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Note 7 - Long-term Investment
6 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements  
Investment [Text Block]
NOTE 7.
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
 
In July 2001, Exar became a Limited Partner in the Skypoint Telecom Fund II (US), LP. (“Skypoint Fund”), a venture capital fund focused on investments in communications infrastructure companies. We account for this non-marketable equity investment under the cost method in the other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheet. The partnership was dissolved and the fund distributed stock of investee companies to Exar during first quarter of fiscal year 2015.
 
We periodically review and determine whether the investment is other-than-temporarily impaired, in which case the investment is written down to its impaired value.
 
As of the date indicated below, our long-term investments balance, which is included in the other non-current assets line item on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
October 2,
 
 
March 27,
 
 
 
2016
 
 
2016
 
Beginning balance
  $ 389     $ 394  
Donation of Counterpath shares
    (50 )     -  
Impairment charges
    -       (5 )
Ending balance
  $ 339     $ 389  
 
 
In June 2016, we donated the common shares of Counterpath and recorded the corresponding reduction in long term investment balances. At October 2, 2016 the ending balance consists of an investment in a privately held company.