stock and therefore qualifies for equity accounting.

Other Repurchases: From August 31, 2018 through October 12, 2018, weWe repurchased an aggregate of 1515.6 million shares of our common stock for $1.20 billion in 2021 and 3.6 million shares for $176 million in 2020. Through September 2, 2021, we had repurchased an aggregate of $653 million$4.04 billion under the authorization. Amounts repurchased are included in treasury stock.

Dividends: On August 2, 2021, we announced that our Board of Directors had declared a Rule 10b5-1 plan and through open market repurchases.

Common Stock Issuance: In October 2017, we issued 34 million sharesquarterly dividend of our common stock for $41.00$0.10 per share, in a public offering, for net proceeds of $1.36 billion, net of underwriting fees and other offering costs.



Treasury Stock: In connection with the Inotera Acquisition, we sold 58 million shares of our common stock to Nanya for $986 millionpayable in cash on October 18, 2021, to shareholders of which 54 million shares were issued from treasury stock. As a result, in 2017, treasury stock decreased by $1.03 billion while retained earnings decreased by $104 million for the difference between the carrying valuerecord as of the treasury stock and its $925 million fair value.close of business on October 1, 2021.


Outstanding Capped Calls: In connection with our 2033F Notes, we entered into the 2033F Capped Calls, which cover, subject to anti-dilution adjustments similar to those contained in the 2033F Notes, 27 million shares of common stock and are intended to reduce the effect of potential dilution. The 2033F Capped Calls have an initial strike price of $10.93, subject to certain adjustments, which equals the conversion price of the 2033 Notes, a cap price of $14.51, and provide for our receipt of cash or shares, at our election, from our counterparties if the trading price of our stock is above the strike prices on the expiration dates. The 2033F Capped Calls expire on various dates between January 2020 and February 2020. As of August 30, 2018, the dollar value of cash or shares that we would receive from our 2033F Capped Calls upon their expiration dates range from $0, if the trading price of our stock is below the strike prices at expiration, to $98 million, if the trading price of our stock is at or above the cap prices. Settlement of the capped calls prior to the expiration dates may be for an amount less than the maximum value at expiration.

Expiration of Capped Calls: In 2018, we share-settled certain capped calls upon their expirations, and received 9 million shares, equal to a value of $429 million. In 2017, we cash-settled and share-settled certain capped calls upon their expirations, and received $125 million in cash and 4 million shares, equal to a value of $67 million and in 2016, we share-settled certain capped calls upon their expirations and received 2 million shares of our stock, equal to a value of $23 million. The amounts received upon settlement were based on volume-weighted-average trading prices of our stock at the expiration dates. The shares received in all periods were recorded as treasury stock.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income:Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the year ended August 30, 2018September 2, 2021 were as follows:
Gains (Losses) on Derivative InstrumentsPension Liability AdjustmentsUnrealized Gains (Losses) on InvestmentsCumulative Foreign Currency Translation AdjustmentTotal
As of September 3, 2020$45 $19 $$(1)$71 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications(52)(6)(48)
Amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income(41)(1)(3)— (45)
Tax effects26 (4)— 24 
Other comprehensive income (loss)(67)(7)(69)
As of September 2, 2021$(22)$22 $$$


68 | 2021 10-K
  Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments Pension Liability Adjustments Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments Total
As of August 31, 2017 $(1) $17
 $13
 $
 $29
Other comprehensive income 1
 (17) (3) (3) (22)
Amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income 
 (1) (1) 
 (2)
Tax effects 
 3
 1
 1
 5
Other comprehensive income 1
 (15) (3) (2) (19)
As of August 30, 2018 $
 $2
 $10
 $(2) $10




Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries

As of 2018 2017
  Balance Percentage Balance Percentage
IMFT $853
 49% $832
 49%
Other 17
 Various
 17
 Various
  $870
   $849
  



IMFT:Since 2006, we have owned 51% of IMFT, a joint venture between us and Intel. IMFT is governed by a Board of Managers, for which the number of managers appointed by each member varies based on the members' respective ownership interests. IMFT manufactures semiconductor products exclusively for its members under a long-term supply agreement at prices approximating cost. In the first quarter of 2018, IMFT discontinued production of NAND and subsequent to that time has been entirely focused on 3D XPoint memory production. Through our IMFT joint venture, we continue to jointly develop 3D XPoint technologies with Intel through the second generation of 3D XPoint technology, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2019. To better optimize the 3D XPoint technology for our product roadmap and maximize the benefits for our customers and shareholders, in the fourth quarter of 2018, we announced that we will no longer jointly develop with Intel subsequent generations of 3D XPoint technology. IMFT will continue to manufacture memory based on 3D XPoint technology at the fabrication facility in Lehi, Utah for its members. IMFT sales to Intel were $507 million, $438 million, and $457 million for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

The IMFT joint venture agreement extends through 2024 and includes certain buy-sell rights. At any time through December 2018, Intel can put to us, and from January 2019 through December 2021, we can call from Intel, Intel's interest in IMFT, in either case, for a price that approximates Intel's interest in the net book value of IMFT plus member debt at the time of the closing. If Intel exercises its put right, we can elect to set the closing date of the transaction any time between six months and two years following such election by Intel and we can elect to receive financing of the purchase price from Intel for one to two years from the closing date. If we exercise our call right, Intel can elect to set the closing date of the transaction to be any time between six months and one year following such election. Following the closing date resulting from exercise of either the put or the call, we will continue to supply to Intel for a period of one year between 50% and 100%, at Intel's choice, of Intel's immediately preceding six-month period pre-closing volumes of IMFT products for the first six-month period following the closing and between 0% and 100%, at Intel's choice, of Intel's first six-month period following the closing volumes of IMFT products for the second six-month period following the closing, at a margin that varies depending on whether the put or call was exercised.

IMFT's capital requirements are generally determined based on an annual plan approved by the members, and capital contributions to IMFT are requested as needed. Capital requests are made to the members in proportion to their then-current ownership interest. Members may elect to not contribute their proportional share, and in such event, the contributing member may elect to contribute any amount of the capital request, either in the form of an equity contribution or member debt financing. Under the supply agreement, the members have rights and obligations to the capacity of IMFT in proportion to their investment, including member debt financing. Any capital contribution or member debt financing results in a proportionate adjustment to the sharing of output on an eight-month lag. Members pay their proportionate share of fixed costs associated with IMFT's capacity.

Creditors of IMFT have recourse only to IMFT's assets and do not have recourse to any other of our assets. The following table presents the assets and liabilities of IMFT included in our consolidated balance sheets:


As of 2018 2017
Assets    
Cash and equivalents $91
 $87
Receivables 126
 81
Inventories 114
 128
Other current assets 8
 7
Total current assets 339
 303
Property, plant, and equipment 2,641
 1,852
Other noncurrent assets 45
 49
Total assets $3,025
 $2,204
     
Liabilities  
  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $138
 $299
Deferred income 9
 6
Current debt 20
 19
Total current liabilities 167
 324
Long-term debt 1,064
 75
Other noncurrent liabilities 74
 88
Total liabilities $1,305
 $487
Amounts exclude intercompany balances that were eliminated in our consolidated balance sheets.

In 2016, IMFT distributed $36 million and $34 million to us and Intel, respectively, and we and Intel contributed $38 million and $37 million, respectively, to IMFT.


Fair Value Measurements


All of our marketable debt and equity investments were classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value. Amounts reported as cash and equivalents, receivables, and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value. The estimated fair valuevalues and carrying valuevalues of our outstanding debt instruments (excluding the carrying value of equity and mezzanine equity components of our convertible notes) were as follows:
20212020
As ofFair
Value
Carrying
Value
Fair
Value
Carrying
Value
Notes$6,584 $5,973 $6,710 $6,026 
Convertible notes— — 634 131 
As of 2018 2017
  
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Value
Convertible notes $3,124
 $1,049
 $3,901
 $1,521
Notes and MMJ Creditor Payments2,798
 2,742
 8,793
 8,423


The fair values of our convertible notes were determined based on Level 2 inputs, including the trading price of our convertible notes when available, our stock price, and interest rates based on similar debt issued by parties with credit ratings similar to ours. The fair values of our other debt instruments were estimated based on Level 2 inputs, including discounted cash flows, the trading price of our notes when available, discounted cash flows, and interest rates based on similar debt issued by parties with credit ratings similar to ours.




Assets classified as held for sale are carried at the lower of estimated fair value or carrying value. Significant judgments and assumptions are required to estimate their fair values. Actual selling prices could vary significantly from our estimated fair value and we could recognize additional losses in the event that the sales prices of assets classified as held for sale are lower than their carrying values.



Derivative Instruments

Notional or Contractual AmountFair Value of
Assets(1)
Liabilities(2)
As of September 2, 2021
Derivative instruments with hedge accounting designation
Cash flow currency hedges$3,601 $10 $(66)
Cash flow commodity hedges45 — 
Fair value interest rate hedges900 — 
Derivative instruments without hedge accounting designation
Non-designated currency hedges996 (2)
$20 $(68)
As of September 3, 2020
Derivative instruments with hedge accounting designation
Cash flow currency hedges$1,845 $41 $(2)
Derivative instruments without hedge accounting designation
Non-designated currency hedges1,587 (1)
$45 $(3)
(1)Included in receivables – other and other noncurrent assets.
  
Gross Notional Amount(1)
 Fair Value of
Current Assets(2)
 
Current Liabilities(3)
 
Noncurrent Assets(4)
As of August 30, 2018        
Derivative instruments with hedge accounting designation        
Cash flow currency hedges $538
 $
 $(13) $
         
Derivative instruments without hedge accounting designation        
Non-designated currency hedges 1,919
 14
 (10) 
Convertible notes settlement obligation(5)
   
 (167) 
    14
 (177) 
         
    $14
 $(190) $
         
As of August 31, 2017        
Derivative instruments with hedge accounting designation        
Cash flow currency hedges $456
 $17
 $
 $
         
Derivative instruments without hedge accounting designation        
Non-designated currency hedges 4,847
 34
 (5) 1
Convertible notes settlement obligation(5)
   
 (47) 
  

 34
 (52) 1
         
    $51
 $(52) $1
(2)Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses – other and other noncurrent liabilities.
(1)
Notional amounts of currency hedge contracts in U.S. dollars.
(2)
Included in receivables – other.
(3)
Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses – other for forward contracts and in current debt for convertible notes settlement obligations.
(4)
Included in other noncurrent assets.
(5)
Notional amounts of convertible notes settlement obligations as of August 30, 2018 and August 31, 2017 were 3 million and 2 million shares of our common stock, respectively.


Derivative Instruments with Hedge Accounting Designation


Cash Flow Hedges:We utilize currency forward and swap contracts that generally mature within 12 months to hedgetwo years designated as cash flow hedges for our exposure to changes in currency exchange rates. Currency forwardrates or commodity prices for certain capital expenditures and manufacturing costs. Forward and swap contracts are measured at fair value based on market-basedmarket-
mu-20210902_g5.jpg69



based observable inputs including currency exchangemarket spot and forward rates, interest rates, and credit-risk spreads (Level 2). We do not use derivative instruments for speculative purposes.

Cash Flow Hedges: We utilize cash flow hedges for our exposure from changes in currency exchange rates for certain capital expenditures. For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the realized and unrealized gains or losses on derivatives is included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income are reclassified into earnings in the same line items and in the same periods in which the underlying transactions affect earnings. For the periods presented prior to the second quarter of 2018, the ineffective and excluded portion of the realized and unrealized gain or loss was included in other non-operating income (expense). As a result of adopting ASU 2017-12, beginning in the second quarter of 2018, the excluded portion of such amounts is included in the same line item in which the underlying transactions affect earnings and the ineffective portion of the realized and unrealized gains or losses on derivatives is included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

We recognized losses of $17$52 million and gains of $15 million and $10$51 million for 2018, 2017,2021 and 2016,2020, respectively, in accumulated other comprehensive income from the effective portion of cash flow hedges. NeitherThe amounts recognized in 2019 were not significant. We recognized losses of $14 million in 2021 in cost of goods sold related to the amountamounts excluded from hedge effectiveness nor the reclassificationstesting. The amounts recognized in 2020 and 2019 were not significant. We reclassified $41 million of gains in 2021 from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings, primarily to cost of goods sold. The reclassifications were materialnot significant in 2018,


2017,2020 or 2016. The amounts from2019. As of September 2, 2021, we expect to reclassify $12 million of pre-tax losses related to cash flow hedges included infrom accumulated other comprehensive income that are expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months were also not material.months. Substantially all of the cash flow hedging relates to foreign currency contracts for all periods presented, and the commodity hedges had an immaterial impact.


Fair Value Hedges:We utilize fair value hedges for our exposure from changes in currency exchange rates for certain monetary assets and liabilities. For derivative forward contractsfixed-to-floating interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges hedge effectiveness is determined by the changeto minimize certain exposures to changes in the fair value of the undiscounted spotfixed-rate debt that result from fluctuations in benchmark interest rates. Interest rate of the forward contract.swaps are measured at fair value based on market-based observable inputs including interest rates and credit-risk spreads (Level 2). The changes in the fair values of hedge instruments attributed toderivatives designated as fair value hedges and the offsetting changes in undiscounted spot ratesthe underlying fair values of the hedged items are both recognized in other non-operating income (expense). The timeearnings. When a derivative is no longer designated as a fair value associated with hedge instruments is excluded fromfor any reason, including termination and maturity, the assessmentremaining unamortized difference between the carrying value of the effectivenesshedged item at that time and the face value of hedges andthe hedged item is recognized on a straight-line basisamortized to earnings over the remaining life of hedges to other non-operating income (expense). Amounts recorded to other comprehensive income (loss) for 2018 were not material.the hedged item, or immediately if the hedged item has matured or been extinguished. The effects of fair value hedges on our consolidated statements of operations, recognized in interest expense, were as follows:
not significant for the periods presented.
  
Other
Non-Operating
Income (Expense)
For the year ended 2018
Gain (loss) on remeasurement of hedged assets and liabilities $(25)
Gain (loss) on derivatives designated as hedging instruments 25
Amortization of amounts excluded from hedge effectiveness (32)
  $(32)


Derivative Instruments without Hedge Accounting Designation


Currency Derivatives: Except for certain assets and liabilities hedged using fair value hedges, weWe generally utilize a rolling hedge strategy with currency forward contracts that mature within ninethree months to hedge our exposures of monetary assets and liabilities from changes in currency exchange rates. At the end of each reporting period, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are remeasured into U.S. dollars and the associated outstanding forward contracts are marked to market. Currency forward contracts are valued at fair values based on the middle of bid and ask prices of dealers or exchange quotations (Level 2). Realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments without hedge accounting designation as well as the changes in the underlying monetary assets and liabilities from changes in currency exchange rates are included in other non-operating income (expense)., net. For derivative instruments without hedge accounting designation, we recognized gains of $21 million and losses of $38 million and $45 million, and gains of $185$32 million for 2018, 2017,2020 and 2016,2019, respectively. The amounts recognized in 2021 were not significant.


Convertible Notes Settlement Obligations:For settlement obligations associated with our convertible notes subject to mark-to-market accounting treatment, the fair values of the underlying derivative settlement obligations were initially determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model (Level 2), which requires inputs of stock price, expected stock-price volatility, estimated option life, risk-free interest rate, and dividend rate. The subsequent measurement amounts were based on the volume-weighted-average trading price of our common stock (Level 2). (See "Debt" note.“Debt.”) We recognized losses of $124$14 million and $58 million for 20182020 and 2019, respectively, in other non-operating income (expense), net for the changes in fair value of the derivative settlement obligations. Recognized gains and losses for 2017 and 2016The amounts recognized in 2021 were not material.significant.


Derivative Counterparty Credit Risk and Master Netting Arrangements


Our derivative instruments expose us to credit risk to the extent counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the contracts. Our maximum exposure to loss due to credit risk if counterparties fail completely to perform according to the terms of the contracts would generally equal the fair value of assets for these contracts as listed in the tables above. We seek to mitigate such risk by limiting our counterparties to major financial institutions and by spreading risk across multiple financial institutions. As of August 30, 2018September 2, 2021 and August 31, 2017,September 3, 2020, amounts netted under our master netting arrangements were not material.significant.




70 | 2021 10-K



Equity Plans


As of August 30, 2018, 125September 2, 2021, 104 million shares of our common stock were available for future awards under our equity plans, including 3323 million shares approved for issuance under our employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP"(“ESPP”).



Stock Options

Our stock options are generally exercisable in increments of either one-fourth or one-third per year beginning one year from the date of grant. Stock options issued after February 2014 expire eight years from the date of grant. Options issued prior to February 2014 expire six years from the date of grant. Option activity for 2018 is summarized as follows:
  Number of Shares Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share 
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life
(In Years)
 Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding as of August 31, 2017 33
 $19.32
    
Granted 2
 43.30
    
Exercised (16) 17.82
    
Canceled or expired (1) 22.67
    
Outstanding as of August 30, 2018 18
 23.38
 4.8 $527
         
Exercisable as of August 30, 2018 8
 $21.66
 3.2 $233
Unvested as of August 30, 2018 10
 24.61
 6.0 294

The total intrinsic value was $446 million, $198 million, and $52 million for options exercised in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Stock options granted and assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model were as follows:
For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
Stock options granted 2
 8
 8
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share $18.65
 $8.68
 $6.94
Average expected life in years 5.5
 5.5
 5.5
Weighted-average expected volatility 44% 46% 47%
Weighted-average risk-free interest rate 2.2% 1.8% 1.7%
Expected dividend yield 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

Stock price volatility was based on an average of historical volatility and the implied volatility derived from traded options on our stock. The expected lives of options granted were based, in part, on historical experience and on the terms and conditions of the options. The risk-free interest rates utilized were based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at each grant date.


Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units ("(“Restricted Stock Awards"Awards”)


As of August 30, 2018,September 2, 2021, there were 1520 million shares of Restricted Stock Awards outstanding, 17 million of which 13 million contained only service conditions. For service-based Restricted Stock Awards, restrictions generally lapse in one-fourth or one-third increments during each year of employment after the grant date. Restrictions generally lapse on Restricted Stock granted in 2018 with performance or market conditions as conditions are met over a three year period if conditions are met.3-year period. At the end of the performance period, the number of actual shares to be awarded will vary between 0% and 200% of target amounts, depending upon the achievement level. Restricted Stock Awards activity for 20182021 is summarized as follows:
Number of SharesWeighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Outstanding as of September 3, 202017 $42.13 
Granted11 53.58 
Restrictions lapsed(6)38.99 
Canceled(2)41.54 
Outstanding as of September 2, 202120 49.39 

  Number of Shares Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Outstanding as of August 31, 2017 19
 $19.78
Granted 4
 42.48
Restrictions lapsed (6) 21.70
Canceled (2) 21.93
Outstanding as of August 30, 2018 15
 25.18
For the year ended202120202019
Restricted stock award shares granted1189
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share$53.58 $46.44 $41.11 
Aggregate vesting-date fair value of shares vested$385 $294 $248 



For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
Restricted stock award shares granted 4
 8
 10
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share $42.48
 $18.77
 $15.40
Aggregate vesting-date fair value of shares vested $259
 $115
 $71


Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)


Our ESPP permitswas offered to substantially all employees beginning in August 2018 and permitted eligible employees to purchase shares of our common stock through payroll deductions of up to 10% of their eligible compensation, subject to certain limitations.limitations prior to August 2021. Beginning in August 2021, employees are permitted to deduct up to 15% of their eligible compensation to purchase shares under the ESPP. The purchase price of the shares under the ESPP equals 85% of the lower of the fair market value of our common stock on either the first or last day of each six-monthsix-month offering period. Our ESPP was offered to substantially all employees beginning in August 2018. Compensation expense is calculated as of the beginning of the offering period as the fair value of the employees'employees’ purchase rights utilizing the Black-Scholes option valuation model and is recognized over the offering period. AssumptionsGrant-date fair value and assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model for the offering period beginning August 1, 2018 were as follows:
For the year ended202120202019
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share$20.71 $14.24 $11.60 
Average expected life in years0.50.50.5
Weighted-average expected volatility41 %45 %45 %
Weighted-average risk-free interest rate0.1 %0.8 %2.2 %
Expected dividend yield0.3 %0.0 %0.0 %

Under the ESPP, employees purchased 3 million shares of common stock for $140 million in 2021 and 3 million shares for $118 million in 2020.

mu-20210902_g5.jpg71



Weighted-average grant-date fair value per share$14.55
Average expected life in years0.5
Weighted-average expected volatility43%
Weighted-average risk-free interest rate2.2%
Expected dividend yield0.0%
Stock Options


As of September 2, 2021, stock options of 4 million shares were outstanding, which are generally exercisable in increments of either one-fourth or one-third per year beginning one year from the date of grant. Stock options expire 8 years from the date of grant. We did not grant any stock options in 2021 or 2020 and options granted in 2019 were not material. Stock options of 3 million shares were exercised in 2021. The total intrinsic value for options exercised was $143 million, $130 million, and $108 million in 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

Stock-based Compensation Expense


For the year ended202120202019
Stock-based compensation expense by caption
Cost of goods sold$186 $139 $102 
Research and development110 86 68 
Selling, general, and administrative99 103 73 
$395 $328 $243 
Stock-based compensation expense by type of award
Restricted stock awards$333 $272 $178 
ESPP52 39 32 
Stock options10 17 33 
$395 $328 $243 
For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
Stock-based compensation expense by caption      
Cost of goods sold $83
 $88
 $76
Selling, general, and administrative 61
 75
 66
Research and development 54
 52
 49
  $198
 $215
 $191
       
Stock-based compensation expense by type of award      
Stock options $55
 $71
 $79
Restricted stock awards 140
 144
 112
ESPP 3
 
 
  $198
 $215
 $191


The income tax benefit related to share-based compensation was $158 million, $97 million and $41 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The incomeIncome tax benefits related to the tax deductions for share-based compensationawards are recognized only upon the settlement of the related share-based awards. Income tax benefits for the periods presented prior to the second quarter of 2018share-based awards were offset by an increase in the U.S. valuation allowance.$83 million, $72 million, and $66 million for 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense of $19$30 million and $20$42 million was capitalized and remained in inventory as of August 30, 2018September 2, 2021 and August 31, 2017,September 3, 2020, respectively. As of August 30, 2018, $316September 2, 2021, $691 million of total unrecognized compensation costs for unvested awards, before the effect of any future forfeitures, was expected to be recognized through the fourth quarter of 2022,2025, resulting in a weighted-average period of 1.31.2 years.




Employee Benefit Plans


We have employee retirement plans at our U.S. and international sites. Details of the more significant plans are discussed as follows:


Employee Savings Plan for U.S. Employees


We have a 401(k) retirement plan under which U.S. employees may contribute up to 75% of their eligible pay, (subjectsubject to Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") annual contribution limits)limits, to various savings alternatives, none of which include direct investment in our stock. We match in cash eligible contributions from employees up to 5% of the employee'semployee’s annual eligible earnings. Contribution expense for the 401(k) plan was $61$77 million,, $52 $66 million,, and $54$67 million in 2018, 2017,2021, 2020, and 2016,2019, respectively.


Retirement Plans


We have pension plans in various countries available to local employees which are generally government mandated.at various foreign sites. As of August 30, 2018,September 2, 2021, the projected benefit obligations of our plans were $190$222 million and plan assets were $171$256 million. As of August 31, 2017,September 3, 2020, the projected benefit obligations of our plans were $175$202 million and plan assets were $150$222 million. Pension expense was not material for 2018, 2017,2021, 2020, or 2016.2019.




72 | 2021 10-K
Research



Revenue and DevelopmentCustomer Contract Liabilities


We shareRevenue by Technology

Revenue by technology is presented in the costtable below:
For the year ended202120202019
DRAM$20,039 $14,510 $16,841 
NAND7,007 6,131 5,355 
Other (primarily 3D XPoint memory and NOR)659 794 1,210 
$27,705 $21,435 $23,406 

Beginning in 2020, revenues for MCPs and SSDs, which contain both DRAM and NAND, are disaggregated into DRAM and NAND based on the relative values of certaineach component. The amounts for 2019 in the table above have been conformed to the current period presentation.

See “Segment and Other Information” for disclosure of disaggregated revenue by market segment.

Customer Contract Liabilities

Our contract liabilities from customer advances are for advance payments received from customers to secure product in future periods. Other contract liabilities consist of amounts received in advance of satisfying performance obligations. These balances are reported within other current liabilities and process development activitiesother noncurrent liabilities. Revenue recognized during 2021 from the ending balance of 2020 included $64 million from meeting performance obligations of other contract liabilities and shipments against customer advances. The following table presents contract liabilities:
As of20212020
Contract liabilities from customer advances$74 $40 
Other contract liabilities— 25 
$74 $65 

Revenue is primarily recognized at a point in time when control of the promised goods is transferred to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods. Substantially all contracts with development partners. Our R&D expensesour customers are short-term in duration at fixed, negotiated prices with payment generally due shortly after delivery. From time to time, we have contracts with initial terms that include performance obligations that extend beyond one year. As of September 2, 2021, our future performance obligations were reduced by reimbursements under these arrangements by $201 $117 million $213 million, and $205 million for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

We have agreements to jointly develop NAND and 3D XPoint technologies with Intel. We continue to jointly develop NAND technologies with Intel through the third generation, substantially all of 3D NAND, which isare expected to be completed in the second halfrecognized as revenue within one year.

As of 2019. In the second quarterSeptember 2, 2021 and September 3, 2020, other current liabilities included $846 million and $466 million for estimates of 2018, weconsideration payable to customers, respectively, including estimates for pricing adjustments and Intel agreed to independently develop subsequent generations of 3D NAND in order to better optimize the technologyreturns.


mu-20210902_g5.jpg73



Restructure and products for our respective business needs. We continue to jointly develop 3D XPoint technologies with Intel through the second generation of 3D XPoint technology, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2019. To better optimize 3D XPoint technology for our product roadmap and maximize the benefits for our customers and shareholders, in the fourth quarter of 2018, we announced that we will no longer jointly develop with Intel subsequent generations of 3D XPoint technology.Asset Impairments

For the year ended202120202019
Restructure and asset impairments$488 $60 $(29)

Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net

For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
(Gain) loss on disposition of property, plant, and equipment $(96) $(22) $(4)
Restructure and asset impairments 28
 18
 67
Other 11
 5
 (2)
  $(57) $1
 $61


Restructure and asset impairments for 2021 are primarily due to the planned sale of our Lehi, Utah facility. (See “Lehi, Utah Fab and 3D XPoint.”) Restructure and asset impairments for 2020 primarily related to asset impairments and employee relocation and severance costs related to right-sizing our Lehi, Utah facility. In 2019, we finalized the sale of our 200mm fabrication facility in 2018Singapore and recognized restructure gains of $128 million. Other restructure and asset impairments for 2019 primarily consisted of costs incurred as a result ofrelated to our continued emphasis to centralize certain key functions. In 2017, we recognized gains of $15 million related to our sale of assembly and test facility located in Akita, Japan and our 40% ownership interest in Tera Probe; assets associated with our 200mm fabrication facility in Singapore; and assets related to Lexar and also expect to recognize an additional gain of approximately $100 million in 2019 upon the completion of the sale of the Singapore facility. We also incurred charges of $33 million and $58 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively, related to the elimination of certain projects and programs, workforce reductions in certain areas of our business, and other non-headcount related spending reductions.






Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net
For the year ended202120202019
Patent license charges$128 $— $— 
(Gain) loss on disposition of property, plant, and equipment(24)(3)43 
Other(9)11 35 
$95 $$78 


Other Non-Operating Income (Expense), Net

For the year ended202120202019
Gain (loss) on investments$82 $22 $(4)
Gain (loss) on debt prepayments, repurchases, and conversions(1)40 (396)
Other— (2)(5)
$81 $60 $(405)


74 | 2021 10-K
For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
Loss on debt prepayments, repurchases, and conversions $(385) $(100) $(4)
Loss from changes in currency exchange rates (75) (74) (24)
Gain on remeasurement of previously-held equity interest in Inotera 
 71
 
Other (5) (9) (26)
  $(465) $(112) $(54)




In 2016, we recognized other non-operating expense of $30 million to write off indemnification receivables upon the resolution of uncertain tax positions.


Income Taxes


On December 22, 2017, the United States enacted tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") which lowered the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% and significantly affects how income from foreign operations is taxed in the United States. Our U.S. statutory federal rate was 25.7% for 2018 (based on the 35% corporate rate through December 31, 2017 and 21% from that date through the end of fiscal year 2018) and will be 21% beginning in 2019. The Tax Act imposed a one-time transition tax in 2018 on accumulated foreign income (the "Repatriation Tax"); provided a U.S. federal tax exemption on foreign earnings distributed to the United States after January 1, 2018; and beginning in 2019, created a new minimum tax on certain foreign earnings in excess of a deemed return on tangible assets (the "Foreign Minimum Tax"). The Tax Act allows us to elect to pay any Repatriation Tax due in eight annual, interest-free payments in increasing amounts beginning in December 2018. In connection with the provisions of the Tax Act, we made an accounting policy election to treat the Foreign Minimum Tax provision as a period cost in the period the tax is incurred.

SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118") allows the use of provisional amounts (reasonable estimates) if our analyses of the impacts of the Tax Act have not been completed when our financial statements are issued. The provisional amounts below for 2018 represent reasonable estimates of the effects of the Tax Act for which our analysis is not yet complete. As we complete our analysis of the Tax Act, including collecting, preparing, and analyzing necessary information, performing and refining calculations, and obtaining additional guidance from the IRS, U.S. Treasury Department, FASB, or other standard setting and regulatory bodies on the Tax Act, we may record adjustments to the provisional amounts, which may be material. In accordance with SAB 118, our accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act will be completed during the measurement period, which should not extend beyond one year from the enactment date. At August 30, 2018, there were no provisions for which we were unable to record a reasonable estimate of the impact.



Our income tax (provision) benefit consisted of the following:
For the year ended202120202019
Income (loss) before income taxes, net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, and equity in net income (loss) of equity method investees
U.S.$(211)$308 $(67)
Foreign6,429 2,675 7,115 
 $6,218 $2,983 $7,048 
Income tax (provision) benefit
Current
U.S. federal$(42)$(20)$(36)
State(1)(2)(2)
Foreign(370)(148)(319)
 (413)(170)(357)
Deferred
U.S. federal(9)39 (146)
State28 23 91 
Foreign— (172)(281)
19 (110)(336)
Income tax (provision) benefit$(394)$(280)$(693)

For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
Income (loss) before income taxes, net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, and equity in net income (loss) of equity method investees      
U.S. $141
 $(56) $72
Foreign 14,166
 5,252
 (353)
  $14,307
 $5,196
 $(281)
       
Income tax (provision) benefit      
Current      
U.S. federal $(54) $
 $
State 1
 (1) (1)
Foreign (374) (152) (27)
  (427) (153) (28)
Deferred      
U.S. federal 232
 
 39
State 101
 
 2
Foreign (74) 39
 (32)
  259
 $39
 9
       
Income tax (provision) benefit $(168) $(114) $(19)

The table below reconciles our tax (provision) benefit based on the U.S. federal statutory rate to our effective rate:
For the year ended202120202019
U.S. federal income tax (provision) benefit at statutory rate$(1,306)21.0 %$(626)21.0 %$(1,480)21.0 %
Change in unrecognized tax benefits(238)3.8 %(33)1.1 %(59)0.8 %
U.S. tax on foreign operations(226)3.6 %(14)0.5 %(327)4.6 %
Foreign tax rate differential951 (15.3)%253 (8.5)%993 (14.1)%
Debt premium deductions130 (2.1)%— — %— — %
Research and development tax credits123 (2.0)%62 (2.1)%92 (1.3)%
Change in valuation allowance54 (0.9)%(20)0.7 %(40)0.6 %
State taxes, net of federal benefit59 (0.9)%23 (0.8)%102 (1.4)%
Foreign derived intangible income deduction18 (0.3)%67 (2.2)%— — %
Other41 (0.6)%(0.3)%26 (0.4)%
Income tax (provision) benefit$(394)6.3 %$(280)9.4 %$(693)9.8 %
For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
U.S. federal income tax (provision) benefit at statutory rate $(3,677) 25.7 % $(1,819) 35.0 % $98
 35.0 %
Foreign tax rate differential 2,572
 (18.0)% 1,571
 (30.2)% (300) (106.8)%
Repatriation Tax related to the Tax Act (1,049) 7.3 % 
  % 
  %
Remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities related to the Tax Act (179) 1.3 % 
  % 
  %
Change in valuation allowance 2,079
 (14.5)% 64
 (1.2)% 63
 22.4 %
Change in unrecognized tax benefits 60
 (0.4)% 12
 (0.2)% 52
 18.5 %
Tax credits 90
 (0.6)% 66
 (1.3)% 48
 17.1 %
Other (64) 0.4 % (8) 0.1 % 20
 7.0 %
Income tax (provision) benefit $(168) 1.2 % $(114) 2.2 % $(19) (6.8)%

Provisional estimates for 2018 in the table above included $1.34 billion of benefit for the release of the valuation allowance on the net deferred tax assets of our U.S. operations and $1.03 billion of provision for the Repatriation Tax, net of adjustments related to uncertain tax positions.


We operate in a number of tax jurisdictions outside the United States, including Singapore, where we have tax incentive arrangements, whicharrangements. These incentives expire, in whole or in part, at various dates through 2031, that2034 and are conditional, in part, upon meeting certain business operations and employment thresholds. The effect of tax incentive arrangements reduced our tax provision by $1.96 billion$758 million (benefiting our diluted earnings per share by $1.59)$0.66) for 2018,2021, by $742$215 million ($0.640.19 per diluted share) for 2017,2020, and were not material in 2016.by $756 million ($0.66 per diluted share) for 2019.


Provision has been recognized for deferred taxes on undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries to the extent that dividend payments from such companies are expected to result in additional tax liabilities. As a result of the Repatriation Tax, substantially all of our accumulated foreign earnings prior to December 31, 2017 were subject to U.S. federal taxation. Although these earnings have been subject to U.S. federal income tax under the Repatriation Tax, the repatriation to the United States of all or a portion of these earnings would potentially be subject to foreign withholding and state income tax. As of August 30, 2018, we had a deferred tax liability of $82 million associated with our undistributed earnings. As of August 30,


2018,September 2, 2021, certain non-U.S. subsidiaries had cumulative undistributed earnings of $2.35$3.53 billion that were deemed to be indefinitely reinvested. A provision has not been recognized to the extent that distributions from such subsidiaries are subject to additional foreign withholding or state income tax. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liabilities related to investments in these foreign subsidiaries is not practicable.


mu-20210902_g5.jpg75



Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, measurement period adjustments in 2019 related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act included $47 million of benefit for the repatriation tax, net of adjustments related to uncertain tax positions. We recognize the foreign minimum tax in the period the tax is incurred.

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the bases of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes as well as carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following:
As of20212020
Deferred tax assets
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards$783 $912 
Accrued salaries, wages, and benefits206 176 
Operating lease liabilities109 114 
Property, plant, and equipment37 — 
Other115 91 
Gross deferred tax assets1,250 1,293 
Less valuation allowance(233)(294)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance1,017 999 
Deferred tax liabilities
Right-of-use assets(90)(95)
Product and process technology(12)(57)
Property, plant, and equipment— (50)
Other(143)(99)
Deferred tax liabilities(245)(301)
Net deferred tax assets$772 $698 
Reported as
Deferred tax assets$782 $707 
Deferred tax liabilities (included in other noncurrent liabilities)(10)(9)
Net deferred tax assets$772 $698 
As of 2018 2017
Deferred tax assets    
Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards $1,417
 $3,426
Accrued salaries, wages, and benefits 163
 211
Other accrued liabilities 35
 59
Other 80
 86
Gross deferred tax assets 1,695
 3,782
Less valuation allowance (228) (2,321)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance 1,467
 1,461
     
Deferred tax liabilities    
Debt discount (77) (145)
Property, plant, and equipment (173) (300)
Unremitted earnings on certain subsidiaries (82) (123)
Product and process technology (62) (85)
Other (54) (59)
Deferred tax liabilities (448) (712)
     
Net deferred tax assets $1,019
 $749
     
Reported as    
Deferred tax assets $1,022
 $766
Deferred tax liabilities (included in other noncurrent liabilities) (3) (17)
Net deferred tax assets $1,019
 $749


We assess positive and negative evidence for each jurisdiction to determine whether it is more likely than not that existing deferred tax assets will be realized. As of August 30, 2018September 2, 2021, and August 31, 2017,September 3, 2020, we had a valuation allowance of $28$233 million and $1.52 billion,$294 million, respectively, against U.S.our net deferred tax assets, primarily related to net operating losscarryforwards in Malaysia and tax credit carryforwards. Income taxes on U.S. operations for 2017 and 2016 were substantially offset by changes in the valuation allowance. We had valuation allowances against net deferred tax assets, primarily related to net operating loss carryforwards, for our subsidiaries in Japan and for our other foreign subsidiaries, of $192 million and $8 million, respectively, as of August 30, 2018, and $627 million and $172 million, respectively, as of August 31, 2017.Japan. Changes in 20182021 in the valuation allowance were due to loss expirations during the provisional estimate for the release of the valuation allowance in the U.S. as a result of the Tax Act,year, offset by adjustments based on management'smanagement’s assessment of foreigntax credits, allowances and net operating losses that are more likely than not to be realized, and changes in foreign currency. As a result of internal restructuring during the year, we have concluded that the possibility of utilizing certain of our net operating loss carryovers are now remote. As such, we have removed $119 million of deferred tax assets that were previously fully reserved with a valuation allowance.realized.




As of August 30, 2018,September 2, 2021, our federal, state, and foreign net operating loss carryforward amounts and expiration periods, as reported to tax authorities, were as follows:
Year of ExpirationStateJapanMalaysiaSingaporeOtherTotal
2022 - 2026$49 $617 $— $— $$667 
2027 - 2031537 — — — — 537 
2032 - 2036355 — — — — 355 
2037 - 204161 — — — — 61 
Indefinite— 606 477 1,091 
$1,003 $617 $606 $477 $$2,711 

76 | 2021 10-K



Year of Expiration U.S. Federal State Japan Taiwan Other Foreign Total
2019 - 2023 $
 $28
 $1,782
 $711
 $2
 $2,523
2024 - 2028 
 136
 536
 3
 
 675
2029 - 2033 
 407
 
 
 
 407
2034 - 2038 10
 84
 
 
 
 94
Indefinite 
 1
 
 622
 38
 661
  $10
 $656
 $2,318
 $1,336
 $40
 $4,360

As of August 30, 2018,September 2, 2021, our federal and state tax credit carryforward amounts and expiration periods, as reported to tax authorities, were as follows:
Year of Tax Credit ExpirationU.S. FederalStateTotal
2022 - 2026$— $45 $45 
2027 - 2031— 84 84 
2032 - 203632 132 164 
2037 - 2041364 369 
Indefinite— 104 104 
$396 $370 $766 

Year of Tax Credit Expiration U.S. Federal State Total
2019 - 2023 $122
 $63
 $185
2024 - 2028 44
 46
 90
2029 - 2033 69
 90
 159
2034 - 2038 275
 3
 278
Indefinite 
 62
 62
  $510
 $264
 $774

Below is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of our unrecognized tax benefits:
For the year ended202120202019
Beginning unrecognized tax benefits$411 $383 $261 
Increases related to tax positions from prior years14 124 
Increases related to tax positions taken in current year260 27 44 
Decreases related to tax positions from prior years(13)(13)(46)
Ending unrecognized tax benefits$660 $411 $383 

For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
Beginning unrecognized tax benefits $327
 $304
 $351
Increases due to the Inotera Acquisition 
 54
 
Increases related to tax positions taken in current year 68
 15
 5
Foreign currency translation increases (decreases) to tax positions 
 2
 
Settlements with tax authorities (8) (47) (47)
Expiration of statute of limitations 
 (1) (5)
Decreases related to tax positions from prior years (126) 
 
Ending unrecognized tax benefits $261
 $327
 $304

The changesAs of September 2, 2021, gross unrecognized tax benefits were $660 million, substantially all of which would affect our effective tax rate in uncertain tax positions in 2018 are primarily related to the Tax Act and transfer pricing. In connection with the Inotera Acquisition in 2017, we assumed $54 million of uncertain tax positions. The decreasesfuture, if recognized. Increases to unrecognized tax benefits in 2017 and 2016 from settlements with tax authorities were primarily relateddue to the favorable resolution of certain tax matters.

As of August 30, 2018, we had $256 million of unrecognized tax benefits that would, if recognized, affect our effective tax rate. The amountreturn positions taken during 2021. Amounts accrued for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions waswere not materialsignificant for any period presented. The resolution of tax audits or expiration of statute of limitations could also reduce our unrecognized tax benefits. Although the timing of final resolution is uncertain, the estimated potential reduction in our unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months would not be material.significant.


We and our subsidiaries file income tax returns with the U.S. federal government, various U.S. states, and various foreign jurisdictions throughout the world. We regularly engage in discussions and negotiations with tax authorities regarding tax matters, including transfer pricing, and we continue to defend any and all such claims presented. Our U.S. federal and state tax returns remain open to examination for 20142017 through 2018.2021. We are currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service for our 2018 and 2019 tax years. In addition, tax returns that remain open to examination in Singapore, Taiwan and Japan range from the years 20122015 to 2018 and in Singapore and Taiwan from 2013 to 2018.2021. We believe that adequate amounts of taxes and related interest and penalties have been provided, and any adjustments as a result of examinations are not expected to materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition.






Earnings Per Share

For the year ended202120202019
Net income attributable to Micron – Basic$5,861 $2,687 $6,313 
Assumed conversion of debt— (4)(12)
Net income attributable to Micron – Diluted$5,861 $2,683 $6,301 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic1,120 1,110 1,114 
Dilutive effect of equity plans and convertible notes21 21 29 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Diluted1,141 1,131 1,143 
Earnings per share
Basic$5.23 $2.42 $5.67 
Diluted5.14 2.37 5.51 

mu-20210902_g5.jpg77



For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
Net income (loss) attributable to Micron – Basic and Diluted $14,135
 $5,089
 $(276)
       
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic 1,152
 1,089
 1,036
Dilutive effect of equity plans and convertible notes 77
 65
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Diluted 1,229
 1,154
 1,036
       
Earnings (loss) per share      
Basic $12.27
 $4.67
 $(0.27)
Diluted 11.51
 4.41
 (0.27)

Listed below are theAntidilutive potential common shares asexcluded from the computation of the end of the periods shown,diluted earnings per share, that could dilute basic earnings per share in the future, that were not included inas follows at the computationend of diluted earnings per share because to do so would have been antidilutive:the periods shown:
For the year ended202120202019
Equity plans

For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
Equity plans 3
 21
 60
Convertible notes 
 26
 119



Segment and Other Information


Segment information reported herein is consistent with how it is reviewed and evaluated by our chief operating decision maker. We have the following four4 business units, which are our reportable segments:


Compute and Networking Business Unit ("CNBU"(“CNBU”):Includes memory products sold into client, cloud server, enterprise, client, graphics, and networking markets.
Mobile Business Unit ("MBU"(“MBU”):Includes memory and storage products sold into smartphone and other mobile-device markets.
Storage Business Unit ("SBU"(“SBU”):Includes SSDs and component-level solutions sold into enterprise and cloud, client, and consumer SSDstorage markets, and other discrete storage products sold in component and wafer forms to the removable storage markets, and sales of 3D XPoint memory.form.
Embedded Business Unit ("EBU"(“EBU”):Includes memory and storage products sold into automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.


Certain operating expenses directly associated with the activities of a specific segment are charged to that segment. Other indirect operating income and expenses are generally allocated to segments based on their respective percentage of cost of goods sold or forecasted wafer production. We do not identify or report internally our assets (other than goodwill) or capital expenditures by segment, nor do we allocate gains and losses from equity method investments, interest, other non-operating income or expense items, or taxes to segments. As of August 30, 2018September 2, 2021 and August 31, 2017,September 3, 2020, CNBU, MBU, SBU, and EBU had goodwill of $832 million, $198 million, $101 million, and $97 million, respectively.

78 | 2021 10-K




For the year ended 2018 2017 2016For the year ended202120202019
Net sales      
RevenueRevenue
CNBU $15,252
 $8,624
 $4,529
CNBU$12,280 $9,184 $9,968 
MBU 6,579
 4,424
 2,569
MBU7,203 5,702 6,403 
SBU 5,022
 4,514
 3,262
SBU3,973 3,765 3,826 
EBU 3,479
 2,695
 1,939
EBU4,209 2,759 3,137 
All Other 59
 65
 100
All Other40 25 72 
 $30,391
 $20,322
 $12,399
$27,705 $21,435 $23,406 
      
Operating income (loss)      Operating income (loss)
CNBU $9,773
 $3,755
 $(25)CNBU$4,295 $2,010 $4,645 
MBU 3,033
 927
 97
MBU2,173 1,074 2,606 
SBU 964
 552
 (123)SBU173 36 (386)
EBU 1,473
 975
 473
EBU1,006 301 923 
All Other 
 23
 28
All Other20 (2)13 
 $15,243
 $6,232
 $450
7,667 3,419 7,801 
      
Unallocated      Unallocated
Stock-based compensation $(198) $(215) $(191)Stock-based compensation(395)(328)(243)
Inventory accounting policy change to FIFOInventory accounting policy change to FIFO(133)— — 
Change in inventory cost absorptionChange in inventory cost absorption(160)— — 
3D XPoint inventory write-down3D XPoint inventory write-down(49)— — 
Restructure and asset impairments (28) (18) (67)Restructure and asset impairments(488)(60)32 
Flow-through of Inotera inventory step up 
 (107) 
Patent license chargesPatent license charges(128)— — 
Employee severanceEmployee severance— — (116)
Other (23) (24) (24)Other(31)(28)(98)
 $(249) $(364) $(282)(1,384)(416)(425)
      
Operating income $14,994

$5,868
 $168
Operating income$6,283 $3,003 $7,376 


Depreciation and amortization expense included in operating income was as follows:
For the year ended202120202019
CNBU$2,497 $2,318 $1,833 
MBU1,101 1,436 1,235 
SBU1,028 1,115 1,555 
EBU1,553 741 748 
All Other12 27 
Unallocated27 28 26 
$6,214 $5,650 $5,424 


mu-20210902_g5.jpg79
For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
CNBU $1,755
 $1,344
 $1,141
MBU 1,077
 926
 580
SBU 1,295
 1,083
 844
EBU 603
 484
 379
All Other 18
 13
 20
Unallocated 11
 11
 16
  $4,759
 $3,861
 $2,980





Product Sales

For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
DRAM $21,232
 $12,963
 $7,207
Trade NAND 7,843
 6,228
 4,138
Non-Trade 554
 553
 501
Other 762
 578
 553
  $30,391
 $20,322
 $12,399

Non-Trade consists primarily of NAND and 3D XPoint memory products manufactured and sold to Intel through IMFT under a long-term supply agreement at prices approximating cost. Information regarding products that combine both NAND and DRAM components is reported within Trade NAND. Other includes sales of NOR and trade 3D XPoint memory products.




Certain Concentrations


Markets with concentrationsRevenue by market segment as an approximate percent of net sales were approximately as follows:total revenue is presented in the table below:
For the year ended202120202019
Mobile25 %25 %25 %
Client and graphics20 %20 %20 %
Enterprise and cloud server20 %20 %20 %
SSDs and other storage15 %20 %15 %
Automotive, industrial, and consumer15 %15 %15 %

For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
Compute and graphics 25% 20% 20%
Server 25% 15% 10%
Mobile 20% 20% 20%
SSDs and other storage 15% 20% 20%
Automotive, industrial, medical, and other embedded 10% 15% 15%

Sales toRevenue from WPG Holdings Limited was 13% of total revenue in 2021. Revenue from Kingston Technology Company, Inc. ("Kingston"), as a percentagewas 11% of total net sales, were 10%revenue for 20182020 and 2017. Sales to Intel, including Non-Trade sales through IMFT, as a percentage2019. Revenue from Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. was 12% of total netrevenue for 2019. Our sales to WPG were 14% for 2016included in our MBU, CNBU, EBU, and no other customer exceeded 10% ofSBU segments; our total net sales. Our sales to Kingston were included in our CNBU, MBU, and SBU segments; and MBU segments and substantially all of our sales to IntelHuawei were included in our MBU, CNBU, SBU, and CNBUEBU segments.


We generally have multiple sources of supply for our raw materials and production equipment; however, only a limited number of suppliers are capable of delivering certain raw materials and production equipment that meet our standards and, in some cases, materials or production equipment are provided by a single supplier.


Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, fixed-rate debt securities, trade receivables, share repurchase, capped call, and derivative contracts. We invest through high-credit-quality financial institutions and, by policy, generally limit the concentration of credit exposure by restricting investments with any single obligor and monitoring credit risk of bank counterparties on an ongoing basis. A concentration of credit risk may exist with respect to receivables of certain customers. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of customers worldwide and generally do not require collateral from our customers. Historically, we have not experienced material losses on receivables. A concentration of risk may also exist with respect to our foreign currency hedges as the number of counterparties to our hedges is limited and the notional amounts are relatively large. We seek to mitigate such risk by limiting our counterparties to major financial institutions and through entering into master netting arrangements. Share repurchase and capped call agreements expose us to credit risk to the extent the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreements. We seek to mitigate such risk by limiting our counterparties to major financial institutions and by spreading the risk across several major financial institutions. In addition, the potential risk of loss with any one counterparty resulting from this type of credit risk is monitored on an ongoing basis.




Geographic Information


Geographic net salesRevenue based on customer ship-tothe geographic location wereof our customers’ headquarters was as follows:
For the year ended202120202019
United States$12,155 $10,381 $12,451 
Taiwan6,606 3,657 2,703 
Mainland China (excluding Hong Kong)2,456 2,337 3,595 
Hong Kong2,582 1,792 1,614 
Japan1,652 1,387 958 
Other Asia Pacific1,420 1,157 1,032 
Other834 724 1,053 
$27,705 $21,435 $23,406 

80 | 2021 10-K



For the year ended 2018 2017 2016
China $17,357
 $10,388
 $5,301
United States 3,624
 2,763
 1,925
Taiwan 2,798
 2,544
 1,521
Other Asia Pacific 2,559
 1,808
 1,610
Europe 2,128
 1,360
 937
Japan 1,254
 1,025
 831
Other 671
 434
 274
  $30,391
 $20,322
 $12,399



NetLong-lived assets by geographic area consisted of property, plant, and equipment by geographic areaand right-of-use assets and were as follows:
As of20212020
Taiwan$11,457 $10,516 
Singapore9,411 8,161 
Japan7,222 6,478 
United States(1)
5,205 5,434 
Malaysia757 385 
China436 478 
Other175 163 
$34,663 $31,615 
(1)Included $899 million (net of impairment) as of September 2, 2021 of property, plant, and equipment for our Lehi facility that was classified as follows:held for sale and presented in other current assets.

mu-20210902_g5.jpg81
As of 2018 2017
Taiwan $7,640
 $6,519
Singapore 6,933
 5,261
United States 5,113
 4,253
Japan 3,451
 2,827
China 398
 453
Other 137
 118
  $23,672
 $19,431





Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
(in millions except per share amounts)

2018 Fourth Quarter Third Quarter Second Quarter First Quarter
Net sales $8,440
 $7,797
 $7,351
 $6,803
Gross margin 5,151
 4,723
 4,270
 3,747
Operating income 4,377
 3,953
 3,567
 3,097
Net income 4,326
 3,823
 3,311
 2,678
Net income attributable to Micron 4,325
 3,823
 3,309
 2,678
         
Earnings per share        
Basic $3.73
 $3.30
 $2.86
 $2.36
Diluted 3.56
 3.10
 2.67
 2.19


2017 Fourth Quarter Third Quarter Second Quarter First Quarter
Net sales $6,138
 $5,566
 $4,648
 $3,970
Gross margin 3,112
 2,609
 1,704
 1,011
Operating income 2,502
 1,963
 1,044
 359
Net income 2,369
 1,647
 894
 180
Net income attributable to Micron 2,368
 1,647
 894
 180
         
Earnings per share  
  
  
  
Basic $2.13
 $1.49
 $0.81
 $0.17
Diluted 1.99
 1.40
 0.77
 0.16




Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


To the Shareholders and Board of Directors and Shareholders of Micron Technology, Inc.:


Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Micron Technology, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of August 30, 2018September 2, 2021and August 31, 2017,September 3, 2020,and the related consolidatedstatements of operations, of comprehensive income, (loss),of changes in equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended August 30, 2018,September 2, 2021, including the related notes and schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts for each of the three years in the period ended August 30, 2018September 2, 2021 appearing under Item 15(a)(2)15 (collectively referred to as the "consolidated“consolidated financial statements"statements”).We also have audited the Company'sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting as of August 30, 2018,September 2, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework(2013)issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).


In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of August 30, 2018September 2, 2021and August 31, 2017September 3, 2020, and the results of theirits operations and theirits cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended August 30, 2018September 2, 2021in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of August 30, 2018,September 2, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework(2013)issued by the COSO.
    
Changes in Accounting Principle

As discussed in the Significant Accounting Policies and Inventories notes to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for inventory costing from the average cost inventory accounting method to the first-in, first-out inventory accounting method and the manner in which it classifies spare parts for equipment from raw materials inventories to other current assets in 2021, and the manner in which it accounts for leases in 2020.

Basis for Opinions


The Company'sCompany’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included inManagement's Management’s Report on Internal Control overOver Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company'sCompany’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company'sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB")(PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.


We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.


Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidatedfinancial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.


82 | 2021 10-K



Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting


A company'scompany’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company'scompany’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company'scompany’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.




Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Valuation of Inventories (Finished goods and Work in process)

As described in the Significant Accounting Policies and Inventories notes to the consolidated financial statements, as of September 2, 2021, the Company had a net inventory balance for finished goods and work in process inventory totaling approximately $4 billion. As disclosed by management, determining the net realizable value of the Company's net inventories involves significant judgments, including projecting future average selling prices and future sales volumes.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the valuation of finished goods and work in process inventories is a critical audit matter are the significant judgment by management in determining the net realizable value of inventories, which in turn led to significant auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures over the reasonableness of the significant assumptions related to future average selling prices and future sales volumes, used to estimate the net realizable value of finished goods and work in process inventories.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s estimate of the net realizable value of finished goods and work in process inventories, significant assumptions, and data used to value the inventories. These procedures also included, among others, testing management's process for developing the net realizable value estimate of finished goods and work in process inventories; evaluating the appropriateness of management’s estimated net realizable value methodology; testing the completeness, accuracy, and relevance of underlying data used in the estimate of net realizable value of finished goods and work in process inventories; and evaluating the reasonableness of management's assumptions related to future average selling prices and future sales volumes. Evaluating management's assumptions related to future average selling prices and future sales volumes involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering (i) current and past results, including recent sales, (ii) the consistency with external market, industry data and current contract prices, (iii) a comparison of the prior year estimates to actual results in the current year, and (iv) whether these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.

mu-20210902_g5.jpg83



/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP


San Jose, California
October 15, 20188, 2021



We have served as the Company'sCompany’s auditor since 1984.

84 | 2021 10-K




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


None.



ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in RuleRules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission'sCommission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisiondecisions regarding disclosure.


During the fourth quarter of 2018,2021, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


Management'sManagement’s Report on Internal Control overOver Financial Reporting


Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.


Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of August 30, 2018.September 2, 2021. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of August 30, 2018September 2, 2021 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included in Part II, Item 8, of this Form 10-K.




ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION


None.





ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

Not applicable.
mu-20210902_g5.jpg85



PART III


ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE


ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION


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


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


ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES


Certain information concerning our executive officers is included under the caption, "Directors and“Information About Our Executive Officers of the Registrant,"Officers” in Part I, Item 1 of this report. Other information required by Items 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 will be contained in our 2021 Proxy Statement which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC within 120 days after August 30, 2018September 2, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference.






86 | 2021 10-K



PART IV


ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULESSCHEDULE


(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1.1Financial Statements:  See Index to Consolidated Financial Statementsour consolidated financial statements under Item 8.
2.2
Financial Statement Schedule:
Schedule
See “Schedule
II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Accounts” within Item 15 below.

Certain Financial Statement Schedules have been omitted since they are either not required, not applicable, or the information is otherwise included.
3.3Exhibits. See “Index to Exhibits” within Item 15 below.




mu-20210902_g5.jpg87



SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(in millions)


MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
 Balance at
Beginning of
Year
Charged
(Credited) to
Income Tax
Provision
Currency
Translation
and Charges
to Other
Accounts
Balance at
End of
Year
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance    
Year ended September 2, 2021$294 $(54)$(7)$233 
Year ended September 3, 2020277 20 (3)294 
Year ended August 29, 2019228 40 277 


88 | 2021 10-K
 
Balance at
Beginning of
Year
 Business Acquisitions 
Charged
(Credited) to
Income Tax
Provision
 
Currency
Translation
and Charges
to Other
Accounts
 
Balance at
End of
Year
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance 
  
  
  
  
Year ended August 30, 2018$2,321
 $
 $(2,079) $(14) $228
Year ended August 31, 20172,107
 
 (64) 278
 2,321
Year ended September 1, 20162,051
 10
 (63) 109
 2,107




Amounts chargedIndex to other accounts for the year ended August 31, 2017 includes $325 million as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-09 – Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.

Exhibits

3. Exhibits.

Exhibit NumberDescription of ExhibitFiled HerewithFormPeriod EndingExhibit/ AppendixFiling Date
3.18-K99.21/26/15
3.28-K3.12/16/21
4.18-K4.12/6/19
4.28-K4.22/6/19
4.38-K4.32/6/19
4.48-K4.42/6/19
4.58-K4.52/6/19
4.68-K4.27/12/19
4.78-K4.37/12/19
4.88-K4.47/12/19
4.98-K4.24/24/20
4.108-K4.34/24/20
4.1110-K9/3/204.1310/19/20
10.1**DEF 14AB12/7/17
10.2**10-K9/1/1610.610/28/16
10.3**10-K9/1/1610.710/28/16
10.4**DEF 14AA12/1/20
10.5**10-K9/1/1610.910/28/16
10.6**10-K9/1/1610.1010/28/16
10.7**10-K9/1/1610.1110/28/16
10.8*10-Q11/30/0610.661/16/07
10.9**10-Q2/27/1410.34/7/14
10.10**8-K99.211/1/07
10.11*10-Q/A2/28/1310.1268/7/13
10.12**10-Q3/4/2110.154/1/21
10.13**10-Q6/1/1710.676/30/17
10.14**10-Q11/30/1710.7012/20/17
10.15**8-K99.111/13/17
mu-20210902_g5.jpg89



Exhibit NumberDescription of ExhibitFiled HerewithFormPeriod EndingExhibit/ AppendixFiling Date
2.1* 8-K/A 2.110/31/12
2.2* 8-K 2.310/31/12
2.3* 8-K 2.48/6/13
2.4 8-K 2.58/6/13
2.5 10-Q3/3/162.64/8/16
3.1 8-K 99.21/26/15
3.2 8-K 99.14/15/14
4.1 8-K 4.14/18/12
4.2 8-K 4.34/18/12
4.3 8-K 4.14/18/12
4.4 8-K 4.34/18/12
4.5 8-K 4.12/12/13
4.6 8-K 4.32/12/13
4.7 8-K 4.12/12/13
4.8 8-K 4.32/12/13
4.9 8-K 4.111/18/13
4.10 8-K 4.111/18/13
4.11 10-Q2/27/144.34/7/14
4.12 8-K 4.17/29/14
4.13 8-K 4.17/29/14
4.14 8-K 4.17/22/16


Exhibit NumberDescription of ExhibitFiled HerewithFormPeriod EndingExhibit/ AppendixFiling Date
10.1 DEF 14A B12/7/17
10.2 10-K9/1/1610.610/28/16
10.3 10-K9/1/1610.710/28/16
10.4 10-K9/1/1610.810/28/16
10.5 10-K9/1/1610.910/28/16
10.6 10-K9/1/1610.1010/28/16
10.7 10-K9/1/1610.1110/28/16
10.8 S-8 4.16/16/10
10.9 S-8 4.26/16/10
10.10* 10-Q11/30/0610.661/16/07
10.11 10-Q2/27/1410.34/7/14
10.12* 10-Q12/1/0510.1551/10/06
10.13 8-K 99.211/1/07
10.14 10-Q12/4/0810.701/13/09
10.15* 10-Q3/1/1210.1044/9/12
10.16* 10-Q5/31/1210.1087/9/12
10.17* 10-Q5/31/1210.1097/9/12
10.18* 10-Q5/31/1210.1107/9/12
10.19* 10-Q5/31/1210.1117/9/12
10.20* 10-Q5/31/1210.1127/9/12
10.21* 10-Q5/31/1210.1137/9/12
10.22 8-K 10.14/18/12
10.23* 10-Q2/28/1310.1224/8/13


Exhibit NumberDescription of ExhibitFiled HerewithFormPeriod EndingExhibit/ AppendixFiling Date
10.24* 10-Q2/28/1310.1244/8/13
10.25 10-Q2/28/1310.1254/8/13
10.26* 10-Q/A2/28/1310.1268/7/13
10.27* 10-Q2/28/1310.1274/8/13
10.28* 10-Q/A2/28/1310.1288/7/13
10.29* 10-Q2/28/1310.1294/8/13
10.30* 10-Q2/28/1310.1304/8/13
10.31* 8-K/A 10.13910/2/13
10.32* 8-K 10.1408/6/13
10.33* 8-K/A 10.14110/2/13
10.34 8-K 10.12/12/13
10.35 8-K 10.12/7/14
10.36 8-K 10.17/24/14
10.37 8-K 10.17/29/14
10.38 10-Q3/5/1510.884/10/15
10.39* 10-Q3/5/1510.904/10/15
10.40* 10-Q3/5/1510.914/10/15
10.41* 10-Q3/2/1710.493/28/17


Exhibit NumberDescription of ExhibitFiled HerewithFormPeriod EndingExhibit/ AppendixFiling Date
10.42* 10-Q3/2/1710.503/28/17
10.43* 10-Q3/2/1710.513/28/17
10.44* 10-K9/3/1510.5410/27/15
10.45 8-K 10.14/30/15
10.46* 10-Q/A3/3/1610.569/8/16
10.47* 10-Q/A3/3/1610.579/8/16
10.48 10-Q3/3/1610.584/8/16
10.49 10-Q3/3/1610.594/8/16
10.50* 10-Q6/2/1610.607/6/16
10.51* 10-Q6/2/1610.617/6/16
10.52 8-K 10.24/26/16
10.53 8-K 10.34/26/16
10.54 10-Q5/31/1810.646/22/18
10.55 10-Q12/1/1610.651/9/17
10.56 10-Q12/1/1610.661/9/17
10.57 10-Q6/1/1710.676/30/17


Exhibit NumberDescription of ExhibitFiled HerewithFormPeriod EndingExhibit/ AppendixFiling Date
10.58 10-Q6/1/1710.686/30/17
10.59 10-Q11/30/1710.7012/20/17
10.60 10-K8/31/1710.7110/26/17
10.61 8-K 99.111/13/17
10.62 10-Q11/30/1710.7312/20/17
10.63 10-Q11/30/1710.7412/20/17
10.64 8-K 1.110/16/17
10.65 DEF 14A A12/7/17
10.66 10-Q3/1/1810.763/23/18
10.67 10-Q5/31/1810.776/22/18
10.68X    
10.69X    
21.1X    
23.1X    
31.1X    
31.2X    
32.1X    
32.2X    
101.INSXBRL Instance DocumentX    
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema DocumentX    
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase DocumentX    
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase DocumentX    
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase DocumentX    
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase DocumentX    

Exhibit NumberDescription of ExhibitFiled HerewithFormPeriod EndingExhibit/ AppendixFiling Date
10.16**10-Q11/30/1710.7412/20/17
10.17**X
10.18**10-Q3/1/1810.763/23/18
10.1910-Q6/3/2110.227/1/21
10.2010-Q6/3/2110.237/1/21
21.1X
23.1X
31.1X
31.2X
32.1X
32.2X
101.INSInline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL documentX
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema DocumentX
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase DocumentX
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase DocumentX
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase DocumentX
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase DocumentX
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)X
* Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment filed with the Commission.


** Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.



ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY


None.






90 | 2021 10-K



SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boise, State of Idaho, on the 15th day of October 2018.
authorized.
Micron Technology, Inc.
DateBy:October 8, 2021By:/s/ David A. Zinsner
David A. Zinsner
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Reportreport has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SignatureTitleDate
/s/ Sanjay MehrotraPresident andOctober 8, 2021
(Sanjay Mehrotra)Chief Executive Officer and
Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
SignatureTitleDate
/s/ Sanjay MehrotraPresident andOctober 15, 2018
(Sanjay Mehrotra)Chief Executive Officer and
Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ David A. ZinsnerSenior Vice President andOctober 15, 20188, 2021
(David A. Zinsner)Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial andOfficer)
Accounting Officer)
/s/ Scott AllenCorporate Vice President andOctober 8, 2021
/s/ Robert L. Bailey(Scott Allen)DirectorChief Accounting OfficerOctober 15, 2018
(Robert L. Bailey)(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Richard M. BeyerDirectorOctober 15, 20188, 2021
(Richard M. Beyer)
/s/ Lynn DugleDirectorOctober 8, 2021
/s/ Patrick J. Byrne(Lynn Dugle)DirectorOctober 15, 2018
(Patrick J. Byrne)
/s/ Steve GomoDirectorOctober 8, 2021
(Steve Gomo)
/s/ Mercedes JohnsonDirectorOctober 15, 2018
(Mercedes Johnson)/s/ Linnie HaynesworthDirectorOctober 8, 2021
(Linnie Haynesworth)
/s/ Lawrence N. MondryMary Pat McCarthyDirectorOctober 15, 20188, 2021
(Lawrence N. Mondry)Mary Pat McCarthy)
/s/ Robert E. SwitzChairmanChair of the BoardOctober 15, 20188, 2021
(Robert E. Switz)Director
/s/ MaryAnn WrightDirectorOctober 8, 2021
(MaryAnn Wright)


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mu-20210902_g5.jpg91