News Summary

Third quarter revenue was $2.8 billion, at the high end of the guidance range.
Third quarter GAAP earnings per share (EPS) was $(1.82) and Non-GAAP EPS was $(1.37), which includes $200 million of underutilization related charges in Flash and HDD.
Third quarter GAAP operating loss was $472 million and Non-GAAP operating loss was $304 million.
Expect fiscal fourth quarter 2023 revenue to be in the range of $2.40 billion to $2.60 billion.
Expect Non-GAAP EPS in the range of $(2.20) to $(1.90) which includes $220 to $240 million of underutilization charges in Flash and HDD.

Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ:WDC) today reported fiscal third quarter 2023 financial results.

"Over the last several years, our team has focused on enhancing business agility and delivering a range of innovative, industry-leading products that address the increasing data storage demands of our customers," said David Goeckeler, Western Digital CEO. "The groundwork we laid, combined with the actions we have taken since the beginning of this fiscal year to right-size and refocus our businesses, have enabled us to navigate a dynamic environment. I am pleased that we delivered non-GAAP gross margin at the higher end of our guidance range due to strong execution across both our HDD and Flash businesses."

Q3 2023 Financial Highlights

	GAAP			Non-GAAP

	Q3 2023	Q2 2023	Q/Q	Q3 2023	Q2 2023	Q/Q
Revenue ($M)	$2,803	$3,107	down 10%	$2,803	$3,107	down 10%
Gross Margin	10.2%	17.0%	down 6.8 ppt	10.6%	17.4%	down 6.8 ppt
Operating Expenses ($M)	$758	$849	down 11%	$602	$659	down 9%
Operating Loss ($M)	$(472)	$(321)	up 47%	$(304)	$(119)	*
Net Loss ($M)	$(572)	$(446)	up 28%	$(427)	$(135)	*
Earnings Per Share	$(1.82)	$(1.40)	up 30%	$(1.37)	$(0.42)	*

	GAAP			Non-GAAP

	Q3 2023	Q3 2022	Y/Y	Q3 2023	Q3 2022	Y/Y
Revenue ($M)	$2,803	$4,381	down 36%	$2,803	$4,381	down 36%
Gross Margin	10.2%	27.0%	down 16.8 ppt	10.6%	31.7%	down 21.1 ppt
Operating Expenses ($M)	$758	$857	down 12%	$602	$740	down 19%
Operating Income (Loss) ($M)	$(472)	$324	*	$(304)	$650	*
Net Income (Loss) ($M)	$(572)	$25	*	$(427)	$521	*
Earnings Per Share	$(1.82)	$0.08	*	$(1.37)	$1.65	*
* not a meaningful figure

The company had an operating cash outflow of $381 million and ended the quarter with $2.22 billion of total cash and cash equivalents.

Additional details can be found within the company's earnings presentation, which is accessible online at investor.wdc.com.

End Market Summary

Revenue ($M)	Q3 2023	Q2 2023	Q/Q	Q3 2022	Y/Y
Cloud	$1,205	$1,224	down 2%	$1,774	down 32%
Client	975	1,089	down 10%	1,732	down 44%
Consumer	623	794	down 22%	875	down 29%
Total Revenue	$2,803	$3,107	down 10%	$4,381	down 36%

In the fiscal third quarter:

Cloud represented 43% of total revenue. Sequentially, an increase in capacity enterprise drive shipments was offset by a decrease in flash shipments. The year-over-year decline was primarily due to a decline in shipments of both hard drive and flash products, as well as price decreases in Flash.

Client represented 35% of total revenue. On both a sequential and year-over-year basis, the decrease was driven by price declines across our flash products and a lower client SSD and hard drive shipments for PC applications.

Consumer represented 22% of total revenue. Sequentially, the decrease was due to a seasonal decline in shipments of both retail hard drive and flash products, as well as price declines in retail Flash. The year-over-year decrease was driven by lower retail hard drive shipments and price declines in Flash.

Business Outlook for Fiscal Fourth Quarter of 2023

	Three Months Ending
	June 30, 2023
	GAAP⁽¹⁾	Non-GAAP⁽¹⁾
Revenue ($B)	$2.40 - $2.60	$2.40 - $2.60
Gross margin	2.4% - 4.4%	3.0% - 5.0%
Operating expenses ($M)	$730 - $750	$580 - $600
Interest and other expense, net ($M)	~$90	~$90
Income tax expense ($M)⁽²⁾	N/A	$60 - $70
Diluted earnings per share	N/A	$(2.20) - $(1.90)
Diluted shares outstanding (in millions)	~321	~321

_______________________

(1) Non-GAAP gross margin guidance excludes stock-based compensation expense of approximately $10 million to $15 million. The company's Non-GAAP operating expenses guidance excludes amortization of acquired intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense, employee termination, asset impairment and other charges, and expenses related to strategic review, totaling approximately $140 million to $160 million. In the aggregate, Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share guidance excludes these items totaling $150 million to $175 million. The timing and amount of these charges excluded from Non-GAAP gross margin, Non-GAAP operating expenses, and Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share cannot be further allocated or quantified with certainty. Additionally, the timing and amount of additional charges the company excludes from its Non-GAAP income tax expense and Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share are dependent on the timing and determination of certain actions and cannot be reasonably predicted. Accordingly, full reconciliations of Non-GAAP gross margin, Non-GAAP operating expenses, Non-GAAP income tax expense and Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures (GAAP gross profit, GAAP operating expenses, income tax expense and diluted earnings per share, respectively) are not available without unreasonable effort.

(2) The Non-GAAP income tax expense is determined based on a percentage of Non-GAAP pre-tax income or loss. Our estimated Non-GAAP tax dollars may differ from our GAAP tax dollars (i) due to differences in the tax treatment of items excluded from our Non-GAAP net income; (ii) the fact that our GAAP income tax expense or benefit recorded in any interim period is based on an estimated forecasted GAAP tax rate for the full year, excluding loss jurisdictions; and (iii) because our GAAP taxes recorded in any interim period are dependent on the timing and determination of certain GAAP operating expenses.

Investor Communications

The investment community conference call to discuss these results and the company's business outlook for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2023 will be broadcast live online today at 1:30 p.m. Pacific/4:30 p.m. Eastern. The live and archived conference call/webcast and the earnings presentation can be accessed online at investor.wdc.com.

About Western Digital

Western Digital is on a mission to unlock the potential of data by harnessing the possibility to use it. With Flash and HDD franchises, underpinned by advancements in storage technologies, we create breakthrough innovations and powerful data storage solutions that enable the world to actualize its aspirations. Core to our values, we recognize the urgency to combat climate change and have committed to ambitious carbon reduction goals approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. Learn more about Western Digital and the Western Digital®, SanDisk® and WD® brands at www.westerndigital.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements regarding expectations for the company's business outlook and financial performance for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2023; the company's market position; overall market conditions; demand trends; product innovations and cost reductions. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The preliminary financial results for the company's fiscal third quarter ended March 31, 2023 included in this press release represent the most current information available to management. The company's actual results when disclosed in its Form 10-Q may differ from these preliminary results as a result of the completion of the company's financial closing procedures; final adjustments; completion of the review by the company's independent registered accounting firm; and other developments that may arise between now and the disclosure of the final results. Other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include: volatility in global economic conditions; future responses to and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic or other similar global health crises; impact of business and market conditions; the outcome and impact of our ongoing strategic review, including with respect to customer and supplier relationships, regulatory and contractual restrictions, stock price volatility and the diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; impact of competitive products and pricing; our development and introduction of products based on new technologies and expansion into new data storage markets; risks associated with cost saving initiatives, restructurings, acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, joint ventures and our strategic relationships; difficulties or delays in manufacturing or other supply chain disruptions; hiring and retention of key employees; our level of debt and other financial obligations; changes to our relationships with key customers; compromise, damage or interruption from cybersecurity incidents or other data system security risks; actions by competitors; risks associated with compliance with changing legal and regulatory requirements and the outcome of legal proceedings; and other risks and uncertainties listed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including the company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC on August 25, 2022, to which your attention is directed. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events, except as required by law.

Western Digital, the Western Digital logo, SanDisk and WD are registered trademarks or trademarks of Western Digital Corporation or its affiliates in the US and/or other countries.

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in millions; unaudited; on a US GAAP basis)

	March 31, 2023		July 1, 2022

ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,220	$	2,327
Accounts receivable, net		1,591		2,804
Inventories		3,979		3,638
Other current assets		693		684
Total current assets		8,483		9,453
Property, plant and equipment, net		3,668		3,670
Notes receivable and investments in Flash Ventures		1,379		1,396
Goodwill		10,041		10,041
Other intangible assets, net		97		213
Other non-current assets		1,483		1,486
Total assets	$	25,151	$	26,259
LIABILITIES, CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	1,307	$	1,902
Accounts payable to related parties		265		320
Accrued expenses		1,158		1,636
Income taxes payable		1,013		869
Accrued compensation		343		510
Current portion of long-term debt		1,175		—
Total current liabilities		5,261		5,237
Long-term debt		5,898		7,022
Other liabilities		1,505		1,779
Total liabilities		12,664		14,038
Convertible preferred stock		876		—
Total shareholders' equity		11,611		12,221
Total liabilities, convertible preferred stock and shareholders' equity	$	25,151	$	26,259

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in millions, except per share amounts; unaudited; on a US GAAP basis)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	March 31, 2023			April 1, 2022			March 31, 2023			April 1, 2022
Revenue, net	$	2,803		$	4,381		$	9,646		$	14,265
Cost of revenue		2,517			3,200			7,851			9,836
Gross profit		286			1,181			1,795			4,429
Operating expenses:
Research and development		476			572			1,551			1,725
Selling, general and administrative		242			281			739			851
Employee termination, asset impairment, and other charges		40			4			140			24
Total operating expenses		758			857			2,430			2,600
Operating income (loss)		(472	)		324			(635	)		1,829
Interest and other expense, net		(57	)		(62	)		(195	)		(217	)
Income (loss) before taxes		(529	)		262			(830	)		1,612
Income tax expense		43			237			161			413
Net income (loss)	$	(572	)	$	25		$	(991	)	$	1,199
Less: cumulative dividends allocated to preferred shareholders		9			—			9			—
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	(581	)	$	25		$	(1,000	)	$	1,199

Income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	(1.82	)	$	0.08		$	(3.14	)	$	3.84
Diluted	$	(1.82	)	$	0.08		$	(3.14	)	$	3.79

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		319			313			318			312
Diluted		319			316			318			316

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in millions; unaudited; on a US GAAP basis)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	March 31, 2023			April 1, 2022			March 31, 2023			April 1, 2022
Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$	(572	)	$	25		$	(991	)	$	1,199
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization		213			216			643			708
Stock-based compensation		74			86			246			249
Deferred income taxes		9			3			34			41
Gain on disposal of assets		(8	)		(15	)		(7	)		(14	)
Non-cash portion of asset impairment		3			—			18			—
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts		4			13			9			34
Other non-cash operating activities, net		(63	)		29			6			42
Changes in:
Accounts receivable, net		314			390			1,213			(96	)
Inventories		(206	)		(15	)		(341	)		(45	)
Accounts payable		79			(196	)		(442	)		(100	)
Accounts payable to related parties		(103	)		7			(54	)		(2	)
Accrued expenses		(258	)		(79	)		(484	)		2
Income taxes payable		(12	)		(16	)		144			(50	)
Accrued compensation		(7	)		(83	)		(169	)		(149	)
Other assets and liabilities, net		152			33			(165	)		(234	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(381	)		398			(340	)		1,585
Investing Activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net		(110	)		(290	)		(688	)		(829	)
Activity related to Flash Ventures, net		(36	)		40			46			23
Strategic investments and other, net		8			(3	)		22			(16	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(138	)		(253	)		(620	)		(822	)
Financing Activities
Employee stock plans, net		(13	)		(3	)		(20	)		(23	)
Net proceeds from convertible preferred stock		882			—			882			—
Repayments of debt		—			(1,046	)		(1,180	)		(3,471	)
Proceeds from debt		—			896			1,180			1,894
Debt issuance costs		(1	)		(14	)		(6	)		(23	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		868			(167	)		856			(1,623	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		—			(4	)		(3	)		(5	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		349			(26	)		(107	)		(865	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		1,871			2,531			2,327			3,370
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	2,220		$	2,505		$	2,220		$	2,505

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION Supplemental Operating Segment Results (in millions; except percentages; unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	March 31, 2023			April 1, 2022			March 31, 2023			April 1, 2022

Net revenue:
Flash	$	1,307		$	2,243		$	4,686		$	7,353
HDD		1,496			2,138			4,960			6,912
Total net revenue	$	2,803		$	4,381		$	9,646		$	14,265
Gross profit:
Flash	$	(65	)	$	798		$	597		$	2,665
HDD		363			592			1,237			2,061
Total gross profit for segments		298			1,390			1,834			4,726
Unallocated corporate items:
Stock-based compensation expense		(12	)		(13	)		(38	)		(36	)
Amortization of acquired intangible assets		—			—			(1	)		(65	)
Contamination related charges		—			(203	)		—			(203	)
Recoveries from a power outage incident		—			7			—			7
Total unallocated corporate items		(12	)		(209	)		(39	)		(297	)
Consolidated gross profit	$	286		$	1,181		$	1,795		$	4,429
Gross margin:
Flash		(5.0	)%		35.6	%		12.7	%		36.2	%
HDD		24.3	%		27.7	%		24.9	%		29.8	%
Total gross margin for segments		10.6	%		31.7	%		19.0	%		33.1	%
Consolidated gross margin		10.2	%		27.0	%		18.6	%		31.0	%

The Company manages and reports under two reportable segments: flash-based products ("Flash") and hard disk drives ("HDD"). In the table above, total gross profit for segments and total gross margin for segments are Non-GAAP financial measures, which are also referred to herein as Non-GAAP gross profit and Non-GAAP gross margin, respectively.

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION PRELIMINARY RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (in millions; unaudited)

	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	March 31, 2023			December 30, 2022			April 1, 2022			March 31, 2023			April 1, 2022
GAAP cost of revenue	$	2,517		$	2,579		$	3,200		$	7,851		$	9,836
Stock-based compensation expense		(12	)		(12	)		(13	)		(38	)		(36	)
Amortization of acquired intangible assets		—			—			—			(1	)		(65	)
Contamination related charges		—			—			(203	)		—			(203	)
Recoveries from a power outage incident		—			—			7			—			7
Non-GAAP cost of revenue	$	2,505		$	2,567		$	2,991		$	7,812		$	9,539

GAAP gross profit	$	286		$	528		$	1,181		$	1,795		$	4,429
Stock-based compensation expense		12			12			13			38			36
Amortization of acquired intangible assets		—			—			—			1			65
Contamination related charges		—			—			203			—			203
Recoveries from a power outage incident		—			—			(7	)		—			(7	)
Non-GAAP gross profit	$	298		$	540		$	1,390		$	1,834		$	4,726

GAAP operating expenses	$	758		$	849		$	857		$	2,430		$	2,600
Stock-based compensation expense		(62	)		(74	)		(73	)		(208	)		(213	)
Amortization of acquired intangible assets		(39	)		(39	)		(39	)		(116	)		(116	)
Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges		(40	)		(76	)		(4	)		(140	)		(24	)
Strategic review		(15	)		—			—			(15	)		—
Other		—			(1	)		(1	)		(1	)		(5	)
Non-GAAP operating expenses	$	602		$	659		$	740		$	1,950		$	2,242

GAAP operating income (loss)	$	(472	)	$	(321	)	$	324		$	(635	)	$	1,829
Cost of revenue adjustments		12			12			209			39			297
Operating expense adjustments		156			190			117			480			358
Non-GAAP operating income (loss)	$	(304	)	$	(119	)	$	650		$	(116	)	$	2,484

GAAP interest and other expense, net	$	(57	)	$	(64	)	$	(62	)	$	(195	)	$	(217	)
Non-cash economic interest and Other		(6	)		—			(2	)		(7	)		17
Non-GAAP interest and other expense, net	$	(63	)	$	(64	)	$	(64	)	$	(202	)	$	(200	)

GAAP income tax expense	$	43		$	61		$	237		$	161		$	413
Income tax adjustments		17			(109	)		(172	)		19			(161	)
Non-GAAP income tax expense	$	60		$	(48	)	$	65		$	180		$	252

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION PRELIMINARY RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (in millions, except per share amounts; unaudited)

	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	March 31, 2023			December 30, 2022			April 1, 2022			March 31, 2023			April 1, 2022
GAAP net income (loss)	$	(572	)	$	(446	)	$	25		$	(991	)	$	1,199
Stock-based compensation expense		74			86			86			246			249
Amortization of acquired intangible assets		39			39			39			117			181
Contamination related charges		—			—			203			—			203
Recoveries from a power outage incident		—			—			(7	)		—			(7	)
Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges		40			76			4			140			24
Strategic review		15			—			—			15			—
Non-cash economic interest and Other		(6	)		1			(1	)		(6	)		22
Income tax adjustments		(17	)		109			172			(19	)		161
Non-GAAP net income (loss)		(427	)		(135	)		521			(498	)		2,032
Less: cumulative dividends allocated to preferred shareholders		9			—			—			9			—
Non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	(436	)	$	(135	)	$	521		$	(507	)	$	2,032

Diluted income (loss) per common share
GAAP	$	(1.82	)	$	(1.40	)	$	0.08		$	(3.14	)	$	3.79
Non-GAAP	$	(1.37	)	$	(0.42	)	$	1.65		$	(1.59	)	$	6.43

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding:
GAAP		319			318			316			318			316
Non-GAAP		319			318			316			318			316

Cash flows
Cash flow provided by operating activities	$	(381	)	$	35		$	398		$	(340	)	$	1,585
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net		(110	)		(258	)		(290	)		(688	)		(829	)
Activity related to Flash Ventures, net		(36	)		(17	)		40			46			23
Free cash flow	$	(527	)	$	(240	)	$	148		$	(982	)	$	779

To supplement the condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the table above sets forth Non-GAAP cost of revenue; Non-GAAP gross profit; Non-GAAP gross margin; Non-GAAP operating expenses; Non-GAAP operating income and loss; Non-GAAP interest and other expense, net; Non-GAAP income tax expense; Non-GAAP net income and loss; Non-GAAP diluted income and loss per common share and free cash flow ("Non-GAAP measures"). These Non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and may be different from Non-GAAP measures used by other companies. The company believes the presentation of these Non-GAAP measures, when shown in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures, provides useful information to investors for measuring the company's earnings performance and comparing it against prior periods. Specifically, the company believes these Non-GAAP measures provide useful information to both management and investors as they exclude certain expenses, gains and losses that the company believes are not indicative of its core operating results or because they are consistent with the financial models and estimates published by many analysts who follow the company and its peers. As discussed further below, these Non-GAAP measures exclude, as applicable, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquired intangible assets, contamination related charges, recoveries from a power outage incident, employee termination, asset impairment and other charges, expenses related to our strategic review, non-cash economic interest, other adjustments, and income tax adjustments, and the company believes these measures along with the related reconciliations to the GAAP measures provide additional detail and comparability for assessing the company's results. These Non-GAAP measures are some of the primary indicators management uses for assessing the company's performance and planning and forecasting future periods. These measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results.

As described above, the company excludes the following items from its Non-GAAP measures:

Stock-based compensation expense. Because of the variety of equity awards used by companies, the varying methodologies for determining stock-based compensation expense, the subjective assumptions involved in those determinations, and the volatility in valuations that can be driven by market conditions outside the company's control, the company believes excluding stock-based compensation expense enhances the ability of management and investors to understand and assess the underlying performance of its business over time and compare it against the company's peers, a majority of whom also exclude stock-based compensation expense from their Non-GAAP results.

Amortization of acquired intangible assets. The company incurs expenses from the amortization of acquired intangible assets over their economic lives. Such charges are significantly impacted by the timing and magnitude of the company's acquisitions and any related impairment charges.

Contamination related charges. In February 2022, a contamination of certain materials used in the company's manufacturing process occurred and affected production operation at the flash-based memory manufacturing facilities in Yokkaichi and Kitakami, Japan, which are operated through the company's joint business ventures with Kioxia Corporation (collectively, "Flash Ventures"). The contamination resulted in scrapped inventory and rework costs, decontamination and other costs needed to restore the facilities to normal capacity, and under absorption of overhead costs, which are expensed as incurred. These charges are inconsistent in amount and frequency, and the company believes these charges are not part of the ongoing production operation of its business.

Recoveries from a power outage incident. In June 2019, an unexpected power outage incident occurred at the flash-based memory manufacturing facilities operated through the company's joint venture with Kioxia Corporation in Yokkaichi, Japan. The power outage incident resulted in costs associated with the repair of damaged tools and the write-off of damaged inventory and unabsorbed manufacturing overhead costs which are expensed as incurred. During fiscal years 2021 and 2022, the company received recoveries for these losses from other parties. The recoveries are inconsistent in amount and frequency, and the company believes they are not part of the ongoing production operation of its business.

Employee termination, asset impairment and other charges. From time-to-time, in order to realign the company's operations with anticipated market demand or to achieve cost synergies from the integration of acquisitions, the company may terminate employees and/or restructure its operations. From time-to-time, the company may also incur charges from the impairment of intangible assets and other long-lived assets. In addition, the company may record credits related to gains upon sale of property due to restructuring or reversals of charges recorded in prior periods. These charges or credits are inconsistent in amount and frequency, and the company believes they are not indicative of the underlying performance of its business.

Strategic review. The company incurred expenses associated with its ongoing review of potential strategic alternatives aimed at further optimizing the long-term value for stockholders. The company believes these charges do not reflect the company's operating results and that they are not indicative of the underlying performance of its business.

Non-cash economic interest. The company has excluded non-cash economic interest expense associated with its convertible notes recognized in periods prior to the company's adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-06, "Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity", which the company adopted at the beginning of its fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. The exclusion of such amounts from prior periods facilitates a comparison of the company's prior period results to the current period presentation.

Other adjustments. From time-to-time, the company incurs charges or gains that the company believes are not a part of the ongoing operation of its business. The resulting expense or benefit is inconsistent in amount and frequency.

Income tax adjustments. Income tax adjustments include the difference between income taxes based on a forecasted annual Non-GAAP tax rate and a forecasted annual GAAP tax rate as a result of the timing of certain Non-GAAP pre-tax adjustments. The income tax adjustments also include adjustments to estimates related to the current status of the rules and regulations governing the transition to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the re-measurement of certain unrecognized tax benefits primarily related to tax positions taken in prior quarters, including interest. These adjustments are excluded because the company believes that they are not indicative of the underlying performance of its ongoing business.

Additionally, free cash flow is defined as cash flows provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment, net, and the activity related to Flash Ventures, net. The company considers free cash flow generated in any period to be a useful indicator of cash that is available for strategic opportunities including, among others, investing in the company's business, making strategic acquisitions, repaying debt and strengthening the balance sheet.

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Western Digital Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results