Note 5 - Investments	12 Months Ended
Dec. 29, 2012
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]	5. Other Investments The company’s other investments represent shares of Polytronics Technology Corporation Ltd. (“Polytronics”), a Taiwanese company. The Polytronics investment was acquired as part of the Littelfuse GmbH acquisition. The company’s Polytronics shares held at the end of fiscal 2012 and 2011 represent approximately 7.2% and 7.3% of total Polytronics shares outstanding, respectively. The fair value of the Polytronics investment was €7.8 million (approximately $10.3 million) at December 29, 2012 and €6.8 million (approximately $8.9 million) at December 31, 2011. Included in 2012 other comprehensive income is an unrealized gain of $1.2 million, due to the increase in fair market value of the Polytronics investment. The remaining movement year over year was due to the impact of changes in exchange rates.

Note 5 - Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2012

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]

5. Other Investments

The company’s other investments represent shares of Polytronics Technology Corporation Ltd. (“Polytronics”), a Taiwanese company. The Polytronics investment was acquired as part of the Littelfuse GmbH acquisition. The company’s Polytronics shares held at the end of fiscal 2012 and 2011 represent approximately 7.2% and 7.3% of total Polytronics shares outstanding, respectively. The fair value of the Polytronics investment was €7.8 million (approximately $10.3 million) at December 29, 2012 and €6.8 million (approximately $8.9 million) at December 31, 2011. Included in 2012 other comprehensive income is an unrealized gain of $1.2 million, due to the increase in fair market value of the Polytronics investment. The remaining movement year over year was due to the impact of changes in exchange rates.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for equity method investments and joint ventures. Equity method investments are investments that give the investor the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of an investee. Joint ventures are entities owned and operated by a small group of businesses as a separate and specific business or project for the mutual benefit of the members of the group.

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