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Dolby Laboratories Inc

For the period ended Dec 29, 2023. Filed Feb 2, 2024.

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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Dec 29, 2023 · Filed Feb 2, 2024

DLB$64.83+0.0%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026

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Notes to Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

  1. Basis of Presentation

Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

We have prepared the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and with SEC rules and regulations, which allow for certain information and footnote disclosures that are normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP to be condensed or omitted. In our opinion, these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2023 and include all adjustments necessary for fair presentation. The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2023, which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

The results for the fiscal quarter ended December 29, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any subsequent quarterly or annual financial period, including the fiscal year ending September 27, 2024.

Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. and our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. In addition, we have consolidated the financial results of jointly owned affiliated companies in which our principal stockholder or other entities have a noncontrolling interest. We report these noncontrolling interests as a separate line in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations as net income attributable to noncontrolling interest and in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets as a noncontrolling interest. We eliminate all intercompany accounts and transactions upon consolidation.

Operating Segments

Since we operate as a single reportable segment, all required financial segment information is included in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements. This reflects the fact that our CODM, our CEO, evaluates our financial information and resources, and assesses the performance of these resources on a consolidated basis.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.

Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include estimated shipments by our licensees for which we are owed a sales-based royalty. These estimates involve the use of historical data and judgment for several key attributes including industry estimates of expected shipments, the percentage of markets using our technologies, and average sale prices. Our estimates of royalty-based revenue also take into consideration the macroeconomic effect of global events that may impact our licensees' supply chain activities as well as demand for shipments.

Additional significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include ESPs for performance obligations within revenue arrangements; allowance for credit losses for accounts receivable; carrying values of inventories and certain PP&E, goodwill and intangible assets; fair values of investments; accrued liabilities including unrecognized tax benefits, deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and contingent liabilities; and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from our estimates.

Fiscal Year

Our fiscal year is a 52 or 53 week period ending on the last Friday in September. The fiscal periods presented herein include the 13 week period ended December 29, 2023 and December 30, 2022. Our fiscal years ending September 27, 2024 (fiscal 2024) and September 29, 2023 (fiscal 2023) each consist of 52 weeks.

  1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Concentration of Credit Risk

Our financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk principally consist of cash, cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable, and contract assets. We maintain cash, cash equivalents, and investments with multiple financial institutions that have high credit standing, and that we believe are financially sound and have minimal credit risk exposure, although at times our balances may exceed the applicable insurance coverage limits. We monitor and manage the overall counterparty credit risk exposure of our cash balances to individual financial institutions on an ongoing basis. Our investment portfolio consists of investment-grade securities diversified amongst security types, industries, and issuers. All of our securities are held in custody by large national financial institutions. Our investment policy limits the amount of credit exposure to a maximum of 5% of our total portfolio to any one issuer, except for the U.S. Treasury, and we believe no significant concentration risk exists with respect to these investments. We also mitigate counterparty risk through entering into derivative contracts with high-credit-quality financial institutions. Actual or potential defaults of one or more financial institutions could impact our results of operations or financial position, and make it challenging to find alternative qualified counterparties.

The majority of our licensing revenue is generated from customers outside of the United States ("U.S."). We manage the credit risk posed by non-U.S. customers by performing regular evaluations of the creditworthiness of our licensing customers and recognize revenue in accordance with US GAAP.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Standards Not Yet Effective

Segment Reporting. In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which enhances the disclosures required for operating segments by requiring disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss, among other expanded disclosures. This standard will be effective for annual periods beginning September 28, 2024 and interim periods beginning September 27, 2025, with early adoption permitted, and will be applied retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the standard's adoption on our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires further enhancement of income tax disclosures, primarily through standardization and disaggregation of rate reconciliation categories and income taxes paid by jurisdiction. This standard is effective for Dolby beginning September 27, 2025 on a prospective basis, but early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the standard's adoption on our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

  1. Revenue Recognition

We enter into revenue arrangements with our customers to license technologies, trademarks and patents for sound and imaging solutions, and to sell products and services. We recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control over the use of a license, product, or service to a customer.

A. Identification of the Contract or Contracts with Customers

We generally determine that a contract with a customer exists upon the execution of an agreement and after consideration of collectability, which could include an evaluation of the customer's payment history, the existence of a standby letter-of-credit between the customer’s financial institution and our financial institution, public financial information, and other factors. At contract inception, we also evaluate whether two or more non-standard agreements with a customer should be combined and accounted for as a single contract.

B. Identification of Performance Obligations in a Contract

We generate revenue principally from the following sources, which represent performance obligations in our contracts with customers:

Licensing. We license our technologies, including patents, to a range of customers who incorporate them into their products for enhanced audio and imaging functionality across broadcast, mobile, CE, PC, gaming, and other markets.

Product Sales. We design and provide audio and imaging products for the cinema, television, broadcast, and entertainment industries.

Services. We provide various services to support theatrical and television production for cinema exhibition, broadcast, and home entertainment, including equipment training, mixing room alignment, equalization, as well as audio, color and light image calibration. We also offer solutions through our platform Dolby.co to companies building real-time digital experiences that increase audience engagement. Our solution provides the capability to stream high quality audiovisual content in ultra-low latency which reduces the delay between the action and the viewer.

PCS. We provide PCS for products sold and for equipment leased, and we support the implementation of our licensing technologies in our licensees’ products.

Equipment Leases. We collaborate with established cinema exhibitors to offer Dolby Cinema, a branded premium cinema offering for movie audiences by leasing equipment and licensing our IP.

Licensing Administration Fees. We generate administrative fees for managing patent pools on behalf of third party patent owners through our subsidiary, Via Licensing Alliance LLC ("Via LA").

Some of our revenue arrangements include multiple performance obligations, such as hardware, software, support and maintenance, and extended warranty services. We evaluate whether promised products and services are distinct performance obligations.

The majority of our arrangements with multiple performance obligations pertain to our digital cinema server and processor sales that include the following distinct performance obligations to which we allocate portions of the transaction price based on their stand-alone selling price:

Digital cinema server hardware and embedded software, which is dependent on and interrelated with the hardware. Accordingly, the hardware and embedded software represent a single performance obligation.

The right to support and maintenance, which is included with the purchase of the digital cinema server hardware, is a distinct performance obligation.

The right to receive commissioning services is a distinct performance obligation within the sale of the Dolby Atmos Cinema Processor. These services consist of the review of venue designs specifying proposed speaker placement as well as calibration services performed for installed speakers to ensure optimal playback.

C. Determination of Transaction Price for Performance Obligations in a Contract

After identifying the distinct performance obligations, we determine the transaction price in accordance with the terms of the underlying executed contract which may include variable consideration such as discounts, rebates, refunds, rights of returns, and incentives. We assess and update, if necessary, the amount of variable consideration to which we are entitled for each reporting period. At the end of each reporting period, we estimate and accrue a liability for returns and adjustments as a reduction to revenue based on several factors, including past returns history.

With the exception of our sales-based royalties, we evaluate whether a significant financing component exists when we recognize revenue in advance of customer payments that occur over time. For example, some of our licensing arrangements include payment terms greater than one year from when we transfer control of our IP to a licensee and the receipt of the final payment for that IP. If a significant financing component exists, we classify a portion of the transaction price as interest income, instead of recognizing all of the transaction price as revenue. We do not adjust the transaction price for the effects of financing if, at contract inception, the period between the transfer of control to a customer and final payment is expected to be one year or less.

D. Allocation of Transaction Price to Distinct Performance Obligations in a Contract

For our sales-based royalties where the license is the predominant item to which the royalties relate, we present all revenue as licensing.

For revenue arrangements that include multiple performance obligations, we determine the stand-alone selling price for each distinct performance obligation based on the actual selling prices made to customers. If the performance obligation is not sold separately, we estimate the stand-alone selling price. We do so by considering market conditions such as competitor pricing strategies, customer specific information and industry technology lifecycles, internal conditions such as cost and pricing practices, or applying the residual approach method when the selling price of the good, most commonly a license, is highly variable or uncertain.

Once the transaction price, including any variable consideration, has been determined, we allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations identified in the contract and recognize revenue as or when control is transferred for each distinct performance obligation.

E. Revenue Recognition as Control is Transferred to a Customer

We generate our licensing revenue by licensing our technologies and patents to various types of licensees, such as chip manufacturers ("implementation licensees"), consumer product manufacturers, software vendors, and communications service providers. Our revenue recognition policies for each of these arrangements are summarized below.

Initial fees from implementation licensees. Implementation licensees incorporate our technologies into their chipsets that, once approved by Dolby, are available for purchase by OEMs for use in end-user products. Implementation licensees only pay us a nominal initial fee on contract execution as consideration for the ongoing services that we provide to assist in their implementation process. Revenue from these initial fees is recognized ratably over the contractual term as a component of licensing revenue.

Sales-based licensing fees. In our royalty bearing licensing agreements with OEMs, control is transferred upon the later of contract execution or the contract’s effective date. We apply the royalty exception, which requires that we recognize sales-based royalties when the sales occur based on our estimates. These estimates involve the use of historical data and judgment for several key attributes including industry estimates of expected shipments, the percentage of markets using our technologies, and average sale prices. Generally, our estimates represent the current period’s shipments to which we expect our licensees to submit royalty statements within the following two quarters. Upon receipt of royalty statements from the licensees with the actual reporting of sales-based royalties that we estimated previously, we record a favorable or unfavorable adjustment based on the difference, if any, between estimated and actual sales. In the first quarter of fiscal 2024, we recorded a favorable adjustment of approximately $1 million, which was primarily related to shipments that occurred in the prior two quarters.

Fixed and guaranteed licensing fees. In certain cases, our arrangements require the licensee to pay fixed, non-refundable fees. In these cases, control is transferred and fees are recognized upon the later of contract execution or the effective date. Additionally and separate from initial fees from implementation licensees, our sales- and usage-based licensing agreements include a nominal fee, which is also recognized at a point in time in which control of the IP has been transferred. Revenue from these arrangements is included as a component of licensing revenue.

Recoveries. Through compliance efforts, we identify misreported licensed activity related to non-current periods. We may record a favorable or unfavorable revenue adjustment in connection with the findings from these compliance efforts generally upon resolution with the licensee through agreement of the findings, or upon receipt of the licensee’s correction statement. Revenue from these arrangements is included as a component of licensing revenue.

We undertake activities aimed at identifying potential unauthorized uses of our technologies, which, when successful, result in the recognition of revenue. Recoveries stem from third parties who agree to remit payments to us based on past use of our technology. In these scenarios, a legally binding contract did not exist at the time of use of our technology, and therefore, we recognize revenue recoveries upon execution of the agreement as that is the point in time at which a contract exists and control is transferred. This revenue is classified as licensing revenue.

In general, we classify legal costs associated with activities aimed at identifying potential unauthorized uses of our technologies, auditing existing licensees, and on occasion, pursuing litigation as S&M in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations.

We recognize licensing revenue gross of withholding taxes, which our licensees remit directly to their local tax authorities, and for which we receive a partial foreign tax credit in our income tax provision.

In addition to our licensing arrangements, we also enter into arrangements to deliver products and services.

Product Sales. Revenue from the sale of products is recognized when the customer obtains control of the promised good or service, which is generally upon shipment. Payments are generally made within 90 days of sale.

Services. We provide various services, such as engineering services related to movie soundtrack print mastering, equipment training and maintenance, mixing room alignment, equalization, and image calibration, which we bill on a fixed fee and time and materials basis. Most of these services are of a short duration and are recognized as control of the performance obligations are transferred which is when the related services are performed.

Cloud Services. We provide access to audio and video APIs through our developer platform as well as cloud encoding services, generally, on either a consumption or subscription basis. Revenue related to cloud services provided on a consumption basis is recognized when the customer utilizes the services, based on the quantity of services consumed. Revenue related to cloud services provided on a subscription basis is recognized ratably over the contract term as the customer receives and consumes the benefits of the cloud services.

Collaborative Arrangements. We collaborate with established cinema exhibitors to offer Dolby Cinema, a branded premium cinema offering for movie audiences. Under such collaborations, Dolby and the exhibitor are both active participants, and share the risks and rewards associated with the business. Accordingly, these collaborations are governed by revenue sharing arrangements under which Dolby receives revenue based on box office receipts, reported to Dolby by exhibitor partners on a monthly or quarterly basis, our proprietary designs and trademarks as well as for the use of our equipment at the exhibitor's venue. The use of our product solution meets the definition of a lease, and for the related portion of Dolby's share of revenue, we apply ASC 842, Leases, and recognize revenue based on monthly box office reports from exhibitors. Our revenue share is recognized as licensing revenue in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations.

In addition, we also enter into hybrid agreements where a portion of our revenue share involves guaranteed payments, which in some cases result in classifying the arrangement as a sales-type lease. In such arrangements, we consider control to transfer at the point in time to which we have installed and tested the equipment, at which point we record such guaranteed payments as product revenue.

Licensing Administration Fee. We generate administrative fees for managing patent pools on behalf of third party patent owners through our subsidiary, Via LA. As an agent to licensors in the patent pool, Via LA receives a share of the sales-based royalty that the patent pool licensors earn from licensees. As such, we apply the sales-based royalty exception as the service provided is directly related to the patent pool licensors’ provision of IP, which results in recognition based on estimates of the licensee’s quarter shipments that use the pool’s patents. In addition to sales-based royalties, Via LA also has contracts where the fees are fixed. The revenue share Via LA receives from licensors on fixed fee contracts is recognized over the term in which we are providing services associated with the fixed fee contract. We recognize our administrative fees net of the consideration paid to the patent licensors in the pool as licensing revenue.

Deferred revenue, which is a component of contract liabilities, represents amounts that are ultimately expected to be recognized as revenue, but for which we have yet to satisfy the performance obligation. As of December 29, 2023, we had $70.4 million of remaining performance obligations,39% of which we expect to recognize as revenue in fiscal 2024,23% in fiscal 2025, and the balance of 38% in fiscal years beyond 2025.

F. Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table presents a summary of the composition of our revenue for all periods presented (in thousands, except percentage amounts):

Fiscal Quarter Ended
Revenue · December 29, 2023 · December 30, 2022
Licensing$293,76793%$308,01192%
Products and services21,8077%26,9108%
Total revenue$315,574100%$334,921100%

The following table presents the composition of our licensing revenue for all periods presented (in thousands, except percentage amounts):

Fiscal Quarter Ended
Market · December 29, 2023 · December 30, 2022
Broadcast$112,41638%$117,33438%
Mobile35,28712%64,28621%
CE53,22018%55,08318%
PC29,67910%24,2868%
Other63,16522%47,02215%
Total licensing revenue$293,767100%$308,011100%

We license our technologies in approximately 70 countries, and our licensees distribute products that incorporate our technologies throughout the world. We generate the majority of our revenue from outside the U.S. Geographic data for our licensing revenue is based on the location of our licensees’ headquarters, products revenue is based on the destination to which we ship our products, and services revenue is based on the location where services are performed. The following table presents the composition of our revenue by geographic location for all periods presented (in thousands, except percentage amounts):

Fiscal Quarter Ended
Geographic Location · December 29, 2023 · December 30, 2022
United States$115,18537%$100,26230%
International200,38963%234,65970%
Total revenue$315,574100%$334,921100%

G. Contract Balances

Our contract assets represent rights to consideration from licensees for the use of our IP that we have estimated in a given period in the absence of receiving actual royalty statements from licensees. These estimates reflect our best judgment at that time, and are developed using a number of inputs, including historical data, industry estimates of expected shipments, anticipated sales price and performance, and third party data supporting the percentage of markets using our technologies. In the event that our estimates differ from actual amounts reported, we record an adjustment in the quarter in which the royalty statement is received, which is typically the quarter following our estimate. Actual amounts reported are typically paid within 60 days following the end of the quarter of shipment. The main drivers for change in the contract assets account are variances in quarterly estimates, and to a lesser degree, timing of receipt of actual royalty statements.

Our contract liabilities consist of advance payments and billings in advance of performance and deferred revenue that is typically satisfied within one year. The non-current portion of contract liabilities is separately disclosed in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets. We present the net contract asset or liability when we have both contract assets and contract liabilities for a single contract. We recognized $12.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 from prior period deferred revenue.

The following table presents a summary of the balances to which contract assets and liabilities related to revenue are recorded for all periods presented (in thousands, except percentage amounts):

December 29, 2023September 29, 2023Change ($)Change (%)
Accounts receivable, net$293,228$262,245$30,98312%
Contract assets, net217,559182,13035,42919%
Contract liabilities - current33,40431,5051,8996%
Contract liabilities - non-current36,99439,997(3,003)(8)%
  1. Composition of Certain Financial Statement Captions

The following tables present detailed information from our unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 29, 2023 and September 29, 2023 (in thousands).

Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets

December 29,2023September 29,2023
Trade accounts receivable$111,027$137,820
Accounts receivable from patent administration program licensees189,629134,108
Contract assets217,667182,268
Accounts receivable and contract assets, gross518,323454,196
Less: allowance for credit losses on accounts receivable and contract assets(7,536)(9,821)
Total accounts receivable and contract assets, net$510,787$444,375

Accounts receivable as of December 29, 2023 and September 29, 2023, respectively, includes unbilled accounts receivable balances of $132.9 million and $150.4 million, related to amounts that are contractually owed. The unbilled balance represents our unconditional right to consideration related to fixed fee contracts which we are entitled to as a result of satisfying, or partially satisfying, performance obligations, as well as Via LA's unconditional right to consideration related to its patent administration programs.

Allowance for Credit LossesBeginning BalanceCharges/(Credits) to S&M and G&AAdditions/(Deductions)Ending Balance
For fiscal year-to-date period ended:
September 29, 2023$14,405$(793)$(2,643)$10,969
December 29, 202310,969(2,101)(233)8,635

Allowance for credit losses includes the provision for estimated credit losses on our sales-type leases, which was not material as of December 29, 2023 and September 29, 2023.

Inventories

December 29,2023September 29,2023
Raw materials$4,375$6,203
Work in process5,3213,972
Finished goods27,87225,448
Total inventories$37,568$35,623

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Inventory with a consumption period expected to exceed twelve months is recorded within other non-current assets in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets. We have included $13.8 million and $8.1 million of inventory within non-current assets as of December 29, 2023 and September 29, 2023, respectively. Based on anticipated inventory consumption rates, and aside from existing write-downs due to excess inventory, we do not believe that material risk of obsolescence exists prior to ultimate sale.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

December 29,2023September 29,2023
Prepaid expenses$27,699$24,435
Other current assets25,82026,257
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets$53,519$50,692

Accrued Liabilities

December 29,2023September 29,2023
Amounts payable to patent administration program partners$171,639$150,509
Accrued compensation and benefits79,384118,728
Accrued professional fees17,13118,632
Unpaid property, plant, and equipment additions18,11618,002
Accrued customer refunds3,4793,878
Accrued market development funds4,4365,010
Other accrued liabilities33,00136,640
Total accrued liabilities$327,186$351,399

Other Non-Current Liabilities

December 29,2023September 29,2023
Supplemental retirement plan obligations$4,385$4,302
Non-current tax liabilities (1)77,16574,482
Other liabilities26,26029,555
Total other non-current liabilities$107,810$108,339

(1) Refer to Note 12 "Income Taxes" for additional information related to our tax liabilities.

  1. Investments and Fair Value Measurements

We use cash holdings to purchase investment-grade securities diversified among security types, industries, and issuers. All of our investments in debt securities are measured at fair value, and are recorded within cash equivalents and both short-term and long-term investments in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets. With the exception of our mutual fund investments held in our SERP and classified as trading securities and our other long-term investments, all of our investments are classified as AFS securities. Derivative contracts are used to hedge currency risk, and these are carried at fair value and classified as other assets and other liabilities.

Our investments in debt securities consist of corporate bonds, government bonds, municipal debt securities, commercial paper, and U.S. agency securities. In addition, our cash and cash equivalents also consist of highly-liquid money market funds and government bonds. Consistent with our investment policy, none of our municipal debt investments are supported by letters of credit or standby purchase agreements. Our cash and investment portfolio consisted of the following (in thousands):

December 29, 2023
Cost · Unrealized · Estimated Fair Value
Gains · Losses · Total · Level 1 · Level 2 · Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash$643,276$—$—$643,276$643,276$—$—
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds3,557——3,5573,557——
Government Bonds9,9794—9,9839,983——
Cash and cash equivalents656,8124—656,816656,816——
Short-term investments:
U.S. agency securities3,8921—3,893—3,893—
Government bonds43,99819(503)43,51440,9042,610—
Commercial paper9,5135—9,518—9,518—
Corporate bonds68,50330(276)68,257—68,257—
Municipal debt securities15,7492(110)15,641—15,641—
Short-term investments141,65557(889)140,82340,90499,919—
Long-term investments:
Government bonds31,16882(194)31,05631,056——
Corporate bonds38,068212(196)38,084—38,084—
Municipal debt securities11,79262(40)11,814—11,814—
Other investments (1)11,922——11,922———
Long-term investments92,950356(430)92,87631,05649,898—
Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments$891,417$417$(1,319)$890,515$728,776$149,817$—
Investments held in supplemental retirement plan:
Assets$4,483$—$—$4,483$4,483$—$—
Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other non-current assets
Liabilities$4,483$—$—$4,483$4,483$—$—
Included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities
Currency derivatives as hedge instruments:
Assets: Included in other current assets$—$2,829$—$2,829$—$2,829$—

(1)Other investments as of December 29, 2023 is primarily comprised of an equity method investment of $6.5 million and an equity security without a readily determinable fair value, valued at $5.0 million. The equity method investment is measured at cost minus impairment, if any, adjusted for our proportionate share of the investee's net income or loss. Our share of the equity method investee's net income or loss is included in other income/(expense), net on the unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations. Our share of the equity method investee's net income was $3.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and wasnot material in the first quarter of fiscal 2023.

September 29, 2023
Cost · Unrealized · Estimated Fair Value
Gains · Losses · Total · Level 1 · Level 2 · Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash$602,288$—$—$602,288$602,288$—$—
Cash equivalents:
Commercial paper1,514——1,514—1,514—
Money market funds139,831——139,831139,831——
Government Bonds1,731——1,7311,731——
Cash and cash equivalents745,364——745,364743,8501,514—
Short-term investments:
Certificate of deposit530——530—530—
U.S. agency securities5,9561(7)5,950—5,950—
Government bonds50,2203(384)49,83946,2463,593—
Commercial paper5,843—(3)5,840—5,840—
Corporate bonds61,803—(431)61,372—61,372—
Municipal debt securities15,801—(184)15,617—15,617—
Short-term investments140,1534(1,009)139,14846,24692,902—
Long-term investments:
Government bonds33,227—(1,046)32,18132,181——
Corporate bonds39,0576(589)38,474—38,474—
Municipal debt securities16,137—(224)15,913—15,913—
Other investments (1)11,244——11,244———
Long-term investments99,6656(1,859)97,81232,18154,387—
Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments$985,182$10$(2,868)$982,324$822,277$148,803$—
Investments held in supplemental retirement plan:
Assets$4,400$—$—$4,400$4,400$—$—
Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other non-current assets
Liabilities$4,400$—$—$4,400$4,400$—$—
Included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities
Currency derivatives as hedge instruments:
Assets: Included in other current assets$—$144$—$144$—$144$—
Assets: included in other non-current assets—2—2—2—
Liabilities: Included in other accrued liabilities——(618)(618)—(618)—
Liabilities: Included in other non-current liabilities——(24)(24)—(24)—

(1)Other investments as of September 29, 2023 is comprised of an equity method investment of $5.9 million and an equity security without a readily determinable fair value, valued at $5.0 million.

Fair Value Hierarchy. Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We minimize the use of unobservable inputs and use observable market data, if available, when determining fair value. We classify our inputs to measure fair value using the following three-level hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets at the measurement date for identical assets and liabilities. We base the fair value of our Level 1 financial instruments, which are traded in active markets, using quoted market prices for identical instruments.

Level 2: Prices may be based upon quoted prices in active markets or inputs not quoted on active markets but are corroborated by market data. We obtain the fair value of our Level 2 financial instruments from a professional pricing service, which may use quoted market prices for identical or comparable instruments, or model driven valuations using observable market data or inputs corroborated by observable market data. To validate the fair value determination provided by our primary pricing service, we perform quality controls over values received which include comparing our pricing service provider’s assessment of the fair values of our investment securities against the fair values of our investment securities obtained from another independent source, reviewing the pricing movement in the context of overall market trends, and reviewing trading information from our investment managers. In addition, we assess the inputs and methods used in determining the fair value in order to determine the classification of securities in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the currency derivatives are calculated from market spot rates, forward rates, interest rates, and credit ratings at the end of the period.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available and reflect management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Securities In Gross Unrealized Loss Position. We periodically evaluate our investments for impairment by comparing the fair value with the cost basis for each of our investment securities. The unrealized losses on our AFS securities were primarily the result of unfavorable changes in interest rates subsequent to the initial purchase of these securities. The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and fair value for those AFS securities that were in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months and for greater than twelve months as of December 29, 2023 and September 29, 2023 (in thousands):

December 29, 2023 · September 29, 2023
Less Than 12 MonthsGreater Than 12 MonthsLess Than 12 MonthsGreater Than 12 Months
Investment TypeFair ValueGross Unrealized LossesFair ValueGross Unrealized LossesFair ValueGross Unrealized LossesFair ValueGross Unrealized Losses
U.S. agency securities$—$—$—$—$853$(7)$—$—
Government bonds12,250(67)30,457(629)26,756(247)40,235(1,183)
Commercial paper————5,840(3)——
Corporate bonds36,002(137)19,546(335)79,846(461)14,634(558)
Municipal debt securities8,222(52)6,246(98)23,365(203)8,166(206)
Total$56,474$(256)$56,249$(1,062)$136,660$(921)$63,035$(1,947)

Although we had certain securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of December 29, 2023 and September 29, 2023, we expect to recover the full carrying value of these securities.

Investment Maturities. The following table summarizes the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the AFS securities within our investment portfolio based on stated maturities as of December 29, 2023 and September 29, 2023, which are recorded within cash equivalents and both short and long-term investments in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

December 29, 2023September 29, 2023
Range of maturityAmortized CostFair ValueAmortized CostFair Value
Due within 1 year$171,054$170,477$283,229$282,225
Due in 1 to 2 years45,23144,73567,67966,075
Due in 2 to 5 years19,93320,10520,74320,493
Total$236,218$235,317$371,651$368,793
  1. Property, Plant, and Equipment

PP&E are recorded at cost, with depreciation expense included in cost of licensing, cost of products and services, R&D, S&M, and G&A expenses in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations.

As of December 29, 2023 and September 29, 2023, PP&E consisted of the following (in thousands):

Property, Plant, and EquipmentDecember 29,2023September 29,2023
Land$41,959$41,902
Buildings and building improvements288,199287,799
Leasehold improvements81,98579,988
Machinery and equipment153,976152,675
Computer equipment and software235,778233,224
Furniture and fixtures33,04632,629
Equipment provided under operating leases216,592211,910
Construction-in-progress19,80418,327
Property, plant, and equipment, gross1,071,3391,058,454
Less: accumulated depreciation(592,018)(576,873)
Property, plant, and equipment, net$479,321$481,581
  1. Leases

As Lessee

As a lessee, we enter into contracts to access and utilize office space, including those payable to our principal stockholder and portions attributable to the noncontrolling interests in our consolidated subsidiaries. The following table presents the maturity analysis of lease liabilities (in thousands):

December 29, 2023
Operating Leases
Remainder of Fiscal 2024$13,226
Fiscal 202512,861
Fiscal 20268,253
Fiscal 20276,229
Fiscal 20285,991
Thereafter11,358
Total undiscounted lease payments57,918
Less: imputed interest(10,677)
Total lease liabilities$47,241

As Lessor

As a lessor, we lease our Dolby Cinema product solution to exhibitors. The terms of these leases are typically 10 years. Lease components consist of fixed payments and/or variable lease payments based on contracted percentages of revenue. Generally, leases do not grant any right to the lessee to purchase the underlying asset at the end of the lease term. Dolby Cinema lease arrangements have options to extend the lease term at expiration by increments ranging from 1 to 5 years.

Assets provided under an operating lease are carried at cost within property, plant, and equipment, net on the unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets, and depreciated over the useful life of the asset using the straight-line method. Fixed operating lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term to revenue. Variable lease payments received under our Dolby Cinema operating leases are computed as shares of lessees' box office revenue and recognized to revenue in the period that box office sales occur. Lease incentive payments we make to lessees are amortized as a reduction in revenue over the lease term. The components of lease income were as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Quarter Ended
December 29, 2023December 30, 2022
Operating Lease Income
Variable operating lease income$6,315$6,328
Fixed operating lease income812747

If a lease is classified as a sales-type lease, the carrying amount of the asset is derecognized from property, plant, and equipment, net, and a net investment in the lease is recorded. The net investment in the lease is measured at commencement date as the sum of the lease receivable and the estimated residual value of the equipment. The unguaranteed residual value of the equipment is determined as the estimated carrying value of the asset at the end of the lease term had the asset been depreciated on a straight-line basis. The unguaranteed residual value of sales-type leases was $1.0 million and $1.0 million as of December 29, 2023 and September 29, 2023, respectively. Selling profit or loss arising from a sales-type lease is recorded at lease commencement and presented on a gross basis. Over the term of the lease, we recognize interest income on the net investment in the lease, and variable lease payments, which are not included in the net investment in the lease. The variable lease payments are not material.

The following table presents the maturity analysis of fixed lease payments due to Dolby (in thousands):

December 29, 2023
Operating Leases · Sales-Type Leases
Remainder of Fiscal 2024$990$620
Fiscal 20251,110620
Fiscal 2026931220
Fiscal 2027—220
Fiscal 2028—220
Total undiscounted cash flows$3,0311,900
Less: Carrying value of lease receivables(621)
Difference$1,279
  1. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The following table outlines changes to the carrying amount of goodwill (in thousands):

Goodwill
Balance at September 29, 2023$408,409
Translation adjustments2,026
Balance at December 29, 2023$410,435

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are stated at their original cost less accumulated amortization, and principally consist of acquired patents, technology, customer relationships and contracts, and trademarks. Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following (in thousands):

December 29, 2023September 29, 2023
Intangible Assets, NetCostAccumulatedAmortizationNetCostAccumulatedAmortizationNet
Acquired patents and technology$351,096$(276,316)$74,780$350,406$(270,750)$79,656
Customer relationships148,817(63,723)85,094148,794(61,049)87,745
Other intangible assets22,811(22,791)2022,781(22,755)26
Total$522,724$(362,830)$159,894$521,981$(354,554)$167,427

There were no purchases of intangible assets during the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and during the first quarter of fiscal 2023.

Amortization expense for our intangible assets is included in cost of licensing, cost of products and services, R&D, S&M, and G&A expenses in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations. Amortization expense was $7.5 million and $6.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of December 29, 2023, expected amortization expense of our intangible assets in future fiscal periods was as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal YearAmortization Expense
Remainder of 2024$22,569
202515,812
202615,293
202714,773
202814,614
Thereafter76,833
Total$159,894
  1. Stockholders' Equity and Stock-Based Compensation

We provide stock-based awards as a form of compensation for employees, officers, and directors. We issue stock-based awards in the form of stock options and RSUs under our equity incentive plans, as well as shares under our ESPP.

Common Stock - Class A and Class B

Our Board of Directors has authorized two classes of common stock, Class A and Class B. As of December 29, 2023, we had authorized 500,000,000 Class A shares and 500,000,000 Class B shares. As of December 29, 2023, we had 59,765,465 shares of Class A common stock and 36,085,779 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding. Holders of our Class A and Class B common stock have identical rights, except that holders of our Class A common stock are entitled toone vote per share and holders of our Class B common stock are entitled toten votes per share. Shares of Class B common stock can be converted to shares of Class A common stock at any time at the option of the stockholder and automatically convert upon sale or transfer, except for certain transfers specified in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

Stock Incentive Plans

Our 2020 Stock Plan originally was adopted by our Board of Directors and shareholders in 2005 (when the 2020 Stock Plan was called the 2005 Stock Plan). Our stockholders last approved amendments to the 2020 Stock Plan at our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders. Our 2020 Stock Plan, as amended and restated, provides for the ability to grant incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, RSUs, stock appreciation rights, deferred stock units, performance units, performance bonus awards, and performance shares. A total of 64.0 million shares of our Class A common stock have been authorized for issuance under the 2020 Stock Plan in total since inception of the plan. Any shares subject to an award with a per share price less than the fair market value of our Class A common stock on the date of grant and any shares subject to an outstanding RSU award will be counted against the authorized share reserve as 1.6 shares for every one share subject to the award, and if returned to the 2020 Stock Plan, such shares will be counted as 1.6 shares for every one share returned.

Stock Options. Stock options are granted at fair market value on the date of grant. Options generally vest over four years, with 25% of the options becoming exercisable on theone-year anniversary of the date of grant and the balance of the shares vesting in equal monthly installments over the following 36 months. These options expire on the earlier often years after the date of grant orthree months after termination of service. All options granted vest over the requisite service period and upon the exercise of stock options, we issue new shares of Class A common stock under the 2020 Stock Plan. Our 2020 Stock Plan also allows us to grant stock awards which vest based on the satisfaction of specific performance criteria.

Performance-Based Stock Options. From fiscal 2016 through fiscal 2019, we granted PSOs to certain officers with shares of our Class A common stock underlying such options. The contractual term for the PSOs wasseven years, with vesting contingent upon market-based performance conditions, representing the achievement of specified Dolby annualized TSR targets at the end of athree-year measurement period following the date of grant. Anywhere from 0% to 125% of the shares subject to a PSO vested based on achievement of the performance conditions at the end of thethree-year performance period.

In valuing the PSOs, which are recognized as compensation cost, we used a Monte Carlo valuation model. Aside from the use of an expected term for the PSOs commensurate with their shorter contractual term, the nature of the valuation inputs used in the Monte Carlo valuation model were consistent with those used to value our non-performance based options granted under the 2020 Stock Plan. Compensation cost is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

As of December 29, 2023, an aggregate of 249,228 shares of PSOs were exercisable and outstanding.

The following table summarizes information about stock options, including PSOs, issued under our 2020 Stock Plan:

SharesWeighted-AverageExercise PriceWeighted-AverageRemainingContractual LifeAggregateIntrinsicValue (1)
(in thousands) · (in years) · (in thousands)
Options outstanding as of September 29, 20233,720$66.13
Grants27187.49
Exercises(203)52.25
Forfeitures and cancellations(1)53.72
Options outstanding as of December 29, 20233,78768.455.29$70,079
Options vested and expected to vest as of December 29, 20233,62568.115.2069,672
Options exercisable as of December 29, 20232,913$64.434.4465,763

(1)Aggregate intrinsic value is based on the closing stock price of our Class A common stock on December 29, 2023 of $86.18 and excludes the impact of options that were not in-the-money.

Restricted Stock Units. In fiscal 2008, we began granting RSUs to certain directors, officers and employees. RSU awards granted to employees and officers generally vest over four years, with cliff-vesting. Awards granted to ongoing non-employee directors generally vest over approximatelyone year. Awards granted to new non-employee directors from fiscal 2014 onward vest on the earlier of the first anniversary of the award’s date of grant, or the day immediately preceding the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders that occurs after the award’s date of grant. At each vesting date, the holder of the award is issued shares of our Class A common stock. Compensation expense from these awards is equal to the adjusted fair market value of our Class A common stock on the date of grant, discounted to account for dividend payments forgone during the vesting period, and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Certain grants may have other vesting conditions or other award terms as approved by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Our 2020 Stock Plan also allows us to grant RSUs that vest based on the satisfaction of specific performance criteria.

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units. In fiscal 2020, we began granting PSUs to certain officers with shares of our Class A common stock underlying such awards. The terms of the PSU Agreement adopted in the first quarter fiscal 2020 provide for the grant of PSUs to certain officers contingent on Dolby's achievement of annualized TSR targets measured against a comparator index over athree-year performance period following the date of grant. Anywhere from 0% to 200% of eligible restricted stock units may vest based on achievement of the performance conditions at the end of thethree-year performance period. The value of the PSUs, which is recognized as compensation cost, is calculated using a Monte Carlo valuation model. Compensation cost is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Certain grants may have other vesting conditions or other award terms as approved by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors.

The following table summarizes information on PSUs granted to our officers that have not vested as of December 29, 2023:

Aggregate Shares GrantedPotential Shares at Vest Date (at 200% of Target)
December 15, 202160,301120,602
December 15, 202290,613181,226
December 15, 202377,283154,566

On December 16, 2019, we granted PSUs to our executive officers for an aggregate of 62,000 shares, which vested in December 2022 at 81% of the target award amount. On December 15, 2020, we granted PSUs to our executive officers for an aggregate of 66,138 shares, which vested in December 2023 at 80% of the target award amount. As of December 29, 2023, PSUs which would vest for an aggregate of 228,197 shares at the target award amount (456,394 shares at 200% of the target award amount) were outstanding.

The following table summarizes information about RSUs, including PSUs, issued under our 2020 Stock Plan:

SharesWeighted-AverageGrant DateFair Value
(in thousands)
Non-vested as of September 29, 20233,747$78.62
Granted1,59084.24
Vested(1,120)78.58
Forfeitures(190)81.37
Non-vested as of December 29, 20234,027$80.72

Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Our ESPP originally was adopted by our Board of Directors and shareholders in 2005. Our stockholders last approved amendments to the ESPP at our 2023 annual meeting of stockholders. The ESPP allows eligible employees to have up to 10 percent of their eligible compensation withheld and used to purchase Class A common stock, subject to a maximum of $25,000 worth of stock purchased in a calendar year or no more than 1,000 shares in an offering period, whichever is less. An offering period consists of successivesix-month purchase periods, with a look back feature to our stock price at the commencement of aone-year offering period. The plan provides for a discount equal to 15 percent of the lower of the closing price of our Class A common stock on the NYSE on the first day of the offering period and the last day of the purchase period. The plan also includes an automatic reset feature that provides for an offering period to be reset and recommenced to a new lower-priced offering if the offering price of a new offering period is less than that of the immediately preceding offering period. A total of 5.5 million shares of our Class A common stock have been authorized for issuance under the ESPP since inception of the plan.

Stock Option Valuation Assumptions

We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the estimated fair value of employee stock options at the date of the grant. The Black-Scholes model includes inputs that require us to make certain estimates and assumptions regarding the expected term of the award, as well as the future risk-free interest rate, and the volatility of our stock price over the expected term of the award.

Expected Term. The expected term of an award represents the estimated period of time that options granted will remain outstanding, and is measured from the grant date to the date at which the option is either exercised or canceled. Our determination of the expected term involves an evaluation of historical terms and other factors such as the exercise and termination patterns of our employees who hold options to acquire our Class A common stock, and is based on certain assumptions made regarding the future exercise and termination behavior.

Risk-Free Interest Rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield curve of U.S. Treasury instruments in effect on the date of grant. In determining an estimate for the risk-free interest rate, we use average interest rates based on these instruments’ constant maturities with a term that approximates and corresponds with the expected term of our awards.

Expected Stock Price Volatility. The expected volatility represents the estimated volatility in the price of our Class A common stock over a time period that approximates the expected term of the awards. The expected volatility has historically been determined using a blended combination of historical and implied volatility, but is currently being determined using historical volatility only. Historical volatility is representative of the historical trends in our stock price for periods preceding the measurement date for a period that is commensurate with the expected term. Implied volatility is based upon externally traded option contracts of our Class A common stock.

Dividend Yield. The dividend yield is based on our anticipated dividend payout over the expected term of our option awards. Dividend declarations and the establishment of future record and payment dates are subject to the Board of Directors’ continuing determination that the dividend policy is in the best interests of our stockholders. The dividend policy may be changed or canceled at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time.

The weighted-average assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of our stock options were as follows:

Fiscal Quarter Ended
December 29,2023December 30,2022
Expected term (in years)4.864.82
Risk-free interest rate3.9%3.6%
Expected stock price volatility29.4%29.4%
Dividend yield1.4%1.6%

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Stock-based compensation expense for equity awards granted to employees is determined by estimating their fair value on the date of grant, and recognizing that value as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period in which our employees earn the awards. Compensation expense related to these equity awards is recognized net of estimated forfeitures, which reduce the expense recorded in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations. The selection of applicable estimated forfeiture rates is based on an evaluation of trends in our historical forfeiture data with consideration for other potential driving factors. If in subsequent periods actual forfeitures significantly differ from our initial estimates, we will revise such estimates accordingly.

The following two tables separately present stock-based compensation expense both by award type and classification in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):

Expense - By Award Type

Fiscal Quarter Ended
December 29,2023December 30,2022
Compensation expense
Stock options$2,125$2,405
Restricted stock units (1) (2)29,01627,552
Employee stock purchase plan7531,283
Total stock-based compensation31,89431,240
Estimated benefit from income taxes(4,999)(4,702)
Total stock-based compensation, net of tax$26,895$26,538

(1)Stock-based compensation expense incurred by restricted stock units includes expense from PSUs.

(2)Excludes $0.1 million and $0.3 million of capitalized stock-based compensation related to internal-use software in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, respectively.

Expense - By Income Statement Line Item Classification

Fiscal Quarter Ended
December 29,2023December 30,2022
Compensation expense
Cost of products and services$410$503
Research and development10,10610,676
Sales and marketing10,48110,727
General and administrative10,8979,334
Total stock-based compensation31,89431,240
Estimated benefit from income taxes(4,999)(4,702)
Total stock-based compensation, net of tax$26,895$26,538

The tax benefit that we recognize from shares issued under our ESPP is excluded from the tables above. The tax benefit recognized was not material in the first quarters of fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023.

Unrecognized Compensation Expense. As of December 29, 2023, total unrecognized compensation expense associated with employee stock options expected to vest was approximately $15.1 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.9 years. As of December 29, 2023, total unrecognized compensation expense associated with RSUs expected to vest was approximately $263.7 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.9 years.

Common Stock Repurchase Program

In November 2009, we announced a stock repurchase program, providing for the repurchase of our Class A common stock. The following table summarizes the initial amount of authorized repurchases as well as additional repurchases approved by our Board of Directors as of December 29, 2023 (in thousands):

Date of AuthorizationAuthorization Amount
Fiscal 2010: November 2009$250,000
Fiscal 2010: July 2010300,000
Fiscal 2011: July 2011250,000
Fiscal 2012: February 2012100,000
Fiscal 2015: October 2014200,000
Fiscal 2017: January 2017200,000
Fiscal 2018: July 2018350,000
Fiscal 2019: July 2019350,000
Fiscal 2021: July 2021350,000
Fiscal 2022: February 2022250,000
Fiscal 2022: August 2022350,000
Total$2,950,000

Stock repurchases under the program may be made through open market transactions, negotiated purchases, or otherwise, at times and in amounts that we consider appropriate. The timing of repurchases and the number of shares repurchased depend upon a variety of factors, including price, regulatory requirements, the rate of dilution from our equity compensation plans, and other market conditions. The program does not have a specified expiration date, and can be limited, suspended, or terminated at our discretion at any time without prior notice. Shares repurchased under the program will be returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Class A common stock. As of December 29, 2023, the remaining authorization to purchase additional shares was $131.6 million.

The following table provides information regarding share repurchase activity under the program during fiscal 2024:

Quarterly Repurchase ActivitySharesRepurchasedCost (1)Average Price Paid Per Share (2)
(in thousands)
Q1 - Quarter ended December 29, 2023967,789$80,002$82.66
Total967,789$80,002

(1)Cost of share repurchases includes the price paid per share, and excludes commission costs.

(2)Average price paid per share excludes commission costs.

Dividend Program

The following table summarizes dividends declared under the program during fiscal 2024:

Fiscal Period · Announcement Date · Record Date · Payment Date · Cash Dividend Per Common Share · Dividend Payment
Q1 - Quarter ended December 29, 2023February 1, 2024February 13, 2024February 22, 2024$0.30$28.8 million(1)

(1)The dividend payment amount for the dividend declared in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 is estimated based on the number of shares of our Class A and Class B common stock that we estimate will be outstanding as of the Record Date.

  1. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Other comprehensive income/loss consists of three components: unrealized gains or losses on our AFS marketable investment securities, gains and losses on derivatives in cash flow hedge relationships not yet recognized in earnings, and the gains and losses from the translation of assets and liabilities denominated in non-U.S. dollar functional currencies. Until realized and reported as a component of net income, these comprehensive income items accumulate and are included within accumulated other comprehensive loss, a subsection within stockholders’ equity in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets. Unrealized gains and losses on our investment securities are reclassified from AOCI into earnings when realized upon sale, and are determined based on specific identification of securities sold. Unrealized gains and losses on our cash flow hedges are reclassified from AOCI into earnings when the hedged operating expenses are recognized, which is also when the gains and losses are realized.

The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balances during the period, and includes information regarding the manner in which the reclassifications out of AOCI into earnings affect our unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):

Fiscal Quarter EndedDecember 29, 2023
Investment SecuritiesCash Flow HedgesCurrency Translation AdjustmentsTotal
Beginning Balance$(2,858)$(197)$(33,929)$(36,984)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications:
Unrealized gains2,0112,587—4,598
Foreign currency translation gains (1)——11,50911,509
Income tax effect - expense—(648)—(648)
Net of tax2,0111,93911,50915,459
Amounts reclassified from AOCI into earnings:
Realized gains/(losses) (2)(67)188—121
Income tax effect - benefit/(expense) (3)12(36)—(24)
Net of tax(55)152—97
Net current-period other comprehensive income1,9562,09111,50915,556
Ending Balance$(902)$1,894$(22,420)$(21,428)
Fiscal Quarter EndedDecember 30, 2022
Investment SecuritiesCash Flow HedgesCurrency Translation AdjustmentsTotal
Beginning Balance$(5,986)$(4,483)$(41,172)$(51,641)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications:
Unrealized gains1,5325,180—6,712
Foreign currency translation gains (1)——14,07814,078
Net of tax1,5325,18014,07820,790
Amounts reclassified from AOCI into earnings:
Realized losses (2)(213)(1,004)—(1,217)
Income tax effect - benefit (3)37156—193
Net of tax(176)(848)—(1,024)
Net current-period other comprehensive income1,3564,33214,07819,766
Ending Balance$(4,630)$(151)$(27,094)$(31,875)

(1)The foreign currency translation gains during the first quarter of fiscal 2024 and during the first quarter of fiscal 2023 were primarily due to the strengthening of other foreign currencies as compared to the U.S. dollar.

(2)Realized gains or losses, if any, from the sale of our AFS investment securities or from foreign currency translation adjustments are included within other income/(expense), net in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains or losses on foreign currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges are included in operating expenses in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations.

(3)The income tax benefit or expense is included within provision for income taxes in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations.

  1. Earnings Per Share

Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. by the number of weighted-average shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding during the period. Through application of the treasury stock method, diluted EPS is computed in the same manner, except that the number of weighted-average shares outstanding is increased by the number of potentially dilutive shares from employee incentive plans during the period.

Basic and diluted EPS are computed independently for each fiscal quarter and year-to-date period, which involves the use of different weighted-average share count figures relating to quarterly and annual periods. As a result, and after factoring the effect of rounding to the nearest cent per share, the sum of all four quarter-to-date EPS figures may not equal year-to-date EPS.

Potentially dilutive shares represent the hypothetical number of incremental shares issuable under the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options (both vested and unvested) and vesting of outstanding RSUs. The calculation of dilutive shares outstanding excludes securities that would have an antidilutive effect on EPS.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Fiscal Quarter Ended
December 29,2023December 30,2022
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.$66,981$79,375
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic95,37695,905
Potential common shares from options to purchase common stock755533
Potential common shares from restricted stock units1,289566
Potential common shares from employee stock purchase plan1943
Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted97,43997,047
Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.:
Basic$0.70$0.83
Diluted$0.69$0.82
Antidilutive awards excluded from calculation:
Stock options1,0421,509
Restricted stock units36350
Employee stock purchase plan9510
  1. Income Taxes

Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and unrecognized tax benefits reflect management's best assessment of estimated current and future liabilities. We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining the consolidated income tax expense.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

As of December 29, 2023, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $78.3 million, of which $49.0 million, if recognized, would reduce our effective tax rate. As of September 29, 2023, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $76.3 million, of which $47.2 million, if recognized, would reduce our effective tax rate. The first quarter of fiscal 2024 increase was primarily due to current year reserves for transfer pricing and interest accruals. Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is classified within other non-current liabilities in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Effective Tax Rate

Each period, the combination of multiple different factors can impact our effective tax rate. These factors include both recurring items such as tax rates and the relative amount of income earned in foreign jurisdictions, as well as discrete items that may occur in, but are not necessarily consistent between periods.

Our effective tax rate in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was 16.4% or a tax expense of $13.3 million and our effective tax rate in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was 20.5% or a tax expense of $20.5 million. The decrease in our effective tax rate was primarily due to tax benefits related to settlement of stock-based awards and the mix of earnings favoring jurisdictions with lower tax rates.

On December 11, 2023, the IRS announced in a notice that taxpayers can temporarily apply the regulations in effect prior to 2022 related to U.S. federal foreign tax credits. This relief applies to foreign taxes paid or accrued in our fiscal 2024.

Compared to the Federal statutory rate of 21%, our effective tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was lower primarily due to the mix of earnings favoring jurisdictions with lower tax rates and tax benefits related to settlement of stock-based awards.

  1. Restructuring

Restructuring charges recorded in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations represent costs associated with separate individual restructuring plans implemented in various fiscal periods. Costs arising from these actions, including fluctuations in related balances between fiscal periods, are based on the nature of activities under the various plans.

Fiscal 2023 Restructuring Events. In September 2023, we initiated a restructuring plan with the purpose of focusing our resources on our highest strategic priorities. In continuation with this plan, we recorded expense of $7.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 in severance and other related benefits offered to approximately 70 impacted employees. Cash payment of the severance and other termination benefits is expected to be completed by the second half of fiscal 2024.

The table presented below summarizes the changes in our restructuring accruals (in thousands):

SeveranceLeased facility exit costs and other costs and adjustmentsTotal
Balance at September 30, 2022$5,781$—$5,781
Restructuring charges23,94323,11847,061
Cash payments and adjustments(9,372)(16,225)(25,597)
Non-cash adjustment for leased facility exit costs—(6,893)(6,893)
Balance at September 29, 2023$20,352$—$20,352
Restructuring charges7,376(1,285)6,091
Cash payments and adjustments(9,625)1,285(8,340)
Balance at December 29, 2023$18,103$—$18,103

The fiscal 2023 activities primarily related to our fiscal 2023 restructuring plans with the purpose of focusing our resources on our highest strategic priorities and to reduce our cost structure through improved utilization of our global infrastructure.

Accruals for restructuring charges/(credits) incurred for the restructuring plan described above are included within accrued liabilities in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets, while restructuring charges are included within restructuring charges in our unaudited interim condensed consolidated statements of operations.

  1. Legal Matters

We are involved in various legal proceedings that occasionally arise in the normal course of business. These can include claims of alleged infringement of IP rights, commercial, employment, and other matters. In our opinion, resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse impact on our operating results or financial condition. On a quarterly basis, we evaluate based on the known facts and circumstances whether a potential loss or range of losses is considered probable and reasonably estimable in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We record a provision for a liability relating to these legal proceedings when a loss is both probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs associated with these legal proceedings are expensed as incurred.

Given the unpredictable nature of legal proceedings, it is possible that an unfavorable resolution of one or more such proceedings could materially affect our future operating results or financial condition in a particular period, including as a result of required changes to our licensing terms, monetary penalties, and other potential consequences. However, based on the information known by us as of the date of this filing and the rules and regulations applicable to the preparation of our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements, any such amounts are either immaterial, or it is not probable that a potential loss has been incurred or the amount of loss cannot be reasonably estimated.

  1. Commitments and Contingencies

In the ordinary course of business, we enter into contractual agreements with third parties that include non-cancelable payment obligations, for which we are liable in future periods. These arrangements can include terms binding us to minimum payments and/or penalties if we terminate the agreement for any reason other than an event of default as described by the agreement. The following table presents a summary of our contractual obligations and commitments as of December 29, 2023 (in thousands):

Payments Due By Fiscal Period
Remainder of Fiscal2024Fiscal2025Fiscal2026Fiscal2027Fiscal2028ThereafterTotal
Naming rights$8,684$13,126$13,472$8,534$8,642$35,674$88,132
Purchase obligations22,8904,9161,196———29,002
Donation commitments1,00911611686864041,817
Total$32,583$18,158$14,784$8,620$8,728$36,078$118,951

Naming Rights. We are party to agreements for naming rights of certain facilities, most significantly for naming rights and related benefits with respect to the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, the location of the Academy Awards®. The term of this agreement is 20 years, over which we will make payments on a semi-annual basis until fiscal 2032. Our ongoing annual payment obligations are conditioned in part on the Academy Awards being held and broadcast from the Dolby Theatre. Our payment obligations may be suspended or reduced in certain circumstances, including the protracted closure of the Dolby Theatre. We also hold the naming rights to Dolby Live at the Park MGM in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dolby Live is a fully integrated performance venue offering live concerts in Dolby Atmos.

Purchase Obligations. Purchase obligations primarily consist of our commitments made under agreements to purchase goods and services related to Dolby Cinema and for purposes that include information technology and telecommunications, marketing and professional services, and manufacturing and other R&D activities. Also included in purchase obligations are non-cancelable commitments to contract manufacturers, including potentially variable obligations related to inventory based on demand forecasts we provide to the contract manufacturers.

Donation Commitments. Our donation commitments relate to non-cancelable obligations that consist of maintenance services and installation of imaging and audio products in exchange for various marketing, branding, and publicity benefits. These donation agreements either transfer title of our audio and imaging products to the donee or offer use of the products free of charge for a specified period of time via a leasing arrangement. The recipients of these donations participate in or promote the cinema and entertainment industry, and our commitments vary in length, lasting up to 15 years.

Indemnification Clauses. On a limited basis, our contractual agreements contain a clause under which we agree to provide indemnification to the counterparty, most commonly to licensees in connection with licensing arrangements that include our IP. We have also entered into indemnification agreements with our officers, directors, and certain employees, and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain similar indemnification obligations. Additionally, and although not a contractual requirement, we have at times elected to defend our licensees from third party IP infringement claims. Since the terms and conditions of our contractual indemnification clauses do not explicitly specify our obligations, we are unable to reasonably estimate the maximum potential exposure for which we could be liable.

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