[8-K] COHU INC Reports Material Event

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Cohu, Inc. issued $287.5 million aggregate principal amount of 1.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2031, including $27.5 million issued pursuant to the initial purchasers' full exercise of their option. Net proceeds were approximately $278.9 million, of which about $28.4 million paid the cost of capped call transactions. Interest accrues at 1.50% and is payable semiannually beginning January 15, 2026. The initial conversion rate is 36.7975 shares per $1,000 principal (approximate conversion price $27.1758), a ~32.50% premium to the $20.51 reference price. Up to 14,017,552 shares may be issuable upon conversion, subject to adjustment. Notes mature January 15, 2031, are senior unsecured obligations, have limited convertibility before October 15, 2030, and include customary redemption, repurchase on a Fundamental Change and Events of Default provisions.

Positive

• $287.5 million aggregate principal raised providing ~$278.9 million net proceeds
• Low coupon of 1.50% reduces near-term cash interest burden
• Capped call transactions intended to reduce potential dilution and offset excess cash conversion payments
• Conversion premium ~32.50% over the $20.51 reference price

Negative

• Potential dilution of up to 14,017,552 shares upon conversion (initial maximum)
• Notes are senior unsecured and are effectively subordinated to secured debt and structurally subordinated to subsidiary liabilities
• Conversions restricted before certain events until October 15, 2030, which may concentrate decision points later
• Repurchase on Fundamental Change and standard Events of Default could force cash repurchases or acceleration

Insights

Financial Analyst

TL;DR: The company raised sizeable, low-coupon convertible financing that provides cash while limiting near-term cash interest burden, with potential share dilution.

The issuance of $287.5 million of 1.50% convertible notes supplies Cohu with approximately $278.9 million of net proceeds for general corporate purposes after paying capped-call costs of $28.4 million. The low 1.50% coupon reduces immediate cash interest expense versus higher-rate debt. The initial conversion price implies a ~32.5% premium to the reference price, and capped call transactions set a cap price near $41.02 to mitigate dilution. However, up to 14,017,552 shares could be issued on conversion, which is material relative to the outstanding share base and could dilute EPS if conversions occur.

Corporate Governance Expert

TL;DR: Transaction contains standard indenture protections and customary conversion/redemption mechanics, with typical default and repurchase triggers.

The Notes are governed by an indenture with customary Events of Default, repurchase rights on Fundamental Change and procedures for acceleration on bankruptcy. Noteholders face limited conversion rights until specified dates and have no contractual rights in the capped call arrangements. The structural subordination to subsidiary liabilities and effective subordination to secured debt are standard but relevant to creditor priority in distress scenarios.

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):    September 24, 2025

Cohu, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		001-04298		95-1934119
(State or other jurisdiction		(Commission		(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)		File Number)		Identification No.)
12367 Crosthwaite Circle, Poway, California				92064
(Address of principal executive offices)				(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   858-848-8100

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1.00 par value	COHU	The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

1.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2031

On September 29, 2025, Cohu, Inc. (the “Company”) issued $287.5 million aggregate principal amount of 1.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2031 (the “Notes”). The Notes issued on September 29, 2025 include the full exercise by the initial purchasers on September 25, 2025 of their option to purchase an additional $27.5 million aggregate principal amount of Notes.

Use of Proceeds

The Company’s net proceeds from this offering were approximately $278.9 million, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and commissions but before estimated offering expenses. The Company used approximately $28.4 million of the net proceeds from the offering to pay the cost of the capped call transactions (as described below). The Company intends to use the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes.

Indenture

The Company issued the Notes pursuant to an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of September 29, 2025, between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

The Notes will mature on January 15, 2031, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased. Interest on the Notes will accrue at a rate of 1.50% per year and will be payable semiannually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2026. The Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations and are (i) equal in right of payment with the Company’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness; (ii) senior in right of payment to the Company’s existing and future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the Notes; (iii) effectively subordinated to the Company’s existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness; and (iv) structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, of the Company’s subsidiaries.

Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding October 15, 2030, noteholders will have the right to convert their Notes only upon the occurrence of certain events. On or after October 15, 2030, noteholders may convert all or any portion of their Notes at any time at their election until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. Upon conversion, the Company will satisfy its conversion obligations by paying cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be converted and paying and/or delivering, as the case may be, cash, shares of its common stock or a combination of cash and shares of its common stock, at its election, in respect of the remainder, if any, of its conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being converted. The initial conversion rate for the Notes is 36.7975 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $27.1758 per share of common stock), which represents an approximately 32.50% conversion premium over the reference price of $20.51 per share of the Company’s common stock, which was the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock on September 24, 2025 (the “Reference Price”). The conversion rate (and accordingly the conversion price) is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events. In addition, upon certain corporate events or upon a notice of redemption (as described below), the Company will, under certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate for noteholders who convert Notes in connection with such a corporate event or convert their Notes called (or deemed called) for redemption during the related redemption period, as the case may be.

The Notes will not be redeemable before January 22, 2029. The Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, for cash at the Company’s option at any time, and from time to time, on or after January 22, 2029 and prior to the 51st scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, if (1) the Notes are “freely tradable” (as defined in the Indenture), and certain accrued and unpaid additional interest, if any, has been paid in full, as of the first interest payment date occurring on or before the date the Company sends such notice and (2) the last reported sale price per share of the Company’s common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price for a specified period of time. The redemption price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.

If a Fundamental Change (as defined in the Indenture) occurs, then, subject to certain conditions, noteholders may require the Company to repurchase all or any portion of their Notes for cash. The repurchase price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the applicable repurchase date. The definition of Fundamental Change includes certain business combination transactions involving the Company and certain de-listing events with respect to the common stock.

The Indenture contains customary provisions relating to the occurrence of “Events of Default” (as defined in the Indenture), which include the following: (i) certain payment defaults on the Notes; (ii) the Company’s failure to send certain notices under the Indenture within specified periods of time; (iii) the Company’s failure to comply with certain covenants in the Indenture relating to the Company’s ability to consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the consolidated properties and assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to another person; (iv) a default by the Company in its other agreements under the Indenture or the Notes if such default is not cured or waived within 60 days after notice is given in accordance with the Indenture; (v) certain defaults by the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries with respect to indebtedness for money borrowed in excess of $50,000,000; and (vi) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization involving the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries.

If an Event of Default involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Company (and not solely with respect to a significant subsidiary of the Company) occurs, then 100% the principal amount of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, all of the Notes then outstanding will immediately become due and payable without any further action or notice by any person. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, then, the Trustee, by notice to the Company, or noteholders of at least 25% aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare 100% of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the Notes then outstanding to become due and payable immediately. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may elect, at its option, that the sole remedy for an Event of Default relating to certain failures by the Company to comply with certain reporting covenants in the Indenture consists exclusively of the right of the noteholders to receive additional interest on the Notes during the first 180 days after the occurrence of such Event of Default at a rate per annum equal to 0.25% on the principal amount of the Notes and, thereafter, at a rate per annum equal to 0.50% on the principal amount of the Notes.

The above description of the Indenture and the Notes is a summary and is not complete. A copy of the Indenture and the form of the Notes are filed as exhibits 4.1 and 4.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and the above summary is qualified by reference to the terms of the Indenture and the Notes set forth in such exhibits.

Capped Call Transactions

On September 24, 2025, in connection with the pricing of the Notes, the Company entered into privately negotiated capped call transactions (the “Base Capped Call Transactions”) with an affiliate of one or more of the initial purchasers and certain other financial institutions (the “Option Counterparties”). In addition, on September 25, 2025, in connection with the initial purchasers’ exercise in full of their option to purchase additional Notes, the Company entered into additional capped call transactions (the “Additional Capped Call Transactions,” and, together with the Base Capped Call Transactions, the “Capped Call Transactions”) with each of the Option Counterparties. The Capped Call Transactions are generally expected to reduce the potential dilution to the Company’s common stock upon any conversion of the Notes and/or offset any potential cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of converted Notes, as the case may be, with such reduction and/or offset subject to a cap. The cap price of the capped call transactions is initially approximately $41.02 per share of the Company’s common stock, representing a premium of approximately 100% above the Reference Price, and is subject to certain adjustments under the terms of the capped call transactions.

The Capped Call Transactions are separate transactions entered into by the Company with the Option Counterparties, are not part of the terms of the Notes and will not change the noteholders’ rights. Noteholders will not have any rights with respect to the Capped Call Transactions.

The description of the Capped Call Transactions above is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of the capped call confirmation relating to the Capped Call Transactions, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement.

The disclosure set forth in Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The disclosure set forth in Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02. The Notes were issued to the initial purchasers in reliance upon Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in transactions not involving any public offering. The Notes were resold by the initial purchasers to persons reasonably believed to be “qualified institutional buyers,” as defined in, and in accordance with, Rule 144A under the Securities Act. Any shares of common stock that may be issued upon conversion of the Notes will be issued in reliance upon Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act as involving an exchange by the Company with its security holders where no commission or other remuneration is expected to be paid in connection with conversion of the Notes and any resulting issuance of shares of common stock. Initially, a maximum of 14,017,552 shares of the Company’s common stock may be issued upon conversion of the Notes, based on the initial maximum conversion rate of 36.7975 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, which is subject to customary anti-dilution adjustment provisions.

Neither the Notes nor the underlying common stock (if conversions of the Notes are settled through delivery of common stock) have been registered under the Securities Act or may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On September 29, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing the closing of the Notes offering. A copy of the press release is furnished hereto as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.2, is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act’), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent expressly set forth by specific reference in such filings.

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On September 24, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing the pricing of the Notes. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

Neither this Current Report on Form 8-K nor the press release constitutes an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, the Notes or any shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit	Description
4.1	Indenture, dated as of September 29, 2025, between Cohu, Inc. and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee
4.2	Form of 1.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2031 (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1)
10.1	Form of Capped Call Confirmation
99.1	Press Release of Cohu, Inc., dated September 24, 2025
99.2	Press Release of Cohu, Inc., dated September 29, 2025
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	Cohu, Inc.
September 29, 2025	By:	/s/ Jeffrey D. Jones
		Name: Jeffrey D. Jones
		Title: Senior VP Finance and Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What did COHU file in this Form 8-K?

The company reported issuance of $287.5 million aggregate principal amount of 1.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2031 and related capped call transactions.

How much cash did COHU receive from the offering?

Net proceeds were approximately $278.9 million after initial purchasers' discounts and commissions and before estimated offering expenses.

What is the conversion rate and implied conversion price for the Notes?

Initial conversion rate is 36.7975 shares per $1,000 principal amount, equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $27.1758 per share.

How many shares could be issued upon conversion of the Notes?

Initially, a maximum of 14,017,552 shares of common stock may be issued upon conversion, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments.

When do interest payments and maturity occur for the Notes?

Interest accrues at 1.50% per year, payable semiannually on January 15 and July 15 beginning January 15, 2026, and the Notes mature on January 15, 2031.