Altera Announces First Quarter Results
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Altera Announces First Quarter Results

SAN JOSE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—April 27, 2006— Altera Corporation (Nasdaq: ALTR) today announced first quarter 2006 sales of $292.8 million, up 4% from the fourth quarter of 2005 and 11% from the first quarter of 2005. New product sales increased 28% sequentially and were up 173% from the prior year's first quarter.

First quarter 2006 net income, on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis, was $58.7 million, $0.16 per diluted share, compared with net income of $63.8 million, $0.17 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2005. Non-GAAP net income, excluding the effects of stock-based compensation expense, was $73.0 million, $0.20 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2006.

Altera repurchased 2.2 million shares of its common stock during the quarter at a cost of $43.7 million. Altera ended the quarter with $1.3 billion in cash and investments.

"Led by Stratix(R) II FPGAs, all of our new programmable devices set new sales records. Our new products were up more than 28% sequentially and drove Altera's first quarter sales growth. Based on cumulative sales, we remain the market-leading supplier of FPGAs introduced since 2002," said John Daane, president, chief executive officer, and chairman of the board. "We began shipping the 90-nm Stratix II GX FPGA family in March, ahead of schedule. We expect that the rest of the family will also arrive sooner than originally planned. We have met or exceeded our initial customer delivery commitments on all of our 90-nm device families, which further strengthens customer relationships and our competitive position."

Several recent accomplishments mark the company's continuing progress:

-- Stratix II GX FPGAs -- the company's third-generation FPGAs with embedded serial transceivers -- are now shipping. The newly-introduced EP2SGX90E device is part of a complete programmable solution aimed at the growing number of applications requiring high-speed serial interconnect. This 90-nm family uses the same ground-breaking architecture found in Stratix II FPGAs and delivers transceiver speeds up to 6.375 Gbps with best-in-class signal integrity and significantly lower power consumption than competing alternatives. Altera's rigorous development methodology, using test chips and stable fabrication processes, enables the Stratix II GX family to be yet another 90-nm FPGA introduced either on-time or ahead of schedule. Altera expects that the entire family will be available with fully production-qualified devices before year end.

-- General Dynamics C4 Systems has chosen Altera's Cyclone(TM) II and MAX(R) II devices for applications that are part of the U.S. Department of Defense's Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Cluster 5 design. Altera's selection for this program demonstrates Altera's growing success at penetrating a wider array of military applications. The JTRS program utilizes a software-defined radio approach to develop flexible communications capabilities to support joint military deployments. Altera's Nios(R) II processor and the Cyclone II device's digital signal processing (DSP) capability deliver a high degree of functionality in a small space which reduces weight, form factor, and power consumption -- all critical requirements for the JTRS Cluster 5 applications. In addition, the flexibility of Altera's programmable solutions enables the engineering of advanced functions in shorter time than alternatives like DSP processors and application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). As commercial off-the-shelf solutions become a larger element in military system designs, Altera is increasingly supplying the defense industry with the same flexible low-cost programmable technology enjoyed by commercial systems designers.

-- Today's manufacturers are often confronted with the need for innovation and competitive differentiation as they develop competitively-priced electronic systems. For high-density logic applications, Altera offers a unique solution -- a flexible FPGA for development and a seamless migration to a low-cost HardCopy(R) structured ASIC for production. NTT Electronics' high-definition video-over-Internet-protocol set top box is one of the latest examples of this approach. Developed using a Stratix FPGA, these set top boxes will use HardCopy devices for production. The HardCopy device, which employs Altera's Nios processor, offloads several key functions from the CPU and performs video processing, encryption, picture insertion, and Internet protocol communications. This Altera-based solution dramatically reduces development time and engineering effort. Altera is the only programmable logic company with this integrated FPGA-to-structured-ASIC approach which strengthens the company's FPGA position while simultaneously creating additional structured ASIC sales.

Business Outlook for the Second Quarter 2006

Altera provides guidance on both a GAAP and a non-GAAP basis, excluding stock-based compensation expenses. Inclusion of stock-based compensation charges in GAAP-based operating expense adds significantly to the volatility of actual versus expected expense due to volatility in our stock price, which we cannot predict. Additionally, these forecasts assume that the impact of the company's non-qualified deferred compensation plan will be nil.
                             GAAP                 Non-GAAP
                             ----                 --------

Sequential Sales Growth      7% to 10%            -

Gross Margin                 65% to 67%           -

Research and Development     $69 million          $61 million

SG&A                         $74 million          $64 million

Other Income                 $11 million          -

Tax Rate                     15%                  17%


Conference Call and Quarterly Update:

A conference call will be held today at 1:45 p.m. Pacific Time to discuss the quarter's results and management's outlook for the second quarter of 2006. The web cast and subsequent replay will be available in the investor relations section of the company's web site at http://www.altera.com. A telephonic replay of the call may be accessed later in the day by calling (719) 457-0820 and referencing confirmation code 258712. The telephonic replay will be available for two weeks following the live call.

Altera's second quarter business update will be issued in a press release available after the market close on May 30.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not historical are "forward-looking statements" as the term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally written in the future tense and/or preceded by words such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", or other words that imply or predict a future state. Forward-looking statements include any projection of revenue, gross margin, expense, or other financial items discussed in the Business Outlook section of this press release. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements in this release involve risks and uncertainty that can cause actual results to differ from those currently anticipated, due to a number of factors, including without limitation, customer business environment, market acceptance of the company's products, the rate of growth of the company's new products including the Stratix II, Stratix II GX, Cyclone II, MAX II, and HardCopy device families, changes in the mix of our business between prototyping and production-based demand, as well as changes in economic conditions, and other risk factors discussed in documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Copies of Altera's SEC filings are posted on the company's web site and are available from the company without charge. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and, except as required by law, the company does not undertake an obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

This release and accompanying financial tables present non-GAAP financial information excluding non-cash stock-based compensation expense and related tax effects. These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with or an alternative for generally accepted accounting principles and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. Altera believes that the use of these non-GAAP measures, when shown in conjunction with corresponding GAAP-based measures, provides useful information to management and investors regarding financial and business trends relating to Altera's financial condition and results of operations. Altera management uses these non-GAAP measures, in addition to the corresponding GAAP measures, to review Altera's financial performance. Non-GAAP reporting represents relevant and useful information that is widely used by financial analysts, investors and other interested parties in our industry. Altera's management believes this presentation is useful to investors in evaluating performance on a basis that is consistent and comparable with periods prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R). Since stock-based compensation expense will not require cash payment by the company, the company's non-GAAP presentation, that excludes these expenses, may be a useful measure of the company's performance. A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP financial results is provided on page 5 of this release.

About Altera

Altera Corporation (Nasdaq: ALTR) is the world's pioneer of system-on-a-programmable-chip (SOPC) solutions. Combining programmable logic technology with software tools, intellectual property, and technical services, Altera provides high-value programmable solutions to more than 14,000 customers worldwide. More information is available at http://www.altera.com.

Altera, The Programmable Solutions Company, the stylized Altera logo, specific device designations and all other words that are identified as trademarks and/or service marks are, unless noted otherwise, the trademarks and service marks of Altera Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. All other product or service names are the property of their respective holder.

                          ALTERA CORPORATION
     GAAP AND NON-GAAP CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
            (In thousands, except per share data and note)
                              (Unaudited)


                                    THREE MONTHS ENDED
                   ---------------------------------------------------
                               Mar. 31              Dec. 30    Apr. 1
                                2006                 2005      2005
                   ------------------------------- --------- ---------

                   GAAP (2)  Adjustments Non-GAAP  GAAP (2)  GAAP (2)
                                 (1)        (2)
                   --------- --------------------- --------- ---------

Net sales          $292,830  $        -  $292,830  $281,910  $264,822
Cost of sales        97,106        (523)   96,583    93,817    83,890
                   --------- ----------- --------- --------- ---------

Gross margin        195,724         523   196,247   188,093   180,932
                   --------- ----------- --------- --------- ---------

Operating expenses:
   Research and
    development      62,857      (7,924)   54,933    53,593    51,389
   Selling,
    general, and
    administrative   76,249     (10,466)   65,783    58,343    54,334
                   --------- ----------- --------- --------- ---------
Total operating
 expenses           139,106     (18,390)  120,716   111,936   105,723
                   --------- ----------- --------- --------- ---------

Income from
 operations          56,618      18,913    75,531    76,157    75,209
Interest and other
 income, net         12,433           -    12,433    10,945     4,498
                   --------- ----------- --------- --------- ---------

Income before
 income taxes        69,051      18,913    87,964    87,102    79,707
Provision for
 income taxes        10,358       4,588    14,946    17,420    15,941
                   --------- ----------- --------- --------- ---------

Net income         $ 58,693  $   14,325  $ 73,018  $ 69,682  $ 63,766
                   ========= =========== ========= ========= =========

Net income per
 share:
   Basic           $   0.16             $   0.20  $   0.19  $   0.17
                   =========             ========= ========= =========
   Diluted         $   0.16             $   0.20  $   0.19  $   0.17
                   =========             ========= ========= =========
Shares used in
 computation:
   Basic            359,479              359,479   362,047   372,881
                   =========             ========= ========= =========
   Diluted          367,003              367,003   366,753   379,443
                   =========             ========= ========= =========



Tax rate               15.0%                17.0%     20.0%     20.0%
% of Net Sales:
Gross margin           66.8%                67.0%     66.7%     68.3%
Research and
 development           21.5%                18.8%     19.0%     19.4%
Selling, general,
 and administrative    26.0%                22.5%     20.7%     20.5%
Income from
 operations            19.3%                25.8%     27.0%     28.4%
Net income             20.0%                24.9%     24.7%     24.1%



Notes:
-----------------------------------------

(1) Adjustments consist of non-cash stock-based compensation expenses
    and related tax effects.

(2) The GAAP and Non-GAAP income statements above include amounts
    related to our Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (NQDC
    Plan). The Plan had gains of $2.3 million and $0.9 million,
    respectively, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 and
    December 30, 2005 and a loss of $1.2 million for the three month
    period ended April 1, 2005. Gains or (losses) were included in
    interest and other income, as well as operating expenses. There
    was no net impact in any period presented on income before income
    taxes or net income arising from this plan.



                                               THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                          ----------------------------
                                           Mar. 31   Dec. 30    Apr. 1
NQDC Impact (In Millions)                    2006       2005     2005
----------------------------------------- --------   --------   ------

Increase/(Decrease) in R&D Expense          $ 0.9      $ 0.4    $(0.4)
Increase/(Decrease) in SG&A Expense           1.4        0.5     (0.8)
                                            ------     ------   ------
Increase/(Decrease) in Interest and other
 income                                     $ 2.3      $ 0.9    $(1.2)
                                            ======     ======   ======



                          ALTERA CORPORATION
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        (Dollars in thousands)
                              (Unaudited)


                                                 Mar. 31     Dec. 30
                                                  2006        2005
                                               ----------- -----------
Assets

Current assets:
  Cash and short-term investments              $1,087,546  $1,166,588
  Accounts receivable, net                        169,957      80,509
  Inventories                                      66,766      70,711
  Deferred compensation plan assets                66,487      61,567
  Other current assets                            114,577     115,826
                                               ----------- -----------
Total current assets                            1,505,333   1,495,201
Long-term investments                             172,328     115,965
Property and equipment, net                       171,307     165,999
Deferred income taxes and other assets, net        48,798      45,616
                                               ----------- -----------
                                               $1,897,766  $1,822,781
                                               =========== ===========

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable and current liabilities     $  224,296  $  234,849
  Deferred compensation plan obligations           66,487      61,567
  Deferred income and allowances on sales to
   distributors                                   280,833     258,285
                                               ----------- -----------
Total current liabilities                         571,616     554,701
Capital lease obligations                           3,678       3,871
Stockholders' equity                            1,322,472   1,264,209
                                               ----------- -----------
                                               $1,897,766  $1,822,781
                                               =========== ===========


Key Ratios & Information

Current Assets/Current Liabilities                    3:1         3:1
Liabilities/Equity                                    1:2         1:2
Annualized YTD Return on Equity                        18%         21%
Quarterly Depreciation Expense                 $    7,070  $    7,038
Quarterly Capital Expenditures                 $   12,378  $    7,665
Annualized Sales per Employee                  $      487  $      498
Number of Employees                                 2,451       2,361
Inventory MSOH (a): Altera                            2.1         2.3
Inventory MSOH (a): Distribution                      1.4         1.4
Days Sales Outstanding                                 53          26

(a) MSOH: Months Supply On Hand



                          ALTERA CORPORATION
                            REVENUE SUMMARY
                              (Unaudited)


                                                        Q-Q     Y-Y
                                  Q1'06  Q4'05  Q1'05  Growth  Growth
                                 ------- ------ ------ ------- -------
Geography
-------------------------
North America                        26%    26%    24%      6%     18%
                                 ------- ------ ------
Europe                               25%    24%    27%      9%      4%
Japan                                25%    24%    25%      8%     10%
Asia Pacific                         24%    26%    24%     -7%     11%
                                 ------- ------ ------
International                        74%    74%    76%      3%      8%
                                 ------- ------ ------
Total                               100%   100%   100%      4%     11%
                                 ======= ====== ======


Product Category
-------------------------
New                                  13%    11%     5%     28%    173%
Mainstream                           36%    36%    29%      2%     35%
Mature & Other                       51%    53%    66%      1%    -13%
                                 ------- ------ ------
Total                               100%   100%   100%      4%     11%
                                 ======= ====== ======


Market Segment
-------------------------
Communications                       44%    43%    41%      6%     18%
Industrial                           33%    33%    31%      5%     20%
Computer & Storage                   10%     9%    11%     13%     -2%
Consumer                             13%    15%    17%    -11%    -17%
                                 ------- ------ ------
Total                               100%   100%   100%      4%     11%
                                 ======= ====== ======


FPGAs and CPLDs
-------------------------
FPGA                                 71%    71%    69%      5%     14%
CPLD                                 19%    20%    21%      0%      0%
Other                                10%     9%    10%      8%      7%
                                 ------- ------ ------
Total                               100%   100%   100%      4%     11%
                                 ======= ====== ======



Product Category Description
-----------------------------------------------
 Category         Products
 New              Stratix II, Stratix II GX, Cyclone II, MAX II, and
                   HardCopy devices
 Mainstream       Stratix, Stratix GX, Cyclone, and MAX 3000A
 Mature & Other   Classic, MAX 7000, MAX 7000A, MAX 7000B, MAX 7000S,
                   MAX 9000, FLEX 6000, FLEX 8000, FLEX 10K, FLEX
                   10KA, FLEX 10KE, APEX 20K, APEX 20KE, APEX 20KC,
                   APEX II, ACEX 1K, Mercury, Excalibur, configuration
                   and other devices, intellectual property cores, and
                   software and other tools


Note: Effective January 2006, the product classification (new,
mainstream and mature & other) has changed. All prior period data has
been adjusted to conform to the current classification. Data
calculated under both the new and former classification are available
in the investor relations section of the company's website at

http://www.altera.com/corporate/ir/financials/product/irs-
repchange.html (Due to its length, this URL may need to be
copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the
extra space if one exists.)




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