Note 3 - Business Combinations

9 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2013

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 3.    BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

We periodically evaluate potential strategic acquisitions or arrangements to broaden our product offering and build upon our existing library of intellectual property, human capital and engineering talent in order to expand our capabilities in the areas in which we operate or to acquire complementary businesses.

We account for each business combination by applying the acquisition method, which requires (1) identifying the acquiree; (2) determining the acquisition date; (3) recognizing and measuring the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest we have in the acquiree at their acquisition date fair value; and (4) recognizing and measuring goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase.

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies are recognized at fair value on the acquisition date if fair value can be determined during the measurement period. If fair value cannot be determined, we typically account for the acquired contingencies using existing guidance for a reasonable estimate.

To establish fair value, we measure the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an ordinary transaction between market participants. The measurement assumes the highest and best use of the asset by the market participants that would maximize the value of the asset or the group of assets within which the asset would be used at the measurement date, even if the intended use of the asset is different.

Acquisition related costs, including finder’s fees, advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees are accounted for as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are received, with the exception that the costs to issue debt or equity securities are recognized in accordance with other applicable GAAP.

Acquisition of Cadeka

On July 5, 2013, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Cadeka Technologies (Cayman) Holding Ltd., a privately held company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands and all the outstanding stock of the subsidiaries of Cadeka, including the equity of its wholly owned subsidiary Cadeka Microcircuits, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (“Cadeka”). With locations in Loveland, Colorado, Shenzhen and Wuxi, China, Cadeka designs, develops and markets high precision analog integrated circuits for use in industrial and high reliability applications. Cadeka’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our condensed consolidated financial statements beginning July 6, 2013. The pro forma effects of the portion of the Cadeka operations assumed through the transaction on our results of operations during fiscal years 2014 and 2013 were considered immaterial.

Consideration

The purchase consideration includes approximately 454,000 shares of our common stock issued to the shareholders of Cadeka (valued at $5.2 million) and a cash payment of $25.0 million (less an amount of $1.0 million, inclusive of 15,000 shares, held back temporarily to satisfy potential indemnity claims). An additional purchase price consideration earn-out (up to $5.0 million) may be earned over the next two fiscal years contingent upon achieving certain revenue targets, and may be paid in the form of cash, stock or both. The $5.2 million worth of shares issued at closing were valued on the date of the acquisition, and the fair value of contingent earn-outs was derived using a probability-based approach on various revenue assumptions and discounted to a present value. Final determination of the earn-out liability can range from zero to $5.0 million based on the actual achievement of the revenue targets. Fair value of contingent consideration is subject to periodic revaluation and any change in the fair value of contingent consideration from the events after the acquisition date will be recognized in earnings of the period in which the fair value changes. The probability–based approach used to fair value contingent consideration is based on significant inputs not observed in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement. The significant unobservable inputs include projected revenues, percentage probability of occurrence and a discount rate to present value the future payments. The summary of the preliminary purchase consideration is as follows (in thousands):

	Amount
Cash	$	25,000
Equity instruments		5,177
Estimated fair value of earn-out payments		4,660
Total consideration paid	$	34,837

In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, the acquisition of Cadeka was recorded as a purchase business acquisition since Cadeka was considered a business. Under the purchase method of accounting, the fair value of the consideration was allocated to net assets acquired at their fair values. The fair value of purchased identifiable intangible assets and contingent earn-outs were derived from model-based valuations from significant unobservable inputs (“Level 3 inputs”) determined by management. The fair value of purchased identifiable intangible assets was determined using discounted cash flow models from operating projections prepared by management using an internal rate of return ranging from 15% to 23%. The fair value of the contingent earn-out was a probability-based approach that includes significant Level 3 inputs. See Note 4 —“Fair Value,” for additional details of the inputs used to determine the fair value of the contingent earn-out. The excess of the preliminary fair value of consideration paid over the preliminary fair values of net assets acquired and identifiable intangible assets resulted in recognition of goodwill of approximately $12.4 million prior to considering the impact on deferred tax assets and liabilities. The goodwill results largely of expected synergies from combining the operations of Cadeka with that of Exar and is not expected to be tax deductible. After considering the impact of deductible and taxable temporary tax differences on the acquired business, a deferred tax liability of $6.8 million was established primarily related to identified intangible asset basis differences, which resulted in a total goodwill amount recorded as part of the acquisition of $19.2 million. Additionally, in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, we also evaluated the impact of the acquisition on Exar’s valuation allowance, the impact of which is recorded outside of purchase accounting, resulting in a release of the valuation allowance and an income tax benefit of $6.8 million.

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

The allocation of the total preliminary purchase price to Cadeka’s tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed was based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.

The preliminary fair value allocated to each of the major classes of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Cadeka acquisition was as follows (in thousands):

	Amount
Identifiable tangible assets (liabilities)
Cash	$	1,055
Accounts Receivable		241
Inventories		1,756
Property, plant and equipment		231
Other assets		3
Accounts payable and accruals		(7,400	)
Other short-term liabilities		(520	)
Long-term liabilities		(126	)
Total identifiable tangible assets (liabilities), net		(4,760	)
Identifiable intangible assets		20,380
Total identifiable assets, net		15,620
Goodwill		19,217
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	34,837

The following table sets forth the components of identifiable intangible assets acquired in connection with the Cadeka acquisition (in thousands):

	Fair Value
Developed technologies	$	15,720
In-process research and development		2,280
Customer relations		2,170
Trade name		210
Total identifiable intangible assets	$	20,380

In valuing specific components of the acquisition, that includes deferred taxes, and intangibles required us to make estimates that may be adjusted in the future, if new information is obtained about circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have resulted in the recognition of those assets and liabilities as of that date. Thus, the purchase price allocation is considered preliminary and dependent upon the finalization of the valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including income tax effects. Final determination of these estimates could result in an adjustment to the preliminary purchase price allocation, with an offsetting adjustment to goodwill.

Acquisition Related Costs

Acquisition related costs, or deal costs, relating to Cadeka are included in the selling, general and administrative line on the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended December 29, 2013 were approximately $0.4 million.

Acquisition of Altior

On March 22, 2013, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Altior Inc. (“Altior”), a developer of data management solutions in Eatontown, New Jersey. Altior’s results of operations and estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were included in our consolidated financial statements beginning March 23, 2013. The pro forma effects of the portion of the Altior operations assumed through the transaction on our results of operations during fiscal years 2013 and 2012 were considered immaterial.

Consideration

The purchase consideration included approximately 358,000 of our shares issued to the shareholders of Altior, a cash payment of $1.0 million (of which $0.25 million was held back temporarily to satisfy potential indemnity claims), and additional purchase price consideration earn-outs which may be paid in the form of cash, shares or a combination thereof (not to exceed $20.0 million in aggregate) payable over the next three fiscal years contingent upon achieving certain revenue targets. The $3.7 million worth of shares issued as consideration were valued on the date of the acquisition, and the fair value of contingent earn-outs was derived using a probability-based approach on various revenue assumptions. Final determination of the earn-out liability can range from zero to $20.0 million based on the actual achievement of the revenue targets. Fair value of contingent consideration is subject to periodic revaluation and any change in the fair value of contingent consideration from the events after the acquisition date, will be recognized in earnings of the period in which the fair value changes. The probability–based approach used to fair value contingent consideration is based on significant inputs not observed in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement. The significant unobservable inputs include projected revenues, percentage probability of occurrence and a discount rate to present value the future payments. The summary of the purchase consideration is as follows (in thousands):

	Amount
Cash	$	1,000
Equity instruments		3,740
Estimated fair value of earn-out payments		10,138
Total consideration paid	$	14,878

In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, the acquisition of Altior was recorded as a purchase business acquisition since Altior was considered a business. Under the purchase method of accounting, the fair value of the consideration was allocated to assets and liabilities assumed at their fair values. The fair value of purchased identifiable intangible assets and contingent earn-outs were derived from model-based valuations from significant Level 3 inputs determined by management. The fair value of purchased identifiable intangible assets was determined using discounted cash flow models from operating projections prepared by management using an internal rate of return ranging from 12% to 19%. The fair value of the contingent earn-outs was a probability-based approach that includes significant Level 3 inputs. See Note 4 —“Fair Value,” for additional details of the inputs used to determine the fair value of the contingent earn-out. The excess of the fair value of consideration paid over the fair values of net assets and liabilities acquired and identifiable intangible assets resulted in recognition of goodwill of approximately $7.2 million. The goodwill consists largely of expected synergies from combining the operations of Altior with that of Exar and is deductible over 15 years for tax purposes.

Purchase Price Allocation

The allocation of the purchase price to Altior’s tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed was based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.

The fair value allocated to each of the major classes of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Altior acquisition was as follows (in thousands):

	Amount
Identifiable tangible assets
Inventories	$	126
Property, plant and equipment		140
Other assets		36
Accounts payable and accruals		(24	)
Other short-term liabilities		(51	)
Long-term liabilities		(61	)
Total identifiable tangible assets, net		166
Identifiable intangible assets – existing technology		7,540
Total identifiable assets, net		7,706
Goodwill		7,172
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	14,878

Acquisition Related Costs

Acquisition related costs, or deal costs, relating to Altior are included in the selling, general and administrative line on the consolidated statement of operations for fiscal year 2013, which were immaterial.