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Dialog Semiconductor
Annual Report 2017

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FY2017 Annual Report · Dialog Semiconductor
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Dialog Semiconductor Plc
Annual report and accounts 2017

Focusing on the future

Strategic  
report

Corporate  
governance

Financial  
statements

Additional  
information

1 Select these tabs to jump to the start of that section

Contents

Powering the smart connected future

We are a fabless semiconductor company 
primarily focused on the development of 
highly-integrated mixed-signal products  
for consumer electronics. 

Our passion for innovation and entrepreneurial 
spirit ensures we remain at the core of mobile 
computing and the Internet of Things (“IoT”). 

We are a global 
technology company 
with a passion for 
innovation. Through 
our collaborative 
R&D approach and 
responsible supply 
chain management. 

We develop and market 
highly-integrated power- 
efficient mixed-signal 
integrated circuits 
(“ICs”) for the leading 
companies in consumer 
electronics.

Our highly-skilled 
engineers, partnership 
approach, operational 
flexibility and the quality 
of our products are 
sources of competitive 
advantage for Dialog.

We measure our 
success through a 
balance of financial 
and non-financial KPIs, 
with the ultimate aim 
of delivering superior 
long-term growth.

Contents

Strategic report

Introduction
Why invest in Dialog

Financial highlights

Chairman’s statement

Our culture and values

Q&A with our CEO

5 Select from the list below, the highlighted links marked 

, or the blue, underlined text to jump to a page or website

02

04

05

07

08

What we do
At a glance

Our business model

Stakeholder engagement

10

12

14

Managing our resources 
and relationships:
16
 e Engaging with our colleagues 16
 e Our customer relationships
 e Our production partners 

18

and suppliers

19

Our markets 
and strategy
Our markets and strategy

Our strategy

20

23

Our strategic priorities:
24
 e Extend our product portfolio 24
 e Achieve broader and 
deeper customer base

26
 e Deliver continuous innovation 28
 e Strategic initiatives and M&A 30
 e Acquisition of Silego

32

Our performance
KPIs

Segmental review:
 e Mobile Systems
 e Connectivity
 e Advanced Mixed Signal
 e Automotive & Industrial

Financial review

34

36

36

38

40

42

44

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201701

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Powering the smart connected future

Our technologies contribute to extending 
battery life in portable devices, charging 
batteries faster and safely, and providing 
efficient connectivity in IoT applications. 

Our products enhance consumer 
experience and enable our customers 
to differentiate and move fast to market.

Everything we do 
is underpinned 
by a responsible 
approach and robust 
risk management 
process, ensuring the 
long-term viability 
of the Company.

Contents

Strategic report

Sustainability  
and risk
Corporate responsibility 
and sustainability

Managing risk and uncertainty

You can also read more about our 
corporate responsibility performance 
at www.dialog-semiconductor.com/
company/corporate-social-responsibility

5 Select from the list below, the highlighted links marked 

, or the blue, underlined text to jump to a page or website

Governance
Introduction to governance

Leadership – Board of Directors

61

62

Leadership – Management team 64

52

55

Financial 
statements
Independent auditor’s report

Consolidated financial 
statements

Directors’ report

66

Notes to the consolidated 
financial statements

92

98

103

Other information
Glossary of Terms – Technical

162

Glossary of Terms – Financial

164

Advisers and corporate 
information

Group directory

Related undertakings

165

166

167

168

Company financial statements 150

Notes to the Company 
financial statements

152

Branches and 
representative offices

Financial performance measures 156

Corporate governance statement 69

Directors’ remuneration report

Remuneration at a glance

Directors’ remuneration policy

75

76

77

Annual report on remuneration 83

Statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities

Responsibility statement

91

91

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017 
 
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Why invest in Dialog?

A growing business built on innovation

Solid competitive 
positioning

Structural  
growth

 e The quality of our products is rooted  
in deep and focused R&D investment 
and intellectual property.

 e Our engineers deliver technical 

excellence and high level of integration 
through short design cycles.

 e Our technical competencies are aligned 
with secular trends in efficient power 
management and power-efficient 
technologies in mobility and connected 
(“Internet of Things”) devices.

Expensed in R&D in 2017

US$279m

Year-on-year revenue growth in 2017

+13%

KPI

Number of employees in engineering functions in 2017*

Year-on-year revenue growth in Bluetooth® low energy

1,418

KPI

+24%

   Read more about how we are enhancing our competitive advantages  
on Pages 16-19

   Read more about our market-led strategy on Page 23

* Excluding employees from Silego Technology Inc.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201703

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Why invest in Dialog?

High returns, strong  
cash generation

Support organic and  
inorganic expansion

 e We outsource the production of our 

semiconductors to leading foundries. 
Our high touch fabless model enables 
a low capital intensity business.
 e The combination of low capital 

intensity and rigorous working capital 
management results in strong cash 
flow generation.

 e We reinvest that cash in organic and  
inorganic initiatives which aim to 
enhance our competitive advantage, 
expand our technology portfolio  
and our customer base.

Free cash flow in 2017* 

US$205m

2017

2016

2015

KPI

248

205

195

In 2017 we acquired Silego Technology Inc.,  
the leading provider of Configurable 
Mixed-Signal ICs, and the LED 
backlighting technology from ams AG. 

  Read more about our business model on Page 12

  Read more about our segmental performance on Pages 36-43

*  Free cash flow is not a non-IFRS measure. See “Financial performance measures” 

on page 161.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201704

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Financial highlights

In 2017, the business grew 
double-digit and increased 
underlying operating margin

All the business segments delivered year-on-year revenue 
growth. Gross margin increased from 2016 and cash flow 
generation remained strong. In line with our strategic 
objectives, we sustained a healthy level of R&D investment 
to generate future profitable growth.

   Read about our KPIs in detail on Page 34

2017 Financial highlights

Year-on-year revenue growth (US$m)

Gross margin (%)

 +13%

2017

2016

2015

Operating margin (%)

 13.8%

 45.9%

1,353

2017

1,198

2016

1,355

2015

Diluted EPS (US$)

 US$2.21

2017

2016

2015

13.8

2017

25.9

2016

19.2

2015

2.21

2.29

Underlying year-on-year revenue growth (US$m)

Underlying gross margin (%)

 +13%

2017

2016

2015

 46.7%

1,353

2017

1,198

2016

1,355

2015

Cash flow from operating activities (US$m)

 US$285m

45.9

2017

45.7

2016

46.1

2015

285

249

318

Underlying measures of profitability are non-IFRS 
measures because they exclude amounts that are 
included in, or include amounts that are excluded 
from, the most directly comparable measure 
calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS 
or are calculated using financial measures that 
are not calculated in accordance with IFRS. We do 
not regard non-IFRS measures as a substitute 
for, or superior to, the equivalent IFRS measures. 
Underlying measures presented by Dialog may 
not be directly comparable with similarly-titled 
measures used by other companies.

An explanation of the adjustments made to 
the equivalent IFRS measures in calculating 
the non-IFRS measures and reconciliations of 
the non-IFRS measures to the equivalent IFRS 
measures for each of the periods presented 
are set out in the section entitled “Financial 
performance measures” on pages 156 to 161.

3.25

46.7

46.3

46.7

Underlying operating margin (%)

Underlying diluted EPS (US$)

 19.2%

 US$2.92

2017

2016

2015

19.2

18.5

2017

2016

23.4

2015

2.09

2.92

3.02

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201705

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Chairman’s statement

Working to create long-term 
value for our stakeholders

“  Our ambition is to power 

the smart connected 
future. We pursue this 
ambition in a responsible 
and sustainable manner, 
working to create long-
term value for a wider 
range of stakeholders.”
Richard Beyer
Chairman

Fellow shareholder,

Engaging with our employees

In 2017 we made further progress towards our 
strategic objectives to broaden our customer 
base and expand our product portfolio with the 
acquisitions of Silego Technology Inc. and the 
LED backlighting technology from ams AG.

In parallel to the improvement in consumer 
demand in the high-end of the smartphone 
market and the fast development of the Internet 
of Things, the business delivered 13% revenue 
growth, increasing underlying profitability and 
strong cash flow generation. We continued to 
implement our share buyback programme in 
2017 returning approximately US$125 million 
(2016: US$60 million) to shareholders. 

Embedding our culture and values 

As detailed previously in 2016, the Board and 
senior management placed great emphasis 
on articulating and embedding our corporate 
culture to ensure our values are embraced and 
permeate the entire organisation. During 2017, 
we have made further progress in embedding 
the “Spirit of Dialog” and communicating that to 
employees and other stakeholders. 

As a publicly listed company, we aim to generate 
value for all our stakeholders: our people, 
customers, our partners and suppliers, our 
shareholders and the communities in which 
we operate. In order to promote the long-term 
success of our business, the Board is firmly aware 
of the importance of building and maintaining 
successful relationships with a wide range 
of stakeholders.

The energy and commitment of our 2,071 
colleagues is vital to our success. Talent retention 
and development is central to our relentless 
focus on innovation and our ability to create 
value. In 2017, there has been a significant focus 
on the Gender Pay Gap in large organisations. 
The Board is aware of the importance of this 
topic in the electronic engineering industry and 
we have published details of our Gender Pay 
Gap. Legislation encouraging greater diversity 
continues to evolve and the Board is committed 
to playing a positive role in promoting this 
important issue.

Our annual employee survey helps us 
understand what is important to our 
colleagues and where we, as a Board and senior 
management team, need to focus. 

   Read more about our employee survey in Engaging 
with our colleagues on Page 16

Working closely with our customers

We are fortunate to count many of the leading 
consumer electronics companies as our 
customers, which is reflective of our passion 
for innovation and the quality of our products. 
Customers are at the core of our DNA and 
the strength of our customer relationships 
is one of our key assets. Our partnership 
approach, operational flexibility and the quality 
of our products are key sources of value to 
our customers.

   Read more about our customer relationships on Page 18

Engaging with our stakeholders

Our ongoing engagement with internal and external stakeholders helps us  
understand the impact of our activities and relationships on others – and how  
we can best manage these impacts in a responsible manner, as well as the  
potential risks and opportunities, to create value for all our stakeholders.

Our people

Customers

Investors

Strategic partners  
and suppliers

Society/ 
Communities

   Read more on Page 15

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201706

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Chairman’s statement continued

Building a constructive dialogue  
with our shareholders

Working responsibly with our 
partners and suppliers

Changes to the Board 

The Board is committed to engaging in 
constructive dialogue with shareholders to 
enable a clear understanding of our strategy 
and to foster mutual understanding of what 
is important to the Board and shareholders. 
Every decision we make as a Board is intended 
to protect and enhance enterprise value and the 
capital entrusted to us by you as shareholders. 

   Read more about our investor relations in our Governance 
section on Page 72

Playing an active role in society 
and communities

Dialog has operations in a number of locations 
in 16 countries and we play an active role in the 
communities in which we operate. 

As a thought leader in semiconductors and 
technology, we engage with universities and 
professional bodies to share our knowledge and 
contribute to the continuing development of 
students and professionals. Additionally, in 2017 
we invested US$181,000 in local community 
projects across the world.

Our greatest impact comes from the quality and 
energy efficiency of our semiconductors and the 
contribution they make towards the reduction of 
power consumption in consumer electronics.

A key component of our fabless business model 
is the development of strong and responsible 
relationships with our foundry, test and packaging 
partners. Over time, our engagement with 
partners and suppliers has evolved into a close 
collaboration which, in turn, has led to clear 
technology leadership, product quality and 
on time delivery. 

I would like to recognise the contribution of 
Russ Shaw, who stepped down as Director in 
May 2017, and Chris Burke who will not stand 
for re-election at the next AGM. Russ and Chris 
played a key role in helping Dialog create value 
for our shareholders and other stakeholders, and 
we were fortunate to have their contribution for 
almost 11 years.

In 2018, we will continue to focus on 
differentiating Dialog through our relentless 
focus on innovation and strengthening the 
relationships with our main stakeholders. 
Our progress would not be possible without the 
hard work and passion of all our colleagues and 
the Board would like to express its sincere thanks 
for their efforts and commitment. Finally, I would 
also like to thank our shareholders and other 
stakeholders for their continued support.

Sincerely,

Richard M. Beyer
Chairman

Annually, we undertake audits of all fabrication 
partners to ensure our relationships continue 
to operate effectively. While we have healthy 
and enduring relationships with all our partners 
and suppliers, we alone are responsible 
for the products provided to customers. 
This responsibility is taken seriously by the Board 
and management. We promote responsible 
business practices across the supply chain to 
protect our ability to create sustainable value 
for our shareholders.

   Read more about our supply chain in our Annual 
Sustainability Report

Governance and the right 
balance of skills

Our ability to create value for our stakeholders 
is heavily linked to our commitment to high 
standards of corporate governance. The Board 
and I feel we have the right balance of skills, 
experience and backgrounds to oversee the 
evolution of our strategy and, when necessary, 
challenge the management team. In 2016, we 
added two new Directors to the Board and 
during 2017 Nick and Mary have developed a 
thorough understanding of our business and our 
key stakeholders, and they have already brought 
significant new insights to the Company’s 
strategy and execution. In 2017, the Board also 
engaged an external effectiveness evaluation. 
We will continue to assess the composition and 
practices of the Board in 2018 to ensure they 
promote the long-term interests of the business. 

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017 
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Our culture and values

The power of our values sets us apart

Dialog’s success is driven by innovative technology and fast 
time-to-market, which is achieved through our culture and 
values by our outstanding colleagues.

Highly-skilled 
engineers 
and IP

Strength of 
our customer 
relations

Robust and 
responsible 
supply chain

The strength 
of our 
balance sheet

Our Company 
culture

The Spirit of Dialog 
The efficiency of our products is matched 
by our efficiency as a business.

Agility
We believe in being entrepreneurial, always 
moving and decisive: delivering excellence, 
and keeping things simple. 

Difference 
We care about our impact and know that we 
make a difference to our customers and their 
end consumers, to employees and to society. 

The Spirit of Dialog in action

The “Spirit of Dialog” is more than just a set of 
worthy words; it genuinely drives and shapes the 
way we operate as an organisation. We track the 
impact of the “Spirit of Dialog” by ensuring that 
every Dialog employee has a culture objective 
as part of their annual appraisal. We also use our 
employee survey to hold leaders accountable 
to their behaviour according to these concepts. 
The “Spirit of Dialog” is also a crucial factor in 
our recruitment process. We seek to hire people 
who will help maintain and develop the culture 
we know we need for continued success. 
Throughout this report you will see references 
to the “Spirit of Dialog” and how it has driven 
success in the year.

Ideas 
We have a passion for innovation and thrive on 
new ideas. This is about pushing boundaries 
and taking pride in new approaches. 

Many 
We are at our best when we work together, 
across geographic and cultural boundaries. 
This is about sharing ideas, challenging each 
other and building strong relationships with 
our customers, employees and suppliers. 

The  power  of...AgilityManyIdeasDifferenceDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201708

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Q&A with our CEO, Dr Jalal Bagherli

Dear shareholder

In 2017 the business delivered double-digit revenue growth 
and increasing underlying profitability. The acquisitions  
of Silego Technology Inc. and the LED backlighting business 
from ams AG will contribute to the diversification of our 
business and future revenue growth.

“  Revenue outside 

Mobile Systems grew 
13% year-on-year 
and Connectivity 
achieved double-digit 
operating margin.”
Dr Jalal Bagherli
Chief Executive Officer

How would you describe Dialog’s 
financial performance in 2017?

I am very pleased with the financial performance 
of the business in 2017. Revenue was up 13% and 
we delivered US$187 million operating profit, 
US$259 million on an underlying basis. Our three 
core business segments delivered 14% year-on-
year revenue growth and were profitable on an 
underlying basis. Strong cash flow generation 
is a distinctive feature of our business, and 2017 
was no exception with US$285 million cash flow 
from operating activities.

During 2017 consumer demand improved in the 
high-end smartphone segment. This, combined 
with the increasing value of our highly-integrated 
power management solutions, resulted in 13% 
year-on-year revenue growth in Mobile Systems. 

As the Internet of Things continues to evolve and 
more devices get connected, the Bluetooth® low 
energy market also experienced strong growth 
during 2017. Building on the market growth 
and the quality of our products, Connectivity 
delivered a record 15% year-on-year revenue 
growth and higher operating margin.

As mobile computing and the 
Internet of Things (“IoT”) continue 
to evolve, how would you describe 
Dialog’s competitive position?

Mobility or mobile computing is our major end 
market and our core technical competencies are 
aligned with secular trends in efficient power 
management and power-efficient technologies. 

Our highly-integrated power management 
ICs contribute to improving the battery life of 
mobile devices. Our know-how and IP has been 
built over the years, working together with 
the leading consumer electronics companies. 
We have a number of initiatives aiming to 
generate new revenue growth opportunities, 
such as leveraging our existing technology 
into new applications, expanding our range of 
high-voltage chargers, and our collaboration 
with Spreadtrum.

Rapid charge technologies are gradually being 
adopted by more OEMs and during 2017 we 
welcomed new customers, particularly in China. 
New charging technologies, like USB PD Type C™ 
will become more prevalent during 2018. 

The rapid charge segment continued to 
grow in volume during 2017, mostly in China. 
Dialog maintained a commanding position 
in this market, resulting in 4% year-on-year 
revenue growth in the former Power Conversion 
segment. In Q4 2017 we consolidated Power 
Conversion with the business from the 
acquisition of Silego Technology Inc., creating 
the Advanced Mixed Signal business segment.

Our presence in the IoT segment is built on 
the success and technical excellence of our 
Bluetooth® low energy (“BLE”) products. Since its 
launch in late 2014, SmartBond™ has shipped 
well over 100 million units, offering low power 
consumption, small size and low system cost 
without compromise. The market continues 
to grow and we expect it to be at around 26% 
CAGR for the period 2016–2020. 

In 2017, BLE grew 24% year-on-year, the third 
consecutive year of strong double-digit 
growth; a clear testament of the value it brings 
to customers.

Automotive and Industrial also did well in 
2017, delivering 10% revenue growth and high 
operating margin.

At the AGM on 3 May 2017, we renewed the 
approval to continue the buyback programme. 
During 2017 we returned US$125 million to 
our shareholders. Since the beginning of the 
buyback programme in May 2016, we have 
purchased 4.48 million shares for a total of 
€169 million (US$185 million). 

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201709

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Q&A with our CEO, Dr Jalal Bagherli continued

A key initiative for Dialog is to 
establish strategic engagements 
in Asia. What progress has Dialog 
made on this front?

This year we announced the collaboration 
with Spreadtrum Communications, a fabless 
semiconductor company that develops mobile 
chipset platforms for smartphones, feature 
phones and other consumer electronics 
products. It embodies all of the characteristics 
of the mutually-beneficial partnerships we 
seek out. It gives us a strong footing in new 
markets in China, India and South East Asia, 
where Spreadtrum has built a powerful market 
share. This collaboration allows both companies 
to bring better, integrated LTE platforms to 
manufacturers and consumers, meeting the 
demands of next-generation smartphones and 
the next generation of global users. The first 
phase of our cooperation has resulted in Dialog’s 
latest custom SC2705, which is included in one of 
Spreadtrum’s LTE platforms. 

How is the relationship with 
your largest customer?

Over the last decade we have built a strong 
relationship with our largest customer, Apple Inc. 
as its requirements have evolved and developed. 
Our revenue derived from this relationship in 
2017 was US$1,043 million. This revenue is based 
on opportunities made available to us on a 
product by product basis and our ability to work 
to the highest technical standards, develop 
leading-edge technology and a commitment 
to provide high-quality products at appropriate 
price and volumes. 

We recognise that Apple has the resources and 
capability to design a PMIC of its own. We will 
continue to support them as our relationship 
evolves and develops over time.

Last year you announced a 
partnership with Energous.  
How did it develop in 2017?

In November 2016 we announced our 
partnership with Energous Corporation with 
a US$10 million investment and entry into an 
exclusive component supplier agreement for 
Energous’ WattUp ICs. Since then, we have 
launched DA4100, the world’s first WattUp 
wireless power transmitter System-on-Chip 
(“SoC”). This SoC was integrated with Dialog’s 
SmartBond™ Bluetooth® low energy technology 
to form the heart of the FCC-approved WattUp 
near-field transmitter system.

In June this year we announced a further 
US$15 million strategic investment, to show 
our continued belief in the success of this 
partnership. In December 2017, Energous gained 
FCC approval for the medium-field (up to three 
feet) technology which will allow for over-the-
air wireless charging in a range of connected 
devices in the home, office, car and beyond.

In October 2017 you announced the 
acquisition of Silego Technology Inc. 
What does it bring to Dialog?

The acquisition of Silego establishes Dialog as 
the number one player in the emerging and fast-
growing Configurable Mixed-signal IC (“CMIC”) 
market. Silego’s intuitive CMIC software interface 
allows customers to easily configure multiple 
functions into one chip and create a prototype 
in hours with much greater design flexibility. 
This technology enables OEMs to reduce board 
space, simplify their supply chain, and accelerate 
time-to-market. Our entry to the CMIC market 
expands our current addressable market by over 
US$1.4 billion, solidifying Dialog’s position in IoT, 
mobile computing and automotive markets. 
We expect to see the financial benefit from 2018 
with accelerated revenue growth and higher 
underlying EPS.

Our strategy

We continued to make good progress on our corporate strategy.
Our framework incorporates a wider range of stakeholders and aims  
to drive our competitive advantages.

What are the main sustainability 
priorities for Dialog?

In 2017 we reviewed our sustainability priorities 
through our bi-annual materiality assessment. 
The energy-efficiency of our products, our 
people and a responsible supply chain are 
our main sustainability priorities. We remain 
fully committed to playing an active role in 
promoting the high standards of responsible 
business across the supply chain and ensure 
we meet our customers’ high standards. 

It was very rewarding to see Dialog listed in 
the Carbon Clean 200 Index another year. 
A testimony of the role our technology plays 
in supporting the move to a cleaner and more 
energy-efficient economy.

Were there any changes to the 
management team during the year?

In May 2017 we welcomed Julie Pope as 
our new Senior Vice President of Human 
Resources. Julie joined Dialog in 2017 after 
working for American Express as Vice President 
of HR, Business Partner EMEA. She also has 
international experience from Australia and 
the USA for companies including IBM. I believe 
Julie’s experience on the international stage 
complements Dialog’s international footprint 
and I look forward to working with her in 
the future.

Julie replaces Martin Powell, who was with 
Dialog since 2010. I would like to thank Martin 
for his service to Dialog over the last seven years. 
During his time as SVP, Martin was instrumental 
in introducing our company values, “The Spirit 
of Dialog”.

Is there anything else you 
would like to add?

I would like to thank our employees for 
their continued hard work and dedication. 
Together we are building a vibrant mixed signal 
company. We can be proud of our achievements 
this year and we look forward to what 2018 and 
beyond has to offer with confidence, thanks to 
the hard work of everyone in the Company. 

Finally, I would like to thank our customers, 
partners and suppliers, and our shareholders for 
their continued support and trust in Dialog.

Innovation

Dr Jalal Bagherli
CEO

Strategic initiatives 
and M&A

Extending our 
product portfolio

   Read more on Page 23

Broadening and deepening 
our customer base

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201710

At a glance

Strategic  
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Corporate  
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Financial  
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Additional  
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Our power-efficient products are primarily focused on 
consumer applications, enabling people to be connected on 
the move. Our technologies enhance consumer experience 
by extending battery life and enabling faster and more 
efficient charging of their portable devices.

54

3

2

We have been at the centre of the mobile revolution since its inception and we are expanding  
our product portfolio through a combination of organic and inorganic initiatives.

In 2017, we grouped our Power Conversion segment and the business from the acquisition  
of Silego Technology Inc. into a new segment named Advanced Mixed Signal.

   Read more on the markets in which we operate on Page 20

1

77%

10%

10%

2%

1%

1.

Mobile Systems

2. Connectivity

3. Advanced Mixed Signal 

4. Automotive & Industrial

5. Corporate – Dyna Image

 Mobile  
Systems
+13%

Year-on-year revenue growth

77%

of total Group 
revenue in 2017

Connectivity

+15%

Year-on-year revenue growth

10%

of total Group 
revenue in 2017

Our products replace discrete power management 
components with highly-integrated single chip solutions 
that provide higher energy efficiency, design simplicity 
and lower costs for portable and mobile devices.  
High-quality efficient charging technologies have 
become increasingly important for our customers.

We provide short-range wireless connectivity solutions 
that deliver outstanding performance, flexibility and 
power efficiency. Our Bluetooth® low energy solutions 
enable the Internet of My Things. In 2017, we upgraded 
our Bluetooth® low energy products to support 
Bluetooth 5.0, the latest revision of the standard.

Revenue (US$m)

 US$1,043m 

Revenue (US$m)

 US$136m 

2017

2016

2015

1,043

923

1,114

2017

2016

2015

136

118

117

Key products
 e Power Management Integrated Circuits (“PMICs”) for battery 

and tethered applications.

 e Sub-PMICs for high performance multi-core System-on-Chip 

based systems.

 e Charger ICs for smartphones and tablets.
 e Automotive grade PMICs for in-vehicle infotainment 

and cluster systems.

 e Audio CODECs for computing, portable media players 

and audio accessories.

   Segment review on Page 36

Key products
 e Bluetooth® low energy ICs.
 e Voice over DECT for cordless phones and professional 

audio applications.

 e Digital audio and audio CODEC ICs for headsets and headphones.

   Segment review on Page 38

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201711

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At a glance continued

Operations

 16

countries

 2,071

employees

33

locations

Head offices
Design and Manufacturing
Sales offices

Advanced  
Mixed Signal  
+14%

Year-on-year revenue growth

10%

of total Group 
revenue in 2017

Automotive  
& Industrial 
+10%

Year-on-year revenue growth

2%

of total Group 
revenue in 2017

We provide AC/DC controller solutions which enable 
fast and efficient charging for portable applications 
and LED drivers for Solid State Lighting and display 
backlighting. Configurable mixed-signal ICs 
(“CMICs”) can integrate many system functions  
while minimising component count, board space,  
and power consumption. 

We produce custom motor control and power 
management ICs for the mid to high-end European 
automotive segment. We also design electronic ballasts 
for industrial lighting and energy-efficient controllers 
for LED lighting solutions. 

Revenue (US$m)

 US$133m 

2017

2016

2015

133

117

85

Key products
 e AC/DC rapid charge adapters.
 e AC/DC converters.
 e AC/DC power adapters.
 e AC/DC embedded networking converters. 
 e SSL LED and backlight drivers.
 e Configurable mixed-signal ICs.

Revenue (US$m)

 US$33m 

2017

2016

2015

33

30

34

Key products
 e Motor control ICs.
 e ASIC controllers for LED lighting.

   Segment review on Page 40

   Segment review on Page 42

Dialog Semiconductor PlcAnnual report and accounts 2015www.dialog-semiconductor.comDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201712

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Financial  
statements

Additional  
information

Our business model

Our partnership approach, operational flexibility 
and the quality of our products are key sources 
of value to our customers. 

How we monetise our business

We invest in R&D up to 18 months ahead of product launch and we recover 
our investments through the sale of our semiconductors. Our customers’ 
product cycles range from one to five years. This, together with the strength 
of our customer relationships, means the Company typically has long-term 
visibility of business opportunities and revenue streams, a rare characteristic 
for semiconductor companies operating in consumer markets.

A fabless business model based on high Tier 1 customer penetration results 
in high volumes, longer-term revenue streams and ultimately in strong cash 
generation. On the other hand, our relatively high customer concentration 
can lead to significant fluctuations in revenue based on customer success 
and sourcing strategies.

Aligned interests
Dialog is committed to the continuing development of market-leading 
innovative products which we believe will generate profitable revenue 
streams and create long-term value for our shareholders. We achieve this 
by setting stretching performance targets, which align with shareholders’ 
interests, and then motivating our executives and employees to achieve those 
targets with appropriate incentive arrangements. Dialog’s remuneration policy 
is set out in greater detail within the Directors’ remuneration policy report on 
pages 77 to 82.

1

Design  
cycle
6–18 months
A short and collaborative design cycle

We operate in a competitive and changing 
market and need to be able to respond 
quickly to evolving consumer requirements.

3

Products  
cycle
1–5 years
Market-leading, quality  
products that make an impact

Our integrated design approach 
helps to reduce component size 
and number, which contributes 
to improving energy efficiency.

Creating 
value through 
innovation
Our passion for 
innovation is reflected 
in the commitment 
to our people, our 
products and IP.

2

Manufacturing  
cycle
3 months
Our high-touch, flexible 
fabless model

We outsource production to 
industry-leading wafer foundries, 
assembly and test partners.

Our competitive advantage is built on:

Highly-skilled  
engineers and IP

Strength of our  
customer relations

Robust and responsible 
supply chain 

The strength of  
our balance sheet 

Our Company  
culture

   Read more on Page 16 

   Read more on Page 18 

   Read more on Page 19 

   Read more on Page 44 

   Read more on Page 7 

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201713

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Our business model continued

How do we create value?

1

2

3

We develop our products  
in short and collaborative 
design cycles 

We work closely with leading 
and responsible production 
partners – “High-touch  
fabless model” 

We focus on highly-integrated 
power management and 
power-efficient mixed-signal 
ICs for consumer electronics 

Design cycle
6–18 months

Manufacturing cycle
3 months

Products cycle
1–5 years

Dialog’s focus and expertise in power management 
and power-efficient semiconductors contributes 
to better energy efficiency and lower power 
consumption for a range of portable devices and 
applications in the consumer products market.

Our integrated design approach helps to reduce 
component size and number, meaning our 
customers can reduce materials consumption, 
costs, maximise performance and accelerate their 
go-to-market.

Our customers are attracted by the quality, 
performance and energy efficiency of our products 
and our focus on consumer devices. 

In the consumer electronics market, product 
development times are short due to rapidly 
evolving consumer requirements in a highly 
competitive market.

The design of our customised Application Specific 
ICs (“ASIC”) is well embedded in our customers’ 
design cycle. For the design of ASIC solutions, 
we engage with our customers as an “extended 
R&D team”, delivering differentiation in short 
design cycles.

The reciprocal cooperation with customers 
and fabrication partners and decentralised R&D 
approach enhances our innovation capacity.

Our passion for innovation is reflected in the 
commitment to our people, our products and 
IP. Our ability to recruit, retain and develop new 
talent is vital to generate innovation. Our focus is 
to maintain a sustainable skills pipeline. We seek 
to ensure that our intellectual property (“IP”) is 
adequately safeguarded.

   Examples of a range of market-leading innovative 
products, launched in 2017, are set out in the segment 
review on Pages 36 to 43

We have developed a strong and responsible 
relationship with our foundry, test and 
packaging partners.

We outsource production to industry-leading 
wafer foundries such as TSMC, UMC and Global 
Foundries. This approach enables flexibility 
to deploy advanced production processes 
and maintain low capital intensity. Our Global 
Operations and Quality functions have teams 
based at our partners’ manufacturing sites. 

Our assembly and test partners are leading 
companies such as SPIL, ASE and UTAC. 
We maintain deep expertise on advanced 
processes, test and packaging development in 
our own teams. These areas of expertise support 
the development of products which are thin and 
light, features which consumers value highly in 
portable devices. In order to meet our stringent 
product quality and qualification requirements, 
all test programmes are developed and maintained 
by our Test and Product teams and deployed to 
our partners. This approach enables a continuous 
quality improvement process and delivers high 
levels of assurance to us and our customers 
regarding the potential risks they are exposed 
to through the supply chain.

We promote responsible business practices 
internally and across our supply chain. 
Although fabless, we are responsible for delivering 
our products to customers. An efficient and 
responsible supply chain is important to us and 
our customers.

Sustainability informs everything we do:
Find the 2017 Sustainability report at  www.dialog-semiconductor.com/company/corporate-social-responsibility

Our people and IP are vital for  
our business and two of our key 
sustainability priorities. 

We promote responsible business  
practices internally and across  
our supply chain. 

Our power-efficient technologies  
extend battery life and reduce  
materials consumption.

   Read more about our colleagues on Page 16

   Read more about CSR on Page 52

   Read more about our segments on Page 36

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017 
14

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Financial  
statements

Additional  
information

Stakeholder engagement

Engaging with our stakeholders to 
create a sustainable business model

Why we engage
Our ongoing engagement with internal and external 
stakeholders helps us understand the impact of our activities 
and relationships on others – and how we can best manage 
these impacts in a responsible manner, as well as the potential 
risks and opportunities, to create value for all our stakeholders.

At Dialog, we are a team. We work together 
with our internal and external stakeholders and 
we aim to build strong long-term relationships. 

   Read more on our customers on Page 18

Over the years, we have built strong ties with 
the communities from which we operate. 

We understand and care about our impact. 
As a company, we are proud of the energy 
efficiency of our semiconductors and its positive 
impact in helping reduce power consumption 
in consumer applications. 

As a publicly listed company, we aim to generate 
value for our shareholders. In that process, 
we engage with a wider range of stakeholders 
and seek mutually beneficial relations which 
share the economic value created.

   Read more about our value creation in our 
2017 Sustainability Report at 
www.dialog-semiconductor.com/company/
corporate-social-responsibility

In 2017, retention, morale, engagement, and 
diversity and equality were promoted to our 
list of core sustainability issues. 

  Read more about our colleagues on Page 16

Corporate governance and legal compliance 
were merged into a single item, and remains 
a core sustainability priority for the Company 
and our stakeholders.

  Read more about governance on Page 61

Our sustainability priorities

These are the issues that are most important to 
our business and key stakeholders. Although our 
sustainability activities cover a wider range of 
topics, our effort is focused on these.

The re-prioritisation of our core issues reflects 
our stakeholders’ perception of their relative 
importance. It does not indicate a change in 
the Company’s effort.

New material issue

No change

Re-prioritisation 
of material issues

Our material issues

Change from 2016

Mapping to business issue

 e Economic performance and impact

 e Technological innovation and agility

 e Intellectual property

 e Compliance with customer standards

 e Product impacts

People

Products

Other

Products

Products

 e Labour rights and human rights (supply chain)

Supply Chain

 e Employee development

 e Retention, morale and engagement

 e Corporate governance and compliance

 e Diversity and equality

People

People

Other

People

   Read more about our approach to sustainability in our Sustainability Report  
at www.dialog-semiconductor.com/company/corporate-social-responsibility 

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201715

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Stakeholder engagement continued

Who we engage with and why?

Our people 
drive the success of our 
business. We know the value a 
diverse workforce can bring in terms of 
creativity, dynamism and the sharing of new 
perspectives. Our culture supports an inclusive 
and collaborative workplace where everyone 
can achieve their full potential.

Talent retention and development are vital to 
generating innovation and the success of our business. 
High levels of engagement and job satisfaction 
contribute directly to the success of Dialog.

Our annual employee survey helps 
us understand what is important to 
our colleagues and where we 
need to focus. 

Our people 

Read more about 
our customers on 
Page 18

We work 
with the leading 
consumer electronics 
companies. Our engagement 
goes beyond customer satisfaction. 
A closed R&D collaboration is at the 
heart of customer relations.

Customers are at the core of our DNA. Our passion 
for innovation and the quality of our products attract 
the leading consumer electronic brands.

We engage with our customers to better understand 
their requirements and their perception of 
the quality of the products we design for 
them. This helps us increase the value 
we bring into our products and 
our performance.

Read more about 
our colleagues on 
Page 16

Customers

Dialog Semiconductor 
is listed in the Frankfurt 
stock exchange and a constituent 
of the TecDAX index. We encourage a 
two-way communication with potential 
investors and shareholders. 

Feedback from shareholders informs 
our Board discussions. 

We engage with investors and other agents 
in the financial markets in order to provide 
open and transparent business 
information so they can make 
informed decisions.

Investors

As a fabless business model, 
we have developed a strong and 
responsible relationship with our foundry, 
test and packaging partners. Over time, our 
engagement has evolved into a close R&D and 
supply chain collaboration.

Dialog employees are based in many of the 
premises of our partners. We undertake 
annual audits of our existing fabrication 
partners covering operational and 
sustainability aspects. 

Read more in 
Governance on 
Page 72

Partners  
and suppliers

Read more about 
our supply chain 
on Page 19

Society/
Communities

Read more in 
our Annual  
Sustainability  
Report

Our business is grounded in the 
communities it operates and serves. 
We work together with universities and 
professional bodies, as well as local and 
national organisations. 

In 2017, we invested US$181,000 in local 
community projects across the world.

We aim to make a positive contribution to the 
communities in which we operate through 
technological advance and the enhancement 
of the local skills pool.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201716

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Managing our resources and relationships

Engaging with our colleagues

We understand the value of an engaged and diverse 
workforce. Our culture and values encourage diversity 
and our programmes strive to ensure our employees 
remain engaged and motivated.

Highly-skilled 
engineers 
and IP

Strength of 
our customer 
relations

Robust and 
responsible 
supply chain

The strength 
of our 
balance sheet

Our Company 
culture

  Building our competitive advantage 
“   Our ability to recruit, develop and retain 
top technical talent is vital to fostering 
innovation and to generate the unique IP 
that gives Dialog a competitive advantage.”
Julie Pope
Senior Vice President, Human Resources

To help us manage our human 
resources, we monitor internal KPIs 
to check we are on track:

Engineering talent ratio (%)

 74.7%

KPI

New employees (net additions), globally, in 2017

 305

2017 headcount 

2,071

(2016: 1,766 +17.3%)

Our performance

Participation in engagement survey %

Voice of Dialog – 
Employee engagement 
% or Engagement Capital
Employee turnover (%)
Employee retention (%)
Manager retention rate
Overall employee 
retention rate
Engineering talent 
ratio (%)
Diversity (%)
Women overall
Part-time employees
Number of nationalities

2017

2016

2015

60
10.3

65
7.9

59
6.9

94.7 93.0 95.0

89.7 92.1

93.1

74.7 74.8 72.4

16.8 14.9
3.2
3.2
65
65

15.8
3.5
62

Listening to our employees – 
the Voice of Dialog

Listening to and involving our people in shaping 
the business is key to the success of the Company.

In 2017, we conducted our annual employee 
engagement survey, “The Voice of Dialog”. 
79% of our colleagues across Dialog shared their 
feedback and views. This is a small decrease 
from 2016 but it is still 3% higher than the 
global benchmark provided by our survey 
provider Gartner.

2017

2016

2015

79

82

75

As part of our work to ensure our employees 
are motivated and engaged, we track various 
measures across the survey. We analyse trends 
and we benchmark against industry standards. 
We also examine the highest scoring units 
within Dialog to identify what they do well, 
and share these internal best practices around 
the Company. 

The level of engagement in 2017 was below 
2016. As the competition in the industry is 
increasing our engagement scores have 
decreased. Alongside this we have experienced 
higher staff turnover in some locations and 
functions (although lower than the industry 
average), especially in countries and for jobs 
where the market is more competitive for talent. 
However, we have maintained high manager 
retention, and we are using our engagement 
survey to decide what actions we need to take.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017 
 
 
 
17

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Additional  
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Managing our resources and relationships continued

We are an engineering-led 
organisation with 74.7% of 
employees in engineering 
functions. Our recruitment 
approach includes a 
combination of entry 
level graduate hiring and 
experienced engineers. 
This allows us to create 
a diverse workforce 
with a good combination 
of fresh thinking with 
deep experience.

Encouraging diversity

We recognise the value a diverse workforce can 
bring in terms of creativity, dynamism and the 
sharing of new perspectives. Dialog is committed 
to employing and developing those people who 
have the necessary skills, experience and values 
to excel in their relevant role – irrespective of their 
gender, ethnicity, religion, disability or any other 
non-work related personal characteristic. 

The globalised nature of our footprint and the 
nature of our sector mean that we benefit from a 
highly international workforce. We have a total of 
65 nationalities represented within our business 
– as well as a senior executive team representing 
seven different nationalities. 

The electronic engineering sector performs 
relatively poorly in terms of gender diversity. 
Growing focus is being placed on invisible, 
structural considerations that may induce a 
degree of self-deselection (i.e. rather than any 
conscious barriers on the part of the sector). 
Women are also under-represented in our 
workforce. Female representation on our 
Board of Directors is 11% (one of nine directors) 
(2016: 10% – one of ten directors) and on our 
Executive Team 8% (one of 11) (2016: 0%). 
Female representation on the rest of the 
organisation is 17% (348 of 2,059) (2016: 15% – 
263 of 1,755).

We are keen to raise awareness amongst 
women, both inside and outside the Company, 
about the exciting potential careers available 
to them at Dialog and to encourage them to 
explore these opportunities with us. 

In April 2017, the Gender Pay Gap Reporting 
came into effect in the UK. The difference in 
the median pay between all men and women 
in Dialog UK, is 23.8%. This gender pay gap is 
a reflection of the lower number of women in 
engineering and in senior roles, an important 
issue in the electronic engineering sector. 

   Read more about the gender pay gap on our website  
at www.dialog-semiconductor.com 

Julie Pope
Senior Vice President, Human Resources

In 2018 our key focus areas will be to improve 
manager capability, to identify and retain critical 
talent and to introduce a global flexible working 
policy. We will continue holding all employee 
meetings to help employees understand the 
connection between our strategy and their job.

Recruiting talent

In 2017, we added 125 new employees (net 
additions) across the world and in addition 
welcomed 180 new colleagues from Silego 
Technology Inc. We strive to recruit the most 
talented people globally to support the 
level of innovation required to succeed in a 
highly competitive industry. During 2017, we 
expanded our design centres in Europe, Asia 
and North America.

   Our people represent one of our main sustainability 
priorities. Examples of initiatives and how we manage 
them are on Page 52

Recognising and rewarding 
our talent

We aim to maintain an engaged, healthy 
and motivated workforce that is aligned with 
and actively supports Dialog’s values and 
business goals. 

This includes market competitive pay and 
employee benefits, opportunities for individual 
and team recognition, and a supportive working 
environment. All of these seek to support long-
term employee well-being and ongoing learning 
and career development opportunities.

By doing so, we believe we can engender 
employee motivation and performance, while 
also enhancing our ability to retain their valuable 
skills and experience. 

We regularly benchmark our employees’ pay 
and benefits against the employment markets in 
which we operate. This includes close analysis of 
packages offered by our competitors to ensure 
that our own offering remains attractive.

Passionate about 
developing employees

At Dialog we have a passion for innovation 
and to help new ideas flourish, we invest in the 
development of our people.

We ensure our employees have access to a variety 
of high-quality development opportunities that 
enhance their skills, expertise and knowledge. 
Our learning and development programmes 
enhance our internal pool of talented employees 
and encourage high achievers to build a long and 
successful career with us.

Coaching and developing each other is an 
important aspect of our culture. We utilise a 
70/20/10 development split of “on the job” 
learning (70%), feedback & mentoring (20%) 
and classroom learning (10%). We have also 
responded to business demand by developing 
programmes for specific employee categories 
and career stages.

In 2017, development opportunities included, 
technical and professional training, and 
management and leadership training. In 2018 
we will further develop key programmes which 
develop technical and non-technical skills 
required to support Dialog’s growth. 

Human and labour rights

Our Code of Business Conduct is directly 
informed by international, industry and customer 
standards. We are committed to protecting 
the rights of our people and we extend this 
commitment to our supply chain partners. 
Governments continue to legislate in this 
respect. Given the highly specialised nature 
of our industry we believe our supply chain 
has relatively low levels of slavery and human 
trafficking risk. Our Modern Slavery and Human 
Trafficking statement, published in 2017, reflects 
our commitment to remain vigilant and improve 
our compliance monitoring and verification, 
especially in selecting new suppliers. 

   Read our modern slavery and human trafficking statement 
on our website at www.dialog-semiconductor.com

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201718

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Managing our resources and relationships continued

The strength of our customer relationships

Highly-skilled 
engineers 
and IP

Strength of 
our customer 
relations

Robust and 
responsible 
supply chain

The strength 
of our 
balance sheet

Our Company 
culture

Creating long-term customer relations
We work with many of the leading consumer 
electronics companies.

Customer concentration (%)

 77% 

(2016: 74%)

   Read more on our KPIs on Page 34

KPI

Customer and industry standards 

As a supplier of semiconductors to 
manufacturers of sophisticated electronic 
goods we are subject to a significant body 
of technical, legal, social responsibility, 
and quality control requirements defined 
by our customers. 

   For more information see our 2017 Sustainability Report

A close R&D collaboration with our customers 
enhances our innovation capacity and creates 
strong and long lasting customer relations. 
Our customers want our focused innovation, 
technical expertise, high integration and fast 
product development and support. Given the 
speed of technological change in our markets, 
our focus is to develop and retain long-term 
relationships with all our major customers, 
adopting a true partnership approach.

Customers with a significant contribution to 
revenue include Apple, Panasonic, Samsung, 
Gigaset, and AVM.

These top five customers represented 82% of 
Dialog revenue in 2017 (2016: 92%). We recognise 
there is a risk associated with this level of 
customer concentration (see details on page 
56 of the Risk section) and the revenue derived 
from our largest customer is shown on page 
145, note 31c. We are delighted to have such a 
strong relationship and during 2017 we have 
broadened and deepened our interactions 
based upon our innovative products, 
excellent programme execution and product 
delivery. The diversification of our business 
is a key strategic objective. In 2017, we also 
welcomed new customers across multiple 
business segments.

How Dialog helps Plantronics 
lead in Audio quality

For more than a decade, Plantronics, 
a leader in audio communications 
in the enterprise, government and 
consumer spaces, has relied on Dialog 
Semiconductor to provide the audio and 
connectivity chipsets that underpin their 
industry-leading wireless audio products. 
Dialog now underpins the majority of 
Plantronics’ DECT (Digital Enhanced 
Cordless Telecommunications) product 
lines, which is the standard used widely 
in most countries around the world.

A major underlying value-add of 
Plantronics’ relationship with Dialog is that 
teams can work together in the product 
development phase to build chips that 
meet specific technological needs that 
existing solutions had not addressed. 
In some cases, these collaborations 
have led to the creation of chips that 
have eventually been replicated or 
used industry-wide.

Several years ago, for example, Dialog 
created a chip variant for Plantronics that 
required a new metal mask – a variant 
of one of their existing chips. This was 
a special tweak for Plantronics that 
eventually benefited the larger headset 
market by becoming a standard design 
across the industry.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201719

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report

Corporate  
governance

Financial  
statements

Additional  
information

Managing our resources and relationships continued

Managing our production partners and suppliers

Highly-skilled 
engineers 
and IP

Strength of 
our customer 
relations

Robust and 
responsible 
supply chain

The strength 
of our 
balance sheet

Our Company 
culture

Building an efficient supply chain 
We work closely with leading and responsible 
production partners.

On Time Delivery performance (%)

 99% 

(2016: 99%)

About our Supplier Code of Conduct 

We expect all of our major suppliers to comply 
with our Supplier Code of Conduct. 

   For more information see our 2017 Sustainability Report

We operate a fabless business model and 
we have developed strong and responsible 
relationships with our foundry, test and 
packaging partners. Over time, our engagement 
has evolved into a close R&D and supply 
chain collaboration.

Dialog employees are based in many of the 
premises of our partners. We undertake annual 
audits of our existing fabrication partners 
covering operational and sustainability aspects.

We outsource our wafer production to leading 
foundries like TSMC and Global Foundries, 
mostly in Taiwan and China. They provide high-
quality products and have the ability to meet 
both our stringent qualification requirements 
and tight deadlines. 

Over the years we have worked closely with 
TSMC to introduce new manufacturing 
technologies for our highly-integrated power 
management ICs, such as 130 nanometre BCD. 

Since late 2016 we are pioneering the use of GaN 
semiconductors for consumer electronics, using 
TSMC’s GaN 650 Volt GaN-on-Silicon technology.

The final assembly of our chips is outsourced to 
a number of qualified subcontractors in Asia. 

Our test programmes, based on our own 
and individual customers’ specifications are 
developed by our test engineers in parallel 
with the design process.

Leveraging the outsourcing model to its fullest 
for volume manufacturing, we still retain in-
house a prototype test facility, including physical 
analysis capabilities. This facilitates fast ramping 
to volume manufacturing at the foundry and at 
packaging and test sub-contractors, achieving 
best-in-class industry yields and extremely high 
quality and reliable products. Equally important, 
it allows us to minimise the scope of tests 
required and the device test time, helping to 
reduce unit costs.

Driving quality advances

Product testing is a manufacturing cost, 
so reducing test time and performing 
multi-site testing is a key target. 
Dramatic improvements are experienced 
between early batches, with yields rising 
from 75% to 98% or higher by the time 
the product is in volume production. 
The test time is dramatically reduced 
during this process and the cycle time to 
create this improvement can be as short 
as 1 to 3 weeks – an achievement that 
only comes as a result of investment in 
in-house facilities. 

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201720

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Financial  
statements

Additional  
information

Our markets and strategy

The opportunities 
in our markets

The major markets in which we operate are below.

Key Drivers

PMICs and Charger ICs

3%2016-2020 CAGR

2020

2016

Source: Gartner 2017, IDC 2016, Dialog internal.

Audio Codec

1%2016-2020 CAGR

2020

2016

Source: Gartner 2017, IDC 2016, Dialog internal.

US$5,499m

US$4,941m

 e Increasing daily use of mobile devices. 
 e Larger batteries and battery charge time reduction. 
 e Larger, higher resolution screens, higher rate of data transmission  

and multi-core application processors. 
 e Industry increase in “always-on” applications.
 e Acceleration of mobile technology into the Automotive space. 

US$537m

US$518m

 e More power-efficient audio solutions which help to extend battery life. 
 e High-quality audio technology capturing speech and audio. 
 e Industry increase in “always-on” applications.

Bluetooth® low energy

26%2016-2020 CAGR

2020

US$674m

2016

US$268m

 e Increase in the number of smart connected devices. 
 e Very low power data transmission from peripherals to 

smartphones and tablets. 

 e Solutions enabling customers a fast go-to-market.

Source: IHS Technology Q3 2017 Report, 26 October 2017.

Wireless, USB audio 

30%2016-2020 CAGR

2020

2016

US$299m

Source: Future source (October 2017), Dialog internal.

AC/DC converters 

11%2016-2020 CAGR

2020

2016

Source: Gartner 2017, IDC 2016, Dialog internal.

LED SSL and LED Backlight

9%2016-2020 CAGR

2020

2016

Source: Gartner 2017, IDC 2016, Dialog internal.

Key business segments

Mobile Systems 
Connectivity 
Advanced Mixed Signal

US$855m

 e Increase in power-efficient, feature-rich wireless audio applications. 
 e Fast growing USB type-C Hi-res audio headsets for the mobile market. 
 e Fast growing semi-professional Unified Communication headsets with 

low-latency microphone features.

US$1,025m

US$684m

 e Larger smartphone/mobile device batteries and higher power adapters 

needed to charge them.

 e Consumer demand for faster mobile device charging and smaller travel 
adapters/power supplies requires very efficient, higher power density 
AC/DC IC solutions.

 e An expanding array of new rapid charging protocols, including the new 
USB Power Delivery 3.0 (USB-PD 3.0), Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ 4+ 
and other new proprietary OEM protocols.

US$582m

 e Market shift from edge-lit design to multi-segment and direct 

backlighting to enable higher resolution and high dynamic range 
(“HDR”) displays.

US$406m

Automotive & Industrial

We are not exposed to the wider automotive and industrial markets. 
Our product portfolio focuses on two specific solutions: motor control 
ICs, which are part of a windscreen wiper motor solution and ASICs for 
conventional and LED light sources.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201721

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Additional  
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Our markets and strategy continued

Power management: increasing data 
processing and more functionalities 
drive the need for more efficient 
power management

Connectivity: the number of 
connected devices continues 
to increase

Our technical competencies are aligned with 
secular trends in efficient power management 
in mobility and connected (“IoT”) devices.

Dialog’s R&D investment in highly-integrated 
power management and charging products 
allows our Mobile Systems business to be 
well positioned for mid to high-end mobile 
devices. Our products enable our customers to 
produce lighter and thinner smart devices with 
higher power efficiency and longer battery 
life. The top five smartphone vendors as of the 
end of September 20171 were Samsung, Apple, 
Huawei, Oppo and Xiaomi.

Increasing processing capabilities in mobile 
devices coupled with more powerful 
telecommunications networks like 4G being 
rolled out across the world are enabling 
consumers to increase the intensity of use of 
their mobile devices and the volume of data 
processed. 4G smartphones surpassed the 
one billion mark in shipments as emerging 
markets play catch up. In parallel, the increase in 
internet usage time creates an increase in data 
processing with an energy cost. In this context, 
the need to increase the power efficiency of 
portable devices will continue to be at the core 
of consumer electronics. 

Smartphones and smart vehicles 

 4.5bn

Wireless connections expected by 2020 

50bn

The number of smart connected devices 
continues to increase. In 2020, we expect to 
have 4.5 billion smartphones and smart vehicles, 
ten “appcessories” per person and 50 billion 
wireless connections. Smartphones and 
tablets are the central mobile gateways and 
all major computing platforms, iOS, Android 
and Windows 10, have adopted Bluetooth® 
low energy as a core connectivity technology. 
We anticipate Bluetooth® low energy will also 
have a key role in connecting IoT nodes into 
the cloud. The Bluetooth® low energy market 
is expected to grow at a 26% CAGR2 in the 
period 2016–2020.

A key fast-growing market for semi-professional 
wireless headsets is Unified Communication 
(“UC”); new generation headsets supporting 
Hi-Fi audio music listening with low-latency 
microphone features. Dialog is a leading supplier 
into wired and wireless headsets in the UC 
market. The 1.9GHz wireless link is enabling 
high-density wireless networks in the enterprise 
environment without the risk of interference 
with the overcrowded 2.4GHz frequency space. 
Our products excel in audio performance, 
integrated power management and interfacing 
to various UC devices.

A new fast-growing market is for digital 
consumer headsets targeting the smartphone 
market. New smartphones have been 
introduced in the market in 2016 without a 
3.5mm audio jack. This trend change will create 
new demand for headset and headphone 
products with a digital interface, wireless or via 
USB type C™. Smartbeat™, our audio chip-set 
solution, targets this market.

Bluetooth® low energy

In 2017, we achieved the 
remarkable milestone of 
shipping over 100 million units 
of SmartBond™, our Bluetooth® 
low energy.

The Bluetooth® low energy market 
continued to grow in 2017 as more 
applications got connected.

Wearable devices, Smart Home 
applications, proximity tags and 
portable medical devices are some 
of the applications driving the growth 
in the market. The introduction of the 
5.0 Bluetooth standard will contribute 
to the adoption of this technology in 
a wider range of applications, fuelling 
further growth in this market over the 
medium term.

1 
2 

IHS 9 November 2017, Q3 2017 smartphone market.
IHS Technology Q3 2017 Report, 26 October 2017.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017 
22

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Our markets and strategy continued

Power Conversion: feature-rich devices and higher capacity 
batteries drive the need for rapid charge solutions.

Dialog addresses the SSL market with a broad 
range of high performance, low bill of materials 
(“BOM”) cost LED driver ICs for a wide range 
of residential and commercial applications. 
We support both dimmable and non-dimmable 
applications, with continued investment in 
residential SSL applications and expanding our 
reach into commercial lighting. All of our SSL LED 
driver ICs are designed to give our customers 
the benefits of reduced system component 
count, very low standby power and the best 
combination of performance and price.

LED displays are moving from edge-lit to multi-
segment (zone) backlighting technology to 
enable the dynamic visual experience of 4K, 8K 
and high dynamic range (“HDR”) TVs, while light 
vectoring is enabling advances in computing 
and automotive displays, including driver/
passenger split screen displays. These market 
trends play to our core BroadLED™ backlighting 
technology, which enables us to drive more LED 
zones from a single IC, improving display picture 
quality, reducing power dissipation and lowering 
the BOM cost. 

One of the key features consumers want in their 
next device is faster charging. Yet, emerging 
feature-rich, large-screen mobile devices require 
higher capacity batteries, which necessitate 
higher power and longer charge times. 
These market dynamics continue to drive rapid 
charging as the fastest growing segment in the 
highest volume market – smartphones.

Dialog continues to lead the way in rapid 
charging with almost 60% market share and AC/
DC adapter IC solutions that support virtually 
all fast charge protocols, including the new USB 
Power Delivery 3.0 specification, Qualcomm® 
Quick Charge™ 4+, MediaTek Pump Express™ 
Plus 2.0, Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging (“AFC”), 
Huawei SuperCharge™ technology and Fast 
Charger Protocol (“FCP”), and other proprietary 
OEM protocols. In fact, Dialog supports more 
rapid charge protocols than any other supplier.

Consumers want to charge their smartphones 
and mobile devices faster and they want very 
small form-factor travel adapters. This means 
OEMs need to pack more power into compact 
charger cases without incurring thermal issues, 
along with very low standby power to meet 
increasingly stringent government regulations 
to reduce global warming. 

Addressing these market dynamics requires 
“high power density” AC/DC solutions with 
fewer and smaller components and very high 
efficiency. Our AC/DC RapidCharge™ chipsets 
offer efficiency as high as 90% and support 
output power up to 45W.

With improving performance and lower costs, 
solid state lighting (“SSL”) lighting is becoming 
the preferred technology for new residential 
and commercial installations. Additionally, 
rising consumer awareness and global 
energy regulations, combined with improved 
performance and lower cost continue to drive 
the adoption of residential SSL retrofit bulbs. 

Configurable mixed-
signal ICs

In 2017, we acquired Silego 
Technology Inc. This acquisition 
adds configurable mixed-
signal ICs (“CMIC”) to our 
product portfolio.

Silego is the pioneer and market 
leader in CMICs that integrate multiple 
analog, logic and discrete component 
functionality into a single chip. Silego’s 
intuitive CMIC software interface allows 
customers to easily configure these 
functions and prototype a custom IC in 
hours with much greater design flexibility. 
This technology enables OEMs to reduce 
board space, simplify their supply chain, 
and accelerate time-to-market. Silego’s 
solutions are increasingly being used 
across a broad range of new applications, 
with over three billion units sold.

The CMIC complements Dialog’s market 
leadership by increasing the dollar content 
at existing customers and expanding 
our customer base. The breadth of the 
new product portfolio strengthens 
our presence in markets including IoT, 
computing and automotive.

Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Qualcomm is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. Quick Charge is 
a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. All Qualcomm Incorporated trademarks are used with permission.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201723

Our strategy

Strategic  
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Financial  
statements

Additional  
information

A path for future revenue growth

Our ambition is to power the smart connected future, 
enhancing the usability, effectiveness and sustainability 
of consumer electronic products. 

We made good progress in 2017, charging ahead with initiatives in each of our strategic 
priorities. Our goal is to generate sustainable long-term value for our customers, 
our shareholders, our employees and other stakeholders.

The strategic framework aims to give a comprehensive view of our business and the links 
between our strategy, risks and the progress made during the year.

   Read about Managing risk and uncertainty on Page 55 

Strategic priority

Why it is important

How we measure our progress

 Extend our  
product portfolio

We aim to continuously extend our 
product portfolio of highly-integrated 
mixed-signal, lower power products. 
This helps us to diversify, open up 
new addressable markets and stay 
ahead of the competition. 

39

New products introduced and sold in 2017 
with revenues greater than US$200,000.

 Achieve  
a broader 
and deeper 
customer base

 Deliver  
continuous 
innovation

 Strategic initiatives 
and M&A

The quality of our products has 
attracted the leading brands in each 
of our markets. We want to maintain 
and grow those strong relationships 
while further diversifying our customer 
base by launching new products and 
opening up new addressable markets.

16

New customers welcomed to Dialog 
with revenues greater than US$200,000. 
Additionally, we deepened our existing 
customer base with new ASIC and 
ASSP products. 

Innovation is at the core of our 
business. Our top talent and 
technology, paired with an innovative 
product development philosophy 
and sustained R&D investment, 
enables Dialog to deliver high value 
to our customers.

We support the expansion of our 
business through a combination 
of regional partnerships, particularly 
in Greater China, investments in 
new technologies, and M&A.

US$279m

Expensed in R&D programmes during 2017, 
an increase of 16% compared with 2016.

2

Businesses acquired in 2017: 
Silego Technology Inc. and the LED 
backlighting business from ams AG.

1

Partnership with Spreadtrum.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017 
 
 
 
24

Strategic  
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statements

Additional  
information

Our strategic priorities

Focusing on
extending 
our product 
portfolio...

Strategic priorities

Business segment

Extend product portfolio, broader and deeper 
customer base, continuous innovation

Mobile Systems

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201725

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Our strategic priorities continued

Leveraging our power management technology 
into new markets.
In 2017 we launched the DA6102, a highly-integrated 
power management IC (“PMIC”) for DSLR, 
mirrorless cameras and multi-cell Li-ion battery 
applications, delivering an impressive 50% space 
saving over competing solutions.

We also introduced the first nanopower PMICs, the 
DA9230 and DA9231, the smallest of their class on 
the market. The ultra-compact nanopower PMICs 
provide high efficiency and flexibility for wearables, 
smart door locks, portable medical devices and 
many other IoT applications.

Progress in 2017 
 e Availability of the DA4100 RF-transmit Integrated Circuit (“IC”). The new IC greatly 

simplifies the implementation of WattUp® wireless power transmitter systems making 
them smaller and more cost-effective. 

 e Next generation of our SmartBond™ family – DA14586. The all-new System-on-Chip 
(“SoC”) is the Company’s first standalone device that is qualified to support the latest 
Bluetooth 5.0 specification, delivering the lowest power consumption and unrivalled 
functionality for advanced use cases. 

 e Launched the DA6102, a highly-integrated power management IC (“PMIC”) 

complete power supply solution for DSLR, mirrorless cameras and multi-cell Li-ion 
battery applications.

Key risks 
 e Human Capital.
 e Information technology and security.
 e Dependency on mobile and consumer electronics.
 e Supply chain interruption.
 e Quality assurance.
 e Return on research and development investment.

How we measure our progress

39

New products introduced and sold in 2017  
with revenue greater than US$200,000.

29 

New products in 2016.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201726

Strategic  
report

Corporate  
governance

Financial  
statements

Additional  
information

Our strategic priorities continued

Focusing on
achieving 
a broader 
and deeper 
customer 
base...

Strategic priorities

Culture

Business segment

Many

Ideas

Extend product portfolio, broader 
and deeper customer base

The Power of Many and Ideas

Mobile Systems

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201727

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Our strategic priorities continued

Demand for next-generation infotainment 
systems, connected car platforms and 
autonomous driving are on the rise. 
In 2017 we launched our scalable power management 
solution for Renesas R-Car H3 automotive computing 
platform for driving support systems and in-vehicle 
infotainment systems.

The continued convergence of mobile technologies 
with vehicles, drives the increase in processing 
requirements for infotainment, navigation and 
always-on connectivity applications. Our energy-
saving power management solutions are critical 
for leading technology partners such as Renesas 
to stay ahead of the competition. As end products 
continue to shrink in size and increase in complexity, 
system power efficiency is crucial for meeting end 
customers’ needs. Dialog energy-saving power 
management solutions were adopted by Xilinx, 
a leading provider of FPGAs, SoCs and 3D ICs for 
next-generation sensor processing, networking and 
automotive applications. Dialog now offers a complete 
portfolio of power management solutions for Xilinx 
Zynq®-7000 SoC, Zynq UltraScale+™ MPSoC and 
Spartan®-7 FPGA platforms.

Progress in 2017 
 e First shipments of SmartBond™ DA14585 Bluetooth® low energy (“BLE”) System-on-
Chip (“SoC”) to two internationally-recognised suppliers to the automotive industry 
for use in tyre pressure monitoring system (“TPMS”) sensors.

 e Launched the DA9210-A Power Management IC, a multiphase, automotive grade, 

12A DC-DC buck converter that supplies the high current core rails of microprocessor 
devices, including those used in next-generation automotive infotainment systems.
 e Expanded our LED backlighting product range with the acquisition of the portfolio 

from ams AG.

Key risks
 e Dependency on key customers.
 e Dependency on mobile and consumer electronics.

How we measure our progress

16

New customers welcomed to Dialog in 2017 with revenue greater than 
US$200,000. Additionally, we deepened our existing customer base with 
new ASIC and ASSP products.

5 

New customers in 2016.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201728

Strategic  
report

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governance

Financial  
statements

Additional  
information

Our strategic priorities continued

Focusing on
delivering 
continuous 
innovation...

Strategic priorities

Culture

Business segment

Many

Ideas

Broader and deeper customer base 
and continuous innovation

The Power of Many and Ideas

Connectivity

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201729

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Our strategic priorities continued

In 2017 we reached the remarkable milestone  
of shipping over 100 million SmartBond™ SoCs.
Without the extraordinary skill, dedication and 
perseverance of our team we would not have reached 
this point. Over 100 million devices all over the 
world are now supported by Dialog SmartBond™ 
products. The SmartBond™ SoC family delivers some 
of the smallest, most power-efficient Bluetooth® low 
energy solutions available and enables the lowest 
system costs. We are investing in the expansion 
of our Bluetooth® low energy portfolio to develop 
energy-efficient solutions which meet the evolving 
requirements of the Internet of Things.

Progress in 2017 
 e The DA9318 series, the Company’s latest power converter ICs-family of high efficiency 
charging products. The DA9318 delivers far greater fast charging efficiency, addressing 
the increasing demands on charging batteries for today’s latest smartphones.
 e A new series of charging products and one of the world’s most efficient switched 

capacitor DC-DC converters, the DA9313. It offers high peak efficiency and can power 
more than 50W in less than 10 mm2 of board area, allowing developers to extend 
battery life and reduce charging time in direct charging and 2S lithium-ion (“Li-ion”) 
systems such as notebook PCs, DSLR cameras and portable Bluetooth speakers. 

Key risks 
 e Dependency on mobile and consumer electronics.
 e IP protection.
 e IP infringement.

How we measure our progress

US$279m

Expensed in R&D programmes during 2017, 
an increase of 16% compared to 2016.

2017

2016

2015

279m

241m

223m

KPI

75%

Engineering talent ratio (2016: 75%)

Over 800

Inventions for which we are pursuing or have already 
obtained patent protection (2016: approximately 700)

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201730

Strategic  
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Corporate  
governance

Financial  
statements

Additional  
information

Our strategic priorities continued

Focusing on
strategic 
initiatives 
and M&A...

Strategic priorities

Culture

Business segment

Many

Strategic initiatives and 
M&A

The Power of Many

Mobile Systems

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201731

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Additional  
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Our strategic priorities continued

Our Partnership with Spreadtrum will allow  
us to reach new customers and expand our 
presence in existing customers in Asia. 
We are leveraging the combined smartphone 
expertise of both companies and Spreadtrum’s 
strong customer relationships.

This partnership represents an exciting opportunity 
to expand market share for our power-saving 
technologies in mobility. It gives Dialog access to new 
markets in China and India and in other emerging 
economies, by targeting mid-tier smartphone OEMs. 

The first IC resulting from the collaboration 
integrates haptics, display driver and battery 
charger. It contributes to reduce the overall system 
cost, simplifies the design and is ideal for next-
generation LTE platforms.

Our collaboration with an innovator like Spreadtrum 
unlocks new possibilities for our business.

Progress in 2017 
 e In 2017 we announced the first product design out of our collaboration with 

Spreadtrum, a leading Chinese chipset vendor.

 e With an additional investment of US$15 million, our investment in Energous reached 

US$25 million in 2017. The commercial agreement signed in November 2016 
saw Dialog become the exclusive component supplier of WattUp ICs and allows 
Energous to leverage Dialog’s broad sales and distribution channels to accelerate 
market adoption.

Key risks 
 e Human capital.
 e Dependency on key customers.
 e Dependency on mobile and consumer electronics.

How we measure our progress
In addition to the ongoing work with our partner Spreadtrum, during 2017 
we made two acquisitions: Silego Technology Inc. and the LED backlighting 
business from ams AG.

With effect 31 December 2017 we deconsolidated Dyna Image. For more 
information please see note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201732

Strategic  
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governance

Financial  
statements

Additional  
information

Our strategic priorities continued

Acquisition 
of Silego 
Technology 
Inc.

Strategic priorities

Culture

Business segment

Ideas

Extend product portfolio, broader 
and deeper customer base

The Power of Ideas

Advanced Mixed Signal 

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201733

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Additional  
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Our strategic priorities continued

In November 2017 we completed the acquisition 
of Silego Technology Inc., the pioneer and 
market leader in Configurable Mixed-Signal 
ICs (“CMIC”). 
CMICs enable customers to customise and integrate 
multiple analog, logic and discrete component 
functionality into a single chip which can be 
prototyped in hours. The technical advantages 
of the CMIC allows OEMs to reduce board space 
and accelerate time-to-market. 

The acquisition of Silego will complement Dialog’s 
market leadership by increasing our content at 
existing customers and contribute to expanding 
our customer base. Together, we can increase 
the value we bring to our customers by creating 
a better positioned and more-diversified mixed-
signal offering.

The breadth of the new product portfolio will 
strengthen Dialog’s presence in markets including: 
IoT, computing and automotive.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201734

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Additional  
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Key performance indicators “KPIs”

Our KPIs

We are a growing business built on innovation and our four strategic 
objectives support the ambition to power the smart connected future. 
Through our KPIs we monitor our pool of talent, vital to fostering innovation. 
Alongside, we remain focused on delivering a more diversified, cash-
generative growth which will, in turn, support the expansion of our business.

The importance of the talent pool has been reflected in our KPIs, with 
the introduction of Engineering talent ratio. To monitor the success of our 
business diversification effort we introduced Number of sales opportunities 
and Customer concentration.

As a result of the 2017 review, we have also simplified those KPIs linked 
to profitability and introduced Free cash flow.

Our key performance indicators seek to ensure performance is aligned to 
strategy and stakeholders’ interests. Additionally, the Company works with 
a wide range of metrics covering different aspects of our business activities. 

Performance indicators

Definition and relevance

2017 performance

Employee turnover

2017  

10.3% 

2017

2016

2015

Number of leavers in the last 12 months divided 
by the average headcount during that period 
expressed as a percentage. Monitoring our ability 
to recruit and retain experienced engineering 
and commercial professionals is vital given the 
strong competition for skills in the sector, ageing 
population and our business growth ambitions.

In 2017, employee turnover was above 2016 at 
10.3%, a reflection of the increasing competition 
for talent in the market. Our ability to recruit and 
retain engineering professionals remained high 
and in 2017 we added 125 (net) new employees. 
Dialog has a performance management system 
to ensure we reward our best employees 
through appropriate mechanisms.

10.3%

7.9%

6.9%

Engineering talent ratio

2017  

75% 

2017

2016

2015

75%

75%

72%

Number of sales opportunities

2017  

1,038 

2017

2016

2015

823

1,038

N/A

Customer concentration

2017  

77% 

2017

2016

2015

77%

74%

79%

Free cash flow

2017  

US$205m 

2017

2016

2015

US$205m

US$195m

US$248m

Proportion of employees in engineering 
functions as a percentage of the total employee 
base. Monitoring the size of our engineering 
pool and our ability to generate innovation.

In 2017, the engineering talent ratio excluding 
employees from Silego Technology Inc. was 
75%, in line with our target of 75%. In 2017 
we hired more engineers and we welcomed 
180 employees from Silego Technology Inc.

Number of sales opportunities recorded in the 
pipeline in a given year, with a value higher than 
US$250k excluding cancelled, rejected, lost and 
opportunities which reached their end of life.

In 2017, the number of sales opportunities 
increased 26%. This is a reflection of the 
increasing number of revenue opportunities 
in our various business segments.

Proportion of Group revenue from the single 
largest customer. Monitoring the risk associated 
with reliance on a single source of income.

In 2017, customer concentration was broadly 
in line with the previous year at 77%, three 
percentage points higher than in 2016. Revenue 
growth in 2017, excluding our largest customer 
was 13%.

Free cash flow is a non-IFRS measure that 
represents cash flow from operating activities, 
less capital expenditure. It provides a measure 
of the cash available for expansion, to make 
strategic investments in, or acquire, other 
businesses, to repay borrowings and to fund 
distributions to shareholders.

Free cash flow in 2017 was 5% above 2016. 
This was the result of the higher profitability in 
2017 alongside the Company’s ability to convert 
profit into cash. In 2017, we saw a net inflow from 
income taxes of US$8.3 million (2016: outflow 
US$136.8 million). 2016 was positively impacted 
by the Atmel termination fee. 

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201735

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Key performance indicators “KPIs” continued

Performance indicators

Definition and relevance

2017 performance

Revenue growth

IFRS 2017  

13% 

Underlying 2017

13%

(12)%
(12)%

2017
2017

2016
2016

2015
2015

13%
13%

17%
17%

Gross margin

IFRS 2017  

Underlying 2017

45.9%  46.7%

2017
2017

2016
2016

2015
2015

45.9%
46.7%

45.7%
46.3%

46.1%
46.7%

Actual and prior year’s full-year revenue 
measured in our reporting currency, US dollars. 
Monitoring this revenue trend provides a 
measure of business growth. 

Actual and prior year’s gross margin. Gross 
margin is gross profit expressed as a percentage 
of revenue and shows the value of the Group’s 
products. Monitoring this trend provides 
a measure of our ability to obtain profit 
margin from our products and manage our 
manufacturing costs over a period of time.

Revenue in 2017 was 13% above 2016. Excluding 
the contribution from the acquisition of Silego 
Technology Inc., year-on-year revenue growth 
was 12%. Every business segment contributed 
to the solid revenue performance in 2017: 
higher volumes and value of our power 
management products; a commanding market 
share in rapid charge solutions; and the solid 
performance of our connectivity technologies, 
in particular SmartBond™, our Bluetooth® low 
energy products.

Gross margin in 2017 (both IFRS and underlying) 
was above 2016. This increase was mainly the 
result of rigorous cost control partially offset 
by product mix.

Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue

IFRS 2017  

Underlying 2017

31.3%  27.5%

2017
2017

2016
2016

2015
2015

27.5%

31.3%

31.3%

27.9%

27.0%

23.3%

Operating margin

IFRS 2017  

Underlying 2017

13.8%  19.2%

2017
2017

2016
2016

2015
2015

13.8%

19.2%

18.5%

19.2%

25.9%

23.4%

Diluted EPS (US$)

IFRS 2017  

2.21 

2017
2017

2016
2016

2015
2015

Underlying 2017

2.92

2.21

2.09

2.29

2.92

3.25

3.02

Actual and prior year’s operating expenses 
(“OpEx”) expressed as a percentage of revenue. 
OpEx % provides a measure of our effort in 
innovation and the efficiency of our operating 
structure over a period of time and it reflects the 
need for current returns as well as an investment 
in future revenue growth. OpEx % and 
underlying OpEx % provide a useful reflection 
of the focus and efficiency of our operating 
structure. OpEx includes Selling & Marketing 
expenses, General & Administrative expenses 
and Research & Development expenses.

OpEx % in 2017 was broadly in line with 2016. 
On an underlying basis, OPEX % was down 
30bps from 2016. Underlying R&D % was up 
20bps from 2016, a reflection of our commitment 
to innovation. SG&A % was down 50bps year-
on-year. We made further investment in our sales 
network but G&A functions did not increase as 
much. It is important to note that our R&D effort 
is not directly linked to the revenue of the same 
period. It represents an investment in future 
revenue streams.

Actual and prior year’s operating margin. 
Monitoring this trend provides a measure 
of our ability to increase the profitability of 
our operating activity over a period of time. 
Underlying operating margin provides a useful 
link to our ability to generate cash as we are 
a low capital intensity business.

Actual and prior year’s diluted EPS. Monitoring 
this trend provides a useful measure of our ability 
to generate earnings and the inherent value of 
our business for our shareholders over a period 
of time. Underlying diluted EPS provides a useful 
reflection of the inherent value of the business.

Operating margin in 2017 was 12.1 percentage 
points below 2016, which includes the positive 
impact from the Atmel termination fee in 2016 
alongside the acquisitions of Silego Technology 
Inc. and the ams AG LED backlighting business 
in 2017. On an underlying basis, operating margin 
was up 70bps year-on-year. This increase is the 
result of the improvement in gross margin and 
the decrease of SG&A expenses as a percentage 
of revenue.

Diluted EPS was 32% below 2016 to US$2.21 
in line with the movement in net income 
which includes the positive impact from the 
Atmel termination fee in 2016 alongside the 
acquisitions of Silego Technology Inc. and the 
ams AG LED backlighting business in 2017. 
Underlying diluted EPS was up 40% year-on-year, 
three times more than revenue growth. It reflects 
the Company’s higher profitability and the lower 
underlying effective tax rate in 2017.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201736

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Mobile Systems  
At the forefront of innovation

Energy efficiency is a key feature of our power management, charging and 
audio ICs. We have been at the centre of the mobile computing revolution 
since its early days and we are investing to leverage our expertise into new 
segments. Dialog is well positioned to deliver the next wave of innovation in 
smart power management.

Key facts

Revenue (US$m)

77%

of total Group 
revenue in 2017

Our markets
 e System and battery management ICs for 
large-screen smartphones and tablets 
(5”–11” category). 

 e High-efficiency battery chargers for 
smartphones, tablets, Ultrabooks™, 
convertible tablets and ultraslims. 
 e Audio CODECs for mobile computing 

and accessories. 

 e High-voltage power management 
for Ultrabooks™, convertible tablets 
and ultraslims. 

 e Automotive-grade PMICs for in-vehicle 

infotainment, electronic instrument cluster, 
and driver-assisted displays. 

2017
2016
2015

1,043
923
1,114

 e Low-power and highly-integrated power 
management for smart wearable devices. 
 e Low quiescent, low-cost power management 

for Smart Home and other embedded 
IoT applications.

US$271.8m

Underlying operating profit

   Full reconciliation of non-IFRS on Page 160 

US$169.4m

Expensed in underlying R&D

Highlights
 e Designed new custom application 

specific (“ASICs”) PMICs with increasing 
complexity and value for next-
generation mobile devices. 

 e Expanded our product portfolio with 

two new high performance companion 
charger ICs : DA9313 and DA9318.
 e Leveraged our power management 
technology into new markets such as 
DSLR cameras and automotive.

Our products

Dialog replaces discrete power management 
components with highly-integrated, single-chip 
solutions that reduce energy usage, provide 
design simplicity at a lower cost and improve 
the overall power density of mobile products. 

Our Power Management Integrated Circuits 
(“PMICs”) are highly configurable. This allows 
them to be factory-tailored to meet the exact 
voltage and current needs of every component 
on a circuit board. 

This flexibility is attractive to both platform 
vendors and customers. Platform vendors 
can validate one PMIC and use it in multiple 
platform variants, and end customers who wish 
to differentiate from other platform customers 
can modify some peripheral functions.

Our leadership position in PMICs allows us to 
quickly address developing market trends and 
we continue to see significant focus on battery 
charging. This year Dialog led the competition 
by announcing the DA9313 and DA9318 family 
of ultra-high efficiency companion chargers 
with the industry’s highest charge current (10A) 
from an integrated device. The DA9313 was 
recognised by Design & Elektronik magazine 
readers as 2017 Innovation of the Year in the 
Analog Technology category.

The increasing electrification of the automobile 
is driving additional business potential for Dialog 
Power Management solutions. High resolution 
screens within the cabin for advanced 
infotainment systems and clusters, combined 
with always on driver assistance features 
require high-performance processing solutions. 
Dialog’s experience in power management 
of multi-core processors and our AECQ100 
Automotive qualified products have us perfectly 
positioned to respond to our customers’ needs.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201737

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“   Our track record of innovation in developing 
energy-saving power management solutions 
is what we bring to our collaboration 
with leading technology companies, 
like Spreadtrum, Renesas and Xilinx.”

  Udo Kratz

Senior Vice President and General Manager,  

  Mobile Systems Business Group

Always-on sensing combined with increased 
context awareness in a wide range of smart 
devices has the effect of exponentially increasing 
the number of use cases that customers wish 
to support. 

2017 progress
 e Successful mass production release of 
industry-leading companion charger 
products: DA9313 and DA9318.

Strategies to manage leakage and quiescent 
current are now evolving in parallel with new 
topologies to deliver higher power density 
to support the next level of “full power” 
benchmark performance. 

Accommodating such diverse requirements 
while maintaining battery life is one reason why 
customers continue to turn to Dialog to support 
their next power challenge. With such powerful 
market dynamics at play in high-volume 
segments, the stage is set for the next wave 
of innovation in smart power management – 
Dialog is well positioned to deliver.

 e Established a partnership with Spreadtrum, 

the leading Chinese semiconductor 
company, with an engagement for an LTE 
smartphone platform. 

 e Designed new custom application specific 
(“ASICs”) PMICs with increasing complexity 
and value for next-generation mobile devices.
 e Mass production of Audio codec product for 

leading computing platform.

 e Automotive PMICs solution for Renesas R-Car 

H3 computing platform.

 e Key power management partner to Xilinx for 
Spartan-7, Zync-7000 and Zynq Untrascale+ 
platforms.

Key drivers
 e Battery charge time reduction. 
 e Increasing power density to address 

tightening thermal budgets. 

 e Industry increase in “always-on” applications 

requiring ultra-low power solutions to extend 
battery life. 

 e Broader adoption and reliance upon platform 

reference designs for lower customer 
development cost and faster time-to-market. 

 e Expansion of high-performance processors 

into Automotive infotainment systems driving 
adoption of integrated power solutions.

Forward focus areas for 2018

Extend product 
portfolio

 e Diversify product portfolio with ultra-low standby 

power PMICs.

 e Extend our Automotive PMIC portfolio.

Deliver continuous  
innovation

 e Accelerate System-on-Chip partner collaboration.
 e Leverage Dialog internal synergies to provide 
signal chain solutions to our customers. 

 e Deepen our collaboration with strategic partners 

Strategic initiatives 
and M&A

in Greater China.

Leveraging our power technology into new markets

Our collaboration with Xilinx, a leading provider of FPGAs, SoCs and 
3D ICs, will bring our extensive experience in developing efficient, 
scalable power management solutions for the next generation 
of sensor processing, networking and automotive applications. 
This initiative is part of our effort to bring innovative energy-saving 
power management solutions across multiple industries.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017 
38

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Connectivity  
Making the connected future a reality

We are entering a new era of the Internet of Things with exciting 
new opportunities. More devices get connected and our low power 
connectivity technologies and audio ICs help our customers to 
succeed in highly-competitive consumer markets.

Key facts

Revenue (US$m)

10%

of total Group 
revenue in 2017

Our markets
 e Single chip transceivers for DECT-based 

cordless telephones, wireless microphones, 
headsets and gaming consoles. 

 e SmartBond™ single chip wireless ICs, certified 
to the Bluetooth® low energy standard, for 
enabling IoT node connectivity to the cloud. 

 e SmartBeat™ provides a platform for robust, 

low-power wireless audio over USB, 
Bluetooth® and DECT. This platform offers a 
highly-integrated solution for high quality and 
fixed low-latency wireless audio applications 
supporting sample frequencies up to 192kHz.

2017
2016
2015

136
118
117

US$14.3m

Underlying operating profit

   Full reconciliation of non-IFRS on Page 160 

US$30.9m

Expensed in underlying R&D

Highlights
 e Delivered strong revenue growth 

in Bluetooth® low energy.

 e Added support for Bluetooth 5.0 to 
our SmartBond™ line of products.

 e Continued to build a solid 

partner ecosystem.

Our products

Bluetooth® low energy is the gateway to personal 
connectivity and easy access to the cloud. 

Dialog’s SmartBond™ family is the simplest 
route to delivering power-friendly and flexible 
Bluetooth® low energy connected products 
to the market. SmartBond™ DA14580 is still the 
market-leading low power, high integration 
Bluetooth® low energy SoC, covering a broad 
range of applications. 

In 2017, we introduced the DA14585 and 
DA14586, two new devices that extend the range 
of this world-leading DA14580 architecture by 
adding support for Bluetooth 5.0. These latest 
additions to our portfolio enable increased 
security for IoT devices and new use cases such 
as Bluetooth mesh.

This is all backed up by our powerful 
SmartSnippets™ software tooling and extensive 
applications support, making it easy for 
designers to get the most out of their system. 
Our innovation roadmap ensures designers will 
have the Bluetooth solutions they need, when 
they need them, as markets evolve.

The SmartBond™ DA14583 IoT Sensor 
Development Kit makes developing motion 
and environmental sensing applications easy. 
Merging cutting-edge Bluetooth® low energy 
hardware, sensors and sensor fusion software, it 
enables the world’s lowest power 12 Degrees-of-
Freedom (“DoF”) wireless sensor module.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201739

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“  In 2017 we reached the 

remarkable milestone of 
shipping over 100 million 
SmartBond™ SoCs.”

  Sean McGrath

Senior Vice President and General Manager,  

  Connectivity, Automotive & Industrial Business Group

With a solid partner ecosystem, an increasing 
portfolio of reference designs and a daily 
growing online SmartBond™ engineering 
community, Dialog has a strong base for 
further growth.

SmartBeat™ products aim at new trends of 
connecting digital headsets with smartphones 
instead of the analog 3.5mm audio jack. 
The SmartBeat™ chip-set DA14195 audio 
processor and DA7217 ultra low power codec 
is aimed at Bluetooth® and USB type-C™ digital 
audio connections with smartphones.

2017 progress:
 e Strong revenue growth in Bluetooth® 

low energy. 

 e Upgraded our Bluetooth® low energy 
products to support Bluetooth 5.0.
 e Strengthened market position in the 

wearable segment with key design wins 
at multiple customers.

 e Enabled smart home development platforms 
for major ecosystems: Apple HomeKit and 
Bluetooth mesh. 

 e Launched SmartBeat™ Audio IC platform 

for active headphones.

Key drivers
 e Rapid market expansion of Bluetooth® 

low energy fuelled by connectivity needs 
of the Internet of Things. 

 e New market trend for digital headsets for 

smartphone aftermarket using the Bluetooth® 
and USB type-C™ audio interface. 
 e Focusing on the fast-growing Unified 

Communication products segment with 
1.9GHz DECT audio and USB-audio headsets. 

 e Maturity of DECT handset market.

Forward focus areas for 2018

 e Continue to invest in the Bluetooth® low energy 

platform and increase market footprint.

 e Leverage distribution and Rep. network to expand 

our BLE business to a larger customer base.

Achieve a broader  
and deeper  
customer base

 e Focus on wearables and smart home Bluetooth® 

low energy market segments.

Deliver continuous  
innovation

 e Expand our low latency wireless audio activity 
towards microphones and headset brands.

Expanding the SmartBond™ product line

The Bluetooth 5 standard was one of the most highly-anticipated 
developments in connectivity, and Dialog was amongst the first out 
of the gate to enable development on this standard with a qualified 
standalone System-on-Chip, the DA14586. It builds on the SmartBond™ 
tradition of flexibility and low power consumption, and opens the door 
to a new era of connected devices and applications.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017 
40

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Advanced Mixed Signal 
Enabling faster charging of portable devices

PrimAccurate™ digital control technology is at the heart of our success.  
Our AC/DC converters, solid state lighting LED ICs, and backlight driver ICs 
support energy-efficient solutions and help our customers meet ever increasing 
government standards and energy regulations.

At the end of 2017, we created the Advanced Mixed Signal segment. 
This new segment consolidates the Power Conversion segment and 
the business from the acquisition of Silego Technology Inc.

Key facts

Revenue (US$m)

10%

of total Group 
revenue in 2017

2017
2016
2015

133
117
85

US$5.9m

Underlying operating profit

   Full reconciliation of non-IFRS on Page 160 

US$26.9m

Expensed in underlying R&D

Highlights
 e We sustained our strong position in the 
fast charging smartphone market.
 e Introduced the industry’s first USB PD 

compliant interface IC.

 e Acquisition of Silego Technology Inc.
 e Acquisition of ams AG LED 
backlighting business.

Our markets
 e AC/DC controller solutions for smartphones 
and mobile devices – digital intelligence for 
smaller, fast-charging, low standby power 
adapters in both rapid charge and non-rapid 
charge applications. 

 e LED drivers for solid state lighting – digital 

intelligence for stunning dimming 
performance, seamless dimmer compatibility 
and high quality of light in residential and 
commercial lighting applications.

 e LED drivers for display backlighting – digital 
control for better picture quality, simpler 
design and lower BOM cost in TV, automotive 
and LED displays.

 e Configurable Mixed-Signal ICs for IoT, 
mobile computing and automotive.

Our products

AC/DC Power Conversion: 

Emerging feature-rich, large-screen mobile 
devices require higher capacity batteries, which 
take longer time to charge. One of the key 
features consumers want in their next device 
is faster charging. These market dynamics 
continue to drive rapid charging as the fastest 
growing segment in the highest volume market 
– smartphones.

In 2017, we sustained our leadership position in 
fast charging with close to 60% market share. 
Our AC/DC RapidCharge™ adapter IC solutions 
support virtually every fast charge protocol, like 
the new USB Power Delivery 3.0 specification, 
Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ 4+, MediaTek 
Pump Express™ Plus 2.0, Samsung Adaptive 
Fast Charging (“AFC”), Huawei SuperCharge™ 
technology and Fast Charger Protocol (“FCP”). 
Dialog supports more rapid charge protocols 
than any other supplier.

We introduced the industry’s first state machine 
based USB Power Delivery (“USB PD”) interface 
IC designed specifically for the needs of 
smartphone and mobile device power supply 
rapid charging via USB Type-C™ standard 
cables. This solution uses far fewer components, 
simplifies design and lowers the cost versus 
conventional microcontroller-based approaches. 
We also debuted our second-generation chipset 
that supports the latest USB PD 3.0 protocol and 
expands the feature set.

Our AC/DC high power density RapidCharge 
chipsets and AC/DC converter ICs deliver 
efficiency as high as 90% and support output 
power up to 45W, using fewer and smaller 
components to minimise the overall size of 
smartphone adapters and power supplies.

LED Solid State Lighting (“SSL”):

Dialog offers the broadest range of SSL LED 
driver ICs, embedding our exclusive digital 
conversion technologies to enable high 
performance dimming, seamless dimmer 
compatibility and high quality of light, all with a 
low BOM cost. We support both dimmable and 
non-dimmable SSL and continue to invest in 
residential SSL applications, while also expanding 
our reach into commercial lighting.

Government regulations continually raise the bar 
on standby power and flicker. In response to this, 
in 2017, we introduced two new SSL LED drivers 
optimised for the performance needs of the 
dimmable, 0-10V commercial lighting market. 

LED Backlight Drivers: 

Manufacturers are transitioning LED displays 
from edge-lit design to multi-segment, direct 
backlighting to enable 4K, 8K and high dynamic 
range (“HDR”) TVs and light vectoring for an 
enhanced visual experience in computing and 
automotive displays. 

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201741

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“  In 2017, we introduced our USB 
Power Delivery 3.0 adapter 
chipset, enabling us to maintain 
a commanding market share in 
rapid charge.”

  Davin Lee

Senior Vice President and General Manager  

  of Advanced Mixed Signal

Direct backlighting requires LED drivers that 
can drive many LED zones and plays to Dialog’s 
core BroadLED™ IP used in our new iW7038 
LED backlight driver. This technology improves 
picture quality, reduces power dissipation and 
lowers the BOM cost. 

In 2017, we also acquired LED backlight driver 
IP and products from ams AG, enabling 
us to expand our share of the large panel 
display market and target the automotive 
display market.

Configurable Mixed-Signal ICs: 

CMICs integrate multiple analog, logic, and 
discrete component functionality into a single 
chip. Its software interface allows customers to 
easily configure these functions and prototype 
a custom IC in hours with much greater design 
flexibility. This technology enables OEMs to 
reduce board space, simplify their supply chain, 
and accelerate time-to-market.

2017 progress
 e Maintained our dominant position in the 
mobile device rapid charging market with 
close to 60% market share. 

Key drivers
 e Larger smartphone/mobile device batteries 
and higher power adapters needed to 
charge them.

 e Delivered solutions in volume for virtually all 

 e Consumer demand for faster mobile device 

fast charge protocols.

 e Enhanced our position in commercial lighting 

with two new SSL LED drivers.

 e Released a new LED backlight driver 
to address the performance and cost 
requirements for high resolution, 4K, 8K and 
HDR displays.

 e Strengthened our LED backlight business with 

the acquisition of the ams AG business.
 e Expanded our range of products with the 
acquisition of the leader in CMICs, Silego 
Technology Inc.

charging and smaller travel adapters requiring 
very efficient, higher power density solutions.

 e An expanding array of new rapid 

charging protocols.

 e Stringent government regulations continue to 
raise the bar for efficiency and standby power.
 e Regulations raising the bar on standby power 

and flicker for commercial lighting.

 e Market shift from edge-lit design to multi-
segment and direct backlighting to enable 
higher resolution and high dynamic range 
(“HDR”) displays.

 e Demand for increasing flexibility and shorter 
design cycles in IoT and mobile computing. 

Forward focus areas for 2018

Extend product 
portfolio

 e Continue to deliver next-generation 

RapidCharge™ adapter solutions to meet 
emerging fast charging standards.
 e Expand our SSL LED driver solutions for 

commercial and professional LED lighting.

Achieve a broader  
and deeper  
customer base

 e Extend our RapidCharge™ AC/DC USB PD power 
supply solutions to a broader customer base.

 e Accelerate the market adoption of CMIC.
 e Extend our core BroadLED™ technology for 
performance innovations in the computing, 
automotive backlighting markets. 

Industry first USB PD interface IC optimised for 
power supplies

Our new state machine based USB PD interface IC requires fewer 
components versus conventional MCU-based approaches, for simpler, 
smaller, higher power rapid charging adapter designs.

Deliver continuous  
innovation

 e Develop complete GaN-based chipset solutions 
to enable the highest power density, smallest 
form-factor power supplies for mobile devices, 
notebooks and other electronic products.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017 
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Automotive & Industrial  
Capitalising on our experience  
and mixed-signal expertise

Dialog continues to support its loyal customers in the mid to high-end 
European automotive segment and the industrial lighting segment 
through customer specific parts. 

Our markets
 e Custom motor control ICs for 

windscreen wipers. 

 e Electronic ballasts for fluorescent or high-
intensity industrial lighting and energy-
efficient controllers for LED lighting solutions.

Our products

Dialog supplies motor control ICs to leading 
European automotive suppliers, who in turn 
delivers Dialog-based windscreen wiper motor 
products addressing mid to high-end European 
and Japanese cars. 

These devices capitalise on Dialog’s expertise 
and knowledge of technologies ranging from 
power management systems and mixed-signal 
design, to high-voltage circuits and embedded 
microprocessors on a single integrated circuit 
in an automotive-qualified CMOS process, 
including flash memory.

For the industrial market, Dialog develops 
innovative control ASICs for conventional light 
sources, such as fluorescent and for other 
industrial applications. Our future development 
focus is on energy-efficient controllers for 
LED lighting solutions. These devices seek to 
deliver optimal control and regulation of light 
sources, while maximising their service life. 
Through intelligent control, using advanced 
digital signal processing, these devices help 
to minimise energy consumption.

2017 progress
 e Successful ramp-up in new windscreen wiper 
products and new LED lighting solutions.

Key drivers
 e Increasing market for reverse wipers and 

LED lighting solutions.

Key facts

Revenue (US$m)

2%

of total Group 
revenue in 2017

2017
2016
2015

33
30
34

US$12.6m

Underlying operating profit

   Full reconciliation of non-IFRS on Page 160 

US$1.2m

Expensed in underlying R&D

Highlights
 e Continued to support our customers 

to remain competitive.

 e We played in this market with customer 

specific programmes.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201743

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“  Our custom motor control 

ICs capitalise on our 
power management and 
mixed-signal expertise.”

  Sean McGrath

Senior Vice President and General Manager,  

  Connectivity, Automotive & Industrial Business Group

Our heritage in mixed-
signal expertise

Over the years, we have built a wealth of mixed-
signal expertise. We deploy this know-how 
to support our customers and to remain 
competitive and to play in this market through 
specific customer programmes.

Forward focus areas for 2018

Achieve a broader  
and deeper  
customer base

 e Support our customers to remain competitive.
 e Remain engaged in this market through specific 
customer programmes but with no additional 
R&D investment.

 e Follow this market with appropriate investments.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017 
44

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information

A strong balance sheet provides a 
platform to invest for future growth 

Highly-skilled 
engineers 
and IP

Strength of 
our customer 
relations

Robust and 
responsible 
supply chain

The strength 
of our 
balance sheet

Our Company 
culture

During 2017, we invested more than 
US$300 million in R&D, acquired Silego for 
an initial net cash outlay of US$258 million 
and returned the equivalent of US$125 million 
to our shareholders through our share 
buyback programme.

“  Our robust cash generation 

allows us to grow both 
organically through 
focused R&D investment 
and through acquisition.”
Wissam Jabre
Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President Finance

Year ended 31 December 
US$ millions unless stated otherwise
Revenue2
Gross profit
Gross margin %2
R&D % of revenue
SG&A % of revenue
EBITDA1
EBITDA margin %1
Operating profit
Operating margin %2
Profit before tax
Net income
Basic EPS (US$)
Diluted EPS (US$)2
Cash flow from operating activities
Free cash flow2

IFRS basis

Underlying basis1

Change
2016
Change
2017
2016
2017
+13%
1,197.6
+13% 1,352.8
1,197.6
1,352.8
631.7
620.7
+14%
554.9
+14%
546.7
46.7% 46.3% +40bps
45.9% 45.7% +20bps
19.2% 19.0% +20bps
20.6% 20.2% +40bps
8.9% -50bps
8.4%
11.1% -40bps
10.7%
n/a
315.8
n/a
n/a
+17%
269.7
23.3% 22.5% +80bps
n/a
n/a
n/a
259.5
-40%
187.0
+17%
221.0
309.8
19.2% 18.5% +70bps
nm
13.8% 25.9%
+23%
217.6
266.6
-36%
305.2
194.8
+38%
165.4
228.0
-34%
258.1
169.4
+40%
2.20
3.08
-32%
2.34
3.43
+40%
2.09
2.92
-32%
3.25
2.21
n/a
n/a
n/a
+14%
248.8
284.7
+5%
195.4
205.3
n/a
n/a
n/a

1 

 Non-IFRS measures (see explanations and reconciliations to the nearest equivalent IFRS measures in the section entitled 
“Financial performance measures” on pages 156 to 161).

2  Key performance indicators.

Basis of preparation

Accounting policies

The Group’s financial statements have been 
prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted 
for use in the European Union and those parts 
of the Companies Act 2006 that are applicable 
to companies reporting under IFRS. The Group’s 
financial statements also comply with IFRS 
as issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board.

The Group’s significant accounting policies were 
unchanged compared with 2016.

Recent accounting pronouncements that 
have not yet been adopted by the Group 
are outlined in note 1 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

Critical accounting judgement and estimates

An explanation of the critical accounting 
judgements made in preparing the 
consolidated financial statements and key 
sources of estimation uncertainty that may 
affect the carrying amount of the Group’s 
assets and liabilities within the next financial 
year is presented in note 2 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201745

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Non-IFRS measures

We assess the performance of the Group’s 
businesses using a number of measures. 
Certain of these measures are non-IFRS measures 
because they exclude amounts that are included 
in, or include amounts that are excluded from, 
the most directly comparable measure calculated 
and presented in accordance with IFRS, or are 
calculated using financial measures that are not 
calculated in accordance with IFRS. All underlying 
measures of profitability are non-IFRS measures.

An explanation of the adjustments made to 
the equivalent IFRS measures in calculating 
the non-IFRS measures and reconciliations of 
the non-IFRS measures to the equivalent IFRS 
measures for the periods presented are set out 
in the section entitled “Financial performance 
measures” on pages 156 to 161.

We report non-IFRS measures because they 
provide useful additional information about the 
financial performance of the Group’s businesses. 
We do not regard these non-IFRS measures as a 
substitute for, or superior to, the equivalent IFRS 
measures. Non-IFRS measures used by Dialog 
may not be directly comparable with similarly- 
titled measures used by other companies.

Business combinations

Silego Technology Inc.

On 1 November 2017, we completed the 
acquisition of 100% of the voting equity interests 
in Silego Technology Inc. (“Silego”), the leading 
provider of Configurable Mixed-Signal ICs 
(“CMICs”).

We acquired Silego for US$276.0 million 
on a cash and debt-free basis, subject to 
adjustments for cash, debt and working capital. 
Additional consideration of up to US$30.4 million 
may be payable contingent on Silego’s revenues 
for 2017 and 2018.

On completion, we paid initial consideration of 
US$290.5 million in cash, including US$22.5 million 
in respect of Silego’s estimated cash, debt 
and working capital levels on completion. 
We expect to pay a purchase price adjustment 
of US$0.7 million reflecting Silego’s actual cash, 
debt and working capital levels on completion.

All “in the money” outstanding, unvested 
employee options over Silego’s common 
shares were converted into and became 
the right to receive cash payments subject 
to the vesting schedule and other terms 
(including a service condition) that governed 
the options that they replaced. We estimated 
that the acquisition date fair value of the rights 
was US$11.5 million, of which US$6.6 million 
represented deferred consideration. 

We estimated that the acquisition date fair value 
of the contingent consideration attributable 
to the shares and vested options acquired 
was US$23.3 million (net of discounting of 
US$3.0 million).

Accordingly, the total purchase consideration 
recognised was US$321.1 million. 

Dialog held approximately 3.5% of the issued 
equity shares in Arctic Sand.

Silego’s identifiable intangible assets on 
acquisition included customer relationships 
(US$91.4 million), developed technology and 
know-how (US$26.5 million) and the Green 
PAKTM trade name (US$4.0 million). 

Silego’s net assets on acquisition totalled 
US$130.3 million. We therefore recognised 
goodwill of US$190.8 million on the acquisition 
of Silego, which is attributable to the further 
development of technology and know-how 
by the business in the future, the assembled 
workforce and future sales to new customers 
for its products. 

During 2017, we incurred transaction costs of 
US$4.4 million in relation to the acquisition of 
Silego and integration costs of US$2.3 million.

We added Silego to our Power Conversion 
operating segment and re-named it our 
Advanced Mixed Signal operating segment to 
reflect the nature of its expanded operations. 
Subsequent to its acquisition, Silego contributed 
US$11.4 million to the Group’s revenue for 2017.

Further information is presented in note 3 to 
the consolidated financial statements.

LED backlight business

On 15 November 2017, we purchased ams AG’s 
LED backlight technology and product portfolio 
for US$9.5 million in cash. We recognised goodwill 
of US$3.9 million on the purchase of the business.

Strategic investments 

Additional investment in Energous 

In November 2016, we entered into a strategic 
alliance with Energous Corporation (“Energous”), 
the developer of WattUp®, a wire-free charging 
technology, and purchased 763,552 common 
shares at a cost of US$10.0 million and were 
granted an equivalent number of warrants over 
common shares in Energous.

On 5 July 2017, we subscribed for a further 
976,139 common shares in Energous at a cost 
of US$15.0 million and were granted additional 
warrants to purchase up to 654,013 common 
shares in Energous that are exercisable in full or 
in part on a cashless basis at any time between 
January 2018 and July 2020.

At the end of 2017, we held approximately 8% 
of Energous’s outstanding common shares. 

Disposal of investment in Arctic Sand

In March 2017, Peregrine Semiconductor 
Corporation, a subsidiary of Murata 
Manufacturing Co Ltd, agreed to acquire 
Arctic Sand Technologies, Inc. (“Arctic Sand”) 
by way of a merger.

We have so far received proceeds of 
US$1.3 million on the sale of our shares and have 
recognised a loss on disposal of US$0.2 million 
in profit or loss (within other finance expense).

Deconsolidation of Dyna Image

In January 2017, we participated in a new 
issue of shares by Dyna Image Corporation 
(“Dyna Image”). We invested the equivalent 
of US$1.9 million, thereby increasing our 
shareholding in the business from 45.7% 
to 48.5%. 

We accounted for Dyna Image as a subsidiary 
because we considered that the call option 
that we hold over the non-controlling interests 
in Dyna Image gave us power to direct its 
relevant activities. 

During 2017, Dyna Image’s operating results fell 
considerably short of the level envisaged in its 
business plan. In December 2017, negotiations 
with a potential investor were terminated and 
the shareholders in Dyna Image decided that it 
should be gradually wound down in a way that 
will safeguard the interests of its creditors. 

As a consequence of this decision, we 
recognised impairment losses totalling 
US$4.3 million in relation to the intangible assets 
and property, plant and equipment held by 
Dyna Image (within other operating expenses). 

We also reviewed the call option over the 
non-controlling interests. We observed that 
the fair value of each share in Dyna Image 
has fallen significantly and irretrievably below 
the minimum exercise price of the option. 
We concluded that there now exists an 
economic barrier to our exercising the option 
that is so great that the option no longer gives 
us power over Dyna Image. We therefore 
deconsolidated Dyna Image with effect from 
31 December 2017 and recognised a loss of 
US$5.6 million on deconsolidation (within other 
operating expenses).

Further information is presented in note 4 to 
the consolidated financial statements.

Aborted merger with Atmel

In January 2016, Atmel Corporation terminated 
the merger agreement that existed with Dialog. 
Under the terms of the agreement, Atmel paid 
us a termination fee of US$137.3 million, which 
we recognised as other operating income in the 
first quarter of 2016.

During 2016, we incurred related transaction 
costs of US$3.5 million and related borrowing 
facility commitment fees of US$1.9 million. 

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201746

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Results of operations

Analysis by operating segment

Mobile Systems segment revenue was 
US$1,042.9 million in 2017 compared with 
US$923.0 million in 2016, an increase of 13%. 
Revenue increased principally due to higher 
demand for our custom PMICs. 

Mobile Systems’ operating profit was 
$271.7 million in 2017 compared with 
$239.9 million in 2016, an increase of 13%. 
Operating profit improved in response to 
higher sales volumes but this was partially 
offset by higher R&D and operating expenses. 
Operating margin increased slightly to 26.1% 
(2016: 26.0%).

Mobile Systems’ underlying operating profit 
was US$271.8 million in 2017 compared with 
US$241.5 million in 2016. Underlying operating 
margin was slightly lower at 26.1% (2016: 26.2%).

Mobile Systems’ underlying operating profit 
excludes payroll taxes arising on share-based 
compensation of US$0.1 million in 2017 
(2016: US$1.6 million).

Connectivity segment revenue was 
US$136.4 million in 2017 compared with 
US$118.3 million in 2016, an increase of 15%. 
Strong growth in Bluetooth® low energy was 
accompanied by higher demand for DECT-based 
products, in particular for cordless headsets 
and microphones. 

Connectivity’s operating profit was significantly 
higher at US$14.3 million in 2017 compared with 
US$5.3 million in 2016, with the effect of higher 
sales volumes and improved product margins 
being only partially offset by higher selling 
and marketing expenses. Operating margin 
improved to 10.5% (2016: 4.5%).

Connectivity’s underlying operating profit 
was US$14.3 million in 2017 compared with 
US$5.6 million in 2016. Underlying operating 
margin was also higher at 10.5% (2016: 4.7%).

Connectivity’s underlying operating profit 
excludes payroll taxes arising on share-based 
compensation of less than US$0.1 million in 2017 
(2016: US$0.3 million). 

Automotive & Industrial segment revenue 
was US$33.0 million in 2017 compared with 
US$30.0 million in 2016, an increase of 10%. 
Revenue increased primarily because of 
improved demand for traditional industrial 
lighting products. 

Automotive & Industrial’s operating profit 
was US$12.5 million in 2017 compared with 
US$10.1 million in 2016, an increase of 24%. 
Operating profit improved in response to 
higher sales volumes and lower R&D and 
other operating expenses. Operating margin 
increased to 38.2% (2016: 33.7%).

Automotive & Industrial’s underlying operating 
profit was US$12.6 million in 2017 compared with 
US$10.2 million in 2016. Underlying operating 
margin was also higher at 38.2% (2016: 34.0%).

Automotive & Industrial’s underlying operating 
profit excludes payroll taxes arising on share-
based compensation of less than US$0.1 million 
in 2017 (2016: US$0.1 million).

Advanced Mixed Signal segment revenue 
was US$132.7 million in 2017 compared with 
US$116.8 million in 2016, an increase of 14% . 
Excluding Silego’s contribution in 2017, revenue 
increased by 4%, principally due to higher 
sales of 10W converters and LED driver ICs 
for commercial and residential uses. 

Advanced Mixed Signal incurred an operating 
loss of US$15.1 million in 2017 compared with 
an operating loss of US$7.5 million in 2016. 
Operating margin worsened to (11.4)% in 2017 
compared with (6.5)% in 2016.

Excluding the effects of accounting for the 
acquisitions of Silego and the LED backlight 
business, however, Advanced Mixed Signal’s 
operating loss was broadly unchanged 
compared with 2016 as the effect of higher 
sales was largely offset by higher R&D and 
operating expenses. 

Advanced Mixed Signal delivered an 
underlying operating profit of US$5.9 million 
in 2017 compared with US$6.1 million in 2016. 
Underlying operating margin was 4.5% in 2017 
compared with 5.2% in 2016.

Advanced Mixed Signal’s underlying operating 
result excludes the increase in cost of sales 
of US$2.3 million arising from the fair value 
uplift on inventory acquired with Silego and 
the LED backlight business, amortisation of 
US$15.3 million (2016: US$13.4 million) on the 
fair value uplift of acquired intangible assets, 
Silego integration costs of US$2.0 million, 
deferred consideration payable for Silego treated 
as compensation expense of US$1.4 million 
and payroll taxes arising on share-based 
compensation of less than US$0.1 million 
(2016: US$0.2 million).

Corporate activities include emerging 
market businesses (principally Dyna Image 
and those involved in the development 
of low cost products for the Chinese 
consumer markets). Corporate’s revenue 
of US$7.8 million (2016: US$9.5 million) was 
principally attributable to Dyna Image.

Corporate activities also include the costs of 
operating central corporate functions, the 
Group’s share-based compensation expense 
and certain other unallocated costs.

Corporate activities showed an operating loss 
of US$96.4 million in 2017 compared with an 
operating profit of US$62.0 million in 2016 
(which included the Atmel termination fee 
received of US$137.3 million).

Corporate’s underlying operating loss was 
US$45.2 million in 2017 compared with 
US$42.4 million in 2016, with the increase 
principally due to higher R&D expenses which 
were only partially offset by a reduction in 
advisory fees.

Corporate’s underlying operating result 
excludes transaction and integration costs of 
US$4.8 million, amortisation of US$1.1 million 
(2016: US$1.1 million) on the fair value uplift of 
acquired intangible assets, the Group’s share-
based compensation expense of US$35.3 million 
(2016: US$28.2 million), payroll taxes arising 
on share-based compensation of Corporate 
employees of less than US$0.1 million (2016: 
US$0.1 million), losses totalling US$9.9 million on 
the impairment of assets held by Dyna Image 
and its subsequent deconsolidation and, in 
2016, the Atmel termination fee received of 
US$137.3 million.

Results by operating segment

Year ended 31 December
US$ millions
Mobile Systems
Connectivity
Automotive & Industrial
Advanced Mixed Signal
Total segments
Corporate activities
Total Group

Revenue

Operating profit/(loss)

2017
1,042.9
136.4
33.0
132.7
1,345.0
7.8
1,352.8

2016
923.0
118.3
30.0
116.8
1,188.1
9.5
1,197.6

Change
+13%
+15%
+10%
+14%
+13%
-18%
+13%

2017
271.7
14.3
12.5
(15.1)
283.4
(96.4)
187.0

2016
239.9
5.3
10.1
(7.5)
247.8
62.0
309.8

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Analysis of the Group’s results

Revenue was US$1,352.8 million in 2017 
compared with US$1,197.6 million in 2016, an 
increase of 13%. Revenue increased principally 
due to higher demand for our PMICs in 
Mobile Systems, but we also experienced 
strong revenue growth in Connectivity and 
Automotive & Industrial. 

Dialog’s revenue, particularly in its Mobile 
Systems segment, is dependent on the life cycle 
of its customers’ products and the seasonal 
nature of the spending pattern in the consumer 
markets in which they operate. As a result, 
Dialog’s business may fluctuate seasonally 
with lower revenue in the first half of the year, 
since many of its larger consumer-focused 
customers tend to have stronger sales later in 
the year as they prepare for the major holiday 
selling seasons.

Cost of sales was US$732.1 million in 2017 
compared with US$650.9 million in 2016, 
an increase of 12% that principally reflected 
higher sales volumes.

Gross profit was US$620.7 million in 2017 
compared with US$546.7 million in 2016, 
an increase of 14%.

Gross margin was 20 basis points higher at 
45.9% in 2017 compared with 45.7% in 2016. 
Gross margin improved largely due to a 
favourable change in product unit costs.

Underlying gross profit was US$631.7 million in 
2017 compared with US$554.9 million in 2016, an 
increase of 14%. Underlying gross margin was 40 
basis points higher at 46.7% in 2017 compared 
with 46.3% in 2016.

Selling and marketing expenses were 
US$70.4 million in 2017 compared with 
US$62.3 million in 2016. We further increased our 
sales and marketing efforts in our Connectivity 
segment, but maintained tight control of our 
overall costs.

Underlying selling and marketing expenses 
increased to US$56.6 million in 2017 compared 
with US$51.4 million in 2016, but were slightly 
lower as a percentage of the Group’s revenue 
at 4.2% in 2017 compared with 4.3% in 2016.

Underlying selling and marketing expenses 
exclude share-based compensation 
expenses and related payroll costs totalling 
US$4.1 million (2016: US$3.4 million), amortisation 
of US$9.3 million (2016: US$7.5 million) on the fair 
value uplift of acquired intangible assets and, 
in 2017, integration costs of US$0.4 million.

General and administrative expenses 
were US$74.9 million in 2017 compared with 
US$70.9 million in 2016, with the increase 
being due principally to transaction costs and 
integration costs.

Underlying general and administrative expenses 
were US$56.9 million in 2017 compared with 
US$55.1 million in 2016 but were lower as a 
percentage of the Group’s revenue at 4.2% 
in 2017 compared with 4.6% in 2016.

Underlying general and administrative expenses 
exclude share-based compensation and 
related payroll costs totalling US$12.2 million 
(2016: US$12.3 million), transaction costs of 
US$4.5 million (2016: US$3.5 million) and, in 2017, 
integration costs of US$0.7 million.

R&D expenses were US$278.8 million in 2017 
compared with US$241.3 million in 2016, an 
increase of 16%. 

R&D costs totalled US$307.0 million in 2017 
(2016: US$264.2million), of which US$21.0 million 
(2016: US$15.8 million) were capitalised, and 
we recognised R&D expenditure credits of 
US$7.2 million (2016: US$7.1 million).

Dialog has an extensive R&D engineering team 
focused on mixed-signal semiconductor power 
saving technologies. Dialog believes that its R&D 
activities are critical to support its strategy of 
growth and product diversification.

We continued to invest heavily in product 
development in 2017 and the increase in R&D 
expenditure reflects an increase in both the 
strength of our engineering team and the 
number of ongoing development projects.

Underlying R&D expenses were US$259.1 million 
in 2017 compared with US$227.8 million in 2016, 
an increase of 14%, and were slightly higher as 
a percentage of the Group’s revenue at 19.2% 
in 2017 compared with 19.0% in 2016.

Underlying R&D expenses exclude share-
based compensation expenses and related 
payroll costs totalling US$18.0 million (2016: 
US$13.6 million) and, in 2017, integration costs 
of US$1.2 million.

Other operating expense was US$9.6 million 
in 2017 with income from R&D contracts of 
US$0.3 million heavily outweighed by losses 
totalling US$9.9 million on the impairment of 
assets held by Dyna Image and its subsequent 
deconsolidation. In 2016, we recognised other 
operating income of US$137.7 million that 
was principally the Atmel termination fee of 
US$137.3 million.

Operating profit was US$187.0 million in 2017 
compared with $309.8 million in 2016. 

Underlying operating profit was US$259.5 million 
in 2017 compared with US$221.0 million in 2016, 
an increase of 17%. Underlying operating profit 
improved because the effect of higher sales 
volumes significantly outweighed the increase 
in underlying R&D expenses.

Underlying operating margin was 70 basis points 
higher at 19.2% in 2017 compared with 18.5% 
in 2016.

Interest income was US$6.0 million in 2017 
compared with US$3.7 million in 2016, with the 
increase reflecting higher US dollar interest rates.

Interest expense was US$1.3 million in 2017 
compared with US$3.4 million in 2016 (which 
included Atmel borrowing facility commitment 
fees of US$1.9 million).

Other finance income was US$3.1 million 
in 2017 compared with an expense of 
US$4.8 million in 2016.

Other finance income/(expense) comprises 
foreign currency translation gains and losses 
that arise on monetary assets and liabilities 
that are denominated in currencies other than 
the functional currencies of the entities by 
which they are held and fair value gains and 
losses recognised in relation to certain of our 
strategic investments.

We recognised a net currency translation gain 
of US$1.7 million in 2017 compared with a net 
loss of US$6.0 million in 2016.

During 2017, we recognised a fair value gain 
of US$0.9 million (2016: gain of US$1.9 million) 
on the warrants that we hold over shares in 
Energous and amortisation of the gain on initial 
recognition of the second tranche of warrants 
amounting to US$0.8 million. 

During 2017, we also recognised within other 
finance expense a fair value loss of US$0.1 million 
(2016: loss of US$0.7 million) on our call option 
to acquire the non-controlling interests in 
Dyna Image and a loss of US$0.2 million on 
the disposal of our investment in Arctic Sand.

Income tax 

Our approach to tax is to support our business 
strategy and the creation of long-term value for 
our shareholders by conducting the Group’s 
affairs in a tax efficient manner whilst remaining 
in compliance with applicable laws and 
regulations. Our “Approach to Tax” can be found 
at www.dialog-semiconductor.com.

Income tax expense was US$25.4 million 
(2016: US$47.1 million) on profit before tax 
of US$194.8 million (2016: US$305.2 million), 
an effective tax rate for the year of 13.0% 
(2016: 15.4%). 

Our effective tax rate is sensitive to the 
geographic mix of the Group’s profits, reflecting 
a combination of different tax rates in different 
countries, changes in tax legislation and tax 
rates, the impact of acquisitions, disposals and 
restructuring and to currency exchange rate 
movements, which give rise to tax effects where 
an entity’s functional currency differs from the 
currency in which it is required to calculate and 
pay income taxes. 

A large proportion of Dialog’s R&D activities are 
undertaken in the UK and we are therefore able 
to benefit from the UK tax regime that provides 
incentives for innovation. 

Our income tax expense for 2017 includes a 
credit in respect of prior years of US$1.5 million 
resulting from the finalisation of the Bilateral 
Advance Pricing Agreement and other prior year 
tax items with tax authorities.

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In December 2017, the US President signed into 
law significant reforms of the US tax system, 
including a reduction of the Federal corporate 
income tax rate from 35% to 21%. Our income 
tax expense for 2017 reflects a non-cash deferred 
tax credit of US$6.7 million resulting from the 
remeasurement of US deferred tax balances at 
the lower tax rate.

During 2017, we also recognised a credit of 
US$9.7 million resulting from the utilisation 
of previously unrecognised deferred tax 
assets against taxable currency translation 
gains and a credit of US$9.6 million (2016: 
expense of US$3.0 million) arising from tax on 
translation differences between functional and 
tax currencies.

Our low effective tax rate for 2016 reflected the 
tax treatment of the Atmel termination fee of 
US$137.3 million. We obtained tax advice that 
the termination fee should not be taxable in the 
UK. We therefore concluded that no tax liability 
should arise and did not recognise a tax expense 
in relation to the termination fee.

We have excluded the non-recurring deferred 
tax credit resulting from US tax reform from our 
underlying income tax expense for 2017.

Underlying income tax expense was 
US$38.6 million (2016: US$52.2 million) on 
underlying profit before tax of US$266.6 million 
(2016: US$217.6 million). Our underlying effective 
tax rate for 2017 was therefore 14.5%, which 
compares with 24.0% for 2016.

Our underlying effective tax rate for 2017 was 
much lower than expected, principally because 
of the tax effects of unpredictable currency 
exchange rate movements.

Net income was US$169.4 million (2016: 
US$258.1 million), including a loss of 
US$4.5 million (2016: US$2.8 million) that was 
attributable to the non-controlling interest 
in Dyna Image. Underlying net income was 
US$228.0 million in 2017 compared with 
US$165.4 million in 2016, an increase of 38%.

Basic earnings per share were US$2.34 (2016: 
US$3.43) based on the weighted average of 
74.5 million shares (2016: 76.0 million shares) 
that were in issue during the year excluding 
2.1 million shares (2016: 1.3 million shares) held 
by employee benefit trusts and the weighted 
average of 1.4 million (2016: 0.5 million) of 
our own shares that were held in treasury. 
Underlying basic earnings per share were 
US$3.08 (2016: US$2.20).

Diluted earnings per share were US$2.21 (2016: 
US$3.25). Diluted earnings per share additionally 
reflect the weighted average of 4.1 million 
(2016: 4.4 million) dilutive employee share 
options. Underlying diluted earnings per share 
were US$2.92 (2016: US$2.09).

Summary cash flow statement

Year ended 31 December

US$ millions 
Cash generated from operations
Interest received/(paid), net
Income taxes received/(paid)
Cash flow from operating activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Capitalised development expenditure
Finance lease and hire purchase capital payments
Free cash flow
Purchase of businesses, net
Purchase of other investments, net
Purchase of own shares into treasury
(Purchase)/sale of Dialog shares by EBTs, net
Other cash flows, net
Net cash (outflow)/inflow during the period
Currency translation differences
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash flows

Cash flow from operating activities was 
US$284.7 million in 2017 compared with 
US$248.8 million in 2016.

Cash generated from operations before changes 
in working capital was US$301.5 million in 2017 
compared with US$402.8 million in 2016 (which 
included the Atmel termination fee received of 
US$137.3 million). 

Excluding the effect of acquisitions and the 
deconsolidation of Dyna Image, net working 
capital increased by US$30.9 million (2016: 
increased by US$17.1 million). 

Demand for our products is typically higher 
in the fourth quarter of the year and lower in 
the first and second quarters. Inventory levels 
therefore usually decline between the end of 
the third quarter and the end of the year. In 2017, 
however, we maintained inventory levels in the 
fourth quarter to support expected sales of new 
customer products in the first quarter of 2018. 
Inventory levels were therefore significantly 
higher at the end of 2017 compared with the 
end of 2016, absorbing cash of US$54.4 million. 
At the end of 2017, inventories represented 60 
days’ cost of sales in the preceding quarter (end 
of 2016: 48 days’ cost of sales).

Trade and other receivables were lower at the 
end of 2017 compared with the end of 2016, 
releasing cash of US$11.1 million. At the end of 
2017, trade and other receivables represented 
15 days’ sales in the preceding quarter (end of 
2016: 20 days’ sales).

Trade and other payables were higher at the end 
of 2017 compared with the end of 2016 releasing 
cash of US$7.8 million, principally due to higher 
materials purchases in the fourth quarter of 2017 
compared with 2016.

2017
270.6
5.8
8.3
284.7
(47.9)
(6.2)
(21.0)
(4.3)
205.3
(267.9)
(13.7)
(125.0)
(17.1)
0.4
(218.0)
0.2
(217.8)

2016
385.7
(0.1)
(136.8)
248.8
(25.6)
(8.2)
(15.8)
(3.8)
195.4
(0.6)
(10.0)
(61.5)
8.0
(1.0)
130.3
0.1
130.4

Movements on other working capital items had 
the effect of releasing cash of US$4.5 million 
during 2017.

Interest paid was US$0.4 million compared 
with US$3.4 million in 2016 (which included 
the payment of Atmel borrowing facility 
commitment fees of US$1.9 million). 

Interest received was US$6.2 million in 2017 
compared with US$3.3 million in 2016.

During 2017, we had net income tax receipts of 
US$8.3 million compared with net payments 
of US$136.8 million in 2016. Income tax cash 
flows comprise payments on account in respect 
of current year taxable profits and adjusting 
payments or receipts in respect of earlier years. 
During 2017, we received repayments of income 
taxes overpaid in respect of earlier years totalling 
US$38.1 million.

Capital expenditure totalled US$79.4 million 
in 2017 compared with US$53.4 million in 
2016, with the increase being principally due 
to the purchase of test equipment and higher 
capitalised development costs.

Free cash flow was US$205.3 million in 2017 
compared with US$195.4 million in 2016. 
Our robust free cash flow provides a basis for 
financing strategic investments and for making 
distributions to shareholders. 

Cash outflow on the purchase of businesses 
was US$267.9 million in 2017 compared with 
US$0.6 million in 2016. During 2017, there was 
a cash outflow of US$258.4 million on the 
purchase of Silego (net of cash of US$32.4 million 
held by the business on acquisition) and we paid 
US$9.5 million in cash for ams’s LED backlight 
business. During 2016, we paid the equivalent of 
US$0.6 million as deferred consideration for our 
initial investment in Dyna Image.

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Cash outflow on other investments 
was US$13.7 million in 2017 compared with 
US$10.0 million in 2016. During 2017, we paid 
US$15.0 million on subscription for shares in 
Energous and received US$1.3 million on the sale 
of our shareholding in Arctic Sand. During 2016, 
we paid US$10.0 million on subscription for 
shares in Energous.

Net cash outflow on share purchases 
was US$142.1 million in 2017 compared with 
US$53.5 million in 2016.

Under our share buyback programme, we 
purchased 2,678,066 of the Company’s ordinary 
shares (2016: 1,805,750 ordinary shares) for 
the equivalent of US$125.0 million (2016: 
US$61.5 million) including transaction costs. 

Employee benefit trusts purchased the 
Company’s ordinary shares in the market at a 
cost of US$24.3 million (2016: US$3.1 million) 
and received proceeds of US$7.2 million (2016: 
US$11.1 million) on the exercise of share options.

Liquidity and capital resources

Financial risk management

Dialog is exposed to financial risks including 
counterparty credit risk, liquidity risk and market 
risks, which include foreign exchange risk 
and interest rate risk. Disclosures about these 
risks and the ways in which we manage them 
are presented in note 32 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

Dialog has a centralised treasury function that is 
responsible for ensuring that adequate funding 
is available to meet the Group’s requirements as 
they arise and for maintaining an efficient capital 
structure, together with managing the Group’s 
counterparty credit risk, foreign currency and 
interest rate exposures. All treasury operations 
are conducted in accordance with strict policies 
and guidelines that are approved by the Board.

We use currency derivatives to manage currency 
risks and we hold certain equity options 
and warrants for strategic reasons. We do 
not hold derivative financial instruments for 
speculative purposes.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash is managed in line with Treasury policy to 
ensure there is no significant concentration of 
credit risk in any one financial institution.

Credit risk is measured using counterparty credit 
ratings. As a minimum, a counterparty must have 
a long-term public rating of at least ‘single A’.

Counterparty limits are based on a rating matrix 
and closely monitored. Credit risk is further 
limited by investing only in liquid instruments.

At the end of 2017, cash and cash equivalents 
amounted to US$479.3 million (end of 2016: 
US$697.2 million), which principally comprised 
short-term deposits with a maturity of three 
months or less.

Revolving credit facility

On 28 July 2017, the Company and certain of 
its subsidiaries, as guarantors, entered into a 
US$150 million three-year revolving credit facility 
provided by four financial institutions. The facility 
is committed and available for general corporate 
purposes. On the first and second anniversary 
of the facility, there is the option to extend 
the maturity date by a year subject to the 
consent of the lenders. The Company has the 
option to increase the amount of the facility by 
US$75 million subject to certain conditions.

The credit agreement contains various 
provisions, covenants and representations that 
are customary for such a facility. 

The facility remained undrawn at the end of 2017.

We consider that the revolving credit facility and 
our significant cash balances are sufficient to 
satisfy the Group’s working capital requirements 
in the near to medium term.

Receivables financing facilities

We utilise non-recourse receivables financing 
facilities provided by two financial institutions. 
We reviewed these facilities during 2016 
and since November 2016 we have had two 
facilities in place for an aggregate amount 
of US$240 million. The principal facility is for 
US$220 million and matures on 30 April 2018. 

Gross receivables sold under the facilities 
increased by US$66.3 million to stand at 
US$171.3 million at the end of 2017 compared 
with US$105.0 million at the end of 2016. 

At the end of 2017, cash and cash equivalents 
included US$145.1 million (end of 2016: 
US$88.9 million) in relation to receivables sold 
under these facilities. 

Currency hedging activities

Dialog uses forward currency contracts and 
currency swaps to manage the Group’s exposure 
to currency risk on highly probable forecast 
cash flows denominated in foreign currencies; 
principally employment costs, rents and other 
contractual payments. We also use derivatives to 
hedge the currency translation exposure on the 
Euro-denominated liabilities that arise in relation 
to successive tranches of the Company’s share 
buyback programme.

Derivative financial instruments are measured 
at fair value that is determined based on market 
forward exchange rates at the balance sheet 
date. At the end of 2017, currency derivatives 
held by the Group were represented by an 
asset of US$6.6 million (end of 2016: liability 
of US$12.5 million). All currency derivatives 
held to hedge forecast cash flows were 
designated as hedging instruments in cash 
flow hedge relationships. During 2017, a gain 
of US$16.4 million (2016: loss of US$13.3 million) 
was recognised in other comprehensive income 
representing the change during the year in the 
fair value of derivatives in effective hedging 

relationships and a cumulative fair value gain of 
US$0.4 million (2016: loss of US$8.4 million) was 
transferred from equity to profit or loss on the 
occurrence of the hedged cash flows.

After taking into account hedging, we 
recognised a net currency translation loss of 
US$0.2 million (2016: loss of US$0.6 million) 
in profit or loss in relation to liabilities to 
purchase shares under the Company’s share 
buyback programme. 

Share buyback programme

At the Company’s 2016 AGM, the Directors were 
granted an authority to purchase up to 7,786,595 
ordinary shares in the capital of the Company. 
During 2017, 2,678,066 ordinary shares were 
purchased under the 2016 AGM authority at 
a total cost of €113.7 million (US$124.4 million) 
and incurred transaction costs of US$0.8 million. 
Details of the purchases made during 2017 
are set out in note 25 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

The 2016 AGM authority expired on 3 May 2017.

At the Company’s 2017 AGM, the Directors 
were granted a new authority to purchase up 
to 7,808,280 of our ordinary shares in further 
tranches. Such authority shall (unless previously 
renewed, varied or revoked) expire on the day 
before the next AGM of the Company or on 
30 June 2018, whichever is the earlier. We have 
not yet announced any tranches of purchases 
under the 2017 AGM authority.

Purchases made under the share buyback 
programme are off-market and are effected by 
way of contingent forward purchase contracts 
entered into with brokers. Barclays, Goldman 
Sachs, HSBC or Merrill Lynch may be appointed 
as brokers for purchases under the 2017 
AGM authority.

Since we initiated the share buyback programme 
in May 2016, we have purchased a total of 
4,483,816 shares at a cost of €168.7 million 
(US$184.7 million) and incurred transaction costs 
of US$1.8 million. We initially held these shares in 
treasury, but we cancelled them in June 2017. 

We will seek renewal of the share buyback 
authority at the Company’s AGM on 3 May 2018.

Capital management

The Group’s capital is represented by its 
total equity (shareholders’ equity plus non-
controlling interests). 

We seek to maintain a capital structure that 
supports the ongoing activities of our business 
and its strategic objectives in order to deliver 
long-term returns to shareholders. We allocate 
capital to support organic and inorganic growth, 
investing to support research and development 
and our product pipeline.

We will fund our growth strategy using a mix 
of equity and debt after giving consideration 
to prevailing market conditions.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201750

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Financial review continued

Balance sheet

Summary balance sheet

As at 31 December
US$ millions
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Other current assets
Total current assets
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Deferred tax assets
Other non-current assets
Total non-current assets
Total assets
Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Other non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Shareholders’ equity
Non-controlling interests
Total liabilities and equity

2017

2016

479.3
281.2
760.5
439.5
235.6
83.9
7.5
49.8
816.3
1,576.8

199.7
4.0
30.7
234.4
1,342.4
–
1,576.8

697.2
237.1
934.3
251.2
125.6
69.7
27.4
22.3
496.2
1,430.5

224.1
2.0
9.5
235.6
1,189.8
5.1
1,430.5

Goodwill

Property, plant and equipment

At the end of 2017, the carrying amount of 
goodwill was US$439.5 million (end of 2016: 
US$251.2 million). During 2017, we recognised 
goodwill of $194.6 million on the acquisition of 
Silego and ams’s LED backlight business and 
goodwill was reduced by US$6.9 million on the 
deconsolidation of Dyna Image.

Goodwill impairment tests carried out during 
2017 showed that the recoverable amount of 
each operating segment to which goodwill 
is allocated was comfortably in excess of its 
carrying amount and therefore no impairment 
was recognised.

Other intangible assets

At the end of 2017, the carrying amount of other 
intangible assets was US$235.6 million (end of 
2016: US$125.6 million). During 2017, additions 
amounted to US$154.7 million, comprising 
identifiable intangible assets recognised on the 
acquisition of Silego and ams’s LED backlight 
business of US$127.6 million, capitalised product 
development costs of US$21.0 million and 
purchased software, licences and patents 
totalling US$6.2 million. During 2017, the 
amortisation expense was US$42.0 million (2016: 
US$35.9 million) and there was an impairment 
loss of US$2.8 million on intangible assets 
attributable to Dyna Image. 

Since Dialog operates a fabless business model, 
it does not have any manufacturing facilities but 
it does occupy R&D facilities and administrative 
offices. At the end of 2017, Dialog operated in 33 
locations worldwide covering a total of 47,200 
square metres. Dialog’s facilities are all held 
under operating leases. Management believes 
that Dialog’s facilities are adequate for its 
current requirements.

Property, plant and equipment principally 
comprises test equipment, office equipment 
and leasehold improvements. At the end of 
2017, the carrying amount of property, plant 
and equipment was US$83.9 million (end of 
2016: US$69.7 million). Additions during the year 
amounted to US$47.1 million, including assets 
with a fair value of US$1.5 million acquired with 
Silego. During 2017, the depreciation expense 
was US$30.8 million (2015: US$27.9 million) and 
there was an impairment loss of US$1.5 million 
on assets held by Dyna Image.

With the exception of assets held under 
finance leases, which are secured by a lessor’s 
charge over the leased assets, the Group’s 
property, plant and equipment is not subject 
to any encumbrances.

Other non-current assets

Other non-current assets increased by 
US$27.5 million to US$49.8 million (end of 2016: 
US$22.3 million), primarily due to our additional 
investment in Energous shares and warrants and 
the recognition of gains totalling US$6.9 million 
on the remeasurement of those investments.

Current assets

Current assets totalled US$760.5 million at the 
end of 2017 compared with US$934.3 million at 
the end of 2016, a decrease of US$173.8 million. 
Cash and cash equivalents decreased 
by US$217.9 million to US$479.3 million. 
Other current assets increased by US$44.0 million 
to US$281.2 million reflecting an increase in 
inventories of US$63.6 million that was partially 
offset by the decrease of US$23.1 million in 
income tax receivables.

Current liabilities

Current liabilities totalled US$199.7 million at the 
end of 2017 compared with US$224.1 million at 
the end of 2016, a decrease of US$24.4 million. 
Trade and other payables increased by 
US$17.6 million to US$107.2 million. Other current 
liabilities decreased by US$41.9 million to 
US$92.5 million, principally due to the settlement 
and release of the share buyback obligation of 
US$61.1 million held at the end of 2016 which 
was partially offset by the current portion 
of consideration payable for Silego totalling 
US$14.3 million at the end of 2017.

Income tax assets and liabilities

Due largely to the timing and amount of tax 
payments on account to the relevant tax 
authorities, at the end of 2017 the Group had 
net current tax payables of US$0.6 million 
(end of 2016: net current tax receivables of 
US$35.4 million).

At the end of 2017, the Group had net deferred 
tax assets of US$3.5 million (end of 2016: 
US$25.4 million), comprising deferred tax assets 
of US$7.5 million (end of 2016: US$27.4 million) 
and deferred tax liabilities of US$4.0 million (end 
of 2016: US$2.0 million). Net deferred tax assets 
decreased primarily as a consequence of the 
acquisition of Silego.

Other non-current liabilities

Other non-current liabilities increased by 
US$21.2 million to US$30.7 million (end of 2016: 
US$9.5 million), principally due to the non-current 
portion of consideration payable for Silego 
totalling US$17.4 million at the end of 2017.

Total equity

Total equity was US$1,342.4 million at the end of 
2017 (end of 2016: US$1,194.9 million). At the end 
of 2017, Dialog shares held by employee benefit 
trusts amounted to US$0.9 million (end of 2016: 
US$20.6 million). Following the cancellation of 
treasury shares in June 2017, there were no shares 
held in treasury at the end of 2017 (end of 2016: 
US$61.5 million).

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201751

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Financial review continued

Going concern

Consequences of Brexit

On 29 March 2017, the UK Government invoked 
Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and it is therefore 
now expected that the UK will leave the EU on 
or before 29 March 2019. On 19 June 2017, the UK 
commenced the negotiation of the terms of its 
exit from the EU. Considerable uncertainty exists 
as to the outcome of the negotiations and their 
effect on the UK’s future relationships with the 
EU, with other multilateral organisations and with 
individual countries.

We continue to believe that Brexit will not have 
a significant impact on Dialog in the short term 
because only a small amount of our revenue 
is derived from customers in the UK. However, 
since approximately two-thirds of our workforce 
is based in the EU and our teams are typically 
comprised of several nationalities, we will 
monitor very closely any proposed changes to 
the current regulations in respect of the rights of 
EU and other nationals to work in the UK and any 
likely consequential changes to the rights of UK 
nationals to work in the EU.

The longer-term effects of Brexit on our 
operating environment are difficult to predict 
and subject to wider global macroeconomic 
trends and events, but may impact both 
ourselves and our customers and counterparties.

While the Brexit negotiations are ongoing, we 
will operate on a business as usual basis within 
the existing regulations and our continuing focus 
will be on growing our business.

Wissam Jabre
Chief Financial Officer,  
Senior Vice President Finance 

For the reasons set out on page 66, the Directors 
continue to adopt the going concern basis 
in preparing the Group’s and the Company’s 
financial statements. We outline on pages 55 
to 60 the principal risks and uncertainties that 
the Directors believe could adversely affect the 
Group’s results, cash flows and financial position.

Accounting standards to be 
adopted in 2018

Revenue recognition

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers 
provides a single, principles-based five-
step model to be applied to all contracts 
with customers. 

We have concluded that the recognition and 
measurement of the majority of the Group’s 
revenue will be unaffected by the adoption of 
IFRS 15. Under our existing revenue recognition 
policy, however, some sales to distributors and 
related cost of sales are not recognised until the 
onward sale of the products by the distributor 
to end customers. Under IFRS 15, we will be 
required to recognise revenue on all sales to 
distributors when the products are physically 
transferred to the distributors, net of allowances 
for estimated rebates and returns. 

We will apply IFRS 15 using the modified 
retrospective approach, whereby prior periods 
will not be restated but a cumulative effect 
adjustment will be made to the opening 
balance of retained earnings on 1 January 
2018. We estimate that the cumulative effect 
adjustment will be a credit to retained earnings 
of US$1.5 million. An analysis of this adjustment 
is presented in note 1 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

As we progress through 2018, we will present 
in our financial statements an analysis of the 
effect of this change of accounting policy on 
our quarterly and year to date results.

Financial instruments

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments introduces a new 
model for classification and measurement 
of financial assets and financial liabilities, a 
single, forward-looking “expected loss” model 
for measuring impairment of financial assets 
(including trade receivables) and a new approach 
to hedge accounting that is more closely aligned 
with an entity’s risk management activities. 

We do not expect the adoption of IFRS 9 will 
have a significant effect on the Group’s results or 
financial position.

Further information is presented in note 1 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201752

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Additional  
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Corporate responsibility and sustainability

Our key sustainability priorities are our people, 
our products and a resilient supply chain

This section provides high-level analysis of our most material business sustainability issues, details on 
how we manage them and selected data on how we have performed. During 2017 we undertook 
our second full materiality assessment. The results of the materiality process are set out in the new 
matrix published below. This includes our most material issues, as well as a range of additional relevant 
issues that we are also proactively managing. 

The outcome of our materiality assessment resulted in a number of areas grouped into single items, 
reducing the overall number from 23 to 20:
 e Recruitment of professionals and recruitment of graduates.
 e Corporate governance and general legal compliance.
 e Health and safety (supply chain) and labour and human rights (supply chain).

During the year we strengthened our audit verification process relating to human and labour rights, 
health and safety, and the environment. Further detail is available in our 2017 Sustainability Report and 
on our website. 

www.dialog-semiconductor.com/sustainability

Our sustainability vision and applicable standards

Vision

Applicable external standards

To embed sustainable and responsible 
practices into the way we act internally 
and engage externally

 e United Nations Global Compact.
 e ISO14001 environmental management system standard.
 e ISO9001 quality management system standard.
 e ISO50001 energy management system standard.
 e Global Reporting Initiative and G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines.

Materiality matrix

High

Community/Society
Business ethics
Value chain
Environment
Employees

Economic performance 
and impact

Product 
impacts

Technological innovation 
and agility

l

s
r
e
d
o
h
e
k
a
t
s
n
o
t
c
a
p
m

I

Enhancing the external skills pool

Environmental
impacts (supply chain)

Philanthropy

Energy and carbon emissions

Health and 
safety

Pollution, resources 
and waste

Diversity and 
equality

Labour rights 
and human rights 
(supply chain)

Conflict
minerals

Employee 
development

Intellectual property

Compliance with
customer standards

Recruitment of 
professionals and graduates 

Transparency 
(supply chain)

Corruption/
bribery

Corporate governance and compliance

Retention, morale
 and engagement

Low

Low

Impact on Dialog

High

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017 
 
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Corporate responsibility and sustainability continued

Our people 

Materiality

The nature of our business, which relies on 
the ongoing advancement of cutting-edge 
semiconductor technology, means we are 
highly reliant on our ability to recruit, retain and 
develop high-quality electronic engineering 
professionals, as well as leading management 
talent. This is particularly the case given:
 e Strong, ongoing competition for skills within 

the sector. 

 e An ageing electronics engineering demographic. 
 e Declining number of students in electronics 
engineering degree programmes and 
taking STEM subjects at school required 
for entry into electronics engineering 
university programmes.

 e Our commercial growth ambition. 

In this context, we are focused on maintaining 
a sustainable skills pipeline – ranging from 
the identification, development (and ultimate 
recruitment) of high-potential undergraduates 
through to the attraction of experienced experts. 
We take a holistic view towards both recruitment 
and retention that looks beyond the provision 
of highly competitive financial rewards. We also 
aim to deliver the kind of lifestyle, working 
environment, development opportunities 
and inclusive culture that encourages people 
to choose to develop high-quality, long-term 
careers with us.

“  Innovation in power 
management and 
power-efficient 
technologies is our DNA. 
Every year we launch 
new ICs which contribute 
to improving the energy 
efficiency of consumer 
electronic devices.”

How we manage our people

We manage our people through:
 e The application of national-level Human 
Resource Policies, tailored to reflect local 
legal requirements, business priorities and 
labour markets. 

 e The application of our corporate Code of 
Conduct, which sets out our minimum, 
business-wide requirements in relation to 
labour and human rights, health and safety 
and related issues. 

 e Ongoing talent planning and 

gap identification. 

 e Proactive engagement at university level 

to identify and recruit new talent. 

 e Ongoing identification and engagement 
of high-value professionals and leaders. 

Responsibility for our performance sits with the 
Senior Vice President Human Resources who 
is supported in this role by dedicated regional 
Human Resource teams.

Relevant performance indicators in relation 
to our people can be found on page 16.

Our products

Materiality

Our products are based around a range of 
power-efficient IC solutions, and we aim to have 
a positive impact on the wider environment 
through the development and marketing of 
energy-saving technology.

Positive product impacts

The technology that we design, develop and 
market supports the wider provision (by our 
business partners) of advanced, affordable 
technology to consumers in a range of global 
mass-markets, including: 
 e Personal, portable handheld devices.
 e LED solid state lighting and LED backlighting.
 e IoT applications.

In this context, our products offer a range of 
advantages to end-users (and, by extension, 
our customers who are selling to them). 

These include: 
 e Mobile power management: Greater power 
efficiency, resulting in longer battery life 
and increased mobility. For example, typical 
usage tests suggest our Power Management 
Integrated Circuits decrease the power 
consumption of smartphones, tablets 
and Ultrabooks™ by up to 30%.

 e Power conversion: Our high efficiency  

AC/DC power converters and LED drivers 
help maximise power conversion efficiency 
using digital technology and fewer 
components. This includes converters that 
use little or no power while on standby – 
a particularly important aspect when you 
consider that standby demand consumes 
more than 100 billion kilowatt-hours of 
electricity annually in the United States alone 
(enough to power more than nine million 
American households). Furthermore, our 
solid state lighting (“SSL”) LED drivers support 
very high efficiency, long-lifespan SSL bulbs. 
It is estimated that the increased use of 
energy-efficient LED lighting of all kinds in 
the United States alone will save 300 terawatt 
hours by 2030 – equivalent to approximately 
210 million tonnes of greenhouse 
gas emissions.

 e Connectivity: Our Bluetooth® low energy, 

SmartBond™ System-On-Chip helps increase 
the battery life of relevant wireless products 
by up to 100% – reducing overall power 
usage and enhancing the mobility of 
connected products.

Minimisation of negative product impacts

The nature of our integrated circuits means that 
their actual and potential negative impacts are 
relatively limited. Nonetheless, we design our 
products in a way that is intended to minimise 
any negative impacts they might have over 
their lifecycle. This includes efforts to reduce the 
size of our integrated circuits (thus reducing the 
amount of input materials required, as well as the 
amount of packaging used to protect and ship 
them). In addition, and as described above, we 
aim to make our integrated circuits as energy-
efficient as possible – while also enhancing the 
energy efficiency of the larger products in to 
which they are incorporated. 

Given the important role our integrated circuits 
play in managing the power supply of more 
than a billion consumer end-products, we place 
significant emphasis on ensuring they do not 
pose any health and safety risks to end-users. 

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201754

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Corporate responsibility and sustainability continued

A resilient supply chain

Materiality

Given the nature of our business model and 
our commercial relationships, value chain 
management is a particularly important issue 
for Dialog. This not only includes operational 
aspects (including the avoidance and mitigation 
of supply chain disruption and supply 
constraints), but also sustainability aspects 
such as:
 e The impact of our business partners on 

human rights and labour rights. 

 e Health and safety performance amongst 

our suppliers. 

 e The environmental impacts of both our 

suppliers and the contents of our products.

This reflects:
 e Evolving stakeholder expectations, which 

place ever-growing emphasis on the need for 
companies to identify, and use their legitimate 
influence to proactively manage, their indirect 
sustainability impacts. 

 e Dialog’s duty to help protect its own 

customers from reputational, contractual 
or commercial harm. 

How we manage our value chain

We manage our value chain through:
 e A policy of only dealing with fabrication 
partners who are accredited to or are 
compliant with the ISO14001 (environment) 
and ISO9001 (quality) management standards. 

 e Screening of all new fabrication partners 

against our Self-Audit Checklist (which covers 
labour and human rights, health and safety, 
the environment and business ethics), as 
well as pre-qualification audits prior to the 
integration of new fabrication partners into 
our supply chain. 

 e Annual auditing (by joint Dialog and 

third-party auditing teams) of all existing 
fabrication partners against our Supplier Audit 
Checklist and Corporate Social Responsibility 
Checklist. In addition to requirements relating 
to ISO14001, OHSAS18001 and ISO9001, 
auditing covers a range of broader corporate 
social responsibility issues, including those 
drawn from the SA8000 social accountability 
standard. In 2017, we carried out 18 supplier 
audits on this basis.

Responsibility in this respect sits with the Senior Vice President Global Manufacturing Operations. 
He is supported in this role on a day-to-day basis by the Environmental Manager.

Proportion of major fabrication partners screened/audited for sustainability performance 
by issue type (new fabrication partners screened1/existing fabrication partners audited2)

Health and safety (%)
Environment (%)
Labour rights (incl. human rights) (%)
Society (%)

2015
100/100
100/100
100/100
100/100

2016
100/100
100/100
100/100
100/100

2017
100/100
100/100
100/100
100/100

Type and number of “major” negative audit findings3

Health and safety
Environment
Labour practices (incl. human rights)
Society

2015
0
0
0
0

2016
0
14
0
0

20175
6
2
3
0

1 

2 
3 
4 
5 

 Screening activity is aimed at improving the performance of our fabrication partners where necessary, rather than their 
exclusion from our supply chain. 
 Includes both documentary auditing and on-site auditing. All our fabrication partners were subjected to auditing in 2017. 
 I.e. audit findings of sufficient seriousness that Dialog requires immediate correction on the part of the supplier. 
 Potential safety hazard identified for the control of chemicals. 
 In 2017 we strengthened our audit verification process. Further detail is available in our 2017 Sustainability report.

Environmental responsibility

Energy and carbon emissions

We are working across our offices to significantly 
reduce CO2 emissions and minimise the carbon 
footprint of our business. This year, we have 
offset 100% of emissions from all air travel and 
the use of rental cars from our two main design 
centres – Nabern and Swindon. We work with 
Climate Care to offset CO2 emissions through 
various renewable energy projects in Turkey, 
China and Taiwan. 

Scope 1
Scope 2
Scope 3 (travel only)

2017 
Total
92.5
1,651.5
5,210.2

2017 per  
employee
0.05
0.86
2.71

Scope 1: Direct emissions from self-generation.

Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the 
consumption of purchased electricity, heat 
or steam.

Scope 1 and 2 emissions from our two largest 
design centres – Nabern and Swindon.

Scope 3: Other indirect emissions including 
those related to transport. Includes all air travel 
and car hire.

Materiality

We operate responsible practices within our 
own business and promote them across our 
supply chain.

Our products themselves are based around a 
range of green IC solutions, and we aim to have 
a positive impact on the wider environment 
through the development and marketing of 
energy-saving technology. We make an ongoing 
effort to minimise our:
 e Energy consumption and carbon emissions.
 e Pollution and waste.
 e Use of natural resources.

Management approach

Responsibility for environmental performance 
sits with our Senior Vice President Global 
Manufacturing Operations. We further 
govern our environmental responsibility 
through the application of the Dialog Code 
of Conduct, which addresses our emissions to 
air and water, resource use, management of 
hazardous substances and waste management. 
Furthermore, we are certified to the ISO14001 
environmental management standard, and our 
Company Quality and Management Manual 
support our efforts to achieve continuous 
improvement. In 2016, we implemented a 
new energy management system in Germany, 
achieving ISO50001 certification. 

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201755

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Managing risk and uncertainty

This section sets out a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that could adversely impact the Company’s financial 
situation or reputation and therefore its ability to execute on one  
or more of the four strategic priorities.

The Board and 
Audit Committee

The Board is responsible for approving the 
Company’s strategic aims and objectives and 
for determining the nature and extent of the risks 
it is willing to take in achieving those objectives. 
The Board seeks to maintain sound risk management 
and internal control systems. It delegates responsibility 
for monitoring the effectiveness of these to the Audit 
Committee, which meets a minimum of four times 
per year. At least annually, the Audit Committee 
will review the effectiveness of the Group’s 
risk and control processes. 

The Risk 
Management Office 

The Risk Management Office (“RMO”) meets 
quarterly. It is chaired by the Chief Financial 
Officer and is composed of the heads of the 
Legal and Risk Management functions, plus senior 
representation from across the business. The role of the 
RMO is to improve the identification and quantification 
of risks, to assign responsibility for the mitigation of 
risks and to monitor the progress being made in those 
activities. The RMO has accountability for reporting 
key risks and their status to the Management 
Team and the Audit Committee.

Our risk 
management 
framework

Operational  
Management

The Management Team is 
responsible for managing risk within 
the business on a day-to-day basis. 
They set objectives, determine strategy to 
achieve those objectives and put in place 
processes to manage the attendant risks. 
The management team provides  
input to the Corporate Risk Register  
which is then reviewed by the RMO  
and the Audit Committee. 

Internal Audit

Internal Audit’s role is to provide 
independent assurance to the Audit 
Committee and the Management Team 
on the effectiveness of risk management and 
control. To ensure Internal Audit’s independence 
from line management, the Director of Internal Audit 
is accountable to the Audit Committee. The Internal 
Audit activities are governed by an Internal Audit plan, 
which is developed with reference to, amongst other 
things, the corporate risk register and the plan is 
approved by the Audit Committee. Based upon its 
activity, Internal Audit is responsible for reporting 
significant risk exposures and control issues 
identified to the Audit Committee and 
to Senior Management. 

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017 
 
 
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Managing risk and uncertainty continued

Our principal risks

The Company is affected by a number of risk factors, some of which, 
including macroeconomic and industry-specific cyclical risks,  
are outside Dialog’s control. The Company recognises four categories  
of risks: strategic, operational, financial, and legal and compliance.

Risk trend Key

Risk  
increasing

Risk  
stable

Risk  
decreasing

Strategic risks

Dialog management is focused on executing on its four strategic pillars in order to mitigate its dependencies on key markets and customers. As part of our 
review of risks, in 2017 return on R&D investment has been added to our strategic risks. 

Dependency on mobile and consumer electronics

Mitigating actions 

Dialog’s product portfolio is heavily focused upon the mobile and consumer 
electronics market. Dialog’s revenue is heavily reliant upon the commercial 
success of its customers’ end products, principally in the high end mobile 
phone market. If the market for these products flattens or declines, Dialog’s 
revenue and profitability will be impacted. Furthermore the consumer 
electronics market is characterised by short product cycles and rapid 
innovation which provide opportunities for customers to change suppliers 
for subsequent product generations based on competitive factors such as 
price, quality, technology or specific product specifications.

We engage with our customers to understand their requirements and 
tailor the products we design to their specifications. Dialog expensed 
US$279 million in R&D in 2017 to anticipate and respond to new product 
developments and market trends. The Company rapidly implements new 
designs to meet customer needs and to keep abreast of technological trends.

Examples include continued development of quick charge AC/DC converters 
to meet evolving protocols, release of a new PMIC for the multi-cell computing 
market, and development of Bluetooth® related products for wearables and 
Smart Home applications.

Dependency on key customers

Mitigating actions 

Dialog relies on a relatively small number of customers, within the mobile 
and consumer electronics market, for a substantial proportion of its revenue. 
The loss of our largest customer, Apple Inc. or of specific products sold to 
Apple, would have a material effect on revenue and profitability. Dialog’s 
2017 revenue derived from Apple Inc. was US$1,043 million. We recognise 
that it has the resources and capability to internally design a PMIC.

Dialog seeks to diversify its product offerings within its key accounts and to 
expand its relationships with more top tier global electronics companies.

Dialog continues with its Greater China strategy and has also made significant 
progress with its highly differentiated AC/DC quick charging products.

Dialog monitors and reviews acquisition opportunities to further diversify 
its product offering and customer base. During 2017 Dialog acquired Silego 
Technology Inc. which diversified our product offering, increased our content 
at existing customers and expanded our customer base. We also expanded our 
LED backlighting product range with the acquisition of a portfolio of products 
from ams AG. 

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Strategic risks continued

 Return on research and development investment

Mitigating actions 

Dialog’s investments in research and development of products, technology 
and methodologies may not result in successful products or anticipated 
levels of revenue or profitability.

Dialog engages with key customers and market leaders to anticipate future 
product and technology requirements. 

Dialog’s ongoing product and technology development processes 
incorporate detailed business justifications and review of business cases.

Dialog seeks to manage its technology and product research and 
development efficiently and effectively through rigorous project 
management and engineering controls.

Human capital

Mitigating actions 

In order to successfully execute its current and future business 
commitments, Dialog needs to continue to build its organisational 
capability in two key areas: continuous innovation in product development, 
manufacturing and packaging technologies; and leadership skills in an 
expanding and complex global operation.

We continue to monitor the progress of Brexit discussions and any impact 
these may have on our ability to attract and retain key employees from the 
EU into the UK.

Dialog seeks to create a positive working environment that results in low 
levels of staff turnover. Dialog has developed an effective recruitment process 
to attract and retain high-calibre staff, while succession planning for senior 
management positions facilitates continuity of leadership. Dialog has dedicated 
human resource professionals working closely with the business to drive further 
development of its personnel and benchmark its employment terms to match 
industry top performers. 

Dialog has a decentralised approach to research & development with teams 
around the world. In a highly competitive talent market we believe this flexible 
approach is advantageous, allowing us to recruit talent where it resides and as 
a defence mechanism to stop large scale “poaching” by competitors. 

Emerging talent programmes continued successfully in 2017, with 
new graduates and interns entering the business – the majority within 
engineering functions.

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Risk trend Key

Risk  
increasing

Risk  
stable

Risk  
decreasing

Operational risks

Dialog recognises that time-to-market is a critical factor for the success of its customers. The efficiency of its internal operation is a relevant factor to its 
performance. We run programmes to drive continuous improvement through all facets of the value chain from design to order fulfilment.

Supply chain interruption

Mitigating actions 

Dialog runs a “high-touch” fabless business model and outsources the capital 
intensive production of silicon wafers, packaging and testing of integrated 
circuits to leading third-party suppliers, mainly in Asia. The manufacturing 
of products runs over multiple stages with multiple suppliers. The failure of 
any of these third-party vendors to deliver products or otherwise perform 
as required could damage relationships with our customers, decreasing 
our revenue and limiting our growth. Supplier delivery performance can be 
adversely affected by multiple issues. For example, if increased demand for 
these suppliers’ products exceeds their production capacity. 

Dialog has forged close partnerships with its suppliers, which help capacity 
planning and management. Dialog’s suppliers are mainly highly respected large-
scale operations. Dialog strives to source its high volume components via a dual 
sourcing strategy where appropriate. Dialog works with a range of foundries and 
back-end vendors, mainly in Taiwan, China and Singapore, to mitigate the risk 
of supply chain disruption and constraints. The geographical spread of Dialog’s 
suppliers also helps with disaster recovery planning. 

Dialog achieved a total company “On Time Delivery” performance of 99% 
in 2017, which measures performance against delivery dates confirmed by 
Dialog at date of order acceptance. 

Dialog continues to carry out supplier audits which cover a wide range of topics 
including compliance and product quality (ISO9000 and ISO14000) reviews. 

Dialog conducts regular business reviews with its suppliers to manage 
supplier performance and future capabilities.

Information technology and security

Mitigating actions 

Dialog is heavily dependent upon the quality, resilience and security of its 
information systems, which support the engineering, manufacturing and 
enterprise aspects of the business. 

Risks relating to cyber security continue to grow, with consequent risks to 
assets, intellectual property and the data of the Company, its customers and 
its employees.

Dialog is continuously strengthening its internal monitoring and controls; 
applying best practice to ensure a robust and secure IT environment. 

Dialog’s IT systems are managed on a global basis to ensure a unified approach, 
with IT operations being distributed between Europe, Asia and the USA.

Engineering tools are being consolidated into regional data centres connected 
by an upgraded network to allow increased agility, reliability and scale. 

Joint roadmaps have been developed with the business to align and prioritise 
IT investment with evolving business needs and to maintain compliance 
and controls.

IT policies and procedures have been reviewed and updated to reflect the 
changing regulatory environment, including GDPR in Europe.

Quality assurance

Mitigating actions 

Given the timetables for some key product introductions, Dialog must 
ensure tight control over the new product introduction process and in 
particular quality assurance in high-volume product ramps.

Dialog needs to avoid releasing faulty products which may cause delays in 
the assembly line of its customers and defects in their products.

Dialog operates a “high-touch” fabless model, with engineers working closely 
together with our foundry partners to optimise the manufacturing process. 

Dialog places a high importance on quality assurance, product validation prior 
to mass production, in line controls and monitoring of yields with real-time 
feed from manufacturing.

Dialog works with key suppliers to achieve industry-leading yields based upon 
typical defect density limitation. To support this Dialog has engineers located 
at key vendors.

Yield performance on key products is monitored during regular internal 
operational reviews. 

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Financial risks

Given the Company’s sector and business model, Dialog tends to be cash generative, operating across the globe. This exposes the Company to several 
financial risks including fluctuations in interest and foreign exchange rates and credit risk relating to counterparties the Company transacts with. It also 
needs to ensure access to liquidity at all times to meet its financial obligations, including investment in future growth. Through strong stewardship and 
financial discipline we are able to mitigate the impact of these risks on the financial performance of the Company.

Foreign currency

Mitigating actions 

The majority of Dialog’s revenue and expenses are denominated in 
US dollars. Some exposure exists to non-USD denominated operating 
expenditure, primarily Euro and Pound sterling, meaning exchange rate 
volatility could have an adverse impact on our financial statements. 
Please refer to note 32 on pages 146 to 149.

Discrete foreign currency exposures are managed on a case by case basis, for 
example our share buyback programme. Please refer to note 25 on page 135 
and note 32 to the consolidated financial statements.

Transactional currency exposures are managed using forward currency 
contracts, hedging no further than 12 months out on a layered approach. 
These are designated as cash flow hedges and at the year-end approximately 
US$159.7 million equivalent were outstanding.

During the year, share buyback liabilities were hedged using forward currency 
contracts, forming an economic hedge but not designated for hedge 
accounting purposes. Please refer to notes 25 and 32 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

Counterparty risk

Mitigating actions 

Dialog is exposed to the potential default of banks, suppliers and customers. 
If their credit worthiness were to change, this could have an adverse effect 
on Dialog’s business and financial condition. 

The Company uses non-recourse receivables financing to help manage credit 
risk of selected customers. When executing financial transactions, Dialog 
only deals with reputable financial institutions in accordance with Board 
approved policy. 

Financial stability is a key selection criteria for all suppliers. Annual performance 
reviews are carried out for key suppliers by the Manufacturing Review Board.

Funding and liquidity

Mitigating actions 

The risk of being unable to continue to meet the financial obligations/
requirements of our operations and provide resources for future growth.

The business has no debt and is cash generative. As such, the Company 
finances its operations from surplus cash, only raising debt when necessary. 
The policy is to maintain a sufficient level of liquidity appropriate to meet 
short-term liabilities and longer-term strategy. Cash flow from operating 
activities in 2017 was US$285 million. In addition the Company entered into 
a committed three-year US$150 million revolving credit facility in July 2017 
which is available as required. See note 8b.

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Managing risk and uncertainty continued

Risk trend Key

Risk  
increasing

Risk  
stable

Risk  
decreasing

Legal and compliance risks

As Dialog has an increasing global presence, it continues to update and enhance its policies, processes and procedures to ensure compliance with 
international and local requirements. Dialog recognises the importance of behaving as a good corporate citizen across the globe. In addition, the 
Company seeks to utilise the legal protection offered across the globe to protect our assets, specifically our intellectual property rights.

Compliance with laws and regulations

Mitigating actions 

Dialog is subject to national and regional laws and regulations in such 
diverse areas as product safety, product claims, patents, copyright, 
trademarks, competition, employee health and safety, the environment, 
corporate governance, listing and disclosure, employment and taxes. 
Failure to comply with laws and regulations could expose Dialog to civil  
and/or criminal actions leading to damages, fines and criminal sanctions 
against us and/or our employees with possible consequences for our 
corporate reputation. Changes to laws and regulations could have a material 
impact on our cost of doing business. Tax, in particular, is a complex area 
where laws and their interpretation are changing regularly, leading to the 
risk of unexpected tax exposures.

Dialog monitors laws and legal and regulatory changes across the countries 
in which it operates and continues to update its policies, processes and 
compliance programmes. 

We audit our key suppliers to ensure their compliance with industry standards 
and legal requirements.

We also continue to strengthen our system of internal controls, procedures 
and resources which reinforce compliance with various legal regimes.

IP protection

Mitigating actions 

As a highly innovative company Dialog has IP that is attractive to others. 
Dialog must ensure that this IP is sufficiently protected both legally (via 
patents) or physically (via security and IT processes). We seek to protect our 
current business and our IP from being copied or used by others through 
appropriate use of patents, copyrights and trademarks on a global basis.

Dialog has in excess of 800 patent families and continues an active patent 
registration programme overseen by its Patent Committee. 

Dialog has continued to make investments to improve the tools used to 
protect its IP. We have increased use of data leakage protection tools to 
monitor, restrict and alert if attempts are made to move IP outside of the 
Company. Engineering projects are segregated and access controlled via a 
tracked approval process.

IP infringement

Mitigating actions 

The semiconductor industry is characterised by frequent litigation regarding 
intellectual property rights. We may be subject to claims by third parties who 
allege that our products infringe their patents or other intellectual property 
rights. Such claims against us or our customers could adversely affect our 
business and require us to pay royalties/damages or expend significant 
resources to modify or redesign our products.

Dialog invests significantly in original research and development to address 
product requirements with innovative solutions. Furthermore we have 
invested in a robust patent protection programme to deter frivolous 
infringement claims by competitors.

Dialog also seeks indemnification for intellectual property infringement by 
its suppliers.

Strategic report approved on 28 February 2018 

Dr Jalal Bagherli 
Chief Executive Officer 

Wissam Jabre 
Chief Financial Officer,  
Senior Vice President Finance

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017 
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Introduction to governance

Dear shareholder,

Board refreshment

I am pleased to present our 
2017 corporate governance 
report. As Dialog is 
incorporated in the UK and 
listed in Frankfurt, we follow 
governance principles 
which have regard to the 
UK Corporate Governance 
Code and other best 
practice governance 
principles. The Board is 
committed to maintaining 
high standards of corporate 
governance and oversight 
at Dialog.

2017 developments

During 2017, there were a number of 
significant developments in UK Corporate 
Governance. While the revisions to legislation 
and the UK Code are yet to be finalised, the 
Board and its Committees have monitored 
these developments closely and assessed 
the potential impact for Dialog’s corporate 
governance framework.

Additionally, we published our Gender Pay Gap 
report and our approach to tax.

Culture and stakeholders

Dialog is a business built upon the values 
enshrined in “The Spirit of Dialog”, the 
cornerstone of our corporate values. As detailed 
in the Chairman’s statement, the Board and 
senior management team continued to 
work closely with our internal and external 
stakeholders to promote our culture and 
values. We believe this is an important factor in 
protecting and delivering sustainable long-term 
value for shareholders.

Succession planning

Succession planning is an important element 
of good governance, ensuring that we are fully 
prepared for planned or sudden departures 
from key positions throughout the year. 
The Nomination Committee has reviewed the 
succession plans for the Board, the Management 
Team and other key roles within the organisation. 
This review also provided visibility of Dialog’s 
talent pipeline to ensure we are maximising the 
potential of our people.

As part of its annual review in 2017, the Board 
specifically considered the independence 
of Chris Burke and Aidan Hughes given their 
tenure on the Board. The Board determined 
that Mr Burke was independent in character 
and judgement; however, as part of our 
ongoing programme of Board refreshment 
and renewal, Mr Burke, who has served the 
Board admirably for over 11 years will not be 
standing for re-election at the 2018 AGM . 
Aidan Hughes, who has been a key member 
of the Board and more specifically the Audit 
Committee since 2004, has been requested 
by the Board to remain a Director until the 
2019 AGM. The Board is of the unanimous 
view, as evidenced by his continuing valuable 
contribution at Board and Audit Committee 
meetings, that his independence and objectivity 
has not been compromised by his length of 
tenure. In light of the level of refreshment of both 
the Board and Committees, it was determined 
that the staggered refreshment and orderly 
succession of the Board was in the best interests 
of shareholders, as it serves to ensure diverse 
and fresh perspectives are brought to the Board 
while preserving continuity and the knowledge 
and understanding of the Dialog business as 
a whole. As part of our ongoing programme 
of Board and Committee refreshment, prior 
to his departure, an additional independent 
non-executive Director will be appointed to the 
Audit Committee to ensure that Committee’s 
composition remains aligned with best practice 
corporate governance. 

Our Board continues to include an appropriate 
balance of longer serving and more recently 
appointed Directors, with diverse backgrounds 
and experience. This serves to bring fresh 
thinking to the Board yet preserves the 
knowledge, experience and understanding 
of the evolution of the Dialog business within 
the Board as a whole, all of which provides the 
platform for fruitful discussion at Board level.

In 2017 we conducted an externally facilitated 
Board evaluation. Its findings were presented 
to the Board in February 2018. The outcome 
of the review was positive and confirmed that 
the Board and its committees operate to a 
high standard.

Senior Independent Director (“SID”)

Our former Senior Independent Director, John 
McMonigall, retired from the Board in 2015. 
Following his retirement, and as set out in last 
year’s Annual report, the Board, as a whole, 
carefully considered the role and responsibilities 
of a SID. Following consideration of the position, 
together with the role and contribution of 
the Senior Independent Director, and the fact 
that Rich Beyer is a Chairman who was wholly 
independent on appointment in 2013, the 
Board does not believe there is a necessity to 
appoint a new SID at this time. Rich is available 
to our major shareholders as are all of the 

Directors, particularly the Chairs of each of the 
Board committees. Furthermore, any concerns 
regarding the performance of the Chairman may 
be addressed to and will be managed by the 
Chair of the Nomination Committee. As such, the 
Board believes that its composition continues to 
ensure a proper division between management 
and non-executive oversight; nonetheless, we 
will review the potential for a new SID on an 
ongoing basis.

Non-executive Director positions

We have not set hard guidelines at Dialog but 
recognise the importance of ensuring Directors 
have sufficient time to discharge their obligations 
to Dialog and believe each of the Directors has 
demonstrated exceptional commitment to their 
roles for the past fiscal year, as exemplified by 
their meeting attendance on page 70.

Remuneration

The Director’s remuneration report, together with 
an introductory letter from our Remuneration 
Committee Chairman, Mike Cannon, is set out 
on page 75. As set out in the letter and report, 
Dialog received shareholder approval of a 
remuneration policy at our 2016 AGM. As no 
changes are proposed we are not required to, 
and do not propose to, put forward a vote on the 
Directors’ remuneration policy at the 2018 AGM.

Non-financial reporting directive

In 2017, the European Union Directive on 
disclosure of non-financial and diversity 
information (the “Non-Financial Reporting 
Directive”) came into effect. We recognise the 
importance of providing investors with a clear 
and comprehensive understanding of Dialog’s 
development, performance, and position. 
Since 2015 the Company has reported on 
sustainability matters in line with the “Core” 
requirements of the Global Reporting Initiative’s 
G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, placing 
significant focus on identifying, and reporting 
on, our core sustainability priorities. In our annual 
sustainability report, we provide disclosure on 
the impacts of our activities; our interaction with 
stakeholders; and, in respect of environmental, 
employee, social, human and labour rights, anti-
corruption and anti-bribery matters.

Finally, as we have outlined before, as a Board, 
we recognise the importance of constructive 
dialogue between the Board and Dialog’s 
investors, and we remain open to all feedback 
from shareholders. In addition to ongoing 
meetings and consultation conducted 
throughout the year, all Directors are available at 
the Company’s AGM and we encourage you to 
take advantage of this opportunity should you 
wish to meet with and engage in discussion with 
any member of your Board.

Nick Jeffery
Chairman, Nomination Committee

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Leadership – Board of Directors

The Board of Dialog currently comprises nine Directors. This includes one Executive 
Director, and eight independent non-executive Directors (including the Chairman).

1

4

7

2

5

8

3

6

9

The Board of Directors comprises a mix of the 
necessary skills, knowledge and experience required 
to provide leadership, control and oversight of the 
management of the Company and to contribute 
to the development and implementation of the 
Company’s strategy.

In particular, the Board combines a group of 
Directors with diverse backgrounds within the 
technology sector, in both public and private 
companies, which combine to provide the expertise 
to drive the continuing development of Dialog, 
advance the Company’s commercial objectives 
and strategy, thus putting the Company in a strong 
position to maximise shareholder value. The Board 
also combines a number of longer serving Directors 
with more recently appointed Directors. This serves 
to bring fresh thinking to the Board yet preserves 
the knowledge, experience and understanding 
of the evolution of the Dialog business within the 
Board as a whole.

Director biographies are set out below and further 
details on the composition of the Board, and the 
Board’s committees, are detailed on pages 70 
and 71.

Committee membership

A – Audit Committee
N – Nomination Committee
R – Remuneration Committee

Board experience

 – Technology
 – Telecommunications
 – Finance
 – Governance

1. Rich Beyer
Chairman
Joined: February 2013 

Appointed Chairman in July 2013. Rich has a long-
standing career in the technology sector. He was 
the Chairman and CEO of Freescale Semiconductor 
from 2008 to 2012. Prior to this, he held successive 
positions as CEO and Director of Intersil Corporation, 
Elantec Semiconductor and FVC.com. He has also 
held senior leadership positions at VLSI Technology 
and National Semiconductor Corporation. In 2012, 
he was Chairman of the Semiconductor Industry 
Association Board of Directors and served for 
three years as a member of the US Department of 
Commerce’s Manufacturing Council. He currently 
serves on the Boards of Micron Technology Inc. 
and Microsemi Corporation, and previously served 
on the Boards of Analog Devices, Credence 
Systems Corporation (now LTX-Credence), XCeive 
Corporation and Signet Solar. Rich served three 
years as an officer in the United States Marine 
Corps. He earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees 
in Russian from Georgetown University, and an 
MBA in marketing and international business from 
Columbia University Graduate School of Business. 

External Appointments: Rich currently 
serves on the Board of Micron Technology Inc. 
and Microsemi Corporation.

Committee Membership: 

Board Experience: 

2. Dr Jalal Bagherli
Executive Director (Chief Executive Officer) 
Joined: September 2005 

Jalal was previously Vice President and General 
Manager of the Mobile Multimedia business unit 
for Broadcom Corporation. Prior to that Jalal was 
the CEO of Alphamosaic, a venture-funded silicon 
start-up company in Cambridge focusing on 
video processing chips for mobile applications. 
He has extensive experience in the semiconductor 
industry through his previous professional and 
executive positions at Sony Semiconductor and 
Texas Instruments, managing semiconductor 
product businesses and working with customers 
in the Far East, Europe and North America. Jalal has 
a BSc (Hons) in Electronics Engineering from Essex 
University, and holds a PhD in Electronics from Kent 
University, UK. 

External Appointments: Jalal has been a non-
executive Director of Lime Microsystems Ltd 
since 2005 and was the Chairman of the Global 
Semiconductor Association Europe from 2011 
to 2013. 

Committee Membership: 

Board Experience: 

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Leadership – Board of Directors continued

8. Nick Jeffery
Independent non-executive
Director Joined: July 2016

Nick has a career of over 20 years in the 
telecommunications industry. He has held a 
position on the Vodafone Executive Committee 
since 2013 and from 1 September 2016 became 
CEO of Vodafone UK Limited. He has undertaken 
numerous roles within Vodafone including CEO of 
the Group’s acquired Cable and Wireless Worldwide 
operations from 2012 to 2013, and CEO of Vodafone 
Group Enterprise from 2013 to 2016. Having begun 
his career at Cable & Wireless plc (Mercury 
Communications) in 1991, he then founded and led 
Microfone Limited in 2001, whilst serving as Head of 
Worldwide Sales and Europe Managing Director at 
Ciena Inc. from 2002 until 2004.

External Appointments: CEO, Vodafone UK, Nick is 
also a Board member at FairFX Plc.

Committee Membership: Nomination (Chair), 
Remuneration 

Board Experience: 

9. Eamonn O’Hare
Independent non-executive Director 
Joined: May 2014 

Eamonn has spent over two decades as CFO of 
some of the world’s fastest-growing consumer 
and technology businesses. From 2009 to 2013, he 
was CFO and main board member of Virgin Media 
Inc. and led its successful sale to Liberty Global 
Inc. in 2013. From 2005 to 2009, he served as CFO 
of the UK operations at Tesco plc. Before joining 
Tesco, he was CFO and Board Director at Energis 
Communications and led the successful turnaround 
of this high profile UK telecoms company. Prior to 
this Eamonn spent ten years at PepsiCo Inc. in a 
series of senior executive roles in Europe, Asia and 
the Middle East. Eamonn spent the early part of his 
career in the aerospace industry with companies 
that included Rolls-Royce PLC and BAE Systems PLC. 

External Appointments: Eamonn is the Chairman 
and CEO of Zegona Communications Plc, and a 
Director of Tele2 AG. 

Committee Membership: Audit 

Board Experience: 

3. Chris Burke
Independent non-executive Director 
Joined: July 2006 

Chris has a career of 30 years in telecommunications 
and technology. Post his degree in Computer 
Science in 1982, he spent 15 years at Nortel 
Research and Development. He was then Chief 
Technology Officer at Energis Communications (at 
the time of IPO into the London Stock Exchange), 
then CTO at Vodafone UK Ltd. Post-Vodafone Chris 
has made over 20 technology investments from 
his own investment fund, founded/co-founded 
a number of start-up companies, and provides a 
strategy and technology advisory service. 

External Appointments: Chris serves on the 
private company boards of CloudView, Dialogic 
Inc., Human Learning, Navmii Ltd, Opencell and 
Premium Credit Ltd.

Committee Membership: Nomination, 
Remuneration 

Board Experience: 

4. Alan Campbell
Independent non-executive Director 
Joined: April 2015 

Alan brings over 30 years of relevant business 
and financial expertise to Dialog Semiconductor, 
having extensive experience as a Chief Financial 
Officer in the semiconductor industry. He began 
his career in 1979 with Motorola and has spent over 
12 years in Europe and 20 years in the USA. In 2004, 
he guided Freescale through its separation from 
Motorola and successfully executed an initial public 
offering (“IPO”) that listed the company on the 
New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). In 2006, he was 
instrumental in the execution of a Leverage Buy-Out 
(“LBO”) in one of the largest technology financial 
transactions at that time. In 2011, he successfully led 
the company back to the public market to be listed 
on the NYSE. 

External Appointments: Alan is currently 
Chairman of ON Semiconductor. 

Committee Membership: Audit (Chair)

Board Experience: 

5. Mike Cannon
Independent non-executive Director 
Joined: February 2013 

Mike’s career in the high-tech industry spans 30 
years, including over ten years as CEO of two 
Fortune 500 companies. He was President, Global 
Operations of Dell from February 2007 until his 
retirement in 2009. Prior to joining Dell, Mike was 
the CEO of Solectron Corporation, an electronic 
manufacturing services company, which he joined 
as CEO in 2003. From 1996 until 2003, Mike was 
CEO of Maxtor Corporation. He successfully led the 
NASDAQ IPO of Maxtor in 1998. Mike previously 
held senior management positions at IBM and 
Control Data Corporation. Mike studied Mechanical 
Engineering at Michigan State University and 
completed the Advanced Management Program at 
Harvard Business School. 

External Appointments: Mike currently 
serves on Lam Research Corporation on the 
Audit, Nominating, and Corporate Governance 
committees, and Seagate Technology as Chairman 
of the Corporate Governance and Nominating 
committees, member of the compensation 
committee, and Lead Independent Director.

Committee Membership: Remuneration (Chair), 
Nomination 

Board Experience: 

6. Mary Chan
Independent non-executive Director 
Joined: December 2016 

Mary’s career has spanned executive leadership 
roles at some of the world’s most successful 
international firms, including AT&T, Alcatel Lucent, 
Dell Inc. and General Motors Corporation (“GM”). 
At Dell, between 2009 and 2012, Ms Chan led 
the company’s Enterprise Mobility Solutions 
and Services business in the USA. Prior to this, at 
Alcatel-Lucent, Ms Chan served as Executive Vice 
President of the company’s US 4G LTE Wireless 
Networks business. Most recently at GM, Ms Chan 
served between 2012 and 2015 as President, 
Global Connected Consumers & OnStar Service 
USA. She holds both Bachelor and Master of 
Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from 
Columbia University. 

External Appointments: Ms Chan is a managing 
partner at VectoIQ, LLC., and currently serves 
as an Independent Director on the Boards of 
Magna International, Microelectronics Technology 
Inc, SBA Communications Corporation and 
WiTricity Corporation. 

Committee Membership: Nomination, 
Remuneration

Board Experience: 

7. Aidan Hughes
Independent non-executive Director 
Joined: October 2004 

Aidan is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants in England and Wales and qualified 
as a chartered accountant with PriceWaterhouse 
in the 1980s. He has held senior finance roles at 
Lex Service Plc and Carlton Communications Plc. 
He was a FTSE 100 finance Director, having held that 
position at the Sage Group Plc from 1993 to 2000. 
From December 2001 to August 2004 he was a 
Director of Communisis Plc. 

External Appointments: Aidan is a non-executive 
Director and Chair of Audit Committee for Ceres 
Power Holdings PLC. He is also an investor and 
adviser to a number of international private 
technology companies. 

Committee Membership: Audit 

Board Experience: 

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
64

Strategic  
report

Corporate  
governance

Financial  
statements

Additional  
information

Leadership – Management team

1

4

7

10

2

5

8

11

3

6

9

12

1. Dr Jalal Bagherli
Chief Executive Officer
Jalal joined Dialog as CEO and an Executive Board 
Director in September 2005. He was previously 
Vice President & General Manager of the Mobile 
Multimedia business unit for Broadcom Corporation. 
Prior to that Jalal was the CEO of Alphamosaic, 
a venture-funded silicon start-up company in 
Cambridge focusing on video processing chips for 
mobile applications. He has extensive experience in 
the semiconductor industry, through his previous 
professional and executive positions at Sony 
Semiconductor and Texas Instruments, managing 
semiconductor product businesses and working 
with customers in the Far East, Europe and North 
America. Jalal is a non-executive Director of Lime 
Microsystems Ltd since 2005 and was the Chairman 
of Global Semiconductor Association Europe from 
2011 to 2013. He has a BSc (Hons) in Electronics 
Engineering from Essex University, and holds a PhD 
in Electronics from Kent University, UK.

Tenure with Dialog: 12 years

4. Mohamed Djadoudi
Senior Vice President, Global Manufacturing 
Operations & Quality 
Mohamed joined Dialog in March 2007 and 
is responsible for product engineering, test 
and assembly development, data automation, 
software support, offshore manufacturing 
operations and quality. Mohamed has more than 
25 years’ experience in the field of semiconductor 
manufacturing operations, starting initially with 
IBM in France and the US. He was previously Senior 
Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of the 
Unisem group, an assembly and test subcontractor 
based in Malaysia and China. He also held the 
position of Vice President of Test Operations at ASAT 
(Atlantis Technology), based in Hong Kong, before 
becoming one of the original members of the 
management buy-out team of ASAT UK, where he 
served as the Technical Director. Mohamed holds an 
Electronic and Electrotechnic degree from the Paris 
University of Technology.

Tenure with Dialog: Ten years

2. Vivek Bhan
Senior Vice President, Engineering 
Vivek joined Dialog in November 2013 and is 
responsible for the overall engineering and 
technology direction, including design and product 
development across the various business groups 
within Dialog. He brings a wealth of engineering 
leadership experience in the semiconductor 
industry including technology and products for 
advanced cellular systems, connectivity and medical 
applications within RF, mixed-signal and SOC space. 
He has held senior positions at Freescale, Fujitsu 
Semiconductor and Motorola. Vivek holds a MS 
in Electrical Engineering and MBA from Arizona 
State University.

Tenure with Dialog: Four years

3. Christophe Chene
Senior Vice President, Asia 
Christophe joined Dialog in November 2011 as 
Vice President, Asia and is based in Taiwan. He has 
over 20 years of experience in the semiconductor 
industry, focusing on building international 
businesses with a strong Asian footprint. 
Previously he served as Senior Vice President and 
General Manager of the TV Business Unit as well as 
Senior Vice President of worldwide sales for Trident 
Microsystems. Prior to that, Christophe served in 
various international executive and managerial 
positions at Texas Instruments, Sharp and Xilinx. 
Christophe holds an Electronics Engineering degree 
from INSA, Toulouse.

Tenure with Dialog: Six years

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201765

Strategic  
report

Corporate  
Corporate  
governance
governance

Financial  
statements

Additional  
information

Leadership – Management team continued

8. Sean McGrath
Senior Vice President and General Manager, 
Connectivity, Automotive & Industrial 
Business Group 
Sean joined Dialog in November 2012. Sean has 
more than 15 years’ experience in RF semiconductor 
businesses, introducing innovative business models 
and leading organisations to rapid growth. Prior to 
Dialog, he was General Manager of the Smart Home 
& Energy group at NXP and General Manager of the 
RF Power and Base Stations business at NXP/Philips 
Semiconductors. He previously held senior roles at 
Philips Semiconductors and Mikron Austria GmbH, 
focusing on the RFID and connectivity markets. 
Sean holds an honours degree in Geophysics and 
Geology from Harvard University and an MBA with 
distinction from INSEAD.

Tenure with Dialog: Five years

9. Julie Pope
Senior Vice President, Human Resources
An experienced international HR executive, Julie 
began her career as a consultant at The Wyatt 
Company progressing to KPMG before joining IBM 
in 1998. With IBM, Julie spent time in New York 
and Paris. Julie joined American Express in New 
York in 2003 in International Benefits and moved 
to VP Global Mobility and HR Business Partner, 
Global Business Travel. She relocated to Sydney 
in 2011 as the VP HR Australia and New Zealand 
and then moved to the UK as VP HR Business 
Partner EMEA. During her career, Julie has gained 
extensive international experience in reward and 
benefits, global mobility, change management, 
talent planning, mergers and acquisition and global 
talent acquisition. Julie holds a Bachelor’s degree in 
Mathematics and Psychology from Lamar University 
in Beaumont, Texas and is an Associate of the 
Society of Actuaries.

Tenure with Dialog: 0 years

5. Wissam Jabre
Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President, 
Finance 
Wissam joined Dialog in 2016 after serving as 
Corporate Vice President of Finance at Advanced 
Micro Devices (AMD) since 2014. Between 2003 
and 2014, he held various executive positions at 
Freescale Semiconductor, including Vice President 
and Chief Procurement Officer, Vice President Global 
Pricing, Chief Financial Officer of the Networking 
& Multimedia Solutions Group. Wissam began 
his career at Schlumberger, gaining international 
experience in the Middle East, Europe and North 
America, before joining Motorola. He holds a 
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from the 
American University of Beirut and an MBA from 
Columbia Business School, New York. Wissam is a 
CFA © charterholder.

Tenure with Dialog: One year

6. Udo Kratz
Senior Vice President and General Manager, 
Mobile Systems Business Group 
Udo joined Dialog in May 2006. He has over 20 
years’ experience in the semiconductor industry, 
gained in general management, senior marketing 
and engineering at Robert Bosch GmbH, Sony 
Semiconductor and Infineon Technologies. 
Udo holds an Electronic Engineering degree from 
the University for Applied Sciences, Mannheim.

Tenure with Dialog: 11 years

7. Davin Lee
Senior Vice President and General Manager, 
Advanced Mixed Signal Business Group 
Davin joined Dialog in July 2014. He was previously 
CEO of Scintera Networks. Prior to that, Davin was 
the Vice-President and General Manager of the 
Consumer Business Unit at Intersil Corporation. 
Prior to that, Davin was Vice-President of Marketing 
at Xicor. He previously held senior positions within 
Altera and National Semiconductor. Davin holds 
a BSEE from The University of Texas at Austin and 
an MBA from Kellogg School of Management at 
Northwestern University.

Tenure with Dialog: Four years

10. Tom Sandoval
Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales 
Tom joined Dialog in September 2015 and is 
responsible for the worldwide sales organisation. 
He has over 25 years of experience in the 
semiconductor industry and has held executive 
management positions in sales, marketing and 
engineering. Prior to joining Dialog, Tom served 
as Vice President of Sales for the Americas at 
Xilinx. He previously served as CEO of Calypto 
Design Systems. Tom holds a BS degree in 
Electrical Engineering from the University of 
Southern California.

Tenure with Dialog: Two years

11. Colin Sturt
Senior Vice President, General Counsel 
Colin Sturt joined Dialog Semiconductor in October 
2015 as Senior Vice President, General Counsel. 
Prior to joining Dialog, Colin held the position 
of Vice President of Corporate Development, 
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Micrel, 
Incorporated. He was previously a corporate 
attorney with Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. Earlier in his 
career, Colin served in manufacturing management 
and operational and organisational improvement 
roles with National Semiconductor Corporation. 
He holds a Law degree from the Columbia 
University Law School and a Bachelor’s and two 
Master’s degrees from Brigham Young University.

Tenure with Dialog: Two years

12. Mark Tyndall
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development 
& Strategy and General Manager, Emerging 
Products Business Group 
Mark joined Dialog Semiconductor in September 
2008. Prior to this, Mark was Vice President of 
Business Development and Corporate Relations at 
MIPS Technologies. From 1999 to 2006, he held the 
position of Vice President of Business Development 
at Infineon and has also served as a board director 
of a number of start-up companies, several of which 
were successfully acquired. Earlier in his career, 
Mark held management positions in marketing 
at Fujitsu Microelectronics and in design at 
Philips Semiconductors.

Tenure with Dialog: Nine years

Martin Powell – SVP, Human Resources, Tenure with 
Dialog: Seven years (Retired May 2017)

Name 
Dr Jalal Bagherli
Vivek Bhan
Christophe Chene
Mohamed Djadoudi
Wissam Jabre
Udo Kratz
Davin Lee
Sean McGrath
Julie Pope
Tom Sandoval
Colin Sturt
Mark Tyndall

Role Tenure with 
Chief Executive Officer
Senior Vice President, Engineering
Senior Vice President, Asia
Senior Vice President, Global Manufacturing Operations & Quality
Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President, Finance
Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mobile Systems Business Group
Senior Vice President and General Manager, Power Conversion Business Group
Senior Vice President and General Manager, Connectivity, Automotive & Industrial Business Group
Senior Vice President, Human Resources
Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales
Senior Vice President, General Counsel
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development & Strategy and General Manager Emerging Products Business Group

Tenure with Dialog (years)
12
4
6
10
1
11
4
5
0
2
2
9

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201766

Directors’ report

Strategic  
report

Corporate  
governance

Financial  
statements

Additional  
information

The Directors of Dialog 
Semiconductor Plc (‘‘Dialog’’ 
or the “Company’’) 
present their Annual report 
and audited financial 
statements for the year 
ended 31 December 2017. 
These accounts have been 
prepared under IFRS 
and are available on the 
Company’s website: www.
dialog-semiconductor.com 

Principal activities and 
review of the business

Dialog Semiconductor develops and distributes 
highly-integrated, mixed-signal ICs, optimised 
for personal portable, low energy short-range 
wireless, LED solid state lighting and automotive 
applications. The Company provides customers 
with world-class innovation combined with 
flexible and dynamic support, and the assurance 
of dealing with an established business partner.

The Company is listed on the Frankfurt (FWB: 
DLG) Stock Exchange (Regulated Market, Prime 
Standard, ISIN GB0059822006) and is a member 
of the German TecDax index. The Company is 
registered in the UK and the registered number 
is 3505161. A full list of Company subsidiaries 
outside of the UK is detailed in Dialog’s related 
undertakings set out on page 167.

Further information on the principal activities 
of the business and the factors affecting future 
developments are detailed in the Group’s 
Strategic report. Information on treasury policies 
and objectives is included in note 32 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

Future developments

Dividends and share repurchases

The Company’s stated objective is to power 
the smart connected future by becoming the 
leading global supplier of highly-integrated, 
power management, AC/DC, solid state 
lighting and low energy short-range wireless 
connectivity. The key aspects of the Group’s 
strategy are set out in the Strategic report on 
page 23.

Research and development R&D

The Company believes that its future 
competitive position will depend on its ability 
to respond to the rapidly changing needs of 
its customers by developing new designs in a 
timely and cost-effective manner. To this end, 
the Company’s management is committed 
to investing in R&D of new products and 
customising existing products.

To date, R&D projects have been in response 
to key customers’ requests to assist in the 
development of new custom ASICs, and for the 
development of application-specific standard 
products (“ASSPs”). The Company does not 
expect any material change to this approach in 
the foreseeable future.

Greenhouse gases

Corporate responsibility and a commitment to 
sustainable business practices are important to 
Dialog’s business model and a component of 
Dialog’s strategy to deliver long-term profitable 
growth. Our commitment to environmentally 
oriented, sustainable business practices is 
evidenced in our commitment to continue to 
reduce CO2 emissions and minimise the carbon 
footprint of our business. Further details on the 
Company’s commitment to sustainable and 
environmentally friendly business practices are 
set out on pages 52 to 54.

Going concern

The Directors have formed a judgement at 
the time of approving the financial statements 
that there is a reasonable expectation that the 
Company has adequate resources to continue 
for the foreseeable future. The Company held 
US$479 million of cash and cash equivalents at 
the end of 2017 (2016: US$697 million) and has a 
US$150 million Revolving Credit Facility, with an 
initial three-year period to July 2020, which was 
undrawn at 31 December 2017. The Company 
expects to continue to deliver revenue and profit 
growth in the period ahead. For these reasons, 
the Directors have adopted the going concern 
basis in preparing the financial statements.

The Company has historically been committed 
to reinvesting all profits into laying the 
framework for future growth. Accordingly, since 
its initial public offering in 1999, Dialog has 
not paid any cash dividend. Directors do not 
recommend the payment of a dividend for 2017 
(2016: nil). At the 2018 Annual General Meeting, 
in line with the shareholder approvals obtained 
in 2016 and 2017, the Board will be asking 
shareholders for an authority to continue the 
share buyback programme. 

The second intermediate and final settlements 
of the second tranche of the share buyback 
programme pursuant to the shareholder 
approval obtained at the Annual General 
Meeting on 28 April 2016 took place on 
9 February 2017 and 17 February 2017. In these 
two settlements, the Company purchased 
977,456 shares at a cost of €38.8 million.

The third tranche of the share buyback 
programme was announced by the Company 
on 27 February 2017. The first and second 
intermediate settlements took place on 25 April 
2017 and 2 June 2017. The final settlement was 
concluded on 23 June 2017. Under the third 
tranche of the share buyback programme, a 
cumulative total of 1,700,610 ordinary shares were 
purchased by the Company at a total cost of 
€74.9 million. On 23 June 2017, all 4,483,816 shares 
held in treasury by the Company were cancelled.

It should be emphasised that, even if 
shareholder authority to continue the share 
buyback programme is granted, no decision 
has yet been made to implement such a 
programme and implementation will only 
occur if the Board considers this in the best 
interests of the Company depending on the 
prevailing circumstances. 

Purchase of own shares by 
Employee Benefit Trust

The Company operates an Employee Benefit 
Trust, which purchases and sells shares in the 
Company for the benefit of employees under 
the Company’s share option scheme, Long-Term 
Incentive Plan, Executive Incentive Plan and 
Employee Share Plan. Since the Company has 
de facto control of the assets and liabilities of 
the Trust, they are included in the Company and 
Group balance sheets. At 31 December 2017, the 
Trust held 2,791,027 shares, which represented 
3.65% of the total called-up share capital, at a 
nominal value of £279,103.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201767

Strategic  
report

Corporate  
Corporate  
governance
governance

Financial  
statements

Additional  
information

Directors’ report continued

Share capital

Corporate governance

Diversity and equal opportunity

The Company’s Corporate governance 
statement is set out on pages 69 to 74 of this 
report. We also publish, on our website, our 
own corporate governance principles which 
have regard to the UK Corporate Governance 
Code and other best practice corporate 
governance policies.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Company is exposed to a number of 
risks and uncertainties that could affect the 
performance of the Company and its prospects. 
The Board of Directors and the Audit Committee 
are responsible for the Company’s process of 
internal control and risk management and for 
reviewing its continuing effectiveness. The Board 
ensures, to the extent possible, that the system 
of internal procedures and controls is appropriate 
to the nature and scale of the Company’s 
activities and that appropriate processes and 
controls are in place to effectively manage 
and mitigate strategic, operational, financial 
and other risks facing the Company. A list of the 
principal risks and their management is set out 
on pages 55 to 60.

Financial instruments

The Group’s financial risk management and 
policies, and exposure to risks, are set out on 
pages 55 to 60 of this report and on note 32 
to the consolidated financial statements.

Employee policies

It is our policy to support our people 
through training, career development and 
opportunities for promotion. We operate an 
open management approach and consult with 
our staff on matters that are of concern to them. 
We share information with employees on the 
performance of the Company which, together 
with profit-related bonuses and stock option 
awards, encourage staff involvement.

The Company’s issued share capital comprised 
a single class of shares referred to as 
ordinary shares.

Details of the share capital are set out in note 24 
to the consolidated financial statements.

Substantial shareholdings

Details of substantial shareholdings are 
on page 72.

Directors

The Directors, together with their biographies, 
are listed on pages 62 and 63.

Powers of Directors

The Directors are authorised to issue the nominal 
amount of securities representing the aggregate 
of approximately one third of the issued share 
capital of the Company; of that one third they 
can issue an amount equal to 5% of the issued 
share capital on a non-pre-emptive basis. 
The Directors have additional power to issue up 
to a further third of the issued share capital of the 
Company, provided it is only applied on the basis 
of a rights issue.

Directors’ remuneration 
and interests

Directors’ remuneration and interests are 
detailed in the Annual report on remuneration 
on pages 83 to 90 of this report. No Director 
had a material interest during the year ended 
31 December 2017 in any contract of significance 
with any Group company.

Directors’ third-party 
indemnity provisions

The Company has granted an indemnity to 
its Directors against proceedings brought 
against them by third parties, by reason of 
their being Directors of the Company, to the 
extent permitted by the Companies Act 2006. 
Such indemnity remains in force as at the date 
of approving the Directors’ report.

Election and re-election of Directors

In accordance with the Company’s Articles of 
Association, one third of the Directors have 
to stand for re-election at the Annual General 
Meeting. Any Director who has been on the 
Board for more than nine years is subject to 
annual re-election. The next Annual General 
Meeting will be held on 3 May 2018 at 9am 
at Tower Bridge House, St Katharine’s Way, 
London E1W 1AA.

In 2017, Dialog operated from 33 locations in 
16 countries with a highly diverse workforce, 
incorporating employees from 65 nationalities.

Dialog takes equality and equal opportunity 
for all employees very seriously. We believe 
diversity among an employee base is an 
important attribute to a well-functioning 
business. Diversity spans a range of factors 
including diversity in terms of geographic origin, 
background, gender, race, faith, education, 
experience, viewpoint, interests and technical 
and interpersonal skills. We also ensure that 
we offer equal opportunities in all aspects of 
employment and advancement regardless 
of age, disability, gender, marital status, 
nationality, race, religious or political beliefs 
or sexual orientation.

Where existing employees become disabled, 
it is the Group’s policy to provide continuing 
employment wherever practicable in the same 
or alternative position and to provide appropriate 
training to achieve this aim. 

Gender diversity is of particular importance. 
Women comprise 16.8% of the overall workforce 
and further details are set out on page 17 of this 
report. Although this is in line with the industry 
average, the Company is supporting various 
initiatives in the areas of STEM education to 
encourage more women to pursue careers in 
engineering and electronic engineering. 

Disabled persons

Our policy provides for disabled persons, 
whether registered or not, to be considered for 
employment, training and career development 
in accordance with their aptitudes and abilities. 
We offer equal opportunities in all aspects of 
employment and advancement regardless of 
any disability.

Statement on disclosure of 
information to auditors

The Directors who were members of the Board 
at the time of approving the Directors’ report are 
listed on pages 62 and 63 of this report. Each of 
the Directors affirms that:
 e So far as they are aware, there is no relevant 
audit information of which the Company’s 
auditors are unaware; and 

 e They have taken all the steps that they 

ought to have taken as a Director in order 
to make themselves aware of any relevant 
audit information and to establish that 
the Company’s auditors are aware of 
that information. 

This confirmation is given and should be 
interpreted in accordance with the provisions of 
s418 of the Companies Act 2006.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201768

Strategic  
report

Corporate  
governance

Financial  
statements

Additional  
information

Directors’ report continued

Dialog has an Employee Benefit Trust which 
holds Dialog shares for the benefit of employees, 
including for the purpose of satisfying awards 
made under the various employee and executive 
share plans. The trustee may vote the shares as 
it sees fit, and if there is an offer for the shares 
the trustee is not obliged to accept or reject the 
offer but will have regard to the interests of the 
employees and may otherwise take action with 
respect to the offer it thinks fair.

The agreement between the Company and 
its Directors for compensation for loss of office 
is given in the Director’s remuneration policy 
report on pages 77 to 82 of this report.

The Company’s Articles of Association may only 
be amended by a special resolution at a general 
meeting of shareholders.

Annual General Meeting

The notice convening the Annual General 
Meeting will be published separately and posted 
on the Company’s website. The meeting will be 
held at Tower Bridge House, St Katharine’s Way, 
London E1W 1AA on 3 May 2018 at 9am.

By order of the Board

Dr Jalal Bagherli
Director

28 February 2018

Capital structure

As at 31 December 2017, the Company’s issued 
share capital comprised a single class of shares 
referred to as ordinary shares. Details of the 
share capital can be found in note 24 to the 
consolidated financial statements. On a show 
of hands at a general meeting of the Company 
every holder of shares present in person and 
entitled to vote shall have one vote, and on a poll 
every member present in person or by proxy 
and entitled to vote shall have one vote for every 
ordinary share held.

The notice of the general meeting specifies 
deadlines for exercising voting rights either by 
proxy notice or by presence in person or by 
proxy in relation to resolutions to be passed at a 
general meeting. All proxy votes are counted and 
the numbers for, against or withheld in relation 
to each resolution are announced at the AGM 
and published on the Company’s website after 
the meeting. There are no securities carrying 
special rights, nor are there any restrictions on 
voting rights attached to the ordinary shares.

There are no restrictions on the transfer of shares 
in the Company other than:
 e Certain restrictions may from time to time 
be imposed by laws and regulations (for 
example, insider trading laws); and 

 e Directors and senior management of the 

Company are not allowed to trade in shares or 
exercise options in certain close periods (such 
close periods normally start two weeks before 
the end of each quarter and end 48 hours 
after the release of the financial results). 

Details of changes in share capital can 
be found in note 24 to the consolidated 
financial statements.

The Company is not aware of any agreements 
between shareholders that may result in 
restrictions on the transfer of securities and for 
voting rights.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201769

Strategic  
report

Corporate  
Corporate  
governance
governance

Financial  
statements

Additional  
information

Corporate governance statement

The Board of Dialog Semiconductor is committed to maintaining high corporate 
governance standards to protect the interests of all stakeholders.

The Board of Dialog Semiconductor is 
committed to maintaining high corporate 
governance standards to protect the interests of 
all stakeholders.

These standards reflect a range of guidelines 
which apply to the Company given its status as 
a UK incorporated, Frankfurt Stock Exchange 
listed company. The Company has published on 
its website its Corporate Governance principles 
which have regard to the UK Corporate 
Governance Code and other best practice 
corporate governance policies. 

Board of Directors – role 
and responsibilities

As Dialog is incorporated in the UK and follows 
governance principles which have regard to 
the UK Corporate Governance Code and other 
best practice governance principles, it maintains 
a single Board structure. The Board has overall 
responsibility for the leadership, control and 
oversight of the Company. The day-to-day 
responsibility for the management of the 
Company has been delegated by the Board 
to the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), who is 
accountable to the Board. The CEO executes this 
authority through an executive management 
team outlined on pages 64 and 65 of this report. 
In addition, a number of responsibilities of the 
Board are delegated to sub-committees of the 
Board; details of which are set out below.

Matters reserved for the Board

While the Board has delegated day-to-day 
responsibility for the management of the 
Company to the CEO, certain matters are formally 
reserved for the Board. The Board has overall 
responsibility for: Company objectives, strategy, 
annual budgets, risk management, acquisitions 
or major capital projects, remuneration policy, 
and Corporate Governance. It defines the roles 
and responsibilities of the Chairman, CEO, other 
Directors and the Board Committees. In addition, 
the Board approves the quarterly financial 
statements and reviews the Company’s systems 
of internal control. It approves all resolutions and 
related documentation put before shareholders 
at general meetings.

Chairman

Board composition

Mr Rich Beyer is Chairman of the Board. Rich was 
appointed to the Board in February 2013 and 
as Chairman in July 2013. Upon appointment, 
he was determined by the Board to be 
independent. The Chairman is responsible for 
the effective working of the Board and oversight 
of management while the CEO, together with 
the executive management team, is responsible 
for the day-to-day running of the Company. 
The functions of Chairman and CEO are not 
combined and both roles’ responsibilities are 
clearly divided.

The Chairman, CEO and the Company Secretary 
work together in planning a forward programme 
of Board meetings and meeting agendas. 
As part of this process the Chairman ensures that 
the Board is supplied, in a timely manner, with 
information in a form and of a quality to enable it 
to discharge its duties. The Chairman encourages 
openness, debate and challenge at Board 
meetings. The Chairman holds a number of 
other directorships and the Board considers that 
these do not interfere with the discharge of his 
duties to the Company. The Chairman is available 
to meet shareholders on request.

The Board currently comprises nine Directors 
who are listed below. 

The Board of Directors comprises a mix of the 
necessary skills, knowledge and experience 
required to provide leadership, control and 
oversight of the management of Dialog 
and to contribute to the development and 
implementation of the Company’s strategy. 
In particular, the Board combines a group of 
Directors with diverse backgrounds within the 
technology sector, in both public and private 
companies, which combine to provide the 
Board with a rich resource and expertise to 
drive the continuing development of Dialog 
and advance the Company’s commercial 
objectives. The Board also combines a number 
of longer serving Directors with Directors 
who have joined the Board more recently. 
This combination provides the Board with a fresh 
perspective while ensuring there is continuity 
and experience from Directors who have 
served during a period of rapid growth and 
development for the business. In addition, the 
geographic background of the Board is diverse 
and includes Directors who have international 
work experience. Director biographies are set out 
on pages 62 and 63.

Director
Rich Beyer
Dr Jalal Bagherli
Chris Burke
Alan Campbell
Mike Cannon
Mary Chan
Aidan Hughes
Nick Jeffery
Eamonn O’Hare

Status
Current
Current
Current
Current
Current
Current
Current
Current
Current

Independent/non-independent
Independent (Chairman)
Non-independent (Executive)
Independent
Independent
Independent
Independent
Independent
Independent
Independent

Tenure (years) 
4
12
11
2
4
1
13
1
3

*  Note: Concurrent tenure means tenure on the Board concurrently with the Company’s CEO.

Concurrent 
tenure* 
(years)
4
N/A
11
2
4
1
12
1
3

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201770

Strategic  
report

Corporate  
governance

Financial  
statements

Additional  
information

Corporate governance statement continued

Board refreshment and renewal

The Board is committed to a policy of ongoing 
Board refreshment and renewal. The Nomination 
Committee continually reviews the composition 
and diversity, including gender diversity, of the 
Board and the skills and experience of each of 
the Directors. The relevant skills and experience 
of each Director are set out under individual 
biographies, which are detailed on pages 62 
and 63.

Subject to approval at the Annual General 
Meeting by shareholders, Directors are 
appointed for a term of three years. Any Director 
who has been on the Board for more than 
nine years is subject to annual re-election. 
The standard terms of the letter of appointment 
of non-executive Directors are available, on 
request, at the Annual General Meeting of 
shareholders. Directors seeking re-election 
are subject to a performance appraisal, which 
is overseen by the Nomination Committee. 
In accordance with its Articles of Association a 
third of Directors stand for re-election at each 
Annual General Meeting.

Board size

At the end of 2017, the Board comprised nine 
Directors. A maximum of ten Directors is 
allowable under Dialog’s Articles of Association. 
The nine members of the Dialog Board include 
one Executive Director and eight independent, 
non-executive Directors (including the 
Chairman). The Nomination Committee has 
reviewed the size and performance of the Board 
during the year. The Committee considered 
that the Board functions effectively; comprises 
the skills, knowledge and experience required 
by Dialog; is not so large as to be unwieldy; 
and meets corporate governance best practice 
guidelines on independence.

Board independence

Corporate governance best practice states that 
at least half the Board, excluding the Chairman, 
should comprise non-executive Directors 
determined by the Board to be independent.

The Company has determined that Chris Burke, 
Alan Campbell, Mike Cannon, Mary Chan, Aidan 
Hughes, Eamonn O’Hare, and Nick Jeffery 
are independent. The Chairman, Rich Beyer, 
was independent on his appointment to the 
Board. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, 
Dr Jalal Bagherli, is the only Executive Director 
on the Board.

Excluding the Chairman, the Board currently 
comprises seven independent non-executive 
Directors and one Executive Director and is, 
therefore, compliant with the principle that at 
least half the Board, excluding the Chairman, 
should comprise Directors determined by the 
Board to be independent.

As part of its annual review in 2017, the Board 
specifically considered the independence of 
Chris Burke and Aidan Hughes given their tenure 
on the Board. Each of these Directors has served 
concurrent tenure with the CEO of nine years 
or more. The Board determined that Mr Burke 
was independent in character and judgement; 
however, as part of our ongoing programme of 
Board refreshment and renewal, Mr Burke will not 
be standing for re-election at the 2018 AGM.

In relation to Mr Hughes, the Board’s unanimous 
view is that his independence and objectivity, 
as evidenced by his continuing valuable 
contribution at Board meetings, has not been 
compromised by his length of tenure on the 
Board. The Board also believes that his industry 
experience and continuing contribution to the 
Audit Committee is of significant benefit to the 
Board. In addition, given the level of refreshment 
at Board level in recent years – with six new 
Directors, including the Chairman, having been 
appointed since 2013 – there is significant 
benefit to Dialog in having the tenure and 
expertise of Mr Hughes for a further year. It is 
proposed that Mr Hughes remains a Director 
until the 2019 AGM.

While the Board is satisfied that Mr Hughes 
is wholly independent, in line with the best-
practice principles, as he has been on the 
Board for in excess of nine years, he is subject to 
annual re-election by shareholders. This offers 
shareholders the opportunity to express 
their view in the form of their vote at each 
and every AGM and to express their support 
(or any concern) in a transparent way. 

At the time of the appointment of Alan 
Campbell, the Board considered the prior 
working relationship between Rich Beyer and 
Mr Campbell while both served at Freescale. 
Rich Beyer joined Freescale in March 2008 
and held the position of Chairman and CEO 
through to June 2012. During this period, Alan 
held the position of Chief Financial Officer of 

Freescale reporting to Rich. The Board noted the 
three-year cooling off period between this prior 
working relationship and Alan’s appointment to 
the Dialog Board. Having carefully considered 
all the factors, the Board concluded that Alan 
Campbell is wholly independent.

Senior Independent Director

John McMonigall stepped down from the 
Board as Senior Independent Director (“SID”) 
during 2015. Having carefully considered the 
position and role of the SID, and the fact that 
Rich Beyer is a Chairman who was wholly 
independent on appointment, the Board does 
not believe there is a necessity to appoint a 
new SID at this time. Comparable to the role 
of a SID at other companies, Rich Beyer is 
available to shareholders who have concerns 
for which contact through the normal channel 
of CEO has failed to resolve or is inappropriate. 
Furthermore, any concerns regarding the 
performance of the Chairman may be addressed 
to and will be managed by the Chair of the 
Nomination Committee.

Audit Committee financial 
and sector expertise

Dialog’s Audit Committee is comprised of a 
number of Directors who have recent and 
relevant financial experience. In line with 
best practice, the Board has affirmed that 
members of the Audit Committee also have 
significant expertise in Dialog’s business 
sector. Alan Campbell, Chairman of the Audit 
Committee, has long-standing experience 
as a CFO in the semiconductor industry. 
Eamonn O’Hare also has two decades’ 
experience as CFO at some of the world’s fastest-
growing consumer and technology businesses. 
Aidan Hughes has experience as a senior 
accountant and Finance Director at a number of 
public and private companies, many of which are 
in the technology sector. Biographies are set out 
on pages 62 and 63.

2017 Board Committees

Director
Number of meetings in 2017
Meetings attended
Richard Beyer
Dr Jalal Bagherli
Chris Burke
Alan Campbell
Michael Cannon
Mary Chan
Aidan Hughes
Nick Jeffery
Eamonn O’Hare
Russ Shaw*

*  Russ Shaw stepped down in May 2017.

Board
4

Audit
4

Remuneration
4

Nomination
4

4
4
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
2

4

4

4

4

3
4

4

2

4

3
4

4

2

Alan Campbell, Chairman of the Audit Committee, Nick Jeffery, Chairman of the Nomination Committee and Mike Cannon, 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, are also available to shareholders should they have specific concerns or issues 
relevant to their respective committees.

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Additional  
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Company Secretary

Director training and development

Directors’ fees

All Directors have access to the advice and 
services of the Company Secretary, who is 
responsible to the Board for ensuring that Board 
procedures are complied with. The Company 
Secretary seeks to ensure that the Board 
members receive appropriate induction and 
ongoing training and development to enable 
them to discharge their duties. The Company 
Secretary is also responsible for advising the 
Board on all Corporate Governance matters.

The appointment and removal of the Company 
Secretary is a matter for the Board.

Tim Anderson of Reynolds Porter Chamberlain 
LLP is the Company Secretary and has served in 
this role for over 17 years.

Board meetings

The Board holds at least four Board meetings 
each year. The Board may meet more frequently 
as required. The number of meetings of 
Board sub-committees each year varies by 
Committee. There were four Board meetings in 
2017. The attendance at Board and Committee 
meetings by the Directors who held office in 
2017 is set out on page 70. The Board places 
considerable importance on attendance at both 
scheduled Board and Committee meetings. 
During the year, no Director attended less than 
75% of scheduled Board or Board Committee 
meetings to which they were entitled to attend. 
At scheduled Board meetings, the Board also 
meets without the Executive Director present.

In addition, the non-executive Directors meet 
annually to review the performance of the 
Chairman. This process, which commenced 
in 2015, is an annual process and occurred in 
February 2018.

The 2018 review will be held during the course 
of the calendar year.

Director induction and 
continuing development

Following appointment to the Board, new 
Directors are provided with induction materials 
and are briefed on the Company, its structure, 
strategy, technologies, operations, corporate 
governance practice, and their duties and 
responsibilities as a Director.

Briefings for all non-executive Directors are 
held with the executive management at Board 
meetings. Throughout the year, Directors are 
also provided with detailed briefing materials on 
the performance of the Company and market 
analysis on the performance of, and prospects 
for, the business.

The Board is committed to a programme 
of periodic training and development of its 
Directors. As part of this process, at least one 
Board meeting is held at the location of one of 
the Company’s international offices each year. 
During 2017, Board meetings were held in the 
Netherlands and California. As part of the Board 
meeting in the Netherlands, the Board visited 
the Den-Bosch site, which is the main centre 
for the Connectivity business, and received 
presentations from local management.

In line with the commitment to develop 
Board members and ensure they represent 
shareholders in the most effective way, each 
Director has taken part in a range of training 
exercises in recent years.

Performance evaluation

The Board recognises the importance of 
continuing evaluation of the performance of 
the Board and its Committees and a review of 
the operation and performance of the Board 
and its Committees is undertaken annually. 
Such a review is normally conducted internally. 
However, in line with best practice, every three 
years there is an externally facilitated review.

In 2017, consistent with this best practice, the 
Board engaged an independent third party to 
conduct an evaluation. The evaluation in 2017 
was conducted by Equity Communications 
Ltd, a company which has no other connection 
with Dialog.

The findings of the evaluation were presented 
to the Board in February 2018. The Board will 
consider a further third-party Board evaluation 
process in 2020.

External non-executive directorships

The Board believes that a broadening of the skills, 
knowledge and experience of non-executive 
Directors is of benefit to the Company. As such, 
the Company welcomes the participation of 
the non-executives on the Boards of other 
companies. To avoid potential conflicts of 
interest, non-executive Directors inform the 
Chairman of the Nomination Committee before 
taking up any external appointments. Details of 
the non-executive positions of each Director are 
set out under individual biographies, which are 
detailed on pages 62 and 63.

The Board has not established a hard guideline 
on the number of other executive or non-
executive positions that a Director should hold 
but recognises the guidelines set out by a 
number of proxy advisers and other influential 
governance bodies.

The annual fee for non-executive Directors 
in 2017 was £145,000. The annual fee for the 
Chairman was £200,000. The Chair of the Audit 
Committee, the Nomination Committee and the 
Remuneration Committee received an additional 
fee of £16,000, £5,000 and £12,000 respectively 
for their role on that Committee.

The other Committee members receive an 
additional fee for serving on those Committees 
as set out on page 89. Details of the activities of 
these Committees during 2017 are set out on 
pages 73 and 74.

Directors’ fees were paid in cash and shares. 
Non-executive Directors are not eligible to 
participate in the Company’s bonus or share 
award schemes.

None of the remuneration of the non-executive 
Directors is performance related. Non-executive 
Directors’ fees are not pensionable and non-
executive Directors are not eligible to join 
any Company pension plans. Non-executive 
Directors are reimbursed for their reasonable 
travel and accommodation expenses incurred 
in connection with attending meetings of the 
Board or related committees.

The compensation of the Executive Director 
comprises a base salary and variable 
components. Variable compensation includes 
an annual bonus linked to, and dependent on, 
certain business targets as well as long-term 
incentives. The executive Director’s remuneration 
is inclusive of any Director’s fee. Further details 
are set out in the Directors’ remuneration report 
which begins on page 75.

Committee members

Audit Committee
Alan Campbell (Chair)
Aidan Hughes
Eamonn O’Hare
100% independent (3 of 3)

Nomination Committee
Nick Jeffery (Chair)
Chris Burke
Mike Cannon
Mary Chan
100% independent (4 of 4)

Remuneration Committee
Mike Cannon (Chair)
Chris Burke
Nick Jeffery
Mary Chan
100% independent (4 of 4)

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Additional  
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Corporate governance statement continued

Share ownership and dealing

Relations with shareholders

The Company is committed to ongoing and 
active communication with its shareholders. 
Dialog has a Head of Investor Relations who 
manages communication between the 
Company, its shareholders and the broader 
financial community. The Company also retains 
independent advisers in the UK and Germany 
to help manage communication with both 
English and German speaking shareholders. 
Dialog prepares annual and quarterly 
consolidated financial statements in accordance 
with IFRS as adopted by the EU.

The Company maintains an investor relations 
section on its website: dialog-semiconductor. 
com/investor-relations. This contains copies of 
investor presentations and annual reports as 
well as providing other financial statements and 
corporate press releases.

There is regular discussion between Company 
management and analysts, brokers and 
institutional shareholders, ensuring that 
the market is appropriately informed on 
business activities.

Dialog promptly discloses price-sensitive 
information to all market participants. 
Notifications are first sent to the Frankfurt Stock 
Exchange and the Federal Financial Supervisory 
Authority in Germany (Bundesanstalt für 
Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – BaFin) and then 
published via an electronic information system.

Significant shareholders

The provisions of the UK Disclosure Rules and 
Transparency Rules (“DTR”) require that any 
person or fund acquiring a direct or indirect 
interest of 3% or more of a class of shares issued 
by the Company – with voting rights at the 
Company’s general meeting – must inform the 
Company of its interest within two working days. 
If the 3% interest is exceeded, the shareholder 
must inform the Company of any increase or 
decrease of one percentage point in its interest.

Details of Directors’ shareholdings are set out 
on pages 84 and 86. The Company has a policy 
on dealing in shares that applies to all Directors 
and senior management. Under this policy, 
Directors are required to obtain clearance from 
the Chief Executive Officer (or in the case of 
the Chief Executive Officer himself, from the 
Chairman) before dealing.

Directors and senior management are prohibited 
from dealing in the Company’s shares during 
designated close periods and at any other time 
when the individual is in possession of Inside 
Information as defined by Article 7 of Regulation 
(EU) No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament 
and the Council of 16 April 2014 (“MAR”). 
Transactions in securities of the Company’s own 
shares carried out by members of the Board 
of Directors and of their family members will 
be reported within three business days and 
published without delay, if the total value of such 
transactions in any one year exceeds €5,000, 
pursuant to and in accordance with Article 19 
of MAR.

Loans to Directors or 
senior executives

The Company will not provide or guarantee any 
loans to Directors or senior executives.

Board Committees

The Board has established a number of 
Committees to assist in the execution of its 
responsibilities. During 2017, these were: Audit 
Committee, Nomination Committee and 
Remuneration Committee. Ad hoc committees 
are formed from time to time to deal with 
specific matters.

The composition of the Board Committees, 
as at 28 February 2018, is set out on page 71. 
Attendance at meetings held in 2017 is set out 
in the table on page 70.

Each of the permanent Board Committees has 
terms of reference under which authority is 
delegated to them by the Board. These terms 
of reference are available on the Company’s 
website. The Chairman of each Committee 
attends the Annual General Meeting and is 
available to answer shareholder questions. 
The reports of each of the Board Committees 
are set out on pages 73 and 74.

In accordance with DTR 5.1.5 with respect 
to voting rights attached to shares held by 
investment managers (on behalf of clients), by 
scheme operators and ICVCs, the first threshold 
for disclosure is set at 5%, with the next level set 
at 10% and every percentage above 10%.

Once Dialog is notified, the Company must then 
notify BaFin and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. 
Under S.15a of the German Securities Trading Act 
(Wertpapierhandelsgesetz) transactions in the 
Company’s shares carried out by members of the 
Board of Directors and their family members are 
reported and published without delay.

Dialog’s shares are listed with Clearstream 
Germany as legal owner. As far as the Company 
is aware, based on TR-1 notifications received, 
those holding a significant beneficial interest 
(i.e. greater than 3%) in the Company as of 
31 December 2017 were:

9.01% – Tsinghua University
5.88% – BlackRock Inc.
3.01% – Black Creek Investment Management Inc.

The free-float includes the following shares held 
on behalf of discretionary clients as per the share 
register on 31 December 2017:

SIX SIS AG
Citigroup Global Markets
The Bank of New York Mellon
CACEIS Bank Deutschland GmbH
Chase Nominees Ltd.
State Street Bank & Trust Corp.

8,298,342
7,005,570
4,892,058
4,535,394
2,939,737
2,746,138

As of 9 February 2017, the Company was aware 
of the following holdings:

SIX SIS AG
Citigroup Global Markets
The Bank of New York Mellon
CACEIS Bank Deutschland GmbH
Chase Nominees Ltd.
RBC Investors Services Trust

8,319,967
6,989,047
4,846,174
4,663,627
3,374,478
2,588,976

Dialog’s free-float is 73,591,112 or 96.3% of the 
outstanding shares. The free-float is calculated by 
excluding the 2,791,027 shares held in the Dialog 
Semiconductor Plc Employee Benefit Trust.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201773

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Corporate governance statement continued

Internal control and 
risk management

In accordance with the EU Transparency 
Directive (DTR 7.2.5), the Board of Directors 
(following review and recommendation by 
the Audit Committee) acknowledge that they 
are responsible for the Company’s process 
of internal control and risk management. 
Such processes are designed to manage rather 
than eliminate the risk of failure and can only 
provide reasonable and not absolute assurance 
against material misstatement or loss.

The Board ensures, to the extent possible, that 
the system of internal procedures and controls 
is appropriate to the nature and scale of the 
Company’s activities and that appropriate 
processes and controls are in place to effectively 
manage and mitigate strategic, operational, 
financial and other risks facing the Company.

A detailed list of risks and their management is 
set out on pages 55 to 60.

The Company has an ongoing process of 
identifying, evaluating and managing risk. 
The process was in place during 2017 and up 
to the date of the approval of the 2017 Annual 
report and financial statements. The Board and 
Audit Committee can confirm that necessary 
actions are being undertaken to remedy any 
perceived failings or weakness identified from 
these ongoing process reviews.

Dialog Board Committees

As set out in the Corporate Governance 
report, the Board has established a number 
of committees to assist in the execution of 
its responsibilities. During 2017, these were: 
Audit Committee, Nomination Committee 
and Remuneration Committee. Reports on the 
activity of these committees during 2017 are set 
out on the following pages.

Audit Committee

The Board of Directors has established an Audit 
Committee and has delegated authority to the 
Committee to consider and report to the Board 
on the Company’s financial reporting, internal 
control and risk management procedures, and 
the work of the internal and external auditors.

During 2017, the Audit Committee comprised 
only independent non-executive Directors. 
Members at the end of 2017 were Alan Campbell 
(Chairman), Aidan Hughes and Eamonn O’Hare.

As set out on page 70, the Board has determined 
that Alan Campbell, Eamonn O’Hare and 
Aidan Hughes all have recent and relevant 
financial experience. Further, each of the three 
members of the Committee have relevant 
sector experience.

The Audit Committee meets a minimum of four 
times a year. In 2017, the Committee met four 
times. Attendance at meetings held is set out in 
the table on page 70. The Committee also meets 
privately with the internal and external auditors 
and separately with the executive management.

The internal audit function is appropriately 
resourced with the required skills and experience, 
and is supported by specialist resources where 
required. The Director of Internal Audit is 
accountable to the Audit Committee and meets 
independently with the Committee Chairman 
regularly during the year. The Committee 
approves the internal audit plan and receives 
a report on internal audit activity at each 
meeting, and monitors the status of findings 
or improvement actions.

The Audit Committee’s main responsibilities 
include to:
 e Review and advise the Board on the integrity 
of the financial statements of the Company, 
including the Annual report, quarterly 
financial statements and other formal 
announcements relating to the Company’s 
financial performance; 

 e Review and advise the Board on 

the effectiveness of the Company’s 
internal controls; 

 e Make recommendations on the appointment 

and remuneration of external auditors 
and to monitor their performance and 
independence; and 

 e Approve and monitor the policy for non-audit 
services provided by the external auditors to 
ensure that the independence and objectivity 
of the auditors is not compromised. 

In order to fulfil its duties, the Committee 
receives sufficient, reliable and timely information 
from the Dialog management team.

The full terms of reference of the Committee 
are available on our website under the 
Corporate Governance section of the Investor 
Relations section.

Activity in 2017

The Audit Committee discharged its obligations 
during the year as follows:
 e Reviewed the 2016 (issued in February 2017) 
and 2017 (issued in February 2018) full year 
results announcement;

 e Reviewed the Annual report and financial 
statements – including the report of the 
external auditor – for the year ended 
31 December 2016 (issued in April 2017) and 
for the year ended 31 December 2017 (to be 
issued in April 2018); 

 e Reviewed the quarterly financial statements 
issued in May, July and November 2017; 
 e Reviewed the external audit plan presented 

by the external auditor in advance of the audit 
for the year ended 31 December 2017; 

 e Reviewed the quarterly external audit reports 
covering each quarterly review and full year 
audit. This included discussion and review 
of key audit related matters and the auditor’s 
response. As part of the latest requirement 
for enhanced auditor reporting we have 
included the audit matters reviewed. The key 
audit matters for the current year were: 
revenue growth assumptions used in the 
valuation of customer relationship intangible 
assets acquired in the acquisition of Silego 
Technology Inc.; revenue recognition; carrying 
value of goodwill and intangible assets held 
in Connectivity CGU; and capitalisation of 
development costs.

 e Reviewed the risk register for updates to key 

risks and status; and

 e Approved the annual internal audit plan 
and received and reviewed internal audit 
reports including the annual assessment 
and review of internal controls. This also 
includes monitoring the effective and timely 
remediation of any audit related actions.

The Company believes that an effective and 
robust system of internal control is essential 
to achieving reliable business performance. 
The system of internal control is supported by 
a strong commitment by the management 
team, ongoing monitoring by the Audit 
Committee and a dedicated internal control 
function. Improvements continue to be made 
to the internal control over financial reporting 
by embedding the COSO framework of internal 
control, testing the operating effectiveness of 
internal controls and investing in skilled resources 
to improve financial processes including:
 e Further development and implementation of 

policies and procedures; 

 e Enhancements to purchase requisition 

process and continued roll out of standardised 
business expenses process and control 
documentation tools; 

 e Strengthening IT security and monitoring of 

end-user access controls; and

 e Training a cross section of employees. 

The Committee is pleased with the progress 
achieved in 2017 and will continue to monitor 
the ongoing work in these areas in 2018. 

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201774

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Corporate governance statement continued

External Auditor | Role

The external auditor audits the Group’s 
consolidated financial statements. Prior to the 
Audit Committee proposing the appointment 
or reappointment of the external auditor, 
the proposed auditor provides details of any 
professional, financial and other relationship 
which may exist between the auditor and the 
Company that could call its independence into 
question. This includes the extent to which 
other (non-audit) services were performed 
for the Company in the past year or which 
are contracted for the following year.

The external auditor has committed to inform 
the Chairman of the Audit Committee of any 
grounds for disqualification or impartiality of the 
auditor occurring during the audit, unless such 
grounds are eliminated.

The external auditor has committed to report 
to the Audit Committee, without delay, on all 
facts and events of importance that should 
be brought to the attention of the Board 
of Directors, which come to light during 
the performance of the audit, including 
the Company’s financial performance and 
compliance with the Company’s Corporate 
Governance principles. The external auditor takes 
part in Audit Committee meetings on the annual 
consolidated financial statements and reports on 
the essential results of its audit.

External auditor and non-audit work

The Company has a policy in place governing 
the conduct of non-audit work by the external 
auditor. Under this policy the auditor is 
prohibited from performing services where 
the auditor:
 e May be required to audit his/her own work; 
 e Would participate in activities that would 
normally be undertaken by management; 

 e Is remunerated through a “success fee” 

structure; and 

 e Acts in an advocacy role for the Company. 

Other than the above, the Company does not 
impose an automatic ban on the external auditor 
undertaking non-audit work. The external 
auditor is permitted to provide non-audit 
services that are not, or are not perceived to be, 
in conflict with auditor independence, provided 
it has the skill, competence and integrity to 
carry out the work and that such work does not 
conflict with EU regulations.

Details of the amounts paid to the external 
auditor during the year for audit and other 
services are set out in note 7 to the consolidated 
financial statements. In line with EU regulations, 
the Audit Committee will ensure that, for the year 
ended 31 December 2020, non-audit fees paid 
to the Company’s auditor will be capped at a 
maximum of 70% of the average audit fees paid 
in the last three consecutive financial years.

Nomination Committee

The Board of Directors has established a 
Nomination Committee to review Board 
structure, size and composition and make 
recommendations to the Board, and to identify 
and nominate Board candidates for approval 
by the Board. The Committee is responsible 
for succession planning for Directors and 
ensuring there are appropriate succession plans 
in place for all key executive positions within 
the Company to minimise “key-man” risk.

The full terms of reference of the Committee 
are available on our website under the 
Corporate Governance section of the Investor 
Relations section.

At the end of 2017, the Nomination Committee 
comprised Nick Jeffery (Chair), Chris Burke, 
Mary Chan and Mike Cannon. The Committee 
comprises only independent non-executive 
Directors. By invitation, other members of the 
Board may attend the Committee’s meetings. 
The Committee is free to seek its own advice free 
from management as it deems appropriate.

During the year, the Committee used the 
services of an external search and recruitment 
agency to assist with the succession planning 
process. The firm, Russell Reynolds, is an 
independent third party and has no other 
connection with Dialog.

During the year, the Committee met formally 
on four occasions. Attendance at scheduled 
meetings is set out on page 70.

Activity in 2017

The key activities of the Nomination Committee 
during the year were to:
 e Review the composition of the Board 
to ensure the Directors have the skills 
and expertise to effectively oversee the 
implementation of the Group’s stated 
strategy; and

 e Review succession arrangements for all key 

executive positions. 

Remuneration Committee

The Board of Directors has established a 
Remuneration Committee to determine the 
salaries and incentive compensation of the 
officers of the Company and its subsidiaries, and 
provide recommendations for other employees 
and consultants as appropriate.

At the end of 2017, the Remuneration Committee 
comprised Mike Cannon (Chair), Chris Burke, 
Nick Jeffery and Mary Chan. The Committee 
comprised only independent non-executive 
Directors. By invitation, other members of the 
Board may attend the Committee’s meetings. 
The CEO and the Senior Vice President, Human 
Resources, may also attend by invitation but 
take no part in discussions or decisions on 
matters relating to their own remuneration. 
The Committee is free to seek its own advice free 
from management as it deems appropriate.

During the year, the Committee sought and 
received general advice relating to remuneration 
from independent advisers New Bridge Street 
and Radford (both part of Aon plc). New Bridge 
Street is a signatory to the Remuneration 
Consultants Group Code of Conduct and 
any advice was provided in accordance with 
this code. New Bridge Street and Radford 
provided no other services to Dialog during 
2017 and have no other connection with the 
Company other than as adviser on issues relating 
to remuneration. 

In 2017, the Committee met formally on four 
occasions. Attendance at scheduled meetings 
is set out on page 70.

The full terms of reference of the Committee 
are available on our website under the 
Corporate governance section of the Investor 
Relations section.

A detailed report on the work of the Remuneration 
Committee during 2017, is set out on page 90.

Tim Anderson
Company Secretary

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Directors’ remuneration report

Since the substantive review in 2014, we 
have observed a significant increase in the 
levels of equity-based remuneration by 
over 40% (on a constant currency basis) at 
our direct competitors, which has resulted 
in the remuneration of our CEO falling 
substantially below market median. In an 
increasingly competitive environment, and in 
an industry heavily impacted by the quality 
of employee innovation, it is important that 
remuneration arrangements throughout Dialog 
remain competitive against our most direct 
semiconductor peers. Such a large discrepancy 
between the remuneration at Dialog and those 
of our peers could present a risk to the Company 
and our shareholders, and could impact 
Dialog’s ability to recruit and retain external 
executive talent in the future. The Remuneration 
Committee will be conducting a full review 
of our remuneration policy during 2018 in 
preparation for the 2019 AGM.

If you have any feedback on our remuneration 
arrangements, please pass those comments 
for my attention to our Company Secretary, 
Tim Anderson at RPC, Tower Bridge House, 
St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1AA. We have 
been pleased at previous AGMs to receive 
a positive response from shareholders to 
our remuneration approach. We hope you 
find the contents of this report informative. 
The Committee would welcome your support 
at our AGM on 3 May 2018 for our advisory 
shareholder vote on the Annual report 
on remuneration.

Finally, I would like to thank my fellow 
Committee members as well as the internal and 
external teams who supported us with their 
contributions over the past year.

Mike Cannon
Chairman, Remuneration Committee 
28 February 2018 
Dialog Semiconductor Plc

Annual statement from Mike 
Cannon, Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee

Dear shareholder,

I am pleased to present the Directors’ 
remuneration report for 2017, which has been 
prepared by the Remuneration Committee 
and approved by the Board. 

The report is in two parts: the Annual report 
on remuneration which sets out the details of 
and basis for remuneration during 2017, and the 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy, which describes 
the policy for the remuneration of Executive 
and non-executive Directors. This year we 
have added a new “at-a-glance” section which 
summarises the remuneration outcomes for 2017 
and explains how they link to our strategy.

Context of the Committee’s decisions

Dialog is an international semiconductor 
company whose operations and competitors are 
largely based in the US. As a result, remuneration 
in Dialog’s sector is heavily influenced by US 
practice, and this is reflected in some aspects 
of Dialog’s Remuneration Policy. Dialog’s 
Remuneration Policy has been designed so 
that the majority of remuneration is delivered 
through performance-based, long-term variable 
remuneration with significant emphasis on 
equity. Variable remuneration is delivered 
through an annual bonus and long-term 
incentive, and performance measures are 
chosen to incentivise and reward the successful 
achievement of our strategic objectives in 
alignment with the interests of our shareholders.

Performance and 
remuneration for 2017

Share price performance in 2017 was 
disappointing, contributing to a significant 
reduction in the CEO’s remuneration for 2017. 
Nonetheless, Dialog has delivered strong TSR of 
1,401% over the last nine years and TSR of 3,717% 
since the CEO was appointed in 2005. In addition, 
during 2017, we continued to develop products, 
customer relationships and strong operating 
capability, in line with our strategic objectives. 
The CEO delivered 13% revenue growth, 
increasing underlying operating margin by 
70bps year-on-year, and strong cash flow 
generation. This is reflected in the assessment 
of the Executive Director’s annual bonus. 
Bonus performance outcomes against the 
targets that were set are detailed in the Annual 
report on remuneration on page 84.

Annual Bonus

As a result of the strong performance in 2017, 
an annual bonus award of 64.45% of maximum 
has been achieved by the CEO, compared with 
34.62% for 2016 and 79.25% for 2015.

Long-term incentive

The 2015 award made under the Long-Term 
Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) and the final bonus 
matching award made under the legacy 
Executive Incentive Plan (“EIP”) vest in the first 
quarter of 2018. Both awards were subject to 
performance tests over the period 2015–17 and 
the LTIP and legacy EIP matching award are 
expected to achieve vesting levels of 34.44% 
and 44.88% respectively.

Base salary

The Committee reviewed the CEO’s base salary 
in the first half of 2017 with reference to the 
salary increase range for other employees of the 
Company, his performance, and the positioning 
of his package compared to Dialog’s peer group. 
As a result, the Committee awarded the CEO 
a base salary increase of 5%, which is within 
the range of base salary increases for other 
high-performing employees of the Company. 
His resulting base salary is £485,886 (US$656,399) 
which is below the market median for Dialog’s 
peer group, based on the Company’s size at the 
time of the July 2017 review.

Remuneration for 2018 and beyond 

In 2018 the Committee does not intend to make 
any significant changes to how we apply our 
Directors’ remuneration policy and no changes 
will be submitted for approval at the 2018 
AGM. The CEO’s base salary will continue to be 
reviewed mid-year, the annual bonus and LTIP 
award opportunities will also remain unchanged.

The current remuneration policy will expire 
at the 2019 AGM, at which point shareholders 
will be asked to approve a new policy. 
Our last substantive review of executive 
remuneration policy was in 2014 when we 
made a radical simplification of our policy and 
introduced a number of areas of best practice. 
A new policy resulting from that review was 
approved by shareholders at the 2015 AGM. 
In 2016, shareholders approved some minor 
changes to our policy on Directors’ contracts, 
but the main features of the overall policy 
remained unchanged.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201776

Dialog Semiconductor Plc 
Annual report and accounts 2017

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Remuneration at a glance

Summary of our current Remuneration Policy and Structure for Financial Year 2017
Component
Base Salary

Features
 e Salary and benefits to facilitate recruitment 

Annual Bonus – weightings:

20% Revenue
20% Underlying operating margin
20% Underlying gross margin
20% Diversified revenue
20% Organisational goals

LTIP – weightings:
33.3% Revenue
33.3% Underlying operating margin
33.3% Relative Total Shareholder Return

Shareholding Requirements

and retention

 e Fixed pay is restrained to emphasise 

performance-based remuneration and further 
align the interests of the CEO and shareholders

 e Maximum potential 200% of base salary
 e Key financial, commercial and 

organisational goals

 e The portion of any award above 100% of 
salary is deferred into shares for three years

 e Target award is capped at £2m
 e 2x multiplier for excellent performance
 e Goals focused on KPIs and long-term 

shareholder returns
 e CEO 300% of salary

How we implemented
 e 5% increase
 e Chief Executive Officer: £485,886. 
 e 15% pension allowance

 e 64.45% of maximum bonus paid
 e CEO: £626,308 (128.9% of salary)

 e Awards granted to the CEO in 2017 had 
a target value of £2 million at grant

 e CEO exceeds requirement

How we measure performance and link to strategy

The table below links Dialog’s current performance measures to our strategy. The bonus metrics are reviewed annually and set appropriately for the 
strategy for the year.

Measure
Revenue
Underlying operating margin
Underlying gross margin

2017  
Annual Bonus 
ü
ü
ü

Relative Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”)

Commercial & organisational goals

ü

LTIP
ü
ü

ü

Rationale
Measures top-line business growth
Measures ability to increase the profitability of our operating activity
Provides a measure of ability to obtain profit margin from our 
products and manage our manufacturing costs
Measures the delivery of long-term sustainable value growth 
for shareholders
Focuses executives on the delivery of our strategic goals

How we performed

Revenue (US$m)

 1,353

2017

2016

2017 Remuneration

Operating margin, underlying (%)

Gross margin, underlying (%)

 19.2%

 46.7%

1,353

2017

1,198

2016

19.2

2017

18.5

2016

46.7

46.3

The chart below shows the 2017 potential opportunity and actual achievement compared to 2016 actual achievement. 

2017 potential

2017 actual

2016 actual

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

£`000

4,000

5,000

6,000

Minimum

Target

Maximum

Base salary

Benefits

Pension

Annual Bonus

LTIP

Effect of share price movement on LTIP

Maximum = Fixed pay, maximum annual bonus (200% of salary) and maximum value of the LTIP vesting.
Target = Fixed pay and on-target award for Annual Bonus (100% of salary) and 50% of the maximum value of the LTIP vesting.
Minimum = Fixed pay (base salary, benefits and pension).

The chart above does not include the 2014 EIP matching award vesting in 2017 as only the LTIP exists under the current policy.

The split of the LTIP bar shows the value lost or gained due to the effect of the share price. The arrow on the “2016 actual” LTIP outcome shows the value gained on the vested shares 
because of the increase in share price since grant. The arrow on the “2017 actual” LTIP outcome shows the value loss of the vested shares due to the decrease in share price since grant.

 
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Directors’ remuneration policy

Our policy on remuneration

Dialog’s remuneration policy for Executive Directors is set by the Remuneration Committee. The Committee’s primary objective is to ensure that 
remuneration is structured so as to attract and retain Executive Directors of a high calibre, with the skills and experience necessary to develop and grow 
the Company successfully. Executives should be rewarded in a way that aligns with shareholder interests and promotes the creation of sustained value 
for the Company’s shareholders.

The Committee believes that a simple approach is most effective and the elements of executive remuneration are fixed pay (base salary, benefits and 
pensions), annual bonus and a long-term incentive. A significant portion of remuneration is linked to, and paid in, Company shares, which enables 
alignment with shareholder interests and reinforces our pay-for-performance philosophy. The Committee believes that executives should hold a 
meaningful number of shares personally. The individual remuneration elements operated for executives are described in more detail in the policy table 
below. Since there is currently only one Executive Director – the CEO – we refer to remuneration for the Executive Director, Executive Directors and the 
CEO interchangeably throughout this report.

The Committee reviews the CEO’s remuneration package annually both in the context of Company performance and against a range of peer companies. 
In reviewing the CEO’s pay arrangements the Committee takes into account:
 e The history and growth profile of the Company; 
 e The Company’s UK incorporation and associated corporate governance expectations; 
 e The Company’s international focus, operations and talent market; 
 e The general external environment and the market context for executive pay; and 
 e The pay and employment practices of Dialog employees generally. 

Directors’ remuneration policy table

The table below summarises Dialog’s remuneration policy for Executive Directors and, where indicated, for non-executive Directors. The policy took formal 
effect from the 2016 AGM.

Base salary
Purpose and link to strategy

Maximum opportunity

Operation

Performance framework
Changes in policy since 2016

Retirement benefits
Purpose and link to strategy
Maximum opportunity
Operation

Performance framework
Changes in policy since 2016

Executive Directors
Facilitate recruitment and retention of the best executive talent globally – executives with the experience and 
expertise to deliver our strategic objectives at an appropriate level of cost.
Base salary increases will not ordinarily exceed the percentage increases awarded for other UK-based Dialog 
employees with comparable levels of individual performance and potential.
In cases where an Executive Director’s base salary lies materially below the appropriate market competitive 
level and where such positioning is not sustainable in the view of the Remuneration Committee, annual 
increases may exceed those for other employees described above. The rationale for any such increase will be 
described in the Annual report on remuneration for the relevant year.
Salary is reviewed annually, with any increases normally taking effect in July. A number of factors are considered 
including, but not limited to, market pay levels among international industry peers of comparable size, and base 
salary increases for other Dialog employees.
n/a
No change

Executive Directors
Provide market competitive retirement benefits which help foster loyalty and retention.
Employer contribution of 15% of base salary.
Executive Directors are provided with a defined contribution to pension or equivalent cash allowance 
arrangement.
n/a
No change

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Other benefitsExecutive DirectorsPurpose and link to strategyProvide market competitive benefits at an appropriate cost which help foster loyalty and retention.Relocation benefits may also be provided based on business need, individual circumstances and location of employment.Maximum opportunityThere is no maximum for benefits, but they represent a small percentage of remuneration.In the case of relocation, additional benefits may be provided including, but not limited to, the cost of relocation expenses, real estate fees, tax equalisation to home country and tax return filing assistance, temporary housing and schooling. The Remuneration Committee has discretion to determine the value of such benefits and details of any such benefits provided will be disclosed in the Annual report on remuneration covering the year in which they were provided.OperationExecutive Directors are eligible to receive benefits including, but not limited to, a cash allowance in lieu of a company car, medical insurance for the Executive Director and his/her immediate family members, life and disability insurance, holiday (25–30 days a year, based on length of service) and pay in lieu thereof where applicable, and services to assist with preparation of a tax return or returns where necessary due to the international nature of work completed.Any reasonable business related expenses (including tax thereon) can be reimbursed if determined to be a taxable benefit. Executive Directors are eligible for other benefits and all-employee share plans which are introduced for the wider workforce on broadly similar terms.Performance frameworkn/aChanges in policy since 2016No changeAnnual bonus planExecutive DirectorsPurpose and link to strategyMotivate Executive Directors to achieve stretching financial and commercial objectives consistent with and supportive of Dialog’s growth plans.Create a tangible link between annual performance and individual pay opportunity.Maximum opportunityAnnual opportunity of up to 200% of base salary.The Committee retains discretion to adjust the overall bonus outcome to take account of performance outside the normal bounds. This discretion cannot be used to raise the bonus outcome above 200% of base salary.OperationThe portion of any award up to 100% of base salary is paid in cash, and the portion of any award above 100%  of base salary is awarded in deferred shares.Deferred shares normally vest after three years, and are subject to the plan rules in the event of termination or change in control. Dividend equivalents may be paid on any shares which vest.The Committee may vary the performance measures and mix used to adapt to changing Company circumstances. Financial measures will be a significant portion of the total scorecard.Performance frameworkPerformance metrics include: eFinancial goals (which determine a significant portion of bonus every year); eCommercial goals; and eOrganisational and employee-related goals.For financial metrics, performance is set in line with the stretch annual budget.Changes since 2016No changeDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201779

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Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”)Executive DirectorsPurpose and link to strategyMotivate Executive Directors to deliver sustainable long-term shareholder value through long-term profitability and share price growth.Maximum opportunityThe maximum face value of an annual award is £4 million at the date of grant. This is equivalent to a target award of £2 million.OperationAnnual award of performance shares (which may also be in the form of nominal/nil-cost options). Performance is measured over three years, based on performance metrics selected by the Remuneration Committee to support the Company’s business strategy.Vesting is dependent on continued employment with the Company at the time of vesting. Dividend equivalents may be paid on any shares which vest. Certain “leaver” provisions apply and are described in the section headed “Termination arrangements” below.The Committee has the discretion in certain circumstances to settle an award in cash. In practice this will only be used in exceptional circumstances for Executive Directors.Performance frameworkPerformance metrics include suitable Company financial performance metrics and at least one third on a relative TSR condition measured versus a comparator group. The Committee reviews and selects appropriate measures and their weightings in advance of each award.25% of the maximum award vests for threshold performance, 50% of the maximum award vests for target performance and 100% of the maximum award vests for maximum performance as defined by the Remuneration Committee under the plan.For the relative TSR condition, Dialog Semiconductor TSR is measured over the three-year performance period and compared to the companies in the comparator group. If Dialog TSR is at the median of the comparator group then 25% of the maximum award vests. If Dialog TSR is at the 60th percentile of the comparator group then 50% of the maximum award will vest. If Dialog TSR is at or above the 75th percentile of the comparator group then 100% of the maximum award will vest. For performance in between these levels, vesting is determined on a straight-line basis.If Dialog TSR is negative over the three-year performance period, then the maximum number of shares which can vest subject to the relative TSR condition will be capped at 50% of the maximum award, even if relative TSR is above 60th percentile.For the Company financial performance component, targets are normally set annually over the three-year performance period.Changes since 2016No changeTermination arrangementsExecutive DirectorsPurpose and link to strategyTo limit the Company’s liability for payments in cases of termination, and to provide a fair and equitable settlement in line with market practice where appropriate.Maximum opportunityNotice periods from the Company do not exceed 12 months.Termination not in connection with a change in controlIn the case of the current Chief Executive the notice period is 12 months.The maximum termination payment due in the case of termination of employment by the Company without “cause” or termination by the Executive for a pre-defined good reason (see definition below) is: e1x base salary; e12 months’ continuation of pension and fringe benefits; and eAnnual bonus pro-rated for the period worked only and subject to the normal performance test at year end.Termination in connection with a change in controlIn the case of the current Chief Executive the notice period from the employee or the Company is 12 months.The maximum payment due in the case of termination of employment by the Company without “cause” or termination by the Executive for a pre-defined good reason in connection with a change in control event is: e1x base salary; e12 months’ continuation of pension and fringe benefits; and eAnnual bonus time pro-rated for the period worked, and subject to performance.Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201780

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Additional points:The above termination payments (both in connection with and not in connection with a change-in-control) would be reduced by the amount of any other contractual payments made to the Executive. Such payments could include a payment in lieu of notice, garden leave payment, and/or a payment in lieu of holiday accrual. Any payment in lieu of notice will be limited to the pro-rata value of base salary and the other benefits described under the retirement benefits and other benefits sections above. An Executive can also be placed on garden leave.A pre-defined “good reason” includes: material salary reduction (other than across-the-board reductions of up  to 15%) or any reduction on change of control; company required relocation by 50 miles; or material diminution in duties, responsibilities or authority (but a change in reporting line alone does not constitute a good reason).In addition to the above termination payments, the Committee may pay reasonable outplacement and legal fees where considered appropriate and may pay any statutory entitlements or settle any compromise claims in connection with a termination of employment, where considered in the best interests of the Company.Termination provisions for the EIP and LTIP are as follows:Termination not in connection with a change in controlIf an Executive Director is not employed by the Company at the time of vesting, the award will lapse, except in certain circumstances as determined by the Board including death, disability, retirement and any other circumstance as decided by the Board. The portion of any award which vests will be determined by the Board based on a number of factors including performance against targets. Alternatively, the Board may decide that outstanding awards will vest in accordance with the normal vesting schedule. Unless the Board decides otherwise, in all cases the vesting level will be reduced in accordance with time proration. In the case that employment is terminated by the Company without cause or termination by the executive for a pre-defined good reason detailed above, then the outstanding awards will vest subject to time proration and performance against targets.Termination in connection with a change in controlIn the event of a change in control of the Company, any award will be rolled over into an award in the new entity but with the Company having discretion for time pro-rated vesting, subject to performance, with the balance rolled over. Performance-based awards, after application of performance test, will roll over into time-based awards. Any awards rolled over will ordinarily vest at the nominal vesting date. However, in the case that employment is terminated by the Company without cause, or termination by the executive for a pre-defined good reason detailed above in connection with a change in control, then outstanding awards will vest immediately without time proration.Changes in policy since 2016No changeFeesNon-executive DirectorsPurpose and link to strategySupports recruitment and retention of a non-executive Director with the experience and skills that will make a major contribution to the Dialog Board.Maximum opportunityAggregate fees are subject to the limit set out in the Articles of Association or any such higher amount as determined by ordinary resolution.OperationFees are normally reviewed annually. Fees may be paid in a combination of cash and shares subject to any requirements of the Articles of Association of the Company or shareholder resolution. Non-executive Directors’ fees are not eligible for any incentive awards or share options.The Chairman’s fee is determined by the Executive Directors with input from the Remuneration Committee. Other non-executive Directors may be reviewed annually by the Chairman and Executive Directors.Non-executive Directors may also receive tax advice.In addition to the fees referred to above, non-executive Directors are also reimbursed for the costs of travel relating to the performance of their duties, and these costs may be grossed-up if treated as a taxable benefit in the applicable jurisdiction.Performance frameworkFee reviews take account of individual performance and contribution, company size, growth and complexity, level of experience and market profile and time committed.Changes in policy since 2016No changeDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201781

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Remuneration of Directors on recruitment and appointmentDialog is an international company and competes for executive talent on a global basis. In order to recruit and retain Directors of the calibre needed to execute the Company’s growth objectives it may be necessary to provide remuneration and benefits taking account of practice among other global semiconductor companies.The following principles apply in the case of the external recruitment of Directors and the appointment of internal candidates who may be promoted to the Board: eAs far as possible, the remuneration of new Directors will be set in accordance with the existing Directors’ remuneration policy described in this report;  eThe Remuneration Committee will seek to pay no more than is necessary while ensuring that it can attract the best candidates on a global basis;  eThe remuneration package provided will take account of a range of factors, including but not limited to, the calibre of a candidate, the level of existing remuneration, the jurisdiction the candidate is recruited from, and the individual’s skills and experience;  eThe remuneration package will take account of internal relativities and appropriate international market comparisons;  eThe Remuneration Committee has the discretion to determine the fixed elements of a remuneration package (comprising base salary, retirement and other benefits) as it deems necessary and in shareholders’ interests. Exercise of such discretion may be necessary, for example in the event of a new appointment to the Board following an acquisition or where commitments have been made as part of a transaction; and eThe Remuneration Committee will in all cases be guided by reasonable market practice and will take appropriate advice where necessary. The table below outlines policy in respect of recruitment where it differs from that outlined above. Policy in respect of other components of pay is unchanged in recruitment situations from that outlined above. Note that only the references to fees apply to non-executive Directors.Pay componentApproach in application to recruitment situationsAnnual base salary or feeThe following factors will be taken into account when determining appropriate base salary/fee: eThe candidate’s existing salary/fee, location of employment, skills and experience and expected contribution to the new role; eThe previous incumbent’s salary/fee for the same role; eThe current salaries/fees of other Dialog Directors; eCurrent relevant market pay data for the role; and eThe value of other elements of remuneration to be provided and the combined value of the total package.Other benefitsThe Company recruits executives on a global basis and recruitment is a case in which the Remuneration Committee may choose to exercise the discretion described in the policy table above to provide relocation benefits. In cases where the Committee believes that the Company and its shareholders’ interests will be served best by provision of relocation benefits, the Committee will seek to limit these benefits both in terms of their value and the period over which they are provided. Benefits provided may include relocation allowances and global mobility benefits such as housing or schooling as described in the policy table, which may be provided on consideration of family size and business need.Long-term incentiveThe Committee has discretion to provide awards under the LTIP which exceed the maximum outlined in the policy table above in cases where it considers it necessary in order to facilitate recruitment of high-calibre executives. Such awards may be provided as compensation for remuneration foregone at a previous employer as described in the row below. The Committee also has discretion to provide such awards in other circumstances where it considers them necessary to secure an executive’s appointment. In cases other than compensation for or “buy-out” of previous awards, LTIP target awards in addition to normal policy levels will be limited to 100% of a target executive’s Dialog salary.Compensation for forfeited remunerationThe Committee may choose to compensate for forfeited remuneration when recruiting an external candidate by providing replacement awards.Where a replacement award is deemed to be necessary, the structure and level will be carefully designed in accordance with the recruitment principles above. Such awards would be designed to take account of the vesting period and where applicable, the performance conditions of the awards they replace. They may include “clawback” provisions. An explanation of the basis of any “buy-out” will be provided as soon as practicably possible after appointment.Service contractsNotice periods offered to new Executive Directors will not normally exceed 12 months. However, if it is necessary to offer an Executive Director a longer notice period at recruitment, then the length of the notice period will reduce on a rolling basis until it is no greater than 12 months.Changes in policy since 2016No changeDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201782

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Clawback and malus policy

Under the rules of the deferred bonus plan, the LTIP and the previous EIP, the Remuneration Committee is entitled to cancel or clawback some or all of 
a participant’s awards in the event that the Audit Committee of the Company determines that the financial accounts of the Company were misstated 
to a material extent (such determination must be made within two years of the award date or six years if in relation to fraud or reckless behaviour by 
an executive). Such clawback may be applied through direct repayment or a reduction in unvested awards or future grants, or a reduction in such other 
payments as might otherwise be due from the Company to the individual.

Shareholding requirement

The Committee will set a shareholding requirement for Executive Directors. The requirement for the current CEO was increased from 200% to 300% 
of base salary with effect from 2015. The Committee reviews the level of shareholding requirement from time to time and has authority to amend it 
as necessary.

Share options for non-executive Directors

Until 2012, non-executive Directors received part of their fees in the form of options over Dialog shares. This practice was felt to align their interests with 
those of shareholders. Use of options was stopped ahead of the 2013 financial year and the last awards made (in 2012) vested in 2015. No further options 
have been awarded since 2012 and none will be awarded in future years. Provision of share options is not included in the policy table above as options are 
not part of the Company’s forward-looking remuneration policy. According to UK regulations however, reference to options must be made in the policy 
section of the Directors’ remuneration report, in order to permit payments under outstanding awards, hence the inclusion of this section here.

Remuneration policy for Executive Directors compared to that for other employees

The Company’s remuneration policy for Executive Directors is similar to that for all other Dialog employees. Differences in policy are outlined below:
 e Annual bonus – All Dialog employees participate in annual bonus plans. The nature of those plans varies somewhat by location and employee category. 

Most employees participate in a profit-sharing plan; a smaller group participates in a plan based on performance against individual objectives. 

 e LTIP – Participation in the LTIP is limited to employees in senior roles and executives, which currently comprise around 70 Dialog employees. This number 

may increase over time as the business grows. 

 e Notice periods – Other UK employees’ contracts of employment include three-month notice periods. 

Remuneration scenarios for the CEO

The charts below represent for the 2018 year the pay mix between the different elements of remuneration for the CEO, assuming threshold, target and 
maximum performance. Amounts are shown in GBP (000s). 

Minimum

573

X,XXX

Target

573

486

2,000

Maximum

573

972

4,000

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

Fixed Pay

Annual Bonus

LTIP

The scenarios shown above are based on the following assumptions:
 e Minimum performance: fixed pay only (base salary, benefits and pension);
 e Target performance: fixed pay, annual bonus (100% of salary) and 50% of the maximum value of the LTIP award vesting; and
 e Maximum performance: fixed pay, maximum annual bonus of 200% of salary and 100% of the maximum value of the LTIP award vesting.

We have assumed a target LTIP grant of £2 million, which is the limit under the policy. This could range up to £4 million for achievement of the maximum 
performance targets.

Stakeholder views

Shareholder proxy advisory groups are engaged when the Company is considering material changes to policy, including approval of any new share plans.

There is no formal engagement with employees on matters of executive remuneration but employees are encouraged to provide their view on any 
aspect of the Company’s operations through the Company’s intranet-based feedback system SVP Blog and the annual Voice of Dialog employee survey.

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Annual report on remuneration for the year  
ended 31 December 2017

1. Executive Director remuneration: Single Figure TableThe table below sets out the single figure the CEO:IncumbentYearTotal  salary US$2Benefits US$Pension US$Total  fixed  pay US$3Annual  bonus US$4Long-term Incentive US$5Total  variable  pay US$6Total  excluding  LTI US$7Total US$8Dr Jalal Bagherli2017640,77015,92396,115752,809846,0981,941,1872,787,2851,598,9073,540,094Dr Jalal Bagherli2016555,65215,49282,331653,475394,1174,529,158 4,923,275 1,047,592 5,576,750 Notes: 1 Exchange rates used are: 2016: GBP 1 = USD 1.23005; EUR 1 = USD 1.05600; 2017: GBP 1 = USD 1.35093; EUR 1 = USD 1.19875.2 Base salary earned during the financial year. The base salary is shown in USD in this table, but set and paid in GBP. The CEO’s 2017 GBP base salary increase was 5%.3 The sum of basic salary, benefits and pension.4 Annual bonus cash element and deferred share element awarded in relation to the financial year ended 31 December.5  Long-term Incentive reflects the gain on options and EIP awards which vested for the performance year. For the 2016 performance year, 85,540 EIP options vested. The value has been updated from the 2016 Annual report and is based on a price of €50.26 (share price on the date of vesting). For the 2017 performance year, 13,427 EIP options and 33,526 LTIP awards will vest. Value is based on a price of €34.63 (average share price over last three months in 2017). The EIP award is the final EIP matching award made in relation to the 2014 annual bonus prior to the introduction of the new policy.6 The sum of annual bonus (cash and deferred share element) and long-term incentives.7 The sum of basic salary, benefits, pension and annual bonus (cash and deferred share element).8 The sum of basic salary, benefits, pension, annual bonus (cash and deferred share element) and long-term incentives which vested for performance to the end of the year.2. Commentary on the Executive Director Single Figure Table2.1 Base salaryThe Remuneration Committee reviewed the CEO’s base salary in July 2017 with reference to his performance, the scale of the Group, and the positioning of his package compared to Dialog’s peer group. As a result of the review, the CEO was awarded a 5% increase in annual base salary with effect from 1 July 2017 which resulted in his base salary increasing from £462,749 to £485,886 (US$656,399). Note that this figure differs from the figure in the Single Figure table above as the review date is halfway through the financial year (July 2017). 2.2 Other benefits and PensionThe CEO received a cash allowance in lieu of a company car (US$13,780), medical insurance for himself and his spouse and Group life and income protection insurance. The total value of taxable benefits provided was US$15,923 equivalent to 2.43% of his current salary.The CEO receives a pension allowance of 15% of base salary which is in line with policy. In 2017, the Company made pension allowance payments of £71,148 (US$96,115) to the CEO.2.3 Determination of annual bonus outcome for the year ended 31 December 2017For 2017, the CEO was eligible for an annual bonus of up to 200% of base salary for maximum performance. The portion of any bonus awarded above 100% of base salary is deferred into shares which vest after three years.Performance measures used were: eFinancial goals (80%) comprising revenue (20%), underlying gross margin (20%), underlying operating margin (20%), diversified revenue (20%); and eCommercial & organisational goals (20%).The 2017 bonus was determined at 128.9% of target, reflecting performance as set out in the table below. Performance targets under these measures are considered by the Board to be commercially sensitive and will, where possible, be disclosed in a future Annual report when they are considered no longer to be commercially sensitive.Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201784

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2. Commentary on the Executive Director Single Figure Table continuedPerformance measures 2017MeasureOutcomeBelow  ThresholdBetween  Threshold  and TargetOn  TargetAbove  TargetRevenue$1,353müUnderlying gross margin46.7%üUnderlying operating margin19.2%üDiversified revenue$321müCommercial & organisational goalsSee belowüNote: Revenue, underlying gross margin and underlying operating margin are measures of Dialog 2017 performance, including Silego Technology Inc.The overall outcome for the Commercial & organisational goals was 125% of target. This reflects performance as set out in the table below:Performance MeasureOutcomeMergers and acquisitionsSuccessful completion and integration of Silego acquisitionDiversificationExecuted successfully on milestones for long-term partnershipsAccordingly, the Committee determined that a bonus equivalent to 128.9% of base salary should be paid for the performance in the 2017 financial year. Of this, 28.9% (£140,421) will be deferred into shares for three years. The Remuneration Committee also considered the disclosure of the performance targets relating to the 2017 annual bonus. Having reviewed the targets, the Committee decided that the targets continued to be commercially sensitive and will be disclosed when appropriate.2.4 LTIP vesting for the period 31 December 2017Awards granted under the 2015 Long-term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) are capable of vesting in 2018 subject to the satisfaction of revenue, underlying operating margin and relative Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) performance measures. Following the completion of the final performance period in 2017, the Committee has assessed performance against the performance targets set over the performance period and has determined that 34.44% of the share options awarded will vest to participants. This vesting percentage was calculated as follows:Disclosure of objectives relating to the 2015 LTIP award – vesting in 2018MeasureMaximum capable of vesting  (% of award)Actual vesting outcome  (% of award)Revenue33.3%13.20%Underlying operating margin33.3%21.24%Relative TSR vs. peer group33.3%00.00%Total100.0%34.44%The Chief Executive was awarded a total of 97,329 LTIP share options in 2015. As a result of the actual vesting outcome, 33,526 of the total 97,329 LTIP share options awarded to the Chief Executive in 2015 (i.e. 34.44%) will vest in 2018. As the share price at the date of vesting for the 33,526 share options was not known at the date of publication, they have been valued for the purpose of the single figure using Dialog’s average share price over October, November and December 2017 of Euro 34.63. This results in a value of US$1,385,727. This figure will be updated next year when the actual share price at the date of vesting is known.2.5 Legacy EIP matching award vesting for the period 31 December 2017Before the introduction of the LTIP in 2015, the CEO received Executive Incentive Plan (“EIP”) matching awards in relation to his deferred annual bonus. The last of these EIP matching awards was of 29,913 EIP performance share options. This award was granted in 2015 in relation to the CEO’s 2014 annual bonus, and is due to vest in early 2018. The award was subject to the satisfaction of revenue, underlying operating margin and share price performance measures. Following the completion of the final performance period in 2017, the Committee has assessed performance against the performance targets set over the performance period and has determined that 44.88% of the share options awarded will vest to the CEO. This will result in 13,427 shares vesting to the CEO in early 2018. The assessment of performance is set out in the table below:MeasureMaximum capable of vesting  (% of award)Actual vesting outcome  (% of award)Revenue37.5%12.87%Underlying operating margin37.5%23.68%Share price25.0%8.33%Total100.0%44.88%As the share price at the date of vesting for the 13,427 share options was not known at the date of publication, they have been valued for the purpose of the single figure table using Dialog’s average share price over October, November and December 2017 of Euro 34.63. This results in a value of US$555,460. This figure will be updated next year when the actual share price at the date of vesting is known.Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201785

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2. Commentary on the Executive Director Single Figure Table continued2.6 Share awards made during the yearIn 2017 the CEO was granted a LTIP award with a target value of £2m (maximum value £4m) in line with the policy in force. As noted in the policy section, shares awarded are structured as nominal priced options, hence the reference to options throughout.Awarded during the yearDate of awardGranted  number30-day average share price  at date of  grant in £Value  of award% of award  that will vest  at thresholdPerformance periodLTIP – performance shares01/03/2017103,788£38.54£3,999,99025%01/01/2017–31/12/2019Note: The value is calculated as the number of shares, multiplied by the average closing Dialog Semiconductor share price over the 30 business days up to and including 1 March 2017 (€45.15). The sterling equivalent share price was £38.54, resulting in a maximum LTIP award value of £3,999,990 which equates to a target LTIP award of £1,999,995.The LTIP performance shares set out in the table above will vest subject to performance against three performance metrics: eDialog TSR performance over the three-year performance period relative to the constituents of the S&P 1500 Select Semiconductor index (one third); eDialog revenue in each year of the three-year performance period (one third); and eDialog underlying operating margin in each year of the three-year performance period (one third).Revenue and underlying operating margin targets are set annually over the three-year performance period of the award. For each annual period a third of this part of the award is assessed on actual Dialog performance against targets set at the beginning of each year. Relative Total Shareholder Return is measured at the third anniversary date of the award over the three-year performance period. Shares accrued during the performance period are released to Executive Directors as soon as practicable after the third anniversary of the award.2.7 DilutionAs disclosed in the 2012 Annual report, share dilution as a result of equity-based incentive awards to all Dialog employees is managed to an average 1% flow rate in order to ensure that it moves over time towards a rolling 10% in ten years.3. Non-executive Directors’ remuneration: Single Figure TableIncumbentYearFees   US$Taxable Benefits  US$Incentives  (Annual)  US$Incentives  (Long-term)  US$Other  remuneration  US$Shares  Vested  US$Total  US$Chris Burke2017196,9422,048––––198,990Chris Burke2016 143,608 2,050–––– 145,659 Aidan Hughes2017206,6935,976––––212,669Aidan Hughes2016 143,301 7,623–––– 150,924 Russ Shaw201759,9931,067––––61,060Russ Shaw2016 151,296 2,539–––– 153,835 Peter Weber2017–––––––Peter Weber2016–569––––569Richard Beyer2017270,1864,653––––274,839Richard Beyer2016 190,658 5,529–––– 196,187 Mike Cannon2017215,4731,494––––216,967Mike Cannon2016 153,449 5,075–––– 158,524 Eamonn O’Hare2017201,2681,698––––202,966Eamonn O’Hare2016 143,301 3,157–––– 146,458 Alan Campbell2017217,5004,424––––221,924Alan Campbell2016 179,853 5,019–––– 184,872 Nick Jeffery2017210,9184,324––––215,242Nick Jeffery2016 94,406 1,701–––– 96,107 Mary Chan2017207,9543,870––––211,824Mary Chan2016 14,863 1,322–––– 16,185 Notes:1 Exchange rate used 2016: GBP 1 = USD 1.23005; EUR 1 = USD 1.05600; 2017: GBP 1 = USD 1.35093; EUR 1 = USD 1.19875.2 Nick Jeffery joined the Board on 1 July 2016.3 Mary Chan joined the Board on 1 December 2016.4 Russ Shaw retired from the Board on 4 May 2017.5 Fees include fees paid in cash and shares.Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201786

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4. Directors’ shareholdings at 31 December 2017The CEO is expected to establish and hold a shareholding of at least 300% of salary. The CEO currently exceeds this requirement.Share Awards with Performance ConditionsShare Awards without Performance ConditionsNumber at  31 December 201710 pence  ordinary  sharesPerformance  shares  (EIP & LTIP)EIP – invested  sharesDeferred  sharesShare  options (unvested)Share options  (vested &  unexercised)Options  exercised  in yearTotalDr Jalal Bagherli338,484524,35077,723124,449––65,3321,130,338Chris Burke2,395––––––2,395Aidan Hughes27,797––––4,374–32,171Russ Shaw944–––––4,3745,318Richard Beyer5,351––––––5,351Mike Cannon3,980––––––3,980Eamonn O’Hare7,345––––––7,345Alan Campbell3,919––––––3,919Nick Jeffery2,332––––––2,332Mary Chan2,342––––––2,342Further detail on the CEO’s EIP, LTIP and deferred bonus share awards, is set out below.Full NameShare planGrant dateFinal  vesting  dateLapse dateExercise price (EUR)Holding at  31 Dec 2016GrantedExercisedLapsedHolding at  31 Dec 2017Dr Jalal BagherliExecutive incentive plan16/02/201216/02/201516/02/20180.1265,332–65,332––Dr Jalal BagherliExecutive incentive plan16/02/201316/02/201616/02/20190.1279,735–––79,735Dr Jalal BagherliDeferred bonus plan18/02/201318/02/201618/02/20200.0142,611–––42,611Dr Jalal BagherliExecutive incentive plan18/02/201318/02/201618/02/20190.1234,638–––34,638Dr Jalal BagherliExecutive incentive plan16/02/201416/02/201716/02/20200.1285,590––24,74060,850Dr Jalal BagherliDeferred bonus plan18/02/201418/02/201718/02/20210.0140,153–––40,153Dr Jalal BagherliExecutive incentive plan18/02/201418/02/201718/02/20210.1234,729––10,03924,690Dr Jalal BagherliDeferred bonus plan12/02/201512/02/201812/02/20220.0129,913–––29,913Dr Jalal BagherliExecutive incentive plan12/02/201512/02/201812/02/20220.1225,873––7,47818,395Dr Jalal BagherliLTIP nominal cost option01/05/201501/03/201801/03/20210.1597,329–––97,329Dr Jalal BagherliDeferred bonus plan03/03/201603/03/201903/03/20230.0111,772–––11,772Dr Jalal BagherliLTIP nominal cost option03/03/201601/03/201901/03/20220.15182,648–––182,648Dr Jalal BagherliLTIP nominal cost option01/03/201701/03/202001/03/20230.15–103,788––103,788Further detail on the NEDs’ remaining share awards is set out below.Full NameShare planGrant dateFinal  vesting  dateLapse dateExercise price (EUR)Holding at  31 Dec 2016GrantedExercisedLapsedHolding at  31 Dec 2017Aidan HughesNED 2011 share option21/07/201121/04/201401/05/20180.152,293–––2,293Aidan HughesNED 2011 share option18/07/201221/04/201501/05/20190.152,081–––2,081Russ ShawNED 2011 share option21/07/201121/04/201401/05/20180.152,293–2,293––Russ ShawNED 2011 share option18/07/201221/04/201501/05/20190.152,081–2,081––The chart below shows the CEO shareholding as at 31 December 2017 against the shareholding requirement as a % of base salary.RequirementX,XXXCEO1,605590Actual Holding as a % of salaryDeferred sharesShareholding requirement05001,0001,5002,0002,500Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201787

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5. Percentage change in CEO remunerationThe table below compares the average change in base salary, benefits (excluding pension) and bonus awards for the CEO and for an average UK employee over the period 2016 to 2017. The salary increase shown for the CEO is in line with the average increase for UK employees.Percentage change from 2016 to 2017MeasureCEOAverage UK employee2Base salary5.0%5.1%Taxable benefits-6.4%23.0%Annual bonus95.5%79.0%3Total141.2%9.40%1 Represents the sum of base salary, taxable benefits and bonus.2 The employee comparator group includes all UK-based Dialog employees employed during 2016 and 2017. 3 At the time of preparation for this report, annual bonuses for the Group had yet to be finalised and the numbers presented reflect expected payouts.6. Relative importance of spend on payThe chart below compares the amount spent on employee pay by Dialog to amounts spent by Dialog on research and development and distributions to shareholders.2016241.3230.360.4Employee remuneration for GroupR&D ExpensesDistributions to shareholders2017278.8274.5124.2(US$m)050100150200250300Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201788

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7. Review of past performance

7.1 TSR Chart

The following graph compares Dialog Semiconductor’s TSR performance to that of the same investment in the German TecDAX Index. This comparison has 
been chosen because it reflects the local market and industry in which Dialog is listed. We also show a comparison to the Philadelphia SE Semiconductor 
Sector Index (Price return) as an additional industry comparator, recognising that Dialog competes with companies on an international basis. TSR is the 
measure of the returns that a company has provided for its shareholders, reflecting share price movements and – where relevant – assuming reinvestment 
of dividends. Data is averaged over 30 days at the end of each financial year.

6,000

5,000

4,000

D
S
U

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

31 Dec 08

31 Dec 09

31 Dec 10

31 Dec 11

31 Dec 12

31 Dec 13

31 Dec 14

31 Dec 15

31 Dec 16

31 Dec 17

Dialog Semiconductor

German TecDAX Index

Philadelphia Semiconductor Index

This graph shows the value, by 31 December 2017, of US$100 invested in Dialog Semiconductor Plc on 31 December 2008 compared with the value of US$100 invested in the German TecDAX 
Index on the same date. Also plotted is the price index for the Philadelphia Semiconductor Sector Index (rebased to 100). Data has been averaged over 30 days at the end of each financial year. 
Source: Datastream (Thomson Reuters).

7.2 Nine-year Chief Executive single figure remuneration

The table below sets out the annual change in the single figure total remuneration provided to the CEO over the previous nine-year period.

Financial year ending
Total remuneration including unrealised 
gains on options in $ (single figure basis)1
Annual bonus (% of maximum)2
Long-term variable pay (% of maximum)3

31 Dec 2009

31 Dec 2010

31 Dec 2011

31 Dec 2012

31 Dec 2013

31 Dec 2014

31 Dec 2015

31 Dec 2016

31 Dec 2017

1,028,853
N/A
95%

4,809,398 30,426,678
N/A
100%

N/A
100%

2,167,224
100%
100%

2,046,555
91.94%
100%

4,521,143
89.12%
78%

5,910,729
79.25%
81.3%

5,576,750
34.62%
61.49%

3,540,094
64.45%
34.44%

1 

2 
3 

 The total remuneration for 2010 and 2011 includes awards made under the 2008 LTIP plan approved by shareholders at the 2008 AGM. The values vested to the CEO from this plan were 
US$3,593,299 (2010) and US$29,103,138 (2011), resulting from the exceptional performance and share price growth of the Company, as can be seen in the TSR performance chart above. There are 
no further awards under this plan. Total remuneration includes the value of long-term incentive awards at the time they vest, as required by UK reporting regulations. The actual value realised 
by the CEO is based on the market value on the date they are permitted (under Directors’ trading restrictions) and/or choose to exercise options or sell shares. The value presented does not 
therefore reflect exactly that received by the CEO.
 No maximum bonus was defined prior to 2012.
 The percentage shown for 2017 long-term variable pay is for the LTIP. The legacy EIP matching vesting percentage for 2017 was 44.88%.

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8. Statement of implementation for the year ending 31 December 2018

8.1 Executive Director

In 2018, the remuneration policy for the CEO will be implemented along broadly similar lines to 2017. 

Base salary:
The CEO’s base salary will be subject to review in 2018 with any change being effective from 1 July 2018. 

Benefits & pension
No change to benefits. Pension contribution remains at 15% of salary.

Annual Bonus for the year ending 31 December 2018
The maximum bonus potential will remain unchanged at 200% of base salary. The annual bonus will be based on similar metrics to last year. 
Weightings will be in line with the performance framework set out in the remuneration policy and aligned to the key strategic priorities for 2018. 
There will be a significant weighting on financial metrics supported by appropriate measures of operational and commercial performance.

LTIP for the year ending 31 December 2018
The value of this year’s LTIP award granted to the Chief Executive in 2018 will be determined in accordance with the approved policy and will vest after 
three years subject to the satisfaction of three performance metrics: 
 e Dialog TSR performance over the three-year performance period relative to the constituents of the S&P 1500 Select Semiconductor index;
 e Dialog revenue in each year of the three-year performance period; and
 e Dialog underlying operating margin in each year of the three-year performance period.

8.2 Non-executive Directors

The following table sets out the fee rates for non-executive Directors, which have applied from 2016.

In thousands
Chairman fee
Base fee
Committee Chair fee

Audit
Remuneration
Nominations

Committee membership fee

Audit
Remuneration
Nominations

2018

2017

Cash
£80
£58

£16
£12
£5

£8
£6
£2.5

Shares
£120
£87

–
–
–

–
–
–

Cash
£80
£58

£16
£12
£5

£8
£6
£2.5

Shares
£120
£87

–
–
–

–
–
–

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9. Governance

9.1 The Remuneration Committee

The Board as a whole is responsible for setting the Company’s policy on Directors’ remuneration. The Board of Directors has established a Remuneration 
Committee (the “Committee”) and has delegated authority to this Committee to review and recommend to the Board: the salaries and incentive 
compensation of the Company’s officers and its subsidiaries; and provide recommendations for other employees and consultants as appropriate.

The Committee comprises independent, non-executive Directors. The members are currently Mike Cannon (Chair), Chris Burke, Mary Chan and Nick 
Jeffery. The Committee’s members have no financial interest in the Company other than as shareholders and through the remuneration paid to them by 
the Company.

By invitation, other members of the Board may attend the Committee’s meetings. The CEO and the Senior Vice President, Human Resources may also 
attend by invitation but take no part in discussions or decisions on matters relating to their own remuneration. The Committee is free to seek its own 
independent advice free from management as it deems appropriate.

During the year, the Committee sought and received general advice relating to remuneration from New Bridge Street and Radford (both part of Aon plc). 
The Committee is satisfied that the advice received from New Bridge Street and Radford is objective and independent and is not subject to any material 
conflict of interest. New Bridge Street and Radford are signatories to the UK Remuneration Consultants Group Code of Conduct and all advice received 
during the year was provided in accordance with this code. Fees paid to New Bridge Street and Radford during the year in respect of advice totalled £189,605.

The Committee also received advice from the Senior Vice President, Human Resources and the Company Secretary. During the year, the Committee met 
formally on four occasions; in addition the Committee Chairman held a number of meetings with advisers.

Responsibilities
The Remuneration Committee’s main responsibilities are to:
 e Review and recommend to the Board the salaries and incentive compensation of the Company’s CEO and executive management;
 e Provide recommendations for other employees and consultants as appropriate; and
 e Administer the Company’s compensation, stock and benefits plan.

The key activities of the Committee during the year were to:
 e Review, plan and recommend to the Board CEO and executive management remuneration;
 e Review and address Annual General Meeting outcomes;
 e Consider market trends; and
 e Review the long-term incentive and the structure of the CEO’s remuneration package.

9.2 Statement of Shareholder voting 

At the 2017 AGM 97.18% of shareholders supported the advisory resolution to approve the Annual report on remuneration. The table below summarises 
the number of votes for and against Annual report on remuneration at the 2017 AGM, and also includes the number of abstentions (referred to as 
votes withheld).

Resolution
Approval of Directors’ remuneration report 

No of shares
43,340,649

%
97.18%

No of shares
1,259,902

%
2.82%

No of shares
49,009

No of shares
44,600,551

57.60%

Votes for1

Votes against1

Votes 
withheld2

Total  
votes cast

% of voting 
capital instructed3

1  Votes “For” and “Against” are expressed as a percentage of votes received.
2  A “Vote withheld” is not a vote in law and is not counted in the calculation of the votes “For” or “Against” a resolution.
3  Total number of shares in issue at 9:00 am BST (10:00 am CEST) on 2 May 2017 was 77,432,749 shares.

9.3 Stakeholder views

Shareholder proxy advisory groups are engaged when the Company is considering material changes to policy, including approval of any new share plans.

There is no formal engagement with employees on matters of executive remuneration but employees are encouraged to provide their view on any 
aspect of the Company’s operations through the Company’s intranet-based feedback system SVP Blog and the annual Voice of Dialog employee survey.

Mike Cannon
Chairman, Remuneration Committee 
28 February 2018

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Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

The Directors are responsible for preparing 
the Annual report and the Group and parent 
company financial statements in accordance 
with the applicable law and regulations. 
UK company law requires the Directors to 
prepare Group and parent company financial 
statements for each financial year. Under the law 
the Directors are required to prepare the Group 
financial statements in accordance with IFRS as 
adopted by the EU and have elected to prepare 
the parent company financial statements on the 
same basis.

The Group and parent company financial 
statements are required by law and IFRS 
as adopted by the EU to present fairly the 
financial position of the Group and the parent 
company and the financial performance and 
cash flows for that period; the Companies 
Act 2006 provides in relation to such financial 
statements that references in the relevant part 
of the Act to financial statements giving a true 
and fair view are references to their achieving 
a fair presentation.

In preparing each of the Group and parent 
company financial statements, the Directors 
are required to:
 e Select suitable accounting policies and then 

apply them consistently; 

 e Present information, including accounting 

policies, in a manner that provides 
relevant, reliable, comparable and 
understandable information; 

 e Provide additional disclosures when 

compliance with the specific requirements 
in IFRS is insufficient to enable users 
to understand the impact of particular 
transactions, other events and conditions 
on the entity’s financial position and 
financial performances; 

 e State whether they have been prepared 

in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the 
EU; and 

 e Make judgements and estimates that are 

reasonable and prudent. 

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper 
accounting records that disclose with reasonable 
accuracy at any time the financial position 
of the parent company and enable them to 
ensure that its financial statements comply with 
the Companies Act 2006 and article 4 of the 
IAS Regulation.

They have a general responsibility for taking 
such steps as are reasonably open to them to 
safeguard the assets of the Group and to prevent 
and detect fraud and other irregularities.

Under applicable law and regulations, the 
Directors are also responsible for preparing a 
Strategic report, Directors’ report and Directors’ 
remuneration report that comply with that law 
and those regulations.

The Directors are responsible for the 
maintenance and integrity of the corporate and 
financial information included on the Company’s 
website. Legislation in the UK governing the 
preparation and dissemination of financial 
statements may differ from legislations in 
other jurisdictions.

Responsibility statement

The Directors confirm, to the best of their 
knowledge, that:
 e The financial statements, prepared in 

accordance with IFRS as adopted by the 
European Union and IFRS as issued by the 
IASB, give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of 
the Company and the undertakings included 
in the consolidation taken as a whole; and 
 e The Annual report and accounts includes a fair 
review of the development and performance 
of the business and the position of the 
Company and the undertakings included in 
the consolidation taken as a whole, together 
with a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties that they face; and 

 e The Annual report and financial statements, 
taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and 
understandable and provide the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the 
Company’s position, performance, business 
model and strategy. 

The Annual report and accounts, taken as a 
whole, is in line with good corporate governance 
standards, provides the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess the Company’s 
performance, business model and strategy 
and is fair, balanced and understandable.

Dr Jalal Bagherli
Chief Executive Officer

28 February 2018

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to the members of Dialog Semiconductor Plc

Report on the audit of the financial statements

Opinion

In our opinion:
 e The financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 2017 and of the 

Group’s profit for the year then ended;

 e The Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as adopted by the 

European Union and IFRSs as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”);

 e The parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice 

including Financial Reporting Standard 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”; and

 e The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group financial 

statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

We have audited the financial statements of Dialog Semiconductor Plc (the “parent company”) and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) which comprise:
 e The Consolidated statement of income;
 e The Consolidated statement of comprehensive income;
 e The Consolidated and parent company balance sheets;
 e The Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows;
 e The Consolidated and parent company statements of changes in equity; and
 e The related notes 1 to 33.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Group financial statements is applicable law and IFRSs as adopted by 
the European Union and IFRSs as issued by the IASB. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the parent company 
financial statements is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework” (United Kingdom 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (“UK”) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those 
standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. 

We are independent of the Group and the parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial 
statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to listed public interest entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities 
in accordance with these requirements. We confirm that the non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard were not provided to the Group or 
the parent company.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Summary of our audit approach

Key audit matters

Materiality
Scoping

Significant changes 
in our approach

The key audit matters that we identified in the current year were:
 e Revenue recognition (cut-off of “sell-in” revenue and manual adjustments to “sell-through” revenue);
 e Carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets held in the Connectivity CGU;
 e Capitalisation of development costs;
 e Revenue growth assumptions used in the valuation of customer relationship intangible assets acquired in the 

acquisition of Silego Technology Inc. (“Silego”).

We determined materiality for the Group to be $10.5 million which represents 5.4% of profit before tax.
We conducted full scope audit procedures on the parent company as well as the four largest components, which 
represent 98% of the Group’s revenue and 94% of the Group’s profit before tax. We performed specific audit 
procedures on two further components, including Silego.
Our audit approach has been consistent with the previous year, other than additional audit procedures performed 
in relation to the newly acquired component, Silego.

Conclusions relating to going concern

We are required by ISAs (UK) to report in respect of the following matters where:
 e The Directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or 
 e The Directors have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the Group’s 
or the parent company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least 12 months from the date when 
the financial statements are authorised for issue.

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters. 

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Key audit mattersKey audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) that we identified. These matters included those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team.These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.Revenue Recognition Sales direct to customers (“sell-in” revenue): Cut-off based on contractual terms of sales  Sales to distributors (“sell-through” revenue): Manual adjustments at year endKey audit matter descriptionRevenue is a key performance indicator for Dialog as detailed in the Strategic report on page 35, Dialog reported an increase of 13% in revenue, achieving total revenue of $1,353 million in the current year.As detailed in the Significant accounting policies in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, a significant proportion of the Group’s revenue is direct to customers, and therefore recognised on a sell-in basis, where revenue recognition is driven by meeting specific contractual terms. There is a risk that the shipments could be incorrectly recognised as revenue at the period end date through applying incorrect contractual terms of sales.We have also identified a risk in relation to the sell-through revenue in the US market . As reported in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, sell-through revenue is recognised based on third-party distributors’ confirmation of when the product has been delivered to the end customer. There is a risk that manual adjustments may be incorrectly or fraudulently made to revenue at year end.How the scope of our audit responded to the key audit matterWe assessed the design and implementation (“D&I”) of controls in respect of revenue cut-off. We also assessed the D&I of controls over manual adjustments to sell-through revenue.For the cut-off of sell-in revenue, we: eExtended our substantive sample of dispatch notes, covering dispatches pre and post year end for a period responsive to the risk; and eReviewed relevant customer contracts and other related agreements in relation to the product dispatches to assess whether revenue was recognised in the correct period in line with contractual terms.For the manual adjustments to sell-through revenue at year end, we: eObtained third-party confirmations from distributors, and focused on identifying adjustments made that result in a difference between revenue recognised by the Group against that reported by the distributors; and eWhere applicable, investigated the business rationale and justification of such difference.Key observationsBased on the audit procedures performed we did not find any material misstatements in relation to the cut-off of sales for sell-in transactions.We did not identify any adjustments above our reporting threshold leading to a difference between revenue recognised by the Group to that reported by the distributors.Carrying value of goodwill and intangibles held in the Connectivity CGUKey audit matter description25%1 Mobile Systems20%2 Connectivity3 Advanced Mixed-signal – Power conversion4 Advanced Mixed-signal – Silego12%43%1234As detailed in Notes 14 and 15 to the financial statements, the Group holds $439.5 million of goodwill and $235.6 million of intangible assets at the balance sheet date, which, as detailed in note 2, are at least annually reviewed for impairment or when an impairment trigger is identified.The impairment review involves a number of significant judgements in assessing the recoverable amount of each cash generating unit (“CGU”), which includes goodwill and intangible assets. These include the future cash flow forecasts, discount rates and long-term growth rates.We have identified the risk of impairment to principally relate to the Connectivity CGU. The revenue growth rates assumed in the three-year cash-flow forecasts for Connectivity are higher than that assumed for other CGUs, and it is driven by new products in less mature end markets. The headroom of value in use over carrying value of CGU assets is also lower than that of the other CGUs. We have reviewed the Company’s sensitivity analysis and performed our own analysis in concluding on the focus for our significant risk.Given the impact on overall value in use of these high revenue growth rates, this is considered to be an area of significant audit risk.Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201794

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Carrying value of goodwill and intangibles held in the Connectivity CGU continuedHow the scope of our audit responded to the key audit matter We have assessed the D&I of controls in respect of management’s identification of CGUs and impairment review. With the support of our valuation experts, we reviewed and challenged the key assumptions used in the impairment model for the Connectivity CGU, checking the mechanical accuracy of the calculations, as well as focusing on the appropriateness of the revenue growth rates assumed in the three-year cash flow forecasts: eWe agreed the forecasts used to the latest Board-approved forecasts as well as reviewing 2018 trading to date; eWe assessed the historical accuracy of the Company’s forecasts, acknowledging that the growth is driven by new opportunities without historical data available; eWe enquired of management, including individuals outside of accounting or finance, to understand and challenge the assumptions in the revenue growth forecasts; and eWe compared assumptions in the revenue growth rate to third-party and other market data where available, analyst and industry reports, and post year end order backlogs, as well as comparing against the CGUs long-term average growth rate.Key observations Based on the audit procedures performed we concur with management that an impairment is not required in the year ended 31 December 2017.Capitalisation of development costs Key audit matter descriptionR&D costs capitalised and expensed201720162015R&D expensed (net of R&D credit) 3000100200Development costs capitalised 279212411622325Research and development (“R&D”) activity is an important part of the Group’s business model to create value in the business, as detailed in the Strategic report on pages 28–29. The total R&D expenditure in 2017 was $307.0 million, of which $278.8 million was expensed (net of a $7.2 million R&D credit) and $21.0 million was capitalised.In line with IAS 38 Intangible Assets, and as detailed in note 2, development expenditure is expensed until it can be demonstrated a new product is technically feasible, commercially viable and management intends to complete the development.The point of commencement of capitalisation of such costs is an area of management judgement and there is a risk that costs are expensed, which should have been capitalised and vice versa. We note that this would be a method by which the profit for the year could be fraudulently misstated.How the scope of our audit responded to the key audit matterWe assessed the D&I of controls in relation to the R&D process, in particular the tracking of the stage of completion of projects and the determination of the requirement to capitalise.We focused our substantive testing on significant projects where there were indicators of potential manipulation. Where indicators were identified we challenged management regarding the reason for such variances, and we held inquiries with individuals in both finance and also the project management teams.Evidence was obtained for all projects which commenced capitalisation during 2017 to support that the timing of the commencement of capitalisation was in accordance with the requirements of IAS 38.A review for contradictory evidence was also performed in order to identify indicators that the stage of completion of a project differed from that reported. This included a review for inventory build-up or revenue in the period.We also reviewed a sample of expensed project costs to determine if there was any indication that any of these should have been capitalised.Key observationsBased on the audit procedures performed we did not identify any material misstatement or issues.Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201795

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Revenue growth assumptions used in the valuation of customer relationship intangible assets acquired in the acquisition of Silego Technology, Inc (“Silego”) Key audit matter descriptionAs detailed on page 5 of the Strategic report, Dialog completed the acquisition of Silego in 2017 with the objective to broaden their product portfolio and positioning with customers.In line with the requirements of IFRS 3 Business Combinations, and as detailed in note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company allocated the purchase consideration of $321.1 million based on the fair value of identified assets and liabilities acquired.There were two material intangible assets identified, namely customer relationships ($91.4 million) and developed technology ($26.5 million). The determination of fair value of these intangible assets requires significant management judgement. Having completed a sensitivity analysis of the key assumptions we identified the significant risk to be in relation to the customer relationship intangible asset, and specifically the expected revenue growth in the initial years post acquisition, the percentage of revenue growth achieved from existing customers, and the customer attrition rate. How the scope of our audit responded to the key audit matterWe assessed the D&I of controls in relation to the acquisition process, in particular controls with regard to the inputs to the valuation model provided to management’s expert and the output review controls.We have obtained the valuation performed by management’s expert and, with the support of our own valuation experts, checked the valuation models for mechanical accuracy and appropriateness of valuation methodology applied. We also challenged the key input factors including the customer attrition rate and revenue growth assumptions. Our procedures included: eComparing Silego’s past revenue growth rate against revenue growth anticipated in 2018 and 2019 and assessed historical forecasting accuracy; eComparing the growth assumed in the valuations and the source of revenue to the Board-approved deal valuation and other internal forecasts; eEnquiring of management and their expert to understand and challenge the revenue growth profile, the expected growth from existing customers and anticipated customer attrition rate; and eConsidering any contradictory evidence available to challenge the valuation assumptions applied.Key observationsBased on the audit procedures performed we did not identify any material misstatement or issues.Our application of materialityWe define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the financial statements that makes it probable that the economic decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable person would be changed or influenced. We use materiality both in planning the scope of our audit work and in evaluating the results of our work. Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole as follows:Group materialityWe determined materiality for the Group to be $10.5 million (2016: $8.6 million).The materiality for the audit of the parent company based on balance sheet measures would be in excess of Group materiality, therefore we capped the materiality at $10.4 million.Basis for determining materialityOur materiality represents 5.4% of pre-tax profit of $194.8 million. In 2016 our materiality was based on 5% of pre-tax profit of $305.2 million, adjusted to exclude the termination fee received from Atmel of $137.7 million.Rationale for the benchmark appliedOur base for determining materiality is in line with prior year other than the one-off adjustment as detailed above.We consider pre-tax profit to be a key benchmark for users of the financial statements, including customers, suppliers and other parties such as tax authorities.Audit Committee reporting threshold $0.5m$194.8mComponent materiality range $4.2m to $10.4mGroup materiality $10.5mPBTGroup materialityWe agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to the Committee all audit differences in excess of $525,000 (2016: $432,000), as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. We also report to the Audit Committee on disclosure matters that we identified when assessing the overall presentation of the financial statements.Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201796

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An overview of the scope of our audit

Our Group audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the Group and its environment, including an understanding of geographical positioning of 
accounting processing, management decision-making and risk of material misstatement at the Group level.

The Group is present in 16 countries across Europe, North America and Asia; however the actual transactional accounting processing as well as the 
consolidation is performed by the Group’s shared service centre in Germany, which coordinates closely with the UK head office finance team. In addition, 
90% of group revenue is generated through its German component.

Based on this assessment, we focused on the component located in Germany as well as the two located in the UK and one in the US, where we performed 
full scope audits, covering 98% of revenue, 94% of PBT and 96% of net assets. 

For the other components, which included Silego, we performed specific audit procedures on defined balances and transactions, which increased our 
coverage as detailed below:

Revenue

Profit before tax

Net assets

Full audit scope
Specified audit procedures
Review at Group level

98%
1%
1%

Full audit scope
Specified audit procedures
Review at Group level

94%
6%
0%

Full audit scope
Specified audit procedures
Review at Group level

96%
4%
0%

Full audit scope

Specified audit procedures

Review at Group level

Other information

The Directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual report other than the 
financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not 
express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other 
information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in 
the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material 
misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

Responsibilities of Directors

As explained more fully in the Directors’ responsibilities statement, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for 
being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Group’s and the parent company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern, disclosing as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Directors either intend to 
liquidate the Group or the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due 
to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an 
audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are 
considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis 
of these financial statements.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: 
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

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Use of our report

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has 
been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no 
other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s 
members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion the part of the Directors’ remuneration report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
 e The information given in the Strategic report and the Directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent 

with the financial statements; and

 e The Strategic report and the Directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and of the parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, 
we have not identified any material misstatements in the Strategic report or the Directors’ report.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

Adequacy of explanations received and accounting records
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:
 e We have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
 e Adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not 

visited by us; or

 e The parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns.

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

Directors’ remuneration
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are also required to report if in our opinion certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration have not been made or the 
part of the Directors’ remuneration report to be audited is not in agreement with the accounting records and returns. 

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

Other matters

Auditor tenure
Following the recommendation of the Audit Committee, we were appointed by Dialog Semiconductor Plc on 25 January 2016 to audit the financial 
statements for the year ended 31 December 2015 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement including previous 
renewals and reappointments of the firm is three years, covering the years ended 31 December 2015 to 31 December 2017.

Consistency of the audit report with the additional report to the Audit Committee
Our audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the Audit Committee we are required to provide in accordance with ISAs (UK).

Alexander Butterworth ACA
(Senior statutory auditor)  
For and on behalf of Deloitte LLP  
Statutory Auditor  
Reading, UK  
28 February 2018

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Consolidated statement of income

Year ended 31 December

Note2017 US$0002016 US$0002015 US$000Revenue5, 311,352,8411,197,6111,355,312Cost of sales(732,188)(650,896)(730,508)Gross profit620,653546,715624,804Selling and marketing expenses(70,412)(62,331)(62,157)General and administrative expenses(74,850)(70,940)(80,878)Research and development expenses31(278,796)(241,345)(223,182)Other operating (expense)/income5(9,578)137,7081,159Operating profit5, 31187,017309,807259,746Interest income85,9953,6651,215Interest expense8(1,302)(3,447)(6,411)Other finance income/(expense)83,093(4,819)289Profit before income taxes194,803305,206254,839Income tax expense9(25,369)(47,090)(77,580)Net income169,434258,116177,259Attributable to:– Shareholders in the Company173,916260,940178,766– Non-controlling interests26(4,482)(2,824)(1,507)Net income169,434258,116177,259Earnings per share (US$) 10Basic2.343.432.42Diluted2.213.252.29Weighted average number of shares (in thousands)10Basic74,47276,04773,763Diluted78,61180,39879,660Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 201799

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Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Year ended 31 December

2017 US$0002016 US$0002015 US$000Net income169,434258,116177,259Other comprehensive income  Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periodsCurrency translation differences on foreign operations:– Gain/(loss) recognised in the year1,658227(1,884)– Gain transferred to profit or loss on deconsolidation of Dyna Image(1,144)––Income tax relating to currency translation differences on foreign operations180(47)(10)Fair value gain on available-for-sale investments5,9712,866–Income tax relating to available-for-sale investments(1,015)––Cash flow hedges:– Fair value gain/(loss) recognised on effective hedges in the year16,433(13,264)(18,960)– Fair value (gain)/loss transferred to profit or loss(441)8,38231,980Income tax relating to cash flow hedges(3,149)765(3,694)Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year18,493(1,071)7,432Total comprehensive income for the year187,927257,045184,691Attributable to:– Shareholders in the Company192,416259,769186,619– Non-controlling interests(4,489)(2,724)(1,928)Total comprehensive income for the year187,927257,045184,691Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017100

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Consolidated balance sheet

As at 31 December

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 28 February 2018 and were signed on its behalf by:

Dr Jalal Bagherli
Director

Note2017 US$0002016 US$000AssetsCash and cash equivalents11479,295697,167Trade and other receivables1278,18680,773Other current financial assets186,649–Inventories13168,947105,303Income tax receivables12,73935,878Other current assets1914,65615,211Total current assets760,472934,332Goodwill14439,508251,208Other intangible assets15235,637125,619Property, plant and equipment1683,87069,668Investment in associate171,100–Other investments1746,15521,078Other non-current financial assets182,0901,254Other non-current assets19503–Deferred tax assets97,45127,379Total non-current assets816,314496,206Total assets1,576,7861,430,538Liabilities and equityTrade and other payables20107,19589,645Other current financial liabilities2116,04177,978Provisions223,4741,477Income taxes payable13,356528Other current liabilities2359,61954,444Total current liabilities199,685224,072Non-current financial liabilities2117,3781,525Provisions223,7253,370Deferred tax liabilities 94,0171,970Other non-current liabilities239,5604,695Total non-current liabilities34,68011,560Ordinary shares14,20414,402Share premium account403,660403,687Retained earnings915,482862,914Other reserves9,977(70,566)Dialog shares held by employee benefit trusts(902)(20,608)Equity attributable to shareholders in the Company1,342,4211,189,829Non-controlling interests26–5,077Total equity241,342,4211,194,906Total liabilities and equity1,576,7861,430,538Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017101

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Consolidated statement of cash flows

Year ended 31 December

*  We have reclassified the capital element of finance lease and hire purchase payments from investing activities to financing activities to better reflect the nature of these cash flows.

An analysis of changes in liabilities arising from financing activities is presented in note 21.

Note2017 US$0002016*US$0002015*US$000Cash flows from operating activitiesNet income169,434258,116177,259Non-cash items within net income:– Depreciation of property, plant and equipment30,80727,21924,010– Amortisation of intangible assets41,96935,95431,120– Impairment of non-current assets4,327––– Addition to inventory reserve, net1,2884,3759,047– Share-based compensation expense35,32028,16719,215– Loss on deconsolidation of Dyna Image45,597––– Other non-cash items(7,904)2,1181,751Interest (income)/expense, net8(4,693)(218)5,196Income tax expense925,36947,09077,580Cash generated from operations before changes in working capital301,514402,821345,178Changes in working capital:– Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables11,117(8,105)29,737– (Increase)/decrease in inventories(54,377)21,609(42,624)– Decrease/(increase) in prepaid expenses1,930(301)(354)– Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables7,819(44,206)34,448– Increase in provisions2,136260122– Change in other assets and liabilities47313,601(3,975)Cash generated from operations270,612385,679362,532Interest paid(425)(3,434)(3,602)Interest received6,2213,3141,107Income taxes received/(paid)8,314(136,799)(42,374)Cash flow from operating activities284,722248,760317,663Cash flows from investing activitiesPurchase of property, plant and equipment(47,938)(25,553)(32,757)Purchase of intangible assets(6,196)(8,177)(8,359)Purchase of businesses, net of acquired cash3(267,940)(647)(2,636)Cash held by Dyna Image on deconsolidation4(420)––Payments for capitalised development costs(20,988)(15,802)(24,778)(Purchase)/sale of other investments, net17(13,738)(10,000)68(Increase)/decrease in other long-term assets(488)227278Cash flow used for investing activities(357,708)(59,952)(68,184)Cash flows from financing activitiesPurchase of own shares into treasury25(125,035)(61,472)–Currency hedges on share buyback obligation1,227(1,186)–Capital element of finance lease and hire purchase payments(4,283)(3,834)(3,517)Purchase of shares by employee benefit trusts(24,301)(3,127)(14,032)Sale of shares by employee benefit trusts7,24611,08311,589Issue of shares by a subsidiary to non-controlling interests1,107––Facility arrangement costs(988)––Share issue costs(28)––Cash flow used for financing activities(145,055)(58,536)(5,960)Net cash (outflow)/inflow during the period(218,041)130,272243,519Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period697,167566,809324,280Currency translation differences16986(990)Cash and cash equivalents at end of period11479,295697,167566,809Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017102

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Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Year ended 31 December

Ordinary shares US$000Share premium account US$000Retained earnings US$000Other reserves (note 24) US$000Dialog shares held by employee benefit trusts US$000Equity attributable to shareholders in the Company US$000Non-controlling interests US$000Total US$000As at 1 January 201513,353208,105396,48320,803(15,068)623,676–623,676Net income––178,766––178,766(1,507)177,259Other comprehensive income/(loss)–––7,853–7,853(421)7,432Total comprehensive income/(loss)––178,7667,853–186,619(1,928)184,691Other changes in equity:– Conversion of Convertible BondsIssue of shares1,049182,089–––183,138–183,138Transfer of equity component–13,49323,086(36,579)––––– Non-controlling interests on acquisition of Dyna Image––––––9,7299,729– Purchase of shares by employee benefit trusts––––(14,032)(14,032)–(14,032)– Sale of shares by employee benefit trusts––7,119–4,47011,589–11,589– Share-based compensation, net of tax––26,094––26,094–26,094As at 31 December 201514,402403,687631,548(7,923)(24,630)1,017,0847,8011,024,885Net income––260,940––260,940(2,824)258,116Other comprehensive (loss)/income–––(1,171)–(1,171)100(1,071)Total comprehensive income/(loss)––260,940(1,171)–259,769(2,724)257,045Other changes in equity:– Purchase of own shares into treasury––(1,643)(61,472)–(63,115)–(63,115)– Share buyback obligation––(63,077)––(63,077)–(63,077)– Purchase of shares by employee benefit trusts––––(3,127)(3,127)–(3,127)– Sale of shares by employee benefit trusts––3,934–7,14911,083–11,083– Share-based compensation, net of tax––31,212––31,212–31,212As at 31 December 201614,402403,687862,914(70,566)(20,608)1,189,8295,0771,194,906Net income––173,916––173,916(4,482)169,434Other comprehensive income/(loss)–––18,500–18,500(7)18,493Total comprehensive income/(loss)––173,91618,500–192,416(4,489)187,927Other changes in equity:– Purchase of own shares into treasury––3,024(125,050)–(122,026)–(122,026)– Share buyback obligation––62,584––62,584–62,584– Cancellation of treasury shares(571)–(186,522)187,093––––– Shares issued by Dyna Image––361––3617461,107– Deconsolidation of Dyna Image––––––(1,334)(1,334)– Shares issued to employee benefit trust373(27)––(373)(27)–(27)– Purchase of shares by employee benefit trusts––––(24,301)(24,301)–(24,301)– Sale of shares by employee benefit trusts––(37,134)–44,3807,246–7,246– Share-based compensation, net of tax––36,339––36,339–36,339As at 31 December 201714,204403,660915,4829,977(902)1,342,421–1,342,421Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017103

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements

For the year ended 31 December 2017

1.  Background

Description of business

Dialog Semiconductor Plc (“the Company”) is a public limited company that is incorporated in England and Wales and domiciled in the United Kingdom. 
The Company’s ordinary shares are listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. 

Dialog creates and markets highly-integrated, mixed-signal integrated circuits, optimised for personal, portable, hand-held devices, low energy short-range 
wireless, LED solid state lighting and automotive applications. Dialog has four operating segments: Mobile Systems; Connectivity; Automotive & Industrial; 
and Advanced Mixed Signal (formerly Power Conversion). Segment information is presented in note 31.

Registered office

The Company’s registered office is at Tower Bridge House, St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1AA, United Kingdom.

Statement of compliance

The consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries (together, “Dialog” or “the Group”) set out on pages 98 to 149 have been 
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted for use in the European Union and those parts of the 
Companies Act 2006 that are applicable to companies reporting under IFRS and therefore comply with Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. The consolidated 
financial statements also comply with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and in accordance with the historical cost convention, except that 
certain investments and derivative financial instruments are stated at their fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to 
transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Information about assets and liabilities that are measured 
at fair value is presented in note 29.

The Group’s significant accounting policies are set out in note 2.

Presentation currency

The consolidated financial statements are presented in US dollars (“US$”), which is the functional currency of the Company. All US dollar amounts are 
rounded to the nearest thousand (“US$000”), except where otherwise stated.

Approval of the consolidated financial statements

The consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017 were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 28 February 2018.

Company financial statements

Separate financial statements for the Company are set out on pages 150 to 155.

Accounting standards adopted during the year 

During 2017, we adopted Disclosure Initiatives (Amendments to IAS 7), which requires additional disclosures to enable users of financial statements to 
evaluate changes in liabilities arising from financing activities. We present the required disclosures in note 21.

Also during 2017, we adopted Annual Improvements to IFRS 2014-2016 Cycle, which clarified the scope of the disclosure requirements of IFRS 12 Disclosure of 
Interests in Other Entities.

Accounting standards issued but not adopted as at 31 December 2017

We outline below those accounting standards that have been issued by the IASB and are relevant to Dialog but that we had not adopted as at 
31 December 2017. 

Revenue Recognition
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers provides a single, principles-based five-step model to be applied to all contracts with customers. The five 
steps in the model are as follows: identify the contract with the customer; identify the performance obligations in the contract; determine the transaction 
price; allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and recognise revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance 
obligation. IFRS 15 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018.

We have completed our assessment of the effects of IFRS 15 and have concluded that the recognition and measurement of the majority of the Group’s 
revenue will be unaffected. Under our existing revenue recognition policy, however, some sales to distributors and related cost of sales are not recognised 
until the onward sale of the products by the distributor to end customers. Under IFRS 15, we will be required to recognise revenue on all sales to distributors 
when the products are physically transferred to the distributors, net of allowances for estimated rebates and returns. 

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017104

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We will apply IFRS 15 using the modified retrospective approach, whereby prior periods will not be restated but a cumulative effect adjustment will be 
made to the opening balance of retained earnings on 1 January 2018. As at 31 December 2017, we recognised deferred revenue of US$8,578 and related 
cost of sales of US$2,738 in relation to products that had been shipped and invoiced to distributors but not yet sold on to end customers. We estimate that 
the cumulative effect adjustment will be a credit to retained earnings of US$1,541, which may be analysed as follows:

As we progress through 2018, we will present in our consolidated financial statements an analysis of the effect of this change of accounting policy on our 
quarterly and year to date results.

Leases

In January 2016, the IASB issued IFRS 16 Leases, that will change the way in which lessees will recognise, measure, present and disclose leases. IFRS 16 
provides a single lessee accounting model, requiring lessees to recognise assets and liabilities for all leases unless the lease term is 12 months or less or 
the underlying asset has a low value. Lessors continue to classify leases as operating or finance, with IFRS 16’s approach to lessor accounting substantially 
unchanged from its predecessor, IAS 17 Leases. IFRS 16 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019.

We expect that a significant proportion of the Group’s leases that are currently classified as operating leases will be recognised on the balance sheet in 
accordance with IFRS 16, but we have not yet completed our evaluation of the effect on the Group’s results and financial position.

Financial instruments

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments replaces IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Classification and Measurement. IFRS 9 introduces a new model for classification and 
measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities, a single, forward-looking “expected loss” model for measuring impairment of financial assets 
(including trade receivables) and a new approach to hedge accounting that is more closely aligned with an entity’s risk management activities. We will 
adopt IFRS 9 for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018.

We have completed our assessment of the effects of IFRS 9 and have concluded the following:
 e We do not expect there to be any change in the basis of measurement of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities, although the fair value gains and 

losses in relation to the shares that we hold in Energous Corporation that are recognised in other comprehensive income will no longer be reclassified to 
profit or loss in the event that we sell some or all of those shares.

 e Given the nature of our customers and our historically low credit losses, we do not expect that the adoption of the “expected loss” model will cause an 

appreciable change in the amount of the allowances for doubtful debts that we recognise in relation to our trade receivables.

 e We expect to be able to continue to apply hedge accounting to our foreign currency hedging activities under the new hedge accounting rules and do 

not expect there to be an appreciable change in hedge effectiveness.

In summary, we do not expect the adoption of IFRS 9 to have a significant effect on the Group’s results or financial position.

Other pronouncements

Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions (Amendments to IFRS 2)
In June 2016, the IASB published amendments to IFRS 2 Share-based Payments, which, among other things, clarified the classification of share-based 
payment transactions with net settlement features for withholding tax obligations. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 
1 January 2018. We do not expect the amendments to have any effect on the Group’s results or financial position. 

IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments
IFRIC 23 clarifies the application of the recognition and measurement requirements of IAS 12 Income Taxes where there is uncertainty over income tax 
treatments. IFRIC 23 specifically considers whether tax treatments should be considered collectively, assumptions with regard to the examinations by tax 
authorities, the determination of taxable profit (tax loss), tax bases, unused tax losses, unused tax credits and tax rates and the effect of changes in facts 
and circumstances. 

Subject to its endorsement for use in the European Union, IFRIC 23 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. We already account 
for income taxes on a basis consistent with IFRIC 23 and do not expect it to affect the Group’s results or financial position.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedUS$000Deferred revenue8,578Sales rebate allowance(3,367)Returns liability(1,156)Revenue recognised in equity4,055Deferred cost of sales(2,738)Returns asset659Royalty allowance(24)Cost of sales recognised in equity(2,103)Credit to equity before income taxes1,952Income tax expense(411)Credit to equity after income taxes1,541Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017105

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Basis of consolidation 

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the results, cash flows and assets and liabilities of the Company and its subsidiaries and sponsored 
employee benefit trusts.

A subsidiary is an entity that is controlled, either directly or indirectly, by the Company.

Control exists when the Company is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns 
through its power to direct the relevant activities of the entity. Generally, such power exists where the Company holds a majority of the voting rights of an 
entity. When the Company holds less than a majority of the voting rights of an entity, it considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether 
or not its voting rights are sufficient to give it power to direct the activities that significantly affect its returns from the entity, including: the size of the 
Company’s holding of voting rights relative to the size and dispersion of the holdings of other vote holders; potential voting rights held by the Company, 
other vote holders or other parties; and rights arising from other contractual arrangements. 

Details of the Company’s subsidiaries as at 31 December 2017 are set out on page 167.

Consolidation of a subsidiary commences when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases at such time as control over the subsidiary is 
lost. Transactions and balances between members of the Group, and any unrealised profits or losses on such transactions, are eliminated on consolidation.

Non-controlling interests represent the equity in a subsidiary that is not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the Company. Where the equity in a subsidiary 
is not wholly-owned by the Company, the subsidiary’s profit or loss and each component of its other comprehensive income are attributed to the 
Company and to the non-controlling interests in proportion to their ownership interests.

Changes in the Company’s ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for within equity.

Business combinations

A business combination is a transaction or other event in which the Company obtains control over a business.

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method.

Goodwill acquired in a business combination is recognised as an intangible asset and represents the excess of the aggregate of the consideration 
transferred, including contingent consideration, and the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquired business over the net total of the 
identifiable assets and liabilities of the acquired business at the acquisition date. Any shortfall, negative goodwill, is recognised immediately as a gain in 
profit or loss.

Consideration transferred represents the sum of the fair values at the acquisition date of the assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed and equity 
instruments issued by the Group in exchange for control over the acquired business.

Acquisition-related costs are charged to profit or loss in the period in which they are incurred.

Identifiable assets and liabilities of the acquired business are measured at their fair value at the acquisition date, except for certain items that are measured 
in accordance with the relevant Group accounting policy, such as replacement equity-settled share-based compensation awards and deferred tax assets 
and liabilities.

Non-controlling interests that entitle their holders to a proportionate share of the net assets of the acquired business in the event of a liquidation are 
measured either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the identifiable assets and liabilities of the business. Other non-
controlling interests are measured at fair value.

Contingent consideration is subsequently measured at fair value unless it is classified as equity. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration that 
result from events after the acquisition date are recognised in profit or loss. Contingent consideration that is classified as equity is not remeasured and its 
subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity.

Investment in associates

An associate is an entity over which the Company has significant influence. Significant influence is the power to participate in financial and operating 
policy decisions but not to control or jointly control them. Significant influence generally exists where the Company holds, directly or indirectly through 
one or more of its subsidiaries, more than 20% and less than 50% of the shareholders’ voting rights. 

Associates are accounted for using the equity method, whereby the Group’s investment is initially recognised at cost and the carrying amount is increased 
or decreased to reflect the Group’s share of the profit or loss of the associate. Losses of an associate in excess of the Group’s interest in the entity are not 
recognised, except to the extent that the Group has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate. 

Foreign currency translation

Each entity within the Group has a functional currency, which is normally the currency in which the entity primarily generates and expends cash. 
The functional currency of the Company and its principal subsidiaries is the US dollar.

At entity level, a foreign currency is a currency other than the entity’s functional currency. Sales, purchases and other transactions denominated in foreign 
currencies are recorded in the entity’s functional currency at the exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate ruling at the balance sheet date. Currency translation differences arising at entity 
level are recognised in profit or loss.

The Group’s presentation currency is the US dollar. Foreign operations are therefore those of the Company’s subsidiaries and associates whose functional 
currency is not the US dollar.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017106

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On consolidation, the results of foreign operations are translated into US dollars at the average exchange rate for the period and their assets and liabilities 
are translated into US dollars at the exchange rate ruling at the balance sheet date. 

The principal currency exchange rates used on consolidation were as follows:

Currency translation differences arising on consolidation are recognised in other comprehensive income and taken to the currency translation reserve. 
In the event that a foreign operation is sold, the related cumulative currency translation difference recognised in other comprehensive income is 
reclassified from equity to profit or loss and is included in calculating the gain or loss on disposal of the foreign operation.

Revenue recognition

Dialog generates revenue principally through the sale of its products. Relatively small amounts of revenue are generated from royalties for the use of 
Intellectual Property assets and from research and development contracts.

Sales of products are mostly made direct to end customers but there are some sales to distributors. Revenue from the sale of products is recognised when 
the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the customer, the amount of revenue can be measured reliably and it is probable 
that payment will be received. Generally, these conditions are satisfied when products are physically transferred to the customer but revenue from some 
sales to distributors and related cost of sales are not recognised until the onward sale of the products by the distributor to end customers.

Revenue from the sale of products is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding sales taxes and after making 
allowance for discounts, rebates and returns.

Revenue from royalties is recognised on an accruals basis in accordance with the terms of the relevant licensing agreements.

Revenue from research and development contracts is recognised using the percentage of completion method with the stage of completion determined 
as the proportion that costs incurred for work performed to date bear to the estimated total contract costs. If it is probable that the contract will be loss-
making, the expected loss is recognised immediately as an expense in profit or loss.

Research and development expenditure

All research expenditure is expensed as it is incurred.

Development expenditure is also expensed as it is incurred until such time as it can be demonstrated that the product is both technically feasible and 
commercially viable and that management intends to complete the development of the product and sell it to customers. Development expenditure 
incurred after that time and before the developed product is available to be put into full production is capitalised. Generally, development expenditure is 
expensed until relatively late in the development process when prototypes are available for quality and other tests.

Government grants

Government grants are not recognised until there is reasonable assurance that Dialog will comply with the conditions attaching to them and that the 
grants will be received.

A grant that is receivable as compensation for expenses incurred is recognised in profit or loss in the period in which it becomes receivable and is deducted 
from the related expense. A grant whose primary condition is that Dialog should purchase, construct or otherwise acquire a non-current asset is recognised 
as deferred revenue and transferred to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the related asset.

Goodwill

Goodwill acquired in a business combination is carried at cost as established at the acquisition date, less impairment losses, if any.

Internally generated goodwill is not recognised as an asset.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedExchange rate as atAverage exchange rateCurrency31 December 2017 US$1 =31 December 2016 US$1 =31 December 2015 US$1 =2017 US$1 =2016 US$1 =2015 US$1 =Pound sterling0.740.810.670.780.740.65Euro0.830.950.920.890.900.90Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017107

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Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued2. Significant accounting policies continuedOther intangible assetsOther intangible assets comprise identifiable intangibles acquired in business combinations (principally customer-related assets and developed technology), licences, computer software, patents and product development costs.Other intangible assets held by the Group have finite useful lives and are therefore carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses, if any. Cost comprises the purchase price of the asset (including non-refundable purchase taxes) and any costs directly attributable to preparing the asset for its intended use, or, in the case of an asset acquired in a business combination, is its fair value at the acquisition date.Other intangible assets are amortised on a straight-line basis so as to charge their cost to profit or loss over their estimated useful lives as follows:Useful lifeCustomer-related assets 1.5 to 15 yearsSoftware, licences and other3 to 10 yearsPatents10 yearsProduct development assets1 to 10 yearsPatents are typically granted for a period of 20 years but they are amortised over the period during which the Group expects to benefit from them, which is typically ten years.Estimated useful lives are regularly reviewed and the effect of any change in estimate is accounted for on a prospective basis.Property, plant and equipmentProperty, plant and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, if any. Cost comprises the purchase price of the asset (including non-refundable purchase taxes) and any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary to enable its intended use, or, in the case of an asset acquired in a business combination, is its fair value at the acquisition date. Leasehold improvements include the estimated cost of any obligation to restore the leased property to its original condition at the end of the lease.Costs of replacing a significant part of an asset are included in the cost of the asset but routine repairs and maintenance costs are recognised in profit or loss when they are incurred.Items of property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis so as to charge their cost, less their estimated residual value, if any, to profit or loss over their estimated useful lives as follows:Useful lifeTest equipment3 to 7 yearsLeasehold improvementsShorter of useful life or lease termOffice and other equipment1.5 to 5 yearsOffice furniture and fittings5 to 15 yearsEstimated residual values and useful lives are regularly reviewed and the effect of any change in estimate is accounted for on a prospective basis. Assets that are under construction and not ready for their intended use are not depreciated.Impairment of tangible and intangible assetsGoodwill, other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment are tested for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Additionally, goodwill and intangible assets still under development are subject to an annual impairment test.An asset is impaired to the extent that its carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. An asset’s recoverable amount represents the higher of the asset’s value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. An asset’s value in use represents the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from the asset in its current use and condition. Fair value less cost to sell is the amount expected to be obtainable from the sale of the asset in an arm’s length transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties, less the costs of disposal.Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the recoverable amount is determined for the cash-generating unit (’CGU’) to which the asset belongs. An asset’s CGU is the smallest group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. Goodwill does not generate cash flows independently of other assets and is, therefore, tested for impairment at the level of the CGU or group of CGUs that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the related business combination. Value in use is based on estimates of pre-tax cash flows in the periods covered by budgets and/or plans that have been approved by the Board. Such cash flow estimates are discounted at a pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the asset or the CGU or group of CGUs to which the asset belongs.Impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss.Impairment losses recognised in previous periods for assets other than goodwill are reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount, but only to the extent that the carrying amount of the asset does not exceed its carrying amount had no impairment been recognised in previous periods. Impairment losses in respect of goodwill are not reversed.Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017108

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Financial instruments

(a) Trade and other receivables
Trade receivables represent the invoiced amount of sales of goods to customers for which payment has not been received, less an allowance for doubtful 
accounts where there is objective evidence that we may not be able to collect the amounts due. Such evidence may include the period outstanding, the 
payment history and financial condition of the customer, general economic conditions and other information. When a trade receivable is determined to be 
uncollectable it is written off, firstly against any allowance made and then directly to profit or loss. Subsequent recoveries are credited to profit or loss.

Trade receivables sold under receivables financing facilities are derecognised from the balance sheet because the financial institutions concerned assume 
the credit risk associated with them. Retentions held by the financial institutions are recognised as other receivables.

Long-term receivables are discounted where the effect is material.

(b) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand, cash available on demand from receivables’ financing facilities and cash deposits with an original 
maturity of three months or less.

Interest income on cash and cash equivalents is accrued on a time basis.

(c) Available-for-sale investments
Available-for-sale investments are initially measured at fair value plus transaction costs, if any. Such investments are subsequently measured at fair value and 
gains and losses are recognised in other comprehensive income, except for impairment losses arising from the significant or prolonged decline in fair value 
which are recognised in profit or loss.

Equity investments whose fair value cannot be reliably measured are measured at cost less any identified impairment losses.

(d) Trade and other payables
Trade payables represent the amount of invoices received from suppliers for purchases of goods and services for which payment has not been made. 
Long-term payables are discounted where the effect is material.

(e) Bank and other loans
Bank and other loans are initially measured at fair value plus transaction costs, if any. Such loans are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the 
effective interest method.

(f) Derivative financial instruments
We use derivative financial instruments to reduce the Group’s exposure to currency exchange rate movements and hold equity options and warrants in 
relation to certain of its strategic investments. We do not hold or issue derivatives for speculative purposes.

All derivative financial instruments are recognised as assets and liabilities measured at fair value. Unless a derivative is in a designated and effective cash 
flow hedging relationship, all fair value gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss. Where the fair value of a derivative on initial recognition differs from 
the transaction price, if any, the difference is recognised immediately in profit or loss only if the fair value is evidenced by a quoted price in an active market 
or is based on a valuation technique that uses only data from observable markets.

(g) Compound financial instruments
At the time of issue, the proceeds from compound financial instruments are split into a liability component and an equity component. The liability 
component is subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

(h) Offsetting financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount presented in the balance sheet where there is a currently enforceable legal right to 
offset the recognised amounts and management intends either to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Inventories

Inventories comprise raw materials, work in progress and finished goods.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value, with due allowance for any excess, defective or obsolete items.

Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Cost of finished goods and work in progress includes materials, direct labour, other direct 
costs and related production overheads. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price, less estimated costs of completion and estimated selling, 
marketing and distribution costs.

Leases

Leases that confer rights and obligations similar to those that attach to owned assets are classified as finance leases. All other leases are classified as 
operating leases.

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets within property, plant and equipment, initially measured at the fair value of the leased asset or, 
if lower, the present value of the minimum lease payments, and a corresponding liability is recognised. Subsequently, the assets are depreciated over the 
shorter of the expected useful life of the asset or the term of the lease. At inception of the lease, the lease payments are apportioned between a capital 
element and an interest element so as to achieve a constant periodic rate of interest on the outstanding liability. Subsequently, the interest element is 
recognised as an expense in profit or loss while the capital element is applied to reduce the outstanding liability.

Operating lease payments, net of any incentives receivable, are recognised in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017109

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Hedge accounting

The Group uses forward currency contracts to hedge its exposure to exchange rate movements on forecast operating expenses denominated in foreign 
currencies, principally the Euro and the pound sterling. Where possible, these contracts are designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedge 
relationships. Changes in the fair value of such hedging instruments are recognised in other comprehensive income to the extent that the hedges are 
effective. Ineffective portions are recognised in profit or loss immediately. Cumulative fair value gains and losses recognised in other comprehensive 
income are reclassified from equity to profit or loss when the forecast cash flow occurs.

Hedge accounting is discontinued if we revoke the hedge relationship, when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or when it 
no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. If the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or if the hedge relationship no longer meets 
the conditions for hedge accounting, the cumulative fair value gain or loss remains in equity until the forecast cash flow occurs. If the hedged forecast cash 
flow is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative fair value gain or loss is reclassified from equity to profit or loss immediately.

Income taxes

Current tax is the amount of tax payable or recoverable in respect of the taxable profit or loss for the period. Taxable profit differs from accounting profit 
because it excludes income or expenses that are recognised in the period for accounting purposes but are either not taxable or not deductible for 
tax purposes or are taxable or deductible in earlier or subsequent periods. Current tax is calculated using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or 
substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is tax expected to be payable or recoverable on temporary differences between the carrying amount of an asset or liability in the financial 
statements and its tax base used in the computation of taxable profit. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences. 
Deferred tax assets are generally recognised for all deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available in 
the future against which they can be utilised.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not recognised in respect of temporary differences arising from the initial recognition of goodwill or from the initial 
recognition of other assets or liabilities in a transaction other than a business combination that affects neither accounting profit nor taxable profit.

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, except where we are able to control the 
reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that it will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates that are expected to apply when the asset is realised or the liability is settled, based on tax 
rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

Where there is uncertainty concerning the tax treatment of an item or group of items, the amount of current and deferred tax recognised is based 
on management’s expectation of the likely outcome of the examination of the uncertain tax treatment by the relevant tax authorities. Uncertain tax 
treatments are reviewed regularly and current and deferred tax amounts are adjusted to reflect changes in facts and circumstances, such as the expiry of 
limitation periods for assessing tax, administrative guidance given by the tax authorities and court decisions.

Current tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the amounts and management intends to settle on a net basis. 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and 
liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on the same taxable entity.

Current tax and deferred tax is recognised in profit or loss unless it relates to an item that is recognised in the same or a different period outside profit or 
loss, in which case the related tax is also recognised outside profit or loss, either in other comprehensive income or directly in equity.

Provisions

Provisions for product warranty claims are established based on historical trends of warranty costs as a percentage of sales.

Dilapidation provisions are established for the cost of restoring leasehold property to its original condition at the end of the lease. Provisions are also 
established for surplus leasehold property or otherwise onerous property leases. 

Provisions are discounted where the effect is material.

Defined contribution pension plans

Contributions to defined contribution and state-funded pension plans are recognised in profit or loss in the period to which the contributions relate.

Share-based compensation

As described in note 28, the Company operates share-based compensation plans under which it grants options and other awards over its ordinary shares 
to employees of its subsidiaries. Awards granted under the existing plans are classified as equity-settled awards. We recognise a compensation expense 
that is based on the fair value of the awards measured at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing formula or a Monte Carlo valuation model. 
Fair value is not subsequently remeasured unless relevant conditions attaching to the awards are modified.

Fair value reflects any market performance conditions and all non-vesting conditions. Adjustments are made to the compensation expense to reflect actual 
and expected forfeitures due to failure to satisfy service conditions or non-market performance conditions.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017110

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2.  Significant accounting policies continued

We recognise the resulting compensation expense on a systematic basis over the vesting period and a corresponding credit is recognised in equity. In the 
event of the cancellation of an option or an award by the Company or by the participating employee, the compensation expense that would have been 
recognised over the remainder of the vesting period is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Payroll taxes are payable in the UK and in certain other jurisdictions on the exercise or vesting of awards. Provision is made for such taxes based on the 
intrinsic value of the relevant awards at the balance sheet date so as to accrue for the taxes payable over the vesting period of the awards.

Shares held by employee benefit trusts

The Group provides finance to two trusts to purchase the Company’s ordinary shares in order to meet its obligations under its share-based compensation 
plans. When the trusts purchase such shares, the cost of the shares is debited to equity and subsequent sales or transfers of the shares by the trusts are 
accounted for within equity. 

Treasury shares

Treasury shares comprise the Company’s ordinary shares that have been purchased under the Company’s share buyback programme and have not been 
subsequently sold, transferred or cancelled. Purchases made under the programme are off market and are effected by way of contingent forward share 
purchase contracts with third-party brokers. On inception of each tranche, a liability is recognised for the maximum cost of the shares to be purchased 
under the tranche and there is a corresponding debit to retained earnings. On intermediate and final settlement of purchases with the broker, the cost of 
the shares purchased is credited to retained earnings and debited to treasury shares within equity. On final settlement, any remaining balance of the liability 
is credited back to retained earnings. 

Subsequent sales, transfers or cancellations of treasury shares by the Company are accounted for within equity.

Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgements and estimates that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities 
at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of income and expenses during the reporting period. 

Critical judgements in applying accounting policies
Critical judgements are the judgements, apart from those involving estimations, that management has made that have had the most significant effect on 
amounts included in the consolidated financial statements. 

Business combinations
When the Company makes an investment in a business, management must make judgements as to whether the Company has obtained control over the 
business and the investment should therefore be accounted for as a business combination. 

Accounting for business combinations requires management to make judgements with regard to the purchase price allocation, in particular with regard to 
the identification and measurement of intangible assets. Management is also required to make judgements in applying appropriate useful economic lives 
to acquired intangible assets.

When the amount of goodwill acquired in the business combination has been determined, management must exercise judgement to allocate 
the goodwill for the purpose of future impairment testing to those CGUs or groups of CGUs that it expects will benefit from the synergies of the 
business combination. 

Deconsolidation of Dyna Image 
Dialog has a 48.5% ownership interest in Dyna Image with equivalent shareholder voting rights and has a call option over the shares in Dyna Image that it 
does not already own. 

Dyna Image was previously accounted for as a subsidiary even though the Company has neither a majority ownership interest nor a majority of the 
shareholder voting rights because management considered that the terms of the call option are such that it gave the Company the power to direct the 
activities of Dyna Image that will significantly affect its returns. 

In December 2017, following a period of sustained operating losses, the shareholders in Dyna Image decided that it should be gradually wound down in 
a way that will safeguard the interests of its creditors. As a consequence of this decision, management reviewed the call option over the non-controlling 
interests in Dyna Image and concluded that there now exists an economic barrier to our exercising the option that is so great that the option no longer 
gives us power over the relevant activities of Dyna Image. Management considered that this loss of control occurred during December 2017 and therefore 
we deconsolidated Dyna Image with effect from 31 December 2017.

Revenue recognition 
Application of the Group’s revenue recognition policy requires management to make judgements as to when the significant risks and rewards of 
ownership of products have been transferred to the customer, whether the amount of revenue can be measured reliably and whether it is probable that 
payment will be received. Particular judgement is required as to when the significant risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to distributors who 
may benefit from sales price allowances and return rights. 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017111

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2.  Significant accounting policies continued

Product development costs 
Product development costs are capitalised from the time when the technical feasibility and commercial viability of the product can be demonstrated. 
Management is therefore required to make judgements about the technical feasibility of the product based on engineering studies and the commercial 
viability of the product based on expectations concerning the marketability of the product, the product’s useful life and the extent of future demand 
from customers. 

Income taxes 
Uncertain tax treatments
Uncertainty may exist concerning the tax treatment of a specific item or group of items because of, for example, uncertainty as to the meaning of tax law 
or to the applicability of tax law to a particular transaction or circumstance, the determination of appropriate arm’s length pricing in accordance with OECD 
transfer pricing principles or because the amount of current and deferred tax depends on the results of an ongoing or future examination of previously 
filed tax returns by the tax authorities. 

Where such an uncertainty exists, management is required to exercise its judgement in forming its expectation as to the likely outcome of the examination 
of the uncertain tax treatment by the relevant tax authorities. Due to the complexity of tax laws and their interpretation, the amount ultimately agreed with 
the tax authorities may differ materially from the amount of current and deferred tax recognised in the consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the 
resolution of uncertain tax treatments in future periods may give rise to adjustments to the amounts of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities that 
may have a material consequential effect on the income tax expense recognised in future periods.

Recoverability of deferred tax assets
Deferred tax assets are generally recognised for all deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available 
in the future against which they can be utilised. Management is required to exercise its judgement in assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets, 
in particular regarding the availability of future taxable profits in the same jurisdictions against which deferred tax assets relating to losses may be utilised.

Key sources of estimation uncertainty 

Key sources of estimation uncertainty are those that have a significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and 
liabilities within the next financial year.

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets
Impairment tests require management to determine the value in use or fair value less costs to sell of an asset or of the CGU or group of CGUs to which the 
asset belongs.

Goodwill impairment tests conducted during 2017 were based on value in use. Expected future cash flows in the first three years were forecast based on 
the Group’s medium range financial plan. Cash flows beyond the third year were estimated by applying a perpetuity growth factor to the forecast cash 
flow in the third year. Discount rates applied to the cash flow projections were determined using a capital asset pricing model and reflected current market 
interest rates, relevant equity and size risk premiums and the risks specific to the assets concerned.

Impairment losses may be recognised in the next financial year if actual cash flows in 2017 differ significantly from management’s estimates and/or there is 
a significant reduction in forecast cash flows beyond 2017, or if market conditions were to cause a significant increase in the applicable discount rates. 

As at 31 December 2017, the carrying amount of goodwill was US$439,508 (2016: US$251,208). 

Other intangible assets with a carrying amount of US$235,637 as at 31 December 2017 (2016: US$125,619) and property, plant and equipment with a 
carrying amount of US$83,870 as at 31 December 2017 (2016: US$69,668) would be subject to impairment tests if there were any indicators that they had 
become impaired during the next financial year. 

Contingent consideration
Contingent consideration of up to US$30,400 may be payable in relation to the acquisition of Silego Technology Inc. in two instalments: the first instalment 
of up to US$10,000 will be payable in March 2018 based on Silego’s revenue for 2017 and the second instalment of up to US$20,400 will be payable in 
March 2019 based on Silego’s revenue for 2018. 

Silego’s actual revenue for 2017 was such that the first instalment has accrued in full. As at 31 December 2017, management estimated that the fair value of 
the second instalment attributable to the shares and vested options acquired was US$14,872 (net of discounting of US$2,282). If Silego’s actual revenue for 
2018 differs significantly from management’s estimate, a material fair value gain or loss may be recognised in profit or loss in 2018.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017112

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3.  Business combinations

Year ended 31 December 2017 

Acquisition of Silego Technology Inc.
On 1 November 2017, we completed the acquisition of 100% of the voting equity interests in Silego Technology Inc. (“Silego”), the leading provider of 
Configurable Mixed-Signal ICs (“CMICs”).

Silego’s CMICs integrate multiple analog, logic and discrete component functionalities into a single chip. Silego’s intuitive CMIC software interface allows 
customers to easily configure these functions and prototype a custom IC within hours and offers considerable flexibility in design. Silego’s technology 
enables manufacturers to reduce board space, simplify their supply chain and reduce time-to-market. Our acquisition of Silego will complement our 
business by increasing our content at existing customers and expanding our customer base. Silego’s broad product portfolio will strengthen our presence 
in a number of markets, including the IoT, computing, industrial and automotive markets.

We acquired Silego for US$276,000 on a cash and debt-free basis, subject to adjustments for cash, debt and working capital. Additional consideration of up 
to US$30,400 may be payable contingent on Silego’s revenues for 2017 and 2018.

We acquired all of Silego’s outstanding common and preferred shares, all “in the money” vested, outstanding, unexercised employee options over common 
shares and all “in the money” outstanding preferred share warrants. On completion, we paid initial consideration of US$290,508 in cash, including US$22,527 
in respect of Silego’s estimated cash, debt and working capital levels on completion. We expect to pay a purchase price adjustment of US$692 reflecting 
Silego’s actual cash, debt and working capital levels on completion.

We paid US$34,500 of the initial consideration into an escrow fund that is available to settle any valid claims that we may make in relation to the 
representations, warranties and indemnities that have been provided to us by the sellers. 

On completion, all “in the money” outstanding, unvested employee options over common shares were converted into and became the right to receive 
cash payments comprising a pro rata share of the initial purchase price less their respective exercise prices, purchase price adjustments and any payments 
of contingent consideration. Such rights are subject to the vesting schedule and other terms (including a service condition) that governed the options 
that they replaced. We estimated that the acquisition date fair value of the rights was US$11,545, of which US$6,655 was attributable to employee service 
rendered before the acquisition date and therefore represents deferred consideration. We are recognising the balance of US$4,890, less an allowance for 
expected and actual forfeitures, as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining vesting period of the rights. 

In November 2017, we paid US$371 in relation to the accelerated vesting of the deferred cash rights in accordance with employee change of 
control arrangements.

Contingent consideration is payable in two instalments: the first instalment of up to US$10,000 will be payable in March 2018 based on Silego’s revenue for 
2017 and the second instalment of up to US$20,400 will be payable in March 2019 based on Silego’s revenue for 2018. At the acquisition date, we expected 
that the first instalment would accrue in full and that the amount of the second instalment would be in the range US$11,652 to US$20,400. Using the 
expected value method, we estimated that the acquisition date fair value of the contingent consideration attributable to the shares and vested options 
acquired was US$23,273 (net of discounting of US$2,974).

Silego’s actual revenue for 2017 confirmed that the first instalment has accrued in full and did not cause us to change our estimate of the second 
instalment. As at 31 December 2017, we estimated that the fair value of the contingent consideration attributable to the shares and vested options 
acquired was US$23,709 (net of discounting of US$2,538).

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017113

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Assets acquired and liabilities assumed

We allocated the purchase consideration to the identifiable assets and liabilities of Silego and goodwill as follows:

Trade and other receivables were expected to be collected at their gross contractual amounts.

Identifiable intangible assets acquired comprised customer relationships, developed technology and know-how and the GreenPAK™ trade name.

Deferred tax assets recognised mainly represented tax loss carryforwards.

Goodwill recognised on the acquisition of Silego is attributable to the further development of technology and know-how by the business in the future, the 
assembled workforce and future sales to new customers for its products.

None of the goodwill is deductible for tax purposes.

During 2017, Silego contributed US$11,391 to the Group’s revenue and a loss after tax of US$3,575. If Silego had been acquired on 1 January 2017, the 
Group’s revenue would have been US$72,942 higher at US$1,425,783 but it is not practicable to estimate what the Group’s profit after tax would have been 
because Silego did not previously prepare financial information in accordance with IFRS.

We incurred transaction costs of US$4,439 in relation to the acquisition of Silego (included within general and administrative expenses). 

During 2017, we incurred integration costs amounting to US$2,305 in relation to Silego, which principally comprised employee severance costs.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedUS$000Assets acquiredCash and cash equivalents32,439Trade and other receivables9,957Inventories13,866Intangible assets122,156Property, plant and equipment1,481Deferred tax assets12,907Other assets1,484Total assets acquired194,290Liabilities assumedTrade and other payables15,586Other current liabilities5,794Provisions157Deferred tax liabilities 41,484Other non-current liabilities906Total liabilities63,927Net identifiable assets acquired130,363Goodwill arising on acquisition190,765Consideration321,128Purchase consideration was satisfied by:Cash paid on completion290,508Purchase price adjustment692Initial consideration291,200Deferred consideration6,655Contingent consideration23,273Consideration321,128Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017114

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3.  Business combinations continued

LED backlight business
On 15 November 2017, we purchased ams AG’s LED backlight technology and product portfolio for US$9,500 in cash. As part of the transaction, we also 
acquired related intellectual property rights. 

Assets acquired 

We allocated the purchase consideration to the identifiable assets of the business and goodwill as follows:

Identifiable intangible assets acquired comprised customer relationships and developed technology.

None of the goodwill is deductible for tax purposes.

During 2017, costs of US$100 relating to the acquisition of this business were included in general and administrative expenses.

Year ended 31 December 2016

Aborted merger with Atmel Corporation
In January 2016, Atmel Corporation (“Atmel”) terminated the merger agreement that existed with Dialog. Under the terms of the agreement, Atmel paid us 
a termination fee of US$137,300. We recognised the termination fee as other operating income during 2016. 

Also during 2016, we incurred residual transaction costs of US$3,485 (recognised within general and administrative expenses) and commitment fees of 
US$1,913 on the borrowing facility that was arranged to finance the transaction prior to the cancellation of the facility in January 2016 (recognised within 
interest expense).

Dyna Image Corporation
In June 2016, Dialog paid the equivalent of US$647 as deferred consideration in relation to its initial investment in Dyna Image Corporation (“Dyna Image”).

Year ended 31 December 2015

Aborted merger with Atmel Corporation 
During 2015, we incurred transaction costs of US$17,604 in relation to the proposed acquisition of Atmel (recognised within general and administrative 
expenses) and commitment fees of US$1,153 on the borrowing facility that was arranged to finance the transaction (recognised within interest expense).

Contingent consideration for the purchase of iWatt Inc.
We acquired 100% of the voting rights in iWatt Inc. in July 2013 for US$306,261 plus up to US$35,000 which was contingent on the achievement of revenue 
targets in two earn out periods. We initially recognised a provision of US$5,188 in relation to the contingent consideration but we subsequently released 
the provision because we considered that the revenue targets had not been met. 

In April 2014, the former owners of iWatt Inc. commenced litigation against Dialog in the Court of Chancery in Delaware seeking damages for alleged 
breaches of the purchase agreement as it related to the contingent consideration. During the second quarter of 2015, a settlement agreement was reached 
pursuant to which Dialog paid US$3,375 to the former owners of iWatt Inc. in full and final settlement of the claim without admission of faults, wrong doing 
or liability by Dialog. We paid this amount in May 2015 and recognised the corresponding expense within general and administrative expenses.

Acquisition of Dyna Image Corporation
On 4 June 2015, we purchased a 45.7% shareholding in Dyna Image for the equivalent of US$13,601 in cash, of which US$12,921 was paid on completion 
and US$680 was deferred for 12 months. Prior to the acquisition, Dyna Image was a majority-owned subsidiary of the Lite-On group of companies. 
We purchased existing shares in Dyna Image from Lite-On and also subscribed for new shares. 

Lite-On retained a shareholding in Dyna Image and the remaining shares are owned by the ShunSin Technology group of companies and directors and 
employees of Dyna Image. When we acquired our initial shareholding, we were granted a call option to acquire the outstanding shares in Dyna Image that 
we do not already own in one or more tranches at any time during the three years following the closing date. We considered that the call option gave us 
the power to direct the relevant activities of Dyna Image and therefore accounted for our initial investment as a business combination. At the acquisition 
date, the fair value of the call option was estimated to be US$992. 

Dyna Image specialises in the design and manufacture of optical, inertia and environmental sensors for consumer electronics applications and its 
sensor technology was expected to be complementary to Dialog’s power management, audio and Bluetooth® expertise in smartphone, IoT and smart 
lighting applications. 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedUS$000Assets acquiredInventories234Intangible assets5,400Total identifiable assets acquired5,634Goodwill arising on acquisition3,866Consideration9,500Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017115

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Identifiable intangible assets acquired comprised developed technology. Deferred tax assets recognised mainly represented tax loss carryforwards.

Non-controlling interests comprise Common Stock and Convertible Preferred Shares. We measured the non-controlling interests in the Common Stock at 
their proportionate share of the net identifiable assets acquired. Since the Convertible Preferred Shares are not entitled to a proportionate share of Dyna 
Image’s net assets in the event of liquidation, the non-controlling interests in the Convertible Preferred Shares were measured at their fair value at the 
acquisition date. 

Goodwill recognised on the acquisition of Dyna Image was allocated to the Mobile Systems, Connectivity and Advanced Mixed Signal (formerly Power 
Conversion) operating segments. None of the goodwill was deductible for tax purposes. 

During 2015, acquisition-related costs of US$86 were included in general and administrative expenses. 

Years ended 31 December 2017, 2016 and 2015

Net cash outflow on the purchase of businesses was as follows:

Initial consideration
Deferred consideration
Consideration paid
Cash and cash equivalents acquired
Cash outflow on purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired

2017
US$000
300,008
371
300,379
(32,439)
267,940

2016
US$000
–
647
647
–
647

2015
US$000
12,921
–
12,921
(10,285)
2,636

Cash paid on settlement of the contingent consideration due in relation to the acquisition of iWatt was included in cash flows from operating activities.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued3. Business combinations continuedAssets acquired and liabilities assumed We allocated the purchase consideration to the identifiable assets and liabilities of Dyna Image and goodwill as follows:US$000Assets acquiredCash and cash equivalents10,285Trade and other receivables1,836Inventories2,212Other current assets592Other intangible assets5,600Property, plant and equipment2,154Investments6Deferred tax assets859Total assets acquired23,544Liabilities assumedTrade and other payables6,205Other current liabilities648Deferred tax liabilities1,000Total liabilities7,853Net identifiable assets acquired15,691Non-controlling interests(9,729)Goodwill arising on acquisition6,647Consideration12,609Purchase consideration was satisfied by:Cash paid on completion12,921Deferred consideration680Call option over non-controlling interests(992)Consideration12,609Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017116

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4.  Deconsolidation of Dyna Image Corporation

We acquired a 45.7% interest in Dyna Image Corporation (“Dyna Image”) in June 2015. We accounted for the investment as a business combination 
because we were granted a call option to acquire the shares that we do not already own in Dyna Image that we considered gave us the power to direct 
the activities of the entity that will significantly affect its returns.

Subsequent to our initial investment, Dyna Image suffered quality problems that resulted in the loss of a major customer and gave rise to sustained 
operating losses. By the end of 2016, Dyna Image was in need of additional funding to enable it to pursue its recovery plan. We agreed with our fellow 
shareholders to seek a new investor in the business and, in the meantime, that certain of the existing shareholders would inject new capital into 
the business. 

In January 2017, we participated in a new issue of shares by Dyna Image. We invested the equivalent of US$1,893. As a result of the share issue, our 
shareholding in Dyna Image increased from 45.7% to 48.5%. We reflected the increase in our shareholding as a transfer of US$361 within equity from  
non-controlling interests to retained earnings.

During 2017, Dyna Image continued to seek new investment but its operating results fell considerably short of the level envisaged in its recovery plan. 
In December 2017, negotiations with a potential investor were terminated and the shareholders in Dyna Image decided that it should be gradually wound 
down in a way that will safeguard the interests of its creditors. 

As a consequence of this decision, we recognised impairment losses totalling US$4,327 in relation to the intangible assets and property, plant and 
equipment held by Dyna Image (within other operating expenses). We also derecognised deferred tax assets of US$543 that are no longer considered to 
be recoverable. We did not consider that the carrying amount of the goodwill attributable to Dyna Image was impaired because it was covered by the 
recoverable amounts of the operating segments to which it had been allocated on acquisition.

We also reviewed the call option over the non-controlling interests in Dyna Image. We observed that the fair value of each share in Dyna Image has fallen 
significantly and irretrievably below the minimum exercise price of the option. We concluded that there now exists an economic barrier to our exercising 
the option prior to its expiry in June 2018 that is so great that the option no longer gives us power over Dyna Image. We consider that this loss of control 
occurred during December 2017 and therefore we deconsolidated Dyna Image with effect from 31 December 2017.

We recognised a loss of US$5,597 on the deconsolidation of Dyna Image that was determined as follows: 

Assets derecognised
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Inventories
Other current assets
Goodwill
Total assets derecognised
Liabilities derecognised
Trade and other payables
Other current liabilities
Total liabilities derecognised
Net assets derecognised
Currency translation gain transferred from equity
Non-controlling interests
Fair value of remaining interest 
Loss on deconsolidation

We included the loss on deconsolidation of Dyna Image within other operating expenses.

US$000

420
1,428
3,542
426
6,907
12,723

2,958
590
3,548
9,175
(1,144)
(1,334)
(1,100)
5,597

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017117

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5.  Operating profit

a) Revenue

Revenue may be analysed as follows:

b) Operating expenses

Operating profit is stated after charging/(crediting):

Amortisation of intangible assets was allocated as follows:

Cost of sales
Selling and marketing expenses
General and administrative expenses
Research and development expenses
Total

c) Other operating (expense)/income

Other operating (expense)/income comprised:

Income from research and development contracts
Impairment of non-current assets held by Dyna Image (notes 15 & 16)
Loss on deconsolidation of Dyna Image (note 4)
Atmel termination fee (note 3)
Total

2017 
US$000
22,973
9,126
2,170
7,700
41,969

2017 
US$000
346
(4,327)
(5,597)
–
(9,578)

2016 
US$000
19,363
7,779
2,018
6,789
35,949

2016 
US$000
408
–
–
137,300
137,708

2015 
US$000
13,734
7,847
1,500
8,039
31,120

2015 
US$000
1,159
–
–
–
1,159

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued2017 US$0002016 US$0002015 US$000Sale of goods1,351,8151,196,5281,353,936Royalties1,0261,0831,376Total1,352,8411,197,6111,355,3122017 US$0002016 US$0002015 US$000Cost of inventories included in cost of sales663,216592,527664,355Write-down of inventories1,2884,3759,047Research and development costs expensed as incurred285,984248,434229,258Government incentives (deducted from research and development expenses)(7,188)(7,089)(6,076)Depreciation of property, plant and equipment30,80727,86824,010Loss on disposal of fixed assets5911,5691,751Amortisation of intangible assets41,96935,94931,120Operating lease rentals10,1539,7979,177Integration costs2,305–176Acquisition-related costs4,539–86Aborted merger costs (note 3)–3,48517,604Settlement of iWatt contingent consideration (note 3)––3,375Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017118

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6.  Employee information

Employment costs were as follows:

Pension costs from defined contribution plans include costs for the state funded pension plan in Germany of US$3,599 (2016: US$3,400; 2015: US$3,104). 

Compensation of key management personnel is set out in note 33.

The average number of persons employed by the Group (including the Executive Director) during the year, analysed by category, was as follows:

7.  Auditor’s remuneration

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors, Deloitte LLP, were as follows: 

Assurance services
Audit of the parent company and consolidated financial statements
Audit of subsidiaries
Other assurance services
Other services
Tax advisory services
Services related to corporate finance transactions
Total

2017 
US$000

2016 
US$000

2015 
US$000

560
370
202

–
478
1,610

280
320
244

–
–
844

360
390
1,043

48
555
2,396

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued2017 US$0002016 US$0002015 US$000Wages and salaries200,222167,090174,359Social security costs26,45724,93221,336Share-based compensation36,72828,16719,215Pension costs from defined contribution plans11,05810,1549,505Total274,465230,343224,415201720162015Research and development1,2561,130964Production172176175Sales and marketing239235218Administration185167147Information technology554642Total1,9071,7531,546Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017119

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8.  Finance income/(expense)

a) Interest income

b) Interest expense

During 2017, we incurred arrangement costs of US$988 in relation to the Group’s US$150 million revolving credit facility and are amortising those costs 
over the initial three-year period to maturity of the facility in July 2020.

Facility commitment fees incurred during 2016 and 2015 related to the borrowing facility that was arranged to finance the proposed merger with Atmel 
prior to the cancellation of the facility in January 2016.

Interest on Convertible Bonds was incurred prior to their conversion into the Company’s ordinary shares in April 2015.

c) Other finance income/(expense)

Currency translation gain/(loss), net 
Fair value gain on Energous warrants (note 17)
Amortisation of gain on initial measurement of Energous warrants (note 17)
Fair value loss on Dyna call option (note 17)
Loss on sale of Arctic Sand shares (note 17) 
Total

2017 
US$000
1,695
941
776
(142)
(177)
3,093

2016 
US$000
(6,017)
1,929
–
(731)
–
(4,819)

2015 
US$000
408
–
–
(119)
–
289

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued2017 US$0002016 US$0002015 US$000Interest on cash deposits5,9793,657779Other interest income168436Total5,9953,6651,2152017 US$0002016 US$0002015 US$000Interest on receivables financing facilities–(850)(815)Interest on finance leases and hire purchase contracts(289)(560)(885)Facility commitment fees(194)(1,913)(1,153)Amortisation of deferred facility arrangement costs(151)––Interest on Convertible Bonds––(3,482)Unwinding of discount on provisions (note 22)(60)(110)(39)Unwinding of discount on contingent consideration (note 3)(436)––Other interest expense(172)(14)(37)Total(1,302)(3,447)(6,411)Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017120

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9.  Income taxes

Income tax recognised in profit or loss

The components of the Group’s income tax expense for the year were as follows:

During 2014, we recognised a non-cash deferred tax credit of US$17,759 resulting from an intra-group reorganisation of certain Intellectual Property that 
was acquired with iWatt, Inc., which reduced the amount of the related deferred tax liabilities. We recognised further deferred tax credits of US$1,292 in 
2015, US$808 in 2016 and US$1,977 in 2017 that related to the ongoing impact of the reorganisation on the deferred tax liabilities.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued2017 US$0002016 US$0002015 US$000Current taxUnited Kingdom379(10,171)–Foreign(33,884)(36,127)(78,094)Deferred taxUnited Kingdom1,315(549)(10,976)Foreign6,821(243)11,490Income tax expense(25,369)(47,090)(77,580)2017 US$0002016 US$0002015 US$000Current taxCurrent income tax charge(38,643)(46,993)(77,862)Adjustments in respect of prior years5,138695(232)Deferred tax–Origination and reversal of temporary differences(6,353)(3,922)(10,014)Recognition of previously unrecognised deferred tax assets9,655–8,105Movement in deferred tax liabilities following intra-group reorganisation 1,9778081,292Movement in deferred tax balances following US tax rate change6,658––Adjustments in respect of prior years(3,801)2,3221,131Income tax expense(25,369)(47,090)(77,580)Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017121

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9.  Income taxes continued

Factors affecting the income tax expense for the year

The Group’s income tax expense differed from the amount that would have resulted from applying the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK to the 
Group’s profit before income taxes for the reasons shown in the following table:

The Group’s income tax expense for 2017 was US$25,369 (2016: US$47,090; 2015: US$77,580), an effective tax rate for the year of 13.0% (2016: 15.4%; 
2015: 30.4%).

Our effective tax rate is sensitive to the geographic mix of the Group’s profits and reflects a combination of different tax rates in different countries, in 
particular higher tax rates in Germany and the US. Our effective tax rate can also be affected by changes in tax legislation and tax rates, the impact of 
acquisitions, disposals and restructuring and currency exchange rate movements, which give rise to tax effects where an entity’s functional currency differs 
from the currency in which it is required to calculate and pay income taxes. 

Our effective tax rate is reduced because a large proportion of Dialog’s research and development activities are undertaken in the UK and we are therefore 
able to benefit from the UK tax regime that provides incentives for innovation. 

Our income tax expense for 2017 includes a credit in respect of prior years of US$1,465 resulting from the finalisation of the Bilateral Advance Pricing 
Agreement and other prior year tax items with tax authorities.

In December 2017, the US President signed into law significant reforms of the US tax system, including a reduction of the Federal corporate income tax rate 
from 35% to 21%. Our income tax expense for 2017 reflects a non-cash deferred tax credit of US$6,658 resulting from the remeasurement of US deferred 
tax balances at the lower tax rate.

During 2017, we also recognised a credit of US$9,655 resulting from the utilisation of previously unrecognised deferred tax assets against taxable currency 
translation gains and a credit of US$9,576 (2016: expense of US$2,967; 2015: expense of US$12,089) arising from tax on translation differences between 
functional and tax currencies.

Our low effective tax rate for 2016 reflects the tax treatment of the Atmel termination fee of US$137,300. We obtained tax advice that the termination 
fee should not be taxable in the UK. We therefore concluded that no tax liability should arise and did not recognise a tax expense in relation to the 
termination fee.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued2017 US$0002016 US$0002015 US$000Profit before income taxes194,803305,206254,839Income tax expense at UK corporation tax rate of 19.25% (2016: 20.0%; 2015: 20.25%)(37,500)(61,041)(51,605)Effect of different foreign tax rates(12,569)(15,434)(18,131)Non-taxable income:– Atmel termination fee–27,460–– Other non-taxable income–240–Non-deductible expenses:– Transaction costs–(697)(3,798)– Non-deductible portion of share-based compensation(9,396)(7,614)(5,008)– Other non-deductible expenses(2,764)(3,068)(1,591)Tax benefit from share-based compensation3,6584,8712,509Tax impact of deconsolidation of Dyna Image Corporation(1,938)––Tax benefit from Intellectual Property and research and development incentives6,5768,7284,342Write-down of previously recognised deferred tax assets(543)––Benefit from previously unrecognised deferred tax assets 9,655–8,105Additional tax losses for which no deferred tax asset is recognised(568)(1,321)(2,828)Movement in deferred tax liabilities following intra-group reorganisation 1,9778081,292Differences arising from different functional and tax currencies9,576(2,976)(12,089)Tax benefit from US tax rate change6,658––Adjustments in respect of prior years1,3373,020899Other items472(66)323Income tax expense(25,369)(47,090)(77,580)Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017122

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9.  Income taxes continued

Factors affecting the income tax expense in future years

Factors that may affect the Group’s future tax expense include foreign exchange rate movements, changes in tax legislation and tax rates, the impact of 
acquisitions, disposals and restructuring and the resolution of open issues with tax authorities. From 2018, the application to Dialog of the UK tax regime 
that provides incentives for innovation has changed, resulting in a limit to the benefits available by reference to the location of Dialog’s research and 
development activities. Given the global nature of Dialog’s research and development activities, this may also affect the Group’s future tax expense.

The Group maintains provisions for potential tax liabilities where uncertainty exists concerning the amount of current or deferred tax recognised. Due to 
the complexity of tax laws and their interpretation, the amounts ultimately agreed with tax authorities in respect of these uncertainties may differ materially 
from the amounts provided and may therefore affect the Group’s income tax expense in future periods.

International tax reform remains a key focus of attention, including the OECD’s Base Erosion & Profit Shifting project, the EU’s action plan for fair and 
efficient corporate taxation and US tax reform. We continually monitor developments and assess the potential impact for Dialog of such initiatives. We have 
concluded that current or announced future tax law changes as a result of such initiatives give rise to no changes to the principal risks for Dialog.

Income tax recognised outside profit or loss

Income tax recognised in other comprehensive income was as follows:

Income tax recognised directly in equity was as follows:

Share-based compensation:
– Current tax credit
– Deferred tax (expense)/credit
Total tax credited directly to equity

Deferred tax

Analysis of movement in the net deferred tax balance during the year:

As at 1 January 2016
Exchange movements
Recognised in income
Recognised in other comprehensive income
Recognised in equity
As at 31 December 2016
Exchange movements
Recognised in income
Recognised in other comprehensive income
Recognised in equity
Acquisitions
As at 31 December 2017

2017 
US$000

1,859
(839)
1,020

2016 
US$000

2,544
522
3,066

2015 
US$000

–
6,878
6,878

US$000
26,856
(5)
(792)
(1,172)
522
25,409
319
8,136
(1,015)
(839)
(28,576)
3,434

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued2017 US$0002016 US$0002015 US$000Items that may be reclassified to profit or lossCurrency translation differences on foreign operations:– Current tax credit180––– Deferred tax expense–(47)(10)Available-for-sale investments:– Deferred tax expense(1,015)––Cash flow hedges:– Current tax (expense)/credit(3,149)1,890–– Deferred tax expense–(1,125)(3,694)Income tax credited/(charged) to other comprehensive income(3,984)718(3,704)Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017123

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9.  Income taxes continued

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities, before offset of balances within countries, are as follows:

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are analysed in the consolidated balance sheet, after offset of balances within countries, as follows:

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities
Recognised net deferred tax assets

Tax loss carryforwards, temporary differences and net deferred tax assets are summarised as follows:

As at 
31 December  
2017 
US$000
7,451
(4,017)
3,434

As at 
31 December  
2016 
US$000
27,379
(1,970)
25,409

Germany
United Kingdom
Netherlands
USA
Other
Total 

As at 31 December 2017

As at 31 December 2016

Tax loss 
carryforwards 
US$000
–
10,638
13,208
48,229
(8,940)
63,135

Temporary 
differences 
US$000
4,768
7,160
(272)
(108,755)
3,574
(93,525)

Net deferred tax 
assets (liabilities) 
US$000
1,353
2,125
3,234
673
(3,951)
3,434

Tax loss 
carryforwards 
US$000
–
61,416
15,597
51,893
10,354
139,260

Temporary 
differences 
US$000
(6,930)
38,716
(1,229)
(13,598)
3,043
20,002

Net deferred tax 
assets (liabilities) 
US$000
(1,967)
7,289
3,592
20,426
(3,931)
25,409

In assessing whether the deferred tax assets can be used, management considers the probability that some, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be 
realised. The utilisation of deferred tax assets depends upon generating taxable profit during the periods in which those temporary differences become 
deductible or tax-loss carryforwards can be utilised. Management considers the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, benefits 
that could be realised from available tax planning strategies and other positive and negative factors in making this assessment.

As at 31December 2017, deferred tax assets were not recognised for tax loss carryforwards of US$22,726 (2016: US$84,928), temporary differences of 
US$849 (2016: US$578) and tax credits of US$4,859 (2016: US$7,667) in respect of which there is expected to be insufficient future taxable profit and 
therefore utilisation is not probable. Unrecognised tax loss carryforwards and temporary differences of US$5,516 (2016: US$61,995) have no expiration date. 
Tax loss carryforwards in the US of US$4,665 (2016: US$4,665) expire between 2018 and 2025. Tax losses in Taiwan of US$13,394 (2016: US$18,846) expire 
between 2023 and 2027. The tax credits expire between 2021 and 2037. 

Deferred tax liabilities have not been recognised in respect of undistributed earnings of subsidiaries because no liability is expected to arise on distribution 
under applicable tax legislation or because the Group is in a position to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and it is probable 
that such differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedAmount (charged)/credited  to profit or lossNet recognised deferred tax  asset/(liability)2017 US$0002016 US$000As at 31 December  2017 US$000As at 31 December  2016 US$000Temporary differences relating to intangible assets21,1022,058(26,585)(3,518)Temporary differences relating to share-based compensation(4,539)3826,88512,263Temporary differences relating to licence royalties3,3123,325–(3,325)Other temporary differences4,583(4,096)(662)(6,699)Deferred taxes in relation to tax credits1,7331,58710,3315,381Net operating loss carryforwards (18,055)(4,048)13,46521,307Total8,136(792)3,43425,409Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017124

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10.  Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the profit for the year attributable to holders of ordinary shares in the Company by the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the profit attributable to holders of ordinary shares in the Company by the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would be issued if all the 
securities or other contracts to issue ordinary shares were exercised.

Profit attributable to shareholders in the Company and the weighted average number of ordinary shares for calculating basic and diluted earnings per 
share were calculated as follows:

During 2017, the average number of anti-dilutive share options outstanding was 375,041 (2016: 423,760; 2015: 632,893).

11.  Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank
Cash held by employee benefit trusts
Cash available from receivables financing facilities
Short-term deposits
Total

As at 
31 December  
2017 
US$000
7,794
1,151
145,100
325,250
479,295

As at 
31 December  
2016 
US$000
5,131
15,160
88,876
588,000
697,167

Short-term deposits are made for varying periods of up to three months.

As at 31 December 2017 and 2016, no amounts had been drawn from the cash available from receivables financing facilities.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued2017 US$0002016 US$0002015 US$000Profit attributable to shareholders in the CompanyFor calculating basic earnings per sharea173,916260,940178,766Add back:Interest expense on Convertible Bonds (net of tax)––3,483For calculating diluted earnings per shareb173,916260,940182,249Weighted average number of ordinary sharesShares in issue at the beginning of the year 77,865,95577,865,95571,068,930Effect on average number of shares during the year:– Conversion of Convertible Bonds––4,446,815– Shares issued to employee benefit trust2,350,000––– Cancellation of treasury shares(2,329,093)––Average number of shares in issue during the period 77,886,86277,865,95575,515,745Deduct:– Average number of shares held by employee benefit trusts(2,061,901)(1,296,216)(1,753,204)– Average number of treasury shares(1,352,891)(523,135)–For calculating basic earnings per sharec74,472,07076,046,60473,762,541Add:– Average number of dilutive share options and awards4,139,1234,351,3283,537,414– Dilutive effect of the Convertible Bonds––2,360,078For calculating diluted earnings per shared78,611,19380,397,93279,660,033Earnings per share (US$)Basica/c2.343.432.42Dilutedb/d2.213.252.29Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017125

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12.  Trade and other receivables

Trade accounts receivable are generally on 30 to 60-day credit terms. Trade accounts receivable are regularly reviewed for collectability and an allowance is 
established for doubtful accounts against which receivables are written-off when they are no longer considered to be collectable. 

Trade accounts receivable may be analysed as follows:

Movements on the allowance for doubtful accounts were as follows:

At the beginning of the year
Allowances charged to profit or loss
Utilised for write-offs
Releases credited to profit or loss
At the end of the year

13.  Inventories

Inventories were as follows:

Raw materials
Work in progress
Finished goods
Total

2017 
US$000
118
33
(11)
(39)
101

2016 
US$000
73
45
–
–
118

As at 
31 December  
2017 
US$000
12,301
59,704
96,942
168,947

As at 
31 December  
2016 
US$000
12,334
29,337
63,632
105,303

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedAs at 31 December  2017 US$000As at 31 December  2016 US$000Trade accounts receivable51,95964,685Retentions under receivables financing facilities26,22716,088Total78,18680,773As at 31 December  2017 US$000As at 31 December  2016 US$000Amounts neither past due nor impaired50,02563,949Amounts past due but not impaired:– Less than 30 days past due1,853575– 30 to 59 days past due49161– 60 to 89 days past due1–– More than 90 days past due31–1,934736Amounts impaired:– Amounts that are impaired101118– Allowance for doubtful accounts(101)(118)Total51,95964,685Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017126

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14.  Goodwill 

Movements on goodwill during the years ended 31 December 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

Goodwill is monitored by management at the level of the Group’s operating segments and is therefore allocated at that level. Goodwill was allocated to 
operating segments as follows:

Goodwill recognised during 2017 on the acquisitions of Silego and ams’s LED backlight business totalling US$194,631 was allocated to the Advanced 
Mixed Signal operating segment. 

Goodwill derecognised on the deconsolidation of Dyna Image was allocated to operating segments as follows: Mobile Systems US$1,036; Connectivity 
US$4,144; and Advanced Mixed Signal US$1,727. 

Impairment tests carried out during the year 

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually and whenever there is an indication that it may be impaired. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the level of 
the operating segments to which it is allocated. Goodwill is impaired if the carrying amount of the operating segment to which it is allocated exceeds its 
recoverable amount. In conducting impairment tests of goodwill during 2017, we measured the recoverable amount of each operating segment to which 
goodwill is allocated on a value in use basis. Value in use represents the present value of the future cash flows that we estimate will be generated by the 
assets allocated to each operating segment in their current use and condition. 

Expected future cash flows in the first three years were forecast based on the Group’s medium range financial plan. Cash flows beyond the third year were 
estimated by applying a perpetuity growth factor to the forecast cash flow in the third year. 

We consider that the key assumptions used in determining value in use are the expected compound annual growth of revenue during the forecast period, 
the perpetuity growth rate and the discount rate. 

Expected future revenue of each operating segment is based on external forecasts of the future volume of the end markets for the operating segment’s 
products adjusted to reflect factors specific to the operating segment such as its customer base and available distribution channels, the possibility of new 
entrants to the market and future technological developments. Cash flows during the forecast period also reflect the cost of materials and other direct 
costs, research and development expenditure and selling, general and administrative expenses. We estimated the cost of materials and other direct and 
indirect costs based on current prices and market expectations of future price changes. 

We applied a perpetuity growth rate of 2% per annum in estimating the future cash flows of each operating segment in both 2017 and 2016, which we 
consider to be the long-term growth rate in the demand for the products of each operating segment in its end markets. 

Discount rates applied to the cash flow projections were determined using a capital asset pricing model and reflected current market interest rates, 
relevant equity and size risk premiums and the risks specific to the operating segment concerned. Pre-tax discount rates used were as follows: Mobile 
Systems 12.2% (2016: 12.9%); Connectivity 13.6% (2016: 14.3%); and Advanced Mixed Signal 11.0% (2016: 11.2%).

We did not recognise any goodwill impairment during 2017 and the recoverable amount of each operating segment to which goodwill is allocated was 
comfortably in excess of its carrying amount.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued2017 US$0002016 US$000At the beginning of the period251,208251,062Acquisition of Silego (note 3)190,765–Acquisition of ams’s LED backlight business (note 3)3,866–Deconsolidation of Dyna Image (note 4)(6,907)–Effect of movements in foreign currency576146At the end of the period439,508251,208As at 31 December  2017 US$000As at 31 December  2016 US$000Mobile Systems107,163108,113Connectivity88,19891,997Advanced Mixed Signal (formerly Power Conversion)244,14751,098Total439,508251,208Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017127

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15.  Other intangible assets

Movements on other intangible assets for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 2016 were as follows

Impairment of assets held by Dyna Image
As explained in note 4, in December 2017, it was decided to wind down the operations of Dyna Image. As a consequence of this decision, the carrying 
amount of the intangible assets held by Dyna Image ceased to be recoverable. We therefore reduced the carrying amount of those assets to nil and 
recognised a corresponding impairment loss of US$2,790. 

Assets held under hire purchase contracts
As at 31 December 2017, the carrying amount of intangible assets held under hire purchase contracts was US$1,840 (2016: US$5,967). 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedAcquired customer-related intangible assets US$000Purchased software, licences and other US$000Patents US$000Product development assets US$000Total US$000CostAs at 1 January 201677,07568,99714,814122,802283,688Additions–5,4112,75515,80223,968Reclassifications–(5)5––Disposals–(1,726)(64)–(1,790)Effect of movements in foreign currency–2–122124As at 31 December 201677,07572,67917,510138,726305,990Acquisition of businesses95,8004,02825527,473127,556Additions–3,5062,65421,02727,187Reclassifications–(34)34––Disposals–(182)(12)–(194)Deconsolidation of assets held by Dyna Image (note 4)–(243)–(5,819)(6,062)Effect of movements in foreign currency–35–486521As at 31 December 2017172,87579,78920,441181,893454,998Amortisation and impairment lossesAs at 1 January 2016(33,300)(48,697)(6,491)(56,596)(145,084)Amortisation charge for the year(7,296)(8,673)(1,509)(18,471)(35,949)Disposals–6629–671Effect of movements in foreign currency–2–(11)(9)As at 31 December 2016(40,596)(56,706)(7,991)(75,078)(180,371)Amortisation charge for the year(8,856)(8,410)(1,819)(22,884)(41,969)Disposals–227–29Impairment of assets held by Dyna Image (note 4)–(100)–(2,690)(2,790)Deconsolidation of Dyna Image (note 4)–243–5,8196,062Effect of movements in foreign currency–(15)–(307)(322)As at 31 December 2017(49,452)(64,966)(9,803)(95,140)(219,361)Net book valueAs at 31 December 201636,47915,9739,51963,648125,619As at 31 December 2017123,42314,82310,63886,753235,637Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017128

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16.  Property, plant and equipment

Movements on property, plant and equipment for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

Impairment of assets held by Dyna Image
As explained in note 4, in December 2017, it was decided to wind down the operations of Dyna Image. As a consequence of this decision, the carrying 
amount of the property, plant and equipment held by Dyna Image ceased to be recoverable. We therefore reduced the carrying amount of those assets to 
nil and recognised a corresponding impairment loss of US$1,537. 

Assets held under finance leases
As at 31 December 2017, the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment held under finance leases was US$nil (2016: US$4,186). 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedTest equipment US$000Leasehold improvements US$000Office and other equipment US$000Construction in progress US$000Total US$000CostAs at 1 January 2016138,13118,74167,1623,109227,143Additions13,1522,04411,0893,68529,970Reclassifications1,0961,2762,866(5,238)–Disposals(2,370)(123)(1,503)(259)(4,255)Effect of movements in foreign currency(10)(37)(175)7(215)As at 31 December 2016149,99921,90179,4391,304252,643Acquisition of businesses3671186513451,481Additions25,9152,60512,8813,76645,167Reclassifications63172393(628)–Disposals(1,566)(1,343)(1,365)(59)(4,333)Deconsolidation of assets held by Dyna Image (note 4)(2,709)–(113)(160)(2,982)Effect of movements in foreign currency417174571111,173As at 31 December 2017172,48623,62792,4574,579293,149Depreciation and impairment lossesAs at 1 January 2016(108,385)(8,378)(41,936)–(158,699)Depreciation charge for the year(12,927)(3,333)(11,608)–(27,868)Disposals2,36672990–3,428Effect of movements in foreign currency2827109–164As at 31 December 2016(118,918)(11,612)(52,445)–(182,975)Depreciation charge for the year(14,614)(4,064)(12,129)–(30,807)Disposals1,5601,198868–3,626Impairment of assets held by Dyna Image (note 4)(1,347)–(30)(160)(1,537)Deconsolidation of Dyna Image (note 4)2,709–1131602,982Effect of movements in foreign currency(209)(93)(266)–(568)As at 31 December 2017(130,819)(14,571)(63,889)–(209,279)Net book valueAs at 31 December 201631,08110,28926,9941,30469,668As at 31 December 201741,6679,05628,5684,57983,870Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017129

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17.  Investments

Investments were as follows:

Investment in associate

As at 31 December 2017, the Group held a 48.5% ownership interest in Dyna Image Corporation, which is an entity whose principal place of business and 
country of incorporation is Taiwan. As explained in note 4, Dyna Image was formerly accounted for as a subsidiary but the Company lost the power to 
direct its relevant activities in December 2017 and it was deconsolidated with effect from 31 December 2017. 

On deconsolidation, the Group’s investment in Dyna Image was measured at its fair value of US$1,100, which equated to the Group’s share of the carrying 
amount of Dyna Image’s net assets. 

Dyna Image is now accounted for as an associate using the equity method. 

Other investments

Energous Corporation 
Energous Corporation (“Energous”) is the developer of WattUp®, a wire-free charging technology. In November 2016, we entered into a strategic alliance 
with Energous. At that time, we subscribed for 763,552 common shares in Energous and were granted warrants to purchase up to 763,552 common 
shares that are exercisable in full or in part on a cashless basis at any time between May 2017 and November 2019. We initially recognised the warrants 
at their grant date fair value of US$4,695 and an equivalent deferred credit within non-current liabilities. We will amortise the deferred credit to profit or 
loss in relation to the royalties that may be payable for the use of Energous’ Intellectual Property over the initial seven-year term of the strategic alliance. 
Amortisation of the deferred credit has not yet commenced.

On 5 July 2017, we subscribed for a further 976,139 common shares in Energous at a cost of US$15,000 and were granted a second tranche of warrants 
to purchase up to 654,013 common shares that are exercisable in full or in part on a cashless basis at any time between January 2018 and July 2020. 
We initially recognised the second tranche of the warrants at their grant date fair value of US$4,753 and an equivalent deferred credit within non-current 
liabilities. We are amortising the deferred credit to profit or loss over the three-year period from the grant date to the expiry of the warrants.

During 2017, we recognised a fair value gain on the shares of US$5,971 (2016: gain of US$2,866) in other comprehensive income and recognised a fair value 
gain of US$941 (2016: gain of US$1,929) on the warrants in profit or loss (as other finance income). Also during 2017, we recognised a credit of US$776 in 
profit or loss on the amortisation of the fair value on initial recognition of the second tranche of the warrants (as other finance income).

Arctic Sand Technologies, Inc. 
During 2012, we participated in the initial funding round of Arctic Sand Technologies, Inc. (“Arctic Sand”), an MIT spin-off commercialising an innovative 
new approach to Advanced Mixed Signal (formerly Power Conversion) for multiple markets, including smartphones, tablets, Ultrabooks™ and data centres. 
On 15 March 2017, Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation, a subsidiary of Murata Manufacturing Co Ltd, agreed to acquire Arctic Sand by way of a merger. 
We held approximately 3.5% of the issued equity shares in Arctic Sand. We previously classified the shares as available-for-sale but carried them at their cost 
of US$1,446 because we were unable to measure reliably their fair value. 

We have so far received proceeds of US$1,269 on the sale and have recognised the resulting loss of US$177 in profit or loss (as other finance expense). 
In due course, we may receive up to a further US$63 that is being held in escrow pending any indemnification claims.

Dyna Image Corporation 
During 2017, the fair value of the call option held by the Company over the non-controlling interests in Dyna Image ceased to have any value and we 
recognised a fair value loss of US$142 (2016: loss of US$731) in profit or loss (as other finance expense).

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedAs at 31 December  2017 US$000As at 31 December  2016 US$000Investment in associate1,100–Other investmentsAvailable-for-sale investments:– Energous shares33,83712,866– Arctic Sand shares–1,446Derivative financial instruments:– Energous warrants 12,3186,624– Dyna Image call option –142Total other investments46,15521,078Total investments47,25521,078Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017130

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18.  Other financial assets

Other financial assets were as follows:

19.  Other assets 

Other assets were as follows:

20.  Trade and other payables 

Trade and other payables were as follows:

Trade accounts payable
Other payables
Total

As at 
31 December  
2017 
US$000
90,025
17,170
107,195

As at 
31 December  
2016 
US$000
79,242
10,403
89,645

Trade accounts payable are non-interest bearing and are normally settled on 30 to 60-day terms. Other payables are non-interest bearing and have a term 
of less than three months.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedAs at 31 December  2017 US$000As at 31 December  2016 US$000CurrentCurrency derivatives6,649–Non-currentRental and other deposits2,0901,254Total8,7391,254As at 31 December  2017 US$000As at 31 December  2016 US$000CurrentPrepaid expenses 6,8108,123Other tax receivables3,9041,982Deferred facility arrangement costs319–Other assets3,6235,106Total current14,65615,211Non-currentDeferred facility arrangement costs503–Total15,15915,211Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017131

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21.  Other financial liabilities

Other financial liabilities were as follows:

Future minimum payments under finance leases and hire purchase obligations are as follows:

Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities were as follows:

As at 1 January 2016
Additions 
Releases
Changes in fair value
Changes in currency exchange rates
Changes from financing cash flows 
As at 31 December 2016
Additions 
Releases
Changes in fair value
Changes in currency exchange rates
Changes from financing cash flows 
As at 31 December 2017

Finance lease and 
hire purchase 
obligations 
US$000
8,596
1,172
–
–
–
(3,834)
5,934
–
–
–
–
(4,283)
1,651

Share buyback 
obligation 
US$000
–
139,501
(15,313)
–
(1,643)
(61,472)
61,073
79,407
(18,469)
–
3,024
(125,035)
–

Derivatives 
hedging share 
buyback 
obligation 
US$000
–
–
–
4,250
–
(1,186)
3,064
–
–
(4,291)
–
1,227
–

Total 
US$000
8,596
140,673
(15,313)
4,250
(1,643)
(66,492)
70,071
79,407
(18,469)
(4,291)
3,024
(128,091)
1,651

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedAs at 31 December  2017 US$000As at 31 December  2016 US$000CurrentFinance lease and hire purchase obligations1,6514,409Currency derivatives in designated hedging relationships979,432Currency derivatives hedging share buyback obligation–3,064Deferred consideration5,456–Contingent consideration8,837–Share buyback obligation–61,073Total current16,04177,978Non-currentFinance lease and hire purchase obligations–1,525Deferred consideration2,506–Contingent consideration14,872–Total non-current17,3781,525Total33,41979,503Minimum payments2017 US$0002016 US$000Within one year1,7014,573Between one and two years–1,700Total minimum payments1,7016,273Less: future finance charges(50)(339)Present value of minimum payments1,6515,934Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017132

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22.  Provisions

Movements on provisions were as follows:

Provisions are presented in the Group’s balance sheet as follows:

Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Total

As at 
31 December  
2017 
US$000
3,474
3,725
7,199

As at 
31 December  
2016 
US$000
1,477
3,370
4,847

Product warranties
Dialog provides contractual product warranties under which it guarantees the performance of its products. Product warranty provisions are based on 
historical warranty data and are expected to be utilised within one year of the balance sheet date. 

Leasehold property
Leasehold property provisions include dilapidation provisions for the costs of restoring leasehold properties to their original condition at the end of the 
lease and provisions for onerous leases. Leasehold property provisions will be utilised over the remaining terms of the relevant leases, which expire up to 
five years from the balance sheet date.

Contractual severance
Provision is made for contractual severance payments that are payable to employees in certain countries in Asia when they leave the Group’s employment.

23.  Other liabilities

Other liabilities were as follows:

Current
Obligations for personnel and social expenses
Advances received in relation to research and development contracts
Deferred income
Other liabilities
Total current
Non-current
Deferred royalty credits
Deferred gain on initial measurement of warrants
Accrued expenses 
Other liabilities
Total non-current
Total

As at 
31 December  
2017 
US$000

As at 
31 December  
2016 
US$000

41,462
3,801
5,840
8,516
59,619

4,695
3,976
410
479
9,560
69,179

23,575
2,701
16,854
11,314
54,444

4,695
–
–
–
4,695
59,139

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedProduct warranties US$000Leasehold property US$000Legal claims US$000Contractual severance US$000Other provisions US$000Total US$000As at 1 January 20161,5452,117254608624,586Additions charged to profit or loss1,1041,302–1813502,937Utilised during the year(1,545)(622)–(26)–(2,193)Releases credited to profit or loss–(158)(254)–(40)(452)Unwinding of discount–110–––110Currency translation differences–(131)–(10)–(141)As at 31 December 20161,1042,618–7533724,847Acquisition of businesses76–––100176Additions charged to profit or loss1,285985750202953,317Utilised during the year(1,011)(159)––(220)(1,390)Releases credited to profit or loss(9)(59)––(23)(91)Unwinding of discount–60–––60Currency translation differences–180–991280As at 31 December 20171,4453,6257501,0543257,199Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017133

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24.  Share capital and reserves

a) Ordinary shares

As at 31 December 2017, 2016 and 2015, the authorised share capital of the Company comprised 104,311,860 ordinary shares with a nominal value of 
£0.10 per share. 

The number of allotted and fully paid ordinary shares was as follows:

During 2012, the Company issued at par US$201 million 1% Convertible Bonds 2017 (“the Bonds”) that were convertible into the Company’s ordinary 
shares. On 16 March 2015, Dialog announced that it would exercise its option to redeem all of the outstanding Bonds on 5 May 2015. By 28 April 2015, all 
holders of the Bonds had exercised their conversion rights in respect of all outstanding Bonds. At the time of conversion, the carrying amount of the Bonds 
was US$183,138. Conversion of the Bonds resulted in the issue of 6,797,025 ordinary shares with a nominal value of US$1,049 and an increase in the share 
premium account of US$182,089.

Ordinary shareholders have no entitlement to share in the profits of the Company except for dividends that may be declared and in the event of the 
Company’s liquidation.

Ordinary shareholders have the right to attend, and vote at, general meetings of the Company or to appoint a proxy to attend and vote at such meetings 
on their behalf. Ordinary shareholders have one vote for every share held.

b) Share premium account

The share premium account represents the difference between the nominal value of shares issued and the fair value of the consideration received. 
The share premium account is not distributable but may be used for certain purposes specified by United Kingdom law, including to write off expenses on 
any issue of shares and to pay up fully paid bonus shares. 

c) Other reserves

Currency translation reserve
The currency translation reserve represents the cumulative gains and losses recognised on the translation into US dollars of the Group’s net investments in 
foreign operations.

Available-for-sale reserve 
The available-for-sale reserve represents the unrealised fair value gains less fair value losses that are not considered to represent an impairment recognised 
on the revaluation of available-for-sale investments since initial recognition.

Cash flow hedge reserve
The cash flow hedge reserve represents the cumulative gains and losses on effective cash flow hedging instruments that will be recycled to profit or loss 
on the occurrence of the hedged cash flows.

Treasury shares 
Treasury shares were shares purchased under the Company’s share buyback programme. Details of purchases made under the programme during 2017 
and 2016 are set out in note 25. 

Capital redemption reserve
On 23 June 2017, the Company cancelled all of the treasury shares that it held following completion of the third tranche of the share buyback programme. 
On cancellation, the total cost of the treasury shares was transferred from treasury shares and set against retained earnings and the nominal value of the 
shares cancelled of US$571 was transferred from share capital to a non-distributable capital redemption reserve.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedNumber of sharesNominal value US$000As at 1 January 201571,068,93013,353Conversion of Convertible Bonds6,797,0251,049As at 31 December 2015 and 201677,865,95514,402Shares issued to employee benefit trust3,000,000373Cancellation of treasury shares(4,483,816)(571)As at 31 December 201776,382,13914,204Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017134

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24.  Share capital and reserves continued

Movements on other reserves were as follows:

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedCapital redemption reserve US$000Currency translation reserve US$000Available-for-sale securities US$000Hedging reserve US$000Treasury shares US$000Equity component of Convertible Bonds US$000Total US$000As at 1 January 2015–(3,007)–(12,769)–36,57920,803Other comprehensive income/(loss):– Currency translation differences on foreign operations–(1,463)––––(1,463)– Cash flow hedges:Fair value loss recognised on effective hedges–––(18,960)––(18,960)Fair value loss transferred to profit or loss–––31,980––31,980– Income tax credit/(expense)–(10)–(3,694)––(3,704)Other changes in equity:– Conversion of Convertible Bonds–––––(36,579)(36,579)As at 31 December 2015–(4,480)–(3,443)––(7,923)Other comprehensive income/(loss):– Currency translation differences on foreign operations–127––––127– Fair value loss on available-for-sale investments––2,866–––2,866– Cash flow hedges:Fair value loss recognised on effective hedges–––(13,264)––(13,264)Fair value loss transferred to profit or loss–––8,382––8,382– Income tax credit/(expense)–(47)–765––718Other changes in equity:– Purchase of own shares into treasury––––(61,472)–(61,472)As at 31 December 2016–(4,400)2,866(7,560)(61,472)–(70,566)Other comprehensive income/(loss):– Currency translation differences on foreign operations–1,665––––1,665– Gain transferred to profit or loss on deconsolidation of Dyna Image–(1,144)––––(1,144)– Fair value loss on available-for-sale investments––5,971–––5,971– Cash flow hedges:Fair value gain recognised on effective hedges–––16,433––16,433Fair value loss transferred to profit or loss–––(441)––(441)– Income tax credit/(expense)–180(1,015)(3,149)––(3,984)Other changes in equity:– Purchase of own shares into treasury––––(125,050)–(125,050)– Cancellation of treasury shares571–––186,522–187,093As at 31 December 2017571(3,699)7,8225,283––9,977Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017135

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25.  Share buyback programme 

Share buyback authority

At the Company’s 2016 AGM, the Directors were granted an authority to purchase up to 7,786,595 ordinary shares in the capital of the Company. 
During 2017, 2,678,066 ordinary shares were purchased under the 2016 AGM authority at a total cost of US$125,050 (including transaction costs of US$803). 
The 2016 AGM authority expired on 3 May 2017.

At the Company’s 2017 AGM, the Directors were granted a new authority to purchase up to 7,808,280 of our ordinary shares in further tranches. 
Such authority shall (unless previously renewed, varied or revoked) expire on the day before the next AGM of the Company or on 30 June 2018, whichever 
is the earlier. We have not yet announced any tranches of purchases under the 2017 AGM authority.

Purchases made under the share buyback programme are off-market and are effected by way of contingent forward purchase contracts entered into with 
brokers. Barclays, Goldman Sachs, HSBC or Merrill Lynch may be appointed as brokers for purchases under the 2017 AGM authority.

Shares purchased during 2016

On 9 May 2016, the Company announced details of the first tranche of the share buyback programme pursuant to the 2016 AGM authority under which 
it committed to purchase shares with a minimum cost of €37.5 million and a maximum cost of €50 million. Final settlement and conclusion of the first 
tranche took place on 28 September 2016. We purchased a total of 1,332,158 shares under the first tranche at a cost of €37.5 million (US$42,024). 

On 8 November 2016, the Company announced details of the second tranche of the share buyback programme pursuant to the 2016 AGM authority 
under which it committed to purchase shares with a minimum cost of €56.25 million and a maximum cost of €75.0 million. 

We completed the first intermediate settlement under the second tranche on 30 December 2016 purchasing 473,592 shares at an initial cost of 
€17.45 million (US$18,383). As at 31 December 2016, we held 1,805,750 shares purchased under the first and second tranches in treasury at a total cost of 
US$61,472 (including transaction costs of US$1,063).

As at 31 December 2016, we recognised a debit to equity amounting to US$63,077 in relation to the maximum remaining obligation to purchase shares 
under the second tranche of €57.55 million (US$62,759) and related transaction costs.

Shares purchased during 2017

We made a further intermediate settlement of the second tranche on 9 February 2017 and final settlement and conclusion of the tranche took place on 
17 February 2017. In these further settlements, we purchased 977,456 shares at a cost of €38.8 million (US$41,385) and incurred transaction costs of US$270. 
On conclusion of the second tranche, we credited back to retained earnings the remainder of the obligation to purchase shares initially recognised of 
US$19,961 and related transaction costs. 

On 27 February 2017, the Company announced details of the third tranche of the share buyback programme pursuant to the 2016 AGM authority under 
which it committed to purchase shares with a minimum cost of €56.25 million and a maximum cost of €75.0 million. We initially recognised a debit to 
retained earnings amounting to US$79,407, which comprised the maximum obligation to purchase shares of €75.0 million (US$79,012) and related 
transaction costs.

We made intermediate settlements of the third tranche on 25 April 2017 and 2 June 2017 and final settlement and conclusion of the tranche took place on 
23 June 2017. We purchased 1,700,610 shares under the third tranche at a cost of €74.9 million (US$82,862) and incurred transaction costs amounting to 
US$533. On conclusion of the third tranche, we credited back to earnings the remainder of the obligation to purchase shares initially recognised of US$71 
and related transaction costs.

During 2017, we showed a credit to retained earnings of US$3,024, which mirrored the loss recognised in profit or loss on the translation into US dollars of 
the Euro-denominated liability that existed in relation to shares that were purchased during the period. We hedge the currency translation exposure on 
outstanding liabilities to purchase shares using currency forwards and swaps. After taking into account hedging, we recognised a net currency translation 
loss of US$237 in profit or loss in relation to liabilities to purchase shares under the second and third tranches during 2017.

Movements in equity during 2017 in relation to the share buyback programme were as follows:

Second and final settlements of second tranche 
Release of surplus second tranche obligation
Recognition of third tranche obligation
Settlements of third tranche 
Release of surplus third tranche obligation
Transaction costs recognised during the year
Change in equity during the year

Retained earnings

Other reserves

Share buyback 
obligation 
US$000
42,567
19,961
(79,012)
79,459
71
(462)
62,584

Currency 
translation 
adjustments 
US$000
(912)
–
–
3,936
–
–
3,024

Treasury shares 
US$000
(41,655)
–
–
(83,395)
–
–
(125,050)

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017136

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26.  Non-controlling interests

We hold a 48.5% ownership interest in Dyna Image Corporation, which is an entity whose principal place of business and country of incorporation is 
Taiwan. As explained in note 4, Dyna Image was formerly accounted for as a subsidiary but the Company lost the power to direct its relevant activities in 
December 2017 and it was deconsolidated with effect from 31 December 2017. 

In January 2017, the Group’s ownership interest in Dyna Image increased from 45.7% to 48.5% and there was a corresponding decrease from 54.7% to 
51.5% in the ownership interests held by non-controlling interests.

Summarised financial information about Dyna Image for periods before it ceased to be a subsidiary is presented below:

Summary comprehensive (loss)/income
Revenue
Expenses
Loss for the year
Loss attributable to owners of the Company
Loss attributable to the non-controlling interests
Loss for the year
Other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to owners of the Company
Other comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to the non-controlling interests
Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year
Total comprehensive loss attributable to owners of the Company
Total comprehensive loss attributable to the non-controlling interests
Total comprehensive loss for the year
Summary of cash flows
Cash flow used for operating activities
Cash flow used for investing activities
Cash flow from financing activities
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

All other subsidiaries of the Company are wholly-owned.

2017 
US$000

5,474
(17,870)
(12,396)
(7,914)
(4,482)
(12,396)
(7)
(7)
(14)
(7,921)
(4,489)
(12,410)

(4,769)
(47)
3,000
(1,816)

2016 
US$000

9,409
(14,195)
(4,786)
(1,962)
(2,824)
(4,786)
69
100
169
(1,893)
(2,724)
(4,617)

(1,025)
(29)
–
(1,054)

2015 
US$000

4,798
(7,352)
(2,554)
(1,047)
(1,507)
(2,554)
(292)
(421)
(713)
(1,339)
(1,928)
(3,267)

(5,740)
(1,043)
8,721
1,938

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedAs at 31 December  2017 US$000As at 31 December  2016 US$000Summary balance sheetTotal current assets–8,816Total non-current assets–5,884Total current liabilities–(4,702)Total equity–9,998Attributable to:– Shareholders in the Company–4,921– Non-controlling interests–5,077Total equity–9,998Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017137

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27.  Pension schemes

The Group operates defined contribution pension schemes in most of the countries in which it operates. Contributions payable by the Group to the plans 
amounted to US$7,458 (2016: US$6,754; 2015: US$6,401). As at 31 December 2017, the Group had not paid over to the plans contributions due amounting 
to US$2,408 (2016: US$1,802; 2015: US$1,505). All contributions due for the period were paid over subsequent to the balance sheet date. Pension costs also 
include payments to the state funded pension plan in Germany in the amount of US$3,599 (2016: US$3,400; 2015: US$3,104).

28.  Share-based compensation 

The Company operates a number of share-based compensation plans under which it grants options and awards over its ordinary shares to certain of the 
Group’s employees.

a) Plans without performance conditions

Stock Option Plan 
Shareholders approved the Stock Option Plan (“SOP”) at the Company’s 1998 AGM. 

Options granted under the SOP before 31 October 2006 vested over periods of one or five years from the grant date provided the participant remained 
in employment by the Group at the vesting date and, if unexercised, expired on the tenth anniversary of the grant date. Options granted after 31 October 
2006 vest monthly over four years provided the participant remains in employment by the Group at the vesting date but may not be exercised until the 
first anniversary of the grant date and, if unexercised, expire on the seventh anniversary of the grant date. 

Unless otherwise determined by the Remuneration Committee, options granted under the SOP have an exercise price not less than the market price of the 
Company’ s ordinary shares on the grant date. 

Employee Share Plan 
Shareholders approved the Employee Share Plan (“ESP”) at the Company’s 2013 AGM. The ESP operates alongside the SOP.

Options granted under the ESP vest over a three-year period with one third of each award vesting on the first, second and third anniversary of the grant 
date provided the participant remains in employment by the Group at the vesting date and, if unexercised, expire on the seventh anniversary of the 
grant date.

Options granted under the ESP have a nominal exercise price.

Fair value of awards
The fair value of options granted under the ESP was measured using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The weighted average fair value of options 
granted during the years ended 31 December 2017, 2016 and 2015 and the principal assumptions made in measuring those fair values were as follows: 

Weighted average fair value
Principal assumptions:
– Share price on grant date
– Exercise price
– Expected volatility of the Company’s shares
– Expected option life
– Dividend yield on the Company’s shares
– Risk-free interest rate

Grant in 2017
€33.31

Grant in 2016
€34.86

Grant in 2015
€33.38

€33.40
€0.10
42%
3 – 6 years
0%
(0.3)%

€34.96
€0.10
41%
3 – 6 years
0%
(0.3)%

€39.22
€0.12
46%
3 – 6 years
0%
0.1%

Expected volatility was determined based on the historical volatility of the market price of the Company’s ordinary shares over the expected life of 
the options. 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017138

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28.  Share-based compensation continued

b) Performance-based plans

Executive Incentive Plan
Shareholders approved the Executive Incentive Plan (“EIP”) at the Company’s 2010 AGM. 

Awards under the EIP vest three years from the grant date provided certain performance conditions are satisfied and the participant remains in 
employment by the Group at the end of the vesting period. 

a) Share price increase
One quarter of each award accrues in equal annual instalments on the anniversary of grant date provided the market price of the Company’s ordinary 
shares on the relevant anniversary date exceeds the higher of the market price of the shares on the grant date and on any preceding anniversary date.

Awards that have accrued vest and become exercisable on the third anniversary of the grant date.

b) Group performance conditions
Up to three-eighths of each award vests depending upon the compound annual growth of the Group’s revenue over the vesting period. Up to three-
eighths of each award vests depending on the compound annual growth of the Group’s EBIT (operating profit) over the vesting period. Even if the revenue 
and EBIT targets are met, however, the number of awards that vest will be reduced by up to 20% if customer diversification targets are not also met.

The EIP expired for the purpose of new awards in May 2015.

Long-term Incentive Plan
Shareholders approved the Long-term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) at the Company’s 2015 AGM. The LTIP replaced the EIP. All employees are eligible to participate 
in the plan but in practice awards will be targeted at the Executive Director level and others in senior roles. 

Awards granted under the LTIP take the form of either a nil or nominal cost share option, a conditional share award, a market price share option or, 
in jurisdictions where it is not feasible to deliver shares to employees, a cash-settled award linked to the market value of the Company’s shares.

Awards under the LTIP generally vest three years from the grant date provided certain performance conditions are satisfied and the participant remains 
in employment by the Group at the end of the vesting period. 

a) Total shareholder return (“TSR”) 
Up to one third of each award vests depending on TSR on the Company’s ordinary shares relative to the TSR of the constituents of the S&P Select 
Semiconductor Index over the vesting period. If the TSR on the Company’s ordinary shares is negative over the vesting period, vesting is capped at one half 
of this element of the award irrespective of the whether the TSR on the Company’s ordinary shares has exceeded the TSR of the constituents of the S&P 
Select Semiconductor Index. 

b) Group Performance Conditions
Up to one third of each award vests depending upon the compound annual growth of the Group’s revenue over the vesting period. Up to one third of 
each award vests depending on the compound annual growth of the Group’s EBIT (operating profit) over the vesting period.

Notwithstanding the performance conditions, the Remuneration Committee may apply a downward adjustment to the number of awards that vest if it 
considers this to be necessary taking into account the Group’s financial performance and overall financial health. 

Fair value of awards
The fair value of awards made under the EIP and the LTIP was measured using a variant of the Monte Carlo valuation model. The weighted average fair 
value of options granted during the years ended 31 December 2017, 2016 and 2015 and the principal assumptions made in measuring those fair values 
were as follows: 

Weighted average fair value
Principal assumptions:
– Share price on grant date
– Exercise price
– Expected volatility of the Company’s shares
– Expected option life
– Dividend yield on the Company’s shares
– Risk-free interest rate

Grant in 2017
€44.86

Grant in 2016
€29.26

Grant in 2015
€35.30

€50.32
€0.10
42%
6 years
0%
(0.3)%

€33.41
€0.10
41%
6 years
0%
(0.3)%

€39.17
€0.12
46%
6 years
0%
0.1%

Expected volatility was determined based on the historical volatility of the market price of the Company’s ordinary shares over the expected life of 
the awards. 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017139

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28.  Share-based compensation continued

c) Share options

Movements in the total number of share options outstanding during the years ended 31 December 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

When share options were exercised during 2017, the weighted average of the Company’s share price was €45.50 (2016: €31.92).

The weighted average contractual life and exercise price of share options outstanding as at 31 December 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

d) Dialog shares held by employee benefit trusts

The Company provides finance to two trusts to purchase its ordinary shares in order to meet its obligations under its share-based compensation plans. 
As at 31 December 2017, the trusts held 2,791,027 ordinary shares (2016: 574,600 ordinary shares). 

Movements in the number of shares held by the trusts during the years ended 31 December 2017 and 2016 were as follows: 

At the beginning of the year
Purchase of shares in the market
Subscription for newly-issued shares
Sale or transfer of shares
At the end of the year 

2017

2016

Number  
of shares
574,600
456,724
3,000,000
(1,240,297)
2,791,027

Cost 
US$000
20,608
24,301
373
(44,380)
902

Number  
of shares
1,879,195
89,568
–
(1,394,163)
574,600

Cost 
US$000
24,630
3,127
–
(7,149)
20,608

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued20172016OptionsWeighted average exercise price €OptionsWeighted average exercise price €Outstanding at the beginning of the year4,469,9772.904,710,2454.53Granted1,345,4550.101,432,8270.10Exercised(1,240,297)5.30(1,304,595)6.34Forfeited(271,940)0.29(368,500)0.64Outstanding at the end of the year 4,303,1951.504,469,9772.90Options exercisable at the end of the year1,302,6004.711,483,0018.1220172016Range of exercise pricesNumber outstanding Weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)Number outstanding Weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)€0.0 – 1.003,883,0674.583,556,0324.63€1.00 – 8.00–n/a–n/a€8.00 – 16.85420,1281.60913,9452.28€0.00 – 16.854,303,1954.294,469,9774.15Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017140

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29.  Additional disclosures on financial instruments

Analysis by class and category 

In the following tables, the carrying amounts of the financial assets and financial liabilities held by the Group as at 31 December 2017 and 2016 are 
analysed by class and category:

Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Energous shares
Energous warrants 
Arctic Sand shares
Dyna Image call option 
Investments
Rental and other deposits
Other financial assets
Total financial assets

Financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
Hire purchase and finance lease obligations
Currency derivatives
Share buyback obligation
Other financial liabilities
Total financial liabilities

Loans and 
receivables 
US$000

Available-for-sale 
investments 
US$000

As at 31 December 2016

At fair value 
through profit 
or loss 
US$000

Held in 
designated 
hedging 
relationships 
US$000

Liabilities at 
amortised cost 
US$000

Net book value 
US$000

Fair value 
US$000

697,167
80,773
–
–
–
–
–
1,254
1,254
779,194

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
12,866
–
1,446
–
14,312
–
–
14,312

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
6,624
–
142
6,766
–
–
6,766

–
–
(3,064)
–
(3,064)
(3,064)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
(9,432)
–
(9,432)
(9,432)

(89,645)
(5,934)
–
(61,073)
(67,007)
(156,652)

697,167
80,773
12,866
6,624
n/a
142

1,254

(89,645)
(4,761)
(12,496)
(61,073)

697,167
80,773
12,866
6,624
1,446
142
21,078
1,254
1,254
800,272

(89,645)
(5,934)
(12,496)
(61,073)
(79,503)
(169,148)

Currency derivatives that were not in designated hedging relationships were held to hedge the currency translation exposure on the Euro-denominated 
share buyback liability (note 25). 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedAs at 31 December 2017Loans and receivables US$000Available-for-sale investments US$000At fair value through profit or loss US$000Held in designated hedging relationships US$000Liabilities at amortised cost US$000Net book value US$000Fair value US$000Financial assetsCash and cash equivalents479,295––––479,295479,295Trade and other receivables78,186––––78,18678,186Energous shares–33,837–––33,83733,837Energous warrants ––12,318––12,31812,318Investments–33,83712,318––46,155Currency derivatives–––6,649–6,6496,649Rental and other deposits2,090––––2,0902,090Other financial assets2,090––6,649–8,739Total financial assets559,57133,83712,3186,649–612,375Financial liabilitiesTrade and other payables––––(107,195)(107,195)(107,195)Hire purchase and finance lease obligations––––(1,651)(1,651)(1,651)Currency derivatives–––(97)–(97)(97)Deferred consideration––––(7,962)(7,962)(7,962)Contingent consideration––(23,709)––(23,709)(23,709)Other financial liabilities––(23,709)(97)(9,613)(33,419)Total financial liabilities––(23,709)(97)(116,808)(140,614)Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017141

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29.  Additional disclosures on financial instruments continued

Fair value measurement

a) Financial instruments carried at fair value
All financial instruments that are carried at fair value are revalued on a recurring basis. We have not designated any financial instruments at fair value 
through profit or loss on initial recognition.

Details of our investment in Energous shares, the Energous warrants and the Dyna Image call option are set out in note 17. We measured the fair value of 
these financial assets using the following methods and assumptions:
 e Common shares in Energous (listed on NASDAQ) – measured at the quoted bid price at the close of business on the balance sheet date.
 e Energous warrants – measured using a Black Scholes valuation model based on the quoted bid price of Energous’ common shares and other inputs 

such as implied share price volatility that is modelled based on historical price data for Energous’ common shares.

 e Dyna Image call option – measured using a Monte Carlo valuation model in which the most significant inputs are management’s estimates of the future 

revenue and profitability of Dyna Image and share price volatility that is modelled based on historical price data for comparable listed securities.

 e Contingent consideration – measured based on the expected value of a range of possible outcomes of Silego’s revenue for 2017 and 2018.

Fair value of currency derivatives represents the present value of the future contractual cash flows, which is estimated using observable spot exchange 
rates and by applying a discount rate that is based on the yield curves of the respective currencies and reflects the credit risk of the counterparties.

In the following table, the financial instruments that are carried at fair value are categorised into one of three levels in a fair value hierarchy according to the 
nature of the significant inputs to the valuation techniques that are used to determine their fair value as follows:
 e Level 1 – Quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 e Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable either directly (as market prices) or indirectly (derived from market prices).
 e Level 3 – Unobservable inputs, such as those derived from internal models or using other valuation methods.

Financial assets carried at fair value
Investments:
– Energous shares
Derivative financial instruments:
– Currency derivatives
– Energous warrants 
– Dyna Image call option 
Total financial assets carried at fair value

Financial liabilities carried at fair value
Derivative financial instruments:
– Currency derivatives
Contingent consideration
Total financial liabilities carried at fair value

As at 31 December 2017

As at 31 December 2016

Level 1
US$000

Level 2
US$000

Level 3
US$000

Total
US$000

Level 1
US$000

Level 2
US$000

Level 3
US$000

Total
US$000

33,837

–

–

33,837

12,866

–
–
–
33,837

6,649
–
–
6,649

–
12,318
–
12,318

6,649
12,318
–
52,804

–
–
–
12,866

–

–
–
–
–

–

12,866

–
6,624
142
6,766

–
6,624
142
19,632

–
–
–

(97)
–
(97)

–
(23,709)
(23,709)

(97)
(23,709)
(23,806)

–
–
–

(12,496)
–
(12,496)

–
–
–

(12,496)
–
(12,496)

During 2017, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017142

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In the following table, we present a reconciliation of the changes in the Level 3 fair values:

We estimate that if the implied volatility of 76.6% incorporated in the valuation of the first tranche of Energous warrants and that of 74.8% incorporated 
in the second tranche as at 31 December 2017 had been ten percentage points higher or lower, the fair value of the warrants would have been US$1,279 
higher at US$13,597 or US$1,327 lower at US$10,991, respectively. In each case, the effect of the increase/(decrease) in fair value would have been 
recognised in profit or loss as other finance income/(expense).

We estimate that if the expected value of Silego’s revenue for 2018 had been 10% higher or lower, the fair value of the contingent consideration payable for 
the purchase of Silego as at 31 December 2017 would have been US$1,238 higher at US$24,947 or US$7,460 lower at US$16,249, respectively. In each case, 
the effect of the increase/(decrease) in fair value would have been recognised in profit or loss as other operating income/(expense).

b) Financial instruments not carried at fair value
Finance lease and hire purchase obligations attract fixed interest rates that are implicit in the lease rentals. For disclosure purposes, the fair value of these 
obligations has been calculated as the present value of the future contractual cash flows using observable yield curves (Level 2).

Our investment in Arctic Sand was categorised as available-for-sale and would normally have been carried at fair value. However, we were unable to 
measure its fair value reliably because Arctic Sand is an unlisted entity in which we had only a small non-controlling interest. We therefore carried the 
investment at cost and did not disclose any estimate of its fair value (Level 3).

Other financial assets and financial liabilities that are not carried at fair value are of short maturity and/or bear floating rate interest. We therefore consider 
that their carrying amounts approximate to their fair values (Level 2).

30.  Commitments

Operating lease and software licence commitments

The Group rents all of its office and development facilities and some office and test equipment under operating leases. Future minimum lease payments 
under non-cancellable operating leases and software licences are as follows:

Within one year
Between one and two years
Between two and three years
Between three and four years
Between four and five years
Thereafter
Total minimum payments

Operating leases  
2017 
US$000
12,600
11,261
9,711
6,605
4,902
10,247
55,326

Software licences 
2017 
US$000
15,286
7,420
5,669
2,300
2,385
–
33,060

Operating leases  
2016 
US$000
13,013
8,206
7,592
7,077
5,484
13,051
54,423

Software licences 
2016 
US$000
11,282
2,608
47
32
–
–
13,969

During 2017, the Group recognised in profit or loss an operating lease expense of US$10,153 (2016: US$9,797; 2015: US$9,177) and software licence fees of 
US$9,944 (2016: US$7,384; 2015: US$6,257).

Capital commitments

As at 31 December 2017, the Group has contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment of US$7,022 (2016: US$8,332) and 
for the acquisition of intangible assets of US$5,311 (2016: US$922).

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued2017 US$0002016 US$0002015 US$000Financial assets carried at fair valueAt the beginning of the year6,766873–Additions:– Dyna Image call option ––992– Energous warrants 4,7534,695–Unrealised fair value gain/(loss) recognised in profit or loss (other finance income):– Energous warrants 9411,929–– Dyna Image call option (142)(731)(119)At the end of the year12,3186,766873Financial liabilities carried at fair valueAt the beginning of the year–––Contingent consideration:– Addition on acquisition of Silego(23,273)––– Unwinding of discount recognised in profit or loss (interest expense)(436)––At the end of the year(23,709)––Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017143

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31.  Segment and geographic information 

a) Analysis by operating segment

Segment information is presented in the financial statements on a basis consistent with the information presented to the Management Team (the 
“chief operating decision-maker”) for the purposes of allocating resources within the Group and assessing the performance of the Group’s businesses. 
Members of the Management Team are identified on pages 64 and 65.

The Group’s reportable segments are determined based on the nature of the products that they provide to our customers and are as follows: Mobile 
Systems; Automotive & Industrial; Connectivity; and Advanced Mixed Signal (formerly Power Conversion). When we acquired Silego Technology Inc. 
and ams AG’s LED backlight business in November 2017, we added them to our Power Conversion segment and re-named it our Advanced Mixed Signal 
segment to reflect the nature of its expanded operations.
 e Mobile Systems provides power management and audio chips designed to meet the needs of the wireless systems markets and a range of advanced 

driver technologies for low power display applications – from PMOLEDs to electronic paper and MEMS displays.

 e Automotive & Industrial’s products address the safety, management and control of electronic systems in cars and for industrial applications.
 e Connectivity’s products include short-range wireless, digital cordless, Bluetooth® and VoIP technology. 
 e Advanced Mixed Signal’s products include CMICs, AC/DC converter solutions for smaller, fast charging power adaptors for portable devices as well as 

LED drivers for solid state lighting products. 

No operating segments have been aggregated in determining our reportable segments. Each operating segment has a manager who is responsible for its 
performance and is accountable to the Chief Executive Officer.

The Management Team uses operating profit as the principal measure of the profitability of each of the Group’s operating segments. Operating profit is, 
therefore, the measure of segment profit presented in the Group’s segment disclosures. Whilst the Management Team also uses underlying operating 
profit to measure segment profitability, this is used as a supplement to operating profit.  In addition to our reportable segments, we present information 
for Corporate activities. Corporate activities do not meet the definition of an operating segment. Corporate activities include emerging market businesses 
(comprising Dyna Image and those developing low cost products for the Chinese consumer market), together with central corporate costs, the share-
based compensation expense and certain other unallocated costs. In 2016, Corporate activities also included the termination fee of US$137,300 that was 
paid to us by Atmel. 

Revenue and operating profit by segments are as follows:

Revenue¹

Operating profit

Mobile Systems
Connectivity
Automotive & Industrial
Advanced Mixed Signal
Total segments
Corporate activities
Total Group
Interest income
Interest expense
Other finance income/(expense)
Profit before income taxes

2017 
US$000
1,042,908
136,443
32,975
132,714
1,345,040
7,801
1,352,841

2016 
US$000
922,946
118,334
30,014
116,808
1,188,102
9,509
1,197,611

2015 
US$000
1,114,495
117,014
34,367
84,636
1,350,512
4,800
1,355,312

2017 
US$000
271,716
14,276
12,575
(15,127)
283,440
(96,423)
187,017
5,995
(1,302)
3,093
194,803

2016 
US$000
239,859
5,342
10,126
(7,535)
247,792
62,015
309,807
3,665
(3,447)
(4,819)
305,206

2015 
US$000
341,931
8,360
9,340
(20,675)
338,956
(79,210)
259,746
1,215
(6,411)
289
254,839

1  Revenue is from sales to external customers (there were no inter-segment sales).

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017144

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31. Segment and geographic information continued

Other segment information is as follows:

1  Non-current assets excluding investments and deferred tax assets.
2  Additions to fixed assets comprise the cost of items acquired separately and the fair value of items acquired in business combinations.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedMobile Systems US$000Connectivity US$000Automotive & Industrial US$000Advanced Mixed Signal US$000Total segments US$000Corporate activities US$000Total Group US$000Year ended 31 December 2017Research and development expenses169,41330,8971,21728,628230,15548,641278,796Write-down of inventories39327609441,370(82)1,288Fixed assets¹:– Additions²43,9399,19816311,46764,7677,58772,354– Depreciation/amortisation41,6099,19362019,09270,5142,26272,776– Loss on disposal41423–419172591Impairment of non-current assets held by Dyna Image (notes 15 & 16)–––––(4,327)(4,327)Loss on deconsolidation of Dyna Image (note 4)–––––(5,597)(5,597)Acquisition-related costs–––––4,5394,539Integration costs–––––2,3052,305Year ended 31 December 2016Research and development expenses151,84229,4971,15422,527205,02036,325241,345Write-down of inventories2,2362381651,6524,291844,375Fixed assets¹:– Additions²33,9157,1371924,64745,8918,04753,938– Depreciation/amortisation36,6956,89270217,29461,5832,23463,817– Loss on disposal305––1454501,1191,569Atmel termination fee (note 3)–––––137,300137,300Costs of aborted merger with Atmel (note 3)–––––3,4853,485Year ended 31 December 2015Research and development expenses140,06625,7472,48823,282191,58331,599223,182Write-down of inventories7,1923942021,3099,097(50)9,047Fixed assets¹:– Additions²50,9387,5854465,87564,8448,40373,247– Depreciation/amortisation31,0106,46771915,75453,9501,32755,277– Loss on disposal955––2621,2175341,751Costs of aborted merger with Atmel (note 3)–––––17,60417,604Integration costs–––––176176Increase in iWatt contingent consideration (note 3)–––––3,3753,375Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017145

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31. Segment and geographic information continued

b) Geographic information

1  Non-current assets excluding investments and deferred tax assets.

c) Information about major customers

During each of the years ended 31 December 2017, 2016 and 2015, there was only one customer, Apple Inc., that accounted for more than 10% of the 
Group’s revenue. Revenue from Apple Inc. was US$1,042,669 in 2017, of which US$1,035,412 was recognised in the Mobile Systems segment and US$7,257 
was recognised in the Advanced Mixed Signal segment. Revenue from Apple Inc. was US$889,904 in 2016 and US$1,077,701 in 2015, in both cases 
recognised wholly in the Mobile Systems segment.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued2017 US$0002016 US$0002015 US$000Revenue by shipment destinationUnited Kingdom529421903Other European countries46,43248,06354,859Mainland China1,034,847884,1871,080,488Hong Kong196,722212,261165,645Other Asian countries61,11141,01342,849Rest of the world13,20011,66610,568Total1,352,8411,197,6111,355,3122017 US$0002016 US$0002015 US$000Non-current assets¹ by locationUnited Kingdom48,76196,89099,992Germany58,78244,99246,518Netherlands52,79149,98246,907USA589,753236,245255,979Taiwan2,22213,1963,106Rest of the world9,2996,4447,098Total761,608447,749459,600Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017146

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32.  Financial risk management 

Background

The Group’s central treasury function is responsible for ensuring that adequate funding is available to meet the Group’s requirements and for maintaining 
an efficient capital structure, together with managing the Group’s counterparty credit risk, foreign currency and interest rate exposures. All treasury 
operations are conducted within strict policies and guidelines that are approved by the Board. 

We use currency derivatives to manage currency risk and we hold certain equity options and warrants for strategic reasons. We do not hold or issue 
derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk that a customer or a counterparty financial institution fails to meet its contractual obligations as they fall due causing the Group to incur 
a financial loss. The Group is exposed to credit risk in relation to receivables from its customers and cash and cash equivalents and other financial assets held 
with financial institutions.

Before accepting a new customer, we assess the potential customer’s credit quality and establish a credit limit. Credit quality is assessed using data 
maintained by reputable credit agencies, by checking references included in credit applications, and, where they are available, by reviewing the customer’s 
recent financial statements. Credit limits are subject to multiple levels of authorisation and are reviewed on a regular basis.

The Group depends on a relatively small number of customers for a substantial part of its revenue. As at 31 December 2017, trade accounts receivable 
amounted to US$51,959 (2016: US$64,685), including US$34,038 (2016: US$45,845) due from our largest customer.

We utilise uncommitted non-recourse receivables financing facilities provided by two financial institutions in an aggregate amount of US$240 million. 
The principal facility is for US$220 million and matures on 30 April 2018.

Receivables sold under these facilities are derecognised from the Group’s balance sheet because the financial institutions concerned assume all credit risk 
associated with them. When a receivable is sold, the Group is credited with the majority of the invoice amount with the balance credited on the earlier 
of the date on which the customer pays the amount due or 120 days after the receivable becomes due for payment. As at 31 December 2017, cash and 
cash equivalents included a benefit of US$145,100 (2016: US$88,876) in relation to receivables sold under these facilities and trade and other receivables 
included US$26,227 (2016: US$16,088) retained by the financial institutions. 

We transact with financial institutions subject to limits which are set based on a credit rating matrix in accordance with treasury policy. Cash is placed on 
deposit only with counterparties whose median credit rating is not less than A- (Standard & Poor’s), A3 (Moody’s) or A- (Fitch). Credit risk is further limited by 
investing only in liquid instruments.

Market risk

Market risk is the risk that the fair value of, or cash flows associated with, a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. 
Market risk comprises three types of risk: currency risk (due to changes in currency exchange rates), interest rate risk (due to changes in market interest 
rates) and other price risk.

a) Currency risk
The US dollar is the functional currency of the Company and its principal subsidiaries. 

Currency risk arises on transactions that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity that enters into them. Nearly all 
of the Group’s sales and cost of materials are denominated in US dollars but certain operating expenses are denominated in currencies other than the 
US dollar, in particular the Euro and the pound sterling. It is the Group’s policy to hedge a proportion of the currency risk associated with highly probable 
forecast cash outflows on a rolling 12-month basis. As the timing of the forecast cash outflows draws nearer, the proportion of the currency risk that is 
hedged increases within set parameters. 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017147

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32. Financial risk management continued

Forward currency contracts that are entered into for this purpose are designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedge relationships. During 2017, 
a gain of US$16,433 (2016: loss of US$13,264; 2015: loss of US$18,960), was recognised in other comprehensive income representing the change in the 
fair value of currency derivatives in effective hedging relationships and a cumulative gain of US$441 (2016: loss of US$8,382; 2015: loss of US$31,980) was 
reclassified to profit or loss on the occurrence of the hedged cash flows. 

Currency derivatives held to hedge forecast cash outflows were as follows:

If the US dollar was to depreciate or appreciate by 10% against each of the foreign currencies in respect of which there were effective cash flow hedges in 
place as at 31 December 2017, there would be an incremental fair value gain of US$18,367 (2016: US$23,395) or an incremental fair value loss of US$15,027 
(2016: US$19,141), respectively, recognised in other comprehensive income that would be reclassified to profit or loss on the occurrence of the hedged 
cash flows.

Currency translation risk arises on financial assets and liabilities that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity that 
holds them. The Group’s policy allows for such exposures to be hedged using currency derivatives. 

During 2017 and 2016, we used forward currency contracts and currency swaps to hedge the translation exposure on the Euro-denominated liabilities 
that arose in relation to successive tranches of the Company’s share buyback programme. At the end of 2017, there were no such contracts outstanding 
because there were no uncompleted share buyback tranches. 

After taking into account currency hedging activities, the currency profile of the Group’s net financial assets/(liabilities) was as follows:

US dollar
Euro
Pound sterling
Taiwanese dollar
Other
Total

As at 
31 December  
2017 
US$000
484,493
(10,637)
(4,104)
186
1,823
471,761

As at 
31 December  
2016 
US$000
626,958
6,810
(2,780)
(665)
801
631,124

If the US dollar was to appreciate or depreciate by 10% against each of the foreign currencies in which financial assets and financial liabilities were 
denominated as at 31 December 2017, there would be an exchange gain of US$1,273 (2016: loss of US$417) or an exchange loss of US$1,273 (2016: gain of 
US$417), respectively, recognised in arriving at the Group’s profit before tax.

Currency translation risk also arises on consolidation in relation to the translation into US dollars of net investments in foreign operations but the exposure is 
not significant because the US dollar is the functional currency of the Company and each of its principal subsidiaries.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedAs at 31 December 2017 Net notional amountEuro US$000Pound sterling US$000Japanese Yen US$000Chinese Renminbi US$000Maturity0–3 months33,50011,650185,00016,0004–6 months27,50010,000120,0009,0007–9 months20,0006,500135,00013,00010–12 months11,0004,00060,0006,000Total92,00032,150500,00044,000Weighted average exchange rate US$ =0.860.77109.976.83As at 31 December 2016 Net notional amountEuro US$000Pound sterling US$000Japanese Yen US$000Chinese Renminbi US$000Maturity0–3 months40,00011,000175,00014,0004–6 months37,1008,700118,0008,0007–9 months26,5007,50085,0008,50010–12 months12,0003,50045,0003,000Total115,60030,700423,00033,500Weighted average exchange rate US$ =0.900.75106.316.79Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017148

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32. Financial risk management continued

b) Interest risk
The interest rate profile of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities was as follows:

The Group’s principal exposure to interest rate risk is in relation to interest income on short-term deposits, which attract US dollar interest rates.

When applied to the Group’s floating interest rate exposures as at 31 December 2017, an increase of 50 basis points in market interest rates would increase 
the Group’s profit before tax by US$1,645 (2016: US$3,041) and a decrease of 50 basis points would reduce the Group’s profit before tax by US$1,645 (2016: 
US$2,940). 

c) Other price risk
In November 2016 and July 2017, the Company subscribed for common shares and was granted warrants to purchase common shares in Energous 
Corporation (“Energous”). Energous’ common shares are listed on NASDAQ. At the end of 2017, the fair value of the shares held was US$33,837 and the fair 
value of the warrants was US$12,318. Changes in the fair value of the shares are recognised in other comprehensive income and changes in the fair value of 
the warrants are recognised in profit or loss. 

Assuming all other factors remain constant, the effect of a 10% increase in Energous’ share price as at 31 December 2017 would be to increase the Group’s 
profit before tax by US$2,079 (2016: US$994) and to increase other comprehensive income by US$3,384 (2016: US$1,287) and the effect of a 10% decrease 
in the share price would be to reduce the Group’s profit before tax by US$1,998 (2016: US$960) and to reduce other comprehensive income by US$3,384 
(2016: US$1,287).

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that an entity will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with its financial liabilities.

We regularly monitor cash flows at both Group and entity level. As at 31 December 2017, cash and cash equivalents amounted to US$479,295 (2016: 
US$697,167). 

On 28 July 2017, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as guarantors, entered into a US$150 million three-year revolving credit facility provided by 
four financial institutions. The facility is committed and available for general corporate purposes. On the first and second anniversary of the facility, there is 
the option to extend the maturity date by a further year subject to the consent of the lenders. The Company has the option to increase the amount of the 
facility by US$75 million subject to certain conditions. The credit agreement contains various provisions, covenants and representations that are customary 
for such a facility.

The facility remained undrawn as at 31 December 2017. 

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedAs at 31 December 2017Interest-bearingFloating rate US$000Fixed rate US$000Non-interest bearing US$000Total US$000Financial assetsCash and cash equivalents334,195–145,100479,295Trade and other receivables––78,18678,186Investments––46,15546,155Other financial assets––8,7398,739Total financial assets334,195–278,180612,375Financial liabilitiesTrade and other payables––(107,195)(107,195)Other financial liabilities–(1,651)(31,768)(33,419)Total financial liabilities–(1,651)(138,963)(140,614)As at 31 December 2016Interest-bearingFloating rate US$000Fixed rate US$000Non-interest bearing US$000Total US$000Financial assetsCash and cash equivalents608,291–88,876697,167Trade and other receivables––80,77380,773Investments––21,07821,078Other financial assets––1,2541,254Total financial assets608,291–191,981800,272Financial liabilitiesTrade and other payables––(89,645)(89,645)Other financial liabilities–(5,934)(73,569)(79,503)Total financial liabilities–(5,934)(163,214)(169,148)Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017149

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32. Financial risk management continued

Contractual undiscounted future cash flows related to the Group’s financial liabilities were as follows:

Capital management

The Group’s capital is represented by its total equity. As at 31 December 2017, the Group’s total equity was US$1,342,421 (2016: US$1,194,906).

We seek to maintain a capital structure that supports the ongoing activities of our business and its strategic objectives in order to deliver long-term returns 
to shareholders. We allocate capital to support organic and inorganic growth, investing to support research and development and our product pipeline. 
We will fund our growth strategy using a mix of equity and debt after giving consideration to prevailing market conditions. 

During 2016, we initiated a share buyback programme as part of our strategy to deliver shareholder returns. Between May 2016 and June 2017, we 
returned €168.65 million (US$184,656) to shareholders under the first three tranches of the programme. We renewed the share buyback authority at the 
Company’s AGM in May 2017. We have not yet announced any purchases under the 2017 AGM authority and will consider the continuation of the share 
buyback programme in parallel with our regular assessment of the Group’s future growth opportunities and its strategic objectives.

33.  Transactions with related parties

Key management personnel

For the purpose of these disclosures, the Group’s key management personnel comprise the Management Team (which includes the Company’s Executive 
Director) and the Company’s non-executive Directors.

Compensation of the Group’s key management personnel was as follows:

Short-term employee benefits
Post-employment benefits
Share-based compensation
Total

2017 
US$000
6,712
267
10,895
17,874

2016 
US$000
7,278
224
10,751
18,253

2015 
US$000
6,055
262
5,797
12,114

Current members of the Company’s Board are identified on pages 62 and 63 and current members of the Management Team are identified on 
pages 64 and 65.

Statutory information about Directors’ remuneration is presented in the Directors’ remuneration report on pages 75 to 90.

During 2017, the aggregate emoluments payable to Directors in respect of qualifying services to the Company amounted to US$3,370 (2016: US$2,262; 
2015: US$2,726). Share options and awards granted to the Executive Director under long-term incentive plans that have vested or will vest based on the 
Group’s and/or the Executive Director’s performance over a period ending during the year had an estimated value on vesting of US$1,941 (2016: US$4,529; 
2015: US$4,123).

Other related party transactions

During the years ended 31 December 2017, 2016 and 2015, there were no other related party transactions that are required to be reported in these 
consolidated financial statements.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements continuedAs at 31 December 2017As at 31 December 2016Within 3 months US$0003 to 12 months US$0001 to 5 years US$000Within 3 months US$0003 to 12 months US$0001 to 5 years US$000Trade and other payables107,195––89,645––Finance lease and hire purchase obligations834817–7323,6771,525Deferred consideration3,1442,3122,506–––Contingent consideration9,343–17,626–––Share buyback obligation–––61,073––Other non-derivative liabilities13,3213,12920,13261,8053,6771,525Cash flows on non-derivative liabilities120,5163,12920,132151,4503,6771,525Cash flows on derivative liabilities– Payments4,61845,256–126,936114,363–– Receipts(4,552)(44,882)–(120,043)(108,338)–Cash flows on financial liabilities120,5823,50320,132158,3439,7021,525Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017150

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Company balance sheet 

As at 31 December

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 28 February 2018 and were signed on its behalf by:

Dr Jalal Bagherli
Director

Note2017 US$0002016 US$000AssetsCash and cash equivalents326,543604,052Other financial assets6,649–Amounts owed by group undertakings179,618243,664Other current assets723700Total current assets513,533848,416Investments in subsidiaries4840,109632,125Other investments547,03419,490Intangible assets318456Other non-current assets503–Total non-current assets887,964652,071Total assets1,401,4971,500,487Liabilities and equityAmounts owed to group undertakings363,923625,668Trade and other payables3,1191,209Other financial liabilities9773,568Income tax payable64,938–Other payables124122Total current liabilities372,201700,567Non-current liabilities8,6714,695Ordinary shares14,20414,402Share premium account403,660403,687Retained earnings595,270456,350Other reserves8,393(58,606)Dialog shares held by employee benefit trusts(902)(20,608)Total equity71,020,625795,225Total liabilities and equity1,401,4971,500,487Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017151

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Company statement of changes in equity 

Year ended 31 December

Ordinary shares US$000Share premium account US$000Retained earnings US$000Other reserves (note 7) US$000Dialog shares held by employee benefit trusts US$000Total US$000As at 1 January 201614,402403,687416,284–(24,630)809,743Net income––100,852––100,852Other comprehensive income–––2,866–2,866Total comprehensive income/(loss)––100,8522,866–103,718Other changes in equity:– Purchase of own shares into treasury––(1,643)(61,472)–(63,115)– Share buyback obligation––(63,077)––(63,077)– Purchase of shares by employee benefit trusts––––(3,127)(3,127)– Sale of shares by employee benefit trusts––3,934–7,14911,083As at 31 December 201614,402403,687456,350(58,606)(20,608)795,225Net income––296,968––296,968Other comprehensive income/(loss)–––4,956–4,956Total comprehensive income/(loss)––296,9684,956–301,924Other changes in equity:– Shares issued to employee benefit trust373(27)––(373)(27)– Purchase of own shares into treasury––3,024(125,050)–(122,026)– Share buyback obligation––62,584––62,584– Cancellation of treasury shares(571)–(186,522)187,093––– Purchase of shares by employee benefit trusts––––(24,301)(24,301)– Sale of shares by employee benefit trusts––(37,134)–44,3807,246As at 31 December 201714,204403,660595,2708,393(902)1,020,625Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017152

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Notes to the Company financial statements 

For the year ended 31 December 2017

1.  Background

Description of business

Dialog Semiconductor Plc (“the Company”) is a public limited company that is incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The Company’s 
ordinary shares are listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

The Company is the ultimate parent of a group of companies that creates and markets highly-integrated, mixed-signal integrated circuits, optimised for 
personal, portable, hand-held devices, low energy short-range wireless, LED solid state lighting and automotive applications.

Statement of compliance

The Company’s separate financial statements on pages 150 to 155 have been prepared in accordance with FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework 
and those parts of the Companies Act 2006 that are applicable to companies reporting under FRS 101. Accordingly, the Company’s separate financial 
statements comply with the recognition and measurement requirements of IFRS as adopted for use in the European Union but they exclude certain 
disclosures that would otherwise be required under that body of accounting standards.

Basis of preparation

The Company’s separate financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and in accordance with the historical cost convention, except 
that certain investments and derivative financial instruments are stated at their fair value.

The Company’s significant accounting policies are set out in note 2.

Presentation currency

The Company’s separate financial statements are presented in US dollars (“US$”), which is the Company’s functional currency. All US dollar amounts are 
rounded to the nearest thousand (“US$000”), except where otherwise stated. 

Disclosure exemptions utilised under FRS 101 

In preparing the Company’s separate financial statements, the Directors utilised the following exemptions from the disclosure requirements of IFRS 
adopted for use in the European Union that are available to them under FRS 101:
 e Paragraphs 45(b) (number and weighted average exercise prices of share options) and 46 to 52 (determination of fair value of options and awards 

granted and financial effect of share-based compensation) of IFRS 2 Share-based Payment.

 e IFRS 7 Financial Instruments – Disclosures.
 e Paragraphs 91 to 99 (disclosure requirements) of IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement.
 e Paragraph 38 of IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements with regard to comparative information requirements in respect of paragraph 79(a)(iv) of IAS 1 

(reconciliation of the number of the Company’s shares outstanding at the beginning and end of the period).

 e Paragraphs 10(d) (statement of cash flows), 16 (statement of compliance with IFRS), 38(A to D) (comparative information), 111 (statement of cash flows) 

and 134 to 136 (disclosures about capital) of IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements.

 e IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows.
 e Paragraphs 30 and 31 of IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors (discussion of IFRSs issued by the IASB but not yet adopted 

by the Company).

 e Paragraph 17 of IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures (compensation of key management personnel) and the further requirement in IAS 24 to disclose related 

party transactions entered into with a subsidiary, provided the subsidiary is wholly-owned by the Company. 

Approval of the financial statements

The Company’s separate financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017 were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 
28 February 2018.

2.  Significant accounting policies

Investments in subsidiaries 

A subsidiary is an entity that is controlled, either directly or indirectly, by the Company. Control exists when the Company is exposed, or has rights, to 
variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power to direct the activities of the entity that 
significantly affect its returns. 

Investments in subsidiaries represent interests in the Company’s subsidiaries that are directly owned by the Company and are stated at cost less provision 
for impairment.

Investments in associates

An associate is an entity over which the Company has significant influence. Significant influence is the power to participate in financial and operating 
policy decisions but not to control or jointly control them. Significant influence generally exists where the Company holds, directly or indirectly through 
one or more of its subsidiaries, more than 20% and less than 50% of the shareholders’ voting rights.

Investments in associates are stated at cost less provision for impairment.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017153

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Notes to the Company financial statements continued 

For the year ended 31 December 2017

2.  Significant accounting policies continued

Foreign currency translation

Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded in US dollars at the exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets 
and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate ruling at the balance sheet date. Currency translation differences are 
recognised in profit or loss.

Financial instruments

(a)  Amounts owed by/to group undertakings
Amounts owed by/to group undertakings are initially measured at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method.

(b)  Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand, and cash deposits with an original maturity of three months or less. 

(c)  Available-for-sale investments
Available-for-sale investments are initially measured at fair value plus transaction costs, if any. Such investments are subsequently measured at fair value and 
gains and losses are recognised in other comprehensive income, except for impairment losses arising from the significant or prolonged decline in fair value 
which are recognised in profit or loss. 

(d)  Derivative financial instruments
The Company holds derivative financial instruments that are used to reduce the exposure of its subsidiaries to currency exchange rate movements. 
The Company also holds equity options and warrants in relation to certain of its strategic investments. The Company does not hold or issue derivatives for 
speculative purposes.

All derivative financial instruments held by the Company are measured at fair value. All fair value gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss. Where the 
fair value of a derivative on initial recognition differs from the transaction price, if any, the difference is recognised immediately in profit or loss only if the fair 
value is evidenced by a quoted price in an active market or is based on a valuation technique that uses only data from observable markets. 

Income taxes 

Current tax is the amount of tax payable or recoverable in respect of the taxable profit or loss for the period. 

Deferred tax is tax expected to be payable or recoverable on temporary differences between the carrying amount of an asset or liability in the financial 
statements and its tax base used in the computation of taxable profit. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences. 
Deferred tax assets are generally recognised for all deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available in 
the future against which they can be utilised.

Current tax and deferred tax is recognised in profit or loss unless it relates to an item that is recognised in the same or a different period outside profit or 
loss, in which case the related tax is also recognised outside profit or loss, either in other comprehensive income or directly in equity.

Share-based compensation

The Company operates share-based compensation plans under which it grants options and other awards over its ordinary shares to employees of its 
subsidiaries. Awards granted under the existing plans are classified as equity-settled awards. 

The Company recognises a compensation expense that is based on the fair value of the awards measured at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option 
pricing formula or a Monte Carlo valuation model. 

Shares held by employee benefit trusts

The Company provides finance to two trusts to purchase the Company’s ordinary shares in order to meet its obligations under its share-based 
compensation plans. When the trusts purchase such shares, the cost of the shares is debited to equity and subsequent sales or transfers of the shares by the 
trusts are accounted for within equity. 

Treasury shares

Treasury shares comprise the Company’s ordinary shares that have been purchased under the Company’s share buyback programme. Purchases made 
under the programme are off market and are effected by way of contingent forward share purchase contracts with third-party brokers. Subsequent sales, 
transfers or cancellations of treasury shares held by the Company are accounted for within equity.

3.  Income statement

As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company’s income statement has not been included in these financial statements. 
The Company’s profit after tax was US$296,968 (2016: US$100,852).

During 2017, the Company had no employees (2016: none). 

Directors’ remuneration is set out in the Directors’ remuneration report on pages 75 to 90.

Fees payable to the Company’s auditors, Deloitte LLP, are set out in note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.

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Notes to the Company financial statements continued

For the year ended 31 December 2017

4.  Investments in subsidiaries 

Movements in the carrying amount of subsidiaries owned directly by the Company were as follows:

Details of the Company’s subsidiaries as at 31 December 2017 are set out on page 167.

As at 31 December 2016, the Company had an ownership interest of 45.7% in Dyna Image Corporation. As explained in note 4 to the consolidated financial 
statements, Dyna Image was formerly accounted for as a subsidiary but the Company lost the power to direct its relevant activities in December 2017 and 
it was reclassified as an associate. 

In January 2017, the Company’s direct ownership interest in Dyna Image decreased from 45.7% to 38.7% following an issue of new shares in Dyna Image. 
One of the Company’s subsidiaries participated in the share issue with the effect that the Company’s direct and indirect ownership interest in Dyna Image 
increased from 45.7% to 48.5%. 

When Dyna Image was reclassified as an associate, the investment was written down to US$879 and the Company recognised a corresponding 
impairment loss of US$6,645.

5.  Other investments

Other investments were as follows:

Investment in associate
Strategic investments
Available-for-sale investments:
– Energous shares
Derivative financial instruments:
– Energous warrants 
Total strategic investments
Total other investments

Investment in associate

As at 
31 December  
2017 
US$000
879

As at 
31 December  
2016 
US$000
–

33,837

12,866

12,318
46,155
47,034

6,624
19,490
19,490

As at 31 December 2017, the Company held a 38.7% ownership interest in Dyna Image Corporation. Details of the associate are set out on page 167. 

Other investments

Energous Corporation
In November 2016, the Company entered into a strategic alliance with Energous Corporation (“Energous”), the developer of WattUp®, a wire-free charging 
technology. At that time, the Company subscribed for 763,552 common shares in Energous and was granted warrants to purchase up to 763,552 common 
shares that are exercisable in full or in part on a cashless basis at any time between May 2017 and November 2019. The Company initially recognised the 
warrants at their grant date fair value of US$4,695 and an equivalent deferred credit within non-current liabilities. The Company will amortise the deferred 
credit to profit or loss in relation to the royalties that may be payable for the use of Energous’ Intellectual Property over the initial seven-year term of the 
strategic alliance. Amortisation of the deferred credit has not yet commenced.

On 5 July 2017, the Company subscribed for a further 976,139 common shares in Energous at a cost of US$15,000 and was granted a second tranche of 
warrants to purchase up to 654,013 common shares that are exercisable in full or in part on a cashless basis at any time between January 2018 and July 
2020. The Company initially recognised the second tranche of the warrants at their grant date fair value of US$4,753 and an equivalent deferred credit 
within non-current liabilities. The Company is amortising the deferred credit to profit or loss over the three-year period from the grant date to the expiry of 
the warrants.

During 2017, the Company recognised a fair value gain on the shares of US$5,971 (2016: gain of US$2,866) in other comprehensive income and a fair value 
gain of US$941 (2016: gain of US$1,929) on the warrants in profit or loss. Also during 2017, the Company recognised a credit of US$776 in profit or loss on 
the amortisation of the fair value on initial recognition of the second tranche of the warrants.

US$000As at 1 January 2017632,125Additions215,508Impairment(6,645)Reclassification to investment in associate(879)As at 31 December 2017840,109Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017155

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Notes to the Company financial statements continued

For the year ended 31 December 2017

6.  Income tax 

During 2017, previously unrecognised deferred tax assets were utilised to reduce taxable profit. Due to recently enacted UK tax laws restricting the 
utilisation of tax loss carryforwards, however, the taxable profit was not fully offset. Consequently, there was current tax payable of US$4,938 as at 
31 December 2017.

As at 31 December 2017, deferred tax assets were recognised for tax loss carryforwards of US$5,971 to offset deferred tax liabilities recognised in relation 
to remeasurement gains on available-for-sale investments. Deferred tax assets were not recognised for remaining loss carryforwards of US$3,783 and 
deductible temporary differences amounting to US$135 since it is not considered probable that taxable profits will be available in the future against which 
they can be utilised.

7.  Share capital and reserves

a)  Share capital and share premium account

Details of the Company’s share capital are set out in note 24 to the consolidated financial statements.

The share premium account represents the difference between the nominal value of shares issued and the fair value of the consideration received. 
The share premium account is not distributable but may be used for certain purposes specified by United Kingdom law, including to write off expenses on 
any issue of shares and to pay up fully paid bonus shares.

b)  Other reserves

Movements on other reserves were as follows:

As at 1 January 2016
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
– Fair value gain on available-for-sale investments
Other changes in equity:
– Purchase of own shares into treasury
As at 31 December 2016
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
– Fair value loss on available-for-sale investments
– Income tax (expense)/credit
Other changes in equity:
– Purchase of own shares into treasury
– Cancellation of treasury shares
As at 31 December 2017

Capital redemption 
reserve 
US$000
–

Available-for-sale 
securities 
US$000
–

Treasury 
shares 
US$000
–

Total 
US$000
–

–

–
–

–
–

–
571
571

2,866

–
2,866

5,971
(1,015)

–
–
7,822

–

2,866

(61,472)
(61,472)

–
–

(61,472)
(58,606)

5,971
(1,015)

(125,050)
186,522
–

(125,050)
187,093
8,393

Treasury shares were shares purchased under the Company’s share buyback programme. Details of purchases made under the programme during 2016 
and 2017 are set out in note 25 to the consolidated financial statements. 

On 23 June 2017, the Company cancelled all of the treasury shares that it held following completion of the third tranche of the share buyback programme. 
On cancellation, the total cost of the treasury shares was transferred from treasury shares and set against retained earnings and the nominal value of the 
shares cancelled of US$571 was transferred from share capital to a non-distributable capital redemption reserve.

c)  Distributable profits

Profits available for distribution by the Company comprise its accumulated realised profits less its accumulated realised losses, subject to the restriction that 
a distribution may not reduce the Company’s net assets below the aggregate of its called up share capital and its undistributable reserves.

The Directors consider that the Company’s distributable profits as at 31 December 2017 amounted to US$582,780 (2016: US$377,136).

d)  Dialog shares held by employee benefit trusts

The Company provides finance to two trusts to purchase its ordinary shares in order to meet its obligations under its share-based compensation plans. 
As at 31 December 2017, the trusts held 2,791,027 ordinary shares (2016: 574,600 ordinary shares). An analysis of movements in the number of shares held 
by the trusts is presented in note 28 to the consolidated financial statements.

8.  Share-based compensation

A description of the share-based compensation plans operated by the Company, together with information about share options exercised and 
outstanding is presented in note 28 to the consolidated financial statements. 

9.  Guarantees

General guarantees have been issued by the Company under Article 403, Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code in respect of its Dutch subsidiaries, in order that 
they do not have to file annual accounts in the Netherlands. 

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Financial performance measures

Use of non-IFRS measures

We use a number of measures to assess our financial performance, to ensure our performance is aligned to strategy and continued alignment with 
shareholders’ interests. We consider certain of these measures to be particularly important and identify them as “key performance indicators” (KPIs). We have 
identified the following financial measures as KPIs: revenue growth; gross margin, operating expenses as a percentage of revenue; operating profit margin; 
diluted EPS and free cash flow. We monitor the profit or loss measures that are KPIs on both an IFRS basis and an underlying basis. 

Underlying measures of performance and free cash flow are non-IFRS measures because they exclude amounts that are included in, or include amounts 
that are excluded from, the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS or are calculated using financial measures 
that are not calculated in accordance with IFRS. We do not regard non-IFRS measures as a substitute for, or superior to, the equivalent IFRS measures. Non-
IFRS measures presented by us may not be directly comparable with similarly-titled measures used by other companies.

Underlying measures of performance

We report underlying measures of performance because we believe they provide both management and investors with useful additional information about 
the financial performance of our businesses. Underlying measures of performance represent the equivalent IFRS measures adjusted for specific items that are 
considered by us to hinder comparison of the financial performance of our businesses either from one period to another or with other similar businesses. 

Underlying measures of performance exclude items that can have a significant effect on the Group’s profit or loss. We compensate for these limitations by 
monitoring separately the items that are excluded from the equivalent IFRS measures in calculating the underlying measures.

We outline below the specific items of income and expense that are recognised in profit or loss in accordance with IFRS but are excluded from our 
underlying results and their related tax effects.

Share-based compensation

We exclude the share-based compensation expense recognised in relation to options and awards granted under the Company’s share-based 
compensation plans because the awards are equity-settled and therefore have no immediate effect on shareholders’ returns. We additionally exclude 
the effect on profit or loss of changes in the accrual for payroll taxes payable on the exercise or vesting of such options and awards because the accrual 
fluctuates with the Company’s share price and the effect on profit or loss is therefore not necessarily indicative of our trading performance. 

Business combinations

We exclude those effects of applying the acquisition method of accounting under IFRS that we consider are not indicative of the Group’s trading 
performance, including the accounting for transaction costs; the deferred revenue and inventories of acquired businesses; the recognition of certain 
elements of the purchase price as a compensation expense; and the recognition of remeasurements of contingent consideration in profit or loss. We also 
exclude transaction costs and termination fees relating to business combinations that are not consummated. We excluded the following such items from 
our underlying results during the periods presented:
 e in 2017, transaction costs incurred on the acquisition of Silego and ams AG’s LED backlight business;
 e in 2017, the recognition in cost of sales of the fair value uplift to inventory held by Silego and the LED backlight business at the acquisition date, the 
element of deferred amounts payable for Silego that is recognised as a compensation expense and the unwinding of the discount on the liability for 
contingent consideration payable for Silego; 

 e in 2016, the termination fee received on the aborted merger with Atmel and, in 2016 and 2015, related transaction costs; and
 e in 2015, the adjustment made to the contingent consideration payable on the acquisition of iWatt.

We have also excluded the amortisation of identifiable intangible assets that are recognised in business combinations in order that the performance of 
those businesses that we have acquired may be compared fairly with those businesses that we have developed on an organic basis.

Integration costs

We exclude the costs of integrating acquired businesses because they are non-recurring costs that hinder the assessment of the financial performance of 
acquired businesses. In 2017, we incurred costs in relation to the integration of Silego, which principally comprised employee severance costs.

Effective interest on financial liabilities

We adjust our interest expense to exclude the non-cash element of the interest expense recognised in relation to a patent licensing agreement that is held 
under a hire purchase contract within other intangible assets and the liability component of the 1% Convertible Bonds 2017 prior to their early conversion in 
April 2015. We consider in each case that the cash interest payments are more indicative of the effect of these arrangements on shareholders’ returns. 

Strategic investments

We exclude the effect on profit or loss of the measurement at fair value of our strategic investments (comprising the shares and the warrants that we hold 
in Energous, our call option over the non-controlling interests in Dyna Image and, until they were sold in May 2017, the shares that we held in Arctic Sand). 
We hold these instruments for strategic reasons linked to our commercial partnerships with these companies. Since we do not hold these instruments for 
trading purposes, we exclude fluctuations in their fair values when assessing our trading performance. 

In December 2017, the shareholders in Dyna Image decided that it should be gradually wound down in a way that would safeguard the interests of its 
creditors. As a consequence of this decision, we recognised impairment losses totalling US$4,327 in relation to the intangible assets and property, plant and 
equipment held by Dyna Image and ceased to account for it as a subsidiary, recognising a loss of US$5,597 on deconsolidation. Since these are discrete 
non-recurring losses, we have excluded them from our underlying results.

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Financial performance measures continued

Underlying measures of performance continued

Income tax effect of underlying adjustments

We calculate the income tax effect of underlying adjustments by considering the specific tax treatment of each item and by applying the relevant statutory 
tax rate to those items that are taxable or deductible for tax purposes.

US tax reform

In December 2017, the US President signed into law significant reforms of the US tax system, including a reduction of the Federal corporate income tax rate 
from 35% to 21% . Our income tax expense for 2017 reflects a non-cash deferred tax credit of US$6,658 resulting from the remeasurement of US deferred 
tax balances at the lower tax rate. Since this is a discrete non-recurring benefit, we have excluded it from our underlying results.

Reconciliation of underlying measures to equivalent IFRS measures

Reconciliations of the underlying measures of performance to the equivalent IFRS measures for the years ended 31 December 2017, 2016 and 2015 are 
presented in the following tables:

Year ended 31 December 2017

Year ended 31 December 2016

US$000 unless stated otherwise
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Gross margin %
SG&A expenses
R&D expense
Other operating income
Operating profit
Operating margin %
Other finance expense
Profit before income taxes
Income tax expense
Net income
EBITDA
EBITDA margin %

Share-based 
compensation 
and related 
payroll taxes
–
1,120
1,120

Accounting 
for business 
combinations
–
7,029
7,029

Aborted 
 merger with 
Atmel
–
–
–

Effective 
 interest
–
–
–

Strategic 
investments
–
–
–

15,826
13,570
–
30,516

–
30,516
(4,686)
25,830

7,473
–
–
14,502

–
14,502
(351)
14,151

3,485
–
(137,300)
(133,815)

1,913
(131,902)
(383)
(132,285)

–
–
–
–

526
526
(105)
421

–
–
–
–

(1,199)
(1,199)
386
(813)

IFRS 
basis
1,197,611
(650,896)
546,715
45.7%
(133,271)
(241,345)
137,708
309,807
25.9%
(4,601)
305,206
(47,090)
258,116
n/a
n/a

Underlying 
basis
1,197,611
(642,747)
554,864
46.3%
(106,487)
(227,775)
408
221,010
18.5%
(3,361)
217,649
(52,229)
165,420
269,681
22.5%

US$000 unless stated otherwiseIFRS basisShare-based compensation and related payroll taxesAccounting for business combinationsIntegration costsEffective  interestStrategic investmentsUS tax reformUnderlying basisRevenue1,352,841––––––1,352,841Cost of sales(732,188)1,2199,844––––(721,125)Gross profit620,6531,2199,844––––631,716Gross margin %45.9%46.7%SG&A expenses(145,262)16,28514,3581,121–––(113,498)R&D expense(278,796)17,9945121,184–––(259,106)Other operating (expense)/income(9,578)––––9,924–346Operating profit187,01735,49824,7142,305–9,924–259,458Operating margin %13.8%19.2%Other finance income7,786–436–289(1,398)–7,113Profit before income taxes194,80335,49825,1502,3052898,526–266,571Income tax expense(25,369)(3,476)(4,187)(701)(56)1,889(6,658)(38,558)Net income169,43432,02220,9631,60423310,415(6,658)228,013EBITDAn/a315,773EBITDA margin %n/a23.3%Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017158

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Financial performance measures continued

Reconciliation of underlying measures to equivalent IFRS measures continued

Year ended 31 December 2015

Accounting for business combinations

We excluded from the underlying measures of performance the following specific items arising from business combinations accounting under IFRS:

US$000
Acquisition-related costs
Fair value uplift of acquired inventory
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets

Consideration accounted for as compensation expense
Remeasurement of contingent consideration
Increase in profit before income taxes
Income tax credit
Increase in net income

Explanation of financial performance measures

Change in revenue

2017
4,539
2,305
16,461

1,409
436
25,150
(4,187)
20,963

2016
–
–
14,502

–
–
14,502
(351)
14,151

2015
86
–
15,024

–
3.375
18,485
(1,027)
17,458

We monitor the change in revenue from one period to another and the trend in revenue over time because they are important measures of the growth in 
our business. During the periods presented, there were no differences between revenue determined in accordance with IFRS and on an underlying basis. 
During each period, the change in revenue was as follows:

US$000 unless stated otherwise
IFRS and underlying measures
Revenue in the period 
Revenue in the comparative period 
Increase/(decrease) in revenue 

2017

2016

2015

1,352,841
1,197,611
13.0%

1,197,611
1,355,312
(11.6)%

1,355,312
1,156,105
17.2%

US$000 unless stated otherwiseIFRS basisShare-based compensation and related payroll taxesAccounting for business combinationsAborted  merger with AtmelIntegration costsEffective  interestUnderlying basisRevenue1,355,312–––––1,355,312Cost of sales(730,508)9406,600––(722,968)Gross profit624,8049406,600–––632,344Gross margin %46.1%46.7%SG&A expenses(143,035)10,28711,06117,604176–(103,907)R&D expense(223,182)10,418824–––(211,940)Other operating income1,159–––––1,159Operating profit259,74621,64518,48517,604176–317,656Operating margin %19.2%23.4%Other finance expense(4,907)––1,153–3,724(30)Profit before income taxes254,83921,64518,48518,7571763,724317,626Income tax expense(77,580)(492)(1,027)––(151)(79,250)Net income177,25921,15317,45818,7571763,573238,376EBITDAn/a357,762EBITDA margin %n/a26.4%Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017159

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Financial performance measures continued

Explanation of financial performance measures continued

Gross margin

Gross margin is gross profit expressed as a percentage of revenue. We monitor gross margin because we believe it provides a measure of the value that we 
add to our products. Gross margin determined in accordance with IFRS and on an underlying basis was as follows:

Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue

We monitor operating expenses as a percentage of revenue because we believe it provides a measure of our effort in innovation and the efficiency of our 
operating structure. Operating expenses comprise selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses and research and development (“R&D”) expenses. 
Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue determined in accordance with IFRS and on an underlying basis was as follows:

Change in operating profit 

We monitor the change in operating profit from one period to another and the trend in operating profit over time because we believe they are important 
measures of the performance of our operations. Operating profit growth determined in accordance with IFRS and on an underlying basis was as follows:

US$000 unless stated otherwise
IFRS measures
Operating profit in the period 
Operating profit in the comparative period 
(Decrease)/increase in operating profit 
Underlying measures
Operating profit in the period 
Operating profit in the comparative period 
Increase/(decrease) in operating profit 

2017

2016

2015

187,017
309,807
(39.6)%

259,458
221,010
17.4%

309,807
259,746
19.3%

221,010
317,656
(30.4)%

259,746
185,902
39.7%

317,656
230,265
38.0%

US$000 unless stated otherwise201720162015IFRS measuresRevenue1,352,8411,197,6111,355,312Gross profit620,653546,715624,804Gross margin45.9%45.7%46.1%Underlying measuresRevenue1,352,8411,197,6111,355,312Gross profit631,716554,864632,344Gross margin46.7%46.3%46.7%US$000 unless stated otherwise201720162015IFRS measuresRevenue1,352,8411,197,6111,355,312Operating expenses (424,058)(374,616)(366,217)Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue 31.3%31.3%27.0%Underlying measuresRevenue1,352,8411,197,6111,355,312Operating expenses (372,604)(334,262)(315,847)Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue 27.5%27.9%23.3%Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017160

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Financial performance measures continued

Explanation of financial performance measures continued

Operating profit margin

Operating profit margin is operating profit expressed as a percentage of revenue. We monitor operating profit margin because we believe it provides 
a measure of the overall profitability of our operations. Operating profit margin determined in accordance with IFRS and on an underlying basis was 
as follows:

Underlying EBITDA and EBITDA margin

Underlying EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure that we define as underlying net income before net finance expense, income tax expense and depreciation 
and amortisation expenses. Underlying EBITDA margin is a non-IFRS measure that represents underlying EBITDA expressed as a percentage of revenue. 
We present underlying EBITDA and underlying EBITDA margin because we believe these measures are useful to investors and other users of our financial 
information in evaluating the sensitivity of our underlying trading performance to changes in variable operating expenses. Underlying EBITDA may be 
reconciled to net income determined in accordance with IFRS as follows:

US$000
Net income
Net finance (income)/expense
Income tax expense
Depreciation expense
Amortisation expense
EBITDA
Share-based compensation and related payroll taxes
Acquisition-related costs
Fair value uplift of acquired inventory
Consideration accounted for as compensation expense
Change in fair value of contingent consideration payable
Integration costs
Impairment of intangible assets
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
Loss on deconsolidation of Dyna Image
Merger termination fee
Aborted merger costs
Underlying EBITDA

Underlying EBITDA margin was as follows:

US$000 unless stated otherwise
Underlying measures
Revenue 
EBITDA
EBITDA margin

2017
169,434
(7,786)
25,369
30,807
41,969
259,793
35,498
4,539
2,305
1,409
–
2,305
2,790
1,537
5,597
–
–
315,773

2016
258,116
4,601
47,090
27,219
35,954
372,980
30,516
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(137,300)
3,485
269,681

2015
177,259
4,907
77,580
24,010
31,120
314,876
21,645
86
–
–
3,375
176
–
–
–
–
17,604
357,762

2017

2016

2015

1,352,841
315,773
23.3%

1,197,611
269,681
22.5%

1,355,312
357,762
26.4%

US$000 unless stated otherwise201720162015IFRS measuresRevenue 1,352,8411,197,6111,355,312Operating profit 187,017309,807259,746Operating profit margin13.8%25.9%19.2%Underlying measuresRevenue 1,352,8411,197,6111,355,312Operating profit 259,458221,010317,656Operating profit margin19.2%18.5%23.4%Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017161

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Financial performance measures continued

Explanation of financial performance measures continued 

Earnings per share 

We monitor basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) on an IFRS basis and on an underlying basis. We believe that underlying EPS measures are useful 
to investors in assessing our ability to generate earnings and provide a basis for assessing the value of the Company’s shares (for example, by way of price 
earnings multiples). Earnings for calculating IFRS and underlying EPS measures were calculated as follows:

1 

 Underlying net income is reconciled to net income determined in accordance with IFRS basis in the tables set out under the heading “Reconciliation of underlying measures to equivalent 
IFRS measures”.

Underlying and diluted EPS measures are calculated using the weighted average number of shares that are used in calculating the equivalent measures 
under IFRS as presented in note 10 to the consolidated financial statements.

Basic and diluted EPS on an IFRS basis and on an underlying basis were as follows:

US$
IFRS measures
Basic EPS
Diluted EPS
Underlying measures
Basic EPS
Diluted EPS

Free cash flow

2017

2.34
2.21

3.08
2.92

2016

3.43
3.25

2.20
2.09

2015

2.42
2.29

3.25
3.02

Free cash flow is a non-IFRS measure that represents cash flow from operating activities, less capital expenditure. We believe that free cash flow is useful to 
investors because it provides a measure of the cash generated by our business that is available for expansion, to make strategic investments in, or acquire, 
other businesses, to repay borrowings and to fund distributions to shareholders. 

Free cash flow was calculated as follows:

US$000
Cash flow from operating activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Payments for capitalised development costs
Capital element of finance lease and hire purchase payments
Free cash flow

2017
284,722
(47,938)
(6,196)
(20,988)
(4,283)
205,317

2016
248,760
(25,553)
(8,177)
(15,802)
(3,834)
195,394

2015
317,663
(32,757)
(8,359)
(24,778)
(3,517)
248,252

US$000 unless stated otherwise201720162015IFRS measuresNet income169,434258,116177,259Loss attributable to non-controlling interests4,4822,8241,507Earnings for calculating basic EPS173,916260,940178,766Effective interest on Convertible Bonds––3,483Earnings for calculating diluted EPS173,916260,940182,249Underlying measuresNet income¹228,013165,420238,376Loss attributable to non-controlling interests1,4252,2991,507Earnings for calculating basic EPS229,438167,719239,883Effective interest on Convertible Bonds––503Earnings for calculating diluted EPS229,438167,719240,386Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017162

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Glossary of Terms – Technical

Technical glossary

Analog A type of signal in an electronic circuit 
that takes on a continuous range of values rather 
than only a few discrete values.

Appcessories A physical device and counterpart 
application for a mobile device typically 
controlled via Bluetooth®.

ASIC An Application Specific Integrated Circuit 
is an integrated chip, custom-designed for a 
specific application. 

ASSP An Application Specific Standard Product 
is a semiconductor device integrated circuit (“IC”) 
dedicated to a specific application and sold to 
more than one user.

Audio CODEC The interface between analog 
signals (such as the human voice) and the 
digital data processing inside a mobile phone, 
determining voice quality.

BCD process platform The incorporation 
of analog components (“Bipolar”), digital 
components (“CMOS”) and high-voltage 
transistors (“DMOS”) on the same die to reduce 
the number of components required in the bill 
of materials, minimise board space, costs and 
the parasitic losses in comparison to a non-
integrated solution.

BOM Bill of materials

Bluetooth® Smart Bluetooth® Smart is a wireless 
personal area network technology designed 
and marketed by the Bluetooth Special Interest 
Group aimed at novel applications in the 
healthcare, fitness, beacons, security, and home 
entertainment industries.

Buck converter A DC-to-DC buck converter 
accepts a direct current input voltage and 
produces a direct current output voltage to a 
plurality of channels.

CAD Computer Aided Design usually refers to 
a software tool used for designing electronics 
hardware or software systems.

CDMA Code Division Multiple Access is an 
alternative to GSM technology for mobile 
wireless networks.

Chips Electronic integrated circuits.

CMOS Complementary Metal Oxide 
Semiconductor: the most popular class of 
semiconductor manufacturing technology.

CMIC Configurable Mixed-Signal IC A 
category of ICs comprising a matrix of analog 
and digital blocks which are configurable 
through a programmable (“OTP”) non-
volatile memory.

Digital A type of signal used to transmit 
information that has only discrete levels of some 
parameter (“usually voltage”).

Digital Enhanced Cordless 
Telecommunications (“DECT”) is a wireless 
connectivity standard technology originated in 
Europe for cordless telephony.

Liquid Crystal Display (“LCD”) A display 
technology found in many portable electronics 
products, including personal organisers, cellular 
handsets and notebook computers.

LTE Long-Term Evolution is a standard for 
wireless communication of high-speed data for 
mobile phones and data terminals.

Fabless A company that designs and delivers 
semiconductors by outsourcing the fabrication 
(“manufacturing”) process.

Mixed-signal A combination of analog and 
digital signals being generated, controlled or 
modified on the same chip.

FET A Field Effect Transistor uses an electric field 
to control the shape and hence the conductivity 
of a channel of one type of charge carrier in a 
semiconductor material.

Foundry A manufacturing plant where silicon 
wafers are produced.

Hi-Fi High-Fidelity is the reproduction of sound 
with little or no distortion.

High power density In the context of travel 
adapters, chargers and power supplies, high 
power density is the ability to put higher power 
AC/DC conversion capability inside smaller 
form-factor adapter cases and power supply 
housings while avoiding thermal issues that can 
occur when operating high power electronics 
in confined, small spaces. High power density 
is achieved by enabling the use of smaller 
components that are also more highly efficient.

GaN Gallium Nitride.

IC Integrated Circuit An electronic device with 
numerous components on a single chip.

FPGA A Field-programmable gate array is an 
integrated circuit designed to be configured by a 
customer or a designer after manufacturing.

Imaging The capture and processing of images 
via an image sensor for use by an electronic 
device to send to a display for viewing by a user.

Internet of Things (“IoT”) The Internet of 
Things is an environment where everyday 
items, such as smartphones, wearable health 
meters, light bulbs, and lighting, security and 
HVAC systems, are all connected via the Internet, 
allowing them to send and receive data and be 
controlled wirelessly.

Internet of My Things It refers to the consumer 
segment of the Internet of Things.

LDO Low dropout voltage regulators are used 
in battery operated systems, where the output 
voltage is typically lower than the input voltage.

LED A Light Emitting Diode is a semiconductor 
device that emits light when charged with 
electricity, often used for LCD display backlights.

OEM An Original Equipment Manufacturer that 
builds products or components that are used in 
products sold by another company.

Original Design Manufacturer (“ODM”) 
An original design manufacturer designs and 
produces products that are specified and then 
rebranded by OEMs.

PMIC Power Management IC.

Power Management The management of 
the power requirements of various subsystems, 
important in handheld and portable 
electronics equipment.

PrimAccurate™ Dialog’s patented control 
technology that uses digital algorithms on 
the primary side of an isolated power supply 
eliminating the need for a secondary side 
regulator and optical feedback isolator to lower 
the total BOM cost, reduce the overall solution 
size and improve reliability.

Rapid Charge™ A Dialog product which enables 
substantially faster battery charging of portable 
devices via USB AC/DC power adapters.

Semiconductor A base material halfway 
between a conductor and an insulator, which 
can be physically altered by mixing in certain 
atoms. Semiconductors form the basis for 
present-day electronics.

Silicon A semi-metallic element used to 
create a wafer – and the most common 
semiconductor material – in about 95% of all 
manufactured chips.

SmartBond™ Dialog’s SmartBond™ family is the 
simplest route to delivering the most power-
friendly and flexible Bluetooth® Smart connected 
products to the market. Highly-integrated, 
SmartBond™ delivers the smallest, most power-
efficient Bluetooth® Smart solutions available – 
and enables the lowest system costs.

SmartDefender™ Dialog’s advanced cycle-by-
cycle, hiccup mode technology that addresses 
soft short circuits in adapter cables and 
connectors helping to prevent excessive heat 
build-up and damage.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017163

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Glossary of Terms – Technical continued

USB Universal Serial Bus: a universal interface 
standard to connect different electronics devices.

USB Power Delivery (“USB PD”) 
A communication protocol developed by 
the USB Implementers Forum. The USB PD 
protocol is added on top of the USB Type-C™ 
connector specification to enable a single USB 
cable/connector solution that can be used 
ubiquitously for power or charging across mobile 
devices, tablets, laptops, and even power tools, 
networking devices, and USB wall receptacles. 
The specification supports scalable power and 
performance for new and emerging electronic 
products. The USB PD specification provides 
flexible power delivery and data transfer up 
to 100W.

USB Type-C™ cable and connector 
specification A universal cable and 
connector specification developed by the 
USB Implementers Forum that addresses new, 
smaller, thinner, lighter form factor computing 
platforms and devices. It provides for a slim, 
sleek and standard connector form-factor and 
high-power cable. Combined with the USB 
Power Delivery specification, USB Type-C enables 
a single USB cable/connector solution that can 
be used ubiquitously for power or charging 
across mobile devices, tablets, laptops, and even 
power tools, networking devices, and USB wall 
receptacles. The specification supports scalable 
power and performance for new and emerging 
electronic products.

Voice Over IP Our energy-efficient multicore 
VoIP processors interact with Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi 
and DECT to enable headset and handset 
connectivity while combining industry-leading 
power consumption with the flexibility and 
processing capacity to handle a wealth of 
enterprise VoIP applications.

Wafer A slice of silicon from a 4, 5, 6 or 8 inch 
diameter silicon bar and used as the foundation 
on which to build semiconductor products.

4G Wireless broadband standard.

SmartMirror™ A technology patented by Dialog 
Semiconductor which simplifies circuit design 
and provides very low current consumption in 
Power Management circuits.

Smartphone A mobile phone offering 
advanced capabilities, often with pc-like 
functionality (“PC-mobile handset convergence”). 
A smartphone runs complete operating system 
software providing a standardised interface and 
platform for application developers.

SmartPulse™ A series of wireless sensors, 
actuators and base station devices enables the 
easy creation of wireless sensor networks for 
the home automation, security, healthcare and 
energy monitoring consumer markets.

SmarteXite™ Dialog’s brand name for its 
intelligent LED lighting technology platform.

SmartXtend™ A technology patented by Dialog 
Semiconductor that extends the life and reduces 
power consumption of high-resolution, passive 
matrix OLED displays.

Solid State Lighting A type of lighting in 
which light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) replaces 
conventional incandescent and fluorescent 
lamp for general lighting purposes.

Subcontractor A business that signs a contract 
to perform part or all of the obligations of 
another’s contract.

Synchronous Rectifier An integrated circuit 
that can replace diodes to improve efficiency 
and power density in power conversion 
applications, such as power supplies.

SoC System on Chip An integrated circuit with 
all the necessary electronic circuits and parts for 
a given system.

System-on-Chip An IC that integrates all 
components of a computer or other electronic 
system into a single chip. It may contain digital, 
analog, mixed-signal, and often radio-frequency 
functions – all on a single chip substrate.

Tablet PC A tablet PC refers to a slate- or tablet-
shaped mobile computer device, equipped with 
a touchscreen or stylus.

TAM Total addressable market, TAM measures 
the potential market for your product – and your 
product only – assuming you could reach 100% 
of your customers.

Ultrabook™ A higher-end, compact sub-
notebook that is designed to be compact, thin 
and light without compromising performance 
and battery life. Ultrabooks™ typically feature low 
power processors and solid-state drives.

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017164

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Glossary of Terms – Financial

Financial glossary

AGM Annual General Meeting of the 
Company’s shareholders.

BaFin the Federal Financial Supervisory 
Authority in Germany (Bundesanstalt 
für Finanzdiensleistungsaufsicht).

Basis point or bp one hundredth of one 
percentage point.

CAGR Compound Annual Growth Rate, a 
method of assessing the average growth of a 
value over time.

CEO Chief Executive Officer.

CFO Chief Financial Officer.

the Companies Act 2006 the Companies Act 
2006 of England and Wales, as amended.

IFRS International Financial Reporting Standards, 
comprising accounting standards issued by 
the IASB.

KPIs Key Performance Indicators, a range of 
indicators to assess performance, to ensure 
performance is aligned to strategy, and to ensure 
continued alignment with shareholder interests.

LTIP Long-Term Incentive Plan.

NASDAQ the National Association of Securities 
Dealers and Automated Quotations.

OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation 
and Development.

Other operating income consists of income 
from customer-specific R&D contracts and other 
income that is not classified as revenue, less other 
operating expenses.

the Company Dialog Semiconductor Plc.

Pound sterling (£) the currency of the UK.

COSO Committee of Sponsoring Organizations, 
whose mission is to provide thought leadership 
on risk management, internal control and 
fraud deterrence to improve organisational 
performance and governance.

Cost of sales consists of material costs, the 
costs of outsourced production and assembly, 
related personnel costs (including share-based 
compensation), applicable overhead and 
depreciation of test and other equipment.

Dialog used for convenience to refer to the 
Company and its subsidiaries, unless the context 
requires otherwise.

the DTRs the Disclosure & Transparency Rules of 
the UKLA.

EBIT Earnings before interest and taxes (also 
known as operating profit).

EBITDA Earnings before depreciation, 
amortisation, interest and taxes.

the EU the European Union.

Euro (€) the common currency used in the 
majority of member countries of the EU.

the Frankfurt Stock Exchange the largest 
of the seven regional securities exchanges 
in Germany.

Free-float The proportion of an issuer’s share 
capital that is available for purchase in the public 
equity markets by investors.

General and administrative expenses 
consist primarily of personnel costs (including 
share-based compensation) and costs for our 
finance, human resources and other business 
support functions.

the Group the Company and its subsidiaries.

the IASB the International Accounting 
Standards Board.

Prime Standard a market segment of the 
Frankfurt Stock Exchange that lists companies 
which comply with international transparency 
standards, including periodic reporting in 
German and English, application of international 
accounting standards, publication of a financial 
calendar, staging of at least one analyst 
conference a year and ad hoc disclosure also 
in German and English.

R&D research and development.

R&D expenses consist principally of personnel 
costs (including share-based compensation) 
and other design and engineering-related costs 
associated with the development of new ASICs 
and ASSPs.

Selling and marketing expenses consist 
primarily of personnel costs (including share-
based compensation), travel expenses, sales 
commissions, advertising and other marketing 
costs, together with amortisation expenses in 
relation to identifiable intangible assets such as 
customer relationships, key customers and order 
backlog acquired in business combinations.

SG&A selling, general and administrative.

the TecDAX stock index that tracks the 
performance of the 30 largest companies by 
market capitalisation from the technology sector 
that are listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

UK the United Kingdom of Great Britain and 
Northern Ireland.

the UKLA the UK Listing Authority.

US the United States of America.

US dollar (US$) the currency of the US.

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Advisers and corporate information

Advisers and corporate informationPublic relationsFTI Consulting FTI Consulting 200 Aldersgate Park Tower Aldersgate Street Bockenheimer Anlage 44 London EC1A 4HD 60322 Frankfurt am Main UK GermanyLegal adviserReynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP Tower Bridge House St Katharine’s Way London E1W 1AA UKAuditorsDeloitte LLP 3 Victoria Square Victoria Street St Albans AL7 3TFPrincipal bankersHSBC Bank Plc Large Corporates, South Region Thames Tower Station Road Reading Berkshire RG1 1LX UKDesignated sponsorsOddo Seydler Kepler Cheuvreux Schillerstrasse 27-29 Taunusanlage 14 D-60313 Frankfurt D-60325 Frankfurt Germany GermanySharesInformation on the Company’s shares and on significant shareholdings can be found on page 72.Registered officeDialog Semiconductor Plc Tower Bridge House St Katharine’s Way London E1W 1AA UK Website: www.dialog-semiconductor.comRegistered number3505161Financial calendarAnnual General Meeting 3 May 2018 Q1 2018 Results 9 May 2018 Q2 2018 Results 2 August 2018 Q3 2018 Results 31 October 2018 Preliminary results for 2018 February 2019Company RegistrarLink Market Services (Frankfurt) GmbH Mergenthalerallee 15-21 65760 Eschborn GermanyDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017166

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GermanyDialog Semiconductor GmbHNeue Strasse 95 D-73230 Kirchheim/Teck-Nabern Germany Phone: (+49) 7021 805-0 Fax: (+49) 7021 805-100 Email: dialog.nabern@diasemi.comUnited KingdomDialog Semiconductor (UK) LtdDelta 200 Delta Business Park Welton Road Swindon Wiltshire SN5 7XB United Kingdom Phone: (+44) 1793 757700 Fax: (+44) 1793 757800 Email: dialog.swindon@diasemi.com100 Longwater Avenue Green Park Reading RG2 6GP United Kingdom Phone: +44 1793 757700 Fax: +44 1189 450219 Email: info@diasemi.comThe NetherlandsDialog Semiconductor B.V.Het Zuiderkruis 53 5215 MV ‘s-Hertogenbosch The Netherlands Phone: (+31) 73 640 88 22 Fax: (+31) 73 640 88 23 Email: dialog.nl@diasemi.comNorth AmericaDialog North America2560 Mission College Boulevard Suite 110 Santa Clara California 95054 USA Phone: (+1) 408 845 8500 Fax: (+1) 408 727 3205 Email: NA_sales_enquiries@diasemi.comDailog Semiconductor Inc.675 Campbell Technology Parkway Suite 150 Campbell California 95008 USAJapanDialog Semiconductor K.K.8F, W-Building 1-8-15 Konan Minato-ku Tokyo 108-0075 Japan Phone: (+81) 3 5769-5112 Fax: (+81) 3 5769-5101 Email: dialog.tokyo@diasemi.comChinaDialog Semiconductor Trading (Shanghai) LtdRoom 703, 7F, Kehui Building No.1188 North Quinzhou Road Shanghai 200233 China Phone: (+86) 215 4249 058Dialog Semiconductor (Shenzhen) Ltd25F, Lifetech Scientific Building, South 12 Road, Southern District in  High-tech Zone Nanshan District Shenzhen 518057 China Phone: (+86) 755 2981 3669TaiwanDialog Semiconductor GmbHTaiwan Branch 7F, 392 Ruiguang Road Neihu District Taipei City 11493 Taiwan, R.O.C. Phone: (+886) 281 786 222 Fax: (+886) 281 786 220 Email: dialog.taiwan@diasemi.comKoreaDialog Semiconductor (UK) LtdKorea Branch 6 FL, Deokmyeong Building, 625 Teheran-ro Gangnam-gu Seoul, 06173 Korea Phone: (+82) 2 3469 8200 Fax: (+82) 2 3469 8291 Email: dialog.korea@diasemi.comDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017167

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Related undertakings

The Company’s related undertakings as at 31 December 2017 were as follows:NameRegistered AddressCountryDialog Argo Holdings L.L.C.1Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle, DE 19801United StatesDialog Argo Holdings, Inc.Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle, DE 19801United StatesDialog Integrated Circuits (Tianjin) Limited1Rooms 2701-2, No. 2 Building, TEDA Service Outsourcing Industrial Park, No. 19 XinHuanxi West Road, TEDA, Tianjin, 300457ChinaDialog Semiconductor (Italy) S.R.L.Via Gaetano D’Alesio No.2, 57126, LivornoItalyDialog Semiconductor (Shenzhen) Limited125F, Lifetech Scientific Building, South 12 Road, Southern District in High-tech Zone, Nan Shan District, ShenzhenChinaDialog Semiconductor (UK) LimitedTower Bridge House, St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1AAUnited KingdomDialog Semiconductor Arastırma Gelistirme ve Ticaret Anonim SirketiIstanbul Technical University, Ayazaga Campus, ARI 6 Building, Maslak, Istanbul, 34469TurkeyDialog Semiconductor B.V.Het Zuiderkruis 53, 5215 MV’s-HertogenboschNetherlandsDialog Semiconductor Finance B.V.Het Zuiderkruis 53, 5215 MV’s-HertogenboschNetherlandsDialog Semiconductor GmbHNeue Strasse 95, 73230 Kirchheim unter Teck-NabernGermanyDialog Semiconductor Hellas Societe Anonyme of Integrated Circuits1Megaro Xenia, Achilleos 8 & Lambrou Katsoni, Kallithea, Athens, 17674GreeceDialog Semiconductor Holdings 1 LimitedTower Bridge House, St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1AAUnited KingdomDialog Semiconductor Hong Kong Limited1Units 515-517, 5/F., Building 12W, No.12, Science Park West Av., Phase 3, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, N.T.Hong KongDialog Semiconductor Inc.1Corporation Trust Centre, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle, DE 19801United StatesDialog Semiconductor K.K.8F W-Building 1-8-15, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0075JapanDialog Semiconductor Operations Services Limited1Tower Bridge House, St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1AAUnited KingdomDialog Semiconductor Trading (Shanghai) Limited1Room 703, 7F Kehui Building, No.1188 North Quinzhou Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200231ChinaDyna Image Corporation28F., No.233-2, Baoqiao Rd., Xindian Dist., New Taipei City, 23145TaiwanIKOR Acquisition Corporation1Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle, DE 19801United StatesiWatt B.V.1Het Zuiderkruis 53, 5215 MV’s-HertogenboschNetherlandsiWatt Cayman1PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104Cayman IslandsiWatt Coöperatief U.A.1Het Zuiderkruis 53, 5215 MV’s-HertogenboschNetherlandsiWatt HK Limited1Units 515-517, 5/F., Building 12W, No.12, Science Park West Avenue,  Phase Three, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, N.T.Hong KongiWatt L.L.C.1Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle, DE 19801United StatesPowerventure Semiconductor LimitedTower Bridge House, St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1AAUnited KingdomSilego Korea Inc.#402 Dongmun Building, 10 Dogok-ro 2-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06258KoreaSilego (Hefei) Technology, Inc.Room 303, Building 2, No. 3 Tian Yuan Road, High-Tech Zone, Hefei, 230088ChinaSilego Technology Japan, Inc.8F W-Building 1-8-15 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-0075JapanLimited Liability Company Silego Technology (Ukraine)Chervonoi Kalyny Ave., 62A, Lviv, 79049UkraineSilego Technology Inc.Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle, De 19801United States1 Held indirectly.2 Dyna Image Corporation is an associate in which the Company has a direct ownership interest of 38.7% and an indirect ownership interest of 9.8% that is held by a wholly-owned subsidiary.All subsidiaries are wholly-owned.Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017168

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Branches and representative offices

NameEntity TypeRegistered AddressCountryDialog Integrated Circuits (Tianjin) Limited, Beijing BranchBranch OfficeRoom 902-904, Zhong Guan Cun Crowne Plaza Office Building, No. 106 ZhiChun Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100086ChinaDialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited, Korea BranchBranch Office6 FL, Deokmyeong Building 625, Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, SeoulKoreaDialog Semiconductor GmbH Austria BranchBranch OfficeKärntner Strasse 518, 8054 Graz-SeiersbergAustriaDialog Semiconductor GmbH Singapore BranchBranch Office51 Anson Road, #12-51 Anson Centre, Singapore 079904SingaporeDialog Semiconductor GmbH Taiwan BranchBranch Office7F., No.392, Ruiguang Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City 114TaiwanDialog Semiconductor Operations Services Limited Korea BranchBranch Office6 FL, Deokmyeong Building 625, Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, SeoulKoreaDialog Semiconductor Operations Services Limited Thailand Representative OfficeRepresentative Office26th Floor, Sathorn City Tower, 175 South Sathorn Road, Thungmahamek, Sathorn,10120 BangkokThailandDialog Semiconductor Operations Services Limited Taiwan BranchBranch Office7F., No.392, Ruiguang Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City 114TaiwanPowerventure Semiconductor Limited, Taiwan BranchBranch Office7F., No. 1, Taiyuan 1st St., Zhubei City, Hsinchu County 302TaiwanSilego Technology Inc., Shanghai Representative OfficeRepresentative Office2102 J, LT Square, 500 North Chengdu Rd., Juabngdu District, ShanghaiChinaSilego Technology Inc., Taiwan BranchBranch Office9F., No. 10 Ln 321, Yanguang St., Neihu Dist., Taipei City 114TaiwanDialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017Strategic  
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Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017Strategic  
report

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Registered office
Dialog Semiconductor Plc 
Tower Bridge House 
St Katharine’s Way 
London E1W 1AA 
UK 
www.dialog-semiconductor.com

Dialog Semiconductor Plc Annual report and accounts 2017