Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The Company’s equity incentive plans are broad-based, long-term retention programs that cover employees, consultants and non-employee directors of the Company. These plans are intended to attract and retain talented employees, consultants and non-employee directors and to provide such persons with a proprietary interest in the Company.

Stock-Based Compensation

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense related to stock awards granted under the Company’s equity incentive plans and rights to acquire stock granted under the Company’s ESPP:



(In thousands)	March 29, 2014			March 30, 2013			March 31, 2012
Stock-based compensation included in:
Cost of revenues	$	7,602		$	6,356		$	5,630
Research and development	46,197			37,937			32,310
Selling, general and administrative	40,515			33,569			29,478
Stock-based compensation effect on income before taxes	94,314			77,862			67,418
Income tax effect	(27,327		)	(22,137		)	(19,214		)
Net stock-based compensation effect on net income	$	66,987		$	55,725		$	48,204

In accordance with the authoritative guidance on accounting for share-based payments, the Company adjusts stock-based compensation on a quarterly basis for changes to the estimate of expected equity award forfeitures based on actual forfeiture experience. The effect of adjusting the forfeiture rate for all expense amortization was recognized in the period the forfeiture estimate was changed, and was not material for all periods presented.

As of March 29, 2014 and March 30, 2013, the ending inventory balances included $2.4 million and $2.0 million of capitalized stock-based compensation, respectively. During fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, the tax benefit realized for the tax deduction from option exercises and other awards, including amounts credited to additional paid-in capital, totaled $67.0 million, $32.6 million and $31.2 million, respectively.

The fair values of stock options and stock purchase plan rights under the Company’s equity incentive plans and ESPP were estimated as of the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company’s expected stock price volatility assumption for stock options is estimated using implied volatility of the Company’s traded options. The expected life of options granted is based on the historical exercise activity as well as the expected disposition of all options outstanding. The expected life of options granted also considers the actual contractual term.

The Company's stock-based compensation expense relating to options granted during fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012 were not material.

The weighted-average fair value per share of stock purchase rights granted under the ESPP during fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $11.11, $8.61 and $9.42, respectively. These fair values per share were estimated at the date of grant using the following weighted-average assumptions:



	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	2014		2013		2012
Expected life of options (years)	1.3		1.3		1.3
Expected stock price volatility	0.24		0.26		0.29
Risk-free interest rate	0.2	%	0.2	%	0.2	%
Dividend yield	2.4	%	2.7	%	2.4	%

The estimated fair values of restricted stock unit (RSU) awards were calculated based on the market price of Xilinx common stock on the date of grant, reduced by the present value of dividends expected to be paid on Xilinx common stock prior to vesting. The per share weighted-average fair value of RSUs granted during fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $38.90, $31.58 and $33.69, respectively. The weighted average fair value of RSUs granted in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 were calculated based on estimates at the date of grant using the following weighted-average assumptions:



	2014		2013		2012
Risk-free interest rate	0.7	%	0.4	%	0.7	%
Dividend yield	2.5	%	2.7	%	2.2	%

Options outstanding that have vested and are expected to vest in future periods as of March 29, 2014 are as follows:



(Shares and intrinsic value in thousands)	Number of Shares	Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share	Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value ⁽¹⁾
Vested (i.e., exercisable)	4,935	$24.87	2.20	$	142,968
Expected to vest	326	$30.36	4.10	$	7,648
Total vested and expected to vest	5,261	$25.21	2.30	$	150,616

Total outstanding	5,280	$25.22	2.30	$	151,139


(1)	These amounts represent the difference between the exercise price and $53.84, the closing price per share of Xilinx’s stock on March 29, 2014, for all in-the-money options outstanding.

Options outstanding that are expected to vest are net of estimated future option forfeitures in accordance with the authoritative guidance of accounting for share-based payment, which are estimated when compensation costs are recognized. Options with a fair value of $4.7 million completed vesting during fiscal 2014. As of March 29, 2014, total unrecognized stock-based compensation costs related to stock options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan were $2.4 million and $20.9 million, respectively. The total unrecognized stock-based compensation cost for stock options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years and 1.1 years, respectively.

Employee Stock Option Plans

Under the Company’s stock option plans (Option Plans), options reserved for future issuance of common shares to employees and directors of the Company total 20.3 million shares as of March 29, 2014, including 15.0 million shares available for future grants under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (2007 Equity Plan). Options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock under the Option Plans are granted at 100% of the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant. The contractual term for stock awards granted under the 2007 Equity Plan is seven years from the grant date. Prior to April 1, 2007, stock options granted by the Company generally expire ten years from the grant date. Stock awards granted to existing and newly hired employees generally vest over a four-year period from the date of grant.

A summary of shares available for grant under the 2007 Equity Plan is as follows:



(Shares in thousands)	Shares Available for Grant
April 2, 2011	13,164
Additional shares reserved	4,500
Stocks options granted	(207	)
Stock options cancelled	70
RSUs granted	(2,977	)
RSUs cancelled	358
March 31, 2012	14,908
Additional shares reserved	3,500
Stocks options granted	(92	)
Stock options cancelled	209
RSUs granted	(3,018	)
RSUs cancelled	483
March 30, 2013	15,990
Additional shares reserved	2,000
Stocks options granted	(8	)
Stock options cancelled	26
RSUs granted	(3,297	)
RSUs cancelled	326
March 29, 2014	15,037

The types of awards allowed under the 2007 Equity Plan include incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, RSUs, restricted stock and stock appreciation rights. To date, the Company has issued a mix of non-qualified stock options and RSUs under the 2007 Equity Plan.

A summary of the Company’s Option Plans activity and related information is as follows:



	Options Outstanding
(Shares in thousands)	Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share
April 2, 2011	24,969		$	29.11
Granted	207		$	34.79
Exercised	(3,622	)	$	24.70
Forfeited/cancelled/expired	(3,766	)	$	37.35
March 31, 2012	17,788		$	28.32
Granted	92		$	33.83
Exercised	(3,564	)	$	24.68
Forfeited/cancelled/expired	(1,563	)	$	39.54
March 30, 2013	12,753		$	28.01
Granted	8		$	41.08
Exercised	(7,421	)	$	29.95
Forfeited/cancelled/expired	(60	)	$	35.61
March 29, 2014	5,280		$	25.22
Options exercisable at:
March 29, 2014	4,935		$	24.87
March 30, 2013	11,639		$	28.07

The total pre-tax intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal 2014 and 2013 was $119.6 million and $38.9 million, respectively. This intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of exercise.

Since the Company adopted the policy of retiring all repurchased shares of its common stock, new shares are issued upon employees’ exercise of their stock options.

The following information relates to options outstanding and exercisable under the Option Plans as of March 29, 2014:



	Options Outstanding			Options Exercisable
		Weighted-	Weighted-		Weighted-
(Shares in thousands)		Average	Average		Average
		Remaining	Exercise		Exercise
	Options	Contractual Term	Price Per	Options	Price Per
Range of Exercise Prices	Outstanding	(Years)	Share	Exercisable	Share
$15.95 - $19.79	78	1.97	$18.15	78	$18.15
$20.14 - $29.93	4,766	2.21	$24.46	4,604	$24.41
$30.04 - $38.56	355	4.14	$33.54	180	$32.88
$40.11 - $40.37	81	0.11	$40.11	73	$40.11
	5,280	2.30	$25.22	4,935	$24.87

RSU Awards

A summary of the Company’s RSU activity and related information is as follows:



	RSUs Outstanding
(Shares and intrinsic value in thousands)	Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	Average Intrinsic Value (1)
April 2, 2011	4,215		$	23.19
Granted	2,977		$	33.69
Vested ⁽²⁾	(1,543	)	$	23.11
Cancelled	(410	)	$	25.18
March 31, 2012	5,239		$	29.01
Granted	3,018		$	31.58
Vested ⁽²⁾	(1,778	)	$	27.01
Cancelled	(483	)	$	29.69
March 30, 2013	5,996		$	30.83
Granted	3,297		$	38.90
Vested ⁽²⁾	(2,066	)	$	29.25
Cancelled	(326	)	$	32.28
March 29, 2014	6,901		$	35.08	2.38	$	371,578

Expected to vest as of March 29, 2014	6,339		$	35.22	3.38	$	341,289


(1)	Aggregate intrinsic value for RSUs represents the closing price per share of Xilinx’s stock on March 29, 2014 of $53.84, multiplied by the number of RSUs outstanding or expected to vest as of March 29, 2014.


(2)	The number of RSUs vested includes shares that the Company withheld on behalf of employees to satisfy the statutory tax withholding requirements.

RSUs with a fair value of $60.4 million were vested during fiscal 2014. As of March 29, 2014, total unrecognized stock-based compensation costs related to non-vested RSUs was $185.1 million. The total unrecognized stock-based compensation cost for RSUs is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.6 years.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Under the Company’s ESPP, qualified employees can obtain a 24-month purchase right to purchase the Company’s common stock at the end of each six-month exercise period. Participation is limited to 15% of the employee’s annual earnings up to a maximum of $21 thousand in a calendar year. Approximately 78% of all eligible employees participate in the ESPP. The purchase price of the stock is 85% of the lower of the fair market value at the beginning of the 24-month offering period or at the end of each six-month exercise period. Employees purchased 1.2 million shares for $37.9 million in fiscal 2014, 1.3 million shares for $34.5 million in fiscal 2013, and 1.2 million shares for $33.1 million in fiscal 2012. The next scheduled purchase under the ESPP is in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. As of March 29, 2014, 9.7 million shares were available for future issuance out of the 50.5 million shares authorized.