Quarterlytics / Technology / Semiconductors / Microchip

Microchip

mchp · NASDAQ Technology
Claim this profile
Ticker mchp
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Technology
Industry Semiconductors
Employees 10,000+
← All annual reports
FY2017 Annual Report · Microchip
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
Table of Contents

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

SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant

Check the appropriate box:

Preliminary proxy statement.
Confidential, for use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)).
Definitive Proxy Statement.
Definitive Additional Materials.
Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12.

Microchip Technology Incorporated
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
____________________________________________________________________
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (check the appropriate box):

No fee required.
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1)

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the
amount on which the fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

Total fee paid:

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for
which the offsetting fee was paid previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the
Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Amount Previously Paid:

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

Filing Party:

Date Filed:

Table of Contents

TIME:
PLACE:

ITEMS OF
BUSINESS:

RECORD DATE:

ANNUAL REPORT:

PROXY:

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

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
August 22, 2017 

9:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time
Microchip Technology Incorporated
2355 W. Chandler Boulevard
Chandler, Arizona 85224-6199

(1) The election of each of Steve Sanghi, Matthew W. Chapman, L.B. Day, Esther L.

Johnson and Wade F. Meyercord to our Board of Directors to serve for the ensuing year
and until their successors are elected and qualified.

(2) To approve the amendment and restatement of our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan to (i)

increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance thereunder by
6,000,000, (ii) re-approve the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan for purposes of Internal
Revenue Code Section 162(m), and (iii) make certain other changes as set forth in the
amended and restated plan.

(3) To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public

accounting firm of Microchip for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.

(4) To hold an advisory (non-binding) vote regarding the compensation of our named

executives.

(5) To hold an advisory (non-binding) vote regarding the frequency of holding an advisory

vote on the compensation of our named executives.

(6) 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
(1) through (4), and for a frequency period of one year on item (5).

Holders of Microchip common stock of record at the close of business on June 28, 2017 are
entitled to vote at the annual meeting.
Microchip's fiscal 2017 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.

/s/ Kim van Herk

Kim van Herk
Secretary

Table of Contents

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

of Stockholders to be Held on August 22, 2017 

The Microchip Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
ended March 31, 2017 are available at www.microchip.com/annual_reports.

Chandler, Arizona
July 13, 2017

Table of Contents

PROXY STATEMENT

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

PROPOSAL ONE - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

PROPOSAL TWO - APPROVAL OF AMENDED AND RESTATED 2004 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

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

PROPOSAL FOUR - APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

PROPOSAL FIVE - APPROVAL OF FREQUENCY PERIOD OF ADVISORY COMPENSATION VOTE

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 BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

OTHER MATTERS

1

4

9

9

10

12

22

24

25

26

28

39

52

54

54

Table of Contents

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

PROXY STATEMENT

You are cordially invited to attend our annual meeting on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, beginning at 9:00 a.m., Mountain 

Standard Time.  The annual meeting will be held at our Chandler facility located at 2355 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ 
85224-6199.

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 2017 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 2017 refer to the 

12-month period from April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017; references to fiscal 2016 refer to the 12-month period from 
April 1, 2015 through March 31, 2016; and references to fiscal 2015 refer to the 12-month period from April 1, 2014 through 
March 31, 2015.

We anticipate first mailing this proxy statement and accompanying form of proxy on July 13, 2017 to holders of record 

of Microchip's common stock on June 28, 2017 (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

Table of Contents

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, June 28, 2017, 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 232,723,905 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 22, 2017, 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 Three 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.  

Approval of Microchip's Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (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 to (i) increase the number of shares of our common stock authorized 
for issuance thereunder by 6,000,000, (ii) re-approve the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and (iii) make certain other changes as set forth in the amended and 
restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan.  Abstentions will have the same effect as voting against this proposal.  Broker "non-votes" 
are not counted for purposes of approving this matter, and thus will not affect the outcome of the voting on such proposal.

2

Table of Contents

Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (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 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, 2018.  Abstentions will have 
the same effect as voting against this proposal. 

Advisory Vote Regarding the Compensation of our Named Executives (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 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 this matter, and thus will not affect the outcome of the voting on such proposal.

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

A plurality of the votes duly cast is required to indicate, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the frequency of 

stockholder voting on the compensation of our named executive officers (i.e., the selection receiving the greatest number of 
votes will be the advisory election).  Abstentions and broker "non-votes" will be treated as if no vote were cast with respect to 
this proposal.

Electronic Access to Proxy Statement and Annual Report

This proxy statement and our fiscal 2017 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

Table of Contents

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Meetings of the Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors met six times in fiscal 2017.  Each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) the 

total number of the meetings of the Board of Directors held during fiscal 2017 during such time as such person was a director, 
and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all of the committees of the Board of Directors on which he or she served during 
fiscal 2017 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, 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.

Board Oversight of Risk Management

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.  As part of this process, our Compensation Committee concluded that our compensation policies and 
practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Microchip.  

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, cyber security, IT system continuity, products and employees.  
The Board and the Audit Committee also receive periodic reports on Microchip's efforts to manage such risks through safety 
measures, system improvements, 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 2017:

4

Table of Contents

Mr. Chapman

Mr. Day

Ms. Johnson

Mr. Meyercord

Mr. Sanghi

MEMBERSHIP ON BOARD COMMITTEES IN FISCAL 2017 

Name

Audit

C

Compensation

Nominating
and Governance

C

2

C

10

Meetings held in fiscal 2017

8

C  =  Chair

  =  Member

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 which was amended and restated as of May 15, 2015.  A copy of the Audit Committee 
charter is available at the About Us/Investor Relations section under Mission Statement/Corporate Governance 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 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/Investor Relations section 
under Mission Statement/Corporate Governance 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 15, 2015.  The committee charter is available at the About Us/Investor Relations 
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 28.

5

Table of Contents

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/Investor Relations section under Mission 
Statement/Corporate Governance 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 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; Discretionary Authority to Vote on Stockholder Proposals" at page 54.  
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 

fiscal 2016 annual meeting of stockholders on August 15, 2016.

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/Investor Relations section under Mission Statement/
Corporate Governance 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 2017 was compatible 
with maintaining the independence of Ernst & Young LLP. 

6

Table of Contents

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, 2017 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, 2017 for filing with the 
SEC.

By the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors:

Matthew W. Chapman (Chairman)

Esther L. Johnson

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 November 14, 2016, non-employee directors receive an annual retainer of $71,500, paid in quarterly 
installments, and $3,000 for each meeting attended in person.  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
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 day of the second month of our fiscal quarter in which the grant is made.

7

Table of Contents

In addition, upon the date of our 2015 annual meeting, each individual who had served as a non-employee director for 
at least five years on that date and was elected by the stockholders to serve as a member of the Board of Directors at that annual 
meeting (i.e., Messrs. Chapman, Day and Meyercord) was granted that number of RSUs equal to $100,000 (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 day of the second month of our fiscal quarter in which the grant was 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 15, 2016, each of Mr. Chapman, Mr. Day, Ms. Johnson and 

Mr. Meyercord was granted 1,372 RSUs. 

The following table details the total compensation for Microchip's non-employee directors for fiscal 2017:

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Name

Steve Sanghi (2)

Matthew W. Chapman

L.B. Day

Esther L. Johnson

Wade F. Meyercord

Fees
Earned or 
Paid
in Cash

Stock
Awards(1)

Option
Awards

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation

All Other
Compensation

Total

$

— $

— $

— $

— $

— $

—

80,250

80,250

80,250

80,250

80,131

80,131

80,131

80,131

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

160,381

160,381

160,381

160,381

(1)  The stock award of 1,372 RSUs to each of the directors on August 15, 2016 had a fair value on the grant date of $58.40 
per share and a market value on the grant date of $61.21 per share with an aggregate market value of each award of 
approximately $84,000. 

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

his service as a member of the Board of Directors.

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 2017 
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 2017, 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

Table of Contents

CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

During fiscal 2017, 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 2017, 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 2017 except that Mr. Sanghi filed one late 
Form 4 in November 2016 with respect to one transaction; Mr. Moorthy filed one late Form 4 in October 2016 with respect to 
one transaction, and Mr. Meyercord filed one late Form 4 in August 2016 with respect to one transaction. 

9

Table of Contents

PROPOSAL ONE

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board currently consists of five directors:  Steve Sanghi, Matthew W. Chapman, L.B. Day, Esther L. Johnson and 

Wade F. Meyercord.  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 2018 annual 

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

Vote Required; Board 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 unanimously recommends that stockholders vote FOR the nominees listed below.

Information on Nominees for Director (as of June 30, 2017)

Name

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

Age

61
66
72
65
76

Position(s) Held

Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board
Director
Director
Director
Director

Steve Sanghi has served as Chief Executive Officer since October 1991, and Chairman of the Board since October 

1993.  He served as President from August 1990 to February 2016 and has served as a director since August 1990.  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.  From May 2007 
until April 2016, Mr. Sanghi served as a director of FIRST Organization, a not-for-profit public charity founded in 1989 to 
develop young people's interest in science and technology.  From October 2013 through July 2014 when Hittite Microwave 
Corporation, a publicly held semiconductor company, was acquired, Mr. Sanghi was a member of the Board of Directors of 
Hittite Microwave Corporation.  In November 2016, Mr. Sanghi joined the Board of Directors of Myomo, Inc., a commercial 
stage medical robotics company that offers expanded mobility for those suffering from neurological disorders and upper-limb 
paralysis.

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 25 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 25 years and to the strong position Microchip has attained in its key markets.

10

Table of Contents

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

Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Evaluation Association, a not-for-profit education services organization providing 
computer adaptive testing for millions of students throughout the United States and in 140 other countries.  In his career, 
Mr. Chapman has served as CEO and 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 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.  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.  The Board of Directors also 
recognizes Ms. Johnson's experience in financial matters.  The Board of Directors believes that Ms. Johnson's background 
makes her well suited to serve on the Board of Directors' audit committee and nominating and governance committee.

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

Table of Contents

PROPOSAL TWO

APPROVAL OF AMENDED AND RESTATED 2004 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

Our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") was initially approved by our stockholders in August 2004.  The Plan 

provides for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards (which may be granted in the form of 
restricted stock or restricted stock units ("Restricted Stock Units" or "RSUs")), performance shares, performance units, and 
deferred stock units to our employees and consultants as well as for automatic grants of RSUs to the non-employee members of 
our Board of Directors. 

Our Board of Directors is asking our stockholders to approve amending and restating the Plan to (i) increase the 
number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 6,000,000, and (ii) make certain other changes, 
including (x) providing that the gross shares pursuant to stock appreciation rights granted under the Plan (i.e., the shares 
actually issued pursuant to a stock appreciation right as well as the shares that represent payment of the exercise price and any 
applicable tax withholdings) will not be available for future grant or sale under the Plan; (y) adding a requirement that no award 
that vests on the basis of an individual’s continuous service with us will vest earlier than one year following the date of grant, 
except with respect to 5% of the maximum number of shares issuable under the Plan; and (z) clarifying that there will be no 
right for a participant to receive dividends until the shares subject to stock appreciation rights are issued and there will be no 
right for a participant to receive dividends until the restrictions on shares of restricted stock lapse.  We are also asking our 
stockholders to re-approve the material terms of the Plan so that we can (i) continue to have the ability to grant equity awards 
that constitute "performance-based compensation" for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) ("Section 162(m)"), 
and (ii) grant certain French-qualified RSUs.  Our Board of Directors believes that in order for us to remain competitive amidst 
the changing equity compensation landscape, we must be able to continue to use equity compensation arrangements to help us 
achieve our goal of attracting, retaining and motivating our personnel.  We believe that, as amended and restated, the Plan will 
be an essential element of our competitive compensation package. 

Reasons for Voting for this Proposal

Long-Term Equity is a Key Component of our Compensation Strategy.  

Our compensation strategy is to compensate our personnel in a manner that retains the highly talented employees 

necessary to manage and staff our business in an innovative and competitive industry.  Our employees are our most valuable 
asset and we strive to provide them with compensation packages that are competitive, reward personal and company 
performance, and help meet our retention needs.  We believe that equity awards, the value of which depends on our stock 
performance and which require continued service over time before any value can be realized, help achieve these objectives and 
are a key element to achieving our compensation goals.  Equity awards also reinforce employees' incentives to manage our 
business as owners, aligning employees' interests with those of our stockholders.  We believe we must continue to use equity 
compensation on a broad basis to help attract, retain, and motivate employees to continue to grow our business.  As of 
March 31, 2017, there were approximately 7,240 employees (including executive officers), consultants, and non-employee 
directors who held outstanding equity awards granted under the Plan.  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.

Requested Share Reserve Increase is Reasonable and Required to Meet our Forecasted Needs.  

When we most recently increased the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under the Plan in 
2012, we believed the shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the Plan would be sufficient to enable us to 
grant equity awards until 2017.  This estimate was based on forecasts that took into account our anticipated rate in growth in 
hiring, an estimated range of our stock price over time, and our anticipated burn rates.  

12

Table of Contents

Our Board of Directors believes it is necessary to reserve additional shares of our common stock under the Plan to 

meet our anticipated equity compensation needs for the next several years.   When determining the increase in the number of 
shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the Plan, our Board considered that we must be able to continue to use 
equity compensation arrangements to help us achieve our goal of attracting, retaining and motivating our personnel.  Our Board 
also considering the following:

•  As of March 31, 2017, the number of shares of common stock that remained available for issuance under 
the Plan was 7,274,275, and we had 229,397,877 shares of common stock outstanding.   As of such date, 
the outstanding equity awards under the Plan covered a total of 6,031,346 shares of our common stock, 
which consisted of (i) 5,981,292 shares subject to outstanding RSUs which were subject to vesting 
restrictions and (ii) 50,054 shares subject to outstanding options. 

• 

In fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, our usage of shares of our common stock for our stock plans as 
a percentage of our outstanding stock (i.e., our “burn rate”) was 0.61%, 1.09% and 0.60%, respectively.  
Our burn rate was calculated by dividing the number of shares subject to awards granted during the fiscal 
year by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the fiscal year.  Our average annual burn 
rate over this three-year period was 0.77%.

•  Our Board of Directors anticipates that the proposed share increase to the Plan will be sufficient for us to 
continue granting equity awards under the Plan through at least 2022 based on our average burn rate over 
the past three fiscal years.  We are unable to predict our actual burn rate which will depend on a number of 
factors including the competitive dynamics for attracting, retaining and motivating our current and future 
employees, our future stock price, the impact of any future acquisitions we may make, any changes in tax 
laws, any changes in accounting rules related to share-based compensation and other factors.  In particular, 
our Board considered that upon the closing of an acquisition (such as our acquisition of Atmel), we have 
typically assumed certain outstanding stock awards under the equity plans of the target company and such 
awards do not reduce the share reserve under Microchip's Plan.  However, future equity awards to 
employees who join Microchip as a result of an acquisition will be made under the Plan and will reduce the 
share reserve under the Plan. 

Our Board of Directors approved the amended and restated Plan on May 16, 2017.  If stockholders approve this 

proposal, the amended and restated Plan will become effective as of the date of stockholder approval.  If stockholders do not 
approve this proposal, our ability to attract and retain the individuals necessary to drive our performance and increase long-term 
stockholder value will be limited, as the Plan will continue to be administered in its current form and the share increase will not 
take effect. 

The Plan Includes Compensation and Governance Best Practices

The Plan includes provisions that are considered best practices for compensation and corporate governance purposes.  

These provisions protect our stockholders' interest, as follows:

• 

• 

Administration.  The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, which consists entirely of 
independent non-employee directors. 

Repricing or Exchange Programs are Not Allowed.  The Plan does not permit outstanding options or stock 
appreciation rights to be repriced or exchanged for other awards.

•  Minimum Vesting Requirements.  In general, awards vesting on the basis of an individual's continuous 

service with us will vest in full no earlier than the one-year anniversary of the grant date, although up to 
5% of the shares reserved in the Plan may be granted without this minimum vesting requirement.

• 

• 

Limited Transferability.  Awards under the Plan generally may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, 
or otherwise encumbered, unless otherwise approved by the administrator.

No Tax Gross-ups.  The Plan does not provide for any tax gross-ups.

13

Table of Contents

• 

No Dividends on Unvested Restricted Stock.  The Plan provides that a participant has no right to receive 
dividends on restricted stock until the restrictions on shares of restricted stock lapse.

Approving the Plan Allows Us to Grant Certain Tax-Qualified Awards under Section 162(m)

The approval of the Plan also is intended to give us, if we deem appropriate or desirable, the continued ability to grant 

awards that are intended to allow us to deduct in full for federal income tax purposes the compensation recognized by certain 
executive officers in connection with certain awards that may be granted to them under the Plan.  Section 162(m) generally 
denies a corporate tax deduction for annual compensation exceeding $1 million paid to the chief executive officer and certain 
other executive officers (excluding the chief financial officer).  However, certain types of compensation, including 
performance-based compensation, are generally excluded from this deductibility limit if certain requirements are met.  To 
enable compensation in connection with stock options, stock appreciation rights, RSUs and certain full-value awards and 
performance awards under the Plan to qualify as “performance-based” within the meaning of Section 162(m), the Plan limits 
the sizes of awards that may be granted to a participant each calendar year as further described below (among other 
requirements).  By approving the amended and restated Plan, the stockholders will be re-approving, among other things, 
eligibility requirements for participation in the Plan and the other material terms of the Plan and awards granted under the Plan, 
including limits on the numbers of shares or compensation that could be granted to a participant each calendar year, and re-
approving, among things, performance measures upon which specific performance goals applicable to certain awards would be 
based.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, we retain the ability to grant awards under the Plan that do not qualify as “performance-
based” compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m).

Approving the Plan Allows Us to Grant Certain French-Qualified Restricted Stock Units

In August 2015, a new law was adopted in France, which is referred to as "Loi Macron."  Loi Macron provides 

potentially favorable tax and social contribution treatment to both our French subsidiaries and the employees receiving certain 
French-qualified equity awards.  In order to benefit from Loi Macron’s favorable tax treatment, French-qualified RSUs must be 
granted pursuant to an equity plan authorized by stockholders after August 7, 2015.  We are not required to grant French-
qualified RSUs in France and may choose, at our discretion, to grant non-qualified awards to employees of our French 
subsidiaries depending on the circumstances.  Stockholder approval of the Plan at the Annual Meeting would allow us to meet 
the stockholder authorization requirement for granting French-qualified RSUs with Loi Macron terms.  The approximate 
number of eligible employees that might receive awards under the Plan’s French subplan is 410.  Grants under the Plan and the 
French subplan are discretionary in nature and some employees might not receive grants under the Plan and/or the French 
subplan.

Our executive officers and directors have an interest in the approval of the Plan because they are eligible to receive 

equity awards under the Plan.  

Please see the summary of our Plan, as amended and restated, below.

Vote Required and Recommendation 

An affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy and 
entitled to vote at our Annual Meeting is required to approve our amended and restated Plan.  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 
Plan and thus will not affect the outcome of the voting on such proposal.

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote "FOR" Proposal Two, the approval of our amended 

and restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan.

14

Table of Contents

Description of the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan

The essential features of the Plan, as amended and restated, are summarized below.  This summary does not purport to 
be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the amended and restated Plan, which is attached 
as Appendix A.  Capitalized terms used herein and not defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan.

General. The purposes of the Plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel, provide additional incentive to 

our employees, consultants and non-employee directors and promote the success of our business. 

Shares Available for Issuance.  Upon approval of the amended and restated Plan and subject to adjustment for changes 

in our capitalization, the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock which may be issued under the Plan is 
36,300,000 shares of common stock plus any shares subject to any options under our 1993 or 1997 Nonstatutory Stock Option 
Plans that expired unexercised, up to a maximum of an additional 5,000,000 shares.

If an award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or with respect to restricted stock, 

RSUs, performance shares, performance units or deferred stock units, is forfeited to or repurchased by us, the unpurchased 
shares (or for awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights, the forfeited or repurchased shares) which were 
subject thereto shall become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated).  With respect to 
stock appreciation rights, the gross shares issued (i.e., shares actually issued pursuant to a stock appreciation right, as well as 
the shares that represent payment of the exercise price and any applicable tax withholdings pursuant to a stock appreciation 
right) shall cease to be available under the Plan.  Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan under any award shall not 
be returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution under the Plan; provided, however, that if shares 
of restricted stock, performance shares, performance units or deferred stock units are repurchased by us at their original 
purchase price or are forfeited to us, such shares shall become available for future grant under the Plan.  Shares used to pay the 
exercise price or purchase price, if applicable, of an award shall become available for future grant or sale under the Plan.  To 
the extent an award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than stock, such cash payment shall not result in reducing the 
number of shares available for issuance under the Plan.

Administration. The Plan may be administered by our Board of Directors or a committee or committees, which may be 
appointed by our Board of Directors (the "Administrator").  To the extent that the Administrator determines it to be desirable to 
qualify awards granted under the Plan as "performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m), the Plan will be 
administered by a committee of two or more "outside directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m). 

Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator has the authority to: (i) construe and interpret the plan and 
awards; (ii) prescribe, amend or rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; (iii) select the service providers to whom 
awards are to be granted (apart from the non-employee director automatic grant provisions); (iv) subject to the limits set forth 
in the Plan, determine the number of shares or equivalent units to be granted subject to each award; (v) determine whether and 
to what extent awards are to be granted; (vi) determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, 
applicable to awards granted under the Plan; (vii) modify or amend any outstanding award subject to applicable legal 
restrictions and the restrictions set forth in the Plan; (viii) authorize any person to execute, on our behalf, any instrument 
required to effect the grant of an award; (ix) approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan; (x) allow participants to satisfy 
tax withholding obligations by electing to have Microchip withhold from the shares or cash to be issued upon exercise, vesting 
of an award (or distribution of a deferred stock unit) that number of shares or cash having a fair market value equal to the 
minimum amount required to be withheld; (xi) determine the fair market value of the shares of our common stock and (xii) 
subject to certain limitations, take any other actions deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.  All 
decisions, interpretations and other actions of the Administrator shall be final and binding on all holders of options or rights and 
on all persons deriving their rights therefrom.

Plan Term.  Unless previously terminated by the Board of Directors, the Plan shall terminate on May 22, 2022.

Discount Award Limitations.  No stock options or stock appreciation rights may be granted with an exercise price that 

is less than 100% of fair market value on the date of grant.

15

Table of Contents

No Repricing.  The Plan prohibits option or stock appreciation right repricing, including by way of an exchange for 

another award or for cash.

Eligibility.  The Plan provides that awards may be granted to our employees, consultants and non-employee directors.  

Minimum Vesting Requirements.  Except with respect to 5% of the maximum number of shares issuable under the 

Plan, no award that vests on the basis of an individual's continuous service with us will vest earlier than one year following the 
date of grant; provided, however, that vesting of an award may be accelerated upon the death, disability, or involuntary 
termination of the service of the grantee, or in connection with a corporate transaction, as defined in the Plan.

Code Section 162(m) Performance Goals.  We have designed the Plan so that it permits us to issue awards that qualify 

as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).  Thus, the Administrator may make performance goals applicable 
to a participant with respect to an award.  At the Administrator's discretion, one or more of the following performance goals 
may apply: (i) cash flow (including operating cash flow or free cash flow), (ii) cash position, (iii) revenue (on an absolute basis 
or adjusted for currency effects), (iv) revenue growth, (v) contribution margin, (vi) gross margin or gross margin as a 
percentage of revenue, (vii) operating margin or operating margin as a percentage of revenue, (viii) operating expenses or 
operating expenses as a percentage of revenue, (ix) earnings (which may include earnings before interest and taxes, earnings 
before taxes and net earnings), (x) earnings per share, (xi) net income, (xii) stock price, (xiii) return on equity, (xiv) total 
stockholder return, (xv) growth in stockholder value relative to a specified publicly reported index (such as the S&P 500 
Index), (xvi) return on capital, (xvii) return on assets or net assets, (xviii) return on investment, (xix) operating profit or net 
operating profit, (xx) market share (which may include ranking for a specific product line or market share percentage for a 
given product line), (xxi) contract awards or backlog, (xxii) overhead or other expense reduction, (xxiii) credit rating, (xxiv) 
objective customer indicators, (xxv) new product invention or innovation, (xxvi) attainment of research and development 
milestones, (xxvii) improvements in productivity, (xxviii) attainment of objective operating goals, and (xxix) objective 
employee metrics.  The performance measures listed above may apply to either Microchip as a whole or, except with respect to 
stockholder return metrics, a region, business unit, affiliate or business segment or specific product or products, and measured 
either on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to a previous period's results or to a designated comparison 
group, and, with respect to financial metrics, which may be determined in accordance with GAAP, in accordance with IASB 
Principles or which may be adjusted when established to exclude any items otherwise includable under GAAP or under IASB 
Principles or any other objectively determinable items including, without limitation, (a) any extraordinary non-recurring items, 
(b) the effect of any merger, acquisition, or other business combination or divestiture, or (c) the effect of any changes in 
accounting principles affecting Microchip's or a business unit's, region's, affiliate's or business segment's reported results.  The 
performance goals may differ from participant to participant and from award to award.

Terms and Conditions of Options.  Each option granted under the Plan is evidenced by a written stock option 

agreement between the participant and Microchip and is subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a)    Exercise Price.  The Administrator determines the exercise price of options at the time the options are 

granted.  However, the exercise price of a stock option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock 
on the date the option is granted.  For purposes of the Plan, "fair market value" is generally the closing sale price for the 
common stock (or the closing bid if no sales were reported) on the date the option is granted.

(b)    Form of Consideration.  The means of payment for shares issued upon exercise of an option is specified in 

each option agreement and generally may be made by cash, check, other shares of our common stock owned by the participant, 
delivery of an exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver to us the exercise price from sale 
proceeds, by a combination thereof, or by such other consideration and method of payment to the extent permitted by 
applicable laws.

(c)    Exercise of the Option.  Each stock option agreement will specify the term of the option and the date when 
the option is to become exercisable.  However, in no event shall an option granted under the Plan be exercised more than ten 
years after the date of grant.  Until the shares are issued, no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a 
stockholder shall exist with respect to the underlying shares.

16

Table of Contents

(d)    Termination of Employment.  If a participant's employment terminates for any reason (other than death or 

permanent disability), all options held by such participant under the Plan expire upon the earlier of (i) such period of time as is 
set forth in his or her option agreement or (ii) the expiration date of the option. In the absence of a specified time in the option 
agreement, the option will remain exercisable for three months following the participant's termination.  The participant may 
exercise all or part of his or her option at any time before such expiration to the extent that such option was exercisable at the 
time of termination of employment.

(e)    Permanent Disability.  If an employee is unable to continue employment with us as a result of permanent 

and total disability (as defined in the Code), all options held by such participant under the Plan shall expire upon the earlier of 
(i) such period of time as is set forth in his or her option agreement or (ii) the expiration date of the option.  In the absence of a 
specified time in the option agreement, the option will remain exercisable for six months following the participant's 
termination.  The participant may exercise all or part of his or her option at any time before such expiration to the extent that 
such option was exercisable at the time of termination of employment.

(f)    Death.  If a participant dies while employed by us, 100% of his or her awards shall immediately vest, and his 

or her option shall expire upon the earlier of (i) such period of time as is set forth in his or her option agreement or (ii) the 
expiration date of the option.  In the absence of a specified time in the option agreement, the option will remain exercisable for 
12 months following the participant's termination.  The executors or other legal representatives or the participant may exercise 
all or part of the participant's option at any time before such expiration with respect to all shares subject to such option.

(g)    Other Provisions.  The stock option agreement may contain terms, provisions and conditions that are 

consistent with the Plan as determined by the Administrator. 

162(m) Share Limit.  No participant may be granted stock options and stock appreciation rights to purchase more than 
1,500,000 shares of common stock in any fiscal year, except that up to 4,000,000 shares may be granted in the participant's first 
fiscal year of service.

Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights.  The Administrator determines the exercise price of stock 
appreciation rights (or "SARs") at the time they are granted.  However, the exercise price of a SAR may not be less than 100% 
of the fair market value of the common stock on the date the SAR is granted. Otherwise, the Administrator, subject to the 
provisions of the Plan (including the 162(m) share limit referred to above and the minimum vesting requirements), shall have 
complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of SARs granted under the Plan.  However, in no event shall a SAR 
granted under the Plan be exercised more than ten years after the date of grant. Until the shares are issued, no right to vote or 
receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the underlying shares.

Payment of Stock Appreciation Right Amount.  Upon exercise of an SAR, the holder of the SAR shall be entitled to 

receive payment in an amount equal to the product of (i) the difference between the fair market value of a share on the date of 
exercise and the exercise price and (ii) the number of shares for which the SAR is exercised.

Payment upon Exercise of Stock Appreciation Right.  At the discretion of the Administrator, payment to the holder of 

an SAR may be in cash, shares of our common stock or a combination thereof.  To the extent that an SAR is settled in cash, the 
shares available for issuance under the Plan shall not be diminished as a result of the settlement.

Stock Appreciation Right Agreement.  Each SAR grant shall be evidenced by an agreement that specifies the exercise 

price, the term of the SAR, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the committee, in its sole 
discretion, shall determine.

Expiration of Stock Appreciation Rights.  SARs granted under the Plan expire as determined by the Administrator, but 

in no event later than ten years from date of grant.  No SAR may be exercised by any person after its expiration.  The same 
provisions regarding termination of service that apply to options apply to SARs.

17

Table of Contents

Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, restricted stock may be 

granted to our employees and consultants at any time and from time to time at the discretion of the Administrator.  Subject to 
the minimum vesting requirements, the Administrator has complete discretion to determine (i) the number of shares subject to a 
restricted stock award granted to any participant and (ii) the conditions for grant or for vesting that must be satisfied, which 
typically will be based principally or solely on continued provision of services but may include a performance-based 
component.  However, no participant shall be granted a restricted stock award covering more than 300,000 shares in any of our 
fiscal years, except that up to 750,000 shares may be granted in the participant's first fiscal year of service.  Until the shares are 
issued, no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the underlying 
shares.  Restricted stock may also be granted in the form of RSUs.  Each RSU granted is a bookkeeping entry representing an 
amount equal to the fair market value of a share of our common stock.

Restricted Stock Award Agreement.  Each restricted stock grant shall be evidenced by an agreement that specifies the 
purchase price (if any) and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine; provided, however, that if the 
restricted stock grant has a purchase price, the purchase price must be paid no more than ten years following the date of grant.

Terms and Conditions of Performance Shares.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, performance shares 

may be granted to our employees and consultants at any time and from time to time as determined at the discretion of the 
Administrator.  The Administrator has complete discretion to determine (i) the number of shares of our common stock subject 
to a performance share award granted to any participant and (ii) the conditions that must be satisfied for grant or for vesting, 
which typically will be based principally or solely on achievement of performance milestones but may include a service-based 
component.  However, no participant shall be granted performance share award covering more than 300,000 shares in any of 
our fiscal years, except that up to 750,000 shares may be granted on the participant's first fiscal year of service.

Performance Share Award Agreement.  Each performance share grant shall be evidenced by an agreement that 

specifies such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

Terms and Conditions of Performance Units.  Performance units are similar to performance shares, except that they 

are settled in cash equivalent to the fair market value of the underlying shares of our common stock, determined as of the 
vesting date.  The shares available for issuance under the Plan shall not be diminished as a result of the settlement of a 
performance unit.  No participant shall be granted a performance unit award covering more than $1,500,000 in any of 
Microchip's fiscal years, except that a newly hired participant may receive a performance unit award covering up to $4,000,000 
in the participant's first fiscal year of service.

Performance Unit Award Agreement.  Each performance unit grant shall be evidenced by an agreement that shall 

specify such terms and conditions as shall be determined at the discretion of the Administrator.

Terms and Conditions of Deferred Stock Units.  Deferred stock units consist of restricted stock, performance share or 

performance unit awards that the Administrator, in its sole discretion, permits to be paid out in installments or on a deferred 
basis, in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Administrator.  Deferred stock units are subject to the 
individual annual limits that apply to each type of award.

Dividend Equivalent Right Restrictions.  The Plan does not permit the granting of dividend equivalent rights, including 

but not limited to, on options or SARs.  Accordingly, in no event will dividend equivalent rights be paid out on unearned 
performance-based vesting awards under the Plan.

Awards to Non-Employee Directors.  The Plan provides for initial and annual awards to non-employee directors within 

prescribed parameters.  Specifically, each non-employee director is entitled to receive the following automatic grants:  (i) for 
new non-employee directors, a grant of that number of RSUs equal to $160,000 divided by the fair market value of a share on 
the date of grant, rounded down to the nearest whole share (the "Initial RSU Grant"), and (ii) for continuing non-employee 
directors who have served at least three months on the date of the annual meeting, a grant of that number of RSUs equal to 
$84,000 divided by the fair market value of a share on the date of grant, rounded down to the nearest whole share (the "Annual 
RSU Grant"), provided that such non-employee director has been elected by the stockholders to serve as a member of the Board 
at that annual meeting.  The Initial RSU Grant vests in equal 25% annual installments on each of the four anniversaries of the 

18

Table of Contents

tenth business day of the second month of our fiscal quarter in which the grant is made.  The Annual RSU Grant vests in equal 
50% annual installments on each of the two anniversaries of the tenth day of the second month of our fiscal quarter in which 
the grant is made.  Vesting of the Initial RSU Grant and the Annual RSU Grant is contingent upon the applicable non-employee 
director maintaining continued status as a non-employee director through the applicable vesting date.

Non-Transferability of Awards.  Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an award granted under the Plan 

may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of 
descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the recipient, only by the recipient. In no event may an 
award granted under the Plan be exchanged for consideration.  If the Administrator makes an award granted under the Plan 
transferable, such award shall contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.

Acceleration upon Death.  In the event that a participant dies while a service provider, 100% of his or her awards shall 

immediately vest.

Leave of Absence.  In the event that a participant goes on an unpaid leave of absence, award vesting will cease until he 

or she returns to work, except as required by law or as determined by the Administrator.

Forfeiture on Misconduct.  Should (i) a participant's service be terminated for misconduct (including, but not limited 

to, any act of dishonesty, willful misconduct, fraud or embezzlement), or (ii) a participant makes any unauthorized use or 
disclosure of confidential information or trade secrets of Microchip or its parent or subsidiary, then all outstanding awards held 
by the participant will terminate immediately and cease to be outstanding, including both vested and unvested awards. 

Adjustment Upon Changes in Capitalization.  In the event that our capital stock is changed by reason of any stock 

split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of our common stock or any other increase or decrease 
in the number of issued shares of common stock effected without receipt of consideration by us, appropriate proportional 
adjustments shall be made in the number and class of shares of stock subject to the Plan, the individual fiscal year limits 
applicable to restricted stock, RSUs, performance share awards, SARs and options, the number and class of shares of stock 
subject to any award outstanding under the Plan, and the exercise price of any such outstanding option or SAR or other award, 
provided that such automatic adjustments will not be made to the number of shares to be granted to our non-employee directors 
under the Plan.  Any such adjustment shall be made by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, whose 
determination shall be conclusive.

Dissolution or Liquidation.  In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of Microchip, the Administrator 

will notify each participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction.  The Administrator in 
its discretion may provide for a participant to have the right to exercise his or her option or SAR until ten days prior to such 
transaction as to all the shares covered by the award, including shares as to which the award would not otherwise be 
exercisable.  The Administrator may provide that any repurchase option or forfeiture rights held by Microchip will lapse 100% 
and vesting will accelerate 100%, provided that the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the 
manner contemplated.  To the extent that it has not been exercised (with respect to options or SARs) or vested (with respect to 
other awards), an award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of the proposed action.

Change of Control.  In the event of a change of control of Microchip, the successor corporation (or its parent or 

subsidiary) will assume or substitute each outstanding award.  If the successor corporation refuses to assume the awards or to 
substitute equivalent awards, such awards shall become 100% vested.  In such event, the Administrator shall notify the 
participant that each award subject to exercise is fully exercisable for 30 days from the date of such notice and that the award 
terminates upon expiration of such period.

Amendment, Suspensions and Termination of the Plan.  Our Board of Directors may amend, suspend or terminate the 

Plan at any time; provided, however, that stockholder approval is required for any amendment to the extent necessary to comply 
with Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Rule 16b-3") or Section 422 of the Code, or any 
similar rule or statute.  The Plan will terminate in May 2022 unless earlier terminated by the Board of Directors.

19

Table of Contents

Federal Tax Information

The following paragraphs are a summary of the general federal income tax consequences to U.S. taxpayers and us of 

awards granted under the Plan.  Tax consequences for any particular individual may be different.

Options.  Options granted under the Plan are nonstatutory options that do not qualify as incentive stock options under 

Section 422 of the Code.

A participant will not recognize any taxable income at the time the participant is granted a nonstatutory option.  

However, upon its exercise, the participant will recognize taxable income generally measured as the excess of the then-fair 
market value of the shares purchased over the exercise price of the option.  Any taxable income recognized in connection with 
an option exercise by a participant who is also our employee will be subject to tax withholding by us.  Upon resale of such 
shares by the participant, any difference between the sale price and the participant's exercise price, to the extent not recognized 
as taxable income as described above, will be treated as short-term or long-term capital gain or loss, depending on the holding 
period.

Stock Appreciation Rights.  No taxable income is reportable when an SAR is granted to a participant.  Upon exercise, 
the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of any shares of our common stock 
received and/or the amount of cash received.  Any taxable income recognized in connection with exercise of an SAR by a 
participant who is also our employee will be subject to tax withholding by us.  Any additional gain or loss recognized upon any 
later disposition of the shares of our common stock would be a capital gain or loss.

Restricted Stock, Performance Units and Performance Shares.  A participant will not have taxable income upon grant 
(unless, with respect to restricted stock that is not in the form of RSUs, he or she elects to be taxed at that time).  Instead, he or 
she will recognize ordinary income at the time of vesting/delivery equal to the fair market value (on the vesting date) of the 
vested shares or cash received minus any amount paid for the shares of our vested common stock.  Any taxable income 
recognized in connection with an award of restricted stock, performance units, and performance shares by a participant who is 
also our employee will be subject to tax withholding by us.

Deferred Stock Units.  Typically, a participant will recognize employment taxes upon the vesting of a deferred stock 
unit and income upon its delivery.  The participant may be subject to additional taxation, interest and penalties if the deferred 
stock unit does not comply with Section 409A of the Code.

Tax Effect for Microchip.  We generally will be entitled to a tax deduction in connection with an award under the Plan 

in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized by a participant at the time the participant recognizes such income (for 
example, the exercise of a non-qualified stock option).  Special rules limit the deductibility of compensation paid to our 
covered employees.  Under Section 162(m), the annual compensation paid to any of these specified executives will be 
deductible only to the extent that it does not exceed $1,000,000.  However, we can preserve the deductibility of certain 
compensation in excess of $1,000,000 if the conditions of Section 162(m) are met with respect to awards.  These conditions 
include (among others) stockholder approval of the Plan and its material terms, setting limits on the number of awards that any 
individual may receive and for awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights, and establishing performance 
criteria that must be met before the award actually will vest or be paid.  The Plan has been designed to permit the Administrator 
to grant awards that qualify as performance-based for purposes of satisfying the conditions of Section 162(m), thereby 
permitting us to continue to receive a federal income tax deduction in connection with such awards.

Section 409A of the Code.  Section 409A of the Code imposes certain requirements on non-qualified deferred 
compensation arrangements.  These include requirements with respect to an individual's election to defer compensation and the 
individual's selection of the timing and form of distribution of the deferred compensation.  Section 409A of the Code also 
generally provides that distributions must be made on or following the occurrence of certain events (e.g., the individual's 
separation from service, a predetermined date, or the individual's death).  Section 409A of the Code imposes restrictions on an 
individual's ability to change his or her distribution timing or form after the compensation has been deferred.  For certain 
individuals who are officers, Section 409A of the Code requires that such individual's distribution commence no earlier than six 
months after such officer's separation from service.

20

Table of Contents

Awards granted under the Plan with a deferral feature will be subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.  

If an award is subject to and fails to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the recipient of that award will 
recognize ordinary income on the amounts deferred under the award, to the extent vested, which may be prior to when the 
compensation is actually or constructively received.  Also, if an award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code fails to 
comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, Section 409A of the Code imposes an additional 20% federal income 
tax on compensation recognized as ordinary income, as well as possible interest charges and penalties.  Certain states have 
enacted laws similar to Section 409A of the Code which impose additional taxes, interest and penalties on non-qualified 
deferred compensation arrangements.  We will also have reporting requirements with respect to such amounts, and will have 
certain withholding requirements.

THE FOREGOING IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF THE EFFECT OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION 
UPON PARTICIPANTS AND MICROCHIP UNDER THE PLAN.  IT DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE COMPLETE, 
AND DOES NOT DISCUSS THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF A SERVICE PROVIDER'S DEATH OR THE 
PROVISIONS OF THE INCOME TAX LAWS OF ANY MUNICIPALITY, STATE OR FOREIGN COUNTRY IN 
WHICH A SERVICE PROVIDER MAY RESIDE. 

Accounting Treatment.  Under current accounting rules mandating expensing for all compensatory equity awards, 

including stock options and RSUs, we recognize compensation expense for all awards granted under the Plan.  This will result 
in a direct charge to our reported earnings.

Number of Awards Granted to Employees, Consultants, and Directors

The amount, timing, and value of discretionary awards under the Plan, including grants to our CEO and our four other 

most highly compensated executive officers, is in the discretion of the Administrator and therefore not determinable in advance.  
The future award of RSUs to non-employee directors is subject to the election of such individuals as directors and the fair 
market value of the common stock on the date the RSUs are granted.  No options were granted under the Plan during fiscal 
2017.  The following table sets forth the aggregate number of RSUs granted under the Plan during fiscal 2017 to each of our 
named executive officers; executive officers as a group; directors who are not executive officers as a group; and all employees 
who are not executive officers as a group:

EQUITY GRANTS IN FISCAL 2017

Name of Individual or Identity of Group and Position

Steve Sanghi
CEO and Chairman of the Board
Ganesh Moorthy
President and COO
Mitchell R. Little
VP, Worldwide Sales and Applications
Stephen V. Drehobl
VP, MCU8 and Technology Development Division
J. Eric Bjornholt
VP, CFO
All current executive officers as a group (6 people)
All current directors who are not executive officers as a group (4 people)
All other employees as a group

(1)  Represents the weighted average fair value per share as of the grant date.

21

Number of
Shares Subject
to RSUs
Granted

Weighted 
Average Fair 
Value (1)

84,508 $

50,413 $

16,278 $

18,749 $

11,932 $
195,739 $
5,488 $
1,434,428 $

50.05

50.51

50.07

50.07

50.08
50.18
58.40
51.61

Table of Contents

PROPOSAL THREE

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, 2018.  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 $6,099,416 for fiscal 2017 and 
$3,525,475 for fiscal 2016.  Our audit fees in fiscal 2017 were significantly higher than our audit fees in fiscal 2016 due to our 
acquisition of Atmel resulting in higher fees for audit, purchase accounting and related tax work. 

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.  There were no fees billed by Ernst & Young 
LLP for such services in each of the last two fiscal years.

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 either of the last two fiscal years for such services were approximately $842,330 
for fiscal 2017 and $830,885 for fiscal 2016.

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 2017 or fiscal 2016.

22

Table of Contents

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 
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 2017, 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 2017 

and fiscal 2016 were compatible with maintaining the independence of Ernst & Young LLP.

Vote Required; Board 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, 2018.  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 Three, the ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm, as 
described in this Proxy Statement.

23

Table of Contents

PROPOSAL FOUR

APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

As contemplated in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the "Dodd-Frank 
Act"), Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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 28, 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 the fiscal 2017 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.  Thus, it is expected that the next such vote will 
occur at our 2018 annual meeting.

Vote Required; Board 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.  Broker "non-votes" are not counted for purposes of approving the compensation of our named 
executive officers on an advisory (non-binding) basis and thus will not affect the outcome of the voting on such proposal.

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

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

24

Table of Contents

PROPOSAL FIVE

APPROVAL OF FREQUENCY PERIOD OF ADVISORY COMPENSATION VOTE 

In connection with Proposal Four, the Dodd-Frank Act also requires that we include in this Proxy Statement a 

separate advisory (non-binding) stockholder vote to advise Microchip on how frequently we should seek a Say-on-Pay 
vote.  By voting on this Proposal Five, stockholders may indicate whether they would prefer an advisory vote on executive 
officer compensation once every one, two, or three years.

Because an advisory vote every year allows our stockholders to provide us with timely feedback regarding our 

compensation policies and practices, our Board of Directors believes that Say-on-Pay votes should be conducted annually. You 
may cast your vote on your preferred voting frequency by choosing the option of one year, two years, three years or abstain 
from voting.  Under SEC rules, we will be required to permit our stockholders to vote on the frequency of the Say-on-Pay vote 
at least once every six years.

Vote Required; Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The selection regarding the frequency of the stockholder vote on executive compensation receiving the highest 

number of "FOR" votes shall be approved on an advisory (non-binding) basis.  However, because this vote is advisory and not 
binding on the Board of Directors or us in any way, the Board of Directors may decide that it is in the best interests of our 
stockholders and us to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation more or less frequently than the option approved by 
our stockholders.

Our Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote to hold Say-on-Pay votes every year 

(as opposed to every two or three years) under Proposal Five.

25

 
 
Table of Contents

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 22, 

2017 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

Number of Shares 
Beneficially Owned (1)

Percent of 
Common Stock (1)

The Vanguard Group, Inc. (2)

T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(3)

BlackRock, Inc. (4)

Steve Sanghi (5)

Matthew W. Chapman (6)

L.B. Day (7)

Esther L. Johnson

Wade F. Meyercord (8)

J. Eric Bjornholt (9)

Stephen V. Drehobl

Mitchell R. Little

Ganesh Moorthy (10)

All directors and executive officers as a group (10 people) (11)

22,016,435

19,870,438

13,471,356

4,505,907

27,236

14,734

5,707

38,279

15,477

14,263

8,576

199,695

4,879,341

9.60

8.66

5.87

1.96

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

2.13

* Represented less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock as of May 22, 2017.  Our shares of common stock 

outstanding at May 22, 2017 were 229,398,261.

(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 22, 
2017.  There are no stock purchase rights or RSUs that will vest within 60 days of May 22, 2017.  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 22, 2017 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.

26

Table of Contents

(2)  Address is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA  19355.  All information is based solely on the Schedule 13G filed by 
The Vanguard Group, Inc. on February 10, 2017, with the exception of the percentage of common stock held which is 
based on shares outstanding at May 22, 2017.  Such Schedule 13G/A indicates that The Vanguard Group, Inc. (i) has sole 
power to dispose of or direct the disposition of 21,647,402 shares of common stock and shared power to dispose of or 
direct the disposition of 369,033 shares of common stock; and (ii) has sole power to vote or direct the vote of 334,972 
shares of common stock and shared power to vote or direct the vote of 36,574 shares of common stock. 

(3)  Address is 100 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.  All information is based solely on the Schedule 13G/A filed by T. 
Rowe Price Associates, Inc. on February 7, 2017, with the exception of the percentage of common stock held which is 
based on shares outstanding at May 22, 2017.  Such Schedule 13G/A indicates that T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (i) has 
sole power to dispose of or direct the disposition of 19,870,438 shares of common stock; and (ii) has sole power to vote or 
direct the vote of 6,632,168 shares of common stock.  

(4)  Address is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055.  All information is based solely on the Schedule 13G/A filed by 

(5) 

BlackRock, Inc. on January 25, 2017 with the exception of the percentage of common stock held which is based on shares 
outstanding at May 22, 2017.  Such Schedule 13G/A indicates that BlackRock, Inc. (i) has sole power to dispose of or 
direct the disposition of 13,471,356, shares of common stock; and (ii) has sole power to vote or direct the vote of 
11,644,678 shares of common stock.
Includes 1,552,971 shares held of record by The Sanghi Trust (the "Sanghi Trust") and 2,952,936 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 Sanghi Trust. The Sanghi Trust is the sole member of the Sanghi LLC which is the sole general partner of 
the Family Limited Partnership. 
Includes 6,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 22, 2017. 
Includes 6,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 22, 2017. 
Includes 29,279 shares held of record by Wade F. Meyercord and Phyllis Meyercord as trustees, and 9,000 shares issuable 
upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 22, 2017. 
Includes 15,477 shares held of record by J. Eric Bjornholt and Lynn Bjornholt as trustees.  
(10)  Includes 199,695 shares held of record by Ganesh Moorthy and Hema Moorthy as trustees. 
(11)  Includes an aggregate of 21,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options that are exercisable within 60 days of May 22, 2017. 

(6) 

(9) 

(7) 

(8) 

27

Table of Contents

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 (i.e., our 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 a broad base of 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 2017 were consistent with our "pay-for-performance" philosophy and were commensurate with our fiscal 2017 
performance.

Executive Compensation Process

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 in our market.  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.  Microchip's financial and business objectives, the 

28

Table of Contents

salaries of executive officers in similar positions with comparable companies and individual performance are considered in 
making these determinations.  To the extent 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 increases within the budgeted range for other 
employees.  In setting salaries for executive officers, the Compensation Committee may consider 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 business 
units, and then discussed with and approved by our CEO.  These objectives are then reviewed by our Board of Directors and 
are the overall financial and business objectives on which incentive compensation is based.

The Compensation Committee sets the compensation of our Chairman and CEO, 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 in our market.  Mr. Sanghi 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 Executive Management Incentive 
Compensation Plan ("EMICP").  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 2017, 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 2016, our stockholders approved an advisory (non-binding) 
proposal concerning our executive compensation program with approximately 84.4% 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 2017.

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 

29

Table of Contents

those for many of 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 and market.

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.  Since fiscal 2014, salary reviews for executive and non-executive employees have been conducted on a 
quarterly basis.  Also, the budget for salary increases is established each quarter with any increases determined each quarter on 
a discretionary basis based on the performance reviews of the employees.  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 executive officers relative 
to their respective areas of responsibility.  In particular, we consider our overall revenue growth and revenue growth in our 
strategic business units, 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 and market, 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.  In addition to our quarterly salary reviews, in August 2016, 
after consideration of the increased roles and responsibilities of our executive officers in light of our acquisition of Atmel and 
other recent acquisitions, the need to incentivize and retain such officers and the significant cost synergies that were realized as 
a result of the integration activities following the closing of the Atmel acquisition, the Compensation Committee approved 
salary increases for each of our executive officers other than Mr. Moorthy.  Mr. Moorthy's base salary was not increased in 
August 2016 because his base salary had been increased effective April 1, 2016 in connection with his promotion to President.  
After consideration of all of the factors described above and including the salary increases approved in August 2016, the base 
salaries for our named executive officers other than our CEO were increased by an average of approximately 8.0% over the 
course of fiscal 2017 and our CEO's base salary was increased by 13.0%. 

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 
Discretionary Management Incentive Compensation Plan ("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 Section 162(m) of 
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, and 
other charges that many investors feel may obscure our underlying operating results.  Our non-GAAP results exclude, as 
applicable, the effect of discontinued operations, share-based compensation, expenses related to our acquisition activities 
(including intangible asset amortization, inventory valuation costs, severance costs, and legal and other general and 
administrative expenses associated with acquisitions), preclusion of revenue recognition under GAAP for inventory in the 

30

Table of Contents

distribution channel on the acquisition dates of our acquisitions, revenue recognition changes related to Atmel and Micrel 
distributors, a loss on the inducement and extinguishment of our convertible debentures, non-cash interest expense on our 
convertible debentures, gains on equity securities, impairments on available-for-sale investments, the related income tax 
implications of these items, tax adjustments in accordance with ASC 740-270 and non-recurring tax events.  The earnings per 
share metric changes each quarter.  Each of the other performance metrics is reviewed each quarter but may be the same for 
multiple quarters.  The table below sets forth the performance metrics under the EMICP for each quarter of fiscal 2017: 

Target Quarterly Measurement

Performance
Metric

Q1
FY17
%

Q2
FY17
%

Q3
FY17
%

Q4
FY17
%

Target
% of
Bonus

Q1
FY17
Perf.
%

Q1
FY17
Bonus
Payout
%

Q2
FY17
Perf.
%

Actual Results

Q2
FY17
Bonus
Payout
%

Q3
FY17
Perf.
%

Q3
FY17
Bonus
Payout
%

Q4
FY17
Perf.
%

Q4
FY17
Bonus
Payout
%

Total sequential
revenue growth

High performance
micro-controller
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)

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.50

10.00

2.41

13.03

3.54

16.80

0.84

7.80

2.44

13.13

3.00

3.00

3.00

3.00

4.00

(0.92)

(1.23)

3.88

5.17

3.45

4.6

10.84

14.45

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

4.00

1.07

2.76

4.67

7.56

1.39

3.19

1.05

2.73

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.50

2.00 (1)

3.09

4.59

14.97

10.98

0.69

1.46

(3.23)

(1.15)

57.00

53.00

54.00

56.00

15.00

59.75

25.31

57.21

23.29

57.84

29.42

59.24

27.15

28.00

30.00

27.00

26.50

15.00

27.05

19.75

26.73

21.35

25.04

24.81

23.66

29.20

28.00

22.00

26.00

28.50

15.00

32.70

26.75

30.48

31.20

32.81

32.02

35.58

32.70

$0.64

$0.73

$0.85

$0.97

15.00 (1)

75.94

31.41

93.87

24.15

104.73

38.21

115.78

34.36

EMICP Total

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

80.00

N/A

122.37

N/A

160.00

N/A

141.5

N/A

152.58

DMICP Total

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

20.00

N/A

37.63

N/A

0

N/A

33.50

N/A

47.42

(1)  For Q1 of fiscal 2017, the "Target % of Bonus" was 3% for licensing sequential revenue growth and 14% for non-

GAAP earnings per share.

(2)  Each quarter, the Target Quarterly Measurement under the DMICP is discretionary.

31

 
Table of Contents

The total amount payable to each executive under the EMICP and the DMICP is based on a percentage of the 

executive's 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 the executive's base salary.  In fiscal 2017, the quarterly payments under 
the EMICP for our named executive officers were targeted at an aggregate of approximately $425,962 for all such officers as a 
group.  In fiscal 2017, the quarterly payments under the DMICP for our named executive officers were targeted at an aggregate 
of approximately $106,490 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 the executive's actual bonus payment during the fiscal year.  For fiscal 2017, the specific total bonus percentages under 
both the EMICP and DMICP for each of our named executive officers were as follows: for Mr. Sanghi it was 200% of his 
salary for the associated quarter; for Mr. Moorthy it was 80% 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 2016 except that Mr. Moorthy's target bonus percentage was increased from 61% of his 
salary effective April 1, 2016 in connection with his promotion to President of Microchip.

As indicated in the above table, for the first quarter of fiscal 2017, 3.0% of the quarterly EMICP payment was based 

on Microchip's licensing business unit achieving total sequential revenue growth of 1.5%.  Accordingly, if Microchip's 
licensing business unit's sequential revenue growth for the first quarter was 1.5%, then each executive would be paid the 
corresponding 3.0% of the EMICP target bonus amount for that quarter.  If Microchip's licensing business unit's revenue 
growth for the first quarter was 0.75%, then each executive would be paid a corresponding 1.5% of his target bonus amount for 
that quarter (i.e., 1/2 of the 1.5%) and if Microchip's licensing business unit's revenue growth for the first quarter was 3.0%, 
then each executive would be paid a corresponding 6.0% of the target bonus amount for that quarter (i.e., 3.0/1.5 of the 3.0%).  
A similar methodology is applied each quarter to each of the performance metrics listed in the above table. 

As set forth in the above table, during fiscal 2017, consistent with our "pay-for-performance" philosophy, our CEO 

and other executive officers received bonuses under the EMICP for each quarter of fiscal 2017.  Payments were also made 
under the DMICP for each quarter of fiscal 2017.  Applying the award percentages to each named executive officer's 
participation level in the plans, for fiscal 2017, the total bonus payments under the EMICP and the DMICP for our named 
executive officers, other than our CEO, ranged from $133,192 to $556,000.  In fiscal 2017, Mr. Sanghi earned an aggregate 
EMICP bonus of $1,979,664, and an aggregate DMICP bonus of $415,687.  Please see footnote 4 to the Summary 
Compensation Table on page 40 of this Proxy Statement which sets forth the actual amount of the EMICP and DMICP awards 
for each named executive officer for fiscal 2017.  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. 

32

Table of Contents

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 2017, equity grants in 
the form of RSUs were a significant portion of our executive officers' total compensation package.

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.  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 2017 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 2016, the performance goal was related to achieving non-GAAP operating expenses for the 
three months ended June 30, 2016 of less than $187 million; with an achievement of $167 million of non-GAAP operating 
expenses necessary for full vesting of the award.  With respect to the awards made in July 2016, the performance goal was 
related to achieving non-GAAP operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2016 of less than $280 million; 
with an achievement of $250 million of non-GAAP operating expenses necessary for full vesting of the award.  With respect to 
the awards made in October 2016, the performance goal was related to achieving non-GAAP operating expenses for the three 
months ended December 31, 2016 of less than $270 million, with an achievement of $240 million of non-GAAP operating 
expense necessary for full vesting of the award.  With respect to the awards made in January 2017, the performance goal was 
related to achieving non-GAAP operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 of less than $270 million, with 
an achievement of $240 million of non-GAAP operating expenses necessary for full vesting of the award.  With respect to each 
of the performance goals for the RSU grants, the goals exclude the impact of any acquisitions completed by Microchip during 
the performance period.  Based on the actual results compared to the performance goals for each such period, all of the 
quarterly evergreen awards will vest at 100%; however, 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. 

Grants of RSUs in fiscal 2017 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, 2017, 
approximately 62% of our employees worldwide were eligible to receive RSUs under our 2004 Equity Incentive Plan.  For 
more than ten years, RSUs have been the principal equity compensation vehicle for Microchip executive officers and key 
employees.

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. 

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.

33

Table of Contents

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, 2017" at page 41 for information 

regarding RSUs granted during fiscal 2017 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, 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 2017, 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 plans,

• 
•  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 determination of executive officer compensation.

Employee Stock Purchase Plans.  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 deductions 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 deductions 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 39 pursuant to SEC rules and 
regulations.

34

Table of Contents

Life Insurance.  In fiscal 2017, 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 quarter of fiscal 2017 equal to $0.70 for each dollar contributed by the employee for the 
first 4% of their salary contributions.  For the second quarter of fiscal 2017, our Compensation Committee approved 
discretionary matching contributions equal to $0.70 for each dollar contributed by the employee for the first 4% of their salary 
contributions.  For the third quarter of fiscal 2017, our Compensation Committee approved discretionary matching 
contributions equal to $0.75 for each dollar contributed by the employee for the first 4% of their salary contributions.  For the 
fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, our Compensation Committee approved discretionary matching contributions equal to $0.80 for 
each dollar contributed by the employee for the first 4% of their salary contribution.  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 
("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.  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, second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2017, bonus awards were paid out at 155%, 155%, 170% and 
200% of target for all employees, respectively.  For each quarter, an additional award was paid out to selected employees on a 
discretionary basis based on performance achievements by such employees during the quarter.  Under the ECBP, for fiscal 
2017, our named executive officers other than our CEO received total payments ranging from $15,671 to $26,154, and our 
CEO received $45,095. 

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 described below) or upon retirement.  Our CEO, CFO, and 
our executive officers have entered into change of control agreements with us.

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 
Microchip 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 

35

Table of Contents

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 the executive's 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 Worldwide Sales, one year; 

a one-time payment of the executive's bonuses for which the executive 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.

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.

36

Table of Contents

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, 2017, the last business day of our last completed fiscal year. 

Salary

Bonus

Equity
Compensation
Due to
Accelerated
Vesting (1)

Tax Gross-up
on Change of
Control (2)

Continuation
of Certain
Benefits (3)

$

1,455,729 $

2,967,448 $

36,976,913 $

412,000

309,480

270,035

251,880

345,446

154,264

131,902

90,289

16,490,420

7,239,220

8,336,624

5,287,370

—

—

—

—

—

2 years

1 year

1 year

1 year

1 year

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

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

multiplied by our stock price on March 31, 2017.

(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 our 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 our 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 re-approved our EMICP in August 2016 at our 
annual meeting.  Obtaining stockholder approval and complying with the other requirements of Section 162(m) 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 Section 162(m).

37

Table of Contents

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 2017.  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.

38

Table of Contents

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

Year

Salary (1)

Bonus (2)

Stock 
Awards (3)

Non-Equity 
Incentive Plan 
Compensation (4)

All Other 
Compensation (5)

Total

2017

$

618,982 $

51,071 $

4,229,482

$

2,395,351 $

10,465 $ 7,305,351

Steve Sanghi,
CEO and Chairman of the Board

Ganesh Moorthy,
President and COO 

Mitchell R. Little,
VP, Worldwide Sales and 
Applications

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

J. Eric Bjornholt,
VP and CFO

2016

2015

2017

2016

2015

2017

2016

2015

2017

2016

2015

2017

2016

2015

645,619

30,832

8,812,155

624,897

27,690

3,459,535

356,077

27,692

2,546,515

326,918

13,134

3,695,412

302,185

13,314

1,441,457

305,999

19,901

815,010

295,507

15,243

1,730,738

287,167

12,482

679,590

260,121

17,704

938,749

243,275

12,507

1,993,141

236,398

9,956

782,500

241,263

15,671

597,516

221,559

10,902

1,266,751

213,597

9,284

494,243

(6)

(6)

(6)

(6)

(6)

1,264,648

1,381,146

556,000

187,388

204,094

243,218

133,146

145,980

202,296

107,303

117,861

133,192

69,433

75,535

7,688

10,760,942

8,218

5,501,486

9,531

3,495,815

7,355

4,230,207

7,686

1,968,736

11,490

1,395,618

7,939

2,182,573

8,546

1,133,765

9,452

1,428,322

6,152

2,362,378

5,713

1,152,428

8,026

995,668

4,939

1,573,584

5,059

797,718

(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 2017, please refer to Note 15, "Share-Based Compensation" to Microchip's 
audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed 
with the SEC on May 30, 2017. 

(6)  For fiscal 2016 stock awards include RSU grants under our evergreen grant program and also include RSU grants under 
our leadership grant program.  Under the leadership grant program, Microchip conducted its succession planning process 
and merit-based RSU grants were made on September 1, 2015 to key employees based on the results of such process.  
The vesting of such RSUs was subject to a performance goal related to achieving a specified level of non-GAAP 
operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2015.  This performance goal was achieved, and, as a 
result, the RSU grants under the leadership grant program will vest over 12 quarters with the first vesting on 
November 15, 2017. 

39

Table of Contents

(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:

Named Executive Officer

Steve Sanghi

Ganesh Moorthy

Mitchell R. Little

Stephen V. Drehobl

J. Eric Bjornholt

Year
2017
2016
2015
2017
2016
2015
2017
2016
2015
2017
2016
2015
2017
2016
2015

EMICP

DMICP

$

1,979,664 $

937,893

1,052,992

461,160

139,024

155,279

201,671

98,754

111,296

167,321

79,699

89,838

110,227

51,488

57,588

415,687

326,755

328,154

94,840

48,364

48,815

41,547

34,392

34,684

34,975

27,604

28,023

22,965

17,945

17,947

(5)  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

401(k)

Life Insurance

$

7,438 $

4,619

5,804

7,511

5,183

5,514

7,914

4,870

5,477

7,339

4,633

4,408

7,037

4,000

4,270

3,027

3,069

2,414

2,020

2,172

2,172

3,576

3,069

3,069

2,113

1,519

1,305

989

939

789

Year
2017
2016
2015
2017
2016
2015
2017
2016
2015
2017
2016
2015
2017
2016
2015

40

Table of Contents

Grants of Plan-Based Awards During Fiscal 2017 

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 2017.  Actual payments for our bonus plans in fiscal 2017 are 
reflected in the Summary Compensation Table above.  Equity awards in the table below were granted in fiscal 2017.

Name

Steve Sanghi

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS 
For Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2017 

Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-
Equity Incentive Plan Awards

Grant
Date
4/1/2016

4/1/2016
4/1/2016

7/2/2016

7/2/2016
7/2/2016
7/2/2016
10/2/2016
10/2/2016
10/2/2016
1/3/2017
1/3/2017
1/3/2017
—
—
—

Threshold 
($) (1)

Target
($)

Maximum 
($) (1)

—

—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

—

—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,164,584 (4)
291,146 (5)
27,995 (6)

—

—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

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

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

21,675

588
1,483

20,755

563
1,420
1,621
16,840
457
1,152
16,389
444
1,121
—
—
—

929,207

25,972
67,477

933,873

26,064
67,635
79,438
953,932
26,494
68,348
956,134
26,493
68,415
—
—
—

41

Table of Contents

Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-
Equity Incentive Plan Awards

Name

Grant
Date

Threshold 
($) (1)

Target
($)

Maximum 
($) (1)

Ganesh Moorthy

Mitchell R. Little

4/1/2016

4/1/2016
4/1/2016

4/1/2016

7/2/2016
7/2/2016
7/2/2016
7/2/2016
10/2/2016
10/2/2016
10/2/2016
10/2/2016
10/8/2016
1/3/2017
1/3/2017
1/3/2017
1/3/2017
—
—
—
4/1/2016

4/1/2016
4/1/2016

7/2/2016

7/2/2016
7/2/2016
10/2/2016
10/2/2016
10/2/2016
1/3/2017
1/3/2017
1/3/2017
—
—
—

—

—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

—

—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
263,680 (4)
65,920 (5)
15,846 (6)
—

—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
113,889 (4)
28,472 (5)
11,903 (6)

—

—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

42

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

10,356

1,271
1,678

849

9,917
1,217
1,606
1,820
7,051
987
1,303
660
995
7,831
961
1,269
642
—
—
—
4,258

115
291

4,077

110
278
3,308
89
226
3,219
87
220
—
—
—

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

443,962

56,140
76,349

39,793

446,216
56,340
76,494
89,190
399,417
57,219
77,307
40,074
56,284
456,861
57,343
77,447
40,080
—
—
—
182,540

5,080
13,241

183,445

5,092
13,241
187,388
5,160
13,409
187,796
5,191
13,427
—
—
—

Table of Contents

Name

Stephen V. Drehobl

J. Eric Bjornholt

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)

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

—

—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

—

—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
97,213 (4)
24,303 (5)
10,386 (6)
—

—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
64,481 (4)
16,120 (5)
9,688 (6)

—

—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

—
—

—

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

4,903

133
335

4,695

127
321
3,809
103
261
3,707
101
254
—
—
—
84

223
3,111

80

214
2,979
65
174
2,417
63
169
2,353
—
—
—

210,192

5,875
15,243

211,252

5,879
15,289
215,768
5,971
15,485
216,266
6,027
15,502
—
—
—
3,710

10,147
133,369

3,704

10,193
134,040
3,768
10,323
136,915
3,759
10,314
137,274
—
—
—

Grant
Date
4/1/2016

4/1/2016
4/1/2016

7/2/2016

7/2/2016
7/2/2016
10/2/2016
10/2/2016
10/2/2016
1/3/2017
1/3/2017
1/3/2017
—
—
—
4/1/2016

4/1/2016
4/1/2016

7/2/2016

7/2/2016
7/2/2016
10/2/2016
10/2/2016
10/2/2016
1/3/2017
1/3/2017
1/3/2017
—
—
—

(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.
(3)  This column shows the full grant date fair value of RSU awards to the named executives in fiscal 2017.  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 amount targeted for estimated future payout in fiscal 2018 under Microchip's EMICP 

based on the executive officer's base salary at the end of fiscal 2017. 

(5)  This annual target represents the amount targeted for estimated future payout in fiscal 2018 under Microchip's DMICP 

based on the executive officer's base salary at the end of fiscal 2017.

(6)  This annual target represents the amount targeted for future payout in fiscal 2018 under Microchip's ECBP based on the 

executive officer's base salary at the end of fiscal 2017.

43

Table of Contents

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 27.2% to 42.1% for our 
named executive officers in fiscal 2017.  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.

44

Table of Contents

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 2017 YEAR END

Name

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

Market Value of Shares or
Units of Stock That Have Not
Vested $ (18)

Stock Awards

Steve Sanghi

1,894,154
1,863,757
119,597
1,728,223
1,576,826
1,499,210
48,473
109,416
1,399,385
41,981
104,768
50,170
1,557,127
55,483
84,995
1,598,813
82,707
50,908
1,522,081
43,383
1,576,531
41,538
10,936,778
1,742,831
33,717
1,599,182
32,758
1,599,182
1,531,304
1,242,455
1,209,180

25,673 (1)
25,261 (2)
1,621 (2)
23,424 (3)
21,372 (4)
20,320 (5)
657 (5)
1,483 (5)
18,967 (6)
569 (6)
1,420 (6)
680 (6)
21,105 (7)
752 (7)
1,152 (7)
21,670 (8)
1,121 (8)
690 (8)
20,630 (9)
588 (9)
21,368 (10)
563 (10)
148,235 (11)
23,622 (12)
457 (12)
21,675 (13)
444 (13)
21,675 (14)
20,755 (15)
16,840 (16)
16,389 (17)

45

Table of Contents

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 2017 YEAR END

Name

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

Market Value of Shares or
Units of Stock That Have Not
Vested $ (18)

Stock Awards

Ganesh Moorthy

766,648
62,639
754,401
134,280
699,508
48,695
638,197
47,367
624,695
22,650
123,803
566,409
34,160
118,491
23,462
648,821
25,971
96,135
666,160
23,831
93,627
637,312
93,774
660,110
89,790
4,579,303
729,758
72,821
669,554
70,903
764,066
731,676
520,223
73,411
577,771

10,391
849
10,225
1,820
9,481
660
8,650
642
8,467
307
1,678
7,677
463
1,606
318
8,794
352
1,303
9,029
323
1,269
8,638
1,271
8,947
1,217
62,067
9,891
987
9,075
961
10,356
9,917
7,051
995
7,831

(1)

(1)

(2)

(2)

(3)

(3)

(4)

(4)

(5)

(5)

(5)

(6)

(6)

(6)

(6)

(7)

(7)

(7)

(8)

(8)

(8)

(9)

(9)

(10)

(10)

(11)

(12)

(12)

(13)

(13)

(14)

(15)

(16)

(16)

(17)

46

Table of Contents

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 2017 YEAR END

Name

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

Market Value of Shares or
Units of Stock That Have Not
Vested $ (18)

Stock Awards

Mitchell R. Little

372,073
366,096
339,462
309,728
294,456
9,444
21,470
274,904
8,263
9,813
20,511
305,892
10,846
16,674
314,081
9,960
16,232
298,957
8,485
309,655
8,116
2,148,105
342,339
6,566
314,155
6,419
314,155
300,801
244,064
237,498

5,043 (1)
4,962 (2)
4,601 (3)
4,198 (4)
3,991 (5)
128 (5)
291 (5)
3,726 (6)
112 (6)
133 (6)
278 (6)
4,146 (7)
147 (7)
226 (7)
4,257 (8)
135 (8)
220 (8)
4,052 (9)
115 (9)
4,197 (10)
110 (10)
29,115 (11)
4,640 (12)
89 (12)
4,258 (13)
87 (13)
4,258 (14)
4,077 (15)
3,308 (16)
3,219 (17)

47

Table of Contents

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 2017 YEAR END

Name

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

Market Value of Shares or
Units of Stock That Have Not
Vested $ (18)

Stock Awards

Stephen V. Drehobl

428,440
421,579
390,886
356,653
339,093
10,919
24,716
316,516
11,362
9,518
23,683
352,226
12,543
19,257
361,596
11,510
18,740
344,257
9,813
356,579
9,370
2,473,696
394,207
7,599
361,743
7,452
361,743
346,397
281,028
273,502

5,807 (1)
5,714 (2)
5,298 (3)
4,834 (4)
4,596 (5)
148 (5)
335 (5)
4,290 (6)
154 (6)
129 (6)
321 (6)
4,774 (7)
170 (7)
261 (7)
4,901 (8)
156 (8)
254 (8)
4,666 (9)
133 (9)
4,833 (10)
127 (10)
33,528 (11)
5,343 (12)
103 (12)
4,903 (13)
101 (13)
4,903 (14)
4,695 (15)
3,809 (16)
3,707 (17)

48

Table of Contents

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 2017 YEAR END

Name

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

Market Value of Shares or
Units of Stock That Have Not
Vested $ (18)

Stock Awards

J. Eric Bjornholt

3,668 (1)
3,609 (2)
3,346 (3)
3,053 (4)
2,903 (5)
105 (5)
223 (5)
2,710 (6)
81 (6)
108 (6)
214 (6)
3,015 (7)
120 (7)
174 (7)
3,096 (8)
110 (8)
169 (8)
2,961 (9)
84 (9)
3,068 (10)
80 (10)
21,276 (11)
3,391 (12)
65 (12)
3,112 (13)
63 (13)
3,111 (14)
2,979 (15)
2,417 (16)
2,353 (17)

270,625
266,272
246,868
225,250
214,183
7,747
16,453
199,944
5,976
7,968
15,789
222,447
8,854
12,838
228,423
8,116
12,469
218,463
6,198
226,357
5,902
1,569,743
250,188
4,796
229,603
4,648
229,530
219,791
178,326
173,604

(1)  The award vested in full on May 15, 2017.
(2)  The award vests in full on August 15, 2017, subject to continued service on such date.
(3)  The award vests in full on November 15, 2017, subject to continued service on such date.
(4)  The award vests in full on February 15, 2018, subject to continued service on such date.
(5)  The award vests in full on May 15, 2018, subject to continued service on such date.
(6)  The award vests in full on August 15, 2018, subject to continued service on such date.
(7)  The award vests in full on November 15, 2018, subject to continued service on such date.
(8)  The award vests in full on February 15, 2019, subject to continued service on such date.
(9)  The award vests in full on May 15, 2019, subject to continued service on such date.
(10)  The award vests in full on August 15, 2019, subject to continued service on such date.
(11)  The award vests quarterly over a three-year period commencing on November 15, 2017, subject to continued service on such dates.
(12)  The award vests in full on November 15, 2019, subject to continued service on such date.
(13)  The award vests in full on February 15, 2020, subject to continued service on such date.
(14)  The award vests in full on May 15, 2020, subject to continued service on such date.
(15)  The award vests in full on August 15, 2020, subject to continued service on such date.
(16)  The award vests in full on November 15, 2020, subject to continued service on such date.
(17)  The award vests in full on February 15, 2021, subject to continued service on such date.
(18)  Represents the number of RSUs multiplied by $73.78, the closing price of our common stock on March 31, 2017.

49

Table of Contents

STOCK VESTED
For Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2017 

The following table provides information, on an aggregate basis, about stock awards that vested during the fiscal year 

ended March 31, 2017 for each of the named executive officers.

Microchip has not granted stock options, other than options assumed in acquisitions, since 2008.  No named executive 

officer held any Microchip stock options during fiscal 2017.

Name

Stock Awards

Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting (#)

Value Realized 
on Vesting ($)

Steve Sanghi, CEO and Chairman of the Board

110,729

6,855,508

Ganesh Moorthy, President and COO

42,898

2,664,329

Mitchell R. Little, VP, Worldwide Sales and Applications

21,751

1,346,653

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

25,046

1,550,671

J. Eric Bjornholt, VP and CFO

14,515

903,100

(1)  The values realized upon vesting for RSUs are based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the vesting 

dates.

Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal Year 2017 

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 (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.

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.

50

Table of Contents

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

fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.

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)

— $

—

35,162

164,042

26,500

— $

— $

— $

—

—

—

—

30,871

14,391

97,134

29,534

—
—

—
—

—

213,094

98,042

818,891

240,351

(1)  The executive contribution amounts shown in the table were previously reported in the "Summary Compensation 

Table" as salary and/or bonus for fiscal 2017 or prior fiscal years.  The earnings amounts shown in the table were not 
previously reported for fiscal 2017 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.

51

Table of Contents

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The table below provides information about our common stock that, as of March 31, 2017, 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):

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"), 
Supertex 2009 Equity Plan,
ISSC 2011 Equity Plan, 

•  Microchip 1994 International Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "IESPP"),
•  Microchip 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"), 
•  Microchip 2004 Equity Incentive Plan,
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  Micrel 2003 Incentive Award Plan,
•  Micrel 2012 Equity Incentive Award Plan, 
•  Microchip 2012 Inducement Award Plan (the "2012 Inducement Plan"),
•  Atmel Corporation 2005 Stock Plan,
•  Newport Media, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, and
•  Ozmo, Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan.

Plan Category

(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))

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Stockholders(2)

6,031,346

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Stockholders

821,227

(3)

(5)

$40.58

$30.33

14,150,695

(4)

—

Total

6,852,573

$31.51

(6)

14,150,695

(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 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, 1,077,150 shares of common stock were reserved under the ESPP on January 1, 2017 based on 
the automatic increase provision.  Beginning January 1, 2007, the shares authorized for issuance under our IESPP are 
subject to an annual automatic increase of equal to one-tenth of one percent (0.10%) of the then outstanding shares of 

52

Table of Contents

our common stock.  Upon the approval of our Board of Directors, 215,430 shares of common stock were reserved 
under the IESPP on January 1, 2017 based on the automatic increase provision.

(3)  As of March 31, 2017, includes 5,981,292 shares issuable upon the vesting of RSUs granted under our 2004 Equity 
Incentive Plan, and 50,054 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options granted under our 2004 Equity 
Incentive Plan. 

(4)  As of March 31, 2017, includes 7,274,275 shares remaining available for future issuance under our 2004 Equity 
Incentive Plan.  The remaining balance represents shares available for purchase under the IESPP and the ESPP. 
(5)  As of March 31, 2017, includes 55,731 shares subject to outstanding SARs under the 2012 Inducement Plan.  Also, 
includes 16,034 shares subject to outstanding awards under the 2009 LTIP; 1,360 shares subject to outstanding 
options under the 2004 Inducement Plan; 680 shares subject to outstanding options under the 2003 Inducement Plan; 
and 226 shares subject to outstanding options under the 2002 Inducement Plan.  Also, includes 172,348 shares 
subject to outstanding options under the 2009 Equity Plan that Supertex adopted prior to our acquisition of Supertex 
in April 2014.  Also, includes 1,239 shares subject to outstanding options under the 2011 Equity Plan that ISSC 
adopted prior to our acquisition of ISSC in July 2014.  Also, includes 2,675 shares issuable upon the vesting of RSUs 
granted under the Micrel 2003 Incentive Award Plan, and 36,754 shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding 
options granted under the Micrel 2003 Incentive Award Plan.  Also, includes 98,158 shares issuable upon the vesting 
of RSUs granted under the Micrel 2012 Equity Incentive Award Plan, and 98,691 shares issuable upon the exercise of 
outstanding options granted under the Micrel 2012 Equity Incentive Award Plan.  Also, includes 337,331 shares 
issuable upon the vesting of RSUs granted under the Atmel Corporation 2005 Stock Plan.

(6)  As of March 31, 2017, there were a total of 433,117 shares subject to outstanding options, with a weighted average 

exercise price of $31.51 per share and a weighted average term of 5.02 years.

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Stockholders

Microchip 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 ten 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.

53

Table of Contents

CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS

In May 2004, our Board of Directors adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for our directors, officers 
(including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer), and employees.  A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and 
Ethics, as amended to date, is available on our website at the About Us/Investor Relations section under Mission Statement/
Corporate Governance 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 2018 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 

2018 annual meeting, our Secretary must receive the proposal at our principal executive offices by March 15, 2018.  
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 2018 annual 
meeting must do so no later than April 14, 2018.

•  However, if we hold our 2018 annual meeting on a date that is not within 30 days before or after the 

anniversary date of our 2017 annual meeting, we must receive the notice no later than the close of business on 
the later of the 90th day prior to our 2018 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 2018 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.

54

Table of Contents

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 2017 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 13, 2017.

55

Table of Contents

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED

2004 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

(As Amended and Restated on May 16, 2017, subject to stockholder approval)

1. 

Purposes of the Plan.  The purposes of this 2004 Equity Incentive Plan are:

• 

• 

• 

to attract and retain the best available personnel,

to provide additional incentive to Service Providers, and

to promote the success of the Company’s business.

Awards granted under the Plan may be Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Stock Appreciation Rights, 

Performance Shares, Performance Units or Deferred Stock Units, as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant.

2. 

Definitions.  As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) 
accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

“Administrator” means the Board or any of its Committees as shall be administering the Plan, in 

(b) 

“Applicable Laws” means the legal requirements relating to the administration of equity 

compensation plans under state and federal corporate and securities laws and the Code.

(c) 

“Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Restricted Stock, 

Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Shares, Performance Units or Deferred Stock Units.

(d) 

“Award Agreement” means the written agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable 

to each Award granted under the Plan.  The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(e) 

(f) 

(g) 

related transactions:

“Awarded Stock” means the Common Stock subject to an Award.

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events, in one or a series of 

(1) 

any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, other 

than the Company, a subsidiary of the Company or a Company employee benefit plan, including any trustee of such plan acting 
as trustee, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of 
securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then 
outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; or

(2) 

a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the 

Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the 
Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted 
into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting 
securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or

or

(3) 

the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; 

(4) 

a change in the composition of the Board, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the 
directors are Incumbent Directors.  “Incumbent Directors” shall mean directors who either (A) are Directors as of the date this 
Plan is approved by the Board, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a 
majority of the Incumbent Directors and whose election or nomination was not in connection with any transaction described in 
(1) or (2) above or in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors of the Company.

A-1

Table of Contents

(h) 

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

(i) 

(j) 

“Committee” means a committee appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.

(k) 

“Company” means Microchip Technology Incorporated.

(l) 

“Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent or 

Subsidiary to render services and who is compensated for such services.  The term Consultant shall not include Directors who 
are compensated by the Company only for their service as Directors.

(m) 

“Deferred Stock Unit” means a deferred stock unit Award granted to a Participant pursuant to 

Section 13.

(n) 

(o) 

(p) 

“Director” means a member of the Board.

“Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

“Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any 

Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.  A Service Provider shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of 
absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, any 
Subsidiary, or any successor.  Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company shall be sufficient 
to constitute “employment” by the Company.

(q) 

(r) 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:

(1) 

If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market 

system, including without limitation the Nasdaq National Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. 
Automated Quotation (“Nasdaq”) System, the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the closing sales price 
for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such system or exchange (or the exchange with the 
greatest volume of trading in Common Stock) on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other 
source as the Administrator deems reliable;

(2) 

If the Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq System (but not on the Nasdaq National 
Market thereof) or is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market 
Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the 
last market trading day prior to the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the 
Administrator deems reliable; or

be determined in good faith by the Administrator.

(3) 

In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall 

(s) 

(t) 

(u) 

(v) 

“Fiscal Year” means a fiscal year of the Company.

“Fiscal Quarter” means a fiscal quarter of the Company.

“Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.

“Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option 

under Section 422 of the Code and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(w) 

“Notice of Grant” means a written or electronic notice evidencing certain terms and conditions of an 

individual Award.  The Notice of Grant is part of the Option Agreement.

(x) 

“Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the 

Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

A-2

Table of Contents

(y) 

(z) 

“Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

“Option Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a 

Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant.  The Option Agreement is subject to the terms 
and conditions of the Plan.

(aa) 

“Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424

(e) of the Code.

(bb) 

“Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award granted under the Plan.

(cc) 

“Performance Goals” means the goal(s) (or combined goal(s)) determined by the Administrator (in 
its discretion) to be applicable to a Participant with respect to an Award.  As determined by the Administrator, the performance 
measures for any performance period will be any one or more of the following objective performance criteria, applied to either 
the Company as a whole or, except with respect to stockholder return metrics, to a region, business unit, affiliate or business 
segment or specific product or products, and measured either on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to a 
previous period’s results or to a designated comparison group, and, with respect to financial metrics, which may be determined 
in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), in accordance with accounting 
principles established by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB Principles”) or which may be adjusted when 
established to exclude any items otherwise includable under GAAP or under IASB Principles or any other objectively 
determinable items including, without limitation, (a) any extraordinary non-recurring items, (b) the effect of any merger, 
acquisition, or other business combination or divestiture, or (c) the effect of any changes in accounting principles affecting the 
Company’s or a business units’, region’s, affiliate’s or business segment’s reported results: (i) cash flow (including operating 
cash flow or free cash flow), (ii) cash position, (iii) revenue (on an absolute basis or adjusted for currency effects), (iv) revenue 
growth, (v) contribution margin, (vi) gross margin or gross margin as a percentage of revenue, (vii) operating margin or 
operating margin as a percentage of revenue (viii) operating expenses or operating expenses as a percentage of revenue, (ix) 
earnings (which may include earnings before interest and taxes, earnings before taxes and net earnings), (x) earnings per share, 
(xi) net income, (xii) stock price, (xiii) return on equity, (xiv) total stockholder return, (xv) growth in stockholder value relative 
to a specified publicly reported index (such as the S&P 500 Index), (xvi) return on capital, (xvii) return on assets or net assets, 
(xviii) return on investment, (xix) operating profit or net operating profit, (xx) market share (which may include ranking for a 
specific product line or market share percentage for a given product line), (xxi) contract awards or backlog, (xxii) overhead or 
other expense reduction, (xxiii) credit rating, (xxiv) objective customer indicators, (xxv) new product invention or innovation, 
(xxvi) attainment of research and development milestones, (xxvii) improvements in productivity, (xxviii) attainment of 
objective operating goals, and (xxix) objective employee metrics.  The Performance Goals may differ from Participant to 
Participant and from Award to Award.

(dd) 

“Performance Share” means a performance share Award granted to a Participant pursuant to 

Section 11.

Section 12.

(ee) 

“Performance Unit” means a performance unit Award granted to a Participant pursuant to 

(ff) 

“Plan” means this 2004 Equity Incentive Plan.

(gg) 

“Restricted Stock” means Shares granted pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan.

(hh) 

“Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect 

when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.

(ii) 

(jj) 

“Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, as amended.

“Service Provider” means an Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director.

(kk) 

“Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 19 of the Plan.

(ll) 

“Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan.

(mm) 

“Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in 

Section 424(f) of the Code.

A-3

Table of Contents

3. 

Stock Subject to the Plan.  Subject to the provisions of Section 19 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate 

number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan is 36,300,000 Shares plus any Shares subject to any outstanding options 
under the Company’s 1993 or 1997 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plans that expire unexercised, up to a maximum of an additional 
5,000,000 Shares.

The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or with respect to Restricted 
Stock, Performance Shares, Performance Units or Deferred Stock Units, is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company, the 
unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options and SARs, the forfeited or repurchased Shares) which were subject 
thereto shall become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated).  With respect to SARs, 
the gross Shares issued (i.e., Shares actually issued pursuant to a Stock Appreciation Right, as well as the Shares that represent 
payment of the exercise price and any applicable tax withholdings) pursuant to a SAR will cease to be available under the Plan.  
Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan under any Award shall not be returned to the Plan and shall not become 
available for future distribution under the Plan; provided, however, that if Shares of Restricted Stock, Performance Shares, 
Performance Units or Deferred Stock Units are repurchased by the Company at their original purchase price or are forfeited to 
the Company, such Shares shall become available for future grant under the Plan.  Shares used to pay the exercise price or 
purchase price, if applicable, of an Award shall become available for future grant or sale under the Plan.  To the extent an 
Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than stock, such cash payment shall not result in reducing the number of Shares 
available for issuance under the Plan.

4. 

Administration of the Plan.

(a) 

Procedure.

with respect to different groups of Service Providers.

(1) 

Multiple Administrative Bodies.  The Plan may be administered by different Committees 

(2) 

Section 162(m).  To the extent that the Administrator determines it to be desirable to qualify 

Options granted hereunder as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Plan 
shall be administered by a Committee of two or more “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

(3) 

Rule 16b-3.  To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under 

Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder shall be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under 
Rule 16b-3.

(A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.

(4) 

Other Administration.  Other than as provided above, the Plan shall be administered by 

(b) 

Powers of the Administrator.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, 

subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its 
discretion:

of the Plan;

(1) 

to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, in accordance with Section 2(u) 

automatic grants to Non-Employee Directors provided for in Section 17 of the Plan);

(2) 

to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder (other than the 

under the Plan;

(3) 

to determine whether and to what extent Awards or any combination thereof, are granted 

each Award granted under the Plan;

(4) 

to determine the number of shares of Common Stock or equivalent units to be covered by 

(5) 

to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any 
award granted under the Plan.  Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times 

(6) 

A-4

Table of Contents

when Options or SARs may be exercised or other Awards vest (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting 
acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the shares of Common 
Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;

(7) 

(8) 

to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards;

to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules 

and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under foreign tax 
laws;

(9) 

to modify or amend each Award (subject to Sections 8(c), 9(b) and 21(c) of the Plan), 

including the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Options and SARs longer than is 
otherwise provided for in the Plan;

effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;

(10) 

to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to 

(11) 

to allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations by electing to have the Company 

withhold from the Shares or cash to be issued upon exercise or vesting of an Award (or distribution of a Deferred Stock Unit) 
that number of Shares or cash having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld (but no more).  
The Fair Market Value of any Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to 
be determined.  All elections by a Participant to have Shares or cash withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and 
under such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable;

(12) 

to determine the terms and restrictions applicable to Awards; and

(13) 

to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.

(c) 

Effect of Administrator’s Decision.  The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and 

interpretations shall be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards.

5. 

Eligibility.  Restricted Stock, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Stock Appreciation Rights, Deferred 

Stock Units and Nonstatutory Stock Options may be granted to Service Providers.  Non-Employee Directors shall only receive 
Awards pursuant to Section 17 of the Plan.

6. 

Limitations.

(a) 

Nonstatutory Stock Option.  Each Option shall be designated in the Notice of Grant as a 

Nonstatutory Stock Option.

(b) 

No Employment Rights.  Neither the Plan nor any Award shall confer upon a Participant any right 
with respect to continuing the Participant’s employment with the Company or its Subsidiaries, nor shall they interfere in any 
way with the Participant’s right or the Company’s or Subsidiary’s right, as the case may be, to terminate such employment at 
any time, with or without cause or notice.

(c) 

162(m) Limitations.  The following limitations shall apply to grants of Options and Stock 

Appreciation Rights to Participants:

No Participant shall be granted, in any Fiscal Year, Options and Stock Appreciation Rights 
to purchase more than 1,500,000 Shares; provided, however, that such limit shall be 4,000,000 Shares in the Participant’s first 
Fiscal Year of Company service.

(1) 

in the Company’s capitalization as described in Section 19(a).

(2) 

The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change 

A-5

Table of Contents

(d) 

Minimum Vesting Requirements.  

(1) 

General.  Except as specified in Section 6(d)(2), Awards will vest no earlier than the one 
(1)-year anniversary of such Award’s grant date (except if accelerated pursuant to a Change of Control or a termination of the 
Participant’s status as a Service Provider due to a Participant’s death, or a Participant’s Disability) (each, an “Acceleration 
Event”).

(2) 

Exception.  Awards may be granted to any Service Provider without regard to the minimum 
vesting requirements set forth in Section 6(d)(1) if the Shares subject to such Awards would not result in more than five percent 
(5%) of the maximum aggregate number of Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to all outstanding Awards granted under the 
Plan (the “5% Limit”).  Any Awards that have their vesting discretionarily accelerated (except if accelerated pursuant to an 
Acceleration Event) are subject to the 5% Limit.  For purposes of clarification, the Administrator may accelerate the vesting of 
any Awards pursuant to an Acceleration Event without such vesting acceleration counting toward the 5% Limit.  The 5% Limit 
applies in the aggregate to Awards that do not satisfy the minimum vesting requirements as set forth in Section 6(d)(1) and to 
the discretionary vesting acceleration of Awards specified in this Section 6(d)(2).

7. 

Term of Plan.  The Plan is effective as of October 1, 2004 (the “Effective Date”).  It shall continue in effect 

until May 22, 2022, unless sooner terminated under Section 21 of the Plan.

8. 

Stock Options.

(a) 

Term.  The term of each Option shall be stated in the Notice of Grant; provided, however, that the 

term shall be ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Notice of Grant.

(b) 

Option Exercise Price.  The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise 
of an Option shall be determined by the Administrator and shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share on the 
date of grant.

(c) 

No Repricing.  The exercise price for an Option may not be reduced.  This shall include, without 

limitation, a repricing of the Option as well as an Option exchange program whereby the Participant agrees to cancel an 
existing Option in exchange for an Option, SAR, other Award or cash.

(d) 

Waiting Period and Exercise Dates.  At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator shall fix the 
period within which the Option may be exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before the Option 
may be exercised.  In so doing, the Administrator may specify that an Option may not be exercised until the completion of a 
service period.

(e) 

Form of Consideration.  The Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration for 

exercising an Option, including the method of payment.  Subject to Applicable Laws, such consideration may consist entirely 
of:

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

cash;

check;

other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an option have been 

owned by the Participant for more than six months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of 
surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised;

delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with such other documentation as 
the Administrator and the broker, if applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to the Company of 
the sale proceeds required to pay the exercise price;

(4) 

(5) 

any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or

(6) 
permitted by Applicable Laws.

such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent 

A-6

Table of Contents

(f) 

Exercise of Option.

Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such 

conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Option Agreement.

An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in 

accordance with the Option Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares 
with respect to which the Option is exercised.  Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment 
authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan.  Shares issued upon exercise of an 
Option shall be issued in the name of the Participant or, if requested by the Participant, in the name of the Participant and his or 
her spouse.  Until the stock certificate evidencing such Shares is issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of 
the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as 
a stockholder shall exist with respect to the optioned stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.  The Company shall 
issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate promptly after the Option is exercised.  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, except as provided in 
Section 19 of the Plan.

Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number of Shares thereafter available for sale under the Option, 

by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

(g) 

Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider.  If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, 

other than upon the Participant’s misconduct, death or Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such 
period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in 
no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement).  In the absence of a 
specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Participant’s 
termination.  If, on the date of termination, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the 
unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan.  If, after termination, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option 
within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to 
the Plan.

(h) 

Disability.  If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s Disability, 
the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement to the extent 
the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth 
in the Option Agreement).  In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for 
six (6) months following the Participant’s termination.  If, on the date of termination, the Participant is not vested as to his or 
her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan.  If, after termination, the 
Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares 
covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

(i) 

Death of Participant.  If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised 
following the Participant’s death within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement (but in no event may the 
option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), by the personal 
representative of the Participant’s estate, provided such representative has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form 
acceptable to the Administrator.  If no such representative has been designated by the Participant, then such Option may be 
exercised by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of 
descent and distribution.  In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for 
twelve (12) months following Participant’s death.  If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option 
shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

9. 

Stock Appreciation Rights.

(a) 

Grant of SARs.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, SARs may be granted to 
Participants at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.  The 
Administrator shall have complete discretion to determine the number of SARs granted to any Participant.

(b) 

Exercise Price and Other Terms.  Subject to Section 4(c) of the Plan, the Administrator, subject to 

the provisions of the Plan, shall have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of SARs granted under the 

A-7

Table of Contents

Plan; provided, however, that no SAR may have a term of more than ten (10) years from the date of grant.  The per share 
exercise price for the Shares or cash to be issued pursuant to exercise of an SAR shall be determined by the Administrator and 
shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant.  The exercise price may not be reduced.  
This shall include, without limitation, a repricing of the SAR as well as an SAR exchange program whereby the Participant 
agrees to cancel an existing SAR in exchange for an Option, SAR, other Award or cash.

(c) 

Payment of SAR Amount.  Upon exercise of an SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive 

payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:

exercise price; times

(1) 

the difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the 

(2) 

the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.

With respect to SARs settled in Shares, until the stock certificate evidencing such Shares is issued 

(as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no 
right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the SAR, notwithstanding the 
exercise of the SAR.

(d) 

Payment Upon Exercise of SAR.  At the discretion of the Administrator, payment for an SAR may 

be in cash, Shares or a combination thereof.

(e) 

SAR Agreement.  Each SAR grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the 
exercise price, the term of the SAR, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its 
sole discretion, shall determine.

(f) 

Expiration of SARs.  An SAR granted under the Plan shall expire upon the date determined by the 

Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement.

(g) 

Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider.  If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, 

other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability termination, the Participant may exercise his or her SAR within such 
period of time as is specified in the SAR Agreement to the extent that the SAR is vested on the date of termination (but in no 
event later than the expiration of the term of such SAR as set forth in the SAR Agreement).  In the absence of a specified time 
in the SAR Agreement, the SAR shall remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Participant’s termination.  If, on 
the date of termination, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire SAR, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of 
the SAR shall revert to the Plan.  If, after termination, the Participant does not exercise his or her SAR within the time specified 
by the Administrator, the SAR shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such SAR shall revert to the Plan.

(h) 

Disability.  If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s Disability, 
the Participant may exercise his or her SAR within such period of time as is specified in the SAR Agreement to the extent the 
SAR is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such SAR as set forth in the 
SAR Agreement).  In the absence of a specified time in the SAR Agreement, the SAR shall remain exercisable for six (6) 
months following the Participant’s termination.  If, on the date of termination, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire 
SAR, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the SAR shall revert to the Plan.  If, after termination, the Participant does 
not exercise his or her SAR within the time specified herein, the SAR shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such SAR 
shall revert to the Plan.

(i) 

Death of Participant.  If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the SAR may be exercised 
following the Participant’s death within such period of time as is specified in the SAR Agreement (but in no event may the 
SAR be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such SAR as set forth in the SAR Agreement), by the personal 
representative of the Participant’s estate, provided such representative has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form 
acceptable to the Administrator.  If no such representative has been designated by the Participant, then such SAR may be 
exercised by the person(s) to whom the SAR is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of 
descent and distribution.  In the absence of a specified time in the SAR Agreement, the SAR shall remain exercisable for twelve 
(12) months following Participant’s death.  If the SAR is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the SAR shall 
terminate, and the Shares covered by such SAR shall revert to the Plan.

A-8

Table of Contents

10. 

Restricted Stock.

(a) 

Grant of Restricted Stock.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Restricted Stock may be 

granted to Participants at any time as shall be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.  The Administrator shall 
have complete discretion to determine (i) the number of Shares subject to a Restricted Stock award granted to any Participant 
(provided that during any Fiscal Year, no Participant shall be granted more than 300,000 Shares of Restricted Stock); provided, 
however, that such limit shall be 750,000 Shares in the Participant’s first Fiscal Year of Company service, and (ii) the 
conditions that must be satisfied, which typically will be based principally or solely on continued provision of services but may 
include a performance-based component, upon which is conditioned the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock.

(b) 

Restricted Stock Units.  Restricted Stock may be granted in the form of Restricted Stock or units to 
acquire Shares.  Each such unit shall be the equivalent of one Share for purposes of determining the number of Shares subject 
to an Award.  With respect to the units to acquire Shares, until the Shares are issued, no right to vote or receive dividends or any 
other rights as a stockholder shall exist.

(c) 

Other Terms.  The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, shall have complete 

discretion to determine the terms and conditions of Restricted Stock granted under the Plan.  Restricted Stock grants shall be 
subject to the terms, conditions, and restrictions determined by the Administrator at the time the stock is awarded.  The 
Administrator may require the recipient to sign a Restricted Stock Award agreement as a condition of the award.  Any 
certificates representing the Shares of stock awarded shall bear such legends as shall be determined by the Administrator.

(d) 

Restricted Stock Award Agreement.  Each Restricted Stock grant shall be evidenced by an 

agreement that shall specify the purchase price (if any) and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole 
discretion, shall determine; provided, however, that if the Restricted Stock grant has a purchase price, such purchase price must 
be paid no more than ten (10) years following the date of grant.

(e) 

Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions.  For purposes of qualifying grants of Restricted Stock as 
“performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its discretion, may set restrictions 
based upon the achievement of Performance Goals.  The Performance Goals shall be set by the Administrator on or before the 
latest date permissible to enable the Restricted Stock to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of 
the Code.  In granting Restricted Stock which is intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator shall 
follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure qualification of the 
Restricted Stock under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).

(f) 

Dividends and Other Distributions.  Until the restrictions set forth in the Restricted Stock Award 

agreement have lapsed, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock will not be entitled to receive dividends and other 
distributions paid with respect to such Shares.  However, to the extent the restrictions in the Restricted Stock Award have 
lapsed, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to receive dividends, even if there are other 
restrictions on the Shares of Restricted Stock (e.g., a lock up period due to a public offering or a restriction due to possession of 
material nonpublic information).

11. 

Performance Shares.

(a) 

Grant of Performance Shares.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Performance Shares 

may be granted to Participants at any time as shall be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.  The Administrator 
shall have complete discretion to determine (i) the number of Shares subject to a Performance Share award granted to any 
Participant (provided that during any Fiscal Year, no Participant shall be granted more than 300,000 units of Performance 
Shares); provided, however, that such limit shall be 750,000 Shares in the Participant’s first Fiscal Year of Company service, 
and (ii) the conditions that must be satisfied, which typically will be based principally or solely on achievement of performance 
milestones but may include a service-based component, upon which is conditioned the grant or vesting of Performance Shares.  
Performance Shares shall be granted in the form of units to acquire Shares.  Each such unit shall be the equivalent of one Share 
for purposes of determining the number of Shares subject to an Award.  Until the Shares are issued, no right to vote or receive 
dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the units to acquire Shares.

A-9

Table of Contents

(b) 

Other Terms.  The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, shall have complete 

discretion to determine the terms and conditions of Performance Shares granted under the Plan.  Performance Share grants shall 
be subject to the terms, conditions, and restrictions determined by the Administrator at the time the stock is awarded, which 
may include such performance-based milestones as are determined appropriate by the Administrator.  The Administrator may 
require the recipient to sign a Performance Shares agreement as a condition of the award.  Any certificates representing the 
Shares of stock awarded shall bear such legends as shall be determined by the Administrator.

(c) 

Performance Share Award Agreement.  Each Performance Share grant shall be evidenced by an 

agreement that shall specify such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

(d) 

Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions.  For purposes of qualifying grants of Performance Shares 

as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its discretion, may set 
restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals.  The Performance Goals shall be set by the Administrator on or 
before the latest date permissible to enable the Performance Shares to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under 
Section 162(m) of the Code.  In granting Performance Shares which are intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, 
the Administrator shall follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure 
qualification of the Performance Shares under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).

12. 

Performance Units.

(a) 

Grant of Performance Units.  Performance Units are similar to Performance Shares, except that they 

shall be settled in a cash equivalent to the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares, determined as of the vesting date.  
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Performance Units may be granted to Participants at any time and from time to 
time as shall be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.  The Administrator shall have complete discretion to 
determine the conditions that must be satisfied, which typically will be based principally or solely on achievement of 
performance milestones but may include a service-based component, upon which is conditioned the grant or vesting of 
Performance Units.  Performance Units shall be granted in the form of units to acquire Shares.  Each such unit shall be the cash 
equivalent of one Share of Common Stock.  No right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist 
with respect to Performance Units or the cash payable thereunder.

(b) 

Number of Performance Units.  The Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the 

number of Performance Units granted to any Participant, provided that during any Fiscal Year, no Participant shall receive 
Performance Units having an initial value greater than $1,500,000, provided, however, that such limit shall be $4,000,000 in the 
Participant’s first Fiscal Year of Company service.

(c) 

Other Terms.  The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, shall have complete 

discretion to determine the terms and conditions of Performance Units granted under the Plan.  Performance Unit grants shall 
be subject to the terms, conditions, and restrictions determined by the Administrator at the time the stock is awarded, which 
may include such performance-based milestones as are determined appropriate by the Administrator.  The Administrator may 
require the recipient to sign a Performance Unit agreement as a condition of the award.  Any certificates representing the Shares 
awarded shall bear such legends as shall be determined by the Administrator.

(d) 

Performance Unit Award Agreement.  Each Performance Unit grant shall be evidenced by an 

agreement that shall specify such terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

(e) 

Section 162(m) Performance Restrictions.  For purposes of qualifying grants of Performance Units 

as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator, in its discretion, may set 
restrictions based upon the achievement of Performance Goals.  The Performance Goals shall be set by the Administrator on or 
before the latest date permissible to enable the Performance Units to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under 
Section 162(m) of the Code.  In granting Performance Units which are intended to qualify under Section 162(m) of the Code, 
the Administrator shall follow any procedures determined by it from time to time to be necessary or appropriate to ensure 
qualification of the Performance Units under Section 162(m) of the Code (e.g., in determining the Performance Goals).

13. 

Deferred Stock Units.

(a) 

Description.  Deferred Stock Units shall consist of a Restricted Stock, Performance Share or 

Performance Unit Award that the Administrator, in its sole discretion permits to be paid out in installments or on a deferred 
basis, in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Administrator.  Deferred Stock Units shall remain subject to 
the claims of the Company’s general creditors until distributed to the Participant.

A-10

Table of Contents

(b) 

162(m) Limits.  Deferred Stock Units shall be subject to the annual 162(m) limits applicable to the 

underlying Restricted Stock, Performance Share or Performance Unit Award.

14. 

Death of Participant.  In the event that a Participant dies while a Service Provider, then 100% of his or her 

Awards shall immediately vest.

15. 

Leaves of Absence.  Unless the Administrator provides otherwise or as otherwise required by Applicable 

Laws, vesting of Awards granted hereunder shall cease commencing on the first day of any unpaid leave of absence and shall 
only recommence upon return to active service.

16. 

Misconduct.  Should (i) the Participant’s service be terminated for misconduct (including, but not limited to, 

any act of dishonesty, willful misconduct, fraud or embezzlement), or (ii) the Participant makes any unauthorized use or 
disclosure of confidential information or trade secrets of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, then in any such event all 
outstanding Awards held by the Participant under the Plan shall terminate immediately and cease to be outstanding, including 
as to both vested and unvested Awards.

17. 

Non-Employee Director Options.

(a) 

Initial Grants.  Each Non-Employee Director who first becomes a Non-Employee Director on or 

after May 5, 2010 (excluding any Non-Employee Director who previously served on the Board), shall be automatically granted 
that number of Restricted Stock Units equal to $160,000 divided by the Fair Market Value, rounded down to the nearest whole 
Share (the “Initial RSU Grant”), as of the date that the individual first is appointed or elected as a Non-Employee Director.  The 
Initial RSU Grant will vest in equal 25% annual installments on each of the four anniversaries of the tenth business day of the 
second month of the Company’s fiscal quarter in which the grant is made.  All vesting of the Initial RSU Grant is contingent 
upon the Non-Employee Director maintaining continued status as a Non-Employee Director through the applicable vesting 
date.

(b) 

Annual Grants.  On the date of the Company’s annual stockholders’ meeting, each Non-Employee 
Director who has served as a Non-Employee Director for at least three months on that date shall be automatically granted that 
number of Restricted Stock Units equal to $84,000 divided by the Fair Market Value, rounded down to the nearest whole Share 
(the “Annual RSU Grant”), provided that such Non-Employee Director has been elected by the stockholders to serve as a 
member of the Board at that annual meeting.  The Annual RSU Grant will vest in equal 50% annual installments on each of the 
two anniversaries of the tenth day of the second month of the Company’s fiscal quarter in which the grant is made.  All vesting 
of the Annual RSU Grant is contingent upon the Non-Employee Director maintaining continued status as a Non-Employee 
Director through the applicable vesting date.

(c) 

Additional Grant.  On August 14, 2015 (the date of the Company’s 2015 annual meeting of 

stockholders), each Non-Employee Director who has served as a Non-Employee Director for at least five years on that date 
shall be automatically granted an additional grant of that number of Restricted Stock Units equal to $100,000 divided by the 
Fair Market Value, rounded down to the nearest whole Share, provided that such Non-Employee Director was elected by the 
stockholders to serve as a member of the Board at the annual meeting held August 14, 2015.  The Restricted Stock Units 
subject to this grant will vest in equal 25% annual installments on each of the four anniversaries of the tenth day of the second 
month of the Company’s fiscal quarter in which the grant is made.  Vesting of the additional grant is contingent upon the Non-
Employee Director maintaining continued status as a Non-Employee Director through the applicable vesting date.

18. 

Non-Transferability of Awards.  Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be 

sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or 
distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the recipient, only by the recipient.  In no event may an Award be 
transferred in exchange for consideration.  If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award shall contain such 
additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.

19. 

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

(a) 

Changes in Capitalization.  Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the 
number of shares of Common Stock covered by each outstanding Award, the number of shares of Common Stock which have 
been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Awards have yet been granted or which have been returned to 
the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Award, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each such 
outstanding Award and the 162(m) fiscal year share issuance limits under Sections 6(c), 10(a) and 11(a) shall be proportionately 
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse 

A-11

Table of Contents

stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the 
number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that 
any such change in capitalization shall not affect the number of shares awarded under the automatic grants to Non-Employee 
Directors described in Sections 17(a) and (b), and provided 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 Committee, 
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 
Award.

(b) 

Dissolution or Liquidation.  In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, 

the Administrator shall notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction.  
The Administrator in its discretion may provide for a Participant to have the right to exercise his or her Option or SAR until ten 
(10) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Awarded Stock covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Award 
would not otherwise be exercisable.  In addition, the Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option or 
forfeiture rights applicable to any Award shall lapse 100%, and that any Award vesting shall accelerate 100%, provided the 
proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated.  To the extent it has not been 
previously exercised (with respect to Options and SARs) or vested (with respect to other Awards), an Award will terminate 
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

(c) 

Change of Control.

(1) 

Stock Options and SARs.  In the event of a Change of Control, each outstanding Option 

and SAR shall be assumed or an equivalent option or SAR 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 or SAR, the 
Participant shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise the Option or SAR as to all of the Awarded Stock, including Shares 
as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable.  If an Option or SAR becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu 
of assumption or substitution in the event of a Change of Control, the Administrator shall notify the Participant in writing or 
electronically that the Option or SAR shall be fully vested and exercisable for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of such 
notice, and the Option or SAR shall terminate upon the expiration of such period.  For the purposes of this paragraph, the 
Option or SAR shall be considered assumed if, following the Change of Control, the option or stock appreciation right confers 
the right to purchase or receive, for each Share of Awarded Stock subject to the Option or SAR immediately prior to the Change 
of Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the Change of Control by holders 
of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of 
consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that 
if such consideration received in the Change of Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, 
the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the 
exercise of the Option or SAR, for each Share of Awarded Stock subject to the Option or SAR, to be solely common stock of 
the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common 
Stock in the Change of Control.

(2) 

Restricted Stock, Performance Shares, Performance Units and Deferred Stock Units.  In the 

event of a Change of Control, each outstanding Restricted Stock, Performance Share, Performance Unit and Deferred Stock 
Unit award shall be assumed or an equivalent Restricted Stock, Performance Share, Performance Unit and Deferred Stock Unit 
award 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 Restricted Stock, Performance Share, Performance Unit or 
Deferred Stock Unit award, the Participant shall fully vest in the Restricted Stock, Performance Share, Performance Unit or 
Deferred Stock Unit including as to Shares (or with respect to Performance Units, the cash equivalent thereof) which would not 
otherwise be vested.  For the purposes of this paragraph, a Restricted Stock, Performance Share, Performance Unit and 
Deferred Stock Unit award shall be considered assumed if, following the Change of Control, the award confers the right to 
purchase or receive, for each Share (or with respect to Performance Units, the cash equivalent thereof) subject to the Award 
immediately prior to the Change of Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in 
the Change of Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders 
were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); 
provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change of Control is not solely common stock of the successor 
corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to 
be received, for each Share and each unit/right to acquire a Share subject to the Award, to be solely common stock of the 
successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common 
Stock in the Change of Control.

A-12

Table of Contents

20. 

Date of Grant.  The date of grant of an Award shall be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator 

makes the determination granting such Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator.  Notice of the 
determination shall be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

21. 

Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

(a) 

Amendment and Termination.  The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the 

Plan.

(b) 

Stockholder Approval.  The Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to 
the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Section 422 of the Code (or any successor rule or statute or other applicable 
law, rule or regulation, including the requirements of any exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed 
or quoted).  Such stockholder approval, if required, shall be obtained in such a manner and to such a degree as is required by 
the applicable law, rule or regulation.

(c) 

Effect of Amendment or Termination.  No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the 

Plan shall impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, 
which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company.

22. 

Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

(a) 

Legal Compliance.  Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the 

exercise of the Award or the issuance and delivery of such Shares (or with respect to Performance Units, the cash equivalent 
thereof) shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with 
respect to such compliance.

(b) 

Investment Representations.  As a condition to the exercise or receipt of an Award, the Company 

may require the person exercising or receiving such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise or receipt 
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.

23. 

Liability of Company.

(a) 

Inability to Obtain Authority.  The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory 
body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale 
of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to 
which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

(b) 

Grants Exceeding Allotted Shares.  If the Awarded Stock covered by an Award exceeds, as of the 

date of grant, the number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan without additional stockholder approval, such Award 
shall be void with respect to such excess Awarded Stock, unless stockholder approval of an amendment sufficiently increasing 
the number of Shares subject to the Plan is timely obtained in accordance with Section 21(b) of the Plan.

24. 

Reservation of Shares.  The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep 

available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

A-13

Table of Contents

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED

2017 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Tuesday, August 22, 2017 

9:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time

2355 W. Chandler Blvd.

Chandler, Arizona 85224-6199

This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
2017 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

I (whether one or more of us) appoint Steve Sanghi and J. Eric Bjornholt, and each of them, each with full power of substitution, 
to be my Proxies.  The Proxies may vote on my behalf, in accordance with my instructions, all of my shares entitled to vote at the 
2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Microchip Technology Incorporated and any adjournment(s) of that meeting.  The meeting 
is scheduled for August 22, 2017, at 9:00 a.m., Mountain Standard Time, at Microchip's Chandler, Arizona facility at 2355 W. 
Chandler Blvd., Chandler, Arizona 85224-6199.  The Proxies may vote on my behalf as if I were personally present at the meeting.

This Proxy will be voted as directed or, if no contrary direction is indicated, will be voted (1) FOR the election of each of 
the director nominees; (2) FOR the approval of the amendment and restatement of Microchip's 2004 Equity Incentive Plan 
to (i) increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance thereunder by 6,000,000, (ii) re-approve the 
2004 Equity Incentive Plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code; and (iii) make certain other 
changes; (3) FOR the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as Microchip's independent registered public accounting firm for 
the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018; (4) FOR approval, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, of the compensation of our 
named executives; and (5) FOR a frequency period of ONE YEAR regarding the frequency of holding an advisory (non-
binding) vote on the compensation of our named executives; and as my Proxies deem advisable on such other matters as 
may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof.  The proposals described in the accompanying proxy 
statement have been proposed by the Board of Directors.

IF VOTING BY MAIL, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN ON REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN THIS PROXY 
CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

Thank you in advance for participating in our 2017 Annual Meeting

Vote by Internet, Telephone or Mail
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week

Your phone or internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares
in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.

INTERNET/MOBILE
www.proxypush.com/mchp

PHONE
1-866-883-3382

MAIL

Use the internet to vote your proxy
until 11:59 p.m. (CT) on
August 21, 2017.

Use a touch-tone telephone to vote
your proxy until 11:59 p.m. (CT)
on August 21, 2017.

Mark, sign and date your proxy
card and return it in the
postage-paid envelope provided.

If you vote your proxy by internet or by telephone, you do NOT need to mail back your Proxy Card.

Table of Contents

TO VOTE BY MAIL AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS ON ALL ITEMS BELOW,

SIMPLY SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD.

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following:

1.

Election of Directors:

01  Steve Sanghi

02  Matthew W. Chapman

03  L.B. Day

04  Esther L. Johnson

05  Wade F. Meyercord

For

For

For

For

For

Against

Against

Against

Against

Against

Abstain

Abstain

Abstain

Abstain

Abstain

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2, 3 and 4, 
and for a frequency period of ONE YEAR on proposal 5. 

2.

3.

4.

5.

Proposal to approve the amendment and restatement of
Microchip's 2004 Equity Incentive Plan to (i) increase the
number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance
thereunder by 6,000,000, (ii) re-approve the 2004 Equity
Incentive Plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code, and (iii) make certain other changes
as set forth in the amended and restated 2004 Equity
Incentive Plan.
Proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as 
the independent registered public accounting firm of 
Microchip for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018. 

Proposal to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the 
compensation of our named executives.

Proposal to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the
frequency of holding an advisory vote on the compensation
of our named executives.

For

Against

Abstain

For

For

Against

Abstain

Against

Abstain

1 Year

2 Years

3 Years

Abstain

Date _________________________________

Signature(s) in Box

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears on the Proxy.  If held in joint 
tenancy, all persons should sign.  Trustees, administrators, etc., should 
include  title  and  authority.    Corporations  must  provide  full  name  of 
corporation and title of authorized officer signing the Proxy.

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

(Mark One)

FORM 10-K

x Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017

OR

o 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.

 x Yes ¨ No

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

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.

x Yes o No

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).  

x Yes o No

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.

o

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," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act:

1

 
Large accelerated filer x

Accelerated filer

o Non-accelerated filer

o (Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o

Emerging growth company o

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

o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). 

o Yes x No

Aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of September 30, 2016 based upon the closing price
of the common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Global Market on such date was approximately $13,114,059,963.

Number of shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding as of May 19, 2017:  229,397,877 shares

Document
Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Part of Form 10-K
III

Documents Incorporated by Reference

2

 
MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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.

Item 15.
Item 16.

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

PART I

PART II

Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases
of Equity Securities
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

PART IV

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Form 10-K Summary
Signatures

Power of Attorney

Page

3
12
25
25
26
27

28
30
32
50
50
50
51
52

53
53

53
54
54

55
56
57

58

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 12, 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.  In
this Form 10-K, "we," "us," "our," and "Microchip" each refers to Microchip Technology Incorporated and its subsidiaries.  

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, radio
frequency (RF), timing, safety, security, wired connectivity and wireless connectivity devices, as well as serial Electrically
Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), Serial Flash memories, Parallel Flash memories and serial Static
Random Access Memory (SRAM).  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.  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.

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

•
•
•
•
•
• make systems safer to operate
•
•

decrease time to market for their products
significantly reduce product cost

3

 
 
 
 
 
 
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
•
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 for program storage, 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, timing 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 over $15.8 billion in calendar year 2016.  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 over $45 billion in calendar
year 2016, 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 and 32-bit microprocessors
development tools and related software
analog, interface, mixed signal, timing and security products
wired and wireless connectivity products

•
•
•
•
• memory products
•

technology licensing

We provide highly cost-effective embedded control solutions that also offer the advantages of small size, high

performance, extreme low power usage, 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 multiple brand

names.  We believe that our microcontroller product families provide leading function and performance characteristics in the
worldwide microcontroller market.  We have shipped over 19 billion microcontrollers to customers worldwide since 1990.  We
also offer specialized microcontrollers for automotive networking, computing, lighting, power supplies, motor control, human
machine interface, security, wired connectivity and wireless connectivity.  With over 2,800 microcontrollers in our product
portfolio, we target the 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit microcontroller markets.

4

 
 
 
 
 
 
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 microcontroller products.  Our extensive experience base
has enabled us to develop microcontrollers with rich analog and digital peripherals, that have a small footprint, extreme low
power consumption and are re-programmable, enabling us to be a leader in 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 our microcontroller products for specific applications and, we believe, they are an
important factor for facilitating design wins.

Our family of development tools for our microcontroller 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.  We also offer a complete suite of compilers, software code configurators and simulators.  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 microcontroller devices in our portfolio.

Many independent companies also develop and market application development tools that support our microcontroller
product architectures.  Currently, there are approximately 400 third-party tool suppliers worldwide whose products support our
microcontroller architectures.

We believe that familiarity with and adoption of development tools from Microchip as well as our third-party development
tool partners 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 approximately 2.2 million development tools.

Analog, Interface, Mixed Signal and Timing Products

Our analog, interface, mixed signal and timing products consist of several families with over 3,700 power management,

linear, mixed-signal, high voltage, thermal management, radio frequency (RF), drivers, safety, security, timing, USB, ethernet,
wireless and other interface products.  

We market and sell our analog, interface, mixed signal and timing 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 EEPROMs, Serial Flash memories, Parallel Flash memories, Serial SRAM memories and

EERAM.  Serial EEPROMs, Serial Flash memories, Serial SRAMs and EERAM 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.

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.

Multi-Market and Other

Our multi-market and other business offers manufacturing services (wafer foundry and assembly and test subcontracting),

legacy application specific integrated circuits, complex programmable logic devices, and aerospace products.

5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 a portion of the wafer manufacturing and 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 in recent years 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)
Colorado Springs, Colorado (Fab 5)
Chandler, Arizona (wafer probe)
Bangkok, Thailand (wafer probe, assembly and test)
Calamba, Philippines (wafer probe and test)

Wafer Fabrication

Fab 2 currently produces 8-inch wafers and supports various manufacturing process technologies, but predominantly
utilizes our 0.5 microns to 1.0 microns processes.  During fiscal 2017, we increased Fab 2's capacity to support more advanced
technologies by making process improvements, upgrading existing equipment, and adding equipment.

Fab 4 currently produces 8-inch wafers using predominantly 0.13 microns to 0.5 microns manufacturing

processes.  During fiscal 2017, we increased Fab 4's capacity to support more advanced technologies by making process
improvements, upgrading existing equipment, and adding equipment.  A significant amount of additional clean room capacity
in Fab 4 can be brought on line in the future to support incremental wafer fabrication capacity needs. 

Fab 5 was acquired as a result of our acquisition of Atmel Corporation (Atmel) in April 2016.  Fab 5 is a 6-inch wafer
fabrication facility that currently utilizes processes from 0.25 microns to 1.0 microns.  During fiscal 2017, we made use of the
existing capacity of Fab 5 to significantly increase wafer starts.  We also added capital equipment and made clean room
improvements to support products transferred from our acquisition of Micrel, Incorporated (Micrel) in August 2015.

 We believe the combined capacity of Fab 2, Fab 4, and Fab 5 will provide sufficient capacity to allow us to respond to

increases in future demand over the next several years with modest incremental capital expenditures.

As a result of our acquisition of Micrel, we acquired a 6-inch wafer fabrication facility in San Jose, California and have
since transitioned products previously manufactured at this facility to our Fab 2, Fab 4 and Fab 5 facilities.  During the quarter
ended December 31, 2016, we decommissioned this San Jose facility and, subsequent to March 31, 2017, we completed the
sale of these assets for proceeds of $10.0 million.  As of March 31, 2017, these assets consisting of property, plant and
equipment were presented as held for sale in our consolidated financial statements.

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 augment our internal manufacturing capabilities by outsourcing a portion of our wafer production requirements to
third-party wafer foundries.  As a result of our acquisitions in recent years, we have become more reliant on outside wafer
foundries for our wafer fabrication requirements.  In fiscal 2017, approximately 41% of our sales came from products that were
produced at outside wafer foundries.

6

 
 
 
 
 
Wafer Probe, Assembly and Test 

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

wafer probe and testing at our facility in Calamba, Philippines, which came to us through our Atmel acquisition.  We also
perform a limited amount of wafer probe and testing at our Chandler, Arizona facility and our Colorado Springs, Colorado
facility.  During fiscal 2017, we increased our Thailand and Philippines facilities' capacity to support more technologies by
making process improvements, upgrading existing equipment, and adding equipment.  During fiscal 2017, approximately 36%
of our assembly requirements were being performed in our Thailand facilities and approximately 60% of our test requirements
were performed in our Thailand and Philippines facilities.  We use third-party assembly and test contractors in several Asian
countries for the balance of our assembly and test requirements.  The primary reasons for the percentage reductions in the
assembly and test operations performed internally in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 are our acquisitions of Atmel and
Micrel, which outsourced most of these activities.  Over time, we intend to migrate a portion of the outsourced assembly and
test activities to our Thailand and Philippines facilities.

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 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 complementary
metal-oxide semiconductor (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 or above 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.

The following table summarizes our long-lived assets (consisting of property, plant and equipment) by geography at the

end of fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 (in thousands).

United States
Thailand
Various other countries
Total long-lived assets

2017

388,537
210,603
84,198
683,338

$

$

$

$

March 31,
2016

373,860
182,813
52,723
609,396

$

$

2015

331,372
197,981
52,219
581,572

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, 32-bit microprocessors, wired and wireless connectivity products, analog, interface, mixed signal, timing and
security products, human machine interface, security, Serial EEPROM memory, NOR FLASH memory, Embedded FLASH
technologies, development systems, 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.

7

 
 
 
 
 
 
In fiscal 2017, our R&D expenses were $545.3 million, compared to $372.6 million in fiscal 2016 and $349.5 million in
fiscal 2015.  R&D expenses included share-based compensation expense of $46.8 million in fiscal 2017, $32.0 million in fiscal
2016 and $28.2 million in fiscal 2015.

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 client engagement managers (CEMs), embedded system engineers (ESEs), 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
ESE team is to provide technical assistance to customers and to conduct periodic training sessions for the balance of our sales
team.  ESEs also frequently conduct technical seminars and workshops in major cities around the world.

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

requirements of our licensees.

For information regarding our revenue, results of operations, and total assets for each of our last three fiscal years, refer to

our financial statements included in this Form 10-K.

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 fiscal 2017, we derived 55% of our net sales through distributors and 45% of our net sales from customers serviced
directly by us.  In fiscal 2016, we derived 53% of our net sales through distributors and 47% of our net sales from customers
serviced directly by us.  In fiscal 2015, we derived 51% of our net sales through distributors and 49% of our net sales from
customers serviced directly by us.  No distributor or end customer accounted for more than 10% of our net sales in fiscal 2017,
fiscal 2016 or fiscal 2015.

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 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

Americas
Europe
Asia
Total Sales

Year Ended March 31,

$

2017
641,849
808,583
1,957,375
$ 3,407,807

%

18.8
23.7
57.5
100.0

$

2016
417,579
474,629
1,281,126
$ 2,173,334

%

19.2
21.8
59.0
100.0

$

2015
421,947
452,165
1,272,924
$ 2,147,036

%

19.7
21.0
59.3
100.0

Sales to foreign customers accounted for approximately 84% of our net sales in each of fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015.  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.

8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales to customers in China, including Hong Kong, accounted for approximately 32%, 30% and 28% of our net sales in
fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The increases in sales to customers in China, including Hong Kong, in fiscal 2017
compared to fiscal 2016 and in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 were due primarily to our continued focus on the Chinese
market as a key component to our global growth strategy and our acquisition of Atmel, which had a slightly higher percentage
of its net sales going to China, including Hong Kong.  Sales to customers in Taiwan accounted for approximately 9%, 12% and
14% of our net sales in fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The decreases in sales to customers in Taiwan in fiscal 2017
compared to fiscal 2016 and in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 were due primarily to our acquisitions of Atmel and Micrel,
which had lower percentages of their net sales going to Taiwan.  We did not have sales into any other foreign countries that
exceeded 10% of our net sales during fiscal 2017, 2016 or 2015.

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.  Broad

fluctuations in our overall business, changes in semiconductor industry and global economic conditions, and our acquisition
activity (including our acquisitions of Atmel and Micrel) can have a more significant impact on our results than seasonality.  As
a result, in periods when these broad fluctuations, changes in business conditions or acquisitions occur, it is difficult to assess
the impact of seasonal factors on our business.

Backlog

As of April 30, 2017, our backlog was approximately $1,624.1 million, compared to $1,212.3 million as of April 30,
2016.  Backlog increased significantly due to our acquisition of Atmel during fiscal 2017.  Our backlog includes all purchase
orders scheduled for delivery within the subsequent 12 months.

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 our 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 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
extended voltage ranges
reliability
packaging alternatives
complete development tool line

9

 
 
 
 
 
 
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 through 2036.  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 our intention is to continue to patent 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.  As with any operating company, the scope and strength
of our intellectual property assets, including our pending and existing patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual
property rights may be insufficient to provide meaningful protection or commercial advantage.  Moreover, pursuing violations
of intellectual property rights on a worldwide basis is a complex challenge involving multinational patent, trademark, copyright
and trade secret laws.  Further, the laws of particular foreign countries often fail to protect our intellectual property rights to the
same extent as the laws of the U.S.

We have also entered into certain intellectual property licenses and cross-licenses with other companies and those licenses

relate to semiconductor products and manufacturing processes.  As is typical in the semiconductor industry, we and our
customers from time to time receive, and may continue to receive, demand letters from third parties asserting infringement of
patent and other intellectual property rights.  We diligently investigate all such notices and respond as we believe
appropriate.  In most cases we believe that we can obtain necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms, however, we
cannot be certain that this would be the case, or that litigation or damages for any past infringement could be avoided.
Litigation, which could result in substantial costs and require significant attention from management, may be necessary to
enforce our intellectual property rights, or to defend against claimed infringement of the rights of others.  The failure to obtain
necessary licenses, or the necessity of engaging in defensive litigation, 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, 2017, we had 12,656 employees.  We have never had a work stoppage and believe that our employee

relations are good. 

10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following sets forth certain information regarding our executive officers as of April 30, 2017:

Name

Steve Sanghi

Ganesh Moorthy

J. Eric Bjornholt

Stephen V. Drehobl

Mitchell R. Little

Richard J. Simoncic

Age

61

57

46

55

65

53

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

Position

President and Chief Operating Officer

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Vice President, MCU8 and Technology Development Division

Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Applications

Vice President, Analog Power and Interface Division

Mr. Sanghi has served as Chief Executive Officer since October 1991, and Chairman of the Board since October 1993.  He

served as President from August 1990 to February 2016 and 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.  From May 2007 until April 2016, he served as a member of the Board of
Directors of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).  Mr. Sanghi joined the Board of Myomo, Inc.
in November 2016.  Myomo is a commercial stage medical robotics company that offers expanded mobility for those suffering
from neurological disorders and upper limb paralysis.

Mr. Moorthy has served as President since February 2016 and as Chief Operating Officer since June 2009.  He also served

as Executive Vice President from October 2006 to August 2012 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.

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. 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 Power and Interface Division since September 1999.  From October
1995 to September 1999, he served as Vice President in various roles.  Since 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.

11

 
 
 
 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 realize the expected benefits of our acquisitions including our acquisition of Atmel;
our ability to ramp our factory capacity to meet customer demand;
changes or fluctuations in customer order patterns and seasonality;
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 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;
our ability to successfully transition products to more advanced process technologies to reduce manufacturing
costs;
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 our mix of product sales;
announcements of significant acquisitions by us or our competitors;
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.

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. Our acquisition of Atmel, uncertain global economic conditions, the ongoing
economic recovery and uncertainty surrounding the strength and duration 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 or above approximately the current levels.  This could include delays in the recognition of
revenue, loss of revenue or future orders, and customer-imposed penalties for our failure to meet contractual shipment

12

deadlines.  Our operating results are also adversely affected when we operate at less than optimal capacity.  Although we
operated at normal capacity levels during the last three quarters of fiscal 2015, the first two quarters of fiscal 2016, the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2016, and throughout fiscal 2017, there can be no assurance that such production levels will be maintained in
future periods.

We may not fully realize the anticipated benefits of our completed or future acquisitions or divestitures including our
acquisition of Atmel.

We have acquired, and expect in the future to acquire, additional businesses that we believe will complement or augment
our existing businesses.  On April 4, 2016, we acquired Atmel, which was our largest and most complex acquisition ever.  In
addition, in August 2015, we completed our acquisition of Micrel; in July 2014, we completed our acquisition of a controlling
interest in ISSC; in April 2014, we completed our acquisition of Supertex, Inc.; and in August 2012, we completed our
acquisition of SMSC.  The integration process for our acquisitions is complex and may be 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 have been and may in the future be subject to claims from terminated employees,
shareholders of acquired companies and other third parties related to the transaction. In particular, as a result of our Atmel
acquisition, we became involved with third-party claims, litigation and disputes related to the Atmel business.  See "Item 1.
Legal Proceedings" for information regarding pending litigation. Acquisitions may also result in charges (such as acquisition-
related expenses, write-offs, restructuring charges, or future impairment of goodwill), contingent liabilities, adverse tax
consequences, additional share-based compensation expense and other charges that adversely affect our operating results.  To
fund our acquisition of Atmel, we used a significant portion of our cash balances, borrowed under our credit agreement and
issued approximately 10.1 million shares of our common stock.  Additionally, we may fund future acquisitions of new
businesses or strategic alliances by utilizing cash, borrowings under our credit agreement, raising debt, issuing shares of our
common stock, or other mechanisms.

Further, if we decide to divest assets or a business, including the divestiture of our Atmel mobile touch assets or the
planned divestiture of our Micrel wafer fabrication facility, 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
achievement of our strategic objectives or cause us to incur additional expenses with respect to assets or a business that we want
to dispose of, or we may dispose of assets or 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, landlords or other third parties.  We may also have continuing obligations for pre-existing liabilities related to the
assets or businesses. Such obligations may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations 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.

Our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected if we do not effectively manage our current or
future debt.

As of March 31, 2017, the principal amount of our outstanding indebtedness was $4,513.8 million.  In February 2017, we
issued $2,645.0 million of aggregate principal value of senior and junior convertible debt and amended our existing $2,774.0
million credit agreement to, among other things, increase certain covenant compliance ratios.  The February 2017 credit
agreement amendment included a new collateral agreement that secures our borrowings with all assets of our guarantor
subsidiaries with the exception of real property.  We used a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the 2017 senior and
junior convertible debt to settle $431.3 million in principal value of our 2007 junior convertible debt and $1,682.5 million to
pay off the outstanding balance under the credit facility.  At March 31, 2017, there were no outstanding borrowings under the
credit facility which is comprised of two tranches expiring in February 2020 and June 2018, the maturity date of the original
credit agreement.  In February 2015, we issued $1,725.0 million of principal value of our 2015 senior convertible debt.  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 our convertible debt or any other

13

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.

Servicing our debt may require a significant amount of cash, and we may not have sufficient cash flow from our business to
fund future payments.

Our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance our indebtedness, including

our outstanding debentures, depends on our future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other
factors.  Our business may not continue to generate cash flow from operations in the future sufficient to service our debt and to
fund capital expenditures, dividend payments, share repurchases or acquisitions.  If we are unable to generate such cash flow,
we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity
capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive.  Our ability to refinance our indebtedness will depend on the capital
markets and our financial condition at such time. 

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.  The
semiconductor industry has experienced significant merger and acquisition activity and consolidation in recent years which has
resulted in several of our competitors becoming much larger in terms of revenue, product offerings and scale.  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:

•
•
•

•
•

•
•
•

•

•
•

•
•

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;
our ability to ramp production and increase capacity, as needed, at our wafer fabrication and assembly and test
facilities;
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, mixed signal and timing products have

14

remained relatively constant, while average selling prices of our memory and non-proprietary analog, interface, mixed signal
and timing 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, interface, mixed signal and timing 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 and other technologies also rely on foundries and other contractors.

We rely on outside wafer foundries for a significant portion of our wafer fabrication needs. Specifically, during fiscal 2017

and fiscal 2016, approximately 41% and 39% of our net sales came from products that were produced at outside wafer
foundries, respectively.  We also use several contractors located primarily in Asia for a portion of the assembly and testing of
our products. Specifically, during fiscal 2017, approximately 64% of our assembly requirements and 40% of our test
requirements were performed by third party contractors compared to approximately 47% of our assembly requirements and
19% of our test requirements during fiscal 2016. Our reliance on third party contractors and foundries increased as a result of
our acquisitions of Atmel, Micrel, SMSC, Supertex and ISSC. 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 the countries in which such contractors are located 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 on terms favorable to us, or at all. 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, our use of subcontractors increases the
risks of potential misappropriation of our intellectual property.

Certain of our SuperFlash and other technology licensees also rely on outside wafer foundries for wafer fabrication

services. If our licensees were to experience any disruption in supply from outside wafer foundries, this would reduce the
revenue we receive in our technology licensing business and would harm our operating results.

Our operating results are 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.  Broad

fluctuations in our overall business, changes in semiconductor industry and global economic conditions, and our acquisition
activity (including our acquisitions of Atmel and Micrel) can have a more significant impact on our results than seasonality.  As
a result, in periods when these broad fluctuations, changes in business conditions or acquisitions occur, it is difficult to assess
the impact of seasonal factors on our business.  The semiconductor 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.

15

Our business is dependent on selling through distributors.

Sales through distributors accounted for approximately 55% of our net sales in fiscal 2017 and approximately 53% of our

net sales in fiscal 2016. 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.

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 and other technologies.  The success of our licensing
business depends on the continued market acceptance of these technologies and on our ability to further develop and enhance
such technologies 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:

•
•
•
•
•

•

proper identification of licensee requirements;
timely development and introduction of new or enhanced technology;
our ability to protect and enforce 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 original equipment manufacturer (OEM)
production; and

• market acceptance of our customers' end products.

16

Because our licensed technologies are complex, there may be delays from time to time in developing and enhancing such

technologies.  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.

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.  In particular,
we have recently experienced longer lead times for equipment which we need for capacity expansion at certain of our
manufacturing facilities.  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, product failures, contracts and other matters.  As is typical in the semiconductor industry, we
receive notifications from third parties from time to time who believe that we owe them indemnification or other obligations
related to claims made against us, our direct or indirect customers or our licensees.  These legal proceedings and claims, even if
meritless, could result in substantial costs 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,
provide a cost-effective remedy, 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, economic damage 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:

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

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 or unpaid receivables;
customer imposed fines or penalties for failure to meet contractual requirements; and
a requirement to pay damages or penalties.

Because the systems into which our products are integrated have a higher cost of goods than the products we sell, the
expenses and damages we are asked to pay 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.

17

Further, we sell to customers in industries such as automotive, aerospace, defense, safety, security, 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 net sales.

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 2017, approximately 84% of our

net sales were made to foreign customers, including 32% in China, including Hong Kong.  During fiscal 2016, approximately
84% of our net sales were made to foreign customers, including 30% in China, including Hong Kong.  

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 or economic weakness in the China market may make it difficult for us to
achieve our desired sales volumes in China.  In particular, economic conditions in China remain uncertain and we are unable to
predict whether such uncertainty will continue or worsen in future periods.  

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 has experienced periods of political instability in the past.  A
large portion of our finished goods inventory is maintained in Thailand.  From time to time, Thailand has also experienced
periods of severe flooding.  There can be no assurance that any future flooding or political instability in Thailand would not
have a material adverse impact on our operations.  We use various foundries and other foreign contractors for a significant
portion of our assembly and testing and wafer fabrication requirements.  

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:

•
•
•
•
•

•
•

political, social and economic instability;
economic uncertainty in the worldwide markets served by us;
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;
currency fluctuations and foreign exchange regulations;
difficulties in staffing and managing international operations;

18

•
•
•
•
•

employment regulations;
disruptions in international transport or delivery;
public health conditions;
difficulties in collecting receivables and longer payment cycles; 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.

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 115,000 customers and our ten largest direct customers made up approximately
12% of our total revenue for fiscal 2017 and six of our top ten customers are contract manufacturers that perform
manufacturing services for many customers, 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, we have 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 minimize the number of contracts which contain such provisions, manage the risks underlying such liabilities, and set
caps on our liability exposure, sometimes we are not 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, product failure, 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 operations 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, cyber attacks, 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. 

19

In particular, Thailand has experienced periods of severe flooding in recent years.  While 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. 

Additionally, 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.  

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, 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.  Although our business
has not been materially adversely impacted by recent changes in the value of the U.S. dollar, there can be no assurance as to the
future impact that the strength of the dollar will have on our business or results of operations.

Interruptions in our information technology systems, or improper handling of data, 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 any such disruptions or security breaches.  Additionally, any 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 attacks or disruptions.  Any such attack or disruption could result in
additional costs related to rebuilding of our internal systems, defending litigation, responding to regulatory actions, or paying
damages.  Such attacks or disruptions 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. 

20

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, environmental matters, 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 the 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, energy efficiency measures, and supplier practices
associated with sourcing and manufacturing.  These requirements may increase our own costs, as well as those passed on to us
by our supply chain.

Customer demands for us to implement business practices that are more stringent than existing 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 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
investigation, disclosure and reporting requirements regarding the use of "conflict" minerals mined from the Democratic
Republic of Congo and adjoining countries and which are necessary to the functionality or production of products.  We filed a
report on Form SD with the SEC regarding such matters on May 26, 2016.  Other countries are considering similar regulations.
If we cannot certify that we are using conflict-free minerals, customers may demand that we change the sourcing of minerals
and other materials used in the manufacture of our products, even if the costs for compliant minerals and materials significantly
increases and availability is limited.  If we make changes to materials or suppliers, there will likely be costs associated with
qualifying new suppliers and production capacity and quality could be negatively impacted.  Our relationships with customers
and suppliers may be adversely affected if we are unable to certify that our products are "conflict-free."  We have incurred, and
expect in the future to incur, 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.  We may also encounter challenges to satisfy
those customers who require that all of the components of our products be certified as conflict free in a materially different

21

manner than advocated by the Conflict Free Smelter Initiative or the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection
Act.  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), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) 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 future examinations of our income tax returns 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 2005 and later.  We

are subject to certain income tax examinations in foreign jurisdictions for fiscal 2007 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.

We could be subject to changes in tax rates and potential U.S. tax legislation regarding our foreign earnings that 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 of 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.  However, changes to the U.S. income tax regulations and
jurisdictions in which we operate, or in the interpretation of such laws, could, significantly increase our tax provisions and
ultimately reduce our cash flow from operations and otherwise have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.  Other
factors or events, including business combinations, changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities,
adjustments to income taxes upon finalization of various tax returns or as a result of deficiencies asserted by taxing authorities,
increases in expenses not deductible for tax purposes, changes in available tax credits, and changes in tax rates could also
increase our future effective tax rate.

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 our financial guidance or our failure to meet such guidance;
changes in analysts' estimates of our financial performance or buy/sell recommendations;
any acquisitions we pursue or complete; and
actual or anticipated announcements of technical innovations or new products by us or our competitors.

22

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.

Anti-takeover defenses in our charter documents and under Delaware law could discourage takeover attempts, which could
also reduce the market price of our common stock.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could delay or prevent a change in control of

Microchip. These provisions could also make it difficult for stockholders to elect directors that are not nominated by the current
members of our board of directors or take other corporate actions, including effecting changes in our management. These
provisions include:

•

•

•

•

•

the ability of our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms of
those shares, including preferences and voting rights, without stockholder approval, which could be used to
significantly dilute the ownership of a hostile acquiror;
the right of our board of directors to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of our board of
directors or the resignation, death or removal of a director, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill
vacancies on our board of directors;
the requirement that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by the holders of 50% or more of the
combined voting power of all classes of our capital stock, which could delay the ability of our stockholders to
force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors;
the ability of our board of directors, by majority vote, to amend the bylaws, which may allow our board of
directors to take additional actions to prevent an unsolicited takeover and inhibit the ability of an acquiror to
amend the bylaws to facilitate an unsolicited takeover attempt; and
advance notice procedures with which stockholders must comply to nominate candidates to our board of directors
or to propose matters to be acted upon at a stockholders' meeting, which may discourage or deter a potential
acquiror from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquiror's own slate of directors or otherwise
attempting to obtain control of us.

In addition, as a Delaware corporation, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. These

provisions may prohibit large stockholders, in particular those owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock, from
merging or combining with us for a certain period of time. The application of Section 203 also could have the effect of delaying
or preventing a change in control of us.

Any of these provisions could, under certain circumstances, depress the market price of our common stock.

As a result of our acquisition activity, our goodwill and intangible assets have increased significantly in recent years and we
may in the future incur impairments to goodwill or intangible assets.

When we acquire a business, a substantial portion of the purchase price of the acquisition is allocated to goodwill and other

identifiable intangible assets.  The amount of the purchase price which is allocated to goodwill is determined by the excess of
the purchase price over the net identifiable assets acquired.  As of March 31, 2017, we had goodwill of $2,299.0 million and net
intangible assets of $2,148.1 million.  We review our indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill, for impairment
annually in the fourth fiscal quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of those
assets is more likely than not impaired.  Factors that may be considered in assessing whether goodwill or intangible assets may
be impaired 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 impairment charges were recorded in fiscal 2017 or fiscal 2016.  In fiscal 2017, we
recognized $11.9 million of intangible asset impairment charges.  If in future periods, we determine that our goodwill or
intangible assets are impaired, we will be required to write down these assets which would have a negative effect on our
consolidated financial statements.  

23

Our foreign pension plans are unfunded, and any requirement to fund these plans in the future could negatively affect our
cash position and operating capital.

In connection with our acquisition of Atmel, we assumed unfunded defined benefit pension plans that cover certain of our
French and German employees.  Plan benefits are managed in accordance with local statutory requirements.  Benefits are based
on years of service and employee compensation levels.  The projected benefit obligation totaled $50.4 million at March 31,
2017.  The plans are unfunded in compliance with local statutory regulations, and we have no immediate intention of funding
these plans.  Benefits are paid when amounts become due, commencing when participants retire.  We expect to pay
approximately $0.7 million in fiscal 2018 for benefits earned.  Should legislative regulations require complete or partial funding
of these plans in the future, it could negatively affect our cash position and operating capital.
From time to time we receive grants from governments, agencies and research organizations. If we are unable to comply
with the terms of those grants, we may not be able to receive or recognize grant benefits or we may be required to repay
grant benefits previously paid to us and recognize related charges, which would adversely affect our operating results and
financial position.

From time to time, we receive economic incentive grants and allowances from European governments, agencies and
research organizations targeted at increasing employment at specific locations.  The subsidy grant agreements typically contain
economic incentive, headcount, capital and research and development expenditure and other covenants that must be met to
receive and retain grant benefits, and these programs can be subjected to periodic review by the relevant governments.
Noncompliance by us with the conditions of the grants could result in our forfeiture of all or a portion of any future amounts to
be received, as well as the repayment of all or a portion of amounts received to date.

Conversion of our debentures will dilute the ownership interest of existing stockholders.

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.

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 Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the
Securities and Exchange Commission (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.  In May 2014,
the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which
will supersede nearly all existing revenue 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.  Upon adoption of ASU 2014-09, we will no
longer defer revenue until sale by the distributor to the end customer, but rather, will be required to estimate the effects of
returns and allowances provided to distributors and record revenue at the time of sale to the distributor.  We are currently
evaluating the impact that the adoption of the standard may have on our consolidated financial statements.  We currently expect
to adopt the standard under the full retrospective method.  The final adoption method will depend on the results of our final
assessment, which is expected to be completed later in fiscal 2018.  Refer to Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements for
additional information on the new guidance and its potential impact on us.

24

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 at the federal, state or local level or in international jurisdictions 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, and 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 Arizona and Thailand.  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.

Item 2.

PROPERTIES

At March 31, 2017, we owned and used the facilities described below:

Location
Gresham, Oregon

Approximate
Total Sq. Ft.
826,500

Wafer Fabrication (Fab 4); R&D Center; Administrative Offices; and
Warehousing

Uses

Chacherngsao, Thailand

489,000

Assembly and Test; Wafer Probe; Sample Center; Warehousing; and
Administrative Offices

Colorado Springs,
Colorado

480,000

Manufacturing, Test, Research and Development, Computer and Service
Functions, Design and Engineering

Calamba, Philippines

460,000

Wafer Probe, Test and Administrative Offices

Tempe, Arizona

Chandler, Arizona

Bangalore, India

457,000

415,000

281,000

Wafer Fabrication (Fab 2); R&D Center; Administrative Offices; and
Warehousing

Executive and Administrative Offices; Wafer Probe; R&D Center; Sales and
Marketing; and Computer and Service Functions

Research and Development; Sales and Marketing Support, and Administrative
Offices

Chacherngsao, Thailand

215,000

Assembly and Test

Rousset, France

170,000

Design, Engineering, Test and Administrative

Nantes, France

77,000

Design, Engineering, Test and Probe, Administrative and Warehousing

Shanghai, China

21,000

Research and Development; Marketing Support, and Administrative Offices

Hsinchu, Taiwan

15,000

Design, Engineering and Administrative

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 $2.2 million. 

25

 
 
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 43 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.  Consequently, we could incur uninsured liability in any of those actions.  We also periodically receive notifications
from various third parties alleging infringement of patents or other intellectual property rights or from customers requesting
reimbursement for various costs.  With respect to pending legal actions to which we are a party, although the outcomes 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.  However, if an
unfavorable ruling were to occur in any of the legal proceedings described below or in other legal proceedings or matters that
were not deemed material to us as of the date hereof, then such legal proceedings or matters could 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, from time to time, subject to such litigation.  As a result, no assurances can be given with respect to the
extent or outcome of any such litigation in the future.

As a result of our acquisition of Atmel, which closed on April 4, 2016, we became involved with the following lawsuits.

In re: Continental Airbag Products Liability Litigation.  On May 11, 2016, an Amended and Consolidated Class Action
Complaint ("Complaint") was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (Miami Division)
against Atmel, Continental Automotive Systems, Inc., Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and an affiliate, and Daimler AG and an affiliate.
The Complaint which includes claims arising under federal law and Florida, California, New Jersey, Michigan and Louisiana
state law-alleges that class members unknowingly purchased or leased vehicles containing defective airbag control units
(incorporating allegedly defective application specific integrated circuits manufactured by our Atmel subsidiary between 2006
and 2010), and thereby suffered financial harm, including a loss in the value of their purchased or leased vehicles.  The
plaintiffs are seeking, individually and on behalf of a putative case, unspecified compensatory and exemplary damages,
statutory penalties, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys' fees, and injunctive and other relief.  Our Atmel subsidiary
contested plaintiffs' claims vigorously, and on May 23, 2017 the case was ordered to be dismissed.

Continental Claim ICC Arbitration. On December 29, 2016, Continental Automotive GmbH ("Continental") filed a
Request for Arbitration with the ICC, naming as respondents our subsidiaries Atmel Corporation, Atmel SARL, Atmel Global
Sales Ltd., and Atmel Automotive GmbH (collectively, “Atmel”).  The Request alleges that a quality issue affecting Continental
airbag control units in certain recalled vehicles stems from allegedly defective Atmel application specific integrated circuits
(“ASICs”).  The Continental airbag control units, ASICs and vehicle recalls are also at issue in In re: Continental Airbag
Products Liability Litigation, described above.  Continental seeks to recover from Atmel all related costs and damages incurred
as a result of the vehicle manufacturers’ airbag control unit-related recalls, currently alleged to be $61.6 million (but subject to
increase). Our Atmel subsidiaries intend to defend this action vigorously.

Southern District of New York Action by LFoundry Rousset ("LFR") and LFR Employees.  On March 4, 2014, LFR and

Jean-Yves Guerrini, individually and on behalf of a putative class of LFR employees, filed an action in the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York (the "District Court") against our Atmel subsidiary, our French subsidiary,
Atmel Rousset S.A.S. ("Atmel Rousset"), and LFoundry GmbH ("LF"), LFR's German parent.  The case purports to relate to
Atmel Rousset's June 2010 sale of its wafer manufacturing facility in Rousset, France to LF, and LFR's subsequent insolvency,
and later liquidation, more than three years later.  The District Court dismissed the case on August 21, 2015, and the United
States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal on June 27, 2016. On July 25, 2016, the plaintiffs filed a
notice of appeal from the District Court's June 27, 2016 denial of their motion for relief from the dismissal judgment.  On
May 19, 2017, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the June 27, 2016 order dismissing the case.

26

 
 
Individual Labor Actions by former LFR Employees.  In the wake of LFR's insolvency and liquidation, over 500 former

employees of LFR have filed individual labor actions against Atmel Rousset in a French labor court.  Our Atmel Rousset
subsidiary believes that each of these actions is entirely devoid of merit, and, further, that any assertion by any of the Claimants
of a co-employment relationship with our Atmel Rousset subsidiary is based substantially on the same specious arguments that
the Paris Commercial Court summarily rejected in 2014 in related proceedings.  Our Atmel Rousset subsidiary therefore
intends to defend vigorously against each of these claims.

Item 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

27

PART II

Item  5.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

MARKET  FOR  REGISTRANT'S  COMMON  EQUITY,  RELATED  STOCKHOLDER  MATTERS AND

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "MCHP."  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 2017

High

Low

Fiscal 2016

High

Low

First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

$

$

52.99
62.80
66.18
74.52

47.16
49.49
58.41
62.59

First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

$

$

50.41
46.64
49.11
49.11

46.66
39.57
42.19
39.65

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.

Comparison of 5 year Cumulative Total Return*

Among Microchip Technology Incorporated, the S&P 500 Index
and the PHLX Semiconductor Index

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

$0

3/12

3/13

3/14

3/15

3/16

3/17

Microchip Technology Incorporated

S&P 500

PHLX Semiconductor

*$100 invested on March 31, 2012 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends
Fiscal year ending March 31.

Copyright © 2017 S&P, a division of McGraw Hill Financial. All rights reserved.

28

 
 
Microchip Technology Incorporated

S&P 500 Stock Index

Philadelphia Semiconductor Index

March
2012
100.00

100.00

100.00

March
2013
103.11

113.96

100.34

Cumulative Total Return

March
2014
138.65

138.87

129.24

March
2015
146.35

156.55

150.30

March
2016
148.88

159.34

149.32

March
2017
233.40

186.71

209.36

Data acquired by Research Data Group, Inc. (www.researchdatagroup.com)

On May 19, 2017, there were approximately 560 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 $315.4 million, $291.1 million and $286.5 million in fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and
fiscal 2015, 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 2017 and fiscal 2016 (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):

Fiscal 2017

Dividends per
Common Share

Aggregate
Amount of
Dividend
Payment

Fiscal 2016

Dividends per
Common Share

First Quarter

$

0.3595

$

77,237

First Quarter

$

0.3575

$

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

0.3600

0.3605

0.3610

77,640

Second Quarter

77,970

Third Quarter

82,582

Fourth Quarter

0.3580

0.3585

0.3590

Aggregate
Amount of
Dividend
Payment

72,331

72,686

72,923

73,147

On May 9, 2017, we declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3615 per share, which will be paid on June 6, 2017 to
stockholders of record on May 23, 2017 and the total amount of such dividend is expected to be approximately $83.0 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.

Refer to "Item 12 - Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners And Management And Related Stockholder

Matters," at page 53 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, 2017.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In May 2015, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 20.0 million shares of our common stock in the
open market or in privately negotiated transactions.  As of March 31, 2016, we had repurchased 8.6 million shares under this
authorization for approximately $363.8 million.  In January 2016, our Board of Directors authorized an increase in the existing
share repurchase program to 15.0 million shares of common stock from the approximately 11.4 million shares remaining under
the prior authorization.  There were no repurchases of common stock during fiscal 2017.  There is no expiration date associated
with this repurchase program.

29

 
 
 
Item 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 

You should read the following selected consolidated financial data for the five-year period ended March 31, 2017 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, 2017, and the balance sheet data as of March 31,
2017 and 2016, 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, 2014 and 2013 and balance sheet data as of March 31, 2015, 2014 and
2013 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).

Statement of Income Data:

Net sales
Cost of sales
Research and development
Selling, general and administrative
Amortization of acquired intangible assets
Special charges and other, net (2)
Operating income
Losses on equity method investments
Interest income
Interest expense
Loss on settlement of convertible debt (3)
Other income (loss), net
Income from continuing operations before income
taxes
Income tax (benefit) provision
Net income from continuing operations

Less:  Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income from continuing operations attributable to
Microchip Technology
Basic net income per common share from continuing
operations attributable to Microchip Technology
stockholders
Diluted net income per common share from continuing
operations attributable to Microchip Technology
stockholders
Dividends declared per common share
Basic common shares outstanding
Diluted common shares outstanding

2017 (1)
$ 3,407,807
1,650,611
545,293
499,811
337,667
98,608
275,817
(222)
3,079
(146,346)
(43,879)
1,338

Year ended March 31,
2015 (1)
$ 2,147,036
917,472
349,543
274,815
176,746
2,840
425,620
(317)
19,527
(62,034)
(50,631)
13,742

2016 (1)
$ 2,173,334
967,870
372,596
301,670
174,896
3,957
352,345
(345)
24,447
(104,018)
—
8,864

2014
$ 1,931,217
802,474
305,043
267,278
94,534
3,024
458,864
(177)
16,485
(48,716)
—
5,898

2013
$ 1,581,623
743,164
254,723
261,471
111,537
32,175
178,553
(617)
15,560
(40,915)
—
(404)

89,787
(80,805)
170,592
—

281,293
(42,632)
323,925
207

345,907
(19,418)
365,325
3,684

432,354
37,073
395,281
—

152,177
24,788
127,389
—

$ 170,592

$ 324,132

$ 369,009

$ 395,281

$ 127,389

$

$
$

0.79

$

1.59

$

1.84

$

1.99

$

0.65

0.73
1.441
217,196
234,806

$
$

1.49
1.433
203,384
217,388

$
$

1.65
1.425
200,937
223,561

$
$

1.82
1.417
198,291
217,630

$
$

0.62
1.406
194,595
205,776

(1) Refer to Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for an explanation of our material business combinations during

fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016, and fiscal 2015.

(2) The following table presents a summary of special charges and other, net for the five-year period ended March 31, 2017:

30

 
Acquisition related expenses
Legal settlement
Adjustment to contingent consideration
Totals

2017

2016

March 31,
2015

2014

2013

$

$

98,608
—
—
98,608

$

$

11,163
(7,206)
—
3,957

$

$

2,840
—
—
2,840

$

$

1,654
—
1,370
3,024

$

$

16,259
11,516
4,400
32,175

Discussions of the special charges and other, net for fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 are contained in Note 3 to our

consolidated financial statements.

During fiscal 2014, we incurred special charges and other, net of $3.0 million related to severance, office closing and other

costs associated with our acquisition activity.

During fiscal 2013, we incurred special charges and other, net 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 our acquisition of SMSC and legal settlement costs of
approximately $11.5 million for certain legal matters related to an entity which we acquired in April 2010 in excess of
previously accrued amounts. 

(3) Refer to Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements for an explanation of the loss on settlement of debt of

approximately $43.9 million in fiscal 2017 and approximately $50.6 million in fiscal 2015.

Balance Sheet Data:

Working capital
Total assets
Long-term obligations, less current portion
Microchip Technology Stockholders' equity

2017
$ 1,600,590
7,686,881
2,900,524
3,270,711

2016
$ 2,714,704
5,537,883
2,453,405
2,150,919

March 31,
2015
$ 2,310,645
4,780,713
1,826,858
2,044,654

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

31

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," "future," "continue," "intend" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking
statements.  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 under "Risk Factors," beginning at page 12 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.  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 businesses 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 days of inventory levels in the June 2017 quarter will be 97 days to 106 days.  Our belief
that our existing level of inventory will allow us to maintain competitive lead times and provide strong delivery
performance to our customers;
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;
Anticipating increased customer requirements to meet voluntary criteria related to the reduction or elimination of
substances in our products;
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 and interface 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;
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;

32

 
•

•
•
•

•
•

•
•

•
•

•
•

•
•
•
•
•
•

•
•
•
•

•

That our U.S. operations and capital requirements are funded primarily by cash generated from U.S. operating
activities, which has been and is expected to be sufficient to meet our business needs in the U.S. for the
foreseeable future;
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 our determinations with respect to the tax consequences of the Atmel acquisition are reasonable;
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 some of the recently issued accounting pronouncements listed in this document will not have a
material 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 claims 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;
That our offshore earnings are considered to be permanently reinvested offshore and that we could determine to
repatriate some of our offshore earnings in future periods to fund stockholder dividends, share repurchases,
acquisitions or other corporate activities;
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 debentures 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 our 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 the 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 39, we discuss our Results of Operations for fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016, and for fiscal 2016
compared to fiscal 2015.  We then provide an analysis of changes in our balance sheet and cash flows, and discuss our financial
commitments in the sections titled "Liquidity and Capital Resources," "Contractual Obligations" and "Off-Balance Sheet
Arrangements."

33

 
 
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 embedded control solutions, including general purpose and specialized
microcontrollers, development tools and related software, analog, interface, mixed signal and timing products, wired and
wireless connectivity products, memory products and technology licensing.  We provide highly cost-effective embedded
control solutions that also offer the advantages of small size, high performance, extreme low power usage, 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.  We license our SuperFlash technology and other technologies to wafer
foundries, integrated device manufacturers and design partners throughout the world for use in the manufacture of advanced
microcontroller products, gate array, radio frequency (RF) and analog products that require embedded non-volatile memory.

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 communication, computing and aerospace.  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 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, 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 client engagement manager (CEMs), embedded system engineer
(ESEs), 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 ESE team is to provide technical assistance to strategic accounts and to conduct periodic
training sessions for CEMs and distributor sales teams.  ESEs 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.
See "Our operating results are impacted by both seasonality and the wide fluctuation of supply and demand in the

semiconductor industry," on page 15 for discussion of the impact of seasonality on our business.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

34

 
 
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, senior and junior subordinated
convertible debt 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 which prevent the sales pricing

from being fixed or determinable at the time of shipment to our distributors.  Therefore, revenue recognition is deferred until
the pricing uncertainty is resolved, which generally occurs when the distributor sells the product to their customer.   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. 

In connection with our acquisitions of Atmel and Micrel, we acquired certain distributor relationships where revenue was
recognized upon shipment to the distributors based on certain contractual terms or prevailing business practices that result in the
price not being fixed and determinable at such time.  Following an acquisition, we undertake efforts to align the contract terms
and business practices of the acquired entity with our own.  Once these efforts are complete, revenue recognition is changed.  With
respect to such distributor relationships acquired in the Atmel acquisition, as of October 1, 2016, these business practices were
conformed to those of our other distributors resulting in the deferral of revenue recognition until the distributor sells the product
to their customers.  With respect to such distributor relationships acquired in the Micrel acquisition, in the December 2015 quarter,
these distributor contracts were changed to be consistent with those of our other distributors which resulted in the deferral of
revenue recognition under such contracts until the distributor sells the product to their customers.

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. 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 distributors 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

35

 
 
 
distributor sells the product.  At March 31, 2017, we had approximately $418.0 million of deferred revenue and $125.2 million
in deferred cost of sales recognized as $292.8 million of deferred income on shipments to distributors.  At March 31, 2016, we
had approximately $267.2 million of deferred revenue and $83.8 million in deferred cost of sales recognized as $183.4 million
of deferred income on shipments to distributors.  The increase in deferred income on shipments to distributors in fiscal 2017
compared to fiscal 2016 resulted primarily from our acquisition of Atmel.  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 $203.9 million at March 31, 2017 and $102.9 million at March 31, 2016.  The increase in distributor advances in
fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 resulted primarily from our acquisition of Atmel.  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 distributors' 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 operations.  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.

Recent Updates to Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09-Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and in August 2015, the

FASB subsequently issued ASU 2015-14 “Deferral of the Effective Date,” which supersedes existing revenue guidance
pursuant to US GAAP and will no longer permit us to defer revenue on sales to distributors until the products are sold to the
end customer.  Upon adoption of ASU 2014-09 and 2015-14, a portion of this deferred revenue will be required to be estimated
and recognized upon sale to the distributor rather than upon the sale by the distributor to the end customer. See “Recently
Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted” for additional information on the new guidance.

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

36

 
 
intangible assets, 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.  Under the acquisition method of accounting, the aggregate amount of consideration we pay for a company is
allocated to net tangible assets and intangible assets based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date.  The excess
of the purchase price over the value of the net tangible assets and intangible assets is recorded to goodwill.  On an annual basis,
we test goodwill for impairment and through March 31, 2017, we have never recorded an impairment charge against our
goodwill balance. 

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.  For the past several years, we have utilized RSUs as our primary
equity incentive compensation instrument for employees.  Share-based compensation cost is measured on the grant date based
on the fair market value of our common stock discounted for expected future dividends and  is recognized as expense straight-
line over the requisite service periods.  Total share-based compensation expense recognized in fiscal 2017 was $128.2 million,
of which $109.5 million was reflected in operating expenses and $18.7 million was reflected in cost of sales.  Total share-based
compensation included in our inventory balance was $8.2 million at March 31, 2017. 

During the year ended March 31, 2017, we elected to early adopt ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation,
Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718).  Under this standard, entities are permitted to make
an accounting policy election to either estimate forfeitures on share-based payment awards, as previously required, or to
recognize forfeitures as they occur.  We have elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur.  Prior to the adoption of ASU
2016-09, we estimated the number of share-based awards to be forfeited due to employee turnover.  The effect of forfeiture
adjustments in the years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was immaterial.

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 production below normal operating
levels in our wafer fabrication facilities, approximately $1.9 million and $0.8 million was charged directly to cost of sales in
fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, respectively. There was no charge to cost of sales for reduced production levels in fiscal 2017.

37

 
 
 
 
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, 2017, the valuation
allowances totaled $210.1 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.   

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.  During the year ended March 31, 2017, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
finalized the audit of our 2011 and 2012 income tax years.  The close of this audit did not have an adverse impact on our
financial statements.  Also, during the year ended March 31, 2017, the German and French tax authorities finalized the audit of
our 2010 through 2013 and our 2012 through 2014 income tax years, respectively.  The close of these audits did not have an
adverse impact on our financial statements.  We are currently being audited by the tax authorities in France.  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.  

The accounting model as defined in ASC 740 related to the valuation of uncertain tax positions requires us to presume that

the tax position will be examined by the relevant taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information and that
each tax position will be evaluated without consideration of the possibility of offset or aggregation with other positions.  The
recognition requirement for the liability exists even if we believe the possibility of examination by a taxing authority or
discovery of the related risk matters is remote or where we have a long history of the taxing authority not performing an exam
or overlooking an issue.  We will record an adjustment to a previously recorded position if new information or facts related to
the position are identified in a subsequent period.  All adjustments to the positions are recorded through the income statement.
Generally, adjustments will be recorded in periods subsequent to the initial recognition if the taxing authority has completed an
audit of the period or if the statute of limitation expires.  Due to the inherent uncertainty in the estimation process and in
consideration of the criteria of the accounting model, amounts recognized in the financial statements in periods subsequent to
the initial recognition may significantly differ from the estimated exposure of the position under the accounting model.

Senior and Junior Subordinated Convertible Debt

We separately account for the liability and equity components of our senior and junior subordinated convertible debt 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 operations.  Lastly, we include the
dilutive effect of the shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of the outstanding senior and junior subordinated
convertible debt in our diluted income per share calculation regardless of whether the market price triggers or other contingent
conversion features have 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 senior and 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
prices per share and adjusts as dividends are recorded in the future.

Contingencies

In the ordinary course of our business, we are exposed to various liabilities as a result of contracts, product liability,
customer claims and other matters.  Additionally, we are involved in a limited number of legal actions, both as plaintiff and
defendant.  Consequently, we could incur uninsured liability in any of those actions.  We also periodically receive notifications
from various third parties alleging infringement of patents or other intellectual property rights, or from customers requesting

38

 
 
 
 
reimbursement for various costs.  With respect to pending legal actions to which we are a party and other claims, although the
outcomes are generally not 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 and disputes relating to the
semiconductor industry are not uncommon, and we are, from time to time, subject to such litigation and disputes.  As a result,
no assurances can be given with respect to the extent or outcome of any such litigation or disputes in the future.

We accrue for claims and contingencies when losses become probable and reasonably estimable. As of the end of each
applicable reporting period, we review each of our matters and, where it is probable that a liability has been or will be incurred,
we accrue for all probable and reasonably estimable losses. Where we can reasonably estimate a range of losses we may incur
regarding such a matter, we record an accrual for the amount within the range that constitutes our best estimate. If we can
reasonably estimate a range but no amount within the range appears to be a better estimate than any other, we use the amount
that is the low end of such range.  Contingencies of an acquired company that exist as of the date of the acquisition are
measured at fair value if determinable, which generally is based on a probability weighted model.  If fair value is not
determinable, contingencies of an acquired company are recognized when they become probable and reasonably estimable.

Results of Continuing 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 and other, net
Operating income

Net Sales

Year Ended March 31,
2016

2015

2017

100.0%
48.4
51.6
16.0
14.7
9.9
2.9
8.1%

100.0%
44.5
55.5
17.1
13.9
8.1
0.2
16.2%

100.0%
42.7
57.3
16.3
12.8
8.3
0.1
19.8%

We operate in two segments and engage primarily in the design, development, manufacture and sale of semiconductor
products as well as the licensing of our SuperFlash and other technologies.  We sell our products to distributors and 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 $3,407.8 million in fiscal 2017 increased by $1,234.5 million, or 56.8%, compared to fiscal 2016, and our

net sales of $2,173.3 million in fiscal 2016 increased by $26.3 million, or 1.2%, compared to fiscal 2015.  The increase in net
sales in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 was due primarily to our acquisition of Atmel and also by growth in our historical
business driven by general economic and semiconductor industry conditions.  The increase in net sales in fiscal 2016 compared
to fiscal 2015 was due primarily to our acquisition of Micrel, offset in part by weaker general economic and semiconductor
industry conditions.  Average selling prices for our semiconductor products were flat in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 and
down approximately 3% in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015.  The number of units of our semiconductor products sold was
up approximately 58% in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 and up approximately 6% in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015.  

39

 
 
 
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:

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

our acquisition of Atmel, which closed on April 4, 2016;
our acquisition of Micrel, which closed on August 3, 2015;
global economic conditions in the markets we serve;
semiconductor industry conditions;
our acquisition of ISSC on July 17, 2014;
our acquisition of Supertex on April 1, 2014;
our new product offerings that have increased our served available market;
customers' increasing needs for the flexibility offered by our programmable solutions;
inventory holding patterns of our customers;
increasing semiconductor content in our customers' products; and
continued market share gains in the segments of the markets we address.

Net sales by product line for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

Microcontrollers
Analog, interface, mixed signal and timing
products
Memory products
Technology licensing
Multi-market and other
Total net sales

Microcontrollers

Year Ended March 31,

2017
$ 2,147,338

%
63.0

2016
$ 1,345,499

%
61.9

2015
$ 1,393,607

888,878
184,107
91,156
96,328
$ 3,407,807

26.1
5.4
2.7
2.8
100.0

595,455
116,945
89,124
26,311
$ 2,173,334

27.4
5.4
4.1
1.2
100.0

501,048
132,258
89,593
30,530
$ 2,147,036

%
64.9

23.3
6.2
4.2
1.4
100.0

Our microcontroller product line represents the largest component of our total net sales.  Microcontrollers and associated
application development systems accounted for approximately 63.0% of our net sales in fiscal 2017, approximately 61.9% of
our net sales in fiscal 2016 and approximately 64.9% of our net sales in fiscal 2015.

Net sales of our microcontroller products increased approximately 59.6% in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016, and

decreased approximately 3.5% in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015.  The increase in net sales in fiscal 2017 compared to
fiscal 2016 resulted primarily from our acquisition of Atmel and also by growth in our historical business driven by general
economic and semiconductor industry conditions.  The decrease in net sales in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 resulted
primarily from weaker general economic and semiconductor industry conditions in the end markets we serve including the
consumer, automotive, industrial control, communications and computing markets.

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, Mixed Signal and Timing Products

Sales of our analog, interface, mixed signal and timing products accounted for approximately 26.1% of our net sales in

fiscal 2017, approximately 27.4% of our net sales in fiscal 2016 and approximately 23.3% of our net sales in fiscal 2015.

40

 
 
 
 
 
Net sales of our analog, interface, mixed signal and timing products increased approximately 49.3% in fiscal 2017

compared to fiscal 2016 and increased approximately 18.8% in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015.  The increase in net sales
in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 was driven primarily by our acquisition of Atmel and also by growth in our historical
business driven by general economic and semiconductor industry conditions.  The increase in net sales in fiscal 2016 compared
to fiscal 2015 was driven primarily by our acquisition of Micrel in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 and market share gains
achieved within the analog, interface, mixed signal and timing market.

Analog, interface, mixed signal and timing products can be proprietary or non-proprietary in nature.  Currently, we

consider the majority of our analog, interface, mixed signal and timing 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, mixed signal and timing 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, mixed signal
and timing 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, mixed signal and timing products will increase over time. 

Memory Products

Sales of our memory products accounted for approximately 5.4% of our net sales in fiscal 2017, approximately 5.4% of our

net sales in fiscal 2016 and approximately 6.2% of our net sales in fiscal 2015.

Net sales of our memory products increased approximately 57.4% in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016, and decreased

approximately 11.6% in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015.  The increase in memory product net sales in fiscal 2017
compared to fiscal 2016 was driven primarily by our acquisition of Atmel. The decrease in memory product net sales in fiscal
2016 compared to fiscal 2015 was 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.

Technology Licensing

Technology licensing revenue includes a combination of royalties associated with licenses for the use of our SuperFlash
and other technologies and fees for engineering services.  Technology licensing accounted for approximately 2.7% of our net
sales in fiscal 2017, approximately 4.1% of our net sales in fiscal 2016 and approximately 4.2% of our net sales in fiscal 2015.

Net sales related to our technology licensing increased approximately 2.3% in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 and
decreased approximately 0.5% in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015.  Revenue from technology licensing can fluctuate over
time based on the production activities of our licensees as well as general economic and semiconductor industry conditions. 

Multi-Market and Other

 Multi-market and other (MMO) consists of manufacturing services (wafer foundry and assembly and test subcontracting),

legacy application specific integrated circuits, complex programmable logic devices, and aerospace products.  Revenue from
these services and products accounted for approximately 2.8% of our net sales in fiscal 2017, approximately 1.2% of our net
sales in fiscal 2016, and approximately 1.4% of our net sales in fiscal 2015. 

Net sales related to these services and products increased approximately $70.0 million in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal

2016 and decreased approximately $4.2 million in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015.  The increase in MMO net sales in
fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 was driven primarily by our acquisition of Atmel. The decrease in MMO net sales in fiscal
2016 compared to fiscal 2015 was driven primarily by general economic and semiconductor industry conditions. 

41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distribution

Distributors accounted for approximately 55% of our net sales in fiscal 2017, approximately 53% of our net sales in fiscal

2016 and approximately 51% of our net sales in fiscal 2015.  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 Microchip for its products and brand name and use
distributors as an effective supply channel.  

Our two largest distributors together accounted for approximately 14% of our net sales in fiscal 2017, and approximately,
12% of our net sales in each of fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015. No single distributor accounted for more than 10% of our net sales
in fiscal 2017, 2016 or 2015.

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, 2017, our distributors maintained 33 days of inventory of our products compared to 32 days at March 31,
2016 and 37 days at March 31, 2015.  Over the past five fiscal years, the days of inventory maintained by our distributors have
fluctuated between approximately 27 days and 37 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 when the distributor sells the product to
their customer.

Sales by Geography

Sales by geography for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

Americas
Europe
Asia
Total net sales

Year Ended March 31,

$

2017
641,849
808,583
1,957,375
$ 3,407,807

%
18.8
23.7
57.5
100.0

$

2016
417,579
474,629
1,281,126
$ 2,173,334

%
19.2
21.8
59.0
100.0

$

2015
421,947
452,165
1,272,924
$ 2,147,036

%
19.7
21.0
59.3
100.0

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 total net sales in each of fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015.  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 manufacturing operations to Asia and growth in demand from the emerging Asian
market.  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 32%, 30% and 28% of our net sales in
fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The increases in sales to customers in China, including Hong Kong, in fiscal 2017
compared to fiscal 2016 and in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 were due primarily to our continued focus on the Chinese
market as a key component to our global growth strategy and our acquisition of Atmel, which had a slightly higher percentage
of its net sales from China, including Hong Kong.  Sales to customers in Taiwan accounted for approximately 9%, 12% and
14% of our net sales in fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The decreases in sales to customers in Taiwan in fiscal 2017
compared to fiscal 2016 and in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 were due primarily to our acquisitions of Atmel and Micrel,
which had lower percentages of their net sales from Taiwan.  We did not have sales into any other foreign countries that
exceeded 10% of our net sales during fiscal 2017, 2016 or 2015.

Gross Profit

Our gross profit was $1,757.2 million in fiscal 2017, $1,205.5 million in fiscal 2016 and $1,229.6 million in fiscal

2015.  Gross profit as a percentage of sales was 51.6% in fiscal 2017, 55.5% in fiscal 2016 and 57.3% in fiscal 2015.

42

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The most significant factors affecting our gross profit percentage in the periods covered by this report were:

•

•

•

charges of approximately $186.7 million in fiscal 2017, approximately $44.9 million in fiscal 2016, and approximately
$24.4 million in fiscal 2015 related to the recognition of acquired inventory at fair value as a result of our acquisitions
which increased the value of our acquired inventory and subsequently increased our cost of sales and reduced our
gross margins when the related revenue was recognized;
for each of fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, 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, interface, mixed signal and timing 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.  In fiscal 2017, our wafer fabrication facilities and assembly and test facilities operated at normal capacity
levels, which we measure as a percentage of the capacity of the installed equipment. In fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, our wafer
fabrication facilities operated below normal capacity levels during the third quarter of fiscal 2016 and the first quarter of fiscal
2015 in response to uncertain global economic conditions and our inventory position.  As a result of production being below
normal operating levels in our wafer fabs, approximately $1.9 million and $0.8 million was charged to cost of sales in fiscal
2016 and fiscal 2015, respectively.  We operated at slightly below normal capacity levels in our Thailand assembly and test
facilities during the third quarter of fiscal 2016.  As a result, we charged cost of sales approximately $1.0 million during fiscal
2016.  During fiscal 2015, we operated at normal levels of capacity at our Thailand assembly and test facilities.

The process technologies utilized in our wafer fabrication facilities impact our gross margins.  Our wafer fabrication
facility located in Tempe, Arizona (Fab 2) currently utilizes various manufacturing process technologies, but predominantly
utilizes our 0.5 microns to 1.0 microns processes.  Our wafer fabrication facility located in Gresham, Oregon (Fab 4)
predominantly utilizes our 0.13 microns to 0.5 microns processes.  We continue to transition products to more advanced process
technologies to reduce future manufacturing costs.  Substantially all of our production in Fab 2 and Fab 4 has been on 8-inch
wafers during the periods covered by this report. We consider normal capacity at Fab 2 and Fab 4 to be 90% to 95%. As a result
of our acquisition of Atmel, we acquired a 6-inch wafer fabrication facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado (Fab 5) that currently
utilizes processes between 0.25 microns and 1.0 microns.  We consider normal capacity at Fab 5 to be 70% to 75%.  As a result
of our acquisition of Micrel in August 2015, we acquired a 6-inch wafer fabrication facility in San Jose, California and have
since transitioned products previously manufactured at this facility to our Fab 2, Fab 4 and Fab 5 facilities.  During the quarter
ended December 31, 2016, we decommissioned this San Jose facility and, subsequent to March 31, 2017, we completed the
sale of these assets for proceeds of $10.0 million.  As of March 31, 2017, these assets consisting of property, plant and
equipment were presented as held for sale in our consolidated financial statements.

Our overall inventory levels were $417.2 million at March 31, 2017, compared to $306.8 million at March 31, 2016 and
$279.5 million at March 31, 2015.  The increases in inventory levels at March 31, 2017 compared to March 31, 2016 and the
inventory levels at March 31, 2016 compared to March 31, 2015 were due primarily to the acquisitions of Atmel and Micrel.
We maintained 103 days of inventory on our balance sheet at March 31, 2017 compared to 110 days of inventory at March 31,
2016 and 111 days at March 31, 2015.  We expect our inventory levels in the June 2017 quarter to be between 97 days and 106
days.  We believe our existing level of inventory will allow us to maintain competitive lead times and provide strong delivery
performance to our customers.

We anticipate that our gross margins will fluctuate over time, driven primarily by capacity utilization levels, the overall
product mix of microcontroller, analog, interface, mixed signal and timing 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.

We operate assembly and test facilities in Thailand and, as a result of our acquisition of Atmel, we acquired a test facility in

Calamba, Philippines.  During fiscal 2017, approximately 36% of our assembly requirements were performed in our Thailand
facilities, compared to approximately 53% during fiscal 2016 and approximately 57% during fiscal 2015.  The percentage of
our assembly work that is performed internally fluctuates over time based on supply and demand conditions in the

43

 
 
 
 
 
semiconductor industry, our internal capacity capabilities and our acquisition activities.  Third-party contractors located
primarily in Asia perform the balance of our assembly operations.  During fiscal 2017, approximately 60% of our test
requirements were performed in our Thailand and Philippines facilities compared to approximately 81% of our test
requirements performed in our Thailand facilities during fiscal 2016 and approximately 88% during fiscal 2015. The primary
reasons for the percentage reductions in the assembly and test operations performed internally in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal
2016 and in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 are our acquisitions of Atmel and Micrel, which outsourced most of these
activities. Over time, we intend to migrate a portion of the outsourced assembly and test activities to our Thailand and
Philippines facilities. We believe that the assembly and test operations performed at our internal 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 2017,

approximately 41% of our total net sales came from products that were produced at outside wafer foundries compared to
approximately 39% during each of fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015.

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 2017 were $545.3 million, or 16.0% of sales, compared to $372.6 million, or 17.1% of sales, for

fiscal 2016 and $349.5 million, or 16.3% of sales, for fiscal 2015.  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 $172.7 million, or 46.3%, for fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 primarily due to additional

compensation and other costs from our acquisition of Atmel.  R&D as a percentage of revenue decreased in fiscal 2017
compared to fiscal 2016 due to our restructuring activities and synergies realized following the acquisitions of Atmel and
Micrel.  R&D expenses increased $23.1 million, or 6.6%, for fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 primarily due to additional
costs from our acquisition of Micrel as well as 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 2017 were $499.8 million, or 14.7% of sales, compared to $301.7

million, or 13.9% of sales, for fiscal 2016, and $274.8 million, or 12.8% of sales, for fiscal 2015.  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, CEMs and ESEs 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 $198.1 million, or 65.7%, for fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016
due primarily to additional costs from our acquisition of Atmel.  Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of
revenue increased in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 due to costs associated with accelerated vesting of outstanding equity
awards upon termination of certain Atmel employees.  Excluding these costs, selling, general and administrative expenses as a
percentage of revenue would have been 13.9% of sales, which is flat compared to fiscal 2016.  Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased $26.9 million, or 9.8%, for fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 due primarily to additional
costs from our acquisition of Micrel.  

Selling, general and administrative expenses fluctuate over time, primarily due to revenue and operating expense

investment levels.

44

 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of Acquired Intangible Assets

Amortization of acquired intangible assets in fiscal 2017 was $337.7 million compared to $174.9 million in fiscal 2016 and

$176.7 million in fiscal 2015.  The primary reasons for the increase in acquired intangible asset amortization for fiscal 2017
compared to fiscal 2016 were increased amortization from our acquisitions of Atmel and Micrel partially offset by decreased
amortization from our customer-related intangible assets from our acquisitions of Standard Microsystems Corporation (SMSC)
and ISSC Technologies Corporation (ISSC).  The primary reasons for the decrease in acquired intangible asset amortization for
fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 were decreased amortization from our customer-related intangible assets from our
acquisition of SMSC partially offset by increased amortization from our acquisitions of Micrel and ISSC.

Special Charges and Other, Net 

During fiscal 2017, we incurred special charges and other, net of $98.6 million comprised primarily of restructuring
charges.  Our restructuring activities include workforce, property and other operating expense rationalizations as well as
combining product roadmaps and manufacturing operations.  In connection with these activities we incurred employee
separation costs, contract exit costs, other operating expenses and intangible asset impairment losses.  The impairment losses
were recognized as a result of changes in the combined product roadmaps after the acquisition of Atmel that affected the use
and life of these assets.  During fiscal 2016, we incurred special charges and other, net of $4.0 million comprised of $11.2
million restructuring charges associated with our acquisition activity and legal settlement costs of approximately $4.3 million
partially offset by special income and other, net of $11.5 million related to an insurance settlement for reimbursement of funds
we previously paid to settle a lawsuit in the second quarter of fiscal 2013.  During fiscal 2015, we incurred special charges and
other, net of $2.8 million related to severance, office closing and other costs associated with our acquisition activity.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest income in fiscal 2017 was $3.1 million compared to $24.4 million in fiscal 2016 and $19.5 million in fiscal
2015.  The primary reason for the decrease in interest income in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 relates to lower invested
cash balances as we used cash to finance a significant portion of the purchase price of our acquisition of Atmel.  The primary
reason for the increase in interest income in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 relates to higher yields on short-term cash
investments and higher invested cash balances. 

Interest expense in fiscal 2017 was $146.3 million compared to $104.0 million in fiscal 2016 and $62.0 million in fiscal
2015.  The primary reasons for the increase in interest expense in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 relate to higher interest
expense on amounts borrowed under our credit facility to partially finance our acquisition of Atmel, as well as the issuance of
our 2017 senior and junior debt.  In February 2017, we paid off the remaining $1,682.5 million balance on our credit facility.
The primary reasons for the increase in interest expense in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 relate to the issuance of our
2015 senior debt, partially offset by lower interest expense due to the settlement of $575.0 million in principal of our 2007
junior debt in February 2015.

Loss on settlement of convertible debt in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2015 was $43.9 million and $50.6 million, respectively.  In
February 2017 and 2015, we settled $431.3 million and $575.0 million, respectively, in principal of our 2007 junior debt.  In the
case of the 2017 settlement, the principal value of $431.3 million was settled in cash and we issued shares of our common stock
in respect of the conversion value in excess of the principal amount plus a cash inducement fee of $5.0 million.  In the case of
the 2015 settlement, the entire purchase price was settled in cash for $1,134.6 million.

Other loss, net in fiscal 2017 was $1.3 million compared to other income, net of $8.9 million in fiscal 2016 and other
income, net of $13.7 million in fiscal 2015.  The primary reason for the change in other income (loss) during fiscal 2017
compared to fiscal 2016 relates to the lower realized gains on the sale of marketable equity and debt securities.  The primary
reason for the change in other income (loss) during fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 relates to lower realized gains on the
sale of marketable equity and debt securities and losses resulting from derivative activity.

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 benefit of 90.0% in fiscal 2017, 15.2% in fiscal 2016 and 5.6% in fiscal 2015.  Excluding certain 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 2017 includes $36.3 million of
benefits related to audit closures and expirations of the statute of limitations on various tax reserves and $7.9 million of expense
related to intercompany prepaid tax amortization, which reduces our effective tax rate by 40.3% and increased our effective tax

45

 
 
 
 
rate by 8.8%, respectively.  Our effective tax rate in fiscal 2017 includes a $12.9 million benefit received from current year
generated R&D credits, which reduces our effective tax rate by 14.3%. Our effective tax rate in fiscal 2017 also includes a
$25.0 million benefit for share-based compensation deductions, which reduces our effective tax rate by 27.8%.  

Our effective tax rate in fiscal 2016 included $12.1 million of benefits related to audit closures and expirations of the
statute of limitations on various tax reserves and $15.5 million of benefits related to intercompany prepaid tax amortization,
which reduced our effective rate by 4.3% and 5.5%, respectively.  Our effective tax rate in fiscal 2016 also included a $2.5
million benefit received from the reinstatement of the R&D credit and a $13.5 million benefit received from current year
generated R&D credits, which reduced our effective tax rate by 0.9% and 4.8%, respectively.  Our effective tax rate in fiscal
2015 included $33.1 million of benefits related to audit closures and expirations of the statute of limitations on various tax
reserves, which reduced our effective tax rate by 9.6%. Our effective tax rate in fiscal 2015 also included a $1.8 million benefit
received from the reinstatement of the R&D credit, which reduced our effective tax rate by 0.5%.

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, we are
effectively subject to examination of our income tax returns by the IRS and other tax authorities for fiscal 2005 and later.  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.

Results of Discontinued Operations

Discontinued operations represent the mobile touch operations that we acquired as part of our acquisition of Atmel.  The

mobile touch assets had been marketed for sale since our acquisition of Atmel closed on April 4, 2016 based on our
management's decision that such business was not a strategic fit for our product portfolio.  On November 10, 2016, we
completed the sale of the mobile touch assets to Solomon Systech (Limited) International, a Hong Kong based semiconductor
company.  The transaction included the sale of certain semiconductor products, equipment, customer list, backlog, and a license
to certain other intellectual property and patents related to Atmel's mobile touch product line.  We also agreed to provide certain
transition services to Solomon Systech, which were substantially complete as of March 31, 2017.  For financial statement
purposes, the results of operations for this discontinued business have been segregated from those of the continuing operations
and are presented in our consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations.  Net loss from discontinued operations
for the year ended March 31, 2017 was $6.0 million and consists of a pre-tax loss from operations of $8.2 million and a pre-tax
gain on sale of $0.6 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We had $1,410.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments at March 31, 2017, a decrease

of $1,154.4 million from the March 31, 2016 balance.  The decrease in cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term
investments over this time period is primarily attributable to $2,036.2 million of cash and $941.6 million from additional
amounts borrowed under our credit facility for our acquisition of Atmel, net payments of $1,244.0 million on amounts
borrowed under our credit facility, payments of $436.2 million on the settlement of a portion of our 2007 junior debt, and
dividend payments of $315.4 million, partially offset primarily by proceeds from our new senior and junior debt issuances of
$2,645.0 million and cash generated by operating activities.

Net cash provided from operating activities was $1,059.5 million for fiscal 2017, $744.5 million for fiscal 2016 and $721.2
million for fiscal 2015.  The increase in net cash provided from operating activities in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 was
primarily due to operating cash flows resulting from our acquisitions of Atmel and Micrel and operating synergies realized
from our process efficiency and restructuring efforts.  The increase in net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2016
compared to fiscal 2015 was primarily due to higher net sales and an increase in cash from changes in our operating assets and
liabilities. 

46

 
 
 
 
Net cash used in investing activities was $2,838.0 million for fiscal 2017 compared to net cash provided by investing
activities of $800.4 million for fiscal 2016 and net cash used in investing activities of $678.3 million in fiscal 2015.  Fiscal
2017, 2016 and 2015 investing cash flows include net cash and cash equivalents used to finance acquisitions of $2,747.5
million, $362.0 million and $659.9 million, respectively.  Excluding investing cash flows used for acquisitions, net investing
activities resulted in a use of cash of $90.5 million in fiscal 2017, provided net cash flow of $1,162.4 million in fiscal 2016 and
resulted in a use of cash of $18.4 million in fiscal 2015 and represented primarily the net change in our investments, capital
purchases and sale of assets.  

Our level of capital expenditures varies from time to time as a result of actual and anticipated business conditions.  Capital

expenditures were $75.3 million in fiscal 2017, $97.9 million in fiscal 2016 and $149.5 million in fiscal 2015.  Capital
expenditures are primarily for the expansion of production capacity and the addition of research and development equipment.
Capital expenditures in fiscal 2017 were relatively less than we have experienced in recent years as we delayed certain
purchases until we had finalized and developed plans following the acquisition of Atmel regarding process technology
platforms and other manufacturing activities.  We currently intend to spend approximately $170.0 million during the next
twelve months to invest in equipment and facilities.  We believe that the capital expenditures anticipated to be incurred over the
next twelve months will provide sufficient manufacturing capacity to support the growth of our production capabilities for our
new products and technologies and to bring in-house more of the assembly and test operations that are currently outsourced.
We expect to finance our capital expenditures through our existing cash balances and cash flows from operations. 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $595.5 million for fiscal 2017 compared to net cash used in financing
activities of $59.9 million for fiscal 2016 and net cash provided by financing activities of $98.5 million for fiscal 2015.  We
utilize our credit facility to fund operations, pay dividends and finance acquisitions.  Fiscal 2017 cash flows were favorably
impacted by the net proceeds of debt issued that year. Significant transactions affecting our net financing cash flows include:

•

•

•

•

In fiscal 2017, we issued $2,645.0 million of debt, of which $2,118.7 million was used to settle debt and reduce
borrowings on our credit facility. 
In fiscal 2016, we repurchased shares of our common stock for $363.8 million, which was primarily funded with
borrowings on our credit facility.
In fiscal 2015, we entered into several debt transactions with a net cash inflow of $557.5 million. This included
the issuance of $1,725.0 million principal amount of senior debt.  The proceeds from the debt issuance were used
to repay other debt and reduce borrowings on our credit facility.
In fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, we paid cash dividends to our stockholders of $315.4 million, $291.1 million, and
$286.5 million respectively.  The amount of dividends paid has increased due to an increase in the amount of
dividends declared per share and in the number of shares outstanding. 

In February 2017, we amended our existing $2,774.0 million credit agreement to, among other things, increase certain
covenant compliance ratios.  The February 2017 amendment included a new collateral agreement that secures our borrowings
with all assets of our guarantor subsidiaries with the exception of real property.  Proceeds of loans made under the credit
agreement may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.  At March 31, 2017, we had no borrowings
outstanding under the credit facility compared to $1,052.0 million at March 31, 2016.  See Note 11 of the notes to consolidated
financial statements for more information regarding our credit agreement.

Our total cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments held by our foreign subsidiaries was
$909.2 million at March 31, 2017 and $2,559.3 million at March 31, 2016.  The decrease is primarily due to cash used in our
acquisition of Atmel.  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, 2017 and
March 31, 2016 was approximately $501.0 million and $5.3 million, respectively.  The increase is primarily due to net cash
flow resulting from the issuances of the new senior and junior debt net of payments on amounts borrowed under our credit
facility.  Our U.S. operations and capital requirements are funded primarily by cash generated from U.S. operating activities,
which has been and is expected to be sufficient to meet our business needs in the U.S. for the foreseeable future.  We utilize a
variety of tax planning and financing strategies (including amounts borrowed under our credit agreement) with the objective of
having our worldwide cash available in the locations in which it is needed.  Should our U.S. cash needs exceed funds generated
by U.S. operations for any reason, including acquisitions of large capital assets or acquisitions of U.S. businesses, we may
require additional funds in the U.S. and would expect to borrow such additional funds under our existing credit facility, pursue 

47

 
 
other U.S. borrowing alternatives, issue equity securities or utilize a combination of these sources.  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.

In February 2016, we terminated our ten-year fixed-to-floating interest rate swap agreements which were related to a
portion of our fixed-rate 1.625% 2015 senior subordinated convertible debt.  The interest rate swap agreements were designated
as fair value hedges.  We paid variable interest equal to the three-month LIBOR minus 53.6 basis points and we received a
fixed interest rate of 1.625%.  Upon termination, the contracts were in an asset position, resulting in cash receipts of
approximately $25.7 million, which included $3.7 million of accrued interest.  The cash flows from the termination of these
interest rate swap agreements have been reported as operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.  

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, 2017, we had no
foreign currency forward contracts outstanding.

On April 4, 2016, we completed our acquisition of Atmel.  Under the terms of the merger agreement executed on January

19, 2016, Atmel stockholders received $8.15 per share consisting of $7.00 per share in cash and $1.15 per share in shares of
Microchip common stock.  We financed the purchase price of our Atmel acquisition using approximately $2.04 billion of cash
held by certain of our foreign subsidiaries, approximately $0.94 billion from additional amounts borrowed under our credit
agreement and approximately $486.1 million through the issuance of an aggregate of 10.1 million shares of our common stock.
The acquisition price represents a total equity value of approximately $3.47 billion, and a total enterprise value of
approximately $3.43 billion, after excluding Atmel's cash and investments net of debt on its balance sheet of approximately
$39.3 million.  The acquisition was structured in a manner that enabled us to utilize a substantial portion of the cash, cash
equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments held by certain of our foreign subsidiaries in a tax efficient
manner.  Although we believe our determinations with respect to the tax consequences of the acquisition are reasonable, we are
regularly audited by the IRS and may be audited by other taxing authorities, and there can be no assurance as to the outcome of
any such audit. 

On August 3, 2015, we acquired Micrel for $14.00 per share and paid an aggregate of approximately $430.0 million in
cash and issued an aggregate of 8.6 million shares of our common stock to Micrel shareholders.  We financed the cash portion
of the purchase price with amounts borrowed under our credit agreement.

In May 2015, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 20.0 million shares of our common stock in the

open market or in privately negotiated transactions.  In January 2016, our Board of Directors authorized an increase in the
existing share repurchase program to 15.0 million shares of common stock from the approximately 11.4 million shares
remaining under the current authorization.  As of March 31, 2016, we had repurchased 8.6 million shares under this
authorization for approximately $363.8 million.  There were no repurchases of common stock during fiscal 2017.  There is no
expiration date associated with this repurchase program. 

As of March 31, 2017, we held approximately 20.4 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 $3.13 billion.  During fiscal 2017, we
paid dividends in the amount of $1.441 per share for a total dividend payment of $315.4 million.  During fiscal 2016, we paid
dividends in the amount of $1.433 per share for a total dividend payment of $291.1 million.  During fiscal 2015, we paid
dividends in the amount of $1.425 per share for a total dividend payment of $286.5 million.  On May 9, 2017, we declared a
quarterly cash dividend of $0.3615 per share, which will be paid on June 6, 2017, to stockholders of record on May 23, 2017
and the total amount of such dividend is expected to be approximately $83.0 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.

48

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 increase our
borrowings 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, for share repurchases 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.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations at March 31, 2017, 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, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

Operating lease obligations (1)
Capital purchase obligations (2)
Other purchase obligations and commitments (3)
2017 senior debt (4)
2015 senior debt (5)
2017 junior debt (6)
2007 junior debt (7)
Pension obligations (8)
Total contractual obligations (9)

Payments Due by Period

Total

Less than
1 year

$

87,399

$

45,549

107,393

2,406,376

1,945,435

833,751

207,008

26,259

45,549

105,455

33,638

28,031

12,938

3,055

1 – 3 years
36,034

$

3 – 5 years
22,683

$

—

1,575

67,275

56,063

25,875

6,109

—

242

67,275

56,063

25,875

6,109

More than
5 years

$

2,423

—

121

2,238,188

1,805,278

769,063

191,735

$

$

$

700

1,731

2,582

194,662

255,625

180,829

13,677
$ 5,646,588

8,664
$ 5,015,472
(1) Operating lease obligations include $33.0 million which is recorded as a liability on the balance sheet as of March 31,
2017.  This obligation is due under an operating lease from the acquisition of Atmel for a building in San Jose, California.
(2) 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, 2017, as we have not
yet received the related goods or taken title to the property.
(3) Other purchase obligations and commitments include payments due under various types of licenses and outstanding
purchase commitments with our wafer foundries of approximately $98.3 million for delivery of wafers in fiscal 2018.
(4) For purposes of this table we have assumed that the principal of our 2017 senior convertible debt will be paid on
February 15, 2027, which is the maturity date of such debt.
(5) For purposes of this table we have assumed that the principal of our 2015 senior convertible debt will be paid on
February 15, 2025, which is the maturity date of such debt.
(6) For purposes of this table we have assumed that the principal of our 2017 junior convertible debt will be paid on
February 15, 2037, which is the maturity date of such debt.
(7) For purposes of this table we have assumed that the principal of our 2007 junior convertible debt will be paid on
December 15, 2037, which is the maturity date of such debt.
(8) For purposes of this table pension obligations due in more than 5 years represent the expected pension payments from
2023 through 2027.  It excludes pension obligations subsequent to 2027.
(9) Total contractual obligations do not include contractual obligations recorded on our 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.

49

 
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, 2017, we are not involved in any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of

SEC Regulation S-K.  In the ordinary course of business, we may provide standby letters of credit or other guarantee
instruments to certain parties as required for certain transactions initiated by us or our subsidiaries.  We have not recorded
any liability in connection with these guarantee arrangements.  Based on historical experience and information currently
available, we believe we will not be required to make any payments under these guarantee arrangements. 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements.

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 $1,410.2 million as of March 31, 2017 compared to $2,564.6 million
as of March 31, 2016.  We sold a significant portion of our available-for-sale investments during the first quarter of fiscal 2017
and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 to partially finance the purchase price of our Atmel acquisition which closed on April 4,
2016.  Our 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 as of March 31, 2017.  We have aggregated our available-for-sale securities for presentation purposes since they
are all very similar in nature (dollars in thousands): 

Financial instruments maturing during the fiscal year ended March 31,

Available-for-sale securities
Weighted-average yield rate

2018
$ 342,500

2019
10,024

$

2020
$ 147,435

$

1.05%

1.72%

1.73%

2021

2022

— $
—%

Thereafter
—
—%

— $
—%

See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our investments.

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.

50

 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE 

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
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, 2017, the end of our fiscal

year.  Management based its assessment on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013 framework)
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Management's assessment included an
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.

In accordance with guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, registrants are permitted to exclude
material business combinations from their final assessment of internal control over financial reporting for the first fiscal year in
which the acquisition occurred.  Our management’s evaluation of internal control over financial reporting excluded the internal
control activities of Atmel, which we acquired on April 4, 2016 as discussed in Note 2, “Business Combinations” of the Notes
to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  We have included the financial results of Atmel in our consolidated financial
statements from the date of acquisition.  Total revenues excluded from our assessment of internal control over financial
reporting represented approximately 22% of our consolidated total Atmel revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.
Total Atmel assets excluded from our assessment of internal control over financial reporting represented approximately 4% of
our consolidated total assets as of March 31, 2017.

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.

51

 
 
 
 
 
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,
2017, which is included on page F-2.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, 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.

Item 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION

In June and November, 2016, 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 Power and Interface 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.

52

 
 
 
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

2017 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 2017 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 11, 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 2017 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 2017 annual meeting of stockholders under the caption "Code of Business Conduct and Ethics."  A copy of
our Code of Business Conduct and 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 2017 annual meeting of stockholders under the
caption "Requirements, Including Deadlines, for Receipt of Stockholder Proposals for the 2017 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 2017 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 2017 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 2017 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 2017 annual meeting of stockholders.

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 2017 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 2017 annual meeting of stockholders.

53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 2017 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 2017 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 2017 annual meeting of stockholders.

54

 
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

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2017 and 2016

Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years in the period ended March 31,
2017

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three years in the period
ended March 31, 2017

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31,
2017

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for each of the three years in the period ended
March 31, 2017

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 59 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-8

F-10

None

55

Item 16.

Form 10-K Summary

Not applicable.

56

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.

May 30, 2017

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
(Registrant)

By:  /s/ Steve Sanghi                                                                       
Steve Sanghi
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

57

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned officer or director of Microchip Technology
Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint each of STEVE SANGHI and
J. ERIC BJORNHOLT, 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 this annual report 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 or director (as indicated below opposite such person's signature) to the Company's annual
report on Form 10-K or any amendments or supplements 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 executed the foregoing power of attorney on this 30th day of May,
2017.

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/ Esther L. Johnson
Esther L. Johnson

/s/ Wade F. Meyercord
Wade F. Meyercord

/s/ J. Eric Bjornholt
J. Eric Bjornholt

Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board

May 30, 2017

May 30, 2017

May 30, 2017

May 30, 2017

May 30, 2017

May 30, 2017

Director

Director

Director

Director

Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)

58

Exhibit
Number
2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

3.1

3.2

4.1

4.2

4.3

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

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
May 7, 2015, by and among, Microchip
Technology Incorporated, Micrel,
Incorporated, Mambo Acquisition Corp. and
Mambo Acquisition LLC

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
January 19, 2016, by and among Microchip
Technology, Atmel Corporation, and Hero
Acquisition Corporation
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Registrant

Amended and Restated By-Laws of
Registrant, as amended through
November 14, 2016

Indenture, dated as of December 7, 2007, by
and between Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association, as Trustee, and Microchip
Technology Incorporated

Indenture dated as of February 11, 2015
between Microchip Technology Incorporated
and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Indenture dated as of February 15, 2017
between Microchip Technology Incorporated
and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Incorporated by Reference

Form
10-K

File
Number
000-21184

Exhibit
2.1

Filing
Date
5/30/2014

Filed
Herewith

10-K

000-21184

2.2

5/30/2014

10-K

000-21184

2.3

5/30/2014

10-K

000-21184

2.4

5/30/2014

10-K

000-21184

2.5

5/30/2014

10-K

000-21184

2.2

5/30/2012

8-K

000-21184

2.1

5/8/2015

8-K

000-21184

2.1

1/19/2016

10-Q

000-21184

8-K

000-21184

3.1

3.1

11/12/2002

11/17/2016

8-K

000-21184

4.1

12/7/2007

8-K

000-21184

4.1

2/11/2015

8-K

000-21184

4.1

2/15/2017

59

Exhibit
Number
4.4

4.5

10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.7

10.8

10.9

10.10

10.11

10.12

10.13

Exhibit Description

Indenture dated as of February 15, 2017
between Microchip Technology Incorporated
and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
December 7, 2007, by and between J.P.
Morgan Securities Inc. and Microchip
Technology Incorporated

Master Increasing Lender Supplement dated
as of March 19, 2015, by and among
Microchip Technology Incorporated and the
Increasing Lenders thereto

Amendment No. 2, dated as of February 8,
2017, to Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2013, as
amended and restated as of February 4, 2015

Amendment No. 1, dated December 4, 2015,
to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,
dated as of June 27, 2013, as amended and
restated as of February 4, 2015

Amendment and Restatement Agreement
dated as of February 4, 2015, to the Credit
Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2013, by and
among Microchip Technology Incorporated,
the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent

Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of
February 8, 2017, by and among Microchip
Technology Incorporated, the other grantors
party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank,
N.A., as Administrative Agent

Form of Indemnification Agreement between
Registrant and its directors and certain of its
officers

Microchip Technology Incorporated 2012
Inducement Award Plan

*2004 Equity Incentive Plan as amended and
restated August 14, 2015

*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)

Incorporated by Reference

Form
8-K

File
Number
000-21184

Exhibit
4.3

Filing
Date
2/15/2017

Filed
Herewith

8-K

000-21184

4.2

12/7/2007

10-K

000-21184

10.1

6/8/2015

8-K

000-21184

10.1

2/8/2017

8-K

000-21184

10.1

12/7/2015

8-K

000-21184

10.1

2/4/2015

8-K

000-21184

10.2

2/8/2017

S-1

33-57960

10.1

2/5/1993

S-8

333-183074

4.8

8/3/2012

8-K

000-21184

10.1

8/18/2015

S-8

S-8

333-192273

10.2

11/12/2013

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

10.14

*Restricted Stock Units Agreement
(Domestic) for 2004 Equity Incentive Plan

10-Q

000-21184

10.3

11/7/2007

60

Incorporated by Reference

Form
10-Q

File
Number
000-21184

Exhibit
10.4

Filing
Date
11/7/2008

Filed
Herewith

8-K

000-21184

10.1

9/27/2010

10-Q

000-21184

10.1

2/6/2012

10-K

000-21184

10.17

5/30/2014

8-K

000-21184

10.1

8/18/2016

10-Q

000-21184

10.3

8/24/2006

10-K

000-21184

10.21

5/30/2013

S-8

S-8

333-101696

4.1.1

12/6/2002

333-101696

4.1.3

12/6/2002

S-8

333-101696

4.1.4

12/6/2002

10-K

000-21184

10.28

6/5/2003

10-Q

000-21184

10.1

2/9/2006

10-K

000-21184

10.28

5/24/2016

8-K

8-K

10-Q

000-21184

000-21184

000-21184

10.1

10.2

10.1

12/18/2008

12/18/2008

2/13/1998

10-K

000-21184

10.14

5/15/2001

10-Q

000-21184

10.2

2/13/1998

8-K

000-21184

10.1

6/11/2009

Exhibit
Number
10.15

10.16

10.17

10.18

10.19

10.20

10.21

10.22

10.23

10.24

10.25

10.26

10.27

10.28

10.29

10.30

10.31

10.32

10.33

Exhibit Description

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)

*Microchip Technology Incorporated 2001
Employee Stock Purchase Plan as amended
through March 1, 2012
Microchip Technology Incorporated
International Employee Stock Purchase Plan
as amended through May 19, 2014, including
Purchase Agreement

*Executive Management Incentive
Compensation Plan  as amended on May 16,
2016

*Discretionary Executive Management
Incentive Compensation Plan

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

*February 3, 2003 Amendment to the
Adoption Agreement to the Microchip
Technology Incorporated Supplemental
Retirement Plan

*Amendments to Supplemental Retirement
Plan

*Amended and Restated Adoption Agreement
to the Microchip Technology Incorporated
Supplemental Retirement Plan dated October
8, 2008, as amended December 15, 2008
*Change of Control Severance Agreement

*Change of Control Severance Agreement

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
Amended Strategic Investment Program
Contract dated as of June 8, 2009 between,
Multnomah County, Oregon, City of
Gresham, Oregon and Microchip Technology
Incorporated

61

Exhibit
Number
21.1

23.1

24.1

31.1

31.2

32

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit Description

Form

File
Number

Exhibit

Filing
Date

Subsidiaries of Registrant

Consent of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm

Power of Attorney included on Page 58 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.

Filed
Herewith
X

X

X

X

X

X

62

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, 2017 

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
AND SUBSIDIARIES

CHANDLER, ARIZONA

63

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2017 and 2016

Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2017

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three years in the period ended
March 31, 2017

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31,
2017

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for each of the three years in the period ended
March 31, 2017

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Page Number

F-1

F-2

F-3

F-4

F-5

F-6

F-8

F-10

i

Item1. Financial Statements

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share amounts)

ASSETS

March 31,

2017

$

908,684

$

2016
2,092,751

394,088

478,373

417,202

41,354

6,459

58,880

353,284

290,183

306,815

41,992

—

11,688

2,305,040

3,096,713

$

$

$

$

683,338

107,457

2,299,009

2,148,092

68,870

75,075

7,686,881

149,233

212,450

292,815

49,952

704,450

2,900,524

184,945

409,045

217,206

—

229

609,396

118,549

1,012,652

606,349

14,831

79,393

5,537,883

79,312

119,265

183,432

—

382,009

2,453,405

111,061

399,218

41,271

—

204

2,537,344

1,391,553

(731,884)

(14,378)

1,479,400

3,270,711

(820,066)

(3,357)

1,582,585

2,150,919

$

7,686,881

$

5,537,883

Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term investments

Accounts receivable, net

Inventories

Prepaid expenses

Assets held for sale

Other current assets

Total current assets

Property, plant and equipment, net

Long-term investments

Goodwill

Intangible assets, net

Long-term deferred tax assets

Other assets

Total assets

Accounts payable

Accrued liabilities

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Deferred income on shipments to distributors

Current portion of long-term debt

Total current liabilities

Long-term debt

Long-term income tax payable

Long-term 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; 249,463,733 shares issued and

229,093,658 shares outstanding at March 31, 2017; 227,416,789 shares issued and 204,081,727 shares
outstanding at March 31, 2016

Additional paid-in capital
Common stock held in treasury: 20,370,075 shares at March 31, 2017; 23,335,062 shares at March 31,

2016

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Retained earnings

Total stockholders' equity

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-3

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Net sales
Cost of sales (1)
Gross profit

Research and development  (1)
Selling, general and administrative  (1)
Amortization of acquired intangible assets
Special charges and other, net

Operating expenses

Operating income
Losses on equity method investments
Other income (expense):

Interest income
Interest expense
Loss on settlement of convertible debt
Other income, net

Income before income taxes
Income tax benefit
Net income from continuing operations
Discontinued operations:

Loss from discontinued operations
Income tax benefit
Net loss from discontinued operations

Net Income

Less:  Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

Net income attributable to Microchip Technology

Basic net income per common share attributable to Microchip Technology stockholders

Net income from continuing operations
Net loss from discontinued operations
Net income attributable to Microchip Technology

Diluted net income per common share attributable to Microchip Technology stockholders

Net income from continuing operations
Net loss from discontinued operations
Net income attributable to Microchip Technology

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,

2017
3,407,807
1,650,611
1,757,196

545,293
499,811
337,667
98,608
1,481,379

275,817
(222)

3,079
(146,346)
(43,879)
1,338
89,787
(80,805)
170,592

(7,514)
(1,561)
(5,953)

$

2016
2,173,334
967,870
1,205,464

$

2015
2,147,036
917,472
1,229,564

372,596
301,670
174,896
3,957
853,119

352,345
(345)

24,447
(104,018)
—
8,864
281,293
(42,632)
323,925

—
—
—

349,543
274,815
176,746
2,840
803,944

425,620
(317)

19,527
(62,034)
(50,631)
13,742
345,907
(19,418)
365,325

—
—
—

164,639
—
164,639

$

323,925
207
324,132

$

365,325
3,684
369,009

0.79
$
(0.03) $
$
0.76

0.73
$
(0.02) $
$
0.71
1.441
$
217,196
234,806

1.59

$
— $
$

1.59

1.49

$
— $
$
$

1.49
1.433
203,384
217,388

1.84
—
1.84

1.65
—
1.65
1.425
200,937
223,561

$

18,713
46,801
62,641

$

8,252
32,022
31,146

9,010
28,164
21,422

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-4

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)

Net income

Less:  Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

Net income attributable to Microchip Technology

Components of other comprehensive (loss) income:
Available-for sale securities:

Unrealized holding (losses) gains, net of tax effect
Reclassification of realized transactions, net of tax effect

Actuarial (losses) gains related to defined benefit pension plans, net of tax benefit
(provision) of $2,172, ($18), and $76
Change in net foreign currency translation adjustment
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes

Less:  Other comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Microchip Technology

Year Ended March 31,

2017

2016

2015

$

$

164,639
—
164,639

$

323,925
207
324,132

365,325
3,684
369,009

(1,558)
1,522

(5,307)
(5,678)
(11,021)
—
(11,021)

(3,241)
(10,948)

31
—
(14,158)
—
(14,158)

33,759
(18,694)

(127)
(5,188)
9,750
866
10,616

375,075
4,550
379,625

Comprehensive income

Less:  Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

Comprehensive income attributable to Microchip Technology

$

153,618
—
153,618

$

309,767
207
309,974

$

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-5

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
Loss on settlement of convertible debt
Amortization of debt discount on convertible debt
Amortization of debt issuance costs
Losses on equity method investments
Gains on sale of assets
Loss on write-down of fixed assets
Impairment of intangible assets
Realized losses (gain) on available-for-sale investments
Realized gain on equity method investment
Impairment of available-for-sale investment
Amortization of premium on available-for-sale investments
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding impact of acquisitions:

Increase in accounts receivable
Decrease in inventories
Increase in deferred income on shipments to distributors
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Change in other assets and liabilities

Operating cash flows related to discontinued operations

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
Sale of equity method investment
Acquisition of Atmel, net of cash acquired
Acquisition of Micrel, net of cash acquired
Acquisition of ISSC, net of cash acquired
Purchase of additional controlling interest in ISSC
Acquisition of Supertex, net of cash acquired
Investments in other assets
Proceeds from sale of assets
Capital expenditures

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:

Payments on settlement of convertible debt
Proceeds from issuance of 2017 senior debt
Proceeds from issuance of 2017 junior debt
Proceeds from issuance of 2015 senior debt
Repayments of revolving loan under credit facility
Proceeds from borrowings on revolving loan under credit facility
Repayments of long-term borrowings
Deferred financing costs
Payment of cash dividends
Repurchase of common stock
Proceeds from sale of common stock
Tax payments related to shares withheld for vested restricted stock units
Capital lease payments

F-6

Year ended March 31,
2016

2015

2017

$

164,639

$

323,925

$

365,325

469,208
(126,888)
128,155
—
43,879
56,075
4,524
222
(78)
2,571
11,904
89
(468)
1,433
18

(46,831)
223,711
109,383
(16,070)
24,628
9,348
1,059,452

(500,309)
470,565
1,746
(2,747,516)
—
—
—
—
(10,218)
23,069
(75,310)
(2,837,973)

(436,205)
2,070,000
575,000
—
(2,781,000)
1,537,000
—
(36,930)
(315,429)
—
42,210
(58,402)
(783)

283,171
(60,425)
71,420
(758)
—
48,022
3,968
345
(960)
—
629
(13,727)
(2,225)
3,995
9,044

(2,150)
48,245
16,962
(20,836)
35,838
—
744,483

(1,573,867)
2,824,231
2,667
—
(343,928)
—
(18,051)
—
(7,056)
14,296
(97,895)
800,397

—
—
—
—
(1,614,452)
2,204,500
—
(2,156)
(291,087)
(363,829)
28,718
(21,720)
(676)

278,298
(32,811)
58,596
(1,216)
50,631
14,791
2,463
317
—
362
1,881
(18,469)
—
—
9,949

(15,893)
25,517
18,330
(33,992)
(2,897)
—
721,182

(959,318)
1,097,065
—
—
—
(252,469)
(32,095)
(375,365)
(6,663)
—
(149,472)
(678,317)

(1,134,621)
—
—
1,725,000
(1,697,642)
1,859,594
(350,000)
(32,846)
(286,478)
—
34,433
(19,504)
(604)

Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net (decrease) increase 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,
2016

2015

2017

—
595,461
(1,007)
(1,184,067)
2,092,751
908,684

$

758
(59,944)
—
1,484,936
607,815
2,092,751

$

$

1,216
98,548
(201)
141,212
466,603
607,815

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-7

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN 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
Microchip
Technology
Stockholders'
Equity

Noncontrolling
Interests

Total
Equity

218,790

$1,244,783

18,787

$(577,382) $

1,051

$ 1,467,009

$

2,135,461

$

— $2,135,461

—

—

52,467

52,467

369,009

369,009

(3,684)

365,325

10,616

—

(866)

240

9,750

240

(246)

(31,849)

(32,095)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

345

2,503

34,369

(426)

(19,504)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(2,077)

(61,703)

(2,077)

61,703

—

—

—

—

—

—

1,220

56,687

1,622

(606,926)

348,824

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

10,616

—

(591)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

34,369

(19,504)

—

1,220

56,687

1,622

(606,926)

348,824

64

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

34,433

(19,504)

—

1,220

56,687

1,622

(606,926)

348,824

(286,478)

218,790

999,717

16,710

(515,679)

11,076

1,549,540

2,044,654

16,372

2,061,026

(286,478)

(286,478)

—

324,132

324,132

(207)

323,925

(14,158)

(275)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(14,158)

—

(14,158)

(1,886)

(16,165)

(18,051)

369,054

—

369,054

4,052

(363,829)

28,718

(21,720)

—

(567)

—

—

—

—

—

—

4,052

(363,829)

28,718

(21,720)

—

(567)

—

—

—

—

—

(1,611)

8,627

369,054

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

4,052

—

— 8,627

(363,829)

2,491

28,718

(489)

(21,720)

—

—

—

—

(2,002)

(59,442)

(2,002)

59,442

—

(567)

—

—

F-8

Balance at March 31,
2014
Acquisition of
controlling interest in
ISSC
Net income (loss)

Other comprehensive
income
Other

Purchase of additional
shares from
noncontrolling interest

Proceeds from sales of
common stock through
employee equity
incentive plans
Restricted stock unit
and stock appreciation
right withholdings
Treasury stock used for
new issuances
Tax benefit from equity
incentive plans
Share-based
compensation
Non-cash
consideration,
exchange of employee
stock awards -
Supertex acquisition
Settlement of
convertible debt

Convertible Debt -
issuance of 2015 senior
debt
Cash dividend

Balance at March 31,
2015
Net income (loss)

Other comprehensive
loss
Purchase of additional
shares from
noncontrolling interest

Issuance of common
stock - Micrel
acquisition

Non-cash
consideration,
exchange of employee
stock awards - Micrel
Purchase of treasury
stock

Proceeds from sales of
common stock through
employee equity
incentive plans

Restricted stock unit
and stock appreciation
right withholdings
Treasury stock used for
new issuances
Tax benefit from equity
incentive plans

Share-based
compensation
Cash dividend

Balance at March 31,
2016

Net income

Other comprehensive
loss

Issuance of common
stock - Atmel
acquisition

Non-cash
consideration,
exchange of employee
stock awards - Atmel
acquisition

Proceeds from sales of
common stock through
employee equity
incentive plans
Restricted stock unit
and stock appreciation
right withholdings

Adoption of ASU
2016-09, cumulative
adjustment
Treasury stock used for
new issuances

Share-based
compensation

Shares issued to settle
convertible debt

Settlement of
convertible debt

Convertible Debt -
issuance of 2017 senior
and junior debt

Cash dividend

Balance at March 31,
2017

486,182

—

486,182

Common Stock and
Additional Paid-in-
Capital

Common Stock
Held
 in Treasury

Shares

Amount

Shares

Amount

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income

Retained
Earnings

Net
Microchip
Technology
Stockholders'
Equity

Noncontrolling
Interests

Total
Equity

—

—

73,556

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

73,556

(291,087)

(291,087)

—

—

73,556

(291,087)

227,417

1,391,757

23,335

(820,066)

(3,357)

1,582,585

2,150,919

— 2,150,919

—

164,639

164,639

—

—

—

—

10,050

486,182

—

—

—

—

7,470

—

3,986

42,210

(1,021)

(58,402)

—

1,967

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(2,965)

(88,182)

(2,965)

88,182

—

127,308

11,997

862,651

—

(850,709)

—

—

615,321

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(11,021)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(11,021)

7,470

42,210

(58,402)

47,605

49,572

—

—

—

—

—

—

127,308

862,651

(850,709)

615,321

(315,429)

(315,429)

—

—

164,639

(11,021)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

7,470

42,210

(58,402)

49,572

—

127,308

862,651

(850,709)

615,321

(315,429)

249,464

$2,537,573

20,370

$(731,884) $

(14,378) $ 1,479,400

$

3,270,711

$

— $3,270,711

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

F-9

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Business

Microchip Technology Incorporated ("Microchip" or the "Company") develops, manufactures and sells specialized
semiconductor products used by its customers for a wide variety of embedded control applications.  Microchip's 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, radio frequency (RF), timing, safety, security,
wired connectivity and wireless connectivity devices, as well as serial Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
(EEPROMs), Serial Flash memories, Parallel Flash memories and serial Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) 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 and its majority-owned and controlled
subsidiaries.  As further discussed in Note 2, on April 4, 2016, the Company completed its acquisition of Atmel and the
Company's financial results include Atmel's results beginning as of such acquisition date.  As further discussed in Note 2, the
Company did not hold 100% of the outstanding common stock of ISSC Technologies Corporation (ISSC) from July 17, 2014
through June 30, 2015 and the noncontrolling interest in the Company's net income from ISSC has been excluded from net
income attributable to the Company in the Company's consolidated statements of income.  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 has occurred, the pricing is fixed or determinable and 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 which prevent the sales pricing
from being fixed or determinable at the time of the Company's shipment to the distributors.  Therefore, revenue recognition is
deferred until the pricing uncertainty is resolved, which generally occurs when the distributor sells the product to their
customer.  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.

In connection with its acquisitions of Atmel and Micrel, the Company acquired certain distributor relationships where
revenue was recognized upon shipment to the distributors based on certain contractual terms or prevailing business practices
that resulted in the price not being fixed and determinable at such time.  Following an acquisition, the Company undertakes
efforts to align the contract terms and business practices of the acquired entity with its own.  Once these efforts are complete,
the related revenue recognition is changed.  With respect to such distributor relationships acquired in the Atmel acquisition, as
of October 1, 2016, these business practices were conformed to those of the Company’s other distributors, which beginning in
October 2016 resulted in the deferral of revenue recognition until the distributor sells the product to their customers.  With
respect to such distributor relationships acquired in the Micrel acquisition, in the December 2015 quarter, these distributor
contracts were changed to be consistent with those of the Company’s other distributors which resulted in the deferral of revenue
recognition under such contracts until the distributor sells the product to their customers.

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.

F-10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 distributors 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
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, 2017, the Company had approximately $418.0 million of deferred revenue and $125.2 million in deferred

cost of sales recognized as $292.8 million of deferred income on shipments to distributors.  At March 31, 2016, the Company
had approximately $267.2 million of deferred revenue and $83.8 million in deferred cost of sales recognized as $183.4 million
of deferred income on shipments to distributors.  The increase in deferred income on shipments to distributors in fiscal 2017
compared to fiscal 2016 resulted primarily from the Company's acquisition of Atmel.  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.

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. 

For licenses or other technology arrangements without an upgrade period, non-royalty revenue from the 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.  In
certain limited circumstances, the Company enters into license and other arrangements for technologies that the Company is
continuing to enhance and refine or under which it is obligated to provide unspecified enhancements.  Under these
arrangements, 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.  

F-11

 
 
 
  
Recent Updates to Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-09-Revenue from Contracts with Customers
(Topic 606) and in August 2015 the FASB subsequently issued ASU 2015-14-Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic
606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which supersedes existing revenue guidance pursuant to US GAAP and will no longer
permit the Company to defer revenue on sales to distributors until the products are sold to the end customer.  Upon adoption of
ASU 2014-09 and 2015-14, a portion of this deferred revenue will be required to be estimated and recognized upon sale to the
distributor rather than upon the sale by the distributor to the end customer.  See “Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Not Yet Adopted” for additional information on the new guidance.

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 2017, 2016, and
2015 were immaterial.

Advertising Costs

The Company expenses all advertising costs as incurred.  Advertising costs were immaterial for the fiscal years ended

March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

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.  Renewals or extensions of these assets are expensed
as incurred.  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

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
2017 and fiscal 2015, certain foreign subsidiaries acquired as part of the Company's acquisition activities 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 for such entities.  

Income Taxes

The Company provides for income taxes in accordance with principles contained in ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes.  Under
these principles, the Company recognizes the amount of income tax payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax
assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in its consolidated financial statements
or tax returns.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary
differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is
recognized in earnings in the period when the new rate is enacted.  Deferred tax assets are evaluated for future realization and
reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that a portion will not be realized.  In assessing whether it is more
likely than not that deferred tax assets will be realized, the Company considers all available evidence, both positive and
negative, including its recent cumulative earnings experience and expectations of future available taxable income of the

F-12

 
 
 
 
 
 
appropriate character by taxing jurisdiction, tax attribute carry back and carry forward periods available to them for tax
reporting purposes, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies.

The Company measures and recognizes the amount of tax benefit that should be recorded for financial statement purposes
for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  With respect to uncertain tax positions, the Company
evaluates the recognized tax benefits for de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, interim period accounting and
disclosure requirements.  Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in
the Company's consolidated financial statements or tax returns.

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.

Available-for-Sale Investments

The Company classifies its investments in debt and marketable equity securities as available-for-sale 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 available-for-sale debt securities sold is calculated using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis at the individual security
level for sales from multiple lots.  For sales of marketable equity securities, the Company uses an average cost basis at the
individual security level.  The Company sold its ARS during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and the first quarter of fiscal
2017.

The Company includes within short-term investments 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.  As discussed in
Note 4, 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.

Derivative Instruments

Derivative instruments are required to be recorded at fair value as either assets or liabilities in the Company's consolidated

balance sheet.  The Company's accounting policies for derivative instruments depends on whether the instrument has been
designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and further, on the type of hedging relationship.    

The Company does not apply hedge accounting to foreign currency forward contracts.  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.

Interest rate derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges are designed to manage the exposure to interest rate
movements and to reduce borrowing costs by converting fixed-rate debt into floating-rate debt.  Under these agreements, the
Company agrees to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between the fixed and floating interest amounts calculated
by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount.  For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair
value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivatives as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the
hedged risk are recognized in earnings.  The Company evaluates hedge effectiveness at inception and on an ongoing basis.  If a
derivative is no longer expected to be highly effective, hedge accounting is discontinued.  The Company terminated its interest
rate derivative instruments in fiscal 2016.

F-13

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for probable losses on uncollectible accounts receivable
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 the Company's 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.

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 40 years
for buildings and building improvements and 3 to 7 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.

Senior and Junior Subordinated Convertible Debt

The Company separately accounts for the liability and equity components of its senior and junior subordinated convertible

debt 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 senior and junior
subordinated convertible debt in its diluted income per share calculation regardless of whether the market price triggers or other
contingent conversion features have been met.  The Company applies the treasury stock method as it has the intent and ability
to settle the principal amounts of the senior and 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 prices per share and adjust as dividends are recorded in the future.

Upon a de-recognition event, the Company estimates the fair value of the liability component and compares that to the
carrying amount in order to calculate the appropriate amount of gain or loss.  The remaining amounts paid or issued (in the case
of non cash consideration in the form of shares of common stock) are recognized as a reduction of additional paid-in-capital.
The fair value of the liability component is estimated using the current comparable borrowing rate for an otherwise identical
non-convertible debt instrument.

F-14

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans

The Company maintains defined benefit pension plans, covering certain of its foreign employees.  For financial reporting

purposes, net periodic pension costs and pension obligations are determined based upon a number of actuarial assumptions,
including discount rates for plan obligations, and assumed rates of compensation increases for employees participating in plans.
These assumptions are based upon management's judgment and consultation with actuaries, considering all known trends and
uncertainties.

Contingencies

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is exposed to various liabilities as a result of contracts, product liability,

customer claims and other matters.  Additionally, the Company is involved in a limited number of legal actions, both as
plaintiff and defendant.  Consequently, the Company could incur uninsured liability in any of those actions.  The Company also
periodically receives notifications from various third parties alleging infringement of patents or other intellectual property
rights, or from customers requesting reimbursement for various costs.  With respect to pending legal actions to which the
Company is a party and other claims, although the outcomes are generally not 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 and disputes relating to the semiconductor industry are not uncommon, and the Company is, from time
to time, subject to such litigation and disputes.  As a result, no assurances can be given with respect to the extent or outcome of
any such litigation or disputes in the future.

The Company accrues for claims and contingencies when losses become probable and reasonably estimable.  As of the end

of each applicable reporting period, the Company reviews each of its matters and, where it is probable that a liability has been
or will be incurred, it accrues for all probable and reasonably estimable losses.  Where the Company can reasonably estimate a
range of losses it may incur regarding such a matter, it records an accrual for the amount within the range that constitutes its
best estimate.  If the Company can reasonably estimate a range but no amount within the range appears to be a better estimate
than any other, it uses the amount that is the low end of such range.

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
aggregate amount of consideration paid by the Company is allocated to net tangible assets and intangible assets based on their
estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the value of the net tangible assets and
intangible assets is recorded to goodwill.  The measurement of fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires
significant judgment.  The valuation of intangible assets, 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.  

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Company's intangible assets include goodwill and other intangible assets, which include existing technologies, core

and developed technology, in-process research and development, trademarks and trade names, and customer-related
intangibles.  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.  Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of
goodwill and in-process research and development intangible assets that have not yet been placed in service.  All other
intangible assets are definite-lived intangible assets, including in-process research and development assets that have been
placed in service, and are amortized over their respective estimated lives, ranging from 1 to 15 years.  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.

F-15

 
 
 
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 impairment review of indefinite-lived
intangible assets, including goodwill annually, and more frequently under certain circumstances.  Indefinite-lived intangible
assets are subjected to this annual impairment test during the fourth quarter of the Company's fiscal year.  Under the qualitative
indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment assessment standard, management evaluates whether it is more likely than not that
the indefinite-lived intangible assets are 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 or indefinite-lived intangible asset to its
carrying value.  If the Company determines through the impairment process that the indefinite-lived intangible asset has been
impaired, the Company will record the impairment charge in its results of operation.  Through March 31, 2017, the Company
has not had impaired goodwill.  In the event that facts and circumstances indicate definite-lived intangible assets may be
impaired, the Company evaluates the recoverability and estimated useful lives of such assets.  If such indicators are present,
recoverability is evaluated based on whether the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows attributable to the asset (group)
in question is less than their carrying value.  If less, the Company measures the fair value of the asset (group) and recognizes an
impairment loss if the carrying amount of the assets exceeds their respective fair values. 

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.  For the past several years the Company has
adopted RSUs as its primary equity incentive compensation instrument for employees.  The Company also has employee stock
purchase plans for eligible employees.  Share-based compensation cost is measured on the grant date based on the fair market
value of the Company’s common stock discounted for expected future dividends and is recognized as expense straight-line over
the requisite service periods.

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.

During fiscal 2017, the Company elected to early adopt ASU 2016-09-Compensation - Stock Compensation, Improvements

to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718).  See "Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet
Adopted" for additional information on the new guidance.

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.

F-16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributor advances, included in deferred income on shipments to distributors in the consolidated balance sheets, totaled
$203.9 million at March 31, 2017 and $102.9 million at March 31, 2016.  The increase in distributor advances in fiscal 2017
compared to fiscal 2016 resulted primarily from the Company's acquisition of Atmel.  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 products 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 distributors' 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.

Business Segments

Operating segments are components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is regularly reviewed by

the chief operating decision makers ("CODMs") to assess the performance of the component and make decisions about the
resources to be allocated to the component.  The Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Company's
President and Chief Operating Officer have been identified as the CODMs as they jointly manage the Company's worldwide
consolidated enterprise.  Based on the Company's structure and manner in which the Company is managed and decisions are
made, the Company's business is made up of two operating segments, semiconductor products and technology licensing.

In the semiconductor products segment, the Company designs, develops, manufactures and markets microcontrollers,
development tools and analog, interface, mixed signal and timing products.  Under the leadership of the CODMs, the Company
is structured and organized around standardized roles and responsibilities based on product groups and functional activities.
The Company's product groups are responsible for product research, design and development.  The Company's functional
activities include sales, marketing, manufacturing, information technology, human resources, legal and finance. 

The Company's product groups have similar products, production processes, types of customers and methods for

distribution.  In addition, the tools and technologies used in the design and manufacture of the Company's products are shared
among the various product groups.  The Company's product group leaders, under the direction of the CODMs, define the
product roadmaps and team with sales personnel to achieve design wins and revenue and other performance targets.  Product
group leaders also interact with manufacturing and operational personnel who are responsible for the production, prioritization
and planning of the Company's manufacturing capabilities to help ensure the efficiency of the Company's operations and
fulfillment of customer requirements.  This centralized structure supports a global operating strategy in which the CODMs
assess performance and allocate resources based on the Company's consolidated results. 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

During the three months ended June 30, 2016, the Company adopted ASU 2015-03-Simplifying the Presentation of Debt

Issuance Costs.  The new guidance was adopted on a retrospective basis and as a result, debt issuance costs historically
included in other assets have been reclassified as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the associated debt.  Related
prior period information included on the Company's consolidated balance sheets has been retrospectively adjusted as follows
(amounts in thousands). 

F-17

 
 
Other assets

Total assets

Long-term debt

Total liabilities and stockholder's equity

As of March 31, 2016

As Reported

Adjustments

As Adjusted

$

$

$

$

109,025

5,567,515

2,483,037

5,567,515

$

$

$

$

(29,632) $
(29,632) $

(29,632) $
(29,632) $

79,393

5,537,883

2,453,405

5,537,883

During the three months ended June 30, 2016, the Company elected to early adopt ASU 2016-09-Compensation - Stock

Compensation, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718), which simplifies several aspects of
the accounting for share-based payment transactions.  Under this standard, entities are permitted to make an accounting policy
election to either estimate forfeitures on share-based payment awards, as previously required, or to recognize forfeitures as they
occur.  The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur and the impact of that change in accounting policy has
been recorded as a $2.0 million cumulative effect adjustment as an increase to the Company's retained earnings and a decrease
to additional paid-in capital as of April 1, 2016.  The Company also recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained
earnings for the increase of $2.3 million in long-term deferred tax assets related to the forfeiture rate reduction on outstanding
share-based payment awards.  Additionally, ASU 2016-09 eliminates the requirement to report excess tax benefits and certain
tax deficiencies related to share-based payment transactions in additional paid-in capital.  In accordance with the new standard,
the Company will record excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax benefit or provision on a prospective basis in its
consolidated statements of operations.  The standard also eliminates the requirement that excess tax benefits be realized before
companies can recognize them.  Accordingly, the Company has recorded a $47.2 million cumulative-effect adjustment to its
retained earnings and long-term deferred tax assets as of April 1, 2016 for previously unrecognized excess tax benefits.  ASU
2016-09 also requires excess tax benefits to be reported as operating activities in the statement of cash flows rather than as a
financing activity.  The Company has elected to apply the change in cash flow classification on a prospective basis and prior
periods were not retrospectively adjusted. 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07-Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the
Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.  This standard improves the
presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost.  The amendment will require the
employer to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services
rendered by the pertinent employees during the period.  The other components of net benefit cost will be presented separately
in the income statement from the service cost component outside of income from operations.  The amendment is effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017.  Early adoption is permitted at the beginning of an annual period (in the first
interim period) for which financial statements have not yet been issued.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact that
the adoption of ASU 2017-07 may have on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04-Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for
Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment.  The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill
impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation.  A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by
which a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.  The amendment
is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019, and early
adoption is permitted.  The Company does not expect this standard to have an impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13-Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on
Financial Instruments.  This standard requires entities to use a current lifetime expected credit loss methodology to measure
impairments of certain financial assets.  Using this methodology will result in earlier recognition of losses than under the
current incurred loss approach, which required waiting to recognize a loss until it is probable of having been incurred.  The
amendments in ASU 2016-13 broaden the information that an entity must consider in developing its expected credit loss
estimate for assets measured either collectively or individually and can include forecasted information.  There are other
provisions within the standard affecting how impairments of other financial assets may be recorded and presented, as well as
expanded disclosures.  ASU 2016-13 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and
permits early adoption, but not before December 15, 2018.  The standard is to be applied using a modified retrospective
approach.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial
statements.

F-18

 
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16-Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory.  This standard
addresses the recognition of current and deferred income taxes resulting from an intra-entity transfer of any asset other than
inventory.  Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-16, a company will defer for financial reporting purposes the income tax expense
resulting from an intra-entity asset transfer, including the taxes currently payable or paid.  Upon adoption of ASU 2016-16, a
company will recognize current and deferred income taxes that result from such transfers in the period in which they occur.
ASU 2016-16 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15,
2017 and is applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of
the beginning of the period of adoption.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will
have on its consolidated financial statements but expects to recognize its previously deferred tax related to intra-entity transfers
upon adoption of ASU 2016-16 as of April 1, 2018 with a cumulative-effect reduction to retained earnings.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18-Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash.  This standard requires that

the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in total cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally
described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents.  Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and
restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and
end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows.  ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted.  The standard is to be
applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact the
adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02-Leases.  This standard requires lessees to recognize a lease liability and

a right-of-use asset on the balance sheet and aligns many of the underlying principles of the new lessor model with those in
Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.  ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual
periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.
The standard is to be applied using the modified retrospective approach to all periods presented.  The Company is currently
evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01-Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and

Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.  This standard addresses certain aspects of recognition,
measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments.  ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual periods, and interim
periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017.  Early adoption is not permitted.  The Company is
currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. 

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11-Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory.  This standard requires that

entities measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value.  Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the
ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.  ASU 2015-11 is
effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016 and is applied
prospectively.  Early adoption is permitted.  The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on its
consolidated financial statements. 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09-Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which will supersede
nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under US GAAP.  In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14-Revenue
from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which delayed the effective date of the new
standard by one year to December 15, 2017, for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after that date.  In accordance
with the delay, the new standard will be effective for the Company beginning no later than April 1, 2018.  Early adoption is
permitted, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016.  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 new standard allows for the amendment
to be applied either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively as a cumulative-effect adjustment
as of the date of adoption.  In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08-Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic
606):  Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which clarifies the implementation
guidance on principal versus agent considerations.  In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10-Revenue from Contracts with
Customers (Topic 606):  Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which clarifies the implementation guidance on
identifying performance obligations.  In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12-Revenue from Contracts with Customers
(Topic 606):  Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which addresses implementation issues that were raised
by stakeholders and discussed by the Revenue Recognition Transition Resource Group.  As described in the Company's
significant accounting policies, the Company currently defers the revenue and cost of sales on shipments to distributors until
the distributor sells the product to their end customer.  Upon adoption of ASU 2014-09, ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU
2016-10 and ASU 2016-12, the Company will no longer defer revenue until sale by the distributor to the end customer, but

F-19

rather, will be required to estimate the effects of returns and allowances provided to distributors and record revenue at the time
of sale to the distributor.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the standards will have on its
consolidated financial statements.  The Company currently expects to adopt the standard under the full retrospective method.
The final adoption method will depend on the results of the Company's final assessment, which is expected to be completed
later in fiscal 2018.

Note 2. Business Acquisitions

Acquisition of Atmel

On April 4, 2016, the Company acquired Atmel, a publicly traded company based in San Jose, California.  The Company

paid an aggregate of approximately $2.98 billion in cash, issued an aggregate of 10.1 million shares of its common stock to
Atmel stockholders valued at $486.1 million based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on April 4, 2016 and
incurred transaction and other fees of approximately $14.9 million.  The total consideration transferred in the acquisition,
including approximately $7.5 million of non-cash consideration for the exchange of certain share-based payment awards of
Atmel for stock awards of the Company, was approximately $3.47 billion.  In addition to the consideration transferred, the
Company recognized in its consolidated financial statements $653.1 million in liabilities of Atmel consisting of debt, taxes
payable and deferred, pension obligations, restructuring, and contingent and other liabilities.  The Company financed the cash
portion of the purchase price using approximately $2.04 billion of cash held by certain of its foreign subsidiaries and
approximately $0.94 billion from additional amounts borrowed under its existing credit agreement.  As a result of the
acquisition, Atmel became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.  Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and
manufacture of microcontrollers, capacitive touch solutions, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio
frequency components.  The Company's primary reason for this acquisition was to expand the Company's range of solutions,
products and capabilities by extending its served available market.

The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, with the Company identified as the
acquirer, and the operating results of Atmel have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements as of the
closing date of the acquisition.  Under the acquisition method of accounting, the aggregate amount of consideration paid by the
Company was allocated to Atmel's net tangible assets and intangible assets based on their estimated fair values as of April 4,
2016.  The excess of the purchase price over the value of the net tangible assets and intangible assets was recorded to goodwill.
The factors contributing to the recognition of goodwill were based upon the Company's conclusion that there are strategic and
synergistic benefits that are expected to be realized from the acquisition.  The goodwill has been allocated to the Company's
semiconductor products reporting segment.  None of the goodwill related to the Atmel acquisition is deductible for tax
purposes.  The Company retained independent third-party appraisers to assist management in its valuation. 

The table below represents the final allocation of the purchase price, including adjustments to the purchase price allocation
from the previously reported figures at June 30, 2016, to the net assets acquired based on their estimated fair values, as well as
the associated estimated useful lives of the acquired intangible assets (amounts in thousands). 

F-20

Assets acquired
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Assets held for sale
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Purchased intangible assets
Long-term deferred tax assets
Other assets
Total assets acquired

Liabilities assumed
Accounts payable
Other current liabilities
Long-term line of credit
Deferred tax liabilities
Long-term income tax payable
Other long-term liabilities
Total liabilities assumed
Purchase price allocated

Purchased Intangible Assets

Core and developed technology
In-process research and development
Customer-related
Backlog
Other
Total purchased intangible assets

As of
June 30, 2016

Adjustments

March 31, 2017

$

$

230,266
135,427
333,208
28,360
24,394
129,587
1,378,317
1,880,245
49,466
5,948
4,195,218

(55,686)
(119,152)
(192,000)
(74,334)
(174,380)
(106,688)
(722,240)
3,472,978

$

— $

5,932
1,955
—
7,612
297
(91,946)
8,147
(2,766)
1,587
(69,182)

—
(1,803)
—
46,782
59,203
(35,000)
69,182

$

— $

230,266
141,359
335,163
28,360
32,006
129,884
1,286,371
1,888,392
46,700
7,535
4,126,036

(55,686)
(120,955)
(192,000)
(27,552)
(115,177)
(141,688)
(653,058)
3,472,978

Weighted Average
Useful Life
(in years)
11
—
6
1
5

April 4, 2016
(in thousands)

1,074,987
140,700
630,600
40,300
1,805
1,888,392

$

$

Purchased intangible assets include core and developed technology, in-process research and development, customer-related

intangibles, acquisition-date backlog and other intangible assets.  The estimated fair values of the core and developed
technology and in-process research and development were determined based on the present value of the expected cash flows to
be generated by the respective existing technology or future technology.  The core and developed technology intangible assets
are being amortized in a manner based on the expected cash flows used in the initial determination of fair value.  In-process
research and development is capitalized until such time as the related projects are completed or abandoned at which time the
capitalized amounts will begin to be amortized or written off.  Customer-related intangible assets consist of Atmel's contractual
relationships and customer loyalty related to its distributor and end-customer relationships, and the fair values of the customer-
related intangibles were determined based on Atmel's projected revenues.  An analysis of expected attrition and revenue growth
for existing customers was prepared from Atmel's historical customer information.  Customer relationships are being amortized
in a manner based on the estimated cash flows associated with the existing customers and anticipated retention rates.  Backlog
relates to the value of orders not yet shipped by Atmel at the acquisition date, and the preliminary fair values were based on the
estimated profit associated with those orders.  Backlog related assets have a one year useful life and are being amortized on a
straight-line basis over that period.  The total weighted average amortization period of intangible assets acquired as a result of
the Atmel transaction is 9 years.  Amortization expense associated with acquired intangible assets is not deductible for tax
purposes.  Thus, approximately $178.1 million was established as a net deferred tax liability for the future amortization of the
intangible assets.

F-21

The amount of continuing Atmel net sales included in the Company's consolidated statements of operations for the year

ended March 31, 2017 was approximately $1,062.6 million. The amount of Atmel's net loss from continuing operations
included in the Company's consolidated statements of operations was $314.3 million for the year ended March 31, 2017. 

The following unaudited pro-forma consolidated results of operations for the years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016
assume the closing of the Atmel acquisition occurred as of April 1, 2015.  The pro-forma adjustments are mainly comprised of
acquired inventory fair value costs, amortization of purchased intangible assets, distributor revenue recognition adjustments
and share-based compensation due to accelerated vesting of outstanding equity awards.  The pro-forma results of operations are
presented for informational purposes only and are not indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if
the acquisition had taken place on April 1, 2015 or of results that may occur in the future (amounts in thousands except per
share data):

Net sales
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
Basic net income (loss) per common share
Diluted net income (loss) per common share

Acquisition of Micrel

Year Ended Ended
March 31,

2017

2016

$
$
$
$

3,494
337
1.55
1.43

$
$
$
$

3,159
(384)
(1.80)
(1.80)

On August 3, 2015, the Company acquired Micrel, Incorporated (Micrel), a publicly traded company based in San Jose,
California.  The Company paid an aggregate of approximately $430.0 million in cash and issued an aggregate of 8.6 million
shares of its common stock to Micrel shareholders.  The number of shares issued in the transaction was subsequently
repurchased by the Company in the open market during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016.  The total consideration
transferred in the acquisition, including approximately $4.1 million of non cash consideration for the exchange of certain share-
based payment awards of Micrel for stock awards of the Company, and approximately $13.1 million of cash consideration for
the payout of vested employee stock awards, was approximately $816.2 million.  The Company financed the cash portion of the
purchase price using amounts borrowed under its credit agreement.  As a result of the acquisition, Micrel became a wholly
owned subsidiary of the Company.  Micrel's business is to design, develop, manufacture and market a range of high-
performance analog, power and mixed-signal integrated circuits.  Micrel's products address a wide range of end markets
including industrial, automotive and communications.  Micrel also manufactures custom analog and mixed-signal circuits and
provides wafer foundry services for customers which produce electronic systems utilizing semiconductor manufacturing
processes as well as micro-electrical mechanical system technologies.  The Company's primary reason for this acquisition was
to expand the Company's range of solutions, products and capabilities by extending its served available market.

The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, with the Company identified as the
acquirer, and the operating results of Micrel have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements as of the
closing date of the acquisition.  Under the acquisition method of accounting, the aggregate amount of consideration paid by the
Company was allocated to Micrel's net tangible assets and intangible assets based on their estimated fair values as of August 3,
2015.  The excess of the purchase price over the value of the net tangible assets and intangible assets was recorded to goodwill.
The factors contributing to the recognition of goodwill were based upon the Company's conclusion that there are strategic and
synergistic benefits that are expected to be realized from the acquisition.  The goodwill has been allocated to the Company's
semiconductor products reporting segment.  None of the goodwill related to the Micrel acquisition is deductible for tax
purposes.  The Company retained an independent third-party appraiser to assist management in its valuation. 

F-22

The table below represents the allocation of the purchase price to the net assets acquired based on their estimated fair
values as of August 3, 2015, as well as the associated estimated useful lives of the acquired intangible assets at that date. The
purchase price allocation was finalized as of June 30, 2016 (amounts in thousands):

Assets acquired
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net
Goodwill
Purchased intangible assets
Other assets
Total assets acquired

Liabilities assumed
Accounts payable
Other current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Long-term income tax payable
Other long-term liabilities
Total liabilities assumed
Purchase price allocated

Purchased Intangible Assets

Core and developed technology
In-process research and development
Customer-related
Backlog
Total purchased intangible assets

$

$

99,196
14,096
73,468
10,652
38,491
440,978
273,500
4,268
954,649

(11,068)
(31,552)
(88,035)
(7,637)
(127)
(138,419)
816,230

Weighted Average
Useful Life
(in years)
10
—
5
1

$

$

August 3, 2015
(in thousands)

175,800
21,000
71,100
5,600
273,500

Purchased intangible assets include core and developed technology, in-process research and development, customer-related

intangibles and acquisition-date backlog.  The estimated fair values of the core and developed technology and in-process
research and development were determined based on the present value of the expected cash flows to be generated by the
respective existing technology or future technology.  The core and developed technology intangible assets are being amortized
commensurate with the expected cash flows used in the initial determination of fair value.  In-process research and
development is capitalized until such time as the related projects are completed or abandoned at which time the capitalized
amounts will begin to be amortized or written off. 

Customer-related intangible assets consist of Micrel's contractual relationships and customer loyalty related to its
distributor and end-customer relationships, and the fair values of the customer-related intangibles were determined based on
Micrel's projected revenues.  An analysis of expected attrition and revenue growth for existing customers was prepared from
Micrel's historical customer information.  Customer relationships are being amortized in a manner consistent with the estimated
cash flows associated with the existing customers and anticipated retention rates.  Backlog relates to the value of orders not yet
shipped by Micrel at the acquisition date, and the preliminary fair values were based on the estimated profit associated with
those orders.  Backlog related assets are being recognized commensurate with recognition of the revenue for the orders on
which the backlog intangible assets were determined.  Amortization expense associated with acquired intangible assets is not
deductible for tax purposes.  Thus, approximately $99.7 million was established as a net deferred tax liability for the future
amortization of the intangible assets offset by $11.4 million of net deferred tax assets.

F-23

Acquisition of ISSC

On July 17, 2014, the Company acquired an 83.5% interest in Taiwan-based ISSC, a leading provider of low power

Bluetooth and advanced wireless solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT) market.  The Company acquired the 83.5%
ownership interest through a tender offer process.  After the completion of the tender offer, the Company continued to acquire
additional shares of ISSC, and as of June 30, 2015, the Company had completed the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding
shares of ISSC.  The noncontrolling interest in the Company's net income from ISSC for fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 of $0.2
million and $3.7 million, respectively, has been excluded from net income attributable to the Company in the Company's
consolidated statements of income. 

The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting.  The table below represents the allocation

of the purchase price to the net assets acquired based on their estimated fair values as of July 17, 2014 as well as the associated
estimated useful lives of the acquired intangible assets at that date (amounts in thousands):

Assets acquired
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Accounts receivable, net
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net
Goodwill
Purchased intangible assets (1)
Other assets
Total assets acquired

Liabilities assumed
Accounts payable
Other current liabilities
Long-term income tax payable
Deferred tax liability
Other long-term liabilities
Total liabilities assumed
Net assets acquired including noncontrolling interest
Less: noncontrolling interest
Net assets acquired

(1) Purchased Intangible Assets

Core/developed technology
In-process technology
Customer-related
Backlog
Total

Acquisition of Supertex

$

$

$

$

15,120
27,063
8,792
16,542
2,501
2,637
154,788
147,800
1,370
376,613

(9,860)
(16,535)
(4,791)
(25,126)
(245)
(56,557)
320,056
(52,467)
267,589

July 17, 2014
(in thousands)

68,900
27,200
51,100
600
147,800

Useful Life
(in years)
10
10
3
1

On April 1, 2014, the Company acquired Supertex Inc., a publicly traded company based in Sunnyvale, California.
Supertex is a leader in high voltage analog and mixed signal technologies, with a strong position in the medical, lighting and
industrial control markets.

F-24

The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting.  The table below represents the allocation
of the purchase price to the net assets acquired based on their estimated fair values as of April 1, 2014 as well as the associated
estimated useful lives of the acquired intangible assets at that date (amounts in thousands):

Assets acquired
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Accounts receivable, net
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Deferred tax assets
Other current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net
Goodwill
Purchased intangible assets (1)
Other assets
Total assets acquired

Liabilities assumed
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Long-term income tax payable
Deferred tax liability
Total liabilities assumed
Net assets acquired

(1) Purchased Intangible Assets

Core/developed technology
In-process technology
Customer-related
Backlog
Total

$

$

$

$

14,790
140,984
7,047
27,630
1,493
2,456
12,625
15,679
143,160
89,600
325
455,789

(8,481)
(19,224)
(3,796)
(32,511)
(64,012)
391,777

April 1, 2014
(in thousands)

68,900
1,900
17,700
1,100
89,600

Useful Life
(in years)
10
10
2
1

Note 3. Special Charges and Other, Net

The following table summarizes activity included in the "special charges and other, net" caption on the Company's

consolidated statements of operations (amounts in thousands):

Restructuring

Employee separation costs

Impairment charges

Exit costs
Other

Legal settlement costs

Insurance settlement

Total

For The Years Ended March 31,

2017

2016

2015

$

39,183

$

9,577

$

2,333

12,579

44,040
2,806

—

—

$

98,608

$

F-25

—

686
900

4,294
(11,500)
3,957

—

—
507

—

—

$

2,840

 
The Company's restructuring activities result from its recent business combinations, including the acquisitions of Atmel
and Micrel.  These activities include workforce, property and other operating expense rationalizations as well as combining
product roadmaps and manufacturing operations.  In connection with these activities the Company has incurred employee
separation costs, contract exit costs, other operating expenses and intangible asset impairment losses.  The impairment losses
were recognized as a result of changes in the combined product roadmaps after the acquisition of Atmel that affected the use
and life of these assets.  Exit costs for fiscal 2017 were $44.0 million, of which $39.0 million was recorded in the fourth
quarter.  The following is a rollforward of accrued restructuring charges for fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 (amounts in thousands):

Employee
Separation
Costs

Exit Costs

Total

Balance at March 31, 2015 - Restructuring Accrual

$

483

$

Charges

Payments

Balance at March 31, 2016 - Restructuring Accrual

Additions due to Atmel acquisition

Charges

Payments

Non-cash - Other
Changes in foreign exchange rates

Balance at March 31, 2017 - Restructuring Accrual

$

9,577
(10,002)
58

6,277

39,183
(38,893)
(479)
(672)
5,474

— $
686
(686)
—

—

44,040
(6,958)
(2,331)
—

483

10,263
(10,688)
58

6,277

83,223
(45,851)
(2,810)
(672)
40,225

$

34,751

$

The restructuring liability of $5.5 million and $34.8 million is included in accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities,

respectively, on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2017. 

Note 4. 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, 2017 (amounts in
thousands):

Government agency bonds

Municipal bonds - tax exempt

Municipal bonds

Corporate bonds and debt

Marketable equity securities

Total

Adjusted
Cost

$

227,089

$

55,289

10,000

207,888

707

$

500,973

$

Available-for-sale Securities

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Estimated
Fair Value

3

—

43

53

879

978

$

$

(227) $
(10)
—
(169)
—
(406) $

226,865

55,279

10,043

207,772

1,586

501,545

The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):

Government agency bonds
Corporate bonds and debt
Marketable equity securities
Total

Adjusted
Cost

$

$

468,290
1,000
2,195
471,485

$

$

Available-for-sale Securities

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Estimated
Fair Value

439
—
8
447

$

$

(99) $
—
—
(99) $

468,630
1,000
2,203
471,833

F-26

 
   
At March 31, 2017, the Company's available-for-sale securities are presented on the consolidated balance sheets as short-
term investments of $394.1 million and long-term investments of $107.5 million.  At March 31, 2016, the Company's available-
for-sale securities are presented on the consolidated balance sheets as short-term investments of $353.3 million and long-term
investments of $118.5 million. 

The Company sold available-for-sale investments for proceeds of $470.6 million, $1,501.5 million and $273.9 million
during the years ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The Company sold available-for-sale investments during
the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 to finance a portion of the purchase price of its Atmel
acquisition which closed on April 4, 2016.  The Company had no material net realized gains during the year ended March 31,
2017 and $13.7 million and $18.5 million from sales of available-for-sale marketable equity and debt securities during the years
ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The Company determines the cost of available-for-sale debt securities sold on a
FIFO basis at the individual security level for sales from multiple lots.  For sales of marketable equity securities, the Company
uses an average cost basis at the individual security level.  Gains and losses recognized in earnings are credited or charged to
other income (expense) on the consolidated statements of income. 

The following tables show all investments in an unrealized loss position for which an other-than-temporary impairment has
not been recognized and the related gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and the length of
time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (amounts in thousands):

Less than 12 Months

12 Months or Greater

Total

March 31, 2017

Government agency bonds
Municipal bonds - tax exempt
Corporate bonds and debt
Total

Fair Value
$ 196,875
55,279
132,820
$ 384,974

$

$

(227) $
(10)
(169)
(406) $

— $
—
—
— $

Unrealized
Loss

Fair Value

Unrealized
Loss

Fair Value
— $ 196,875
55,279
—
—
132,820
— $ 384,974

Unrealized
Loss

$

$

(227)
(10)
(169)
(406)

Less than 12 Months

12 Months or Greater

Total

March 31, 2016

Government agency bonds

Fair Value
$ 148,562

Unrealized
Loss

Fair Value

Unrealized
Loss

$

(99) $

— $

Fair Value
— $ 148,562

Unrealized
Loss

$

(99)

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, 2017 and the Company's intent is to hold these investments until these assets
are no longer impaired.  

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of the available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2017, by contractual maturity,

excluding marketable equity securities of $1.6 million, which have 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

Total

Adjusted
Cost

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Estimated
Fair Value

$

342,673

$

157,594
—

—

$

500,267

$

F-27

15

84
—

—

99

$

$

(188) $
(219)
—

—
(407) $

342,500

157,459
—

—

499,959

 
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of the available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2016, by maturity, excluding

marketable equity securities of $2.2 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

Total

Note 5. Fair Value Measurements

Adjusted
Cost

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Estimated
Fair Value

$

41,078

$

5

$

428,212

—

—

434

—

—

$

469,290

$

439

$

(5) $
(94)
—

—
(99) $

41,078

428,552

—

—

469,630

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:

Level 1-
Level 2-

Level 3-

Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;
Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or
indirectly; and
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 mutual funds.  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. 

F-28

 
 
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2017 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents:

Money market mutual funds

Deposit accounts

Short-term investments:

Marketable equity securities

Corporate bonds and debt

Government agency bonds

Municipal bonds - tax exempt
Municipal bonds

Long-term investments:

Corporate bonds and debt

Government agency bonds

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
 Identical
Instruments
(Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

Total
Balance

$

343,815

$

— $

—

564,869

1,586

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

165,207

161,973

55,279
10,043

42,565

64,892

343,815

564,869

1,586

165,207

161,973

55,279
10,043

42,565

64,892

Total assets measured at fair value

$

345,401

$

1,064,828

$

1,410,229

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2016 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents:

Money market mutual funds

Deposit accounts

Short-term investments:

Marketable equity securities

Corporate bonds and debt

Government agency bonds

Long-term investments:

Government agency bonds

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for 
Identical
Instruments
(Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

Total
Balance

$

1,787,446

$

— $

1,787,446

—

305,305

305,305

2,203

—

—

—

—

1,000

2,203

1,000

350,081

350,081

118,549

118,549

Total assets measured at fair value

$

1,789,649

$

774,935

$

2,564,584

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during fiscal 2017 or fiscal 2016.

F-29

 
  
 
There were no assets measured on a recurring basis during fiscal 2017 using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

The following table presents a reconciliation for all assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, excluding accrued
interest components, using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the year ended March 31, 2016 (amounts in
thousands):

Year ended March 31, 2016

Balance at March 31, 2015

Total gains (losses) (realized):

Included in earnings

Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net

Transfers out of Level 3

Balance at March 31, 2016

Auction Rate
Securities

Corporate
Debt

Total Gains
(Losses)

$

9,825

$

6,190

$

—

2,780
(12,605)
—
— $

$

(3,995)
—
(2,195)

— $

(1,215)
—

—
(1,215)

Transfers into or out of Level 3 are made if the inputs used in the financial models measuring the fair values of the assets

became unobservable or observable, respectively, in the current marketplace.  During the year ended March 31, 2016, the
Company transferred $2.2 million of corporate debt assets out of Level 3 as the inputs used to value these assets became
observable in the current marketplace and were classified as Level 1 as of March 31, 2017 and 2016.  This transfer was
effective on October 26, 2015.  

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company sold its ARS for proceeds of $12.6 million.  At March 31, 2015, the

Company's ARS for which auctions were unsuccessful were made up of securities related to the insurance industry valued at
$9.8 million with a par value of $22.4 million.  During the period the Company held the ARS, the Company estimated the fair
value of its ARS, which were 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 ARS were estimated risk free discount rates, liquidity risk premium, and the liquidity horizon.  The
risk free discount rate applied to these securities was 2.0% 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. 

Gains and losses recognized in earnings are credited or charged to other income (expense) on the consolidated statements

of income. 

Assets and Liabilities Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

The Company's non-marketable equity, cost method investments, certain acquired liabilities and non-financial assets, such
as intangible assets, assets held for sale and property, plant and equipment, are recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis.
These assets are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, for example, when there is evidence of impairment.  

The Company's non-marketable and cost method investments are monitored on a quarterly basis for impairment

charges.  The fair values of these investments have been determined as Level 3 fair value measurements because the valuations
use unobservable inputs that require management's judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices.  There were no
impairment charges recognized on these investments during the years ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 . These
investments are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

The fair value measurements related to the Company's non-financial assets, such as intangible assets, assets held for sale

and property, plant and equipment are based on available market prices at the measurement date based on transactions of
similar assets and third-party independent appraisals, less costs to sell where appropriate.  The Company classifies these
measurements as Level 2.

F-30

 
Note 6. 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, 2017 based upon unobservable inputs.  The fair values of these investments have been determined as Level 3 fair
value measurements.  The fair values of amounts borrowed under the Company's line of credit 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, excluding debt issuance costs.  There were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving
credit facility as of March 31, 2017.  Based on the borrowing rates available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms
and average maturities, the fair value of the Company's line of credit borrowings at March 31, 2016 approximated the carrying
value and are considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy described in Note 5.  The carrying amount of accounts receivable,
accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of the amounts and are
considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.  

Fair Value of Subordinated Convertible Debt

The Company measures the fair value of its senior and junior subordinated convertible debt for disclosure purposes.  These

fair values are based on observable market prices for these debts, which are traded in less active markets and are therefore
classified as a Level 2 fair value measurement.  

The following table shows the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s senior and junior subordinated
convertible debt as of March 31, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands).  As of March 31, 2017 and  March 31, 2016, the
carrying amounts of the Company's senior and junior subordinated convertible debt have been reduced by debt issuances costs
in the aggregate of $38.3 million and $20.8 million, respectively.  See Note 11 for more information regarding the convertible
debt.

March 31,

2017

2016

2017 Senior Debt

2015 Senior Debt

2017 Junior Debt

2007 Junior Debt

Carrying
Amount

1,384,914

1,261,787

262,298

49,952

$

$

$

$

Fair Value

$

$

$

$

2,106,225

2,481,708

586,609

445,142

$

$

$

$

Note 7. Other Financial Statement Details

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consists of the following (amounts in thousands):

Carrying
Amount

Fair Value

—

1,762,088

—

1,143,117

— $
$
— $
$

1,216,313

193,936

Trade accounts receivable

Other

 Total accounts receivable, gross

Less allowance for doubtful accounts

 Total accounts receivable, net

March 31,

2017

2016

$

$

473,238

$

7,219

480,457

2,084

478,373

$

289,013

3,710

292,723

2,540

290,183

F-31

 
 
Inventories

The components of inventories consist of the following (amounts in thousands):

Raw materials
Work in process
Finished goods
Total inventories

March 31,

2017

2016

$

$

14,430
268,281
134,491
417,202

$

$

12,179
208,283
86,353
306,815

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.

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

Total property, plant and equipment, gross

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

Total property, plant and equipment, net

March 31,

2017

2016

$

$

73,447

$

499,668

1,774,920

104,318

2,452,353

1,769,015

683,338

$

63,907

458,379

1,645,617

99,370

2,267,273

1,657,877

609,396

Depreciation expense attributed to property, plant and equipment was $122.9 million, $103.9 million and $97.3 million for

the fiscal years ending March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2016, the Company began to actively market a 6-inch wafer fabrication facility it
acquired as part of its acquisition of Micrel in August 2015.  Subsequent to March 31, 2017, the Company completed the sale
of these assets for proceeds of $10.0 million.  As of March 31, 2017, these assets consisting of property, plant and equipment
were presented as held for sale in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Note 8. Discontinued Operations

Discontinued operations include the mobile touch operations that the Company acquired as part of its acquisition of Atmel.

The mobile touch assets had been marketed for sale since the Company's acquisition of Atmel on April 4, 2016 based on
management's decision that it was not a strategic fit for the Company's product portfolio.  On November 10, 2016, the
Company completed the sale of the mobile touch assets to Solomon Systech (Limited) International, a Hong Kong based
semiconductor company.  The transaction included the sale of certain semiconductor products, equipment, customer list,
backlog, and a license to certain other intellectual property and patents related to the Company's mobile touch product line.
The Company also agreed to provide certain transition services to Solomon Systech, which were substantially complete as of
March 31, 2017.  For financial statement purposes, the results of operations for this discontinued business have been segregated
from those of the continuing operations and are presented in the Company's consolidated financial statements as discontinued
operations.

F-32

 
The results of discontinued operations for the year ended March 31, 2017 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Net sales

Cost of sales

Operating expenses

Gain on Sale

Income tax benefit

Net loss from discontinued operations

Note 9. Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible assets consist of the following (amounts in thousands):

Core and developed technology
Customer-related
Trademarks and trade names
In-process research and development
Distribution rights
Other
Total

Core and developed technology
Customer-related
Trademarks and trade names
In-process technology research and development
Distribution rights
Total

March 31, 2017

18,334

15,841

10,650

643
(1,561)
(5,953)

$

$

Gross
Amount
$ 1,932,329
716,945
11,700
38,511
5,578
1,449
$ 2,706,512

March 31, 2017
Accumulated
Amortization Net Amount
(419,468) $ 1,512,861
$
593,329
(123,616)
2,064
(9,636)
38,511
—
232
(5,346)
1,095
(354)
(558,420) $ 2,148,092

$

Gross
Amount

$

724,883
278,542
11,700
54,308
5,580
$ 1,075,013

March 31, 2016
Accumulated
Amortization Net Amount
469,423
$
78,211
4,129
54,308
278
606,349

(255,460) $
(200,331)
(7,571)
—
(5,302)
(468,664) $

$

The Company amortizes intangible assets over their expected useful lives, which range between 1 and 15 years.  During

the year ended March 31, 2017, as a result of the acquisition of Atmel, the Company acquired $1,215.7 million of core and
developed technology which has a weighted average amortization period of 11 years, $630.6 million of customer-related
intangible assets which have a weighted average amortization period of 6 years, $40.3 million of intangible assets related to
backlog with an amortization period of 1 year and $1.8 million of other intangible assets which have a weighted average
amortization period of 5 years.  In fiscal 2017, $156.7 million of in-process research and development intangible assets reached
technological feasibility and was reclassified as core and developed technology and began being amortized over the respective
estimated useful lives.  The following is an expected amortization schedule for the intangible assets for fiscal 2018 through
fiscal 2022, absent any future acquisitions or impairment charges (amounts in thousands):

Fiscal Year Ending
March 31,
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022

Projected Amortization
Expense

$490,382
361,988
313,288
256,930
189,881

F-33

Amortization expense attributed to intangible assets was $346.3 million, $179.3 million and $181.0 million for fiscal years
2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  In fiscal 2017, $4.0 million was charged to cost of sales and $342.3 million was charged to
operating expenses.  In fiscal 2016, $3.6 million was charged to cost of sales and $175.7 million was charged to operating
expenses.  In fiscal 2015, $3.8 million was charged to cost of sales and $177.2 million was charged to operating expenses.
During fiscal 2017, the Company recognized $11.9 million of intangible asset impairment changes, primarily as a result of the
acquisition of Atmel.  The impairment losses were recognized as a result of changes in the combined product roadmaps after
the acquisition of Atmel that affected the use and life of these assets.  The Company recognized impairment charges of $0.6
million and $1.9 million in fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, respectively. 

Goodwill activity for fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 was as follows (amounts in thousands):

Balance at March 31, 2015
Additions due to the acquisition of Micrel

Adjustments due to the acquisition of ISSC
Balance at March 31, 2016
Additions due to the acquisition of Atmel
Adjustments due to the acquisition of Micrel

Balance at March 31, 2017

Semiconductor
Products
Reporting Unit
552,071
$
440,992

Technology
Licensing
Reporting Unit
19,200
$
—

389
993,452
1,286,371
(14)

$

2,279,809

$

—
19,200
—
—

19,200

At March 31, 2017, the Company applied a qualitative goodwill impairment test to its two reporting units, concluding it

was not more likely than not that goodwill was impaired.  Through March 31, 2017, the Company has never recorded an
impairment charge against its goodwill balance.

Note 10. Income Taxes

The income tax provision consists of the following (amounts in thousands):

Year Ended March 31,
2016

2015

2017

Pretax Income:
U.S.
Foreign

Current expense (benefit):
U.S. Federal
State
Foreign
Total current
Deferred expense (benefit):
U.S. Federal
State
Foreign
Total deferred
Total

$ (279,304) $
369,091
89,787

$

$

(75,515) $
356,808
281,293

$

(944)
346,851
345,907

$

$

21,287
1,004
23,792
46,083

$

$

(3,966) $
(188)
21,947
17,793

$

$ (114,743) $

(5,409)
(6,736)
(126,888)
(80,805) $

$

(42,207) $
(1,990)
(16,228)
(60,425)
(42,632) $

(3,185)
(24)
16,602
13,393

(22,641)
(1,562)
(8,608)
(32,811)
(19,418)

The tax benefit associated with the Company's equity incentive plans reduced taxes currently payable by $2.4 million, $0.8
million and $1.2 million for the years ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  These amounts were credited to tax
expense in fiscal year 2017 and to additional paid-in capital in fiscal years 2015 and 2016.

F-34

 
 
 
 
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
Change in valuation allowance
Intercompany prepaid tax asset amortization
Share-based compensation
Other
Total

Year Ended March 31,
2016

2017

$

$

$

31,425
(4,609)
(12,852)
—
(105,069)
53,695
(36,297)
5,643
1,814
7,931
(24,998)
2,512
(80,805) $

$

98,453
(1,246)
(13,542)
(2,511)
(114,497)
14,462
(12,103)
5,970
(2,482)
(15,493)
—
357
(42,632) $

2015
121,067
(20)
(9,703)
(1,789)
(106,939)
19,769
(33,100)
5,218
(14,286)
(1,089)
—
1,454
(19,418)

(1) The release of prior year tax positions during fiscal 2017 increased each of the basic and diluted net income per common
share by $0.17 and $0.15, respectively.  The release of prior year tax positions during fiscal 2016 increased the basic and
diluted net income per common share by $0.06.  The release of prior year tax positions during fiscal 2015 increased each
of the basic and diluted net income per common share by $0.16 and $0.15, respectively.

The foreign tax rate differential benefit primarily relates to the Company's operations in Thailand, Cayman and Ireland.
The Company's Thailand manufacturing operations are currently subject to 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 obtain 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 $25.3 million, $6.0 million and $12.4 million in fiscal
2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

No U.S. income taxes have been provided on the unremitted foreign earnings of approximately $4.3 billion as of

March 31, 2017, with the exception of the pre-acquisition earnings of Supertex and SMSC, since the Company has the ability
and intent to permanently reinvest these amounts.  If such earnings were repatriated, additional tax expense may result,
although the calculation of such additional taxes is not practicable.

During the year ended March 31, 2017, the Company settled open tax positions related to the examination of fiscal years

2012 and 2011 by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), fiscal years 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 by the German tax
authorities, and fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 by the French tax authorities.  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 $36.3 million and a decrease in the
effective tax rate of 40.4% in fiscal 2017.

F-35

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the Company's deferred tax assets and deferred

tax liabilities are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Deferred tax assets:
Deferred income on shipments to distributors
Inventory valuation
Net operating loss carryforward
Capital loss carryforward
Share-based compensation
Income tax credits
Property, plant and equipment
Accrued expenses and other
Gross deferred tax assets
Valuation allowances
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances
Deferred tax liabilities:
Convertible debt
Intangible assets
Other
Deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax liability

Reported as:

Non-current deferred tax assets
Non-current deferred tax liability
Net deferred tax liability

March 31,

2017

2016

$

55,674
14,608
91,606
12,927
42,547
243,049
59,700
110,347
630,458
(210,120)
420,338

(606,674)
(147,543)
(6,296)
(760,513)
(340,175) $

34,830
12,082
63,209
5,707
31,410
100,294
16,262
37,292
301,086
(161,834)
139,252

(496,626)
(20,597)
(6,416)
(523,639)
(384,387)

$

68,870
(409,045)
(340,175) $

14,831
(399,218)
(384,387)

$

$

$

$

In assessing whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will be realized, the Company considers all available

evidence, both positive and negative, including its recent cumulative earnings experience and expectations of future available
taxable income of the appropriate character by taxing jurisdiction, tax attribute carryback and carryforward periods available to
them for tax reporting purposes, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies.

The Company had federal, state and foreign NOL carryforwards with an estimated tax effect of $266.6 million available at

March 31, 2017.  The federal and state NOL carryforwards expire at various times between 2017 and 2036.  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, 2017, the Company has provided a valuation allowance of $72.6 million.  The Company
also has state tax credits with an estimated tax effect of $103.1 million available at March 31, 2017.  These state tax credits
expire at various times between 2017 and 2036.  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 $71.0 million.  The Company
has capital loss carryforwards with an estimated tax effect of $12.9 million available at March 31, 2017. These capital loss
carryforwards begin to expire in 2020. The Company believes that it is more likely than not that the full benefit from these
capital losses will not be realized, and therefore has provided a valuation allowance of $12.9 million.  The Company had U.S
foreign tax credits with an estimated tax effect of $47.7 million that expire at various times between 2017 and 2026.  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 $27.6 million.  At March 31, 2017, the Company had credits for increasing research activity in the
amount of $128.5 million that expire at various times between 2017 and 2036.  At March 31, 2017, the Company had $5.8
million of alternative minimum tax credits that do not expire.  The Company had refundable foreign tax credits of $41.3 million
available at March 31, 2017.  In addition, the Company had $19.9 million of withholding tax credits that expire at various times
between 2022 and 2024 in foreign jurisdictions.  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 $19.9 million.

F-36

 
During the year ended March 31, 2016, the H.R. 2029 "Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015" was signed into

law which extended certain business tax provisions through December 31, 2019, including IRC section 954(c)(6) dealing with
the application of Subpart F to certain inter-company payments among controlled foreign corporations.  The expiration of
section 954(c)(6) and the other expired provisions could have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of
operations subsequent to the year ended March 31, 2020.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits through income tax expense.  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 2005 and later tax
years remain effectively open for examination by tax authorities.  For foreign tax returns, the Company is generally no longer
subject to income tax examinations for years prior to fiscal 2007.

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 could 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 could 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 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.

The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company's gross unrecognized tax benefits from April 1, 2014

to March 31, 2017 (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
Decreases/Increases related to prior year tax positions
Ending balance

$

$

$

$

Year Ended March 31,
2016
170,654
46,245
(7,954)
(4,591)
16,315
—
220,669

2017
220,669
193,297
(11,729)
(7,556)
26,332
(22,536)
398,477

$

$

2015
149,878
8,381
(20,197)
(9,031)
23,179
18,444
170,654

As of March 31, 2017, the Company had accrued approximately $9.4 million related to the potential payment of interest on
the Company's uncertain tax positions.  As of March 31, 2016, the Company had accrued approximately $2.4 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 $66.1 million and $27.6 million in penalties related to its uncertain tax
positions related primarily to its international locations as of March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, respectively.  Interest and
penalties charged or (credited) to operations during the years ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 related to the Company's
uncertain tax positions were $5.8 million, $1.7 million and $(1.8) million, respectively.  The increase related to prior year tax
positions for March 31, 2015 related primarily to a balance sheet reclassification from a valuation allowance to a reserve in the
amount of $15.7 million.

F-37

 
 
 
 
Note 11. Debt and Credit Facility

Debt obligations included in the consolidated balance sheets consisted of the following (in millions):

Senior Indebtedness
Credit Facility

Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt

Coupon
Interest
Rate

Effective
Interest
Rate

Fair Value of
Liability
Component at
Issuance (1)

March 31,

2017

2016

$

— $ 1,052.0

2017 Senior Debt, maturing February 15, 2027

1.625%

6.0%

$1,396.3

$ 2,070.0

$

—

2015 Senior Debt, maturing February 15, 2025

1.625%

5.9%

1,160.1

1,725.0

1,725.0

Junior Subordinated Convertible Debt

2017 Junior Debt, maturing February 15, 2037

2.250%

7.5%

2007 Junior Debt, maturing December 15, 2037

2.125%

9.1%

Total Convertible Debt

264.8

41.0

575.0

—

143.8

575.0

4,513.8

2,300.0

Gross long-term debt including current maturities

Less: Debt discount (2)
Less: Debt issuance costs (3)

Net long-term debt including current maturities
Less: Current maturities (4)

Net long-term debt

4,513.8

3,352.0

(1,516.5)

(869.0)

(46.8)

(29.6)

2,950.5

2,453.4

(50.0)

—

$ 2,900.5

$ 2,453.4

(1)  As each of the convertible instruments may be settled in cash upon conversion, for accounting purposes, they were
bifurcated into a liability component and an equity component, which are both initially recorded at fair value.  The amount
allocated to the equity component is the difference between the principal value of the instrument and the fair value of the
liability component at issuance.  The resulting debt discount is being amortized to interest expense at the respective
effective interest rate over the contractual term of the debt.

(2)  The unamortized discount includes the following (in millions): 

2017 Senior Debt

2015 Senior Debt

2017 Junior Debt

2007 Junior Debt

Total unamortized discount

March 31,

2017

2016

$

$

(667.5) $
(446.6)
(309.3)

(93.1)

(1,516.5) $

—
(490.3)
—

(378.7)

(869.0)

F-38

(3)  Debt issuance costs include the following (in millions):

Senior Credit Facility

2017 Senior Debt

2015 Senior Debt

2017 Junior Debt

2007 Junior Debt

Total debt issuance costs

March 31,

2017

2016

(8.5) $
(17.6)
(16.6)
(3.4)
(0.7)
(46.8) $

(8.8)
—
(18.4)
—
(2.4)
(29.6)

$

$

(4)  Current maturities include the full balance of the 2007 junior debt.

Ranking of Indebtedness -  The Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt and Junior Subordinated Convertible Debt
(collectively, the Convertible Debt) are unsecured obligations which are subordinated in right of payment to the amounts
outstanding under the Company's Credit Facility.  The Junior Subordinated Convertible Debt is expressly subordinated in right
of payment to any existing and future senior debt of the Company (including the Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt) and is
structurally subordinated in right of payment to the liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries.  The Senior Subordinated
Convertible Debt will rank senior to the Company's indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment, including
the Junior Subordinated Convertible Debt and equal in right of payment to any of the Company's unsubordinated indebtedness
that does not provide that it is senior to the Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt and junior in right of payment to any of the
Company's secured, unsubordinated indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness and junior
to all indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries. 

Summary of Conversion Features - Each series of Convertible Debt is convertible, subject to certain conditions, into cash,
shares of the Company's common stock or a combination thereof, at the Company's election, at specified Conversion Rates (see
table below), adjusted for certain events such as dividends declared.  Up until the three-months immediately preceding the
maturity date of the applicable series of Convertible Debt, each series of Convertible Debt is convertible only upon the
occurrence of (1) the closing price of the Company's common stock exceeds the Conversion Price (see table below) by 130%
for 20 days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the
immediately preceding fiscal quarter or (2) during the 5 business day period after any 10 consecutive trading day period, or the
measurement period, in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each trading day of the measurement
period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each
such trading day or (3) upon the occurrence of certain corporate events specified in the indenture of such series of Convertible
Debt.  In addition, if at the time of conversion the applicable price of the Company's common stock exceeds the applicable
Conversion Price at such time, the applicable Conversion Rate will be increased by up to an additional maximum incremental
shares rate, as determined pursuant to a formula specified in the indenture for the applicable series of Convertible Debt, and as
adjusted for cash dividends paid since the issuance of such series of Convertible Debt.  However, in no event will the applicable
Conversion Rate exceed the applicable Maximum Conversion Rate specified in the indenture for the applicable series of
Convertible Debt (see table below).  The following table sets forth the applicable Conversion Rates adjusted for dividends
declared since issuance of such series of Convertible Debt and the applicable Maximum Incremental Share Rate (with the
exception of the 2007 Junior Debt) and applicable Conversion Rates as adjusted for dividends paid since the applicable
issuance date:

2017 Senior Debt

2015 Senior Debt

2017 Junior Debt

2007 Junior Debt

Dividend adjusted rates as of March 31, 2017

Conversion
Rate, adjusted

Conversion
Price,
adjusted

Maximum
Incremental
Rate,
adjusted

Maximum
Conversion
Rate, adjusted

9.9435

15.5063

10.1211

42.1312

$

$

$

$

100.57

64.49

98.80

23.74

4.9718

7.7531

5.0606

NA

14.1695

21.7087

14.1695

48.4509

F-39

As of March 31, 2017, the holders of the 2007 Junior Debt had the right to convert their debentures between April 1, 2017
and June 30, 2017 because the Company's common stock has exceeded the Conversion Price by 130% for the specified period
of time during the quarter ended March 31, 2017.  In addition, the Company has the option and intent to call the 2007 Junior
Debt on or after December 15, 2017.  Therefore, the 2007 Junior Debt is classified as short-term on the consolidated balance
sheet as of March 31, 2017.  If the Company does not call the 2007 Junior Debt in December 2017, additional interest will be
due on the notes based on the trading value of the notes of 0.25% if the debentures are trading at less than $400 and a 0.5%
additional interest rate if the debentures are trading at greater than $1,500.  Based on the current trading price of the debentures,
the contingent interest rate beginning in December 2017 would be 0.5% of the average trading price.  The if-converted value of
the debentures exceeded the principal amount by $303.1 million at March 31, 2017. 

As of March 31, 2017, the 2015 Senior Debt is not convertible but had a value if converted above par of $248.5 million.

The Company may not redeem any series of Convertible Debt prior to the relevant maturity date and no sinking fund is
provided for any series of Convertible Debt.  Upon the occurrence of a fundamental change as defined in the applicable indenture
of such series of Convertible Debt, holders of such series may require the Company to purchase all or a portion of their Convertible
Debt for cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

Interest expense includes the following (in millions):

Debt issuance amortization

Amortization of debt discount - non cash interest expense

Coupon interest expense

Total

Year Ended March 31,

2017

2016

2015

$

$

2.1

$

1.8

$

56.1

44.5

48.0

40.2

102.7

$

90.0

$

0.4

14.8

26.6

41.8

The remaining period over which the unamortized debt discount will be recognized as non-cash interest expense is 9.88

years, 7.88 years, 19.88 years, 20.71 years for the 2017 Senior Debt and 2015 Senior Debt and the 2017 Junior Debt and 2007
Junior Debt, respectively.  

Issuances and Settlements - In February 2017, the Company issued the 2017 Senior Debt and 2017 Junior Debt for net

proceeds of $2,043.6 million and $567.7 million, respectively.  In connection with the issuance of these instruments, the
Company incurred issuance costs of $33.7 million, of which $17.8 million and $3.4 million was recorded as debt issuance costs
related to the 2017 Senior Debt and 2017 Junior Debt, respectively, and will be amortized using the effective interest method
over the term of the debt.  The balance of $12.5 million in fees was recorded to equity.  Interest on both instruments is payable
semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year.

In February 2015, the Company issued the 2015 Senior Debt for net proceeds of approximately $1,694.7 million.   In
connection with the issuance, the Company incurred issuance costs of $30.3 million, of which $20.4 million was recorded as
debt issuance costs and will be amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the debt.  The balance of $9.9
million was recorded to equity.  

The Company utilized the proceeds from the issuances of the 2017 debt and 2015 debt to reduce amounts borrowed under

its Credit Facility and to settle a portion of the 2007 Junior Debt.  In February 2017 and February 2015, the Company settled
$431.3 million and $575.0 million, respectively, in aggregate principal of its 2007 Junior Debt.  In the case of the 2015
settlement, cash only was used to settle the value.  The consideration transferred in February 2017 included cash of $431.3
million and an aggregate of 12.0 million shares of the Company's stock valued at $862.7 million for total consideration of
$1,293.9 million, of which $188.0 million was allocated to the liability component and $1,105.9 million was allocated to the
equity component.  In addition, there was an inducement fee of $5.0 million which was recorded in the consolidated statement
of income in loss on settlement of convertible debt.  The consideration transferred in February 2015 was $1,134.6 million, of
which $238.3 million was allocated to the liability component and $896.3 million was allocated to the equity component.  In
the case of both settlements, the consideration was allocated to the liability and equity components using the equivalent rate
that reflected the borrowing rate for a similar non-convertible debt prior to the retirement.  The transactions resulted in a loss on
settlement of convertible debt of approximately $43.9 million and $50.6 million in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2015, respectively,
which represented, in each case, the difference between the fair value of the liability component at time of repurchase and the
sum of the carrying values of the debt component and any unamortized debt issuance costs.

F-40

Credit Facility

The Company maintains a $2.774 billion capacity credit facility which is made up of two tranches, one available until
February 4, 2020 and another available through June 27, 2018, the maturity date of the original credit agreement.  The credit
facility was amended in February 2017 and February 2015.  The financial covenants include, among others, limits on the
Company's consolidated senior ratio and total leverage ratio.  The maximum Total Leverage Ratio (capitalized terms not
otherwise defined in this Form 10-K have the meaning of the defined terms in the applicable agreements) cannot exceed 5.00 to
1.00 and is calculated as the Consolidated Total Indebtedness, excluding the Junior Debt up to a $700 million maximum, to
Consolidated EBIDTA for a period of four quarters.   The Total Leverage Ratio may be temporarily increased to 5.50 to 1.00 for
a period of four consecutive quarters in conjunction with a Permitted Acquisition occurring during the first four quarters
following the acquisition.  The Total Leverage Ratio then decreases to 5.25 to 1.00 for three consecutive quarters, finally
returning to the stated 5.00 to 1.00 Total Leverage Ratio after a period of seven consecutive fiscal periods.  The Company can
elect to use this special feature, also referred to as an Adjusted Covenant Period, not more than one time from and after
February 8, 2017, the effective date of the February 2017 amendment (discussed below), and may elect to terminate an
Adjusted Covenant Period prior to the end of the Adjusted Covenant Period.  The Credit Facility also requires the Senior
Leverage Ratio not exceed 3.50 to 1.00, which is calculated as Consolidated Senior Indebtedness, to Consolidated EBIDTA for
four consecutive quarters.  The Company is also required to comply with an Interest Coverage Ratio of less than 3.50 to 1.00,
measured quarterly.

The credit agreement has a $125 million foreign currency sublimit, a $25 million letter of credit sublimit and a $25 million

swingline loan sublimit.  The Company has the option to obtain additional tranche commitments or additional indebtedness as
long as the Senior Leverage Ratio is equal to or less than 2.50 to 1.00.

In February 2017, the Company used a portion of the proceeds of $1,682.5 million from the issuance of the 2017 Senior
Debt and 2017 Junior Debt to pay off the balance on its line of credit in full.  In connection with the February 2017 amendment
to the Credit Agreement, the Company incurred $2.1 million of issuance fees which will be amortized over the term of the
facility and for which the balance is recorded net of any outstanding Credit Facility balance.  At March 31, 2017, there were no
outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility compared to $1,052.0 million at March 31, 2016.

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 are required to pledge the equity securities of certain of their respective material subsidiaries, subject
to certain exceptions and limitations.  In addition, in connection with the February 2017 amendment, the Company and the
guarantor subsidiaries granted a security interest in substantially all of their personal property to secure the obligations under
the credit agreement. 

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 quarters (in
the case of the 2018 tranche revolving loans) or the consolidated senior leverage ratio (in the case of the 2020 tranche revolving
loans).  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 customary 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 $42.9 million in fiscal
2017, approximately $18.9 million in fiscal 2016 and approximately $19.9 million in fiscal 2015.  Principal, together with all
accrued and unpaid interest, is due and payable on the respective tranche maturity date, which is June 27, 2018 and February 4,
2020.  The Company 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.

F-41

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 senior leverage ratio, a total leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio, all measured quarterly and calculated on a
consolidated bases.  At March 31, 2017, 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.

Note 12.  Contingencies

In the ordinary course of the Company's business, it is exposed to various liabilities as a result of contracts, product
liability, customer claims and other matters.  Additionally, the Company is involved in a limited number of legal actions, both
as plaintiff and defendant.  Consequently, the Company could incur uninsured liability in any of those actions.  The Company
also periodically receives notifications from various third parties alleging infringement of patents or other intellectual property
rights, or from customers requesting reimbursement for various costs.  With respect to pending legal actions to which the
Company is a party and other claims, although the outcomes are generally not 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 and disputes relating to the semiconductor industry are not uncommon, and the Company is, from time
to time, subject to such litigation and disputes.  As a result, no assurances can be given with respect to the extent or outcome of
any such litigation or disputes in the future. 

As a result of its acquisition of Atmel, which closed April 4, 2016, the Company became involved with the following

lawsuits:

In re: Continental Airbag Products Liability Litigation.  On May 11, 2016, an Amended and Consolidated Class Action
Complaint ("Complaint") was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (Miami Division)
against Atmel, Continental Automotive Systems, Inc., Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and an affiliate, and Daimler AG and an affiliate.
The Complaint which includes claims arising under federal law and Florida, California, New Jersey, Michigan and Louisiana
state law alleges that class members unknowingly purchased or leased vehicles containing defective airbag control units
(incorporating allegedly defective application specific integrated circuits manufactured by the Company's Atmel subsidiary
between 2006 and 2010), and thereby suffered financial harm, including a loss in the value of their purchased or leased
vehicles.  The plaintiffs are seeking, individually and on behalf of a putative class, unspecified compensatory and exemplary
damages, statutory penalties, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys' fees, and injunctive and other relief.  The Company's
Atmel subsidiary contested plaintiffs' claims vigorously, and on May 23, 2017 the case was ordered to be dismissed.

Continental Claim ICC Arbitration. On December 29, 2016, Continental Automotive GmbH ("Continental") filed a
Request for Arbitration with the ICC, naming as respondents the Company's subsidiaries Atmel Corporation, Atmel SARL,
Atmel Global Sales Ltd., and Atmel Automotive GmbH (collectively, “Atmel”).  The Request alleges that a quality issue
affecting Continental airbag control units in certain recalled vehicles stems from allegedly defective Atmel application specific
integrated circuits (“ASICs”).  The Continental airbag control units, ASICs and vehicle recalls are also at issue in In re:
Continental Airbag Products Liability Litigation, described above.  Continental seeks to recover from Atmel all related costs
and damages incurred as a result of the vehicle manufacturers’ airbag control unit-related recalls, currently alleged to be $61.6
million (but subject to increase).  The Company's Atmel subsidiaries intend to defend this action vigorously.

Southern District of New York Action by LFoundry Rousset ("LFR") and LFR Employees.  On March 4, 2014, LFR and

Jean-Yves Guerrini, individually and on behalf of a putative class of LFR employees, filed an action in the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York (the "District Court") against the Company's Atmel subsidiary, French
subsidiary, Atmel Rousset S.A.S. ("Atmel Rousset"), and LFoundry GmbH ("LF"), LFR's German parent.  The case purports to
relate to Atmel Rousset's June 2010 sale of its wafer manufacturing facility in Rousset, France to LF, and LFR's subsequent
insolvency, and later liquidation, more than three years later.  The District Court dismissed the case on August 21, 2015, and the
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal on June 27, 2016.  On July 25, 2016, the plaintiffs

F-42

filed a notice of appeal from the District Court's June 27, 2016 denial of their motion for relief from the dismissal judgment.
On May 19, 2017, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the June 27, 2016 order dismissing the
case.

Individual Labor Actions by former LFR Employees.  In the wake of LFR's insolvency and liquidation, over 500 former
employees of LFR have filed individual labor actions against Atmel Rousset in a French labor court.  The Company's Atmel
Rousset subsidiary believes that each of these actions is entirely devoid of merit, and, further, that any assertion by any of the
Claimants of a co-employment relationship with the Atmel Rousset subsidiary is based substantially on the same specious
arguments that the Paris Commercial Court summarily rejected in 2014 in related proceedings.  The Company's Atmel Rousset
subsidiary therefore intends to defend vigorously against each of these claims.

The Company accrues for claims and contingencies when losses become probable and reasonably estimable.  As of the end

of each applicable reporting period, the Company reviews each of its matters and, where it is probable that a liability has been
or will be incurred, the Company accrues for all probable and reasonably estimable losses.  Where the Company can reasonably
estimate a range of losses it may incur regarding such a matter, the Company records an accrual for the amount within the range
that constitutes its best estimate.  If the Company can reasonably estimate a range but no amount within the range appears to be
a better estimate than any other, the Company uses the amount that is the low end of such range.  As of March 31, 2017, the
Company's estimate of the aggregate potential liability that is possible but not probable is approximately $100 million in excess
of amounts accrued. 

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 $151.5 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, 2017.

Note 13.  Stock Repurchase Activity

In December 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, 2015, the Company had
repurchased 7.5 million shares under this authorization for $234.7 million.  In May 2015, the Company's Board of Directors
authorized an increase to the existing share repurchase program to 20.0 million shares of common stock from the
approximately 2.5 million shares remaining under the prior authorization.  During fiscal 2016, the Company repurchased 8.6
million shares under this authorization for $363.8 million.  In January 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an
increase to the existing share repurchase program to 15.0 million shares of common stock from the approximately 11.4 million
shares remaining under the prior authorization.  There were no repurchases of common stock during fiscal 2017 and fiscal
2015.  There is no expiration date associated with this repurchase program.  As of March 31, 2017, approximately 20.4
million shares remained as treasury shares with the balance of the shares being used to fund share issuance requirements under
the Company's equity incentive plans.

Note 14.  Employee Benefit Plans

Defined Benefit Plans

In connection with its acquisition of Atmel, the Company assumed unfunded defined benefit pension plans that cover
certain French and German employees.  Plan benefits are provided in accordance with local statutory requirements.  Benefits
are based on years of service and employee compensation levels.  Pension liabilities and charges are based upon various
assumptions, updated annually, including discount rates, future salary increases, employee turnover, and mortality rates.  The
Company’s French pension plan provides for termination benefits paid to covered French employees only at retirement, and
consists of approximately one to five months of salary.  The Company's German pension plan provides for defined benefit
payouts for covered German employees following retirement. 

F-43

The aggregate net pension expense relating to these two plans is as follows (amounts in thousands):

Year Ended March 31,

2017

Service costs

Interest costs

Settlements

Net pension period cost

$

$

The change in projected benefit obligation and the accumulated benefit obligation, were as follows (amounts in

thousands):

Projected benefit obligation at April 4, 2016

Service cost

Interest cost

Settlements

Actuarial losses

Benefits paid

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

Projected benefit obligation at March 31, 2017

Accumulated benefit obligation at March 31, 2017

$

$

1,430

962

511

2,903

40,313

1,430

962

511

7,969
(440)
(322)
50,423

45,610

As the defined benefit plans are unfunded, the liability recognized on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as
of March 31, 2017 was $50.4 million of which $0.7 million is included in accrued liabilities and $49.7 million is included in
other long-term liabilities. 

Weighted average actuarial assumptions used to determine benefit obligations for the plans were as follows at March 31,

2017:

Weighted average assumed discount rate

Weighted average assumed compensation rate of increase

1.82%

2.90%

The discount rate is based on the quarterly average yield for Euros treasuries with a duration of 30 years, plus a supplement

for corporate bonds (Euros, AA rating).

Future estimated expected benefit payments for the remainder of fiscal 2018 through 2027 are as follows (amounts in

thousands):

Fiscal Year Ending March 31,

Expected Benefit Payments

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022
2023 through 2027

Total

F-44

$

$

700

714

1,017

1,033

1,549
8,664

13,677

The Company's pension liability represents the present value of estimated future benefits to be paid.

Net actuarial losses for the year ended March 31, 2017 are primarily due to movements in the discount rates used to

calculate the present value of pension obligations.  Net actuarial losses, which are included in accumulated other
comprehensive loss in the Company's consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2017, will be recognized as a component of
net periodic cost over the average remaining service period.

The Company's net periodic pension cost for fiscal 2018 is expected to be approximately $2.6 million.

In connection with the acquisition of SMSC in August 2012, 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, 2017, the projected benefit obligation is $4.7
million.  Annual benefit payments and contributions under this plan are expected to be approximately $0.5 million in fiscal
2018 and approximately $3.7 million cumulatively in fiscal 2019 through fiscal 2027.

Defined Contribution 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 the applicable quarter.  During fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company's
matching contributions to the plan totaled $8.2 million, $4.4 million and $3.9 million, respectively. 

The Company's 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the 2001 Purchase Plan) became effective on March 1, 2002.  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.  On January 1, 2017 and
2016, an additional 1,077,150 shares and 1,017,492 shares, respectively, were reserved under the 2001 Purchase Plan based on
the automatic increase.  Upon the approval of the Board of Directors, there were no shares added under the 2001 Purchase Plan
on January 1, 2015 based on the automatic increase provision.  Since the inception of the 2001 Purchase Plan, 13,372,504
shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance and 7,230,790 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 of Directors 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.  On May 1, 2006, the Company's Board of Directors approved an annual automatic increase in the number of
shares reserved under the plan.  The automatic increase took effect on January 1, 2007, and on each January 1 thereafter during
the term of the plan, and is equal to one tenth of one percent (0.1%) of the then outstanding shares of the Company's common
stock.  On January 1, 2017 and 2016, an additional 215,430 shares and 203,498 shares, respectively, were reserved under the
plan based on the automatic increase.  Upon the approval of the Board of Directors, there were no shares added under the plan
on January 1, 2015 based on the automatic increase provision.  Since the inception of this purchase plan, 1,919,213 shares of
common stock have been reserved for issuance and 1,184,507 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.

F-45

 
 
 
 
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 2017, 2016 and 2015, $41.5 million, $19.1 million and $24.2 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 2017, 2016 and 2015, $28.2 million, $14.2 million
and $15.9 million, respectively, were charged against operations for this plan.

Note 15. Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation Expense

The following table presents the details of the Company's share-based compensation expense (amounts in thousands):

Cost of sales

Research and development

Selling, general and administrative
Pre-tax effect of share-based compensation

Income tax benefit

Net income effect of share-based compensation

Year Ended March 31,

2017

2016

2015

$

$

18,713 (1) $
46,801

62,641
128,155
44,214 (2)
83,941

$

8,252 (1) $
32,022

9,010 (1)
28,164

31,146
71,420

23,012

48,408

$

21,422
58,596

10,640

47,956

(1)  During the year ended March 31, 2017, $11.3 million of share-based compensation expense was capitalized to
inventory.  The amount of share-based compensation included in cost of sales during fiscal 2017 included $14.5 million of
previously capitalized share-based compensation expense in inventory that was sold and $4.2 million of share-based
compensation expense related to the Company's acquisition of Atmel that was not previously capitalized to inventory.
During the year ended March 31, 2016, $7.9 million of share-based compensation expense was capitalized to inventory,
and $8.3 million of previously capitalized share-based compensation expense in inventory was sold.  During the year
ended March 31, 2015, $6.8 million of share-based compensation expense was capitalized to inventory, and $9.0 million of
previously capitalized share-based compensation expense in inventory was sold. 

(2)  Amounts exclude excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation of $25.0 million for the year ended March 31,
2017.  The Company elected to early adopt ASU 2016-09 effective April 1, 2016.  Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-09,
the Company recognized excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation in additional paid-in capital.  Refer to
Note 1 for additional information on the adoption of this standard.

The amount of unearned share-based compensation currently estimated to be expensed in the remainder of fiscal 2018

through fiscal 2022 related to unvested share-based payment awards at March 31, 2017 is $166.8 million.  The weighted
average period over which the unearned share-based compensation is expected to be recognized is approximately 2.15 years.

Atmel Acquisition-related Equity Awards

In connection with the acquisition of Atmel, the Company assumed certain RSUs granted by Atmel.  The assumed awards

were measured at the acquisition date based on the estimated fair value, which was a total of $95.9 million.  A portion of that
fair value, $7.5 million, which represented the pre-acquisition vested service provided by employees to Atmel, 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 $88.4 million, representing post-acquisition share-based compensation expense that will be recognized as
these employees provide service over the remaining vesting periods.  During the year ended March 31, 2017, the Company
recognized $58.6 million of share-based compensation expense in connection with the acquisition of Atmel, of which $39.6
million was due to the accelerated vesting of outstanding equity awards upon termination of certain Atmel employees.

F-46

 
 
 
 
 
Combined Incentive Plan Information

RSU share activity under the 2004 Plan is set forth below:

Nonvested shares at March 31, 2014

Granted

Forfeited

Vested

Nonvested shares at March 31, 2015

Granted
Assumed upon acquisition

Forfeited

Vested

Nonvested shares at March 31, 2016

Granted
Assumed upon acquisition

Forfeited

Vested

Nonvested shares at March 31, 2017

Number of 
Shares

5,530,034

$

1,446,968
(266,415)
(1,441,671)
5,268,916

2,479,729

525,442
(360,072)
(1,606,273)
6,307,742

1,635,655
2,059,524
(722,212)
(2,861,253)
6,419,456

$

Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value

30.13

42.02

32.45

26.96

34.15

38.91

40.58

38.20

32.47

36.76

51.46
46.57

43.58

38.60

42.06

The total intrinsic value of RSUs which vested during the years ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $166.1 million,

$72.1 million and $67.6 million, respectively.  The aggregate intrinsic value of RSUs outstanding at March 31, 2017 was
$473.6 million, calculated based on the closing price of the Company's common stock of  $73.78 per share on March 31,
2017.  At March 31, 2017, the weighted average remaining expense recognition period was 2.19 years.

Stock option and stock appreciation right (SAR) activity under the Company's stock incentive plans in the three years

ended March 31, 2017 is set forth below:

Outstanding at March 31, 2014

Granted

Assumed upon acquisition

Exercised

Canceled

Outstanding at March 31, 2015

Granted

Assumed upon acquisition

Exercised

Canceled

Outstanding at March 31, 2016

Exercised

Canceled

Outstanding at March 31, 2017

Number of 
Shares

573,611

$

27,654

666,586
(477,618)
(105,934)
684,299

244

604,900
(221,987)
(153,948)
913,508
(437,906)
(42,485)
433,117

$

Weighted Average
Exercise Price per
Share

24.75

46.66

29.33

26.42

28.17

28.41

41.09

35.03

25.30

31.52

33.00

34.34

34.26

31.51

The total intrinsic value of options and SARs exercised during the years ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $9.6
million, $4.7 million and $9.6 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.

F-47

The aggregate intrinsic value of options and SARs outstanding at March 31, 2017 was $18.3 million.  The aggregate intrinsic
value of options and SARS exercisable at March 31, 2017 was $11.7 million.  The aggregate intrinsic values were calculated based
on the closing price of the Company's common stock of $73.78 per share on March 31, 2017.

As of March 31, 2017 and 2016, the number of option and SAR shares exercisable was 264,061 and 553,844, respectively,

and the weighted average exercise price per share was $29.59 and $32.33, respectively.

The weighted average fair values per share of stock options granted in the years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $8.85

and $9.00, respectively.  The fair values per share of stock options granted in the years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were
estimated utilizing the following assumptions:

Expected term (in years)

Volatility

Risk-free interest rate

Dividend yield

Year Ended March 31,

2016

2015

6.5
29.50%
1.54%
3.00%

6.5
26.65%
1.59%
3.00%

There were no stock options granted in the year ended March 31, 2017.

Note 16.  Commitments

The Company leases office space, a manufacturing facility, and transportation and other equipment under operating leases
which expire at various dates through March 31, 2022.   The future minimum lease commitments under these operating leases
at March 31, 2017 were as follows (amounts in thousands):

Year Ending March 31,
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Thereafter
Total minimum payments

Amount

26,259
21,114
14,920
11,645
11,038
2,423
87,399

$

$

The terms of the leases do not contain significant restriction provisions and usually contain standard rent escalation clauses
as well as options for renewal.  Rental expense under operating leases totaled $35.4 million, $23.3 million and $23.8 million for
fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Commitments for construction or purchase of property, plant and equipment totaled $45.5 million as of March 31, 2017, all

of which will be due within the next year.  Other purchase obligations and commitments totaled approximately $107.4 million
as of March 31, 2017.  Other purchase obligations and commitments include payments due under various types of licenses and
approximately $98.3 million of outstanding purchase commitments with the Company's wafer foundries for delivery in fiscal
2018.

Note 17.  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.

F-48

 
 
 
 
The following table represents revenues and gross profit for each segment (amounts in thousands):

Years ended March 31,

2017

2016

2015

Semiconductor products

Technology licensing

Total

Net Sales
$ 3,316,651
91,156
$ 3,407,807

Gross Profit
$ 1,666,040
91,156
$ 1,757,196

Net Sales
$ 2,084,210
89,124
$ 2,173,334

Gross Profit
$ 1,116,340
89,124
$ 1,205,464

Net Sales
$ 2,057,443
89,593
$ 2,147,036

Gross Profit
$ 1,139,971
89,593
$ 1,229,564

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,

2017

2016

$

$

388,537
210,603
84,198
683,338

$

$

373,860
182,813
52,723
609,396

Sales to unaffiliated customers located outside the U.S., primarily in Asia and Europe, aggregated approximately 84% of

consolidated net sales for each of fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015.  Sales to customers in Europe represented approximately 24% of
consolidated net sales for fiscal 2017, approximately 22% of consolidated net sales for fiscal 2016, and approximately 21% of
consolidated net sales for fiscal 2015.  Sales to customers in Asia represented approximately 58% of consolidated net sales for
2017, and approximately 59% of consolidated net sales in each of fiscal 2016 and 2015.  Within Asia, sales into China,
including Hong Kong, represented approximately 32%, 30% and 28% of consolidated net sales for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015,
respectively.  Sales into Taiwan represented approximately 9%, 12% and 14% of consolidated net sales for fiscal 2017, 2016
and 2015, respectively.  Sales into any other individual foreign country did not exceed 10% of the Company's net sales for any
of the three years presented.

No single end customer or distributor accounted for 10% or more of the Company's net sales during fiscal 2017, 2016 or

2015.

Note 18. Derivative Instruments

Freestanding Derivative Forward Contracts

The Company has international operations and is thus subject to foreign currency rate fluctuations.  Approximately 99% of
the Company's sales are U.S. Dollar denominated.  However, a significant amount of the Company's expenses and liabilities are
denominated in foreign currencies and 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.  Net gains due to foreign exchange rate fluctuations after the effects of hedging activity were $1.0 million and $0.7
million in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, respectively, compared to net losses of $7.7 million in fiscal 2015.  As of March 31,
2017 and 2016, the Company had no foreign currency forward contracts outstanding.  The Company recognized an immaterial
amount of net  realized gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts in the years ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and
2015.  Gains and losses from changes in the fair value of these foreign currency forward contracts and foreign currency
exchange rate fluctuations are credited or charged to other income (expense).  The Company does not apply hedge accounting
to its foreign currency derivative instruments. 

F-49

 
 
Fair Value Hedges

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivatives as well as
the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings.  Interest rate derivative
instruments designated as fair value hedges are designed to manage the exposure to interest rate movements and to reduce
borrowing costs by converting fixed-rate debt into floating-rate debt.  Under these agreements, the Company agrees to
exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between the fixed and floating interest amounts calculated by reference to an
agreed-upon notional principal amount.

In March 2015, the Company entered into ten-year fixed-to-floating interest rate swap agreements designated as fair value

hedges of the changes in fair value of a portion of the Company's fixed-rate 1.625% 2015 Senior Debt due to changes in the
LIBOR swap rate, the designated benchmark interest rate.  The Company pays variable interest equal to the three-month
LIBOR minus 53.6 basis points and it receives a fixed interest rate of 1.625%.  The notional amount of these contracts
outstanding at March 31, 2015 was $431.3 million, representing 25% of the principal amount of the 2015 Senior Debt.

In February 2016, the Company terminated its interest rate swap agreements.  Upon termination, the contracts were in an
asset position, resulting in cash receipts of approximately $25.7 million, which included $3.7 million of accrued interest.  The
gain from terminating the interest rate swap agreements increased the outstanding balance of the 2015 Senior Debt and is being
amortized as a reduction of interest expense over the remaining life of the debt.  The cash flows from the termination of these
interest rate swap agreements have been reported as operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.  

The following table summarizes the location and amount of the gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the changes

in the LIBOR swap rate and the offsetting gain or loss on the related interest rate swap agreements for the years ended
March 31, 2016 and 2015.  The difference represents hedge ineffectiveness (amounts in thousands):

Year ended March 31,

2016

2015

Income Statement Classification

Gain (Loss) on
2015 Senior Debt

Gain (Loss) on
Interest Rate Swap

Gain (Loss) on
2015 Senior Debt

Gain (Loss) on
Interest Rate Swap

Other income (expense)

$

(18,060) $

16,345

$

(8,302) $

8,928

Note 19. Net Income Per Common Share From Continuing Operations Attributable to Microchip Technology

Stockholders

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share from continuing operations

attributable to Microchip stockholders (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Net income from continuing operations attributable to Microchip
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Dilutive effect of stock options and RSUs
Dilutive effect of 2007 Junior Debt
Dilutive effect of 2015 Senior Debt
Dilutive effect of 2017 Senior Debt
Dilutive effect of 2017 Junior Debt
Weighted average common and potential common shares outstanding
Basic net income per common share from continuing operations attributable to
Microchip stockholders
Diluted net income per common share from continuing operations
attributable to Microchip stockholders

$

$

$

Year Ended March 31,

$

2017
170,592
217,196
4,357
12,715
538
—
—
234,806

$

2016
324,132
203,384
3,350
10,654
—
—
—
217,388

2015
369,009
200,937
3,642
18,982
—
—
—
223,561

0.79

0.73

$

$

1.59

1.49

$

$

1.84

1.65

The Company computed basic net income per common share from continuing operations attributable to its stockholders

using net income from continuing operations available to common stockholders and the weighted average number of common
shares outstanding during the period.  The Company computed diluted net income per common share from continuing

F-50

 
operations attributable to its stockholders using net income from continuing operations available to common stockholders and
the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the
period.

Potentially dilutive common shares from employee equity incentive plans are determined by applying the treasury stock
method to the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options and the assumed vesting of outstanding RSUs.  Weighted average
common shares exclude the effect of option shares which are not dilutive.  There were no anti-dilutive option shares for the
year ended March 31, 2017.  For the year ended March 31, 2016, the number of option shares that were antidilutive
was 298,015.

Diluted net income per common share from continuing operations attributable to stockholders for fiscal 2017, 2016, and
2015 includes 12,714,831, 10,654,070 and 18,982,440 shares, respectively, issuable upon the exchange of the Company's 2007
Junior Debt.  In February 2017, the Company issued an aggregate of 11,997,924 shares in the settlement of $431.3 million
principal amount of the 2007 Junior Debt.  The shares that were issued are included in the weighted average dilutive common
shares outstanding through the date of the issuance and were reflected in the weighted average common shares outstanding
thereafter.  Diluted net income per common share from continuing operations attributable to stockholders for fiscal 2017
includes 538,044 shares issuable upon the exchange of the Company's 2015 Senior Debt.  There were no shares issuable upon
the exchange of the Company's senior and junior debt issued in fiscal 2017 nor were any shares issuable upon the exchange of
the Company's 2015 Senior Debt for fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015.  The convertible debt has 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 following is the weighted average conversion
price per share used in calculating the dilutive effect (See Note 11 for details on the convertible debt):

2007 Junior Debt

2015 Senior Debt

2017 Senior Debt

2017 Junior Debt

2017

March 31,

2016

2015

$

$

$

$

24.01

65.21

100.58

98.81

$

$

$

$

24.73

$

67.19

$
— $
— $

25.48

68.25

—

—

F-51

Note 20.  Quarterly Results (Unaudited)

The following table presents the Company's selected unaudited quarterly operating results for the eight quarters ended
March 31, 2017.  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 2017
Net sales
Gross profit
Operating income
Net income
Diluted net income per common share attributable
to Microchip stockholders

Fiscal 2016
Net sales
Gross profit
Operating income
Net income

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling
interests

Net income attributable to Microchip Technology
Diluted net income per common share attributable to
Microchip stockholders

$

$

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

$

$

799,411
348,490
(59,104)
(113,363)

871,364
410,621
62,760
33,919

$

834,366
465,259
118,074
107,175

902,666
532,826
154,087
136,908

Total
$ 3,407,807
1,757,196
275,817
164,639

(0.53)

0.14

0.46

0.57

0.71

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

$

$

533,952
309,017
121,319
130,460

207
130,667

$

541,391
300,950
74,948
64,899

—
64,899

540,344
292,718
76,132
61,211

—
61,211

557,647
302,779
79,946
67,355

—
67,355

Total
$ 2,173,334
1,205,464
352,345
323,925

207
324,132

0.60

0.30

0.28

0.31

1.49

Refer to Note 3, Special Charges and Other, Net, for an explanation of the special charges included in operating income in

fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016.  Refer to Note 11, Debt and Credit Facility, for an explanation of the loss on settlement of
convertible debt of approximately $43.9 million included in net income (loss) during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.  Refer to
Note 4, Investments, for an explanation of the net realized gain from sales of available-for-sale marketable equity securities
included in net income during the first quarter of fiscal 2016.  No material net realized gains or losses occurred in fiscal 2017.

Note 21.  Supplemental Financial Information

Cash paid for income taxes amounted to $48.4 million, $25.4 million and $25.5 million during fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015,

respectively.  Cash paid for interest on borrowings amounted to $82.5 million in fiscal 2017, $52.9 million in fiscal 2016 and
$40.2 million in fiscal 2015.

A summary of additions and deductions related to the valuation allowance for deferred tax asset accounts for the years

ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 follows (amounts in thousands):

Balance at
Beginning
of Year

Additions
Charged to
Costs and
Expenses

Additions
Charged to
Other
Accounts

Deductions

Balance at
End of Year

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets:

Fiscal Year 2017

Fiscal Year 2016

Fiscal Year 2015

$

161,834

$

15,220

$

37,578

$

116,482

93,811

5,535

—

47,834

36,957

(4,512) $
(8,017)
(14,286)

210,120

161,834

116,482

F-52

 
 
 
A summary of additions and deductions related to the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended March 31, 2017,

2016 and 2015 follows (amounts in thousands):

Balance at
Beginning
of Year

Additions
Charged to
Costs and 
Expenses

Deductions (1)

Balance at
End of Year

Allowance for doubtful accounts:

Fiscal Year 2017
Fiscal Year 2016
Fiscal Year 2015

$

$

2,540
2,621
2,918

$

184
59
104

(640) $
(140)
(401)

2,084
2,540
2,621

(1)  Deductions represent uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following tables present the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) for the

years ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016:

Year ended March 31, 2017

Balance at March 31, 2016

Unrealized
Holding Gains
(Losses)
Available-for-
sale Securities
348
$

Minimum
Pension
Liability

Foreign
Currency

Total

$

44

$

(3,749) $

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss)
Net other comprehensive loss

(1,558)

1,522

(36)

(5,307)

—

(5,307)

(5,678)

—

(5,678)

Balance at March 31, 2017

$

312

$

(5,263) $

(9,427) $

(3,357)

(12,543)

1,522

(11,021)

(14,378)

Year ended March 31, 2016

Balance at March 31, 2015
Other comprehensive (loss) income before
reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)

Purchase of shares from noncontrolling interest

Balance at March 31, 2016

$

Unrealized
Holding Gains
(Losses)
Available-for-
sale Securities
14,537
$

Minimum
Pension
Liability

Foreign
Currency

Total

$

13

$

(3,474) $

11,076

(3,241)

(10,948)

(14,189)

—

348

$

31

—

31

—

44

—

—

—

(275)

$

(3,749) $

(3,210)

(10,948)

(14,158)

(275)

(3,357)

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 (losses) gains on available-for-sale
securities

Taxes
Reclassification of realized transactions, net
of taxes

$

$

Year ended March 31,

2017

2016

2015

Related Statement of
Income Line

(1,522) $

10,948

$

18,706 Other income, net

—

—

(12)

Provision for income
taxes

(1,522) $

10,948

$

18,694 Net Income

F-53

 
Note 22.  Dividends

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 $1.441, $1.433 and $1.425 during fiscal 2017, 2016 and
2015, respectively.  Total dividend payments amounted to $315.4 million, $291.1 million and $286.5 million during fiscal
2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

F-54