20-F
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
March 3, 2006
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 20-F
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b)
OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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OR |
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þ
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 |
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OR |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For the transition period
from to |
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SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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Date of event requiring this shell company report |
Commission file number: 1-13546
STMicroelectronics N.V.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Not Applicable
(Translation of registrants
name into English) |
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The Netherlands
(Jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization) |
39, Chemin du Champ des Filles
1228 Plan-Les-Ouates
Geneva
Switzerland
(Address of principal executive offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to
Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of Each Class: |
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Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered: |
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Common shares, nominal value
1.04 per
share
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New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to
Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant
to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the
issuers classes of capital or common stock as of the close
of the period covered by the annual report:
894,424,279 common shares at December 31, 2005
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known
seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities
Act.
Yes þ No o
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by
check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed
all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:
Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large
accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated
filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large
accelerated filer in
Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated
filer o Accelerated
filer o Non-accelerated
filer þ
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the
registrant has elected to follow:
Item 17 o Item 18 þ
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the
registrant is a shell company (as defined in
Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act).
Yes o No þ
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page |
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PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER
INFORMATION |
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3 |
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PART I |
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5 |
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Identity of Directors,
Senior Management and Advisers
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5 |
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Offer Statistics and
Expected Timetable
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5 |
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Key Information
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5 |
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Information on the
Company
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22 |
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Operating and Financial
Review and Prospects
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51 |
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Directors, Senior
Management and Employees
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87 |
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Major Shareholders and
Related-Party Transactions
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109 |
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Financial Information
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116 |
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Listing
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120 |
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Additional Information
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126 |
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Quantitative and
Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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143 |
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Description of Securities
Other Than Equity Securities
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145 |
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PART II |
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146 |
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Defaults, Dividend
Arrearages and Delinquencies
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146 |
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Material Modifications to
the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
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146 |
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Controls and Procedures
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146 |
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Audit Committee Financial
Expert
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146 |
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Code of Ethics
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146 |
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Principal Accountant Fees
and Services
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146 |
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Exemptions from the
Listing Standards for Audit Committees
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147 |
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Purchases of Equity
Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
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148 |
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PART III |
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149 |
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Financial Statements
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149 |
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Financial Statements
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149 |
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Exhibits
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149 |
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SIGNATURES |
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152 |
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EX-1 |
EX-8.1 |
EX-12.1 |
EX-12.2 |
EX-13.1 |
EX-14.A |
2
PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION
In this annual report or
Form 20-F (the
Form 20-F),
references to we and us are to
STMicroelectronics N.V. together with its consolidated
subsidiaries, references to EU are to the European
Union, references to
and
the euro are to the euro currency of the EU,
references to the United States and U.S.
are to the United States of America and references to
$ or to U.S. dollars are to United
States dollars. References to mm are to millimeters
and references to nm are to nanometers.
We have compiled the market share, market size and competitive
ranking data in this annual report using statistics and other
information obtained from several third-party sources. Except as
otherwise disclosed herein, all references to our competitive
positions in this annual report are based on 2005 revenues
according to provisional industry data published by iSuppli and
2004 revenues according to industry data published by iSuppli
and Gartner, Inc., and references to trade association data are
references to World Semiconductor Trade Statistics
(WSTS). Certain terms used in this annual report are
defined in Certain Terms.
We report our financial statements in U.S. dollars and
prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
(U.S. GAAP). Furthermore, starting in 2005, we
are required by Dutch law to report our statutory and
consolidated financial statements, previously reported using
generally accepted accounting principles in the Netherlands, in
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
The financial statements reported in IFRS can differ materially
from the statements reported in U.S. GAAP.
Various amounts and percentages used in this
Form 20-F have
been rounded and, accordingly, they may not total 100%.
We and our affiliates own or otherwise have rights to the
trademarks and trade names, including those mentioned in this
annual report, used in conjunction with the marketing and sale
of our products.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements contained in this
Form 20-F that are
not historical facts, particularly in Item 3. Key
Information Risk Factors, Item 4.
Information on the Company and Item 5.
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects and
Business Outlook, are statements of
future expectations and other forward-looking statements (within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 or
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as
amended) that are based on managements current views and
assumptions and are conditioned upon, and also involve known and
unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results,
performance or events to differ materially from those in such
statements due to, among other factors:
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future developments of the world semiconductor market, in
particular the future demand for semiconductor products in the
key application markets and from key customers served by our
products; |
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pricing pressures, losses or curtailments of purchases from key
customers; |
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the financial impact of inadequate or excess inventories if
actual demand differs from our anticipations; |
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changes in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and
the euro and between the U.S. dollar and the currencies of
the other major countries in which we have our operating
infrastructure; |
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our ability to be successful in our strategic research and
development initiatives to develop new products to meet
anticipated market demand, as well as our ability to achieve our
corporate performance roadmap by completing successfully and in
a timely manner our other various announced initiatives to
improve our overall efficiency and our financial performance; |
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the anticipated benefits of research and development alliances
and cooperative activities and the continued pursuit of our
various alliances, in the field of development of new advanced
technologies or products; |
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the ability of our suppliers to meet our demands for products
and to offer competitive pricing; |
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changes in the economic, social or political environment, as
well as natural events such as severe weather, health risks,
epidemics or earthquakes in the countries in which we and our
key customers operate; |
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changes in our overall tax position as a result of changes in
tax laws or the outcome of tax audits; |
3
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product liability or warranty claims for a product containing
one of our parts; and |
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our ability to obtain required licenses on third-party
intellectual property, the outcome of litigation and the results
of actions by our competitors. |
Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and
uncertainties, which may cause actual results and performance of
our business to differ materially and adversely from the
forward-looking statements. Certain forward-looking statements
can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology,
such as believes, expects,
may, are expected to, will,
will continue, should, would
be, seeks or anticipates or
similar expressions or the negative thereof or other variations
thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussions of
strategy, plans or intentions. Some of these risk factors are
set forth and are discussed in more detail in Item 3.
Key Information Risk Factors. Should one or
more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should
underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary
materially from those described in this
Form 20-F as
anticipated, believed or expected. We do not intend, and do not
assume any obligation, to update any industry information or
forward-looking statements set forth in this
Form 20-F to
reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Unfavorable changes in the above or other factors listed under
Item 3. Key Information Risk
Factors from time to time in our Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) filings, could have a material
adverse effect on our business and/or financial condition.
4
PART I
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Item 1. |
Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers |
Not applicable.
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Item 2. |
Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable |
Not applicable.
Selected Financial Data
The table below sets forth our selected consolidated financial
data for each of the years in the five-year period ended
December 31, 2005. Such data have been derived from our
consolidated financial statements. Consolidated audited
financial statements for each of the years in the three-year
periods ended December 31, 2005, including the Notes
thereto (collectively, the Consolidated Financial
Statements), are included elsewhere in this
Form 20-F, while
data for prior periods have been derived from our consolidated
financial statements used in such periods.
The following information should be read in conjunction with
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and
Prospects, the Consolidated Financial Statements and the
related Notes thereto included in Item 8. Financial
Statements in this
Form 20-F.
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Year Ended December 31, | |
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2005(1) | |
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2004(1) | |
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2003(1) | |
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2002(1) | |
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2001(1) | |
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(In millions except per share and ratio data) | |
Consolidated Statement of Income Data:
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Net sales
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$ |
8,876 |
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$ |
8,756 |
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$ |
7,234 |
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$ |
6,270 |
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$ |
6,304 |
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Other revenues
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6 |
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4 |
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4 |
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48 |
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53 |
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Net revenues
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8,882 |
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8,760 |
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7,238 |
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6,318 |
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6,357 |
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Cost of sales
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(5,845 |
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(5,532 |
) |
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(4,672 |
) |
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(4,020 |
) |
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(4,047 |
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Gross profit
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3,037 |
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3,228 |
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2,566 |
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2,298 |
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2,310 |
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Operating expenses:
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Selling, general and administrative
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(1,026 |
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(947 |
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(785 |
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(648 |
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(641 |
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Research and development(2)
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(1,630 |
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(1,532 |
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(1,238 |
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(1,022 |
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(978 |
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Other income and expenses, net(2)
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(9 |
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10 |
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(4 |
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7 |
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(6 |
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Impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure costs
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(128 |
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(76 |
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(205 |
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(34 |
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(346 |
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Total operating expenses
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(2,793 |
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(2,545 |
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(2,232 |
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(1,697 |
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(1,971 |
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Operating income
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244 |
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683 |
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334 |
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601 |
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339 |
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Interest income (expense), net
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34 |
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(3 |
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(52 |
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(68 |
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(13 |
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Loss on equity investments
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(3 |
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(4 |
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(1 |
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(11 |
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(5 |
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Loss on extinguishment of convertible debt
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(4 |
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(39 |
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Income before income taxes and minority interests
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275 |
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672 |
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242 |
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522 |
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321 |
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Income tax benefit (expense)
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(8 |
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(68 |
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14 |
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(89 |
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(61 |
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Income before minority interests
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267 |
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604 |
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256 |
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433 |
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260 |
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Minority interests
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(1 |
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(3 |
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(3 |
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(4 |
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(3 |
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Net income
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$ |
266 |
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$ |
601 |
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$ |
253 |
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$ |
429 |
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$ |
257 |
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Earnings per share (basic)
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$ |
0.30 |
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$ |
0.67 |
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$ |
0.29 |
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$ |
0.48 |
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$ |
0.29 |
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Earnings per share (diluted)
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$ |
0.29 |
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$ |
0.65 |
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$ |
0.27 |
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$ |
0.48 |
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$ |
0.29 |
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Number of shares used in calculating earnings per share (basic)
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892.8 |
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891.2 |
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888.2 |
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887.6 |
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893.3 |
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Number of shares used in calculating earnings per share (diluted)
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935.6 |
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935.1 |
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937.1 |
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893.0 |
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902.0 |
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5
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Year Ended December 31, | |
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2005(1) | |
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2004(1) | |
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2003(1) | |
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2002(1) | |
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2001(1) | |
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(In millions except per share and ratio data) | |
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (end of period):
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Cash and cash equivalents(1)
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$ |
2,027 |
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$ |
1,950 |
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$ |
2,998 |
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$ |
2,564 |
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$ |
2,444 |
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Total assets
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12,439 |
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13,800 |
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13,477 |
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12,004 |
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10,798 |
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Short-term debt (including current portion of long-term debt)
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1,533 |
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191 |
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151 |
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165 |
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130 |
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Long-term debt (excluding current portion)(1)
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269 |
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1,767 |
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2,944 |
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2,797 |
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2,772 |
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Shareholders equity(1)
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8,480 |
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9,110 |
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8,100 |
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6,994 |
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6,075 |
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Capital stock(3)
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3,120 |
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3,074 |
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3,051 |
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3,008 |
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|
2,978 |
|
Other Data:
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Dividends per share
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$ |
0.12 |
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$ |
0.12 |
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$ |
0.08 |
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$ |
0.04 |
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$ |
0.04 |
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Capital expenditures(4)
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1,441 |
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2,050 |
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|
1,221 |
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|
995 |
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|
1,700 |
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Net cash provided by operating activities
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|
1,798 |
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|
2,342 |
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|
1,920 |
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|
1,713 |
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|
2,057 |
|
Depreciation and amortization(4)
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1,944 |
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1,837 |
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1,608 |
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|
1,382 |
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|
1,320 |
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Net debt (cash) to total shareholders equity ratio(5)
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(0.026 |
) |
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|
0.001 |
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|
0.012 |
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|
0.057 |
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|
0.075 |
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(1) |
On November 16, 2000, we issued $2,146 million initial
aggregate principal amount of zero-coupon senior convertible
bonds due 2010 (the 2010 Bonds), for net proceeds of
$1,458 million; in 2003, we repurchased on the market
approximately $1,674 million aggregate principal amount at
maturity of 2010 Bonds. During 2004, we completed the repurchase
of our 2010 Bonds and repurchased on the market approximately
$472 million aggregate principal amount at maturity for a
total amount paid of $375 million. In 2001, we redeemed the
remaining $52 million of our outstanding Liquid Yield
Option Notes due 2008 (our 2008 LYONs) and converted
them into common shares in May and June 2001. In 2001, we
repurchased 9,400,000 common shares for $233 million, and
in 2002, we repurchased an additional 4,000,000 shares for
$115 million. We reflected these purchases at cost as a
reduction of shareholders equity. The repurchased shares
have been designated to fund share compensation granted to
employees under our 2001 employee stock plan and may be used for
subsequent grants. In August 2003, we issued $1,332 million
principal amount at maturity of our 2013 Bonds with a negative
yield of 0.5% that resulted in a higher principal amount at
issuance of $1,400 million and net proceeds of
$1,386 million. During 2004, we repurchased all of our
outstanding Liquid Yield Option Notes due 2009 (our 2009
LYONs) for a total amount of cash paid of
$813 million. |
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(2) |
Other income and expenses, net includes, among other
things, funds received through government agencies for research
and development expenses, the cost of new production facilities
start-ups, foreign
currency gains and losses, gains on sales of marketable
securities, the costs of certain activities relating to
intellectual property and, for periods prior to 2002, goodwill
amortization. Our reported research and development expenses are
mainly in the areas of product design, technology and
development, and do not include marketing design center costs,
which are accounted for as selling expenses, or process
engineering, pre-production and process-transfer costs, which
are accounted for as cost of sales. |
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Capital stock consists of common stock and capital surplus. |
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Capital expenditures are net of certain funds received through
government agencies, the effect of which is to decrease
depreciation. |
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Net debt (cash) to total shareholders equity ratio is a
non-U.S. GAAP financial measure. The most directly
comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure is considered to be
Debt-to-Equity Ratio. However, this ratio measures
gross debt relative to equity, and does not reflect the current
cash position of the Company. We believe that our net debt
(cash) to total shareholders equity ratio is useful to
investors as a measure of our financial position and leverage.
The ratio is computed on the basis of our net financial position
divided by total shareholders equity. Our net financial
position is the difference between our total cash position (cash
and cash equivalents) net of total financial debt (bank
overdrafts, current portion of long-term debt and long-term
debt). For more information on our net financial position, see
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and
Prospects Liquidity and Capital
Resources Capital Resources Net
financial position. Our computation of net debt (cash) to
total shareholders equity ratio may not be consistent with
that of other companies, which could make comparability
difficult. |
6
Risk Factors
Risks Related to the Semiconductor Industry
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The semiconductor industry is highly cyclical and periodic
downturns in the semiconductor industry affect our business and
results of operations. |
The semiconductor industry is highly cyclical and has been
subject to significant economic downturns at various times.
Downturns are typically characterized by production
overcapacity, accelerated erosion of average selling prices,
high inventory levels, diminished demand and reduced revenues.
Downturns may be the result of industry-specific factors, such
as excess capacity, product obsolescence, price erosion,
evolving standards, changes in end-customer demand, and/or
macroeconomic trends impacting the economies of one or more of
the worlds major regions: Asia, the United States, Europe
and Japan.
According to published industry data, worldwide sales of
semiconductor products, while generally increasing over the long
term, have fluctuated significantly on a yearly basis over the
past several years. According to the World Semiconductor Trade
Statistics (WSTS), sales increased in 1995, 1997,
1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 but decreased in 1996 and
1998. For 2001, the market also decreased by approximately 32%.
For 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, the increase was approximately
1%, 18%, 28% and 7%, respectively.
In certain years, the increase in the sales of semiconductor
products is driven primarily by an increase in the number of
units sold, while industry overcapacity and excess supply over
demand worldwide have continued to exercise a downward pressure
on average selling prices. In 2005, the market increase was
driven both by improved demand and by an average selling price
increase, although in each case the improvement was less than in
2004.
Such macroeconomic trends relate to the semiconductor industry
as a whole and not necessarily to the individual semiconductor
markets to which we sell our products.
We have experienced revenue volatility and market downturns in
the past and may experience them in the future.
Downturns in the semiconductor industry, reduction in demand for
end products which incorporate the semiconductor products we
supply, or increased competition driven by overcapacity
exercising a downward pressure on prices, have in the past, and
could in the future, have a significant adverse impact on our
results of operations.
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Increases in production capacity for semiconductor
products may lead to overcapacity, which in turn may lead to
plant closures, asset impairments, restructuring charges and
inventory write-offs. |
Capital investments for semiconductor manufacturing equipment
are made both by integrated semiconductor companies like us and
by specialist semiconductor foundry companies, which are
subcontractors that manufacture semiconductors designed by
others.
According to data published by industry sources, investments in
worldwide semiconductor fabrication capacity totaled
approximately $37.7 billion in 2001, $26.1 billion in
2002, $29.5 billion in 2003, $45.7 billion in 2004 and
an estimated $46.1 billion in 2005, or approximately 27%,
19%, 18%, 22% and 20%, respectively, of the total available
market for these years. The net increase of manufacturing
capacity, defined as the difference between capacity additions
and capacity reductions pursuant to closures, may exceed demand
requirements, leading to over-supply situations, price erosion,
and industry downturns. Overcapacity and cost optimization have
led us, in recent years, to close manufacturing facilities that
used more mature process technologies. In 2001, we closed our
150-mm wafer manufacturing facility in Ottawa, Canada. In 2002,
we closed our 150-mm wafer manufacturing facility in Rancho
Bernardo, California, and in 2004, we closed our 150-mm wafer
manufacturing facility in Rennes, France and our back-end
facility in Tuas, Singapore. Pursuant to these closures and as a
result of some of our more mature fabrication facility capacity
being only partially used, in 2001 we recorded impairment,
restructuring charges and related closure costs totaling
$346 million. In 2002, we recorded impairment,
restructuring charges and related closure costs of
$34 million. In 2003, we recorded impairment, restructuring
charges and other related closure costs of $205 million in
connection with the plan announced in October 2003 to increase
our cost competitiveness by restructuring our 150-mm fab
operations and part of our back-end operations. In 2004, we
recorded impairment, restructuring charges and related closure
costs of $76 million. In 2005, the amount of impairment,
restructuring charges and other related closure pre-tax costs
7
amounted to $128 million. See Item 5. Operating
and Financial Review and Prospects Impairment,
Restructuring Charges and Other Related Closure Costs.
Through the period ended December 31, 2005, we have
incurred $294 million of the announced approximate
$350 million in pre-tax charges associated with the
restructuring plan that was defined on October 22, 2003,
and which is now expected to be substantially completed in the
second half of 2006.
In January 2005, we announced plans to reduce our Access
technology programs for customer premises equipment
(CPE) modem products. On May 16, 2005, we
announced a head count restructuring plan that, combined with
other already announced initiatives, will aim to reduce our
workforce by 3,000 outside Asia by the second half of 2006. From
these new measures estimated to cost between $100 to
$130 million, we anticipate additional savings of
$90 million per year, at completion of the plan. On
June 8, 2005, we specified our restructuring efforts by
announcing the following: our workforce gross reduction in
Europe will represent about 2,300 jobs of the 3,000 already
announced; we will pursue the conversion of 150-mm and 200-mm
production tools; we will optimize on a global scale our
Electrical Wafer Sorting (EWS) activities; we will
harmonize and rationalize our support functions and we will
disengage from certain activities.
As of December 31, 2005, these decisions had resulted in
total charges of approximately $114 million for intangible
assets and goodwill related to the CPE product lines and the
other restructuring charges, out of an estimated range of $175
to $205 million.
No assurances can be given that future changes in the market
demand for our products, overcapacity, obsolescence in our
manufacturing facilities and market downturns may not require us
to test for and record additional impairment and restructuring
charges, which may have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Competition in the semiconductor industry is intense, and
we may not be able to compete successfully if our product design
technologies, process technologies and products do not meet
market requirements. |
We compete in different product lines to various degrees on the
following characteristics:
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price; |
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technical performance; |
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product features; |
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product system compatibility; |
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product design and technology; |
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timely introduction of new products; |
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product availability; |
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manufacturing yields; and |
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sales and technical support. |
Competition in the semiconductor industry as a whole is intense,
and if our products are not selected based on any of these
factors, our business, financial condition and results of
operations could be materially adversely affected.
We also face significant competition in each of our product
lines. Like us, many of our competitors offer a large variety of
products. Some of our competitors may have greater financial
and/or more focused research and development resources than we
do. If these competitors substantially increase the resources
they devote to developing and marketing products which compete
with ours, we may not be able to compete effectively. Any
consolidation among our competitors could enhance their product
offerings, manufacturing efficiency and financial resources,
further strengthening their competitive position.
In
many of the market segments in which we compete for business, we
depend on winning highly competitive selection processes to
design products and technologies for use in our customers
equipment and products, and failure to be selected or to execute
could materially adversely affect our business in that market
segment. Even after we win and begin a product design, a
customer may cancel or change
8
its product plans, which could cause us to generate no
sales from a product and materially adversely affect our results
of operations.
One of our focuses is on winning competitive bid selection
processes, known as product design wins, to develop
products for use in our customers equipment and products.
These selection processes can be lengthy and require us to incur
significant design and development expenditures, with no
guarantee of winning or generating revenue. Delays in developing
new products with anticipated technological advances and failure
to win new design projects for customers or in commencing volume
shipments of new products may have an adverse effect on our
business. In addition, there can be no assurance that new
products, if introduced, will gain market acceptance or will not
be adversely affected by new technological changes or new
product announcements by other competitors that may have greater
resources or are more focused than we are. Because we typically
focus on only a few customers in a product area, the loss of a
design win can sometimes result in our failure to offer a
generation of a product. This can result in lost sales and could
hurt our position in future competitive selection processes
because we may be perceived as not being a technology or
industry leader.
After winning a product design from one of our customers, we may
still experience delays in generating revenue from our products
as a result of the lengthy development and design cycle. In
addition, a delay or cancellation of a customers plans
could significantly adversely affect our financial results, as
we may have incurred significant expense and generated no
revenue. Finally, if our customers fail to successfully market
and sell their own products, it could materially adversely
affect our business, financial condition and results of
operations as the demand for our products falls.
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Semiconductor and other products we design and manufacture
are characterized by rapidly changing technology, and our
success depends on our ability to develop and manufacture
complex products cost- effectively and to scale. |
The market for our products is characterized by rapidly changing
technology. Some of our products have average life cycles of
less than one year. Therefore, our success is highly dependent
upon our ability to develop and manufacture increasingly complex
new products quickly on a cost-effective basis and to scale.
Semiconductor design and process technologies are also subject
to constant technological improvements and require large
expenditures for capital investment, advanced research and
technology development. If we experience substantial delays or
are unable to develop new design or process technologies, our
results of operations could be adversely affected. In certain
cases, it may be necessary to incur costs to acquire technology
from third parties, which may affect our results of operations
and margins without any guarantee of success. We charged
$58 million as annual amortization expense on our
consolidated statement of income in 2005, related to
technologies and licenses acquired from third parties through
the end of 2005. As of December 31, 2005, the residual
value, net of amortization, registered in our consolidated
balance sheet for these technologies and licenses was
$110 million.
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The competitive environment of the semiconductor industry
may lead to further measures to improve our competitive position
and cost structure, which in turn may result in loss of
revenues, asset impairments and/or capital losses. |
We are continuously considering various measures to improve our
competitive position and cost structure in the semiconductor
industry. In February 2005, we decided to stop work on a
reference design chipset for the GSM/ GPRS market and announced
plans to reduce our Access technology programs for CPE products.
In May 2005, we announced additional restructuring efforts to
improve profitability. See Increases in
production capacity for semiconductor products may lead to
overcapacity, which in turn may lead to plant closures, asset
impairments, restructuring charges and inventory
write-offs. In recent years our sales have increased at a
slower pace than the semiconductor industry as a whole and our
market share has declined. There is no assurance that such
decline will not continue or accelerate, if we are not able to
accelerate product innovation, extend our customer base, realize
manufacturing improvements and/or otherwise control our costs.
We may also in the future, if we consider that market conditions
so require, consider additional measures to improve our cost
structure and competitiveness in the semiconductor market, which
may lead to discontinuation of certain product families or
additional restructurings, which in turn may result in loss of
revenues, asset impairments and/or capital losses.
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The competitive environment of the semiconductor industry
may lead to conditions in which we may seek to acquire a
competitor or become an acquisition target. |
The competitive environment of the semiconductor industry and
the high costs associated with developing our products and
manufacturing technologies may lead to further consolidation in
the industry in order to
9
improve economies of scale or improve the focus of our product
portfolio and/or market applications. In this environment, we
may seek to acquire a competitor to improve our market position
and related applications and products. We also may become a
target for a company looking to improve its competitive
position. Such an occurrence may take place at any time with
consequences that we are not in a position to predict.
Risks Related to Our Operations
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Our research and development efforts are increasingly
expensive and dependent on alliances, and our business, results
of operations and prospects could be materially adversely
affected by the failure or termination of such alliances in
developing new process technologies in line with market
requirements. |
We are increasingly dependent on alliances to develop or access
new technologies. For example, we are cooperating with Freescale
(formerly a division of Motorola Inc.) and Philips for the joint
research and development of CMOS process technology to provide
90-nm to 32-nm chip technologies on 300-mm wafers, as well as
the operation of a 300-mm wafer pilot line fab in Crolles2 under
a long-term agreement whose initial term has been set through
December 31, 2007 and which will be automatically extended
until December 3, 2010, unless either Freescale, Philips or
we serve a written notice of termination prior to
December 31, 2006. In 2005, we extended this agreement to
cover 300-mm wafer testing and packaging, as well as the
development and licensing of core libraries and IP. There can be
no assurance that we will be able to renew this agreement upon
expiration of its final term. Additionally, the agreement allows
for termination of the agreement if a change of control occurs
in one of the parties. The non-renewal or termination of our
Crolles2 alliance could have a material adverse effect on our
ability to continue the development of advanced CMOS process
technologies as currently proposed because it could require us
to significantly increase our expenses and/or require us to find
additional parties with no guarantee of success. Furthermore, we
have a joint development agreement with Hynix for the
development of NAND Flash memories and to build and operate a
front-end memory-manufacturing facility in Wuxi City, Jiangsu
Province, China. The development is dependent on financing from
Hynix and from local government authorities, which we cannot
assure will occur.
There can be no assurance that our alliances will be successful
or will enable us to develop and access new technologies in due
time, in a cost-effective manner and/or to meet customer
demands. Furthermore, if these alliances fail to accomplish
their intended goals or terminate before our intended goals are
accomplished we may lose our investment, or incur additional
unforeseen costs, and our business, results of operations and
prospects could be materially adversely affected. In addition,
if the Crolles2 or Hynix alliances or other alliances we enter
into do not succeed in developing or accessing technologies that
are commercially accepted, or if we are unable to develop or
otherwise access such new technologies independently, we may
fail to keep pace with the rapid technology advances in the
semiconductor industry, our participation in the overall
semiconductor industry may decrease and we may also lose market
share in the market addressed by our products.
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Loss of key employees could hurt our competitive
position. |
As is common in the semiconductor industry, success depends to a
significant extent upon our key senior executives and research
and development, engineering, marketing, sales, manufacturing,
support and other personnel. Our success also depends upon our
ability to continue to attract, retain and motivate qualified
personnel. The competition for such employees is intense, and
the loss of the services of any of these key personnel without
adequate replacement or the inability to attract new qualified
personnel could have a material adverse effect on us.
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In difficult market conditions, our high fixed costs
adversely impact our results. |
In less favorable industry environments, we are driven to reduce
prices in response to competitive pressures and we are also
faced with a decline in the utilization rates of our
manufacturing facilities due to decreases in product demand.
Since the semiconductor industry is characterized by high fixed
costs, we are not always able to reduce our total costs in line
with revenue declines. Reduced average selling prices for our
products, therefore adversely affect our results of operations.
Furthermore, in periods of reduced customer demand for our
products, our wafer fabrication plants (fabs) do not
operate at full capacity and the costs associated with the
excess capacity are charged directly to cost of sales. Over the
last five years, our gross profit margin has varied from a high
of 44.5% in the first quarter of 2001 to a low of 31.7% in the
fourth quarter of 2001. We cannot guarantee that difficult
market conditions will not adversely affect the capacity
utilization of our fabs and, consequently our future gross
margins. We cannot guarantee that increased competition in our
core product markets will not lead to further price erosion,
lower revenue growth rates and lower margins in the future.
10
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Our financial results can be adversely affected by
fluctuations in exchange rates, principally in the value of the
U.S. dollar. |
A significant variation of the value of the U.S. dollar
against the principal currencies which have a material impact on
us (primarily the euro, but also certain other currencies of
countries where we have operations) could result in a favorable
impact on our net income in the case of an appreciation of the
U.S. dollar, or a negative impact on our net income if the
U.S. dollar depreciates relative to these currencies.
Currency exchange rate fluctuations affect our results of
operations because our reporting currency is the
U.S. dollar, in which we receive the major part of our
revenues, while, more importantly, we incur the majority of our
costs in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Certain
significant costs incurred by us, such as manufacturing labor
costs and depreciation charges, selling, general and
administrative expenses, and research and development expenses,
are incurred in the currencies of the jurisdictions in which our
operations are located.
In order to reduce the exposure of our financial results to the
fluctuations in exchange rates, our principal strategy has been
to balance as much as possible the proportion of sales to our
customers denominated in U.S. dollars with the amount of
purchases from our suppliers denominated in U.S. dollars
and to reduce the weight of the other costs, including labor
costs and depreciation, denominated in euros and in other
currencies. In order to further reduce our exposure to
U.S. dollar exchange rate fluctuations, we have hedged
certain line items on our income statement, in particular with
respect to a portion of the cost of goods sold, most of the
research and development expenses and certain selling and
general and administrative expenses located in the euro zone. No
assurance can be given that the value of the U.S. dollar
will not actually appreciate with the hedging transaction
potentially preventing us from benefiting from lower
euro-denominated manufacturing costs when translated into our
U.S. dollar-based accounts. See Item 5.
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects Impact
of Changes in Exchange Rates and Item 11.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Our Consolidated Financial Statements for 2005 include income
and expense items translated at the average rate for the period.
In 2005, the effective average U.S. dollar exchange rate,
which reflects the current exchange rate levels and the impact
of certain hedging contracts was
1.00 for $1.28
compared to an actual exchange rate of
1.00 for $1.23
in 2004.
A decline of the U.S. dollar compared to the other major
currencies that affect our operations negatively impacts our
expenses, margins and profitability, especially if we are unable
to balance or shift our euro-denominated costs to other currency
areas or to U.S. dollars. Any such actions may not be
immediately effective, could prove costly and their
implementation could prove demanding on our management resources.
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Because we have our own manufacturing facilities, our
capital needs are high compared to competitors who do not
produce their own products. |
As a result of our strategic choice to maintain control of our
advanced proprietary manufacturing technologies to serve our
customer base and develop our strategic alliances, we require
significant amounts of capital to build, expand, modernize and
maintain our facilities. Some of our competitors, however, do
not manufacture their own products and therefore do not require
significant capital expenditures for their facilities. Our
capital expenditures have been significant in recent years. See
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and
Prospects Liquidity and Capital Resources. Our
capital expenditures were $1.4 billion in 2005 and we
currently expect our 2006 capital expenditures to be
approximately $1.8 billion. Our costs are also increasing
as the complexity of the individual manufacturing equipment
increases. We have the flexibility to modulate our investments
up or down in response to changes in market conditions, and we
are prepared to accelerate investments in leading-edge
technologies if market conditions require. We will continue to
monitor our level of capital spending taking into consideration
factors such as trends in the semiconductor market and capacity
utilization.
To stay competitive in the semiconductor industry, we must
transition certain products to 300-mm manufacturing technology,
which is much more expensive than 150-mm or 200-mm technologies.
Currently, all of our fabs process wafers with diameters of
150-mm or 200-mm. We are developing 300-mm process technology on
a pilot line at Crolles2, with our partners Philips and
Freescale. We have also constructed a building in Catania
(Italy), which is not yet equipped, for the volume production of
300-mm wafers. In addition, we are developing 300-mm technology
for the production of memory products with our joint venture
partner Hynix.
There can be no assurance that we will be successful in
transitioning certain products to 300-mm technology or that we
will be able to make further investments in developing 300-mm
technology. If we are unable to make further investments in or
access 300-mm technology or build 300-mm manufacturing
facilities for volume
11
production, our ability to develop and market new products could
suffer, which could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on
our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Any of the foregoing may require us to issue additional debt or
equity, or both, and if we are unable to access such capital on
acceptable terms, this may adversely affect our business and
results of operations. The timing and size of any new share,
convertible bond or straight bond offering would depend upon
market conditions as well as a variety of factors, and any such
transaction or any announcement concerning such a transaction
could materially impact market price of our common shares.
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We may also need additional funding in the coming years to
finance our investments, or purchase other companies or
technologies developed by third parties. |
In an increasingly complex and competitive environment, we may
need to invest in other companies, and/or in technology
developed by third parties to improve our position on the
market. We may also consider acquisitions to complement or
expand our existing business. Furthermore, we may need to rely
on public funding as we transition to 300-mm manufacturing
technology. We are dependent on public funding for equipping the
300-mm wafers production facility in Catania (Italy) and there
can be no assurance that we will obtain this public funding, as
planned. If such planned funding does not materialize, we may
lack financial resources to continue with our investment plan
for this facility, which in turn could lead us to discontinue
our investment in such facility and consequentially incur
significant impairments. Any of the foregoing may also require
us to issue additional debt, equity, or both. If we are unable
to access such capital on acceptable terms this may adversely
affect our business and results of operations. Existing loan
agreements for local funding of our Singapore and China legal
entities contain financial covenants.
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Our operating results may vary significantly from quarter
to quarter and annually and may differ significantly from our
expectations or guidance. |
Our operating results are affected by a wide variety of factors
that could materially and adversely affect revenues and
profitability or lead to significant variability of operating
results. These factors include, among others, the cyclicality of
the semiconductor and electronic systems industries, capital
requirements, inventory management, availability of funding,
competition, new product developments, technological changes and
manufacturing problems. Furthermore, our effective tax rate
currently takes into consideration certain favorable tax rates
and incentives, which, in the future, may not be available to
us. See Note 21 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In addition, a number of other factors could lead to
fluctuations in quarterly and annual operating results,
including:
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performance of our key customers in the markets they serve; |
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order cancellations or reschedulings by customers; |
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excess inventory held by customers leading to reduced bookings
or product returns by key customers; |
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manufacturing capacity and utilization rates; |
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restructuring and impairment charges; |
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fluctuations in currency exchange rates, particularly between
the U.S. dollar and other currencies in jurisdictions where
we have activities; |
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intellectual property developments; |
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changes in distribution and sales arrangements; |
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failure to win new design projects; |
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manufacturing performance and yields; |
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product liability or warranty claims; |
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litigation; |
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acquisitions or divestitures; |
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problems in obtaining adequate raw materials or production
equipment on a timely basis; and |
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property damage or business interruption losses resulting from a
catastrophic event not covered by insurance. |
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Unfavorable changes in any of the above factors have in the past
and may in the future adversely affect our operating results.
Furthermore, in periods of industry overcapacity or when our key
customers encounter difficulties in their end markets, orders
are more exposed to cancellations, reductions, price
renegotiation or postponements, which in turn reduce our
managements ability to forecast the next quarter or full
year production levels, revenues and margins. For these reasons
and others that we may not yet have identified, our revenues and
operating results may differ materially from our expectations or
guidance as visibility is reduced. See Item 4.
Information on the Company Backlog.
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Our business is dependent in large part on continued
growth in the industries and segments into which our products
are sold and in our ability to attract and retain new customers.
A market decline in any of these industries or our inability to
attract new customers could have a material adverse effect on
our results of operations. |
We derive and expect to continue to derive significant sales
from the telecommunications equipment and automotive industries,
as well as the home, personal and consumer segments generally.
Growth of demand in the telecommunications equipment and
automotive industries as well as the home, personal and consumer
segments, has in the past and may in the future, fluctuate
significantly based on numerous factors, including:
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spending levels of telecommunications equipment and/or
automotive providers; |
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development of new consumer products or applications requiring
high semiconductor content; |
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evolving industry standards; |
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the rate of adoption of new or alternative technologies; and |
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demand for automobiles, consumer confidence and general economic
conditions. |
We cannot assure you of the rate, or the extent to which, the
telecommunications equipment or automotive industries or the
home, personal or consumer segments will grow, if at all. Any
decline in these industries or segments could result in slower
growth or a decline in demand for our products, which could have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations. In recent years, our sales have
increased at a slower pace than the semiconductor industry as a
whole and our market share has declined.
In addition, projected industry growth rates may not materialize
as forecasted, resulting in spending on process and product
development well ahead of market requirements, which could have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
Our business is dependent upon our ability to attract and retain
new customers. The competition for such new customers is
intense. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in
attracting and retaining new customers. Our failure to do so
could materially adversely affect our business, financial
position and results of operations.
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Our operating results can also vary significantly due to
impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets incurred in
the course of acquisitions, as well as to impairment of tangible
assets due to changes in the business environment. |
Our operating results can also vary significantly due to
impairment of goodwill booked pursuant to acquisitions and to
the purchase of technologies and licenses from third parties. As
of December 31, 2005, the value registered on our audited
consolidated balance sheet for goodwill was $221 million
and the value for technologies and licenses acquired from third
parties was $110 million, net of amortization. Because the
market for our products is characterized by rapidly changing
technologies, and because of significant changes in the
semiconductor industry, our future cash flows may not support
the value of goodwill and other intangibles registered in our
balance sheet. Furthermore, the ability to generate revenues for
our fixed assets located in Europe may be impaired by an
increase in the value of the euro with respect to the
U.S. dollar, as the revenues from the use of such assets
are generated in U.S. dollars. We are required to annually
test goodwill and to assess the carrying values of intangible
and tangible assets when impairment indicators exist. As a
result of such tests, we could be required to book impairment in
our statement of income if the carrying value in our balance
sheet is in excess of the fair value. The amount of any
potential impairment is not predictable as it depends on our
estimates of projected market trends, results of operations and
cash flows. Any potential impairment, if required, could have a
material adverse impact on our results of operations.
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Disruptions in our relationships with any one of our key
customers could adversely affect our results of
operations. |
A substantial portion of our sales is derived from several large
customers, some of whom have entered into strategic alliances
with us. As of December 31, 2005, our largest customer was
Nokia, which accounted for 22.4% of our 2005 net revenues,
compared to 17.1% in 2004 and 17.9% in 2003. In 2005, our top
ten OEM customers accounted for approximately 50% of our net
revenues, compared to approximately 44% of our 2004 net
revenues and 46% of our 2003 net revenues. We cannot
guarantee that our largest customers will continue to book the
same level of sales with us that they have in the past and will
not solicit alternative suppliers. Many of our key customers
operate in cyclical businesses that are also highly competitive,
and their own demands and market positions may vary
considerably. Such customers have in the past, and may in the
future, vary order levels significantly from period to period,
request postponements to scheduled delivery dates or modify
their bookings. Approximately 18% of our net revenues were made
through distributors in 2003, increasing in 2004 to
approximately 21% and decreasing back to approximately 18% in
2005. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to maintain or
enhance our market share with our key customers or distributors.
If we were to lose one or more design wins for our products with
our key customers or distributors, or if any key customer were
to reduce or change its bookings, seek alternate suppliers,
increase its product returns or fail to meet its payment
obligations, our business financial condition and results of
operation could be materially adversely affected. If customers
do not purchase products made specifically for them, we may not
be able to resell such products to other customers or require
the customers who have ordered these products to pay a
cancellation fee. Furthermore, developing industry trends,
including customers use of outsourcing and new and revised
supply chain models, may reduce our ability to forecast the
purchase date for our products and evolving customer demand,
thereby affecting our revenues and working capital requirements.
For example, pursuant to industry developments, some of our
products are required to be delivered on consignment to customer
sites with recognition of revenue delayed until such time, which
must occur within a defined period of time, when the customer
chooses to take delivery of our products from our consignment
stock.
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Because we depend on a limited number of suppliers for raw
materials and certain equipment, we may experience supply
disruptions if suppliers interrupt supply or increase
prices. |
Our ability to meet our customers demand to manufacture
our products depends upon obtaining adequate supplies of quality
raw materials on a timely basis. A number of materials are
available only from a limited number of suppliers, or only from
a limited number of suppliers in a particular region. In
addition, we purchase raw materials such as silicon wafers, lead
frames, mold compounds, ceramic packages and chemicals and gases
from a number of suppliers on a
just-in-time basis.
Although supplies for the raw materials we currently use are
adequate, shortages could occur in various essential materials
due to interruption of supply or increased demand in the
industry. We also purchase semiconductor manufacturing equipment
from a limited number of suppliers and because such equipment is
complex it is difficult to replace one supplier with another or
to substitute one piece of equipment for another. In addition,
suppliers may extend lead times, limit our supply or increase
prices due to capacity constraints or other factors.
Furthermore, suppliers tend to focus their investments on
providing the most technologically advanced equipment and
materials and may not be in a position to address our
requirements for equipment or materials of older generations.
Shortages of supplies have in the past impacted and may in the
future impact the semiconductor industry, in particular with
respect to silicon wafers due to increased demand and decreased
production. Although we work closely with our suppliers to avoid
these types of shortages, there can be no assurances that we
will not encounter these problems in the future. Our quarterly
or annual results of operations would be adversely affected if
we were unable to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials or
equipment in a timely manner or if there were significant
increases in the costs of raw materials or problems with the
quality of these raw materials.
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Our manufacturing processes are highly complex, costly and
potentially vulnerable to impurities, disruptions or inefficient
implementation of production changes that can significantly
increase our costs and delay product shipments to our
customers. |
Our manufacturing processes are highly complex, require advanced
and increasingly costly equipment and are continuously being
modified or maintained in an effort to improve yields and
product performance. Impurities or other difficulties in the
manufacturing process can lower yields, interrupt production or
result in losses of products in process. As system complexity
and production changes have increased and sub-micron technology
has become more advanced, manufacturing tolerances have been
reduced and requirements for precision have become even more
demanding. Although in the past few years we have significantly
enhanced our manufacturing capability in terms of efficiency,
precision and capacity, we have from time to time experienced
bottlenecks and
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production difficulties that have caused delivery delays and
quality control problems, as is common in the semiconductor
industry. We cannot guarantee that we will not experience
bottlenecks, production or transition difficulties in the
future. In addition, during past periods of high demand for our
products, our manufacturing facilities have operated at high
capacity, which has led to production constraints. Furthermore,
if production at a manufacturing facility is interrupted, we may
not be able to shift production to other facilities on a timely
basis, or customers may purchase products from other suppliers.
In either case, the loss of revenue and damage to the
relationship with our customer could be significant.
Furthermore, we periodically transfer production equipment
between production facilities and must ramp up and test such
equipment once installed in the new facility before it can reach
its optimal production level.
As is common in the semiconductor industry, we have, from time
to time, experienced and may in the future experience
difficulties in transferring equipment between our sites,
ramping up production at new facilities or effecting transitions
to new manufacturing processes. Our operating results may be
adversely affected by an increase in fixed costs and operating
expenses linked to production if revenues do not increase
commensurately with such fixed costs and operating expenses.
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We may be faced with product liability or warranty
claims. |
Despite our corporate quality programs and commitment, our
products may not in each case comply with specifications or
customer requirements. Although our practice, in line with
industry standards, is to contractually limit our liability to
the repair, replacement or refund of defective products,
warranty or product liability claims could result in significant
expenses relating to compensation payments to maintain good
customer relationships or related to the costs of defending
against such claims and damages awarded if litigation occurs. In
the event of a warranty claim, we may also incur costs if we
decide to compensate the affected customer. There is no
guarantee that our insurance policies will be available or
adequate to protect against all such claims. In addition, it is
possible for one of our customers to recall a product containing
one of our parts. Costs or payments we may make in connection
with warranty claims or product recalls may adversely affect our
results of operation.
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If our outside foundry suppliers fail to perform, this
could adversely affect our ability to exploit growth
opportunities. |
We currently use outside suppliers or foundries primarily for
high-speed complementary metal-on silicon oxide semiconductor
(HCMOS) wafers and nonvolatile memory technology. If
our outside suppliers are unable to satisfy our demand, or
experience manufacturing difficulties, delays or reduced yields,
our results of operations and ability to satisfy customer demand
could suffer. In addition, purchasing rather than manufacturing
these products may adversely affect our gross profit margin if
the purchase costs of these products are higher than our own
manufacturing costs. Our internal manufacturing costs include
depreciation and other fixed costs, while costs for products
outsourced are based on market conditions. Prices for foundry
products also vary depending on capacity utilization rates at
our suppliers, quantities demanded, product technology and
geometry. Furthermore, these outsourcing costs can vary
materially from
quarter-to-quarter and,
in cases of industry shortages, they can increase significantly
further, negatively impacting our gross margin.
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We depend on patents to protect our rights to our
technology. |
We depend on our ability to obtain patents and other
intellectual property rights covering our products and their
design and manufacturing processes. We intend to continue to
seek patents on our inventions relating to product designs and
manufacturing processes. However, the process of seeking patent
protection can be long and expensive, and we cannot guarantee
that we will receive patents from currently pending or future
applications. Even if patents are issued, they may not be of
sufficient scope or strength to provide meaningful protection or
any commercial advantage. In addition, effective patent,
copyright and trade secret protection may be unavailable or
limited in some countries. Competitors may also develop
technologies that are protected by patents and other
intellectual property and therefore either be unavailable to us
or be made available to us subject to adverse terms and
conditions. We have in the past used our patent portfolio to
negotiate broad patent cross-licenses with many of our
competitors enabling us to design, manufacture and sell
semiconductor products, without fear of infringing patents held
by such competitors. We may not, however, in the future be able
to obtain licenses or other rights to protect necessary
intellectual property on acceptable terms for the conduct of our
business, and such failure may adversely impact our results of
operations.
We have from time to time received, and may in the future
receive, communications alleging possible infringement of
patents and other intellectual property rights of others.
Furthermore, we may become involved in costly litigation brought
against us regarding patents, mask works, copyrights, trademarks
or trade secrets. We are
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currently involved in patent litigation with SanDisk Corporation
with respect to our flash memory products and in litigation with
Tessera, Inc. See Item 8. Financial
Information Legal Proceedings. In the event
that the outcome of any litigation would be unfavorable to us,
we may be required to obtain a license to the underlying
intellectual property right upon economically unfavorable terms
and conditions, possibly pay damages for prior use and/or face
an injunction, all of which, singly or in the aggregate, could
have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and
ability to compete.
Finally, litigation could cost us financial and management
resources necessary to enforce our patents and other
intellectual property rights or to defend against third party
intellectual property claims, when we believe that the amounts
requested for a license are unreasonable.
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Some of our production processes and materials are
environmentally sensitive, which could lead to increased costs
due to environmental regulations or to damage to the
environment. |
We are subject to a variety of laws and regulations relating,
among other things, to the use, storage, discharge and disposal
of chemicals, gases and other hazardous substances used in our
manufacturing processes, air emissions, waste water discharges,
waste disposal, as well as the investigation and remediation of
soil and ground water contamination. European Directive 2002/96/
EC (WEEE Directive) imposes a take back
obligation on manufacturers for the financing of the collection,
recovery and disposal of electrical and electronic equipment.
Additionally, European Directive 2002/95/ EC (ROHS
Directive) will ban the use of lead and some flame retardants in
electronic components beginning in July 2006. Our activities in
the EU are also subject to the European Directive 2003/87/ EC
establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas allowance trading, and
to the applicable national implementing legislation. In
addition, legislative proposals by the European Commission will
require the registration, evaluation and authorizations of a
large number of chemicals (REACH). The
implementation of any such legislation could adversely affect
our manufacturing costs or product sales by requiring us to
acquire costly equipment, materials or green-house gas
allowances, or to incur other significant expenses in adapting
our manufacturing processes or waste and emission disposal
processes. We are not in a position to quantify specific costs,
in part because these costs are part of our business process.
Furthermore, environmental claims or our failure to comply with
present or future regulations could result in the assessment of
damages or imposition of fines against us, suspension of
production or a cessation of operations and, as with other
companies engaged in similar activities, any failure by us to
control the use of, or adequately restrict the discharge of
chemicals or hazardous substances could subject us to future
liabilities. Any specific liabilities we identify as probable
would be reflected in our balance sheet. To date, we have not
identified any such specific liabilities. We therefore have not
booked specific reserves for any specific environmental risks.
See Item 4. Information on the Company
Environmental Matters.
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We operate in many jurisdictions with highly complex and
varied tax regimes. Changes in tax rules or the outcome of tax
assessments and audits could cause a material adverse effect on
our results. |
We operate in many jurisdictions with highly complex and varied
tax regimes. Changes in tax rules or the outcome of tax
assessments and audits could have a material adverse effect on
our results in any particular quarter. For example, in 2005, we
had an income tax expense of $8 million, as compared to an
income tax expense of $68 million in 2004. In 2005, we
benefitted from a favorable reassessment of our deferred tax
assets and liabilities due to changes in enacted tax rates, and
a favorable settlement of certain minor items relating to prior
years tax audits. Our tax rate is variable and depends on
changes in the level of operating profits within various local
jurisdictions and on changes in the applicable taxation rates of
these jurisdictions, as well as changes in estimated tax
provisions due to new events. We currently enjoy certain tax
benefits in some countries, and these benefits may not be
available in the future due to changes within the local
jurisdictions. As a result, our effective tax rate could
increase in the coming years.
We are subject to the possibility of loss contingencies arising
out of tax claims and provisions for specifically identified
income tax exposures. There can be no assurance that we will be
successful in resolving such tax claims. Our failure to do so
and/or the need to increase our provisions for such claims could
materially adversely affect our financial position.
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We are required to prepare consolidated financial
statements using both International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRS) beginning with our 2005 results in
addition to our consolidated financial statements prepared
pursuant to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the
United States (U.S. GAAP) and dual reporting
may impair the clarity of our financial reporting. |
We are incorporated in the Netherlands and our shares are listed
on Euronext Paris and on the Borsa Italiana, and, consequently,
we are subject to an EU regulation issued on September 29,
2003 requiring us to report our results of operations and
consolidated financial statements using IFRS (previously known
as International Accounting Standards or IAS). Since
our creation in 1987, we have always prepared our Consolidated
Financial Statements under U.S. GAAP and intend to continue
to do so, while at the same time complying with our reporting
obligations under IFRS by preparing a complementary set of our
2005 accounts or as may be otherwise requested by local stock
exchange authorities. Our decision to continue to apply
U.S. GAAP in our financial reporting is designed to ensure
the comparability of our results to those of our competitors and
the continuity of our reporting, thereby providing our investors
a clear understanding of our financial performance.
The obligation to report our Consolidated Financial Statements
under IFRS will require us to prepare our results of operations
using two different sets of reporting standards, U.S. GAAP
and IFRS, which are currently not consistent. Such dual
reporting could materially impair the clarity of our investor
communications. The main potential areas of discrepancy concern
capitalization and amortization of development expenses required
under IFRS and the accounting for compound financial
instruments. Furthermore, while we believe that all of our
accounting systems were in place in order to prepare a separate
set of accounts pursuant to IFRS in January 2005, we may not be
able to account for capitalization of development expenses
pursuant to IFRS in previous periods for comparative purposes.
Our financial condition and results of operations reported in
accordance with IFRS will differ from our financial condition
and results of operations reported in accordance with
U.S. GAAP, which could adversely affect the market price of
our common shares.
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Certain accounting principles of U.S. GAAP are in
flux and may lead to significant changes in the way we account
for our convertible debt instruments. These changes may lead to
significant changes in our financial statements. |
Certain U.S. GAAP accounting principles are in flux and
pending proposed amendments are likely to be made. Certain of
these proposed changes may bring U.S. GAAP more closely
into line with IFRS, while others are independent of the move to
converge generally accepted accounting principles. This state of
flux makes it difficult for us to predict how accounting rules
may evolve over the near- and medium-term.
In particular, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) has identified accounting for convertible
debt instruments as an emerging accounting issue. FASB has
announced a proposal that would involve uncoupling the debt and
equity components of convertible debt instruments, in line with
the fair market value of the debt. Recognition of interest
expense in line with market rates under the FASB proposal may be
considerably higher than the interest currently being charged.
In particular, we may be required to show a high interest charge
with respect to our 2013 Bonds, if not redeemed in August 2006,
and to our zero-coupon senior convertible bonds due 2016
(2016 Bonds), which we issued on
February 23, 2006. See Item 5 Operating and
Financial Review and Prospects Capital
Resources. Balance sheets would also be impacted because
shareholders equity would be adjusted to show increased
additional paid-in capital for the value of the embedded
conversion option. The current proposal could apply both to our
existing convertible debt instruments and any such instruments
issued in the future. FASBs proposal draft and date of
effect is not yet defined. If a new rule is adopted in line with
the above proposals, and if there is no provision that limits
its applicability to only those instruments issued in the
future, we may be required to change the accounting for our
convertible bonds on our statement of income and on our balance
sheet. There can be no assurance that these proposed rules and
regulations or any other laws, rules or regulations, will not be
adopted in the future, any of which could adversely affect our
financial statements, make compliance more difficult or
expensive, or otherwise adversely affect our financial condition.
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Changes in the accounting treatment of stock options and
other share-based compensation could adversely affect our
results of operations. |
We have in the past accounted for share-based compensation to
employees in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion
No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and as
such generally recognize no compensation cost for employee stock
options. In December 2004, the FASB issued revised
FAS No. 123, Share-Based Payment, or FAS 123R,
which requires companies to expense employee share-based
compensation for financial reporting purposes. We adopted
FAS 123R in the fourth quarter of 2005. See
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and
Prospects and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements. As a result, in the case
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of a distribution of new stock-based compensation, we are now
required to value our employee stock-based compensation pursuant
to a financial valuation model, and then amortize that value
against our reported earnings over the vesting period in effect
for those share-based compensation awards. This change in
accounting treatment of employee stock and other forms of
stock-based compensation could materially and adversely affect
our results of operations, as the share-based compensation
expense would be charged directly against our earnings. This
change resulted in a charge in the fourth quarter of 2005 and
could have, in the future, an effect on our earnings per share,
which could negatively impact our future stock price.
In addition, we have, through the first part of 2005, used stock
options as a key component of employee compensation in order to
align employees interests with the interests of our
shareholders, encourage employee retention, and provide
competitive compensation packages. To the extent that
FAS No. 123R or other new regulations make it more
difficult or expensive to grant options or other forms of
stock-based compensation to employees, we may incur increased
compensation costs, change our equity compensation strategy, or
find it difficult to attract, retain, and motivate employees.
Any of these results could materially and adversely affect our
business and operating results.
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Our common share price, operating results, net income, net
income per share and net financial position may be negatively
affected by potential acquisitions. |
While our growth to date has primarily been organic, we have in
the past and may in the future make selected acquisitions that
we believe would complement or expand our existing business. We
may pay for future acquisitions with cash, our common shares or
a combination of both. Acquisitions, if they occur, may have a
dilutive effect for existing shareholders and, whether they are
paid for in cash or common shares, may negatively affect our
common share price. Announcements concerning potential
acquisitions could be made at any time.
Acquisitions involve a number of risks that could adversely
affect our operating results, including:
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the diversion of managements attention; |
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the integration of acquired company operations and personnel; |
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the assumption of potential liabilities, disclosed or
undisclosed, associated with the business acquired, which
liabilities may exceed the amount of indemnification available
from the seller; |
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the risk that the financial and accounting systems utilized by
the business acquired will not meet our standards; |
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the risk that the businesses acquired will not maintain the
quality of products and services that we have historically
provided; |
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whether we are able to attract and retain qualified management
for the acquired business; |
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whether we are able to retain customers of the acquired
entity; and |
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the risk of goodwill and other intangible asset impairment, due
to the inability of the business to meet managements
expectations at the time of the acquisition. |
There can be no assurance that (a) we will be able to
consummate future acquisitions on satisfactory terms, if at all,
(b) adequate financing will be available for future
acquisitions on terms acceptable to us, if at all, or
(c) any operations acquired will be successfully integrated
or that such operations will ultimately have a positive impact
on our business.
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Reduction in the amount of state funding available to us
or demands for repayment may increase our costs and impact our
results of operations. |
Like many other manufacturers operating in Europe, we benefit
from governmental funding for research and development expenses
and industrialization costs (which include some of the costs
incurred to bring prototype products to the production stage),
as well as from incentive programs for the economic development
of underdeveloped regions. Public funding may also be
characterized by grants and/or low-interest financing for
capital investment and/or tax credit investments. See
Item 4. Information on the Company Public
Funding. We have entered into public funding agreements in
France and Italy, which set forth the parameters for state
support to us under selected programs. These funding agreements
may require compliance with EU regulations and approval by EU
authorities.
We rely on receiving funds on a timely basis pursuant to the
terms of the funding agreements. However, funding of programs in
France and Italy is subject to annual appropriation of available
resources and
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compatibility with the fiscal provisions of their annual
budgets, which we do not control, as well as to our continuing
compliance with all eligibility requirements. If we are unable
to receive anticipated funding on a timely basis, or if existing
government-funded programs were curtailed or discontinued, or if
we were unable to fulfill our eligibility requirements, this
could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating
results and financial condition. There is no assurance that any
alternative funding would be available, or that, if available,
it could be provided in sufficient amounts or on similar terms.
The application for and implementation of such grants often
involves compliance with extensive regulatory requirements
including, in the case of subsidies to be granted within the EU,
notification to the European Commission by the member state
making the contemplated grant prior to disbursement. In
particular, compliance with project-related ceilings on
aggregate subsidies defined under EU law often involves highly
complex economic evaluations. Furthermore, public funding
arrangements are generally subject to annual and
project-by-project reviews and approvals. If we fail to meet
applicable formal or other requirements, we may not be able to
receive the relevant subsidies or may be obliged to repay them
which could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations.
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The interests of our controlling shareholders, which are
in turn controlled respectively by the French and Italian
governments, may conflict with investors interests. |
We have been informed that as of December 31, 2005,
STMicroelectronics Holding II B.V. (ST
Holding II), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
STMicroelectronics Holding N.V. (ST Holding), owned
250,704,754 shares, or approximately 27.6%, of our issued
common shares. ST Holding is therefore effectively in a position
to control actions that require shareholder approval, including
corporate actions, the election of our Supervisory Board and our
Managing Board and the issuance of new shares or other
securities.
We have also been informed that the shareholders agreement
among ST Holdings shareholders (the STH
Shareholders Agreement), to which we are not a
party, governs relations between our current indirect
shareholders Areva Group, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti S.p.A.
(CDP) and Finmeccanica S.p.A.
(Finmeccanica), each of which is ultimately
controlled by the French or Italian government, see
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related-Party
Transactions Major Shareholders. The STH
Shareholders Agreement includes provisions requiring the
unanimous approval by shareholders of ST Holding before ST
Holding can make any decision with respect to certain actions to
be taken by us. Furthermore, as permitted by our articles of
association, the Supervisory Board has specified selected
actions by the Managing Board that require the approval of the
Supervisory Board. See Item 7. Major Shareholders and
Related-Party Transactions Major Shareholders.
These requirements for the prior approval of various actions to
be taken by us and our subsidiaries may give rise to a conflict
of interest between our interests and investors interests,
on the one hand, and the interests of the individual
shareholders approving such actions, on the other, and may
affect the ability of our Managing Board to respond as may be
necessary in the rapidly changing environment of the
semiconductor industry. Furthermore, our ability to issue new
shares or other securities may be limited by the existing
shareholders desire to maintain their proportionate
shareholding at a certain minimum level. Such approval process
is, however, subject to the provisions of Dutch law requiring
members of our Supervisory Board to act independently in
supervising our management and applicable Dutch and non-Dutch
corporate governance standards.
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Our shareholder structure and our preference shares may
deter a change of control. |
On May 31, 1999, our shareholders approved the creation of
preference shares that entitle a holder to full voting rights at
any meeting of shareholders and to a preferential right to
dividends and distributions upon liquidation. Pursuant to
approval from our shareholders, and in order to protect
ourselves from a hostile takeover or other similar action, we
entered into an option agreement with ST Holding II, which
provides that up to 540,000,000 preference shares shall be
issued to ST Holding II upon its request and subject to the
adoption of a resolution of our Supervisory Board giving our
consent to the exercise of the option and upon payment of at
least 25% of the par value of the preference shares to be
issued. The option may only be exercised if ST Holding II
owns at least 19% of our issued share capital at the time of
exercise. No preference shares have been issued to date. The
effect of the preference shares may be to deter potential
acquirers from effecting an unsolicited acquisition resulting in
a change of control. In addition, any issuance of additional
capital within the limits of our authorized share capital, as
approved by our shareholders, is subject to the approval of our
Supervisory Board.
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Our direct or indirect shareholders may sell our existing
common shares or issue financial instruments exchangeable into
our common shares at any time while at the same time seeking to
retain their rights regarding our preference shares. In
addition, substantial sales by us of new common shares or
convertible bonds could cause our common share price to drop
significantly. |
The STH Shareholders Agreement, to which we are not a
party, permits our respective French and Italian indirect
shareholders to cause ST Holding to dispose of its stake in us
at its sole discretion at any time from their current level, and
to reduce the current level of their respective indirect
interests in our common shares to 9.5%. The details of the STH
Shareholders Agreement as declared by ST Holding II
in its Schedule 13G/ A filing dated February 14, 2006,
are further explained in Item 7. Major Shareholders
and Related-Party Transactions Major
Shareholders. Disposals of our shares by the parties to
the STH Shareholders Agreement can be made by way of the
issuance of financial instruments exchangeable for our shares,
equity swaps, structured finance transactions or sales of our
shares. An announcement with respect to one or more of such
dispositions could be made at any time without our advance
knowledge.
In addition, Finmeccanica Finance S.A. (Finmeccanica
Finance), a subsidiary of Finmeccanica, has issued
501 million
aggregate principal amount of exchangeable notes, exchangeable
into up to 20 million of our existing common shares due
2010 (the Finmeccanica Notes). The Finmeccanica
Notes have been exchangeable at the option of the holder into
our existing common shares since January 2, 2004. In
September 2005, France Telecom caused the sale of approximately
26 million of our common shares pursuant to the terms of a
convertible bond issued by France Telecom. In December 2005,
Finmeccanica caused the sale of approximately 1.5 million
of our common shares.
Further sales of our common shares or issue of bonds
exchangeable into our common shares or any announcements
concerning a potential sale by ST Holding, Areva, CDP or
Finmeccanica, could materially impact the market price of our
common shares. The timing and size of any future share or
exchangeable bond offering by ST Holding, Areva, CDP or
Finmeccanica would depend upon market conditions as well as a
variety of factors.
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Because we are a Dutch company subject to the corporate
law of the Netherlands, U.S. investors might have more
difficulty protecting their interests in a court of law or
otherwise than if we were a U.S. company. |
Our corporate affairs are governed by our articles of
association and by the laws governing corporations incorporated
in the Netherlands. The corporate affairs of each of our
consolidated subsidiaries are governed by the articles of
association and by the laws governing such corporations in the
jurisdiction in which such consolidated subsidiary is
incorporated. The rights of the investors and the
responsibilities of members of our Supervisory Board and
Managing Board under Dutch law are not as clearly established as
under the rules of some U.S. jurisdictions. Therefore,
U.S. investors may have more difficulty in protecting their
interests in the face of actions by our management, members of
our Supervisory Board or our controlling shareholders than
U.S. investors would have if we were incorporated in the
United States.
Our executive offices and a substantial portion of our assets
are located outside the United States. In addition, ST
Holding II and most members of our Managing and Supervisory
Boards are residents of jurisdictions other than the United
States and Canada. As a result, it may be difficult or
impossible for shareholders to effect service within the United
States or Canada upon us, ST Holding II, or members of our
Managing or Supervisory Boards. It may also be difficult or
impossible for shareholders to enforce outside the United States
or Canada judgments obtained against such persons in
U.S. or Canadian courts, or to enforce in U.S. or
Canadian courts judgments obtained against such persons in
courts in jurisdictions outside the United States or Canada.
This could be true in any legal action, including actions
predicated upon the civil liability provisions of
U.S. securities laws. In addition, it may be difficult or
impossible for shareholders to enforce, in original actions
brought in courts in jurisdictions located outside the United
States, rights predicated upon U.S. securities laws.
We have been advised by our Dutch counsel, De Brauw Blackstone
Westbroek N.V., that the United States and the Netherlands do
not currently have a treaty providing for reciprocal recognition
and enforcement of judgments (other than arbitration awards) in
civil and commercial matters. As a consequence, a final judgment
for the payment of money rendered by any federal or state court
in the United States based on civil liability, whether or not
predicated solely upon the federal securities laws of the United
States, will not be enforceable in the Netherlands. However, if
the party in whose favor such final judgment is rendered brings
a new suit in a competent court in the Netherlands, such party
may submit to the Netherlands court the final judgment that has
been rendered in the United States. If the Netherlands court
finds that the jurisdiction of the federal or state court in the
United States has been based on grounds that are internationally
acceptable and that proper legal procedures have been observed,
the court in the Netherlands would, under current practice, give
binding effect to
20
the final judgment that has been rendered in the United States
unless such judgment contravenes the Netherlands public
policy.
|
|
|
Removal of our common shares from the CAC 40 on Euronext
Paris, the S&P/ MIB on the Borsa Italiana or the
Philadelphia Stock Exchange Semiconductor Sector Index could
cause the market price of our common shares to drop
significantly. |
Our common shares have been included in the CAC 40 index on
Euronext Paris since November 12, 1997; the S&P/ MIB on
the Borsa Italiana, or Italian Stock Exchange since
March 18, 2002; and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange
Semiconductor Index (or the SOX) since June 23,
2003. However, our common shares could be removed from the CAC
40, the S&P/ MIB or the SOX at any time, and any such
removal or announcement thereof could cause the market price of
our common shares to drop significantly.
21
|
|
Item 4. |
Information on the Company |
History and Development of the Company
STMicroelectronics N.V. was formed and incorporated in 1987 and
resulted from the combination of the semiconductor business of
SGS Microelettronica (then owned by Società Finanziaria
Telefonica (S.T.E.T.), an Italian corporation) and the
non-military business of Thomson Semiconducteurs (then owned by
the former Thomson-CSF, now Thales, a French corporation). Until
1998, we operated as SGS-Thomson Microelectronics N.V. Our
length of life is indefinite. We are organized under the laws of
the Netherlands, we have our corporate legal seat in Amsterdam
and our head offices at WTC Schiphol Airport, Schiphol Boulevard
265, 1118 BH Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Our
telephone number there is (+31-20) 406-9604. Our headquarters
and operational offices are located at 39 Chemin du Champ des
Filles, 1228 Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland. Our main
telephone number there is (+41-22) 929-2929. Our agent for
service of process in the United States related to our
registration under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, is STMicroelectronics, Inc., 1310 Electronics
Drive, Carrollton, Texas, 75006-5039 and the main telephone
number there is (+1-972) 466-6000. Our operations are also
conducted through our various subsidiaries, which are organized
and operated according to the laws of their country of
incorporation, and consolidated by STMicroelectronics NV.
We completed our initial public offering in December 1994 with
simultaneous listings on Euronext Paris and the New York Stock
Exchange. In 1998, we listed our shares on the Borsa Italiana.
Business Overview
We are a global independent semiconductor company that designs,
develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of
semiconductor products used in a wide variety of microelectronic
applications, including automotive products, computer
peripherals, telecommunications systems, consumer products,
industrial automation and control systems. According to
provisional industry data published by iSuppli, we have been
ranked the worlds fifth largest semiconductor company
based on forecasted 2005 total market sales and we held leading
positions in sales of Analog Products, Application Specific
Integrated Circuits (or ASICs) and Application
Specific Standard Products (or ASSPs). Based on
provisional 2005 results published by iSuppli, we believe we
were also number one in discretes and number two in automotive
electronics, industrial products and analog products and number
three in NOR Flash. Based on 2004 industry results, we also
believe we ranked as a leading supplier of semiconductors in
2005 for set-top boxes, Smart cards and power management
devices. Furthermore, based on our relationship with
Hewlett-Packard, which has a leading position in the printhead
market, we believe that we are a leading supplier of integrated
circuits for printheads. Major customers include Axalto,
Alcatel, Bosch, Delphi, Delta, Ericsson, Hewlett-Packard, LG
Electronics, Marelli, Maxtor, Motorola, Nokia, Philips, Pioneer,
Samsung, Scientific Atlanta, Seagate, Siemens, Thomson, Vestel,
Visteon and Western Digital. We also sell our products through
global distributors and retailers, including Arrow Electronics,
Avnet, BSI Group, Wintech and Yosun.
The semiconductor industry has historically been a cyclical one
and we have responded through emphasizing balance in our product
portfolio, in the applications we serve, and in the regional
markets we address. Consequently, from 1994 through 2005, our
revenues grew at a compounded annual growth rate of 11.6%
compared to 7.6% for the industry as a whole.
We offer a diversified product portfolio and develop products
for a wide range of market applications to reduce our dependence
on any single product, application or end market. Within our
diversified portfolio, we have focused on developing products
that leverage our technological strengths in creating
customized, system-level solutions with high-growth digital and
mixed-signal content. Our product families include
differentiated application specific products (which we define as
being our dedicated analog, mixed signal and digital ASIC and
ASSP offerings and semicustom devices), power microcontrollers
and discrete products and non-volatile memory and Smart cards.
Application specific products, which are generally less
vulnerable to market cycles than standard commodity products,
accounted for approximately 56% of our net revenues in 2005.
Memory product sales accounted for approximately 22% of our net
revenues in 2005, while sales of Micro linear and discrete
products accounted for approximately 21% of our net revenues in
2005.
Our products are manufactured and designed using a broad range
of manufacturing processes and proprietary design methods. We
use all of the prevalent function-oriented process technologies,
including complementary metal-on silicon oxide semiconductor
(CMOS), bipolar and nonvolatile memory technologies.
In addition, by combining basic processes, we have developed
advanced systems-oriented technologies that enable us to produce
differentiated and application-specific products, including
bipolar CMOS technologies
22
(BiCMOS) for mixed-signal applications and diffused
metal-on silicon oxide semiconductor (DMOS)
technology (BCD technologies) for intelligent power
applications and embedded memory technologies. This broad
technology portfolio, a cornerstone of our strategy for many
years, enables us to meet the increasing demand for
System-on-Chip
(SoC) solutions. Complementing this depth and
diversity of process and design technology is our broad
intellectual property portfolio that we also use to enter into
important patent cross-licensing agreements with other major
semiconductor companies.
Effective January 1, 2005, we realigned our product groups
to increase market focus and realize the full potential of our
products, technologies and sales and marketing channels. Since
such date we report our sales and operating income in three
product segments:
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the Application Specific Product Group (ASG)
segment, comprised of three product lines our Home,
Personal and Communication Products (HPC), our
Computer Peripherals Products (CPG) and our
Automotive Products (APG). Our HPC products are
comprised of the telecommunications and the audio divisions from
the former Telecommunications, Peripherals and Automotive Groups
combined with the consumer group from the former Consumer
Microcontroller Groups. Our CPG products cover computer
peripherals products, specifically disk drives and printers, and
our APG products now comprise all of our major complex products
related to automotive applications formerly within the
automotive group of Telecommunications, Peripherals and
Automotive Groups and in other product groups (notably from the
former Discrete and Standard ICs Group and the Microcontroller
Group); |
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|
|
the Memory Products Group (MPG) segment, comprised
of our memories and Smart card businesses; and |
|
|
|
the Micro, Linear and Discrete Product Group (MLD)
segment, comprised of the greater part of our former Discrete
and Standard ICs Group and our standard microcontroller and
industrial devices (including the programmable systems memories
(PSM) division previously forming part of MPG). |
Our principal investment and resource allocation decisions in
the semiconductor business area are for expenditures on research
and development and capital investments in front-end and
back-end manufacturing facilities. These decisions are not made
by product segments, but on the basis of the semiconductor
business area. All these product segments share common research
and development for process technology and manufacturing
capacity for most of their products.
We have in 2005 pursued various initiatives to reshape our
company by (i) reorganizing our management team and setting
up an executive committee, (ii) increasing our research and
development effectiveness through a program focus on 20 key
initiatives, improved project control and redeployment of
certain resources with the aim to improve time to market for
both technologies and products, (iii) promoting sales
expansion for mass market application and new major key accounts
with a special focus on the Chinese and Japanese markets with a
view to increased overall efficiencies, (iv) executing a
plan to improve our manufacturing competitiveness through the
restructuring of our 150-mm wafer production capacity and
(v) launching and implementing various further cost
reduction initiatives through procurement savings, improved
asset management, general and administration centralization and
head count restructuring.
23
Results of Operations
The tables below set forth information on our net revenues by
product segment and by geographic region:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions, except percentages) | |
Net Revenues by Product Segment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application Specific Product Group Segment (ASG)
|
|
$ |
4,991 |
|
|
$ |
4,902 |
|
|
$ |
4,405 |
|
Memory Products Group Segment (MPG)
|
|
|
1,948 |
|
|
|
1,887 |
|
|
|
1,294 |
|
Micro, Linear and Discrete Product Group Segment (MLD)
|
|
|
1,882 |
|
|
|
1,902 |
|
|
|
1,469 |
|
Others(1)
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
8,882 |
|
|
$ |
8,760 |
|
|
$ |
7,238 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Revenues by Location of Order Shipment(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe(3)
|
|
$ |
2,789 |
|
|
$ |
2,827 |
|
|
$ |
2,306 |
|
North America
|
|
|
1,141 |
|
|
|
1,211 |
|
|
|
985 |
|
Asia Pacific
|
|
|
4,063 |
|
|
|
3,711 |
|
|
|
3,190 |
|
Japan
|
|
|
307 |
|
|
|
403 |
|
|
|
337 |
|
Emerging Markets(3)(4)
|
|
|
582 |
|
|
|
608 |
|
|
|
420 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
8,882 |
|
|
$ |
8,760 |
|
|
$ |
7,238 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Revenues by Product Segment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application Specific Product Group Segment (ASG)
|
|
|
56.2 |
% |
|
|
56.0 |
% |
|
|
60.9 |
% |
Memory Products Group Segment (MPG)
|
|
|
21.9 |
|
|
|
21.5 |
|
|
|
17.9 |
|
Micro, Linear and Discrete Product Group Segment (MLD)
|
|
|
21.2 |
|
|
|
21.7 |
|
|
|
20.3 |
|
Others(1)
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Revenues by Location of Order Shipment(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe(3)
|
|
|
31.4 |
% |
|
|
32.3 |
% |
|
|
31.9 |
% |
North America
|
|
|
12.8 |
|
|
|
13.8 |
|
|
|
13.6 |
|
Asia Pacific
|
|
|
45.7 |
|
|
|
42.4 |
|
|
|
44.1 |
|
Japan
|
|
|
3.5 |
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
Emerging Markets(3)(4)
|
|
|
6.6 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes revenues from sales of subsystems and other revenues
not allocated to product segments. |
|
(2) |
Net revenues by location of order shipment are classified by
location of customer invoiced. For example, products ordered by
companies to be invoiced to Asia Pacific affiliates are
classified as Asia Pacific revenues. |
|
(3) |
Since January 1, 2005, the region Europe
includes the former East European countries that joined the EU
in 2004. These countries were part of the Emerging Markets
region in the previous periods. Net revenues for Europe and
Emerging Markets for prior periods were restated to include such
countries in the Europe region for such periods. |
|
(4) |
Emerging Markets in 2005 included markets such as India, Latin
America, the Middle East and Africa, Europe (non-EU and
non-EFTA) and Russia. |
Strategy
The semiconductor industry is undergoing several significant
structural changes characterized by:
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the changing long-term structural growth of the overall market
for semiconductor products; |
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the strong development of new emerging applications in areas
such as wireless communications, solid state storage, digital TV
and video products and games; |
24
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|
the increasing importance of the Asia Pacific region and
emerging countries, particularly China, which represents the
fastest growing regional market; |
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the importance of convergence between wireless consumer and
computer applications, which drives customer demand for new
system-level, turnkey solutions; and |
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the evolution of the customer base from original equipment
manufacturers (OEM) to a mix of OEM, electronic
manufacturing service providers (EMS) and original
design manufacturers (ODM). |
Our strategy within this challenging environment is designed to
focus on the following complementary key elements:
Broad, balanced market exposure. We offer a diversified
product portfolio and develop products for a wide range of
market applications, thereby reducing our dependence on any
single product, application or end market. Within our
diversified portfolio, we have focused on developing products
that leverage our technological strengths in creating
customized, system-level solutions for high-growth digital and
mixed-signal applications. We target five key markets comprised
of: (i) communications, including wireless connectivity,
mobile phone imaging, portable multimedia and infrastructure;
(ii) computer peripherals, including data storage,
printers, monitors, displays and optical mouse;
(iii) digital consumer, including set-top boxes, DVD,
digital TVs, digital cameras and digital audio;
(iv) automotive, including engine, body and safety, car
radio, car multimedia and telematics; and (v) industrial
products, including banking, user ID/security, telephone Smart
card, power management and industrial control.
Product strategy. We aim to: (i) maintain and
further establish existing leadership positions for platforms
and chipset solutions for digital consumer, wireless and
multimedia digital cores offerings; (ii) maintain a
leadership position in conventional semiconductor products such
as discretes for power management, automotive and analog and
mixed signal applications, which require less research and
development effort and manufacturing capital intensity than more
advanced and complex application specific devices; and
(iii) participate, as appropriate, in the non-volatile
memory market for selected key applications.
Alliances and customer base expansion. We work with our
key customers to identify evolving needs and new applications
and to develop innovative products and product features. We also
leverage our position as a supplier of application-specific
products in seeking to sell a broad range of products and
emphasize strategic customer alliances to expand our customer
base. We have formal alliances with certain strategic customers
that allow us and our customers (with whom we jointly share
certain product developments) to exchange information and give
our customers access to our process technologies and
manufacturing infrastructure. We have formed alliances with
customers such as Alcatel, Bosch, Hewlett-Packard, Marelli,
Nokia, Nortel, Pioneer, Seagate, Siemens VDO, Thomson and
Western Digital, among others. Our twelve strategic alliances
with key customers have been a major growth driver for us. In
2003, 2004 and 2005, revenues from strategic customer alliances
accounted for approximately 43%, 39% and 44% respectively of our
net revenues. We are targeting new major key accounts,
particularly in the United States and in the Asia Pacific
region, with a focus on China and Japan where we are also
developing specific marketing efforts to increase our market
penetration. Furthermore, we have set up a new organization with
specific e-tools,
design and support resources to address broader market
applications.
Global integrated manufacturing infrastructure. We have a
diversified, leading-edge manufacturing infrastructure capable
of producing silicon wafers using our broad process technology
portfolio, including our CMOS, BiCMOS, BCD technologies and
memories. Assembling, testing and packaging of our semiconductor
products take place in our large and modern back-end facilities,
which generally are located in low-cost areas. We have also
developed relationships with outside contractors for foundry and
back-end services. We view these relationships as giving us the
flexibility when required by market demand to outsource up to a
maximum of 20% of each of our front-end and back-end production
requirements, enabling us to manage the supply chain to our
customers without a commensurate increase in capital spending.
In 2005, we decided to combine our front-end manufacturing and
our technology research and development into one organization in
order to improve our manufacturing competitiveness and
efficiency and our technology research and development
effectiveness. In the current competitive environment, we have
launched various cost reduction initiatives in the area of
manufacturing and our strategy consists of:
(i) establishing in the Asia Pacific region the major
portion of our 150-mm manufacturing activity;
(ii) organizing our 200-mm manufacturing to increase
operational efficiency through yield improvements, improved
leverage due to reduced depreciation from mature assets and full
saturation of all clean room areas; (iii) addressing
projected increase in demand for 300-mm manufacturing through an
appropriate ramp-up of
internal capacity; and (iv) gaining flexibility in terms of
capacity needs and employed capital through selected sourcing
from foundry manufacturers.
25
Industry partnerships. Partnerships with other
semiconductor companies and suppliers enable us to share the
increasing costs and technological risks involved in the
research and development of
state-of-the-art
processes, product architectures and digital cores and to
shorten the product development time of certain products. For
example, we are currently working under a joint research and
development technology cooperation program with Freescale
Semiconductor, Inc. (Freescale) and Philips
Semiconductors International B.V. (Philips) for the
joint research and development of CMOS process technology in
Crolles, France (Crolles2). In 2005, we extended
this agreement to cover 300-mm wafer testing and packaging, as
well as the development and licensing of core libraries and IP.
Additionally, we are co-developing NAND Flash memory products
with Hynix Semiconductor Inc. (Hynix) and have
started to build a jointly owned dedicated memory manufacturing
facility in China. Furthermore, we recently announced an
agreement with Intel Corporation (Intel) to
standardize hardware and software interfaces used in leading
edge NOR Flash products in the wireless market and are working
on various further initiatives.
Broad range of design and process technologies. We
continue to utilize our expertise and experience with a wide
range of process and design technologies to further develop our
capabilities. We are committed to maintaining and, in certain
areas, to increasing expenditures on core research and
development projects as well as to developing alliances with
other semiconductor companies and suppliers of software
development tools, as appropriate. In 2005, we redeployed
approximately 1,000 employees or 10% of our research and
development work force to emphasize our focus and commitment to
higher priority projects. Technological advances in the areas of
transistor performance and interconnection technologies are
being developed for our CMOS logic products and semicustom
devices. We work on an ongoing basis with key suppliers to
develop advanced and standardized design methodologies for our
CMOS, mixed signal and non-volatile memory processes, as well as
libraries of macrofunctions and megafunctions for many of our
products, and are focusing on improving our concurrent
engineering practices to better coordinate design activities and
reduce overall product development time.
Integrated presence in key regional markets. We have
sought to develop a competitive advantage by building an
integrated presence in each of the worlds major economic
zones: Europe, Asia (including China), North America and
Emerging Markets. An integrated presence means having
manufacturing and design, as well as sales and marketing
capabilities in each region, in order to ensure that we are well
positioned to anticipate and respond to our customers
business requirements. We have leading-edge, front-end
manufacturing facilities in Europe, in the United States and
increasingly in Asia where we sourced from internal and external
manufacturers approximately 44% of our wafers at the end of
2005. Our more labor-intensive back-end facilities are located
in Malaysia, Malta, Morocco, Singapore and China, enabling us to
take advantage of more favorable production cost structures,
particularly lower labor costs. Major design centers and local
sales and marketing groups are within close proximity of key
customers in each region, which we believe enhances our ability
to maintain strong relationships with our customers. As
appropriate, we intend to continue to build our integrated local
presence in those regions where we compete, such as China, which
has recently been set up as a separate marketing region and
where we have both a back-end facility and a design center and
have started to build with Hynix a jointly owned front-end
memory manufacturing plant in Wuxi City, as well as India, where
we have been expanding our design and software development
centers. We have also continued to develop our sales and support
organization for Emerging Markets.
Product Quality Excellence. We aim to develop a product
of quality excellence in the various applications we serve and
are planning the launch of a company-wide Product Quality
Awareness program built around a three-pronged approach:
(i) the improvement of our full product cycle involving
robust design and manufacturing, improved detection of potential
defects, and better anticipation of failures through improved
risk assessment, particularly in the areas of product and
process changes, (ii) improved responsiveness to customer
demands and (iii) ever increasing focus on quality and
discipline in execution.
Products and Technology
We design, develop, manufacture and market a broad range of
products used in a wide variety of microelectronic applications,
including telecommunications systems, computer systems, consumer
goods, automotive products and industrial automation and control
systems. Our products include discrete, memories and standard
commodity components, ASICs (full custom devices and semicustom
devices) and ASSPs for analog, digital, and mixed-signal
applications. In addition, following the acquisition of Incard,
we manufacture Smart cards. Historically, we have not produced
dynamic random access memory (DRAMs) or x86
microprocessors, despite seeking to develop or acquire the
necessary intellectual property (IP) to use them as
components in SoC.
26
We run our business along product lines and manage our revenues
and internal operating income performance based on the following
product segments:
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|
|
Application Specific Product Group segment; |
|
|
|
Memory Products Group segment; and |
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|
Micro, Linear and Discrete Product Group segment. |
We also design, develop, manufacture and market subsystems and
modules for the telecom, automotive and industrial markets
including mobile phone accessories, battery chargers, ISDN power
supplies and in-vehicle equipment for electronic toll payment in
our Subsystems division. Based on its immateriality, we do not
report information separately for Subsystems.
Application Specific Product
Group Segment
The Application Specific Product Group (ASG) segment
is responsible for the design, development and manufacture of
application-specific products using advanced bipolar, CMOS,
BiCMOS mixed-signal and power technologies, as well as mixed
analog/digital semicustom-devices and Micro-Electro-Mechanical
System (MEMS) products. The businesses in the ASG
offer complete system solutions to customers in several
application markets. All products are ASSPs, full-custom or
semicustom devices that may also include digital signal
processor (DSP) and microcontroller cores. The
businesses in the ASG particularly emphasize dedicated ICs for
automotive, computer peripherals, consumer and industrial
application segments, as well as for mobile and fixed
communication, computing and networking application segments.
Our businesses in the ASG work closely with customers to develop
application-specific products using our technologies,
intellectual property, and manufacturing capabilities. The
breadth of our customer and application base provides us with a
better source of stability in the cyclical semiconductor market.
The ASG is comprised of three product lines our
Home, Personal and Communication Products (HPC), our
Computer Peripherals Products (CPG) and our
Automotive Products (APG).
|
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|
Home, Personal and Communication Products |
This product line encompasses two of our largest application
segments: wireless and consumer.
(i) Personal and Multimedia Group. Our Personal and
Multimedia Group (PMG) is focused on products
serving wireless and mobile product application space and is
organized into four divisions.
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|
(a) Cellular Communications Division. We focus our
product offerings on cellular phones serving several major OEMs,
with differentiated ICs. In this market, we are strategically
positioned in energy management, audio coding and decoding
function (CODEC) and radio frequency ICs. In
February 2005, we decided to stop work on a reference design
chipset for the GSM/ GPRS market. Research and development
engineers dedicated to this program were redeployed to other
wireless projects. We ship mobile phone energy-management
devices in volume to two of the worlds top five OEMs. We
are transitioning from ICs to modules in the field of radio
frequency and energy management for 3G telephones, which results
in a higher content of semiconductors expressed in
U.S. dollars. In addition, we are currently developing ASIC
solutions for use in 3G basebands for the OEM marketplace. |
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(b) Application Processor Division. We offer a
family of products addressing the market for multimedia
application processor chips, known as the Nomadik
family of products. These products are designed for 2.5/3G
mobile phones, portable wireless products and other
applications, and the chips are being sampled by a wide range of
potential customers. We have several design wins in 2.5/3G
mobile phones for tier-one European and Asian customers for
smart phones and feature phones. |
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(c) Imaging Division. Our Imaging Division focuses
on the wireless handset image sensor market. We are in
production of CMOS, camera modules and processors for video
graphic arrays (VGA), 1 and 2 mega pixels. We have
cumulatively shipped over 100 million CMOS camera phone
solutions since entering this market in 2003. According to
Prismark, we were the number one camera module manufacturer for
2005. |
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(d) Connectivity Division. To respond to the market
need for increased functionality of handsets, we created the
Connectivity Division to address wireless LAN, Bluetooth and
connectivity requirements. Our product offerings include
Wireless LAN and Bluetooth chips designed for low power
consumption and a small form factor. We have multiple design
wins and volume production for several customers in Asia and
Europe for our bluetooth and wireless products. In particular,
we have started to manufacture in volume our |
27
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single-chip STLC2500A Bluetooth IC for multiple cellular phones
and our single-chip Enhanced-Data-Rate STLC2500C with V2.0
capability has been adopted in more than 15 mobile-phone designs
by several customers, including a tier-one cellphone
manufacturer. Additionally, volume production has started on our
compact STLC4370 IEEE802.11g wireless local area network
(WLAN) module IC, which is being used in a new
cellular phone from a tier-one manufacturer. |
(ii) Home Entertainment Group. Our Home
Entertainment Group (HEG) addresses product
requirements for the digital consumer application market and has
four divisions.
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(a) Home Video Division. This division aims at
retail and satellite set-top box products and digital television
offerings. We continued to expand our product offerings and
customer base by introducing solutions for the set-top box
market with features such as web-browsing, digital video
recording and time-shifting capabilities. We reinforced the
market leadership of our OMEGA family of set-top box back-end
decoders with the introduction of the STi710x series of
products, the latest member of our OMEGA family of set-top box
decoder solutions. This family of single chip SoC device
addresses the high definition market, performs at an advanced
speed and has enhanced graphics and security features as well as
integrated DVR capability, while retaining compatibility with
our earlier products. We continue to strengthen our product
offerings by addressing software solutions supporting multiple
codes, including DVB-MHP (Java) and Microsoft Windows Media
based systems. |
In 2005, we launched the STB7109, our second-generation H.264
high-definition TV (HDTV) AVC and VC-1 decoder.
Building on the success of the STB7100, the worlds first
single-chip AVC and MPEG-2 decoder, the STB7109 adds VC-1
decoding, improved security, connectivity features, and support
for emerging DVD formats and security standards.
Furthermore, adding to the multiple design wins already achieved
by both our STB7100 and STB7109, in 2005 Loewe GmbH adopted our
STB7100 for use across its high-end integrated DTV product range
and we announced with Sagem the availability of the worlds
first MPEG-4 set-top boxes based on a single-chip decoder,
enabling broadcasters and service operators worldwide to offer
end users HDTV and/or many more TV channels, by using their
existing broadcast network. The new STB7100-based boxes are
being rolled out for satellite, IPTV, and terrestrial broadcast
by several operators, including Canal+, France-Telecom and
Telecom Italia. Additionally, the STB7100, together with our
STB0899 front-end satellite demodulator, is being used in a
Philips STB for Premiere.
We address the analog and digital television markets with a wide
range of highly integrated ASSPs and application-specific
microcontrollers. We have several design wins in Asia (China,
Korea and Japan) for the STD2000, our single chip solution in
90-nm for integrated Digital TV, which supports all display
types and both standard and high definition formats and are
planning to sample our STD1000 in the second quarter of 2006.
Finally, we have announced the development of an affordable,
ready-to-implement HDTV
platform for the Japanese market with BHA Corporation, designed
to catalyze the adoption of digital TV in Japan. In China, our
affiliate company Shanghai-BMC released a complete middleware
solution for STBs intended for the Chinese market, as well as
for international operators. And for the first time in Brazil,
by working in conjunction with the leading Brazilian
laboratories and universities, in 2005 we publicly demonstrated
the transmission of digital terrestrial TV (DTT) signal in
HDTV format from a transmitter to an end-user terminal.
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(b) Cable and IP Division. We offer products
designed specifically for the cable and IP set-top box markets
that take advantage of our significant expertise, product
know-how and years of experience in supplying operator supported
video markets. Our latest products in standard definition and
high definition are designed to serve the evolving requirements
in the growing global cable segment and the emerging IP set-top
box market and we have multiple design wins in these areas. |
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(c) Home Display Peripherals Division. This division
offers products aimed at the analog TV market, switches and
sound processors as well as CRT monitors. |
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(d) Audio Division. We design and manufacture a wide
variety of components for use in audio applications. Our audio
products include audio power amplifiers, audio processors and
graphic-equalizer ICs. We recently introduced a family of class
D audio amplifier offerings that improve sound
quality while reducing power consumption, size and cost aimed
primarily at home, desktop and mobile applications. |
28
(iii) Communications Infrastructure and Displays
Group. Our Communications Infrastructure and Displays Group
(CID) provides solutions for the wireless and
wireless infrastructure segments as well as displays and is
organized into three divisions.
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(a) Wireless Infrastructure Division. We formed the
Wireless Communications Infrastructure division to develop
dedicated infrastructure chip solutions that will be focused on
primarily the new third-generation telecom standards, but
supporting existing standards as well. We have already developed
all of the technologies required for the wireless infrastructure
ASIC market due to our many years of experience in the fields of
digital baseband chip, radio frequency and mixed signal products. |
During 2005, we unveiled a chipset for pico-cell base-station
modems, combining the markets first SoC baseband processor
for wireless infrastructure applications, the STW51000, with
multi-standard software libraries, optimized for GSM, EDGE, W
CDMA, and WiMAX networks.
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(b) Wireline Infrastructure Division. Our wireline
telecommunications products, both ASIC and ASSP, are used in
telephone sets, modems, subscriber line interface cards
(SLICs) for digital central office switching
equipment and the high-speed electronic and optical
communications networks. In January 2005, we announced that we
would scale back our presence in the CPE ADSL modem market. This
initiative resulted in an impairment charge of $61 million
and was recorded in the first quarter of 2005. |
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(c) Display Division. We offer products for the
monitor and television peripheral market, as well as plasma
display drivers and small-scale displays. Our display drivers
address a number of display solutions, including thin film
transistors, liquid crystal displays and organic light emitting
diodes. |
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Computer Peripherals Products |
(i) Data Storage Division. We produce ICs for
several data storage applications, specializing in disk drives
with advanced solutions for read and write digital channels,
disk controllers, host interfaces, digital power processing,
preamplifiers and micromachinery. We are actively working on
super-integrating these macro-functions into SoC solutions. We
believe that we are one of the largest semiconductor companies
supplying the hard-disk-drive market based on sales.
A market leader in the data storage market selected our SoC for
its next generation desktop drives. This SoC includes a rich
variety of our own IP including our read/write channel, Serial
ATA controller and microcomputer core. Complementing our leading
position in components for desktop and server applications, we
supply a kit including a SoC disk controller and a motion
control power combo to a leading maker of drives for mobile
applications. We have SoC solutions based on proprietary IP in
production at 130-nm. In 2005, we also shipped 177 million
units of our motor controller product. We are also expanding our
presence in preamplifiers with new design wins for desktop and
laptops at major hard disk drive manufacturers.
(ii) Printer Division. We are focusing on inkjet and
multifunction printer components and are an important supplier
of pen chips, motor drivers, head drivers, digital engines,
including those in high-performance photo-quality applications
and digital color copiers. We are also expanding our offerings
to include a reconfigurable ASSP product family, known as SPEAr,
designed for flexibility and ease of use by printer
manufacturers. We have successfully validated and released our
SPEAr Head, a new member of our SPEAr (Structured Processor
Enhanced Architecture) family of configurable SoCs that address
various applications, including digital engines for printers,
scanners, and other embedded-control applications. Additionally
in this area, our partnership with one of our major customers
expanded with two new digital engine designs wins in
next-generation printer and MultiFunction platforms.
(iii) Microfluidics Division. This division builds
on the years of our success in the field of microfluidic product
design, developed primarily for the inkjet print head product
line, and expands our offering into related fields, such as
molecular and health diagnostics. As a result, we announced an
agreement with MobiDiag to create a complete system for
genomic-based detection of infectious diseases based on our
silicon MEMS
Lab-on-Chip technology
and with Veredus for the detection of the Avian Flu.
Our automotive products include alternator regulators, airbag
controls, anti-skid braking systems, ignition circuits,
injection circuits, multiplex wiring kits and products for body
and chassis electronics, engine management, instrumentation
systems and car multimedia. We hold a leading position in the IC
market for automotive products.
29
(i) Powertrain and Safety Division. From engine and
transmission control to mechanical-electronic solutions,
microelectronics are steadily pervading all sectors of the
automotive industry. Our robust family of automotive products,
including MEMS accelerometers, complete standard solutions for
DC-motor control and automotive grade 16-bit microcontrollers
with embedded Flash memory, provide a broad range of features
that enhance performance, safety and comfort while reducing the
environmental impact of the automobile. We have in particular
obtained design wins for (i) new generation braking systems
(ABS vehicle control and traction control) from Bosch for 2009
models; (ii) power steering applications, with production
in 2008 from a major Japanese tier-one customer;
(iii) engine control from a major European system maker to
be used in 2008 models having as final customers GM, Ford, and
Chrysler; and (iv) a new car networking kit for a major
European manufacturer for the U.S. market. We are working
with Mobileye to develop, produce and commercialize chips for
the visual-aid driving-assistance segment of the automotive
market.
(ii) Car Body Division. We manufacture products for
the body and chassis electronics requirements of the car. These
products range from microcontrollers used in lighting, door and
window/wiper applications to junction boxes, power solutions,
dashboards and climate control needs.
(iii) Car, Radio and Multimedia Division. We provide
auto manufacturers with full solutions for analog and digital
car radio solutions for wireless communication, tolling,
navigation and other telematic functionalities. The increasingly
complex requirements of the car/driver interface have opened a
market for us in the area of car multimedia. We have the
know-how and experience to offer to the market complete
telematics solutions, which include circuits for GPS navigation,
voice recognition, audio amplification and audio signal
processing. In 2005, we also made available new software
libraries for our STA2051 32-bit GPS baseband controller, which
enables the delivery of both higher performance and additional
functionality for GPS and telematics applications.
(iv) Digital Broadcast Radio Division. Our products
are used by the fast growing satellite radio segment. We provide
a number of components to this application, including base band
products for the reception of signals by the market leaders. Our
penetration in the digital satellite broadcast market is growing
with the success of the two American providers who reached more
than 9 million subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2005.
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Memory Products Group Segment |
The Memory Products Group segment designs, develops and
manufactures a broad range of semiconductor memory and Smart
card products.
Flash memory technology, which is one of the enablers of digital
convergence, is the core of our nonvolatile memory activity. The
products developed by the various nonvolatile memory divisions
are complementary and are addressing different functions and/or
market segments.
In 2003, we made two acquisitions which complemented our product
portfolio in the Smart card field: Proton World International (a
company with expertise in the field of operating software and
applications development) and Incard (a company with expertise
in card manufacturing and electrical and graphical
personalization and global delivery and support for the Smart
card market, particularly in the high-end mobile phone market).
(i) Wireless Flash Memories Division. Wireless
applications have very specific requirements in terms of power
consumption, packaging and memory addressing. We offer a very
wide portfolio of wireless Flash memories. The latest 512
Megabit (M-bit), 2 bit/cell, 1.8V serves the needs
of the next generation of multimedia phones. The production of 2
bit per cell wireless Flash was approximately 80% of our
wireless NOR Flash in the fourth quarter of 2005 helping us
enrich the mix of our product offerings. We also offer
multi-memory subsystems, which combine LP-SDRAM and NAND memory.
We recently announced an agreement with Intel to standardize
hardware and software interfaces used in leading edge NOR Flash
products in the wireless market. The goal of this initiative is
to allow handset OEMs to lower their development costs and
improve their time to market by ensuring through similar ST and
Intel technical roadmaps and common specifications, availability
of hardware and software compatible NOR Flash products for
feature rich phones. Accordingly, we introduced our first 90-nm
NOR Flash-based multi-chip memory subsystems, which combine our
512-and 256M-bit NOR devices with PSRAM and LP-SDRAM memory.
(ii) Standard Nonvolatile Memories Division. We
produce a broad range of industry standard, general purpose
Flash memories from 1 to 64 M-bit and we are in the process of
producing Flash memories that will go up to 128 M-bit. We also
produce the more mature erasable programmable read-only memory
(EPROM), from 16 Kilobit (K-bit) to 32
M-bit. Efficient manufacturing, together with our sales and
distribution channels, has
30
contributed to the exploitation of our technological advantage
in EPROM. The same approach is being applied to industry
standard Flash.
(iii) Serial Nonvolatile Memories Division. We offer
serial Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
(EEPROM) up to 512 K-bit, and serial Flash memories
(SNVM). Serial EEPROMs are the most popular type of
EEPROMs and are used in computer, automotive and consumer
applications. Combining the typical interface of serial EEPROM
and Flash technology, we pioneered the concept of serial Flash.
Serial Flash allows integration of up to 64 M-bit and 128 M-bit
in an 8-pin package for a large variety of applications.
(iv) NAND Flash and Storage Media Division. In 2004,
we began offering NAND Flash memory products pursuant to a
co-development and manufacturing agreement with Hynix. Our
efforts are targeted at the lower density memory requirements
evolving for embedded wireless applications. Our most advanced
offering, a single die 4 Gigabit (G-bit) at 70-nm
chip, is now available in production. NAND Flash is primarily
used to store information such as music, still pictures, video,
data files in a variety of consumer applications, including
mobile phones, MP3 readers, universal serial bust
(USB) keys and digital still cameras.
(v) Smart card IC Division. Smart cards are card
devices containing ICs that store data and provide an array of
security capabilities. They are used in a wide and growing
variety of applications, including public pay telephone systems,
cellular telephone systems and banks, as well as pay television
systems and ID/passport cards. Other applications include
medical record applications, card-access security systems,
toll-payment and secure transactions over the Internet
applications. We have a long track record of leadership in Smart
card ICs. Our expertise in security is a key in leading the
finance and pay-TV
segments and developing the IT applications. Our mastering of
the nonvolatile memory technologies is instrumental to offer the
highest memory sizes (up to 128 KBytes and even
1 MByte), particularly important to address the emerging
high end mobile phone market. Our offer in embedded software
provides added value to our silicon and contributes to
facilitate the Smart card market development. Proton World
International is now part of the Smart card IC division.
In 2005, On Track Innovation (OTI) announced that
OTIs contactless Smart card, based on the ST19WR02
contactless, secure microcontroller, was the first to be
approved by Visa International for use in its contactless
program in the United States. We are also working with SmardTech
to develop a Smart card solution, based on our ST19W contactless
secure microcontrollers, as part of an electronic ticketing
system for a German transport application.
(vi) Incard Division. The division develops,
manufactures and sells plastic cards (both memory- and
microprocessors-based) for banking, identification and telecom
applications. Incard operates as a stand alone organization and
also directly controls the sales force for this product offering.
We have done important work on our cost position of our Memory
Product Group Segment, in particular widely developing the two
bit per cell architecture, which has generated an operating
profit for the Memory Product Group in the fourth quarter of
2005. We will continue to seek to enhance our competitive
position on all fronts of the memory market we serve both by
adding new products and improving manufacturing costs. However,
in the memory business the dimension of scale remains a critical
element and therefore we continue to be active in strategic
discussions with the aim of addressing that issue and generating
more value for our shareholders.
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Micro, Linear and Discrete Product Group Segment |
The Micro, Linear and Discrete Product Group segment is
responsible for the design, development and manufacture of
discrete power devices, (power transistors and other discrete
power devices), standard linear and logic ICs, and radio
frequency products. As of January 1, 2006, we renamed this
segment the Micro, Power and Analog Group to better reflect our
efforts of developing high-end analog products and of
consolidating our world leadership position in power
applications, with full solutions centered around micro
applications.
(i) Power MOSFET Division. We design, manufacture and sell
Power Mosfet (Metal-Oxide-Silicon Field Effect) transistors
ranging from 20 to 1000 volts for most of the
switching applications on the market today. Our
products are particularly well suited for high voltage switch
mode power supplies and in lighting applications, where we hold
a leadership position in high current and high voltage devices
for a variety of switching and pulse-mode applications.
(ii) Power Bipolar, IGBT and RF Division. Our bipolar power
transistors are used in a variety of voltage applications,
including television/monitor horizontal deflection circuits,
lighting systems and high power supplies. Our family of ESBT
(Emitter Switch Bipolar Transistor) is suitable for very high
current very high voltage applications, such as
welding machines and PFC (Power Factor Corrector) devices. The
IGBT transistors
31
are well suited for Automotive applications, such as motor
control and high voltage electronic ignition actuators. Within
this Division we also supply RF transistors used in television
broadcasting transmission systems, radars, telecommunications
systems and avionic equipment.
(iii) ASD and IPAD Division. This division offers a full
range of rectifiers, protection thyristors (silicon controlled
rectifiers or SCRs and three-terminal semiconductors
for controlling current in either direction or
Triacs) and protection devices. These components are
used in various applications, including telecommunications
systems (telephone sets, modems and line cards), household
appliances and industrial systems (motor control and power
control devices). More specifically, rectifiers are used in
voltage converters and regulators, protection devices, while
thyristors vary current flows through a variety of electrical
devices, including lamps and household appliances. We are
leaders in a highly successful range of new products built with
our proprietary Application Specific Discrete
(ASDtm)
technology, which allows a variety of discrete components
(diodes, rectifiers, thyristors) to be merged into a single
device optimized for specific applications such as
electromagnetic interference filtering for cellular phones.
Additionally, we are leaders in electronic devices integrating
both passive and active components on the same chip, also known
as Integrated Passive and Active Devices (IPAD),
which are widely used in the wireless handset market.
(iv) Linear and Interface Division. We offer a broad
product portfolio of linear and switching regulators along with
operational amplifiers, comparators, serial and parallel
interfaces covering a variety of applications like decoders,
DC-DC converters and mobile phones.
(v) Microcontroller Division. We focus on
high-volume 8, 16 and 32 bit microcontrollers in this
division. These products have been developed with a wide
technology portfolio and processes capable of embedding EPROM,
EEPROM and Flash non volatile memories as appropriate. In 2003,
we introduced new products for the ST7Lite series of integrated
8-bit Flash microcontrollers. The ST7FLite1 and ST7Flite2 are
suited for a wide range of high volume applications including
appliances, alarms, sensors, battery-powered products,
industrial controls and many other portable and low cost
systems. In 2005, we introduced a line of 32-bit ARM7-based
microcontrollers optimized for multiple industrial applications,
including factory automation, appliances and security systems.
We also updated our STR7 Software Library supporting our 32-bit
ARM7-based microcontrollers. Additionally, we gained design wins
for our ST7MC microcontroller in a new generation of brushless
electric motors for refrigerators with Chinas leading
home-appliance maker and with one of the worlds top five
refrigeration compressor manufacturers.
(vi) Industrial and Power Conversion Division. We design
and manufacture products for industrial automation systems,
lighting applications (lamp ballast), battery chargers and SMPS.
Our key products are power ICs for motor controllers and
read/write amplifiers, intelligent power ICs for spindle motor
control and head positioning in computer disk drives and battery
chargers for portable electronic systems, including mobile
telephone sets. In 2005, we introduced an innovative and
patented DC/ DC converter chip that for the first time, allows
two different output voltages to be generated using a single
external coil. The STw4141 is specifically designed to
efficiently supply power to digital baseband and multimedia
processors in portable applications. We also introduced the
PM6685 mobile PC power management IC, a dual step-down
controller that provides the four output voltages necessary for
notebook system power. Also in this area, we introduced our
L6668 current-mode primary-controller IC for single-ended
switching power converters to be used in high-end AC/ DC
adapters and chargers for notebook or laptop PCs. Our family of
Viper products and Omnifets exhibit the operating
characteristics of power transistors while incorporating full
thermal, short-circuit and over-current protection and allowing
logic-level input typical of ICs. They are primarily used in low
power switch mode power supplies where protection against
overvoltage and or overtemperature is needed.
(vii) Advanced Analog and Logic Division. We develop
innovative, differentiated and value-added analog products for a
number of markets and applications such as point of sales
terminals, power meters and white goods. In 2005, we introduced
our
NEATSwitchtm
portfolio of application-specific analog, digital, and power
switches and extended our supervisor and reset IC family with
the STM1061 low-power precision voltage detectors for
applications in systems where signal levels need to be
monitored. Also in this area, we gained a design win for a
multiple-voltage microprocessor reset IC with a major Set Top
Box manufacturer. In addition, we introduced the STM1404,
the worlds first FIPS (Federal Information Processing
Standard) level 4 security supervisor for
point-of-sale
equipment. We also produce a variety of HCMOS logic device
families, which include clocks, registers, gates, latches and
buffers. Such devices are used in a variety of applications,
including portable computers, computer networks and
telecommunications systems.
32
Strategic Alliances with Customers and Industry
Partnerships
We believe that strategic alliances with customers and industry
partnerships are critical to success in the semiconductor
industry. We have entered into several strategic customer
alliances, including alliances with Alcatel, Bosch,
Hewlett-Packard, Marelli, Nokia, Nortel, Pioneer, Seagate,
Siemens VDO, Thomson and Western Digital, among others. Customer
alliances provide us with valuable systems and application
know-how and access to markets for key products, while allowing
our customers to share some of the risks of product development
with us and to gain access to our process technologies and
manufacturing infrastructure. We are actively working to expand
the number of our customer alliances, targeting OEMs in the
United States, Europe and in Asia.
Partnerships with other semiconductor industry manufacturers
permit costly research and development and manufacturing
resources to be shared to mutual advantage for joint technology
development. We have been collaborating with Philips for the
joint development of CMOS process technologies in Crolles,
France, since 1992. In 2003, we began cooperating with Freescale
and Philips for the joint research and development of CMOS
process technology to provide 90-nm to 32-nm chip technologies
on 300-mm wafers, as well as for the operations of a 300-mm
wafer pilot line fab which has been built in Crolles2 with the
stated goal of accelerating the development of future
technologies and their proliferation throughout the
semiconductor industry. We have extended this agreement to cover
the development and licensing of core libraries.
We began working with Texas Instruments in 2002 to jointly
define and promote an open standard for wireless application
processor interfaces. This initiative has now broadened and is
known as the MIPI Alliance. It now includes over 92 members that
collaborate as mobile industry leaders with the objective of
defining and promoting open standards for interfaces to mobile
application processors. Through these open standards, the MIPI
Alliance intends to speed deployment of new services to mobile
users by establishing specifications for standard hardware and
software interfaces to mobile application processors and
encouraging the adoption of those standards throughout the
industry. We are members of the MIPI alliance.
We have also established joint development programs with leading
suppliers such as Air Liquide, Applied Materials, ASM
Lithography, Axalto, Canon, Hewlett-Packard, KLA-Tencor, LAM
Research, MEMC, Teradyne and Wacker and with computer-aided
design (CAD) tool producers, including Cadence, Co
Ware and Synopsys. We also participate in joint European
research programs, such as the MEDEA+ and ITEA programs, and
cooperate with major research institutions and universities.
In 2004, we signed and announced a joint venture agreement with
Hynix to build a front-end memory-manufacturing facility in Wuxi
City, China. The joint venture is an extension of the NAND Flash
Process/product joint development relationship. Construction of
the facility began in 2005. When complete, the fab will employ
approximately 1,500 people and will feature a 200-mm wafer
production line planned to begin production at the end of 2006
and a 300-mm wafer production line planned to begin production
in 2007. The total investment planned for the project is
$2 billion. We will be contributing 33% of the equity
financing, equivalent to $250 million, while Hynix will
contribute 67%. We will also contribute $250 million as
long-term debt to the joint venture, guaranteed by subordinated
collateral on the joint ventures assets. The financing
will also include funding from local Chinese institutions
including long-term leasehold and local debt financing which
remains to be implemented. In 2005, our contributions to the
equity investment reached approximately $38 million. We
plan to subscribe the additional capital of $212 million in
2006 concurrently with Hynix and once the financing from local
financing institutions is in place.
Customers and Applications
We design, develop, manufacture and market thousands of products
that we sell to approximately 1,300 direct customers. Major
customers include Axalto, Alcatel, Bosch, Delphi, Delta,
Ericsson, Hewlett-Packard, LG Electronics, Marelli, Maxtor,
Motorola, Nokia, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, Scientific Atlanta,
Seagate, Siemens, Thomson, Vestel, Visteon and Western Digital.
To many of our key customers we provide a wide range of
products, including dedicated products, discrete devices, memory
products and programmable products. Our position as a strategic
supplier of application-specific products to certain customers
fosters close relationships that provide us with opportunities
to supply such customers requirements for other products,
including discrete devices, programmable products and memory
products. We also sell our products through distributors,
including Arrow Electronics, Avnet Inc., BSI Group, Wintech and
Yosun.
33
The following table sets forth certain of our significant
customers and certain applications for our products:
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Telecommunications |
Customers:
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2Wire |
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Finisar |
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Nokia |
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Sagem |
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Alcatel |
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Huawei |
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Nortel Networks |
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Siemens |
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Cellon |
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LG Electronics |
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Philips |
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Sony Ericsson |
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Cisco |
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Motorola |
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Sanyo |
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TCL Corporation |
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Portable multimedia
Telephone terminals (wireline and |
Applications:
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Camera modules/ mobile imaging
Central office switching systems
Data transport (routing, switching for electronic and
optical networks)
Digital cellular telephones
Internet access (XDSL) |
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wireless)
Wireless connectivit WLAN, FM radio)
Wireless infrastruct |
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y (Bluetooth, ure |
Computer Peripherals |
Customers:
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Agilent |
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Delta |
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Lexmark |
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Samsung |
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BenQ |
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Hewlett-Packard |
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Logitech |
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Seagate |
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Creative Technology |
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Intel |
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Maxtor |
|
Western Digital |
|
|
Dell |
|
Lenovo-IBM |
|
Microsoft |
|
Xerox |
Applications:
|
|
Data storage
Monitors and displays |
|
Power management
Printers
Webcams |
Automotive |
Customers:
|
|
Alpine |
|
Denso |
|
Marelli |
|
Sirius |
|
|
Bosch |
|
Harman |
|
Motorola |
|
Valeo |
|
|
Conti |
|
Hella |
|
Pioneer |
|
Visteon |
|
|
Delphi |
|
Lear |
|
Siemens |
|
XM Satellite |
Applications:
|
|
Airbags
Anti-lock braking systems
Body and chassis electronics
Engine management systems
(ignition and injection) |
|
Global positioning systems
Multimedia
Radio/ satellite radio
Telematics
Vehicle stability control |
Consumer |
Customers:
|
|
Bose Corporation |
|
LG Electronics |
|
Pace |
|
Skardin |
|
|
Echostar |
|
Matsushita |
|
Philips |
|
Sony |
|
|
Humax |
|
Microsoft |
|
Samsung |
|
Thomson |
|
|
Kenwood |
|
Motorola |
|
Scientific Atlanta |
|
Tomen
Vestel |
Applications:
|
|
Audio processing (CD, DVD, Hi-Fi) |
|
|
|
DVDs
Imaging |
|
|
|
|
Analog/ digital TVs |
|
|
|
Set-top boxes |
|
|
|
|
Digital cameras |
|
|
|
VCRs |
|
|
|
|
Digital music players |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Industrial/ Other Applications |
Customers:
|
|
American Power Conversion |
|
Delta |
|
Gillette |
|
Philips |
|
|
Astec |
|
Echelon |
|
Hewlett-Packard |
|
Siemens |
|
|
Autostrade |
|
Enel |
|
Nagra |
|
Toppan |
|
|
Axalto |
|
Gemplus |
|
Oberthur |
|
Taiwan Liton |
Applications:
|
|
Battery chargers
Smart card ICs
Industrial automation/ control systems
Intelligent power switches |
|
Lighting systems (lamp ballasts)
Motor controllers
Power supplies
Switch mode power supplies |
In 2005, our largest customer, Nokia, represented 22.4% of our
net revenues, compared to 17.1% in 2004 and 17.9% in 2003. No
other single customer accounted for more than 10% of our net
revenues. Sales to our OEM customers accounted for approximately
82% of our net revenues in 2005, from approximately 79% of our
net revenues in 2004 and 82% in 2003. Sales to our top ten OEM
customers were approximately 50% of total revenues in 2005, 44%
in 2004 and 46% in 2003. We have several large customers,
certain of whom have entered into strategic alliances with us.
Many of our key customers operate in cyclical businesses and
have in the past, and may in the future, vary order levels
significantly from period to period. In addition, approximately
18% of our net revenues in 2005 were sold through distributors,
compared to 21% in 2004 and 18% in 2003. There can
34
be no assurance that such customers or distributors, or any
other customers, will continue to place orders with us in the
future at the same levels as in prior periods. See
Item 3. Key Information Risk
Factors Risks Related to Our Operations
Disruptions in our relationships with any one of our key
customers could adversely affect our results of operations.
Sales, Marketing and Distribution
We operate regional sales organizations in Europe, North
America, Asia Pacific, Japan and Emerging Markets, which include
Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, Europe (non-EU and
non-EFTA), Russia and India. For a breakdown of net revenues by
product segment and geographic region for each of the three
years ended December 31, 2005, see Item 5.
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects Results
of Operations Segment Information.
The European region is divided into five business units:
automotive, consumer and computers, Smart card, telecom, EMS and
distribution. Additionally, for all products, including
commodities and Dedicated ICs, we actively promote and support
the sales of these products through sales force, field
application engineers, supply-chain management and
customer-service, and a technical competence center for
system-solutions, with support functions provided locally.
In the North America region, the sales and marketing team is
organized into seven business units. They are located near major
centers of activity for either a particular application or
geographic region: automotive (Detroit, Michigan), industrial
(Boston, Massachusetts), consumer (Chicago, Illinois), computer
and peripheral equipment (San Jose, California and
Longmont, Colorado), RFID and Smart card (Longmont, Colorado),
communications (Dallas, Texas) and distribution (Boston,
Massachusetts). Each regional business unit has a sales force
that specializes in the relevant business sector, providing
local customer service, market development and specialized
application support for differentiated system-oriented products.
This structure allows us to monitor emerging applications, to
provide local design support, and to identify new products for
development in conjunction with the various product divisions as
well as to develop new markets and applications with our current
product portfolio. A central product marketing operation in
Boston provides product support and training for standard
products for the North American region, while a logistics center
in Phoenix, Arizona supports
just-in-time delivery
throughout North America. In addition, a comprehensive
distribution business unit provides product and sales support
for the regional distribution network.
In the Asia Pacific region during 2005, sales and marketing
segments was managed from our regional sales headquarters in
Singapore and organized into nine segments (computer and
peripheral, automotive, industrial/computer/ MLD, home
entertainment, communications and mobile multimedia, display,
Smart card and security, distribution and EMS) with three
transversal support organizations (business management, field
quality and communications). We have sales offices in Taiwan,
Korea, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia. The
Singapore sales organization provides central marketing,
customer service, technical support, logistics, application
laboratory and design services for the entire region. In
addition, there are design centers in Korea and China.
On January 1, 2006, we created a new sales region,
Greater China, which encompasses China, Taiwan and
Hong Kong. This new sales region will be dedicated to sales,
design and support resources and is aimed at expanding on our
many years of successful participation in this quickly growing
market. This market is also expected to grow significantly in
the next few years according to industry analysts. In 2004,
industry analysts estimated that we were one of the top five
semiconductor suppliers in China. Our intent is to meet the
needs of our transnational customers there, as well as to build
new relationship with the evolving local market.
In Japan, the large majority of our sales are made through
distributors, as is typical for foreign suppliers to the
Japanese market. However, our sales and marketing engineers in
Japan work directly with customers as well as with the
distributors to meet customers needs. We provide marketing
and technical support services to customers through sales
offices in Tokyo and Osaka. In addition, we have established a
design center and application laboratory in Tokyo. The design
center designs custom ICs for Japanese clients, while the
application laboratory allows Japanese customers to test our
products in specific applications. We have recently announced
changes in our organization for Japan and have targeted to
increase our presence in this significant market, by expanding
our sales design and support resources.
Our Emerging Markets organization includes Latin America, the
Middle East and Africa, Europe (non-EU and non-EFTA) and Russia
as well as our design and software development centers in India,
which employed approximately 1,500 people.
35
The sales and marketing activities carried out by our regional
sales organizations are supported by the product marketing that
is carried out by each product division, which also include
product development functions. This matrix system reinforces our
sales and marketing activities and our broader strategic
objectives. We have initiated a program to expand our customer
base. This programs key elements include adding sales
representatives, adding regional competence centers and new
generations of electronic tools for customer support.
Except for Emerging Markets, each of our regional sales
organizations operates dedicated distribution organizations. To
support the distribution network, we operate logistic centers in
Saint Genis, France, Phoenix, Arizona and Singapore.
We also use distributors and representatives to distribute our
products around the world. Typically, distributors handle a wide
variety of products, including products that compete with our
products, and fill orders for many customers. Most of our sales
to distributors are made under agreements allowing for price
protection and/or the right of return on unsold merchandise. We
generally recognize revenues upon transfer of ownership of the
goods at shipment. Sales representatives generally do not offer
products that compete directly with our products, but may carry
complementary items manufactured by others. Representatives do
not maintain a product inventory; instead, their customers place
large quantity orders directly with us and are referred to
distributors for smaller orders.
At the request of certain of our customers, we are also selling
and delivering our products to EMS, which, on a contractual
basis with our customers, incorporates our products into the
dedicated products which they manufacture for our customers.
Certain customers require us to hold inventory on consignment in
their hubs and only purchase inventory when they require it for
their own production. This may lead to delays in recognizing
revenues as such customers may choose within a specific period
of time the moment when they accept delivery of our products.
Research and Development
We believe that research and development is critical to our
success, and we are committed to increasing research and
development expenditures in the future. The main research and
development (R&D) challenge we face is to
continually increase the functionality, speed and
cost-effectiveness of our semiconductor devices, while ensuring
that technological developments translate into profitable
commercial products as quickly as possible.
Our policy in the field of research and development is market
driven and is focused on leading-edge products and technologies
in close collaboration with strategic alliance partners, leading
universities and research institutes, key customers and global
equipment manufacturers working at the cutting edge of their own
markets. On January 1, 2005, we created a new Front-End
Technology and Manufacturing organization (FTM)
encompassing the present front-end manufacturing and central
research and development functions in order to improve our
technology research and development effectiveness and our
manufacturing competitiveness and efficiency. The research and
development activities relating to new products are managed by
the Product Segments and consist mainly of design activities
while the technologies research and development activities are
managed by our new FTM organization.
In 2005, we reallocated 10% of our research and development
resources in favor of higher priority projects for both process
technology development and product design with the aim to
increase the efficiency of our research and development activity
and accelerate product innovation. We selected 20 key technology
and product programs that set a clear roadmap with defined
milestones and that are reviewed on a monthly basis by our
Executive Committee.
We invest in a variety of research and development projects
ranging from long-term advanced research for the acceleration,
in line with industry requirements and roadmaps such as the
International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors
(ITRS), of our broad range of process technologies
including BiCMOS; bipolar, CMOS and DMOS (BCD); High
Performance Logic; and stand-alone and embedded Flash and other
nonvolatile memories; to the continued expansion of our system
level design expertise and IP creation for advanced architecture
for SoC integration, as well as new products for many key
applications in the field of digital consumer wireless
communications and networking, computer peripherals, Smart cards
and car multimedia among others.
We continue to make significant investments in research and
development, while reducing our other general expenses. In 2005,
we spent $1,630 million on research and development, which
represented approximately a 6% increase from $1,532 million
in 2004, while 2004 spending represented a 24% increase from
$1,238 million in 2003. The table below sets forth
information with respect to our research and development
spending since 2003. Our reported research and development
expenses are mainly in the areas of product design, technology
and
36
development and do not include marketing design center costs
which are accounted for as selling expenses, or process
engineering, pre-production and process-transfer costs, which
are accounted for as cost of sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions, except percentages) | |
Expenditures
|
|
$ |
1,630 |
|
|
$ |
1,532 |
|
|
$ |
1,238 |
|
As a percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
18.3 |
% |
|
|
17.5 |
% |
|
|
17.1 |
% |
Approximately 88% of our research and development expenses in
2005 were incurred in Europe, primarily in France and Italy. See
Public Funding below. As of
December 31, 2005, approximately 9,700 employees were
employed in research and development activities worldwide.
We devote significant effort to R&D because semiconductor
manufacturers face immense pressure to be the first to make
breakthroughs that can be leveraged into competitive advantages;
new developments in semiconductor technology can make end
products significantly cheaper, faster or more reliable than
their predecessors and enable, through their timely appearance
on the market, significant value creation opportunities.
To ensure that new technologies can be exploited in commercial
products as quickly as possible an integral part of our R&D
philosophy is concurrent engineering, meaning that new
fabrication processes and the tools needed to exploit them are
developed simultaneously. Typically, these include not only CAD
software, but also cell libraries that allow access to our rich
IP portfolio and a demonstrator product suitable for subsequent
commercialization. In this way, when a new process is delivered
to our product segments or made available to external customers,
they are more able develop commercial products immediately.
Our R&D activities are conducted on a worldwide scale and
focus on the very large scale integration (VLSI)
technology. Our major centers for VLSI technology development
are located in Crolles (France) and Agrate Brianza (Italy).
Other advanced R&D centers are strategically located around
the world: in Italy (Castelletto and Catania), France (Grenoble,
Tours and Rousset), USA (Phoenix, Carrollton, and
San Diego), Canada (Ottawa), UK (Bristol and Edinburgh),
Switzerland (Geneva and Lugano), India (Noida and Bangalore),
China (Beijing, Shenzhen and Shanghai) and Singapore.
In Crolles we cooperate with Philips and Freescale as part of
the Crolles2 alliance to jointly develop sub-micron CMOS logic
processes to provide 90-nm to 32-nm chip technologies on 300-mm
wafers and to build and operate an advanced 300-mm wafer pilot
line in Crolles, France. The pilot line was officially
inaugurated on February 27, 2003, and the first silicon
rolled off the line during the first quarter of 2003 with the
stated goal of accelerating the development of future
technologies and their proliferation throughout the
semiconductor industry. On January 31, 2005, the Crolles2
alliance extended the scope of the joint semiconductor research
and development activities to include research and development
related to wafer testing and packaging. The agreement reflects
the special needs of wafer testing and packaging for devices
produced on 300-mm wafers in 90-nm and beyond. In September
2005, we extended this agreement to cover the development and
licensing of core libraries. The initial five-year term of our
Crolles2 agreement has been set through December 31, 2007
and will be automatically extended until December 31, 2010,
unless either Freescale, Philips or we serve a written notice of
termination prior to December 31, 2006. There is no
assurance, however, that we will be able to extend this
agreement beyond its initial five year term or that it will not
terminate in the event a change of control occurs in one of the
parties. The non-renewal or termination of our Crolles2 alliance
could have a material adverse effect on our business. In such an
event, we may incur additional unforeseen costs, and our
business, results of operation and prospects may be
substantially affected.
In addition, our manufacturing facility in Crolles, France
houses a research and development center that is operated in the
legal form of a French Groupement dintérêt
économique (GIE) named Centre Commun de
Microelectronique de Crolles. Laboratoire
dElectronique de Technologie dInstrumentation
(LETI), a research laboratory of Commissariat de
lEnergie Atomique (CEA), an affiliate of Areva
Group (one of our indirect shareholders), is our partner.
There can be no assurance that we will be able to develop future
technologies and proliferate them on satisfactory terms, that
the alliance will be successful or will enable us to effectively
meet customer demands or that its operations will not be
adversely affected by unforeseen events and the sizeable risks
related to such development of new technologies, which could
materially adversely affect our business, results of operations
and prospects. See Item 3. Key
Information Risk Factors Risks Related
to Our Operations Our research and development
efforts are increasingly expensive and dependent on alliances,
and our business, results of operations and prospects could be
materially adversely affected by the failure or termination of
such alliances in developing new process technologies in line
with market requirements.
37
Our 200-mm central R&D facility in Agrate (Italy)
(R2) is focused on the development of new generation
Flash memories from which other non-volatile memory products are
derived: EEPROM, EPROM/ OTP, Smart Cards and memory embedded
ASIC. We are currently developing new products for both NOR and
NAND in advanced technologies, with a strong focus on 2bit per
cell.
The Agrate R2 activity encompasses prototyping, pilot and volume
production of the newly developed technologies with the
objective to accelerate process industrialization and time to
market.
Our center in Phoenix works on technologies for digital
integrated circuits. These are also areas of great strategic
importance and the advances made in recent years have placed us
among the world leaders in logic technology. In addition, our
contacts with universities, such as the University of California
at Berkeley and Carnegie Mellon in the United States, have made
innovative product development possible.
Our intellectual property design center in Noida, India supports
all of our major design activities worldwide and hosts a major
central R&D activity focused on software and core libraries
development, with a strong emphasis on system solutions. Our
corporate technology R&D teams work in a wide variety of
areas that offer opportunities to harness our deep understanding
of microelectronics and our ability to synthesize knowledge from
around the world. These include:
|
|
|
|
|
Soft Computing, in which a variety of problem-solving techniques
such as fuzzy logic, neural networks and genetic algorithms are
applied to situations where the knowledge is inexact or the
computational resources required to obtain a complete solution
would be excessive using traditional computing architectures.
Potential applications include more effective automotive engine
control, emerging fuel cell technology and future quantum
computing techniques that will offer much greater computational
speeds than are currently achievable; |
|
|
|
Nano-Organics, which encompasses a variety of emerging
technologies that deal with structures smaller than the deep
sub-micron scale containing as little as a few hundred or
thousand atoms. Examples include carbon nanotubes, which have
potential applications in displays and memories, and all
applications that involve electronic properties of large
molecules such as proteins; and |
|
|
|
Micro-Machining, in which the ability to precisely control the
mechanical attributes of silicon structures is exploited. There
are many potential applications, including highly sensitive
pressure and acceleration sensors, miniature microphones,
microfluidic devices and optical devices. In addition, along
with its optical properties, the mechanical properties of
silicon represent one of the most important links between
conventional SoC technology and all the emerging technologies
such as bioelectronics that can benefit our semiconductor
expertise. |
The fundamental mission of our Advanced System Technology
(AST) organization is to create system knowledge that
supports our
system-on-chip (SoC)
development. ASTs objective is to develop the advanced
architectures that will drive key strategic applications,
including digital consumer, wireless communications, computer
peripherals and smart cards, as well as the broad range of
emerging automotive applications such as car multimedia. The
group has played a key role in establishing our pre-eminence in
mobility, connectivity, multimedia, storage and security, the
core competences required to drive todays convergence
markets.
ASTs challenge is to combine the expertise and
expectations of our customers, industrial and academic partners,
our central R&D teams and product segments to create a
cohesive, practical vision that defines the hardware, software
and system integration knowledge that we will need in the next
three to five years and the strategies required to master them.
In addition, AST includes a team dedicated to longer term system
research, which works in synergy with university research teams,
allowing a continuous flow of ideas from top class research
centers. AST has eight large laboratories around the world, plus
a number of smaller locations located near universities and
research partners. Its major laboratories are located in: Agrate
Brianza; Catania; Castelletto; Geneva; Grenoble; Lecce; Noida;
Portland, Oregon; Rousset; and San Diego, California.
We also have divisional R&D centers such as those in
Castelletto, Catania and Tours that carry out more specialized
work that benefits from their close relationship to their
markets. For example, Castelletto pioneered the BCD process that
created the world smart-power market and has developed advanced
MEMS (Micro-Electronic-Mechanical Systems) technologies used to
build products such as inkjet printheads, accelerometers and the
worlds first single chip for DNA amplification and
detection.
The Application Specific Discretes (ASD) technology
developed at Tours has allowed ST to bring to the market
numerous products that can handle high bi-directional currents,
sustain high voltages or integrate various
38
discrete elements in a single chip, like the Integrated Passive
and Active Devices (IPADs). ASD technology has proved
increasingly successful in a variety of telecom, computer and
industrial applications: ESD protection and AC switching are key
areas together with RF filter devices.
The Catania facility hosts a wide range of R&D activities
and its major divisional R&D achievements in recent years
include the development of our revolutionary PowerMESHTM and
STripFET TM MOSFET families.
Our other specialized divisional R&D centers are located in
Grenoble (packaging R&D, IP center), and Rousset (smart card
and microcontroller development), in addition to a host of
centers focusing on providing a complete system approach in
digital consumer applications, such as TVs, DVD players, set-top
boxes and cameras. These centers are located in various
locations including: Beijing; Bristol; Carrollton, Texas;
Edinburgh; Grenoble; Noida; Rousset; and Singapore. For Smart
card SoC, we have centers in Prague and Shanghai.
All of these worldwide activities create new ideas and
innovations that enrich our portfolio of intellectual property
and enhance our ability to provide our customers with winning
solutions.
Furthermore, an array of important strategic customer alliances
ensures that our R&D activities closely track the changing
needs of the industry, while a network of partnerships with
universities and research institutes around the world ensures
that we have access to leading-edge knowledge from all corners
of the world. We also play leadership roles in numerous projects
running under the European Unions IST (Information Society
Technologies) programs. We actively participate in these
programs and continue collaborative R&D efforts within the
MEDEA+ research program.
Finally, we believe that platforms are the answer to the growing
need for full system integration, as customers require from
their silicon suppliers not just chips, but an optimized
combination of hardware and software. More than 1,500 engineers
and designers are currently developing the five platforms we
selected to spearhead our future growth in some of the fastest
developing markets of the microelectronics industry. The five
platforms include:
|
|
|
|
|
Two in the area of consumer: set-top boxes, ranging from digital
terrestrial, to cable, and satellite to Internet Protocol based
devices, and Integrated Digital TV, which will include the
expected promising new wave of High-Definition sets; |
|
|
|
One in the area of computer peripherals: the SPEAr family of
re-configurable SoC ICs for printers and related
applications; and |
|
|
|
Two in the area of wireless: Application Processors, namely our
Nomadik platform that is bringing multimedia to the
next-generation mobile devices and Wireless Infrastructure for
3-G base-stations. |
Property, Plants and Equipment
We currently operate 16 (as per table below) main
manufacturing sites around the world. The table below sets forth
certain information with respect to our current manufacturing
facilities, products and technologies. Front-end manufacturing
facilities are wafer fabrication plants, known as fabs, and
back-end facilities are assembly, packaging and final testing
plants.
|
|
|
|
|
Location |
|
Products |
|
Technologies |
|
|
|
|
|
Front-end facilities
|
|
|
|
|
Crolles1, France
|
|
Application specific products |
|
Fab: 200-mm CMOS and BiCMOS, research and development on
VLSI sub-micron technologies |
Crolles2, France(1)
|
|
Dedicated products and leading edge logic products |
|
Fab: 300-mm research and development on deep sub-micron (90-nm
and below) CMOS and system-on-chip (SoC) technology
development |
Phoenix, Arizona
|
|
Dedicated products and microcontrollers |
|
Fab: 200-mm CMOS, BiCMOS, BCD |
39
|
|
|
|
|
Location |
|
Products |
|
Technologies |
|
|
|
|
|
Agrate, Italy
|
|
Nonvolatile memories, microcontrollers and dedicated products |
|
Fab 1: 150-mm BCD, nonvolatile memories, MEMS. (converting to
200-mm)
Fab 2: 200-mm Flash, embedded Flash, research and development on
nonvolatile memories and BCD technologies |
Rousset, France
|
|
Microcontrollers, nonvolatile memories and Smart card ICs and
dedicated products |
|
Fab 1: 150-mm CMOS, Smart card (phase-out planned in 2006)
Fab 2: 200-mm CMOS, Smart card, embedded Flash |
Catania, Italy
|
|
Power transistors, Smart Power ICs and nonvolatile memories |
|
Fabs 1/2: 150-mm Power metal-on silicon oxide semiconductor
process technology (MOS),
VIPpowertm,
MO-3 and Pilot Line RF
Fab 3: 200-mm Flash, Smart card, EEPROM
300-mm building constructed but not fully facilitized and
equipped. |
Castelletto, Italy
|
|
Smart power BCD |
|
Fab: 150-mm BCD and MEMS pilot line (closure planned for the end
of Q2 2006) |
Tours, France
|
|
Protection thyristors, diodes and application-specific
discrete-power transistors |
|
Fab: 125-mm,150-mm and 200-mm pilot line discrete |
Ang Mo Kio, Singapore
|
|
Dedicated products, microcontrollers, power transistors,
commodity products, nonvolatile memories, and dedicated products |
|
Fab 1: 125-mm, power MOS, bipolar transistor, bipolar ICs,
standard linear
Fab 2: 150-mm bipolar, power MOS and BCD, EEPROM, Smart card,
Micros
Fab 3: 200-mm BiCMOS, Flash Memories |
Carrollton, Texas
|
|
Memories and Application specific products |
|
Fab: 150-mm BiCMOS, BCD and CMOS |
Back-end facilities
|
|
|
|
|
Muar, Malaysia
|
|
Dedicated and standard products, microcontrollers |
|
|
Kirkop, Malta
|
|
Application specific products |
|
|
Toa Payoh, Singapore
|
|
Nonvolatile memories and power ICs |
|
|
Ain Sebaa, Morocco
|
|
Discrete and standard products |
|
|
Bouskoura, Morocco
|
|
Nonvolatile memories, discrete and standard products,
micromodules, RF and subsystems |
|
|
Shenzhen, China(2)
|
|
Nonvolatile memories, discrete and standard products |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Operated jointly with Philips and Freescale. |
|
(2) |
Jointly operated with SHIC, a subsidiary of Shenzhen Electronics
Group. |
As of December 31, 2005, we had a total of approximately
610,000 square meters of front-end facilities, comprised of
approximately 370,000 square meters in Europe,
approximately 90,000 square meters in the United States and
approximately 150,000 square meters in Asia (these numbers
exclude Crolles2 and M6). We also had a total of approximately
240,000 square meters of back-end facilities.
At the end of 2005, our front-end facilities had total capacity
of approximately 230,000 150-mm equivalent wafer starts per
week. The number of wafer starts per week varies from facility
to facility and from period to period as a result of changes in
product mix. We have six 200-mm wafer production facilities
currently in operation. Of these, four (at Crolles, France;
Agrate, Italy; Catania, Italy; and Phoenix, Arizona) have full
design capacity installed as of December 31, 2005; as of
the same date, fabs (in Rousset, France and in Singapore) have
approximately two-thirds of the ultimate capacity installed.
40
We, along with our partners Philips and Freescale, began volume
production in our advanced 300-mm wafer pilot-line fabrication
facility in Crolles, France in the first half of 2004. By the
end of 2005, the pilot line, initially designed to produce up to
1,000 wafers per week, produced approximately 1,500 wafers per
week.
The building shell for our future 300-mm wafer volume
manufacturing fabrication facility in Catania, Italy is
completed and in 2005 the first phase of facilitization was also
completed. Because of the location of this facility in southern
Italy (Catania, Sicily), we face the risk that an earthquake
could damage this facility. Any disruption in our product
development capability or our manufacturing capability arising
from earthquakes could cause significant delays in the
production or shipment of our products until we are able to
shift development or production to different facilities or
arrange for third parties to manufacture our products. Such
risks, like other risks, may not be fully or adequately covered
under our corporate insurance policies. See Item 8.
Financial Information Risk Management and
Insurance.
We own all of our manufacturing facilities, except Crolles2,
France, which is the subject of a capital lease.
We have historically subcontracted approximately up to 20% of
total volumes for back-end operations to external suppliers. In
periods of high demand, we intend to outsource up to 20% of our
front-end production requirements to external foundries,
reducing outsourcing as needed to meet market conditions, when,
due to reduced customer demand, the average level of front-end
subcontracting was significantly lower.
During the most recent downturns in the industry, we limited our
capital investment, allocating it to strategic projects such as
the evolution of the production capability to lower geometries
in the 200-mm facilities; the development of advanced
manufacturing processes (90-nm and 65-nm); the improvement in
the quality of our operations; the
ramp-up of the new
200-mm production facility in Singapore; the continuation of the
two 300-mm projects (Crolles, France, for pilot-line; Catania,
Italy, for volume manufacturing); the
ramp-up to volume
manufacturing of the new Bouskoura, Morocco back-end facility;
and the completion of the extension of the back-end Shenzhen,
China facility. We have also increased overall installed
front-end capacity.
As of December 31, 2005, we had $576 million in
outstanding commitments for purchases of equipment for delivery
in 2006. The most significant of our 2006 capital expenditure
projects are expected to be (i) the expansion of the 300-mm
front-end joint project with Philips and Freescale in Crolles2,
France, (ii) the preliminary equipment installation in our
300-mm front-end plant in Catania (Italy), (iii) the
upgrading to finer geometries of our 200-mm fab in Rousset
(France), (iv) the upgrading of our 200-mm facility in Ang
Mo Kio (Singapore), (v) the upgrading of our 200-mm
front-end facility and pilot line in Agrate (Italy) and
(vi) the capacity expansion of our back-end plants in
Shenzhen (China), Muar (Malaysia), and Bouskoura (Morocco). We
will continue to monitor our level of capital spending, however,
taking into consideration factors such as trends in the
semiconductor industry, capacity utilization and announced
additions. We plan 2006 capital expenditures to be approximately
$1.8 billion, although we have the flexibility to modulate
our investments to changes in market conditions. The major part
of this amount will be allocated to leading-edge technologies
and research and development programs.
Although each fabrication plant is dedicated to specific
processes, our strategy is to develop local presence to better
serve customers and mitigate manufacturing risks by having key
processes operated in different manufacturing plants. In certain
countries, we have been granted tax incentives by local
authorities in line with local regulations, being recognized as
an important contributor to the economies where our plants are
located. In periods of industry capacity limitations we have
sought to minimize our capital expenditure needs, by purchasing
from subcontractors both wafer foundry and back-end services. In
difficult market conditions, we may face overcapacity issues,
particularly in our older fabrication facilities that use mature
process technologies. Like other semiconductor manufacturers, we
could have mature fabrication facility capacity being only
partially used, which may affect our cost of operations. Such
overcapacity has led us, in recent years, to close manufacturing
facilities using more mature process technologies and
restructure our 150-mm manufacturing. In 2002, we completed the
closure of our 150-mm wafer manufacturing facility in Rancho
Bernardo, California. Pursuant to such closure in 2002, we
recorded impairment, restructuring charges and related closure
costs of $34 million. In 2003, we recorded impairment,
restructuring charges and other related closure costs of
$205 million pursuant to a plan announced in October 2003
to increase our cost competitiveness by restructuring our 150-mm
fab operations and part of our back-end operations. In 2004, our
150-mm wafer manufacturing facility in Rennes, France and our
back-end facility in Tuas, Singapore were closed pursuant to
this restructuring initiative and the total amount of
impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure
pre-tax costs amounted to $76 million. In 2005, the amount
of impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure
pre-tax costs amounted to $128 million. See
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and
Prospects and Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
41
Through the period ended December 31, 2005, we have
incurred $294 million of the announced approximate
$350 million in pre-tax charges associated with the
restructuring plan that was defined on October 22, 2003,
and which is now expected to be substantially completed in the
second half of 2006.
Our manufacturing processes are highly complex, require advanced
and costly equipment and are continuously being modified in an
effort to improve yields and product performance. Impurities or
other difficulties in the manufacturing process can lower
yields, interrupt production or result in losses of products in
process. As system complexity has increased and sub-micron
technology has become more advanced, manufacturing tolerances
have been reduced and requirements for precision and excellence
have become even more demanding. Although our increased
manufacturing efficiency has been an important factor in our
improved results of operations, we have from time to time
experienced production difficulties that have caused delivery
delays and quality control problems, as is common in the
semiconductor industry.
No assurance can be given that we will be able to increase
manufacturing efficiency in the future to the same extent as in
the past or that we will not experience production difficulties
in the future.
As is common in the semiconductor industry, we have from time to
time experienced difficulty in ramping up production at new
facilities or effecting transitions to new manufacturing
processes and, consequently, have suffered delays in product
deliveries or reduced yields. There can be no assurance that we
will not experience manufacturing problems in achieving
acceptable yields, product delivery delays or interruptions in
production in the future as a result of, among other things,
capacity constraints, production bottlenecks, construction
delays, equipment failure or maintenance, ramping up production
at new facilities, upgrading or expanding existing facilities,
changing our process technologies, or contamination or fires,
storms, earthquakes or other acts of nature, any of which could
result in a loss of future revenues. In addition, the
development of larger fabrication facilities that require
state-of-the-art
sub-micron technology and larger-sized wafers has increased the
potential for losses associated with production difficulties,
imperfections or other causes of defects. In the event of an
incident leading to an interruption of production at a fab, we
may not be able to shift production to other facilities on a
timely basis, or our customers may decide to purchase products
from other suppliers, and, in either case, the loss of revenues
and the impact on our relationship with our customers could be
significant. Our operating results could also be adversely
affected by the increase in our fixed costs and operating
expenses related to increases in production capacity if revenues
do not increase commensurately. Finally, in periods of high
demand, we increase our reliance on external contractors for
foundry and back-end service. Any failure to perform by such
subcontractors could impact our relationship with our customers
and could materially affect our results of operations.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property rights that apply to our various products
include patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks and mask
work rights. A mask work is the two or three-dimensional layout
of an integrated circuit. We own more than 19,000 patents or
pending patent applications which have been registered in
several countries around the world and correspond to more than
8,000 patent families (each patent family containing all patents
originating from the same invention). We filed 720 new patent
applications around the world in 2005.
Our success depends in part on our ability to obtain patents,
licenses and other intellectual property rights covering our
products and their design and manufacturing processes. To that
end, we intend to continue to seek patents on our circuit
designs, manufacturing processes, packaging technology and other
inventions. The process of seeking patent protection can be long
and expensive, and there can be no assurance that patents will
issue from currently pending or future applications or that, if
patents are issued, they will be of sufficient scope or strength
to provide meaningful protection or any commercial advantage to
us. In addition, effective copyright and trade secret protection
may be unavailable or limited in certain countries. Competitors
may also develop technologies that are protected by patents and
other intellectual property rights and therefore such
technologies may be unavailable to us or available to us subject
to adverse terms and conditions. Management believes that our
intellectual property represents valuable property and intends
to protect our investment in technology by enforcing all of our
intellectual property rights. We have used our patent portfolio
to enter into several broad patent cross-licenses with several
major semiconductor companies enabling us to design, manufacture
and sell semiconductor products without fear of infringing
patents held by such companies, and intend to continue to use
our patent portfolio to enter into such patent cross-licensing
agreements with industry participants on favorable terms and
conditions. As our sales increase compared to those of our
competitors, the strength of our patent portfolio may not be
sufficient to guarantee the conclusion or renewal of broad
patent cross-licenses on terms which do not affect our results
of operations. Furthermore, as a result of litigation, or to
address our business needs, we may be required to take a license
to third-party intellectual property rights upon economically
42
unfavorable terms and conditions, and possibly pay damages for
prior use, and/or face an injunction, all of which could have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations and ability
to compete.
From time to time, we are involved in intellectual property
litigation and infringement claims. See Item 8.
Financial Information Legal Proceedings. In
the event a third-party intellectual property claim were to
prevail, our operations may be interrupted and we may incur
costs and damages, which could have a material adverse effect on
our results of operations, cash flow and financial condition.
Finally, we have received from time to time, and may in the
future receive communications alleging infringement of certain
patents and other intellectual property rights of others, which
has been and may in the future be followed by litigation.
Regardless of the validity or the successful assertion of such
claims, we may incur significant costs with respect to the
defense thereof, which could have a material adverse effect on
our results of operations, cash flow or financial condition. See
Item 3. Key Information Risk
Factors Risks Related to Our Operations
We depend on patents to protect our rights to our
technology.
Backlog
Our sales are made primarily pursuant to standard purchase
orders that are generally booked from one to twelve months in
advance of delivery. Quantities actually purchased by customers,
as well as prices, are subject to variations between booking and
delivery and, in some cases, to cancellation due to changes in
customer needs or industry conditions. During periods of
economic slowdown and/or industry overcapacity and/or declining
selling prices, customer orders are not generally made far in
advance of the scheduled shipment date. Such reduced lead time
can reduce managements ability to forecast production
levels and revenues. When the economy rebounds, our customers
may strongly increase their demands, which can result in
capacity constraints due to our inability to match manufacturing
capacity with such demand.
In addition, our sales are affected by seasonality, with the
first quarter generally showing lowest revenue levels in the
year, and the fourth quarter generating the highest amount of
revenues due to electronic products purchased from many of our
targeted market segments during the holiday period.
We also sell certain products to key customers pursuant to frame
contracts. Frame contracts are annual contracts with customers
setting forth quantities and prices on specific products that
may be ordered in the future. These contracts allow us to
schedule production capacity in advance and allow customers to
manage their inventory levels consistent with
just-in-time principles
while shortening the cycle times required to produce ordered
products. Orders under frame contracts are also subject to a
high degree of volatility, because they reflect expected market
conditions which may or may not materialize. Thus, they are
subject to risks of price reduction, order cancellation and
modifications as to quantities actually ordered resulting in
inventory build-ups.
Furthermore, developing industry trends, including
customers use of outsourcing and their deployment of new
and revised supply chain models, may reduce our ability to
forecast changes in customer demand and may increase our
financial requirements in terms of capital expenditures and
inventory levels.
Our backlog (defined here to include frame orders) decreased
significantly in 2001 from the levels of 2000, reflecting the
most severe downturn in the semiconductor industry. Starting in
2002 we steadily registered an increase in the backlog compared
to 2001, which continued in 2003 compared to 2002. We entered
2004 with a backlog approximately 30% higher than we had
entering 2003. Following the industry-wide over-inventory
situation and the declining level of order booking in the second
half of 2004, we entered 2005 with an order backlog that was
approximately 9% lower than we had entering 2004. During 2005,
our backlog registered a solid increase and we are entering 2006
with an order backlog that is significantly higher than what we
had entering 2005.
Competition
Markets for our products are intensely competitive. While only a
few companies compete with us in all of our product lines, we
face significant competition in each of our product lines. We
compete with major international semiconductor companies, some
of which may have substantially greater financial and other more
focused resources than we do with which to pursue engineering,
manufacturing, marketing and distribution of their products.
Smaller niche companies are also increasing their participation
in the semiconductor market, and semiconductor foundry companies
have expanded significantly, particularly in Asia. Competitors
include manufacturers of standard semiconductors, ASICs and
fully customized ICs, including both chip and board-level
products, as well as customers who develop their own IC products
and foundry operations. Some of our competitors are also our
customers.
43
The primary international semiconductor companies that compete
with us include Advanced Micro Devices, Agere Systems, Analog
Devices, Broadcom, IBM, Infineon Technologies, Intel,
International Rectifier, Freescale Semiconductor, Marvell
Technology Group, National Semiconductor, Nippon Electric
Company, ON Semiconductor, Philips Semiconductors, Qualcomm,
Renesas, Samsung, Spansion, Texas Instruments and Toshiba.
We compete in different product lines to various degrees on the
basis of price, technical performance, product features, product
system compatibility, customized design, availability, quality
and sales and technical support. In particular, standard
products may involve greater risk of competitive pricing,
inventory imbalances and severe market fluctuations than
differentiated products. Our ability to compete successfully
depends on elements both within and outside of our control,
including successful and timely development of new products and
manufacturing processes, product performance and quality,
manufacturing yields and product availability, customer service,
pricing, industry trends and general economic trends.
Organizational Structure and History
We are a multinational group of companies that designs,
develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products
used in a wide variety of microelectronic applications,
including telecommunications systems, computer systems, consumer
goods, automotive products and industrial automation and control
systems. We are organized in a matrix structure with
geographical regions interacting with product divisions, both
being supported by central functions, bringing all levels of
management closer to the customer and facilitating communication
among research and development, production, marketing and sales
organizations.
While STMicroelectronics N.V. is the parent company, we also
conduct our operations through our consolidated subsidiaries.
Except for our subsidiaries in Shenzhen, China, in which we own
60% of the shares and voting rights, Accent S.r.L. (Italy), in
which we own 51% of the shares and voting rights, Hynix, ST
(China) joint venture company, in which we own a 33% equity
participation, Shanghai Blue Media Co. Ltd (China), in which we
own 65%, and Incard do Brazil, in which we own 50% of the shares
and voting rights, STMicroelectronics N.V. owns directly or
indirectly 100% of all of our significant operating
subsidiaries shares and voting rights, which have their
own organization and management bodies, and are operated
independently in compliance with the laws of their country of
incorporation. We provide certain administrative, human
resources, legal, treasury, strategy, manufacturing, marketing
and other overhead services to our consolidated subsidiaries
pursuant to service agreements for which we receive compensation.
The simplified organigram below shows the principal industrial
subsidiaries of ST:
Public Funding
We participate in certain programs established by the EU,
individual countries and local authorities in Europe
(principally France and Italy). Such funding is generally
provided to encourage research and development activities,
industrialization and the economic development of underdeveloped
regions. These programs are characterized by direct partial
support to research and development expenses or capital
investment or by low-interest financing.
44
Public funding in France, Italy and Europe generally is open to
all companies, regardless of their ownership or country of
incorporation, for research and development and for capital
investment and low-interest-financing related to incentive
programs for the economic development of under-developed
regions. The EU has developed model contracts for research and
development funding that require beneficiaries to disclose the
results to third parties on reasonable terms. As disclosed, the
conditions for receipt of government funding may include
eligibility restrictions, approval by EU authorities, annual
budget appropriations, compliance with European Commission
regulations, as well as specifications regarding objectives and
results.
In the research and development context, some of our government
funding contracts involving advance payments requires us to
justify our expenses after receipt of funds. Certain specific
contracts (Crolles2, Rousset, France and Catania, Italy) contain
obligations to maintain a minimum level of employment and
investment during a certain amount of time. There could be
penalties (partial refund) if these objectives are not
fulfilled. Other contracts contain penalties for late deliveries
or for breach of contract, which may result in repayment
obligations. However, the obligation to repay such funding is
never automatic.
The main programs for research and development in which we are
involved include: (i) the Micro-Electronics Development for
European Application (MEDEA+) cooperative research
and development program; (ii) EU research and development
projects with FP6 (Sixth Frame Program) for Information
Technology; and (iii) national or regional programs for
research and development and for industrialization in the
electronics industries involving many companies and
laboratories. The pan-European programs cover a period of
several years, while national programs in France and Italy are
subject mostly to annual budget appropriation.
The MEDEA+ cooperative research and development program was
launched in June 2000 by the Eureka Conference and is designed
to bring together many of Europes top researchers in a
12,000 man-year program that covers the period 2000-2008. The
MEDEA+ program replaced the joint European research program
called MEDEA, which was a European cooperative project in
microelectronics among several countries that covered the period
1996 through 2000 and involved more than 80 companies. In
Italy, there are some national funding programs established to
support the FIRB (Fondo per gli Investimenti della Ricerca di
Base, aimed to fund fundamental research), the FAR (Fondo
per le Agevolazioni alla Ricerca, to fund industrial
research), and the FIT (Fondo per lInnovazione
Tecnologica, to fund precompetitive development). These
programs are not limited to microelectronics. Italian programs
often cover several years, but funding from each of FIRB, FAR
and FIT is subject to annual budget appropriations. During 2004,
the FAR and FIT suspended funding of new projects, including the
MEDEA+ projects whose Italian activities are subject to FAR
rules and availability. In September 2005, however, the Italian
Government began considering funding new projects, and in doing
so called for limited Strategic programmes on areas
selected by the Government. One of these areas was
semiconductors where we have submitted several proposals, which
are presently under review. Furthermore, there are some regional
funding tools that can be addressed by local initiatives,
primarily the regions Puglia and Val DAosta, provided that
a reasonable regional socio-economic impact could be recognized
in terms of industrial exploitation, new professional hiring
and/or cooperation with local academia and public laboratories.
In France, support for microelectronics is provided to over
30 companies manufacturing or using semiconductors. The
amount of support under French programs is decided annually and
subject to budget appropriation.
In accordance with SEC Statement Accounting
Bulletin No. 104 Revenue Recognition
(SAB 104) and our revenue recognition policy, funding
related to these contracts is booked when the conditions
required by the contracts are met. Our funding programs are
classified in three general categories for accounting purposes:
funding for research and development activities, funding for
research and development capital investments, and loans.
Funding for research and development activities is the most
common form of funding that we receive. Public funding for
research and development is recorded as Other Income and
Expenses, net in our consolidated statements of income.
Public funding for research and development is booked pro rata
in relation to the relevant cost once the agreement with the
applicable government agency has been signed and as any
applicable conditions are met. See Note 17 to our
Consolidated Financial Statements. Such funding has totaled
$76 million, $84 million and $76 million in the
years 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Government support for capital expenditures funding has totaled
$38 million, $46 million and $62 million in the
years 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Such funding has been
used to support our capital investment. Although receipt of
these funds is not directly reflected in our results of
operations, the resulting lower amounts recorded in property,
plant and equipment costs reduce the level of depreciation
recognized by us. Public funding reduced depreciation charges by
$66 million, $74 million and $80 million in 2005,
2004 and 2003, respectively.
45
As a third category of government funding, the Company receives
some loans, mainly related to large capital investment projects,
at preferential interest rates. The Company recognizes these
loans as debt on its balance sheet in accordance with
paragraph 35 of Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts
No. 6, Elements of Financial Statements (CON 6). Low
interest financing has been made available (principally in
Italy) under programs such as the Italian Republics Fund
for Applied Research, established in 1988 for the purpose of
supporting Italian research projects meeting specified program
criteria. At year-end 2005, 2004 and 2003, we had
$120 million, $156 million and $84 million,
respectively, of indebtedness outstanding under state-assisted
financing programs at an average interest cost of 1.0%, 1.0% and
1.1%, respectively.
Funding of programs in France and Italy is subject to annual
appropriation, and if such governments or local authorities were
unable to provide anticipated funding on a timely basis or if
existing government- or local authority-funded programs were
curtailed or discontinued, or if we were unable to fulfill our
eligibility requirements, such an occurrence could have a
material adverse effect on our business, operating results and
financial condition. Furthermore, we may need to rely on public
funding as we transition to 300-mm manufacturing technology. We
are dependent on public funding for equipping the 300-mm wafers
production facility in Catania (Italy). If such planned funding
does not materialize, we may lack financial resources to
continue with our investment plan for this facility, which in
turn could lead us to discontinue our investment in such
facility and consequentially incur significant impairments. From
time to time, we have experienced delays in the receipt of
funding under these programs. As the availability and timing of
such funding are substantially outside our control, there can be
no assurance that we will continue to benefit from such
government support, that funding will not be delayed from time
to time, that sufficient alternative funding would be available
if necessary or that any such alternative funding would be
provided on terms as favorable to us as those previously
committed.
Due to changes in legislation and/or review by the competent
administrative or judicial bodies, there can be no assurance
that government funding granted to us may not be revoked or
challenged or discontinued in whole or in part, by any competent
state or European authority, until the legal time period for
challenging or revoking such funding has fully lapsed. See
Item 3. Key Information Risk
Factors Risks Related to Our Operations
Reduction in the amount of state funding available to us or
demands for repayment may increase our costs and impact our
results of operations.
Suppliers
We use three main critical types of suppliers in our business:
equipment suppliers, raw material suppliers and external
subcontractors.
In the front-end process, we use steppers, scanners, track
equipment, strippers, chemo-mechanical polishing equipment,
cleaners, inspection equipment, etchers, physical and chemical
vapor-deposition equipment, implanters, furnaces, testers,
probers and other specialized equipment. The manufacturing tools
that we use in the back-end process include bonders, burn-in
ovens, testers and other specialized equipment. The quality and
technology of equipment used in the IC manufacturing process
defines the limits of our technology. Demand for increasingly
smaller chip structures means that semiconductor producers must
quickly incorporate the latest advances in process technology to
remain competitive. Advances in process technology cannot be
brought about without commensurate advances in equipment
technology, and equipment costs tend to increase as the
equipment becomes more sophisticated.
Our manufacturing processes use many raw materials, including
silicon wafers, lead frame, mold compound, ceramic packages and
chemicals and gases. The prices of many of these raw materials
are volatile. We obtain our raw materials and supplies from
diverse sources on a
just-in-time basis.
Although supplies for the raw materials used by us are currently
adequate, shortages could occur in various essential materials
due to interruption of supply or increased demand in the
industry. See Item 3. Key Information
Risk Factors Risks Related to Our
Operations Because we depend on a limited number of
suppliers for raw materials and certain equipment, we may
experience supply disruptions if suppliers interrupt supply or
increase prices.
Finally, we also use external subcontractors to outsource wafer
manufacturing and assembly and testing of finished products. See
Property, Plants and Equipment above. We
also have an agreement with Hynix for the co-development and
manufacturing of NAND products pursuant to which Hynix from
Korea is supplying the co-developed NAND products to us, in part
using equipment that we have provided on consignment for
capacity dedicated to us. We have also set up a joint venture in
China to build a memory manufacturing facility in Wuxi City,
China.
46
Environmental Matters
Our manufacturing operations use many chemicals, gases and other
hazardous substances, and we are subject to a variety of
evolving environmental and health and safety regulations
related, among other things, to the use, storage, discharge and
disposal of such chemicals and gases and other hazardous
substances, emissions and wastes, as well as the investigation
and remediation of soil and ground water contamination. In most
jurisdictions in which we operate, our manufacturing activities
are subject to obtaining permits, licences or other
authorizations, or to prior notification. Because a large
portion of our manufacturing activities are located in the EU,
we are subject to European Commission regulation on
environmental protection, as well as regulations of the other
jurisdictions where we have operations.
Consistent with our Total Quality Environmental Management
(TQEM) principles, we have established proactive
environmental policies with respect to the handling of
chemicals, gases, emissions and waste disposals from our
manufacturing operations, and we have not suffered material
environmental claims in the past. We believe that our activities
comply with presently applicable environmental regulations in
all material respects. We have engaged outside consultants to
audit all of our environmental activities and created
environmental management teams, information systems and
training. We have also instituted environmental control
procedures for new processes used by us as well as our
suppliers. All of our 16 manufacturing facilities have been
certified to conform to International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) international quality
standards and Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).
We have participated in various working groups set up by the
European Commission for the adoption of two directives on
January 27, 2003: Directive 2002/95/ EC on the restriction
of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and
electronic equipment (ROHS Directive, as amended by
Commission Decision 2005/618/ EC of August 18, 2005) and
Directive 2002/96/ EC on waste electrical and electronic
equipment (WEEE Directive, as modified by Directive
2003/108/ EC of December 8, 2003). Directive 2002/95/ EC
aims at banning the use of lead and other flame-retardant
substances in manufacturing electronic components by
July 1, 2006. Directive 2002/96/ EC promotes the recovery
and recycling of electrical and electronic waste. Both
directives had to be transposed by the EU Member States into
national legislation by August 13, 2004. In France, a
decree partially implementing the Directives 2002/95/ EC and
2002/96/ EC was adopted on July 27, 2005.
Our activities in the EU are also subject to the European
Directive 2003/87/ EC establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas
allowance trading (as modified by Directive 2004/101/ EC), and
the applicable national legislation. In particular, in France,
one of our manufacturing sites has been allocated a quota of
greenhouse gas for the period 2005-2007. Failure to comply with
this quota would force us to acquire potentially expensive
additional emission allowance from third parties and to pay a
fee for each extra ton of gas emitted. We do not know what our
obligations with regard to greenhouse gas reductions will be in
the future, in particular for the period 2008-2012 for which the
regulations should be adopted before December 31, 2006, but
we intend to proactively comply with these regulations. In the
United States, we are part of the Chicago Climate Exchange
program, a voluntary greenhouse gas trading program whose
members commit to reduce emissions for the period 2003-2006. We
have also implemented voluntary reforestation projects in
several countries in order to sequester additional carbon
dioxide
(CO2)
emissions.
Furthermore, new legislative proposals by the European
Commission deal with the registration, evaluation and
authorization of chemicals (REACH), a draft of which
has been adopted on first reading by the European Parliament on
November 17, 2005. We intend to proactively implement such
new legislation when enacted, in line with our commitment toward
environmental protection.
The implementation of any such legislation could adversely
affect our manufacturing costs or product sales by requiring us
to acquire costly equipment or materials, or to incur other
significant expenses in adapting our manufacturing processes or
waste and emission disposal processes. However, we are currently
unable to evaluate such specific expenses and therefore have no
specific reserves for environmental risks. Furthermore,
environmental claims or our failure to comply with present or
future regulations could result in the assessment of damages or
imposition of fines against us, suspension of production or a
cessation of operations and, as with other companies engaged in
similar activities, any failure by us to control the use of, or
adequately restrict the discharge of hazardous substances could
subject us to future liabilities. See Item 3. Key
Information Risk Factors Risks Related
to Our Operations Some of our production processes
and materials are environmentally sensitive, which could lead to
increased costs due to environmental regulations or to damage to
the environment. Any specific liabilities that we identify
will be reflected on our balance sheet. To date we have not
identified any such specific liabilities.
47
Industry Background
Semiconductors are the basic building blocks used to create an
increasing variety of electronic products and systems. Since the
invention of the transistor in 1948, continuous improvements in
semiconductor process and design technologies have led to
smaller, more complex and more reliable devices at a lower cost
per function. As performance has increased and size and cost
have decreased, semiconductors have expanded beyond their
original primary applications (military applications and
computer systems) to applications such as telecommunications
systems, consumer goods, automotive products and industrial
automation and control systems. In addition, system users and
designers have demanded systems with more functionality, higher
levels of performance, greater reliability and shorter design
cycle times, all in smaller packages at lower costs. These
demands have resulted in increased semiconductor content as a
percentage of system cost. Calculated on the basis of the total
available market (the TAM), which includes all
semiconductor products, as a percentage of worldwide revenues
from production of electronic equipment according to published
industry data, semiconductor content has increased from
approximately 12% in 1992 to approximately 21% in 2005.
Semiconductor sales have increased significantly over the long
term but have experienced significant cyclical variations in
growth rates. According to trade association data, the TAM
increased from $32.5 billion in 1987 to $227.5 billion
in 2005 (growing at a compound annual growth rate of
approximately 11%). In 2004, the TAM increased by approximately
28% and in 2005 by approximately 7%. On a sequential,
quarter-by-quarter basis in 2005 (including actuators), the TAM
was virtually flat in the first quarter over the fourth quarter
2004, while in the second quarter it decreased by 2.2% over the
first quarter, it increased 8.9% in the third quarter over the
second quarter, and increased by 2.0% in the fourth quarter over
the third quarter. To better reflect our corporate strategy and
our current product offering, we measure our performance against
our serviceable available market (SAM), redefined as
the TAM without DRAMs, microprocessors and optoelectronic
products. The SAM increased from approximately
$27.8 billion in 1987 to $152 billion in 2005, growing
at a compound annual rate of approximately 10%. The SAM
increased by approximately 7% in 2005 compared to 2004. In 2005,
approximately 18% of all semiconductors were shipped to the
Americas, 17% to Europe, 19% to Japan, and 46% to the Asia
Pacific region.
The following table sets forth information with respect to
worldwide semiconductor sales by type of semiconductor and
geographic region:
|
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|
|
|
|
Worldwide Semiconductor Sales(1) | |
|
Compound Annual Growth Rates(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
1997 | |
|
1987 | |
|
04-05 | |
|
03-04 | |
|
02-03 | |
|
87-05 | |
|
87-97 | |
|
97-02 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
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| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In billions) | |
|
(Expressed as percentages) | |
Integrated Circuits and Sensors
|
|
$ |
197.3 |
|
|
$ |
183.5 |
|
|
$ |
143.5 |
|
|
$ |
121.6 |
|
|
$ |
119.5 |
|
|
$ |
25.4 |
|
|
|
7.5 |
% |
|
|
27.9 |
% |
|
|
18.1 |
% |
|
|
12.1 |
% |
|
|
16.8 |
% |
|
|
0.3 |
% |
Analog, Sensors and Actuators
|
|
|
36.5 |
|
|
|
36.1 |
|
|
|
30.4 |
|
|
|
25.0 |
|
|
|
20.0 |
|
|
|
6.0 |
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
|
|
19.0 |
|
|
|
21.6 |
|
|
|
10.5 |
|
|
|
12.8 |
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
Digital Logic
|
|
|
112.4 |
|
|
|
100.3 |
|
|
|
80.7 |
|
|
|
69.6 |
|
|
|
70.2 |
|
|
|
14.0 |
|
|
|
12.1 |
|
|
|
24.3 |
|
|
|
15.9 |
|
|
|
12.3 |
|
|
|
17.5 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
Memory:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DRAM
|
|
|
25.6 |
|
|
|
26.8 |
|
|
|
16.7 |
|
|
|
15.3 |
|
|
|
19.8 |
|
|
|
2.4 |
|
|
|
(4.7 |
) |
|
|
60.9 |
|
|
|
9.4 |
|
|
|
14.1 |
|
|
|
23.5 |
|
|
|
(5.1 |
) |
|
Others
|
|
|
22.9 |
|
|
|
20.3 |
|
|
|
15.8 |
|
|
|
11.8 |
|
|
|
9.5 |
|
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
13.0 |
|
|
|
28.3 |
|
|
|
34.2 |
|
|
|
12.0 |
|
|
|
12.2 |
|
|
|
4.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Memory
|
|
|
48.5 |
|
|
|
47.1 |
|
|
|
32.5 |
|
|
|
27.0 |
|
|
|
29.3 |
|
|
|
5.4 |
|
|
|
2.9 |
|
|
|
45.0 |
|
|
|
20.2 |
|
|
|
13.0 |
|
|
|
18.4 |
|
|
|
(1.6 |
) |
Total Digital
|
|
|
160.9 |
|
|
|
147.4 |
|
|
|
113.2 |
|
|
|
96.6 |
|
|
|
99.6 |
|
|
|
19.4 |
|
|
|
9.1 |
|
|
|
30.3 |
|
|
|
17.1 |
|
|
|
12.5 |
|
|
|
17.8 |
|
|
|
(0.6 |
) |
Discrete
|
|
|
15.2 |
|
|
|
15.8 |
|
|
|
13.3 |
|
|
|
12.3 |
|
|
|
13.2 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
|
|
(3.3 |
) |
|
|
18.1 |
|
|
|
8.1 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
|
|
|
8.5 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
Optoelectronics
|
|
|
14.9 |
|
|
|
13.7 |
|
|
|
9.5 |
|
|
|
6.8 |
|
|
|
4.5 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
8.6 |
|
|
|
43.8 |
|
|
|
40.6 |
|
|
|
14.5 |
|
|
|
13.2 |
|
|
|
8.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
TAM
|
|
$ |
227.5 |
|
|
$ |
213.0 |
|
|
$ |
166.4 |
|
|
$ |
140.7 |
|
|
$ |
137.2 |
|
|
$ |
32.5 |
|
|
|
6.8 |
% |
|
|
28.0 |
% |
|
|
18.3 |
%(3) |
|
|
11.4 |
% |
|
|
15.5 |
% |
|
|
0.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Europe
|
|
|
39.3 |
|
|
|
39.4 |
|
|
|
32.3 |
|
|
|
27.8 |
|
|
|
29.1 |
|
|
|
6.2 |
|
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
|
|
22.0 |
|
|
|
16.3 |
|
|
|
10.8 |
|
|
|
16.7 |
|
|
|
(0.9 |
) |
Americas
|
|
|
40.7 |
|
|
|
39.1 |
|
|
|
32.3 |
|
|
|
31.3 |
|
|
|
45.8 |
|
|
|
10.3 |
|
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
|
20.8 |
|
|
|
3.4 |
|
|
|
7.9 |
|
|
|
16.1 |
|
|
|
(7.4 |
) |
Asia Pacific
|
|
|
103.4 |
|
|
|
88.8 |
|
|
|
62.8 |
|
|
|
51.2 |
|
|
|
30.2 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
|
|
|
16.5 |
|
|
|
41.3 |
|
|
|
22.8 |
|
|
|
21.1 |
|
|
|
24.8 |
|
|
|
11.1 |
|
Japan
|
|
|
44.1 |
|
|
|
45.8 |
|
|
|
38.9 |
|
|
|
30.5 |
|
|
|
32.1 |
|
|
|
12.7 |
|
|
|
(3.7 |
) |
|
|
17.5 |
|
|
|
27.7 |
|
|
|
7.2 |
|
|
|
9.7 |
|
|
|
(1.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TAM
|
|
$ |
227.5 |
|
|
$ |
213.0 |
|
|
$ |
166.4 |
|
|
$ |
140.7 |
|
|
$ |
137.2 |
|
|
$ |
32.5 |
|
|
|
6.8 |
% |
|
|
28.0 |
% |
|
|
18.3 |
%(3) |
|
|
11.4 |
% |
|
|
15.5 |
% |
|
|
0.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Source: WSTS. |
|
(2) |
Calculated using end points of the periods specified. |
|
(3) |
Calculated on a comparable basis, that is, without information
with respect to actuators, which was not included in the
indicator before 2003, the TAM increased 16.8%. |
48
Although cyclical changes in production capacity in the
semiconductor industry and demand for electronic systems have
resulted in pronounced cyclical changes in the level of
semiconductor sales and fluctuations in prices and margins for
semiconductor products from time to time, the semiconductor
industry has experienced substantial growth over the long term.
Factors that are contributing to long-term growth include the
development of new semiconductor applications, increased
semiconductor content as a percentage of total system cost,
emerging strategic partnerships and growth in the electronic
systems industry in the Asia Pacific region.
|
|
|
Semiconductor Classifications |
The process technologies, levels of integration, design
specificity, functional technologies and applications for
different semiconductor products vary significantly. As
differences in these characteristics have increased, the
semiconductor market has become highly diversified as well as
subject to constant and rapid change. Semiconductor product
markets may be classified according to each of these
characteristics.
Semiconductors can be manufactured using different process
technologies, each of which is particularly suited to different
applications. Since the mid-1970s, the two dominant processes
have been bipolar (the original technology used to produce ICs)
and CMOS. Bipolar devices typically operate at higher speeds
than CMOS devices, but CMOS devices consume less power and
permit more transistors to be integrated on a single IC. CMOS
has become the prevalent technology, particularly for devices
used in personal computers and consumer applications. Advanced
technologies have been developed during the last decade that are
particularly suited to more systems-oriented semiconductor
applications. BiCMOS technologies have been developed to combine
the high-speed and high-voltage characteristics of bipolar
technologies with the low power consumption and high integration
of CMOS technologies. BCD technologies have been developed that
combine bipolar, CMOS and DMOS technologies. Such
systems-oriented technologies require more process steps and
mask levels, and are more complex than the basic
function-oriented technologies.
Semiconductors are often classified as either discrete devices
(such as individual diodes, thyristors and transistors, as well
as optoelectronic products) or ICs (in which thousands of
functions are combined on a single chip of silicon
to form a more complex circuit). Compared to the market for ICs,
there is typically less differentiation among discrete products
supplied by different semiconductor manufacturers. Also,
discrete markets have generally grown at slower, but more
stable, rates than IC markets.
Semiconductors may also be classified as either standard
components, ASSPs or ASICs. Standard components are used for a
broad range of applications, while ASSPs and ASICs are designed
to perform specific functions in specific applications.
The two basic functional technologies for semiconductor products
are analog and digital. Mixed-signal products combine both
analog and digital functionality. Analog devices monitor,
condition, amplify or transform analog signals, which are
signals that vary continuously over a wide range of values.
Analog/digital (or mixed-signal) ICs combine analog
and digital devices on a single chip to process both analog
signals and digital data. System designers are increasingly
demanding system-level integration in which complete electronic
systems containing both analog and digital functions are
integrated on a single IC.
Digital devices are divided into two major types: memory
products and logic devices. Memory products, which are used in
electronic systems to store data and program instructions, are
classified as either volatile memories (which lose their data
content when power supplies are switched off) or nonvolatile
memories (which retain their data content without the need for
constant power supply).
The primary volatile memory devices are DRAMs, which accounted
for approximately 53% of semiconductor memory sales in 2005, and
static RAMs (SRAMs), which accounted for
approximately 11% of semiconductor memory sales in 2005. SRAMs
are roughly four times as complex as DRAMs. DRAMs are used in a
computers main memory. SRAMs are principally used as
caches and buffers between a computers microprocessor and
its DRAM-based main memory and in other applications such as
mobile handsets.
Nonvolatile memories are used to store program instructions.
Among such nonvolatile memories, read-only memories
(ROMs) are permanently programmed when they are
manufactured while programmable ROMs (PROMs) can be
programmed by system designers or end-users after they are
manufactured. Erasable PROMs (EPROMs) may be erased
after exposure to ultraviolet light and reprogrammed several
times using an external power supply. Electrically erasable
PROMs (EEPROMs) can be erased byte by byte and
reprogrammed in-system without the need for removal.
Flash memories are products that represent an
intermediate solution between EPROMs and EEPROMs based on their
cost and functionality. Because Flash memories can be erased and
reprogrammed electrically and
49
in-system, they are more flexible than EPROMs and, therefore,
are progressively replacing EPROMs in many of their current
applications. Flash memories are typically used in high volume
in digital mobile phones and digital consumer applications
(set-top boxes, DVDs, digital cameras, MP3 digital music
players) and are also suitable for solid-state mass storage of
data and emerging high-volume applications.
Logic devices process digital data to control the operation of
electronic systems. The largest segment of the logic market
includes microprocessors, microcontrollers and DSPs.
Microprocessors are the central processing units of computer
systems. Microcontrollers are complete computer systems
contained on single ICs that are programmed to specific customer
requirements. Microcontrollers control the operation of
electronic and electromechanical systems by processing input
data from electronic sensors and generating electronic control
signals and are used in a wide variety of consumer,
communications, automotive, industrial and computer products.
DSPs are parallel processors used for high complexity,
high-speed real-time computations in a wide variety of
applications.
50
|
|
Item 5. |
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects |
Overview
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with
our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included
elsewhere in this
Form 20-F. The
following discussion contains statements of future expectations
and other forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, or
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as
amended, particularly in the sections Critical
Accounting Policies Using Significant Estimates,
Business Outlook and
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Financial Outlook. Our actual results may differ
significantly from those projected in the forward-looking
statements. For a discussion of factors that might cause future
actual results to differ materially from our recent results or
those projected in the forward-looking statements in addition to
the factors set forth below, see Cautionary
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and
Item 3. Key Information Risk
Factors. We assume no obligation to update the
forward-looking statements or such risk factors.
|
|
|
Critical Accounting Policies Using Significant
Estimates |
The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements in
accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and
assumptions that have a significant impact on the results we
report in our Consolidated Financial Statements, which we
discuss under the section Results of
Operations below. Some of our accounting policies require
us to make difficult and subjective judgments that can affect
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of net revenue
and expenses during the reporting period. The primary areas that
require significant estimates and judgments by management
include, but are not limited to; sales returns and allowances;
reserves for price protection to certain distributor customers;
allowances for doubtful accounts; inventory reserves and normal
manufacturing capacity thresholds to determine costs to be
capitalized in inventory; accruals for warranty costs;
litigation and claims; valuation of acquired intangibles;
goodwill; investments and tangible assets as well as the
impairment of their related carrying values; restructuring
charges; assumptions used in calculating pension obligations and
share-based compensation; assessment of hedge effectiveness of
derivative instruments; deferred income tax assets, including
required valuation allowances and liabilities; and provisions
for specifically identified income tax exposures. We base our
estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on
various other factors such as market trends and business plans
that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the
results of which form the basis for making judgments about the
carrying values of assets and liabilities. While we regularly
evaluate our estimates and assumptions, our actual results may
differ materially and adversely from our estimates. To the
extent there are material differences between the actual results
and these estimates, our future results of operations could be
significantly affected.
We believe the following critical accounting policies require us
to make significant judgments and estimates in the preparation
of our Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue recognition. Our policy is to recognize revenues
from sales of products to our customers when all of the
following conditions have been met: (a) persuasive evidence
of an arrangement exists; (b) delivery has occurred;
(c) the selling price is fixed or determinable; and
(d) collectibility is reasonably assured. This usually
occurs at the time of shipment. |
|
|
|
Consistent with standard business practice in the semiconductor
industry, price protection is granted to distribution customers
on their existing inventory of our products to compensate them
for declines in market prices. The ultimate decision to
authorize a distributor refund remains fully within our control.
We accrue a provision for price protection based on a rolling
historical price trend computed on a monthly basis as a
percentage of gross distributor sales. This historical price
trend represents differences in recent months between the
invoiced price and the final price to the distributor, adjusted
if required, to accommodate a significant move in the current
market price. The short outstanding inventory time period,
visibility into the standard inventory product pricing (as
opposed to certain customized products) and long distributor
pricing history have enabled us to reliably estimate price
protection provisions at period-end. We record the accrued
amounts as a deduction of revenue at the time of the sale. If
market conditions differ from our assumptions, this could have
an impact on future periods; in particular, if market conditions
were to deteriorate, net revenues could be reduced due to higher
product returns and price reductions at the time these
adjustments occur. |
|
|
Our customers occasionally return our products from time to time
for technical reasons. Our standard terms and conditions of sale
provide that if we determine that products are non-conforming,
we will repair or replace the non-conforming products, or issue
a credit or rebate of the purchase price. Quality returns |
51
|
|
|
are not related to any technological obsolescence issues and are
identified shortly after sale in customer quality control
testing. Quality returns are always associated with end-user
customers, not with distribution channels. We provide for such
returns when they are considered as probable and can be
reasonably estimated. We record the accrued amounts as a
reduction of revenue. |
|
|
Our insurance policies relating to product liability only cover
physical and other direct damages caused by defective products.
We do not carry insurance against immaterial, non-consequential
damages. We record a provision for warranty costs as a charge
against cost of sales based on historical trends of warranty
costs incurred as a percentage of sales which we have determined
to be a reasonable estimate of the probable losses to be
incurred for warranty claims in a period. Any potential warranty
claims are subject to our determination that we are at fault and
liable for damages, and such claims usually must be submitted
within a short period following the date of sale. This warranty
is given in lieu of all other warranties, conditions or terms
expressed or implied by statute or common law. Our contractual
terms and conditions limit our liability to the sales value of
the products, which gave rise to the claims. |
|
|
We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for potential
estimated losses resulting from our customers inability to
make required payments. We base our estimates on historical
collection trends and record a provision accordingly.
Furthermore, we are required to evaluate our customers
credit ratings from time to time and take an additional
provision for any specific account that we estimate as doubtful.
In 2005, we recorded specific provisions of $7 million
related to bankrupt customers, in addition to our standard
provision of 1% of total receivables based on the estimated
historical collection trends. Although we have determined that
our most significant customers are creditworthy, if the
financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate,
resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments,
additional allowances could be required. |
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill and purchased intangible assets. The purchase
method of accounting for acquisitions requires extensive use of
estimates and judgments to allocate the purchase price to the
fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired,
including in-process research and development, which is expensed
immediately. Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have
indefinite lives are not amortized but are instead subject to
annual impairment tests. The amounts and useful lives assigned
to other intangible assets impact future amortization. If the
assumptions and estimates used to allocate the purchase price
are not correct or if business conditions change, purchase price
adjustments or future asset impairment charges could be
required. At December 31, 2005, the value of goodwill
amounted to $221 million. |
|
|
|
Impairment of goodwill. Goodwill recognized in business
combinations is not amortized and is instead subject to an
impairment test to be performed on an annual basis, or more
frequently if indicators of impairment exist, in order to assess
the recoverability of its carrying value. Goodwill subject to
potential impairment is tested at a reporting unit level, which
represents a component of an operating segment for which
discrete financial information is available and is subject to
regular review by segment management. This impairment test
determines whether the fair value of each reporting unit for
which goodwill is allocated is lower than the total carrying
amount of relevant net assets allocated to such reporting unit,
including its allocated goodwill. If lower, the implied fair
value of the reporting unit goodwill is then compared to the
carrying value of the goodwill and an impairment charge is
recognized for any excess. In determining the fair value of a
reporting unit, we usually estimate the expected discounted
future cash flows associated with the reporting unit.
Significant management judgments and estimates are used in
forecasting the future discounted cash flows including: the
applicable industrys sales volume forecast and selling
price evolution; the reporting units market penetration;
the market acceptance of certain new technologies; and relevant
cost structure, the discount rates applied using a weighted
average cost of capital and the perpetuity rates used in
calculating cash flow terminal values. Our evaluations are based
on financial plans updated with the latest available projections
of the semiconductor market evolution, our sales expectations
and our costs evaluation and are consistent with the plans and
estimates that we use to manage our business. It is possible,
however, that the plans and estimates used may be incorrect, and
future adverse changes in market conditions or operating results
of acquired businesses not in line with our estimates may
require impairment of certain goodwill. In 2005, we had an
impairment of goodwill of $39 million related to the
elimination of the Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)
product lines. |
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Intangible assets subject to amortization. Intangible
assets subject to amortization include the cost of technologies
and licenses purchased from third parties, internally developed
software which is capitalized and purchased software. Intangible
assets subject to amortization are reflected net of any
impairment losses. These are amortized over a period ranging
from three to seven years. The carrying value of intangible
assets subject to amortization is evaluated whenever changes in
circumstances indicate that the |
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carrying amount may not be recoverable. In determining
recoverability, we initially assess whether the carrying value
exceeds the undiscounted cash flows associated with the
intangible assets. If exceeded, we then evaluate whether an
impairment charge is required by determining if the assets
carrying value also exceeds its fair value. An impairment loss
is recognized for the excess of the carrying amount over the
fair value. We normally estimate the fair value based on the
projected discounted future cash flows associated with the
intangible assets. Significant management judgments and
estimates are required and used in the forecasts of future
operating results that are used in the discounted cash flow
method of valuation, including: the applicable industrys
sales volume forecast and selling price evolution; our market
penetration; the market acceptance of certain new technologies;
and costs evaluation. Our evaluations are based on financial
plans updated with the latest available projections of the
semiconductor market evolution and our sales expectations and
are consistent with the plans and estimates that we use to
manage our business. It is possible, however, that the plans and
estimates used may be incorrect and that future adverse changes
in market conditions or operating results of businesses acquired
may not be in line with our estimates and may therefore require
impairment of certain intangible assets. In 2005, we registered
an impairment charge of $25 million. At December 31,
2005, the value of intangible assets subject to amortization
amounted to $224 million. |
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Property, plant and equipment. Our business requires
substantial investments in technologically advanced
manufacturing facilities, which may become significantly
underutilized or obsolete as a result of rapid changes in demand
and ongoing technological evolution. We estimate the useful life
for the majority of our manufacturing equipment, which is the
largest component of our long-lived assets, to be six years.
This estimate is based on our experience with using equipment
over time. Depreciation expense is a major element of our
manufacturing cost structure. We begin to depreciate new
equipment when it is put into use. |
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We evaluate each period whether there is reason to suspect that
tangible assets or groups of assets might not be recoverable.
Factors we consider important which could trigger an impairment
review include: significant negative industry trends,
significant underutilization of the assets or available evidence
of obsolescence of an asset and strategic management decisions
impacting production or an indication that its economic
performance is, or will be, worse than expected. Since a
significant portion of our tangible assets are carried by our
European affiliates and their cost of operations are mainly
denominated in euros, while revenues primarily are denominated
in U.S. dollars, the exchange rate dynamic may trigger
impairment charges. In determining the recoverability of assets
to be held and used, we initially assess whether the carrying
value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows associated with the
tangible assets or group of assets. If exceeded, we then
evaluate whether an impairment charge is required by determining
if the assets carrying value also exceeds its fair value.
We normally estimate this fair value based on independent market
appraisals or the sum of discounted future cash flows, using
market assumptions such as the utilization of our fabrication
facilities and the ability to upgrade such facilities, change in
the selling price and the adoption of new technologies. We also
evaluate the continued validity of an assets useful life
when impairment indicators are identified. Assets classified as
held for disposal are reflected at the lower of their carrying
amount or fair value less selling costs and are not depreciated
during the selling period. Selling costs include incremental
direct costs to transact the sale that we would not have
incurred except for the decision to sell. |
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Our evaluations are based on financial plans updated with the
latest projections of the semiconductor market and of our sales
expectations, from which we derive the future production needs
and loading of our manufacturing facilities, and which are
consistent with the plans and estimates that we use to manage
our business. These plans are highly variable due to the high
volatility of the semiconductor business and therefore are
subject to continuous modifications. If the future evolution
differs from the basis of our plans, both in terms of market
evolution and production allocation to our manufacturing plants,
this could require a further review of the carrying amount of
our tangible assets resulting in a potential impairment loss. In
2005, we registered an impairment charge of $3 million
related to the optimization of our Electrical Wafer Sorting
(EWS) activities (wafer test). |
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Inventory. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or
net realizable value. Cost is based on the weighted average cost
by adjusting standard cost to approximate actual manufacturing
costs on a quarterly basis; the cost is therefore dependent on
our manufacturing performance. In the case of underutilization
of our manufacturing facilities, we estimate the costs
associated with the excess capacity; these costs are not
included in the valuation of inventories but are charged
directly to cost of sales. Net realizable value is the estimated
selling price in the ordinary course of business less applicable
variable selling expenses. |
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The valuation of inventory requires us to estimate obsolete or
excess inventory as well as inventory that is not of saleable
quality. Provisions for obsolescence are estimated for excess
uncommitted inventories based on the previous quarter sales,
order backlog and production plans. To the extent that future
negative market conditions generate order backlog cancellations
and declining sales, or if future conditions are less favorable
than the projected revenue assumptions, we could be required to
record additional inventory provisions, which would have a
negative impact on our gross margin. |
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Share-based compensation. We have in the past accounted
for share-based compensation to employees in accordance with
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and
as such generally recognized no compensation cost for employee
stock options. In December 2004, the FASB issued revised
FAS No. 123, Share-Based Payment, or
FAS 123R, which requires companies to expense employee
share- based compensation for financial reporting purposes. Pro
forma disclosure of the income statement effects of share-based
compensation is no longer an alternative. We adopted
FAS 123R early in the fourth quarter of 2005 to account for
charges related to non-vested stock awards distributed to our
employees. As a result, we are now required to value the current
and any future employee share-based compensation pursuant to an
option pricing model, and then amortize that value against our
reported earnings over the vesting period in effect for those
awards. Due to this change in accounting treatment of employee
stock and other forms of share-based compensation, the
share-based compensation expense is charged directly against our
earnings. In order to assess the fair value of this share-based
compensation through a financial evaluation model, we are
required to make significant estimates since, pursuant to our
plan, awarding shares is contingent on the achievement of
certain financial objectives, including market performance and
financial results. We are required to estimate certain items,
including the probability of meeting the market performance, the
forfeitures and the service period of our employees. As a
result, we recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005 a total charge
of $9 million and we are expecting to incur additional
charges related to this plan during 2006. The impact is further
detailed in Note 15.6 to our Consolidated Financial
Statements Non-vested share awards. |
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Restructuring charges. We have undertaken, and we may
continue to undertake, significant restructuring initiatives,
which have required us, or may require us in the future, to
develop formalized plans for our existing activities or to
dispose of our activities. We recognize the fair value of a
liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity
when a probable liability exists and it can be reasonably
estimated. We record estimated charges for non-voluntary
termination benefit arrangements such as severance and
outplacement costs meeting the criteria for a liability as
described above. Given the significance of and the timing of the
execution of such activities, the process is complex and
involves periodic reviews of estimates made at the time the
original decisions were taken. As we operate in a highly
cyclical industry, we continue to evaluate business conditions.
If broader or new initiatives, which could include production
curtailment or closure of other manufacturing facilities, were
to be taken, we may be required to incur additional charges as
well as to change estimates of amounts previously recorded. The
potential impact of these changes could be material and have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations or
financial condition. In 2005, the amount of restructuring
charges and other related closure costs amounted to
$61 million before taxes. See Note 18 to our
Consolidated Financial Statements. |
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Income taxes. We are required to make estimates and
judgments in determining income tax expense for financial
statement purposes. These estimates and judgments also occur in
the calculation of certain tax assets and liabilities and
provisions. |
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We are required to assess the likelihood of recovery of our
deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely, we are required
to record a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets
that we estimate will not ultimately be recoverable, which would
increase our provision for income taxes. As of December 31,
2005, we believed that all of the deferred tax assets, net of
valuation allowances, as recorded on our balance sheet, would
ultimately be recovered. However, should there be a change in
our ability to recover our deferred tax assets or in our
estimates of the valuation allowance, or in the tax rates
applicable in the various jurisdictions, this could have an
impact on our future tax provision in the periods in which these
changes could occur. |
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In addition, the calculation of our tax liabilities involves
dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax
regulations. We record provisions for anticipated tax audit
issues based on our estimate that probable additional taxes will
be due. We reverse provisions and recognize a tax benefit during
the period if we ultimately determine that the liability is no
longer necessary. We record an additional charge |
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in our provision for taxes in the period in which we determine
that the recorded provision is less than we expect the ultimate
assessment to be. |
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Patent and other intellectual property litigation or
claims. As is the case with many companies in the
semiconductor industry, we have from time to time received, and
may in the future receive, communications alleging possible
infringement of patents and other intellectual property rights
of others. Furthermore, we may become involved in costly
litigation brought against us regarding patents, mask works,
copyrights, trademarks or trade secrets. In the event that the
outcome of any litigation would be unfavorable to us, we may be
required to take a license to the underlying intellectual
property right upon economically unfavorable terms and
conditions, and possibly pay damages for prior use, and/or face
an injunction, all of which singly or in the aggregate could
have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and
ability to compete. See Item 3. Key
Information Risk Factors Risks Related
to Our Operations We depend on patents to protect
our rights to our technology. |
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We record a provision when it is probable that a liability has
been incurred and when the amount of the loss can be reasonably
estimated. We regularly evaluate losses and claims with the
support of our outside attorneys to determine whether they need
to be adjusted based on the current information available to us.
Legal costs associated with claims are expensed as incurred. We
are in discussion with several parties with respect to claims
against us relating to possible infringements of patents and
similar intellectual property rights of others. |
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We are currently a party to several legal proceedings including
legal proceedings with SanDisk Corporation (SanDisk)
and Tessera, Inc. See Item 8. Financial
Information Legal Proceedings. As of the end
of 2005, based on our assessment there was no impact on our
financial statements relating to the SanDisk litigation.
However, if we are unsuccessful in resolving these proceedings,
or if the outcome of any other litigation or claim were to be
unfavorable to us, we may incur monetary damages, or an
injunction or exclusion order. |
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Pension and Post Retirement Benefits. Our results of
operations and our balance sheet include the impact of pension
and post retirement benefits that are measured using actuarial
valuations. These valuations are based on key assumptions,
including discount rates, expected long-term rates of return on
funds and salary increase rates. These assumptions are updated
on an annual basis at the beginning of each fiscal year or more
frequently upon the occurrence of significant events. Any
changes in the above assumptions can have an impact on our
valuations. As of December 31, 2005, we have a total
benefit obligation estimated at $323 million, and total
plan assets estimated at $194 million resulting in an
unfunded status of $129 million, of which $56 million
was registered in our balance sheet at December 31, 2005. |
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Other claims. We are subject to the possibility of loss
contingencies arising in the ordinary course of business. These
include, but are not limited to: warranty costs on our products
not covered by insurance, breach of contract claims, tax claims
and provisions for specifically identified income tax exposures
as well as claims for environmental damages. In determining loss
contingencies, we consider the likelihood of a loss of an asset
or the incurrence of a liability, as well as our ability to
reasonably estimate the amount of such loss or liability. An
estimated loss is recorded when it is probable that a liability
has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably
estimated. We regularly reevaluate any losses and claims and
determine whether they need to be readjusted based on the
current information available to us. In the event of litigation
that is adversely determined with respect to our interests, or
in the event we need to change our evaluation of a potential
third-party claim based on new evidence or communications, this
could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations or financial condition at the time it were to
materialize. |
Under Article 35 of our Articles of Association, our
financial year extends from January 1 to December 31, which
is the period end of each fiscal year. Our fiscal year starts at
January 1 and the first quarter of 2005 ended on April 2,
2005. The second quarter of 2005 ended on July 2, 2005, and
the third quarter of 2005 ended on October 1, 2005. The
fourth quarter ended on December 31, 2005. Based on our
fiscal calendar, the distribution of our revenues and expenses
by quarter may be unbalanced due to a different number of days
in the various quarters of the fiscal year.
55
In 2005, the semiconductor market experienced a moderate
increase in total sales after the strong growth recorded in
2004. Semiconductor industry data for 2005 indicates that
revenues improved supported by a solid economic environment in
the major world economies.
The total available market is defined as the TAM,
while the serviceable available market, the SAM, is
defined as the market for products produced by us (which
consists of the TAM and excludes PC motherboard major devices
such as microprocessors (MPU), dynamic random access
memories (DRAMs), and optoelectronics devices).
Based upon recently published data, semiconductor industry
revenues increased year-over-year by approximately 7% both for
the TAM and the SAM in 2005, to reach $227.5 billion and
approximately $152 billion, respectively. This increase was
driven by unit demand while average selling prices remained
basically flat. In the fourth quarter of 2005, the TAM and the
SAM increased approximately 9% and 13% year-over-year,
respectively, and increased by approximately 2% and 3%
sequentially, respectively.
Effective January 1, 2005, we realigned our product groups
to increase market focus and realize the full potential of our
products, technologies and sales and marketing channels. Since
such date we report our sales and operating income in three
product segments:
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the Application Specific Product Groups (ASG)
segment, comprised of three product lines our Home,
Personal and Communication Products (HPC), our
Computer Peripherals Products (CPG) and our
Automotive Products (APG). Our new HPC Sector is
comprised of the telecommunications, audio and digital consumer
groups. Our CPG products cover computer peripherals products,
specifically disk drives and printers, and our APG products now
comprise all of our major complex products related to automotive
applications. |
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the Memory Product Group (MPG) segment, comprised of
our memories and Smart card businesses; and |
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the Micro, Linear and Discrete Product Group (MLD)
segment, comprised of discrete and standard products plus
standard microcontroller and industrial devices (including the
programmable systems memories (PSM) division). |
Our principal investment and resource allocation decisions in
the semiconductor business area are for expenditures on research
and development and capital investments in front-end and
back-end manufacturing facilities. These decisions are not made
by product segments, but on the basis of the semiconductor
business area. All these product segments share common research
and development for process technology and manufacturing
capacity for most of their products.
Our 2005 revenues were characterized by significant high volume
demand and improved product mix, which did not translate into an
equivalent revenue performance due to persisting negative impact
of price pressure in the market we serve. As a result, our
revenues increased by approximately 1% to $8,882 million
compared to $8,760 million in 2004. Our sales growth was
driven primarily by Computer Peripherals, Telecom and Automotive
market segments while both Consumer and Industrial and Other
declined. Our sales trend, however, was below the TAM and the
SAM growth rates.
With reference to the quarterly results, our fourth quarter 2005
revenues performance was below the TAM and the SAM on a
year-over-year basis but stronger on a sequential basis.
On a year-over-year basis, our fourth quarter 2005 revenues
increased by approximately 3% to $2,389 million compared to
$2,328 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. Our sales
growth was driven primarily by Telecom and Computer Peripherals
while we registered declines in Consumer applications and
Industrial and Other. On a year-over-year basis, the TAM and the
SAM registered increases of approximately 9% and 13%
respectively.
On a sequential basis, in the fourth quarter 2005, revenues
increased approximately 6% driven by stronger demand in Telecom,
Consumer and Industrial and Other and Automotive. In particular,
sequential revenues were driven by the strong growth in
wireless. Our net revenues performance was firmly within our
guidance, which indicated a sequential growth of between 3% and
9%. Finally, our sales trend was above both the TAM and the SAM,
which registered an increase of approximately 2% and 3%,
respectively.
In 2005, the effective average U.S. dollar exchange rate
was $1.28 for
1.00, which
reflects current exchange rate levels and the impact of certain
hedging contracts, compared to a 2004 effective exchange rate of
$1.23 for
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1.00. For a more
detailed discussion of our hedging arrangements and the impact
of fluctuations in exchange rates, see Impact
of Changes in Exchange Rates below.
Our gross margin dropped from 36.8% in 2004 to 34.2% in 2005 due
to the negative impact of the declining sales price and of the
effective U.S. dollar exchange rate, which was partially
balanced by manufacturing and product mix improvements as well
as by the increased sales volume. Our fourth quarter gross
margin was well within our guidance that indicated a gross
margin of approximately 36% plus or minus one percentage point.
On a sequential basis, our gross margin increased from 34.1% to
36.5% in the fourth quarter 2005. Volume, enhanced product mix,
manufacturing performance and currency drove the improvements in
gross profit and gross margin.
Our operating expenses including selling, general and
administrative expenses and research and development were higher
in 2005 compared to 2004 due to higher spending in research and
development, the negative impact of the effective
U.S. dollar exchange rate, the one-time compensation
charges related to our former CEO and other retired senior
executives, the new pension scheme for executive management and
the 2005 share-based compensation for our employees and
members and professionals of the Supervisory Board.
Our total impairment and restructuring charges for 2005 were
significantly higher compared to 2004, given that in addition to
the ongoing 150-mm restructuring plan launched in 2003, we have
incurred charges related to the new 2005 restructuring and
reorganization plans. Our manufacturing initiatives are moving
forward and are becoming drivers of margin improvements as we
complete these programs and realize the associated benefits
during the fourth quarter of 2005 and through 2006.
The combined effect of the above mentioned factors and the other
operating items resulted in a net negative impact on our
operating income for 2005 compared to 2004; our operating income
decreased significantly from $683 million in 2004 to
$244 million in 2005. In the fourth quarter of 2005,
however, our operating income significantly improved compared to
the third quarter of 2005. This improvement was driven by higher
sales volume, an improved gross margin and lower expenses to
sales ratio due to a combination of higher sales and expense
control, combined with a more favorable effective average
U.S. dollar exchange rate.
Our interest income significantly improved in 2005 mainly as the
result of rising interest rates on our available cash. In 2005,
our income tax resulted in an expense of $8 million, also
positively affected by restructuring charges occurring under
higher tax rate jurisdictions and the reversal of some tax
provisions.
In summary, our financial results for 2005 compared to the
results of 2004 were favorably impacted by the following factors:
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higher sales volume and a more favorable product mix in our
revenues, which contributed to an increase in our net revenues
over 2004; |
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continuous improvement of our manufacturing performances; |
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net interest income; and |
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lower income tax expense. |
Our financial results in 2005 were negatively affected by the
following factors:
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negative pricing trends due to a persisting overcapacity in the
industry, which translated into our average selling prices
declining by approximately 8%, as a pure pricing effect; |
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the impact of the effective U.S. dollar exchange rate
against the euro and other currencies, which translated into an
increase of our cost of sales and in our operating expenses
being significantly higher than the favorable impact on our
revenues; |
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higher impairment, restructuring charges and other related
closure costs due to the new restructuring and reorganization
activities initiated in 2005; and |
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the one-time compensation packages and special bonuses to our
former CEO and to a limited number of retired senior executives,
the new pension scheme charges for executive management and the
share-based compensation charges for non-vested shares granted
to employees and members and professionals of our Supervisory
Board for a total of $37 million. |
In 2005, we continued to invest in upgrading and expanding our
manufacturing capacity. Total capital expenditures in 2005 were
$1,441 million, which were financed entirely by net cash
generated from operating
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activities. At December 31, 2005, we had cash and cash
equivalents of $2,027 million. Total debt and bank
overdrafts were $1,802 million, of which $269 million
were long-term debt.
In the fourth quarter of 2005, we continued to make steady
progress in improving our financial performance, with both
revenue and gross margin results in line with our objectives.
Sequential revenue growth was driven by strong performance in
wireless, where our product offerings provide important
functionality to a wide range of handset requirements.
Sequential improvement in our gross margin reflected, in
addition to currency, the impact of previously announced actions
and programs. Through a sharper focus in both research and
development and marketing and sales, operating expenses met our
targeted objectives. Additionally, cash generation in the
quarter was strong and at the year end our financial position
improved to a net cash balance of over $200 million. In
summary, in the fourth quarter of 2005, we saw progress across
our most important financial metrics.
The year 2005 has been devoted to strengthening and reshaping
our company into a stronger and more competitive leader. Key
competitive changes have been implemented. The cost savings
actions we announced at the beginning of the year delivered the
expected benefits of 2005, and we are on track to deliver
additional results in the coming year. New product designs have
accelerated. Customer base expansion efforts have been developed
and are being carried out. Therefore, as we move into 2006, we
are confident that we will continue to strengthen our financial
performance and product leadership based upon the execution of
our corporate performance roadmap.
We believe that moderate industry growth will continue into
2006. Within these dynamics, we expect to continue to make solid
progress in improving our performance thanks to our ongoing
plans and initiatives. As it is typical for the first quarter
seasonality, we expect our revenues for the first quarter of
2006 to decline from 2005 fourth quarter levels, but to be
significantly higher than our first quarter 2005 results.
Specifically, we expect sales to decrease between 1% and 7%
sequentially. Given the seasonal mix and volume impacts we
expect the gross margin to be about 35%, plus or minus
1 percentage point.
Our capital expenditures are targeted to be $1.8 billion
for 2006, with flexibility to modulate to market conditions.
This guidance is based on an effective currency exchange rate of
approximately $1.205 for
1.00, which
reflects current exchange rate levels combined with the impact
of existing hedging contracts.
These are forward-looking statements that are subject to
known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially; in particular, refer to
those known risks and uncertainties described in
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements and Item 3. Key
Information Risk Factors in this
Form 20-F.
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Other Developments in 2005 |
In January 2005, we decided to reduce our Access technology
products for CPE modem products. This decision was intended to
eliminate certain low-volume, non-strategic product families
whose return in the current environment did not meet internal
targets. This decision resulted in a total impairment charge of
approximately $67 million in 2005, out of which
$61 million related to impairment of intangible assets and
goodwill related to the CPE product lines.
On February 28, 2005, we signed an advanced pricing
agreement for the period 2001 through 2007 with the United
States Internal Revenue Service resulting in a net one-time tax
benefit of approximately $10 million in 2005. In the second
quarter of 2005, we benefited from a tax credit of
$18 million in relation to the application of the ETI
(Extraterritorial Income Exclusion) rules in the United States
after notification in writing by the local authorities.
At our annual general meeting of shareholders held on
March 18, 2005, our shareholders approved the appointment
of Mr. Carlo Bozotti as our President and Chief Executive
Officer replacing Mr. Pasquale Pistorio who retired. Our
shareholders also approved the distribution of a cash dividend
of $0.12 per common share in respect to the 2004 financial
year, equivalent to the prior years cash dividend payment,
for a total of approximately $107 million that was paid in
the second quarter of 2005. In addition, the shareholders
appointed our Supervisory Board and Managing Board members,
approved amendments to our Articles of Association and to our
2001 Employee Stock Option Plan, as well as approving a new
2005 share-based compensation for Supervisory Board members
and professionals, among other resolutions. Our Supervisory
Board is composed of Messrs. Gérald Arbola, Matteo del
Fante, Tom de Waard, Didier Lombard, Bruno Steve and Antonino
Turicchi,
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who were each appointed for a three-year term (to expire at our
2008 AGM), as well as Messrs. Doug Dunn, Francis Gavois and
Robert White, who were each appointed for a one-year term (to
expire at our 2006 AGM). Our Managing Board is composed of
Mr. Carlo Bozotti, our President and Chief Executive
Officer, who was appointed for a three-year term (to expire at
our 2008 AGM).
On May 16, 2005, we announced a head count restructuring
plan that, combined with other already announced initiatives,
will aim to reduce our workforce by 3,000 outside Asia by the
second half of 2006. From these new measures estimated to cost
between $100 to $130 million, we anticipate additional
savings of $90 million per year, at completion of the plan. On
June 8, 2005, we specified our restructuring efforts by
announcing the following: our workforce gross reduction in
Europe will represent about 2,300 jobs of the 3,000 already
announced; we will pursue the conversion of 150-mm and 200-mm
production tools; we will optimize on a global scale our
Electrical Wafer Sorting (EWS) activities; we will
harmonize and rationalize our support functions and we will
disengage from certain activities.
Pursuant to the joint venture agreement that we signed in 2004
with Hynix Semiconductor Inc., to build a front-end
memory-manufacturing facility in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province,
China, we made during 2005 capital contributions to the joint
venture totaling $38 million, of which $13 million
were paid in the fourth quarter of 2005. Under the agreement,
Hynix Semiconductor Inc., will contribute $500 million for
a 67% equity interest and we will contribute $250 million
for a 33% equity interest. In addition, we have committed to
grant $250 million in long-term financing for the joint
venture guaranteed by the subordinated collateral of the joint
ventures assets.
On June 30, 2005, we sold our interest in UPEK Inc. (a
spin-off of our former TouchChip business) for $13 million
and recorded in the second quarter of 2005 a gain amounting to
$6 million. Additionally, on June 30, 2005, we were
granted warrants for 2 million shares of UPEK Inc., at an
exercise price of $0.01 per share. The warrants are not
limited in time but can only be exercised in the event of a
change of control or an initial public offering of UPEK Inc.,
above a predetermined value.
On August 6, 2005, the
442 million
aggregate principal amount of
63/4%
mandatory exchangeable notes, initially issued by France Telecom
in 2002 and exchangeable into our common shares, reached
maturity. We were informed that the exchange ratio was 1.25 of
our common shares per each
20.92 principal
amount of notes, which resulted in the disposal by France
Telecom of approximately 26.4 million of our currently
existing common shares, representing the totality of the shares
entirely held by France Telecom in our company.
On September 6, 2005, we announced the appointment of two
new Corporate Vice Presidents: Mr. Reza Kazerounian was
promoted to the position of Corporate Vice President for the
North America region and Mr. Marco Luciano Cassis was
appointed to the position of Corporate Vice President of
STMicroelectronics Japan.
On October 17, 2005, we announced the creation of our new
Greater China region to focus exclusively on our
operations in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan and appointed
Mr. Robert Krysiak as Corporate Vice President and General
Manager of Greater China.
On October 25, 2005, upon the recommendation of its
Compensation Committee, our Supervisory Board approved the
conditions for the Executive-Vice Presidents and Corporate Vice
Presidents to become eligible for the Companys Executive
Pension Plan Scheme, as follows: eight years of seniority as
Executive Vice President or Corporate Vice President, the
Managing Boards decision to be elected into the plan and
variable pension amount according to the years of services with
the maximum pension after 13 years of service in these
positions. In 2005, a provision has been recorded totaling
$11 million.
In December 2005, Mr. Piero Mosconi retired, leaving his
role of Corporate Vice President and Treasurer, a position he
occupied since 1987. Treasury moved under the responsibility of
our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Carlo Ferro.
Mr. Giuseppe Notarnicola joined our Company and was
appointed Group Vice President, Corporate Treasurer.
Mr. Giordano Seragnoli, Corporate Vice President and
General Manager of our worldwide back-end manufacturing
operations, is also retiring at the end of the second quarter of
2006. Effective April 3, 2006, Jeffrey See, who is
currently General Manager of our manufacturing complex in Ang Mo
Kio (Singapore) will take over his responsibilities.
Mr. See will continue to be based in Singapore, close to
where the largest part of our assembly and test production is
located.
59
Upon the proposal of our Managing Board, our Supervisory Board
decided in January 2006 to recommend for the 2006 AGM, scheduled
in Amsterdam on April 27, 2006, the distribution of a cash
dividend of $0.12 per share, maintaining the same cash
dividend level as in the prior year.
Results of Operations
We operate in two business areas: Semiconductors and Subsystems.
In the Semiconductors business area, we design, develop,
manufacture and market a broad range of products, including
discrete, memories and standard commodity components,
application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs),
full custom devices and semi-custom devices and
application-specific standard products (ASSPs) for
analog, digital and mixed-signal applications. In addition, we
further participate in the manufacturing value chain of Smart
card products through our Incard division, which includes the
production and sale of both silicon chips and Smart cards.
In the Semiconductors business area, effective January 1,
2005, we realigned our product groups to increase market focus
and realize the full potential of our products, technologies and
sales and marketing channels. Since such date we report our
semiconductor sales and operating income in three product
segments:
|
|
|
|
|
Application Specific Product Groups (ASG) segment,
comprised of three product lines Home, Personal and
Communication Products (HPC), Computer Peripherals
Products (CPG) and new Automotive Products
(APG); |
|
|
|
Memory Product Group (MPG) segment; and |
|
|
|
Micro, Linear and Discrete Product Group (MLD)
segment. |
Our principal investment and resource allocation decisions in
the Semiconductor business area are for expenditures on research
and development and capital investments in front-end and
back-end manufacturing facilities. These decisions are not made
by product segments, but on the basis of the semiconductor
business area. All these product segments share common research
and development for process technology and manufacturing
capacity for most of their products. Please see
Item 4. Information on the Company
Business Overview.
We have restated our results in prior periods for illustrative
comparisons of our performance by product segment and by period.
The segment information of 2003 and 2004 has been restated using
the same principles applied to the current 2005 year. The
preparation of segment information according to the new segment
structure requires management to make significant estimates,
assumptions and judgments in determining the operating income of
the new segments for the prior years. However, we believe that
the prior years presentation is representative of 2005 and
we are using these comparatives when managing our business.
In the Subsystems business area, we design, develop, manufacture
and market subsystems and modules for the telecommunications,
automotive and industrial markets including mobile phone
accessories, battery chargers, ISDN power supplies and
in-vehicle equipment for electronic toll payment. Based on its
immateriality to our business as a whole, the Subsystems segment
does not meet the requirements for a reportable segment as
defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information (FAS 131).
The following tables present our consolidated net revenues and
consolidated operating income by semiconductor product segment.
For the computation of the segments internal financial
measurements, we use certain internal rules of allocation for
the costs not directly chargeable to the segments, including
cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and
a significant part of research and development expenses.
Additionally, in compliance with our internal policies, certain
cost items are not charged to the segments, including
impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure
costs, start-up costs
of new manufacturing facilities, some strategic and special
research and development programs or other corporate-sponsored
initiatives, including certain corporate level operating
expenses and certain other miscellaneous charges. Starting in
the first
60
quarter of 2005, we allocated the
start-up costs to
expand our marketing and design presence in new developing areas
to each segment, and we restated prior years results
accordingly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Net revenues by product segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application Specific Product Group Segment (ASG)
|
|
$ |
4,991 |
|
|
$ |
4,902 |
|
|
$ |
4,405 |
|
Memory Product Group Segment (MPG)
|
|
|
1,948 |
|
|
|
1,887 |
|
|
|
1,294 |
|
Micro, Linear and Discrete Product Group Segment (MLD)
|
|
|
1,882 |
|
|
|
1,902 |
|
|
|
1,469 |
|
Others(1)
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total consolidated net revenues
|
|
$ |
8,882 |
|
|
$ |
8,760 |
|
|
$ |
7,238 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes revenues from sales of subsystems mainly and other
products not allocated to product segments. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Operating income (loss) by product segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application Specific Product Group Segment (ASG)
|
|
$ |
355 |
|
|
$ |
530 |
|
|
$ |
582 |
|
Memory Product Group Segment (MPG)
|
|
|
(118 |
) |
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
(65 |
) |
Micro, Linear and Discrete Product Group Segment (MLD)
|
|
|
271 |
|
|
|
413 |
|
|
|
192 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating income of product segments
|
|
|
508 |
|
|
|
985 |
|
|
|
709 |
|
Others(1)
|
|
|
(264 |
) |
|
|
(302 |
) |
|
|
(375 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total consolidated operating income
|
|
$ |
244 |
|
|
$ |
683 |
|
|
$ |
334 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Operating income (loss) of Others includes items or
parts of them, which are not allocated to product segments such
as impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure
costs, start-up costs,
and other unallocated expenses, such as: strategic or special
research and development programs, certain corporate-level
operating expenses, certain patent claims and litigations, and
other costs that are not allocated to the product segments, as
well as operating earnings or losses of the Subsystems and Other
Products segment. Certain costs, mainly R&D, formerly in the
Others category, are now being allocated to the
segments; comparable amounts reported in this category have been
reclassified accordingly in the above table. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(As a percentage of | |
|
|
total net revenues) | |
Operating income (loss) by product segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application Specific Product Group Segment (ASG)(1)
|
|
|
7.1 |
% |
|
|
10.8 |
% |
|
|
13.2 |
% |
Memory Product Group Segment (MPG)(1)
|
|
|
(6.1 |
) |
|
|
2.2 |
|
|
|
(5.0 |
) |
Micro, Linear and Discrete Product Group Segment (MLD)(1)
|
|
|
14.4 |
|
|
|
21.7 |
|
|
|
13.1 |
|
Others(2)
|
|
|
(3.0 |
) |
|
|
(3.5 |
) |
|
|
(5.2 |
) |
Total consolidated operating income(3)
|
|
|
2.7 |
% |
|
|
7.8 |
% |
|
|
4.6 |
% |
|
|
(1) |
As a percentage of net revenues per product segment. |
|
(2) |
As a percentage of total net revenues. Operating income (loss)
of Others includes items or parts of them, which are
not allocated to product segments such as impairment,
restructuring charges and other related closure costs,
start-up costs, and
other unallocated expenses, such as: strategic or special
research and development programs, certain corporate-level
operating expenses, certain patent claims and litigations, and
other costs that are not allocated to the product segments, as
well as operating earnings or losses of the Subsystems and Other
Products segment. Certain costs, mainly R&D, formerly in the
Others category, are now being allocated to the
product segments; comparable amounts reported in this category
have been reclassified accordingly in the above table. |
|
(3) |
As a percentage of total net revenues. |
61
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Reconciliation to consolidated operating income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating income of product segments
|
|
$ |
508 |
|
|
$ |
985 |
|
|
$ |
709 |
|
Operating Income of others(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Strategic and other research and development programs
|
|
|
(49 |
) |
|
|
(91 |
) |
|
|
(52 |
) |
|
Start-up costs
|
|
|
(56 |
) |
|
|
(63 |
) |
|
|
(54 |
) |
|
Impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure costs
|
|
|
(128 |
) |
|
|
(76 |
) |
|
|
(205 |
) |
|
Subsystems
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
2 |
|
|
One-time compensation and special contributions(2)
|
|
|
(22 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patent claim costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
Other non-allocated provisions(3)
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(67 |
) |
|
|
(56 |
) |
Total operating income (loss) of others
|
|
|
(264 |
) |
|
|
(302 |
) |
|
|
(375 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total consolidated operating income
|
|
$ |
244 |
|
|
$ |
683 |
|
|
$ |
334 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Operating income (loss) of Others includes items or
parts of them, which are not allocated to product segments such
as impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure
costs, start-up costs,
and other unallocated expenses, such as: strategic or special
research and development programs, certain corporate-level
operating expenses, certain patent claims and litigations, and
other costs that are not allocated to the product segments, as
well as operating earnings or losses of the Subsystems and Other
Products segment. Certain costs, mainly R&D, formerly in the
Others category, are now being allocated to the
segments; comparable amounts reported in this category have been
reclassified accordingly in the above table. |
|
(2) |
One-time compensation and special contributions to our former
CEO and other executives not allocated to product segments. |
|
(3) |
Includes unallocated expenses such as certain corporate level
operating expenses and other costs. |
|
|
|
Net Revenues by Location of Order Shipment and by Market
Segment |
The table below sets forth information on our consolidated net
revenues by location of order shipment and as a percentage of
net revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Net Revenues by Location of Order Shipment:(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe(2)
|
|
$ |
2,789 |
|
|
$ |
2,827 |
|
|
$ |
2,306 |
|
North America
|
|
|
1,141 |
|
|
|
1,211 |
|
|
|
985 |
|
Asia/ Pacific
|
|
|
4,063 |
|
|
|
3,711 |
|
|
|
3,190 |
|
Japan
|
|
|
307 |
|
|
|
403 |
|
|
|
337 |
|
Emerging Markets(2)(3)
|
|
|
582 |
|
|
|
608 |
|
|
|
420 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
8,882 |
|
|
$ |
8,760 |
|
|
$ |
7,238 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Revenues by Location of Order Shipment:(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe(2)
|
|
|
31.4 |
% |
|
|
32.3 |
% |
|
|
31.9 |
% |
North America
|
|
|
12.8 |
|
|
|
13.8 |
|
|
|
13.6 |
|
Asia/Pacific
|
|
|
45.7 |
|
|
|
42.4 |
|
|
|
44.1 |
|
Japan
|
|
|
3.5 |
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
Emerging Markets(2)(3)
|
|
|
6.6 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Net revenues by location of order shipment region are classified
by location of customer invoiced. For example, products ordered
by U.S.-based companies
to be invoiced to Asia/ Pacific affiliates are classified as
Asia/ Pacific revenues. |
62
|
|
(2) |
Since January 1, 2005, the region Europe
includes the former East European countries that joined the EU
in 2004. These countries were part of the Emerging Markets
region in the previous periods. Net revenues for Europe and
Emerging Markets for prior periods were restated to include such
countries in the Europe region for such periods. |
|
(3) |
Emerging Markets in 2005 included markets such as India, Latin
America, the Middle East and Africa, Europe (non-EU and
non-EFTA) and Russia. |
The table below estimates, within a variance of 5% to 10% in
absolute dollar amounts, the relative weighting of each of the
target market segments in percentages of net revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(As a percentage of | |
|
|
net revenues) | |
Net Revenues by Market Segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Automotive
|
|
|
16 |
% |
|
|
15 |
% |
|
|
14 |
% |
Consumer
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
Computer
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
Telecom
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
Industrial and Other
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table sets forth certain financial data from our
consolidated statements of income since 2003, expressed in each
case as a percentage of net revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(As a percentage of | |
|
|
net revenues) | |
Net sales
|
|
|
99.9 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
99.9 |
% |
Other revenues
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenues
|
|
|
100.0 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
|
Cost of sales
|
|
|
(65.8 |
) |
|
|
(63.2 |
) |
|
|
(64.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
34.2 |
|
|
|
36.8 |
|
|
|
35.5 |
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
(11.6 |
) |
|
|
(10.8 |
) |
|
|
(10.9 |
) |
|
Research and development
|
|
|
(18.3 |
) |
|
|
(17.5 |
) |
|
|
(17.1 |
) |
|
Other income and expenses, net
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
Impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure costs
|
|
|
(1.5 |
) |
|
|
(0.9 |
) |
|
|
(2.8 |
) |
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
(31.5 |
) |
|
|
(29.0 |
) |
|
|
(30.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
|
7.8 |
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
Interest income (expense), net
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.7 |
) |
Loss on equity investment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss on extinguishment of convertible debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
(0.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes and minority interests
|
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
|
7.7 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
|
Income tax benefit (expense)
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
(0.8 |
) |
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before minority interests
|
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
|
|
|
3.5 |
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
3.0 |
% |
|
|
6.9 |
% |
|
|
3.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 vs. 2004
In 2005, based upon recently published industry data, the
semiconductor industry experienced a year-over-year revenue
increase of approximately 7% both for the total available market
(TAM) and the serviceable available market
(SAM).
63
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
% Variation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Net sales
|
|
$ |
8,876 |
|
|
$ |
8,756 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
% |
Other revenues
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenues
|
|
$ |
8,882 |
|
|
$ |
8,760 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in our net revenues in 2005 was primarily due to
our higher sales volumes and improved product mix, as our
average selling prices declined by approximately 8% due to the
continuing broad-based pressure in the markets we serve.
With respect to our product segments, ASG net revenues increased
2% over 2004, mainly due to a more favorable product mix, which
was, however, largely offset by continuous pricing pressure.
This revenue increase was generated by higher sales in Imaging,
Cellular Communication, Automotive and Data Storage products,
while Consumer registered a decline. MLD net revenues slightly
decreased 1% compared to 2004, mainly due to the negative price
impact that more than offset the sales volume increase
registered by all product segments. In 2005, MPG net revenues
increased by 3% compared to 2004; this increase was driven by a
large volume demand, particularly in Flash products and mainly
within NAND, despite a decline in our average selling prices.
Net revenues by market segment increased in Computer by
approximately 11%, Telecom by approximately 10% and Automotive
by approximately 7%, while Consumer and Industrial and Other
decreased by approximately 15% and 9%, respectively. As a
significant portion of our sales are made through distributors,
the foregoing are necessarily estimates within a variance of 5%
to 10% in absolute dollar amounts of the relative weighting of
each of our targeted market segments.
By location of order shipment, net revenues increased in the
Asia/ Pacific region by approximately 10%, while Japan, North
America, Emerging Markets and Europe net revenues decreased by
approximately 24%, 6%, 4% and 1%, respectively.
In 2005, we had several large customers, with the largest one,
the Nokia Group of companies, accounting for approximately 22%
of our net revenues, increasing from the 17% it accounted for in
2004. Our top ten OEM customers accounted for approximately 50%
of our net revenues in 2005, compared to approximately 44% of
our net revenues in 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
% Variation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Cost of sales
|
|
$ |
(5,845 |
) |
|
$ |
(5,532 |
) |
|
|
(5.7 |
)% |
Gross profit
|
|
$ |
3,037 |
|
|
$ |
3,228 |
|
|
|
(5.9 |
)% |
Gross margin (as a percentage of net revenues)
|
|
|
34.2 |
% |
|
|
36.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
The increase in our cost of sales is due to the strong sales
volume increase and the negative impact of the effective
U.S. dollar exchange rate because a large part of our
manufacturing activities is located in the euro zone. The
combined effect of price impact on our revenues and of the
increase in cost of sales generated a decrease in our gross
profit; as a result, our gross margin decreased
2.6 percentage points to 34.2% because the profitable
contribution of higher sales volume, improved product mix and
manufacturing efficiencies was offset by the negative impacts of
the decline in selling prices and of the effective
U.S. dollar exchange rate.
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
% Variation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
|
$ |
(1,026 |
) |
|
$ |
(947 |
) |
|
|
(8.4 |
)% |
As a percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
(11.6 |
)% |
|
|
(10.8 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was
largely due to the negative impact of the effective
U.S. dollar exchange rate, the one-time compensation
charges related to our former CEO and other retired senior
executives for $7 million, the new pension scheme for
executive management for $11 million, the share-based
compensation amounting to $5 million and the overall
increase in our expenditures.
64
|
|
|
Research and development expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
% Variation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Research and development expenses
|
|
$ |
(1,630 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,532 |
) |
|
|
(6.3 |
)% |
As a percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
(18.3 |
)% |
|
|
(17.5 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
The combined result of the negative impact of the effective
U.S. dollar exchange rate, higher spending in our research
and development activities, a $6 million one-time
termination charge for two former executives and a
$3 million share-based compensation charge resulted in an
increase of our research and development expenses in 2005. As a
percentage of net revenues, research and development expenses
grew at a higher rate than our net revenues, thus increasing
from 17.5% in 2004 up to 18.3% in 2005. Our reported research
and development expenses are mainly in the areas of product
design, technology and development and do not include marketing
design center costs, which are accounted for as selling
expenses, or process engineering, pre-production or
process-transfer costs, which are accounted for as cost of sales.
|
|
|
Other income and expenses, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
in millions) | |
Research and development funding
|
|
$ |
76 |
|
|
$ |
84 |
|
Start-up costs
|
|
|
(56 |
) |
|
|
(63 |
) |
Exchange gain (loss), net
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
33 |
|
Patent claim costs
|
|
|
(22 |
) |
|
|
(37 |
) |
Gain on sale of non-current assets, net
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
Other, net
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(13 |
) |
Other income and expenses, net
|
|
$ |
(9 |
) |
|
$ |
10 |
|
As a percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
(0.1 |
)% |
|
|
0.2 |
% |
Other income and expenses, net results include
miscellaneous items, such as research and development funding,
gains on sale of non-current assets,
start-up costs, net
exchange gain or loss and patent claim costs. In 2005, research
and development funding included income of some of our research
and development projects, which qualify as funding on the basis
of contracts with local government agencies in locations where
we pursue our activities. The major amounts of research and
development funding were received in Italy and France. In 2005,
research and development funding slightly decreased, compared to
2004. The net gain on sale of non-current assets of
$12 million is the result of the gain of $6 million on
the sale of our share in UPEK Inc., the gains on sales of
buildings and lands for a total of $8 million and losses of
$2 million on the sale of equipment.
Start-up costs in 2005
were related to our 150-mm fab expansion in Singapore and the
conversion to 200-mm fab in Agrate (Italy) and the
build-up of the 300-mm
fab in Catania (Italy). The net exchange loss related to
transactions not designated as a cash flow hedge denominated in
foreign currencies. Patent claim costs included costs associated
with several ongoing litigations and claims. These costs are
categorized either as patent litigation costs or
pre-litigation costs, amounting to $14 million and
$8 million, respectively.
|
|
|
Impairment, restructuring charges and other related
closure costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure costs
|
|
$ |
(128 |
) |
|
$ |
(76 |
) |
As a percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
(1.5 |
)% |
|
|
(0.9 |
)% |
In 2005, we recorded impairment, restructuring charges and other
related closure costs of $128 million. This expense was
mainly composed of:
|
|
|
|
|
Our new head count restructuring plan announced in May 2005,
which resulted in total charges of $41 million mainly for
employee termination benefits; the total cost of this
restructuring plan is estimated to be in a range of between $100
and $130 million and its completion is expected by the
second half of 2006; |
|
|
|
Our restructuring and reorganization activities initiated in the
first quarter of 2005, which generated a total charge of
impairment on goodwill and other intangible assets of
$63 million and $10 million for restructuring and
other related closure costs; this restructuring plan was fully
completed in 2005; |
65
|
|
|
|
|
Our ongoing 2003 restructuring plan and related manufacturing
initiatives generated restructuring charges of approximately
$13 million. As of December 31, 2005, we have incurred
$294 million of the total expected approximate
$350 million in pre-tax charges in connection with this
restructuring plan, which was announced in October 2003. We
expect to incur the balance in the coming quarters, which is
later than anticipated to accommodate unforeseen qualification
requirements of our customers, and to complete the plan in the
second half of 2006; and |
|
|
|
Our impairment review of goodwill and intangible assets that
resulted in a charge of $1 million. |
In 2004, we incurred $76 million of impairment,
restructuring charges and other related closure costs mainly
related to our 2003 restructuring plan. See Note 18 to our
Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
% Variation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Operating income
|
|
$ |
244 |
|
|
$ |
683 |
|
|
|
(64.3 |
%) |
As a percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
2.7 |
% |
|
|
7.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
The decrease in operating income was mainly caused by the
negative impact of the ongoing pricing pressure on our net
revenues, the negative impact of the effective U.S. dollar
exchange rate, an increase in our total operating expenses as
well as an increase of our impairment, restructuring charges and
other related closure costs. These negative factors were
partially compensated by overall improved efficiencies in our
manufacturing activities and higher volume of sales.
In 2005, our product segments were profitable with the exception
of MPG. ASG registered a decrease of its operating income from
$530 million in 2004 to $355 million in 2005, as
improved product mix was insufficient to compensate for strong
declines in selling prices and a decrease in consumer segment
sales. MLD operating income decreased from $413 million in
2004 to $271 million in 2005 mainly due to continuing price
pressure. In 2005, MPG registered an operating loss of
$118 million, compared to an operating income of
$42 million in 2004, mainly due to the significant negative
price impact on sales. All the product segments were negatively
impacted by the effective U.S. dollar exchange rate and
increased operating expenses.
|
|
|
Interest income (expense), net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Interest income (expense), net
|
|
$ |
34 |
|
|
$ |
(3 |
) |
The interest expense, net of $3 million for 2004, compared
to interest income, net of $34 million in 2005, reflects a
decrease in interest expense due to the repurchases of our 2010
Bonds and an increase in interest receivable on our available
cash due to rising interest rates on our cash positions mainly
denominated in U.S. dollars.
|
|
|
Loss on equity investments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Loss on equity investments
|
|
$ |
(3 |
) |
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
During 2005, we registered a loss, related to
start-up costs, of
$3 million mainly due to our investment as a minority
shareholder in our joint venture in China with Hynix
Semiconductor Inc. In 2004, we registered a loss of
$4 million with respect to SuperH, Inc., the joint venture
we formed with Renesas Ltd., which has subsequently been
terminated, and a $2 million loss with respect to UPEK
Inc., created with Sofinnova Capital IV FCRP as a venture
capital-funded purchase of our TouchChip business.
|
|
|
Loss on extinguishment of convertible debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Loss on extinguishment of convertible debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
We did not incur any loss on extinguishment of convertible debt
in 2005. In 2004, a loss of $4 million was recorded in
relation to the repurchase of our 2010 Bonds.
66
|
|
|
Income tax benefit (expense) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Income tax expense
|
|
$ |
(8 |
) |
|
$ |
(68 |
) |
In 2005, we had an income tax expense of $8 million, which
included, in addition to the current tax provision, the reversal
of certain tax provisions in the first and second quarters of
2005 for about $10 million following the conclusion of an
advanced pricing agreement for the period 2001 through 2007 with
the United States Internal Revenue Service and an income tax
benefit of $18 million in the United States pursuant to the
application of the ETI rules. Excluding these items, our
effective tax rate for the full year 2005 was approximately 13%,
which is the result of actual tax charges in each jurisdiction
for the total year, including tax benefit from restructuring
charges that occurred under jurisdictions whose tax rate is
higher than our average tax rate and that overall resulted in
reducing our effective tax rate in 2005. In 2004, we had an
income tax charge of $68 million. Excluding extraordinary
items, the effective tax rate in 2004 was approximately 15%. Our
tax rate is variable and depends on changes in the level of
operating profits within various local jurisdictions and on
changes in the applicable taxation rates of these jurisdictions,
as well as changes in estimated tax provisions due to new
events. We currently enjoy certain tax benefits in some
countries; as such benefits may not be available in the future
due to changes within the local jurisdictions, our effective tax
rate could increase in the coming years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
% Variation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Net income
|
|
$ |
266 |
|
|
$ |
601 |
|
|
|
(55.7 |
%) |
As a percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
3.0 |
% |
|
|
6.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
For 2005, we reported a net income of $266 million compared
to a net income of $601 million for 2004. Basic and diluted
earnings per share for 2005 were $0.30 and $0.29, respectively,
compared to basic and diluted earnings of $0.67 and
$0.65 per share for 2004. Net income in 2005 included
$101 million in charges net of income taxes, or
$0.11 per diluted share, related to impairment,
restructuring charges and other related closure costs, while net
income in 2004 included $51 million in charges net of
income taxes related to impairment restructuring charges and
other related closure costs, or $0.05 per diluted share.
2004 vs. 2003
In 2004, according to the most recently published industry data,
the semiconductor industry experienced a year-over-year revenue
increase of approximately 28% for the TAM and of approximately
26% for our SAM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
% Variation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Net sales
|
|
$ |
8,756 |
|
|
$ |
7,234 |
|
|
|
21.0 |
% |
Other revenues
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenues
|
|
$ |
8,760 |
|
|
$ |
7,238 |
|
|
|
21.0 |
% |
On a year-over-year basis, the increase in our 2004 net
sales was primarily due to our higher sales volumes and improved
product mix, as our average selling prices declined by
approximately 5% due to the continuing broad-based pricing
pressure in the markets we serve. The increase in our
2004 net revenues was mainly driven by higher demand
registered in all product segments and in particular in MPG and
MLD.
ASG net revenues increased by approximately 11%, compared to
2003, primarily as a result of improved product mix and higher
volume of sales, while average selling prices declined. Revenues
increased mainly in Digital Consumer, Automotive and Computer
Peripherals, while Telecom sales were flat, compared to 2003.
MLD net revenues increased by approximately 29% on a
year-over-year basis due mainly to an increase in volumes and an
improved product mix in almost all the product families. MPG net
revenues increased by approximately 46% compared to 2003 as a
result of an increase in volume and a more favorable product mix
in all memory products, particularly in Flash. All product
segments experienced declining average sale prices during 2004.
See Results of Operations above.
67
In 2004, by location of order shipment, approximately 42% of our
revenues came from orders shipped to Asia/ Pacific; 32% to
Europe; 14% to North America; 7% to Emerging Markets; and 5% to
Japan. The major increase was registered in the Emerging Markets
driven by the strong economic development in this area.
During 2004, we had several large customers, with the largest
one, the Nokia Group of companies, accounting for approximately
17.1% of our net revenues. Our top ten OEM customers accounted
for approximately 44% of our net revenues for the year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
% Variation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Cost of sales
|
|
$ |
(5,532 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,672 |
) |
|
|
(18.4 |
%) |
Gross profit
|
|
$ |
3,228 |
|
|
$ |
2,566 |
|
|
|
25.8 |
% |
Gross margin
|
|
|
36.8 |
% |
|
|
35.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
Our gross margin increased from 35.5% in 2003 to 36.8% in 2004,
lower than our initial expectation on the year-end gross margin.
This gross margin improvement is attributable to a variety of
factors, including higher sales volume and higher capacity
utilization in most of our factories, an overall improvement in
our manufacturing efficiency, and a more favorable product mix.
These improving factors were partially offset by the negative
impact of price decline and the sharp year-over-year decline in
the value of the U.S. dollar versus the major currencies in
which our manufacturing operations are located. The impact of
changes in foreign exchange rates on gross profit in 2004,
compared to 2003, was estimated to be negative since the
negative currency impact on cost of sales generated by the
weaker U.S. dollar versus the euro and other currencies was
greater than the favorable impact on net revenues. See
Impact of Changes in Exchange Rates
below.
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
% Variation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
|
$ |
(947 |
) |
|
$ |
(785 |
) |
|
|
(20.6 |
%) |
As a percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
(10.8 |
)% |
|
|
(10.9 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
Selling expenses have increased in relation to our increased
volume of sales and our enhanced spending in marketing
activities to broaden our customer base. Also, general and
administrative expenses increased mainly due to higher
expenditures in information technology and to the expansion of
our activities. Selling, general and administrative expenses
were also negatively impacted by the decline of the
U.S. dollar since large parts of these expenses are located
in the euro zone. Selling, general and administrative expenses
have increased at the same pace as our net revenues; as a
percentage of net revenues, selling, general and administrative
expenses were 10.8%, slightly improving compared to 2003.
|
|
|
Research and development expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
% Variation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Research and development expenses
|
|
$ |
(1,532 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,238 |
) |
|
|
(23.8 |
%) |
As a percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
(17.5 |
)% |
|
|
(17.1 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
The 2004 increase in research and development expenses resulted
primarily from greater spending on product design and technology
for our core activities and from the impact of the decline in
value of the U.S. dollar since a large part of our research
and development expenses is incurred in the euro zone. We
continued to invest heavily in research and development during
2004, and we increased our research and development staff by
approximately 1,000 people between December 2003 and December
2004. We continued to allocate significant resources to
strengthen our market position in key applications, reflecting
our commitment to customer service and continuing innovation.
Our reported research and development expenses are mainly in the
areas of product design, technology and development and do not
include marketing design center costs, which are accounted for
as selling expenses, or process engineering, pre-production or
process-transfer costs, which are accounted for as cost of sales.
68
|
|
|
Other income and expenses, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Research and development funding
|
|
$ |
84 |
|
|
$ |
76 |
|
Start-up costs
|
|
|
(63 |
) |
|
|
(55 |
) |
Exchange gain, net
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Patent claim costs
|
|
|
(37 |
) |
|
|
(29 |
) |
Gain on sale of non-current assets
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
Other, net
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
(18 |
) |
Other income and expenses, net
|
|
$ |
10 |
|
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
As a percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
0.2 |
% |
|
|
(0.1 |
%) |
Total Other income and expenses, net resulted in
income of $10 million in 2004, compared to an expense of
$4 million in 2003. The details of the various items is set
forth above. Research and development funding included income of
some of our research and development projects, which qualify as
funding on the basis of contracts with local government agencies
in locations where we pursue our activities. The major amounts
of funding were received in Italy and France. In 2004, these
fundings increased, compared to 2003, in line with the increased
number of funded projects and expenditures.
Start-up costs
represent costs incurred in the
start-up and testing of
our new manufacturing facilities. In 2004,
start-up costs included
the upgrading of our 200-mm fab in Agrate (Italy), the start of
our 300-mm pilot line in Crolles (France), the launch of our
150-mm fab in Singapore and the
build-up of our 300-mm
fab in Catania (Italy). Exchange gain, net, included the gain on
foreign exchange transactions. Patent claim costs are composed
of patent pre-litigation costs and patent litigation costs.
Patent litigation costs include legal and attorney fees and
payment of claims, and patent pre-litigation costs are composed
of consultancy fees and legal fees. Patent litigation costs are
costs incurred in respect of pending litigation. Patent
pre-litigation costs are costs incurred to prepare for licensing
discussions with third parties with a view to concluding an
agreement. Patent claim costs increased in 2004 in relation to
the costs associated with increased activity in connection with
patent litigation. In 2004, we settled our outstanding patent
litigation with both Motorola, Inc. and Freescale Semiconductor,
Inc. See Item 8. Financial Information
Legal Proceedings and Note 24 to our Consolidated
Financial Statements.
|
|
|
Impairment, restructuring charges and other related
closure costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure costs
|
|
$ |
(76 |
) |
|
$ |
(205 |
) |
As a percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
(0.9 |
)% |
|
|
(2.8 |
)% |
In 2004, we recorded a $76 million charge for impairment,
restructuring charges and other related closure costs, of which
$8 million related to impairment of intangible assets and
investments, $33 million of restructuring charges related
mainly to workforce termination benefits and $35 million
related to other closure costs. In 2004, the $76 million
charge for impairment, restructuring charges and other related
closure costs included $60 million related to our 150-mm
restructuring plan, $4 million for our back-end
restructuring, $8 million of impairment of intangible
assets and investments and $4 million for other
miscellaneous costs. In 2003, we recorded a charge of
$205 million, mainly associated with the initial impairment
charges recorded for our 150-mm restructuring plan. Through the
period ended December 31, 2004, we incurred
$281 million of the expected $350 million in pre-tax
charges associated with the restructuring plan that was defined
on October 22, 2003, and we expect to incur the remaining
$69 million in the coming quarters. We expect our
manufacturing restructuring plan to be completed by the second
half of 2006, later than previously anticipated. See
Impairment, Restructuring Charges and Other
Related Closure Costs below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
% Variation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Operating income
|
|
$ |
683 |
|
|
$ |
334 |
|
|
|
104.3 |
% |
As a percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
7.8 |
% |
|
|
4.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
The increase in operating income was mainly driven by the higher
level of sales, improved manufacturing performances and the
decrease in impairment, restructuring charges and other related
closure costs incurred in 2004. The impact of changes in foreign
exchange rates on operating income in 2004 compared to 2003 was
69
estimated to be substantially unfavorable because the decline of
the U.S. dollar versus the euro and other currencies
negatively impacted cost of sales and operating expenses, and
these currency impacts on costs were significantly higher than
the favorable impact on net sales. See Impact
of Changes in Exchange Rates below.
All product segments were profitable in 2004 despite the
negative effect of the effective U.S. dollar exchange rate,
which impacted the profitability of all segments. The increase
in operating income was particularly significant in MLD and MPG,
which in addition to the strong increase in volume benefited
from a more favorable pricing environment, while operating
income decreased in ASG mainly due to price pressure. The
operating income for our ASG segment decreased to
$530 million from $582 million in 2003. This
deterioration of operating income was due to a variety of
factors, including a significant price decline due to the effect
of strong competition in the markets we serve, the negative
impact of the effective U.S. dollar exchange rate and a
significant increase in research and development expenditures.
Operating income for MLD increased to $413 million in 2004
from $192 million in 2003. As a result of a revenue
increase generated by a higher volume of sales and a more
favorable product mix, as well as improved productivity in
manufacturing, MPG registered an operating income of
$42 million compared to an operating loss of
$65 million in 2003. See Results of
Operations above.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Interest expense, net
|
|
$ |
(3 |
) |
|
$ |
(52 |
) |
The decrease in interest expense in 2004 was mainly due to the
repurchases of our 2010 Bonds and the early redemption of the
2009 LYONs that occurred in 2004, which allowed us to save
approximately $50 million in interest charges. See
Note 20 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
|
|
Loss on equity investments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Loss on equity investments
|
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
In 2004, the shareholders agreed to restructure SuperH, Inc.,
the joint venture we formed with Hitachi, Ltd. (now Renesas), by
transferring SuperHs intellectual property to each
shareholder and continuing any further development individually.
Based upon estimates of forecasted cash requirements of the
joint venture, we paid and expensed an additional
$2 million in 2004. The increase in losses in 2004 also
relates to a new company, UPEK Inc., created with Sofinnova
Capital IV FCPR as a venture capital-funded purchase of our
TouchChip business for which we recorded losses of approximately
$2 million.
|
|
|
Loss on extinguishment of convertible debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Loss on extinguishment of convertible debt
|
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
(39 |
) |
In 2004, we recorded a non-operating pre-tax charge of
$4 million related to the repurchase of approximately
$472 million of the aggregate principal amount at maturity
of our 2010 Bonds. This charge included the price paid in excess
of the bonds accreted value for an amount of approximately
$3 million and the write-off of approximately
$1 million for the related bond issuance costs. The
decrease compared to 2003 was because we paid a premium in
repurchases of and wrote-off underwriter discounts related to
our 2010 Bonds, most of which were done in 2003.
|
|
|
Income tax benefit (expense) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Income tax benefit (expense)
|
|
$ |
(68 |
) |
|
$ |
14 |
|
In 2004, we had an income tax charge of $68 million,
compared to an income tax benefit of $14 million in 2003
which benefited from the favorable impact of significant
impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure
costs incurred during 2003 in higher tax rate jurisdictions.
Excluding impairment, restructuring charges and other related
closure costs, our effective tax rate in 2004 was 12.4%,
compared to 11.5% in 2003. Both 2004
70
and 2003 registered an income tax benefit related to effects of
change in enacted tax rate on deferred taxes and impact of final
tax assessments relating to prior years. Excluding impairment,
restructuring charges and other related closure costs and the
one-time benefits of 2004, our effective tax rate would have
been approximately 15%. Our tax rate is variable and depends on
changes in the level of operating profits within various local
jurisdictions and on changes in the applicable taxation rates of
these jurisdictions, as well as changes in estimated tax
provisions due to new events. We currently enjoy certain tax
benefits in some countries. These benefits may not be available
in the future due to changes within the local jurisdictions, and
our effective tax rate could increase in the coming years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
% Variation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Net income
|
|
$ |
601 |
|
|
$ |
253 |
|
|
|
137.3 |
% |
As a percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
6.9 |
% |
|
|
3.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
For 2004, we reported net income of $601 million, compared
to net income of $253 million for 2003. Basic and diluted
earnings per share for 2004 were $0.67 and $0.65, respectively,
compared to basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.29 and
$0.27, respectively, for 2003. Net income in 2004 included
$51 million in charges net of income taxes, or
$0.05 per diluted share, related to impairment,
restructuring charges and other related closure costs, while net
income in 2003 included $140 million in charges net of
income taxes related to impairment, restructuring charges and
other related closure costs, or $0.15 per diluted share.
Quarterly Results of Operations
Certain quarterly financial information for the years 2005 and
2004 are set forth below. Such information is derived from
unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, prepared on
a basis consistent with the Consolidated Financial Statements,
that include, in the opinion of management, all normal
adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the interim
information set forth therein. Operating results for any quarter
are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.
In addition, in view of the significant growth we have
experienced in recent years, the increasingly competitive nature
of the markets in which we operate, the changes in product mix
and the currency effects of changes in the composition of sales
and production among different geographic regions, we believe
that period-to-period
comparisons of our operating results should not be relied upon
as an indication of future performance.
Our quarterly and annual operating results are also affected by
a wide variety of other factors that could materially and
adversely affect revenues and profitability or lead to
significant variability of operating results, including, among
others, capital requirements and the availability of funding,
competition, new product development and technological change
and manufacturing. In addition, a number of other factors could
lead to fluctuations in operating results, including order
cancellations or reduced bookings by key customers or
distributors, intellectual property developments, international
events, currency fluctuations, problems in obtaining adequate
raw materials on a timely basis, impairment, restructuring
charges and other related closure costs, as well as the loss of
key personnel. As only a portion of our expenses varies with our
revenues, there can be no assurance that we will be able to
reduce costs promptly or adequately in relation to revenue
declines to compensate for the effect of any such factors. As a
result, unfavorable changes in the above or other factors have
in the past and may in the future adversely affect our operating
results. Quarterly results have also been and may be expected to
continue to be substantially affected by the cyclical nature of
the semiconductor and electronic systems industries, the speed
of some process and manufacturing technology developments,
market demand for existing products, the timing and success of
new product introductions and the levels of provisions and other
unusual charges incurred. Certain additions of quarterly results
will not total to annual results due to rounding.
In the fourth quarter of 2005, based upon recently published
data, the TAM and the SAM increased approximately 9% and 13%
year-over-year, respectively, and by approximately 2% and 3%
sequentially.
71
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended | |
|
% Variation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Dec 31, 2005 | |
|
Oct 1, 2005 | |
|
Dec 31, 2004 | |
|
Sequential | |
|
Year-over-year | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$ |
2,388 |
|
|
$ |
2,246 |
|
|
$ |
2,326 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
% |
|
|
2.6 |
% |
Other revenues
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenues
|
|
$ |
2,389 |
|
|
$ |
2,247 |
|
|
$ |
2,328 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
% |
|
|
2.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year-over-year comparison |
The increase of our fourth quarter 2005 net revenues was
mainly driven by significantly higher sales volume that was
largely offset by the negative impact of the decline in our
average selling prices. Due to ongoing pricing pressure in the
semiconductor market, our average selling prices decreased by
approximately 8% during the fourth quarter of 2005, compared to
the fourth quarter of 2004.
The trend in net revenues was different for each of our main
product segments, since MPG revenues increased, ASG net revenues
decreased and MLD net revenues remained flat. MPG net revenues
increased by approximately 18% as a result of a significant
increase in sales volume that more than compensated for the
average selling price decline; this increase is mainly due to
Flash products revenues that increased by 39%, and, in
particular NAND products. ASG net revenues decreased by
approximately 2% due to a significant price decline and to a
lower sales volume that more than offset the improved product
mix. Net revenues for MLD remained flat mainly due to the
continuous pressure on prices that exceeded the benefits of
higher sales volumes.
Net revenues by market segment increased in Telecom and Computer
by approximately 14% and 7%, respectively, and decreased in
Consumer, Industrial and Other and Automotive by approximately
14%, 5% and 1%, respectively. The foregoing are estimates within
a variance of 5% to 10% in absolute dollar amounts of the
relative weighting of each of our targeted market segments.
By location of order shipment, net revenues in Asia/ Pacific and
North America increased by approximately 15% and 2% respectively
while Emerging Markets net revenues remained basically flat. In
Japan as well as in Europe, net revenues decreased by
approximately 27% and 8%, respectively.
The combined effect of the significant increase in sales volume
and a more favorable product mix resulted in an increase in our
net revenues over third quarter 2005 despite the continuous
pricing pressure in the semiconductor market. During the fourth
quarter of 2005, we registered a further decline in our selling
prices of approximately 3%.
All product segments registered an increase in their net
revenues. Net revenues for ASG increased by approximately 3% as
a result of higher sales volumes partially offset by the average
selling price decline; the principal increases in net revenue
were registered in Imaging and Cellular Communication while Data
Storage revenues slightly decreased. MLD net revenues increased
5% due to higher sales volumes in all of its product groups. MPG
registered the most significant increase in net revenues with
14% growth due to improved product mix and higher volumes; total
sales of Flash products increased by approximately 23% out of
which sales of NAND products registered the most significant
increase.
Net revenues by segment market application increased by
approximately 14% in Telecom, 4% both in Consumer and Industrial
and Other, and 2% in Automotive, while Computer remained
approximately flat. As a significant portion of our sales are
made through distributors, the foregoing are necessarily
estimates within a variance of 5% to 10% in absolute dollar
amounts of the relative weighting of each of our targeted market
segments.
By location of order shipment, net revenues increased in all
regions; Asia/ Pacific and Europe each registered approximately
7% in revenue growth, America registered net revenues growth of
6%, Emerging Markets registered net revenue growth of 3% and
Japan registered net revenue growth of 1% due to seasonal
factors.
72
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended | |
|
% Variation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Dec 31, 2005 | |
|
Oct 1, 2005 | |
|
Dec 31, 2004 | |
|
Sequential | |
|
Year-over-year | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Cost of sales
|
|
$ |
(1,517 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,481 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,476 |
) |
|
|
(2.4 |
)% |
|
|
(2.8 |
)% |
Gross profit
|
|
$ |
872 |
|
|
$ |
766 |
|
|
$ |
852 |
|
|
|
13.8 |
% |
|
|
2.3 |
% |
Gross margin
|
|
|
36.5 |
% |
|
|
34.1 |
% |
|
|
36.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On a year-over-year basis, our cost of sales increased due the
combined effect of the increase in sales volume, which was
partially balanced by improved manufacturing efficiencies and
the positive impact of the effective U.S. dollar exchange
rate, which was equivalent to
1.00 for $1.230
in the fourth quarter of 2004 and $1.203 in the fourth quarter
of 2005. Additionally, our gross profit increased due to the
combined effect of the increase in sales volume, improved
efficiencies and the positive impact of the effective
U.S. dollar exchange rate which was partially balanced by
the decline in average selling prices. Our gross margin slightly
decreased from 36.6% to 36.5% due to the strong decline in our
average selling prices, which was almost offset by the improved
manufacturing efficiencies and the positive impact of the
effective U.S. dollar exchange rate.
On a sequential basis, our gross profit increase was driven by
higher sales volumes, improved product mix and manufacturing
performance as well as the positive impact of our
U.S. dollar effective exchange rate that were partially
offset by the continuing downward pressure on our selling
prices. Due to these factors, our gross margin improved to 36.5%.
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended | |
|
% Variation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Dec 31, 2005 | |
|
Oct 1, 2005 | |
|
Dec 31, 2004 | |
|
Sequential | |
|
Year-over-year | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
|
$ |
(259 |
) |
|
$ |
(248 |
) |
|
$ |
(245 |
) |
|
|
(4.6 |
)% |
|
|
(6.0 |
)% |
As percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
(10.9 |
)% |
|
|
(11.0 |
)% |
|
|
(10.5 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On a year-over-year basis, our selling, general and
administrative expenses increased mainly due a one time charge
of $4 million related to our new pension scheme for
executives and to the share-based compensation expense of
$5 million as well as higher expenditures in our
infrastructures. This resulted in an increase of the ratio of
10.9% as percentage of net revenues compared to 10.5% in the
fourth quarter of 2004.
Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased
sequentially mainly due to a one-time charge of $4 million
related to our new pension scheme for executives and to the
share-based compensation expense of $5 million. However, a
faster growth of our net revenues compared to our expenses and a
more favorable effective U.S. dollar exchange rate led to
an improvement of the fourth quarter 2005 ratio of 10.9% as a
percentage of net revenues compared to 11.0% for the third
quarter of 2005.
|
|
|
Research and development expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended | |
|
% Variation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Dec 31, 2005 | |
|
Oct 1, 2005 | |
|
Dec 31, 2004 | |
|
Sequential | |
|
Year-over-year | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Research and development expenses
|
|
$ |
(402 |
) |
|
$ |
(401 |
) |
|
$ |
(402 |
) |
|
|
(0.1 |
)% |
|
|
0.1 |
% |
As percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
(16.8 |
)% |
|
|
(17.9 |
)% |
|
|
(17.3 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On a year-over-year basis, as well as on a sequential basis, our
research and development expenses remained flat. Our research
and development expenses of the fourth quarter 2005 included
$3 million in share-based compensation costs for our
employees. Excluding these items, our research and development
expenses decreased sequentially mainly due to the seasonal
effect and the positive impact of the U.S. dollar exchange
rate. The foregoing impacts translated into a sequential
decrease in research and development expenses as a percentage of
net revenues.
73
|
|
|
Other income and expenses, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Dec 31, 2005 | |
|
Oct. 1, 2005 | |
|
Dec 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Research and development funding
|
|
$ |
29 |
|
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
$ |
47 |
|
Start-up costs
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
(18 |
) |
Exchange gain (loss) net
|
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
14 |
|
Patent claim costs
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(16 |
) |
Gain on sale of non-current assets
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Other, net
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
Other income and expenses, net
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
23 |
|
As a percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
0.1 |
% |
|
|
(0.1 |
)% |
|
|
1.0 |
% |
Other income and expenses, net results include
miscellaneous items such as research and development funding,
gains on sale of non-current assets and as expenses it mainly
includes start-up
costs, net exchange losses and patent claim costs. In the fourth
quarter 2005, research and development funding income was
associated with our research and development projects, which
qualify as funding on the basis of contracts with local
government agencies in locations where we pursue our activities.
The net gain on sale of non-current assets of $8 million is
the result of the gains on sales of real estate properties in
India and of certain equipment in other countries.
Start-up costs were
related to our conversion to 200-mm fab in Agrate (Italy), to
the build-up of the
300-mm fab in Catania (Italy) and to the 150-mm fab expansion in
Singapore. The net exchange loss related to transactions not
designated as a cash flow hedge denominated in foreign
currencies. Patent claim costs included costs associated with
several ongoing litigations and claims; these costs are
categorized either as patent litigation costs or pre-litigation
costs, amounting to $3 million and $3 million,
respectively.
|
|
|
Impairment, restructuring charges and other related
closure costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Dec 31, 2005 | |
|
Oct 1, 2005 | |
|
Dec 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure costs
|
|
$ |
(16 |
) |
|
$ |
(12 |
) |
|
$ |
(18 |
) |
As a percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
(0.7 |
)% |
|
|
(0.5 |
)% |
|
|
(0.8 |
)% |
Our impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure
costs of $16 million for the fourth quarter of 2005 were
composed of:
|
|
|
|
|
Our new headcount restructuring plan announced in May 2005,
which resulted in charges of $17 million mainly for
employee termination benefits; |
|
|
|
Our restructuring and reorganization activities initiated in the
first quarter of 2005, which generated an additional charge of
$1 million; and |
|
|
|
Our ongoing 2003 restructuring plan and related manufacturing
initiatives, which generated a positive impact of approximately
$2 million as a result of a reversal of a provision
pursuant to our decision made in the fourth quarter 2005 to keep
a back-end production line in France. |
See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Dec 31, 2005 | |
|
Oct 1, 2005 | |
|
Dec 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Operating income
|
|
$ |
197 |
|
|
$ |
102 |
|
|
$ |
210 |
|
In percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
8.2 |
% |
|
|
4.5 |
% |
|
|
9.0 |
% |
Our operating income decreased on a year-over-year basis mainly
due the negative impact of the ongoing pricing pressure on our
net revenues and the increase in our total operating expenses
mainly related to higher selling, general and administrative
expenses and lower other incomes. These negative factors were
partially compensated by overall improved efficiencies in our
manufacturing activities and higher volume of sales.
74
With respect to our product segments, on a year-over-year basis,
only MPG registered an improvement in its operating income. ASG
registered a decrease from $157 million compared to its
operating income of $137 million in the fourth quarter of
2004, due to the negative impact of ongoing pricing pressure,
lower sales and the negative impact of the effective
U.S. dollar exchange rate. MLD operating income decreased
from $105 million in the fourth quarter of 2004 to
$67 million in the fourth quarter of 2005 due to continuing
price pressure and increased operating expenses, while sales
remained flat. In the fourth quarter of 2005, MPG registered an
operating income of $27 million, compared to an operating
income of $4 million in the fourth quarter of 2004, mainly
due to significant increases in revenues and improved product
mix.
On a sequential basis, the main contributors to the increase of
our operating income, in addition to currency benefits, were
higher sales volumes, improved product mix and manufacturing
efficiencies that more than compensated for the further decline
in our selling prices.
On a sequential basis, with respect to our three product
segments, ASG reached a double-digit operating margin, MLD
maintained a nearly 14% margin level sequentially
notwithstanding tougher market conditions and as expected MPG
generated an operating profit. ASG improved its operating income
in the fourth quarter of 2005 to $137 million compared to
$81 million in the third quarter 2005; ASG profitability
benefited from higher sales and better product mix. MPG was able
to move from its operating loss of $17 million in the third
quarter of 2005 to an operating income of $27 million
mainly due to higher sales, better product mix and improved
manufacturing performances. MLD operating income in the fourth
quarter 2005 was $67 million compared to $68 million
in the third quarter of 2005; despite tougher pricing
conditions, MLD maintained its profitability by achieving higher
sales.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Dec 31, 2005 | |
|
Oct 1, 2005 | |
|
Dec 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Interest income, net
|
|
$ |
11 |
|
|
$ |
8 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
Our interest income increased both year-over-year and
sequentially. The year-over-year improvement reflects the
decrease in interest expense due to our repurchases of our 2010
Bonds. In addition, the interest rate on our cash and cash
equivalents has improved from approximately 2.3% at the end of
the fourth quarter of 2004 to 4.1% at the end of the fourth
quarter 2005.
|
|
|
Loss on equity investments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Dec 31, 2005 | |
|
Oct 1, 2005 | |
|
Dec 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Loss on equity investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
(2 |
) |
We did not record any major variation in the fourth quarter of
2005 in relation to our investments. Our current major
investment is as a minority shareholder in our joint venture in
China with Hynix Semiconductor Inc., which is in a
start-up phase. In the
fourth quarter of 2004, we recorded a $2 million charge
corresponding to the loss in the equity value of our
shareholding in UPEK Inc.
|
|
|
Income tax benefit (expense) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Dec 31, 2005 | |
|
Oct 1, 2005 | |
|
Dec 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Income tax expense
|
|
$ |
(25 |
) |
|
$ |
(18 |
) |
|
$ |
(26 |
) |
During the fourth quarter of 2005, we incurred an income tax
expense of $25 million as the result of actual tax charges
in each jurisdiction for the total year.
Our effective tax rate was 12.1% in the fourth quarter of 2005,
compared to 17.0% in the third quarter of 2005 and compared to
12.3% in the fourth quarter of 2004. The effective tax rate for
the fourth quarter of 2005 was prorated on the basis of actual
tax charges in each jurisdiction. Our tax rate is variable and
depends on changes in the level of operating income within
various local jurisdictions and on changes in the applicable
taxation rates of these jurisdictions, as well as changes in
estimated tax provisions due to new events. We currently enjoy
certain tax benefits in some countries; as such benefits may not
be available in the future due to
75
changes in the local jurisdictions, our effective tax rate could
be different in future quarters and may increase in the coming
years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Dec 31, 2005 | |
|
Oct 1, 2005 | |
|
Dec 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Net income
|
|
$ |
183 |
|
|
$ |
89 |
|
|
$ |
187 |
|
As percentage of net revenues
|
|
|
7.7 |
% |
|
|
3.9 |
% |
|
|
8.0 |
% |
For the fourth quarter of 2005, we reported net income of
$183 million, a significant improvement compared to
$89 million in the third quarter of 2005. On a
year-over-year basis, our net income was basically flat compared
to net income of $187 million in the fourth quarter of
2004, and declined to 7.7% as a percentage of net revenues.
Basic and diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of
2005 were both $0.20, comparable to the fourth quarter of 2004
with $0.21 and $0.20 respectively, and improved compared to the
basic and diluted earnings of $0.10 per share for the third
quarter of 2005.
Impact of Changes in Exchange Rates
Our results of operations and financial condition can be
significantly affected by material changes in exchange rates
between the U.S. dollar and other currencies where we
maintain our operations, particularly the euro, the Japanese yen
and other Asian currencies.
As a market rule, the reference currency for the semiconductor
industry is the U.S. dollar and product prices are mainly
denominated in U.S. dollars. However, revenues for certain
of our products (primarily dedicated products sold in Europe and
Japan) that are quoted in currencies other than the
U.S. dollar are directly affected by fluctuations in the
value of the U.S. dollar. As a result of the currency
variations, the appreciation of the euro compared to the
U.S. dollar could increase in the short term our level of
revenues when reported in U.S. dollars; revenues for all
other products, which are either quoted in U.S. dollars and
billed in U.S. dollars or in local currencies for payment,
tend not to be affected significantly by fluctuations in
exchange rates, except to the extent that there is a lag between
changes in currency rates and adjustments in the local currency
equivalent price paid for such products. Furthermore, certain
significant costs incurred by us, such as manufacturing, labor
costs and depreciation charges, selling, general and
administrative expenses, and research and development expenses,
are largely incurred in the currency of the jurisdictions in
which our operations are located, given that most of our
operations are located in the euro zone or other currency areas:
as such they tend to increase when translated in
U.S. dollars in case of dollar rate weakening or to reduce
when the dollar rate is strengthening.
Because our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, currency
exchange rate fluctuations affect our results of operations
because we receive a limited part of our revenues, and more
importantly, incur the majority of our costs, in currencies
other than the U.S. dollar. As described below, our
effective average U.S. dollar exchange rate declined in
value in 2005, particularly against the euro, causing us to
report higher expenses and negatively impacting both our gross
margin and operating income. Our Consolidated Statement of
Income for the year ended December 31, 2005 includes income
and expense items translated at the average exchange rate for
the period.
Our principal strategy to reduce the risks associated with
exchange rate fluctuations has been to balance as much as
possible the proportion of sales to our customers denominated in
U.S. dollars with the amount of raw materials, purchases
and services from our suppliers denominated in
U.S. dollars, thereby reducing the potential exchange rate
impact of certain variable costs relative to revenues. Moreover,
in order to further reduce the exposure to U.S. dollar
exchange fluctuations, we have hedged certain line items on our
income statement, in particular with respect to a portion of
cost of goods sold, most of the research and development
expenses and certain selling and general and administrative
expenses, located in the euro zone. Our effective average rate
of the euro to the U.S. dollar was $1.28 for
1.00 in 2005 and
it was $1.23 for
1.00 in 2004.
These effective exchange rates reflect the actual exchange rates
combined with the impact of hedging contracts matured in the
period.
As of December 31, 2005, the outstanding hedged amounts to
cover manufacturing costs were
380 million
and to cover operating expenses were
310 million,
at an average rate of about $1.205 and $1.20 per euro
respectively, maturing over the period from January 2006 to June
2006. As of December 31, 2005, these hedging contracts
represented a deferred loss of $13 million after tax,
registered in other comprehensive income in shareholders
equity, compared to a deferred gain of $59 million as of
December 31, 2004. Our hedging policy is not intended to
cover the full exposure. In addition, in order to mitigate
potential exchange rate risks on our
76
commercial transactions, we purchased and sold forward foreign
currency exchange contracts and currency options to cover
foreign currency exposure in payables or receivables at our
affiliates. We may in the future purchase or sell similar types
of instruments. See Item 11. Quantitative and
Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk for full details
of outstanding contracts and their fair values. Furthermore, we
may not predict in a timely fashion the amount of future
transactions in the volatile industry environment. Consequently,
our results of operations have been and may continue to be
impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates.
Our treasury strategies to reduce exchange rate risks are
intended to mitigate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations.
No assurance may be given that our hedging activities will
sufficiently protect us against declines in the value of the
U.S. dollar, therefore if the value of the U.S. dollar
increases, we may record losses in connection with the loss in
value of the remaining hedging instruments at the time. As a
result of losses incurred in respect of hedging contracts in
2005, we recorded total charges of $81 million, consisting
of charges of $51 million to cost of sales,
$23 million to research and development expenses, and
$7 million to selling, general and administrative expenses,
while in 2004, we registered a total income of $16 million.
As the result of the gains or losses on exchange on all the
other transactions, in 2005, we registered a net loss of
$16 million compared to a net gain of $33 million in
2004.
Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries are, for consolidation
purposes, translated into U.S. dollars at the period-end
exchange rate. Income and expenses are translated at the average
exchange rate for the period. The balance sheet impact of such
translation adjustments has been, and may be expected to be,
significant from period to period since a large part of our
assets and liabilities are accounted for in euro as their
functional currency. Adjustments resulting from the translation
are recorded directly in shareholders equity, and are
shown as accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss) in the consolidated statements of changes in
shareholders equity. At December 31, 2005, our
outstanding indebtedness was denominated principally in
U.S. dollars and, to a limited extent, in euros and in
Singapore dollars.
Effective January 1, 2006, we have changed the organization
of our Corporate Treasury and, simultaneously, we have created a
Treasury Committee to oversee our investment and foreign
exchange operations.
For a more detailed discussion, see Item 3. Key
Information Risk Factors Risks Related
to Our Operations Our financial results can be
adversely affected by fluctuations in exchange rates,
principally in the value of the U.S. dollar.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Treasury activities are regulated by our policies, which define
procedures, objectives and controls. The policies focus on the
management of our financial risk in terms of exposure to
currency rates and interest rates. Most treasury activities are
centralized, with any local treasury activities subject to
oversight from our head treasury office. The majority of our
cash and cash equivalents are held in U.S. dollars and are
placed with financial institutions rated A or
higher. Marginal amounts are held in other currencies. See
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
About Market Risk.
At December 31, 2005, cash and cash equivalents totaled
$2,027 million, compared to $1,950 million as of
December 31, 2004 and $2,998 million as of
December 31, 2003. During 2005, we invested in
credit-linked deposits issued by several primary banks in order
to maximize the return on available cash. The principal was
fully repaid to us in December 2005. We did not have marketable
securities at December 31, 2005 as well as at
December 31, 2004. Changes in the instruments adopted to
invest our liquidity in future periods may occur and may
significantly affect our interest income/(expense), net.
We maintain a significant cash position and a low debt to equity
ratio, which provide us with adequate financial flexibility. As
in the past, our cash management policy is to finance our
investment needs mainly with net cash generated from operating
activities.
Net cash from operating activities. As in prior periods,
the major source of cash during 2005 was cash provided by
operating activities. Our net cash from operating activities
totaled $1,798 million in 2005, decreasing compared to
$2,342 million in 2004 and $1,920 million in 2003.
Changes in our operating assets and liabilities resulted in net
cash used of $472 million in 2005, compared to net cash
used of $142 million in 2004. The main variations were due
to the net cash used for inventory, and more cash was used for
trade payables and for other assets and liabilities.
77
Net cash used in investing activities. Net cash used in
investing activities was $1,528 million in 2005, compared
to $2,134 million in 2004 and $1,439 million in 2003.
Payments for purchases of tangible assets were the main
utilization of cash, amounting to $1,441 million for 2005,
a significant decrease over the $2,050 million in 2004. The
2005 payments are net of $82 million proceeds from
equipment resale. In 2005, cash used for investments in
intangible assets and financial assets was $49 million and
capital contributions to equity investments was
$38 million. There were no payments for acquisitions in
2005 compared to $3 million paid in 2004 relating to the
portion of Synad Ltd. cash consideration.
Capital expenditures for 2005 were principally allocated to:
|
|
|
|
|
the capacity expansion of our 200-mm and 150-mm front-end
facilities in Singapore; |
|
|
|
the conversion to 200-mm of our front-end facility in Agrate
(Italy); |
|
|
|
the capacity expansion of our back-end plants in Muar
(Malaysia), Shenzhen (China), Toa Payoh (Singapore) and Malta; |
|
|
|
the expansion of our 200-mm front-end facility in Phoenix
(Arizona); |
|
|
|
the capacity expansion of our 200-mm front-end facility in
Rousset (France); |
|
|
|
the completion of building and continuation of facilities for
our 300-mm front-end plant in Catania (Italy); |
|
|
|
the expansion of an 150-mm front-end and a 200-mm pilot line in
Tours (France); and |
|
|
|
the expansion of the 300-mm front-end joint project with Philips
Semiconductor International B.V. and Freescale Semiconductor
Inc., in Crolles2 (France). |
Capital expenditures for 2004 were principally allocated to:
|
|
|
|
|
the expansion of our 200-mm and 150-mm front-end facilities in
Singapore; |
|
|
|
the expansion of our 200-mm front-end facility in Rousset
(France); |
|
|
|
the facilitization of our 300-mm facility in Catania (Italy); |
|
|
|
the upgrading of our front-end and research and development
pilot line in Agrate (Italy); |
|
|
|
the upgrading of our 200-mm front-end facility in Catania
(Italy); |
|
|
|
the expansion and upgrading of our front-end facilities 200-mm
in Phoenix and 150-mm in Carrollton (United States); and |
|
|
|
the capacity expansion in our back-end plants of Muar
(Malaysia), Toa Payoh (Singapore), Shenzhen (China) and Malta. |
Capital expenditures for 2003 were principally allocated to:
|
|
|
|
|
the expansion of our 200-mm and 150-mm front-end facilities in
Singapore; |
|
|
|
the upgrading of our 200-mm front-end plant in Agrate (Italy); |
|
|
|
the expansion of our 200-mm front-end facility in Rousset
(France); |
|
|
|
the expansion of our 300-mm facility in Crolles2 (France); |
|
|
|
the facilitization of our 300-mm facility in Catania
(Italy); and |
|
|
|
the expansion of our back-end facilities in Muar (Malaysia). |
Net operating cash flow. We define net operating cash
flow as net cash from operating activities minus net cash used
in investing activities, excluding payment for purchases of and
proceeds from the sale of marketable securities. We believe net
operating cash flow provides useful information for investors
because it measures our capacity to generate cash from our
operating activities to sustain our investments for our
operating activities. Net operating cash flow is not a
U.S. GAAP measure and does not represent total cash flow
since it does not include the cash flows generated by or used in
financing activities. In addition, our definition of net
operating cash flow
78
may differ from definitions used by other companies. Net
operating cash flow is determined as follows from our
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Net cash from operating activities
|
|
|
1,798 |
|
|
$ |
2,342 |
|
|
$ |
1,920 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(1,528 |
) |
|
|
(2,134 |
) |
|
|
(1,439 |
) |
Payment for purchase and proceeds from sale of marketable
securities, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating cash flow
|
|
$ |
270 |
|
|
$ |
208 |
|
|
$ |
477 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due to the capacity of our operating activities to generate cash
in excess of our investing activities, we generated net
operating cash flow of $270 million in 2005, compared to
net operating cash flow of $208 million in 2004. This
resulted mainly from the decrease in net cash used in investing
activities. In 2003, we generated a net operating cash flow of
$477 million.
Net cash used in financing activities. Net cash used in
financing activities was $178 million in 2005 compared to
$1,271 million in 2004. The major item of the cash used in
2005 was the payment of the dividends amounting to
$107 million, equivalent to the amount paid in 2004 while
the amount paid in 2003 was $71 million. The major item of
the cash used for financing activities in 2004 was the repayment
of long-term debt for a total amount of $1,288 million,
mainly consisting of the redemption of all outstanding 2009
LYONs for an amount paid of $813 million and of the
repurchase of all outstanding 2010 Bonds for an amount paid of
$375 million. These bonds were cancelled. During 2003, we
received proceeds from issuance of long-term debt of
$1,398 million, mainly related to the offering of our 2013
Bonds, and we repaid $1,432 million mainly related to
repurchases of our 2010 Bonds.
We define our net financial position as the difference between
our total cash position (cash and cash equivalents) net of total
financial debt (bank overdrafts, current portion of long-term
debt and long-term debt). Net financial position is not a
U.S. GAAP measure. We believe our net financial position
provides useful information for investors because it gives
evidence of our global position either in terms of net
indebtedness or net cash by measuring our capital resources
based on cash and cash equivalents and the total level of our
financial indebtedness. The net financial position is determined
as follows from our Consolidated Balance Sheets as at
December 31, 2005, December 31, 2004 and
December 31, 2003:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
2,027 |
|
|
$ |
1,950 |
|
|
$ |
2,998 |
|
Marketable securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cash position
|
|
|
2,027 |
|
|
|
1,950 |
|
|
|
2,998 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank overdrafts
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
(58 |
) |
|
|
(45 |
) |
Current portion of long-term debt
|
|
|
(1,522 |
) |
|
|
(133 |
) |
|
|
(106 |
) |
Long-term debt
|
|
|
(269 |
) |
|
|
(1,767 |
) |
|
|
(2,944 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total financial debt
|
|
|
(1,802 |
) |
|
|
(1,958 |
) |
|
|
(3,095 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net financial position
|
|
$ |
225 |
|
|
$ |
(8 |
) |
|
$ |
(97 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The net financial position (cash and cash equivalents net of
total financial debt) as of December 31, 2005 moved to a
positive net financial cash position of $225 million,
representing an improvement from the net financial debt position
of $8 million as of December 31, 2004. The improvement
of the net financial position mainly results from favorable net
operating cash flow generated during 2005.
At December 31, 2005, the aggregate amount of our long-term
debt was approximately $1,791 million, including
$1,379 million of 2013 Bonds. At the holders option,
any outstanding 2013 Bond may be redeemed for cash on
August 5, 2006, 2008 or 2010 for a total aggregate amount
payable by us of $1,379 million on August 5, 2006 or
$1,365 million on August 5, 2008 or
$1,352 million on August 5, 2010. As a result of this
holders
79
redemption option on August 5, 2006, the outstanding amount
of 2013 Bonds was classified in the consolidated balance sheet
as current portion of long-term debt. Additionally,
the aggregate amount of our short-term credit facilities was
approximately $1,957 million, under which approximately
$11 million of indebtedness was outstanding. Our long-term
financing instruments contain standard covenants, but do not
impose minimum financial ratios or similar obligations on us.
See Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
As of December 31, 2005, debt payments due by period and
based on the assumption that convertible debt redemptions are at
the holders first redemption option were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments Due by Period | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Total | |
|
2006 | |
|
2007 | |
|
2008 | |
|
2009 | |
|
2010 | |
|
Thereafter | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Long-term debt (including current portion)
|
|
|
1,791 |
|
|
|
1,522 |
|
|
|
119 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
During 2004, we redeemed all the outstanding 2009 LYONs for a
total amount of $813 million in cash.
In 2003, we repurchased approximately $1,674 million
aggregate principal amount at maturity of our 2010 Bonds, for a
total cash amount of approximately $1,304 million,
representing approximately 78% of the total amount initially
issued. In 2004, we repurchased all of our remaining outstanding
2010 Bonds for a total cash amount paid of $375 million.
The repurchased 2010 Bonds were cancelled.
As of the end of 2005, we have the following credit ratings on
our remaining convertible debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moodys | |
|
Standard & | |
|
|
Investors Service | |
|
Poors | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Zero Coupon Senior Convertible Bonds due 2013
|
|
|
A3 |
|
|
|
A- |
|
On October 11, 2005, Moodys issued a credit report
confirming the above rating and updating the outlook from
stable to negative.
In the event of a downgrade of these ratings, we believe we
would continue to have access to sufficient capital resources.
On February 23, 2006, we issued zero-coupon senior
convertible bonds due 2016 totaling gross proceeds of
$928 million. The amount due to bondholders upon redemption
or at maturity based on the accreted value of the bonds will
produce a yield equivalent to 1.5% per annum on a
semi-annual bond equivalent basis. We have granted an option to
increase the issue size by up to 5% for a period of 30 days
from settlement. Assuming full exercise of this option, gross
proceeds from the offering will be up to $974 million. The
bonds are convertible into a maximum of 42 million of our
underlying common shares, including the increase option. The
conversion price is $23.19, based on the closing price of common
shares on the New York Stock Exchange on February 14, 2006,
plus a 30% premium.
On February 28, 2006, we announced plans for an inaugural
senior unsecured bonds offering in the range of
500 million,
which we anticipate will be launched in the near future, subject
to market conditions.
80
|
|
|
Contractual Obligations, Commercial Commitments and
Contingencies |
Our contractual obligations, commercial commitments and
contingencies as of December 31, 2005, and for each of the
five years to come and thereafter, were as follows(1):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total | |
|
2006 | |
|
2007 | |
|
2008 | |
|
2009 | |
|
2010 | |
|
Thereafter | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Capital leases(3)
|
|
$ |
26 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
Operating leases(2)
|
|
|
271 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
102 |
|
Purchase obligations(2)
|
|
|
1,053 |
|
|
|
940 |
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of which:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment purchase
|
|
|
576 |
|
|
|
576 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foundry purchase
|
|
|
260 |
|
|
|
260 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Software, technology licenses and design
|
|
|
217 |
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joint Venture Agreement with Hynix Semiconductor Inc.(2)(5)
|
|
|
212 |
|
|
|
212 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Obligations(2)
|
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Long-term debt obligations (including
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
current portion)(3)(4)
|
|
|
1,791 |
|
|
|
1,522 |
|
|
|
119 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
Pension obligations(3)
|
|
|
270 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
145 |
|
Other non-current liabilities(3)
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
3,751 |
|
|
$ |
2,820 |
|
|
$ |
306 |
|
|
$ |
157 |
|
|
$ |
93 |
|
|
$ |
81 |
|
|
$ |
294 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Contingent liabilities which cannot be quantified are excluded
from the table above. |
|
(2) |
Items not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at
December 31, 2005. |
|
(3) |
Items reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at
December 31, 2005. |
|
(4) |
See Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements at
December 31, 2005 for additional information related to
long-term debt and redeemable convertible securities, in
particular, in respect to the noteholders option to put
our convertible bonds for earlier redemption in August 2006. |
|
(5) |
These amounts correspond to our capital commitments to the joint
venture, but not the additional $250 million in loans that
we have committed to provide. |
Operating leases are mainly related to building leases. The
amount disclosed is composed of minimum payments for future
leases from 2006 to 2010 and thereafter. We lease land,
buildings, plants and equipment under operating leases that
expire at various dates under non-cancelable lease agreements.
Purchase obligations are primarily comprised of purchase
commitments for equipment, for outsourced foundry wafers and for
software licenses.
We signed a joint venture agreement with Hynix Semiconductor
Inc. (Hynix), on November 16, 2004 to build a
front-end memory-manufacturing facility in Wuxi City, Jiangsu
Province, China. As the business license for the joint venture
was obtained in April 2005, we paid $38 million of capital
contributions up to December 31, 2005. We expect to fulfill
our remaining financial obligations up to our total contribution
of $250 million in 2006. In addition, we are committed to
grant long-term financing for $250 million to the new joint
venture guaranteed by subordinated collateral on the joint
ventures assets. Furthermore, we have contingent future
loading obligations to purchase products from the joint venture,
which have not been included in the table above because, at this
stage, the amounts remain contingent and non-quantifiable.
Long-term debt obligations mainly consist of bank loans and
convertible debt issued by us that is totally or partially
redeemable for cash at the option of the holder. They include
maximum future amounts that may be redeemable for cash at the
option of the holder, at fixed prices. At the holders
option, any outstanding 2013 Bond may be redeemed for cash on
August 5, 2006, 2008 or 2010 for a total aggregate amount
payable by us of $1,379 million on August 5, 2006 or
$1,365 million on August 5, 2008 or
$1,352 million on August 5, 2010. The conversion ratio
is $985.09 per $1,000 principal amount of 2013 Bonds at
August 5, 2006, $975.28 at August 5, 2008 and $965.56
at August 5, 2010, subject to adjustments in certain
circumstances. As a result of this holders redemption
option in August 2006, the outstanding amount of 2013 Bonds was
classified in the consolidated balance sheet as current
portion of long-term debt at December 31, 2005.
81
Pension obligations amounting to $270 million consist of
our best estimates of the amounts that will be payable by us for
the retirement plans based on the assumption that our employees
will work for us until they reach the age of retirement. The
final actual amount to be paid and related timings of such
payments may vary significantly due to early retirements or
terminations. This amount does not include the additional
pension plan for a total of $11 million granted by our
Supervisory Board to our former CEO, to a limited number of
retired senior executives in the first quarter of 2005 and to
our executive management in the fourth quarter of 2005, which
was recorded as current liabilities as we are intending to
transfer this obligation to an insurance company. We accrued the
estimated premiums to expenses during 2005.
Other non-current liabilities include future obligations related
to our restructuring plans and miscellaneous contractual
obligations.
Other obligations primarily relate to contractual firm
commitments with respect to cooperation agreements.
Off-Balance Sheet
Arrangements
As described above, we signed a joint-venture agreement in 2004
with Hynix to build a $2 billion front-end
memory-manufacturing facility in China. At December 31,
2005, we had identified the joint venture as a Variable Interest
Entity (VIE), but had determined that we are not the primary
beneficiary of the VIE. We account for our share in the Hynix ST
joint venture under the equity method. As of December 31,
2005, we had not provided any debt financing to the joint
venture under our commitments described above. Our current
maximum exposure to loss, as a result of our involvement with
the joint venture, is limited to our equity and debt investment
commitments.
At December 31, 2005, we had convertible debt instruments
outstanding. Our convertible debt instruments contain certain
conversion and redemption options that are not required to be
accounted for separately in our financial statements. See the
discussion below for more information about our convertible debt
instruments and related conversion and redemption options.
We have no other material off-balance sheet arrangements at
December 31, 2005.
We currently expect that capital spending for 2006 will be
approximately $1.8 billion, an increase compared to the
$1.4 billion spent in 2005. The major part of our capital
spending will be dedicated to the leading edge technology fabs
by increasing capacity in the 300-mm and for saturation of the
existing 200-mm. We have the flexibility to modulate our
investments up or down in response to changes in market
conditions. At December 31, 2005, we had $576 million
in outstanding commitments for equipment purchases for 2006.
The most significant of our 2006 capital expenditure projects
are expected to be: for the front-end facilities, (i) the
expansion of the 300-mm front-end joint project with Philips
Semiconductor International B.V. and Freescale Semiconductor
Inc., in Crolles 2 (France); (ii) the facilitization of a
portion of our 300-mm plant in Catania (Italy); (iii) the
upgrading to finer geometry technologies for our 200-mm plant in
Rousset (France); (iv) the capacity expansion and the
upgrading of our 200-mm plant in Singapore; (v) the
upgrading of our 200-mm fab and pilot line in Agrate (Italy);
and (vi) for the back-end facilities, the capital
expenditures will be mainly dedicated to the capacity expansion
in our plants in Shenzhen (China), Bouskoura (Morocco) and Muar
(Malaysia). We will continue to monitor our level of capital
spending by taking into consideration factors such as trends in
the semiconductor industry, capacity utilization and announced
additions. We expect to have significant capital requirements in
the coming years and in addition we intend to continue to devote
a substantial portion of our net revenues to research and
development. We plan to fund our capital requirements from cash
provided by operating activities, available funds and available
support from third parties (including state support), and may
have recourse to borrowings under available credit lines and, to
the extent necessary or attractive based on market conditions
prevailing at the time, the issuing of debt, convertible bonds
or additional equity securities. A substantial deterioration of
our economic results and consequently of our profitability could
generate a deterioration of the cash generated by our operating
activities. Therefore, there can be no assurance that, in future
periods, we will generate the same level of cash as in the
previous years to fund our capital expenditures for expansion
plans, our working capital requirements, research and
development and industrialization costs.
The holders of our 2013 Bonds may require us to redeem them on
August 5, 2006 at a price of $985.09 per one thousand
dollar face value. The conversion ratio is $985.09 per
$1,000 principal amount of 2013 Bonds at August 5, 2006,
$975.28 at August 5, 2008 and $965.56 at August 5,
2010, subject to adjustments in certain circumstances. The total
redeemable amount will be equivalent to $1,379 million on
August 5, 2006. There can be no assurance that additional
financing will be available as necessary, or that any such
financing, if available,
82
will be on terms acceptable to us. However, we believe that our
ability to meet debt obligations is fully backed by our existing
liquidity and may be complemented by our cash flow plan and/or
by accessing equity and/or debt capital markets.
Impact of Recently Issued U.S. Accounting Standards
In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 151,
Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43,
Chapter 4 (FAS 151). The Statement
requires abnormal amounts of idle capacity and spoilage costs to
be excluded from the cost of inventory and expensed when
incurred. The provisions of FAS 151 are applicable
prospectively to inventory costs incurred during fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 2005. We early adopted
FAS 151 in 2005. As costs associated with underutilization
of manufacturing facilities have historically been charged
directly to cost of sales, FAS 151 has not had a material
effect on our financial position or results of operations.
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 153,
Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an amendment of APB Opinion
No. 29 (FAS 153). This Statement
amends Opinion No. 29 to eliminate the exception to the
basic fair value measurement principle for nonmonetary exchanges
of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general
exception for exchanges of transactions that do not have
commercial substance, that is, transactions that are not
expected to result in significant changes in the cash flows of
the reporting entity. The Statement is effective prospectively
for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods
beginning after June 15, 2005, with early application
permitted. We adopted FAS 153 early in 2005 but have not
had any material nonmonetary exchanges of assets since
FAS 153 was published. Therefore, FAS 153 has not had
a material effect on our financial position or results of
operations.
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123
(revised 2004), Share-Based Payment and the related FASB
Staff Positions (collectively FAS 123R). This
Statement revises FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation and supersedes APB Opinion
No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,
and its related implementation guidance. FAS 123R requires
a public entity to measure the cost of share-based service
awards based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That
cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee
is required to provide service in exchange for the award or the
requisite service period, usually the vesting period. The
grant-date fair value of employee share options and similar
instruments will be estimated using option-pricing models
adjusted for the unique characteristics of those instruments.
FAS 123R also requires more extensive disclosures than the
previous standards relating to the nature of share-based payment
transactions, compensation cost and cash flow effects. On
April 14, 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission
amended the effective date of FAS 123R; the Statement now
applies to all awards granted and to all unvested awards
modified, repurchased, or cancelled during the first annual
reporting period beginning after June 15, 2005. We are
required to adopt FAS 123R in the first quarter of 2006 or
earlier, and we elected an early adoption in the fourth quarter
of 2005 using the modified prospective application method. In
2005, we redefined our equity-based compensation strategy in
order to maintain a more effective policy in motivating and
retaining key employees, by no longer granting options but
rather issuing non-vested stock. As part of this revised stock
compensation policy, we decided in July 2005 to accelerate the
vesting period of outstanding unvested stock options, following
authorization from our shareholders at the annual general
meeting held on March 18, 2005. As a result, options
equivalent to approximately 32 million shares became
exercisable immediately. Based on the market value of our
shares, all these options had no intrinsic economic value at the
date of acceleration. Furthermore, following the authorization
of our Shareholders meetings of March 2005, we have decided a
new plan in the fourth quarter 2005 by granting non-vested stock
awards to senior executives, selected employees and members of
the Supervisory Board equivalent to approximately
4.1 million of shares. Part of our treasury shares was
designated to be used for these new share-based remuneration
programs. According to FAS 123R, we registered a total
charge of $9 million in our income statement. The full
impact on our financial position and results of operations is
illustrated in the information presented in Note 15.6 to
our Consolidated Financial Statements
Non-vested share awards.
In 2005, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board
Interpretation No. 47 Accounting for Conditional Asset
Retirement Obligations (FIN 47). FIN 47 clarifies
certain terms of Financial Accounting Standards Board
No. 143 Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations
(FAS 143) and related FASB Staff Positions, and deals
with obligations to perform asset retirement activities in which
the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on
a future event, such as legal requirements surrounding asbestos
handling and disposal that are triggered by demolishing or
renovating a facility. The new guidance requires entities to
recognize liabilities for these obligations if the fair value of
a conditional asset retirement obligation can be
83
reasonably estimated. Upon adoption of FIN 47, we
identified our conditional asset retirement obligations and
determined that none had a material effect on our financial
position or results of operations for the year ended
December 31, 2005.
Impairment, Restructuring Charges and Other Related Closure
Costs
In 2005, we have incurred charges related to the main following
items: (i) the 150-mm restructuring plan started in 2003;
(ii) the streamlining of certain activities decided in the
first quarter 2005; (iii) the headcount reduction plan
announced in second quarter of 2005; and (iv) the yearly
impairment review.
During the third quarter of 2003, we commenced a plan to
restructure our 150-mm fab operations and part of our back-end
operations in order to improve cost competitiveness. The 150-mm
restructuring plan focuses on cost reduction by migrating a
large part of European and U.S. 150-mm production to
Singapore and by upgrading production to a finer geometry 200-mm
wafer fab. The plan includes the discontinuation of production
of Rennes, France; the closure as soon as operationally feasible
of the 150-mm wafer pilot line in Castelletto, Italy; and the
downsizing by approximately one-half of the 150-mm wafer fab in
Carrollton, Texas. Furthermore, the 150-mm wafer fab productions
in Agrate, Italy and Rousset, France will be gradually
phased-out in favor of 200-mm wafer
ramp-ups at existing
facilities in these locations, which will be expanded or
upgraded to accommodate additional finer geometry wafer
capacity. This manufacturing restructuring plan designed to
enhance our cost structure and competitiveness is moving ahead
and we expect it to be completed in the second half of 2006
later than previously anticipated to accommodate unforeseen
qualification requirements of our customers. The total plan of
impairment and restructuring costs for the front-end and
back-end reorganization is estimated to be approximately
$350 million pre-tax of which $294 million has been
incurred as of December 31, 2005 ($13 million in 2005,
$76 million in 2004 and $205 million in 2003). The
total actual costs that we will incur may differ from these
estimates based on the timing required to complete the
restructuring plan, the number of people involved, the final
agreed termination benefits and the costs associated with the
transfer of equipment, products and processes.
In the first quarter of 2005, we announced our decision to
reduce Access technology products for CPE modem products in
order to eliminate certain low volume, non-strategic product
families whose returns in the current environment did not meet
internal targets. This decision resulted in a total charge of
$73 million for impairment of intangible assets and
goodwill related to the CPE product lines and certain additional
restructuring charges. This plan was completed in 2005.
In the second quarter of 2005, we announced a restructuring plan
that, combined with other initiatives, aims to reduce our
workforce by 3,000 outside Asia by the second half of 2006, of
which 2,300 are planned for Europe. We will also pursue the
upgrading of the 150-mm production fabs to 200-mm, we will
optimize on a global scale our Electrical Wafer Sorting
(EWS) activities and we will harmonize and streamline our
support functions and disengage from certain activities. The
total cost of these new measures has been estimated in the range
of $100 to $130 million pre-tax at the completion of the
plan, of which $41 million has been incurred as of
December 31, 2005. The total actual costs that we will
incur may differ from these estimates based on the timing
required to complete the restructuring plan, the number of
people involved, the final agreed termination benefits and the
costs associated with the transfer of equipment, products and
processes. This plan is expected to be completed in the second
half of 2006.
In the third quarter of 2005, we performed the impairment test
on an annual basis in order to assess the recoverability of the
goodwill carrying value. As a result of this review, we have
registered a $1 million charge in our 2005 accounts.
84
Impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure
costs incurred in 2005 are summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Total Impairment, | |
|
|
|
|
Restructuring | |
|
|
|
|
Charges and | |
|
|
|
|
Restructuring | |
|
Other Related | |
|
Other Related | |
|
|
Impairment | |
|
Charges | |
|
Closure Costs | |
|
Closure Costs | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions of U.S. dollars) | |
150-mm fab plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(13 |
) |
Restructuring initiatives decided in the first quarter 2005
|
|
|
(63 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(73 |
) |
Restructuring plan decided in the second quarter 2005
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(37 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(41 |
) |
Other
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
(67 |
) |
|
|
(50 |
) |
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
(128 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In 2005, total cash outlays for the restructuring plan amounted
to $56 million, corresponding mainly to the payment of
expenses consisting of $33 million related to our 150-mm
restructuring plan, $8 million related to our first quarter
restructuring initiatives, $13 million related to our
second quarter 2005 restructuring plan and $2 million
related to other obligations accrued in 2004.
See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Equity Method Investments
In 2001, we formed with Renesas Technology Corp. (previously
known as Hitachi, Ltd.) a joint venture to develop and license
reduced instruction set computing (RISC)
microprocessors. The joint venture, SuperH Inc., was initially
capitalized with our contribution of $15 million in cash
plus internally developed technologies with an agreed intrinsic
value of $14 million for a 44% interest. Renesas Technology
Corp. contributed $37 million in cash for a 56% interest.
We accounted for our share in the SuperH, Inc. joint venture
under the equity method based on the actual results of the joint
venture. During 2002 and 2003, we made additional capital
contributions on which accumulated losses exceeded our total
investment, which was shown at zero carrying value in the
consolidated balance sheet.
In 2003, the shareholders agreement was amended to require
from us an additional $3 million cash contribution. This
amount was fully accrued, based on the inability of the joint
venture to meet its projected business plan objectives, and the
charge was reflected in the 2003 consolidated statement of
income line Impairment, restructuring charges and other
related closure costs. In 2004, the shareholders agreed to
restructure the joint venture by transferring the intellectual
properties to each shareholder and continuing any further
development individually. Based upon estimates of forecasted
cash requirements of the joint venture, we paid an additional
$2 million, which was reflected in the 2004 consolidated
statement of income as Loss on equity investments.
In 2005, the joint venture was liquidated with no further losses
incurred.
In 2004, we formed with Sofinnova Capital IV FCPR a new
company, UPEK Inc., as a venture capital-funded purchase of our
TouchChip business. UPEK Inc. was initially capitalized with our
transfer of the business, personnel and technology assets
related to the fingerprint biometrics business, formerly known
as the TouchChip Business Unit, for a 48% interest. Sofinnova
Capital IV FCPR contributed $11 million in cash for a
52% interest. During the first quarter of 2005, an additional
$9 million was contributed by Sofinnova Capital IV
FCPR, reducing our ownership to 33%. We accounted for our share
in UPEK Inc. under the equity method and recorded in 2004 losses
of approximately $2 million, which were reflected in the
2004 consolidated statement of income as Loss on equity
investments.
On June 30, 2005, we sold our interest in UPEK Inc, for
$13 million and recorded in the second quarter of 2005 a
gain amounting to $6 million in Other Income and
Expenses, net of our consolidated statement of income.
Additionally, on June 30, 2005, we were granted warrants
for 2,000,000 shares of UPEK Inc. at an exercise price of
$0.01 per share. The warrants are not limited in time but
can only be exercised in the event of a change of control or an
Initial Public Offering of UPEK Inc. above a predetermined value.
85
In 2004, we signed and announced the joint venture agreement
with Hynix Semiconductor to build a front-end
memory-manufacturing facility in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province,
China. The joint venture is an extension of the NAND Flash
Process/product joint development relationship. Construction of
the facility began in 2005. When complete, the fab will employ
approximately 1,500 people and will feature a 200-mm wafer
production line planned to begin production at the end of 2006
and a 300-mm wafer production line planned to begin production
in 2007. The total investment planned for the project is
$2 billion. We will be contributing 33% of the equity
financing, equivalent to $250 million, while Hynix will
contribute 67%. We will also contribute $250 million as
long-term debt to the new joint venture, guaranteed by
subordinated collateral on the joint ventures assets. As
of December 31, 2005, we have not provided any debt
financing to the joint venture under this commitment. Our
current maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement
with the joint venture is limited to our equity and debt
investment commitments. The financing will also include credit
from local Chinese institutions, involving debt and a long
leasehold. In 2005, our contributions to the equity investment
reached approximately $38 million. We plan to subscribe the
additional capital of $212 million in 2006 concurrently
with Hynix and once the financing from local financing
institutions is in place.
We have identified the joint venture as a Variable Interest
Entity (VIE) at December 31, 2005, but have determined
that we are not the primary beneficiary of the VIE. We are
accounting for our share in the Hynix ST joint venture under the
equity method based on the actual results of the joint venture
and recorded losses of approximately $4 million as
Loss on equity investments in our 2005 Consolidated
Statement of Income.
Backlog and Customers
We entered 2006 with a backlog (including frame orders) that was
significantly higher than we had entering 2005. This increase is
due to high level of bookings and frames registered in the
fourth quarter of 2005. However, the level of frame orders
included in our backlog is high and is subject to significant
adjustments on the basis of future customer demand. In 2005, we
had several large customers, with the Nokia Group of companies
being the largest and accounting for approximately 22% of our
revenues. Total original equipment manufacturers
(OEMs) accounted for approximately 82% of our net
revenues, of which the top ten OEM customers accounted for
approximately 50%. Distributors accounted for approximately 18%
of our net revenues. We have no assurance that the Nokia Group
of companies, or any other customer, will continue to generate
revenues for us at the same levels. If we were to lose one or
more of our key customers, or if they were to significantly
reduce their bookings, or fail to meet their payment
obligations, our operating results and financial condition could
be adversely affected.
86
|
|
Item 6. |
Directors, Senior Management and Employees |
Directors and Senior Management
The management of our company is entrusted to the Managing Board
under the supervision of the Supervisory Board.
The Supervisory Board advises the Managing Board and is
responsible for supervising the policies pursued by the Managing
Board and the general course of our affairs and business. The
Supervisory Board consists of such number of members as is
resolved by the annual shareholders meeting upon a non-binding
proposal of the Supervisory Board, with a minimum of six
members. Decisions by the annual shareholders meeting concerning
the number and the identity of our Supervisory Board members are
made by a simple majority of the votes cast at a meeting,
provided quorum conditions are met (15% of our outstanding share
capital present or represented).
Our Supervisory Board had the following nine members since our
annual shareholders meeting on March 18, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name(1) |
|
Position | |
|
Year Appointed(2) | |
|
Term Expires | |
|
Age | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Gérald Arbola
|
|
|
Chairman |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
57 |
|
Bruno Steve
|
|
|
Vice Chairman |
|
|
|
1989 |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
Matteo del Fante
|
|
|
Member |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
Tom de Waard
|
|
|
Member |
|
|
|
1998 |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
Douglas Dunn
|
|
|
Member |
|
|
|
2001 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
61 |
|
Francis Gavois
|
|
|
Member |
|
|
|
1998 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
Didier Lombard
|
|
|
Member |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
Antonino Turicchi
|
|
|
Member |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
Robert M. White
|
|
|
Member |
|
|
|
1996 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Messrs. Riccardo Gallo and Alessandro Ovi, who were
Supervisory Board Members throughout fiscal year 2004, were
replaced by Messrs. Antonino Turicchi and Matteo del Fante
at the annual general meeting on March 18, 2005. |
|
(2) |
As a member of the Supervisory Board. |
After our annual general meeting of shareholders, the
Supervisory Board appointed Mr. Gérald Arbola as
Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Mr. Bruno Steve as
Vice Chairman, each for a three-year term. In addition, the
Supervisory Board appointed Presidents and members to the
Strategic Committee, the Audit Committee and the Compensation
Committee. Mr. Gérald Arbola was appointed President
of the Strategic Committee, and Messrs. Bruno Steve,
Antonino Turicchi, Didier Lombard and Robert White were
appointed as members. Mr. Tom de Waard was appointed
President of the Audit Committee, Messrs. Robert White and
Doug Dunn were appointed members and Messrs. Matteo del
Fante and Francis Gavois were appointed as observers.
Mr. Gérald Arbola was appointed President of the
Compensation Committee, and Messrs. Bruno Steve, Antonino
Turicchi, Didier Lombard and Tom de Waard were appointed as
members.
During our annual shareholders meeting in 2006, the mandates of
three of our Supervisory Board members, Messrs. Dunn,
Gavois and White, will expire. Messrs. Steve, Arbola, del
Fante, de Waard, Lombard and Turicchi all have mandates which
will expire at our annual shareholders meeting in 2008.
Resolutions of the Supervisory Board require the approval of at
least three-quarters of its members. The Supervisory Board must
meet upon request by two or more of its members or by the
Managing Board. The Supervisory Board has established procedures
for the preparation of Supervisory Board resolutions and the
calendar for Supervisory Board meetings. The Supervisory Board
meets at least five times a year, including once a quarter to
approve our quarterly and annual accounts and their release. Our
Supervisory Board has adopted a Supervisory Board Charter
setting forth its duties, responsibilities and operations, as
mentioned below. This charter is available on our website at
http://www.st.com/stonline/company/governance/index.htm. As part
of those duties, Supervisory Board members in 2004 performed a
self-evaluation, and evaluated the Managing Board. In 2005, the
Supervisory Board approved an updated version of its charter.
There is no mandatory retirement age for members of our
Supervisory Board pursuant to Dutch law. Members of the
Supervisory Board may be suspended or dismissed by the annual
shareholders meeting. The
87
Supervisory Board may make a proposal to the annual shareholders
meeting for the suspension or dismissal of one or more of its
members. The members of the Supervisory Board receive
compensation as authorized by the annual shareholders meeting.
Each member of the Supervisory Board must resign no later than
three years after appointment, as described in our Articles of
Association, but may be reappointed following the expiry of such
members term of office.
Gérald Arbola was appointed to our Supervisory Board at the
2004 annual shareholders meeting and was reelected at the 2005
annual shareholders meeting. Mr. Arbola was appointed the
Chairman of our Supervisory Board on March 18, 2005.
Mr. Arbola previously served as Vice Chairman of our
Supervisory Board from April 23, 2004 until March 18,
2005. Mr. Arbola is also Chairman of our Supervisory
Boards Compensation Committee and Strategic Committee, and
serves on its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Mr. Arbola has served as Chief Financial Officer and member
of the Executive Board of Areva since July 3, 2001.
Mr. Arbola joined the Cogema group in 1982 as Director of
Planning and Strategy for SGN, then served as Chief Financial
Officer at SGN from 1985 to 1989, becoming Executive Vice
President of SGN in 1988 and Chief Financial Officer of Cogema
in 1992. He was appointed as a member of the executive committee
in 1999, and also served as Chairman of the Board of SGN in 1997
and 1998. Mr. Arbola is currently a member of the boards of
directors of Cogema, Framatome ANP, Areva T&D Holdings and
Chairman of Areva Finance Gestion S.A. and Cogerap.
Mr. Arbola is a graduate of the Institut dEtudes
Politiques de Paris and holds an advanced degree in economics.
Mr. Arbola is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of ST
Holding and a Chairman of the Board of Directors of FT1CI.
Bruno Steve has been a member of our Supervisory Board since
1989 and was appointed Vice Chairman of our Supervisory Board on
March 18, 2005, and previously served as Chairman of our
Supervisory Board from March 27, 2002 through
March 18, 2005, from July 1990 through March 1993, and from
June 1996 until May 1999. He also served as Vice Chairman of the
Supervisory Board from 1989 to July 1990 and from May 1999
through March 2002. Mr. Steve serves on our Supervisory
Boards Compensation Committee as well as on its Nominating
and Corporate Governance and Strategic Committees. He was with
Istituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale-IRI S.p.A.
(IRI), a former shareholder of Finmeccanica,
Finmeccanica and other affiliates of I.R.I. in various senior
positions for over 17 years. Mr. Steve is currently
President of the board of statutory auditors of Alitalia S.p.a.
Until December 1999, he served as Chairman of MEI. He served as
the Chief Operating Officer of Finmeccanica from 1988 to July
1997 and Chief Executive Officer from May 1995 to July 1997. He
was Senior Vice President of Planning, Finance and Control of
I.R.I. from 1984 to 1988. Prior to 1984, Mr. Steve served
in several key executive positions at Telecom Italia. He is also
a professor at LUISS Guido Carli University in Rome.
Mr. Steve was Vice Chairman from May 1999 to March 2002,
Chairman from March 2002 to May 2003 and member until his
resignation on April 21, 2004 of the Supervisory Board of
ST Holding, our largest shareholder.
Matteo del Fante was appointed to our Supervisory Board at our
2005 annual shareholders meeting. Mr. del Fante is also a
non-voting observer on its Audit Committee. Mr. del Fante
has served as the Chief Financial Officer of CDP in Rome since
the end of 2003. Prior to joining CDP, Mr. del Fante held
several positions at JPMorgan Chase in London, England, where he
became Managing Director in 1999. During his 13 years with
JPMorgan Chase, Mr. del Fante worked with large European
clients on strategic and financial operations. Mr. del
Fante obtained his degree in Economics and Finance from
Università Bocconi in Milan in 1992, and followed graduate
specialization courses at New York Universitys Stern
Business School. Mr. del Fante is the Vice Chairman of the
Supervisory Board of ST Holding, our largest shareholder.
Tom de Waard has been a member of our Supervisory Board since
1998. Mr. de Waard was appointed Chairman of the Audit
Committee by the Supervisory Board in 1999 and Chairman of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in 2004 and 2005,
respectively. He also serves on our Supervisory Boards
Compensation Committee. Mr. de Waard has been a partner of
Clifford Chance, a leading international law firm, since March
2000 and was the Managing Partner of Clifford Chance Amsterdam
office from May 1, 2002 until May 1, 2005. As of
January 1, 2005, he was elected to the Management Committee
of Clifford Chance, where he represents Continental Europe.
Prior to joining Clifford Chance, he was a partner at Stibbe,
where he held several positions since 1971 and gained extensive
experience working with major international companies,
particularly with respect to corporate finance. He is a member
of the Amsterdam bar and was President of the Netherlands Bar
Association from 1993 through 1995. He received his law degree
from Leiden University in 1971. Mr. de Waard is a member of
the Supervisory Board of BESI N.V. and of its audit and
nominating committees. He is also chairman of BESIs
compensation committee. Mr. de Waard is a member of the
board of the foundation Stichting Sport en Zaken.
88
Douglas Dunn has been a member of our Supervisory Board since
2001. He is a member of its Audit Committee since such date. He
was formerly President and Chief Executive Officer of ASM
Lithography Holding N.V. (ASML), an equipment
supplier in the semiconductor industry, a position from which he
retired effective October 1, 2004. Mr. Dunn currently
serves as a non-executive director on the Board of Directors of
ARM Holdings plc, a UK company, LG.Philips LCD, a Korean
company, OMI, an Irish company, SOITEC, a French company, and on
the board of TomTom NV, a Dutch company. He is also a member of
the audit committees of ARM Holdings plc, SOITEC and TomTom NV,
a Dutch company. He is also a member of the audit committees of
ARM Holdings plc, SOITEC and TomTom N.V. Mr. Dunn was a
member of the Managing Board of Royal Philips Electronics in
1998. From 1996 to 1998 he was Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Philips Consumer Electronics and from 1993 to 1996
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Philips Semiconductors.
From 1980 to 1993 he held various positions at Plessey
Semiconductors.
Francis Gavois has been a member of our Supervisory Board since
1998. Mr. Gavois is currently a non-voting observer on the
Audit Committee of our Supervisory Board after previously having
served as a voting member through March 18, 2005.
Mr. Gavois is a member of the Boards of Directors and of
the audit committee of Plastic Omnium and the Consortium de
Réalisation (CDR). He also served as the Chairman of the
Supervisory Board of ODDO et Cie until May 2003. From 1984 to
1997, Mr. Gavois held several positions, including Chairman
of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Banque
Française du Commerce Extérieur (BFCE). Prior to that
time Mr. Gavois held positions in the French government. He
is Inspecteur des Finances and a graduate of the Institut
dEtudes Politiques de Paris and the Ecole Nationale
dAdministration. Mr. Gavois is also a member of the
Supervisory Boards of ST Holding and FT1CI.
Didier Lombard was first appointed to the Supervisory Board at
the 2004 annual shareholders meeting and was reelected at the
2005 Annual Shareholders Meeting. He serves on the Compensation
and Strategic Committees of our Supervisory Board.
Mr. Lombard was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of France Telecom in March 2005. Mr. Lombard began
his career in the Research and Development division of France
Telecom in 1967. From 1989 to 1990, he served as scientific and
technological director at the Ministry of Research and
Technology. From 1991 to 1998, he served as General Director for
industrial strategies at the French Ministry of Economy,
Finances and Industry, and from 1999 to 2003 he served as
Ambassador at large for foreign investments in France and as
President of the French Agency for International Investments.
From 2003 through February 2005, he served as France
Telecoms Senior Executive Vice President in charge of
technologies, strategic partnerships and new usages and as a
member of France Telecoms Executive Committee.
Mr. Lombard also spent several years as Ambassador in
charge of foreign investment in France. Mr. Lombard is also
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Orange and a member of the
Board of Directors of Thomson, one of our important customers,
and Wanadoo, as well as a member of the Supervisory Board of ST
Holding (our largest shareholder) and Radiall. Mr. Lombard
is a graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole Nationale
Supérieure des Télécommunications.
Antonino Turicchi was appointed as a member of our Supervisory
Board at our 2005 annual shareholders meeting. He serves on its
Compensation and Strategic Committees. Mr. Turicchi earned
a degree cum laude in Economics and Business from the University
of Rome and, after receiving a scholarship from Istituto
San Paolo di Torino, he attended the masters program
in Economics at the University of Turin in 1991 and 1992. In
1993, he was awarded a grant from the European Social Fund to
attend the masters program in International Finance and
Foreign Trade. Mr. Turicchi has been Managing Director of
CDP in Rome since June 2002. From 1994, Mr. Turicchi held
positions with the Italian Ministry of the Treasury (now known
as the Ministry of the Economy and Finance). In 1999, he was
promoted to director responsible for conducting securitization
operations and managing financial operations as part of the
treasurys debt management functions. Between 1999 and June
2002, Mr. Turicchi was also a member of the board of
Mediocredito del Friuli; from 1998 until 2000, he served on the
board of Mediocredito di Roma, and from 2000 until 2003, he
served on the board of EUR S.p.A.
Robert M. White has been a member of our Supervisory Board since
1996. He serves on its Strategic and Audit Committees.
Mr. White is a University Professor Emeritus at Carnegie
Mellon University and serves as a member of several corporate
boards, including that of Silicon Graphics, Inc., as well as on
its audit committee and nominating and corporate governance
committee. He is a former director of Read-Rite Corporation,
which filed for bankruptcy in July 2003. Mr. White is a
member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and the
recipient of the American Physical Societys Pake Prize for
research and technology management in 2004. From 1990 to 1993,
Mr. White served as Under Secretary of Commerce for
Technology in the United States government. Prior to 1990,
Mr. White served in several key executive positions,
including Principal Scientist for Xerox Corporation and Vice
President and Chief Technology Officer for Control Data
Corporation. He received a doctoral degree in Physics from
Stanford University and graduated with a degree in physics from
Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
89
|
|
|
Corporate Governance at ST |
Since our formation in 1987, we have demonstrated a consistent
commitment to the principles of good corporate governance,
evidenced by:
|
|
|
|
|
Our corporate organization under Dutch law that entrusts our
management to a Managing Board acting under the supervision and
control of a Supervisory Board totally independent from the
Managing Board. Members of our Managing Board and of our
Supervisory Board are appointed and dismissed by our
shareholders. |
|
|
|
Our early adoption of policies on important issues such as
business ethics and conflicts of
interest and our strict policies, implemented since our
1994 initial public offering, to comply with applicable
regulatory requirements concerning financial reporting, insider
trading and public disclosures. |
|
|
|
Our compliance with United States, French and Italian securities
laws, because our shares are listed in these jurisdictions, and
with Dutch securities laws, because we are a company
incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, as well as our
compliance with the corporate, social and financial laws
applicable to our subsidiaries in the countries in which we do
business. |
|
|
|
Our broad-based activities in the field of corporate social
responsibility, encompassing environmental, social, health,
safety, educational and other related issues. |
As a Dutch company, we became subject to the Dutch Corporate
Governance Code (the Code) effective January 1,
2004. As we are listed on the NYSE, Euronext Paris and the Borsa
Italiana in Milan, but not in the Netherlands, our policies and
practices cannot be in every respect consistent with all Dutch
Best Practice recommendations contained in the Code.
We have summarized our policies and practices in the field of
corporate governance in the ST Corporate Governance Charter,
including our corporate organization, the remuneration
principles which apply to our Managing and Supervisory Boards,
our information policy and our corporate policies relating to
business ethics and conflicts of interests. Our Charter was
discussed with and approved by our shareholders at our 2004
annual shareholders meeting. The ST Corporate Governance Charter
was updated in 2005 and will be further updated and expanded
whenever necessary or advisable. We are committed to inform our
shareholders of any significant changes in our corporate
governance policies and practices at our annual general meeting.
Along with our Supervisory Board Charter (which includes the
charters of our Supervisory Board Committees) and our Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics, the current version of our ST
Corporate Governance Charter is posted on our website, at
http:/www.st.com/stonline/company/governance/index.htm, and
these documents are available in print to any shareholder who
may request them.
The Supervisory Board is carefully selected based upon the
combined experience and expertise of its members. Certain of our
Supervisory Board members, as disclosed in their biographies set
forth above, have existing relationships or past relationships
with Areva, CDP, and/or Finmeccanicca, who are currently parties
to the STH Shareholders Agreement. See Item 7.
Major Shareholders and Related-Party Transactions
Shareholders Agreements STH Shareholders
Agreement. Such relationships may give rise to potential
conflicts of interest. However, in fulfilling their duties under
Dutch law, Supervisory Board members serve the best interests of
all of STs stakeholders and of STs business and must
act independently in their supervision of STs management.
The Supervisory Board has adopted criteria to assess the
independence of its members in accordance with corporate
governance listing standards of the NYSE.
We have been informed in 2004 that our then principal direct and
indirect shareholders, Areva, Finmeccanica, and France Telecom,
FT1CI S.A. (FT1CI), and ST Holding and ST
Holding II, signed a new shareholders agreement in
March 2004, to which we are not a party (the STH
Shareholders Agreement). We have been informed that
CDP joined this agreement at the end of 2004 and that since
September 2005 France Telecom is no longer a shareholder of
FT1CI or an indirect shareholder (through ST Holding and ST
Holding II) of our company, pursuant to the disposition by
France Telecom of approximately 26.4 million of our
currently existing common shares, representing the totality of
the shares held by France Telecom in our company. Under the STH
Shareholders Agreement, Finmeccanica, CDP and FT1CI have
provided for their right, subject to certain conditions, to
insert on a list, prepared for proposal by ST Holding II to
our annual shareholders meeting, certain members for appointment
to our Supervisory Board. This agreement also contains other
corporate governance provisions, including decisions to be taken
by our Supervisory Board which are subject to certain prior
approvals, which are described in Item 7. Major
Shareholders and Related-Party Transactions. See also
Item 3. Key Information Risk
Factors Risks Related to Our Operations
The interests of our controlling shareholders, which are in turn
controlled respectively by the French and Italian governments,
may conflict with investors interests.
90
Our Supervisory Board held several meetings in 2003, 2004 and
2005 to discuss the new Dutch corporate governance code, the
implementing rules and corporate governance standards of the SEC
and of the NYSE. It created an Ad Hoc Committee composed of
Messrs. de Waard (Chairman), Steve and Gavois. The
committee considered our independence criteria, Corporate
Governance Charter and Supervisory Board Charter. Based on the
work of the Ad Hoc Committee, our Supervisory Board also
considered, with respect to such matters, our unique history as
a European company incorporated in the Netherlands following the
combination of the Italian and French semiconductor businesses
and our shareholding structure, with approximately 70% of our
shares held by the public and approximately 30% indirectly held
by French and Italian state-controlled companies.
Based on all these factors, in 2005, the Supervisory Board
established the following independence criteria for its members:
Supervisory Board members must have no material relationship
with STMicroelectronics N.V., or any of our consolidated
subsidiaries, or our management. A material
relationship can include commercial, industrial, banking,
consulting, legal, accounting, charitable and familial
relationships, among others, but does not include a relationship
with direct or indirect shareholders.
The Supervisory Board also adopted the specific bars to
independence established by the NYSE. On that basis, the
Supervisory Board in March 2005 concluded, in its business
judgment, that all members qualified as independent based on the
criteria set forth above.
We believe we are fully compliant with all material NYSE
corporate governance standards, to the extent possible for a
Dutch company listed on Euronext Paris, Borsa Italiana, as well
as the NYSE. Two of our Supervisory Board members with
affiliations to our largest shareholder, ST Holding, and its
French and Italian state-controlled shareholders, are non-voting
observers on our Audit Committee. Because we are a Dutch
company, the Audit Committee is an advisory committee, which
reports to the Supervisory Board, and our shareholders must
approve the selection of our statutory auditors. Our Audit
Committee has established a charter outlining its duties and
responsibilities with respect to the monitoring of our
accounting, auditing, financial reporting and the appointment,
retention and oversight of our external auditors. In 2005, in
compliance with NYSE requirements, our Audit Committee
established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment
of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls
or auditing matters, and the confidential anonymous submission
by employees of the Company regarding questionable accounting or
auditing matters. These procedures were approved by our
Supervisory Board and implemented under the responsibility of
our Managing Board. Thereupon, our chief executive officer
provided a written affirmation of our compliance with NYSE
standards as applicable to
non-U.S. companies
like ST.
No member of the Supervisory Board or Managing Board has been
(i) subject to any convictions in relation to fraudulent
offenses during the five years preceding the date of this
Form 20-F,
(ii) other than Mr. White who is a former director of
Read-Rite Corporation, which filed for bankruptcy in July 2003,
no member has been associated with any company in bankruptcy,
receivership or liquidation in the capacity of member of the
administrative, management or supervisory body, partner with
unlimited liability, founder or senior manager in the five years
preceding the date of this
Form 20-F or
(iii) subject to any official public incrimination and/or
sanction by statutory or regulatory authorities (including
professional bodies) or disqualified by a court from acting as a
member of the administrative, management or supervisory bodies
of any issuer or from acting in the management or conduct of the
affairs of any issuer during the five years preceding the date
of this Form 20-F.
We have demonstrated a consistent commitment to the principles
of good corporate governance evidenced by our early adoption of
policies on important issues such as conflicts of
interest. Pursuant to our Supervisory Board Charter, the
Supervisory Board is responsible for handling and deciding on
potential reported conflicts of interests between the company on
the one hand and members of the Supervisory Board and Managing
Board on the other hand.
For example in 2005, our Managing Board requested that our
Supervisory Board decide upon the renewal of a contract for the
provision of various telecom-related services with EQUANT, a
subsidiary of France Telecom. One of our Supervisory Board
members is Chairman and CEO of France Telecom. The Supervisory
Board noted the Managing Boards assessment of the positive
commercial benefits of such contract and noted that the contract
was concluded at normal and competitive conditions and was based
on a long-standing proven business relationship between EQUANT
and us. Additionally in 2005, our Managing Board requested that
our Supervisory Board decide upon a development and license
agreement to be concluded with Quadrics Limited, a company owned
by Alenia Aeronautica that is in turn owned by Finmeccanica, one
of our principal shareholders. The Supervisory Board noted that
the contract was concluded in the ordinary course of business at
normal conditions and that it was considered mutually beneficial
for Quadrics Limited and us. Additionally, one of our
Supervisory Board members is a member of the Board of Directors
of Thomson, which is one of our strategic customers. We believe
that the transactions with Thomson are made on an arms length
basis in line with market
91
practices and conditions with neither Thomson nor us benefiting
from terms any more favorable than those which could be obtained
in a bona fide transaction with a third party. Please see
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related-Party
Transactions.
|
|
|
Supervisory Board Committees |
Membership and Attendance. Detailed information on
attendance at full Supervisory Board and Supervisory Board
Committee meetings during 2005 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit | |
|
Compensation | |
|
Strategic | |
Number of Meetings Attended in 2005(1) |
|
Full Board | |
|
Committee | |
|
Committee | |
|
Committee | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Bruno Steve
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Gérald Arbola
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Tom de Waard
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
Douglas Dunn
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Francis Gavois(2)(3)
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Antonino Turicchi
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Didier Lombard
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Matteo del Fante(2)(3)
|
|
|
5 |
|
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7 |
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Robert M. White
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7 |
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11 |
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4 |
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Riccardo Gallo(2)
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2 |
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4 |
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Alessandro Ovi(2)
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2 |
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1 |
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(1) |
Includes meetings attended by way of conference call. |
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(2) |
Messrs. Riccardo Gallo and Alessandro Ovi, who were
Supervisory Board Members throughout fiscal year 2004, were
replaced by Messrs. Antonino Turicchi and Matteo del Fante
at the annual general meeting on March 18, 2005. |
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(3) |
Appointed as non-voting observer to Audit Committee. |
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee was established in
1996 to assist the Supervisory Board in fulfilling its oversight
responsibilities relating to corporate accounting, reporting
practices, and the quality and integrity of our financial
reports as well as our auditing practices, legal and regulatory
related risks, execution of our auditors recommendations
regarding corporate auditing rules and the independence of our
external auditors.
The Audit Committee met 11 times during 2005. At many of
these meetings, the Audit Committee received presentations on
current financial and accounting issues and had the opportunity
to interview our CEO, CFO, General Counsel, external and
internal auditors. On several occasions, the Audit Committee met
with outside U.S. legal counsel, who explained and analyzed
actions required by the new NYSEs final and amended
corporate governance rules and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In
compliance with NYSE requirements, the Audit Committee
established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment
of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls
or auditing matters, and the confidential anonymous submission
by employees of the Company regarding questionable accounting
and auditing matters. In addition, the Audit Committee regularly
discussed the progress of implementation of internal controls
over financial reporting and reviewed managements
conclusions as to the effectiveness of internal controls. The
Audit Committee in early 2005 made a proposal to reappoint our
external auditors, which was submitted and adopted at our
2005 shareholders meeting. The Audit Committee reviewed our
annual Consolidated Financial Statements in U.S. GAAP for
the year ended December 31, 2005, and the associated press
release published on January 24, 2006. Additionally, the
Audit Committee reviewed our external auditors statement
of independence with them. The Audit Committee also approved the
compensation of our external auditors and approved the scope of
their audit, audit-related and non-audit-related services.
Furthermore, the Audit Committee held separate meetings with the
external auditors and discussed with them STs critical
accounting policies with our external auditors, outside the
presence of our management. The Audit Committee also reviewed
and approved our internal audit plan for 2006.
At the end of each quarter, prior to each Supervisory Board
meeting to approve our results and quarterly earnings press
release, the Audit Committee reviewed our interim financial
information and the proposed press release and had the
opportunity to raise questions to management and the independent
registered public accounting firm. In addition, the Audit
Committee reviewed our quarterly Operating and Financial
Review and Prospects and interim consolidated financial
statements (and notes thereto) before they were filed with the
SEC and voluntarily certified by the CEO and the CFO (pursuant
to sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act).
92
The Audit Committee also reviewed Operating and Financial Review
and Prospects and our Consolidated Financial Statements
contained in this
Form 20-F.
Furthermore, the Audit Committee monitors our compliance with
the European Directive that requires us to prepare a set of
accounts pursuant to IFRS in advance of our 2006 annual
shareholders meeting. In this respect, the Audit Committee has
approved our decision to continue to report our Consolidated
Financial Statements under U.S. GAAP, while complying with
our reporting obligations under IFRS by preparing a
complementary set of our 2005 accounts. Furthermore, our Audit
Committee has noted that while our accounting systems are in
place to prepare a separate set of accounts pursuant to IFRS for
financial year 2005, we will not be able to provide
reconciliations pursuant to IFRS for previous periods, in
particular critical items such as capitalization of our
development expenses. See Item 3. Key
Information Risk Factors Risks Related
to Our Operations.
The Audit Committee also proceeded with its annual review of our
internal audit, as well as the scope, planning and costs of our
external audit activities.
The Audit Committee reviewed its charter with the assistance of
our outside U.S. counsel, completed a self-evaluation and
reported regularly to the Supervisory Board. The Audit Committee
Charter is posted on our website.
On March 18, 2005, our Supervisory Board re-appointed
Mr. de Waard as Chairman, and appointed Messrs. Dunn
and White as members. Messrs. del Fante and Gavois were
appointed non-voting observers to the Audit Committee. The Audit
Committee also determined that three members of the Audit
Committee qualified as audit committee financial
experts and that all of its members are financially
literate.
Compensation Committee. Our Compensation Committee
proposes to our Supervisory Board the compensation for our
President and Chief Executive Officer, the sole member of our
Managing Board, including the variable portion of such
compensation based on performance criteria recommended by our
Compensation Committee. It also approves any increase in the
incentive component of compensation for our executive officers.
The Compensation Committee is also informed of the compensation
plans for our executive officers and specifically approves
stock-based compensation plans for all employees. The
Compensation Committee met five times in 2005, including one
meeting outside the presence of management, the CEO and the COO.
Among its main activities, the Compensation Committee reviewed
and approved the Managing Board compensation for 2004 and
reviewed and approved the Managing Boards Compensation
policy for the year 2005 which was subsequently adopted by our
shareholders at our 2005 annual shareholders meeting. The
Compensation Committee also proposed to the Supervisory Board,
which approved it, the CEOs total compensation package,
including the part of stock-based compensation granted to our
CEO for services to be rendered in 2005, tied to our performance
in 2005 according to quantifiable criteria fixed by our
Supervisory Board upon the proposal from its Compensation
Committee.
The Compensation Committee also reviewed and approved a proposal
by the Managing Board to amend the existing 2001 Stock Option
Plan for senior executives and key employees of the Company to
provide for the grant of stock-based compensation instead of
stock options. The Compensation Committee reviewed the status of
past grants, which were no longer functioning as a retention
tool, and approved amendments with the objective of better
incentivizing our senior executives and key employees through
the grant of stock awards as approved by our 2005 annual
shareholders meeting. Furthermore, the Compensation Committee
reviewed and recommended the criteria relating to our sales and
financial performance as well as the continued service
requirements to be met for the granted shares to vest in favor
of their designated beneficiaries. The Compensation Committee
also approved the list of proposed beneficiaries and the amount
of granted shares in 2005 pursuant to the proposal of our
management and upon the delegation from our Supervisory Board.
Furthermore, the Compensation Committee with the approval of the
Supervisory Board authorized the sole member of the Managing
Board to grant up to 159,935 restricted share awards plus the
shares related to employees who left the Company, so that the
total number of shares granted to executives and key employees
under the plan in addition to the 100,000 shares which may
be received by our President and CEO for 2005 may reach
4.1 million shares in accordance with the authorizations
granted by our 2005 annual shareholders meeting. See
Stock Awards and Options Employee
and Managing Board Stock Option Plans 2001 Stock
Option Plan below.
On March 18, 2005, our Supervisory Board appointed
Mr. Gérald Arbola as President of the Compensation
Committee, and Messrs. Bruno Steve, Antonino Turicchi,
Didier Lombard and Tom de Waard were appointed as members.
93
Strategic Committee. Our Strategic Committee was created
to monitor key developments within the semiconductor industry
and our overall strategy, and is particularly involved in
supervising the execution of strategic transactions.
The Strategic Committee met four times in 2005, in the presence
of the CEO, the COO, the Director of Strategic Planning and the
CFO. Among its main activities, the Strategic Committee reviews
our long-term plans and prospects and various possible scenarios
and opportunities to meet the challenges of the semiconductor
market.
On March 18, 2005, our Supervisory Board appointed
Mr. Gérald Arbola as President of the Strategic
Committee, and Messrs. Bruno Steve, Antonino Turicchi,
Didier Lombard and Robert White were appointed as members.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The
Supervisory Board met after the April 23, 2004 annual
shareholders meeting to resolve upon the Charter and composition
of the new Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The
Charter of the Committee was posted on our website thereafter.
At the time of its creation in 2004, our Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee devoted its efforts to evaluating
the structure and composition of our Supervisory Board in view
of the expiration of the terms of all prior members at the 2005
annual shareholders meeting. On October 25, 2005, our
Supervisory Board appointed Mr. Tom de Waard as President
of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and
Messrs. Gérald Arbola, Bruno Steve, Antonino Turicchi
and Didier Lombard were appointed as members. Our Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee began in the fall of 2005 to
evaluate the profiles of candidates to fill the three positions
up for renewal at our 2006 annual shareholders meeting.
Secretariat and Controllers. Our Supervisory Board
appoints and dismisses a Secretary and Assistant Secretary as
proposed by the Supervisory Board. Furthermore, the Managing
Board makes an Executive Secretary available to the Supervisory
Board, who is appointed and dismissed by the Supervisory Board.
The Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Executive Secretary
constitute the Secretariat of the Board. The mission of the
Secretariat is to organize meetings, ensure continuing education
and training of the Supervisory Board members, record-keeping,
and similar functions. Through March 18, 2005, the
Secretary was Mr. Bertrand Loubert, the Assistant Secretary
was Mr. Luciano Acciari, and the Executive Secretary was
Mr. Pierre Ollivier, who is also our General Counsel.
Mr. Willem Steenstra Toussaint also supports the activities
of the Secretariat. Mr. Acciari and Mr. Loubert
currently serve as Secretary and Vice Secretary for the
Supervisory Board, and for each of the Compensation, Nominating
and Corporate Governance and Strategic Committees of our
Supervisory Board, respectively, while Mr. Steenstra
Toussaint serves as Secretary of the Audit Committee.
Mr. Ollivier continues to serve as Executive Secretary of
our Supervisory Board.
Our Supervisory Board appoints and dismisses two financial
experts (Controllers). The mission of the
Controllers is primarily to assist the Supervisory Board in
evaluating our operational and financial performance, business
plan, strategic initiatives and the implementation of
Supervisory Board decisions, as well as to review the
operational reports provided under the responsibility of the
Managing Board. Following our 2005 annual shareholders meeting,
the current Controllers are Messrs. Christophe Duval and
Andrea Novelli.
The STH Shareholders Agreement among our principal direct
and indirect shareholders contains provisions with respect to
the appointment of the Secretary, Assistant Secretary and
Controllers, which are described in Item 7. Major
Shareholders and Related-Party Transactions.
In accordance with Dutch law, our management is entrusted to the
Managing Board under the supervision of the Supervisory Board.
From our creation in 1987 through our 2005 annual shareholders
meeting, Mr. Pasquale Pistorio was our President and Chief
Executive Officer and served as the sole member of the Managing
Board. Upon Mr. Pistorios recommendation, our
Supervisory Board proposed, and our 2005 annual shareholders
meeting approved, the appointment of Mr. Carlo Bozotti as
sole member of the Managing Board with the function of President
and Chief Executive Officer for a three-year term to expire at
our 2008 annual shareholders meeting. The 2005 annual
shareholders meeting was also informed of the appointment, upon
the proposal of Mr. Carlo Bozotti, and with the endorsement
of the Supervisory Board, of Mr. Alain Dutheil as Chief
Operating Officer, reporting to Mr. Bozotti. In recognition
of Mr. Pistorios role in steering the Company since
its creation in 1987 to become one of the leaders in the
semiconductor industry, our Supervisory Board approved the
decision taken by the new sole member of our Managing Board and
President and CEO to appoint Mr. Pistorio as non-executive
Honorary Chairman of the Company. In that position,
Mr. Pistorio acts as Ambassador of the
94
Company while continuing to make available to us, as
appropriate, his experience and insight into the semiconductor,
electronics and industrial worlds.
The Managing Board consists of such number of members as
resolved by the annual shareholders meeting upon the proposal of
the Supervisory Board. The members of the Managing Board are
appointed for three-year terms as defined in our Articles of
Association upon a non-binding proposal by the Supervisory Board
at the annual shareholders meeting adopted by a simple majority
of the votes cast at a meeting where at least 15% of the
outstanding share capital is present or represented. If the
Managing Board were to consist of more than one member, our
Supervisory Board would appoint one of the members of the
Managing Board to be chairman of the Managing Board for a
three-year term, as defined in our Articles of Association (upon
approval of at least three-quarters of the members of the
Supervisory Board). Resolutions of the Managing Board require
the approval of a majority of its members. Since its creation,
our Managing Board has always been comprised of a sole member.
The annual shareholders meeting may suspend or dismiss one or
more members of the Managing Board at a meeting at which at
least one-half of the outstanding share capital is present or
represented. If the quorum is not present, a further meeting
shall be convened, to be held within four weeks after the first
meeting, which shall be entitled, irrespective of the share
capital represented, to pass a resolution with regard to the
suspension or dismissal. Such a quorum is not required if a
suspension or dismissal is proposed by the Supervisory Board. In
that case, a resolution to dismiss or to suspend a member of the
Managing Board can be taken by a simple majority of the votes
cast at a meeting where at least 15% of our outstanding share
capital is present or represented. The Supervisory Board may
suspend members of the Managing Board, but a shareholders
meeting must be convened within three months after such
suspension to confirm or reject the suspension. The Supervisory
Board shall appoint one or more persons who shall, at any time,
in the event of absence or inability to act of all the members
of the Managing Board, be temporarily responsible for our
management.
Under Dutch law, our Managing Board is entrusted with our
general management and the representation of the Company. The
Managing Board must seek prior approval from the annual
shareholders meeting for decisions regarding a significant
change in the identity or nature of the Company. Under the
Articles of Association, the Managing Board must obtain prior
approval from the Supervisory Board for (i) all proposals
to be submitted to a vote at a shareholders meeting;
(ii) the formation of all companies, acquisition or sale of
any participation, and conclusion of any cooperation and
participation agreement; (iii) all of our multi-year plans
and the budget for the coming year, covering investment policy,
policy regarding research and development, as well as commercial
policy and objectives, general financial policy, and policy
regarding personnel; and (iv) all acts, decisions or
operations covered by the foregoing and constituting a
significant change with respect to decisions already taken by
the Supervisory Board. In addition, under the Articles of
Association, the Supervisory Board and our shareholders meeting
may specify by resolution certain additional actions by the
Managing Board that require its prior approval.
In accordance with our Corporate Governance Charter, the sole
member of our Management Board and our Executive Officer may not
serve on the board of a public company without the prior
approval of our Supervisory Board. We are not aware of any
potential conflicts of interests between the private interest or
other duties of our sole Management Board member and our
Executive Officers and their duties to our Company.
Pursuant to the charter adopted by our Supervisory Board, the
following decisions by our Managing Board with regards to ST and
any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries require prior
approval from our Supervisory Board: (i) any modification
of our Articles of Association other than those of our
wholly-owned subsidiaries; (ii) any change in our
authorized share capital, issue, acquisition or disposal of our
own shares, change in any shareholder rights or issue of any
instruments granting an interest in our capital or profits other
than those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries; (iii) any
liquidation or disposal of all or a substantial and material
part of our assets or any shares we hold in any of our
subsidiaries; (iv) entering into any merger, acquisition or
joint venture agreement (and, if substantial and material, any
agreement relating to intellectual property) or formation of a
new company; (v) approval of such companys draft
consolidated balance sheets and financial statements or any
profit distribution by such company; (vi) entering into any
agreement that may qualify as a related-party transaction,
including any agreement with ST Holding, ST Holding II,
FT1CI, Areva, CDP or Finmeccanica; (vii) the key challenges
of our five-year plans and our consolidated annual budgets, as
well as any significant modifications to said plans and budgets,
or any one of the matters set forth in Article 16.1 of the
Articles of Association and not included in the approved plans
or budgets; (viii) approval of operations of exceptional
importance which have to be submitted for Supervisory Board
prior approval although their financing was provided for in the
approved annual budget; and (ix) approval of the quarterly,
semiannual and annual Consolidated Financial Statements prepared
in accordance with U.S. GAAP and beginning with the 2005
annual accounts IFRS, prior to submission for shareholder
adoption.
95
During a meeting held on September 23, 2000, the
Supervisory Board authorized the Managing Board to proceed with
acquisitions without prior consent of the Supervisory Board
subject to a maximum amount of $25 million per transaction,
provided the Managing Board keeps the Supervisory Board informed
of progress regarding such transactions and gives a full report
once the transaction is completed.
Our executive officers support the Managing Board in its
management of us, without prejudice to the Managing Boards
ultimate responsibility. Our executive officers at the end of
fiscal year 2005 were:
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Executive Committee
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Carlo Bozotti
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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29 |
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29 |
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53 |
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Alain Dutheil
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Chief Operating Officer |
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23 |
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36 |
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60 |
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Laurent Bosson
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Executive Vice President, Front-end Technology and Manufacturing |
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23 |
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23 |
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63 |
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Andrea Cuomo
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Executive Vice President, Advanced System Technology and Chief
Strategic Officer (and for other staff functions) |
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23 |
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23 |
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51 |
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Carlo Ferro
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Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (and for
Infrastructure and Services organization) |
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6 |
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6 |
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45 |
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Philippe Geyres
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Executive Vice President, HPC (and for the other product
segments) |
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22 |
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29 |
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53 |
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Enrico Villa
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Executive Vice President, Europe Region (and for Sales and
Marketing organizations) |
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39 |
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39 |
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64 |
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Executive Staff
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Georges Auguste
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Corporate Vice President, Total Quality and Environmental
Management |
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19 |
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32 |
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56 |
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Gian Luca Bertino
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Corporate Vice President, CPG |
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9 |
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20 |
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46 |
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Patrice Chastagner
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Corporate Vice President, Human Resources |
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20 |
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20 |
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58 |
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Ugo Carena
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Corporate Vice President, APG |
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9 |
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28 |
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62 |
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Marco Luciano Cassis
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Corporate Vice President, STMicroelectronics Japan |
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18 |
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18 |
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42 |
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François Guibert
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Corporate Vice President, Emerging Markets Region |
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25 |
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28 |
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52 |
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Reza Kazerounian
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Corporate Vice President, North America Region |
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6 |
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21 |
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48 |
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Otto Kosgalwies
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Corporate Vice President, Infrastructure and Services |
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22 |
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22 |
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50 |
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Robert Krysiak
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Corporate Vice President and General Manager of our new
Greater China sales region |
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17 |
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23 |
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51 |
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Mario Licciardello
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Corporate Vice President, MPG |
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41 |
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41 |
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64 |
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Jean-Claude Marquet
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Corporate Vice President, Asia Pacific Region |
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20 |
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39 |
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63 |
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Piero Mosconi(1)
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Corporate Vice President, Treasurer |
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42 |
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42 |
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66 |
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Carlo Ottaviani
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Corporate Vice President, Communications |
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41 |
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41 |
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62 |
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Carmelo Papa
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Corporate Vice President, MLD (since January 2006 Micro, Power,
Analog) |
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23 |
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23 |
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56 |
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Giordano Seragnoli
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Corporate Vice President, Back-end Manufacturing and Subsystems
Products Group |
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41 |
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(1) |
Mr. Piero Mosconi retired in December 2005. |
Our President and Chief Executive Officer and sole member of our
Managing Board, Mr. Carlo Bozotti, has appointed a
Corporate Executive Committee, comprised of five Executive Vice
Presidents, the CEO and the COO. The Executive Vice Presidents
represent all the functions of the organization: the product
segments, sales and marketing (including regions), the
manufacturing and technology research and development activities
and the central functions. The role of the Executive Committee
is to set corporate policy, coordinate strategies of STs
various functions representing its constituents, and drive major
cross functional programs. The Executive Committee, chaired by
Mr. Bozotti, or by Mr. Dutheil in
Mr. Bozottis absence, meets frequently (generally
every two weeks), while executive staff meetings are held on a
quarterly basis with the attendance of all corporate vice
presidents. Under our organizational structure, product segments
and staff functions report directly to Mr. Bozotti, while
our sales, marketing, manufacturing and technology research and
development functions report to our COO.
Carlo Bozotti is our President, Chief Executive Officer and the
sole member of our Managing Board. As CEO, Mr. Bozotti
chairs our Executive Committee. Prior to taking on this new role
at the 2005 annual shareholders meeting, Mr. Bozotti served
as Corporate Vice President, MPG since August 1998.
Mr. Bozotti joined SGS Microelettronica in 1977 after
graduating in Electronic Engineering from the University of
Pavia. Mr. Bozotti served as Product Manager for the
Industrial, Automotive and Telecom products in the Linear
Division and as Business Unit Manager for the Monolithic
Microsystems Division from 1987 to 1988. He was appointed
Director of Corporate Strategic Marketing and Key Accounts for
the Headquarters Region in 1988 and became Vice President,
Marketing and Sales, Americas Region in 1991. Mr. Bozotti
served as Corporate Vice President, MPG from August 1998 through
March 2005, after having served as Corporate Vice President,
Europe and Headquarters Region from 1994 to 1998.
Alain Dutheil was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2005,
with the endorsement of the Supervisory Board. He is also the
Vice Chairman of our Corporate Executive Committee. Prior to his
appointment as COO, he served as Corporate Vice President,
Strategic Planning and Human Resources from 1994 and 1992,
respectively. After graduating in Electrical Engineering from
the Ecole Supérieure dIngénieurs de Marseille
(ESIM), Mr. Dutheil joined Texas Instruments in
1969 as a Production Engineer, becoming Director for Discrete
Products in France and Human Resources Director in France in
1980 and Director of Operations for Portugal in 1982. He joined
Thomson Semiconductors in 1983 as General Manager of a plant in
Aix-en-Provence, France and then became General Manager of
SGS-Thomson Discrete Products Division. From 1989 to 1994,
Mr. Dutheil served as Director for Worldwide Back-end
Manufacturing, in addition to serving as Corporate Vice
President for Human Resources from 1992 until 2005.
Laurent Bosson is currently Executive Vice President of
Front-End Technology and Manufacturing. He is also a member of
our Corporate Executive Committee. He served as Corporate Vice
President, Front-end Manufacturing and VLSI Fabs from 1989 to
2004 and from 1992 to 1996 he was given additional
responsibility as President and Chief Executive Officer of our
operations in the Americas. Mr. Bosson remains Chairman of
the Board of STMicroelectronics Inc., our affiliate in the
United States. Mr. Bosson received a masters degree
in Chemistry from the University of Dijon in 1969. He joined
Thomson-CSF in 1964 and has held several positions in
engineering and manufacturing. In 1982, Mr. Bosson was
appointed General Manager of the Tours and Alençon
facilities of Thomson Semiconducteurs. In 1985, he joined the
French subsidiary of SGS Microelettronica as General Manager of
the Rennes, France manufacturing facility.
Andrea Cuomo is currently Executive Vice President for the
Advanced System Technology Group and Chief Strategy Officer.
Mr. Cuomo is also a member of our Corporate Executive
Committee. After studying at Milano Politecnico in Nuclear
Sciences, with a special focus on analog electronics,
Mr. Cuomo joined us in 1983 as a System Testing Engineer,
and from 1985 to 1989 held various positions to become Marketing
Manager in the automotive, computer and industrial product
segment. In 1989, Mr. Cuomo was appointed Director of
Strategy
97
and Market Development for the Dedicated Products Group, and in
1994 became Vice President responsible for Marketing and
Strategic Accounts within the Headquarters Region. In 1998,
Mr. Cuomo was appointed as Vice President responsible for
Advanced System Technology and in 2002, Mr. Cuomo was appointed
as Corporate Vice President and Advanced System Technology
General Manager. In 2004, he was given the additional
responsibility of serving as our Director of Strategic Planning
and was promoted to Executive Vice President.
Carlo Ferro is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer. He is also a member of our Executive Committee.
Mr. Ferro has served as our CFO since May 2003.
Mr. Ferro graduated with a degree in Business and Economics
from the LUISS Guido Carli University in Rome, Italy in 1984,
and has a professional qualification as a Certified Public
Accountant. From 1984 through 1996, Mr. Ferro held a series
of positions in finance and control at Istituto per la
Ricostruzione Industriale-IRI S.p.A. (IRI), and
Finmeccanica. Mr. Ferro served as one of our Supervisory
Board Controllers from 1992 to 1996. Mr. Ferro was also a
part-time university professor of Planning and Control until
1996. From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Ferro held positions at EBPA
NV, a process control company listed on the NYSE, rising to Vice
President Planning and Control and principal financial officer.
Mr. Ferro joined us in June 1999 as Group Vice President
Corporate Finance, overseeing finance and accounting for all
affiliates worldwide, and served as Deputy CFO from April 2002
through April 2003. Mr. Ferro has been designated by us to serve
as the statutory auditor for DNP Europe Srl, one of our joint
venture partners.
Philippe Geyres is currently Executive Vice President for HPC.
He also serves on our Executive Committee. He served as
Corporate Vice President and General Manager of our former
Consumer and Microcontroller Group (formerly Programmable
Products Group) from 1990 until 2004. Mr. Geyres graduated
from the École Polytechnique in 1973 and began his career
with IBM in France before joining Schlumberger Group in 1980 as
Data Processing Director. He was subsequently appointed Deputy
Director of the IC Division at Fairchild Semiconductors.
Mr. Geyres joined Thomson Semiconducteurs in 1983 as
Director of the Bipolar Integrated Circuits Division. He was
appointed Strategic Programs Director in 1987 and, later the
same year, became our Corporate Vice President, Strategic
Planning until 1990.
Enrico Villa is currently Executive Vice President, Europe
Region. He also serves on our Executive Committee, representing
the sales and marketing functions. He was appointed Corporate
Vice President, Europe Region on January 1, 2000, after
having served as Corporate Vice President, Region 5 (now
Emerging Markets) from January 1998 through 2000. Mr. Villa
has served in various capacities within our management since
1967 after obtaining a degree in Business Administration from
the University of Milan and has 38 years of experience in
the semiconductor industry. He is currently President of the
European Electronics Components Association (EECA)
as well as Chairman for Europe at the Joint Steering Committee
of the World Semiconductor Council.
Georges Auguste has served as Corporate Vice President, Total
Quality and Environmental Management since 1999.
Mr. Auguste received a degree in Engineering from the Ecole
Supérieure dElectricité (SUPELEC) in
1974 and a diploma in Business Administration from Caen
University in 1976. Prior to joining us, Mr. Auguste worked
with Philips Components from 1974 to 1986, in various positions
in the field of manufacturing. From 1990 to 1997, he headed our
operations in Morocco, and from 1997 to 1999, Mr. Auguste
served as Director of Total Quality and Environmental Management.
Gian Luca Bertino graduated in 1985 in Electronic Engineering
from the Polytechnic of Turin. From 1986 to 1997 he held several
positions within the Research and Development organization of
Olivettis semiconductor group before joining ST in 1997.
He was Group Vice President, Peripherals, General Manager of our
Data Storage Division within the Telecommunications, Peripherals
and Automotive (TPA) Groups, until he was appointed
Corporate Vice President, CPG.
Ugo Carena graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the
Polytechnic of Turin in 1970. His semiconductor career began in
1977 within Olivettis semiconductor group. He joined ST in
1997 and he held the position of Telecommunications, Peripherals
and Automotive (TPA) Groups Vice President, General Manager
Computer Peripherals and Industrial Group, until he was named
Corporate Vice President, APG in 2005.
Marco Luciano Cassis graduated from the Polytechnic of Milan
with a degree in Electronic Engineering. Cassis joined us in
1988 as a mixed signal analog designer for car radio
applications. In 1993, Cassis moved to Japan to support our
newly created design center with his expertise in audio
products. Then in 2000, Cassis took charge of the Audio Business
Unit and a year later he was promoted to Director of Audio and
Automotive Group, responsible for design, marketing, sales,
application support, and customer services. In 2004, Cassis was
named Vice President of Marketing for the automotive, computer
peripheral, and telecom products. In 2005, he advanced to Vice
President APG and joined the Board of the Japanese subsidiary,
STMicroelectronics K.K. Mr. Cassis was appointed Corporate
Vice President of STMicroelectronics Japan on September 6,
2005.
98
Patrice Chastagner is a graduate of the HEC business school in
France and in 1988 became the Grenoble Site Director, guiding
the emergence of this facility to become one of the most
important hubs in Europe for advanced, complex silicon chip
development and solutions. As Human Resources Manager for the
Telecommunications, Peripherals and Automotive
(TPA) Groups, which was our largest product group at the
time, he was also TQM Champion and applied the principle of
continuous improvement to human resources as well as to
manufacturing processes. Since March 2003, he has also been
serving as Chairman of STMicroelectronics S.A. in France. Upon
his promotion to Corporate Vice President, Human Resources this
year, he took the leadership of a group with about 50,000 people.
François Guibert was born in Beziers, France in 1953 and
graduated from the Ecole Superieure dIngénieurs de
Marseilles in 1978. After three years at Texas Instruments, he
joined Thomson Semiconducteurs in 1981 as Sales Manager Telecom.
From 1983 to 1986, he was responsible for ICs and strategic
marketing of telecom products in North America. In 1988 he was
appointed Director of our Semicustom Business for Asia Pacific
and in 1989 he became President of ST-Taiwan. Since 1992 he has
occupied senior positions in Business Development and Investor
Relations and was Group Vice President, Corporate Business
Development which includes M&A activities from 1995 to the
end of 2004. In 2005, Mr. Guibert was promoted to the
position of Corporate Vice President, Emerging Markets Region.
Reza Kazerounian is a graduate of the University of Illinois and
received his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley in
electrical engineering and computer sciences. In 1985,
Mr. Kazerounian started his professional carrier as a
research and development engineer at WaferScale Integration
(WSI), specializing in Programmable System Devices. At WSI, he
became Vice President of Technology and Product Development
(1995) and later Chief Operating Officer in 1997. When we
acquired WSI in 2000, Mr. Kazerounian became the general
manager of the newly formed Programmable Systems Division,
charged with the development of 8- and 32-bit embedded systems.
In 2003, he was appointed Group General Vice President and
General Manager of the Smart Card IC Division. Reza Kazerounian
was appointed Corporate Vice President for the North America
Region on September 6, 2005.
Otto Kosgalwies was appointed Corporate Vice President,
Infrastructure and Services in November 2004, with
responsibility for all of our corporate activities related to
Information Technology, Logistics, and Procurement and Material
Management, with particular emphasis on the complete supply
chain between customer demand, manufacturing execution,
inventory management, and supplier relations.
Mr. Kosgalwies has been with us since 1984 after graduating
with a degree in Economics from Munich University. From 1992
through 1995, he served as European Manager for Distribution,
from 1995 to 2000 as Sales and Distribution Director for Central
Europe, and since 1997 as CEO of our German subsidiary. In 2000,
Mr. Kosgalwies was appointed Vice President for Sales and
Marketing in Europe and General Manager for Supply Chain
Management, where he was responsible at a corporate level for
the effective flow of goods and information from suppliers to
end users.
Mario Licciardello was born in Catania, Italy, on
January 28, 1942. He graduated in Physics from the
University of Catania in 1964. Mr. Licciardello has spent
his entire career within companies that have evolved into the
current STMicroelectronics. In 1965 he joined ATES, a
predecessor of ST, initially in process development, then in
strategic planning, after one year spent at the Catania
University engaged in various research programs. In 1970, he
joined the MOS field where he spent a large part of his
professional career in various positions ranging from Operations
Manager to Business Unit Manager contributing to the success in
the market of several product lines. From 1986 to 1990 he
covered the role of Director of Marketing and Business
Management for the Semicustom Product Division (named IST). The
position included the worldwide responsibility for the external
design centers network. From 1990 to 1993, as Director of
Corporate Strategic Planning with the relevant Corporate Central
Organization, his responsibility ranged from Capital Investment
Control to shareholder relations. He moved to MPG in 1993
and in 2003 was promoted from General Manager of our Flash
Memories Division to Deputy General Manager of MPG. In 2005, he
was named Corporate Vice President.
Robert Krysiak graduated from Cardiff University with a degree
in Electronics and holds an MBA from the University of Bath. In
1983, Mr. Krysiak joined INMOS, as a VLSI Design Engineer.
Then in 1992, Mr. Krysiak formed a group dedicated to the
development of CPU products based on the Reusable-Micro-Core
architecture. Mr. Krysiak was appointed Group Vice
President and General Manager of STs 16/32/64 and DSP
division in 1997. In 1999, Mr. Krysiak became Group Vice
President of the Micro Cores Development, and in 2001, he took
charge of our DVD division. Mr. Krysiak was appointed on
October 17, 2005 as Vice President and General Manager of
our newly created Greater China region, which
focuses exclusively on our operations in China, Hong Kong and
Taiwan. Before that, Mr. Krysiak was Marketing Director for
HPC.
99
Jean-Claude Marquet has served as Corporate Vice President, Asia
Pacific Region since July 1995. After graduating in Electrical
and Electronics Engineering from ESIEE Paris, Mr. Marquet
began his career in the French National Research Organization
and later joined Alcatel. In 1969, he joined Philips Components.
He remained at Philips until 1978, when he joined Ericsson,
eventually becoming President of Ericsson Components
French operations. In 1985, Mr. Marquet joined Thomson
Semiconducteurs as Vice President Sales and Marketing, France.
Thereafter, Mr. Marquet served as Vice President Sales and
Marketing for France and Benelux, and Vice President Asia
Pacific and Director of Sales and Marketing for the region.
Piero Mosconi has served as Corporate Vice President, Treasurer
since 1987. After graduating in Accounting from Monza in 1960,
Mr. Mosconi joined the faculty of Economy at the University
of Milan. Mr. Mosconi worked in different departments
(foreign trade-stock market) with one of the major Italian banks
before joining the Foreign Subsidiaries Department at SGS
Microelettronica in 1964 and becoming Corporate Director of
Finance in 1980.
Carlo Emanuele Ottaviani was named Corporate Vice President,
Communications in March 2003. He began his career in 1965 in the
Advertisement and Public Relations Office of SIT-SIEMENS, today
known as ITALTEL. He later had responsibility for the activities
of the associated semiconductor company ATES Electronic
Components. ATES merged with the Milan-based SGS in 1971, and
Mr. Ottaviani was in charge of the advertisement and
marketing services of the newly formed SGS-ATES. In 1975, he was
appointed Head of Corporate Communication worldwide, and has
held this position since that time. In 2001, Mr. Ottaviani
was also appointed President of STMicroelectronics Foundation.
Carmelo Papa served as Corporate Vice President, Emerging
Markets since January 2000, and was named Corporate Vice
President, MLD (now Micro, Power, Analog) in 2005. He received
his degree in Nuclear Physics at Catania University.
Mr. Papa joined us in 1983 and in 1986 was appointed
Director of Product Marketing and Customer Service for
Transistors and Standard ICs. In July 2001, Mr. Papa took
on additional worldwide responsibility for STs Electronic
Manufacturing Service to drive forward this new important
channel of business. From January 2003 through December 2004, he
was in charge of formulating and leading our strategy to expand
our customer base by providing dedicated solutions to a broader
selection of customers, one of our key growth areas.
Giordano Seragnoli has served as Corporate Vice President,
Subsystems Products Group since 1987 and since 1994, as Director
for Worldwide Back-end Manufacturing. After graduating in
Electrical Engineering from the University of Bologna,
Mr. Seragnoli joined the Thomson Group as RF Application
Designer in 1962 and joined SGS Microelettronica in 1965.
Thereafter, Mr. Seragnoli served in various capacities
within our management, including Strategic Marketing Manager and
Subsystems Division Manager, Subsystems Division Manager
(Agrate), Technical Facilities Manager, Subsystems Division
Manager and Back-End Manager.
As is common in the semiconductor industry, our success depends
to a significant extent upon, among other factors, the continued
service of our key senior executives and research and
development, engineering, marketing, sales, manufacturing,
support and other personnel, and on our ability to continue to
attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel. The
competition for such employees is intense, and the loss of the
services of any of these key personnel without adequate
replacement or the inability to attract new qualified personnel
could have a material adverse effect on us. We do not maintain
insurance with respect to the loss of any of our key personnel.
See Item 3. Key Information Risk
Factors Risks Related to Our Operations
Loss of key employees could hurt our competitive position.
In December 2005, Mr. Piero Mosconi retired, leaving his
role of Corporate Vice President and Treasurer, a position he
had occupied since 1987. Accordingly, Treasury moved under the
responsibility of our CFO, Carlo Ferro. Mr. Giuseppe
Notarnicola joined us and has been appointed Group Vice
President, Corporate Treasurer.
Mr. Giordano Seragnoli, Corporate Vice President and
General Manager of our worldwide back-end manufacturing
operations, is retiring at the end of the second quarter of
2006. Effective April 3, 2006, Jeffrey See, who is
currently General Manager of our manufacturing complex in
Singapore, will take over worldwide back-end manufacturing
responsibilities. Jeffrey See will continue to be based in
Singapore, close to where the largest part of our assembly and
test production is located.
Compensation
Pursuant to the decisions adopted by our shareholders at the
annual general meeting held on March 18, 2005, the
aggregate compensation for the members and former members of our
Supervisory Board in respect of
100
service in 2005 was approximately $1,336,500, before any
withholding taxes and applicable mandatory social contributions,
as set forth in the following table.
|
|
|
|
|
Supervisory Board Member |
|
Directors Fees | |
|
|
| |
Bruno Steve
|
|
$ |
205,000 |
|
Gérald Arbola
|
|
|
205,000 |
|
Tom de Waard(1)
|
|
|
213,500 |
|
Douglas Dunn
|
|
|
111,000 |
|
Antonino Turicchi(2)
|
|
|
110,000 |
|
Francis Gavois
|
|
|
120,500 |
|
Didier Lombard
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
Matteo del Fante(2)
|
|
|
111,500 |
|
Robert M. White
|
|
|
125,500 |
|
Riccardo Gallo(2)
|
|
|
9,000 |
|
Alessandro Ovi(2)
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
1,336,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Compensation, including attendance fees of $2,000 per
meeting of the Supervisory Board or committee thereof, was paid
to Clifford Chance LLP. |
|
(2) |
Messrs. Riccardo Gallo and Alessandro Ovi, who were
Supervisory Board Members throughout fiscal year 2004, were
replaced by Messrs. Antonino Turicchi and Matteo del Fante
at the annual general meeting on March 18, 2005. |
Prior to the appointment of Mr. Carlo Bozotti as the sole
member of our Managing Board and President and Chief Executive
Officer at our annual shareholders meeting on March 18,
2005, Mr. Pasquale Pistorio was the sole member of our
Managing Board and President and Chief Executive Officer.
The total amount paid as compensation in 2005 to our 22
executive officers, including Mr. Carlo Bozotti, the sole
member of our Managing Board and our President and CEO, was
approximately $11 million before any withholding taxes. The
relative charges and non-cash benefits were approximately
$4 million. Such amount also includes the amounts of EIP
paid to the executive officers pursuant to a Corporate Executive
Incentive Program (the EIP) established in 1989 that
entitles selected executives to a yearly bonus based upon the
individual performance of such executives. The maximum bonus
awarded under the EIP is based upon a percentage of the
executives salary and is adjusted to reflect our overall
performance. The participants in the EIP must satisfy certain
personal objectives that are focused on return or net assets,
customer service, profit, cash flow and market share. Within
such amount, the remuneration of our current sole member of our
Managing Board and President and CEO in 2005 was:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sole Member of Our Managing Board and President |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and CEO |
|
Salary | |
|
Bonus(1) | |
|
Non-cash Benefits | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Carlo Bozotti
|
|
$ |
695,585 |
|
|
$ |
73,758 |
|
|
$ |
64,855(2 |
) |
|
$ |
834,198 |
|
|
|
(1) |
The bonus paid to the sole member of our Managing Board and
President and CEO during the 2005 financial year was approved by
the Compensation Committee and approved by the Supervisory Board
in respect of the 2004 financial year, based on fulfillment of a
number of pre-defined objectives for 2004. |
|
(2) |
Including employer social contributions, company car allowance
and miscellaneous allowances. |
101
The remuneration of our former sole member of our Managing Board
and President and CEO in 2005 was:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Former Sole Member of Our Managing Board and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President and CEO |
|
Salary | |
|
Bonus(1) | |
|
Non-cash Benefits | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Pasquale Pistorio
|
|
$ |
372,501 |
|
|
$ |
6,000,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,836(2 |
) |
|
$ |
6,375,337 |
|
|
|
(1) |
The bonus paid to the former sole member of our Managing Board
and President and CEO during the 2005 financial year was
approved by the Compensation Committee and approved by the
Supervisory Board in respect of the 2004 financial year and in
recognition of Mr. Pistorios career with the Company,
based on fulfillment of a number of pre-defined objectives for
2004. |
|
(2) |
Including employer social contributions and miscellaneous
allowances. |
Our Supervisory Board, upon the recommendation of our
Compensation Committee, approved certain basic terms of the
compensation for Mr. Carlo Bozotti, the sole member of our
Managing Board and President and Chief Executive Officer,
starting March 18, 2005 including an aggregate annual
salary of $700,000, a maximum potential bonus subject to the
achievement of performance objectives, and the grant of up to
100,000 restricted shares subject to the achievement of
performance objectives. Our annual shareholders meeting held on
March 18, 2005 approved the compensation policy of our
Managing Board which includes the above mentioned terms. The
terms of Mr. Bozottis employment contract as
subsequently approved by our Supervisory Board are consistent
with this approved compensation policy. We do not have any
service agreements with members of our Supervisory Board.
Our Supervisory Board has approved the establishment of a
complementary pension plan for our top executive management,
comprising the CEO, COO and other key executives to be selected
by the CEO according to the general criteria of eligibility and
service set up by the Supervisory Board upon the proposal of its
Compensation Committee. Pursuant to such decision, the
Compensation Committee examined in October 2005 the proposal for
eligibility made by the Companys management and fixed the
list of beneficiaries. For such a complimentary pension scheme,
we have booked a provision of $11 million in 2005;
additional premiums will have to be paid in the future on the
basis of the evolution of the pension scheme.
We did not extend any loans, overdrafts or warranties to our
Supervisory Board members or to the sole member of our Managing
Board and President and CEO. Furthermore, we have not guaranteed
any debts or concluded any leases with our Supervisory Board
members or their families.
For information regarding stock options and other stock-based
compensation granted to members of our Supervisory Board, the
Managing Board and our executive officers, please refer to
Stock Awards and Options below.
The executive officers and the Managing Board were covered in
2005 under certain group life and medical insurance programs
provided by us. The aggregate additional amount set aside by us
in 2005 to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for
executive officers and our Managing Board as a group is
estimated to have been approximately $11 million (of which
$2.5 million was for the former sole member of our Managing
Board and President and CEO), which includes statutory employer
contributions for state-run retirement, similar benefit programs
and other miscellaneous allowances. In 2005, our Compensation
Committee recommended and our Supervisory Board decided to grant
an additional pension benefit plan to our former President and
Chief Executive Officer and sole member of our Managing Board
and a limited number of senior executives that have made key
contributions to our success. Pursuant to this plan, we will
make annual contributions of $200,000 to both our former and
current President and Chief Executive Officers, $150,000 to our
Chief Operating Officer and $80,000 to each other beneficiary
per year. In order to meet our future payment obligations under
this plan or to insure for them, we accrued a charge of
$7 million in the first quarter of 2005, of which
$2.9 million will fund payments for our former President
and Chief Executive Officer and the balance for the other senior
executives designated as beneficiaries and an additional charge
of $4 million for the fourth quarter of 2005.
Former sole member of our Managing Board and President and
CEO
In 2005, our Supervisory Board decided to grant to our former
President and Chief Executive Officer, Pasquale Pistorio, whose
mandate ended at our 2005 annual shareholders meeting, a special
bonus of $6 million including a bonus of $308,000,
equivalent to 40% of his annual base salary, in respect of the
2004 financial year and in recognition of
Mr. Pistorios career with the Company pursuant to the
proposal by the Compensation Committee and the approval of our
Supervisory Boards on February 11, 2005. In addition,
our Supervisory Board agreed to make a special contribution of
$4 million to a non-profit charitable institution in the
field of
102
sustainable development or social responsibility that was
presented to us by our former President and Chief Executive
Officer.
Share Ownership
None of the members of our Supervisory and Managing Boards or
our executive officers holds shares or options to acquire shares
representing more than 1% of our issued share capital.
Stock Awards and Options
Our Stock Options Plans are designed to incentivize, attract and
retain our executives and key employees by aligning compensation
with our success and the evolution of our share price.
In line with our 2005 annual shareholders meeting resolutions,
we have transitioned our stock-based compensation plans from
stock-option grants to non-vested stock awards. Pursuant to the
shareholders resolutions adopted by the 2005 annual
shareholders meeting, our Supervisory Board, upon the proposal
of the Managing Board and the recommendation of the Compensation
Committee, took the following actions:
|
|
|
|
|
approved the terms and conditions of the 2005 Supervisory Board
Stock-Based Compensation Plan for members and professionals; |
|
|
|
amended our 2001 Employee Stock Option Plan with the aim of
enhancing our ability to retain key employees and motivate them
to shareholder value creation; |
|
|
|
approved the vesting conditions, linked to our future
performance and their continued service with us, to apply to
non-vested stock awards granted to employees in 2005, the
maximum number of which is four million, in addition to the up
to 100,000 stock awards granted to our President and CEO, which
were approved by separate resolution; and |
|
|
|
accelerated the vesting of all of our outstanding stock options
in July 2005 aimed at facilitating the transition to a new stock
compensation policy with no charge to our interim consolidated
statements of income. |
We intend to use 4.1 million of our shares held by us in
treasury (out of the 13.4 million currently available) to
cover the four million non-vested stock award grants pursuant to
the 2001 Employee Stock Option Plan as well as the granting of
up to 100,000 non-vested shares to the sole member of our
Managing Board and President and CEO that was also approved by
shareholders at the 2005 annual shareholders meeting. The new
plans have generated an additional charge in the income
statements of the fourth quarter of 2005 of $9 million,
which corresponds to the compensation expense recognized for the
non-vested stock awards from the grant date over the vesting
period. Additional charges will be booked in the first quarter
of 2006 and in following quarters as the conditions relating to
vesting of the share awards are met.
The following table sets forth the number of restricted shares
granted to Supervisory Board members in 2005 and the number of
stock options granted in 2004. Messrs. Turicchi and Del
Fante declined their stock awards.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-vested Shares | |
|
Acquisition | |
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
|
Granted(1) | |
|
Price | |
|
Stock Options | |
|
Grant Price | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
Granted(2) | |
|
U.S.$ | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Gérald Arbola
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
22.71 |
|
Bruno Steve
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
22.71 |
|
Tom de Waard
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
22.71 |
|
Matteo Del Fante(3)(4)
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Douglas Dunn
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
22.71 |
|
Francis Gavois
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
22.71 |
|
Didier Lombard
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
22.71 |
|
Antonino Turicchi(3)(4)
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert M. White
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
22.71 |
|
Riccardo Gallo(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
22.71 |
|
Alessandro Ovi(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,000 |
|
|
|
22.71 |
|
103
|
|
(1) |
Pursuant to the 2005 Stock-Based Compensation Plan for
Supervisory Board Members and Professionals of the Supervisory
Board. |
|
(2) |
Pursuant to the 2002 Stock Option Plan for Supervisory Board
Members and Professionals of the Supervisory Board. |
|
(3) |
Messrs. Riccardo Gallo and Alessandro Ovi, who were
Supervisory Board Members throughout fiscal year 2004, were
replaced by Messrs. Antonino Turicchi and Matteo del Fante
at the annual general meeting on March 18, 2005. |
|
(4) |
Messrs. Antonino Turicchi and Matteo del Fante declined
their grants of restricted shares. |
Between January 1, 2005 and January 1, 2006, an
aggregate amount of 13,500 stock options were exercised by the
Supervisory Board members.
Mr. Bozotti was appointed as sole member of our Managing
Board and President and Chief Executive Officer of our company
by our annual shareholders meeting on March 18, 2005. Since
then he has received pursuant to the compensation policy adopted
by said shareholders meeting 100,000 share awards the
vesting of which is conditional upon our performance meeting
certain objectives which have been fixed by our Supervisory
Board. We will only know at the end of the first quarter of 2006
if all the conditions linked to our financial performance will
be met. During 2005, and particularly since March 18, 2005,
the date of his appointment as our President and CEO,
Mr. Bozotti has not exercised any stock options granted to
him nor has purchased or sold any of our shares.
The exercise of stock options and the sale or purchase of shares
of our stock by the members of our Supervisory Board, the sole
member of our Managing Board and President and CEO, and all our
employees are subject to an internal policy which involves,
inter alia, certain blackout periods.
The following description of our stock option plans has been
adjusted for the 2:1 stock split effected on June 16, 1999
and the 3:1 stock split effected on May 5, 2000. Taking
into account these stock splits, the total options outstanding
as of December 31, 2005 give the right to acquire
59,809,567 common shares by our employees (including executive
officers) and 749,000 common shares by members and professionals
(including Supervisory Board experts and controllers) of our
Supervisory Board, or a total of 60,558,567 shares.
The term options outstanding means options existing
as of December 31, 2005 not cancelled or exercised by their
respective beneficiaries (employees and members or professionals
of our Supervisory Board). Options are cancelled either because
the beneficiary waives them or because the beneficiary loses the
right to exercise them when leaving the company (with the
exception of retirement).
|
|
|
Employee and Managing Board Stock Option Plans |
1995 Stock Option Plan. On October 20, 1995, our
shareholders approved resolutions authorizing the Supervisory
Board for a period of five years to adopt and administer a stock
option plan that provides for the granting to our managers and
professionals of options to purchase up to a maximum of
33 million common
104
shares (the 1995 Stock Option Plan). We granted
options to acquire a total of 31,561,941 shares pursuant to
the 1995 Stock Option Plan as indicated in the following table:
1995 Plan (Employees)
October 20, 1995
Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tranche 2 |
|
Tranche 3 |
|
Tranche 4 |
|
Special grant |
|
Tranche 5 |
|
Special grant |
|
Tranche 6 |
|
Special grant |
|
Tranche 7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date of Supervisory Board Meeting
|
|
Sept 12, 1997 |
|
July 28, 1998 |
|
Sept 16, 1999 |
|
Jan 24, 2000 |
|
June 16, 2000 |
|
Sept 18, 2000 |
|
Dec 11, 2000 |
|
Dec 18, 2000 |
|
March 1, 2001 |
Total Number of Shares which may be purchased
|
|
3,873,000 |
|
3,900,000 |
|
8,878,200 |
|
150,000 |
|
5,331,250 |
|
70,000 |
|
2,019,640 |
|
26,501 |
|
113,350 |
Vesting Date
|
|
Sept 12, 2000 |
|
July 28, 2001 |
|
Sept 16, 2002 |
|
Jan 24, 2003 |
|
June 16, 2002 |
|
Sept 18, 2002 |
|
Dec 11, 2002 |
|
Dec 18, 2002 |
|
March 1, 2003 |
Expiration Date
|
|
Sept 12, 2005 |
|
July 28, 2006 |
|
Sept 16, 2007 |
|
Jan 24, 2008 |
|
June 16, 2008 |
|
Sept 18, 2008 |
|
Dec 11, 2008 |
|
Dec 18, 2008 |
|
March 1, 2009 |
Exercise Price
|
|
$14.23 |
|
$12.03 |
|
$24.88 |
|
$55.25 |
|
$62.01 |
|
$52.88 |
|
$50.69 |
|
$44.00 |
|
$31.65 |
Terms of Exercise
|
|
50% on
Sept 12, 2000 |
|
50% on
July 28, 2001 |
|
50% on
Sept 16, 2002 |
|
50% on
Jan 24, 2003 |
|
32% on
June 16, 2002 |
|
32% on
Sept 18, 2002 |
|
32% on
Dec 11, 2002 |
|
32% on
Dec 18, 2002 |
|
32% on
March 1, 2003 |
|
|
50% on
Sept 12, 2001 |
|
50% on
July 28, 2002 |
|
50% on
Sept 16, 2003 |
|
50% on
Jan 24, 2004 |
|
32% on
June 16, 2003 |
|
32% on
Sept 18, 2003 |
|
32% on
Dec 11, 2003 |
|
32% on
Dec 18, 2003 |
|
32% on
March 1, 2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36% on
June 16, 2004 |
|
36% on
Sept 18, 2004 |
|
36% on
Dec 11, 2004 |
|
36% on
Dec 18, 2004 |
|
36% on
March 1, 2005 |
Number of Shares to be acquired with Outstanding Options as of
Dec 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
2,287,131 |
|
7,819,020 |
|
|
|
4,672,795 |
|
40,435 |
|
1,632,060 |
|
22,120 |
|
50,470 |
Held by Managing Board/ Executive Officers
|
|
|
|
420,840 |
|
1,352,400 |
|
|
|
549,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2005 the total number of options
exercised pursuant to the 1995 Stock Option Plan was 12,255,102;
the number of options, which can no longer be exercised, because
they have been cancelled, was 2,782,808; and the number of
options outstanding, which can still be exercised, was
16,524,031. These outstanding options correspond to 16,524,031
common shares, which could be issued. No stock options have been
granted pursuant to our general meeting in 2005.
2001 Stock Option Plan. At the annual shareholders
meeting on April 25, 2001, our shareholders approved
resolutions authorizing the Supervisory Board for a period of
five years to adopt and administer a new stock option plan (in
the form of five annual tranches) that provides for the granting
to our managers and professionals of options to purchase up to a
maximum of 60 million common shares (the 2001 Stock
Option Plan). The amount of options granted to the sole
member of our Managing Board and President and CEO is determined
by our Compensation Committee, upon delegation from our
Supervisory Board. The amount of stock options granted to other
employees and for other employees is made by our Compensation
Committee on delegation by our Supervisory Board and following
recommendation of the sole member of our Managing Board and
President and CEO. In addition, the Supervisory Board delegates
each year to the sole member of our Managing Board and President
and CEO the flexibility to grant up to a determined number of
share awards to our employees pursuant to the 2001 Stock Option
Plan in special cases or in connection with an acquisition.
105
2001 Plan (Employees)
April 25, 2001
Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tranche 1 | |
|
Tranche 2 | |
|
Tranche 3 | |
|
Tranche 4 | |
|
Tranche 5 | |
|
Tranche 6 | |
|
Tranche 7 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Date of the grant
|
|
|
April 27, 2001 |
|
|
|
Sept 4, 2001 |
|
|
|
Nov 1, 2001 |
|
|
|
Jan 2, 2002 |
|
|
|
Jan 25, 2002 |
|
|
|
April 25, 2002 |
|
|
|
June 26, 2002 |
|
Total Number of Shares which may be purchased
|
|
|
9,521,100 |
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
61,900 |
|
|
|
29,400 |
|
|
|
3,656,103 |
|
|
|
9,708,390 |
|
|
|
318,600 |
|
Vesting Date
|
|
|
April 27, 2003 |
|
|
|
Sept 4, 2003 |
|
|
|
Nov 1, 2003 |
|
|
|
Jan 2, 2004 |
|
|
|
Jan 25, 2003 |
|
|
|
April 25, 2004 |
|
|
|
June 26, 2004 |
|
Expiration Date
|
|
|
April 27, 2011 |
|
|
|
Sept 4, 2011 |
|
|
|
Nov 1, 2011 |
|
|
|
Jan 2, 2012 |
|
|
|
Jan 25, 2012 |
|
|
|
April 25, 2012 |
|
|
|
June 26, 2012 |
|
Exercise Price
|
|
|
$39.00 |
|
|
|
$29.70 |
|
|
|
$29.61 |
|
|
|
$33.70 |
|
|
|
$31.09 |
|
|
|
$31.11 |
|
|
|
$22.30 |
|
|
|
|
32% on |
|
|
|
32% on |
|
|
|
32% on |
|
|
|
32% on |
|
|
|
50% on |
|
|
|
32% on |
|
|
|
32% on |
|
|
|
|
April 27, 2003 |
|
|
|
Sept 4, 2003 |
|
|
|
Nov 1, 2003 |
|
|
|
Jan 2, 2004 |
|
|
|
Jan 25, 2003 |
|
|
|
April 25, 2004 |
|
|
|
June 26, 2004 |
|
Terms of Exercise
|
|
|
32% on |
|
|
|
32% on |
|
|
|
32% on |
|
|
|
32% on |
|
|
|
50% on |
|
|
|
32% on |
|
|
|
32% on |
|
|
|
|
April 27, 2004 |
|
|
|
Sept 4, 2004 |
|
|
|
Nov 1, 2004 |
|
|
|
Jan 2, 2005 |
|
|
|
Jan 25, 2004 |
|
|
|
April 25, 2005 |
|
|
|
June 26, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
36% on |
|
|
|
36% on |
|
|
|
36% on |
|
|
|
36% on |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36% on |
|
|
|
36% on |
|
|
|
|
April 27, 2005 |
|
|
|
Sept 4, 2005 |
|
|
|
Nov 1, 2005 |
|
|
|
Jan 2, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 25, 2006 |
|
|
|
June 26, 2006 |
|
Number of Shares to be acquired with Outstanding Options as of
December 31, 2005
|
|
|
8,397,130 |
|
|
|
16,000 |
|
|
|
51,040 |
|
|
|
24,800 |
|
|
|
3,125,799 |
|
|
|
8,840,539 |
|
|
|
148,806 |
|
Held by Managing Board/ Executive Officers
|
|
|
771,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
274,500 |
|
|
|
801,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
2001 Plan (Employees) (continued)
April 25, 2001
Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tranche 8 |
|
Tranche 9 |
|
Tranche 10 |
|
Tranche 11 |
|
Tranche 12 |
|
Tranche 13 |
|
Tranche 14 |
|
Tranche 15 |
|
Tranche 16 |
|
Tranche 17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date of the grant
|
|
Aug 1, 2002 |
|
Dec 17, 2002 |
|
March 14, 2003 |
|
June 3, 2003 |
|
Oct 24, 2003 |
|
Jan 2, 2004 |
|
April 26, 2004 |
|
Sept 1, 2004 |
|
Jan 31, 2005 |
|
March 17, 2005 |
Total Number of Shares which may be purchased
|
|
24,500 |
|
14,400 |
|
11,533,960 |
|
306,850 |
|
135,500 |
|
86,400 |
|
12,103,490 |
|
175,390 |
|
29,200 |
|
13,000 |
Vesting Date
|
|
Aug 1, 2004 |
|
Dec 17, 2004 |
|
March 14, 2005 |
|
June 3, 2005 |
|
Oct 24, 2005 |
|
Jan 2, 2006 |
|
April 26, 2006 |
|
Sept 1, 2006 |
|
Jan 31, 2007 |
|
March 17, 2007 |
Expiration Date
|
|
Aug 1, 2012 |
|
Dec 17, 2012 |
|
March 14, 2013 |
|
June 3, 2013 |
|
Oct 24, 2013 |
|
Jan 2, 2014 |
|
April 26, 2014 |
|
Sept 1, 2014 |
|
Jan 31, 2015 |
|
March 17, 2015 |
Exercise Price
|
|
$20.02 |
|
$21.59 |
|
$19.18 |
|
$22.83 |
|
$25.90 |
|
$27.21 |
|
$22.71 |
|
$17.08 |
|
$16.73 |
|
$17.31 |
|
|
32% on
Aug 1, 2004 |
|
32% on
Dec 17, 2004 |
|
32% on
March 14, 2005 |
|
32% on
June 3, 2005 |
|
32% on
Oct 24, 2005 |
|
32% on
Jan 2, 2006 |
|
32% on
April 26, 2006 |
|
32% on
Sept 1, 2006 |
|
32% on
Jan 31, 2007 |
|
32% on
March 17, 2007 |
Terms of Exercise
|
|
32% on
Aug 1, 2005 |
|
32% on
Dec 17, 2005 |
|
32% on
March 14, 2006 |
|
32% on
June 3, 2006 |
|
32% on
Oct 24, 2006 |
|
32% on
Jan 2, 2007 |
|
32% on
April 26, 2007 |
|
32% on
Sept 1, 2007 |
|
32% on
Jan 31, 2008 |
|
32% on
March 17, 2008 |
|
|
36% on
Aug 1, 2006 |
|
36% on
Dec 17, 2006 |
|
36% on
March 14, 2007 |
|
36% on
June 3, 2007 |
|
36% on
Oct 24, 2007 |
|
36% on
Jan 2, 2008 |
|
36% on
March 14, 2008 |
|
36% on
Sept 1, 2008 |
|
36% on
Jan 31, 2009 |
|
36% on
March 17, 2009 |
Number of Shares to be acquired with Outstanding Options as of
Dec 31, 2005
|
|
18,900 |
|
14,400 |
|
10,673,083 |
|
219,954 |
|
128,950 |
|
41,000 |
|
11,383,755 |
|
159,180 |
|
29,200 |
|
13,000 |
Held by Managing Board/ Executive Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,077,00 |
|
|
|
31,000 |
|
|
|
1,190,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
In 2005, our shareholders, at our annual general meeting adopted
the modification of our 2001 Stock Option Plan, so as to provide
for the grant of up to four million unvested stock awards,
instead of stock options, to our senior executives and certain
of our key employees, as well as for the grant of up to 100,000
unvested stock awards to the sole member of our Managing Board
and President and CEO.
Pursuant to such approval, the Compensation Committee, upon
delegation from our Supervisory Board has approved the
conditions, which shall apply to the vesting of such awards.
These conditions relate both to our financial performance
meeting certain defined criteria in 2005 and during the first
quarter of 2006, and to the continued presence at the defined
vesting dates in April 2006, April 2007 and April 2008, of the
beneficiaries of the unvested stock awards.
Furthermore, the Compensation Committee approved the list of
beneficiaries of the unvested stock awards and delegated to our
President and Chief Executive Officer the right to grant certain
additional unvested stock awards to key employees, in
exceptional cases, provided that the total number of unvested
stock awards granted to
106
executives and key employees shall not exceed for 2005 four
million shares not including the grant of up to
100,000 shares awards to which our sole member of our
Managing Board and President and CEO may be entitled.
|
|
|
Supervisory Board Stock Option Plans |
1996 Stock Option Plan for members and professionals of the
Supervisory Board. In June 1996, the annual shareholders
meeting approved the granting to members and professionals of
the Supervisory Board of options to purchase approximately
400,500 of our common shares over a period of three years,
beginning in 1996 (the 1996 Stock Option Plan).
Under this plan, 35,000 options are still outstanding as of
December 31, 2005.
1999 Stock Option Plan for members and professionals of the
Supervisory Board. The 1996 Plan was renewed for the first
time in 1999 for a three-year period expiring on
December 31, 2001 (the 1999 Stock Option Plan),
providing for the grant of at least the same number of options
as were granted during the 1996-1999 period.
2002 Stock Option Plan for members and professionals of the
Supervisory Board. A 2002 Plan was adopted on March 27,
2002 (the 2002 Stock Option Plan). Pursuant to this
2002 Plan, the annual shareholders meeting authorized the grant
of 12,000 options per year to each of the members of our
Supervisory Board during the course of his three-year tenure
(during the three-year period from 2002-2005), and of 6,000
options per year to all of the professionals. Pursuant to the
1996, 1999, and 2002 Plans, stock options for the subscription
of 1,219,500 shares were already granted to the members of
the Supervisory Board and professionals. Options were granted to
members and professionals of our Supervisory Board and experts
and controllers under the 1996, 1999, and 2002 Stock Option
Plans as shown in the table below:
1996, 1999, and 2002 Plans
(for Supervisory Board Members and Professionals)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date of Annual |
|
June 24, 1996 |
|
May 31, 1999 |
|
March 27, 2002 |
General Meeting of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders |
|
Tranche 3 |
|
Tranche 1 |
|
Tranche 2 |
|
Tranche 3 |
|
Tranche 1 |
|
Tranche 2 |
|
Tranche 3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date of the grant
|
|
July 28, 1998 |
|
September 16, 1999 |
|
June 16, 2000 |
|
April 27, 2001 |
|
April 25, 2002 |
|
March 14, 2003 |
|
April 26, 2004 |
Total Number of Shares which may be purchased
|
|
103,500 |
|
207,000 |
|
103,500 |
|
112,500 |
|
132,000 |
|
132,000 |
|
132,000 |
Vesting Date
|
|
July 28, 1999 |
|
September 16, 2000 |
|
June 16, 2001 |
|
April 27, 2002 |
|
May 25, 2002 |
|
April 14, 2003 |
|
April 26, 2004 |
Expiration Date
|
|
July 28, 2006 |
|
September 16, 2007 |
|
June 16, 2008 |
|
April 27, 2011 |
|
April 25, 2012 |
|
March 14, 2013 |
|
April 26, 2014 |
Exercise Price
|
|
$12.03 |
|
$24.88 |
|
$62.01 |
|
$39.00 |
|
$31.11 |
|
$19.18 |
|
$22.71 |
Terms of Exercise
|
|
All exercisable after 1 year |
|
All exercisable after 1 year |
|
All exercisable after 1 year |
|
All exercisable after 1 year |
|
All exercisable after 1 year |
|
All exercisable after 1 year |
|
All exercisable after 1 year |
Number of Shares to be acquired with Outstanding Options as of
December 31, 2005
|
|
36,000 |
|
153,000 |
|
90,000 |
|
99,000 |
|
120,000 |
|
120,000 |
|
132,000 |
As of December 31, 2005 options to purchase a total of
377,000 common shares were outstanding under the 1996 and 1999
Stock Option Plans. At the same date, options to
purchase 372,000 common shares were outstanding under the
2002 Supervisory Board Stock Option Plan.
2005 Stock-based Compensation Plan for members and
professionals of the Supervisory Board. The 2002 Stock
Option Plan for Supervisory Board members and professionals
expired at the 2005 annual shareholders meeting. Our 2005 annual
shareholders meeting approved the adoption of a new three-year
stock-based compensation plan for Supervisory Board members and
professionals instead of a stock option plan. The 2005 Plan has
the following terms and conditions:
|
|
|
|
|
a maximum number of 6,000 newly issued shares per year for each
member of the Supervisory Board and 3,000 newly issued shares
per year for each professional of the Supervisory Board; and |
|
|
|
at a price per share of
1.04 per
share, the nominal value of ST shares. |
107
In 2005, 66,000 shares have been granted to the
beneficiaries under such plan out of which 51,000 are
outstanding as of December 31, 2005.
Summary of Stock Options and Share Awards. The following
table summarizes the number of options authorized but remaining
to be granted, the number of options exercised, the number of
options cancelled and the number of options outstanding as of
December 31, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employees | |
|
Supervisory Board | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
1995 Plan | |
|
2001 Plan | |
|
1996 | |
|
1999 | |
|
2002 | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Remaining amount authorized to be granted
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
12,265,817 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
12,265,817 |
|
Amount exercised
|
|
|
12,255,102 |
|
|
|
9,650 |
|
|
|
293,500 |
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
12,576,252 |
|
Amount cancelled
|
|
|
2,782,808 |
|
|
|
4,438,997 |
|
|
|
72,000 |
|
|
|
63,000 |
|
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
|
7,380,805 |
|
Amount outstanding
|
|
|
16,524,031 |
|
|
|
43,285,536 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
342,000 |
|
|
|
372,000 |
|
|
|
60,558,567 |
|
Furthermore, in 2005, 66,000 shares have been awarded
pursuant to the Supervisory Board Stock-Based Compensation Plan
to Supervisory Board members and professionals out of which
51,000 were outstanding as of December 31, 2005, and
3,940,065 non-vested shares have been awarded pursuant to the
2001 Employee Stock-Based Compensation Plan to the CEO and other
key employees, out of which 3,914,220 are outstanding at
December 31, 2005.
We currently hold 13,400,000 treasury shares that we may grant
to those employees who exercise stock options or that will
become eligible to the vested stock attributed to them under the
2001 plan. We also may repurchase additional common shares
without additional shareholder approval for distribution to our
employees pursuant to incentive plans such as the 2001 Stock
Option Plan.
The implementation of the Plan is subject to periodic proposals
from our Managing Board to our Supervisory Board.
The tables below set forth the breakdown of employees by main
category of activity and geographic area for the past three
years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
France
|
|
|
10,330 |
|
|
|
9,990 |
|
|
|
9,900 |
|
Italy
|
|
|
10,500 |
|
|
|
10,940 |
|
|
|
10,400 |
|
Rest of Europe
|
|
|
1,550 |
|
|
|
1,660 |
|
|
|
1,600 |
|
United States
|
|
|
3,120 |
|
|
|
3,180 |
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
Malta and Morocco
|
|
|
6,900 |
|
|
|
7,200 |
|
|
|
7,000 |
|
Asia
|
|
|
17,600 |
|
|
|
16,530 |
|
|
|
13,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
49,500 |
|
|
|
45,700 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Research and Development
|
|
|
9,700 |
|
|
|
9,800 |
|
|
|
8,800 |
|
Marketing and Sales
|
|
|
2,880 |
|
|
|
2,850 |
|
|
|
2,700 |
|
Manufacturing
|
|
|
32,400 |
|
|
|
32,150 |
|
|
|
29,800 |
|
Administration and General Services
|
|
|
2,550 |
|
|
|
2,400 |
|
|
|
2,250 |
|
Divisional Functions
|
|
|
2,470 |
|
|
|
2,300 |
|
|
|
2,150 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
49,500 |
|
|
|
45,700 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2005, the average age of our 50,000
employees was 33.9 years and the voluntary turn-over rate
was 7.8%, compared to an average age of 33.7 years and a
voluntary turn-over rate of 6.6% as of December 31, 2004.
On May 16, 2005, we announced a head count restructuring
plan that, cumulated with other already announced initiatives,
will aim to reduce our workforce by 3,000 people outside Asia by
the second half of 2006.
108
From these new measures estimated to cost between $100 to
$130 million, we anticipate additional savings of
$90 million per year, at completion of the plan. On
June 8, 2005, we specified our restructuring efforts by
announcing the following: our workforce gross reduction in
Europe will represent about 2,300 jobs of the 3,000 already
announced; we will pursue the conversion of 150-mm and 200-mm
production tools; we will optimize on a global scale our
Electrical Wafer Sorting (EWS) activities; we will
harmonize and rationalize our support functions and disengage
from certain activities.
Our future success, in particular in a period of strong
increased demand will also depend on our ability to continue to
attract, retain and motivate highly qualified technical,
marketing, engineering and management personnel. Unions are
represented at several of our manufacturing facilities. We use
temporary employees if required during production spikes and in
Europe during the summer vacations. We have not experienced any
significant strikes or work stoppages in recent years, other
than in Rennes, France in connection with the closure of this
plant and management believes that our relations with employees
are good.
As part of our commitment to the principles of TQEM, we founded
ST University in 1994 to develop an internal education
organization, responsible for organizing training courses to
executives, engineers, technicians and sales personnel within
STMicroelectronics and coordinating all training for our
employees.
|
|
Item 7. |
Major Shareholders and Related-Party Transactions |
Major Shareholders
The following table sets forth certain information with respect
to the ownership of our issued common shares based on
information available to us as of December 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares Owned | |
|
|
| |
Shareholders(1) |
|
Number | |
|
% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
STMicroelectronics Holding II B.V. (ST
Holding II)
|
|
|
250,704,754 |
|
|
|
27.6% |
|
Public
|
|
|
580,787,153 |
|
|
|
63.9% |
|
Brandes Investment Partners
|
|
|
62,932,372 |
|
|
|
7% |
|
Treasury shares
|
|
|
13,400,000 |
|
|
|
1.5% |
|
|
|
(1) |
At the end of 2004, Capital Group International, Inc. owned more
than 5% of our share capital. As of December 31, 2005,
Capital Group International, Inc. had reduced its participation
in our share capital below the 5% threshold and is,
consequently, no longer one of our major shareholders. |
Our principal shareholders do not have different voting rights
from those of our other shareholders.
ST Holding II is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
STMicroelectronics Holding N.V. (ST Holding). As of
December 31, 2005, FT1CI (the French
Shareholder) and a consortium of Italian shareholders (the
Italian Shareholders) made up of CDP and
Finmeccanica directly held 50% each in ST Holding based on
voting rights. CDP held 30% in ST Holding and Finmeccanica held
20% in ST Holding based on voting rights. The indirect interest
of FT1CI and the Italian Shareholders is split on a 50%-50%
basis. Through a structured tracking stock system implemented in
the articles of association of ST Holding and ST
Holding II, FT1CI indirectly held 99,318,236 of our common
shares, representing 10.9% of our issued share capital as of
December 31, 2005, CDP indirectly held 91,644,941 of our
common shares, representing 10.1% of our issued share capital as
of December 31, 2005 and Finmeccanica indirectly held
59,741,577 of our common shares, representing 6.6% of our issued
share capital as of December 31, 2005. Any disposals or, as
the case may be, acquisitions by ST Holding II on behalf of
respectively FT1CI, CDP and Finmeccanica, will decrease or, as
the case may be, increase the indirect interest of respectively
FT1CI, CDP and Finmeccanica in our issued share capital. FT1CI
was formerly a jointly held company set up by Areva and France
Telecom to control the interest of the French shareholders in ST
Holding. Following the transactions described below, Areva is
currently the sole shareholder of FT1CI. Areva (formerly known
as CEA-Industrie) is a corporation controlled by the French
atomic energy commission. Areva is listed on Euronext Paris in
the form of Investment Certificates. CDP is an Italian
corporation 70% owned by the Italian Ministero
dellEconomia e delle Finanze (the Ministry of
Economy and Finance) and 30% owned by a consortium of
66 Italian banking foundations. Finmeccanica is a listed
Italian holding company majority owned by the Italian Ministry
of Economy and Finance and the public. Finmeccanica is listed on
the Italian Mercato Telematico Azionario (MTA) and
is included in the S&P/ MIB 30 stock index.
ST Holding II owned 90% of our shares before our initial
public offering in 1994, and has since then gradually reduced
its participation, going below the 66% threshold in 1997 and
below the 50% threshold in 1999. ST Holding may further dispose
its shares as provided below in
Shareholders Agreements STH
109
Shareholders Agreement and
Disposals of our Common Shares and
pursuant to the eventual conversion of our outstanding
convertible instruments. Set forth below is a table of ST
Holding IIs holdings in us as of the end of each of
the past three financial years:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares Owned | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Number | |
|
% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
December 31, 2005
|
|
|
250,704,754 |
|
|
|
27.6 |
|
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
278,483,280 |
|
|
|
30.8 |
|
December 31, 2003
|
|
|
311,483,280 |
|
|
|
34.5 |
|
Announcements about additional disposals of our shares by ST
Holding II on behalf of one or more of its indirect
shareholders, Areva, CDP, FT1CI or Finmeccanica may come at any
time.
The chart below illustrates the shareholding structure as of
December 31, 2005:
|
|
(1) |
CDP owns 30% of ST Holding, while Finmeccanica owns 20% of ST
Holding. |
|
(2) |
Not a legal entity, purely for illustrative purposes. |
|
(3) |
FT1CI owns 50% of ST Holding and indirectly holds 99,318,236 of
our common shares. |
|
(4) |
CDP and Finmeccanica own 50% of ST Holding and indirectly hold
91,644,941 and 59,741,577 of our common shares, respectively. |
|
(5) |
The 70.9% includes the 7% shareholding of Brandes Investment
Partners. |
|
(6) |
ST Holding II owns 27.6% of our shares, the Public owns 70.9% of
our shares and we hold the remaining 1.5% as Treasury Shares. |
On December 17, 2001, France Telecom issued
1,522,950,000
aggregate principal amount of 1.0% notes due
December 17, 2004, redeemable by way of exchange for up to
30 million of our existing common shares on or after
January 2, 2004 (the 2001 Notes). Pursuant to
the terms and conditions of the 2001 Notes, on March 9,
2004, France Telecom redeemed the 2001 Notes, and the shares
underlying the 2001 Notes held in escrow by BNP Paribas
Securities Services (France) were released from escrow. On
December 3, 2004, France Telecom sold through ST Holding
those 30 million of our common shares (corresponding to the
entire amount released from escrow) to institutional investors
in a block trade.
On July 30, 2002, France Telecom issued
442.2 million
aggregate principal amount of 6.75% notes due
August 6, 2005, mandatorily exchangeable into our existing
common shares held by France Telecom (the 2002
Notes). On August 6, 2005, the mandatory exchangeable
notes reached maturity. We were informed that the exchange ratio
was 1.25 of our common shares per each
20.92 principal
amount of notes, which resulted in the disposal by France
Telecom of approximately 26.4 million of our currently
existing common shares, representing the totality of the shares
held by France Telecom in our company. Following this
disposition, France Telecom is no longer a shareholder of FT1CI
or an indirect shareholder (through ST Holding and ST
Holding II) of our company.
110
On August 12, 2003, Finmeccanica Finance, a subsidiary of
Finmeccanica, issued
438,725,000
aggregate principal amount of 0.375% senior unsecured
exchangeable notes due 2010, guaranteed by Finmeccanica (the
Finmeccanica Notes). On September 1, 2003,
Finmeccanica Finance issued an additional
62,675,000
aggregate principal amount of Finmeccanica Notes, raising the
issue size to
501,400,000. The
Finmeccanica Notes have been exchangeable at the option of the
holder since January 2, 2004 into up to 20 million of
our existing common shares held by ST Holding II, or 2.3%
of our then-outstanding share capital. The Finmeccanica Notes
have an initial exchange ratio of 39.8883 shares per note.
As of December 31, 2005, none of the Finmeccanica Notes had
been exchanged for our common shares.
During the second half of 2003, ST Holding II sold on the
market a total of nine million shares, or approximately 1.0% of
our issued and outstanding common shares corresponding to
indirect shareholdings held by Finmeccanica. During 2004,
Finmeccanica sold three million shares to institutional
investors in block trades. During 2004, Finmeccanica lent
23 million of company shares it holds indirectly through ST
Holding. Finally, on December 23, 2004, Finmeccanica
transferred 93 million of its indirect holding of our
existing common shares to CDP, and CDP signed a deed of
adherence to the STH Shareholders Agreement (as defined
below).
Finmeccanica also caused ST Holding II to transfer seven
million shares corresponding to its indirect stake in us to an
account at BNP Paribas Securities Services, Luxembourg. We have
been informed that on December 20, 2005, ST Holding II
sold on behalf of Finmeccanica 1,355,122 of these seven million
shares at a net price of
15.34 per
share. We were also informed that in December 2005, CDP sold
1,355,123 of our common shares to Finmeccanica.
Announcements about additional disposals by ST Holding II
or our indirect shareholders may come at any time. See
Item 3. Key Information Risk
Factors Risks Related to Our Operations
Our direct or indirect shareholders may sell our existing common
shares or issue financial instruments exchangeable into our
common shares at any time while at the same time seeking to
retain their rights regarding our preference shares. In
addition, substantial sales by us of new common shares or
convertible bonds could cause our common share price to drop
significantly.
|
|
|
STH Shareholders Agreement |
We were formed in 1987 as a result of the decision by
Thomson-CSF (now called Thales) and STET (now called Telecom
Italia S.p.A.) to combine their semiconductor businesses and to
enter into a shareholders agreement on April 30,
1987, which was amended on December 10, 2001 and restated
on March 17, 2004, as amended, the STH Shareholders
Agreement. The current parties to the STH Shareholders
Agreement are Areva, CDP, Finmeccanica and FT1CI (CDP became
bound by the STH Shareholders Agreement pursuant to a deed
of adherence dated December 23, 2004 following its purchase
from Finmeccanica of a majority of Finmeccanicas indirect
interest in us through ST Holding). The March 17, 2004
amended and restated agreement supercedes and replaces all
previous agreements. CDP and Finmeccanica entered into an
agreement that provides for the transfer of certain of the
rights of Finmeccanica under the STH Shareholders
Agreement to CDP. See Other Shareholders
Agreements Italian Shareholders Pact
below. Therefore, references to the rights and obligations of
Finmeccanica under the STH Shareholders Agreement
described below also refer to CDP.
Pursuant to the terms of the STH Shareholders Agreement
and for the duration of such agreement, FT1CI, on the one hand,
and Finmeccanica/CDP, on the other hand, have agreed to maintain
equal interests in our share capital. See further details below.
|
|
|
Restructuring of the Holding Companies |
If necessary, the parties agreed to restructure the two holding
companies (ST Holding and ST Holding II) to simplify the
structure to the extent possible or desirable. In any case, at
least one holding company will continue to exist to hold our
common shares. The Company that now holds or may hold our common
shares in the future for indirect shareholders is referred to
below as the holding company.
The STH Shareholders Agreement contains a standstill
provision that precludes any of the parties and the
parties affiliates from acquiring, directly or indirectly,
any of our common shares or any instrument providing for the
right to acquire any of our common shares other than through the
holding company. The standstill is in effect for as long as such
party holds our common shares through ST Holding. The parties
agreed to continue to hold their stakes in us at all times
through the current holding structure of ST Holding and ST
Holding II, subject to
111
exercising the preference share option granted to ST Holding if
ST Holding were to choose not to exercise such rights directly.
The STH Shareholders Agreement provides for a balanced
corporate governance of the indirect interests in us between
FT1CI and Finmeccanica (references to Finmeccanica now include
the stake transferred to CDP, as well as CDP, and together with
FT1CI, the STH shareholders) for the duration of the
Balance Period, despite actual differences in
indirect economic interest in us. The Balance Period
is defined as (i) a period through March 17, 2008,
provided that each of France Telecom or Areva (or their
assignees) on the one hand and Finmeccanica or CDP on the other
hand own at all times a voting stake at least equal to 9.5% of
our issued and outstanding shares, and (ii) subject to the
aforementioned condition, thereafter as long as each STH
shareholder at any time, including as a result of the exercise
of the Rebalancing Option (as defined below), owns a
voting stake equal to at least 47.5% of the total voting stakes.
During the Balance Period, each of FT1CI and Finmeccanica
(together with CDP) has an option to rebalance their
shareholdings, referred to as the Rebalancing
Option, as further described below.
During the Balance Period, the STH shareholders agree that the
holding company will have a managing board comprised of two
members (one member designated by FT1CI, and one designated by
common agreement of Finmeccanica and CDP pursuant to the Italian
Shareholders Pact as described below) and a supervisory
board comprised of eight members (four designated by FT1CI and
four designated by common agreement of Finmeccanica and CDP
pursuant to the Italian Shareholders Pact as described
below). The chairman of the supervisory board of the holding
company shall be designated for a three-year term by one
shareholder (with the other shareholder entitled to designate
the Vice Chairman), such designation to alternate between
Finmeccanica and CDP on the one hand and FT1CI on the other
hand. The current Chairman is Mr. Gérald Arbola. The
parties agreed that the next chairman of the supervisory board
of the holding company will be appointed by the Italian
Shareholders.
During the Balance Period, any other decision, to the extent
that a resolution of the holding company is required, must be
pursuant to the unanimous approval of the shareholders,
including but not limited to the following: (i) the
definition of the role and structure of our Managing Board and
Supervisory Board, and those of the holding company;
(ii) the powers of the Chairman and the Vice Chairman of
our Supervisory Board, and that of the holding company;
(iii) information by our Managing Board and by our
Supervisory Board, and those of the holding company;
(iv) treatment of confidential information;
(v) appointment of any additional members of our Managing
Board and those of the holding company; (vi) remuneration
of the members of our Managing Board and those of the holding
company; (vii) internal audit of STMicroelectronics N.V.
and of the holding company; (viii) industrial and
commercial relationships between STMicroelectronics N.V. and
Finmeccanica or STMicroelectronics N.V. and either or both FT1CI
shareholders, or any of their affiliates; and (ix) any of
the decisions listed in article 16.1 of our Articles of
Association including our budget and pluri-annual plans.
However, in case we are the subject of a hostile take-over bid,
any holding company shareholder may, upon its sole request,
obtain the activation by the holding company of the option
agreement relating to the preference shares described below
(provided that such activation is triggered by our Supervisory
Board), in which case the STH shareholders shall be required to
finance the subscription by the holding company of the
preference shares, and such subscription and payment shall be
completed only to the extent required to implement the option
agreement so as to consolidate a majority of our voting rights
(and to the exclusion of any further acquisitions of our common
shares, which require the unanimous approval of our
shareholders).
As regards STMicroelectronics N.V. during the Balance Period:
(i) each of the STH shareholders (FT1CI on the one hand,
and Finmeccanica and CDP on the other hand) shall have the right
to insert on a list prepared for proposal by the holding company
to our annual shareholders meeting the same number of members
for election to the Supervisory Board, and the holding company
shall vote in favor of such members; (ii) the STH
shareholders will cause the holding company to submit to our
annual shareholders meeting and to vote in favor of a common
proposal for the appointment of the Managing Board; and
(iii) any decision relating to the voting rights of the
holding company in us shall require the unanimous approval of
the holding company shareholders and shall be submitted by the
holding company to our annual shareholders meeting. The STH
shareholders also agreed that the Chairman of our Supervisory
Board will be designated upon proposal of an STH shareholder for
a three-year term, and the Vice Chairman of our Supervisory
Board will be designated upon proposal of the other STH
shareholder for the same period, and vice-versa for the
following three-year term. The STH shareholders further agreed
that the STH shareholder proposing the appointment of the
Chairman be entitled to propose the appointment of the Assistant
Secretary of our Supervisory Board, and the STH shareholder
proposing the
112
appointment of the Vice Chairman be entitled to propose the
appointment of the Secretary of our Supervisory Board. Finally,
each STH shareholder is entitled to appoint a Financial
Controller to the Supervisory Board. Our Secretary, Assistant
Secretary and two Financial Controllers are referred to as
professionals (not members) of our Supervisory Board.
In addition, the following resolutions, to the extent that a
resolution of the holding company is required, must be resolved
upon by a shareholders resolution of the holding company,
which shall require the unanimous approval of the STH
shareholders: (i) any alteration in the holding
companys articles of association; (ii) any issue,
acquisition or disposal by the holding company of its shares or
change in share rights; (iii) any alteration in our
authorized share capital or issue by us of new shares and/or of
any financial instrument giving rights to subscribe for our
common shares; any acquisition or disposal by the holding
company of our shares and/or any right to subscribe for our
common shares; any modification to the rights attached to our
common shares; any merger, acquisition or joint venture
agreement to which we are or are proposed to be a party; and any
other items on the agenda of our general shareholders meeting;
(iv) the liquidation or dissolution of the holding company;
(v) any legal merger, legal de-merger, acquisition or joint
venture agreement to which the holding company is proposed to be
a party; and (vi) the adoption or approval of our annual
accounts or those of the holding company or a resolution
concerning a dividend distribution by us.
At the end of the Balance Period, the members of our Supervisory
Board and those of the holding company designated by the
minority shareholder of the holding company will immediately
resign upon request of the holding companys majority
shareholder, subject to the rights described in the previous
paragraph.
After the end of the Balance Period, unanimous approval by the
shareholders of the holding company remains required to approve:
|
|
|
(i) As long as any of the shareholders indirectly owns at
least equal to the lesser of 3% of our issued and outstanding
share capital or 10% of the remaining STH shareholders
stake in us at such time, with respect to the holding company,
any changes to the articles of association, any issue,
acquisition or disposal of shares in the holding company or
change in the rights of its shares, its liquidation or
dissolution and any legal merger, de-merger, acquisition or
joint venture agreement to which the holding company is proposed
to be a party. However, the minority shareholder may not prevent
the other shareholder from increasing the capital of the holding
company in order to finance the acquisition of additional shares
in our company as a defense against a hostile takeover bid for
STMicroelectronics N.V. |
|
|
(ii) As long as any of the shareholders indirectly owns at
least 33% of the holding company, certain changes to our
articles of association (including any alteration in our
authorized share capital, or any issue of share capital and/or
financial instrument giving the right to subscribe for our
common shares, changes to the rights attached to our shares,
changes to the preemptive rights, issues relating to the form,
rights and transfer mechanics of the shares, the composition and
operation of the Managing and Supervisory Boards, matters
subject to the Supervisory Boards approval, the
Supervisory Boards voting procedures, extraordinary
meetings of shareholders and quorums for voting at shareholders
meetings). |
|
|
(iii) Any decision to vote our shares held by the holding
company at any general meeting of our shareholders with respect
to any substantial and material merger decision. In the event of
a failure by the shareholders to reach a common decision on the
relevant merger proposal, our shares attributable to the
minority shareholder and held by the holding company will be
counted as present for purposes of a quorum of shareholders at
one of our shareholders meetings, but will not be voted (i.e.,
will be abstained from the vote in a way that they will not be
counted as a negative vote or as a positive vote). |
|
|
(iv) In addition, the minority shareholder will have the
right to designate at least one member of the list of candidates
for our Supervisory Board to be proposed by the holding company
if that shareholder indirectly owns at least 3% of our total
issued and outstanding share capital, with the majority STH
shareholder retaining the right to appoint that number of
members to our Supervisory Board that is at least proportional
to such majority STH shareholders voting stake. |
Finally, at the end of the Balance Period, the unanimous
approval required for other decisions taken at the
STMicroelectronics N.V. level shall only be compulsory to the
extent possible, taking into account the actual power attached
to the direct and indirect shareholding jointly held by the STH
shareholders in our company.
|
|
|
Disposals of our Common Shares |
The STH Shareholders Agreement provides that each STH
shareholder retains the right to cause the holding company to
dispose of its stake in us at its sole discretion, provided it
is pursuant to either (i) the issuance of
113
financial instruments, (ii) an equity swap, (iii) a
structured finance deal or (iv) a straight sale. ST
Holding II may enter into escrow arrangements with STH
shareholders with respect to our shares, whether this be
pursuant to exchangeable notes, securities lending or other
financial instruments. STH shareholders that issue exchangeable
instruments may include in their voting stake the voting rights
of the underlying shares provided they remain freely and
continuously held by the holding company as if the holding
company were still holding the full ownership of the shares. STH
shareholders that issue financial instruments with respect to
our underlying shares may have a call option over those shares
upon exchange of exchangeable notes for common shares.
As long as any of the parties to the STH Shareholders
Agreement has a direct or indirect interest in us, except in the
case of a public offer, no sales by a party may be made of any
of our shares or of FT1CI, ST Holding or ST Holding II to
any of our top ten competitors, or any company that controls
such competitor.
|
|
|
Re-adjusting and Re-balancing options |
The STH Shareholders Agreement provides that the parties
have the right, subject to certain conditions, to re-balance
their indirect holdings in our shares to achieve parity between
FT1CI on the one hand and Finmeccanica and CDP on the other
hand. If at any time prior to March 17, 2008, the voting
stake in us of one of the STH shareholders (FT1CI on the one
hand, and Finmeccanica and CDP on the other hand) falls below
9.5% due either to (a) the exchange by a third party of any
exchangeable instruments issued by an STH shareholder or
(b) to an issuance by us of new shares subscribed to by a
third party, such STH shareholder will have the right to notify
the other STH shareholder of its intention to exercise a
Re-adjusting Option. In such case, the STH
shareholders will cause the holding company to purchase the
number of our common shares necessary to increase the voting
stake of such STH shareholder to 9.5% of our issued and
outstanding share capital.
If by December 17, 2007, the Balance Period has not already
expired and if on such date the voting stake of one of the STH
shareholders (FT1CI on the one hand, and Finmeccanica and CDP on
the other hand) has fallen below 47.5% of our issued and
outstanding share capital, such STH shareholder will have the
right to notify the other STH shareholder of its intention to
exercise a Re-balance Option no later than 30
Business Days prior to March 17, 2008. In such case, the
STH shareholders will cause the holding company to purchase
before March 17, 2008 the number of our common shares
necessary to re-balance at 50/50% the respective voting stakes
of the STH shareholders.
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Change of Control Provision |
The STH Shareholders Agreement provides for certain
dispositions in respect of exercise by ST Holding II B.V.
of its rights pursuant to the option agreement in case we become
the subject of a hostile takeover. See
Preference Shares below.
The STH Shareholders Agreement also provides for tag-along
rights, preemptive rights, and provisions with respect to a
change of control of any of the shareholders or any controlling
shareholder of FT1CI, on the one hand, and Finmeccanica, on the
other hand. The shareholders may transfer shares of the holding
company or FT1CI to any of the shareholders affiliates,
which would include the Italian state or the French state with
respect to entities controlled by a state. The shareholders and
their ultimate shareholders will be prohibited from launching
any takeover process on any of the other shareholders.
Pursuant to the terms of STH Shareholders Agreement,
neither we nor ST Holding are permitted, as a matter of
principle, to operate outside the field of semiconductor
products. The parties to the STH Shareholders Agreement
also undertake to refrain directly or indirectly from competing
with us in the area of semiconductor products, subject to
certain exceptions, and to offer us opportunities to
commercialize or invest in any semiconductor product
developments by them.
In the event of a disagreement that cannot be resolved between
the parties as to the conduct of the business and actions
contemplated by the STH Shareholders Agreement, each party
has the right to offer its interest in ST Holding to the
other, which then has the right to acquire, or to have a third
party acquire, such interest. If neither party agrees to acquire
or have acquired the other partys interest, then together
the parties are obligated to try to find a third party to
acquire their collective interests, or such part thereof as is
suitable to change the decision to terminate the agreement. The
STH Shareholders Agreement otherwise terminates in the
event that one of the parties thereto ceases to hold shares in
ST Holding.
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On May 31, 1999, our shareholders approved the creation of
preference shares that entitle a holder to full voting rights at
any meeting of shareholders and to a preferential right to
dividends and distributions upon liquidation. On the same day,
in order to protect ourselves from a hostile takeover or other
similar action, we entered into an option agreement with ST
Holding II, most recently amended in September 15,
2004, which provides that up to 540,000,000 preference shares
shall be issued to ST Holding II upon its request and
subject to the adoption of a resolution of our Supervisory Board
giving our consent to the exercise of the option and upon
payment of at least 25% of the par value of the preference
shares to be issued. Following the 2004 amendment to the ST
Holding II option agreement, the option is contingent upon
ST Holding II retaining at least 19% of our issued share
capital at the time of exercise of the option. The option shall
terminate if ST Holding II no longer owns at least 19% of
our issued and outstanding share capital for a period of twelve
consecutive months.
Under the STH Shareholders Agreement, any shareholder can
cause the holding company to exercise the option to acquire the
preference shares in the event we are the subject of a hostile
takeover bid.
No preference shares have been issued to date. The effect of the
preference shares may be to deter potential acquirers from
effecting an unsolicited acquisition resulting in a change of
control. In addition, any issuance of additional capital within
the limits of our authorized share capital, as approved by our
shareholders, is subject to approval by our Supervisory Board.
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Other Shareholders Agreements |
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Italian Shareholders Pact |
In connection with the transfer of an interest in ST Holding
from Finmeccanica to CDP, Finmeccanica and CDP entered into a
shareholders pact (the Italian Shareholders
Pact) on November 26, 2004 setting forth the rights
and obligations of their respective interests as shareholders of
ST Holding. Pursuant to the terms of the Italian
Shareholders Pact, CDP became a party to the STH
Shareholders Agreement. Under the Italian
Shareholders Pact, CDP will have the right to exercise
certain corporate governance rights in us previously exercised
by Finmeccanica under the STH Shareholders Agreement.
The Italian Shareholders Pact provides that CDP has the
right to appoint one of the two members of the
ST Holdings Managing Board. Moreover, CDP will have
the right to nominate a number of representatives to the
Supervisory Board of ST Holding, ST Holding II and
STMicroelectronics N.V. In particular, CDP has the right to
propose two members for membership on our Supervisory Board,
while one member will be proposed by Finmeccanica for so long as
Finmeccanica owns indirectly at least 3% of our capital. If and
when its indirect interest in us is reduced below such
threshold, Finmeccanica will cause its appointed director to
resign and be replaced by a director appointed by CDP.
As is the case with other companies controlled by the French
government, the French government has appointed a Commissaire
du Gouvernement and a Contrôleur dEtat for
FT1CI. Pursuant to Decree No. 94-214, dated March 10,
1994, these government representatives have the right
(i) to attend any board meeting of FT1CI, and (ii) to
veto any board resolution or any decision of the president of
FT1CI within ten days of such board meeting (or, if they have
not attended the meeting, within ten days of the receipt of the
board minutes or the notification of such presidents
decision); such veto lapses if not confirmed within one month by
the Ministry of the Economy or the Secrétariat
dEtat à lIndustrie (Secretary of Industry).
FT1CI is subject to certain points of the décret of
August 9, 1953 pursuant to which the Ministry of the
Economy and any other relevant ministries (a) have the
authority to approve decisions of FT1CI relating to budgets or
forecasts of revenues, operating expenses and capital
expenditures, and (b) may set accounting principles and
rules of evaluation of fixed assets and amortization. The effect
of these provisions may be that the decisions taken by us and
our subsidiaries that, by the terms of the STH
Shareholders Agreement, require prior approval by FT1CI,
may be adversely affected by these veto rights under French law.
Pursuant to the principal Italian privatization law, certain
special government powers may be introduced into the bylaws of
firms considered strategic by the Italian government. In the
case of Finmeccanica, these powers were established by decrees
adopted by the Minister of the Treasury on November 8,
1999, and Finmeccanicas bylaws were subsequently amended
on November 23, 1999. The aforementioned decrees were
amended by the Law Decree 350 enacted on December 24, 2003,
and Finmeccanica has modified its bylaws accordingly. The
special powers of the Minister of the Treasury (who will act in
agreement with the Minister of Industry) include: (i) the
power to object to the acquisition of material interests in
Finmeccanicas share capital; (ii) the power to
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object to material shareholders agreements relating to
Finmeccanicas share capital; (iii) the power to
appoint one member of Finmeccanicas board of directors
without voting rights; and (iv) the power to veto
resolutions to dissolve Finmeccanica, transfer its business,
merge, conduct spin-offs, transfer its registered office outside
of Italy, change its corporate purposes, or amend or modify any
of the Minister of the Treasurys special powers.
Pursuant to Law Decree 269 of September 30, 2003 and Decree
of the Ministry of the Economy and Finance of December 5,
2003, CDP was transformed from a public entity into a joint
stock limited liability company (società per
azioni). While transforming itself into a holding company,
CDP maintained its public interest purpose. CDPs core
business is to finance public investments and more specifically
infrastructure and other major public works sponsored by
regions, local authorities, public agencies and other public
bodies. By virtue of a special provision of Law Decree 269, the
Ministry of Economy and Finance will always be able to exercise
its control over CDP.
Related-Party Transactions
On February 27, 2005, the board of directors of France
Telecom appointed Didier Lombard, member of our Supervisory
Board, as its Chairman and CEO. France Telecom and its
subsidiaries supply certain services to our company.
At a meeting on April 26, 2005, the Managing Board informed
the Supervisory Board about the renewal of a contract for the
provision of various telecom-related services with EQUANT, a
subsidiary of France Telecom. The Supervisory Board noted the
Managing Boards assessment of the positive commercial
benefits of such contract. Additionally, the Supervisory Board
noted that the contract was concluded at normal and competitive
conditions and was based on a long-standing proven business
relationship between EQUANT and us, which was established before
EQUANT became a controlled subsidiary of France Telecom.
At a meeting on July 26, 2005, the Managing Board informed
the Supervisory Board about a development and license agreement
to be concluded with Quadrics Limited, a company owned by Alenia
Aeronautica that is in turn owned by Finmeccanica. The
Supervisory Board noted that the contract was concluded in the
ordinary course of business at normal conditions and that it was
considered mutually beneficial for Quadrics Limited and us.
In 2005, we sold products to Advanced Digital Broadcast Holdings
SA (Switzerland) (ADB), a company that focuses on
the development and marketing of software for advanced digital
television processors as well as the design and manufacture of
digital television equipment. One of our executive officers was
a former member of ADB.
One of our Supervisory Board members is a member of the Board of
Directors of Thomson, which is one of our strategic customers.
In 2005, 1.3% of our net sales resulted from our sales to
Thomson. We believe that these transactions are made on an
arms-length basis in line with market practices and conditions.
We entered into a joint research and development partnership
agreement with France Telecom on February 2, 2006, which
addresses the analysis of
end-to-end advanced
security for mobile devices and services. As is the case with
Thomson, this agreement was made on an arms length basis in line
with market practices and conditions.
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Item 8. |
Financial Information |
Financial Statements
Please see Item 18. Financial Statements for a
list of the financial statements filed with this
Form 20-F.
Legal Proceedings
As is the case with many companies in the semiconductor
industry, we have from time to time received, and may in the
future receive, communications alleging possible infringement of
patents and other intellectual property rights of others.
Furthermore, we may become involved in costly litigation brought
against us regarding patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade
secrets or mask works. In the event that the outcome of any
litigation would be unfavorable to us, we may be required to
take a license to the underlying intellectual property right
upon economically unfavorable terms and conditions, and possibly
pay damages for prior use, and/or face an injunction, all of
which singly or in the aggregate could have a material adverse
effect on our results of operations and ability to compete. See
Item 3. Key Information Risk
Factors Risks Related to Our Operations
We depend on patents to protect our rights to our
technology.
116
We record a provision when it is probable that a liability has
been incurred and when the amount of the loss can be reasonably
estimated. We regularly evaluate losses and claims to determine
whether they need to be adjusted based on the current
information available to us. Legal costs associated with claims
are expensed as incurred. We are in discussion with several
parties with respect to claims against us relating to possible
infringements of patents and similar intellectual property
rights of others.
We are currently a party to legal proceedings with SanDisk.
On October 15, 2004, SanDisk filed a complaint against us
with the United States International Trade Commission (the
ITC) with respect to certain NAND memory products,
alleging patent infringement and seeking an order excluding our
NAND products from importation into the United States. On
November 15, 2004, the ITC instituted an investigation
against us in response to the complaint. On October 19,
2005, Administrative Law Judge Paul J. Luckern, in his Initial
Determination, ruled that our NAND products do not infringe on
the asserted SanDisk patent, and that there was no violation of
Section 337 of the U.S. Tariff Act of 1930. On
December 5, 2005, the ITC confirmed its initial decision.
No impact on our financial statements resulted from this recent
decision.
On October 15, 2004, SanDisk also filed a complaint for
patent infringement, and declaratory judgment of
non-infringement and patent invalidity against us with the
United States District Court for the Northern District of
California. The complaint alleges that our products infringe a
SanDisk U.S. patent and seeks a declaratory judgment that
SanDisk does not infringe several of our U.S. patents. By
order dated January 4, 2005, the court stayed
SanDisks patent infringement claim pending a final
determination in the ITC action discussed above. On
January 20, 2005, the court issued an order granting our
motion to dismiss the declaratory judgment causes of action.
SanDisk has appealed the order to the United States Court of
Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
On February 4, 2005, we filed two complaints for patent
infringement against SanDisk with the United States District
Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaints allege
that SanDisk products infringe seven of our U.S. patents.
On April 22, 2005, SanDisk filed a counterclaim against us
alleging that our products infringed two SanDisk patents. We
anticipate that the first trial will be held during the second
quarter of 2006 and that the second trial will be held during
the third quarter of 2006.
On March 28, 2005, SanDisk filed a complaint for
declaratory judgment of non-infringement and patent invalidity
against us with the United States District Court for the
Northern District of California. The complaint seeks a
declaratory judgment that SanDisk does not infringe several of
our U.S. patents. On April 11, 2005, SanDisk
voluntarily dismissed the case.
On October 14, 2005, we filed a complaint against SanDisk
and its current CEO Dr. Eli Harari before the Superior
Court of California, County of Alameda. The complaint seeks,
among other relief, assignment of certain SanDisk patents that
resulted from inventive activity on the part of Dr. Harari
that took place while he was an employee, officer and/or
director of Waferscale Integration, Inc. We are the successor to
Waferscale Integration, Inc. by merger.
On December 6, 2005, SanDisk filed a complaint against us
in the California (San Jose) Federal Court. The complaint
alleges that our NAND and NOR flash products infringe a SanDisk
patent. We are investigating the allegation and have not filed
any papers with the California court.
On January 10, 2006, SanDisk filed a complaint against us
with the ITC with respect to certain NAND and NOR memory
products, alleging patent infringement and seeking an order
excluding our NAND and NOR products from importation into the
United States. On February 10, 2006, the ITC announced that
it has instituted an investigation against us in response to the
complaint.
In addition, on January 31, 2006, we were informed that
Tessera, Inc. (Tessera) has decided to add us, along
with several other semiconductor companies, as a co-defendant to
a lawsuit filed by Tessera on October 7, 2005 against
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. and Spansion LLC in the United
States District Court for the Northern District of California.
Tessera is claiming that our ball grid array format
semiconductor and multi-chip semiconductor packages infringe
several patents owned by Tessera. We intend to defend the
lawsuit vigorously; however, it is difficult to predict the
outcome of such litigation, and an adverse outcome could result
in significant financial costs that may materially affect our
results of operations.
Risk Management and Insurance
We cover our industrial and business risks through insurance
contracts with top ranking insurance carriers, to the extent
reasonably permissible by the insurance market which does not
provide insurance coverage for certain risks and imposes certain
limits, terms and conditions on coverage that it does provide.
117
Risks may be covered either through local policies or through
corporate policies negotiated on a worldwide level for the ST
Group of Companies. Corporate policies are negotiated when the
risks are recurrent in various STMicroelectronics affiliated
companies.
Currently we have four corporate policies covering the following
risks:
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Property damage and business interruption; |
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General liability and product liability; |
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Directors and officers liability; and |
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Transportation risks. |
Our policies cover a twelve-month period. They are subject to
certain terms and conditions, exclusions and limitations,
generally in line with prevailing conditions, exclusions and
limitations, in the insurance market. Pursuant to such
conditions, risks such as terrorism, earthquake, fire, floods
and loss of production, may not be fully insured and we may not,
in the event of a claim under a policy, receive an
indemnification from our insurers commensurate with the full
amount of the damage we have incurred. Furthermore, our product
liability insurance covers physical and direct damages, which
may be caused by our products, however, certain immaterial,
non-consequential damages resulting from failure to deliver or
delivery of defective products are not covered because such
risks are considered to occur in the ordinary course of business
and cannot be insured. Our policies also include deductibles,
the maximum of which is fixed at $15 million under our
current property damage business interruption policy and limits,
the maximum of which is set at $500 million under the same
policy. We may decide to subscribe for excess coverage in
addition to the coverage provided by our standard policies. If
we suffer damage or incur a claim, which is not covered by one
of our corporate insurance policies, this may have a material
adverse effect on our results of operations.
We also perform annual assessments through an external
consultant of our risk exposure in the field of property
damage/business interruption in our production sites, to assess
potential losses, and actual risk exposure. Such assessments are
provided to our underwriters. We do not own or operate any
insurance captive, or act as an insurer for any of our risks.
The cost for the above corporate policies represented in 2005
less than 0.25% of our turnover in 2005.
Internal Controls
We have, since our creation in 1987, focused on the need to have
a strong internal control organization, whose mission is to
ensure that all corporate transactions are driven by the desire
to best serve the interests of our shareholders, made in
compliance with our corporate procedures and duly documented and
reported as required by applicable laws and regulations.
We have established corporate policies and procedures which set
forth principles, business rules of behavior and codes of
conduct considered to be consistent with proper business
management, in line with our mission and strategic objectives.
Corporate policies are either inspired by the CEO, or approved
by the CEO when inspired by senior members of our management
organizations. Our corporate policies concern, inter alia,
business ethics, conflicts of interest, business continuity,
corporate data, health, safety and environment, among others.
Corporate Standard Operating Procedures describe the operational
flow of actions (outlining responsibilities for each step) to
perform a task or activity, or to implement a policy within a
given functional field. We have over one hundred standard
operating procedures which cover a wide range of activities such
as approvals, authorizations, verifications, reconciliations,
review of operating performance, security of assets and
segregation of duties, which are deployed all through our
organization, and which may be completed as and when required by
local operating procedures.
We also have an internal audit organization, which performs
general scope internal audits covering various areas, such as
information technology, logistics and inventory management,
human resources and payroll, internal control systems, security,
purchasing, treasury, etc. The audit plans for our internal
audit organization are reviewed at least once a year by the
Audit Committee of our Supervisory Board, which also receives an
annual report from the Director of our Internal Audit
Organization, and may ask any questions in relation to their
findings or propose additional missions.
In 2005, we devoted significant resources and attention to
evaluating the effectiveness of all our internal controls and
procedures over our financial reporting, and in December 2005,
we reported on the progress of such
118
evaluation to our Audit Committee. This ongoing evaluation is
directed at our ability to design and operate our internal
control, to detect all significant deficiencies and material
weaknesses preventing the prompt disclosure of all material
information, as well as to detect and report on any fraud,
whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees that have a significant role in our internal control
over financial reporting.
To date, in our ongoing evaluation, we have not detected any
material weaknesses regarding our system of internal controls.
Reporting Obligations in International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRS)
We are incorporated in the Netherlands and our shares are listed
on Euronext Paris and Borsa Italiana. Consequently we are
subject to an EU regulation issued on September 29, 2003
requiring us to report our results of operations and
consolidated financial statements using IFRS (previously known
as International Accounting Standards or IAS).
We will continue to use U.S. GAAP as our primary set of
reporting standards, as U.S. GAAP has been our reporting
standard since our creation in 1987. Our decision to continue to
apply U.S. GAAP in our financial reporting is designed to
ensure the comparability of our results to those of our
competitors, as well as the continuity of our reporting, thereby
providing our investors with a clear understanding of our
financial performance.
The obligation to report our Consolidated Financial Statements
under IFRS will require us to prepare our results of operations
using two different sets of reporting standards, U.S. GAAP
and IFRS, which are currently not consistent. Such dual
reporting could materially impair the clarity of our investor
communications. The main potential areas of discrepancy concern
capitalization and later amortization of development expenses
required under IFRS and the accounting for compound financial
instruments.
We will comply with our reporting obligations under IFRS by
presenting a complementary set of accounts or as may be
otherwise requested by local stock exchange authorities.
Dividend Policy
We seek to use our available cash in order to develop and
enhance our position in the very capital-intensive semiconductor
market while at the same time managing our cash resources to
reward our shareholders for their investment and trust in us.
Based on our annual results, projected capital requirements as
well as business conditions and prospects, the Managing Board
proposes each year to the Supervisory Board the allocation of
our earnings involving, whenever deemed possible and desirable
in line with our objectives and financial situation, the
distribution of a cash dividend.
The Supervisory Board, upon the proposal of the Managing Board,
decides each year, in accordance with this policy, which portion
of the profits shall be retained in reserves to fund future
growth or for other purposes and makes a proposal to the
shareholders concerning the amount, if any, of the annual cash
dividend. This policy was discussed at our 2005 annual
shareholders meeting. See Item 10. Additional
Information Memorandum and Articles of
Association Distribution of Profits.
On January 24, 2006, our Supervisory Board decided upon the
proposal of our Managing Board to propose at our next annual
shareholders meeting set for April 27, 2006, the
payment of a cash dividend with respect to the year ended
December 31, 2005, of $0.12 a share.
In the past five years, we have paid the following dividends:
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On March 18, 2005, our shareholders approved the payment of
a cash dividend with respect to the year ended December 31,
2004 of $0.12 per share payable to Dutch Registry
Shareholders of record on May 23, 2005 and New York
registry shareholders as of May 25, 2005. This dividend was
approximately 18% of our earnings in 2004. |
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On April 23, 2004, our shareholders approved the payment of
a cash dividend with respect to the year ended December 31,
2003 of $0.12 per share payable to Dutch Registry
shareholders of record on May 21, 2004 and New York
registry shareholders as of May 26, 2004. This dividend was
approximately 42% of our earnings for 2003. |
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In 2003, we paid a cash dividend with respect to the year ended
December 31, 2002 of $0.08 per share. This dividend
was approximately 17% of our earnings for 2002. |
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In 2002, we paid a cash dividend with respect to the year ended
December 31, 2001 of $0.04 per share. This dividend
was approximately 14% of our earnings for 2001. |
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In 2001, we paid a cash dividend with respect to the year ended
December 31, 2000 of $0.04 per share. This dividend
was approximately 2% of our earnings for 2000. |
In the future, we may consider proposing dividends representing
a proportion of our earnings for a particular year. Future
dividends will depend on our capacity to generate profitable
results, our profit situation, our financial situation and any
other factor that the Supervisory Board deems important.
Trading History of the Companys Shares
Since 1994, our common shares have been traded on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol STM and on Euronext
Paris (formerly known as ParisBourse) and were quoted on SEAQ
International. On June 5, 1998, our common shares were also
listed for the first time on the Borsa Italiana (Italian Stock
Exchange), where they have been traded since that date.
Our common shares have been included since November 12,
1997, in the CAC 40, the main benchmark for Euronext Paris which
tracks a sample of 40 stocks selected from among the top 100
market capitalization and the most active stocks listed on
Euronext Paris, and which is the underlying asset for options
and futures contracts. The base value was 1,000 at
December 31, 1987.
On December 1, 2003, the CAC 40 index shifted to free-float
weightings. As of this date, the CAC 40 weightings are based on
free-float capitalization instead of total market
capitalization. On February 21, 2005, Euronext Paris
created a new range of indices; along with four existing indices
including the CAC 40, six new indices have been created.
On March 18, 2002, we were admitted into the S&P/ MIB
(formerly the MIB 30 Index), which is comprised of the 40
leading stocks, based upon market capitalization and liquidity,
listed on the Borsa Italiana. It features free-float adjustment,
high liquidity and broad, accurate representation of market
performance based on the leading companies in leading
industries. The index aims to cover 80% of the Italian equity
universe.
Since 1994, our common shares have been traded on the NYSE under
the symbol STM and on Euronext Paris (formerly known
as ParisBourse) and were quoted on SEAQ International. On
June 5, 1998, our common shares were also listed for the
first time on the Borsa Italiana (Italian Stock Exchange), where
they have been traded since that date.
Our common shares have been included since November 12,
1997, in the CAC 40, the main benchmark for Euronext Paris which
tracks a sample of 40 stocks selected from among the top 100
market capitalization and the most active stocks listed on
Euronext Paris, and which is the underlying asset for options
and futures contracts. The base value was 1,000 at
December 31, 1987.
On December 1, 2003, the CAC 40 index shifted to free-float
weightings. As of this date, the CAC 40 weightings are based on
free-float capitalization instead of total market
capitalization. On February 21, 2005, Euronext Paris
created a new range of indices; along with four existing indices
including the CAC 40, six new indices have been created.
On March 18, 2002, we were admitted into the S&P/ MIB
(formerly the MIB 30 Index), which is comprised of the 40
leading stocks, based upon market capitalization and liquidity,
listed on the Borsa Italiana. It features free-float adjustment,
high liquidity and broad, accurate representation of market
performance based on the leading companies in leading
industries. The index aims to cover 80% of the Italian equity
universe.
On June 23, 2003, we were admitted into the Semiconductor
Sector Index (or SOX) of the Philadelphia Stock
Exchange. The SOX is a widely followed, price-weighted index
composed of 18 companies that are primarily involved in the
design, distribution, manufacturing and sale of semiconductors.
The tables below indicate the range of the high and low prices
in U.S. dollars for the common shares on the New York Stock
Exchange, and the high and low prices in euros for the common
shares on Euronext Paris, and the Borsa Italiana annually for
the past five years, during each quarter in 2004 and 2005, and
monthly for the past 18 months. In December 1994, we
completed our Initial Public Offering of 21,000,000 common
shares at an initial price to the public of $22.25 per
share. On June 16, 1999, we effected a
2-to-1 stock split and
on May 5,
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2000, we effected a
3-to-1 stock split. The
tables below have been adjusted to reflect the split. Each range
is based on the highest or lowest rate within each day for
common share price ranges for the relevant exchange.
Euronext Paris S.A.(1)
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Annual Information for the Past Five Years
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2001
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52.45 |
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18.88 |
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2002
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39.70 |
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11.10 |
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2003
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24.74 |
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15.20 |
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2004
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23.81 |
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13.25 |
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2005
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15.81 |
|
|
|
10.83 |
|
Quarterly Information for the Past Two Years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.81 |
|
|
|
18.12 |
|
|
Second quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20.50 |
|
|
|
16.92 |
|
|
Third quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18.32 |
|
|
|
13.25 |
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16.36 |
|
|
|
13.76 |
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.47 |
|
|
|
12.38 |
|
|
Second quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.71 |
|
|
|
10.83 |
|
|
Third quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.17 |
|
|
|
12.58 |
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.81 |
|
|
|
13.21 |
|
Monthly Information for the Past 18 Months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September
|
|
|
6,269,593 |
|
|
|
89,874,616 |
|
|
|
15.26 |
|
|
|
13.25 |
|
|
October
|
|
|
5,754,106 |
|
|
|
81,909,699 |
|
|
|
14.82 |
|
|
|
13.76 |
|
|
November
|
|
|
5,761,598 |
|
|
|
88,377,152 |
|
|
|
16.36 |
|
|
|
14.35 |
|
|
December
|
|
|
4,558,003 |
|
|
|
66,824,882 |
|
|
|
15.63 |
|
|
|
14.09 |
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January
|
|
|
6,129,044 |
|
|
|
81,632,737 |
|
|
|
14.47 |
|
|
|
12.38 |
|
|
February
|
|
|
6,725,241 |
|
|
|
88,867,335 |
|
|
|
13.67 |
|
|
|
12.57 |
|
|
March
|
|
|
4,696,705 |
|
|
|
62,203,161 |
|
|
|
13.94 |
|
|
|
12.77 |
|
|
April
|
|
|
6,533,316 |
|
|
|
79,177,257 |
|
|
|
13.01 |
|
|
|
10.83 |
|
|
May
|
|
|
6,231,000 |
|
|
|
72,049,053 |
|
|
|
12.75 |
|
|
|
10.87 |
|
|
June
|
|
|
6,216,894 |
|
|
|
81,634,035 |
|
|
|
13.71 |
|
|
|
12.47 |
|
|
July
|
|
|
6,528,148 |
|
|
|
92,771,511 |
|
|
|
15.17 |
|
|
|
12.58 |
|
|
August
|
|
|
3,780,604 |
|
|
|
51,998,427 |
|
|
|
14.51 |
|
|
|
13.17 |
|
|
September
|
|
|
4,864,941 |
|
|
|
67,454,878 |
|
|
|
14.52 |
|
|
|
13.01 |
|
|
October
|
|
|
5,057,766 |
|
|
|
70,267,543 |
|
|
|
14.82 |
|
|
|
13.21 |
|
|
November
|
|
|
4,984,709 |
|
|
|
72,487,638 |
|
|
|
15.19 |
|
|
|
13.40 |
|
|
December
|
|
|
3,947,090 |
|
|
|
61,022,011 |
|
|
|
15.81 |
|
|
|
15.02 |
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January
|
|
|
6,316,739 |
|
|
|
99,311,771 |
|
|
|
16.56 |
|
|
|
15.03 |
|
|
February (through February 24, 2006)
|
|
|
5,354,222 |
|
|
|
79,445,946 |
|
|
|
15.43 |
|
|
|
14.22 |
|
Sources: Reuters (for high and low prices) and Bloomberg (for
average daily trading volumes).
121
Borsa Italiana (Milan)(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Daily Trading | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Volumes | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Price Ranges | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
| |
Calendar Period |
|
Shares | |
|
Capital | |
|
High | |
|
Low | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
() | |
|
() | |
|
() | |
Annual Information for the past five years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2001
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52.35 |
|
|
|
18.89 |
|
2002
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39.65 |
|
|
|
11.09 |
|
2003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24.75 |
|
|
|
15.21 |
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.81 |
|
|
|
13.25 |
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.82 |
|
|
|
10.82 |
|
Quarterly Information for the past two years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.81 |
|
|
|
18.11 |
|
|
Second quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20.49 |
|
|
|
16.92 |
|
|
Third quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18.32 |
|
|
|
13.25 |
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16.36 |
|
|
|
13.76 |
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.48 |
|
|
|
12.37 |
|
|
Second quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.71 |
|
|
|
10.82 |
|
|
Third quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.18 |
|
|
|
12.59 |
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.82 |
|
|
|
13.21 |
|
Monthly Information for the past 18 months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September
|
|
|
21,017,508 |
|
|
|
301,222,925 |
|
|
|
15.24 |
|
|
|
13.25 |
|
|
October
|
|
|
17,188,824 |
|
|
|
244,665,721 |
|
|
|
14.82 |
|
|
|
13.76 |
|
|
November
|
|
|
20,580,173 |
|
|
|
315,679,274 |
|
|
|
16.36 |
|
|
|
14.35 |
|
|
December
|
|
|
13,637,919 |
|
|
|
200,313,754 |
|
|
|
15.59 |
|
|
|
14.09 |
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January
|
|
|
18,697,793 |
|
|
|
248,979,812 |
|
|
|
14.48 |
|
|
|
12.37 |
|
|
February
|
|
|
24,831,743 |
|
|
|
327,903,166 |
|
|
|
13.66 |
|
|
|
12.56 |
|
|
March
|
|
|
16,635,361 |
|
|
|
220,368,627 |
|
|
|
13.95 |
|
|
|
12.78 |
|
|
April
|
|
|
16,799,805 |
|
|
|
203,613,637 |
|
|
|
13.02 |
|
|
|
10.82 |
|
|
May
|
|
|
17,032,815 |
|
|
|
196,848,243 |
|
|
|
12.74 |
|
|
|
10.87 |
|
|
June
|
|
|
15,437,703 |
|
|
|
202,774,229 |
|
|
|
13.71 |
|
|
|
12.46 |
|
|
July
|
|
|
20,733,076 |
|
|
|
294,782,875 |
|
|
|
15.18 |
|
|
|
12.59 |
|
|
August
|
|
|
10,019,202 |
|
|
|
138,044,565 |
|
|
|
14.52 |
|
|
|
13.17 |
|
|
September
|
|
|
13,187,754 |
|
|
|
183,520,785 |
|
|
|
14.52 |
|
|
|
13.00 |
|
|
October
|
|
|
13,057,791 |
|
|
|
181,424,948 |
|
|
|
14.79 |
|
|
|
13.21 |
|
|
November
|
|
|
11,546,608 |
|
|
|
167,933,867 |
|
|
|
15.20 |
|
|
|
13.42 |
|
|
December
|
|
|
9,162,791 |
|
|
|
141,711,726 |
|
|
|
15.82 |
|
|
|
15.00 |
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January
|
|
|
13,055,279 |
|
|
|
205,085,378 |
|
|
|
16.55 |
|
|
|
15.05 |
|
|
February (through February 24, 2006)
|
|
|
10,273,881 |
|
|
|
152,423,299 |
|
|
|
15.43 |
|
|
|
14.21 |
|
Sources: Reuters (for high and low prices) and Bloomberg (for
average daily trading volumes).
122
New York Stock Exchange
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Daily Trading | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Volumes | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Price Ranges | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
| |
Calendar Period |
|
Shares | |
|
Capital | |
|
High | |
|
Low | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
(U.S.$) | |
|
(U.S.$) | |
|
(U.S.$) | |
Annual Information for the past five years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2001
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48.70 |
|
|
|
17.89 |
|
2002
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35.81 |
|
|
|
11.00 |
|
2003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28.67 |
|
|
|
16.67 |
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29.90 |
|
|
|
16.36 |
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19.47 |
|
|
|
13.96 |
|
Quarterly Information for the past two years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29.90 |
|
|
|
22.27 |
|
|
Second quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24.82 |
|
|
|
20.32 |
|
|
Third quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22.14 |
|
|
|
16.36 |
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21.16 |
|
|
|
17.01 |
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19.47 |
|
|
|
16.13 |
|
|
Second quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16.85 |
|
|
|
13.96 |
|
|
Third quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18.34 |
|
|
|
15.58 |
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18.86 |
|
|
|
15.98 |
|
Monthly Information for the past 18 months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September
|
|
|
1,829,333 |
|
|
|
32,106,623 |
|
|
|
18.79 |
|
|
|
16.36 |
|
|
October
|
|
|
1,924,786 |
|
|
|
34,330,483 |
|
|
|
18.58 |
|
|
|
17.01 |
|
|
November
|
|
|
1,803,624 |
|
|
|
35,926,386 |
|
|
|
21.16 |
|
|
|
18.37 |
|
|
December
|
|
|
1,189,882 |
|
|
|
23,369,282 |
|
|
|
20.68 |
|
|
|
18.78 |
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January
|
|
|
1,662,825 |
|
|
|
29,019,622 |
|
|
|
19.63 |
|
|
|
16.13 |
|
|
February
|
|
|
1,278,100 |
|
|
|
22,037,000 |
|
|
|
18.25 |
|
|
|
16.26 |
|
|
March
|
|
|
1,123,545 |
|
|
|
19,554,177 |
|
|
|
18.38 |
|
|
|
16.49 |
|
|
April
|
|
|
1,410,381 |
|
|
|
22,106,312 |
|
|
|
16.65 |
|
|
|
14.00 |
|
|
May
|
|
|
1,086,629 |
|
|
|
15,950,627 |
|
|
|
15.74 |
|
|
|
13.96 |
|
|
June
|
|
|
905,845 |
|
|
|
14,456,380 |
|
|
|
16.50 |
|
|
|
15.33 |
|
|
July
|
|
|
1,379,140 |
|
|
|
23,816,369 |
|
|
|
18.34 |
|
|
|
15.58 |
|
|
August
|
|
|
693,352 |
|
|
|
11,726,662 |
|
|
|
17.76 |
|
|
|
16.21 |
|
|
September
|
|
|
914,219 |
|
|
|
15,613,946 |
|
|
|
17.77 |
|
|
|
16.27 |
|
|
October
|
|
|
1,100,181 |
|
|
|
18,353,219 |
|
|
|
17.63 |
|
|
|
15.98 |
|
|
November
|
|
|
909,276 |
|
|
|
15,600,448 |
|
|
|
17.75 |
|
|
|
16.15 |
|
|
December
|
|
|
715,167 |
|
|
|
13,095,423 |
|
|
|
18.86 |
|
|
|
17.86 |
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 2006
|
|
|
1,121,390 |
|
|
|
21,417,428 |
|
|
|
19.90 |
|
|
|
18.23 |
|
|
February (through February 24, 2006)
|
|
|
739,224 |
|
|
|
13,122,704 |
|
|
|
18.58 |
|
|
|
16.91 |
|
Sources: Reuters (for high and low prices) and Bloomberg (for
average daily trading volumes).
At December 31, 2005, there were 894,424,279 common shares
outstanding, not including (i) common shares issuable under
our various employee stock option plans or employee share
purchase plans, (ii) common shares issuable upon conversion
of our outstanding convertible debt securities and
(iii) 13,400,000 common shares repurchased in 2001 and
2002. Of the 894,424,279 common shares outstanding as of
December 31, 2005, 47,420,628 or 5.3% were registered in
the common share registry maintained on our behalf in New York;
123
410,647,267 or 45.9% of our common shares outstanding were
listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris S.A.; and 234,296,508 or
26.2% were listed on the Borsa Italiana in Milan.
Market Information
On September 22, 2000, upon successful completion of an
exchange offer, the ParisBourseSBF SA, or the SBF,
the Amsterdam Stock Exchanges and the Brussels Stock Exchanges
merged to create Euronext, the first pan-European stock
exchange. Through the exchange offer, all the shareholders of
SBF, the Amsterdam Stock Exchanges and the Brussels Stock
Exchanges contributed their shares to Euronext N.V.
(Euronext), a Dutch holding company. Following the
creation of Euronext, the SBF changed its name to Euronext Paris
S.A. (Euronext Paris). Securities quoted on
exchanges participating in Euronext cash markets are traded and
cleared over common Euronext platforms but remain listed on
their local exchanges. NSC is the common Euronext
platform for trading and Clearing 21 for clearing.
In addition, Euronext, through Euroclear, anticipates, but not
before 2008, implementation of central settlement and custody
structure over a common system. On February 21, 2005,
Euronext Paris created a single regulated market, Eurolist by
Euronext (Eurolist), to replace the three
former regulated markets operated by Euronext Paris: the
Premier Marché, Second Marché and Nouveau
Marché. The revised listing format was inaugurated in
Paris before being rolled out in all Euronext markets. As part
of Euronext, Euronext Paris retains responsibility for the
admission of shares on Eurolist as well as the regulation of
this market.
STs shares have been listed on the Premier Marché
of Euronext Paris since July 2001 and are now listed on the
foreign compartment of Eurolist. In January 2002, Euronext
acquired the London International Financial Futures and Options
Exchange (LIFFE), Londons derivatives market
and created Euronext.liffe. Euronext.liffe is the international
derivatives business of Euronext, comprising the Amsterdam,
Brussels, Lisbon, London and Paris derivatives markets.
Euronext.liffe creates a single market for derivatives, by
bringing all its derivatives products together on the one
electronic trading platform, LIFFE CONNECT.
Since February 6, 2002, Bolsa de Valores de Lisboa e Porto
(BVLP) has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Euronext and has been renamed Euronext Lisbon.
Securities approved for listing by Euronext Paris are traded in
one regulated market: Eurolist by Euronext. In accordance
with Euronext Paris rules, the shares issued by domestic and
other companies are classified in capitalization compartments.
The shares of listed companies are distributed between three
capitalization compartments, according to the criteria set by
Euronext Paris:
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Compartment A comprises the companies with market
capitalizations above
1 billion; |
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Compartment B comprises the companies with market
capitalizations from
150 million
and up to and including
1 billion; and |
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Compartment C comprises the companies with capitalizations below
150 million. |
Our common shares are listed on the compartment A under the ISIN
Code NL0000226223.
Securities listed on Euronext Paris are placed in one of two
categories (Continu or Fixing) depending on the volume of
transactions. Our common shares are listed in the category known
as Continu, which includes the most actively traded
shares. The minimum yearly trading volume required for a
security of a listed company on a regulated market of Euronext
Paris in the Continu category is 2,500 trades.
Securities listed on Eurolist are traded through providers of
investment services (investment companies and other financial
institutions). Trades take place continuously on each business
day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. (Paris time), with a
pre-opening session from 7:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. (Paris
time) and a pre-closing session from 5:25 p.m. to
5:30 p.m. (Paris time) during which transactions are
recorded but not executed and a closing auction at
5:30 p.m. (Paris time). Any trade effected after the close
of a stock exchange session will be recorded, on the next
Euronext Paris trading day, at the closing price for the
relevant security at the end of the previous days session.
Euronext Paris publishes a daily official price list that
includes price information on each listed security. Euronext
Paris has introduced continuous electronic trading during
trading hours for most actively traded securities. Any trade of
a security that occurs outside trading hours is effected at a
price within a range of 1% of the closing price for that
security.
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Trading in the listed securities of an issuer may be suspended
by Euronext Paris if a quoted price exceeds certain price limits
defined by the regulations of Euronext Paris. In particular, if
the quoted price of a Continu security varies by more
than 10% from the previous days closing price (reference
price), Euronext may suspend trading for up to four minutes.
Further suspensions for up to four minutes are also possible if
the price again varies by more than 10% from a new reference
price equal to the price which caused the first trading
suspension. If the quoted price of a Continu security
varies by more than 2% from the last quoted price, trading may
be suspended for up to four minutes. Euronext Paris may also
suspend trading of a listed security in certain other limited
circumstances, including, for example, the occurrence of unusual
trading activity in such security. In addition, in exceptional
cases, the Autorité des marchés financiers (the
AMF) (the regulatory authority over French stock
exchanges) may also suspend trading.
All trades of securities listed on Eurolist are performed on a
cash-settlement basis on the third trading day after the trade.
Market intermediaries are also permitted to offer investors a
deferred settlement service (Service à Réglement
Différé or SRD) for a fee. The SRD
allows investors who elect this service to benefit from leverage
and other special features of the monthly settlement market. The
SRD is reserved for securities which either (i) are a
component of the SBF 120 Index or (ii) have both a total
market capitalization of at least
1 billion
and represent a minimum daily trading volume of
1 million
and which are normally cited on a list published by Euronext
Paris. Investors in securities eligible for the SRD can elect on
the determination date (date de liquidation), which is,
at the latest, the fifth trading day before the end of the
month, either to settle the trade by the last trading day of the
month or to pay an additional fee and postpone the settlement
decision to the determination date of the following month. Our
common shares are eligible for the SRD.
Ownership of securities traded on a deferred settlement basis is
considered to have been transferred only after the securities
have been registered in the purchasers account. In
accordance with French securities regulations, any sale of
securities traded on a deferred settlement basis during the
month of a dividend payment date is deemed to occur after the
payment of the dividend. In such cases, the purchasers
account is credited with an amount equal to the dividend paid
and the sellers account is debited by the same amount.
Prior to any transfer of securities held in registered form on
Eurolist, the securities must be converted into bearer form and
accordingly inscribed in an account maintained by an accredited
intermediary with Euroclear France S.A. (Euroclear),
a registered clearing agency. Transactions in securities are
initiated by the owner giving instructions (through an agent, if
appropriate) to the relevant accredited intermediary. Trades of
securities listed on Eurolist are cleared through Clearing 21
and settled through Euroclear using a continuous net settlement
system. A fee or a commission is payable to the broker-dealer or
other agent involved in the transaction.
Our common shares have been included in the CAC 40, the
principal index published by Euronext Paris, since
November 12, 1997. The CAC 40 is derived daily by comparing
the total market capitalization of 40 stocks included in the
monthly settlement market of Euronext Paris to a baseline
established on December 31, 1987. Adjustments are made to
allow for expansion of the sample due to new issues. The CAC 40
indicates the trends in the French stock market as a whole and
is one of the most widely followed stock price indices in France.
Our common shares could be removed from the CAC 40 at any time,
and the exclusion or the announcement thereof could cause the
market price of our common shares to drop significantly.
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Securities Trading in Italy |
The Mercato Telematico Azionario (the MTA), the
Italian automated screen-based quotation system on which our
common shares are listed, is organized and administered by Borsa
Italiana S.p.A. (Borsa Italiana) subject to the
supervision of the Commissione Nazionale per le Società e
la Borsa (CONSOB) the public authority charged,
inter alia, with regulating investment companies, securities
markets and public offerings of securities in Italy to ensure
the transparency and regularity of dealings and protect
investors. Borsa Italiana was established to manage the Italian
regulated financial markets (including the MTA) as part of the
implementation in Italy of the EU Investment Services Directive
pursuant to Legislative Decree No. 415 of July 23,
1996 (the Eurosim Decree) and as modified by
Legislative Decree No. 58 of February 24, 1998, as
amended (the Financial Act). Borsa Italiana became
operative in January 1998, replacing the administrative body
Consiglio di Borsa, and has issued rules governing the
organization and the administration of the Italian stock
exchange, futures and options markets as well as the admission
to listing on and trading in these markets. The shareholders of
Borsa Italiana are primarily financial institutions.
A three-day rolling cash settlement period applies to all trades
of equity securities in Italy effected on a regulated market.
Any person, through an authorized intermediary, may purchase or
sell listed securities following (i) in the case of sales,
deposit of the securities; and (ii) in the case of
purchases, deposit of 100% of
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such securities value in cash, or deposit of listed
securities or government bonds of an equivalent amount. Borsa
Italiana publishes three different prices at the end of each
trading day: (i) the closing price, calculated
for each security as the price recorded for the auction in the
last 10 minutes of the trades effected during such day,
(ii) the official price, calculated for each
security as a weighted average of all trades effected during the
trading day (net of trades executed on a cross-order
basis), and (iii) the reference price,
calculated for each security as a weighted average of the last
10% of the trades effected during such day (net of trades
executed on a cross-order basis).
If the opening price of a security (established each trading day
prior to the commencement of trading based on bids received)
differs by more than 10% (or such other amount established by
Borsa Italiana) from the previous days reference price,
trading in that security will not be permitted until Borsa
Italiana authorizes it. If in the course of a trading day the
price of our securities fluctuates by more than 5% from the last
reported sale price (or 10% from the previous days
reference price), an automatic five minute suspension in the
trading of that security will be declared by the Borsa Italiana.
In the event of such a suspension, orders already placed may not
be modified or cancelled and new orders may not be processed.
Borsa Italiana has the authority to suspend trading in any
security, among other things, in response to extreme price
fluctuations. In urgent circumstances, CONSOB may, where
necessary, adopt measures required to ensure the transparency of
the market, orderly trading and protection of investors.
Italian law requires that trading of equity securities, as well
as any other investment services, may be carried out on a
professional basis vis-à-vis the public only by
registered securities dealing firms and banks. Banks and
investment services firms organized in a member nation of the EU
are permitted to operate in Italy provided that the intent of
the bank or investment services firm to operate in Italy is
communicated to (i) the Bank of Italy and to (ii) the
Bank of Italy and CONSOB, respectively, by the competent
authority of the member state. Non-EU banks and non-EU
investment services firms may operate in Italy subject to a
specific authorization granted by the Bank of Italy and CONSOB
upon consultation with the Bank of Italy, respectively.
The settlement of stock exchange transactions is carried out
through Monte Titoli, a centralized securities clearing system
owned by the Banca dItalia and certain major Italian banks
and financial institutions. Almost all Italian banks and some
registered securities dealing firms have securities accounts
with Monte Titoli. Beneficial owners of shares may hold their
interests through specific deposit accounts with any depositary
having an account with Monte Titoli. Beneficial owners of shares
held with Monte Titoli may transfer their shares, collect
dividends, create liens and exercise other rights with respect
to those shares through such accounts.
Participants in Euroclear and Clearstream may hold their
interests in shares and transfer the shares, collect dividends
and exercise their shareholders rights through Euroclear
and Clearstream. A holder may require Euroclear and Clearstream
to transfer its shares to an account of such holder with an
Italian bank or any authorized broker.
Our common shares are included in the S&P/ MIB Index. Our
common shares could be removed from the S&P/ MIB Index at
any time, and the exclusion or announcement thereof could cause
the market price of our common shares to drop significantly.
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Item 10. |
Additional Information |
Memorandum and Articles of Association
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Applicable
non-U.S. Regulations |
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Applicable Dutch Legislation |
We were incorporated under the law of the Netherlands by deed of
May 21, 1987, and we are governed by book 2 of the Dutch
Civil Code. Set forth below is a summary of certain provisions
of our Articles of Association and relevant Dutch corporate law.
The summary below does not purport to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the articles of
association and relevant Dutch corporate law.
The summary below sets forth our Articles of Association after
the amendment of our Articles of Association, which was executed
on April 4, 2005.
We are subject to various provisions of the Dutch 1995 Act on
the Supervision of the Securities Trade (Wet toezicht
effectenverkeer 1995) (the WTE) and, in
particular, to the provisions summarized below.
Unless an exemption applies, we are subject to (i) the
prohibition from offering or proceeding with an issuance of
securities without having prepared a prospectus in compliance
with Dutch law (unless granted an exemption), (ii) a
prohibition of proceeding with any transaction in our securities
listed on a regulated market (or
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any other financial instrument or security whose value depends
on these instruments) in the event where we would possess
privileged information; and (iii) certain restrictions
(related to market manipulation) in repurchasing our shares.
We are also subject to various disclosure requirements in the
Netherlands in accordance with section 5 of the WTE. These
provisions provide that, unless there is an exemption, we must:
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file our annual accounts and the auditors report with the
Registry of the Chamber of Commerce of Amsterdam with a copy to
the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (Autoriteit
Financiële Markten or the AFM); |
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file our half-yearly accounts; and |
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publish any new information concerning our business that was not
published in the Netherlands and could have a significant impact
on our share price if it becomes public. The information is
published as a press release with a copy to the AFM. |
There is currently no obligation under Dutch law for a
shareholder whose interest in a companys share capital or
voting rights exceeds a certain threshold to launch a public
offer for all or part of the outstanding shares in the share
capital of the company. However, when the EU Takeover Directive
is implemented in the Netherlands, a shareholder who has
acquired an interest in our share capital or voting rights that
exceeds a certain threshold will be obliged to launch a public
offer for all outstanding shares in our share capital unless an
exception applies. The legislative proposal that was submitted
on December 23, 2005 for the implementation of the EU
Takeover Directive in the Netherlands proposes to set such
threshold at 30%.
The provisions of the Dutch legislation regarding statements of
ownership in our share capital are described below in
Disclosure of Holdings.
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Applicable French Legislation |
As a result of our listing on Eurolist, certain provisions of
French securities law and regulations are applicable to us. The
AMF General Regulations provided resolutions applicable to
foreign issuers: article 212-37 of the AMF General Regulation on
specific disclosure obligations applicable to foreign issuers,
articles 221-1 and 221-1-2 of the AMF General Regulations on
periodical disclosure obligations, articles 222-1 to 222-11,
articles 222-14 to 222-20 of the AMF General Regulation on
ongoing disclosure obligations; articles 241-1 to 241-6 of the
AMF General Regulation on buyback programs for equity securities
admitted to trading on a regulated market and transaction
reporting requirements; articles 611-1 to 632-1 of the AMF
General Regulations on market abuse (insider dealing and market
manipulation).
Following the opening of Eurolist by Euronext, all
financial instruments formerly traded on the Premier, the
Second and the Nouveau Marché are now
distributed between three capitalization compartments, A, B, and
C, whose regulations are generally applicable to us. See
Item 9. Listing.
Other provisions of French securities regulations are not
applicable to us.
Regarding the regulation of public tender offers, articles 231-1
to 237-13 of the AMF General Regulations shall apply to our
shares, except for the provisions concerning the standing offer,
the mandatory filing of a tender offer and the squeeze out.
In relation to French regulations, a foreign issuer is required
to take the necessary provisions to allow shareholders to manage
their investments and exercise their rights. In application of
provisions of the AMF General Regulations, as described below:
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we are required to inform our shareholders of (a) the
convening of general meetings of shareholders as well as the
means provided to them to exercise their vote; (b) the
payment of dividends; and (c) offering of new shares,
subscription offerings, allocation of shares, waivers, and
offerings to convert shares; |
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we are also required to: (a) inform the public of any
modification of the distribution of share capital in relation to
information published earlier; (b) distribute through the
intermediary of the French press any information related to our
activity and the results for the first six months of each
financial year within a four-month period as from the close of
such financial year; (c) publish annual consolidated
accounts and our management report within a six-month period as
from the close of the financial year; and (d) inform the
public of any changes to the rights attached to the different
classes of shares; |
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we are required to inform the AMF of any plans to modify our
articles of association (statuts); and |
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furthermore, we must ensure that information diffused in France
is identical and simultaneously communicated to that which is
communicated abroad. |
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Applicable Italian Legislation |
Because our common shares are listed on the MTA, as described in
Item 9. Listing above, we are required to
publish certain information in order to comply with (i) the
Financial Act and related regulations promulgated by the CONSOB
and (ii) certain rules of the Borsa Italiana. These
requirements are related to: (i) disclosure of
price-sensitive information (such as capital increases, mergers,
creation of joint subsidiaries, major acquisitions);
(ii) periodic information (such as financial statements to
be provided in compliance with the jurisdiction of the country
of incorporation) or information on the exercise of
shareholders rights (such as the calling of the general
meeting of shareholders or the exercise of pre-emptive rights);
and (iii) the publication of research, budgets and
projections.
As a result of our admission to the S&P/ MIB Index, we now
must comply with certain additional stock market rules. These
additional provisions require that we announce through a press
release, within one month from our year-end closing (i) the
month in which the payment of the dividend for the year ended,
where applicable, is planned to take place (if different from
the month when the previous dividend was distributed), and
(ii) our intent, if any, of adopting a policy of
distributing interim dividends for the current year, mentioning
the months when the distribution of dividends and interim
dividends will take place. In the event of a modification of the
policy of distributing dividends, we shall be required to
promptly update such information in another press release. In
addition, stock splits and certain other transactions must be
carried out in accordance with the Borsa Italianas
calendar. We must notify the Italian stock market of any
modification to the amount and distribution of our share
capital. The notification must be made no later than one day
after the modification has become effective under the rules to
which we are subject.
We are required to communicate to the CONSOB and the Borsa
Italiana S.p.A. the same information that we are required to
disclose to the AMF and the AFM regarding transactions in our
securities and any exercise of stock options by our Supervisory
Board members and executive officers, as described below.
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Purposes of the Company (Article 2) |
Article 2 of our Articles of Association sets forth the
purposes of our company. According to Article 2, our
purposes shall be to participate in or take, in any manner, any
interests in other business enterprises; to manage such
enterprises; to carry on business in semiconductors and
electronic devices; to take and grant licenses and other
industrial property interests; to assume commitments in the name
of any enterprises with which we may be associated within a
group of companies; and to take any other action, such as but
not limited to the granting of securities or the undertaking of
obligations on behalf of third parties, which in the broadest
sense of the term, may be related or contribute to the
aforementioned objects.
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Company and Trade Registry |
We are registered with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in
Amsterdam (Kamer van Koophandel en Fabrieken voor
Amsterdam) under no. 33194537.
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Supervisory Board and Managing Board |
Our Articles of Association do not include any provisions
related to a Supervisory Board members:
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Power to vote on proposals, arrangements or contracts in which
such member is directly interested; |
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Power, in the absence of an independent quorum, to vote on
compensation to themselves or any members of the Supervisory
Board; or |
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Borrowing powers exercisable by the directors and how such
borrowing powers can be varied. |
Our Supervisory Board Charter, however, explicitly prohibits
members of our Supervisory Board from participating in voting on
matters where any such member has a conflict of interest. Our
Articles of Association provide that our annual shareholders
meeting must adopt the compensation of our Supervisory Board
members.
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Neither our Articles of Association nor our Supervisory Board
Charter have a requirement or policy that Supervisory Board
members hold a minimum number of our common shares.
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Compensation of our Managing Board (Article 12) |
Our Supervisory Board determines the compensation of the sole
member of our Managing Board, within the scope of the
compensation policy adopted by our annual shareholders meeting
upon the proposal of our Supervisory Board. Our Supervisory
Board will submit for approval by the annual shareholders
meeting a proposal regarding the compensation in the form of
shares or rights to acquire shares. This proposal sets forth at
least how many shares or rights to acquire shares may be awarded
to our Managing Board and which criteria apply to an award or a
modification.
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Compensation of our Supervisory Board (Article 23) |
Our annual shareholders meeting determines the compensation of
our Supervisory Board members. Our meeting shall have the
authority to decide whether such compensation will consist of a
fixed amount and/or an amount that is variable in proportion to
profits or any other factor.
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Information from our Managing Board to our Supervisory Board
(Article 18) |
At least once per year our Managing Board shall inform our
Supervisory Board in writing of the main features of our
strategic policy, our general and financial risks and our
management and control systems.
Our Managing Board shall then submit to our Supervisory Board
for approval:
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a) our operational and financial objectives; |
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b) our strategy designed to achieve the objectives; and |
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c) the parameters to be applied in relation to our
strategy, inter alia, regarding financial ratios. |
For more information on our Supervisory Board and our Managing
Board, see Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and
Employees.
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Adoption of Annual Accounts and Discharge of Management
Liability (Article 25) |
Each year, our Managing Board must prepare annual accounts,
certified by one or several auditors appointed by the annual
shareholders meeting, and submit them to the annual shareholders
meeting for adoption within five months after the end of our
financial year, unless the annual shareholders meeting has
extended this period by a maximum of six months on account of
special circumstances.
Each year, our annual shareholders meeting votes whether or not
to discharge the members of our Supervisory Board and of our
Managing Board for their supervision and management,
respectively, during the previous financial year. In accordance
with the applicable Dutch legislation, the discharge of the
members of the Managing Board and the Supervisory Board must, in
order to be effective, be the subject of a specific resolution
on the agenda of our annual shareholders meeting. Under Dutch
law, this discharge does not extend to matters not disclosed to
shareholders.
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Distribution of Profits (Articles 25, 35, 36, 37, 38,
39, and 40) |
Subject to certain exceptions, dividends may only be paid out of
the profits as shown in the adopted annual accounts. The profits
must first be used to set up and maintain reserves required by
Dutch law and our articles of association. The Supervisory Board
may, upon proposal of the Managing Board, also establish
reserves out of our annual profits. The portion of our annual
profits that remains after the establishment or maintaining of
reserves is at the disposal of the annual shareholders meeting.
If the annual shareholders meeting resolves to distribute
profits, preference shareholders shall first be paid a dividend
if any preference shares are outstanding, which will be a
percentage of the paid up part of the nominal value of their
preference shares. No distribution may be made to the
shareholders when the equity after such distribution is or
becomes inferior to the fully-paid share capital, increased by
the legal reserves. The profits remaining after payment has been
made to preference shareholders may be distributed to the common
shareholders.
Our annual shareholders meeting may, upon the proposal of the
Supervisory Board, declare distributions out of our share
premium reserve and other reserves available for shareholder
distributions under Dutch law. Pursuant to a resolution of our
Supervisory Board, distributions adopted by the annual
shareholders meeting may be fully or partially made in the form
of our new shares to be issued. Our Supervisory Board may,
subject to certain
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statutory provisions, distribute one or more interim dividends
in respect of any year before the accounts for such year have
been adopted at a annual shareholders meeting. Rights to cash
dividends and distributions that have not been collected within
five years after the date on which they became due and payable
shall revert to us.
At December 31, 2004, the amount of retained earnings
available to pay dividends under Dutch law was approximately
$7,699 million. Retained earnings for purposes of this
calculation are based on our unconsolidated accounts using
generally accepted accounting principles in the Netherlands
(Dutch GAAP). The only material difference between
our Dutch GAAP and U.S. GAAP accounts resulted because we
canceled our accumulated deficit through a share capital
reduction in 1993. Under U.S. GAAP, as this operation was
not a quasi-reorganization, the net effect of the par value
reduction was applied against capital surplus. At
December 31, 2004, under U.S. GAAP, we had accumulated
earnings of approximately $5,268 million. We are required
to prepare our 2005 consolidated financial statements pursuant
to IFRS, therefore, the amount of retained earnings available to
pay dividends at December 31, 2005 reported in accordance
with IFRS may differ from that reported under Dutch GAAP.
For the history of dividends paid by us to our shareholders in
the past five years, see Item 8. Financial
Information Dividend Policy.
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Shareholders Meetings and Voting Rights |
Each registered shareholder has the right to attend general
meetings of shareholders, either in person or represented by a
person holding a written proxy, to address shareholder meetings
and to exercise voting rights, subject to the provisions of the
articles of association.
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Notice Convening the General Meeting of Shareholders
(Articles 26, 27, 28 and 29) |
Our ordinary general meetings of shareholders are held at least
annually, within six months after the close of each financial
year, in Amsterdam, Haarlemmermeer (Schiphol Airport), Rotterdam
or The Hague, the Netherlands. Extraordinary general meetings of
shareholders may be held as often as our Supervisory Board deems
necessary, and must be held upon the written request of
registered holders of at least 10% of the total outstanding
share capital to our Managing Board or our Supervisory Board
specifying in detail the business to be dealt with. In the event
that the Managing Board or the Supervisory Board does not
convene the general meeting within six weeks of such a request,
the aforementioned shareholders or individuals may be authorized
by a competent judicial authority.
We will give notice by mail to registered holders of shares of
each shareholders meeting, and will publish notice thereof in a
national daily newspaper distributed throughout the Netherlands
and in at least one daily newspaper in France and Italy, where
our shares are also admitted for official quotation. Such notice
shall be given no later than the twenty-first day prior to the
day of the meeting and shall either state the business to be
considered or state that the agenda is open to inspection by the
shareholders and other persons entitled to attend general
meetings of shareholders at our offices.
The notice of the annual shareholders meeting must include
details on the agenda of the meeting and must indicate that the
agenda may be consulted at our registered office,
notwithstanding the provisions of Dutch law. The agenda is fixed
by the author of the notice of the meeting; however, one or more
shareholders representing at least one-tenth of the share
capital may, provided that the request was made at least five
days prior to the date of convocation of the meeting, request
that proposed resolutions be included on the agenda.
Notwithstanding the previous sentence, proposals of persons who
are entitled to attend general meetings of shareholders will be
included on the agenda, if such proposals are made in writing to
our Managing Board within a period of sixty days before that
meeting by persons who are entitled to attend our general
meetings of shareholders who, solely or jointly, represent at
least 1% of our issued share capital or a market value of at
least 50,000,000
unless we determine that such proposal would conflict with our
substantial interests.
We are exempt from the proxy rules under the United States
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Euroclear France will provide
notice of general meetings of shareholders to, and compile
voting instructions from, holders of shares held directly or
indirectly through Euroclear France at the request of the
Company, the Registrar or the voting Collection Agent. A voting
collection agent must be appointed; Netherlands Management
Company B.V. acts as our voting collection agent. DTC will
provide notice of general meetings of shareholders to holders of
shares held directly or indirectly through DTC and the New York
Transfer Agent and Registrar will compile voting instructions.
In order for holders of shares held directly or indirectly
through Euroclear France to attend general meetings of
shareholders in person, such holders must withdraw their shares
from Euroclear France and have such shares registered directly
in their name or in the name of their nominee. In order for
holders of shares
130
held directly or indirectly through DTC to attend general
meetings of shareholders in person, such holders need not
withdraw such shares from DTC but must follow rules and
procedures established by the New York Transfer Agent and
Registrar.
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Voting Rights (Articles 30, 31 and 33) |
Each share is entitled to one vote.
All shareholders and other persons entitled to attend and to
vote at general meetings of shareholders are entitled to attend
the annual shareholders meeting, to address the annual
shareholders meeting and, as for shareholders and other persons
entitled to vote, to vote. The annual shareholders meeting may
set forth rules regulating, inter alia, the length of time
during which shareholders may speak in the general meeting. If
there are no such applicable rules, the chairman of the meeting
may regulate the time during which shareholders are entitled to
speak if desirable for the orderly conduct of the meeting.
In order to exercise the aforementioned voting rights, holders
of registered shares must notify us in writing of their
intention to do so by the date mentioned on the notice of the
annual shareholders meeting and at the place mentioned on the
notice of the annual shareholders meeting. In addition, holders
of type II shares must notify us of the number of shares
they hold. Type II shares are common shares in the form of
an entry in our shareholders register with issue of a share
certificate consisting of a main part without dividend coupon.
In addition to type II shares, type I shares are available.
Type I shares are common shares in the form of an entry in our
shareholders register without issue of a share certificate.
Type II shares are only available should our Supervisory
Board decide. Our preferred shares are in the form of an entry
in our shareholders register without issue of a share
certificate.
Shareholders may only exercise their voting rights at the
general meeting for shares which are registered in their name
both on the day referred to above and on the day of the meeting,
except as specified above. We shall send a card of admission to
the meeting to holders of registered shares who have notified us
of their intention to attend. Shareholders and other persons
entitled to attend meetings of shareholders may be represented
by proxies with written authorization, which must be shown for
admittance to the meeting. All matters regarding admittance to
the general meeting, the exercise of voting rights and the
result of voting, as well as any other matters regarding the
business of the general meeting, shall be decided upon by the
chairman of that meeting, in accordance with the requirements of
section 13 of the Dutch Civil Code.
Our articles of association allow for separate meetings for
holders of common shares and for holders of preference shares.
At a meeting of holders of preference shares at which the entire
issued capital of shares of such class is represented, valid
resolutions may be adopted even if the requirements in respect
of the place of the meeting and the giving of notice have not
been observed, provided that such resolutions are adopted by
unanimous vote. Also, valid resolutions of preference
shareholder meetings may be adopted outside a meeting if all
holders of preference shares and holders of a right of usufruct
on preference shares indicate by letter, telegram, telex
communication or facsimile that they vote in favor of the
proposed resolution, provided that no depositary receipts for
preference shares have been issued with our cooperation.
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Authority of the General Meeting of Shareholders
(Articles 12, 16, 19, 25, 28 and 41) |
Our annual shareholders meeting decide upon (i) the
approval of the written report of the Managing Board on the
course of our business and the conduct of our affairs during the
past financial year and the report of the Supervisory Board on
the annual accounts; (ii) the adoption of the annual
accounts and the distribution of dividends; (iii) the
appointment of the members of the Supervisory Board and the
Managing Board; and (iv) any other resolutions listed on
the agenda by the Supervisory Board, the Managing Board or the
shareholders and other persons entitled to attend general
meetings of shareholders.
Furthermore, our annual shareholders meeting has to approve
resolutions of our Managing Board regarding a significant change
in the identity or nature of us or our enterprise, including in
any event (i) transferring our enterprise or practically
our entire enterprise to a third party, (ii) entering into
or canceling any long-term cooperation between us or a
subsidiary (dochtermaatschappij) of us and
any other legal person or company or as a fully liable general
partner of a limited partnership or a general partnership,
provided that such cooperation or the cancellation thereof is of
essential importance to us, and (iii) us or a subsidiary
(dochtermaatschappij) of us acquiring or
disposing of a participating interest in the capital of a
company with a value of at least one-third of our total assets
according to our consolidated balance sheet and notes thereto in
our most recently adopted annual accounts.
131
The articles of association may only be amended (and our
liquidation can only be decided on) if amendments are proposed
by our Supervisory Board and approved by a simple majority of
the votes cast at a annual shareholders meeting at which at
least 15% of the outstanding share capital is present or
represented. The complete proposal for the amendment (or
liquidation) must be made available for inspection by the
shareholders and the other persons entitled to attend general
meetings of shareholders at our offices as from the day of the
notice convening such meeting until the end of the meeting. Any
amendment of the articles of association that negatively affects
the rights of the holders of a certain class of shares requires
the prior approval of the meeting of holders of such class of
shares.
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Quorum and Majority (Articles 4, 13 and 32) |
Unless otherwise required by our articles of association or
Dutch law, resolutions of general meetings of shareholders
require the approval of a majority of the votes cast at a
meeting at which at least 15% of the outstanding share capital
is present or represented, subject to the provisions explained
below. We may not vote our common shares held in treasury. Blank
and invalid votes shall not be counted.
A quorum of shareholders, present or represented, holding at
least half of our issued share capital, is required to dismiss a
member of the Managing Board, unless the dismissal is proposed
by the Supervisory Board. In the event of the lack of a quorum,
a second general meeting must be held within four weeks, with no
applicable quorum requirement. Any decision or authorization by
the annual shareholders meeting which has or could have the
effect of excluding or limiting preferential subscription rights
must be taken by a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes
cast, if at the annual shareholders meeting less than 50% of the
outstanding share capital is present or represented. Otherwise
such a resolution can be taken by a simple majority.
Holders of our shares may be subject to reporting obligations
under the Netherlands 1996 Act on Disclosure of Holdings in
Listed Companies (the Major Holdings Act).
The Major Holdings Act applies to any person or entity that
acquires or disposes of an interest in the voting rights and/or
the capital of a public limited company incorporated under the
laws of the Netherlands that is officially listed on a stock
exchange within the EU. Disclosure is required when, as a result
of an acquisition or disposal, the percentage of voting rights
or capital interest acquired or disposed of by a person or an
entity reaches, exceeds or falls below 5, 10, 25, 50
or
662/3 percent.
With respect to the Company, the Major Holdings Act would
require any person or entity whose interest in the voting rights
and/or capital of the Company reached, exceeded or fell below
those percentage interests to notify in writing both the Company
and the AFM immediately after the acquisition or disposal of the
triggering interest in the Companys share capital.
For the purpose of calculating the percentage of capital
interest or voting rights, the following interests must be taken
into account: shares and votes (i) directly held by any
person, (ii) held by such persons subsidiaries,
(iii) held by a third party for such persons account,
(iv) held by a third party with whom such person has
concluded an oral or written voting agreement. Interests held
jointly by more persons are attributed to those persons in
accordance with their entitlement. A holder of a pledge or right
of usufruct in respect of shares can also be subject to these
reporting obligations if such person has, or can acquire, the
right to vote on the shares or, in case of depositary receipts,
the underlying shares.
For the same purpose the following instruments qualify as
shares and votes respectively:
(i) shares, depositary receipts for shares, contractual
rights to acquire shares or depositary receipts for shares (such
as the rights under convertible bonds) and (ii) votes and
contractual rights to acquire votes.
132
The AFM keeps a public registry of and publishes all
notifications made pursuant to the Major Holdings Act.
Non-compliance with the reporting obligations under the Major
Holdings Act could lead to criminal fines, administrative fines,
imprisonment or other sanctions. In addition, non-compliance
with the reporting obligations under the Major Holdings Act may
lead to civil sanctions, including (i) suspension of the
voting rights relating to the shares held by the offender, for a
period of not more than three years, (ii) nullification of
any resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders of the
Company to the extent that such resolution would not have been
approved if the votes at the disposal of the person or entity in
violation of a duty under the Major Holdings Act had not been
exercised and (iii) a prohibition on the acquisition by the
offender of our shares or the voting on our ordinary shares for
a period of not more than five years.
As a result of the Dutch Disclosure Act, the sole member of our
Managing Board, and the members of our Supervisory Board are
required to notify the AFM of all of their holdings in our share
capital, including stock options, shares and voting rights, and
to notify the AFM immediately of any change in the amount of
their holdings and voting rights. We may make this notice on
behalf of the Company and of the directors.
We are required to in turn inform the AMF of all such
notifications provided by registered shareholders and beneficial
owners to us.
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|
|
Share Capital as of December 31, 2005 |
Our authorized share capital amounts to
1,809,600,000,
allowing the issuance of 1,200,000,000 common shares and
540,000,000 preference shares, with a nominal value of
1.04 per
share. The shares may not be issued at less than their par
value; our common shares must be fully paid up at the time of
their issuance. Our preference shares must be paid up for at
least 25% of their par value at the time of their issuance.
As of December 31, 2005, we had issued 907,824,279 of our
common shares, representing issued share capital of
944,137,250.
As of December 31, 2005, 894,424,279 common shares were
outstanding, not including (i) common shares issuable under
our various employee stock option plans or employee unvested
share plans; (ii) common shares issuable upon conversion of
our outstanding convertible debt securities; and
(iii) 13.4 million shares repurchased in 2001 and
2002, as compared to 891,908,997 common shares outstanding as of
December 31, 2004. As of December 31, 2005, the book
value of our common shares held by us or our subsidiaries was
$348 million and the face value was
13,936,000. As
of December 31, 2005, options to acquire 60,558,567 common
shares were outstanding. No preference shares are currently
outstanding.
All of our issued common shares are fully paid up. Our
authorized share capital is not restricted by redemption
provisions, sinking fund provisions or liability to further
capital calls by the company. There are no conditions imposed by
the memorandum and articles of association governing changes in
capital which are more stringent than is required by law.
Shares can be issued in registered form only. Share registers
are maintained in New York by The Bank of New York, the New York
Transfer Agent and Registrar (the New York
Registry), and in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, by
Netherlands Management Company B.V., the Dutch Transfer Agent
and Registrar (the Dutch Registry). Shares of New
York Registry held through DTC are registered in the name of
Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC, and shares of Dutch
Registry held through the French clearance and settlement
system, Euroclear France, are registered in the name of
Euroclear France or its nominee.
133
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Non-issued Authorized Share Capital as of December 31,
2005 |
Non-issued authorized share capital, which is different from
issued capital, allows us to proceed with capital increases
excluding the preemptive rights, upon the Supervisory
Boards decision, within the limits of the authorization
granted by the general meeting of April 23, 2004. Such a
decision can be taken to allow us to benefit from the best
conditions offered by the international capital markets in our
interest and that of all of our shareholders. In the past,
particularly in 1994, 1995, and 1998, we proceeded with capital
increases, upon the single decision of the Supervisory Board, to
accompany sales of our shares made by our shareholders. However,
it is not possible to predict if we will request such an
authorization again and at what time and under what conditions.
The impact of any future capital increases within the limit of
our authorized share capital, upon the decision of the
Supervisory Board acting on the delegation granted to it by the
annual shareholders meeting, cannot therefore be evaluated.
|
|
|
Other Securities Giving Access to Our Share Capital as of
December 31, 2005 |
Other securities in circulation which give access to our share
capital include (i) the options giving the right to
subscribe to our shares granted to our employees, including the
sole member of our Managing Board and our executive officers;
(ii) the options giving the right to subscribe to our
shares granted to the members of our Supervisory Board, its
secretaries and controllers, as described in Item 6.
Directors, Senior Management and Employees; (iii) the
exchangeable bonds convertible into our shares issued by
Finmeccanica Finance in September 2003, which are described
above in Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related-Party
Transactions Major Shareholders; and
(iv) our 2013 Bonds as described above.
|
|
|
Securities Not Representing Our Share Capital |
None.
|
|
|
Preemptive Rights and Preference Shares (Article 4) |
Unless excluded or limited by the annual shareholders meeting or
the Supervisory Board according to the conditions described
below, each holder of ordinary shares has a pro rata preemptive
right to subscribe to an offering of ordinary shares issued for
cash in proportion to the number of ordinary shares which he
owns. There is no preemptive right with respect to an offering
of shares for non-cash consideration, with respect to an
offering of shares to our employees or to the employees of one
of our subsidiaries, or with respect to preference shares.
The annual shareholders meeting, upon proposal and on the terms
and conditions set by our Supervisory Board, has the power to
issue shares. The annual shareholders meeting may also authorize
our Supervisory Board, for a period of no more than five years,
to issue shares and to determine the terms and conditions of
share issuances. The shares cannot be issued at below par and as
for our common shares must be fully paid up at the time of their
issuance. Preference shares must be paid up for at least 25% of
their par value.
The annual shareholders meeting, upon proposal by the
Supervisory Board, also has the power to limit or exclude
preemptive rights in connection with new issuances of shares.
Such a resolution of the annual shareholders meeting must be
taken with a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes cast
if at such annual shareholders meeting less than 50% of the
outstanding share capital is present or represented. Otherwise
such a resolution can be taken by a simple majority of the votes
cast at a annual shareholders meeting at which at least 15% of
our outstanding share capital is present or represented. The
annual shareholders meeting may authorize our Supervisory Board,
for a period of no more than five years, to limit or exclude
preemptive rights.
Pursuant to a shareholders resolution adopted at the
annual shareholders meeting on April 23, 2004, our
Supervisory Board has been authorized for a period of five years
to resolve to (i) issue any number of common shares and/or
preference shares as comprised in our authorized share capital
from time to time; (ii) to fix the terms and conditions of
share issuance; (iii) to exclude or to limit preemptive
rights of existing shareholders; and (iv) to grant rights
to subscribe for common shares and/or preference shares, all for
a period of five years from the date of such annual shareholders
meeting.
Except as stated below, the Supervisory Board has not yet acted
on its authorization to increase the registered capital to the
limits of the authorized registered capital.
Upon the proposal of the Supervisory Board, the annual
shareholders meeting may, in accordance with the legal
provisions, reduce our issued capital by canceling the shares
that we hold in treasury, by reducing the par value of the
shares or by canceling the preference shares.
134
See Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related-Party
Transactions for details on changes in the distribution of
our share capital over the past three years.
We may issue preference shares in certain circumstances. On
May 31, 1999, our annual shareholders meeting approved the
creation of up to 180,000,000 preference shares. Pursuant to the
3-for-1 stock split
effected in May 2000, the number of such preference shares has
increased to 540,000,000.
The effect of the preference shares may be to deter potential
acquirers from effecting an unsolicited acquisition resulting in
a change of control. See Item 3. Key
Information Risk Factors Risks Related
to Our Operations Our shareholder structure and our
preference shares may deter a change of control.
On May 31, 1999, we entered into an option agreement
involving preference shares with ST Holding II in order to
protect ourselves from a hostile take-over or other similar
action. See Item 7. Major Shareholders and
Related-Party Transactions Major
Shareholders Shareholders
Agreements Preference Shares.
No preference shares have been issued to date and therefore none
are currently outstanding.
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Changes to Our Share Capital and Stock Option Grants |
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative | |
|
|
|
Nominal Value | |
|
Amount of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominal | |
|
Amount of | |
|
Cumulative | |
|
of Increase/ | |
|
Issue | |
|
Cumulative | |
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
Value | |
|
Capital | |
|
Number of | |
|
Reduction in | |
|
Premium | |
|
Issue Premium | |
Year |
|
Transaction | |
|
Shares | |
|
(Euro) | |
|
(Euro) | |
|
Shares | |
|
Capital | |
|
(Euro) | |
|
(Euro) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
May 5, 2000
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
467,725 |
|
|
|
3.12 |
|
|
|
905,660,699 |
|
|
|
290,275,865 |
|
|
|
1,459,302 |
|
|
|
7,164,432 |
|
|
|
1,191,934,282 |
|
May 5, 2000
|
|
|
LYONs conversion |
|
|
|
5,365,888 |
|
|
|
3.12 |
|
|
|
922,402,269 |
|
|
|
295,641,753 |
|
|
|
16,741,571 |
|
|
|
234,054,348 |
|
|
|
1,425,988,630 |
|
May 5, 2000
|
|
|
3:1 Stock Split |
|
|
|
591,283,506 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
922,402,269 |
|
|
|
886,925,259 |
|
|
|
1,425,988,630 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 1, 2000
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
248,275 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
922,660,475 |
|
|
|
887,173,534 |
|
|
|
258,206 |
|
|
|
2,018,275 |
|
|
|
1,428,006,905 |
|
July 1, 2000
|
|
|
LYONs conversion |
|
|
|
346,518 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
923,020,854 |
|
|
|
887,520,052 |
|
|
|
360,379 |
|
|
|
5,653,989 |
|
|
|
1,433,660,894 |
|
December 31, 2000
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
896,674 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
923,953,395 |
|
|
|
888,416,726 |
|
|
|
932,541 |
|
|
|
27,418,268 |
|
|
|
1,461,079,162 |
|
December 31, 2000
|
|
|
LYONs conversion |
|
|
|
1,464,561 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
925,476,538 |
|
|
|
889,881,287 |
|
|
|
1,523,143 |
|
|
|
23,332,858 |
|
|
|
1,484,412,020 |
|
March 31, 2001
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
277,695 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
925,765,341 |
|
|
|
890,158,982 |
|
|
|
288,803 |
|
|
|
2,319,055 |
|
|
|
1,486,731,074 |
|
March 31, 2001
|
|
|
LYONs conversion |
|
|
|
151,251 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
925,922,642 |
|
|
|
890,310,233 |
|
|
|
157,301 |
|
|
|
2,453,756 |
|
|
|
1,489,184,830 |
|
December 31, 2001
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
2,062,234 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
928,067,365 |
|
|
|
892,372,467 |
|
|
|
2,144,723 |
|
|
|
44,383,800 |
|
|
|
1,533,568,630 |
|
December 31, 2001
|
|
|
LYONs conversion |
|
|
|
6,726,714 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
935,063,148 |
|
|
|
899,099,181 |
|
|
|
6,995,782 |
|
|
|
114,600,190 |
|
|
|
1,648,168,820 |
|
March 30, 2002
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
140,455 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
935,209,221 |
|
|
|
899,239,636 |
|
|
|
146,073 |
|
|
|
1,081,691 |
|
|
|
1,649,250,511 |
|
September 28, 2002
|
|
|
LYONs conversion |
|
|
|
945 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
935,210,204 |
|
|
|
899,240,581 |
|
|
|
983 |
|
|
|
30,482 |
|
|
|
1,649,280,993 |
|
September 28, 2002
|
|
Exercise of options and employee stock purchases |
|
|
601,284 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
935,835,540 |
|
|
|
899,841,865 |
|
|
|
625,335 |
|
|
|
10,830,842 |
|
|
|
1,660,111,835 |
|
December 31, 2002
|
|
Exercise of options and employee stock purchases |
|
|
1,081,689 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
936,960,496 |
|
|
|
900,923,554 |
|
|
|
1,124,957 |
|
|
|
15,671,916 |
|
|
|
1,675,783,751 |
|
March 29, 2003
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
91,146 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
937,055,288 |
|
|
|
901,014,700 |
|
|
|
94,792 |
|
|
|
404,011 |
|
|
|
1,676,187,762 |
|
June 28, 2003
|
|
Exercise of options and employee stock purchases |
|
|
217,490 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
937,281,478 |
|
|
|
901,232,190 |
|
|
|
226,190 |
|
|
|
2,075,922 |
|
|
|
1,678,263,684 |
|
September 27, 2003
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
903,283 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
938,220,892 |
|
|
|
902,135,473 |
|
|
|
939,414 |
|
|
|
10,857,587 |
|
|
|
1,689,121,271 |
|
December 31, 2003
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
634,261 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
938,880,523 |
|
|
|
902,769,734 |
|
|
|
659,631 |
|
|
|
4,458,391 |
|
|
|
1,693,579,662 |
|
March 27, 2004
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
1,964,551 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
940,923,656 |
|
|
|
904,734,285 |
|
|
|
2,043,133 |
|
|
|
9,048,811 |
|
|
|
1,702,628,473 |
|
June 26, 2004
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
84,740 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
941,011,786 |
|
|
|
904,819,025 |
|
|
|
88,130 |
|
|
|
1,640,712 |
|
|
|
1,704,269,185 |
|
September 25, 2004
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
65,990 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
941,080,416 |
|
|
|
904,885,015 |
|
|
|
68,630 |
|
|
|
605,542 |
|
|
|
1,704,874,727 |
|
September 25, 2004
|
|
|
Bonds conversion |
|
|
|
101 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
941,080,521 |
|
|
|
904,885,116 |
|
|
|
105 |
|
|
|
7,006 |
|
|
|
1,704,881,733 |
|
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
422,120 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
941,519,525 |
|
|
|
905,307,236 |
|
|
|
439,005 |
|
|
|
4,021,536 |
|
|
|
1,708,903,269 |
|
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
LYONs conversion |
|
|
|
1,761 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
941,521,357 |
|
|
|
905,308,997 |
|
|
|
1,831 |
|
|
|
46,225 |
|
|
|
1,708,949,494 |
|
April 2, 2005
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
63,270 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
941,587,158 |
|
|
|
905,372,267 |
|
|
|
65,801 |
|
|
|
571,525 |
|
|
|
1,709,521,019 |
|
April 2, 2005
|
|
|
LYONs conversion |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
941,587,219 |
|
|
|
905,372,326 |
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
1,448 |
|
|
|
1,709,522,467 |
|
June 2, 2005
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
145,454 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
941,738,491 |
|
|
|
905,517,780 |
|
|
|
151,272 |
|
|
|
1,436,236 |
|
|
|
1,710,958,703 |
|
October 1, 2005
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
2,079,369 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
943,901,035 |
|
|
|
907,597,149 |
|
|
|
2,162,544 |
|
|
|
21,629,617 |
|
|
|
1,732,651,320 |
|
December 31, 2005
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
227,130 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
944,137,250 |
|
|
|
907,824,279 |
|
|
|
236,215 |
|
|
|
2,062,234 |
|
|
|
1,734,713,554 |
|
|
|
|
Liquidation Rights (Articles 42 and 43) |
In the event of our dissolution and liquidation, after payment
of all debts and liquidation expenses, the holders of preference
shares if issued, would receive the paid up portion of the
nominal amount of their preference shares. Any assets then
remaining shall be distributed among the registered holders of
common shares in proportion to the nominal value of their
shareholdings.
135
|
|
|
Acquisition of Shares in Our Own Share Capital
(Article 5) |
We may acquire our own shares, subject to certain provisions of
Dutch law and of our Articles of Association, if and to the
extent that (i) the shareholders equity less the
payment required to make the acquisition does not fall below the
sum of the paid-up and
called-up portion of
the share capital and any reserves required by Dutch law and
(ii) the aggregate nominal value of shares that we or our
subsidiaries acquire, hold or hold in pledge would not exceed
one-tenth of our issued share capital. Share acquisitions may be
effected by our Managing Board, subject to the approval of our
Supervisory Board, only if the annual shareholders meeting has
authorized the Managing Board to effect such repurchases, which
authorization may apply for a maximum period of 18 months.
We may not vote shares we hold in treasury. Our purchases of our
own shares are not subject to any acquisition price conditions.
Our articles of association have been amended effective as of
May 5, 2000, implementing a resolution of the annual
shareholders meeting held on April 26, 2000, to provide
that we shall be able to acquire shares in our own share capital
in order to transfer these shares under employee stock option or
stock purchase plans, without an authorization of the annual
shareholders meeting.
In 2001, we acquired 9.4 million of our common shares, and
in May 2002, we acquired an additional 4.0 million of our
common shares to fund attributions of stock options to managers
and employees pursuant to our 2001 Stock Option Plan, which was
adopted by our shareholders on April 25, 2001. As a result
of these two repurchases, as at December 31, 2005, we held
13.4 million of our common shares in treasury. We may in
the future proceed with additional repurchases of our common
shares to fund further attributions of stock-based compensation
pursuant to the 2001 plan.
|
|
|
Changes to Our Share Capital, Stock Option Grants and
Other Matters |
The following table sets forth changes to our share capital as
of December 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominal | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative | |
|
|
|
Value of | |
|
Amount of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominal | |
|
Amount of | |
|
Cumulative | |
|
Increase/ | |
|
Issue | |
|
Cumulative | |
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
Value | |
|
Capital | |
|
Number of | |
|
Reduction | |
|
Premium | |
|
Issue Premium | |
Year |
|
Transaction | |
|
Shares | |
|
(Euro) | |
|
(Euro) | |
|
Shares | |
|
in Capital | |
|
(Euro) | |
|
(Euro) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
LYONs conversion |
|
|
|
1,761 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
941,521,357 |
|
|
|
905,308,997 |
|
|
|
1,831 |
|
|
|
46,225 |
|
|
|
1,708,949,494 |
|
December 31, 2005
|
|
|
Conversion of bonds |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
941,521,418 |
|
|
|
905,309,056 |
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
1,448 |
|
|
|
1,708,950,942 |
|
December 31, 2005
|
|
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
|
2,515,223 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
944,137,250 |
|
|
|
907,824,279 |
|
|
|
2,615,832 |
|
|
|
25,762,612 |
|
|
|
1,734,713,554 |
|
The following table summarizes the amount of stock options
authorized to be granted, exercised, cancelled and outstanding
as of December 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employees | |
|
Supervisory Board | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
1995 Plan | |
|
2001 Plan | |
|
1996 | |
|
1999 | |
|
2002 | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Remaining amount authorized to be granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,265,817 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,265,817 |
|
Amount exercised
|
|
|
12,255,102 |
|
|
|
9,650 |
|
|
|
293,500 |
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,576,252 |
|
Amount cancelled
|
|
|
2,782,808 |
|
|
|
4,438,997 |
|
|
|
72,000 |
|
|
|
63,000 |
|
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
|
7,380,805 |
|
Amount outstanding
|
|
|
16,524,031 |
|
|
|
43,285,536 |
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
342,000 |
|
|
|
372,000 |
|
|
|
60,558,567 |
|
We granted 29,200 options at an exercise price of $16.73 on
January 31, 2005 and 13,000 options at an exercise price of
$17.31 on March 17, 2005.
In line with our 2005 AGM shareholders resolutions, we are
transitioning our stock-based compensation plans from
stock-option grants to non-vested stock awards. Pursuant to
shareholders resolutions adopted by the 2005 AGM, our
Supervisory Board, upon the recommendation of the Compensation
Committee, approved the terms and conditions of the 2005
Supervisory Board Stock-Based Compensation Plan for members and
professionals, which resulted in a $1 million charge in
2005.
Pursuant to shareholders resolutions adopted by the 2005
AGM, our Supervisory Board, upon the proposal of the Managing
Board and the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, took
the following actions:
|
|
|
|
|
amended our 2001 Employee Stock Option Plan with the aim of
enhancing our ability to retain key employees and motivate them
to shareholder value creation; |
136
|
|
|
|
|
approved the vesting conditions, linked to our future
performance and their continued service with us, to apply to
non-vested stock awards granted to employees in 2005, the
maximum number of which will be 4.1 million; and |
|
|
|
accelerated the vesting of all of our outstanding stock options
in July 2005 with no charge to our interim consolidated
statements of income. |
We intend to use 4.1 million of our shares held by us in
treasury (out of the 13.4 million currently available) to
cover the four million non-vested stock award granted to our
employees in the fourth quarter of 2005 as well as the granting
of up to 100,000 non-vested shares to the sole member of our
Managing Board that was also approved by shareholders at the
2005 AGM.
Following these decisions, the share-based compensation plans
generated a total additional charge in our income statement of
the fourth quarter of 2005 of $9 million pre-tax. This
charge corresponded to the compensation expense to be recognized
for the non-vested stock awards from the grant date over the
vesting period, by adopting FAS 123R and took into
consideration the probability of the performance achievement by
early adoption FAS123R. The vesting of the awards depends on the
following performance achievement: (i) the total amount of
shares will vest if the evolution of our stock price is equal or
better to the evolution of the Philadelphia SOX Index over the
period from May 2, 2005 to April 1, 2006. If the
awards do not vest pursuant to the market performance, the
employees can still receive a maximum of 66% of the awards:
(a) 33% if the evolution of our sales between May 2,
2005 and April 1, 2006 is equal to or greater than the
evolution of the sales of top ten semiconductor companies
publishing quarterly results for the quarter ending on or before
April 1st, 2006 over the same corresponding quarter in 2005
and (b) 33% if our actual return on net assets achieved in
2005 is equal to or higher than our target as per 2005 budget.
We will register a total charge of $31 million to which
social charges should be added for a total cost of approximately
$40 million (before tax) to be accounted for over the
vesting period in the years 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Limitations on Right to Hold or Vote Shares
There are currently no limitations imposed by Dutch law or by
the articles of association on the right of non-resident holders
to hold or vote the shares.
Material Contracts
We have not entered into any material contracts, other than
those entered into in the ordinary course of business, during
the past two years.
Exchange Controls
None.
Taxation
This is a general summary and the tax consequences as
described here may not apply to a holder of common shares. Any
potential investor should consult his own tax adviser for more
information about the tax consequences of acquiring, owning and
disposing of common shares in his particular circumstances.
This taxation summary solely addresses the principal Dutch tax
consequences of the acquisition, the ownership and disposition
of common shares. Where in this summary English terms and
expressions are used to refer to Dutch concepts, the meaning to
be attributed to such terms and expressions shall therefore be
the meaning to be attributed to the equivalent Dutch concepts
under Dutch tax law. It does not discuss every aspect of
taxation that may be relevant to a particular holder of common
shares under special circumstances or who is subject to special
treatment under applicable law.
This summary is based on the tax laws of the Netherlands as they
are in force and in effect on the date of this
Form 20-F. The
laws upon which this summary is based are subject to change,
possibly with retroactive effect. A change to such laws may
invalidate the contents of this summary, which will not be
updated to reflect any such changes.
137
|
|
|
Taxes on income and capital gains |
The summary set out in this section Dutch taxation
only applies to a holder of common shares who is a Non-Resident
holder of common shares.
You are a Non-Resident holder of common shares if you satisfy
the following tests:
|
|
|
a. you are neither resident, nor deemed to be resident, in
the Netherlands for purposes of Dutch income tax or corporation
tax, as the case may be, and, if you are an individual, you have
not elected to be treated as a resident of the Netherlands for
Dutch income tax purposes; |
|
|
b. your common shares and income or capital gains derived
therefrom have no connection with your past, present or future
employment, if any; and |
|
|
c. your common shares do not form part of a substantial
interest or a deemed substantial interest in us within the
meaning of Chapter 4 of the Dutch Income Tax Act 2001
(Wet inkomstenbelasting 2001), unless such interest forms
part of the assets of an enterprise. |
Generally, if a person holds an interest in us, such interest
forms part of a substantial interest or a deemed substantial
interest in us if any one or more of the following circumstances
is present.
|
|
|
1. Such person alone or, if he is an individual, together
with his partner (partner), if any, has, directly or
indirectly, the ownership of shares in us representing 5% or
more of our total issued and outstanding capital (or the issued
and outstanding capital of any class of our shares), or rights
to acquire, directly or indirectly, shares, whether or not
already issued, that represent 5% or more of our total issued
and outstanding capital (or the issued and outstanding capital
of any class of our shares), or the ownership of profit
participating certificates (winstbewijzen) that relate to
5% or more of our annual profit or to 5% or more of our
liquidation proceeds. |
|
|
2. Such persons shares, profit participating
certificates or rights to acquire shares or profit participating
certificates in us have been acquired by him or are deemed to
have been acquired by him under a non-recognition provision. |
|
|
3. Such persons partner or any of his relatives by
blood or by marriage in the direct line (including
foster-children) or of those of his partner has a substantial
interest (as described under 1. and 2. above) in us. |
A person who is entitled to the benefits from shares or profit
participating certificates (for instance a holder of a right of
usufruct) is deemed to be a holder of shares or profit
participating certificates, as the case may be, and his
entitlement to benefits is considered a share or profit
participating certificate, as the case may be.
If you are a holder of common shares and you satisfy test 1.,
but do not satisfy test 2., and/or test 3., your Dutch income
tax position or corporation tax position, as the case may be, is
not discussed in this
Form 20-F.
If you are a Non-Resident holder of common shares you will not
be subject to any Dutch taxes on income or capital gains in
respect of dividends distributed by us (other than the dividend
withholding tax described below) or in respect of any gains
realized on the disposal of common shares, provided that both of
the following conditions are satisfied.
|
|
|
1. If you derive profits from an enterprise, whether as an
entrepreneur (ondernemer) or pursuant to a co-entitlement
to the net value of such enterprise, other than as an
entrepreneur or a shareholder, in the case of an individual, or
other than as a holder of securities, in other cases, which
enterprise is either managed in the Netherlands or carried on,
in whole or in part, through a permanent establishment or a
permanent representative in the Netherlands, as the case may be,
your common shares are not attributable to such enterprise or,
in case the common shares are attributable to such enterprise,
the benefits therefrom are exempt under the participation
exemption as laid down in the Dutch Corporation Tax Act 1969
(Wet op de vennootschapsbelasting 1969). |
|
|
2. You do not derive benefits from common shares that are
taxable as benefits from miscellaneous activities (resultaat
uit overage werkzaamheden) in the Netherlands. |
The concept dividends distributed by us as used in
this taxation summary includes, but is not limited to, the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
distributions in cash or in kind, deemed and constructive
distributions and repayments of capital not recognized as
paid-in for Dutch dividend withholding tax purposes; |
138
|
|
|
|
|
liquidation proceeds and proceeds of redemption of shares in
excess of the average capital recognized as paid-in for Dutch
dividend withholding tax purposes; |
|
|
|
the par value of shares issued by us to a shareholder or an
increase of the par value of shares, as the case may be, to the
extent that it does not appear that a contribution, recognized
for Dutch dividend withholding tax purposes, has been made or
will be made; and |
|
|
|
partial repayment of capital, recognized as paid-in for Dutch
dividend withholding tax purposes, if and to the extent that
there are net profits (zuivere winst), unless
(a) our general shareholders meeting has resolved in
advance to make such repayment and (b) the par value of the
shares concerned has been reduced by an equal amount by way of
an amendment to our articles of association. |
If you are a Dutch Individual you may, inter alia, derive
benefits from common shares that are taxable as benefits from
miscellaneous activities in the following circumstances, on the
understanding that such benefits will be taxable in the
Netherlands only if such activities are performed or deemed to
be performed in the Netherlands.
|
|
|
|
|
Your investment activities go beyond the activities of an active
portfolio investor, for instance in the case of the use of
insider knowledge (voorkennis) or comparable forms of
special knowledge; or |
|
|
|
you make or are deemed to make common shares available, legally
or in fact, directly or indirectly, to a related party as
described in articles 3.91 and 3.92 of the Dutch Income Tax Act
2001 under circumstances described there. |
Dividends distributed by us are generally subject to a
withholding tax imposed by the Netherlands at a rate of 25%.
If a Non-Resident holder of common shares is resident in the
Netherlands Antilles or Aruba or in a country that has concluded
a double tax treaty with the Netherlands, such holder may be
eligible for a full or partial relief from the dividend
withholding tax, provided such relief is timely and duly
claimed. In addition, a qualifying parent company within the
meaning of the EU Parent Subsidiary Directive (Directive 90/435/
EEC, as amended) is, subject to certain conditions, entitled to
an exemption from dividend withholding tax. Pursuant to domestic
rules to avoid dividend stripping, dividend withholding tax
relief will only be available to the beneficial owner
(uiteindelijk gerechtigde) of dividends distributed by
us. A holder of common shares who receives dividends distributed
by us shall not be recognized as the beneficial owner of such
proceeds if in connection with the receipt of the proceeds, it
has given a consideration, in the framework of a composite
transaction, where it may be presumed (i) that such
proceeds in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, inure to a
person who would not have been entitled to an exemption from,
reduction or refund of, or credit for, or who would have been
entitled to a smaller reduction of, or credit for, dividend
withholding tax than the actual recipient of the proceeds;
(ii) and such person acquires or retains, directly or
indirectly, an interest in common shares or similar instruments,
comparable to its interest in common shares prior to the time
the composite transaction was first initiated.
The Dutch tax authorities have taken the position that this
beneficial ownership test can also be applied to deny relief
from dividend withholding tax under double tax treaties, the tax
Arrangement for the Kingdom (Belastingregeling voor het
Koninkrijk) and the EU Parent Subsidiary Directive.
Under the convention of December 18, 1992, between the
Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United States of America for
the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal
Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income (the U.S./ NL
Income Tax Treaty), the Dutch dividend withholding tax
rate on dividends distributed by us to a Non Resident holder of
securities who is resident in the United States and who is
entitled to the benefits of the U.S./ NL Income Tax Treaty will
generally be reduced to 15%. The U.S./ NL Income Tax Treaty
provides for an exemption from withholding tax for dividends
received by exempt pension trusts and exempt organizations, as
defined therein. Except in the case of exempt organizations, the
reduced dividend withholding tax rate under the U.S./ NL Income
Tax Treaty may be available at source, upon payment of a
dividend in respect of such securities, provided that the holder
thereof or, if applicable, the paying agent, has supplied us
with the appropriate Dutch tax forms in accordance with the
Dutch implementation regulations under the U.S./ NL Income Tax
Treaty. If such forms are not duly and timely supplied, we
generally will be required to withhold the dividend withholding
tax at the Dutch statutory rate of 25%. In such case, a Non
Resident holder of securities who is resident in the United
States and who is entitled to the benefits of the U.S./ NL
Income Tax Treaty may obtain a refund of the difference between
the amount withheld and the amount that the Netherlands was
entitled to levy in accordance with the U.S./ NL Income Tax
Treaty by filing the appropriate forms with the Dutch tax
authorities within the term set therefor.
139
Reduction. If we receive a profit distribution from a
qualifying foreign entity, or a repatriation of qualifying
foreign branch profit, that is exempt from Dutch corporate
income tax and that has been subject to a foreign withholding
tax of at least 5%, we may be entitled to a reduction of the
amount of Dutch dividend withholding tax withheld that must be
paid over to the Dutch tax authorities in respect of dividends
distributed by us. Such reduction is the lesser of:
|
|
|
|
|
3% of the dividends paid by us in respect of which Dutch
dividend withholding tax is withheld, and |
|
|
|
3% of the qualifying profit distributions grossed up by the
foreign tax withheld on such distributions received from foreign
subsidiaries and branches prior to the distribution of the
dividend by us during the current calendar and the two preceding
calendar years (to the extent such distributions have not been
taken into account previously when applying this test). |
Non-Resident holders of securities are urged to consult their
tax advisers regarding the general creditability or
deductibility of Netherlands dividend withholding tax and, in
particular, the impact on such investors of our potential
ability to receive a reduction as described in the previous
paragraph.
See the section Taxes on income and capital gains
for a description of the term Non-Resident holder of common
shares.
|
|
|
Gift and inheritance taxes |
If you acquire common shares as a gift (in form or in substance)
or if you acquire or are deemed to acquire common shares on the
death of an individual, you will not be subject to Dutch gift
tax or to Dutch inheritance tax (as the case may be), unless:
|
|
|
|
|
the donor or the deceased was resident or deemed to be resident
in the Netherlands for purposes of gift or inheritance tax (as
the case may be); or |
|
|
|
the common shares are or were attributable to an enterprise or
part of an enterprise that the donor or deceased carried on
through a permanent establishment or a permanent representative
in the Netherlands at the time of the gift or of the death of
the deceased; or |
|
|
|
the donor made a gift of common shares, then became a resident
or deemed resident of the Netherlands, and died as a resident or
deemed resident of the Netherlands within 180 days after
the date of the gift. |
No Dutch registration tax, transfer tax, stamp duty or any other
similar documentary tax or duty will be payable in the
Netherlands in respect of or in connection with the
subscription, issue, placement, allotment or delivery of the
common shares.
United States Federal Income Taxation
The following discussion is a general summary of the material
U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. holder
(as defined below) of the ownership and disposition of our
common shares. You are a U.S. holder only if you are a
beneficial owner of common shares:
|
|
|
|
|
that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (a) a
citizen or individual resident of the United States (b) a
U.S. domestic corporation or a domestic entity taxable as a
corporation, (c) an estate the income of which is subject
to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source,
or (d) a trust if a court within the United States can
exercise primary supervision over the administration of the
trust and one or more U.S. persons are authorized to
control all substantial decisions of the trust; |
|
|
|
that owns, directly, indirectly or by attribution, less than 10%
of our voting power or outstanding share capital; |
|
|
|
that holds the common shares as capital assets; |
|
|
|
whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax
purposes is the U.S. dollar; |
|
|
|
that is a resident of the United States and not also a resident
of the Netherlands for purposes of the U.S./ NL Income Tax
Treaty; |
140
|
|
|
|
|
that is entitled, under the limitation on benefits
provisions contained in the U.S./ NL Income Tax Treaty, to the
benefits of the U.S./ NL Income Tax Treaty; and |
|
|
|
that does not have a permanent establishment or fixed base in
the Netherlands. |
This summary does not discuss all of the tax consequences that
may be relevant to you in light of your particular
circumstances. Also, it does not address holders that may be
subject to special rules including, but not limited to,
U.S. expatriates, tax-exempt organizations, persons subject
to the alternative minimum tax, banks, securities
broker-dealers, financial institutions, regulated investment
companies, insurance companies, traders in securities who elect
to apply a
mark-to-market method
of accounting, persons holding our common shares as part of a
straddle, hedging or conversion transaction, or persons who
acquired common shares pursuant to the exercise of employee
stock options or otherwise as compensation. Because this is a
general summary, you are advised to consult your own tax advisor
with respect to the U.S. federal, state, local and
applicable foreign tax consequences of the ownership and
disposition of our common shares. In addition, you are advised
to consult your own tax advisor concerning whether you are
entitled to benefits under the U.S./ NL Income Tax Treaty.
If a partnership (including for this purpose any entity treated
as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes)
holds common shares, the tax treatment of a partner generally
will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of
the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership that
holds common shares, you are urged to consult your own tax
advisor regarding the specific tax consequences of the ownership
and the disposition of common shares.
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Code), the U.S./ NL Income Tax Treaty,
judicial decisions, administrative pronouncements and existing,
temporary and proposed Treasury regulations as of the date of
this Form 20-F,
all of which are subject to change or changes in interpretation,
possibly with retroactive effect.
In general, you must include the gross amount of distributions
paid (including the amount of any Dutch taxes withheld from
those distributions) to you by us with respect to the common
shares in your gross income as foreign-source taxable dividend
income. A dividends-received deduction will not be allowed with
respect to dividends paid by us. The amount of any distribution
paid in foreign currency (including the amount of any Dutch
withholding tax thereon) will be equal to the U.S. dollar
value of the foreign currency on the date of actual or
constructive receipt by you regardless of whether the payment is
in fact converted into U.S. dollars at that time. Gain or
loss, if any, realized on a subsequent sale or other disposition
of such foreign currency will be
U.S.-source ordinary
income or loss. Special rules govern the manner in which accrual
method taxpayers are required (or may elect) to determine the
U.S. dollar amount includible in income in the case of
taxes withheld in a foreign currency. Certain of these rules
have changed effective January 1, 2005. Accrual basis
taxpayers therefore are urged to consult their own tax advisors
regarding the requirements and elections applicable in this
regard.
Subject to applicable limitations, Dutch taxes withheld from a
distribution paid to you at a rate not exceeding the rate
provided in the U.S./ NL Income Tax Treaty will be eligible for
credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability. As
described in Taxation Dutch
Taxation above, under current Dutch law, under limited
circumstances we may be permitted to deduct and retain from the
withholding a portion of the amount that otherwise would be
required to be remitted to the taxing authorities in the
Netherlands. This amount generally may not exceed 3% of the
total dividend distributed by us. If we withhold an amount from
dividends paid to you that we then are not required to remit to
any taxing authority in the Netherlands, the amount in all
likelihood would not qualify as a creditable tax for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. We will endeavor to
provide you with information concerning the extent to which we
have applied the reduction described above to dividends paid to
you. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is
calculated separately with respect to specific classes of
income. For this purpose, dividends distributed by us with
respect to the common shares generally will constitute
passive income or, in the case of certain
U.S. holders, financial services income. For
taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006, dividend
income generally will constitute passive category
income or in the case of certain U.S. holders,
general category income. The use of foreign tax
credits is subject to complex rules and limitations. In lieu of
a credit, a U.S. holder who itemizes deductions may elect
to deduct all of such holders foreign taxes in the taxable
year. A deduction does not reduce tax on a dollar-for-dollar
basis like a credit, but the deduction for foreign taxes is not
subject to the same limitations applicable to foreign tax
credits. You should consult your own tax advisor to determine
whether and to what extent a credit would be available to you.
141
Certain non-corporate U.S. holders (including individuals)
are eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax
(currently at a maximum of 15%) in respect of qualified
dividend income received in taxable years beginning before
January 1, 2009. For this purpose, qualified dividend
income generally includes dividends paid by a
non-U.S. corporation
if, among other things, the U.S. holders meet certain
minimum holding period and other requirements and the
non-U.S. corporation
satisfies certain requirements, including either that
(i) the shares of the
non-U.S. corporation
are readily tradable on an established securities market in the
United States, or (ii) the
non-U.S. corporation
is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax
treaty with the United States (such as the U.S./ NL Income Tax
Treaty) which provides for the exchange of information. We
currently believe that dividends paid by us with respect to our
common shares should constitute qualified dividend
income for U.S. federal income tax purposes; however,
this is a factual matter and subject to change. You are urged to
consult your own tax advisor regarding the availability to you
of a reduced dividend tax rate in light of your own particular
situation.
|
|
|
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common
Shares |
Upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares, you
generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal
to the difference between the amount realized and your tax basis
in the common shares, as determined in U.S. dollars. This
gain or loss generally will be
U.S.-source gain or
loss, and will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if
you have held the common shares for more than one year. If you
are an individual, capital gains generally will be subject to
U.S. federal income tax at preferential rates if specified
minimum holding periods are met. The deductibility of capital
losses is subject to significant limitations.
|
|
|
Passive Foreign Investment Company Status |
We believe that we will not be classified as a passive foreign
investment company (a PFIC) for U.S. federal
income tax purposes for the year ended December 31, 2005
and do not expect to become a PFIC in the foreseeable future.
This conclusion is a factual determination that must be made
annually at the close of each taxable year and therefore we can
provide no assurance that we will not be a PFIC in our current
or any future taxable year. If we were to be characterized as a
PFIC for any taxable year, the tax on certain distributions on
our common shares and on any gains realized upon the disposition
of common shares, may be materially less favorable than as
described herein. In addition, if we were a PFIC in the taxable
year we pay dividends or the prior taxable year, such dividends
would not be qualified dividend income (as described
above) and would be taxed at the higher rates applicable to
other items of ordinary income. You should consult your own tax
advisor regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your
ownership of our common shares.
|
|
|
U.S. Information Reporting and Backup
Withholding |
Dividend payments with respect to common shares and proceeds
from the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of our
common shares may be subject to information reporting to the
U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) and
possible U.S. backup withholding at a current rate of 28%.
Backup withholding will not apply to you, however, if you
furnish a correct taxpayer identification number or certificate
of foreign status and make any other required certification or
if you are otherwise exempt from backup withholding.
U.S. persons required to establish their exempt status
generally must provide certification on IRS
Form W-9.
Non-U.S. holders
generally will not be subject to U.S. information reporting
or backup withholding. However, these holders may be required to
provide certification of
non-U.S. status
(generally on Form W-8BEN) in connection with payments
received in the United States or through certain
U.S.-related financial
intermediaries. Backup withholding is not an additional tax.
Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against
your U.S. federal income tax liability, and you may obtain
a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup
withholding rules by timely filing the appropriate claim for
refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information.
Documents on Display
Any statement in this
Form 20-F about
any of our contracts or other documents is not necessarily
complete. If the contract or document is filed as an exhibit to
this Form 20-F the
contract or document is deemed to modify the description
contained in this
Form 20-F. You
must review the exhibits themselves for a complete description
of the contract or document.
Our Articles of Association, the minutes of our annual general
meetings of shareholders, reports of the auditors and other
corporate documentation may be consulted by the shareholders and
any other individual authorized to attend the meetings at our
registered office at Schiphol Airport Amsterdam, the
Netherlands, at the
142
registered offices of the Supervisory Board in Geneva,
Switzerland and at Crédit Agricole-Indosuez, 9, Quai
du Président Paul-Doumer, 92400 Courbevoie, France.
You may review a copy of our filings with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the
SEC), including exhibits and schedules filed with
it, at the SECs public reference facilities in
Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet
site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports and other
information regarding issuers that file electronically with the
SEC. These SEC filings are also available to the public from
commercial document retrieval services.
WE ARE REQUIRED TO FILE REPORTS AND OTHER INFORMATION WITH THE
SEC UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. REPORTS AND OTHER
INFORMATION FILED BY U.S. WITH THE SEC MAY BE INSPECTED AND
COPIED AT THE SECS PUBLIC REFERENCE FACILITIES DESCRIBED
ABOVE OR THROUGH THE INTERNET AT HTTP:// WWW.SEC.GOV. AS A
FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER, WE ARE EXEMPT FROM THE RULES UNDER
THE EXCHANGE ACT PRESCRIBING THE FURNISHING AND CONTENT OF PROXY
STATEMENTS AND OUR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND PRINCIPAL
SHAREHOLDERS ARE EXEMPT FROM THE REPORTING AND SHORT-SWING
PROFIT RECOVERY PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN SECTION 16 OF THE
EXCHANGE ACT. UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT, AS A FOREIGN PRIVATE
ISSUER, WE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PUBLISH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS
FREQUENTLY OR AS PROMPTLY AS UNITED STATES COMPANIES.
In addition, material filed by us with the SEC can be inspected
at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange at 20 Broad
Street, New York, New York 10005 and at the offices of The Bank
of New York, as New York Share Registrar, at One Wall Street,
New York, NY 10286 (telephone: 1-888-269-2377).
|
|
Item 11. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
We are exposed to changes in financial market conditions in the
normal course of business due to our operations in different
foreign currencies and our ongoing investing and financing
activities. Market risk is the uncertainty to which future
earnings or asset/liability values are exposed due to operating
cash flows denominated in foreign currencies and various
financial instruments used in the normal course of operations.
The major risks to which we are exposed are related to the
fluctuations of the U.S. dollar exchange rate compared to
the euro and the other major currencies, the coverage of our
foreign currency exposures, the variation of the interest rates
and the risks associated to the investments of our available
cash. We have established policies, procedures and internal
processes governing our management of market risks and the use
of financial instruments to manage our exposure to such risks.
Our Income Statement is exposed to the fluctuations of the
exchange rates such as the U.S. dollar, the euro and the
other major currencies since our revenues are mainly denominated
in U.S. dollars while a large part of our costs is
denominated in euros or other major currencies. We enter into
cash flow hedges to cover a portion of our costs denominated in
euro. Our balance sheet is also exposed to these exchange rates
fluctuations since the functional currency of our subsidiaries
is generally the local currency and as such, foreign exchange
fluctuations are generating adjustments for the translation into
U.S. dollar consolidated reporting of their assets and
liabilities. For further details, see Item 5.
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects Impact
of Changes in Exchange Rates.
We have exposures in foreign currencies since our operating cash
flows are denominated in various foreign currencies as a result
of our international business activities and certain of our
borrowings are exposed to changes in foreign exchange rates. The
functional currency of our subsidiaries is either the local
currency or the U.S. dollar. We continuously evaluate our
foreign currency exposures based on current market conditions
and the business environment. In order to mitigate the impact of
changes in foreign currency exchange rates, we enter into
forward exchange and currency options contracts. The magnitude
and nature of such outstanding instruments are detailed in
Note 25 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Forward
contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2005 have
remaining terms of four days to five months, which mature on
average after less than 2 months. The notional amounts of
foreign exchange forward contracts totaled $2,206 million
and $8,852 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004,
respectively. The principal currencies covered are the
U.S. dollar, the euro, the Japanese yen and the Singapore
Dollar. The risk of loss associated with these forward contracts
is equal to the exchange rate differential from the date the
contract is made until the time it is settled.
We are exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a
result of our borrowing activities which include long-term debt
used to fund business operations. We borrow in U.S. dollars
as well as in other currencies from
143
banks and other sources. We primarily enter into debt
obligations to support general corporate and local purposes
including capital expenditures and working capital needs. The
nature and amount of our long-term debt can be expected to vary
as a result of future business requirements, market conditions,
and other factors. The principal risks are related to interest
rates variations to which we are exposed in regard to our
long-term obligations. We primarily utilize fixed-rate debt and
do not expect changes in interest rates to have a material
effect on income or cash flows in 2006.
We place our cash and cash equivalents, or a part of it, with
high credit quality financial institutions with at least single
A rating, mainly on a short-term basis; as such we
are exposed to the fluctuations of the market interest rates on
our placement and our cash, which can have an impact on our
accounts. We manage the credit risks associated with financial
instruments through credit approvals, investment limits and
centralized monitoring procedures but do not normally require
collateral or other security from the parties to the financial
instruments.
We do not anticipate any material adverse effect on our
financial position, result of operations or cash flows resulting
from the use of our instruments in the future. There can be no
assurance that these strategies will be effective or that
transaction losses can be minimized or forecasted accurately.
The information below summarizes our market risks associated
with cash equivalents, debt obligations, and other significant
financial instruments as of December 31, 2005. The
information below should be read in conjunction with
Note 25 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The table below presents principal amounts and related
weighted-average interest rates by year of maturity for our
investment portfolio and debt obligations (in millions of
U.S. dollars, except percentages):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value at | |
|
|
Total | |
|
2006 | |
|
2007 | |
|
2008 | |
|
2009 | |
|
2010 | |
|
Thereafter | |
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash equivalents
|
|
|
2,027 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,027 |
|
Average interest rate
|
|
|
4.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed rate
|
|
|
1,791 |
|
|
|
1,522 |
|
|
|
119 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
1,742 |
|
Average interest rate
|
|
|
0.25 |
% |
|
|
(0.19 |
)% |
|
|
3.14 |
% |
|
|
3.58 |
% |
|
|
2.49 |
% |
|
|
2.09 |
% |
|
|
1.16 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts in Millions | |
|
|
of U.S. Dollars | |
|
|
| |
Long-term debt by currency as of December 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. dollar
|
|
|
1,454 |
|
|
Euro
|
|
|
206 |
|
|
Singapore dollar
|
|
|
120 |
|
Other currencies
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total in U.S. dollars
|
|
|
1,791 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts in Millions | |
|
|
of U.S. Dollars | |
|
|
| |
Long-term debt by currency as of December 31, 2004:
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. dollar
|
|
|
1,404 |
|
|
Euro
|
|
|
324 |
|
|
Singapore dollar
|
|
|
153 |
|
Other currencies
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total in U.S. dollars
|
|
|
1,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
144
The following table provides information about our foreign
exchange forward contracts at December 31, 2005 (in
millions of U.S. dollars):
FORWARD CONTRACTS AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notional Amount | |
|
Average Rate | |
|
Fair Value | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Buy
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
Sell |
|
|
|
JPY |
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
116.6 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Sell
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
Buy |
|
|
|
JPY |
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
116.3 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Buy
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
Sell |
|
|
|
CAD |
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
1.17 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Sell
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
Buy |
|
|
|
SGD |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
1.66 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Sell
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
Buy |
|
|
|
INR |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
45.9 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Sell
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
Buy |
|
|
|
SEK |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
8.0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Buy
|
|
|
GBP |
|
|
|
Sell |
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
1.73 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Buy
|
|
|
EUR |
|
|
|
Sell |
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
1,771 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
(27 |
) |
Sell
|
|
|
EUR |
|
|
|
Buy |
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
130 |
|
|
|
1.18 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Sell
|
|
|
EUR |
|
|
|
Buy |
|
|
|
CHF |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
1.55 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Sell
|
|
|
EUR |
|
|
|
Buy |
|
|
|
JPY |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
139.8 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,206 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table provides information about our foreign
exchange forward contracts at December 31, 2004 (in
millions of U.S. dollars):
FORWARD CONTRACTS AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notional Amount | |
|
Average Rate | |
|
Fair Value | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Buy
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
Sell |
|
|
|
JPY |
|
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
104.9 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
Sell
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
Buy |
|
|
|
JPY |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
102.4 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Buy
|
|
|
EUR |
|
|
|
Sell |
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
4,803 |
|
|
|
1.37 |
|
|
|
187 |
|
Sell
|
|
|
EUR |
|
|
|
Buy |
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
2,388 |
|
|
|
1.37 |
|
|
|
(91 |
) |
Buy
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
Sell |
|
|
|
SGD |
|
|
|
1,120 |
|
|
|
1.64 |
|
|
|
(14 |
) |
Buy
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
Sell |
|
|
|
CAD |
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
Sell
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
Buy |
|
|
|
INR |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
43.5 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Sell
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
Buy |
|
|
|
SEK |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
6.6 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Buy
|
|
|
MTL |
|
|
|
Sell |
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
197 |
|
|
|
3.14 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Buy
|
|
|
GBP |
|
|
|
Sell |
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
1.93 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Sell
|
|
|
EUR |
|
|
|
Buy |
|
|
|
JPY |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
140.9 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Buy
|
|
|
EUR |
|
|
|
Sell |
|
|
|
MYR |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
5.26 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Buy
|
|
|
EUR |
|
|
|
Sell |
|
|
|
SGD |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
2.22 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Buy
|
|
|
JPY |
|
|
|
Sell |
|
|
|
SGD |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Buy
|
|
|
JPY |
|
|
|
Sell |
|
|
|
MYR |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,852 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(91 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 12. |
Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities |
Not applicable.
145
PART II
|
|
Item 13. |
Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies |
None.
|
|
Item 14. |
Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and
Use of Proceeds |
None.
|
|
Item 15. |
Controls and Procedures |
Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, after
evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act
Rule 13a-15(e)) as
of the end of the period covered by this report, have concluded
that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures
were effective to ensure that material information relating to
our company was made known to them by others within our company,
particularly during the period in which this
Form 20-F was
being prepared.
There were no significant changes in our internal controls over
financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly
affect these controls during the period covered by the annual
report, nor were there any material weaknesses in our internal
controls requiring corrective actions.
Other Reviews
We have sent this Annual Report on
Form 20-F to our
Audit Committee, which had an opportunity to raise questions
with our management and independent auditors before we filed it
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
|
|
Item 16A. |
Audit Committee Financial Expert |
On March 18, 2005, our Supervisory Board concluded that Tom
de Waard, a member of our Audit Committee and an independent
member of our Supervisory Board qualified as an audit
committee financial expert as defined in Item 16A of
Form 20-F during
fiscal year 2005.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Since 1987, we have had a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
for all of our employees, including our chief executive officer
and chief financial officer. We have adapted this Code to
reflect recent regulatory changes. The Code is designed to
promote honest and ethical business conduct, to deter wrongdoing
and to provide principles to which our employees are expected to
adhere and which they are expected to advocate.
The Code provides that if any officer to whom it applies acts in
contravention of its principles, we will take appropriate steps
in terms of the procedures in place for fair disciplinary
action. This action may, in cases of severe breaches, include
dismissal.
Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted our internet
website at http://www.st.com. There have been no
amendments or waivers, express or implicit, to our Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics since its inception.
|
|
Item 16C. |
Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
PricewaterhouseCoopers has served as our independent registered
public accounting firm for each of the fiscal years since 1996.
The auditors are elected by the general meeting of shareholders
once every three years. PricewaterhouseCoopers was reelected for
a three-year term by our March 2005 shareholders meeting to
expire at our shareholders meeting in 2008.
146
The following table presents the aggregate fees for professional
audit services and other services rendered by
PricewaterhouseCoopers to us in 2004 and 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of | |
|
|
|
Percentage of | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
Total Fees | |
|
2004 | |
|
Total Fees | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Audit Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statutory audit, certification, audit of individual and
consolidated financial statements
|
|
$ |
2,494,626 |
|
|
|
94 |
% |
|
$ |
2,079,857 |
|
|
|
93 |
% |
Audit-related fees
|
|
|
138,312 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
|
|
125,282 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
Non-audit Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax compliance fees
|
|
|
24,028 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
|
|
25,668 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
Other fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
2,656,966 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
2,230,807 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit Fees consist of fees billed for the annual audit of our
companys consolidated financial statements, the statutory
audit of the financial statements of the Companys
subsidiaries and consultations on complex accounting issues
relating to the annual audit. Audit Fees also include services
that only our independent auditor can reasonably provide, such
as comfort letters, certain regulatory-required attest and
certifications letters, consents and the review of documents
filed with U.S., French and Italian stock exchanges.
Audit-related services are assurance and related fees consisting
of the audit of employee benefit plans, due diligence services
related to acquisitions and certain agreed-upon procedures.
Tax Fees include fees billed for tax compliance services,
including the preparation of original and amended tax returns
and claims for refund; tax consultations, such as assistance in
connection with tax audits and expatriate tax compliance.
|
|
|
Audit Committee Pre-approval Policies and
Procedures |
Our Audit Committee is responsible for selecting the independent
registered public accounting firm to be employed by us to audit
our financial statements, subject to ratification by the
Supervisory Board and approval by our shareholders for
appointment. Our Audit Committee also assumes responsibility (in
accordance with Dutch law) for the retention, compensation,
oversight and termination of any independent auditor employed by
us. The Company has adopted a policy (the Policy),
which was approved in advance by our Audit Committee, for the
pre-approval of audit and permissible non-audit services
provided by our independent auditors (PricewaterhouseCoopers).
The Policy defines those audit-related services eligible to be
approved by the Audit Committee.
All engagements with the external auditors, regardless of
amount, must be authorized in advance by our Audit Committee,
pursuant to the Policy and its pre-approval authorization or
otherwise.
The independent auditors submit a proposal for audit-related
services to our Audit Committee on a quarterly basis in order to
obtain prior authorization for the amount and scope of the
services. The independent auditors must state in the proposal
that none of the proposed services affect their independence.
The proposal must be endorsed by the office of our CFO with an
explanation of why the service is needed and the reason for
sourcing it to the audit firm and validation of the amount of
fees requested.
We do not intend to retain our independent auditors for
permissible non-audit services other than by exception and
within a limited amount of fees, and the Policy provides that
such services must be explicitly authorized by the Audit
Committee.
The Corporate Audit Vice-President is responsible for monitoring
that the actual fees are complying with the pre-approval amount
and scope authorized by the Audit Committee. During 2005, all
services provided to us by PricewaterhouseCoopers were approved
by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i) of
Rule 2-01 of
Regulation S-X.
|
|
Item 16D. |
Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees |
Not applicable.
147
|
|
Item 16E. |
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated
Purchasers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum Number | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Number of | |
|
of Securities that | |
|
|
Total Number of | |
|
|
|
Securities Purchased | |
|
May yet be | |
|
|
Securities | |
|
Average Price Paid | |
|
as Part of Publicly | |
|
Purchased Under | |
Period |
|
Purchased | |
|
Per Security | |
|
Announced Programs | |
|
the Programs | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
2005-01-01 to 2005-01-31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005-02-01 to 2005-02-28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005-03-01 to 2005-03-31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005-04-01 to 2005-04-30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005-05-01 to 2005-05-31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005-06-01 to 2005-06-30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005-07-01 to 2005-07-31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005-08-01 to 2005-08-31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005-09-01 to 2005-09-30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005-10-01 to 2005-10-31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005-11-01 to 2005-11-30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005-12-01 to 2005-12-31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We currently hold 13,400,000 of our common shares in treasury
pursuant to repurchases made in prior years. We did not purchase
any common shares in 2005. We have not announced any additional
repurchase programs.
We note that on November 16, 2000, we issued
$2,146 million initial aggregate principal amount of
zero-coupon senior convertible bonds due 2010 (the 2010
Bonds), for net proceeds of $1,458 million. The 2010
Bonds are not equity securities, as they were not
registered in the United States. As previously disclosed,
while not noted in the table above, in 2003 we repurchased on
the market approximately $1,674 million aggregate principal
amount at maturity of 2010 Bonds and in 2004, we completed the
repurchase of our 2010 Bonds and repurchased on the market
approximately $472 million aggregate principal amount at
maturity of a total amount paid of $375 million.
148
PART III
|
|
Item 17. |
Financial Statements |
Not applicable.
|
|
Item 18. |
Financial Statements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page | |
|
|
| |
Financial Statements:
|
|
|
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for
Years Ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
|
|
|
F-2 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended
December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
|
|
|
F-3 |
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets as at December 31, 2005 and 2004
|
|
|
F-4 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
|
|
|
F-5 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders Equity
for the Years Ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
|
|
|
F-6 |
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
|
F-7 |
|
Financial Statement Schedule:
|
|
|
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on
Financial Statement Schedule
|
|
|
S-1 |
|
For each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying
Accounts
|
|
|
S-2 |
|
Item 19. Exhibits
|
|
|
|
|
Amended and Restated Articles of
Association of STMicroelectronics N.V., dated April 4,
2005, as approved by the annual general meeting of shareholders
on March 18, 2005. |
|
|
Subsidiaries of the Company. |
|
|
Certification of Carlo Bozotti, President
and Chief Executive Officer of STMicroelectronics N.V., pursuant
to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
Certification of Carlo Ferro, Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of STMicroelectronics
N.V., pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002. |
|
|
Certification of Carlo Bozotti, President
and Chief Executive Officer of STMicroelectronics N.V., and
Carlo Ferro, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of STMicroelectronics N.V., pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
§1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002. |
|
|
Consent of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm. |
149
CERTAIN TERMS
|
|
|
ADSL |
|
assymetrical digital subscriber line |
|
ASD |
|
application-specific discrete technology |
|
ASIC |
|
application-specific integrated circuit |
|
ASSP |
|
application-specific standard product |
|
BCD |
|
bipolar, CMOS and DMOS process technology |
|
BiCMOS |
|
bipolar and CMOS process technology |
|
CAD |
|
computer aided design |
|
CMOS |
|
complementary metal-on silicon oxide semiconductor |
|
CODEC |
|
audio coding and decoding functions |
|
CPE |
|
customer premises equipment |
|
DMOS |
|
diffused metal-on silicon oxide semiconductor |
|
DRAMs |
|
dynamic random access memory |
|
DSL |
|
digital subscriber line |
|
DSP |
|
digital signal processor |
|
EMAS |
|
Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, the voluntary European
Community scheme for companies performing industrial activities
for the evaluation and improvement of environmental performance |
|
EEPROM |
|
electrically erasable programmable read-only memory |
|
EPROM |
|
erasable programmable read-only memory |
|
EWS |
|
electrical wafer sorting |
|
G-bit |
|
gigabit |
|
GPRS |
|
global packet radio service |
|
GPS |
|
global positioning system |
|
GSM |
|
global system for mobile communications |
|
GSM/ GPRS |
|
European standard for mobile phones |
|
HCMOS |
|
high-speed complementary metal-on silicon oxide semiconductor |
|
IC |
|
integrated circuit |
|
IGBT |
|
insulated gate bipolar transistors |
|
IPAD |
|
integrated passive and active devices |
|
ISO |
|
International Organization for Standardization |
|
K-bit |
|
kilobit |
|
LAN |
|
local area network |
|
M-bit |
|
megabit |
|
MEMS |
|
micro-electro-mechanical system |
|
MOS |
|
metal-on silicon oxide semiconductor process technology |
|
MOSFET |
|
metal-on silicon oxide semiconductor field effect transistor |
|
MPEG |
|
motion picture experts group |
|
ODM |
|
original design manufacturer |
|
OEM |
|
original equipment manufacturer |
150
|
|
|
OMAPI |
|
open mobile application processor interfaces, the name of the
joint open standard for wireless application processor
interfaces being developed with Texas Instruments to promote
faster and broader deployment of multimedia-enhanced mobile
devices and applications |
|
OTP |
|
one-time programmable |
|
PDA |
|
personal digital assistant |
|
PFC |
|
power factor corrector |
|
PROM |
|
programmable read-only memory |
|
PSM |
|
programmable system memories |
|
RAM |
|
random access memory |
|
RF |
|
radio frequency |
|
RISC |
|
reduced instruction set computing |
|
ROM |
|
read-only memory |
|
SAM |
|
serviceable available market |
|
SCR |
|
silicon controlled rectifier |
|
SLIC |
|
subscriber line interface card |
|
SMPS |
|
switch-mode power supply |
|
SoC |
|
system-on-chip |
|
SRAM |
|
static random access memory |
|
SNVM |
|
serial nonvolatile memories |
|
TAM |
|
total available market |
|
USB |
|
universal serial bus |
|
VIPpowertm |
|
vertical integration power |
|
VLSI |
|
very large scale integration |
|
XDSL |
|
digital subscriber line |
151
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on
Form 20-F and that
it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this
annual report on its behalf.
Date: March 3, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
Carlo Bozotti |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
152
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page | |
|
|
| |
Financial Statements:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-2 |
|
|
|
|
F-3 |
|
|
|
|
F-4 |
|
|
|
|
F-5 |
|
|
|
|
F-6 |
|
|
|
|
F-7 |
|
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Supervisory Board and Shareholders of STMicroelectronics
N.V.:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and
the related consolidated statements of income, of changes in
shareholders equity and of cash flows present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of
STMicroelectronics N.V. and its subsidiaries at
December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 2005 in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Companys management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these
statements in accordance with the standards of the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
PricewaterhouseCoopers SA
M
Foley H-J
Hofer
Geneva, February 15, 2006
PricewaterhouseCoopers is represented in about 140 countries
worldwide and in Switzerland in Aarau, Basle, Berne, Chur,
Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Lugano, Neuchâtel, Sion, St.
Gall, Thun, Winterthur, Zug and Zurich and offers Assurance, Tax
& Legal and Advisory services.
F-2
STMicroelectronics N.V.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
In millions of U.S. dollars except per share amounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Twelve months ended | |
|
|
| |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(audited) | |
|
(audited) | |
|
(audited) | |
Net sales
|
|
|
8,876 |
|
|
|
8,756 |
|
|
|
7,234 |
|
Other revenues
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenues
|
|
|
8,882 |
|
|
|
8,760 |
|
|
|
7,238 |
|
Cost of sales
|
|
|
(5,845 |
) |
|
|
(5,532 |
) |
|
|
(4,672 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
3,037 |
|
|
|
3,228 |
|
|
|
2,566 |
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
(1,026 |
) |
|
|
(947 |
) |
|
|
(785 |
) |
Research and development
|
|
|
(1,630 |
) |
|
|
(1,532 |
) |
|
|
(1,238 |
) |
Other income and expenses, net
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
Impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure costs
|
|
|
(128 |
) |
|
|
(76 |
) |
|
|
(205 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
244 |
|
|
|
683 |
|
|
|
334 |
|
Interest income (expense), net
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(52 |
) |
Loss on equity investments
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
Loss on extinguishment of convertible debt
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes and minority interests
|
|
|
275 |
|
|
|
672 |
|
|
|
242 |
|
Income tax benefit (expense)
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(68 |
) |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before minority interests
|
|
|
267 |
|
|
|
604 |
|
|
|
256 |
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
266 |
|
|
|
601 |
|
|
|
253 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share (Basic)
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
|
0.67 |
|
|
|
0.29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share (Diluted)
|
|
|
0.29 |
|
|
|
0.65 |
|
|
|
0.27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-3
STMicroelectronics N.V.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
In millions of U.S. dollars
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at | |
|
|
| |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(audited) | |
|
(audited) | |
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
2,027 |
|
|
|
1,950 |
|
Marketable securities
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
Trade accounts receivable, net
|
|
|
1,490 |
|
|
|
1,408 |
|
Inventories, net
|
|
|
1,411 |
|
|
|
1,344 |
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
|
152 |
|
|
|
140 |
|
Other receivables and assets
|
|
|
531 |
|
|
|
785 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
5,611 |
|
|
|
5,627 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
221 |
|
|
|
264 |
|
Other intangible assets, net
|
|
|
224 |
|
|
|
291 |
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
6,175 |
|
|
|
7,442 |
|
Long-term deferred tax assets
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
Investments and other non-current assets
|
|
|
153 |
|
|
|
117 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,828 |
|
|
|
8,173 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
12,439 |
|
|
|
13,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and shareholders equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank overdrafts
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
Current portion of long-term debt
|
|
|
1,522 |
|
|
|
133 |
|
Trade accounts payable
|
|
|
965 |
|
|
|
1,352 |
|
Other payables and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
642 |
|
|
|
776 |
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
Accrued income tax
|
|
|
152 |
|
|
|
176 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
3,299 |
|
|
|
2,512 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
269 |
|
|
|
1,767 |
|
Reserve for pension and termination indemnities
|
|
|
270 |
|
|
|
285 |
|
Long-term deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
63 |
|
Other non-current liabilities
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
610 |
|
|
|
2,130 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
3,909 |
|
|
|
4,642 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitment and contingencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock (preferred stock: 540,000,000 shares authorized,
not issued; common stock: Euro 1.04 nominal value,
1,200,000,000 shares authorized, 907,824,279 shares issued,
894,424,279 shares outstanding)
|
|
|
1,153 |
|
|
|
1,150 |
|
Capital surplus
|
|
|
1,967 |
|
|
|
1,924 |
|
Accumulated result
|
|
|
5,427 |
|
|
|
5,268 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
281 |
|
|
|
1,116 |
|
Treasury stock
|
|
|
(348 |
) |
|
|
(348 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
|
8,480 |
|
|
|
9,110 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders equity
|
|
|
12,439 |
|
|
|
13,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-4
STMicroelectronics N.V.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
In millions of U.S. dollars
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Twelve Months Ended | |
|
|
| |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(audited) | |
|
(audited) | |
|
(audited) | |
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
266 |
|
|
|
601 |
|
|
|
253 |
|
|
Items to reconcile net income and cash flows from operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
1,944 |
|
|
|
1,837 |
|
|
|
1,608 |
|
|
|
Amortization of discount on convertible debt
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
Loss on extinguishment of convertible debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
Gain on the sale of marketable securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
Other non-cash items
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
(53 |
) |
|
|
Minority interest in net income of subsidiaries
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
Deferred income tax
|
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(131 |
) |
|
|
Loss on equity investments
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
Impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure
costs, net of cash payments
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
197 |
|
|
Changes in assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade receivables, net
|
|
|
(117 |
) |
|
|
(119 |
) |
|
|
(109 |
) |
|
|
Inventories, net
|
|
|
(174 |
) |
|
|
(144 |
) |
|
|
(75 |
) |
|
|
Trade payables
|
|
|
(71 |
) |
|
|
128 |
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
Other assets and liabilities, net
|
|
|
(110 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
131 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash from operating activities
|
|
|
1,798 |
|
|
|
2,342 |
|
|
|
1,920 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payment for purchases of tangible assets
|
|
|
(1,441 |
) |
|
|
(2,050 |
) |
|
|
(1,221 |
) |
|
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
Investment in intangible and financial assets
|
|
|
(49 |
) |
|
|
(79 |
) |
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
Capital contributions to equity investments
|
|
|
(38 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
Payment for acquisitions, net of cash received
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(188 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(1,528 |
) |
|
|
(2,134 |
) |
|
|
(1,439 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
1,398 |
|
|
Repayment of long-term debt
|
|
|
(110 |
) |
|
|
(1,288 |
) |
|
|
(1,432 |
) |
|
Increase (decrease) in short-term facilities
|
|
|
(47 |
) |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
Capital increase
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
Dividends paid
|
|
|
(107 |
) |
|
|
(107 |
) |
|
|
(71 |
) |
|
Other financing activities
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in financing activities
|
|
|
(178 |
) |
|
|
(1,271 |
) |
|
|
(59 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of changes in exchange rates
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash increase (decrease)
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
(1,048 |
) |
|
|
436 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
|
|
|
1,950 |
|
|
|
2,998 |
|
|
|
2,562 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
|
|
|
2,027 |
|
|
|
1,950 |
|
|
|
2,998 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental cash information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest paid
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
Income tax paid
|
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
102 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS
EQUITY
In millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other | |
|
|
|
|
Common | |
|
Capital | |
|
Treasury | |
|
Accumulated | |
|
Comprehensive | |
|
Shareholders | |
|
|
Stock | |
|
Surplus | |
|
Stock | |
|
Result | |
|
income (loss) | |
|
Equity | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Balance as of December 31, 2002 (audited)
|
|
|
1,144 |
|
|
|
1,864 |
|
|
|
(348 |
) |
|
|
4,592 |
|
|
|
(258 |
) |
|
|
6,994 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital increase
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
43 |
|
Comprehensive income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
253 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
253 |
|
|
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
881 |
|
|
|
881 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,134 |
|
Dividends, $0.08 per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(71 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(71 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2003 (audited)
|
|
|
1,146 |
|
|
|
1,905 |
|
|
|
(348 |
) |
|
|
4,774 |
|
|
|
623 |
|
|
|
8,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital increase
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23 |
|
Comprehensive income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
601 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
601 |
|
|
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
493 |
|
|
|
493 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,094 |
|
Dividends, $0.12 per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(107 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(107 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2004 (audited)
|
|
|
1,150 |
|
|
|
1,924 |
|
|
|
(348 |
) |
|
|
5,268 |
|
|
|
1,116 |
|
|
|
9,110 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital increase
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35 |
|
Stock-based compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
Comprehensive income (loss):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
266 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
266 |
|
|
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(835 |
) |
|
|
(835 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(569 |
) |
Dividends, $0.12 per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(107 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(107 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2005 (audited)
|
|
|
1,153 |
|
|
|
1,967 |
|
|
|
(348 |
) |
|
|
5,427 |
|
|
|
281 |
|
|
|
8,480 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-6
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
1 THE COMPANY
STMicroelectronics N.V. (the Company) is registered
in The Netherlands with its statutory domicile in Amsterdam. The
Company was formed in 1987 with the original name of SGS-THOMSON
Microelectronics by the combination of the semiconductor
business of SGS Microelettronica (then owned by Società
Finanziaria Telefonica (S.T.E.T.), an Italian corporation) and
the non-military business of Thomson Semiconducteurs (then owned
by Thomson-CSF, a French corporation) whereby each company
contributed their respective semiconductor businesses in
exchange for a 50% interest in the Company.
The Company is a global independent semiconductor company that
designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of
semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) and discrete
devices. The Company offers a diversified product portfolio and
develops products for a wide range of market applications,
including automotive products, computer peripherals,
telecommunications systems, consumer products, industrial
automation and control systems. Within its diversified
portfolio, the Company has focused on developing products that
leverage its technological strengths in creating customized,
system-level solutions with high-growth digital and mixed-signal
content.
2 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounting policies of the Company conform with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America
(U.S. GAAP). All balances and values in the current
and prior periods are in millions of dollars, except share and
per-share amounts. Under Article 35 of the Companys
Articles of Association, the financial year extends from January
1 to December 31, which is the period-end of each fiscal
year.
2.1 Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been
prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The Companys
consolidated financial statements include the assets,
liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of its
majority-owned subsidiaries. The ownership of other interest
holders is reflected as minority interests. Intercompany
balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Since the adoption in 2003 of Financial Accounting Standards
Board Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable
Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51
(revised 2003), and the related FASB Staff Positions
(collectively FIN 46R), the Company assesses
for consolidation any entity identified as a Variable Interest
Entity (VIE) and consolidates VIEs, if any, for
which the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary,
as described in note 2.19.
2.2 Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S.
GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net
revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The primary
areas that require significant estimates and judgments by
management include, but are not limited to, sales returns and
allowances, allowances for doubtful accounts, inventory reserves
and normal manufacturing capacity thresholds to determine costs
capitalized in inventory, accruals for warranty costs,
litigation and claims, valuation of acquired intangibles,
goodwill, investments and tangible assets as well as the
impairment of their related carrying values, restructuring
charges, assumptions used in calculating pension obligations and
share-based compensation, assessment of hedge effectiveness of
derivative instruments, deferred income tax assets including
required valuation allowances and liabilities as well as
provisions for specifically identified income tax exposures. The
Company bases the estimates and assumptions on historical
experience and on various other factors such as market trends
and business plans that it believes to be reasonable under the
circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making
judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.
The actual results experienced by the Company could differ
materially and adversely from managements estimates. To
the extent there are material differences between the estimates
and the actual results, future results of operations, cash flows
and financial position could be significantly affected.
2.3 Foreign currency
The U.S. dollar is the reporting currency for the Company,
which is the currency of the primary economic environment in
which the Company operates. The worldwide semiconductor industry
uses the U.S. dollar as a
F-7
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
currency of reference for actual pricing in the market.
Furthermore, the majority of the Companys transactions are
denominated in U.S. dollars, and revenues from external
sales in U.S. dollars largely exceed revenues in any other
currency. However, labor costs are concentrated primarily in the
countries that have adopted the Euro currency.
The functional currency of each subsidiary throughout the group
is generally the local currency. For consolidation purposes,
assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at
current rates of exchange at the balance sheet date. Income and
expense items are translated at the monthly average exchange
rate of the period. The effects of translating the financial
position and results of operations from local functional
currencies are reported as a component of accumulated
other comprehensive income in the consolidated statements
of changes in shareholders equity.
Assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, gains or losses arising
from foreign currency transactions are recorded in the
functional currency of the recording entity at the exchange rate
in effect during the month of the transaction. At each balance
sheet date, recorded balances denominated in a currency other
than the recording entitys functional currency are
remeasured into the functional currency at the exchange rate
prevailing at the balance sheet date. The related exchange gains
and losses are recorded in the consolidated statements of income.
2.4 Derivative instruments
Foreign
Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as a Hedge
The Company conducts its business on a global basis in various
major international currencies. As a result, the Company is
exposed to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates.
The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts and
currency options to reduce its exposure to changes in exchange
rates and the associated risk arising from the denomination of
certain assets and liabilities in foreign currencies at the
Companys subsidiaries. These instruments do not qualify as
hedging instruments under Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities (FAS 133), and are
marked-to-market at each period-end with the associated changes
in fair value recognized in other income and expenses,
net in the consolidated statements of income.
Cash
Flow Hedges
To further reduce its exposure to U.S. dollar exchange rate
fluctuations, the Company also hedged in 2005 and 2004 certain
euro-denominated forecasted transactions that cover at year-end
a large part of its research and development, selling general
and administrative expenses as well as a portion of its
front-end manufacturing production costs of semi-finished goods.
The foreign currency forward contracts used to hedge exposures
are reflected at their fair value in the consolidated balance
sheet and meet the criteria for designation as cash flow hedges.
The criteria for designating a derivative as a hedge include the
instruments effectiveness in risk reduction and, in most
cases, a one-to-one matching of the derivative instrument to its
underlying transaction. Foreign currency forward contracts used
as hedges are effective at reducing the euro/ U.S. dollar
currency fluctuation risk and are designated as a hedge at the
inception of the contract. For these derivatives, the gain or
loss from the effective portion of the hedge is reported as a
component of accumulated other comprehensive income
in the consolidated statements of changes in shareholders
equity and is reclassified into earnings in the same period in
which the hedged transaction affects earnings, and within the
same income statement line item as the impact of the hedged
transaction. The gain or loss is recognized immediately in
other income and expenses, net in the consolidated
statements of income when a designated hedging instrument is
either terminated early or an improbable or ineffective portion
of the hedge is identified.
F-8
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
2.5 Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to
the current year presentation.
2.6 Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized as follows:
Net
sales
Revenue from products sold to customers is recognized, pursuant
to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue
Recognition (SAB 104), when all the
following conditions have been met: (a) persuasive evidence
of an arrangement exists; (b) delivery has occurred;
(c) the selling price is fixed or determinable; and
(d) collectibility is reasonably assured. This usually
occurs at the time of shipment.
Consistent with standard business practice in the semiconductor
industry, price protection is granted to distribution customers
on their existing inventory of the Companys products to
compensate them for declines in market prices. The ultimate
decision to authorize a distributor refund remains fully within
the control of the Company. The Company accrues a provision for
price protection based on a rolling historical price trend
computed on a monthly basis as a percentage of gross distributor
sales. This historical price trend represents differences in
recent months between the invoiced price and the final price to
the distributor, adjusted if required, to accommodate a
significant move in the current market price. The short
outstanding inventory time period, visibility into the standard
inventory product pricing (as opposed to certain customized
products) and long distributor pricing history have enabled the
Company to reliably estimate price protection provisions at
period-end. The Company records the accrued amounts as a
deduction of revenue at the time of the sale.
The Companys customers occasionally return the
Companys products for technical reasons. The
Companys standard terms and conditions of sale provide
that if the Company determines that products are non-conforming,
the Company will repair or replace the non-conforming products,
or issue a credit or rebate of the purchase price. Quality
returns are not related to any technological obsolescence issues
and are identified shortly after sale in customer quality
control testing. Quality returns are always associated with
end-user customers, not with distribution channels. The Company
provides for such returns when they are considered as probable
and can be reasonably estimated. The Company records the accrued
amounts as a reduction of revenue.
The Companys insurance policy relating to product
liability only covers physical damage and other direct damages
caused by defective products. The Company does not carry
insurance against immaterial non consequential damages. The
Company records a provision for warranty costs as a charge
against cost of sales, based on historical trends of warranty
costs incurred as a percentage of sales, which management has
determined to be a reasonable estimate of the probable losses to
be incurred for warranty claims in a period. Any potential
warranty claims are subject to the Companys determination
that the Company is at fault for damages, and such claims
usually must be submitted within a short period following the
date of sale. This warranty is given in lieu of all other
warranties, conditions or terms express or implied by statute or
common law. The Companys contractual terms and conditions
limit its liability to the sales value of the products which
gave rise to the claims.
Other
revenues
Other revenues primarily consist of license revenue and patent
royalty income, which are recognized ratably over the term of
the agreements.
Fundings
Fundings received by the Company are mainly from governmental
agencies and income is recorded as recognized when all
contractually required conditions are fulfilled. The
Companys primary sources for government funding are
French, Italian, other European Union (EU)
governmental entities and Singapore agencies. Such funding is
generally provided to encourage research and development
activities, industrialization and local economic development.
The EU has developed model contracts for research and
development funding that require beneficiaries to disclose the
results to third parties on reasonable terms. The conditions for
receipt of government funding may include eligibility
restrictions, approval by EU authorities, annual budget
appropriations, compliance with European Commission regulations,
as well as specifications regarding objectives and results.
Certain specific contracts contain obligations to maintain a
minimum level of employment and investment
F-9
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
during a certain period of time. There could be penalties if
these objectives are not fulfilled. Other contracts contain
penalties for late deliveries or for breach of contract, which
may result in repayment obligations. In accordance with
SAB 104 and the Companys revenue recognition policy,
funding related to these contracts is recorded when the
conditions required by the contracts are met. The Companys
funding programs are classified under three general categories:
funding for research and development activities, capital
investment, and loans.
Funding for research and development activities is the most
common form of funding that the Company receives. Public funding
for research and development is recorded as other income
and expenses, net in the Companys consolidated
statements of income. Public funding for research and
development is recognized ratably as the related costs are
incurred once the agreement with the respective governmental
agency has been signed and all applicable conditions are met.
Capital investment funding is recorded as a reduction of
property, plant and equipment, net and is recognized
in the Companys consolidated statements of income
according to the depreciation charges of the funded assets
during their useful lives. The Company also receives capital
funding in Italy, which is recovered through the reduction of
various governmental liabilities, including income taxes,
value-added tax and employee-related social charges. The funding
has been classified as long-term receivable and is reflected in
the balance sheet at its discounted net present value. The
subsequent accretion of the discount is recorded as
non-operating income in interest income (expense),
net.
The Company receives certain loans, mainly related to large
capital investment projects, at preferential interest rates. The
Company records these loans as debt in its consolidated balance
sheet.
2.7 Advertising costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are recorded as
selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising
expenses for 2005, 2004 and 2003 were $14 million,
$17 million and $9 million, respectively.
2.8 Research and development
Research and development expenses include costs incurred by the
Company, the Companys share of costs incurred by other
research and development interest groups, and costs associated
with co-development contracts. Research and development expenses
do not include marketing design center costs, which are
accounted for as selling expenses and process engineering,
pre-production or process transfer costs which are recorded as
cost of sales. Research and development costs are charged to
expense as incurred. The amortization expense recognized on
technologies and licenses purchased by the Company from third
parties to facilitate the Companys research is recorded as
research and development expenses.
2.9 Start-up costs
Start-up costs represent costs incurred in the start-up and
testing of the Companys new manufacturing facilities,
before reaching the earlier of a minimum level of production or
6-months after the fabrication lines quality
qualification. Start-up costs are included in other income
and expenses, net in the consolidated statements of income.
2.10 Income taxes
The provision for current taxes represents the income taxes
expected to be paid or the benefit expected to be received
related to the current year income or loss in each individual
tax jurisdiction. Provisions for specific tax exposures are also
estimated and recorded when an additional tax payment is
determined probable. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
recorded for all temporary differences arising between the tax
and book bases of assets and liabilities and for the benefits of
tax credits and operating loss carry-forwards. Deferred income
tax is determined using tax rates and laws that are enacted by
the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the
related deferred income tax asset is realized or the deferred
income tax liability is settled. The effect on deferred tax
assets and liabilities from changes in tax law is recognized in
the period of enactment. Deferred income tax assets are
recognized in full but the Company assesses whether it is
probable that future taxable profit will be available against
which the temporary differences can be utilized. A valuation
allowance is provided where necessary to reduce deferred tax
assets to the amount for which management considers the
possibility of recovery to be more likely than not. The Company
utilizes the flow-through method to account for its investment
credits,
F-10
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
reflecting the credits as a reduction of tax expense in the year
they are recognized. Similarly, research and development tax
credits are classified as a reduction of tax expense in the year
they are recognized.
2.11 Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by
the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during
the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed using the
treasury stock method by dividing net income (adding-back
interest expense, net of tax effects, related to convertible
debt if determined to be dilutive) by the weighted average
number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding
during the period. The weighted average shares used to compute
diluted earnings per share include the incremental shares of
common stock relating to stock-options granted, nonvested shares
and convertible debt to the extent such incremental shares are
dilutive. Nonvested shares with performance or market conditions
are included in the computation of diluted earnings per share if
their conditions have been satisfied at the balance sheet date
and if the awards are dilutive.
2.12 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents represents cash, deposits and highly
liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk
purchased with an original maturity of ninety days or less.
2.13 Marketable securities
Management determines the appropriate classification of
investments in debt and equity securities at the time of
purchase and reassesses the classification at each reporting
date. For those marketable securities with a readily
determinable fair value and that are classified as
available-for-sale, the securities are reported at fair value
with changes in fair value recognized as a separate component of
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the
consolidated statements of changes in shareholders equity.
Other-than-temporary losses are recorded in net income based on
the Companys assessment of any significant, sustained
reductions in the investments market value and of the
market indicators affecting the securities. Gains and losses on
securities sold are determined based on the specific
identification method and are recorded as other income and
expenses, net.
2.14 Trade accounts receivable
Trade accounts receivable are recognized at their sales value,
net of allowances for doubtful accounts. The Company maintains
an allowance for doubtful accounts for potential estimated
losses resulting from its customers inability to make
required payments. The Company bases its estimates on historical
collection trends and records a provision accordingly. In
addition, the Company is required to evaluate its
customers financial condition periodically and records an
additional provision for any specific account the Company
estimates as doubtful.
2.15 Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable
value. Cost is based on the weighted average cost by adjusting
standard cost to approximate actual manufacturing costs on a
quarterly basis; the cost is therefore dependent on the
Companys manufacturing performance. In the case of
underutilization of manufacturing facilities, the costs
associated with the excess capacity are not included in the
valuation of inventories but charged directly to cost of sales.
Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the
ordinary course of business, less applicable variable selling
expenses.
Additionally, the Company evaluates its product inventory to
identify obsolete or slow-selling stock and records a specific
provision if the Company estimates the inventory will eventually
become obsolete. Provisions for obsolescence are estimated for
excess uncommitted inventory based on the previous quarter
sales, orders backlog and production plans.
2.16 Intangible assets subject to amortization
Intangible assets subject to amortization include the cost of
technologies and licenses purchased from third parties,
purchased software and internally developed software which is
capitalized. Intangible assets subject to amortization are
reflected net of any impairment losses. The carrying value of
intangible assets subject to
F-11
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
amortization is evaluated whenever changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. In
determining recoverability, the Company usually estimates the
fair value based on the projected discounted future cash flows
associated with the intangible assets and compares this to their
carrying value. An impairment loss is recognized in the income
statement for the amount by which the assets carrying
amount exceeds its fair value. Amortization is computed using
the straight-line method over the following estimated useful
lives:
|
|
|
|
|
Technologies & licenses
|
|
|
3-7 years |
|
Purchased software
|
|
|
3-4 years |
|
Internally developed software
|
|
|
4 years |
|
The Company evaluates the remaining useful life of an intangible
asset at each reporting period to determine whether events and
circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of
amortization.
The capitalization of costs for internally generated software
developed by the Company for its internal use begins when
preliminary project stage is completed and when the Company,
implicitly or explicitly, authorizes and commits to funding a
computer software project. It must be probable that the project
will be completed and will be used to perform the function
intended.
2.17 Goodwill
Goodwill recognized in business combinations is not amortized
but rather is subject to an impairment test to be performed on
an annual basis or more frequently if indicators of impairment
exist, in order to assess the recoverability of its carrying
value. Goodwill subject to potential impairment is tested at a
reporting unit level, which represents a component of an
operating segment for which discrete financial information is
available and is subject to regular review by segment
management. This impairment test determines whether the fair
value of each reporting unit for which goodwill is allocated is
lower than the total carrying amount of relevant net assets
allocated to such reporting unit, including its allocated
goodwill. If lower, the implied fair value of the reporting unit
goodwill is then compared to the carrying value of the goodwill
and an impairment charge is recognized for any excess. In
determining the fair value of a reporting unit, the Company
usually estimates the expected discounted future cash flows
associated with the reporting unit. Significant management
judgments and estimates are used in forecasting the future
discounted cash flows, including: the applicable industrys
sales volume forecast and selling price evolution, the reporting
units market penetration, the market acceptance of certain
new technologies, relevant cost structure, the discount rates
applied using a weighted average cost of capital and the
perpetuity rates used in calculating cash flow terminal values.
2.18 Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost, net
of government fundings and any impairment losses. Major
additions and improvements are capitalized, minor replacements
and repairs are charged to current operations.
Land is not depreciated. Depreciation on fixed assets is
computed using the straight-line method over the following
estimated useful lives:
|
|
|
|
|
Buildings
|
|
|
33 years |
|
Facilities & leasehold improvements
|
|
|
5-10 years |
|
Machinery and equipment
|
|
|
3-6 years |
|
Computer and R&D equipment
|
|
|
3-6 years |
|
Other
|
|
|
2-5 years |
|
The Company evaluates each period whether there is reason to
suspect that tangible assets or groups of assets might not be
recoverable. Several impairment indicators exist for making this
assessment, such as: significant changes in the technological,
market, economic or legal environment in which the Company
operates or in the market to which the asset is dedicated, or
available evidence of obsolescence of the asset, or indication
that its economic performance is, or will be, worse than
expected. In determining the recoverability of assets to be held
and used, the Company initially assesses whether the carrying
value of the tangible assets or group of assets exceeds the
undiscounted cash flows associated with these assets. If
exceeded, the Company then evaluates whether an impairment
charge is required by determining if the assets carrying
value also exceeds its fair value.
F-12
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
This fair value is normally estimated by the Company based on
independent market appraisals or the sum of discounted future
cash flows, using market assumptions such as the utilization of
the Companys fabrication facilities and the ability to
upgrade such facilities, change in the selling price and the
adoption of new technologies. The Company also evaluates, and
adjusts if appropriate, the assets useful lives, at each
balance sheet date or when impairment indicators exist. Assets
classified as held for disposal are reflected at the lower of
their carrying amount or fair value less selling costs and are
not depreciated during the selling period. Costs to sell include
incremental direct costs to transact the sale that would not
have been incurred except for the decision to sell.
When property, plant and equipment are retired or otherwise
disposed of, the net book value of the assets is removed from
the Companys books and the net gain or loss is included in
other income and expenses, net in the consolidated
statements of income.
Capital leases are included in property, plant and
equipment, net and depreciated over the shorter of the
estimated useful life or the lease term. Payments made under
operating leases are charged to the income statement on a
straight-line basis over the period of the lease.
Borrowing costs incurred for the construction of any qualifying
asset are capitalized during the period of time that is required
to complete and prepare the asset for its intended use. Other
borrowing costs are expensed.
2.19 Investments
Equity investments are all entities over which the Company has
the ability to exercise significant influence but not control,
generally representing a shareholding of between 20% and 50% of
the voting rights. These investments are accounted for by the
equity method of accounting and are initially recognized at
cost. The Companys share in its equity investments
results is recognized in the consolidated income statement as
Income (loss) on equity investments and in the
consolidated balance sheet as an adjustment against the carrying
amount of the investments. When the Companys share of
losses in an equity investment equals or exceeds its interest in
the investee, the Company does not recognize further losses,
unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of
the investee.
Investments without readily determinable fair values and for
which the Company does not have the ability to exercise
significant influence are accounted for under the cost method.
Under the cost method of accounting, investments are carried at
historical cost and are adjusted only for declines in fair
value. For investments in public companies that have readily
determinable fair values and for which the Company does not
exercise significant influence, the Company classifies these
investments as available-for-sale and, accordingly, recognizes
changes in their fair values as a separate component of
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the
consolidated statements of changes in shareholders equity.
Other-than-temporary losses are recorded in net income and are
based on the Companys assessment of any significant,
sustained reductions in the investments market value and
of the market indicators affecting the securities. Gains and
losses on investments sold are determined on the specific
identification method and are recorded as other income or
expenses, net in the consolidated statements of income.
Since the adoption in 2003 of Financial Accounting Standards
Board Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable
Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51
(revised 2003), and the related FASB Staff Positions
(collectively FIN 46R), the Company assesses
for consolidation entities identified as a Variable Interest
Entity (VIE) and consolidates the VIEs, if any, for
which the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary.
The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the party that absorbs the
majority of the entitys expected losses, receives the
majority of its expected residual returns, or both as a result
of holding variable interests. Assets, liabilities, and the
non-controlling interest of newly consolidated VIEs are
initially measured at fair value in the same manner as if the
consolidation resulted from a business combination.
2.20 Employee benefits
(a) Pension
obligations
The Company sponsors various pension schemes for its employees.
These schemes conform to local regulations and practices in the
countries in which the Company operates. They are generally
funded through payments to insurance companies or
trustee-administered funds, determined by periodic actuarial
calculations. Such plans include both defined benefit and
defined contribution plans. A defined benefit plan is a pension
plan
F-13
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
that defines the amount of pension benefit that an employee will
receive on retirement, usually dependent on one or more factors
such as age, years of service and compensation. A defined
contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Company pays
fixed contributions into a separate entity. The Company has no
legal or constructive obligations to pay further contributions
if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees
the benefits relating to employee service in the current and
prior periods.
The liability recognized in the consolidated balance sheets in
respect of defined benefit pension plans is the present value of
the defined benefit obligation at the balance sheet date less
the fair value of plan assets, together with adjustments for
unrecognized actuarial gains and losses and past service costs.
Significant estimates are used in determining the assumptions
incorporated in the calculation of the pension obligations,
which is supported by input from independent actuaries.
Actuarial gains and losses arising from experience adjustments
and changes in actuarial assumptions are charged or credited to
income over the employees expected average remaining
working lives. Past-service costs are recognized immediately in
income, unless the changes to the pension scheme are conditional
on the employees remaining in service for a specified period of
time (the vesting period). In this case, the past-service costs
are amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
Additional minimum liability is required when the accumulated
benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of the plan assets and
the amount of the accrued liability. Such minimum liability is
recognized as a component of accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements
of changes in shareholders equity. The net periodic
benefit cost of the year is determined based on the assumptions
used at the end of the previous year.
For defined contribution plans, the Company pays contributions
to publicly or privately administered pension insurance plans on
a mandatory, contractual or voluntary basis. The Company has no
further payment obligations once the contributions have been
paid. The contributions are recognized as employee benefit
expense when they are due. Prepaid contributions are recognized
as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in
the future payments is available.
(b) Other
post-employment obligations
The Company provides post-retirement benefits to some of its
retirees. The entitlement to these benefits is usually
conditional on the employee remaining in service up to
retirement age and to the completion of a minimum service
period. The expected costs of these benefits are accrued over
the period of employment using an accounting methodology similar
to that for defined benefit pension plans. Actuarial gains and
losses arising from experience adjustments, and changes in
actuarial assumptions, are charged or credited to income over
the expected average remaining working lives of the related
employees. These obligations are valued annually by independent
qualified actuaries.
(c) Termination
benefits
Termination benefits are payable when employment is
involuntarily terminated, or whenever an employee accepts
voluntary termination in exchange for these benefits. For the
accounting treatment and timing recognition of the involuntarily
termination benefits, the Company distinguishes between one-time
benefit arrangements and ongoing termination arrangements. A
one-time benefit arrangement is one that is established by a
termination plan that applies to a specified termination event
or for a specified future period. These one-time involuntary
termination benefits are recognized as a liability when the
termination plan meets certain criteria and has been
communicated to employees. If employees are required to render
future service in order to receive these one-time termination
benefits, the liability is recognized ratably over the future
service period. Termination benefits other than one-time
termination benefits are termination benefits for which criteria
for communication are not met but that are committed to by
management, or termination obligations that are not specifically
determined in a new and single plan. These termination benefits
are all legal, contractual and past practice termination
obligations to be paid to employees in case of involuntary
termination. These termination benefits are accrued for at
commitment date when it is probable that employees will be
entitled to the benefits and the amount can be reasonably
estimated.
In the case of special termination benefits proposed to
encourage voluntary termination, the Company recognizes a
provision for voluntary termination benefits at the date on
which the employee irrevocably accepts the offer and the amount
can be reasonably estimated.
F-14
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
(d) Profit-sharing
and bonus plans
The Company recognizes a liability and an expense for bonuses
and profit-sharing plans when it is contractually obliged or
where there is a past practice that has created a constructive
obligation.
(e) Share-based
compensation
Stock
options
At December 31, 2005, the Company had five employee and
Supervisory Board stock-option plans, which are described in
detail in Note 15. Until the fourth quarter of 2005, the
Company applied the intrinsic-value-based method prescribed by
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting
for Stock Issued to Employees (APB 25), and
its related implementation guidance, in accounting for
stock-based awards to employees. For all option grants prior to
the fourth quarter of 2005, no stock-based employee compensation
cost was reflected in net income as all options under those
plans were granted at an exercise price equal to the market
value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.
The following tabular presentation provides pro forma
information on net income and earnings per share required to be
disclosed as if the Company had applied the fair value
recognition provisions prescribed by Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation (FAS 123), for the years ended
December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Net income, as reported
|
|
|
266 |
|
|
|
601 |
|
|
|
253 |
|
of which compensation expense on nonvested shares, net of
tax effect
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deduct: Total stock-option employee compensation expense
determined under FAS 123, net of related tax effects
|
|
|
(244 |
) |
|
|
(166 |
) |
|
|
(186 |
) |
Net income, pro forma
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
435 |
|
|
|
67 |
|
Earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic, as reported
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
|
0.67 |
|
|
|
0.29 |
|
|
Basic, pro forma
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.49 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
|
Diluted, as reported
|
|
|
0.29 |
|
|
|
0.65 |
|
|
|
0.27 |
|
|
Diluted, pro forma
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.47 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
The Company has amortized the pro forma compensation expense
over the nominal vesting period for employees. The pro forma
information presented above for the year ended December 31,
2005 includes an approximate $182 million charge relating
to the effect of accelerating the vesting period of all
outstanding unvested stock options during the third quarter of
2005, which has been recognized immediately in the pro forma
result for the amount that otherwise would have been recognized
ratably over the remaining vesting period.
The fair value of the Companys stock options was estimated
under FAS 123 using a Black-Scholes option pricing model since
the simple characteristics of the stock options did not require
complex pricing assumptions. Forfeitures of options are
reflected in the pro forma charge as they occur. For those stock
option plans with graded vesting periods, the Company has
determined that the historical exercise activity actually
reflects that employees exercise the option after the close of
the graded vesting period. Therefore, the Company recognizes the
estimated pro forma charge for stock option plans with graded
vesting period on a straight-line basis.
F-15
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
The fair value of stock options under FAS 123 provisions was
estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Expected life (years)
|
|
|
6.1 |
|
|
|
6.1 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
|
Historical Company share price volatility
|
|
|
52.9% |
|
|
|
56.4% |
|
|
|
59.6% |
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
3.84% |
|
|
|
3.6% |
|
|
|
2.7% |
|
Dividend yield
|
|
|
0.69% |
|
|
|
0.56% |
|
|
|
0.35% |
|
The Company has determined the historical share price volatility
to be the most appropriate estimate of future price activity.
The weighted average fair value of stock options granted during
2005 was $8.60 ($12.14 in 2004 and $10.66 in 2003).
Nonvested
shares
In 2005, the Company redefined its equity-based compensation
strategy by no longer granting options but rather issuing
nonvested shares. In July 2005, the Company amended its latest
Stock Option Plans for employees, Supervisory Board and
Professionals of the Supervisory Board accordingly. As part of
this revised stock-based compensation policy, the Company
decided in July 2005 to accelerate the vesting period of all
outstanding unvested stock options, following authorization from
the Companys shareholders at the annual general meeting
held on March 18, 2005. As a result, underwater options
equivalent to approximately 32 million shares became
exercisable immediately in July 2005 with no earnings impact. In
addition, on October 25, 2005, the Company granted
nonvested shares to senior executives, selected employees and
members of the Supervisory Board to be issued upon vesting from
treasury stock. The shares were granted for free to employees
and at their nominal value for the members of the Supervisory
Board. The awards granted to employees will contingently vest
upon achieving certain market or performance conditions and upon
completion of a three-year service period.
Shares granted to the Supervisory Board vest unconditionally
along the same vesting period as employees. Since nonvested
shares granted to Supervisory Board members are not forfeited,
even if the service period is not completed, their associated
compensation cost has been recorded immediately at grant.
Nonvested share grants are further explained in Note 15.
In the fourth quarter of 2005 the Company decided to early adopt
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123
(revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, and the related FASB
Staff Positions (collectively FAS 123R), which
requires a public entity to measure the cost of share-based
service awards based on the grant-date fair value of the award.
That cost will be recognized over the period during which an
employee is required to provide service in exchange for the
award or the requisite service period, usually the vesting
period. The early adoption of FAS 123R is described in
Note 2.24.
2.21 Convertible debt
Zero-coupon convertible bonds are recorded at the principal
amount on maturity in long-term debt and are presented net of
the debt discount on issuance. This discount is amortized over
the term of the debt as interest expense using the interest rate
method.
Zero-coupon convertible bonds issued with a negative yield are
initially recorded at their accreted value as of the first
redemption right of the holder. The negative yield is recorded
as capital surplus and represents the difference between the
principal amount at issuance and the lower accreted value at the
first redemption right of the holder.
Debt issuance costs are included in long-term investments and
are amortized in interest income (expense), net
until the first redemption right of the holder. Outstanding
bonds amounts are classified in the consolidated balance sheet
as current portion of long term debt in the year of
the redemption right of the holder.
2.22 Share capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs
directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are
shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.
F-16
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
Where any subsidiary purchases the Companys equity share
capital (treasury shares), the consideration paid, including any
directly attributable incremental costs (net of income taxes),
is deducted from equity attributable to the Companys
equity holders until the shares are cancelled, reissued or
disposed of. Where such shares are subsequently sold or
reissued, any consideration received net of directly
attributable incremental transaction costs and the related
income tax effect is included in equity.
2.23 Comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity
of a business during a period except those resulting from
investment by shareholders and distributions to shareholders. In
the accompanying consolidated financial statements,
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
consists of, unrealized gains or losses on marketable securities
classified as available-for-sale, the change in the excess of
the minimum pension liability over the unrecognized prior
service cost of certain pension plans and the unrealized gain
(loss) on derivatives, all net of tax as well as foreign
currency translation adjustments.
2.24 Recent accounting pronouncements
In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 151,
Inventory Costs, an amendment of ARB No. 43,
Chapter 4 (FAS 151). The Standard
requires abnormal amounts of idle capacity and spoilage costs to
be excluded from the cost of inventory and expensed when
incurred. The provisions of FAS 151 are applicable
prospectively to inventory costs incurred during fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company early adopted
FAS 151 in 2005. As costs associated with underutilization
of manufacturing facilities have historically been charged
directly to cost of sales, FAS 151 has not had a material
effect on the Companys financial position or results of
operations.
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 153,
Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an amendment of APB Opinion
No. 29 (FAS 153). This Statement
amends Opinion 29 to eliminate the exception to the basic
fair value measurement principle for nonmonetary exchanges of
similar productive assets and replaces it with a general
exception for exchanges of transactions that do not have
commercial substance, that is, transactions that are not
expected to result in significant changes in the cash flows of
the reporting entity. The Statement is effective prospectively
for nonmonetary asset exchanges occurring in fiscal periods
beginning after June 15, 2005, with early application
permitted. The Company early adopted FAS 153 in 2005 but
has not had any material nonmonetary exchanges of assets since
FAS 153 was published. Therefore, FAS 153 has not had
a material effect on the Companys financial position or
results of operations.
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123
(revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, and the related FASB
Staff Positions (collectively FAS 123R). This
Statement revises FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation, and supersedes APB Opinion
No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,
and its related implementation guidance. FAS 123R requires
a public entity to measure the cost of share-based service
awards based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That
cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee
is required to provide service in exchange for the award or the
requisite service period, usually the vesting period. The
grant-date fair value of employee share options and similar
instruments will be estimated using option-pricing models
adjusted for the unique characteristics of those instruments.
FAS 123R also requires more extensive disclosures than the
previous standards relating to the nature of share-based payment
transactions, compensation cost and cash flow effects. On
April 14, 2005, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
amended the effective date of FAS 123R; the Statement now
applies to all awards granted and to all unvested awards
modified, repurchased, or cancelled during the first annual
reporting period beginning after June 15, 2005.
FAS 123R provides a choice of transition methods including
the modified prospective application method, which allows
discretionary restatement of interim periods during the calendar
year of adoption, or the modified retrospective application
method, which allows the restatement of the prior years
presented. Each method requires the cumulative effect of
initially applying FAS 123R to be recognized in the period
of adoption. The Company early adopted FAS 123R in the
fourth quarter of 2005 using the modified prospective
application method. As such, the Company has not restated prior
periods to reflect the recognition of stock-based compensation
cost. The Company redefined in the second quarter of 2005 its
equity-based compensation strategy, since it had become
minimally effective in motivating and retaining key-employees.
The Company will no longer grant options but rather issue
nonvested shares. As part of this revised equity-based
compensation policy, the Company decided in
F-17
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
July 2005 to accelerate the vesting period of all outstanding
unvested stock options. These options totaling approximately
32 million had no intrinsic economic value based on the
market price of the shares at the date of acceleration. The
acceleration of the vesting period will avoid any future
compensation expense associated with FAS 123R; accordingly,
the Company did not recognize any cumulative effect of initially
adopting FAS 123R since no outstanding unvested stock
awards existed as of the adoption date of FAS 123R. The
impact of FAS 123R on the Companys grant of nonvested
shares in the fourth quarter of 2005 is further illustrated in
Note 15.
In 2005, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards
Board Interpretation No. 47, Accounting for Conditional
Asset Retirement Obligations (FIN 47).
FIN 47 clarifies certain terms of Financial Accounting
Standards Board No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations (FAS 143), and related FASB Staff
Positions, and deals with obligations to perform asset
retirement activities in which the timing and (or) method of
settlement are conditional on a future event, such as legal
requirements surrounding asbestos handling and disposal that are
triggered by demolishing or renovating a facility. The new
guidance requires entities to recognize liabilities for these
obligations if the fair value of a conditional asset retirement
obligation can be reasonably estimated. Upon adoption of
FIN 47, the Company identified its conditional asset
retirement obligations and determined that none had a material
effect on its financial position or results of operations for
the year ended December 31, 2005.
3 EQUITY-METHOD INVESTMENTS
SuperH
Joint Venture
In 2001, the Company and Renesas Technology Corp. (previously
known as Hitachi, Ltd.) formed a joint venture to develop and
license RISC microprocessors. The joint venture, SuperH Inc.,
was initially capitalized with the Companys contribution
of $15 million of cash plus internally developed
technologies with an agreed intrinsic value of $14 million
for a 44% interest. Renesas Technology Corp. contributed
$37 million of cash for a 56% interest. The Company
accounted for its share in the SuperH, Inc. joint venture under
the equity method based on the actual results of the joint
venture. During 2002 and 2003, the Company made additional
capital contributions on which accumulated losses exceeded the
Companys total investment, which was shown at a zero
carrying value in the consolidated balance sheet.
In 2003, the shareholders agreement was amended to require
an additional $3 million cash contribution from the
Company. This amount was fully accrued, based on the inability
of the joint venture to meet its projected business plan
objectives, and the charge was reflected in the 2003
consolidated statement of income line Impairment,
restructuring charges and other related closure costs. In
2004, the shareholders agreed to restructure the joint venture
by transferring the intellectual properties to each shareholder
and continuing any further development individually. Based upon
estimates of forecasted cash requirements of the joint venture,
the Company paid an additional $2 million, which was
reflected in the 2004 consolidated statement of income as
loss on equity investments. In 2005, the joint
venture was liquidated with no further losses incurred by the
Company.
UPEK
Inc.
In 2004, the Company and Sofinnova Capital IV FCPR formed a new
company, UPEK Inc., as a venture capitalist-funded purchase of
the Companys TouchChip business. UPEK, Inc. was initially
capitalized with the Companys transfer of the business,
personnel and technology assets related to the fingerprint
biometrics business, formerly known as the TouchChip Business
Unit, for a 48% interest. Sofinnova Capital IV FCPR contributed
$11 million of cash for a 52% interest. During the first
quarter of 2005, an additional $9 million was contributed
by Sofinnova Capital IV FCPR, reducing the Companys
ownership to 33%. The Company accounted for its share in UPEK,
Inc. under the equity method and in 2004 recorded losses of
approximately $2 million, which were reflected in the 2004
consolidated statement of income as Loss on equity
investments.
On June 30, 2005, the Company sold its interest in UPEK
Inc. for $13 million and recorded a gain amounting to
$6 million in Other income and expenses, net on
its consolidated statement of income. Additionally, on
June 30, 2005, the Company was granted warrants for
2,000,000 shares of UPEK, Inc. at an exercise price of $0.01 per
share. The warrants are not limited in time but can only be
exercised in the event of a change of control or an Initial
Public Offering of UPEK Inc. above a predetermined value.
F-18
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
Hynix
ST Joint Venture
Pursuant to the joint-venture agreement signed in 2004 by the
Company with Hynix Semiconductor Inc. to build a $2 billion
front-end memory-manufacturing facility in Wuxi City, Jiangsu
Province, China, the Company made capital contributions to the
joint venture totaling $38 million in 2005. Under the
agreement, Hynix Semiconductor Inc. will contribute
$500 million for a 67% equity interest and the Company will
contribute $250 million for a 33% equity interest. In
addition, the Company committed to grant $250 million in
long-term financing to the new joint venture guaranteed by the
subordinated collateral of the joint-ventures assets. As
of December 31, 2005 the Company has not provided any debt
financing to the joint venture under this commitment. The
Companys current maximum exposure to loss as a result of
its involvement with the joint venture is limited to its equity
and debt investment commitments.
The Company has identified the joint venture as a Variable
Interest Entity (VIE) at December 31, 2005, but has
determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE.
The Company accounts for its share in the Hynix ST joint venture
under the equity method based on the actual results of the joint
venture and recorded losses totaling $4 million in 2005 as
loss on equity investments.
4 TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET
Trade accounts receivable, net consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Trade accounts receivable
|
|
|
1,517 |
|
|
|
1,429 |
|
Less valuation allowance
|
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1,490 |
|
|
|
1,408 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bad debt expense in 2005 and 2004 was $7 and $5 million,
respectively. In 2003, the Company decreased its valuation
allowance and recorded income of $10 million. In 2005, 2004
and 2003, one customer, the Nokia group of companies,
represented 22.4%, 17.1% and 17.9% of consolidated net revenues,
respectively.
5 INVENTORIES, NET
Inventories, net of reserve consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Raw materials
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
Work-in-process
|
|
|
880 |
|
|
|
874 |
|
Finished products
|
|
|
471 |
|
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1,411 |
|
|
|
1,344 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 OTHER RECEIVABLES AND ASSETS
Other receivables and assets consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Receivables from government agencies
|
|
|
168 |
|
|
|
212 |
|
Taxes and other government receivables
|
|
|
189 |
|
|
|
143 |
|
Advances to suppliers
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Advances to employees
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
88 |
|
Sundry debtors within cooperation agreements
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
85 |
|
Foreign exchange forward contracts
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
Other
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
531 |
|
|
|
785 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-19
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
Receivables from government agencies relate to research and
development contracts, industrialization contracts and capital
investment projects.
7 GOODWILL
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Specific | |
|
Memory | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Products | |
|
Products | |
|
Other | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
December 31, 2003
|
|
|
176 |
|
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
267 |
|
|
TouchChip sale
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
Foreign currency translation
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
173 |
|
|
|
88 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
264 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CPE goodwill impairment
|
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(39 |
) |
Foreign currency translation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2005
|
|
|
134 |
|
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
221 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In 2005, the Company decided to reduce its Access technology
products for Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) modem
products. The Company reports CPE business as part of the Access
reporting unit, included in the Application Specific Product
Groups (ASG). Following the decision to discontinue
a portion of this reporting unit, the Company, in compliance
with FAS 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,
reassessed the allocation of goodwill between the continuing
Access reporting unit and the business to be disposed of
according to their relative fair values using market
comparables. The reassessment resulted in a $39 million
goodwill impairment in 2005.
8 INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated | |
|
|
December 31, 2005 |
|
Gross Cost | |
|
Amortization | |
|
Net Cost | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Technologies & licenses
|
|
|
309 |
|
|
|
(199 |
) |
|
|
110 |
|
Purchased software
|
|
|
162 |
|
|
|
(114 |
) |
|
|
48 |
|
Internally developed software
|
|
|
114 |
|
|
|
(48 |
) |
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
585 |
|
|
|
(361 |
) |
|
|
224 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross | |
|
Accumulated | |
|
Net | |
December 31, 2004 |
|
Cost | |
|
Amortization | |
|
Cost | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Technologies & licenses
|
|
|
409 |
|
|
|
(233 |
) |
|
|
176 |
|
Purchased software
|
|
|
148 |
|
|
|
(100 |
) |
|
|
48 |
|
Internally developed software
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
(37 |
) |
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
661 |
|
|
|
(370 |
) |
|
|
291 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The aggregate amortization expense in 2005, 2004 and 2003 was
$98 million, $112 million and $103 million,
respectively.
F-20
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
The estimated amortization expense of the existing intangible
assets for the following years is:
|
|
|
|
|
Year |
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
107 |
|
2007
|
|
|
68 |
|
2008
|
|
|
33 |
|
2009
|
|
|
11 |
|
2010
|
|
|
4 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
224 |
|
|
|
|
|
9 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross | |
|
Accumulated | |
|
Net | |
December 31, 2005 |
|
Cost | |
|
Depreciation | |
|
Cost | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Land
|
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
84 |
|
Buildings
|
|
|
1,071 |
|
|
|
(267 |
) |
|
|
804 |
|
Capital leases
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
(29 |
) |
|
|
26 |
|
Facilities & leasehold improvements
|
|
|
2,715 |
|
|
|
(1,294 |
) |
|
|
1,421 |
|
Machinery and equipment
|
|
|
12,473 |
|
|
|
(9,063 |
) |
|
|
3,410 |
|
Computer and R&D equipment
|
|
|
492 |
|
|
|
(381 |
) |
|
|
111 |
|
Other tangible assets
|
|
|
131 |
|
|
|
(103 |
) |
|
|
28 |
|
Construction in progress
|
|
|
291 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
291 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
17,312 |
|
|
|
(11,137 |
) |
|
|
6,175 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross | |
|
Accumulated | |
|
Net | |
December 31, 2004 |
|
Cost | |
|
Depreciation | |
|
Cost | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Land
|
|
|
93 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
93 |
|
Buildings
|
|
|
1,021 |
|
|
|
(250 |
) |
|
|
771 |
|
Capital leases
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
35 |
|
Facilities & leasehold improvements
|
|
|
2,763 |
|
|
|
(1,187 |
) |
|
|
1,576 |
|
Machinery and equipment
|
|
|
12,898 |
|
|
|
(8,581 |
) |
|
|
4,317 |
|
Computer and R&D equipment
|
|
|
516 |
|
|
|
(382 |
) |
|
|
134 |
|
Other tangible assets
|
|
|
125 |
|
|
|
(108 |
) |
|
|
17 |
|
Construction in progress
|
|
|
499 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
499 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
17,981 |
|
|
|
(10,539 |
) |
|
|
7,442 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The depreciation charge in 2005, 2004 and 2003 was
$1,846 million, $1,725 million and
$1,505 million, respectively.
Capital investment funding has totaled $38 million,
$46 million and $62 million in the years ended
December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Public
funding reduced the depreciation charge by $66 million,
$74 million and $80 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003,
respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 the
Company made equipment sales for cash proceeds of
$82 million, $10 million and $8 million,
respectively.
10 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE MARKETABLE SECURITIES
In 2003 the Company has classified certain marketable securities
as available-for-sale, which related to equity securities held
as strategic investments in various companies. During 2004, all
available-for-sale securities were sold. For fiscal years 2005,
2004 and 2003, gross realized gains associated with the sale of
the marketable securities were $0 million, $5 million
and $16 million, respectively.
F-21
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
11 INVESTMENTS AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Investments and other non-current assets consisted of the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Equity-method investments (see note 3)
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
Cost investments
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
Long-term receivables related to funding
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
Debt issuance costs, net
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
Deposits and other long-term receivables
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
153 |
|
|
|
117 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company entered into a joint venture agreement in 2002 with
Dai Nippon Printing Co, Ltd for the development and production
of photomask in which the Company holds a 19% equity interest.
The joint venture, DNP Photomask Europe S.p.A, was initially
capitalized with the Companys contribution of
2 million
of cash. Dai Nippon Printing Co, Ltd contributed
8 million
of cash for an 81% equity interest. In the event of the
liquidation of the joint-venture, the Company is required to
repurchase the land at cost, and the facility at 10% of its net
book value, if no suitable buyer is identified. No provision for
this obligation has been registered to date. At
December 31, 2005, the Companys total contribution to
the joint venture is $10 million. The Company continues to
maintain its 19% ownership of the joint venture, and therefore
continues to account for this investment under the cost method.
The Company has identified the joint venture as a Variable
Interest Entity (VIE), but has determined that it is not the
primary beneficiary of the VIE.
12 OTHER PAYABLES AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Other payables and accrued liabilities consisted of the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Taxes other than income taxes
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
Salaries and wages
|
|
|
248 |
|
|
|
261 |
|
Social charges
|
|
|
110 |
|
|
|
120 |
|
Advances received on government fundings
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
Foreign exchange forward contracts
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
109 |
|
Current portion of provision for restructuring
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
Pension and termination benefits
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Other
|
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
143 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
642 |
|
|
|
776 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other payables and accrued liabilities also include individually
insignificant amounts as of December 31, 2005 and
December 31, 2004.
13 RETIREMENT PLANS
The Company and its subsidiaries have a number of defined
benefit pension plans covering employees in various countries.
The plans provide for pension benefits, the amounts of which are
calculated based on factors such as years of service and
employee compensation levels. The Company uses a
December 31 measurement date for the majority of its plans.
Eligibility is generally determined in accordance with local
statutory requirements.
F-22
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
The changes in benefit obligation and plan assets were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Change in benefit obligation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
|
|
|
286 |
|
|
|
249 |
|
Service cost
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
Interest cost
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
Benefits paid
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
Actuarial losses
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
15 |
|
Other
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit obligation at end of year
|
|
|
323 |
|
|
|
286 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in plan assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan assets at fair value at beginning of year
|
|
|
181 |
|
|
|
150 |
|
Actual return on plan assets
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Employer and participant contributions
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
Benefits paid
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
Actuarial gain (losses)
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan assets at fair value at end of year
|
|
|
194 |
|
|
|
181 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funded status
|
|
|
(129 |
) |
|
|
(105 |
) |
Unrecognized prior service cost
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
Unrecognized transition obligation
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
Unrecognized actuarial loss
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net amount recognized
|
|
|
(56 |
) |
|
|
(49 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net amount recognized in the balance sheet consisted of the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid benefit cost
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Accrued benefit liability
|
|
|
(93 |
) |
|
|
(93 |
) |
Intangible asset
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net amount recognized
|
|
|
(56 |
) |
|
|
(49 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit
obligation, and fair value of plan assets for the pension plans
with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets
were $313 million, $270 million and $184 million,
respectively, as of December 31, 2005 and
$251 million, $216 million and $147 million,
respectively, as of December 31, 2004.
The components of the net periodic benefit cost included the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Service cost
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
Interest cost
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
Expected return on plan assets
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
Amortization of unrecognized transition obligation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of net loss
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Amortization of prior service cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net periodic benefit cost
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-23
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
The weighted average assumptions used in the determination of
the benefit obligation for the pension plans were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
Assumptions |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Discount rate
|
|
|
4.54% |
|
|
|
5.02% |
|
|
|
5.25% |
|
Salary increase rate
|
|
|
3.75% |
|
|
|
3.34% |
|
|
|
3.34% |
|
Expected long-term rate of return on funds for the pension
expense of the year
|
|
|
6.34% |
|
|
|
6.44% |
|
|
|
6.75% |
|
The discount rate was determined by comparison against long-term
corporate bond rates applicable to the respective country of
each plan. In developing the expected long-term rate of return
on assets, the Company modelled the expected long-term rates of
return for broad categories of investments held by the plan
against a number of various potential economic scenarios.
The Company pension plan asset allocation at December 31,
2005 and 2004 and target allocation for 2005 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of | |
|
|
|
|
Plan Assets at | |
|
|
|
|
December | |
|
|
Target allocation | |
|
| |
Asset Category |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Equity securities
|
|
|
57% |
|
|
|
61% |
|
|
|
57% |
|
Fixed income securities
|
|
|
39% |
|
|
|
37% |
|
|
|
39% |
|
Real estate
|
|
|
2% |
|
|
|
2% |
|
|
|
2% |
|
Other
|
|
|
2% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
100% |
|
|
|
100% |
|
|
|
100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Companys investment strategy for its pension plans is
to maximize the long-term rate of return on plan assets with an
acceptable level of risk in order to minimize the cost of
providing pension benefits while maintaining adequate funding
levels. The Companys practice is to periodically conduct a
strategic review of its asset allocation strategy. A portion of
the fixed income allocation is reserved in short-term cash to
provide for expected benefits to be paid. The Companys
equity portfolios are managed in such a way as to achieve
optimal diversity. The Company does not manage any assets
internally and does not utilize hedging, future or derivative
instruments.
After considering the funded status of the Companys
defined benefit plans, movements in the discount rate,
investment performance and related tax consequences, the Company
may choose to make contributions to its pension plans in any
given year in excess of required amounts. The Company
contributions to plan assets were $12 million and
$17 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively. The Company
expects to contribute cash of $8 million in 2006.
The Companys estimated future benefit payments as of
December 2005 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated future | |
Years |
|
benefit payments | |
|
|
| |
2006
|
|
|
9 |
|
2007
|
|
|
8 |
|
2008
|
|
|
10 |
|
2009
|
|
|
10 |
|
2010
|
|
|
7 |
|
From 2011 to 2015
|
|
|
66 |
|
The Company also has other plans not calculated based on the
employees expected date of separation or retirement:
|
|
|
|
|
For Italian termination indemnity plan (TFR), the
Company calculates the vested benefits to which Italian
employees are entitled if they separate immediately as of
December 2005, in compliance with the Emerging Issues Task Force
Issue No. 88-1,
Determination of Vested Benefit Obligation for a Defined |
F-24
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit Pension Plan
(EITF 88-1).
The benefits accrued on a
pro-rata basis during
the employees employment period are based on the
individuals salaries, adjusted for inflation. Movements in
the reserve were as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2002
|
|
|
129 |
|
Provision for the year
|
|
|
29 |
|
Indemnities paid during the year
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
31 |
|
Balance as of December 31, 2003
|
|
|
170 |
|
Provision for the year
|
|
|
33 |
|
Indemnities paid during the year
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
14 |
|
Balance as of December 31, 2004
|
|
|
192 |
|
Provision for the year
|
|
|
34 |
|
Indemnities paid during the year
|
|
|
(18 |
) |
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
(26 |
) |
Balance as of December 31, 2005
|
|
|
182 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company has certain defined contribution plans, which
accrued benefits for employees on a pro-rata basis during their
employment period based on their individual salaries. The
Company accrued benefits related to defined contribution pension
plans of $21 million and $11 million, as of
December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The annual cost
of these plans amounted to approximately $42 million,
$29 million and $25 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003,
respectively. The benefits accrued to the employees on a
pro-rata basis, during their employment period are based on the
individuals salaries. |
14 LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Bank loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.62% (weighted average), due 2006, floating interest rate at
Libor + 0.30
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
105 |
|
2.53% (weighted average), due 2007, fixed interest rate
|
|
|
120 |
|
|
|
153 |
|
4.77% (weighted average rate), due 2007, variable interest rate
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
5.08% due 2008, floating interest rate at Libor + 0.40
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
|
5.11% due 2010, floating interest rate at Libor + 0.40
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
|
Funding program loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.35% (weighted average), due 2006, fixed interest rate
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
1.07% (weighted average), due 2009, fixed interest rate
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
102 |
|
3.10% (weighted average), due 2012, fixed interest rate
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
0.83% (weighted average), due 2017, fixed interest rate
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
55 |
|
Capital leases:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.78%, due 2011, fixed interest rate
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
Convertible debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-0.50% convertible bonds due 2013
|
|
|
1,379 |
|
|
|
1,379 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term debt
|
|
|
1,791 |
|
|
|
1,900 |
|
Less current portion
|
|
|
(1,522 |
) |
|
|
(133 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term debt, less current portion
|
|
|
269 |
|
|
|
1,767 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-25
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
Long-term debt is denominated in the following currencies:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
U.S. dollar
|
|
|
1,454 |
|
|
|
1,404 |
|
Euro
|
|
|
206 |
|
|
|
324 |
|
Singapore dollar
|
|
|
120 |
|
|
|
153 |
|
Other
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1,791 |
|
|
|
1,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate future maturities of total long-term debt outstanding
are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
2006
|
|
|
1,522 |
|
2007
|
|
|
119 |
|
2008
|
|
|
58 |
|
2009
|
|
|
30 |
|
2010
|
|
|
22 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1,791 |
|
|
|
|
|
In August 2003, the Company issued $1,332 million principal
amount at maturity of zero coupon unsubordinated convertible
bonds due 2013. The bonds were issued with a negative yield of
0.5% that resulted in a higher principal amount at issuance of
$1,400 million and net proceeds of $1,386 million. The
negative yield through the first redemption right of the holder
totals $21 million and has been recorded in capital
surplus. The bonds are convertible at any time by the holders at
the rate of 29.9144 shares of the Companys common stock
for each one thousand dollar face value of the bonds. The
holders may redeem their convertible bonds on August 5,
2006 at a price of $985.09, on August 5, 2008 at $975.28
and on August 5, 2010 at $965.56 per one thousand dollar
face value of the notes. As a result of this holders
redemption option in August 2006, the outstanding amount of 2013
Bonds was classified in the consolidated balance sheet as
current portion of long-term debt as of
December 31, 2005. At any time from August 20, 2006
the Company may redeem for cash at their negative accreted value
all or a portion of the convertible bonds subject to the level
of the Companys share price.
Credit facilities
The Company has revolving line of credit agreements with several
financial institutions totalling $1,957 million at
December 31, 2005. At December 31, 2005, amounts
available under the lines of credit were reduced by borrowings
of $11 million at a weighted average interest rate of 4.40%.
15 SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
15.1 Outstanding shares
The authorized share capital of the Company is EUR
1,810 million consisting of 1,200,000,000 common shares and
540,000,000 preference shares, each with a nominal value of
EUR 1.04. As of December 31, 2005 the number of shares
of common stock issued was 907,824,279 shares (905,308,997 at
December 31, 2004).
As of December 31, 2005 the number of shares of common
stock outstanding was 894,424,279 (891,908,997 at
December 31, 2004).
15.2 Preference shares
The 540,000,000 preference shares entitle a holder to full
voting rights and to a preferential right to dividends and
distributions upon liquidation. The Company holds an option
agreement with STMicroelectronics Holding II B.V. in
order to protect the Company from a hostile takeover or other
similar action. The option agreement provides for 540,000,000
preference shares to be issued to STMicroelectronics
Holding II B.V. upon their request based on approval
by the Companys Supervisory Board. STMicroelectronics
Holding II B.V. would
F-26
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
be required to pay at least 25% of the par value of the
preference shares to be issued, and to retain ownership of at
least 30% of the Companys issued share capital. An
amendment was signed in November 2004 which reduced the
threshold required for STMicroelectronics
Holding II B.V. to exercise its preference shares of
the Company down to 19% issued share capital from the previous
requirement of at least 30%. There were no preference shares
issued as of December 31, 2005.
15.3 Treasury shares
In 2002 and 2001, the Company repurchased 13,400,000 of its own
shares, for a total amount of $348 million, which were
reflected at cost as a reduction of the shareholders
equity. No treasury shares were acquired in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Treasury shares of 4,100,000 have been designated to be used for
the Companys share-based remuneration programs on
nonvested shares as decided in 2005. As of December 31,
2005, none of the common shares repurchased had been transferred
to employees under the Companys share-based remuneration
programs.
15.4 Stock option plans
In 1995, the Shareholders voted to adopt the 1995 Employee Stock
Option Plan (the 1995 Plan) whereby options for up
to 33,000,000 shares may be granted in installments over a
five-year period. Under the 1995 Plan, the options may be
granted to purchase shares of common stock at a price not lower
than the market price of the shares on the date of grant. At
December 31, 2005, under the 1995 plan, 10,106,151 of the
granted options outstanding originally vest 50% after three
years and 50% after four years following the date of the grant;
6,417,880 of the granted options vest 32% after two years, 32%
after three years and 36% after four years following the date of
the grant. The options expire 10 years after the date of
grant. During 2005, the vesting periods for all options under
the plan were accelerated with no impact on the income statement.
In 1996, the Shareholders voted to adopt the Supervisory Board
Option Plan whereby each member of the Supervisory Board was
eligible to receive, during the three-year period 1996-1998,
18,000 options for 1996 and 9,000 options for both 1997 and 1998
to purchase shares of common stock at the closing market price
of the shares on the date of the grant. In the same three-year
period, the professional advisors to the Supervisory Board were
eligible to receive 9,000 options for 1996 and 4,500 options for
both 1997 and 1998. Under the Plan, the options vest over one
year and are exercisable for a period expiring eight years from
the date of grant.
In 1999, the Shareholders voted to renew the Supervisory Board
Option Plan whereby each member of the Supervisory Board may
receive, during the three-year period 1999-2001, 18,000 options
for 1999 and 9,000 options for both 2000 and 2001 to purchase
shares of capital stock at the closing market price of the
shares on the date of the grant. In the same three-year period,
the professional advisors to the Supervisory Board may receive
9,000 options for 1999 and 4,500 options for both 2000 and 2001.
Under the Plan, the options vest over one year and are
exercisable for a period expiring eight years from the date of
grant.
In 2001, the Shareholders voted to adopt the 2001 Employee Stock
Option Plan (the 2001 Plan) whereby options for up
to 60,000,000 shares may be granted in installments over a
five-year period. The options may be granted to purchase shares
of common stock at a price not lower than the market price of
the shares on the date of grant. In connection with a revision
of its equity-based compensation policy, the Company decided in
2005 to accelerate the vesting period of all outstanding
unvested stock options. The options expire ten years after the
date of grant.
In 2002, the Shareholders voted to adopt a Stock Option Plan for
Supervisory Board Members and Professionals of the Supervisory
Board. Under this plan, 12,000 options can be granted per year
to each member of the Supervisory Board and 6,000 options per
year to each professional advisor to the Supervisory Board.
Options will vest 30 days after the date of grant. The
options expire ten years after the date of grant.
F-27
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
A summary of stock option activity for the plans for the three
years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price Per Share | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted | |
|
|
Number of Shares | |
|
Range | |
|
Average | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Outstanding at December 31, 2002
|
|
|
46,817,761 |
|
|
$ |
6.04-$62.01 |
|
|
$ |
32.01 |
|
Options granted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2001 Plan
|
|
|
11,976,310 |
|
|
$ |
19.18-$25.90 |
|
|
$ |
19.35 |
|
|
Supervisory Board Plan
|
|
|
132,000 |
|
|
$ |
19.18 |
|
|
$ |
19.18 |
|
Options forfeited
|
|
|
(898,456 |
) |
|
$ |
6.04-$62.01 |
|
|
$ |
37.09 |
|
Options exercised
|
|
|
(1,258,318 |
) |
|
$ |
6.04-$24.88 |
|
|
$ |
10.04 |
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2003
|
|
|
56,769,297 |
|
|
$ |
6.04-$62.01 |
|
|
$ |
29.71 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options granted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2001 Plan
|
|
|
12,365,280 |
|
|
$ |
17.08-$27.21 |
|
|
$ |
22.66 |
|
|
Supervisory Board Plan
|
|
|
132,000 |
|
|
$ |
22.71 |
|
|
$ |
22.71 |
|
Options forfeited
|
|
|
(1,304,969 |
) |
|
$ |
6.04-$62.01 |
|
|
$ |
29.20 |
|
Options exercised
|
|
|
(2,537,401 |
) |
|
$ |
6.04-$24.88 |
|
|
$ |
8.93 |
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2004
|
|
|
65,424,207 |
|
|
$ |
12.03-$62.01 |
|
|
$ |
29.18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options granted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2001 Plan
|
|
|
42,200 |
|
|
$ |
16.73-$17.31 |
|
|
$ |
16.91 |
|
|
Supervisory Board Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options forfeited
|
|
|
(2,364,862 |
) |
|
$ |
12.03-$62.01 |
|
|
$ |
29.65 |
|
Options exercised
|
|
|
(2,542,978 |
) |
|
$ |
12.03-$14.23 |
|
|
$ |
13.88 |
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2005
|
|
|
60,558,567 |
|
|
$ |
12.03-$62.01 |
|
|
$ |
29.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options exercisable following acceleration of vesting for
all outstanding unvested stock options were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Options exercisable
|
|
|
60,558,567 |
|
|
|
32,212,680 |
|
|
|
23,338,811 |
|
Weighted average exercise price
|
|
$ |
29.80 |
|
|
$ |
33.84 |
|
|
$ |
28.87 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The weighted average remaining contractual life of options
outstanding as of December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 was 5.5,
6.3 and 6.4 years, respectively.
The range of exercise prices, the weighted average exercise
price and the weighted average remaining contractual life of
options exercisable as of December 31, 2005 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted | |
|
|
|
|
Weighted | |
|
average | |
|
|
Option price | |
|
average | |
|
remaining | |
Number of shares |
|
range | |
|
exercise price | |
|
contractual life | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2,523,511
|
|
$ |
12.03-$17.31 |
|
|
$ |
12.43 |
|
|
|
1.2 |
|
|
30,682,918
|
|
$ |
19.18-$24.88 |
|
|
$ |
22.03 |
|
|
|
6.2 |
|
236,990
|
|
$ |
25.90-$29.70 |
|
|
$ |
27.18 |
|
|
|
7.3 |
|
|
20,679,858
|
|
$ |
31.09-$44.00 |
|
|
$ |
34.37 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
|
|
|
6,435,290
|
|
$ |
50.69-$62.01 |
|
|
$ |
59.08 |
|
|
|
2.6 |
|
F-28
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
15.5 Employee share purchase plans
In 2003, the Company offered to certain of its employees
worldwide the right to acquire shares of capital stock:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of shares | |
|
Price per share | |
|
Discount from | |
|
|
|
|
offered per | |
|
| |
|
the market | |
|
Number of | |
|
|
employee | |
|
In U.S. Dollars | |
|
In Euro | |
|
price | |
|
shares issued | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
June 2003
|
|
|
309 |
|
|
|
17.91 |
|
|
|
15.51 |
|
|
|
15% |
|
|
|
587,862 |
|
No employee share purchase plan was offered in 2005 and 2004.
15.6 Nonvested share awards
Additionally, on October 25, 2005 the Company granted
3,940,065 nonvested shares to senior executives, selected
employees and members of the Supervisory Board, to be issued
upon vesting from treasury stock. The shares were granted for
free to employees. The shares granted to the employees will vest
upon completion of market or internal performance conditions.
Under the program, if the defined market condition is met in the
first quarter of 2006, each employee will receive 100% of the
nonvested shares granted. If the market condition is not
achieved, the employee can earn one-third of the grant for each
of the two performance conditions. If neither the market or
performance conditions are met, the employee will receive none
of the grant. In addition to the market and performance
conditions, the nonvested shares will vest over a requisite
service period: 32% after 6 months, 32% after
18 months and 36% after 30 months following the date
of the grant. At December 31, 2005, 3,914,220 nonvested
shares were outstanding.
On October 25, 2005, the Compensation Committee granted
66,000 stock-based awards to the members of the Supervisory
Board and professionals of the Supervisory Board. These awards
are granted at the nominal value of the share of
1.04 and are not
subject to any vesting conditions. Their associated compensation
cost was recorded immediately at grant. As of December 31,
2005, 51,000 awards were outstanding.
A summary of the nonvested share activity for the year ended
December 31, 2005 is presented below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonvested Shares |
|
Number of Shares | |
|
Price | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Outstanding at December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards granted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amended 2001 Plan
|
|
|
3,940,065 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
Supervisory Board Plan
|
|
|
66,000 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
Awards cancelled:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amended 2001 Plan
|
|
|
(25,845 |
) |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
Supervisory Board Plan
|
|
|
(15,000 |
) |
|
|
1.04 |
|
Awards exercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2005
|
|
|
3,965,220 |
|
|
$ |
0-1.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company recorded compensation expense for the nonvested
share awards based on the fair value of the awards at the grant
date, which represents the $16.61 share price at the date of the
grant. The fair value of the nonvested shares affected by a
market condition, reflects a discount of 49.50%, using a Monte
Carlo path-dependent pricing model to measure the probability of
achieving the market condition.
The following assumptions were incorporated into the Monte Carlo
pricing model to estimate the 49.50% discount:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 grant | |
|
|
| |
Historical share price volatility
|
|
|
27.74% |
|
Historical volatility of reference index
|
|
|
25.5% |
|
Three-year average dividend yield
|
|
|
0.55% |
|
Risk-free interest rates used
|
|
|
4.21%-4.33% |
|
Consistent with fair value calculations of stock option grants
in prior years, the Company has determined the historical share
price volatility to be the most appropriate estimate of future
price activity. The weighted average grant-date fair value of
nonvested shares granted in 2005 was $8.50.
F-29
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
The following table illustrates the classification of
stock-based compensation included in the statement of income for
the year ended at December 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
$ |
6 million |
|
Research and development
|
|
$ |
3 million |
|
|
|
|
|
Total stock-based compensation expense
|
|
$ |
9 million |
|
|
|
|
|
The compensation expense recorded for nonvested shares in 2005
included a reduction for estimated forfeitures of 6%, reflecting
the historical trend of forfeitures on past stock award plans.
This estimate will be adjusted for actual forfeitures. For
employees eligible for retirement during the three-year
requisite service period, the Company records compensation
expense over the applicable shortened period.
The total deferred income tax benefit recognized in the income
statement related to share-based compensation expense amounted
to $2 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.
Compensation cost capitalized as part of inventory was
$2 million at December 31, 2005. As of
December 31, 2005 there was $23 million of total
unrecognized compensation cost related to the grant of nonvested
shares, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted
average period of ten months.
If the Company had continued to apply the intrinsic-value based
method as prescribed by APB 25 instead of adopting FAS 123R,
compensation expense would have been recognized on all granted
nonvested shares for the intrinsic value, difference between the
exercise price and the market price at the date of grant.
The following table illustrates for the year ended
December 31, 2005 the differences between granting
nonvested shares under the intrinsic-value based method as
prescribed by APB 25 and the fair-value method after adoption of
FAS 123R:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Twelve months ended | |
|
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Pro forma | |
|
|
As reported | |
|
(applying APB 25) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Operating income
|
|
|
244 |
|
|
|
242 |
|
of which compensation expense before tax effect
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(11 |
) |
Income before income taxes and minority interests
|
|
|
275 |
|
|
|
273 |
|
Net income
|
|
|
266 |
|
|
|
265 |
|
of which tax benefit related to compensation expense
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
Earnings per share (Basic)
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
Earnings per share (Diluted)
|
|
|
0.29 |
|
|
|
0.29 |
|
Net cash from operating activities
|
|
|
1,798 |
|
|
|
1,798 |
|
Net cash used in financing activities
|
|
|
(178 |
) |
|
|
(178 |
) |
F-30
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
15.7 Accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss)
The accumulated balances related to each component of other
comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign | |
|
gain (loss) on | |
|
Unrealized | |
|
Minimum | |
|
Accumulated other | |
|
|
currency | |
|
available-for-sale | |
|
gain (loss) on | |
|
pension liability | |
|
comprehensive | |
|
|
translation | |
|
securities, | |
|
derivatives, | |
|
adjustment, | |
|
income (loss), | |
|
|
income (loss) | |
|
net of tax | |
|
net of tax | |
|
net of tax | |
|
net of tax | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Balance as of December 31, 2002
|
|
|
(226 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(33 |
) |
|
|
(258 |
) |
Other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
883 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
881 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2003
|
|
|
657 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(37 |
) |
|
|
623 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
441 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
493 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2004
|
|
|
1,098 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
(41 |
) |
|
|
1,116 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
(770 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(72 |
) |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
(835 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2005
|
|
|
328 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
281 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.8 Dividends
In 2005 and 2004, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.12 per
share for a total amount of $107 million each year. In
2003, the Company paid cash dividends of $0.08 per share,
totalling $71 million. Upon the proposal of the
Companys Management Board, the Supervisory Board decided
in January 2006 to recommend for the 2006 Annual General Meeting
of shareholders (AGM) the distribution of a cash
dividend of $0.12 per share.
16 EARNINGS PER SHARE
For the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003,
earnings per share (EPS) was calculated as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Basic EPS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
266 |
|
|
|
601 |
|
|
|
253 |
|
Weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
|
892,760,520 |
|
|
|
891,192,542 |
|
|
|
888,152,244 |
|
Basic EPS
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
|
0.67 |
|
|
|
0.29 |
|
Diluted EPS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
266 |
|
|
|
601 |
|
|
|
253 |
|
Convertible debt interest, net of tax
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income adjusted
|
|
|
271 |
|
|
|
605 |
|
|
|
255 |
|
Weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
|
892,760,520 |
|
|
|
891,192,542 |
|
|
|
888,152,244 |
|
Dilutive effect of stock options
|
|
|
854,523 |
|
|
|
2,038,369 |
|
|
|
7,059,127 |
|
Dilutive effect of nonvested shares
|
|
|
116,233 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dilutive effect of convertible debt
|
|
|
41,880,104 |
|
|
|
41,880,160 |
|
|
|
41,880,160 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of shares used in calculating diluted EPS
|
|
|
935,611,380 |
|
|
|
935,111,071 |
|
|
|
937,091,531 |
|
Diluted EPS
|
|
|
0.29 |
|
|
|
0.65 |
|
|
|
0.27 |
|
At December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, outstanding stock
options included anti-dilutive shares totalling approximately
59,704,044 shares, 63,385,838 shares and
49,710,170 shares, respectively.
F-31
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
17 OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES, NET
Other income and expenses, net consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Research and development funding
|
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
76 |
|
Start-up costs
|
|
|
(56 |
) |
|
|
(63 |
) |
|
|
(55 |
) |
Exchange gain (loss), net
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Patent litigation costs
|
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
(24 |
) |
Patent pre-litigation costs
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
Gain on sale of non-current assets
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
Other, net
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income and expenses, net
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patent litigation costs include legal and attorney fees and
payment of claims, and patent pre-litigation costs are composed
of consultancy fees and legal fees. Patent litigation costs are
costs incurred in respect of pending litigation. Patent
pre-litigation costs are costs incurred to prepare for licensing
discussions with third parties with a view to concluding an
agreement. In 2003, patent litigation costs included a
$10 million provision for probable losses in connection
with a dispute with a competitor, which was settled in 2004.
18 IMPAIRMENT, RESTRUCTURING CHARGES AND OTHER
RELATED CLOSURE COSTS
In 2005, the Company has incurred charges related to the main
following items: (i) the 150mm restructuring plan started
in 2003; (ii) the streamlining of certain activities
decided in the first quarter of 2005; (iii) the headcount
reduction plan announced in the second quarter of 2005; and
(iv) the yearly impairment review.
During the third quarter of 2003, the Company commenced a plan
to restructure its 150mm fab operations and part of its back-end
operations in order to improve cost competitiveness. The 150mm
restructuring plan focuses on cost reduction by migrating a
large part of European and U.S. 150mm production to
Singapore and by upgrading production to finer geometry 200mm
wafer fabs. The plan includes the discontinuation of the 150mm
production of Rennes (France), the closure as soon as
operationally feasible of the 150mm wafer pilot line in
Castelletto (Italy) and the downsizing by approximately one-half
of the 150mm wafer fab in Carrollton, Texas. Furthermore, the
150mm wafer fab productions in Agrate (Italy) and Rousset
(France) will be gradually phased-out in favor of 200mm wafer
ramp-ups at existing facilities in these locations, which will
be expanded or upgraded to accommodate additional finer geometry
wafer capacity. The Company is expecting to incur the balance of
the restructuring charges related to this manufacturing
restructuring plan in the second half of 2006, later than
previously anticipated to accommodate unforeseen qualification
requirements of the Companys customers.
In the first quarter of 2005, the Company decided to reduce its
Access technology products for Customer Premises Equipment
(CPE) modem products. This decision was intended to
eliminate certain low volume, non-strategic product families
whose returns in the current environment did not meet internal
targets. Additional restructuring initiatives were also
implemented in the first quarter of 2005 such as the closure of
a research and development design center in Karlsruhe (Germany)
and in Malvern (USA), and the discontinuation of a development
project in Singapore.
In May 2005, the Company announced additional restructuring
efforts to improve profitability. These initiatives will aim to
reduce the Companys workforce by 3,000 outside Asia by the
second half of 2006, of which 2,300 are planned for Europe. The
Company plans to reorganize its European activities by
optimizing on a global scale its EWS activities (wafer testing);
harmonizing its support functions; streamlining its activities
outside its manufacturing areas; and by disengaging from certain
activities.
In the third quarter of 2005, the Company performed the
impairment test on an annual basis in order to assess the
recoverability of the goodwill carrying value.
F-32
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
Impairment, restructuring charges and other related closure
costs incurred in 2005, 2004 and 2003 are summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total impairment, | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
restructuring charges | |
|
|
|
|
Restructuring | |
|
Other related | |
|
and other related | |
Year ended December 31, 2005 |
|
Impairment | |
|
charges | |
|
closure costs | |
|
closure costs | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
150mm fab plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(13 |
) |
2005 restructuring initiatives
|
|
|
(66 |
) |
|
|
(46 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(114 |
) |
Other
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
(67 |
) |
|
|
(50 |
) |
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
(128 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total impairment, | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
restructuring charges | |
|
|
|
|
Restructuring | |
|
Other related | |
|
and other related | |
Year ended December 31, 2004 |
|
Impairment | |
|
charges | |
|
closure costs | |
|
closure costs | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
150mm fab plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(29 |
) |
|
|
(35 |
) |
|
|
(64 |
) |
Intangible assets and investments
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(33 |
) |
|
|
(35 |
) |
|
|
(76 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total impairment, | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
restructuring charges | |
|
|
|
|
Restructuring | |
|
Other related | |
|
and other related | |
Year ended December 31, 2003 |
|
Impairment | |
|
charges | |
|
closure costs | |
|
closure costs | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
150mm fab plan
|
|
|
(155 |
) |
|
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(190 |
) |
Intangible assets and investments
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
(161 |
) |
|
|
(43 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(205 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment
charges
In 2005, the Company recorded impairment charges as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
$39 million impairment of goodwill pursuant to the decision
of the Company to reduce its Access technology products for
Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) modem products.
The Company reports CPE business as part of the Access reporting
unit, included in the Application Specific Products Group
(ASG). Following the decision to discontinue a
portion of this reporting unit, the Company, in compliance with
FAS 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, reassessed
the allocation of goodwill between the Access reporting unit and
the business to be disposed of according to their relative fair
values using market comparables; |
|
|
|
$22 million of purchased technologies were identified
without an alternative use following the discontinuation of CPE
product lines; |
|
|
|
$6 million for technologies and other intangible assets
pursuant to the decision of the Company to close its research
and development design center in Karlsruhe (Germany), the
discontinuation of a development project in Singapore, the
optimization of its EWS (wafer testing) in the United States and
other intangibles determined to be obsolete. |
During the year 2004, impairment charges were incurred relating
to $5 million for purchased technologies primarily
associated with ASG product group that were determined to be
obsolete and $3 million for financial assets with
other-than-temporary losses based on a valuation used for
additional third party financing in the underlying investment.
F-33
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
In 2003, the Company incurred impairment charges as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
$133 million on certain property and equipment used in its
150mm fab operations, based on the discounted expected future
cash flows of the assets and market quotations for the
facilities in Castelletto (Italy); |
|
|
|
$7 million fair market adjustment on the Rancho Bernardo,
California facility, based on market quotations under the
held-for-sale model. This impairment charge was unrelated to the
Companys plan to restructure its 150mm fab facilities, but
was the consequence of a deterioration in real estate market
conditions for this type of facility. The facility was sold in
2004 for approximately its carrying value; |
|
|
|
$15 million on the planned closure of a back-end building
facility based on a market quotation; |
|
|
|
$3 million related to certain purchased technologies
identified to be obsolete; and |
|
|
|
$3 million for contractually committed future capital
contributions to SuperH Inc., the joint venture formed with
Renesas Technology Corp. |
All fabrication sites affected by the restructuring plan are
owned by the Company and, with the exception of the Rancho
Bernardo, California facility, were assessed for impairment
using the held-for-use model defined in Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the
impairment or disposal of long-term assets (FAS
144), since these facilities did not satisfy all of the
criteria required for held-for-sale status, as set forth in FAS
144.
Restructuring
charges and other related closure costs
Restructuring
charges and other related closure costs in 2005 are summarized
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150mm fab plan | |
|
|
|
|
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
2005 | |
|
|
|
restructuring & | |
|
|
|
|
Other related | |
|
|
|
restructuring | |
|
|
|
other related | |
|
|
Restructuring | |
|
closure costs | |
|
Total | |
|
initiatives | |
|
Other | |
|
closure costs | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Provision as at December 31, 2002
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charges incurred in 2003
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
Amounts paid
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(8 |
) |
Currency translation effect
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision as at December 31, 2003
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charges incurred in 2004
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
Amounts paid
|
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
|
(64 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(68 |
) |
Currency translation effect
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision as at December 31, 2004
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charges incurred in 2005
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
67 |
|
Reversal of provision
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
Amounts paid
|
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(33 |
) |
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(56 |
) |
Currency translation effect
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision as at December 31, 2005
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
150mm
fab plan:
Restructuring charges incurred in 2005 amounted to
$10 million, mainly related to termination benefits, and
$9 million of other closure costs for transfers of
production. In 2005, management decided to continue a specific
back-end fabrication line in Rennes (France), which had
originally been designated for full closure. This decision
resulted in a $6 million reversal of the provision relating
to the 2003 restructuring plan.
F-34
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
Restructuring charges in 2004 primarily related to
$32 million in estimated one-time involuntary termination
benefits and $32 million of other charges associated with
the closure and transfers of production.
In 2003, the Company accrued for restructuring charges and other
related costs of $35 million, mainly related to termination
benefits for the fab plant in Rennes (France).
2005
restructuring initiatives:
The Company commenced several restructuring initiatives during
2005, including:
|
|
|
|
|
Pursuant to the decision of reducing its Access technology
products for Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) modem
products, the Company committed to an exit plan in Zaventem
(Belgium) and recorded $4 million of workforce termination
benefits. |
|
|
|
In order to streamline its research and development sites, the
Company decided to cease its activities in two locations,
Karlsruhe (Germany) and Malvern (USA). The Company incurred, in
2005, $1 million restructuring charges corresponding to
employee termination costs and $1 million of unused lease
charges relating to the closure of these two sites. |
|
|
|
In addition, charges totaling $2 million were paid in 2005
by the Company for voluntary termination benefits for certain
employees. The Company also incurred a $2 million charge in
2005 related to additional restructuring initiatives, mainly in
the United States and Mexico. |
|
|
|
The Company defined a plan of reorganization and optimization of
its activities. This plan focuses on workforce reduction, mainly
in Europe, but will, whenever possible, encourage voluntary
redundancy such as early retirement measures and other special
termination arrangements with the employees. The plan also
includes the non-renewal of some temporary positions. For the
year ended December 31, 2005, the Company recorded a total
restructuring charge for its new restructuring plan amounting to
$38 million, mainly related to termination incentives for
two of the Companys subsidiaries in Europe, who accepted
special termination arrangements. |
Other:
During the year 2004, charges totalling $4 million were
paid by the Company, mainly for a voluntary termination benefit
program. In 2003, certain payments were made for voluntary
termination benefits in France totalling $6 million and
amounts accrued for lease contract terminations in the United
States totalling $3 million.
Total impairment, restructuring charges and other related
closure costs:
The 2003 restructuring plan and related manufacturing
initiatives are expected to be largely completed by the second
half of 2006. Of the total $350 million expected pre-tax
charges to be incurred under the plan, $294 million have
been incurred as of December 31, 2005 ($13 million in
2005, $76 million in 2004 and $205 million in 2003).
The 2005 restructuring plan is expected to result in pre-tax
charges between $175 million and $205 million, out of
which $114 million have been already incurred as of
December 31, 2005. The 2005 restructuring plan is expected
to be completed during 2006.
In 2005, total amounts paid for restructuring and related
closure costs amounted to $56 million.
The total actual costs that the Company will incur may differ
from these estimates based on the timing required to complete
the restructuring plan, the number of people involved, the final
agreed termination benefits and the costs associated with the
transfer of equipment, products and processes.
F-35
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
19 INTEREST INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
Interest income (expense), net consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Income
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
Expense
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
(44 |
) |
|
|
(89 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(52 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capitalized interest was $2 million, $3 million and
$2 million, in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
20 LOSS ON EXTINGUISHMENT OF CONVERTIBLE DEBT
In 2004, the Company repurchased on the market all of the
remaining 3.75% zero coupon convertible bonds due in 2010 for a
cash amount totalling $375 million. The repurchased
convertible bonds were equivalent to 4,403,075 shares and were
cancelled. In relation to this repurchase, the Company recorded
a non-operating pre-tax charge in 2004 of $4 million, of
which $3 million related to the price paid in excess of the
repurchased convertible bonds accreted value and $1 million
related to the write-off of the related bond issuance costs.
In 2003, the Company repurchased on the market approximately
$1,674 million aggregate principal amount at maturity of
the 3.75% zero coupon convertible bonds due in 2010. The total
cash paid was approximately $1,304 million. The repurchased
convertible bonds were equivalent to 15,596,824 shares and were
cancelled. In relation to these repurchases, the Company
recorded a one-time non-operating pre-tax charge in 2003 of
$39 million, of which $30 million related to the price
paid in excess of the repurchased convertible bonds
accreted value and $9 million related to the write-off of
bond issuance costs.
21 INCOME TAX
Income before income tax expense is comprised of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Income (loss) recorded in The Netherlands
|
|
|
(60 |
) |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
Income from foreign operations
|
|
|
335 |
|
|
|
660 |
|
|
|
227 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income tax expense
|
|
|
275 |
|
|
|
672 |
|
|
|
242 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STMicroelectronics N.V. and its subsidiaries are individually
liable for income taxes in their jurisdictions. Tax losses can
only offset profits generated by the taxable entity incurring
such loss.
Income tax benefit (expense) is comprised of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
The Netherlands taxes current
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
Foreign taxes current
|
|
|
(33 |
) |
|
|
(52 |
) |
|
|
(81 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current taxes
|
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
(58 |
) |
|
|
(85 |
) |
Foreign deferred taxes
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
99 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax benefit (expense)
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(68 |
) |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-36
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
The principal items comprising the differences in income taxes
computed at The Netherlands statutory rate (34.5%) and the
effective income tax rate are the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Income tax expense computed at statutory rate
|
|
|
(95 |
) |
|
|
(232 |
) |
|
|
(83 |
) |
Permanent and other differences
|
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
Change in valuation allowances
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
Impact of final tax assessments relating to prior years
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
Effects of change in enacted tax on deferred taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
Current year credits
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
Other tax and credits
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
Benefits from tax holidays
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
67 |
|
Earnings of subsidiaries taxed at different rates
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax benefit (expense)
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(68 |
) |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The tax holidays represent a tax exemption period aimed to
attract foreign technological investment in certain tax
jurisdictions. The effect of the tax benefits on basic earnings
per share was $0.05, $0.09 and $0.07 for the years ended
December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. These
agreements are present in various countries and include programs
that reduce up to and including 100% of taxes in years affected
by the agreements. The Companys tax holidays expire at
various dates through the year ending December 31, 2013.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Tax loss carryforwards and investment credits
|
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
162 |
|
Inventory valuation
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
Impairment and restructuring charges
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
Fixed asset depreciation in arrears
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
72 |
|
Receivables for government funding
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
69 |
|
Tax allowances granted on past capital investments
|
|
|
761 |
|
|
|
765 |
|
Pension service costs
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
Commercial accruals
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
Other temporary differences
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax assets
|
|
|
1,171 |
|
|
|
1,192 |
|
Valuation allowances
|
|
|
(854 |
) |
|
|
(855 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets, net
|
|
|
317 |
|
|
|
337 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accelerated fixed asset depreciation
|
|
|
(116 |
) |
|
|
(147 |
) |
Acquired intangible assets
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
Advances of government funding
|
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
(37 |
) |
Other temporary differences
|
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
(28 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
(172 |
) |
|
|
(218 |
) |
Net deferred income tax asset
|
|
|
145 |
|
|
|
119 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-37
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
As of December 31, 2005, the Company and its subsidiaries
have tax loss carryforwards and investment credits that expire
starting 2006, as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Year |
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
21 |
|
2007
|
|
|
1 |
|
2008
|
|
|
1 |
|
2009
|
|
|
1 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
126 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Tax allowances granted on past capital
investments mainly related to a 2003 agreement granting
the Company certain tax credits for capital investments
purchased through the year ending December 31, 2006. Any
unused tax credits granted under the agreement will continue to
increase yearly by a legal inflationary index (currently 7% per
annum). The credits may be utilized through 2020 or later
depending on the Company meeting certain program criteria. In
addition to this agreement, the Company will continue to receive
tax credits on future years capital investments, which may
be used to offset that years tax liabilities. However,
pursuant to the inability to utilize these credits currently and
in future years, the Company did not recognize any deferred tax
asset on such tax allowance. As a result, there is no financial
impact to the net deferred tax assets of the Company.
Tax loss carryforwards include $35 million in net operating
losses acquired in business combinations, which continue to be
fully provided for at December 31, 2005. Any eventual use
of these tax loss carryforwards would result in a reduction of
the goodwill recorded in the original business combination.
The amount of deferred tax expense (benefit) recorded as a
component of other comprehensive income (loss) was
$6 million benefit, $5 million expense, and
$0 million in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively. This
related primarily to the tax effects of unrealized gains
(losses) on derivatives as well as minimum pension liability
adjustments.
22 COMMITMENTS
The Companys commitments as of December 31, 2005 were
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total | |
|
2006 | |
|
2007 | |
|
2008 | |
|
2009 | |
|
2010 | |
|
Thereafter | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in millions) | |
Operating leases
|
|
$ |
271 |
|
|
$ |
50 |
|
|
$ |
37 |
|
|
$ |
32 |
|
|
$ |
28 |
|
|
$ |
22 |
|
|
$ |
102 |
|
Purchase obligations
|
|
|
1,053 |
|
|
|
940 |
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Of which:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment purchase
|
|
|
576 |
|
|
|
576 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foundry purchase
|
|
|
260 |
|
|
|
260 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Software, technology licenses and design
|
|
|
217 |
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hynix ST Joint Venture
|
|
|
212 |
|
|
|
212 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other obligations
|
|
$ |
112 |
|
|
$ |
59 |
|
|
$ |
44 |
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1,648 |
|
|
|
1,261 |
|
|
|
160 |
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
105 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company leases land, buildings, plants, and equipment under
operating leases that expire at various dates under
non-cancellable lease agreements. Operating lease expense was
$61 million, $45 million and $54 million in 2005,
2004 and 2003, respectively.
As described in Note 3, the Company and Hynix Semiconductor
signed on November 16, 2004 a joint-venture agreement to
build a front-end memory-manufacturing facility in Wuxi City,
Jiangsu Province, China. The business license was obtained in
April 2005 and the Company paid $38 million of capital
contributions through December 31, 2005. The Company
expects to fulfill its remaining financial obligations up to the
total agreed contribution of $250 million in 2006. In
addition, the Company is committed to grant long-term financing
of $250 million to the new joint venture guaranteed by
subordinated collateral of the joint ventures assets.
Furthermore, the Company has contingent future loading
obligations to purchase products from the joint venture,
F-38
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
which have not been included in the table above because at this
stage the amounts remain contingent and non-quantifiable.
Other obligations primarily relate to contractual firm
commitments with respect to cooperation agreements.
Other commitments
The Company has issued guarantees totalling $204 million
related to its subsidiaries debt.
23 CONTINGENCIES
The Company is subject to the possibility of loss contingencies
arising in the ordinary course of business. These include but
are not limited to: warranty cost on the products of the Company
not covered by insurance, breach of contract claims, claims for
unauthorized use of third party intellectual property, tax
claims and provisions for specifically identified income tax
exposures as well as claims for environmental damages. In
determining loss contingencies, the Company considers the
likelihood of a loss of an asset or the incurrence of a
liability as well as the ability to reasonably estimate the
amount of such loss or liability. An estimated loss is recorded
when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and when
the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company
regularly reevaluates claims to determine whether provisions
need to be readjusted based on the most current information
available to the Company. Changes in these evaluations could
result in adverse, material impact on the Companys results
of operations, cash flows or its financial position for the
period in which they occur.
The Company received a tax assessment from the United States tax
authorities, which is currently under an appeals process. The
Company is confident that it can favourably respond to the claim
and intends to vigorously defend its position. The Company
believes that adequate provisions exist to cover any potential
losses associated with the claim.
24 CLAIMS AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company has received and may in the future receive
communications alleging possible infringements, in particular in
case of patents and similar intellectual property rights of
others. Furthermore, the Company may become involved in costly
litigation brought against the Company regarding patents, mask
works, copyrights, trademarks or trade secrets. In the event
that the outcome of any litigation would be unfavorable to the
Company, the Company may be required to license the underlying
intellectual property right at economically unfavorable terms
and conditions, and possibly pay damages for prior use and/or
face an injunction, all of which individually or in the
aggregate could have a material adverse effect on the
Companys results of operations, cash flows or financial
position and ability to compete.
The Company is involved in various lawsuits, claims,
investigations and proceedings incidental to the normal conduct
of its operations, other than external patent utilization. These
matters mainly include the risks associated with claims from
customers or other parties and tax disputes. The Company has
accrued for these loss contingencies when the loss is probable
and can be estimated. The Company regularly evaluates claims and
legal proceedings together with their related probable losses to
determine whether they need to be adjusted based on the current
information available to the Company. Legal costs associated
with claims are expensed as incurred. In the event of litigation
which is adversely determined with respect to the Companys
interests, or in the event the Company needs to change its
evaluation of a potential third-party claim, based on new
evidence or communications, a material adverse effect could
impact its operations or financial condition at the time it were
to materialize.
During 2004, the Company has settled certain disputes with
respect to claims and litigation relating to possible
infringements of patents and similar intellectual property
rights of others. An accrual of $10 million was recorded as
at December 31, 2004 for such claims, which was paid in
2005 in accordance with the final settlements. No additional
accrual has been recorded in 2005 since no other risks were
estimated to result in a probable loss.
The Company is currently a party to legal proceedings including
legal proceedings with SanDisk Corporation (SanDisk)
and Tessera, Inc. Based on managements current assumptions
made with support of the Companys outside attorneys, the
Company does not believe that the SanDisk litigation will result
in a probable loss. Concerning Tessera litigation, it is
difficult, if not impossible, to predict the outcome of the
litigation.
F-39
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
25 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company is exposed to changes in financial market conditions
in the normal course of business due to its operations in
different foreign currencies and its ongoing investing and
financing activities. Market risk is the uncertainty to which
future earnings or asset/liability values are exposed due to
operating cash flows denominated in foreign currencies and
various financial instruments used in the normal course of
operations.
Treasury activities are regulated by the Companys
policies, which define procedures, objectives and controls. The
policies focus on the management of financial risk in terms of
exposure to currency rates and interest rates. Treasury controls
include systematic reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and
are subject to internal audits. Most treasury activities are
centralized, with any local treasury activities subject to
oversight from head treasury office. The majority of cash and
cash equivalents are held in U.S. dollars and are placed with
financial institutions rated A or higher. Marginal
amounts are held in other currencies. Foreign currency
operations and hedging transactions are performed to cover
commercial positions.
25.1 Foreign Currency Risk
The Company conducts its business on a global basis in various
major international currencies. As a result, the Company is
exposed to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates.
Foreign
Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as a Hedge
The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts and
currency options to reduce its exposure to changes in exchange
rates and the associated risk arising from the denomination of
certain assets and liabilities in foreign currencies at the
Companys subsidiaries. These include receivables from
international sales by various subsidiaries in foreign
currencies, payables for foreign currency denominated purchases
and certain other assets and liabilities arising in intercompany
transactions.
At December 31, 2005, only foreign currency forward
contracts were outstanding. The notional amount of these foreign
currency forward contracts totalled $1,461 million and
$7,013 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004,
respectively. The principal currencies covered are the Euro, the
U.S. dollar, the Japanese yen and the Canadian dollar.
The risk of loss associated with forward contracts is equal to
the exchange rate differential from the time the contract is
entered into until the time it is settled.
Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as cash flow
hedge outstanding as of December 31, 2005 have remaining
terms of 5 days to fourth months, maturing on average after
46 days.
Cash
Flow Hedges
To further reduce its exposure to U.S. dollar exchange rate
fluctuations, the Company hedged in 2005 and 2004 certain
euro-denominated forecasted transactions that cover at year-end
a large part of its research and development, selling, general
and administrative expenses, as well as a portion of its
front-end manufacturing costs of semi-finished goods.
For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company recorded
as cost of sales and operating expenses $51 million and
$30 million, respectively, related to the realized loss
incurred on such hedged transactions. In addition, after
determining that it was not probable that certain forecasted
transactions would occur by the end of the originally specified
time period, the Company discontinued in the first quarter of
2005 certain of its cash flow hedges and reclassified a net loss
of $37 million as other income and expenses,
net into the statement of income from accumulated other
comprehensive income.
The notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts
designated as cash flow hedges totalled $745 million and
$1,839 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004,
respectively. The forecasted transactions hedged at
December 31, 2005 were determined to be probable of
occurrence.
As of December 31, 2005, $13 million of deferred
losses on derivative instruments, net of tax of $1 million,
included in accumulated other comprehensive income are expected
to be reclassified as earnings during the next six months based
on the monthly forecasted research and development expenses,
corporate costs and semi-finished manufacturing costs. As of
December 31, 2004, $59 million of deferred gains on
derivative instruments,
F-40
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
net of tax of $5 million, included in accumulated other
comprehensive income were expected to be reclassified as
earnings during the next six months based on the monthly
forecasted research and development expenses, corporate costs
and semi-finished manufacturing costs.
Foreign currency forward contracts designated as cash flow
hedges outstanding as of December 31, 2005 have remaining
terms of 5 days to four months, maturing on average after
59 days.
25.2 Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to
concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of
interest-bearing investments, foreign currency contracts and
trade receivables. The Company places its cash and cash
equivalents and certain other financial instruments with a
variety of high credit quality financial institutions and has
not experienced any material losses relating to such
instruments. The Company invests its excess cash in accordance
with its investment policy that aims at minimizing credit risk.
The Company controls the credit risks associated with financial
instruments through credit approvals, investment limits and
centralized monitoring procedures but does not normally require
collateral or other security from the parties to financial
instruments. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, one customer,
the Nokia Group of companies, represented 15.7% and 15.2% of
trade accounts receivable, net, respectively. Any remaining
concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables
are limited due to the large number of customers and their
dispersion across many geographic areas. The Company monitors
the creditworthiness of its customers to which it grants credit
terms in the normal course of business. The Company does not
anticipate non-performance by counterparties, which could have a
significant impact on its financial position or results of
operations.
25.3 Fair value of financial instruments
The estimates of fair value were obtained using prevailing
financial market information resulting from various valuation
techniques.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Carrying | |
|
Estimated | |
|
Carrying | |
|
Estimated | |
|
|
Amount | |
|
Fair Value | |
|
Amount | |
|
Fair Value | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Long-term debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank loans (including current portion)
|
|
|
412 |
|
|
|
400 |
|
|
|
521 |
|
|
|
505 |
|
Convertible debt
|
|
|
1,379 |
|
|
|
1,342 |
|
|
|
1,379 |
|
|
|
1,326 |
|
Other receivables and assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign exchange forward contracts
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
Other payables and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign exchange forward contracts
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
109 |
|
|
|
109 |
|
The methodologies used to estimate fair value are as follows:
Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, bank
overdrafts, short-term borrowings, accounts payable
The carrying amounts reflected in the consolidated financial
statements are reasonable estimates of fair value due to the
relatively short period of time between the origination of the
instruments and their expected realization.
Long-term debt and current portion of long-term debt
The fair values of long-term debt were determined based on
quoted market prices, and by estimating future cash flows on a
borrowing-by-borrowing basis and discounting these future cash
flows using the Companys incremental borrowing rates for
similar types of borrowing arrangements.
Foreign exchange forward contracts
The fair values of these instruments are estimated based upon
quoted market prices for the same or similar instruments.
F-41
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
26 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Transactions with significant shareholders, their affiliates and
other related parties were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Sales & other services
|
|
|
158 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
Research and development expenses
|
|
|
(48 |
) |
|
|
(46 |
) |
|
|
(34 |
) |
Other purchases
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
Other income and expenses
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
(8 |
) |
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
Other assets
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
For the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, the related
party transactions were primarily with Areva, France Telecom,
Finmeccanica, Equant and Orange, which represent significant
shareholders of the Company, or their subsidiaries. Moreover,
the related parties information presented above also
includes for the year ended December 31, 2005 transactions
with Thomson. See Note 1.
In addition the Company participates in an Economic Interest
Group (E.I.G.) in France with Areva and France
Telecom to share the costs of certain research and development
activities, which were not included in the previous table. The
share of income (expense) recorded by the Company as research
and development expenses incurred by E.I.G during 2005 amounted
to $5 million expense, to $3 million income in 2004
and to $0 million in 2003. At December 31, 2005 and
2004, the Company had a net receivable amount of $1 million.
The Company contributed cash amounts totalling $1 million,
$3 million and $4 million for the years ended
December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, to the
ST Foundation, a non-profit organization established to
deliver and coordinate independent programs in line with its
mission. Certain members of the Foundations Board are
senior members of the Companys management.
In addition, pursuant to the Supervisory Boards approval,
the Company paid in 2005 a special contribution amounting to
$4 million to a non-profit charitable institution in the
field of sustainable development and social responsibility on
behalf of its former President and Chief Executive Officer.
27 SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company operates in two business areas: Semiconductors and
Subsystems.
In the Semiconductors business area, the Company designs,
develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products,
including discrete, memories and standard commodity components,
application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs),
full custom devices and semi-custom devices and
application-specific standard products (ASSPs) for
analog, digital, and mixed-signal applications. In addition, the
Company further participates in the manufacturing value chain of
Smart card products through its Incard division, which includes
the production and sale of both silicon chips and Smart cards.
In the Semiconductors business area, effective January 1,
2005, the Company realigned its product groups to increase
market focus and realize the full potential of its products,
technologies, and sales and marketing channels. Beginning with
the first quarter of 2005, the Company now reports its
semiconductor sales and operating income in three segments:
|
|
|
|
|
Application Specific Product Groups (ASG) segment,
comprised of three product lines Home, Personal and
Communication (HPC), Computer Peripherals
(CPG) and new Automotive Product (APG); |
|
|
|
Memory Products Group (MPG) segment; and |
|
|
|
Micro, Linear and Discrete Group (MLD) segment. |
The Companys principal investment and resource allocation
decisions in the Semiconductor business area are for
expenditures on research and development and capital investments
in front-end and back-end manufacturing facilities. These
decisions are not made by product groups, but on the basis of
the Semiconductor Business
F-42
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
area. All these product groups share common research and
development for process technology and manufacturing capacity
for most of their products.
The Company has restated its results in prior periods for
illustrative comparisons of its performance by product group and
by period. The segment information of 2004 and 2003 has been
restated using the same principles applied to the current
2005 year. The preparation of segment information according
to the new group structure requires management to make
significant estimates, assumptions and judgments in determining
the operating income of the new groups for the prior years.
However, management believes that the prior years
presentation is representative of 2005 and is using these
comparatives when managing the Company.
In the Subsystems business area, the Company designs, develops,
manufactures and markets subsystems and modules for the
telecommunications, automotive and industrial markets including
mobile phone accessories, battery chargers, ISDN power supplies
and in-vehicle equipment for electronic toll payment. Based on
its immateriality to its business as a whole, the Subsystems
segment does not meet the requirements for a reportable segment
as defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information (FAS 131).
The following tables present the Companys consolidated net
revenues and consolidated operating income by semiconductor
product segment. For the computation of the Groups
internal financial measurements, the Company uses certain
internal rules of allocation for the costs not directly
chargeable to the Groups, including cost of sales, selling,
general and administrative expenses and a significant part of
research and development expenses. Additionally, in compliance
with its internal policies, certain cost items are not charged
to the Groups, including impairment, restructuring charges and
other related closure costs, start-up costs of new manufacturing
facilities, some strategic and special research and development
programs or other corporate-sponsored initiatives, including
certain corporate level operating expenses and certain other
miscellaneous charges. Starting in the first quarter of 2005,
the Company allocated the start-up costs to expand its marketing
and design presence in new developing areas to each Group, and
the Company restated prior years results accordingly.
Net revenues by product group
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Application Specific Product Groups
|
|
|
4,991 |
|
|
|
4,902 |
|
|
|
4,405 |
|
Memory Products Group
|
|
|
1,948 |
|
|
|
1,887 |
|
|
|
1,294 |
|
Micro, Linear and Discrete Group
|
|
|
1,882 |
|
|
|
1,902 |
|
|
|
1,469 |
|
Others(1)
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total consolidated net revenues
|
|
|
8,882 |
|
|
|
8,760 |
|
|
|
7,238 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes revenues from sales of subsystems mainly and other
products not allocated to product groups. |
Operating Income by product group
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Application Specific Product Groups
|
|
|
355 |
|
|
|
530 |
|
|
|
582 |
|
Memory Product Group
|
|
|
(118 |
) |
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
(65 |
) |
Micro, Linear and Discrete Group
|
|
|
271 |
|
|
|
413 |
|
|
|
192 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating income of product groups
|
|
|
508 |
|
|
|
985 |
|
|
|
709 |
|
Others(1)
|
|
|
(264 |
) |
|
|
(302 |
) |
|
|
(375 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total consolidated operating income
|
|
|
244 |
|
|
|
683 |
|
|
|
334 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Operating income (loss) of Others includes
items such as impairment, restructuring charges and other
related closure costs, start-up costs, and other unallocated
expenses, such as: strategic or special research and development
programs, certain corporate-level operating expenses, certain
patent claims and litigations, and other costs that are not
allocated to the product groups, as well as operating earnings
or losses of the Subsystems and Other Products Group. Certain
costs, mainly R&D, formerly in the Others
category, are now being allocated to the groups; comparable
amounts reported in this category have been reclassified
accordingly in the above table. |
F-43
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
Reconciliation to consolidated operating income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Total operating income of product groups
|
|
|
508 |
|
|
|
985 |
|
|
|
709 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Strategic R&D and other R&D programs
|
|
|
(49 |
) |
|
|
(91 |
) |
|
|
(52 |
) |
Start-up costs
|
|
|
(56 |
) |
|
|
(63 |
) |
|
|
(54 |
) |
Impairment & restructuring charges
|
|
|
(128 |
) |
|
|
(76 |
) |
|
|
(205 |
) |
Subsystems
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
2 |
|
One-time compensation and special
contributions(1)
|
|
|
(22 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patents claim costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(10 |
) |
Other non-allocated
provisions(2)
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(67 |
) |
|
|
(56 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating loss
Others(3)
|
|
|
(264 |
) |
|
|
(302 |
) |
|
|
(375 |
) |
Total consolidated operating income
|
|
|
244 |
|
|
|
683 |
|
|
|
334 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
One-time compensation and special contributions to the
Companys former CEO and other executives not allocated to
product groups. |
|
(2) |
Includes unallocated expenses such as certain corporate level
operating expenses and other costs. . |
|
(3) |
Operating income (loss) of Others includes
items such as impairment, restructuring charges and other
related closure costs, start-up costs, and other unallocated
expenses, such as: strategic or special research and development
programs, certain corporate-level operating expenses, certain
patent claims and litigations, and other costs that are not
allocated to the product groups, as well as operating earnings
or losses of the Subsystems and Other Products Group. Certain
costs, mainly R&D, formerly in the Others
category, are now being allocated to the groups in 2005;
comparable amounts reported in this category have been
reclassified accordingly in the above table. |
The following is a summary of operations by entities located
within the indicated geographic areas for 2005, 2004 and 2003.
Net revenues represent sales to third parties from the country
in which each entity is located. Long-lived assets consist of
property, plant and equipment, net (P,P&E, net) and
intangible assets, net including goodwill. A significant portion
of property, plant and equipment expenditures is attributable to
front-end and back-end facilities, located in the different
countries in which the Company operates. As such, the Company
mainly allocates capital spending resources according to
geographic areas rather than along product segment areas.
Net revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
The Netherlands
|
|
|
2,864 |
|
|
|
2,702 |
|
|
|
2,084 |
|
France
|
|
|
268 |
|
|
|
359 |
|
|
|
364 |
|
Italy
|
|
|
203 |
|
|
|
254 |
|
|
|
219 |
|
USA
|
|
|
1,066 |
|
|
|
1,262 |
|
|
|
992 |
|
Singapore
|
|
|
4,041 |
|
|
|
3,671 |
|
|
|
3,192 |
|
Japan
|
|
|
306 |
|
|
|
403 |
|
|
|
337 |
|
Other countries
|
|
|
134 |
|
|
|
109 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
8,882 |
|
|
|
8,760 |
|
|
|
7,238 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-44
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
Long-lived assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
The Netherlands
|
|
|
333 |
|
|
|
438 |
|
|
|
478 |
|
France
|
|
|
1,618 |
|
|
|
2,206 |
|
|
|
2,205 |
|
Italy
|
|
|
1,698 |
|
|
|
2,216 |
|
|
|
2,102 |
|
Other European countries
|
|
|
176 |
|
|
|
209 |
|
|
|
219 |
|
USA
|
|
|
458 |
|
|
|
414 |
|
|
|
413 |
|
Singapore
|
|
|
1,684 |
|
|
|
1,828 |
|
|
|
1,149 |
|
Malaysia
|
|
|
321 |
|
|
|
367 |
|
|
|
389 |
|
Other countries
|
|
|
332 |
|
|
|
319 |
|
|
|
257 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
6,620 |
|
|
|
7,997 |
|
|
|
7,212 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On February 23, 2006, the Company launched an offering of
senior zero-coupon convertible bonds due 2016 totalling a gross
proceeds of $928 million. The amount due to bondholders
upon redemption or at maturity based on the accreted value of
the bonds will produce a yield equivalent to 1.5% per annum on a
semi-annual bond equivalent basis. The Company has granted an
option to increase the issue size by up to 5% for a period of
30 days from settlement. Assuming full exercise of this
option, gross proceeds from the offering will be up to
$974 million. The notes are convertible into a maximum of
42 million underlying common shares of the Company,
including the increase option. The conversion price at issuance
was $23.19, based on the closing price of common shares on New
York Stock Exchange on February 14, 2006 plus a 30% premium.
F-45
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
on
Financial Statement Schedule
To the Supervisory Board and Shareholders of STMicroelectronics
N.V.:
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements referred to
in our report dated February 15, 2006 appearing in this
2005 Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 20-F of
STMicroelectronics N.V. also included an audit of the financial
statement schedule listed in Item 18 of this
Form 20-F. In our opinion, this financial statement
schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the
information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the
related consolidated financial statements.
PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A.
M
Foley H-J
Hofer
Geneva, February 15, 2006
PricewaterhouseCoopers is represented in about 140 countries
worldwide and in Switzerland in Aarau, Basle, Berne, Chur,
Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Lugano, Neuchâtel, Sion, St.
Gall, Thun, Winterthur, Zug and Zurich and offers Assurance, Tax
& Legal and Advisory services.
S-1
STMICROELECTRONICS N.V.
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at | |
|
|
|
Charged to | |
|
|
|
|
Valuation and qualifying accounts |
|
beginning | |
|
Translation | |
|
costs and | |
|
|
|
Balance at | |
deducted from the related asset accounts |
|
of period | |
|
adjustment | |
|
expenses | |
|
Deductions | |
|
end of period | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Currency millions of U.S. dollars) | |
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
(69 |
) |
|
|
51 |
|
Accounts Receivable
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
27 |
|
Deferred Tax Assets
|
|
|
855 |
|
|
|
(110 |
) |
|
|
109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
854 |
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
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|
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
(68 |
) |
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|
47 |
|
Accounts Receivable
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
21 |
|
Deferred Tax Assets
|
|
|
709 |
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|
|
62 |
|
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
855 |
|
2003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
(44 |
) |
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30 |
|
Accounts Receivable
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
Deferred Tax Assets
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
679 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
709 |
|
S-2
EX-1
Exhibit 1.1
UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION OF DRAFT AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
of:
STMicroelectronics N.V.
with corporate seat in Amsterdam
dated 4 April 2005
NAME, SEAT AND DURATION.
Article 1.
1.1. The name of the company is: STMicroelectronics N.V.
1.2. The company is established at Amsterdam.
1.3. The company will continue for an indefinite period.
OBJECTS.
Article 2.
The objects of the company shall be to participate or take in
any manner any interests in other business enterprises, to
manage such enterprises, to carry on the business in
semi-conductors and electronic devices, to take and grant
licenses and other industrial property interests, assume
commitments in the name of any enterprises with which it may be
associated within a group of companies, to take financial
interests in such enterprises and to take any other action, such
as but not limited to the granting of securities or the
undertaking of obligations on behalf of third parties, which in
the broadest sense of the term, may be related or contribute to
the aforesaid objects.
SHARE CAPITAL.
Article 3.
3.1. The authorised capital of the company amounts to one
billion eight hundred nine million six hundred thousand euro
(EUR 1,809,600,000), consisting of one billion two hundred
million (1,200,000,000) ordinary shares and five hundred forty
million (540,000,000) preference shares of one euro and four
eurocents (EUR 1.04) each.
3.2. Where in these articles of association reference is
made to shares and shareholders this shall include the shares of
each class as well as the holders of shares of each class
respectively, unless explicitly provided otherwise.
ISSUE OF SHARES.
Article 4.
4.1. The supervisory board shall have the power to issue
shares and to determine the terms and conditions of such issue
if and in so far as the supervisory board has been designated by
the general meeting of shareholders as the authorized body for
this purpose. A designation as referred to above shall only take
place for a specific period of no more than five years and may
not be extended by more than five years on each occasion.
4.2. If a designation as referred to in the first paragraph
is not in force, the general meeting of shareholders shall have
the power, upon the proposal of and on the terms and conditions
set by the supervisory board to resolve to issue shares.
4.3. In the event of an issue of ordinary shares,
shareholders shall have a pre-emptive right in proportion to the
number of ordinary shares which they own, notwithstanding the
provisions of the law. In respect of the issue of shares there
shall be no pre-emptive right to shares issued against a
contribution other than in cash or issued to employees of the
company or of a group company. In the event of an issue of
preference shares none of the shareholders shall have a
pre-emptive right. The supervisory board shall have the power to
limit or debar the pre-emptive right accruing to shareholders,
if and in so far as the supervisory board has also been
designated by the general meeting of shareholders for this
purpose as the authorized body for the period of such
designation. The provisions in the second sentence of the first
paragraph shall equally apply.
E-1
4.4. If a designation as referred to in the third paragraph
is not in force, the general meeting of shareholders shall have
the power, upon the proposal of the supervisory board to limit
or debar the pre-emptive right accruing to shareholders.
4.5. A resolution of the general meeting of shareholders to
limit or exclude pre-emptive rights or to designate the
Supervisory Board as authorized to resolve upon limiting or
excluding of pre-emptive rights requires a majority of at least
two-thirds of the votes cast in a meeting if in such meeting
less than one-half of the issued share capital is present or
represented.
4.6. Without prejudice to what has been provided in
section 80, paragraph 2, Civil Code:2, shares shall at
no time be issued below par.
4.7. Ordinary shares shall be issued only against payment
in full; preference shares may be issued against partial
payment, provided that the proportion of the nominal amount that
must be paid on each preference share, irrespective of when it
was issued, shall be the same and that at least one quarter of
the nominal amount is paid up in full when the share is taken.
4.8. Payment must be made in cash to the extent that no
other contribution has been agreed upon. If the company so
allows, payment in cash can be made in a foreign currency.
In the event of payment in a foreign currency the obligation to
pay is for the amount which can be freely exchanged into Dutch
currency. The decisive factor is the rate of exchange on the day
of payment, or as the case may be after application of the next
sentence, on the day mentioned therein.
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The company can require payment at the rate of exchange on a
certain day within two months prior to the last day when payment
shall have to be made provided the shares or depositary receipts
for shares after having been issued shall
immediately be incorporated in the price list of an exchange
abroad. |
4.9. This article shall equally apply to the granting of
rights to take shares, but shall not apply to the issue of
shares to someone who exercises a previously acquired right to
take shares.
4.10. The managing board shall determine, subject to
approval by the supervisory board, when and in what amount
payment is to be made in respect of partially paid preference
shares. The managing board shall notify the shareholders
concerned thereof in writing at least thirty days before the
date on which the payment must finally be made.
4.11. All notifications to shareholders will be made in
accordance with the provisions relating to giving of notice to
convene a general meeting as set out in article 27.2.
REPURCHASE OF SHARES.
Article 5.
5.1. The company may acquire, for valuable consideration,
shares in its own share capital if and in so far as:
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a. its equity less the purchase price of these shares is
not less than the aggregate amount of the paid up and called up
capital and the reserves which must be maintained pursuant to
the law; |
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b. the par value of the shares in its capital which the
company acquires, holds or holds in pledge, or which are held by
a subsidiary company, amounts to no more than one-tenth of the
issued share capital; and |
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c. the general meeting of shareholders has authorized the
managing board to acquire such shares, which authorization may
be given for no more than eighteen months on each occasion, |
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notwithstanding the further statutory provisions. |
5.2. The company may, without being authorized thereto by
the general meeting of shareholders and notwithstanding to what
is provided in paragraph 1 under a and b, acquire shares in
its own share capital in order to transfer those shares to the
employees of the company or a group company under a scheme
applicable to such employees.
5.3. Shares thus acquired may again be disposed of. The
company shall not acquire shares in its own share capital as
referred to in paragraph 1 if an authorization
as referred to in such paragraph is in force or as
referred to in paragraph 2 without the prior approval of
the supervisory board. The company shall also not dispose of
shares in its own share capital with the exception
of shares in the companys own share capital acquired
pursuant to paragraph 2 without the prior
approval of the supervisory board.
E-2
If depositary receipts for shares in the company have been
issued, such depositary receipts shall for the application of
the provisions of this paragraph and the preceding paragraph be
treated as shares.
5.4. In the general meeting no votes may be cast in respect
of (a) share(s) held by the company or a subsidiary
company; no votes may be cast in respect of a share the
depositary receipt for which is held by the company or a
subsidiary company. However, the holders of a right of usufruct
and the holders of a right of pledge on shares held by the
company and its subsidiary companies, are nonetheless not
excluded from the right to vote such shares, if the right of
usufruct or the right of pledge was granted prior to the time
such share was held by the company or a subsidiary company.
Neither the company nor a subsidiary company may cast votes in
respect of a share on which it holds a right of usufruct or a
right of pledge.
Shares in respect of which voting rights may not be exercised by
law or by the articles of association shall not be taken into
account, when determining to what extent the shareholders cast
votes, to what extent they are present or represented or to what
extent the share capital is provided or represented.
5.5. Upon the proposal of the supervisory board the general
meeting of shareholders shall have the power to decide
(i) to cancel shares acquired by the company from its own
share capital, and (ii) to cancel all preference shares
against repayment of the amount paid up on those shares, all
subject however to the statutory provisions concerned.
SHARES, SHARE CERTIFICATES, SHARE REGISTER.
Article 6.
6.1. Shares shall be in registered form.
6.2. Ordinary shares shall be available:
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in the form of an entry in the share register without issue of a
share certificate; shares of this type are referred to in these
articles as type I shares; |
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and should the supervisory board so
decide in the form of an entry in the share register
with issue of a certificate, which certificate shall consist of
a main part without dividend coupon; shares of this type and
share certificates of this type are referred to in these
articles as type II shares. |
Preference shares shall only be made available in the form of
type I shares.
6.3. The supervisory board can decide that the registration
of type I shares may only take place for one or more quantities
of shares which quantities are to be specified by
the supervisory board at the same time.
6.4. Type II share certificates shall be available in
such denominations as the supervisory board shall determine.
6.5. All share certificates shall be signed by or on behalf
of a managing director; the signature may be effected by printed
facsimile. Furthermore type II share certificates shall,
and all other share certificates may, be countersigned by one or
more persons designated by the managing board for that purpose.
6.6. All share certificates shall be identified by numbers
and/or letters.
6.7. The supervisory board can determine that for the
purpose of effecting trading or transfer of shares at foreign
exchanges share certificates shall be issued in such form as the
supervisory board may determine, complying with the requirements
set by said foreign exchange(s) and not provided with any
dividend sheet.
6.8. The expression share certificate as used
in these articles shall include a share certificate in respect
of more than one share.
Article 7.
7.1. Upon written request from a shareholder, missing or
damaged share certificates, or parts thereof, may be replaced by
new certificates or by duplicates bearing the same numbers
and/or letters, provided the applicant proves his title and, in
so far as applicable, his loss to the satisfaction of the
supervisory board, and further subject to such conditions as the
managing board may deem fit.
7.2. In appropriate cases, at its own discretion, the
managing board may stipulate that the identifying numbers and/or
letters of missing documents be published three times, at
intervals of at least one month, in at least three newspapers to
be indicated by the managing board announcing the application
made; in such a case
E-3
new certificates or duplicates may not be issued until six
months have expired since the last publication, always provided
that the original documents have not been produced to the
managing board before that time.
7.3. The issue of new certificates or duplicates shall
render the original document invalid.
Article 8.
8.1. Notwithstanding the statutory provisions in respect of
registered shares a register shall be kept by or on behalf of
the company, which register shall be regularly updated and, at
the discretion of the managing board, may, in whole or in part,
be kept in more than one copy and at more than one place.
A part of the register may be kept abroad in order to meet
requirements set out by foreign statutory provisions or
provisions of the foreign exchange.
8.2. Each shareholders name, his address and such
further data as the managing board deems desirable, whether at
the request of a shareholder or not, shall be entered in the
register.
8.3. The form and the contents of the share register shall
be determined by the managing board with due regard to the
provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article.
The managing board may determine that the records shall vary as
to their form and contents according to whether they relate to
type I shares or to type II shares.
8.4. Upon request a shareholder shall be given free of
charge a declaration of what is stated in the register with
regard to the shares registered in his name, which declaration
may be signed by one of the specially authorized persons to be
appointed by the managing board for this purpose.
8.5. The provisions of the last four paragraphs shall
equally apply to those who hold a right of usufruct or of pledge
on one or more registered shares, with the proviso that the
other data required by law must be entered in the register.
Article 9.
9.1. Subject to the provisions of article 6, the
holder of an entry in the share register for one or more type I
shares may, upon his request and at his option, have issued to
him one or more type II share certificates for the same
nominal amount.
9.2. Subject to the provisions of article 6, the
holder of a type II share certificate registered in his
name may, after lodging the share certificate with the company,
upon his request and at his option, either have one or more type
I shares entered in the share register for the same nominal
amount.
9.3. A request as mentioned in this article shall, if the
supervisory board so requires, be made on a form obtainable from
the company free of charge, which shall be signed by the
applicant.
TRANSFER OF SHARES.
Article 10.
10.1. The transfer of a registered share shall be effected
either by service upon the company of the instrument of transfer
or by written acknowledgement of the transfer by the company,
subject however to the provisions of the following paragraphs of
this article.
10.2. Where a transfer of a type II share is effected
by service of an instrument of transfer on the company, the
company shall, at the discretion of the managing board, either
endorse the transfer on the share certificate or cancel the
share certificate and issue to the transferee one or more new
share certificates registered in his name to the same nominal
amount.
10.3. The Companys written acknowledgement of a
transfer of a type II share shall, at the discretion of the
managing board, be effected either by endorsement of the
transfer on the share certificates or by the issue to the
transferee of one or more new share certificates registered in
his name to the same nominal amount.
10.4. The provisions of the foregoing paragraphs of this
article shall equally apply to the allotment of registered
shares in the event of a judicial partition of any community of
property or interests, the transfer of a registered share as a
consequence of a judgement execution and the creation of limited
rights in rem on a registered share.
E-4
If a share certificate has been issued, the acknowledgement can
only be effected either by putting an endorsement to that effect
on this document, signed by or on behalf of the company, or by
replacing this document by a new certificate in the name of the
acquirer.
10.5. The submission of requests and the lodging of
documents referred to in articles 7 to 10 inclusive shall be
made at a place to be indicated by the managing board and in any
case the places where the company is admitted to a stock
exchange.
Different places may be indicated for the different classes and
types of shares and share certificates.
10.6. The company is authorized to charge amounts to be
determined by the managing board not exceeding cost price to
those persons who request any services to be carried out by
virtue of articles 7 up to and including 10.
USUFRUCTUARIES, PLEDGEES, HOLDERS OF DEPOSITARY
RECEIPTS.
Article 11.
11.1. The usufructuary, who in conformity with the
provisions of section 88, Civil Code:2 has no right to
vote, and the pledgee who in conformity with the provisions of
section 89, Civil Code:2 has no right to vote, shall not be
entitled to the rights which by law have been conferred on
holders of depositary receipts for shares issued with the
cooperation of the company.
11.2. Where in these articles of association persons are
mentioned, entitled to attend meetings of shareholders, this
shall include to holders of depositary receipts for shares
issued with the cooperation of the company, and persons who in
pursuance of paragraph 4 in section 88 or
section 89, Civil Code:2 have the rights that by law have
been conferred on holders of depositary receipts for shares
issued with the cooperation of the company.
MANAGING BOARD.
Article 12.
12.1. The company shall be managed by a managing board
consisting of one or more managing directors under the
supervision of the supervisory board. The number of members of
the managing board shall be resolved upon by the general meeting
of shareholders upon the proposal of the supervisory board. The
members of the managing board shall be appointed for three
years, a year being understood as meaning the period between two
Annual General Meetings of Shareholders adopting the Accounts of
the previous fiscal year or the meeting in which a postponement
of this is granted.
12.2. Managing directors shall be appointed by the general
meeting of shareholders upon the proposal of the supervisory
board for each vacancy to be filled.
12.3. Without prejudice to the provisions of
article 28, paragraph 2, a proposal to make one or
more appointments to the managing board may be placed on the
agenda of a general meeting of shareholders by the supervisory
board.
12.4. The company has a policy regarding the compensation
of the managing board. The policy will be adopted by the general
meeting of shareholders upon the proposal of the supervisory
board.
12.5. The supervisory board shall determine the
compensation of the individual managing directors, within the
scope of the compensation policy referred to in the previous
paragraph. The supervisory board will submit for approval by the
general meeting of shareholders a proposal regarding the
compensation in the form of shares or rights to acquire shares.
This proposal sets forth at least how many shares or rights to
acquire shares may be awarded to the managing board and which
criteria apply to an award or a modification.
12.6. The general meeting of shareholders shall decide in
accordance with the provisions of article 32, paragraph 1.
Votes in respect of persons who have not been so nominated shall
be invalid.
Article 13.
13.1. The general meeting of shareholders shall be entitled
to suspend or dismiss one or more managing directors, provided
that at least half of the issued share capital is represented at
the meeting. No such quorum shall be required where the
suspension or dismissal is proposed by the supervisory board.
E-5
13.2. Where a quorum under paragraph 1 is required but
is not present, a further meeting shall be convened, to be held
within four weeks after the first meeting, which shall be
entitled, irrespective of the share capital represented, to pass
a resolution in regard to the suspension or dismissal.
13.3. The managing directors can be jointly or individually
suspended by the supervisory board. After suspension a general
meeting of shareholders shall be convened within three months,
at which meeting it shall be decided whether the suspension
shall be cancelled or maintained.
The person involved shall be given the opportunity to account
for his actions at that meeting.
REPRESENTATION.
Article 14.
14.1. The entire managing board as well as each managing
director may represent the company.
14.2. The managing board may grant powers of attorney to
persons, whether or not in the service of the company, to
represent the company and shall thereby determine the scope of
such powers of attorney and the titles of such persons.
14.3. The managing board shall have power to perform legal
acts as specified in section 2:94, paragraph 1, Civil
Code in so far as such power is not expressly excluded or
limited by any provision of these articles or by any resolution
of the supervisory board.
Article 15.
15.1. The supervisory board shall appoint one of the
managing directors as chairman of the managing board.
Appointment of the chairman shall be resolved with the majority
mentioned in article 22, paragraph 1.
15.2. Resolutions of the managing board shall be passed by
simple majority of votes. In the event of a tie of votes the
chairman of the managing board shall have a casting vote.
Article 16.
16.1. Without prejudice to provisions made elsewhere in
these articles, the managing board shall require the prior
express approval:
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(i) from the supervisory board for decisions relating to: |
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1. all proposals to be submitted to a vote at the general
meeting of the shareholders; |
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2. the formation of all companies, acquisition or sale of
any participation, and conclusion of any cooperation and
participation agreement; |
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3. all pluriannual plans of the company and the budget for
the first coming year, covering the following matters: |
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investment policy; |
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policy regarding research and development, as well as commercial
policy and objectives; |
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general financial policy; |
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policy regarding personnel; |
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4. all acts, decisions or operations covered by the above
list and constituting a significant change with respect to
decisions already adopted by the supervisory board or not
provided for in the above list and as specifically laid down by
the supervisory board by resolution passed by it to that effect. |
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(ii) from the general meeting of shareholders with respect
to resolutions: regarding a significant change in the identity
or nature of the company or the enterprise, including in any
event (a) transfering the enterprise or practically the
entire enterprise to a third party, (b) entering into or
cancelling any long-term cooperation between the company or a
subsidiary (dochtermaatschappij) and any other legal
person or company or as a fully liable general partner of a
limited partnership or a general partnership, provided that such
cooperation or the cancellation thereof is of essential
importance to the company, and (c) the company or a
subsidiary (dochtermaatschappij) acquiring or
disposing of a participating interest in the capital of a
company with a value of at least one-third of the companys
total assets according to the consolidated balance sheet and
notes thereto in the most recently adopted annual accounts of
the company; |
E-6
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the absence of the approval provided for above may not be raised
by or against third parties. |
16.2. Without prejudice to provisions made elsewhere in
these articles, the managing board shall require the approval of
the general meeting of shareholders according to the law and the
provisions of these articles as well as such resolutions as are
clearly defined by a resolution of the general meeting of
shareholders to that effect.
Article 17.
In the event of the absence or inability to act of one of more
managing directors the remaining managing directors or managing
director shall temporarily be responsible for the entire
management. In the event of the absence or inability to act of
all managing directors, one or more persons appointed by the
supervisory board for this purpose at any time shall be
temporarily responsible for the management.
SUPERVISORY BOARD.
Article 18.
18.1. The supervisory board shall be responsible for
supervising the policy pursued by the managing board and the
general course of affairs of the company and the business
enterprise which it operates. The supervisory board shall assist
the managing board with advice relating to the general policy
aspects connected with the activities of the company. In
fulfilling their duties the supervisory directors shall serve
the interests of the company and the business enterprise which
it operates.
18.2. The managing board shall provide the supervisory
board in good time with all relevant information as well as the
information the supervisory board requests, in connection with
the exercise of its duties.
18.3. At least once per year the managing board shall
inform the supervisory board in writing of the main features of
the strategic policy, the general and financial risks and the
management and control systems of the company.
The managing board shall then submit to the supervisory board
for approval:
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a) the operational and financial objectives of the company; |
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b) the strategy designed to achieve the objectives; and |
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c) the parameters to be applied in relation to the
strategy, inter alia, regarding financial ratios. |
Article 19.
19.1. The Supervisory board shall consist of at least six
members, to be appointed by the general meeting of shareholders
upon the proposal of the supervisory board for each vacancy to
be filled. The number of supervisory directors shall without
prejudice to the preceding sentence be resolved upon by the
general meeting of shareholders upon the proposal of the
supervisory board.
19.2. The general meeting of shareholders shall decide in
accordance with the provisions of article 32 paragraph 1.
19.3. Without prejudice to the provisions of
article 28, paragraph 2, a proposal to make one or
more appointments to the supervisory board may be placed on the
agenda of the general meeting of shareholders by the supervisory
board.
19.4. The supervisory board shall appoint from their number
a chairman and a vice-chairman of the supervisory board with the
majority mentioned in article 22, paragraph 1.
19.5. Upon the appointment of the supervisory directors the
particulars as referred to in section 142,
paragraph 3, Civil Code:2 shall be made available for
prior inspection.
Article 20.
20.1. The supervisory board may appoint one or more of its
members as delegate supervisory director in charge of
supervising the managing board on a regular basis. They shall
report their findings to the supervisory board. The offices of
chairman of the supervisory board and delegate supervisory
director are compatible.
20.2. With due observance of these articles of association,
the supervisory board may adopt rules regulating the division of
its duties among its various supervisory directors.
E-7
The Supervisory Board may also delegate certain of its powers to
committees which exclusively consist of members of the
Supervisory Board, such as an audit committee, a compensation
committee or any other committee as the Supervisory Board may
resolve to install. In case the authority to resolve upon the
issuance of new shares is delegated to the Supervisory board,
the Supervisory Board may install a pricing committee which
shall exclusively consist of members of the Supervisory Board
and which shall be authorised within the range set in the
delegation mentioned above to determine on behalf of the
Supervisory Board the price and conditions for newly issued
shares.
20.3. The supervisory board may decide that one or more of
its members shall have access to all premises of the company and
shall be authorized to examine all books, correspondence and
other records and to be fully informed of all actions which have
taken place, or may decide that one or more of its supervisory
directors shall be authorised to exercise a portion of such
powers.
20.4. At the expense of the company, the supervisory board
may obtain such advice from experts as the supervisory board
deems desirable for the proper fulfilment of its duties.
Article 21.
21.1. A supervisory director shall retire no later than at
the ordinary general meeting of shareholders held after a period
of three years following his appointment.
A retired supervisory director may immediately be re-elected.
21.2. The supervisory board may establish a rotation scheme.
21.3. The supervisory directors may be suspended or
dismissed by the general meeting of shareholders. The
supervisory board may make a proposal to the general meeting of
shareholders for the suspension or dismissal of one or more of
its supervisory directors.
Article 22.
22.1. The supervisory board may pass resolutions by at
least three quarters of the votes of the members in office. Each
supervisory director has the right to cast one vote. In case of
absence a supervisory director may issue a proxy, however, only
to another supervisory director. The proxy should explicitly
indicate in which way the vote must be cast. The supervisory
board may pass resolutions in writing without holding a meeting
provided that the proposals for such resolutions have been
communicated in writing to all supervisory directors and no
supervisory director is opposed to this method of passing a
resolution.
22.2. A certificate signed by two supervisory directors to
the effect that the supervisory board has passed a particular
resolution shall constitute evidence of such a resolution in
dealings with third parties.
22.3. The managing directors shall attend meetings of the
supervisory board at the latters request.
22.4. The supervisory board shall meet whenever two or more
of its members or the managing board so requests. Meetings of
the supervisory board shall be convened by the chairman of the
supervisory board, either on request of two or more supervisory
directors or on request of the managing board, or by the
supervisory directors requesting the meeting to be held. If the
chairman fails to convene a meeting to be held within four weeks
of the receipt of the request, the supervisory board members
making the request are entitled to convene the meeting.
22.5. The supervisory board shall draw up standing orders
regulating inter alia the manner of convening board meetings and
the internal procedure at such meetings. These meetings may be
held by telephone as well as by video.
Article 23.
The general meeting of shareholders determines the compensation
to the members of the Supervisory Board or to one or more of its
members. The meeting shall have authority to decide whether such
compensation will consist of a fixed amount and/or an amount
that is variable in proportion to profits or any other factor.
The Supervisory Board members shall be reimbursed for their
expenses.
INDEMNIFICATION.
Article 24.
24.1. The company shall indemnify any person who was or is
a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or
E-8
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the
company) by reason of the fact that he is or was a supervisory
director, managing director, officer or agent of the company, or
was serving at the request of the company as a supervisory
director, managing director, officer or agent of another
company, a partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, against all expenses (including attorneys
fees) judgements, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually
and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action,
suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the company, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful or out of his mandate. The termination of
any action, suit or proceeding by a judgement, order,
settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the
person did not act in good faith and not in a manner which he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the company, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his
conduct was unlawful.
24.2. The company shall indemnify any person who was or is
a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action or proceeding by or in the right of
the company to procure a judgement in its favor, by reason of
the fact that he is or was a supervisory director, managing
director, officer or agent of the company, or is or was serving
at the request of the company as a supervisory director,
managing director, officer or agent of another company, a
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against
expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or
settlement of such action or proceeding if he acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the company and except that no
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or
matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be
liable for gross negligence or wilful misconduct in the
performance of his duty to the company, unless and only to the
extent that the court in which such action or proceeding was
brought or any other court having appropriate jurisdiction shall
determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of
liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such
person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification
against such expenses which the court in which such action or
proceeding was brought or such other court having appropriate
jurisdiction shall deem proper.
24.3. To the extent that a supervisory director, managing
director, officer or agent of the company has been successful on
the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit of
proceeding, referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, or in
defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys fees)
actually and reasonable incurred by him in connection therewith.
24.4. Any indemnification by the company referred to in
paragraphs 1 and 2 shall (unless ordered by a court) only
be made upon a determination that indemnification of the
supervisory director, managing director, officer or agent is
proper in the circumstances because he had met the applicable
standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2. Such
determination shall be made:
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a. either by the supervisory board by a majority vote in a
meeting in which a quorum as mentioned in article 22,
paragraph 1, and consisting of supervisory directors who
where not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, is present; |
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b. or, if such a quorum is not obtainable or although such
a quorum is obtained if the majority passes a resolution to that
effect, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; |
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c. or by the general meeting of shareholders. |
24.5. Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal
action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the company in advance
of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon
a resolution of the supervisory board with respect to the
specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of
the supervisory director, managing director, officer or agent to
repay such amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that
he is entitled to be indemnified by the company as authorized in
this article.
24.6. The indemnification provided for by this article
shall not be deemed exclusive of any other right to which a
person seeking indemnification may be entitled under any
by-laws, agreement, resolution of the general meeting of
shareholders or of the disinterested supervisory directors or
otherwise, both as to actions in his official capacity and as to
actions in another capacity while holding such position, and
shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a supervisory
director, managing director, officer or agent and shall also
inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators
of such a person.
24.7. The company shall have the power to purchase and
maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a
supervisory director, managing director, officer or agent of the
company, or is or was serving at the request of the company as a
supervisory director, managing director, officer, employee or
agent of another
E-9
company, a partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and
incurred by him in any such capacity or arising out of his
capacity as such, whether or not the company would have the
power to indemnify him against such liability under the
provisions of this article.
24.8. Whenever in this article reference is being made to
the company, this shall include, in addition to the resulting or
surviving company also any constituent company (including any
constituent company of a constituent company) absorbed in a
consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had
continued, would have had the power to indemnify its supervisory
directors, managing directors, officers and agents, so that any
person who is or was a supervisory director, managing director,
officer or agent of such constituent company, or is or was
serving at the request of such constituent company as a
supervisory director, managing director, officer or agent of
another company, a partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the
provisions of this article with respect to the resulting or
surviving company as he would have with respect to such
constituent company if its separate existence had continued.
GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS.
Article 25.
25.1. The ordinary general meeting of shareholders shall be
held each year within six months after the close of the
financial year.
25.2. At this general meeting shall be dealt with:
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a. the written report of the managing board on the course
of business of the company and the conduct of its affairs during
the past financial year, and the report of the supervisory board
on the annual accounts; |
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b. adoption of the annual accounts and the declaration of
dividend in the manner laid down in article 37; |
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c. granting of discharge to the members of the Managing
Board for their management during the past financial year and to
the members of the Supervisory Board for their supervision on
such management; |
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d. filling vacancies on the managing board in accordance
with the provisions of article 12; |
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e. filling vacancies on the supervisory board in accordance
with the provisions of article 19; |
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f. the proposals placed on the agenda by the managing board
or by the supervisory board, together with proposals made by
shareholders in accordance with the provisions of these articles. |
Article 26.
26.1. Extraordinary general meetings of shareholders shall
be held as often as deemed necessary by the supervisory board
and shall be held if one or more shareholders and other persons
entitled to attend the meetings of shareholders jointly
representing at least one-tenth of the issued share capital make
a written request to that effect to the managing board or
supervisory board, specifying in detail the business to be dealt
with.
26.2. If the managing board or supervisory board fail to
comply with a request under paragraph 1 above in such
manner that the general meeting of shareholders can be held
within six weeks after the request, the persons making the
request may be authorized by the President of the Court within
whose jurisdiction the company is established to convene the
meeting themselves.
Article 27.
27.1. General meetings of shareholders shall be held at
Amsterdam, Haarlemmermeer (Schiphol Airport), Rotterdam or The
Hague; the notice convening the meeting shall inform the
shareholders and other persons entitled to attend the meetings
of shareholders accordingly.
27.2. The notice convening a general meeting of
shareholders shall be published by advertisement which shall at
least be published in a national daily newspaper and abroad in
at least one daily newspaper appearing in each of these
countries other than the United States, where, on the
application of the company, the shares have been admitted for
official quotation. In addition, holders of registered shares
shall be notified by letter that the meeting is being convened.
27.3. The notice convening the meeting shall be issued by
the managing board, by the supervisory board or by those who
according to the law or these articles are entitled thereto.
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Article 28.
28.1. The notice convening the meeting referred to in the
foregoing article shall be issued no later than on the
twenty-first day prior to the meeting.
28.2. The agenda shall contain such business as may be
placed thereon by the person(s) entitled to convene the meeting,
and furthermore such business as one or more shareholders,
representing at least one-tenth of the issued share capital,
have requested the managing board or supervisory board to place
on the agenda at least five days before the date on which the
meeting is convened. Nominations for appointment to the managing
board and the supervisory board cannot be placed on the agenda
by the managing board. No resolution shall be passed at the
meeting in respect of matters not on the agenda.
28.3. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, proposals of
persons who are entitled to attend the meetings of shareholders
will be included in the agenda, if such proposal is made in
writing to the managing board within a period of sixty days
before that meeting by persons who are entitled to attend the
meetings of shareholders, who solely or jointly, represent at
least one per cent (1%) of the companys issued share
capital or a market value of at least fifty million euro (EUR
50,000,000), unless the company determines that such proposal
would conflict with substantial interests of the company.
28.4. Without prejudice to the relevant provisions of law,
dealing with withdrawal of shares and amendments to articles of
association, the notice convening the meeting shall either
mention the business on the agenda or state that the agenda is
open to inspection by the shareholders and other persons
entitled to attend the meetings of shareholders at the office of
the company.
Article 29.
29.1. General meetings of shareholders shall be presided
over by the chairman of the supervisory board or in his absence
by the vice-chairman of the supervisory board. In case of
absence of the chairman and the vice-chairman of the supervisory
board the meeting shall be presided by any other person
nominated by the supervisory board.
29.2. Minutes shall be kept of the business transacted at a
general meeting of shareholders, which minutes shall be drawn up
and signed by the chairman and by a person appointed by him
immediately after the opening of the meeting.
29.3. Where the minutes are drawn up before a civil law
notary, the chairmans signature, together with that of the
civil law notary, shall be sufficient.
Article 30.
30.1. All shareholders and other persons entitled to vote
at general meetings of shareholders are entitled to attend the
general meetings of shareholders, to address the general meeting
of shareholders and to vote. The general meeting of shareholders
may lay down rules regulating, inter alia, the length of time
for which shareholders may speak. In so far as such rules are
not applicable, the chairman may regulate the time for which
shareholders may speak if he considers this to be desirable with
a view to the orderly conduct of the meeting.
30.2. In order to exercise the rights mentioned in
paragraph 1, the holders of registered shares shall notify
the company in writing of their intention to do so no later than
on the day and at the place mentioned in the notice convening
the meeting, and also in so far as type II
shares are concerned stating the serial number of
the shares certificate.
They may only exercise the said rights at the meeting for the
shares registered in their name both on the day referred to
above and on the day of the meeting.
30.3. The company shall send a card of admission to the
meeting to holders of registered shares who have notified the
company of their intention in accordance with the provision in
the foregoing paragraph.
30.4. The provisions laid down in paragraphs 2 up to
and including 4 are mutatis mutandis applicable to shares from
which usufructuaries and pledgees who do not have the voting
right attached to those shares derive their rights.
Article 31.
31.1. Shareholders and other persons entitled to attend
meetings of shareholders may be represented by proxies with
written authority to be shown for admittance to a meeting.
E-11
31.2. All matters regarding the admittance to the general
meeting, the exercise of voting rights and the result of
votings, as well as any other matters regarding the affairs at
the general meeting shall be decided upon by the chairman of
that meeting, with due observance of the provisions of
section 13, Civil Code:2.
Article 32.
32.1. Unless otherwise stated in these articles,
resolutions shall be adopted by simple majority of votes of the
shareholders having the right to vote in a meeting of
shareholders where at least fifteen per cent of the issued
capital is present or represented. Blank and invalid votes shall
not be counted. The chairman shall decide on the method of
voting and on the possibility of voting by acclamation.
32.2. Where the voting concerns appointments, further polls
shall, if necessary, be taken until one of the nominees has
obtained a simple majority, such with due observance of the
provision of paragraph 1 of this article. The further poll
or polls may, at the chairmans discretion, be taken at a
subsequent meeting.
32.3. Except as provided in paragraph 2, in case of an
equality of the votes cast the relevant proposal shall be deemed
to have been rejected.
Article 33.
At the general meeting of shareholders each share shall confer
the right to cast one vote.
MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SHARES OF A PARTICULAR
CLASS.
Article 34.
34.1. A meeting of holders of preference shares shall be
held whenever required by virtue of the provisions of these
articles of association and further whenever the managing board
and/or the supervisory board shall decide, and also whenever one
or more holders of preference shares so request the managing
board and/or the supervisory board in writing, stating the items
of business to be transacted.
If after receipt of a request as referred to in the preceding
sentence neither the managing board nor the supervisory board
has called a meeting in such a way that the meeting is held
within four weeks of receipt, the applicant(s) shall be
authorised to call the meeting themselves, with due observance
of the relevant provisions of these articles of association.
34.2. The managing directors and the supervisory directors
shall have the right to attend meetings of holders of preference
shares; in that capacity they shall have an advisory vote.
Notice of a meeting of holders of preference shares shall be
given by letters sent to all holders of preference shares. The
notice shall state the items of business to be transacted.
34.3. Article 27, paragraphs 1 and 3,
article 28, article 29, article 30,
paragraph 1, article 31, article 32 and article 33
shall apply mutatis mutandis to meetings of holders of
preference shares.
34.4. At a meeting of holders of preference shares at which
the entire issued capital in shares of those class is
represented, valid resolutions may be adopted, provided that
they are passed by unanimous vote, even if the requirements in
respect of the place of the meeting, the manner of notice, the
term of notice and the stating in the notice of the items of
business to be transacted, have not been observed.
34.5. All resolutions which may be adopted by the holders
of preference shares at a meeting may also be adopted outside a
meeting.
Resolutions may be adopted outside a meeting only if all holders
of preference shares and holders of a right of usufruct on
preference shares entitled to vote have declared themselves in
favour of the proposal by letter, by telegram, by telex
communication or telecopier.
The resolution shall be recorded in the minute book of the
meeting of holders of preference shares by a managing director.
34.6. A meeting of holders of ordinary shares shall be held
whenever required by virtue of the provisions of these articles
of association. Articles 27 up to and including 33 shall
apply mutatis mutandis to meetings of holders of ordinary shares.
E-12
ANNUAL ACCOUNTS, REPORT OF THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT AND
DISTRIBUTIONS.
Article 35.
35.1. The financial year shall run from the first day of
January up to and including the thirty-first day of December.
35.2. Each year the managing board shall cause annual
accounts to be drawn up, consisting of a balance sheet as at the
thirty-first day of December, of the preceding year and a profit
and loss account in respect of the preceding financial year with
the explanatory notes thereto.
35.3. The managing board shall be bound to draw up the
aforesaid annual accounts in accordance with established
principles of business management.
Article 36.
36.1. The supervisory board shall cause the annual accounts
to be examined by one or more registered accountant(s)
designated for the purposes by the general meeting of
shareholders or other experts designated for the purpose in
accordance with section 393, Civil Code:2, and shall report
to the general meeting of shareholders on the annual accounts,
notwithstanding the provisions of the law.
36.2. Copies of the annual accounts which have been made
up, of the report of the supervisory board, of the report of the
managing board and of the information to be added pursuant to
the law shall be deposited for inspection by shareholders and
other persons entitled to attend meetings of shareholders, at
the office of the company as from the date of serving the notice
convening the general meeting of shareholders at which meeting
those items shall be discussed, until the close thereof.
PROFIT AND LOSS.
Article 37.
37.1. Distribution of profits pursuant to this article
shall be made following approval of the annual accounts which
show that the distribution is permitted.
The company may only make distributions to shareholders and
other persons entitled to distributable profits to the extent
that its equity exceeds the total amount of its issued capital
and the reserves which must be maintained by law.
A deficit may only be offset against the reserves prescribed by
law in so far as permitted by law.
37.2. Upon proposal of the managing board, the supervisory
board shall determine what portion of the profit shall be
retained by way of reserve, having regard to the legal
provisions relating to obligatory reserves.
37.3. The portion of the profit that remains after
application of paragraph 2, shall be at the disposal of the
general meeting of shareholders, with due observance of the
provisions of article 38, paragraph 2.
37.4. In case the general meeting of shareholders resolves
upon distribution of profits made in the latest financial year,
first, if possible, an amount equal to the percentage referred
to below of the paid up part of their par value shall be paid as
dividend on the preference shares. No further distributions
shall be made on the preference shares. The percentage referred
to above is equal to the average of the Euro Interbank Offered
Rates applying to cash loans with a term of one year
weighted on the basis of the number of days for which these
rates applied during the financial year in respect
of which the distribution takes place. If the amount to be paid
on the preference shares has been reduced or, pursuant to a
resolution for further payment, has been increased in the
financial year in respect of which the distribution referred to
above is made, the distribution on these shares shall be reduced
or, as the case may be, increased if possible by an amount equal
to the percentage referred to above of the amount of the
reduction or, as the case may be, the increase, calculated from
the time of the reduction or, as the case may be, from the time
at which further payments become obligatory.
37.5. The general meeting of shareholders is empowered
either to distribute the profits in cash or in kind or to
withhold distribution of the said portion of the profit in whole
or in part.
Article 38.
38.1. Upon the proposal of the supervisory board, the
general meeting of shareholders shall be entitled to resolve to
make distributions charged to the share premium reserve or
charged to the other reserves shown in the annual accounts not
prescribed by the law, with due observance of the provisions of
paragraph 2.
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38.2. The supervisory board shall be entitled to resolve
that distributions, the amount of which distributions has been
resolved upon by the general meeting of shareholders, to
shareholders under article 37, article 38, paragraph 1 and
article 39 may be made in full or partially in the form of the
issue of shares in the share capital of the company.
The distribution to a shareholder according to the preceding
sentence shall be made to a shareholder in cash or in the form
of shares in the share capital of the company, or partially in
cash and partially in the form of shares in the share capital of
the company, such, if the supervisory board so resolves, at the
option of the shareholders.
Article 39.
At its own discretion and subject to section 105,
paragraph 4, Civil Code:2, the supervisory board may
resolve to distribute one or more interim dividends on the
shares before the annual accounts for any financial year have
been approved and adopted at a general meeting of shareholders.
Article 40.
40.1. Distributions under articles 37, 38 or 39 shall be
payable as from a date to be determined by the supervisory
board. The date of payment set in respect of shares for which
certificates are outstanding or in respect of type I shares may
differ from the date of payment set in respect of shares for
which type II share certificates are outstanding.
40.2. Distributions under articles 37, 38 or 39 shall be
made payable at a place or places, to be determined by the
supervisory board; at least one place shall be designated
thereto in The Netherlands.
40.3. The supervisory board may determine the method of
payment in respect of cash distributions on type I shares.
40.4. Cash distributions under articles 37, 38 or 39 in
respect of shares for which a type II share certificate is
outstanding shall, if such distributions are made payable only
outside the Netherlands, be paid in the currency of a country
where the shares of the company are listed on a stock exchange
not being the Euro, converted at the rate of exchange determined
by the European Central Bank at the close of business on a day
to be fixed for that purpose by the supervisory board. If and in
so far as on the first day on which a distribution is payable,
the company is unable, in consequence of any governmental action
or other exceptional circumstances beyond its control, to make
payment at the place designated outside the Netherlands or in
the relevant currency, the supervisory board may in that event
designate one or more places in the Netherlands instead. In such
event the provisions of the first sentence of this paragraph
shall no longer apply.
40.5. The person entitled to a distribution under articles
37, 38 or 39 on registered shares shall be the person in whose
name the share is registered at the date to be fixed for that
purpose by the supervisory board in respect of each distribution
for the different types of shares.
40.6. Notice of distributions and of the dates and places
referred to in the preceding paragraphs of this article shall at
least be published in a national daily newspaper and abroad in
at least one daily newspaper appearing in each of those
countries other than the United States, where the shares, on the
application of the company, have been admitted for official
quotation, and further in such manner as the supervisory board
may deem desirable.
40.7. Distributions in cash under articles 37, 38 or 39
that have not been collected within five years after they have
become due and payable shall revert to the Company.
40.8. In the case of a distribution under article 38,
paragraph 2, any shares in the company not claimed within a
period to be determined by the supervisory board shall be sold
for the account of the persons entitled to the distribution who
failed to claim the shares. The period and manner of sale to be
determined by the supervisory board, as mentioned in the
preceding sentence, shall be notified according to
paragraph 6. The net proceeds of such sale shall thereafter
be held at the disposal of the above persons in proportion to
their entitlement; distributions that have not been collected
within five years after the initial distributions in shares have
become due and payable shall revert to the Company.
40.9. In the case of a distribution in the form of shares
in the company under article 38, paragraph 2, on
registered shares, those shares shall be added to the share
register. A type II share certificate for a nominal amount
equal to the number of shares added to the register shall be
issued to holders of type II shares.
40.10. The provisions of paragraph 5 shall apply
equally in respect of distributions including
pre-emptive subscription rights in the event of a share
issue made otherwise than under articles 37, 38
or 39, provided that
E-14
in addition thereto in the Staatscourant (Dutch
Official Gazette) shall be announced the issue of shares with a
pre-emptive subscription right and the period of time within
which such can be exercised.
Such pre-emptive subscription right can be executed during at
least two weeks after the day of notice in the
Staatscourant (Dutch Official Gazette).
ALTERATIONS TO ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION, WINDING UP,
LIQUIDATION.
Article 41.
41.1. A resolution to alter the articles of association or
to wind up the company shall be valid only provided that:
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a. the proposal to such a resolution has been proposed to
the general meeting of shareholders by the supervisory board; |
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b. the full proposals have been deposited for inspection by
shareholders and other persons entitled to attend meetings of
shareholders, at the office of the company as from the day on
which the notice is served until the close of that meeting. |
41.2. A resolution to amend the articles of association by
which the rights conferred on holders of shares of a specific
class as such are changed shall require the approval of the
relevant class meeting.
Article 42.
42.1. If the company is wound up, the liquidation shall be
carried out by any person designated for that purpose by the
general meeting of shareholders, under the supervision of the
supervisory board.
42.2. In passing a resolution to wind up the company, the
general meeting of shareholders shall upon the proposal of the
supervisory board fix the remuneration payable to the
liquidators and to those responsible for supervising the
liquidation.
42.3. The liquidation shall take place with due observance
of the provisions of the law. During the liquidation period
these articles of association shall, to the extent possible,
remain in full force and effect.
42.4. After settling the liquidation, the liquidators shall
render account in accordance with the provisions of the law.
42.5. After the liquidation has ended, the books and
records of the company shall remain in the custody of the person
designated for that purpose by the liquidators during a ten-year
period.
Article 43.
From what is left of the companys assets after all
creditors have been satisfied, first, if possible, all holders
of preference shares shall have returned to them the paid up
part of the nominal amount of their preference shares.
The residue shall be divided amongst the holders of ordinary
shares pro rata to their respective holdings of ordinary shares.
Article 44.
Any amounts payable to shareholders or due to creditors which
have not been claimed within six months after the last
distribution was made payable, shall be deposited with the
Public Administrator of Unclaimed Debts.
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EX-8.1
Exhibit 8.1
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
STMicroelectronics N.V. and the following entities as of
December 31, 2005:
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Percentage | |
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Ownership | |
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(Direct or | |
Legal Seat |
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Name |
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Indirect) | |
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Australia Sydney
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STMicroelectronics PTY Ltd |
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100 |
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Belgium Zaventem
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STMicroelectronics Belgium N.V. |
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100 |
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Belgium Zaventem
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Proton World International N.V. |
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100 |
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Brazil Sao Paolo
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STMicroelectronics Ltda |
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100 |
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Canada Ottawa
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STMicroelectronics (Canada), Inc. |
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100 |
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China Shenzhen
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Shenzhen STS Microelectronics Co. Ltd |
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60 |
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China Shenzhen
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STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd |
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100 |
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China Shenzhen
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STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) Manufacturing Co. Ltd |
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100 |
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China Shenzhen
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STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co. Ltd |
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100 |
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China Shanghai
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STMicroelectronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd |
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100 |
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China Shanghai
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STMicroelectronics (Shanghai) R&D Co. Ltd |
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100 |
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China Shanghai
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Shanghai Blue Media Co. Ltd |
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65 |
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China Shanghai
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STMicroelectronics (China) Investment Co. Ltd |
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100 |
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China Beijing
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STMicroelectronics (Beijing) R&D Co. Ltd |
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100 |
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Czech Republic Prague
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STMicroelectronics Design and Application s.r.o. |
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100 |
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Finland Lohja
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STMicroelectronics OY |
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100 |
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France Crolles
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STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS |
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100 |
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France Montrouge
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STMicroelectronics S.A. |
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100 |
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France Rousset
|
|
STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS |
|
|
100 |
|
France Palaiseau
|
|
Waferscale Integration Sarl |
|
|
100 |
|
Germany Grasbrunn
|
|
STMicroelectronics GmbH |
|
|
100 |
|
Germany Grasbrunn
|
|
STMicroelectronics Design and Application GmbH |
|
|
100 |
|
Hong Kong Hong Kong
|
|
STMicroelectronics LTD |
|
|
100 |
|
India Noida
|
|
STMicroelectronics Pvt Ltd |
|
|
100 |
|
Israel Netanya
|
|
STMicroelectronics Ltd |
|
|
100 |
|
Italy Vimercate
|
|
Accent S.r.l. |
|
|
51 |
|
Italy Catania
|
|
CO.RI.M.ME. |
|
|
100 |
|
Italy Aosta
|
|
DORA S.p.a. |
|
|
100 |
|
Italy Agrate Brianza
|
|
ST Incard S.r.l. |
|
|
100 |
|
Italy Naples
|
|
STMicroelectronics Services S.r.l. |
|
|
100 |
|
Italy Agrate Brianza
|
|
STMicroelectronics S.r.l. |
|
|
100 |
|
Japan Tokyo
|
|
STMicroelectronics KK |
|
|
100 |
|
Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
|
|
STMicroelectronics Marketing SDN BHD |
|
|
100 |
|
Malaysia Muar
|
|
STMicroelectronics SDN BHD |
|
|
100 |
|
Malta Kirkop
|
|
STMicroelectronics Ltd |
|
|
100 |
|
Mexico Guadalajara
|
|
STMicroelectronics Marketing, S. de R.L. de C.V. |
|
|
100 |
|
Mexico Guadalajara
|
|
STMicroelectronics Design and Applications, S. de R.L. de C.V. |
|
|
100 |
|
Morocco Rabat
|
|
Electronic Holding S.A. |
|
|
100 |
|
Morocco Casablanca
|
|
STMicroelectronics S.A. |
|
|
100 |
|
Singapore Ang Mo Kio
|
|
STMicroelectronics ASIA PACIFIC Pte Ltd |
|
|
100 |
|
Singapore Ang Mo Kio
|
|
STMicroelectronics Pte Ltd |
|
|
100 |
|
Spain Madrid
|
|
STMicroelectronics S.A. |
|
|
100 |
|
Sweden Kista
|
|
STMicroelectronics A.B. |
|
|
100 |
|
Switzerland Geneva
|
|
STMicroelectronics S.A. |
|
|
100 |
|
Switzerland Geneva
|
|
INCARD SA |
|
|
100 |
|
E-16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage | |
|
|
|
|
Ownership | |
|
|
|
|
(Direct or | |
Legal Seat |
|
Name |
|
Indirect) | |
|
|
|
|
| |
Switzerland Geneva
|
|
INCARD Sales and Marketing SA |
|
|
100 |
|
United Kingdom Marlow
|
|
STMicroelecrtonics Limited |
|
|
100 |
|
United Kingdom Marlow
|
|
STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited |
|
|
100 |
|
United Kingdom Bristol
|
|
Inmos Limited |
|
|
100 |
|
United Kingdom Reading
|
|
Synad Technologies Limited |
|
|
100 |
|
United States Carrollton
|
|
STMicroelectronics Inc. |
|
|
100 |
|
United States Dover
|
|
Proton World Americas Inc |
|
|
100 |
|
United States Wilmington
|
|
STMicroelectronics (North America) Holding, Inc. |
|
|
100 |
|
United States Wilsonville
|
|
The Portland Group, Inc. |
|
|
100 |
|
E-17
EX-12.1
Exhibit 12.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Carlo Bozotti, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on
Form 20-F of
STMicroelectronics N.V.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light
of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and
other financial information included in this report, fairly
present in all material respects the financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and
for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The companys other certifying officers and I are
responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls
and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act
Rules 13a-15(e)
and 15d-15(e)) for the
company and have:
|
|
|
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or
caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed
under our supervision, to ensure that material information
relating to the company, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is
being prepared; |
|
|
b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the companys
disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report
our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure
controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by
this report based on such evaluation; and |
|
|
c) Disclosed in this report any change in the
companys internal control over financial reporting that
occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially
affect, the companys internal control over financial
reporting; and |
5. The companys other certifying officers and I have
disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal
control over financial reporting, to the companys auditors
and the audit committee of the companys board of directors
(or persons performing the equivalent functions):
|
|
|
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in
the design or operation of internal control over financial
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the
companys ability to record, process, summarize and report
financial information; and |
|
|
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role in the
companys internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: March 3, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
Carlo Bozotti |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
EX-12.2
Exhibit 12.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Carlo Ferro, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on
Form 20-F of
STMicroelectronics N.V.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light
of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and
other financial information included in this report, fairly
present in all material respects the financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and
for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The companys other certifying officers and I are
responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls
and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act
Rules 13a-15(e)
and 15d-15(e)) for the
company and have:
|
|
|
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or
caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed
under our supervision, to ensure that material information
relating to the company, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is
being prepared; |
|
|
b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the companys
disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report
our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure
controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by
this report based on such evaluation; and |
|
|
c) Disclosed in this report any change in the
companys internal control over financial reporting that
occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially
affect, the companys internal control over financial
reporting; and |
5. The companys other certifying officers and I have
disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal
control over financial reporting, to the companys auditors
and the audit committee of the companys board of directors
(or persons performing the equivalent functions):
|
|
|
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in
the design or operation of internal control over financial
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the
companys ability to record, process, summarize and report
financial information; and |
|
|
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role in the
companys internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: March 3, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
Carlo Ferro |
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
EX-13.1
Exhibit 13.1
CERTIFICATION OF CARLO BOZOTTI, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER OF STMICROELECTRONICS N.V., AND CARLO FERRO,
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF
STMICROELECTRONICS N.V., PURSUANT TO SECTION 18 U.S.C.
SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of STMicroelectronics N.V.
(the Company) on
Form 20-F for the
period ending December 31, 2005, as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the
Report), the undersigned hereby certify that to the
best of our knowledge:
1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of
Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934; and
2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents,
in all material respects, the financial condition and results of
operations of the Company.
Date: March 3, 2006
|
|
|
/s/ Carlo Bozotti |
|
|
|
Name: Carlo Bozotti |
|
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
Date: March 3, 2006
|
|
|
/s/ Carlo Ferro |
|
|
|
Name: Carlo Ferro |
|
|
|
|
Title: |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
EX-14.A
Exhibit 14(a)
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the
Registration Statements on Form S-8
(No. 333-7226,
No. 333-6390 and No. 333-109572) of STMicroelectronics
N.V. of our reports dated February 15, 2006 relating to the
financial statements and financial statement schedule, which
appear in this Form 20-F.
PricewaterhouseCoopers SA
M
Foley H-J
Hofer
Geneva, March 3, 2006
PricewaterhouseCoopers is represented in about 140 countries
worldwide and in Switzerland in Aarau, Basle, Berne, Chur,
Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Lugano, Neuchâtel, Sion, St.
Gall, Thun, Winterthur, Zug and Zurich and offers Assurance, Tax
& Legal and Advisory services.
Y01300