Seagate Technology today reported preliminary results for the quarter ended January 2, 2009 of 37 million disk drive unit shipments, revenue of $2.3 billion, a net loss of $496 million, and net loss per share of $1.02 for the quarter ended January 2, 2009. Net loss and net loss per share for the quarter include $18 million of purchased intangibles amortization and other charges associated with acquisitions, restructuring and related accelerated depreciation charges of $94 million, and a charge of $271 million that reflects an unfavorable adjustment to the valuation allowance related to the company’s deferred tax assets. The aggregate impact of these items is a $383 million loss or approximately $0.79 per share loss. Of the $94 million restructuring and related charges, $16 million was for accelerated depreciation charges recorded in cost of revenue ($2 million) and product development expense ($14 million) with the majority of the balance related to the recently disclosed global headcount reduction.

For the six months ended January 2, 2009 the company reported preliminary results of disk drive unit shipments of 85 million, revenue of $5.3 billion, a net loss of $436 million, and net loss per share of $0.90. Net loss and net loss per share include $37 million of purchased intangibles amortization and other charges associated with acquisitions, charges related to restructuring activities of $145 million, and a charge of $271 million that reflects an unfavorable adjustment to the valuation allowance related to the company’s deferred tax assets. The aggregate impact of these items is a $453 million reduction in earnings, or a decrease of approximately $0.93 per share. Of the $145 million in restructuring related charges, $44 million was for accelerated depreciation charges booked in cost of revenue ($30 million) and product development expense ($14 million) with the majority of the balance related to the previously disclosed global headcount reduction.

As disclosed on December 24, 2008 via a Form 8-K filing, the company has concluded that it is required to record an impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of its goodwill and possibly other long-lived assets. The carrying values of goodwill and other long-lived assets subject to this assessment are approximately $2.3 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively. The accompanying results for the quarter ended January 2, 2009 are preliminary, as the various valuation studies and other analyses required to determine the impairment charge(s) have not yet been completed. The company expects this analysis will be completed on a timely basis, and the impact of any impairment charge(s) and any related income tax effects will be reflected in the financial statements to be included in our Form 10-Q that will be filed for the quarter-ended January 2, 2009.

“We remain focused on executing against our business plan and on aligning the company’s cost structure with the current economic reality,” said Steve Luczo, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We continue to believe that Seagate has a solid future and view the long-term prospects for storage to be positive; however, there are significant near-term challenges facing Seagate that we believe could potentially continue through the end of the calendar year and into 2010. The Board and management team are focused on structuring our business accordingly, building liquidity and strengthening the balance sheet to ensure that we are competitive throughout a period of extended macroeconomic decline. Our technology assets, investments and capabilities remain intact and we are making smarter and faster decisions to improve execution. We continue to believe that the fundamental core strengths that Seagate possesses, when fully leveraged, will result in product leadership across all markets in our industry.”