Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $3.4 million as compared to net income of $4.5 million in the third quarter of 2016 and net income of $13.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. Diluted net loss per share for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $0.03 as compared to diluted net income per share of $0.04 in the third quarter of 2016 and diluted net income per share of $0.11 in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $6.8 million as compared to a net income of $211.4 million for the same period of 2015. Diluted net income per share for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $0.06 as compared to a diluted net income per share of $1.80 for the same period of 2015.

Non-GAAP Financial Results (1):

Total non-GAAP operating costs and expenses in the fourth quarter of 2016 were $67.5 million, 11% higher than the previous quarter, and 56% higher than the fourth quarter of 2015. The change in total non-GAAP operating costs and expenses in the fourth quarter of 2016 as compared to the third quarter of 2016 was primarily due to higher headcount-related costs, higher prototyping costs and higher costs of goods sold related to memory and security products in the fourth quarter of 2016. The change in total non-GAAP operating costs and expenses in the fourth quarter of 2016 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2015 was primarily due to higher headcount-related costs, higher consulting costs and higher costs of goods sold related to memory and security products.

Total non-GAAP operating costs and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $227.8 million as compared to $181.1 million in the same period of 2015 are primarily due to higher headcount-related costs, higher consulting costs, higher expenses related to software design tools and higher costs of goods sold related to memory and security products.

Non-GAAP net income in the fourth quarter of 2016 was $18.7 million, 4% higher than the prior quarter and 10% lower than the fourth quarter of 2015. Non-GAAP diluted net income per share was $0.16 in the fourth quarter of 2016 as compared to $0.16 in the prior quarter and $0.18 in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Non-GAAP net income for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $67.9 million as compared to $70.6 million in the same period of 2015. Non-GAAP diluted net income per share was $0.60 for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to non-GAAP diluted net income per share of $0.60 for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Other Financial Highlights:

Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of December 31, 2016 were $172.2 million, an increase of $21.4 million from September 30, 2016, mainly due to cash generated from operating activities.

During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an income tax provision of approximately $0.9 million.

2017 First Quarter Outlook:

For the first quarter of 2017, the Company expects revenue to be between $93 million and $98 million. Revenue is not without risk and achieving revenue in this range will require that the Company sign new customer agreements for various product sales, mobile payments software and solutions licensing among other matters. The Company also expects operating costs and expenses to be between $85 million and $88 million, and diluted net income per share to be between $0.02 and $0.06. The Company also expects non-GAAP operating costs and expenses to be between $67 million and $70 million, and non-GAAP diluted net income per share to be between $0.13 and $0.17. These non-GAAP expectations assume non-GAAP interest and other income and expense of $1 million, tax rate of 35% (refer to non-GAAP financial information below - income tax adjustments) and diluted share count of 114 million, and exclude stock-based compensation expense ($7 million), amortization expense ($11 million), and non-cash interest expense on convertible notes ($2 million).

Conference Call:

The Company will host a conference call at 2:00 p.m. PT today to discuss its financial results. The call, audio and slides will be available online at investor.rambus.com. A replay will be available following the call as a webcast on the Rambus Investor Relations website and for one week at the following numbers: (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (international) with ID#50043108.

(1) Non-GAAP Financial Information:

In the commentary set forth above and in the financial statements included in this earnings release, the Company presents the following non-GAAP financial measures: operating costs and expenses, operating income (loss) and net income (loss). In computing each of these non-GAAP financial measures, the following items were considered as discussed below: stock-based compensation expenses, acquisition-related transaction costs and retention bonus expense, restructuring charges, impairment charges, amortization expenses, non-cash interest expense and certain other one-time adjustments. The non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by the Company should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, and the financial results calculated in accordance with GAAP and reconciliations from these results should be carefully evaluated. Management believes the non-GAAP financial measures are appropriate for both its own assessment of, and to show investors, how the Company’s performance compares to other periods. The non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies. Reconciliation from GAAP to non-GAAP results is included in the financial statements contained in this release.