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TE Connectivity Ltd. - Annual Report: 2021 (Form 10-K)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended September 24, 2021

or

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

001-33260

(Commission File Number)

Graphic

TE CONNECTIVITY LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Switzerland
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

98-0518048
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

Mühlenstrasse 26, CH-8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland

(Address of principal executive offices)

+41 (0)52 633 66 61

(Registrant’s telephone number)

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

Title of each class

Trading symbol

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Shares, Par Value CHF 0.57

TEL

New York Stock Exchange

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

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

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

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 No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes 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:

Large accelerated filer

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.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.

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

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $42.5 billion as of March 26, 2021, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. Directors and executive officers of the registrant are considered affiliates for purposes of this calculation but should not necessarily be deemed affiliates for any other purpose.

The number of common shares outstanding as of November 4, 2021 was 326,313,355.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the registrant’s 2022 annual general meeting of shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

Table of Contents

TE CONNECTIVITY LTD.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Part I

Item 1.

Business

1

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

8

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

19

Item 2.

Properties

20

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

20

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

20

Part II

Item 5.

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

21

Item 6.

Reserved

22

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

22

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

40

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

42

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

42

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

42

Item 9B.

Other Information

43

Item 9C.

Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

43

Part III

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

44

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

44

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

44

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

45

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

45

Part IV

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

46

Item 16.

Form 10-K Summary

50

Signatures

51

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

53

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SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We have made forward-looking statements in this Annual Report that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Forward-looking statements include, among others, the information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position, potential growth opportunities, potential operating performance improvements, acquisitions, divestitures, the effects of competition, and the effects of future legislation or regulations. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “may,” and “should,” or the negative of these terms or similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We do not have any intention or obligation to update forward-looking statements after we file this report except as required by law.

The risk factors discussed in “Risk Factors” and other risks described in this Annual Report could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. There may be other risks and uncertainties that we are unable to predict at this time or that we currently do not expect to have a material adverse effect on our business.

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PART I

“TE Connectivity” and “TE Connectivity (logo)” are trademarks. This report further contains other trademarks of ours and additional trade names and trademarks of other companies that are not owned by TE Connectivity. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names or trademarks to imply an endorsement or sponsorship of us by such companies, or any relationship with any of these companies.

© 2021 TE Connectivity Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

TE Connectivity Ltd. (“TE Connectivity” or the “Company,” which may be referred to as “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a global industrial technology leader creating a safer, sustainable, productive, and connected future. Our broad range of connectivity and sensor solutions, proven in the harshest environments, enable advancements in transportation, industrial applications, medical technology, energy, data communications, and the home.

We became an independent, publicly traded company in 2007; however, through our predecessor companies, we trace our foundations in the connectivity business back to 1941. We are organized under the laws of Switzerland. The rights of holders of our shares are governed by Swiss law, our Swiss articles of association, and our Swiss organizational regulations.

We have a 52- or 53-week fiscal year that ends on the last Friday of September. Fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 were each 52 weeks in length and ended on September 24, 2021, September 25, 2020, and September 27, 2019, respectively. For fiscal years in which there are 53 weeks, the fourth fiscal quarter includes 14 weeks, with the next such occurrence taking place in fiscal 2022.

COVID-19 Pandemic

A novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) was first identified in China in December 2019 and subsequently declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 has surfaced in nearly all regions around the world and resulted in business slowdowns or shutdowns and travel restrictions in affected areas. The pandemic had a significant, negative impact on our sales and operating results during fiscal 2020 and continued to negatively affect certain of our businesses in fiscal 2021. See “Part II. Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for discussion regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our financial results. Also, see “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors” for discussion of the risks and uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Segments

We operate through three reportable segments: Transportation Solutions, Industrial Solutions, and Communications Solutions. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, our three segments served a combined market of approximately $190 billion. Although COVID-19 negatively affected our markets in fiscal 2020, certain of our markets experienced recovery in fiscal 2021. We expect this recovery will continue and our three segments will once again serve a combined market of approximately $190 billion in future periods.

Our net sales by segment as a percentage of our total net sales were as follows:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

  

Transportation Solutions

 

60

%  

56

%  

58

%

Industrial Solutions

 

26

 

31

 

30

Communications Solutions

 

14

 

13

 

12

Total

 

100

%  

100

%  

100

%

Below is a description of our reportable segments and the primary products, markets, and competitors of each segment.

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Transportation Solutions

The Transportation Solutions segment is a leader in connectivity and sensor technologies. The primary products sold by the Transportation Solutions segment include terminals and connector systems and components, sensors, relays, antennas, heat shrink tubing, and application tooling. The Transportation Solutions segment’s products, which must withstand harsh conditions, are used in the following end markets:

Automotive (71% of segment’s net sales)—We are one of the leading providers of advanced automobile connectivity solutions. The automotive industry uses our products in automotive technologies for body and chassis systems, convenience applications, driver information, infotainment solutions, miniaturization solutions, motor and powertrain applications, and safety and security systems. Hybrid and electronic mobility solutions include in-vehicle technologies, battery technologies, and charging solutions.
Commercial transportation (16% of segment’s net sales)—We deliver reliable connectivity products designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions for on- and off-highway vehicles and recreational transportation, including heavy trucks, construction, agriculture, buses, and other vehicles.
Sensors (13% of segment’s net sales)—We offer a portfolio of intelligent, efficient, and high-performing sensor solutions that are used by customers across multiple industries, including automotive, industrial equipment, commercial transportation, medical solutions, aerospace and defense, and consumer applications.

The Transportation Solutions segment’s major competitors include Yazaki, Aptiv, Sumitomo, Sensata, Honeywell, Molex, and Amphenol.

Industrial Solutions

The Industrial Solutions segment is a leading supplier of products that connect and distribute power, data, and signals. The primary products sold by the Industrial Solutions segment include terminals and connector systems and components, interventional medical components, heat shrink tubing, relays, and wire and cable. The Industrial Solutions segment’s products are used in the following end markets:

Industrial equipment (36% of segment’s net sales)—Our products are used in factory and warehouse automation and process control systems such as industrial controls, robotics, human machine interface, industrial communication, and power distribution. Our building automation and smart city infrastructure products are used to connect lighting and offer solutions in HVAC, elevators/escalators, and security. Our rail products are used in high-speed trains, metros, light rail vehicles, locomotives, and signaling switching equipment.
Aerospace, defense, oil, and gas (27% of segment’s net sales)—We design, develop, and manufacture a comprehensive portfolio of critical electronic components and systems for the harsh operating conditions of the commercial aerospace, defense, and marine industries. Our products and systems are designed and manufactured to operate effectively in harsh conditions ranging from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space.
Energy (19% of segment’s net sales)—Our products are used by electric power utilities, OEMs, and engineering procurement construction companies serving the electrical power grid and renewables industries. They include a wide range of insulation, protection, and connection solutions for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution, and industrial markets.
Medical (18% of segment’s net sales)—Our products are used in imaging, diagnostic, surgical, and minimally invasive interventional applications. We specialize in the design and manufacture of advanced surgical, imaging, and interventional device solutions. Key markets served include cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, structural heart, endoscopy, electrophysiology, and neurovascular therapies.

The Industrial Solutions segment competes primarily against Amphenol, Hubbell, Carlisle Companies, Integer Holdings, Esterline, Molex, and Omron.

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Communications Solutions

The Communications Solutions segment is a leading supplier of electronic components for the data and devices and the appliances markets. The primary products sold by the Communications Solutions segment include terminals and connector systems and components, relays, heat shrink tubing, and antennas. The Communications Solutions segment’s products are used in the following end markets:

·

Data and devices (57% of segment’s net sales)—We deliver products and solutions that are used in a variety of equipment architectures within the networking equipment, data center equipment, and wireless infrastructure industries. Additionally, we deliver a range of connectivity solutions for the Internet of Things, smartphones, tablet computers, notebooks, and virtual reality applications to help our customers meet their current challenges and future innovations.

·

Appliances (43% of segment’s net sales)—We provide solutions to meet the daily demands of home appliances. Our products are used in many household appliances, including washers, dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, dishwashers, cooking appliances, water heaters, air purifiers, floor care devices, and microwaves. Our expansive range of standard products is supplemented by an array of custom-designed solutions.

The Communications Solutions segment’s major competitors include Amphenol, Molex, JST, and Korea Electric Terminal (KET).

Customers

As an industry leader, we have established close working relationships with many of our customers. These relationships allow us to better anticipate and respond to customer needs when designing new products and new technical solutions. By working with our customers in developing new products and technologies, we believe we can identify and act on trends and leverage knowledge about next-generation technology across our products.

Our approach to our customers is driven by our dedication to further develop our product families and ensure that we are globally positioned to best provide our customers with sales and engineering support. We believe that as electronic component technologies continue to proliferate, our broad product portfolio and engineering capability give us a potential competitive advantage when addressing the needs of our global customers.

We manufacture and sell a broad portfolio of products to customers in various industries. Our customers include many of the leaders in their respective industries, and our relationships with them typically date back many years. We believe that our diversified customer base provides us an opportunity to leverage our skills and experience across markets and reduce our exposure to individual end markets, thereby reducing the variability of our financial performance. Additionally, we believe that the diversity of our customer base reduces the level of cyclicality in our results and distinguishes us from our competitors.

No single customer accounted for a significant amount of our net sales in fiscal 2021, 2020, or 2019.

Sales and Distribution

We maintain a strong local presence in each of the geographic regions in which we operate. Our net sales by geographic region(1) as a percentage of our total net sales were as follows:

 

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

  

Europe/Middle East/Africa (“EMEA”)

 

37

%  

35

%  

36

%

Asia–Pacific

 

36

35

33

Americas

 

27

 

30

 

31

Total

 

100

%  

100

%  

100

%

(1)

Net sales to external customers are attributed to individual countries based on the legal entity that records the sale.

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We sell our products into approximately 140 countries primarily through direct selling efforts to manufacturers. In fiscal 2021, our direct sales represented approximately 80% of total net sales. We also sell our products indirectly via third-party distributors.

We maintain distribution centers around the world. Products are generally delivered to the distribution centers by our manufacturing facilities and then subsequently delivered to the customer. In some instances, however, products are delivered directly from our manufacturing facility to the customer. Our global coverage positions us near our customers’ locations and allows us to assist them in consolidating their supply base and lowering their production costs. We contract with a wide range of transport providers to deliver our products globally via road, rail, sea, and air. We believe our balanced sales distribution lowers our exposure to any particular geography and improves our financial profile.

Seasonality and Backlog

Typically, we experience a slight seasonal pattern to our business. Overall, the third and fourth fiscal quarters are usually the strongest quarters of our fiscal year, whereas the first fiscal quarter is negatively affected by holidays and the second fiscal quarter may be affected by adverse winter weather conditions in some of our markets.

Certain of our end markets experience some seasonality. Our sales in the automotive market are dependent upon global automotive production, and seasonal declines in European production may negatively impact net sales in the fourth fiscal quarter. Also, our sales in the energy market typically increase in the third and fourth fiscal quarters as customer activity increases.

Customer orders and demand may fluctuate as a result of economic and market conditions, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Backlog by reportable segment was as follows:

Fiscal Year End

 

    

2021

    

2020

  

 

(in millions)

Transportation Solutions

$

3,014

$

1,819

Industrial Solutions

 

1,851

 

1,260

Communications Solutions

 

976

 

439

Total

$

5,841

$

3,518

We expect that the majority of our backlog at fiscal year end 2021 will be filled during fiscal 2022. Backlog is not necessarily indicative of future net sales as unfilled orders may be cancelled prior to shipment of goods.

Competition

The industries in which we operate are highly competitive, and we compete with thousands of companies that range from large multinational corporations to local manufacturers. Competition is generally based on breadth of product offering, product innovation, price, quality, delivery, and service. We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, downward pressure on prices. However, as a result of increased costs, certain of our businesses implemented price increases in fiscal 2021.

Raw Materials

We use a wide variety of raw materials in the manufacture of our products. The principal raw materials that we use include plastic resins for molding; precious metals such as gold and silver for plating; and other metals such as copper, aluminum, brass, and steel for manufacturing cable, contacts, and other parts that are used for cable and component bodies and inserts. Many of these raw materials are produced in a limited number of countries around the world or are only available from a limited number of suppliers. The prices of these materials are driven by global supply and demand. As markets recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, increases in consumer demand have led to shortages and price increases in some of our input materials.

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Intellectual Property

Patents and other proprietary rights are important to our business. We also rely upon trade secrets, manufacturing know-how, continuing technological innovations, and licensing opportunities to maintain and improve our competitive position. We review third-party proprietary rights, including patents and patent applications, as available, in an effort to develop an effective intellectual property strategy, avoid infringement of third-party proprietary rights, identify licensing opportunities, and monitor the intellectual property claims of others.

We own a large portfolio of patents that relate principally to electrical, optical, and electronic products. We also own a portfolio of trademarks and are a licensee of various patents and trademarks. Patents for individual products extend for varying periods according to the date of patent filing or grant and the legal term of patents in the various countries where patent protection is obtained. Trademark rights may potentially extend for longer periods of time and are dependent upon national laws and use of the trademarks.

While we consider our patents and trademarks to be valued assets, we do not believe that our competitive position or our operations are dependent upon or would be materially impacted by any single patent or group of related patents.

Human Capital Management

We have employees located throughout the world. As of fiscal year end 2021, we employed approximately 89,000 people worldwide, including contract employees. Approximately 37,000 were in the EMEA region, 24,000 were in the Asia–Pacific region, and 28,000 were in the Americas region. Of our total employees, approximately 56,000 were employed in manufacturing. Our strong employee base, along with their commitment to uncompromising values, provides the foundation of our company’s success.

Our core values—integrity, accountability, teamwork, and innovation—govern us. They guide our decisions and our actions, both individually and as an organization. Additionally, our employees are responsible for upholding our purpose—to create a safer, sustainable, productive, and connected future. We track and report internally on key talent metrics including workforce demographics, critical role pipeline data, diversity data, and engagement and inclusion indices. We aspire to have more than 26% women in leadership roles by fiscal 2025 and are committed to increasing the total number of women across all levels of the organization. Additionally, as part of its charter, the management development and compensation committee of our board of directors oversees our policies and practices related to the management of human capital resources including talent management, culture, diversity, and inclusion.

We embrace diversity and inclusion. A truly innovative workforce needs to be diverse and leverage the skills and perspectives of a wealth of backgrounds and experiences. To drive our business outcomes globally, we believe we must build a workforce and supplier network that represents our global markets and the customers we serve. We are also committed to a work environment where all employees are engaged, feel differences are valued and mutually-respected, and believe that all opinions count. Our people reflect our customers and markets. Our employees are in over 50 countries representing approximately 120 nationalities, and our total employee population is over 40% women. Our employee resource groups (“ERGs”) are company-sponsored, voluntary, employee-led groups that focus on diverse talent segments or shared experiences of employees. These groups apply those perspectives to create value for our company as a whole. The ERGs provide a space where employees can foster connections and develop in a supportive environment. As of fiscal year end 2021, we had eight ERGs—ALIGN (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning employees and their allies), Women in Networking, TE Young Professionals, African Heritage, Asian Heritage, Latin Heritage, THRIVE (employees and their allies with mixed mental, emotional, and physical abilities), and TE Veterans. Our ERGs have a total of over 6,000 members.

During fiscal 2021, we conducted our second consecutive employee engagement survey which was a fully digital, enterprise-wide survey available in 15 languages and focused on measuring engagement, inclusion, and leadership effectiveness. We had a participation rate of over 80% in fiscal 2021. Both our participation rate and engagement score improved in fiscal 2021 while our inclusion score remained consistent with fiscal 2020. Fiscal 2021 was the first year leadership effectiveness was measured as part of this survey. Additionally, our survey results for fiscal 2021 were favorable when compared to Glint Inc.’s external global manufacturing benchmark. By fiscal 2025, we aspire to be in the top tier of this benchmark on engagement and inclusion.

We continue to emphasize employee development and training to support engagement and retention. To empower employees to unleash their potential, we provide a range of development programs and opportunities, skills, and resources

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they need to be successful. Our LEARN@TE platform supplements our talent development strategies. It is an online portal that enables employees to access instructor-led classroom or virtual courses and self-directed web-based courses. Strategy, execution, and talent (“SET”) leadership expectations, which focus on how we drive strategy, effectively execute, and build talent, have been rolled out to all employees and are embedded in all of our leadership programs. We integrate these behavioral expectations into the way we assess and select talent, manage performance, and develop and reward our people.

We are committed to identifying and developing our next generation of leaders. We have a robust talent and succession planning process and have established specialized programs to support the development of our talent pipeline for critical roles in general management, engineering, and operations, as well as the diversity of our talent. We are focused on both the recruitment of diverse candidates and the development of our diverse employees to provide the opportunity to advance their careers and move into leadership positions within the company. On an annual basis, we conduct an organization and leadership review process with our chief executive officer and all segment, business unit, and function leaders focusing on our high-performing and high-potential talent, diverse talent, and the succession for our most critical roles. Also, our board of directors reviews and assesses management development plans for senior executives and the succession plans relating to those positions.

We are committed to the safety, health, human rights, and well-being of our employees. We continuously evaluate opportunities to raise safety and health standards through our environmental, health, and safety team. Compliance audits and internal processes are in place to stay ahead of workplace hazards, and we aim to reduce our Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) total recordable incident rate—a rate equivalent to the number of incidents per 100 employees or 200,000 work hours—to 0.12 by fiscal 2025. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken additional actions to protect the physical and mental health and well-being of our global employees. We have utilized our workplace flexibility guidelines, promoted our Wellbeing Connection program and health care benefits to support the needs of all employees, and instituted additional safety measures at all factories and sites. In fiscal 2021, we implemented a human rights policy for the organization outlining our commitment to operating with respect for human rights.

We believe our management team has the experience necessary to effectively execute our strategy and advance our product and technology leadership. Our chief executive officer and segment leaders average over 25 years of industry experience. They are supported by an experienced and talented management team who is dedicated to maintaining and expanding our position as a global leader in the industry. For discussion of the risks relating to the attraction and retention of management and executive management employees, see “Part 1. Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

Government Regulation and Supervision

The import and export of products are subject to regulation by the various jurisdictions where we conduct business. A small portion of our products, including defense-related products, may require governmental import and export licenses, whose issuance may be influenced by geopolitical and other events. We have a trade compliance organization and other systems in place to apply for licenses and otherwise comply with such regulations. Any failure to maintain compliance with domestic and foreign trade regulation could limit our ability to import and export raw materials and finished goods into or from the relevant jurisdiction.

See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding trade compliance matters. Also, see “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors” for discussion of the risks and uncertainties associated with trade regulations.

Environmental

Our operations are subject to numerous environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations, including those regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, greenhouse gas emissions, hazardous materials in products, and chemical usage. We are committed to complying with these laws and to the protection of our employees and the environment. We maintain a global environmental, health, and safety program that includes appropriate policies and standards; staff dedicated to environmental, health, and safety issues; periodic compliance auditing; training; and other measures. We also have a program for compliance with the European Union (“EU”) Restriction of Hazardous Substances and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directives, the China Administrative Measures for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products, the EU Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (“REACH”) Regulation, and similar laws.

Compliance with these laws has increased our costs of doing business in a variety of ways and may continue to do so in the future. For example, laws regarding product content and chemical registration require extensive and costly data

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collection, management, and reporting, and laws regulating greenhouse gas emissions may increase our costs for energy and certain materials and products. We also have projects underway at a number of current and former manufacturing sites to investigate and remediate environmental contamination resulting from past operations. Based upon our experience, available information, and applicable laws, as of fiscal year end 2021, we concluded that we would incur investigation and remediation costs at these sites in the reasonably possible range of $18 million to $47 million, and we accrued $21 million as the probable loss, which was the best estimate within this range. We do not anticipate any material capital expenditures during fiscal 2022 for environmental control facilities or other costs of compliance with laws or regulations relating to greenhouse gas emissions.

Sustainability

We look to build on our strong foundation of environmental sustainability in our operations. Our environmental sustainability strategy guides how we balance investor and customer expectations and drive improved environmental sustainability.

Our sustainability initiatives in our operations began more than 10 years ago. From fiscal 2010 to 2020, we achieved more than a 25% reduction in absolute energy usage, absolute greenhouse gas emissions (Scopes 1 and 2), and absolute water usage. Over the last few years, we have recycled approximately 80% of the waste materials from our operations. We have challenged ourselves to find new ways to continue to drive sustainability improvements. In fiscal 2021, we:

established a new goal to further reduce our greenhouse gas emissions from our operations by more than 40%, on an absolute basis, by fiscal 2030 and made measurable progress towards this goal;
improved our energy efficiency through energy efficient solutions such as implementing operating standards and advancing our equipment infrastructure (for example, LED lighting, compressor controls, and HVAC); and
reported our Scope 3 emissions to CDP for the first time.

While sustainability is embedded in our operations, we are exploring opportunities with our direct suppliers and logistics service providers to strengthen the environmental sustainability of our supply chain. The majority of our greenhouse gas emissions are from the goods and services we use in our operations. In addition to improving the sustainability of our operations and working with our suppliers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, we help our customers produce smaller, lighter, and more energy-efficient products, reducing the environmental impact of the products our customers make through the life of their products. With every product that comes out of our facilities, we support a safer, sustainable, productive, and connected future.

Additional information regarding our sustainability initiatives and progress is available in our annual Corporate Responsibility Report and Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”) Report located on our website at www.te.com under the heading “Corporate Responsibility.” The contents of our Corporate Responsibility Report and TCFD Report are not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Available Information

All periodic and current reports, registration filings, and other filings that we are required to file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) are available free of charge through our internet website at www.te.com. Such documents are available as soon as reasonably practicable after electronic filing or furnishing of the material with the SEC. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Investors should carefully consider the risks described below before investing in our securities. These risks are not the only ones facing us. Our business is also subject to general risks that affect many other companies. Additional risks not currently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also impair our business operations, financial condition, and liquidity.

Risks Relating to the Macroeconomic Environment and Our Global Presence

Conditions in global or regional economies, capital and money markets, and banking systems, and cyclical industry demand may adversely affect our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

Our business and operating results have been and will continue to be affected by economic conditions regionally or globally, including the cost and availability of consumer and business credit, end demand from consumer and industrial markets, and concerns as to sovereign debt levels including credit rating downgrades and defaults on sovereign debt and significant bank failures or defaults. Any of these economic factors could cause our customers to experience deterioration of their businesses, cash flow, and ability to obtain financing. As a result, existing or potential customers may delay or cancel plans to purchase our products and may not be able to fulfill their obligations to us in a timely fashion or in full. Further, our vendors may experience similar problems, which may impact their ability to fulfill our orders or meet agreed service and quality levels. If regional or global economic conditions deteriorate, our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. Also, deterioration in economic conditions, expectations for future revenue, projected future cash flows, or other factors have triggered and could trigger additional recognition of impairment charges for our goodwill or other long-lived assets. Impairment charges, if any, may be material to our results of operations and financial position.

Foreign currency exchange rates may adversely affect our results.

Our Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in United States (“U.S.”) dollars; however, a significant portion of our business is conducted outside the U.S. Changes in the relative values of currencies may have a significant effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

We are exposed to the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on our costs and revenue. Approximately 60% of our net sales for fiscal 2021 were invoiced in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, and we expect non-U.S. dollar revenue to continue to represent a significant portion of our future net sales. We have elected not to hedge this foreign currency exposure. Therefore, when the U.S. dollar strengthens in relation to the currencies of the countries where we sell our products, such as the euro or Asian currencies, our U.S. dollar reported revenue and income will decrease.

We manage certain cash, intercompany, and other balance sheet currency exposures in part by entering into financial derivative contracts. In addition to the risk of non-performance by the counterparty to these contracts, our efforts to manage these risks might not be successful.

We have suffered and could continue to suffer significant business interruptions, including impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our operations and those of our suppliers and customers, and the supply chains that support their operations, may be vulnerable to interruption by natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, tornados, or floods; other disasters such as fires, explosions, acts of terrorism or war, or disease or other adverse health developments, including impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; or failures of management information or other systems due to internal or external causes. In addition, such interruptions could result in a widespread crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could affect demand for our end customers’ products. If a business interruption occurs and we are unsuccessful in our continuing efforts to minimize the impact of these events, our business, results of operations, financial position, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted and continues to impact countries, communities, workforces, supply chains, and markets around the world, and as a result, we have experienced disruptions and restrictions on our employees’ ability to travel, as well as temporary closures of our facilities and the facilities of our customers, suppliers, and other vendors in our supply chain. As a result of the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of our employees are continuing to work from home on a full-time or part-time basis, which may increase our vulnerability to cyber and other information technology risks. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant, negative impact on our sales and operating results during fiscal 2020 and continued

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to negatively affect certain of our businesses in fiscal 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic may have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations in future periods. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will further impact our business and our financial results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. Such developments may include the further spread of the virus to additional persons and geographic regions; the severity of the virus; variant strains of the virus; the duration of the pandemic; resumption of high levels of infections and hospitalizations; the success of public health advancements, including vaccine production and distribution; the resulting impact on our suppliers’ and customers’ supply chains and financial positions, including their ability to pay us; the actions that may be taken by various governmental authorities in response to the outbreak in jurisdictions in which we operate; and the possible impact on the global economy and local economies in which we operate. Further, to the extent the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects our business, results of operations, or financial condition, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this “Risk Factors” section.

We could be adversely affected by a decline in the market value of our pension plans’ investment portfolios or a reduction in returns on plan assets.

Concerns about deterioration in the global economy, together with concerns about credit, inflation, or deflation, have caused and could continue to cause significant volatility in the price of all securities, including fixed income and equity securities, which has reduced and could further reduce the value of our pension plans’ investment portfolios. In addition, the expected returns on plan assets may not be achieved. A decrease in the value of our pension plans’ investment portfolios or a reduction in returns on plan assets could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

Disruption in credit markets and volatility in equity markets may affect our ability to access sufficient funding.

The global equity markets have been volatile and at times credit markets have been disrupted, which has reduced the availability of investment capital and credit. Downgrades of sovereign debt credit ratings have similarly affected the availability and cost of capital. As a result, we may be unable to access adequate funding to operate and grow our business. Our inability to access adequate funding or to generate sufficient cash from operations may require us to reconsider certain projects and capital expenditures. The extent of any impact will depend on several factors, including our operating cash flows, the duration of tight credit conditions and volatile equity markets, our credit ratings and credit capacity, the cost of financing, and other general economic and business conditions.

We are subject to global risks of political, economic, and military instability.

Our workforce; manufacturing, research, administrative, and sales facilities; markets; customers; and suppliers are located throughout the world. As a result, we are exposed to risks that could negatively affect sales or profitability, including:

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changes in global trade policies, including sanctions, tariffs, trade barriers, and trade disputes;

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regulations related to customs and import/export matters;

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variations in lengths of payment cycles and challenges in collecting accounts receivable;

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tax law and regulatory changes in Switzerland, the U.S., and the EU among other jurisdictions, including tax law and regulatory changes that may be effected as a result of tax policy recommendations from quasi-governmental organizations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), examinations by taxing authorities, variations in tax laws from country to country, changes to the terms of income tax treaties, and difficulties in the tax-efficient repatriation of cash generated or held in a number of jurisdictions;

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employment regulations and local labor conditions, including increases in employment costs, particularly in low-cost regions in which we currently operate;

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difficulties protecting intellectual property;

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instability in economic or political conditions, including sovereign debt levels, Eurozone uncertainty, inflation, recession, and actual or anticipated military or political conflicts;

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·

the impact of the United Kingdoms withdrawal from the EU (commonly referred to as Brexit) could cause disruptions to, and create uncertainty surrounding, our business, including affecting our relationships with existing and potential customers and suppliers. The effects of Brexit, including long-lasting effects of Brexit on EU market access, will depend on more permanent agreements between the United Kingdom and the EU to be negotiated during the transition period; and

·

the impact of each of the foregoing on our outsourcing and procurement arrangements.

We have sizeable operations in China, including 16 principal manufacturing sites. In addition, approximately 22% of our net sales in fiscal 2021 were made to customers in China. Economic conditions in China have been, and may continue to be, volatile and uncertain. In addition, the legal and regulatory system in China continues to evolve and is subject to change. Accordingly, our operations and transactions with customers in China could be adversely affected by changes to market conditions, changes to the regulatory environment, or interpretation of Chinese law.

In addition, any downgrade by rating agencies of long-term U.S. sovereign debt or downgrades or defaults of sovereign debt of other nations may negatively affect global financial markets and economic conditions, which could negatively affect our business, financial condition, and liquidity.

Changes in U.S. federal tax laws could result in adverse consequences to U.S. persons treated as owning 10% or more of our shares.

Although we are a Swiss corporation, recent U.S. tax law changes have expanded application of certain ownership attribution rules and cause certain of our non-U.S. subsidiaries to be treated as Controlled Foreign Corporations (“CFCs”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. person that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as owning, directly, indirectly, or constructively, 10% or more of our shares may be required to annually report and include in its U.S. taxable income its pro rata share of certain types of income earned by our subsidiaries that are treated as CFCs, whether or not we make any distributions to such U.S. shareholder. A U.S. person that owns 10% or more of our shares should consult a tax adviser regarding the potential implications to it of these changes in U.S. federal income tax law. The risk of U.S. federal income tax reporting and compliance obligations with respect to our subsidiaries that are treated as CFCs may deter our current shareholders from increasing their investment in us, and others from investing in us, which could impact the demand for, and value of, our shares.

Risks Relating to the Industry in Which We Operate

We are dependent on the automotive and other industries.

We are dependent on end market dynamics to sell our products, and our operating results could be adversely affected by cyclical and reduced demand in these markets. Periodic downturns in our customers’ industries can significantly reduce demand for certain of our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

Approximately 43% of our net sales for fiscal 2021 were to customers in the automotive industry. The automotive industry is dominated by large manufacturers that can exert significant price pressure on their suppliers. Additionally, the automotive industry has historically experienced significant downturns during periods of deteriorating global or regional economic or credit conditions. As a supplier of automotive electronics products, our sales of these products and our profitability have been and could continue to be negatively affected by significant declines in global or regional economic or credit conditions and changes in the operations, products, business models, part-sourcing requirements, financial condition, and market share of automotive manufacturers, as well as potential consolidations among automotive manufacturers.

During fiscal 2021, approximately 10% of our net sales were to customers in the commercial transportation market, 9% of our net sales were to customers in the industrial equipment end market, and 8% of our net sales were to customers in the data and devices end market. Demand in the commercial transportation industry is impacted by the economic environment and market conditions in the heavy truck, construction, agriculture, and recreational vehicle markets. The industrial equipment industry is dependent upon economic conditions, including customer investment in factory and warehouse automation, process control systems, and building automation and smart city infrastructure, as well as market conditions in the rail transportation, lighting, and other major industrial markets we serve. Demand for data and devices can fluctuate significantly, depending on the underlying business and consumer demand for data communication, computer, and

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consumer electronics products. The overall market trends of increased data connectivity and continued movement to high-speed cloud applications have had a favorable impact on demand.

We encounter competition in substantially all areas of the electronic components industry.

We operate in highly competitive markets for electronic components and expect that both direct and indirect competition will increase in the future. Our overall competitive position depends on various factors including the price, quality, and performance of our products; the level of customer service; the development of new technology; our ability to participate in emerging markets; and customers’ expectations relating to socially responsible operations. The competition we experience across product lines from other companies ranges in size from large, diversified manufacturers to small, highly specialized manufacturers. The electronic components industry has become increasingly concentrated and globalized in recent years, and our major competitors have significant financial resources and technological capabilities. A number of these competitors compete with us primarily on price, and in some instances may have the benefit of lower production costs for certain products. We cannot provide assurance that additional competitors will not enter our markets, or that we will be able to compete successfully against existing or new competitors. Increased competition may result in price reductions, reduced margins, or loss of market share, any of which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

We are dependent on market acceptance of our new product introductions and product innovations for future revenue.

Substantially all markets in which we operate are impacted by technological change or change in consumer tastes and preferences, which are rapid in certain end markets. Our operating results depend substantially upon our ability to continually design, develop, introduce, and sell new and innovative products; to modify existing products; and to customize products to meet customer requirements driven by such change. There are numerous risks inherent in these processes, including the risk that we will be unable to anticipate the direction of technological change or that we will be unable to develop and market profitable new products and applications in time to satisfy customer demands.

Like other suppliers to the electronics industry, we are subject to continuing pressure to lower our prices.

We have experienced, and we expect to continue to experience, continuing pressure to lower our prices. Although price erosion was not significant in fiscal 2021, we have historically experienced price erosion averaging from 1% to 2% each year. To maintain our margins, we must continue to reduce our costs by similar amounts. We cannot provide assurance that continuing pressures to reduce our prices will not have a material adverse effect on our margins, results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

We may be negatively affected as our customers and vendors continue to consolidate.

Many of the industries to which we sell our products, as well as many of the industries from which we buy materials, have become more concentrated in recent years, including the automotive, data and devices, and aerospace and defense industries. Consolidation of customers may lead to decreased product purchases from us. In addition, as our customers buy in larger volumes, their volume buying power has increased, enabling them to negotiate more favorable pricing and find alternative sources from which to purchase. Our materials suppliers similarly have increased their ability to negotiate favorable pricing. These trends may adversely affect the margins on our products, particularly for commodity components.

The life cycles of certain of our products can be very short.

The life cycles of certain of our products can be very short relative to their development cycle. As a result, the resources devoted to product sales and marketing may not result in material revenue and, from time to time, we may need to write off excess or obsolete inventory or equipment. If we were to incur significant engineering expenses and investments in inventory and equipment that we were not able to recover, and we were not able to compensate for those expenses, our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

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Risks Relating to Our Operations

Our results are sensitive to raw material availability, quality, and cost.

We are a large buyer of resins, chemicals, additives, and metals, including copper, gold, silver, aluminum, brass, steel, and zinc. Many of these raw materials are produced in a limited number of countries around the world or are only available from a limited number of suppliers. The prices of many of these raw materials continue to increase and fluctuations may persist in the future. In addition, feedstock for resins and resins themselves, as well as certain other commodities, are increasingly subject to varied and unrelated force majeure events worldwide further impacting price and availability. If we have difficulty obtaining these raw materials, the quality of available raw materials deteriorates, or there are significant price increases for these raw materials, it could have a substantial impact on the price we pay for raw materials. To the extent we cannot compensate for cost increases through productivity improvements or price increases to our customers, our margins may decline, materially affecting our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. In addition, we use financial instruments to hedge the volatility of certain commodities prices. The success of our hedging program depends on accurate forecasts of planned consumption of the hedged commodity materials. We could experience unanticipated hedge gains or losses if these forecasts are inaccurate.

In accordance with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the SEC established annual disclosure and reporting requirements for those companies who use tin, tantalum, tungsten, or gold (“conflict minerals” or “3TG”) mined from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (“DRC”) and adjoining countries (together with the DRC, the “Covered Countries”) in their products. These requirements, as well as new and additional regulations like the EU’s Conflict Minerals Regulation, could affect the sourcing, pricing, and availability of 3TG used in the manufacture of certain of our products, and may result in only a limited pool of suppliers who can demonstrate that they do not source any 3TG from the Covered Countries. Accordingly, we cannot provide assurance that we will be able to obtain non-conflict 3TG in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. Further, since our supply chain is complex, we may face reputational challenges with our customers and other stakeholders if we are unable to meet customer non-conflict 3TG standards or sufficiently verify the origins and chain of custody for all conflict minerals used in our products through our due diligence procedures.

We may use components and products manufactured by third parties.

We may rely on third-party suppliers for the components used in our products, and we may rely on third-party manufacturers to manufacture certain of our assemblies and finished products. Our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows could be adversely affected if such third parties lack sufficient quality control or if there are significant changes in their financial or business condition. If these third parties fail to deliver quality products, parts, and components on time and at reasonable prices, we could have difficulties fulfilling our orders, sales and profits could decline, and our commercial reputation could be damaged.

Our future success is significantly dependent on our ability to attract and retain management and executive management employees.

Our success depends to a significant extent upon our continued ability to retain our management and executive management employees and hire new management and executive management employees to replace, succeed, or add to members of our management team. Our management team has significant industry experience and would be difficult to replace. Competition for management talent is intense, and any difficulties we may have to retain or hire members of management to achieve our objectives may have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

Security breaches and other disruptions to our information technology infrastructure or violations of data privacy laws could interfere with our operations, compromise confidential information, and expose us to liability which could materially adversely impact our business and reputation.

Security breaches and other disruptions to our information technology infrastructure could interfere with our operations; compromise information belonging to us, our employees, customers, and suppliers; and expose us to liability which could adversely impact our business and reputation. In the normal course of business, we rely on information technology networks and systems, some of which are managed by third parties, to process, transmit, and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities. Additionally, we collect and store certain data, including proprietary business information and customer and employee data, and may have access to confidential or personal information in certain of our businesses that is subject to privacy and security laws, regulations, and

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customer-imposed controls. Specifically, we are subject to the laws of various states and countries where we operate or do business related to solicitation, collection, processing, transferring, storing, or use of consumer, customer, vendor, or employee information or related data, including the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, which went into effect in May 2018, and the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, which went into effect in January 2020. In addition, several other countries in which we operate or do business, such as China, have enacted or are considering enacting laws that impose additional data transfer restrictions. If countries in which we operate or do business were to adopt data localization or data residency laws, we could be required to implement new or expand existing data storage protocols, build new storage facilities, and/or devote additional resources to comply with the requirements of such laws, any of which could have significant implications to business operations and costs.

In addition to our own systems, we have outsourced, and expect to continue to outsource, certain support services, including cloud storage systems, cloud computing services, and system development and support services to third parties, which has in the past and in the future may subject our information technology and other sensitive information to additional risk. Despite our cybersecurity measures (including employee training, monitoring of networks and systems, and maintenance of backup and protective systems) which are reviewed and upgraded to mitigate evolving cybersecurity threats, our information technology networks and infrastructure has been and may still be vulnerable to damage, disruptions (including, but not limited to, computer viruses and other malware, denial of service, and ransomware), or shutdowns due to attack by hackers, state-sponsored organizations with significant financial and technological resources, breaches, employee error or malfeasance, power outages, computer viruses, telecommunication or utility failures, systems failures, natural disasters, pandemics (including COVID-19), or other catastrophic events, which may require us to notify regulators, customers, or employees, and enlist identity theft protection in the event of a privacy breach. We have been the target of attempted cyber intrusions. We continue to monitor and develop our systems to protect the integrity and functionality of our information technology infrastructure and access to and the security of our intellectual property and our employees’, customers’, and suppliers’ data. Security breaches and other disruptions to our information technology infrastructure or violations of applicable laws could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability or penalties, disruption in operations, and damage to our reputation which could materially adversely affect our business. While we have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, threats to our information technology networks and infrastructure, to date none of these threats have had a material impact on our business or operations. In addition, as a result of the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of our employees are continuing to work from home on a full-time or part-time basis, which may increase our vulnerability to cyber and other information technology risks.

Covenants in our debt instruments may adversely affect us.

Our five-year unsecured senior revolving credit facility (“Credit Facility”) contains financial and other covenants, such as a limit on the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Facility) and limits on the amount of subsidiary debt and incurrence of liens. Our outstanding notes’ indentures contain customary covenants including limits on incurrence of liens, sale and lease-back transactions, and our ability to consolidate, merge, and sell assets.

Although none of these covenants are presently restrictive to our operations, our continued ability to meet the Credit Facility financial covenant can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot provide assurance that we will continue to comply with the covenant. A breach of any of our covenants could result in a default under our Credit Facility or indentures. Upon the occurrence of certain defaults under our Credit Facility and indentures, the lenders or trustee could elect to declare all amounts outstanding thereunder to be immediately due and payable, and our lenders could terminate commitments to extend further credit under our Credit Facility. If the lenders or trustee accelerate the repayment of borrowings, we cannot provide assurance that we will have sufficient assets or access to lenders or capital markets to repay or fund the repayment of any amounts outstanding under our Credit Facility and our other affected indebtedness. Acceleration of any debt obligation under any of our material debt instruments may permit the holders or trustee of our other material debt to accelerate payment of debt obligations to the creditors thereunder.

The indentures governing our outstanding senior notes contain covenants that may require us to offer to buy back the notes for a price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date, upon a change of control triggering event (as defined in the indentures). We cannot provide assurance that we will have sufficient funds available or access to funding to repurchase tendered notes in that event, which could result in a default under the notes. Any future debt that we incur may contain covenants regarding repurchases in the event of a change of control triggering event.

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The market price of our shares may fluctuate widely.

The market price of our shares may fluctuate widely, depending upon many factors, including:

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our quarterly or annual earnings;

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quarterly or annual sales or earnings guidance that we may provide or changes thereto;

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actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;

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volatility in financial markets and market fluctuations caused by global and regional economic conditions and investors concerns about potential risks to future economic growth;

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changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates;

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changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations, or principles;

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tax legislative and regulatory actions and proposals in Switzerland, the U.S., the EU, and other jurisdictions;

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announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions or dispositions; and

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the operating and stock price performance of comparable companies and companies that serve end markets important to our business.

Risks Relating to Strategic Transactions

Future acquisitions may not be successful.

We regularly evaluate the possible acquisition of strategic businesses, product lines, or technologies which have the potential to strengthen our market position or enhance our existing product offerings, and we have completed a number of acquisitions in recent years. We anticipate that we will continue to pursue acquisition opportunities as part of our growth strategy. We cannot provide assurance that we will identify or successfully complete transactions with acquisition candidates in the future. We also cannot provide assurance that completed acquisitions will be successful. If an acquired business fails to operate as anticipated or cannot be successfully integrated with our existing business, our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

Future acquisitions could require us to issue additional debt or equity.

If we were to make a substantial acquisition with cash, the acquisition may need to be financed in part through funding from banks, public offerings or private placements of debt or equity securities, or other arrangements. This acquisition financing might decrease our ratio of earnings to fixed charges and adversely affect other leverage measures. We cannot provide assurance that sufficient acquisition financing would be available to us on acceptable terms if and when required. If we were to complete an acquisition partially or wholly funded by issuing equity securities or equity-linked securities, the issued securities may have a dilutive effect on the interests of the holders of our shares.

Divestitures of some of our businesses or product lines may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

We continue to evaluate the strategic fit of specific businesses and products which may result in additional divestitures. Any divestitures may result in significant write-offs, including those related to goodwill and other intangible assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position. Divestitures could involve additional risks, including difficulties in the separation of operations, services, products, and personnel; the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns; the disruption of our business; and the potential loss of key employees. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in addressing these or any other significant risks encountered.

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Risks Relating to Intellectual Property, Litigation, and Regulations

Our ability to compete effectively depends, in part, on our ability to maintain the proprietary nature of our products and technology.

The electronics industry is characterized by litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. Within this industry, companies have become more aggressive in asserting and defending patent claims against competitors. There can be no assurance that we will not be subject to future litigation alleging infringement or invalidity of certain of our intellectual property rights or that we will not have to pursue litigation to protect our property rights. Depending on the importance of the technology, product, patent, trademark, or trade secret in question, an unfavorable outcome regarding one of these matters may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

We are a defendant to a variety of litigation in the course of our business that could cause a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

In the normal course of business, we are, from time to time, a defendant in litigation, including litigation alleging the infringement of intellectual property rights, anti-competitive behavior, product liability, breach of contract, and employment-related claims. In certain circumstances, patent infringement and antitrust laws permit successful plaintiffs to recover treble damages. The defense of these lawsuits may divert our management’s attention, and we may incur significant expenses in defending these lawsuits. In addition, we may be required to pay damage awards or settlements, or become subject to injunctions or other equitable remedies, that could cause a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

If any of our operations are found not to comply with applicable antitrust or competition laws or applicable trade regulations, our business may suffer.

Our operations are subject to applicable antitrust and competition laws in the jurisdictions in which we conduct our business, in particular the U.S. and the EU. These laws prohibit, among other things, anticompetitive agreements and practices. If any of our commercial agreements and practices with respect to the electronic components or other markets are found to violate or infringe such laws, we may be subject to civil and other penalties. We may also be subject to third-party claims for damages. Further, agreements that infringe these antitrust and competition laws may be void and unenforceable, in whole or in part, or require modification to be lawful and enforceable. If we are unable to enforce our commercial agreements, whether at all or in material part, our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows could be adversely affected.

We also must comply with applicable trade regulations in the jurisdictions where we operate. A small portion of our products, including defense-related products, may require governmental import and export licenses, whose issuance may be influenced by geopolitical and other events. Any failure to maintain compliance with trade regulations could limit our ability to import and export raw materials and finished goods into or from the relevant jurisdiction, which could negatively impact our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows. In this regard, we are investigating our past compliance with relevant U.S. trade controls and have made voluntary disclosures of apparent trade controls violations to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) and the U.S. State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”). We are cooperating with the BIS and DDTC on these matters, and both our internal assessment and the resulting investigations by the agencies remain ongoing. We are unable to predict the timing and final outcome of the agencies’ investigations. An unfavorable outcome may include fines or penalties imposed in response to our disclosures, but we are not yet able to reasonably estimate the extent of any such fines or penalties. While we have reserved for potential fines and penalties relating to these matters based on our current understanding of the facts, the investigations into these matters have yet to be completed and the final outcome of such investigations and related fines and penalties may differ from amounts currently reserved.

We could be adversely affected by violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the United Kingdom’s Bribery Act, and similar worldwide anti-bribery laws.

The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the United Kingdom’s Bribery Act, and similar worldwide anti-bribery laws generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Our policies mandate compliance with these anti-bribery laws. We operate in many parts of the world that have experienced governmental corruption to some degree, and in certain circumstances, strict compliance with anti-bribery laws may conflict with local customs and practices. Despite our training and compliance

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program, we cannot provide assurance that our internal control policies and procedures always will protect us from reckless or criminal acts committed by our employees or agents. Violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could disrupt our business and result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

Our operations expose us to the risk of material environmental liabilities, litigation, government enforcement actions, and reputational risk.

We are subject to numerous federal, state, and local environmental protection and health and safety laws and regulations in the various countries where we operate and where our products are sold. These laws and regulations govern, among other things:

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the generation, storage, use, and transportation of hazardous materials;

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emissions or discharges of substances into the environment;

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investigation and remediation of hazardous substances or materials at various sites;

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greenhouse gas emissions;

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product hazardous material content; and

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the health and safety of our employees.

We may not have been, or we may not always be, in compliance with all environmental and health and safety laws and regulations. If we violate these laws, we could be fined, criminally charged, or otherwise sanctioned by regulators. In addition, environmental and health and safety laws are becoming more stringent, resulting in increased costs and compliance requirements.

Certain environmental laws assess liability on current or previous owners or operators of real property for the costs of investigation, removal, and remediation of hazardous substances or materials at their properties or at properties at which they have disposed of hazardous substances. Liability for investigation, removal, and remediation costs under certain regulatory regimes, such as U.S. federal and state laws, is retroactive, strict, and joint and several. In addition to cleanup actions brought by governmental authorities, private parties could bring personal injury or other claims due to the presence of, or exposure to, hazardous substances. We have received notifications from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, other environmental agencies, and third parties that conditions at a number of currently and formerly-owned or operated sites where we and others have disposed of hazardous substances require investigation, cleanup, and other possible remedial action and require that we reimburse the government or otherwise pay for the costs of investigation and remediation and for natural resource damage claims from such sites. We also have independently investigated various sites and determined that further investigation and/or remediation is necessary.

While we plan for future capital and operating expenditures to maintain compliance with environmental laws, we cannot provide assurance that our costs of complying with current or future environmental protection and health and safety laws, or our liabilities arising from past or future releases of, or exposures to, hazardous substances will not exceed our estimates or adversely affect our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows or that we will not be subject to additional environmental claims for personal injury, property damage, and/or cleanup in the future based on our past, present, or future business activities.

Our products are subject to various requirements related to chemical usage, hazardous material content, recycling, and other circular economy initiatives.

The EU, China, and other jurisdictions in which our products are sold have enacted or are proposing to enact laws addressing environmental and other impacts from product disposal, use of hazardous materials in products, use of chemicals in manufacturing, recycling of products at the end of their useful life, circular economy initiatives, and other related matters. These laws include but are not limited to the EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances, End of Life Vehicle, and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directives; the EU REACH Regulation; and the China Administrative Measures for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products. These laws prohibit the use of certain substances in the manufacture of our products and directly and indirectly impose a variety of requirements for modification of manufacturing processes, registration, chemical testing, labeling, and other matters. These laws continue to proliferate and

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expand in these and other jurisdictions to address other materials and other aspects of our product manufacturing and sale. These laws could make the manufacture or sale of our products more expensive or impossible, could limit our ability to sell our products in certain jurisdictions, and could result in liability for product recalls, penalties, or other claims.

Risks Relating to Our Swiss Jurisdiction of Incorporation

As a Swiss corporation, we have less flexibility with respect to certain aspects of capital management involving the issuance of shares.

As a Swiss corporation, our board of directors may not declare and pay dividends or distributions on our shares or reclassify reserves on our standalone unconsolidated Swiss balance sheet without shareholder approval and without satisfying certain other requirements. In addition, our articles of association allow us to create authorized share capital that can be issued by the board of directors, but this authorization is limited to (i) authorized share capital up to 50% of the existing registered shares with such authorization valid for a maximum of two years, which authorization period ends on March 11, 2022, approved by our shareholders at our March 11, 2020 annual general meeting of shareholders and (ii) conditional share capital of up to 50% of the existing registered shares that may be issued only for specific purposes. Additionally, subject to specified exceptions, Swiss law grants preemptive rights to existing shareholders to subscribe for new issuances of shares from authorized share capital and advance subscription rights to existing shareholders to subscribe for new issuances of shares from conditional share capital. Swiss law also does not provide much flexibility in the various terms that can attach to different classes of shares, and reserves for approval by shareholders many types of corporate actions, including the creation of shares with preferential rights with respect to liquidation, dividends, and/or voting. Moreover, under Swiss law, we generally may not issue registered shares for an amount below par value without prior shareholder approval to decrease the par value of our registered shares. Any such actions for which our shareholders must vote will require that we file a proxy statement with the SEC and convene a meeting of shareholders, which would delay the timing to execute such actions. Such limitations provide the board of directors less flexibility with respect to our capital management. While we do not believe that Swiss law requirements relating to the issuance of shares will have a material adverse effect on us, we cannot provide assurance that situations will not arise where such flexibility would have provided substantial benefits to our shareholders and such limitations on our capital management flexibility would make our stock less attractive to investors.

We might not be able to make distributions on our shares without subjecting shareholders to Swiss withholding tax.

We anticipate making distributions to shareholders through a reduction of contributed surplus (as determined for Swiss tax and statutory purposes) in order to make the distributions on our shares to shareholders free of Swiss withholding tax. Various tax law and corporate law proposals in Switzerland, if passed in the future, may affect our ability to pay dividends or distributions to our shareholders free from Swiss withholding tax. There can be no assurance that we will be able to meet the legal requirements for future distributions to shareholders through dividends from contributed surplus or through a reduction of registered share capital, or that Swiss withholding rules would not be changed in the future. In addition, over the long term, the amount of registered share capital available for reductions will be limited. Our ability to pay dividends or distributions to our shareholders free from Swiss withholding tax is a significant component of our capital management and shareholder return practices that we believe is important to our shareholders, and any restriction on our ability to do so could make our stock less attractive to investors.

Currency fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the Swiss franc may limit the amount available for any future distributions on our shares without subjecting shareholders to Swiss withholding tax.

The registered share capital in our unconsolidated Swiss statutory financial statements is denominated in Swiss francs. Although distributions that are effected through a return of contributed surplus or registered share capital are expected to be paid in U.S. dollars, shareholder resolutions with respect to such distributions must take into account the Swiss francs denomination of the registered share capital. If the U.S. dollar were to increase in value relative to the Swiss franc, the U.S. dollar amount of registered share capital available for future distributions without Swiss withholding tax will decrease.

We have certain limitations on our ability to repurchase our shares.

The Swiss Code of Obligations regulates a corporation’s ability to hold or repurchase its own shares. We and our subsidiaries may only repurchase shares to the extent that sufficient freely distributable reserves (including contributed surplus as determined for Swiss tax and statutory purposes) are available. The aggregate par value of our registered shares held by us and our subsidiaries may not exceed 10% of our registered share capital. We may repurchase our registered shares

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beyond the statutory limit of 10%, however, only if our shareholders have adopted a resolution at a general meeting of shareholders authorizing the board of directors to repurchase registered shares in an amount in excess of 10% and the repurchased shares are dedicated for cancellation. Additionally, various corporate law proposals in Switzerland, if passed in the future, may affect our ability to repurchase our shares. Our ability to repurchase our shares is a significant component of our capital management and shareholder return practices that we believe is important to our shareholders, and any restriction on our ability to repurchase our shares could make our stock less attractive to investors.

Registered holders of our shares must be registered as shareholders with voting rights in order to vote at shareholder meetings.

Our articles of association contain a provision regarding voting rights that is required by Swiss law for Swiss companies like us that issue registered shares (as opposed to bearer shares). This provision provides that to be able to exercise voting rights, holders of our shares must be registered in our share register (Aktienbuch) as shareholders with voting rights. Only shareholders whose shares have been registered with voting rights on the record date may participate in and vote at our shareholders’ meetings, but all shareholders will be entitled to dividends, distributions, preemptive rights, advance subscription rights, and liquidation proceeds. The board of directors may, in its discretion, refuse to register shares as shares with voting rights if a shareholder does not fulfill certain disclosure requirements in our articles of association.

Certain provisions of our articles of association may reduce the likelihood of any unsolicited acquisition proposal or potential change of control that our shareholders might consider favorable.

Our articles of association contain provisions that could be considered “anti-takeover” provisions because they would make it harder for a third party to acquire us without the consent of our incumbent board of directors. Under these provisions, among others:

·

shareholders may act only at shareholder meetings and not by written consent, and

·

restrictions will apply to any merger or other business combination between our company and any holder of 15% or more of our issued voting shares who became such without the prior approval of our board of directors.

These provisions may only be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of 80% of our issued voting shares, which could have the effect of discouraging an unsolicited acquisition proposal or delaying, deferring, or preventing a change of control transaction that might involve a premium price, or otherwise be considered favorable by our shareholders. Our articles of association also contain provisions permitting our board of directors to issue new shares from authorized or conditional capital (in either case, representing a maximum of 50% of the shares presently registered in the commercial register and in case of issuances from authorized capital, until March 11, 2022 unless re-authorized by shareholders for a subsequent two-year period) without shareholder approval and without regard for shareholders’ preemptive rights or advance subscription rights, for the purpose of the defense of an actual, threatened, or potential unsolicited takeover bid, in relation to which the board of directors, upon consultation with an independent financial advisor, has not recommended acceptance to the shareholders. We note that Swiss courts have not addressed whether or not a takeover bid of this nature is an acceptable reason under Swiss law for withdrawing or limiting preemptive rights with respect to authorized share capital or advance subscription rights with respect to conditional share capital. In addition, the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), on which our shares are listed, requires shareholder approval for issuances of shares equal to 20% or more of the outstanding shares or voting power, with limited exceptions.

Global legislative and regulatory actions and proposals could cause a material change in our worldwide effective corporate tax rate and our global cash taxes.

Various legislative and regulatory proposals have been directed at multinational companies with operations in lower-tax jurisdictions. There has been heightened focus on adoption of such legislation and on other initiatives, such as:

·

the OECDs initiative to develop agreed-upon best practices to prevent base erosion and profit shifting, which contemplate the creation of a global minimum corporate tax rate and changes to numerous long-standing tax principles related to the distribution of profits between affiliated entities in different tax jurisdictions,

·

EU and other country efforts to adopt certain OECD proposals and modified OECD proposals (including the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive, state aid cases, and various transparency proposals), and

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·

tax policy changes in the U.S., such as additional federal tax reform measures, new tax regulations, and revisions to the Model Income Tax Treaty.

If these proposals are adopted in the main jurisdictions in which we do business, they could, among other things, increase cash taxes, cause double taxation, increase audit risk, and materially increase our worldwide corporate effective tax rate. We cannot predict the outcome of any specific legislative proposals or initiatives, and we cannot provide assurance that any such legislation or initiative will not apply to us. In October 2021, the OECD made progress in its efforts to reform the international tax system with 136 of the 140 participating countries and jurisdictions joining a global minimum tax agreement. This agreement introduces a 15% global minimum corporate tax rate which will apply to companies with revenue over a set threshold. This tax will be assessed on a country-by-country basis, potentially starting as early as 2023.

Legislation in the U.S. could adversely impact our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

Various U.S. federal and state legislative proposals have been introduced in recent years that may negatively impact the growth of our business by denying government contracts to U.S. companies that have moved to lower-tax jurisdictions.

We expect the U.S. Congress to continue to consider implementation and/or expansion of policies that would restrict the federal and state governments from contracting with entities that have corporate locations abroad. We cannot predict the likelihood that, or final form in which, any such proposed legislation might become law, the nature of regulations that may be promulgated under any future legislative enactments, the effect such enactments and increased regulatory scrutiny may have on our business, or the outcome of any specific legislative proposals. Therefore, we cannot provide assurance that any such legislative action will not apply to us. In addition, we are unable to predict whether the final form of any potential legislation discussed above also would affect our indirect sales to U.S. federal or state governments or the willingness of our non-governmental customers to do business with us. As a result of these uncertainties, we are unable to assess the potential impact of any proposed legislation in this area and cannot provide assurance that the impact will not be materially adverse to us.

Swiss law differs from the laws in effect in the U.S. and may afford less protection to holders of our securities.

As we are organized under the laws of Switzerland, it may not be possible to enforce court judgments obtained in the U.S. against us in Switzerland based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal or state securities laws. In addition, there is some uncertainty as to whether the courts of Switzerland would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against us or our directors or officers based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal or state securities laws or hear actions against us or those persons based on those laws. We have been advised that the U.S. and Switzerland currently do not have a treaty providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters. Some remedies available under the laws of U.S. jurisdictions, including some remedies available under the U.S. federal securities laws, would not be allowed in Swiss courts as they are contrary to Switzerland’s public policy.

Swiss law differs in certain material respects from laws generally applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. These differences include the manner in which directors must disclose transactions in which they have an interest, the rights of shareholders to bring class action and derivative lawsuits, and the scope of indemnification available to directors and officers. Thus, holders of our securities may have more difficulty protecting their interests than would holders of securities of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction of the U.S.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our principal executive office is located in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. As of fiscal year end 2021, we owned approximately 18 million square feet and leased approximately 10 million square feet of aggregate floor space, used primarily for manufacturing, warehousing, and office space. We believe our facilities are suitable for the conduct of our business and adequate for our current needs.

We manufacture our products in over 25 countries worldwide. Our manufacturing sites focus on various aspects of our manufacturing processes, including our primary processes of stamping, plating, molding, extrusion, beaming, and assembly. We consider the productive capacity of our manufacturing facilities sufficient. As of fiscal year end 2021, our principal centers of manufacturing output by segment and geographic region were as follows:

    

Transportation

    

Industrial

    

Communications

    

  

Solutions

Solutions

Solutions

Total

  

 

(number of manufacturing facilities)

EMEA

 

22

 

21

 

3

 

46

Asia–Pacific

 

9

 

6

 

7

 

22

Americas

 

10

 

22

 

3

 

35

Total

 

41

 

49

 

13

 

103

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the normal course of business, we are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, including product liability matters, employment disputes, disputes on agreements, other commercial disputes, environmental matters, antitrust claims, and tax matters, including non-income tax matters such as value added tax, sales and use tax, real estate tax, and transfer tax. In addition, we operate in an industry susceptible to significant patent legal claims. At any given time in the normal course of business, we are involved as either a plaintiff or defendant in a number of patent infringement actions. If infringement of a third party’s patent were to be determined against us, we might be required to make significant royalty or other payments or might be subject to an injunction or other limitation on our ability to manufacture or sell one or more products. If a patent owned by or licensed to us were determined to be invalid or unenforceable, we might be required to reduce the value of the patent on our Consolidated Balance Sheet and to record a corresponding charge, which could be significant in amount.

Management believes that these legal proceedings and claims likely will be resolved over an extended period of time. Although it is not feasible to predict the outcome of these proceedings, based upon our experience, current information, and applicable law, we do not expect that the outcome of these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information and Holders

Our common shares are listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “TEL.” As of November 3, 2021, there were 17,583 shareholders of record of our common shares.

Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common shares against the cumulative return on the S&P 500 Index and the Dow Jones Electrical Components and Equipment Index. The graph assumes the investment of $100 in our common shares and in each index at fiscal year end 2016 and assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The graph shows the cumulative total return for the last five fiscal years. The comparisons in the graph are based upon historical data and are not indicative of, nor intended to forecast, future performance of our common shares.

Graphic

Fiscal Year End

 

    

2016

    

2017

    

2018

    

2019

    

2020

    

2021

    

TE Connectivity Ltd.

$

100.00

$

131.73

$

141.92

$

152.90

$

160.65

$

246.37

S&P 500 Index

 

100.00

 

118.61

 

139.85

 

145.06

 

164.64

 

225.71

Dow Jones Electrical Components and Equipment Index

 

100.00

 

128.95

 

143.39

 

138.06

 

144.71

 

210.09

(1)

$100 invested on September 30, 2016 in TE Connectivity Ltd.’s common shares and in indexes. Indexes calculated on month-end basis.

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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table presents information about our purchases of our common shares during the quarter ended September 24, 2021:

Maximum

Total Number of

Approximate

Shares Purchased

Dollar Value

as Part of

of Shares that May

Total Number

Average Price

Publicly Announced

Yet Be Purchased

of Shares

Paid Per

Plans or

Under the Plans

Period

    

Purchased(1)

    

Share(1)

    

Programs(2)

    

or Programs(2)

    

June 26–July 23, 2021

611,573

$

136.20

611,200

$

1,820,911,579

July 24–August 27, 2021

 

682,093

 

148.58

 

677,000

 

1,720,315,363

August 28–September 24, 2021

 

893,254

 

145.27

 

892,000

 

1,590,735,387

Total

 

2,186,920

$

143.76

 

2,180,200

 

  

(1)These columns include the following transactions which occurred during the quarter ended September 24, 2021:
(i)the acquisition of 6,720 common shares from individuals in order to satisfy tax withholding requirements in connection with the vesting of restricted share awards issued under equity compensation plans; and
(ii)open market purchases totaling 2,180,200 common shares, summarized on a trade-date basis, in conjunction with the share repurchase program announced in September 2007.
(2)Our share repurchase program authorizes us to purchase a portion of our outstanding common shares from time to time through open market or private transactions, depending on business and market conditions. The share repurchase program does not have an expiration date.

ITEM 6.  RESERVED

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The following discussion may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates, and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those factors discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report, particularly in “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Information.”

Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in U.S. dollars, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”).

Discussion of our financial condition and results of operations for fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 is presented below. Discussion of our financial condition and results of operations for fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019 can be found in “Part II. Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 25, 2020.

The following discussion includes organic net sales growth (decline) which is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measure” for additional information regarding this measure.

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Overview

We are a global industrial technology leader creating a safer, sustainable, productive, and connected future. Our broad range of connectivity and sensor solutions, proven in the harshest environments, enable advancements in transportation, industrial applications, medical technology, energy, data communications, and the home.

Summary of Fiscal 2021 Performance

Our fiscal 2021 net sales increased 22.6% from fiscal 2020 levels due to sales increases in the Transportation Solutions and Communications Solutions segments, and, to a lesser degree, the Industrial Solutions segment. On an organic basis, our net sales increased 18.2% in fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020. In fiscal 2020, our net sales included significant, unfavorable impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our net sales by segment were as follows:
Transportation Solutions—Our net sales increased 31.1% with sales increases in all end markets.
Industrial Solutions—Our net sales increased 3.5% primarily as a result of sales increases in the industrial equipment end market, partially offset by declines in the aerospace, defense, oil, and gas end market.
Communications Solutions—Our net sales increased 30.4% due to sales increases in both the appliances and the data and devices end markets.
During fiscal 2021, our shareholders approved a dividend payment to shareholders of $2.00 per share, payable in four equal quarterly installments of $0.50 beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 and ending in the second quarter of fiscal 2022.
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities was $2,676 million in fiscal 2021.

COVID-19 Pandemic

A novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) was first identified in China in December 2019 and subsequently declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 has surfaced in nearly all regions around the world and resulted in business slowdowns or shutdowns and travel restrictions in affected areas. The pandemic had a significant, negative impact on our sales and operating results during fiscal 2020 and continued to negatively affect certain of our businesses in fiscal 2021. We do not expect that it will continue to have a significant impact on our sales and operating results in the near term.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted and continues to impact our business operations globally, causing disruption in our suppliers’ and customers’ supply chains, some of our business locations to reduce or suspend operations, and a reduction in demand for certain products from direct customers or end markets. In addition, the pandemic had far-reaching impacts on many additional aspects of our operations, both directly and indirectly, including with respect to its impacts on customer behaviors, business and manufacturing operations, inventory, our employees, and the market generally. We assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and adjusted our operations and businesses, a number of which are operating as essential businesses, and will continue to do so if necessary. Throughout our operations, we implemented additional health and safety measures for the protection of our employees, including providing personal protective equipment, enhanced cleaning and sanitizing of our facilities, and remote working arrangements.

The extent to which the pandemic will continue to impact our business and the markets we serve will depend on future developments which may include the further spread of the virus, variant strains of the virus, and the resumption of high levels of infections and hospitalizations as well as the success of public health advancements, including vaccine production and distribution. Although we do not expect the COVID-19 pandemic to have a significant impact on our sales and operating results in the near term, it may have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations in future periods.

In response to the pandemic and resulting economic environment, we have taken and continue to focus on actions to manage costs. These include restructuring and other cost reduction initiatives, such as reducing discretionary spending,

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capital expenditures, and travel. We will continue to actively monitor the situation and may take further actions that alter our business operations as may be required by federal, state, or local authorities or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders, and the communities in which we operate.

For further discussion of the risks and uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, see “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

Outlook

In the first quarter of fiscal 2022, we expect our net sales to be approximately $3.7 billion as compared to $3.5 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. This increase is the result of sales growth in the Industrial Solutions and Communications Solutions segments, partially offset by sales declines in the Transportation Solution segment. Additional information regarding expectations for our reportable segments is as follows:

Transportation Solutions—We expect our net sales to decrease in the automotive end market as a result of declines in global automotive production. We expect content growth to partially offset the impact of the production decline. We expect our net sales to increase in the commercial transportation and sensors end markets.
Industrial Solutions—We expect our net sales increase to be driven by growth in the industrial equipment end market and, to a lesser degree, the medical and energy end markets.
Communications Solutions—We expect our net sales to increase in both the data and devices and the appliances end markets.

We expect diluted earnings per share from continuing operations to be approximately $1.50 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. This outlook reflects the negative impact of foreign currency exchange rates on net sales of approximately $19 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2021.

The above outlook is based on foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices that are consistent with current levels.

We are monitoring the current macroeconomic environment, including any continued impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, and its potential effects on our customers and the end markets we serve. We have taken actions to manage costs and will continue to closely manage our costs in line with economic conditions. Additionally, we are managing our capital resources and monitoring capital availability to ensure that we have sufficient resources to fund future capital needs. See further discussion in “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Acquisitions

During fiscal 2021, we acquired four businesses for a combined cash purchase price of $422 million, net of cash acquired. The acquisitions were reported as part of our Industrial Solutions segment from the date of acquisition.

We acquired five businesses, including First Sensor AG (“First Sensor”), for a combined cash purchase price of $336 million, net of cash acquired, during fiscal 2020. The acquisitions were reported as part of our Transportation Solutions and Industrial Solutions segments from the date of acquisition.

See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding acquisitions.

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Results of Operations

Net Sales

The following table presents our net sales and the percentage of total net sales by segment:

Fiscal

    

    

2021

    

2020

    

    

 

 

($ in millions)

Transportation Solutions

$

8,974

     

60

%  

$

6,845

     

56

%

Industrial Solutions

 

3,844

 

26

 

3,713

 

31

Communications Solutions

 

2,105

 

14

 

1,614

 

13

Total

$

14,923

 

100

%  

$

12,172

 

100

%

The following table provides an analysis of the change in our net sales by segment:

Change in Net Sales for Fiscal 2021 versus Fiscal 2020

Net Sales

Organic Net Sales

Acquisitions

    

Growth

Growth

Translation

    

(Divestitures)

    

($ in millions)

Transportation Solutions

$

2,129

    

31.1

%  

$

1,739

    

25.1

%  

$

301

$

89

Industrial Solutions

 

131

 

3.5

 

49

 

1.3

 

93

 

(11)

Communications Solutions

 

491

 

30.4

 

441

 

27.2

 

50

 

Total

$

2,751

 

22.6

%  

$

2,229

 

18.2

%  

$

444

$

78

Net sales increased $2,751 million, or 22.6%, in fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020. The increase in net sales resulted primarily from organic net sales growth of 18.2% and the positive impact of foreign currency translation of 3.6% due to the strengthening of certain foreign currencies. The significant, unfavorable impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic were included in our net sales in fiscal 2020.

See further discussion of net sales below under “Segment Results.”

Net Sales by Geographic Region. Our business operates in three geographic regions—EMEA, Asia–Pacific, and the Americas—and our results of operations are influenced by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Increases or decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar, compared to other currencies, will directly affect our reported results as we translate those currencies into U.S. dollars at the end of each fiscal period. We sell our products into approximately 140 countries, and approximately 60% of our net sales were invoiced in currencies other than the U.S. dollar in fiscal 2021. The percentage of net sales in fiscal 2021 by major currencies invoiced was as follows:

Currencies

    

Percentage

   

    

U.S. dollar

 

39

%

Euro

 

32

Chinese renminbi

 

17

Japanese yen

 

5

All others

 

7

Total

 

100

%

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The following table presents our net sales and the percentage of total net sales by geographic region:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

($ in millions)

EMEA

$

5,471

    

37

%  

$

4,220

    

35

%

Asia–Pacific

5,374

 

36

 

4,246

 

35

Americas

 

4,078

 

27

 

3,706

 

30

Total

$

14,923

 

100

%  

$

12,172

 

100

The following table provides an analysis of the change in our net sales by geographic region:

Change in Net Sales for Fiscal 2021 versus Fiscal 2020

 

Net Sales

Organic Net Sales

Acquisitions

    

Growth

Growth

Translation

    

(Divestitures)

    

($ in millions)

 

EMEA

$

1,251

    

29.6

%  

$

902

    

21.1

%  

$

278

$

71

Asia–Pacific

 

1,128

 

26.6

 

924

 

21.6

 

214

 

(10)

Americas

 

372

 

10.0

 

403

 

10.9

 

(48)

 

17

Total

$

2,751

 

22.6

%  

$

2,229

 

18.2

%  

$

444

$

78

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

The following table presents cost of sales and gross margin information:

Fiscal

 

    

2021

    

2020

    

Change

    

($ in millions)

 

Cost of sales

$

10,036

$

8,437

$

1,599

As a percentage of net sales

 

67.3

%  

 

69.3

%  

 

  

Gross margin

$

4,887

$

3,735

$

1,152

As a percentage of net sales

 

32.7

%  

 

30.7

%  

 

  

In fiscal 2021, gross margin increased $1,152 million as compared to fiscal 2020 primarily as a result of higher volume and, to a lesser degree, improved manufacturing productivity and the positive impact of foreign currency translation.

We use a wide variety of raw materials in the manufacture of our products. Cost of sales and gross margin are subject to variability in raw material prices. As markets recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, increases in consumer demand have led to shortages and price increases in some of our input materials. In fiscal 2021, we purchased approximately 200 million pounds of copper, 122,000 troy ounces of gold, 2.7 million troy ounces of silver, and 15,000 troy ounces of palladium. The following table presents the average prices incurred related to copper, gold, silver, and palladium:

Fiscal

    

Measure

    

2021

    

2020

    

Copper

 

Lb.

$

3.19

$

2.78

Gold

 

Troy oz.

 

1,690

 

1,395

Silver

Troy oz.

21.63

16.21

Palladium

 

Troy oz.

 

2,276

 

2,047

In fiscal 2022, we expect to purchase approximately 215 million pounds of copper, 135,000 troy ounces of gold, 2.9 million troy ounces of silver, and 15,000 troy ounces of palladium.

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Operating Expenses

The following table presents operating expense information:

Fiscal

 

    

2021

    

2020

    

Change

    

($ in millions)

 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

$

1,512

$

1,392

$

120

As a percentage of net sales

 

10.1

%  

 

11.4

%  

 

  

Restructuring and other charges, net

$

233

$

257

$

(24)

Impairment of goodwill

900

(900)

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses. In fiscal 2021, selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $120 million as compared to fiscal 2020 due primarily to higher incentive compensation costs due to improved operational performance, increased selling expenses to support higher sales levels, and the negative impact of foreign currency translation, partially offset by savings attributable to cost control measures and restructuring actions and gains on the sale of real estate.

Restructuring and Other Charges, Net. We are committed to continuous productivity improvements, and we evaluate opportunities to simplify our global manufacturing footprint, migrate facilities to lower-cost regions, reduce fixed costs, and eliminate excess capacity. These initiatives are designed to help us maintain our competitiveness in the industry, improve our operating leverage, and position us for future growth.

During fiscal 2021 and 2020, we initiated restructuring programs across all segments to optimize our manufacturing footprint and improve the cost structure of the organization. These actions were due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. We incurred net restructuring charges of $208 million and $257 million in fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively. Annualized cost savings related to actions initiated in fiscal 2021 are expected to be approximately $80 million and are expected to be realized by the end of fiscal 2023. Cost savings will be reflected primarily in cost of sales and selling, general, and administrative expenses. For fiscal 2022, we expect total restructuring charges to be approximately $150 million and total spending, which will be funded with cash from operations, to be approximately $200 million.

See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding net restructuring and other charges.

Impairment of Goodwill. During fiscal 2020, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $900 million related to the Sensors reporting unit in our Transportation Solutions segment. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the impairment of goodwill and our annual goodwill impairment test.

Operating Income

The following table presents operating income and operating margin information:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

Change

    

($ in millions)

Operating income

$

2,434

$

537

$

1,897

Operating margin

 

16.3

%  

 

4.4

%  

 

  

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Operating income included the following:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

(in millions)

Acquisition-related charges:

 

  

 

  

 

Acquisition and integration costs

$

31

$

36

Charges associated with the amortization of acquisition-related fair value adjustments

 

3

 

4

 

34

 

40

Restructuring and other charges, net

 

233

 

257

Impairment of goodwill

900

Total

$

267

$

1,197

See discussion of operating income below under “Segment Results.”

Non-Operating Items

The following table presents select non-operating information:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

Change

    

($ in millions)

Other income (expense), net

$

(17)

$

20

$

(37)

Income tax expense

123

783

(660)

Effective tax rate

 

5.2

%  

 

149.4

%  

 

  

Other Income (Expense). See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding net other income (expense) associated with our retirement plans, including a $28 million charge related to the transfer of certain U.S. pension plan liabilities to an insurance company through the purchase of a group annuity contract in fiscal 2021.

Income Taxes. See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of items impacting income tax expense and the effective tax rate, including valuation allowance adjustments in fiscal 2021 and 2020 and the Switzerland Federal Act on Tax Reform and AHV Financing in fiscal 2020.

The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was $2,729 million and $4,429 million at fiscal year end 2021 and 2020, respectively. See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.

As of fiscal year end 2021, certain subsidiaries had approximately $32 billion of cumulative undistributed earnings that have been retained indefinitely and reinvested in our global manufacturing operations, including working capital; property, plant, and equipment; intangible assets; and research and development activities. See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding undistributed earnings.

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Segment Results

Transportation Solutions

Net Sales. The following table presents the Transportation Solutions segment’s net sales and the percentage of total net sales by industry end market(1):

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

    

($ in millions)

Automotive

$

6,379

    

71

%  

$

4,903

    

72

%  

Commercial transportation

 

1,467

 

16

 

1,051

 

15

Sensors

 

1,128

 

13

 

891

 

13

Total

$

8,974

 

100

%  

$

6,845

 

100

%  

(1)Industry end market information is presented consistently with our internal management reporting and may be revised periodically as management deems necessary.

The following table provides an analysis of the change in the Transportation Solutions segment’s net sales by industry end market:

Change in Net Sales for Fiscal 2021 versus Fiscal 2020

 

Net Sales

Organic Net Sales

  

    

Growth

Growth

Translation

    

Acquisition

    

($ in millions)

 

Automotive

$

1,476

    

30.1

%  

$

1,243

    

25.0

%  

$

233

    

$

Commercial transportation

 

416

 

39.6

 

377

 

35.2

 

39

 

Sensors

 

237

 

26.6

 

119

 

13.4

 

29

 

89

Total

$

2,129

 

31.1

%  

$

1,739

 

25.1

%  

$

301

$

89

Net sales in the Transportation Solutions segment increased $2,129 million, or 31.1%, in fiscal 2021 from fiscal 2020 primarily as a result of organic net sales growth of 25.1% and the positive impact of foreign currency translation of 4.4%. In fiscal 2020, our net sales included significant, unfavorable impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our organic net sales by industry end market were as follows:

Automotive—Our organic net sales increased 25.0% in fiscal 2021 with increases of 28.2% in the Americas region, 24.3% in the EMEA region, and 24.2% in the Asia–Pacific region. Our organic net sales growth across all regions was attributable primarily to increases in global automotive production and content gains.
Commercial transportation—Our organic net sales increased 35.2% in fiscal 2021 with growth across all regions resulting from market growth and content gains.
Sensors—Our organic net sales increased 13.4% in fiscal 2021 as a result of strength across all markets.

Operating Income (Loss). The following table presents the Transportation Solutions segment’s operating income (loss) and operating margin information:

Fiscal

 

    

2021

    

2020

    

    

Change

    

($ in millions)

 

Operating income (loss)

$

1,526

$

(93)

$

1,619

Operating margin

 

17.0

%  

 

(1.4)

%  

 

  

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Operating income (loss) in the Transportation Solutions segment increased $1,619 million in fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020. Excluding the items below, operating income increased in fiscal 2021 primarily as a result of higher volume and, to a lesser degree, improved manufacturing productivity.

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

(in millions)

 

Acquisition-related charges:

 

  

 

  

Acquisition and integration costs

$

15

$

28

Charges associated with the amortization of acquisition-related fair value adjustments

 

3

 

4

 

18

 

32

Restructuring and other charges, net

 

135

 

113

Impairment of goodwill

900

Total

$

153

$

1,045

Industrial Solutions

Net Sales. The following table presents the Industrial Solutions segment’s net sales and the percentage of total net sales by industry end market(1):

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

    

($ in millions)

Industrial equipment

$

1,397

 

36

%  

$

1,098

 

30

%  

Aerospace, defense, oil, and gas

1,035

     

27

1,201

     

32

Energy

 

738

 

19

 

717

 

19

Medical

674

18

697

19

Total

$

3,844

 

100

%  

$

3,713

 

100

%  

(1)Industry end market information is presented consistently with our internal management reporting and may be revised periodically as management deems necessary.

The following table provides an analysis of the change in the Industrial Solutions segment’s net sales by industry end market:

Change in Net Sales for Fiscal 2021 versus Fiscal 2020

 

Net Sales

Organic Net Sales

Acquisition

    

Growth (Decline)

Growth (Decline)

Translation

    

(Divestitures)

    

($ in millions)

 

Industrial equipment

$

299

    

27.2

%  

$

253

    

22.7

%  

$

46

$

Aerospace, defense, oil, and gas

 

(166)

 

(13.8)

 

(209)

 

(17.4)

 

25

 

18

Energy

 

21

 

2.9

 

30

 

4.1

 

20

 

(29)

Medical

(23)

(3.3)

(25)

(3.6)

2

Total

$

131

 

3.5

%  

$

49

 

1.3

%  

$

93

$

(11)

In the Industrial Solutions segment, net sales increased $131 million, or 3.5%, in fiscal 2021 from fiscal 2020 due primarily to the positive impact of foreign currency translation of 2.5% and organic net sales growth of 1.3%. In fiscal 2020, our net sales included significant, unfavorable impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our organic net sales by industry end market were as follows:

Industrial equipment—Our organic net sales increased 22.7% in fiscal 2021 with growth in all regions due primarily to strength in factory automation and controls applications.
Aerospace, defense, oil, and gas—Our organic net sales decreased 17.4% in fiscal 2021 primarily as a result of declines in the commercial aerospace market.
Energy—Our organic net sales increased 4.1% in fiscal 2021 primarily as a result of strength in renewable energy applications.

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Medical—Our organic net sales decreased 3.6% in fiscal 2021 due to delays in elective procedures during the first half of fiscal 2021, partially offset by sales increases resulting from market strength in interventional medical applications in the second half of fiscal 2021.

Operating Income. The following table presents the Industrial Solutions segment’s operating income and operating margin information:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

Change

    

($ in millions)

Operating income

$

469

$

412

$

57

Operating margin

 

12.2

%  

 

11.1

%  

 

Operating income in the Industrial Solutions segment increased $57 million in fiscal 2021 from fiscal 2020. Excluding the items below, operating income increased in fiscal 2021 primarily as a result of improved manufacturing productivity.

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

(in millions)

 

Acquisition and integration costs

$

15

$

8

Restructuring and other charges, net

 

73

 

102

Total

$

88

$

110

Communications Solutions

Net Sales. The following table presents the Communications Solutions segment’s net sales and the percentage of total net sales by industry end market(1):

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

    

($ in millions)

Data and devices

$

1,198

    

57

%  

$

973

    

60

%  

Appliances

 

907

 

43

 

641

 

40

Total

$

2,105

 

100

%  

$

1,614

 

100

%  

(1)Industry end market information is presented consistently with our internal management reporting and may be revised periodically as management deems necessary.

The following table provides an analysis of the change in the Communications Solutions segment’s net sales by industry end market:

Change in Net Sales for Fiscal 2021 versus Fiscal 2020

 

Net Sales

Organic Net Sales

 

    

Growth

Growth

Translation

    

($ in millions)

 

Data and devices

$

225

    

23.1

%  

$

199

    

20.5

%  

$

26

Appliances

 

266

 

41.5

 

242

 

37.2

 

24

Total

$

491

 

30.4

%  

$

441

 

27.2

%  

$

50

Net sales in the Communications Solutions segment increased $491 million, or 30.4%, in fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020 due primarily to organic net sales growth of 27.2%. In fiscal 2020, our net sales included unfavorable impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our organic net sales by industry end market were as follows:

Data and devices—Our organic net sales increased 20.5% in fiscal 2021 as a result of market strength across all regions as well as content growth and market share gains in high-speed cloud applications.
Appliances—Our organic net sales increased 37.2% in fiscal 2021 with growth in all regions attributable primarily to increased demand and market share gains.

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Operating Income. The following table presents the Communications Solutions segment’s operating income and operating margin information:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

Change

    

($ in millions)

Operating income

$

439

$

218

$

221

Operating margin

 

20.9

%  

 

13.5

%  

 

In the Communications Solutions segment, operating income increased $221 million in fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020. Excluding the items below, operating income increased due to higher volume and, to a lesser degree, improved manufacturing productivity.

Fiscal

  

    

2021

    

2020

    

(in millions)

Acquisition and integration costs

$

1

$

Restructuring and other charges, net

25

42

Total

$

26

$

42

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our ability to fund our future capital needs will be affected by our ongoing ability to generate cash from operations and may be affected by our access to capital markets, money markets, or other sources of funding, as well as the capacity and terms of our financing arrangements. We believe that cash generated from operations and, to the extent necessary, these other sources of potential funding will be sufficient to meet our anticipated capital needs for the foreseeable future. We may use excess cash to purchase a portion of our common shares pursuant to our authorized share repurchase program, to acquire strategic businesses or product lines, to pay dividends on our common shares, or to reduce our outstanding debt. The cost or availability of future funding may be impacted by financial market conditions. We will continue to monitor financial markets and respond as necessary to changing conditions, including any developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For further information on the risks and uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, see “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors.” We believe that we have sufficient financial resources and liquidity which will enable us to meet our ongoing working capital and other cash flow needs. Subsequent to fiscal year end 2021, Tyco Electronics Group S.A. (“TEGSA”) called for the early redemption of all of its outstanding 3.50% senior notes due in February 2022, representing $500 million aggregate principal amount. The redemption, which was funded with cash from operations, was completed in November 2021.

As of fiscal year end 2021, our cash and cash equivalents were held in subsidiaries which are located in various countries throughout the world. Under current applicable laws, substantially all of these amounts can be repatriated to TEGSA, our Luxembourg subsidiary, which is the obligor of substantially all of our debt, and to TE Connectivity Ltd., our Swiss parent company; however, the repatriation of these amounts could subject us to additional tax expense. We provide for tax liabilities on the Consolidated Financial Statements with respect to amounts that we expect to repatriate; however, no tax liabilities are recorded for amounts that we consider to be retained indefinitely and reinvested in our global manufacturing operations. As of fiscal year end 2021, we had approximately $4.9 billion of cash, cash equivalents, and intercompany deposits, principally in our subsidiaries, that we have the ability to distribute to TEGSA and TE Connectivity Ltd. but we consider to be permanently reinvested. We estimate that up to $0.7 billion of tax expense would be recognized on the Consolidated Financial Statements if our intention to permanently reinvest these amounts were to change. Our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate cash, cash equivalents, and intercompany deposits that are designated as permanently reinvested in order to fund our operations, including investing and financing activities.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by continuing operating activities increased $685 million to $2,676 million in fiscal 2021 as compared to $1,991 million in fiscal 2020. The increase resulted primarily from higher pre-tax income, partially offset by higher working capital levels to support increased sales and higher tax payments. The amount of income taxes paid, net of refunds, during fiscal 2021 and 2020 was $371 million and $257 million, respectively.

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Pension contributions were $61 million and $47 million in fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively. We expect pension contributions to be $50 million in fiscal 2022, before consideration of any voluntary contributions. For additional information regarding pensions, see Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Capital expenditures were $690 million and $560 million in fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively. We expect fiscal 2022 capital spending levels to be approximately 5% of net sales. We believe our capital funding levels are adequate to support new programs, and we continue to invest in our manufacturing infrastructure to further enhance productivity and manufacturing capabilities.

During fiscal 2021, we acquired four businesses for a combined cash purchase price of $422 million, net of cash acquired. We acquired five businesses, including First Sensor, for a combined cash purchase price of $336 million, net of cash acquired, during fiscal 2020. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding acquisitions.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities and Capitalization

Total debt at fiscal year end 2021 and 2020 was $4,092 million and $4,146 million, respectively. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding debt.

During fiscal 2021, TEGSA, our wholly-owned subsidiary, issued €550 million aggregate principal amount of 0.00% senior notes due in February 2029. The notes are TEGSA’s unsecured senior obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all existing and any future senior indebtedness of TEGSA and senior to any subordinated indebtedness that TEGSA may incur.

TEGSA has a five-year unsecured senior revolving credit facility (“Credit Facility”) with total commitments of $1.5 billion. The Credit Facility contains provisions that allow for incremental commitments of up to $500 million, an option to temporarily increase the financial ratio covenant following a qualified acquisition, and borrowings in designated currencies. The Credit Facility was amended in June 2021 primarily to extend the maturity date from November 2023 to June 2026. The amended Credit Facility contains customary provisions for the replacement of London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) with successor rates and amends certain representations, warranties, and covenants applicable to us and TEGSA as obligors under the credit agreement. TEGSA had no borrowings under the Credit Facility at fiscal year end 2021 or 2020.

Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the option of TEGSA, (1) LIBOR or, upon a phase-out of LIBOR, an alternative benchmark rate, (2) an alternate base rate equal to the highest of (i) Bank of America, N.A.’s base rate, (ii) the federal funds effective rate plus 1/2 of 1%, and (iii) one-month LIBOR, or an alternative benchmark rate, plus 1%, (3) an alternative currency daily rate, or (4) an alternative currency term rate, plus, in each case, an applicable margin based upon the senior, unsecured, long-term debt rating of TEGSA. TEGSA is required to pay an annual facility fee. Based on the applicable credit ratings of TEGSA, this fee ranges from 5.0 to 12.5 basis points of the lenders’ commitments under the Credit Facility.

The Credit Facility contains a financial ratio covenant providing that if, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, our ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Facility) for the then most recently concluded period of four consecutive fiscal quarters exceeds 3.75 to 1.0, an Event of Default (as defined in the Credit Facility) is triggered. The Credit Facility and our other debt agreements contain other customary covenants. None of our covenants are presently considered restrictive to our operations. As of fiscal year end 2021, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants and believe that we will continue to be in compliance with our existing covenants for the foreseeable future.

Periodically, TEGSA issues commercial paper to U.S. institutional accredited investors and qualified institutional buyers in accordance with available exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 as part of our ongoing effort to maintain financial flexibility and to potentially decrease the cost of borrowings. Borrowings under the commercial paper program are backed by the Credit Facility. TEGSA had no borrowings under the commercial paper program at fiscal year end 2021 or 2020.

TEGSA’s payment obligations under its senior notes, commercial paper, and Credit Facility are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis by its parent, TE Connectivity Ltd.

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Payments of common share dividends to shareholders were $647 million and $625 million in fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively. See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding dividends on our common shares.

In March 2021, our shareholders approved a dividend payment to shareholders of $2.00 per share, payable in four equal quarterly installments of $0.50 per share beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 and ending in the second quarter of fiscal 2022.

Future dividends on our common shares, if any, must be approved by our shareholders. In exercising their discretion to recommend to the shareholders that such dividends be approved, our board of directors will consider our results of operations, cash requirements and surplus, financial condition, statutory requirements of applicable law, contractual restrictions, and other factors that they may deem relevant.

In fiscal 2021, our board of directors authorized an increase of $1.5 billion in our share repurchase program. We repurchased approximately 7 million of our common shares for $904 million and approximately 6 million of our common shares for $505 million under the share repurchase program during fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively. At fiscal year end 2021, we had $1.6 billion of availability remaining under our share repurchase authorization.

Summarized Guarantor Financial Information

As discussed above, our senior notes, commercial paper, and Credit Facility are issued by TEGSA and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis by TEGSA’s parent, TE Connectivity Ltd. In addition to being the issuer of our debt securities, TEGSA owns, directly or indirectly, all of our operating subsidiaries. The following tables present summarized financial information, excluding investments in and equity in earnings of our non-guarantor subsidiaries, for TE Connectivity Ltd. and TEGSA on a combined basis.

Fiscal Year End

2021

    

2020

    

(in millions)

Balance Sheet Data:

Total current assets

$

452

$

134

Total noncurrent assets(1)

 

1,829

 

3,282

Total current liabilities

 

1,144

 

1,237

Total noncurrent liabilities(2)

12,443

23,549

(1)Includes $1,810 million and $3,275 million as of fiscal year end 2021 and 2020, respectively, of intercompany loans receivable from non-guarantor subsidiaries.
(2)Includes $8,832 million and $20,016 million as of fiscal year end 2021and 2020, respectively, of intercompany loans payable to non-guarantor subsidiaries.

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

(in millions)

Statement of Operations Data:

Loss from continuing operations

$

(485)

$

(206)

Net loss

 

(479)

 

(202)

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In certain instances, we have guaranteed the performance of third parties and provided financial guarantees for uncompleted work and financial commitments. The terms of these guarantees vary with end dates ranging from fiscal 2022 through the completion of such transactions. The guarantees would be triggered in the event of nonperformance, and the potential exposure for nonperformance under the guarantees would not have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

In disposing of assets or businesses, we often provide representations, warranties, and/or indemnities to cover various risks including unknown damage to assets, environmental risks involved in the sale of real estate, liability for

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investigation and remediation of environmental contamination at waste disposal sites and manufacturing facilities, and unidentified tax liabilities and legal fees related to periods prior to disposition. We do not expect that these uncertainties will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

At fiscal year end 2021, we had outstanding letters of credit, letters of guarantee, and surety bonds of $135 million, excluding those related to our Subsea Communications (“SubCom”) business which are discussed below.

During fiscal 2019, we sold our SubCom business. In connection with the sale, we contractually agreed to continue to honor performance guarantees and letters of credit related to the SubCom business’ projects that existed as of the date of sale. These performance guarantees and letters of credit had a combined value of approximately $119 million as of fiscal year end 2021 and are expected to expire at various dates through fiscal 2025. During fiscal 2021, we amended our agreement with SubCom and removed a requirement to issue new performance guarantees for certain projects entered into by the SubCom business following the sale. As of fiscal year end 2021, there were no such new performance guarantees outstanding. We have contractual recourse against the SubCom business if we are required to perform on any SubCom guarantees; however, based on historical experience, we do not anticipate having to perform. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the divestiture of the SubCom business.

Commitments and Contingencies

The following table provides a summary of our contractual obligations and commitments for debt, minimum lease payment obligations under non-cancelable leases, and other material obligations at fiscal year end 2021:

Payments Due by Fiscal Year

 

    

Total

    

2022

    

2023

    

2024

    

2025

    

2026

    

Thereafter

    

(in millions)

 

Debt(1)

$

4,119

$

503

$

651

$

353

$

646

$

352

$

1,614

Interest payments on debt(2)

 

758

 

84

 

80

 

72

 

60

 

54

 

408

Operating leases(3)

 

468

 

118

 

104

 

83

 

63

 

40

 

60

Purchase obligations(4)

 

1,063

 

1,041

 

17

 

2

 

 

 

3

Total contractual cash obligations(5)(6)

$

6,408

$

1,746

$

852

$

510

$

769

$

446

$

2,085

(1)Debt represents principal payments. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding debt.
(2)Interest payments exclude the impact of our interest rate swap and cross-currency swap contracts. Interest payments on debt are projected for future periods using rates in effect as of fiscal year end 2021 and are subject to change in future periods.
(3)Operating leases represents the undiscounted lease payments. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding leases.
(4)Purchase obligations consist primarily of commitments for purchases of goods and services.
(5)The above table does not reflect unrecognized income tax benefits of $359 million and related accrued interest and penalties of $53 million, the timing of which is uncertain. See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding unrecognized income tax benefits, interest, and penalties.
(6)The above table does not reflect pension obligations to certain employees and former employees. We are obligated to make contributions to our pension plans; however, we are unable to determine the amount of plan contributions due to the inherent uncertainties of obligations of this type, including timing, interest rate charges, investment performance, and amounts of benefit payments. We expect to contribute $50 million to pension plans in fiscal 2022, before consideration of any voluntary contributions. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding these plans and our estimates of future contributions and benefit payments.

Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of business, we are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, including patent infringement claims, product liability matters, employment disputes, disputes on agreements, other commercial disputes, environmental matters, antitrust claims, and tax matters, including non-income tax matters such as value added tax, sales and use tax, real estate tax, and transfer tax. Although it is not feasible to predict the outcome of these proceedings, based upon

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our experience, current information, and applicable law, we do not expect that the outcome of these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

Trade Compliance Matters

We are investigating our past compliance with relevant U.S. trade controls and have made voluntary disclosures of apparent trade controls violations to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) and the U.S. State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”). We are cooperating with the BIS and DDTC on these matters, and both our internal assessment and the resulting investigations by the agencies remain ongoing. We are unable to predict the timing and final outcome of the agencies’ investigations. An unfavorable outcome may include fines or penalties imposed in response to our disclosures, but we are not yet able to reasonably estimate the extent of any such fines or penalties. While we have reserved for potential fines and penalties relating to these matters based on our current understanding of the facts, the investigations into these matters have yet to be completed and the final outcome of such investigations and related fines and penalties may differ from amounts currently reserved.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses. Our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We believe the following accounting policies are the most critical as they require significant judgments and assumptions that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Management’s estimates are based on the relevant information available at the end of each period.

Revenue Recognition

We account for revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Our revenues are generated principally from the sale of our products. Revenue is recognized as performance obligations under the terms of a contract, such as a purchase order with a customer, are satisfied; generally this occurs with the transfer of control. We transfer control and recognize revenue when we ship product to our customers, the customers accept and have legal title for the product, and we have a right to payment for such product. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those products and excludes taxes assessed by governmental authorities and collected from customers concurrent with the sale of products. Shipping and handling costs are treated as fulfillment costs and are included in cost of sales. Since we typically invoice our customers when we satisfy our performance obligations, we do not have material contract assets or contract liabilities. Our credit terms are customary and do not contain significant financing components that extend beyond one year of fulfillment of performance obligations. We apply the practical expedient of ASC 606 with respect to financing components and do not evaluate contracts in which payment is due within one year of satisfaction of the related performance obligation. Since our performance obligations to deliver products are part of contracts that generally have original durations of one year or less, we have elected to use the optional exemption to not disclose the aggregate amount of transaction prices associated with unsatisfied or partially satisfied performance obligations.

We generally warrant that our products will conform to our, or mutually agreed to, specifications and that our products will be free from material defects in materials and workmanship for a limited time. We limit our warranty to the replacement or repair of defective parts, or a refund or credit of the price of the defective product. We do not account for these warranties as separate performance obligations.

Although products are generally sold at fixed prices, certain distributors and customers receive incentives or awards, such as sales rebates, return allowances, scrap allowances, and other rights, which are accounted for as variable consideration. We estimate these amounts in the same period revenue is recognized based on the expected value to be provided to customers and reduce revenue accordingly. Our estimates of variable consideration and ultimate determination of the estimated amounts to include in the transaction price are based primarily on our assessment of anticipated performance and historical and forecasted information that is reasonably available to us.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

We account for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other.

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Intangible assets include both indeterminable-lived residual goodwill and determinable-lived identifiable intangible assets. Intangible assets with determinable lives primarily include intellectual property, consisting of patents, trademarks, and unpatented technology, and customer relationships. Recoverability estimates range from 1 to 50 years and costs are generally amortized on a straight-line basis. Evaluations of the remaining useful lives of determinable-lived intangible assets are performed on a periodic basis and when events and circumstances warrant.

We test for goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is generally an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (a “component”) if the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by segment management. At fiscal year end 2021, we had five reporting units, all of which contained goodwill. There were two reporting units in both the Transportation Solutions and Industrial Solutions segments and one reporting unit in the Communications Solutions segment. When changes occur in the composition of one or more reporting units, goodwill is reassigned to the reporting units affected based on their relative fair values. We review our reporting unit structure each year as part of our annual goodwill impairment test, or more frequently based on changes in our structure.

Goodwill impairment is evaluated by comparing the carrying value of each reporting unit to its fair value on the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter of each year or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. In assessing a potential impairment, management relies on several reporting unit-specific factors including operating results, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, transactions, and marketplace data. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and management’s judgment in applying these factors to the impairment analysis.

When testing for goodwill impairment, we identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, a goodwill impairment charge will be recorded for the amount of the excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.

Fair value estimates used in the goodwill impairment tests are calculated using an income approach based on the present value of future cash flows of each reporting unit. The income approach is supported by a guideline analysis (a market approach). These approaches incorporate several assumptions including future growth rates, discount rates, income tax rates, and market activity in assessing fair value and are reporting unit specific. Changes in economic and operating conditions impacting these assumptions could result in goodwill impairments in future periods.

See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding our interim goodwill impairment test and partial impairment charge of $900 million recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. We completed our annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 and determined that no impairment existed.

Income Taxes

In determining income for financial statement purposes, we must make certain estimates and judgments. These estimates and judgments affect the calculation of certain tax liabilities and the determination of the recoverability of certain deferred tax assets, which arise from temporary differences between the income tax return and financial statement recognition of revenue and expense.

In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets, we consider all available positive and negative evidence including our past operating results, the existence of cumulative losses in the most recent years, and our forecast of taxable income. In estimating future taxable income, we develop assumptions including the amount of pre-tax operating income in various tax jurisdictions, the reversal of temporary differences, and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment about the forecasts of taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses.

We currently have recorded significant valuation allowances that we intend to maintain until it is more likely than not the deferred tax assets will be realized. Our income tax expense recorded in the future will be reduced to the extent of decreases in our valuation allowances. The realization of our remaining deferred tax assets is dependent primarily on future taxable income in the appropriate jurisdictions. Any reduction in future taxable income including any future restructuring activities may require that we record an additional valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. An increase in the valuation allowance would result in additional income tax expense in such period and could have a significant impact on our future earnings.

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Changes in tax laws and rates also could affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities in the future. Management is not aware of any enacted changes that would have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

The calculation of our tax liabilities includes estimates for uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations across multiple global jurisdictions where we conduct our operations. Under the uncertain tax position provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes, we recognize liabilities for tax and related interest for issues in tax jurisdictions based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes and related interest will be due. These tax liabilities and related interest are reflected net of the impact of related tax loss carryforwards, as such tax loss carryforwards will be applied against these tax liabilities and will reduce the amount of cash tax payments due upon the eventual settlement with the tax authorities. These estimates may change due to changing facts and circumstances. Due to the complexity of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a settlement that differs from our current estimate of the tax liabilities and related interest. These tax liabilities and related interest are recorded in income taxes and accrued and other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Pension Plans

Our defined benefit pension plan expense and obligations are developed from actuarial assumptions. The funded status of our plans is recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation at the measurement date. The projected benefit obligation represents the actuarial present value of benefits projected to be paid upon retirement factoring in estimated future compensation levels. The fair value of plan assets represents the current market value of cumulative company and participant contributions made to irrevocable trust funds, held for the sole benefit of participants, which are invested by the trustee of the funds. The benefits under our defined benefit pension plans are based on various factors, such as years of service and compensation.

Net periodic pension benefit cost is based on the utilization of the projected unit credit method of calculation and is charged to earnings on a systematic basis over the expected average remaining service lives of current participants, or, for inactive plans, over the remaining life expectancy of participants.

Two critical assumptions in determining pension expense and obligations are the discount rate and expected long-term return on plan assets. We evaluate these assumptions at least annually. Other assumptions reflect demographic factors such as retirement, mortality, and employee turnover. These assumptions are evaluated periodically and updated to reflect our actual experience. Actual results may differ from actuarial assumptions. The discount rate represents the market rate for high-quality fixed income investments and is used to calculate the present value of the expected future cash flows for benefit obligations to be paid under our pension plans. A decrease in the discount rate increases the present value of pension benefit obligations. At fiscal year end 2021, a 25-basis-point decrease in the discount rate would have increased the present value of our pension obligations by $127 million; a 25-basis-point increase would have decreased the present value of our pension obligations by $119 million. We consider the current and expected asset allocations of our pension plans, as well as historical and expected long-term rates of return on those types of plan assets, in determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. A 50-basis-point decrease or increase in the expected long-term return on plan assets would have increased or decreased, respectively, our fiscal 2021 pension expense by $13 million.

At fiscal year end 2021, the long-term target asset allocation in our U.S. plans’ master trust is 5% return-seeking assets and 95% liability-hedging assets. Asset re-allocation to meet that target is occurring over a multi-year period based on the funded status. We expect to reach our target allocation when the funded status of the plans exceeds 115%. Based on the funded status of the plans as of fiscal year end 2021, our target asset allocation is 67% return-seeking and 33% liability-hedging.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

Organic Net Sales Growth (Decline)

We present organic net sales growth (decline) as we believe it is appropriate for investors to consider this adjusted financial measure in addition to results in accordance with GAAP. Organic net sales growth (decline) represents net sales growth (decline) (the most comparable GAAP financial measure) excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates, and acquisitions and divestitures that occurred in the preceding twelve months, if any. Organic net sales growth (decline) is a useful measure of our performance because it excludes items that are not completely under management’s control, such as the

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impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, and items that do not reflect the underlying growth of the company, such as acquisition and divestiture activity.

Organic net sales growth (decline) provides useful information about our results and the trends of our business. Management uses this measure to monitor and evaluate performance. Also, management uses this measure together with GAAP financial measures in its decision-making processes related to the operations of our reportable segments and our overall company. It is also a significant component in our incentive compensation plans. We believe that investors benefit from having access to the same financial measures that management uses in evaluating operations. The tables presented in “Results of Operations” and “Segment Results” provide reconciliations of organic net sales growth (decline) to net sales growth (decline) calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Organic net sales growth (decline) is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered a replacement for results in accordance with GAAP. This non-GAAP financial measure may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures reported by other companies. The primary limitation of this measure is that it excludes the financial impact of items that would otherwise either increase or decrease our reported results. This limitation is best addressed by using organic net sales growth (decline) in combination with net sales growth (decline) to better understand the amounts, character, and impact of any increase or decrease in reported amounts.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this Annual Report are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Forward-looking statements include, among others, the information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position, potential growth opportunities, potential operating performance improvements, acquisitions, divestitures, the effects of competition, and the effects of future legislation or regulations. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “may,” and “should,” or the negative of these terms or similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We do not have any intention or obligation to update forward-looking statements after we file this report except as required by law.

The following and other risks, which are described in greater detail in “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors,” as well as other risks described in this Annual Report, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in forward- looking statements:

conditions in the global or regional economies and global capital markets, and cyclical industry conditions;
conditions affecting demand for products in the industries we serve, particularly the automotive industry;
risk of future goodwill impairment;
competition and pricing pressure;
market acceptance of our new product introductions and product innovations and product life cycles;
raw material availability, quality, and cost;
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and impacts of offsetting hedges;
financial condition and consolidation of customers and vendors;
reliance on third-party suppliers;

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risks associated with current and future acquisitions and divestitures;
global risks of business interruptions due to natural disasters or other disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which have impacted and could continue to negatively impact our results of operations as well as customer behaviors, business, and manufacturing operations as well as our facilities and the facilities of our suppliers, and other aspects of our business;
global risks of political, economic, and military instability, including volatile and uncertain economic conditions in China;
risks associated with security breaches and other disruptions to our information technology infrastructure;
risks related to compliance with current and future environmental and other laws and regulations;
risks associated with compliance with applicable antitrust or competition laws or applicable trade regulations;
our ability to protect our intellectual property rights;
risks of litigation;
our ability to operate within the limitations imposed by our debt instruments;
the possible effects on us of various non-U.S. and U.S. legislative proposals and other initiatives that, if adopted, could materially increase our worldwide corporate effective tax rate, increase global cash taxes, and negatively impact our U.S. government contracts business;
various risks associated with being a Swiss corporation;
the impact of fluctuations in the market price of our shares; and
the impact of certain provisions of our articles of association on unsolicited takeover proposals.

There may be other risks and uncertainties that we are unable to predict at this time or that we currently do not expect to have a material adverse effect on our business.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

In the normal course of business, our financial position is routinely subject to a variety of risks, including market risks associated with interest rate and foreign currency movements on outstanding debt and non-U.S. dollar denominated assets and liabilities and commodity price movements. We utilize established risk management policies and procedures in executing derivative financial instrument transactions to manage a portion of these risks.

We do not execute transactions or hold derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Substantially all counterparties to derivative financial instruments are limited to major financial institutions with at least an A/A2 credit rating. There is no significant concentration of exposures with any one counterparty.

Foreign Currency Exposures

As part of managing the exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, we utilize cross-currency swap contracts and foreign currency forward contracts, a portion of which are designated as cash flow hedges. The objective of these contracts is to minimize impacts to cash flows and profitability due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany and other cash transactions. In addition, we utilize cross-currency swap contracts to hedge our net investment in certain foreign operations. A 10% appreciation or depreciation of the underlying currency in our cross-currency swap contracts or foreign currency forward contracts from the fiscal year end 2021 market rates would have changed the unrealized value of our contracts by $240 million. A 10% appreciation or depreciation of the underlying currency in our cross-currency swap contracts or foreign currency forward contracts from the fiscal year end 2020 market rates would have changed the

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unrealized value of our contracts by $265 million. Such gains or losses on these contracts would generally be offset by the losses or gains on the revaluation or settlement of the underlying transactions.

Interest Rate and Investment Exposures

We issue debt, as needed, to fund our operations and capital requirements. Such borrowings can result in interest rate exposure. To manage the interest rate exposure, we use interest rate swap contracts to convert a portion of fixed rate debt into variable rate debt. Based on our floating rate debt balance at fiscal year end 2020, a 50-basis-point increase in the levels of the U.S. dollar interest rates, with all other variables held constant, would have resulted in an immaterial increase in interest expense in fiscal 2020. There was no floating rate debt outstanding at fiscal year end 2021.

We may use forward starting interest rate swap contracts to manage interest rate exposure in periods prior to the anticipated issuance of fixed rate debt. At fiscal year end 2021 and 2020, we had forward starting interest rate swap contracts which had an aggregate notional value of $450 million and were designated as cash flow hedges.

We utilize investment swap contracts to manage earnings exposure on certain nonqualified deferred compensation liabilities.

Commodity Exposures

Our worldwide operations and product lines may expose us to risks from fluctuations in commodity prices. To limit the effects of fluctuations in the future market price paid and related volatility in cash flows, we utilize commodity swap contracts designated as cash flow hedges. We continually evaluate the commodity market with respect to our forecasted usage requirements over the next eighteen months and periodically enter into commodity swap contracts to hedge a portion of usage requirements over that period. At fiscal year end 2021, our commodity hedges, which related to expected purchases of gold, silver, copper, and palladium, were in a net gain position of $1 million and had a notional value of $512 million. At fiscal year end 2020, our commodity hedges, which related to expected purchases of gold, silver, copper, and palladium, were in a net gain position of $41 million and had a notional value of $312 million. A 10% appreciation or depreciation of commodity prices from the fiscal year end 2021 prices would have changed the unrealized value of our forward contracts by $51 million. A 10% appreciation or depreciation of commodity prices from the fiscal year end 2020 prices would have changed the unrealized value of our forward contracts by $35 million.

See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding financial instruments.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The following Consolidated Financial Statements and schedule specified by this Item, together with the reports thereon of Deloitte & Touche LLP, are presented following Item 15 and the signature pages of this report:

Financial Statements:

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Fiscal Years Ended September 24, 2021, September 25, 2020, and September 27, 2019

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Fiscal Years Ended September 24, 2021, September 25, 2020, and September 27, 2019

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 24, 2021 and September 25, 2020

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Fiscal Years Ended September 24, 2021, September 25, 2020, and September 27, 2019

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended September 24, 2021, September 25, 2020, and September 27, 2019

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Financial Statement Schedule:

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

All other financial statements and schedules have been omitted since the information required to be submitted has been included on the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes or because they are either not applicable or not required under the rules of Regulation S-X.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of September 24, 2021. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 24, 2021.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 24, 2021.

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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies and procedures may deteriorate.

Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting as of September 24, 2021, which is included in this Annual Report.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the quarter ended September 24, 2021, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

Not Applicable.

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PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information concerning directors, executive officers, and corporate governance may be found under the captions “Agenda Item No. 1—Election of Directors,” “Nominees for Election,” “Corporate Governance,” “The Board of Directors and Board Committees,” and “Executive Officers” in our definitive proxy statement for our 2022 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the “2022 Proxy Statement”), which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the close of our fiscal year. Such information is incorporated herein by reference. The information in the 2022 Proxy Statement under the caption “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” is incorporated herein by reference.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a guide to ethical conduct, which applies to all employees, officers, and directors. Our Guide to Ethical Conduct meets the requirements of a “code of ethics” as defined by Item 406 of Regulation S-K and applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer, as well as all other employees and directors. Our Guide to Ethical Conduct also meets the requirements of a code of business conduct and ethics under the listing standards of the NYSE. Our Guide to Ethical Conduct is posted on our website at www.te.com under the heading “Corporate Responsibility—Disclosures.” We also will provide a copy of our Guide to Ethical Conduct to shareholders upon request. We intend to disclose any amendments to our Guide to Ethical Conduct, as well as any waivers for executive officers or directors, on our website.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information concerning executive compensation may be found under the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Management Development and Compensation Committee Report,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Executive Officer Compensation,” and “Compensation of Non-Employee Directors” in our 2022 Proxy Statement. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information in our 2022 Proxy Statement under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” is incorporated herein by reference.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information as of fiscal year end 2021 with respect to common shares issuable under our equity compensation plans:

Number of securities

remaining available for

Number of securities

future issuance under

to be issued upon

Weightedaverage

equity compensation

exercise of outstanding

exercise price of

plans (excluding

options, warrants

outstanding options,

securities reflected

and rights

warrants and rights

in column (a))

Plan Category

    

(a)

    

(b)(3)

    

(c)(4)

    

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)

6,330,436

$

89.04

17,581,095

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(2)

945,520

 

79.81

Total

7,275,956

 

  

17,581,095

(1)Includes securities issuable upon exercise of outstanding options and rights under the TE Connectivity Ltd. 2007 Stock and Incentive Plan, amended and restated as of September 17, 2020 (the “2007 Plan”), and the Tyco Electronics Limited Savings Related Share Plan. The 2007 Plan provides for the award of annual performance bonuses and long-term performance awards, including share options; restricted, performance, and deferred share units; and other share-based awards (collectively, “Awards”) to board members, officers, and non-officer employees. The 2007 Plan provides for a maximum of 69,843,452 common shares to be issued as Awards, subject to adjustment as provided under the terms of the 2007 Plan.

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(2)In connection with an acquisition in fiscal 2011, we assumed equity awards issued under plans sponsored by the acquired business and the remaining pool of shares available for grant under the plans. Subsequent to the acquisition, we registered 6,764,455 shares related to the plans via Forms S-3 and S-8. Those plans have since expired, and no additional grants will be made from them. Previously granted awards under the plans will continue to be settled in TE Connectivity common shares.
(3)Does not take into account restricted, performance, or deferred share unit awards that do not have exercise prices.
(4)Includes securities remaining available for future issuance under the 2007 Plan, the Tyco Electronics Limited Savings Related Plan, and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The 2007 Plan applies a weighting of 1.80 to outstanding nonvested restricted, performance, deferred share units, and other share-based awards. The remaining shares issuable under the 2007 Plan and the Tyco Electronics Limited Savings Plan are increased by forfeitures and cancellations, among other factors. Amounts include 912,437 shares remaining available for issuance under our Tyco Electronics Limited Savings Related Share Plan and 4,178,752 shares remaining available for issuance under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information in our 2022 Proxy Statement under the captions “Corporate Governance,” “The Board of Directors and Board Committees,” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information in our 2022 Proxy Statement under the caption “Agenda Item No. 7—Election of Auditors—Agenda Item No. 7.1” is incorporated herein by reference.

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PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)1.Financial Statements. See Item 8.

2.

Financial Statement Schedule. See Item 8.

3.

Exhibit Index:

Exhibit

Incorporated by Reference Herein

Number

    

Description

    

Form

    

Exhibit

    

Filing Date

2.1

Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 16, 2018, by and between Tyco Electronics Group S.A. and Crown Subsea AcquisitionCo LLC(1)

Current Report on Form 8-K

2.1

September 17, 2018

3.1

Articles of Association of TE Connectivity Ltd., as amended and restated

Current Report on Form 8-K

3.1

May 20, 2021

3.2

Organizational Regulations of TE Connectivity Ltd., as amended and restated

Current Report on Form 8-K

3.2

March 6, 2015

4.1

*

Description of Registrant’s Securities

4.2(a)

Indenture among Tyco Electronics Group S.A., Tyco Electronics Ltd. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, dated as of September 25, 2007

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2007

4.1(a)

December 14, 2007

4.2(b)

Third Supplemental Indenture among Tyco Electronics Group S.A., Tyco Electronics Ltd. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, dated as of September 25, 2007

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2007

4.1(d)

December 14, 2007

4.2(c)

Tenth Supplemental Indenture among Tyco Electronics Group S.A., TE Connectivity Ltd. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, dated as of July 31, 2014

Current Report on Form 8-K

4.2

July 31, 2014

4.2(d)

Twelfth Supplemental Indenture among Tyco Electronics Group S.A., TE Connectivity Ltd. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, dated as of February 27, 2015

Current Report on Form 8-K

4.1

February 27, 2015

4.2(e)

Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture among Tyco Electronics Group S.A., as issuer, TE Connectivity Ltd., as guarantor, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, dated as of January 28, 2016

Current Report on Form 8-K

4.1

January 28, 2016

4.2(f)

Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture among Tyco Electronics Group S.A., as issuer, TE Connectivity Ltd., as guarantor, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, dated as of August 3, 2017

Current Report on Form 8-K

4.2

August 3, 2017

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Exhibit

Incorporated by Reference Herein

Number

    

Description

    

Form

    

Exhibit

    

Filing Date

4.2(g)

Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture among Tyco Electronics Group S.A., as issuer, TE Connectivity Ltd., as guarantor, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, dated February 14, 2020

Current Report on Form 8-K

4.1

February 14, 2020

4.2(h)

Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture among Tyco Electronics Group S.A., as issuer, TE Connectivity Ltd., as guarantor, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, dated February 16, 2021

Current Report on Form 8-K

4.1

February 16, 2021

10.1

Amended and Restated Five-Year Senior Credit Agreement dated as of November 14, 2018 among Tyco Electronics Group S.A., as borrower, TE Connectivity Ltd., as guarantor, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent

Current Report on Form 8-K

10.1

November 14, 2018

10.2

First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2021, by and among Tyco Electronics Group S.A., as borrower, TE Connectivity Ltd., as parent guarantor, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent

Current Report on Form 8-K

10.1

June 1, 2021

10.3

‡*

TE Connectivity Ltd. Annual Incentive Plan (as amended and restated)

10.4

‡*

TE Connectivity Ltd. 2007 Stock and Incentive Plan (amended and restated as of September 17, 2020)

10.5

‡*

TE Connectivity Ltd. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (amended and restated as of September 22, 2021)

10.6

Form of Option Award Terms and Conditions

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 24, 2010

10.3

January 24, 2011

10.7

Form of Option Award Terms and Conditions for Option Grants Beginning in November 2017

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2017

10.8

November 14, 2017

10.8

Form of Option Award Terms and Conditions for Option Grants Beginning in November 2019

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2019

10.8

November 12, 2019

10.9

Form of Option Award Terms and Conditions for Option Grants beginning in November 2020

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 25, 2020

10.1

January 28, 2021

10.10

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms and Conditions for RSU Grants Beginning in November 2017

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2017

10.10

November 14, 2017

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Exhibit

Incorporated by Reference Herein

Number

    

Description

    

Form

    

Exhibit

    

Filing Date

10.11

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms and Conditions for RSU Grants Beginning in November 2019

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2019

10.11

November 12, 2019

10.12

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms and Conditions for RSU Grants Beginning in November 2020

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 25, 2020

10.2

January 28, 2021

10.13

Form of Performance Stock Unit Award Terms and Conditions for Performance Cycles Starting in and After Fiscal Year 2018

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2017

10.13

November 14, 2017

10.14

Form of Performance Stock Unit Award Terms and Conditions for Performance Cycles Starting in and After Fiscal Year 2019

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2019

10.15

November 12, 2019

10.15

Form of Performance Stock Unit Award Terms and Conditions for Performance Cycles Starting in and After Fiscal Year 2021

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 25, 2020

10.3

January 28, 2021

10.16

TE Connectivity Change in Control Severance Plan for Certain U.S. Executives (amended and restated as of December 17, 2014)

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 25, 2015

10.10

November 10, 2015

10.17

TE Connectivity Severance Plan for U.S. Executives (amended and restated as of September 13, 2018)

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2018

10.15

November 13, 2018

10.18

Tyco Electronics Ltd. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2007

10.16

December 14, 2007

10.19

‡*

TE Connectivity Supplemental Savings and Retirement Plan (amended and restated as of January 1, 2021)

10.20

TE Connectivity Ltd. Savings Related Share Plan (amended and restated as of March 14, 2018)

Current Report on Form 8-K

10.1

March 14, 2018

10.21

Form of Indemnification Agreement

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016

10.17

November 15, 2016

10.22

TE Connectivity Ltd. 2010 Stock and Incentive Plan (amended and restated as of March 9, 2017)

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2017

10.20

November 14, 2017

10.23

Employment Agreement between Terrence R. Curtin and Tyco Electronics Corporation dated December 15, 2015

Current Report on Form 8-K

10.2

December 16, 2015

10.24

Employment Agreement between Steven T. Merkt and Tyco Electronics Corporation dated December 15, 2015

Current Report on Form 8-K

10.6

December 16, 2015

48

Table of Contents

Exhibit

Incorporated by Reference Herein

Number

    

Description

    

Form

    

Exhibit

    

Filing Date

10.25

Employment Agreement between Heath A. Mitts and Tyco Electronics Corporation dated September 30, 2016

Current Report on Form 8-K

10.1

October 3, 2016

10.26

Employment Agreement between John S. Jenkins and Tyco Electronics Corporation dated December 15, 2015

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 29, 2017

10.1

January 24, 2018

10.27

Employment Agreement between Shad Kroeger and TE Connectivity Corporation dated February 23, 2018

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 25, 2020

10.4

January 28, 2021

10.28

Credit Support Agreement dated November 2, 2018 by and between Tyco Electronics Group S.A. and Crown Subsea Communications Holding, Inc.

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2019

10.28

November 12, 2019

21.1

*

Subsidiaries of TE Connectivity Ltd.

22.1

*

Guaranteed Securities

23.1

*

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

24.1

*

Power of Attorney

31.1

*

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

*

Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

**

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance Document(2)(3)

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document(3)

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document(3)

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document(3)

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document(3)

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document(3)

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File(4)

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

*

Filed herewith

**

Furnished herewith

49

Table of Contents

(1)The schedules to the Stock Purchase Agreement have been omitted from this filing pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. We will furnish copies of such schedules to the SEC upon its request; provided, however, that we may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Exchange Act for any schedule so furnished.
(2)Submitted electronically with this report in accordance with the provisions of Regulation S-T
(3)The instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
(4)Formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in exhibit 101

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

50

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

TE CONNECTIVITY LTD.

By:

/s/ Heath A. Mitts

Heath A. Mitts

Executive Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

Date: November 9, 2021

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

    

Title

    

Date

/s/ Terrence R. Curtin

Chief Executive Officer and Director

November 9, 2021

Terrence R. Curtin

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Heath A. Mitts

Executive Vice President,

Heath A. Mitts

Chief Financial Officer, and Director

November 9, 2021

(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Robert J. Ott

Senior Vice President and

Robert J. Ott

Corporate Controller

November 9, 2021

(Principal Accounting Officer)

*

Director

November 9, 2021

Pierre R. Brondeau

*

Director

November 9, 2021

Carol A. Davidson

*

Director

November 9, 2021

Lynn A. Dugle

*

Director

November 9, 2021

William A. Jeffrey

*

Director

November 9, 2021

Thomas J. Lynch

*

Director

November 9, 2021

Yong Nam

*

Director

November 9, 2021

Daniel J. Phelan

*

Director

November 9, 2021

Abhijit Y. Talwalkar

51

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Signature

    

Title

    

Date

*

Director

November 9, 2021

Mark C. Trudeau

*

Director

November 9, 2021

Dawn C. Willoughby

*

Director

November 9, 2021

Laura H. Wright

*

John S. Jenkins, Jr., by signing his name hereto, does sign this document on behalf of the above noted individuals, pursuant to powers of attorney duly executed by such individuals, which have been filed as Exhibit 24.1 to this Report.

By:

/s/ John S. Jenkins, Jr.

John S. Jenkins, Jr.

Attorney-in-fact

52

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TE CONNECTIVITY LTD.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

54

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Fiscal Years Ended September 24, 2021, September 25, 2020, and September 27, 2019

58

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Fiscal Years Ended September 24, 2021, September 25, 2020, and September 27, 2019

59

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 24, 2021 and September 25, 2020

60

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Fiscal Years Ended September 24, 2021, September 25, 2020, and September 27, 2019

61

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended September 24, 2021, September 25, 2020, and September 27, 2019

62

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

63

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

102

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of TE Connectivity Ltd.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of TE Connectivity Ltd. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of September 24, 2021 and September 25, 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended September 24, 2021, and the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 24, 2021 and September 25, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 24, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of September 24, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated November 9, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, effective September 28, 2019, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 which codified Accounting Standards Codification 842, Leases, using the modified retrospective approach.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

54

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Goodwill —Sensors Reporting Unit within the Transportation Solutions Reportable Segment — Refer to Notes 2 and 8 to the financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company’s evaluation of goodwill for impairment involves comparing the carrying amount of each reporting unit to its fair value on the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter or whenever the Company believes an event or other change in reporting unit structure requiring a more frequent assessment has occurred. The Company uses the income approach based on the present value of future cash flows to estimate fair value. The income approach is supported by guideline analyses (a market approach). These approaches incorporate several assumptions including future growth rates, discount rates, and market activity in assessing fair value and are reporting unit specific. The goodwill balance was $5.6 billion as of September 24, 2021, of which $0.3 billion was allocated to the Sensors reporting unit within the Transportation Solutions reportable segment. The fair value of this reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount, therefore, no impairment was recognized.

We identified goodwill for the Sensors reporting unit as a critical audit matter because of the significant judgments made by management to estimate its fair value, especially considering the partial impairment charge recorded in the prior fiscal year and future revenue growth rates were based on an expectation of an increase in net sales in a product portfolio with limited available third-party industry reports. This required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our fair value specialists, when performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s estimates and assumptions related to forecasts of future revenue and operating margin and the selection of discount rates.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to the forecasts of future revenue and operating margin (the “forecasts”), and the selection of discount rates for the Sensors reporting unit included the following, among others:

We tested the effectiveness of controls over management’s goodwill impairment evaluation, including those over the determination of the fair value, such as controls related to forecasts and management’s selection of discount rates.
We evaluated management’s ability to accurately forecast future revenue and operating margin by comparing actual results to management’s historical forecasts.
We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s forecasts by comparing the forecasts to:
Historical operating results of the reporting unit.
Historical operating results of the Company’s other reporting units.
Internal communications to management and the board of directors.
External communications made by management to analysts and investors.
Third-party industry reports for similar products.
With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the reasonableness of the (1) valuation methodology and (2) discount rates by:
Testing the source information underlying the determination of the discount rates and the mathematical accuracy of the calculations.
Developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to the discount rates selected by management.

Income Taxes — Realizability of Deferred Tax Assets — Refer to Notes 2 and 16 to the financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company recognizes deferred income taxes for temporary differences between the amount of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting and tax purposes. A valuation allowance is provided to offset deferred tax assets if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Future realization of deferred tax assets depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character prior to expiration. Sources of taxable income include future reversals of deferred tax assets and liabilities, expected future taxable income, taxable income in prior carryback years if permitted under the tax law, and tax planning strategies.

55

Table of Contents

Management has determined that it is more likely than not that sufficient taxable income will be generated in the future to realize a portion of its deferred tax assets, and therefore, a valuation allowance of $2.7 billion has been recorded to offset the Company’s gross deferred tax assets as of September 24, 2021 of $5.3 billion.

We identified the realizability of deferred tax assets as a critical audit matter because of the Company’s tax structure and the significant judgments and estimates made by management to determine that sufficient taxable income will be generated in the future prior to expiration to realize a portion of its deferred tax assets. This required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our income tax specialists, when performing audit procedures to evaluate the appropriateness of qualifying tax planning strategies and the reasonableness of management’s estimates of taxable income prior to expiration.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to the determination that it is more likely than not that sufficient taxable income will be generated in the future to realize deferred tax assets included the following, among others:

We tested the effectiveness of controls over management’s estimates of the realization of the deferred tax assets, including those over the estimates of taxable income, the approval of tax planning strategies and the determination of whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized prior to expiration.
We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s assessment of the significance and weighting of negative evidence and positive evidence that is objectively verifiable.
We evaluated management’s ability to accurately estimate taxable income by comparing actual results to management’s historical estimates and evaluating whether there have been any changes that would impact management’s ability to continue accurately estimating taxable income.
We tested the reasonableness of management’s estimates of taxable income by comparing the estimates to:
Historical taxable income.
Internal communications to management and the board of directors.
Management’s history of carrying out its stated plans and its ability to carry out its plans considering contractual commitments, available financing, or debt covenants.
We evaluated whether the estimates of future taxable income were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.
We evaluated whether the taxable income in prior carryback years was of the appropriate character and available under the tax law.
With the assistance of our income tax and other specialists, we evaluated (1) the appropriateness of qualifying tax planning strategies, including that they were prudent, feasible and would more likely than not result in the realization of deferred tax assets and (2) management’s assessment that sufficient taxable income will be generated in the future to realize a portion of the deferred tax assets prior to expiration.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

November 9, 2021

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2007.

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Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of TE Connectivity Ltd.

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of TE Connectivity Ltd. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 24, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 24, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended September 24, 2021, of the Company and our report dated November 9, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

November 9, 2021

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TE CONNECTIVITY LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Fiscal Years Ended September 24, 2021, September 25, 2020, and September 27, 2019

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions, except per share data)

Net sales

$

14,923

$

12,172

$

13,448

Cost of sales

 

10,036

 

8,437

 

9,054

Gross margin

 

4,887

 

3,735

 

4,394

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

1,512

1,392

1,490

Research, development, and engineering expenses

677

613

644

Acquisition and integration costs

31

36

27

Restructuring and other charges, net

233

257

255

Impairment of goodwill

900

Operating income

2,434

537

1,978

Interest income

17

15

19

Interest expense

(56)

(48)

(68)

Other income (expense), net

(17)

20

2

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

2,378

 

524

 

1,931

Income tax (expense) benefit

(123)

(783)

15

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

2,255

 

(259)

 

1,946

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

6

18

(102)

Net income (loss)

2,261

(241)

1,844

Basic earnings (loss) per share:

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

6.83

$

(0.78)

$

5.76

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

0.02

 

0.05

 

(0.30)

Net income (loss)

 

6.85

 

(0.73)

 

5.46

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

6.77

$

(0.78)

$

5.72

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

0.02

 

0.05

 

(0.30)

Net income (loss)

 

6.79

 

(0.73)

 

5.42

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:

Basic

330

332

338

Diluted

333

332

340

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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TE CONNECTIVITY LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Fiscal Years Ended September 24, 2021, September 25, 2020, and September 27, 2019

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

Net income (loss)

$

2,261

$

(241)

$

1,844

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Currency translation

 

144

 

(11)

 

(48)

Adjustments to unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit costs, net of income taxes

 

138

 

34

 

(195)

Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of income taxes

 

(3)

 

40

 

46

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

279

 

63

 

(197)

Comprehensive income (loss)

2,540

(178)

1,647

Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

(2)

(5)

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to TE Connectivity Ltd.

$

2,538

$

(183)

$

1,647

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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TE CONNECTIVITY LTD.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of September 24, 2021 and September 25, 2020

Fiscal Year End

    

2021

    

2020

    

(in millions, except

share data)

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

1,203

$

945

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $41 and $29, respectively

 

2,928

 

2,377

Inventories

 

2,511

 

1,950

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

621

 

512

Total current assets

 

7,263

 

5,784

Property, plant, and equipment, net

 

3,778

 

3,650

Goodwill

 

5,590

 

5,224

Intangible assets, net

 

1,549

 

1,593

Deferred income taxes

 

2,499

 

2,178

Other assets

 

783

 

813

Total assets

$

21,462

$

19,242

Liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, and shareholders' equity

Current liabilities:

Short-term debt

$

503

$

694

Accounts payable

 

1,911

 

1,276

Accrued and other current liabilities

 

2,242

 

1,720

Total current liabilities

 

4,656

 

3,690

Long-term debt

 

3,589

 

3,452

Long-term pension and postretirement liabilities

 

1,139

 

1,336

Deferred income taxes

 

181

 

143

Income taxes

 

302

 

252

Other liabilities

 

847

 

874

Total liabilities

 

10,714

 

9,747

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

114

112

Shareholders' equity:

Common shares, CHF 0.57 par value, 336,099,881 shares authorized and issued, and 338,953,381 shares authorized and issued, respectively

 

148

 

149

Accumulated earnings

 

11,709

 

10,348

Treasury shares, at cost, 9,060,919 and 8,295,878 shares, respectively

 

(1,055)

 

(669)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(168)

 

(445)

Total shareholders' equity

 

10,634

 

9,383

Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests, and shareholders' equity

$

21,462

$

19,242

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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TE CONNECTIVITY LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Fiscal Years Ended September 24, 2021, September 25, 2020, and September 27, 2019

Accumulated

Other

Total

Common Shares

Treasury Shares

Contributed

Accumulated

Comprehensive

Shareholders'

    

Shares

    

Amount

    

Shares

    

Amount

    

Surplus

    

Earnings

    

Income (Loss)

    

Equity

    

(in millions)

Balance at fiscal year end 2018

 

357

$

157

 

(12)

$

(1,134)

$

$

12,114

$

(306)

$

10,831

Adoption of ASU No. 2016-16

(443)

(443)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,844

 

 

1,844

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(197)

 

(197)

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

75

 

 

 

75

Dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

(613)

 

 

(613)

Exercise of share options

 

 

 

1

 

85

 

 

 

 

85

Restricted share award vestings and other activity

 

 

 

1

 

154

 

(75)

 

(77)

 

 

2

Repurchase of common shares

 

 

 

(12)

 

(1,014)

 

 

 

 

(1,014)

Cancellation of treasury shares

 

(6)

(3)

6

572

(569)

 

Balance at fiscal year end 2019

 

351

$

154

 

(16)

$

(1,337)

$

$

12,256

$

(503)

$

10,570

Net loss

 

(241)

 

(241)

Other comprehensive income

 

58

 

58

Share-based compensation expense

 

74

 

74

Dividends

 

(634)

 

(634)

Exercise of share options

 

1

55

 

55

Restricted share award vestings and other activity

 

1

143

(74)

(63)

 

6

Repurchase of common shares

 

(6)

(505)

 

(505)

Cancellation of treasury shares

 

(12)

(5)

12

975

(970)

 

Balance at fiscal year end 2020

339

$

149

 

(8)

$

(669)

$

$

10,348

$

(445)

$

9,383

Net income

2,261

2,261

Other comprehensive income

277

277

Share-based compensation expense

94

94

Dividends

(656)

(656)

Exercise of share options

2

167

167

Restricted share award vestings and other activity

1

89

(94)

17

12

Repurchase of common shares

(7)

(904)

(904)

Cancellation of treasury shares

(3)

(1)

3

262

(261)

Balance at fiscal year end 2021

 

336

$

148

 

(9)

$

(1,055)

$

$

11,709

$

(168)

$

10,634

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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TE CONNECTIVITY LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Fiscal Years Ended September 24, 2021, September 25, 2020, and September 27, 2019

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income (loss)

$

2,261

$

(241)

$

1,844

(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

 

(6)

 

(18)

 

102

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

2,255

 

(259)

 

1,946

Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

Impairment of goodwill

900

Depreciation and amortization

 

769

 

711

 

690

Deferred income taxes

 

(354)

 

535

 

(218)

Non-cash lease cost

120

108

Provision for losses on accounts receivable and inventories

 

46

 

14

 

43

Share-based compensation expense

 

94

 

74

 

75

Other

 

(61)

 

54

 

51

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions and divestitures:

Accounts receivable, net

 

(518)

 

(63)

 

31

Inventories

 

(556)

 

(89)

 

64

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(19)

 

51

 

144

Accounts payable

 

560

 

(80)

 

(178)

Accrued and other current liabilities

 

173

 

(99)

 

(15)

Income taxes

 

106

 

(9)

 

(135)

Other

 

61

 

143

 

(44)

Net cash provided by continuing operating activities

 

2,676

 

1,991

 

2,454

Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operating activities

 

 

1

 

(32)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

2,676

 

1,992

 

2,422

Cash flows from investing activities:

Capital expenditures

 

(690)

 

(560)

 

(749)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment

 

86

 

17

 

43

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

 

(423)

 

(339)

 

(283)

Proceeds from divestiture of discontinued operation, net of cash retained by sold operation

297

Other

 

(10)

 

17

 

2

Net cash used in continuing investing activities

(1,037)

(865)

(690)

Net cash used in discontinued investing activities

(2)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(1,037)

 

(865)

 

(692)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Net decrease in commercial paper

 

 

(219)

 

(51)

Proceeds from issuance of debt

 

661

 

593

 

746

Repayment of debt

 

(708)

 

(352)

 

(691)

Proceeds from exercise of share options

 

167

 

55

 

85

Repurchase of common shares

 

(831)

 

(523)

 

(1,091)

Payment of common share dividends to shareholders

 

(647)

 

(625)

 

(608)

Transfers (to) from discontinued operations

1

(34)

Other

 

(28)

 

(34)

 

(33)

Net cash used in continuing financing activities

 

(1,386)

 

(1,104)

 

(1,677)

Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued financing activities

 

 

(1)

 

34

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(1,386)

 

(1,105)

 

(1,643)

Effect of currency translation on cash

 

5

 

(4)

 

(8)

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

 

258

 

18

 

79

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of fiscal year

 

945

 

927

 

848

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of fiscal year

$

1,203

$

945

$

927

Supplemental cash flow information:

Interest paid on debt, net

$

58

$

50

$

75

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

 

371

 

257

 

338

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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TE CONNECTIVITY LTD.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of Presentation

The Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the consolidated operations of TE Connectivity Ltd. and its subsidiaries and have been prepared in United States (“U.S.”) dollars in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”).

Description of the Business

TE Connectivity Ltd. (“TE Connectivity” or the “Company,” which may be referred to as “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a global industrial technology leader creating a safer, sustainable, productive, and connected future. Our broad range of connectivity and sensor solutions, proven in the harshest environments, enable advancements in transportation, industrial applications, medical technology, energy, data communications, and the home.

We operate through three reportable segments:

Transportation Solutions—The Transportation Solutions segment is a leader in connectivity and sensor technologies. Our products, which must withstand harsh conditions, are used in the automotive, commercial transportation, and sensors markets.
Industrial Solutions—The Industrial Solutions segment is a leading supplier of products that connect and distribute power, data, and signals. Our products are used in the industrial equipment; aerospace, defense, oil, and gas; energy; and medical markets.
Communications Solutions—The Communications Solutions segment is a leading supplier of electronic components for the data and devices and the appliances markets.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Fiscal Year

We have a 52- or 53-week fiscal year that ends on the last Friday of September. Fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 were each 52 weeks in length and ended on September 24, 2021, September 25, 2020, and September 27, 2019, respectively. For fiscal years in which there are 53 weeks, the fourth fiscal quarter includes 14 weeks, with the next such occurrence taking place in fiscal 2022.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

We consolidate entities in which we own or control more than 50% of the voting shares or otherwise control through similar rights. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The results of companies acquired or disposed of are included on the Consolidated Financial Statements from the effective date of acquisition or up to the date of disposal.

Revenue Recognition

We account for revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which is a single, comprehensive, five-step revenue recognition model. Our revenues are generated principally from the sale of our products. Revenue is recognized as performance obligations under the terms of a contract, such as a purchase order with a customer, are satisfied; generally this occurs with the transfer of control. We transfer control and recognize revenue when we ship product to our customers, the customers accept and have legal title for the

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

product, and we have a right to payment for such product. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those products and excludes taxes assessed by governmental authorities and collected from customers concurrent with the sale of products. Shipping and handling costs are treated as fulfillment costs and are included in cost of sales. Since we typically invoice our customers when we satisfy our performance obligations, we do not have material contract assets or contract liabilities. Our credit terms are customary and do not contain significant financing components that extend beyond one year of fulfillment of performance obligations. We apply the practical expedient of ASC 606 with respect to financing components and do not evaluate contracts in which payment is due within one year of satisfaction of the related performance obligation. Since our performance obligations to deliver products are part of contracts that generally have original durations of one year or less, we have elected to use the optional exemption to not disclose the aggregate amount of transaction prices associated with unsatisfied or partially satisfied performance obligations. See Note 21 for net sales disaggregated by industry end market and geographic region which is summarized by segment and that we consider meaningful to depict the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows affected by economic factors.

We generally warrant that our products will conform to our, or mutually agreed to, specifications and that our products will be free from material defects in materials and workmanship for a limited time. We limit our warranty to the replacement or repair of defective parts, or a refund or credit of the price of the defective product. We do not account for these warranties as separate performance obligations.

Although products are generally sold at fixed prices, certain distributors and customers receive incentives or awards, such as sales rebates, return allowances, scrap allowances, and other rights, which are accounted for as variable consideration. We estimate these amounts in the same period revenue is recognized based on the expected value to be provided to customers and reduce revenue accordingly. Our estimates of variable consideration and ultimate determination of the estimated amounts to include in the transaction price are based primarily on our assessment of anticipated performance and historical and forecasted information that is reasonably available to us.

Inventories

Inventories are recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the first-in, first-out cost method.

Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net

Property, plant, and equipment is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repair expenditures are charged to expense when incurred. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are 10 to 20 years for land improvements, 5 to 40 years for buildings and improvements, and 1 to 15 years for machinery and equipment.

We periodically evaluate, when events and circumstances warrant, the net realizable value of property, plant, and equipment and other long-lived assets, relying on several factors including operating results, business plans, economic projections, and anticipated future cash flows. When indicators of potential impairment are present, the carrying values of the asset group are evaluated in relation to the operating performance and estimated future undiscounted cash flows of the underlying asset group. Impairment of the carrying value is recognized whenever anticipated future undiscounted cash flow estimates are less than the carrying value of the asset. Fair value estimates are based on assumptions concerning the amount and timing of estimated future cash flows and discount rates, reflecting varying degrees of perceived risk.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

We account for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other.

Intangible assets include both indeterminable-lived residual goodwill and determinable-lived identifiable intangible assets. Intangible assets with determinable lives primarily include intellectual property, consisting of patents, trademarks, and unpatented technology, and customer relationships. Recoverability estimates range from 1 to 50 years and costs are generally amortized on a straight-line basis. Evaluations of the remaining useful lives of determinable-lived intangible assets are performed on a periodic basis and when events and circumstances warrant.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

At fiscal year end 2021, we had five reporting units, all of which contained goodwill. There were two reporting units in both the Transportation Solutions and Industrial Solutions segments and one reporting unit in the Communications Solutions segment. When changes occur in the composition of one or more reporting units, goodwill is reassigned to the reporting units affected based on their relative fair values.

Goodwill impairment is evaluated by comparing the carrying value of each reporting unit to its fair value on the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter of each year or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. In assessing a potential impairment, management relies on several reporting unit-specific factors including operating results, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, transactions, and marketplace data. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and management’s judgment in applying these factors to the impairment analysis.

When testing for goodwill impairment, we identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, a goodwill impairment charge will be recorded for the amount of the excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.

Fair value estimates used in the goodwill impairment tests are calculated using an income approach based on the present value of future cash flows of each reporting unit. The income approach is supported by a guideline analysis (a market approach). These approaches incorporate several assumptions including future growth rates, discount rates, income tax rates, and market activity in assessing fair value and are reporting unit specific. Changes in economic and operating conditions impacting these assumptions could result in goodwill impairments in future periods.

Research and Development

Research and development expenditures are expensed when incurred and are included in research, development, and engineering expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Research and development expenses include salaries, direct costs incurred, and building and overhead expenses. The amounts expensed in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 were $612 million, $539 million, and $572 million, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are computed in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been reflected on the Consolidated Financial Statements. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the differences between the book and tax bases of particular assets and liabilities and operating loss carryforwards using tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided to offset deferred tax assets if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The calculation of our tax liabilities includes estimates for uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations across multiple global jurisdictions where we conduct our operations. Under the uncertain tax position provisions of ASC 740, we recognize liabilities for tax and related interest for issues in tax jurisdictions based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes and related interest will be due. These tax liabilities and related interest are reflected net of the impact of related tax loss carryforwards, as such tax loss carryforwards will be applied against these tax liabilities and will reduce the amount of cash tax payments due upon the eventual settlement with the tax authorities. These estimates may change due to changing facts and circumstances. Due to the complexity of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a settlement that differs from our current estimate of the tax liabilities and related interest.

Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, debt, and derivative financial instruments.

We account for derivative financial instrument contracts on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. For instruments not designated as hedges under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, the changes in the instruments’ fair value are

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

recognized currently in earnings. For instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of a derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the underlying hedged item affects earnings. Amounts excluded from the hedging relationship are recognized currently in earnings. Changes in the fair value of instruments designated as fair value hedges affect the carrying value of the asset or liability hedged, with changes in both the derivative instrument and the hedged asset or liability being recognized currently in earnings.

We determine the fair value of our financial instruments by using methods and assumptions that are based on market conditions and risks existing at each balance sheet date. Standard market conventions are used to determine the fair value of financial instruments, including derivatives.

The cash flows related to derivative financial instruments are reported in the operating activities section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Our derivative financial instruments present certain market and counterparty risks. Concentration of counterparty risk is mitigated, however, by our use of financial institutions worldwide, substantially all of which have long-term Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and/or Fitch credit ratings of A/A2 or higher. In addition, we utilize only conventional derivative financial instruments. We are exposed to potential losses if a counterparty fails to perform according to the terms of its agreement. With respect to counterparty net asset positions recognized at fiscal year end 2021, we have assessed the likelihood of counterparty default as remote. We currently provide guarantees from a wholly-owned subsidiary to the counterparties to our commodity swap derivatives and exchange cash collateral with the counterparties to certain of our cross-currency swap contracts. The likelihood of performance on the guarantees has been assessed as remote. For all other derivative financial instruments, we are not required to provide, nor do we require counterparties to provide, collateral or other security.

Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, specifies a fair value hierarchy based upon the observable inputs utilized in valuation of certain assets and liabilities. Observable inputs (highest level) reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs (lowest level) reflect internally developed market assumptions. Fair value measurements are classified under the following hierarchy:

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2—Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, or other inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flows methodologies, and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

Derivative financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are generally valued using level 2 inputs.

Financial instruments other than derivative instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and debt. These instruments are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at book value. For cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable, we believe book value approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. See Note 11 for disclosure of the fair value of debt. The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for the respective financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents are valued at book value, which we consider to be equivalent to unadjusted quoted prices (level 1).

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Accounts receivable—Accounts receivable are valued based on the net value expected to be realized. The net realizable value generally represents an observable contractual agreement (level 2).
Accounts payable—Accounts payable are valued based on the net value expected to be paid, generally supported by an observable contractual agreement (level 2).
Debt—The fair value of debt, including both current and non-current maturities, is derived from quoted market prices or other pricing determinations based on the results of market approach valuation models using observable market data such as recently reported trades, bid and offer information, and benchmark securities (level 2).

Pension Plans

The funded status of our defined benefit pension plans is recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation at the measurement date. The projected benefit obligation represents the actuarial present value of benefits projected to be paid upon retirement factoring in estimated future compensation levels. The fair value of plan assets represents the current market value of cumulative company and participant contributions made to irrevocable trust funds, held for the sole benefit of participants, which are invested by the trustee of the funds. The benefits under our defined benefit pension plans are based on various factors, such as years of service and compensation.

Net periodic pension benefit cost is based on the utilization of the projected unit credit method of calculation and is charged to earnings on a systematic basis over the expected average remaining service lives of current participants, or, for inactive plans, over the remaining life expectancy of participants.

The measurement of benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost is based on estimates and assumptions determined by our management. These valuations reflect the terms of the plans and use participant-specific information such as compensation, age, and years of service, as well as certain assumptions, including estimates of discount rates, expected return on plan assets, rate of compensation increases, interest crediting rates, and mortality rates.

Share-Based Compensation

We determine the fair value of share awards on the date of grant. Share options are valued using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model; restricted share awards and performance awards are valued using our end-of-day share price on the date of grant. The fair value is expensed ratably over the expected service period, with an allowance made for estimated forfeitures based on historical employee activity. Estimates regarding the attainment of performance criteria are reviewed periodically; the cumulative impact of a change in estimate regarding the attainment of performance criteria is recorded in the period in which that change is made.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding adjusted for the potentially dilutive impact of share-based compensation arrangements.

Leases

Beginning in fiscal 2020, we account for leases in accordance with the provisions of ASC 842, Leases.

We have facility, land, vehicle, and equipment leases that expire at various dates. We determine if a contract qualifies as a lease at inception. A contract is or contains a lease if it conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The right to control the use of an asset includes the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits of the identified asset and the right to direct the use of the identified asset.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date of the lease based on the present value of remaining lease payments over the lease term. Lease ROU assets represent our right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. We do not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities that arise from short-term leases. Since our lease contracts do not contain a readily determinable implicit rate, we determine a fully-collateralized incremental borrowing rate that reflects a similar term to the lease and the economic environment of the applicable country or region in which the asset is leased.

We have elected to account for fixed lease and non-lease components in our real estate leases as a single lease component; other leases generally do not contain non-lease components. The non-lease components in our real estate leases include logistics services, warehousing, and other operational costs. Many of these costs are variable, fluctuating based on services provided, such as pallets shipped in and out of a location or square footage of space occupied. These costs, and any other variable rental costs, are excluded from our ROU assets and lease liabilities, and instead are expensed as incurred. Some of our leases may include options to either renew or early terminate the lease. The exercise of these options is generally at our sole discretion and would only occur if there is an economic, financial, or business reason to do so. Such options are included in the lease term if we determine it is reasonably certain they will be exercised.

Currency Translation

For our non-U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiaries, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using fiscal year end exchange rates. Sales and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Foreign currency translation gains and losses are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within equity. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in earnings.

Restructuring Charges

Restructuring activities involve employee-related termination costs, facility exit costs, and asset impairments resulting from reductions-in-force, migration of facilities or product lines from higher-cost to lower-cost countries, or consolidation of facilities within countries. We recognize termination costs based on requirements established by severance policy, government law, or previous actions. Facility exit costs generally reflect the accelerated rent expense for ROU assets, expected lease termination costs, or costs that will continue to be incurred under the facility lease without future economic benefit to us. Restructuring activities often result in the disposal or abandonment of assets that require an acceleration of depreciation or impairment reflecting the excess of the assets’ carrying values over fair value.

The recognition of restructuring costs require that we make certain judgments and estimates regarding the nature, timing, and amount of costs associated with the planned exit activity. To the extent our actual results differ from our estimates and assumptions, we may be required to revise the estimated liabilities, requiring the recognition of additional restructuring costs or the reduction of liabilities already recognized. At the end of each reporting period, we evaluate the remaining accrued balances to ensure these balances are properly stated and the utilization of the reserves are for their intended purpose in accordance with developed exit plans.

Contingent Liabilities

We record a loss contingency when the available information indicates it is probable that we have incurred a liability and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. When a range of possible losses with equal likelihood exists, we record the low end of the range. The likelihood of a loss with respect to a particular contingency is often difficult to predict, and determining a meaningful estimate of the loss or a range of loss may not be practicable based on information available. In addition, it is not uncommon for such matters to be resolved over many years, during which time relevant developments and new information must continuously be evaluated to determine whether a loss is probable and a reasonable estimate of that loss can be made. When a loss is probable but a reasonable estimate cannot be made, or when a loss is at least reasonably possible, disclosure is provided.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

3. Restructuring and Other Charges, Net

Net restructuring and other charges consisted of the following:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

Restructuring charges, net

$

208

$

257

$

255

Impairment of held for sale businesses and loss on divestitures

21

Other charges, net

 

4

 

 

Restructuring and other charges, net

$

233

$

257

$

255

Net restructuring charges by segment were as follows:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

Transportation Solutions

$

135

$

113

$

144

Industrial Solutions

 

50

 

102

 

63

Communications Solutions

 

23

 

42

 

48

Restructuring charges, net

$

208

$

257

$

255

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TE CONNECTIVITY LTD.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Activity in our restructuring reserves was as follows:

Balance at

Balance at

  

Beginning

Currency

End

of Fiscal

Changes in

Cash

Non-Cash

Translation

of Fiscal

    

Year

    

Charges

    

Estimate

    

Payments

    

Items

    

and Other

    

Year

    

(in millions)

Fiscal 2021 Activity:

Fiscal 2021 Actions:

Employee severance

$

$

199

$

(17)

$

(26)

$

$

(4)

$

152

Facility and other exit costs

4

(2)

2

Property, plant, and equipment

9

(9)

Total

212

(17)

(28)

(9)

(4)

154

Fiscal 2020 Actions:

Employee severance

180

5

(84)

3

104

Facility and other exit costs

8

11

(4)

15

Property, plant, and equipment

7

(7)

Total

188

23

(88)

(7)

3

119

Fiscal 2019 Actions:

Employee severance

72

(8)

(33)

31

Facility and other exit costs

2

1

(3)

Total

74

1

(8)

(36)

31

Pre-Fiscal 2019 Actions:

Employee severance

21

(1)

(20)

Facility and other exit costs

2

1

(3)

Property, plant, and equipment

(3)

3

Total

23

1

(4)

(23)

3

Total fiscal 2021 activity

$

285

$

237

$

(29)

$

(175)

$

(13)

$

(1)

$

304

Fiscal 2020 Activity:

Fiscal 2020 Actions:

Employee severance

$

$

214

$

$

(35)

$

$

1

$

180

Facility and other exit costs

8

8

Property, plant, and equipment

28

(28)

Total

250

(35)

(28)

1

188

Fiscal 2019 Actions:

Employee severance

188

7

(20)

(107)

4

72

Facility and other exit costs

1

11

(11)

1

2

Property, plant, and equipment

7

(7)

Total

189

25

(20)

(118)

(7)

5

74

Pre-Fiscal 2019 Actions:

Employee severance

73

(6)

(46)

21

Facility and other exit costs

2

6

(7)

1

2

Property, plant, and equipment

2

(2)

Total

75

8

(6)

(53)

(2)

1

23

Total fiscal 2020 activity

$

264

$

283

$

(26)

$

(206)

$

(37)

$

7

$

285

Fiscal 2019 Activity:

Fiscal 2019 Actions:

Employee severance

$

$

252

$

(3)

$

(55)

$

(3)

$

(3)

$

188

Facility and other exit costs

 

 

2

 

 

(1)

 

 

 

1

Property, plant, and equipment

 

 

3

 

 

 

(3)

 

 

Total

 

 

257

 

(3)

 

(56)

 

(6)

 

(3)

 

189

Pre-Fiscal 2019 Actions:

Employee severance

 

163

 

9

 

(12)

 

(82)

 

 

(5)

 

73

Facility and other exit costs

 

4

 

8

 

(2)

 

(8)

 

 

 

2

Property, plant, and equipment

3

(5)

2

Total

 

167

 

20

 

(19)

 

(90)

 

2

 

(5)

 

75

Total fiscal 2019 activity

$

167

$

277

$

(22)

$

(146)

$

(4)

$

(8)

$

264

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Fiscal 2021 Actions

During fiscal 2021, we initiated a restructuring program across all segments to optimize our manufacturing footprint and improve the cost structure of the organization. In connection with this program, during fiscal 2021, we recorded net restructuring charges of $195 million. We expect to complete all restructuring actions commenced during fiscal 2021 by the end of fiscal 2023 and to incur additional charges of approximately $16 million related primarily to employee severance and facility exit costs.

The following table summarizes expected, incurred, and remaining charges for the fiscal 2021 program by segment:

Total

Cumulative

Remaining

Expected

Charges

Expected

    

Charges

    

Incurred

    

Charges

    

(in millions)

Transportation Solutions

$

131

$

122

$

9

Industrial Solutions

 

53

 

49

 

4

Communications Solutions

 

27

 

24

 

3

Total

$

211

$

195

$

16

Fiscal 2020 Actions

During fiscal 2020, we initiated a restructuring program associated with footprint consolidation and structural improvements, due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, across all segments. In connection with this program, during fiscal 2021 and 2020, we recorded restructuring charges of $23 million and $250 million, respectively. We expect to complete all restructuring actions commenced during fiscal 2020 by the end of fiscal 2023 and to incur additional charges of approximately $15 million related primarily to employee severance and facility exit costs.

The following table summarizes expected, incurred, and remaining charges for the fiscal 2020 program by segment:

Total

Cumulative

Remaining

Expected

Charges

Expected

    

Charges

    

Incurred

    

Charges

    

(in millions)

Transportation Solutions

$

139

$

132

$

7

Industrial Solutions

 

108

 

104

 

4

Communications Solutions

 

41

 

37

 

4

Total

$

288

$

273

$

15

Fiscal 2019 Actions

During fiscal 2019, we initiated a restructuring program associated with footprint consolidation and structural improvements impacting all segments. In connection with this program, during fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, we recorded net restructuring credits of $7 million, charges of $5 million, and charges of $254 million, respectively. We anticipate that any additional charges will be insignificant for restructuring actions commenced during fiscal 2019.

Pre-Fiscal 2019 Actions

During fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, we recorded net restructuring credits of $3 million, charges of $2 million, and charges of $1 million, respectively, related to pre-fiscal 2019 actions. We anticipate that any additional charges will be insignificant for restructuring actions commenced prior to fiscal 2019.

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Total Restructuring Reserves

Restructuring reserves included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:

Fiscal Year End

    

2021

    

2020

    

(in millions)

Accrued and other current liabilities

$

236

$

229

Other liabilities

 

68

 

56

Restructuring reserves

$

304

$

285

4. Discontinued Operations

In fiscal 2019, we sold our Subsea Communications (“SubCom”) business for net cash proceeds of $297 million and incurred a pre-tax loss on sale of $86 million, related primarily to the recognition of cumulative translation adjustment losses of $67 million and the guarantee liabilities discussed below. The sale of the SubCom business, which was previously included in our Communications Solutions segment, represented our exit from the telecommunications market and was significant to our sales and profitability, both to the Communications Solutions segment and to the consolidated company. We concluded that the divestiture was a strategic shift that had a major effect on our operations and financial results. As a result, the SubCom business met the held for sale and discontinued operations criteria and has been reported as such in all periods presented on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In connection with the sale, we contractually agreed to continue to honor performance guarantees and letters of credit related to the SubCom business’ projects that existed as of the date of sale. These performance guarantees and letters of credit had a combined value of approximately $119 million as of fiscal year end 2021 and are expected to expire at various dates through fiscal 2025. At the time of sale, we determined that the fair value of these guarantees was $12 million, which we recognized by a charge to pre-tax loss on sale. During fiscal 2021, we amended our agreement with SubCom and removed a requirement to issue new performance guarantees for certain projects entered into by the SubCom business following the sale. As of fiscal year end 2021, there were no such new performance guarantees outstanding. We have contractual recourse against the SubCom business if we are required to perform on any SubCom guarantees; however, based on historical experience, we do not anticipate having to perform.

The following table presents the summarized components of loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, for the SubCom business and prior divestitures for fiscal 2019; activity in fiscal 2021 and 2020 was not material:

Fiscal

    

    

2019

  

(in millions)

 

Net sales

$

41

Cost of sales

 

(50)

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

 

(11)

Research, development, and engineering expenses

 

(3)

Restructuring and other charges, net

 

(3)

Pre-tax loss from discontinued operations

 

(26)

Pre-tax loss on sale of discontinued operations

 

(86)

Income tax benefit

 

10

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

$

(102)

5. Acquisitions

During fiscal 2021, we acquired four businesses for a combined cash purchase price of $422 million, net of cash acquired. The acquisitions were reported as part of our Industrial Solutions segment from the date of acquisition. Due to the timing of two transactions that closed in the quarter ended September 24, 2021, we have preliminarily allocated the purchase price of those acquisitions to goodwill and identifiable intangibles assets. Our valuation of identifiable intangible assets,

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assets acquired, and liabilities assumed is currently in process; therefore, the current allocation is subject to adjustment upon finalization of those valuations. The amount of these potential adjustments could be significant.

We acquired five businesses, including First Sensor AG (“First Sensor”), for a combined cash purchase price of $336 million, net of cash acquired, during fiscal 2020. The acquisitions were reported as part of our Transportation Solutions and Industrial Solutions segments from the date of acquisition.

In connection with our acquisition of approximately 72% of the outstanding shares of First Sensor, we and First Sensor entered into a Domination and Profit and Loss Transfer Agreement (“DPLTA”) which became effective in fiscal 2020. Under the terms of the DPLTA, First Sensor minority shareholders can elect either (1) to remain First Sensor minority shareholders and receive recurring annual compensation of €0.56 per First Sensor share or (2) to put their First Sensor shares in exchange for compensation of €33.27 per First Sensor share. The ultimate amount and timing of any future cash payments related to the DPLTA is uncertain. Our First Sensor noncontrolling interest balance, which was originally recorded at a fair value of €96 million (equivalent to $107 million) at the acquisition date, is recorded as redeemable noncontrolling interest outside of equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of fiscal year end 2021 and 2020 as the exercise of the put right by First Sensor minority shareholders is not within our control.

During fiscal 2019, we acquired three businesses for a combined cash purchase price of $296 million, net of cash acquired. The acquisitions were reported as part of our Transportation Solutions segment from the date of acquisition.

6. Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following:

Fiscal Year End

    

2021

    

2020

  

(in millions)

Raw materials

$

320

$

251

Work in progress

 

991

 

851

Finished goods

 

1,200

 

848

Inventories

$

2,511

$

1,950

7. Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net

Net property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following:

Fiscal Year End

    

2021

    

2020

  

(in millions)

Property, plant, and equipment, gross:

Land and improvements

$

128

$

147

Buildings and improvements

 

1,469

 

1,442

Machinery and equipment

 

8,308

 

7,849

Construction in process

 

614

 

516

 

10,519

 

9,954

Accumulated depreciation

 

(6,741)

 

(6,304)

Property, plant, and equipment, net

$

3,778

$

3,650

Depreciation expense was $576 million, $529 million, and $510 million in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

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8. Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment were as follows:

Transportation

Industrial

Communications

    

Solutions

    

Solutions

    

Solutions

    

Total

   

(in millions)

Balance at fiscal year end 2019(1)

$

2,124

$

3,039

$

577

$

5,740

Impairment of goodwill

(900)

(900)

Acquisitions

276

18

294

Currency translation and other

 

27

 

53

 

10

 

90

Balance at fiscal year end 2020(2)

1,527

3,110

587

5,224

Acquisitions

307

307

Currency translation and other

22

29

8

59

Balance at fiscal year end 2021(2)

$

1,549

$

3,446

$

595

$

5,590

(1)At fiscal year end 2019, accumulated impairment losses for the Transportation Solutions, Industrial Solutions, and Communications Solutions segments were $2,191 million, $669 million, and $489 million, respectively.
(2)At fiscal year end 2021 and 2020, accumulated impairment losses for the Transportation Solutions, Industrial Solutions, and Communications Solutions segments were $3,091 million, $669 million, and $489 million, respectively.

During fiscal 2021 and 2020, we recognized goodwill of $307 million and $294 million, respectively, in connection with new acquisitions. See Note 5 for additional information regarding acquisitions.

We completed our annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 and determined that no impairment existed.

During the quarter ended March 27, 2020, as a result of current and projected declines in sales and profitability of the Sensors reporting unit of the Transportation Solutions segment, due in part to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and projected reductions in global automotive production as of March 2020, we determined that an indicator of impairment had occurred and goodwill impairment testing of this reporting unit was required. We determined the fair value of the Sensors reporting unit to be $1.0 billion as of March 27, 2020. This valuation was based on a discounted cash flows analysis incorporating our estimate of future operating performance, which we consider to be a level 3 unobservable input in the fair value hierarchy, and was corroborated using a market approach valuation. The goodwill impairment test indicated that the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeded its fair value by $900 million. As a result, we recorded a partial impairment charge of $900 million in the quarter ended March 27, 2020. No additional impairment was identified during our annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.

9. Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible assets consisted of the following:

Fiscal Year End

2021

2020

Gross

Net

Gross

Net

Carrying

Accumulated

Carrying

Carrying

Accumulated

Carrying

    

Amount

    

Amortization

    

Amount

    

Amount

    

Amortization

    

Amount

    

(in millions)

Customer relationships

$

1,766

$

(660)

$

1,106

$

1,648

$

(554)

$

1,094

Intellectual property

1,262

(832)

430

1,225

(739)

486

Other

 

19

 

(6)

 

13

 

19

 

(6)

 

13

Total

$

3,047

$

(1,498)

$

1,549

$

2,892

$

(1,299)

$

1,593

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Intangible asset amortization expense was $193 million, $182 million, and $180 million for fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. At fiscal year end 2021, the aggregate amortization expense on intangible assets is expected to be as follows:

    

(in millions)

  

Fiscal 2022

$

200

Fiscal 2023

199

Fiscal 2024

 

166

Fiscal 2025

 

151

Fiscal 2026

 

145

Thereafter

 

688

Total

$

1,549

10. Accrued and Other Current Liabilities

Accrued and other current liabilities consisted of the following:

Fiscal Year End

    

2021

    

2020

  

(in millions)

Accrued payroll and employee benefits

$

690

$

460

Dividends payable to shareholders

 

327

 

317

Restructuring reserves

 

236

 

229

Income taxes payable

 

146

 

113

Lease liability

118

116

Share repurchase program payable

73

Deferred revenue

51

47

Interest payable

 

28

 

30

Other

 

573

 

408

Accrued and other current liabilities

$

2,242

$

1,720

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11. Debt

Debt was as follows:

Fiscal Year End

    

2021

    

2020

  

(in millions)

Principal debt:

4.875% senior notes due 2021

$

$

250

Euro-denominated fixed-to-floating rate senior notes due 2021(1)

407

3.50% senior notes due 2022

 

500

 

500

1.10% euro-denominated senior notes due 2023

644

639

3.45% senior notes due 2024

350

350

0.00% euro-denominated senior notes due 2025

644

639

3.70% senior notes due 2026

350

350

3.125% senior notes due 2027

400

400

0.00% euro-denominated senior notes due 2029

644

7.125% senior notes due 2037

 

477

 

477

Other

110

149

4,119

4,161

Unamortized discounts, premiums, and debt issuance costs, net

(29)

(23)

Effects of fair value hedge-designated interest rate swap contracts

2

8

Total debt

$

4,092

$

4,146

(1)The euro-denominated fixed-to-floating rate senior notes due 2021 bore interest at a rate of 0% until June 2020 and then at a rate of three-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) plus 0.30%, with the minimum interest rate of 0%, per year until maturity.

During fiscal 2021, Tyco Electronics Group S.A. (“TEGSA”), our wholly-owned subsidiary, issued €550 million aggregate principal amount of 0.00% senior notes due in February 2029. The notes are TEGSA’s unsecured senior obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all existing and any future senior indebtedness of TEGSA and senior to any subordinated indebtedness that TEGSA may incur.

TEGSA has a five-year unsecured senior revolving credit facility (“Credit Facility”) with total commitments of $1.5 billion. The Credit Facility contains provisions that allow for incremental commitments of up to $500 million, an option to temporarily increase the financial ratio covenant following a qualified acquisition, and borrowings in designated currencies. The Credit Facility was amended in June 2021 primarily to extend the maturity date from November 2023 to June 2026. The amended Credit Facility contains customary provisions for the replacement of London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) with successor rates and amends certain representations, warranties, and covenants applicable to us and TEGSA as obligors under the credit agreement. TEGSA had no borrowings under the Credit Facility at fiscal year end 2021 or 2020.

Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the option of TEGSA, (1) LIBOR or, upon a phase-out of LIBOR, an alternative benchmark rate, (2) an alternate base rate equal to the highest of (i) Bank of America, N.A.’s base rate, (ii) the federal funds effective rate plus 1/2 of 1%, and (iii) one-month LIBOR, or an alternative benchmark rate, plus 1%, (3) an alternative currency daily rate, or (4) an alternative currency term rate, plus, in each case, an applicable margin based upon the senior, unsecured, long-term debt rating of TEGSA. TEGSA is required to pay an annual facility fee. Based on the applicable credit ratings of TEGSA, this fee ranges from 5.0 to 12.5 basis points of the lenders’ commitments under the Credit Facility.

The Credit Facility contains a financial ratio covenant providing that if, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, our ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Facility) for the then most recently concluded period of four consecutive fiscal quarters exceeds 3.75 to 1.0, an Event of Default (as defined in the Credit Facility) is triggered. The Credit Facility and our other debt agreements contain other customary covenants.

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Periodically, TEGSA issues commercial paper to U.S. institutional accredited investors and qualified institutional buyers in accordance with available exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 as part of our ongoing effort to maintain financial flexibility and to potentially decrease the cost of borrowings. Borrowings under the commercial paper program are backed by the Credit Facility. TEGSA had no borrowings under the commercial paper program at fiscal year end 2021 or 2020.

TEGSA’s payment obligations under its senior notes, commercial paper, and Credit Facility are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis by its parent, TE Connectivity Ltd.

At fiscal year end 2021, principal payments required for debt are as follows:

    

(in millions)

  

Fiscal 2022

$

503

Fiscal 2023

 

651

Fiscal 2024

 

353

Fiscal 2025

 

646

Fiscal 2026

 

352

Thereafter

 

1,614

Total

$

4,119

The fair value of our debt, based on indicative valuations, was approximately $4,465 million and $4,550 million at fiscal year end 2021 and 2020, respectively.

12. Leases

The components of lease cost were as follows:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

    

(in millions)

    

Operating lease cost

$

120

$

108

Variable lease cost

49

49

Total lease cost

$

169

$

157

Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:

Fiscal Year End

    

2021

    

2020

    

($ in millions)

Operating lease ROU assets:

Other assets

$

444

$

453

Operating lease liabilities:

Accrued and other current liabilities

$

118

$

116

Other liabilities

334

347

Total operating lease liabilities

$

452

$

463

Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)

5.2

5.8

Weighted-average discount rate

1.2

%

1.6

%

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Cash flow information, including significant non-cash transactions, related to leases was as follows:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

    

(in millions)

    

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

Payments for operating leases(1)

$

123

$

108

ROU assets, including modifications and extensions, obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities

123

28

(1)These payments are included in cash flows from continuing operating activities, primarily in changes in accrued and other current liabilities.

At fiscal year end 2021, the maturities of operating lease liabilities were as follows:

    

(in millions)

    

Fiscal 2022

$

118

Fiscal 2023

104

Fiscal 2024

83

Fiscal 2025

63

Fiscal 2026

40

Thereafter

60

Total lease payments

468

Less: interest

(16)

Present value of lease liabilities

$

452

ASC 840 Comparative Disclosures

Prior to fiscal 2020, we accounted for our leases in accordance with ASC 840, Leases. Under ASC 840, rental expense for operating leases was $162 million for fiscal 2019.

13. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of business, we are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, including patent infringement claims, product liability matters, employment disputes, disputes on agreements, other commercial disputes, environmental matters, antitrust claims, and tax matters, including non-income tax matters such as value added tax, sales and use tax, real estate tax, and transfer tax. Although it is not feasible to predict the outcome of these proceedings, based upon our experience, current information, and applicable law, we do not expect that the outcome of these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

Trade Compliance Matters

We are investigating our past compliance with relevant U.S. trade controls and have made voluntary disclosures of apparent trade controls violations to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) and the U.S. State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”). We are cooperating with the BIS and DDTC on these matters, and both our internal assessment and the resulting investigations by the agencies remain ongoing. We are unable to predict the timing and final outcome of the agencies’ investigations. An unfavorable outcome may include fines or penalties imposed in response to our disclosures, but we are not yet able to reasonably estimate the extent of any such fines or penalties. While we have reserved for potential fines and penalties relating to these matters based on our current understanding of the facts, the investigations into these matters have yet to be completed and the final outcome of such investigations and related fines and penalties may differ from amounts currently reserved.

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Environmental Matters

We are involved in various stages of investigation and cleanup related to environmental remediation matters at a number of sites. The ultimate cost of site cleanup is difficult to predict given the uncertainties regarding the extent of the required cleanup, the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations, and alternative cleanup methods. As of fiscal year end 2021, we concluded that we would incur investigation and remediation costs at these sites in the reasonably possible range of $18 million to $47 million, and we accrued $21 million as the probable loss, which was the best estimate within this range. We believe that any potential payment of such estimated amounts will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

Guarantees

In disposing of assets or businesses, we often provide representations, warranties, and/or indemnities to cover various risks including unknown damage to assets, environmental risks involved in the sale of real estate, liability for investigation and remediation of environmental contamination at waste disposal sites and manufacturing facilities, and unidentified tax liabilities and legal fees related to periods prior to disposition. We do not expect that these uncertainties will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

At fiscal year end 2021, we had outstanding letters of credit, letters of guarantee, and surety bonds of $135 million, excluding those related to our SubCom business which are discussed in Note 4.

14. Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

We use derivative and non-derivative financial instruments to manage certain exposures to foreign currency, interest rate, investment, and commodity risks.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

As part of managing the exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, we utilize cross-currency swap contracts and foreign currency forward contracts, a portion of which are designated as cash flow hedges. The objective of these contracts is to minimize impacts to cash flows and profitability due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany and other cash transactions. We expect that significantly all of the balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) associated with the cash flow hedge-designated instruments addressing foreign exchange risks will be reclassified into the Consolidated Statement of Operations within the next twelve months.

During fiscal 2015, we entered into cross-currency swap contracts to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with certain intercompany loans. The aggregate notional value of these contracts was €700 million at fiscal year end 2021 and 2020. Under the terms of these contracts, which have been designated as cash flow hedges, we make interest payments in euros at 3.50% per annum and receive interest in U.S. dollars at a weighted-average rate of 5.34% per annum. Upon maturity in fiscal 2022, we will pay the notional value of the contracts in euros and receive U.S. dollars from our counterparties. In connection with the cross-currency swap contracts, both counterparties to each contract are required to provide cash collateral.

These cross-currency swap contracts were recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:

Fiscal Year End

    

2021

    

2020

    

(in millions)

 

Other assets

$

    

$

1

Other liabilities

 

20

 

9

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At fiscal year end 2021 and 2020, collateral received from or paid to our counterparties approximated the net derivative position. Collateral is recorded in accrued and other current liabilities when the contracts are in a net asset position, or prepaid expenses and other current assets when the contracts are in a net liability position on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The impacts of these cross-currency swap contracts were as follows:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

 

Gains (losses) recorded in other comprehensive income (loss)

$

(6)

    

$

28

    

$

53

Gains (losses) excluded from the hedging relationship(1)

 

(6)

 

(48)

 

66

(1)Gains and losses excluded from the hedging relationship are recognized prospectively in selling, general, and administrative expenses and are offset by losses and gains generated as a result of re-measuring certain intercompany loans to the U.S. dollar.

Hedge of Net Investment

We hedge our net investment in certain foreign operations using intercompany loans and external borrowings denominated in the same currencies. The aggregate notional value of these hedges was $3,798 million and $3,511 million at fiscal year end 2021 and 2020, respectively.

We also use a cross-currency swap program to hedge our net investment in certain foreign operations. The aggregate notional value of the contracts under this program was $1,430 million and $1,664 million at fiscal year end 2021 and 2020, respectively. Under the terms of these contracts, we receive interest in U.S. dollars at a weighted-average rate of 1.85% per annum and pay no interest. Upon the maturity of these contracts at various dates through fiscal 2025, we will pay the notional value of the contracts in the designated foreign currency and receive U.S. dollars from our counterparties. We are not required to provide collateral for these contracts.

These cross-currency swap contracts were recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:

Fiscal Year End

    

2021

    

2020

    

(in millions)

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

$

3

    

$

1

Other assets

 

18

 

3

Accrued and other current liabilities

13

6

Other liabilities

18

16

The impacts of our hedge of net investment programs were as follows:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

 

Foreign currency exchange gains (losses) on intercompany loans and external borrowings(1)

$

(12)

$

(172)

$

162

Gains (losses) on cross-currency swap contracts designated as hedges of net investment(1)

 

(22)

 

(69)

 

74

(1)Recorded as currency translation, a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Interest Rate and Investment Risk Management

We issue debt, as needed, to fund our operations and capital requirements. Such borrowings can result in interest rate exposure. To manage the interest rate exposure, we use interest rate swap contracts to convert a portion of fixed rate debt into variable rate debt. We may use forward starting interest rate swap contracts to manage interest rate exposure in periods prior to the anticipated issuance of fixed rate debt. The aggregate notional value of our forward starting interest rate swap

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contracts, which are designated as cash flow hedges, was $450 million at fiscal year end 2021 and 2020. These forward starting interest rate swap contracts were recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:

Fiscal Year End

    

2021

    

2020

    

(in millions)

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

$

7

    

$

Accrued and other current liabilities

38

Other liabilities

64

The impacts of these forward starting interest rate swap contracts were as follows:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

 

Gains (losses) recorded in other comprehensive income (loss)

$

33

    

$

(30)

    

$

(34)

We also utilize investment swap contracts to manage earnings exposure on certain nonqualified deferred compensation liabilities.

Commodity Hedges

As part of managing the exposure to certain commodity price fluctuations, we utilize commodity swap contracts. The objective of these contracts is to minimize impacts to cash flows and profitability due to changes in prices of commodities used in production. These contracts had an aggregate notional value of $512 million and $312 million at fiscal year end 2021 and 2020, respectively, and were designated as cash flow hedges. These commodity swap contracts were recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:

Fiscal Year End

    

2021

    

2020

    

(in millions)

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

$

23

    

$

41

Other assets

 

 

3

Accrued and other current liabilities

18

2

Other liabilities

4

1

The impacts of these commodity swap contracts were as follows:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

 

Gains recorded in other comprehensive income (loss)

$

58

    

$

60

    

$

14

Gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into cost of sales

92

11

(18)

We expect that significantly all of the balance in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) associated with commodity hedges will be reclassified into the Consolidated Statement of Operations within the next twelve months.

Fair Value Measurements

Financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, which consist of marketable securities and derivative instruments not discussed above, were immaterial at fiscal year end 2021 and 2020.

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15. Retirement Plans

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

We have several contributory and noncontributory defined benefit retirement plans covering certain of our non-U.S. and U.S. employees, designed in accordance with local customs and practice.

The net periodic pension benefit cost (credit) for all non-U.S. and U.S. defined benefit pension plans was as follows:

Non-U.S. Plans

U.S. Plans

Fiscal

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

  

($ in millions)

Operating expense:

Service cost

$

48

$

52

$

47

$

12

$

10

$

13

Other (income) expense:

Interest cost

 

30

 

25

 

42

 

30

 

36

 

46

Expected return on plan assets

 

(57)

 

(61)

 

(64)

 

(52)

 

(59)

 

(58)

Amortization of net actuarial loss

 

32

 

41

 

24

 

9

 

9

 

17

Amortization of prior service credit

 

(6)

 

(6)

 

(7)

 

 

 

Settlement and curtailment losses (gains)

(2)

(1)

28

Net periodic pension benefit cost (credit)

$

45

$

51

$

41

$

27

$

(4)

$

18

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net pension benefit cost (credit) during the fiscal year:

Discount rate

 

1.13

%  

 

1.01

%  

 

1.94

%  

 

2.57

%  

 

3.14

%  

 

4.35

%

Expected return on plan assets

 

3.65

%  

 

4.07

%  

 

4.65

%  

 

5.60

%  

 

6.50

%  

 

6.57

%

Rate of compensation increase

 

2.50

%  

 

2.53

%  

 

2.57

%  

 

%  

 

%  

 

%

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The following table represents the changes in benefit obligation and plan assets and the net amount recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for all non-U.S. and U.S. defined benefit pension plans:

Non-U.S. Plans

U.S. Plans

Fiscal

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2021

    

2020

    

  

($ in millions)

Change in benefit obligation:

Benefit obligation at beginning of fiscal year

$

2,519

$

2,483

$

1,219

$

1,195

Service cost

 

48

 

52

 

12

 

10

Interest cost

 

30

 

25

 

30

 

36

Actuarial (gains) losses

 

6

 

(44)

 

(46)

 

65

Benefits and administrative expenses paid

 

(85)

 

(88)

 

(80)

 

(87)

Settlements and curtailments

(67)

(27)

(183)

Currency translation

 

63

 

111

 

 

Other

 

6

 

7

 

 

Benefit obligation at end of fiscal year

 

2,520

 

2,519

 

952

 

1,219

Change in plan assets:

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of fiscal year

 

1,537

 

1,489

 

968

 

937

Actual return on plan assets

 

81

 

39

 

110

 

114

Employer contributions

 

43

 

43

 

18

 

4

Benefits and administrative expenses paid

 

(85)

 

(88)

 

(80)

 

(87)

Settlements

(52)

(4)

(183)

Currency translation

 

54

 

52

 

 

Other

 

4

 

6

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at end of fiscal year

 

1,582

 

1,537

 

833

 

968

Funded status

$

(938)

$

(982)

$

(119)

$

(251)

Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

Other assets

$

102

$

120

$

$

Accrued and other current liabilities

(30)

(28)

(4)

(5)

Long-term pension and postretirement liabilities

 

(1,010)

 

(1,074)

 

(115)

 

(246)

Net amount recognized

$

(938)

$

(982)

$

(119)

$

(251)

Pre-tax amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) which have not yet been recognized in net periodic pension benefit cost:

Net actuarial loss

$

(547)

$

(597)

$

(151)

$

(291)

Prior service (cost) credit

26

37

(1)

(2)

Total

$

(521)

$

(560)

$

(152)

$

(293)

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine pension benefit obligation at fiscal year end:

Discount rate

 

1.37

%  

 

1.13

%  

 

2.84

%  

 

2.57

%

Rate of compensation increase

 

2.53

%  

 

2.50

%  

 

%  

 

%

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The pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for all non-U.S. and U.S. defined benefit pension plans were as follows:

Non-U.S. Plans

U.S. Plans

Fiscal

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2021

    

2020

    

(in millions)

Current year net actuarial gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

$

16

$

18

$

103

$

(10)

Amortization of net actuarial loss(1)

 

34

 

41

 

37

 

9

Current year prior service cost recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(1)

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service (credit) cost(1)

 

(10)

 

(6)

 

1

 

$

39

$

53

$

141

$

(1)

(1)Includes amounts reflected as settlement and curtailment losses (gains) in the above net periodic pension benefit cost (credit) table.

As part of our continued effort to manage U.S. pension plan obligations, during the quarter ended September 24, 2021, we transferred approximately $190 million of U.S. pension plan liabilities to an insurance company through the purchase of a group annuity contract funded by a transfer of plan assets totaling approximately $180 million. As a result of this transaction, we recognized a settlement charge of $28 million, which was recorded in net other income (expense) on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

In fiscal 2021, unrecognized actuarial gains recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were primarily the result of favorable asset performance and higher discount rates for our non-U.S. and U.S. defined benefit pension plans as compared to fiscal 2020. In fiscal 2020, unrecognized actuarial gains recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were primarily the result of favorable asset performance for our U.S. defined benefit pension plans, partially offset by lower U.S. discount rates and unfavorable asset performance for our non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans as compared to fiscal 2019.

In determining the expected return on plan assets, we consider the relative weighting of plan assets by class and individual asset class performance expectations.

The investment strategies for non-U.S. and U.S. pension plans are governed locally. Our investment strategy for our pension plans is to manage the plans on a going concern basis. Current investment policy is to achieve a reasonable return on assets, subject to a prudent level of portfolio risk, for the purpose of enhancing the security of benefits for participants. Projected returns are based primarily on pro forma asset allocation, expected long-term returns, and forward-looking estimates of active portfolio and investment management.

At fiscal year end 2021, the long-term target asset allocation in our U.S. plans’ master trust is 5% return-seeking assets and 95% liability-hedging assets. Return-seeking assets, including non-U.S. and U.S. equity securities, are assets intended to generate returns in excess of pension liability growth. Liability-hedging assets, including government and corporate bonds, are assets intended to have characteristics similar to pension liabilities and are used to better match asset cash flows with expected obligation cash flows. Asset re-allocation to meet that target is occurring over a multi-year period based on the funded status. We expect to reach our target allocation when the funded status of the plans exceeds 115%. Based on the funded status of the plans as of fiscal year end 2021, our target asset allocation is 67% return-seeking and 33% liability-hedging.

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Target weighted-average asset allocation and weighted-average asset allocation for non-U.S. and U.S. pension plans were as follows:

Non-U.S. Plans

U.S. Plans

Fiscal

Fiscal

Fiscal

Fiscal

Year End

Year End

Year End

Year End

    

Target

    

2021

    

2020

    

Target

    

2021

    

2020

    

    

Asset category:

Equity securities

 

34

%  

35

%  

25

%  

67

%  

51

%  

45

%

Fixed income

 

49

48

55

33

49

55

Other

17

17

20

Total

 

100

%  

100

%  

100

%  

100

%  

100

%  

100

%

Our common shares are not a direct investment of our pension funds; however, the pension funds may indirectly include our shares. The aggregate amount of our common shares would not be considered material relative to the total pension fund assets.

Our funding policy is to make contributions in accordance with the laws and customs of the various countries in which we operate as well as to make discretionary voluntary contributions from time to time. We expect to make the minimum required contributions of $45 million and $5 million to our non-U.S. and U.S. pension plans, respectively, in fiscal 2022. We may also make voluntary contributions at our discretion.

At fiscal year end 2021, benefit payments, which reflect future expected service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid as follows:

    

Non-U.S. Plans

    

U.S. Plans

    

(in millions)

Fiscal 2022

$

90

$

63

Fiscal 2023

 

100

 

60

Fiscal 2024

 

112

 

60

Fiscal 2025

 

93

 

60

Fiscal 2026

 

98

 

61

Fiscal 2027-2031

 

549

 

287

Presented below is the accumulated benefit obligation for all non-U.S. and U.S. pension plans as well as additional information related to plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets and plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets.

Non-U.S. Plans

U.S. Plans

Fiscal Year End

Fiscal Year End

    

2021

    

2020

    

2021

    

2020

  

(in millions)

Accumulated benefit obligation

$

2,410

$

2,394

$

952

$

1,219

Pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:

Accumulated benefit obligation

 

1,027

 

1,324

 

918

 

1,219

Fair value of plan assets

 

75

 

338

 

798

 

968

Pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:

Projected benefit obligation

 

1,166

 

1,458

 

918

 

1,219

Fair value of plan assets

 

128

 

356

 

798

 

968

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We value our pension assets based on the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. Details of the fair value hierarchy are described in Note 2. The following table presents our defined benefit pension plans’ asset categories and their associated fair value within the fair value hierarchy:

Fiscal Year End 2021

Non-U.S. Plans

U.S. Plans

    

Level 1

    

Level 2

    

Level 3

    

Total

    

Level 1

    

Level 2

    

Level 3

    

Total

    

(in millions)

Equity:

Commingled equity funds(1)

$

$

220

$

$

220

$

$

280

$

$

280

Fixed income:

Government and corporate bonds(2)

 

 

6

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

Commingled fixed income funds(3)

 

 

1,101

 

 

1,101

 

 

392

 

 

392

Other(4)

 

 

178

 

 

178

 

 

23

 

 

23

Subtotal

$

$

1,505

$

 

1,505

$

$

695

$

 

695

Items to reconcile to fair value of plan assets(5)

 

77

 

138

Fair value of plan assets

$

1,582

$

833

Fiscal Year End 2020

Non-U.S. Plans

U.S. Plans

    

Level 1

    

Level 2

    

Level 3

    

Total

    

Level 1

    

Level 2

    

Level 3

    

Total

    

(in millions)

Equity:

Commingled equity funds(1)

$

$

357

$

$

357

$

$

447

$

$

447

Fixed income:

Government and corporate bonds(2)

 

 

493

 

 

493

 

 

 

 

Commingled fixed income funds(3)

 

 

366

 

 

366

 

 

494

 

 

494

Other(4)

 

 

167

 

141

 

308

 

 

26

 

 

26

Subtotal

$

$

1,383

$

141

 

1,524

$

$

967

$

 

967

Items to reconcile to fair value of plan assets(5)

 

13

 

1

Fair value of plan assets

$

1,537

$

968

(1)Commingled equity funds are pooled investments in multiple equity-type securities. Fair value is calculated as the closing price of the underlying investments, an observable market condition, divided by the number of shares of the fund outstanding.
(2)Government and corporate bonds are marked to fair value based on quoted market prices or market approach valuation models using observable market data such as quotes, spreads, and data points for yield curves.
(3)Commingled fixed income funds are pooled investments in multiple fixed income-type securities. Fair value is calculated as the closing price of the underlying investments, an observable market condition, divided by the number of shares of the fund outstanding.
(4)Other investments are composed of insurance contracts, derivatives, short-term investments, structured products such as collateralized obligations and mortgage- and asset-backed securities, real estate investments, and hedge funds. Insurance contracts are valued using cash surrender value, or face value of the contract if a cash surrender value is unavailable (level 2), as these values represent the amount that the plan would receive on termination of the underlying contract. Derivatives, short-term investments, and structured products are marked to fair value using models that are supported by observable market-based data (level 2). Real estate investments include investments in commingled real estate funds and are valued at net asset value which is calculated using unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity (level 3). Hedge funds are valued at their net asset value which is calculated using unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity (level 3).
(5)Items to reconcile to fair value of plan assets include certain investments containing no significant redemption restrictions that were measured at net asset value (“NAV”) using the NAV practical expedient available in ASC 820 and amounts receivable or payable for unsettled transactions and cash balances, both of which are considered to be carried at book value.

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Fiscal 2021 and 2020 changes in Level 3 assets in non-U.S. plans were primarily the result of investment sales and net investment losses, respectively.

Defined Contribution Retirement Plans

We maintain several defined contribution retirement plans, the most significant of which is located in the U.S. These plans include 401(k) matching programs, as well as qualified and nonqualified profit sharing and share bonus retirement plans. Expense for the defined contribution plans is computed as a percentage of participants’ compensation and was $60 million, $60 million, and $63 million for fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

Deferred Compensation Plans

We maintain nonqualified deferred compensation plans, which permit eligible employees to defer a portion of their compensation. A record-keeping account is set up for each participant and the participant chooses from a variety of measurement funds for the deemed investment of their accounts. The measurement funds correspond to several funds in our 401(k) plans and the account balance fluctuates with the investment returns on those funds. At fiscal year end 2021 and 2020, total deferred compensation liabilities were $263 million and $218 million, respectively, and were recorded in other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 14 for additional information regarding our risk management strategy related to deferred compensation liabilities.

Postretirement Benefit Plans

In addition to providing pension and 401(k) benefits, we also provide certain health care coverage continuation for qualifying retirees from the date of retirement to age 65 or lifetime, as applicable. The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was $16 million and $17 million at fiscal year end 2021 and 2020, respectively, and the underfunded status of the postretirement benefit plans was included primarily in long-term pension and postretirement liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Activity during fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 was not significant.

16. Income Taxes

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

Significant components of the income tax expense (benefit) were as follows:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

Current income tax expense (benefit):

U.S. Federal

$

3

$

9

$

(28)

U.S. State

 

12

 

(23)

 

2

Non-U.S.

 

462

 

262

 

229

477

248

203

Deferred income tax expense (benefit):

U.S. Federal

 

(24)

 

(16)

 

(25)

U.S. State

 

(15)

 

(10)

 

(8)

Non-U.S.

 

(315)

 

561

 

(185)

(354)

535

(218)

Income tax expense (benefit)

$

123

$

783

$

(15)

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The U.S. and non-U.S. components of income from continuing operations before income taxes were as follows:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

U.S.

$

(336)

$

(1,053)

$

(216)

Non-U.S.

 

2,714

 

1,577

 

2,147

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

$

2,378

$

524

$

1,931

The reconciliation between U.S. federal income taxes at the statutory rate and income tax expense (benefit) was as follows:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

Notional U.S. federal income tax expense at the statutory rate(1)

$

499

$

110

$

406

Adjustments to reconcile to the income tax expense (benefit):

U.S. state income tax benefit, net

 

(2)

 

(26)

 

(5)

Tax law changes

 

12

 

349

 

15

Tax credits

 

(13)

 

(13)

 

(22)

Non-U.S. net earnings(2)

 

(71)

 

(88)

 

(166)

Change in accrued income tax liabilities

 

37

 

30

 

(61)

Valuation allowance

 

(353)

 

231

 

(163)

Divestitures and goodwill impairments

185

Excess tax benefits from share-based payments

(21)

(6)

(8)

Other

 

35

 

11

 

(11)

Income tax expense (benefit)

$

123

$

783

$

(15)

(1)The U.S. federal statutory rate was 21% for fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019.
(2)Excludes items which are separately presented.

The income tax expense for fiscal 2021 included a $353 million income tax benefit related to changes in valuation allowances, of which $327 million related to the net reduction in valuation allowances associated primarily with certain tax planning actions, as well as improved current and expected future operating profit and taxable income. In addition, the income tax expense for fiscal 2021 included a $29 million income tax benefit related to an Internal Revenue Service approved change in the tax method of depreciating or amortizing certain assets and $23 million of income tax expense associated with the tax impacts of an intercompany transaction.

The income tax expense for fiscal 2020 included $355 million of income tax expense related to the tax impacts of certain measures of the Switzerland Federal Act on Tax Reform and AHV Financing (“Swiss Tax Reform”) and an income tax benefit of $31 million related to pre-separation tax matters and the termination of the Tax Sharing Agreement. See “Swiss Tax Reform” and “Tax Sharing Agreement” below for additional information. In addition, the income tax expense for fiscal 2020 included $226 million of income tax expense related to increases to the valuation allowance for certain deferred tax assets, related primarily to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the pandemic and its negative impact on our current and expected operating profit and taxable income, we believed it was more likely than not that a portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. The pre-tax goodwill impairment charge of $900 million recorded during fiscal 2020 resulted in a tax benefit of $4 million as the associated goodwill was primarily not deductible for income tax purposes. See Note 8 for additional information regarding the impairment of goodwill.

The income tax benefit for fiscal 2019 included a $216 million income tax benefit related to the tax impacts of certain measures of Swiss Tax Reform, a $90 million income tax benefit related to the effective settlement of a tax audit in a non-U.S. jurisdiction, and $15 million of income tax expense associated with the tax impacts of certain legal entity

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restructurings and intercompany transactions. See “Swiss Tax Reform” below for additional information regarding Swiss Tax Reform.

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences between the amount of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting and tax purposes. The components of the net deferred income tax asset were as follows:

Fiscal Year End

    

2021

    

2020

    

(in millions)

Deferred tax assets:

Accrued liabilities and reserves

$

313

$

248

Tax loss and credit carryforwards

 

3,836

 

5,338

Inventories

 

46

 

45

Intangible assets

535

572

Pension and postretirement benefits

 

177

 

223

Deferred revenue

 

7

 

4

Interest

 

310

 

180

Unrecognized income tax benefits

 

4

 

3

Lease liabilities

94

106

Other

 

9

 

11

Gross deferred tax assets

 

5,331

 

6,730

Valuation allowance

 

(2,729)

 

(4,429)

Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance

2,602

2,301

Deferred tax liabilities:

Property, plant, and equipment

 

(97)

 

(108)

Lease ROU assets

(92)

(93)

Other

 

(95)

 

(65)

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

(284)

 

(266)

Net deferred tax assets

$

2,318

$

2,035

Our tax loss and credit carryforwards (tax effected) at fiscal year end 2021 were as follows:

Expiration Period

Fiscal 2027

Through

Through

No

    

Fiscal 2026

    

Fiscal 2041

    

Expiration

    

Total

    

(in millions)

U.S. Federal:

Net operating loss carryforwards

$

40

$

383

$

56

$

479

Tax credit carryforwards

 

54

 

112

 

166

U.S. State:

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

61

 

16

 

4

81

Tax credit carryforwards

 

15

 

 

7

22

Non-U.S.:

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

157

 

1,600

 

1,286

3,043

Capital loss carryforwards

3

42

45

Total tax loss and credit carryforwards

$

327

$

2,114

$

1,395

$

3,836

The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets of $2,729 million and $4,429 million at fiscal year end 2021 and 2020, respectively, related principally to the uncertainty of the utilization of certain deferred tax assets, primarily tax loss,

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capital loss, and credit carryforwards in various jurisdictions. During fiscal 2021, the valuation allowance decreased primarily as a result of a $1,295 million (tax effected) recovery of prior years’ net write-downs of investments in subsidiaries in certain jurisdictions, with a corresponding decrease to tax loss and credit carryforwards. In addition, as discussed above, a $327 million net reduction in valuation allowances was associated primarily with certain tax planning actions, as well as improved current and expected future operating profit and taxable income. We believe that we will generate sufficient future taxable income to realize the income tax benefits related to the remaining net deferred tax assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

We have provided income taxes for earnings that are currently distributed as well as the taxes associated with several subsidiaries’ earnings that are expected to be distributed in the future. No additional provision has been made for Swiss or non-Swiss income taxes on the undistributed earnings of subsidiaries or for unrecognized deferred tax liabilities for temporary differences related to basis differences in investments in subsidiaries, as such earnings are expected to be permanently reinvested, the investments are essentially permanent in duration, or we have concluded that no additional tax liability will arise as a result of the distribution of such earnings. As of fiscal year end 2021, certain subsidiaries had approximately $32 billion of cumulative undistributed earnings that have been retained indefinitely and reinvested in our global manufacturing operations, including working capital; property, plant, and equipment; intangible assets; and research and development activities. A liability could arise if our intention to permanently reinvest such earnings were to change and amounts are distributed by such subsidiaries or if such subsidiaries are ultimately disposed. It is not practicable to estimate the additional income taxes related to permanently reinvested earnings or the basis differences related to investments in subsidiaries. As of fiscal year end 2021, we had approximately $4.9 billion of cash, cash equivalents, and intercompany deposits, principally in our subsidiaries, that we have the ability to distribute to TEGSA, our Luxembourg subsidiary, which is the obligor of substantially all of our debt, and to TE Connectivity Ltd., our Swiss parent company, but we consider to be permanently reinvested. We estimate that up to $0.7 billion of tax expense would be recognized on the Consolidated Financial Statements if our intention to permanently reinvest these amounts were to change. Our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate cash, cash equivalents, and intercompany deposits that are designated as permanently reinvested in order to fund our operations, including investing and financing activities.

Uncertain Tax Positions

The following table summarizes the activity related to unrecognized income tax benefits:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

Balance at beginning of fiscal year

$

414

$

542

$

566

Additions related to prior years tax positions

 

14

 

29

 

13

Reductions related to prior years tax positions

 

(77)

 

(87)

 

(101)

Additions related to current year tax positions

 

50

 

39

 

98

Current year acquisitions

4

Settlements

 

(9)

 

(12)

 

(2)

Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations

 

(37)

 

(97)

 

(32)

Balance at end of fiscal year

$

359

$

414

$

542

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would reduce income tax expense and the effective tax rate were $378 million, $393 million, and $397 million at fiscal year end 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

We record accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of income tax expense (benefit). As of fiscal year end 2021 and 2020, we had $53 million and $42 million, respectively, of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, recorded primarily in income taxes. During fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, we recognized income tax expense of $12 million, benefits of $1 million, and benefits of $14 million, respectively, related to interest and penalties on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We file income tax returns on a unitary, consolidated, or stand-alone basis in multiple state and local jurisdictions, which generally have statutes of limitations ranging from 3 to 4 years. Various state and local income tax returns are currently in the process of examination or administrative appeal.

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Our non-U.S. subsidiaries file income tax returns in the countries in which they have operations. Generally, these countries have statutes of limitations ranging from 3 to 10 years. Various non-U.S. subsidiary income tax returns are currently in the process of examination by taxing authorities.

As of fiscal year end 2021, under applicable statutes, the following tax years remained subject to examination in the major tax jurisdictions indicated:

Jurisdiction

    

Open Years

    

Brazil

2016 through 2021

China

 

2011 through 2021

Czech Republic

 

2017 through 2021

France

2018 through 2021

Germany

 

2013 through 2021

Hong Kong

 

2015 through 2021

Ireland

2016 through 2021

Italy

 

2016 through 2021

Japan

 

2015 through 2021

Luxembourg

 

2016 through 2021

Mexico

2016 through 2021

Singapore

 

2016 through 2021

South Korea

2016 through 2021

Spain

 

2017 through 2021

Switzerland

 

2016 through 2021

Thailand

2019 through 2021

United Kingdom

 

2019 through 2021

U.S.—federal

 

2018 through 2021

In most jurisdictions, taxing authorities retain the ability to review prior tax years and to adjust any net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards from these years that are utilized in a subsequent period.

Although it is difficult to predict the timing or results of our worldwide examinations, we estimate that approximately $100 million of unrecognized income tax benefits, excluding the impact relating to accrued interest and penalties, could be resolved within the next twelve months.

We are not aware of any other matters that would result in significant changes to the amount of unrecognized income tax benefits reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of fiscal year end 2021.

Other Income Tax Matters

Swiss Tax Reform

Swiss Parliament approved the Federal Act on Tax Reform and AHV Financing in September 2018, and it was approved by public vote on May 19, 2019. Swiss Tax Reform eliminated certain preferential tax items and implemented new tax rates at both the federal and cantonal levels.

On May 24, 2019, the federal tax authority issued guidance abolishing certain interest deductions effective January 1, 2020. As a result, during fiscal 2019, we recorded a $216 million income tax benefit related primarily to the reduction to the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Based on our forecast of taxable income and the abolishment of certain interest deductions, we believed it was more likely than not that additional deferred tax assets for tax loss carryforwards in Switzerland would be realized in the future. The federal provisions of Swiss Tax Reform were enacted into law in the quarter ended September 27, 2019.

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In October 2019, the canton of Schaffhausen enacted Swiss Tax Reform into law, including reductions in tax rates. During fiscal 2020, we recognized $355 million of income tax expense related primarily to cantonal implementation and the resulting write-down of certain deferred tax assets to the lower tax rates.

Tax Sharing Agreement

Upon our separation from Tyco International plc in fiscal 2007, we entered into a Tax Sharing Agreement with Tyco International plc (now part of Johnson Controls International plc) and Covidien plc (now part of Medtronic plc) under which we shared certain income tax liabilities for periods prior to and including June 29, 2007. Pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement, we entered into certain guarantee commitments and indemnifications.

In fiscal 2020, we, Johnson Controls International plc, and Medtronic plc entered into an agreement to terminate the Tax Sharing Agreement. We believe that substantially all income tax matters that may be subject to the Tax Sharing Agreement have been settled with tax authorities and we do not expect any remaining tax matters to have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. Accordingly, during fiscal 2020, we recognized an income tax benefit of $31 million and net other income of $8 million representing settlement of the remaining shared pre-separation income tax matters and indemnification balances.

17. Earnings (Loss) Per Share

The weighted-average number of shares outstanding used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share were as follows:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

Basic

330

 

332

 

338

Dilutive impact of share-based compensation arrangements

3

 

 

2

Diluted

333

 

332

 

340

For fiscal 2020, there were two million nonvested share awards and options outstanding with underlying exercise prices less than the average market prices of our common shares; however, these were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share as inclusion would be antidilutive as a result of our loss during the period.

The following share options were not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because the instruments’ underlying exercise prices were greater than the average market prices of our common shares and inclusion would be antidilutive:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

Antidilutive share options

 

3

1

18. Shareholders’ Equity

Common Shares

We are organized under the laws of Switzerland. The rights of holders of our shares are governed by Swiss law, our Swiss articles of association, and our Swiss organizational regulations. Accordingly, the par value of our common shares is stated in Swiss francs (“CHF”). We continue to use the U.S. dollar, however, as our reporting currency on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Subject to certain conditions specified in our articles of association, we are authorized to increase our conditional share capital by issuing new shares in aggregate not exceeding 50% of our authorized shares. In March 2020, our shareholders reapproved and extended through March 11, 2022, our board of directors’ authorization to issue additional new shares, subject to certain conditions specified in the articles of association, in aggregate not exceeding 50% of the amount of our authorized shares.

Common Shares Held in Treasury

At fiscal year end 2021, approximately 9 million common shares were held in treasury, of which 4 million were owned by one of our subsidiaries. At fiscal year end 2020, approximately 8 million common shares were held in treasury, of which 5 million were owned by one of our subsidiaries. Shares held both directly by us and by our subsidiary are presented as treasury shares on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, our shareholders approved the cancellation of 3 million, 12 million, and 6 million shares, respectively, purchased under our share repurchase program. These capital reductions by cancellation of shares were subject to a notice period and filing with the commercial register in Switzerland.

Contributed Surplus

As a result of cumulative equity transactions, including dividend activity and treasury share cancellations, our contributed surplus balance was reduced to zero with residual activity recorded against accumulated earnings as reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity. To the extent that the contributed surplus balance continues to be zero, the impact of future transactions that normally would have been recorded as a reduction of contributed surplus will be recorded in accumulated earnings. Contributed surplus established for Swiss tax and statutory purposes (“Swiss Contributed Surplus”) is not impacted by our GAAP treatment.

Swiss Contributed Surplus, subject to certain conditions, is a freely distributable reserve. As of fiscal year end 2021 and 2020, Swiss Contributed Surplus was CHF 4,902 million and CHF 5,513 million, respectively (equivalent to $3,905 million and $4,561 million, respectively).

Dividends

We paid cash dividends to shareholders of $1.96, $1.88, and $1.80 per share in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

Under Swiss law, subject to certain conditions, dividends paid from reserves from capital contributions (equivalent to Swiss Contributed Surplus) are exempt from Swiss withholding tax. Dividends on our shares must be approved by our shareholders.

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Our shareholders approved the following dividends on our common shares:

Approval Date

    

Annual Payment Per Share

    

Payment Timing

    

March 2018

$1.76, payable in four quarterly installments of $0.44

Third quarter of fiscal 2018
Fourth quarter of fiscal 2018
First quarter of fiscal 2019
Second quarter of fiscal 2019

March 2019

$1.84, payable in four quarterly installments of $0.46

Third quarter of fiscal 2019
Fourth quarter of fiscal 2019
First quarter of fiscal 2020
Second quarter of fiscal 2020

March 2020

$1.92, payable in four quarterly installments of $0.48

Third quarter of fiscal 2020
Fourth quarter of fiscal 2020
First quarter of fiscal 2021
Second quarter of fiscal 2021

March 2021

$2.00, payable in four quarterly installments of $0.50

Third quarter of fiscal 2021
Fourth quarter of fiscal 2021
First quarter of fiscal 2022
Second quarter of fiscal 2022

Upon shareholders’ approval of a dividend payment, we record a liability with a corresponding charge to shareholders’ equity. At fiscal year end 2021 and 2020, the unpaid portion of the dividends recorded in accrued and other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled $327 million and $317 million, respectively.

Share Repurchase Program

In both fiscal 2021 and 2019, our board of directors authorized increases of $1.5 billion in our share repurchase program. Common shares repurchased under the share repurchase program were as follows:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

Number of common shares repurchased

7

 

6

 

12

Repurchase value

$

904

 

$

505

 

$

1,014

At fiscal year end 2021, we had $1.6 billion of availability remaining under our share repurchase authorization.

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19. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:

Foreign

Unrecognized

Gains (Losses)

Accumulated

Currency

Pension and

on Cash

Other

Translation

Postretirement

Flow

Comprehensive

  

Adjustments(1)

  

Benefit Costs

  

Hedges

  

Income (Loss)

    

(in millions)

Balance at fiscal year end 2018

$

236

$

(452)

$

(90)

$

(306)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

(115)

 

(295)

 

35

 

(375)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

67

(2)

 

34

 

15

 

116

Income tax (expense) benefit

66

(4)

62

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

(48)

(195)

46

(197)

Balance at fiscal year end 2019

188

(647)

(44)

(503)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

(11)

8

58

55

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

44

 

(13)

 

31

Income tax expense

 

 

(18)

 

(5)

 

(23)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

(11)

34

40

63

Less: other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

(5)

(5)

Balance at fiscal year end 2020

172

(613)

(4)

(445)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

144

120

84

348

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

62

(92)

(30)

Income tax (expense) benefit

(44)

5

(39)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

144

138

(3)

279

Less: other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

(2)

(2)

Balance at fiscal year end 2021

$

314

$

(475)

$

(7)

$

(168)

(1)Includes hedges of net investment foreign currency exchange gains or losses which offset foreign currency exchange losses or gains attributable to the translation of the net investments.
(2)Represents net foreign currency translation adjustments reclassified as a result of the sale of the SubCom business. This net loss is included in income (loss) from discontinued operations on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. See Note 4 for additional information regarding the divestiture of SubCom.

20. Share Plans

Our equity compensation plans, of which the TE Connectivity Ltd. 2007 Stock and Incentive Plan, amended and restated as of September 17, 2020 (the “2007 Plan”), is the primary plan, provide for the award of annual performance bonuses and long-term performance awards, including share options; restricted, performance, and deferred share units; and other share-based awards (collectively, “Awards”) and allow for the use of unissued shares or treasury shares to be used to satisfy such Awards. As of fiscal year end 2021, the 2007 Plan provided for a maximum of 70 million shares to be issued as Awards, subject to adjustment as provided under the terms of the plan. A total of 12 million shares remained available for issuance under the 2007 Plan as of fiscal year end 2021.

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Share-Based Compensation Expense

Share-based compensation expense, which was included primarily in selling, general, and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, was as follows:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

Share-based compensation expense

 

$

94

 

$

74

 

$

75

We recognized a related tax benefit associated with our share-based compensation arrangements of $19 million, $15 million, and $16 million in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

Restricted Share Awards

Restricted share awards, which are generally in the form of restricted share units, are granted subject to certain restrictions. Conditions of vesting are determined at the time of grant. All restrictions on an award will lapse upon death or disability of the employee. If the employee satisfies retirement requirements, all or a portion of the award may vest, depending on the terms and conditions of the particular grant. Recipients of restricted share units have no voting rights, but do receive dividend equivalents. For grants that vest through passage of time, the fair value of the award at the time of the grant is amortized to expense over the period of vesting. The fair value of restricted share awards is determined based on the closing value of our shares on the grant date. Restricted share awards generally vest in increments over a period of four years as determined by the management development and compensation committee of our board of directors.

Restricted share award activity was as follows:

Weighted-Average

Grant-Date

    

Shares

    

Fair Value

    

Nonvested at fiscal year end 2020

 

1,419,427

$

86.15

Granted

 

589,312

 

112.54

Vested

 

(518,894)

 

82.09

Forfeited

 

(173,200)

 

91.85

Nonvested at fiscal year end 2021

 

1,316,645

$

96.03

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted share awards granted during fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $112.54, $92.94, and $77.77, respectively.

The total fair value of restricted share awards that vested during fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $43 million, $44 million, and $48 million, respectively.

As of fiscal year end 2021, there was $68 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested restricted share awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

Performance Share Awards

Performance share awards, which are generally in the form of performance share units, are granted with pay-out subject to vesting requirements and certain performance conditions that are determined at the time of grant. Based on our performance, the pay-out of performance share units can range from 0% to 200% of the number of units originally granted. The grant-date fair value of performance share awards is expensed over the period of performance once achievement of the performance criteria is deemed probable. Recipients of performance share units have no voting rights but do receive dividend equivalents. Performance share awards generally vest after a period of three years as determined by the management development and compensation committee of our board of directors.

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Performance share award activity was as follows:

Weighted-Average

Grant-Date

    

Shares

    

Fair Value

    

Outstanding at fiscal year end 2020

 

514,245

$

87.30

Granted

 

185,259

 

105.86

Vested

(99,024)

93.36

Forfeited

 

(74,409)

 

92.75

Outstanding at fiscal year end 2021

 

526,071

$

88.99

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of performance share awards granted during fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $105.86, $83.30, and $71.38, respectively.

The total fair value of performance share awards that vested during fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $10 million, $20 million, and $30 million, respectively.

As of fiscal year end 2021, there was $21 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested performance share awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.

Share Options

Share options are granted to purchase our common shares at prices which are equal to or greater than the market price of the common shares on the date the option is granted. Conditions of vesting are determined at the time of grant. All restrictions on the award will lapse upon death or disability of the employee. If the employee satisfies retirement requirements, all or a portion of the award may vest, depending on the terms and conditions of the particular grant. Options generally vest and become exercisable in equal annual installments over a period of four years and expire ten years after the date of grant.

Share option award activity was as follows:

Weighted-Average

Weighted-Average

Remaining

Aggregate

Exercise

Contractual

Intrinsic

    

Shares

    

Price

    

Term

    

Value

    

(in years)

(in millions)

Outstanding at fiscal year end 2020

 

6,657,716

$

77.73

Granted

 

1,330,050

 

106.52

Exercised

 

(2,397,357)

 

69.29

Forfeited

 

(241,465)

 

92.44

Outstanding at fiscal year end 2021

 

5,348,944

$

88.00

 

7.0

$

300

Vested and expected to vest at fiscal year end 2021

 

5,157,695

$

87.63

 

7.0

$

291

Exercisable at fiscal year end 2021

 

2,181,837

$

77.38

 

5.4

$

145

The weighted-average exercise price of share option awards granted during fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $106.52, $93.39, and $76.91, respectively.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $49 million, $39 million, and $58 million, respectively. We received cash related to the exercise of options of $167 million, $55 million, and $85 million in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

As of fiscal year end 2021, there was $32 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested share options granted under our share option plans, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years.

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Share-Based Compensation Assumptions

The grant-date fair value of each share option grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. Use of a valuation model requires management to make certain assumptions with respect to selected model inputs. We employ our historical share volatility when calculating the grant-date fair value of our share option grants using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. Currently, we do not have exchange-traded options of sufficient duration to employ an implied volatility assumption in the calculation and therefore rely solely on the historical volatility calculation. The average expected life was based on the contractual term of the option and expected employee exercise and post-vesting employment termination behavior. The risk-free interest rate was based on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term that approximated the expected life assumed at the date of grant. The expected annual dividend per share was based on our expected dividend rate. The recognized share-based compensation expense was net of estimated forfeitures, which are based on voluntary termination behavior as well as an analysis of actual option forfeitures.

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted and the weighted-average assumptions we used in the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model were as follows:

    

Fiscal

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

  

Weighted-average grant-date fair value

$

22.21

$

15.49

$

13.40

Assumptions:

Expected share price volatility

    

 

28

%  

 

21

%  

 

20

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

0.5

%  

 

1.7

%  

 

3.0

%

Expected annual dividend per share

$

1.92

$

1.84

$

1.76

Expected life of options (in years)

 

5.4

 

5.1

 

5.2

21. Segment and Geographic Data

We operate through three reportable segments: Transportation Solutions, Industrial Solutions, and Communications Solutions. See Note 1 for a description of the segments in which we operate.

Segment performance is evaluated based on net sales and operating income. Generally, we consider all expenses to be of an operating nature and, accordingly, allocate them to each reportable segment. Costs specific to a segment are charged to the segment. Corporate expenses, such as headquarters administrative costs, are allocated to the segments based on segment operating income. Intersegment sales are not material. Corporate assets are allocated to the segments based on segment assets.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Net sales by segment and industry end market(1) were as follows:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

Transportation Solutions:

Automotive

$

6,379

$

4,903

$

5,686

Commercial transportation

 

1,467

 

1,051

 

1,221

Sensors

 

1,128

 

891

 

914

Total Transportation Solutions

8,974

6,845

7,821

Industrial Solutions:

Industrial equipment

1,397

1,098

1,242

Aerospace, defense, oil, and gas

1,035

1,201

1,306

Energy

738

717

699

Medical

674

697

707

Total Industrial Solutions

3,844

3,713

3,954

Communications Solutions:

Data and devices

1,198

973

993

Appliances

907

641

680

Total Communications Solutions

2,105

1,614

1,673

Total

$

14,923

$

12,172

$

13,448

(1)Industry end market information is presented consistently with our internal management reporting and may be revised periodically as management deems necessary.

Net sales by geographic region and segment were as follows:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

Europe/Middle East/Africa (“EMEA”):

Transportation Solutions

$

3,570

$

2,625

$

3,099

Industrial Solutions

1,586

1,359

1,466

Communications Solutions

315

236

258

Total EMEA

5,471

4,220

4,823

Asia–Pacific:

Transportation Solutions

3,466

2,662

2,812

Industrial Solutions

703

604

625

Communications Solutions

1,205

980

964

Total Asia–Pacific

5,374

4,246

4,401

Americas:

Transportation Solutions

1,938

1,558

1,910

Industrial Solutions

1,555

1,750

1,863

Communications Solutions

585

398

451

Total Americas

4,078

3,706

4,224

Total

$

14,923

$

12,172

$

13,448

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Operating income (loss) by segment was as follows:

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

Transportation Solutions

$

1,526

$

(93)

$

1,226

Industrial Solutions

469

412

543

Communications Solutions

439

218

209

Total

$

2,434

$

537

$

1,978

No single customer accounted for a significant amount of our net sales in fiscal 2021, 2020, or 2019.

As we are not organized by product or service, it is not practicable to disclose net sales by product or service.

Depreciation and amortization and capital expenditures were as follows:

Depreciation and

Amortization

Capital Expenditures

Fiscal

Fiscal

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

Transportation Solutions

$

512

$

463

$

442

$

487

$

365

$

530

Industrial Solutions

 

189

 

184

 

181

 

121

 

139

 

145

Communications Solutions

 

68

 

64

 

67

 

82

 

56

 

74

Total

$

769

$

711

$

690

$

690

$

560

$

749

Segment assets and a reconciliation of segment assets to total assets were as follows:

Segment Assets

Fiscal Year End

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

Transportation Solutions

$

5,791

$

4,973

$

4,781

Industrial Solutions

 

2,275

 

2,117

 

2,100

Communications Solutions

 

1,151

 

887

 

849

Total segment assets(1)

 

9,217

 

7,977

 

7,730

Other current assets

 

1,824

 

1,457

 

1,398

Other non-current assets

 

10,421

 

9,808

 

10,566

Total assets

$

21,462

$

19,242

$

19,694

(1)Segment assets are composed of accounts receivable, inventories, and net property, plant, and equipment.

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Net sales and net property, plant, and equipment by geographic region were as follows:

Property, Plant, and

Net Sales(1)

Equipment, Net

Fiscal

Fiscal Year End

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

2021

    

2020

    

2019

    

(in millions)

EMEA:

Switzerland

$

3,616

$

2,878

$

3,251

$

41

$

79

$

92

Germany

 

417

 

343

 

404

 

599

 

559

 

443

Other EMEA

 

1,438

 

999

 

1,168

 

937

 

871

 

851

Total EMEA

 

5,471

 

4,220

 

4,823

 

1,577

 

1,509

 

1,386

Asia–Pacific:

China

3,297

2,459

2,443

755

659

642

Other Asia–Pacific

 

2,077

 

1,787

 

1,958

 

377

 

418

 

449

Total Asia–Pacific

 

5,374

 

4,246

 

4,401

 

1,132

 

1,077

 

1,091

Americas:

U.S.

3,615

3,348

3,794

960

963

991

Other Americas

 

463

 

358

 

430

 

109

 

101

 

106

Total Americas

 

4,078

 

3,706

 

4,224

 

1,069

 

1,064

 

1,097

Total

$

14,923

$

12,172

$

13,448

$

3,778

$

3,650

$

3,574

(1)

Net sales to external customers are attributed to individual countries based on the legal entity that records the sale.

22. Subsequent Event

Subsequent to fiscal year end 2021, TEGSA called for the early redemption of all of its outstanding 3.50% senior notes due in February 2022, representing $500 million aggregate principal amount. The notes were redeemed on November 3, 2021.

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SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Fiscal Years Ended September 24, 2021, September 25, 2020, and September 27, 2019

Additions

Balance at

Charged to

Acquisitions,

Write-offs

Balance at

Beginning of

Costs and

Divestitures,

and

End of

Description

    

Fiscal Year

    

Expenses

    

and Other

    

Deductions

    

Fiscal Year

    

(in millions)

Fiscal 2021:

Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable

$

29

$

15

$

1

$

(4)

$

41

Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets

 

4,429

 

31

 

 

(1,731)

 

2,729

Fiscal 2020:

Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable

$

25

$

10

$

(1)

$

(5)

$

29

Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets

 

4,970

 

493

 

 

(1,034)

 

4,429

Fiscal 2019:

Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable

$

22

$

9

$

$

(6)

$

25

Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets

 

2,191

 

3,248

 

 

(469)

 

4,970

102