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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IXYS and our wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of all intercompany balances and transactions.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement and footnote presentation, including an immaterial reclassification of stock-based compensation expense between cost of sales and operating expenses in fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011. These reclassifications did not affect our net income as previously reported.

 

Foreign Currency Translation and Transaction

 

The local currency is considered to be the functional currency of some of our wholly-owned international subsidiaries, including the Euro for IXYS Semiconductor GmbH, or IXYS GmbH, and the pound sterling for IXYS UK Westcode Limited, or IXYS UK. Accordingly, for such subsidiaries, assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at year-end and revenues and expenses are translated at average rates during the year. Adjustments resulting from the translation of the accounts of these subsidiaries into U.S. dollars are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of stockholders' equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included as a component of other income or expense.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from our estimates. Areas where management uses subjective judgments include, but are not limited to, revenue reserves, inventory valuation, deferred income taxes and related valuation allowance, allocation of purchase price in business combinations, asset impairment analysis and restructuring costs.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenues are recognized upon shipment, provided that a signed purchase order has been received, the price is fixed, title has transferred, collection of resulting receivables is reasonably assured, and there are no remaining significant obligations. Reserves for sales returns and allowances, including allowances for so called “ship and debit” transactions, are recorded at the time of shipment, based on historical levels of returns and discounts, current economic trends and changes in customer demand. Transactions with sale terms of FOB shipping point are recognized when the products are shipped and transactions with sale terms of FOB destination are recognized upon arrival.

 

We sell to distributors and original equipment manufacturers. Approximately 57.4% of our revenues in fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, or fiscal 2013, were from distributors. We provide certain of our distributors with the following programs: stock rotation and ship and debit. Ship and debit is a form of price protection. We recognize revenue from product sales upon shipment provided that we have received an executed purchase order, the price is fixed and determinable, the risk of loss has transferred, collection of resulting receivables is reasonably assured, there are no customer acceptance requirements and there are no remaining significant obligations. Reserves for allowances are also recorded at the time of shipment. The management of our company must make estimates of potential future product returns and so called “ship and debit” transactions related to current period product revenue. Management analyzes historical returns and ship and debit transactions, current economic trends and changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products when evaluating the adequacy of the sales returns and allowances. We have visibility into inventory held by our distributors to aid in our reserve analysis. Significant management judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing the allowances in any accounting period. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of our revenue for any period if management made different judgments or utilized different estimates.

 

Accounts receivable from distributors are recognized and inventory is relieved when title to inventories transfer, typically upon shipment from us, at which point we have a legally enforceable right to collection under normal payment terms. Under certain circumstances where we are not able to reasonably and reliably estimate the actual returns, revenues and costs relating to distributor sales are deferred until products are sold by the distributors to the distributor's end customers. Deferred amounts are presented net and included under “Accrued expenses and other liabilities.”

 

Allowance for sales returns. We maintain an allowance for sales returns for estimated product returns by our customers. We estimate our allowance for sales returns based on our historical return experience, current economic trends, changes in customer demand, known returns we have not received and other assumptions. If we were to make different judgments or utilize different estimates, the amount and timing of our revenue could be materially different. Given that our revenues consist of a high volume of relatively similar products, to date our actual returns and allowances have not fluctuated significantly from period to period, and our returns provisions have historically been reasonably accurate. This allowance is included as part of the accounts receivable allowance on the balance sheet and as a reduction of revenues in the statement of operations.

 

Allowance for stock rotation.  We also provide “stock rotation” to select distributors. The rotation allows distributors to return a percentage of the previous six months' sales. In the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, approximately $2.4 million, $2.1 million and $916,000, respectively, of products were returned to us under the program. We establish the stock rotation allowance for all sales to distributors except where the revenue recognition is deferred and recognized on the sale by the distributor of products to the end customer. The allowance, which is management's best estimate of future returns, is based upon the historical experience of returns and inventory levels at the distributors. This allowance is included as part of the accounts receivable allowance on the balance sheet and as a reduction of revenues in the statement of operations.

 

Allowance for ship and debit. Ship and debit is a program designed to assist distributors in meeting competitive prices in the marketplace on sales to their end customers. Ship and debit requires a request from the distributor for a pricing adjustment for a specific part for a customer sale to be shipped from the distributor's stock. We have no obligation to accept this request. However, it is our historical practice to allow some companies to obtain pricing adjustments for inventory held. We receive periodic statements regarding our products held by our distributors. Ship and debit authorizations may cover current and future distributor activity for a specific part for sale to a distributor's customer. At the time we record sales to distributors, we provide an allowance for the estimated future distributor activity related to such sales since it is probable that such sales to distributors will result in ship and debit activity. The sales allowance requirement is based on sales during the period, credits issued to distributors, distributor inventory levels, historical trends, market conditions, pricing trends we see in our direct sales activity with original equipment manufacturers and other customers, and input from sales, marketing and other key management. We believe that the analysis of these inputs enable us to make reliable estimates of future credits under the ship and debit program. This analysis requires the exercise of significant judgments. Our actual results to date have approximated our estimates. At the time the distributor ships the part from stock, the distributor debits us for the authorized pricing adjustment. This allowance is included as part of the accounts receivable allowance on the balance sheet and as a reduction of revenues in the statement of operations. If competitive pricing were to decrease sharply and unexpectedly, our estimates might be insufficient, which could significantly adversely affect our operating results.

 

Additions to the ship and debit allowance are estimates of the amount of expected future ship and debit activity related to sales during the period and reduce revenues and gross profit in the period. The following table sets forth the beginning and ending balances of, additions to, and deductions from, the allowance for ship and debit during the three years ended March 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

 Balance March 31, 2010$1,419 
  Additions 5,467 
  Deductions (5,486) 
 Balance March 31, 2011 1,400 
  Additions 5,858 
  Deductions (6,157) 
 Balance March 31, 2012 1,101 
  Additions 5,842 
  Deductions (5,547) 
 Balance March 31, 2013$1,396 

We state our revenues net of any taxes collected from customers that are required to be remitted to the various government agencies. The amount of taxes collected from customers and payable to government is included under “Accrued expenses and other liabilities. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales.

 

Trade accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts. Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the existing accounts receivable. We determine the allowance based on the aging of our accounts receivable, the financial condition of our customers and their payment history, our historical write-off experience and other assumptions. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed quarterly. Past due balances and other specified accounts as necessary are reviewed individually. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. Actual write-offs may be in excess of the recorded allowance. This allowance is included as part of the accounts receivable allowance on the balance sheet and as a selling, general and administrative expense in the statement of operations.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include investments in commercial paper and money market accounts at banks.

 

Restricted Cash

 

Restricted cash balances at March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012 were $314,000 and $509,000, respectively. The restricted cash balances include amounts pledged as collateral on outstanding letters of credit and funds held in escrow.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories, consisting primarily of wafers, bipolar devices, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, are recorded at the lower of a currently adjusted standard cost, which approximates actual cost on a first-in-first-out basis, or market value. Our accounting for inventory costing is based on the applicable expenditure incurred, directly or indirectly, in bringing the inventory to its existing condition. Such expenditures include acquisition costs, production costs and other costs incurred to bring the inventory to its use. As it is impractical to track inventory from the time of purchase to the time of sale for the purpose of specifically identifying inventory cost, inventory is, therefore, valued based on a standard cost, given that the materials purchased are identical and interchangeable at various production processes. The authoritative guidance provided by Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, requires certain abnormal expenditures to be recognized as expenses in the current period versus being capitalized in inventory. It also requires that the amount of fixed production overhead allocated to inventory be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. We review our standard costs on an as-needed basis, but in any event at least once a year, and update them as appropriate to approximate actual costs.

 

We typically plan our production and inventory levels based on internal forecasts of customer demand, which are highly unpredictable and can fluctuate substantially. The value of our inventories is dependent on our estimate of future demand as it relates to historical sales. If our projected demand is overestimated, we may be required to reduce the valuation of our inventories below cost. We regularly review inventory quantities on hand and record an estimated provision for excess inventory based primarily on our historical sales and expectations for future use. Actual demand and market conditions may be different from those projected by our management. This could have a material effect on our operating results and financial position. If we were to make different judgments or utilize different estimates, the amount and timing of the write-down of inventories could be materially different.

 

Excess inventory frequently remains saleable. When excess inventory is sold, it yields a gross profit margin of up to 100%. Sales of excess inventory have the effect of increasing the gross profit margin beyond that which would otherwise occur, because of previous write-downs. Once inventory is written down below cost, it is not written back up when it is subsequently sold or scrapped. We do not physically segregate excess inventory and assign unique tracking numbers to it in our accounting systems. Consequently, we cannot isolate the sales prices of excess inventory from the sales prices of non-excess inventory. Therefore, we are unable to report the amount of gross profit resulting from the sale of excess inventory or quantify the favorable impact of such gross profit on our gross profit margin.

 

The following table provides information on our excess and obsolete inventory reserve charged against inventory at cost (in thousands):

Balance at March 31, 2010$ 35,574
  Utilization or sale  (9,618)
  Scrap  (2,230)
  Additional accrual  5,288
  Foreign currency translation adjustments  422
Balance at March 31, 2011  29,436
  Utilization or sale  (2,543)
  Scrap  (2,313)
  Additional accrual  3,921
  Foreign currency translation adjustments  (363)
Balance at March 31, 2012  28,138
  Utilization or sale  (2,242)
  Scrap  (3,662)
  Additional accrual  3,385
  Foreign currency translation adjustments  (330)
Balance at March 31, 2013$ 25,289

The practical efficiencies of wafer fabrication require the manufacture of semiconductor wafers in minimum lot sizes. Often, when manufactured, we do not know whether or when all the semiconductors resulting from a lot of wafers will sell. With more than 10,000 different part numbers for semiconductors, excess inventory resulting from the manufacture of some of those semiconductors will be continual and ordinary. Because the cost of storage is minimal when compared to potential value and because the products of our company do not quickly become obsolete, we expect to hold excess inventory for potential future sale for years. Consequently, we have no set time line for the sale or scrapping of excess inventory.

 

In addition, our inventory is also being written down to lower of cost or market or net realizable value. We review our inventory listing on a quarterly basis for an indication of losses being sustained for costs that exceed selling prices less direct costs to sell. When it is evident that the selling price is lower than current cost, the inventory is marked down accordingly. At March 31, 2013 and 2012, our lower of cost or market reserve was $670,000 and $630,000, respectively.

 

We periodically identify any inventory that is no longer usable and write it off against recorded reserves.

 

We have entered into a multiyear purchase agreement for the purchase of substrates. Under the agreement, the supplier agrees to supply and we are obliged to purchase products corresponding to an agreed yearly purchase amount. We have recognized the liability for all products delivered as of March 31, 2013. The total amount committed under the agreement has been disclosed in Note 17, “Commitments and Contingencies.”

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment, including equipment under capital leases, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Equipment under capital lease is stated at the lower of the present value of the minimum lease payments at the beginning of the lease term or the fair value of the leased assets at the inception of the lease. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of 1 to 14 years for equipment and 24 years to 50 years for property and plant. Upon disposal, the assets and related accumulated depreciation are removed from our accounts and the resulting gains or losses are reflected in the statements of operations. Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to expense. Depreciation of leasehold improvements is provided on the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the term of the lease.

 

The authoritative guidance provided by FASB requires evaluating the recoverability of the carrying amount of our property, plant and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. Impairment is assessed when the forecasted undiscounted cash flows derived for the operation to which the assets relate are less than the carrying amount including associated intangible assets of the operation. If the operation is determined to be unable to recover the carrying amount of its assets, then intangible assets are written down first, followed by the other long-lived assets of the operation, to fair value. Fair value is determined based on discounted cash flows or appraised values, depending on the nature of the assets. Judgment is used when applying these impairment rules to determine the timing of the impairment test, the undiscounted expected cash flows used to assess impairments and the fair value of an impaired asset. The dynamic economic environment in which we operate and the resulting assumptions used to estimate future cash flows affect the outcome of these impairment tests.

 

On June 10, 2005, IXYS Semiconductor GmbH, or IXYS GmbH, our German subsidiary, borrowed €10.0 million, or about $12.2 million at the time, from IKB Deutsche Industriebank. This loan is partially collateralized by a security interest in our facility in Lampertheim, Germany and expected to be paid in full by June 30, 2020. See Note 7, “Borrowing Arrangements” for more details.

 

Treasury Stock

 

We account for treasury stock using the cost method. Cost includes fees charged in connection with acquiring treasury stock.

 

Other Assets

 

Other assets include marketable equity securities classified as available-for-sale and long term equity investments accounted under the equity method. Investments designated as available-for-sale are reported at fair value with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses (calculated as proceeds less specifically identified costs) and declines in value of these investments judged by management to be other than temporary, if any, are included in other (expense) income.

 

We have a 45% equity interest in Powersem GmbH, or Powersem, a semiconductor manufacturer based in Germany, and 20% equity interest in EB Tech Ltd., or EB Tech, a radiation services provider based in South Korea. These investments are accounted for using the equity method. In fiscal 2013, we recognized income of $107,000 on our investment in Powersem and $124,000 on our investment in EB Tech Ltd. In fiscal 2012, we recognized income of $461,000 and $190,000 on each of these investments, respectively. In fiscal 2011, we recognized income of $526,000 and $205,000 on each of these investments, respectively.

 

On November 5, 2009, IXYS CH GmbH, our Swiss subsidiary, entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with Zencell Co. Ltd, or Zencell, to acquire 53,847 shares of convertible preferred stock of Zencell for $500,000. Zencell was a manufacturer of rechargeable and primary alkaline batteries in South Korea. The investment resulted in IXYS CH GmbH owning 35% of the equity in Zencell and is accounted for using the equity method in the financial statements. In fiscal 2011, we recognized losses of $102,000 on our investment in Zencell. In March 2011, Zencell declared bankruptcy. As a result, we recorded an impairment loss for the full write-down of our investment of $502,000 in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our consolidated statements of operations.

 

Refer to Note 4, “Other Assets” and Note 12, “Related Party Transactions” for further information regarding the investment balances and the related transactions of those long term equity investments.

 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired. The costs of acquired intangible assets are recorded at fair value at acquisition. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, normally one to six years, and evaluated for impairment in accordance with the authoritative guidance provided by FASB.

 

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are carried at fair value and reviewed at least annually for impairment charge during the quarter ending March 31, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired, in accordance with the authoritative guidance provided by FASB. We adopted an update issued by FASB, which gives entities the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step fair value-based impairment test described below. If an entity believes that, as a result of its qualitative assessment, it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is required. Otherwise, no further testing is required.

 

Under the quantitative approach, there are two steps in the determination of the impairment of goodwill. The first step compares the carrying amount of the net assets to the fair value of the reporting unit. The second step, if necessary, recognizes an impairment loss to the extent the carrying value of the reporting unit's net assets exceed the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss would be recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit.

 

We perform the impairment test on finite-lived intangible assets by determining whether the estimated undiscounted cash flows attributable to the assets in question are less than their carrying values. Impairment losses, if any, are measured as the amount by which the carrying values of the assets exceed their fair value and are recognized in operating results. If a useful life is determined to be shorter than originally estimated, we accelerate the rate of amortization and amortize the remaining carrying value over the new shorter useful life.

 

See Note 6, “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for further discussion of impairment analysis of goodwill and related charges recorded.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Although the majority of our transactions are in U.S. dollars, we enter into foreign exchange forward and option contracts to manage foreign currency exchange risk associated with our operations. From time to time, we purchase short-term, foreign exchange forward and option contracts to hedge the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on certain underlying assets, liabilities and commitments for operating expenses denominated in foreign currencies. The purpose of entering into these hedge transactions is to minimize the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the results of operations. The contracts generally have maturity dates that do not exceed six months. We did not have any open foreign exchange forward and option contracts at March 31, 2013. We have entered into an interest rate swap to manage our variable interest rate exposure on the borrowing from IKB Deutsche Industriebank.

 

We do not purchase derivative contracts for trading purposes. We elected not to designate these contracts as accounting hedges and any changes in fair value are marked to market and other income (expense), net. See Note 3, “Fair Value” and Note 7, “Borrowing Arrangements” for further information on the borrowing from IKB Deutsche Industriebank.

 

Defined Benefit Plans

 

We maintain pension plans covering certain of our employees. For financial reporting purposes, net periodic pension costs are calculated based upon a number of actuarial assumptions, including a discount rate for plan obligations, assumed rate of return on pension plan assets and assumed rate of compensation increases for plan employees. All of these assumptions are based upon management's judgment, considering all known trends and uncertainties. Actual results that differ from these assumptions would impact the future expense recognition and cash funding requirements of our pension plans. The authoritative guidance provided by FASB requires us to recognize the funded status of our defined benefit pension and post-retirement benefit plans in our consolidated balance sheets, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The assessment of fair value for our financial instruments is based on the authoritative guidance provided by FASB in connection with fair value measurements. It defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure of fair value measurements.

 

Carrying amounts of some of our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximate fair value due to their short maturities. Based on borrowing rates currently available to us for loans with similar terms, the carrying value of notes payable to banks and loans payable approximate fair value and represent level 2 valuations.

 

Advertising Expense

 

We expense advertising as the costs are incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $649,000, $655,000 and $547,000, respectively. Advertising expense is included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our consolidated statements of operations.

 

Research and Development Expense

 

Research and development costs are charged to operations as incurred.

 

Income Taxes

 

Our provision for income taxes is comprised of our current tax liability and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is required to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that management estimates is more likely than not to be realized. In determining the amount of the valuation allowance, we consider income over recent years, estimated future taxable income, feasible tax planning strategies, and other factors, in each taxing jurisdiction in which we operate. If we determine that it is more likely than not that we will not realize all or a portion of our remaining deferred tax assets, we will increase our valuation allowance with a charge to income tax expense. Conversely, if we determine that it is more likely than not that we will ultimately be able to utilize all or a portion of the deferred tax assets for which a valuation allowance has been provided, the related portion of the valuation allowance will be released, which will have the effect of reducing income tax expense. Significant management judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes, the deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against net deferred tax assets. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates or we adjust these estimates in future periods, we may need to establish or increase an additional valuation allowance that could materially impact our financial position and results of operations. Our ability to utilize our deferred tax assets and the continuing need for related valuation allowances are monitored on an ongoing basis. See Note 16, “Income Taxes” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion regarding income taxes.

 

Other Income and Expense

 

Other income and expense primarily consists of gains and losses on foreign currency transactions and interest income and expense, together with our share of income or loss from investments accounted for on the equity method and other than temporary impairment on available-for-sale securities.

 

Indemnification

 

Product guarantees and warranties have not historically proved to be material. On occasion, we provide limited indemnification to customers against intellectual property infringement claims related to our products. To date, we have not experienced significant activity or claims related to such indemnifications. We also provide in the normal course of business indemnification to our officers, directors and selected parties. We are unable to estimate any potential future liability, if any. Therefore, no liability for these indemnification agreements has been recorded as of March 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

Legal Contingencies

 

We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, the outcomes of which are subject to significant uncertainty. The authoritative guidance provided by FASB requires that an estimated loss from a loss contingency should be accrued by a charge to income if it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Disclosure of a contingency is required if there is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss has been incurred. We evaluate, among other factors, the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss. Changes in these factors could materially impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Net Income (Loss) per Share

 

Basic net income (loss) available per common share is computed using net income (loss) and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is computed using net income (loss) and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, assuming dilution, which includes potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares include the assumed exercise of stock options and assumed vesting of restricted stock units using the treasury stock method. See Note 11, “Computation of Net Income (Loss) per Share.”

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income or loss represents foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gain or loss on equity investments classified as “available-for-sale” and minimum pension liability, net of tax. See Note 10, “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.”

 

Concentration and Business Risks

 

Dependence on Third Parties for Wafer Fabrication and Assembly

 

Measured in dollars, we manufacture approximately 63.5% of our wafers, an integral component of our products, in our facilities in Germany, the UK, Massachusetts and California. We rely on third party suppliers to provide the remaining 36.5%. There can be no assurance that material disruptions in supply will not occur in the future. In such event, we may have to identify and secure additional foundry capacity and may be unable to identify or secure sufficient foundry capacity to meet demand. Even if such capacity is available from another manufacturer, the qualification process could take six months or longer. If we were unable to qualify alternative manufacturing sources for existing or new products in a timely manner or if such sources were unable to produce semiconductor devices with acceptable manufacturing yields and at acceptable prices, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.

 

Dependence on Suppliers

 

We purchase silicon substrates from a limited number of vendors, most of whom we do not have long term supply agreements with. Any of these suppliers could terminate their relationship with us at any time. Our reliance on a limited number of suppliers involves several risks, including potential inability to obtain an adequate supply of silicon substrates and reduced control over the price, timely delivery, reliability and quality of the silicon substrates. There can be no assurance that problems will not occur in the future with suppliers.

 

Employees Covered by Collective Bargaining Arrangements

 

Approximately 100, or 58.5%, and 383, or 95.8%, of our employees in the United Kingdom and Germany, respectively, have their pay negotiated by a labor union.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to credit risk comprise principally cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. We invest our excess cash in accordance with our investment policy that has been approved by the Board of Directors and is reviewed periodically by management to minimize credit risk. Regarding cash and cash equivalents, the policy authorizes the investment of excess cash in deposit accounts, time deposits, certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, commercial paper rated AA or better and other money market accounts and instruments of similar liquidity and credit quality.

 

We invest our excess cash primarily in foreign and domestic banks in short term time deposit and money market accounts. Maturities are generally three months or less. Our non-interest bearing domestic cash balances exceed federally insured limits. Additionally, we may invest in commercial paper with financial institutions that management believes to be creditworthy. These securities mature within ninety days or less and bear minimal credit risk. We have not experienced any losses on such investments.

 

We sell our products primarily to distributors and original equipment manufacturers. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and generally do not require collateral. An allowance for potential credit losses is maintained by us. See Note 14, “Segment and Geographic Information” for a discussion of revenues by geography.

 

In fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011, one distributor accounted for 13.2%, 11.1%, and 11.9% of our net revenues, respectively, and another distributor accounted for 10.3%, 11.3% and 11.8% of our net revenues, respectively.

 

We continually monitor the credit risk in our portfolio and mitigate our credit risk exposures in accordance with the policies approved by our Board of Directors.

 

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

 

We have employee equity incentive plans, which are described more fully in Note 9, “Employee Equity Incentive Plans.” The authoritative guidance provided by FASB requires employee stock options and rights to purchase shares under stock participation plans to be accounted for under the fair value method and requires the use of an option pricing model for estimating fair value. Accordingly, share-based compensation is measured at grant date, based on the fair value of the award and shares expected to vest.

 

Compensation cost for equity incentive awards is based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the authoritative guidance provided by FASB. We use the straight-line attribution method to recognize share-based compensation costs over the service period of the award.

 

The fair value of issuances under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan is estimated on the issuance date using the Black-Scholes options pricing model.

 

Accounting Changes and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2011, FASB issued authoritative guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. Under the guidance, an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The guidance was effective for us in the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2012. Although adopting the guidance did not impact the accounting for comprehensive income, it affected the presentation of components of comprehensive income by eliminating the historical practice of showing these items within the consolidated statements of stockholders' equity.

 

In September 2011, FASB issued authoritative guidance on testing goodwill for impairment. Under the amendments in this guidance, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The guidance permits an entity to qualitatively assess whether the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The guidance was effective for us in the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2012 and did not have significant impact on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

In December 2011, FASB issued authoritative guidance on disclosure about offsetting assets and liabilities. The amendments require an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The guidance is effective for us for the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2013. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

 

In July 2012, FASB issued authoritative guidance on testing indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. Under the amendments in this guidance, an entity has the option to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the intangible asset is impaired. If an entity concludes that it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, the entity is not required to take further action. If an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to determine the fair value of the indefinite-lived asset and perform the quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value with the carrying value. The amendments are effective for us in the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2013 and early adoption is permitted. We do not expect any current impact from the amendments since we do not have any indefinite-lived intangible assets, but the amendments may affect us in the future if we acquire indefinite-lived intangible assets.

 

In February 2013, FASB issued authoritative guidance on reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. In addition to the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements, the amendments require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. The guidance is effective for us for the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2013. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.