Earnings Per Share (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jul. 02, 2011

Earnings Per Share (Table) [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

Computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Vishay stockholders

	Fiscal quarters ended				Six fiscal months ended
	July 2, 2011		July 3, 2010		July 2, 2011		July 3, 2010
Numerator:
Numerator for basic earnings per share:
Net earnings	$	82,095	$	76,659	$	157,382	$	122,079
Adjustment to the numerator for continuing
operations and net earnings:
Interest savings assuming conversion of dilutive
convertible and exchangeable notes, net of tax		48		50		94		92
Numerator for diluted earnings per share:
Net earnings	$	82,143	$	76,709	$	157,476	$	122,171
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
Weighted average shares		160,801		186,667		163,006		186,654
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible and exchangeable debt instruments		9,166		6,176		9,464		6,176
Employee stock options		162		7		201		6
Other		516		234		472		240
Dilutive potential common shares		9,844		6,417		10,137		6,422
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Adjusted weighted average shares		170,645		193,084		173,143		193,076
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$	0.51	$	0.41	$	0.97	$	0.65
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders	$	0.48	$	0.40	$	0.91	$	0.63

Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]

Weighted average potential common shares that would have an antidilutive effect or have unsatisfied performance conditions

	Fiscal quarters ended		Six fiscal months ended
	July 2, 2011	July 3, 2010	July 2, 2011	July 3, 2010
Convertible and exchangeable notes:
Convertible Senior Debentures, due 2041	4,332	-	2,166	-
Convertible Subordinated Notes, due 2023	-	87	-	87
Weighted average employee stock options	-	2,514	2	2,595
Weighted average warrants	8,824	8,824	8,824	8,824
Weighted average other	101	9	69	47