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LITTELFUSE INC /DE - Quarter Report: 2019 September (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q 
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 28, 2019
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ___ to ___

Commission file number 0-20388
LITTELFUSE, INC. 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
36-3795742
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
8755 West Higgins Road
 
 
 Suite 500
 
 
Chicago
Illinois
60631
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(ZIP Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 773-628-1000
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of Each Class
 
Trading Symbol
 
Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
 
LFUS
 
NASDAQ
Global Select Market
 
Indicate by check mark 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. Yes [X] 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 (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [X] No [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one): Large accelerated filer [X] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer [ ] Smaller reporting company Emerging growth company
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. Yes [ ] No [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No [X]

As of October 25, 2019, the registrant had outstanding 24,358,002 shares of Common Stock, net of Treasury Shares.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
 
 
PART I
 
Item 1.
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 28, 2019 (unaudited) and December 29, 2018
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2019 (unaudited) and September 29, 2018 (unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2019 (unaudited) and September 29, 2018 (unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 28, 2019 (unaudited) and September 29, 2018 (unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the nine months ended September 28, 2019 (unaudited) and September 29, 2018 (unaudited)
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
PART II 
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.


2

Table of Contents



LITTELFUSE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
(in thousands)
 
September 28,
2019
 
December 29,
2018
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
476,057

 
$
489,733

Short-term investments
 
33

 
34

Trade receivables, less allowances of $39,874 and $36,038 at September 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, respectively
 
226,352

 
232,892

Inventories
 
240,059

 
258,228

Prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable
 
2,730

 
2,339

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
62,361

 
49,291

Total current assets
 
1,007,592


1,032,517

Net property, plant, and equipment
 
329,792


339,894

Intangible assets, net of amortization
 
326,417

 
361,474

Goodwill
 
813,653

 
826,715

Investments
 
26,662

 
25,405

Deferred income taxes
 
7,485

 
7,330

Right of use lease assets, net
 
21,598

 

Other assets
 
18,162

 
20,971

Total assets
 
$
2,551,361


$
2,614,306

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
107,211

 
$
126,323

Accrued liabilities
 
114,549

 
138,405

Accrued income taxes
 
16,989

 
20,547

Current portion of long-term debt
 
10,000

 
10,000

Total current liabilities
 
248,749


295,275

Long-term debt, less current portion
 
668,160

 
684,730

Deferred income taxes
 
51,776

 
51,853

Accrued post-retirement benefits
 
28,725

 
31,874

Non-current operating lease liabilities
 
17,237

 

Other long-term liabilities
 
64,502

 
72,232

Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share: 34,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued, September 28, 2019–25,820,918; December 29, 2018–25,641,959
 
256

 
254

Treasury stock, at cost: 1,473,558 and 868,045 shares, respectively
 
(216,384
)
 
(116,454
)
Additional paid-in capital
 
860,871

 
835,828

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(112,608
)
 
(97,924
)
Retained earnings
 
939,946

 
856,507

Littelfuse, Inc. shareholders’ equity
 
1,472,081


1,478,211

Non-controlling interest
 
131

 
131

Total equity
 
1,472,212


1,478,342

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
2,551,361


$
2,614,306

 See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

Table of Contents


LITTELFUSE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME
(Unaudited)

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
 
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
Net sales
 
$
361,971

 
$
439,191

 
$
1,165,350

 
$
1,316,187

Cost of sales
 
231,025

 
259,597

 
737,368

 
817,983

Gross profit
 
130,946


179,594


427,982


498,204

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
54,224

 
69,782

 
174,845

 
220,540

Research and development expenses
 
19,728

 
20,454

 
62,595

 
65,742

Amortization of intangibles
 
9,827

 
13,130

 
30,068

 
38,501

Total operating expenses
 
83,779


103,366


267,508


324,783

Operating income
 
47,167


76,228


160,474


173,421

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
5,559

 
5,775

 
16,834

 
16,980

Foreign exchange loss (gain)
 
4,968

 
982

 
5,636

 
(6,372
)
Other (income) expense, net
 
(4,764
)
 
1,259

 
(3,406
)
 
(2,362
)
Income before income taxes
 
41,404

 
68,212

 
141,410

 
165,175

Income taxes
 
5,757

 
14,666

 
24,982

 
33,275

Net income
 
$
35,647


$
53,546


$
116,428


$
131,900

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
1.46

 
$
2.13

 
$
4.72

 
$
5.31

Diluted
 
$
1.44

 
$
2.10

 
$
4.68

 
$
5.23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average shares and equivalent shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
24,482

 
25,109

 
24,646

 
24,817

Diluted
 
24,684

 
25,471

 
24,894

 
25,212

 
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


4

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LITTELFUSE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
(in thousands)
 
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
 
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
Net income
 
$
35,647

 
$
53,546

 
$
116,428

 
$
131,900

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and postemployment adjustment, net of tax
 
137

 
(115
)
 
249

 
648

Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
(17,163
)
 
(7,832
)
 
(14,933
)
 
(24,816
)
Comprehensive income
 
$
18,621


$
45,599


$
101,744


$
107,732

 
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


5

Table of Contents

LITTELFUSE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
 
Nine Months Ended
(in thousands)
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 29, 2018
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
116,428

 
$
131,900

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
38,988

 
37,559

Amortization of intangibles
 
30,068

 
38,501

Deferred revenue
 
(228
)
 
3,965

Non-cash inventory charges
 

 
36,927

Impairment charges
 
322

 
1,125

Stock-based compensation
 
15,738

 
23,153

Loss (gain) on investments and other assets
 
559

 
(350
)
Deferred income taxes
 
(203
)
 
(10,979
)
Other
 
8,267

 
594

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Trade receivables
 
2,781

 
(20,588
)
Inventories
 
18,102

 
(17,624
)
Accounts payable
 
(29,453
)
 
17,033

Accrued liabilities and income taxes
 
(44,241
)
 
20,736

Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
3,735

 
(9,836
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
160,863


252,116

 
 
 
 
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired
 
(775
)
 
(313,475
)
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment
 
(38,397
)
 
(55,946
)
Net proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, and other
 
6,212

 
858

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(32,960
)

(368,563
)
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Proceeds of revolving credit facility
 

 
60,000

Proceeds of term loan
 

 
75,000

Net proceeds from senior notes payable
 

 
175,000

Payments of term loan
 
(7,500
)
 
(42,525
)
Payments of revolving credit facility
 

 
(60,000
)
Net proceeds related to stock-based award activities
 
4,412

 
17,920

Purchases of common stock
 
(99,387
)
 

Debt issuance costs
 

 
(878
)
Cash dividends paid
 
(32,990
)
 
(29,258
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(135,465
)
 
195,259

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
(6,114
)
 
(10,273
)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
(13,676
)
 
68,539

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
489,733

 
429,676

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
476,057


$
498,215

Supplementary Cash Flow Information
 
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for interest
 
$
17,872

 
$
15,785

Capital expenditures, not yet paid
 
$
8,978

 
$

 
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


6

Table of Contents

LITTELFUSE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)
 
Littelfuse, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Common Stock
 
Addl. Paid in Capital
 
Treasury Stock
 
Accum. Other Comp. Inc. (Loss)
 
Retained Earnings
 
Non-controlling Interest
 
Total
Balance at December 29, 2018
$
254

 
$
835,828

 
$
(116,454
)
 
$
(97,924
)
 
$
856,507

 
$
131

 
$
1,478,342

Net income

 

 

 

 
36,989

 

 
36,989

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 
8,073

 

 

 
8,073

Stock-based compensation

 
3,966

 

 

 

 

 
3,966

Withheld shares on restricted share units for withholding taxes

 

 
(94
)
 

 

 

 
(94
)
Stock options exercised

 
2,292

 

 

 

 

 
2,292

Repurchases of common stock

 

 
(13,555
)
 

 

 

 
(13,555
)
Cash dividends paid ($0.43 per share)

 

 

 

 
(10,625
)
 

 
(10,625
)
Balance at March 30, 2019
$
254

 
$
842,086

 
$
(130,103
)
 
$
(89,851
)
 
$
882,871

 
$
131

 
$
1,505,388

Net income

 

 

 

 
43,792

 

 
43,792

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 
(5,731
)
 

 

 
(5,731
)
Stock-based compensation

 
8,284

 

 

 

 

 
8,284

Withheld shares on restricted share units for withholding taxes

 

 
(4,010
)
 

 

 

 
(4,010
)
Stock options exercised
1

 
4,822

 

 

 

 

 
4,823

Repurchases of common stock

 

 
(31,955
)
 

 

 

 
(31,955
)
Cash dividends paid ($0.43 per share)

 

 

 

 
(10,649
)
 

 
(10,649
)
Balance at June 29, 2019
$
255

 
$
855,192

 
$
(166,068
)
 
$
(95,582
)
 
$
916,014

 
$
131

 
$
1,509,942

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35,647

 
 
 
35,647

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 
(17,026
)
 

 

 
(17,026
)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
3,488

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,488

Withheld shares on restricted share units for withholding taxes

 

 
(790
)
 

 

 

 
(790
)
Stock options exercised
1

 
2,191

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,192

Repurchases of common stock

 

 
(49,526
)
 

 

 

 
(49,526
)
Cash dividends paid ($0.48 per share)

 

 

 

 
(11,715
)
 

 
(11,715
)
Balance at September 28, 2019
$
256

 
$
860,871

 
$
(216,384
)
 
$
(112,608
)
 
$
939,946

 
$
131

 
$
1,472,212















7

Table of Contents





LITTELFUSE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)

 
Littelfuse, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Common Stock
 
Addl. Paid in Capital
 
Treasury Stock
 
Accum. Other Comp. Inc. (Loss)
 
Retained Earnings
 
Non-controlling Interest
 
Total
Balance at December 30, 2017
$
229

 
$
310,012

 
$
(41,294
)
 
$
(63,668
)
 
$
722,140

 
$
137

 
$
927,556

Net income

 

 

 

 
36,029

 

 
36,029

Cumulative effect adjustment

 

 

 
(9,795
)
 
9,795

 

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 
(279
)
 

 

 
(279
)
Stock-based compensation

 
8,714

 

 

 

 

 
8,714

Withheld shares on restricted share units for withholding taxes

 

 
(2,758
)
 

 

 

 
(2,758
)
Stock options exercised

 
9,609

 

 

 

 

 
9,609

Issuance of common stock
22

 
472,279

 

 

 

 

 
472,301

Cash dividends paid ($0.37 per share)

 

 

 

 
(9,198
)
 

 
(9,198
)
Balance at March 31, 2018
$
251

 
$
800,614

 
$
(44,052
)
 
$
(73,742
)
 
$
758,766

 
$
137

 
$
1,441,974

Net income

 

 

 

 
42,326

 

 
42,326

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 
(15,942
)
 

 

 
(15,942
)
Stock-based compensation

 
7,169

 

 

 

 

 
7,169

Non-controlling interest

 

 

 

 

 
(7
)
 
(7
)
Withheld shares on restricted share units for withholding taxes

 

 
(4,284
)
 

 

 

 
(4,284
)
Stock options exercised
2

 
8,043

 

 

 

 

 
8,045

Cash dividends paid ($0.37 per share)

 

 

 

 
(9,261
)
 

 
(9,261
)
Balance at June 30, 2018
$
253

 
$
815,826

 
$
(48,336
)
 
$
(89,684
)
 
$
791,831

 
$
130

 
$
1,470,020

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
53,546

 
 
 
53,546

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 
(7,947
)
 

 

 
(7,947
)
Stock-based compensation

 
7,270

 

 

 

 

 
7,270

Withheld shares on restricted share units for withholding taxes

 

 
(210
)
 

 

 

 
(210
)
Stock options exercised
1

 
7,516

 

 

 

 

 
7,517

Cash dividends paid ($0.43 per share)

 

 

 

 
(10,800
)
 

 
(10,800
)
Balance at September 29, 2018
$
254

 
$
830,612

 
$
(48,546
)
 
$
(97,631
)
 
$
834,577

 
$
130

 
$
1,519,396


See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

8

Table of Contents

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Other Information
 
Nature of Operations 
 
Littelfuse, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a global manufacturer of leading technologies in circuit protection, power control and sensing. The Company's products are found in automotive and commercial vehicles, industrial applications, data and telecommunications, medical devices, consumer electronics and appliances. With its broad product portfolio of fuses, semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, relays and sensors, and extensive global infrastructure, the Company’s worldwide associates partner with its customers to design, manufacture and deliver innovative, high-quality solutions for a safer, greener and increasingly connected world.
 
Basis of Presentation 
 
The Company’s accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and disclosures normally included in the consolidated balance sheets, statements of net income and comprehensive income, statements of cash flows, and statement of stockholders' equity prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted as permitted by such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. They have been prepared in accordance with accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2018 which should be read in conjunction with the disclosures therein. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal, recurring nature. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of annual operating results.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
On December 31, 2017, the Company adopted new guidance on revenue from contracts with customers using the modified retrospective method. The adoption did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
Revenue Disaggregation
 
The following tables disaggregate the Company’s revenue by primary business units for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 28, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended September 28, 2019
(in thousands)
 
Electronics
Segment
 
Automotive
Segment
 
Industrial
Segment
 
 
Total
 
Electronics
Segment
 
Automotive
Segment
 
Industrial
Segment
 
 
Total
Electronics – Passive Products and Sensors
 
$
94,766

 
$

 
$

 
$
94,766

 
$
311,624

 
$

 
$

 
$
311,624

Electronics – Semiconductor
 
132,486

 

 

 
132,486

 
440,575

 

 

 
440,575

Passenger Car Products
 

 
53,889

 

 
53,889

 

 
164,348

 

 
164,348

Automotive Sensors
 

 
23,877

 

 
23,877

 

 
74,616

 

 
74,616

Commercial Vehicle Products
 

 
26,915

 

 
26,915

 

 
87,850

 

 
87,850

Industrial Products
 

 

 
30,038

 
30,038

 

 

 
86,337

 
86,337

Total
 
$
227,252


$
104,681


$
30,038


$
361,971

 
$
752,199

 
$
326,814

 
$
86,337

 
$
1,165,350








9

Table of Contents

 
 
Three Months Ended September 29, 2018
 
Nine Months Ended September 29, 2018
(in thousands)
 
Electronics
Segment
 
Automotive
Segment
 
Industrial
Segment
 
 
Total
 
Electronics
Segment
 
Automotive
Segment
 
Industrial
Segment
 
 
Total
Electronics – Passive Products and Sensors
 
$
124,174

 
$

 
$

 
$
124,174

 
$
366,990

 
$

 
$

 
$
366,990

Electronics – Semiconductor
 
172,298

 

 

 
172,298

 
493,250

 

 

 
493,250

Passenger Car Products
 

 
57,761

 

 
57,761

 

 
184,922

 

 
184,922

Automotive Sensors
 

 
27,311

 

 
27,311

 

 
89,362

 

 
89,362

Commercial Vehicle Products
 

 
29,344

 

 
29,344

 

 
93,434

 

 
93,434

Industrial Products
 

 

 
28,303

 
28,303

 

 

 
88,229

 
88,229

Total
 
$
296,472

 
$
114,416

 
$
28,303

 
$
439,191

 
$
860,240

 
$
367,718


$
88,229


$
1,316,187



 
See Note 16, Segment Information for net sales by segment and countries.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
The Company recognizes revenue on product sales in the period in which the Company satisfies its performance obligation and control of the product is transferred to the customer. The Company’s sales arrangements with customers are predominately short term in nature and generally provide for transfer of control at the time of shipment as this is the point at which title and risk of loss of the product transfers to the customer. At the end of each period, for those shipments where title to the products and the risk of loss and rewards of ownership do not transfer until the product has been received by the customer, the Company adjusts revenues and cost of sales for the delay between the time that the products are shipped and when they are received by the customer. The amount of revenue recorded reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for goods and may include adjustments for customer allowance, rebates and price adjustments. The Company’s distribution channels are primarily through direct sales and independent third-party distributors.
 
The Company elected the practical expedient under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 340-40-25-4 to expense commissions when incurred as the amortization period of the commission asset the Company would have otherwise recognized is less than one year.
 
Revenue and Billing
 
The Company generally accepts orders from customers through receipt of purchase orders or electronic data interchange based on written sales agreements and purchasing contracts. Contract pricing and selling agreement terms are based on market factors, costs, and competition. Pricing is often negotiated as an adjustment (premium or discount) from the Company’s published price lists. The customer is invoiced when the Company’s products are shipped to them in accordance with the terms of the sales agreement. As the Company’s standard payment terms are less than one year, the Company elected the practical expedient under ASC 606-10-32-18 to not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component. The Company also elected the practical expedient provided in ASC 606-10-25-18B to treat all product shipping and handling activities as fulfillment activities, and therefore recognize the gross revenue associated with the contract, inclusive of any shipping and handling revenue. This is similar to the Company’s prior practice and therefore the effect of the new guidance is immaterial.
 
Ship and Debit Program
 
Some of the terms of the Company’s sales agreements and normal business conditions provide customers (distributors) the ability to receive price adjustments on products previously shipped and invoiced. This practice is common in the industry and is referred to as a “ship and debit” program. This program allows the distributor to debit the Company for the difference between the distributors’ contracted price and a lower price for specific transactions. Under certain circumstances (usually in a competitive situation or large volume opportunity), a distributor will request authorization for pricing allowances to reduce its price. When the Company approves such a reduction, the distributor is authorized to “debit” its account for the difference between the contracted price and the lower approved price. The Company establishes reserves for this program based on historic activity and actual authorizations for the debit and recognizes these debits as a reduction of revenue.



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Return to Stock 
 
The Company has a return to stock policy whereby certain customers, with prior authorization from Littelfuse management, can return previously purchased goods for full or partial credit. The Company establishes an estimated allowance for these returns based on historic activity. Sales revenue and cost of sales are reduced to anticipate estimated returns.
 
Volume Rebates
 
The Company offers volume based sales incentives to certain customers to encourage greater product sales. If customers achieve their specific quarterly or annual sales targets, they are entitled to rebates. The Company estimates the projected amount of rebates that will be achieved by the customer and recognizes this estimated cost as a reduction to revenue as products are sold.
 
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, "Leases" (Topic 842), ("ASC 842"). This ASU requires lessees to recognize, on the balance sheet, assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases of greater than twelve months. The accounting by lessors will remain largely unchanged. The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Adoption requires using a modified retrospective transition with either 1) periods prior to the adoption date being recast or 2) a cumulative-effect adjustment recognized to the opening balance of retained earnings on the adoption date with prior periods not recast.

The Company adopted the standard on December 30, 2018 using alternative modified retrospective transition method provided in ASU No. 2018-11, "Leases (Topic 842): Target Improvements." Under this method, the Company recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment as of December 30, 2018 and did not record any retrospective adjustments to comparative periods to reflect the adoption of ASC 842. The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Company has elected the ‘package of practical expedients’ which permits us not to reassess under the new standard our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company has not elected the use-of-hindsight. Adoption of ASC 842 resulted in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets ("ROU") net of deferred rent of $26.1 million and lease liabilities of $29.4 million, as of December 30, 2018 for operating leases on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, with no impact to its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income and no impact on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow. See Note 6, Lease Commitments, for further discussion.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02 “Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which permits the reclassification of tax effects stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings as a result of the Tax Act. The standard also requires entities to disclose whether or not they elected to reclassify the tax effects related to the Tax Act as well as their policy for releasing income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income. The standard allows the option of applying either a retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all periods in which the effect of the Tax Act is recognized, or applying the amendments in the period of adoption, meaning an adjustment is made to shareholder’s equity as of the beginning of the reporting period. The Company adopted the new standard on December 30, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
2. Acquisitions
 
The Company accounts for acquisitions using the acquisition method in accordance with ASC 805, “Business Combinations,” in which assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value as of the date of acquisition. The operating results of the acquired business are included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of the acquisition.
 
IXYS Corporation
 
On January 17, 2018, the Company acquired IXYS Corporation (“IXYS”), a global pioneer in the power semiconductor and integrated circuit markets with a focus on medium to high voltage power control semiconductors across the industrial, communications, consumer and medical markets. IXYS has a broad customer base, serving more than 3,500 customers through its direct sales force and global distribution partners. The acquisition of IXYS is expected to accelerate the Company’s growth

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across the power control market driven by IXYS’s extensive power semiconductor portfolio and technology expertise. With IXYS, the Company will be able to diversify and expand its presence within industrial electronics markets, leveraging the strong IXYS industrial OEM customer base. The Company also expects to increase long-term penetration of its power semiconductor portfolio in automotive markets, expanding its global content per vehicle.

Upon completion of the acquisition, at IXYS stockholders’ election and subject to proration, each share of IXYS common stock, par value $0.01 per share, owned immediately prior to the effective time was canceled and extinguished and automatically converted into the right to receive: (i) $23.00 in cash (subject to applicable withholding tax), without interest (referred to as the cash consideration), or (ii) 0.1265 of a share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Littelfuse (referred to as the stock consideration). IXYS stockholders received cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Littelfuse common stock that the IXYS stockholders would otherwise have been entitled to receive. Additionally, each outstanding option to purchase shares of IXYS common stock granted under an IXYS equity plan were assumed by Littelfuse and converted into an option to acquire (i) a number of shares of Littelfuse common stock equal to the number of shares of IXYS common stock subject to such option immediately prior to the effective time multiplied by 0.1265, rounded down to the nearest whole share, with (ii) an exercise price per share of Littelfuse common stock equal to the exercise price of such IXYS stock option immediately prior to the effective time divided by 0.1265, rounded up to the nearest whole cent.
 
Based on the $207.5 per share opening price of Littelfuse common stock on January 17, 2018, the consideration IXYS stockholders received in exchange of their IXYS common stock in the acquisition had a value of $814.8 million comprised of $380.6 million of cash and $434.2 million of Littelfuse stock. In addition to the consideration transferred related to IXYS common stock, the value of consideration transferred, and included in the purchase price, related to IXYS stock options that were converted to Littelfuse stock options, or cash settled, had a value of $41.7 million. As a result, total consideration was valued at $856.5 million.
 
The total purchase price of $856.5 million has been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as of the completion of the acquisition, based on estimated fair values. The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the IXYS acquisition:
 
(in thousands)
Purchase Price
Allocation
Total purchase consideration:
 
Cash, net of cash acquired
$
302,865

Cash settled stock options
3,622

Littelfuse stock
434,192

Converted stock options
38,109

Total purchase consideration
$
778,788

Allocation of consideration to assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
 
Current assets, net
$
155,930

Property, plant, and equipment
77,442

Intangible assets
212,720

Goodwill
382,360

Other non-current assets
28,706

Other non-current liabilities
(78,370
)
 
$
778,788


 

Approximately $49.1 million of net receivables was included in IXYS’s current assets. All IXYS goodwill, other assets and liabilities were recorded in the Electronics segment and primarily reflected in the Americas and European geographic areas. The goodwill resulting from this acquisition consists largely of the Company’s expected future product sales and synergies from combining IXYS’s products and technology with the Company’s existing electronics product portfolio. Goodwill resulting from the IXYS acquisition is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

Included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2018 are net sales of approximately $99.7 million and $286.2 million, respectively, and an income (loss) before income taxes of $6.2 million and $(25.5) million, respectively, since the January 17, 2018 acquisition of IXYS. The Company recognized

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approximately $4.3 million and $11.8 million of stock compensation expense related to IXYS stock options converted to Littelfuse stock options during the three and nine months ended September 29, 2018, of which $4.5 million was recognized immediately as it related to prior services periods.

As required by purchase accounting rules, the Company recorded a $36.9 million step-up of inventory to its fair value as of the acquisition date based on the valuation. The step-up was fully amortized as a non-cash charge to cost of goods sold during the first and second quarters of 2018, as the acquired inventory was sold, and reflected as other non-segment costs.

During the nine months ended September 29, 2018, the Company incurred approximately $11.0 million of legal and professional fees related to this acquisition which were primarily recognized as selling, general, and administrative expenses. These costs were reflected as other non-segment costs.

Pro Forma Results
 
The following table summarizes, on a pro forma basis, the combined results of operations of the Company and IXYS as though the acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2017. The pro forma amounts presented are not necessarily indicative of either the actual consolidated results had the IXYS acquisition occurred as of January 1, 2017 or of future consolidated operating results.
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
September 29, 2018
 
September 29, 2018
Net sales
 
$
439,191

 
$
1,332,900

Income before income taxes
 
71,737

 
228,503

Net income
 
56,060

 
179,264

Net income per share — basic
 
2.23

 
7.17

Net income per share — diluted
 
2.18

 
7.16

 

Pro forma results presented above primarily reflect the following adjustments:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
(in thousands)
 
September 29, 2018
 
September 29, 2018
Amortization(a)
 
$
3,104

 
$
8,289

Transaction costs(b)
 

 
9,976

Amortization of inventory step-up(c)
 

 
36,927

Stock compensation(d)
 
421

 
5,110

Income tax impact of above items
 
(1,011
)
 
(14,290
)

(a)
The amortization adjustment for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2018 primarily reflects the reduction of amortization expense in the period related to the Order backlog intangible asset. The Order backlog has a useful life of twelve months and was fully amortized in the fiscal 2017 pro forma results.
(b)
The transaction cost adjustments reflect the reversal of certain bank and attorney fees from the nine months ended September 29, 2018 and recognition of those fees during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.
(c)
The amortization of inventory step-up adjustment reflects the reversal of the amount recognized during the three and nine months ended September 29, 2018 and recognition of those costs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. The inventory step-up was amortized over five months as the inventory was sold.
(d)
The stock compensation adjustment reflects the reversal of the portion of stock compensation for IXYS stock options that were converted to Littelfuse stock options and expensed immediately during the nine months ended September 29, 2018.


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3. Inventories
 
The components of inventories at September 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 28, 2019
 
December 29, 2018
Raw materials
 
$
71,327

 
$
69,883

Work in process
 
78,022

 
88,505

Finished goods
 
90,710

 
99,840

Total
 
$
240,059


$
258,228


 
 
4. Property, Plant, and Equipment
 
The components of net property, plant, and equipment at September 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 28, 2019
 
December 29, 2018
Land
 
$
24,699

 
$
25,630

Building
 
106,062

 
114,636

Equipment
 
605,965

 
583,043

Accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
(406,934
)
 
(383,415
)
Total
 
$
329,792

 
$
339,894



The Company recorded depreciation expense of $13.3 million and $13.1 million for the three months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, respectively, and $39.0 million and $37.6 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, respectively.

5. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
The amounts for goodwill and changes in the carrying value by segment for the nine months ended September 28, 2019 are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
Electronics
 
Automotive
 
Industrial
 
Total
As of December 29, 2018
 
$
656,039

 
$
132,332

 
$
38,344

 
$
826,715

Currency translation
 
(10,627
)
 
(2,530
)
 
95

 
(13,062
)
As of September 28, 2019
 
$
645,412


$
129,802


$
38,439


$
813,653



The components of other intangible assets at September 28, 2019 are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
Gross
Carrying
Value
 
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
 
Net Book
Value
Patents, licenses and software
 
$
136,565

 
$
76,797

 
$
59,768

Distribution network
 
43,638

 
36,014

 
7,624

Customer relationships, trademarks, and tradenames
 
372,627

 
113,602

 
259,025

Total
 
$
552,830


$
226,413


$
326,417


 

During the three months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, the Company recorded amortization expense of $9.8 million and $13.1 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, the Company recorded amortization expense of $30.1 million and $38.5 million, respectively.
 

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Estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets with definite lives as of September 28, 2019 is as follows:

 
(in thousands)
Amount
2019
$
41,376

2020
39,206

2021
37,606

2022
36,532

2023
32,150

2024 and thereafter
169,616

Total
$
356,486


 
 
6. Lease Commitments
 
The Company leases office and production space under various non-cancelable operating leases that expire no later than 2025. Certain real estate leases include one or more options to renew. The exercise of lease renewal options is at the Company's sole discretion. Options to extend the lease are included in the lease term when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise the option. The Company also has production equipment, office equipment and vehicles under operating leases. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option that is reasonably certain of exercise. Certain leases include rental payments adjusted periodically for inflation. The lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantee or material restrictive covenants.

The Company does not have a published credit rating because it has no publicly traded debt; therefore, the Company is generating its incremental borrowing rate (IBR), using a synthetic credit rating model that compares its credit quality to other rated companies based on certain financial metrics and ratios. The reference rate will be based on the yield curve of companies with similar credit quality based on the metrics and adjusted for currency in regions where we have significant operations.

All leases with an initial term of 12 months or less that do not include an option to extend or purchase the underlying asset that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise (“short-term leases”) are not recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Short-term lease expenses are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The following table presents the classification of ROU assets and lease liabilities as of September 28, 2019:
Leases
(in thousands)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Classification
September 28, 2019
Assets
 
 
Operating ROU assets
Right of use lease assets, net
$
21,598

Liabilities
 
 
Current operating lease liabilities
Accrued liabilities
$
6,926

Non-current operating lease liabilities
Non-current operating lease liabilities
17,237

Total lease liabilities
 
$
24,163



The following table represents the lease costs for the three and nine months ended ended September 28, 2019:
Leases cost
(in thousands)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income Classification
Three Months Ended September 28, 2019
Nine Months Ended
September 28, 2019
Short-term lease expenses
Cost of sales, SG&A expenses
$
86

$
387

Variable lease expenses
Cost of sales, SG&A expenses
239

621

Operating lease rent expenses
Cost of sales, SG&A expenses
2,131

6,539

Total operating lease costs
Cost of sales, SG&A expenses
$
2,456

$
7,547





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Maturity of Lease Liabilities as of September 28, 2019
(in thousands)
Operating leases
2019 (excluding the nine months ended September 28, 2019)
$
2,155

2020
7,571

2021
5,878

2022
4,873

2023
3,252

2024 and thereafter
3,253

Total lease payments
$
26,982

 
 
Present value of lease liabilities
$
24,163



Operating Lease Term and Discount Rate
September 28, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
4.19

Weighted-average discount rate
5.18
%


Other Information
(in thousands)
Nine Months Ended
September 28, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
 
Operating cash flow payments for operating leases
$
(6,762
)
Leased assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities
2,051




7. Accrued Liabilities
 
The components of accrued liabilities at September 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 28, 2019
 
December 29, 2018
Employee-related liabilities
 
$
42,076

 
$
60,640

Other non-income taxes
 
32,453

 
21,523

Operating lease liability
 
6,926

 

Professional services
 
4,117

 
6,169

Interest
 
3,239

 
5,137

Accrued share repurchases
 

 
4,349

Restructuring liability
 
2,302

 
3,887

Other
 
23,436

 
36,700

Total
 
$
114,549

 
$
138,405



Employee-related liabilities consist primarily of payroll, sales commissions, bonus, employee benefit accruals and workers’ compensation. Bonus accruals include amounts earned pursuant to the Company’s primary employee incentive compensation plans. Other accrued liabilities include miscellaneous operating accruals and other client-related liabilities.

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8. Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges

The Company recorded restructuring, impairment and other charges for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 as follows:

 
Three months ended September 28, 2019
 
Nine months ended September 28, 2019
(in thousands)
Electronics
 
Automotive
 
Industrial
 
Total
 
Electronics
 
Automotive
 
Industrial
 
Total
Employee terminations
$
655

 
$
109

 
$
49

 
$
813

 
$
4,153

 
$
3,955

 
$
770

 
$
8,878

Other restructuring charges
128

 
1,150

 
124

 
1,402

 
141

 
1,240

 
374

 
1,755

Total restructuring charges
783

 
1,259

 
173

 
2,215

 
4,294

 
5,195

 
1,144

 
10,633

Impairment

 
322

 

 
322

 

 
322

 

 
322

   Total
$
783

 
$
1,581

 
$
173

 
$
2,537

 
$
4,294

 
$
5,517

 
$
1,144

 
$
10,955


 
 Three months ended September 29, 2018
 
Nine months ended September 29, 2018
(in thousands)
Electronics
 
Automotive
 
Industrial
 
Total
 
Electronics
 
Automotive
 
Industrial
 
Total
Employee terminations
$
4,614

 
$
202

 
$

 
$
4,816

 
$
7,693

 
$
301

 
$
65

 
$
8,059

Other restructuring charges

 
166

 

 
166

 
670

 
166

 

 
836

Total restructuring charges
4,614

 
368

 

 
4,982

 
8,363

 
467

 
65

 
8,895

Impairment

 

 

 

 

 
88

 
1,037

 
1,125

   Total
$
4,614

 
$
368

 
$

 
$
4,982

 
$
8,363

 
$
555

 
$
1,102

 
$
10,020




2019
For the three and nine months ended September 28, 2019, the Company recorded total restructuring charges of $2.2 million and $10.6 million, respectively, for employee termination costs and other restructuring charges. These charges primarily related to the reorganization of operations and selling, general and administrative functions as well as the integration of IXYS within the Electronics segment and the reorganization of operations in the automotive sensors and commercial vehicle products businesses within the Automotive segment. 

In April 2019, we announced the closure of a European manufacturing facility in the automotive sensors business within the Automotive segment. The Company recorded $1.7 million of employee termination costs and $1.1 million of other restructuring and impairment charges associated with this plant closure.

2018
For three and nine months ended September 29, 2018, the Company recorded total restructuring charges of $5.0 million and $8.9 million, respectively, for employee termination costs and other restructuring charges related to lease termination and facility closure. These charges primarily related to the integration of IXYS and the reorganization of the IXYS Radio Pulse business within the Electronics segment. For the nine months ended September 29, 2018, the Company recorded impairment charges of $1.1 million primarily related to the impairment of a building and a trade name associated with the exit of the Custom business within the Industrial segment.

The restructuring reserves as of September 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 are $2.3 million and $3.9 million, respectively. The restructuring reserves are included within accrued liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company anticipates the remaining payments associated with employee terminations will primarily be completed by December 2019.



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9. Debt
 
The carrying amounts of debt at September 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 28,
2019
 
December 29,
2018
Term Loan
 
$
147,500

 
$
155,000

Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023
 
128,002

 
133,417

Euro Senior Notes, Series B due 2028
 
103,932

 
108,330

U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2022
 
25,000

 
25,000

U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2027
 
100,000

 
100,000

U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2025
 
50,000

 
50,000

U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2030
 
125,000

 
125,000

Other
 
2,619

 
2,619

Unamortized debt issuance costs
 
(3,893
)
 
(4,636
)
Total debt
 
678,160


694,730

Less: Current maturities
 
(10,000
)
 
(10,000
)
Total long-term debt
 
$
668,160


$
684,730


 
Revolving Credit Facility / Term Loan
 
On March 4, 2016, the Company entered into a five-year credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders for up to $700.0 million. The Credit Agreement consisted of an unsecured revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) of $575.0 million and an unsecured term loan credit facility (“Term Loan”) of up to $125.0 million. In addition, the Company had the ability, from time to time, to increase the size of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan by up to an additional $150.0 million, in the aggregate, in each case in minimum increments of $25.0 million, subject to certain conditions and the agreement of participating lenders.
 
On October 13, 2017, the Company amended the Credit Agreement to increase the Revolving Credit Facility from $575.0 million to $700.0 million and increase the Term Loan from $125.0 million to $200.0 million and to extend the expiration date from March 4, 2021 to October 13, 2022. The Credit Agreement also includes the option for the Company to increase the size of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan by up to an additional $300.0 million, in the aggregate, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement. Term Loans may be made in up to two advances. The first advance of $125.0 million occurred on October 13, 2017 and the second advance of $75.0 million occurred on January 16, 2018. For the Term Loan, the Company is required to make quarterly principal payments of 1.25% of the original term loan ($2.5 million quarterly) through maturity, with the remaining balance due on October 13, 2022. The Company paid quarterly principal payments of $7.5 million on the term loan during the nine months ended September 28, 2019.

Outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, at either LIBOR, fixed for interest periods of one, two, three or six-month periods, plus 1.00% to 2.00%, or at the bank’s Base Rate, as defined, plus 0.00% to 1.00%, based upon the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined. The Company is also required to pay commitment fees on unused portions of the credit agreement ranging from 0.15% to 0.25%, based on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the agreement. The credit agreement includes representations, covenants and events of default that are customary for financing transactions of this nature. The effective interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the credit facility was 3.54% at September 28, 2019.
 
As of September 28, 2019, the Company had less than $0.1 million outstanding in letters of credit and had available $416.5 million of borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility based on financial covenants. At September 28, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement.
 
Senior Notes
 
On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold €212 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. The funding date for the Euro denominated senior notes occurred on December 8, 2016 for €117 million in aggregate amount of 1.14% Senior Notes, Series A, due December 8, 2023

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(“Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023”), and €95 million in aggregate amount of 1.83% Senior Notes, Series B due December 8, 2028 (“Euro Senior Notes, Series B due 2028”) (together, the “Euro Senior Notes”). Interest on the Euro Senior Notes is payable semiannually on June 8 and December 8, commencing June 8, 2017.
 
On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $125 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On February 15, 2017, $25 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.03% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2022 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2022”), and $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.74% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2027 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2027”) (together, the “U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027”) were funded. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027 is payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15, commencing August 15, 2017.
 
On November 15, 2017, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $175 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On January 16, 2018, $50 million aggregate principal amount of 3.48% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2025 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2025”) and $125 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.78% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2030 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2030”) (together the “U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030” and with the Euro Senior Notes and the U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027, the “Senior Notes”) were funded. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030 is payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2018.
 
The Senior Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, or applicable state securities laws. The Senior Notes are general unsecured senior obligations and rank equal in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company.
 
The Senior Notes are subject to certain customary covenants, including limitations on the Company’s ability, with certain exceptions, to engage in mergers, consolidations, asset sales and transactions with affiliates, to engage in any business that would substantially change the general business of the Company, and to incur liens. In addition, the Company is required to satisfy certain financial covenants and tests relating to, among other matters, interest coverage and leverage. At September 28, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Senior Notes.
 
The Company may redeem the Senior Notes upon the satisfaction of certain conditions and the payment of a make-whole amount to noteholders, and are required to offer to repurchase the Senior Notes at par following certain events, including a change of control.

Interest paid on all Company debt was $6.4 million and $8.1 million for the three months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, respectively, and $17.9 million and $15.8 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, respectively.


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10. Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
 
For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis, a three-level hierarchy of measurements based upon observable and unobservable inputs is used to arrive at fair value. Observable inputs are developed based on market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about valuation based on the best information available in the circumstances. Depending on the inputs, the Company classifies each fair value measurement as follows:
 
Level 1—Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
 
Level 2—Valuations based upon quoted prices for similar instruments, prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, or model-derived valuations, all of whose significant inputs are observable, and
 
Level 3—Valuations based upon one or more significant unobservable inputs.
 
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value and their classification in the valuation hierarchy.
 
Investments in Equity Securities
 
Investments in equity securities listed on a national market or exchange are valued at the last sales price and classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy and recorded in investments and other assets.
 
The Company has certain convertible debt and convertible preferred stock investments that are accounted for under the cost method reflected in other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the nine months ended September 28, 2019, the Company recorded impairment charges of $2.8 million in Other expense (income), net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income to adjust these certain investments to their estimated fair value of $1.2 million. The fair value of these investments are measured on a nonrecurring basis and determined to be Level 3 under the fair value hierarchy. The Company's accounting and finance management determines the valuation policies and procedures for Level 3 fair value measurements and is responsible for the development and determination of unobservable inputs.

Mutual Funds
 
The Company has a non-qualified Supplemental Retirement and Savings Plan which provides additional retirement benefits for certain management employees and named executive officers by allowing participants to defer a portion of their annual compensation. The Company maintains accounts for participants through which participants make investment elections. The marketable securities are classified as Level 1 under the fair value hierarchy as they are maintained in mutual funds with readily determinable fair value and recorded in other assets.
 
There were no changes during the quarter ended September 28, 2019 to the Company’s valuation techniques used to measure asset and liability fair values on a recurring basis. As of September 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, the Company did not hold any non-financial assets or liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
 
The following table presents assets measured at fair value by classification within the fair value hierarchy as of September 28, 2019:
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
(in thousands)
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Investments in equity securities
 
$
12,648

 
$

 
$

 
$
12,648

Mutual funds
 
9,717

 

 

 
9,717







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The following table presents assets measured at fair value by classification within the fair value hierarchy as of December 29, 2018
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
(in thousands)
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Investments in equity securities
 
$
10,312

 
$

 
$

 
$
10,312

Mutual funds
 
9,112

 

 

 
9,112


 
In addition to the methods and assumptions used for the financial instruments recorded at fair value as discussed above, the following methods and assumptions are used to estimate the fair value of other financial instruments that are not marked to market on a recurring basis. The Company’s other financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable and its long-term debt. Due to their short-term maturity, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and accounts receivable approximate their fair values. The Company’s revolving and term loan debt facilities’ fair values approximate book value at September 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, as the rates on these borrowings are variable in nature.
 
The carrying value and estimated fair values of the Company’s Euro Senior Notes, Series A and Series B and USD Senior Notes, Series A and Series B, as of September 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 were as follows:
 
 
 
September 28, 2019
 
December 29, 2018
(in thousands)
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023
 
$
128,002

 
$
129,793

 
$
133,417

 
$
130,888

Euro Senior Notes, Series B due 2028
 
103,933

 
109,767

 
108,330

 
103,774

USD Senior Notes, Series A due 2022
 
25,000

 
25,010

 
25,000

 
24,115

USD Senior Notes, Series B due 2027
 
100,000

 
103,179

 
100,000

 
94,458

USD Senior Notes, Series A due 2025
 
50,000

 
50,918

 
50,000

 
47,434

USD Senior Notes, Series B due 2030
 
125,000

 
128,681

 
125,000

 
114,731



11. Benefit Plans
 
The Company has company-sponsored defined benefit pension plans covering employees in the U.K., Germany, the Philippines, China, Japan, Mexico, Italy and France. The amount of the retirement benefits provided under the plans is based on years of service and final average pay.
 
The Company recognizes interest cost, expected return on plan assets, and amortization of prior service, net within Other expense (income), net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income. The components of net periodic benefit cost for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 were as follows: 
 
 
 
For the Three Months Ended
 
For the Nine Months Ended
(in thousands)
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 29, 2018
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 29, 2018
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
 
$
509

 
$
533

 
$
1,523

 
$
1,599

Interest cost
 
777

 
501

 
2,374

 
1,503

Expected return on plan assets
 
(773
)
 
(540
)
 
(2,384
)
 
(1,620
)
Amortization of prior service
 
60

 
74

 
184

 
222

Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
573


$
568


$
1,697


$
1,704


 

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The Company expects to make approximately $2.3 million of cash contributions to its pension plans in 2019.

12. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in other comprehensive (loss) income by component were as follows:
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
September 28, 2019
 
Three Months Ended
September 29, 2018
 
 
Pre-tax
 
Tax
 
Net of Tax
 
Pre-tax
 
Tax
 
Net of Tax
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments
 
$
155

 
$
18

 
$
137

 
$
(115
)
 
$

 
$
(115
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
(17,163
)
 

 
(17,163
)
 
(7,832
)
 

 
(7,832
)
Total change in other comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
(17,008
)
 
$
18

 
$
(17,026
)
 
$
(7,947
)
 
$

 
$
(7,947
)

(in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended September 28, 2019
 
Nine Months Ended September 29, 2018
 
 
Pre-tax
 
Tax
 
Net of Tax
 
Pre-tax
 
Tax
 
Net of Tax
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments
 
$
278

 
$
29

 
$
249

 
$
630

 
$
(18
)
 
$
648

Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
(14,933
)
 

 
(14,933
)
 
(24,816
)
 

 
(24,816
)
Total change in other comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
(14,655
)
 
$
29

 
$
(14,684
)
 
$
(24,186
)
 
$
(18
)
 
$
(24,168
)


The following tables set forth the changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income by component for the nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018:
 
(in thousands)
 
Pension and
postretirement
liability and
reclassification
adjustments
 
Foreign
currency
translation
adjustment
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
Balance at December 29, 2018
 
$
(9,959
)
 
$
(87,965
)
 
$
(97,924
)
Activity in the period
 
249

 
(14,933
)
 
(14,684
)
Balance at September 28, 2019
 
$
(9,710
)
 
$
(102,898
)
 
$
(112,608
)

(in thousands)
 
Pension and
postretirement
liability and
reclassification
adjustments
 
Unrealized
gain (loss) on
investments
 
Foreign
currency
translation
adjustment
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
Balance at December 30, 2017
 
$
(10,836
)
 
$
9,795

 
$
(62,627
)
 
$
(63,668
)
  Cumulative effect adjustment (a)



(9,795
)
 

 
(9,795
)
Activity in the period
 
648

 

 
(24,816
)
 
(24,168
)
Balance at September 29, 2018
 
$
(10,188
)
 
$

 
$
(87,443
)
 
$
(97,631
)
(a)The Company adopted ASU 2016-01 on December 31, 2017 on a modified retrospective basis, recognizing the cumulative effect as a $9.8 million increase to retained earnings.







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Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income to earnings for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 were as follows:

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
(in thousands)
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 29, 2018
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 29, 2018
Pension and Postemployment plans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service
 
$
60

 
$
74

 
$
184

 
$
222



The Company recognizes the amortization of prior service costs in Other (expense) income, net within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income.


13. Income Taxes
 
The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2019 was 13.9% and 17.7% respectively, compared to the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2018 of 21.5% and 20.1% respectively. The effective tax rates for the 2019 periods are lower than the effective tax rates for the 2018 periods primarily due to lower taxes in certain non-US jurisdictions, including the impact of a tax holiday in China which was applicable in the 2019 periods but not in the 2018 periods. The effective tax rates for the 2019 periods were lower than the applicable U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to income earned in lower tax jurisdictions.

14. Earnings Per Share
 
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share: 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 29, 2018
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 29, 2018
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income as reported
 
$
35,647

 
$
53,546

 
$
116,428

 
$
131,900

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
24,482

 
25,109

 
24,646

 
24,817

Effect of dilutive securities
 
202

 
362

 
248

 
395

Diluted
 
24,684


25,471


24,894


25,212

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
 
$
1.46

 
$
2.13

 
$
4.72

 
$
5.31

Diluted earnings per share
 
$
1.44

 
$
2.10

 
$
4.68

 
$
5.23


 
Potential shares of common stock relating to stock options excluded from the earnings per share calculation because their effect would be anti-dilutive were 205,516 and 38,082 for the three months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, respectively, and 147,090 and 39,446 for the nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, respectively.

Share Repurchase Program

The Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock under a program for the period May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019 ("2018 program"). On April 26, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new program to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock for the period May 1, 2019 to

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April 30, 2020 ("2019 program"). During the three and nine months ended September 28, 2019, the Company repurchased 311,786 and 579,916 shares of its common stock totaling $49.5 million and $95.0 million, respectively.

15. Related Party Transactions
 
As a result of the Company’s acquisition of IXYS, the Company has equity ownership in various investments that are accounted for under the equity method and recorded in investments in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following is a description of the investments and related party transactions.
 
Powersem GmbH: The Company owns 45% of the outstanding equity of Powersem GmbH (“Powersem”), a module manufacturer based in Germany. For both the three months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, the Company recorded revenues of $0.2 million from sales of products to Powersem for use as components in their products. For the nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, the Company recorded revenues of $0.4 million and $0.6 million from sales of products to Powersem for use as components in their products, respectively. During the three months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, the Company purchased $0.8 million and $1.3 million of products from Powersem, respectively. During the nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, the Company purchased $2.4 million and $3.4 million of products from Powersem, respectively. As of September 28, 2019, the accounts receivable balance from Powersem was $0.1 million and the accounts payable balance to Powersem was $0.1 million. As of December 29, 2018, the trade receivable balance from Powersem was $0.1 million and the accounts payable balance to Powersem was $0.2 million.
 
EB-Tech Co., Ltd.: The Company owns approximately 19% of the outstanding equity of EB Tech Co., Ltd. (“EB Tech”), a company with expertise in radiation technology based in South Korea. During both the three months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, EB Tech rendered processing services for the Company totaling less than $0.1 million. During both the nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, EB Tech rendered processing services for the Company totaling approximately $0.3 million. As of September 28, 2019 the Company's accounts payable balance to EB Tech was less than $0.1 million. As of December 29, 2018, the Company’s accounts payable balance to EB Tech was $0.1 million.
 
Automated Technology (Phil), Inc.: The Company owns approximately 24% of the outstanding common shares of Automated Technology (Phil), Inc. (“ATEC”), a supplier located in the Philippines that provides assembly and test services. During the three months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, ATEC rendered assembly and test services to the Company totaling approximately $1.7 million and $2.5 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, ATEC rendered assembly and test services to the Company totaling approximately $5.5 million and $7.7 million, respectively. As of September 28, 2019 the Company's accounts payable balance to ATEC was $0.2 million. As of December 29, 2018, the Company’s accounts payable balance to ATEC was $0.5 million.

Additionally, the Company has certain cost method investments in VTOOL Ltd. and Securepush Ltd. with a total book value of $1.2 million as of September 28, 2019 where one member of the Company’s Board of Directors is currently an investor and a director of VTOOL Ltd. and Securepush Ltd.


On March 25, 2019, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell the assets and liabilities of Microwave Technology, Inc. (“MWT”) resulting in a loss on disposal of $2.6 million reflected in Other income (expense), net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income. The operations of Microwave Technology, Inc. were included in the Electronics segment. One member of the Company’s  Board of Directors is the co-owner of a company that agreed to purchase MWT. This transaction closed on April 26, 2019.

 

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16. Segment Information
 
The Company and its subsidiaries design, manufacture and sell components and modules for circuit protection, power control and sensing throughout the world. The Company reports its operations by the following segments: Electronics, Automotive, and Industrial. An operating segment is defined as a component of an enterprise that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, and about which separate financial information is regularly evaluated by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources. The CODM is the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). The CODM allocates resources to and assesses the performance of each operating segment using information about its revenue and operating income (loss) before interest and taxes, but does not evaluate the operating segments using discrete balance sheet information.

Sales, marketing, and research and development expenses are charged directly into each operating segment. Manufacturing, purchasing, logistics, customer service, finance, information technology, and human resources are shared functions that are allocated back to the three operating segments. The Company does not report inter-segment revenue because the operating segments do not record it. Certain expenses, determined by the CODM to be strategic in nature and not directly related to segments current results, are not allocated but identified as “Other”. Additionally, the Company does not allocate interest and other income, interest expense, or taxes to operating segments. These costs are not allocated to the segments, as management excludes such costs when assessing the performance of the segments. Although the CODM uses operating income (loss) to evaluate the segments, operating costs included in one segment may benefit other segments. Except as discussed above, the accounting policies for segment reporting are the same as for the Company as a whole.

Electronics Segment: Consists of one of the broadest product offerings in the industry, including fuses and fuse accessories, positive temperature coefficient (“PTC”) resettable fuses, polymer electrostatic discharge (“ESD”) suppressors, varistors, reed switch based magnetic sensing, gas discharge tubes; semiconductor and power semiconductor products such as discrete transient voltage suppressor (“TVS”) diodes, TVS diode arrays, protection and switching thyristors, silicon carbide, metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (“MOSFETs”) and silicon carbide diodes; and insulated gate bipolar transistors (“IGBT”) technologies. The segment covers a broad range of end markets, including industrial and automotive electronics, electric vehicle infrastructure, data and telecommunications, medical devices, LED lighting, consumer electronics and appliances

Automotive Segment: Consists of a wide range of circuit protection, power control and sensing technologies for global original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), Tier-I suppliers and parts distributors in passenger car, heavy duty truck, off-road vehicles, material handling, agricultural, construction and other commercial vehicle industries. Passenger car fuse products include fuses and fuse accessories for internal combustion engine vehicles and hybrid and electric vehicles including blade fuses, battery cable protectors, resettable fuses, high-current fuses, and high-voltage fuses. Commercial vehicle products include fuses, switches, relays, and power distribution modules for the commercial vehicle industry. Automotive sensor products include a wide range of automotive and commercial vehicle products designed to monitor the passenger compartment occupants, safety and environment as well as the vehicle’s powertrain, emissions, speed and suspension.

Industrial Segment: Consists of power fuses, protection relays and controls and other circuit protection products for use in various industrial applications such as oil, gas, mining, alternative energy - solar and wind, electric vehicle infrastructure, construction, HVAC systems, elevator and other industrial equipment.

 

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Segment information is summarized as follows: 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
(in thousands)
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 29, 2018
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 29, 2018
Net sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electronics
 
$
227,252

 
$
296,472

 
$
752,199

 
$
860,240

Automotive
 
104,681

 
114,416

 
326,814

 
367,718

Industrial
 
30,038

 
28,303

 
86,337

 
88,229

Total net sales
 
$
361,971

 
$
439,191

 
$
1,165,350

 
$
1,316,187

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electronics
 
$
14,960

 
$
15,898

 
$
45,031

 
45,227

Automotive
 
7,067

 
5,891

 
20,848

 
17,830

Industrial
 
1,061

 
1,364

 
3,177

 
4,291

Other
 

 
3,105

 

 
8,712

Total depreciation and amortization
 
$
23,088


$
26,258


$
69,056


$
76,060

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electronics
 
$
34,567

 
$
72,464

 
$
127,233

 
$
193,739

Automotive
 
11,437

 
10,863

 
34,987

 
44,965

Industrial
 
6,822

 
4,134

 
16,158

 
14,123

Other(a)
 
(5,659
)
 
(11,233
)
 
(17,904
)
 
(79,406
)
Total operating income
 
47,167


76,228


160,474


173,421

Interest expense
 
5,559

 
5,775

 
16,834

 
16,980

Foreign exchange loss (gain)
 
4,968

 
982

 
5,636

 
(6,372
)
Other (income) expense, net
 
(4,764
)
 
1,259

 
(3,406
)
 
(2,362
)
Income before income taxes
 
$
41,404

 
$
68,212

 
$
141,410

 
$
165,175

 
(a) Included in “Other” Operating income (loss) for the 2019 third quarter is $3.2 million ($6.9 million year-to-date) of acquisition related and integration charges primarily related to the IXYS acquisition. In addition, there were $2.5 million ($11.0 million year-to-date) of restructuring charges primarily related to employee termination costs. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.

Included in "Other" Operating income (loss) for the third quarter of 2018 is includes approximately $10.1 million ($75.6 million year-to-date) of charges related to the IXYS acquisition, which include $36.9 million year-to-date of purchase accounting inventory step-up charges previously recorded during the first and second quarters of 2018, $2.4 million ($16.1 million year-to-date) in acquisition-related and integration costs primarily related to legal, accounting and other expenses, $3.1 million ($8.7 million year-to-date) in backlog amortization costs, $4.6 million ($7.3 million year-to-date) of employee termination costs and other restructuring charges, and $4.5 million year-to-date stock compensation expense recognized immediately upon close for converted IXYS options related to prior service periods and $2.1 million year-to-date change in control expense related to IXYS. In addition, there were $0.4 million ($1.6 million year-to-date) of employee termination costs, other restructuring, impairment charges of $1.1 million associated with the exit of the Custom business in the second quarter, and $0.7 million ($1.1 million year-to-date) of acquisition-related expenses for other contemplated acquisitions.









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The Company’s net sales by country were as follows:
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
(in thousands)
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 29, 2018
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 29, 2018
Net sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
 
$
105,292

 
$
125,867

 
$
340,811

 
$
386,980

China
 
101,960

 
117,813

 
316,553

 
352,097

Other countries(a)
 
154,719

 
195,511

 
507,986

 
577,110

Total net sales
 
$
361,971


$
439,191


$
1,165,350


$
1,316,187

 
 The Company’s long-lived assets by country were as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 28,
2019
 
December 29,
2018
Long-lived assets
 
 
 
 
United States
 
$
56,790

 
$
58,691

China
 
88,386

 
95,806

Mexico
 
73,350

 
70,495

Germany
 
35,817

 
36,548

Philippines
 
37,775

 
32,459

Other countries(a)
 
37,674

 
45,895

Total long-lived assets
 
$
329,792


$
339,894

 
The Company’s additions to long-lived assets by country were as follows:
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
(in thousands)
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 29, 2018
Additions to long-lived assets
 
 
 
 
United States
 
$
4,972

 
$
5,636

China
 
12,418

 
19,043

Mexico
 
12,650

 
14,089

Germany
 
4,335

 
5,917

Philippines
 
9,546

 
6,133

Other countries(a)
 
3,454

 
5,128

Total additions to long-lived assets
 
$
47,375


$
55,946


(a)
Each country included in other countries are less than 10% of net sales.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
 
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”).
 
Certain statements in this section and other parts of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws and are entitled to the safe-harbor provisions of the PSLRA. These statements include statements regarding the Company’s future performance, as well as management's expectations, beliefs, intentions, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future. Such statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "estimates," "will," "should," "plans" or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, and actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those indicated or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, risks relating to product demand and market acceptance; economic conditions; the impact of competitive products and pricing; product quality problems or product recalls; capacity and supply difficulties or constraints; coal mining exposures reserves; failure of an indemnification for environmental liability; exchange rate fluctuations; commodity price fluctuations; the effect of the Company's accounting policies; labor disputes; restructuring costs in excess of expectations; pension plan asset returns less than assumed; uncertainties related to political or regulatory changes; the risk that expected benefits, synergies and growth prospects of the Company’s completed acquisition of IXYS Corporation (“IXYS”) may not be achieved in a timely manner, or at all; the risk that IXYS’s business may not be successfully integrated with the Company’s; the risk that the Company and IXYS will be unable to retain and hire key personnel; and the risk that disruption from the acquisition may adversely affect the Company’s or IXYS’ business and their respective relationships with customers, suppliers or employees; and other risks which may be detailed in the Company's other Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including those set forth under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2018. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances, new information or otherwise.
 
This report, including the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, should be read in conjunction with information provided in the consolidated financial statements and the related Notes thereto appearing in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2018
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is designed to provide information that is supplemental to, and should be read together with, the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Information in MD&A is intended to assist the reader in obtaining an understanding of (i) the consolidated financial statements, (ii) the changes in certain key items within those financial statements from year-to-year, (iii) the primary factors that contributed to those changes, and (iv) any changes in known trends or uncertainties that we are aware of and that may have a material effect on future performance. In addition, MD&A provides information about the Company’s segments and how the results of those segments impact the results of operations and financial condition as a whole.



 

 


 

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Executive Overview
 
Founded in 1927, Littelfuse is a global manufacturer of leading technologies in circuit protection, power control and sensing. Sold in over 150 countries, the Company’s products are found in automotive and commercial vehicles, industrial applications, data and telecommunications, medical devices, consumer electronics and appliances. With its broad product portfolio of fuses, semiconductors, polymers, ceramics, relays and sensors, and extensive global infrastructure, the Company’s worldwide associates partner with its customers to design, manufacture and deliver innovative, high-quality solutions for a safer, greener and increasingly connected world.

The Company maintains a network of global laboratories and engineering centers that develop new products and product enhancements, provide customer application support and test products for safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance. The Company conducts its business through three reportable segments: Electronics, Automotive, and Industrial. Within these segments, the Company designs, manufactures and sells components and modules for circuit protection, power control and sensing products throughout the world. The circuit protection products protect against electrostatic discharge, power surges, short circuits, voltage spikes and other harmful occurrences; our power control products safely and efficiently control power to mitigate equipment damage, minimize electrical hazards and improve productivity and our sensor products are used to identify and detect temperature, proximity, flow speed and fluid level in various applications.

Executive Summary
 
For the third quarter of 2019, the Company recognized net sales of $362.0 million compared to $439.2 million in the third quarter of 2018 representing a decrease of $77.2 million, or 17.6%. The decrease was primarily driven by lower volume in the Electronics and Automotive segments and $4.4 million or 1.0% of unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates, partially offset by higher volume in the Industrial segment. The Company recognized net income of $35.6 million, or $1.44 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2019 compared to net income of $53.5 million, or $2.10 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2018. The decrease in net income reflects lower operating income in the Electronics segment and foreign exchange losses, partially offset by lower non-segment charges compared to prior year primarily due to the IXYS acquisition.

The Company continues to take actions to improve its cost structure and drive the synergies from the integration of IXYS. The Company expects to realize cost savings from the restructuring activities taken during 2019 including the reorganization of certain manufacturing, selling and administrative functions across all segments and the closure of a European manufacturing facility in the automotive sensors business within the Automotive segment.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $160.9 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2019 as compared to $252.1 million for the nine months ended September 29, 2018. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities reflected lower earnings and higher working capital levels primarily due to the timing of supplier payments.
 
During the three and nine months ended September 28, 2019, the Company repurchased 311,786 and 579,916 shares of its common stock totaling $49.5 million and $95.0 million, respectively. Since September 30, 2018, the Company has repurchased 971,888 shares of its common stock at an average price of $167.65 totaling $162.9 million.

Results of Operations
 
The following table summarizes the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated results of operations for the periods presented. The third quarter of 2019 includes $5.7 million ($17.9 million year-to-date) of non-segment charges, of which $2.5 million ($11.0 million year-to-date) of restructuring charges are primarily related to employee termination costs and other restructuring charges and $3.2 million ($6.9 million year-to-date) of acquisition-related and integration charges are primarily related to the IXYS acquisition and other contemplated acquisitions.

The third quarter of 2018 includes approximately $10.1 million ($75.6 million year-to-date) of charges related to the IXYS acquisition, which include $36.9 million year-to-date of purchase accounting inventory step-up charges previously recorded during the first and second quarters of 2018, $2.4 million ($16.1 million year-to-date) in acquisition-related and integration costs primarily related to legal, accounting and other expenses, $3.1 million ($8.7 million year-to-date) in backlog amortization costs, $4.6 million ($7.3 million year-to-date) of employee termination costs and other restructuring charges, and $4.5 million year-to-date stock compensation expense recognized immediately upon close for converted IXYS options related to prior service periods and $2.1 million year-to-date change in control expense related to IXYS. In addition, there were $0.4 million ($1.6 million year-to-date) of employee termination costs, other restructuring, impairment charges of $1.1 million associated with the exit of the Custom business in the second quarter, and $0.7 million ($1.1 million year-to-date) of acquisition-related expenses for other contemplated acquisitions.

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Third Quarter
 
First Nine Months
(in thousands)
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
%
Change
Net sales
 
$
361,971

 
$
439,191

 
$
(77,220
)
 
(17.6
)%
 
$
1,165,350

 
$
1,316,187

 
$
(150,837
)
 
(11.5
)%
Gross profit
 
130,946

 
179,594

 
(48,648
)
 
(27.1
)%
 
427,982

 
498,204

 
(70,222
)
 
(14.1
)%
Operating expenses
 
83,779

 
103,366

 
(19,587
)
 
(18.9
)%
 
267,508

 
324,783

 
(57,275
)
 
(17.6
)%
Operating income
 
47,167

 
76,228

 
(29,061
)
 
(38.1
)%
 
160,474

 
173,421

 
(12,947
)
 
(7.5
)%
Income before income taxes
 
41,404

 
68,212

 
(26,808
)
 
(39.3
)%
 
141,410

 
165,175

 
(23,765
)
 
(14.4
)%
Income taxes
 
5,757

 
14,666

 
(8,909
)
 
(60.7
)%
 
24,982

 
33,275

 
(8,293
)
 
(24.9
)%
Net income
 
$
35,647

 
$
53,546

 
$
(17,899
)
 
(33.4
)%
 
$
116,428

 
$
131,900

 
$
(15,472
)
 
(11.7
)%

Net Sales
 
Net sales decreased $77.2 million or 17.6% for the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018 primarily due to lower volume across the Electronics and Automotive segments from electronics distribution partners reducing excess channel inventories and a decline in global auto production, and $4.4 million or 1.0% of unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates, partially offset by higher volume in Industrial segment.

Net sales decreased $150.8 million or 11.5% for the first nine months of 2019 compared to the first nine months of 2018 primarily due to lower volume across the Electronics and Automotive segments and $22.3 million or 1.7% of unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates.

Gross Profit
 
Gross profit was $130.9 million, or 36.2% of net sales, in the third quarter of 2019 compared to $179.6 million, or 40.9% of net sales, in the third quarter of 2018. The decrease in gross profit is primarily due to lower volumes across the Electronics and Automotive segments from electronics distribution partners reducing excess channel inventories, a decline in global auto production, unfavorable price and product mix, and costs related to restructuring activities taken during 2019.
 
Gross profit was $428.0 million, or 36.7% of net sales, in the first nine months of 2019 compared to $498.2 million, or 37.9% of net sales, in the first nine months of 2018. The decrease in gross profit reflected lower volume across all segments. In 2018 the IXYS purchase accounting inventory step-up charge of $36.9 million negatively impacted the 2018 gross margin by 2.8%.

Operating Expenses
 
Total operating expenses were $83.8 million, or 23.1% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2019 compared to $103.4 million, or 23.5% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2018. The decrease in operating expenses of $19.6 million is primarily due to lower annual incentive compensation expenses, global cost saving initiatives, and reduced backlog amortization expense of $3.1 million related to the IXYS acquisition in 2018.
 
Total operating expenses were $267.5 million, or 23.0% of net sales, for the first nine months of 2019 compared to $324.8 million, or 24.7% of net sales, for the first nine months of 2018. The decrease in operating expenses of $57.3 million is primarily due to lower annual incentive compensation expenses, lower acquisition and integration related costs of $10.3 million, global cost saving initiatives, reduced backlog amortization expense of $8.7 million and $4.5 million stock compensation expense and $2.1 million of change in control expense related to the IXYS acquisition in 2018.

Operating Income
 
Operating income was $47.2 million, a decrease of $29.1 million, or 38.1%, for the third quarter of 2019 compared to $76.2 million for the third quarter of 2018. The decrease in operating income is due to lower gross margin across the Electronics and Automotive segments, partially offset by the lower operating expenses noted above. Operating margins decreased from 17.4% in the third quarter of 2018 to 13.0% in the third quarter of 2019 driven by the factors mentioned above.
  
Operating income was $160.5 million, a decrease of $12.9 million, or 7.5%, for the first nine months of 2019 compared to $173.4 million for the first nine months of 2018. The decrease in operating income is primarily due to lower gross profit across all segments,

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partially offset by lower operating expenses noted above and the $36.9 million purchase accounting inventory step-up charges in 2018. Operating margins increased from 13.2% in the first nine months of 2018 to 13.8% in the first nine months of 2019 driven by lower operating expenses discussed above.

Income Before Income Taxes
 
Income before income taxes was $41.4 million, or 11.4% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2019 compared to $68.2 million, or 15.5% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2018. In addition to the factors impacting comparative results for operating income discussed above, income before taxes was primarily impacted by increased foreign exchange losses of $4.0 million during the three months ended September 28, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 29, 2018, unrealized investment gains of $2.0 million associated with our equity investments during the three months ended September 28, 2019 compared to unrealized losses of $2.6 million during the three months ended September 29, 2018, and increased interest income of $1.0 million during three months ended September 28, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 29, 2018.
 
Income before income taxes was $141.4 million, or 12.1% of net sales, for the first nine months of 2019 compared to $165.2 million, or 12.5% of net sales, for the first nine months of 2018. In addition to the factors impacting comparative results for operating income discussed above, income before taxes was impacted by foreign exchange losses of $5.6 million during the nine months ended September 28, 2019 compared to foreign exchange gains of $6.4 million during the nine months ended September 29, 2018, and increases of $1.0 million in other income primarily due to unrealized investment gains associated with our equity investments and interest income, partially offset by impairment charges of $3.1 million for certain other investments and a $2.6 million loss on the disposal of a business within the Electronics segment during the first nine months of 2019 compared to the first nine months of 2018.

Income Taxes
 
Income tax expense was $5.8 million, or an effective tax rate of 13.9%, for the third quarter of 2019 compared to income tax expense of $14.7 million, or an effective tax rate of 21.5%, for the third quarter of 2018. The effective tax rate for the 2019 period is lower than the effective tax rate for the 2018 period primarily due to lower taxes in certain non-US jurisdictions , including the impact of a tax holiday in China which was applicable in the 2019 period but not the 2018 period. The effective tax rate for the 2019 period was lower than the applicable U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to income earned in lower tax jurisdictions.

Income tax expense was $25.0 million, or an effective tax rate of 17.7%, for the first nine months of 2019 compared to income tax expense of $33.3 million, or an effective tax rate of 20.1%, for the first nine months of 2018. The effective tax rate for the 2019 period is lower than the effective tax rate for the 2018 period primarily due to lower taxes in certain non-US jurisdictions, including the impact of a tax holiday in China which was applicable in the 2019 period but not the 2018 period. The effective tax rate for the 2019 period was lower than the applicable U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to income earned in lower tax jurisdictions.
 


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Segment Results of Operations
 
The Company reports its operations by the following segments: Electronics, Automotive and Industrial. Segment information is described more fully in Note 16, Segment Information, of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report.
 
The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by segment:
 
 
 
Third Quarter
 
First Nine Months
(in thousands)
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
%
Change
Electronics
 
$
227,252

 
$
296,472

 
$
(69,220
)
 
(23.3
)%
 
$
752,199

 
$
860,240

 
$
(108,041
)
 
(12.6
)%
Automotive
 
104,681

 
114,416

 
(9,735
)
 
(8.5
)%
 
326,814

 
367,718

 
(40,904
)
 
(11.1
)%
Industrial
 
30,038

 
28,303

 
1,735

 
6.1
 %
 
86,337

 
88,229

 
(1,892
)
 
(2.1
)%
Total
 
$
361,971

 
$
439,191

 
$
(77,220
)
 
(17.6
)%
 
$
1,165,350

 
$
1,316,187

 
$
(150,837
)
 
(11.5
)%
 
Electronics Segment
 
Net sales decreased $69.2 million, or 23.3%, in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018 primarily due to lower volume across all businesses due to electronics distribution partners reducing excess channel inventories and unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $2.4 million.
 
Net sales decreased $108.0 million, or 12.6%, in the first nine months of 2019 compared to the first nine months of 2018 primarily due to lower volume in the electronics products and semiconductor businesses due to electronics distribution partners reducing excess channel inventories and unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $12.1 million.

Automotive Segment
 
Net sales decreased $9.7 million, or 8.5%, in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018 due to decreased volume primarily in the passenger car and automotive sensor businesses from a decline in global auto production and unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $1.9 million.
  
Net sales decreased $40.9 million, or 11.1%, in the first nine months of 2019 compared to the first nine months of 2018 due to decreased volume primarily in the passenger car and automotive sensor businesses from a decline in global auto production and unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $9.6 million.

Industrial Segment
 
Net sales increased by $1.7 million, or 6.1%, in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018 primarily due to higher volume across all businesses, partially offset by unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.1 million.
 
Net sales decreased slightly by $1.9 million, or 2.1%, in the first nine months of 2019 compared to the first nine months of 2018 primarily due to the exit of the Custom business during the second quarter of 2018 and unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.6 million, partially offset by higher volume in the power fuse and relay businesses.


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Geographic Net Sales Information
 
Net sales by geography represent net sales to customer or distributor locations. The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by geography:
 
 
 
Third Quarter
 
First Nine Months
(in thousands)
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
%
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
%
Change
Asia-Pacific
 
$
158,778

 
$
193,249

 
$
(34,471
)
 
(17.8
)%
 
$
504,453

 
$
576,103

 
$
(71,650
)
 
(12.4
)%
Americas
 
122,754

 
156,852

 
(34,098
)
 
(21.7
)%
 
396,683

 
442,200

 
(45,517
)
 
(10.3
)%
Europe
 
80,439

 
89,090

 
(8,651
)
 
(9.7
)%
 
264,214

 
297,884

 
(33,670
)
 
(11.3
)%
Total
 
$
361,971

 
$
439,191

 
$
(77,220
)
 
(17.6
)%
 
$
1,165,350

 
$
1,316,187

 
$
(150,837
)
 
(11.5
)%
 

Asia-Pacific 
 
Net sales decreased $34.5 million, or 17.8%, in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower volume across all businesses within the Electronics segment and the Automotive segment and unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $1.0 million.

Net sales decreased $71.7 million, or 12.4%, in the first nine months of 2019 compared to the first nine months of 2018. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower volume in semiconductor business and electronics products within the Electronics segment and lower volume across all businesses within the Automotive segment and unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $6.2 million.

Americas
 
Net sales decreased $34.1 million, or 21.7%, in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018 primarily due to lower volume across all businesses within the Electronics segment, lower volume in automotive sensor and commercial vehicle businesses in the Automotive segment, and unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.1 million.
 
Net sales decreased $45.5 million, or 10.3%, in the first nine months of 2019 compared to the first nine months of 2018 primarily due to lower volume in electronics products and semiconductor businesses within the Electronics segment, lower volume in automotive sensor and commercial vehicle businesses in the Automotive segment, the exit of the Custom business within Industrial segment during the second quarter of 2018 and unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.7 million.

Europe 
 
Net sales decreased $8.7 million, or 9.7%, in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower volume in semiconductor business within the Electronics segment, lower volume in passenger car products and commercial vehicle businesses within the Automotive segment and unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $3.2 million, partially offset by higher volume in electronics products within the Electronics segment and higher volume across all businesses within Industrial segments.

Net sales decreased $33.7 million, or 11.3%, in the first nine months of 2019 compared to the first nine months of 2018. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower volume across all businesses within the Electronics segment and lower volume in passenger car products and commercial vehicle businesses within the Automotive segment, and unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $15.4 million, partially offset by higher volume in the power fuse business within Industrial segments.

Liquidity and Capital Resources 
 
The Company has historically supported its liquidity needs through cash flows from operations. Management expects that the Company’s (i) current level of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, (ii) current and forecasted cash flows from operations, (iii) availability under existing funding arrangements, and (iv) access to capital in the capital markets will provide sufficient funds to support the Company’s operations, capital expenditures, investments, and debt obligations on both a short-term and long-term basis.


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Revolving Credit Facility/Term Loan
 
On March 4, 2016, the Company entered into a five-year credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders for up to $700.0 million. The Credit Agreement consisted of an unsecured revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) of $575.0 million and an unsecured term loan credit facility (“Term Loan”) of up to $125.0 million. In addition, the Company had the ability, from time to time, to increase the size of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan by up to an additional $150.0 million, in the aggregate, in each case in minimum increments of $25.0 million, subject to certain conditions and the agreement of participating lenders.
 
On October 13, 2017, the Company amended the Credit Agreement to increase the Revolving Credit Facility from $575.0 million to $700.0 million and increase the Term Loan from $125.0 million to $200.0 million and to extend the expiration date from March 4, 2021 to October 13, 2022. The Credit Agreement also includes the option for the Company to increase the size of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan by up to an additional $300.0 million, in the aggregate, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement. Term Loans may be made in up to two advances. The first advance of $125.0 million occurred on October 13, 2017 and the second advance of $75.0 million occurred on January 16, 2018. For the Term Loan, the Company is required to make quarterly principal payments of 1.25% of the original term loan ($2.5 million quarterly) through maturity, with the remaining balance due on October 13, 2022. The Company paid quarterly principle payments $7.5 million on the term loan during the nine months ended September 28, 2019.

Outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, at either LIBOR, fixed for interest periods of one, two, three or six-month periods, plus 1.00% to 2.00%, or at the bank’s Base Rate, as defined, plus 0.00% to 1.00%, based upon the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined. The Company is also required to pay commitment fees on unused portions of the credit agreement ranging from 0.15% to 0.25%, based on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the agreement. The credit agreement includes representations, covenants and events of default that are customary for financing transactions of this nature. The effective interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the credit facility was 3.54% at September 28, 2019.
 
As of September 28, 2019, the Company had $0.1 million outstanding in letters of credit and had available $416.5 million of borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility based on financial covenants. At September 28, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement. Further information regarding the Company’s credit agreement is provided in Note 9, Debt, of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report.
 
Senior Notes
 
On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold €212 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. The funding date for the Euro denominated senior notes occurred on December 8, 2016 for €117 million in aggregate amount of 1.14% Senior Notes, Series A, due December 8, 2023 (“Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023”), and €95 million in aggregate amount of 1.83% Senior Notes, Series B due December 8, 2028 (“Euro Senior Notes, Series B due 2028”) (together, the “Euro Senior Notes”). Interest on the Euro Senior Notes is payable semiannually on June 8 and December 8, commencing June 8, 2017.
 
On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $125 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On February 15, 2017, $25 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.03% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2022 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2022”), and $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.74% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2027 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2027”) (together, the “U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027”) were funded. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027 is payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15, commencing August 15, 2017.
 
On November 15, 2017, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $175 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On January 16, 2018, $50 million aggregate principal amount of 3.48% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2025 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2025”) and $125 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.78% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2030 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2030”) (together the “U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030” and with the Euro Senior Notes and the U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027, the “Senior Notes”) were funded. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030 is payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2018. Further information regarding the Company’s Senior Notes is provided in Note 9, Debt, of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report.




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Dividends
 
During the third quarter of 2019, the Company paid quarterly dividends of $11.7 million to the shareholders totaling $33.0 million year to date as of September 28, 2019. On October 25, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.48 per share, payable on December 5, 2019 to stockholders of record as of November 21, 2019.

Cash Flow Overview
 
 
 
First Nine Months
(in thousands)
 
2019
 
2018
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
160,863

 
$
252,116

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(32,960
)
 
(368,563
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(135,465
)
 
195,259

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
(6,114
)
 
(10,273
)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
(13,676
)
 
68,539

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
489,733

 
429,676

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
476,057

 
$
498,215

 
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
 
Operating cash inflows are largely attributable to sales of the Company’s products. Operating cash outflows are largely attributable to recurring expenditures for raw materials, labor, rent, interest, taxes and other operating activities.
 
Net cash provided by operating activities was $160.9 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2019, compared to $252.1 million during the nine months ended September 29, 2018. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities reflected lower earnings and higher working capital levels primarily due to the timing of supplier payments.
 
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
 
Net cash used in investing activities was $33.0 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2019 compared to $368.6 million during the nine months ended September 29, 2018. Net cash used for the acquisition of IXYS was $306.5 million for the nine months ended September 29, 2018. Capital expenditures were $38.4 million, representing a decrease of $17.5 million compared to 2018. Additionally, the Company received proceeds of $6.4 million from the sale of a property within the Industrial segment.
 
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
 
Net cash used in financing activities was $135.5 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2019 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $195.3 million for the nine months ended September 29, 2018. The Company repurchased 579,916 shares of its common stock during the nine months ended September 28, 2019 totaling $95.0 million, but made payments of $99.4 million related to settled share repurchases. The Company made payments of $7.5 million on the term loan during the nine months ended September 28, 2019 as compared to $310.0 million of proceeds from the credit facility and senior notes payable and $102.5 million of payments on the credit facility and term loan during the nine months ended September 29, 2018. Additionally, dividends paid increased $3.7 million from $29.3 million in 2018 to $33.0 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2019.
 

Share Repurchase Program
 
The Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock under a program for the period May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019 (“2018 Program”). The Share Repurchase Program expired on April 30, 2019 with 471,888 shares repurchased. On April 26, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new program to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock for the period May 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020. During the three and nine months ended September 28, 2019, the Company repurchased 311,786 and 579,916 shares of its common stock totaling $49.5 million and $95.0 million, respectively.


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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
As of September 28, 2019, the Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under SEC rules. Specifically, the Company was not liable for guarantees of indebtedness owed by third parties, the Company was not directly liable for the debt of any unconsolidated entity and the Company did not have any retained or contingent interest in assets. The Company does not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In connection with the preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company uses estimates and makes judgments and assumptions about future events that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses, and the related disclosures. The assumptions, estimates, and judgments are based on historical experience, current trends, and other factors the Company believes are relevant at the time it prepares the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The significant accounting policies and critical accounting estimates are consistent with those discussed in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Other Information, to the consolidated financial statements and the MD&A section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2018. During the nine months ended September 28, 2019, there were no significant changes in the application of critical accounting policies.
 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
 
See Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2018. During the nine months ended September 28, 2019, there have been no material changes in our exposure to market risk.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 
 
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
 
In connection with the preparation of this report, management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 28, 2019. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the quarter ended September 28, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
 
(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act that occurred during the quarter ended September 28, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 
 
None.
 
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS 
 
During the nine months ended September 28, 2019, there have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our year ended December 29, 2018.
 
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS 
 
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
 
None.
 
Purchases of Equity Securities
 
The Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock under a program for the period May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019 (the "2018 program"). On April 26, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new program to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock for the period May 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020 (the "2019 program"). As of April 30, 2019, there were 528,112 of authorized repurchases remaining under the 2018 program. During the three and nine months ended September 28, 2019, the Company repurchased 311,786 and 579,916 shares of its common stock totaling $49.5 million and $95.0 million, respectively. There are 500,000 shares yet to be purchased under the 2019 program as of September 28, 2019.
 
 
The table below presents shares of the Company’s common stock which were acquired by the Company during nine months ended September 28, 2019:
 
Period
Total number of shares purchased
 
Average price paid per share
 
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs
 
Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs
2018 Program
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 30 through January 26
66,796

 
$
169.11

 
66,796

 
541,232

January 27 through February 23
13,120

 
$
172.16

 
13,120

 
528,112

February 24 through March 30

 

 

 
528,112

March 31 through April 30

 

 

 
528,112

2019 Program
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
May1 through May 25
90,301

 
$
170.53

 
90,301

 
909,699

May 26 through June 29
97,913

 
$
169.09

 
97,913

 
811,786

June 30 through July 27
49,816

 
$
171.13

 
49,816

 
761,970

July 28 through August 24
230,000

 
$
156.75

 
230,000

 
531,970

August 25 through September 28
31,970

 
$
154.80

 
31,970

 
500,000

Total
579,916

 
$
163.88

 
579,916

 
500,000


 
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES 
 
None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES 

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None.
 
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION 
 
None.
 
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 
Exhibit
Description
 
 
 
 
10.1*
 
 
 
 
31.1*
 
 
 
 
31.2*
 
 
 
 
32.1**
 
 
 
 
101
The following financial information from LITTELFUSE, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 2019 formatted in Inline XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) includes: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity , (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 
 
104
The cover page from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 2019, formatted in Inline XBRL.
 
 
 
 
+
Certain schedules and exhibits omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. The registrant agrees to furnish supplementary a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the SEC upon request.
 
*
Filed herewith.
 
**
Furnished herewith.


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SIGNATURES
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 2019, to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
Littelfuse, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Meenal A. Sethna
 
 
 
Meenal A. Sethna
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
Date: October 30, 2019
By:
/s/ Jeffrey G. Gorski
 
 
 
Jeffrey G. Gorski
 
 
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer


39