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Intel
Intel 1997 Annual Report

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Intel Corporation 1997
notes to consolidated financial statements

Index to Financials

Accounting policies | Common Stock | Put warrants | Borrowings | Investments | Derivative financial instruments | Fair values of financial instruments | Concentrations of credit risk | Interest income and other | Provision for taxes | Employee benefit plans | Commitments | Contingencies | Industry segment reporting | Supplemental information (unaudited)

Accounting policies
Fiscal year. Intel Corporation ("Intel" or "the Company") has a fiscal year that ends the last Saturday in December. Fiscal years 1997, 1996 and 1995, each 52-week years, ended on December 27, 28 and 30, respectively. Periodically, there will be a 53-week year. The next 53-week year will end on December 30, 2000.

Basis of presentation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Intel and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Accounts denominated in foreign currencies have been remeasured into the functional currency in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 52, "Foreign Currency Translation," using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Investments. Highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and with original maturities of three months or less are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Investments with maturities greater than three months and less than one year are classified as short-term investments. Investments with maturities greater than one year are classified as long-term investments.

The Company accounts for investments in accordance with SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." The Company's policy is to protect the value of its investment portfolio and to minimize principal risk by earning returns based on current interest rates. For equity investments entered into for the promotion of business and strategic objectives, an insignificant portion of the investment portfolio, the Company typically does not attempt to reduce or eliminate the inherent market risks. A substantial majority of the Company's marketable investments are classified as available-for-sale as of the balance sheet date and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, recorded in stockholders' equity. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Realized gains or losses and declines in value, if any, judged to be other than temporary, on available-for-sale securities are reported in other income or expense. Investments in non-marketable instruments are recorded at the lower of cost or market and included in other assets.

Trading assets. During 1996, the Company began purchasing securities classified as trading assets. Net gains on the trading asset portfolio were $37 million and $12 million in 1997 and 1996, respectively. The Company maintains its trading asset portfolio to generate returns that offset changes in certain liabilities related to deferred compensation arrangements. The trading assets consist of marketable equity securities and are stated at fair value. Both realized and unrealized gains and losses are included in other income or expense and generally offset the change in the deferred compensation liability, which is also included in other income or expense.

Fair values of financial instruments. Fair values of cash and cash equivalents approximate cost due to the short period of time to maturity. Fair values of long-term investments, long-term debt, short-term investments, short-term debt, long-term debt redeemable within one year, trading assets, non-marketable instruments, swaps, currency forward contracts, currency options and options hedging marketable instruments are based on quoted market prices or pricing models using current market rates. No consideration is given to liquidity issues in valuing debt.

Derivative financial instruments. The Company utilizes derivative financial instruments to reduce financial market risks. These instruments are used to hedge foreign currency, equity and interest rate market exposures of underlying assets, liabilities and other obligations. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. The Company's accounting policies for these instruments are based on the Company's designation of such instruments as hedging transactions. The criteria the Company uses for designating an instrument as a hedge include the instrument's effectiveness in risk reduction and one-to-one matching of derivative instruments to underlying transactions. Gains and losses on currency forward contracts and options that are designated and effective as hedges of anticipated transactions, for which a firm commitment has been attained, are deferred and recognized in income in the same period that the underlying transactions are settled. Gains and losses on currency forward contracts, options and swaps that are designated and effective as hedges of existing transactions are recognized in income in the same period as losses and gains on the underlying transactions are recognized and generally offset. Gains and losses on any instruments not meeting the above criteria would be recognized in income in the current period. If an underlying hedged transaction is terminated earlier than initially anticipated, the offsetting gain or loss on the related derivative instrument would be recognized in income in the same period. Subsequent gains or losses on the related derivative instrument would be recognized in income in each period until the instrument matures, is terminated or is sold. Income or expense on swaps is accrued as an adjustment to the yield of the related investments or debt they hedge.

Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is computed on a currently adjusted standard basis (which approximates actual cost on a current average or first-in, first-out basis). Inventories at fiscal year-ends were as follows:

(In millions) 1997 1996

Raw materials $ 255 $ 280
Work in process 928 672
Finished goods 514 341


Total $ 1,697 $ 1,293


Property, plant and equipment. Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed for financial reporting purposes principally by use of the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: machinery and equipment, 2-4 years; land and buildings, 4-40 years.

The Company evaluates property, plant and equipment in accordance with SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of."

Deferred income on shipments to distributors. Certain of the Company's sales are made to distributors under agreements allowing price protection and/or right of return on merchandise unsold by the distributors. Because of frequent sales price reductions and rapid technological obsolescence in the industry, Intel defers recognition of such sales until the merchandise is sold by the distributors.

Advertising. Cooperative advertising obligations are accrued and the costs expensed at the same time the related revenue is recognized. All other advertising costs are expensed as incurred. The Company does not incur any direct-response advertising costs. Advertising expense was $1,203 million, $974 million and $654 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Interest. Interest as well as gains and losses related to contractual agreements to hedge certain investment positions and debt (see "Derivative financial instruments") are recorded as net interest income or expense on a monthly basis. Interest expense capitalized as a component of construction costs was $9 million, $33 million and $46 million for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Earnings per share. The consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share." Basic earnings per common share are computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share incorporate the incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options and warrants. Diluted earnings per common share do not differ from the Company's previously reported earnings per common and common equivalent share.

Stock distribution. On July 13, 1997, the Company effected a two-for-one stock split in the form of a special stock distribution to stockholders of record as of June 10, 1997. All share, per share, Common Stock, stock option and warrant amounts herein have been restated to reflect the effect of this split.

Recent accounting pronouncements. The Company intends to adopt SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," and SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," in fiscal 1998. Both will require additional disclosure but will not have a material effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. SFAS No. 130 will first be reflected in the Company's first quarter of 1998 interim financial statements. Components of comprehensive income for the Company include items such as net income and changes in the value of available-for-sale securities. SFAS No. 131 requires segments to be determined based on how management measures performance and makes decisions about allocating resources. SFAS No. 131 will first be reflected in the Company's 1998 Annual Report.

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Common Stock
1998 Step-Up Warrants. In 1993, the Company issued 80 million 1998 Step-Up Warrants to purchase 80 million shares of Common Stock. This transaction resulted in an increase of $287 million in Common Stock and capital in excess of par value, representing net proceeds from the offering. The Warrants became exercisable in May 1993 at an effective price of $17.875 per share of Common Stock, subject to annual increases to a maximum price of $20.875 per share effective in March 1997. As of December 27, 1997, approximately 78 million Warrants were exercisable at a price of $20.875 per Warrant. These Warrants expire on March 14, 1998.

Stock repurchase program. The Company has an ongoing authorization, as amended, from the Board of Directors to repurchase up to 280 million shares of Intel's Common Stock and Step-Up Warrants in open market or negotiated transactions. During 1997, the Company repurchased 43.6 million shares of Common Stock at a cost of $3.4 billion. As of December 27, 1997, the Company had repurchased and retired approximately 213.4 million shares at a cost of $6.9 billion since the program began in 1990. As of December 27, 1997, after reserving 26.3 million shares to cover outstanding put warrants, 40.3 million shares remained available under the repurchase authorization.

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Put warrants
In a series of private placements from 1991 through 1997, the Company sold put warrants that entitle the holder of each warrant to sell to the Company, by physical delivery, one share of Common Stock at a specified price. On certain of these warrants, the Company simultaneously entered into additional contractual arrangements which cause the warrants to terminate if the Company's stock price reaches specified levels. Activity during the past three years is summarized as follows:

Put warrants
outstanding

(In millions) Cumulative
net premium
received
Number of
warrants
Potential
obligation

December 31, 1994 $ 194 50.0 $ 744
Sales 85 35.0 925
Repurchases - (11.0) (201)
Expirations - (50.0) (743)



December 30, 1995 279 24.0 725
Sales 56 18.0 603
Exercises - (3.6) (108)
Expirations - (29.4) (945)



December 28, 1996 335 9.0 275
Sales 288 46.3 3,525
Expirations - (29.0) (1,759)
 


December 27, 1997 $ 623 26.3 $ 2,041



The amount related to Intel's potential repurchase obligation has been reclassified from stockholders' equity to put warrants. The 26.3 million put warrants outstanding at December 27, 1997 expire on various dates between February and August 1998 and have exercise prices ranging from $68 to $95 per share, with an average exercise price of $78 per share. There is no significant effect on diluted earnings per share for the periods presented.

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Borrowings
Short-term debt. Short-term debt and weighted average interest rates at fiscal year-ends were as follows:

1997 1996


(In millions) Balance Weighted average interest rate Balance Weighted average interest rate

Borrowed under
lines of credit $ 32 N/A $ 30 N/A
Reverse repurchase
agreements payable in
non-U.S. currencies
- - 263 6.4%
Notes payable - - 3 0.7%
Drafts payable 180 N/A 93 N/A


Total $ 212 $ 389


The Company also borrows under commercial paper programs. Maximum borrowings under commercial paper programs reached $175 million during 1997 and $306 million during 1996. This debt is rated A-1+ by Standard and Poor's and P-1 by Moody's. Proceeds are used to fund short-term working capital needs.

Long-term debt. Long-term debt at fiscal year-ends was as follows:

(In millions) 1997 1996

Payable in U.S. dollars:
AFICA Bonds due 2013 at 4% $ 110 $ 110
Reverse repurchase arrangement due 2001 - 300
Other U.S. dollar debt 6 4
Payable in other currencies:
Irish punt due 1999-2027 at 5%-12% 396 268
Greek drachma due 2001 46 46


Subtotal $ 558 $ 728
Less long-term debt redeemable within one year (110) -
 

Total $ 448 $ 728


The Company has guaranteed repayment of principal and interest on the AFICA Bonds issued by the Puerto Rico Industrial, Medical and Environmental Pollution Control Facilities Financing Authority ("AFICA"). The bonds are adjustable and redeemable at the option of either the Company or the bondholder every five years through 2013. They are next adjustable and redeemable in 1998 and accordingly have been reclassified as a current liability at December 27, 1997. The Irish punt borrowings were made in connection with the financing of a factory in Ireland, and Intel has invested the proceeds in Irish punt denominated instruments of similar maturity to hedge foreign currency and interest rate exposures. The Greek drachma borrowings were made under a tax incentive program in Ireland, and the proceeds and cash flows have been swapped to U.S. dollars. The $300 million reverse repurchase arrangement originally payable in 2001 was repaid in 1997. It had a borrowing rate of 5.9% at December 28, 1996.

Under shelf registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Intel originally had the authority to issue up to $3.3 billion in the aggregate of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, depositary shares, debt securities and warrants to purchase the Company's or other issuers' Common Stock, Preferred Stock and debt securities, and, subject to certain limits, stock index warrants and foreign currency exchange units. In 1993, Intel completed an offering of Step-Up Warrants (see "1998 Step-Up Warrants") under these registration statements. The Company may issue up to approximately $1.4 billion in additional securities under effective registration statements.

As of December 27, 1997, aggregate debt maturities were as follows: 1998-$110 million; 1999-$7 million; 2000-$5 million; 2001-$56 million; 2002-$15 million; and thereafter-$365 million.

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Investments
The returns on a majority of the Company's marketable investments in long-term fixed rate debt and equity securities are swapped to U.S. dollar LIBOR-based returns. The currency risks of investments denominated in foreign currencies are hedged with foreign currency borrowings, currency forward contracts or currency interest rate swaps (see "Derivative financial instruments" under "Accounting policies").

Investments with maturities of greater than six months consist primarily of A and A2 or better rated financial instruments and counterparties. Investments with maturities of up to six months consist primarily of A-1 and P-1 or better rated financial instruments and counterparties. Foreign government regulations imposed upon investment alternatives of foreign subsidiaries, or the absence of A and A2 rated counterparties in certain countries, result in some minor exceptions. Intel's practice is to obtain and secure available collateral from counterparties against obligations whenever Intel deems appropriate. At December 27, 1997, investments were placed with approximately 250 different counterparties.

Investments at December 27, 1997 were as follows:

(In millions) Cost Gross
unrealized
gains
Gross
unrealized
losses
Estimated
fair
value

Commercial paper $ 3,572 $ 1 $ (9) $ 3,564
Bank deposits 2,369 - (2) 2,367
Corporate bonds 1,788 12 (73) 1,727
Floating rate notes 843 1 (2) 842
Loan participations 743 - - 743
Repurchase agreements 515 - - 515
Securities of foreign
governments 75 - (6) 69
Fixed rate notes 32 - - 32
Other debt securities 294 - (1) 293




Total debt securities 10,231 14 (93) 10,152




Hedged equity 504 9 (17) 496
Preferred stock and
other equity 620 131 (41) 710




Total equity securities 1,124 140 (58) 1,206




Swaps hedging
investments in
debt securities - 76 (12) 64
Swaps hedging
investments in
equity securities - 17 (9) 8
Currency forward
contracts hedging
investments in
debt securities - 16 (1) 15




Total available-for-sale
securities 11,355 263 (173) 11,445
Less amounts classified
as cash equivalents (3,976) - - (3,976)




Total investments $ 7,379 $ 263 $ (173) $ 7,469




Investments at December 28, 1996 were as follows:

(In millions) Cost Gross
unrealized
gains
Gross
unrealized
losses
Estimated
fair
value

Commercial paper $ 2,386 $ - $ (1) $ 2,385
Bank deposits 1,846 - (2) 1,844
Repurchase agreements 931 - (1) 930
Loan participations 691 - - 691
Corporate bonds 657 10 (6) 661
Floating rate notes 366 - - 366
Securities of foreign      
governments 265 14 (2) 277
Fixed rate notes 262 - - 262
Other debt securities 284 - (2) 282




Total debt securities 7,688 24 (14) 7,698




Hedged equity 891 71 (15) 947
Preferred stock and
other equity 270 174 (3) 441




Total equity securities 1,161 245 (18) 1,388




Swaps hedging investments
in debt securities - 5 (17) (12)
Swaps hedging investments
in equity securities - 15 (42) (27)
Options hedging investments        
in equity securities (9) - (16) (25)
Currency forward contracts
hedging investments
in debt securities - 5 - 5




Total available-for-sale
securities 8,840 294 (107) 9,027
Less amounts classified
as cash equivalents (3,932) - - (3,932)




Total investments $ 4,908 $ 294 $ (107) $ 5,095




Available-for-sale securities with a fair value at the date of sale of $153 million, $225 million and $114 million were sold in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The gross realized gains on these sales totaled $106 million, $7 million and $60 million, respectively.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments in debt securities at December 27, 1997, by contractual maturity, were as follows:

(In millions) Cost Estimated
fair
value

Due in 1 year or less $ 8,925 $ 8,863
Due in 1-2 years 638 620
Due in 2-5 years 293 295
Due after 5 years 375 374


Total investments in debt securities $ 10,231 $ 10,152


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Derivative financial instruments
Outstanding notional amounts for derivative financial instruments at fiscal year-ends were as follows:

(In millions) 1997 1996

Swaps hedging investments in debt securities $ 2,017 $ 900
Swaps hedging investments in equity securities $ 604 $ 918
Swaps hedging debt $ 155 $ 456
Currency forward contracts $ 1,724 $ 1,499
Currency options $ 55 $ 94
Options hedging investments
in marketable equity securities $ - $ 82

While the contract or notional amounts provide one measure of the volume of these transactions, they do not represent the amount of the Company's exposure to credit risk. The amounts potentially subject to credit risk (arising from the possible inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts) are generally limited to the amounts, if any, by which the counterparties' obligations exceed the obligations of the Company. The Company controls credit risk through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures. Credit rating criteria for off-balance-sheet transactions are similar to those for investments.

Swap agreements. The Company utilizes swap agreements to exchange the foreign currency, equity and interest rate returns of its investment and debt portfolios for floating U.S. dollar interest rate based returns. The floating rates on swaps are based primarily on U.S. dollar LIBOR and are reset on a monthly, quarterly or semiannual basis.

Pay rates on swaps hedging investments in debt securities match the yields on the underlying investments they hedge. Payments on swaps hedging investments in equity securities match the equity returns on the underlying investments they hedge. Receive rates on swaps hedging debt match the expense on the underlying debt they hedge. Maturity dates of swaps match those of the underlying investment or the debt they hedge. There is approximately a one-to-one matching of swaps to investments and debt. Swap agreements remain in effect until expiration.

Weighted average pay and receive rates, average maturities and range of maturities on swaps at December 27, 1997 were as follows:

Weighted
average
pay rate
Weighted
average
receive
rate
Weighted
average
maturity
Range of
maturities

Swaps hedging
investments in U.S.
dollar debt securities 6.1% 5.8% .9 years 0-3 years
Swaps hedging
investments in foreign
currency debt securities 6.3% 5.9% 1.0 years 0-3 years
Swaps hedging
investments in
equity securities N/A 5.7% .6 years 0-2 years
Swaps hedging debt 5.9% 5.2% 1.6 years 0-4 years

Note: Pay and receive rates are based on the reset rates that were in effect at December 27, 1997.

Other foreign currency instruments. Intel transacts business in various foreign currencies, primarily Japanese yen and certain other Asian and European currencies. The Company has established revenue and balance sheet hedging programs to protect against reductions in value and volatility of future cash flows caused by changes in foreign exchange rates. The Company utilizes currency forward contracts and currency options in these hedging programs. The maturities on these instruments are less than 12 months. Deferred gains or losses attributable to foreign currency instruments are not material.

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Fair values of financial instruments
The estimated fair values of financial instruments outstanding at fiscal year-ends were as follows:

1997

1996

(In millions) Carrying
amount
Estimated
fair
value
Carrying
amount
Estimated
fair
value

Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,102 $ 4,102 $ 4,165 $ 4,165
Short-term investments $ 5,561 $ 5,561 $ 3,736 $ 3,736
Trading assets $ 195 $ 195 $ 87 $ 87
Long-term investments $ 1,821 $ 1,821 $ 1,418 $ 1,418
Non-marketable
instruments $ 387 $ 497 $ 119 $ 194
Swaps hedging invest-
ments in debt securities $ 64 $ 64 $ (12) $ (12)
Swaps hedging
investments in
equity securities $ 8 $ 8 $ (27) $ (27)
Options hedging invest-
ments in marketable
equity securities $ - $ - $ (25) $ (25)
Short-term debt $ (212) $ (212) $ (389) $ (389)
Long-term debt redeemable                
  within one year $ (110) $ (109)   -   -
Long-term debt $ (448) $ (448) $ (728) $ (731)
Swaps hedging debt $ - $ (1) $ - $ 13
Currency forward
contracts $ 26 $ 28 $ 5 $ 18
Currency options $ 1 $ 1 $ - $ -

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Concentrations of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of investments and trade receivables. Intel places its investments with high-credit-quality counterparties and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure to any one counterparty based on Intel's analysis of that counterparty's relative credit standing. A majority of the Company's trade receivables are derived from sales to manufacturers of computer systems, with the remainder spread across various other industries. The Company's five largest customers accounted for approximately 39% of net revenues for 1997. At December 27, 1997, these customers accounted for approximately 34% of net accounts receivable.

The Company endeavors to keep pace with the evolving computer industry and has adopted credit policies and standards intended to accommodate industry growth and inherent risk. Management believes that credit risks are moderated by the diversity of its end customers and geographic sales areas. Intel performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and requires collateral as deemed necessary.

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Interest income and other

(In millions) 1997 1996 1995

Interest income $ 562 $ 364 $ 272
Foreign currency gains 63 26 29
Other income 174 16 114



Total $ 799 $ 406 $ 415



Other income for 1997 includes approximately $106 million from sales of a portion of the Company's investments in marketable equity securities. Other income for 1995 included approximately $58 million from the settlement of ongoing litigation and $60 million from sales of a portion of the Company's investments in marketable equity securities.

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Provision for taxes
The provision for taxes consisted of the following:

(In millions) 1997   1996 1995

Income before taxes:
U.S. $ 8,033   $ 5,515 $ 3,427
Foreign 2,626   2,419 2,211

 

Total income before taxes $ 10,659   $ 7,934 $ 5,638

 

Provision for taxes:
Federal:
Current $ 2,930   $ 2,046 $ 1,169
Deferred 30   8 307

 

2,960   2,054 1,476

 

State:
Current 384   286 203
Foreign:
Current 394   266 354
Deferred (24)   171 39

 

370   437 393

 

Total provision for taxes $ 3,714   $ 2,777 $ 2,072

 

Effective tax rate 34.8%   35.0% 36.8%

 

The tax benefit associated with dispositions from employee stock plans reduced taxes currently payable for 1997 by $224 million ($196 million and $116 million for 1996 and 1995, respectively).

The provision for taxes reconciles to the amount computed by applying the statutory federal rate of 35% to income before taxes as follows:

(In millions) 1997 1996 1995

Computed expected tax $ 3,731 $ 2,777 $ 1,973
State taxes, net of federal benefits 249 186 132
Other (266) (186) (33)



Provision for taxes $ 3,714 $ 2,777 $ 2,072



Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities at fiscal year-ends were as follows:

(In millions) 1997 1996

Deferred tax assets
Accrued compensation and benefits $ 76 $ 71
Deferred income 200 147
Inventory valuation and related reserves 163 187
Interest and taxes 49 54
Other, net 188 111


676 570
Deferred tax liabilities
Depreciation (882) (573)
Unremitted earnings of certain subsidiaries (162) (359)
Other, net (32) (65)


(1,076) (997)


Net deferred tax (liability) $ (400) $ (427)


U.S. income taxes were not provided for on a cumulative total of approximately $1,505 million of undistributed earnings for certain non-U.S. subsidiaries. The Company intends to reinvest these earnings indefinitely in operations outside the United States.

During 1997, the Company officially settled all tax and related interest for years 1978 through 1990 with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). There was no material effect on the Company's 1997 financial statements.

The Company's U.S. income tax returns for the years 1991 through 1993 are presently under examination by the IRS. Final proposed adjustments have not yet been received for these years. In addition, examination by the IRS of the Company's income tax returns for the years 1994 through 1996 began in 1997. Management believes that adequate amounts of tax and related interest and penalties, if any, have been provided for any adjustments that may result for the years under examination.

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Employee benefit plans
Stock option plans. Intel has a 1984 Stock Option Plan under which officers, key employees and non-employee directors may be granted options to purchase shares of the Company's authorized but unissued Common Stock. In 1997, the Board of Directors approved the 1997 Stock Option Plan, which made an additional 130 million shares available for employees other than officers and directors. The Company also has an Executive Long-Term Stock Option Plan under which certain employees, including officers, may be granted options to purchase shares of the Company's authorized but unissued Common Stock. Under all of the plans, the option exercise price is equal to fair market value at the date of grant.

Options currently expire no later than 10 years from the grant date and generally vest after 5 years. Proceeds received by the Company from exercises are credited to Common Stock and capital in excess of par value. Additional information with respect to stock option plan activity was as follows:

Outstanding options

(In millions) Shares
available
for options
Number
of shares
Weighted
average
exercise
price

December 31, 1994 108.9 170.3 $ 7.64
Grants (27.9) 27.9 $ 24.11
Exercises - (21.3) $ 4.07
Cancellations 5.9 (5.9) $ 12.83


December 30, 1995 86.9 171.0 $ 10.60
Grants (26.7) 26.7 $ 34.56
Exercises - (23.7) $ 4.93
Cancellations 5.1 (5.1) $ 17.05


December 28, 1996 65.3 168.9 $ 14.98
Additional shares reserved 130.0 -   -
Grants (31.5) 31.5 $ 72.46
Exercises - (23.6) $ 6.11
Cancellations 4.4 (4.4) $ 32.76
 

   
December 27, 1997 168.2 172.4 $ 26.24


Options exercisable at:
December 30, 1995 58.2 $ 4.55
December 28, 1996 57.3 $ 5.72
December 27, 1997 57.6 $ 7.33

The range of exercise prices for options outstanding at December 27, 1997 was $2.52 to $97.94. The range of exercise prices for options is wide due primarily to the increasing price of the Company's stock over the period when the grants were made.

The following tables summarize information about options outstanding at December 27, 1997:

Outstanding options

Range of exercise prices Number of
shares (in
millions)
Weighted
average
contract-
ual life
(in years)
Weighted
average
exercise
price

$2.52 - $9.78 49.2 2.9 $ 5.34
$11.09 - $20.56 45.1 5.8 $ 14.04
$22.20 - $48.47 46.5 7.9 $ 28.95
$52.09 - $97.94 31.6 9.4 $ 72.12

Total 172.4 6.2 $ 26.24

Exercisable options

Range of exercise prices Number of
shares (in
millions)
Weighted
average
exercise
price

$2.52 - $9.78 49.1 $ 5.34
$11.09 - $20.56 6.2 $ 13.90
$22.20 - $48.47 2.1 $ 29.86
$52.09 - $97.94 .2 $ 60.09

Total 57.6 $ 7.33

These options will expire if not exercised at specific dates ranging from January 1998 to December 2007. Prices for options exercised during the three-year period ended December 27, 1997 ranged from $1.52 to $61.31.

Stock Participation Plan. Under this plan, eligible employees may purchase shares of Intel's Common Stock at 85% of fair market value at specific, predetermined dates. Of the 236 million shares authorized to be issued under the plan, 43.0 million shares were available for issuance at December 27, 1997. Employees purchased 4.5 million shares in 1997 (7.0 million in 1996 and in 1995) for $191 million ($140 million and $110 million in 1996 and 1995, respectively).

Pro forma information. The Company has elected to follow APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," in accounting for its employee stock options because, as discussed below, the alternative fair value accounting provided for under SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," requires the use of option valuation models that were not developed for use in valuing employee stock options. Under APB No. 25, because the exercise price of the Company's employee stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized in the Company's financial statements.

Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required by SFAS No. 123. This information is required to be determined as if the Company had accounted for its employee stock options (including shares issued under the Stock Participation Plan, collectively called "options") granted subsequent to December 31, 1994 under the fair value method of that statement. The fair value of options granted in 1997, 1996 and 1995 reported below has been estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

Employee stock options 1997   1996   1995

Expected life (in years) 6.5     6.5     6.5  
Risk-free interest rate 6.6%   6.5%   6.8%
Volatility .36     .36     .36  
Dividend yield .1%   .2%   .3%
           
Stock Participation Plan shares 1997   1996   1995

Expected life (in years) .5     .5     .5  
Risk-free interest rate 5.3%   5.3%   6.0%
Volatility .40     .36     .36  
Dividend yield .1%   .2%   .3%

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company's options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in the opinion of management, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its options. The weighted average estimated fair value of employee stock options granted during 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $35.33, $16.35 and $11.63 per share, respectively. The weighted average estimated fair value of shares granted under the Stock Participation Plan during 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $22.08, $8.11 and $6.13, respectively.

For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting periods. The Company's pro forma information follows (in millions except for earnings per share information):

1997 1996 1995

Pro forma net income $ 6,735 $ 5,046 $ 3,506
Pro forma basic earnings per share $ 4.12 $ 3.07 $ 2.12
Pro forma diluted earnings per share $ 3.76 $ 2.84 $ 1.98

The effects on pro forma disclosures of applying SFAS No. 123 are not likely to be representative of the effects on pro forma disclosures of future years. Because SFAS No. 123 is applicable only to options granted subsequent to December 31, 1994, the pro forma effect will not be fully reflected until 1999.

Retirement plans. The Company provides tax-qualified profit-sharing retirement plans (the "Qualified Plans") for the benefit of eligible employees in the U.S. and Puerto Rico and certain foreign countries. The plans are designed to provide employees with an accumulation of funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis and provide for annual discretionary contributions to trust funds.

The Company also provides a non-qualified profit-sharing retirement plan (the "Non-Qualified Plan") for the benefit of eligible employees in the U.S. This plan is designed to permit certain discretionary employer contributions in excess of the tax limits applicable to the Qualified Plans and to permit employee deferrals in excess of certain tax limits. This plan is unfunded.

The Company accrued $273 million for the Qualified Plans and the Non-Qualified Plan in 1997 ($209 million in 1996 and $188 million in 1995). Of the $273 million accrued in 1997, the Company expects to fund approximately $245 million for the 1997 contribution to the Qualified Plans and to allocate approximately $12 million for the Non-Qualified Plan. The remainder, plus approximately $193 million carried forward from prior years, is expected to be contributed to these plans when allowable under IRS regulations and plan rules.

Contributions made by the Company vest based on the employee's years of service. Vesting begins after three years of service in 20% annual increments until the employee is 100% vested after seven years.

The Company provides tax-qualified defined-benefit pension plans for the benefit of eligible employees in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Each plan provides for minimum pension benefits that are determined by a participant's years of service, final average compensation (taking into account the participant's social security wage base) and the value of the Company's contributions, plus earnings, in the Qualified Plan. If the participant's balance in the Qualified Plan exceeds the pension guarantee, the participant will receive benefits from the Qualified Plan only. Intel's funding policy is consistent with the funding requirements of federal laws and regulations.

Pension expense for 1997, 1996 and 1995 for the U.S. and Puerto Rico plans was less than $1 million per year, and no component of expense exceeded $4 million.

The funded status of these plans as of December 27, 1997 and December 28, 1996 was as follows:

(In millions) 1997 1996

Vested benefit obligation $ (5) $ (3)


Accumulated benefit obligation $ (5) $ (4)


Projected benefit obligation $ (6) $ (5)
Fair market value of plan assets 14 11


Projected benefit obligation less than plan assets 8 6
Unrecognized net (gain) (15) (15)
Unrecognized prior service cost 2 3


Accrued pension costs $ (5) $ (6)


At fiscal year-ends, significant assumptions used were as follows:

1997 1996 1995

Discount rate 7.0% 7.0% 7.0%
Rate of compensation increase 5.0% 5.0% 5.0%
Expected long-term return on assets 8.5% 8.5% 8.5%

Plan assets of the U.S. and Puerto Rico plans consist primarily of listed stocks and bonds, repurchase agreements, money market securities, U.S. government securities and stock index derivatives.

The Company provides defined-benefit pension plans in certain foreign countries where required by statute. The Company's funding policy for foreign defined-benefit plans is consistent with the local requirements in each country.

Pension expense for 1997, 1996 and 1995 for the foreign plans was $14 million, $17 million and $9 million, respectively. No component of expense exceeded $15 million.

The funded status of the foreign defined-benefit plans as of December 27, 1997 and December 28, 1996 is summarized below:

1997
(In millions)
Assets
exceed
accumulated
benefits
Accumulated
benefits
exceed
assets

Vested benefit obligation $ (43) $ (11)


Accumulated benefit obligation $ (49) $ (17)


Projected benefit obligation $ (71) $ (26)
Fair market value of plan assets 78 4


Projected benefit obligation less than
(in excess of) plan assets 7 (22)
Unrecognized net loss 3 2
Unrecognized net transition obligation 2 1


Prepaid (accrued) pension costs $ 12 $ (19)


1996
(In millions)

Assets
exceed
accumulated
benefits

Accumulated
benefits
exceed
assets

Vested benefit obligation $ (43) $ (9)


Accumulated benefit obligation $ (46) $ (15)


Projected benefit obligation $ (62) $ (23)
Fair market value of plan assets 68 3


Projected benefit obligation less than
(in excess of) plan assets 6 (20)
Unrecognized net loss 3 3
Unrecognized net transition obligation 2 1


Prepaid (accrued) pension costs $ 11 $ (16)


At fiscal year-ends, significant assumptions used were as follows:

1997 1996 1995

Discount rate 5.5%-14% 5.5%-14% 5.5%-14%
Rate of compensation increase 4.5%-11% 4.5%-11% 4.5%-11%
Expected long-term return on assets 5.5%-14% 5.5%-14% 5.5%-14%

Plan assets of the foreign plans consist primarily of listed stocks, bonds and cash surrender value life insurance policies.

Other postemployment benefits. The Company accounts for other postemployment benefits in accordance with SFAS No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions," and SFAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits." These benefits had no material impact on the Company's financial statements for the periods presented.

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Commitments
The Company leases a portion of its capital equipment and certain of its facilities under operating leases that expire at various dates through 2010. Rental expense was $69 million in 1997, $57 million in 1996 and $38 million in 1995. Minimum rental commitments under all non-cancelable leases with an initial term in excess of one year are payable as follows: 1998-$37 million; 1999-$33 million; 2000-$18 million; 2001-$13 million; 2002-$12 million; 2003 and beyond-$17 million. Commitments for construction or purchase of property, plant and equipment approximated $3.3 billion at December 27, 1997. In connection with certain manufacturing arrangements, Intel had minimum purchase commitments of approximately $191 million at December 27, 1997 for flash memories and other memory components.

In October 1997, the Company and Digital Equipment Corporation ("Digital") announced that they have agreed to establish a broad-based business relationship. The agreement includes sale of Digital's semiconductor manufacturing operations to Intel for approximately $700 million, a 10-year patent cross-license, supply of both Intel and Alpha microprocessors by Intel to Digital, development by Digital of future systems based on Intel's 64-bit microprocessors and termination of litigation between the companies as described below (see "Contingencies"). This agreement is subject to U.S. government review. The transactions provided for in the agreement are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or ongoing results of operations in any reporting period.

In January 1998, the Company acquired the outstanding shares of Chips and Technologies, Inc. of San Jose, California, for approximately $430 million as a result of a tender offer commenced in August 1997. The transaction will be accounted for as a purchase.

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Contingencies
In March 1995, EMI Group, N.A. ("EMI," formerly known as Thorn EMI North America Inc.) brought suit in Federal District Court in Delaware against Intel, alleging that certain Intel manufacturing processes infringe a U.S. patent. In May 1996, the Court granted Intel's motion for summary judgment on some of the processes in issue. In November 1996, the Court granted Intel's motion for summary judgment on the remaining processes in issue and entered judgment in favor of Intel and against EMI on the claims in EMI's complaint. A hearing on EMI's appeal of the grant of summary judgment was heard in August 1997. No decision has been issued.

Digital brought suit in Federal District Court in Massachusetts in May 1997, alleging that Intel is infringing 10 patents in making and selling microprocessor products. Digital sought an injunction and monetary damages. If granted, the injunction would prohibit Intel from using Digital's patented technology in its microprocessor products. The Company believes that its products do not infringe the Digital patents. The Company filed a counterclaim against Digital for infringement of nine microprocessor-related patents, and, in District Court in Oregon, the Company claimed that Digital infringes six video and computer system patents. In October 1997, Intel and Digital announced that they have agreed to establish a broad-based business relationship as described above (see "Commitments"). Among other matters, the two companies agreed to request a stay of all lawsuits until government review of the agreement is completed, following which the lawsuits would be dismissed with prejudice.

In November 1997, Intergraph Corporation ("Intergraph") filed suit in Federal District Court in Alabama generally alleging that Intel attempted to coerce Intergraph into relinquishing certain patent rights relating to microprocessor and chipset interaction in multiprocessor workstations. The suit also alleges that Intel infringes three Intergraph patents and includes alleged violations of antitrust laws. The suit seeks injunctive relief along with unspecified damages. In November 1997, Intel filed suit against Intergraph in Federal District Court in California seeking a declaratory judgment that the Intergraph patents are invalid. Intel also filed an action in the same court alleging breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets based on Intergraph's refusal to return Intel confidential information as contractually required.

Although the ultimate outcome of the legal proceedings noted above cannot be determined at this time, management, including internal counsel, does not believe that the outcome of these proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or overall trends in results of operations.

Intel has been named to the California and U.S. Superfund lists for three of its sites and has completed, along with two other companies, a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility study with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") to evaluate the groundwater in areas adjacent to one of its former sites. The EPA has issued a Record of Decision with respect to a groundwater cleanup plan at that site, including expected costs to complete. Under the California and U.S. Superfund statutes, liability for cleanup of this site and the adjacent area is joint and several. The Company, however, has reached agreement with those same two companies which significantly limits the Company's liabilities under the proposed cleanup plan. Also, the Company has completed extensive studies at its other sites and is engaged in cleanup at several of these sites. In the opinion of management, including internal counsel, the potential losses to the Company in excess of amounts already accrued arising out of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or overall trends in results of operations, even if joint and several liability were to be assessed.

The Company is party to various other legal proceedings. In the opinion of management, including internal counsel, these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or overall trends in results of operations.

The estimate of the potential impact on the Company's financial position or overall results of operations for the above legal proceedings could change in the future.

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Industry segment reporting
Intel operates predominantly in one industry segment. The Company designs, develops, manufactures and markets microcomputer components and related products at various levels of integration. The Company sells its products directly to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") and also to a network of industrial and retail distributors throughout the world. The Company's principal markets are in the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Japan, with the U.S. and Europe being the largest based on revenues. The Company's major products include microprocessors and related board-level products, chipsets, embedded processors and microcontrollers, flash memory chips, and network and communications products. Microprocessors and related board-level products account for a substantial majority of the Company's net revenues. In 1997, one customer accounted for 12% of the Company's revenues. No customer exceeded 10% of revenues in 1996 and 1995. Summary balance sheet information for operations outside the United States at fiscal year-ends is as follows:

(In millions) 1997 1996

Assets $ 5,332 $ 4,784
Total liabilities $ 2,127 $ 1,694
Net property, plant and equipment $ 2,644 $ 1,615

Geographic information for the three years ended December 27, 1997 is presented in the following tables. Transfers between geographic areas are accounted for at amounts that are generally above cost and consistent with rules and regulations of governing tax authorities. Such transfers are eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. Operating income by geographic segment does not include an allocation of general corporate expenses. Identifiable assets are those that can be directly associated with a particular geographic area. Corporate assets include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, trading assets, deferred tax assets, long-term investments and certain other assets.

(In millions)
1997
Sales to
unaffiliated
customers
Transfers
between
geographic
areas
Net
revenues
Operating
income
Identi-
fiable
assets

United States $ 11,053 $ 12,155 $ 23,208 $ 7,734 $ 15,542
Europe 6,774 1,101 7,875 1,056 2,463
Asia-Pacific 4,754 2,659 7,413 549 1,849
Japan 2,489 26 2,515 184 394
Other - 1,127 1,127 692 626
Eliminations - (17,068) (17,068) 513 (4,365)
Corporate - - - (841) 12,371





Consolidated $ 25,070 $- $ 25,070 $ 9,887 $ 28,880






1996
         

United States $ 8,668 $ 9,846 $ 18,514 $ 5,255 $ 12,982
Europe 5,876 917 6,793 1,118 2,405
Asia-Pacific 3,844 2,004 5,848 509 1,361
Japan 2,459 20 2,479 340 659
Other - 865 865 529 359
Eliminations - (13,652) (13,652) 453 (3,439)
Corporate - - - (651) 9,408





Consolidated $ 20,847 $- $ 20,847 $ 7,553 $ 23,735





1995

United States $ 7,922 $ 6,339 $ 14,261 $ 3,315 $ 12,603
Europe 4,560 1,190 5,750 1,383 2,517
Asia-Pacific 1,983 1,566 3,549 271 893
Japan 1,737 28 1,765 353 665
Other - 684 684 410 329
Eliminations - (9,807) (9,807) 124 (3,651)
Corporate - - - (604) 4,148





Consolidated $ 16,202 $- $ 16,202 $ 5,252 $ 17,504





Supplemental information (unaudited)
Quarterly information for the two years ended December 27, 1997 is presented in Financial information by quarter.

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Legal Notices (C) Intel Corporation
Content published April 6, 1998.