UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
   
þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31,September 30, 2008
OR
   
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 0-11250
DIONEX CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
   
Delaware 94-2647429
   
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
   
1228 Titan Way, Sunnyvale, California 94085
   
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(408) 737-0700
(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. YESþ NOo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange ActAct. (Check one):
       
Large accelerated filerþ Accelerated filero Non-accelerated filero Smaller reporting companyo
    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) YESo NOþ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of May 8,November 06, 2008:
   
CLASS NUMBER OF SHARES
Common Stock 18,319,09317,965,675
 
 

 


 

DIONEX CORPORATION

INDEX
   
  Page (s)
  
 2
 23
 4
53
 46
 7-145
 1415-20
 2018
 1921
  
 1922
 2522
 2426
 2826
 EXHIBIT 31.1EX-31.1
 EXHIBIT 31.2EX-31.2
 EXHIBIT 32.1EX-32.1
 EXHIBIT 32.2EX-32.2

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Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
DIONEX CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
                
 March 31, June 30,  September 30, June 30, 
 2008 2007  2008 2008 
ASSETS  
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents $72,033 $54,938  $63,048 $75,624 
Short-term investments 1 124  2,786 77 
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $750 at March 31, 2008 and $610 at June 30, 2007) 74,258 65,990 
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $470 at September 30, 2008 and $524 at June 30, 2008) 69,102 74,436 
Inventories 32,120 28,626  32,274 31,627 
Deferred taxes 9,552 8,983  11,507 11,534 
Prepaid expenses and other 15,117 12,113  12,962 13,742 
          
Total current assets 203,081 170,774  191,679 207,040 
Property, plant and equipment, net 69,044 62,366  70,779 72,335 
Goodwill 26,654 25,443  27,042 26,670 
Intangible assets, net 6,739 6,955  6,837 6,463 
Other assets 14,732 6,231  16,631 17,922 
          
 $320,250 $271,769  $312,968 $330,430 
          
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
Current liabilities:  
Notes payable $17,969 $231  $25,074 $21,805 
Accounts payable 15,239 12,293  15,549 16,086 
Accrued liabilities 31,046 30,329  26,730 32,211 
Deferred revenue 21,654 18,617  20,628 21,352 
Income taxes payable 6,777 13,068  4,030 5,873 
Accrued product warranty 3,585 2,875  3,255 3,444 
          
Total current liabilities 96,270 77,413  95,266 100,771 
Deferred and other income taxes payable 21,978 5,060  23,529 27,013 
Other long-term liabilities 6,171 3,588  5,998 5,897 
Commitments and other contingencies (Note 12) 
Stockholders’ equity:  
Preferred stock (par value $.001 per share; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none outstanding)      
Common stock (par value $.001 per share; 80,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 18,314,542 shares at March 31, 2008 and 18,845,802 shares at June 30, 2007) 169,845 161,409 
Common stock (par value $.001 per share; 80,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 17,961,767 shares at September 30, 2008 and 18,130,713 shares at June 30, 2008) 171,407 170,045 
Retained earnings 1,275 13,223  2,957 2,582 
Accumulated other comprehensive income 24,711 11,076  13,811 24,122 
          
Total stockholders’ equity 195,831 185,708  188,175 196,749 
          
 $320,250 $271,769  $312,968 $330,430 
          
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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DIONEX CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
        
 Three Months Ended         
 March 31,  Three Months Ended 
 2008 2007  September 30, 
 2008 2007 
Net sales $98,356 $84,954  $93,435 $82,423 
Cost of sales 33,831 29,172  30,724 28,696 
          
Gross profit 64,525 55,782  62,711 53,727 
          
Operating expenses:  
Selling, general and administrative 37,170 31,389  36,197 31,156 
Research and product development 7,336 6,360  7,029 6,601 
          
Total operating expenses 44,506 37,749  43,226 37,757 
          
Operating income 20,019 18,033  19,485 15,970 
Interest income 561 319  403 629 
Interest expense  (236)  (83)  (218)  (162)
Other income (expense), net  (150) 205   (613)  (751)
          
Income before taxes 20,194 18,474  19,057 15,686 
Taxes on income 6,599 6,977  7,241 5,536 
          
Net income $13,595 $11,497  $11,816 $10,150 
          
Basic earnings per share $0.74 $0.60  $0.65 $0.54 
          
Diluted earnings per share $0.72 $0.59  $0.64 $0.53 
          
Shares used in computing per share amounts:  
Basic 18,438 19,047  18,068 18,765 
     
Diluted 18,992 19,551  18,547 19,294 
     
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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DIONEX CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
         
  Nine Months Ended 
  March 31, 
  2008  2007 
Net sales $278,817  $241,330 
Cost of sales  94,359   81,786 
       
Gross profit  184,458   159,544 
       
Operating expenses:        
Selling, general and administrative  104,214   90,394 
Research and product development  21,506   18,209 
       
Total operating expenses  125,720   108,603 
       
Operating income  58,738   50,941 
Interest income  1,771   941 
Interest expense  (716)  (205)
Other income (expense), net  (1,540)  136 
       
Income before taxes  58,253   51,813 
Taxes on income  19,679   18,378 
       
Net income $38,574  $33,435 
       
Basic earnings per share $2.07  $1.74 
       
Diluted earnings per share $2.01  $1.70 
       
Shares used in computing per share amounts:        
Basic  18,602   19,214 
       
Diluted  19,176   19,672 
       
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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DIONEX CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                
 Nine Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 March 31,  September 30, 
 2008 2007  2008 2007 
Cash flows from operating activities:  
Net income $38,574 $33,435  $11,816 $10,150 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:  
Depreciation and amortization 6,424 5,235  2,320 2,149 
Stock-based compensation 4,449 3,797  1,485 1,443 
Allowance for bad debts  (13) 21  43 47 
Loss on disposal of fixed assets 406 377  34 9 
Tax benefit related to equity incentive  (2,021)  (1,043)
Tax benefit related to stock transactions  (111)  (487)
Deferred income taxes  (3,049) 726   (85) 238 
Changes in assets and liabilities: 
Changes in assets and liabilities 
Accounts receivable  (815)  (3,611) 978 3,515 
Inventories 1,338 385   (3,960)  (876)
Prepaid expenses and other assets 427  (1,696) 591 1,606 
Accounts payable 580 2,715  110 143 
Accrued liabilities 2,938 2,531   (3,150)  (1,657)
Deferred revenue 2,809 4,787  76  (438)
Income taxes payable  (2,402) 2,737   (1,476)  (2,748)
Accrued product warranty 408  (221) 10  (28)
          
Net cash provided by operating activities 50,053 50,175  8,681 13,066 
          
Cash flows from investing activities:  
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities  9,700 
Purchase of marketable securities   (2,600)  (2,713)  
Purchase of property, plant and equipment  (6,557)  (7,472)  (4,581)  (854)
Purchase of intangible assets  (2,071)  (439)   (1,572)
Purchase of business 543    (952)  
Other  26 
          
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities  (8,085)  (785)
Net cash used for investing activities  (8,246)  (2,426)
          
Cash flows from financing activities:  
Net change in notes payable 17,656 2,546  3,265 18,012 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 8,307 7,730  1,657 2,361 
Tax benefit related to equity incentive 2,021 1,043 
Tax benefit related to stock transactions 111 487 
Repurchase of common stock  (55,441)  (49,474)  (13,332)  (18,587)
          
Net cash used for financing activities  (27,457)  (38,155)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities  (8,299) 2,273 
     
      
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 2,584 506   (4,712) 1,726 
          
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 17,095 11,741 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  (12,576) 14,639 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 54,938 43,524  75,624 54,938 
          
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $72,033 $55,265  $63,048 $69,577 
          
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:  
Income taxes paid $19,974 $16,018  $8,325 $7,721 
Interest expense paid 643 105  202 135 
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:  
Accrued purchases of property, plant and equipment 339 247  526 328 
Accrued purchase of business consideration 191  
Accrued consideration of business purchase 592  
Elimination of equity investment associated with step-acquisition of business 760  
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

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DIONEX CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Dionex Corporation, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.2008. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Dionex,” “we,” “our” and “us” and words of similar import as used in these notes to condensed consolidated financial statements include Dionex Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein reflect all adjustments (which include only normal, recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to state fairly the results for the periods presented. The results for such periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. Separate line item disclosure of the change in deferred revenue has been provided in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended March 31, 2007 to conform to the fiscal 2008 presentation. Net operating results have not been affected by this re-classification.2009.
2. New Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement.In December 2007,September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157,Fair Value Measurements(“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The changes to current practice resulting from the application of SFAS No. 157 relate to the definition of fair value, the methods used to measure fair value, and the expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. FASB Staff Position 157-2,Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,was further released in February 2008 to amend the effective date pertaining to nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually) until years beginning after November 15, 2008. Effective July 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 157, except as it applies to the non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities subject to FASB Staff Position SFAS No. 157-2.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted.In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162,The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles(“SFAS No. 162”). SFAS No. 162 is intended to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent framework, or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for nongovernmental entities. SFAS No. 162 is effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411,The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Any effect of applying the provisions of SFAS No. 162 is to be reported as a change in accounting principles in accordance with SFAS No. 154,Accounting Changes and Error Corrections — a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 162 once it is effective and we are currently evaluating the effect that the adoption will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In April 2008, the FASB released FASB Staff Position 142-3,Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets(“SFAS No. 142-3”), which amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142,Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets(“SFAS No. 142”). The intent of the statement is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007) and other U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. SFAS No. 142-3 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year that begins after December 15, 2008, which will be the Company’s fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS No. 142-3 on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161,Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities(“SFAS No. 161”). SFAS No. 161 enhances financial disclosure by requiring that objectives for using derivative instruments be described in terms of underlying risk and accounting designation in the form of tabular presentation, requiring transparency with respect to the entity’s

5


liquidity from using derivatives, and cross-referencing an entity’s derivative information within its financial footnotes. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, which will be the Company’s fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007),Business Combinations(“ (“SFAS No. 141(R)”). SFAS No. 141(R) expands the definition of a business combination and requires the fair value of the purchase price of an acquisition, including the issuance of equity securities, to be determined on the acquisition date. SFAS No. 141(R) also requires that all assets, liabilities, contingent consideration and contingencies of an acquired business be recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. In addition, SFAS No. 141(R) requires that acquisition costs generally be expensed as incurred, restructuring costs generally be expensed in periods subsequent to the acquisition date, and changes in accounting for deferred tax asset valuation allowances and acquired income tax uncertainties after the measurement period that impacts income tax expense. SFAS No. 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is effective for fiscal yearson or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008 (for Dionex, beginning with our fiscal 2010) with early adoption prohibited. We are currently evaluating the effect the implementation of SFAS 141(R) will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160,Non-controlling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements.This Statement amends Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling (minority) interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 (for Dionex, beginning with our fiscal 2010). We are currently evaluating the effect that adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities(“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value (or “fair value option”) and to report in earnings unrealized gains and losses on those items for which the fair value option has been elected. SFAS No. 159 also requires entities to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities on the face of the balance sheet. SFAS No. 159 establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 159 is effective for us as of the first quarter of fiscal 2009. We are currently evaluatingCurrently, we have elected not to adopt the impact of this pronouncement on our consolidated financial statements.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157,Fair Value Measurements(“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The changes to current practice resulting from the application of SFAS No. 157 relate to the definition of fair value, the methods used to measure fair value, and the expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. Originally, SFAS No. 157 was effective for the first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. However, in February 2008 the FASB released FASB Staff Position 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, which delayed the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually) until years beginning after November 15, 2008, which will be our fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact ofoption under this pronouncement on our consolidated financial statements.pronouncement.

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3. Stock-Based Compensation
We account for our stock plans as required by SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004),Share-Based Payment (“SFAS No. 123R”). SFAS No. 123R requires companies to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award. We have a stock-based compensation plan (Equity Incentive Plan) and an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP). Pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan, we issue stock options and restricted stock units.
Generally, stock options granted to employees and non-employee directors fully vest four years from the grant date and have a term of ten years. We recognize stock-based compensation expense over the requisite service period of the individual grants, generally, equal to the vesting period.
Stock option activity under our plans during the ninethree months ended March 31,September 30, 2008 was as follows:
                 
          Weighted  
          Average  
      Weighted Remaining Aggregate
      Average Contractual Intrinsic
  Options Exercise Term Value
  Outstanding Price (Years) (in 000’s )
 
Balance at June 30, 2007  1,694,462  $41.91       
Options granted  347,750  $72.81       
Options exercised  (154,937) $41.55       
Options forfeited/cancelled/expired  (12,253) $51.72       
             
Balance at March 31, 2008  1,875,022  $47.60   6.47  $48,187 
Options vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2008  1,856,512  $47.42   6.45  $48,029 
Exercisable at March 31, 2008  1,151,183  $38.49   5.13  $39,911 
                 
          Weighted  
          Average  
      Weighted Remaining Aggregate
      Average Contractual Intrinsic
  Options Exercise Term Value
  Outstanding Price (Years) (in 000’s )
Balance at June 30, 2008  1,792,708  $47.20         
Options granted  199,250  $74.27         
Options exercised  (14,778) $40.74         
Options forfeited/cancelled/expired  (2,177) $56.15         
Balance at September 30, 2008  1,975,003  $49.97   6.35  $31,931 
Options vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2008  1,955,813  $49.78   6.32  $31,889 
Exercisable at September 30, 2008  1,285,533  $41.45   5.10  $29,092 
The aggregate intrinsic values in the table above represent the total pretax intrinsic values based on our closing stock price of $76.99$63.55 at March, 31,September 30, 2008, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of that date.
The total pre-tax intrinsic value of options exercised were $1.0 million and $6.5was $0.6 million during the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2008.

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In October 2007,August 2008, we granted 1,000a total of 15,000 restricted stock units to each of our five non-employee Directors for a total equal to 5,000 shares of our common stock.nine Officers excluding the Chief Executive Officer. The value of each share was $87.03.$74.27. These restricted stock units vest over a fourfive year period.
Under our ESPP, eligible employees are permitted to have salary withholdings to purchase shares of common stock at a price equal to 85% of the lower of the market value of the stock at the beginning or end of each six-month offer period, subject to certain annual limitations.

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The effect of recording stock-based compensation for the three months and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007 was as follows (in thousands):
                        
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 March 31, March 31,  September 30, 
 2008 2007 2008 2007  2008 2007 
Cost of sales $163 $106 $445 $287  $185 $131 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 986 873 2,875 2,594  864 927 
Research and development expenses 366 313 1,128 920  436 385 
              
Total stock-based compensation expenses 1,515 1,292 4,448 3,801  1,485 1,443 
Tax effect on stock-based compensation  (495)  (472)  (1,454)  (1,389)  (487)  (430)
              
Net effect on net income $1,020 $820 $2,994 $2,412  $998 $1,013 
              
Excess tax benefit related to equity incentive plans: 
Cash flows from operations $(188) $(581) $(2,021) $(1,043)
Cash flows from financing activities 188 581 2,021 1,043 
Effects on earnings per share: 
Basic $0.06 $0.05 $0.16 $0.13 
Diluted $0.05 $0.05 $0.16 $0.12 
The fair value of each option on the date of grant is estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model using a single option approach for options granted after June 30, 2005, with the following weighted-average assumptions:
            
 Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended
 March 31, September 30,
 2008 2007 2008 2007
Volatility for option plan  28% - 29%   28.9% 
Volatility for Equity Incentive Plan 29% 28%
Volatility for ESPP  23% - 31%   34.2%  24% 23%
Risk-free interest rate for option plan  2.91% - 4.60%   4.50% - 4.75% 
Risk-free interest rate for Equity Incentive Plan 3.3% 4.6%
Risk-free interest rate for ESPP  2.16% - 4.80%   4.98%  2.0% 4.8%
Expected life of option plan 4.75 years 4.7 years 
Expected life of Equity Incentive Plan 4.70 years 4.75 years
Expected life of ESPP 6 months 6 months  6 months 6 months
Expected dividend $0.00 $0.00  $0.00 $0.00
During the ninethree months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, we granted options to purchase 347,750199,250 shares of our common stock with an estimated fair value of $7.9$4.5 million after estimated forfeitures (at a weighted average exercise price of $72.81)$74.27).
As of March 31,September 30, 2008, the unrecorded deferred stock-based compensation balance related to stock options was $12.4$14.1 million after estimated forfeitures and will be recognized over an estimated weighted average amortization period of 2.62.7 years.
Approximately $76,000 of stock-based compensation was capitalized as inventory at March 31, 2008.
Determining Fair Value
Valuation and amortization method — We estimate the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing formula and a single option award approach. This fair value is then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period.
Expected Term — The expected term represents the period that our stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding and was determined based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior as influenced by changes to the terms of our stock-based awards.

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Expected Volatility — Our computation of expected volatility for the ninethree months ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007 is based on a combination of historical and market-based implied volatility.
Risk-Free Interest Rate — The risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation method is based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term.

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Expected Dividend — The expected dividend assumption is based on our current expectations about our anticipated dividend policy.
4. Inventories
Inventories consisted of (in thousands):
        
 March 31, June 30,         
 2008 2007  September 30, June 30, 
  2008 2008 
Finished goods $19,572 $16,535  $19,761 $19,236 
Work in process 1,283 1,329  1,243 1,449 
Raw materials 11,265 10,762  11,270 10,942 
          
 $32,120 $28,626  $32,274 $31,627 
          
5. Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
         
  September 30,  June 30, 
  2008  2008 
  (In thousands) 
Land $24,089  $24,911 
Buildings and improvements  45,949   46,019 
Machinery, equipment and tooling  36,847   36,825 
Furniture and fixtures  10,675   10,898 
Construction-in-progress  2,186   2,330 
       
   119,746   120,983 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization  (48,967)  (48,648)
       
Property, plant and equipment, net $70,779  $72,335 
       
6. Short-term Investments
We generally hold highly liquid debt instruments with maturities of less than one year. These securitiesShort-term investments are currently classified as “available-for-sale” securities and recorded at their fair value. The difference between the fair value and the amortized cost of theshort-term investments classified as “available-for-sale” securities wereis recorded in other comprehensive income, net of deferred taxes. We do not hold any auction-rate securities. As of September 30, 2008, short-term investments included an equity indexed derivative totaling $652,000.
The aggregate market value, cost basis, and gross unrealized gains and losses of short-term investments by major security typeclassified as “available-for-sale” securities were as follows (in thousands):
             
      Gross    
      Unrealized    
  Cost  Losses  Fair Value 
             
March 31, 2008, Marketable securities $1  $  $1 
          
June 30, 2007, Corporate debt securities $127  $(3) $124 
          
             
      Gross    
      Unrealized    
  Cost  Losses  Fair Value 
September 30, 2008, Certificate of deposits $2,134  $  $2,134 
          
 
June 30, 2008, Certificate of deposit $77  $  $77 
          
6.7. Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income is the change in stockholders’ equity arising from transactions other than investments by owners and

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distributions to owners. The significant components of comprehensive income, other than net income, are foreign currency translation adjustments and net unrealized gains or losses on securities available for sale. The components of accumulated other comprehensive income was as follows (in thousands):
                        
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 March 31, March 31,  September 30, 
 2008 2007 2008 2007  2008 2007 
Net income, as reported $13,595 $11,497 $38,574 $33,435  $11,816 $10,150 
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes 6,362  (1,051) 13,631  (3,388)  (10,421) 5,106 
Unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net of taxes  (1) 13 4  (20)
Unrealized loss on net investment hedge 110  
              
Comprehensive income $19,956 $10,459 $52,209 $30,027  $1,505 $15,256 
              
7.8. Common Stock Repurchases
During the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, we repurchased 273,699 and 719,166201,584 shares of our common stock, respectively, on the open market for approximately $20.9$13.3 million and $55.4 million, respectively (at an average repurchase price of $76.37 and $77.08, respectively$66.14 per share)., compared with 257,825 shares repurchased for approximately $18.6 million (at an average repurchase price of $72.09 per share) in the same period in the prior fiscal year.

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8.9. Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share are determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares used in the basic earnings per share calculation, plus the number of common shares that would be issued assuming conversion of all potentially dilutive securities outstanding under the treasury stock method.
The following table is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data):
                        
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 March 31, March 31,  September 30, 
 2008 2007 2008 2007  2008 2007 
Numerator:  
Net income $13,595 $11,497 $38,574 $33,435  $11,816 $10,150 
         
Denominator:  
Weighted average shares used to compute net income per common share — basic 18,438 19,047 18,602 19,214  18,068 18,765 
 
Effect of dilutive stock options 554 504 574 458  479 529 
              
Weighted average shares used to compute net income per common share — diluted 18,992 19,551 19,176 19,672  18,547 19,294 
              
Basic earnings per share $0.74 $0.60 $2.07 $1.74  $0.65 $0.54 
              
Diluted earnings per share $0.72 $0.59 $2.01 $1.70  $0.64 $0.53 
              
Antidilutive common equivalent shares related to stock options are excluded from the calculation of diluted shares. Approximately 352,481455,710 and 317,902218,545 shares were excluded at March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively because they were antidilutive.
9.10. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Information regarding our goodwill and other intangible assets reflects current foreign exchange rates.
The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the ninethree months ended March 31,September 30, 2008 was as follows (in thousands):
        
 Total  Total 
Balance as of July 1, 2007 $25,443 
Balance as of July 1, 2008 $26,670 
Translation adjustments 1,211   (1,135)
Additions   1,507 
      
Balance as of March 31, 2008 $26,654 
Balance as of September 30, 2008 $27,042 
      

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On July 1, 2008, we acquired a 100% ownership interest in a Swedish company through a step-acquisition, for which we previously held a 30% equity interest with a carrying amount of $760,000 at June 30, 2008, using a combination of cash and earn-out payment arrangements. The total purchase consideration for the incremental 70% ownership interest was approximately $1.5 million, excluding contingent earn-out payments in 2009 through 2011. Approximately $952,000 of the purchase consideration was paid during the quarter ended September 30, 2008, with the remaining $592,000 payable on July 1, 2011 and included within other long-term liabilities at September 30, 2008. As a result of this acquisition, the $760,000 equity interest previously included within other assets was eliminated, and $1.5 million of goodwill was recorded along with $830,000 of identifiable intangible assets.
Our reporting units represent our operating segments, the Chemical Analysis Business Unit (CABU) and the Life Sciences Business Unit (LSBU). All goodwill has been assigned to the LSBU reporting unit. The evaluation of goodwill is based upon the fair value of this reporting unit. Pursuant to the provisions of SFAS No. 142,Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, we performed annual impairment tests on goodwill in April 20072008 and determined that goodwill was not impaired.
Information regarding our other intangible assets follows (in thousands):
                        
 As of March 31, 2008 As of June 30, 2007                         
 Carrying Accumulated Carrying Accumulated    As of September 30, 2008 As of June 30, 2008 
 Amount Amortization Net Amount Amortization Net  Carrying Accumulated Carrying Accumulated   
 Amount Amortization Net Amount Amortization Net 
Patents and trademarks $5,958 $(1,226) $4,732 $5,958 $(779) $5,179  $5,958 $(1,527) $4,431 $5,958 $(1,376) $4,582 
Developed technology 10,814  (10,814)  10,013  (9,805) 208  10,189  (10,189)  10,825  (10,825)  
Other 2,807  (800) 2,007 2,205  (637) 1,568 
Customer lists 3,306  (900) 2,406 2,761  (880) 1,881 
                          
Total $19,579 $(12,840) $6,739 $18,176 $(11,221) $6,955  $19,453 $(12,616) $6,837 $19,544 $(13,081) $6,463 
                          

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We amortize patents and trademarks over a period of seven to sixteen years and the remaining weighted average amortization period for this category is approximately eighteleven years.
We amortizeamortized developed technology over a period of three to seven years.
We amortize other intangibles over a period of five to ten years and the remaining weighted average amortization period for this category is approximately seven years.
Amortization expense related to intangible assets was $844,309$284,479 and $997,374$649,000 for the ninethree months ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The remaining estimated amortization for each of the five fiscal years subsequent to March 31,September 30, 2008 is as follows (in thousands):
        
 Remaining  Remaining 
 Amortization  Amortization 
 Expense  Expense 
2008 (remaining three months) $243 
2009 932 
2009 (remaining nine months) $749 
2010 894  975 
2011 885  969 
2012 885  969 
2013 616 
Thereafter 2,900  2,559 
      
Total $6,739  $6,837 
      
10.11. Warranty
Product warranties are recorded at the time revenue is recognized for certain product shipments. Warranty expense is affected by product failure rates, material usage and service costs incurred in correcting a product failure. Should actual product failure rates, material usage or service costs differ from our estimates, revisions to the warranty liability would be required.

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Details of the change in accrued product warranty for the ninethree months ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows (in thousands):
                     
           Actual  
  Balance Provision Other Warranty Balance
  Beginning For Adjustments Costs End of
  of Period Warranties Accounts Incurred Period
      (1)    
Accrued Product Warranty                    
Nine Months Ended:                    
March 31, 2008 $2,875  $2,565  $294  $(2,149) $3,585 
March 31, 2007 $3,493  $2,151  $74  $(2,406) $3,313 
                     
              Actual  
  Balance Provision Other Warranty Balance
  Beginning For Adjustments Costs End of
  of Period Warranties Accounts (1) Incurred Period
Accrued Product Warranty                    
Three Months Ended:                    
September 30, 2008 $3,444  $1,342  $(206) $(1,325) $3,255 
September 30, 2007 $2,875  $572  $178  $(671) $2,954 
 
(1) Effects of exchange rate changes

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11.12. Commitments and Other Contingencies
Revenue generated from international operations is generally denominated in foreign currencies. We enter into forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge against fluctuations of intercompany account balances. Market value gains and losses on these exchange contracts are substantially offset by fluctuations in the underlying balances being hedged, and the net financial impact is not expected to be material in future periods. We had forward exchange contracts to sell foreign currencies totaling $21.4$18.4 million (including approximately $11.6 million in Euros, $4.5 million in Japanese yen, $1.2 million in Australian dollars and $10.9$1.0 million in Canadian dollars) at September 30, 2008, and $15.5 million at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.September 30, 2007. In March 2007, we entered into a $10.0 million cross-currency swap arrangement for Japanese Yen which matures in March 2010. This derivative instrument did not qualify for net investment hedge accounting and was deemed to be an ineffective hedge instrument because, at the inception of the hedge transaction, there was no formal documentation of the hedging relationship and our risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge. Therefore, we marked to market the decrease in value of approximately $1.0 million$698,000 for the sixthree months ended December 31,September 30, 2007 and this amount was recorded in other expense, net. Starting January 2008, we determined that the cross-currency swap qualified as a net investment hedge. As a result, during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, we marked to market $1.3 milliona decrease in value of $110,000 in Other Comprehensive Income related to the hedge.
We have unsecured credit agreements with domestic and international financial institutions. The agreements provide for revolving unsecured lines of credit that we utilize primarily for our general corporate purposes, including stock repurchases and working capital needs. As of September 30, 2008, we have a total of $28.9 million in available lines of credit with outstanding borrowings of $25.1 million.
In July 2008, we acquired a Sweden company using a combination of cash and post acquisition earn-out payment arrangements. Under the purchase agreement, earn-out payments of 70% for fiscal 2009 and 30% for fiscal 2010 and 2011 as a percentage of the acquired company’s net income is payable to the seller at the end of each fiscal year. Each earn-out payment is contingent upon results of operation.
We enter into standard indemnification agreements with many of our customers and certain other business partners in the ordinary course of business. These agreements include provisions for indemnifying the customer against any claim brought by a third party to the extent any such claim alleges that our product infringes a patent, copyright or trademark, or violates any other proprietary rights of that third party. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is not estimable, however, we have not incurred any costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. No material claims for such indemnifications were outstanding as of March 31,September 30, 2008. We have not recorded any liabilities for these indemnification agreements at March 31,September 30, 2008 or June 30, 2007.2008.
12.13. Business Segment Information
SFAS No. 131Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Informationestablishes standards for reporting information about operating segments in annual and interim financial statements of public business enterprises. It also establishes standards for related disclosure about products and service, geographic areas and major customers.

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We have two operating segments, CABU and LSBU. CABU sells ion chromatography and accelerated solvent extraction products, services and related consumables. LSBU sells high performance liquid chromatography products, services and related consumables. These two operating segments are aggregated into one reportable segment for financial statement purposes.
Our sales of products, installation and training services and maintenance within this reportable segment were detailed as follows (in thousands):
        
 Three Months Ended         
 March31,  Three Months Ended 
 2008 2007  September 30, 
 2008 2007 
Products $86,658 $74,191  $81,834 $71,946 
Installation and Training Services 2,342 2,250  2,608 2,493 
Maintenance 9,356 8,513  8,993 7,984 
          
 $98,356 $84,954  $93,435 $82,423 
          
13.14. Income Taxes
Effective July 1, 2007,As part of the process of preparing the consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating our actual current tax exposure and assessing changes in temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such as depreciation, amortization and inventory reserves, for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within the consolidated balance sheets. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates, or we adjust these estimates in future periods, we may need to establish an additional valuation allowance which could materially impact its financial position and results of operations.
SFAS No. 109,Accounting for Income Taxes, requires that we continually evaluate the necessity of establishing or changing a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, depending on whether it is more likely than not that actual benefit of those assets will be realized in future periods. In addition, we adopted the provisionsprovision of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s interpretation of FINFASB’s Interpretation No. 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes(“FIN No. 48”). FIN No. 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for therequires financial statement recognition and measurementreporting of the expected future tax consequences of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a company’s income tax return and also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN No. 48 utilizes a two-step approach for evaluating uncertain tax positions accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 109.

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The first step is to determine whether it is more likely than not that each income tax position would be sustained upon audit. The second step is to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority. Estimating these amounts requires us to determine the probability of various possible outcomes. We evaluate these uncertain taxreporting positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on the considerationpresumption that all relevant tax authorities possess full knowledge of several factors, including changes inthose tax reporting positions, as well as all of the pertinent facts orand circumstances, changes in applicablebut it prohibits any discounting of any of the related tax law, settlementeffects for the time value of issues under audit, and new exposures. If we later determine that our exposure is lower or that the liability is not sufficient to cover our revised expectations, we adjust the liability and effect a related change in our tax provision during the period in which we make such determination. The cumulative effect of adopting FIN No. 48 on July 1, 2007 is recognized as a change in accounting principle, recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit on the adoption date.money.
Our total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of July 1, 2007June 30, 2008 was $14.4$14.2 million, of which $3.3 million, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. The liability for income taxes associated with uncertain tax positions is classified in deferred and other income taxes payable. There have been no significant changes in these amounts during the quarter ended September 30, 2008.
We record interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. At July 1, 2007,June 30, 2008, we had approximately $1.7$1.9 million accrued for estimated interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. During the ninethree months ended March 31,September 30, 2008 and 2007, we accrued a total of $737,000$261,000 and $240,000, respectively in interest on these uncertain tax positions. During the quarter ended March 31, 2008, we reversed certain income taxes payable in the amount of $3.4 million, including $500,000 of accrued interest due to expiring statutes relating to FIN 48 liabilities previously accrued. Similarly, deferred tax assets were reduced by $2.0 million, including $175,000 of accrued interest, due to related expiring FIN 48 liabilities.
We are subject to audit by the Internal Revenue Service and the California Franchise Tax Board for the fiscal years 2003year 2004 through the fiscal year 2007.2008. As we have operations in most other US states, other state tax authorities may assess deficiencies related to prior year activities; however, the years open to assessment vary with each state. We also file income tax returns for non-US jurisdictions; the most significant of which are Germany, Japan, the UK and Hong Kong. The years open to adjustment for Germany, UK and Hong Kong are fiscal years 2003 through 2007, fiscal years 2002 through 20072008. The years open to adjustment for the UK and Hong Kong andJapan are fiscal years 2001 through 2007 for Japan.2007.
A number of years may elapse before an uncertain tax position is audited and ultimately settled. It is difficult to predict the ultimate outcome or the timing of resolution for uncertain tax positions. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months. These changes could result from the settlement of ongoing litigation, the completion of ongoing examinations, the expiration of the statute of limitations, or other circumstances. At this time, an estimate of the range of the reasonably possible changechanges cannot be made.

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15. Fair Value Measurements
Effective July 1, 2008, we adopted fair value measurements for all financial assets and liabilities as required by SFAS No. 157,Fair Value Measurements(“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing assets or liabilities. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, we consider the principal or most advantageous market in which these assets and liabilities would be transacted.
SFAS No. 157 fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to fair value measurement into three levels:
Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity have the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2 inputs are those other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in accordance with SFAS No. 157 as of September 30, 2008:
                 
      Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using 
      Quoted Prices  Significant    
      In Active  Other  Significant 
      Markets or  Observable  Unobservable 
      Identical Assets  Inputs  Inputs 
Description Total  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3) 
Assets:                
Money market $2,811  $2,811  $  $ 
Mutual Fund  15   15       
Equity indexed derivatives  652      652    
             
Total $3,478  $2,826  $652  $ 
             
Liabilities:                
Foreign currency contracts $1,211  $1,211  $  $ 
             
Reported as:
                 
      Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using 
      Quoted Prices  Significant    
      In Active  Other  Significant 
      Markets or  Observable  Unobservable 
      Identical Assets  Inputs  Inputs 
Description Total  (Level 1)  (Level 2)  (Level 3) 
Assets:                
Cash equivalents (1) $2,826  $2826  $  $ 
Short-term investments  652      652    
             
Total $3,478  $2,826  $652  $ 
             
Liabilities:                
Foreign currency contracts (2) $1,211  $1,211  $  $ 
             
(1)Included in “Cash and cash equivalents” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2008.
(2)Included in “Other long-term liabilities” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2008.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information contained herein, the discussion below and in the footnotes to our financial statements contained in this Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are made under the safe harbor provisions thereof. Such statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements, or industry results, expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things: general economic conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, risks associated with international sales, fluctuations in worldwide demand for analytical instrumentation, fluctuations in quarterly operating results, competition from other products, existing product obsolescence, new product development, including market receptiveness, the ability to manufacture products on an efficient and timely basis and at a reasonable cost and in sufficient volume, the ability to attract and retain talented employees and other risks as described in more detail below under the heading “Risk Factors.” Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that reflect management’s analysis only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Overview
Dionex Corporation designs, manufactures, markets and services analytical instrumentation and related accessories and chemicals. Our products are used to analyze chemical substances in the environment and in a broad range of industrial and scientific applications. Our systems are used in environmental analysis and by the pharmaceutical, life sciences, chemical, petrochemical, power generation, and food and electronics industries in a variety of applications. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Dionex,” “we,” “our” and “us” and words of similar import as used herein include Dionex Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Our liquid chromatography systems are currently focused in two product areas: ion chromatography (IC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We offer a mass spectrometer coupled with either an IC or HPLC system. For sample preparation, we provide automated solvent extraction systems. In addition, we develop and manufacture consumables, detectors, automation and analysis systems for use in or with liquid chromatographs.
We market and distribute our products and services through our own sales force in Austria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In each of these countries, we maintain one or more local sales offices in order to support and service our customers in the regions. We manufacture our products based upon a forecast of customer demand and we generally try to maintain adequate inventories of completed modules or finished goods in advance of receipt of firm orders. System or instrument orders are generally placed by the customer on an as-needed basis and instruments are usually shipped within two to six weeks after receipt of an order.
Results of Operations
Net sales for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20082009 were $98.4$93.4 million, compared with $85.0$82.4 million reported for the same period in the prior year, reflecting an increase of 16%13%. Operating income for the quarter was $20.0$19.5 million, an increase of 11%22% over operating income for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20072008 of $18.0$16.0 million. Cash flow from operating activities during the quarter was $24.9$8.7 million over cash flow from operationscompared with $13.1 million for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20072008, reflecting a decrease of $20.0 million.34%. Our gross profit margin for the quarter was 65.6%67.1% compared to 65.7%65.2% reported in the same period last year. Selling, general and administrative expenses were 37.8%38.7% of net sales during the quarter, compared to 36.9%37.8% reported in the same period last year. Research and product development expenses for the quarter were 7.5% of net sales, equal to the 7.5%8.0% reported in the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share grew 22%21% to $0.72$0.64 for the thirdfirst quarter, compared to $0.59$0.53 reported in the same period last year.
Net sales for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 were $278.8 million, an increase of 16% compared with the $241.3 million reported in the first nine months of fiscal 2007. Operating income was $58.7 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2008, an increase of 15% over operating income for the same period during the prior year of $50.9 million. Cash flow from operating activities for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was $50 million. Gross profit margin for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 was 66.2% compared to 66.1% during the same period in the prior year. Diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 were $2.01, representing an 18% increase over the earnings per share of $1.70 reported during same period of fiscal 2007.

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Our results of operations for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2008 reflect increasing, broad-based demand for our instrumentation and consumables products. In the thirdfirst quarter, we achieved growth in each of our end-user markets, including life sciences, environmental and chemical/petrochemical. This increased demand had the effect of increasing our net sales, but also our

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operating expenses as we added personnel and expanded our operations to satisfy the increased demand.
Net sales
Net sales in North America increased by 15%0.9% in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20082009 to $27.2$25.1 million, compared to $23.7$24.9 million during the same period in the prior year, because of higher sales of ion chromatography and HPLC products as a result of the increased demand described above. Net sales in North America increased by 17% in the nine months ended March 31, 2008 to $79.6 million compared to $68.2 million during the nine months ended March 31, 2007, also reflecting continued increasing demand for both product lines in North America.
Net sales in Europe increased by 3%15% to $39.2$39.9 million in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20082009, compared to $38.2$34.8 million during the same period in the prior year. Excluding the effect ofyear due to benefits from currency fluctuations of $1.4 million and growth in our net sales in Europe declined primarily as a result of weaker demand from the European life sciences market, mainly in Germany and the United Kingdom and due to the timing of the Easter holidays close to the end of the quarter. Net sales in Europe grew by 10% in the nine months ended March 31, 2008 to $118.6 million compared to $107.7 million during the nine months ended March 31, 2007, driven by currency fluctuations and increased sales in Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Denmark.
ion chromatography products. Net sales in the Asia/Pacific region grew by 39%25% in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20082009 to $32.0$28.4 million, compared to $23.0$22.7 million during the same period in the prior year, driven by increased sales in Japan, China, India and Korea. Net sales increased by 23% in the nine months ended March 31, 2008 to $80.6 million compared to $65.5 million in the nine months ended March 31, 2007 as a result of increased sales in China, Korea, India and Australia and sales by our new subsidiaries in Brazil and Taiwan.Australia.
We are subject to the effects of foreign currency fluctuations that have an impact on net sales. Overall, currency fluctuations increased reported net sales for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008 by $6.2 million, or 7 percentage points compared to the same quarter last year. Currency fluctuations increased reported net sales for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 by $13.5$4.9 million, or 6 percentage points compared to the same periodquarter last year.
Percentage changes in net sales over the corresponding period in the prior year were as indicated in the table below:
         
  Three Months Nine Months
  Ended Ended
  March 31, 2008 March 31, 2008
Percentage change in net sales        
Total:  16%  16%
By geographic region:        
North America  15%  17%
Europe  3%  10%
Asia/Pacific  39%  23%
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2008
Percentage change in net sales
Total:13.4%
By geographic region:
North America0.9%
Europe14.8%
Asia/Pacific24.8%
Percentage of change in net sales excluding currency fluctuations over the corresponding period in the prior year were as indicated in the table below:
         
  Three Months Nine Months
  Ended Ended
  March 31, 2008 March 31, 2008
Percentage change in net sales excluding currency fluctuations        
Total:  9%  10%
By geographic region:        
North America  12%  16%
Europe  -7%  1%
Asia/Pacific  31%  19%
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2008
Percentage change in net sales excluding currency fluctuations
Total:7.4%
By geographic region:
North America0.6%
Europe4.0%
Asia/Pacific20.0%

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Gross margin
Gross margin for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20082009 was 65.6%67.1%, virtually unchanged slightlyan increase from the 65.7%65.2% reported in the thirdsame quarter last year. Gross margin for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was 66.2%, virtually unchanged from the 66.1% reportedyear, principally due to currency and change in the first nine months of fiscal 2007. Gross margin for the threegeographical mix with relatively stronger performance in Europe and nine months ended March 31, 2008 benefited from currency fluctuations offset by higher growth in lower-margin countries.Asia/Pacific.
Operating expenses
Operating expenses of $44.5$43.2 million for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20082009 increased by $6.8$5.5 million, or 18%14.5%, from the $37.8 million reported in the same quarter last year. As a percentage of net sales, operating expenses were 45.2%46.3% for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2008,2009, a slight increase from the 44.4%45.8% of sales reported in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2007.2008. The effects of foreign currency fluctuations increased total operating expenses by $1.8 million, or 5%, for the quarter ended March 31,September 30, 2008, compared to 4%3% during the same period in the prior year. The increase in operating expenses was attributable primarily to $1.9$1.5 million of additional expenses associated with expansion of our Asia/Pacific operations related to that market’s disproportionate growth and $1.0 millionour new Sweden subsidiary, with the remainder of the increase related to new products introduceda general increase in the quarter. Operating expenses for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 were $125.7 million, representing a 16% increase over the corresponding period during the prior year of $108.6 million mainly due to the effect of foreign currencypersonnel costs, travel and higher costs due to continued expansion in Asia. As a percentage of net sales, operating expenses for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were 45.0% and 44.0% respectively.other costs.

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Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $37.2$36.2 million for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20082009, compared with $31.4$31.2 million for the thirdsame quarter of fiscal 2007.2008. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses were 37.8%38.7% in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20082009, compared to 36.9%37.8% the same period in fiscal 2007.2008. Effects of foreign currency fluctuations increased SG&A expenses by $1.4$1.6 million, or 4%5%, in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2008.2009. SG&A expenses, excluding currency effects, grew by $5.8$3.6 million, or 18%11%, compared to the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20072008, due to the addition of our two new subsidiariessubsidiary in Taiwan and Singapore andSweden, our continued expansion in the Asia/Pacific region. The remainder of the increase was related toregion, increases in salaries because of increased personnel and related expenses, and higher travel costs. SG&A expenses for the nine month period ended March 31, 2008 increased by 15%, or $13.8 million, to $104.2 million from $90.4 million during the same period last year due to the effect of foreign currency fluctuations of $5.0 million, $4.6 million due to the ongoing investment in the Asia/Pacific region and additional salaries and related expenses. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were 37.3% and 37.5%, respectively.
Research and product development (R&D) expenses were $7.3$7.0 million for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2008,2009, an increase of $1.0$0.4 million, or 15%6.5%, from $6.4$6.6 million reported in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2007.2008. As a percentage of net sales, R&D expenses remained unchanged atdecreased marginally to 7.5% in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20082009 when compared to the 7.5%8.0% in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2007. R&D expenses for the nine month period ended March 31, 2008 increased by 18% to $21.5 million from $18.2 million in the same period of fiscal 2007 mainly due to the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, increase in professional services related to patent execution costs and project materials for our new products introduced in the quarter. As a percentage of net sales, R&D expenses for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 were 7.7% and 7.5%, respectively.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, we reported an amount in other expense of approximately $150,000, pre-tax, due primarily to losses on foreign currency exchange. In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, we reported $1.5 million, pre-tax, in other expense due primarily to losses on foreign currency exchange and mark to market on cross currency swap.2008.
Income taxes
The effective tax rate in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20082009 was 32.7%38.0%, reflecting a decreasean increase from 37.8%35.3% reported for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2007.2008. The relative increase in our tax rate for the third quarter was lower than our anticipated tax rate of 36.0% to 37.0%. Our tax rate for the nine months of fiscal 2008 was 33.8% compared with 35.5% in the same period of fiscal 2007. These decreases were due to a varietyone-time tax benefit in the first quarter of factors, including, but not limited to foreignlast year of $332,200 and a lower research tax credits, geographical mixcredit this year, as the federal statute had expired as of taxable income and expiring FIN 48 liabilities resulting from lapsing of statute of limitations.December 31, 2007. We anticipate our tax rate will be in the range of 35.5%35.0% to 36.5%36.0% for the remainder of fiscal year 2008.2009.

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Net income
Net income in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20082009 increased 18%16% to $13.6$11.8 million, compared with $11.5$10.2 million reported for the same period last year. Net income for the nine month period ended March 31, 2008 was $38.6 million, an increase of 15% from $33.4 million in the same period of fiscal 2007.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At March 31,September 30, 2008, we had cash and equivalents and short-term investments of $72.0$65.8 million. Our working capital was $106.8$96.0 million, an increase of $13.4 million from the $93.4 millionunchanged compared to that reported at JuneSeptember 30, 2007.
Cash generated by operating activities for the ninethree months ended March 31,September 30, 2008 was $50.1$8.7 million, compared with $50.2$13.1 million for the same period last year. OperatingThe decrease in operating cash flow was virtually unchangedprimarily attributable to the increased tax payments globally, increased inventory as we ramp up for the nine month period. Increased net salessecond quarter shipments, and an increasea decrease in collectionsaccrued liabilities of account receivables was offset by an increase in income tax payments.$3.1 million associated with payments of payroll related liabilities as of September 30, 2008.
Cash used for investing activities was $8.1$8.2 million in the first ninethree months of fiscal 2008. Payments for intangible assets were $2.1 million for the nine months of fiscal 2008 of which $2.0 million was recorded in accrued liabilities at June 30, 2007.2009. Capital expenditures for the ninethree months of fiscal 20082009 were $6.0$4.6 million which included purchases related to our general operations, expansion of our IT platform and an additional investmentrefurbishment of a building in our Singapore subsidiary.Sunnyvale. Additionally, $952,000 was paid in connection with the acquisition of a Swedish company.
Cash used for financing activities was $27.5$8.3 million in the first ninethree months of fiscal 2008.2009. The use of cash was primarily attributable to the repurchase of 719,166201,584 shares of our common stock for $55.4$13.3 million, offset by $8.3$1.7 million in proceeds from issuance of common stock, a tax benefit related to equity incentive plans of $2.0 million$111,000 and net proceeds of $17.7$3.3 million received from short-term borrowings.
At March 31,September 30, 2008, we had utilized $18.0$25.1 million of our $28.9 million in committed bank lines of credit in the United States.credit. The borrowings were used to repurchase shares of our common stock and other corporate activities. Available borrowings under our bank lines of credit were $7.0 million at March 31, 2008.
We believe that our cash flow from operating activities, current cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and the remainder of our bank lines of credit will be adequate to meet our cash requirements for at least the next twelve months.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

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The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at March 31,September 30, 2008, and the effect that such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods (in thousands):
                                        
 Payments Due by Period Payments Due by Period 
 Less       Less       
 Than 1 1-3 4-5 After 5 Than 1 1-3 4-5 After 5 
Contractual Obligations Total Year Years Years Years Total Year Years Years Years 
Short-Term Borrowings $25,074 $25,074 $ $ $ 
Operating Lease Obligations $17,780 $5,820 $6,360 $2,090 $3,510  16,272 5,471 5,566 2,194 3,041 
                      
Total $41,346 $30,545 $5,566 $2,194 $3,041 
           
There have been no material changes to our contractualoperating lease obligations outside ordinary business activities since June 30, 2007, except the change described above related to outstanding borrowings and changes related to the adoption of FIN 48.2008. Our outstanding borrowings under our lines of credit increased to $18.0$25.0 million at March 31,September 30, 2008 from $231,000$21.8 million at June 30, 2007.2008. These amounts are due in a period of less than one year.
The amounts above exclude liabilities under FIN 48, prescribes a new methodology by which a company must measure, report, present and disclose in its financial statementsas we are unable to reasonably estimate the effects of any uncertain tax return reporting positions that a company has takenultimate amount or expects to take. Because of the uncertainty regarding timing of FIN 48 liabilities, the amounts calculated and discussed in Footnote 13 are excluded from the table above.settlement.

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New Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement.In December 2007,September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”SFAS No. 157”),Fair Value Measurements(“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The changes to current practice resulting from the application of SFAS No. 157 relate to the definition of fair value, the methods used to measure fair value, and the expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. FASB Staff Position 157-2,Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,was further released in February 2008 to amend the effective date pertaining to nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually) until years beginning after November 15, 2008. Effective July 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 157, except as it applies to the non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities subject to FASB Staff Position SFAS No. 157-2.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted.In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162,The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles(“SFAS No. 162”). SFAS No. 162 is intended to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent framework, or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that are presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for nongovernmental entities. SFAS No. 162 is effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411,The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Any effect of applying the provisions of SFAS No. 162 is to be reported as a change in accounting principles in accordance with SFAS No. 154,Accounting Changes and Error Corrections — a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 162 once it is effective and we are currently evaluating the effect that the adoption will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In April 2008, the FASB released FASB Staff Position 142-3,Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets(“SFAS No. 142-3”), which amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142,Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets(“SFAS No. 142”). The intent of the statement is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007) and other U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. SFAS No. 142-3 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year that begins after December 15, 2008, which will be the Company’s fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS No. 142-3 on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161,Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities(“SFAS No. 161”). SFAS No. 161 enhances financial disclosure by requiring that objectives for using derivative instruments be described in terms of underlying risk and accounting designation in the form of tabular presentation, requiring transparency with respect to the entity’s liquidity from using derivatives, and cross-referencing an entity’s derivative information within its financial footnotes. SFAS No. 161

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is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, which will be the Company’s fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, that SFAS No. 161 may have on the Company’s financial position or cash flows.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007),Business Combinations(“ (“SFAS No. 141(R)”). SFAS No. 141(R) expands the definition of a business combination and requires the fair value of the purchase price of an acquisition, including the issuance of equity securities, to be determined on the acquisition date. SFAS No. 141(R) also requires that all assets, liabilities, contingent consideration and contingencies of an acquired business be recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. In addition, SFAS No. 141(R) requires that acquisition costs generally be expensed as incurred, restructuring costs generally be expensed in periods subsequent to the acquisition date, and changes in accounting for deferred tax asset valuation allowances and acquired income tax uncertainties after the measurement period that impacts income tax expense. SFAS No. 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is effectiveon or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 (for Dionex, beginning with our fiscal 2010) with early adoption prohibited. We are currently evaluating the effect the implementation of SFAS 141(R) will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160,Non-controlling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements.This Statement amends Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling (minority) interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 (for Dionex, beginning with our fiscal 2010). We are currently evaluating the effect that adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities(“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose, at specified election dates, to measure eligible items at fair value (or “fair value option”) and to report in earnings unrealized gains and losses on those items for which the fair value option has been elected. SFAS No. 159 also requires entities to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities on the face of the balance sheet. SFAS No. 159 establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 159 is effective for us as of the first quarter of fiscal 2009. We are currently evaluatingCurrently, we have elected not to adopt the impact of this pronouncement on our consolidated financial statements.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157,Fair Value Measurements(“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The changes to current practice resulting from the application of SFAS No. 157 relate to the definition of fair value, the methods used to measure fair value, and the expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. Originally, SFAS No. 157 was effective for the first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. However, in February 2008 the FASB released FASB Staff Position 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, which delayed the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually) until years beginning after November 15, 2008, which will be our fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact ofoption under this pronouncement on our consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimatespronouncement.
Summary
The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates, including those related to product returns and allowances, bad debts, inventory valuation, goodwill and other intangible assets, income taxes, warranty and installation provisions, and contingencies on an ongoing basis.
We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
With the exception of the adoption of FIN No. 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, thereThere have been no significant changes during the ninethree months ended March 31,September 30, 2008 to the items that we disclosed as our critical accounting policies and estimates in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.

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Income Taxes
As part of the process of preparing the consolidated financial statements, we estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. The determination of our tax provision is subject to judgments and estimates due to the complexity of the tax laws that we are subject to in several tax jurisdictions. This process involves our estimate of our actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such as depreciation, amortization and inventory reserves for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included with our consolidated balance sheets.
We account for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109,Accounting for Income Taxes(“SFAS 109”).SFAS No. 109 requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized for the effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. SFAS No. 109 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
On July 1, 2007, we adopted FIN No. 48, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS 109. This interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. As a result of the implementation of FIN No. 48, we recognize the tax liability for uncertain income tax positions on the income tax return based on the two-step process prescribed in the interpretation. The first step is to determine whether it is more likely than not that each income tax position would be sustained upon audit. The second step is to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority. Estimating these amounts requires us to determine the probability of various possible outcomes. We evaluate these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on the consideration of several factors, including changes in facts or circumstances, changes in applicable tax law, settlement of issues under audit, and new exposures. If we later determine that our exposure is lower or that the liability is not sufficient to cover our revised expectations, we adjust the liability and effect a related change in our tax provision during the period in which we make such determination.2008.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS
We are exposed to financial market risks from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and stock prices of marketable securities. With the exception of the stock price volatility of our marketable equity securities, we manage our exposure to these and other risks through our regular operating and financing activities and, when appropriate, through our hedging activities. Our policy is not to use hedges or other derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. We deal with a diversified group of major financial institutions to limit the risk of nonperformance by any one institution on any financial instrument. Separate from our financial hedging activities, material changes in foreign exchange rates, interest rates and, to a lesser extent, commodity prices could cause significant changes in the costs to manufacture and deliver our products and in customers’ buying practices. We have not substantially changed our risk management practices during fiscal 20072008 or the first ninethree months of fiscal 20082009 and we do not currently anticipate significant changes in financial market risk exposures in the near future that would require us to change our current risk management practices.
Foreign Currency Exchange.Revenues generated from international operations are generally denominated in foreign currencies. We

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entered into forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge against fluctuations of intercompany account balances. Market value gains and losses on these hedge contracts are substantially offset by fluctuations in the underlying balances being hedged, and the net financial impact is not expected to be material in future periods. At March 31,September 30, 2008, we had forward exchange contracts to sell foreign currencies totaling $21.4$18.4 million, including approximately $11.7$11.6 million in Euros, $6.0$4.5 million in Japanese yen, $1.6$1.2 million in Australian dollars and $2.1$1.0 million in Canadian dollars. The foreign exchange contracts outstanding at the end of each fiscal yearthe period mature within the first quarter of the following fiscal year.one month. Additionally, contract values and fair market values are the same.
In March 2007, we entered into a $10.0 million cross-currency swap arrangement for Japanese Yen which matures in March 2010. This derivative instrument did not qualify for net investment hedge accounting and was deemed to be an ineffective hedge instrument because, at the inception of the hedge transaction, there was no formal documentation of the hedging relationship and our risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge. Therefore, we marked to market the decrease in value of approximately $1.0 million$698,000 for the sixthree months ended December 31,September 30, 2007 and this amount was recorded in other expense, net. Starting January 2008, we determined that the cross-currency swap qualified as a net investment hedge. As a result, during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008, we marked to market a $1.3 million$110,000 in Other Comprehensive Income related to the hedge.

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Interest and Investment Income.Our interest and investment income is subject to changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates. Changes in U.S. interest rates affect the interest earned on our cash equivalents and short-term investments. A sensitivity analysis assuming a hypothetical 10% movement in interest rates applied to our investment balances at March 31,September 30, 2008 and June 30, 20072008 indicated that such market movement would not have a material effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. Actual gains or losses in the future may differ materially from this analysis, depending on our actual balances and changes in the timing and amount of interest rate movements.
Debt and Interest Expense.At March 31,September 30, 2008, we had notes payable of $18.0$25.1 million. A sensitivity analysis assuming a hypothetical 10% movement in interest rates applied to our outstanding debt balance at March 31,September 30, 2008, indicated that such market movement would not have a material effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. Actual gains or losses in the future may differ materially from this analysis, depending on changes in the timing and amount of interest rate movements and the level of borrowings maintained by us.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in rules promulgated under the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31,September 30, 2008 were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective at the “reasonable assurance” level. We believe that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a Company have been detected.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act) during the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
You should consider carefully the following risk factors as well as other information in this report before investing in any of our securities. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected. This could cause the market price for our common stock to decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. These

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risk factors include any material changes to, and supersede, the risk factors previously disclosed in our most recent annual report on
Form 10-K10-K.
Foreign currency fluctuations related to international operations may adversely affect our operating results.
We derived approximately 71% of our net sales from outside the United States in the first quarter of each of 2008 and subsequently filed quarterly reports2009 and expect to continue to derive the majority of net sales from outside the United States for the foreseeable future. Most of our sales outside the United States are denominated in the local currency of our customers. As a result, the U.S. dollar value of our net sales varies with currency rate fluctuations. Significant changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to certain foreign currencies could have a material adverse effect on Form 10-Q.our results of operations. In recent periods, our results of operations have been positively affected from the depreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Euro, the Japanese yen and other foreign currencies, but there can be no assurance that this positive impact will continue. In the past, our results of operations have been negatively impacted by the appreciation of the U.S. dollar against other currencies. Subsequent to September 30, 2008, the U.S. dollar has appreciated significantly compared to the Euro and other foreign currencies, excluding the Japanese Yen.
Economic, political and other risks associated with international sales and operations could adversely affect our results of operations.
Because we sell our products worldwide and have significant operations outside of the United States, our business is subject to risks associated with doing business internationally. We anticipate that revenue from international operations will continue to represent a majority of our total sales. In addition, we expect that the proportion of our employees, contract manufacturers, suppliers, job functions and manufacturing facilities located outside the United States may increase. Accordingly, our future results could be harmed by a variety of factors, including:
  interruption to transportation flows for delivery of parts to us and finished goods to our customers;
 
  changes in a specific country’s or region’s political, economic or other conditions;
 
  trade protection measures and import or export licensing requirements;
 
  negative consequences from changes in tax laws;
 
  difficulty in staffing and managing widespread operations;
 
  differing labor regulations;
 
  differing protection of intellectual property;
 
  unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; and
 
  geopolitical turmoil, including terrorism and war.
Foreign currency fluctuations related to international operations may adversely affect our operating results.
We derived approximately 72% of our net sales from outside the United States in the third quarters of 2007 and 2008 and expect to continue to derive the majority of net sales from outside the United States for the foreseeable future. Most of our sales outside the United States are denominated in the local currency of our customers. As a result, the U.S. dollar value of our net sales varies with currency rate fluctuations. Significant changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to certain foreign currencies could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In recent periods, our results of operations have been positively affected from the depreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Euro, the Japanese yen and other foreign currencies, but there can be no assurance that this positive impact will continue. In the past, our results of operations have been negatively impacted by the appreciation of the U.S. dollar against other currencies.
Fluctuations in worldwide demand for analytical instrumentation could affect our operating results.
The demand for analytical instrumentation products can fluctuate depending upon capital expenditure cycles. Most companies consider our instrumentation products capital equipment and some customers may be unable to secure the necessary capital expenditure approvals due to general economic or customer specific conditions. Significant fluctuations in demand could harm our results of operations.

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Downturn in economic conditions could affect our operating results.
Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be affected by various economic factors. Afactors, including the current world-wide market disruptions and economic downturn which may continue for the foreseeable future. The current downturn in global economic conditions may make it more difficult for us to maintain and continue our revenue growth and profitability performance. In an economic recession or under other adverse economic conditions, customers may be less likely to purchase our products and vendors may be more likely to fail to meet contractual terms. A decline in economic conditions may have a material adverse effect on our business.
Fluctuations in worldwide demand for analytical instrumentation could affect our operating results.

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The demand for analytical instrumentation products can fluctuate depending upon capital expenditure cycles. Most companies consider our instrumentation products capital equipment and some customers may be unable to secure the necessary capital expenditure approvals due to general economic or customer specific conditions. Significant fluctuations in demand could harm our results of operations.
Fluctuations in our quarterly operating results may cause our stock price to decline.
A high proportion of our costs are fixed due in part to our significant sales, research and product development and manufacturing costs. Declines in revenue caused by fluctuations in currency rates, worldwide demand for analytical instrumentation or other factors could disproportionately affect our quarterly operating results, which may in turn cause our stock price to decline.
Our results of operations and financial condition will suffer if we do not introduce new products that are attractive to our customers on a timely basis.
Our products are highly technical in nature. As a result, many of our products must be developed months or even years in advance of the potential need by a customer. If we fail to introduce new products and enhancements as demand arises or in advance of the competition, our products are likely to become obsolete over time, which would harm operating results. Also, if the market is not receptive to our newly developed products, we may be unable to recover costs of research and product development and marketing, and may fail to achieve material components of our business plan.
The analytical instrumentation market is highly competitive, and our inability to compete effectively in this market would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
The analytical instrumentation market is highly competitive and we compete with many companies on a local and international level that are significantly larger than us and have greater resources, including larger sales forces and technical staff. Competitors may introduce more effective and less costly products and, in doing so, may make it difficult for us to acquire and retain customers. If this occurs, our market share may decline and operating results could suffer.
We may experience difficulties with obtaining components from sole- or limited-source suppliers, or manufacturing delays, either of which could adversely affect our results of operations.
Most raw materials, components and supplies that we purchase are available from many suppliers. However, certain items are purchased from sole or limited-source suppliers and a disruption of these sources could adversely affect our ability to ship products as needed. A prolonged inability to obtain certain materials or components would likely reduce product inventory, hinder sales and harm our reputation with customers. Worldwide demand for certain components may cause the cost of such components to rise or limit the availability of these components, which could have an adverse affect our results of operations.
We manufacture products in our facilities in Germany, the Netherlands and the United States. Any prolonged disruption to the operations at these facilities, whether due to labor unrest, supplier issues, damage to the physical plants or equipment or other reasons, could also adversely affect our results of operations.
Our executive officers and other key employees are critical to our business, they may not remain with us in the future and finding talented replacements may be difficult.
Our operations require managerial and technical expertise. Each of the executive officers and key employees located in the United States is employed “at will” and may leave our employment at any time. In addition, we operate in a variety of locations around the world where the demand for qualified personnel may be extremely high and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. As a result, competition for personnel can be intense and the turnover rate for qualified personnel may be high. The loss of any of our executive officers or key employees could cause us to incur increased operating expenses and divert senior management resources in searching for replacements. An inability to hire, train and retain sufficient numbers of qualified employees would seriously affect our ability to conduct our business.

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We may be unable to protect our intellectual property rights and may face intellectual property infringement claims.
Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to obtain patents, maintain trade secret protection and operate without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties. We cannot be certain that:
  any of our pending patent applications or any future patent applications will result in issued patents;
 
  the scope of our patent protection will exclude competitors or provide competitive advantages to us;
 
  any of our patents will be held valid if subsequently challenged; or
 
  others will not claim rights in or ownership of the patents and other proprietary rights held by us.
Furthermore, we cannot be certain that others have not or will not develop similar products, duplicate any of our products or design around any patents issued, or that may be issued, in the future to us or to our licensors. Whether or not patents are issued to us or to our licensors, others may hold or receive patents which contain claims having a scope that covers products developed by us. We could incur substantial costs in defending any patent infringement suits or in asserting any patent rights, including those granted by third parties. In addition, we may be required to obtain licenses to patents or proprietary rights from third parties. There can be no assurance that such licenses will be available on acceptance terms, if at all.
Our issued U.S. patents, and corresponding foreign patents, expire at various dates ranging from 2008 to 2024. When each of our patents expires, competitors may develop and sell products based on the same or similar technologies as those covered by the expired patent. We have invested in significant new patent applications, and we cannot be certain that any of these applications will result in an issued patent to enhance our intellectual property rights.

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
ISSUER REPURCHASES
We repurchased shares of our common stock under a systematic program to manage the dilution created by shares issued under employee stock plans and for other purposes. This program authorizes repurchases in the open market or in private transactions. We started a series of repurchase programs in 1989 with the Board of Directors authorizing future repurchases of an additional 1.5 million shares of common stock in August 2006 and 1.0 million shares of common stock in October 2008 as well as authorizing the repurchase of additional shares of common stock equal to the number of shares of common stock issued pursuant to our employee stock plans.

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The following table indicates common shares repurchased and additional shares added to the repurchase program during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2008:
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
                     
          Total     
          Number of     Maximum
          Shares     Number of
          Purchased Additional Shares that
  Total Avg. as Part of Shares May Yet Be
  Number Price Publicly Authorized Purchased
  of Shares Paid Announced for Under the
Period Purchased per Share Program Purchase(1) Program(2)
                     
January 1 – 31, 2008        6,539,844   10,000   941,591 
February 1 – 28, 2008  241,141   77.02   6,780,985   9,149   726,202 
March 1 – 31, 2008  32,558   71.52   6,813,543   2,266   695,910 
                     
          Total      
          Number of     Maximum
          Shares     Number of
          Purchased Additional Shares that
  Total Avg. as Part of Shares May Yet Be
  Number Price Publicly Authorized Purchased
  of Shares Paid Announced for Under the
Period Purchased per Share Program Purchase (1) Program (2)
July 1 — 31, 2008        7,022,508      512,081 
August 1 — 31, 2008  116,584  $68.77   7,139,092   27,027   422,524 
September 1 — 30, 2008  85,000   62.52   7,224,092   5,611   343,135 
 
(1) The number of shares represents the number of shares issued pursuant to employee stock plans that are authorized for purchase.
 
(2) The number of shares includes current repurchase of 1.5 million shares of common stock approved in August 2006 plus that number of shares of common stock equal to the number of shares issued pursuant to employee stock plans subsequent to August 2006 minus the number of shares purchased.purchased, but does not include the 1.0 million shares approved in October 2008.
DIVIDENDS
As of March 31,September 30, 2008, we havehad paid no cash dividenddividends on our common stock and we do not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future.

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EXHIBIT INDEX
Item 6. EXHIBITS
          
Exhibit        
Number Description Reference Description Reference
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed December 12, 1988  (1) Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed December 12, 1988  (1)
      
3.2 Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed December 1, 1999 (Exhibit 3.2)  (12) Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed December 1, 1999 (Exhibit 3.2)  (11)
      
3.3 Bylaws, as amended on July 29, 2002 (Exhibit 3.2)  (4) Amended and Restated Bylaws, dated August 6, 2008 (Exhibit 99.1)  (4)
      
3.4 Amendment to Bylaws, adopted on January 11, 2007 (Exhibit 3.1)  (10) Amendment to Bylaws, adopted on January 11, 2007 (Exhibit 3.1)  (10)
      
4.1 Stockholder Rights Agreement dated January 21, 1999, between Dionex Corporation and Bank Boston N.A.  (2) Stockholder Rights Agreement dated January 21, 1999, between Dionex Corporation and BankBoston N.A.  (2)
      
10.1 Medical Care Reimbursement Plan as amended October 30, 2007 (Exhibit 10.1)  (7) Medical Care Reimbursement Plan as amended October 30, 2007 (Exhibit 10.1)  (7)
      
10.2 Credit Agreement dated November 13, 2000 between Wells Fargo Bank and Dionex Corporation (Exhibit 10.15)  (3) Credit Agreement dated November 13, 2000 between Wells Fargo Bank and Dionex Corporation (Exhibit 10.15)  (3)
      
10.3 First amendment to Credit Agreement dated November 13, 2000 between Wells Fargo Bank and Dionex Corporation (Exhibit 10.17)  (5) First amendment to Credit Agreement dated November 13, 2000 between Wells Fargo Bank and Dionex Corporation (Exhibit 10.17)  (5)
      
10.4 Dionex Corporation 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended October 2006 (Exhibit 10.1)  (13) Dionex Corporation 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended October 2007 (Exhibit 10.1)  (12)
      
10.5 Form of Stock Option Agreement for non-employee directors (Exhibit 10.5)  (14) Form of Stock Option Agreement for non-employee directors (Exhibit 10.5)  (13)
      
10.6 Form of Stock Option Agreement for other than non-employee directors (Exhibit 10.6)  (14) Form of Stock Option Agreement for other than non-employee directors (Exhibit 10.6)  (13)
      
10.7 Form of Stock Unit Award Agreement (Exhibit 10.2)  (13) Form of Stock Unit Award Agreement (Exhibit 10.2)  (12)
      
10.8 Form of International Stock Option Agreement (Exhibit 10.8)  (7) Form of International Stock Option Agreement (Exhibit 10.8)  (7)
      
10.9 Employee Stock Participation Plan (Exhibit 10.13)  (6) Employee Stock Participation Plan (Exhibit 10.13)  (6)
      
10.10 Second amendment to Credit Agreement dated November 13, 2000 between Wells Fargo Bank and Dionex Corporation (Exhibit 10.1)  (8) Second amendment to Credit Agreement dated November 13, 2000 between Wells Fargo Bank and Dionex Corporation (Exhibit 10.1)  (8)
      
10.11 Change in Control Severance Benefit Plan (Exhibit 10.15)  (9) Change in Control Severance Benefit Plan, as amended August 6, 2008 (Exhibit 10.15)  (9)
      
10.12 Third amendment to Credit Agreement dated December 1, 2006 between Wells Fargo Bank and Dionex Corporation (Exhibit 10.8)  (11) Third amendment to Credit Agreement dated December 1, 2006 between Wells Fargo Bank and Dionex Corporation (Exhibit 10.8)  (10)
      
10.13 Amended Executive Employment Agreement for Lukas Braunschweiler dated January 30, 2008 (Exhibit 10.13)  (14) Amended Executive Employment Agreement for Lukas Braunschweiler dated January 30, 2008 (Exhibit 10.13)  (13)
      
10.14 Form of Stock Unit Award Agreement for U.S. employees (Exhibit 10.9)  (9)
      
10.15 Form of Stock Unit Award Agreement for International employees (Exhibit 10.10)  (9)
      
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002     Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002    
      
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002     Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002    
      
32.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002     Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002    
      
32.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002     Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002    

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(1) Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit in our Annual Report on Form 10-Q filed September 20, 1989.
 
(2) Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed February 16, 1999.
 
(3) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed February 14, 2001.
 
(4) Incorporated by reference to the indicated Exhibit 10.17 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K8-K filed August 28,11, 2002.
 
(5) Incorporated by reference to the indicated Exhibit in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 24, 2003.
 
(6) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 10, 2004.
 
(7) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit in our Form 10-Q filed November 9, 2007.
 
(8) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit in our current Report on Form 8-K filed December 22, 2004.
 
(9) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit in our QuarterlyAnnual Report on Form 10-Q10-K filed May 10, 2005.August 29, 2008.
 
(10)Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit in our Form 8-K filed January 17, 2007.
(11) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed February 9, 2007.
 
(12)(11) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit in our Form 10-K filed August 29, 2007.
 
(13)(12) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit in our Form 8-K filed October 15, 2007.
 
(14)(13) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit in our Form 10-Q filed February 8, 2008.
(14)Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit in our Form 8-K filed November 3, 2008.

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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.
       
  DIONEX CORPORATION

(Registrant)
  
       
Date: May 9,November 7, 2008
 By: /s/ Lukas Braunschweiler  
       
    Lukas Braunschweiler

President, Chief Executive Officer And Director
  
       
  By: /s/ Craig A. McCollam  
       
    Craig A. McCollam

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  

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EXHIBIT INDEX
   
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

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