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Microchip

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FY2014 Annual Report · Microchip
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MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
2355 West Chandler Boulevard, Chandler, Arizona 85224-6199

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
August 25, 2014

9:00 a.m. Pacific Time
Microchip Technology Incorporated
San Jose Facility
450 Holger Way
San Jose, CA 95134

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

The election of each of Steve Sanghi, Matthew W. Chapman, L.B. Day, Esther Johnson
and Wade F. Meyercord to our Board of Directors to serve for the ensuing year and until
their successors are elected and qualified.
To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public
accounting firm of Microchip for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015.
To amend Microchip's 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan to provide for a plan term
ending on August 31, 2024.
To amend Microchip's 1994 International Employee Stock Purchase Plan to extend the
plan term by ten years ending on November 30, 2024.
To hold an advisory (non-binding) vote regarding the compensation of our named
executives.
To transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or any
adjournment(s) thereof.

The Microchip Board of Directors recommends that you vote for each of the foregoing items.

Holders of Microchip common stock of record at the close of business on July 1, 2014 are
entitled to vote at the annual meeting.
Microchip's fiscal 2014 Annual Report, which is not a part of the proxy soliciting material, is
enclosed.
It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the annual meeting.  You can vote
your shares by completing and returning the proxy card sent to you.  Stockholders may have a
choice of voting their shares over the Internet or by telephone.  If Internet or telephone voting
is available to you, voting instructions are printed on the proxy card sent to you.  You can
revoke your proxy at any time prior to its exercise at the annual meeting by following the
instructions in the accompanying proxy statement.

TIME:
PLACE:

ITEMS OF
BUSINESS:

RECORD DATE:

ANNUAL REPORT:

PROXY:

Kim van Herk
Secretary

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting

of Stockholders to be Held on August 25, 2014

The Microchip Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
ended March 31, 2014 are available at www.microchip.com/annual_reports.

Chandler, Arizona
July 18, 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

PROXY STATEMENT

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

PROPOSAL ONE - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

PROPOSAL TWO - RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM

PROPOSAL THREE - APPROVAL OF AMENDED 2001 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

PROPOSAL FOUR - APPROVAL OF AMENDED 1994 INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEE STOCK 
PURCHASE PLAN

PROPOSAL FIVE - APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS, DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION - COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

CODE OF ETHICS

OTHER MATTERS

APPENDIX A

APPENDIX B

1

4

9

9

10

12

14

18

21

22

24

35

43

45

45

A-1

B-1

This page intentionally left blank.

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
2355 West Chandler Boulevard
Chandler, Arizona 85224-6199

PROXY STATEMENT

You are cordially invited to attend our annual meeting on Monday, August 25, 2014, beginning at 9:00 a.m., Pacific 

Time.  The annual meeting will be held at our San Jose facility located at 450 Holger Way, San Jose, CA 95134.

We are providing these proxy materials in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors (the "Board") of 
Microchip Technology Incorporated ("Microchip") of proxies to be voted at Microchip's 2014 annual meeting of stockholders 
and at any adjournment(s) thereof.

Our fiscal year begins on April 1 and ends on March 31.  References in this proxy statement to fiscal 2015 refer to the 

12-month period from April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015; references to fiscal 2014 refer to the 12-month period from 
April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014; and references to fiscal 2013 refer to the 12-month period from April 1, 2012 through 
March 31, 2013.

We anticipate first mailing this proxy statement and accompanying form of proxy on July 18, 2014 to holders of 

record of Microchip's common stock on July 1, 2014 (the "Record Date").

PROXIES AND VOTING PROCEDURES

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.  Because many stockholders cannot attend the annual meeting in person, it is 

necessary that a large number of stockholders be represented by proxy.  Stockholders may have a choice of voting over the 
Internet, by using a toll-free telephone number or by completing a proxy card and mailing it in the postage-paid envelope 
provided.  Please refer to your proxy card or the information forwarded by your bank, broker or other holder of record to see 
which options are available to you.  Under Delaware law, stockholders may submit proxies electronically.  Please be aware that 
if you vote over the Internet, you may incur costs such as telephone and Internet access charges for which you will be 
responsible.

You can revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by timely delivery of a properly executed, later-dated 

proxy (including an Internet or telephone vote if these options are available to you) or by voting by ballot at the annual 
meeting.

The method by which you vote will in no way limit your right to vote at the annual meeting if you later decide to 
attend in person.  If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you must obtain a proxy, 
executed in your favor, from the holder of record, to be able to vote at the annual meeting.

All shares entitled to vote and represented by properly completed proxies received prior to the annual meeting and not 

revoked will be voted at the annual meeting in accordance with the instructions on such proxies.  IF YOU DO NOT 
INDICATE HOW YOUR SHARES SHOULD BE VOTED ON A MATTER, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY 
YOUR PROPERLY COMPLETED PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS.

1

If any other matters are properly presented at the annual meeting for consideration, including, among other things, 
consideration of a motion to adjourn the annual meeting to another time or place, the persons named as proxies and acting 
thereunder will have discretion to vote on those matters according to their best judgment to the same extent as the person 
delivering the proxy would be entitled to vote.  At the date this proxy statement went to press, we did not anticipate that any 
other matters would be raised at the annual meeting.

Stockholders Entitled to Vote

Stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date, July 1, 2014, are entitled to notice of and to vote at 

the annual meeting.  Each share is entitled to one vote on each of the five director nominees and one vote on each other matter 
properly brought before the annual meeting.  On the Record Date, there were 200,401,106 shares of our common stock issued 
and outstanding.

In accordance with Delaware law, a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting will be available at the 
annual meeting on August 25, 2014, and for 10 days prior to the annual meeting at 2355 West Chandler Boulevard, Chandler, 
Arizona, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Mountain Standard Time.

Required Vote

Quorum, Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the annual meeting is 
necessary to constitute a quorum at the annual meeting.  Abstentions and broker "non-votes" are counted as present and entitled 
to vote for purposes of determining a quorum.  A broker "non-vote" occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial 
owner (i.e., in "street name") does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting 
power with respect to that item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.  Under the rules of the New York 
Stock Exchange (NYSE), which apply to NYSE member brokers trading in non-NYSE stock, brokers have discretionary 
authority to vote shares on certain routine matters if customer instructions are not provided.  Proposal Two to be considered at 
the annual meeting may be treated as a routine matter.  Consequently, if you do not return a proxy card, your broker may have 
discretion to vote your shares on such matter.

Election of Directors (Proposal One)

A nominee for director shall be elected to the board of directors if the votes cast for such nominee's election exceed the 
votes cast against such nominee's election.  For this purpose, votes cast shall exclude abstentions, withheld votes or broker non-
votes with respect to that director's election.  Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, in the event of a contested 
election of directors, directors shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the votes cast.  A contested election shall mean any 
election of directors in which the number of candidates for election as director exceeds the number of directors to be elected.  If 
directors are to be elected by a plurality of the votes cast, stockholders shall not be permitted to vote against a nominee.  

Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Proposal Two)

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by 
proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required for ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the 
independent registered public accounting firm of Microchip for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015.  Abstentions will have 
the same effect as voting against this proposal.  Broker "non-votes" are not counted for purposes of approving the ratification of 
our accounting firm, and thus will not affect the outcome of the voting on such proposal.

Amendment of 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Proposal Three)

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by 
proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to adopt the amendment and restatement of our 2001 Employee 
Stock Purchase Plan as described in Proposal Three.  Abstentions will have the same effect as voting against this proposal.  
Broker "non-votes" are not counted for purposes of approving our amended and restated 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 
and thus will not affect the outcome of the voting on such proposal.

2

Amendment of 1994 International Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Proposal Four)

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by 

proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to adopt the amendment and restatement of our 1994 International 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan as described in Proposal Four.  Abstentions will have the same effect as voting against this 
proposal.  Broker "non-votes" are not counted for purposes of approving our amended and restated 1994 International 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and thus will not affect the outcome of the voting on such proposal.

Advisory Vote Regarding the Compensation of our Named Executives (Proposal Five)

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by 

proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of 
our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (the "SEC").  Abstentions will have the same effect as voting against this proposal.  Broker "non-votes" are not 
counted for purposes of approving, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, and thus will not 
affect the outcome of the voting on such proposal.

Electronic Access to Proxy Statement and Annual Report

This proxy statement and our fiscal 2014 Annual Report are available at www.microchip.com/annual_reports.

We will post our future proxy statements and annual reports on Form 10-K on our website as soon as reasonably 

practicable after they are electronically filed with the SEC.  All such filings on our website are available free of charge.  The 
information on our website is not incorporated into this proxy statement.  Our Internet address is www.microchip.com.

Cost of Proxy Solicitation

Microchip will pay its costs of soliciting proxies including the cost of any proxy solicitor if a proxy solicitor is 

engaged.  Proxies may be solicited on behalf of Microchip by its directors, officers or employees in person or by telephone, 
facsimile or other electronic means.  We may also reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for 
their expenses incurred in sending proxies and proxy materials to beneficial owners of Microchip common stock.

3

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Meetings of the Board of Directors

In October 2013, our Board of Directors was increased from five to six directors and Ms. Johnson was appointed to the 
newly created seat on the Board.  Our Board of Directors met seven times in fiscal 2014.  Each director attended at least 75% of 
the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors held during fiscal 2014 during such time as such 
person was a director and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors on which he or she 
served during fiscal 2014 during such time as such person was a director.  The Board of Directors has a practice of meeting in 
executive session on a periodic basis without management or management directors (i.e., Mr. Sanghi) present.  The Board of 
Directors has determined that each of Mr. Chapman, Mr. Day, Mr. Hugo-Martinez, Ms. Johnson and Mr. Meyercord is an 
independent director as defined by applicable SEC rules and NASDAQ listing standards.

Board Leadership Structure

The Board of Directors believes that Microchip's Chief Executive Officer, Steve Sanghi, is best situated to serve as 

Chairman because he is the director most familiar with Microchip's business and industry, and most capable of effectively 
identifying strategic priorities and leading the discussion and execution of strategy.  The Board's independent directors have 
different perspectives and roles in strategic development.  In particular, Microchip's independent directors bring experience, 
oversight and expertise from outside the company and the industry, while the Chief Executive Officer brings company-specific 
experience and industry expertise.  The Board of Directors believes that the combined role of Chairman and Chief Executive 
Officer promotes strategy development and execution, and facilitates information flow between management and the Board of 
Directors, which are essential to effective governance.  Microchip does not have a lead independent director.

The Board of Directors and the Board committees oversee risk management in a number of ways.  The Audit 

Committee oversees the management of financial and accounting related risks as an integral part of its duties.  Similarly, the 
Compensation Committee considers risk management when setting the compensation policies and programs for Microchip's 
executive officers.  The Board of Directors and the Audit Committee regularly receive reports on various risk-related items 
including risks related to manufacturing operations, intellectual property, taxes, products and employees.  The Board and the 
Audit Committee also receive periodic reports on Microchip's efforts to manage such risks through safety measures, insurance 
or self-insurance.  The Board of Directors believes that the leadership structure described above facilitates the Board's oversight 
of risk management because it allows the Board, working through its committees, to participate actively in the oversight of 
management's actions.

Communications from Stockholders

Stockholders may communicate with the Board of Directors or individual members of the Board of Directors, 
provided that all such communication is submitted in writing to the attention of the Secretary at Microchip Technology 
Incorporated, 2355 West Chandler Boulevard, Chandler, Arizona 85224-6199, who will then forward such communication to 
the appropriate director or directors.

Committees of the Board of Directors

The following table lists our three Board committees, the directors who served on them and the number of committee 

meetings held in fiscal 2014:

4

Membership on Board Committees in Fiscal 2014

Audit
C
*
**

9

Compensation

Nominating
and Governance

C
9

C
**

3

Name

Mr. Chapman
Mr. Day
Mr. Hugo-Martinez
Mr. Meyercord
Meetings held in fiscal 2014

C  =  Chair

  =  Member

*   =  Served on such committee beginning August 16, 2013
** = Served on such committee until August 16, 2013

Audit Committee

The responsibilities of our Audit Committee are to appoint, compensate, retain and oversee Microchip's independent 

registered public accounting firm, oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of Microchip and audits of its 
financial statements, and provide the Board of Directors with the results of such monitoring.  These responsibilities are further 
described in the committee charter.  A copy of the Audit Committee charter is available at the About Us/Corporate 
Responsibility section under Ethics and Conduct on www.microchip.com.

Our Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Audit Committee are independent directors as defined 

by applicable SEC rules and NASDAQ listing standards.  The Board of Directors has also determined that each of 
Mr. Chapman, Mr. Day, and Mr. Meyercord meet the requirements for being an "audit committee financial expert" as defined 
by applicable SEC rules.

In fiscal 2005, our Board and our Audit Committee adopted a policy with respect to (i) the receipt, retention and 

treatment of complaints received by us regarding questionable accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters; 
(ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting, internal 
accounting controls or auditing matters; and (iii) the prohibition of harassment, discrimination or retaliation arising from 
submitting concerns regarding questionable accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters or participating in an 
investigation regarding questionable accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters.  In fiscal 2012, our Board and 
our Audit Committee approved an amended policy to include matters regarding violations of federal or state securities laws, or 
the commission of bribery.  This policy, called "Reporting Legal Non-Compliance," was created in accordance with applicable 
SEC rules and NASDAQ listing requirements.  A copy of this policy is available at the About Us/Corporate Responsibility 
section under Ethics and Conduct on www.microchip.com.

Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee has oversight responsibility for the compensation and benefit programs for our 
executive officers and other employees, and for administering our equity incentive and employee stock purchase plans adopted 
by our Board of Directors.  The responsibilities of our Compensation Committee are further described in the committee charter 
which was amended and restated as of May 17, 2013.  The committee charter is available at the About Us/Corporate 
Information/Investors Information section under Mission Statement/Corporate Governance on www.microchip.com.

The Board of Directors has determined that all members of our Compensation Committee are independent directors as 

defined by applicable SEC rules, NASDAQ listing standards and other requirements.  For more information on our 
Compensation Committee, please refer to the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" at page 24.

5

Nominating and Governance Committee

Our Nominating and Governance Committee has the responsibility to help ensure that our Board is properly 

constituted to meet its fiduciary obligations to our stockholders and Microchip and that we have and follow appropriate 
governance standards.  In so doing, the Nominating and Governance Committee identifies and recommends director candidates, 
develops and recommends governance principles, and recommends director nominees to serve on committees of the Board of 
Directors.  The responsibilities of our Nominating and Governance Committee are further described in the committee charter, as 
amended and restated as of May 19, 2014, which is available at the About Us/Corporate Responsibility section under Ethics and 
Conduct on www.microchip.com.  The Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Nominating and Governance 
Committee are independent directors as defined by applicable SEC rules and NASDAQ listing standards.

When considering a candidate for a director position, the Nominating and Governance Committee looks for 

demonstrated character, judgment, relevant business, functional and industry experience, and a high degree of skill.  The 
Nominating and Governance Committee believes it is important that the members of the Board of Directors represent diverse 
viewpoints.  Accordingly, the Nominating and Governance Committee considers issues of diversity in identifying and 
evaluating director nominees, including differences in education, professional experience, viewpoints, technical skills, 
individual expertise, ethnicity and gender.  The Nominating and Governance Committee evaluates director nominees 
recommended by a stockholder in the same manner as it would any other nominee.  The Nominating and Governance 
Committee will consider nominees recommended by stockholders provided such recommendations are made in accordance 
with procedures described in this proxy statement under "Requirements, Including Deadlines, for Receipt of Stockholder 
Proposals for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; Discretionary Authority to Vote on Stockholder Proposals" at page 45.  
We do not pay any third party to identify or assist in identifying or evaluating potential nominees for director.

Attendance at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders

All directors are encouraged, but not required, to attend our annual meeting of stockholders.  All directors attended our 

2013 annual meeting of stockholders.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE (*)

Our Board of Directors has adopted a written charter setting out the purposes and responsibilities of the Audit 
Committee.  The Board of Directors and the Audit Committee review and assess the adequacy of the charter on an annual basis.  
A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available at the About Us/Corporate Responsibility section under Ethics and Conduct 
on www.microchip.com.

Each of the directors who serves on the Audit Committee meets the independence and experience requirements of the 
SEC rules and NASDAQ listing standards.  This means that the Microchip Board of Directors has determined that no member 
of the Audit Committee has a relationship with Microchip that may interfere with such member's independence from Microchip 
and its management, and that all members have the required knowledge and experience to perform their duties as committee 
members.

We have received from Ernst & Young LLP the written disclosure and the letter required by Rule 3526 of the Public 

Company Accounting Oversight Board (Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence) and have discussed 
with Ernst & Young LLP their independence from Microchip.  We also discussed with Ernst & Young LLP all matters required 
to be discussed by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) standards.  We have considered whether and 
determined that the provision of the non-audit services rendered to us by Ernst & Young LLP during fiscal 2014 was compatible 
with maintaining the independence of Ernst & Young LLP.

6

We have reviewed and discussed with management the audited annual financial statements included in Microchip's 

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 and filed with the SEC, as well as the unaudited 
financial statements filed with Microchip's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.  We also met with both management and Ernst & 
Young LLP to discuss those financial statements.

Based on these reviews and discussions, we recommended to the Board of Directors that Microchip's audited financial 
statements be included in Microchip's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 for filing with the 
SEC.

By the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors:

Matthew W. Chapman (Chairman)

L.B. Day

Wade F. Meyercord

________________________

(*) The Report of the Audit Committee is not "soliciting" material and is not deemed "filed" with the SEC, and is not 
incorporated by reference into any filings of Microchip under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934, whether made before or after the date of this proxy statement and irrespective of any general incorporation language 
contained in such filings.

Director Compensation

Procedures Regarding Director Compensation

The Board of Directors sets non-employee director compensation.  Microchip does not pay employee directors for 
services provided as a member of the Board of Directors.  Our program of cash and equity compensation for non-employee 
directors is designed to achieve the following goals:  compensation should fairly pay directors for work required for a company 
of Microchip's size and scope; compensation should align directors' interests with the long-term interests of stockholders; 
compensation should be competitive so as to attract and retain qualified non-employee directors; and the structure of the 
compensation should be simple, transparent and easy for stockholders to understand.  Non-employee director compensation is 
typically reviewed once per year to assess whether any adjustment is needed to further such goals.  The Board of Directors has 
not used outside consultants in setting non-employee director compensation.

Director Fees

Effective May 10, 2011, non-employee directors receive an annual retainer of $63,000, paid in quarterly installments, 

and $3,000 for each meeting attended in person.  In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, our non-employee directors agreed to a 
voluntary 5% reduction in the retainer payment and meeting fees to match the 5% voluntary pay reduction that was in place 
across Microchip.  This voluntary pay reduction was reduced to 2.5% on May 15, 2013 and then to 0% as of July 1, 2013.  A 
payment of $3,206 was made on October 21, 2013 to those non-employee directors who had been members of the Board and 
voluntarily taken the decrease in pay.  A payment of this type was also made to the Microchip employees who had participated 
in the voluntary pay reduction to thank them for their participation in the salary reduction program in the prior quarters.  
Directors do not receive any additional compensation for telephonic meetings of the Board of Directors, for meetings of 
committees of the Board, or for serving as a committee chair.

Equity Compensation

Under the terms of our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, each non-employee director is automatically granted:

• 

upon the date that the individual is first appointed or elected to the Board of Directors as a non-employee 
director, that number of restricted stock units ("RSUs") equal to $160,000 (based on the fair market value of 
our common stock on the grant date) which shall vest in equal 25% annual installments on each of the four 
anniversaries of the tenth business day of the second month of our fiscal quarter in which the grant is made; 
and

7

• 

upon the date of our annual meeting, provided that the individual has served as a non-employee director for at 
least three months on that date and has been elected by the stockholders to serve as a member of the Board of 
Directors at that annual meeting, that number of RSUs equal to $84,000 (based on the fair market value of our 
common stock on the grant date) which shall vest in equal 50% annual installments on each of the two 
anniversaries of the tenth business day of the second month of our fiscal quarter in which the grant is made.

All vesting of the above grants is contingent upon the non-employee director maintaining his or her continued status as 

a non-employee director through the applicable vesting date.

In accordance with the foregoing, on August 16, 2013, each of Mr. Chapman, Mr. Day, Mr. Hugo-Martinez and 

Mr. Meyercord was granted 2,126 RSUs.  On October 1, 2013, Ms. Johnson was granted 3,970 RSUs in connection with her 
appointment to the Board.

The following table details the total compensation for Microchip's non-employee directors for fiscal 2014.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Name

Steve Sanghi(2)

Matthew W. Chapman

L.B. Day

Albert J. Hugo-Martinez

Esther L. Johnson(3)

Wade F. Meyercord

Fees
Earned or 
Paid
in Cash

Stock
Awards(1)

Option
Awards

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation

All Other
Compensation

Total

$

— $

— $

— $

— $

— $

—

74,616

77,541

77,541

37,500

77,541

77,875

77,875

77,875

139,188

77,875

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

152,491

155,416

155,416

176,688

155,416

(1)  These stock awards were RSUs with a fair value on the grant date of $36.63 per share for all directors except that the fair 
value on the grant date of the award to Ms. Johnson was $35.06 per share.  The market value on the grant date was $39.51 
per share with an aggregate market value of the award of approximately $84,000 for the August 16, 2013 grants to 
Messrs. Chapman, Day, Hugo-Martinez and Meyercord and was $40.30 per share with an aggregate market value of 
approximately $160,000 for the October 1, 2013 grant to Ms. Johnson.

(2)  Mr. Sanghi, our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, does not receive any additional 

compensation for his services as a member of the Board of Directors.

(3)  Ms. Johnson was appointed to the Board on October 1, 2013.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of Mr. Meyercord (Chair) and Mr. Day.  Each such person is an 
independent director.  Neither Mr. Day nor Mr. Meyercord had any related-party transaction with Microchip during fiscal 2014 
other than compensation for service as a director.  In addition, neither of such directors has a relationship that would constitute a 
compensation committee interlock under applicable SEC rules.  During fiscal 2014, no Microchip executive officer served on 
the compensation committee (or equivalent) or the board of directors of another entity whose executive officer(s) served either 
on Microchip's Compensation Committee or Board of Directors. 

8

CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

During fiscal 2014, Microchip had no related-party transactions within the meaning of applicable SEC rules.

Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee reviews issues involving potential conflicts of interest and reviews and 
approves all related-party transactions as contemplated by NASDAQ and SEC rules and regulations.  The Audit Committee 
may consult with the Board of Directors regarding certain conflict of interest matters that do not involve a member of the 
Board.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) and related rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 require our directors, executive officers and 
stockholders holding more than 10% of our common stock to file reports of holdings and transactions in Microchip stock with 
the SEC and to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.  Based solely on our review of the copies of such 
forms received by us during fiscal 2014, and written representations from our directors and executive officers that no other 
reports were required, we believe that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our directors, executive officers and 
stockholders holding more than 10% of our common stock were met for fiscal 2014, except for the following:   Mr. Little filed 
one late Form 4 in May 2013 with respect to one transaction, and Messrs. Bjornholt, Drehobl, Lambert, Little, Moorthy, Sanghi 
and Simoncic each filed a Form 4 one day late in March 2014 with respect to one transaction related to a purchase of shares 
under our 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

9

PROPOSAL ONE

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board currently consists of six directors:  Steve Sanghi, Matthew W. Chapman, L.B. Day, Albert J. Hugo-

Martinez, Esther L. Johnson and Wade F. Meyercord.  A board of five directors will be elected at the annual meeting, and 
proxies cannot be voted for more than five nominees.  Immediately following the annual meeting, the authorized number of 
directors will be decreased to five.  Unless proxy cards are otherwise marked, the persons named in the proxy card will vote 
such proxy for the election of the nominees named below.  Each of the nominees is currently serving as a director and has 
agreed to continue serving if re-elected.  If any of the nominees becomes unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of 
the annual meeting, the persons named in the proxy card will vote such proxy for any nominee designated by the current Board 
of Directors to fill the vacancy.  We do not expect that any of the nominees will be unable or will decline to serve as a director.

Our Board of Directors has determined that each of the following nominees for director is an independent director as 

defined by applicable SEC rules and NASDAQ listing standards:  Mr. Chapman, Mr. Day, Ms. Johnson and Mr. Meyercord.

The term of office of each person who is elected as a director at the annual meeting will continue until the 2015 annual 

meeting of stockholders and until a successor has been elected and qualified.

Required Vote; Recommendation

A nominee for director in an uncontested election shall be elected to the Board of Directors if the votes cast for such 

nominee's election exceed the votes cast against such nominee's election (with votes cast excluding abstentions, withheld notes 
or broker non-votes).

The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR the nominees listed below.

Information on Nominees for Director (as of June 30, 2014)

Name
Steve Sanghi
Matthew W. Chapman
L.B. Day
Esther L. Johnson
Wade F. Meyercord

Age
58
63
69
62
73

Position(s) Held
Chairman, President and CEO
Director
Director
Director
Director

Steve Sanghi is currently, and has been since August 1990, a director and President of Microchip Technology 
Incorporated.  Since October 1991, he has served as CEO of Microchip and since October 1993, as Chairman of the Board of 
Directors of Microchip.  From May 2004 through March 2014, when Xyratex Ltd. was acquired by Seagate Technology plc., he 
was a member of the Board of Directors of Xyratex Ltd., a publicly held U.K. company that specializes in storage and network 
technology.  In May 2007, Mr. Sanghi was appointed to the Board of Directors of FIRST Organization, a not-for-profit public 
charity founded in 1989 to develop young people's interest in science and technology.  Mr. Sanghi was elected to the Board of 
Directors of Hittite Microwave Corporation in October 2013, a privately held semiconductor company.

The Board of Directors concluded that Mr. Sanghi should be nominated to serve as a director since he has served as 

CEO of Microchip for over 20 years and has provided very strong leadership to Microchip over this period.  The Board of 
Directors believes that Mr. Sanghi's management skills have been instrumental to Microchip's extraordinary growth and 
profitability over the past 20 years and to the strong position Microchip has attained in its key markets.

Matthew W. Chapman has served as a director of Microchip since May 1997.  Since December 2006, he has served as 

President and CEO of Northwest Evaluation Association, a not-for-profit education service organization providing computer 
adaptive testing for millions of students throughout the United States.  In his career, Mr. Chapman has served as CEO and 

10

Chairman of Concentrex Incorporated, a publicly held company specializing in supplying software solutions and service to 
U.S. financial institutions.  Mr. Chapman also serves on the Board of Directors of the Oregon Business Association and the All 
Hands Raised Foundation, Knowledge Alliance and on the Board of Regents of the University of Portland.

The Board of Directors concluded that Mr. Chapman should be nominated to serve as a director due to his significant 
CEO level experience at several corporations.  The Board of Directors also recognizes Mr. Chapman's experience in financial 
matters and that his background establishes him as an audit committee financial expert under applicable rules and makes him 
well suited to serve on the Board of Directors’ nominating and governance committee.

L.B. Day has served as a director of Microchip since December 1994.  Mr. Day serves as President of L.B. Day & 

Company, Inc., a consulting firm whose parent company he co-founded in 1977, which provides strategic planning, strategic 
marketing and organization design services to the elite of the technology world.  He has written on strategic planning and is 
involved with competitive factor assessment in the semiconductor and other technology market segments, geared to helping 
client organizations incorporate competitive factor assessment findings into their strategic plans.  He has served as a board 
member or as an advisor to many public and private boards.

The Board of Directors concluded that Mr. Day should be nominated to serve as a director due to his significant 

experience in corporate management and strategic matters.  In particular, through his consulting practice, Mr. Day has been a 
key strategic advisor to a number of large public corporations.  The Board of Directors also recognizes Mr. Day's experience in 
financial matters and that his background establishes him as an audit committee financial expert under applicable rules.  The 
Board of Directors believes that Mr. Day's background makes him well suited to serve on the Board of Directors' nominating 
and governance committee and compensation committee.

Esther L. Johnson has served as a director of Microchip since October 2013.  From April 2007 until her April 2012 

retirement, Ms. Johnson served as the Vice President and General Manager of Carrier Electronics, a provider of high 
technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions, and a part of United Technology Corporation, a publicly held 
company that provides high technology products and services to the aerospace and building systems industries.  Prior to her 
position as Vice President and General Manager, since 1983, Ms. Johnson held a variety of other management positions with 
Carrier Electronics, including Director of Operations and Global Supply Chain Manager.  Ms. Johnson was instrumental in 
Carrier being recognized by Industry Week as one of the "Top 10 Factories in North America."  She has served as a board 
member on multiple private company boards.

The Board of Directors concluded that Ms. Johnson should be nominated to serve as a director due to her significant 
executive level experience in the technology industry.  The Board of Directors also recognizes the knowledge and experience 
Ms. Johnson has gained through her service on the boards of various private companies. 

Wade F. Meyercord has served as a director of Microchip since June 1999.  Since October 2002, he has served as 

President of Meyercord & Associates, Inc., a privately held management consulting firm specializing in executive 
compensation matters and stock plan consulting for technology companies, a position he previously held part time beginning in 
1987.  Mr. Meyercord served as a member of the Board of Directors of Endwave Corporation, a publicly held company, from 
March 2004 until it was acquired in 2011.  Mr. Meyercord served as a member of the Board of Directors of California Micro 
Devices Corporation, a publicly held company, from January 1993 to October 2009 and Magma Design Automation, Inc., a 
publicly held company, from January 2004 to June 2005.

The Board of Directors concluded that Mr. Meyercord should be nominated to serve as a director due to his significant 

experience as a senior executive and board member of a number of companies in the technology industry.  Mr. Meyercord 
gained further industry experience through his consulting practice.  The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Meyercord's 
background makes him well suited to serve on the Board of Directors' nominating and governance committee and 
compensation committee.  The Board of Directors also recognizes his experience in financial matters and that his background 
establishes him as an audit committee financial expert under applicable rules.

11

PROPOSAL TWO

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has appointed Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public 

accounting firm, to audit our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015.  Ernst & Young LLP 
has audited our financial statements since the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002 and has served as our independent registered 
public accounting firm since June 2001.  The partner in charge of our audit is rotated every five years.  Other partners and non-
partner personnel are rotated on a periodic basis as required.

We anticipate that a representative of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the annual meeting, will have the 

opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.  Stockholder 
ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP is not required by our Bylaws or applicable law.  However, our Board of 
Directors chose to submit such appointment to our stockholders for ratification.  In the event of a negative vote on such 
ratification, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection.

Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Audit Fees

This category includes fees associated with our annual audit, the reviews of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and 
statutory audits required internationally.  This category also includes advice on audit and accounting matters that arose during, 
or as a result of, the audit or the review of our interim financial statements, statutory audits and the assistance with review of 
our SEC registration statements.  This category also included fees associated with the audit of our internal control over 
financial reporting required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  The aggregate fees billed or to be billed by 
Ernst & Young LLP in each of the last two fiscal years for such services were approximately $1,845,000 for fiscal 2014 and 
$2,275,000 for fiscal 2013.  Our audit fees in fiscal 2013 were significantly higher than our audit fees in fiscal 2014 due to our 
acquisition of Standard Microsystems Corporation, including procedures performed by Ernst & Young LLP in connection with 
the testing of our allocation of the purchase price of this acquisition.

Audit-Related Fees

This category includes fees associated with employee benefit plan audits, internal control reviews, accounting 
consultations and attestation services that are not required by statute or regulation.  The aggregate fees billed or to be billed by 
Ernst & Young LLP in each of the last two fiscal years for such services were no fees for fiscal 2014 and $55,000 for fiscal 
2013.

Tax Fees

This category includes fees associated with tax return preparation, tax advice and tax planning.  The aggregate fees 

billed or to be billed by Ernst & Young LLP in each of the last two fiscal years for such services were approximately $452,000 
for fiscal 2014 and $540,000 for fiscal 2013.

All Other Fees

This category includes fees for support and advisory services not related to audit services or tax services.  There were 

no such fees in fiscal 2014 or fiscal 2013.

Our Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our independent 

registered public accounting firm.  These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other 
services.  The Audit Committee has adopted a policy for the pre-approval of services provided by our independent registered 
public accounting firm.  Under the policy, pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year, and any pre-approval is 
detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is subject to a specific budget or limit.  The Audit Committee 

12

may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis.  The Chairman of the Audit Committee has the delegated 
authority from the Audit Committee to pre-approve a specified level of services, and such pre-approvals are then 
communicated to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.  During fiscal 2014, all audit and non-audit services 
rendered by Ernst & Young LLP were approved in accordance with our pre-approval policy.

Our Audit Committee has determined that the non-audit services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP during fiscal 2014 

and fiscal 2013 were compatible with maintaining the independence of Ernst & Young LLP.

Required Vote; Recommendation

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal at the Annual Meeting is required to approve the 

ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of Microchip for the 
fiscal year ending March 31, 2015.  Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal.

Upon the recommendation of our Audit Committee, our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that 

stockholders vote "FOR" Proposal Two, the ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm, as 
described in the Proxy Statement.

13

PROPOSAL THREE

APPROVAL OF AMENDED 2001 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

At the annual meeting, stockholders are being asked to approve our 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") as 
amended and restated to add a plan term ending August 31, 2024.  No other material changes are being made to the ESPP.  We 
are making this change to conform the ESPP to current best practices and allow us to continue to use the ESPP to assist us in 
recruiting, retaining and motivating qualified personnel who help us achieve our business goals, including creating long-term 
value for stockholders.  Our ESPP is intended to offer an important incentive by allowing employees to purchase shares of our 
common stock.  Employees are allowed to purchase our common stock under the ESPP at a price equal to 85% of the lower of 
the fair market value on either the opening or closing date of the respective offering period.

Currently, a maximum of 5,636,158 shares may be issued under the ESPP, plus an automatic increase each January 1 

during the term of the ESPP equal to the lesser of (i) 1,500,000 shares, (ii) one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the then 
outstanding shares of our common stock, or (iii) such lesser amount as approved by our Board of Directors.  Stockholder 
approval of the ESPP will constitute reapproval of the automatic share increase provision, previously approved by our 
stockholders effective January 1, 2005.  The Board did not approve an automatic increase in the share reserve under the ESPP 
for either 2013 or 2014.  

Without stockholder approval of the ESPP, we believe our ability to attract and retain the individuals necessary to 

increase long-term stockholder value will be limited. We believe that the approval of the ESPP is important to our continued 
success. 

The Board of Directors has approved the ESPP as amended, subject to the approval of our stockholders at the annual 

meeting. 

Description of the ESPP

The following paragraphs provide a summary of the principal features of the ESPP and its operation.  However, this 

summary is not a complete description of all of the provisions of the ESPP, and is qualified in its entirety by the specific 
language of the ESPP.  A copy of the ESPP is provided as Appendix A to this proxy statement. 

Purpose and Background

The purpose of the ESPP is to provide eligible employees of Microchip and participating subsidiaries with the 

opportunity to purchase shares of common stock through payroll deductions at a discounted purchase price.  The ESPP was 
originally adopted by the Board of Directors in May 2001 and approved by stockholders at our 2001 annual meeting.  
Stockholders approved an amendment to the ESPP at our 2003 annual meeting to reserve an additional 975,000 shares under 
the ESPP.  Stockholders approved an amendment to the ESPP to add the annual automatic “evergreen” share reserve increase 
beginning January 1, 2005.  

Administration

The ESPP is administered by a committee made up of members of the Board of Directors which is currently the 

Compensation Committee (the "Committee").  The Committee has full power to interpret the ESPP, and its decisions will be 
final and binding upon all participants.

Eligibility 

Generally, all employees of Microchip or any of the subsidiaries designated by the Committee will be eligible to 

participate in the ESPP.  However, no employee who normally works less than 20 hours per week or five months in a calendar 
year is eligible to participate.  Also, no employee will be eligible to participate in the ESPP if, immediately after the grant of an 
option to purchase stock under the ESPP, that employee would own 5% of either the voting power or the value of the common 
stock.  No employee's rights to purchase the common stock pursuant to the ESPP may accrue at a rate that exceeds $25,000 per 

14

calendar year.  As of June 1, 2014, approximately 2,662 employees are eligible to participate in the ESPP.  Non-employee 
directors are not eligible to participate in the ESPP.

Participation and Purchases

Under the ESPP a participant must authorize payroll deductions, which may not exceed 10% of their eligible 

compensation.  Generally, when an employee terminates employment with Microchip or any designated subsidiary, the 
employee's right to participate in the ESPP terminates.  The ESPP provides for offering periods of up to 24 months.  Each 
offering period will include one or more purchase periods.  The duration of each offering period and purchase period will be 
determined by the Committee.  The ESPP is currently implemented by a series of offering periods beginning on the first 
business day of March and the first business day of September of each year, and each offering period consists of one or more 
six-month purchase periods.  For example, the series of offering periods beginning in 2014 will include a twenty-four (24) 
month offering period beginning the first business day in March 2014, followed by an eighteen (18) month offering period 
beginning the first business day in September 2014, followed by a twelve (12) month offering period beginning the first 
business day in March 2015, and followed by a six (6) month offering period beginning on the first business day in September 
2015.

The first day of each offering period is referred to as an entry date.  Eligible employees participate in the ESPP 

through accumulated payroll deductions.  At the end of each approximately six-month purchase period, these accumulated 
payroll deductions are used to purchase shares of common stock at a price per share equal to the lower of 85% of the closing 
price of a share of common stock on (1) the relevant entry date or (2) the relevant purchase date, whichever is less.  It is 
expected that purchase dates under the ESPP will be the first business day of March and the first business day of September of 
each year.  The ESPP also provides that no participant may purchase more than 7,500 shares of common stock in any one 
purchase period.  This limitation may be changed by the Committee.

Withdrawal

If a participant chooses to withdraw from a purchase period, the participant may elect to have all accumulated payroll 

deductions refunded or have the accumulated payroll deductions used to purchase common stock on the next purchase date.  
The Committee may also establish rules limiting the frequency with which participants may withdraw and may establish a 
waiting period for participants wishing to re-authorize payroll deductions. 

Termination of Employment

Termination of a participant's employment other than by reason of death or disability, immediately cancels his or her 

option and participation in the ESPP.  If this occurs, the payroll deductions credited to the participant's account will be returned 
without interest to him or her.  If a participant dies, or terminates employment due to disability, at the election of the participant 
(or if applicable the participant's estate), his or her accumulated payroll deductions will be used to purchase shares on the next 
purchase date or the accumulated payroll deductions will be refunded to the participant or his estate.

Non-transferability

Rights to purchase shares of common stock and any other rights and interests under the ESPP may not be assigned, 

transferred, sold or otherwise disposed of and may not be subject to the claims of creditors or liable to attachment, execution or 
other legal process. 

Certain Transactions

In the event of any stock split, stock dividend, spin-off, reclassification, recapitalization or other similar event 

affecting the common stock, adjustments may be made in the number of shares of stock subject to the ESPP, the number and 
kind of shares of stock to be purchased pursuant to each option and the price per share of common stock covered by each 
option.  Any such adjustment will be made by the Committee, whose determination shall be final.  In the event of a proposed 
sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Microchip or the merger or consolidation of Microchip with another company, 
each option will be assumed by, or an equivalent option substituted, by the successor company or an affiliate.  If the successor 

15

company or affiliate refuses to assume or substitute for the option, the next purchase date will be automatically accelerated to 
the date immediately before the proposed sale or merger.

Amendment and Termination

The Committee may amend, suspend or terminate the ESPP or any part of the ESPP at any time and for any reason.  If 

the ESPP is terminated, the Committee may determine that all outstanding rights to purchase shares under the ESPP terminate 
immediately, upon completion of the next purchase date (which may be adjusted to occur sooner than originally scheduled), or 
in accordance with their terms.  If options are terminated prior to expiration, then all amounts credited to participants that have 
not been used to purchase shares of common stock will be returned, without interest (unless otherwise required by applicable 
law), as soon as administratively practicable.  Unless terminated earlier, as amended, the ESPP will expire on August 31, 2024.

Number of Shares Purchased by Certain Individuals and Groups 

Participation in the ESPP is voluntary and dependent on each eligible employee's election to participate and his or her 

determination as to the level of payroll deductions.  Further, the number of shares that may be purchased under the ESPP is 
determined, in part, by the price of our common stock on the first and last day of each offering period or purchase period, as 
applicable.  Accordingly, the actual number of shares that may be purchased by any individual is not determinable.  For 
illustrative purposes only, the following table sets forth (a) the number of shares of common stock that were purchased during 
fiscal 2014 under the ESPP, and (b) the weighted average per share purchase price paid for such shares, for each of our named 
executive officers, all current executive officers as a group, and all other employees who participated in the ESPP as a group. 

Name of Individual or Identity of Group and Position

Steve Sanghi
President and CEO

Ganesh Moorthy
Chief Operating Officer

Mitchell R. Little
Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Applications

Stephen V. Drehobl 
Vice President, MCU8 and Technology Development Division

J. Eric Bjornholt
Vice President and CFO

All current executive officers as a group
All non-employee directors as a group (1)

Number of
Shares
Purchased (#)

Weighted
Average
Purchase
Price Per
Share ($)

725

939

333

999

917

5,888

—

29.2570

29.2570

29.2570

29.2570

29.2570

29.2570

—

All other employees (including all current officers who are not executive officers) as a
group

545,566

29.5626

____________________
(1)  Non-employee directors are not eligible to participate in the ESPP. 

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences 

Based on management's understanding of current U.S. federal income tax laws, the tax consequences of the purchase 

of shares under the ESPP are as follows. 

The ESPP is intended to be an employee stock purchase plan within the meaning of Section 423 of the Internal 
Revenue Code.  Under an employee stock purchase plan, which so qualifies, no taxable income will be recognized by a 
participant, and no deductions will be allowable to Microchip, upon either the grant or the exercise of the purchase rights.  
Taxable income will not be recognized until there is a sale or other disposition of the shares acquired under the ESPP or in the 
event the participant should die while still owning the purchased shares.

16

If the participant sells or otherwise disposes of the purchased shares within two (2) years after the start date of the 

offering period in which the shares were acquired or within one (1) year after the actual purchase date of those shares, then the 
participant generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of sale or disposition equal to the amount by which the fair 
market value of the shares on the purchase date exceeded the purchase price paid for those shares, and Microchip will be 
entitled to an income tax deduction, for the taxable year in which such disposition occurs equal in amount to such excess.  The 
amount of this ordinary income will be added to the participant’s basis in the shares, and any resulting gain or loss recognized 
upon the sale or disposition will be a capital gain or loss.  If the shares have been held for more than one (1) year since the date 
of purchase, the gain or loss will be long-term. 

If the participant sells or disposes of the purchased shares more than two (2) years after the start date of the offering 

period in which the shares were acquired and more than one (1) year after the actual semiannual purchase date of those shares, 
then the participant generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of sale or disposition equal to the lesser of (a) the 
amount by which the fair market value of the shares on the sale or disposition date exceeded the purchase price paid for those 
shares, or (b) 15% of the fair market value of the shares on the start date of that offering period.  Any additional gain upon the 
disposition will be taxed as a long-term capital gain.  Alternatively, if the fair market value of the shares on the date of the sale 
or disposition is less than the purchase price, there will be no ordinary income and any loss recognized will be a long-term 
capital loss.  Microchip will not be entitled to an income tax deduction with respect to such disposition.

If the participant still owns the purchased shares at the time of death, the lesser of (i) the amount by which the fair 

market value of the shares on the date of death exceeds the purchase price or (ii) 15% of the fair market value of the shares on 
the start date of the offering period in which those shares were acquired will constitute ordinary income in the year of death.

Summary

The Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interests of Microchip and its stockholders to continue to provide 

employees with the opportunity to acquire an ownership interest in Microchip through their participation in the ESPP and 
thereby encourage them to remain in Microchip’s employ and more closely align their interests with those of our stockholders.

Required Vote; Recommendation

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal at the Annual Meeting is required to approve the 

the amended 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.  Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal.

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends voting "FOR" Proposal Three, the approval of the Amended 

2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as described in this Proxy Statement.

17

PROPOSAL FOUR

APPROVAL OF AMENDED 
1994 INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

At the annual meeting, stockholders are being asked to approve the amendment and restatement of our 1994 

International Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("IESPP") to extend the term of the IESPP for an additional ten years through 
November 30, 2024.  No other material changes are being made to the IESPP. 

Stockholder approval of the amendment will allow us to continue to use the IESPP to assist us in recruiting, retaining 

and motivating qualified personnel who help us achieve our business goals, including creating long-term value for 
stockholders.  Our IESPP is intended to offer an important incentive by allowing employees of participating foreign 
subsidiaries to purchase shares of our common stock.  Employees are allowed to purchase our common stock under the IESPP 
at a price equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value on either the opening or closing date of the respective purchase 
period.

Currently, our IESPP is scheduled to expire on November 30, 2014.  Without stockholder approval of the amended and 

restated IESPP, we believe our ability to attract and retain the individuals necessary to increase long-term stockholder value 
will be limited.  We believe that the approval of the amendment is important to our continued success.  If stockholders do not 
approve an extension of the term of the IESPP, the IESPP's goals of recruiting, retaining and motivating talented employees 
will be more difficult to meet.

The Board of Directors has approved the amended IESPP, subject to the approval of our stockholders at the annual 

meeting. 

Description of the IESPP

The following paragraphs provide a summary of the principal features of the IESPP and its operation.  However, this 

summary is not a complete description of all the provisions of the IESPP, and is qualified in its entirety by the specific language 
of the IESPP.  A copy of the IESPP is provided as Appendix B to this proxy statement.

Purpose and Background

The purpose of the IESPP is to provide eligible employees of Microchip's participating non-U.S. subsidiaries with the 

opportunity to purchase shares of common stock through payroll deductions at a discounted purchase price.  The IESPP was 
originally adopted by the Board of Directors in June 1994 and stockholders approved the reservation of an additional 100,000 
shares under the IESPP at the 2004 annual meeting.  There are 670,007 shares of common stock currently reserved for issuance 
under the IESPP plus an automatic increase each January 1 during the term of the plan of one tenth of one percent (0.1%) of the 
then outstanding shares of our common stock.  The Board did not approve an automatic increase in the share reserve in either 
2013 or 2014.  

Administration

Each foreign subsidiary of Microchip that is authorized to participate under the IESPP has the responsibility for 

administering the IESPP as it relates to the eligible employees of that subsidiary.  The Board of Directors appoints a committee 
to administer the IESPP at that foreign subsidiary.  The committee is comprised of two or more members of senior management 
of the foreign subsidiary.   Each committee has full power to interpret the IESPP, and make final decisions that are binding 
upon participants at that foreign subsidiary.

Eligibility

Generally, all non-U.S. citizens employed by a participating foreign subsidiary of Microchip who work outside of the 

U.S. are eligible to participate in the IESPP.  However, no employee who normally works less than 20 hours per week or five 
months in a calendar year is eligible to participate.  Non-employee Directors are not eligible to participate in the IESPP.

18

Participation and Purchases

Under the IESPP a participant must authorize payroll deductions, which may not exceed 10% of their eligible 
compensation.  Generally, when an employee terminates employment with Microchip or any designated subsidiary, the 
employee's right to participate in the IESPP terminates.  The IESPP provides for successive six-month purchase periods until 
such time as (1) the maximum number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the IESPP has been purchased, 
or (2) the IESPP has been earlier terminated according to its terms.

Eligible employees participate in the IESPP through accumulated payroll deductions.  At the end of each 

approximately six-month purchase period, these accumulated payroll deductions are used to purchase shares of common stock 
at a purchase price equal to eighty five percent (85%) of the lower of (1) the fair market value per share on the start date of that 
purchase period, or (2) the fair market value per share on the last U.S. business day of that purchase period.  Currently, 
purchase dates under the IESPP are the first business day of June and the first business day of December of each year.  The 
IESPP also provides that no participant may purchase more than 1,899 shares of common stock in any one purchase period.  
This limitation may be changed by the committee only upon ratification by the Board of Directors.

Termination of Employment

Termination of a participant's employment other than by reason of death or disability immediately cancels his or her 

option and participation in the IESPP.  If this occurs, the payroll deductions credited to the participant's account will be returned 
without interest to him or her.  If a participant dies, or terminates employment due to disability, at the election of the participant 
(or if applicable the participant's estate), his or her accumulated payroll deductions will be used to purchase shares on the next 
purchase date or the accumulated payroll deductions will be refunded to the participant or his or her estate.

Non-transferability

Rights to purchase shares of common stock and any other rights and interests under the ESPP may not be assigned, 

transferred, sold or otherwise disposed of and may not be subject to the claims of creditors or liable to attachment, execution or 
other legal process. 

Certain Transactions

In the event of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or other similar event affecting the common stock, 

adjustments may be made in the number of shares of stock subject to the IESPP, the number and kind of shares of stock to be 
purchased pursuant to each option and the price per share of common stock covered by each option.  Any such adjustment will 
be made by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be final.  In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all 
of the assets of Microchip or the merger or consolidation of Microchip with another company, then all payroll deductions for 
the purchase period in which such acquisition occurs will automatically be converted into U.S. Dollars immediately prior to the 
effective date of the acquisition or merger and applied to the purchase of common stock.  The purchase price for shares will be 
equal to 85% of the lesser of (1) the market price of the common stock on the first day of the purchase period, or (2) the market 
price of the common stock immediately prior to the acquisition.

Amendment and Termination

Generally, the Board of Directors may terminate or amend the IESPP with respect to one or more foreign subsidiaries 

following the end of any purchase period.  The IESPP will continue until all of the shares authorized for the IESPP are sold, 
unless terminated sooner by the Board of Directors.

Withdrawal

If a participant chooses to withdraw from a purchase period, the participant may elect to have all accumulated payroll 

deductions refunded or have the accumulated payroll deductions used to purchase common stock on the next purchase date.  
The committee may also establish rules limiting the frequency with which participants may withdraw and may establish a 
waiting period for participants wishing to re-authorize payroll deductions.

19

Income Tax Consequences

Income tax implications of participation in the IESPP differ depending on the particular laws applicable in the country 

in which the foreign subsidiary is located.

Plan Benefits

Participation in the IESPP is voluntary.  Because benefits under the IESPP depend on employees' elections to 
participate and the fair market value of the common stock at various future dates, it is not possible to determine the benefits that 
will be received by employees.  None of Microchip's executive officers participate in the IESPP.  The group of non-executive 
employees who participated in the IESPP during fiscal 2014 purchased 120,855 shares under the IESPP with a benefit dollar 
value of $1,408,238.  This is calculated as the fair market value per share of the common stock on the date of purchase, minus 
the purchase price per share of common stock under the IESPP.

Summary

The Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interests of Microchip and its stockholders to continue to provide 

employees with the opportunity to acquire an ownership interest in Microchip through their participation in the IESPP and 
thereby encourage them to remain in Microchip's employ and more closely align their interests with those of our stockholders.

Required Vote; Recommendation

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal at the Annual Meeting is required to approve the 
the amended 1994 International Employee Stock Purchase Plan.  Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against this 
proposal.

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends voting "FOR" Proposal Four, the approval of the Amended 

1994 International Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as described in this Proxy Statement.

20

PROPOSAL FIVE

APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, enables our 
stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as 
disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the SEC's rules (commonly referred to as a "Say-on-Pay").

As described under the heading "Executive Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis," our 

executive compensation program is a comprehensive package designed to motivate our executive officers to achieve our 
corporate objectives and is intended to be competitive and allow us to attract and retain highly qualified executive officers.  We 
believe that the various elements of our executive compensation program work together to promote our goal of ensuring that 
total compensation should be related to both our performance and individual performance.

Stockholders are urged to read the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section of this Proxy Statement, 

beginning on page 24, which discusses how our executive compensation policies implement our compensation philosophy, and 
the "Compensation of Named Executive Officers" section of this Proxy Statement, which contains tabular information and 
narrative discussion about the compensation of our named executive officers.  These sections provide additional details about 
our executive compensation programs, including information about fiscal 2014 compensation of our named executive officers.  
The Compensation Committee and our Board of Directors believe that these policies are effective in implementing our 
compensation philosophy and in achieving our goals.

We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our executive compensation as described in this Proxy 
Statement.  This Say-on-Pay proposal gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our named executive 
officers' compensation.  This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall 
compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement.  
Accordingly, we are asking our stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive 
officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the 
Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Summary Compensation Table and the other related tables and disclosures.

The Say-on-Pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on us, the Compensation Committee or our Board of 

Directors.  However, our Board of Directors and our Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and to 
the extent there is any significant vote against the named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, 
we will consider our stockholders' concerns and the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary 
to address those concerns.  Our current policy is to provide stockholders with an opportunity to approve the compensation of 
our named executive officers each year at our annual meeting of stockholders.  It is expected that the next such vote will occur 
at our 2015 annual meeting.

Required Vote; Recommendation

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal at the Annual Meeting is required to approve the 

compensation of our named executive officers on an advisory (non-binding) basis.  Abstentions will have the same effect as a 
vote against this proposal.

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends voting "FOR" Proposal Five, the approval, on an advisory 

(non-binding) basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers, as described in this Proxy Statement.

21

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS,
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth information concerning the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of May 23, 

2014 for: (a) each director, (b) our CEO, our CFO and the three other most highly compensated executive officers named in the 
Summary Compensation Table, (c) all directors and executive officers as a group, and (d) each person who is known to us to 
own beneficially more than 5% of our common stock.  Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, and subject 
to applicable community property laws and joint tenancies, the persons named in this table have sole voting and investment 
power with respect to all shares of common stock held by such person:

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

Massachusetts Financial Services Company(2)

The Vanguard Group, Inc. (3)

BlackRock, Inc. (4)

Wells Fargo & Co. (5)

Steve Sanghi (6)

Matthew W. Chapman (7)

L.B. Day (8)

Esther L. Johnson

Albert J. Hugo-Martinez (9)

Wade F. Meyercord (10)

J. Eric Bjornholt (11)

Stephen V. Drehobl

Mitchell R. Little

Ganesh Moorthy (12)

All directors and executive officers as a group (11 people) (13)

Number of Shares 
Beneficially Owned (1)

Percent of
Common Stock (1)

21,224,944

13,167,760

12,890,956

10,742,366

5,136,546

45,763

20,126

—

11,500

44,297

12,258

12,503

8,600

138,675

5,743,741

10.6

6.6

6.4

5.4

2.6

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

2.9

_________________________
* Less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock as of May 23, 2014.  Common Stock shares outstanding at May 23, 

2014 were 200,291,129.

(1)  For each individual and group included in the table, the number of shares beneficially owned includes shares of common 

stock issuable to the identified individual or group pursuant to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 23, 
2014.  There are no stock purchase rights or RSUs that will vest within 60 days of May 23, 2014.  In calculating the 
percentage of ownership of each individual or group, share amounts that are attributable to options that are exercisable 
within 60 days of May 23, 2014 are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of calculating the percentage of shares of 
common stock owned by such individual or group but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of calculating the 
percentage of shares of common stock owned by any other individual or group.

(2)  Address is 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02199.  All information is based solely on the Schedule 13G filed by 
Massachusetts Financial Services Company ("MFS") dated February 13, 2014, with the exception of the percentage of 
common stock held, which is based on shares outstanding at May 23, 2014.  Such Schedule 13G indicates that (i) MFS has 
sole power to dispose of and direct the disposition of the common stock; and (ii) MFS is deemed to be the beneficial owner 
of 21,224,944 shares as a result of acting as investment adviser to various investment companies registered under Section 8 
of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

22

(3)  Address is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA  19355.  All information is based solely on the Schedule 13G filed by 
The Vanguard Group, Inc. dated February 11, 2014, with the exception of the percentage of common stock held which is 
based on shares outstanding at May 23, 2014.  Such Schedule 13G indicates that The Vanguard Group, Inc. (i) has sole 
power to dispose of 12,868,575 shares of common stock and shared power to dispose of 299,185 shares of common stock;
(ii) has sole voting power over 324,117 shares of common stock and (iii) is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 
13,167,760 shares as a result of acting as investment adviser to various investment companies registered under Section 8 of 
the Investment Company Act of 1940. 

(4)  Address is 40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY  10022.  All information is based solely on the Schedule 13G filed by 

BlackRock, Inc. dated February 10, 2014, with the exception of the percentage of common stock held which is based on 
shares outstanding at May 23, 2014.  Such Schedule 13G indicates that BlackRock, Inc. (i) has sole power to dispose of 
and direct the disposition of the common stock; and (ii) BlackRock, Inc. is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 
12,890,956 shares as a result of acting as investment adviser to various investment companies registered under Section 8 of 
the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(6) 

(5)  Address is 420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA  94104.  All information is based solely on the Schedule 13G filed 
by Wells Fargo & Co. dated January 27, 2014, with the exception of the percentage of common stock held which is based 
on shares outstanding at May 23, 2014.  Such Schedule 13G indicates that Wells Fargo & Co. (i) has sole power to dispose 
of 68,985 shares of common stock and shared power to dispose of 10,655,864 shares of common stock; (ii) has sole voting 
power over 68,985 shares of common stock and shared voting power over 10,358,903 shares of common stock and (iii) is 
deemed to be the beneficial owner of 10,742,366 shares as a result of acting as investment adviser to various investment 
companies registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Includes 1,954,610 shares held of record by The Sanghi Family Trust (the "Family Trust") and 3,036,936 shares held of record 
by The Sanghi Family Limited Partnership (the "Family Limited Partnership").  Steve Sanghi and Maria T. Sanghi are the 
sole trustees of the Family Trust. The Family Trust is the sole member of the Sanghi LLC which is the sole general partner 
of the Family Limited Partnership, and 145,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days 
of May 23, 2014.  There are no stock purchase rights or RSUs that will vest within 60 days of May 23, 2014.
Includes 262 shares held in Testamentary Trust of Regan Chapman and 135 shares held by Mr. Chapman's children, and 
18,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 23, 2014.  There are no stock 
purchase rights or RSUs that will vest within 60 days of May 23, 2014.
Includes 18,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 23, 2014.  There are no 
stock purchase rights or RSUs that will vest within 60 days of May 23, 2014.
Includes 11,500 shares held of record by Albert J. Hugo-Martinez and S. Gay Hugo-Martinez as trustees.  There are no shares 
issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 23, 2014.  There are no stock purchase rights or 
RSUs that will vest within 60 days of May 23, 2014.

(8) 

(7) 

(9) 

(10)  Includes 18,297 shares held of record by Wade F. Meyercord and Phyllis Meyercord as trustees, and 26,000 shares issuable 
upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 23, 2014.  There are no stock purchase rights or RSUs 
that will vest within 60 days of May 23, 2014.

(11)  Includes 12,258 shares held of record by J. Eric Bjornholt and Lynn Bjornholt as trustees.  There are no stock purchase rights 

or RSUs that will vest within 60 days of May 23, 2014.

(12)  Includes 138,675 shares held of record by Ganesh Moorthy and Hema Moorthy as trustees.  There are no shares issuable upon 
exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 23, 2014.  There are no stock purchase rights or RSUs that will 
vest within 60 days of May 23, 2014.

(13)  Includes an aggregate of 207,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 23, 

2014.  There are no stock purchase rights or RSUs that will vest within 60 days of May 23, 2014.

23

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Overview of the Compensation Program

The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, presently comprised of Mr. Day and Mr. Meyercord, reviews 
the performance of our executive officers and makes compensation decisions regarding our executive officers.  Our policies for 
setting compensation for each of our named executive officers (CEO, CFO, and our three other most highly paid executive 
officers) are the same as those for the rest of our executive officers.  Our compensation program is a comprehensive package 
designed to motivate the executive officers to achieve our corporate objectives and is intended to be competitive and allow us 
to attract and retain highly qualified executive officers.  In general, the types of compensation and benefits provided to our 
executive officers are similar to those provided to most other Microchip employees, and include salary, cash bonuses, RSUs, 
and other benefits described below.

Our Executive Compensation Policy and Objectives

Our compensation policy for executive officers, including our named executive officers, and key employees is based 
on a "pay-for-performance" philosophy.  This "pay-for-performance" philosophy emphasizes variable compensation, primarily 
by placing a large portion of pay at risk.  We believe that this philosophy meets the following objectives:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

rewards performance that may contribute to increased stockholder value,

attracts, retains, motivates and rewards individuals with competitive compensation opportunities,

aligns an executive officer's total compensation with our business objectives, 

fosters a team environment among our management that focuses their energy on achieving our financial and 
business objectives consistent with Microchip's "guiding values,"

balances short-term and long-term strategic goals, and

builds and encourages ownership of our common stock.

Decisions regarding cash and equity compensation also include subjective determinations and consideration of various 

factors with the weight given to a particular factor varying from time to time and in various individual cases, such as an 
executive officer's experience in the industry and the perceived value of the executive officer's position to Microchip as a 
whole.

We believe that the overall compensation levels for our executive officers, including our named executive officers, in 

fiscal 2014 were consistent with our "pay-for-performance" philosophy and were commensurate with our fiscal 2014 
performance.

Executive Compensation Process

On an annual basis, the Compensation Committee evaluates and establishes the compensation of our executive 
officers, including the named executive officers.  The Compensation Committee seeks input from Mr. Sanghi when discussing 
the performance of, and compensation levels for, the executive officers other than himself.  Mr. Sanghi does not participate in 
deliberations relating to his own compensation.

The Compensation Committee designs our executive compensation program to be competitive with those of other 

companies in the semiconductor or related industries that are similar to us in number of employees, revenue and capitalization.  
The Compensation Committee determines appropriate levels of compensation for each executive officer based on their level of 
responsibility within the organization, performance, and overall contribution.  After such determination, the Compensation 
Committee makes allocations between long-term and short-term as well as the cash and non-cash elements of compensation.  

24

Microchip's financial and business objectives, the salaries of executive officers in similar positions with comparable companies 
and individual performance are considered in making these determinations.  If compensation information is reviewed for other 
companies, it is obtained from published materials such as proxy statements, and information gathered from such companies 
directly.  We do not engage consultants to conduct such review process for us or utilize a specific peer group.

The executive officer compensation process begins with consideration of Microchip's overall budget for employee 

compensation.  The Compensation Committee considers the budgeted salary data and individual executive officer salary 
increases are determined with the goal of keeping the executive officer salary increase within the budgeted range for all other 
employees.  In setting annual salaries for executive officers, the Compensation Committee also considers relevant industry data 
but does not target any overall industry percentage level or peer group average.

Microchip's compensation budget is created as part of its annual and quarterly operating plan processes under which 

business and financial objectives are initially developed by our executive officers, in conjunction with their respective 
operating units, and then discussed with and approved by our CEO.  These objectives are then reviewed by our Board of 
Directors and the Board of Directors sets the overall financial and business objectives for Microchip on which incentive 
compensation is based.

The Compensation Committee sets the compensation of our Chairman, CEO and President, Mr. Sanghi, in the same 

manner as each of our other executive officers.  In particular, the Compensation Committee considers Mr. Sanghi's level of 
responsibility, performance, and overall contribution to the results of the organization.  The Compensation Committee also 
considers the compensation of CEOs of other companies in the semiconductor or related industries that are similar to us in 
number of employees, revenue and capitalization.  Mr. Sanghi primarily participates in the same cash incentive, equity 
incentive and benefit programs as our other executive officers.  For example, his compensation is subject to the same 
performance metrics as our other executive officers under our EMICP program.  The Compensation Committee recognizes that 
Mr. Sanghi's total compensation package is significantly higher than that of our other executive officers and the Compensation 
Committee believes this is appropriate in consideration of Mr. Sanghi's superior leadership of Microchip over a long period of 
time.  In particular, the Compensation Committee believes that Mr. Sanghi's leadership has been key to the substantial revenue 
and profitability growth, strong market position and substantial increase in the market value of Microchip since taking 
Microchip public in 1993, and to leading Microchip's strong performance relative to others in the industry over a number of 
years.

For fiscal 2014, the Compensation Committee reviewed and approved the total compensation package of all of our 

executive officers, including the elements of compensation discussed below, and determined the amounts to be reasonable and 
competitive.

At our last annual meeting of stockholders held in August 2013, our stockholders approved an advisory (non-binding) 
proposal concerning our executive compensation program with approximately 96% of the votes cast in favor of the proposal.  
The Compensation Committee considered the results of this vote in establishing the compensation program for fiscal 2015.

Elements of Compensation

Our executive compensation program is currently comprised of four major elements:

• 

• 

• 

• 

annual base salary,

incentive cash bonuses,

equity compensation, and

compensation and employee benefits generally available to all of our employees.

The retirement benefits and other benefits offered to our executive officers are largely the same as those we provide to 

a broad base of employees.  While our executive officers' level of participation in our management incentive compensation 
plans and equity incentive plans is typically higher than for our non-executive employees, based on the officers' level of 
responsibility and industry experience, the plans in which our executive officers are eligible to participate are very similar to 

25

those for our other employees.  The Compensation Committee reviews each element of compensation separately and total 
compensation as a whole, other than those benefits which are available to all employees.  The Compensation Committee 
determines the appropriate mix of elements to meet our compensation objectives and to help ensure that we remain competitive 
with the compensation practices in our industry.

Although our executive officers are entitled to certain severance and change of control benefits (as described below), 

the Compensation Committee does not consider such benefits to be elements of compensation for purposes of annual 
compensation reviews because such benefits may never be paid.

Base Salaries.  We review the base salaries of our executive officers each year.  When setting base salaries, we review 

the business and financial objectives for Microchip as a whole, as well as the objectives for each of the individual officers 
relative to their respective areas of responsibility.  In particular, we consider our overall revenue growth and revenue growth in 
our strategic product lines, non-GAAP gross margins, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP net income per diluted share, 
cash generation, expected capital expenditures and other financial considerations in setting our budgets for salaries.  We also 
consider the individual performance of our named executive officers including the officer's level of responsibility, performance, 
overall contribution to the results of the organization, the officer's base salary relative to the salaries of our other officers, salary 
relative to comparable positions in the industry, the officer's overall compensation including incentive cash bonuses and equity 
compensation and the officer's performance relative to expectations.  We do not assign any specific weight to any such factor 
but consider such factors as a whole for each executive.  This review encompasses the objectives for both the immediately 
preceding fiscal year and the upcoming fiscal year.  For fiscal 2014, Microchip did not conduct an annual focal review process 
for executive or non-executive employees, and employee salary reviews were conducted on a quarterly basis.  Also, the budget 
for salary increases was established each quarter, with any increases determined each quarter on a discretionary basis based on 
the performance reviews of the employees.

After consideration of the factors described above, the base salaries for our named executive officers other than our 

CEO were increased by an average of approximately 1.9% over the course of fiscal 2014.  Our CEO's base salary did not 
increase compared to the prior fiscal year.  The budget for salary increases for our U.S. employee base over the course of fiscal 
2014 was 1.3%.  Due to uncertain economic and industry conditions, in the third quarter of fiscal 2013, Microchip asked its 
employees, including executives, to participate in a voluntary 5% pay reduction program.  As economic and industry conditions 
improved, the voluntary pay reduction amount was reduced to 2.5% in March 2013 and to 0% in July 2013.  Each of our 
executives participated in the voluntary salary reduction program.  During fiscal 2014, the Compensation Committee approved 
certain additional awards under the DMICP and ECBP to those employees, including executives, who participated in the salary 
reduction program.

Incentive Cash Bonuses.  The Compensation Committee sets performance goals which, if met, result in quarterly 

payments to our executive officers under the EMICP.  Executive officers may also receive quarterly payments under the 
DMICP.  The Compensation Committee establishes performance goals which it believes are challenging, require a high level of 
performance and motivate participants to drive stockholder value, but which goals are expected to be achievable in the context 
of business conditions anticipated at the time the goals are set.  When setting the performance goals, the Compensation 
Committee places more emphasis on the overall expected financial performance of Microchip rather than on the achievement 
of any one individual goal.  The Compensation Committee believes that this focus on the overall payout incentivizes 
outstanding performance across the corporation and drives the overall financial success of the corporation.  The Compensation 
Committee uses the DMICP to help achieve the overall objectives of the performance bonus program.

The performance metrics under the EMICP are determined by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of each 
quarter so that such compensation may qualify as performance-based compensation within the meaning of Rule 162(m) under 
the Internal Revenue Code.  The metrics may be based on either GAAP or non-GAAP financial results at the discretion of the 
Compensation Committee.  The Compensation Committee typically uses non-GAAP information when setting the targets 
because it believes such targets are more useful in understanding our operating results due to the exclusion of non-cash, non-
recurring and other special charges.  Except for the earnings per share metric which changes each quarter, each of the 

26

performance metrics is typically the same for each quarter of the fiscal year (or longer).  The table below sets forth the 
performance metrics under the EMICP for each quarter of fiscal 2014:

Actual Results

Target
Quarterly
Measurement
for Q1 thru Q4
FY14

Target
% of
Bonus

Q1
FY14
Perf.

Q1
FY14
Bonus
Payout
%

Q2
FY14
Perf.

Q2
FY14
Bonus
Payout
%

Q3
FY14
Bonus
Payout
%

Q4
FY14
Perf.

Q4
FY14
Bonus
Payout
%

Q3
FY14
Perf.

2.5%

10

7.59

30.36

6.46

25.84

(2.10)

(8.40)

2.28

9.12

6.5%

3.5%

3.0%

4

4

3

14.58

8.97

14.92

9.18

(2.09)

(1.29)

13.27

8.17

6.23

7.12

5.08

5.81

(0.38)

0.43

(1.32)

(1.51)

2.07

2.07

10.25

10.25

(3.03)

(3.03)

(3.80)

(3.80)

57.5%

15

58.03

16.99

59.01

20.67

59.00

20.63

59.30

21.75

28.5%

15

27.49

20.05

27.22

21.41

27.09

22.05

26.57

24.65

28.3%

15

30.54

20.60

31.79

23.73

31.91

24.03

32.73

26.08

Performance
Metric

Total sequential
revenue growth

High
performance
microcontroller
sequential
revenue growth

Analog
sequential
revenue growth

Licensing
sequential
revenue growth

Gross margin
percentage (non-
GAAP)

Operating
expenses as a
percentage of
sales (non-
GAAP)

Operating
income as a
percentage of
sales (non-
GAAP)

Earnings per
share (quarterly)
(non-GAAP)

EMICP Total

(1)

N/A

14

80

20

57.20

36.72

63.21

34.12

60.91

N/A

N/A

142.88

47.12(2)

N/A

N/A

151.00

40.00(3)

N/A

N/A

17.02

71.44

28.56(4)

63.66

19.69

N/A

N/A

104.15

35.85(5)

DMICP Total

Discretionary

(1)  The EMICP quarterly non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) targets for the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 

fiscal 2014 were $0.46, $0.52, $0.59 and $0.60, respectively.

(2)  The DMICP was 7.12% of the target, with an additional 40% DMICP payout for all personnel that participated in the 

voluntary salary reduction program.

(3)  The DMICP was 0% of the target, with an additional 40% DMICP payout for all personnel that participated in the 

voluntary salary reduction program.

(4)  The DMICP was 3.56% of the target, with an additional 25% DMICP payout for all personnel that participated in the 

voluntary salary reduction program.

(5)  The DMICP was 10.85% of the target, with an additional 25% DMICP payout for all personnel that participated in 

the voluntary salary reduction program.

27

 
The total amount payable to each executive under the EMICP and the DMICP is based on a percentage of his base 
salary at the beginning of the quarter.  The participation percentage for each executive is determined at the beginning of the 
fiscal year based on the executive's base salary at that time and typically stays at the same level for each quarter of the fiscal 
year.  However, the Compensation Committee may change the participation level of an executive each quarter to reflect 
changes in the performance or responsibilities of the executive or other factors.  The dollar amount of the target bonus for each 
executive is based on assumed achievement of all performance metrics under the EMICP (as disclosed in the table above) and 
payment of 20% as a discretionary award under the DMICP (as disclosed in the table above).  The aggregate budgeted bonus 
pool under the various management incentive compensation plans is calculated by multiplying each eligible executive officer's 
bonus target percentage by his base salary.  In fiscal 2014, the quarterly payments under the EMICP for our named executive 
officers were targeted at an aggregate of approximately $1,361,020 for all such officers as a group.  In fiscal 2014, the quarterly 
payments under the DMICP for our named executive officers were targeted at an aggregate of approximately $340,255 for all 
such officers as a group.  Bonuses under the EMICP are subject to a maximum award of $2,500,000 per individual per 
performance period (which can be a fiscal quarter, a fiscal year or a longer period not exceeding five fiscal years); however, all 
awards to date have been substantially less than such maximum amount.

The actual awards under the EMICP are based on our actual quarterly financial performance compared to the 
performance metrics and the actual awards under the DMICP are determined in the discretion of our Compensation Committee 
and can be significantly higher or lower than the 20% target.  The actual awards are calculated by multiplying the overall award 
percentage payout for the quarter by the applicable percentage of the executive's salary at the end of the fiscal quarter that the 
award relates to.  Thus, if an executive's salary or participation percentage changes during the year, up or down, this would 
affect his actual bonus payment during the fiscal year.  For fiscal 2014, the specific total bonus percentages under both the 
EMICP and DMICP for each of our named executive officers was as follows:  for Mr. Sanghi it was 200% of his salary for the 
associated quarter; for Mr. Moorthy it was 61% of his salary; for Mr. Little it was 46% of his salary; for Mr. Drehobl it was 
45% of his salary; and for Mr. Bjornholt it was 32% of his salary.  These bonus percentages did not change from the 
percentages used for fiscal 2013.

As indicated in the above table, for each of the quarters of fiscal 2014, 3.0% of the quarterly EMICP payment was 

based on Microchip's Licensing Division achieving total sequential revenue growth of 3.0%.  Accordingly, if Microchip's 
Licensing Division's sequential revenue growth for a quarter was 3.0%, then each executive would be paid the corresponding 
3.0% of his EMICP target bonus amount for that quarter.  If Microchip's Licensing Division's revenue growth for a quarter was 
1.5%, then each executive would be paid a corresponding 1.5% of his target bonus amount for the quarter (i.e., 1/2 of the 3.0%) 
and if Microchip's Licensing Division's revenue growth for a quarter was 6.0%, then each executive would be paid a 
corresponding 6.0% of his target bonus amount for the quarter (i.e., 6/3 of the 3.0%).  A similar methodology is applied each 
quarter to each of the performance metrics listed in the above tables.

As set forth in the above table, during fiscal 2014, consistent with our "pay-for-performance" philosophy, our CEO 

and other executive officers received bonuses under the EMICP for each quarter of fiscal 2014.  Payments were also made 
under the DMICP for each quarter of fiscal 2014.  Applying the award percentages to each named executive officer's 
participation level in the plans, for fiscal 2014, the total bonus payments under the EMICP and the DMICP for our named 
executive officers, other than our CEO, ranged from $100,508 to $271,392.  In fiscal 2014, Mr. Sanghi earned an aggregate 
EMICP bonus of $1,410,358, and an aggregate DMICP bonus of $455,066.  Please see footnote 4 to the Summary 
Compensation Table on page 35 of this Proxy Statement which sets forth the actual amount of the EMICP and DMICP awards 
for each named executive officer for fiscal 2014.  The differences in the levels of compensation under these programs for the 
various executive officers are based upon their relative contribution, performance, experience, and responsibility level within 
the organization.

Equity Compensation.  Equity compensation, such as RSUs, constitutes a significant portion of our incentive 
compensation program because we believe that executive officers and key employees should hold a long-term equity stake in 
Microchip to align their collective interests with the interests of our stockholders.  Accordingly, in fiscal 2014, equity grants in 
the form of RSUs were a significant portion of our executive officers' total compensation package.

28

We typically make equity compensation grants to executive officers and key employees in connection with their initial 
employment, and we also typically make quarterly evergreen grants of equity to incentivize employees on a continuing basis as 
their initial equity awards vest.  In setting the amount of the equity compensation grants, the estimated value of the grants is 
considered, as well as the intrinsic value of the outstanding equity compensation held by the executive officer, both the 
unvested retention value and the vested amount.  In setting these amounts and any performance goals, the Compensation 
Committee uses its judgment after considering the effect of the overall RSU amounts and the percentage of RSUs granted to 
executive officers in connection with the overall financial results and performance of Microchip.

The evergreen grants of RSUs for fiscal 2014 were awarded with vesting subject to meeting specified performance 

goals related to achieving certain levels of operating expenses or income over a specified time frame.  Specifically, with respect 
to the RSU awards made in April 2013, the performance goal was related to achieving non-GAAP operating expenses for the 
three months ended June 30, 2013 of $150 million or less; with an achievement of $130 million of non-GAAP operating 
expenses necessary for full vesting of the award.  Based on the actual operating expenses for such period, these awards will 
vest at 100%.  With respect to the awards made in July 2013, the performance goal was related to achieving non-GAAP 
operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2013 of $110 million or more; with an achievement of $130 
million of non-GAAP operating income necessary for full vesting of the award.  Based on the actual operating income for such 
period, these awards will vest at 100%.  With respect to the awards made in October 2013, the performance goal was related to 
achieving non-GAAP operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2013 of $115 million or more, with an 
achievement of $135 million of non-GAAP operating income necessary for full vesting of the award.  Based on the actual 
operating expenses for such period, these awards will vest at 100%.  With respect to the awards made in January 2014, the 
performance goal was related to achieving non-GAAP operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 of 
$120 million or more, with an achievement of $140 million of non-GAAP operating income necessary for full vesting of the 
award.  Based on the actual operating expenses for such period, these awards will vest at 100%.  With respect to the 
performance goals for the RSU grants, the goals exclude the impact of any acquisitions completed by Microchip during the 
performance period.  In addition to the performance-based vesting requirements, the vesting of each of the foregoing RSU 
awards is subject to the continued service of the officer on the vesting date which is approximately four years from the grant 
date.

In addition to our regular quarterly evergreen grants, a special performance-based RSU grant was made on February 4, 

2013 to further incentivize our officers to improve our non-GAAP earnings per share and enhance stockholder value.  The 
performance-based goal for this grant was related to achieving non-GAAP quarterly earnings per share of $0.63 or greater.  
These awards did not vest in fiscal 2013, but vested in full on November 15, 2013.

Grants of RSUs may also be made in connection with promotions, other changes in responsibilities or in recognition 

of other individual or Microchip developments or achievements.  Grants of RSUs in fiscal 2014 typically were scheduled to 
vest approximately four years from the grant date.  RSUs do not have a purchase price and therefore have immediate value to 
recipients upon vesting.  On March 31, 2014, approximately 52% of our employees worldwide were eligible to receive RSUs 
under our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan.  Since the middle of fiscal 2006, RSUs have been the principal equity compensation 
vehicle for Microchip executive officers and key employees.

In granting equity compensation awards to executive officers, we consider numerous factors, including:

• 
• 
• 
• 

the individual's position, experience, and responsibilities,
the individual's future potential to influence our mid- and long-term growth,
the vesting schedule of the awards, and
the number and value of awards previously granted.  

We do not separately target the equity element of our executive officer compensation programs at a specific 
percentage of overall compensation.  However, overall total compensation is structured to be competitive so that we can attract 
and retain executive officers.  In setting equity award levels, we also take into consideration the impact of the equity-based 
awards on the dilution of our stockholders' ownership interests in our common stock.

29

The Compensation Committee grants RSUs to executive officers and current employees on a quarterly basis in an 

attempt to more evenly record stock-based compensation expense.  Grants of RSUs to new employees (other than executives) 
are made once per month by the Employee Committee at a meeting of such committee.  Grants of RSUs to any new executive 
officer would be made at the first meeting of the Compensation Committee following the election of such officer.  Microchip 
does not have any program, plan or practice to time grants of RSUs in coordination with the release of material non-public 
information.  Microchip does not time, nor do we plan to time, the release of material non-public information for the purposes 
of affecting the value of executive compensation.

See the table under "Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014" at page 37 for information 

regarding RSUs granted during fiscal 2014 to our named executive officers.

Stock Ownership Guidelines for Key Employees and Directors.  To help ensure alignment of the interests of our 

management and Board of Directors with those of our stockholders, we have put in place a stock holding policy that applies to 
each member of our management and Board of Directors.  This policy was proposed by our Nominating and Governance 
Committee and ratified by our Board of Directors in October 2003.  Under this policy, effective April 1, 2004, each of our 
directors, executive officers, vice presidents and internal director-level employees must maintain a specified minimum level of 
ownership of our stock during their tenure in their respective office or position.  During fiscal 2014, all of our executive officers 
and directors were in compliance with the terms of such policy.

Microchip's insider trading policy prohibits executive officers from speculating in Microchip stock, which includes a 

prohibition on short selling, buying and selling options (including writing covered calls) or hedging or any type of arrangement 
that has a similar economic effect.

Other Compensation and Employee Benefits Generally Available to All Employees.  We maintain compensation and 

employee benefits that are generally available to all Microchip employees, including:

our employee stock purchase plan,

• 
•  medical, dental, vision, employee assistance program, flexible spending, and disability insurance,
• 
• 
• 
• 

life insurance benefits,
a 401(k) retirement savings plan, 
an employee cash bonus plan, and
vacation and paid time off.

Since these programs are generally available to all employees, these forms of compensation are not independently 
evaluated by the Compensation Committee in connection with the annual determination of executive officer compensation.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan.  Our 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan is a Section 423 qualified employee stock 
purchase plan that allows all U.S. employees the opportunity to purchase our common stock through payroll deduction at 85% 
of the fair market value at the lower of the price as of the opening of the two-year offering period or at the end of any six-month 
purchase period.  A significant portion of our international employees have the ability to participate in our 1994 International 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan that allows them the opportunity to purchase our common stock through payroll deduction at 
85% of the fair market value at the lower of the price as of the opening or the end of any six-month offering period.

Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending, Disability Insurance and Accidental Death 

and Dismemberment.  We make medical, dental, vision, employee assistance program, flexible spending, and disability 
insurance generally available to all of our employees through our active benefit plans.  Under these generally available plans, 
our named executive officers are eligible to receive between $1,000 and $7,500 per month in long-term disability coverage 
depending on which plan they elect.  Short-term disability coverage is provided which allows for 100% of base salary to be 
paid for six months in the event of disability.  Accidental death and dismemberment insurance, which is generally available to 
our U.S. employees, is provided by Microchip to our executives with a benefit of one times the executive's annual salary.  Since 
all of our U.S. employees participate in these plans on a non-discriminatory basis, the value of these benefits to our named 
executive officers is not required to be included in the Summary Compensation Table on page 35 pursuant to SEC rules and 
regulations.

30

Life Insurance.  In fiscal 2014, we provided life insurance coverage to our named executive officers in the amount up 

to one and a half times the executive's annual salary (up to a maximum of $500,000).  The named executive officers may 
purchase supplemental life insurance at their own expense.

401(k).  We maintain a 401(k) plan for the benefit of all of our U.S. employees to allow our employees to save for 

retirement.  We contribute to our 401(k) plan each year based on our profitability during the year, subject to maximum 
contributions and other rules prescribed by Federal law governing such plans.  Our named executive officers are permitted to 
participate in the plans to the same extent as our other U.S. employees.  Our Compensation Committee approved discretionary 
matching contributions for the first and second quarters of fiscal 2014 equal to $0.50 for each dollar contributed by the 
employee for the first 4% of their salary contributions.  For the third quarter of fiscal 2014, our Compensation Committee 
approved discretionary matching contributions equal to $0.375 for each dollar contributed by the employee for the first 4% of 
their salary contributions.  For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, our Compensation Committee approved discretionary matching 
contributions equal to $0.60 for each dollar contributed by the employee for the first 4% of their salary contributions.  There are 
no required matching contributions under the plan.

Employee Cash Bonus Plan.  All of our employees worldwide participate in our Employee Cash Bonus Plan or ECBP.  

The ECBP is a discretionary bonus plan designed to allow our full-time employees, not just our executive officers, to share in 
the success of the company.  The target bonus under the ECBP is 2.5 days of base salary per quarter, or on an annual basis, two 
weeks of annual base salary which may be granted by the Compensation Committee if certain Microchip operating profitability 
objectives are achieved.  Under the ECBP, the Compensation Committee can set the eligibility requirements and targets and has 
discretion to pay more or less than the stated target.  Additionally, the Compensation Committee determined that an additional 
ten hours of pay could be awarded to employees who had outstanding performance in the quarter, as determined by 
management.  Other eligibility terms also apply, such as an attendance requirement and a performance requirement.

The pay-out under the ECBP is approved by the Compensation Committee based on our actual quarterly operating 

results.  For the first and second quarters of fiscal 2014, bonus awards were paid out in each of the quarters at 140% of target 
for all employees, with up to an additional 50% of target for those employees who participated in the voluntary salary reduction 
program, and up to an additional 50% of target for a select group of employees with outstanding performance during the 
quarter.  For the third quarter of fiscal 2014, bonus awards were paid out at 70% of the target for all employees, with an 
additional 25% of target for those employees who participated in the voluntary salary reduction program, and up to an 
additional 50% of target for a select group of employees with outstanding performance during the quarter.  For the fourth 
quarter of fiscal 2014, bonus awards were paid out at 110% of target, with an additional 25% of target for those employees who 
participated in our voluntary salary reduction program, and up to an additional 50% of target for a select group of employees 
with outstanding performance during the quarter.  Under the ECBP, for fiscal 2014, our named executive officers other than our 
CEO received total payments ranging from $12,863 to $18,885 and our CEO received $35,228.

Vacation and Paid Time-Off Benefits.  We provide vacation and other paid holidays to all of our employees, including 

our named executive officers.  We believe our vacation and holidays are comparable to others in the industry.

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan.  We maintain a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain 

employees, including our named executive officers, who receive compensation in excess of the 401(k) contribution limits 
imposed under the Internal Revenue Code and desire to defer more compensation than they would otherwise be permitted 
under a tax-qualified retirement plan, such as our 401(k) plan.  Microchip does not make contributions to this non-qualified 
deferred compensation plan.  This plan allows our executive officers to make pre-tax contributions to this plan which would be 
fully taxed to the executive officers after the executive officer's termination of employment with Microchip.

We do not have pension plans or other retirement plans for our named executive officers or our other U.S. employees.

Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change of Control Arrangements  We do not have 
employment contracts with our CEO, CFO or any of our executive officers, nor agreements to pay severance on involuntary 
termination (other than as stated in the change of control agreements below) or upon retirement.  Our CEO, CFO, and our 
executive officers have entered into change of control agreements with us.

31

The change of control agreements were designed to help ensure the continued services of our key executive officers in 

the event that a change of control of the company is effected, and to assist our key executive officers in transitioning from the 
company if as a result of a change of control, they lose their positions.  We believe that the benefits provided by these 
agreements help to ensure that our management team will be incentivized to remain employed with Microchip during a change 
of control.  Capitalized terms used herein and not defined shall have the meanings set forth in the change of control agreements.  
Additionally, our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan has a change of control provision which provides that any successor company 
shall assume each outstanding award or provide an equivalent substitute award; however, if the successor fails to do so, vesting 
of awards shall accelerate.  The Compensation Committee considered prevalent market practices in determining the severance 
amounts and the basis for selecting the events triggering payment in the agreements.

With respect to our CEO, CFO and VP of Worldwide Sales, if the executive officer's employment terminates for 
reasons other than Cause within the Change of Control Period, the executive officer will be entitled to receive severance 
benefits consisting of the following primary components:

• 

• 

• 

• 

a one-time payment of his base salary in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control or termination 
date, whichever is greater, for the following periods: (1) in the case of the CEO, two years; (2) in the case of 
the CFO and the VP of Worldwide Sales, one year; 

a one-time payment of his bonuses for which he was or would have been eligible in the year in which the 
Change of Control occurred or for the year in which termination occurred, whichever is greater, for the 
following periods:  (1) in the case of the CEO, two years; (2) in the case of the CFO and the VP of Worldwide 
Sales, one year; 

a continuation of medical and dental benefits (subject to any required employee contributions) for the 
following periods: (1) in the case of the CEO, two years; (2) in the case of the CFO and VP of Worldwide 
Sales, one year; provided in each case that such benefits would cease sooner if and when the executive officer 
becomes covered by the plans of another employer; and 

a payment to cover any excise tax that may be due under Section 4999 of the Code, if the payments provided 
for in the change of control agreement constitute "parachute payments" under Section 280G of the Code and 
the value of such payments is more than three times the executive officer's "base amount" as defined by 
Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code.

With respect to our CEO, the CFO and the VP of Worldwide Sales, immediately prior to a Change of Control 

(regardless of whether the executive officer's employment terminates), all equity compensation held by the executive officer 
shall become fully vested.

With respect to our executive officers other than the CEO, the CFO and the VP of Worldwide Sales, if the executive 

officer terminates his employment for Good Reason, or the executive's employment is terminated for reasons other than Cause 
within the Change of Control Period, the executive officer will be entitled to receive severance benefits consisting of the 
following primary components:

• 

• 

• 

• 

a one-time payment of his base salary in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control or termination 
date, whichever is greater, for one year, 

a one-time payment of his bonuses for which he was or would have been eligible in the year in which the 
Change of Control occurred or for the year in which termination occurred, whichever is greater, for one year, 

a continuation of medical and dental benefits (subject to any required employee contributions) for one year 
(provided in each case that such benefits would cease sooner if and when the executive officer becomes 
covered by the plans of another employer), and

a payment to cover any excise tax that may be due under Section 4999 of the Code, if the payments provided 
for in the change of control agreement constitute "parachute payments" under Section 280G of the Code and 
the value of such payments is more than three times the executive officer's "base amount" as defined by 
Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code.

32

With respect to our executive officers other than the CEO, the CFO and the VP of Worldwide Sales, immediately upon 

termination during the Change of Control Period other than for Cause, all equity compensation held by the executive officer 
shall become fully vested.

The following table sets forth the aggregate dollar value of payments, to the extent calculable, in the event of a 

termination of a named executive officer on March 31, 2014, the last business day of our last completed fiscal year.

$

Name
Steve Sanghi (4)
Ganesh Moorthy (5)
Mitchell R. Little (5)
Stephen V. Drehobl (5)
J. Eric Bjornholt (5)

Salary

Bonus

1,220,228 $
295,402
280,373
233,657
208,544

2,487,388 $
191,557
139,756
114,133
74,755

Equity
Compensation
Due to
Accelerated
Vesting (1)

Tax Gross-up
on Change of
Control (2)

20,290,645 $
7,711,807
4,003,530
4,327,390
2,537,154

—
—
—
—
—

Continuation
of Certain
Benefits (3)
2 years
1 year
1 year
1 year
1 year

(1)  Value represents the gain our named executive officers would receive, calculated as the amount of unvested RSUs 

multiplied by our stock price on March 31, 2014.

(2)  This payment covers any excise tax that may be payable under Section 4999 of the Code if the payments provided for 

under the change of control agreement constitute "parachute payments" under Section 280G of the Code and the value of 
the payments is more than three times the executive officer's "base amount" as defined by Section 280G(b)(3) of the 
Code.

(3)  Benefits continued under the change of control agreements are limited to company-paid medical, dental, vision and life 
insurance coverage at the same level of coverage the executive was provided immediately prior to termination of 
employment with Microchip.  Amounts are not determinable at this time and are dependent on each executive officer's 
individual circumstances.

(4)  The change of control payment includes an amount equal to twice the annual salary of the executive plus a bonus equal 
to two times the targeted annual amount payable to such executive under our management incentive compensation plans 
(EMICP and DMICP) and ECBP.

(5)  The change of control payment includes an amount equal to one times the annual salary of the executive plus a bonus 
equal to the targeted annual amounts payable to such executive under our management incentive compensation plans 
(EMICP and DMICP) and ECBP.

Performance-Based Compensation and Financial Restatement

To date, Microchip has not experienced a financial restatement and has not considered or implemented a policy 

regarding retroactive adjustments to any cash or equity-based incentive compensation paid to its executive officers and other 
employees where such payments were predicated upon the achievement of certain financial results that would subsequently be 
the subject of a restatement.

Tax Deductibility

Section 162(m) of the Code disallows a corporate income tax deduction for executive compensation paid to our named 

executive officers in excess of $1,000,000 per year, unless that income meets permitted exceptions.  In order to enhance our 
ability to obtain tax deductions for executive compensation, our stockholders have approved our EMICP.  This allows us to 
seek to have such compensation under our EMICP qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).  
Additionally, our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan allows for the granting of performance-based awards such as RSUs.  To the extent 
that we grant awards with such performance-based limitations, we would expect them to qualify as performance-based awards 
for purposes of 162(m).

33

To maintain flexibility in compensating Microchip's executive officers in a manner designed to promote varying 

corporate goals, it is not the policy of the Compensation Committee that executive compensation must be tax deductible.  We 
intend to review the deductibility of executive officer compensation from time to time to determine whether any additional 
actions are advisable to obtain deductibility.

Conclusion

We believe that our executive team provided outstanding service to Microchip in fiscal 2014.  We will work to assure 
that the executive compensation programs continue to meet Microchip's strategic goals as well as the overall objectives of the 
compensation program.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (*)

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this 

proxy statement required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussion, the 
Compensation Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included 
in this proxy statement.

By the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:

Wade F. Meyercord (Chair)

_________________________

L.B. Day

(*)  The Compensation Committee Report on executive compensation is not "soliciting" material and is not deemed "filed" with 
the SEC, and is not incorporated by reference into any filings of Microchip under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language 
contained in such filings.

34

COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table lists the annual compensation for our CEO, our CFO and our three other most highly compensated 

executive officers (referred to as the "named executive officers") earned in the last three fiscal years:

Name and
Principal Position

Steve Sanghi,
President and CEO

Ganesh Moorthy,
COO

Mitchell R. Little,
VP, Worldwide 
Sales and 
Applications

Stephen V.
Drehobl, VP,
MCU8 and
Technology
Development
Division

J. Eric Bjornholt,
VP and CFO

Year

Salary (1)

Bonus (2)

Stock 
Awards (3)

Non-Equity 
Incentive Plan 
Compensation (4)

Change in 
Pension Value 
and Non-
Qualified 
Deferred 
Compensation 
Earnings (5)

2014

2013

2012

2014

2013

2012

2014

2013

2012

2014

2013

2012

2014

2013

2012

$604,834

$35,228

$3,254,225

$1,865,424

595,647

10,105

3,223,353

590,002

5,696

4,941,248

290,137

18,186

1,317,155

281,686

4,773

1,248,919

279,596

2,690

1,235,085

277,947

18,885

639,218

274,192

273,332

4,644

2,630

638,879

665,603

228,178

14,839

736,066

222,144

215,169

3,776

2,073

732,280

676,537

205,413

12,863

464,896

198,861

197,169

3,370

1,899

426,383

390,623

755,077

669,471

271,392

108,786

84,926

197,166

79,808

62,608

157,719

63,477

45,049

100,508

40,288

31,452

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

All Other 
Compensation (6)

Total

$7,599

$5,767,310

5,251

3,763

6,432

3,245

3,213

8,051

4,885

4,196

5,222

2,684

2,690

4,282

2,074

2,129

4,589,433

6,210,180

1,903,302

1,647,409

1,605,510

1,141,267

1,002,408

1,008,369

1,142,024

1,024,361

941,518

787,962

670,976

623,272

(1)  Represents the base salary earned by each executive officer in the specified fiscal year.
(2)  Represents bonuses earned by each executive officer in the specified fiscal year under our ECBP.
(3)  Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of awards of RSUs made in the specified fiscal year computed in accordance 
with ASC 718 Compensation - Stock Compensation.  For information on the valuation assumptions made with respect to 
the grants of RSUs in fiscal 2014, please refer to Note 19, "Equity Incentive Plans" to Microchip's audited financial 
statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on 
May 30, 2014.

(4)  Represents the aggregate amount of bonuses earned by each executive officer in the specified fiscal year under our EMICP 
and DMICP.  Each executive officer received the following payments under each of such plans in the specified fiscal year:

35

Named Executive Officer

Steve Sanghi

Ganesh Moorthy

Mitchell R. Little

Stephen V. Drehobl

J. Eric Bjornholt

Year
2014
2013
2012
2014
2013
2012
2014
2013
2012
2014
2013

2012
2014
2013
2012

EMICP

DMICP

$1,410,358
645,960
529,111
205,122
93,065
76,230
149,067
68,275
56,197
119,233

54,304
40,436
75,965
34,466
28,231

$455,066
109,117
140,360
66,270
15,721
8,696
48,098
11,533
6,411
38,486

9,173
4,613
24,543
5,822
3,221

(5)  Any contributions under our non-qualified deferred compensation plan are invested at the discretion of the executive 
officer and there are no above-market or preferential earnings on such amounts made or provided by Microchip.
(6)  Consists of company-matching contributions under our 401(k) retirement savings plan and the full dollar value of 

premiums paid by Microchip for life insurance for the benefit of the named executive officer in the amounts shown below:

Named Executive Officer

Steve Sanghi

Ganesh Moorthy

Mitchell R. Little

Stephen V. Drehobl

J. Eric Bjornholt

Year
2014
2013
2012
2014
2013
2012
2014
2013
2012
2014
2013
2012
2014
2013
2012

401(k)

Life Insurance

$5,921
3,574
2,129
5,535
2,348
2,281
5,477
2,311
2,285
4,414
1,902
1,908
3,972
1,775
1,824

$1,677
1,677
1,634
897
897
932
2,574
2,574
1,911
808
782
782
310
299
305

Grants of Plan-Based Awards During Fiscal 2014

The following table sets forth information with respect to our EMICP, our DMICP, and our ECBP, as well as RSUs 

granted to our named executive officers under our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, including the grant date fair value of the RSUs.  
Amounts listed in the "Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards" column are annual targets based on 
the salaries of the named executive officers at the end of fiscal 2014.  Actual payments for our bonus plans in fiscal 2014 are 
reflected in the Summary Compensation Table above.  Equity awards in the table below were granted in fiscal 2014.

36

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS 
For Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014

Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-
Equity Incentive Plan Awards

Threshold 
($) (1)

Target
($)

Maximum 
($) (1)

All Other 
Stock 
Awards: 
Number of 
Shares of 
Stock or 
Units
(#) (2)

All Other 
Option 
Awards: 
Number of 
Securities 
Underlying 
Options
(#)

Exercise or 
Base Price
of Option 
Awards
($/Sh)

Grant Date 
Fair Value of 
Stock
and Option 
Awards
($) (3)

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
976,183(4)
244,046(5)
23,466

—
—
—
—
144,156(4)
36,039(5)
11,362

—
—
—
—
103,177(4)
25,794(5)
10,784

—
—
—
—
84,117(4)
21,029(5)
8,987

—
—
—
—
53,387(4)
13,347(5)
8,021

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

25,673

25,261

23,424

21,372
—
—
—
10,391
10,225
9,481
8,650
—
—
—
5,043
4,962
4,601
4,198
—
—
—
5,807
5,714
5,298
4,834
—
—
—
3,668
3,609
3,346
3,053
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

800,484

811,383

821,245

821,112
—
—
—
323,991
328,427
332,404
332,333
—
—
—
157,241
159,379
161,311
161,287
—
—
—
181,062
183,534
185,748
185,722
—
—
—
114,368
115,921
117,311
117,296
—
—
—

Name
Steve Sanghi

Ganesh Moorthy

Mitchell R. Little

Stephen V.
Drehobl

J. Eric Bjornholt

Grant
Date
4/1/2013

7/1/2013

10/1/2013

1/2/2014
—
—
—
4/1/2013
7/1/2013
10/1/2013
1/2/2014
—
—
—
4/1/2013
7/1/2013
10/1/2013
1/2/2014
—
—
—
4/1/2013
7/1/2013
10/1/2013
1/2/2014
—
—
—
4/1/2013
7/1/2013
10/1/2013
1/2/2014
—
—
—

(1) 

Individual awards under our EMICP, DMICP and ECBP are made quarterly and are not stated in terms of a threshold or 

maximum amount for an award period.  The EMICP does provide that the maximum amount payable to any participant is 
$2.5 million for any performance period (which can be a fiscal quarter, a fiscal year or a longer period not exceeding five fiscal 
years).
(2)  Represents RSUs granted under Microchip's 2004 Equity Incentive Plan.

37

(3)  This column shows the full grant date fair value of RSU awards granted to the named executives in fiscal 2014.  Generally, 
the full grant date fair value is the amount that Microchip would expense in its financial statements over the award's vesting 
schedule.
(4)  This annual target represents the portion of the executive officer's base salary (as measured at the end of fiscal 2014) 
targeted for estimated future payout in fiscal 2015 under Microchip's EMICP.
(5)  This annual target represents the portion of the executive officer's base salary (as measured at the end of fiscal 2014) 
targeted for estimated future payout in fiscal 2015 under Microchip's DMICP.

Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Awards Table Discussion

Based on the data in the Summary Compensation Table, the level of salary, bonus, non-equity incentive plan 
compensation, and other compensation in proportion to total compensation ranged from approximately 30.8% to 44.0% for our 
named executive officers in fiscal 2014.  See the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section of this proxy statement for 
further discussion of overall compensation and how compensation is determined.

We do not have employment contracts with our named executive officers, nor agreements to pay severance on 

involuntary termination (other than as stated in the change of control agreements discussed above under the heading 
"Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change of Control Arrangements") or retirement.

For a discussion of the material terms of the awards listed in the Grants of Awards Table, see our discussion of the 

equity awards and incentive cash bonuses in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section of this proxy statement under 
the headings "Incentive Cash Bonuses," "Equity Compensation," and "Employee Cash Bonus Plan."

Microchip has not repriced any stock options or made any material modifications to any equity-based awards during 

the last fiscal year.

38

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2014 Year End

Option Awards

Stock Awards

Name
Steve Sanghi

Number of
Securities
Underlying 
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable

145,000(1)
—

Ganesh Moorthy

Mitchell R. Little

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

Number of
Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested (#)

Market Value
of Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested (19) ($)

25,607(2)
25,995(3)
22,958(4)
22,612(5)
14,000(6)
24,894(7)
24,901(8)
31,022(9)
26,398(10)
25,295(11)
28,771(12)
28,693(13)
27,970(14)
25,673(15)
25,261(16)
23,424(17)
21,372(18)
10,609(2)
10,769(3)
9,511(4)
9,368(5)
9,187(7)
9,190(8)
11,449(9)
9,742(10)
9,335(11)
11,303(12)
11,272(13)
10,988(14)
10,391(15)
10,225(16)
9,481(17)
8,650(18)
5,853(2)
5,942(3)
5,248(4)
5,168(5)
4,890(7)
4,891(8)
6,094(9)
5,185(10)
4,969(11)
5,652(12)
5,636(13)
5,494(14)
5,043(15)
4,962(16)
4,601(17)
4,198(18)

1,222,990

1,241,521

1,096,474

1,079,949

668,640

1,188,937

1,189,272

1,481,611

1,260,768

1,208,089

1,374,103

1,370,378

1,335,847

1,226,142

1,206,465

1,118,730

1,020,727

506,686

514,327

454,245

447,416

438,771

438,914

546,804

465,278

445,840

539,831

538,351

524,787

496,274

488,346

452,813

413,124

279,539

283,790

250,644

246,824

233,546

233,594

291,049

247,636

237,319

269,940

269,175

262,393
240,854

236,985

219,744

200,496

Option
Exercise
Price ($)

Option
Expiration
Date

25.29

4/1/2015

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

39

Name
Stephen V. Drehobl

J. Eric Bjornholt

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2014 Year End

Option Awards

Stock Awards

Number of
Securities
Underlying 
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable

Option
Exercise
Price ($)

Option
Expiration
Date

Number of
Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested (#)

Market Value
of Shares or
Units of Stock
That Have Not
Vested (19) ($)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

5,853(2)
5,942(3)
5,248(4)
5,168(5)
5,038(7)
5,039(8)
6,278(9)
5,342(10)
5,721(11)
6,508(12)
6,490(13)
6,327(14)
5,807(15)
5,714(16)
5,298(17)
4,834(18)
3,292(2)
3,342(3)
2,952(4)
2,907(5)
2,815(7)
2,816(8)
3,508(9)
3,300(10)
3,162(11)
3,596(12)
3,928(13)
3,829(14)
3,668(15)
3,609(16)
3,346(17)
3,053(18)

279,539

283,790

250,644

246,824

240,615

240,663

299,837

255,134

273,235

310,822

309,962

302,178

277,342

272,901

253,032

230,872

157,226

159,614

140,988

138,838

134,444

134,492

167,542

157,608

151,017

171,745

187,601

182,873

175,184

172,366

159,805

145,811

(1)  This option is fully vested.
(2)  The award vested in full on May 15, 2014.
(3)  The award vests in full on August 15, 2014, subject to continued service on such date.
(4)  The award vests in full on November 15, 2014, subject to continued service on such date.
(5)  The award vests in full on February 15, 2015, subject to continued service on such date.
(6)  The award vests quarterly over four quarters commencing on May 15, 2014, subject to continued service on such dates.
(7)  The award vests in full on May 15, 2015, subject to continued service on such date.
(8)  The award vests in full on August 15, 2015, subject to continued service on such date.
(9)  The award vests in full on November 15, 2015, subject to continued service on such date.
(10)  The award vests in full on February 15, 2016, subject to continued service on such date.
(11)  The award vests in full on May 15, 2016, subject to continued service on such date.
(12)  The award vests in full on August 15, 2016, subject to continued service on such date.
(13)  The award vests in full on November 15, 2016, subject to continued service on such date.
(14)  The award vests in full on February 15, 2017, subject to continued service on such date.
(15)  The award vests in full on May 15, 2017, subject to continued service on such date.
(16)  The award vests in full on August 15, 2017, subject to continued service on such date.
(17)  The award vests in full on November 15, 2017, subject to continued service on such date.
(18)  The award vests in full on February 15, 2018, subject to continued service on such date.
(19)  Represents the number of RSUs multiplied by $47.76, the closing price of our common stock on March 31, 2014.

40

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

For Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014

Option Awards

Stock Awards

Name
Steve Sanghi,
President and CEO

Ganesh Moorthy,
COO

Mitchell R. Little, VP
Worldwide Sales and
Applications

Stephen V. Drehobl,
VP, MCU8 and
Technology
Development
Division

J. Eric Bjornholt, VP
and CFO

Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise (#)
23,400
70,249
50,000
50,000
7,800
9,263
27,937
10,000
45,000
50,000
50,000
5,000
25,000
40,000
17,141
2,859
20,000
—

—

—

—

—
—
—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—

—

Value Realized on
Exercise ($)

226,746
768,524
481,500
821,305
127,923
152,032
458,192
162,088
876,672
962,145
967,880
70,853
373,430
566,820
305,987
50,636
389,206
—

—

—

—

—
—
—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—

—

Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting (#)
33,400
3,500
3,500
31,683
718
3,500
28,570
3,500
24,712
—
—
12,406
11,768
339
11,428
9,885
—
7,634
7,242
330
6,530
5,649
6,680
6,337
268
5,714
5,295
3,817
3,621
239
3,673
3,177

Value Realized on
Vesting ($)

1,205,740
131,705
137,935
1,248,627
31,312
152,635
1,245,938
159,250
1,124,396
—
—
447,857
463,777
14,784
498,375
449,768
—
275,587
285,407
14,391
284,773
257,030
241,148
249,741
11,687
249,188
240,923
137,794
142,704
10,423
160,180
144,554

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal Year 2014

All of our U.S. employees in director-level and above positions, including our executive officers, are eligible to defer a 

portion of their salary and cash bonuses into our Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, or the Deferred Compensation 
Plan.  Pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan, eligible employees can defer up to 50% of their base salary and/or cash 
bonuses.  In general, deferral elections are made prior to January of each year for amounts to be earned in the upcoming year.  
Participants may invest amounts in various funds available under the Deferred Compensation Plan (in general, any of those 
funds traded on a nationally recognized exchange).  Plan earnings are calculated by reference to actual earnings of mutual 
funds or other securities chosen by individual participants.

41

Except for a change in control or certain unforeseeable emergencies (as defined under the Deferred Compensation 
Plan), benefits under the plan will not be distributed until a "distribution event" has occurred.  The distribution event occurs 
upon termination of employment.

We incur incidental expenses for administration of the Deferred Compensation Plan, and the receipt of any tax benefit 

we might obtain based on payment of a participant's compensation is delayed until funds (including earnings or losses on the 
amounts invested pursuant to the plan) are eventually distributed.  We do not pay any additional compensation or guarantee 
minimum returns to any participant in the Deferred Compensation Plan.

The following table shows the non-qualified deferred compensation activity for each named executive officer for the 

fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

Name

Steve Sanghi

Ganesh Moorthy
Mitchell R. Little

Stephen V. Drehobl

J. Eric Bjornholt

Executive 
Contributions
in Last FY (1)

Company 
Contributions
in Last FY

Aggregate 
Earnings
in Last FY (1)

Aggregate 
Withdrawals/
Distributions

Aggregate 
Balance at
Last FYE (1)

—

—
—

137,777

22,037

—

—
—

—

—

—

31,755
—

27,299

16,267

—

—
—

—
—

—

163,735
—

242,932

149,061

(1)  The executive contribution amounts shown in the table were previously reported in the "Summary Compensation Table" 
as salary and/or bonus for fiscal 2014 or prior fiscal years.  The earnings amounts shown in the table were not previously 
reported for fiscal 2014 or prior years under applicable SEC rules as such earnings were not under a defined benefit or 
actuarial pension plan and there were no above-market or preferential earnings on such amounts made or provided by 
Microchip.

42

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The table below provides information about our common stock that, as of March 31, 2014, may be issued upon the 
vesting of RSUs and the exercise of options and rights under the following equity compensation plans (which are all of our 
equity compensation plans; provided, however, that new equity awards or stock purchase rights may only be issued under the 
Microchip 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, the Microchip 1994 International Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the Microchip 
2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan):

•  Microchip 1994 International Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "IESPP"),
•  Microchip 1997 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan,
•  Microchip 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 
•  Microchip 2004 Equity Incentive Plan,
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  Microchip Technology Incorporated 2012 Inducement Award Plan (the "2012 Inducement Plan").

SMSC 2002 Inducement Stock Option Plan,
SMSC 2003 Inducement Stock Option Plan,
SMSC 2004 Inducement Stock Option Plan,
SMSC 2005 Inducement Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan,
SMSC 2009 Long Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP"), and

Plan Category
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by 
Stockholders (2)
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved
by Stockholders
Total

(a) Number of 
securities to be 
issued upon exercise 
of
 outstanding options 
and vesting of RSUs

(b) Weighted 
average exercise 
price of 
outstanding 
options (1)

(c) Number of securities 
remaining available for 
future issuance under 
equity compensation 
plans (excluding 
securities reflected in 
column (a))

5,848,504(3)

255,141(5)

6,103,645

$27.78

$19.59
$24.75(6)

18,334,951(4)

—
18,334,951

(1)  The weighted average exercise price does not take into account the shares issuable upon vesting of outstanding 

RSUs, which have no exercise price.

(2)  Beginning January 1, 2005, the shares authorized for issuance under our 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or 

the ESPP, are subject to an annual automatic increase equal to the lesser of (i) 1,500,000 shares, (ii) one-half of one 
percent (0.5%) of the then outstanding shares of our common stock, or (iii) such lesser amount as is approved by 
our Board of Directors.  Upon the approval of our Board of Directors, there were no shares added under the ESPP 
on January 1, 2014 based on the automatic increase provision.  Beginning January 1, 2007, the shares authorized for 
issuance under our 1994 International Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the IESPP, are subject to an annual 
automatic increase of equal to one-tenth of one percent (0.10%) of the then outstanding shares of our common 
stock.  Upon the approval of our Board of Directors, there were no shares added under the IESPP on January 1, 
2014 based on the automatic increase provision.

(3)  As of March 31, 2014, includes 5,463,694 shares issuable upon the vesting of RSUs granted under our 2004 Equity 
Incentive Plan, and 384,810 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options granted under our 2004 Equity 
Incentive Plan.  

(4)  As of March 31, 2014, includes 12,028,786 shares remaining available for future issuance under our 2004 Equity 
Incentive Plan, of which 9,900,000 shares were approved for addition to the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan by our 
stockholders at our 2012 annual meeting of stockholders.  The remaining balance represents shares available for 
purchase under the IESPP and the ESPP.

43

(5)  As of March 31, 2014, includes 7,094 shares subject to outstanding options under our 1997 Nonstatutory Stock 
Option Plan and 114,386 shares subject to outstanding SARs under the 2012 Inducement Plan.  No additional 
awards may be granted under such plans.  Also, includes 113,988 shares subject to outstanding awards under 2009 
LTIP; 14,405 shares subject to outstanding options under the 2005 Inducement Plan; 3,399 shares subject to 
outstanding options under the 2004 Inducement Plan; 1,643 shares subject to outstanding options under the 2003 
Inducement Plan; and 226 shares subject to outstanding options under the 2002 Inducement Plan.  These 
inducement plans were all adopted by SMSC prior to our acquisition of SMSC in August 2012, and no additional 
options or other awards may be granted under such plans.

(6)  As of March 31, 2014, there were a total of 573,611 shares subject to outstanding options, with a weighted average 

price of $24.75 per share and a weighted average term of 2.64 years.

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Stockholders

Microchip Technology Incorporated 1997 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan

In November 1997, our Board of Directors approved the Microchip 1997 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (the "1997 

Plan").  Under our 1997 Plan, nonqualified stock options were granted to employees who were not officers or directors of 
Microchip and to our consultants.  The 1997 Plan was not submitted to our stockholders for approval because doing so was not 
required under applicable rules and regulations in effect at the time the plan was initially adopted or when it was amended.

The expiration date, maximum number of shares purchasable, and other provisions of options granted under the 1997 

Plan, including vesting provisions, were established at the time of grant by either the Compensation Committee or the 
Employee Committee appointed by the Board of Directors, provided that the exercise price of an option could not be less than 
the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant and no option could have a term of more than 10 years.  If 
Microchip is acquired by merger, consolidation or asset sale, each outstanding option that is not assumed by the successor 
corporation or otherwise replaced with a comparable option will automatically accelerate and vest in full.  In connection with a 
change of control of Microchip by tender offer or proxy contest for board membership, our Board of Directors can accelerate 
the vesting of outstanding options.  Our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee may amend or terminate the 1997 Plan 
without stockholder approval, but no amendment or termination of the 1997 Plan may adversely affect any award previously 
granted under the 1997 Plan without the written consent of the stock option holder.

Microchip Technology Incorporated 2012 Inducement Award Plan

In August 2012, our Board of Directors approved the 2012 Inducement Plan.  Under our 2012 Inducement Plan, SARs 

were granted to certain employees of SMSC as an inducement for them to enter employment with Microchip.  The 2012 
Inducement Plan was not submitted to our stockholders for approval because doing so was not required under applicable rules 
and regulations in effect at the time the plan was adopted.

The expiration date and other provisions of awards granted under the 2012 Inducement Plan, including vesting 

provisions, were established at the time of grant by the Compensation Committee.  No SAR may have a term of more than 10 
years.  If Microchip is acquired by merger, consolidation or asset sale, or there is a nomination and election of 50% or more of 
all members of the Board within a 36-month period whose election is without recommendation of the Board, then each 
outstanding SAR may be terminated at the discretion of any committee appointed by the Board upon notice to the award holder.  
Our Board of Directors may amend or terminate the 2012 Inducement Plan without stockholder approval, but no amendment of 
the 2012 Inducement Plan may adversely affect any award previously granted under the 2012 Inducement Plan without the 
written consent of the SAR holder.

44

CODE OF ETHICS

In May, 2004, our Board of Directors adopted a code of ethics for our directors, officers (including our chief executive 

officer and chief financial officer), and employees.  A copy of the code of ethics, as amended to date, is available on our 
website at the About Us/Corporate Responsibility section under Ethics and Conduct on www.microchip.com.

We intend to post on our website any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our code of ethics within four 

business days following the date of such amendment or waiver or such other time period required by SEC rules.

OTHER MATTERS

Other Matters to be Presented at the Annual Meeting

At the date this proxy statement went to press, we did not anticipate that any other matters would be raised at the 

annual meeting.

Requirements, Including Deadlines, for Receipt of Stockholder Proposals for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; 
Discretionary Authority to Vote on Stockholder Proposals

Under SEC rules, if a stockholder wants us to include a proposal in our proxy statement and form of proxy for our 

2015 annual meeting, our Secretary must receive the proposal at our principal executive offices by March 19, 2015. 
Stockholders interested in submitting such a proposal are advised to contact knowledgeable counsel with regard to the detailed 
requirements of applicable securities laws.  The submission of a stockholder proposal does not guarantee that it will be included 
in our proxy statement.

Under our Bylaws, stockholders must follow certain procedures to nominate a person for election as a director or to 

introduce an item of business at our annual meeting.  Under these procedures, stockholders must submit the proposed nominee 
or item of business by delivering a notice addressed to our Secretary at our principal executive offices.  We must receive notice 
as follows:

•  Normally we must receive notice of a stockholder's intention to introduce a nomination or proposed item of 

business for an annual meeting not less than 90 days before the first anniversary of the date on which we first 
mailed our proxy statement to stockholders in connection with the previous year's annual meeting of 
stockholders.  Accordingly, a stockholder who intends to submit a nomination or proposal for our 2015 
annual meeting must do so no later than April 18, 2015. 

•  However, if we hold our 2015 annual meeting on a date that is not within 30 days before or after the 

anniversary date of our 2014 annual meeting, we must receive the notice no later than the close of business 
on the later of the 90th day prior to our 2015 annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public 
announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made.

•  A stockholder's submission must include certain specified information concerning the proposal or nominee, 

as the case may be, and information as to the stockholder's ownership of our common stock.  Proposals or 
nominations not meeting these requirements will not be considered at our 2015 annual meeting.  

• 

If a stockholder does not comply with the requirements of this advance notice provision, the proxies may 
exercise discretionary voting authority under proxies it solicits to vote in accordance with its best judgment 
on any such proposal or nomination submitted by a stockholder. 

To make any submission or to obtain additional information as to the proper form and content of submissions, 
stockholders should contact our Secretary in writing at 2355 West Chandler Boulevard, Chandler, Arizona 85224-6199.

45

Householding of Annual Meeting Materials

Some brokers and other nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of "householding" proxy 
statements and annual reports.  This means that only one copy of our proxy statement and annual report may have been sent to 
multiple stockholders in a stockholder's household.  Additionally, you may have notified us that multiple stockholders share an 
address and thus you requested to receive only one copy of our proxy statement and annual report.  While our proxy statement 
and 2014 Annual Report are available online (see "Electronic Access to Proxy Statement and Annual Report" on page 3), we 
will promptly deliver a separate copy of either document to any stockholder who contacts our investor relations department at 
480-792-7761 or by mail addressed to Investor Relations, Microchip Technology Incorporated, 2355 West Chandler Boulevard, 
Chandler, Arizona 85224-6199, requesting such copies.  If a stockholder is receiving multiple copies of our proxy statement 
and annual report at the stockholder's household and would like to receive a single copy of the proxy statement and annual 
report for a stockholder's household in the future, stockholders should contact their broker, or other nominee record holder to 
request mailing of a single copy of the proxy statement and annual report.  Stockholders receiving multiple copies of these 
documents directly from us, and who would like to receive single copies in the future, should contact our investor relations 
department to make such a request.

Date of Proxy Statement

The date of this proxy statement is July 18, 2014.

46

APPENDIX A

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED

2001 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

As Amended Through May 19, 2014 (subject to stockholder approval)

The following constitute the provisions of the 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan of Microchip Technology Incorporated, 

as amended through May 19, 2014.

1. 

Purpose.  The purpose of the Plan is to provide employees of the Company and one or more of its Corporate 
Affiliates an opportunity to purchase Common Stock of the Company through accumulated payroll deductions.  It is the intention 
of the Company to have the Plan qualify as an “Employee Stock Purchase Plan” under Section 423 of the Code.  The provisions 
of  the  Plan,  accordingly,  shall  be  construed  so  as  to  extend  and  limit  participation  in  a  uniform  and  nondiscriminatory  basis 
consistent with the requirements of Section 423.

2. 

Definitions.

(a) 

“Administrator” shall mean the Committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan pursuant to 

Section 14.

(b) 

(c) 

“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events: 

(other than a reorganization effected primarily to change the State in which the Company is incorporated); or 

(i) 

a merger or other reorganization in which the Company will not be the surviving corporation 

Company’s assets; or

(ii) 

the consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the 

a reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but in which more than 
fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s outstanding voting stock is transferred to a person or persons different from those who held 
the stock immediately prior to such merger.

(iii) 

hereof.

(d) 

(e) 

(f) 

(g) 

“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Committee” means a committee of the Board appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 14 

“Common Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001.

“Company” shall mean Microchip Technology Incorporated, a Delaware corporation. 

(h) 

“Compensation” shall mean the following items paid to an Eligible Employee by the Company and/ 
or one or more Corporate Affiliates during such individual’s period of participation in the Plan: (i) regular base salary, and (ii) any 
pre-tax contributions made by the Eligible Employees to any Code Section 401(k) plan, any Code Section 125 Plan, any unfunded 
non-qualified deferred compensation plan described in Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) or 401(a)(1) of ERISA, and (iii) all overtime 
payments, bonuses, commissions, profit-sharing distributions and other incentive type payments. There shall be excluded any 
contributions (except 401(k) and 125 contributions) made on the Eligible Employee’s behalf by the Company or Corporate Affiliate. 

A-1

(i) 

“Corporate Affiliate” shall mean any parent or subsidiary of the Company (as defined in Section 424 
of the Code) which is incorporated in the United States, including any parent or subsidiary corporation which becomes such after 
the Effective Date.

(j) 

“Effective Date” shall mean March 1, 2002.

(k) 

“Eligible Employee” shall mean any individual who is a common law employee of any Participating 
Company and whose customary employment with the Participating Company is at least 20 hours per week and more than five (5) 
months in any calendar year.  For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship shall be treated as continuing intact while 
the individual is on sick leave or other leave of absence approved by the Company.  Where the period of leave exceeds 90 days 
and the individual's right to reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or in writing signed by a duly authorized officer of 
the Company, the employment relationship shall be deemed to have terminated on the 91st day of such leave. 

(l) 

“Entry Date” shall mean the first Trading Day of any Offering Period. An Entry Date occurs on the 

first Trading Day in March or September. 

(m) 

“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security of 1974, as amended. 

(n) 

“Exercise Date” shall mean the first Trading Day of March and September.

(o) 

“Fair Market Value” shall mean the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales 
were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the date of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such 
other source as the Board deems reliable; provided, however, that if there is no closing sales price (or closing bid price, if applicable) 
for such date, then the closing sales price (or closing bid price, if applicable) for the next day for which such quotation exists.

(p) 

“Offering Periods” shall mean a period of time during which an option granted pursuant to the Plan 
may be exercised. The Plan shall be implemented by a series of Offering Periods (“Series of Offering Periods”). Each Series of 
Offering Periods shall contain four (4) Offering Periods. The first Offering Period in the Series shall commence on the first Trading 
Day on or after March 1, 2002, and shall end on the first Trading Day on or after March 1, 2004 (the “Last Day of the Series”).  
The second Offering Period in the Series shall commence on the next following Entry Date, shall last approximately 18 months 
and shall end on the Last Day of the Series. The third Offering Period in the Series shall commence on the next following Entry 
Date, shall last approximately 12 months and shall end on the Last Day of the Series. The fourth Offering Period in the Series 
shall commence on the next following Entry Date, shall last approximately six (6) months and shall end on the Last Day of the 
Series.  A new Series of Offering Periods shall commence on the Last Day of the Series.  The duration and timing of Offering 
Periods may be changed pursuant to Section 20 of this Plan.

(q) 

“Participating Company” shall mean the Company and such Corporate Affiliates as may be designated 

from time to time by the Board to extend the benefits of the Plan to their Eligible Employees.

(r) 

“Plan” shall mean this Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

(s) 

“Purchase Period” shall mean the approximately six (6) month period commencing on one Exercise 
Date and ending with the next Exercise Date, except that the first Purchase Period of any Offering Period shall commence on the 
first Entry Date and end with the next Exercise Date. 

(t) 

“Purchase Price” shall mean 85% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Entry 
Date or on the Exercise Date, whichever is lower; provided, however, that the Purchase Price may be adjusted by the Administrator 
pursuant to Section 20.

(u) 

“Trading Day” shall mean a day on which national stock exchanges and the Nasdaq System are open 

for trading.

3. 

Eligibility.

(a) 

Generally.  Any Eligible Employee on a given Entry Date shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.

(b) 

Limitations.  Any provisions of the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, no Eligible Employee shall 
be granted an option under the Plan (i) to the extent that, immediately after the grant, such Eligible Employee (or any other person 
whose stock would be attributed to such Eligible Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) would own capital stock of 
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the Company and/or hold outstanding options to purchase such stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined 
voting power or value of all classes of the capital stock of the Company or of any Subsidiary, or (ii) to the extent that his or her 
rights to purchase stock under all employee stock purchase plans of the Company and its subsidiaries accrues at a rate which 
exceeds $25,000.00 worth of stock (determined at the fair market value of the shares at the time such option is granted) for each 
calendar year in which such option is outstanding at any time.

4. 

Offering Periods. The Plan shall be implemented by a series of Offering Periods (“Series of Offering Periods”). 
Each Series of Offering Periods shall contain four (4) Offering Periods.  The first Offering Period in the Series shall commence 
on the first Trading Day on or after March 1, 2002, and shall end on the first Trading Day on or after March 1, 2004 (the “Last 
Day  of  the  Series”). The  second  Offering  Period  in  the  Series  shall  commence  on  the  next  following  Entry  Date,  shall  last 
approximately 18 months and shall end on the Last Day of the Series. The third Offering Period in the Series shall commence on 
the next following Entry Date, shall last approximately 12 months and shall end on the Last Day of the Series. The fourth Offering 
Period in the Series shall commence on the next following Entry Date, shall last approximately six (6) months and shall end on 
the Last Day of the Series.  A new Series of Offering Periods shall commence on the Last Day of the Series.  The duration and 
timing of Offering Periods may be changed pursuant to Section 20 of this Plan.

5. 

Participation. An Eligible Employee may become a participant in the Plan by enrolling via E*Trade or completing 
a subscription agreement authorizing payroll deductions in the form of Exhibit A to this Plan and filing it with the Company's 
stock plan administrator, on a date determined by such administrator, which shall be no later than five (5) Trading Days prior to 
the applicable Entry Date.

6. 

Payroll Deductions.

(a) 

At the time a participant enrolls via E*Trade or files his or her subscription agreement, he or she shall 
elect to have payroll deductions made on each pay day during the Offering Period in any multiple of one-percent (1%), but not 
exceeding ten-percent (10%) of the Compensation which he or she receives during each Purchase Period; provided, however, that 
should a payday occur on an Exercise Date, a participant shall have the payroll deductions made on such day applied to his or her 
account under the new Offering Period or Purchase Period, as the case may be.  A participant's elections via E*Trade enrollment 
or a subscription agreement shall remain in effect for successive Offering Periods unless terminated as provided in Section 10 
hereof.

(b) 

Payroll deductions for a participant shall commence on the first payday following the Entry Date and 
shall end on the last payday in the Offering Period to which such authorization is applicable, unless sooner terminated by the 
participant as provided in Section 10 hereof. All payroll deductions made for a participant shall be credited to his or her account 
under the Plan and shall be withheld in whole percentages only.  A participant may not make any additional payments into such 
account.

(c) 

A participant may discontinue his or her participation in the Plan as provided in Section 10 hereof, or 
may decrease (but not increase) the rate of his or her payroll deductions during the Offering Period by changing deductions via 
E*Trade or completing or filing with the Company a new subscription agreement authorizing a change in payroll deduction rate.  
No more than one (1) such reduction shall be allowed in any Purchase Period.  A participant may only increase the rate of his or 
her payroll deductions beginning with the next Offering Period which lasts 24 months.  The change in rate shall be effective as 
soon as administratively practicable. 

(d) 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code 
and Section 3(b) hereof, a participant's payroll deductions may be decreased to zero percent (0%) at any time during a Purchase 
Period.  Payroll deductions shall recommence at the rate provided in such participant's E*Trade elections or subscription agreement 
at the beginning of the first Purchase Period which is scheduled to end in the following calendar year, unless terminated by the 
participant as provided in Section 10 hereof.

(e) 

At the time the option is exercised, in whole or in part, or at the time some or all of the Company's 
Common Stock issued under the Plan is disposed of, the participant must make adequate provision for the Company's federal, 
state, or other tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise upon the exercise of the option or the disposition of the Common 
Stock.  At any time, the Company may, but shall not be obligated to, withhold from the participant's compensation the amount 
necessary for the Company to meet applicable withholding obligations, including any withholding required to make available to 
the Company any tax deductions or benefits attributable to sale or early disposition of Common Stock by the Eligible Employee. 

7. 

Grant of Option.  On the Entry Date of each Offering Period, each Eligible Employee participating in such 
Offering Period shall be granted an option to purchase on each Exercise Date during such Offering Period (at the applicable 
A-3

Purchase Price) up to a number of shares of the Company's Common Stock determined by dividing such Eligible Employee's 
payroll deductions accumulated prior to such Exercise Date and retained in the Participant's account as of the Exercise Date by 
the applicable Purchase Price; provided that in no event shall an Eligible Employee be permitted to purchase during each Purchase 
Period more than 7,500 shares of the Company's Common Stock (subject to any adjustment pursuant to Section 19), and provided 
further that such purchase shall be subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 3(b) and 6 hereof.  The Eligible Employee may 
accept the grant of such option by enrolling via E*Trade or turning in a completed Subscription Agreement (attached hereto as 
Exhibit A) to the stock plan administrator, on a date determined by such administrator, which shall be no later than five (5) Trading 
Days prior to an applicable Entry Date. The Administrator may, for future Offering Periods, increase or decrease, in its absolute 
discretion, the maximum number of shares of the Company's Common Stock an Eligible Employee may purchase during each 
Purchase Period of such Offering Period.  Exercise of the option shall occur as provided in Section 8 hereof, unless the participant 
has withdrawn pursuant to Section 10 hereof.  The option shall expire on the last day of the Offering Period.

8. 

Exercise of Option.

(a) 

Unless a participant withdraws from the Plan as provided in Section 10 hereof, his or her option for 
the purchase of shares shall be exercised automatically on the Exercise Date, and the maximum number of full shares subject to 
option shall be purchased for such participant at the applicable Purchase Price with the accumulated payroll deductions in his or 
her account.  No fractional shares shall be purchased; any payroll deductions accumulated in a participant's account which are not 
sufficient to purchase a full share shall be retained in the participant's account for the subsequent Purchase Period or Offering 
Period, subject to earlier withdrawal by the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof.  Any other funds left over in a participant's 
account after the Exercise Date shall be returned to the participant.  During a participant's lifetime, a participant's option to purchase 
shares hereunder is exercisable only by him or her.

(b) 

If the Administrator determines that, on a given Exercise Date, the number of shares with respect to 
which options are to be exercised may exceed (i) the number of shares of Common Stock that were available for sale under the 
Plan on the Entry Date of the applicable Offering Period, or (ii) the number of shares available for sale under the Plan on such 
Exercise Date, the Administrator may in its sole discretion (x) provide that the Company shall make a pro rata allocation of the 
shares of Common Stock available for purchase on such Entry Date or Exercise Date, as applicable, in as uniform a manner as 
shall be practicable and as it shall determine in its sole discretion to be equitable among all participants exercising options to 
purchase Common Stock on such Exercise Date, and continue all Offering Periods then in effect, or (y) provide that the Company 
shall make a pro rata allocation of the shares available for purchase on such Entry Date or Exercise Date, as applicable, in as 
uniform a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall determine in its sole discretion to be equitable among all participants 
exercising options to purchase Common Stock on such Exercise Date, and terminate any or all Offering Periods then in effect 
pursuant to Section 20 hereof.  The Company may make pro rata allocation of the shares available on the Entry Date of any 
applicable Offering Period pursuant to the preceding sentence, notwithstanding any authorization of additional shares for issuance 
under the Plan by the Company's shareholders subsequent to such Entry Date.

9. 

Delivery.  As soon as reasonably practicable after each Exercise Date on which a purchase of shares occurs, the 
Company shall arrange the delivery to each participant the shares purchased upon exercise of his or her option in a form determined 
by the Administrator.

10. 

Withdrawal.

(a) 

At any time prior to the last five (5) Trading Days of a Purchase Period, a participant may withdraw 
from the Plan by giving written notice to the Company in the form of Exhibit A to this Plan.  The participant shall elect to either 
have (i) all of the participant's payroll deductions credited to his or her account used to purchase shares at the next Exercise Date 
or (ii) all payroll deductions credited to his or her account refunded.  In neither event will any further payroll deductions for the 
purchase of shares be made for such Offering Period.  If a participant withdraws from an Offering Period, the participant may not 
re-enroll in the Plan until the next Offering Period which lasts 24 months, and payroll deductions shall not resume at the beginning 
of such Offering Period unless the participant re-enrolls in the Plan via E*Trade or delivers to the Company a new subscription 
agreement in a manner provided for in Section 5.

(b) 

A participant's withdrawal from an Offering Period shall not have any effect upon his or her eligibility 

to participate in any similar plan which may hereafter be adopted by the Company.

11. 

Termination of Employment.  In the event a participant ceases to be an Eligible Employee of the Company or 
any Participating Company (other than as a result of death or Permanent Disability), any payroll deductions credited to such 
participant's account during the Offering Period but not yet used to purchase shares under the Plan shall be returned to such 
participant and such participant's option shall be automatically terminated.  In the event a participant ceases to be an Employee 
A-4

of the Company or any Participating Company as a result of death or Permanent Disability, then such participant (or personal 
representative of the estate of the deceased participant) may elect at any time prior to the last five (5) Trading Days of a Purchase 
Period in which such termination occurs, to (i) have all of such participant’s payroll deductions for such Purchase Period refunded 
to the Participant or  (ii) have all such payroll deductions used to purchase the Company’s common stock on the Exercise Date 
following such termination.

12. 

Interest.  No interest shall accrue on the payroll deductions of a participant in the Plan.

13. 

Stock.

(a) 

Subject to adjustment upon changes in capitalization of the Company as provided in Section 19 hereof, 
the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock which shall be made available for sale under the Plan shall be 3,275,000 
shares, plus up to 150,000 remaining unissued shares available as of the Effective Date under the Company’s previous ESPP, and 
plus beginning January 1, 2005, and each January 1 thereafter during the term of the Plan, an automatic annual increase in shares 
reserved of the lesser of (i) 1,500,000 shares, (ii) one half of one percent (0.5%) of the then outstanding shares of our common 
stock, or (iii) such lesser amount as is approved by our Board of Directors; provided, however, that the shares under the Company’s 
previous ESPP shall not be available for issuance under the Plan to the extent that such reservation would, in the opinion of the 
Company’s independent auditors, result in a compensation expense to the Company under either EITF 97-12 or ASC 718. 

(b) 

Until the shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of 
a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), a participant shall only have the rights of an unsecured creditor with respect to 
such shares, and no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to such shares.

(c) 

Shares to be delivered to a participant under the Plan shall be held in a brokerage account in street 

name. 

14. 

Administration.  The Administrator shall administer the Plan and shall have full and exclusive discretionary 
authority to construe, interpret and apply the terms of the Plan, to determine eligibility and to adjudicate all disputed claims filed 
under the Plan.  Every finding, decision and determination made by the Administrator shall, to the full extent permitted by law, 
be final and binding upon all parties.

15. 

Designation of Beneficiary.

(a) 

A participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any payroll deductions, 
if any, from the participant's account under the Plan in the event of such participant's death subsequent to an Exercise Date on 
which the option is exercised but prior to delivery to such participant of such payroll deductions.  In addition, a participant may 
file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any payroll deductions from the participant's account under the Plan 
in the event of such participant's death prior to exercise of the option.  If a participant is married and the designated beneficiary 
is not the spouse, spousal consent shall be required for such designation to be effective.

(b) 

Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the participant at any time by written notice.  In 
the event of the death of a participant and in the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the Plan who is living at the 
time of such participant's death, the Company shall deliver such payroll deductions to the executor or administrator of the estate 
of the participant, or if no such executor or administrator has been appointed (to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, 
in its discretion, may deliver such payroll deductions to the spouse or to any one or more dependents or relatives of the participant, 
or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to the Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate.

time to time.

(c) 

All beneficiary designations shall be in such form and manner as the Administrator may designate from 

16. 

Transferability.  Neither payroll deductions credited to a participant's account nor any rights with regard to the 
exercise of an option or to receive shares under the Plan may be assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of in any 
way (other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution or as provided in Section 15 hereof) by the participant.  Any such 
attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition shall be without effect, except that the Company may treat such act as 
an election to withdraw funds from an Offering Period in accordance with Section 10 hereof.

17. 

Use of Funds.  All payroll deductions received or held by the Company under the Plan may be used by the 
Company for any corporate purpose, and the Company shall not be obligated to segregate such payroll deductions.  Until shares 
are issued, participants shall only have the rights of an unsecured creditor.

A-5

18. 

Reports.  Individual accounts shall be maintained for each participant in the Plan.  Statements of account shall 
be given to participating Eligible Employees at least annually, which statements shall set forth the amounts of payroll deductions, 
the Purchase Price, the number of shares purchased and the remaining cash balance, if any.

19. 

Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Liquidation, Merger or Change of Control.

(a) 

Changes in Capitalization.  Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the 
maximum number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock which shall be made available for sale under the Plan, the maximum 
number of shares each participant may purchase each Purchase Period (pursuant to Section 7), as well as the price per share and 
the  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock  covered  by  each  option  under  the  Plan  which  has  not  yet  been  exercised  shall  be 
proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock 
split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other change in the number 
of shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any 
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.”  Such adjustment 
shall be made by the Administrator, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.  Except as expressly 
provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any 
class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common 
Stock subject to an option.

(b) 

Change in Control.  In the event of a Change of Control, each outstanding option shall be assumed or 
an equivalent option substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation.  In the event 
that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the option, any Purchase Periods then in progress shall be shortened 
by setting a New Exercise Date and any Offering Periods then in progress shall end on the New Exercise Date.  The New Exercise 
Date shall be before the date of the Company's proposed Change of Control.  The Administrator shall notify each participant in 
writing, at least 10 business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the participant's option has been 
changed to the New Exercise Date and that the participant's option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, 
unless prior to such date the participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 10 hereof.

20. 

Amendment or Termination.

(a) 

The Administrator may at any time and for any reason terminate or amend the Plan.  Except as otherwise 
provided in the Plan, no such termination can affect options previously granted, provided that an Offering Period may be terminated 
by the Administrator on any Exercise Date if the Administrator determines that the termination of the Offering Period or the Plan 
is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.  Except as provided in Section 19 and this Section 20 hereof, no 
amendment may make any change in any option theretofore granted which adversely affects the rights of any participant.  To the 
extent necessary to comply with Section 423 of the Code (or any successor rule or provision or any other applicable law, regulation 
or stock exchange rule), the Company shall obtain shareholder approval in such a manner and to such a degree as required.

(b) 

Without shareholder consent and without regard to whether any participant rights may be considered 
to have been “adversely affected,” the Administrator shall be entitled to change the Offering Periods, limit the frequency and/or 
number of changes in the amount withheld during an Offering Period, establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld 
in a currency other than U.S. dollars, permit payroll withholding in excess of the amount designated by a participant in order to 
adjust for delays or mistakes in the Company's processing of properly completed withholding elections, establish reasonable 
waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase 
of Common Stock for each participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the participant's Compensation, and 
establish such other limitations or procedures as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion advisable which are consistent 
with the Plan.

(c) 

In  the  event  the Administrator  determines  that  the  ongoing  operation  of  the  Plan  may  result  in 
unfavorable financial accounting consequences, the Board may, in its discretion and, to the extent necessary or desirable, modify 
or amend the Plan to reduce or eliminate such accounting consequence including, but not limited to:

at the time of the change in Purchase Price;

(i) 

increasing the Purchase Price for any Offering Period including an Offering Period underway 

an Offering Period underway at the time of the Board action; and

(ii) 

shortening any Offering Period so that Offering Period ends on a new Exercise Date, including 

(iii) 

allocating shares.

A-6

Such modifications or amendments shall not require stockholder approval or the consent of any Plan participants.

21. 

Notices.  All notices or other communications by a participant to the Company under or in connection with the 
Plan shall be deemed to have been duly given when received in the form and manner specified by the Company at the location, 
or by the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof.

22. 

Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.  Shares shall not be issued with respect to an option unless the exercise of 
such option and the issuance and delivery of such shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all applicable provisions of law, 
domestic or foreign, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 
as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the shares 
may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

As a condition to the exercise of an option, the Company may require the person exercising such option to 
represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the shares are being purchased only for investment and without any 
present intention to sell or distribute such shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required 
by any of the aforementioned applicable provisions of law.

23. 

Term of Plan.  The Plan, as amended through May 19, 2014, shall continue in effect until August 31, 2024, 

unless sooner terminated under Section 20 hereof.

24. 

Automatic Transfer to Low Price Offering Period.  To the extent permitted by any applicable laws, regulations, 
or stock exchange rules if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on any Exercise Date in an Offering Period is lower than 
the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Entry Date of such Offering Period, then all participants in such Offering 
Period shall be automatically withdrawn from such Offering Period immediately after the exercise of their option on such Exercise 
Date and automatically re-enrolled in the immediately following Offering Period.

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APPENDIX B

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED

1994 INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN 

As Amended through May 19, 2014 (subject to stockholder approval)

I. 

PURPOSE

This 1994 International Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“Plan”) is hereby established by Microchip Technology 

Incorporated, a Delaware corporation ("Microchip"), in order to provide eligible employees of foreign Microchip subsidiaries 
with the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in Microchip through the purchase of shares of Microchip common stock 
at periodic intervals with their accumulated payroll deductions. 

II. 

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of administration of the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

"Common Stock" means shares of Microchip common stock, par value $0.001 per share.

"Earnings" means regular base salary plus such additional items of compensation as the Plan Administrator may deem 

appropriate. 

"Effective Date" means June 1, 1994.  A list of the participating Foreign Subsidiaries is hereto attached as Schedule A.  

For any other Foreign Subsidiary, the effective date shall be determined by the Microchip Board of Directors or the Employee 
Committee of the Board of Directors prior to the time such Foreign Subsidiary is to become a participating company in the 
Plan.

"Eligible Employee" means any person who is engaged, on a regularly-scheduled basis, in the rendition of personal 

services outside the U.S. as an employee of a Foreign Subsidiary subject to the control and direction of that Foreign Subsidiary 
as to both the work to be performed and the manner and method of performance. 

"Entry Date" shall mean the first Trading Day of any Purchase Period.  An Entry Date occurs on the first Trading Day 

in December or June.

"Foreign Subsidiary" means any non-U.S. Microchip subsidiary which elects, with the approval of the Microchip 
Board of Directors or the Employee Committee of the Board of Directors, to extend the benefits of this Plan to its Eligible 
Employees.  The Foreign Subsidiaries participating in the Plan are listed on attached Schedule A.

"Participant" means any Eligible Employee of a Foreign Subsidiary who is actively participating in the Plan.

"Purchase Period" means the first U.S. business day of December to the last U.S. business day of May and from the 
first U.S. business day of June to the last U.S. business day of November; provided that Purchase Periods commencing after 
June, 2014 shall run from the first U.S. business day of December to the first U.S. business day of June and from the first U.S. 
business day in June to the first U.S. business day of December. 

"Service" means the period during which an individual performs services as an Eligible Employee and shall be 

measured from his or her hire date, whether that date is before or after the Effective Date of the Plan.

“Trading Day” shall mean a day on which national stock exchanges and the Nasdaq System are open for trading.

B-1

 
 
III. 

ADMINISTRATION

Each Foreign Subsidiary shall have responsibility for the administration of the Plan with respect to its Eligible 

Employees.  Accordingly, the Plan shall, as to each Foreign Subsidiary, be separately administered by a plan administrator 
comprised of two or more Members of the Board of Directors, the Employee Committee of the Board of Directors, or a 
designee as may be appointed by either of them from time to time (“Plan Administrator”).  The Plan Administrator shall have 
full authority to administer the Plan, including authority to interpret and construe any provision of the Plan and to adopt such 
rules and regulations for administering the Plan as it may deem necessary.  Decisions of the Plan Administrator shall be subject 
to ratification by the Microchip Board of Directors and, when so ratified, shall be final and binding on all parties who have an 
interest in the Plan.

IV. 

PURCHASE PERIODS

A. 

Shares of Common Stock shall be offered for purchase under the Plan through a series of successive purchase 
periods until such time as (i) the maximum number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall have 
been purchased or (ii) the Plan shall have been sooner terminated in accordance with Article VIII.  

B. 

The Plan shall be implemented in a series of successive purchase periods, each to be of a duration of six (6) 

months.  The initial purchase period will begin on June 1, 1994 and end on the last U.S. business day in November 1994.  
Subsequent purchase periods shall run from the first U.S. business day of December to the last U.S. business day of May and 
from the first U.S. business day of June to the last U.S. business day of November; provided that purchase periods commencing 
after June, 2014 shall run from the first U.S. business day of December to the first U.S. business day of June and from the first 
U.S. business day of June to the first U.S. business day of December. 

C. 

No purchase period shall commence under the Plan, nor shall any shares of Common Stock be issued 

hereunder, until such time as (i) the Plan shall have been approved by the Microchip Board of Directors and (ii) Microchip shall 
have complied with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended), all applicable listing requirements 
of any securities exchange on which shares of the Common Stock are listed and all other applicable statutory and regulatory 
requirements. 

D. 

The Participant shall be granted a separate purchase right for each purchase period in which he/she 

participates.  The purchase right shall be granted on the start date of the purchase period and shall be automatically exercised on 
the last U.S. business day of that purchase period.

E. 

The acquisition of Common Stock through plan participation for any purchase period shall neither limit nor 

require the acquisition of Common Stock by the Participant in any subsequent purchase period.

V. 

ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

A. 

B. 

Any Eligible Employee on a given Entry Date shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.

Each Eligible Employee of each Foreign Subsidiary participating in the Plan may join the Plan in accordance 

with the following provisions:

- 

An individual who is an Eligible Employee on a given Entry Date may enter that purchase period 
on such Entry Date, provided he/she enrolls in the purchase period on or before such Entry Date in accordance with 
Section V.C below.  Should any such Eligible Employee not enter the purchase period on or before the given Entry 
Date, then he/she may not subsequently join that particular purchase period on any later date. 

- 

An individual who is an Eligible Employee but was not employed on a given Entry Date may not 

participate in that purchase period but will be eligible to join the Plan on the next Entry Date thereafter provided that 
he or she is then an Eligible Employee.

B-2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
C. 

To participate for a particular purchase period, the Eligible Employee must complete the enrollment forms 

prescribed by the Plan Administrator (including a purchase agreement and a payroll deduction authorization) and file such 
forms with the Plan Administrator (or its designate) at least five U.S. business days before the start date of that purchase period. 

D. 

The payroll deduction authorized by the Participant shall be collected under the Plan in the currency in which 
paid by the Foreign Subsidiary and may be any multiple of one percent (1%) of the Earnings paid to the Participant during each 
purchase period, up to a maximum of ten percent (10%).  Any changes or fluctuations in the exchange rate at which the 
currency collected from the Participant through such payroll deductions is converted into U.S. Dollars on each purchase date 
under the Plan shall be borne solely by the Participant.  The deduction rate so authorized shall continue in effect for the entire 
purchase period and for each successive purchase period, except to the extent such rate is changed in accordance with the 
following guidelines: 

- 

The Participant may, at any time during the purchase period, reduce his/her rate of payroll 
deduction.  Such reduction shall become effective as soon as possible after filing of the requisite reduction 
form with the Plan Administrator (or its designate), but the Participant may not effect more than one such 
reduction during the same purchase period. 

- 

The Participant may, prior to the start date of any subsequent purchase period, increase or 

decrease the rate of his/her payroll deduction by filing the appropriate form with the Plan Administrator (or 
its designate).  The new rate (which may not exceed the ten percent (10%) maximum) shall become effective 
as of the start date of the new six (6)-month purchase period. 

Payroll deductions will automatically cease upon the termination of the Participant's purchase right in 

accordance with the applicable provisions of Section VII below.

VI. 

STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN

A. 

The Common Stock purchasable under the Plan shall, solely in the discretion of the Microchip Board, be 

made available from authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or from shares of Common Stock reacquired by 
Microchip, including shares of Common Stock purchased on the open market.  The total number of shares reserved under the 
Plan prior to January 2007 is 348,5931 shares, plus beginning January 1, 2007, and each January 1 thereafter during the term of 
the Plan, an automatic annual increase in shares reserved of one tenth of one percent (0.1%) of the then outstanding shares of 
Microchip Common Stock2.  The total number of shares which may be issued under the Plan shall not exceed the number 
reserved.

____________________

1Adjusted to reflect: (i) the three-for-two stock split of the outstanding Common Stock effected in November 1994; (ii) the three-
for-two stock split of the outstanding Common Stock effected in January 1997; (iii) the 10,000 share increase authorized by the 
Board of Directors on April 25 1997; (iv) the three-for-two stock split of the outstanding Common Stock effected in January 2000; 
(v) the three-for-two stock split of the outstanding Common Stock effected in September 2000; (vi) the three-for-two stock split 
of the outstanding Common Stock effected in May 2002; (vii) the 25,000 share increase authorized by the Board of Directors on 
March 3, 2003; and (viii) the 100,000 share increase authorized by the Board of Directors on August 20, 2004.

2(i) On February 13, 2007 the Board of Directors authorized the automatic 216,038 share increase; (ii) on February 11, 2008, 
the Board of Directors authorized the automatic 189,013 share increase; (iii) on February 27, 2009 the Board of Directors 
authorized the automatic 182,046 share increase; (iv) on February 22, 2010 the Board of Directors authorized the automatic 
184,234 share increase; (v) on February 18, 2011 the Board of Directors authorized the automatic 188,306 share increase, and 
(vi) on February 13, 2012 the Board of Directors authorized the automatic 192,054 share increase.  There was no share increase 
in 2013 and 2014.

B-3

 
 
 
 
B. 

In the event any change is made to the outstanding Common Stock by reason of any stock dividend, stock 

split, combination of shares or other change affecting such outstanding Common Stock as a class without Microchip's receipt of 
consideration, appropriate adjustments shall be made by the Microchip Board of Directors to (i) the class and maximum 
number of securities issuable over the term of the Plan, (ii) the class and maximum number of securities purchasable per 
Participant during any one purchase period and (iii) the class and number of securities and the price per share in effect under 
each purchase right at the time outstanding under the Plan.  Such adjustments shall be designed to preclude the dilution or 
enlargement of rights and benefits under the Plan.

VII. 

PURCHASE RIGHTS

An Eligible Employee who participates in the Plan for a particular purchase period shall have the right to purchase 

shares of Common Stock upon the terms and conditions set forth below and shall execute a purchase agreement incorporating 
such terms and conditions and such other provisions (not inconsistent with the Plan) as the Plan Administrator may deem 
advisable.

Purchase Price.  Common Stock shall be issuable at the end of each purchase period at a purchase price equal to 

eighty-five percent (85%) of the lower of (i) the fair market value per share on the start date of that purchase period or (ii) the 
fair market value per share on the last U.S. business day of that purchase period. 

Valuation.  The fair market value per share of Common Stock on any relevant date under the Plan shall be the closing 
selling price per share of Common Stock on that date, as officially quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.  If there is no 
quoted selling price for such date, then the closing selling price per share of Common Stock on the next day for which there 
does exist such a quotation shall be determinative of fair market value. 

Number of Purchasable Shares.  

- 

The number of shares purchasable per Participant during each purchase period shall be determined 

as follows: first, the payroll deductions in the currency in which collected from the Participant during that purchase 
period shall be converted into U.S. Dollars on the last U.S. business day of the purchase period at the exchange rate 
in effect on that day; then, the U.S. Dollar amount calculated for the Participant on the basis of such exchange rate 
shall be divided by the purchase price in effect for such period to determine the number of whole shares of Common 
Stock purchasable on the Participant's behalf for that purchase period. 

- 

However, no Participant may, during any one purchase period, purchase more than one thousand 

eight hundred ninety-nine (1,899) shares of Common Stock. 

- 

And any provisions of the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, no Participant shall be granted an 
option under the Plan (i) to the extent that, immediately after the grant, such Participant (or any other person whose 
stock would be attributed to such Participant) would own capital stock of Microchip and/or hold outstanding options 
to purchase such stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes 
of the capital stock of Microchip or of any Subsidiary, or (ii) to the extent that his or her rights to purchase stock under 
all employee stock purchase plans of Microchip and its subsidiaries accrues at a rate which exceeds $25,000.00 worth 
of stock (determined at the fair market value of the shares at the time such option is granted) for each calendar year in 
which such option is outstanding at any time.

Payment.  Payment for the Common Stock purchased under the Plan shall be effected by means of the Participant's 
authorized payroll deductions in the currency in which paid by the Foreign Subsidiary.  Such deductions shall begin with the 
first full payroll period beginning with or immediately following the start date of the purchase period and shall (unless sooner 
terminated by the Participant) continue through the pay day ending with or immediately prior to the last day of such purchase 
period.  The amounts so collected shall be credited to the Participant's book account under the Plan, but no interest shall be paid 
on the balance from time to time outstanding in such account.  The amounts collected from a Participant may be commingled 
with the general assets of the Foreign Subsidiary or Microchip and may be used for general corporate purposes.  However, all 
purchases of Common Stock under the Plan shall be made in U.S. Dollars on the basis of the exchange rate in effect on the last 
day of each purchase period.

B-4

 
 
 
 
 
Termination of Purchase Right.  The following provisions shall govern the termination of outstanding purchase rights:

- 

A Participant may, at any time prior to the last five (5) business days of the Foreign Subsidiary falling 

within the purchase period, terminate his/her outstanding purchase right by filing the prescribed notification form 
with the Plan Administrator.  No further payroll deductions shall be collected from the Participant with respect to the 
terminated purchase right, and any payroll deductions collected for the purchase period in which such termination 
occurs shall, at the Participant's election, be immediately refunded in the currency in which paid by the Foreign 
Subsidiary or held for the purchase of shares at the end of such purchase period.  If no such election is made at the 
time the termination notice is filed, then the Participant's payroll deductions shall be refunded as soon as possible 
after the termination date of his/her purchase right. 

- 

The termination of such purchase right shall be irrevocable, and the Participant may not subsequently 

rejoin the purchase period for which the terminated purchase right was granted.  In order to resume participation in 
any subsequent purchase period, such individual must re-enroll in the Plan (by making a timely filing of a new 
purchase agreement and payroll deduction authorization) on or before the date he/she is first eligible to join the new 
purchase period. 

- 

If the Participant ceases to remain an Eligible Employee while his/her purchase right is outstanding, 
then such purchase right shall immediately terminate, and the payroll deductions collected from such Participant for 
the purchase period shall be promptly refunded in the currency in which paid by the Foreign Subsidiary to the 
Participant.   However, should the Participant's cessation of Eligible Employee status occur by reason of death or 
permanent disability, then such individual (or the personal representative of a deceased Participant) shall have the 
following election, exercisable up until the last day of the purchase period: 

- 

to withdraw all of the Participant's payroll deductions for such purchase period, in the currency in 

which paid by the Foreign Subsidiary, or 

- 

to have such funds held for the purchase of shares at the end of the purchase period. 

If no such election is made, then such funds shall be refunded as soon as possible after the end of the 

purchase period.  In no event, however, may any payroll deductions be made on the Participant's behalf following 
his/her cessation of Eligible Employee status. 

Stock Purchase.  Shares of Common Stock shall automatically be purchased on behalf of each Participant (other than 

Participants whose payroll deductions have previously been refunded in accordance with the Termination of Purchase Right 
provisions above) on the last U.S. business day of each purchase period.  The purchase shall be effected as follows: first, each 
Participant's payroll deductions for that purchase period (together with any carryover deductions from the preceding purchase 
period) shall be converted from the currency in which paid by the Foreign Subsidiary into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate in 
effect on the purchase date, and then the amount of U.S. Dollars calculated for each Participant on the basis of such exchange 
rate shall be applied to the purchase of whole shares of Common Stock (subject to the limitation on the maximum number of 
purchasable shares set forth above) at the purchase price in effect for such purchase period.  Any payroll deductions not applied 
to such purchase because they are not sufficient to purchase a whole share shall be held for the purchase of Common Stock in 
the next purchase period.  However, any payroll deductions not applied to the purchase of Common Stock by reason of the 
limitation on the maximum number of shares purchasable by the Participant during the purchase period shall be promptly 
refunded to the Participant in the currency in which paid by the Foreign Subsidiary. 

Proration of Purchase Rights.  Should the total number of shares of Common Stock which are to be purchased 
pursuant to outstanding purchase rights on any particular date exceed the number of shares then available for issuance under the 
Plan, the Plan Administrator shall make a pro-rata allocation of the available shares on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis, 
and the payroll deductions of each Participant, to the extent in excess of the aggregate purchase price payable for the Common 
Stock pro-rated to such individual, shall be refunded to such Participant in the currency in which paid by the Foreign 
Subsidiary.

Rights as Stockholder.  A Participant shall have no stockholder rights with respect to the shares subject to his/her 

outstanding purchase right until the shares are actually purchased on the Participant's behalf in accordance with the applicable 
provisions of the Plan.  No adjustments shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is 
prior to the date of such purchase.

B-5

 
 
 
 
 
A Participant shall be entitled to receive, as soon as practicable after the end of each purchase period, a stock 

certificate (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of Microchip or of a duly authorized transfer agent of 
Microchip) for the number of shares purchased on the Participant's behalf.  Such certificate will be issued in "street name" for 
immediate deposit in a designated brokerage account.  Until the stock certificate evidencing such Shares is issued no right to 
vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist.  No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other 
right for which the record date is prior to the date the stock certificate is issued.

Assignability.  No purchase right granted under the Plan shall be assignable or transferable by the Participant other 

than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution following the Participant's death, and during the Participant's lifetime the 
purchase right shall be exercisable only by the Participant.

Change in Ownership.  Should any of the following transactions (a "Corporate Transaction") occur during the 

purchase period: 

(i) 

a merger or other reorganization in which Microchip will not be the surviving corporation (other 

than a reorganization effected primarily to change the State in which Microchip is incorporated), or 

(ii) 

a sale of all or substantially all of Microchip's assets in liquidation or dissolution of Microchip, or

(iii) 

a reverse merger in which Microchip is the surviving corporation but in which more than fifty 

percent (50%) of Microchip's outstanding voting stock is transferred to person or persons different from those who 
held the stock immediately prior to such merger, then all outstanding purchase rights under the Plan shall 
automatically be exercised immediately prior to the effective date of such Corporate Transaction by applying the 
payroll deductions of each Participant for the purchase period in which such Corporate Transaction occurs to the 
purchase of whole shares of Common Stock at eighty-five percent (85%) of the lower of (i) the fair market value of 
the Common Stock on the start date of the purchase period in which such Corporate Transaction occurs or (ii) the fair 
market value of the Common Stock immediately prior to the effective date of such Corporate Transaction.  Payroll 
deductions shall be converted from the currency in which paid by the Foreign Subsidiary into U.S. Dollars on the 
basis of the exchange rate in effect on the purchase date, and the applicable share limitation of Article VII shall 
continue to apply to each such purchase.  Should Microchip sell or otherwise dispose of its ownership interest in any 
Foreign Subsidiary participating in the Plan, whether through merger or sale of all or substantially all of the assets or 
outstanding capital stock of that Foreign Subsidiary, then a similar exercise of outstanding purchase rights shall be 
effected immediately prior to the effective date of such disposition, but only to the extent those purchase rights are 
attributable to the employees of such Foreign Subsidiary.  

Microchip shall use its best efforts to provide at least ten (10) days advance written notice of the occurrence of any 
such Corporate Transaction, and the Participants shall, following the receipt of such notice, have the right to terminate their 
outstanding purchase rights in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Article VII.

VIII.  AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

The Plan has been established voluntarily by Microchip.  The Microchip Board of Directors may alter, amend, suspend 

or discontinue the Plan with respect to one or more Foreign Subsidiaries following the end of any purchase period.  The 
Microchip Board may also terminate the Plan in its entirety immediately following the end of any purchase period.  In such 
event, no further purchase rights shall thereafter be granted or exercised, and no further payroll deductions shall thereafter be 
collected, under the Plan. 

IX. 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

A. 

The Plan shall become effective on the designated effective date for each Foreign Subsidiary, provided 
Microchip shall have complied with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended), all applicable 
listing requirements of any securities exchange on which shares of the Common Stock are listed and all other applicable 
requirements established by law or regulation.  

B. 

The Plan shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) November 30, 2024 or (ii) the date on which all shares 

available for issuance under the Plan shall have been sold pursuant to purchase rights exercised under the Plan.

C. 

All costs and expenses incurred in the administration of the Plan shall be paid by the Foreign Subsidiary.

B-6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
D. 

Neither the action of Microchip or the Foreign Subsidiary in establishing the Plan, nor any action taken under 

the Plan by the Microchip Board or the Plan Administrator, nor any provision of the Plan itself shall constitute any form of 
employment contract, be construed so as to grant any person the right to remain in the employ of the Foreign Subsidiary for any 
period of specific duration, and except where expressly prohibited by applicable law such person's employment may be 
terminated at any time, with or without cause.

E. 

Participation in the Plan is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to 

participate in the Plan in the future, or benefits in lieu of participation in the Plan, even if the Participant has continually 
participated in the Plan in the past.

F. 

Participation in the Plan does not constitute normal or expected salary or compensation for any purposes, 

including but not limited to, calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, end of service payments, bonuses, 
long-term service awards, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments and in no event should be considered as 
compensation for, or relating in any way to past services for Microchip or the Foreign Subsidiary.

G. 

Microchip, Foreign Subsidiaries and the Plan Administrator must collect, use, and transfer personal data of 

Participants as described in this subsection in order to administer the Plan.  By participating in the Plan, the Participant is 
consenting to the collection, transfer and use of personal data as generally described in this subsection except where requiring 
such consent is expressly prohibited by local law.

(i) 

Microchip and its Foreign Subsidiaries hold certain personal information about the Participant, 

including, but not limited to, name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number, salary, 
nationality, job title, any Shares of Common Stock or directorships held in Microchip, details of all participation in the 
Plan or other entitlement to Shares, for the purpose of managing and administering the Plan (“Data”).

(ii) 

Microchip and/or its Foreign Subsidiaries will transfer Data among themselves as necessary for the 

purposes of implementation, administration, and management of Participant’s participation in the Plan, and that 
Microchip and/or its Foreign Subsidiaries may each further transfer Data to identified third parties assisting them in 
the implementation, administration, and management of the Plan (“Data Recipients”).

(iii) 

These Data Recipients may be located in Participant’s country of residence or elsewhere, such as the 
United States.  By participating under this Plan, the Participant authorizes the Data Recipients to receive, possess, use, 
retain, and transfer Data in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering, and managing 
Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any transfer of such Data, as may be required for Plan administration 
and/or the subsequent holding of Shares on Participant’s behalf, to a broker or third party with whom the Shares 
acquired on purchase may be deposited.

(iv) 

Participant may, at any time, review the Data, request that any necessary amendments be made to it, 

or withdraw Participant’s consent herein in writing by contacting Microchip. Withdrawing consent may affect 
Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan.

B-7

 
 
This page intentionally left blank.

SCHEDULE A

LIST OF FOREIGN SUBSIDIARIES
PARTICIPATING IN THE 
INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
Amended through May 19, 2014

Australia – Microchip Technology Australia PTY Ltd.

Australia – Hi-Tech Software PTY Ltd 

Austria – Microchip Technology Austria GmbH

Belgium – Eqcologic NV

Canada – Microchip Technology Canada Inc 

China – SST China Ltd.

China – Microchip Technology Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Denmark – Microchip Technology Nordic ApS 

France – Microchip Technology Sarl

Germany – K2L GmbH & Co. KG

Germany – Microchip Technology GmbH

Germany – Microchip Technology Germany II GmbH & Co. KG

Germany – Microchip Technology Germany GmbH

Hong Kong – Microchip Technology Hong Kong Ltd.

Hong Kong – Supertex, Limited

Hungary – Microchip Technology Hungary Kft.

India – Microchip Technology (India) Private Limited

Ireland – Microchip Technology Ireland Limited

Israel – Microchip Technology Israel Ltd

Italy – Microchip Technology SRL

Japan – Microchip Technology Japan K.K.

Korea – Microchip Technology Korea Ltd.

Malaysia – Arizona Microchip Technology (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd

Mexico – Microchip Technology Mexico, S.DE R.L. DE C.V.

Netherlands – Microchip Technology (Netherlands) Europe B.V.

Philippines – MTI Advanced Test Development Corporation

A-I

Philippines – Microchip Technology (Philippines) Corporation

Poland – Microchip Technology Sp. z o.o.

Romania – Microchip Technology SRL

Singapore – Microchip Technology Singapore Pte Ltd.

Singapore – Wireless Sound Solutions Pte Ltd.

Spain – Microchip Technology S.L.

Sweden – Microchip Technology Sweden AB

Sweden – SMSC Sweden

Switzerland – Microchip Technology Switzerland S.A.

Taiwan – Microchip Technology (Barbados) II Inc. – Taiwan Branch

Taiwan – SST Taiwan Ltd. – HsinChu Office

Thailand – Arizona Microchip Technology (Thailand) Ltd.

United Kingdom – Microchip Limited

A-II

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

(Mark One)

FORM 10-K

Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014

OR

Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from _________ to __________

Commission File Number:  0-21184

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware

86-0629024

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

2355 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ  85224-6199
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)

(480) 792-7200
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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

Title of Each Class

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value Per Share

NASDAQ® Global Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. 
No

Yes 

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. 
No

Yes       

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

Yes    

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data 
File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months 
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   
No

Yes    

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§232.405 of this chapter) is not contained 
herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference 
in Part III of Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
     
     
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting 
company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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

Yes    

Aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of September 30, 2013 based upon the closing 
price of the common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Global Market on such date was approximately $7,760,827,527.

Number of shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding as of May 23, 2014:  200,291,129 shares

Document
Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Part of Form 10-K
III

Documents Incorporated by Reference

     
 
MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures

PART I

PART II

Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
Selected Financial Data
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information

PART III

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related 
Stockholder Matters

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.

Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.

Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.

Item 13.
Item 14.

PART IV

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Signatures

Page

3
11
22
22
23
23

23
25
27
43
43
43
43
46

46
46

47
47
47

48

49

2

PART I

This Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements 

regarding our strategy and future financial performance and those statements identified under "Item 7 – Management's 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Note Regarding Forward-looking 
Statements."  Our actual results could differ materially from the results described in these forward-looking statements as a 
result of certain factors including those set forth under "Item 1A – Risk Factors," beginning below at page 11, and elsewhere in 
this Form 10-K.  Although we believe that the matters reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot 
guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.  You should not place undue reliance on these 
forward-looking statements.  We disclaim any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement.

Item 1.   BUSINESS

We develop, manufacture and sell specialized semiconductor products used by our customers for a wide variety of 
embedded control applications.  Our product portfolio comprises general purpose and specialized 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit 
microcontrollers, a broad spectrum of high-performance linear, mixed-signal, power management, thermal management, RF, 
safety, security, wired connectivity and wireless connectivity devices, as well as serial EEPROMs, Serial Flash memories, 
Parallel Flash memories and serial SRAM memories.  We also license Flash-IP solutions that are incorporated in a broad range 
of products.  Our synergistic product portfolio targets thousands of applications worldwide and a growing demand for high-
performance designs in the automotive, communications, computing, consumer and industrial control markets.  Our quality 
systems are ISO/TS16949 (2009 version) certified.

Microchip Technology Incorporated was incorporated in Delaware in 1989.  In this Form 10-K, "we," "us," and "our" each 

refers to Microchip Technology Incorporated and its subsidiaries.  Our executive offices are located at 2355 West Chandler 
Boulevard, Chandler, Arizona 85224-6199 and our telephone number is (480) 792-7200.

Our Internet address is www.microchip.com.  We post the following filings on our website as soon as reasonably 

practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

our annual report on Form 10-K
our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q
our current reports on Form 8-K
our proxy statement
any amendments to the above-listed reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934

All of our SEC filings on our website are available free of charge.  The information on our website is not incorporated into 

this Form 10-K.

Recent Developments

On April 1, 2014, we closed our acquisition of Supertex, Inc.  Upon the closing of the acquisition, each share of common 

stock of Supertex was canceled and automatically converted into the right to receive $33.00 in cash without interest and less 
any applicable withholding taxes.  The amount of cash we paid for the acquisition, net of cash and short-term investments from 
Supertex of approximately $155.8 million, was approximately $234.2 million.  We financed the transaction using borrowings 
under our existing credit agreement.  Supertex is a leader in high voltage analog and mixed-signal products for the medical, 
lighting and industrial control markets.  Supertex is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California and has offices, manufacturing and 
research facilities in California and Hong Kong.

3

 
 
 
 
Industry Background

Competitive pressures require manufacturers of a wide variety of products to expand product functionality and provide 

differentiation while maintaining or reducing cost.  To address these requirements, manufacturers often use integrated circuit-
based embedded control systems that enable them to:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

differentiate their products
replace less efficient electromechanical control devices
reduce the number of components in their system
add product functionality
reduce the system level energy consumption
decrease time to market for their products
significantly reduce product cost

Embedded control systems have been incorporated into thousands of products and subassemblies in a wide variety of 

applications and markets worldwide, including:

automotive comfort, safety, information and entertainment applications
• 
remote control devices, including garage door openers
• 
handheld tools
• 
large and small home appliances
• 
portable computers and accessories
• 
robotics
• 
energy monitoring
• 
• 
thermostats
•  motor controls
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  medical instruments

security systems
smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
consumer electronics
power supplies
applications needing touch buttons, touch screens and graphical user interfaces

Embedded control systems typically incorporate a microcontroller as the principal active, and sometimes sole, 

component.  A microcontroller is a self-contained computer-on-a-chip consisting of a central processing unit, often with on 
board non-volatile program memory, random access memory for data storage and various analog and digital input/output 
peripheral capabilities.  In addition to the microcontroller, a complete embedded control system incorporates application-
specific software, various analog, mixed-signal and connectivity products and non-volatile memory components such as 
EEPROMs and Flash memory.

The increasing demand for embedded control has made the market for microcontrollers one of the significant segments of 
the semiconductor market at approximately $15 billion in calendar year 2013.  Microcontrollers are primarily available in 8-bit 
through 32-bit architectures.  8-bit microcontrollers remain very cost-effective for a wide range of high-volume embedded 
control applications and, as a result, continue to represent a significant portion of the overall microcontroller market.  16-bit 
and 32-bit microcontrollers provide higher performance and functionality, and are generally found in more complex embedded 
control applications.  The analog and mixed-signal segment of the semiconductor market is very large at approximately 
$40 billion in calendar year 2013, and this market is fragmented into a large number of sub segments.

Our Products

Our strategic focus is on embedded control solutions, including:

general purpose and specialized microcontrollers
development tools and related software
analog and mixed signal products
connectivity products

• 
• 
• 
• 
•  memory products
• 

technology licensing

4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We provide highly cost-effective embedded control solutions that also offer the advantages of small size, high 
performance, extreme low power, wide voltage range operation, mixed signal integration, and ease of development, thus 
enabling timely and cost-effective integration of our solutions by our customers in their end products.

Microcontrollers

We offer a broad family of proprietary general purpose microcontroller products marketed under the PIC® brand name.  We 

believe that our PIC product family is a price/performance leader in the worldwide microcontroller market.  We have shipped 
over 13 billion PIC microcontrollers to customers worldwide since their introduction in 1990.  We also offer specialized 
microcontrollers for automotive networking, computing, wireless communication and wireless audio applications.  With over 
1,100 microcontrollers in our product portfolio, we target the 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit microcontroller markets.

We have used our manufacturing experience and design and process technology to bring additional enhancements and 

manufacturing efficiencies to the development and production of our PIC family of microcontroller products.  Our extensive 
experience base has enabled us to develop our small footprint, flexible, extreme low power, low-cost user programmability 
feature by incorporating non-volatile memory, such as Flash, EEPROM and EPROM memory, into the microcontroller, and to 
be a leader in reprogrammable microcontroller product offerings.

Development Tools

We offer a comprehensive set of low-cost and easy-to-learn application development tools.  These tools enable system 
designers to quickly and easily program PIC microcontrollers for specific applications and, we believe, are a key factor for 
facilitating design wins.

Our family of development tools for our PIC products range from entry-level systems, which include an assembler and 

programmer or in-circuit debugging hardware, to fully configured systems that provide in-circuit emulation 
capability.  Customers moving from entry-level designs to those requiring real-time emulation are able to preserve their 
investment in learning and tools as they migrate to future PIC devices since all of our PIC development tools share the same 
integrated development environment.

Many independent companies also develop and market application development tools that support our standard 
microcontroller product architecture.  Currently, there are approximately 200 third-party tool suppliers worldwide whose 
products support our proprietary microcontroller architecture.

We believe that familiarity with and adoption of both our and third-party development tools by an increasing number of 
product designers will be an important factor in the future selection of our embedded control products.  These development 
tools allow design engineers to develop thousands of application-specific products from our standard microcontrollers.  To date, 
we have shipped over 1.6 million development tools.

Analog, Interface and Mixed Signal Products

Our analog, interface and mixed signal products consist of several families with over 1,100 power management, linear, 

mixed-signal, thermal management, RF Linear drivers, safety and security, USB, ethernet, wireless and other interface 
products.  

We market and sell our analog, interface and mixed signal products into our microcontroller customer base, to customers 

who use microcontrollers from other suppliers and to customers who use other products that may not fit our traditional 
microcontroller and memory products customer base.  We market these, and all of our products, based on an application 
segment approach targeted to provide customers with application solutions.

Memory Products

Our memory products consist of serial electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (referred to as Serial 
EEPROMs), Serial Flash memories, Parallel Flash memories and Serial SRAM memories.  Serial EEPROMs, Serial Flash 
memories and Serial SRAM have a very low I/O pin requirement, permitting production of very small footprint devices.  We 
sell our memory products primarily into the embedded control market, complementing our microcontroller offerings.

5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Technology Licensing

Our technology licensing business includes license fees and royalties associated with technology licenses for the use of our 

SuperFlash® embedded flash and Smartbits® one time programmable NVM technologies.  We also generate fees for 
engineering services related to these technologies.  We license our NVM technologies to foundries, integrated device 
manufacturers and design partners throughout the world for use in the manufacture of their advanced microcontroller products, 
gate array, RF and analog products that require embedded non-volatile memory.

Manufacturing

Our manufacturing operations include wafer fabrication, wafer probe, assembly and test.  The ownership of a substantial 
portion of our manufacturing resources is an important component of our business strategy, enabling us to maintain a high level 
of manufacturing control, resulting in us being one of the lowest cost producers in the embedded control industry.  By owning 
wafer fabrication facilities and our assembly and test operations, and by employing statistical techniques (statistical process 
control, designed experiments and wafer level monitoring), we have been able to achieve and maintain high production 
yields.  Direct control over manufacturing resources allows us to shorten our design and production cycles.  This control also 
allows us to capture the wafer manufacturing and a portion of the assembly and testing profit margin.  We do outsource a 
significant portion of our manufacturing requirements to third parties and the amount of our outsourced manufacturing has 
increased due to our acquisitions of companies that outsource all or substantial portions of their manufacturing.

Our manufacturing facilities are located in:

•  Tempe, Arizona (Fab 2)
•  Gresham, Oregon (Fab 4)
•  Chandler, Arizona (wafer probe)
•  Bangkok, Thailand (wafer probe, assembly and test)

Wafer Fabrication

Fab 2 currently produces 8-inch wafers and supports manufacturing processes from 0.35 microns to 5.0 microns.  During 

fiscal 2014, in response to uncertain global economic conditions and our inventory position, we decided to operate Fab 2 below 
normal capacity levels, which we typically consider to be in the range of 90% to 95% of the actual capacity of the installed 
equipment.  Fab 2's capacity to support more advanced technologies was increased during fiscal 2014 by making process 
improvements, upgrading existing equipment, and adding equipment.

Fab 4 currently produces 8-inch wafers using predominantly 0.22 microns to 0.5 microns manufacturing processes and is 
capable of supporting technologies below 0.18 microns.  Similar to Fab 2, Fab 4 operated below normal capacity levels during 
fiscal 2014.  A significant amount of additional clean room capacity and equipment in Fab 4 can be brought on line in the future 
to support incremental wafer fabrication capacity needs.  We believe the combined capacity of Fab 2 and Fab 4 will provide 
sufficient capacity to allow us to respond to increases in future demand over the next several years with modest incremental 
capital expenditures. 

We continue to transition products to more advanced process technologies to reduce future manufacturing costs.  We 

believe that our ability to successfully transition to more advanced process technologies is important for us to remain 
competitive.

We have, in recent years, outsourced a larger portion of our wafer production requirements to third-party wafer foundries 

to augment our internal manufacturing capabilities.  As a result of our recent acquisitions, we have become more reliant on 
outside wafer foundries for our wafer fabrication requirements.  In fiscal 2014, approximately 38% of our sales came from 
products that were produced at outside wafer foundries.

Wafer Probe, Assembly and Test 

We perform wafer probe, product assembly and testing at our facilities located near Bangkok, Thailand.  We also perform a 

limited amount of wafer probe at our Chandler, Arizona facility.  During fiscal 2014, approximately 51% of our assembly 
requirements were being performed in our Thailand facilities and approximately 86% of our test requirements were performed 
in our Thailand facilities.  We use third-party assembly and test contractors in several Asian countries for the balance of our 
assembly and test requirements.

6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General Matters Impacting Our Manufacturing Operations

Due to the high fixed costs inherent in semiconductor manufacturing, consistently high manufacturing yields have 

significant positive effects on our gross profit and overall operating results.  Our continuous focus on manufacturing 
productivity has allowed us to maintain excellent manufacturing yields at our facilities.  Our manufacturing yields are primarily 
driven by a comprehensive implementation of statistical process control, extensive employee training and our effective use of 
our manufacturing facilities and equipment.  Maintenance of manufacturing productivity and yields are important factors in the 
achievement of our operating results.  The manufacture of integrated circuits, particularly non-volatile, erasable CMOS 
memory and logic devices, such as those that we produce, are complex processes.  These processes are sensitive to a wide 
variety of factors, including the level of contaminants in the manufacturing environment, impurities in the materials used and 
the performance of our manufacturing personnel and equipment.  As is typical in the semiconductor industry, we have from 
time to time experienced lower than anticipated manufacturing yields.  Our operating results will suffer if we are unable to 
maintain yields at approximately the current levels.

Historically, we have relied on our ability to respond quickly to customer orders as part of our competitive strategy, 
resulting in customers placing orders with relatively short delivery schedules.  In order to respond to such requirements, we 
have historically maintained a significant work-in-process and finished goods inventory.

At the end of fiscal 2014, we owned identifiable long-lived assets (consisting of property, plant and equipment) in the U.S. 

with a carrying value, net of accumulated depreciation, of $311.9 million and $220.1 million in other countries, including 
$179.1 million in Thailand.  At the end of fiscal 2013, we owned identifiable long-lived assets in the U.S. with a carrying value, 
net of accumulated depreciation, of $325.3 million and $189.2 million in other countries, including $171.1 million in Thailand.  
At the end of fiscal 2012, we owned identifiable long-lived assets in the U.S. with a carrying value, net of accumulated 
depreciation, of $314.3 million and $202.3 million in other countries, including $186.1 million in Thailand.

We have many suppliers of raw materials and subcontractors which provide our various materials and service needs.  We 

generally seek to have multiple sources of supply for our raw materials and services, but, in some cases, we may rely on a 
single or limited number of suppliers.  In such event, we have plans to reduce the exposure that would result from a disruption 
in supply.

Research and Development (R&D)

We are committed to continuing our investment in new and enhanced products, including development systems, and in our 

design and manufacturing process technologies.  We believe these investments are significant factors in maintaining our 
competitive position.  Our current R&D activities focus on the development of general purpose and specialized 
microcontrollers, Serial EEPROM memory, NOR FLASH memory, Embedded FLASH technologies, connectivity products, 
analog, interface and mixed signal products, development systems, user interface products, software and application-specific 
software libraries.  We are also developing design, assembly, test and process technologies to enable new products and 
innovative features as well as achieve further cost reductions and performance improvements in existing products.

In fiscal 2014, our R&D expenses were $305.0 million, compared to $254.7 million in fiscal 2013 and $182.7 million in 
fiscal 2012.  R&D expenses included share-based compensation expense of $24.6 million in fiscal 2014, $22.2 million in fiscal 
2013 and $14.7 million in fiscal 2012.

Sales and Distribution

General

We market and sell our products worldwide primarily through a network of direct sales personnel and distributors.

Our direct sales force focuses on a wide variety of strategic accounts in three geographical markets: the Americas, Europe 

and Asia.  We currently maintain sales and technical support centers in major metropolitan areas in all three geographic 
markets.  We believe that a strong technical service presence is essential to the continued development of the embedded control 
market.  Many of our field sales engineers (FSEs), field application engineers (FAEs), and sales management have technical 
degrees or backgrounds and have been previously employed in high technology environments.  We believe that the technical 
knowledge of our sales force is a key competitive advantage in the sale of our products.  The primary mission of our FAE team 
is to provide technical assistance to customers and to conduct periodic training sessions for the balance of our sales team.  FAEs 
also frequently conduct technical seminars and workshops in major cities around the world.

7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our licensing division has dedicated sales, technology, design, product, test and reliability personnel that support the 

requirements of our licensees.

Distribution

Our distributors focus primarily on servicing the product requirements of a broad base of diverse customers.  We believe 

that distributors provide an effective means of reaching this broad and diverse customer base.  We believe that customers 
recognize us for our products and brand name and use distributors as an effective supply channel.

In each of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, we derived 53% of our net sales through distributors and 47% of our net sales from 

customers serviced directly by us.  In fiscal 2012, we derived 59% of our net sales through distributors and 41% of our net sales 
from customers serviced directly by us.  Future Electronics, one of our distributors, accounted for approximately 10% of our 
net sales in fiscal 2012.  No other distributor or end customer accounted for more than 10% of our net sales in fiscal 2014, 
fiscal 2013 or fiscal 2012.

We do not have long-term agreements with our distributors and we, or our distributors, may each terminate our relationship 

with little or no advanced notice.  The loss of, or the disruption in the operations of, one or more of our distributors could 
reduce our future net sales in a given quarter and could result in an increase in inventory returns.

Sales by Geography

Sales by geography for fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

Americas
Europe
Asia
Total Sales

Year Ended March 31,

$

2014
365,609
411,531
1,154,077
$ 1,931,217

%

18.9
21.3
59.8
100.0

$

2013
313,574
344,398
923,651
$ 1,581,623

%

19.8
21.8
58.4
100.0

$

2012
290,392
319,881
772,903
$ 1,383,176

%

21.0
23.1
55.9
100.0

Sales to foreign customers accounted for approximately 84% of our net sales in fiscal 2014, approximately 83% of our net 

sales in fiscal 2013 and approximately 82% of our net sales in fiscal 2012.  Our sales to foreign customers have been 
predominately in Asia and Europe, which we attribute to the manufacturing strength in those areas for automotive, 
communications, computing, consumer and industrial control products.  Americas' sales include sales to customers in the U.S., 
Canada, Central America and South America.

Sales to customers in China, including Hong Kong, accounted for approximately 29% of our net sales in fiscal 2014, 
approximately 27% of our net sales in fiscal 2013 and approximately 24% of our net sales in fiscal 2012.  Sales to customers in 
Taiwan accounted for approximately 13% of our net sales in each of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 and approximately 15% of our 
net sales in fiscal 2012.  We did not have sales into any other foreign countries that exceeded 10% of our net sales during fiscal 
2014, fiscal 2013 or fiscal 2012.

Our international sales are substantially all U.S. dollar denominated.  Although foreign sales are subject to certain 
government export restrictions, we have not experienced any material difficulties to date as a result of export restrictions.

The semiconductor industry is characterized by seasonality and wide fluctuations of supply and demand.  Since a 

significant portion of our revenue is from consumer markets and international sales, our business is subject to seasonally lower 
revenues in the third and fourth quarters of our fiscal year.  However, in recent periods, changes in global economic and 
semiconductor industry conditions have had a more significant impact on our results than seasonality, and has made it difficult 
to assess the impact of seasonal factors on our business.

Backlog

As of April 30, 2014, our backlog was approximately $813.1 million, compared to $611.0 million as of April 30, 

2013.  Our backlog includes all purchase orders scheduled for delivery within the subsequent 12 months.

8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We primarily produce standard products that can be shipped from inventory within a relatively short time after we receive 

an order.  Our business and, to a large extent, that of the entire semiconductor industry, is characterized by short-term orders 
and shipment schedules.  Orders constituting our current backlog are subject to changes in delivery schedules, or to 
cancellation at the customer's option without significant penalty.  Thus, while backlog is useful for scheduling production, 
backlog as of any particular date may not be a reliable measure of sales for any future period.

Competition

The semiconductor industry is intensely competitive and has been characterized by price erosion and rapid technological 

change.  We compete with major domestic and international semiconductor companies, many of which have greater market 
recognition and greater financial, technical, marketing, distribution and other resources than we have with which to pursue 
engineering, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of their products.  We also compete with a number of companies that 
we believe have copied, cloned, pirated or reverse engineered our proprietary product lines in such countries as China, Korea 
and Taiwan.  We are continuing to take actions to vigorously and aggressively defend and protect our intellectual property on a 
worldwide basis.

We currently compete principally on the basis of the technical innovation and performance of our embedded control 

products, including the following product characteristics:

performance
analog, digital and mixed signal functionality and level of functional integration

• 
• 
•  memory density
• 
• 
• 
• 

low power consumption
reliability
packaging alternatives
complete development tool chain

We believe that other important competitive factors in the embedded control market include:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

ease of use
functionality of application development systems
dependable delivery, quality and availability
technical and innovative service and support
time to market
price

We believe that we compete favorably with other companies on all of these factors, but we may be unable to compete 

successfully in the future, which could harm our business.

Patents, Licenses and Trademarks

We maintain a portfolio of U.S. and foreign patents, expiring on various dates between 2014 and 2031.  We also have 
numerous additional U.S. and foreign patent applications pending.  We do not expect that the expiration of any particular patent 
will have a material impact on our business.  While we intend to continue to seek patents on our technology and manufacturing 
processes, we believe that our continued success depends primarily on the technological skills and innovative capabilities of 
our personnel and our ability to rapidly commercialize new and enhanced products, rather than on our patents.  Our existing 
and new patents, trademarks and copyrights that issue may not be of sufficient scope or strength to provide meaningful 
intellectual property protection or any commercial advantage to us.  Pursuing violations of our intellectual property rights on a 
worldwide basis is a complex business area involving patent law, trademark law, copyright law and the laws of certain foreign 
countries do not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S.

We have entered into certain intellectual property licenses and cross-licenses with other companies related to 

semiconductor products and manufacturing processes.  As is typical in the semiconductor industry, we and our customers have 
from time to time received, and may in the future receive, communications from third parties asserting patent or other 
intellectual property rights on certain of our products or technologies.  We investigate all such notices and respond as we 
believe is appropriate.  Based on industry practice, we believe that in most cases we can obtain necessary licenses or other 
rights on commercially reasonable terms, but we cannot assure that all licenses would be on acceptable terms, that litigation 
would not ensue or that damages for any past infringement would not be assessed.  Litigation, which could result in substantial 
costs to us and require significant attention from management, may be necessary to enforce our patents or other intellectual 

9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
property rights, or to defend us against claimed infringement of the rights of others.  The failure to obtain necessary licenses or 
other rights, or litigation arising out of infringement claims, could harm our business.

Environmental Regulation

We must comply with many different federal, state, local and foreign governmental regulations related to the use, storage, 
discharge and disposal of certain chemicals and gases used in our manufacturing processes.  Our facilities have been designed 
to comply with these regulations and we believe that our activities are conducted in material compliance with such 
regulations.  Any changes in such regulations or in their enforcement could require us to acquire costly equipment or to incur 
other significant expenses to comply with environmental regulations.  Any failure by us to adequately control the storage, use, 
discharge and disposal of regulated substances could result in significant future liabilities.

Increasing public attention has been focused on the environmental impact of electronic manufacturing operations.  While 

we have not experienced any materially adverse effects on our operations from recently adopted environmental regulations, our 
business and results of operations could suffer if for any reason we fail to control the storage or use of, or to adequately restrict 
the discharge or disposal of, hazardous substances under present or future environmental regulations.

Employees

As of March 31, 2014, we had 8,604 employees.  None of our employees are represented by a labor organization.  We have 

never had a work stoppage and believe that our employee relations are good.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following sets forth certain information regarding our executive officers as of April 30, 2014:

Name

Steve Sanghi

Ganesh Moorthy

J. Eric Bjornholt

Stephen V. Drehobl

David S. Lambert

Mitchell R. Little

Richard J. Simoncic

Age

58

54

43

52

62

62

50

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

Position

Chief Operating Officer

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Vice President, MCU8 and Technology Development Division

Vice President, Fab Operations

Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Applications

Vice President, Analog and Interface Products Division

Mr. Sanghi has been President since August 1990, CEO since October 1991, and Chairman of the Board since October 

1993.  He has served as a director since August 1990.  Mr. Sanghi holds an M.S. degree in Electrical and Computer 
Engineering from the University of Massachusetts and a B.S. degree in Electronics and Communication from Punjab 
University, India.  Since May 2004, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of Xyratex Ltd., a storage and network 
technology company.  Since May 2007, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of FIRST (For Inspiration and 
Recognition of Science and Technology).  Mr. Sanghi was elected to the Board of Directors of Hittite Microwave Corporation 
in October 2013.

Mr. Moorthy has served as Chief Operating Officer since June 2009, as Executive Vice President since October 2006 and 

as a Vice President in various roles since he joined Microchip in 2001.  Prior to this time, he served in various executive 
capacities with other semiconductor companies.  Mr. Moorthy holds an M.B.A. in Marketing from National University, a B.S. 
degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington and a B.S. degree in Physics from the University of 
Mumbai, India.  Mr. Moorthy was elected to the Board of Directors of Rogers Corporation in July 2013.

Mr. Bjornholt has served as Vice President of Finance since 2008 and as Chief Financial Officer since January 2009.  He 

has served in various financial management capacities since he joined Microchip in 1995.  Mr. Bjornholt holds a Master's 
degree in Taxation from Arizona State University and a B.S. degree in Accounting from the University of Arizona.

10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Drehobl has served as Vice President of the MCU8 and Technology Development Division since July 2001. He has 

been employed by Microchip since August 1989 and has served as a Vice President in various roles since February 1997.  Mr. 
Drehobl holds a Bachelor of Technology degree from the University of Dayton.

Mr. Lambert has served as Vice President, Fab Operations since November 1993.  From 1991 to November 1993, he 

served as Director of Manufacturing Engineering, and from 1989 to 1991, he served as Engineering Manager of Fab 
Operations.  Mr. Lambert holds a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati.

Mr. Little has served as Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Applications since July 2000.  He has been employed by 
Microchip since 1989 and has served as a Vice President in various roles since September 1993.  Mr. Little holds a B.S. degree 
in Engineering Technology from United Electronics Institute.

Mr. Simoncic has served as Vice President, Analog and Interface Products Division since September 1999.  From October 
1995 to September 1999, he served as Vice President in various roles.  Joining Microchip in 1990, Mr. Simoncic held various 
roles in Design, Device/Yield Engineering and Quality Systems.  Mr. Simoncic holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering 
Technology from DeVry Institute of Technology.

 Item 1A.  RISK FACTORS

When evaluating Microchip and its business, you should give careful consideration to the factors listed below, in addition 
to the information provided elsewhere in this Form 10-K and in other documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission.

Our operating results are impacted by global economic conditions and may fluctuate in the future due to a number of 
factors that could reduce our net sales and profitability.

Our operating results are affected by a wide variety of factors that could reduce our net sales and profitability, many of 

which are beyond our control.  Some of the factors that may affect our operating results include:

• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 

• 

• 
• 

general economic, industry or political conditions in the U.S. or internationally;
changes in demand or market acceptance of our products and products of our customers, and market 
fluctuations in the industries into which such products are sold;
changes in utilization of our manufacturing capacity and fluctuations in manufacturing yields;
our ability to secure sufficient wafer foundry, assembly and testing capacity;
the mix of inventory we hold and our ability to satisfy orders from our inventory;
levels of inventories held by our customers;
risk of excess and obsolete inventories;
changes or fluctuations in customer order patterns and seasonality;
our ability to realize the expected benefits of our acquisitions;
changes in tax regulations and policies in the U.S. and other countries in which we do business;
competitive developments including pricing pressures;
unauthorized copying of our products resulting in pricing pressure and loss of sales;
availability of raw materials and equipment;
the level of orders that are received and can be shipped in a quarter;
the level of sell-through of our products through distribution;
fluctuations in the mix of products;
announcements of significant acquisitions;
disruptions in our business or our customers' businesses due to terrorist activity, armed conflict, war, 
worldwide oil prices and supply, public health concerns, natural disasters or disruptions in the transportation 
system;
constrained availability from other electronic suppliers impacting our customers' ability to ship their products, 
which in turn may adversely impact our sales to those customers;
costs and outcomes of any current or future tax audits or any litigation involving intellectual property, 
customers or other issues;
fluctuations in commodity prices; and
property damage or other losses, whether or not covered by insurance.

11

 
 
 
We believe that period-to-period comparisons of our operating results are not necessarily meaningful and that you should 
not rely upon any such comparisons as indications of our future performance.  In future periods, our operating results may fall 
below our public guidance or the expectations of public market analysts and investors, which would likely have a negative 
effect on the price of our common stock.  Adverse global economic conditions, the subsequent economic recovery and 
uncertainty surrounding the strength of such recovery have caused our operating results to fluctuate significantly and make 
comparability between periods less meaningful.

Our operating results will suffer if we ineffectively utilize our manufacturing capacity or fail to maintain manufacturing 
yields.

The manufacture and assembly of integrated circuits, particularly non-volatile, erasable CMOS memory and logic devices 
such as those that we produce, are complex processes.  These processes are sensitive to a wide variety of factors, including the 
level of contaminants in the manufacturing environment, impurities in the materials used, the performance of our wafer 
fabrication and assembly and test personnel and equipment, and other quality issues.  As is typical in the semiconductor 
industry, we have from time to time experienced lower than anticipated manufacturing yields.  Our operating results will suffer 
if we are unable to maintain yields at approximately the current levels.  This could include delays in the recognition of revenue, 
loss of revenue or future orders, and customer-imposed penalties for failure to meet contractual shipment deadlines.  Our 
operating results are also adversely affected when we operate at less than optimal capacity.  For example, in the third quarter of 
fiscal 2012, we reduced wafer starts in both Fab 2 and Fab 4 to help control inventory balances in response to a slowdown in 
global economic conditions.  We continued with the reduced level of wafer starts through the first quarter of fiscal 2013.  These 
actions had a negative impact on our gross profit.  We further reduced the wafer starts in our fabs in late September 2012 and 
again during the quarter ended December 31, 2012 which continued to negatively impact our gross profit through the March 
2013 quarter.  We increased wafer starts modestly throughout fiscal 2014 but were still below what we consider normal capacity 
levels.

We are dependent on orders that are received and shipped in the same quarter and therefore have limited visibility to future 
product shipments.

Our net sales in any given quarter depend upon a combination of shipments from backlog, and customer orders that are 
both received and shipped in that same quarter, which we refer to as turns orders.  We measure turns orders at the beginning of a 
quarter based on the orders needed to meet the shipment targets that we set entering the quarter.  Historically, we have relied on 
our ability to respond quickly to customer orders as part of our competitive strategy, resulting in customers placing orders with 
relatively short delivery schedules.  Shorter lead times generally mean that turns orders as a percentage of our business are 
relatively high in any particular quarter and reduce our backlog visibility on future product shipments.  Turns orders correlate to 
overall semiconductor industry conditions and product lead times.  Because turns orders are difficult to predict, varying levels 
of turns orders make it more difficult to forecast net sales.  As a significant portion of our products are manufactured at 
foundries, foundry lead times may affect our ability to satisfy certain turns orders.  If we do not achieve a sufficient level of 
turns orders in a particular quarter relative to our revenue targets, our revenue and operating results will likely suffer.

Intense competition in the markets we serve may lead to pricing pressures, reduced sales of our products or reduced market 
share.

The semiconductor industry is intensely competitive and has been characterized by price erosion and rapid technological 

change.  We compete with major domestic and international semiconductor companies, many of which have greater market 
recognition and substantially greater financial, technical, marketing, distribution and other resources than we do.  We may be 
unable to compete successfully in the future, which could harm our business.  Our ability to compete successfully depends on a 
number of factors both within and outside our control, including, but not limited to:

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• 
• 
• 

the quality, performance, reliability, features, ease of use, pricing and diversity of our products;
our success in designing and manufacturing new products including those implementing new technologies;
the rate at which customers incorporate our products into their own applications and the success of such 
applications;
the rate at which the markets that we serve redesign and change their own products;
changes in demand in the markets that we serve and the overall rate of growth or contraction of such markets, 
including but not limited to the automotive, personal computing and consumer electronics markets;
product introductions by our competitors;
the number, nature and success of our competitors in a given market;
our ability to obtain adequate foundry and assembly and test capacity and supplies of raw materials and other 
supplies at acceptable prices;

12

• 
• 

• 
• 

our ability to protect our products and processes by effective utilization of intellectual property rights;
our ability to remain price competitive against companies that have copied our proprietary product lines, 
especially in countries where intellectual property rights protection is difficult to achieve and maintain;
our ability to address the needs of our customers; and
general market and economic conditions.

Historically, average selling prices in the semiconductor industry decrease over the life of any particular product.  The 
overall average selling prices of our microcontroller and proprietary analog, interface and mixed signal products have remained 
relatively constant, while average selling prices of our memory and non-proprietary analog, interface and mixed signal products 
have declined over time.

We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, modest pricing declines in certain of our more mature 

proprietary product lines, primarily due to competitive conditions.  We have been able to moderate average selling price 
declines in many of our proprietary product lines by continuing to introduce new products with more features and higher prices.  
However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so in the future.  We have experienced in the past, and expect to 
continue to experience in the future, varying degrees of competitive pricing pressures in our memory and non-proprietary 
analog products.  We may be unable to maintain average selling prices for our products as a result of increased pricing pressure 
in the future, which could adversely impact our operating results.

We are dependent on wafer foundries and other contractors to perform key manufacturing functions for us, and our 
licensees of our SuperFlash technology also rely on foundries and other contractors.

We rely on outside wafer foundries for a significant portion of our wafer fabrication needs.  We also use several contractors 

located in Asia for a portion of the assembly and testing of our products.  Our reliance on third party contractors and foundries 
increased as a result of our acquisition of SMSC in August 2012 and will increase further as a result of our acquisition of 
Supertex in April 2014.  Although we own the majority of our manufacturing resources, the disruption or termination of any of 
our contractors could harm our business and operating results.

Our use of third parties somewhat reduces our control over the subcontracted portions of our business.  Our future 

operating results could suffer if any contractor were to experience financial, operational or production difficulties or situations 
when demand exceeds capacity, or if they were unable to maintain manufacturing yields, assembly and test yields and costs at 
approximately their current levels, or if they were to experience political upheaval or infrastructure disruption.  If these third 
parties are unable or unwilling to timely deliver products or services conforming to our quality standards, we may not be able to 
qualify additional manufacturing sources for our products in a timely manner or at all, or on terms favorable to us.  
Additionally, these subcontractors could abandon fabrication processes that are important to us, or fail to adopt advanced 
manufacturing technologies that we desire to control costs.  In any such event, we could experience an interruption in 
production, an increase in manufacturing and production costs or a decline in product reliability, and our business and operating 
results could be adversely affected.  Further, use of subcontractors increases opportunities for potential misappropriation of our 
intellectual property.

Certain of our SuperFlash technology licensees also rely on outside wafer foundries for wafer fabrication services.  If our 

licensees were to experience any disruption in supply from wafer foundries, this would reduce the revenue we receive in our 
technology licensing business and would harm our operating results.

Our business is dependent on selling through distributors.

Sales through distributors accounted for approximately 53% of our net sales in each of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013.  We do 
not have long-term agreements with our distributors and we and our distributors may each terminate our relationship with little 
or no advance notice.

Any future adverse conditions in the U.S. or global economies or in the U.S. or global credit markets could materially 
impact the operations of our distributors.  Any deterioration in the financial condition of our distributors or any disruption in the 
operations of our distributors could adversely impact the flow of our products to our end customers and adversely impact our 
results of operation.  In addition, during an industry or economic downturn, it is possible there will be an oversupply of 
products and a decrease in sell-through of our products by our distributors which could reduce our net sales in a given period 
and result in an increase in inventory returns.  Violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or similar laws, by our 
distributors or other channel partners could have a material adverse impact on our business.

13

Our success depends on our ability to introduce new products on a timely basis.

Our future operating results depend on our ability to develop and timely introduce new products that compete effectively 
on the basis of price and performance and which address customer requirements.  The success of our new product introductions 
depends on various factors, including, but not limited to:

• 
• 
• 

• 
• 

proper new product selection;
timely completion and introduction of new product designs;
procurement of licenses for intellectual property rights from third parties under commercially reasonable 
terms;
timely filing and protection of intellectual property rights for new product designs;
availability of development and support tools and collateral literature that make complex new products easy 
for engineers to understand and use; and

•  market acceptance of our customers' end products.

Because our products are complex, we have experienced delays from time to time in completing new product development.  

In addition, our new products may not receive or maintain substantial market acceptance.  We may be unable to timely design, 
develop and introduce competitive products, which could adversely impact our future operating results.

Our success also depends upon our ability to develop and implement new design and process technologies.  Semiconductor 

design and process technologies are subject to rapid technological change and require significant R&D expenditures.  We and 
other companies in the industry have, from time to time, experienced difficulties in effecting transitions to advanced process 
technologies and, consequently, have suffered reduced manufacturing yields or delays in product deliveries.  Our future 
operating results could be adversely affected if any transition to future process technologies is substantially delayed or 
inefficiently implemented.

Our technology licensing business exposes us to various risks.

Our technology licensing business is based on our SuperFlash technology.  The success of our licensing business will 

depend on the continued market acceptance of this technology and on our ability to further develop and enhance such 
technology and to introduce new technologies in the future.  To be successful, any such technology must be able to be 
repeatably implemented by licensees, provide satisfactory yield rates, address licensee and customer requirements, and perform 
competitively.  The success of our technology licensing business depends on various other factors, including, but not limited to:

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• 

proper identification of licensee requirements;
timely development and introduction of new or enhanced technology;
our ability to protect our intellectual property rights for our licensed technology;
our ability to limit our liability and indemnification obligations to licensees;
availability of sufficient development and support services to assist licensees in their design and manufacture 
of products integrating our technology;
availability of foundry licensees with sufficient capacity to support OEM production; and

• 
•  market acceptance of our customers' end products.

Because our SuperFlash technology is complex, there may be delays from time to time in developing and enhancing such 

technology.  There can be no assurance that our existing or any enhanced or new technology will achieve or maintain 
substantial market acceptance.  Our licensees may experience disruptions in production or lower than expected production 
levels which would adversely affect the revenue that we receive from them.  Our technology license agreements generally 
include an indemnification clause that indemnifies the licensee against liability and damages (including legal defense costs) 
arising from intellectual property matters.  We could be exposed to substantial liability for claims or damages related to 
intellectual property matters or indemnification claims.  Any claim, with or without merit, could result in significant legal fees 
and require significant attention from our management.  Any of the foregoing issues may adversely impact the success of our 
licensing business and adversely affect our future operating results.

Our operating results may be impacted by both seasonality and the wide fluctuations of supply and demand in the 
semiconductor industry.

The semiconductor industry is characterized by seasonality and wide fluctuations of supply and demand.  Since a 

significant portion of our revenue is from consumer markets and international sales, our business is subject to seasonally lower 
revenues in the third and fourth quarters of our fiscal year.  However, broad fluctuations in our overall business in recent 

14

periods and changes in semiconductor industry and global economic conditions have had a more significant impact on our 
results than seasonality, and have made it difficult to assess the impact of seasonal factors on our business.  The industry has 
also experienced significant economic downturns, characterized by diminished product demand and production over-capacity.  
We have sought to reduce our exposure to this industry cyclically by selling proprietary products, that cannot be easily or 
quickly replaced, to a geographically diverse customer base across a broad range of market segments.  However, we have 
experienced substantial period-to-period fluctuations in operating results and expect, in the future, to experience period-to-
period fluctuations in operating results due to general industry or economic conditions.

We may not fully realize the anticipated benefits of our completed or future acquisitions or divestitures.

We have acquired, and expect in the future to acquire, additional businesses that we believe will complement or augment 

our existing businesses.  In this regard, in April 2014, we completed our acquisition of Supertex; and in August 2012, we 
completed our acquisition of SMSC.  The integration process for our acquisitions may be complex, costly and time consuming 
and include unanticipated issues, expenses and liabilities.  We may not be able to successfully or profitably integrate, operate, 
maintain and manage any newly acquired operations or employees.  We may not be able to maintain uniform standards, 
procedures and policies and we may be unable to realize the expected synergies and cost savings from the integration.  There 
may be increased risk due to integrating financial reporting and internal control systems.  We may have difficulty in developing, 
manufacturing and marketing the products of a newly acquired company, or in growing the business at the rate we anticipate.  
Following an acquisition, we may not achieve the revenue or net income levels that justify the acquisition.  We may suffer loss 
of key employees, customers and strategic partners of acquired companies and it may be difficult to implement our corporate 
culture at acquired companies.  We may be subject to claims from terminated employees, shareholders of acquired companies 
and other third parties related to the transaction.  Acquisitions may also result in one-time charges (such as acquisition-related 
expenses, write-offs, restructuring charges, or future impairment of goodwill), contingent liabilities, adverse tax consequences, 
additional stock-based compensation expense and other charges that adversely affect our operating results.  Additionally, we 
may fund acquisitions of new businesses or strategic alliances by utilizing cash, borrowings under our credit agreement, raising 
debt, issuing shares of common stock, or other mechanisms.

Further, if we decide to sell assets or a business, we may encounter difficulty in finding or completing divestiture 
opportunities or alternative exit strategies on acceptable terms or in a timely manner.  These circumstances could delay the 
accomplishment of our strategic objectives or cause us to incur additional expenses with respect to a business that we want to 
dispose of, or we may dispose of a business at a price or on terms that are less favorable than we had anticipated.  Even 
following a divestiture, we may be contractually obligated with respect to certain continuing obligations to customers, vendors 
or other third parties and such obligations may have a material adverse impact on our results of operation and financial 
condition.

In addition to acquisitions, we have in the past, and expect in the future, to enter into joint development agreements or 

other business or strategic relationships with other companies.  These transactions are subject to a number of risks similar to 
those we face with our acquisitions including our ability to realize the expected benefits of any such transaction, to successfully 
market and sell any products resulting from such transactions or to successfully integrate any technology developed through 
such transactions.

We may lose sales if our suppliers of raw materials and equipment fail to meet our needs.

Our semiconductor manufacturing operations require raw and processed materials and equipment that must meet exacting 
standards.  We generally have more than one source for these supplies, but there are only a limited number of suppliers capable 
of delivering various materials and equipment that meet our standards.  The materials and equipment necessary for our business 
could become more difficult to obtain as worldwide use of semiconductors in product applications increases.  Additionally, 
consolidation in our supply chain due to mergers and acquisitions may reduce the number of suppliers or change the 
relationships that we have with our suppliers.  This could impair sourcing flexibility or increase costs.  We have experienced 
supply shortages from time to time in the past, and on occasion our suppliers have told us they need more time than expected to 
fill our orders or that they will no longer support certain equipment with updates or spare and replacement parts.  An 
interruption of any materials or equipment sources, or the lack of supplier support for a particular piece of equipment, could 
harm our business.

We are exposed to various risks related to legal proceedings or claims.

We are currently, and in the future may be, involved in legal proceedings or claims regarding patent infringement, other 
intellectual property rights, contracts and other matters.  As is typical in the semiconductor industry, we receive notifications 
from customers or licensees from time to time who believe that we owe them indemnification or other obligations related to 

15

infringement claims made against us, our customers or our licensees by third parties.  These legal proceedings and claims, even 
if meritless, could result in substantial cost to us and divert our resources.  If we are not able to resolve a claim, settle a matter, 
obtain necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms, reengineer our products or processes to avoid infringement, and/or 
successfully prosecute or defend our position, we could incur uninsured liability in any of them, be required to take an 
appropriate charge to operations, be enjoined from selling a material portion of our products or using certain processes, suffer a 
reduction or elimination in the value of our inventories, and our business, financial condition or results of operations could be 
harmed.

It is also possible that from time to time we may be subject to claims related to the manufacture, performance or use of our 

products.  These claims may be due to injuries or environmental exposures related to manufacturing, a product's 
nonconformance to our specifications, or specifications agreed upon with the customer, changes in our manufacturing 
processes, or unexpected customer system issues due to the integration of our products or insufficient design or testing by our 
customers.  We could incur significant expenses related to such matters, including, but not limited to:

• 
• 
• 

• 
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• 
• 

costs related to writing off the value of our inventory of nonconforming products;
recalling nonconforming products;
providing support services, product replacements, or modifications to products and the defense of such 
claims;
diversion of resources from other projects;
lost revenue or a delay in the recognition of revenue due to cancellation of orders and unpaid receivables;
customer imposed fines or penalties for failure to meet contractual requirements; and
a requirement to pay damages.

Because the systems into which our products are integrated have a higher cost of goods than the products we sell, our 
expenses and damages may be significantly higher than the sales and profits we received from the products involved.  While we 
specifically exclude consequential damages in our standard terms and conditions, certain of our contracts may not exclude such 
liabilities.  Further, our ability to avoid such liabilities may be limited by applicable law.  We do have liability insurance which 
covers certain damages arising out of product defects, but we do not expect that insurance will cover all claims or be of a 
sufficient amount to fully protect against such claims.  Costs or payments we may make in connection with these customer 
claims may adversely affect the results of our operations.

Further, we sell to customers in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and medical, where failure of the systems in 
which our products are integrated could cause damage to property or persons.  We may be subject to claims if our products, or 
the integration of our products, cause system failures.  We will face increased exposure to claims if there are substantial 
increases in either the volume of our sales into these applications or the frequency of system failures integrating our products.

Failure to adequately protect our intellectual property could result in lost revenue or market opportunities.

Our ability to obtain patents, licenses and other intellectual property rights covering our products and manufacturing 
processes is important for our success.  To that end, we have acquired certain patents and patent licenses and intend to continue 
to seek patents on our technology and manufacturing processes.  The process of seeking patent protection can be long and 
expensive, and patents may not be issued from currently pending or future applications.  In addition, our existing and new 
patents, trademarks and copyrights that issue may not have sufficient scope or strength to provide meaningful protection or 
commercial advantage to us.  We may be subject to, or may ourselves initiate, interference proceedings in the U.S. Patent and 
Trademark Office, patent offices of a foreign country or U.S. or foreign courts, which can require significant financial and 
management resources.  In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries do not protect our intellectual property rights to the 
same extent as the laws of the U.S.  Infringement of our intellectual property rights by a third party could result in 
uncompensated lost market and revenue opportunities for us.  Although we continue to vigorously and aggressively defend and 
protect our intellectual property on a worldwide basis, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in our endeavors.

Our operating results may be adversely impacted if economic conditions impact the financial viability of our licensees, 
customers, distributors, or suppliers.

We regularly review the financial performance of our licensees, customers, distributors and suppliers.  However, any 
downturn in global economic conditions may adversely impact the financial viability of our licensees, customers, distributors or 
suppliers.  The financial failure of a large licensee, customer or distributor, an important supplier, or a group thereof, could have 
an adverse impact on our operating results and could result in our not being able to collect our accounts receivable balances, 
higher reserves for doubtful accounts, write-offs for accounts receivable, and higher operating costs as a percentage of 
revenues.

16

We do not typically have long-term contracts with our customers, but where we do, certain terms of such contracts expose us 
to risks and liabilities.

We do not typically enter into long-term contracts with our customers and we cannot be certain about future order levels 
from our customers.  When we do enter into customer contracts, the contract is generally cancelable at the convenience of the 
customer.  Even though we had approximately 84,000 customers and our ten largest direct customers made up approximately 
10% of our total revenue for fiscal 2014, cancellation of customer contracts could have an adverse impact on our revenue and 
profits.

We have entered into contracts with certain customers that differ from our standard terms of sale.  Further, as a result of our 

acquisitions of SMSC and Supertex, we inherited certain customer contracts that differ from our standard terms of sale.  For 
several of the significant markets that we sell into, such as the automotive and personal computer markets, our current or 
potential customers may possess significant leverage over us in negotiating the terms and conditions of supply as a result of 
their market size and position.  For example, under certain contracts we may commit to supply specific quantities of products 
on scheduled delivery dates, or agree to extend our obligations for certain liabilities such as warranties or indemnification for 
quality issues or claims of intellectual property infringement.  If we are unable to supply the customer as required under the 
contract, the customer may incur additional production costs, lost revenues due to subsequent delays in their own 
manufacturing schedule, or quality-related issues.  We may be liable for the customer's costs, expenses and damages associated 
with their claims and we may be obligated to defend the customer against claims of intellectual property infringement and pay 
the associated legal fees.  While we try to limit the number of contracts that we sign which contain such special provisions, 
manage the risks underlying such liabilities, and set caps on our liability exposure, sometimes we may not be able to do so.  In 
order to win important designs, avoid losing business to competitors, maintain existing business, or be permitted to bid on new 
business, we have been, and may in the future be, forced to agree to uncapped liability for such items as intellectual property 
infringement or confidentiality.  Such provisions expose us to risk of liability far exceeding the purchase price of the products 
we sell under such contracts, the lifetime revenues we receive from such products, or various forms of potential consequential 
damages.  These significant additional risks could result in a material adverse impact on our results of operation and financial 
condition.

We must attract and retain qualified personnel to be successful, and competition for qualified personnel can be intense.

Our success depends upon the efforts and abilities of our senior management, engineering, manufacturing and other 
personnel.  The competition for qualified engineering and management personnel can be intense.  We may be unsuccessful in 
retaining our existing key personnel or in attracting and retaining additional key personnel that we require.  The loss of the 
services of one or more of our key personnel or the inability to add key personnel could harm our business.  The loss of, or any 
inability to attract personnel, even if not key personnel, if experienced in sufficient numbers could harm our business.  We have 
no employment agreements with any member of our senior management team. 

Business interruptions to our operations or the operations of our key vendors, subcontractors, licensees or customers, 
whether due to natural disasters or other events, could harm our business.

Operations at any of our facilities, at the facilities of any of our wafer fabrication or assembly and test subcontractors, or at 
any of our significant vendors or customers may be disrupted for reasons beyond our control.  These reasons may include work 
stoppages, power loss, incidents of terrorism or security risk, political instability, public health issues, telecommunications, 
transportation or other infrastructure failure, radioactive contamination, fire, earthquake, floods, volcanic eruptions or other 
natural disasters.  We have taken steps to mitigate the impact of some of these events should they occur; however, we cannot be 
certain that our actions will be effective to avoid a significant impact on our business in the event of a disaster or other business 
interruption. 

In particular, Thailand has experienced periods of severe flooding in recent years; however, our facilities in Thailand have 

continued to operate normally.  There can be no assurance that any future flooding in Thailand would not have a material 
adverse impact on our operations.  If operations at any of our facilities, or our subcontractors' facilities are interrupted, we may 
not be able to shift production to other facilities on a timely basis, and we may need to spend significant amounts to repair or 
replace our facilities and equipment.  If we experienced business interruptions, we would likely experience delays in shipments 
of products to our customers and alternate sources for production may be unavailable on acceptable terms.  This could result in 
reduced revenues and profits and the cancellation of orders or loss of customers.  Although we maintain business interruption 
insurance, such insurance will likely not be enough to compensate us for any losses that may occur and any losses or damages 
incurred by us as a result of business interruptions could significantly harm our business. 

17

Additionally, as described above, operations at our customers and licensees may be disrupted for a number of reasons.  In 

the event of customer disruptions, sales of our products may decline and our revenue, profitability and financial condition could 
suffer.  Likewise, if our licensees are unable to manufacture and ship products incorporating our technology, or if there is a 
decrease in product demand due to a business disruption, our royalty revenue may decline as our licenses are based on per unit 
royalties.  

We are highly dependent on foreign sales and operations, which exposes us to foreign political and economic risks.

Sales to foreign customers account for a substantial portion of our net sales.  During fiscal 2014, approximately 84% of our 

net sales were made to foreign customers, including 29% in China.  During fiscal 2013, approximately 83% of our net sales 
were made to foreign customers, including 27% in China.  A strong position in the Chinese market is a key component of our 
global growth strategy.  The market for integrated circuit products in China is highly competitive, and both international and 
domestic competitors are aggressively seeking to increase their market share.  Increased competition in the China market may 
make it difficult for us to achieve our desired sales volumes in China.  We purchase a substantial portion of our raw materials 
and equipment from foreign suppliers.  In addition, we own product assembly and testing facilities near Bangkok, Thailand, 
which is currently experiencing political instability, and has experienced periods of political instability in the past.  From time 
to time, Thailand has also experienced periods of severe flooding.  There can be no assurance that any future flooding in 
Thailand would not have a material adverse impact on our operations.  We use various foreign contractors for a significant 
portion of our assembly and testing and wafer fabrication requirements.  Substantially all of our finished goods inventory is 
maintained in Thailand.

Our reliance on foreign operations, foreign suppliers, maintenance of substantially all of our finished goods inventory at 
foreign locations and significant foreign sales exposes us to foreign political and economic risks, including, but not limited to:

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• 
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• 

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• 

political, social and economic instability;
economic uncertainty in the worldwide markets served by us;
public health conditions;
trade restrictions and changes in tariffs;
import and export license requirements and restrictions;
changes in rules and laws related to taxes, environmental, health and safety, technical standards and consumer 
protection in various jurisdictions;
difficulties in staffing and managing international operations;
employment regulations;
disruptions in international transport or delivery;
difficulties in collecting receivables and longer payment cycles;
currency fluctuations and foreign exchange regulations; and
potentially adverse tax consequences.

If any of these risks materialize, or are worse than we anticipate, our sales could decrease and our operating results could 

suffer.

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could adversely impact our operating results.  

We use forward currency exchange contracts in an attempt to reduce the adverse earnings impact from the effect of 
exchange rate fluctuations on our non-U.S. dollar net balance sheet exposures.  Nevertheless, in periods when the U.S. dollar 
significantly fluctuates in relation to the non-U.S. currencies in which we transact business, the value of our non-U.S. dollar 
transactions can have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.  In particular, in periods when a 
foreign currency significantly declines in value in relation to the U.S. dollar, such as past declines in the Euro relative to the 
U.S. dollar, customers transacting in that foreign currency may find it more difficult to fulfill their previously committed 
contractual obligations or to undertake new obligations to make payments or purchase products.  In periods when the U.S. 
dollar is significantly declining in relation to the British pound, Euro and Thai baht, the operational costs in our European and 
Thailand subsidiaries are adversely affected.

18

Interruptions in our information technology systems could adversely affect our business.

We rely on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of complex information technology systems and networks to operate 
our business.  Any significant disruption to our systems or networks, including, but not limited to, new system implementations, 
computer viruses, security breaches, facility issues, natural disasters, terrorism, war, telecommunication failures or energy 
blackouts could have a material adverse impact on our operations, sales and operating results.  Such disruption could result in a 
loss of our intellectual property or the release of sensitive competitive information or supplier, customer or employee personal 
data.  Any loss of such information could harm our competitive position, result in a loss of customer confidence, and cause us to 
incur significant costs to remedy the damages caused by the disruptions or security breaches.  Additionally, failure to properly 
manage the collection, handling, transfer or disposal of personal data of employees and customers may result in regulatory 
penalties, enforcement actions, remediation obligations, litigation, fines and other sanctions.

From time to time, we have experienced verifiable attacks on our data, attempts to breach our security and attempts to 
introduce malicious software into our IT systems; however, such attacks have not previously resulted in any material damage to 
us.  Were future attacks successful, we may be unaware of the incident, its magnitude, or its effects until significant harm is 
done.  In recent years, we have implemented improvements to our protective measures which are not limited to the following: 
firewalls, antivirus measures, patches, log monitors, routine backups with offsite retention of storage media, system audits, data 
partitioning and routine password modifications.  There can be no assurance that such system improvements will be sufficient 
to prevent or limit the damage from any future cyber attack or disruptions.  Any such attack or disruption could result in 
additional costs related to rebuilding of internal systems, defending litigation, responding to regulatory actions, or paying 
damages.  Such attacks or disruption could have a material adverse impact on our business, operations and financial results.  

Third-party service providers, such as wafer foundries, assembly and test contractors, distributors, credit card processors 

and other vendors have access to certain portions of our and our customers' sensitive data.  In the event that these service 
providers do not properly safeguard the data that they hold, security breaches and loss of data could result.  Any such loss of 
data by our third-party service providers could negatively impact our business, operations and financial results, as well as our 
relationship with our customers. 

The occurrence of events for which we are self-insured, or which exceed our insurance limits, may adversely affect our 
profitability and liquidity.

We have insurance contracts with independent insurance companies related to many different types of risk; however, we 

self-insure for some potentially significant risks and obligations.  In these circumstances, we believe that it is more cost 
effective for us to self-insure certain risks than to pay the high premium costs.  The risks and exposures that we self-insure 
include, but are not limited to certain property, product defects, employment risks, political risks, and intellectual property 
matters.  Should there be a loss or adverse judgment or other decision in an area for which we are self-insured, then our 
financial condition, results of operations and liquidity may be adversely affected.

We are subject to stringent environmental and other regulations, which may force us to incur significant expenses.

We must comply with many federal, state, local and foreign governmental regulations related to the use, storage, discharge 
and disposal of toxic, volatile or otherwise hazardous substances used in our products and manufacturing processes.  Our failure 
to comply with applicable regulations could result in fines, suspension of production, cessation of operations or future 
liabilities.  Such environmental regulations have required us in the past, and could require us in the future to buy costly 
equipment or to incur significant expenses to comply with such regulations.  Our failure to control the use of, or adequately 
restrict the discharge of, hazardous substances could impact the health of our employees and others and could impact our ability 
to operate.  Such failure could also restrict our ability to ship certain products to certain countries, require us to modify our 
operations logistics, or require us to incur other significant costs and expenses.  There is a continuing expansion in 
environmental laws with a focus on reducing or eliminating hazardous substances and substances of high concern in electronic 
products and shipping materials.  These and other future environmental regulations could require us to reengineer certain of our 
existing products and may make it more expensive for us to manufacture, sell and ship our products.  In addition, the number 
and complexity of laws focused on the energy efficiency of electronic products and accessories, the recycling of electronic 
products, and the reduction in quantity and the recycling of packing materials have expanded significantly.  It may be difficult 
for us to timely comply with these laws and we may not have sufficient quantities of compliant products to meet customers' 
needs, thereby adversely impacting our sales and profitability.  We may also have to write off inventory in the event that we 
hold unsaleable inventory as a result of changes to regulations or customer requirements.  We expect these risks and trends to 
continue.  In addition, we anticipate increased customer requirements to meet voluntary criteria related to the reduction or 
elimination of substances of high concern in our products and energy efficiency measures.  These requirements may increase 
our own costs, as well as those passed on to us by our supply chain.

19

Customer demands for us to implement business practices that are more stringent than legal requirements may reduce our 
revenue opportunities or cause us to incur higher costs.

Some of our customers and potential customers are requiring that we implement operating practices that are more stringent 

than what is required by applicable laws with respect to workplace and labor requirements, the type of materials we use in our 
products, environmental matters or other items.  To comply with such requirements, we may have to pass these same operating 
practices on to our suppliers.  Our suppliers may refuse to implement these operating practices, or may charge us more for 
complying with them.  The cost to implement such practices may cause us to incur higher costs and reduce our profitability, and 
if we choose not to implement such practices, such customers may disqualify us as a supplier, resulting in decreased revenue 
opportunities.  Developing, administering, monitoring and auditing these customer-requested practices at our own sites and 
those in our supply chain will increase our costs and may require that we hire more personnel.

Customer demands and new regulations related to conflict-free minerals may force us to incur additional expenses.

As required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, in August 2012, the SEC released new 
disclosure and reporting requirements regarding the use of “conflict” minerals mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo 
and adjoining countries in products, necessary to the functionality or production of products, whether or not these products are 
manufactured by third parties.  We must file a report on Form SD with the SEC regarding such matters by June 2, 2014 and on 
an annual basis thereafter.  Other countries are considering similar regulations.  As we implement these new requirements, if it 
is determined that we are using other than conflict-free minerals, customers may demand us to change the sourcing of minerals 
used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices (including our products), even if the costs for compliant minerals 
significantly increases and availability is limited.  If we make changes to materials and/or suppliers, there will likely be costs 
associated with qualifying new suppliers and production capacity and quality could be negatively impacted.  There will likely 
be additional costs associated with complying with these new disclosure requirements, such as costs related to determining the 
source of any conflict minerals used in our products.  Also, since our supply chain is complex, we may face reputational 
challenges if we are unable to sufficiently verify the origins for all metals used in our products through the procedures we may 
implement.  We may also encounter challenges to satisfy those customers who require that all of the components of our 
products are certified as conflict free.  If we are not able to meet customer requirements, customers may choose to disqualify us 
as a supplier and we may have to write off inventory in the event that it cannot be sold.

Regulatory authorities in jurisdictions into which we ship our products could levy fines or restrict our ability to export 
products.

A significant portion of our sales are made outside of the U.S. through the exporting and re-exporting of products.  In 

addition to local jurisdictions' export regulations, our U.S.-manufactured products or products based on U.S. technology are 
subject to U.S. laws and regulations governing international trade and exports, including, but not limited to the Foreign Corrupt 
Practices Act, Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and trade sanctions against embargoed countries and destinations 
administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).  Licenses or proper license 
exceptions are required for the shipment of our products to certain countries.  A determination by the U.S. or foreign 
government that we have failed to comply with these or other export regulations or anti-bribery regulations can result in 
penalties which may include denial of export privileges, fines, civil or criminal penalties, and seizure of products.  Such 
penalties could have a material adverse effect on our business, sales and earnings.  Further, a change in these laws and 
regulations could restrict our ability to export to previously permitted countries, customers, distributors or other third parties.  
Any one or more of these sanctions or a change in laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, 
financial condition and results of operations.

The outcome of currently ongoing and future examinations of our income tax returns by the IRS could have an adverse 
effect on our results of operations.

We are subject to examination of our income tax returns by the IRS and other tax authorities for fiscal 2011 and later.  

Microchip and SMSC are currently under IRS audit for fiscal 2011 and 2012.  We are subject to certain income tax 
examinations in foreign jurisdictions for fiscal 2006 and later.  We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting 
from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes.  There can be no assurance that the 
outcomes from these continuing examinations will not have an adverse effect on our future operating results.

20

The future trading price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of factors.

The market price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly in the past and is likely to fluctuate in the future.  The 

future trading price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of factors, many of 
which are beyond our control, including, but not limited to:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

quarterly variations in our operating results or the operating results of other technology companies;
general conditions in the semiconductor industry;
global economic and financial conditions;
changes in analysts' estimates of our financial performance or buy/sell recommendations;
changes in our financial guidance or our failure to meet such guidance;
any acquisitions we pursue or complete; and
actual or anticipated announcements of technical innovations or new products by us or our competitors.

In addition, the stock market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have affected 

the market prices for many companies and that often have been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies.  
These broad market fluctuations and other factors have harmed and may harm the market price of our common stock.  Some or 
all of the foregoing factors could also cause the market price of our convertible debentures to decline or fluctuate substantially.

We may in the future incur impairments to goodwill or long-lived assets.

We review our long-lived assets, including goodwill and other intangible assets, for impairment annually in the fourth 
fiscal quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of those assets may not be 
recoverable.  Factors that may be considered in assessing whether goodwill or intangible assets may not be recoverable include 
a decline in our stock price or market capitalization, reduced estimates of future cash flows and slower growth rates in our 
industry.  Our valuation methodology for assessing impairment requires management to make judgments and assumptions 
based on historical experience and to rely heavily on projections of future operating performance.  Because we operate in 
highly competitive environments, projections of our future operating results and cash flows may vary significantly from our 
actual results.  No goodwill or material long-lived asset impairment charges were recorded in fiscal 2013 or fiscal 2014.

Our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected if we do not effectively manage our current or 
future debt.

In June 2013, we entered into a $2.0 billion credit agreement.  At March 31, 2014, we had $650.0 million in outstanding 

borrowings under such credit agreement.  In December 2007, we sold $1.15 billion of principal value 2.125% junior 
subordinated convertible debentures.  As a result of such transactions, we have a substantially greater amount of debt than we 
had maintained in the past.  Our maintenance of substantial levels of debt could adversely affect our ability to take advantage of 
corporate opportunities and could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.  We may need or desire to 
refinance all or a portion of our loans under our credit agreement, our debentures or any other future indebtedness and there can 
be no assurance that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.

Conversion of our debentures will dilute the ownership interest of existing stockholders, including holders who had 
previously converted their debentures.

The conversion of some or all of our outstanding debentures will dilute the ownership interest of existing stockholders to 

the extent we deliver common stock upon conversion of the debentures.  Upon conversion, we may satisfy our conversion 
obligation by delivering cash, shares of common stock or any combination, at our option.  If upon conversion we elect to 
deliver cash for the lesser of the conversion value and principal amount of the debentures, we would pay the holder the cash 
value of the applicable number of shares of our common stock.  Upon conversion, we intend to satisfy the lesser of the principal 
amount or the conversion value of the debentures in cash.  If the conversion value of a debenture exceeds the principal amount 
of the debenture, we may also elect to deliver cash in lieu of common stock for the conversion value in excess of the one 
thousand dollars principal amount (i.e., the conversion spread).  There would be no adjustment to the numerator in the net 
income per common share computation for the cash settled portion of the debentures as that portion of the debt instrument will 
always be settled in cash.  The conversion spread will be included in the denominator for the computation of diluted net income 
per common share.  Any sales in the public market of any common stock issuable upon conversion of our debentures could 
adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock.  In addition, the existence of the debentures may encourage 
short selling by market participants because the conversion of the debentures could be used to satisfy short positions, or 
anticipated conversion of the debentures into shares of our common stock could depress the price of our common stock.

21

Our reported financial results may be adversely affected by new accounting pronouncements or changes in existing 
accounting standards and practices.

We prepare our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.  These 

accounting principles are subject to interpretation or changes by the FASB and the SEC.  New accounting pronouncements and 
varying interpretations of accounting standards and practices have occurred in the past and are expected to occur in the future.  
New accounting pronouncements or a change in the interpretation of existing accounting standards or practices may have a 
significant effect on our reported financial results and may even affect our reporting of transactions completed before the 
change is announced or effective.

Potential U.S. tax legislation regarding our foreign earnings could materially and adversely impact our business and financial 
results.

Currently, a majority of our revenue is generated from customers located outside the U.S., and a substantial portion of our 

assets, including employees, are located outside the U.S.  Present U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes have not 
been provided on undistributed earnings for certain of our non-U.S. subsidiaries, because such earnings are intended to be 
indefinitely reinvested in the operations of those subsidiaries.  In recent years, there have been a number of initiatives proposed 
by the Obama administration and members of Congress regarding the tax treatment of such undistributed earnings.  If adopted, 
certain of these initiatives would substantially reduce our ability to defer U.S. taxes including repealing the deferral of U.S. 
taxation of foreign earnings, eliminating utilization of or substantially reducing our ability to claim foreign tax credits, and 
eliminating various tax deductions until foreign earnings are repatriated to the U.S.  Changes in tax law such as these proposals 
could have a material negative impact on our financial position and results of operations.

Climate change regulations and sustained adverse climate change pose regulatory and physical risks that could harm our 
results of operations or affect the way we conduct business. 

Climate change regulations could require us to limit emissions, change our manufacturing processes, obtain substitute 

materials which may cost more or be less available, increase our investment in control technology for greenhouse gas 
emissions, fund offset projects or undertake other costly activities.  These regulations could significantly increase our costs and 
restrict our manufacturing operations by virtue of requirements for new equipment.  New permits may be required for our 
current operations, or expansions thereof.  Failure to timely receive permits could result in fines, suspension of production, or 
cessation of operations at one or more facilities.  In addition, restrictions on carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions 
could result in significant costs such as higher energy costs, and utility companies passing down carbon taxes, emission cap and 
trade programs and renewable portfolio standards.  The cost of complying, or of failing to comply, with these and other climate 
change and emissions regulations could have an adverse effect on our operating results. 

Further, any sustained adverse change in climate could have a direct adverse economic impact on us, such as water and 

power shortages, higher costs of water or energy to control the temperature of our facilities.  Certain of our operations are 
located in arid or tropical regions, such as Thailand and Arizona.  Some environmental experts predict that these regions may 
become vulnerable to storms, severe floods and droughts due to climate change.  While we maintain business recovery plans 
that are intended to allow us to recover from natural disasters or other events that can interrupt business, we cannot be certain 
that our plans will protect us from all such disasters or events.  

Item 1B. 

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

22

 
Item 2. 

PROPERTIES

At March 31, 2014, we owned the facilities described below:

Location
Chandler, Arizona

Tempe, Arizona

Gresham, Oregon

Chacherngsao,
Thailand

Chacherngsao,
Thailand

Approximate
Total Sq. Ft.
415,000

Executive and Administrative Offices; Wafer Probe; R&D Center; Sales and
Marketing; and Computer and Service Functions

Uses

379,000

826,500

489,000

Wafer Fabrication (Fab 2); R&D Center; Administrative Offices; and Warehousing

Wafer Fabrication (Fab 4); R&D Center; Administrative Offices; and Warehousing

Assembly and Test; Wafer Probe; Sample Center; Warehousing; and Administrative
Offices

215,000

Assembly and Test

Bangalore, India

232,000

Research and Development; Marketing Support and Administrative Offices

In addition to the facilities we own, we lease several research and development facilities and sales offices in North 

America, Europe and Asia.  Our aggregate monthly rental payment for our leased facilities is approximately $1.4 million.

We currently believe that our existing facilities are suitable and will be adequate to meet our requirements for at least the 

next 12 months.

See page 37 for a discussion of the capacity utilization of our manufacturing facilities. 

Item 3. 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary course of our business, we are involved in a limited number of legal actions, both as plaintiff and 
defendant, and could incur uninsured liability in any one or more of them.  We also periodically receive notification from 
various third parties alleging infringement of patents, intellectual property rights or other matters.  With respect to these 
pending legal actions to which we are a party, although the outcome of these actions are generally not determinable, we believe 
that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not harm our business and will not have a material adverse effect on our 
financial position, cash flows or results of operations.  Litigation relating to the semiconductor industry is not uncommon, and 
we are, and from time to time have been, subject to such litigation.  No assurances can be given with respect to the extent or 
outcome of any such litigation in the future.

Item 4. 

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5. 

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "MCHP."  Our common stock has been 
quoted on such market since our initial public offering on March 19, 1993.  The following table sets forth the quarterly high 
and low closing prices of our common stock as reported by NASDAQ for our last two fiscal years.

Fiscal 2014

First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

High
$38.04
$41.69
$44.75
$48.09

Low
$34.23
$37.37
$38.82
$43.61

Fiscal 2013

First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

High
$37.32
$35.73
$33.37
$37.32

Low
$30.40
$31.03
$29.37
$32.58

23

 
 
 
 
 
Stock Price Performance Graph

The following graph and table show a comparison of the five-year cumulative total stockholder return, calculated on a 

dividend reinvestment basis, for Microchip Technology Incorporated, the Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 Stock Index, and the 
Philadelphia Semiconductor Index.

Cumulative Total Return
March 2009 March 2010 March 2011 March 2012 March 2013 March 2014

Microchip Technology Incorporated

S&P 500 Stock Index

Philadelphia Semiconductor Index

100.00

100.00

100.00

140.26

149.77

146.56

197.81

173.20

176.56

201.31

187.99

203.78

207.56

214.24

205.73

279.12

261.06

265.65

Data acquired by Research Data Group, Inc. (www.researchdatagroup.com)

On May 23, 2014, there were approximately 297 holders of record of our common stock.  This figure does not reflect 

beneficial ownership of shares held in nominee names.

We have been declaring and paying quarterly cash dividends on our common stock since the third quarter of fiscal 
2003.  Our total cash dividends paid were $281.2 million, $273.8 million and $266.2 million in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and 
fiscal 2012, respectively.  The following table sets forth our quarterly cash dividends per common share and the total amount of 
the dividend payment for each quarter in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

24

 
 
Fiscal 2014

Dividends per
Common Share

Aggregate
Amount of 
Dividend
Payment

Fiscal 2013

Dividends per
Common Share

First Quarter

$

0.3535

$

69,682

First Quarter

$

0.3500

$

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

0.3540

0.3545

0.3550

70,086

Second Quarter

70,554

Third Quarter

70,882

Fourth Quarter

0.3510

0.3520

0.3530

Aggregate
Amount of 
Dividend
Payment

67,748

68,147

68,697

69,230

On May 6, 2014, we declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3555 per share, which will be paid on June 3, 2014 to 

stockholders of record on May 21, 2014 and the total amount of such dividend is expected to be approximately 
$71.1 million.  Our Board of Directors is free to change our dividend practices at any time and to increase or decrease the 
dividend paid, or not to pay a dividend, on our common stock on the basis of our results of operations, financial condition, cash 
requirements and future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.  Our current intent is to 
provide for ongoing quarterly cash dividends depending upon market conditions and our results of operations.

Please refer to "Item 12 - Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners And Management And Related Stockholder 
Matters," at page 47 below, for the information required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K with respect to securities authorized 
for issuance under our equity compensation plans at March 31, 2014.

Item 6. 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 

You should read the following selected consolidated financial data for the five-year period ended March 31, 2014 in 
conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in Items 7 and 8 of this Form 10-K.  Our consolidated statements of 
income data for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2014, and the balance sheet data as of March 31, 
2014 and 2013, are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.  The 
statement of income data for the years ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 and balance sheet data as of March 31, 2012, 2011 and 
2010 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included herein (in the tables below all amounts 
are in thousands, except per share data).

25

 
 
 
Statement of Income Data:

Net sales
Cost of sales
Research and development
Selling, general and administrative
Amortization of acquired intangible assets
Special charges, net (1)
Operating income
(Losses) gains on equity method investments
Interest income
Interest expense
Other income (expense), net
Income from continuing operations before income
taxes
Income tax provision
Net income from continuing operations
Basic net income per common share – continuing
operations
Diluted net income per common share – continuing
operations
Dividends declared per common share
Basic common shares outstanding
Diluted common shares outstanding

Balance Sheet Data:

2014
$ 1,931,217
802,474
305,043
267,278
94,534
3,024
458,864
(177)
16,485
(48,716)
5,898

Year ended March 31,
2012
$ 1,383,176
583,882
182,650
208,328
10,963
837
396,516
(195)
17,992
(34,266)
(352)

2013
$ 1,581,623
743,164
254,723
261,471
111,537
32,175
178,553
(617)
15,560
(40,915)
(404)

2011
$ 1,487,205
605,954
170,607
222,184
12,412
1,865
474,183
157
16,002
(31,521)
1,877

$

$

$
$

432,354
37,073
395,281

1.99

1.82
1.417
198,291
217,630

$

$

$
$

152,177
24,788
127,389

0.65

0.62
1.406
194,595
205,776

$

$

$
$

379,695
42,990
336,705

1.76

1.65
1.390
191,283
203,519

$

$

$
$

460,698
31,531
429,167

2.29

2.20
1.374
187,066
194,715

$

$

$

$
$

2010
947,729
412,092
120,823
166,338
2,279
1,238
244,959
—
15,325
(31,150)
8,679

237,813
20,808
217,005

1.18

1.16
1.359
183,642
187,339

Working capital
Total assets
Long-term obligations, less current portion
Stockholders' equity

2014
$ 1,633,320
4,067,630
1,003,258
2,135,461

2013
$ 1,894,759
3,851,405
983,385
1,933,470

March 31,
2012
$ 1,767,988
3,083,776
355,050
1,990,673

2011
$ 1,434,667
2,968,058
347,334
1,812,438

2010
$ 1,407,579
2,516,313
340,672
1,533,380

(1)  Discussions of the special charges for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are contained in Note 4 to 
our consolidated financial statements.  An explanation of the special charges for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 
and 2010 is provided below. 

26

 
The following table presents a summary of special charges for the five-year period ended March 31, 2014:

Acquisition related expenses
Legal settlement
Adjustment to contingent consideration
Patent licenses
Totals

2014

2013

March 31,
2012

2011(1)

2010(2)

$

$

1,654
—
1,370
—
3,024

$

$

16,259
11,516
4,400
—
32,175

$

$

340
—
(1,000)
1,497
837

$

$

1,865
—
—
—
1,865

$

$

—
—
—
1,238
1,238

(1) During fiscal 2011, we incurred $1.9 million of severance-related and office closure costs associated with our acquisition 

of SST. 

(2) During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, we agreed to the terms of a patent license with an unrelated third party and signed 

an agreement on July 9, 2009.  The patent license settled alleged infringement claims.  The total payment made to the third-
party in July 2009 was $1.4 million, $1.2 million of which was expensed in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 and the remaining 
$0.2 million was recorded as a prepaid royalty that was amortized over the remaining life of the patents, which expired in June 
2010.

Item 7. 

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

Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements 

This report, including "Item 1 – Business," "Item 1A – Risk Factors," and "Item 7 – Management's Discussion and 

Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and 
uncertainties, including statements regarding our strategy, financial performance and revenue sources.  We use words such as 
"anticipate," "believe," "plan," "expect," "estimate," "future," "continue," "intend" and similar expressions to identify forward-
looking statements.  These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the following:

•  The effects that adverse global economic conditions and fluctuations in the global credit and equity markets may 

have on our financial condition and results of operations;

•  The effects and amount of competitive pricing pressure on our product lines; 
•  Our ability to moderate future average selling price declines;
•  The effect of product mix, capacity utilization, yields, fixed cost absorption, competition and economic conditions 

on gross margin;

•  The amount of, and changes in, demand for our products and those of our customers;
•  Our expectation that in the future we will acquire additional business that we believe will complement our 

existing businesses;

•  Our expectation that in the future we will enter into joint development agreements or other business or strategic 

relationships with other companies;

•  The level of orders that will be received and shipped within a quarter;
•  Our expectation that our inventory levels will decrease between 7 and 11 days in the June 2014 quarter compared 
to the March 2014 quarter and that it will allow us to maintain competitive lead times, provide strong delivery 
performance to our customers and keep our fiscal 2015 capital expenditures at relatively low levels;

•  The effect that distributor and customer inventory holding patterns will have on us;
•  Our belief that customers recognize our products and brand name and use distributors as an effective supply 

channel;

•  Our belief that deferred cost of sales are recorded at their approximate carrying value and will have low risk of 

material impairment;

•  Our belief that our direct sales personnel combined with our distributors provide an effective means of reaching 

our customer base;

•  Our ability to increase the proprietary portion of our analog, interface and mixed signal product lines and the 

effect of such an increase;

•  Our belief that our processes afford us both cost-effective designs in existing and derivative products and greater 

functionality in new product designs;

•  The impact of any supply disruption we may experience;

27

 
•  Our ability to effectively utilize our facilities at appropriate capacity levels and anticipated costs;
•  That we adjust capacity utilization to respond to actual and anticipated business and industry-related conditions;
•  That our existing facilities will provide sufficient capacity to respond to increases in demand with modest 

incremental capital expenditures;

•  That manufacturing costs will be reduced by transition to advanced process technologies;
•  Our ability to maintain manufacturing yields;
•  Continuing our investments in new and enhanced products;
•  The cost effectiveness of using our own assembly and test operations;
•  Our anticipated level of capital expenditures;
•  Continuation and amount of quarterly cash dividends;
•  The sufficiency of our existing sources of liquidity to finance anticipated capital expenditures and otherwise meet 
our anticipated cash requirements, and the effects that our contractual obligations are expected to have on them;

•  The impact of seasonality on our business;
•  The accuracy of our estimates used in valuing employee equity awards;
•  That the resolution of legal actions will not have a material effect on our business, and the accuracy of our 

assessment of the probability of loss and range of potential loss;

•  The recoverability of our deferred tax assets;
•  The adequacy of our tax reserves to offset any potential tax liabilities, having the appropriate support for our 

income tax positions and the accuracy of our estimated tax rate;

•  Our belief that the expiration of any tax holidays will not have a material impact on our overall tax expense or 

effective tax rate;

•  Our belief that the estimates used in preparing our consolidated financial statements are reasonable;
•  Our belief that recently issued accounting pronouncements listed in this document will not have a significant 

impact on our consolidated financial statements;

•  The accuracy of our estimates of the useful life and values of our property, assets and other liabilities;
•  The adequacy of our patent strategy, and our belief that the impact of the expiration of any particular patent will 

not have a material effect on our business;

•  Our actions to vigorously and aggressively defend and protect our intellectual property on a worldwide basis;
•  Our ability to obtain patents and intellectual property licenses and minimize the effects of litigation;
•  The level of risk we are exposed to for product liability or indemnification claims;
•  The effect of fluctuations in market interest rates on our income and/or cash flows;
•  The effect of fluctuations in currency rates;
•  Our belief that any unrealized losses represent an other-than-temporary impairment based on our evaluation of 

available evidence and our intent to hold these investments until these assets are no longer impaired;

•  That a significant portion of our future cash generation will be in our foreign subsidiaries;
•  Our intention to satisfy the lesser of the principal amount or the conversion value of our debenture in cash;
•  Our intention to indefinitely reinvest undistributed earnings of certain non-US subsidiaries in those subsidiaries;
•  Our intent to maintain a high-quality investment portfolio that preserves principal, meets liquidity needs, avoids 

inappropriate concentrations and delivers an appropriate yield; and

•  Our ability to collect accounts receivable.

Our actual results could differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of 
certain factors including those set forth in "Item 1A – Risk Factors," and elsewhere in this Form 10-K.  Although we believe 
that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of 
activity, performance or achievements.  You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.  We disclaim 
any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement.

Introduction

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes 
that appear elsewhere in this document, as well as with other sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including "Item 1 – 
Business;" "Item 6 – Selected Financial Data;" and "Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

We begin our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) with a 
summary of our overall business strategy to give the reader an overview of the goals of our business and the overall direction of 
our business and products.  This is followed by a discussion of the Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates that we believe 
are important to understanding the assumptions and judgments incorporated in our reported financial results.  In the next 
section, beginning at page 34, we discuss our Results of Operations for fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013, and for fiscal 2013 
compared to fiscal 2012.  We then provide an analysis of changes in our balance sheet and cash flows, and discuss our financial 
28

 
 
commitments in the sections titled "Liquidity and Capital Resources," "Contractual Obligations" and "Off-Balance Sheet 
Arrangements."

Strategy

Our goal is to be a worldwide leader in providing specialized semiconductor products for a wide variety of embedded 

control applications.  Our strategic focus is on the embedded control market, which includes microcontrollers, high-
performance analog, interface and mixed signal devices, power management and thermal management devices, connectivity 
devices, interface devices, Serial EEPROMs, SuperFlash memory products, our patented KeeLoq® security devices and Flash 
IP solutions.  We provide highly cost-effective embedded control products that also offer the advantages of small size, high 
performance, low voltage/power operation and ease of development, enabling timely and cost-effective embedded control 
product integration by our customers.  We license our SuperFlash technology to wafer foundries, integrated device 
manufacturers and design partners throughout the world for use in the manufacture of their advanced microcontroller products.

We sell our products to a broad base of domestic and international customers across a variety of industries.  The principal 

markets that we serve include consumer, automotive, industrial, office automation and telecommunications.  Our business is 
subject to fluctuations based on economic conditions within these markets. 

Our manufacturing operations include wafer fabrication, wafer probe and assembly and test.  The ownership of a 

substantial portion of our manufacturing resources is an important component of our business strategy, enabling us to maintain 
a high level of manufacturing control resulting in us being one of the lowest cost producers in the embedded control 
industry.  By owning wafer fabrication facilities and our assembly and test operations, and by employing statistical process 
control techniques, we have been able to achieve and maintain high production yields.  Direct control over manufacturing 
resources allows us to shorten our design and production cycles.  This control also allows us to capture a portion of the wafer 
manufacturing and the assembly and test profit margin.  We do outsource a significant portion of our manufacturing 
requirements to third parties.

We employ proprietary design and manufacturing processes in developing our embedded control products.  We believe our 

processes afford us both cost-effective designs in existing and derivative products and greater functionality in new product 
designs.  While many of our competitors develop and optimize separate processes for their logic and memory product lines, we 
use a common process technology for both microcontroller and non-volatile memory products.  This allows us to more fully 
leverage our process research and development costs and to deliver new products to market more rapidly.  Our engineers utilize 
advanced computer-aided design (CAD) tools and software to perform circuit design, simulation and layout, and our in-house 
photomask and wafer fabrication facilities enable us to rapidly verify design techniques by processing test wafers quickly and 
efficiently.

We are committed to continuing our investment in new and enhanced products, including development systems, and in our 

design and manufacturing process technologies.  We believe these investments are significant factors in maintaining our 
competitive position.  Our current research and development activities focus on the design of new microcontrollers, digital 
signal controllers, memory, analog and mixed-signal products, Flash-IP systems, new development systems, software and 
application-specific software libraries.  We are also developing new design and process technologies to achieve further cost 
reductions and performance improvements in our products.

We market and sell our products worldwide primarily through a network of direct sales personnel and distributors.  Our 

distributors focus primarily on servicing the product and technical support requirements of a broad base of diverse 
customers.  We believe that our direct sales personnel combined with our distributors provide an effective means of reaching 
this broad and diverse customer base.  Our direct sales force focuses primarily on major strategic accounts in three 
geographical markets: the Americas, Europe and Asia.  We currently maintain sales and support centers in major metropolitan 
areas in North America, Europe and Asia.  We believe that a strong technical service presence is essential to the continued 
development of the embedded control market.  Many of our field sales engineers (FSEs), field application engineers (FAEs), 
and sales management personnel have technical degrees and have been previously employed in an engineering 
environment.  We believe that the technical knowledge of our sales force is a key competitive advantage in the sale of our 
products.  The primary mission of our FAE team is to provide technical assistance to strategic accounts and to conduct periodic 
training sessions for FSEs and distributor sales teams.  FAEs also frequently conduct technical seminars for our customers in 
major cities around the world, and work closely with our distributors to provide technical assistance and end-user support.

29

 
 
 
 
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

General

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial 

statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.  We review the 
accounting policies we use in reporting our financial results on a regular basis.  The preparation of these financial statements 
requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and 
related disclosure of contingent liabilities.  On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue 
recognition, business combinations, share-based compensation, inventories, income taxes, junior subordinated convertible 
debentures and contingencies.  We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are 
believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying 
value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Our results may differ from these estimates due 
to actual outcomes being different from those on which we based our assumptions.  We review these estimates and judgments 
on an ongoing basis.  We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates 
used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.  We also have other policies that we consider key accounting 
policies, such as our policy regarding revenue recognition to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs); however, we do not 
believe these policies require us to make estimates or judgments that are as difficult or subjective as our policies described 
below.

Revenue Recognition – Distributors

Our distributors worldwide generally have broad price protection and product return rights, so we defer revenue 
recognition until the distributor sells the product to their customer.  Revenue is recognized when the distributor sells the 
product to an end-user, at which time the sales price becomes fixed or determinable.  Revenue is not recognized upon shipment 
to our distributors since, due to discounts from list price as well as price protection rights, the sales price is not substantially 
fixed or determinable at that time.  At the time of shipment to these distributors, we record a trade receivable for the selling 
price as there is a legally enforceable right to payment, relieve inventory for the carrying value of goods shipped since legal 
title has passed to the distributor, and record the gross margin in deferred income on shipments to distributors on our 
consolidated balance sheets.

Deferred income on shipments to distributors effectively represents the gross margin on the sale to the distributor; 
however, the amount of gross margin that we recognize in future periods could be less than the deferred margin as a result of 
credits granted to distributors on specifically identified products and customers to allow the distributors to earn a competitive 
gross margin on the sale of our products to their end customers and price protection concessions related to market pricing 
conditions.

We sell the majority of the items in our product catalog to our distributors worldwide at a uniform list price.  However, 
distributors resell our products to end customers at a very broad range of individually negotiated price points.  The majority of 
our distributors' resales require a reduction from the original list price paid.  Often, under these circumstances, we remit back to 
the distributor a portion of their original purchase price after the resale transaction is completed in the form of a credit against 
the distributors' outstanding accounts receivable balance.  The credits are on a per unit basis and are not given to the distributor 
until they provide information to us regarding the sale to their end customer.  The price reductions vary significantly based on 
the customer, product, quantity ordered, geographic location and other factors and discounts to a price less than our cost have 
historically been rare.  The effect of granting these credits establishes the net selling price to our distributors for the product and 
results in the net revenue recognized by us when the product is sold by the distributors to their end customers.  Thus, a portion 
of the "deferred income on shipments to distributors" balance represents the amount of distributors' original purchase price that 
will be credited back to the distributor in the future.  The wide range and variability of negotiated price concessions granted to 
distributors does not allow us to accurately estimate the portion of the balance in the deferred income on shipments to 
distributors account that will be credited back to the distributors.  Therefore, we do not reduce deferred income on shipments to 
distributors or accounts receivable by anticipated future concessions; rather, price concessions are typically recorded against 
deferred income on shipments to distributors and accounts receivable when incurred, which is generally at the time the 
distributor sells the product.  At March 31, 2014, we had approximately $222.8 million of deferred revenue and $75.0 million 
in deferred cost of sales recognized as $147.8 million of deferred income on shipments to distributors.  At March 31, 2013, we 

30

 
 
 
 
 
had approximately $201.8 million of deferred revenue and $62.8 million in deferred cost of sales recognized as $139.0 million 
of deferred income on shipments to distributors.  The deferred income on shipments to distributors that will ultimately be 
recognized in our income statement will be lower than the amount reflected on the balance sheet due to additional price credits 
to be granted to the distributors when the product is sold to their customers.  These additional price credits historically have 
resulted in the deferred income approximating the overall gross margins that we recognize in the distribution channel of our 
business.

Distributor advances, reflected as a reduction of deferred income on shipments to distributors on our consolidated balance 

sheets, totaled $92.8 million at March 31, 2014 and $70.1 million at March 31, 2013.  On sales to distributors, our payment 
terms generally require the distributor to settle amounts owed to us for an amount in excess of their ultimate cost.  The sales 
price to our distributors may be higher than the amount that the distributors will ultimately owe us because distributors often 
negotiate price reductions after purchasing products from us and such reductions are often significant.  It is our practice to 
apply these negotiated price discounts to future purchases, requiring the distributor to settle receivable balances, on a current 
basis, generally within 30 days, for amounts originally invoiced.  This practice has an adverse impact on the working capital of 
our distributors.  As such, we have entered into agreements with certain distributors whereby we advance cash to the 
distributors to reduce the distributor's working capital requirements.  These advances are reconciled at least on a quarterly basis 
and are estimated based on the amount of ending inventory as reported by the distributor multiplied by a negotiated 
percentage.  Such advances have no impact on our revenue recognition or our consolidated statements of income.  We process 
discounts taken by distributors against our deferred income on shipments to distributors' balance and true-up the advanced 
amounts generally after the end of each completed fiscal quarter.  The terms of these advances are set forth in binding legal 
agreements and are unsecured, bear no interest on unsettled balances and are due upon demand.  The agreements governing 
these advances can be canceled by us at any time.

We reduce product pricing through price protection based on market conditions, competitive considerations and other 

factors.  Price protection is granted to distributors on the inventory they have on hand at the date the price protection is 
offered.  When we reduce the price of our products, it allows the distributor to claim a credit against its outstanding accounts 
receivable balances based on the new price of the inventory it has on hand as of the date of the price reduction.  There is no 
immediate revenue impact from the price protection, as it is reflected as a reduction of the deferred income on shipments to 
distributors' balance.

Products returned by distributors and subsequently scrapped have historically been immaterial to our consolidated results 
of operations.  We routinely evaluate the risk of impairment of the deferred cost of sales component of the deferred income on 
shipments to distributors account.  Because of the historically immaterial amounts of inventory that have been scrapped, and 
historically rare instances where discounts given to a distributor result in a price less than our cost, we believe the deferred 
costs are recorded at their approximate carrying value.

Business Combinations

All of our business combinations are accounted for at fair value under the acquisition method of accounting.  Under the 
acquisition method of accounting, (i) acquisition-related costs, except for those costs incurred to issue debt or equity securities, 
will be expensed in the period incurred; (ii) non-controlling interests will be valued at fair value at the acquisition date; (iii) in-
process research and development will be recorded at fair value as an intangible asset at the acquisition date and amortized 
once the technology reaches technological feasibility; (iv) restructuring costs associated with a business combination will be 
expensed subsequent to the acquisition date; and (v) changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax 
uncertainties after the acquisition date will be recognized through income tax expense or directly in contributed capital.  The 
measurement of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires significant judgment.  The valuation of 
intangible assets and acquired investments, in particular, requires that we use valuation techniques such as the income 
approach.  The income approach includes the use of a discounted cash flow model, which includes discounted cash flow 
scenarios and requires the following significant estimates:  revenue, expenses, capital spending and other costs, and discount 
rates based on the respective risks of the cash flows.  The valuation of non-marketable equity investments acquired also takes 
into account variables such as conditions reflected in the capital markets, recent financing activity by the investees, the 
investees' capital structure and the terms of the investees' issued interests.

31

 
 
 
 
Share-based Compensation

We measure at fair value and recognize compensation expense for all share-based payment awards, including grants of 
employee stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs) and employee stock purchase rights, to be recognized in our financial 
statements based on their respective grant date fair values.  Total share-based compensation in fiscal 2014 was $53.8 million, of 
which $46.4 million was reflected in operating expenses.  Total share-based compensation included in cost of sales in fiscal 
2014 was $7.3 million.  Total share-based compensation included in our inventory balance was $5.7 million at March 31, 2014.

Determining the appropriate fair-value model and calculating the fair value of share-based awards at the date of grant 
requires judgment.  The fair value of our RSUs is based on the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant 
discounted for expected future dividends.  We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of 
employee stock options and rights to purchase shares under our employee stock purchase plans.  Option pricing models, 
including the Black-Scholes model, require the use of input assumptions, including expected volatility, expected life, expected 
dividend rate, and expected risk-free rate of return.  We use a blend of historical and implied volatility based on options freely 
traded in the open market as we believe this is most reflective of market conditions and a better indicator of expected volatility 
than using purely historical volatility.  The expected life of the awards is based on historical and other economic data trended 
into the future.  The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on observed interest rates appropriate for the terms of our 
awards.  The dividend yield assumption is based on our history and expectation of future dividend payouts.  We estimate the 
number of share-based awards that will be forfeited due to employee turnover.  Quarterly changes in the estimated forfeiture 
rate can have a significant effect on reported share-based compensation, as the impact on prior period amortization for all 
unvested awards is recognized in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed.  If the actual forfeiture rate is higher or lower 
than the estimated forfeiture rate, then an adjustment is made to increase or decrease the estimated forfeiture rate, which will 
result in a decrease or increase to the expense recognized in our financial statements.  If forfeiture adjustments are made, they 
would affect our gross margin, research and development expenses, and selling, general, and administrative expenses.  The 
effect of forfeiture adjustments in fiscal 2014 was immaterial.

We evaluate the assumptions used to value our awards on a quarterly basis.  If factors change and we employ different 
assumptions, share-based compensation expense may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the past.  If there are 
any modifications or cancellations of the underlying unvested securities, we may be required to accelerate, increase or cancel 
any remaining unearned share-based compensation expense.  Future share-based compensation expense and unearned share-
based compensation will increase to the extent that we grant additional equity awards to employees or we assume unvested 
equity awards in connection with acquisitions. 

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out method.  We write down our inventory for 
estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the 
estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions.  If actual market conditions are 
less favorable than those we projected, additional inventory write-downs may be required.  Inventory impairment charges 
establish a new cost basis for inventory and charges are not subsequently reversed to income even if circumstances later 
suggest that increased carrying amounts are recoverable.  In estimating our inventory obsolescence, we primarily evaluate 
estimates of demand over a 12-month period and record impairment charges for inventory on hand in excess of the estimated 
12-month demand.  Estimates for projected 12-month demand are generally based on the average shipments of the prior three-
month period, which are then annualized to adjust for any potential seasonality in our business.  The estimated 12-month 
demand is compared to our most recently developed sales forecast to further reconcile the 12-month demand estimate.  
Management reviews and adjusts the estimates as appropriate based on specific situations.  For example, demand can be 
adjusted up for new products for which historic sales are not representative of future demand.  Alternatively, demand can be 
adjusted down to the extent any existing products are being replaced or discontinued.

In periods where our production levels are substantially below our normal operating capacity, the reduced production 
levels of our manufacturing facilities are charged directly to cost of sales.  As a result of decreased production in our wafer 
fabrication facilities, approximately $19.0 million, $31.7 million and $6.7 million was charged directly to cost of sales in fiscal 
2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively.

32

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Taxes

As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our income taxes in 
each of the jurisdictions in which we operate.  This process involves estimating our actual current tax exposure together with 
assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes.  These differences 
result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our consolidated balance sheets.  We must then assess the 
likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income within the relevant jurisdiction and to the 
extent we believe that recovery is not likely, we must establish a valuation allowance.  We have provided valuation allowances 
for certain of our deferred tax assets, including state net operating loss carryforwards, foreign tax credits and state tax credits, 
where it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of such assets, will not be realized.  At March 31, 2014, the valuation 
allowances totaled $93.8 million.  Should we determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax 
asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period such determination was 
made.  At March 31, 2014, our deferred tax asset, net of valuation allowances, was $238.2 million.

Various taxing authorities in the U.S. and other countries in which we do business scrutinize the tax structures employed 

by businesses.  Companies of our size and complexity are regularly audited by the taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in 
which they conduct significant operations.  Microchip and SMSC are currently under IRS audit for fiscal years 2011 and 2012.  
We recognize liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions based on our estimate of whether, 
and the extent to which, additional tax payments are probable.  We believe that we maintain adequate tax reserves to offset any 
potential tax liabilities that may arise upon these and other pending audits in the U.S. and other countries in which we do 
business.  If such amounts ultimately prove to be unnecessary, the resulting reversal of such reserves would result in tax 
benefits being recorded in the period the reserves are no longer deemed necessary.  If such amounts ultimately prove to be less 
than an ultimate assessment, a future charge to expense would be recorded in the period in which the assessment is determined. 

Junior Subordinated Convertible Debentures

We separately account for the liability and equity components of our junior subordinated convertible debentures in a 
manner that reflects our nonconvertible debt (unsecured debt) borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized.  This results in a 
bifurcation of a component of the debt, classification of that component in equity and the accretion of the resulting discount on 
the debt to be recognized as part of interest expense in our consolidated statements of income.  Lastly, we include the dilutive 
effect of the shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of the outstanding junior subordinated convertible 
debentures in our diluted income per share calculation regardless of whether the market price trigger or other contingent 
conversion feature has been met.  We apply the treasury stock method as we have the intent and have adopted an accounting 
policy to settle the principal amount of the junior subordinated convertible debentures in cash.  This method results in 
incremental dilutive shares when the average fair value of our common stock for a reporting period exceeds the conversion 
price per share, which was $25.87 at March 31, 2014, and adjusts as dividends are recorded in the future.

Contingencies

In the ordinary course of our business, we are involved in a limited number of legal actions, both as plaintiff and 
defendant, and could incur uninsured liability in any one or more of them.  We also periodically receive notifications from 
various third parties alleging infringement of patents, intellectual property rights or other matters.  With respect to pending 
legal actions to which we are a party, although the outcomes of these actions are not generally determinable, we believe that the 
ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of 
operations.  Litigation relating to the semiconductor industry is not uncommon, and we are, and from time to time have been, 
subject to such litigation.  No assurances can be given with respect to the extent or outcome of any such litigation in the future.

33

 
 
 
 
 
Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain operational data as a percentage of net sales for the years indicated:

Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Research and development
Selling, general and administrative
Amortization of acquired intangible assets
Special charges
Operating income

Net Sales

Year Ended March 31,
2013

2012

2014

100.0%
41.6
58.4
15.8
13.8
4.9
0.1
23.8%

100.0%
47.0
53.0
16.1
16.5
7.1
2.0
11.3%

100.0%
42.2
57.8
13.2
15.0
0.8
0.1
28.7%

We operate in two industry segments and engage primarily in the design, development, manufacture and sale of 

semiconductor products as well as the licensing of Flash intellectual property.  We sell our products to distributors and original 
equipment manufacturers, referred to as OEMs, in a broad range of markets, perform ongoing credit evaluations of our 
customers and generally require no collateral.  In certain circumstances, a customer's financial condition may require collateral, 
and, in such cases, the collateral would be typically provided by letters of credit.

Our net sales of $1,931.2 million in fiscal 2014 increased by $349.6 million, or 22.1%, over fiscal 2013, and our net sales 
of $1,581.6 million in fiscal 2013 increased by $198.4 million, or 14.4%, from fiscal 2012.  The increase in net sales in fiscal 
2014 over fiscal 2013 was due primarily to general economic and semiconductor industry conditions and market share gains.  
The increase in net sales in fiscal 2014 over fiscal 2013 was also impacted by our acquisition of SMSC on August 2, 2012.  The 
increase in net sales in fiscal 2013 over fiscal 2012 was due primarily to our acquisition of SMSC offset in part by adverse 
general economic and semiconductor industry conditions.  Average selling prices for our semiconductor products were up 
approximately 4% in fiscal 2014 over fiscal 2013 and were up approximately 5% in fiscal 2013 over fiscal 2012.  The number 
of units of our semiconductor products sold was up approximately 17% in fiscal 2014 over fiscal 2013 and up approximately 
10% in fiscal 2013 over fiscal 2012.  The average selling prices and the unit volumes of our sales are impacted by the mix of 
our products sold and overall semiconductor market conditions.  Key factors impacting the amount of net sales during the last 
three fiscal years include:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

global economic conditions in the markets we serve;
semiconductor industry conditions;
our acquisition of SMSC in the second quarter of fiscal 2013;
inventory holding patterns of our customers;
increasing semiconductor content in our customers' products;
customers' increasing needs for the flexibility offered by our programmable solutions;
our new product offerings that have increased our served available market; and
continued market share gains in the segments of the markets we address.

Net sales by product line for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

Microcontrollers
Analog, interface and mixed signal products
Memory products
Technology licensing
Other
Total net sales

Year Ended March 31,

2014
$ 1,260,988
428,088
134,624
94,578
12,939
$ 1,931,217

%
65.3
22.2
7.0
4.9
0.6
100.0

2013
$ 1,035,514
307,723
142,557
83,803
12,026
$ 1,581,623

%
65.5
19.4
9.0
5.3
0.8
100.0

$

2012
928,509
171,165
179,217
87,001
17,284
$ 1,383,176

%
67.1
12.4
13.0
6.3
1.2
100.0

34

 
 
 
Microcontrollers

Our microcontroller product line represents the largest component of our total net sales.  Microcontrollers and associated 
application development systems accounted for approximately 65.3% of our total net sales in fiscal 2014, approximately 65.5% 
of our total net sales in fiscal 2013 and 67.1% of our total net sales in fiscal 2012.

Net sales of our microcontroller products increased approximately 21.8% in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013, and 
increased approximately 11.5% in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012.  The increase in net sales in fiscal 2014 compared to 
fiscal 2013 resulted primarily from market share gains and general economic and semiconductor industry conditions in the end 
markets we serve including the consumer, automotive, industrial control, communications and computing markets.  The 
increase in net sales in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012 resulted primarily from our acquisition of SMSC and market share 
gains which offset weak general economic and semiconductor industry conditions.

Historically, average selling prices in the semiconductor industry decrease over the life of any particular product.  The 
overall average selling prices of our microcontroller products have remained relatively constant over time due to the proprietary 
nature of these products.  We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, moderate pricing pressure in certain 
microcontroller product lines, primarily due to competitive conditions.  We have in the past been able to, and expect in the 
future to be able to, moderate average selling price declines in our microcontroller product lines by introducing new products 
with more features and higher prices.  We may be unable to maintain average selling prices for our microcontroller products as 
a result of increased pricing pressure in the future, which could adversely affect our operating results.

Analog, Interface and Mixed Signal Products

Sales of our analog, interface and mixed signal products accounted for approximately 22.2% of our total net sales in fiscal 

2014, approximately 19.4% of our total net sales in fiscal 2013 and approximately 12.4% of our total net sales in fiscal 2012.

Net sales of our analog, interface and mixed signal products increased approximately 39.1% in fiscal 2014 compared to 
fiscal 2013 and increased approximately 79.8% in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012.  The increase in net sales in fiscal 2014 
compared to fiscal 2013 was driven primarily by general economic and semiconductor industry conditions and market share 
gains achieved within the analog, interface and mixed signal market.  The increase in net sales in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 
2012 was driven primarily by our acquisition of SMSC and market share gains achieved within the analog, interface and mixed 
signal market.

Analog, interface and mixed signal products can be proprietary or non-proprietary in nature.  Currently, we consider more 
than 80% of our analog, interface and mixed signal product mix to be proprietary in nature, where prices are relatively stable, 
similar to the pricing stability experienced in our microcontroller products.  The non-proprietary portion of our analog, 
interface and mixed signal business will experience price fluctuations, driven primarily by the current supply and demand for 
those products.  We may be unable to maintain the average selling prices of our analog, interface and mixed signal products as 
a result of increased pricing pressure in the future, which could adversely affect our operating results.  We anticipate the 
proprietary portion of our analog, interface and mixed signal products will increase over time.

Memory Products

Sales of our memory products accounted for approximately 7.0% of our total net sales in fiscal 2014, approximately 9.0% 

of our total net sales in fiscal 2013 and approximately 13.0% of our total net sales in fiscal 2012.

Net sales of our memory products decreased approximately 5.6% in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013, and decreased 

approximately 20.5% in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012.  The decreases in memory product net sales in fiscal 2014 
compared to fiscal 2013 and in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012 were driven primarily by adverse customer demand 
conditions within the Serial EEPROM and Flash memory markets.

Memory product pricing has historically been cyclical in nature, with steep price declines followed by periods of relative 
price stability, driven by changes in industry capacity at different stages of the business cycle.  We have experienced, and expect 
to continue to experience, varying degrees of competitive pricing pressures in our memory products.  We may be unable to maintain 
the average selling prices of our memory products as a result of increased pricing pressure in the future, which could adversely 
affect our operating results.

35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Technology Licensing

Technology licensing revenue includes a combination of royalties associated with licenses for the use of our SuperFlash 
technology and fees for engineering services.  Technology licensing accounted for approximately 4.9% of our total net sales in 
fiscal 2014, approximately 5.3% of our total net sales in fiscal 2013 and approximately 6.3% of our total net sales in fiscal 
2012.

Net sales related to our technology licensing increased approximately 12.9% in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013 and 

decreased approximately 3.7% in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012.  The increase in technology licensing net sales in fiscal 
2014 compared to fiscal 2013 was driven primarily by the adoption of our technology by more manufacturers of 
semiconductors as well as semiconductor industry and global economic conditions.  The decrease in technology licensing net 
sales in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012 was due primarily to adverse semiconductor industry and global economic 
conditions.

Other

 Revenue from assembly and test subcontracting services accounted for approximately 0.6% of our total net sales in fiscal 

2014, approximately 0.8% of our total net sales in fiscal 2013 and approximately 1.2% of our total net sales in fiscal 2012.

Distribution

Distributors accounted for approximately 53% of our net sales in each of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 and approximately 
59% of our net sales in fiscal 2012.  The decrease in distributor net sales as a percentage of our total net sales in fiscal 2014 and 
fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012 was driven primarily by our acquisition of SMSC which makes a larger percentage of its 
net sales to OEM customers rather than through distributors.

Our two largest distributors together accounted for approximately 14% of our net sales in fiscal 2014, approximately 13% 

of our net sales in fiscal 2013 and approximately 14% of our net sales in fiscal 2012.  One of our distributors, Future 
Electronics, accounted for approximately 10% of our net sales in fiscal 2012.  No other distributor accounted for more than 
10% of our net sales in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 or fiscal 2012.

Generally, we do not have long-term agreements with our distributors and we, or our distributors, may terminate our 
relationship with each other with little or no advanced notice.  The loss of, or the disruption in the operations of, one or more of 
our distributors could reduce our future net sales in a given quarter and could result in an increase in inventory returns.

At March 31, 2014, our distributors maintained 33 days of inventory of our products compared to 30 days at March 31, 
2013 and 31 days at March 31, 2012.  Over the past three fiscal years, the days of inventory maintained by our distributors have 
fluctuated between approximately 27 days and 47 days.  We do not believe that inventory holding patterns at our distributors 
will materially impact our net sales, due to the fact that we recognize revenue based on sell-through for all of our distributors.

Net Sales by Geography

Net sales by geography for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

Americas
Europe
Asia
Total net sales

Year Ended March 31,

$

2014
365,609
411,531
1,154,077
$ 1,931,217

%
18.9
21.3
59.8
100.0

$

2013
313,574
344,398
923,651
$ 1,581,623

%
19.8
21.8
58.4
100.0

$

2012
290,392
319,881
772,903
$ 1,383,176

%
21.0
23.1
55.9
100.0

Our sales to foreign customers have been predominately in Asia and Europe, which we attribute to the manufacturing 
strength in those areas for automotive, communications, computing, consumer and industrial control products.  Americas sales 
include sales to customers in the U.S., Canada, Central America and South America.

Sales to foreign customers accounted for approximately 84% of our net sales in fiscal 2014, approximately 83% of our net 
sales in fiscal 2013 and approximately 82% of our net sales in fiscal 2012.  Substantially all of our foreign sales are U.S. dollar 
denominated.  Sales to customers in Asia have generally increased over time due to many of our customers transitioning their 

36

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
manufacturing operations to Asia and growth in demand from the emerging Asian market as well as our acquisitions such as 
SMSC which had a significant concentration of sales in Asia.  Our sales force in the Americas and Europe supports a 
significant portion of the design activity for products which are ultimately shipped to Asia.

Sales to customers in China, including Hong Kong, accounted for approximately 29% of our net sales in fiscal 2014, 
approximately 27% of our net sales in fiscal 2013 and approximately 24% of our net sales in fiscal 2012.  Sales to customers in 
Taiwan accounted for approximately 13% of our net sales in each of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 and approximately 15% of our 
net sales in fiscal 2012.  We did not have sales into any other countries that exceeded 10% of our net sales during the last three 
fiscal years.

Gross Profit

Our gross profit was $1,128.7 million in fiscal 2014, $838.5 million in fiscal 2013 and $799.3 million in fiscal 

2012.  Gross profit as a percent of sales was 58.4% in fiscal 2014, 53.0% in fiscal 2013 and 57.8% in fiscal 2012.

The most significant factors affecting our gross profit percentage in the periods covered by this report were:

• 

• 

• 

• 

production levels being below the range of our normal capacity, resulting in excess capacity charges of $19.0 million 
in fiscal 2014, $31.7 million in fiscal 2013 and $6.7 million in the second half of fiscal 2012 compared to production 
levels being at or above the range of our normal capacity levels in the first half of fiscal 2012;
charges of approximately $53.6 million in fiscal 2013 related to the recognition of acquired inventory at fair value 
as a result of our acquisitions which increased the value of acquired inventory and reduced our gross margins; 
for each of fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, inventory write-downs being higher than the gross margin impact of sales 
of inventory that was previously written down; and
fluctuations in the product mix of microcontrollers, analog products, memory products and technology licensing.

Other factors that impacted our gross profit percentage in the periods covered by this report include:

• 

• 

continual cost reductions in wafer fabrication and assembly and test manufacturing, such as new manufacturing 
technologies and more efficient manufacturing techniques; and
lower depreciation as a percentage of cost of sales.

We adjust our wafer fabrication and assembly and test capacity utilization as required to respond to actual and anticipated 

business and industry-related conditions.  When production levels are below normal capacity, we charge cost of sales for the 
unabsorbed capacity.  Our wafer fabrication facilities operated below normal capacity levels, which we typically consider to be 
90% to 95% of the actual capacity of the installed equipment, during fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and the second half of fiscal 2012 
in response to uncertain global economic conditions and our inventory position.  As a result of decreased production in our 
wafer fabs, approximately $19.0 million, $31.7 million and $6.7 was charged to cost of sales in fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and 
fiscal 2012, respectively.  In the future, if production levels are below normal capacity, we will charge cost of sales for the 
unabsorbed capacity.  During fiscal 2014 and the first half of fiscal 2012, we operated at the normal levels of capacity at our 
Thailand assembly and test facility, and we selectively increased our assembly and test capacity at such facility during such 
time.  During fiscal 2013 and the second half of fiscal 2012, we operated below the normal capacity levels of our Thailand 
assembly and test facility due to adverse business conditions and these actions had a negative impact on our gross margins 
during such periods.

The process technologies utilized in our wafer fabs impact our gross margins.  Fab 2 currently utilizes various 

manufacturing process technologies, but predominantly utilizes our 0.5 micron to 1.0 micron processes.  Fab 4 predominantly 
utilizes our 0.22 micron to 0.5 micron processes.  We continue to transition products to more advanced process technologies to 
reduce future manufacturing costs.  All of our production has been on 8-inch wafers during the periods covered by this report.

Our overall inventory levels were $262.7 million at March 31, 2014, compared to $242.3 million at March 31, 2013 and 

$217.3 million at March 31, 2012.  We maintained 118 days of inventory on our balance sheet at March 31, 2014 compared to 
116 days of inventory at March 31, 2013 and 138 days at March 31, 2012.  We expect our inventory levels in the June 2014 
quarter to decrease between 7 and 11 days from the March 2014 levels.  We believe our existing level of inventory will allow us 
to maintain competitive lead times, provide strong delivery performance to our customers and allow us to keep our fiscal 2015 
capital expenditures at relatively low levels.

37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We anticipate that our gross margins will fluctuate over time, driven primarily by capacity utilization levels, the overall 

product mix of microcontroller, analog, interface and mixed signal products, memory products and technology licensing 
revenue and the percentage of net sales of each of these products in a particular quarter, as well as manufacturing yields, fixed 
cost absorption, and competitive and economic conditions in the markets we serve.

During fiscal 2014, approximately 51% of our assembly requirements were performed in our Thailand facilities, compared 

to approximately 60% during fiscal 2013 and approximately 66% during fiscal 2012.  The percentage of our assembly work 
that is performed internally fluctuates over time based on supply and demand conditions in the semiconductor industry, our 
internal capacity capabilities and our acquisition activities.  Third-party contractors located in Asia perform the balance of our 
assembly operations.  During fiscal 2014, approximately 86% of our test requirements were performed in our Thailand 
facilities compared to approximately 87% during fiscal 2013 and approximately 92% during fiscal 2012.  We believe that the 
assembly and test operations performed at our Thailand facilities provide us with significant cost savings compared to 
contractor assembly and test costs, as well as increased control over these portions of the manufacturing process.

We rely on outside wafer foundries for a significant portion of our wafer fabrication requirements.  During fiscal 2014, 
approximately 38% of our sales came from products that were produced at outside wafer foundries compared to approximately 
33% during fiscal 2013 and approximately 20% during fiscal 2012.  The primary reason for the increased percentage in fiscal 
2014 over the previous two fiscal years was our acquisition of SMSC in the September 2012 quarter, as SMSC relied solely on 
outside wafer foundries for their wafer fabrication requirements.

Our use of third parties involves some reduction in our level of control over the portions of our business that we 

subcontract.  While we review the quality, delivery and cost performance of our third-party contractors, our future operating 
results could suffer if any third-party contractor is unable to maintain manufacturing yields, assembly and test yields and costs 
at approximately their current levels.

Research and Development (R&D)

R&D expenses for fiscal 2014 were $305.0 million, or 15.8% of sales, compared to $254.7 million, or 16.1% of sales, for 

fiscal 2013 and $182.7 million, or 13.2% of sales, for fiscal 2012.  We are committed to investing in new and enhanced 
products, including development systems software, and in our design and manufacturing process technologies.  We believe 
these investments are significant factors in maintaining our competitive position.  R&D costs are expensed as incurred.  Assets 
purchased to support our ongoing research and development activities are capitalized when related to products which have 
achieved technological feasibility or that have alternative future uses and are amortized over their expected useful lives.  R&D 
expenses include labor, depreciation, masks, prototype wafers, and expenses for the development of process technologies, new 
packages, and software to support new products and design environments.

R&D expenses increased $50.3 million, or 19.8%, for fiscal 2014 over fiscal 2013.  The primary reasons for the dollar 

increase in R&D costs in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013 were additional costs from our acquisition of SMSC as well as 
higher headcount costs and bonus costs.  R&D expenses increased $72.1 million, or 39.5%, for fiscal 2013 over fiscal 
2012.  The primary reasons for the dollar increase in R&D costs in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012 were additional costs 
from our acquisition of SMSC and higher headcount costs.  

R&D expenses fluctuate over time, primarily due to revenue and operating expense investment levels.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2014 were $267.3 million, or 13.8% of sales, compared to 

$261.5 million, or 16.5% of sales, for fiscal 2013, and $208.3 million, or 15.1% of sales, for fiscal 2012.  Selling, general and 
administrative expenses include salary expenses related to field sales, marketing and administrative personnel, advertising and 
promotional expenditures and legal expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses also include costs related to our 
direct sales force and field applications engineers who work in sales offices worldwide to stimulate demand by assisting 
customers in the selection and use of our products.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $5.8 million, or 2.2%, for fiscal 2014 over fiscal 2013.  The primary 

reasons for the dollar increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2014 over fiscal 2013 were higher 
headcount costs related to our acquisition of SMSC and higher bonus costs partially offset by lower acquisition related legal 
expenses, professional services and share-based compensation.  Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $53.2 
million, or 25.5%, for fiscal 2013 over fiscal 2012.  The primary reason for the dollar increase in selling, general and 
administrative expenses in fiscal 2013 over fiscal 2012 were additional costs from our acquisition of SMSC.    

38

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses fluctuate over time, primarily due to revenue and operating expense 

investment levels.

Special Charges 

Acquisition Related Expenses

During fiscal 2014, we incurred special charges of $3.0 million related to severance, office closing and other costs 
associated with our acquisition activity.  During fiscal 2013, we incurred special charges of $32.2 million comprised of a $4.4 
million net increase in the fair value of contingent consideration related to one of our acquisitions, $16.3 million of primarily 
severance-related costs in addition to office closing, and other costs associated with the acquisition of SMSC and legal 
settlement costs of approximately $11.5 million for certain legal matters related to SST (which we acquired in April 2010) in 
excess of previously accrued amounts.  During fiscal 2012, special charges included a benefit of $0.7 million comprised of a 
$1.0 million favorable adjustment to contingent consideration offset by $0.3 million of severance-related charges related to a 
prior year acquisition.  

Patent Licenses

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, we agreed to the terms of a patent license with an unrelated third party and signed 
an agreement on March 20, 2012.  The patent license settled alleged infringement claims.  The total payment made to the third-
party in March 2012 was $2.8 million, $1.5 million of which was expensed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 and the 
remaining $1.3 million was recorded as a prepaid royalty which will be amortized over the remaining life of the patents, which 
expire in December 2018.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest income in fiscal 2014 was $16.5 million compared to $15.6 million in fiscal 2013 and $18.0 million in fiscal 
2012.  The primary reasons for the increase in interest income for fiscal 2014 over fiscal 2013 relates to higher yields on short-
term cash investments and higher invested cash balances.  The primary reasons for the decrease in interest income for fiscal 
2013 over fiscal 2012 relates to lower yields on short-term cash investments and lower invested cash balances.  Interest 
expense in fiscal 2014 was $48.7 million compared to $40.9 million in fiscal 2013 and $34.3 million in fiscal 2012.  The 
primary reasons for the increase in interest expense over these periods relates to increased borrowings under our credit facility 
to partially finance our acquisition of SMSC and increased expenses associated with our larger credit facility.  Other income, 
net in fiscal 2014 was $5.9 million compared to other expense, net of $0.4 million in fiscal 2013 and other expense, net of $0.4 
million in fiscal 2012.  The primary reasons for the change in other income (expense), net during fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 
2013 relates to realized gains of $2.4 million from the sale of marketable equity and debt securities and a gain of $2.4 million 
recognized on a strategic investment in a company we acquired during fiscal 2014 compared to a gain of $1.3 million related to 
the sale of inventory previously considered discontinued during fiscal 2013 and fluctuations on our foreign currency 
derivatives.  

Provision for Income Taxes

Our provision for income taxes reflects tax on our foreign earnings and federal and state tax on U.S. earnings.  We had an 
effective tax rate of 8.6% in fiscal 2014, 16.3% in fiscal 2013 and 11.3% in fiscal 2012.  Excluding certain one-time tax events 
described below, our effective tax rates were lower than statutory rates in the U.S. primarily due to our mix of earnings in 
foreign jurisdictions with lower tax rates and the R&D tax credit.  Our effective tax rate in fiscal 2014 includes $19.4 million of 
benefits related to various items including a settlement with the IRS for our fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2010 tax audits and the 
expiration of the statute of limitations on various tax reserves.  These benefits reduced our effective tax rate by 4.5 percentage 
points to an effective tax rate of 8.6%.  During fiscal 2013, our effective tax rate was higher due to $27.2 million of one-time 
foreign and domestic tax implications from our acquisition of SMSC, which offset an $8.1 million benefit received from the 
reinstatement of the R&D credit and $9.7 million of other non-recurring tax events including releases of previously established 
tax reserves related to audit closures and expirations of statutes of limitations and the revaluation of deferred tax assets and 
liabilities.  These items increased our effective tax rate by 6.2% to an effective tax rate of 16.3%.  During fiscal 2012, we 
completed a project that led to additional R&D tax credit claims in the amount of $4.1 million which reduced our effective tax 
rate by 1.1% to 11.3%.  

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Various taxing authorities in the U.S. and other countries in which we do business are increasing their scrutiny of the tax 
structures employed by businesses.  Companies of our size and complexity are regularly audited by the taxing authorities in the 
jurisdictions in which they conduct significant operations.  For U.S. federal, and in general for U.S. state tax returns, our fiscal 
2011 and later tax returns remain open for examination by the taxing authorities.  SMSC is currently under audit for fiscal years 
2011 and 2012.  We recognize liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions based on our 
estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional tax payments are probable.  We believe that we maintain adequate tax 
reserves to offset any potential tax liabilities that may arise upon these and other pending audits in the U.S. and other countries 
in which we do business.  If such amounts ultimately prove to be unnecessary, the resulting reversal of such reserves would 
result in tax benefits being recorded in the period the reserves are no longer deemed necessary.  If such amounts ultimately 
prove to be less than any final assessment, a future charge to expense would be recorded in the period in which the assessment 
is determined.

Our Thailand manufacturing operations currently benefit from numerous tax holidays that have been granted to us by the 

Thailand government based on our investments in property, plant and equipment in Thailand.  Our tax holiday periods in 
Thailand expire at various times in the future.  Any expiration of our tax holidays are expected to have a minimal impact on our 
overall tax expense due to other tax holidays and an increase in income in other taxing jurisdictions with lower statutory rates.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We had $2,143.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments at March 31, 2014, an 
increase of $307.5 million from the March 31, 2013 balance.  The increase in cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-
term investments over this time period is primarily attributable to cash generated by operating activities being offset in part by 
dividend payments of $281.2 million.

Net cash provided from operating activities was $676.6 million for fiscal 2014, $459.4 million for fiscal 2013 and 

$412.0 million for fiscal 2012.  The increase in cash flow from operations in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013 was primarily 
due to higher net sales and net income during fiscal 2014.  The increase in cash flow from operations in fiscal 2013 compared 
to fiscal 2012 was primarily due to changes in our operating assets and liabilities.  

Net cash used in investing activities was $503.3 million for fiscal 2014, $949.9 million for fiscal 2013 and $272.0 million 
in fiscal 2012.  The decrease in net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013 was primarily due to 
our acquisition of SMSC in fiscal 2013, which used $731.7 million of cash consideration, net of $180.9 million of cash and 
cash equivalents acquired.  This decrease in net cash  used in investing activities offset a fiscal 2014 decrease in cash related to 
changes in our net purchases, sales and maturities of short-term and long-term investments.  The increase in net cash used in 
investing activities in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012 was primarily due to our acquisition of SMSC in fiscal 2013.

Our level of capital expenditures varies from time to time as a result of actual and anticipated business conditions.  Capital 

expenditures were $113.1 million in fiscal 2014, $50.8 million in fiscal 2013 and $62.4 million in fiscal 2012.  Capital 
expenditures are primarily for the expansion of production capacity and the addition of research and development 
equipment.  We currently intend to spend approximately $125 million during the next twelve months to invest in equipment and 
facilities to maintain, and selectively increase, our capacity.

We expect to finance our capital expenditures through our existing cash balances and cash flows from operations.  We 

believe that the capital expenditures anticipated to be incurred over the next twelve months will provide sufficient 
manufacturing capacity to meet our currently anticipated needs.

Net cash used in financing activities was $235.0 million for fiscal 2014.  Net cash provided by financing activities was 
$382.2 million for fiscal 2013 and net cash used in financing activities was $208.1 million for fiscal 2012.  We made payments 
on our borrowings under our credit agreements of $1,103.5 million and $761.0 million during fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, 
respectively.  Cash received on borrowings under our credit agreements totaled $1,133.5 million and $1,381.0 million during 
fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, respectively.  We paid cash dividends to our stockholders of $281.2 million in fiscal 2014, $273.8 
million in fiscal 2013, and $266.2 million in fiscal 2012.  Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and employee purchases 
under our employee stock purchase plans were $37.4 million for fiscal 2014, $35.7 million for fiscal 2013 and $57.5 million for 
fiscal 2012.

On June 27, 2013, we entered into a $2.0 billion credit agreement with certain lenders.  The credit agreement provides for a 

$350.0 million term loan and a $1.65 billion revolving credit facility, with a $125 million foreign currency sublimit, a 
$35 million letter of credit sublimit and a $25 million swingline loan sublimit, terminating on June 27, 2018.  The credit 
agreement also contains an increase option permitting us, subject to certain requirements, to arrange with existing lenders 

40

 
 
 
 
 
 
and/or new lenders for them to provide up to an aggregate of $300 million in additional commitments, which may be for 
revolving loans or term loans.  Proceeds of loans made under the credit agreement may be used for working capital and general 
corporate purposes.  The new credit agreement replaced another credit agreement we had in place since August 2011.  At 
March 31, 2014, $650.0 million of borrowings were outstanding under the credit agreement consisting of $300.0 million of a 
revolving line of credit and $350.0 million of a term loan, net of $1.1 million of debt discount resulting from amounts paid to 
the lenders.  See Note 15 of the notes to consolidated financial statements for more information regarding the credit agreement.

Our total cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments held by our foreign subsidiaries was 

$2,085.7 million at March 31, 2014 and $1,782.0 million at March 31, 2013.  Under current tax laws and regulations, if 
accumulated earnings and profits held by our foreign subsidiaries that U.S. taxes had not previously been provided for were to 
be distributed to the U.S. in the form of dividends or otherwise, we would be subject to additional U.S. income taxes and 
foreign withholding taxes.  The balance of cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments available 
for our U.S. operations as of March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 was approximately $57.8 million and $100.0 million, 
respectively.  We utilize a variety of tax planning and financing strategies with the objective of having our worldwide cash 
available in the locations in which it is needed.  We consider our offshore earnings to be permanently reinvested offshore.  
However, we could determine to repatriate some of our offshore earnings in future periods to fund stockholder dividends, share 
repurchases, acquisitions or other corporate activities.  We expect that a significant portion of our future cash generation will be 
in our foreign subsidiaries.

We enter into derivative transactions from time to time in an attempt to reduce our exposure to currency rate 

fluctuations.  Although none of the countries in which we conduct significant foreign operations have had a highly inflationary 
economy in the last five years, there is no assurance that inflation rates or fluctuations in foreign currency rates in countries 
where we conduct operations will not adversely affect our operating results in the future.  At March 31, 2014, we had no 
foreign currency forward contracts outstanding.

On December 11, 2007, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to 10 million shares 

of our common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.  As of March 31, 2014, we had repurchased 
7.5 million shares under this 10 million share authorization for a total of $234.7 million.  There is no expiration date associated 
with this program.  The timing and amount of future repurchases will depend upon market conditions, interest rates, and 
corporate considerations.

As of March 31, 2014, we held approximately 18.8 million shares as treasury shares.  

On October 28, 2002, we announced that our Board of Directors had approved and instituted a quarterly cash dividend on 

our common stock.  The initial quarterly dividend of $0.02 per share was paid on December 6, 2003 in the amount of 
$4.1 million.  To date, our cumulative dividend payments have totaled approximately $2.23 billion.  During fiscal 2014, we 
paid dividends in the amount of $1.417 per share for a total dividend payment of $281.2 million.  During fiscal 2013, we paid 
dividends in the amount of $1.406 per share for a total dividend payment of $273.8 million.  During fiscal 2012, we paid 
dividends in the amount of $1.390 per share for a total dividend payment of $266.2 million.  On May 6, 2014, we declared a 
quarterly cash dividend of $0.3555 per share, which will be paid on June 3, 2014, to stockholders of record on May 21, 2014 
and the total amount of such dividend is expected to be approximately $71.1 million.  Our Board is free to change our dividend 
practices at any time and to increase or decrease the dividend paid, or not to pay a dividend, on our common stock on the basis 
of our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by 
our Board.  Our current intent is to provide for ongoing quarterly cash dividends depending upon market conditions, our results 
of operations and potential changes in tax laws.

We believe that our existing sources of liquidity combined with cash generated from operations and borrowings under our 

credit agreement will be sufficient to meet our currently anticipated cash requirements for at least the next 12 months.  
However, the semiconductor industry is capital intensive.  In order to remain competitive, we must constantly evaluate the need 
to make significant investments in capital equipment for both production and research and development.  We may further 
borrow under our credit agreement or seek additional equity or debt financing from time to time to maintain or expand our 
wafer fabrication and product assembly and test facilities, for cash dividends or for acquisitions or other purposes.  The timing 
and amount of any such financing requirements will depend on a number of factors, including our level of dividend payments, 
changes in tax laws and regulations regarding the repatriation of offshore cash, demand for our products, changes in industry 
conditions, product mix, competitive factors and our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates.  There can be no 
assurance that such financing will be available on acceptable terms, and any additional equity financing would result in 
incremental ownership dilution to our existing stockholders.

41

 
Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations at March 31, 2014, and the effect such 
obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods.  This table excludes amounts already 
recorded on our balance sheet as current liabilities at March 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

Operating lease obligations
Capital purchase obligations (1)
Other purchase obligations and commitments (2)
Borrowings under credit agreement outstanding as 
of March 31, 2014 - principal and interest (3)
2.125% junior convertible debentures – principal 
and interest (4)
Total contractual obligations (5)

Payments Due by Period

Total

Less than
1 year

$

$

42,264
42,815
32,654

12,415
42,815
32,586

1 – 3 years
20,048
$
—
68

3 – 5 years
9,402
$
—
—

695,685

10,749

21,499

663,437

More than
5 years

$

399
—
—

—

1,729,372
$ 2,542,790

$

24,438
123,003

$

48,875
90,490

$

48,875
721,714

1,607,184
$ 1,607,583

(1)  Capital purchase obligations represent commitments for construction or purchases of property, plant and 
equipment.  These obligations were not recorded as liabilities on our balance sheet as of March 31, 2014, as we have not 
yet received the related goods or taken title to the property.

(2)  Other purchase obligations and commitments include payments due under various types of licenses and outstanding 
purchase commitments with our wafer foundries of approximately $31.6 million for delivery of wafers in fiscal 2015.

(3)  For purposes of this table we have assumed that the principal of our credit agreement borrowings outstanding at March 
31, 2014 will be paid on June 27, 2018, which is the maturity date of such borrowings.

(4)  For purposes of this table we have assumed that the principal of our convertible debentures will be paid on 
December 31, 2037.

(5)  Total contractual obligations do not include contractual obligations recorded on the balance sheet as current liabilities, 
or certain purchase obligations as discussed below.  The contractual obligations also do not include amounts related to 
uncertain tax positions because reasonable estimates cannot be made.

Purchase orders or contracts for the purchase of raw materials and other goods and services, with the exception of 
commitments to our wafer foundries, are not included in the table above.  We are not able to determine the aggregate amount 
of such purchase orders that represent contractual obligations, as purchase orders may represent authorizations to purchase 
rather than binding agreements.  For the purpose of this table, contractual obligations for the purchase of goods or services 
are defined as agreements that are enforceable and legally binding on us and that specify all significant terms, including: 
fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the 
transaction.  Our purchase orders are based on our current manufacturing needs and are fulfilled by our vendors with short 
time horizons.  We do not have significant agreements for the purchase of raw materials or other goods specifying minimum 
quantities or set prices that exceed our expected requirements for three months.  We also enter into contracts for outsourced 
services; however, the obligations under these contracts were not significant and the contracts generally contain clauses 
allowing for cancellation without significant penalty.

The expected timing of payment of the obligations discussed above is estimated based on current information.  Timing 
of payments and actual amounts paid may be different depending on the time of receipt of goods or services or changes to 
agreed-upon amounts for some obligations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of March 31, 2014, we are not involved in any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of 

SEC Regulation S-K.

42

 
 
 
 
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May of 2014 the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update 2014-09-Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which 

will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under US GAAP.  The standard’s core principle is that a 
company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the 
consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We are carefully 
evaluating our existing revenue recognition policies to determine whether any contracts in the scope of the guidance will be 
affected by the new requirements.  The effects may include identifying performance obligations in existing arrangements, 
estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each 
separate performance obligation.  The new standard is effective beginning the first quarter of our 2018 fiscal year.  Early 
adoption is not permitted.  The standard allows for either “full retrospective” adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all 
of the periods presented, or “modified retrospective” adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current 
period presented in the financial statements.  We are currently evaluating the transition method that will be elected.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we adopted the provisions of Accounting Standard Update 2013-02 Comprehensive 

Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which required 
the disclosure of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to net income.  The adoption 
of this provision did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Item 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our investments are intended to establish a high-quality portfolio that preserves principal, meets liquidity needs, avoids 

inappropriate concentrations, and delivers an appropriate yield in relationship to our investment guidelines and market 
conditions.  Our investment portfolio, consisting of fixed income securities, money market funds, cash deposits, and marketable 
securities that we hold on an available-for-sale basis, was $2,143.5 million as of March 31, 2014 compared to $1,836.0 million 
as of March 31, 2013.  The available-for-sale debt securities, like all fixed income instruments, are subject to interest rate risk 
and will decline in value if market interest rates increase.  We have the ability to hold our fixed income investments until 
maturity and, therefore, we would not expect to recognize any material adverse impact in income or cash flows if market 
interest rates increase.  The following table provides information about our available-for-sale securities that are sensitive to 
changes in interest rates.  We have aggregated our available-for-sale securities for presentation purposes since they are all very 
similar in nature (dollars in thousands): 

Available-for-sale securities
Weighted-average yield rate

Financial instruments maturing during the fiscal year ended March 31,

2015
$ 211,363

2016
$ 364,464

2017
$ 883,305

2018
51,350

$

$

1.41%

0.78%

0.95%

1.01%

2019

9,995
1.00%

Thereafter
$ 150,227

1.22%

See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our investments and use of forward 

contracts.

Item 8. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1) hereof are filed as part of this Form 

10-K.  See also Index to Financial Statements below.

Item 9. 
DISCLOSURE 

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL 

None.

Item 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as required by paragraph (b) of Rule 13a-15 or 

Rule 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), we evaluated under the supervision 
of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as 

43

 
 
 
 
defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act.  Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our 
Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information we 
are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and 
reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and (ii) is accumulated and 
communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to 
allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide 
reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management.  Our disclosure controls and 
procedures include components of our internal control over financial reporting.  Management's assessment of the effectiveness 
of our internal control over financial reporting is expressed at the level of reasonable assurance because a control system, no 
matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that the control system's 
objectives will be met.

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting to 
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for 
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  Internal control over financial reporting 
includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and 
fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions 
are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of 
management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of 
unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

Management assessed our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2014, the end of our fiscal 

year.  Management based its assessment on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (1992 framework) 
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Management's assessment included 
evaluation of such elements as the design and operating effectiveness of key financial reporting controls, process 
documentation, accounting policies, and our overall control environment.  This assessment is supported by testing and 
monitoring performed by our finance organization.

Based on our assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of 
the end of the fiscal year to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of 
financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  We reviewed 
the results of management's assessment with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, who audited our consolidated financial statements 

included in this Form 10-K has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 
2014, which is included in Part II, Item 9A.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting 
identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 that has materially 
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

44

 
 
 
 
 
 
45

Item 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

In fiscal 2014, each of J. Eric Bjornholt, our Chief Financial Officer, Mitch Little, our Vice President, Worldwide Sales and 

Applications, Steve Drehobl, our Vice President, MCU8 and Technology Development Division, and Rich Simoncic, our Vice 
President, Analog and Interface Products Division, entered into trading plans as contemplated by Rule 10b-5-1 under the 
Exchange Act and periodic sales of our common stock have occurred and are expected to occur under such plans.

The foregoing disclosure is being made on a voluntary basis and not pursuant to any specific requirement under Form 10-

K, Form 8-K or otherwise.

PART III

Item 10. 

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information on the members of our Board of Directors is incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement for our 
2014 annual meeting of stockholders under the captions "The Board of Directors," and "Proposal One – Election of Directors."

Information on the composition of our audit committee and the members of our audit committee, including information on 

our audit committee financial experts, is incorporated by reference to our proxy statement for our 2014 annual meeting of 
stockholders under the caption "The Board of Directors – Committees of the Board of Directors – Audit Committee."

Information on our executive officers is provided in Item 1, Part I of this Form 10-K under the caption "Executive Officers 

of the Registrant" at page 10, above.

Information with respect to compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, is incorporated herein by reference to our 
proxy statement for our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders under the caption "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting 
Compliance."

Information with respect to our code of ethics that applies to our directors, executive officers (including our principal 
executive officer and our principal financial and accounting officer) and employees is incorporated by reference to our proxy 
statement for our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders under the caption "Code of Ethics."  A copy of our Code of Ethics is 
available on our website at the Investor Relations section under Mission Statement/Corporate Governance on 
www.microchip.com.

Information regarding material changes, if any, to procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to our 
Board of Directors is incorporated by reference to our proxy statement for the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders under the 
caption "Requirements, Including Deadlines, for Receipt of Stockholder Proposals for the 2014 Annual Meeting of 
Stockholders; Discretionary Authority to Vote on Stockholder Proposals."

 Item 11. 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information with respect to executive compensation is incorporated herein by reference to the information under the 

caption "Executive Compensation" in our proxy statement for our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders.

Information with respect to director compensation is incorporated herein by reference to the information under the caption 

"The Board of Directors – Director Compensation" in our proxy statement for our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders.

Information with respect to compensation committee interlocks and insider participation in compensation decisions is 
incorporated herein by reference to the information under the caption "The Board of Directors – Compensation Committee 
Interlocks and Insider Participation" in our proxy statement for our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders.

Our Board compensation committee report on executive compensation is incorporated herein by reference to the 

information under the caption "Executive Compensation – Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation" in 
our proxy statement for our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders.

46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 12.  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND 
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Information with respect to securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans is incorporated herein 
by reference to the information under the caption "Executive Compensation – Equity Compensation Plan Information" in our 
proxy statement for our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders.

Information with respect to security ownership of certain beneficial owners, members of our Board of Directors and 

management is incorporated herein by reference to the information under the caption "Security Ownership of Principal 
Stockholders, Directors and Executive Officers" in our proxy statement for our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders.

 Item 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this Item pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K is incorporated by reference to the 
information under the caption "Certain Transactions" contained in our proxy statement for our 2014 annual meeting of 
stockholders.

The information required by this Item pursuant to Item 407(a) of Regulation S-K regarding the independence of our 
directors is incorporated by reference to the information under the caption "Meetings of the Board of Directors" contained in 
our proxy statement for our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders.

 Item 14. 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this Item related to principal accountant fees and services as well as related pre-approval 

policies is incorporated by reference to the information under the caption "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" 
contained in our proxy statement for our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders.

47

 
Item 15. 

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)         The following documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K:

PART IV

(1)

Financial Statements:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2014 and 2013

Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2014

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three years in the period ended 
March 31, 2014

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 
2014

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the three years in the period ended 
March 31, 2014

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Financial Statement Schedules

The Exhibits filed with this Form 10-K or incorporated herein by reference are set
forth in the Exhibit Index beginning on page 51 hereof, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein 
by this reference.

(2)

(3)

(b)         See Item 15(a)(3) above.

(c)         See "Index to Financial Statements" included under Item 8 to this Form 10-K.

Page
No.

F-1

F-2

F-3

F-4

F-5

F-6

F-7

None

48

SIGNATURES

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

Date:  May 30, 2014

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
(Registrant)

By:  /s/ Steve Sanghi                                                                       
Steve Sanghi
President and Chief Executive Officer

49

 
 
 
 
 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned officer and/or director of Microchip Technology 
Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint STEVE SANGHI and J. ERIC 
BJORNHOLT, and each of them, with full power to each of them to act alone, as the true and lawful attorneys and agents of the 
undersigned, with full power of substitution and resubstitution to each of said attorneys to execute, file or deliver any and all 
instruments and to do any and all acts and things which said attorneys and agents, or any of them, deem advisable to enable the 
Company to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any requirements of the Securities and 
Exchange Commission in respect thereto relating to annual reports on Form 10-K, including specifically, but without limitation 
of the general authority hereby granted, the power and authority to sign such person's name individually and on behalf of the 
Company as an officer and/or director (as indicated below opposite such person's signature) to the Company's annual reports on 
Form 10-K or any amendments or papers supplemental thereto; and each of the undersigned does hereby fully ratify and 
confirm all that said attorneys and agents or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This Power of Attorney 
revokes any and all previous powers of attorney granted by any of the undersigned which such power would have entitled said 
attorneys and agents, or any of them, to sign such person's name, individually or on behalf of the Company, to any Form 10-K.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has subscribed these presents this 30th day of May, 2014.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following 
persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Name and Signature

Title

Date

/s/ Steve Sanghi
Steve Sanghi

/s/ Matthew W. Chapman
Matthew W. Chapman

/s/ L.B. Day
L.B. Day

/s/ Albert J. Hugo-Martinez
Albert J. Hugo-Martinez

/s/ Esther L. Johnson
Esther L. Johnson

/s/ Wade F. Meyercord
Wade F. Meyercord

/s/ J. Eric Bjornholt
J. Eric Bjornholt

Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer

May 30, 2014

May 30, 2014

May 30, 2014

May 30, 2014

May 30, 2014

May 30, 2014

May 30, 2014

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)

50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit
Number
2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

3.1

3.2

4.1

4.2

10.1

EXHIBITS

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit Description
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May
22, 2014 by and among Microchip Technology
(Barbados) II Incorporated and ISSC
Technologies Corp.

Tender Agreement dated May 22, 2014
between Microchip Technology (Barbados) II
Incorporated and Directors, Certain Officers
and Certain Shareholders of ISSC
Technologies Corp.

Guaranty Concerning Merger Agreement dated
May 22, 2014 made by Microchip Technology
Incorporated with respect to certain obligations
of Microchip Technology (Barbados) II
Incorporated

Guaranty Concerning Tender Agreement dated
May 22, 2014 made by Microchip Technology
Incorporated with respect to certain obligations
of Microchip Technology (Barbados) II
Incorporated

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
February 9, 2014 by and among Microchip
Technology Incorporated, Orchid Acquisition
Corporation and Supertex, Inc.

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May
1, 2012 by and among Microchip Technology
Incorporated, Microchip Technology
Management Co. and Standard Microsystems
Corporation, including Form of Voting
Agreement

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Registrant

Form

File
Number

Exhibit

Filing
Date

Filed
Herewith
X

X

X

X

X

10-K

000-21184

2.2

5/30/2012

10-Q

000-21184

3.1

11/12/2002

Amended and Restated By-Laws of Registrant,
as amended through October 1, 2013

10-Q

000-21184

8-K

000-21184

3.1

4.1

11/8/2013

12/7/2007

8-K

000-21184

4.2

12/7/2007

8-K

000-21184

10.1

6/28/2013

Indenture, dated as of December 7, 2007, by
and between Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association, as Trustee, and Microchip
Technology Incorporated

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
December 7, 2007, by and between J.P.
Morgan Securities Inc. and Microchip
Technology Incorporated

Credit Agreement, dated June 27, 2013, among
Microchip Technology Incorporated, the
lenders from time to time party thereto, and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as
Administrative Agent

51

Exhibit
Number
10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.7

10.8

10.9

10.10

10.11

10.12

10.13

10.14

10.15

10.16

Exhibit Description
Form of Indemnification Agreement between
Registrant and its directors and certain of its
officers

Microchip Technology Incorporated 2012
Inducement Award Plan as adopted by the
Board of Directors on August 1, 2012

*2004 Equity Incentive Plan as amended by the
Board on August 17, 2012

*Form of Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock
Units (officer) for 2004 Equity Incentive Plan

Form of Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock
Units (non-officer) for 2004 Equity Incentive
Plan

*Form of Notice of Grant for 2004 Equity
Incentive Plan (including Exhibit A Stock
Option Agreement)

Form of Notice of Grant (Foreign) for 2004
Equity Incentive Plan (including Exhibit A
Stock Option Agreement (Foreign))

*Form of Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock
Units for 2004 Equity Incentive Plan
(including Exhibit A Restricted Stock Units
Agreement)

*Restricted Stock Units Agreement (Domestic)
for 2004 Equity Incentive Plan

Restricted Stock Units Agreement (Foreign) for
2004 Equity Incentive Plan

*Form of Global RSU Agreement for 2004
Equity Incentive Plan (including Notice of
Grant of Restricted Stock Units)

*Form of Notice of Grant For 1993 Stock
Option Plan, with Exhibit A thereto, Form of
Stock Option Agreement; and Exhibit B
thereto, Form of Stock Purchase Agreement

*Microchip Technology Incorporated 2001
Employee Stock Purchase Plan as amended
through March 1, 2012

*1997 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan, as
Amended Through March 3, 2003

*Form of Notice of Grant For 1997
Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan, with Exhibit
A thereto, Form of Stock Option Agreement

Incorporated by Reference

Form
S-1

File
Number
33-57960

Exhibit
10.1

Filing
Date
2/5/1993

Filed
Herewith

S-8

333-183074

4.8

8/1/2012

8-K

000-21184

10.1

8/23/2012

S-8

333-192273

10.2

11/12/2013

S-8

333-192273

10.3

11/12/2013

S-8

333-119939

4.5

10/25/2004

10-K

000-21184

10.4

5/23/2005

10-K

000-21184

10.6

5/31/2006

10-Q

000-21184

10.3

11/7/2007

10-Q

000-21184

10.4

11/7/2008

8-K

000-21184

10.1

9/27/2010

S-8

333-872

10.6

1/23/1996

10-Q

000-21184

10.1

2/6/2012

10-K

000-21184

10.13

6/5/2003

10-K

000-21184

10.17

5/27/1998

52

Exhibit
Number
10.17

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit Description

Form

File
Number

Exhibit

Filing
Date

Microchip Technology Incorporated
International Employee Stock Purchase Plan as
amended through May 19, 2014, including
Purchase Agreement

Filed
Herewith
X

10.18

Microchip Technology Incorporated 2012
Inducement Award Plan

S-8

333-183074

4.8

8/3/2012

10.19

10.20

10.21

10.22

10.23

10.24

*Executive Management Incentive
Compensation Plan  as amended on August 19,
2011

8-K

000-21184

10.1

8/24/2011

*Discretionary Executive Management
Incentive Compensation Plan

10-Q

000-21184

10.5

2/6/2007

Management Incentive Compensation Plan as
amended by the Board of Directors on May 17,
2013

*Microchip Technology Incorporated
Supplemental Retirement Plan

*Adoption Agreement to the Microchip
Technology Incorporated Supplemental
Retirement Plan dated January 1, 1997

*Amendment dated December 9, 1999 to the
Adoption Agreement to the Microchip
Technology Incorporated Supplemental
Retirement Plan 

10-K

000-21184

10.21

5/30/2013

S-8

333-101696

4.1.1

4/1/2009

S-8

333-101696

4.1.3

4/1/2003

S-8

333-101696

4.1.4

4/1/2004

10.25

*February 3, 2003 Amendment to the Adoption
Agreement to the Microchip Technology
Incorporated Supplemental Retirement Plan

10-K

000-21184

10.28

6/5/2003

10.26

*Amendments to Supplemental Retirement
Plan

10-Q

000-21184

10.1

2/9/2006

10.27

*Change of Control Severance Agreement

10.28

*Change of Control Severance Agreement

10.29

10.30

10.31

Development Agreement dated as of August
29, 1997 by and between Registrant and the
City of Chandler, Arizona

Addendum to Development Agreement by and
between Registrant and the City of Tempe,
Arizona, dated May 11, 2000

Development Agreement dated as of July 17,
1997 by and between Registrant and the City
of Tempe, Arizona

8-K

8-K

000-21184

10.1

12/18/2008

000-21184

10.2

12/18/2008

10-Q

000-21184

10.1

2/13/1998

10-K

000-21184

10.14

5/15/2001

10-Q

000-21184

10.2

2/13/1998

53

Incorporated by Reference

Form
8-K

File
Number
000-21184

Exhibit
10.1

Filing
Date
6/11/2009

Filed
Herewith

X

X

X

X

X

X

Exhibit
Number Exhibit Description

10.32

Amended Strategic Investment Program
Contract dated as of June 8, 2009 between,
Multnomah County, Oregon, City of Gresham,
Oregon and Microchip Technology
Incorporated

21.1

23.1

24.1

31.1

31.2

32

Subsidiaries of Registrant

Consent of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm

Power of Attorney re:  Microchip Technology
Incorporated, the Registrant, included on Page
50 of this Form 10-K

Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to  Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange Act)

Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to  Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange Act)

Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section
1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

*Compensation plans or arrangements in which
directors or executive officers are eligible to
participate.

54

This page intentionally left blank.

Annual Report on Form 10-K

Item 8, Item 15(a)(1) and (2), (b) and (c)

_________________________________

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

EXHIBITS

_________________________________

YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2014

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
AND SUBSIDIARIES

CHANDLER, ARIZONA

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2014 and 2013

Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2014

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three years in the period ended
March 31, 2014

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31,
2014

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each of the three years in the period ended
March 31, 2014

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Page Number

F-1

F-2

F-3

F-4

F-5

F-6

F-7

i

F-1

Item1.  Financial Statements

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term investments

Accounts receivable, net

Inventories

Prepaid expenses

Deferred tax assets

Other current assets

Total current assets

Property, plant and equipment, net

Long-term investments

Goodwill

Intangible assets, net

Other assets

Total assets

Accounts payable

Accrued liabilities

Short-term borrowings

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Deferred income on shipments to distributors

Total current liabilities

Junior convertible debentures

Long-term line of credit

Long-term borrowings, net

Long-term income tax payable

Deferred tax liability
Other long-term liabilities

Stockholders' equity:

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares; no shares issued or

outstanding

Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 450,000,000 shares; 218,789,994 shares issued
and 200,002,736 shares outstanding at March 31, 2014; 218,789,994 shares issued and
196,472,856 shares outstanding at March 31, 2013

Additional paid-in capital

Common stock held in treasury: 18,787,258 shares at March 31, 2014; 22,317,138 shares at

March 31, 2013

Accumulated other comprehensive income

Retained earnings

Total stockholders' equity

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-2

March 31,

2014

2013

$

466,603

$

528,334

878,182

242,405

262,725

31,756

67,490

20,238

1,050,263

229,955

242,334

37,439

80,687

67,358

1,969,399

2,236,370

$

$

$

$

531,967

798,712

276,097

445,499

45,956

4,067,630

74,050

96,731

17,500

147,798

336,079

371,873

300,000

331,385

179,966

375,316
37,550

—

200

514,544

257,450

271,348

530,136

41,557

3,851,405

75,551

127,108

—

138,952

341,611

363,385

620,000

—

182,723

388,250
21,966

—

196

1,244,583

1,255,627

(577,382)
1,051

1,467,009

2,135,461

(682,220)
6,935

1,352,932

1,933,470

$

4,067,630

$

3,851,405

 
 
 
MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Net sales

Cost of sales (1)

Gross profit

Operating expenses:

Research and development  (1)

Selling, general and administrative  (1)

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

Special charges

Operating income

Losses on equity method investments
Other income (expense):

Interest income

Interest expense

Other income (expense), net

Income before income taxes

Income tax provision

Net income

Basic net income per common share

Diluted net income per common share

Dividends declared per common share

Basic common shares outstanding

Diluted common shares outstanding

(1) Includes share-based compensation expense as follows:

Cost of sales

Research and development

Selling, general and administrative

Year ended March 31,

2014

2013

2012

$

1,931,217

$

1,581,623

$

1,383,176

802,474

1,128,743

305,043

267,278

94,534

3,024

669,879

458,864
(177)

16,485
(48,716)
5,898

432,354

37,073

395,281

1.99

1.82

1.417

198,291

217,630

$

$

$

$

743,164

838,459

254,723

261,471

111,537

32,175

659,906

178,553
(617)

15,560
(40,915)
(404)
152,177

24,788

127,389

0.65

0.62

1.406

194,595

205,776

$

$

$

$

583,882

799,294

182,650

208,328

10,963

837

402,778

396,516

(195)

17,992

(34,266)

(352)

379,695

42,990

336,705

1.76

1.65

1.390

191,283

203,519

7,340

$

8,234

$

24,554

21,893

22,178

27,603

5,648

14,719

17,922

$

$

$

$

$

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-3

 
 
 
 
MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)

Net income
Components of other comprehensive (loss) income:
Available-for sale securities:
Unrealized holding (losses) gain, net of tax effect of $497, $557 and ($339),
respectively
Reclassification of realized transactions, net of tax effect of $776, $51 and
($58), respectively
Change in minimum pension liability, net of tax effect of $55 and $28,
respectively
Change in net foreign currency translation adjustment
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes
Total comprehensive income

Year Ended March 31,

2014

2013

2012

$

395,281

$

127,389

$

336,705

(4,377)

(1,595)

2,686

(343)

88
—
(5,884)
389,397

$

52
1,439
3,834
131,223

$

$

(41)

(215)

—
—
(256)
336,449

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-4

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization
Deferred income taxes
Share-based compensation expense related to equity incentive plans
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation
Convertible debt derivatives - revaluation and amortization
Amortization of debt discount on convertible debentures
Amortization of debt issuance costs
Losses on equity method investments
Losses (gains) on sale of assets
Loss on write-down of fixed assets
Impairment of intangible assets
Amortization of premium on available-for-sale investments
Unrealized impairment loss on available-for-sale investments
Special (income) charges
Gain on shares of acquired company
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable
(Increase) decrease in inventories
Increase (decrease) in deferred income on shipments to distributors
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Change in other assets and liabilities

Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of available-for-sale investments
Sales and maturities of available-for-sale investments
Acquisition of SMSC, net of cash acquired
Other business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Investments in other assets
Proceeds from sale of assets
Capital expenditures

Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:

Repayments of revolving loan under previous credit facility
Repayments of revolving loan under new credit facility
Proceeds from borrowings on revolving loan under previous credit facility
Proceeds from borrowings on revolving loan under new credit facility
Proceeds from issuance of long-term borrowings
Deferred financing costs
Payment of cash dividends
Proceeds from sale of common stock
Contingent consideration payment
Capital lease payments
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

Year ended March 31,
2013

2012

2014

$

395,281

$

127,389

$

336,705

189,139
5,321
53,787
(1,411)
(482)
8,970
1,959
177
244
—
350
10,754
—
(459)
(2,438)

(12,508)
(18,500)
8,846
(11,633)
49,167
676,564

204,097
(28,368)
52,069
(297)
138
8,197
217
617
(256)
400
—
13,186
413
4,400
—

386
65,867
18,867
(40,914)
32,957
459,365

99,424
21,954
38,289
(576)
204
7,512
219
195
(411)
—
—
15,520
2,158
(1,000)
—

11,845
(35,240)
(31,335)
(61,455)
7,970
411,978

(1,337,482)
951,296
—
(11,187)
(9,069)
16,235
(113,072)
(503,279)

(650,000)
(453,500)
30,000
753,500
350,000
(7,515)
(281,204)
37,446
(14,700)
(454)
1,411
(235,016)
—
(61,731)
528,334
466,603

$

(998,977)
856,579
(731,746)
(20,556)
(4,730)
306
(50,818)
(949,942)

(761,000)
—
1,381,000
—
—
—
(273,822)
35,695
—
—
297
382,170
986
(107,421)
635,755
528,334

(1,149,145)
983,500
—
(38,580)
(5,818)
411
(62,370)
(272,002)

—
—
—
—
—
—
(266,178)
57,457
—
—
576
(208,145)
—
(68,169)
703,924
635,755

$

$

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-5

 
 
 
 
 
 
MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(in thousands)

Common Stock and
Additional Paid-in-
Capital

Common Stock Held in
Treasury

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income

Retained
Earnings

Net
Stockholders'
Equity

Balance at March 31, 2011

218,790

$ 1,268,318

29,248

$

(888,075) $

3,357

$ 1,428,838

$

1,812,438

Net income

Other comprehensive loss

Issuances from equity incentive plans

Employee stock purchase plan

—

—

3,000

609

—

—

42,596

14,861

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Treasury stock used for new issuances

(3,609)

(107,182)

(3,609)

107,182

Tax benefit from equity incentive plans

Share-based compensation

Cash dividend

—

—

—

10,980

39,527

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(256)

—

—

—

—

—

—

336,705

336,705

—

—

—

—

—

—

(256)

42,596

14,861

—

10,980

39,527

(266,178)

(266,178)

Balance at March 31, 2012

218,790

1,269,100

25,639

(780,893)

3,101

1,499,365

1,990,673

Net income

Other comprehensive income

Issuances from equity incentive plans

Employee stock purchase plan

—

—

2,773

549

—

—

19,935

15,760

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Treasury stock used for new issuances

(3,322)

(98,673)

(3,322)

98,673

Tax shortfall from equity incentive plans

Share-based compensation

Non-cash consideration - SMSC acquisition

Cash dividend

—

—

—

—

(9,896)

52,667

6,930

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

3,834

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

127,389

127,389

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

3,834

19,935

15,760

—

(9,896)

52,667

6,930

(273,822)

(273,822)

Balance at March 31, 2013

218,790

1,255,823

22,317

(682,220)

6,935

1,352,932

1,933,470

Net income

Other comprehensive loss

Issuances from equity incentive plans

Employee stock purchase plan

—

—

2,858

672

—

—

17,658

19,788

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Treasury stock used for new issuances

(3,530)

(104,838)

(3,530)

104,838

Tax benefit from equity incentive plans

Share-based compensation

Cash dividend

—

—

—

1,411

54,941

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

395,281

395,281

(5,884)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(5,884)

17,658

19,788

—

1,411

54,941

(281,204)

(281,204)

Balance at March 31, 2014

218,790

$ 1,244,783

18,787

$

(577,382) $

1,051

$ 1,467,009

$

2,135,461

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-6

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. 

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business

Microchip develops, manufactures and sells specialized semiconductor products used by its customers for a wide variety of 
embedded control applications.  Microchip's product portfolio comprises 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit PIC® microcontrollers and 16-
bit dsPIC® digital signal controllers, which feature on-board Flash (reprogrammable) memory technology.  In addition, 
Microchip offers a broad spectrum of high-performance linear, mixed-signal, power management, thermal management, RF, 
safety and security and interface devices, as well as serial EEPROMs, Serial Flash memories and Parallel Flash 
memories.  Microchip also licenses Flash-IP solutions that are incorporated in a broad range of products.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Microchip Technology Incorporated and its wholly-owned 

subsidiaries (Microchip or the Company).  The Company does not have any subsidiaries in which it does not own 100% of the 
outstanding stock.  All of the Company's subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements.  All significant 
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when the earnings process is complete, as evidenced by an agreement with the customer, 

transfer of title as well as fixed or determinable pricing and when collectability is reasonably assured.  The Company 
recognizes revenue from product sales to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) upon shipment and records reserves for 
estimated customer returns.

Distributors worldwide generally have broad price protection and product return rights, so the Company defers revenue 

recognition until the distributor sells the product to their customer.  Revenue is recognized when the distributor sells the 
product to their end customer, at which time the sales price becomes fixed or determinable.  Revenue is not recognized upon 
the Company's shipment to the distributors since, due to discounts from list price as well as price protection rights, the sales 
price is not substantially fixed or determinable at that time.  At the time of shipment to these distributors, the Company records 
a trade receivable for the selling price as there is a legally enforceable right to payment, relieves inventory for the carrying 
value of goods shipped since legal title has passed to the distributor, and records the gross margin in deferred income on 
shipments to distributors on its consolidated balance sheets.

Deferred income on shipments to distributors effectively represents gross margin on the sale to the distributor at the initial 
shipment date; however, the amount of gross margin recognized by the Company in future periods will be less than the deferred 
margin as a result of credits granted to distributors on specifically identified products and customers to allow the distributors to 
earn a competitive gross margin on the sale of the Company's products to their end customers and price protection concessions 
related to market pricing conditions.

The Company sells the majority of the items in its product catalog to its distributors worldwide at a uniform list 

price.  However, distributors resell the Company's products to end customers at a very broad range of individually negotiated 
price points.  The majority of the Company's distributors' resales require a reduction from the original list price paid.  Often, 
under these circumstances, the Company remits back to the distributor a portion of their original purchase price after the resale 
transaction is completed in the form of a credit against the distributors' outstanding accounts receivable balance.  The credits 
are on a per unit basis and are not given to the distributor until they provide information regarding the sale to their end 
customer.  The price reductions vary significantly based on the customer, product, quantity ordered, geographic location and 
other factors and discounts to a price less than the Company's cost have historically been rare.  The effect of granting these 
credits establishes the net selling price from the Company to its distributors for the product and results in the net revenue 
recognized by the Company when the product is sold by the distributors to their end customers.  Thus, a portion of the 
"deferred income on shipments to distributors" balance represents the amount of distributors' original purchase price that will 
be credited back to the distributor in the future.  The wide range and variability of negotiated price concessions granted to 
distributors does not allow the Company to accurately estimate the portion of the balance in the deferred income on shipments 
to distributors account that will be credited back to the distributors.  Therefore, the Company does not reduce deferred income 

F-7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
on shipments to distributors or accounts receivable by anticipated future price concessions; rather, price concessions are 
recorded against deferred income on shipments to distributors when incurred, which is generally at the time the distributor sells 
the product.

At March 31, 2014, the Company had approximately $222.8 million of deferred revenue and $75.0 million in deferred cost 

of sales recognized as $147.8 million of deferred income on shipments to distributors.  At March 31, 2013, the Company had 
approximately $201.8 million of deferred revenue and $62.8 million of deferred cost of sales recognized as $139.0 million of 
deferred income on shipments to distributors.  The deferred income on shipments to distributors that will ultimately be 
recognized in the Company's income statement will be lower than the amount reflected on the balance sheet due to price credits 
to be granted to the distributors when the product is sold to their customers.  These price credits historically have resulted in the 
deferred income approximating the overall gross margins that the Company recognizes in the distribution channel of its 
business.

The Company reduces product pricing through price protection based on market conditions, competitive considerations 
and other factors.  Price protection is granted to distributors on the inventory they have on hand at the date the price protection 
is offered.  When the Company reduces the price of its products, it allows the distributor to claim a credit against its 
outstanding accounts receivable balances based on the new price of the inventory it has on hand as of the date of the price 
reduction.  There is no immediate revenue impact from the price protection, as it is reflected as a reduction of the deferred 
income on shipments to distributors' balance.

Products returned by distributors and subsequently scrapped have historically been immaterial to the Company's 
consolidated results of operations.  The Company routinely evaluates the risk of impairment of the deferred cost of sales 
component of the deferred income on shipments to distributors' account.  Because of the historically immaterial amounts of 
inventory that have been scrapped, and historically rare instances where discounts given to a distributor result in a price less 
than the Company's cost, the Company believes the deferred costs have a low risk of material impairment.

For license and other arrangements for SuperFlash® technology that the Company is continuing to enhance and refine or 
under which it is obligated to provide unspecified enhancements, non-royalty revenue is recognized over the lesser of (1) the 
estimated period that the Company has historically enhanced and developed refinements to the specific technology, typically 
one to three years (the "upgrade period"), and (2) the remaining portion of the upgrade period after the date of delivery of all 
specified technology and documentation, provided that the fee is fixed or determinable and collection of the fee is reasonably 
assured.  Royalties received during the upgrade period are recognized as revenue based on an amortization calculation of the 
elapsed portion of the upgrade period compared to the entire estimated upgrade period.  Royalties received after the upgrade 
period has elapsed are recognized when reported to the Company, which generally coincides with the receipt of payment.  For 
licenses or other technology arrangements without an upgrade period, non-royalty revenue from license is recognized upon 
delivery of the technology if the fee is fixed or determinable and collection of the fee is reasonably assured.  Royalties are 
recognized when reported to the Company, which generally coincides with the receipt of payment.

Shipping charges billed to customers are included in net sales, and the related shipping costs are included in cost of sales.  
The Company collects and remits certain sales related taxes on sales of inventory and reports such amounts under the net method 
in its consolidated statements of income. 

Product Warranty

The Company typically warrants its products against defects in materials and workmanship and non-conformance to 

specifications for 12 to 24 months.  The majority of the Company's product warranty claims are settled through the return of the 
defective product and the shipment of replacement product.  Warranty returns are included within the Company's allowance for 
returns, which is based on historical return rates.  Actual future returns could differ from the allowance established.  In addition, 
the Company accrues a liability for specific warranty costs expected to be settled other than through product return and 
replacement, if a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated.  Product warranty expenses during fiscal 2014, 2013, and 
2012 were immaterial.

Advertising Costs

The Company expenses all advertising costs as incurred.  Advertising costs were immaterial for the fiscal years ended 

March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

F-8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.  Assets purchased to support the Company's ongoing research 
and development activities are capitalized when related to products which have achieved technological feasibility or that have 
alternative future uses and are amortized over their estimated useful lives.  Research and development expenses include 
expenditures for labor, share-based payments, depreciation, masks, prototype wafers, and expenses for development of process 
technologies, new packages, and software to support new products and design environments.

Foreign Currency Translation and Forward Contracts

The Company's foreign subsidiaries are considered to be extensions of the U.S. Company and any translation gains and 
losses related to these subsidiaries are included in other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income.  As the 
U.S. dollar is utilized as the functional currency, gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions (transactions 
denominated in a currency other than the subsidiaries' functional currency) are also included in income.  For a portion of fiscal 
2013, certain foreign subsidiaries acquired as part of the SMSC acquisition had the local currency as the functional currency.  
Once these entities were integrated into the Company's legal structure and intercompany agreements were executed, the U.S. 
dollar became the functional currency.  Gains and losses associated with currency rate changes on forward contracts are 
recorded currently in income.  These gains and losses have been immaterial to the Company's financial statements.

Income Taxes

As part of the process of preparing its consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to estimate its income 

taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates.  This process involves estimating the Company's actual current tax 
exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting 
purposes.  These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within the Company's consolidated 
balance sheet.  The Company must then assess the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable 
income and to the extent it believes that recovery is not likely, it must establish a valuation allowance.  The Company has 
provided valuation allowances for certain of its deferred tax assets where it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of 
such assets, will not be realized.  

Cash and Cash Equivalents

All highly liquid investments, including marketable securities purchased with a remaining maturity of three months or less 

when acquired are considered to be cash equivalents.

Investments – Available-for-Sale and Trading Securities

The Company classifies its investments in debt and marketable equity securities as available-for-sale or trading securities 

based upon management's intent with regard to the investments and the nature of the underlying securities. 

The Company's available-for-sale investments consist of government agency bonds, municipal bonds, auction rate 
securities (ARS), corporate bonds and marketable equity securities.  The Company's investments are carried at fair value with 
unrealized gains and losses reported in stockholders' equity unless losses are considered to be other than temporary 
impairments in which case the losses are recognized through the statement of income.  Premiums and discounts are amortized 
or accreted over the life of the related available-for-sale security.  Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned.  
The cost of securities sold is calculated using the specific identification method. 

The Company includes within short-term investments its trading securities, as well as its income yielding available-for-sale 

securities that can be readily converted to cash and includes within long-term investments those income yielding available-for-
sale securities with maturities of over one year that have unrealized losses attributable to them or those that cannot be readily 
liquidated.  Except as discussed in Note 5, the Company intends and has the ability to hold its long-term investments with 
temporary impairments until such time as these assets are no longer impaired.  Such recovery of unrealized losses is not 
expected to occur within the next year.

F-9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Marketable Equity Investments

The Company's non-marketable equity investments are recorded using adjusted cost basis or the equity method of 
accounting, depending on the circumstances of each investment.  The Company's non-marketable equity investments are 
classified within other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.  The Company's non-marketable equity investments 
include:

Equity Method Investments:  when the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the 
investee, it records equity method gain or loss as "gain or loss from equity investments."  Equity method adjustments include 
the Company's proportionate share of the investee's income or loss.

Cost Method Investments:  when the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee, 

it records such investments at cost.

The Company reviews its investments quarterly for indicators of impairment.  The impairment review requires significant 

judgment and includes quantitative and qualitative analysis of identified events or circumstances that impact the fair value of 
the investment, such as:

• 

• 
• 

• 

• 

the investee's revenue and trends in earnings or losses relative to pre-defined milestones and overall business 
prospects;
the technological feasibility of the investee's products and technologies;
the general market conditions in the investee's industry or geographic area, including adverse regulatory or 
economic changes;
factors related to the investee's ability to remain in business, such as the investee's liquidity, debt ratios, and the 
rate at which the investee is using its cash; and
the investee's receipt of additional funding at a lower valuation.

If the fair value of an investment is below the Company's carrying value, the Company determines if the investment is 
other-than-temporarily impaired based on a quantitative and qualitative analysis, which includes assessing the severity and 
duration of the impairment and the likelihood of recovery before disposal.  If the investment is considered to be other-than-
temporarily impaired, the Company writes down the investment to its fair value.  

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its 

customers to make required payments, which is included in bad debt expense.  The Company determines the adequacy of this 
allowance by regularly reviewing the composition of its accounts receivable aging and evaluating individual customer 
receivables, considering such customer's financial condition, credit history and current economic conditions.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out method.  The Company writes down its 

inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of 
inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions.  If actual 
market conditions are less favorable than those projected by the Company, additional inventory write-downs may be 
required.  Inventory impairment charges establish a new cost basis for inventory and charges are not subsequently reversed to 
income even if circumstances later suggest that increased carrying amounts are recoverable.  In estimating reserves for 
obsolescence, the Company primarily evaluates estimates of demand over a 12-month period and provides reserves for 
inventory on hand in excess of the estimated 12-month demand.  Estimates for projected 12-month demand are generally based 
on the average shipments of the prior three-month period, which are then annualized to adjust for any potential seasonality in 
the Company's business.  The estimated 12-month demand is compared to its most recently developed sales forecast to further 
reconcile the 12-month demand estimate.  Management reviews and adjusts the estimates as appropriate based on specific 
situations.  For example, demand can be adjusted up for new products for which historic sales are not representative of future 
demand.  Alternatively, demand can be adjusted down to the extent any existing products are being replaced or discontinued.

In periods where the Company's production levels are substantially below normal operating capacity, unabsorbed overhead 

production costs associated with the reduced production levels of the Company's manufacturing facilities are charged directly 
to cost of sales.

F-10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost.  Major renewals and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and 

repairs are expensed when incurred.  The Company's property and equipment accounting policies incorporate estimates, 
assumptions and judgments relative to the useful lives of its property and equipment.  Depreciation is provided for assets 
placed in service on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the relative assets, which range from 10 to 30 years 
for buildings and building improvements and 3 to 8 years for machinery and equipment.  The Company evaluates the carrying 
value of its property and equipment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets 
may be impaired.  Asset impairment evaluations are, by nature, highly subjective.

Junior Subordinated Convertible Debentures

The Company separately accounts for the liability and equity components of its junior subordinated convertible debentures 
in a manner that reflects its nonconvertible debt (unsecured debt) borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized.  This results 
in a bifurcation of a component of the debt, classification of that component in equity and the accretion of the resulting 
discount on the debt to be recognized as part of interest expense in its consolidated statements of income.  Lastly, the Company 
includes the dilutive effect of the shares of its common stock issuable upon conversion of the outstanding junior subordinated 
convertible debentures in its diluted income per share calculation regardless of whether the market price trigger or other 
contingent conversion feature has been met.  The Company applies the treasury stock method as it has the intent and ability to 
settle the principal amount of the junior subordinated convertible debentures in cash.  This method results in incremental 
dilutive shares when the average market value of the Company's common stock for a reporting period exceeds the conversion 
price per share which was $25.87 at March 31, 2014 and adjusts as dividends are recorded in the future.

Litigation

The Company's estimated range of liability related to pending litigation is based on claims for which management believes 
a loss is probable and it can estimate the amount or range of loss.  Because of the uncertainties related to both the outcome and 
range of any potential losses on the pending litigation, the Company is generally unable to make a reasonable estimate of the 
liability that could result from an unfavorable outcome.  As additional information becomes available, the Company will assess 
the potential liability related to its pending litigation and revise its estimates, if necessary.

Business Combinations

All of the Company's business combinations are accounted for at fair value under the acquisition method of accounting.  
Under the acquisition method of accounting, (i) acquisition-related costs, except for those costs incurred to issue debt or equity 
securities, will be expensed in the period incurred; (ii) non-controlling interests will be valued at fair value at the acquisition 
date; (iii) in-process research and development will be recorded at fair value as an intangible asset at the acquisition date and 
amortized once the technology reaches technological feasibility; (iv) restructuring costs associated with a business combination 
will be expensed subsequent to the acquisition date; and (v) changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax 
uncertainties after the acquisition date will be recognized through income tax expense or directly in contributed capital.  The 
measurement of fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires significant judgment.  The valuation of intangible 
assets and acquired investments, in particular, requires that the Company use valuation techniques such as the income 
approach.  The income approach includes the use of a discounted cash flow model, which includes discounted cash flow 
scenarios and requires the following significant estimates:  revenue, expenses, capital spending and other costs, and discount 
rates based on the respective risks of the cash flows.  The valuation of non-marketable equity investments acquired also takes 
into account variables such as conditions reflected in the capital markets, recent financing activity by the investees, the 
investees' capital structure and the terms of the investees' issued interests.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill is recorded when the purchase price paid for an acquisition exceeds the estimated fair value of the net identified 

tangible and intangible assets acquired.  The Company is required to perform an annual impairment review, and more 
frequently under certain circumstances.  The goodwill is subjected to this test during the fourth quarter of the Company's fiscal 
year.  The Company engages primarily in the development, manufacture and sale of semiconductor products as well as 
technology licensing.  As a result, the Company concluded there are two reporting units, semiconductor products and 
technology licensing.  Under the qualitative goodwill impairment assessment standard, management evaluates whether it is 
more likely than not that goodwill is impaired.  If it is determined that it is more likely than not, the Company proceeds with 
the next step of the impairment test, which compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value.  If the Company 
determines through the impairment process that goodwill has been impaired, the Company will record the impairment charge in 
F-11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
its results of operation.  Through March 31, 2014, the Company has not had impaired goodwill.  The Company's other 
intangible assets represent existing technologies, core and developed technology, in-process research and development, 
trademarks and trade names, and customer-related intangibles.  Other intangible assets are amortized over their respective 
estimated lives, ranging from one year to ten years.  In the event that facts and circumstances indicate intangibles or other long-
lived assets may be impaired, the Company evaluates the recoverability and estimated useful lives of such assets.  In-process 
research and development is capitalized until such time the related projects are completed or abandoned at which time the 
capitalized amounts will begin to be amortized or written off.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company assesses whether indicators of impairment of long-lived assets are present.  If such indicators are present, 
the Company determines whether the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows attributable to the assets in question is less 
than their carrying value.  If less, the Company recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount of 
the assets over their respective fair values.  Fair value is determined by discounted future cash flows, appraisals or other 
methods.  If the assets determined to be impaired are to be held and used, the Company recognizes an impairment loss through 
a charge to operating results to the extent the present value of anticipated net cash flows attributable to the asset are less than 
the asset's carrying value.  The Company would depreciate the remaining value over the remaining estimated useful life of the 
asset.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company has equity incentive plans under which non-qualified stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs) have 

been granted to employees and non-employee members of the Board of Directors.  In the second half of fiscal 2006, the 
Company adopted RSUs as its primary equity incentive compensation instrument for employees.  The Company also has an 
employee stock purchase plan for all eligible employees.

The Company estimates the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option pricing 
model.  The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense ratably over the 
requisite service periods.  The Company has estimated the fair value of each award as of the date of grant using the Black-
Scholes option pricing model, which was developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting 
restrictions and that are freely transferable.  

Determining the appropriate fair-value model and calculating the fair value of share-based awards at the date of grant 
requires judgment.  The fair value of RSUs is based on the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of 
grant discounted for expected future dividends.  The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair 
value of employee stock options and rights to purchase shares under stock participation plans.  Option pricing models, 
including the Black-Scholes model, also require the use of input assumptions, including expected volatility, expected life, 
expected dividend rate, and expected risk-free rate of return.  The Company uses a blend of historical and implied volatility 
based on options freely traded in the open market as it believes this is more reflective of market conditions and a better 
indicator of expected volatility than using purely historical volatility.  The expected life of the awards is based on historical and 
other economic data trended into the future.  The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on observed interest rates 
appropriate for the expected terms of the Company's awards.  The dividend yield assumption is based on the Company's history 
and expectation of future dividend payouts.  The Company estimates the number of share-based awards which will be forfeited 
due to employee turnover.  Quarterly changes in the estimated forfeiture rate would affect share-based compensation, as the 
impact on prior period amortization for all unvested awards is recognized in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed.  If the 
actual forfeiture rate is higher than the estimated forfeiture rate, then an adjustment is made to increase the estimated forfeiture 
rate, which will result in a decrease to the expense recognized in the financial statements.  If the actual forfeiture rate is lower 
than the estimated forfeiture rate, then an adjustment is made to decrease the estimated forfeiture rate, which will result in an 
increase to the expense recognized in the financial statements.  If forfeiture adjustments are made, they would affect the 
Company's results of operations.  The effect of forfeiture adjustments in the years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was 
immaterial.

The Company evaluates the assumptions used to value its awards on a quarterly basis.  If factors change and the Company 

employs different assumptions, share-based compensation expense may differ significantly from what was recorded in the 
past.  If there are any modifications or cancellations of the underlying unvested securities, the Company may be required to 
accelerate or increase any remaining unearned share-based compensation expense.  Future share-based compensation expense 
and unearned share-based compensation will increase to the extent that the Company grants additional equity awards to 
employees or it assumes unvested equity awards in connection with acquisitions.

F-12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of investments 

in debt securities and trade receivables.  Investments in debt securities with original maturities of greater than six months 
consist primarily of AAA and AA rated financial instruments and counterparties.  The Company's investments are primarily in 
direct obligations of the U.S. government or its agencies, corporate bonds, and municipal bonds.

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are generally not significant due to the diversity of the 
Company's customers and geographic sales areas.  The Company sells its products primarily to OEMs and distributors in the 
Americas, Europe and Asia.  The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and, as 
deemed necessary, may require collateral, primarily letters of credit.

Distributor advances, included in deferred income on shipments to distributors in the consolidated balance sheets, totaled 
$92.8 million at March 31, 2014 and $70.1 million at March 31, 2013.  On sales to distributors, the Company's payment terms 
generally require the distributor to settle amounts owed to the Company for an amount in excess of their ultimate cost.  The 
Company's sales price to its distributors may be higher than the amount that the distributors will ultimately owe the Company 
because distributors often negotiate price reductions after purchasing the product from the Company and such reductions are 
often significant.  It is the Company's practice to apply these negotiated price discounts to future purchases, requiring the 
distributor to settle receivable balances, on a current basis, generally within 30 days, for amounts originally invoiced.  This 
practice has an adverse impact on the working capital of the Company's distributors.  As such, the Company has entered into 
agreements with certain distributors whereby it advances cash to the distributors to reduce the distributor's working capital 
requirements.  These advances are reconciled at least on a quarterly basis and are estimated based on the amount of ending 
inventory as reported by the distributor multiplied by a negotiated percentage.  Such advances have no impact on revenue 
recognition or the Company's consolidated statements of income.  The Company processes discounts taken by distributors 
against its deferred income on shipments to distributors' balance and trues-up the advanced amounts generally after the end of 
each completed fiscal quarter.  The terms of these advances are set forth in binding legal agreements and are unsecured, bear no 
interest on unsettled balances and are due upon demand.  The agreements governing these advances can be canceled by the 
Company at any time.

Use of Estimates

The Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets, liabilities, revenues and 

expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare its consolidated financial statements in conformity 
with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May of 2014 the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update 2014-09-Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which 

will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under US GAAP.  The standard’s core principle is that a 
company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the 
consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company is carefully 
evaluating its existing revenue recognition policies to determine whether any contracts in the scope of the guidance will be 
affected by the new requirements.  The effects may include identifying performance obligations in existing arrangements, 
estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each 
separate performance obligation.  The new standard is effective beginning the first quarter of the Company’s 2018 fiscal year.  
Early adoption is not permitted.  The standard allows for either “full retrospective” adoption, meaning the standard is applied to 
all of the periods presented, or “modified retrospective” adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current 
period presented in the financial statements.  The Company is currently evaluating the transition method that will be elected.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company adopted the provisions of Accounting Standard Update 2013-02 

Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, 
which required the disclosure of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to net income.  
The adoption of this provision did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related 
disclosures.

F-13

 
 
 
 
 
 
2. 

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

On November 21, 2013, the Company completed an acquisition which was accounted for under the acquisition method of 

accounting.  The Company had a prior 18.3% ownership interest in the acquired company accounted for as a cost method 
investment and recognized an approximate $2.4 million gain to write that ownership interest up to fair value in fiscal 2014.  
The total consideration paid for the remaining 81.7% equity of the business, net of cash acquired, was $9.0 million.  The 
purchase price of the acquisition resulted in purchased intangible assets of $4.1 million and goodwill of approximately $6.4 
million.  The purchased intangible assets are being amortized over a weighted average period of approximately 8 years.

On August 2, 2012, the Company acquired SMSC, a publicly traded company based in Hauppauge, New York.  The 
acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting.  The Company retained an independent third-party 
appraiser to assist management in its valuation.  The table below represents the allocation of the purchase price, including 
adjustments to the purchase price allocation from the originally reported figures at March 31, 2013, to the net assets acquired 
based on their estimated fair values as of August 2, 2012.  The purchase price allocation was finalized as of August 2, 2013.  All 
adjustments shown in the table below were recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2013 (amounts in thousands):

Assets acquired
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Deferred tax assets
Other current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net
Long-term investments
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Purchased intangible assets
Other assets
Total assets acquired

Liabilities assumed
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Deferred income on shipments to distributors
Long-term income tax payable
Deferred tax liability
Other liabilities
Total liabilities assumed
Purchase price allocated

Previously Reported
March 31, 2013

Adjustments

March 31, 2014

$

$

180,925
58,441
86,244
5,617
15,843
17,578
35,608
24,275
169,065
10,214
517,800
3,835
1,125,445

(28,035)
(62,038)
(11,376)
(72,781)
(21,079)
(10,535)
(205,844)
919,601

$

— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(3,473)
—
—
—
(3,473)

—
(209)
—
—
4,397
(715)
3,473

$

— $

180,925
58,441
86,244
5,617
15,843
17,578
35,608
24,275
165,592
10,214
517,800
3,835
1,121,972

(28,035)
(62,247)
(11,376)
(72,781)
(16,682)
(11,250)
(202,371)
919,601

On April 18, 2012, the Company acquired Roving Networks, a privately-held company.  The acquisition was accounted for 

under the acquisition method of accounting.  Total consideration paid was approximately $20.6 million.  The acquisition also 
included contingent consideration with an estimated fair value at the date of purchase of approximately $14.7 million.  During 
the year ended March 31, 2013, the fair value of the contingent consideration was increased to $19.1 million with the related 
expense of $4.4 million included in special charges.  During the year ended March 31, 2014, the fair value of the contingent 
consideration was increased further to $20.5 million with the related expense of $1.4 million included in special charges.  The 
contingent consideration was fully paid as of March 31, 2014.  The purchase price of the acquisition resulted in purchased 
intangible assets of approximately $22.8 million and goodwill of approximately $8.7 million which was all allocated to the 
Company's semiconductor products segment.  Purchased intangible assets included $10.6 million of developed technology, 
$10.6 million of customer-related intangibles, $0.3 million of backlog and $1.3 million of in-process research and development.  
The purchased intangible assets (other than in-process technology and backlog) are being amortized over their expected useful 
lives which range between four and ten years.  Backlog was amortized over one year and in-process research and development 

F-14

is capitalized until such time the related projects are completed or abandoned at which time the capitalized amounts will begin 
to be amortized or written off.

On February 9, 2012, the Company acquired Ident Technology AG, a privately-held semiconductor company.  The 
acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting.  Total consideration paid was approximately $39.5 
million.  The purchase price of the acquisition resulted in purchased intangible assets of approximately $18.1 million, of which 
$8.2 million related to in-process technology, and goodwill of approximately $17.4 million which was all allocated to the 
Company's semiconductor products segment.  Goodwill recognized in this transaction is non-deductible.  The purchased 
intangible assets (other than goodwill and the in-process technology intangible asset) are being amortized over a period of 10 
years.

3. 

RECLASSIFICATION OF PRIOR PERIODS

In the quarter ended December 31, 2013, the Company identified an error to the presentation on its consolidated statements 

of cash flows of the amortization of premium of available-for-sale investments.  The Company previously included the 
amortization of the premium as an investing activity.  This amortization is a non-cash expense that should be recorded in the 
adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities.  The Company has corrected this error in the 
current period, and has conformed previous periods to the current presentation.  Based on the Company's evaluation of relevant 
quantitative and qualitative factors, it determined that the classification errors are immaterial to the prior period financial 
statements and the Company plans to correct the comparative presentation of the prior periods in future filings.  The effect on 
net cash provided by operating activities and net cash used in investing activities for the previous periods covered by this report 
are shown below (amounts in thousands):

Cash flows from operating activities

Amortization of premium on available-for-sale investments

$

— $

13,186

$

13,186

Net cash provided by operating activities

446,179

13,186

459,365

Year ended

March 31, 2013

As Reported Adjustment As Adjusted

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchases of available-for-sale investments

Net cash used in investing activities

(985,791)
(936,756)

(13,186)
(13,186)

(998,977)
(949,942)

Year ended

March 31, 2012

As Reported Adjustment As Adjusted

Cash flows from operating activities

Amortization of premium on available-for-sale investments

$

— $

15,520

$

15,520

Net cash provided by operating activities

396,458

15,520

411,978

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchases of available-for-sale investments

Net cash used in investing activities

(1,133,625)
(256,482)

(15,520)
(15,520)

(1,149,145)
(272,002)

F-15

 
This correction does not affect the Company's consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets, 

consolidated statements of comprehensive income or consolidated statements of stockholders' equity for any periods.

4. 

SPECIAL CHARGES

Acquisition Related Expenses

During fiscal 2014, the Company incurred special charges of $3.0 million related to severance, office closing and other 

costs associated with its acquisition activity.  During fiscal 2013, the Company incurred special charges of $32.2 million 
comprised of a $4.4 million net increase in the fair value of contingent consideration related to one of its acquisitions, $16.3 
million of primarily severance-related costs in addition to office closing and other costs associated with the acquisition of 
SMSC and legal settlement costs of approximately $11.5 million for certain legal matters related to SST (which the Company 
acquired in April 2010) in excess of previously accrued amounts.  During fiscal 2012, special charges included a benefit of $0.7 
million of special income comprised of a $1.0 million favorable adjustment to contingent consideration offset by $0.3 million 
of severance-related charges related to a prior year acquisition.  

Patent Licenses

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company agreed to the terms of a patent license with an unrelated third party 
and signed an agreement on March 20, 2012.  The patent license settled alleged infringement claims.  The total payment made 
to the third-party in March 2012 was $2.8 million, $1.5 million of which was expensed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 and 
the remaining $1.3 million was recorded as a prepaid royalty which will be amortized over the remaining life of the patents, 
which expires in December 2018.

5. 

INVESTMENTS 

The Company's investments are intended to establish a high-quality portfolio that preserves principal, meets liquidity 
needs, avoids inappropriate concentrations, and delivers an appropriate yield in relationship to the Company's investment 
guidelines and market conditions.  The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2014 (amounts in 
thousands):

Government agency bonds

Municipal bonds

Auction rate securities

Corporate bonds and debt

Adjusted
Cost

$

684,451

$

41,622

9,825

941,524

Available-for-sale Securities

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Estimated
Fair Value

$

114

101

—

3,247

(3,171) $
(14)
—
(805)
(3,990) $

681,394

41,709

9,825

943,966

1,676,894

$

1,677,422

$

3,462

$

The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2013 (amounts in thousands):

Government agency bonds
Municipal bonds
Auction rate securities
Corporate bonds and debt
Marketable equity securities

Adjusted
Cost

$

$

558,116
25,000
33,459
680,144
5,270
1,301,989

$

$

Available-for-sale Securities

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Estimated
Fair Value

335
146
332
5,137
239
6,189

$

$

(298) $
(8)
—
(159)
—
(465) $

558,153
25,138
33,791
685,122
5,509
1,307,713

F-16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
At March 31, 2014, the Company's available-for-sale debt securities are presented on the consolidated balance sheets as 
short-term investments of $878.2 million and long-term investments of $798.7 million.  At March 31, 2013, the Company’s 
available-for-sale debt securities and marketable equity securities are presented on the consolidated balance sheets as short-
term investments of $1,050.3 million and long-term investments of $257.5 million.

At March 31, 2014, the Company evaluated its investment portfolio and noted unrealized losses of $4.0 million on its debt 

securities with an aggregated fair value of $782.7 million, which were due primarily to higher interest rates and resulting 
declines in market prices.  Management does not believe any of the unrealized losses represent an other-than-temporary 
impairment based on its evaluation of available evidence as of March 31, 2014 and the Company's intent is to hold these 
investments until these assets are no longer impaired, except for certain auction rate securities (ARS).  For those debt securities 
not scheduled to mature until after March 31, 2015, such recovery is not anticipated to occur in the next year and these 
investments have been classified as long-term investments.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of the available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, 

excluding corporate debt of $6.2 million, which has no contractual maturity, are shown below (amounts in thousands).  
Expected maturities can differ from contractual maturities because the issuers of the securities may have the right to prepay 
obligations without prepayment penalties, and the Company views its available-for-sale securities as available for current 
operations.

Available-for-sale

Due in one year or less

Due after one year and through five years

Due after five years and through ten years

Due after ten years

Adjusted
Cost

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Estimated
Fair Value

$

210,129

$

1,234

$

— $

211,363

1,308,844

142,434

9,825

2,228

—

—

$

1,671,232

$

3,462

$

(1,958)
(2,032)
—
(3,990) $

1,309,114

140,402

9,825

1,670,704

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of the available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2013, by maturity, excluding 
marketable equity securities of $5.5 million and corporate debt of $6.2 million, which have no contractual maturity, are shown 
below (amounts in thousands). 

Available-for-sale

Due in one year or less

Due after one year and through five years
Due after five years and through ten years

Due after ten years

Adjusted
Cost

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Estimated
Fair Value

$

350,349

$

1,933

$

795,952
115,901

28,327

3,666
116

235

$

1,290,529

$

5,950

$

(3) $

(212)
(250)
—
(465) $

352,279

799,406
115,767

28,562

1,296,014

The Company had no material realized gains or losses from the sale of available-for-sale marketable equity securities or 

debt securities during the years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012.

6. 

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS 

Accounting rules for fair value clarify that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell 

an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  As such, fair value is a market-
based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or 
liability.  As a basis for considering such assumptions, the Company utilizes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes 
the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

F-17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 1-  Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;
Level 2- 

Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; 
and

Level 3-  Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to 

develop its own assumptions.

Marketable Debt Instruments 

Marketable debt instruments include instruments such as corporate bonds and debt, government agency bonds, bank 
deposits, municipal bonds, and money market fund deposits.  When the Company uses observable market prices for identical 
securities that are traded in less active markets, the Company classifies its marketable debt instruments as Level 2.  When 
observable market prices for identical securities are not available, the Company prices its marketable debt instruments using 
non-binding market consensus prices that are corroborated with observable market data; quoted market prices for similar 
instruments; or pricing models, such as a discounted cash flow model, with all significant inputs derived from or corroborated 
with observable market data.  Non-binding market consensus prices are based on the proprietary valuation models of pricing 
providers or brokers.  These valuation models incorporate a number of inputs, including non-binding and binding broker 
quotes; observable market prices for identical or similar securities; and the internal assumptions of pricing providers or brokers 
that use observable market inputs and, to a lesser degree, unobservable market inputs.  The Company corroborates non-binding 
market consensus prices with observable market data using statistical models when observable market data exists.  The 
discounted cash flow model uses observable market inputs, such as LIBOR-based yield curves, currency spot and forward 
rates, and credit ratings. 

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2014 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Assets

Money market mutual funds

Corporate bonds and debt

Government agency bonds

Deposit accounts

Municipal bonds

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
 Identical
Instruments
(Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
 Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

$

192,159

$

— $

— $

—

—

—

—

937,776

681,394

274,444

41,709

6,190

—

—

—

Total
Balance

192,159

943,966

681,394

274,444

41,709

Auction rate securities
Total assets measured at fair value

—
192,159

$

—
1,935,323

$

$

9,825
16,015

$

9,825
2,143,497

F-18

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2013 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Assets

Money market mutual funds

Marketable equity securities

Corporate bonds and debt

Government agency bonds

Deposit accounts

Municipal bonds

Auction rate securities

Total assets measured at fair value

Liabilities

Contingent consideration

Total liabilities measured at fair value

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for 
Identical 
Instruments
(Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

Total
Balance

$

100,878

$

5,509

— $

—

—

—

—

—

—

678,932

558,153

427,456

25,138

—

— $

100,878

—

6,190

—

—

—

33,791

5,509

685,122

558,153

427,456

25,138

33,791

$

$

$

106,387

$

1,689,679

$

39,981

$

1,836,047

— $

— $

— $

— $

19,100

19,100

$

$

19,100

19,100

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during fiscal 2014 or fiscal 2013.

At March 31, 2014, the Company's ARS for which auctions were unsuccessful are made up of securities related to the 
insurance industry valued at $9.8 million with a par value of $22.4 million.  At March 31, 2013, the Company's ARS for which 
auctions were unsuccessful were made up of bonds related to the insurance industry valued at $9.8 million, securities related to 
the energy and telecommunications sectors valued at $5.3 million, and student loan securities valued at $18.7 million.

The Company estimated the fair value of its ARS, which are classified as Level 3 securities, based on the following: (i) the 

underlying structure of each security; (ii) the present value of future principal and interest payments discounted at rates 
considered to reflect current market conditions; (iii) consideration of the probabilities of default, auction failure, or repurchase 
at par for each period; and (iv) estimates of the recovery rates in the event of default for each security.  The significant 
unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the insurance sector ARS as of March 31, 2014 were estimated risk 
free discount rates, liquidity risk premium, and the liquidity horizon.  The risk free discount rate applied to these securities was 
2% to 2.5% adjusted for the liquidity risk premium which ranged from 9.1% to 29.5%. The anticipated liquidity horizon ranged 
from 7 to 10 years.  A significant increase in the liquidity premium or discount rate, in isolation, would lead to a significantly 
lower fair value measurement.  A significant increase in the liquidity horizon, in isolation, would lead to a significantly lower 
fair value measurement.  Each quarter the Company investigates material changes in the fair value measurements of its ARS. 

Level 3 liabilities at March 31, 2013 include contingent consideration from the Company's Roving Networks acquisition, 

which was fully paid as of March 31, 2014.

The following tables present a reconciliation for all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, 

excluding accrued interest components, using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended March 31, 2014 and 
March 31, 2013 (amounts in thousands):

F-19

 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended March 31, 2014

Balance at March 31, 2013

Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):

Included in earnings

Included in other comprehensive income

Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net

Balance at March 31, 2014

Auction Rate
 Securities

Corporate
Debt

$

33,791

$

6,190

Contingent
Consideration
(19,100)

$

Total Gains
(Losses)

$

—

1,101
(332)
(24,735)
9,825

$

—

—

—

(1,370)
—

20,470

$

6,190

$

— $

(269)
(332)
—
(601)

Year ended March 31, 2013

Balance at March 31, 2012

Total gains (losses) (realized and unrealized):

Included in earnings

Included in other comprehensive income

Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net

Acquisition-related

Balance at March 31, 2013

Auction Rate
Securities

Corporate
Debt

Contingent
Consideration

Total Gains
(Losses)

$

10,246

$

4,625

$

— $

—

(412)
332
(650)
24,275

—

—
1,565

—

$

33,791

$

6,190

$

(4,400)
—
—
(14,700)
(19,100) $

(4,813)
332
—

—
(4,481)

Gains and losses recognized in earnings using Level 3 inputs for auction rate securities are credited or charged to Other 
Income (Expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Income.  Gains and losses recognized in earnings using Level 3 inputs 
related to the revaluation of contingent consideration are credited or charged to Special Charges on the Consolidated Statements 
of Income.

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are presented/classified on the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 

2014 as follows (amounts in thousands):

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term investments

Long-term investments

Total assets measured at fair value

Quoted Prices
 in Active
Markets for
Identical
Instruments
(Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

Total
Balance

$

$

192,159

$

274,444

$

—

—

878,182

782,697

— $

—

16,015

466,603

878,182

798,712

192,159

$

1,935,323

$

16,015

$

2,143,497

F-20

 
 
 
 
 
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are presented/classified in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 

2013 as follows (amounts in thousands):

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term investments

Long-term investments

Total assets measured at fair value

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Instruments
(Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 (Level 3)

Total
Balance

$

$

100,878

$

427,456

$

— $

528,334

—

5,509

1,050,263

211,960

—

39,981

1,050,263

257,450

106,387

$

1,689,679

$

39,981

$

1,836,047

Financial Assets Not Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The Company's non-marketable equity and cost method investments are not recorded at fair value on a recurring 

basis.  These investments are monitored on a quarterly basis for impairment charges.  The investments will only be recorded at 
fair value when an impairment charge is recognized.  During the years ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, the 
Company recognized impairment charges of $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively, on these investments.  These 
investments are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.

7. 

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The carrying amount of cash equivalents approximates fair value because their maturity is less than three months.  
Management believes the carrying amount of the equity and cost-method investments materially approximated fair value at 
March 31, 2014 based upon unobservable inputs.  The fair values of these investments have been determined as Level 3 fair 
value measurements.  The fair values of the Company's line of credit and short-term and long-term borrowings are estimated 
using discounted cash flow analyses, based on the Company's current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of 
borrowing arrangements and approximate carrying value.  Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for 
bank loans with similar terms and average maturities, the fair value of the Company's line of credit and long-term borrowings at 
March 31, 2014 approximated book value and are considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy described in Note 6.  The 
carrying amount of accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximates fair value due to the short-term 
maturity of the amounts.  The fair value of the Company's junior subordinated convertible debentures was $2.138 billion at 
March 31, 2014 and $1.639 billion at March 31, 2013 based on observable market prices for these debentures, which are traded 
in less active markets and are therefore classified as a Level 2 fair value measurement.

8. 

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Accounts receivable consists of the following (amounts in thousands):

Trade accounts receivable

Other

Less allowance for doubtful accounts

March 31, 2014

March 31, 2013

$

$

243,383

$

1,940

245,323

2,918

242,405

$

230,469

2,250

232,719

2,764

229,955

F-21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9. 

INVENTORIES

The components of inventories consist of the following (amounts in thousands):

Raw materials
Work in process
Finished goods

March 31, 2014

March 31, 2013

$

$

9,734
179,692
73,299
262,725

$

$

9,020
181,750
51,564
242,334

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out method.  Inventory impairment charges 

establish a new cost basis for inventory and charges are not subsequently reversed to income even if circumstances later 
suggest that increased carrying amounts are recoverable.

10.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment consists of the following (amounts in thousands):

Land

Building and building improvements

Machinery and equipment

Projects in process

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

March 31, 2014

March 31, 2013

$

$

55,624

$

411,149

1,465,255

68,991

2,001,019

1,469,052

531,967

$

47,102

396,611

1,377,814

76,158

1,897,685

1,383,141

514,544

Depreciation expense attributed to property, plant and equipment was $89.7 million, $88.3 million and $86.4 million for 

the fiscal years ending March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

11. 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

Intangible assets consist of the following (amounts in thousands):

March 31, 2014
Accumulated
Amortization Net Amount
285,447
$
86,630
8,612
—
64,396
414
—
445,499

(117,222) $
(109,170)
(7,118)
(24,610)
—
(5,171)
(400)
(263,691) $

$

Developed technology
Customer-related
Trademarks and trade names
Backlog
In-process technology
Distribution rights
Covenants not to compete

Gross
Amount

402,669
195,800
15,730
24,610
64,396
5,585
400
709,190

$

$

F-22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Developed technology
Customer-related
Trademarks and trade names
Backlog
In-process technology
Distribution rights
Covenants not to compete

Gross
Amount

375,006
194,500
15,730
24,610
78,968
5,236
400
694,450

$

$

March 31, 2013
Accumulated
Amortization Net Amount
305,899
$
125,978
11,789
7,300
78,968
135
67
530,136

(69,107) $
(68,522)
(3,941)
(17,310)
—
(5,101)
(333)
(164,314) $

$

The Company amortizes intangible assets over their expected useful lives, which range between 1 and 15 years.  In fiscal 

2014, the Company acquired $12.7 million of developed technology which has a weighted average amortization period of 
11 years, $1.3 million of customer-related intangible assets which has a weighted average amortization period of 5 years, $0.3 
million of distribution rights which has a weighted average amortization period of 10 years and $0.8 million of in-process 
technology which will begin amortization once the technology reaches technological feasibility.  The following is an expected 
amortization schedule for the intangible assets for fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2019, absent any future acquisitions or impairment 
charges (amounts in thousands):

Year ending
March 31,
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019

Projected Amortization
Expense

$132,951
91,711
61,997
46,724
38,730

Amortization expense attributed to intangible assets was $99.4 million, $115.8 million and $13.0 million for fiscal years 

2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  In fiscal 2014, approximately $4.7 million was charged to cost of sales and approximately 
$94.7 million was charged to operating expenses.  In fiscal 2013, approximately $3.9 million was charged to cost of sales and 
approximately $111.9 million was charged to operating expenses.  In fiscal 2012, $1.4 million was charged to cost of sales and 
$11.6 million was charged to operating expenses.  The Company recognized impairment charges of $0.4 million in fiscal 2014.  
The Company found no indication of impairment of its intangible assets in fiscal 2013 or 2012.

Goodwill activity for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 was as follows (amounts in thousands):

Balance at March 31, 2012
Additions due to the acquisition of SMSC

Additions due to the acquisition of Roving Networks

Additions due to contingent consideration payments
Balance at March 31, 2013
Adjustments due to the acquisition of SMSC

Additions due to other acquisitions
Additions due to contingent consideration payments
Balance at March 31, 2014

Semiconductor 
Products
Reporting Unit
74,313
$
169,065

Technology
Licensing
Reporting Unit
19,200
$
—

8,652

118
252,148
(3,473)
8,111
111
256,897

$

$

—

—
19,200
—

—
—
19,200

In fiscal 2014, the Company completed several acquisitions which resulted in goodwill of approximately $8.1 million 
which was allocated to the semiconductor products reporting unit.  Also, during fiscal 2014, the Company made adjustments to 
the purchase price allocation of its SMSC acquisition of approximately $3.5 million.  

F-23

 
 
 
 
In fiscal 2013, the Company acquired SMSC and Roving Networks.  The SMSC acquisition resulted in approximately 

$169.1 million of goodwill which was allocated to the semiconductor products reporting unit.  The Roving Networks 
acquisition resulted in approximately $8.7 million of goodwill which was allocated to the semiconductor products reporting 
unit.

At March 31, 2014, $256.9 million of goodwill was recorded in the Company's semiconductor products reporting unit and 
$19.2 million was recorded in the Company's technology licensing reporting unit.  At March 31, 2014, the Company applied a 
qualitative goodwill impairment screen to its two reporting units, concluding it was not more likely than not that goodwill was 
impaired.  Through March 31, 2014, the Company has never recorded an impairment charge against its goodwill balance.

12.  ACCRUED LIABILITIES 

Accrued liabilities consist of the following (amounts in thousands):

Acquisition related contingent consideration

Other accrued expenses

13. 

INCOME TAXES

March 31, 2014

March 31, 2013

$

$

— $

96,731

96,731

$

19,100

108,008

127,108

The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions.  The Company files U.S. federal, 
U.S. state, and foreign income tax returns.  For U.S. federal, and in general for U.S. state tax returns, the fiscal 2011 and later 
tax years remain open for examination by tax authorities.  The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is currently auditing 
Microchip and SMSC's 2011 and 2012 tax years.  For foreign tax returns, the Company is generally no longer subject to 
income tax examinations for years prior to fiscal 2006.

Significant judgment is required in evaluating the Company's uncertain tax positions and determining its provision for 

income taxes.  Although the Company believes that it has appropriately reserved for its uncertain tax positions, no assurance 
can be given that the final tax outcome of these matters will not be different than expectations.  The Company will adjust these 
reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the closing of a tax audit, the refinement of an estimate, the 
closing of a statutory audit period or changes in applicable tax law.  To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is 
different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the provision for income taxes in the period in which such 
determination is made.  The provision for income taxes includes the impact of reserve provisions and changes to the reserves 
that are considered appropriate, as well as related net interest.

The Company recognizes liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues in the U.S. and other domestic and international tax 

jurisdictions based on its estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional tax payments are more likely than not.  The 
Company believes that it has appropriate support for the income tax positions taken and to be taken on its tax returns and that 
its accruals for tax liabilities are adequate for all open years based on an assessment of many factors including past experience 
and interpretations of tax law applied to the facts of each matter.  

The Company believes it maintains appropriate reserves to offset any potential income tax liabilities that may arise upon 
final resolution of matters for open tax years.  If such reserve amounts ultimately prove to be unnecessary, the resulting reversal 
of such reserves would result in tax benefits being recorded in the period the reserves are no longer deemed necessary.  If such 
amounts prove to be less than an ultimate assessment, a future charge to expense would be recorded in the period in which the 
assessment is determined.  Although the timing of the resolution and/or closure of audits is highly uncertain, the Company does 
not believe that it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits would materially change in the next 12 months.

F-24

 
 
 
The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company's gross unrecognized tax benefits from April 1, 2011 

to March 31, 2014 (amounts in thousands):

Beginning balance
Increases related to acquisitions
Decreases related to settlements with tax authorities
Decreases related to statute of limitation expirations
Increases related to current year tax positions
Increases related to prior year tax positions
Ending balance

$

$

Year Ended March 31,
2013

2014
152,845
341
(15,016)
(4,069)
14,669
1,108
149,878

$

$

70,490
45,624
—
(5,751)
42,328
154
152,845

$

$

2012

58,125
—
—
(2,153)
11,992
2,526
70,490

As of March 31, 2014, the Company had accrued approximately $0.3 million related to the potential payment of interest on 
the Company's uncertain tax positions.  As of March 31, 2013, the Company had accrued approximately $3.2 million related to 
the potential payment of interest on the Company's uncertain tax positions.  Interest was included in the provision for income 
taxes.  The Company has accrued for approximately $29.7 million and $30.6 million in penalties related to its uncertain tax 
positions related to its international locations as of March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, respectively.  Interest and penalties 
charged or (credited) to operations during the years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 related to the Company's uncertain 
tax positions were $0.2 million, $0.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

The income tax provision consists of the following (amounts in thousands):

Current expense:
Federal
State
Foreign
Total current
Deferred expense (benefit):
Federal
State
Foreign
Total deferred

Year Ended March 31,
2013

2012

2014

$

$

$

$

992
64
30,697
31,753

14,445
929
(10,054)
5,320
37,073

$

$

33,856
2,350
16,950
53,156

(16,004)
(1,111)
(11,253)
(28,368)
24,788

$

$

7,611
544
21,174
29,329

14,942
1,067
(2,348)
13,661
42,990

The tax benefit associated with the Company's equity incentive plans reduced taxes currently payable by $1.4 million and 

$11.0 million for the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2012, respectively.  These amounts were credited to additional paid-in 
capital in each of these fiscal years.  There was no tax benefit associated with the Company's equity incentive plans for the year 
ended March 31, 2013.  

F-25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal tax rate to income 
before income taxes.  The sources and tax effects of the differences in the total income tax provision are as follows (amounts in 
thousands):

Computed expected income tax provision
State income taxes, net of federal benefits
Research and development tax credits - current year
Research and development tax credits - prior years
Foreign income taxed at lower than the federal rate
Increases related to current and prior year tax positions
Decreases related to prior year tax positions (1)
Withholding taxes
Other

$

$

Year Ended March 31,
2013

2014
151,324
686
(4,875)
1,600
(116,003)
16,809
(14,581)
6,212
(4,099)
37,073

$

$

53,262
(2,054)
(8,263)
(3,347)
(61,377)
44,661
(7,154)
7,267
1,793
24,788

$

$

2012
132,894
1,280
(3,750)
(5,894)
(97,169)
14,518
(2,153)
6,995
(3,731)
42,990

(1) The release of prior year tax positions during fiscal 2014 increased each of the current year basic and diluted net 
income per common share by $0.07.  The release of prior year tax positions during fiscal 2013 increased the current 
year basic and diluted net income per common share by $0.04 and $0.03, respectively.  The release of prior year tax 
positions during fiscal 2012 increased each of the current year basic and diluted net income per common share by 
$0.01.

Pretax income from foreign operations was $404.1 million, $234.3 million and $328.5 million for the years ended 
March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Unremitted foreign earnings that are considered to be permanently invested 
outside the U.S., and on which no deferred taxes have been provided, amounted to approximately $2.4 billion at March 31, 
2014.  The Company has the ability and intent to indefinitely reinvest its foreign earnings.  Should the Company elect in the 
future to repatriate a portion of the foreign earnings so invested, the Company would incur income tax expense on such 
repatriation, net of any available deductions and foreign tax credits.  This would result in additional income tax expense beyond 
the computed effective tax rate in such periods.

During the year ended March 31, 2014, the Company settled an IRS examination of fiscal years 2009 and 2010.  In 
addition, the Company benefited from the expiration of the statute of limitations and other releases related to previously 
accrued tax reserves.  The total tax benefit associated with these items resulted in a reduction of income tax provision of 
approximately $14.6 million and a decrease in the effective tax rate of 3.4%.

In January 2013, the U.S. Congress retroactively reinstated the research and development tax credit from January 1, 
2012.  As a result, the Company recognized a one-time tax benefit of $8.1 million in the year ended March 31, 2013 related to 
the reinstatement of the credit for calendar year 2012.

F-26

 
 
 
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities 

are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Deferred tax assets:
Deferred intercompany profit
Deferred income on shipments to distributors
Inventory valuation
Net operating loss carryforward
Share-based compensation
Income tax credits
Accrued expenses and other
Gross deferred tax assets
Valuation allowances
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation
Junior convertible debentures
Other
Deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax liability

Reported as:

Current deferred tax assets
Non-current deferred tax liability
Net deferred tax liability

March 31,

2014

2013

$

$

9,623
28,596
6,072
110,598
24,494
124,395
28,227
332,005
(93,811)
238,194

13,679
28,776
9,148
77,959
27,757
112,686
17,241
287,246
(88,637)
198,609

(1,942)
(530,338)
(13,740)
(546,020)

(8,515)
(486,878)
(10,779)
(506,172)
$ (307,826) $ (307,563)

$

$

67,490
(375,316)

80,687
(388,250)
$ (307,826) $ (307,563)

In addition to the deferred tax assets listed above, the Company has unrecorded tax benefits of $29.8 million attributable to 

the difference between the amount of the financial statement expense and the allowable tax deduction associated with share-
based compensation.  As a result of net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards, the Company was not able to recognize the excess 
tax benefits of share-based compensation deductions because the deductions did not reduce income tax payable.  Although not 
recognized for financial reporting purposes, this unrecorded tax benefit is available to reduce future income and is incorporated 
into the disclosed amounts of the Company's federal and state NOL carryforwards, discussed below.  If subsequently realized, 
the benefit will be recorded to contributed capital. 

The Company had federal, state and foreign NOL carryforwards with an estimated tax effect of $110.6 million available at 

March 31, 2014.  The federal and state NOL carryforwards expire at various times between 2015 and 2034.  The Company 
believes that it is more likely than not that the benefit from certain foreign and state NOL carryforwards will not be realized.  In 
recognition of this risk, at March 31, 2014, the Company has provided a valuation allowance of $20.5 million.  The Company 
also has state tax credits with an estimated tax effect of $54.3 million available at March 31, 2014.  These state tax credits 
expire at various times between 2015 and 2034.  The Company believes that it is more likely than not that the full benefit from 
these state tax credits will not be realized, and therefore has provided a valuation allowance of $51.4 million.  The Company 
has U.S. foreign tax credits with an estimated tax effect of $21.9 million that expire at various times between 2015 and 
2024.  The Company believes it is more likely than not that the benefit from these credits will not be fully realized and has 
provided a valuation allowance of $21.8 million.  At March 31, 2014, the Company had credits for increasing research activity 
in the amount of $44.4 million that expire at various times between 2021 and 2034.  In addition, the Company had $3.7 million 
of alternative minimum tax credits that do not expire.  At March 31, 2014, the Company had alternative minimum tax NOL 
carryforwards of approximately $308.0 million that expire between 2032 and 2034.

F-27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company's Thailand manufacturing operations currently benefit from numerous tax holidays granted to the Company 
based on its investment in property, plant and equipment in Thailand.  The Company's tax holiday periods in Thailand expire at 
various times in the future, however, the Company actively seeks to acquire new tax holidays.  The Company does not expect 
the future expiration of any of its tax holiday periods in Thailand to have a material impact on its effective tax rate.  The 
aggregate dollar benefits derived from these tax holidays approximated $16.8 million, $12.0 million and $6.5 million in fiscal 
2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The benefit the tax holiday had on diluted net income per share approximated $0.08 in 
fiscal 2014, $0.06 in fiscal 2013 and $0.03 in fiscal 2012.

On September 13, 2013, the IRS and the Treasury Department released final regulations under Section 162(a) and 263(a) 

on the deduction and capitalization of expenditures related to tangible property. The new regulations apply to tax years 
beginning on or after January 1, 2014; therefore they had no material impact on fiscal 2014. The Company believes that no 
material impact will result from these new regulations (specifically given the Company’s NOL position), but the Company is in 
the process of evaluating the full impact of these changes.

14. 

2.125% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES

The Company's $1.15 billion principal amount of 2.125% junior subordinated convertible debentures due December 15, 
2037, are subordinated in right of payment to any future senior debt of the Company and are effectively subordinated in right of 
payment to the liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries.  The debentures are convertible, subject to certain conditions, into 
shares of the Company's common stock at an initial conversion rate of 29.2783 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal 
amount of debentures, representing an initial conversion price of approximately $34.16 per share of common stock.  As of 
March 31, 2014, the holders of the debentures have the right to convert their debentures between April 1, 2014 and June 30, 
2014 because for at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on March 31, 2014, the 
Company's common stock had a last reported sale price greater than 130% of the conversion price.  As of March 31, 2014, a 
holder could realize more economic value by selling its debentures in the over the counter market than from converting its 
debentures.  As a result of cash dividends paid since the issuance of the debentures, the conversion rate has been adjusted to 
38.6588 shares of common stock per $1,000 of principal amount of debentures, representing a conversion price of 
approximately $25.87 per share of common stock.  The debentures include a contingent interest mechanism that begins in 
December 2017.  The terms of the contingent interest include a 0.25% interest rate if the debentures are trading at less than $40 
and 0.5% if the debentures are trading at greater than $150.  Based on the current trading price of the debentures the contingent 
interest rate in calendar year 2017 would be 0.5%.

As the debentures can be settled in cash upon conversion, for accounting purposes, the debentures were bifurcated into a 
liability component and an equity component, which are both initially recorded at fair value.  The carrying value of the equity 
component at March 31, 2014 and at March 31, 2013 was $822.4 million.  The estimated fair value of the liability component 
of the debentures at the issuance date was $327.6 million, resulting in a debt discount of $822.4 million.  The unamortized debt 
discount was $777.2 million at March 31, 2014 and $786.2 million at March 31, 2013.  The carrying value of the debentures 
was $371.9 million at March 31, 2014 and $363.4 million at March 31, 2013.  The remaining period over which the 
unamortized debt discount will be recognized as non-cash interest expense is 23.75 years.  In the years ended March 31, 2014, 
2013 and 2012 the Company recognized $9.0 million, $8.2 million  and $7.5 million, respectively, in non-cash interest expense 
related to the amortization of the debt discount.  The Company recognized $24.4 million of interest expense related to the 
2.125% coupon on the debentures in each of fiscal 2014, fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012. 

15.  CREDIT FACILITY

On June 27, 2013, the Company entered into a $2.0 billion credit agreement among the Company, the lenders from time to 

time that are parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the Credit Agreement).  The Credit 
Agreement provides for a $350 million term loan and a $1.65 billion revolving credit facility, with a $125 million foreign 
currency sublimit, a $35 million letter of credit sublimit and a $25 million swingline loan sublimit, terminating on June 27, 
2018 (the Maturity Date).  The Credit Agreement also contains an increase option permitting the Company, subject to certain 
requirements, to arrange with existing lenders and/or new lenders for them to provide up to an aggregate of $300 million in 
additional commitments, which may be for revolving loans or term loans.  Proceeds of loans made under the Credit Agreement 
may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.  The Credit Agreement replaced another credit agreement the 
Company had in place since August 2011.  At March 31, 2014, $650.0 million of borrowings were outstanding under the Credit 
Agreement consisting of $300 million of a revolving line of credit and $350 million of a term loan, net of $1.1 million of debt 
discount resulting from amounts paid to the lenders.  The repayment schedule for the term loan portion of the Credit Agreement  
outstanding at March 31, 2014 is as follows (amounts in thousands):

F-28

 
 
Year Ending March 31,
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Total

Amount

17,500
17,500
35,000
35,000
245,000
350,000

$

$

The loans under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company's option, at the base rate plus a spread of 0.25% to 
1.25% or an adjusted LIBOR rate (based on one, two, three, or six-month  interest periods) plus a spread of 1.25% to 2.25%, in 
each case with such spread being determined based on the consolidated leverage ratio for the preceding four fiscal quarter 
period.  The base rate means the highest of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.'s prime rate, the federal funds rate plus a margin equal 
to 0.50% and the adjusted LIBOR rate for a 1-month interest period plus a margin equal to 1.00%.  Swingline loans accrue 
interest at a per annum rate based on the base rate plus the applicable margin for base rate loans.  Base rate loans may only be 
made in U.S. Dollars.  The Company is also obligated to pay other administration fees and letter of credit fees for a credit 
facility of this size and type.

Interest is due and payable in arrears quarterly for loans bearing interest at the base rate and at the end of an interest period 
(or at each three month interval in the case of loans with interest periods greater than three months) in the case of loans bearing 
interest at the adjusted LIBOR rate.  Interest expense related to the Credit Agreement was approximately $14.6 million in fiscal 
2014.  Interest expense related to the Company's prior credit agreement was approximately $7.0 million in fiscal 2013 and 
approximately $3.3 million in fiscal 2012.  Principal, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, is due and payable on the 
Maturity Date.  The weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings outstanding at March 31, 2014 related to the credit 
agreement was 1.65%.  The Company also pays a quarterly commitment fee on the available but unused portion of its line of 
credit which is calculated on the average daily available balance during the period.  The Company may prepay the loans and 
terminate the commitments, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty, subject to certain conditions including 
minimum amounts in the case of commitment reductions and reimbursement of certain costs in the case of prepayments of 
LIBOR loans.

The Company's obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of its subsidiaries meeting materiality 
thresholds set forth in the Credit Agreement.  To secure the Company's obligations under the Credit Agreement, the Company 
and its domestic subsidiaries will be required to pledge the equity securities of certain of their respective material subsidiaries, 
subject to certain exceptions and limitations.  

The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that limit or restrict the 

Company and its subsidiaries' ability to, among other things, incur subsidiary indebtedness, grant liens, merge or consolidate, 
dispose of assets, make investments, make acquisitions, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, pay dividends or make 
distributions, repurchase stock, enter into restrictive agreements and enter into sale and leaseback transactions, in each case 
subject to customary exceptions for a credit facility of this size and type.  The Company is also required to maintain compliance 
with a consolidated leverage ratio and a consolidated interest coverage ratio.  At March 31, 2014, the Company was in 
compliance with these covenants.

The Credit Agreement includes customary events of default that include, among other things, non-payment defaults, 

inaccuracy of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross default to material indebtedness, bankruptcy and 
insolvency defaults, material judgment defaults, ERISA defaults and a change of control default.  The occurrence of an event of 
default could result in the acceleration of the obligations under the Credit Agreement.  Under certain circumstances, a default 
interest rate will apply on all obligations during the existence of an event of default under the Credit Agreement at a per annum 
rate equal to 2.00% above the applicable interest rate for any overdue principal and 2.00% above the rate applicable for base 
rate loans for any other overdue amounts.

F-29

16.  CONTINGENCIES

In the ordinary course of the Company's business, it is involved in a limited number of legal actions, both as plaintiff and 

defendant, and could incur uninsured liability in any one or more of them.  The Company also periodically receives 
notifications from various third parties alleging infringement of patents, intellectual property rights or other matters.  With 
respect to pending legal actions to which the Company is a party, although the outcomes of these actions are not generally 
determinable, the Company believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on its 
financial position, cash flows or results of operations.  Litigation relating to the semiconductor industry is not uncommon, and 
the Company is, and from time to time has been, subject to such litigation.  No assurances can be given with respect to the 
extent or outcome of any such litigation in the future.

The Company's technology license agreements generally include an indemnification clause that indemnifies the licensee 
against liability and damages (including legal defense costs) arising from any claims of patent, copyright, trademark or trade 
secret infringement by the Company's proprietary technology.  The terms of these indemnification provisions approximate the 
terms of the outgoing technology license agreements, which are typically perpetual unless terminated by either party for breach.  
The possible amount of future payments the Company could be required to make based on agreements that specify 
indemnification limits, if such indemnifications were required on all of these agreements, is approximately $129 million.  There 
are some licensing agreements in place that do not specify indemnification limits.  The Company had not recorded any 
liabilities related to these indemnification obligations as of March 31, 2014.

Contingent liabilities in the amount of $13.0 million were recorded in connection with the Company's April 8, 2010 
acquisition of Silicon Storage Technology Inc. (SST) as an adverse outcome was determined to be probable and estimable.  
One of the contingent liabilities associated with the SST acquisition was resolved in fiscal 2013 with legal settlement costs of 
approximately $11.5 million in excess of previously accrued amounts, which were expensed as special charges in the statement 
of income.  At March 31, 2014, $5.7 million of the original contingent liabilities recorded were still outstanding.

17. 

STOCK REPURCHASE ACTIVITY

On December 11, 2007, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to 10.0 

million shares of its common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.  As of March 31, 2014, the 
Company had repurchased 7.5 million shares under this authorization for $234.7 million.  There is no expiration date associated 
with this program.

During the years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company did not purchase any of its shares of common stock. 

18.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company maintains a contributory profit-sharing plan for its domestic employees meeting certain eligibility and 
service requirements.  The plan qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and allows 
employees to contribute up to 60% of their base salary, subject to maximum annual limitations prescribed by the IRS.  The 
Company has a discretionary matching contribution program.  All matches are provided on a quarterly basis and require the 
participant to be an active employee at the end of each quarter.  For fiscal 2014, the Company contributions to the plan totaled 
$3.6 million.  For fiscal 2013, the Company contributions to the plan totaled $0.8 million.  For fiscal 2012, the Company 
contributions to the plan totaled $1.6 million. 

The Company's 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the 2001 Purchase Plan) became effective on March 1, 2002.  The 

Board of Directors approved the 2001 Purchase Plan in May 2001 and the stockholders approved it in August 2001.  Under the 
2001 Purchase Plan, eligible employees of the Company may purchase shares of common stock at semi-annual intervals 
through periodic payroll deductions.  The purchase price in general will be 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the 
common stock on the first day of the participant's entry date into the offering period or of the fair market value on the semi-
annual purchase date.  Depending upon a participant's entry date into the 2001 Purchase Plan, purchase periods under the 2001 
Purchase Plan consist of overlapping periods of either 24, 18, 12 or 6 months in duration.  In May 2003 and August 2003, the 
Company's Board and stockholders, respectively, each approved an annual automatic increase in the number of shares reserved 
under the 2001 Purchase Plan.  The automatic increase took effect on January 1, 2005, and on each January 1 thereafter during 
the term of the plan, and is equal to the lesser of (i) 1,500,000, (ii) one half of one percent (0.5%) of the then outstanding shares 
of the Company's common stock, or (iii) such lesser amount as is approved by Board of Directors.  Upon the approval of the 
Board of Directors, there were no shares added under the 2001 Purchase Plan on January 1, 2014 or January 1, 2013 based on 
the automatic increase provision.  On January 1, 2012, an additional 960,269 shares were reserved under the 2001 Purchase 

F-30

 
 
 
Plan based on the automatic increase.  Since the inception of the 2001 Purchase Plan, 11,277,862 shares of common stock have 
been reserved for issuance and 5,641,704 shares have been issued under this purchase plan.

During fiscal 1995, a purchase plan was adopted for employees in non-U.S. locations.  Such plan provided for the purchase 

price per share to be 100% of the lower of the fair market value of the common stock at the beginning or end of the semi-
annual purchase plan period.  Effective May 1, 2006, the Company's Board approved a purchase price per share equal to 85% 
of the lower of the fair market value of the common stock at the beginning or end of the semi-annual purchase plan 
period.  Since the inception of this purchase plan, 1,500,285 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance and 
830,277 shares have been issued under this purchase plan.

Effective January 1, 1997, the Company adopted a non-qualified deferred compensation arrangement.  This plan is 

unfunded and is maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of highly 
compensated employees as defined in ERISA Sections 201, 301 and 401.  There are no Company matching contributions made 
under this plan.

In connection with the acquisition of SMSC, the Company assumed an unfunded Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan 
("SERP"), which provides former SMSC senior management with retirement, disability and death benefits.  An amendment to 
the SERP was executed on November 3, 2009, freezing the benefit level for existing participants as of February 28, 2010 and 
closing the SERP to new participants.  As of March 31, 2014, the projected benefit obligation is $6.3 million.  Annual benefit 
payments and contributions under this plan are expected to be approximately $0.8 million in fiscal 2015 and approximately 
$4.5 million cumulatively in fiscal 2016 through fiscal 2024.

The Company has management incentive compensation plans which provide for bonus payments, based on a percentage of 

base salary, from an incentive pool created from operating profits of the Company, at the discretion of the Board of 
Directors.  During fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, $24.4 million, $12.0 million and $7.8 million were charged against operations 
for these plans, respectively.

The Company also has a plan that, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, provides a cash bonus to all employees of 
the Company based on the operating profits of the Company.  During fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, $15.2 million, $4.3 million 
and $3.2 million, respectively, were charged against operations for this plan.

19.  EQUITY INCENTIVE PLANS

Share-Based Compensation Expense

The following table presents the details of the Company's share-based compensation expense (amounts in thousands):

Year Ended March 31,

2014

2013

2012

Cost of sales
Research and development
Selling, general and administrative

Pre-tax effect of share-based compensation

Income tax benefit

$

7,340 (1) $
24,554  
21,893  

53,787  

5,722  

8,234 (1) $
22,178  
27,603  

58,015  

9,038  

Net income effect of share-based compensation

$

48,065  

$

48,977  

$

5,648 (1)
14,719
17,922

38,289

4,889

33,400

(1) During the year ended March 31, 2014, $7.4 million of share-based compensation expense was capitalized to 
inventory, and $7.3 million of previously capitalized share-based compensation expenses in inventory was 
sold.  During the year ended March 31, 2013, $5.9 million of share-based compensation expense was capitalized to 
inventory, and $8.2 million of previously capitalized share-based compensation expense in inventory was sold.  
During the year ended March 31, 2012, $6.6 million of share-based compensation expense was capitalized to 
inventory, and $5.6 million of previously capitalized share-based compensation expense in inventory was sold.

F-31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The amount of unearned share-based compensation currently estimated to be expensed in the remainder of fiscal 2015 
through fiscal 2019 related to unvested share-based payment awards at March 31, 2014 is $83.5 million.  The weighted average 
period over which the unearned share-based compensation is expected to be recognized is approximately 2.01 years.

SMSC Acquisition-related Equity Awards

In connection with the acquisition of SMSC in fiscal 2013, the Company recognized $7.8 million in share-based 

compensation expense due to the accelerated vesting of outstanding equity awards upon termination of certain SMSC executive 
officers.  Also, in connection with the acquisition of SMSC, the Company assumed certain unvested stock options, stock 
appreciation rights (SARs) and RSUs granted by SMSC. The assumed awards were measured at the acquisition date based on 
the estimated fair value, which was a total of $28.2 million.  The Hull White II lattice model was used to value the assumed 
awards.  A portion of that fair value, $6.9 million, which represented the preacquisition vested service provided by employees 
to SMSC, was included in the total consideration transferred as part of the acquisition.  As of the acquisition date, the 
remaining portion of the fair value of those awards was $21.3 million, representing post-acquisition stock-based compensation 
expense that would be recognized as these employees provide service over the remaining vesting periods.

Combined Incentive Plan Information

RSU share activity under the 2004 Plan is set forth below:

Nonvested shares at April 1, 2011

Granted

Forfeited/expired

Vested

Nonvested shares at March 31, 2012

Granted

Assumed upon acquisition

Forfeited/expired

Vested

Nonvested shares at March 31, 2013

Granted

Forfeited/expired

Vested

Nonvested shares at March 31, 2014

Number of Shares

5,241,306

1,627,191
(184,926)
(1,191,351)
5,492,220

1,976,583

523,043
(370,196)
(1,611,819)
6,009,831

1,616,632
(282,964)
(1,813,465)
5,530,034

The total intrinsic value of RSUs which vested during the years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $74.6 million, 

$54.4 million and $43.7 million, respectively.  The aggregate intrinsic value of RSUs outstanding at March 31, 2014 was 
$264.1 million, calculated based on the closing price of the Company's common stock of  $47.76 per share on March 31, 
2014.  At March 31, 2014, the weighted average remaining expense recognition period was 2.07 years.

The weighted average fair value per share of the RSUs awarded is calculated based on the fair market value of the 

Company's common stock on the respective grant dates discounted for the Company's expected dividend yield.  The weighted 
average fair value per share of RSUs awarded in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $34.24, $29.92 and $30.48, respectively. 

F-32

 
Stock option and SAR activity under the Company's stock incentive plans in the three years ended March 31, 2014 is set 

forth below:

Outstanding at April 1, 2011

Granted

Exercised

Canceled

Outstanding at March 31, 2012

Granted

Assumed upon acquisition

Exercised

Canceled

Outstanding at March 31, 2013

Granted

Exercised

Canceled

Outstanding at March 31, 2014

Number of 
Shares

5,496,924

$

—
(2,129,260)
(6,667)
3,360,997

—

827,707
(1,638,548)
(280,353)
2,269,803

—
(1,675,663)
(20,529)
573,611

$

Weighted Average 
Exercise Price 
per Share

25.21

—

25.53

25.05

25.00

—

19.32

22.19

19.90

25.58

—

25.91

22.78

24.75

The total intrinsic value of options and SARs exercised during the years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $25.5 

million, $19.0 million and $26.7 million, respectively.  This intrinsic value represents the difference between the fair market 
value of the Company's common stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price of each equity award.

The aggregate intrinsic value of options and SARs outstanding at March 31, 2014 was $13.2 million.  The aggregate 

intrinsic value of options and SARS exercisable at March 31, 2014 was $12.4 million.  The aggregate intrinsic values were 
calculated based on the closing price of the Company's common stock of $47.76 per share on March 31, 2014.

As of March 31, 2014 and 2013, the number of option and SARs shares exercisable was 543,435 and 1,922,644, 

respectively, and the weighted average exercise price per share was $25.03 and $26.77, respectively.

20.  COMMITMENTS

The Company leases office space, transportation and other equipment under operating leases which expire at various dates 
through March 31, 2020.  The future minimum lease commitments under these operating leases at March 31, 2014 were as follows 
(amounts in thousands):

Year Ending March 31,
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Thereafter
Total minimum payments

Amount

12,415
11,498
8,550
6,076
3,326
399
42,264

$

$

Rental expense under operating leases totaled $21.5 million, $20.3 million and $15.1 million for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, 

respectively.

F-33

 
 
 
 
Commitments for construction or purchase of property, plant and equipment totaled $42.8 million as of March 31, 2014, all 
of which will be due within the next year.  Other purchase obligations and commitments totaled approximately $32.7 million as 
of March 31, 2014.  Other purchase obligations and commitments include payments due under various types of licenses and 
approximately $31.6 million of outstanding purchase commitments with the Company's wafer foundries for delivery in fiscal 
2015.

21.  GEOGRAPHIC AND SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company's reporting segments include semiconductor products and technology licensing.  The Company does not 
allocate operating expenses, interest income, interest expense, other income or expense, or provision for or benefit from income 
taxes to these segments for internal reporting purposes, as the Company does not believe that allocating these expenses is 
beneficial in evaluating segment performance.  Additionally, the Company does not allocate assets to segments for internal 
reporting purposes as it does not manage its segments by such metrics.

The following table represents revenues and gross profit for each segment (amounts in thousands):

Semiconductor products

Technology licensing

Years ended March 31,

2014

2013

2012

Net
Sales
$ 1,836,639

Gross Profit
$ 1,034,165

Net Sales
$ 1,497,820

Gross Profit
754,656
$

Net Sales
$ 1,296,175

Gross Profit
712,798
$

94,578

94,578

83,803

83,803

87,001

86,496

$ 1,931,217

$ 1,128,743

$ 1,581,623

$

838,459

$ 1,383,176

$

799,294

The Company sells its products to distributors and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in a broad range of market 

segments, performs on-going credit evaluations of its customers and, as deemed necessary, may require collateral, primarily 
letters of credit.  The Company's operations outside the U.S. consist of product assembly and final test facilities in Thailand, 
and sales and support centers and design centers in certain foreign countries.  Domestic operations are responsible for the 
design, development and wafer fabrication of products, as well as the coordination of production planning and shipping to meet 
worldwide customer commitments.  The Company's Thailand assembly and test facility is reimbursed in relation to value added 
with respect to assembly and test operations and other functions performed, and certain foreign sales offices receive 
compensation for sales within their territory.  Accordingly, for financial statement purposes, it is not meaningful to segregate 
sales or operating profits for the assembly and test and foreign sales office operations.  Identifiable long-lived assets (consisting 
of property, plant and equipment net of accumulated amortization) by geographic area are as follows (amounts in thousands):

United States
Thailand
Various other countries
Total long-lived assets

March 31,

2014

2013

$

$

311,926
179,139
40,902
531,967

$

$

325,326
171,100
18,118
514,544

Sales to unaffiliated customers located outside the U.S., primarily in Asia and Europe, aggregated approximately 84%, 
83% and 82% of consolidated net sales for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Sales to customers in Europe represented 
21%, 22% and 23% of consolidated net sales for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Sales to customers in Asia 
represented 60%, 58% and 56% of consolidated net sales for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Within Asia, sales into 
China, including Hong Kong, represented 29%, 27% and 24% of consolidated net sales for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, 
respectively.  Sales into Taiwan represented 13% of consolidated net sales in each of fiscal 2014 and 2013.  Sales into Taiwan 
represented 15% of consolidated net sales for fiscal 2012.  Sales into any other individual foreign country did not exceed 10% 
of the Company's net sales for any of the years presented.

No single end customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company's net sales during fiscal 2014, 2013 or 2012.  Future 
Electronics, one of the Company's distributors, accounted for approximately 10% of the Company's net sales in fiscal 2012.  
These net sales are reported in the semiconductor products segment.  No other distributor accounted for 10% or more of the 
Company's net sales in fiscal 2014 or fiscal 2013.

F-34

 
 
 
22.  DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

The Company has international operations and is thus subject to foreign currency rate fluctuations.  To help manage the 

risk of changes in foreign currency rates, the Company periodically enters into derivative contracts comprised of foreign 
currency forward contracts to hedge its asset and liability foreign currency exposure and a portion of its foreign currency 
operating expenses.  Approximately 99% of the Company's sales are U.S. Dollar denominated.  To date, the exposure related to 
foreign exchange rate volatility has not been material to the Company's operating results.  As of March 31, 2014, the Company 
had no foreign currency forward contracts outstanding.  As of March 31, 2013, the Company had a foreign currency forward 
contract outstanding with a notional amount of $6.0 million to economically hedge certain balance sheet exposures related to 
the Japanese yen.  The fair value of this contract was immaterial as of March 31, 2013.  The Company recognized an 
immaterial amount of net realized gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts in the years ended March 31, 2014, 
2013 and 2012.  Gains and losses from changes in the fair value of these foreign currency forward contracts are credited or 
charged to Other Income (Expense).  The Company does not apply hedge accounting to its foreign currency derivative 
instruments. 

23.  NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share (in thousands, except per 

share amounts):

Net income
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Dilutive effect of stock options and RSUs
Dilutive effect of convertible debt
Weighted average common and potential common shares outstanding
Basic net income per common share
Diluted net income per common share

Year ended March 31,

2014
395,281
198,291
3,910
15,429
217,630
1.99
1.82

$

$
$

2013
127,389
194,595
3,650
7,531
205,776
0.65
0.62

$

$
$

2012
336,705
191,283
4,207
8,029
203,519
1.76
1.65

$

$
$

Diluted net income per common share for fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012 includes 15,429,003, 7,531,111 and 8,029,255 
shares, respectively, issuable upon the exchange of debentures (see Note 14).  The debentures have no impact on diluted net 
income per common share unless the average price of the Company's common stock exceeds the conversion price because the 
principal amount of the debentures will be settled in cash upon conversion.  Prior to conversion, the Company will include, in 
the diluted net income per common share calculation, the effect of the additional shares that may be issued when the 
Company's common stock price exceeds the conversion price using the treasury stock method.  The weighted average 
conversion price per share used in calculating the dilutive effect of the convertible debt for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 was 
$26.32, $27.36 and $28.50, respectively. 

Weighted average common shares exclude the effect of option shares which are not dilutive.  There were no antidilutive option 
shares for fiscal 2014.  For fiscal 2013 and 2012, the number of option shares that were antidilutive was 98,068 and 53,374, 
respectively. 

F-35

 
 
24.  QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)

The following table presents the Company's selected unaudited quarterly operating results for the eight quarters ended 
March 31, 2014.  The Company believes that all adjustments of a normal recurring nature have been made to present fairly the 
related quarterly results (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Fiscal 2014
Net sales
Gross profit
Operating income
Net income
Diluted net income per common share

Fiscal 2013
Net sales
Gross profit
Operating income
Net income (loss)
Diluted net income (loss) per common share

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

$

$

462,792
266,574
98,401
78,579
0.37

First
Quarter

352,134
204,797
96,333
78,710
0.39

$

$

492,669
288,863
117,508
99,806
0.46

Second
Quarter

383,298
194,195
8,094
(21,184)
(0.10)

$

$

482,372
282,720
116,918
105,401
0.48

Third
Quarter

416,047
200,428
17,413
10,173
0.05

$

$

493,384
290,586
126,037
111,495
0.50

Fourth
Quarter

430,144
239,039
56,713
59,690
0.28

Total
$ 1,931,217
1,128,743
458,864
395,281
1.82

Total
$ 1,581,623
838,459
178,553
127,389
0.62

Refer to Note 4, Special Charges, for an explanation of the special charges included in operating income in fiscal 2014 and 

fiscal 2013.

25. 

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Cash paid for income taxes amounted to $25.7 million, $21.4 million and $20.1 million during fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, 

respectively.  Cash paid for interest on borrowings amounted to $34.6 million in fiscal 2014, $28.8 million in fiscal 2013 and 
$24.4 million in fiscal 2012.

A summary of additions and deductions related to the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended March 31, 2014, 

2013 and 2012 follows (amounts in thousands):

Allowance for doubtful accounts:
2014
2013
2012

Balance at 
Beginning
of Year

Charged to
Costs and 
Expenses

Deductions (1)

Balance at
End of Year

$

$

2,764
2,602
2,838

$

245
516
7

(91) $
(354)
(243)

2,918
2,764
2,602

(1) Deductions represent uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.

F-36

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) for the 

years ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013:

Year ended March 31, 2014

Balance at March 31, 2013
Other comprehensive (loss) income before
reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive (loss) income
Net other comprehensive (loss) income

Unrealized
Holding Gains
(Losses)
Available-for-
sale Securities
5,444
$

Minimum
Pension
Liability

Foreign
Currency

Total

$

52

$

1,439

$

6,935

(4,377)

(1,595)

(5,972)

88

—

88

—

—

—

(4,289)

(1,595)

(5,884)

1,051

Balance at March 31, 2014

$

(528) $

140

$

1,439

$

Year ended March 31, 2013

Balance at March 31, 2012
Other comprehensive income before
reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income
Net other comprehensive income

Balance at March 31, 2013

Unrealized
Holding Gains
(Losses)
Available-for-
sale Securities

Minimum
Pension
Liability

Foreign
Currency

Total

$

$

3,101

$

— $

— $

2,686

(343)

2,343

5,444

$

52

—

52

52

1,439

—

1,439

$

1,439

$

3,101

4,177

(343)

3,834

6,935

The table below details where reclassifications of realized transactions out of AOCI are recorded on the Consolidated 

Statements of Income.

Description of AOCI Component
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale
securities

Taxes
Reclassification of realized transactions, net
of taxes

$

$

26.  DIVIDENDS

Year ended March 31,

2014

2013

2012

Related Statement of
Income Line

2,371

$

394

$

157 Other income

(776)

(51)

(Provision) benefit
for income taxes

58

1,595

$

343

$

215 Net Income

On October 28, 2002, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had approved and instituted a quarterly cash 
dividend on its common stock.  The Company has continued to pay quarterly dividends and has increased the amount of such 
dividends on a regular basis.  Cash dividends paid per share were $1.417, $1.406 and $1.390 during fiscal 2014, 2013 and 
2012, respectively.  Total dividend payments amounted to $281.2 million , $273.8 million and $266.2 million during fiscal 
2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

F-37

27. 

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Completion of Acquisition of Supertex Inc.

On April 1, 2014, the Company closed its acquisition of Supertex Inc.  Upon the closing of the acquisition, each share of 
common stock of Supertex was canceled and automatically converted into the right to receive $33.00 in cash without interest 
and less any applicable withholding taxes.  The amount of cash paid by the Company, net of cash and short-term investments 
from Supertex of approximately $155.8 million, was approximately $234.2 million.  The Company financed the transaction 
using borrowings under its existing credit agreement.  Supertex is a leader in high voltage analog and mixed-signal products for 
the medical, lighting and industrial control markets.  Supertex is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California and has offices, 
manufacturing and research facilities in California and Hong Kong.

Announcement of Signing of Definitive Agreement to Acquire ISSC

On May 22, 2014, the Company announced a definitive agreement to acquire ISSC Technologies Corporation (ISSC), a 
leading provider of low power Bluetooth and advanced wireless solutions for the Internet Of Things (IoT) market.   ISSC is 
publicly traded on the GreTai Securities Market and is headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan with sales or research subsidiaries in 
Shenzhen, China and Torrance, California.  Under the terms of the transaction, the Company will commence a tender offer 
through its indirect wholly owned Cayman Island subsidiary (the "Cayman Subsidiary") to acquire all of the outstanding shares 
of ISSC for approximately $4.74 per share ($143 New Taiwan (NT) dollars per share, based on an assumed exchange rate of 
NT$30.15 per U.S. dollar) in cash, and acquire any remaining shares pursuant to a follow-on merger at approximately $4.74 per 
share minus any dividends paid by ISSC prior to the close of the transaction. The transaction represents a total equity value of 
about $328.5 million (approximately NT$9.9 billion), and a total enterprise value of about $294.3 million (approximately NT
$8.9 billion), after excluding ISSC’s cash and investments on its balance sheet of approximately $34.2 million (approximately 
NT$1.0 billion).  Upon completion of the tender offer through the Cayman Subsidiary, the Company will own the majority of 
the outstanding shares of ISSC and will consolidate ISSC’s financial statements. 

F-38

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