10q doc






UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(MARK ONE)

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999March 31, 2000

or

[   ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________to _________

Commission file number: 0-25688

SDL, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

             Delaware                                                                  77-0331449
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)                       (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

80 Rose Orchard Way, San Jose, CA 95134-1365
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(408) 943-9411
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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.         [X] Yes       [   ] No


The number of shares outstanding of the issuer's common stock as of October 29, 1999May 10, 2000 was 35,366,634.76,549,877.



SDL, INC.
FORM 10-Q
INDEX

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited):

        Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 1999March 31, 2000 and December 31, 19981999

        Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2000 and 1999 and 1998

        Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2000 and 1999 and 1998

        Notes To Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Item 2: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

        Introduction

        Results of Operations

        Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Impact of Year 2000

        Risk Factors

Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1: Legal Proceedings

Item 2: Changes in Securities

Item 3: Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Item 4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Item 5: Other Information

Item 6: Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

SIGNATURES

PART I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SDL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

                                                 September 30,March 31,    December 31,
                                                    2000          1999          1998
                                                ------------  ------------
                                                (unaudited)       (1)
                         ASSETS
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents .......................    $206,056       $17,023....................   $238,239      $153,016
  Short-term marketable securities ................      86,293        17,635.............     76,903       161,120
  Accounts receivable, net ........................      42,685        23,042.....................     49,652        41,445
  Inventories .....................................      30,008        21,288..................................     36,971        32,070
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets .......       3,946         3,875....      3,628         3,659
                                                ------------  ------------
Total current assets ..............................     368,988        82,863...........................    405,393       391,310
Property and equipment, net .......................      53,431        39,848....................     65,670        59,772
Long-term marketable securities ...................................          0            --          3,552
Restricted cash ...................................         703           722
Note due from related party .......................         488           512................................        680           686
Goodwill and other intangibles, net.............     93,258         2,948
Other assets ......................................       7,178         4,563...................................     15,271         6,237
                                                ------------  ------------
Total assets ......................................    $430,788      $132,060...................................   $580,272      $460,953
                                                ============  ============
              LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable ................................     $12,165       $10,014.............................    $19,151       $18,277
  Accrued payroll and related expenses ............       6,415         2,354.........      4,118        10,717
  Income taxes payable ............................       4,157         1,890
  Unearned revenue ................................         125           643.........................      8,854         1,093
  Current portion of capital leases ...............       1,082         1,098............        874         1,011
  Other accrued liabilities .......................       6,319         3,159....................      7,498         4,950
                                                ------------  ------------
Total current liabilities .........................      30,263        19,158......................     40,495        36,048

Long-term liabilities:
  Capital leases ..................................         460         1,416
  Notes payable ...................................          --           612...............................        860           965
  Other long-term liabilities .....................       4,250         2,668..................     13,667         3,792
                                                ------------  ------------
Total long-term liabilities .......................       4,710         4,696....................     14,527         4,757

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock..................................stock...............................         --            --
  Common stock.....................................          35            15stock..................................         73            72
  Additional paid-in capital ......................     414,924       138,895...................    518,191       425,993
  Accumulated other comprehensive income...........         360           887
  Accumulated deficit, $26.3 million relating
    to the repurchase of common stock in 1992
    and $5.8 million relating to a
    recapitalization in 1992 ......................     (19,469)      (31,551)
                                                    ------------  ------------
                                                        395,850       108,246
  Less common stockholders' notes receivable ......         (35)          (40)income........        216         1,557
  Retained Earnings (Accumulated deficit).......      6,770        (7,474)
                                                ------------  ------------
Total stockholders' equity ........................     395,815       108,206.....................    525,250       420,148
                                                ------------  ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ........    $430,788      $132,060.....   $580,272      $460,953
                                                ============  ============

(1) The balance sheet at December 31, 19981999 has been derived from the auditedaudit financial statements at that date.

      See accompanying notes.

SDL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data - unaudited)


                                        Three Months Ended
                                       Nine Months Ended
                                            September 30,         September 30,March 31,
                                       --------------------
                                         --------------------2000       1999       1998       1999        1998
                                       --------- ----------

---------- ---------
Total revenue:
  Product revenue.....................  $46,383    $24,498    $124,910   $73,618
  Research revenue....................    1,124      2,460       3,434     8,639Revenue................................ $72,206    $37,666
Cost of revenue........................  37,616     23,033
                                       --------- ----------
  ---------- ---------
                                         47,507     26,958     128,344    82,257
Cost of revenue:
  Cost of product revenue.............   25,778     15,750      71,808    49,175
  Cost of research revenue............      878      1,748       2,854     6,584
                                       --------- ----------  ---------- ---------
                                         26,656     17,498      74,662    55,759
                                       --------- ----------  ---------- ---------
Gross margin..........................   20,851      9,460      53,682    26,498margin.........................  34,590     14,633

Operating expenses:
  Research and development............    5,237      3,200      13,310     9,3425,903      3,781
  Selling, general and administrative.    6,527      4,036      18,650    12,019
  Merger costs........................      --        --         2,677       --7,298      5,680
  In-process research and development.    --        --1,200      1,495       --
  Amortization of purchased
   intangibles........................    210        193         599       5821,744        179
                                       --------- ----------  ---------- ---------
Total operating expenses..............   11,974      7,429      36,731    21,94316,145     11,135
                                       --------- ----------  ---------- ---------
Operating income .....................   8,877      2,031      16,951     4,55518,445      3,498
Interest income net..................      589        330       1,172       927and other, net........    4,485        286
                                       --------- ----------  ---------- ---------
Income before income taxes............   9,466      2,361      18,123     5,48222,930      3,784
Provision for income taxes............    2,082        251       4,905       7238,686      1,161
                                       --------- ----------
---------- ---------
Net income............................  $7,384     $2,110     $13,218    $4,759$14,244     $2,623
                                       ========= ==========  ========== =========

Net income per share - basic..........    $0.23      $0.07       $0.43     $0.17$0.20      $0.04
                                       ========= ==========  ========== =========

Net income per share - diluted........    $0.22      $0.07       $0.40     $0.16$0.19      $0.04
                                       ========= ==========  ========== =========
Number of weighted average
  shares - basic......................   32,093     28,672      31,043    28,51972,019     60,176
                                       ========= ==========  ========== =========
Number of weighted average
  shares - diluted....................   34,146     30,240      33,085    30,17976,507     64,296
                                       ========= ==========  ========== =========

      See accompanying notes.

SDL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands - unaudited)


                                                           NineThree Months Ended
                                                               September 30,March 31,
                                                        --------------------
                                                          2000       1999        1998
                                                        ---------  ---------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 Net income............................................  $13,218     $4,759$14,244     $2,623
                                                        ---------  ---------
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
   provided by (used in) operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization.....................    8,388      6,470.....................................    3,148      3,010
     Amortization of intangibles.......................    1,744        179
     Stock-based compensation..........                      654         68
     In-process research and development...............    1,200      1,495         --
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
        Accounts receivable............................   (19,524)        37(6,578)    (5,687)
        Inventories....................................   (7,580)    (3,057)(3,236)    (2,029)
        Accounts payable...............................   2,020     (1,048)(1,532)    (1,457)
        Accrued payroll and related expenses...........   4,061        374(6,748)       342
        Income taxes payable...........................    2,267       (106)
        Unearned revenue...............................     (518)       2217,761       (438)
        Other accrued liabilities......................     3,603     (1,524)(486)       447
        Long-term liabilities..........................     1,581      1,338(962)       623
        Other..........................................     (911)     1,234(552)      (428)
                                                        ---------  ---------
 Total adjustments.....................................   (5,118)     3,939(5,587)    (3,875)
                                                        ---------  ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities..............    8,100      8,698activities....    8,657     (1,252)
                                                        ---------  ---------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 Acquisition of property and equipment, net............   (21,356)   (10,957)(6,479)    (7,393)
 Acquisition of the fiber laser business of Polaroid...     --       (5,055)
 Acquisition of Queensgate, net of cash acquired.......   (3,988)      --
 Sale (purchase) of marketable securities, net.........   (65,797)     7,72983,013      2,147
                                                        ---------  ---------
Net cash used inprovided by (used in) investing activities..................  (92,208)    (3,228)activities....   72,546    (10,301)
                                                        ---------  ---------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 Issuance of stock pursuant to employee stock plans....    9,743      1,609
 Proceeds from issuance of common stock................  266,301         --4,385      3,016
 Payments on capital leases............................     (850)      (986)(371)      (380)
 Decrease (increase) in restricted cash................        3        (49)
 Payments on  stockholders' note receivable............        56         36
 Other.................................................     --         Payments on notes payable.............................     (898)      (448)(232)
                                                        ---------  ---------
Net cash provided by financing activities..............    274,304        1264,020      2,440
                                                        ---------  ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents..............  190,196      5,596equivalents...   85,223     (9,113)
Net cash activity of IOC for the three
  months ended December 31, 1998.......................     --       (1,163)        --
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.......  153,016     17,023      6,170
                                                        ---------  ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period............. $206,056    $11,766$238,239     $6,747
                                                        =========  =========

      See accompanying notes.

SDL, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

September 30, 1999March 31, 2000

1. Basis of Presentation and Business Activities

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine-monththree month period ended September 30, 1999March 31, 2000 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year endedending December 31, 1999.2000. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Registrant Company'sRegistrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 and Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 29, 1999.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SDL, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, SDL Optics, SDL Integrated Optics and SDL Integrated Optics.Queensgate. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The functional currency of the Company's Canadian subsidiary (SDL Optics) is the U.S. dollar. TheseThe financial statements of the Canadian subsidiary are remeasured into U.S. dollars for consolidation.the purposes of consolidation using the historical exchange rates in effect at the date of the transactions. Remeasurement gains and losses are recorded in the income statement and have not been material to date. The functional currency of the Company's United Kingdom subsidiarysubsidiaries is the British Pound Sterling. As such, allAll assets and liabilities of the Company's United Kingdom subsidiaries (SDL Integrated Optics and SDL Queensgate) are translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues and costs and expenses are translated at weighted average rates of exchange prevailing during the period. Translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a separate component of stockholders' equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in interest income and other, net and were immaterial for all periods presented.

The Company operates and reports financial results on a fiscal year of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Friday closest to December 31. The thirdfirst fiscal quarter of 19992000 and 19981999 ended on October 1,March 31, 2000 and April 2, 1999, and October 2, 1998, respectively. For ease of discussion and presentation, all accompanying financial statements have been shown as ending on the last day of the calendar month.quarter.

In MayDecember 1999, the Company authorized a two-for-one split of its common stock, effected in the form of a 100 percent stock dividend, which was paid on June 2, 1999March 14, 2000 to stockholders of record on May 14, 1999.February 29, 2000. All of the share and per share data in these financial statements hashave been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split.

In May 1999,February 2000, the Company's stockholders approved an increase in the Company's authorized shares of its common stock from 70 million shares to 70140 million shares.

On March 8, 2000 Queensgate was acquired by SDL in a transaction accounted for as a purchase. Queensgate was a privately held company and is located in Bracknell, United Kingdom. Queensgate designs, develops, manufactures and markets optical network monitoring modules for long haul terrestrial fiber optic transmission systems. The acquisition agreement provided for initial consideration of $3 million of cash and 347,962 shares of the Company's common stock with a fair value of approximately $77 million, and contingent payments of up to an additional $150 million in common stock based on Queensgate's pretax profits for the 10 months ending December 31, 2000 and the twelve months ending December 31, 2001. In addition, SDL issued options in exchange for outstanding Queensgate options with the number of shares and the exercise price appropriately adjusted by the exchange ratio. See note 6, Acquisitions.

In April 2000, the Company acquired Veritech Microwave, Inc. ("Veritech") for 3,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock with a fair value of approximately $621 million. Veritech was a privately held company located in South Plainfield, New Jersey. Veritech designs, develops, manufactures and markets optoelectronic modules for long haul undersea and terrestrial fiber optic transmission systems. The acquisition will be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. The Company mergedbelieves it may write-off significant amounts related to in-process research and development during the second quarter of fiscal 2000.

In May 2000, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire Photonic Integration Research, Inc. (PIRI) for 10,200,000 shares of the Company's common stock with IOC International plc. ("IOC")a fair value of approximately $1.8 billion and a $31.25 million cash payment. PIRI, a privately held company located in May 1999Columbus, Ohio, is a leading manufacturer of arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) that enable the routing of individual wavelength channels in fiber optic systems. These products are used in optical multiplexing (mux) and demultiplexing (demux) applications for dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) fiber optic systems. The acquisition is anticipated to close in the second quarter of fiscal 2000 and will be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. The Company believes it may write-off significant amounts related to in-process research and development when the acquisition is completed and that quarterly amortization of purchased intangibles will also be substantial.

As a poolingresult of interests transaction. The condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30,substantial increase in the market price of the Company's Common Stock beginning in the fourth quarter of 1998, have been restated to include the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of IOC. There were no transactions between IOC and the Company prior to the combination and no significant adjustments were necessary to conform IOC's accounting policies. Becauseresulting increased levels of differing year ends, financial information relating to SDL's three and nine months ended September 30, 1998 has been combined with financial information relating to IOC's three and nine months ended June 30, 1998. IOC's net loss for the three months ended December 31, 1998 was not combined with SDL's net income, but rather was included as an adjustment to stockholders' equityemployee participation in the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP"), it is currently contemplated that the number of shares issuable pursuant to the Company's ESPP in fiscal 2000 will exceed the number of shares that were available under the Plan at the beginning of the October 1998 employee purchase period. As a result, the Company expects to incur non-cash charges to operating results aggregating approximately $12.1 million. These charges will occur primarily in the second and third quarters of fiscal 2000.

In December 1999, the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements" ("SAB 101"). The SAB summarizes certain of the Staff's views in applying generally accepted accounting principles to revenue recognition in financial resultsstatements. SAB 101 provides that if registrants have not applied the accounting therein they should implement the SAB and report a change in accounting principle. SAB 101, as subsequently amended, will be effective for the three months ended March 31, 1999. IOC's resultsCompany no later than the second quarter of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999 has been combined with SDL's results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999.

In September 1999, the Company issued 3,392,500 shares of common stock, including the underwriters' exercise of their over-allotment option for 442,500 shares, priced at $82.00 per share. Net proceeds to the Company were approximately $266.3 million.

In June 1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"). This statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and for hedging activities. It requires that derivatives be recognized in the balance sheet at fair value and specifies the accounting for changes in fair value. In June 1999, the FASB issued SFAS 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133" to defer the effective date of SFAS 133 until fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. The Company generally does not use derivativebelieve that adoption of SAB 101 will have a material impact on its financial instruments and the impactcondition or results of SFAS 133 is not anticipated to be material when adopted.operations.

2. Net Income Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):


                                       Three Months Ended
                                           Nine Months Ended
                                           September 30,       September 30,March 31,
                                      -------------------
                                        -------------------2000      1999       1998     1999       1998
                                      --------- ---------
                                      --------- ---------
   Numerator:
   Net income........................  $7,384    $2,110   $13,218    $4,759
                                      ========= =========$14,244    $2,623
                                      ========= =========
   Denominator:
   Denominator for basic net income
     per share - weighted average
     shares..........................   32,093    28,672    31,043    28,51972,019    60,176
   Incremental common shares
     attributable to shares
     issuable under employee stock
     plans...........................    2,053     1,568     2,042     1,660
                                      --------- ---------4,488     4,120
                                      --------- ---------
   Denominator for diluted net
     income per share adjusted
     weighted average shares and
     assumed conversions.............   34,146    30,240    33,085    30,179
                                      ========= =========76,507    64,296
                                      ========= =========

   Net income per share - basic......    $0.23     $0.07     $0.43     $0.17
                                      ========= =========$0.20     $0.04
                                      ========= =========

   Net income per share - diluted....    $0.22     $0.07     $0.40     $0.16
                                      ========= =========$0.19     $0.04
                                      ========= =========

3. Inventories

The components of inventories consist of the following (in thousands):


                              September 30,March 31,     December 31,
                                 2000           1999           1998
                             ------------   ------------
Raw materials .............      $11,251         $7,849$12,956        $15,115
Work-in-process............       15,293         13,43921,174         14,615
Finished Goods.............        3,464              --2,841          2,340
                             ------------   ------------
                                 $30,008        $21,288$36,971        $32,070
                             ============   ============

4. Comprehensive Income

Accumulated other comprehensive income presented in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet consists of the accumulated net unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale marketable securities and foreign currency translation adjustments, net of the related tax effects. The tax effects for other comprehensive income were immaterial for all periods presented.

Total comprehensive income amounted to approximately $7.7$12.9 million for the thirdfirst quarter 19992000 compared to a comprehensive income of $2.5$1.9 million for the thirdfirst quarter of 1998. For nine months ended September 30, 1999, comprehensive income amounted to $13.0 million compared to $5.5 million for the corresponding 1998 period.1999.

5. Segment Reporting

SDL has threetwo reportable segments: communications research, and printing and materials processing.industrial laser. The communications business unit develops, designs, manufactures and distributes lasers, modulators, drivers, modules and subsystems for applications in the telecom, cable television, satellite and dense wavelength division multiplexing markets. The research business unit conducts research, development or product customization, involving both communications and printing and material processing applications, for Fortune 500 companies, major international customers, smaller domestic and international companies, and multiple Federal government agencies. Research revenue on the Consolidated Statement of Income includes research, development, and product customization conducted by all the segments of the Company. The printing and materials processingindustrial laser business unit develops, designs, manufacturers and distributes lasers and subsystems for applications in the surface heat treating, product labeling,marking, digital imaging, digital proofing, and thermal printing solutions markets.

The operating segments reported below are the segments of the Company for which separate financial information is available and for which operating income/loss amounts are evaluated regularly by executive management in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of accounting policies.

The Company's reportable segments are business units that offer different products. The reportable segments are each managed separately because they manufacture and distribute distinct products with different applications. The Company does not allocate assets to its individual operating segments.

Information about reported segment income or loss is as follows (in thousands):



                                  Printing
                                  Communica-
                                     and
                                     tion    MaterialIndustrial
                                   Products    Research  ProcessingLaser      Total
                                  ---------- --------- -----------
----------
Quarter ended Septebmer 30,March 31, 2000:
Revenue from external customers...  $60,876   $11,330     $72,206
Segment Operating Income (loss)...  $23,245   ($1,856)    $21,389



                                  Communica-
                                     tion    Industrial
                                   Products    Laser      Total
                                  ---------- --------- -----------
Quarter ended March 31, 1999:
Revenue from external customers...  $32,109      $972     $14,426    $47,507
Amortization......................       78        --         132        210
Segment Operating Income (loss)...   $9,911     ($533)      ($501)    $8,877


                                                        Printing
                                  Communica-               and
                                     tion               Material
                                   Products  Research  Processing    Total
                                  ---------- --------- ----------- ----------
Quarter ended September 30, 1998:
Revenue from external customers...  $13,718    $2,048     $11,192    $26,958
Amortization......................      155        --          38        193$28,568    $9,098     $37,666
Segment Operating Income .........   $616       $92      $1,323     $2,031


                                                        Printing
                                  Communica-               and
                                     tion               Material
                                   Products  Research  Processing    Total
                                  ---------- --------- ----------- ----------
Nine months ended September 30, 1999:
Revenue from external customers...  $90,751    $3,605     $33,988   $128,344
Amortization......................      234        --         365        599
Segment Operating Income (loss)...  $24,330     ($735)    ($1,772)   $21,823


                                                        Printing
                                  Communica-               and
                                     tion               Material
                                   Products  Research  Processing    Total
                                  ---------- --------- ----------- ----------
Nine months ended September 30, 1998:
Revenue from external customers...  $41,069    $6,166     $35,022    $82,257
Amortization......................      465        --         117        582
Segment Operating Income (loss)...     ($11)     $563      $4,003     $4,555$5,738      $134      $5,872

A reconciliation of the totals reported for the operating segments to the applicable line items in the consolidated financial statements is as follows (in thousands):


                                                          For the ninethree months
                                                           ended September 30,March 31,
                                                       ----------------------
                                                          2000        1999        1998
                                                       ----------- ----------
Operating Income
  Total operating income from operating
     segments...............................              $21,823     $4,555
  Merger costs..............................               (2,677)     --$21,389     $5,872
  Amortization of intangibles...............               (1,744)      (179)
  In-process R&D and related costs..........               (1,200)    (2,195)     --
                                                       ----------- ----------
Total consolidated operating income ........              $16,951     $4,555$18,445     $3,498
                                                       =========== ==========

Major Customers

During the first three months of 2000, four communication product customers and their affiliates accounted for 17 percent, 16 percent, 13 percent and 13 percent of revenues, respectively. During fiscal 1999, three communication product customers and their affiliates accounted for 15 percent, 11 percent and 11 percent of revenues, respectively.

6. Mergers & Acquisitions

IOC International plc.

Queensgate

Overview

On May 18, 1999, the CompanyMarch 8, 2000 Queensgate merged with IOC,SDL in a transaction accounted for as a purchase. Queensgate was a privately held company and is located in Bracknell, United Kingdom-based manufacturer of lithium niobate componentsKingdom. Queensgate designs, develops, manufactures and markets optical network monitoring modules for long haul terrestrial fiber optic transmission systems in a poolingsystems. The merger agreement provided for initial consideration of interests transaction. The Company exchanged 1,130,098$3 million of cash and 347,962 shares of SDLthe Company's common stock with a fair value of approximately $77 million, and reserved 116,974contingent payments of up to an additional $150 million in common stock based on Queensgate's pretax profits for the 10 months ended December 31, 2000 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2001. In addition, SDL issued options in exchange for outstanding Queensgate options with the number of shares for IOC options assumedand the exercise price appropriately adjusted by the Company. Merger related expensesexchange ratio.

Valuation Methodology

In accordance with the provisions of $2.7 millionAccounting Principle Board Opinion No. 16 (APB No. 16), Business Combinations, all identifiable assets, including identifiable intangible assets, were recordedassigned a portion of the cost of the acquired business (purchase price) on the basis of the respective fair values. This included the portion of the purchase price properly attributable to incomplete research and development projects that should be expensed according to the requirements of Interpretation 4 of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 2.

Intangible assets were identified through: (i) analysis of the acquisition agreement, (ii) consideration of the Company's intentions for future use of the acquired assets; and (iii) analysis of data available concerning the business products, technologies, markets, historical financial performance, estimates of future performance and the assumptions underlying those estimates.

The economic and competitive environment in which the Company and Queensgate operate was also considered in the second quartervaluation.

Specifically, in-process research and development, core technology and existing technology was identified and valued through extensive interviews and discussion with the Company and Queensgate's management. The valuation of fiscal 1999. Combinedin-process research and separate unaudited resultsdevelopment included an analysis of SDLdata provided by Queensgate concerning the products in development, their respective stage of development, the time and IOC forresources needed to complete them, their expected income generating ability, target markets and associated risks. The Income Approach, which included an analysis of the periods prior tomarkets, cash flows, and risks associated with achieving such cash flows, was the acquisition wereprimary technique utilized in valuing the in-process research and development, core technology and existing technology. Tradename was valued using the Brand Savings approach and workforce was valued using the estimated cost of recruiting and training replacement workers.

The total purchase cost and purchase price allocation of the Queensgate merger is as follows (in thousands):




Nine Months Ended September
                                            1999       1998Value of securites issued.........         $77,376
Cash..............................           3,000
Assumption of Queensgate options..           1,502
                                         ----------
                                            81,878
Estimated transaction costs......            1,125
                                         ----------
Total revenues:
  Priorpurchase cost..............           83,003

                                                      Annual
                                           Amount   Amortization
Purcahse price allocation:
  Tangible net deficit...........           (1,570)     n/a        n/a
  Tradename......................            2,000          400  5 years
  Core technologoy...............           12,000        2,400  5 years
  Existing technology............            6,200        1,240  5 years
  In process technology..........            1,200      n/a        n/a
  Workforce......................            1,500          300  5 years
  Goodwill.......................           70,353       14,071  5 years
  Deferred tax liabilities.......           (8,680)     n/a        n/a
                                         ---------- ------------
  Total estimated purchase
    price allocation.............           83,003       18,411

The purchase price allocation is preliminary and, therefore, subject to April 1, 1999:.. SDL................... $35,730 $76,738 IOC................... 1,936 5,519 Combinedchange based on the Company's final analysis and receipt of a final report by a valuation specialist used by the Company to assist in the purchase price allocation.

Assumptions

The Income Approach used by the Company to value in-process research and development, core technology and existing technology included assumptions relating to revenue estimates, operating expenses, income taxes and discount rates.

Revenue

Revenue estimates were developed based on: (i) aggregate revenue growth rates for the business as a whole, (ii) individual product revenues, (iii) growth rates for the telecommunications industry, (iv) the aggregate size of the telecommunication industry, (v) anticipated product development and introduction schedules, (vi) product sales cycles, and (vii) the estimated life of a product's underlying technology.

The estimated product development cycle for the new product was 12 months.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses used in the valuation analysis of Queensgate included: cost of goods sold, selling, general and administrative expenses, and research and development expenses.

In developing future expense estimates, an evaluation of both the Company and Queensgate's overall business model, specific product results, afterincluding both historical and expected direct expense levels, as appropriate, and an assessment of general industry metrics was conducted.

Cost of goods sold

Costs of goods sold, expressed as a percentage of revenue, for the core, existing and in-process technologies ranged from 61 percent for the twelve months ending March 31, 1999.. 90,678 -- ---------- ---------- $128,344 $82,2572001 to 53 percent in fiscal 2002 and beyond.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses, expressed as a percentage of revenue, for the core, existing, and in-process technologies 17 percent for the twelve months ending March 31, 2001 to 11 percent in fiscal 2002 and beyond.

Research and development expense

Research and development expense consists of the costs associated with activities undertaken to correct errors or keep products updated with current information, also referred to as "maintenance" research and development. Maintenance research and development includes all activities undertaken after a product is available for general release to customers to keep the product updated with current customer specifications. These activities include routine changes and additions. The maintenance research and development expense was estimated to be 1 percent of revenue for the core, existing, and in-process technologies throughout the estimation period.

Effective tax rate

The effective tax rate was determined based on federal and state statutory tax rates and was determined to be 41 percent.

Discount rate

The discount rate for Queensgate's core, existing, and in-process technologies were 18 percent, 14 percent and 20 percent, respectively. In the selection of the appropriate discount rates, consideration was given to (i) the weighted average cost of capital and (ii) the weighted average return on assets. The discount rate utilized for the in-process technology was determined to be higher than the Company's weighted average cost of capital because the technology had not yet reached technological feasibility as of the date of valuation. In utilizing a discount rate greater than the Company's weighted average cost of capital, management has reflected the risk premium associated with achieving the forecasted cash flows associated with these projects.

The in-process research and development was comprised of one project and amounted to $1.2 million of the total purchase price and was charged to expense during the quarter ended March 31, 2000. The estimated cost of completion of the in-process research and development project is $0.2 million. The acquired existing technology is comprised of products in Queensgate portfolio that are already technologically feasible. The Company expects to amortize the acquired existing technology of approximately $6.2 million on a straight-line basis over an estimated remaining useful life of 5 years.

The core technology represents Queensgate trade secrets and patents developed through years of experience designing and manufacturing optical network monitoring modules. This know-how enables the Company to develop new and improve existing optical network monitoring modules, processes, and manufacturing equipment. The Company expects to amortize the core technology of approximately $12.0 million on a straight-line basis over an average estimated remaining useful life of 5 years.

The trade names include the Queensgate trademark and trade name as well as all branded Queensgate products. The Company expects to amortize the trade names of approximately $2.0 million on a straight-line basis over an estimated remaining useful life of 5 years.

The acquired assembled workforce is comprised of over 100 skilled employees across Queensgate's General and Administration, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing, and Manufacturing groups. The Company expects to amortize the assembled workforce of approximately $1.5 million on a straight-line basis over an estimated remaining useful life of 5 years.

Goodwill, which represents the excess of the purchase price of an investment in an acquired business over the fair value of the underlying net identifiable assets, is amortized on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of 5 years.

The following unaudited pro forma information presents the results of operations of the Company as if the acquisition had taken place on January 1, 1999 and excludes the write-off of purchased in process research and development of $1.2 million:




(In thousands,                       For the three months
except per share amounts)             ended March 31,
                                  ---------------------------
                                      2000           1999
                                  ------------   ------------

Revenues..........................    $73,897        $40,122
Net income (loss):
  Prior.................    $11,901        ($5,126)
Earnings (loss) per share-basic...      $0.16         ($0.08)
Earnings (loss) per share-diluted.      $0.15         ($0.08)

These pro-forma results of operations have been prepared for comparative purposes only and do not purport to April 1, 1999:.. SDL................... $3,010 $8,704 IOC................... (387) (3,945) Combinedbe indicative of the results after March 31, 1999.. 10,595 -- ---------- ---------- $13,218 $4,759

of operations which actually would have resulted had the acquisition occurred on the date indicated, or which may result in the future.

Polaroid's

Polaroid Corporation's fiber laser business

In February 1999, the Company acquired the fiber laser business of Polaroid Corporation for $5.3 million in cash, which includes related transaction costs of $0.1 million. The business acquired included all the physical assets, intellectual property, including the assignment of 38 patents and the licensing of 22 patents in the fiber laser and fiber amplifier area, and the ongoing operation of the fiber manufacturing facilities and fiber laser subsystem.

The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. The Company recorded $1.5 million as in-process research and development for development projects that had not yet reached technological feasibility. Intangible assets are being amortized straight-line over a seven year life. In-process research and development was identified and valued through analysis of data provided by Polaroid concerning developmental products, their stage of development, the time and resources needed to complete them, their expected income generating ability, target markets and associated risks. The Income Approach, which includes an analysis of the markets, cash flows, and risks associated with achieving such cash flows, was the primary technique utilized in valuing purchased research and development project. The Company considered, among other factors, the importance of each project to the overall development plan, and the projected incremental cash flows from the projects when completed and any associated risks. The projected incremental cash flows were discounted back to their present value using a discount rate of 25 percent. This discount rate was determined after consideration of the Company's weighted average cost of capital and the weighted average return on assets. Associated risks include the inherent difficulties and uncertainties in completing each project and thereby achieving technological feasibility, anticipated levels of market acceptance and penetration, market growth rates and risks related to the impact of potential changes in future target markets.

In addition, the Company recorded $0.7 million to accrue for certain pre-existingpre- existing obligations to integrate the fiber laser business. The results of the fiber laser business are not material to the Company's historical consolidated results of operations.

The purchase price allocation for the fiber laser business acquisition was recorded as follows (in thousands):


Inventory .................     $979
Property and equipment.....      229
Intangibles................    2,596
In-process R&D.............    1,495
                            ---------------------
Net assets acquired........   $5,299
                            ============

Liabilities................         $244=========

Liabilities assumed........      $94
Cash paid, including
transaction costs..........    5,055
                             ------------5,205
                            ---------
Total purchase price.......   $5,299
                            =====================

7. Contingencies

In 1985, Rockwell International Corporation (Rockwell) asserted, and in 1995 filed suit in the Northern California Federal District Court against the Company alleging, that a Company fabrication process infringed certain patent rights set forth in a patent owned by Rockwell. Rockwell sought to permanently enjoin the Company from infringing Rockwell's alleged patent rights and sought unspecified actual and treble damages plus costs. The Company answered Rockwell's complaint asserting, among other defenses, that Rockwell's patent is invalid. Rockwell's suit was stayed in 1995 pending resolution of another suit, involving the same patent, brought by Rockwell against the Federal government, and in which SDL had intervened. The suit between the Federal government and Rockwell was resolved in January 1999, by way of a settlement payment of $16.9 million from the Federal government to Rockwell. The Company did not participate in the settlement. As a result of that settlement, the suit was dismissed and the stay of Rockwell's suit against the Company was lifted and the California suit was reactivated. Limited discovery has been conducted by the parties in preparation of the case for trial.Thereafter, Rockwell has also filed motions for partial summary judgement relative to certain patent claims of Rockwell's patentjudgment alleging that the Company has infringed certain claims of the Rockwell patent and that certain invalidity evidence presented by the Company is not applicable, which motions the Company will vigorously opposeopposed in court. A decision on the motions was rendered in the beginning of February 2000. The District Court ruled that the Company infringed the specified claims of Rockwell's patent. The District Court also ruled that the Company could not make the invalidity argument specified by Rockwell's motion. The District Court's ruling prevents the Company from defending against Rockwell's lawsuit on the ground that the Company does not infringe Rockwell's patent. The District Court's ruling will also prevent the Company from making one (but not all) of its invalidity arguments. No trial date has been set and additional discovery, which had been stayed pending the decision on the Rockwell's motions, is necessary prior to trial. Despite the District Court's decisions on Rockwell's motions, the Company believes that Rockwell is not entitled to any damages because the patent is invalid and unenforceable, and because Rockwell is guilty of laches and equitable estoppel. Rockwell's patent expired in January 2000, so that it is no longer possible for Rockwell to obtain an injunction stopping the Company from using the fabrication process allegedly covered by Rockwell's patent. While the Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to Rockwell's lawsuit, there can be no assurance that Rockwell will not ultimately prevail in this dispute. The resolution of this litigation is fact intensive so that the outcome cannot be determined and remains uncertain. If Rockwell prevailed in the litigation, it could be awarded monetary damages against the Company. While we believe that we have meritorious defenses to Rockwell's allegations, there can be no assurance that Rockwell will not ultimately prevail in this dispute. If Rockwell were to prevail, Rockwell could be awarded substantial monetary damages and/or an injunction against us for the sale of infringing products. If this injunction were entered, we may seek to obtain a license to use Rockwell's patent until the January 2000 expiration date of the patent. We cannot assure you, however, that a license would be available on reasonable terms or at all.damages. The award of monetary damages against us,the Company, including past damages, or the failure to obtain a license to use Rockwell's patent on commercially reasonable terms could have a material adverse effect on our business andthe Company's results of operations. Litigation and trial of Rockwell's claim against usthe Company is also expected to involve significant expense to usthe Company and could divert the attention of ourthe Company's technical and management personnel and could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Shortly afterpersonnel. However, because the aforementioned suit between Rockwell and the Federal government was filedpatent expired in 1993, the Federal government had notifiedJanuary 2000, the Company that if the Federal government were liable to Rockwell, then the Federal government might seek indemnification forwill not need a portion of its liability from the Company. Since the Federal government's settlement with Rockwell in January 1999, it has never stated the amount of the Company's alleged indemnity obligation, nor has it repeated its assertion that the Company might have some indemnity obligation to the Federal government.

SDL is engaged in various cost-reimbursement type contracts with the Federal government. These contracts utilize allowable costs plus contract fee to determine revenue. Federally-funded contracts are subject to audit of pricing and actual costs incurred, which have resulted and could result in the future, in price adjustments. The government has in the past and could in the future, challenge the Company's accounting methodology for computing indirect rates and allocating indirect costs to government contracts. The government is currently challenging certain indirect cost allocations. While management believes that amounts recorded on its financial statements are adequate to cover all related risks, the government has not concluded its investigation or agreed to a settlement with the Company. Although the outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time, management does not believe that its outcome will have a material adverse affect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Nevertheless, based on future developments, the Company's estimatelicense regardless of the outcome of these matters could changethe litigation.

8. Subsequent Events

In April 2000, the Company acquired Veritech Microwave, Inc. ("Veritech") for 3,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock with a fair value of approximately $621 million. Veritech was a privately held company located in South Plainfield, New Jersey. Veritech designs, develops, manufactures and markets optoelectronic modules for long haul undersea and terrestrial fiber optic transmission systems. The acquisition will be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. The Company believes it may write-off significant amounts related to in-process research and development during the second quarter of fiscal 2000.

In May 2000, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire Photonic Integration Research, Inc. (PIRI) for 10,200,000 shares of the Company's common stock with a fair value of approximately $1.8 billion and a $31.25 million cash payment. PIRI, a privately held company located in Columbus, Ohio, is a leading manufacturer of arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) that enable the routing of individual wavelength channels in fiber optic systems. These products are used in optical multiplexing (mux) and demultiplexing (demux) applications for dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) fiber optic systems. The acquisition is anticipated to close in the near term.second quarter of fiscal 2000 and will be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. The Company believes it may write-off significant amounts related to in-process research and development when the acquisition is completed and that quarterly amortization of purchased intangibles will also be substantial.

In addition, the Company is involved in other legal controversies arising in the ordinary course of business.

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and

Results of Operations

SDL designs, manufactures and markets semiconductor lasers, fiber optic related products and optoelectronic modules and systems. Since 1996, the Company strategy has strongly focused on providing solutions for optical communications. The Company's optical communicationscommunication dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) products power the transmission of data, voice and Internet information over fiber optic networks to meet the needs of telecommunications, dense wavelength division multiplexing,data communications, cable television and satellite communications applications. DuringThe demand for DWDM solutions accelerated significantly in 1999 due to the technology's unique ability to expand network bandwidth and provide much faster transmission of data, voice and video signals. With the qualification of the Company's new wafer fabrication facility in the first nine monthshalf of 1998 and expansion of yields and assembly and test capacity in 1999 and the first quarter of 2000, the Company derived 72% of itswas able to successfully ramp capacity and achieve significant revenue and profit growth. Revenue from optical communication markets. With the increased focus on commercialfiber optic communications products the proportion of SDL's revenue derived from U. S. government related projects has declined from 40%increased by 179 percent in fiscal 19961999 compared to 11% during1998; this continued in the first nine monthsquarter of 1999.2000 as fiber communication revenue rose 35 percent sequentially. SDL products were also able to capture a strong position in the undersea fiber optic communications market, where Company revenue increased from less than 1 percent of total revenue in 1998 to 31 percent of total revenue in the first quarter of 2000. SDL's optical products also serve a wide variety of non-communicationsnon- communications applications, including materials processing printing, medical and scientific instrumentation. From the original products introduced in 1984, the Company has expanded its product offering to over 150 standard products in addition to providing custom design and packaging for OEM customers. The Company's revenue also includes revenue from customer- funded research programs.

high resolution printing. Because of the diversity of products, customers and applications, gross margins tendmargin tends to fluctuate based in part on the mix of revenue in each reported period. SDL's revenue growth in 1997-1998 was constrained in part by a shortage in qualified manufacturing capacity, especially in the wafer fabrication area. The Company's new wafer fabrication facility received qualification in June 1998, for certain key product lines, allowing a faster ramp-up in production.

The Company operates and reports financial results on a fiscal year of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Friday closest to December 31. The thirdfirst fiscal quarter of 19992000 and 19981999 ended on October 1,March 31, 2000 and April 2, 1999, and October 2, 1998, respectively. For ease of discussion and presentation, all accompanying financial statements have been shown as ending on the last day of the calendar month.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Revenue. Total revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 1999March 31, 2000 increased 76%92 percent to $47.5$72.2 million compared to $27.0$37.7 million in the corresponding 19981999 quarter. For the first nine months of 1999, total revenue increased 56% to $128.3 million from $82.3 million reportedDemand for the comparable period. Product revenue was $46.4 million and $124.9 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 1999, respectively, which represents increases of 89% and 70% when compared with the corresponding periods in 1998. The increase in product revenue for the third quarter and first nine months of 1999 was primarily due to increased sales of $20.3 million and $52.2 million, respectively,Company's dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) products provided substantially all of the Company'srevenue growth during the three months ended March 31, 2000 compared to the three months ended March 31, 1999. Revenue generated from SDL's DWDM products, including 980nm undersea pump lasers and terrestrial pump modules, lithium niobate light modulators and drivers, light amplifiers, fiber opticgratings, and optical network monitoring products, increased 163 percent from the prior year quarter. Undersea DWDM revenue is up over twelve times that of the prior year quarter. During the three months ended March 31, 2000, the communication products. Research revenue declined both in dollars and as a percentageproducts represented 83 percent of total revenue compared to 73 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 1998. This downward trend in research revenue is a resultprior year quarter. Results of the Company's continued longer-term strategy focusfirst quarter 2000 include the results of Queensgate from the closing of its acquisition on commercial communication product opportunities. Revenue derived directly or indirectly from U.S. government sources declinedMarch 8th. SDL Queensgate contributed $0.9 million to 5% and 11% of totalconsolidated revenue for the third quarter and first nine months of 1999, respectively, compared to 25% and 28% for the corresponding periods in 1998.ended March 31, 2000.

ResultsRevenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999March 31, 2000 are not considered indicative of the results to be expected for any future period or for the entire year.period. In addition, there can be no assurance that the market for the Company'sour products will grow in future periods at its historical percentage rate or that certain market segments will not decline. Further, there can be no assurance that the Companywe will be able to increase or maintain itsour market share in the future or to achieve historical growth rates.

Gross Margin. Gross marginsmargin increased 9 percentage points from the prior year quarter to 44% and 42%48 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999March 31, 2000 compared to 39 percent from 35% and 32% in the comparable 1998 periods. Three factors contributed to theprior year quarter. The increase in gross margins. These were:margin was primarily due to the following: (i) a more favorable mix of higher margin fiber optic communication product sales,DWDM revenue, especially increased shipments of pump lasers for undersea fiber cable,systems, as compared to revenue derived from lower margin U.S. government contractsindustrial laser and non-communication product sales;satellite communication revenue, and (ii) increased unit volume resulting in better utilization of fixed costs; and, (iii) reduction of costs relateddue to 980nm pump lasers.increased yields and factory volume. These favorable factors were partially offset by warranty provisions and declining average selling prices on certain products due to long-term contract arrangements.higher employee benefit costs.

The Company's gross margin can be affected by a number of factors, including product mix, customer mix, applications mix, pricing pressures and product yield. Generally, the cost of newer products has tended to be higher as a percentage of product revenue than that of more mature, higher volume products. In addition, the cost of research revenue is significantly higher as a percentage of revenue, as research revenue is typically based on costs incurred rather than market pricing. Considering these factors, gross margin fluctuations are difficult to predict and there can be no assurance that the Company will achieve or maintain gross marginsmargin percentages at historical levels in future periods.

Research and Development. Research and development expense was $5.2$5.9 million, or 11%8 percent of revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 1999March 31, 2000 as compared to $3.2$3.8 million, or 12%10 percent of revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 1998. For the first nine months of 1999, research and development expense was $13.3 million, or 10% of revenue as compared to $9.3 million, or 11% of revenue for the corresponding 1998 period.March 31, 1999. The increase in research and development spending is primarily due to increased expenditures associated with the continued development and enhancement of the Company's fiber optic communication products.

The Company is committedexpects to continuing its significant research andcommit substantial resources to product development expenditures andin future periods. As a result, the Company expects that the absolute dollar amount of research and development expenses willto continue to increase as it invests in developing new products and processes, expanding and enhancing its existing product lines, and reducing its costs,absolute dollars in future periods, although research and development expenses may vary as a percentage of revenue.

Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense was $6.5$7.3 million, or 14%10 percent of revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 1999March 31, 2000 as compared to $4.0$5.7 million, or 15%15 percent of revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 1998.March 31, 1999. The increase in SG&A spending was primarily due to the following: (i) higher personnel-related costs to support the growth in revenues and operations; (ii) increased professional service expenses; and, (iii) expansionincrease in non-cash stock compensation charges of the information systems infrastructure$0.6 million. These factors were partially offset by charges incurred related to manage the Company's growth. For the first nine months of 1999, SG&A expense was $18.7 million as compared to $12.0 million for the corresponding 1998 period. SG&A expense, as a percentage of revenue, was 15% for both periods. SG&A spending increased during the first nine months of 1999 primarily due to continued expansion of the Company's business and personnel and the implementation of the Company's new enterprise resource planning software.software during the prior year quarter. There can be no assurances that current SG&A levels as a percentage of total revenue are indicative of future SG&A as a percentage of total revenue.

In-process research and development. During March 2000, the Company acquired Queensgate Instruments, Limited which resulted in the write-off of purchased in-process research and development (IPR&D) of $1.2 million. The Company's acquisition of the fiber laser business from Polaroid during the first quarter 1999 resulted in the write-off of purchased in-process research and developmentIPR&D of $1.5 million. In the future, additional in-process research and development write-offs can besecond quarter of 2000, an IPR&D write-off is anticipated related to the extentCompany's acquisition of Veritech Microwave, Inc. and Photonic Integration Research, Inc.

The fair value of the Company mayIPR&D for each of the acquisitions was determined using the income approach, which discounts expected future cash flows from projects under development to their net present value. Each project was analyzed to determine the technological innovations included; the utilization of core technology; the complexity, cost and time to time acquire companiescomplete the remaining development efforts; any alternative future use or current technological feasibility; and the stage of completion. Future cash flows were estimated based on forecasted revenues and costs, taking into account the expected life cycles of the products and the underlying technology, relevant market sizes and industry trends.

Discount rates were derived from a weighted average cost of capital analysis, adjusted to reflect the relative risks inherent in each entity's development process, including the probability of achieving technological success and market acceptance. The IPR&D charge includes the fair value of IPR&D completed. The fair value assigned to developed technology is included in identifiable intangible assets, and no value is assigned to IPR&D to be completed or to future development. The Company believes the amounts determined for IPR&D, as well as developed technology, are representative of fair value and do not exceed the amounts an independent party would pay for these projects. Failure to deliver new product lines.

Merger Costs. Inproducts to the quarter ended June 30, 1999,market on a timely basis, or to achieve expected market acceptance or revenue and expense forecasts, could have a significant impact on the Company recorded merger related costsfinancial results and operations of $2.7 million in connection with the acquisition of IOC in a transaction accounted for as a pooling of interest. The costs incurred related primarily to printing, filing fees and professional fees for legal and accounting services.acquired businesses.

Interest Income, net. Net interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1999March 31, 2000 was $0.6$4.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively, compared to $0.3 million and $0.9 million for the corresponding 1998 periods.1999 period. The increase in interest income was primarily due to the interest earned on interest bearing securities purchased with proceeds from the Company's September 1999 stock offering.

Provision for Income Taxes. The Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $4.9 million and $0.7$8.7 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 1999 and 1998, respectively.March 31, 2000. Excluding the impact of the in-process research and development charge and IOC merger costs in 1999,2000, the effective tax rate for the first ninethree months of 19992000 was 22%,36 percent, compared to 13%31 percent for the first ninethree months of 1998. In 1998, the Company benefited from previously unrecognized tax loss carryforwards, generated from a 1997 legal settlement, which reduced the federal and state provisions to minimum tax levels offset partially by unbenefited foreign tax losses generated.1999. The increase in the 19992000 tax rate is primarily attributable to the Company's utilization of the remainder of federal and state tax loss carryforwards.

Although realization is not assured, the Company believes that it will generate future taxable income sufficient to realize the benefit of the $4.0 million of net deferred tax assets recorded. The amount of the net deferred tax assets considered realizable could be reduced or increased in the near term if estimates of future taxable income are changed. Management intends to evaluate the realizability of the net deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis to assess the need for the valuation allowance.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As of September 30, 1999,March 31, 2000, the Company's combined balance of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities was $292.3$315.1 million. Cash provided by operatingOperating activities isgenerated $8.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2000 primarily the result of net income, non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization, and increasesan increase in accrued payroll and accrued liabilitiesincome taxes payable offset by increases in accounts receivable and inventory.inventory and decreases in accrued payroll and accounts payable.

Cash used in investing activities was $92.2$72.5 million in the ninethree months ended September 30, 1999.March 31, 2000. The Company incurred capital expenditures of $21.4$6.5 million for facilities expansion and capital equipment purchases to expand its manufacturing capacities for its fiber optic communication products. The Company currently expects to spend approximately $9$50 million for capital equipment purchases and leasehold improvements during the remainder of 1999.2000. During the first ninethree months of 1999,2000, the Company invested excess net cash of $65.8$83.0 million in short term investments. In addition, the Company acquired Polaroid's fiber laser businessQueensgate during the first quarter of 1999 which resulted2000 resulting in net cash payments of $5.1$3.9 million.

The Company generated $274.3$4.4 million from financing activities during the first ninethree months of 1999 primarily2000 from the issuance of stock under employee stock plans, and a public offering of the Company's common stock, offset by capital lease and notes payable payments.

The Company believes that current cash balances, cash generated from operations, and cash available through the bank and equity markets will be sufficient to fund capital equipment purchases, acquisitions of complementary businesses, and working capital requirements for the foreseeable future. However, there can be no assurances that events in the future will not require the Company to seek additional capital sooner or, if so required, that adequate capital will be available on terms acceptable to the Company.

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

Queensgate

The Income Approach used by the Company to value in-process research and development, core technology and existing technology included assumptions relating to revenue estimates, operating expenses, income taxes and discount rates.

Revenue estimates were developed based on: (i) aggregate revenue growth rates for the business as a whole, (ii) individual product revenues, (iii) growth rates for the telecommunications industry, (iv) the aggregate size of the telecommunication industry, (v) anticipated product development and introduction schedules, (vi) product sales cycles, and (vii) the estimated life of a product's underlying technology.

The estimated product development cycle for the new product was 12 months.

Operating expenses used in the valuation analysis of Queensgate included: cost of goods sold, selling, general and administrative expenses, and research and development expenses.

In developing future expense estimates, an evaluation of both the Company and Queensgate's overall business model, specific product results, including both historical and expected direct expense levels, as appropriate, and an assessment of general industry metrics was conducted.

The effective tax rate was determined based on federal and state statutory tax rates and was determined to be 41 percent.

The discount rate for Queensgate's core, existing, and in-process technologies were 18 percent, 14 percent and 20 percent, respectively. In the selection of the appropriate discount rates, consideration was given to (i) the weighted average cost of capital and (ii) the weighted average return on assets. The discount rate utilized for the in-process technology was determined to be higher than the Company's weighted average cost of capital because the technology had not yet reached technological feasibility as of the date of valuation. In utilizing a discount rate greater than the Company's weighted average cost of capital, management has reflected the risk premium associated with achieving the forecasted cash flows associated with these projects.

The in-process research and development was comprised of one project and amounted to $1.2 million of the total purchase price and was charged to expense during the quarter ended March 31, 2000. The estimated cost of completion of the in-process research and development project is $0.2 million.

IMPACT OF YEAR 2000

Like many other companies,In prior years, the Company discussed the nature and progress of its plans to become year 2000 computer issue creates risks for SDL. Someready. In late 1999, the Company completed its remediation and testing of the Company's older computer programs were written using two digits rather than four to define the applicable year.systems. As a result of those computer programs have time-sensitive software that recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. If internal systems do not correctly recognizeplanning and process date information beyond the year 1999, there could be a material adverse impact on the Company's business and results of operations.

To address these year 2000 issues within its internal systems,implementation efforts, the Company has established a task teamexperienced no significant disruptions in mission critical information technology and initiated a comprehensive program designed to deal with the most criticalnon- information technology systems first. Assessment and remediation are proceeding in tandem, and the Company has most changes to criticalbelieves those systems completed. These activities are intended to encompass all systems software applications in use by the Company, including front and back-end manufacturing, facilities, sales, finance and human resources.

As newer, more functional software solutions were currently available and were Year 2000 compliant, the Company has concluded that the conversion to enterprise resource planning software programs supporting the Company's manufacturing, finance, distribution / logistics and human resource operations was more cost effective. The conversion project was completed during the quarter ended June 30, 1999.

Assessment and remediation of year 2000 issues in tertiary business information systems is on-going. The Company has determined that over 90% of the Company's desktop PC hardware systems are known to be year 2000 compliant. Additionally, the Company has concluded that the purchase of newer, more functional software for its network server applications is more cost effective than upgrading its existing software to a year 2000 compliant version. Completing the remediation of the Company's tertiary business information systems is not expected to be a significant burden on the Company.

To date, based on its evaluations of its current manufacturing process, SDL believes it has no material exposure to contingencies directly related directlysuccessfully responded to the Year 2000 issue for thedate change. The Company expensed approximately $1.6 million in connection with remediating its systems. The Company is not aware of any material problems resulting from Year 2000 issues, either with its products, it has soldits internal systems, or will sell in the future.

SDL is also actively working with critical suppliers of products and services to determine that the suppliers' operations and the products and services they provide are year 2000 compatible orof third parties. The Company will continue to monitor their progress toward year 2000 compatibility. In addition, the Company has commenced work on various typesits mission critical computer applications and those of contingency planning to address potential problem areas with internal systems. It is expected that assessment, remediationits suppliers and contingency planning activities will be on- goingvendors throughout the fourth quarter of 1999 with the goal of resolving all material internal systems and third party issues. The costs incurred to date related to these programs are approximately $3.9 million. The Company currently expects that the total cost of these programs, including both incremental spending and redeployed resources, will total approximately $4.2 million, which includes $2.6 million for the purchase of new software and hardware that will be capitalized and $1.6 million that will be expensed as incurred. The Company expects that operating activities will fund these year 2000 remediation costs. In some instances, the installation schedule of new software and hardware in the normal course of business is being accelerated to also afford a solution to year 2000 capability issues. The costs of these projects and dates on which the Company believes it will complete the year 2000 modifications are based on management's best estimates, which were derived utilizing numerous assumptions of future events, including the continued availability of certain resources and other factors.

Based on currently available information, management does not believeto ensure that the yearany latent Year 2000 matters discussed above related to internal systems or products sold to customers will have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial condition or overall trends in results of operations; however, it is uncertain to what extent the Companythat may be affected by such matters. Any failure to timely, successfully and cost-effectively assess, identify, remediate and resolve the Company's year 2000 issues, including those regarding its own as well as suppliers' and third parties' internal systems, products, services and contingency plans, may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations and could expose us to year 2000 related litigation and claims. The Company is continuing its efforts to ensure year 2000 readiness, and there is risk that there may be new year 2000 issues not identified above and significant delays in or increased costs associated with such efforts which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations.arise are addressed promptly.

RISK FACTORS

The statements contained in this Report on Form 10-Q that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements regarding the Company's expectations, plans, intentions, beliefs or strategies regarding the future. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding research and development expenditures, the ability to realize the benefit of net deferred tax assets, capital equipment purchases and leasehold improvement expenditures, the Company's yearexpected effective tax rate, expected expenditures during 2000, plans, the impact and expensessufficiency of year 2000 issues, completion of assessment and remediation of year 2000 issues, future liability related to year 2000 issues, the Company's year 2000 readiness,cash an and the Company's liquidity and anticipated cash needs and availability under the heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A)." All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof, and SDL assumes no obligation to update any such forward looking statement. It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the risks discussed above in the MD&A particularly the risks related to the year 2000 problem, and the factors detailed below. You should also consult the risk factors listed in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-410-K filed with the SEC on April 2, 1999, as amended,March 30, 2000, and from time to time in the Company's Reports on Forms 10-Q, 8-K, 10-K, 10-K/A and Annual Reports to Stockholders.

Manufacturing Risks

The manufacture of semiconductor lasers and related products and systems that we sell is highly complex and precise, requiring production in a highly controlled and clean environment. Changes in the manufacturing processes or the inadvertent use of defective or contaminated materials by us or our suppliers have in the past and could in the future significantly impair our ability to achieve acceptable manufacturing yields and product reliability. If we do not achieve acceptable yields or product reliability, our operating results and customer relationships will be adversely affected. We rely almost exclusively on our own production capability in:

Because we manufacture, package and test these components, products and systems at our own facility, and because these components, products and systems are not readily available from other sources, our business and results of operations will be significantly impaired if our manufacturing is interrupted by any of the following:

A significant portion of our production relies or occurs on equipment for which we do not have a backup. To alleviate, at least in part, this situation, we remodeled our front-end wafer fabrication facility and our packaging and test facility. We cannot assure you that we will not experience further start-up costs and yield problems in fully utilizing our increased wafer capacity targeted by these remodeling efforts. In addition, we are deploying a new manufacturing execution software system designed to further automate and streamline our manufacturing processes, and there may be unforeseen deficiencies in this system which could adversely affect our manufacturing processes. In the event of any disruption in production by one of these machines or systems, our business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Furthermore, we have a limited number of employees dedicated to the operation and maintenance of our equipment, loss of whom could affect our ability to effectively operate and service our equipment. We experienced lower than expected production yields on some of our products, including certain key product lines over the past 3 years. This reduction in yields:

Although more recently, our yields have improved, we cannot assure you that yields will continue to improve or not decline in the future, nor that in the future our manufacturing yields will be acceptable to ship products on time. To the extent that we experience lower than expected manufacturing yields or experience any shipment delays, gross margins will likely be significantly reduced and we could lose customers and experience reduced or delayed customer orders and cancellation of existing backlog. We presently are ramping production of some of our product lines by:

Difficulties in starting production to meet expected demand and schedules have occurred in the past and may occur in the future including the following:

These costCost reductions may not occur rapidly enough to avoid a decrease in gross margins on products sold under volume pricing terms. In that event, our business and results of operations would be materially adversely affected.

Dependence on Single Source and Other Third Party Suppliers

We depend on a single or limited number of outside contractors and suppliers for raw materials, packages and standard components, and to assemble printed circuit boards. We generally purchase these products through standard purchase orders or one-year supply agreements. We do not have long-term guaranteed supply agreements with these suppliers. We seek to maintain a sufficient safety stock to overcome short-term shipping delays or supply interruptions by our suppliers. We also endeavor to maintain ongoing communications with our suppliers to guard against interruptions in supply. To date, we have generally been able to obtain sufficient supplies in a timely manner. However, our business and results of operations have in the past been and could be impaired by:

Competition

Our various markets are highly competitive. We face current or potential competition from four primary sources:

We offer a range of components, products and systems and have numerous competitors worldwide in various segments of our markets. As the markets for our products grow, new competitors have recently emerged and are likely to continue to do so in the future. We also sell products and services to companies with which we presently compete or in the future may compete and certain of our customers have been or could be acquired by, or enter into strategic relations with our competitors. In most of our product lines, our competitors and we are working to develop new technologies, or improvements and modifications to existing technologies, which will obsolete present products. Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, manufacturing, marketing, sales and other resources than we do.

In addition, many of these competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies, evolving industry trends and changes in customer requirements and to devote greater resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products than we.us. We cannot assure you that:

Increased competition has resulted and could, in the future, result in price reductions, reduced margins or loss of market share, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors or that competitive pressures we face will not have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. We expect that both direct and indirect competition will increase in the future. Additional competition could have an adverse material effect on our results of operations through price reductions and loss of market share.

Potential Volatility of Stock Price

The market price of our Common Stock may fluctuate significantly because of:

Furthermore, the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume volatility, which has particularly affected the market prices of many high technology companies. This volatility has often been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. This broad market volatility may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock. Many companies in the optical communications industry have in the past year experienced historical highs in the market prices of their stock. We cannot assure you that the market price of our Common Stock will not experience significant volatility in the future, including volatility that is unrelated to our performance.

Future Operating Results

We will report operating losses for the foreseeable future as a result of accounting charges for amortization of intangible assets and for in process research and development related to acquisitions and expenses related to the issuance of stock pursuant to our employee stock plans. In the first quarter of 2000, we began presenting earnings in our press release that exclude acquisition costs and expenses related to the issuance of stock pursuant to our employee stock plans.

In March 2000, the Company acquired Queensgate Instruments, Limited ("Queensgate") for initial consideration of $3 million of cash and 347,962 shares of the Company's common stock with a fair value of approximately $77 million, and contingent payments of up to an additional $150 million in common stock based on Queensgate's pretax profits for the ten months ended December 31, 2000 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2001. In addition, we closed the Veritech Microwave, Inc. ("Veritech") acquisition in April 2000. We entered into an agreement to acquire Veritech in February 2000 for 3,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock with a fair value of approximately $621 million. We also entered into an agreement to acquire Photonic Integration Research, Inc. (PIRI) for 10,200,000 shares of the Company's common stock with a fair value of approximately $1.8 billion and a $31.25 million cash payment in May 2000 and expect to close the acquisition in June 2000. The acquisitions will be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Under purchase accounting, we will record the market value of our common shares issued in connection with the purchases and the amount of direct transaction costs as the cost of acquiring the companies. That cost will be allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including various identifiable intangible assets such as in-process research and development, acquired technology, acquired trademarks and trade names and acquired workforce, based on their respective fair values. We will allocate the excess of the purchase cost over the fair value of the net assets to goodwill. The amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets and the write-off of in-process research and development will result in significant non- cash expenses that will result in a net loss for the foreseeable future, which could have a material adverse effect on the market value of our stock.

We expect to incur approximately $12.1 million, primarily in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of fiscal 2000, of non-cash expenses relating to shares issued under our 1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. These expenses are a result of demand for shares during the purchase period for the two years ending October 2000 exceeding the number of shares that were authorized at the beginning of the purchase period. In addition, stock options exercised by employees of our United Kingdom subsidiary may result in significant expenses. Under United Kingdom law, we are required to pay national insurance tax on the gain on stock options exercised by employees in the United Kingdom. Based on the stock price at March 31, 2000, we have a $6.1 million contingent liability that will be charged to operations in the period that the options are exercised. The options were granted to United Kingdom employees beginning in May 1999 and have a 10 year option exercise period and vest 25% per year of employment. The expenses related to issuance of stock pursuant to our employee stock plans could have a material adverse effect on the market value of our stock.

Risks of Acquisitions

Our strategy involves the acquisition and integration of additional companies' products, technologies and personnel. We have limited experience in acquiring outside businesses. We regularly review acquisition and investment prospects that would complement our existing product offerings, augment our market coverage, secure supplies of critical materials or enhance our technological capabilities. Acquisitions or investments could result in a number of financial consequences, including:

Furthermore, acquisitions involve numerous operational risks, including:

If we are unable to successfully address any of these risks, our business could be materially and adversely affected.

Customer Order Fluctuations

Our product revenue is subject to fluctuations in customer orders. Occasionally, some of our customers have ordered more products than they need in a given period, thereby building up inventory and delaying placement of subsequent orders until such inventory has been reduced. We may also build inventory in anticipation of receiving new orders in the future. Also, customers have occasionally placed large orders that they have subsequently cancelled. In addition, due to the fact that our sales of 980 nm pump lasers products comprise a significant portion of our total revenues, our revenues are particularly susceptible to customer order fluctuations for these products. These fluctuations, cancellations and the failure to receive new orders can have adverse effects on our business and results of operations. We may also have incurred significant inventory or other expenses in preparing to fill such orders prior to their cancellation. Virtually our entire backlog is subject to cancellation. Cancellation of significant portions of our backlog, or delays in scheduled delivery dates, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Risks from Customer Concentration

A relatively limited number of OEM customers accounted for a substantial portion of revenue from communication products in fiscal 1999. During fiscal 1999, three communication product customers and their affiliates accounted for 15 percent, 11 percent and 11 percent of revenues, respectively. Revenue to any single customer is also subject to significant variability from quarter to quarter. Such fluctuations could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. We expect that revenue to a limited number of customers will continue to account for a high percentage of the net sales for the foreseeable future. Moreover, there can be no assurance that current customers will continue to place orders or that we will be able to obtain new orders from new communication customers.

Dependence on Emerging Applications and New Products

Our current products serve many applications in the communications and materials processing and printingindustrial laser markets. In many cases, our products are substantially completed, but the customer's product incorporating our products is not yet completed or the applications or markets for the customer's product are new or emerging. In addition, some of our customers are currently in the process of developing new products that are in various stages of development, testing and qualification, and sometimes are in emerging applications or new markets.

We believe that rapid customer acceptance and qualification of our new products is key to our financial results. In the communications market qualification is an especially costly, time consuming and difficult process. A substantial portionSubstantial portions of our products address markets that are not now, and may never become, substantial commercial markets. We have experienced, and are expected to continue to experience, delays in qualification, fluctuation in customer orders and competitive, technological and pricing constraints that may preclude development of markets for our products and our customers' products.

WeOur customers and our customerswe are often required to test and qualify laser pump lasers and modules, modulators, amplifiers, transmitters,network monitors, receivers and marking systemstransmitters among other new products for potential volume applications. In the communications market qualification is an especially costly, time consuming and difficult process. We cannot assure you that:

We may also be unable to develop or qualify new products on a timely schedule. Moreover, even if we are successful in the timely development of new products that are accepted in the market, we often experience lower margins on these products. The lower margins are due to lower yields and other factors, and thus we may be unable to manufacture and sell new products at an acceptable cost so as to achieve acceptable gross margins.

Need To Manage Growth

We have on occasion been unable to manufacture products in quantities sufficient to meet demand of our existing customer base and new customers. The expansion in the scope of our operations has placed a considerable strain on our management, financial, manufacturing and other resources and has required us to implement and improve a variety of operating, financial and other systems, procedures and controls. In addition, we have currentlyrecently deployed a new enterprise resource planning system and manufacturing execution system.

We cannot assure you that any existing or new systems, procedures or controls will be adequate toadequately support our operations or that our systems, procedures and controls will be designed, implemented or improved in a cost-effective and timely manner. Any failure to implement, improve and expand such systems, procedures and controls in an efficient manner at a pace consistent with our business could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Our future success is dependent, in part, on our ability to attract, assimilate and retain additional employees, including certain key personnel. We will continue to need a substantial number of additional personnel, including those with specialized skills, to commercialize our products and expand all areas of our business in order to continue to grow. Competition for such personnel is intense, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to attract, assimilate or retain additional highly qualified personnel.

Risks of Acquisitions

Our strategy involves the acquisition and integration of additional companies' products, technologies and personnel. We have limited experience in acquiring outside businesses. Acquisition of businesses requires substantial time and attention of management personnel and may require additional equity or debt financings. Furthermore, integration of newly established or acquired businesses is often disruptive. Since we have acquired or in the future may acquire one or more businesses, we cannot assure you that we will:

o    identify appropriate targets,

o    acquire such businesses on favorable terms,

o    be able to successfully integrate or attain the anticipated synergies expected by bringing such organizations into our business,

o    retain the employees required to successfully operate and grow the business, or

o    be able to improve or even maintain the operating results of such businesses.

Failure to do so could significantly impair our business, financial condition and results of operations and a have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Dependence Upon Government Programs And Contracts

The Company derived approximately 11%, 26%, and 34% of its revenue during the first nine months of 1999, fiscal 1998, and fiscal 1997, respectively, directly and indirectly from a variety of Federal government sources. The Company received approximately 8%, 13% and 17% of its revenue for the first nine months of 1999, and fiscal 1998, and fiscal 1997, respectively, from Lockheed Martin through several U.S. government and commercial programs. Almost all of the Company's revenue from Lockheed Martin during these periods was derived from Federally- funded programs. Revenue from certain of these Lockheed Martin programs are expected to decrease in the near term.

The demand for certain of our services and products is directly related to the level of funding of government programs. We believe that the success and further development of our business is dependent, in significant part, upon the continued existence and funding of such programs and upon our ability to participate in such programs. For example, Federal programs funded substantially all of our research revenue for 1998, 1997 and 1996. Most of our Federally-funded programs are subject to renewal every one or two years, so that continued work by us under these programs in future periods is not assured. Federally- funded programs are subject to termination for convenience of the government agency, at which point we would be reimbursed for related allowable costs incurred to the termination date.

Federally-funded contracts are subject to audit of pricing and actual costs incurred, which have resulted, and could result in the future, in price adjustments. The Federal government has in the past, and could in the future, challenge our accounting methodology for computing indirect rates and allocating indirect costs to government contracts. The government is currently challenging certain indirect cost allocations. While we believe that amounts recorded on our financial statements are adequate to cover all related risks, the government has not concluded its investigation or agreed to a settlement with us. Although the outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time, we do not believe that its outcome will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. However, based on future developments, our estimate of the outcome of these matters could change in the near term. In addition, a change in our accounting practices in this area could result in reduced profit margins on government contracts.

Dependence on Key Employees

Our future performance also depends in significant part upon the continued service of our key technical and senior management personnel. The loss of the services of one or more of our officers or other key employees could significantly impair our business, operating results and financial condition. While many of our current employees have many years of service with us, there can be no assurance that we will be able to retain our existing personnel. If we are unable to retain and hire additional personnel, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. See also "Our acquisition strategy poses several risks" above.

Risk of Patent Infringement Claims

The semiconductor, optoelectronics, communications, information and laser industries are characterized by frequent litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. From time to time we have received and may receive in the future, notice of claims of infringement of other parties' proprietary rights and licensing offers to commercialize third party patent rights. In addition, we cannot assure you that:

In 1985, we first received correspondence from Rockwell International Corporation alleging that we used a fabrication process that infringes Rockwell's patent rights. Those allegations led to two related lawsuits, one of which is still pending. The first lawsuit was filed in August 1993, when Rockwell sued the Federal government in the United States Court of Federal Claims, alleging infringement of these patent rights with respect to the contracts the Federal government has had with at least 15 companies, including us (Rockwell International Corporation v. The United States of America, No. 93-542C (US Ct. Fed. Cl.)). We were not originally named as a party to this lawsuit. However, the Federal government has asserted that, if wethe Federal government were held liable to Rockwell for infringement of Rockwell's patent rights in connection with some of its contracts with us, then we wouldmight be liable to indemnify the Federal government for a portion of its liability on certain contracts.

In June 1995, we filed a motion to intervene in the lawsuit filed in August 1993 after Rockwell filed a second lawsuit against us in May, 1995 in California. That motion was granted on August 17, 1995. Upon intervening in the Federal government's lawsuit, we filed an answer to Rockwell's complaint in that lawsuit, alleging that:

After extensive discovery, we moved, as did the Federal government, for summary judgment on the ground that Rockwell's patent was invalid. By order dated February 5, 1997, the Court of Federal Claims granted those motions and entered judgment in our favor and in favor of the Federal government. However, Rockwell appealed the Court of Federal Claims' decision, and on June 15, 1998, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued an opinion vacating the judgment that had been entered in our favor and in favor of the Federal government. The US Circuit Court for the Federal Circuit held that the Court of Federal Claims had erred in finding that there were no genuine disputes of material fact concerning the obviousness of the Rockwell patent, and that the resolution of these disputes could not be decided by summary judgementjudgment but instead requires a trial. The Federal Circuit:

Subsequent to the Federal Circuit's action, the United States agreed to pay Rockwell $16.9 million in settlement of the first lawsuit and the first lawsuit was dismissed by the Court of Federal Claims in January 1999. We did not participate in the settlement. Since the settlement, the Federal government has not again raised the issue of our potential indemnity obligation to them.

As noted above, we made our decision to intervene in the first lawsuit filed after Rockwell filed the second lawsuit against us in the Northern District of California, alleging that we had infringed the Rockwell patent in connection with our manufacture and sale of products to customers other than the United States. Again, the complaint alleges that we used a fabrication process that infringes the Rockwell patent (Rockwell International Corporation v. SDL, Inc., No. C95-01729 MHP (US Dist.Ct., N.D. Cal.)). By its complaint, Rockwell seekssought a permanent injunctionjudgment against us to:

The complaint was served on us on June 30, 1995, and we filed an answer to the complaint on August 18, 1995, alleging that:

On August 11, 1995, prior to filing our answer, we filed a motion to stay this action based upon the pendency of the lawsuit brought by the federalFederal government. The District Court granted our motion to stay on September 15, 1995. Subsequent to the settlement of the first lawsuit, the District Court lifted this stay, and discovery re-commencedrecommenced in the second lawsuit.

Although the Court of Federal Claims ruled in our favor in the first lawsuit, finding the patent invalid on motion for summary judgment, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed the summary judgment ruling, meaning that the issue of validity neededneeds to go to trial. Such a trial would now occur before a jury in California. The California judge also required that a settlement conference between Rockwell and SDL be scheduled in order to see if the parties can resolve the dispute before trial, which conference occurred in the first part of June 1999. The parties were unable to successfully resolve the lawsuit.

Later in June 1999, Rockwell filed a motion for summary judgementjudgment relative to certain patent claims in their patent rights seekingthe Rockwell patent. That motion sought to have the court summarily find us to have infringed those claims, whichclaims. Rockwell filed a separate motion will be vigorously opposed byseeking to have the Company. The hearingcourt summarily find that we could not argue that Rockwell's patent was invalid on the motion was held in October. Noa particular ground. A decision on the issues has been made. Regardlessmotions was rendered in the beginning of the outcome of the decision of this motion,February 2000. The District Court ruled that the Company believesinfringed the specified claims of Rockwell's patent. The District Court also ruled that itswe could not make the invalidity argument specified by Rockwell's motion.

The District Court's ruling will prevent us from defending against Rockwell's lawsuit on the ground that we do not infringe Rockwell's patent. The District Court's ruling will also prevent us from making one (but not all) of our invalidity arguments, unless it is changed. However, the District Court's ruling has no effect on our other pending defenses, as outlined above. We believe that these defenses in the litigation of patent invalidity, inequitable conduct, laches and equitable estoppel are meritorious and we will be pursued at trial.pursue these defenses.

Rockwell's patent expired in January 2000 so that it is no longer possible for Rockwell to obtain an injunction stopping us from using the fabrication process allegedly covered by Rockwell's patent.

The resolution of this litigation is fact intensive so that the outcome cannot be determined and remains uncertain. If Rockwell prevailed in the litigation, it could be awarded monetary damages against the Company. WhileAlthough we believe that we have meritorious defenses to Rockwell's allegations, there can be no assurance that Rockwell will not ultimately prevail in this dispute. If Rockwell were to prevail, Rockwell could be awarded substantial monetary damages and/or an injunction against us for the sale of infringing products. If this injunction were entered, we may seek to obtain a license to use Rockwell's patent until the January 2000 expiration date of the patent. We cannot assure you, however, that a license would be available on reasonable terms or at all. The award of monetary damages against us, including past damages, or the failure to obtain a license to use Rockwell's patent on commercially reasonable terms could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Litigation and trial of Rockwell's claim against us is expected to involve significant expense to us and could divert the attention of our technical and management personnel and could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

In addition, we are involved in various legal proceedings and controversies arising in the ordinary course of our business.

Customer Order Fluctuations

Our product revenue is subject to fluctuations in customer orders. Occasionally, some of our customers have ordered more products than they need in a given period, thereby building up inventory and delaying placement of subsequent orders until such inventory has been reduced. We may also build inventory in anticipation of receiving new orders in the future. Also, customers have occasionally placed large orders that they have subsequently cancelled. In addition, due to the fact that our sales of our 980 nm pump module products comprise a significant portion of our total revenues, our revenues are particularly susceptible to customer order fluctuations for this product. These fluctuations, cancellations and the failure to receive new orders can have adverse effectsDependence on our business and results of operations. We may also have incurred significant inventory or other expenses in preparing to fill such orders prior to their cancellation. Virtually our entire backlog is subject to cancellation. Cancellation of significant portions of our backlog, or delays in scheduled delivery dates, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Dependence of Proprietary Technology

Our future success and competitive position is dependent in part upon our proprietary technology, and we rely in part on patent, trade secret, trademark and copyright law to protect our intellectual property. There can be no assurance that:

In addition, effective copyright and trade secret protection may be unavailable, limited or not applied for in certain foreign countries. OurA portion of our technology is licensed on a non-exclusive basis from Xerox and other third parties that may license such technology to others, including our competitors. There can be no assurance that steps we take to protect our technology will prevent misappropriation of such technology. In addition, litigation has been necessary and may be necessary in the future:

Litigation of this type has resulted in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Moreover, we may be required to participate in interference proceedings to determine the propriety of inventions. These proceedings could result in substantial cost to us.

International Distribution Risks

Revenues from customers outside of the United States accounted for approximately 3741 percent, 27 percent and 25 percent, of our total revenue in the first nine months offiscal 1999, fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively. International revenue carries a number of inherent risks, including:

In addition, some of our international revenue is subject to export licensing and approvals by the Department of Commerce or other Federal governmental agencies. Although to date, we have experienced little difficulty in obtaining such licenses or approvals, the failure to obtain these licenses or approvals or comply with such regulations in the future could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

We currently use local distributors in key industrialized countries and local representatives in smaller markets. Although we have formal distribution contracts with some of our distributors and representatives, some of our relationships are currently on an informal basis. Most of our international distributors and representatives offer only our products; however, certain distributors offer competing products and we cannot assure you that additional distributors and representatives will not also offer products that are competitive with our products. Certain of our acquisitions have contracts with distributors or representatives that may have conflicts with our existing distributors and representatives or in any event may desires to terminate certain distributors or representatives relationships. Such a termination may result in monetary expenses or a loss of revenue. We cannot assure you that our international distributors and representatives will enter into formal distribution agreements at all or on acceptable terms, will not terminate informal or contractual relationships, will continue to sell our products or that we will provide the distributors and resellers with adequate levels of support. Our business and results of operations will be affected adversely if we lose a significant number of our international distributors and representatives or experience a decrease in revenue from these distributors and representatives.

Environmental Risks

We, as well as our acquisitions, are subject to a variety of federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning the storage, use, discharge and disposal of toxic, volatile, or otherwise hazardous or regulated chemicals or materials used in our manufacturing processes. Further, we are subject to other safety, labeling and training regulations as required by local, state and federal law. We have established an environmental and safety compliance program to meet the objectives of applicable federal, state and local laws. Our environmental and safety department administers this compliance program which includes monitoring, measuring and reporting compliance, establishing safety programs and training our personnel in environmental and safety matters. We cannot assure you that changes in these regulations and laws will not have an adverse economic effect on us.us or our acquisitions. Further, these local, state, and federal regulations could restrict our ability to expand our operations. If we do not:

Dependence on Single Source And Other Third Party Suppliers

We depend on a single or limited numberIf we are unable to successfully address any of outside contractors and suppliers for raw materials, packages and standard components, and to assemble printed circuitboards. We generally purchase these products through standard purchase orders or one-year supply agreements. We do not have long-term guaranteed supply agreements with these suppliers. We seek to maintain a sufficient safety stock to overcome short-term shipping delays or supply interruptions by our suppliers. We also endeavor to maintain ongoing communications with our suppliers to guard against interruptions in supply. To date, we have generally been able to obtain sufficient supplies in a timely manner. However,risks, our business and results of operations have in the past been and could be impaired by:

o    a stoppage or delay of supply,

o    substitution of more expensive or less reliable parts,

o    receipt of defective parts or contaminated materials,materially and

o    an increase in the price of such supplies or our inability to obtain reduced pricing from our suppliers in response to competitive pressures.

Potential Volatility of Stock Price

The market price of our Common Stock may fluctuate significantly because of:

o    announcements of technological innovations,

o    large customer orders,

o    customer order delays or cancellations,

o    customer qualification delays,

o    new products by us, our competitors or third parties,

o    possible acquisition of us by a third party,

o    merger or acquisition announcements,

o    production problems,

o    quarterly variations in our actual or anticipated results of operations, and

o    developments in litigation in which we are or may become involved.

Furthermore, the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume volatility, which has particularly affected the market prices of many high technology companies. This volatility has often been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. This broad market volatility may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock. Many companies in the optical communications industry have in the past year experienced historical highs in the market prices of their stock. We cannot assure you that the market price of our Common Stock will not experience significant volatility in the future, including volatility that is unrelated to our performance.affected.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

The Company's market risk disclosures set forth in Item 7A of its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A10-K for the year ended December 31, 19981999 have not changed significantly.

PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        Not applicableInformation disclosed in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 under heading Part I Item 3, Legal Proceedings, is incorporated herein by this reference. As reported in the disclosure, the Company sought to have the court in the Rockwell matter reconsider its decision with respect to a particular invalidity argument that the court had ruled upon in February 2000. Since the date of the disclosure, the court has denied our request.

ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

        Not applicable(c)(1) On March 8, 2000 the Company acquired all of the outstanding share capital of Queensgate Instruments Limited located in the United Kingdom ("Queensgate") in exchange for the issuance of 347,962 shares of the Company's Common Stock plus an earnout of up to an additional 3,990,000 shares. The shares of the Company's Common Stock were issued and the earnout shares, if any, will be issued to the shareholders of Queensgate pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, (the "1933 Act") set forth in Regulation S, Section 4(2) and Regulation D under the 1933 Act. The Company relied on the exemption set forth in Regulation S for the issuance of shares of the Company's Common Stock to Queensgate shareholders resident outside of the United States and on the exemption set forth in Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act and in Regulation D under the 1933 Act for the issuance of shares of the Company's Common Stock to one Queensgate shareholder located in the United States. The Company shares issued and issuable pursuant to the earnout, if any, to the Queensgate shareholders have been registered by the Company on Form S-3 (File No. 333-32068) for resale by the Queensgate shareholders.

(2) On April 3, 2000, the Company acquired by merger all of the outstanding share capital of Veritech Microwave, Inc., located in New Jersey ("Veritech") in exchange for the issuance of up to a maximum of 3,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock. The shares of the Company's Common Stock were issued to the shareholders of Veritech pursuant to the exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act set forth in Section 3(a)(10) of the 1933 Act.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

        Not applicable

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

        Not applicable

A Special Meeting of Stockholders (the "Special Meeting") of the Company was held on February 28, 2000.

At the Special Meeting, the following item was put to a vote of the stockholders:

An amendment to the Company's Amended and Restated Certificates of Incorporation to increase the aggregate number of shares of common stock which the Company is authorized to issue from 70 million to 140 million shares.

The proposal was approved by the following votes:


     For         Against       Abstain
- ------------- ------------- -------------
  30,698,080        36,579        47,826

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

        Not applicable

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

        (a)     List of Exhibits

                 Exhibit 27.1 - Financial Data Schedule

        (b)     Reports on Form 8-K

        Not applicable

We filed a report on Form 8-K on March 21, 2000 reporting the acquisition of all of the outstanding share capital of Queensgate Instruments Limited pursuant to a Share Purchase Agreement dated March 8, 2000 among SDL and the shareholders and optionholders of Queensgate Instruments Limited.

We filed a report on Form 8-K on April 11, 2000 reporting the acquisition of Veritech Microwave, Inc. ("Veritech") pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of February 28, 2000 among SDL, VMI Acquisition Corporation, Veritech and certain shareholders of Veritech.

SDL, INC.

SIGNATURES

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

  SDL, INC.
  (Registrant)

Dated: November 2, 1999May 12, 2000

  By:  /s/ Michael L. Foster
 
  Michael L. Foster
  Vice President, Finance
Chief Financial Officer
  (Duly Authorized Officer, and Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)