Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2014

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

In addition, the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. For TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc. (the “Company”), the accounting estimates requiring management’s most difficult and subjective judgments include revenue recognition, the valuation of inventory, the accounting for income taxes, precious metals reclaim and stock-based compensation.

Disclosure of reclassifications made to prior year balances [Table Text Block]

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year balances in order to conform to the current year presentation.

Fair Value Policy

The Company accounts for its assets utilizing a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. These two types of inputs have created the following fair-value hierarchy:


•	Level 1—Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;


•	Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and


•	Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

Marketable Securities Policy

All unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments are included in Other comprehensive income (loss).

Earnings Per Share Policy

Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Net earnings (loss) per share is presented as basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per share. Basic net earnings (loss) per share is net earnings (loss) available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net earnings per share is similar to basic net earnings (loss) per share, except that the denominator includes potential common shares that, had they been issued, would have had a dilutive effect. Dilutive securities include options granted pursuant to the Company’s stock option plans, and potential shares related to Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs"), Market-Based Restricted Stock Units ("MSUs") and the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP").

Amortization of Loan Fees

The initial fees associated with the Agreement were capitalized and are being amortized to interest expense using the straight-line method over the remaining term to maturity.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy

The Company is required to perform an impairment analysis on its goodwill at least annually, or when events and circumstances warrant. Conditions that would trigger an impairment assessment, include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of an asset or an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. The Company is considered one reporting unit. When the Company performed this test in 2013, the Company elected to use the two-step goodwill impairment test. Therefore, to determine whether goodwill may be impaired, the Company compares its book value to its market capitalization. If the trading price of the Company’s common stock, as adjusted for factors such as a control premium, is below the book value per share at the date of the annual impairment test or if the average trading price of the Company’s common stock is below book value per share for a sustained period, a goodwill impairment test will be performed by comparing book value to estimated market value. If the comparison of book value to estimated market value indicates impairment, then the Company compares the estimated market value of goodwill to its carrying amount in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation for a business combination. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its estimated market value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to that excess.

Unless indicators warrant testing at an earlier date, the Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of each year. During the nine months ended September 27, 2014, there were no impairments recorded.

Restricted Stock Units and Market Based Restricted Stock Units

RSUs are converted into shares of Company common stock upon vesting on a one-for-one basis. The awards typically vest over four years and vesting is subject to the grantee’s continued service with the Company. The compensation expense related to the service-based RSU awards is determined using the fair market value of Company common stock on the date of the grant, and the compensation expense, reduced by estimated forfeitures, is recognized over the vesting period.

The Company grants MSUs to certain members of executive management. The number of shares that are ultimately awarded is contingent upon the achievement of pre-determined market and service conditions. Market conditions must be met for shares to be awarded, even if the service conditions are met. Fair value of the awards is determined at the grant date based on the target number of awards ultimately expected to be awarded. Compensation expense associated with the awards is calculated based on the target number of shares ultimately expected to be awarded and is recognized on a straight line basis over the requisite service period and will not be reversed even if the market conditions are not met. The number of shares of common stock to be awarded will range from zero to 150 percent of the target number of stock units based on the Company's total stockholder return (“TSR”) relative to the performance of companies in the SPDR S&P Semiconductor Index ("SPDR") for the applicable measurement period. TSR is calculated based on market performance between the beginning and end of the award period, generally over three years. Based on the number of awards outstanding as of September 27, 2014, the maximum number of shares of common stock that could be awarded is 606 shares.

The fair value of the MSUs was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The Monte Carlo simulation model is affected by assumptions regarding subjective and complex variables. Generally, the Company's assumptions are based on historical information and judgment is required to determine if historical trends may be indicators of future outcomes.

Deferred Income Taxes

The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more-likely-than-not to be realized. The Company maintains a valuation allowance against the tax effect of all capital loss carryforwards, certain state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards, and certain state credit carryforwards, as management does not believe it is more likely than not that these benefits will be realized in future periods.