UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended June 29,September 28, 2013

or

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

For the transition period from ________to _________

Commission File Number: 1-12696

Plantronics, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware77-0207692
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

345 Encinal Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(831) 426-5858
(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 S 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 S 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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer S
Accelerated filer £
Non-accelerated filer £
Smaller reporting company £
  (Do not check if a 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 S

As of July 27,October 26, 2013, 43,856,32843,774,566 shares of the registrant's common stock were outstanding.


1



Plantronics, Inc.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATIONPage No.
  
 
  
  
  
  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the ThreeSix Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012
  
  
  
  
  
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 
  
  
  
  
  

Plantronics®, Clarity®, and Simply Smarter Communications® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Plantronics, Inc.

DECT™ is a trademark of ETSI registered for the benefit of its members in France and other jurisdictions.

The Bluetooth name and the Bluetooth® trademarks are owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and are used by Plantronics, Inc. under
license.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

2

Table of Contents

Part I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

PLANTRONICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)

June 30,
2013
 March 31,
2013
September 30,
2013
 March 31,
2013
ASSETS      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents$256,343
 $228,776
$245,980
 $228,776
Short-term investments101,610
 116,581
113,143
 116,581
Accounts receivable, net120,903
 128,209
123,748
 128,209
Inventory, net65,314
 67,435
69,150
 67,435
Deferred tax assets10,193
 10,120
10,065
 10,120
Other current assets13,909
 15,369
15,289
 15,369
Total current assets568,272
 566,490
577,375
 566,490
Long-term investments85,904
 80,261
79,475
 80,261
Property, plant, and equipment, net107,814
 99,111
118,318
 99,111
Goodwill and purchased intangibles, net16,349
 16,440
16,265
 16,440
Other assets2,181
 2,303
2,240
 2,303
Total assets$780,520
 $764,605
$793,673
 $764,605
      
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
  
 
  
Current liabilities: 
  
 
  
Accounts payable$32,727
 $37,067
$29,500
 $37,067
Accrued liabilities57,394
 66,419
60,926
 66,419
Total current liabilities90,121
 103,486
90,426
 103,486
Deferred tax liabilities3,861
 1,742
2,833
 1,742
Long-term income taxes payable12,145
 12,005
12,685
 12,005
Other long-term liabilities824
 925
1,686
 925
Total liabilities106,951
 118,158
107,630
 118,158
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

 



 

Stockholders' equity: 
  
 
  
Common stock767
 757
769
 757
Additional paid-in capital633,988
 612,283
645,169
 612,283
Accumulated other comprehensive income3,181
 5,567
1,858
 5,567
Retained earnings50,929
 28,344
69,670
 28,344
Total stockholders' equity before treasury stock688,865
 646,951
717,466
 646,951
Less: Treasury stock, at cost(15,296) (504)(31,423) (504)
Total stockholders' equity673,569
 646,447
686,043
 646,447
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$780,520
 $764,605
$793,673
 $764,605

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

PLANTRONICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

Three Months EndedThree Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30,September 30, September 30,
2013 20122013 2012 2013 2012
Net revenues$202,818
 $181,365
$193,980
 $179,280
 $396,798
 $360,645
Cost of revenues97,186
 83,669
94,366
 82,052
 191,552
 165,721
Gross profit105,632
 97,696
99,614
 97,228
 205,246
 194,924
Operating expenses:

 



 

 

 

Research, development, and engineering20,863
 19,696
20,447
 19,581
 41,310
 39,277
Selling, general, and administrative48,097
 45,904
48,507
 43,130
 96,604
 89,034
Restructuring and other related charges723
 
(176) 
 547
 
Total operating expenses69,683
 65,600
68,778
 62,711
 138,461
 128,311
Operating income35,949
 32,096
30,836
 34,517
 66,785
 66,613
Interest and other income (expense), net(486) 12
359
 275
 (127) 287
Income before income taxes35,463
 32,108
31,195
 34,792
 66,658
 66,900
Income tax expense8,510
 8,545
8,057
 8,868
 16,567
 17,413
Net income$26,953
 $23,563
$23,138
 $25,924
 $50,091
 $49,487
   
   
 
Earnings per common share:   
   
 
Basic$0.63
 $0.57
$0.54
 $0.62
 $1.17
 $1.19
Diluted$0.62
 $0.55
$0.53
 $0.61
 $1.15
 $1.16
          
Shares used in computing earnings per common share: 
  Shares used in computing earnings per common share:      
Basic42,692
 41,660
42,810
 41,482
 42,751
 41,571
Diluted43,650
 42,570
43,597
 42,403
 43,667
 42,521
   

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per common share$0.10
 $0.10
$0.10
 $0.10
 $0.20
 $0.20



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.





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Table of Contents

PLANTRONICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months EndedThree Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30,September 30, September 30,
2013 20122013 2012 2013 2012
Net income$26,953
 $23,563
$23,138
 $25,924
 $50,091
 $49,487
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:   
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments(352) (336)311
 217
 (41) (119)
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:   
 
 
 
Unrealized cash flow hedge gains (losses) arising during the period(1,627) 2,166
(1,949) (632) (3,576) 1,534
Net (gains) losses reclassified into income for revenue hedges16
 (1,861)128
 (1,158) 144
 (3,019)
Net (gains) losses reclassified into income for cost of revenues hedges(265) 197
26
 93
 (239) 290
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges(1,876) 502
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges(1,795) (1,697) (3,671) (1,195)
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:          
Unrealized holding gains (losses) during the period(158) 12
Other comprehensive income (loss)(2,386) $178
Unrealized holding gains during the period164
 46
 6
 58
Other comprehensive (loss)(1,320) $(1,434) (3,706) $(1,256)
Comprehensive income$24,567
 $23,741
$21,818
 $24,490
 $46,385
 $48,231



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.





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Table of Contents

PLANTRONICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 30,September 30,
2013 20122013 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES      
Net income$26,953
 $23,563
$50,091
 $49,487
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 
  


 

Depreciation and amortization4,108
 3,786
7,891
 7,880
Stock-based compensation4,988
 4,620
10,953
 9,482
Provision for excess and obsolete inventories1,783
 250
3,281
 899
Deferred income taxes5,703
 (438)5,293
 (902)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation(3,573) (140)(4,086) (679)
Amortization of premium on investments, net227
 320
Non-cash charges for restructuring and other related items723
 
Other operating activities115
 252
1,200
 1,265
Changes in assets and liabilities: 
   
  
Accounts receivable, net5,916
 4,451
3,082
 5,008
Inventory, net228
 (5,153)(4,552) (8,230)
Current and other assets703
 (2,681)(659) (1,218)
Accounts payable(4,340) (4,462)(7,567) (3,854)
Accrued liabilities(7,277) (1,434)(3,885) (559)
Income taxes(2,117) 5,262
(3,436) 1,445
Cash provided by operating activities34,140
 28,196
57,606
 60,024
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 
   
  
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments26,031
 15,857
50,118
 25,057
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments35,200
 27,595
54,970
 60,890
Purchase of short-term investments(34,015) (35,062)(41,634) (65,411)
Proceeds from sales of long-term investments4,784
 
15,012
 2,000
Purchase of long-term investments(23,106) (8,423)(74,720) (33,951)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 (1,723)
Capital expenditures(13,014) (16,577)(27,213) (21,526)
Cash used for investing activities(4,120) (16,610)(23,467) (34,664)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES 
   
  
Repurchase of common stock(10,766) (16,473)(27,313) (19,930)
Proceeds from issuances under stock-based compensation plans13,163
 1,319
18,637
 11,888
Employees' tax withheld and paid for restricted stock and restricted stock units(4,026) (1,290)(4,369) (1,729)
Proceeds from revolving line of credit
 18,000

 18,000
Repayments of revolving line of credit
 (13,000)
 (26,000)
Payment of cash dividends(4,368) (4,247)(8,765) (8,490)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation3,573
 140
4,086
 679
Cash used for financing activities(2,424) (15,551)(17,724) (25,582)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(29) (731)789
 (1,184)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents27,567
 (4,696)17,204
 (1,406)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period228,776
 209,335
228,776
 209,335
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$256,343
 $204,639
$245,980
 $207,929
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES      
Property, plant, and equipment purchases unpaid and included in accounts payable$2,709
 $1,619
Transfers from long-term investments to short-term investments$12,615
 $34,507
Transfers of long-term investments to short-term investments$60,424
 $48,574

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

PLANTRONICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements (“financial statements”) of Plantronics, Inc. (“Plantronics” or "the Company”) have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) applicable to interim financial information.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  In the opinion of management, the financial statements have been prepared on a basis consistent with the Company's March 31, 2013 audited consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly state the information set forth herein.  The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, which was filed with the SEC on May 24, 2013.  The results of operations for the interim period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 are not indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year or any future period.

The financial statements include the accounts of Plantronics and its wholly owned subsidiaries.  All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to the last day of March.  The Company’s current fiscal year ends on March 29, 2014 and consists of 52 weeks. The Company's prior fiscal year ended on March 30, 2013 and also consisted of 52 weeks.  The Company’s results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30,September 28, 2013 and June 30,September 29, 2012 both contain 13 weeks.and 26 weeks, respectively. For purposes of presentation, the Company has indicated its accounting year as ending on March 31 and its interim quarterly periods as ending on the applicable calendar month end.

2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recently Issued Pronouncements

In July 2013,Recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This ASU requiresFinancial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") and the Company to present a liability related to an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction ofSEC did not and are not expected by the related tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward if such a settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. The Company is required to implement this guidance effective the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2015. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2013-11 to have a material impact on itsthe Company's present or future consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

3. CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND INVESTMENTS

The following table represents the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, and investments as of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013:

(in thousands) June 30, 2013 March 31, 2013 September 30, 2013 March 31, 2013
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
Cash and cash equivalents: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash $242,348
 $
 $
 $242,348
 $118,881
 $
 $
 $118,881
 $236,372
 $
 $
 $236,372
 $118,881
 $
 $
 $118,881
Cash equivalents 13,995
 
 
 13,995
 109,895
 
 
 109,895
 9,607
 1
 
 9,608
 109,895
 
 
 109,895
Total cash and cash equivalents $256,343
 $
 $
 $256,343
 $228,776
 $
 $
 $228,776
 $245,979
 $1
 $
 $245,980
 $228,776
 $
 $
 $228,776
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term investments: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Bills and Government Agency Securities $37,465
 $9
 $(57) $37,417
 $66,092
 $18
 $(3) $66,107
 $56,964
 $33
 $(15) $56,982
 $66,092
 $18
 $(3) $66,107
Commercial paper 39,743
 16
 (1) 39,758
 15,670
 9
 
 15,679
 30,835
 12
 (1) 30,846
 15,670
 9
 
 15,679
Corporate bonds 24,419
 18
 (2) 24,435
 34,766
 31
 (2) 34,795
 24,294
 19
 (1) 24,312
 34,766
 31
 (2) 34,795
Certificates of deposit ("CDs") 1,002
 1
 
 1,003
 
 
 
 
Total short-term investments $101,627
 $43
 $(60) $101,610
 $116,528
 $58
 $(5) $116,581
 $113,095
 $65
 $(17) $113,143
 $116,528
 $58
 $(5) $116,581
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term investments: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Bills and Government Agency Securities $42,892
 $19
 $(10) $42,901
 $55,317
 $42
 $(1) $55,358
 $15,473
 $18
 $(4) $15,487
 $55,317
 $42
 $(1) $55,358
Corporate bonds 42,089
 12
 (102) 41,999
 23,878
 23
 (3) 23,898
 63,926
 85
 (23) 63,988
 23,878
 23
 (3) 23,898
Certificates of deposit ("CDs") 1,002
 2
 
 1,004
 1,002
 3
 
 1,005
CDs 
 
 
 
 1,002
 3
 
 1,005
Total long-term investments $85,983
 $33
 $(112) $85,904
 $80,197
 $68
 $(4) $80,261
 $79,399
 $103
 $(27) $79,475
 $80,197
 $68
 $(4) $80,261
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments $443,953
 $76
 $(172) $443,857
 $425,501
 $126
 $(9) $425,618
 $438,473
 $169
 $(44) $438,598
 $425,501
 $126
 $(9) $425,618

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013, all of the Company’s investments are classified as available-for-sale securities.  The carrying value of available-for-sale securities included in cash equivalents approximates fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s cash equivalents, short-term investments, and long-term investments, classified by stated maturity as of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013:

(in thousands) June 30, 2013 March 31, 2013 September 30, 2013 March 31, 2013
 
Amortized
Cost
 Fair Value 
Amortized
Cost
 Fair Value 
Amortized
Cost
 Fair Value 
Amortized
Cost
 Fair Value
Due in 1 year or less $115,621

$115,605
 $226,423

$226,476
 $122,702

$122,751
 $226,423

$226,476
Due in 1 to 3 years 85,984

85,904
 80,197

80,261
 79,399

79,475
 80,197

80,261
Total $201,605

$201,509
 $306,620

$306,737
 $202,101

$202,226
 $306,620

$306,737

The Company did not incur any material realized or unrealized net gains or losses in the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012.


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4. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following tables representpresent the Company’s financial assets and liabilities, measured at fair value, by level within the fair value hierarchy for its financial assetsas of September 30, 2013 and liabilities:March 31, 2013.

Fair Values as of JuneSeptember 30, 2013:

(in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total
Cash and cash equivalents:            
Cash $242,348
 $
 $242,348
 $236,372
 $
 $236,372
Mutual funds 609
 
 609
Commercial paper 
 13,995
 13,995
 
 8,999
 8,999
Short-term investments:            
U.S. Treasury Bills and Government Agency Securities 
 37,417
 37,417
Government Agency Securities 
 56,982
 56,982
Commercial paper 
 39,758
 39,758
 
 30,846
 30,846
Corporate bonds 
 24,435
 24,435
 
 24,312
 24,312
CDs 
 1,003
 1,003
Long-term investments:            
U.S. Treasury Bills and Government Agency Securities 13,082
 29,819
 42,901
Government Agency Securities 
 15,487
 15,487
Corporate bonds 
 41,999
 41,999
 
 63,988
 63,988
CDs 
 1,004
 1,004
Other current assets:            
Derivative assets 
 593
 593
 
 70
 70
Total assets measured at fair value $255,430
 $189,020
 $444,450
 $236,981
 $201,687
 $438,668
            
Accrued liabilities:            
Derivative liabilities $9
 $1,130
 $1,139
 $8
 $2,435
 $2,443

Fair Values as of March 31, 2013:

(in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Total
Cash and cash equivalents:      
Cash $118,881
 $
 $118,881
U.S. Treasury Bills 104,995
 
 104,995
Commercial paper 
 4,900
 4,900
Short-term investments:      
U.S. Treasury Bills and Government Agency Securities 7,243
 58,864
 66,107
Commercial paper 
 15,679
 15,679
Corporate bonds 
 34,795
 34,795
Long-term investments:      
U.S. Treasury Bills and Government Agency Securities 22,904
 32,454
 55,358
Corporate bonds 
 23,898
 23,898
CDs 
 1,005
 1,005
Other current assets:      
Derivative assets 
 1,665
 1,665
Total assets measured at fair value $254,023
 $173,260
 $427,283
       
Accrued liabilities:      
Derivative liabilities $3
 $291
 $294

There were no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012.

Refer to Note 12, Foreign Currency Derivatives, which discloses the nature of the Company's derivative assets and liabilities as of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013.

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All financial assets and liabilities and non-financial assets and liabilities are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements. Fair value is estimated by applying the following hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement:

Level 1
The Company's Level 1 financial assets consist of U.S. Treasury Bills.Mutual Funds. Level 1 financial liabilities consist of derivative contracts that have closed but have not settled. The fair value of Level 1 financial instruments is measured based on the quoted market price of identical securities.

Level 2
The Company's Level 2 financial assets and liabilities consist of Government Agency Securities, Commercial Paper, Corporate Bonds, CDs, and derivative foreign currency call and put option contracts. The fair value of Level 2 investment securities is determined based on other observable inputs, including multiple non-binding quotes from independent pricing services. Non-binding quotes are based on proprietary valuation models that are prepared by the independent pricing services and use algorithms based on inputs such as observable market data, quoted market prices for similar securities, issuer spreads, and internal assumptions of the broker. The Company corroborates the reasonableness of non-binding quotes received from the independent pricing services using a variety of techniques depending on the underlying instrument, including: (i) comparing them to actual experience gained from the purchases and maturities of investment securities, (ii) comparing them to internally developed cash flow models based on observable inputs, and (iii) monitoring changes in ratings of similar securities and the related impact on fair value. The fair value of Level 2 derivative foreign currency call and put option contracts is determined using pricing models that use observable market inputs.

Level 3
The fair value of Level 3 financial instruments is determined using inputs that are unobservable and reflect the Company's estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The Company had no Level 3 assets or liabilities as of June 30, 2013 or March 31, 2013.

5. DETAILS OF CERTAIN BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS

Accounts receivable, net:
 June 30, March 31, September 30, March 31,
(in thousands) 2013 2013 2013 2013
Accounts receivable $146,280
 $151,250
 $147,581
 $151,250
Provisions for returns (8,836) (8,957) (7,756) (8,957)
Provisions for promotions, rebates, and other (16,119) (13,675) (15,771) (13,675)
Provisions for doubtful accounts and sales allowances (422) (409) (306) (409)
Accounts receivable, net $120,903
 $128,209
 $123,748
 $128,209

Inventory, net:
 June 30, March 31, September 30, March 31,
(in thousands) 2013 2013 2013 2013
Raw materials $28,389
 $28,743
 $33,659
 $28,743
Work in process 177
 82
 432
 82
Finished goods 36,748
 38,610
 35,059
 38,610
Inventory, net $65,314
 $67,435
 $69,150
 $67,435


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Property, plant, and equipment, net:
 June 30, March 31, September 30, March 31,
(in thousands) 2013 2013 2013 2013
Land $13,961
 $13,961
 $13,961
 $13,961
Buildings and improvements (useful life: 7-30 years) 72,488
 72,263
 89,434
 72,263
Machinery and equipment (useful life: 2-10 years) 88,810
 88,538
 94,737
 88,538
Software (useful life: 5-6 years) 31,054
 30,538
 31,268
 30,538
Construction in progress 27,035
 16,101
 17,892
 16,101
 233,348
 221,401
 247,292
 221,401
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (125,534) (122,290) (128,974) (122,290)
Property, plant, and equipment, net $107,814
 $99,111
 $118,318
 $99,111

Depreciation and amortization was $3.7 million and $7.7 million for the three and six months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and $4.0 million and $3.77.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012,same periods in the prior year, respectively.

Included in Software are unamortized capitalized software costs of $5.95.6 million and $6.1 million at JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013, respectively. Amortization related to capitalized software costs was immaterial for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012., and was $1.2 million and $1.5 million for the six months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Accrued Liabilities:
 June 30, March 31, September 30, March 31,
(in thousands) 2013 2013 2013 2013
Employee compensation and benefits $22,855
 $29,796
 $23,164
 $29,796
Warranty obligation 13,217
 13,410
 12,881
 13,410
Accrued advertising, sales, and marketing 3,782
 3,735
 4,245
 3,735
Deferred revenue 3,731
 3,072
 3,994
 3,072
Liabilities related to derivatives contracts 2,443
 294
Income taxes payable 1,091
 3,376
 
 3,376
Restructuring and other related charges (1)
 255
 1,165
 47
 1,165
Accrued other 12,463
 11,865
 14,152
 11,571
Accrued liabilities $57,394
 $66,419
 $60,926
 $66,419
(1) Refer to Note 16, Restructuring and Other Related Charges, for more information on the Company's restructuring activity.  

The Company's warranty obligation is included as a component of accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the warranty obligation during the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 were as follows:

 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Six Months Ended
(in thousands) June 30, 2013 September 30, 2013 September 30, 2012
Warranty obligation at March 31, 2013 $13,410
 $13,410
 $13,346
Warranty provision relating to products shipped 4,523
 4,154
 7,440
Deductions for warranty claims processed (4,716) (4,683) (8,064)
Warranty obligation at June 30, 2013 $13,217
Warranty obligation at September 30, 2013 $12,881
 $12,722


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6. GOODWILL AND PURCHASED INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill as of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013 was $15.5 million, net of accumulated impairment of $54.6 million.
The following table presents the carrying value of purchased intangible assets with remaining net book values as of June 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013:

  June 30, 2013 March 31, 2013   
(in thousands) Gross carrying amount Accumulated Amortization Net amount Gross carrying amount Accumulated Amortization Net amount Useful Life
Technology $1,000
 $(183) $817
 $1,000
 $(133) $867
 5years
Customer relationships 1,705
 (1,670) 35
 1,705
 (1,624) 81
 8years
Total $2,705
 $(1,853) $852
 $2,705
 $(1,757) $948
   

Amortization expense related to purchased intangible assets was immaterial for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Minimum Future Rental Payments

The Company leases certain equipment and facilities under operating leases expiring in various years through fiscal year 2022.  Minimum future rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases having remaining terms in excess of one year as of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 are as follows:

Fiscal Year Ending March 31, (in thousands) (in thousands)
2014 (remaining 9 months) $3,326
2014 (remaining 6 months) $1,997
2015 1,920
 1,920
2016 1,341
 1,341
2017 730
 730
2018 652
 652
Thereafter 1,576
 1,576
Total minimum future rental payments $9,545
 $8,216

Total rent expense for operating leases for the three and six months ended September 30, 2013was$2.6 million and $4.1 million, respectively, which included $1.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively, related to early exit lease charges. Total rent expense for operating leases for the three and six months ended September 30, 2012 was $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013and 2012$2.8 million, respectively.

Unconditional Purchase Obligations

The Company purchases servicesutilizes several outsourcing partners to manufacture sub-assemblies for the Company’s products. These outsourcing partners acquire components and build product based on demand information supplied by the Company, which typically covers periods up to 270 days. The Company also obtains individual components for its products from a wide variety of suppliersindividual suppliers. Consistent with industry practice, the Company acquires components through a combination of purchase orders, supplier contracts, and manufacturers. Duringopen orders based on projected demand information. As of September 30, 2013, the normal course of businessCompany had outstanding off-balance sheet third-party manufacturing, component purchase, and to manage manufacturing operations andother general and administrative activities, the Company may enter into firm, non-cancelable, and unconditional purchase obligations for which amounts are not recorded in the consolidated balance sheets. Such unconditional purchase obligations totaledcommitments of $183.0244.5 million as of June 30, 2013.


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Other Guarantees and Obligations

In the ordinary course of business, the Company may provide indemnifications of varying scope and terms to customers, vendors, lessors, business partners, purchasers of assets or subsidiaries and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of the Company's breach of agreements or representations and warranties made by the Company, services to be provided by the Company, intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties or, with respect to the sale of assets or a subsidiary, matters related to the Company's conduct of business and tax matters prior to the sale. From time to time, the Company indemnifies customers against combinations of loss, expense, or liability arising from various triggering events relating to the sale and use of its products and services.  In addition, Plantronics also provides protection to customers against claims related to undiscovered liabilities, additional product liability, or environmental obligations.  In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain of its officers that will require the Company, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. The Company maintains director and officer insurance, which may cover certain liabilities arising from its obligation to indemnify its directors and officers in certain circumstances. It is not possible to determine the aggregate maximum potential loss under these indemnification agreements due to the limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. Such indemnification agreements might not be subject to maximum loss clauses. Historically, the Company has not incurred material costs as a result of obligations under these agreements and it has not accrued any liabilities related to such indemnification obligations in the condensed consolidated financial statements.



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Claims and Litigation

On October 12, 2012, GN Netcom, Inc. sued Plantronics, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, alleging violations of the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act, and Delaware common law. In its complaint, GN specifically alleges four causes of action: monopolization, attempted monopolization, concerted action in restraint of trade, and tortious interference with business relations. GN claims that Plantronics dominates the market for headsets sold into contact centers in the United States and that a critical channel for sales of headsets to contact centers is through a limited network of specialized independent distributors (“SIDs”). GN asserts that Plantronics attracts SIDs through Plantronics only distributor agreements and the use of these agreements is allegedly illegal. The Company denies each of the allegations in the complaint and is vigorously defending itself. Given the preliminary nature of the case, the Company is unable to estimate an amount or range of any reasonably possible losses resulting from these allegations.

In addition, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of conducting business. For such legal proceedings, where applicable, the Company has accrued an amount that reflects the aggregate liability deemed probable and estimable, but this amount is not material to the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. The Company is not able to estimate an amount or range of any reasonably possible additional losses because of the preliminary nature of many of these proceedings, the difficulty in ascertaining the applicable facts relating to many of these proceedings, the variable treatment of claims made in many of these proceedings, and the difficulty of predicting the settlement value of many of these proceedings; however, based upon the Company's historical experience, the resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company may incur substantial
legal fees, which are expensed as incurred, in defending against these legal proceedings.

8. CREDIT AGREEMENT

On May 9, 2011, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("the Bank"), which was most recently amended on May 3, 2013 to extend its term to May 9, 2016 (as amended, "the Credit Agreement") with the Bank.. The Credit Agreement provides for a $100.0 million unsecured revolving line of credit ("line of credit") and, if requested by the Company, the Bank may increase its commitment thereunder by up to $100.0 million, for a total facility size of up to $200.0 million. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the line of credit.

Loans under the Credit Agreement bear interest at the election of the Company (i) at the Bank's announced prime rate less 1.50% per annum, (ii) at a daily one month LIBOR rate plus 1.10% per annum or (iii) at an adjusted LIBOR rate, for a term of one, three or six months, plus 1.10% per annum. Interest on the loans is payable quarterly in arrears. In addition, the Company pays a fee equal to 0.20% per annum on the average daily unused amount of the line of credit, which is payable quarterly in arrears.

Principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest, is due on the amended maturity date, May 9, 2016. The Company may prepay the loans and terminate the commitments in whole at any time, without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of certain costs in the case of LIBOR loans.


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The Company's obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Company's domestic subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions.

The line of credit requires the Company to comply with a maximum ratio of funded debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") and a minimum EBITDA coverage ratio, in each case, at each fiscal quarter end and determined on a rolling four-quarter basis. In addition, the Company and its subsidiaries are required to maintain unrestricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities plus availability under the Credit Agreement at the end of each fiscal quarter of at least $200.0 million.

The line of credit contains affirmative covenants, including covenants regarding the payment of taxes and other liabilities, maintenance of insurance, reporting requirements and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The line of credit also contains negative covenants, among other things, limiting, subject to certain monetary thresholds, the ability of the Company to incur debt, make capital expenditures, grant liens, make acquisitions, and make investments. The events of default under the line of credit include payment defaults, cross defaults with certain other indebtedness, breaches of covenants, judgment defaults, and bankruptcy and insolvency events involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at JuneSeptember 30, 2013.



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9. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company recognizes the grant-date fair value of stock-based compensation as compensation expense using the straight-line attribution approach over the service period for which the stock-based compensation is expected to vest. The following table summarizes the amount of stock-based compensation included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations:
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 June 30, September 30, September 30,
(in thousands) 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012
Cost of revenues $535
 $596
 $638
 $526
 $1,173
 $1,122
 

 

 

 

 

 

Research, development and engineering 1,368
 1,124
 1,652
 1,256
 3,020
 2,380
Selling, general and administrative 3,085
 2,900
 3,675
 3,080
 6,760
 5,980
Stock-based compensation included in operating expenses 4,453
 4,024
 5,327
 4,336
 9,780
 8,360
Total stock-based compensation 4,988
 4,620
 5,965
 4,862
 10,953
 9,482
Income tax benefit (1,437) (1,382) (1,838) (1,532) (3,275) (2,914)
Total stock-based compensation, net of tax $3,551
 $3,238
 $4,127
 $3,330
 $7,678
 $6,568

Stock Options

The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option activity during the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013:
Options OutstandingOptions Outstanding
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)   (in years) (in thousands)(in thousands)   (in years) (in thousands)
Outstanding at March 31, 20132,415
 $27.96
  2,415
 $27.96
  
Options granted151
 $45.68
  176
 $45.98
  
Options exercised(549) $23.97
  (667) $24.09
  
Options forfeited or expired(8) $31.63
  (10) $32.74
  
Outstanding at June 30, 20132,009
 $30.36
 4.2 $27,517
Vested and expected to vest at June 30, 20131,960
 $30.17
 4.2 $27,178
Exercisable at June 30, 20131,298
 $27.09
 3.3 $21,844
Outstanding at September 30, 20131,914
 $30.94
 4.2 $29,739
Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 20131,872
 $30.76
 4.2 $29,419
Exercisable at September 30, 20131,275
 $27.85
 3.4 $23,735


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The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012 was $12.214.5 million and $0.84.5 million, respectively.  Intrinsic value is defined as the amount by which the fair value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price at the time of option exercise. The total cash received as a result of stock option exercises during the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 was $13.216.1 million, net of taxes.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013, total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options was $6.65.8 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.01.9 years.


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Restricted Stock

Restricted stock consists of awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units ("RSUs"). The following is a summary of the Company’s restricted stock activity during the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013:
Number of
Shares
 Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Number of
Shares
 Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
(in thousands)  (in thousands)  
Non-vested at March 31, 20131,025
 $33.34
1,025
 $33.34
Restricted stock granted517
 $46.11
541
 $46.10
Restricted stock vested(226) $32.35
(274) $32.61
Restricted stock forfeited(11) $36.29
(31) $36.86
Non-vested at June 30, 20131,305
 $38.55
Non-vested at September 30, 20131,261
 $38.88

The weighted average grant-date fair value of awards of restricted stock is based on the quoted market price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The weighted average grant-date fair value of restricted stock granted during the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012 was $46.1146.10 and $31.1032.05, respectively. The total fair value of restricted stock that vested during the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012 was $7.38.9 million and $3.74.9 million, respectively.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013, total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock was $37.534.4 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.62.3 years.  


Valuation Assumptions

The Company estimates the fair value of stock options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) shares using a Black-Scholes option valuation model.  At the date of grant, the Company estimated the fair value of each stock option grant and purchase right granted under the ESPP using the following weighted average assumptions:

  Three Months Ended
  June 30,
Employee Stock Options 2013 2012
Expected volatility 34.0% 41.7%
Risk-free interest rate 0.6% 0.6%
Expected dividends 0.9% 1.3%
Expected life (in years) 4.2
 4.3
Weighted-average grant date fair value $11.86
 $10.30

No purchase rights were granted under the ESPP during the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  September 30, September 30,
Employee Stock Options 2013
2012 2013 2012
Expected volatility 30.7% 43.5% 33.5% 42.2%
Risk-free interest rate 1.2% 0.5% 0.7% 0.6%
Expected dividends 0.8% 1.3% 0.9% 1.3%
Expected life (in years) 4.2
 4.3
 4.2
 4.3
Weighted-average grant date fair value $11.64
 $10.84
 $11.83
 $10.43
ESPP        
Expected volatility 24.9% 38.4% 24.9% 38.4%
Risk-free interest rate 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1%
Expected dividends 0.9% 1.1% 0.9% 1.1%
Expected life (in years) 0.5
 0.5
 0.5
 0.5
Weighted-average grant date fair value $9.58
 $8.95
 $9.58
 $8.95

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10. COMMON STOCK REPURCHASES

From time to time, the Company's Board of Directors ("Board") has authorized programs under which the Company may repurchase shares of its common stock, depending on market conditions, in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Repurchased shares are held as treasury stock until they are retired or re-issued. Repurchases by the Company pursuant to Board authorized programs during the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012 are discussed below. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013, there remained 646,439274,874 shares authorized for repurchase under the program approved by the Board on August 6, 2012 and there were no remaining shares authorized under previously approved programs.

Open Market Repurchases

Under Board authorized programs, in the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company repurchased 235,468607,033 shares and 529,000633,613 shares, respectively, of its common stock in the open market for a total cost of $10.827.3 million and $16.519.9 million, respectively, and at an average price per share of $45.7244.99 and $31.1431.45, respectively.

In addition, the Company withheld shares valued at $4.04.4 million in the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013, compared to $1.3$1.7 million in the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012, in satisfaction of employee tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock granted under the Company's stock plans. The amounts withheld were equivalent to the employees' minimum statutory tax withholding requirements and are reflected as a financing activity within the Company's condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. These share withholdings have the effect of share repurchases by the Company as they reduce the number of shares that would have otherwise been issued in connection with the vesting of shares subject to the restricted stock grants and did not represent an expense to the Company.

11. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), net of immaterial tax effects, are as follows:

(in thousands)(in thousands) June 30, 2013 March 31, 2013(in thousands) September 30, 2013 March 31, 2013
Accumulated unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedgesAccumulated unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges $(528) $1,349
Accumulated unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges $(2,325) $1,349
Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustmentsAccumulated foreign currency translation adjustments 3,780
 4,131
Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments 4,091
 4,131
Accumulated unrealized gain (loss) on investments (71) 87
Accumulated unrealized gain on investmentsAccumulated unrealized gain on investments 92
 87
Accumulated other comprehensive incomeAccumulated other comprehensive income $3,181
 $5,567
Accumulated other comprehensive income $1,858
 $5,567

12. FOREIGN CURRENCY DERIVATIVES

The Company's foreign currency derivatives consist primarily of foreign currency forward exchange contracts, option contracts and cross-currency swaps.  The derivatives expose the Company to credit risk to the extent the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the derivative instrument.  The Company's maximum exposure to loss due to credit risk that it would incur if parties to derivative contracts failed completely to perform according to the terms of the contracts was equal to the carrying value of the Company's derivative contracts as of JuneSeptember 30, 2013.  The Company seeks to mitigate such risk by limiting its counterparties to large financial institutions.  In addition, the Company monitors the potential risk of loss with any one counterparty resulting from this type of credit risk on an ongoing basis.

The Company enters into master netting arrangements with counterparties when possible to mitigate credit risk in derivative transactions. A master netting arrangement may allow each counterparty to net settle amounts owed between Plantronics and the counterparty as a result of multiple, separate derivative transactions. As of September 30, 2013, the Company has International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) agreements with three applicable banks and financial institutions which contain netting provisions. Plantronics has elected to present the fair value of derivative assets and liabilities within the Company's consolidated balance sheet on a gross basis even when derivative transactions are subject to master netting arrangements and may otherwise qualify for net presentation. However, the following tables provide information as if the Company had elected to offset the asset and liability balances of derivative instruments, netted in accordance with various criteria in the event of default or termination as stipulated by the terms of netting arrangements with each of the counterparties. For each counterparty, if netted, the Company would offset the asset and liability balances of all derivatives at the end of the reporting period. Derivatives not subject to master netting agreements are not eligible for net presentation. As of the applicable dates presented below, no cash collateral had been received or pledged related to these derivative instruments.



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Offsetting of Financial Assets/Liabilities under Master Netting Agreements with Derivative Counterparties

As of September 30, 2013:

 Gross Amount of Derivative Assets Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance SheetsGross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet that are Subject to Master Netting Agreements 
(in thousands)Gross Amount of Eligible Offsetting Recognized Derivative LiabilitiesCash Collateral ReceivedNet Amount of Derivative Assets
Derivatives subject to master netting agreements$70
$(70)$
$
Derivatives not subject to master netting agreements



Total$70


$

 Gross Amount of Derivative Liabilities Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance SheetsGross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet that are Subject to Master Netting Agreements 
(in thousands)Gross Amount of Eligible Offsetting Recognized Derivative AssetsCash Collateral ReceivedNet Amount of Derivative Liabilities
Derivatives subject to master netting agreements$(1,577)$70
$
$(1,507)
Derivatives not subject to master netting agreements(866)

(866)
Total$(2,443)

$(2,373)


As of March 31, 2013:

 Gross Amount of Derivative Assets Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance SheetsGross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet that are Subject to Master Netting Agreements 
(in thousands)Gross Amount of Eligible Offsetting Recognized Derivative LiabilitiesCash Collateral ReceivedNet Amount of Derivative Assets
Derivatives subject to master netting agreements$1,005
$(215)$
$790
Derivatives not subject to master netting agreements660


660
Total$1,665


$1,450

 Gross Amount of Derivative Liabilities Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance SheetsGross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet that are Subject to Master Netting Agreements 
(in thousands)Gross Amount of Eligible Offsetting Recognized Derivative AssetsCash Collateral ReceivedNet Amount of Derivative Liabilities
Derivatives subject to master netting agreements$(215)$215
$
$
Derivatives not subject to master netting agreements(79)

(79)
Total$(294)

$(79)


Refer to Note 4, Fair Value Measurements, for disclosure of the Company's fair value hierarchy for its derivative instruments.


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Non-Designated Hedges

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013, the Company had foreign currency forward contracts denominated in Euros ("EUR"), British Pound Sterling ("GBP"), and Australian Dollars ("AUD").  The Company does not elect to obtain hedge accounting for these forward contracts. These forward contracts hedge against a portion of the Company’s foreign currency-denominated cash balances, receivables and payables. The following table summarizes the notional value of the Company’s outstanding foreign exchange currency contracts and approximate U.S. Dollar ("USD") equivalent at JuneSeptember 30, 2013:

Local Currency USD Equivalent Position MaturityLocal Currency USD Equivalent Position Maturity
(in thousands) (in thousands)    (in thousands) (in thousands)    
EUR16,000
 $20,808
 Sell EUR 1 month16,000
 $21,632
 Sell EUR 1 month
GBP£2,200
 $3,341
 Sell GBP 1 month£2,600
 $4,191
 Sell GBP 1 month
AUDA$5,400
 $4,918
 Sell AUD 1 monthA$4,600
 $4,276
 Sell AUD 1 month

Foreign currency transactions, net of the effect of forward contract hedging activity, resulted in immaterial net gains and immaterial net losses, respectively in the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012. Theseimmaterial net gains and immaterial net losses, respectively, in the three and six months ended September 30, 2012, which are included in interest and other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Cash Flow Hedges

On a monthly basis, the Company enters into option contracts with a one-year term.  The Company does not purchase options for trading purposes.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013, the Company had foreign currency option contracts of approximately 48.650.8 million and £20.121.0 million.  As of March 31, 2013, the Company had foreign currency option contracts of approximately €50.2 million and £19.9 million.

In the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013, an immaterial loss on cash flow hedges was recognized in net revenues in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, compared to arealized gains of $1.91.2 million gain on cash flow hedges recognized in net revenues in the consolidated statements of operationsand $3.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012.  An immaterial gain,periods in the prior year, respectively.  A loss of $2.0 million, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") as of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 is expected to be reclassified to net revenues during the next 12 months due to the recognition of the hedged forecasted sales.

The Company hedges expenditures denominated in Mexican Peso (“MX$”), which are designated as cash flow hedges and are accounted for under the hedge accounting provisions of the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the FASB ASC.  The Company hedges a portion of the forecasted MX$ denominated expenditures with a cross-currency swap.  The effective portion of the hedge gain or loss is initially reported as a component of AOCI and subsequently reclassified into cost of revenues when the hedged exposure affects operations.  Any ineffective portion of related gains or losses is recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations immediately.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013, the Company had foreign currency swap contracts of approximately MX$437.7361.1 million and MX$325.4 million, respectively.

In the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012, there were no material realized gains or losses on MX$ cash flow hedges recognized in cost of revenues in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and there were no material gains or losses in AOCI as of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 to be recognized during the next 12 months due to the recognition of the hedged forecasted expenditures.  

The following table summarizes the notional value of the Company’s outstanding MX$ cross-currency swaps and approximate USD Equivalent at JuneSeptember 30, 2013:

 Local Currency USD Equivalent Position Maturity
 (in thousands) (in thousands)     
MX$$437,700
 $33,411
 Buy MX$ Monthly over18 months
 Local Currency USD Equivalent Position Maturity
 (in thousands) (in thousands)     
MX$$361,100
 $27,500
 Buy MX$ Monthly over15 months


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The amounts in the tables below include fair value adjustments related to the Company’s own credit risk and counterparty credit risk.

Fair Value of Derivative Contracts

The fair value of derivative contracts was as follows:

 
Derivative Assets
Reported in Other Current Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
Reported in Accrued Liabilities
 
Derivative Assets
Reported in Other Current Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
Reported in Accrued Liabilities
 June 30, March 31, June 30, March 31, September 30, March 31, September 30, March 31,
(in thousands) 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013
Foreign exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges $593
 $1,665
 $1,139
 $294
 $70
 $1,665
 $2,443
 $294


Effect of Designated Derivative Contracts on Accumulated Other Comprehensive IncomeAOCI

The following table represents the balance of designated derivative contracts as of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013, and the pre-tax impact of designated derivative contracts on AOCI for the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013:

(in thousands) Gain (loss) included in AOCI as of March 31, 2013 
Amount of gain (loss)
recognized in AOCI
(effective portion)
 
Amount of gain (loss)
reclassified from AOCI
to income (loss)
(effective portion)
 Gain (loss) included in AOCI as of June 30, 2013 Gain (loss) included in AOCI as of March 31, 2013 
Amount of gain (loss)
recognized in AOCI
(effective portion)
 
Amount of gain (loss)
reclassified from AOCI
to income (loss)
(effective portion)
 Gain (loss) included in AOCI as of September 30, 2013
Foreign exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges $1,371
 $(1,663) $254
 $(546) $1,371
 $(3,646) $98
 $(2,373)


Effect of Designated Derivative Contracts on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

The effect of designated derivative contracts on results of operations recognized in gross profit in the condensed consolidated statements of operations was as follows:

 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 June 30, September 30, September 30,
(in thousands) 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012
Gain on foreign exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges $254
 $1,694
Gain (loss) on foreign exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges $(156) $1,074
 $98
 $2,768


Effect of Non-Designated Derivative Contracts on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

The effect of non-designated derivative contracts on results of operations recognized in interest and other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations was as follows:

 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 June 30, September 30, September 30,
(in thousands) 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012
Gain on foreign exchange contracts $74
 $1,467
Gain (loss) on foreign exchange contracts $(1,266) $(648) $(1,193) $819


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13. INCOME TAXES

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to taxation in the U.S. and in various foreign and state jurisdictions. The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 was 24.0%25.8% and 24.9%, respectively, compared to 26.6%25.5% and 26.0%, respectively, for the same periodperiods in the prior year. The effective tax rates differ from the statutory rate due to the impact of foreign operations taxed at different statutory rates, tax credits, state taxes, and other factors.  

The Company's provision for income taxes does not include provisions for U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes associated with the repatriation of undistributed earnings of certain foreign operations that the Company intends to reinvest indefinitely in the foreign operations. The determination of the tax liability that would be incurred if these amounts were remitted back to the U.S. is not practical but would likely be material. If these earnings were distributed to the U.S. in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company would be subject to additional U.S. income taxes, subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits, and foreign withholding taxes. The Company's current plans do not require repatriation of earnings from foreign operations to fund the U.S. operations because it generates sufficient domestic operating cash flow and has access to external funding under its line of credit. As a result, the Company does not expect a material impact on its business or financial flexibility with respect to undistributed earnings of its foreign operations.

Included in long-term income taxes payable in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013 were unrecognized tax benefits of $11.411.8 million and $11.1 million, respectively, which would favorably impact the effective tax rate in future periods if recognized.

The Company’s continuing practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.  The accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits is $1.81.9 million as of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 as compared to $2.0 million as of March 31, 2013.  No penalties have been accrued.

The Company is under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for its 2010 tax year and the California Franchise Tax Board for its 2007 and 2008 tax years.  Foreign income tax matters for material tax jurisdictions have been concluded for tax years prior to fiscal 2006,2007, except for the United Kingdom, which has been concluded for tax years prior to fiscal year 2012.

The Company believes that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations; however, the outcome of such examinations cannot be predicted with certainty. If any issues addressed in the tax examinations are resolved in a manner inconsistent with the Company's expectations, the Company could be required to adjust its provision for income tax in the period such resolution occurs.


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14. COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

The Company has a share-based compensation plan under which employees may be granted share-based awards, including shares of restricted stock on which non-forfeitable dividends are paid on unvested shares. As such, shares of restricted stock are considered participating securities under the two-class method of calculating earnings per share as described in the Earnings per Share Topic of the FASB ASC. The two-class method of calculating earnings per share did not have a material impact on the Company's earnings per share calculation for the three and six month periods ending JuneSeptember 30, 2013 or 2012.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012:
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 June 30, September 30, September 30,
(in thousands, except per share data) 2013 2012 2013
2012 2013 2012
Numerator:            
Net income $26,953
 $23,563
 $23,138
 $25,924
 $50,091
 $49,487
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator: 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares-basic 42,692
 41,660
 42,810
 41,482
 42,751
 41,571
Dilutive effect of employee equity incentive plans 958
 910
 787
 921
 916
 950
Weighted average common shares-diluted 43,650
 42,570
 43,597
 42,403
 43,667
 42,521
            
Basic earnings per common share $0.63
 $0.57
 $0.54
 $0.62
 $1.17
 $1.19
Diluted earnings per common share $0.62
 $0.55
 $0.53
 $0.61
 $1.15
 $1.16
         
 
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from diluted earnings per common share because their effect is anti-dilutive 292
 1,100
 183
 1,061
 162
 1,081

15. REVENUE AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS

The Company designs, manufactures, markets, and sells headsets for business and consumer applications, and other specialty products for the hearing impaired.  With respect to headsets, it makes products for use in offices and contact centers, with mobile and cordless phones, and with computers and gaming consoles.  Major product categories include “Office and Contact Center”, which includes corded and cordless communication headsets, audio processors, and telephone systems; “Mobile”, which includes Bluetooth and corded products for mobile phone applications; “Gaming and Computer Audio”, which includes personal computer ("PC") and gaming headsets; and “Clarity”, which includes specialty products marketed for hearing impaired individuals.

The following table presents net revenues by product group for the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012:
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 June 30, September 30, September 30,
(in thousands) 2013 2012 2013
2012 2013 2012
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers:            
Office and Contact Center $151,183
 $134,033
 $139,945
 $133,119
 $291,128
 $267,152
Mobile 41,624
 36,157
 42,685
 33,305
 84,309
 69,462
Gaming and Computer Audio 6,451
 6,789
 8,156
 7,797
 14,607
 14,586
Clarity 3,560
 4,386
 3,194
 5,059
 6,754
 9,445
Total net revenues $202,818
 $181,365
 $193,980
 $179,280
 $396,798
 $360,645


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For reporting purposes, revenue is attributed to each geographic region based on the location of the customer. Other than the U.S., no country accounted for 10% or more of the Company's net revenues for the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012. The following table presents net revenues by geography:

 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 June 30, September 30, September 30, 2013
(in thousands) 2013 2012 2013
2012 2013 2012
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers:            
U.S. $121,318
 $104,078
 $115,795
 $107,513
 $237,113
 $211,591
 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe and Africa 44,385
 41,576
 43,094
 38,951
 87,479
 80,527
Asia Pacific 23,880
 23,579
 23,280
 19,839
 47,160
 43,418
Americas, excluding U.S. 13,235
 12,132
 11,811
 12,977
 25,046
 25,109
Total international net revenues 81,500
 77,287
 78,185
 71,767
 159,685
 149,054
Total net revenues $202,818
 $181,365
 $193,980
 $179,280
 $396,798
 $360,645

One customer, Ingram Micro, accounted for 10.5%10.1% and 10.3%, respectively of net revenues for the three and six months ended September 30, 2013. This customer also accounted for 10% of net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2012. June 30, 2013 and noNo customer accounted for 10% or more of net revenues for the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2012.

One customerIngram Micro also accounted for 12.3%11.7% and 10.3% of net accounts receivable net in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013, respectively.

16. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER RELATED CHARGES

The Company accounts for restructuring costs in accordance with the Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations and Compensation - Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits Topics of the FASB ASC. The Company initiated a restructuring plan during the third quarter of fiscal year 2013.  Under the plan, the Company eliminated certain positions in the U.S., Mexico, China, and Europe, and transitioned some of these positions to lower cost locations.  As part of this plan, the Company also vacated a leased facility at its corporate headquarters in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014.  In connection with this plan, the Company incurred cumulative pre-tax charges of approximately $3.0 million.
The pre-tax charges incurred during the three months ended June 30, 2013 included approximately $0.7 million in lease termination costs and accelerated amortization expense on leasehold improvement assets with no alternative future use. The plan is substantially complete as of June 30, 2013, with an immaterial amount of restructuring-related severance costs remaining to be paid in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014.

17. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On August 6,October 29, 2013, the Company's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share of the Company's common stock, payable on SeptemberDecember 10, 2013 to stockholders of record at the close of business on AugustNovember 20, 2013.



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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”).  Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of such words as “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” "potential," “will,” “shall” or variations of such words and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms. Specific forward-looking statements contained within this Form 10-Q include statements regarding (i) the Unified Communications ("UC") markets, (ii) our long-term strategy to invest in UC, (iii) the future of UC technologies, including the effect on headset adoption and use, the effects on enterprises that adopt UC and our expectation concerning our revenue opportunity from UC, (iv) our expectations regarding the slow long-term growth of the traditional office and contact center market and its correlation to gross domestic product in the United States and Western Europe, (v) the growth of UC in enterprises and the impact to our sales in the office and contact center market, (vi) our expectations for new product launches and new consumer product development efforts in fiscal year 2015 and beyond, (vii) the Mobile Bluetooth market and the stereo and mono product categories, (v)(viii) our position in the Mobile Bluetooth market and the effect of our new products on our position in that market, (vi)(ix) our research and development strategy, including our investments in firmware and software engineering and value-added software applications, as well as our strategic partnerships, (vii) the Plantronics Developer Connection, (viii)development, (x) our expectations regarding our sales force and customer service operations, (ix)(xi) the maintenance of our reputation in the industry, (x)(xii) our expenses, including research, development and engineering expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses, (xi)(xiii) our future tax rate, (xii)(xiv) our anticipated capital expenditures for the remainder of fiscal year 20132014 and the sufficiency of our cash, cash equivalents and cash from operations, (xiii)(xv) our planned investment of and need for our foreign cash and our ability to repatriate that cash, (xiv)(xvi) our ability to draw funds on our credit facility as needed, (xv)(xvii) future fluctuations in our cash provided by operating activities, (xvi)(xviii) the timing for implementation of our new ERP system, and (xvii)(xix) the outcome and effect of legal proceedings, as well as other statements regarding our future operations, financial condition and prospects and business strategies.  Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements are included, but not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” herein and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.  We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.  Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

OVERVIEW

We are a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of lightweight communications headsets, telephone headset systems, and accessories for the worldwide business and consumer markets under the Plantronics brand.  In addition, we manufacture and market, under our Clarity brand, specialty telephone products, such as telephones for the hearing impaired, and other related products for people with special communication needs.

We ship our products to approximately 60 countries through a network of distributors, value-add resellers ("VARs"), retailers, wireless carriers, original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), and telephony service providers.  We have well-developed distribution channels in North America, Europe, and in some parts of the Asia Pacific region, particularly in China, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand, where use of our products is widespread.  Our distribution channels in other geographic regions are less mature, and while we primarily serve the contact center markets in those regions, we continue to expand into the office, mobile, and gaming and computer audio and specialty telephone markets in those regions and other international locations.  Revenues from our retail channel are typically seasonal, with the December quarter (our third fiscal quarter) typically being the strongest.

Our priorities for fiscal year 2014 are to deliver profitable growth in Unified Communications and all other areas of our business, extend our brand, expand our consumer reach, scale for growth, and optimize the culture. In order to execute on the first two priorities, our operating plan for the fiscal year includes significant new investments in our global sales force and research and development capabilities. To expand our consumer reach, our fiscal year 2014 product development roadmap includes expected launches of new products targeted toward the fastest-growing segments of the consumer headset market, as well as development efforts for more new consumer products to be launched in fiscal year 2015 and beyond. We are making major capital investments in order to scale for growth. We are building a new manufacturing facility in Tijuana, Mexico, which will consolidate several existing leased facilities that we use today. We believe the new manufacturing facility will be fully operational in our second fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2014.


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Total net revenues increased to $202.8 million in the first quarter growing 12% over the first quarter of the prior year. UC product revenues increased, growing by 52% over the prior-year quarter to $42.1 million and we believe our innovation and breakthroughs in contextual intelligence and other product features and enhancements spurred this growth. Our increased investments in research and development versus a year ago yielded increased functionality for UC endpoints and successful launches of new consumer products in key markets.  We also continued to invest in our global sales force in order to bring these and other products to the marketplace. Our financial results in the first quarter were strong, resulting in $27.0 million in net income, or 13% of our net revenues, the same percentage as a year ago.

We believe UC represents our key long-term driver of revenue and profit growth, and it continues to be our primary focus area. Business communications are being transformed from voice-centric systems supported by traditional PBX infrastructure to communication systems that are fully integrated with voice, video, and data and are supported by feature-rich UC software. With this transformation, the requirement for a traditional headset used only for voice communications continues to evolve into a device that delivers contextual intelligence, providing the ability to reach people using the mode of communication that is most effective, on the device that is most convenient, and with control over when and how they can be reached. Our portfolio of UC solutions combines hardware with advanced sensor technology and capitalizes on contextual intelligence, addressing the needs of the constantly changing business environments and evolving work styles to make connecting easier and by sharing presence information to convey user availability and other contextual information. We believe UC systems will become more commonly adopted by enterprises to reduce costs and improve collaboration, and we believe our solutions with Simply Smarter Communications® technology will be an important part of the UC environment.


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The traditional office and contact center market ("Core OCC") is the most mature market in which we participate, and we expect this market to grow slowly over the long-term.participate. Given the migration to UC by corporations globally, we also expect the market for headsets for non-UC enterprise applications to grow very slowly, if at all.  We believe the growth of UC will increase overall headset adoption in enterprise environments and we therefore expect most of the growth in our Office and Contact Center ("OCC") category over the next five years to come from headsets designed for UC.

Our priorities for fiscal year 2014 are to deliver profitable growth in Unified Communications and all other areas of our business, extend our brand, expand our consumer reach, scale for growth, and optimize the culture. In order to execute on the first two priorities, our operating plan for the fiscal year includes significant new investments in our global sales force and research and development capabilities. To expand our consumer reach, our fiscal year 2014 product development roadmap includes expected launches of new products targeted toward the fastest-growing segments of the consumer headset market, as well as development efforts for more new consumer products to be launched in fiscal year 2015 and beyond. We are making major capital investments in order to scale for growth.

Total net revenues increased to $194.0 million in the second quarter growing 8% over the second quarter of the prior year. UC product revenues increased, growing by 22% over the prior-year quarter to $36.9 million and we believe our innovation and breakthroughs in contextual intelligence and other product features and enhancements spurred this growth. Our increased investments in research and development versus a year ago yielded increased functionality for UC endpoints and successful launches of new consumer products in key markets.  We also continued to invest in our global sales force in order to bring these and other products to the marketplace.
In the firstsecond quarter of our fiscal year 2014, our strong Bluetooth product portfolio included Voyager Legend and Marque in the mono Bluetooth category, and BackBeat GO 2 in the stereo Bluetooth category. These products led a strong performance across our Mobile Bluetooth portfolio in the quarter, allowing us to participate fully in market opportunities around the world. We anticipate that our planned investments in these categories will help position us to maintain share as opportunities in these markets continue to expand.

Integral to our core research and development have been investments in firmware and software engineering to enhance the broad compatibility of our products in the enterprise systems with which they will be deployed, and development of value-added software applications for business users. We believe ourthese investments in strategic architecting may allowsoftware development will help us to differentiate our products and maintain long-term gross margins within our business model. We continue to strengthen our strategic partnerships with UCUnified Communications platform suppliers to ensure that our products remain compatible with all major platforms as UC usage becomes an essential part of a unified work environment.the enterprise communications landscape.

Looking forward, we continue to believe that UC is a key long-term driver of revenue and profit growth. We remain cautious about the macroeconomic environment and will monitor our expenditures accordingly; however, we will continue to invest strategically in our long-term growth opportunities. We will continue focusing on innovative product development through our core research and development efforts, including the use of software and services as part of our portfolio.efforts. We will also continue to grow our sales force and increase marketing and other customer service and support as we expand key strategic partnerships to market our UC products.  We believe we have an excellent position in the market and a well-deserved reputation for quality and service that we will continually strive to earn through ongoing investment and strong execution.


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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, the condensed consolidated statements of operations data, which is derived from the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.  The financial information and ensuing discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. 
 Three Months Ended June 30, Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages) 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012
Net revenues $202,818
 100.0 % $181,365
 100.0% $193,980
 100.0 % $179,280
 100.0% $396,798
 100.0% $360,645
 100.0%
Cost of revenues 97,186
 47.9 % 83,669
 46.1% 94,366
 48.6 % 82,052
 45.8% 191,552
 48.3% 165,721
 46.0%
Gross profit 105,632
 52.1 % 97,696
 53.9% 99,614
 51.4 % 97,228
 54.2% 205,246
 51.7% 194,924
 54.0%
Operating expenses: 

  
 

  
 

  
 

  
 

   

  
Research, development, and engineering 20,863
 10.3 % 19,696
 10.9% 20,447
 10.5 % 19,581
 10.9% 41,310
 10.4% 39,277
 10.9%
Selling, general, and administrative 48,097
 23.7 % 45,904
 25.3% 48,507
 25.0 % 43,130
 24.1% 96,604
 24.3% 89,034
 24.7%
Restructuring and other related charges 723
 0.4 % 
 % (176) (0.1)% 
 % 547
 0.1% 
 %
Total operating expenses 69,683
 34.4 % 65,600
 36.2% 68,778
 35.5 % 62,711
 35.0% 138,461
 34.9% 128,311
 35.6%
Operating income 35,949
 17.7 % 32,096
 17.7% 30,836
 15.9 % 34,517
 19.3% 66,785
 16.8% 66,613
 18.5%
Interest and other income (expense), net (486) (0.2)% 12
 % 359
 0.2 % 275
 0.2% (127) % 287
 0.1%
Income before income taxes 35,463
 17.5 % 32,108
 17.7% 31,195
 16.1 % 34,792
 19.4% 66,658
 16.8% 66,900
 18.6%
Income tax expense 8,510
 4.2 % 8,545
 4.7% 8,057
 4.2 % 8,868
 4.9% 16,567
 4.2% 17,413
 4.8%
Net income $26,953
 13.3 % $23,563
 13.0% $23,138
 11.9 % $25,924
 14.5% $50,091
 12.6% $49,487
 13.7%


NET REVENUES
 Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended    
 June 30, Increase September 30, Increase September 30, Increase
(in thousands, except percentages) 2013 2012 (Decrease) 2013
2012 (Decrease) 2013 2012 (Decrease)
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers:                        
Office and Contact Center $151,183
 $134,033
 $17,150
 12.8 % $139,945
 $133,119
 $6,826
 5.1 % $291,128
 $267,152
 $23,976
 9.0 %
Mobile 41,624
 36,157
 5,467
 15.1 % 42,685
 33,305
 9,380
 28.2 % 84,309
 69,462
 14,847
 21.4 %
Gaming and Computer Audio 6,451
 6,789
 (338) (5.0)% 8,156
 7,797
 359
 4.6 % 14,607
 14,586
 21
 0.1 %
Clarity 3,560
 4,386
 (826) (18.8)% 3,194
 5,059
 (1,865) (36.9)% 6,754
 9,445
 (2,691) (28.5)%
Total net revenues $202,818
 $181,365
 $21,453
 11.8 % $193,980
 $179,280
 $14,700
 8.2 % $396,798
 $360,645
 $36,153
 10.0 %

OCC products represent our largest source of revenues, while Mobile products represent our largest unit volumes.  Net revenues may vary due to seasonality, the timing of new product introductions and discontinuation of existing products, discounts and other incentives, and channel mix. Net revenues derived from sales into the retail channel typically account for a seasonal increase in net revenues in the third quarter of our fiscal year.

Net revenues increased in the firstsecond quarter of fiscal year 2014 over the same period a year ago as a result of higher OCC revenues driven by growth in both UC and core OCC products, as well as from higher Mobile revenues driven by a stronger product portfolio that was well received in the retail market, as well as from higher OCC revenues driven by growth in UC products. Revenues from our Clarity business have declined, largely as a result of funding weakness among public-sector services that distribute products for the hearing-impaired.

Net revenues increased in the six months ended September 30, 2013 over the same period a year ago primarily as a result of higher OCC revenues, driven by growth in both UC products and Core OCC products. Mobile revenues have also increased, driven by a stronger product portfolio that has been well-received in the retail market.


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Geographic Information
 Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended   
 June 30, Increase September 30, Increase September 30, Increase
(in thousands, except percentages) 2013 2012 (Decrease) 2013
2012 (Decrease) 2013
2012 (Decrease)
Net revenues from unaffiliated customers:                       
U.S. $121,318
 $104,078
 $17,240
 16.6% $115,795
 $107,513
 $8,282
 7.7 % $237,113
 $211,591
 $25,522
12.1 %
As a percentage of net revenues 59.8% 57.4% 

   59.7% 60.0% 

   59.8% 58.7% 



Europe and Africa 44,385
 41,576
 2,809
 6.8% 43,094
 38,951
 4,143
 10.6 % 87,479
 80,527
 6,952
8.6 %
Asia Pacific 23,880
 23,579
 301
 1.3% 23,280
 19,839
 3,441
 17.3 % 47,160
 43,418
 3,742
8.6 %
Americas, excluding U.S. 13,235
 12,132
 1,103
 9.1% 11,811
 12,977
 (1,166) (9.0)% 25,046
 25,109
 (63)(0.3)%
Total international net revenues 81,500
 77,287
 4,213
 5.5% 78,185
 71,767
 6,418
 8.9 % 159,685
 149,054
 10,631
7.1 %
As a percentage of net revenues 40.2% 42.6% 

   40.3% 40.0% 

   40.2% 41.3% 



Total net revenues $202,818
 $181,365
 $21,453
 11.8% $193,980
 $179,280
 $14,700
 8.2 % $396,798
 $360,645
 $36,153
10.0 %

U.S. net revenues increased in the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, withdue to growth in Mobile product revenue driven by a stronger product portfolio. U.S. OCC revenuerevenues also increased led by UC products, but also including growth in revenue from core OCC products. US Mobile product revenues also increased driven by a stronger product portfolio.   

In the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013, international net revenues increased due primarily to significant growth in Mobile revenues in the APAC region and to a lesser extent the E&A and APAC regionsregion, driven by a stronger product portfolio as well as the effects of hands-free legislation in the People's Republic of China ("PRC"). OCC revenues also increased modestly, with growth in UC revenues partially offset by a decline in core OCC revenues.


COST OF REVENUES AND GROSS PROFIT

Cost of revenues consists primarily of direct manufacturing and contract manufacturer costs, warranty expense, freight expense, depreciation, duty expense, reserves for excess and obsolete inventory, royalties, and an allocation of overhead expenses, including facilities, IT, and human resources. 

 Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
 June 30, Increase September 30, Increase September 30, Increase
(in thousands, except percentages) 2013 2012 (Decrease) 2013 2012 (Decrease) 2013
2012 (Decrease)
Net revenues $202,818
 $181,365
 $21,453
 11.8% $193,980
 $179,280
 $14,700
 8.2% $396,798
 $360,645
 $36,153
 10.0%
Cost of revenues 97,186
 83,669
 13,517
 16.2% 94,366
 82,052
 12,314
 15.0% 191,552
 165,721
 25,831
 15.6%
Gross profit $105,632
 $97,696
 $7,936
 8.1% $99,614
 $97,228
 $2,386
 2.5% $205,246
 $194,924
 $10,322
 5.3%
Gross profit % 52.1% 53.9% 

   51.4% 54.2% 

   51.7% 54.0%    

As a percentage of net revenues, gross profit decreased in the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 compared to the same periodperiods a year ago due primarily to twofour drivers. First, revenues from Mobile products have grown faster than revenues from OCC products in both the three and six month periods ended September 30, 2013, with the result that Mobile products, which generally have lower gross margins than our OCC products, represent a higher proportion of our product mix than was the case a year ago. Second, we recorded a provisionone-time lease charge of approximately $1.5 million for excess and obsolete inventory of $1.8 millionthe six months ended September 30, 2013 when we exited the leased facilities in Tijuana, Mexico, representing the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 which is higher thancosts we would have otherwise continued to incur under the $0.3 million we recorded in the prior year. Second,original lease terms. Third, within our OCC category or products, we are experiencing a shift in our product mix in our OCC category of products to a higher proportion of revenues from UC products, which generally have lower gross margins than our traditional OCC products. This is aWe expect this shift in product mix and aassociated impact on gross profit impact that we have expected over time and a trend that we expect to continue as our revenues from UC products grow. Over the long term, we expect our gross profit percentage to range from 50% to 52%. Fourth, we recorded a provision for excess and obsolete inventory of $1.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, which is higher than the $0.6 million we recorded in the prior year, and a combined provision for excess and obsolete inventory in the six months ended September 30, 2013 of $3.3 million, which is higher than the $0.9 million we recorded in the corresponding period a year ago.

There are significant variances in gross profit percentages between our higher and lower margin products; therefore, small variations in product mix, which can be difficult to predict, can have a significant impact on gross profit.  In addition, if we do not accurately anticipate changes in demand, we have in the past, and may in the future, incur significant costs associated with writing off excess and obsolete inventory or incur charges for adverse purchase commitments.  Gross profit may also vary based on distribution channel, return rates, and other factors.



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RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING

Research, development, and engineering costs are expensed as incurred and consist primarily of compensation costs, outside services, including legal fees associated with protecting our intellectual property, expensed materials, travel expenses, depreciation, and an allocation of overhead expenses, including facilities, IT, human resources, and legal costs.

 Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
 June 30, Increase September 30, Increase September 30, Increase
(in thousands, except percentages) 2013 2012 (Decrease) 2013 2012 (Decrease) 2013
2012 (Decrease)
Research, development, and engineering $20,863
 $19,696
 $1,167
 5.9% $20,447
 $19,581
 $866
 4.4% $41,310
 $39,277
 $2,033
 5.2%
% of net revenues 10.3% 10.9% 

   10.5% 10.9% 

   10.4% 10.9%    

During the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013, research, development, and engineering expenses increased as compared to the same periodperiods a year ago due primarily to an increase in our investment in software development and other capabilities related to UC product development. This investment consisted primarily of engineering headcount, resulting in increased compensation and other employee-related expenses.


SELLING, GENERAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE

Selling, general, and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation costs, marketing costs, travel expenses, litigation and professional service fees, and allocations of overhead expenses, including facilities, IT, human resources, and legal costs.

 Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
 June 30, Increase September 30, Increase September 30, Increase
(in thousands, except percentages) 2013 2012 (Decrease) 2013 2012 (Decrease) 2013
2012 (Decrease)
Selling, general, and administrative $48,097
 $45,904
 $2,193
 4.8% $48,507
 $43,130
 $5,377
 12.5% $96,604
 $89,034
 $7,570
 8.5%
% of net revenues 23.7% 25.3% 

   25.0% 24.1% 

   24.3% 24.7%    

In the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013, compared to the same period a year ago, selling, general, and administrative expenses increased, primarily as a result of increased compensation expense of $3.3 million, related to increased investment in our sales force and marketing organizations to support the UC opportunity and growth in emerging markets.


RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER RELATED CHARGES

  Three Months Ended    
  June 30, Increase
(in thousands, except percentages) 2013 2012 (Decrease)
Restructuring and other related charges $723
 $
 $723
 100%
% of net revenues 0.4% % 

  

We initiated a restructuring plan during the third quarter of fiscal year 2013.  Under the plan, we reallocated costs by eliminating certain positions in the U.S., Mexico, China, and Europe, and transitioned some of these positions to lower cost locations. We also vacated a portion of a leased facility at our corporate headquarters.   

The pre-tax charges incurred duringincreased investment in marketing and promotional activities by $2.2 million compared to the prior year.three months ended June 30, 2013 were due to lease termination costs and accelerated amortization expense on leasehold improvement assets with no alternative future use. The plan is substantially complete as of June 30, 2013, with an immaterial amount of restructuring-related severance costs remaining to be paid in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014.




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INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

  Three Months Ended    
  June 30, Increase
(in thousands except percentages) 2013 2012 (Decrease)
Interest and other income (expense), net $(486) $12
 $(498) (4,150.0)%
% of net revenues (0.2)% % 

  

In the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013, compared to the same period a year ago, interestselling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily as a result of higher compensation costs of $5.8 million primarily as a result of increased headcount in our field sales functions to support UC and growth in emerging markets, as well as increased investment in marketing and promotional activities of $3.0 million, partly offset by lower costs of legal and accounting services.


INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

  Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
  September 30, Increase September 30, Increase
(in thousands except percentages) 2013 2012 (Decrease) 2013
2012 (Decrease)
Interest and other income (expense), net $359
 $275
 $84
 30.5% $(127) $287
 (414) (144.3)%
% of net revenues 0.2% 0.2% 

   % 0.1%    

Interest and other income (expense), net decreased due primarily to an increase in foreign exchange losses.did not have a material impact on our financial statements for the three and six months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.





INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended    
 June 30, Increase September 30, Increase September 30, Increase
(in thousands except percentages) 2013 2012 (Decrease) 2013 2012 (Decrease) 2013 2012 (Decrease)
Income before income taxes $35,463
 $32,108
 $3,355
 10.4 % $31,195
 $34,792
 $(3,597) (10.3)% $66,658
 $66,900
 $(242) (0.4)%
Income tax expense 8,510
 8,545
 (35) (0.4)% 8,057
 8,868
 (811) (9.1)% 16,567
 17,413
 (846) (4.9)%
Net income $26,953
 $23,563
 $3,390
 14.4 % $23,138
 $25,924
 $(2,786) (10.7)% $50,091
 $49,487
 $604
 1.2 %
Effective tax rate 24.0% 26.6% 

 
 25.8% 25.5% 

 
 24.9% 26.0%    

The lowereffective tax rate for the three and six months ended September 30, 2013 was 25.8% and 24.9%, respectively compared to 25.5% and 26.0%, in the same periods in the prior year. The higher effective tax rate for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year is due primarily to the releasesmaller proportion of tax reservesincome in the current period, a shift in income resulting from a transfer pricing adjustment, and the reinstatement offoreign jurisdictions taxed at lower rates, offset by the United States (“U.S.”) federal tax research credit whichbenefit that was extended in December 2012 through December 2013 and was not available in the same period a year ago. The lower effective tax rate for the six months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year is due primarily to the release of tax reserves from the expiration of certain statutes of limitations, an adjustment to transfer pricing, and the reinstatement of the U.S. federal tax research credit. Our effective tax rates differ from the statutory rate due to the impact of foreign operations taxed at different statutory rates, tax credits, state taxes and other factors.  Our future tax rates could be impacted by a shift in the mix of domestic and foreign income, tax treaties with foreign jurisdictions, changes in tax laws in the U.S. or internationally, or a change in estimates of future taxable income which could result in a valuation allowance being required.

We are subject to taxation in various foreign and state jurisdictions including the U.S.  We are under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for its 2010 tax year and the California Franchise Tax Board for its 2007 and 2008 tax years.  Foreign income tax matters for material tax jurisdictions have been concluded for tax years prior to fiscal 2006,2007, except for the United Kingdom, which has been concluded for tax years prior to fiscal year 2012.


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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements presented on a GAAP basis, Plantronics uses non-GAAP measures of operating results, which are adjusted to exclude non-recurring andcertain non-cash expenses and charges, such as stock-based compensation related to stock options, restricted stock and employee stock purchases, accelerated depreciation, lease termination charges, purchase accounting amortization, restructuring and other related charges, all net of the associated tax impact, tax benefits from the release of tax reserves, transfer pricing adjustments, and the impact of the retroactive reinstatement of the U.S. federal R&D tax credit. Plantronics does not believe these expenses, charges, and chargescredits are reflective of ongoing operating results and are not part of our target operating model. The non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, and the financial results calculated in accordance with GAAP and the reconciliations to those financial statements should be carefully evaluated. The non-GAAP financial measures used by Plantronics may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies.

We believe that such non-GAAP measures provide meaningful information to assist shareholders in understanding our financial results and assessing our prospects for future performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are an additional way of viewing aspects of our operations that, when viewed with our GAAP results and the reconciliations to corresponding GAAP financial measures within our discussion of consolidated performance, below, provide a more complete understanding of our business. We strongly encourage investors and shareholders to review our financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.

The following tables reconcile gross profit, operating expenses, operating income, net income, income before taxes, tax expense, and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented (GAAP financial measures) to their equivalent non-GAAP financial measure counterpartscounterpart for the periods presented.

Three Months EndedThree Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30,September 30, September 30,

2013
20122013 2012 2013 2012
GAAP Gross profit$105,632

$97,696
$99,614
 $97,228
 $205,246
 $194,924
Stock-based compensation expense535

596
638
 526
 1,173
 1,122
Accelerated depreciation220

124
41
 318
 261
 442
Lease termination charges262


1,126
 
 1,388
 
Non-GAAP Gross profit$106,649

$98,416
$101,419
 $98,072
 $208,068
 $196,488
Non-GAAP Gross profit %52.6%
54.3%52.3% 54.7% 52.4% 54.5%






       
GAAP Research, development, and engineering$20,863

$19,696
$20,447
 $19,581
 $41,310
 $39,277
Stock-based compensation expense(1,368)
(1,124)(1,652) (1,256) (3,020) (2,380)
Accelerated depreciation(151)
(57)(49) (226) (200) (283)
Lease termination charges(21) 
 (21) 
Purchase accounting amortization(50)

(50) 
 (100) 
Non-GAAP Research, development, and engineering$19,294

$18,515
$18,675
 $18,099
 $37,969
 $36,614






       
GAAP Selling, general, and administrative$48,097

$45,904
$48,507
 $43,130
 $96,604
 $89,034
Stock-based compensation expense(3,084)
(2,900)(3,675) (3,080) (6,759) (5,980)
Lease termination charges(45) 
 (45) 
Purchase accounting amortization(71)

(35) 
 (106) 
Non-GAAP Selling, general, and administrative$44,942

$43,004
$44,752
 $40,050
 $89,694
 $83,054






       
GAAP Operating expenses$69,683

$65,600
$68,778
 $62,711
 $138,461
 $128,311
Stock-based compensation expense(4,452)
(4,024)(5,327) (4,336) (9,779) (8,360)
Accelerated depreciation(151)
(57)(49) (226) (200) (283)
Lease termination charges(66) 
 (66) 
Purchase accounting amortization(121)

(85) 
 (206) 
Restructuring and other related charges(723)

176
 
 (547) 
Non-GAAP Operating expenses$64,236

$61,519
$63,427
 $58,149
 $127,663
 $119,668



28

 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 September 30, September 30,

2013 2012 2013 2012
GAAP Operating income$30,836
 $34,517
 $66,785
 $66,613
Stock-based compensation expense5,965
 4,862
 10,952
 9,482
Accelerated depreciation90
 544
 461
 725
Lease termination charges1,192
 
 1,454
 
Purchase accounting amortization85
 
 206
 
Restructuring and other related charges(176) 
 547
 
Non-GAAP Operating income$37,992
 $39,923
 $80,405
 $76,820

       
GAAP Income before income taxes$31,195
 $34,792
 $66,658
 $66,900
Stock-based compensation expense5,965
 4,862
 10,952
 9,482
Accelerated depreciation90
 544
 461
 725
Lease termination charges1,192
 
 1,454
 
Purchase accounting amortization85
 
 206
 
Restructuring and other related charges(176) 
 547
 
Non-GAAP Income before income taxes$38,351
 $40,198
 $80,278
 $77,107

       
GAAP Income tax expense$8,057
 $8,868
 $16,567
 $17,413
Income tax effect of stock-based compensation expense1,838
 1,532
 3,275
 2,914
Income tax effect of accelerated depreciation
 116
 88
 155
Income tax effect of lease termination charges276
 
 333
 
Income tax effect of purchase accounting amortization24
 
 61
 
Income tax effect of restructuring and other related charges(66) 
 204
 
Tax benefit from the release of tax reserves & transfer pricing adjustments226
 
 1,161
 
Non-GAAP Income tax expense$10,355
 $10,516
 $21,689
 $20,482
Non-GAAP Income tax expense as a % of Non-GAAP Income before income taxes27.0% 26.2% 27.0% 26.6%

       
GAAP Net income$23,138
 $25,924
 $50,091
 $49,487
Stock-based compensation expense5,965
 4,862
 10,952
 9,482
Accelerated depreciation90
 544
 461
 725
Lease termination charges1,192
 
 1,454
 
Purchase accounting amortization85
 
 206
 
Restructuring and other related charges(176) 
 547
 
Income tax effect(2,298)
(1) 
(1,648)
(2) 
(5,122)
(3) 
(3,069)
Non-GAAP Net income$27,996
 $29,682
 $58,589
 $56,625

       
GAAP Diluted earnings per common share$0.53
 $0.61
 $1.15
 $1.16
Stock-based compensation expense0.14
 0.11
 0.25
 0.22
Accelerated depreciation
 0.01
 0.01
 0.01
Lease termination costs0.02
 
 0.03
 
Restructuring and other related charges
 
 0.02
 
Income tax effect(0.05) (0.03) (0.12) (0.06)
Non-GAAP Diluted earnings per common share$0.64
 $0.70
 $1.34
 $1.33

       
Shares used in diluted earnings per common share calculation43,597
 42,403
 43,667
 42,521
Table of Contents

 Three Months Ended
 June 30,

2013
2012
GAAP Operating income$35,949

$32,096

Stock-based compensation expense4,987

4,620

Accelerated depreciation371

181

Lease termination charges262


 
Purchase accounting amortization121



Restructuring and other related charges723



Non-GAAP Operating income$42,413

$36,897








GAAP Income before income taxes$35,463

$32,108

Stock-based compensation expense4,987

4,620

Accelerated depreciation371

181

Lease termination charges262


 
Purchase accounting amortization121



Restructuring and other related charges723



Non-GAAP Income before income taxes$41,927

$36,909






GAAP Income tax expense$8,510

$8,545

Income tax effect of stock-based compensation expense1,437

1,382

Income tax effect of accelerated depreciation88

39

Income tax effect of lease termination charges57


 
Income tax effect of purchase accounting amortization37



Income tax effect of restructuring and other related charges270



Tax benefit from the release of tax reserves & transfer pricing adjustments935



Non-GAAP Income tax expense$11,334

$9,966

Non-GAAP Income tax expense as a % of Non-GAAP Income before income taxes27.0%
27.0%





GAAP Net income$26,953

$23,563

Stock-based compensation expense4,987

4,620

Accelerated depreciation371

181

Lease termination charges262


 
Purchase accounting amortization121



Restructuring and other related charges723



Income tax effect(2,824)
(1) 
(1,421)
(2) 
Non-GAAP Net income$30,593

$26,943








GAAP Diluted earnings per common share$0.62

$0.55

Stock-based compensation expense0.11

0.11

Accelerated depreciation0.01



Lease termination costs0.01


 
Restructuring and other related charges0.02



Income tax effect(0.07)
(0.03)
Non-GAAP Diluted earnings per common share$0.70

$0.63







Shares used in diluted earnings per common share calculation43,650

42,570

(1) 
Excluded amount represents tax benefits from stock-based compensation, accelerated depreciation, lease termination charges, purchase accounting amortization, restructuring and other related charges, and the release of tax reserves, and transfer pricing adjustments.reserves.
(2) 
Excluded amount represents tax benefits from stock-based compensation and accelerated depreciation.
(3)
Excluded amount represents tax benefits from stock-based compensation, accelerated depreciation, lease termination charges, purchase accounting amortization, restructuring and other related charges, the release of tax reserves, and transfer pricing adjustments.


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Table of Contents

FINANCIAL CONDITION

The table below provides a summary of our condensed consolidated cash flow information for the periods presented:
 Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended  
 June 30,   September 30,  
(in thousands) 2013 2012 Change 2013 2012 Change
Net cash provided by operating activities $34,140
 $28,196
 $5,944
 $57,606
 $60,024
 $(2,418)
Net cash used for investing activities (4,120) (16,610) 12,490
 (23,467) (34,664) 11,197
Net cash used for financing activities (2,424) (15,551) 13,127
 (17,724) (25,582) 7,858
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (29) (731) 702
 789
 (1,184) 1,973
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $27,567
 $(4,696) $32,263
 $17,204
 $(1,406) $18,610

We useOur primary source of liquidity is cash provided by operating activities as our primary source of liquidity.activities. We expect that cash provided by operating activities will fluctuate in future periods as a result of a number of factors, including fluctuations in our revenues, the timing of product shipments during the quarter, accounts receivable collections, inventory and supply chain management, and the timing and amount of tax and other payments. 

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities during the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 increaseddecreased from the prior year due to the following:

AnA net decrease in accounts payable resulting primarily due to timing of payments made during the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 compared with the same prior year quarter.
A net decrease in accrued liabilities resulting primarily from lower accruals for performance-based compensation in the first half of fiscal year 2014 than in the same prior year period..
A net decrease in income taxes payable due primarily to the timing of estimated tax payments made during the second quarter of fiscal year 2014.
A net increase in accounts receivable due primarily to timing of revenues earned during the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 compared with the same prior year quarter.
A net incomeincrease in inventory due primarily to timing of revenues earned during the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 compared with the same prior year quarter.
An
These decreases were partially offset by an increase in adjustments for non-cash charges; primarily deferred income taxes and higher reserve requirements for excess and obsolete inventories, partially offset by an increase in excess tax benefits from stock based compensation
A net increase in accrued liabilities resulting primarily from an increase in deferred revenue and accrued marketing program expenses.

These increases were partially offset by an increase in inventories related primarily to last-time buys from one of our primary chip suppliers.inventories.

Investing Activities

Net cash used for investing activities during the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 decreased from the prior year due primarily to the following:

Anan increase in net proceeds from the sale and maturity of short-term investments.
A decrease in capital expenditures; capital expenditures for the three months ended June 30, 2012 included $11.0 million related to the acquisition of land and a new manufacturing facility in Mexico that did not recur in fiscal year 2014.

This decreaseinvestments, which was partially offset by an increase in net cash used for purchases of long-term investments.investments and slightly higher capital expenditures.

For the remainder of fiscal year 2014, we expect to spend approximately $35.0$21.0 million to $39.0$25.0 million on capital expenditures.expenditures for estimated total capital expenditures of $50.0 million for fiscal year 2014. The increase from fiscal year 2013 capital expenditures of $39.3 million is related to continued costs associated with the purchase and related construction of a new manufacturing facility in Mexico. We completed the required upgrades and moved into the new facility in the first quarterhalf of fiscal year 2014. As part of this move, we recognized a one-time lease charge of approximately $0.3 million, representing the costs we would otherwise continue to incur under the original terms of the leased facilities we vacated when we moved into the new facility. We will recognize an additional $1.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014 when we vacate the remaining leased buildings in Mexico. We also recognized a one-time lease charge in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 of approximately $0.7 million when we exited a leased facility at our Corporate headquarters, which was part of the restructuring program we announced in the third quarter of fiscal year 2013. In addition, we will continue to incur costs related to the implementation of a new ERP system, which we expect to place in service at the start of our fiscal year 2015. The remainder of the anticipated capital expenditures for fiscal year 2014 consists primarily of building and leasehold improvements at our U.S. headquarters, other IT-related expenditures, and tooling for new products. We will continue to evaluate new business opportunities and new markets; as a result, our future growth within the existing business or new opportunities and markets may dictate the need for additional facilities and capital expenditures to support that growth.

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Financing Activities

Net cash used for financing activities during the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 decreased from the prior year due primarily to the following:
 
A decrease in the levelrepayments on our revolving line of common stock repurchases, driven by higher share pricescredit
An increase in proceeds from employees' exercise of stock options

These decreases were partially offset by an increase in the level of common stock repurchases.

On August 6,October 29, 2013, we announced that our Board of Directors ("the Board") declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share of our common stock, payable on SeptemberDecember 10, 2013 to stockholders of record at the close of business on AugustNovember 20, 2013.  We expect to continue paying a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share of our common stock; however, the actual declaration of dividends and the establishment of record and payment dates are subject to final determination by the Audit Committee of the Board each quarter after its review of our financial performance and financial position.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary discretionary cash requirements have historically been for repurchases of our common stock and to fund stockholder dividends.  At JuneSeptember 30, 2013, we had working capital of $478.2486.9 million, including $358.0359.1 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, compared with working capital of $463.0 million, including $345.4 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at March 31, 2013.  

Our cash and cash equivalents as of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 consisted of U.S. Treasury Bills, and bank deposits with third party financial institutions.institutions and mutual funds held as part of our deferred compensation plan.  We monitor bank balances in our operating accounts and adjust the balances as appropriate.  Cash balances are held throughout the world, including substantial amounts held outside of the U.S.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013, of our $358.0359.1 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, $41.039.8 million is held domestically while $317.0319.3 million is held by foreign subsidiaries. The costs to repatriate our foreign earnings to the U.S. would be material; however, our intent is to permanently reinvest our earnings from foreign operations and our current plans do not require us to repatriate our earnings from foreign operations to fund our U.S. operations because we generate sufficient domestic operating cash flow and have access to external funding under our revolving line of credit.

Our short and long-term investments are intended to establish a high-quality portfolio that preserves principal and meets liquidity needs.  As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013, our investments were composed of U.S. Treasury Bills,Mutual Funds, Government Agency Securities, Commercial Paper, Corporate Bonds, and Certificates of Deposit (“CDs”).

From time to time, our Board of Directors ("Board") has authorized plans under which we may repurchase shares of our common stock, depending on market conditions, in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. During the first threesix months of fiscal year 2014, we repurchased 235,468607,033 shares of our common stock in the open market as part of these publicly announced repurchase programs. The total cost of these repurchases was $10.827.3 million, with an average price of $45.7244.99 per share. In addition, we withheld 87,20294,748 shares with a total value of $4.04.4 million in satisfaction of employee tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock granted under our stock plans.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013, there remained 646,439274,874 shares authorized for repurchase under the stock repurchase program approved by the Board on August 6, 2012. For more information regarding our stock repurchase programs, refer to Note 10, Common Stock Repurchases, of the accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited) in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


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In May 2011, we entered into a credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("the Bank"), as most recently amended in May 2013 to extend its term to May 2016 (as amended, "the Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement provides for a $100.0 million unsecured revolving line of credit (the "line of credit") to augment our financial flexibility and, if requested by us, the Bank may increase its commitment thereunder by up to $100.0 million, for a total facility of up to $200.0 million.  Any outstanding principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest, is due on the amended maturity date, May 9, 2016, and our obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by our domestic subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the line of credit. Loans under the Credit Agreement bear interest at our election (1) at the Bank's announced prime rate less 1.50% per annum, (2) at a daily one month LIBOR rate plus 1.10% per annum or (3) at an adjusted LIBOR rate, for a term of one, three or six months, plus 1.10% per annum. The line of credit requires us to comply with the following two financial covenant ratios, in each case at each fiscal quarter end and determined on a rolling four-quarter basis:

maximum ratio of funded debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"); and,
minimum EBITDA coverage ratio, which is calculated as interest payments divided by EBITDA.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013, we were in compliance with these ratios by a substantial margin.

In addition, we and our subsidiaries are required to maintain, on a consolidated basis, unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities plus availability under the Credit Agreement at the end of each fiscal quarter of at least $200.0 million. The line of credit contains affirmative covenants including covenants regarding the payment of taxes and other liabilities, maintenance of insurance, reporting requirements and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The credit facility also contains negative covenants, among other things, limiting our ability to incur debt, make capital expenditures, grant liens, make acquisitions and make investments. The events of default under the line of credit include payment defaults, cross defaults with certain other indebtedness, breaches of covenants, judgment defaults and bankruptcy and insolvency events involving us or any of our subsidiaries. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013, we were in compliance with all covenants under the line of credit.

Our liquidity, capital resources, and results of operations in any period could be affected by repurchases of our common stock, the exercise of outstanding stock options, restricted stock grants under stock plans and the issuance of common stock under our ESPP.  We receive cash from the exercise of outstanding stock options and the issuance of shares under our ESPP. However, the resulting increase in the number of outstanding shares from these equity grants and issuances could affect our earnings per share. We cannot predict the timing or amount of proceeds from the sale or exercise of these securities or whether they will be exercised, forfeited, canceled or will expire. 

We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, cash provided by operations and the availability of additional funds under the Credit Agreement will be sufficient to fund operations for at least the next 12 months; however, any projections of future financial needs and sources of working capital are subject to uncertainty.  See “Certain Forward-Looking Information” and “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for factors that could affect our estimates for future financial needs and sources of working capital.


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OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

We have not entered into any transactions with unconsolidated entities whereby we have financial guarantees, subordinated retained interests, derivative instruments, or other contingent arrangements that expose us to material continuing risks, contingent liabilities, or any other obligation under a variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides us with financing and liquidity support, market risk, or credit risk support.

A substantial portion of the raw materials, components, and subassemblies used in our products are provided by our suppliers on a consignment basis. These consigned inventories are not recorded on our consolidated balance sheet until we take possession of and title to the raw materials, components, and subassemblies, which occurs when they are consumed in the production process. Prior to consumption in the production process, our suppliers bear the risk of loss and retain title to the consigned inventory. Consigned inventory not consumed in the production process is returnable to our suppliers in accordance with the terms of our agreements with them. If our suppliers were to discontinue financing consigned inventory, it would require us to make cash outlays and we could incur expenses, including write-downs for excess and obsolete inventory, which, if material, could negatively affect our business and financial results. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013, we had off-balance sheet consigned inventories of $40.950.1 million and $31.3 million, respectively.

Unconditional Purchase Obligations

We utilize several contract manufacturersoutsourcing partners to manufacture raw materials, components, and subassembliessub-assemblies for our products. We provide these contract manufacturers withThese outsourcing partners acquire components and build product based on demand information thatsupplied by us, which typically covers periods up to 270 days, and they use this information to acquire components and build products.days. We also obtain individual components for our products from a wide variety of individual suppliers. Consistent with industry practice, we acquire components through a combination of purchase orders, supplier contracts, and open orders based on projected demand information. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013, we had outstanding off-balance sheet third-party manufacturing, component purchase, and other general and administrative purchase commitments of $183.0244.5 million, all of which we expect to consume in the normal course of business..

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013, long-term income taxes payable reported on our condensed consolidated balance sheet included unrecognized tax benefits and related interest of $11.411.8 million and $1.81.9 million, respectively.  We are unable to reliably estimate the timing of future payments related to unrecognized tax benefits; however, long-term income taxes payable on our condensed consolidated balance sheets includes these unrecognized tax benefits.  We do not anticipate any material cash payments associated with our unrecognized tax benefits to be made within the next 12 months.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

For a complete description of what we believe to be the critical accounting estimates used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on May 24, 2013.  There have been no changes to our critical accounting estimates during the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Pronouncements

In July 2013,Recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This ASU requires us to present a liability related to an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction ofFinancial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") and the related tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward if such a settlement is required orSEC did not and are not expected inby the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. We are required to implement this guidance effective the first quarter of our fiscal 2015. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2013-11Company to have a material impact on ourthe Company's present or future consolidated financial statements.



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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The discussion of our exposure to market risk related to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could vary materially as a result of a number of factors including those set forth in “Risk Factors.”

INTEREST RATE RISK

We reported the following balances in cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and long-term investments as follows:

(in millions) June 30, 2013 March 31, 2013 September 30, 2013 March 31, 2013
Cash and cash equivalents $256.3
 $228.8
 $246.0
 $228.8
Short-term investments $101.6
 $116.6
 $113.1
 $116.6
Long-term investments $85.9
 $80.3
 $79.5
 $80.3

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013, our investments were composed of U.S. Treasury Bills,Mutual Funds, Government Agency Securities, Commercial Paper, Corporate Bonds and CDs.

Our investment policy and strategy are focused on preservation of capital and supporting our liquidity requirements. Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio. Our investment policy generally limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer and requires investments to be high credit quality, primarily rated A or A2 and above, with the objective of minimizing the potential risk of principal loss. All highly liquid investments with initial maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase are classified as cash equivalents. We classify our investments as either short-term or long-term based on each instrument's underlying effective maturity date. All short-term investments have effective maturities less than 12 months, while all long-term investments have effective maturities greater than 12 months or we do not currently have the ability to liquidate the investment. We may sell our investments prior to their stated maturities for strategic purposes, in anticipation of credit deterioration, or for duration management. No material realized or unrealized net gains or losses were recognized during the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and 2012.

Interest rates were relatively unchanged in the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 compared to the same periods in the prior year. During the three and six month period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013, we generated no significant interest income from our portfolio of cash equivalents and investments and incurred no significant interest expense from our revolving line of credit. A hypothetical increase or decrease in our interest rates by 10 basis points would have a minimal impact on our interest income or expense.results of operations.

FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE RISK

We are exposed to currency fluctuations, primarily in the Euro ("EUR"), British Pound Sterling ("GBP"), Australian Dollar ("AUD"), Mexican Peso ("MX$"), and the Chinese Renminbi ("RMB"). We use a hedging strategy to diminish, and make more predictable, the effect of currency fluctuations. All of our hedging activities are entered into with large financial institutions, which we periodically evaluate for credit risks. We hedge our balance sheet exposure by hedging EUR, GBP and AUD denominated cash, accounts receivable, and accounts payable balances, and our economic exposure by hedging a portion of anticipated EUR and GBP denominated sales and our MX$ denominated expenditures. We can provide no assurance that our strategy will be successful in the future and that exchange rate fluctuations will not materially adversely affect our business.

We experienced immaterial net foreign currency gains and immaterial net foreign currency losses, respectively in the three and six months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013 and immaterial net foreign currency gains and immaterial net foreign currency losses, respectively, in the three and six months ended September 30, 2012. Although we hedge a portion of our foreign currency exchange exposure, the weakening of certain foreign currencies, particularly the EUR and the GBP in comparison to the U.S. Dollar ("USD"), could result in material foreign exchange losses in future periods.


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Non-designated Hedges

We hedge our EUR, GBP and AUD denominated cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable balances by entering into foreign exchange forward contracts. The table below presents the impact on the foreign exchange gain (loss) of a hypothetical 10% appreciation and a 10% depreciation of the USD against the forward currency contracts as of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 (in millions):
Currency - forward contractsPosition USD Value of Net Foreign Exchange Contracts Foreign Exchange Gain From 10% Appreciation of USD Foreign Exchange Loss From 10% Depreciation of USDPosition USD Value of Net Foreign Exchange Contracts Foreign Exchange Gain From 10% Appreciation of USD Foreign Exchange Loss From 10% Depreciation of USD
EURSell Euro $20.8
 $2.1
 $(2.1)Sell Euro $21.6
 $2.2
 $(2.2)
GBPSell GBP $3.3
 $0.3
 $(0.3)Sell GBP $4.2
 $0.4
 $(0.4)
AUDSell AUD $4.9
 $0.5
 $(0.5)Sell AUD $4.3
 $0.4
 $(0.4)

Cash Flow Hedges

In the threesix months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2013, approximately 40.2%40.3% of our net revenues were derived from sales outside of the U.S., which were and denominated primarily in EUR and GBP.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013, we had foreign currency put and call option contracts with notional amounts of approximately 48.650.8 million and £20.121.0 million denominated in EUR and GBP, respectively. Collectively, our option contracts hedge against a portion of our forecasted foreign currency denominated sales. If the USD is subjected to either a 10% appreciation or 10% depreciation versus these net exposed currency positions, we could realize a gain of $6.66.3 million or incur a loss of $6.58.3 million, respectively.

The table below presents the impact on the Black-Scholes valuation of our currency option contracts of a hypothetical 10% appreciation and a 10% depreciation of the USD against the indicated option contract type for cash flow hedges as of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 (in millions):
Currency - option contractsUSD Value of Net Foreign Exchange Contracts Foreign Exchange Gain From 10% Appreciation of USD Foreign Exchange Loss From 10% Depreciation of USDUSD Value of Net Foreign Exchange Contracts Foreign Exchange Gain From 10% Appreciation of USD Foreign Exchange Loss From 10% Depreciation of USD
Call options$97.7
 $1.1
 $(5.2)$102.8
 $2.4
 $(7.8)
Put options$90.6
 $5.5
 $(1.3)$95.4
 $3.9
 $(0.5)

Collectively, our swap contracts hedge against a portion of our forecasted MX$ denominated expenditures. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2013, we had cross-currency swap contracts with notional amounts of approximately MX$437.7361.1 million.

The table below presents the impact on the valuation of our cross-currency swap contracts of a hypothetical 10% appreciation and a 10% depreciation of the USD as of JuneSeptember 30, 2013 (in millions):
Currency - cross-currency swap contractsUSD Value of Net Foreign Exchange Contracts Foreign Exchange Loss From 10% Appreciation of USD Foreign Exchange Gain From 10% Depreciation of USDUSD Value of Net Foreign Exchange Contracts Foreign Exchange Loss From 10% Appreciation of USD Foreign Exchange Gain From 10% Depreciation of USD
Position: Buy MX$$33.4
 $(3.0) $3.6
$27.5
 $(2.8) $2.7


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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a)Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this report to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b)Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are presently engaged in various legal actions arising in the normal course of business.  We believe that it is unlikely that any of these actions will have a material adverse impact on our operating results; however, because of the inherent uncertainties of litigation, the outcome of any of these actions could be unfavorable and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  During the quarter ended June 30, 2013, we settled for an immaterial amount the multi-district litigation that consolidated five class action lawsuits into one action filed against us alleging that our Bluetooth headsets may cause noise-induced hearing loss, as previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2013.  Other than as described in the previous sentence, there were no material developments in the litigation on which we reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. See Note 7, Commitments and Contingencies, of the accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited) in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the following risk factors in connection with any investment in our stock.  Our stock price will reflect the performance of our business relative to, among other things, our competition, expectations of securities analysts or investors, and general economic market conditions and industry conditions.  Our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially adversely affected if any of the following risks occur.  Accordingly, the trading price of our stock could decline, and investors could lose all or part of their investment.
 
Adverse or uncertain economic conditions may materially adversely affect us.

Our operations and performance are dependent on worldwide economic conditions. Uncertainty regarding future economic conditions makes it more challenging for us to forecast operating results, make business decisions, and identify the risks that may affect our business, including sources and uses of cash, financial condition, and results of operations. Global economic concerns, such as inconsistent regional economic growth, stagnation or contraction, in various regions, including the moderate pace of economic growth in the United States, continuing pressure on economic growth as a result of austerity measures in Europe, and uncertain growth prospects in the Asia Pacific region, have increased unpredictability for our business as consumers and businesses postpone or forego spending, increasing risk to our future outlook. A global or regional economic downturn, whether short-term or prolonged, may resultresulting in, amongst other risks, reductions in sales of our products, longer sales cycles, slower adoption of new technologies, increased price competition, and customer and supplier bankruptcies.

Replacement cycles of our Office and Contact Center ("OCC") headset products, in particular, are impacted by lower voluntary employee turnover as new headset demand is typically created when employees change employers and transition to new job opportunities. In the current economic environment, post-recession slow and inconsistent domestic and international business hiring has perpetuated employee reluctance to change jobs and limits the opportunities for unemployed workers to reenter the workforce. As a consequence, voluntary employee turnover rates remain below historic non-recessionary levels which, therefore, impedes sales of our OCC headsets.

In August 2011, Congress enacted the Budget Control Act of 2011 (“BCA”), committing the U.S. government to significantly reduce the federal deficit over ten years. The BCA contains provisions commonly referred to as “sequestration”, which call for substantial, unspecified automatic spending cuts split between defense and non-defense programs that may continue for a period of ten years.  The sequestration cuts went into effect at the beginning of March 2013 and the impact of the spending reductions on our business have not been material to date, the economy remainpotential future impact remains unclear. Likewise, the austerity measures previously implemented by various European governments have implemented or are considering new or additional austerity measures intended to reduce government spending, which has reduced, and may in the future will likelyfurther reduce, demand for our products directly by affected governmental agencies and by our customers who derive all or a portion of their revenues from these governmental agencies. Similarly, to the extent uncertainty regarding public debt limits or budget negotiations, particularly in the United States and Europe, have a destabilizing effect on spending by retail consumers, businesses or governmental agencies, sales of our products may decrease or be delayed. We cannot currently predict the impact of governmental spending reductions or budget or debt impasses on us or our customers or whether and to what extent our business and results of operations may be adversely harmed.


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Further, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may impact our revenues and profitability because we report our financial statements in U.S. Dollars ("USD"), whereas a significant portion of our sales to customers are transacted in other currencies, particularly the Euro and the British Pound Sterling (“GBP”). We hedge a portion of our Euro and GBP forecasted revenue exposure for the future, typically over a 12 month period. We can offer no assurance that such strategies will be effective in minimizing our exposure. If the Euro and GBP fall against the USD, our revenues, gross profit, and profitability in the future could be negatively affected. See also our risk titled, “We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates which may adversely affect our revenues, gross profit, and profitability.”


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Our operating results are difficult to predict, and fluctuations may cause volatility in the trading price of our common stock.

Given the nature of the markets in which we compete, our revenues and profitability are difficult to predict for many reasons, including the following:

Our operating results are highly dependent on the volume and timing of orders received during the quarter. Customers generally order on an as-needed basis, and we typically do not obtain firm, long-term purchase commitments from them, making forecasting difficult. As a result, our revenues in any quarter depend primarily on orders booked and shipped in that quarter, which fluctuate for many reasons beyond our control, including customers' sales promotions and campaigns, large customer deployments of Unified Communications ("UC") infrastructure, general economic conditions, seasonality, customer cancellations and rescheduling, and fluctuating employment opportunities that increase or reduce employee turnover and, thereby, new headset needs.

Our gross margins can vary for a number of reasons, including customer demand, competition, product life cycle, new product introductions, unit volumes, commodity and supply chain costs, geographic sales mix, foreign currency exchange rates, and the complexity and functionality of new product innovations. Moreover, there are significant variances in gross profit percentages between our higher and lower margin products such that small variations in product mix, which can be difficult to predict, can materially impact gross profit. Additionally, if we are unable to timely introduce new products within projected costs, product demand is less than anticipated, there are product pricing, marketing and other initiatives by our competitors to which we need to react or that are initiated by us to drive sales that lower our margins, then our overall gross margin will decrease. Our gross margins also vary significantly by sales geography and customer type. When the mix of products sold shifts from higher margin product lines to lower margin product lines, to lower margin sales geographies, or to lower margin products within product lines, our overall gross margins and our profitability may be adversely affected and create unanticipated fluctuations in our operating results, which may cause volatility in the price of our common stock.results.

We incur a large portion of our costs in advance of customer orders because we must plan research and production, order materials and components, commence manufacturing, incur sales and marketing expenditures, and other operating commitments prior to obtaining firm commitments from our customers. In the event inventories for one or more products exceed demand, the risk of inventory write-downs increases. Conversely, in the event we have inadequate inventory to timely meet the demand for particular products, we may miss significant revenue opportunities or incur significant expenses such as air freight, costs for expediting shipments, and other negative variances in our manufacturing processes as we attempt to make up for the shortfall.  When a significant portion of our revenue is derived from new products, forecasting appropriate volumes of production is even more difficult.

Increasingly, we are incorporating software features and functionalities into our products, offering firmware and software fixes, updates and upgrades electronically over the Internet and developing standalone software applications. Rules and policies regarding revenue recognition in connection with software are determined by regulations promulgated by national accounting standards bodies and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). As the nature and extent of software integration in our products increases or if sales of standalone software applications become more material to our revenues, the way we report our revenue related to our products could be significantly affected by these rules and policies.affected. For example, we could beare increasingly required to recognizeevaluate whether our revenue in connection with headset salestransactions include multiple deliverables and, as such, whether the revenue generated by each transaction should be recognized upon delivery, over an extendeda period of time insteador apportioned and recognized based on a combination of at the timetwo in light of sale as we have done traditionally.all the facts and circumstances related to each transaction. Moreover, the software revenue recognition rules are complex and dynamic. If we fail to accurately apply these complex rules and policies to our business, we may incorrectly report revenues in one or more quarterly or annual periods. If this were to occur and the error were to be material, we may be required to restate our financial statements, which could materially, negatively impact our results for the affected periods, cause our stock price to decline, and result in securities class actions or other similar litigation.

Fluctuations in our operating results, including the failure to meet our expectations or the expectations of financial analysts, may cause volatility, including material decreases, in the trading price of our common stock.


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The success of our business depends heavily on our ability to effectively market our UC products, and our business could be materially adversely affected if markets do not develop as we expect.

Our OCC products represent our largest source of revenue.  We believe thatrevenue; and we regard the market for headsets designed for UC as our greatest long-term opportunity for revenue and profit growth in the OCC market and overall is in the UC office market, and our foremost strategic objective is to increase headset adoption.market. We continue to invest in the development of new products and to enhance existing products to be more appealing in functionality and design for the UC market. In addition, in 2012 we introduced our developer community, Plantronics Developer Connection (the "PDC"), through which we make available a software developer kit allowing registered developers access to a set of tools they can use to develop complementary, innovative third-party applications and provide a forum to interact and share ideas. However, it remains unclear if the PDC will successfully generate sufficient third party developer interest in new or unique uses for our UC products to expand the rate or extent of their adoption. We also target certain vertical segments to increase sales.  We continue to believe that the implementation of UC technologies by large enterprises will be a significant long-term driver of enterprise UC headset adoption, and, as a result, a key long-term driver of revenue and product growth;profit growth. Accordingly, we continue to invest in the development of new products and to enhance existing products to be more appealing in functionality and design for the UC office market; however, we can give no assurance that significant growth in UC will occur or that we will be able to take advantage of any growth that does occur.

Our ability to realize our UC plans and to achieve the financial results projected to arise from UC adoption could be adversely affected by a number of factors, including the following:

As UC becomes more widely adopted, the risk that competitors will offer solutions that will effectively commoditize our headsets, which, in turn, will reduce the sales prices for our headsets.

Our plans are dependent upon the market success of major platform providers and strategic partners such as Microsoft Corporation, Cisco Systems, Inc., Avaya, Inc., Alcatel-Lucent, and IBM, and we have limited ability to influence such providers with respect to the functionality of their platforms and product offerings, their rate of deployment, and their willingness to integrate their platforms and product offerings with our solutions.

The development of UC solutions is technically complex and may delay or limit our ability to introduce solutions that are cost effective, feature-rich, stable, and attractive to our customers on a timely basis.customers.

Our development of UC solutions is dependent on our ability to implement and execute new and different processes in connection with the design, development, and manufacturing of complex electronic systems composed of hardware, firmware, and software that must work in a wide variety of environments and with multiple variations,devices, which in some instances may increase the risk of development delays or errors andor require the hiring of new personnel and/or third party contractors at increased cost.

Because UC offerings involve complex integration of hardware and software with UC infrastructure, our sales model and expertise will need to continue to evolve.  If we fail to anticipate or effectively implement changes in our sales model or channel our selling techniques and efforts at the primary UC decision makers within enterprises, our ability to maintain and grow our share of the UC market may be adversely impacted.

Competition for market share is anticipated to increase, and some competitors may have superior technical and economic resources.

UC solutions may not be adopted with the breadth and speed in the marketplace that we currently anticipate and sales cycles for more complex UC deployments may substantially increase over our traditional OCC products.

UC may evolve rapidly and unpredictably and our inability to timely and cost-effectively adapt to those changes and future requirements may impact our profitability in this market and our overall margins.

Because the major providers of UC software utilize complex and proprietary platforms in which our UC products will beare integrated, it is necessary to expand our technical support capabilities. This expansion will result in additional expenses to hire and train the personnel and develop the infrastructure necessary to adequately serve our UC customers. Our support expenditures may substantially increase over time as these platforms evolve and as UC becomes more commonly adopted.

If our investments in, and strategic focus on UC doesdo not generate incremental revenue, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.  


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Our reliance on third party suppliers and the failure of such suppliers to provide quality components or services in a timely manner could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our growth and ability to meet customer demand depends in part on our ability to timely obtain sufficient quantities of raw materials, components such as silicon chips and chip-sets, sub-assemblies, and other products (“components or materials”) of acceptable quality from our suppliers. We buy raw materials, components and sub-assembliesmaterials from a variety of suppliers and assemble them into finished products. In addition, certain of our components and materials and key portions of our product lines are manufactured for us by original design manufacturers and contract manufacturers ("ODMs"). The cost, quality, and availability of the services, materials, components and other products and goodsmaterials these ODMS and third parties supply are essential to our success. However,success and our reliance on these ODMs and third parties involves significant risks, including the following:

Reduced flexibilityInflexibility to timely respond to changes specific to us or our industry. For instance, rapid increases in production levels to meet unanticipated product demand for our products could result in higher costs for components and sub-assemblies,or materials, increased expenditures for expedited freight to expedite delivery, of required materials, and higher overtime costs and other expenses, and decreases in manufacturing yields, any of which couldcan reduce our profit margins. Further, if production is increased rapidly, manufacturing yields may decrease, which may also reduce our margins.

We obtain certain raw materials, sub-assemblies, components and productsmaterials from certainspecific suppliers and ODMs, including a majority of our Bluetooth products from GoerTek, Inc. Financial instability of our manufacturers or contractors could result in our havinga supplier may necessitate a transition to find or transition manufacturing to new ODMs,alternative suppliers, which could increase our costs and delay our product deliveries. TheseAdditionally, suppliers and ODMs may also choose to discontinue supplying raw materials or manufacturing components, subassemblies or all or a portion of our products for a variety of reasons.reasons, which may (i) be difficult, time-consuming, or costly to replace, (ii) force us to redesign or end of life certain products, or (iii) render us unable to meet customer demand. Consequently, if one or more suppliers or ODMs is unable or unwilling to meet our demand, delivery, or price requirements, our business and operating results in all or a portion of our product lines could be severely and materially adversely affected in the event it is difficult, costly, or time-consuming to identify and ramp-up alternative ODMs.

Periodically, we purchase large quantities of components or materials being discontinued by our suppliers as part of a last-time buy strategy. For example, we have made last-time purchases in excess of our short-term needs, which are included in inventory and used over a period of several years. We routinely review inventory for usage potential, including fulfillment of customer warranty obligations and spare part requirements, and write down to the lower of cost or market value the excess and obsolete inventory, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Although we generally use standard raw materials, parts,components and componentsmaterials for our products, the high development costs associated with existing and emerging wireless and other technologies mayfrequently require us to work with a single source of silicon chips, chip-sets, or other components or materials (“components or materials”) on any particular product.products. We, or any of our suppliers, may experience challenges in designing, developing, and manufacturing components or materials using these new technologies, which could affect our ability to meet market schedules.  Ourdemand.

In order to accommodate the lead times requirements of our suppliers, may decide for commercial reasons to discontinuewe obtain certain raw components or materials that we have designed into our products or may cease doing business completely due to adverse economic conditions or otherwise. Due to our dependence on single suppliers for certain components or materials, if our suppliers cease making the components or materials we use or cannot meet our demand, we could experience higher prices, a delay in manufacturing of the components or materials, be forced to redesign or end of life products, make large last-time buys which are held in inventory for extended periods of time or be unable to meet customer demand.  If this occurs, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Because of the lead times required to obtain certain raw materials, sub-assemblies, components, and products from certain suppliers in advance based on our projections of demand, we may be unable to react quickly to changes in demand, potentially resulting in either (i) excess inventories of such goodscomponents or materials, sub-assemblies, or components, or (ii) product shortages. Lead times are particularly long for silicon-based components incorporating radio frequency and digital signal processing technologies and such components make up an increasingly larger portion of our product costs.  In particular, many consumer product orders have shorter lead times than component lead times, making it increasingly necessary to carry more inventory in anticipation of future orders, which may not materialize.  Failure to synchronize the timing of purchases of rawcomponents or materials sub-assemblies, components, and other products to meet demand could increase our inventories and/or decrease our revenues and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Prices for commodities may rise based on demands from within our industry and other industries with which we compete for raw materials and components.components or materials. Additionally, if our suppliers experience increased demand or shortages, it could affect the timeliness of deliveries to us and our customers. Any such shortages or further increases in prices could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

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As part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the SEC recently adopted disclosure requirements regarding the use of certain minerals, known as conflict minerals, which are mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries, as well as procedures regarding a manufacturer's efforts to identify and prevent the sourcing of such minerals and metals produced from those minerals. Additional reporting obligations are being considered by the European Union. The implementation of thesethe existing U.S. requirements and any additional requirements in Europe could affect the sourcing and availability of metals used in the manufacture of a limited number of parts contained in our products. For example, the implementation of these disclosure requirements may decrease the number of suppliers capable of supplying our needs for certain metals, thereby negatively affecting our ability to obtain products in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. Our material sourcing is broad based and multi-tiered, and we may be unable to conclusively verify the origins for all metals used in our products. We may suffer financial and reputational harm if customers require, and we are unable to deliver, certification that our products are conflict free. Regardless, we will incur additional costs associated with compliance with these disclosure requirements, including time-consuming and costly efforts to determine the source of any conflict minerals used in our products.

If we fail to forecast demand for our products or successfully match production to demand, we may lose business, become obligated toincur adverse purchase consigned inventory, orcommitment charges, both of which would negatively affect our gross margins could be materially adversely affected.margins.

Our industry is characterized by rapid technological changes, evolving industry standards, frequent new product introductions, short-term customer commitments and changes in demand. Production levels are forecasted based on anticipated and actual demand for our products. Actual demand for our products depends on many factors, which makes it difficult to forecast. It is particularly difficult to make accurate forecasts because of the uncertainties inherent in global and regional economies. Significant unanticipated fluctuations in product supply or demand could cause operating problems. For example, if forecasted demand does not develop, we could have excess inventory and capacity.  We have experienced differences between actual and forecasted demand in the past and expect differences to arise in the future.

We will lose opportunities to increase revenues and profits, may incur penalties for late delivery, and may be unable to later sell the excess inventory if we are unable to timely deliver products to meet the market window of our retail customers. Conversely, over-forecast ofover-estimating demand could result in higher inventories of finished products, components and sub-assemblies.or materials. For example, because our retail business has pronounced seasonality, we typically build inventory well in advance of the December quarter to stock up for the anticipated demand.  If we are unableestimated demand fails to sell these inventories,convert into actual sales, we may have to write off some or all of our inventories of excess products, unusable components and sub-assemblies.materials.

Moreover, a substantial portion of the rawWe purchase certain materials from third party suppliers and utilize several outsourcing partners to manufacture sub-assemblies for our products. These suppliers and outsourcing partners deliver materials or acquire components and subassemblies used in ourbuild products are provided by our suppliersbased on a consignment basis. As such,demand information we do not take possessionperiodically provide to them, typically covering periods of and titleup to the raw materials, components and subassemblies until they are consumed in the production process. Prior to consumption in the production process, title and risk of loss to consigned inventory remains solely270 days. Consistent with the suppliers. Consigned inventory not consumed in the production process is generally returnable to our suppliers in accordance with the terms of our agreements with them. Ifindustry practice, we purchase all or a material portion of theacquire materials and components consigned bythrough a combination of purchase orders, supplier contracts, and open orders. Because our suppliers,markets are competitive and subject to rapid technology and price changes, there exists a risk that we could incur unanticipated expenses, including write-downs forwill forecast inaccurately and thereby order or produce excess and obsolete inventory, which, if material, could negatively affect our business and financial results.or insufficient quantities of components, or that we may not fully utilize materials or components subject to firm purchase commitments, resulting in adverse purchase commitment charges.

In addition, some of our products utilize long-lead time parts, which are only available from a limited set of vendors. The combined effects of variability of demand from our customers with long-lead time of single sourced materials has in the past contributed to inventory write-downs, particularly for our consumer products.

Furthermore, suppliers may choose to discontinue supplying raw materials or manufacturing one or more components or subassemblies essential to our products, which may be difficult, time-consuming, or costly to replace. In certain instances, we may choose to purchase large quantities of the raw materials, components, or subassemblies being discontinued as part of a last-time buy strategy. For example, we have periodically made last-time purchases in excess of our short-term needs, which are included in inventory and used over a period of several years. We routinely review inventory for usage potential, including fulfillment of customer warranty obligations and spare part requirements, and we write down to the lower of cost or market value the excess and obsolete inventory, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.


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From time to time, we or our competitors may announce new products, capabilities, or technologies that may replace or shorten the life cycles of our products or cause customers to defer or stop purchasing our products until new products become available. Additionally, the announcement of new products may incite customers to increase purchases of successful legacy products as part of a last-time buy strategy, thereby increasing sales in the short-term while decreasing future sales by delaying adoption of new products. These inherent risks of transitioning to new products increase the difficulty of accurately forecasting demand for discontinued products as well as demand and acceptance for new products. Accordingly, we must effectively manage inventory levels to have an adequate supply of the new product and avoid retention of excess legacy product; however, we must also concurrently maintain sufficient levels of older product inventory to support continued sales during the transition. Our failure to effectively manage transitions from old to new products could result in inventory obsolescence, and/or loss of revenue and associated gross profit, which may further result in one or more material adverse effects on our revenues and profitability.
 
Any of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.


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Prices of certain rawcomponents and materials components, semiconductors, and sub-assemblies may rise depending upon global market conditions.

We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, volatility in costs from our suppliers, particularly in light of the price fluctuations of oil, gold, copper and other commodities, semiconductors, and other components and productsmaterials in the U.S. and around the world. We expect to continue experiencing volatility,world, which could negatively affect our profitability or market share. Constraints in the availability of certain commodities originating from certain countries in and around the Democratic Republic of Congo or reduction of the number of suppliers that can certify that such commodities are conflict-free under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act may exacerbate this volatility. If we are unable to pass cost increases on to our customers or to achieve operating efficiencies that offset these increases, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

We have strong competitors and expect to face additional competition in the future. If we are unable to compete effectively, our results of operations may be adversely affected.

All of the markets forin which we sell our products are intensely competitive.competitive and market leadership has the potential to change as a result of new product introductions and designs as well as pricing. We face pressure on our selling prices, sales terms and conditions, and in connection with product performance and functionality from our competitors.functionality. Also, aggressive industry pricing practices may result in downward pressure on margins.

Currently, our single largestprimary competitor is GN Store Nord A/S (“GN”), a Danish telecommunications conglomerate with whom we experience price competition in the OCC and consumer markets. We are also experiencing competition from consumer electronics companies that currently manufacture and sell mobile phones or computer peripheral equipment. These competitors generally are larger, offer broader product lines, may integrate their products with other products' communications headset devices and adapters manufactured by them or others, offer products containing bases that are incompatible with our headset tops, and have substantially greater financial, marketing, and other resources.

Competitors in audio devices vary by product line.  The most competitive product line is headsets for cell phones where we compete with GN's Jabra brand, Motorola, Samsung, Aliph's Jawbone brand, BlueAnt Wireless, Nokia, Bose, and Sony Ericsson, among many others.others.  Many of these competitors have substantially greater resources than us, and each of them has established market positions in this business.positions. In the OCC and UC and office and contact center markets, the largestour principle competitors are GN, Logitech, Sennheiser Communications and VXI. In the gaming market our primary competitors are Turtle Beach, Logitech and Razer. For the entertainment, gaming and computer audio market, our primary competitor is Logitech.  In mobile entertainment, our primary competitors are SennheiserMotorola, Jabra, and Logitech.  Our product markets are intensely competitive, and market leadership changes frequently as a result of new products, designs, and pricing.  LG. 

We are facing additional competition from companies, principally located in the Asia Pacific region, which offer very low cost headset products including products that are modeled on or are direct copies of our products. These new competitors offer very low cost products, which results in market pricing pressure in the market.pressure. If market prices are substantially reduced by new entrants into the headset market,these or other competitors, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

If we do not distinguish our products, particularly our retail products, through distinctive, technologically advanced features and design, as well as continue to build and strengthen our brand recognition, our products may become commoditized and our business could be harmed.  If we do not otherwise compete effectively, demand for our products could decline, our revenues and gross margins could decrease, we could lose market share, and our earnings could decline.


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We also compete in the consumer market for the sale of our mobile, entertainment, gaming, andentertainment, computer audio, and Clarity products.  The consumer market is highly competitive, characterized by relatively rapid product obsolescence, and we are at increased risk of market share loss if we do not have the right products available at the right time to meet consumer needs.  In addition, some of our competitors have significant brand recognition, thereby creating barriers to entry or making market share increases difficult and costly. Moreover, we sometimes experience more price-based competition thatis typical and can result in significant losses and excess inventory.

If we are unable to stimulate growth in our business or if our expenditures to stimulate demand do not generate incremental profit, our business financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could suffer.  In addition, failure to effectively market our products to customers could lead to lower and more volatile revenue and earnings, excess inventory, and the inability to recover associated development costs, any of which could also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.


Our
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The markets for our consumer business isproducts are volatile and failure to compete successfully in this businessone or more of these markets may have an adverse effect on our financial condition.

OurThe markets for our consumer business,products, which consistsconsist primarily of Bluetooth headsets, entertainmentgaming, and gamingentertainment and computer audio headsets, isare highly competitive and presentspresent many significant manufacturing, marketing and operational risks and uncertainties. The risks include the following:

The global market for mono Bluetooth headsets is shrinking, which is at least partially attributable to increasing integration of Bluetooth systems into automobiles. The market for stereo Bluetooth headsets is growing rapidly, although it is dominated by lifestyle brands.brands which we do not offer. Our market share has been and is significantly larger in the mono market than in the stereo market and it remains unclear whether we will be able to sufficiently increase share in the stereo market in order to continue growing in the overall market for Bluetooth headsets, which may be particularly difficult considering we do not offer a lifestyle brand.headsets.

Reductions in the number of suppliers participating in the Bluetooth market, thereby reducing our sourcing options and potentially increasing our costs at a time when our ability to offset higher costs with corresponding product price increases is limited.

Difficulties retaining or obtaining shelf space and maintaining a robust and compelling eCommerce presence for consumer products in our sales channel, particularly with large "brick and mortar" retailers and Internet "etailers" as the market for mono Bluetooth headsets continues to contract.

The varying pace and scale of global economic recovery creates uncertainty and unpredictability about the demand for consumer products.

Our ability to forecast global trends and thereafter timely meet the market windows for consumer products, particularly as it relates to our dependence on third parties to supply key components, many of which have longer lead times than commitments from some of our customers.

Our ability to maintain insight into, and quickly respond to, sudden changes in laws or regulations before our competitors.

Difficulties achieving or maintaining sufficient gross margin and uncertainties in the forecasting of demand for the variety of Bluetooth headsets, gaming, entertainment gaming and computer audio headsets, and new products generally within this category for which relevant data is incomplete or unavailable.

Competition may increase more than we expect and result in product pricing pressures.

Failure to compete successfully in theone or more markets for our consumer business marketproducts may have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.


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Our corporate tax rate may increase or we may incur additional income tax liabilities, which could adversely impact our cash flow, financial condition and results of operations.

We have significant operations in various tax jurisdictions throughout the world, and a substantial portion of our taxable income has been generated historically in jurisdictions outside of the U.S. Currently, some of our operations are taxed at rates substantially lower than U.S. tax rates. If our income in these lower tax jurisdictions were no longer to qualify for these lower tax rates, the applicable tax laws were rescinded or changed, or the mix of our earnings shifts from lower rate jurisdictions to higher rate jurisdictions, our operating results could be materially adversely affected. In addition, various governmental tax authorities have recently increased their scrutiny of tax strategies employed by corporations and individuals. If U.S. or other foreign tax authorities change applicable tax laws or successfully challenge the manner in which our profits are currently recognized, our overall taxes could increase, and our business, cash flow, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

We are also subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and other tax authorities, including state revenue agencies and foreign governments. In July 2012, the IRS commenced an examination of our 2010 tax year. While we regularly assess the likelihood of favorable or unfavorable outcomes resulting from examinations by the IRS and other tax authorities to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes, there can be no assurance that the actual outcome resulting from these examinations will not materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.


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We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect our revenues, gross profit, and profitability.

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates impact our revenues and profitability because we report our financial statements in USD, whereas a significant portion of our sales to customers are transacted in other currencies, particularly the Euro and the GBP. Furthermore, fluctuations in foreign currency rates impact our global pricing strategy, resulting in our lowering or raising selling prices in one or more currencies in order to avoid disparity with USD prices and to respond to currency-driven competitive pricing actions. Large or frequent fluctuations in foreign currency rates, coupled with the ease of identifying global price differences for our products via the Internet, increase the likelihood of unauthorized third party sales in varying countries, thereby undermining our established sales channels and operations. We also have significant manufacturing operations in Mexico and fluctuations in the Mexican Peso exchange rate can impact our gross profit and profitability. Additionally, the majority of our suppliers are located internationally, principally in Asia. Accordingly, volatile or sustained increases or decreases in exchange rates of Asian currencies may result in increased costs or reductions in the number of suppliers qualified to meet our standards.

Currency exchange rates are volatile, and although we hedge those exposures we deem material, changes in exchange rates may nonetheless still have a negative impact on our financial results. Among the factors that may affect currency values are trade balances, the level of short-term interest rates, differences in relative values of similar assets in different currencies, long-term opportunities for investment and capital appreciation, and political developments.

We hedge a portion of our Euro and GBP forecasted revenue exposures for the future, typically over 12-month periods. In addition, we hedge a portion of our Mexican Peso forecasted cost of revenues and we have foreign currency forward contracts denominated in Euros, GBP, and Australian Dollars that hedge against a portion of our foreign-currency denominated assets and liabilities. Our foreign currency hedging contracts reduce, but do not eliminate, the impact of currency exchange rate movements and we do not execute hedging contracts in all currencies in which we conduct business. We can offer no assurance that such hedging strategies will be effective. Additionally, even if our hedging techniques are successful in the periods during which the rates are hedged, our future revenues, gross profit, and profitability may be negatively affected both at current rates and by adverse fluctuations in currencies against the USD.

Our business will be materially adversely affected if we are unable to develop, manufacture, and market new products in response to changing customer requirements and new technologies.

The market for our products is characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, short product life cycles, and frequent new product introductions by us, and our competitors and partners, including mobile phone and software application developers. As a result, we must continually introduce new products and technologies and enhance or adapt existing products to work with a wider variety of new and existing devices and applications in order to maintain customer satisfaction and remain competitive.


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The technology used in our products is evolving more rapidly now than in the past and we anticipate that this trend will continue. Historically, new products primarily offered stylistic changes and quality improvements rather than significant new technologies. Our increasing reliance and focus on the UC market has resulted in a growing portion of our products that integrate complex, state-of-the-art technology, increasing the risks associated with new product ramp-up, including product performance and defects in the early stages of production. In addition, our participation in the consumer market requires us to rapidly and frequently adopt new technology and changing market trends; thus, our consumer products experience shorter lifecycles. We believe this is particularly true for our newer emerging technology products in the mobile, gaming, entertainment gaming and computer audio, residential, and certain parts of the office markets.  In particular, we anticipate a trend towards more integrated solutions that combine audio, video, and software functionality, while historically our focus was limited to audio products.

Office phones have begun to incorporate Bluetooth functionality, which has opened the market to consumer Bluetooth headsets and reduced the demand for our traditional office telephony headsets and adapters as well as impacting potential revenues from our own wired and wireless headset systems, resulting in lost revenue, lower margins, or both. Moreover, the increasing adoption of wireless headsets has also resulted in increased development costs associated with the introduction of new wireless standards and more frequent changes in those standards and capabilities as compared to wired technologies. If sales and margins on our traditional corded and cordless products decline and we are unable to successfully design, develop, and market alternatives at historically comparable margins, our revenue and profits may decrease.

In addition, innovative technologies such as UC have moved the platform for certain of our products from our customers' closed proprietary systems to open platforms such as the PC. In turn, the PC has become more open as a result of technologies such as cloud computing and trends toward more open source software code development. As a result, the risk that current and potential competitors could enter our markets and commoditize our products by offering similar products has increased.


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The success of our products depends on several factors, including our ability to:to timely and correctly:

Anticipate technology and market trends
Develop innovative new products and enhancements on a timely basis
Distinguish our products from those of our competitors
Create industrial designs that appeal to our customers and end-users
Manufacture and deliver high-quality products in sufficient volumes andat acceptable margins
Price our products competitively
Hire and retain qualified personnel in the highly competitive field of software development for future generations of our productsfield
Provide timely, effective and accurate technical product support to our customers
Leverage new and existing channel partners effectively

If we are unable to develop, manufacture, market, and introduce enhanced or new products in a timely manner in response to changing market conditions or customer requirements, including changing fashion trends and styles, it will materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.  Furthermore, as we develop new generations of products more quickly, we expect that the pace of product obsolescence will increase concurrently.increase.  The disposition of inventories of excess or obsolete products may result in reductions to our operating margins and materially adversely affect our earnings and results of operations.

We have significant foreign manufacturing operations and rely on third party manufacturers located outside the U.S., and a significant amount of our revenues are generated internationally, which subjects our business to risks of international operations.

We have a manufacturing facility in Tijuana, Mexico. We also have suppliers and other vendors throughout Asia, including GoerTek, Inc., located in Weifang, China, which is the manufacturer of the majority of our Bluetooth products. We alsofurthermore generate a significant amount of our revenues from foreign customers.


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Our international operations and sales expose us to various risks including, among others:

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates
Cultural differences in the conduct of business
Greater difficulty in accounts receivable collection and longer collection periods
The impact of recessionary, volatile or adverse global economic conditions
Reduced protection for intellectual property rights in some countries
Unexpected changes in regulatory requirements
Tariffs and other trade barriers, particularly in developing nations such as Brazil, India, and others
Political conditions, health epidemics, labor activity, civil unrest, or criminal activities within each country
The management, operation, and expenses associated with an enterprise spread over various countries
The burden and administrative costs of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws and regulations
Currency restrictions
Compliance with anti-bribery laws, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the United Kingdom's Bribery Act

The above-listed andor other inherent risks of international operations could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We sell our products through various distribution channels that can be volatile, and failure to establish and maintain successful relationships with our channel partners could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations. In addition, bankruptcies or financial difficulties of our customers may impact our business.

We sell substantially all of our products to end users through distributors, retailers, OEMs, and telephony service providers. Effectively managing these relationships and avoiding channel conflicts can be difficult and time-consuming.is challenging. Our existing relationships with these parties are generally not exclusive and can be terminated by us or them without cause on short notice. In the future, we may be unable to retain or attract a sufficient number of qualified distributors, retailers, OEMs, and telephony service providers. These customers also sell or may sell products offered by our competitors. To the extent that our competitors offer these customers more favorable terms or more compelling products, such customersthey may decline to carry, de-emphasize, or discontinue carrying our products. Further, such customers may not recommend or may stop recommending our products. In the future,Moreover, our OEMs or potential OEMs may elect to manufacture their own products that are similar to those we currently sell to them.ours. The inability to establish or maintain successful relationships with distributors, OEMs, retailers, and telephony service providers or to expand our distribution channels could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations. We have experienced the bankruptcy

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Additionally, our customers suffer from their own financial and economic challenges. For example, in fiscal year 2012, the bankruptcy of one of our customerscustomer negatively impacted our operating income by $1.2 million. If global or regional economic conditions deteriorate, more of our customers or suppliers may become insolvent. Itinsolvent and it is impossible to reliably determine whetherif additional bankruptcies maywill occur.

As a result of the evolution of our consumer business, our customer mix is changing, and certain retailers, OEMs, and wireless carriers are more significant.  ThisOur reliance on certain large channel partners could increase the volatility of our revenues and earnings. In particular, we have several large customers whose order patterns are difficult to predict. Offers and promotions by these customers may result in significant fluctuations of their purchasing activities over time.  If we are unable to correctly anticipate the quantities and timing of thetheir purchase requirements, of these customers, our revenues may be adversely affected, or we may be exposed toleft holding large volumes of inventory that cannot be resoldsold to other customers.
 

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Our intellectual property rights could be infringed on by others, and we may infringe on the intellectual property rights of others resulting in claims or lawsuits. Even if we prevail, claims and lawsuits are costly and time consuming to pursue or defend and may divert management's time from our business.

Our success depends in part on our ability to protect our copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade dress, trade secrets, and other intellectual property, including our rights to certain domain names. We rely primarily on a combination of nondisclosurenon-disclosure agreements and other contractual provisions as well as patent, trademark, trade secret, and copyright laws to protect our proprietary rights. Effective trademark, patent, copyright, and trade secret protection may not be available in every country in which our products and media properties are distributed to customers. The process of seeking intellectual property protection can be lengthy, expensive, and uncertain. For example, patents may not be issued in response to our applications, and any patents that may be issued may be invalidated, circumvented, or challenged by others. If we are required to enforce our intellectual property or other proprietary rights through litigation, the costs and diversion of management's attention could be substantial. Furthermore, we may be countersued by an actual or alleged infringer if we attempt to enforce our intellectual property rights, which may materially increase our costs, divert management attention, and result in injunctive or financial damages being awarded against us. In addition, the intellectual property rights granted under any intellectual property may not provide us competitive advantages or be adequate to safeguard and maintain our proprietary rights. Moreover, the laws of certain countries do not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the U.S. If it is not feasible or possible to obtain, enforce, or protect our intellectual property rights, it could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets are owned by individuals or entities that may make claims or commence litigation based on allegations of infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights. As we have grown, the intellectual property rights claims against us have increased. There has also been a general trend of increasing intellectual property infringement claims against corporations that make and sell products. Our products and technologies may be subject to certain third-party claims and, regardless of the merits of the claim, intellectual property claims are often time-consuming and expensive to litigate, settle, or otherwise resolve. In addition, to the extent claims against us are successful, we may have to pay substantial monetary damages or discontinue the manufacture and distribution of products that are found to be in violation of another party's rights. We also may have to obtain, or renew on less favorable terms, licenses to manufacture and distribute our products, which may significantly increase our operating expenses. In addition, many of our agreements with our distributors and resellers require us to indemnify them for certain third-party intellectual property infringement claims. Discharging our indemnity obligations may involve time-consuming and expensive litigation and result in substantial settlements or damages awards, our products being enjoined, and the loss of a distribution channel or retail partner, any of which may have a material adverse impact on our operating results.

We are subject to environmental laws and regulations that expose us to a number of risks and could result in significant liabilities and costs.

There are multiple initiatives in several jurisdictions regarding the removal of certain potential environmentally sensitive materials from our products to comply with the European Union (“EU”) and other Directives on the Restrictions of the use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (“RoHS”) and on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (“WEEE”).  If it is determined that our products do not comply with RoHs or WEEE, or additional new or existing environmental laws or regulations in the U.S., Europe, or other jurisdictions are enacted or amended, we may be required to modify some or all of our products or replace one or more components in those products, which, if such modifications are possible, may be time-consuming, expensive to implement and decrease end-user demand, particularly if we increase prices to offset higher costs. If any of the foregoing were to happen, our ability to sell one or more of our products may be limited or prohibited causing a material negative effect on our financial results.

We are subject to various federal, state, local, and foreign environmental laws and regulations on a global basis, including those governing the use, discharge, and disposal of hazardous substances in the ordinary course of our manufacturing process. Although we believe that our current manufacturing operations comply in all material respects with applicable environmental laws and regulations, it is possible that future environmental legislation may be enacted or current environmental legislation may be interpreted in any given country to create environmental liability with respect to our facilities, operations, or products.  To the extent that we incur claims for environmental matters exceeding reserves or insurance for environmental liability, our operating results could be negatively impacted.


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We cannot guarantee we will continue to repurchase our common stock pursuant to stock repurchase programs or that we will declare future dividend payments at historic rates or at all. The repurchase of our common stock and the payment of dividends may not achieve our desiresobjectives or may result in negative side effects.

Since May 2011, we have repurchased in excess of 89 million shares of our common stock through multiple share repurchase programs authorized by our Board of Directors. In addition, we continue to operate under a 1,000,000 share repurchase program approved in August 2012. Moreover, our Board of Directors has declared quarterly dividends of $0.10 per share since May 2012 and $0.05 per share prior to May 2012.

Although our Board of Directors has consistently declared quarterly cash dividend payments on our common stock and more recently authorized the repurchase of shares of our common stock under share repurchase programs, anyAny determination to pay cash dividends at recent rates or at all, or any authorization to repurchase shares of our common stock under share repurchase programs will be assessed basedis contingent on a variety of factors, including our financial condition, results of operations, business requirements, and our Board of Directors' continuing determination that such dividends or share repurchases are in the best interests of our stockholders and in compliance with all laws and applicable agreements. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the quantities of stock repurchased under our stock repurchase programs will continue at recent historical levels or at all, or that our stock repurchase programs or dividend declarations will have a beneficial impact on our stock price. The timing of our stock repurchases varies with fluctuations in the trading price of our common stock such that at any particular time, our domestic cash flow from operations has been, and in the future may be, insufficient to fully cover our stock repurchases and support our working capital needs, causing us to borrow to support our repurchaserepurchases or other activities. Although we currently have sufficient reserves in our international locationsentities to fund our existing and any future stock repurchase programs, repatriating all or a portion of our foreign cash would likely result in material tax obligations.

To improve our domestic liquidity in connection with further stock repurchases and other business activities, in May 2011, we entered into a credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("the Bank"), as most recently amended in May 2013 to extend its term to May 2016 ("the Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement provides for a $100 million unsecured revolving credit facility. We have previously drawn funds and expect to continue drawing funds under theour Credit Agreement from time to time, which amounts bear interest. Moreover, the Credit Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants with which we must comply. These restrictions apply regardless of whether any loans are outstanding and could adversely impact how we operate our business, our operating results, and dividend declarations, which, in turn, may negatively impact our stock price. In addition, as we borrow additional funds on the credit facility under the Credit Agreement, we may be required to increase the borrowing limit under the Credit Agreement or seek additional sources of credit. Given tightcurrent credit markets, there is no assurance that if we were to seek additional credit, it would be available to us when needed or if it is available, the cost or restrictive terms and conditions would be acceptable.

We are subject to various regulatory requirements, and changes in such regulatory requirements may adversely impact our gross margins as we comply with such changes, reduce our ability to generate revenues if we are unable to comply, or decrease demand for our wireless products if the actual or perceived quality of our products are negatively impacted.

Our products must meet the requirements set by regulatory authorities in the numerous jurisdictions in which we sell them. For example, certain of our OCC products must meet certain standards to work with local phone systems. Certain of our wireless office and mobile products must work within existing frequency ranges permitted in various jurisdictions. Moreover, competition for limited radio frequency bandwidth as a result of an increasing number of wireless products by us, our competitors, and other third party product manufacturers increases the risk of interference or diminished product performance. In particular, the effort by a third party manufacturer of wireless devices to release a product in the U.S. that operates in the unlicensed 903-928 megahertz radio frequency range using significantly higher power than the power used by the wireless products of us and many other users in the unlicensed radio frequency range may cause our wireless products to experience interference which, if material, willmay harm our reputation and adversely affect our sales.

As regulations and local laws change and competition increases, we must modify our products to address those changes. Regulatory restrictions and competition may increase the costs to design, manufacture, and sell our products, resulting in a decrease in our margins or a decrease in demand for our products if the costs are passed along. Compliance with regulatory restrictions and bandwidth limitations may impact the actual or perceived technical quality and capabilities of our products, reducing their marketability. In addition, if the products we supply to various jurisdictions or which are conveyed by customers or merchants into unauthorized jurisdictions fail to comply with the applicable local or regional regulations, our products might interfere with the proper operation of other devices, that properly use the frequency ranges in which our products operate, and we or consumers purchasing our products may be responsible for the damages that our products cause; thereby causing us to alter the performance of our products, pay substantial monetary damages or penalties, orcause harm to our reputation, or cause us to suffer other adverse consequences.


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We are exposed to potential lawsuits alleging defects in our products and/or other claims related to the use of our products.

The sales of our products expose us to the risk of product liability, including hearing loss claims. These claims have in the past been and are currently being, asserted against us. None of the previously resolved claims have materially affected our business, financial condition, or results of operations, nor do we believe that any of the pending claims will have such an effect.operations. Nevertheless, there is no guarantee that any suchsimilar claims may materially negatively impact our business or result in substantial damages, or both, in the future.

Additionally, our mobile headsets are used with mobile telephones and there has been continuing public controversy over whether the radio frequency emissions from mobile phones are harmful to users of mobile phones. We are unaware of any conclusive proof of any health hazard from the use of mobile phones, but research in this area continues. We have tested our headsets through independent laboratories and have found that use of our corded headsets reduces radio frequency emissions at the user's head to virtually zero and our Bluetooth and other wireless headsets emit significantly less powerful radio frequency emissions than mobile phones; however, if research establishes a health hazard from the use of mobile phones or public controversy grows even in the absence of conclusive research findings, the likelihood of litigation against us may increase.  Likewise, should research establish a link between radio frequency emissions and corded or wireless headsets or should we become a party to litigation claiming such a link and public concern in this area grows, demand for our corded or wireless headsets could be reduced creating a material adverse effect on our financial results.

There is also continuing and increasing public controversy over the use of mobile phones by operators of motor vehicles. While we believe that our products enhance driver safety by permitting a motor vehicle operator to generally keep both hands free to operate the vehicle, there is no certainty that this is the case, and we may be subject to claims arising from allegations that use of a mobile phone and headset contributed to a motor vehicle accident.

We maintain product liability insurance and general liability insurance thatin amounts we believe wouldsufficient to cover any claims, including those described above; however, the coverage provided under ourthe policies could be unavailable or insufficient to cover the full amount of any one or more claims. Therefore, successful product liability claims brought against us could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our stock price may be volatile and the value of an investment in Plantronics stock could be diminished.

The market price for our common stock has been affected and may continue to be affected by a number of factors, including:

Uncertain economic conditions, including the length and scope of the recovery from the domestic and global recession, or double dip recession in the U.S. or Europe, slowing economic growth in Asia, inflationary pressures, and a potential decline in investor confidence in the market place
Failure to meet our forecasts or the expectations and forecasts of securities analysts
Changes in our published forecasts of future results of operations
Quarterly variations in our or our competitors' results of operations and changes in market share
The announcement of new products, product enhancements, or partnerships by us or our competitors
Our ability to develop, introduce, ship, and support new products and product enhancements and manage product transitions
Repurchases of our common shares under our repurchase plans or public announcement of our intention not to repurchase our common shares
Our decision to declare dividends or increase or decrease dividends over historical rates
The loss of services of one or more of our executive officers or other key employees
Changes in earnings estimates, recommendations, or ratings by securities analysts or a reduction in the number of analysts following our stock
Developments in our industry, including new or increased enforcement of existing governmental regulations related to our products and new or revised communications standards
Concentrated ownership of our common stock by a limited number of institutional investors that may limit liquidity for investors interested in acquiring or selling positions in our common stock, particularly substantial positions
Sales of substantial numbers of shares of our common stock in the public market by us, our officers or directors, or unaffiliated third parties, including institutional investors
General economic, political, and market conditions, including market volatility
Litigation brought by or against us
Other factors unrelated to our operating performance or the operating performance of our competitors


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Our business could be materially adversely affected if we lose the benefit of the services of key personnel.

Our success depends to a large extent upon the services of a limited number of executive officers and other key employees. The unanticipated loss of the services of one or more of our executive officers or key employees could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition, and results of operations. For example, on April 14, 2013, we announced that our President and CEO, Ken Kannappan, was taking a temporary medical leave of absence to address a treatable form of cancer. His leave is currently expected to last approximately four months. In the interim, our Board of Directors has named our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Pam Strayer, as Acting Interim Chief Executive Officer. Should Mr. Kannappan's leave be extended or if his absence is perceived by investors and analysts as materially negative for any reason, they may sell our stock or enact other strategies that may cause our stock price to decline.

We also believe that our future success will depend in large part upon our ability to attract and retain additional highly skilled technical, management, sales, and marketing personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense. We may not be successful in attracting and retaining such personnel, and our failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, or financial condition.

Our purchaseWe are subject to environmental laws and regulations that expose us to a number of propertyrisks and a facilitycould result in Tijuana, Mexico,significant liabilities and costs.

There are multiple initiatives in several jurisdictions regarding the expansionremoval of certain potential environmentally sensitive materials from our products to comply with the European Union (“EU”) and other Directives on the Restrictions of the facilitiesuse of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (“RoHS”) and on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (“WEEE”).  If it is determined that our products do not comply with RoHs or WEEE, or additional new or existing environmental laws or regulations in the U.S., Europe, or other jurisdictions are enacted or amended, we may be required to meetmodify some or all of our operating needs,products or replace one or more components in those products, which, if such modifications are possible, may be time-consuming, expensive to implement and decrease end-user demand, particularly if we increase prices to offset higher costs. If any of the transferforegoing were to happen, our ability to sell one or more of certain responsibilities to Tijuana could affect our operatingproducts may be limited or prohibited causing a material negative effect on our financial results.

In June 2012, we announced the purchase of property and an existing building in Tijuana, Mexico. We are subject to various federal, state, local, and foreign environmental laws and regulations on a global basis, including those governing the use, discharge, and disposal of hazardous substances in the process of modifying and expanding the building by approximately one-third and intend to move allordinary course of our Tijuanamanufacturing process. Although we believe that our current manufacturing operations currently divided into four leased buildingscomply in Tijuana, into the new facility after completion of construction, estimatedall material respects with applicable environmental laws and regulations, it is possible that future environmental legislation may be enacted or current environmental legislation may be interpreted in any given country to be in July 2013. We currently expect that, when completed, the cost of the property and building, alongcreate environmental liability with the modifications and expansion of the existing building, will approximate $31 million, an increase of $1 million over prior estimates. Construction projects of this size and scope are complex and pronerespect to cost overruns, unexpected contingencies, and delays in obtaining construction and governmental permits. As part of the expansion process, we are also concurrently consolidating a portion of our worldwide operations by transferring some responsibilities to Tijuana. Our failure or inability to oversee and manage the construction, operations, and costs of our facilities, in Tijuana, any delays inoperations, or products.  To the constructionextent that we incur claims for environmental matters exceeding reserves or transition of operations into the new facility, or issues arising with the transfer of responsibilities to Tijuana,insurance for environmental liability, our operating results could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.be negatively impacted.

We have $16.3 million of goodwill and other intangible assets recorded on our balance sheet.  If the carrying value of our goodwill were to exceed its implied fair value, or if the carrying value of intangible assets were not recoverable, an impairment loss may be recognized, which would adversely affect our financial results.

As a result of past acquisitions, including an immaterial acquisition in the quarter ended September 30, 2012, we have $16.3 million of goodwill and other intangible assets on our consolidated balance sheet as of JuneSeptember 30, 2013.  It is impossible at this time to determine if any future impairment charge would result or, if it does, whether such charge related to these assets would be material. If such a charge is necessary, it may have a material adverse effect our financial results.

If we are unable to protect our information systems against service interruption, misappropriation of data or breaches of security, our operations could be disrupted, our reputation may be damaged, and we may be financially liable for damages.

We rely on networks, information systems, and other technology (“information systems”), including the Internet and third-party hosted services, to support a variety of business activities, including procurement, manufacturing, sales, distribution, invoicing, and collections. We use information systems to process and report financial information internally and to comply with regulatory reporting. In addition, we depend on information systems for communications with our suppliers, distributors, and customers. Consequently, our business may be impacted by system shutdowns or service disruptions during routine operations, such as system upgrades or user errors, as well as network or hardware failures, malicious software, hackers, natural disasters, communications interruptions, or other events (collectively, "network incidents"). Our computer systems have been, and will likely continue to be, subject to network incidents. While, to date, we have not experienced a network incident resulting in material impairment to our operations, nor have we experienced material intentional or inadvertent disclosure of our data or information or the information or data of our customers or vendors, future network incidents could result in unintended disruption of our operations or disclosure of sensitive information or assets. Furthermore, we may experience targeted attacks and although we continue to invest in personnel, technologies, and training to prepare for and reduce the adverse consequences of such attacks, these investments are expensive and do not guarantee that such attacks will be unsuccessful, either completely or partially.


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If our information systems are disrupted or shutdown and we fail to timely and effectively resolve the issues, we could experience delays in reporting our financial results and we may lose revenue and profits. Misuse, leakage, or falsification of information could result in a violation of data privacy laws and regulations, damage our reputation, and have a negative impact on net operating results. In addition, we may suffer financial damage and damage to our reputation because of loss or misappropriation of our confidential information or assets, or those of our partners, customers, or suppliers. We could also be required to expend significant effort and incur financial costs to remedy security breaches or to repair or replace networks and information systems.

War, terrorism, public health issues, natural disasters, or other business interruptions could disrupt supply, delivery, or demand of products, which could negatively affect our operations and performance.

War, terrorism, public health issues, natural disasters, or other business interruptions, whether in the U.S. or abroad, have caused or could cause damage or disruption to international commerce by creating economic and political uncertainties that may have a strong negative impact on the global economy, us, and our suppliers or customers.  Our major business operations and those of many of our vendors and their sub-suppliers (collectively, "Suppliers") are subject to interruption by disasters, including, without limitation, earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions or other natural or manmade disasters, fire, power shortages, terrorist attacks and other hostile acts, public health issues, flu or similar epidemics or pandemics, and other events beyond our control and the control of our Suppliers.  Our corporate headquarters, information technology, manufacturing, certain research and development activities, and other critical business operations are located near major seismic faults or flood zones.  While we are partially insured for earthquake-related losses or floods, our operating results and financial condition could be materially affected in the event of a major earthquake or other natural or manmade disaster.

Although it is impossible to predict the occurrences or consequences of any of the events described above, such events could significantly disrupt our operations or the operations of our Suppliers.  In addition, should any of the events above arise we could be negatively impacted by the need for more stringent employee travel restrictions, limitations in the availability of freight services, governmental actions limiting the movement of products between various regions, delays in production, and disruptions in the operations of our Suppliers.  Our operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected by these events.

We are required to evaluate our internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and any adverse results from such evaluation could result in a loss of investor confidence in our financial reports and have an adverse effect on our stock price.

Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, our management and independent registered public accounting firm are required to report annually on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. We have an ongoing program to perform the system and process evaluation and testing necessary to comply with these requirements.

We have and will continue to consume management resources and incur significant expenses for Section 404 compliance on an ongoing basis. In the event that our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, or independent registered public accounting firm determines in the future that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective as defined under Section 404, we may not be able to produce timely and accurate financial statements, and we may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. If this were to occur, we could be subject to one or more investigations or enforcement actions by state or federal regulatory agencies, stockholder lawsuits, or other adverse actions requiring us to incur defense costs, pay fines, settlements or judgments, and causing investor perceptions to be adversely affected and potentially resulting in a decline in the market price of our stock.

Provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law or a decision by our Board of Directors in the future may delay or prevent a third party from acquiring us, which could decrease the value of our stock.

Our Board of Directors has the authority to issue preferred stock and to determine the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting and conversion rights, of those shares without any further vote or action by the stockholders. The issuance of our preferred stock could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire us. In addition, we are subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which could also have the effect of delaying or preventing our acquisition by a third party. Further, certain provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws could delay or make more difficult a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.


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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The actual declaration of future dividends and the establishment of record and payment dates are subject to final determination by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company each quarter after its review of our financial performance.

Share Repurchase Programs

The following table presents a month-to-month summary of the stock purchase activity in the firstsecond quarter of fiscal year 2014:
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased 1
 
Average Price Paid per Share 2
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs 1
 
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs 6
March 31, 2013 to April 27, 201342
3 
$
 
 881,907
April 28, 2013 to June 1, 2013187,716
4 
$45.79
 121,260
 760,647
June 2, 2013 to June 29, 2013134,912
5 
$45.64
 114,208
 646,439
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased 1
 
Average Price Paid per Share 2
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs 1
 
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs 6
June 30, 2013 to July 27, 201343,203
3 
$44.95
 42,400
 604,039
July 28, 2013 to August 31, 2013218,828
4 
$44.51
 212,408
 391,631
September 1, 2013 to September 28, 2013117,080
5 
$44.44
 116,757
 274,874

1 

On August 6, 2012, the Board of Directors authorized a new program to repurchase 1,000,000 shares of our common stock.
  
2 

"Average Price Paid per Share" reflects open market repurchases of common stock only.
  
3 

Includes 42803 shares that were tendered to us in satisfaction of employee tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock granted under our stock plans.
  
4 

Includes 66,4566,420 shares that were tendered to us in satisfaction of employee tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock granted under our stock plans.
  
5 

Includes 20,704323 shares that were tendered to us in satisfaction of employee tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock granted under our stock plans.
  
6 

These shares reflect the available shares authorized for repurchase under the August 6, 2012 program.



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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

We have filed the following documents as Exhibits to this Form 10-Q:
Exhibit Number   Incorporation by Reference Filed Herewith
 Exhibit Description Form File No. Exhibit Filing Date 
             
10.1 Plantronics, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, Dated May 24, 2013 S-8 001-12696 4.1
 5/24/2013  
             
          X
             
10.3 Third Amendment to Credit Agreement between Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Dated May 3, 2013 8-K 001-12696 10.1
 5/7/2013  
             
10.4 Third Modification to Revolving Line of Credit Note between Registrant and Wells Fargo National Association, Dated May 3, 2013 8-K 001-12696 10.2
 5/7/2013  
             
10.5 Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Plan, effective as of August 1, 2013, as adopted by Registrant's Board of Directors on March 12, 2013. 8-K 001-12696 10.01
 8/6/2013  
             
          X
             
          X
             
          X
             
101.INS* XBRL Instance Document         X
             
101.SCH* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document         X
             
101.CAL* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document         X
             
101.LAB* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document         X
             
101.PRE* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document         X
             
101.DEF* XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document         X
             
* In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the information in these exhibits is furnished and deemed not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.          
Exhibit NumberIncorporation by ReferenceFiled Herewith
Exhibit DescriptionFormFile No.ExhibitFiling Date
X
X
X
X
101.INS*XBRL Instance DocumentX
101.SCH*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema DocumentX
101.CAL*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase DocumentX
101.LAB*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase DocumentX
101.PRE*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase DocumentX
101.DEF*XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase DocumentX
*In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the information in these exhibits is furnished and deemed not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.


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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.

  PLANTRONICS, INC.
    
Date:August 6,October 29, 2013By:/s/ Pamela Strayer
  Name:Pamela Strayer
  Title:Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 

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