Rubicon Technology, Inc. - FORM 10-Q

Rubicon Technology, Inc. - FORM 10-Q - August 8, 2012

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file	filename
EX-32.1 - EX-32.1 - Rubicon Technology, Inc.	d344935dex321.htm
EX-31.2 - EX-31.2 - Rubicon Technology, Inc.	d344935dex312.htm
EX-31.1 - EX-31.1 - Rubicon Technology, Inc.	d344935dex311.htm
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - Rubicon Technology, Inc.	Financial_Report.xls

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark one)

x	Quarterly report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012

¨	Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the transition period from to

Commission file number 001-33834

RUBICON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


Delaware		36-4419301
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

900 East Green Street Bensenville, Illinois		60106
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (847) 295-7000

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

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 Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

As of August 3, 2012 the Registrant had 22,533,608 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding.

RUBICON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS


			Page
Part I		Financial Information		3
	Item 1.	Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)		3
		Consolidated Balance Sheets– June 30, 2012 (unaudited) and December 31, 2011		3
		Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) – Three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011		4
		Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited) – Three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011		5
		Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) – Six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011		6
		Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)		7
	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		15
	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		25
	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		25

Part II		Other Information		26
	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		26
	Item 1A.	Risk Factors		26
	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		26
	Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities		27
	Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures		27
	Item 5.	Other Information		27
	Item 6.	Exhibits		27
Signatures				28
Exhibit Index				29

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

Rubicon Technology, Inc.

Consolidated balance sheets


	June 30, 2012			December 31, 2011
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands other than share data)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,774		$	4,290
Restricted cash		166			189
Short-term investments		29,928			50,528
Accounts receivable		5,692			30,655
Accounts receivable, related parties		3,624			1,989
Inventories		38,813			22,823
Other inventory supplies		15,548			17,613
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		2,026			4,491
Deferred tax assets		3,078			3,078

Total current assets		120,649			135,656
Property and equipment, net		121,404			120,931
Investments		2,000			2,000
Other assets		1,550			1,365

Total assets	$	245,603		$	259,952

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Accounts payable	$	7,041		$	12,831
Accrued payroll		1,222			1,578
Accrued and other current liabilities		1,271			1,570
Corporate income and franchise taxes		321			612
Advance payments		948			9

Total current liabilities		10,803			16,600
Deferred tax liability		10,218			15,121

Total liabilities		21,021			31,721

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 undesignated shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding		—			—
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 45,000,000 shares authorized and 24,308,452 and 24,289,723 shares issued; 22,533,608 and 22,514,879 shares outstanding		24			24
Additional paid-in capital		333,111			332,119
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,774,844 shares		(12,148	)		(12,148	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(12	)		(50	)
Accumulated deficit		(96,393	)		(91,714	)

Total stockholders’ equity		224,582			228,231

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	245,603		$	259,952

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

Rubicon Technology, Inc.

Consolidated statements of operations


	Three months ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
	(unaudited) (in thousands, other than share data)
Revenue	$	17,003		$	43,028		$	27,210		$	80,998
Cost of goods sold		16,992			15,828			30,607			29,823

Gross profit (loss)		11			27,200			(3,397	)		51,175
Operating expenses:
General and administrative		2,044			3,056			4,350			5,977
Sales and marketing		473			388			929			765
Research and development		597			410			1,073			837
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets		(5	)		7			(5	)		7

Income (loss) from operations		(3,098	)		23,339			(9,744	)		43,589

Other income:
Interest income		23			64			56			151
Realized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation		(311	)		—			31			(6	)

Total other income (expense)		(288	)		64			87			145

Income (loss) before income taxes		(3,386	)		23,403			(9,657	)		43,734
Income tax benefit (expense)		2,074			(13,495	)		4,978			(14,722	)

Net income (loss)	$	(1,312	)	$	9,908		$	(4,679	)	$	29,012

Net income (loss) per common share
Basic	$	(0.06	)	$	0.43		$	(0.21	)	$	1.26

Diluted	$	(0.06	)	$	0.41		$	(0.21	)	$	1.21

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing net income (loss) per common share
Basic		22,518,364			23,031,039			22,516,451			23,012,326

Diluted		22,518,364			23,928,408			22,516,451			23,936,026

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

Rubicon Technology, Inc.

Consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss)


	Three months ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
	(unaudited) (in thousands)
Net income (loss)	$	(1,312	)	$	9,908		$	(4,679	)	$	29,012
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax		—			4			42			(18	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on currency translation		(1	)		(1	)		(4	)		(2	)

Other comprehensive income (loss)		(1	)		3			38			(20	)

Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(1,313	)	$	9,911		$	(4,641	)	$	28,992

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

Rubicon Technology, Inc.

Consolidated statements of cash flows


	Six months ended June 30,
	2012			2011
	(unaudited) (in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$	(4,679	)	$	29,012
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization		5,893			4,265
Net (gain) loss on disposal of assets		(5	)		7
Stock-based compensation		988			1,750
Deferred taxes		(4,903	)		(3,329	)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		—			(10,711	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		23,328			(12,567	)
Inventories		(15,978	)		(1,442	)
Other inventory supplies		2,077			(3,589	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		2,280			141
Accounts payable		(5,835	)		(825	)
Accrued payroll		(358	)		(888	)
Corporate income and franchise taxes		(285	)		12,389
Advanced payments		939			(719	)
Accrued and other current liabilities		(311	)		1,264

Net cash provided by operating activities		3,151			14,758

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment		(6,371	)		(25,385	)
Proceeds from disposal of assets		10			—
Proceeds from sale of investments		20,642			3,113

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		14,281			(22,272	)

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from exercise of options		4			741
Restricted cash		23			(9	)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		—			10,711

Net cash provided by financing activities		27			11,443

Net effect of currency translation		25			(29	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		17,484			3,900
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		4,290			16,073

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	21,774		$	19,973

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid for income taxes	$	—		$	5,420
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash transactions
Unrealized (gain) loss on investments	$	(42	)	$	18

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

Rubicon Technology, Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

June 30, 2012

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Interim financial data

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with Rubicon Technology, Inc.’s (the “Company”) annual report filed on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of adjustments of a normal and recurring nature) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations have been included. Consolidated operating results for the three and six months periods ended June 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2012.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Rubicon Worldwide LLC and Rubicon Sapphire Technology (Malaysia) SDN BHD. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Foreign currency translation and transactions

Rubicon Worldwide LLC’s assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates existing at the respective balance sheet dates and capital accounts at historical exchange rates. The results of operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates during the respective period. Translation adjustments resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates for Rubicon Worldwide LLC are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity.

The Company has determined that the functional currency of Rubicon Sapphire Technology (Malaysia) SDN BHD is the U.S. dollar. Rubicon Sapphire Technology (Malaysia) SDN BHD’s assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the remeasurement method. Non-monetary assets are translated at historical exchange rates and monetary assets are translated at exchange rates existing at the respective balance sheet dates. Translation adjustments for Rubicon Sapphire Technology (Malaysia) SDN BHD are included in determining net income (loss) for the period. The results of operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates during the respective period. The Company records these gains and losses in other income (expense).

Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are generated from the effects of exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the Company, which is the U.S. dollar. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are generally required to be recognized in the determination of net income (loss) for the period. The Company records these gains and losses in other income (expense).

Investments

The Company invests available cash primarily in investment grade commercial paper, corporate notes and government securities. Investments classified as available-for-sale securities are carried at fair market value with unrealized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Investments in trading securities are reported at fair value, with both realized and unrealized gains and losses recorded in other income (expense), in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Investments in which the Company has the ability and intent, if necessary, to liquidate in order to support its current operations, are classified as short-term.

The Company reviews its available-for-sale securities investments at the end of each quarter for other-than-temporary declines in fair value based on the specific identification method. The Company considers various factors in determining whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, including the severity and duration of the impairment, changes in underlying credit ratings, forecasted recovery, its ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value and the probability that the scheduled cash payments will continue to be made. When the Company concludes that an other-than-temporary impairment has resulted, the difference between the fair value and carrying value is written off and recorded as a charge on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of June 30, 2012, no impairment was recorded.

The Company’s long-term investment is accounted for as a cost method investment and is adjusted as needed based on a review of the investment’s financial position.

Accounts receivable

The majority of the Company’s accounts receivable is due from manufacturers serving the LED and SoS industries. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition. Accounts receivable are due based on contract terms and at stated amounts due from customers, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts.

Accounts outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. The Company determines its allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time past due, the customer’s current ability to pay and the condition of the general economy and industry as a whole. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they are deemed uncollectible, and payments subsequently received on such receivables are recorded as a reduction to bad debt expense.

The following table shows the activity of the allowance for doubtful accounts:


	June 30, 2012			December 31, 2011
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance	$	378		$	194
Charges to costs and expenses		(260	)		1,873
Accounts charged off, less recoveries		(4	)		(1,689	)

Ending balance	$	114		$	378

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method, and includes materials, labor and overhead. The Company reduces the carrying value of its inventories for differences between the cost and the estimated net realizable value, taking into account usage, expected demand, technological obsolescence and other information. Inventories are composed of the following:


	June 30, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(in thousands)
Raw materials	$	17,775	$	7,835
Work in progress		17,035		9,776
Finished goods		4,003		5,212

		38,813		22,823

Property and equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:


	June 30, 2012			December 31, 2011
	(in thousands)
Land and land improvements	$	4,133		$	2,540
Buildings		28,527			26,915
Machinery, equipment and tooling		101,869			98,276
Leasehold improvements		7,696			7,712
Furniture and fixtures		941			834
Information systems		986			954
Construction in progress		16,960			17,530

Total cost		161,112			154,761
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(39,708	)		(33,830	)

Property and equipment, net	$	121,404		$	120,931

Revenue recognition

The Company recognizes revenue from product sales when earned. Revenue is recognized when, and if, evidence of an arrangement is obtained and the other criteria to support revenue recognition are met, including:

•

Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists. The Company requires evidence of a purchase order with the customer specifying the terms and specifications of the product to be delivered, typically in the form of a signed quotation or purchase order from the customer.

•

Title has passed and the product has been delivered. Title passage and product delivery generally occur when the product is delivered to a common carrier.

•

The price is fixed or determinable. All terms are fixed in the signed quotation or purchase order received from the customer. The purchase orders do not contain rights of cancellation, return, exchange or refund.

•

Collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. The Company’s standard arrangement with customers includes payment terms. Customers are subject to a credit review process that evaluates each customer’s financial position and its ability to pay. Collectability is determined by considering the length of time the customer has been in business and history of collections. If it is determined that collection is not probable, no product is shipped and no revenue is recognized unless cash is received in advance.

The Company does not provide maintenance or other services and it does not have sales that involve multiple elements or deliverables.

Net income per common share

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of diluted common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted shares outstanding are calculated by adding to the weighted-average shares any outstanding stock options and warrants based on the treasury stock method.

Diluted net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 because the effects of potentially dilutive securities are anti-dilutive.

At June 30, 2012, the Company had the following anti-dilutive securities outstanding which were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share:


	June 30, 2012
Warrants		177,153
Stock options		326,343

		503,496

Accumulated comprehensive income (loss)

Accumulated comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise from transactions and other events from non-owner sources. Comprehensive income (loss) includes net earnings (loss) and other non-owner changes in equity that bypass the statement of operations and are reported in a separate component of equity. The following table shows the activity of accumulated comprehensive income (loss):


	June 30, 2012			December 31, 2011
	(in thousands)
Beginning Balance	$	(50	)	$	(10	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments		42			(42	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on currency translation		(5	)		2

Ending Balance	$	(12	)	$	(50	)

3. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company evaluates operations as one reportable segment, as it only reports profit and loss information on an aggregate basis to its chief operating decision maker.

Revenue is attributed by geographic region based on ship-to location of the Company’s customers. The following table summarizes revenue by geographic region:


	Three months ended June 30,				Six months ended June 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
	(in thousands)				(in thousands)
France	$	3,486	$	246	$	6,237	$	356
Taiwan		3,547		22,196		5,240		45,638
United States		2,461		3,100		4,586		5,011
Australia		2,612		14		3,728		14
China		1,729		2,064		2,580		2,958
Korea		2,403		9,572		2,403		16,985
Japan		73		4,863		340		8,503
Other		692		973		2,096		1,533

Total Revenue	$	17,003	$	43,028	$	27,210	$	80,998

The following table summarizes revenue by product type:


	Three months ended June 30,					Six months ended June 30,
	2012		2011			2012		2011
	(in thousands)					(in thousands)
Core	$	5,315	$	27,447		$	8,073	$	55,020
Polished		10,448		14,048			16,129		22,960
Optical		1,208		1,538			2,967		3,003
Other		32		(5	)		41		15

Total Revenue	$	17,003	$	43,028		$	27,210	$	80,998

The following table summarizes assets by geographic region:


	June 30, 2012		December 31, 2011
	(in thousands)
United States	$	211,186	$	223,430
Malaysia		34,385		36,492
Other		32		30

Total Assets	$	245,603	$	259,952

4. INVESTMENTS

The Company invests available cash primarily in investment grade commercial paper, corporate notes and government securities. The Company’s short-term investments balance of $29.9 million as of June 30, 2012, is comprised of U.S. Treasury securities of $3.5 million, corporate notes and bonds of $7.1 million and commercial paper of $19.3 million. The Company’s investments are classified as available-for-sale securities and are carried at fair market value with unrealized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

The Company’s long-term investment at June 30, 2012 consists of a $2.0 million investment in Peregrine Semiconductor, Corp. (a customer) Series D-1 Preferred shares and is accounted for as a cost method investment. The value is adjusted for impairment based on review of Peregrine’s financial position. No impairment was noted as of June 30, 2012.

The following table presents the amortized cost and gross unrealized gains and losses on all securities at June 30, 2012:


	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Short-term Investments:
U.S. Treasury securities and agency (taxable)	$	3,500	$	—	$	1	$	3,499
Corporate Notes and Bonds (taxable)		7,138		—		3		7,135
Commercial Paper (taxable)		19,297		—		3		19,294

Total short-term investments	$	29,935	$	—	$	7	$	29,928

Long-term Investments:
Peregrine Semiconductor, Corp. Series D-1 Preferred shares	$	2,000	$	—	$	—	$	2,000

The following table presents the amortized cost, and gross unrealized gains and losses on all securities at December 31, 2011:


	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Short-term Investments:
U.S. Treasury securities and agency (taxable)	$	4,500	$	—	$	—	$	4,500
Corporate Notes/Bonds (taxable)		37,085		—		37		37,048
Commercial Paper (taxable)		8,992		—		12		8,980

Total short-term investments	$	50,577	$	—	$	49	$	50,528

Long-term Investments:
Peregrine Semiconductor, Corp. Series D-1 Preferred shares	$	2,000	$	—	$	—	$	2,000

The Company values its investments at fair value, defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The standard below describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value which are the following:

•

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

•

Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

•

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The Company’s fixed income available-for-sale securities consist of high quality, investment grade commercial paper, corporate notes and government securities. The Company values these securities based on pricing from pricing vendors, who may use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 inputs) or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2 inputs) in determining fair value. The valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments having Level 2 inputs were derived from non-binding market consensus prices that are corroborated by observable market data, quoted market prices for similar instruments, or pricing models, such as discounted cash flow techniques.

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2012:


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in thousands)
Cash Equivalents:
Money market funds	$	15,735	$	—	$	—	$	15,735
Investments:
Available-for-sales securities—current
U.S. Treasury securities and agency		—		3,499		—		3,499


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in thousands)
Corporate notes/bonds		—		7,135		—		7,135
Commercial paper		—		19,294		—		19,294

Total	$	15,735	$	29,928	$	—	$	45,663

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2011:


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in thousands)
Cash Equivalents:
Money market funds	$	839	$	—	$	—	$	839
Investments:
Available-for-sales securities—current:
U.S. Treasury securities and agency		—		4,500		—		4,500
Corporate notes/bonds		—		37,048		—		37,048
Commercial paper		—		8,980		—		8,980

Total	$	839	$	50,528	$	—	$	51,367

In addition to the debt securities noted above, the Company had approximately $6.0 million and $3.5 million of time deposits included in cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

In November 2008, the Company purchased 1,345,444 shares of Peregrine Series D-1 Preferred shares for a total of $2.0 million, which represents less than 1% of Peregrine’s shares outstanding. The terms and stock price of the purchase were the same as for the other investors who participated. Peregrine is a customer of the Company. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, revenue from Peregrine was $7.4 million and $12.0 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, accounts receivable from Peregrine were $3.6 million and $2.0 million, respectively. The pricing terms and conditions of the sales to Peregrine are similar to those available to the Company’s other non-related customers.

6. SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS

For the three months ended June 30, 2012, the Company had three customers that accounted for approximately 44%, 14% and 14% of revenue and for the three months ended June 30, 2011, the Company had three customers that accounted for approximately 26%, 22% and 17% of revenue. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company had one customer that accounted for approximately 44% of revenue and no other customer that accounted for more than 10% of revenue. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company had three customers that accounted for approximately 28%, 20% and 18% of revenue.

Customers individually representing more than 10% of trade receivables accounted for approximately 76% and 89% of accounts receivable as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The Company grants credit to customers based on an evaluation of their financial condition. Losses from credit sales are provided for in the financial statements.

7. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Stock

As of June 30, 2012, the Company had reserved 2,120,944 shares of common stock for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding common stock options. Also, 2,213,279 shares of the Company’s common stock were reserved for future grants of stock options (or other similar equity instruments) under the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) as of June 30, 2012. In addition, 281,561 shares of the Company’s common stock were reserved for future exercise of outstanding warrants as of June 30, 2012.

Warrants

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, no common stock warrants were exercised. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were 281,561 common stock warrants outstanding.

Treasury Stock

On August 4, 2011, the Company authorized a stock repurchase program to purchase up to $25.0 million of its common stock over a period of two years. The stock repurchase program authorizes the Company to repurchase its shares of common stock in the open

market at times and prices considered appropriate by the Company depending upon prevailing market conditions and other corporate considerations. The treasury shares are accounted for using the cost method whereby the entire cost of the acquired stock is recorded as treasury stock. The Company did not repurchase any shares during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012.

8. STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS

The Company sponsored a stock option plan, the 2001 Plan, which allowed for the granting of incentive and nonqualified stock options for the purchase of common stock. The maximum number of shares that may be awarded or sold under the 2001 Plan was 1,449,667 shares. Each option entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at the specified option exercise price. The exercise price of each incentive stock option granted must not be less than the fair market value on the grant date. At the discretion of management and with the approval of the Board of Directors, the Company granted options under the 2001 Plan. Management and the Board of Directors determined vesting periods and expiration dates at the time of the grant. On August 2, 2011, the plan expired.

In August 2007, the Company adopted the 2007 Plan, which allows for the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards and bonus shares. On June 22, 2011, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to the 2007 Plan to increase the maximum number of shares that may be awarded or sold under the 2007 Plan by 2,100,000 from 2,307,692 to 4,407,692 shares. The Board of Directors has appointed a committee to administer the plan. The plan committee determines the type of award to be granted, the fair market value, the number of shares covered by the award, and the time when the award vests and may be exercised.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value stock options issued after January 1, 2006. The Company uses historical stock prices of companies which it considers as a peer group as the basis for its volatility assumptions. The assumed risk-free rates were based on U.S. Treasury rates in effect at the time of grant with a term consistent with the expected option lives. The expected term is based upon the vesting term of the Company’s options, a review of a peer group of companies, and expected exercise behavior. The forfeiture rate is based on past history of forfeited options. The expense is being allocated using the straight-line method. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company recorded $454,000 and $907,000 respectively, of stock compensation expense. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company recorded $843,000 and $1.7 million, respectively, of stock compensation expense. As of June 30, 2012, the Company has $4.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards granted under the Company’s stock-based plans that it expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.42 years. The Company accounts for options issued prior to January 1, 2006 under the intrinsic value method.

The following table summarizes the activity of the stock incentive and equity plans as of June 30, 2012 and changes during the six months then ended:


	Shares available for grant			Number of options outstanding			Weighted- average option exercise price		Number of restricted stock and board shares issued
At December 31, 2011		2,259,999			2,093,108		$	13.45		42,587
Granted		(62,595	)		45,250			9.85		17,345
Exercised		—			(1,385	)		3.99		—
Cancelled/forfeited		15,875			(16,029	)		15.38		—

At June 30, 2012		2,213,279			2,120,944		$	13.35		59,932

The Company’s aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying stock options and the fair value of the Company’s common stock. Based on the fair market value of the common stock at June 30, 2012, there was no intrinsic value of the options outstanding and exercisable. Based on the fair market value of the common stock at June 30, 2011, the intrinsic value for the options outstanding and exercisable was $5.6 million. The weighted average fair value per share of options granted for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was $9.85 and the fair value of each option grant was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using an expected term of 5.0 years, risk-free interest rates of 0.83%-1.04%, expected volatility of 52% and no dividend yield. The Company used an expected forfeiture rate of 16.59%.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company recorded $41,000 and $81,000, respectively, of stock compensation expense related to restricted stock. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, the Company recorded $41,000 and $84,000, respectively, of stock compensation expense related to restricted stock.

A summary of the Company’s non-vested options during the six month period ended June 30, 2012 is presented below:


	Options			Weighted-average exercise price
Non-vested at January 1, 2012		1,313,177		$	15.42
Granted		45,250			9.85
Vested		(389,662	)		14.31
Forfeited		(14,050	)		17.44

Non-vested at June 30, 2012		954,715		$	15.59

An analysis of restricted stock issued is as follows:


Non-vested restricted stock as of December 31, 2011	1,931
Granted	17,345
Vested	(6,267	)

Non-vested restricted stock as of June 30, 2012	13,009

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Purchase Commitments

The Company has entered into agreements to purchase equipment and components to construct furnaces. These agreements will result in the Company purchasing equipment or components for a total cost of approximately $4.5 million with deliveries occurring through October 2012.

Litigation

From time to time, the Company experiences routine litigation in the normal course of its business. The management of the Company does not believe any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

10. INCOME TAXES

The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. and Malaysia. In accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 740 “Income Taxes”, the Company assesses on a quarterly basis its ability to realize its deferred tax assets. The tax provision for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 is based on an estimated effective tax rate which requires the Company to make its best estimate of annual pretax income. The Company recorded for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 a tax benefit of $2.1 million and $5.0 million, respectively, for an effective tax rate of 61.3% and 51.5%, respectively. The Company recorded for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 a tax expense of $13.5 million and $14.7 million, respectively, for an effective tax rate of 57.7% and 33.7%, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, the difference between the Company’s effective tax rate and the U.S. federal 35% statutory rate was primarily related to profits recorded in the Company’s Malaysia operation for which the Company has a tax holiday, state tax expense, intercompany interest taxable in the U.S., and the reversal of an unrecognized tax benefit.

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q regarding our estimates, expectations, beliefs, intentions, projections or strategies for the future, results of operations, financial position, net sales, projected costs, prospects and plans and objectives of management for future operations may be “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward looking statements can be identified by the use of terms and phrases such as “believe,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “target,” “estimate,” “expect,” and the like, and/or future-tense or conditional constructions such as “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” etc. (or the negative thereof). Items contemplating or making assumptions about actual or potential future sales, market size and trends or operating results also constitute forward-looking statements.

Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. Before investing in our common stock, investors should be aware that the occurrence of the risks, uncertainties and events described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown business, economic and other risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this Quarterly Report, other than as may be required by applicable law or regulation. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected or projected.

You should read this Quarterly Report, the documents that we reference in this Quarterly Report and have filed with the SEC as exhibits and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances may be materially different from what we expect.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “Rubicon,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Rubicon Technology, Inc.

OVERVIEW

We are an advanced electronic materials provider that develops, manufactures and sells monocrystalline sapphire and other innovative crystalline products for Light-Emitting Diodes (“LEDs”), radio frequency integrated circuits (“RFICs”), blue laser diodes, optoelectronics and other optical applications. The emergence of sapphire in commercial volumes at competitive prices has enabled the development of new technologies such as high brightness (“HB”) white, blue and green LEDs and highly-integrated RFICs. We apply our proprietary crystal growth technology to produce high-quality sapphire products efficiently to supply our end-markets, and we work closely with our customers to meet their quality and delivery needs.

We are a vertically-integrated manufacturer of high-quality sapphire substrates and optical windows that are used in a variety of high-growth, high-volume end-market applications. Our largest product line is two inch to six inch sapphire cores and wafers for use in LEDs and blue laser diodes for solid state lighting and electronic applications. For the LED market, we sell two inch to four inch material primarily in core form and six and eight inch material primarily in polished wafer form. Eight inch wafers are sold primarily for research and development efforts at this time. In addition, we sell six inch sapphire wafers that are used for Silicon-on-Sapphire (“SoS”) RFICs, as well as products for aerospace, sensor and other applications. We have also extended our technology, which gives us the ability to produce cores and wafers of up to twelve inches in diameter to support next-generation LED and SoS RFIC production. In addition, we have developed the ability to produce large diameter circular and rectangular sapphire windows for use in various optical window applications.

Our revenue consists of sales of sapphire materials sold in core, as-cut, as-ground and polished wafer forms in two, three, four, six and eight inch diameters as well as optical materials sold as blanks or polished windows. Products are made to varying specifications, such as crystal planar orientations and thicknesses.

Historically, a significant portion of our revenue has been derived from sales to relatively few customers. For the three months ended June 30, 2012, we had three customers that accounted for approximately 72% of our revenue and for the three months ended June 30, 2011, we had three customers that accounted for approximately 65% of our revenue. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, we had one customer that accounted for approximately 44% of our revenue and for the six months ended June 30, 2011, we had three customers that accounted for approximately 66% of our revenue. Other than as discussed above, none of our customers accounted for more than 10% of our revenue for such periods. Although we are continuing to diversify and expand our customer base, we expect our revenue to continue to be concentrated among a small number of customers. We expect that our significant customers may change from period to period.

We recognize revenue upon shipment to our customers. We derive a significant portion of our revenue from customers outside of the U.S. In most periods, the majority of our sales are to the Asian market and we expect that region to continue to be a major source of revenue for us. All of our revenue is denominated in U.S. dollars.

We manufacture and ship our products from our facilities in the Chicago metropolitan area and from our facility in Penang, Malaysia. We have approximately 237,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space in Batavia, Franklin Park and Bensenville, Illinois and a 65,000 square foot facility in Penang, Malaysia, which processes sapphire grown by us in our Illinois facilities into finished cores and wafers. Our Malaysia facility currently finishes the majority of our core processing and produces production volumes of polished wafers. In March 2012, we acquired additional land in Batavia, Illinois to expand our crystal growth capacity. We have not yet determined when we will begin construction on this facility.

Our cost of goods sold consists primarily of manufacturing materials, labor, manufacturing-related overhead such as utilities, depreciation and rent, provisions for excess and obsolete inventory reserves, freight and warranties. We manufacture our products at our Illinois and Malaysia manufacturing facilities based on customer orders. We purchase materials and supplies to support such current and expected future demand. We are subject to variations in the cost of raw materials and consumables from period to period because we do not have long-term fixed-price agreements with most of our suppliers.

Our operating expenses are comprised of sales and marketing, research and development (“R&D”), and general and administrative (“G&A”) expenses. G&A expenses consist primarily of salaries and associated costs for employees in finance, human resources, information technology and administrative activities, charges for accounting, legal, and insurance fees, and stock-based compensation. The majority of our stock-based compensation relates to administrative personnel and is accounted for as a G&A expense.

Other income (expense) consists of interest income and realized gains and losses on investments and currency translation.

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method whereby the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the book value and the tax basis of assets and liabilities are recognized as deferred tax assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be recognized. A full valuation allowance was provided and no tax benefit was recorded until we could conclude that it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets would be realized. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, we concluded that based on the current level of sustainable profitability that generates taxable income, it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realizable. With the release of the valuation allowance, we began recording federal and certain state and non-U.S. income taxes attributable to the fiscal year’s pre-tax income. The Illinois State Legislature has increased the corporate income tax rate which unfavorably impacts our effective tax rate. Our effective tax rate could fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis and could be affected to the extent earnings are higher or lower than anticipated. Our effective tax rate could also fluctuate due to changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets or liabilities, or by changes in tax laws, regulations, or accounting principles, as well as certain discrete items. At December 31, 2011, we had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) of $22.0 million and $42.0 million, respectively. The Illinois State Legislature has suspended the use of NOLs for taxable years ending after December 31, 2010 and before December 31, 2014. We have updated our analysis of ownership changes that limit the utilization of the NOLs. This analysis shows an ownership change, but we believe that we are not restricted in our ability to use the full amount of the NOLs.

We anticipate our capital expenditures will be between $18 million and $23 million for the full year 2012. These expenditures will be primarily for purchases of equipment for our Malaysia facility, our raw material processing and new product development. Our capital expenditures in the six months ended June 30, 2012 were $6.4 million.

RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2012 AND 2011

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated:


	Three months ended June 30,
	2012			2011
	(in millions)
Revenue	$	17.0		$	43.0
Cost of goods sold		17.0			15.8

Gross profit (loss)		—			27.2

Operating expenses:
General and administrative		2.0			3.1
Sales and marketing		0.5			0.4
Research and development		0.6			0.4
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets		—			—

Total operating expenses		3.1			3.9

Income (loss) from operations		(3.1	)		23.3
Other income (expense)		(0.3	)		0.1

Income (loss) before income taxes		(3.4	)		23.4
Income tax benefit (expense)		2.1			(13.5	)

Net income (loss)	$	(1.3	)	$	9.9

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of revenue for the periods indicated:


	Three months ended June 30,
	2012			2011
	(percentage of total)
Revenue		100	%		100	%
Cost of goods sold		100			37

Gross profit (loss)		—			63

Operating expenses:
General and administrative		12			7
Sales and marketing		3			1
Research and development		4			1
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets		—			—

Total operating expenses		19			9

Income (loss) from operations		(19	)		54
Other income (expense)		(1	)		—

Income (loss) before income taxes		(20	)		54
Income tax benefit (expense)		12			(31	)

Net income (loss)		(8	)%		23	%

Revenue. Revenue was $17.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and $43.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, a decrease of $26.0 million. We experienced a decrease in revenue from our products sold into the LED market. Revenue from the sale of sapphire cores for the three months ended June 30, 2012 decreased by $22.1 million, of which $25.1 million was attributed to lower pricing partially offset by an increase in volume of $3.0 million. We also experienced lower revenue from sales of our polished wafers by $3.6 million, which was the result of $10.5 million lower sales of polished wafers to the LED market offset in part by a $6.9 million increase in polished wafers sold to the SoS market. Of the $3.6 million reduction in revenue from polished wafers, $4.6 million was attributable to lower prices which was offset in part by an increase in volume of $1.0 million. We also had lower revenue of $331,000 from optical products due to a slight decrease in sales of sapphire for sensor and instrumentation applications. While demand for our sapphire cores has improved, pricing remains low. We expect pricing to slowly recover as inventory levels at sapphire producers declines. However, we operate in an extremely volatile market, so the amount of price or volume change is difficult to predict.

Gross profit. Gross profit was $11,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to a gross profit of $27.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012, a decrease of $27.2 million. The decrease in gross profit is primarily attributable to decreased pricing of our products resulting in decreased revenue.

General and administrative expenses. G&A expenses were $2.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and $3.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, a decrease of $1.1 million. The decrease was primarily due to $669,000 from lower employee compensation costs, including lower bonus and stock based compensation expense, $242,000 from lower bad debt expense as a result of a lower receivables balance, $127,000 from lower IT expenses, primarily attributed to a decrease in repairs and maintenance, and $38,000 from lower audit and tax consulting expenses attributed to the timing of billings.

Sales and marketing expenses. Sales and marketing expenses were $473,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and $388,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2011, an increase of $85,000. The increase in sales and marketing expenses is attributable to additional employee compensation costs and an increase in marketing samples expense.

Research and development expenses. R&D expenses were $597,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and $410,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2011, an increase of $187,000. The increase was primarily attributable to additional employee compensation costs of $71,000 and additional spending on various projects of $94,000.

Other income (expense). Other (expense) income was $(288,000) for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and $64,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2011, a decrease in other income (expense) of $352,000. The decrease was primarily due to an increase in foreign currency translation losses of $311,000 and a decrease in interest income of $41,000 on lower interest rates.

Income tax expenses. Income tax benefits were $2.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and income tax expenses were $13.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011, a decrease of $15.6 million. Our effective tax rate was 61.3% and 57.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. During the three months ended June 30, 2011, management concluded that based on the current level of sustainable profitability that generates taxable income, that it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realizable. With the release of the valuation allowance, we began recording federal and certain state and non-U.S. income taxes attributable to the fiscal year’s pre-tax income at the statutory rates adjusted for various tax benefits that lower the rate. While we generated a net operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2012 we believe it is more likely than that not that our deferred tax assets will be realizable and therefore no valuation allowance is required. The effective rate for the three months ended June 30, 2011 reflects a tax charge of approximately $5.5 million, or 23.7%, to provide for additional taxes on pre-tax income earned in the first three months of 2011 as a result of releasing the valuation reserve. The tax provision is based on an estimated annual effective rate which requires us to make our best estimate of annual pretax income. To the extent this pretax income varies from estimates made at the end of the most recent interim period, the actual tax provision recognized in 2012 could be different than the forecasted amount used to estimate the tax provision for the three months ended June 30, 2012. We expect our normalized projected effective tax rate when profitable is between 30% and 35%.

RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2012 AND 2011

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated:


	Six months ended June 30,
	2012			2011
	(in millions)
Revenue	$	27.2		$	81.0
Cost of goods sold		30.6			29.8

Gross profit (loss)		(3.4	)		51.2

Operating expenses:
General and administrative		4.3			6.0
Sales and marketing		1.0			0.8
Research and development		1.1			0.8
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets		—			—

Total operating expenses		6.4			7.6


	Six months ended June 30,
	2012			2011
	(in millions)
Income (loss) from operations		(9.8	)		43.6
Other income (expense)		0.1			0.1

Income (loss) before income taxes		(9.7	)		43.7
Income tax benefit (expense)		5.0			(14.7	)

Net income (loss)	$	(4.7	)	$	29.0

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of revenue for the periods indicated:


	Six months ended June 30,
	2012			2011
	(percentage of total)
Revenue		100	%		100	%
Cost of goods sold		112			37

Gross profit (loss)		(12	)		63

Operating expenses:
General and administrative		16			7
Sales and marketing		4			1
Research and development		4			1
Loss on disposal of assets		—			—

Total operating expenses		24			9

Income (loss) from operations		(36	)		54
Other income (expense)		—			—

Income (loss) before income taxes		(36	)		54
Income tax benefit (expense)		18			(18	)

Net income (loss)		(18	)%		36	%

Revenue. Revenue was $27.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and $81.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, a decrease of $53.8 million. We experienced a decrease in revenue from our products sold to the LED market. Revenue from the sale of sapphire cores for the six months ended June 30, 2012 decreased by $46.9 million, of which $40.4 million was attributed to lower pricing and $6.5 million was due to decreased volume as a result of reduced demand. We also experienced lower revenue from sales of our polished wafers by $6.8 million which was the result of $18.2 million lower sales of polished wafers to the LED market offset in part by an $11.4 million increase in polished wafers sold to the SoS market. Of the $6.8 million reduction in polished wafer revenue, $7.8 million was attributed to lower pricing which was offset in part by an increase in volume of $1.0 million. Shipments under an agreement with our largest LED customer resumed in June of this year, and we expect to have higher wafer sales to the LED market for the remainder of the year. While demand for our sapphire cores has improved, pricing remains low. We expect pricing to slowly recover as inventory levels at sapphire producers decline. However, we operate in an extremely volatile market, so the amount of price or volume change is difficult to predict.

Gross profit (loss). Gross (loss) was $(3.4) million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to a gross profit of $51.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, a decrease of $54.6 million. The decrease in gross profit is primarily attributable to decreased pricing for our products as well as lower sales volumes which is attributable to the reduced demand from the LED market due to the buildup of excess inventory in the supply chain.

General and administrative expenses. G&A expenses were $4.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and $6.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, a decrease of $1.7 million. The decrease was primarily due to lower employee compensation costs of $1.3 million including lower bonus and stock compensation expense. Bad debt expense decreased $531,000 as a result of significant collections from a large customer, resulting in a lower receivables balance. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $177,000 in legal expenses and an increase of $74,000 in consulting expenses.

Sales and marketing expenses. Sales and marketing expenses were $929,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and $765,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2011, an increase of $164,000. The increase in sales and marketing expenses is attributable to increased employee compensation costs, including salary and employee stock options expense of $58,000, and higher marketing services, samples and exhibitions expenses of $84,000.

Research and development expenses. R&D expenses were $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and $837,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2011, an increase of $236,000. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in headcount and employee compensation costs of $151,000 and an increase in spending on various projects of $84,000.

Other income. Other income was $87,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and $145,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2011, a decrease in other income of $58,000. The increase was primarily due to lower interest income as a result of lower interest rates.

Income tax expenses. Income tax benefits were $5.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and income tax expenses were $14.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011, a decrease of $19.7 million. Our effective tax rate was 51.5% and 33.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, management concluded that based on the current level of sustainable profitability that generates taxable income, that it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realizable. With the release of the valuation allowance, we began recording federal and certain state and non-U.S. income taxes attributable to the fiscal year’s pre-tax income at the statutory rates adjusted for various tax benefits that lower the rate. While we generated a net operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2012 we believe it is more likely than that not that our deferred tax assets will be realizable and therefore no valuation allowance is required. The tax provision is based on an estimated annual effective rate which requires us to make our best estimate of annual pretax income. To the extent this pretax income varies from estimates made at the end of the most recent interim period, the actual tax provision recognized in 2012 could be different than the forecasted amount used to estimate the tax provision for the six months ended June 30, 2012.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We have historically funded our operations using a combination of issuances of common stock and cash generated from our operations.

As of June 30, 2012, we had cash and short term investments totaling $51.7 million, including cash of $6.0 million held in deposits at major banks, $15.7 million invested in money market funds and $29.9 million invested in commercial paper, corporate notes and bonds and U.S. treasury securities. Our long term investment consists of a $2.0 million investment in Peregrine Semiconductor, Corp. (one of our customers) Series D1 preferred stock.

Cash flows from operating activities

The following table represents the major components of our cash flows from operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011:


	Six months ended June 30,
	2012			2011
	(in millions)
Net income (loss)	$	(4.7	)	$	29.0
Non-cash items:
Depreciation and amortization		5.9			4.3
Stock based compensation and other, net		1.0			1.8
Deferred taxes		(4.9	)		(3.3	)


	Six months ended June 30,
	2012			2011
	(in millions)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		—			(10.7	)

Total non-cash items:		2.0			(7.9	)

Working capital:
Accounts receivable		23.3			(12.6	)
Inventories		(16.0	)		(1.4	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		4.3			(3.5	)
Accounts payable		(5.8	)		(0.8	)
Other accruals		—			12.0

Total working capital items:		5.8			(6.3	)

Net cash provided by operating activities	$	3.1		$	14.8

Cash provided by operating activities was $3.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012. During such period, we generated a net loss of $4.7 million, incurred non-cash expenses of $2.0 million, and net working capital change of $5.8 million. The net working capital change was comprised of a decrease in accounts receivable of $23.3 million due to significant collections from several customers, an increase in inventory of $16.0 million primarily due to an increase in our stock of raw material and sapphire boules, a decrease in accounts payable of $5.8 million due to timing of payments and a decrease in prepaid expenses of $4.3 million primarily due to a decrease in purchases of furnace construction and replacement parts and items used in the polishing of wafers.

Cash provided by operating activities was $14.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. During such period, we generated net income of $29.0 million, incurred non-cash expenses of $7.9 million and net working capital change of $6.3 million. The net working capital change of $6.3 million was comprised of an increase in accounts receivable of $12.6 million due to increased sales and timing of collections, a decrease in accounts payable of $825,000 due to timing of payments, an increase in other accruals of $12.0 million consisting primarily of a increase in accrued corporate income and franchise taxes of $12.3 million, and an increase in prepaid expenses of $3.5 million due to an increase in purchases of furnace construction and replacement parts.

Cash flows from investing activities

The following table represents the major components of our cash flows from investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011:


	Six months ended June 30,
	2012			2011
	(in millions)
Purchases of property and equipment:
Machinery & equipment for crystal growth		(2.9	)		(17.0	)
Land and building improvements		(2.0	)		(1.2	)
Increase capacity in other areas		(1.5	)		(7.2	)

Total purchases of property and equipment:		(6.4	)		(25.4	)

Proceeds from sales of investments		20.7			3.1

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	$	14.3		$	(22.3	)

Net cash provided by investing activities was $14.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, we used approximately $6.4 million on the purchase of land and equipment. This was offset by the net proceeds from the sale of investments of $20.7 million.

Net cash used in investing activities was $22.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, we used approximately $17.0 million on equipment for our crystal growth facility in Batavia, Illinois, $7.2 million to add existing capacity in other post crystal growth areas, and $1.2 million on our building in Batavia, Illinois. This was partially offset by sales of investments of $3.1 million used to fund operations and capital spending.

We are continuing to equip our facilities in Malaysia and in March 2012, purchased additional land in Batavia, Illinois for our next crystal growth facility. We have not yet decided on the timing of the construction of this new facility. We plan to purchase equipment for our raw material preparation and for new product development. We estimate our total capital expenditures for 2012 to be between $18 million and $23 million.

Cash flows from financing activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $27,000 and $11.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2012 represents $4,000 in net proceeds from the exercise of stock options, and $23,000 from a decrease in restricted cash. Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2011 represents $10.7 million in excess tax benefits related to stock based compensation, and $741,000 in net proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

Future liquidity requirements

We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents, investments and anticipated cash flows from operating activities will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for at least the next twelve months. Our cash needs include cash required to fund our operations and the capital needed to fund our planned expansions in the U.S. and Asia and investments in new product development. If the assumptions underlying our business plan regarding future revenues and expenses change, or if unexpected opportunities or needs arise, we may seek to raise additional cash by selling equity or convertible debt securities. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or convertible debt securities, the percentage ownership of our stockholders could be significantly diluted, and these newly-issued securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing stockholders. If we obtain debt financing, a substantial portion of our operating cash flow may be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on such indebtedness, and the terms of the debt securities issued could impose significant restrictions on our operations. If we are unable to obtain financing on terms favorable to us, we may be unable to successfully execute our business plan.

Contractual obligations

The contractual obligations presented in the table below represent our estimates of future payments under fixed contractual obligations and commitments at June 30, 2012. Changes in our business needs, as well as actions by third parties and other factors, may cause these estimates to change. Because these estimates are complex and necessarily subjective, our actual payments in future periods are likely to vary from those presented in the table. The following table sets forth information relating to our contractual obligations at June 30, 2012:


	Payments due in
	Total		Less than 1 year		1-3 years		3-5 years		More than 5 years
	(in millions)
Purchase order obligations	$	4.5	$	4.5		—		—		—

Total contractual obligations	$	4.5	$	4.5	$	—	$	—	$	—

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

We consider to be critical those accounting policies that require our most subjective or complex judgments, which often result from a need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain, and that are among the most important of our accounting policies in the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations. We believe the following to be our critical accounting policies, including the more significant estimates and assumptions used in preparation of our financial statements.

Foreign currency translation and transaction

We have determined that the functional currency of Rubicon Sapphire Technology (Malaysia) SDN BHD is the U.S. dollar. Rubicon Sapphire Technology (Malaysia) SDN BHD’s assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the remeasurement method. Non-monetary assets are translated at historical exchange rates and monetary assets are translated at exchange rates existing at the respective balance sheet dates. Translation adjustments for Rubicon Sapphire Technology (Malaysia) SDN BHD are included in determining net income (loss) for the period. The results of operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates during the respective period. We record these gains and losses in other income (expense).

Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are generated from the effects of exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in a currency other than our functional currency, which is the U.S. dollar. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are generally required to be recognized in the determination of net income (loss) for the period. We record these gains and losses in other income (expense).

Revenue recognition

We recognize revenue from sales of products when:

•

Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists. We require evidence of a purchase order with the customer specifying the terms and specifications of the product to be delivered, typically in the form of a signed quotation or purchase order from the customer.

•

Title has passed and the product has been delivered. Title passage and product delivery generally occurs when the product is delivered to a common carrier.

•

The price is fixed or determinable. All terms are fixed in the signed quotation or purchase order received from the customer. The purchase orders do not contain rights of cancellation, return, exchanges or refunds.

•

Collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Our standard arrangement with customers includes payment terms. Customers are subject to a credit review process that evaluates each customer’s financial position and its ability to pay. We determine collectability by considering the length of time the customer has been in business and our history of collections with that customer. If we determine that collection is not probable, no product is shipped and no revenue is recognized unless cash is received in advance.

All of our revenue is denominated in U.S. dollars.

Inventory valuation

We value our inventory at the lower of cost or market. Market is determined based on net realizable value. Cost for raw materials, work in process and finished goods are based on actual costs on a first-in, first-out basis. We establish inventory reserves when conditions exist that suggest inventory may be in excess of anticipated demand or is obsolete based on customer required specifications. We evaluate the ability to realize the value of our inventory based on a combination of factors, including forecasted sales, estimated current and future market value and changes in customers’ product specifications. Recoveries of previously written-down inventory are recognized only when the related inventory is sold and revenue has been recognized. Our method of estimating excess and obsolete inventory has remained consistent for all periods presented. However, if our recognition of excess or obsolete inventory is, or if our estimates of our inventory’s potential utility become, less favorable than currently expected, additional inventory reserves may be required. We determine our normal operating capacity and record as expense costs attributable to lower utilization of equipment and staff. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, we determined that we were not operating at capacity and recorded costs associated with lower utilization of equipment and staff. Although we expect demand to improve throughout the year, it is likely that we will incur additional costs due to lower utilization of equipment and staff in 2012.

Investments

We invest available cash primarily in investment grade commercial paper, corporate notes and government securities. Investments classified as available-for-sale securities are carried at fair market value with unrealized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Investments in trading securities are reported at fair value, with both realized and unrealized gains and losses recorded in other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Investments in which we have the ability and intent, if necessary, to liquidate in order to support our current operations are classified as short-term. Our long-term investments at June 30, 2012 consist of a $2.0 million investment in Peregrine Semiconductor Corp. (a customer) Series D-1 Preferred shares.

We review our available-for-sale securities investments at the end of each quarter for other-than-temporary declines in fair value based on the specific identification method. We consider various factors in determining whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, including the severity and duration of the impairment, changes in underlying credit ratings, forecasted recovery, our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value and the probability that the scheduled cash payments will continue to be made. When we conclude that an other-than-temporary impairment has resulted, the difference between the fair value and carrying value is written off and recorded as a charge on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of June 30, 2012, no impairment was recorded.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

We estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts based on an assessment of the collectability of specific customer accounts. The determination of risk for collection is assessed on a customer-by-customer basis considering our historical experience and future orders with the customer, changes in payment patterns, and recent information we have about the current status of our accounts receivable balances. If we determine that a specific customer is a risk for collection, we provide a specific allowance for credit losses to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected. We believe that, based on the customers to whom we sell and the nature of our agreements with them, our estimates are reasonable. Our method of estimating collectability has remained consistent for all periods presented and with past collections experience.

Stock-based compensation

We expense stock options based upon the fair market value on the date of grant. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options. The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model will be affected by assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include our expected stock volatility over the term of the awards, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, risk-free interest rates, forfeitures and expected dividends.

The expected term represents the weighted-average period that our stock options are expected to be outstanding and is based upon the vesting term of our options, a review of a peer group of companies, and expected exercise behavior. Until November 2007, we were operating as a private company, and, as a result, we were unable to use our actual price volatility data. Therefore, we estimate the volatility of our common stock based on volatility of similar entities over the expected term of our stock options. We base the risk-free interest rate that we use in the option pricing model on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with remaining terms similar to the expected term on the options. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and, therefore, use an expected dividend yield of zero in the option pricing model. We are required to estimate forfeitures at the time of grant and revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The current forfeiture rate of 16.59% was based on our past history of forfeitures.

We allocate stock based compensation costs using a straight-line method which amortizes the fair value of each option on a straight-line basis over the service period. Based on the variables affecting the valuation of our common stock and the method used for allocating compensation costs, we recognized $453,000 and $907,000 in stock compensation expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively.

All option grants made during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 were granted at an exercise price per share equal to the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant. Therefore, there is no intrinsic value because the exercise price per share of each option was equal to the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant.

Based on the fair market value of the common stock at June 30, 2012, there is no aggregate intrinsic value of all stock options outstanding at June 30, 2012.

Income tax valuation allowance

Evaluating the need for and amount of a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets requires significant judgment and extensive analysis of all the positive and negative evidence available to determine whether all or some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. A valuation allowance must be established for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not (a probability level of more than 50 percent) that they will not be realized. In general, “realization” refers to the incremental benefit achieved through the reduction in future taxes payable or an increase in future taxes refundable from the deferred tax assets, assuming that the underlying deductible differences and carryforwards are the last items to enter into the determination of future taxable income. In determining our valuation allowance, we consider the source of taxable income, including taxable income in prior carryback years, future reversals of existing temporary differences, the required use of tax planning strategies, and future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards. During the six months ended June 30, 2011, management concluded that, based on the current level of sustainable profitability that generates taxable income, that it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realizable. With the release of the valuation allowance, federal and certain state and non-U.S. income taxes attributable to the fiscal year’s pre-tax income were provided for in the period.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

As of June 30, 2012, there have been no material changes in the off-balance sheet arrangements disclosed in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

For the six months ended June 30, 2012, there were no material changes in the information regarding market risk contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Management’s evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

Based on evaluations at June 30, 2012, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer (together, our “certifying officers”), with the participation of the management team, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e)

and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that material information relating to the Company is accumulated and communicated to management, including our certifying officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

Our certifying officers have concluded that there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the three months ended June 30, 2012, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time we may be named in claims arising in the ordinary course of business. Currently, there are no legal proceedings or claims pending against us or involving us that, in the opinion of our management, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our business is influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict, involve uncertainties that may materially affect actual results and are often beyond our control. We have identified a number of these risk factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, which factors should be taken into consideration when reviewing the information contained in this report. There have been no material changes with regard to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

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

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

None.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In August 2011, we announced a repurchase plan approved by our Board of Directors authorizing the purchase of up to $25.0 million of our outstanding common stock over a period of two years. The stock repurchase program authorizes us to purchase shares of our common stock in the open market at times and prices considered appropriate by us depending upon prevailing market conditions and other corporate considerations. There were no purchases made by us during the quarter ended June 30, 2012 pursuant to this repurchase plan.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The exhibits filed or incorporated by reference as a part of this report are listed in the Index to Exhibits which appears following the signature page to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated by reference.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on August 8, 2012.


Rubicon Technology, Inc.

By		/s/ Raja M. Parvez

		Raja M. Parvez
		Chief Executive Officer and President
		(Principal Executive Officer)

By		/s/ William F. Weissman

		William F. Weissman
		Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

EXHIBIT INDEX

The Exhibits listed below are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


Exhibit No.		Description	Incorporation by Reference

	3.1	Eighth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Rubicon Technology, Inc.	Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 2, to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-145880) filed on November 1, 2007

	3.2	Amendment No. 1 to Eighth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation	Filed as Appendix A to the registrant’s Definitive Proxy statement on Schedule 14A, filed on April 29, 2011

	3.3	Amended and Restated Bylaws of Rubicon Technology, Inc.	Filed as Exhibit 3.3 to Amendment No. 2, to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-145880) filed on November 1, 2007

	31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

	31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

	32.1	Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.SC. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

	101	The following materials from our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 are formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) consolidated balance sheets, (ii) consolidated statements of operation, (iii) consolidated statements of comprehensive income, (iv) consolidated statements of cash flows and (v) notes to the consolidated financial statements

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Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

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Smaller reporting company