8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 2, 2004

ALTERA CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	0-16617	77-0016691
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

101 Innovation Drive, San Jose, California	95134
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (408) 544-7000

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On September 2, 2004, Altera Corporation posted on its website a business update for the third quarter. A copy of the business update is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits

99.1 Business Update dated September 2, 2004

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

ALTERA CORPORATION

/s/ Nathan Sarkisian

Nathan Sarkisian

Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Date: September 2, 2004

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Business Update dated September 2, 2004

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

Business Update

September 2, 2004

• Management now anticipates that third quarter revenues will be approximately equal to second quarter revenues of $269 million.

• The roll out of the company’s Stratix^® II and MAX^® II families continues smoothly, and the company anticipates strong growth in the quarter from its Stratix and Cyclone^™ device families, which lead the industry at the 0.13-micron process node.

Forward-Looking Statements

This business update contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements are subject to many uncertainties and risks related to the company’s operations and business environment. The risks that the company faces may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks are discussed further in the company’s SEC filings which are available from the company without charge. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this update and, except as required by law, the company does not undertake an obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.