UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)



[x]	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014



[ ]	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission file number 0-16617




ALTERA CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



DELAWARE		77-0016691
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

101 INNOVATION DRIVE

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95134

(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

408-544-7000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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 [x] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [x] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:



Large accelerated filer [x]	Accelerated filer [ ]	Non-accelerated filer [ ]	Smaller reporting company [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [x]

Number of shares of common stock outstanding at ~~October~~July 10, ~~2013~~2014: ~~321,128,555~~308,979,270

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PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1:	Financial Statements

ALTERA CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)


(In thousands, except par value amount)	September 27, 2013			December 31, 2012		June 27, 2014			December 31, 2013
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,956,085		$	2,876,627	$	2,688,326		$	2,869,158
Short-term investments	151,159			140,958		118,239			141,487
Total cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments	3,107,244			3,017,585		2,806,565			3,010,645
Accounts receivable, net	436,421			323,708		452,559			483,032
Inventories	158,441			152,721		176,728			163,880
Deferred income taxes — current	62,575			59,049		55,599			63,228
Deferred compensation plan — marketable securities	58,402			60,321		65,852			66,455
Deferred compensation plan — restricted cash equivalents	20,270			17,116		15,553			16,699
Other current assets	30,479			49,852		36,852			48,901
Total current assets	3,873,832			3,680,352		3,609,708			3,852,840
Property and equipment, net	198,642			206,148		195,582			204,142
Long-term investments	713,651			704,758		1,756,678			1,695,066
Deferred income taxes — non-current	13,548			17,082		19,755			10,806
Goodwill	93,073			2,329		74,341			73,968
Acquisition-related intangible assets, net	86,500			4,874		77,221			82,150
Other assets, net	40,518			42,285		82,579			76,676
Total assets	$	5,019,764		$	4,657,828	$	5,815,864		$	5,995,648
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	52,224		$	50,036	$	52,747		$	44,163
Accrued liabilities	37,525			29,005		26,607			41,218
Accrued compensation and related liabilities	43,544			40,606		54,345			51,105
Deferred compensation plan obligations	78,672			77,437		81,405			83,154
Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors	444,705			345,993		415,199			487,746
Total current liabilities	656,670			543,077		630,303			707,386
Income taxes payable — non-current	266,395			272,000		296,594			276,326
Long-term debt	500,000			500,000		1,492,113			1,491,466
Other non-current liabilities	8,916			9,304		7,661			8,403
Total liabilities	1,431,981			1,324,381		2,426,671			2,483,581
Commitments and contingencies
(See “Note 14 — Commitments and Contingencies”)
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock: $.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; outstanding - 321,105 shares at September 27, 2013 and 319,564 shares at December 31, 2012	321			320
Common stock: $.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; outstanding - 308,955 shares at June 27, 2014 and 317,769 shares at December 31, 2013						309			318
Capital in excess of par value	1,214,586			1,122,555		1,179,335			1,216,826
Retained earnings	2,374,005			2,204,980		2,210,561			2,322,885
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/ income	(1,129		)	5,592
Accumulated other comprehensive loss						(1,012		)	(27,962		)
Total stockholders' equity	3,587,783			3,333,447		3,389,193			3,512,067
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	5,019,764		$	4,657,828	$	5,815,864		$	5,995,648

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

ALTERA CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	September 27, 2013			September 28, 2012			September 27, 2013			September 28, 2012			June 27, 2014			June 28, 2013			June 27, 2014			June 28, 2013
Net sales	$	445,945		$	495,010		$	1,278,205		$	1,343,595		$	491,517		$	421,759		$	952,609		$	832,260
Cost of sales	141,525			152,007			402,712			408,156			162,391			135,104			314,259			261,187
Gross margin	304,420			343,003			875,493			935,439			329,126			286,655			638,350			571,073
Research and development expense	95,336			91,393			278,542			265,619			101,121			95,489			198,778			183,206
Selling, general, and administrative expense	78,907			74,243			235,376			215,824			78,974			77,869			153,481			156,469
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets	1,846			213			2,974			640			2,464			915			4,929			1,128
Compensation expense — deferred compensation plan	3,462			3,274			6,724			6,697
Gain on deferred compensation plan securities	(3,462		)	(3,274		)	(6,724		)	(6,697		)
Compensation expense/(benefit) — deferred compensation plan													3,126			(160		)	4,580			3,262
(Gain)/loss on deferred compensation plan securities													(3,126		)	160			(4,580		)	(3,262		)
Interest income and other	(2,214		)	(2,775		)	(6,651		)	(5,997		)	(7,819		)	(2,778		)	(13,804		)	(4,437		)
(Gain)/loss reclassified from other comprehensive income	(33		)	108			(129		)	(63		)
Gain reclassified from other comprehensive income													(43		)	(42		)	(91		)	(96		)
Interest expense	2,511			2,333			8,365			5,386			10,877			3,389			21,365			5,854
Income before income taxes	128,067			177,488			357,016			454,030			143,552			111,813			273,692			228,949
Income tax expense	8,635			19,999			15,885			18,028			16,548			10,304			30,174			7,251
Net income	119,432			157,489			341,131			436,002			127,004			101,509			243,518			221,698

Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Unrealized holding gain/(loss) on investments:
Unrealized holding gain/(loss) on investments arising during period, net of tax of $30, $43, ($12) and $108	2,419			3,620			(6,613		)	6,723
Less: Reclassification adjustments for gain on investments included in net income, net of tax of $11, $1, $21 and $6	(22		)	(41		)	(108		)	(64		)
	2,397			3,579			(6,721		)	6,659
Unrealized (loss)/gain on derivatives:
Unrealized (loss)/gain on derivatives arising during period, net of tax of ($6) and $36	—			(10		)	—			67
Less: Reclassification adjustments for loss on derivatives included in net income, net of tax of $53 and $2	—			97			—			5
	—			87			—			72
Unrealized holding gain/(loss) on investments arising during period, net of tax of $23, ($47), $46 and ($41)													14,471			(9,031		)	27,031			(9,032		)
Less: Reclassification adjustments for gain on investments included in net income, net of tax of $6, $5, $10 and $10													(37		)	(37		)	(81		)	(86		)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	2,397			3,666			(6,721		)	6,731			14,434			(9,068		)	26,950			(9,118		)
Comprehensive income	$	121,829		$	161,155		$	334,410		$	442,733		$	141,438		$	92,441		$	270,468		$	212,580

Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.37		$	0.49		$	1.07		$	1.36		$	0.41		$	0.32		$	0.78		$	0.69
Diluted	$	0.37		$	0.49		$	1.05		$	1.34		$	0.41		$	0.31		$	0.77		$	0.69

Shares used in computing per share amounts:
Basic	320,445			319,870			320,266			321,200			311,000			320,472			313,713			320,175
Diluted	323,505			323,560			323,355			325,275			313,513			323,527			316,145			323,279

Dividends per common share	$	0.15		$	0.10		$	0.35		$	0.26		$	0.15		$	0.10		$	0.30		$	0.20

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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ALTERA CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited, in thousands)


	Nine Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	September 27, 2013			September 28, 2012			June 27, 2014			June 28, 2013

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$	341,131		$	436,002		$	243,518		$	221,698
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	34,256			25,786			28,731			22,449
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets	2,974			640			4,929			1,128
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs							1,558			563
Stock-based compensation	73,011			70,790			48,068			47,274
Net gain on sale of available-for-sale securities	(129		)	—			(91		)	—
Amortization of investments, net	2,575			—
Deferred income tax benefit	(5,629		)	(3,367		)
Amortization of investment discount/premium							1,300			—
Deferred income tax expense/(benefit)							12,469			(21,767		)
Tax effect of employee stock plans	5,405			14,381			121			1,280
Excess tax benefit from employee stock plans	(4,165		)	(20,790		)	(612		)	(1,148		)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	(111,231		)	(116,000		)	30,473			(147,407		)
Inventories	(2,494		)	(35,569		)	(12,848		)	21,649
Other assets	29,517			5,478			11,078			28,788
Accounts payable and other liabilities	12,509			(34,670		)	5,703			(19,585		)
Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors	95,961			120,475			(72,547		)	50,886
Income taxes payable	(8,753		)	(650		)	5,867			14,196
Deferred compensation plan obligations	(5,489		)	(2,001		)	(6,329		)	(5,961		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	459,449			460,505			301,388			214,043
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(31,216		)	(53,712		)	(21,614		)	(23,337		)
Proceeds from sales of deferred compensation plan securities, net	5,489			2,001
Sales of deferred compensation plan securities, net							6,329			5,961
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(258,809		)	(819,662		)	(204,810		)	(175,642		)
Proceeds from sale and maturity of available-for-sale securities	228,292			135,650
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities							58,015			72,126
Proceeds from maturity of available-for-sale securities							134,212			83,855
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(145,321		)	—			—			(145,313		)
Holdback payment for prior acquisition							(3,353		)	—
Purchases of intangible assets	—			(2,280		)	(535		)	—
Purchases of other investments	(2,101		)	(4,510		)	(8,224		)	(176		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(203,666		)	(742,513		)	(39,980		)	(182,526		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock through various stock plans	38,748			37,514
Proceeds from issuance of common stock through stock plans							22,696			27,296
Shares withheld for employee taxes	(24,787		)	(30,529		)	(11,240		)	(6,722		)
Payment of dividends to stockholders	(112,175		)	(83,570		)	(94,179		)	(64,048		)
Payment of debt assumed in acquisitions	(22,000		)	—			—			(22,000		)
Proceeds from issuance of long term debt	—			500,000
Repayment of credit facility	—			(500,000		)
Long-term debt and credit facility issuance costs	—			(5,244		)	(1,321		)	—
Repurchases of common stock	(60,276		)	(179,057		)	(358,808		)	(54,974		)
Excess tax benefit from employee stock plans	4,165			20,790			612			1,148
Net cash used in financing activities	(176,325		)	(240,096		)	(442,240		)	(119,300		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	79,458			(522,104		)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents							(180,832		)	(87,783		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,876,627			3,371,933			2,869,158			2,876,627
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	2,956,085		$	2,849,829		$	2,688,326		$	2,788,844

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

ALTERA CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 1 — Organization and Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Altera Corporation and its subsidiaries, collectively referred to herein as “Altera”, “we”, “us”, or “our”, have been prepared by us in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. This financial information reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of our management, of a normal recurring nature and necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. The December 31, ~~2012~~2013 consolidated balance sheet data was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in our ~~2012~~2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. The consolidated financial statements include our accounts as well as those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of all significant inter-company balances and transactions.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, ~~2012~~2013 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. The consolidated operating results for the three months and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period.

Certain prior year amounts in the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. ~~These~~Except for the balance sheet reclassification discussed further in Note 2, these reclassifications did not affect the prior period total assets, total liabilities, stockholders' equity, net income or net cash provided by operating activities.

Note 2 — Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit when a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” This standard requires an entity to present unrecognized tax benefits as a reduction to deferred tax assets when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists, with limited exceptions. We adopted this requirement in the first quarter of 2014 with retrospective application as permitted by the standard. Amounts presented in prior periods have been reclassified to conform. This resulted in both Income taxes payable—non-current and Deferred income taxes—non-current declining by approximately $10.9 million and $14.2 million on our consolidated balance sheets as of June 27, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

In May 2014, the FASB issued a new financial accounting standard on revenue from contracts with customers, ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." The standard outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance. The accounting standard is effective for ~~fiscal years~~annual reporting periods (including interim reporting periods within those periods) beginning ~~on or~~ after December 15, ~~2013, and for interim periods within those fiscal years.~~2016. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently ~~assessing~~evaluating the ~~potential~~ impact of ~~ASU No. 2013-11 on our financial statements.~~

~~In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.”~~ ~~This~~this accounting standard requires entities to present information about reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income in the annual financial statements in a single note or on the face of the financial statements. Public companies will also have to provide this information in their interim financial statements. The new requirements are effective as of the beginning of a fiscal year that begins after December 15, 2012 and interim and annual periods thereafter. We early adopted this guidance in our fiscal year 2012 and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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Note 3 — Acquisitions

During the ~~three months~~year ended ~~June 28,~~December 31, 2013, we completed two acquisitions (collectively the "2013 Acquisitions") qualifying as business combinations in exchange for aggregate net cash consideration of ~~$145.3~~$145.3 million,, net of cash acquired. Substantially all of the consideration was allocated to Goodwill and Acquisition-related intangible assets, ~~net.~~net. For information on the goodwill arising from ~~our~~these acquisitions, see Note 4 -— Goodwill and for information on the classification of intangible assets, see Note 5 -— Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets, Net. These acquisitions, both individually and in the aggregate, were not significant to our consolidated results of operations. In connection with one of these acquisitions, we assumed debt of $22.0 million, which was paid off in full immediately following the closing of the acquisition. We ~~have~~had no outstanding debt as of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 relating to these acquisitions. ~~These~~In connection with one of these acquisitions, ~~both individually and in~~an amount equal to 10% of the ~~aggregate, were not significant~~total purchase price was held back for payment to ~~our consolidated results~~the former parent company on the first anniversary of ~~operations.~~

Asthe closing of the acquisition net of any indemnification obligations. During the three months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, we ~~had not yet finalized~~paid this holdback in the ~~valuation~~amount of ~~the deferred tax assets in connection with these acquisitions. The finalization of these amounts is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position.~~$3.4 million.

Note 4 — Goodwill

Goodwill activity was as follows:


	Nine Months Ended		Six Months Ended
(In thousands)	September 27, 2013		June 27, 2014
Beginning Balance	$	2,329	$	73,968
Additions due to acquisitions	90,744
Additions due to 2013 Acquisitions			373
Ending Balance	$	93,073	$	74,341

Goodwill increased $0.4 million during the six months ended June 27, 2014 due to a revision in the historical net operating loss carryforwards for one of our 2013 Acquisitions. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually during the fourth quarter unless a triggering event would require an expedited analysis. Adverse changes in operating results and/or unfavorable changes in economic factors used to estimate fair value could result in a non-cash impairment charge in the future.

Note 5 — Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets, Net

Acquisition-related intangible assets, net were as follows:


	September 27, 2013								June 27, 2014
(In thousands)	Gross Assets		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Weighted-Average Amortization Period	Gross Assets		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Weighted-Average Amortization Period
Developed technology	$	43,070	$	(3,270	)	$	39,800	9.2 years	$	67,670	$	(8,026	)	$	59,644	9.4 years
Customer relationships	12,910		(1,123		)	11,787		6.8 years	12,910		(2,545		)	10,365		6.8 years
Trade name	3,700		(148		)	3,552		8.9 years	3,700		(461		)	3,239		8.9 years
Non-competition agreements	700		(125		)	575		2.0 years	700		(388		)	312		2.0 years
Other intangible assets	930		(744		)	186		1.2 years	930		(769		)	161		1.2 years
Acquisition-related intangible assets, net subject to amortization	61,310		(5,410		)	55,900			85,910		(12,189		)	73,721
In-process research & development	30,600		—			30,600			3,500		—			3,500
Total acquisition-related intangible assets, net	$	91,910	$	(5,410	)	$	86,500		$	89,410	$	(12,189	)	$	77,221

~~Table of Contents~~


	December 31, 2012								December 31, 2013
(In thousands)	Gross Assets		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Weighted-Average Amortization Period	Gross Assets		Accumulated Amortization			Net		Weighted-Average Amortization Period
Developed technology	$	5,670	$	(1,342	)	$	4,328	8.8 years	$	60,770	$	(4,445	)	$	56,325	9.4 years
Customer relationships	910		(364		)	546		5.0 years	12,910		(1,597		)	11,313		6.8 years
Trade name									3,700		(253		)	3,447		8.9 years
Non-competition agreements									700		(213		)	487		2.0 years
Other intangible assets	730		(730		)	—		1.0 year	930		(752		)	178		1.2 years
Acquisition-related intangible assets subject to amortization, net	7,310		(2,436		)	4,874			79,010		(7,260		)	71,750
In-process research & development									10,400		—			10,400
Total acquisition-related intangible assets, net	$	7,310	$	(2,436	)	$	4,874		$	89,410	$	(7,260	)	$	82,150

In-process research & development ("IPR&D") assets represent the fair value of incomplete research and development projects that had not reached technological feasibility as of the date of acquisition. In 2013, we capitalized IPR&D of $28.1 million related to the 2013 Acquisitions. Initially, these assets are classified as indefinite-lived intangible assets that are not subject to amortization. IPR&D assets related to projects that have been completed are transferred to the developed technology intangible asset to begin amortization, while IPR&D assets related to abandoned projects are impaired and expensed to research and development expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. During the six months ended June 27, 2014, we reclassified $6.9 million of IPR&D costs to the developed technology intangible asset upon finalization of one of the projects. No projects were abandoned. The remaining IPR&D project that made up the IPR&D intangible asset balance as of June 27, 2014 is expected to be completed by the end of 2014.

Based on the carrying ~~value of acquisition-related intangible assets, net~~values as of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, the annual amortization expense for acquisition-related intangible assets, net is expected to be as follows:


Fiscal Year	Amortization Expense		Amortization Expense
	(In thousands)		(In thousands)
2013 (remaining three months)	$	1,850
2014	7,398
2014 (remaining six months)			$	4,930
2015	7,186		9,646
2016	6,867		9,327
2017	6,692		9,151
2018			9,039
Thereafter	25,907		31,628
Total	$	55,900	$	73,721

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Note 6 — Financial Instruments

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

The following tables summarize our cash and available-for-sale securities by significant investment category.


	September 27, 2013															June 27, 2014
(In thousands)	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Cash and Cash Equivalents		Short-Term Marketable Securities		Long-Term Marketable Securities		Cost			Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Cash and Cash Equivalents		Short-Term Marketable Securities		Long-Term Marketable Securities

Cash	$	55,645	$	—	$	—		$	55,645	$	55,645	$	—	$	—	$	76,159		$	—	$	—		$	76,159	$	76,159	$	—	$	—

Available-for-sale:
Level 1:
Money market funds	2,875,377		—		—			2,875,377		2,875,377		—		—		2,584,492			—		—			2,584,492		2,584,492		—		—
U.S. treasury securities	595,841		18		(1,369		)	594,490		22,525		50,248		521,717		1,641,158			2,246		(3,802		)	1,639,602		27,675		43,242		1,568,685
Subtotal	3,471,218		18		(1,369		)	3,469,867		2,897,902		50,248		521,717		4,225,650			2,246		(3,802		)	4,224,094		2,612,167		43,242		1,568,685

Level 2:
U.S. agency securities	59,850		35		(27		)	59,858		2,538		14,272		43,048		31,660			34		(1		)	31,693		—		11,034		20,659
Non-U.S. government securities	17,389		5		(1		)	17,393		—		9,338		8,055		14,842			6		(2		)	14,846		—		12,814		2,032
Municipal bond	1,606		—		(6		)	1,600		—		606		994		2,000			2		—			2,002		—		—		2,002
Corporate securities	216,277		371		(116		)	216,532		—		76,695		139,837
Corporate debt securities																213,859			615		(25		)	214,449		—		51,149		163,300
Subtotal	295,122		411		(150		)	295,383		2,538		100,911		191,934		262,361		��	657		(28		)	262,990		—		74,997		187,993
Total	$	3,821,985	$	429	$	(1,519	)	$	3,820,895	$	2,956,085	$	151,159	$	713,651	$	4,564,170		$	2,903	$	(3,830	)	$	4,563,243	$	2,688,326	$	118,239	$	1,756,678

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	December 31, 2012															December 31, 2013
(In thousands)	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Cash and Cash Equivalents		Short-Term Marketable Securities		Long-Term Marketable Securities		Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Cash and Cash Equivalents		Short-Term Marketable Securities		Long-Term Marketable Securities

Cash	$	89,194	$	—	$	—		$	89,194	$	89,194	$	—	$	—	$	71,880	$	—	$	—		$	71,880	$	71,880	$	—	$	—

Available-for-sale:
Level 1:
Money market funds	2,739,904		—		—			2,739,904		2,739,904		—		—		2,763,094		—		—			2,763,094		2,763,094		—		—
U.S. treasury securities	564,713		5,231		(3		)	569,941		33,519		22,493		513,929		1,604,450		15		(28,298		)	1,576,167		34,184		39,262		1,502,721
Subtotal	3,304,617		5,231		(3		)	3,309,845		2,773,423		22,493		513,929		4,367,544		15		(28,298		)	4,339,261		2,797,278		39,262		1,502,721

Level 2:
U.S. agency securities	116,802		58		(1		)	116,859		11,799		53,438		51,622		53,755		33		(18		)	53,770		—		26,999		26,771
Non-U.S. government securities	11,644		10		(2		)	11,652		—		2,730		8,922		18,352		5		—			18,357		—		9,306		9,051
Municipal bond	1,372		1		—			1,373		—		752		621		2,603		—		(7		)	2,596		—		603		1,993
Corporate securities	193,048		436		(64		)	193,420		2,211		61,545		129,664
Corporate debt securities																219,491		425		(69		)	219,847		—		65,317		154,530
Subtotal	322,866		505		(67		)	323,304		14,010		118,465		190,829		294,201		463		(94		)	294,570		—		102,225		192,345
Total	$	3,716,677	$	5,736	$	(70	)	$	3,722,343	$	2,876,627	$	140,958	$	704,758	$	4,733,625	$	478	$	(28,392	)	$	4,705,711	$	2,869,158	$	141,487	$	1,695,066

We have made certain cost method investments of approximately $~~7.0~~20.6 million. These investments are included within Other assets, net in our consolidated balance sheets. The investments are in privately held companies in which we have less than a 20% interest and no significant influence over the investees' operations. We report our cost method investments at cost, except when investments are found to be more than temporarily impaired after an impairment review.

The adjusted cost and estimated fair value of marketable debt securities (corporate debt securities, municipal bonds, U.S. and foreign government securities, and U.S. treasury securities) as of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations without call or prepayment penalties.


	September 27, 2013				June 27, 2014
(In thousands)	Cost		Estimated Fair Value		Cost		Estimated Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	176,134	$	176,222	$	145,797	$	145,914
Due after one year through five years	714,829		713,651		1,757,722		1,756,678
	$	890,963	$	889,873	$	1,903,519	$	1,902,592

As of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, we had 67 securities or $~~609.7~~683.9 million out of our total available-for-sale securities ~~has been~~investment portfolio that were in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months with a gross unrealized loss of ~~$1.5 million~~.$3.8 million. As of December 31, ~~2012~~2013, we had 137 securities or $~~118.7 million~~1.6 billion out of ~~the~~our total available-for-sale securities ~~was~~investment portfolio that were in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months with a gross unrealized loss of $28.4 million.~~$0.1 million~~.

We concluded that the declines in market value of our available-for-sale securities investment portfolio were temporary in nature and did not consider any of our investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

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Note 7 — Accounts Receivable, Net and Significant Customers

Accounts receivable, net was comprised of the following:


(In thousands)	September 27, 2013			December 31, 2012			June 27, 2014			December 31, 2013
Gross accounts receivable	$	436,961		$	324,260		$	453,067		$	483,628
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(500		)	(500		)	(500		)	(500		)
Allowance for sales returns	(40		)	(52		)	(8		)	(96		)
Accounts receivable, net	$	436,421		$	323,708		$	452,559		$	483,032

We sell our products to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") and to electronic components distributors who resell these products to OEMs, or their subcontract manufacturers. Net sales by customer type and net sales to significant customers were as follows:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended				Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
(Percentage of Net Sales)	September 27, 2013		September 28, 2012		September 27, 2013		September 28, 2012		June 27, 2014		June 28, 2013		June 27, 2014		June 28, 2013

Sales to distributors	76	%	69	%	76	%	70	%	72	%	75	%	73	%	76	%
Sales to OEMs	24	%	31	%	24	%	30	%	28	%	25	%	27	%	24	%
	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%

Significant Distributors⁽¹⁾:
Arrow Electronics, Inc. ( “Arrow”)	41	%	40	%	41	%	39	%	38	%	40	%	38	%	41	%
Macnica, Inc. (“Macnica”)	23	%	19	%	23	%	21	%	23	%	24	%	23	%	23	%


(1)	Except as presented above, no other distributor accounted for greater than 10% of our net sales for the three and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 or ~~September~~June 28, ~~2012~~2013.

One OEM accounted for 11% of our net sales for both quarterly and year-to-date periods ended June 27, 2014, and ~~12%~~11% and 12%, respectively, of our net sales for quarterly and year-to-date periods ended ~~September 27, 2013, and~~ ~~16%~~ ~~and~~ ~~18%, respectively, for the quarterly and year-to-date periods ended~~ ~~September~~June 28, ~~2012~~.2013.

As of ~~September~~June 27, 2014, accounts receivable from Arrow and Macnica individually accounted for approximately 38% and 53%, respectively, of our total accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2013, accounts receivable from Arrow and Macnica individually accounted for approximately ~~40%~~26% and ~~44%, respectively, of our total accounts receivable. As of~~ ~~December 31, 2012, accounts receivable from Arrow and Macnica individually accounted for approximately~~ ~~30%~~ ~~and~~ ~~47%~~55%, respectively, of our total accounts receivable. No other distributor or OEM accounted for more than 10% of our accounts receivable as of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 or December 31, ~~2012~~2013.

Note 8 — Inventories

Inventories were comprised of the following:


(In thousands)	September 27, 2013		December 31, 2012		June 27, 2014		December 31, 2013
Raw materials	$	8,926	$	12,447	$	8,846	$	8,390
Work in process	113,900		88,643		103,281		104,755
Finished goods	35,615		51,631		64,601		50,735
Total inventories	$	158,441	$	152,721	$	176,728	$	163,880

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Note 9 — Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment, net was comprised of the following:


(In thousands)	September 27, 2013			December 31, 2012			June 27, 2014			December 31, 2013
Land and land rights	$	23,157		$	23,157		$	23,157		$	23,157
Buildings	158,566			159,247			160,018			159,123
Equipment and software	269,758			256,725			288,174			281,197
Office furniture and fixtures	24,338			24,531			24,606			24,438
Leasehold improvements	12,303			11,915			12,886			12,391
Construction in progress	3,417			1,705			2,650			1,798
Property and equipment, at cost	491,539			477,280			511,491			502,104
Accumulated depreciation	(292,897		)	(271,132		)	(315,909		)	(297,962		)
Property and equipment, net	$	198,642		$	206,148		$	195,582		$	204,142

Depreciation expense was ~~$10.8~~$12.2 million and $~~31.2~~25.2 million for the three and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~.2014, respectively. Depreciation expense was ~~$8.7~~$10.3 million and $~~23.7~~20.5 million for the three and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 28, ~~2012~~2013., respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense as presented in our consolidated statements of cash flows includes the above amounts, together with amortization expense on our non-acquisition related intangible assets.

Note 10 — Deferred Income and Allowances on Sales to Distributors

Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors was comprised of the following:


(In thousands)	September 27, 2013			December 31, 2012			June 27, 2014			December 31, 2013

Deferred revenue on shipment to distributors	$	461,748		$	363,641		$	442,287		$	512,872
Deferred cost of sales on shipment to distributors	(29,449		)	(28,101		)	(33,371		)	(33,809		)
Deferred income on shipment to distributors	432,299			335,540			408,916			479,063
Other deferred revenue ⁽¹⁾	12,406			10,453			6,283			8,683
Total	$	444,705		$	345,993		$	415,199		$	487,746


(1)	Principally represents revenue deferred on our maintenance contracts, software and intellectual property licenses.

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The Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors activity was as follows:


	Nine Months Ended						Six Months Ended
(In thousands)	September 27, 2013			September 28, 2012			June 27, 2014			June 28, 2013

Balance at beginning of period	$	345,993		$	279,876		$	487,746		$	345,993
Deferred revenue recognized upon shipment to distributors	4,343,526			4,006,945			2,853,749			2,913,943
Deferred cost of sales recognized upon shipment to distributors	(194,429		)	(181,660		)	(134,974		)	(121,101		)
Revenue recognized upon sell-through to end customers	(776,649		)	(763,141		)	(559,914		)	(501,169		)
Cost of sales recognized upon sell-through to end customers	190,124			176,455			133,531			123,566
Earned distributor price concessions ⁽¹⁾	(3,410,814		)	(3,057,927		)	(2,329,017		)	(2,323,247		)
Returns	(57,532		)	(61,531		)	(35,866		)	(42,086		)
Other	4,486			1,334			(56		)	3,731
Balance at end of period	$	444,705		$	400,351		$	415,199		$	399,630


(1)	Average aggregate price concessions typically range from ~~65%~~70% to ~~80%~~85% of our list price on an annual basis, depending upon the composition of our sales, volumes and factors associated with timing of shipments to distributors.

Note 11 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive ~~(Loss)/ Income~~Loss

The following table presents the components of, and the changes in, accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)~~/ income~~, net of tax:

(In thousands) December 31,
2012 Other Comprehensive (Loss)/ Income September 27,
2013

Accumulated unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax $ 5,592
$ (6,721 ) $ (1,129 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income/ (loss) $ 5,592
$ (6,721 ) $ (1,129 )



(In thousands)	December 31, 2013			Other Comprehensive Income		June 27, 2014

Accumulated unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	$	(27,962	)	$	26,950	$	(1,012	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(27,962	)	$	26,950	$	(1,012	)

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Note 12 — Net Income Per Share

A reconciliation of basic and diluted Netincome per share is presented below:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended				Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	September 27, 2013		September 28, 2012		September 27, 2013		September 28, 2012		June 27, 2014		June 28, 2013		June 27, 2014		June 28, 2013

Basic:

Net income	$	119,432	$	157,489	$	341,131	$	436,002	$	127,004	$	101,509	$	243,518	$	221,698
Basic weighted shares outstanding	320,445		319,870		320,266		321,200		311,000		320,472		313,713		320,175
Net income per share	$	0.37	$	0.49	$	1.07	$	1.36	$	0.41	$	0.32	$	0.78	$	0.69

Diluted:

Net income	$	119,432	$	157,489	$	341,131	$	436,002	$	127,004	$	101,509	$	243,518	$	221,698

Weighted shares outstanding	320,445		319,870		320,266		321,200		311,000		320,472		313,713		320,175
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options, employee stock purchase plan, and restricted stock unit shares	3,060		3,690		3,089		4,075		2,513		3,055		2,432		3,104

Diluted weighted shares outstanding	323,505		323,560		323,355		325,275		313,513		323,527		316,145		323,279

Net income per share	$	0.37	$	0.49	$	1.05	$	1.34	$	0.41	$	0.31	$	0.77	$	0.69

In applying the treasury stock method, we excluded 2.2 million and 2.0 million stock option shares and restricted stock unit (including performance-based restricted stock unit) shares for the three and six months ended June 27, 2014, respectively, and 2.2 million and 1.9 million stock option shares and restricted stock unit ~~shares for each of the three and~~ ~~nine~~ ~~month periods ended~~ ~~September 27, 2013, and~~ ~~1.7 million~~ ~~and~~ ~~1.4 million~~ ~~stock option shares and~~(including performance-based restricted stock ~~unit~~unit) shares for the three and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 28, ~~2012~~2013, respectively, because their effect was anti-dilutive. While these shares have been anti-dilutive, they could be dilutive in the future.

Note 13 — Credit Facility and Long-Term Debt

Credit Facility

~~On June 29,~~In 2012, we entered into a five-year $250 million unsecured revolving credit facility (the "Facility"). Under certain circumstances, upon our request and with the consent of the lenders, the commitments under the Facility may be increased up to an additional $250 million. Borrowings under the Facility will bear interest at a base rate determined in accordance with the Facility, plus an applicable margin based upon the debt rating of our non-credit enhanced, senior unsecured long-term debt. In addition, we are obligated to pay a quarterly commitment fee, payable in arrears, based on the available commitments. This ~~facility~~Facility fee varies and is also determined based on our debt rating. The terms of the Facility require compliance with certain financial and non-financial covenants, which we ~~have~~had satisfied as of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014. As of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, we ~~have~~had not borrowed any funds under the Facility.

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Long-term Debt

~~On May 8, 2012,~~The carrying values and associated effective interest rates for our Long-term debt were as follows:



(In thousands, except rates)	Effective Interest Rate	June 27, 2014		December 31, 2013

2013 Senior Notes due November 15, 2018 at 2.50%	2.71%	$	597,239	$	596,920
2013 Senior Notes due November 15, 2023 at 4.10%	4.29%	395,307		395,056
2012 Senior Notes due May 15, 2017 at 1.75%	1.94%	499,567		499,490
Total long-term debt		$	1,492,113	$	1,491,466

In 2013, we ~~completed a public offering of~~ ~~$500~~issued $600 million aggregate principal amount of ~~1.75%~~2.50% senior notes ~~that will mature~~(the “2.50% Notes”) and $400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.10% senior notes (the “4.10% Notes”) for stock repurchases and general corporate purposes. We received net proceeds of $991.8 million, after deduction of a discount of $8.2 million, and we capitalized direct debt issuance costs of $5.5 million from issuance of the 2.50% Notes and the 4.10% Notes.

In 2012, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 1.75% senior notes (the "1.75% Notes") to repay our outstanding credit facility. We received net proceeds of $499.2 million, after deduction of a discount of $0.8 million, and we capitalized direct debt issuance costs of $3.7 million from issuance of the 1.75% Notes.

All three of our senior notes (the “Notes”) pay a fixed rate of interest semiannually on May 15 ~~2017 (the "Notes") with an effective interest rate of~~ ~~1.91%. Interest on the Notes is payable semiannually in arrears on~~ ~~May 15~~and November 15 of each ~~year, beginning on~~ ~~November 15, 2012~~.year. The Notes are governed by a base and supplemental indenture between Altera and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. The Notes are ~~our~~ unsecured and unsubordinated obligations, ranking equally in right of payment to all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any of our future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the Notes. We may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time for cash at the redemption prices described in the ~~indenture.~~indentures.

~~We received net proceeds of~~ ~~$495.5 million~~ ~~from issuance of the Notes, after deduction of issuance costs of~~ ~~$3.7 million~~ ~~and a discount of~~ ~~$0.8 million~~. The direct debt issuance costs ~~and discount~~associated with the Notes are recorded in Other assets, net in our consolidated balance sheets and are being amortized toInterest expense in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income over the contractual term using the effective interest method.

The carrying values of the Notes are reflected in our consolidated balance sheets as follows:



	2.50% Notes						4.10% Notes						1.75% Notes
(In thousands)	Jun. 27, 2014			Dec. 31, 2013			Jun. 27, 2014			Dec. 31, 2013			Jun. 27, 2014			Dec. 31, 2013

Principal amount	$	600,000		$	600,000		$	400,000		$	400,000		$	500,000		$	500,000
Unamortized discount	(2,761		)	(3,080		)	(4,693		)	(4,944		)	(433		)	(510		)
Net carrying value	$	597,239		$	596,920		$	395,307		$	395,056		$	499,567		$	499,490

Interest expense related to the Notes were included in Interest expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income as follows:



	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
(In thousands)	June 27, 2014		June 28, 2013		June 27, 2014		June 28, 2013

Contractual coupon interest	$	10,015	$	2,182	$	19,667	$	4,309
Amortization of debt issuance costs	456		243		911		486
Amortization of debt discount	323		38		647		77
Total interest expense related to the Notes	$	10,794	$	2,463	$	21,225	$	4,872

The other components of Interest expense in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income are interest expense incurred as part of the assumed debt in one of our 2013 Acquisitions and interest expense incurred related to bank service fees incurred in connection with our credit facility.

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~~interest expense over five years using the effective interest method. We used the net proceeds~~

As of June 27, 2014, future principal payments for the Notes ~~to re-pay our former credit facility.~~were as follows:



Fiscal Year	Payable
	(In thousands)
2014 (remaining six months)	$	—
2015	—
2016	—
2017	500,000
2018 and thereafter	1,000,000
Total	$	1,500,000

~~The estimated fair value of Altera's long-term debt was approximately~~ ~~$497.5 million~~ at ~~September 27, 2013~~. Our ~~long-term debt is~~Notes are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy and the estimated fair value of the ~~debt~~Notes is based on quoted market prices. The estimated fair value of the Notes is as follows:



	2.50% Notes				4.10% Notes				1.75% Notes
(In thousands)	Jun. 27, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Jun. 27, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Jun. 27, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013

Estimated fair value	$	609,960	$	598,836	$	416,716	$	392,680	$	505,750	$	501,310

Note 14 — Commitments and Contingencies

Indemnification and Product Warranty

We indemnify certain customers, distributors, suppliers, and subcontractors for attorney's fees and damages and costs awarded against these parties in certain circumstances in which our products are alleged to infringe third party intellectual property rights, including patents, trade secrets, trademarks or copyrights. We cannot estimate the amount of potential future payments, if any, that we might be required to make as a result of these agreements. To date, we have not paid any claim or been required to defend any action related to our indemnification obligations, and, accordingly, we have not accrued any amounts for such indemnification obligations. However, we may record charges in the future as a result of these indemnification obligations.

We generally warrant our devices for one year against defects in materials, workmanship and material non-conformance to our specifications. We accrue for known warranty issues if a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated, and accrue for estimated but unidentified issues based on historical activity. If there is a material increase in customer claims compared with our historical experience or if the costs of servicing warranty claims are greater than expected, we may record a charge against cost of sales. Warranty expense was not significant for any period presented in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Purchase Obligations

We depend entirely upon subcontractors to manufacture our silicon wafers and provide assembly and test services. Due to lengthy subcontractor lead times, we must order these materials and services from these subcontractors well in advance, and we are obligated to pay for the materials and services once they are completed. As of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, we had approximately $~~132.1~~190.0 million of outstanding purchase commitments to such subcontractors. We expect to receive and pay for these materials and services over the next six months.

Operating Leases

We lease facilities under non-cancelable lease agreements expiring at various times through ~~2021.~~2024. There have been no significant changes to our operating lease obligations since December 31, ~~2012.~~2013.

Legal Proceedings

On December 8, 2010, Intellectual Ventures I LLC and Intellectual Ventures II LLC (“Intellectual Ventures”) filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against Altera, Microsemi Corporation, and Lattice Semiconductor Corporation (“Lattice”) alleging that Altera infringes ~~five~~ patents. The complaint requests unspecified monetary damages including enhanced damages for willful infringement. In February 2011, Intellectual Ventures filed a First Amended Complaint adding Xilinx, Inc. as a defendant. In March 2011, Altera answered the complaint and asserted counterclaims against Intellectual Ventures for non-infringement and invalidity of the asserted patents. The defendants filed motions in the District of Delaware to transfer the case to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and to stay the action pending re-examination proceedings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Intellectual Ventures opposed the motions. In January 2012, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware denied the defendants' motion to transfer the case to the Northern District of California, and in February 2012, the court denied the defendants' motion to stay. ~~Three~~ ~~of the~~ ~~four~~ defendants, including Altera, filed a writ of mandamus in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit requesting that the case be transferred to the Northern District of California. In July 2012, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit denied the writ of mandamus. In January 2013, Intellectual Ventures and Microsemi announced a settlement agreement, which included a dismissal of all claims against Microsemi. In March 2013, Intellectual Ventures and Lattice announced a settlement agreement, which included a dismissal of all claims against Lattice. At this stage in the litigation, we believe that the resolution of this case will not have a material adverse impact on our consolidated results of operations.

We file income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and in various United States ("U.S.") states and foreign jurisdictions. ~~In 2008, the IRS completed field examinations of our tax returns for 2002 through 2004 and proposed an additional tax liability of~~ ~~$34.5 million, excluding interest. We contested this proposed additional tax liability in the IRS Office of Appeals and resolved~~

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~~several of the issues.~~ On December 8, 2011 and January 23, 2012, the IRS issued a Statutory ~~Notice~~Notices of Deficiency ~~revising the assessment of~~(the “Notices”) determining, respectively, additional taxes for 2002 through 2004 to ~~$19.8~~of $19.8 million, and additional taxes for 2005 through 2007 of $21.4 million, excluding interest. The ~~Notice relates~~IRS’s determinations relate primarily to inter-company ~~adjustments between related companies,~~transactions, computational adjustments to the ~~research and development ("~~R~~&D")~~&D credit and reductions to the benefits of tax credit ~~carrybacks~~carry backs and ~~carryforwards to subsequent years. On March 6, 2012, we filed a petition in the U.S. Tax Court to request a redetermination of the tax deficiency regarding certain IRS adjustments for 2004.~~carry forwards. We deposited ~~$18.0~~$18.0 million as a cash bond with the IRS in 2008, and converted this amount to tax payments in March 2012. On ~~May 8,~~March 6, 2012 and April 20, 2012, we filed petitions challenging the ~~IRS filed its petition response~~Notices in the U.S. Tax ~~Court,~~Court. The petitions request redetermination of the deficiencies produced by the IRS’s adjustments. The IRS has filed responses to our petitions, in which the IRS conceded the R&D credit adjustment for 2004. ~~In June 2012,~~The Tax Court has consolidated the two cases and a judge has been assigned. The federal statute of limitations for the 2002 and 2003 tax years ~~expired.~~has expired, and the ongoing Tax Court litigation concerns only the 2004 through 2007 years.

~~In addition, in 2010~~On January 31, 2013, the IRS ~~completed field examinations for 2005 through 2007 and proposed an additional tax liability~~conceded one of ~~$34.2 million, excluding interest. On January 23, 2012,~~ the ~~IRS issued a Statutory Notice of Deficiency, revising the assessment of additional taxes for 2005 through 2007 to~~ ~~$21.4 million, excluding interest. The Notice relates primarily to inter-company~~ adjustments ~~between related companies and reductions to the benefits of tax credit carrybacks and carryforwards to subsequent years. On April 20, 2012, we filed a petition~~at issue in the U.S. Tax Court to request a redetermination of the tax deficiencies regarding certain IRS adjustments for 2005 through 2007. On June 21, 2012, the IRS filed its petition response in the U.S. Tax Court.

~~On August 15, 2012, the case~~litigation for the 2004 ~~tax year was combined with that for the 2005~~ through 2007 tax years. ~~A judge has been assigned~~The conceded adjustment related to certain inter-company services transactions. The concession only impacted our ~~case~~2007 tax year. As a result of this concession, we recognized a tax and ainterest benefit of $6.8 million in 2013 due to the release of certain tax reserves. Altera and the IRS have filed cross motions for partial summary judgment on the largest adjustment still at issue, which is related to the treatment of stock-based compensation in an inter-company cost-sharing transaction. As part of the partial motion for ~~continuance has been granted.~~summary judgment process, both sides filed briefs on May 28, 2013, July 25, 2013 and September 9, 2013. We expect to present additional legal arguments related to certain affirmative adjustments raised by Altera in the litigation. The parties have filed a series of Joint Status Reports with the court addressing these affirmative adjustments. The parties presented oral arguments on the partial summary judgment issue to the Tax Court on July 24, 2014. We believe we have made adequate tax payments or accrued adequate amounts for our tax liabilities for 2004 through 2007 and that the outcome of the above matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated operating results or financial position.

On January 31, 2013, the IRS conceded an adjustment for certain inter-company transactions in our litigation regarding the 2004 through 2007 tax years. The concession only impacted our 2007 tax year. Our other inter-company transactions continue to be subject to litigation for 2004 through 2007. As a result of this concession, we recognized a tax and interest benefit of ~~$6.8 million~~ ~~during the three months ended March 29, 2013 due to the release of certain tax reserves.~~

Altera and the IRS agreed to file motions for partial summary judgment regarding one of the remaining inter-company transactions subject to litigation for the 2004 through 2007 tax years. As part of the partial summary judgment process, both sides filed three briefs on May 28, 2013, July 25, 2013 and September 9, 2013. We expect to present our legal arguments on other inter-company transactions that are subject to litigation to the U.S. Tax Court during 2014.

On April 19, 2013, the IRS notified us that we would be audited for each of the 2010 and 2011 tax years. We believe we have made adequate tax payments or accrued adequate amounts for our tax liabilities for 2010 and 2011 and that the outcome of the audit will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated operating results or financial position.

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Note 15 — Stock-Based Compensation

Our equity incentive program is a broad-based, long-term retention program intended to attract, motivate, and retain talented employees as well as align stockholder and employee interests. The program provides stock-based incentive compensation (“awards”) to both our eligible employees and non-employee directors. Awards that may be granted under the program include non-qualified and incentive stock options, restricted stock units (“RSU”s), performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSU”s), restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, and stock bonus awards. To date, awards granted under the program consist of stock options, RSUs and PRSUs. The majority of stock-based awards granted under the program vest over four years. Stock options granted under the program have a maximum contractual term of ten years.

We settle employee stock option exercises, ESPP purchases, and the vesting of RSUs and PRSUs with newly issued common shares.

We have issued PRSUs to ~~a certain group of~~ senior executives with vesting that is contingent on both market performance and continued service ("market-based PRSUs"). For market-based PRSUs issued in 2012, 2013, and ~~2013,~~2014, the number of shares of Altera stock to be received at vesting will range from 0% to 200% of the target amount based on the percentage by which our total shareholder return ("TSR") exceeds or falls below the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index ("SOX") TSR during a 3-year measurement period. We estimate the fair value of market-based PRSUs using a Monte Carlo simulation model on the date of grant. The model incorporates assumptions for the risk-free interest rate, Altera and SOX price volatility, the correlation between Altera and the SOX index, and dividend yields. Compensation expense is recognized ratably over the 3-year measurement period.

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Stock-based compensation expense included in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income was as follows:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
(In thousands)	September 27, 2013			September 28, 2012			September 27, 2013			September 28, 2012			June 27, 2014			June 28, 2013			June 27, 2014			June 28, 2013

Cost of sales	$	515		$	492		$	1,460		$	1,416		$	495		$	501		$	961		$	945
Research and development expense	11,324			11,065			32,125			31,393			10,877			11,014			21,150			20,801
Selling, general, and administrative expense	13,898			13,033			39,426			37,981			13,349			13,517			25,957			25,528
Pre-tax stock-based compensation expense	25,737			24,590			73,011			70,790			24,721			25,032			48,068			47,274
Less: income tax benefit	(6,720		)	(6,606		)	(18,908		)	(18,412		)	(6,651		)	(6,510		)	(12,845		)	(12,189		)
Net stock-based compensation expense	$	19,017		$	17,984		$	54,103		$	52,378		$	18,070		$	18,522		$	35,223		$	35,085

No stock-based compensation was capitalized during any period presented above. As of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to outstanding unvested stock options, RSUs, ~~market-based~~ PRSUs and Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") shares that are expected to vest was approximately $~~174.3~~160.4 million. This unrecognized stock-based compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately ~~2.5~~2.3 years. We apply an expected forfeiture rate when amortizing stock-based compensation expense. To the extent our actual forfeiture rate is different from our estimate, stock-based compensation related to these awards will be different from our expectations.

The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the ESPP, RSU, and ~~RSUs~~PRSU awards granted under the equity incentive program were as follows:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	September 27, 2013			September 28, 2012			September 27, 2013			September 28, 2012			June 27, 2014			June 28, 2013			June 27, 2014			June 28, 2013
ESPP purchase rights:
Expected term (in years)	—			—			1.0			1.0			1.0			1.0			1.0			1.0
Expected stock price volatility	—			—			31.2		%	39.1		%	25.5		%	31.2		%	25.5		%	31.2		%
Risk-free interest rate	—			—			0.1		%	0.2		%	0.1		%	0.1		%	0.1		%	0.1		%
Dividend yield	—			—			1.3		%	0.9		%	1.9		%	1.3		%	1.9		%	1.3		%
Weighted-average estimated fair value	$	—		$	—		$	8.41		$	10.54		$	7.68		$	8.41		$	7.68		$	8.41

RSUs:
Risk-free interest rate	0.5		%	0.3		%	0.3		%	0.3		%	0.7		%	0.3		%	0.7		%	0.3		%
Dividend yield	1.7		%	1.1		%	1.2		%	1.0		%	1.9		%	1.2		%	1.9		%	1.2		%
Weighted-average estimated fair value	$	33.41		$	35.68		$	32.20		$	33.52		$	31.01		$	32.10		$	30.97		$	32.13

PRSUs:
Expected Altera stock price volatility													32.2		%	34.7		%	32.2		%	34.7		%
Expected SOX stock price volatility													24.3		%	27.1		%	24.3		%	27.1		%
Risk-free interest rate													0.9		%	0.3		%	0.9		%	0.3		%
Dividend yield													1.9		%	1.2		%	1.9		%	1.2		%
Weighted-average estimated fair value per share													$	31.18		$	33.03		$	31.18		$	33.03

OnWe granted ~~May 6, 2013~~303,260 and ~~July 30, 2012, we granted~~ 262,647 ~~and~~ ~~66,489~~ market-based PRSUs in the six months ended June 27, 2014 and June 28, 2013, respectively, to ~~a certain group of~~ senior executives. As of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, the majority of these market-based PRSUs are still outstanding, and no market-based PRSUs have vested. ~~For market-based PRSU grants made on~~ ~~May 6, 2013~~ ~~and~~ ~~July 30, 2012, the weighted average grant date fair value was~~ ~~$33.03~~ ~~and~~ ~~$41.18, respectively.~~

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A summary of activity for our RSUs and PRSUs for the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 and information regarding RSUs and PRSUs outstanding and expected to vest as of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 is as follows:


(In thousands, except per share amounts and terms)	Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Market Value Per Share		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value ⁽¹⁾		Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Market Value Per Share		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value ⁽¹⁾
Outstanding, December 31, 2012	6,960		$	34.03
Outstanding, December 31, 2013								6,392		$	34.80
Grants	2,663		$	33.20				1,905		$	32.45
Vested	(2,359	)	$	31.05				(1,136	)	$	32.86
Forfeited	(426	)	$	34.97				(270	)	$	34.96
Outstanding, September 27, 2013	6,838		$	34.68	1.6	$	252,746
Vested and expected to vest, September 27, 2013	5,991		$	34.68	1.5	$	221,439
Outstanding, June 27, 2014								6,891		$	34.19	1.6	$	237,689
Vested and expected to vest, June 27, 2014								6,081		$	34.19	1.5	$	209,735


(1)	Aggregate intrinsic value represents the closing price per share of our stock on ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, multiplied by the number of RSUs and market-based PRSUs outstanding or vested and expected to vest as of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014.

A summary of stock option activity for the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 and information regarding stock options outstanding, exercisable, and vested and expected to vest as of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 is as follows:


(In thousands, except per share amounts and terms)	Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value ⁽¹⁾		Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value ⁽¹⁾
Outstanding, December 31, 2012	5,163		$	25.81
Outstanding, December 31, 2013								3,446		$	28.11
Grants	72		$	14.79				—		$	—
Exercises	(1,378	)	$	20.51				(599	)	$	20.54
Forfeited/Cancelled/Expired	(8	)	$	25.65				(20	)	$	20.00
Outstanding, September 27, 2013	3,849		$	27.51	4.3	$	40,748
Exercisable, September 27, 2013	2,820		$	24.50	2.8	$	37,260
Vested and expected to vest, September 27, 2013	3,736		$	27.27	4.1	$	40,385
Outstanding, June 27, 2014								2,827		$	29.77	4.7	$	19,885
Exercisable, June 27, 2014								2,073		$	27.27	3.6	$	18,942
Vested and expected to vest, June 27, 2014								2,765		$	29.65	4.6	$	19,799

(1)

For those stock options with an exercise price below the closing price per share on ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise price and the closing price per share of our common stock on ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, multiplied by the number of stock options outstanding, exercisable, or vested and expected to vest as of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014.

For the three and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, ~~0.5~~0.3 million and ~~1.4~~0.6 million of non-qualified stock option shares were exercised, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised for the three and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 was $~~7.9~~4.0 million and ~~$19.9~~$8.1 million,, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise price and the selling price received by option holders upon the exercise of stock options during the period. The total cash received from employees as a result of stock option exercises during the three and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 was $~~11.5~~6.2 million and ~~$28.3~~$12.3 million,, respectively.

As of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, our 2005 Equity Incentive Plan had a total of ~~28.3~~27.4 million shares reserved for future issuance, of which ~~18.6~~17.5 million shares were available for future grants.

ESPP

Our ESPP has two consecutive, overlapping twelve-month offering periods, with a new period commencing on the first trading day on or after May 1 and November 1 of each year and terminating on the last trading day on or before April 30 and October 31. Each twelve-month offering period generally includes two six-month purchase periods. The purchase price at which shares are sold under the ESPP is 85% of the lower of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on (1) the first day of the offering period, or (2) the last trading day of the purchase period. If the fair market value at the end of any purchase period is less than the fair market value at the beginning of the offering period, each participant is automatically withdrawn from the

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current offering period following the purchase of shares on the purchase date and is automatically re-enrolled in the immediately following offering period.

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We sold ~~390,077~~376,031 shares of common stock under the ESPP at a price of ~~$26.87~~$27.61 during the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, and ~~304,468~~390,077 shares of common stock under ~~the~~ ESPP at a price of ~~$30.23~~$26.87 during the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 28, ~~2012~~.2013. As of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, ~~3.5~~3.7 million shares were available for future issuance under the ESPP.

Note 16 — Stockholders’ Equity

We repurchase shares under our stock ~~purchase~~repurchase program announced on July 15, 1996, which has no specified expiration. No existing repurchase plans or programs have expired, nor have we decided to terminate any repurchase plans or programs prior to expiration. ~~On August 28,~~In 2013, we announced that our board of directors increased the share repurchase program authorization by an additional 30.0 million shares. Combined with the board’s previous authorization, there iswas a total of 233.0 million shares authorized for repurchase with approximately ~~41.1~~26.2 million shares remaining for further repurchases under our stock repurchase program as of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014. Since the inception of the stock ~~purchase~~repurchase program through ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013,~~2014, we have repurchased a total of ~~191.9~~206.8 million shares of our common stock atfor an aggregate cost of $~~4.1~~4.6 billion.

During the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, we repurchased ~~1.9~~10.6 million shares of our common stock for a total of $~~60.3~~358.8 million under our stock repurchase program at an average price per share of $~~32.54~~33.90. During the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 28, ~~2012~~,2013, we repurchased ~~5.3~~1.7 million shares of our common stock for a total of ~~$179.1~~$55.0 million under our stock repurchase program at an average price per share of ~~$33.72~~.$32.50. All shares were retired upon acquisition and have been recorded as a reduction of Common stock, Capital in excess of par value and Retained earnings, ~~in our consolidated balance sheets.~~as applicable.

Note 17 — Income Taxes

We file income tax returns with the IRS and in various U.S. states and foreign jurisdictions. ~~In 2008, the IRS completed field examinations of our tax returns for 2002 through 2004 and proposed an additional tax liability of~~ ~~$34.5 million, excluding interest. We contested this proposed additional tax liability in the IRS Office of Appeals and resolved several of the issues.~~ On December 8, 2011 and January 23, 2012, the IRS issued a Statutory ~~Notice~~Notices of Deficiency ~~revising the assessment of~~(the “Notices”) determining, respectively, additional taxes for 2002 through 2004 to ~~$19.8~~of $19.8 million, and additional taxes for 2005 through 2007 of $21.4 million, excluding interest. The ~~Notice relates~~IRS’s determinations relate primarily to inter-company ~~adjustments between related companies,~~transactions, computational adjustments to the R&D credit and reductions to the benefits of tax credit ~~carrybacks~~carry backs and ~~carryforwards to subsequent years. On March 6, 2012, we filed a petition in the U.S. Tax Court to request a redetermination of the tax deficiency regarding certain IRS adjustments for 2004.~~carry forwards. We deposited ~~$18.0~~$18.0 million as a cash bond with the IRS in 2008, and converted this amount to tax payments in March 2012. On ~~May 8,~~March 6, 2012 and April 20, 2012, we filed petitions challenging the ~~IRS filed its petition response~~Notices in the U.S. Tax ~~Court,~~Court. The petitions request redetermination of the deficiencies produced by the IRS’s adjustments. The IRS has filed responses to our petitions, in which the IRS conceded the R&D credit adjustment for 2004. ~~In June 2012,~~The Tax Court has consolidated the two cases and a judge has been assigned. The federal statute of limitations for the 2002 and 2003 tax years ~~expired.~~has expired, and the ongoing Tax Court litigation concerns only the 2004 through 2007 years.

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Other significant jurisdictions in which we are or may be subject to examination for fiscal years 2002 forward include China (including Hong Kong), Denmark, Ireland, Malaysia, Japan, Canada, United Kingdom and the state of California. We believe we have made adequate tax payments and/or accrued adequate amounts such that the outcome of these audits will have no material adverse effect on our consolidated operating results. Due to the potential resolution of various tax examinations, and the expiration of various statutes of limitations, it is possible that our gross unrecognized tax benefits may change within the next twelve months. However, given the number of years remaining subject to examination and the number of matters being examined, we are unable to estimate the full range of potential adjustments to the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits.

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Our effective tax rate reflects the impact of a significant amount of our earnings being taxed in foreign jurisdictions at rates below the U.S. statutory tax rate. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 was ~~6.7%~~11.5% compared to ~~11.3%~~with 9.2% for the three months ended ~~September~~June 28, ~~2012~~2013. The increase in our effective tax rate was primarily due to lower one-time tax benefits in 2014 compared with the same period in 2013, and the expiration of the U.S. federal research and development tax credit for 2014. The U.S. federal research and development tax credit has not been extended beyond 2013. During the three months ended June 28, 2013, we reversed $2.3 million of liabilities for uncertain tax positions relating to changes in our estimate for certain foreign jurisdictions.

Our effective tax rate for the six months ended June 27, 2014 was 11.0%, compared with 3.2% for the six months ended June 28, 2013. The net change in our effective tax rate was primarily due to ~~higher~~lower one-time tax benefits in ~~2013~~2014 compared ~~to 2012,~~with the same period in 2013, and the ~~reinstatement~~expiration of the U.S. federal research and development tax credit ~~in 2013 which had expired in 2011.~~for 2014. During the ~~three~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~,2014, we reversed ~~$30.3~~$4.0 million of liabilities and the related interest for uncertain tax positions upon the expiration of ~~foreign and~~a domestic ~~statutes~~statute of ~~limitation,~~limitations, which was ~~substantially~~ offset by ~~$27~~$0.9 million of true-up adjustments resulting from the filing of tax ~~accrued on~~returns in foreign ~~dividends.~~

~~Our effective tax rate for~~jurisdictions. During the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September 27,~~June 28, 2013, ~~was~~ ~~4.4%, compared with~~ ~~4.0%~~ ~~for the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 28, 2012~~. The net change in our effective tax rate was primarily due to higher one-time tax benefits in 2012 compared to 2013, partially offset by the reinstatement of the U.S. federal research and development tax credit in 2013 which had expired in 2011. During the ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 27, 2013~~, we recognized a benefit of ~~$10.6~~$10.6 million resulting from the enactment of the American Taxpayer Relief Act in January 2013, which extended, retroactively, the federal research and development credit through December 31, 2013. In addition, we reversed ~~$6.8~~$6.8 million of liabilities for uncertain tax ~~liabilities~~positions due to the IRS conceding an adjustment for certain 2007 inter-company transactions in our litigation ~~regarding~~over the 2004 through 2007 tax years, ~~$2.3~~as well as $2.3 million of liabilities for uncertain tax positions relating to changes in ~~estimate~~estimates for certain foreign ~~tax jurisdictions, and~~ ~~$30.3 million~~ ~~of liabilities for uncertain tax positions upon the expiration of foreign and domestic statutes of limitation and the related interest, which was substantially offset by~~ ~~$27 million~~ ~~of tax accrued on foreign dividends.~~jurisdictions.

As of ~~September~~June 27, 2014, we had total gross unrecognized tax benefits of $320.5 million which, if recognized, would potentially impact our effective tax rate. On December 31, 2013, we had total gross unrecognized tax benefits of $~~268.7 million~~ ~~which, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate. On~~ ~~December 31, 2012, we had total gross unrecognized tax benefits of~~ ~~$275.9~~301.3 million. We are unable to make a reasonable estimate as to if and when cash settlements with the relevant taxing authorities may occur.

We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in our income tax provision. We have accrued approximately $~~47.7~~50.2 million and $48.8 million for the payment of interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 and December 31, ~~2012~~2013, respectively.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 we recorded a deferred charge for the deferral of income tax expense on intercompany profits that resulted from the sale of our newly acquired intellectual property rights from one of our U.S. subsidiaries to one of our foreign subsidiaries. The deferred charge is included in Other current assets and Other assets, net on our consolidated balance sheets. As of June 27, 2014, the deferred charge balance in Other current assets was $2.2 million, and $17.8 million in Other assets, net. The deferred charge will be amortized on a straight-line basis as a component of income tax expense over ten years, based on the economic life of the intellectual property and is not expected to have a material impact on our effective tax rate.

In connection with one of our acquisitions ~~during the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 27,~~in 2013,, we are indemnified by the selling company for certain potential tax obligations arising prior to the acquisition. We have recognized a tax indemnification receivable of $6.5 million in Other assets, net in our consolidated balance sheets. We do not expect any significant effect on earnings or cash flows related to these potential tax obligations.

Note 18 — Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan

We allow our U.S.-based officers and director-level employees to defer a portion of their compensation under the Altera Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “NQDC Plan”). Our Retirement Plans Committee administers the NQDC Plan. As of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, there were ~~122~~126 participants in the NQDC Plan who self-direct their investments, subject to certain limitations. In the event we become insolvent, the NQDC Plan assets are subject to the claims of our general creditors. Since the inception of the NQDC Plan, we have not made any contributions to the NQDC Plan, and we have no commitments to do so in the future. There are no NQDC Plan provisions that provide for any guarantees or minimum return on investments. NQDC Plan participants are prohibited from investing NQDC Plan contributions in Altera common stock. The balance of the NQDC Plan assets and related obligations was $~~78.7~~81.4 million and $~~77.4~~83.2 million as of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 and December 31, ~~2012~~2013, respectively.

Investment earnings from the NQDC Plan are recorded as Gain on deferred compensation plan securities in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The investment gain also represents an increase in the future payout to participants and is recorded as Compensation expense — deferred compensation plan in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

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Compensation expense associated with our NQDC Plan obligations is offset by the gain from the related securities. The net effect of investment earnings and related compensation expense has no impact on our income before income taxes, net income or cash balances.

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The following tables summarize the fair value of our ~~deferred compensation plan~~NQDC Plan assets by significant investment category:


(In thousands)	September 27, 2013		December 31, 2012		June 27, 2014		December 31, 2013

Deferred compensation plan assets: (1)

Level 1:
Restricted cash equivalents	$	20,270	$	17,116	$	15,553	$	16,699
Equity securities	26,210		29,902		31,793		32,628
Mutual funds	30,048		27,073		32,164		32,521
Subtotal	76,528		74,091		79,510		81,848

Level 2:
Fixed income securities	2,144		3,346		1,895		1,306
Total	$	78,672	$	77,437	$	81,405	$	83,154

(1) Included in Deferred compensation plan - marketable securities and Deferred compensation plan - restricted cash equivalents in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 and December 31, ~~2012~~.2013.

Note 19 — Declaration of Dividend Subsequent to ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~
2014

On ~~October~~July 21, ~~2013~~2014, our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $~~0.15~~0.18 per common share, payable on ~~December~~September 2, ~~2013~~2014 to stockholders of record on ~~November 12, 2013~~August 11, 2014.


ITEM 2:	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

~~The following Management's~~Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is provided in addition to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes to assist readers in understanding our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. This interim MD&A should be read in conjunction with the MD&A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

The following MD&A, as well as information contained in the risk factors described in Part II Item 1A of this report and elsewhere in this report, contains forward-looking statements, which are provided under the “safe harbor” protection of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally written in the future tense and/or are preceded by words such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “suggest,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “estimate,” “continue,” or other similar words. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth and trends in our business, uncertain events or assumptions, and other characteristics of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements regarding (1) our gross margins and factors that affect gross margins; (2) trends in our future sales; (3) our research and development expenditures and efforts; (4) our capital expenditures; (5) our provision for tax liabilities and other critical accounting estimates; and (6) our exposure to market risks related to changes in interest rates, equity prices and foreign currency exchange rates.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this report are based on information that is currently available to us and expectations and assumptions that we deemed reasonable at the time the statements were made. We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements in this report or in any of our other communications, except as required by law. All such forward-looking statements should be read as of the time the statements were made and with the recognition that these forward-looking statements may not be complete or accurate at a later date.

Many factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this report. These factors include, but are not limited to, those risks described in Part II Item 1A of this report and those risks described under “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, ~~2012~~2013.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires our management to make judgments and estimates that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Our management believes that we consistently apply these judgments and estimates and the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes fairly represent all periods presented. However, any differences between these judgments and estimates and actual results could have a material impact on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and financial position. Critical accounting estimates, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), are those that are most important to the portrayal of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations and require our management's most difficult and subjective judgments and estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. Our critical accounting estimates include those regarding (1) revenue recognition, (2) valuation of inventories, and (3) income taxes. For a discussion of our critical accounting estimates, see “Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Estimates” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, ~~2012~~2013.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview



	Three Months Ended							Six Months Ended
(In thousands, except share and per share data)	June 27, 2014		March 28, 2014		Change			June 27, 2014		June 28, 2013		Change
Net sales	$	491,517	$	461,092	$	30,425		$	952,609	$	832,260	$	120,349
Gross margin	$	329,126	$	309,224	$	19,902		$	638,350	$	571,073	$	67,277
Operating margin ⁽¹⁾	$	146,567	$	134,595	$	11,972		$	281,162	$	230,270	$	50,892

Operating cash flows	$	170,958	$	130,430	$	40,528		$	301,388	$	214,043	$	87,345
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments	$	4,563,243	$	4,627,484	$	(64,241	)	$	4,563,243	$	3,642,980	$	920,263

Diluted shares	313,513		318,901		(5,388		)	316,145		323,279		(7,134		)
Diluted net income per share	$	0.41	$	0.37	$	0.04		$	0.77	$	0.69	$	0.08

Dividends per common share	$	0.15	$	0.15	$	—		$	0.30	$	0.20	$	0.10

(1)

We define operating margin as gross margin less research and development expense, selling, general and administrative expense and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. This presentation differs from income from operations as defined by United States ("U.S.") Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), as it excludes the effect of compensation associated with the deferred compensation plan obligations.

~~Sales Overview~~Our second quarter 2014 net sales of $491.5 million increased 6.6% from the first quarter of 2014. Our second quarter net sales represented the fifth straight quarter of sequential net sales growth. Net sales increased in all of our vertical markets with Telecom & Wireless net sales growing 9% sequentially. Net sales of New Products grew 15% sequentially in the second quarter of 2014 mostly due to an increase in net sales of our 28 nm products. Our gross margin percentage decreased slightly from 67.1% in the first quarter of 2014 to 67.0% for the second quarter of 2014. The slight decline was driven by an unfavorable product mix across vertical markets.

For the third quarter of 2014, we are forecasting a range of a 2% increase to a 2% decrease in net sales compared with the second quarter of 2014. The forecast reflects anticipated continued strength in our 28 nm products. Both the Telecom & Wirelsss and Industrial Automation, Military & Automative vertical markets are expected to remain flat in the third quarter of 2014 while our Networking, Computer & Storage vertical market is expected to grow. The Other vertical market category is expected to decline.

We ~~design, manufacture,~~continue to generate strong operating cash flows, with $171.0 million in cash flows from operations for the second quarter of 2014. We ended the quarter with $4.6 billion in cash, cash equivalents and ~~market high-performance, high-density programmable logic devices, or PLDs; HardCopy® ASIC devices; PowerSoCs; pre-defined software design building blocks known~~investments. During the second quarter of 2014, we returned cash to shareholders by both paying $46.6 million in dividends and repurchasing $197.0 million of common stock through our stock repurchase program. On July 21, 2014, our board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.18 per share for the third quarter of 2014, an increase of 20% over the previous quarter's dividend.

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Results of operations expressed as ~~intellectual property cores, or IP cores; and associated development tools.~~a percentage of net sales were as follows:



	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 27, 2014		June 28, 2013		June 27, 2014		June 28, 2013
Net sales	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%
Cost of sales	33.0	%	32.0	%	33.0	%	31.4	%
Gross margin	67.0	%	68.0	%	67.0	%	68.6	%
Research and development expense	20.6	%	22.6	%	20.9	%	22.0	%
Selling, general, and administrative expense	16.1	%	18.5	%	16.1	%	18.8	%
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets	0.5	%	0.2	%	0.5	%	0.1	%
Compensation expense/(benefit) - deferred compensation plan	0.6	%	0.0	%	0.5	%	0.4	%
(Gain)/ loss on deferred compensation plan securities	(0.6	)%	0.0	%	(0.5	)%	(0.4	)%
Interest income and other	(1.6	)%	(0.7	)%	(1.4	)%	(0.5	)%
Interest expense	2.2	%	0.8	%	2.2	%	0.7	%
Income tax expense	3.4	%	2.4	%	3.2	%	0.9	%
Net income	25.8	%	24.1	%	25.6	%	26.6	%

Our net ~~sales of~~ sal~~$445.9 million~~es for the ~~three months ended~~ ~~September 27, 2013~~, ~~decreased~~second quarter of 2014 increased by $~~49.1 million, or~~ ~~10%~~,16.5% from ~~our net sales~~the second quarter of ~~$495.0 million~~ ~~for the three months ended~~ ~~September 28, 2012. Our net sales of~~ ~~$1.28 billion~~ ~~for the~~ ~~nine months~~ ~~ended~~ ~~September 27, 2013~~, ~~decreased~~ by ~~$65.4 million, or~~ 5%~~, from our net sales of~~ ~~$1.34 billion~~ ~~for the~~ ~~nine months~~ ~~ended~~ ~~September 28, 2012~~.2013. The ~~decrease~~ ~~in net sales for both the three and~~ ~~nine-month periods~~increase was mainly due to ~~a typical decline~~significant growth in ~~Mature and Other Products coupled with a moderate decline in Mainstream Products as~~demand for our ~~new technologies are being adopted. Sales of~~ New Products, ~~had strong growth~~specifically in ~~both~~our 28 nm and 40 nm products. Net sales of our 28 nm products increased over 200% in the ~~three and~~ ~~nine-month periods as we continue to experience~~second quarter of 2014 compared with the second quarter of 2013. We also experienced growth in our ~~28-nm~~Industrial Automation, Military & Automotive and ~~40-nm products.~~Other vertical markets. We experienced a net sales increase in all geographies in the second quarter of 2014 compared with the second quarter of 2013.

Our net sales for the six months ended June 27, 2014 increased by 14.5% from the six months ended June 28, 2013. The increase was primarily due to significant growth in demand for our New Products. Net sales ~~declined~~of our 28 nm products increased significantly while net sales of our 40 nm products also experienced growth in the six months ended June 27, 2014 compared with the same period in 2013. We experienced growth in a majority of our vertical markets, with the Telecom & Wireless and ~~Other vertical markets, partially offset by a slight increase in the~~ Industrial Automation, Military ~~and~~& Automotive vertical ~~market for both periods. We experienced declines~~markets being particularly strong. Net sales increased in all geographies ~~with the exception of Japan,~~except North America, which ~~exhibited modest growth for the three-month period ended~~ ~~September 27, 2013~~ ~~from the three month period ended~~ ~~September 28, 2012. We~~ experienced a slight decrease in net sales ~~in the Americas and Asia Pacific, offset by growth in EMEA and Japan~~ for the ~~nine-month period~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~ ~~from the nine-month period ended~~ ~~September 28, 2012~~.

~~The net sales of FPGAs and CPLDs as a percentage of total net sales for both the three and~~ ~~nine-month periods ended~~ ~~September 27, 2013~~ ~~remained consistent~~2014 compared with the ~~prior year.~~ six months ended June 28, 2013.

Sales by Product Category

We classify our products into three categories: New, Mainstream, and Mature and Other Products. The composition of each product category is as follows:


•	New Products include the ~~Stratix~~Arria^® 10, Stratix^®V, Stratix IV, Arria^®V, Arria II, Cyclone^®V, CycloneIV, MAX^® V, HardCopy^®IV devices and Enpirion PowerSoCs.

Mainstream Products include the Stratix III, Cyclone III, MAX II and HardCopy III devices.


•	Mature and Other Products include the Stratix II, Stratix, Arria GX, Cyclone II, Cyclone, Classic™, MAX 3000A, MAX 7000, MAX 7000A, MAX 7000B, MAX 7000S, MAX 9000, HardCopy II, HardCopy, FLEX^® series, APEX™ series, Mercury™, and Excalibur™ devices, configuration and other devices, intellectual property cores and software and other tools.

New Products are primarily comprised of our most advanced products. Customers typically select these products for their latest generation of electronic systems. Demand is generally driven by prototyping and production needs. Mainstream Products are somewhat older products that are generally no longer design-win vehicles. Demand is driven by customers' later stage production-based needs. Mature Products are yet older products with demand generated by the oldest customer systems still in production. This category also includes sales of software, intellectual property and other miscellaneous devices.

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Net sales by product category were as follows:


	Three Months Ended						Year- Over- Year Change		Sequential Change		Nine Months Ended							Year- Over- Year Change		Three Months Ended						Year- Over- Year Change			Sequential Change		Six Months Ended							Year- Over- Year Change
	September 27, 2013		September 28, 2012		June 28, 2013				Sequential Change		September 27, 2013			September 28, 2012			June 27, 2014				June 28, 2013		March 28, 2014			Year- Over- Year Change		June 27, 2014				June 28, 2013						Year- Over- Year Change
							Year- Over- Year Change											Year- Over- Year Change
New	44	%	31	%	41	%	27	%	16	%		41	%		29	%		33	%	53	%	41	%	49	%	53	%		Sequential Change	15	%		51	%		40	%		46	%
Mainstream	26	%	32	%	28	%	(25	)%	0	%		28	%		31	%		(15	)%	21	%	28	%	23	%	(11	)%		2	%		22	%		28	%		(11	)%
Mature and Other	30	%	37	%	31	%	(28	)%	(1	)%		31	%		40	%		(25	)%	26	%	31	%	28	%	(5	)%		(4	)%		27	%		32	%		(2	)%
Net Sales	100	%	100	%	100	%	(10	)%	6	%		100	%		100	%		(5	)%	100	%	100	%	100	%	17	%		7	%		100	%		100	%		14	%

Sales by Vertical Market

The following vertical market data is derived from data that is provided to us by our distributors and end customers. With a broad base of customers, who in some cases manufacture end products spanning multiple market segments, the assignment of net sales to a vertical market requires the use of estimates, judgment and extrapolation. As such, actual results may differ from those reported.


	Three Months Ended						Year- Over- Year Change		Sequential Change		Nine Months Ended							Year- Over- Year Change		Three Months Ended						Year- Over- Year Change			Sequential Change		Six Months Ended							Year- Over- Year Change
	September 27, 2013		September 28, 2012		June 28, 2013				Sequential Change		September 27, 2013			September 28, 2012			June 27, 2014				June 28, 2013		March 28, 2014			Year- Over- Year Change		June 27, 2014				June 28, 2013						Year- Over- Year Change
							Year- Over- Year Change											Year- Over- Year Change
Telecom & Wireless	41	%	45	%	42	%	(18	)%	3	%		41	%		44	%		(10	)%	46	%	42	%	45	%	28	%		Sequential Change	9	%		46	%		41	%		26	%
Industrial Automation, Military & Automotive	23	%	20	%	22	%	1	%	11	%		22	%		21	%		2	%	21	%	22	%	22	%	14	%		3	%		21	%		22	%		13	%
Networking, Computer & Storage	19	%	17	%	18	%	0	%	13	%		19	%		17	%		2	%	15	%	18	%	15	%	(6	)%		1	%		15	%		18	%		(7	)%
Other	17	%	18	%	18	%	(12	)%	(1	)%		18	%		18	%		(7	)%	18	%	18	%	18	%	16	%		10	%		18	%		19	%		12	%
Net Sales	100	%	100	%	100	%	(10	)%	6	%		100	%		100	%		(5	)%	100	%	100	%	100	%	17	%		7	%		100	%		100	%		14	%

Sales of FPGAs and CPLDs

Our PLDs consist of field-programmable gate arrays, or FPGAs, including those referred to as system-on-chip FPGAs ("SoC FPGAs") that incorporate hard embedded processor cores, and complex programmable logic devices, or CPLDs. FPGAs consist of our Stratix, Cyclone, Arria, APEX, FLEX and ACEX 1K, as well as our Excalibur and Mercury families. CPLDs consist of our MAX ~~and Classic families.~~family. Other Products consist of our Enpirion PowerSoCs, HardCopy ASIC ~~devices and other masked programmed logic~~ devices, configuration devices, software and other tools, and IP cores.

Our net sales of FPGAs, CPLDs, and Other Products were as follows:


	Three Months Ended						Year- Over- Year Change		Sequential Change		Nine Months Ended							Year- Over- Year Change		Three Months Ended						Year- Over- Year Change			Sequential Change		Six Months Ended							Year- Over- Year Change
	September 27, 2013		September 28, 2012		June 28, 2013				Sequential Change		September 27, 2013			September 28, 2012			June 27, 2014				June 28, 2013		March 28, 2014			Year- Over- Year Change		June 27, 2014				June 28, 2013						Year- Over- Year Change
							Year- Over- Year Change											Year- Over- Year Change
FPGA	82	%	82	%	83	%	(11	)%	4	%		83	%		83	%		(5	)%	84	%	83	%	83	%	18	%		Sequential Change	8	%		84	%		84	%		14	%
CPLD	9	%	9	%	9	%	(3	)%	12	%		9	%		9	%		(8	)%	8	%	9	%	9	%	7	%		0	%		8	%		9	%		12	%
Other Products	9	%	9	%	8	%	(7	)%	13	%		8	%		8	%		4	%	8	%	8	%	8	%	12	%		3	%		8	%		7	%		21	%
Net Sales	100	%	100	%	100	%	(10	)%	6	%		100	%		100	%		(5	)%	100	%	100	%	100	%	17	%		7	%		100	%		100	%		14	%

Sales by Geography

The following table is based on the geographic location of the original equipment manufacturers or the distributors who purchased our products. The geographic location of distributors may be different from the geographic location of the ultimate end users.

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Net sales by geography were as follows:


	Three Months Ended						Year- Over- Year Change		Sequential Change		Nine Months Ended							Year- Over- Year Change		Three Months Ended						Year- Over- Year Change			Sequential Change		Six Months Ended							Year- Over- Year Change
	September 27, 2013		September 28, 2012		June 28, 2013				Sequential Change		September 27, 2013			September 28, 2012			June 27, 2014				June 28, 2013		March 28, 2014			Year- Over- Year Change		June 27, 2014				June 28, 2013						Year- Over- Year Change
							Year- Over- Year Change											Year- Over- Year Change
Americas	18	%	19	%	17	%	(11	)%	15	%		18	%		18	%		(2	)%	16	%	17	%	15	%	9	%		Sequential Change	8	%		15	%		18	%		(3	)%
Asia Pacific	39	%	43	%	39	%	(18	)%	6	%		39	%		44	%		(15	)%	43	%	39	%	43	%	28	%		8	%		43	%		39	%		26	%
EMEA	28	%	25	%	28	%	(1	)%	5	%		28	%		24	%		9	%	27	%	28	%	26	%	13	%		9	%		27	%		27	%		12	%
Japan	15	%	13	%	16	%	2	%	(3	)%		15	%		14	%		1	%	14	%	16	%	16	%	3	%		(2	)%		15	%		16	%		10	%
Net Sales	100	%	100	%	100	%	(10	)%	6	%		100	%		100	%		(5	)%	100	%	100	%	100	%	17	%		7	%		100	%		100	%		14	%

Price Concessions and Product Returns from Distributors

We sell the majority of our products to distributors worldwide at a list price. However, distributors resell our products to end customers at a very broad range of individually negotiated prices based on a variety of factors, including customer, product, quantity, geography and competitive differentiation. ~~The majority of our distributors' sales to their customers are priced at a discount from our list price.~~ Under these circumstances, we remit back to the distributor a portion of its original purchase price after the resale transaction is completed and we validate the distributor's resale information, including end customer, device, quantity and price, against the distributor price concession that we have approved in advance. To receive price concessions, distributors must submit the price concession claims to us for approval within 60 days of the resale of the product to an end customer. ~~It is our practice to apply these negotiated price discounts to future purchases, requiring the distributor to settle receivable balances, on a current basis, generally within~~ 30 ~~days, for amounts originally invoiced.~~ Primarily because of the uncertainty related to the final price, we defer revenue recognition on sales to distributors until our products are sold from the distributor to the end customer, which is when our price is fixed or determinable. Accordingly, these pricing uncertainties impact our results of operations, liquidity and capital resources. Average aggregate price concessions typically range from ~~65%~~70% to ~~80%~~85% of our list price on an annual basis, depending upon the composition of our sales, volume and factors associated with timing of shipments to ~~distributors.~~distributors or payment of the price concession. Total price concessions earned by distributors were $~~3.4~~2.3 billion in each of the six months ended June 27, 2014 and ~~$3.1 billion~~ ~~for the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 27,~~June 28, 2013 ~~and~~ ~~September 28, 2012, respectively.~~.

Our distributors have certain rights under our contracts to return defective, overstocked, obsolete or discontinued products. Our stock rotation program generally allows distributors to return unsold product to Altera, subject to certain contract limits, based on a percentage of sales occurring over various periods prior to the stock rotation. Products resold by the distributor to end customers are no longer eligible for return, unless specifically authorized by us. In addition, we generally warrant our products against defects in material, workmanship and non-conformance to our specifications. Returns from distributors totaled $~~57.5~~35.9 million and $~~61.5~~42.1 million for the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 and ~~September~~June 28, ~~2012~~2013, respectively.

Gross Margin

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 27,
2013 September 28,
2012 June 28,
2013 September 27,
2013 September 28,
2012

Gross Margin Percentage 68.3 % 69.3 % 68.0 % 68.5 % 69.6 %



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 27, 2014		June 28, 2013		March 28, 2014		June 27, 2014		June 28, 2013

Gross Margin Percentage	67.0	%	68.0	%	67.1	%	67.0	%	68.6	%

Gross margin rates are heavily influenced by both vertical market mix and the timing of material cost improvements. While these variables will continue to fluctuate on a ~~quarterly~~cyclical basis, our gross margin target over the ~~long term~~next two to three years is between 67% and 70%. We believe that ~~the 67%~~this gross margin target will enable us to achieve our desired balance between growth and profitability. Our gross margin percentage for the three months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 decreased by 1.0 ~~point compared with the same period of 2012. Our gross margin percentage for the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 27, 2013decreased~~ by ~~1.1~~ points compared with the same period of ~~2012.~~2013. Our gross margin percentage for the six months ended June 27, 2014 decreased by 1.6 points compared with the same period of 2013. The decrease in both the three and ~~nine-month~~six-month periods is primarily attributable to an unfavorable net sales mix ~~within~~across vertical markets, customers, and ~~unfavorable customer product mix,~~geographies when compared with the same periods of ~~2012.~~2013.

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Research and Development Expense

Research and development expense includes costs for compensation and benefits, development masks, prototype wafers, and depreciation and amortization. These expenditures are for the design of new products, the development of process technologies, new package technology, software to support new products and design environments, and IP cores.

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We will continue to make significant investments in the development of new products and focus our efforts on the development of new programmable logic devices that use advanced semiconductor wafer fabrication processes, as well as related development software. We are currently investing in the development of future silicon products, as well as our ~~Quartus®~~Quartus II software, PowerSoCs, our expanding library of IP cores and other future products.


	Three Months Ended									Year- Over- Year Change		Sequential Change		Nine Months Ended								Year- Over- Year Change			Three Months Ended											Year- Over- Year Change		Sequential Change		Six Months Ended								Year- Over- Year Change
(In millions)	September 27, 2013			September 28, 2012			June 28, 2013							September 27, 2013				September 28, 2012						June 27, 2014				June 28, 2013				March 28, 2014								June 27, 2014				June 28, 2013

Research and Development Expense	$	95.3		$	91.4		$	95.5		4	%	0	%		$	278.5			$	265.6		5	%		$	101.1			$	95.5			$	97.7		6	%	3	%		$	198.8			$	183.2		9	%
Percentage of Net Sales	21.4		%	18.5		%	22.6		%						21.8		%		19.8		%				20.6		%		22.6		%		21.2		%						20.9		%		22.0		%

Research and development expense for the three months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 increased by $~~3.9~~5.6 million, or 4%6%, compared with the three months ended ~~September~~June 28, ~~2012~~2013. The increase was primarily attributable to a $~~7.3~~ $5.2 million increase in ~~personnel-related costs due to an increase in~~variable compensation expense based upon improved operating results for the ~~number of employees to support product development~~three months ended June 27, 2014 and ~~from our recent acquisitions,~~ a $~~1.5~~2.2 million increase in depreciation ~~expense, a~~ $~~1.2~~ ~~million~~ ~~increase in professional services~~ and ~~a $1.0 million increase in rental expenses in connection with our product development activities.~~amortization expense. These increases were partially offset by a $1.2 million decrease in tools and supplies and a $~~6.5~~0.9 million decrease ~~related to timing of external costs for~~in professional services in connection with our product ~~development.~~development activities.

Research and development expense for the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013increased~~2014 increased by ~~$12.9~~$15.6 million,, or 5%9%, compared with the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 28, ~~2012~~2013. The increase was ~~primarily~~ attributable to a $10.0 million increase in variable compensation expense based upon improved operating results for the six months ended June 27, 2014, a $~~22.5~~ ~~million~~ ~~increase in personnel-related costs due to an increase in the number of employees to support product development and from our recent acquisitions, a~~ $~~5.6~~5.3 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense, a $1.7 million increase in license costs in connection with our product development activities, and a $~~3.1~~1.1 million increase related to timing of external product development costs. These increases were partially offset by a $2.1 million decrease in professional services in connection with our product development activities. ~~These increases were partially offset by a~~ $~~19.3~~ ~~million~~ ~~decrease related to timing of external costs for product development.~~

Selling, General, and Administrative Expense

Selling, general, and administrative expense includes costs for compensation and benefits related to sales, marketing, and administrative employees, commissions and incentives, depreciation, legal, advertising, facilities and travel expenses.


	Three Months Ended									Year- Over- Year Change		Sequential Change		Nine Months Ended								Year- Over- Year Change			Three Months Ended											Year- Over- Year Change		Sequential Change		Six Months Ended								Year- Over- Year Change
(In millions)	September 27, 2013			September 28, 2012			June 28, 2013							September 27, 2013				September 28, 2012						June 27, 2014				June 28, 2013				March 28, 2014								June 27, 2014				June 28, 2013

Selling, General and Administrative Expense	$	78.9		$	74.2		$	77.9		6	%	1	%		$	235.4			$	215.8		9	%		$	79.0			$	77.9			$	74.5		1	%	6	%		$	153.5			$	156.5		(2	)%
Percentage of Net Sales	17.7		%	15.0		%	18.5		%						18.4		%		16.1		%				16.1		%		18.5		%		16.2		%						16.1		%		18.8		%

Selling, general, and administrative expense for the three months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 increased by $~~4.7~~1.1 million, or 6%1%, compared with the three months ended ~~September~~June 28, ~~2012~~2013. The increase was primarily attributable to a $~~3.0~~3.7 million increase in ~~personnel-related costs due to an~~variable compensation expense based upon improved operating results for the three months ended June 27, 2014. This increase ~~in the number of employees to support the business,~~was offset by a $~~2.1~~1.5 million ~~increase~~decrease in external professional services and a $~~0.9~~ $1.0 million ~~increase~~ decrease in ~~stock-based compensation expense.~~personnel-related costs.

Selling, general, and administrative expense for the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013increased~~2014 decreased by ~~$19.6~~$3.0 million,, or 9%2%, compared with the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 28, ~~2012~~2013. The ~~increase~~decrease was ~~primarily~~ attributable to a $~~10.2~~ ~~million~~ ~~increase in personnel-related costs due to an increase in the number of employees to support the business, a~~ $~~3.4~~ ~~million~~ ~~increase in professional services,~~ a non-recurring $3.0 million ~~increase in~~2013 expense for local non-income taxes, a $~~1.8~~3.0 million decrease in external professional services, and a $2.1 million decrease in personnel-related costs due to the absence in 2014 of acquisition expenses incurred in the same period of 2013. These decreases were offset by a $4.9 million increase in ~~depreciation~~variable compensation expense ~~and a~~based upon improved operating results for the six months ended $June 27, 2014~~1.4~~ .~~million~~ ~~increase in stock-based compensation expense.~~

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Amortization of Acquisition-Related Intangible Assets

Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets increased by $~~1.6 million~~ ~~and~~ ~~$2.3~~1.5 million for the ~~three and~~ ~~nine~~three months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, ~~respectively,~~ when compared with the same ~~periods~~period in ~~2012,~~2013, primarily due to acquisitions in the second quarter of 2013.

Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets increasedby$3.8 million for the six months ended June 27, 2014, when compared with the same period in 2013, primarily due to acquisitions in the second quarter of 2013.

Deferred Compensation Plan

We allow our U.S.-based officers and director-level employees to defer a portion of their compensation under the Altera Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “NQDC Plan”). Since the inception of the NQDC Plan, we have not made any contributions to the NQDC Plan and we have no commitments to do so in the future. There are no NQDC Plan provisions that provide for any guarantees or minimum return on investments. Investment income or ~~losses~~loss earned by the NQDC Plan ~~are~~is recorded as ~~Gain~~(Gain)/loss on deferred compensation plan securities in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. We reported a net investment gain of $~~3.5~~3.1 million and ~~$6.7~~$4.6 million on NQDC Plan assets for the three and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014~~, respectively.~~. We reported a net investment ~~gain~~loss of $~~3.3~~0.2 million and ~~$6.7~~a gain of $3.3 million on NQDC Plan assets for the three and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 28, ~~2012~~2013., respectively. These amounts resulted from the overall market performance of the underlying securities. The investment (gain) / loss also represents an (increase) /decrease in the future payout to employees and is recorded as Compensation ~~expense~~expense/(benefit) — deferred compensation planin our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The compensation ~~expense~~expense/(benefit) associated with our ~~deferred compensation plan~~NQDC Plan obligations is offset by (gains)/loss from the related securities. The net effect of the investment income or loss and related compensation expense or benefit has no impact on our income before income taxes, net income or cash balances. See Note 18 - Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan to our consolidated financial statements for a detailed discussion of the NQDC Plan.

Interest Income and Other

Interest income and other, consisting mainly of interest income generated from investments in ~~high-quality~~bonds, money market funds and high quality fixed income securities,~~decreased~~ by ~~$0.6 million~~ ~~and~~ increased by $~~0.7~~5.0 million and $9.4 million for the three and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, respectively, when compared with the same periods in ~~2012,~~2013, primarily due to the ~~change in composition~~purchase of ~~investments in~~higher yielding securities to facilitate an economic hedge relative to our ~~portfolio.~~issuance of public debt.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased by $7.5 million and $~~3.0~~15.5 million for the ~~nine~~three and six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, respectively, when compared towith the same ~~period~~periods in the prior year, primarily due to the long-term debt issued in the ~~second~~fourth quarter of ~~2012, which has a higher effective interest rate than the former credit facility. The increase for the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 27, 2013~~ ~~also includes a one-time interest charge on debt assumed in connection with our recent acquisition activity in the second quarter of~~ 2013. ~~Our interest expense was relatively flat for the three-month period ended~~ ~~September 27, 2013, compared to the same period in 2012.~~

Income ~~tax expense~~
Tax Expense

Our effective tax rate reflects the impact of a significant amount of our earnings being taxed in foreign jurisdictions at rates below the U.S. statutory tax rate. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 was ~~6.7%~~11.5% compared towith ~~11.3%~~9.2% for the three months ended ~~September~~June 28, ~~2012~~2013. The increase in our effective tax rate was primarily due to lower one-time tax benefits in 2014 compared with the same period in 2013, and the expiration of the U.S. federal research and development tax credit for 2014. The U.S. federal research and development tax credit has not been extended beyond 2013. During the three months ended June 28, 2013, we reversed $2.3 million of liabilities for uncertain tax positions relating to changes in our estimate for certain foreign jurisdictions.

Our effective tax rate for the six months ended June 27, 2014 was 11.0% compared with 3.2% for the six months ended June 28, 2013. The net change in our effective tax rate was primarily due to ~~higher~~lower one-time tax benefits in ~~2013~~2014 compared ~~to 2012,~~with the same period in 2013, and the ~~reinstatement~~expiration of the U.S. federal research and development tax credit ~~in 2013 which had expired in 2011.~~for 2014. During the ~~three~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~,2014, we reversed $~~30.3~~4.0 million of liabilities and the related interest for uncertain tax positions upon the expiration of ~~foreign and~~a domestic ~~statutes~~statute of ~~limitation,~~limitations, which was ~~substantially~~ offset by $270.9 million of true-up adjustments resulting from the filing of tax ~~accrued on~~returns in foreign ~~dividends.~~

~~Our effective tax rate for~~jurisdictions. During the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September 27,~~June 28, 2013, ~~was~~ ~~4.4%, compared with~~ ~~4.0%~~ ~~for the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 28, 2012~~. The net change in our effective tax rate was primarily due to higher one-time tax benefits in 2012 compared to 2013, partially offset by the reinstatement of the U.S. federal research and development tax credit in 2013 which had expired in 2011. During the ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 27, 2013~~, we recognized a benefit of ~~$10.6~~$10.6 million resulting from the enactment of the American Taxpayer Relief Act in January 2013, which extended, retroactively, the federal research and development credit through December 31, 2013. In addition, we reversed ~~$6.8~~$6.8 million of liabilities for uncertain tax ~~liabilities~~positions due to the IRS conceding an adjustment for certain 2007 inter-company transactions in our litigation ~~regarding~~over the 2004 through 2007 tax years, ~~and the related interest,~~ ~~$2.3~~as well as $2.3 million of liabilities for uncertain tax positions relating to changes in ~~estimate~~estimates for certain foreign ~~tax jurisdictions, and~~ jurisdictions.~~$30.3 million~~ ~~of liabilities for uncertain tax positions upon the expiration of foreign and domestic statutes of limitation and related interest, which was substantially offset by~~ ~~$27 million~~ ~~of tax accrued on foreign dividends.~~

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In connection with one of our acquisitions, ~~during the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~September 27, 2013~~, we are indemnified by the selling company for certain potential tax obligations arising prior to the acquisition. We have recognized a tax indemnification receivable of $6.5 million in ~~other~~Other assets, net in our consolidated balance sheets. We do not expect any significant effect on earnings or cash flows related to these potential tax obligations.

FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We derive our liquidity and capital resources primarily from our cash flows from operations. We continue to generate strong positive operating cash flows. In ~~May 2012,~~2013, we issued ~~1.75%~~$600 million aggregate principal amount of 2.5% senior notes (the "2.50% Notes") and $400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.10% senior notes (the "4.10% Notes") that will mature on ~~May~~November 15, ~~2017~~ ~~(the “Notes”~~2018, and November 15, 2023, respectively, for stock repurchases and general corporate purposes (collectively the "2013 Notes") ~~in the~~. In 2012, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of ~~$500 million. We used the net proceeds~~1.75% senior notes (the "1.75% Notes") that will mature on May 15, 2017 to repay our former credit ~~facility.~~facility (the "2012 Notes"). In ~~June~~ 2012, we entered into a credit agreement that provides for a $250 million unsecured revolving line of credit (the "Facility"), which is scheduled to mature in June 2017. As of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~,2014, we had no borrowings under the Facility. As such, the $250 million available under the Facility represents a source of liquidity.

We purchased $1.6 billion in U.S. Treasury securities over the past two years, of which $1.5 billion provides an economic hedge of the interest rate exposure on our 2013 and 2012 Notes. Overall, our investment portfolio is invested in mid to high investment grade securities and our investment policy generally limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. The policy requires investments to be investment grade with the objective of minimizing the potential risk of principal loss.

We currently use cash to fund our operations, dividends, capital expenditures and for repurchases of our common stock. Based on past performance and current expectations, we believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents, investments, together with cash expected to be generated from operations, the Facility and our access to capital markets will be sufficient to satisfy our operations, cash dividends, capital expenditures and stock repurchases over the next 12 months.

We earn a significant amount of our operating income outside of the U.S., which is deemed to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign jurisdictions. For at least the next 12 months, we have sufficient cash in the U.S. and we expect domestic cash flow to sustain our operating activities and our expected use of cash for quarterly dividends and share buy-backs. Most of the amounts held outside of the U.S. could be repatriated to the U.S. but, under the current law, would be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, less applicable foreign tax credits. As of June 27, 2014, we had approximately $1.9 billion of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments held by our non-U.S. subsidiaries. We believe our U.S. sources of cash and liquidity, including external sources of financing, are sufficient to meet our business needs in the U.S. without repatriating aggregate unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries.

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Share Repurchases and Dividends

~~On August 28,~~We repurchase shares under our stock repurchase program that was announced on July 15, 1996, which has no specified expiration. No existing repurchase plans or programs have expired, nor have we decided to terminate any repurchase plans or programs prior to expiration. In 2013, we announced that our board of directors increased the share repurchase program authorization by an additional 30.0 million shares. Combined with the board’s previous authorization, there is a total of 233.0 million shares authorized for repurchase with approximately ~~41.1~~26.2 million shares remaining for further repurchases under our stock repurchase program as of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014. Since the inception of the stock ~~purchase~~repurchase program through ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013,~~2014, we have repurchased a total of ~~191.9~~206.8 million shares of our common stock for an aggregate cost of $~~(4.1)~~4.6 billion. Management believes that this authorization is sufficient to support ~~the company's~~our share repurchase objectives through mid-2015.

During the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, we paid $~~112.2~~94.2 million in cash dividends to stockholders, representing ~~$0.15~~$0.30 per common ~~share for $48.2 million in the third quarter of 2013 and~~ ~~$0.10~~ ~~per common share for an aggregate of~~ ~~$64.0 million~~ ~~for the first and second quarters of 2013.~~share. On ~~October~~July 21, ~~2013~~2014, our board of directors declared a cash dividend of $~~0.15~~0.18 per share for the ~~fourth~~third quarter of ~~2013.~~2014.

Shelf Registration Statement

We have an effective shelf registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that allows us to issue senior debt securities from time to time in one or more offerings. Each issuance under the shelf registration will require the filing of a prospectus supplement identifying the amount and terms of the securities to be issued. The registration statement does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder. Our ability to issue debt securities is subject to market conditions and other factors impacting our borrowing capacity, including our credit ratings and compliance with the covenants in our credit agreement.

Cash Flows

Our cash and cash equivalents balance during the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014 ~~increased~~decreased by $~~79.5~~180.8 million. The change in cash and cash equivalents was as follows:

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	Nine Months Ended						Six Months Ended
(In thousands)	September 27, 2013			September 28, 2012			June 27, 2014			June 28, 2013

Net cash provided by operating activities	$	459,449		$	460,505		$	301,388		$	214,043
Net cash used in investing activities	(203,666		)	(742,513		)	(39,980		)	(182,526		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(176,325		)	(240,096		)	(442,240		)	(119,300		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	79,458		$	(522,104	)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents							$	(180,832	)	$	(87,783	)

Total cash and cash equivalents accounted for 46% and 48% of total assets at June 27, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Operating Activities

For the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, our operating activities provided $~~459.4~~301.4 million in cash, primarily attributable to net income of $~~341.1~~243.5 million, adjusted for non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $~~74.3~~47.6 million (net of related tax effects), depreciation and amortization (including amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets) of ~~$37.2~~$33.7 million,~~, net amortization of investments of $2.6 million~~ ~~and a~~ deferred income tax ~~benefit~~expense of $~~5.6~~12.5 million, amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs of $1.6 million, and net amortization of investment discount/premium of $1.3 million. The net change in working capital accounts (excluding cash and cash equivalents and effects of acquisitions) was primarily due to a $~~111.2~~30.5 million ~~increase~~decrease in Accounts receivable, net, a $~~2.5~~12.8 million increase in Inventories, aan $~~29.5~~11.1 million decrease in Other assets, a $~~12.5~~5.7 million increase in Accounts payable and other liabilities, a $~~96.0~~72.5 million ~~increase~~decrease in Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors, ~~and an~~a $~~8.8~~5.9 million ~~decrease~~increase in Income taxes ~~payable.~~payable and a $6.3 milliondecrease in deferred compensation plan obligations.

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Our sales to distributors are primarily made under agreements allowing for subsequent price adjustments and returns, and we defer recognition of revenue until the products are resold by the distributor. At the time of shipment to distributors, we (1) record a trade receivable at the list selling price since there is a legally enforceable obligation from the distributor to pay us currently for product delivered, (2) relieve inventory for the carrying value of goods shipped since legal title has passed to the distributor and (3) record deferred revenue and deferred cost of sales in Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors in the liability section of our consolidated balance sheets. Accordingly, increases in Accounts receivable, net associated with higher billings are generally offset by corresponding increases in Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors. However, timing differences between gross billings, discounts earned, collections, revenue recognition and changes in the mix of sales to OEMs and distributors may result in a temporary interruption to the normal relationship between these two accounts.

The $~~111.2~~30.5 million ~~increase~~decrease in Accounts receivable, net~~, and~~was primarily due to the timing of subsequent price concessions by certain distributors. The $~~96.0~~72.5 million ~~increase~~decrease in Deferred income and allowances on sales to distributors ~~principally relate~~was due to ~~increased~~net sales out-pacing gross billings to distributors near the end of the period.

The $~~2.5~~12.8 million increase in Inventories iswas ~~attributable~~mainly due to an increase in ~~purchases to support new products~~production near the end of the ~~period.~~period associated with an increase in demand for our new products.

The $~~29.5~~11.1 million decrease in Other assets was primarily ~~resulted from~~attributable to a decrease in ~~prepaid~~ income ~~taxes and other prepaid items.~~tax receivable due to the receipt of a federal income tax refund in the second quarter of 2014.

The $~~12.5~~5.7 million increase in Accounts payable and other liabilities iswas primarily attributable to an increase in accounts payable due to an increase in inventory purchases ~~primarily~~during the second quarter of 2014 compared with the same period in 2013 associated with an increase in demand for ~~new products, and~~our products. The increase was also attributable to an increase in accrued variable compensation ~~partially resulting from our recent acquisitions. These items were partially offset by an increase in vendor payments~~expense based upon higher operating results for the six months ended June 27, 2014 and various other accrued items as a result of timing. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in accrued interest payable for our senior notes due to a semi-annual interest payment made in the second quarter of 2014 and a decrease in other accrued liabilities due to a holdback payment for one of our 2013 acquisitions.

The $~~8.8~~5.9 million ~~decrease~~increase in Income taxes payable is wasprimarily related to higher tax liabilities in the U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions from accrual for tax exposures related to cost sharing and transfer pricing. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from a new accounting pronouncement adopted in the first quarter of 2014 and the reversal of uncertain tax positions for the expiration of ~~foreign and~~ domestic ~~statutes~~statute of ~~limitation, changes~~limitations in ~~estimates for certain foreign jurisdictions, and~~ the ~~benefits resulting from the extension~~first quarter of ~~federal research and development credits through December 31, 2013, offset by the additional accrued tax liabilities for foreign jurisdictions and for uncertain tax positions.~~2014.

Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities in the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, primarily consisted of purchases of available for sale securities of $~~258.8~~204.8 million, ~~acquisitions of~~ ~~$145.3 million~~ ~~(net of cash acquired), purchase of other investments of $2.1 million~~ ~~and~~ purchases of property and equipment of $~~31.2~~21.6 million, a holdback payment for a 2013 acquisition of $3.4 million, purchase of intangible assets of $0.5 million and purchase of other investments of $8.2 million. These items were partially offset by ~~proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities of~~ ~~$228.3 million~~ ~~and proceeds from sales~~the sale of deferred compensation plan securities, net of ~~$5.5 million.~~$6.3 million, proceeds from the maturity of available-for-sale securities of $134.2 million, and proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities of $58.0 million.

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Financing Activities

Cash used in financing activities in the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, primarily consisted of ~~cash dividend payments of~~ ~~$112.2 million~~, repurchases of common stock of $~~60.3~~358.8 million, ~~the payment of debt assumed from acquisitions~~cash dividend payments of $~~22.0~~94.2 million, ~~and~~ minimum statutory withholding for vested restricted stock units of $~~24.8~~11.2 million, and long-term debt and credit facility issuance costs of $1.3 million. These items were partially offset by proceeds of $~~38.7~~22.7 million from the issuance of common stock to employees through our employee stock plans and ~~the~~an excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation of $~~4.2~~0.6 million.

Our dividend policy could be impacted in the future by, among other items, future changes in our cash flows from operations and our capital spending needs such as those relating to research and development, investments and acquisitions, common stock repurchases, and other strategic investments.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

As of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, we had ~~$3.5~~$1.3 million of non-cancelable license obligations to providers of electronic design automation software and maintenance obligations expiring at various dates through December 2014.

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In addition to these lease and purchase obligations, ~~we enter into,~~ in the normal course of business we enter into a variety of agreements and financial commitments. It is not possible to predict the maximum potential amount of future payments under these agreements due to the conditional nature of our obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. Historically, payments pursuant to such agreements have not been material. We believe that any future payments required pursuant to such agreements would not be significant to our consolidated financial position or operating results.

As of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, we had total gross unrecognized tax benefits of $~~268.7~~320.5 million. Due to the uncertainty with respect to the timing of future cash flows associated with our unrecognized tax benefits, as of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, we are unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate as to if and when cash settlements with the relevant taxing authorities will occur.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

As of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of SEC Regulation S-K.

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

The information contained in Note 2 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements to our consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 is incorporated by reference into this Part I, Item 2.

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ITEM 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

~~Interest Rate Risk~~

~~Our exposure to interest rate~~Altera’s market risk ~~relates primarily to our investment portfolio, which consists of fixed income securities with a fair value of approximately $889.9 million as of~~ ~~September 27, 2013. Our primary aim with our investment portfolio is to invest available cash while preserving principal~~disclosures set forth in Part II, Item 7A, “Quantitative and meeting liquidity needs. Our investment portfolio includes U.S. and foreign government and agency securities, corporate bonds, commercial paper, and municipal bonds. In accordance with our investment policy, we place investments with high credit quality issuers and limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. These securities are subject to interest rate risk and will decrease in value if market interest rates increase. A hypothetical 100 basis-point (one percentage point) increase or decrease in interest rates compared to rates at ~~December 31, 2012~~ ~~would have affected the fair value~~Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” of our ~~investment portfolio by approximately $21.1 million.~~2013 Form 10-K have not changed materially for the first six months of 2014.

~~Equity Price Risk~~

We are exposed to equity price risk inherent in the marketable equity securities held in our investment portfolio and our Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan. A hypothetical ten percent adverse change in the stock prices of these equity securities would not result in a material impact on our consolidated financial position, operating results or cash flows.

~~Foreign Currency Risk~~

We have international operations and incur expenditures in currencies other than U.S. dollars. To date, our exposure to exchange rate volatility resulting from foreign currency transaction gains and losses and remeasurement of local currency assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars has been insignificant. If foreign currency rates were to fluctuate by ten percent from rates in effect at ~~September 27, 2013, the resulting transaction gains or losses and the effects of remeasurement would not materially affect our consolidated financial position, operating results or cash flows.~~

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ITEM 4:	Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Evaluation Date”).

The purpose of this evaluation was to determine if, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were designed and operating effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information relating to Altera, required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act filings (i) was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (ii) was accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Based on the evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(f) and 15(d) - 15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the period covered by this quarterly report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitation on Effectiveness of Controls

It should be noted that any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met. The design of any control system is based, in part, upon the benefits of the control system relative to its costs. Control systems can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. In addition, over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate. In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events.

PART II OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1:	Legal Proceedings

This information is included in Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report and is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 1A:	Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously described under Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, ~~2012~~2013. For additional information regarding risk factors, please refer to the description of the risk factors associated with our business previously disclosed in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, ~~2012~~2013.

Before you decide to buy, hold or sell our common stock, you should carefully consider the risks described in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, ~~2012~~2013 and the other information contained elsewhere in this report. These risks are not the only risks facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business. Our business, consolidated operating results and financial position could be seriously harmed if any of the events underlying any of these risks or uncertainties actually occurs. In that event, the market price for our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

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ITEM 2:	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Items 2(a) and 2(b) are inapplicable.

2(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

We have an ongoing authorization from our board of directors to repurchase up to 233.0 million shares of our common stock. As of ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, we had repurchased ~~191.9~~206.8 million shares for an aggregate cost of $~~4.1~~4.6 billion. No existing repurchase plans or programs have expired, nor have we decided to terminate any repurchase plans or programs prior to expiration.

During the three-month period ended ~~September~~June 27, ~~2013~~2014, we repurchased shares of our common stock as follows:


(Shares are presented in thousands)	(Shares are presented in thousands)						(Shares are presented in thousands)
Period		Total Number of Shares Purchased⁽¹⁾	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs⁽²⁾		Total Number of Shares Purchased⁽¹⁾	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
6/29/2013-7/26/2013		161	$	32.93	161	41,139
3/29/2014-4/25/2014								839	$	34.76	839	31,330
4/26/2014-5/23/2014								4,526	$	32.57	4,526	26,804
5/24/2014-6/27/2014								618	$	32.68	618	26,186

		161			161			5,983			5,983

(1) No shares were purchased outside of publicly announced plans or programs.

~~(2) An additional 30 million shares were approved for repurchase by the board of directors in August 2013.~~

For the majority of the restricted stock units that we grant, the number of shares issued on the date the restricted stock units vest is net of the minimum statutory withholding requirements that we pay in cash to the appropriate taxing authorities on behalf of our employees. Although these withheld shares are not issued or considered common stock repurchases under our authorized plan and are not included in the common stock repurchase totals in the preceding table, they are treated as common stock repurchases in our financial statements, as they reduce the number of shares that would have been issued upon vesting.

3234

Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX



		Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit No.	Description	Form	File Number	Filing Date

#10.2	Altera Corporation 1987 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and restated May 13, 2014

#10.20	Altera Corporation 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated May 13, 2014

#10.42	Form of Award Agreement (Restricted Stock Units) under the Altera Corporation 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (VP and Above)

#10.43	Separation Agreement and General Release of Claims by and between the Registrant and Scott A. Bibaud dated June 4, 2014

#31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

#31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

##32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

##32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS	XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

_________________

#Filed herewith

##Furnished herewith

3335

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



	ALTERA CORPORATION

	By:	/s/ RONALD J. PASEK
		Ronald J. Pasek
		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

3436

Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX



		Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit No.	Description	Form	File Number	Filing Date

#10.2	Altera Corporation 1987 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and restated May 13, 2014

#10.20	Altera Corporation 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated May 13, 2014

#10.42	Form of Award Agreement (Restricted Stock Units) under the Altera Corporation 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (VP and Above)

#10.43	Separation Agreement and General Release of Claims by and between the Registrant and Scott A. Bibaud dated June 4, 2014

#31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

#31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

##32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

##32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS	XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

_________________

#Filed herewith

##Furnished herewith

3537



	PAGE NUMBER

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Consolidated Balance Sheets	3

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	6

ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	21

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	3032

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures	3133

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings	3133

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors	3133

ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	3234

ITEM 6. Exhibits	3335

Signatures	3436



(In thousands)	December 31, 2012		Other Comprehensive (Loss)/ Income			September 27, 2013

Accumulated unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	$	5,592	$	(6,721	)	$	(1,129	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income/ (loss)	$	5,592	$	(6,721	)	$	(1,129	)