Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

 

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

 

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant   ☒  

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant   ☐

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

 

Definitive Additional Materials

 

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

n/a

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

No fee required.

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

(1) 

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

(2) 

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

(3)

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

(4) 

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

(5) 

Total fee paid:

 

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as providedFee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2)Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.0-11.

 

(1) 

Amount previously paid:

(2) 

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

(3) 

Filing Party:

(4) 

Date Filed:

 

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                          April 30, 202129, 2024

 

 

 

Dear Stockholder:Stockholders:

 

You are invited to attend the 20212024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. to be held on Thursday, June 10, 2021,13, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Daylight Time (the “Annual Meeting”). This year’sThe Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting online, vote and submit questions during the meeting by visiting www.meetingcenter.io/276412499.http://meetnow.global/M499MD7. Please follow the instructions carefully on how to access and attend the virtual meeting in the “Annual Meeting Attendance” section of this Proxy Statement.

 

It is important that your shares be represented and voted whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. We continue using the Securities and Exchange Commission rule that permits companies to furnish proxy materials to stockholders over the Internet. If you are viewing the Proxy Statement on the Internet, you may grant your proxy electronically over the Internet by following the instructions on the Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials previously mailed to you and the instructions listed on the Internet site. If you have received a paper copy of the Proxy Statement and proxy card, you may grant a proxy to vote your shares by completing and mailing the proxy card enclosed with the Proxy Statement, or you may grant your proxy electronically over the Internet or by telephone by following the instructions on the proxy card. If your shares are held in “street name,” which means shares held of record by a broker, bank, trust or other nominee, you should review the Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials or Proxy Statement and voting instruction form used by that firm to determine whether and how you will be able to submit your proxy by telephone or over the Internet. Submitting a proxy over the Internet, by telephone or by mailing a proxy card will ensure your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting.

 

Your vote is important, regardless of the number of shares that you own.

 

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank you for your participation. We look forward to your attendance on June 10, 2021.13, 2024.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 
image01.jpgmpwr20240419_def14aimg002.jpg
 

Michael Hsing

 

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.

 

 


 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

To Be Held on June 10, 202113, 2024

 

 

To the Stockholders of Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.:

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Monolithic Power Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held on Thursday, June 10, 2021,13, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Daylight Time (the “Annual Meeting”). This year’sThe Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting online, vote and submit questions during the meeting by visiting www.meetingcenter.io/276412499.http://meetnow.global/M499MD7. Please follow the instructions carefully on how to access and attend the virtual meeting in the “Annual Meeting Attendance” section of this Proxy Statement.

 

At the Annual Meeting, we will conduct the following items of business:

 

 

1.

To elect twothree Class II directors to serve for three-year terms until our annual meeting of stockholders in 2024,2027, or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. The nominees for election to the Board of Directors as Class II directors are Eugen Elmiger, Eileen Wynne and Jeff Zhou.

 

2.

To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2021.2024.

 

3.

To hold an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers.

 

4.

5.

To vote on a stockholder proposal to elect each director annually, if properly presented at the Annual Meeting.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice of Annual Meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 19, 202118, 2024 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.Annual Meeting.

 

Your vote is important.  All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, to assure your representation at the meeting, we encourage you to submit your proxy as soon as possible using one of three convenient methods: (i) by accessing the Internet site described in the Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) or in the proxy card or the voting instruction form provided to you; (ii) by calling the toll-free number described in the Notice or in the proxy card or the voting instruction form provided to you;card; or (iii) by signing, dating and returning the proxy card or the instruction form provided to you.card. By submitting your proxy promptly, you will save the Companyus the expense of further proxy solicitation. Any stockholder of record attending the Annual Meeting may vote at the meeting even if he or she has already returned a proxy.

 

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 
image02.jpgmpwr20240419_def14aimg003.jpg
 

Saria Tseng

 

Executive Vice President, Strategic Corporate Development, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Kirkland, Washington

April 30, 202129, 2024

Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting: The Proxy Statement and the Annual Report on Form 10-K are available free of charge under the Investor Relations section of our website at http://www.monolithicpower.com.

 

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MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.

 

 

 


 

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR

20212024 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING

 

 

 



 

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Index

 

 

Page

General

6

Internet Availability of Proxy Materials

6

Record Date;Date and Outstanding Shares

6

Procedure for Submitting Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations

6

Annual Meeting Attendance

7

Voting

7

No Right of Appraisal

8

Expenses of Solicitation

8

Quorum; Required Votes; Abstentions; Broker Non-VotesExpenses of Solicitation

98

Stockholder ListQuorum, Required Votes, Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

9

Stockholder List

9

PROPOSAL ONE - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

10

Classified Board of Directors;Directors and Nominees

10

Information Regarding Nominees and Other Directors

10

Appointment of a Female Director in 2021Board Diversity

11

Race/Ethnic CompositionDirector Independence

11

Director Independence1211

Director Qualifications

12

Board Leadership StructureDirector Skills and Qualifications

1312

Board Oversight of RiskLeadership Structure

1514

Board Meetings and Committees

1516

Nomination ProcessBoard Oversight of Risks

1617

Stockholder CommunicationsNomination Process

1718

Stockholder Communications

18

Attendance at Annual Meetings of Stockholders by the Board of Directors

1718

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

17

Policy on Hedging1917

Director Voting Policy 

17

2020 Director CompensationPolicy on Hedging and Other Transactions

1819

Director Voting Policy

19

Director Time Commitment Policy19

2023 Director Compensation

20

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

22

Stockholder Engagement1924

PROPOSAL TWO - RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

2226

Audit and Other Fees

2226

Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services

22

Change in Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm26

22

PROPOSAL THREE - ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

2427

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

2528

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

2629

NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

2730

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

2730

Compensation Committee Report

3843

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

3943

Compensation Risk Management

3943

20202023 Summary Compensation Table

3943

CEO Pay Ratio

40

Grants of Plan-Based Awards for the Year Ended December 31, 20202023

4144

Narrative Disclosure to 20202023 Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Duringfor the Year Ended December 31, 20202023

4144

Outstanding Equity Awards at 20202023 Year-End

4346

20202023 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

4547

20202023 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan

4549

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Termination Upon Change in Control

4549

CEO Pay Ratio

51

Pay Versus Performance

52

Equity Compensation Plan Information

4856

Audit Committee Report

4956

Other MattersPROPOSAL FOUR  STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL TO ELECT EACH DIRECTOR ANNUALLY

5058

Forward-Looking Statements50

Annexure AProponent’s Proposal

5158

Board’s Opposing Statement

59

Other Matters

61

Forward-Looking Statements

61

Annexure A

62

 

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General

 

This Proxy Statement is being furnished to holders of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of Monolithic Power Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”“Company,” “MPS,” “we,” “us,” or “MPS”“our”), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our Board of Directors (the “Board”) for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Thursday, June 10, 202113, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Daylight Time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof for the purpose of considering and acting upon the matters set forth herein.  

 

This year’sThe Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting. You will not be able to attend the meeting in person. Please follow the instructions carefully on how to access and attend the virtual meeting in the Annual Meeting AttendanceAttendance. section below.

 

Internet Availability of Proxy Materials

 

Pursuant to the rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we are sending a Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) to our stockholders of record, and upon request, we will send a printed copy of the proxy materials and proxy card. Brokers and other nominees who hold shares on behalf of beneficial owners will be sending their own similar notice. Stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice or request to receive a printed set of the proxy materials. Instructions on how to request a printed copy by mail or electronically may be found on the Notice and on the website referred to in the Notice, including an option to request paper copies on an ongoing basis. We intend to make this Proxy Statement available on the Internet at www.monolithicpower.com, and to mail the Notice or other proxy materials, as applicable, on or about April 30, 2021May 2, 2024 to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 19, 202118, 2024 (the “Record Date”).

 

Record Date;Date and Outstanding Shares

 

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof. These stockholders are entitled to cast one vote for each share of Common Stock held as of the Record Date on all matters properly submitted for the vote of stockholders at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, 45,737,00048,666,000 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding. No shares of our Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding. For information regarding security ownership by management, directors, and beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Common Stock, see the section Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

 

Procedure for Submitting Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations

 

Requirements for stockholder proposals to be considered for inclusion in our proxy materialsmaterials. . Proposals of stockholders which are to be presented by such stockholders at our 20222025 annual meeting of stockholders must meet the stockholder proposal requirements contained in Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934“Exchange Act”), and. Such proposals must be received by us no later than December 31, 2021January 2, 2025 in order that they mayto be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting. SuchWe received one stockholder proposals should be submitted to Monolithic Power Systems, Inc., 5808 Lake Washington Boulevard NE, Kirkland, Washington 98033, Attention: Corporate Secretary. No such stockholder proposals were received by usproposal prior to the deadline for this year’sthe Annual Meeting.

Requirements for director nominations to be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials. Pursuant to the proxy access provisions of our Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), an eligible stockholder, or a group of up to 20 stockholders, who has held at least 3% of our Common Stock continuously for at least three years may nominate one director and have that nominee included in our proxy materials. To be timely for the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, notice of proxy access director nominations must be received by us between January 2, 2025 and February 1, 2025. In addition, the notice must set forth the information required by our Bylaws with respect to each director nomination that a stockholder intends to present at the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders.

In addition to satisfying the requirements under our Bylaws, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees, other than our nominees, must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act to comply with the universal proxy rules, which notice must be postmarked or transmitted electronically to us at our principal executive offices no later than April 14, 2025. However, if the date of the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders is changed by more than 30 calendar days from the anniversary date of the Annual Meeting, then notice must be provided by the later of 60 calendar days prior to the date of the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders or the 10th calendar day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders is first made by us.

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Requirements for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting but not included in our proxy materials. If a stockholder wishes to present a proposal at our 20222025 annual meeting of stockholders, and the proposal is not intended to be included in our proxy statement relating to that meeting, the stockholder must give advance notice to us prior to the deadline for such meeting. To be timely for the 2025 annual meeting as determined in accordance with our Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) (which are attached as Exhibit 3.4 to our Form S-1/A Registration Statement filed with the SEC on November 15, 2004). Under our Bylaws, in order to be deemed properly presented,of stockholders, notice of proposed business must be delivered to or mailed and received by our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive office not fewer than 90 or more than 120 calendar days before the one-year anniversary of the date on which we first mailed the proxy statement to stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders (the “Notice Period”). As a result, the Notice Period for our 2022 annual meeting will begin on December 31, 2021us between January 2, 2025 and end on January 30, 2022.February 1, 2025. However, in the event the date of the 20222025 annual meeting of stockholders will be changed by more than 30 days from the date of this year’s meeting,the Annual Meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the later of: (1) 90 calendar days in advance of the 20222025 annual meeting of stockholders and (2) 10 calendar days following the date on which public announcement of the date of the 20222025 annual meeting of stockholders is first made. A stockholder’sIn addition, the notice must set forth the information required by our Bylaws with respect to each proposal that a stockholder intends to present at the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders.

All proposals described above must be submitted to our Corporate Secretary shall set forth as to each matterusing the stockholder proposes to bring before the 2022 annual meeting: (a) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the 2022 annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the 2022 annual meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on our books, of the stockholder proposing such business, (c) the class and number of shares of Common Stock that are beneficially owned by the stockholder, (d) any material interest of the stockholdermethods outlined in such business, and (e) any other information that is required to be provided by the stockholder pursuant to Regulation 14A of the 1934 Act, in his or her capacity as a proponent to a stockholder proposal. If a stockholder gives notice of such a proposal after the Notice Period, the stockholder will not be permitted to present the proposal to the stockholders for a vote at the 2022 annual meeting.Stockholder Communications.

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Annual Meeting Attendance

 

Attendance:

 

After careful consideration, in light of the on-going developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic and governmental decrees that in-person gatherings be restricted, and in the best interests of public health and the health and safety of our stockholders, the Board and employees, theThe Annual Meeting will be held solely by remote communication. You will not be able to attend the meetingAnnual Meeting in person. Stockholders as of the close of business on the Record Date who duly registered to attend the Annual Meeting will be able to listen to the webcast, vote their shares and submit questions during the virtual meeting. Information to access theThe Annual Meeting is as follows:can be assessed at:

 

 Web address:

www.meetingcenter.io/276412499http://meetnow.global/M499MD7

 Username:

Your 15-digit control number

 Meeting password:

MPWR2021

 

You must have your 15-digit control number to join the event. We encourage you to access the Annual Meeting ten minutes prior to the start time for the check-in.check-in and registration.

 

Registration Process:

 

Stockholders of record.If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”), you are considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record. As a stockholder of record, you are already registered for the virtual meeting and will be able to listen to the webcast, vote and submit questions during the meeting. Questions pertinent to meeting matters and that are submitted in accordance with our rules of conduct for the Annual Meeting will be answered during the meeting, subject to applicable time constraints.

 

Beneficial owners. If you hold your shares through a broker, bank, trust or other nominee, you must register in advance in order to vote and submit questions during the virtual meeting. Alternatively, you may join the meeting as a guest and listen to the webcast without advance registration. As a guest, you will not be able to vote or submit questions during the meeting.

To register in advance, you must obtain a legal proxy from the broker, bank, trust or other nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares. You must submit proof of the legal proxy reflecting our holdings, along with your name and email address to Computershare. Requests for registration must be labeled as “Legal“Monolithic Power Systems Legal Proxy” and be received no later than 2:00 p.m., Pacific Time, on June 4, 2021.7, 2024. You will receive a confirmation of your registration by email after we receive your registration materials. Requests for registration can be made in the following methods:

 

By e-mail:

legalproxy@computershare.com

By mail:

Computershare

Monolithic Power Systems Legal Proxy

 

Monolithic Power Systems Legal ProxyP.O. Box 43001

 

P.O. Box 43001Providence, RI 02940-3001

Providence, RI 02940-3001

Alternatively, you may join the meeting as a guest and listen to the webcast without advance registration. As a guest, you will not be able to vote or submit questions during the meeting.

 

Voting

 

Voting prior to the Annual Meeting. If you are the record holder of your stock, you have three options for submitting your votes prior to the Annual Meeting:

 

by following the instructions for Internet voting printed on the Notice or your proxy card;

 

by followingusing the instructions for Internet votingtelephone number printed on the Notice or your proxy card; or

 

 

by using the telephone number printed on your proxy card; or

by completing the enclosed proxy card, signing and dating it and mailing it in the enclosed postage-prepaid envelope.

 

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If you have Internet access, we encourage you to record your vote on the Internet. It is convenient, and it saves us significant postage and processing costs. In addition, when voting over the Internet or by telephone prior to the meeting date, your vote is recorded immediately, and there is no risk that postal delays will cause your vote to arrive late, and therefore not be counted. All shares entitled to vote and represented by properly executed proxy cards or properly granted proxies submitted electronically over the Internet or telephone received prior to the Annual Meeting, and not revoked, will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the instructions provided.  If no instructions are indicated, the shares represented by that proxy will be voted as recommended by the Board. If any other matters are properly presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting, including, among other things, consideration of a motion to adjourn the Annual Meeting to another time or place (including, without limitation, for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies), the persons named as proxies and acting thereunder will have discretion to vote on those matters in accordance with their best judgment. We do not currently anticipate that any matters other than the proposals described herein will be raised at the Annual Meeting.  If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank, trust or other nominee, you will receive a notice from your broker, bank, trust or other nominee that includes instructions on how to vote your shares. Your broker, bank, trust or other nominee will allow you to deliver your voting instructions over the Internet and may also permit you to submit your voting instructions by telephone.

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.  You should submit your proxy even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.

 

Voting by Attendingattending the Annual Meeting. This year’sThe Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting. Stockholders of record and beneficial owners as of the close of business on the Record Date who duly registered to attend the Annual Meeting will be able to listen to the webcast and vote their shares during the virtual meeting. Please follow the instructions carefully on how to access and attend the virtual meeting, and vote in the Annual Meeting AttendanceAttendance. section of this Proxy Statement.

 

Any previous votes that were submitted by the stockholder, whether by Internet, telephone or mail, will be superseded by the vote that such stockholder casts at the Annual Meeting.

 

Changing vote; Revocability of proxy. Any proxy given by a stockholder of record pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting. Proxies submitted by stockholders of record may be revoked by:

 

filing a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the previously submitted proxy which is received by our Corporate Secretary at or before the taking of the vote at the Annual Meeting;

 

filing a written notice of revocation bearingduly executing a later date thandated proxy relating to the previously submitted proxy which is received bysame shares and delivering it to our Corporate Secretary at or before the taking of the vote at the Annual Meeting;

 

 

duly executing a later datedsubmitting another proxy relating toby telephone or via the same shares and delivering it to our Corporate Secretary atInternet (your latest telephone or before the taking of the vote at the Annual Meeting;Internet voting instructions are followed); or

 

 

submitting another proxy by telephone or via the Internet (your latest telephone or Internet voting instructions are followed); or

virtually attending and voting at the Annual Meeting (although attendance at the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation of a previously submitted proxy).

 

Any written notice of revocation or subsequent proxy card must be received by our Corporate Secretary prior to the taking of the vote at the Annual Meeting. Such written notice of revocation or subsequent proxy card shouldmust be hand delivered to our Corporate Secretary or should be sent so as to be delivered to Monolithic Power Systems, Inc., 5808 Lake Washington Boulevard NE, Kirkland, Washington 98033, Attention: Corporate Secretary, prior tosubmitted using the date of the Annual Meeting.methods outlined in “Stockholder Communications.

 

If you hold your shares through a broker, bank, trust or other nominee, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, bank, trust or other nominee.

 

No Right of Appraisal

 

Neither Delaware law nor our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) provide for appraisal or other similar rights for dissenting stockholders in connection with any of the proposals to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, our stockholders will have no right to dissent and obtain payment for their shares.

 

Expenses of Solicitation

 

We will bear all expenses of this solicitation, including the cost of preparing and mailing this solicitation material. We may reimburse brokerage firms, custodians, nominees, fiduciaries and other persons representing beneficial owners of Common Stock for their reasonable expenses in forwarding solicitation material to such beneficial owners.  Our directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies in person or by telephone, letter, e-mail or other means of communication. Such directors, officers and employees will not be additionally compensated, but they may be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with such solicitation. We may engagehave engaged the services of a professional proxy solicitation firm to aid in the solicitation of proxies from certain brokers, bank nominees and other institutional owners. If we hire a professional proxy solicitation firm, weWe expect our costs for such services would be approximately $10,000.$25,000.

 

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Quorum;Quorum, Required Votes; Abstentions;Votes, Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

 

Holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote must be present at the Annual Meeting in order to have the required quorum for the transaction of business.  Stockholders are counted as present at the Annual Meeting if they: (1) are duly registered to attend and vote their shares at the Annual Meeting, or (2) have properly submitted a proxy card by mail or voted by telephone or by using the Internet.  If the shares present at the Annual Meeting do not constitute the required quorum, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned to a subsequent date for the purpose of obtaining a quorum.

 

The required votes to approve the proposals to be considered at this Annual Meeting are as follows:

 

 

The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes duly cast is required for the election of directors. As further described in Proposal One below, any nominee for director who receives a greater number of votes “Withheld” from his or her election than votes “For” his or her election will promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board following certification of the election results.results for the Board’s consideration.

 

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote thereon which are present in person viaby virtual attendance at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP (“Ernst & Young”EY”) as our independent registered public accounting firm. While this vote is advisory and not binding on us or our Audit Committee, the Audit Committee intends to take into account the outcome of the vote when considering the appointment of EY.

 

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote thereon which are present in person viaby virtual attendance at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers. While this vote is advisory and not binding on us or our Board, the Board and the Compensation Committee intend to take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote thereon which are present in person by virtual attendance at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the stockholder proposal to elect each director annually. While this vote is advisory and not binding on us or our Board, the Board intends to take into account the outcome of the vote when considering the structure of the Board.

 

Under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, both abstaining votes and broker non-votes are counted as present and entitled to vote and are, therefore, included for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting. An abstaining vote is not counted as a vote cast for the election of directors, but has the same effect as a vote cast against each of the other proposals requiring approval by a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote thereon which are present in person viaby virtual attendance at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. A broker non-vote occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that item and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner. A broker non-vote will have no effect on the outcome of the proposals. For purposes of ratifying our independent registered public accounting firm, brokers have discretionary authority to vote.

 

Stockholder List

 

A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for examination by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting during ordinary business hours at: 5808 Lake Washington Boulevard NE, Kirkland, Washington 98033 for the ten days prior to the Annual Meeting, and will be open to the examination of any stockholder of the Company during the whole time of the Annual Meeting.

 

9

 

PROPOSAL ONE

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Classified Board of Directors;Directors and Nominees

 

The Board currently consists of sixeight members. Under our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, the Board has the authority to set the number of directors from time to time by resolution. In addition, our Certificate of Incorporation provides for a classified Board consisting of three classes of directors, each serving staggered three-year terms.  As a result, a portion of the Board will be elected each year for three-year terms.

 

TwoThree Class II directors are to be elected to the Board at the Annual Meeting. Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for the Board’s nominees, Eugen Elmiger, Eileen Wynne and Jeff Zhou.Zhou. Mr. Elmiger, Ms. Wynne and Mr. Zhou are standing for re-election to the Board. Each person nominated for election has agreed to serve if elected, and the Board has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unavailable or will decline to serve. In the event, however, that any nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted for any nominee who is designated by the current Board to fill the vacancy. The term of office of each person elected as a Class II director will continue for three years or until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified.  If elected, the term for Mr. Elmiger, Ms. Wynne and Mr. Zhou will expire at the 20242027 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

Our directors are elected by a “plurality” vote. The nominees for each of the twothree Board seats to be voted on at the Annual Meeting receiving the greatest number of votes cast will be elected. Abstentions and shares held by brokers that are not voted in the election of directors will have no effect. In addition, we have adopted a corporate governance policy requiring each director nominee to submit a resignation letter if more “Withheld” than “For” votes are received. See the section Director Voting Policy” for more details on this policy.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF EACH OF THE PROPOSED NOMINEES.

 

Information Regarding Nominees and Other Directors

 

The following table summarizes certain information regarding the nominees and other directors:

 

Name

 

Age

 

Director

Since

 

Principal Role

 

Age

 

Director

Since

 

Principal Role

Michael Hsing

 

61

 

1997

 

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

64

 

1997

 

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

Herbert Chang (3)(2)

 

59

 

1999

 

Lead Director 

 

62

 

1999

 

Lead Independent Director 

Eugen Elmiger (1)(3)

 

57

 

2012

 

Director / Nominee

 

60

 

2012

 

Director / Nominee

Victor K. Lee (2)

 

64

 

2006

 

Director

 

67

 

2006

 

Director

Carintia Martinez (3)

 

58

 

2021

 

Director

James C. Moyer

 

78

 

1998

 

Director

 

81

 

1998

 

Director

Eileen Wynne (2)

 

58

 

2023

 

Director / Nominee

Jeff Zhou (1)(2)

 

66

 

2010

 

Director / Nominee

 

69

 

2010

 

Director / Nominee

 


(1)

Member of the Compensation Committee.

(2)

Member of the Audit Committee.

(3)

Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”(“NCG”). Committee.

 

Nominees for Class II Directors Whose Term Will Expire in 20212024

 

Eugen Elmiger has served on our Board since October 2012. Mr. Elmiger currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Maxon group, a leading advanced motion company, awhich position that he has held since January 2011. Mr. Elmiger currently serves on the Boardboard of Directorsdirectors of Kardex, a global leader in automated storage solutions and material handling systems. Mr. Elmiger holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the Lucerne (Horw) University of Applied Science and Art.

 

Eileen Wynne has served on our Board since February 2023. Ms. Wynne served as interim Chief Financial Officer of IDEX Biometrics ASA (“IDEX”), a provider of fingerprint identification technologies, from August 2022 to September 2023, and supported IDEX on a consulting basis since December 2020. From November 1999 to June 2019, Ms. Wynne held various managerial and senior roles at Analog Devices, Inc., a global semiconductor company, including Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer from May 2013 to June 2019, and interim Chief Financial Officer from March 2017 to September 2017. Ms. Wynne holds a B.A. in Financial Economics from St. Anselm College and an M.S. in Accounting from Bentley University.

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Jeff Zhou has served on our Board since February 2010. Dr. Zhou is a retired business executive. Before his retirement, Dr. Zhou served as Executive Vice Chairman of MiaSolé, which developsa developer of thin film solar technology, awhich position he held from 2018 to 2019. Dr. Zhou served as Chief Executive Officer of MiaSolé from 2013 to 2018. Before joining MiaSolé, Dr. Zhou was President of Hanergy Holding America, Inc., a developer and operator of solar power plants, from 2012 to 2013. Dr. Zhou also served as Executive Chairman of Alta Devices, a developer of flexible mobile power technology, from 2014 to 2015. Dr. Zhou holds a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida.

 

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Incumbent Class III Directors Whose Term Will Expire in 20222025

 

Michael Hsing has served on our Board and as our President and Chief Executive Officer since founding MPS in August 1997. Prior to founding MPS, Mr. Hsing was a Senior Silicon Technology Developer at several analog integrated circuits (“IC”) companies, where he developed and patented key technologies, which set new standards in the power electronics industry. Mr. Hsing is an inventor on numerous patents related to the process development of bipolar mixed-signal semiconductor manufacturing. Mr. Hsing holds a B.S.E.E. from the University of Florida.

 

Herbert Chang has served on our Board since September 1999. Mr. Chang is currently the general partner of GrowStar Partners Group Limited. From March 2014 until December 2019, Mr. Chang was the general manager of Mutto Optronics Corporation, an OEM/ODM knife manufacturer listed on the Taiwan OTC. Mr. Chang was alsois a Managing Member of Growstar Associates, Ltd., which was the General Partnerventure capitalist and the Fund Manager of VCFA Growth Partners , L.P. from 2007 to 2013 and was the Chief Executive Officer of C Squared Management Corporation. Mr. Chang’s companies focusfocuses on investing in companies in the semiconductor, telecommunications, networking, software and/orand Internet industries. Mr. Chang was the President of InveStar Capital, Inc. from April 1996 until 2015 and serves on the board of directors of a number of private companies.companies and a TWSE-listed company. Mr. Chang received a B.S. in geology from National Taiwan University and an M.B.A. from National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan.

 

Carintia Martinez has served on our Board since May 2021. Ms. Martinez currently serves as Chief Information Officer of IHS Towers, a provider of shared communications infrastructure, which position she has held since January 2024. From January 2018 to May 2023, Ms. Martinez served as Vice President, Chief Information Officer of Thales Alenia Space, a European aerospace manufacturer specializing in satellite systems. From February 2008 to December 2017, Ms. Martinez held various senior positions, including Vice President of Renault-Nissan Alliance Quality and Vice President of Information Systems for Marketing and Sales, at Renault Group, a French automobile manufacturer. Ms. Martinez holds a master’s degree in Architecture and City Planning from Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Parana in Brazil, a master’s degree in Project Management from Université de Technologie de Compiègne in France, and a master’s degree in Urban Planning from Université Paris XII - Val de Marne and Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées in France.

Incumbent Class I Directors Whose Terms Will Expire in 20232026

 

Victor K. Lee has served on our Board since September 2006. Mr. Lee was a member of the board of directors at MoSys, Inc., a fabless semiconductor company, from June 2012 to June 2016. Mr. Lee served as Chief Financial Officer of Ambarella, Inc., a fabless semiconductor company, from August 2007 to March 2011. Mr. Lee holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research and an M.B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.

 

James C. Moyer has served on our Board since October 1998. Mr. Moyer is a retired business executive and served as our Chief Design Engineer from September 1997 until his retirement from MPS in January 2016. Mr. Moyer holds a B.A.E.E. from Rice University. 

 

There is no family relationship among any of our executive officers, directors and nominees.

 

Appointment of a Female Director in 2021Board Diversity

 

We believeThe following matrix presents the Board’s diversity drives innovation and is key to our success. Currently, the Board consistsstatistics as of members with a wide variety of skills, industry experiences and backgrounds. We are committed to diversity and inclusion at every level of MPS, including the Board. Our Nominating Committee has been actively recruiting a female Board member, with the assistance of the full Board, our management team and a retained search firm. We believe a diverse, balanced and cohesive Board is critical in facilitating strong oversight, as well as supporting the achievement of MPS’s objectives, including its strategic priorities to improve long-term operational and financial performance and enhance stockholder interests. Our philosophy ensures each Board member’s individual interests are represented and their perspectives and opinions are valued. To accomplish this goal, the Board believes it is important to conduct in-person meetings (in addition to virtual meetings) in order to have the necessary interactions to evaluate the candidates, review their qualifications thoroughly, build trust and develop a strong relationship with existing Board members. This important process has been made more challenging by the COVID-19 pandemic, as the majority of candidates considered to date and many of our Board members are located in Asia and Europe where there are strict travel restrictions and shelter-in-place orders. We recognize the importance of moving the recruiting process forward and are taking practical steps to reach the final stage. The Board is fully committed to completing its search to appoint one female Board member before the end of 2021.April 29, 2024: 

 

Race/Ethnic Composition

Michael

Hsing

Herbert

Chang

Eugen

Elmiger

Victor K.

Lee

Carintia

Martinez

James C. Moyer

Eileen

Wynne

Jeff

Zhou

Part I: Gender Identity

Male

Female

Non-Binary

Did Not Disclose Gender

Part II: Demographic Background

African American or Black

Alaskan Native or Native American

Asian

Hispanic or Latinx

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

White

Two or More Races or Ethnicities

LGBTQ+

Did Not Disclose Demographic Background

 

Currently, 67%

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Director Independence

 

At least annually, the NominatingNCG Committee reviews the independence of each non-employee director and makes recommendations to the Board, and the Board affirmatively determines whether each director qualifies as independent. Each director must keep the NominatingNCG Committee fully and promptly informed as to any development that may affect the director’s independence. The Board has determined that each of Herbert Chang, Eugen Elmiger, Victor K. Lee, Carintia Martinez, James C. Moyer, Eileen Wynne and Jeff Zhou are “independent” under the applicable listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market.

 

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Director Skills and Qualifications

 

Our Board includes sixeight members who are well-qualified to serve on the Board and represent our stockholders’ best interests. Our Board consists of directors who have the following characteristics:

 

 

1.

Are seasoned executive leaders with strong corporate governance experience;

Possess a professional background that would enable the development of a deep understanding of our business;global business and operations;

 

 

2. 

Bring diversity to the Board through their experiencesHave strong interests in various industries, both domesticallyinnovation and internationally;emerging technologies;

 

 

3. 

Are independent thinkersHave skills or experience in risk management and work well together;cybersecurity;

 

 

4. 

Have the ability to embrace our values, diversity and culture;

 

 5.

Bring diversity to the Board through their experiences in various industries, both domestically and internationally;

Are independent thinkers and work well together;

Have high ethical standards;

 

6.

Have skills or experience in risk management;

 

7. 

Possess sound business judgment and acumen; and

 

 

8. 

Are willing to commit their time and resources necessary for the Board to effectively fulfill its responsibilities.

 

We believe that each of the director nominees and the rest of the directors possesspossesses these attributes. In addition, the directors bring to the Board a breadth of experience, including extensive financial and accounting expertise, public company board experience, knowledge of the semiconductor business and technology,related technologies, broad global business experience, extensive operational and strategic planning experience, and the ability to assess and manage business risks, including risks related to cybersecurity and information security, in complex, high-growth global companies. The Board and the NominatingNCG Committee believe the skills, qualities, attributes, experience and diversity of backgrounds of our directors provide us with a diverse range of perspectives to effectively address our evolving needs and represent the best interests of our stockholders. The tenure of some of our directors ensures that we benefit from their substantial knowledge of MPS, its business and long-term goals. Our Board is a mix of longer term directors and two directors who have joined our Board since 2021, resulting in a valuable combination of sustained knowledge of MPS and new viewpoints and perspectives.

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The following describestable highlights the specific key qualifications, business skills, experience and perspectivesattributes that each of ourthe directors and director nominees brings to the Board, in addition to the general qualifications described above and described in their individual biographies:Board: 

 

Michael

Hsing

Herbert

Chang

Eugen

Elmiger

Victor K.

Lee

Carintia

Martinez

James C.

Moyer

Eileen

Wynne

Jeff

Zhou

Executive leadership

Corporate governance

Global business and operations

Innovation and technologies

Risk management

Cybersecurity

Finance and accounting expertise

Human capital management

Diversity

Michael Hsing

Mr. Hsing, the co-founderfounder of MPS, is a visionary in power management technology as well as a strong leader, motivator and successful entrepreneur. Mr. Hsing provides the Board with valuable insight into management’s perspective with respect to our operations, and he provides the Board with the most comprehensive view of our operational history. Under his leadership, we have experienced significant revenue growth and profitability. Since our initial public offering in 2004, stockholder value measured by market capitalization has increased significantly. Having worked in the semiconductor industry for over 3040 years, Mr. Hsing’s vision, insight and experience enable him to understand and expand the markets we serve, control costs effectively, assess and manage business risks, including risks related to information technology, supply chain and cybersecurity, and maximizeenhance our technology advantages for our products, which have helped fuel our growth and created value for our stockholders. Based on the Board’s identification of these qualifications, skills and experiences, the Board has concluded that Mr. Hsing should serve as a director of MPS.

Herbert Chang

Mr. Chang has been a member of the Board since 1999, which gives him significant knowledge of our recent experiencesbusiness and history. We also continue to benefit from the broad experience gained by Mr. Chang through his numerous successful investments in both public and private high-technology companies. Mr. Chang has served on several boards of the companies in which he has invested, which has given him significant leadership skills, risk management, corporate governance and oversight experience. In addition, through these board and investor responsibilities, as well as his tenure on the Board, Mr. Chang has developed a deep knowledge of our industry, our operations, and the accompanying complex financial transactions and controls necessary for us to succeed. Mr. Chang’s financial expertise has also helped the Board analyze significant complex financial transactions that we have considered from time to time. Mr. Chang also has very relevantimportant international experience based on his educational background and work experience in the countries where we do business. Based on the Board’s identification of these qualifications, skills and experiences, the Board has concluded that Mr. Chang should serve as a director of MPS.

Eugen Elmiger

Mr. Elmiger is a seasoned business executive with over 30 years of experience, including extensive international marketing, sales and product management expertise, executive board experience, knowledge of high-tech component business and technology, and operational and strategic planning experience, including the oversight of information technology and cybersecurity, in complex, high-growth global companies. This experience allows him to contribute his valuable executive leadership talent, risk management and understanding of international business to Board deliberations and oversight duties. His industrial, medical and automotive background is a valuable asset to the Board as we expand our business in these markets. Mr. Elmiger’s appointment toBased on the Board’s identification of these qualifications, skills and experiences, the Board also allows him to bring a new perspective, new ideas and outlooks to the Board. Based on the Board’s identification of these qualifications, skills and experiences, the Board has concluded that Mr. Elmiger should serve as a director of MPS.

 

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Victor K. Lee

Mr. Lee is the audit committee financial expert on the Audit Committee of the Board. He has been the Chief Financial Officer at several public and private companies, and has worked in the semiconductor industry for over 3040 years. Mr. Lee is familiar with not only the inner workings of the semiconductor industry, but also has intimate knowledge of the financial issues and business risks that semiconductor companies often face. His experience has allowed him to understand the broad issues, in particular those affecting the financial and accounting aspects of our business, that the Board must consider and to make sound recommendations to management and decisions by the Board. Mr. Lee also provides the Board with valuable insight into financial management, risk management, internal controls, disclosure issues and tax matters relevant to our business. Based on the Board’s identification of these qualifications, skills and experiences, the Board has concluded that Mr. Lee should serve as a director of MPS.

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Carintia Martinez

 

Ms. Martinez brings to the Board a diverse background with more than 30 years of information systems and technology experience, including serving as Chief Information Officer, in high-growth, multinational companies in the telecommunications, aerospace and automotive industries. The Board believes that Ms. Martinez’s valuable executive leadership talent, risk management experience, including the oversight of information technology and cybersecurity, diverse background, and understanding of complex international business issues allow her to bring new perspectives, ideas and outlooks to the Board. Based on the Board’s identification of these qualifications, skills and experiences, the Board has concluded that Ms. Martinez should serve as a director of MPS.

James C. Moyer

Mr. Moyer is a technical expert in the design of analog semiconductors. As co-founder of MPS, Mr. Moyersemiconductors and is intimately familiar with us and our products. Mr. Moyer brings insight to the Board because of his cumulative experience gained as an engineer and technical leader in the semiconductor industry. This experience gives him a highly developed understanding of the needs and requirements of the analog market for our complex products and allows him as a director to lead us in the right direction in terms ofguide our strategy and business approach. Based on the Board’s identification of these qualifications, skills and experiences, the Board has concluded that Mr. Moyer should serve as a director of MPS.

Eileen Wynne

Ms. Wynne brings to the Board a diverse background with finance, operational and risk management experience in high-growth, multinational companies. Ms. Wynne has been the Chief Accounting Officer at a global semiconductor company and has worked in the semiconductor industry for over 20 years. Ms. Wynne is familiar with not only the inner workings of the semiconductor industry, but also has intimate knowledge of the financial and accounting issues and business risks that semiconductor companies often face. The Board believes that Ms. Wynne’s valuable executive leadership talent, financial oversight expertise, and understanding of complex international business and manufacturing issues in the semiconductor sector allow her to bring new perspectives, ideas and outlooks to the Board. Based on the Board’s identification of these qualifications, skills and experiences, the Board has concluded that Mr. MoyerMs. Wynne should serve as a director of MPS.

 

Dr. Jeff Zhou

Dr. Zhou is a senior business executive with over 3040 years of industry experience at large, multi-nationalmultinational corporations with global footprints. Dr. Zhou has an extensive background in the global manufacturing, electronics and renewable energy industry. This experience allows him to contribute his valuable executive leadership talent, risk management skills, including the oversight of information technology and cybersecurity, and understanding of international business to Board deliberations and oversight duties. Dr. Zhou’s appointment to the Board also allows him to bring a new perspective, new ideas and new outlooks to the Board. Based on the Board’s identification of these qualifications, skills and experiences, the Board has concluded that Dr. Zhou should serve as a director of MPS.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

The Board currently consists of sixeight members, fiveseven of which the Board has determined are independent. 

 

Leadership Structure. Our current leadership structure and governing documents permit the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to be filled by the same or different individuals. Should the Board determine that it remains in the best interests of MPS and its stockholders that the Chief Executive Officer serve as Chairman, the independent members of the Board then elect a Lead Independent Director.

The Board has currently determined that it is in the best interests of MPS and ourits stockholders to have Michael Hsing, our President and Chief Executive Officer, serve as Chairman, coupled with an active Lead Independent Director. As such, Mr. Hsing holds the position of Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and the Board has designated one of the independent directors, Mr. Herbert Chang, as the Lead Independent Director. Our Lead Independent Director is appointed by the Board on an annual basis. The Board believes our leadership structure, with its strong emphasis on Board independence, an active Lead Independent Director, and strong Board and committee involvement, provides sound and robust oversight of management, and provides a counterbalance to the management perspective provided by Mr. Hsing during Board deliberations. 

 

The Board considers and discusses the Board leadership structure every year. As part of this evaluation process, the Board reviews its leadership structure and whether combining or separating the roles of Chairman and CEO is in the best interests of the CompanyMPS and our stockholders. The Board also considers:

 

The effectiveness of the policies, practices and people in place at MPS to help ensure strong, independent Board oversight;

MPS’s performance and the effect the leadership structure could have on its performance;

 

The effectiveness of the policies, practices, and people in place at MPS to help ensure strong, independent Board oversight;

MPS’sBoard’s performance and the effect the leadership structure could have on its performance;

The Board’s performance and the effect the leadership structure could have on the Board’s performance;

The Chairman’s performance in the role;

The views of MPS’s stockholders; and

The practices at other companies and trends in governance.

 

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The Chairman’s performance in the role;

Should the Board determine that it remains in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders that the Chief Executive Officer serve as Chairman, the independent members of the Board then elect a Lead Independent Director.

The views of MPS’s stockholders; and

The practices at other companies and trends in governance.

 

WeWhile we recognize that different board leadership structures may be appropriate for different companies. Wecompanies, we believe that our current Board leadership structure is optimal for us. Our leadership structure demonstrates to our employees, suppliers, customers, stockholders and other stakeholders that we are governed by strong, balanced leadership, with a single person setting the tone and consistent message for the Board and management and having primary responsibility for managing our day-to-day operations, with appropriate oversight and direction from our Lead Independent Director and other independent directors. This message is increasingly important as we continue to seek to achieve business success through new product releases and gaining market share in our industry.business growth. We also believe that our leadership structure sends the message that we value strong, independent oversight of our management operations and decisions in the form of our Lead Independent Director.Director and other independent directors. Further, having a single leader for both MPS and the Board eliminates the potential for strategic misalignment or duplication of efforts, and provides clear leadership for us.

 

Benefits of Combined Leadership Structure. The Board believes that MPS and our stockholders have been best served by having Mr. Hsing in the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for the following reasons:

 

 

Mr. Hsing is most familiar with our business and the unique challenges we face. Mr. Hsing’s day-to-day insight into our challenges facilitates a timely deliberation by the Board of important matters.matters;

 

 

Mr. Hsing has and will continue to identify agenda items and lead effective discussions on the important matters affecting us. Mr. Hsing’s knowledge and extensive experience regarding our operations and the highly competitive semiconductor industry in which we compete position him to identify and prioritize matters for Board review and deliberation.deliberation;

 

 

As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hsing serves as an important bridge between the Board and management and provides critical leadership for carrying out our strategic initiatives and confronting our challenges. The Board believes that Mr. Hsing brings a unique, stockholder-focused insight to assist MPS to most effectively execute its strategy and business plans to maximize stockholder value.in the best interests of our stockholders;

 

 

The strength and effectiveness of the communications between Mr. Hsing, as our Chairman, and Mr. Chang, as our Lead Independent Director, as well as our other independent directors, result in comprehensive Board oversight of the issues, plans and prospects of MPS.MPS; and

 

 

This leadership structure provides the Board with more complete and timely information about MPS, a unified structure and consistent leadership direction internally and externally and provides a collaborative and collegial environment for Board decision making.

 

Lead Independent Director Responsibilities. As discussed above, the positions of Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer are held by Mr. Hsing, and the Board has appointed a Lead Independent Director, Mr. Chang.  Mr. Chang’s primary roles and responsibilities as the Lead Independent Director include:

 

Reviewing meeting agendas;

 

Reviewing meeting agendas;schedules and information sent to the Board;

 

 

Reviewing schedules and information sent toRetaining independent advisors on behalf of the Board;Board, or committees, as the Board may determine is necessary or appropriate;

 

 

Retaining independent advisors on behalfAssuring that there is sufficient time for discussion of the Board, or committees, as the Board may determine is necessary or appropriate;all meeting agenda items;

 

 

Assuring that there is sufficient time for discussion of all meeting agenda items;

Ensuring personal availability for consultationConsulting and communicationcommunicating with independent directors and with the Chief Executive Officer/Chairman of the Board, as appropriate;

 

Performing such other functions as the independent directors may designate from time to time;

 

Performing such other functions asPresiding at all meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present, including executive sessions of the independent directors may designate from time to time;directors; and

 

 

Presiding at allCalling and leading meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present, including executive sessions of the independent directors; anddirectors.

 

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Calling meetings of independent directors.

 

Our independent directors meet in executive session during a portion of every regularly scheduled Board meeting,or committee meetings, and otherwise as needed. Our Lead Independent Director presides over meetings of our independent directors and we believe that these meetings help to ensure an appropriate level of independent scrutiny of the functioning of MPS and the Board. 

 

Board Meetings and Committees

The Board held a total of four meetings during 2023, and all directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and the committees upon which such director served.

Audit Committee. The Board has a separately designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act, which currently consists of four members: Herbert Chang, Victor K. Lee, Eileen Wynne and Jeff Zhou. Mr. Lee is the chair of the Audit Committee. The primary responsibilities of the Audit Committee are to:

Provide oversight of our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audit of our financial statements;

Appoint the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements;

Assist the Board in the oversight of the integrity of our financial statements, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance, and our internal accounting and financial controls; and

Provide to the Board such information and materials as it may deem necessary to make the Board aware of financial matters requiring the attention of the Board.

The Board has determined that Mr. Lee is an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined under the rules of the SEC, and all members of the Audit Committee are “independent” in accordance with the applicable SEC regulations and the applicable listing standards of NASDAQ and are financially literate. The Audit Committee held four meetings during 2023. The Audit Committee acts pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board, which is available in the “Investor Relationssection of our website at http://www.monolithicpower.com.  

Compensation Committee. The Board has designated a Compensation Committee consisting of three members: Herbert Chang, Eugen Elmiger and Jeff Zhou. Mr. Zhou is the chair of the Compensation Committee. In April 2024, the Board appointed Mr. Elmiger to be the chair of the Compensation Committee, effective June 13, 2024 after the Annual Meeting. The primary responsibilities of the Compensation Committee are to:

Provide oversight of our compensation policies, plans and benefits programs;

Assist the Board in the oversight of the compensation of the executive officers, and evaluation and approval of the executive officer compensation plans, policies and programs;

Assist the Board in administering our equity compensation plans; and

Provide oversight of our practices and compliance efforts with respect to executive compensation policies and programs, as well as human capital management, under our environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) initiatives.

All members of the Compensation Committee are “independent” in accordance with the applicable listing standards of NASDAQ. The Compensation Committee held four meetings during 2023. The Compensation Committee acts pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board, which is available in the “Investor Relations” section of our website at http://www.monolithicpower.com.

NCG Committee. The Board has designated an NCG Committee consisting of two members: Eugen Elmiger and Carintia Martinez. Mr. Elmiger is the chair of the NCG Committee. In April 2024, the Board appointed Ms. Martinez to be the chair of the NCG Committee, effective June 13, 2024 after the Annual Meeting. The primary responsibilities of the NCG Committee are to:

Review the composition and qualifications of the Board, recommend director nominees for the selection of the Board, and evaluate director compensation;

Review the composition of committees of the Board and recommend persons to be members of such committees;

Develop overall governance guidelines and oversee the overall performance of the Board, including the annual Board self-assessment;

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Recommend to the Board whether to accept or reject a tendered director resignation, or take other action, in circumstances where a director receives a greater number of “withhold” votes than “for” votes in an uncontested election of directors as set forth in the director voting policy adopted by the Board; 

Provide oversight of our practices, policies, strategies and disclosures respect to environmental sustainability issues, social initiatives and corporate governance; and

Provide oversight of our cybersecurity program, including policies, practices, internal controls and management of information security risks.

All members of the NCG Committee are “independent” in accordance with the applicable listing standards of NASDAQ. The NCG Committee held four meetings in 2023. The NCG Committee acts pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board, which is available in the “Investor Relationssection of our website at http://www.monolithicpower.com.

The information contained on our website is not intended to be part of this Proxy Statement and is not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement.

Board Oversight of RiskRisks

 

The Board is primarily responsible for the oversight of risks that could affect MPS. Our senior management team, which conducts our day-to-day risk management, is responsible for assisting the Board with its risk oversight function. The Board believes that a fundamental part of risk management is understanding the risks that we face, monitoring these risks, and adopting appropriate controls and mitigation activities for such risks. We believe that the risk management areas that are fundamentalcritical to theour long-term success of our enterpriseprimarily include the areas of product development, supply chain and quality, regulations and legal compliance, ESG, executive compensation programs, sales and promotion,promotions, and business development, as well as protectingprotection of our assets (financial, intellectual property and information, including cybersecurity), all of which are managed by senior executive management reporting directly to our Chief Executive Officer. Our Board members have extensive experience in risk oversight arising from their current or prior experience as a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer,chief executive officers, chief financial officers, chief information officers, as well as other senior leadership positionpositions or board membermembers of other companies with responsibility for risk oversight obligations. As such, the Board believes that its members are qualified and experienced at identifying and addressing risk throughout MPS’sour operations.

 

The Board’s oversight is conducted principally through committees of the Board, as disclosed in the descriptions of each of the committees below and in the charters of each of the committees, butWhile the full Board has retained responsibility for general oversight of risk.risk, the Board’s oversight is conducted principally through the committees of the Board. The Board satisfies its responsibility by requiring each committee chair to regularly report regarding the committee’s considerations and actions, including risk oversight, as well as by requiring officers responsible for oversight of particular risks within MPS to submit regular reports. As these reports are submitted independent of review by Mr. Hsing, our President, Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of the Board, the Board believes that its leadership structure has no impact on the conduct of its risk oversight function has no impact on the Board’s leadership structure other than to reinforce the involvement of the Board in ongoing management of MPS.

 

The following table outlines the specific risk oversight responsibilities of each committee:

Committee

Primary Areas of Risk Oversight

Audit

Oversee accounting policies and internal controls and evaluate enterprise risks associated with financial reporting, accounting, auditing and tax matters.

Assess financial risks relating to our cash management and investment programs.

Compensation

Assess risks related to our compensation programs and practices.

Oversee risks related to human capital management.

NCG

Assess risks and compliance related to corporate governance matters, including our policies and principles, our Board structure, membership and independence, and stockholder rights. 

Evaluate exposures and risks related to cybersecurity, data privacy and information technology security and controls.
Assess risks arising from other ESG initiatives, including climate-related risks.

Our senior management team, which conducts our day-to-day risk management, is responsible for assisting the Board and the committees with its risk oversight function. At its regularly scheduled meetings, the Board and the committees require officers responsible for oversight of particular risks to submit updates and reports on business matters including operational and ESG issues, financial results, cybersecurity and information security, and business outlook and strategy. These updates enable our Board and the committees to discuss enterprise risks with our senior management on a regular basis, including as a part of its annual strategic planning process and annual budget review.

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In addition to requiring regular reporting from committees and officers, the Board also hearsreceives reports from third-party advisors in order to maintain oversight of risks that could affect us, including our independent auditors, outside counsel, compensation consultants and others. These advisors are consulted on a periodic basis, and as particular issues arise, in order to provide the Board and the committees with the benefit of independent expert advice and insights on specific risk-related matters.

At its regularly scheduled meetings, the Board also receives management updates on the business, including operational and environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) issues, financial results, cybersecurity and information security matters, and business outlook and strategy.  These updates enable our Board to discuss enterprise risks with our senior management on a regular basis, including as a part of its annual strategic planning process and annual budget review. For a discussion of the Board’s oversight of our ESG compliance efforts, refer to the section “Corporate Social Responsibility.

Our Audit Committee assists the full Board in its oversight of risk by discussing with management our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, our policies with respect to risk assessment and management of business risks that may affect us, including risks related to information technology and cybersecurity, and our system of disclosure control and system of controls over financial reporting.  Risks related to our company-wide compensation programs are reviewed by our Compensation Committee. For more information on the Compensation Committee’s compensation risk assessment, see the section “Named Executive Officer Compensation Compensation Risk Management.” Our Nominating Committee provides compliance oversight and reports to the full Board on compliance and makes recommendations to our Board on corporate governance matters, including director nominees, the determination of director independence, and board and committee structure and membership.

 

We believe the division of risk management responsibilities described above is an effective approach for addressing the risks facing us and that the Board leadership structure supports this approach.

Board Meetings and Committees

The Board held a total of four meetings during 2020, and all directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and the committees upon which such director served.

Audit Committee. The Board has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the 1934 Act, which currently consists of three members: Herbert Chang, Victor K. Lee and Jeff Zhou. Mr. Lee is the chairman of the Audit Committee. This committee oversees our financial reporting process and procedures, is responsible for the appointment and terms of engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm, reviews our financial statements, and coordinates and approves the activities of our independent registered public accounting firm. The Board has determined that Mr. Lee is an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined under the rules of the SEC, and all members of the Audit Committee are “independent” in accordance with the applicable SEC regulations and the applicable listing standards of NASDAQ. The Audit Committee held four meetings during 2020. The Audit Committee acts pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board, which is available in the “Investor Relations” section of our website at http://www.monolithicpower.com.  

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Compensation Committee. The Board has designated a Compensation Committee consisting of three members: Herbert Chang, Eugen Elmiger and Jeff Zhou. Mr. Zhou is the chairman of the Compensation Committee. This committee is responsible for providing oversight of our compensation policies, plans and benefits programs and assisting the Board in discharging its responsibilities relating to (a) oversight of the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, and (b) approving and evaluating the executive officer compensation plans, policies and programs of MPS. The Compensation Committee also assists the Board in administering our stock plans and employee stock purchase plan. In 2020, we expanded the role of the Compensation Committee to include the oversight of our ESG practices and compliance efforts with respect to executive compensation policies and programs. All members of the Compensation Committee are “independent” in accordance with the applicable listing standards of NASDAQ. The Compensation Committee held four meetings during 2020. The Compensation Committee acts pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board, which is available in the “Investor Relations” section of our website at http://www.monolithicpower.com.

Nominating Committee. The Board has designated a Nominating Committee consisting of two members: Herbert Chang and Eugen Elmiger.  Mr. Elmiger is the chairman of the Nominating Committee.  This committee is responsible for the development of general criteria regarding the qualifications and selection of Board members, recommending candidates for election to the Board, developing overall governance guidelines and overseeing the overall performance of the Board. In 2020, we expanded the role of the Nominating Committee to include the oversight of our ESG practices and compliance efforts with respect to human capital management, including company culture, talent development and diversity initiatives. All members of the Nominating Committee are “independent” in accordance with the applicable listing standards of NASDAQ. The Nominating Committee held four meetings in 2020. The Nominating Committee acts pursuant to a written charter adopted by the Board, which is available in the “Investor Relations” section of our website at http://www.monolithicpower.com.

The information contained on our website is not intended to be part of this Proxy Statement and is not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement.

 

Nomination Process

 

The Board has adopted guidelines for the identification, evaluation and nomination of candidates for director. The Nominating Committee considers the suitability of each candidate, including any candidates recommended by stockholders holding at least 5% of the outstanding shares of our voting securities continuously for at least 12 months prior to the date of the submission of the recommendation for nomination. If the NominatingNCG Committee wishes to identify new independent director candidates for Board membership, it is authorized to retain and approve fees of third party executivethird-party search firms to help identify prospective director nominees.  It is the practice of the Board that our Lead Independent Director interviews each Board candidate.

 

In April 2018, in response to stockholders’ feedback, the Board considered and adopted an amendment to the Nominating Committee Charter (available in the “Investor Relations” section of our website at http://www.monolithicpower.com) on the evaluation of prospective candidates. In addition to the minimum qualifications the NominatingNCG Committee has established for director nominees, the NominatingNCG Committee will also considerconsiders whether thea prospective nominee will foster a diversity of genders, races, backgrounds, skills, perspectives and experiences in the process of its evaluation of each prospective nominee. As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, the NCG Committee charter requires that women and minority candidates be included in the initial pool from which the NCG Committee selects prospective candidates.

The NominatingNCG Committee also focuses on skills, expertise or background that would complement the existing Board, recognizing that our businesses and operations are diverse and global in nature. While there are no specific minimum qualifications for director nominees, the ideal candidate should (a) exhibit independence, integrity, and qualifications that will increase overall Board effectiveness, and (b) meet other requirements as may be required by applicable rules, such as financial literacy or expertise for audit committee members.

The Nominatingpolicy of the NCG Committee is to consider properly submitted stockholder nominations for candidates to serve on the Board. Stockholders who wish to nominate a candidate for election to the Board, including nominations using proxy access, must comply with the procedures set forth in our Bylaws. Refer to “Procedure for Submitting Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations” for further details.

The NCG Committee uses the same process for evaluating all nominees, regardless of the original source of the nomination.  After completing its review and evaluation of director candidates, the NominatingNCG Committee recommends to the Board the director nominees for selection. 

A stockholder that desires to recommend a candidate for election to the Board should direct such recommendation in writing to Monolithic Power Systems, Inc., 5808 Lake Washington Boulevard NE, Kirkland, Washington 98033, Attention: Corporate Secretary, and must include the candidate’s name, home and business contact information, detailed biographical data and qualifications, information regarding any relationships between the candidate and us within the last three years and evidence of the nominating person’s ownership of our stock.  Such stockholder nomination must be made pursuant to the notice provisions set forth in our Bylaws and for each proposed nominee who is not an incumbent director, the stockholder’s notice must set forth all of the information regarding such nominating person and proposed nominee set forth in our Bylaws.

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Stockholder Communications

 

The Board has approved a Stockholder Communication Policy to provide a process by which stockholders may communicate directly with the Board or one or more of its members. You may contact any of our directors by writing to them at c/o Monolithic Power Systems, Inc., 5808 Lake Washington Boulevard NE, Kirkland, Washington 98033, Attention: Corporate Secretary. using the following methods:

By e-mail:

corporate.secretary@monolithicpower.com

By mail:

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

Attn: Corporate Secretary

5808 Lake Washington Blvd. NE

Kirkland, WA 98033

Any stockholder communications thatto the Board is to receive will first go to the Corporate Secretary, who will log the date of receipt of the communication as well as the identity of the correspondent in our stockholder communications log. The Corporate Secretary will review, summarize and, if appropriate, draft a response to the communication in a timely manner. The Corporate Secretary will then forward copies of the stockholder communication to the Board member(s) (or specific Board member(s) if the communication is so addressed) for review, provided that such correspondence concerns the functions of the Board or its committees, or otherwise requires the attention of the Board or its members.

 

Attendance at Annual Meetings of Stockholders by the Board of Directors

 

We do not have a formal policy regarding attendance by members of the Board at our annual meetings of stockholders. In 2020, no2023, three Board members attended the Annual Meeting.

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Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

 

We have adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, which is applicable to our directors and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller or persons performing similar functions. The Code of Ethics and Business Conduct is available in the “InvestorInvestor Relations – Corporate Governance” section of our website at http://www.monolithicpower.com. We will disclose on our website any amendment to the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, as well as any waivers of the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, that are required to be disclosed by the rules of the SEC or NASDAQ. 

 

Policy on Hedging and Other Transactions

 

We have adopted a policy that prohibits our directors, officers (including our NEOs)named executive officers), and other employees from engaging in hedging or monetization transactions with respect to our stock that they obtained through our plans or otherwise, without prior approval by our Chief Compliance Officer. We also prohibit our directors and officers including(including our NEOs,named executive officers) from engaging in any short sales of our stock. In addition, our directors and officers are prohibited at all times from holding our stock in a margin account and from pledging our stock as collateral.

 

Director Voting Policy

 

The Board has adopted a director voting policy, which can be found in the “InvestorInvestor Relations Corporate Governance” Governancesection of our website at http://www.monolithicpower.com. The policy establishes that any director nominee who receives more “Withheld” votes than “For” votes in an uncontested election held in an annual meeting of stockholders shall promptly tender his or her resignation. The independentdisinterested directors of the Board will then evaluate the relevant facts and circumstances and make a decision, within 90 days after the election, on whether to accept the tendered resignation. The Board will promptly publicly disclose its decision and, if applicable, the reasons for rejecting the tendered resignation.

 

Director Time Commitment Policy

In April 2024, the Board adopted a director time commitment policy, which can be found in the “Investor Relations Corporate Governancesection of our website at http://www.monolithicpower.com. Directors are expected to devote the time and attention necessary to fully discharge their responsibilities as members of the Board and on each committee on which they serve. The policy also sets the following guidelines on public company board seats our directors can serve on:

No director may serve on more than five public company boards (including the Board);
No director who is an executive officer of a public company may serve on more than two public company boards (including the Board); and

No director who is a chair of a public company board may serve on more than three public company boards (including the Board).

The policy is subject to a waiver of such restrictions by a majority of non-affected members of the Board.

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19

 

20202023 Director Compensation

 

Analysis of 20202023 Compensation Elements

 

For 2020,2023, the Board engaged Radford, an independent compensation consultant, to review our non-employee director compensation. In its analysis, Radford gathered market data relating to the sizeamount and type of compensation paid by our industry peer group for 20202023 (see the sectionNamed Executive Officer Compensation Peer Group and Use of Peer Data for 2020” for more information on the selection of the peer group). Based on its review of the results of this market review and recommendations by Radford, the Board approved the following changes to the compensation program for our non-employee directors for services renderedservice in 2020:2023:

 

Fee Description

 

FY 2020 ($)

 

FY 2019 ($)

 

Change ($)

  

FY 2023 ($)

  

FY 2022 ($)

  

Change

 

Annual Board retainer fee

  70,000  50,000  20,000  75,000  75,000  0%

Lead Independent Director fee

  20,000  18,000  2,000  40,000  40,000  0%

Compensation Committee chairperson fee

  20,000  18,000  2,000  20,000  20,000  0%

Compensation Committee membership fee (excluding chairperson)

  10,000  8,000  2,000  10,000  10,000  0%

Nominating Committee chairperson fee

  15,000  13,500  1,500 

Nominating Committee membership fee (excluding chairperson)

  7,500  6,000  1,500 

NCG Committee chairperson fee

 15,000  15,000  0%

NCG Committee membership fee (excluding chairperson)

 7,500  7,500  0%

Audit Committee chairperson fee

  30,000  25,000  5,000  30,000  30,000  0%

Audit Committee membership fee (excluding chairperson)

  15,000  10,500  4,500  15,000  15,000  0%

Restricted stock unit (“RSU”) grant value to new directors

  200,000  175,000  25,000 

Annual RSU grant value to incumbent directors

  200,000  175,000  25,000 

Restricted stock unit (“RSU”) grant to new directors

 220,000  220,000  0%

Annual RSU grant to incumbent directors

 220,000  220,000  0%

 

The initial grant of RSUs to new directors vests as to 50% of the underlying shares of Common Stock on each of the first and second anniversaries of the date of grant. The annual grant of RSUs to incumbent directors vests as to 100% of the underlying shares of Common Stock on the first anniversary of the date of the grant. All awards will become fully vested in the event of a change in control.

 

All of our non-employee directors are subject to stock ownership guidelines that are described below in the section Named Executive Officer Compensation Compensation Discussion and Analysis Stock Ownership Guidelines.

 

The following table sets forth the total compensation for each non-employee director for services rendered in 2020.2023. Mr. Hsing, who is our employee, does not receive additional compensation for his services as a director. Mr. Hsing’s compensation as a named executive officer is reflected in the sectionNamed Executive Officer Compensation 2020- 2023 Summary Compensation Table.

 

Name

 

Fees Earned or

Paid in Cash ($)

  

Stock Awards ($)(1)

  

Total ($)

  

Fees Earned or

Paid in Cash ($)

  

Stock Awards ($)(1)

  

Total ($)

 

Herbert Chang

  122,500   200,000   322,500  140,000  220,000  360,000 

Eugen Elmiger

  95,000   200,000   295,000  100,000  220,000  320,000 

Victor K. Lee

  100,000   200,000   300,000  105,000  220,000  325,000 

Carintia Martinez

 82,500  220,000  302,500 

James C. Moyer

  70,000   200,000   270,000  75,000  220,000  295,000 

Eileen Wynne

 75,000  220,000  295,000 

Jeff Zhou

  105,000   200,000   305,000  110,000  220,000  330,000 

 


(1)

Reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of the awardsRSUs granted to each director in 2020,2023, computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 718, which718. The grant date fair value was calculated using the closing price of our Common Stock on February 12, 2020,7, 2023, the date of grant for such awards. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 1 and Note 87 to the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020,2023, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2021.February 29, 2024 (the “2023 Annual Report”).

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The following table summarizes the number of shares of our Common Stock that are subject to unvested RSU awards held by each of the non-employee directors as of December 31, 2020:2023. There were no outstanding stock option awards as of December 31, 2023.

 

Name

 

Stock Awards (#)

 

Herbert Chang

  1,048470 

Eugen Elmiger

  1,048470 

Victor K. Lee

  1,048470

Carintia Martinez

470 

James C. Moyer

  1,048470

Eileen Wynne

470 

Jeff Zhou

  1,048470 

 

1821

 

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

 

Since MPS was founded in 1997, one of our core values has been to run a responsible and responsive business for the long term. We believe that positive ESG business practices strengthen our company and foster strong relationships with our stockholders, employees, business partners and communities where we operate. We are committed to making our workforce diverse, our business sustainable and our stakeholders engaged by maintaining strong ESG practices and policies.

ESG Oversight

We believe that effective oversight is essential to ensure our ESG practices and policies someare aligned with our business strategy and serve the long-term interests of which are highlighted below:our stockholders and other stakeholders. Our Board is actively engaged on ESG matters and has the ultimate responsibility on the oversight, management and implementation of our ESG program. In its oversight role, our Board primarily focuses on:

 

Assessing ESG risks and opportunities and the impact of our strategy on our business and operations.

Setting measurable and rigorous goals, monitoring progress and reviewing status reports.

Establishing management accountability for ESG performance.

Reviewing our reporting processes and controls.

Overseeing our engagement and communications strategy with our stockholders and other stakeholders.

Our Board has assigned oversight responsibilities of our ESG compliance efforts to its committees, and receives reports and updates from each committee on a quarterly basis:

EnvironmentalNCG Committee

  ●

Provides oversight of overall strategy, performance and risk assessments related to our ESG program, including environmental and social initiatives, cybersecurity and corporate governance matters.

Compensation Committee

Establishes executive accountability through compensation policies and programs, and oversees human capital management.

Audit Committee

Oversees reporting, internal controls and disclosure requirements pursuant to regulatory standards.

Our ESG Steering Committee is responsible for the day-to-day management of our ESG program and consists of a cross-functional group that includes two senior executives and leaders from Legal and Compliance, Information Technology, Facilities, Operations, Procurement, Quality Assurance, Product Line, Human Resources, Finance, Supply Chain Management, and Environmental, Health and Safety. Under the supervision of the Board committees, the ESG Steering Committee’s primary role is to: (a) manage the execution of our corporate strategy relating to ESG, (b) develop and implement initiatives and policies, (c) drive ESG performance, (d) oversee communications with employees, customers, suppliers, regulators and other stakeholders, and (e) monitor and assess regulatory developments and trends relating to ESG. On a quarterly basis, each Board committee receives updates from the ESG Steering Committee. These updates provide the Board committees with the opportunities to evaluate our ESG priorities, performance against our goals, and regulatory requirements.

ESG Initiative Highlights

For a complete description of our ESG priorities, initiatives and reduction goals, please refer to our Corporate Responsibility Report, which is available on our website at https://www.monolithicpower.com/en/about-mps/investor-relations/esg-report.html. The information contained in our Corporate Responsibility Report and on our website is not intended to be part of this Proxy Statement and is not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement.

Environmental Sustainability

Pursuant to our Environmental and Climate Change Policy, we seek to responsibly protect the environment and conserve natural resources by implementing sustainability programs and solutions, engaging partners across our value chain, and setting ambitious goals that we believe will help minimize the environmental impacts from our products and operations.

Carbon Footprint

In 2017, we began trackingMay 2023, the Board set a long-term goal to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and submitting annual Carbon Disclosure Project reports for our largest facility in Chengdu, China. From 2017 to 2019, while the production volume at our Chengdu facility increased, Scope 1 GHG emissions produced at this location and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions fromby 40% by 2030, against the 2022 baseline of 29,402 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Our Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions inventory, which is determined using the operational control approach under the GHG Protocol, covers all global operations and has been verified by an independent GHG data assurance firm. We plan to achieve the 40% reduction target by implementing the following initiatives, among others: (a) powering our use of purchasedoperations with renewable electricity, increased at a slower rate.

  ●We are ISO 14001 certified(b) adopting measures to reduce refrigerant emissions in our facilities, primarily in air conditioning and heating systems, and (c) completing other energy-efficient projects.  In 2023, we regularly auditreduced our key manufacturing suppliers’ wafer fabricationScope 1 and assembly facilitiesScope 2 GHG emissions by 8% compared to evaluate and confirm that their social responsibility practices and environmental systems comply with important industry standards.
  ●Our products are shipped in compliance with European RoHS (“Restriction of Hazardous Substances”) legislation and exclude banned substances.
  ●At our largest U.S. facility in San Jose, California, we installed 30,000 square feet of solar panels. the 2022 baseline.

In addition, we installed over 26 EV charging stations in San Jose, California and atare developing our corporate headquarters in Kirkland, Washington. We continue to identify other opportunities to implement additional renewable energy projects for our global facilities.

  ●

In 2021, wevalue chain outreach plan to establish, developassess our Scope 3 emissions baseline and implement a long-term environmental and climate change policy that focuses on hazardous material waste management, greenhouse gas emission, and energy consumption.

reduction goals.

Social  ●We participate in the Equal Employment Opportunity-1 (“EEO-1”) survey each year.  As of December 31, 2020, women in engineering/technical and managerial/ supervisor roles comprised approximately 22% and 22%, respectively, of our worldwide workforce, and held approximately 57% of total non-technical roles at MPS. We employ women engineers and technologists at a similar rate as our peers in the semiconductor industry. We continually recruit new talent from a diverse candidate pool.
  ●Our Conflict Minerals Policy prohibits the use of cobalt and other conflict minerals originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo or adjoining countries. We require this same certification from all our key manufacturing suppliers.
  ●Our Worker Health and Safety Plan is certified to ISO 45001 standards.
  ●In 2020, we established the MPS charitable foundation with the mission to give back to our communities by supporting many non-profit organizations.
  ●Our key manufacturing suppliers are required to sign our Vendor Code of Conduct to certify their compliance with our high standards for conduct. We perform routine audits to ensure their compliance to these standards.

Governance  ●Our Board is committed to strong independent oversight, with a robust Lead Independent Director role. Other than our CEO, all of our directors are independent.
  ●We have regular executive sessions of independent directors.
  ●All independent directors have access to management.
  ●Our Board committees have the authority to retain outside advisors.
  ●We review the Board leadership structure annually and believe it best aligns the interests of MPS and our stockholders.

 

1922

 

Renewable Energy

Our goal is to increase renewable energy sources as part of our GHG emissions reduction strategy. We will continue to procure reliable energy supplies, including renewable resources where available, that are cost-effective and align with our business needs and environmental objectives. In May 2023, the Board set a long-term goal to power our global operations with a minimum 75% renewable electricity by 2026.  At the end of 2023, our global operations were powered by 20% renewable electricity.

Waste

We continue to look for opportunities to minimize waste generation, most of which is produced at our testing facilities. In 2023, 81% of our waste from global operations was recycled or composted. Hazardous waste represents a small fraction of our overall waste, and we are focused on managing our hazardous waste by working closely with our vendors to identify and implement additional recycling programs.

Product Design

Our products play a critical role in powering data center infrastructure. In our product design, we focus on features that deliver new capabilities while improving performance and energy efficiency. As a result of increasingly intensive computing applications such as artificial intelligence, customers are looking for sustainable solutions that maximize power density in data centers. Using our proprietary power conversion technology, we are developing power modules with higher power density per rack that will decrease the physical footprint on the motherboards. This power density improvement will enable more computing power in less space, which will result in energy savings in data centers.

Sustainable Operations

As part of our goal to achieve sustainable, energy-efficient operations, we have implemented various green technologies in our facilities, including solar panels and electric vehicle (“EV”) charging stations. Globally, we have installed 33,500 square feet of solar panels, which generated close to 637 MWh of electricity, with 158 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent savings in 2023. We have a director voting policy that provides that any director nominee who receives more “Withheld” votes than “For” votesalso installed 86 EV charging stations in various locations, available free of charge to employees.

Environmental Management System

We utilize an uncontested election held in an annual meeting of stockholdersEnvironmental Management System (“EMS”) to achieve our environmental goals by establishing objectives, processes and procedures to minimize negative environmental effects, enhance resource efficiency, comply with regulatory requirements, and promote sustainable practices throughout our value chain. Our EMS is required to promptly tender his or her resignation.

  ●We have a clawback policy.
  ●We have stock ownership guidelines for our NEOs and directors.
  ●Our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct is consistentcompliant with the principles promotedISO 14001 standard.

Social

Through our social initiatives, we aim to give back to our local communities and maintain a workplace that values diverse backgrounds, a healthy and safe environment, innovative thinking and professional growth. In addition, we conduct our business in a manner that respects the rights and dignity of all people, and we expect our business partners to uphold these principles as well.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Under our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy, our mission is to create an inclusive workplace that supports all employees. We provide unconscious bias trainings for managers and human resources employees administered by independent third parties to ensure that we promote an environment of inclusivity. In our most recent pulse surveys, 90% of our employees said they were valued and treated with respect.

We file our EEO-1 report each year and publish the Responsible Business Alliance emphasizing compliance, transparency, whistleblower protectiondata publicly. In 2023, women made up approximately 41% of our worldwide workforce. In the U.S., employees belonging to minority groups accounted for 69% of our workforce. We continue to recruit new talent through various university recruitment programs and avoidanceemployment websites focusing on underrepresented minority groups.

23

As part of anyour commitment to diversity and inclusion, our NCG Committee charter requires women and minorities to be included in the initial pool of candidates when selecting new director nominees.

Training and Development

We encourage our employees to learn, innovate and grow their careers by providing them with access to various learning tools and resources to develop their business practicesskills and knowledge. As part of our efforts to invest in employee growth and development, we launched an online learning management system, Cornerstone, in 2023 that could contribute to corruption, bribery or conflictsoffers a comprehensive library of interest.training courses on topics including business and leadership, career and technical skill development, ethical standards, health and safety, cybersecurity, diversity and inclusion, human rights and compliance.

  ●Our

Human Rights

Under our Code of Social Responsibility, outlineswe adhere to the standards to ensure safe working conditions, an environmentestablished in the Universal Declaration of respect, fairnessHuman Rights and dignity for allstrictly prohibit human trafficking and the use of forced, slave or child labor in any form. We expect our employees and responsible operations.business partners to abide by these principles. Under our Supplier Code of Conduct, which aligns with Responsible Business Alliance’s Code of Conduct, we require our suppliers to maintain sound business ethics and labor practices that are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Failure by any of our suppliers to comply with our Supplier Code of Conduct may result in termination of our business relationship with such supplier.

  ●

Our Communities

We promote Board diversitybelieve in being an active corporate citizen and making a positive impact on communities where we do business. Through the MPS Foundation, we are committed to appointing onesupporting non-profit organizations that focus on academic research, environmental stewardship, performing arts, healthcare, food banks, youth programs, and educational and career opportunities for underrepresented groups with monetary contributions or investments. In 2023, we contributed $10.9 million to the MPS Foundation, which has donated to organizations including University of Washington, University of Florida, Forterra, Healthier Kids Foundation, Seattle Symphony, and Virginia Mason Foundation.

Governance

Our overall governance framework is designed to promote strong oversight, create Board and management accountability, protect the rights of stockholders, and demonstrate our commitment to transparency, independence and diversity. We believe that strong corporate governance is important for our long-term success and ensures that we manage ESG risks effectively while achieving our sustainability and social priorities.​

Board Diversity and Refreshment

Our Board consists of members with a wide variety of skills, industry experiences and backgrounds. We believe a diverse, balanced and cohesive Board is critical in facilitating strong oversight, fostering diverse and new perspectives, as well as supporting the achievement of MPS’s long-term objectives. In 2023, after conducting a rigorous search, the Board appointed an additional female Board member, beforeMs. Eileen Wynne, who brings to the endBoard a diverse background with more than 20 years of 2021.

  ●

We are committed to stockholder engagement. In 2020, we engagedfinance, accounting, operational and risk management experience in discussions with the majoritysemiconductor industry.

Currently, five of our stockholders.

eight directors are ethnically diverse, and two directors are female. In addition, 25% of our directors were first appointed within the past three years. 

 

2020 HighlightsStockholder Engagement

 

b01.jpg

Strengthening the Boards Role

An increasing focusDuring 2023, we continued our practice of proactive stockholder engagement regarding important matters including executive compensation, ESG and governance topics. Our management team, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel, and our Compensation Committee Chair extended invitations to our largest institutional stockholders and had the opportunity to engage with stockholders representing approximately 50% of our total shares outstanding as of the Board is the oversight ofRecord Date. Subsequent to these meetings, our ongoing ESG efforts and their impact on our business, key stakeholders and communities. In 2020, our Board amended the Compensation Committee Charter and the Nominating Committee Charter to reflect their continued commitment to proactively guide our ESG compliance efforts and practices:

Compensation Committee Charter

  ●

Review and discuss with management our practices with respect to ESG matters.

Nominating Committee Charter

  ●

Review and discuss with management our practices with respect to human capital management, including company culture, talent development, and diversity and inclusion programs and initiatives.

On a periodic basis,management team, the Board and each committee will provide oversight of management’s ESG compliance efforts by focusing primarily onits committees thoughtfully evaluated information gathered from our engagement process, together with feedback and input from our independent compensation consultant, when making decisions for the following areas:

Assessing risks and opportunities and their impact on our operations;

Setting measurable company goals, monitoring progress and reviewing status reports;

Aligning executive compensation with rigorous performance goals tied to ESG initiatives and metrics;

Evaluating management’s ongoing engagement and communications with our stockholders and other key stakeholders; and

Ensuring ESG policies and practices align with our overall business strategies.

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Increasing ESG-Related Disclosures

As part of our commitment to transparent disclosures on our ESG efforts, we launched an ESG website under the Investors Relations page on our corporate website in 2020. The ESG website provides important information regarding our values, policies and practices in one centralized location. In addition, the website also highlights new initiatives that are relevant and important to our business, and significant progress we have made towards reaching those goals. We encourage you to visit and explore the website at https://www.monolithicpower.com/about-mps/investor-relations/esg-report.html.

We also plan to provide our stockholders an annual update in our proxy statements of our ESG-related initiatives, progress, accomplishment and goals.

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Giving Back and Supporting Our Communities

We believe in being an active corporate citizen and making a positive impact on communities where we do business. To undertake our philanthropic duties, we launched the MPS Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, in 2020. The mission of this philanthropic arm is to foster and increase the resources of local communities by supporting non-profit organizations that focus on areas such as education, arts, healthcare, food banks and youth programs with monetary contributions or investments. In 2020, we donated approximately $300,000 to organizations including Virginia Mason Hospital, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Palo Alto Medical Foundation. In addition, we pledged $500,000 to the MPS Charitable Foundation.next 12 months.

 

2024

 

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Combating COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, as part ofThe following table summarizes the changes we have implemented, based on the key issues raised by our efforts to help combat the pandemic and provide the needed resources to the medical community, our engineering team assembled an emergency ventilator inspired by the open-source MIT design to aid in the fight against the pandemic. We applied our expertise in power management and motor controls toward a solution that can safely and easily automate a manual resuscitator when a full ICU ventilator may not be available.

Goals for 2021 and Beyondstockholders:

 

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What We Heard from Stockholders

Focus on Board DiversityHow We Responded

We believe diversity drives innovation and is key to our success. Currently, the Board consists of members with a wide variety of skills, industry experiences and backgrounds. We are committed to diversity and inclusion at every level of MPS, including the Board. Our Nominating Committee has been actively recruiting a female Board member, with the assistance of the full Board, our management team and a retained search firm. We believe a diverse, balanced and cohesive Board is critical in facilitating strong oversight, as well as supporting the achievement of MPS’s objectives, including its strategic priorities to improve long-term operational and financial performance and enhance stockholder interests. Our philosophy ensures each Board member’s individual interests are represented and their perspectives and opinions are valued. To accomplish this goal, the Board believes it is important to conduct in-person meetings (in addition to virtual meetings) in order to have the necessary interactions to evaluate the candidates, review their qualifications thoroughly, build trust and develop a strong relationship with existing Board members. This important process has been made more challenging by the COVID-19 pandemic, as the majority of candidates considered to date and many of our Board members are located in Asia and Europe where there are strict travel restrictions and shelter-in-place orders. We recognize the importance of moving the recruiting process forward and are taking practical steps to reach the final stage. The Board is fully committed to completing its search to appoint one female Board member before the end of 2021.

ESG

We should establish clear commitments to addressing climate risks and setting rigorous sustainability goals, and greater link between executive compensation and achievement of ESG goals.

We made significant progress related to our ESG program in 2023. We completed our Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions inventory and set goals to reduce our GHG emissions by 40% by 2030 and power our operations with at least 75% renewable electricity by 2026.

 

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Commitment to Environmental Initiatives

We take environmental stewardship seriously, and the Board recognizes the opportunities and importance of implementing measures to reduce our overall impact on the environment. In February 2021, as part of our commitment to promoting environmental sustainability, the Compensation Committee implemented changes to our executive equity compensation program to include long-term performance conditions with a three-year performance period that are tied directly to the following environmental metrics:

 

Establish anIn February 2024, the Compensation Committee established accountability by linking a portion of the executive equity compensation to the achievement of the following environmental goals by 2026:

(1)  Reduce GHG emissions by 25%;

(2)  Generate more than one-third of our automotive revenue from EV automakers; and

(3)  Grow revenue from products enabling EV powertrains and climate change policy that identifies key areas for improvement with respect48V systems to environmental matters affecting our business. These objectives will primarily include hazardous material waste management, greenhouse gas emission, and energy consumption (collectively, the “Main Objectives”).200% compared to 2023.

 Investors would like to implement these additional ESG goals without changes to the revenue-based goal. 

Corporate Governance

EstablishThe Board should continue to establish policies and practices that will help promote the Board’s dynamics and effectiveness, evaluate its performance and identify areas of improvement.

In 2023, the Board established an environmental, health, safetyadvisory board to assist us in various areas of our business and sustainability task force and completesto recommend potential candidates to join the Board over time.

In February 2024, the Board conducted an investigationannual self-assessment of the existing baselineperformance of each individual director, and the performance of the Main Objectives.

Board and each committee.

 

Establish

In April 2024, the Board adopted a long-term improvement plan, including setting specific targets for reduction, for eachpolicy regarding director time commitment to ensure that directors devote the time and attention necessary to fully discharge their responsibilities as members of the Main Objectives.Board and on each committee on which they serve.
Executive CompensationFor equity awards, performance periods of less than three years may fail to sufficiently incentivize long-term thinking among executives.In February 2023, the Compensation Committee extended the performance period of the equity awards granted to our executives from two years to three years.

Our peer group should consist of similar companies by market capitalization.

The Compensation Committee evaluated the peer group composition criteria and removed certain semiconductor companies with a market capitalization greater than $100 billion from the peer group for 2024.

Investors disfavor mid-cycle adjustments to performance metrics.The Compensation Committee recognized that the changes in 2023 was a one-time event in order to make the performance conditions more rigorous due to macroeconomic conditions. In general, the Compensation Committee does not make mid-cycle changes but for extraordinary circumstances.
The target opportunity for the short-term incentive program is relatively high compared to peers.With inputs from our independent compensation consultant, the Compensation Committee conducted a comprehensive review of the executive compensation program during our annual review cycle in February 2024 and lowered the target opportunity from 200% to 150% for the 2024 short-term cash incentive plan.

The Compensation Committee believes that incorporating key environmental sustainability initiatives into our annual incentive equity awards for the NEOs will help drive our efforts in these important areas of focus for MPS.

 

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PROPOSAL TWO

 

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Audit Committee of the Board has appointed Ernst & YoungEY as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2021.  Ernst & Young2024. EY has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since March 18, 2019. Prior to March 18, 2019, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte & Touche”) served as our independent registered public accounting firm.  

Representatives of Ernst & YoungEY are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions. Although ratification by stockholders is not required by law, the Board has determined that it is desirable to request ratification by the stockholders of this selection by the stockholders.selection. Notwithstanding its selection, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may appoint a new independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee believes that such a change would be in the best interest of us and our stockholders. If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young,EY, the Audit Committee may reconsider its selection. 

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNGEY AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2021.2024.

 

Audit and Other Fees

 

The following table summarizes the fees for services provided by Ernst & YoungEY for 20202023 and 20192022 (in thousands):

 

 

FY 2020

  

FY 2019

  

FY 2023 ($)

  

FY 2022 ($)

 

Audit fees

 $1,138  $1,099  2,239  1,825 

Audit-related fees

  10   -  34  - 

Tax fees

  5   5   6   6 

Total

 $1,153  $1,104   2,279   1,831 

 

Audit fees consist of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of the interim financial statements included in our quarterly reports and the audit of our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Audit fees also include services in connection with foreign statutory and regulatory filings, and audit and accounting matters that arise during, or as a result of, the audit or the review of interim financial statements, including the application of proposed accounting rules, statutory audits required by non-U.S. jurisdictions and the preparation of an annual “management letter” containing observations and discussions on internal control matters. 

 

Audit-related fees represent assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements and are not reported under "Audit“Audit Fees." These services include accounting consultations in connection with attestation services that are not required by statute or regulation, and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.

 

Tax fees represent professional services for federal, state and international tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

 

Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services

 

The charter of our Audit Committee requires that the Audit Committee pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm or subsequently approve non-audit services in those circumstances where a subsequent approval is necessary and permissible.firm. All such services for 20202023 and 20192022 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee. 

 

Change in Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

As previously reported in our Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Current Report”) dated March 22, 2019, following a comprehensive process, the Audit Committee dismissed Deloitte & Touche as our independent registered public accounting firm on March 18, 2019.

22

Deloitte & Touche’s reports on our consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. In addition, the audit reports of Deloitte & Touche on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 did not contain any adverse opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

During the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and the subsequent interim period through March 18, 2019, there were (i) no “disagreements” as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K, between us and Deloitte & Touche on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Deloitte & Touche, would have caused Deloitte & Touche to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in their reports, and (ii) no “reportable events” as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

We provided Deloitte & Touche with a copy of the disclosures made in the Current Report. In addition, we requested that Deloitte & Touche furnish a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agreed with the statements made in the Current Report. A copy of Deloitte & Touche’s letter dated March 22, 2019 was attached as Exhibit 16.1 to the Current Report.

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and the subsequent interim period through March 18, 2019, neither we nor anyone acting on our behalf has consulted with Ernst & Young with respect to (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to us that Ernst & Young concluded was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement” or “reportable event” as those terms are defined in Item 304(a)(1) of Regulation S-K.

2326

 

PROPOSAL THREE

 

ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

 

As required under Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act, of 1934, we are asking stockholders to again cast an advisory (non-binding) vote on the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

 

RESOLVED, that, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers, as disclosed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and related narratives and descriptions of this Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting, is hereby APPROVED.

 

This advisory vote, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” vote, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views about the compensation we paid to our named executive officers, in the prior year, as described in this Proxy Statement.  Before stockholders vote on this proposal, they should review the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this Proxy Statement and the tabular and narrative disclosure that follows it. We currently conduct say-on-pay votes every year. TheTherefore, the next say-on-pay vote is expected to occur at the 20222025 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

We are committed to responsible compensation practices and structures. As described more fully in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement, the primary goal of our executive compensation program is the same as our goal for operating MPS — to create long-term value for our stockholders. To achieve this goal, we have regularly sought out the feedback of our major stockholders over the past several years to hear their suggestions on how we can better achieve our primary compensation goal. After taking their feedback into consideration, we have continued to update our compensation program for our named executive officers, implementing those recommendations of our stockholders that the Compensation Committee believes will help us create long-term value for our stockholders. We believe these annual reviews of our programs, in coordination with our conversations with our stockholders, allow us to motivate and reward our executives for sustained financial and operating performance and leadership excellence, to align their interests with those of our stockholders, and to encourage them to remain with us for long and productive careers.

 

Stockholders may vote “for” or “against” the resolution or abstain from voting on the resolution.  The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote thereon which are present in person viaby virtual attendance at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers. The result of the say-on-pay vote will not be binding on us, the Board or the Compensation Committee. However, we value the views of the stockholders. The Board and the Compensation Committee will review the results of the vote and expect to take them into consideration in addressing future compensation policies and decisions.

 

FOR THESE REASONS, THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AS DISCLOSED IN THE COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, COMPENSATION TABLES AND RELATED NARRATIVES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING.

 

2427

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth, as of the Record Date, on April 19, 2021, information relating to the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock or securities exercisable for, or exchangeable into, our Common Stock by: (i) each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock, (ii) each director (or nominee), (iii) each of the named executive officers in the 20202023 Summary Compensation Table, and (iv) all directors and named executive officers as a group.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed below is Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. at 5808 Lake Washington Boulevard NE, Kirkland, WA 98033.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned (#)

  

Percent of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned (1)

 
         

Named Executive Officers and Directors:

        

Michael Hsing (2)

  530,451   1 %

James C. Moyer (3)

  304,664   1 %

Maurice Sciammas (4)

  76,504   * 

Deming Xiao (5)

  38,084   * 

Saria Tseng (6)

  30,158   * 

Bernie Blegen (7)

  41,252   * 

Herbert Chang (8)

  748   * 

Eugen Elmiger (9)

  19,518   * 

Victor K. Lee (10)

  28,872   * 

Jeff Zhou (11)

  11,509   * 

Total (12)

  1,081,760   2 %
         

5% Stockholders:

        

BlackRock, Inc. (13)

  6,314,697   14%

The Vanguard Group (14)

  4,770,876   10%

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned (#)

  

Percent of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned (1)

 
         

Named Executive Officers and Directors:

        

Michael Hsing (2)

  1,019,034   2.1% 

Bernie Blegen (3)

  79,573   * 

Deming Xiao (4)

  197,906   * 

Maurice Sciammas (5)

  206,952   * 

Saria Tseng (6)

  191,415   * 

Herbert Chang (7)

  793   * 

Eugen Elmiger (8)

  20,530   * 

Victor K. Lee (9)

  29,884   * 

Carintia Martinez (10)

  1,595   * 

James C. Moyer (11)

  49,565   * 

Eileen Wynne (12)

  235   * 

Jeff Zhou (13)

  5,921   * 

Total (14)

  1,803,403   3.7% 
         

5% Stockholders:

        

The Vanguard Group (15)

  5,464,066   11.2% 

BlackRock, Inc. (16)

  5,236,453   10.8% 

FMR LLC (17)

  2,528,118   5.2% 

 

*

* Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.

 


 

(1) 

Based on 45,737,00048,666,000 shares of our Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date on April 19, 2021.Date. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC.SEC rules. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage of ownership of that person, RSUs held by that person that are subject to release within 60 days of April 19, 2021the Record Date are considered to be outstanding and beneficially owned by such person. Those shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

 

 

(2) 

Includes (i) 330,479866,119 shares held of record by Michael Hsing, (ii) 133,040 shares held of record by Michael Hsing, Trustee of the Michael Hsing 2004 Trust, (iii) 21,500 shares held of record by the Hsing Family Foundation, (iv) 12,825 shares held of record by Michael Hsing, Trustee of the ZH Family Trust, and (v) 32,607(iv) 7,050 shares underlying RSUs scheduled to release within 60 days of April 19, 2021.the Record Date.

 

 

(3)

Includes (i) 232,84167,483 shares held of record by James C. Moyer, andBernie Blegen, (ii) 71,8235,331 shares held inof record by Bernie Blegen and Judy Blegen, Co-Trustees of the Moyer Family Revocable Trust.Trust FBO Sarah Blegen, (iii) 5,331 shares held of record by Bernie Blegen and Judy Blegen, Co-Trustees of the Trust FBO Theodore Blegen, and (iv) 1,428 shares underlying RSUs scheduled to release within 60 days of the Record Date.

 

 

(4) 

Includes (i) 47,166191,891 shares held of record by Deming Xiao, (ii) 455 shares owned by Julia Chu, Mr. Xiao’s wife, (iii) 3,391 shares held in the Christopher Xiao Trust, and (iv) 2,169 shares underlying RSUs scheduled to release within 60 days of the Record Date.

28

(5) 

Includes (i) 88,553 shares held of record by Maurice Sciammas, (ii) 5,44623,015 shares held of record by Maurice Sciammas and Christina Sciammas, Co-Trustees of the Sciammas Family Living Trust, (iii) 15,44915,014 shares held of record by Maurice Sciammas, Trustee of the Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts FBO of Oski Crew, (iv) 15,014 shares held of record by Christina Sciammas, Trustee of the Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts FBO of Oski Crew, (v) 26,992 shares held of record by Maurice Sciammas and Christina Sciammas, Co-Trustees of the Grantor Retained AnnuitySciammas Family Trust, (vi) 5,000 shares held of record by Maurice Sciammas, Trustee of the Clement Sciammas Family Trust, (vii) 31,195 shares held of record by Maurice Sciammas and/or Christina Sciammas, trustees of various other trusts, none of which holds more than 5,000 shares individually, and (iv) 8,443(viii) 2,169 shares underlying RSUs scheduled to release within 60 days of April 19, 2021.the Record Date.

 

25

 

(5) (6)

Includes (i) 29,186189,246 shares held of record by Deming Xiao,Saria Tseng, and (ii) 455 shares owned by Julia Chu, Mr. Xiao’s wife, and (iii) 8,4432,169 shares underlying RSUs scheduled to release within 60 days of April 19, 2021.the Record Date.

 

 

(6)(7) 

Includes (i) 21,715793 shares held of record by Saria Tseng,Herbert Chang.

(8)

Includes 20,530 shares held of record by Eugen Elmiger.

(9)

Includes 29,884 shares held of record by Victor K. Lee.

(10)

Includes 1,595 shares held of record by Carintia Martinez.

(11) 

Includes (i) 3,450 shares held of record by James C. Moyer, Trustee of the Moyer Family Revocable Trust, (ii) 33,731 shares held of record by James C. Moyer, Trustee of the JCM Management Trust, (iii) 8,384 shares held in a joint tenancy with rights of survivorship account, and (ii) 8,443(iv) 4,000 shares held in a trust.

(12)

Includes 235 shares held of record by Eileen Wynne.

(13) 

Includes 5,921 shares held of record by Jeff Zhou.

(14)

As a group, includes 14,985 shares underlying RSUs scheduled to release within 60 days of April 19, 2021.the Record Date.

 

 

(7)

Includes (i) 35,925 shares held of record by Bernie Blegen, and (ii) 5,327 shares underlying RSUs scheduled to release within 60 days of April 19, 2021.

(8) 

Includes 748 shares held of record by Herbert Chang.

(9) 

Includes 19,518 shares held of record by Eugen Elmiger.

(10) 

Includes 28,872 shares held of record by Victor K. Lee.

(11) 

Includes 11,509 shares held of record by Jeff Zhou.

(12)

As a group, includes 63,263 shares underlying RSUs scheduled to release within 60 days of April 19, 2021.

(13) (15)

Pursuant to a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 26, 2021, BlackRock, Inc. beneficially owns 6,314,697 shares, and has sole voting power over 5,911,993 shares and sole dispositive power over 6,314,697 shares. BlackRock, Inc. lists its address as 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055.

(14) 

Pursuant to a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on March 10, 2021,February 13, 2024, the Vanguard Group beneficially owns 4,770,8765,464,066 shares, and has shared voting power over 74,30261,891 shares, sole dispositive power over 4,613,2325,262,405 shares and shared dispositive power over 157,644201,661 shares. The Vanguard Group lists its address as 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, PA 19355.

(16) 

Pursuant to a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 24, 2024, BlackRock, Inc. beneficially owns 5,236,453 shares, and has sole voting power over 4,925,306 shares and sole dispositive power over 5,236,453 shares. BlackRock, Inc. lists its address as 50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001.

(17) 

Pursuant to a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 9, 2024, FMR LLC beneficially owns 2,528,118 shares, and has sole voting power over 2,416,006 shares and sole dispositive power over 2,528,118 shares. FMR LLC lists its address as 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 

We have a written policy on related party transactions, as defined in our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and the Audit Committee Charter. In accordance with our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, it is the responsibility of our employees and directors to disclose any significant financial interest in a transaction between us and a third party, including an indirect interest, through, for example, a relative or significant other. It is also the responsibility of our Audit Committee, as described in the Audit Committee Charter, to review on an ongoing basis all related party transactions and approve these transactions before they are entered into.

 

In November 2020,, with the approval of the Board, we made a CHF 3,000,000 equity investment (or $3,300,000 on the acquisition date) in a privately held Swiss company (the “Investee”) specializing in mobile robotics for industrial applications. The investment representsrepresented a 5% equity interest in the Investee on a fully diluted basis. Both Mr. Elmiger and Mr. Hsing abstained from votingIn 2022, we made a CHF 2,000,000 investment (or $2,100,000 on the transaction.acquisition date) in a convertible loan that would convert into additional shares of the Investee. Mr. Elmiger is an executive officer of a company that has a commercial relationship with the Investee, and Mr. Hsing had previouslypersonally invested CHF 2,700,000 in the Investee. In addition, Mr. Hsing served on the Investee’s board of directors. In 2023, we sold all our investments in the Investee for $7.4 million and recorded a gain of $1.4 million. Subsequent to the sale, we no longer have any business or financial relationships with the Investee.

 

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29

 

NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes our compensation philosophy and programs, compensation decisions made under those programs, and factors considered in making these decisions for our “named executive officers” (“NEOs”) who, for 2020,2023, were:

 

 

Michael Hsing, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board;Board, President and Chief Executive Officer;

 

 

Bernie Blegen, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer;

 

 

Deming Xiao, Executive Vice President, of AsiaGlobal Operations;

 

 

Maurice Sciammas, SeniorExecutive Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing; and

 

 

Saria Tseng, Executive Vice President, Strategic Corporate Development, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.

 

For further information regarding each NEO’s professional background, please refer to the section Information About Executive Officers” under Item 1 of our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2021.Report.

 

Executive Summary

 

Impact of COVID-19Financial and Business Performance Highlights:

 

ThroughoutThe Compensation Committee has focused our executives on accountability in revenue, operating income and earnings, as well as maximizing stockholder return through the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, management’s primary focus was to continue to execute MPS’s business plan and mitigate the effect of the pandemic on our financial position and business operations. The Board and its committees received regular updates from management on our pandemic response and closely monitored our efforts to follow governmental guidelines and ensure the safetystructure of our employees, suppliers and customers. Since March 2020, our employees inexecutive compensation program. In 2023, despite the United States and certain international locations have been working remotely, and we have temporarily prohibited most business travel. Despite the challenges of the pandemic and an uncertain economy, demand for our products continued to grow, and weglobal economic uncertainty, MPS achieved record revenue andof $1.8 billion. This was our 12th consecutive year of revenue growth.

Our revenue grew 1.5% from the prior year, compared with the analog industry’s 9% decrease reported by the Semiconductor Industry Association (“SIA”). Our financial results in 2020. Performance targets under our executive compensation program were established by the Compensation Committee in February 2020,are summarized as follows (in millions, except per-share amounts and no downward adjustments to these performance targets were made due to the pandemic.percentages):

 

  

GAAP

  

Non-GAAP (1)

 
  

FY 2023 ($)

  

FY 2022 ($)

  

Change

  

FY 2023 ($)

  

FY 2022 ($)

  

Change

 

Revenue

  1,821.1   1,794.1   1.5%  1,821.1   1,794.1   1.5%

Operating income

  481.7   526.8   (8.6)%  641.1   680.9   (5.8)%

Net income

  427.4   437.7   (2.4)%  574.6   599.9   (4.2)%

Diluted EPS

  8.76   9.05   (3.2)%  11.78   12.41   (5.1)%


(1)

The reconciliation of the GAAP financial measures to the non-GAAP financial measures and related disclosures are provided in Annexure A.

In 2023, we continued to execute our long-term strategy by bringing innovative new products to market, expanding design wins across our broad base of customers and diversifying our operations, some of which are highlighted below:

Our integrated power management solutions for artificial intelligence enabled our customers to unlock previously untapped opportunities for innovation and growth.

We created new automotive content, powering the ramp of autonomous driving, the digital cockpit and lighting systems for both conventional and electric vehicles.

We continued to diversify our global research and development footprint with further expansion of our engineering centers in Europe and Taiwan.

We continued to diversify our global manufacturing footprint with the qualification of multiple new fabs and packaging partners in Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.

30

Cash Dividends and Stock Repurchases:

Due to our continued strong performance, we have increased the amount of our dividends paid to stockholders over the last few years. The following table summarizes our cash dividend payments to our stockholders in the past three years (in thousands, except per-share amounts):

  

FY 2023 ($)

  

FY 2022 ($)

  

FY 2021 ($)

 

Dividend per share

  4.00   3.00   2.40 

Total cash dividend payments

  190,642   140,337   110,206 

In February 2024, the Board approved an increase in our quarterly cash dividends to $1.25 per share.

In October 2023, the Board approved a stock repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase up to $640 million in the aggregate of our Common Stock through October 2026. We repurchased approximately 7,000 shares of our Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $3.7 million in 2023.

Total Stockholder Return (“TSR”):

Our one-year and three-year TSR outperformed our peer group, the PHLX Semiconductor Sector Index (the “PHLX Index”) and the S&P 500 Index:

graph01.jpg


(1)

Represents our 2023 peer group approved by the Compensation Committee. See “Peer Group and Use of Peer Data” for further discussion.

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Market Capitalization:

Our strong financial performance in the past several years has translated to a significant increase in our market capitalization, surpassing $30 billion for the first time in 2023. The following chart illustrates Mr. Hsing’s compensation (as reported in the 2023 Summary Compensation PhilosophyTable) compared to our market capitalization in the past three years: 

graph02.jpg

Compensation Philosophy:

 

The primary objective in designing our compensation program for our NEOs is the same as the primary objective for operating MPS — to create long-term value for our stockholders. To achieve this goal, we have designed and implemented our compensation programs for our NEOs to:

 

Motivate and reward them for sustained financial and operating performance and leadership excellence;

 

Motivate and reward them for sustained financial and operating performance and leadership excellence;Align their interests with those of our stockholders;

 

Align their interests with those of our stockholders;

 

Encourage our NEOs to focus on achieving both short-term goals as well as long-term developmental goals; and

 

 

Encourage our NEOs to remain with us for long and productive careers.

 

Each one of our executive compensation elements fulfills one or more of our performance, alignment and retention objectives. These elements primarily consist of salary, long-term equity awards and short-term cash incentive compensation, as well as severance benefits and broad-based employee benefits. In deciding on the type and amount of compensation for each executive, we focus on both current pay and the opportunity for future compensation. We believe that maintaining a balance of short-term and long-term compensation elements encourages decision-making that optimizes short-term results and, at the same time, advances our long-term goals. We combine the compensation elements for each NEO in a manner we believe optimizes the executive’s overall contribution to us and our stockholders.

 

27

Our Compensation Practices Are Built on Stockholder Feedback and RequestsRequests:

 

At the 20202023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we received approximately 98% of the votes cast by 96%57% advisory approval of our stockholders were in favor of our executive compensation program.NEOs’ compensation. At the 20192022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we received approximately 99% of the votes cast by 96%72% advisory approval of our stockholders were in favor of our executive compensation program.NEOs’ compensation. At the 20182021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we received approximately 97% of the votes cast by 96%88% advisory approval of our stockholders were in favor of our executive compensation program.NEOs’ compensation. While these say-on-pay votes are only advisory and not binding on us, the Compensation Committee discusses the vote results each year with our independent compensation consultant.consultant and the Board.

 

Our management team continued the practice of reaching out to our most significant stockholders from time to time to discuss how those stockholders view our executive compensation program, and what kind of changes they would like to see implemented in future years. Many of our stockholders were pleased with our strong financial performance and execution, as well as the progress we have made on our ESG program which demonstrates our commitment to environmental issues. Based on the overwhelming multi-year support by themost recent feedback we have received from our stockholders, in favor of our pay-for-performance compensation structure, the Compensation Committee decidedmade the following significant changes to continue to grant equity awards based on performance conditions under the executive compensation program in 2020. program:

Performance Period. We extended the performance period of the 2023 equity compensation program from two years to three years. 

Peer Group. We removed certain semiconductor companies with a market capitalization greater than $100 billion from our peer group starting in 2024.

Mid-Cycle Changes to Performance Metrics. The Compensation Committee recognized that the changes in 2023 was a one-time event in order to make the performance conditions more rigorous due to macroeconomic conditions. In general, the Compensation Committee does not make mid-cycle changes but for extraordinary circumstances.

Decrease in Target Opportunity.  The Compensation Committee conducted a comprehensive analysis of the executive compensation program during our annual review cycle in February 2024 and lowered the target opportunity from 200% to 150% for the 2024 short-term cash incentive plan.

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See “Stockholder Engagement” for further discussion.

In the past several years, we have continued to improve our executive compensation policies and programs, incorporating the suggestions of our stockholders. We believe these improvements, as highlighted below, have supported our financial and strategic successes in the last several years.

 

1.

1.A significant portion of our NEOs payout opportunity is at risk, which clearly demonstrates the direct link between pay and performance.

Our success is built on a strong pay-for-performance culture within our entire organization, including among our rank-and-file employees in addition to our CEO and other NEOs. The Compensation Committee believes that a performance-based compensation program based on a small guaranteed pay and a significant upside for our executives and employees provides strong incentives that will generate more robust returns to our stockholders than more traditional compensation packages.

For 2023, a small portion of the total compensation packages for the NEOs was a guaranteed component, consisting of base salary that was among the lowest in the semiconductor industry. The remaining target compensation, consisting of short-term cash incentives and long-term equity incentive awards, is at risk and directly linked to performance, as outlined in the graphs below:

graph03.jpg

In order to earn the maximum payout for the at-risk awards, the NEOs must exceed targeted performance. In 2023, the total compensation for the NEOs were significantly lower (by as much as 33%) compared to the prior year primarily because the maximum non-GAAP operating income goals were not achieved under the short-term incentive plan, which resulted in a payout that was well below the maximum payout opportunity. See “Analysis of 2023 Compensation Elements” for further discussion.

We believe this pay structure is a more responsible approach because it focuses on performance and accountability. In the years when the NEOs earned the maximum payout, we also achieved significant business growth and outperformed the market and our peers. In the years when we did not meet the rigorous performance goals, the NEOs were not able to earn the maximum payout. This compensation philosophy fully demonstrates a direct correlation between performance and pay.

2.

Commitment to short-term profit-based cash incentives mid-term performance-basedand long-term equity awards long-term market-based equity awards,using different performance metrics, and alignment of executive compensation with stockholder interests.the interests of our stockholders.

 

A.

In 2020, 100% of the bonus earned by the NEOs was tied to specific, pre-established non-GAAP operating income metrics. 

In 2020,

Our stockholders expressed a preference for the use of different performance metrics across our plans. In determining performance metrics, our Compensation Committee selected those that have a greater connection to financial and stock performance. Therefore, we use non-GAAP operating income for our short-term cash incentive plan, and, to balance that metric, a mix of revenue and operating goals for our long-term performance equity incentive plan. By using a non-GAAP operating income metric in our short-term incentive plan and various performance metrics in our long-term incentive plan, we can reward our executives for achieving our short-term financial objectives while at the same time planning for long-term growth, without encouraging excessive risk taking.

In 2023, 100% of the annual cash incentives earned by the NEOs continued to be tied to specific, pre-established non-GAAP operating income metrics, and 100% of the total equity awards (in the form of performance-based restricted stock units) granted to our NEOs were tied to the following performance conditions: (a) achievement of an average revenue growth rate as measured against the analog industry’s average revenue growth rate over a three-year performance period, and (b) securing additional manufacturing capacity outside of China to support our long-term supply chain strategy over a three-year performance period. No equity awards granted to our NEOs were tied to the achievement of either performance conditions, or performance and market conditions. We granted performance-based RSUs (“PSUs”) based on the achievement of an average revenue growth rate as measured against the analog industry’s average revenue growth rate over the two-year performance period of 2020 and 2021. In addition, we granted market and performance-based RSUs (“MPSUs”) based on the achievement of five stock price targets and a specific business operating goal over a three-year performance period. No stock awards were granted to the NEOs that vest solely based on continued service.

Furthermore, in 2021, as a result of stockholder feedback and our commitment to building strong ESG policies and practices, the Compensation Committee implemented certain changes to the equity compensation program for the NEOs. Under the 2021 program, we continue our practice of granting PSUs based on the achievement of an average revenue growth rate as measured against the analog industry’s average growth rate over a two-year performance period. In addition, the PSUs require the achievement of long-term performance conditions with a three-year performance period that are specifically tied to the establishment of the following long-term environmental policies and processes:

Establish an environmental and climate change policy that identifies key areas for improvement with respect to environmental matters affecting our business, which include the Main Objectives as outlined in the section “Corporate Social Responsibilityabove.

Establish an environmental, health, safety and sustainability task force and completes an investigation of the existing baseline performance of the Main Objectives.

Establish a long-term improvement plan, including setting specific targets for reduction, for each of the Main Objectives. 

B.

Our executive compensation program is designed to align our executives’ short-, mid- and long-term interests to those of our stockholders. For example:

In 2013, we granted market-based RSUs (“MSUs”) to our NEOs that contained price hurdles requiring sustained increases in our stock price with a five-year performance period and a ten-year vesting period.

In 2015, we granted MPSUs to our NEOs that combined operating goals and price hurdles requiring sustained increases in our stock price with a four-year performance and vesting period.

In 2018, we granted MSUs to our NEOs that contained price hurdles requiring sustained increases in our stock price with a five-year performance and vesting period.

In 2020, we granted MPSUs to our NEOs that combined price hurdles requiring sustained increases in our stock price and one specific business operating goal with a three-year performance period and a four-year vesting period.

Since 2014, we have granted PSUs to our NEOs that require significant outperformance against our peers in sustained revenue growth with a two-year performance period and a four-year vesting period.

 

2833

The following graph shows the three-year history of our performance in revenue, GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating income, which demonstrates a balance of our overall financial health, compared to our CEO’s total compensation (as reported in the 2023 Summary Compensation Table).

graph04.jpg

______________

(1)

The reconciliation of the GAAP operating income to the non-GAAP operating income and related disclosures are provided in Annexure A.

We believe our cumulative TSR performance over the past ten years, as illustrated below, demonstrate the effectiveness of our performance-based compensation program in motivating our NEOs to build a sustainable business model and to focus on long-term value creation for our stockholders.

graph05.jpg

3.

Capping payouts under our non-equity incentive plans.

Our Compensation Committee has capped maximum cash payouts under our annual non-equity incentive plans at 400% of target for all of the NEOs.

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We believe the significant increase in our stock price and year-over-year outperformance in revenue growth in the past several years demonstrate the effectiveness of our performance-based compensation program in motivating our NEOs to build a sustainable business model and to focus on long-term value creation for our stockholders.

Stock Performance:

Our one-year total stockholder return (“TSR”) was approximately 107% and our three-year TSR was approximately 236%, as shown in the graphs below in comparison to our peer group and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange (“PHLX”) semiconductor sector index:

c01.jpg

(1)

Represents our 2020 peer group approved by the Compensation Committee. See the section “Peer Group and Use of Peer Data for 2020for further discussion.

Market Capitalization:

Our strong financial performance in the past several years has led to a significant increase in our market capitalization, surpassing $15 billion in 2020. Because a significant portion of our NEOs’ total compensation in the past several years has been in the form of market-based stock units with stock price performance components, the value of our NEOs’ compensation is closely tied to our market performance. The following chart illustrates our CEO’s compensation (as reported in the 2020 Summary Compensation Table) compared to our market capitalization in the past three years:

c02.jpg
29

2.

Capping payouts under our non-equity incentive plans4..

Our

Compensation Committee has capped maximum payouts under our annual non-equity incentive plans at 250% of target for all of the NEOs.

3.

Selection of performance goals.

In the past several years, our stockholders indicated a preference for the use of different performance metrics across plans, so that not all performance-based plans relied on the same metric. In addition, our stockholders told us they wanted to see a greater connection between stock price performance and executive compensation. Therefore, we use non-GAAP operating income for our short-term cash incentive plan, and, to balance that metric, a mix of revenue, stock price performance and operating goals for our long-term performance equity incentive plan. By using a non-GAAP operating income metric in our short-term incentive plan and various performance and stock price appreciation metrics in our long-term incentive plan, we can reward our executives for achieving our short-term financial objectives while at the same time planning for long-term growth, without encouraging excessive risk taking.
The following table shows the three-year history of our performance in revenue, GAAP operating income and non-GAAP operating income, which demonstrates a balance of our overall financial health, compared to our CEO’s total compensation:

c03.jpg

(1)

The reconciliation of the GAAP operating income to the non-GAAP operating income and related disclosures are provided in Annexure A.

4.

Clawback policypolicy..

In 2011, we heard investors tell us that compensation recovery policies, or clawbacks, were a best practice and should be adopted. In February 2012, we adopted our Compensation Recoupment Policy, which permits the Board to recoup any excess performance-based cash compensation paid to key members of our executive team if the financial results on which the performance-based compensation awards were based are restated due to fraud or intentional misconduct by the executive. 

 

In October 2023, the Board adopted the Compensation Recoupment Policy to comply with Section 10D of the Exchange Act and the NASDAQ listing standards as mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act. The policy provides for the recovery, in the event of a required accounting restatement, of certain variable incentive-based cash and equity compensation received by current or former executive officers (within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act, and including our NEOs) that is based on erroneously reported financial information during a three-year recovery period preceding a financial restatement, subject to limited exceptions, to the extent that such payments exceed the amount of performance-based incentive compensation that would have been received by such executive officers during such period had they been determined based on the relevant restated amounts. The recovery of incentive-based compensation is required regardless of whether the executive officer engaged in any misconduct or was at fault for the restatement. A copy of the policy is filed as Exhibit 97.1 to our 2023 Annual Report.

5.

Stock ownership guidelinesguidelines..

In 2011, we heard investors tell us that board members and officers should have ownership interests that are aligned with stockholders, and encouraged us to adopt stock ownership guidelines. In 2012, we adopted significant stock ownership guidelines for our NEOs and directors, requiring ownership levels by our officers of two to five times their base salary, and by our directors of two times their annual retainer. In 2016, we amended the stock ownership guidelines by increasing the required levels for our directors from two times to three times their annual retainer.

 

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two to five times their base salary, and by our directors of three times their annual retainer.

 

6.

Tax gross-upsgross-ups..

Since 2008, we have not adopted any new employment agreements (or modified any existing employment agreements) to provide for tax gross-ups to our officers.

 

Since 2008, we have not adopted any new employment agreements (or modified any existing employment agreements) to provide for tax gross-ups to our officers.

7.

Responsible share ownershipownership..

We have adopted a policy prohibiting our directors, officers (including our NEOs), and other employees from engaging in certain hedging and monetization transactions with respect to our stock that they hold without prior approval by our Chief Compliance Officer. The policy also prohibits our directors and officers (including our NEOs) from engaging in any short sales of our stock.

 

We have a policy prohibiting our directors, officers (including our NEOs), and other employees from engaging in certain hedging and monetization transactions with respect to our stock that they hold without prior approval by our Chief Compliance Officer. The policy also prohibits our directors and officers (including our NEOs) from engaging in any short sales of our stock. In summary, we regularlyaddition, our directors and officers are prohibited at all times from holding our stock in a margin account and from pledging our stock as collateral.

We routinely engage with our stockholders to exchange ideas on our existing executive compensation programs and potential future programs. We listen to their feedback and carefully consider it. Our engagement with stockholders does not begin and end with the say-on-pay vote – that vote is just one part of a larger dialogue and partnership we have with our investors.

 

2020 Financial and Business Performance Highlights

As noted above, the Compensation Committee has focused our executives on accountability in revenue, operating income and earnings, as well as maximizing stockholder return through the structure of our executive compensation program. In 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic which negatively affected the global economy, we achieved record results in revenue and other key financial metrics. Our financial results are summarized as follows (in millions, except per-share amounts and percentages):

  

GAAP

  

Non-GAAP (1)

 
  

FY 2020 ($)

  

FY 2019 ($)

  

Change

  

FY 2020 ($)

  

FY 2019 ($)

  

Change

 

Revenue

  844.5   627.9   34%  844.5   627.9   34%

Operating income

  158.9   102.6   55%  250.1   185.4   35%

Net income

  164.4   108.8   51%  236.8   177.7   33%

Diluted EPS

  3.50   2.38   47%  5.04   3.88   30%


(1)

The reconciliation of the GAAP financial measures to the non-GAAP financial measures and related disclosures are provided in Annexure A.

Our revenue growth rate of 34% in 2020 outperformed the analog industry’s 3% reported by the Semiconductor Industry Association (the “SIA”). We also achieved significant success in our targeted end markets in 2020 as follows:

Communications sales grew 68% from the prior year, primarily due to increased infrastructure sales.

Consumer sales grew 34% from the prior year, primarily driven by increased sales for gaming and mobile products.

Computing and storage sales grew 34% from the prior year, primarily due to strength in cloud computing and storage.

Automotive sales grew 21% from the prior year, primarily driven by higher sales of products for infotainment applications, despite temporary production shutdowns by certain OEMs during the second quarter due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Industrial sales grew 20% from the prior year, primarily fueled by higher sales in power source products.

Cash Dividends:

In February 2020, the Board approved an increase in our quarterly cash dividends to $0.50 per share and we paid a total of $88.8 million of dividends to our stockholders in 2020. In February 2021, the Board approved an increase in our quarterly cash dividends to $0.60 per share.

The Roles of the Compensation Committee and Our Officers in Setting Compensation

 

The Compensation Committee, which is comprised solely of independent directors, has primary responsibility for overseeing the design, development and implementation of the compensation program for our CEO and other NEOs. The Compensation Committee Charter, which is available in the “Investor Relations” Investor Relationssection of our website at http://www.monolithicpower.com, was originally adopted on October 26,in 2007, and is updated periodically. Pursuant to the Compensation Committee Charter, the Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation arrangements for our NEOs, including the CEO, and administers our equity compensation plans. The Compensation Committee meets at least once a quarter.  In 2020,2023, the Compensation Committee met four times.

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The Compensation Committee reviews the performance of each officer taking into account the evaluations provided by the CEO for all officers other than himself. The Compensation Committee makes the final determination of performance achievement for each officer. The CEO, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel present information to the Compensation Committee as requested from time to time, including financial results, future budget information, business operations and legal developments. The Compensation Committee regularly meets in closed sessions without the CEO or other management personnel present. Our officers also provide information to the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant, if requested to do so, to help the consultant perform its duties for the Compensation Committee. Our officers are responsible for implementing the decisions made by the Compensation Committee.

 

Independent Compensation ConsultantsConsultant

 

In 2020,2023, the Compensation Committee again engaged Radford as the independent compensation consultant with respect to our non-employee director and executive compensation programs. Radford did not perform any other work for us. In 2020,2023, the Compensation Committee assessed the independence of Radford pursuant to SEC rules and concluded that no conflict of interest exists that would prevent them from serving as independent consultant to the Compensation Committee for 2020.Committee.

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In 2020,2023, the Compensation Committee requested and received the following services from Radford: (1) updates on evolving compensation trends, (2) recommendations for additions or deletions to the peer group used for 2020,2023, (3) compensation data for officers and directors (gathered from public filings for our peers and broader surveys), and (4) general advice on analyzing and responding to stockholder feedback on our compensation programs.  

 

Peer Group and Use of Peer Data for 2020

 

In February 2020, Radford2023, the Compensation Committee reviewed therecommendations made by our independent compensation consultant and selected a peer group of companies selected by management and recommended that the industry peer group continue to be determined by reference to publicly traded companies in the semiconductor and similar industries with revenue primarily betweenapproximately ranging from 50% andto 300% of our revenue for the most recent four quarters. In addition, Radford took into account that the market capitalization of our peer companies should be in a range similar to us, primarily from 25% to 200%. Guided by this set of parameters, and taking into account the recommendations of Radford, management proposed the following peer group, which was reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee.  Committee selected large cap semiconductor companies that have a similar growth profile and are the key competitors for talent, and companies in the semiconductor and electronic component industries based on the recommendation by Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc., a proxy advisory firm.

The 2023 peer group consisted of the following companies:companies, which did not change from 2022: 

 

Ambarella,Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

Power Integrations,Micron Technology, Inc.

Coherent, Inc.Rambus Inc.

Cree, Inc. 

Semtech Corporation

Inphi Corporation

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.

MACOM TechnologyAmbarella, Inc.

NVIDIA Corporation

Skyworks Solutions, Holdings, Inc.

Analog Devices, Inc. 

ON Semiconductor Corporation

Synaptics Incorporated

Applied Materials, Inc.

Power Integrations, Inc.

Teradyne, Inc.

Cirrus Logic, Inc.

Qorvo, Inc.

Texas Instruments Incorporated

Coherent, Inc.

Rambus Inc.

Universal Display Corporation

MKS Instruments, Inc.

Teradyne,Semtech Corporation

Wolfspeed, Inc.

ON Semiconductor Corporation

Xperi Corporation

 

We removed Cypress Semiconductor Corporation and Mellanox Technologies, Ltd. from the peer group for 2020 because they were acquired during the year. In addition, we added Coherent, Inc. and Inphi Corporation to our peer group for 2020,February 2024, based on the considerations described above.feedback received from our stockholders, the Compensation Committee removed the following semiconductor companies with market capitalization greater than $100 billion from our peer group: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Applied Materials, Inc. and NVIDIA Corporation.

 

NEO Compensation Components

 

The table below summarizes the core elements, objectives and key features of our 20202023 compensation program for our NEOs:

 

Compensation Components

Objectives

Key Features

Base salary

Designed to reward individual effort associated with job-related duties and to attract and retain talented executive officers.

Paid in cash.

Reviewed annually.

Short-term cash incentive compensation

Designed to encourage outstanding MPScompany performance by motivating the NEOs to achieve short-term financial goals.

Paid in cash.

Reviewed annually.
100% of the compensation is subject to corporatefinancial performance goals.

   Maximum payoutsPayouts capped at 250%400% of target.

Subject to clawback policy.

Long-term equity incentive compensation

Designed to align the interests of our executivesNEOs with the interests of our stockholders by focusing on our long-term revenue growth compared to the industry, as well as stock price appreciation.financial and business performance.

Reviewed annually.

100% of the awards is subject to performancerevenue and market conditions.

operational goals.

Maximum payouts at 300% of target for the PSUs, and 500% of target for the MPSUs.

target.

   The PSU awards contain a purchase price feature, which requires the NEOsSubject to pay MPS $30 per share upon vesting of the shares in certain circumstances.

clawback policy.

Dividend equivalents

Designed to treat equity award holders equally with stockholders under our dividend program.

Paid in cash.

Equal to the dividend declared and paid on a share of Common Stock.

Accumulate during the vesting period of the underlying equity awards.

Subject to forfeiture if the underlying equity awards do not vest.

  ●   Paid in cash.

 

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Analysis of 20202023 Compensation Elements

 

Base Salaries:

 

We provide base salary as a stable source of compensation for theour NEOs’ day-to-day duties, and seek to set base salaries at levels that will attract and retain talented executive officers. To attract and retain talent, we have to understand the levels of salary offered by our peers. Accordingly, theThe Compensation Committee considers peer data as one key factor in reviewing base salary each year. The Compensation Committee also considers each individual executive’s role and the scope of his or her responsibilities, the executive’s experience, his or her tenure with us, and size of recent salary changes. For 2020,2023, the Compensation Committee considered all of these factors and approved the following salaries for our NEOs, which did not change from the prior year:NEOs:  

 

Name

 

FY 2020 ($)

  

FY 2019 ($)

  

Change

  

FY 2023 ($)

  

FY 2022 ($)

  

Change

 

Michael Hsing

  650,000   650,000   0% 831,600  756,000  10%

Bernie Blegen

  320,000   320,000   0% 404,300  367,500  10%

Deming Xiao

  340,000   340,000   0% 438,900  399,000  10%

Maurice Sciammas

  340,000   340,000   0% 438,900  399,000  10%

Saria Tseng

  340,000   340,000   0% 438,900  399,000  10%

 

In 2023, the Compensation Committee approved an increase in base salaries for our NEOs to account for inflation adjustments and better align the amounts with the pay practices of our peer group.

Short-Term Cash Incentive Compensation:

 

We provide a short-term cash incentive opportunity to each of our NEOs to encourage them to achieve our corporate short-term operating income goals. Consistent with 2019, theThe Compensation Committee used non-GAAP operating income as the sole corporate performance metric in 2020 for determining the short-term cash incentive (or bonus) compensation. The Compensation Committee believed that non-GAAP operating income would best reflect our short-term performance. See Annexure A for a reconciliation of the GAAP operating income to the non-GAAP operating income used in the short-term cash incentive plan.

 

100% of the short-term cash incentives were tied to a specific, pre-established non-GAAP operating income metric for all the NEOs. Our CEO’sThe target bonus for each NEO was 100% of his annual base salary. The other NEOs’ target bonus was 80%200% of his or her annual base salary. For 2020,2023, our non-GAAP operating income target was $197.2$660.3 million as established in the annual operating plan approved by the Board. Achievement of 120% or more of the non-GAAP operating income target would result in a maximum 250%400% payout of the target bonus payout for each NEO, achievement of 100% of the non-GAAP operating income target would result in a 100% target bonus payout, and performance below 80% of the non-GAAP operating income target would result in no bonus payout. For performance between the minimum, target and maximum levels, the percentage of payout would be determined based on linear interpolation.

 

For 2020,2023, we achieved non-GAAP operating income of $257.9$648.0 million (see Annexure A), which was equal toresulted in a payout of 250%90.7% of the target bonus for each NEO. The following table summarizes the 20202023 bonus payout approved by the Compensation Committee for each of our NEOs:

 

  

Bonus Amount

     

Name

 

Minimum ($)

  

Target ($)

  

Maximum ($)

  

Earned ($)

 

Michael Hsing

  -   650,000   1,625,000   1,625,000 

Bernie Blegen

  -   256,000   640,000   640,000 

Deming Xiao

  -   272,000   680,000   680,000 

Maurice Sciammas

  -   272,000   680,000   680,000 

Saria Tseng

  -   272,000   680,000   680,000 

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Bonus Amount

     

Name

 

Minimum ($)

  

Target ($)

  

Maximum ($)

  

Earned ($)

 

Michael Hsing

  -   1,663,200   6,652,800   1,508,805 

Bernie Blegen

  -   808,600   3,234,400   733,537 

Deming Xiao

  -   877,800   3,511,200   796,314 

Maurice Sciammas

  -   877,800   3,511,200   796,314 

Saria Tseng

  -   877,800   3,511,200   796,314 

 

Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation:

 

We provide long-term equity compensation awards to reward and retain our valued executives, to help us effectively compete for executives who can strategically position us for future growth and financial success, and to encourage our executives to focus on achieving long-term development goals for the future.

 

In determining the number of shares subject to long-term equity compensation awards granted to each of the NEOs, the Compensation Committee establishes the aggregatea value of such awards, to be granted aswhich represents a multiple of each NEO’s target cash compensation. The Compensation Committee believes these multiples properly reflect the relative position and responsibility of each NEO as well as the officer’s ability to develop the vision for the future of the Company,MPS, drive the strategy to obtain such vision, and effect certain cost savings for us.

 

Over the past several years, weWe have regularly engaged with our stockholders to take into accountfor their opinions in setting performance metrics. In response to investor feedback and to alignThe Compensation Committee believes that the NEOs’ long-term incentive compensation with our performanceshould be in the form of equity and stockholders’ interests, the Compensation Committee decided that 100% of the equity compensation awards granted to our NEOs in 2020 would2023 should vest based on the achievement of performance and market-basedperformance-based criteria. No equity awards were granted to our NEOs in 20202023 that would vest solely based on continued service.

 

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A Balanced Approach to Our Equity Compensation Program:Program

 

The Compensation Committee is committed to establishing a balanced equity compensation program with medium-termdifferent performance objectives and a long-term performance periods,period. When designing the annual executive equity compensation program, the Compensation Committee is guided by overlappingthe following three key principles that promote the best interests of both MPS and its stockholders:

There is appropriate pay-for-performance alignment.

The performance goals must be rigorous.

The program requires substantial stockholder value creation.

In February 2023, the Compensation Committee granted performance-based RSUs (“PSUs”) to each NEO that are subject to the achievement of two performance conditions: (i) our revenue growth rate compared against the analog industry during a revenue-based PSU program over a two-yearthree-year (2023 to 2025) performance period and a long-term stock-based award(ii) increase in our manufacturing capacity outside of China to support our supply chain strategy over a longer performancethe same three-year period. The following table summarizes the number of shares subject to the 2023 PSUs that can be earned by the NEOs at the minimum, target and maximum performance levels, subject to the criteria described below. The number of shares earned will be linearly interpolated for actual achievement between the minimum, target and maximum performance levels.

  

Number of Shares

  

Maximum Earn-Out Components

 

Name

 

Minimum (#)

  

Target (#)

  

Maximum (#)

  

Revenue Goal (#)

  

Manufacturing

Diversification Goal (#)

 

Michael Hsing

  -   27,365   136,825   82,095   54,730 

Bernie Blegen

  -   7,749   38,745   23,247   15,498 

Deming Xiao

  -   11,434   57,170   34,302   22,868 

Maurice Sciammas

  -   11,434   57,170   34,302   22,868 

Saria Tseng

  -   11,434   57,170   34,302   22,868 

The PSUs contained a purchase price feature, which required the NEOs to pay MPS $30 per share upon vesting of the shares. The target number of shares granted to each NEO was determined based on the target compensation value for such PSUs, divided by our closing stock price on the date of grant less the purchase price. This $30 purchase price requirement would be deemed satisfied and waived if the closing stock price on the last trading day of the performance period is $30 higher than the closing stock price on the date of grant. 

First Performance Condition - Revenue Goal

For 2023, the number of PSUs that can ultimately be earned at the end of the three-year performance period on December 31, 2025, is based on MPS’s average three-year (2023 to 2025) revenue growth rate as measured against the average three-year revenue growth rate for the analog industry published by the SIA. Taking into account of the semiconductor industry’s cyclical nature and stockholders’ feedback, the Compensation Committee determined that twothree years is the most optimal performance period for the revenue-based PSU awards because of the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry.awards. A revenue-based performance period that is longer than twothree years makes it difficultimpractical for the Compensation Committee to determine appropriate performance goals due to the volatility from macro-economicmacroeconomic and industry-specific conditions. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee granted PSUs to each NEO that are subject to a two-year (2020 and 2021) performance period based on the achievement of revenue during that period. In addition, the Compensation Committee granted a new MPSU award based on the achievement of five stock price hurdles and one business operating goal over a three-year performance period. The Compensation Committee’s decision to implement the new MPSU award in 2020 was driven by management’s continued confidence in MPS’s future stock performance.

 

PSUs:

For 2020, the number of PSUs that can ultimately be earned at the end of the two-year performance period on December 31, 2021 is based on MPS’s average two-year revenue growth rate as measured against the average two-year revenue growth rate for the analog industry published by the SIA. In selecting the minimum, target and maximum performance levels, the Compensation Committee carefully considered our historical and projected performance and the fundamentals of the analog industry at that time. The Compensation Committee took into account SIA’s projections for the anticipated revenue growth in the analog industry for the two-yearthree-year performance period. Instead of benchmarking against the broad semiconductor sector, the Compensation Committee elected to focus solely on the analog industry in setting the performance objectives, which are measured against our closest and most relevant peers within the semiconductor sector. In addition, the Compensation Committee chose the revenue projections reported by SIA as athe baseline because the SIA report is well-respected in the semiconductor industry and used by Wall Street financial analysts in preparing their analyses, forecasts and recommendations.

 

The target compensation value for the 2020 PSUs approved by the Compensation Committee for each NEO did not change from the prior year.  The following table summarizes the number of shares subject to the 2020 PSUs that can be earned by the NEOs at the minimum, target and maximum performance levels, subject to the criteria described below. The number of shares earned will be linearly interpolated for actual achievement between the minimum, target and maximum performance levels.

  

Number of Shares

 

Name

 

Minimum (#)

  

Target (#)

  

Maximum (#)

 

Michael Hsing

  -   51,108   153,324 

Bernie Blegen

  -   9,058   27,174 

Deming Xiao

  -   13,233   39,699 

Maurice Sciammas

  -   13,233   39,699 

Saria Tseng

  -   13,233   39,699 

The PSUs contain a purchase price feature, which requires the NEOs to pay MPS $30 per share upon vesting of the shares. The target number of shares granted to each NEO was determined based on the target compensation value for such PSUs, divided by our closing stock price on the date of grant less the purchase price. This $30 purchase price requirement is deemed satisfied and waived if the average stock price for 20 consecutive trading days at any time during the performance period is $30 higher than the grant date stock price of $182.62. 

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Based on the Compensation Committee's evaluation, the performance criteria and the minimum, target and maximum levels of the PSUs that can be earned arewere as follows:

 

MPS'sMPS’s Average Two-YearThree-Year Revenue

Growth Rate Exceeds the Analog Industry by:by

 

Percentage of PSU Earn-Out

lessLess than 3%

 0%
3% 

50% of Target

5% 

100% of Target

15% and above

 

300% of Target

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Second Performance Condition – Manufacturing Diversification Goal

A significant portion of our wafer, assembly, testing and packaging capacity has historically come from foundry partners and suppliers located in China. In recent years, we faced increasing supply chain risks of conducting business in China due to a number of external factors, including trade tensions between the U.S and China, geopolitical unrest, human right issues, and business disruptions as a result of natural disasters or pandemics. Many of our key stakeholders have focused on our supply chain and wanted to understand how we plan to manage these business risks. For example, in our quarterly earnings webinars, several of our analysts asked us to provide updates:

Analyst A:

“Could you just give us an update on the manufacturing footprint-- both from a capacity perspective, but more importantly about diversification? You talked about you're looking at all sorts of regions to partner with some new manufacturing partners. So both capacity, but then also from a geographical perspective, perhaps, an update? (May 2, 2022)

Analyst B:

“A majority of your wafer supply is still in China, plus you've got your big Chengdu backend facility. How concerned are you with trying to de-risk supply chain as we keep watching headlines with the U.S. government trying to tighten restrictions in China? And maybe as part of that, if you could talk give a sense maybe of timing and capacity plans there? (August 1, 2022)

Analyst C:

“You are working to move the operations and the manufacturing footprint and other pieces outside of China to, in the long term, more sort of aligning with your TAM and revenue mix for the really, really long-term in the company. And you've been very clear about those plans. But there's been some more reports of some customers that want to very quickly use product sources outside of China. Are you already sourcing outside of China to support many of your global customers? (October 27, 2022)

Our priority is to diversify our global manufacturing footprint to other regions in Asia and build a resilient, cost-effective supply chain strategy that can adapt to dynamic and challenging market conditions with minimal business disruptions, while maintaining competitive advantages. In support of this initiative, the Compensation Committee approved a second performance metric in February 2023 that requires us to secure additional manufacturing capacity outside of China over a three-year (2023 to 2025) performance period. In setting this performance condition, the Compensation Committee believed that the goal should be rigorous and impactful, align with our overall long-term business plan, and create positive values to our customers.

The minimum, target and maximum levels of the PSUs that can be earned is determined based upon an increase of our total manufacturing capacity outside of China that can support up to $1.2 billion of annual revenue for North America and EMEA before December 31, 2025, as set forth below:

Percentage of Capacity to Support $1.2 Billion of

Annual Revenue for North America and EMEA

PSU Earn-Out

Less than 70%

0% of Target

70%

50% of Target

80%

100% of Target

100% or more

200% of Target

 

The two-year performance period provides a long-term incentive for our NEOs through overlapping cycles so that each year ofboth the first performance condition and the second performance condition is equally critical as we work toward meeting our two-year goals. The Compensation Committee believesthree years (2023 to 2025). If the revenue goals are challenging and that performance metrics measured relative to our peersare achieved, the PSUs will provide objectivity when setting long-term goals while minimizing uncertainties caused by external economic factors that are beyond our control.

At the end of the performance periodvest on December 31, 2021 and upon certification of performance by the Compensation Committee, 50% of the actual award earned will become vested in February 2022, and the remaining 50% will vest quarterly over the following two years, for a total vesting period of four years,2025, subject generally to continued employment through such dates.date. The NEOs will be required to pay MPS $30 per share upon vesting of the shares, unless the stock price target as described above is achieved during the performance period.achieved.

MPSUs:

In each of 2013, 2015 and 2018, the Compensation Committee approved an equity program to our executive officers and certain key employees based on the achievement of rigorous stock price hurdles. MPS’s financial success has been reflected in our strong stock performance, which resulted in the achievement of the stock price targets established in these awards. Since the implementation of these equity programs in 2013, our TSRs have consistently exceeded the TSRs of both our peer group and the PHLX semiconductor sector index, as presented below:

  

Three-Year TSR

 

Year

 

MPS

  

Peer Group

  

PHLX Semiconductor

 

2014

  249%   75%   89% 
2015  193%   51%   73% 

2016

  145%   62%   69% 

2017

  133%   52%   82% 

2018

  88%   46%   74% 

2019

  124%   62%   104% 

2020

  236%   97%   123% 

In July 2020, the Compensation Committee approved another long-term MPSU program to a group of key employees, including our NEOs, that can only be earned if our Common Stock trades for sustained periods of time at a series of price levels substantially higher than our historical stock prices. These MPSUs are intended to focus the CEO and the other NEOs on leading us to sustained, excellent financial and operational performance over the next several years which we believe will result in higher stock prices. To make the performance criteria more rigorous, the MPSUs are also subject to the achievement of one specific business operating goal in addition to the stock price appreciation. The Compensation Committee believes that the MPSU program emphasizes sustainable stockholder value creation and attainment of long-term strategic business objectives.

The following table summarizes the number of shares that can be earned by the NEOs under the 2020 MPSU program, subject to the criteria described below:

NEOs

 

Price Hurdle 1 (#)

  

Price Hurdle 2 (#)

  

Price Hurdle 3 (#)

  

Price Hurdle 4 (#)

  

Price Hurdle 5 (#)

  

Total (#)

 

Michael Hsing

  19,300   19,300   19,300   19,300   19,300   96,500 

Bernie Blegen

  4,021   4,021   4,021   4,021   4,021   20,105 

Deming Xiao

  6,433   6,433   6,433   6,433   6,433   32,165 

Maurice Sciammas

  6,433   6,433   6,433   6,433   6,433   32,165 

Saria Tseng

  6,433   6,433   6,433   6,433   6,433   32,165 

 

3539

 

The five price hurdles are as follows:

Price Hurdles ($)

 

Percentage of Stock

Price Increase (A)

260  5%
270  9%
280  13%
290  17%
300  21%


(A)  The percentage represents the increase from our stock price of $248.71 on July 21, 2020, the date the 2020 MPSU program was approved by the Compensation Committee.Dividend Equivalents

 

To earn the shares associated with any price hurdle, the average of the closing price of our Common Stock over a 20-consecutive day trading period must equal or exceed that price hurdle at any point during the three-year performance period, which runs from July 21, 2020 to July 20, 2023. In addition, the Compensation Committee believes that it is in our best interest to continually diversify our customer base to include small to mid-sized businesses. Therefore, the Compensation Committee added one specific business operating goal, which requires us to generate cumulative revenue of $10 million for customers with revenue of less than $100,000 prior to July 2020. The performance period for this business operating goal is from July 21, 2020 to December 31, 2021.

Upon achievement of the price hurdles and the business operating goal and upon certification of performance by the Compensation Committee, 75% of the shares will vest on July 20, 2023, and the remaining 25% will vest on July 20, 2024, subject to continued employment through such dates. In addition, the Compensation Committee imposed a post-vesting holding period which prohibits the sale of the vested shares for an additional year.

Dividend Equivalents.In connection with our quarterly cash dividend program, all outstanding and unvested time and performance-based full value stock awards granted to employees, including the NEOs, have the right to receive dividend equivalents in order to maintain the economic alignment between the value of such awards and the value of a share of our Common Stock. The dividend equivalents are accumulated during the vesting periods of the shares underlying such awards and are paid in cash to employees only if and when the underlying shares vest. Dividend equivalents accrued on the underlying shares are forfeited if the employees do not fulfill their service requirement during the vesting periods. Dividend equivalents paid to the NEOs in 20202023 are included in the section “20202023 Option Exercises and Stock Vested”Vested below.

 

Certifications of Achievement of Prior Performance-Based Awards

 

As previously disclosed in our proxy statement for the 20202022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Compensation Committee granted each NEO a PSU award in February 20192021 (the “2021 PSUs”) that could be earned based on MPS’s average two-year (2019 and 2020) revenue growth rate as measured against the average two-year revenue growth rate for the analog industry published by the SIA.achievement of three environmental goals during a three-year performance period. The PSU award consisted of a target award, as well as a maximum award equal to 300%earn-out was 100% of the target grant. The actual results, at the end of the two-year performance period on December 31, 2020, as approved by the Compensation Committee in May 2023, were as follows:

 

MPS's Average Two-Year Revenue

     

Growth Rate Exceeds the Analog Industry by:

  

Percentage of

 

Target

 

Maximum

 

Actual Achievement

  

PSU Earn-Out

 
5% 

15% and above

  23.9%   300.0%

Achievement of Environmental Goals  

PSU Earned

Goal #1Established Board oversight to ensure our ESG practices and policies are aligned with our Environmental and Climate Change Policy, long-term business strategy, and external requirements and expectations.

25% of Target

Defined the scope of our environmental projects for our global operations in accordance with GHG Protocol, an internationally accepted carbon accounting standard.
Developed measurable milestones designed to ensure that our goals could be achieved within the performance period set by the Compensation Committee, and within a budget that would not cause a significant burden to our financial resources and operations.
Engaged sustainability consultants to help us better understand the key environmental priorities for the semiconductor industry and other key stakeholders.
Conducted initial analyses and identified gaps in our GHG emissions, waste management and product efficiency, which helped us prioritize areas of focus and design an effective project plan.
Invested in additional staff with substantial expertise, both academically and professionally, who understands relevant regulatory requirements and best practices, and can manage the complex technical issues.
Goal #2

Formed an ESG Steering Committee consisting of a team of two senior executives in charge of compliance and operations, cross-functional managers and personnel to establish our missions and sustainability policies, and to supervise the management and execution of our ESG initiatives.

25% of Target

Collected, analyzed and reconciled baseline data that was far more complex than what we had reviewed and compiled in previous years, including a thorough review of our Scope 1 and Scope 2 data sources such as refrigerants, natural gas heating, generators, electricity and fuel covering global facilities, which include testing facilities, design centers, EMC labs and offices.
Improved the quality of records and documentation using a third-party software platform, so that we could accurately and timely report our data in accordance with global frameworks such as the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board and the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures.
Completed an assessment of our waste handling procedures and evaluated the energy efficiency of our solutions used in data centers.
Established the credibility of our emissions data by working with a third-party firm specializing in auditing GHG emissions data, and received assurance on the accuracy and completeness of our emissions data in accordance with GHG Protocol.
Goal #3Developed GHG reduction target proposals that we believe are reasonable, rigorous and measurable by conducting an in-depth analysis of: (a) various reduction measures including investments in new equipment and procedures for refrigerant reductions, renewable energy credits, green tariffs and solar panels, as well as the economic benefits of implementing these measures in each country where we have significant operations, (b) our long-term business expansion plan, as well as refrigerant, fuel and electricity usage projections for our facilities, and (c) our long-term financial model designed to achieve the proposed reduction goals.

50% of Target

Conducted peer benchmarking analyses and studied the scope of our peers’ environmental initiatives, their assumptions and methodologies, targets and timelines for reducing GHG emissions and adopting renewable energy, and their performance against their goals, so we could align with best practices within the semiconductor industry.
Evaluated the different GHG emissions reduction proposals with our management team, assessed the overall rigor of the reduction goals and the reasonableness of key assumptions used in our financial model, conducted cost analyses of the proposals, and reviewed the financial, operational and regulatory risks associated with the proposals.
Provided quarterly updates to the Board on our progress, who evaluated our performance, challenged methodologies and assumptions used, and more importantly, ensured that our ESG initiatives would align with our long-term business strategy without undesired or excessive risks.
Established rigorous mid- and long-term goals on GHG emissions, renewable electricity, waste management and power density improvements related to certain products used in data centers.
Published our first Corporate Responsibility Report, which highlights our environmental, social and governance initiatives, practices and goals.

 

36
40

 

The following table showssummarizes the actual number of shares earned under the 2019 PSU program2021 PSUs for the NEOs:  

 

Name

 

Number of Shares Earned (#)

 

Michael Hsing

  232,44337,613 

Bernie Blegen

  41,1967,619 

Deming Xiao

  60,18611,580 

Maurice Sciammas

  60,18611,580 

Saria Tseng

  60,18611,580 

 

50% of theThe awards earnedfully vested in February 2021, with the remaining 50% vesting quarterly over the following two years through Februaryon May 2, 2023, forand include a total vestingpost-vesting sales restriction period of four years, subject to continued employment through such dates. The NEOs are required to pay MPS a purchase price of $30 per share upon vesting of the actual awards earned.

In addition, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, the Compensation Committee granted each NEO an MPSU award in July 2020. The MPSU award consisted of a target award, as well as a maximum award equal to 500% of the target grant based on the achievement of five MPS stock price hurdles ranging from $260 to $300 at any point during a three-year performance period. In addition, the MPSU award required the achievement of one specific business operating goal at any point during a performance period through December 31, 2021. During 2020, we achieved all five stock price hurdles and the business operating goal, which were approved by the Compensation Committee. The table below shows the actual shares earned under the MPSU program for the NEOs:

Name

Earned (#)

Michael Hsing

96,500

Bernie Blegen

20,105

Deming Xiao

32,165

Maurice Sciammas

32,165

Saria Tseng

32,165

75% of the awards will vest on July 20, 2023, and the remaining 25% will vest on July 20, 2024, subject to continued employment through such dates. In addition, the Compensation Committee imposed a post-vesting holding period which prohibits the sale of the vested shares for an additional year.

 

Broad-Based Benefits

 

Our NEOs are eligible to participate in our broad-based employee benefit programs on the same terms offered to our employees. These benefit programs include the Employee Stock Purchase Plan,employee stock purchase plan, medical, dental and vision insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and health and dependent care flexible spending accounts. We do not provide pension arrangements or post-retirement health coverage for our NEOs or other employees. In addition, we do not provide matching contributions to the 401(k) plan or the deferred compensation plan for our NEOs or other employees.

 

Severance and Change in Control Arrangements

 

We offer severance benefits to our NEOs, including severance in connection with a change in control of MPS. In general, severance does not exceed six to twelve months of base salary, target bonus and other benefits, and is conditioned on a release of claims and compliance with ongoing obligations. We believe these modest benefits balance the costs to MPS with the retention benefits that are commonly understood to come from offering severance and change in control benefits. For all change in control arrangements, the NEO is entitled to benefits if his or her employment is terminated without cause or if he or she leaves for good reason within one year following a change in control. This approach is commonly referred to as a “double-trigger” arrangement and is favored by many institutional investors and their advisors. We believe the size and conditions to receipt of these severance benefits are consistent with market practices. These arrangements are discussed in more detail in the section Named Executive Officer Compensation Potential Payments Upon Termination or Termination Upon Change in Control.

 

41

Stock Ownership Guidelines

 

In February 2012, the Board establishedWe have stock ownership guidelines for our NEOs and directors. These guidelines reinforce the importance of aligning the interests of our NEOs and directors with the interests of our stockholders.

37

 

For the NEOs, the guidelines are determined as a multiple of each NEO’s base salary, and then converted to a fixed number of shares. Currently, the multiple for our CEO is five times his base salary, while the multiples for other NEOs are two times each NEO’s base salary.  

 

Equity interests that count toward the satisfaction of the ownership guideline include shares owned directly or indirectly by the executive, including restricted or unrestricted shares or stock units (excluding unearned restricted shares or stock units that remain subject to achievement of performance goals), and any shares owned in our savings plans, such as our 401(k) plan, or acquired through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.our employee stock purchase plan. Executives have five years from the date of adoption of the guidelines or their appointment as an executive officer, as applicable, to attain these ownership levels. As of December 31, 2020,2023, all of the NEOs met the stock ownership guidelines.

 

For the non-employee directors, the stock ownership guidelines are determined as a multiple of the annual retainer paid to the non-employee director and then converted to a fixed number of shares. In February 2016, based on our compensation consultant’s best practice recommendation, we amended the stock ownership guidelines to increaseCurrently, the required level for our non-employee directors from two times tois three times each director’s annual retainer. Directors have five years from the date of adoption of the guidelines or their initial appointment, as applicable, to attain these ownership levels. As of December 31, 2020,2023, all of the directors met the stock ownership guidelines.

 

Policy Regarding Clawback of Incentive Compensation

 

In February 2012,October 2023, the Board adopted athe Compensation Recoupment Policy which requiresto comply with Section 10D of the BoardExchange Act and the NASDAQ listing standards as mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act. The policy provides for the recovery, in the event of a required accounting restatement, of certain variable incentive-based cash and equity compensation received by current or former executive officers (within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act, and including our NEOs) that is based on erroneously reported financial information during a three-year recovery period preceding a financial restatement, without regard to recoup any taxes paid. The amount recoverable is the payment that exceeds the amount of applicable performance-based incentive compensation that would have been received by such executive officer during such recovery period had it been determined based on the relevant restated amounts, and recovery is subject to only limited exceptions. The recovery of incentive-based compensation is required regardless of whether the executive officer engaged in any misconduct or was at fault for the restatement. Performance-based incentive compensation potentially subject to recovery under the mandatory accounting restatement provisions of the policy is generally limited to any compensation granted, earned or vested (on or after October 2, 2023) based wholly or in part on the attainment of one or more financial reporting measures, and “financial reporting measures” for these purposes includes stock price and TSR. Under the policy, we generally are not required to recover such excess performance-based cash compensation if the Compensation Committee has made a determination that recovery would be impracticable and (1) we have already attempted to recover such amount but the direct expense paid to key members of our executive team, includinga third party to assist in enforcing the NEOs, ifpolicy would exceed the financial results on whichamount to be recovered, (2) recovery would violate applicable home country law that was adopted prior to November 28, 2022, or (3) recovery would likely cause an otherwise tax qualified retirement plan to fail to meet the incentive compensation awards were based are restated due to fraud or intentional misconduct by the executive, if the Board determines, in its sole discretion, that it is in the best interests of us and our stockholders for the executive to repay or forfeit all or any portionrequirements of the subject performance-based cashInternal Revenue Code and applicable regulations. We are prohibited from indemnifying any executive officer against the loss of such recovered compensation. A copy of the policy is filed as Exhibit 97.1 to our 2023 Annual Report.

 

Anti-Hedging and Monetization, TransactionsShort Sales and Short SalesOther Transactions

 

We prohibit our directors, officers (including our NEOs), and other employees from engaging in hedging or monetization transactions with respect to our stock that they obtained through our plans or otherwise, including transactions involving the use of financial instruments such as prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, collars, forward sale contracts and exchange funds, without prior approval by the Chief Compliance Officer.  We also prohibit our directors and officers including(including our NEOs,NEOs) from engaging in any short sales of our stock. In addition, our directors and officers are prohibited at all times from holding our stock in a margin account and from pledging our stock as collateral.

 

Tax and Accounting Impacts of Equity Grants

 

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) disallows a tax deduction for any publicly held corporation for individual compensation exceeding $1 million in any taxable year for “covered employees,” which following the enactment of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017, consist of all of the NEOs, including the Chief Financial Officer, as well as certain former executive officers.Officer.

 

Our Compensation Committee is aware of current rules governing the taxation and accounting for cash and equity compensation as applicable to public companies. Our Compensation Committee believes that, in establishing the cash and equity incentive compensation plans and arrangements for our NEOs, the potential deductibility of the compensation payable under those plans and arrangements should be only one of a number of relevant factors taken into consideration, and not the sole governing factor. The Compensation Committee believes it is important to maintain cash and equity incentive compensation at the requisite level to attract and retain the individuals essential to our financial success, even if all or part of that compensation may not be deductible by reason of the Section 162(m) limitation.

 

42

Compensation Committee Report

 

The Compensation Committee reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with our management. Based upon such review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting and incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.2023.

 

Members of the Compensation Committee:

 

Jeff Zhou, Chairman

Herbert Chang

Eugen Elmiger

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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

No Compensation Committee member was at any time during 2020,2023, or at any other time, an officer or employee of us or any of our subsidiaries.  No NEO of MPS serves on the board or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on the Board or Compensation Committee. 

 

Compensation Risk Management

 

In 2020,2023, our management, including members from our internal legal, accounting, finance and human resources departments, undertook a subjective review of our compensation policies and practices that applied to all of our employees, including the following: annual base salaries and bonuses, equity incentive awards under our equity incentive plansthe Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Amended 2014 Equity Plan”) and the Amended and Restated 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.Plan (the “Amended 2004 ESPP”). This review was designed to review, consider and analyze the extent to which, if any, our compensation policies and practices might create risks for us, and this review also focused on variable and incentive compensation elements, as well as policies and practices that could mitigate or balance any such incentives. After conducting this review, management determined that our compensation policies and practices for our employees do not create any risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us. The results of the review and management’s determination were reviewed and independently considered by the Compensation Committee, which concurred with management’s assessment.

 

20202023 Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth the compensation for our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the three other most highly compensated executive officers serving on December 31, 2020,2023, which officers together constitute our NEOs:

 

Name and Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary ($)

 

Bonus ($)

 

Stock Awards ($)(1)(2)

 

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(3)

 

All Other

Compensation ($)(4)

 

Total ($)

 
 

Year

 

Salary ($)

  

Bonus ($)

  

Stock Awards ($)(1)(2)

  

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(3)

  

All Other Compensation ($)(4)

  

Total ($)

 

Michael Hsing

 

2020

  650,000  -  12,395,153  1,625,000  -  14,670,153  

2023

 822,877  -  12,311,787  1,508,805  -  14,643,469 

Chief Executive Officer, President

 

2019

  650,000  -  7,945,677  761,269  -  9,356,946  

2022

 751,846  -  13,865,090  6,048,000  -  20,664,936 

and Chairman of the Board

 

2018

  643,846  -  9,446,868  1,625,000  -  11,715,714  

2021

 711,923  -  13,782,908  5,760,000  -  20,254,831 

Bernie Blegen

 

2020

  320,000  -  2,311,155  640,000  -  3,271,155  

2023

 400,054  -  3,486,353  733,537  -  4,619,944 

Executive Vice President,

 

2022

 365,481  -  3,626,424  2,940,000  -  6,931,905 

Chief Financial Officer

 

2019

  317,308  -  1,408,217  299,823  -  2,025,348  

2021

 342,500  -  2,791,906  2,800,000  -  5,934,406 
 

2018

  295,308  -  1,870,950  600,000  -  2,766,258 

Deming Xiao

 

2020

  340,000  -  3,482,786  680,000  -  4,502,786  

2023

 434,296  -  5,144,271  796,314  -  6,374,881 

President of Asia Operations

 

2019

  340,000  -  2,057,358  318,562  -  2,715,920 
 

2018

  340,000  -  2,720,429  680,000  -  3,740,429 

Executive Vice President,

 

2022

 396,808  -  5,539,193  3,192,000  -  9,128,001 

Global Operations

 

2021

 375,385  -  4,243,375  3,040,000  -  7,658,760 

Maurice Sciammas

 

2020

  340,000  -  3,482,786  680,000  -  4,502,786  

2023

 434,296  -  5,144,271  796,314  -  6,374,881 

Senior Vice President,

 

2019

  340,000  -  2,057,358  318,562  -  2,715,920 

Executive Vice President,

 

2022

 396,808  -  5,539,193  3,192,000  -  9,128,001 

Worldwide Sales and Marketing

 

2018

  340,000  -  2,720,429  680,000  -  3,740,429  

2021

 375,385  -  4,243,375  3,040,000  -  7,658,760 

Saria Tseng

 

2020

  340,000  -  3,482,786  680,000  -  4,502,786  

2023

 434,296  -  5,144,271  796,314  -  6,374,881 

Vice President, Strategic Corporate

 

2019

  340,000  -  2,057,358  318,562  -  2,715,920 

Executive Vice President, Strategic Corporate

 

2022

 396,808  -  5,539,193  3,192,000  -  9,128,001 

Development and General Counsel

 

2018

  340,000  -  2,720,429  680,000  -  3,740,429  

2021

 375,385  -  4,243,375  3,040,000  -  7,658,760 

 


(1)

For more information regarding the 2023 stock awards, refer to “Named Executive Officer Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” The amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the 2023 PSUs computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, excluding the impact of estimated forfeitures. The calculation of the grant date fair value was performed by a third-party valuation firm using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Assumptions used in the calculation are included in Note 1 and Note 7 to the financial statements included in our 2023 Annual Report.

(2)

Assuming the highest level of performance for the 2023 stock awards, the aggregate grant date fair value would be as follows: (a) $61,558,936 for Mr. Hsing, (b) $17,431,763 for Mr. Blegen, (c) $25,721,355 for Mr. Xiao, (d) $25,721,355 for Mr. Sciammas, and (e) $25,721,355 for Ms. Tseng. There is no guarantee that the highest level of performance will be achieved by the NEOs.

43

(3)

The 2023 amounts reflect the short-term cash incentive compensation earned by the NEOs under our non-equity incentive plan, as described under “Named Executive Officer Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” 

(4)

We did not provide other benefits or compensation for the NEOs that is required to be disclosed under Item 402(c)(2)(ix) of Regulation S-K.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards for the Year Ended December 31, 2023

      

Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity

Incentive Plan Awards (1)

  

Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity

Incentive Plan Awards (2)

  

Grant Date

Fair Value of

Stock and

Option

 

Name

 

Grant Date

  

Threshold ($)

  

Target ($)

  

Maximum ($)

  

Threshold (#)

  

Target (#)

  

Maximum (#)

  

Awards ($)(3)

 

Michael Hsing

  -   -   1,663,200   6,652,800   -   -   -   - 
  

2/7/2023

   -   -   -   -   27,365   136,825   12,311,787 

Bernie Blegen

  -   -   808,600   3,234,400   -   -   -   - 
  

2/7/2023

   -   -   -   -   7,749   38,745   3,486,353 

Deming Xiao

  -   -   877,800   3,511,200   -   -   -   - 
  

2/7/2023

   -   -   -   -   11,434   57,170   5,144,271 

Maurice Sciammas

  -   -   877,800   3,511,200   -   -   -   - 
  

2/7/2023

   -   -   -   -   11,434   57,170   5,144,271 

Saria Tseng

  -   -   877,800   3,511,200   -   -   -   - 
  

2/7/2023

   -   -   -   -   11,434   57,170   5,144,271 


 

(1)

The 2020 stockamounts reflect the threshold, target and maximum awards include PSUs and MPSUs. For more information regarding these awards, seeunder the sectionshort-term cash incentive compensation program, which is described in detail inNamedExecutive Officer CompensationCompensation Discussion and Analysis.

(2)

The amounts reflect the threshold, target, and maximum number of the PSUs that may be earned based on the achievement of specific goals under the long-term equity incentive compensation program, which is described in detail in “NamedExecutive Officer Compensation —Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”  

(3)

The amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718, excluding the impact of estimated forfeitures.

The 2020amounts reflect the target level of performance. The PSUs containinclude a purchase price feature, which requires the NEOs to pay MPS $30 per share upon vesting of the shares. This $30 purchase price requirement is deemed satisfied and waived if the averageclosing stock price for 20 consecutiveon the last trading days at any time duringday of the performance period is $30 higher than the grant date stock price of $182.62. The 2020 MPSUs do not contain a purchase price feature. Upon vesting, the MPSUs are subject to a post-vesting sales restriction period of one year.price. The grant date fair value of the 2020 PSUs and the 2020 MPSUs was calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Assumptions used in the calculation are included in Note 1 and Note 8 to the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2021.

(2)

During 2020, we achieved all of the performance and market conditions for the 2020 MPSUs. Assuming the highest level of performance for the 2020 MPSUs, the aggregate grant date fair value of the 2020 stock awards would be as follows: (a) $27,095,577 for Mr. Hsing, (b) $5,373,870 for Mr. Blegen, (c) $8,382,674 for Mr. Xiao, (d) $8,382,674 for Mr. Sciammas, and (e) $8,382,674 for Ms. Tseng. In addition, assuming the achievement of the highest level of performance for the 2020 PSUs, the aggregate grant date fair value of the 2020 stock awards would be as follows: (a) $44,535,671 for Mr. Hsing, (b) $8,464,822 for Mr. Blegen, (c) $12,898,303 for Mr. Xiao, (d) $12,898,303 for Mr. Sciammas, and (e) $12,898,303 for Ms. Tseng.

39

(3)

The 2020 amounts reflect the short-term cash incentive compensation earned by the NEOs under our non-equity incentive plan, as described under the section “Named Executive Officer Compensation  Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” 

(4)

We did not provide other benefits or compensation for the NEOs that is required to be disclosed under Item 402(c)(2)(ix) of Regulation S-K.

CEO Pay Ratio

For 2020, our CEO pay ratio was determined as follows:

The annual total compensation of our CEO was $14,670,153, as reported in the “Total” column in the 2020 Summary Compensation Table disclosed above.

The median of the annual total compensation of all employees (other than our CEO) was $34,212. The median employee was located in Asia. 

The ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the median of the annual total compensation of all employees was 429 to 1.  This pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K.

To determine the median of the annual total compensation of our employees, we applied the following methodologies and assumptions:

We selected December 31, 2020 as the date for purposes of establishing the employee population used in identifying the median employee.

As of December 31, 2020, our global headcount consisted of approximately 2,200 permanent and temporary employees, with a majority of these employees located in international locations with various market wages and cost of living standards. All of these employees were included in the employee population used in identifying the median employee.

We used payroll and equity plan records for the twelve-month period from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The components of annual compensation included base salary, sales commissions, bonuses, the grant date fair value of stock awards and certain employee benefits.

Total compensation was annualized for permanent employees who commenced employment during the year. Total compensation was not annualized for temporary employees.

No cost-of-living or other adjustments permissible by the SEC rules were made.

The SEC rules for identifying the median employee and calculating the pay ratio based on that employee’s annual total compensation allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions, and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their compensation practices. Therefore, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies may have different employment and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.

Alternative Measure:

As discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section above, more than 96% of our CEO’s annual compensation was tied to rigorous performance conditions in 2020, while the annual compensation of our median employee was not tied to performance goals. Accordingly, as an alternative measure, management believes that a more direct and meaningful pay ratio is to compare compensation that is not tied to any performance objectives. Based on this method, our alternative CEO pay ratio was determined as follows:

The alternative annual total compensation of our CEO was $650,000.

The median of the annual total compensation of all employees (other than our CEO) was $34,212.

The ratio of the alternative annual total compensation of our CEO to the median of the annual total compensation of all employees was 19 to 1.  

40

Grants of Plan-Based Awards for the Year Ended December 31, 2020

      

Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity

Incentive Plan Awards (1)

  

Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity

Incentive Plan Awards (2)

  

Grant Date

Fair Value of

Stock and

Option

 

Name

 

Grant Date

  

Threshold ($)

  

Target ($)

  

Maximum ($)

  

Threshold (#)

  

Target (#)

  

Maximum (#)

  

Awards ($)(3)

 

Michael Hsing

  -   -   650,000   1,625,000   -   -   -   - 
  

2/4/2020

   -   -   -   -   51,108   153,324   8,720,047 
  

7/21/2020

   -   -   -   -   19,300   96,500   3,675,106 

Bernie Blegen

  -   -   256,000   640,000   -   -   -   - 
  

2/4/2020

   -   -   -   -   9,058   27,174   1,545,476 
  

7/21/2020

   -   -   -   -   4,021   20,105   765,679 

Deming Xiao

  -   -   272,000   680,000   -   -   -   - 
  

2/4/2020

   -   -   -   -   13,233   39,699   2,257,814 
  

7/21/2020

   -   -   -   -   6,433   32,165   1,224,972 

Maurice Sciammas

  -   -   272,000   680,000   -   -   -   - 
  

2/4/2020

   -   -   -   -   13,233   39,699   2,257,814 
  

7/21/2020

   -   -   -   -   6,433   32,165   1,224,972 

Saria Tseng

  -   -   272,000   680,000   -   -   -   - 
  

2/4/2020

   -   -   -   -   13,233   39,699   2,257,814 
  

7/21/2020

   -   -   -   -   6,433   32,165   1,224,972 


(1)

The amounts reflect the threshold, target, and maximum awards under the short-term cash incentive compensation program, which is described in detail in the section “NamedExecutive Officer Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” 

(2)

The amounts reflect the threshold, target, and maximum number of shares of the PSUs and MPSUs that may be earned under the long-term equity incentive compensation program, which is described in detail in the section “NamedExecutive Officer Compensation —Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”  

The PSUs granted on February 4, 2020 contain a purchase price feature, which requires the NEOs to pay MPS $30 per share upon vesting of the shares. This $30 purchase price requirement is deemed satisfied and waived if the average stock price for 20 consecutive trading days at any time during the performance period is $30 higher than the grant date stock price of $182.62. The MPSUs granted on July 21, 2020 do not contain a purchase price feature. Upon vesting, the MPSUs are subject to a post-vesting sales restriction period of one year.

(3)

The amounts reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718, excluding the impact of estimated forfeitures.

For the PSUs granted on February 4, 2020, the amounts reflect the target level of performance and the grant date fair value of the PSUs was $170.62$449.91 per share, which was calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. For the MPSUs granted on July 21, 2020, the amounts reflect the target level of performance and the grant date fair value of the MPSUs was $190.42 per share, which was calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation model and included an illiquidity discount to account for the post-vesting sales restriction period of one year. Assumptions used in the calculation of the grant date fair value of the stock awards are included in Note 1 and Note 87 to the financial statements included in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2021.Report.

 

Narrative Disclosure to 20202023 Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Duringfor the Year Ended December 31, 20202023

 

A discussion of 20202023 salaries, incentive plans and awards is set forth under the section Named Executive Officer Compensation - — Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” including a discussion of the material terms and conditions of the short-term cash incentive compensation PSUs and MPSUs.the long-term equity compensation. For information regarding our employment agreements with the NEOs, see the section NamedExecutive Officer Compensation Potential Payments Upon Termination or Termination Upon Change in Control Employment Agreements and Change in Control Arrangements.” 

 

41

Equity Incentive Grant Policies

 

We maintain the Monolithic Power Systems Equity Award Grant Policy, which is designed to work in concert with: (1) the administrative provisions of our Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Amended 2014 Equity Plan”) and such other plans as we may adopt from time to time (which we refer to collectively as the Plans), (2) the requirements of the Delaware General Corporation Law, (3) the corporate governance requirements of NASDAQ, (4) applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, including those relating to Section 16 of the 1934Exchange Act, and (5) relevant sections of the Internal Revenue Code. Grants to our NEOs are made pursuant to this policy, must be approved by the Compensation Committee and will only be granted at specific times during the year, as described in further detail below.

44

 

Plan and Corporate Authorization

 

Under the Plans, the authorization to administer the grant of equity incentive awards is conferred upon the Board or any committee of the Board as properly constituted under applicable laws. The Board has delegated to the Compensation Committee the authority to serve as administrator of the Plans (including the authority to grant awards under the Plans), and has approved a charter outlining the responsibilities of this committee which also includes this express authority. The delegation of authority to the Compensation Committee is not exclusive; the Board retains the right to formally approve award grants as well. The Compensation Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees when appropriate.

 

In addition, the Board has delegated limited authority for grants of equity awards under the Plans to new employees and consultants to a committee consisting of the Chief Executive Officer (which committee we refer to as the Equity Award Committee). The authority does not extend to grants to the NEOs. The delegation of authority to the Equity Award Committee is not exclusive; the Board and Compensation Committee retain the right to formally approve award grants as well.

 

Equity Grants to New Hires

 

Grants to newly hired employees and consultants (other than Executive Officers as defined below) will generally be made on the date of the next regularly scheduled Board meeting subsequent to the employees’ start date. Management submits the employee equity award recommendations to the Compensation Committee and, if such equity awards are approved by the Compensation Committee, such equity awards will be granted effective as of the date of a meeting approving such awards as evidenced by written minutes of such meeting or the date of the last verification signature or electronic verification over email in the event of a written consent in lieu of the meeting.

 

New hire grants made to “Executive Officers” (currently defined as the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Operations Officer, President, employees who are members of the Board and any other employee determined by the Board to be an Executive Officer) generally will only be granted on the date of the next regularly scheduled Board meeting subsequent to the Executive Officer’s start date and following the recommendation of such grant by the Compensation Committee.

 

Equity Grants to Existing Employees or Incumbent Members of the Board

 

Generally, annual grants of equity awards shall be made to key performers at a regularly scheduled Board meeting. Equity awards to non-employee members of the Board shall be made by the Board or pursuant to any automatic grant provisions in the Plans.

 

4245

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at 20202023 Year-End

 

The following table sets forth, as to the NEOs, certain information regarding their outstanding stock awards atas of December 31, 2020.2023. There were no outstanding option awards held by the NEOs as of December 31, 2020.2023.

 

 

Stock Awards

  

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Grant Date

   

Number of

Shares or Units

of Stock That

Have Not

Vested (#)

  

Market Value

of Shares or

Units of Stock

That Have Not

Vested ($)(1)

  

Equity Incentive

Plan Awards:

Number of

Unearned

Shares, Unit

or Other

Rights That

Have Not

Vested (#)

  

Equity Incentive

Plan Awards:

Market or

Payout Value of

Unearned

Shares, Units

or Other

Rights That

Have Not

Vested ($)(1)

  

Grant Date

  

Number of

Shares or Units

of Stock That

Have Not

Vested (#)

 

Market Value

of Shares or

Units of Stock

That Have Not

Vested ($)(1)

 

Equity

Incentive Plan

Awards:

Number of

Unearned

Shares, Units or

Other Rights

That Have Not

Vested (#)

 

Equity

Incentive Plan

Awards:

Market or

Payout Value of

Unearned

Shares, Units or

Other Rights

That Have Not

Vested ($)(1)

 

Michael Hsing

 

12/14/2013

 (2)  330,000   123,429,904   -   -  

10/25/2018

(2)  108,000  69,422,400  -  - 
 

2/7/2017

 (3)  15,888   5,949,410   -   - 
 

2/7/2018

 (4)  90,393   33,414,743   -   -  

2/4/2020

(3)  9,585  6,127,179  -  - 
 

10/25/2018

 (5)  108,000   39,835,801   -   -  

7/21/2020

(4)  24,125  15,449,168  -  - 
 

2/11/2019

 (6)  232,443   85,406,534   -   -  

2/2/2021

(5)  35,262  22,447,084  -  - 
 

7/21/2020

 (7)  96,500   35,360,496          

10/25/2022

(6)  -  -  60,584  38,502,950 
 

2/4/2020

 (8)  -   -   51,108   18,819,499  

2/7/2023

(7)  -  -  27,365  16,549,805 

Bernie Blegen

 

12/14/2013

 (2)  21,600   8,079,048   -   -  

10/25/2018

(2)  48,000  30,854,400  -  - 
 

2/7/2017

 (3)  2,745   1,027,762   -   -  

2/4/2020

(3)  1,701  1,087,359  -  - 
 

2/7/2018

 (4)  13,766   5,088,730   -   -  

7/21/2020

(4)  5,025  3,217,910  -  - 
 

10/25/2018

 (5)  48,000   17,704,801   -   -  

2/2/2021

(5)  7,143  4,547,091  -  - 
 

2/11/2019

 (6)  41,196   15,136,647   -   -  

10/25/2022

(6)  -  -  17,538  11,145,925 
 

7/21/2020

 (7)  20,105   7,367,075          

2/7/2023

(7)  -  -  7,749  4,686,440 
 

2/4/2020

 (8)  -   -   9,058   3,335,427 

Deming Xiao

 

12/14/2013

 (2)  129,600   48,474,289   -   -  

10/25/2018

(2)  48,000  30,854,400  -  - 
 

2/7/2017

 (3)  4,646   1,739,854   -   - 
 

2/7/2018

 (4)  23,401   8,650,365   -   -  

2/4/2020

(3)  2,481  1,585,971  -  - 
 

10/25/2018

 (5)  48,000   17,704,801   -   -  

7/21/2020

(4)  8,040  5,148,655  -  - 
 

2/11/2019

 (6)  60,186   22,114,143   -   -  

2/2/2021

(5)  10,857  6,911,349  -  - 
 

7/21/2020

 (7)  32,165   11,786,221          

10/25/2022

(6)  -  -  27,104  17,225,405 
 

2/4/2020

 (8)  -   -   13,233   4,872,788  

2/7/2023

(7)  -  -  11,434  6,915,055 

Maurice Sciammas

 

12/14/2013

 (2)  129,600   48,474,289   -   -  

10/25/2018

(2)  48,000  30,854,400  -  - 
 

2/7/2017

 (3)  4,646   1,739,854   -   -  

2/4/2020

(3)  2,481  1,585,971  -  - 
 

2/7/2018

 (4)  23,401   8,650,365   -   -  

7/21/2020

(4)  8,040  5,148,655  -  - 
 

10/25/2018

 (5)  48,000   17,704,801   -   -  

2/2/2021

(5)  10,857  6,911,349  -  - 
 

2/11/2019

 (6)  60,186   22,114,143   -   -  

10/25/2022

(6)  -  -  27,104  17,225,405 
 

7/21/2020

 (7)  32,165   11,786,221          

2/7/2023

(7)  -  -  11,434  6,915,055 
 

2/4/2020

 (8)  -   -   13,233   4,872,788 

Saria Tseng

 

12/14/2013

 (2)  129,600   48,474,289   -   -  

10/25/2018

(2)  48,000  30,854,400  -  - 
 

2/7/2017

 (3)  4,646   1,739,854   -   -  

2/4/2020

(3)  2,481  1,585,971  -  - 
 

2/7/2018

 (4)  23,401   8,650,365   -   -  

7/21/2020

(4)  8,040  5,148,655  -  - 
 

10/25/2018

 (5)  48,000   17,704,801   -   -  

2/2/2021

(5)  10,857  6,911,349  -  - 
 

2/11/2019

 (6)  60,186   22,114,143   -   -  

10/25/2022

(6)  -  -  27,104  17,225,405 
 

7/21/2020

 (7)  32,165   11,786,221          

2/7/2023

(7)  -  -  11,434  6,915,055 
 

2/4/2020

 (8)  -   -   13,233   4,872,788 

 

43

____________

(1)

The market value of the unvested stock awards is based on the closing market price of our Common Stock of $366.23$630.78 as of December 31, 2020,29, 2023 (the last trading day of 2023), and includes any outstanding dividend equivalents accumulated and unpaid on such awards.

46

 

(2)

Reflects MSUs granted in December 2013. The performance goals with respect to these MSUs were achieved as of December 31, 2015. These MSUs vest quarterly over five years from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2023, for a total vesting period of ten years, subject to continued employment.

(3)

Reflects PSUs granted in February 2017. The performance goals with respect to these PSUs were achieved as of December 31, 2018. 50% of these PSUs vested in February 2019, and the remaining 50% vest quarterly over the following two years through February 2021, for a total vesting period of four years, subject to continued employment. The PSUs contain a purchase price feature, which requires the NEOs to pay MPS $30 per share upon vesting of the shares.

(4)

Reflects PSUs granted in February 2018. The performance goals with respect to these PSUs were achieved as of December 31, 2019. 50% of these PSUs vested in February 2020, and the remaining 50% vest quarterly over the following two years through February 2022, for a total vesting period of four years, subject to continued employment. The PSUs contain a purchase price feature, which requires the NEOs to pay MPS $30 per share upon vesting of the shares.

(5)

Reflects MSUsmarket-based RSUs (“MSUs”) granted in October 2018. The performance goals with respect to thesethe MSUs were achieved as of December 31, 2019. These MSUs will fully vestvested on January 1, 2024, for a total vesting period of approximately five years, and two months, subject to continued employment. In addition, the MSUs contain a post-vesting sales restriction for up to an additional two years.

 

(6)

(3)

Reflects PSUs granted in February 2019.2020. The performance goals with respect to thesethe PSUs were achieved as of December 31, 2020.2021. 50% of these PSUs will vest in February 2021, and the remaining 50% will vest quarterly over the following two years through February 2023, for a total vesting period of four years, subject to continued employment. The PSUs contain a purchase price feature, which requires the NEOs to pay MPS $30 per share upon vesting of the shares.

(7)

Reflects MPSUs granted in July 2020. The performance goals with respect to these MPSUs were achieved as of December 31, 2020. 75% of the MPSUs will vest in July 2023 and 25% of the MPSUs will vest in July 2024, for a total vesting period of four years, subject to continued employment.  In addition, the MPSUs contain a post-vesting sales restriction for one year. See the section “Named Executive Officer Compensation  Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for further discussion.

(8)

Reflects PSUs granted in February 2020 at the target level of performance. Upon achievement of the pre-determined performance targets at the end of 2021, 50% of these PSUs will vestvested in February 2022, and the remaining 50% will vestvested quarterly over the following two years through February 2024, for a total vesting period of four years, subject to continued employment.

(4)

Reflects market and performance-based RSUs (“MPSUs”) granted in July 2020. The PSUsperformance goals with respect to the MPSUs were achieved as of December 31, 2020. 75% of these MPSUs vested in July 2023, and the remaining 25% will vest in July 2024, for a total vesting period of four years, subject to continued employment.  In addition, the MPSUs contain a purchase price feature, which requirespost-vesting sales restriction for one year.

(5)

Reflects PSUs granted in February 2021. The performance goals with respect to the NEOsPSUs were achieved as of December 31, 2022. 50% of these PSUs vested in February 2023, and the remaining 50% vest quarterly over the following two years through February 2025, for a total vesting period of four years, subject to pay MPS $30 per sharecontinued employment.

(6)

Reflects MSUs granted in October 2022 at the target level of performance. The MSUs will vest upon vestingachievement of the shares. The $30 purchase price requirement is deemed satisfied and waived if the averagepre-determined stock price for 20 consecutive trading days at any timetargets and the relative TSR performance during the performance period is $30 higher thanfrom October 25, 2022 to October 24, 2025, for a total vesting period of three years, subject to continued employment.

(7)

Reflects PSUs granted in February 2023 at the grant date stock pricetarget level of $182.62. This market condition was achieved asperformance. Upon achievement of June 30, 2020.the pre-determined performance goals through the end of the performance period on December 31 2025, these PSUs will vest immediately, for a total vesting period of approximately three years, subject to continued employment. See the sectionNamed Executive Officer CompensationCompensation Discussion and Analysis” for further discussion.

44

 

20202023 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 

The following table sets forth certain information on the stock awards vested for our NEOs in 2020.2023. There were no option exercises in 2020.2023.

 

 

Stock Awards

  

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number of

Shares Acquired

on Vesting (#)

  

Value Realized

on Vesting ($)(1)

  

Number of

Shares Acquired

on Vesting (#)

  

Value Realized on

Vesting ($)(1)

 

Michael Hsing

  531,486   107,813,547  341,019  174,979,073 

Bernie Blegen

  54,112   10,938,030  53,074  26,758,684 

Deming Xiao

  195,128   39,648,003  113,576  58,708,218 

Maurice Sciammas

  195,128   39,648,003  113,576  58,708,218 

Saria Tseng

  195,128   39,648,003  113,576  58,708,218 

 


(1)

Value realized on vesting is equal to (a) the closing price of our Common Stock on the vesting date less any purchase price, multiplied by the number of shares that vested, plus (b) accumulated dividend equivalents attributable to such shares.

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The amount of realized value of the vested stock awards for our NEOs is directly linked to the significant increase in our stock price during the vesting periods, thereby consistently creating significant long-term value for our stockholders. Each year, based on feedback from our stockholders, the Compensation Committee imposes substantial performance and vesting periods on all of our stock awards granted to the NEOs. For example, in 2023, a large portion (34%) of Mr. Hsing’s realized stock value was attributable to MSUs granted in December 2013 (“2013 MSUs”). These 2013 MSUs had a five-year performance period and, upon achievement of the market conditions, an additional five-year service condition, for a total of ten years. The 2013 MSUs began vesting quarterly in March 2019 and our stock price has increased more than 2,000% from December 14, 2013 (the grant date) to December 31, 2023, as illustrated in the chart below:

sgraph01.jpg

As a result of the significant stock price appreciation during the performance and vesting periods, the realized value of the 2013 MSUs also increased when the shares began vesting in March 2019. Hypothetically, if our stock price had remained at the grant date level ($31.73), Mr. Hsing’s realized value for the 2013 MSUs would have been significantly lower ($57 million less in 2023), as shown in the chart below:

mgraph02.jpg

In summary, we believe that our NEOs’ high realized pay in 2023 is in full alignment with long-term stockholder interests given that a significant portion of their realized pay is attributed to their stock awards earned based on strong company performance and being subject to long service-based vesting periods, combined with our stock price increasing significantly during such periods.

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20202023 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan

 

We have a non-qualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan, which allows key employees, including our NEOs, to defer the receipt of, and taxation on, cash compensation. Plan participants may defer up to 70% of their salary and up to 90% of their non-equity incentive plan compensation. Plan participants may elect to receive the deferred funds either in a lump sum or in annual installments of up to ten years, and to begin receiving distributions either at retirement or at a future date not less than 24 months from the election date. Investment returns on deferred balances are linked to the performance of the investment choices available in the plan. We do not make contributions to the plan or guarantee returns on the investments. The following table summarizes the non-qualified deferred compensation activity for our NEOs in 2020:2023:

 

Name

 

Executive

Contributions in

Last FY ($)(1)

  

Aggregate Earnings

in Last FY ($)(2)

  

Aggregate Balance

at Last FYE ($)(3)

  

Executive Contributions

in Last FY ($)(1)

  

Aggregate Earnings

in Last FY ($)(2)

  

Aggregate Balance at

Last FYE ($)(3)

 

Michael Hsing

  -   357,618   11,410,791  2,340,734  1,130,120  20,487,353 

Bernie Blegen

  -   19,656   1,371,021  -  79,177  1,459,706 

Deming Xiao

  57,206   930,791   5,659,070  287,280  870,426  9,984,736 

Maurice Sciammas

  -   287,420   3,405,366  287,280  734,337  7,159,084 

Saria Tseng

  784,805   834,770   6,924,737  1,235,687  1,559,044  12,251,520 

 


(1)

All executive contributions are reported as salary or non-equity incentive plan compensation in the section Named Executive Officer Compensation — 20202023 Summary Compensation Table.” 

 

(2)

Represents the net amounts credited to the NEOs’ accounts as a result of the performance of their investment choices. The amounts are not included in the section Named Executive Officer Compensation — 20202023 Summary Compensation Table” because plan earnings are not “preferential or above-market” under SEC rules.

 

(3)

Includes the following cumulative amounts reported as compensation for the NEOs in the Summary Compensation Tables for previous years: Mr. Hsing, $9,237,379;$14,662,554; Mr. Blegen, $786,811; Mr. Xiao, $4,228,940;$7,149,434; Mr. Sciammas, $2,565,913;$5,429,201; and Ms. Tseng, $4,166,015.$7,936,509.

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Termination Upon Change in Control

 

Employment Agreements and Change in Control Arrangements

 

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our NEOs. The employment agreements establish the initial titles, salaries, and reporting responsibilities for the NEOs. The employment agreements also provide that each NEO may participate in our equity, bonus and benefits programs. Each of the employment agreements with Mr. Hsing, Mr. Xiao and Mr. Sciammas was amended in December 2008 to bring the agreements into compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. The employment agreement with Mr. Xiao was subsequently amended in March 2011 to grant Mr. Xiao an equity interest in Hue Ming LLC, a Delaware limited liability company formed by us, (see further discussion below).in connection with an ownership transfer of a corporate apartment in Chengdu, China, to Mr. Xiao. The equity interest became fully vested in March 2016 and Hue Ming LLC was dissolved.

 

4549

 

In addition to the terms described above, the employment agreements also provide certain severance benefits upon termination without cause or for good reason, including within one year following a change in control (a “Change in Control with Termination”), as described in the following table. We have followed general market practices for senior executives in allowing limited change in control arrangements for selected officers.

 

NEOs

Agreement and Date

 

Termination without Cause or

Departure for Good Reason

 

Change in Control

with Termination

Michael Hsing

Employment Agreement dated March 10, 2008, as amended December 16, 2008.

Base salary, target annual bonus and COBRA premiums for group-health plan benefits for 12 months, payable in installments in accordance with our standard payroll practices as long as the executive is not employed by another company.

Base salary, target annual bonus and COBRA premiums for group-health plan benefits for a period of 12 months, payable in installments in accordance with our standard payroll practices as long as the executive is not employed by another company. 

   

Acceleration of vesting of equity grants equal to the number of shares that would have vested had the executive remained an employee for 12 months following the termination of employment.

Acceleration of vesting of 100% of the executive’s unvested equity grants.(1)

Bernie Blegen

Employment Agreement dated July 19, 2016.

Base salary, target annual bonus and COBRA premiums for group-health plan benefits for six months, payable in installments in accordance with our standard payroll practices as long as the executive is not employed by another company.

Base salary, target annual bonus and COBRA premiums for group-health plan benefits for a period of 12 months, payable in installments in accordance with our standard payroll practices as long as the executive is not employed by another company.

   

Acceleration of vesting of equity grants equal to the number of shares that would have vested had the executive remained an employee for six months following the termination of employment.

Acceleration of vesting of 100% of the executive’s unvested equity grants.(1)

Deming Xiao

Employment Agreement dated March 10, 2008, as amended December 16, 2008 and March 3, 2011.(2)

Base salary, target annual bonus and COBRA premiums for group-health plan benefits for six months, payable in installments in accordance with our standard payroll practices as long as the executive is not employed by another company.

Base salary, target annual bonus and COBRA premiums for group-health plan benefits for a period of 12 months, payable in installments in accordance with our standard payroll practices as long as the executive is not employed by another company.

   

Acceleration of vesting of equity grants equal to the number of shares that would have vested had the executive remained an employee for six months following the termination of employment.

Acceleration of vesting of 100% of the executive’s unvested equity grants.(1)

46

NEOsAgreement and Date

Termination without Cause or

Departure for Good Reason

Change in Control

with Termination

Maurice Sciammas

Employment Agreement dated March 10, 2008, as amended December 16, 2008.

Base salary, target annual bonus and COBRA premiums for group-health plan benefits for six months, payable in installments in accordance with our standard payroll practices as long as the executive is not employed by another company.

Base salary, target annual bonus and COBRA premiums for group-health plan benefits for a period of 12 months, payable in installments in accordance with our standard payroll practices as long as the executive is not employed by another company.

   

Acceleration of vesting of equity grants equal to the number of shares that would have vested had the executive remained an employee for six months following the termination of employment.

Acceleration of vesting of 100% of the executive’s unvested equity grants.(1)

Saria Tseng

Employment Agreement dated December 16, 2008, as amended February 9, 2010.

Base salary, target annual bonus and COBRA premiums for group-health plan benefits for six months, payable in installments in accordance with our standard payroll practices as long as the executive is not employed by another company.

Base salary, target annual bonus and COBRA premiums for group-health plan benefits for a period of 12 months, payable in installments in accordance with our standard payroll practices as long as the executive is not employed by another company.

   

Acceleration of vesting of equity grants equal to the number of shares that would have vested had the executive remained an employee for six months following the termination of employment.

Acceleration of vesting of 100% of the executive’s unvested equity grants.(1)

 


(1)

With respect to the PSUs that have not been earned because the performance period is still in progress, a pro-rata portion of such awards shall vest to the extent the applicable performance levels are achieved through the date of the change in control, providedin accordance with the individual grant agreements. With respect to the MSUs that have not been earned because the date ofperformance period is still in progress, such awards shall vest if the per-share price paid in the change in control occurs afteris greater than the first calendar year ofprice targets. In addition, the performance period.relative TSR market condition will be deemed satisfied, in accordance with the individual grant agreements.

(2)

On March 3, 2011, we entered into an amendment to the employment agreement with Mr. Xiao in connection with his extended stay in China due to his increased responsibilities. Pursuant to the amendment, we would transfer ownership of a corporate apartment in Chengdu, China, that was originally owned by our wholly-owned China subsidiary, to Mr. Xiao.  In order to effect the transfer, we formed a new wholly-owned subsidiary Hue Ming LLC and granted Mr. Xiao 100% ownership in such subsidiary, subject to vesting conditions. The equity interest became fully vested in March 2016 and Hue Ming LLC was dissolved.

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Each of the employment agreements with our NEOs also contains a provision whereby during the period of employment and thereafter, the executive shall not, without the prior written consent of us, disclose or use any confidential information or proprietary data other than for our interest. These employment agreements also contain a covenant not to solicit, beginning with the date of the executive’s termination and until one year thereafter.  

 

A “change in control” of MPS means a merger or consolidation after which our stockholders do not hold a majority of our outstanding voting securities, any transaction involving the transfer of greater than 50% of our voting power (unless otherwise provided for in an award agreement), a change in the composition of the Board occurring within a 12-month period, as a result of which less than a majority of the directors are incumbent directors (as such term is defined in the employment agreements), or a sale of all or substantially all our assets. “Cause” generally means the NEO’s failure to perform the duties or responsibilities of his or her employment, the NEO personally engaging in illegal conduct that is detrimental to us, the NEO being convicted of or pleading nolo contendere to a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude, or the NEO committing a material act of dishonesty, fraud or misappropriation of property. “Good Reason” generally means the NEO’s termination of employment following the expiration of an applicable cure period (as designated in each employment agreement) following the occurrence of: a material reduction in compensation (except where a substantially equivalent reduction is applied to all our officers), a material, adverse reduction in the NEO’s authority, responsibilities or duties, or a material change in the location at which the NEO performs services.

 

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Estimated Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control with Termination

 

The following table sets forth the estimated payments required to be made to each NEO in connection with the termination of his or her employment upon specified events, assuming a stock price of $366.23$630.78 per share, the closing price as of December 31, 2020.29, 2023 (the last business day of 2023). The estimated amounts shown also assume that the termination was effective as of December 31, 2020,29, 2023, and include estimates of severance benefits which would be paid to the executives upon their termination. The actual amounts payable to each NEO can only be determined at the time of the termination of the executive’s employment.

 

 

Termination without Cause or Departure for Good Reason

  

Change in Control with Termination

  

Termination without Cause or Departure for Good Reason

  

Change in Control with Termination

 

Name

 

Base Salary

and Target

Bonus ($)

  

Acceleration of

Vesting of Equity

Awards ($)

  

Other ($)

  

Total

Compensation ($)

  

Base Salary

and Target

Bonus ($)

  

Acceleration of

Vesting of Equity

Awards ($)

  

Other ($)

  

Total

Compensation ($)

  

Base Salary

and Target

Bonus ($)

 

Acceleration of

Vesting of Equity

Awards ($)

 

Other ($)

 

Total

Compensation ($)

 

Base Salary

and Target

Bonus ($)

 

Acceleration of

Vesting of Equity

Awards ($)

 

Other ($)

 

Total

Compensation ($)

 

Michael Hsing

  1,300,000   123,672,431   18,325   124,990,756   1,300,000   322,506,964   18,325   323,825,289  2,494,800  107,181,980  28,537  109,705,317  2,494,800  316,140,386  28,537  318,663,723 

Bernie Blegen

  288,000   11,884,020   8,640   12,180,660   576,000   54,535,965   17,280   55,129,245  606,450  33,152,614  9,684  33,768,748  1,212,900  98,142,989  19,369  99,375,258 

Deming Xiao

  306,000   24,002,928   9,163   24,318,091   612,000   109,820,632   18,326   110,450,958  658,350  34,581,567  12,569  35,252,486  1,316,700  134,858,775  25,137  136,200,612 

Maurice Sciammas

  306,000   24,002,928   13,113   24,322,041   612,000   109,820,632   26,226   110,458,858  658,350  34,581,567  16,887  35,256,804  1,316,700  134,858,775  33,775  136,209,250 

Saria Tseng

  306,000   24,002,928   13,113   24,322,041   612,000   109,820,632   26,226   110,458,858  658,350  34,581,567  18,587  35,258,504  1,316,700  134,858,775  37,175  136,212,650 

 

In the event the NEOs resign without good reason or we terminate their employment for cause, we will have no obligation to pay or provide any compensation or benefits as a result of the employment agreements between us and the NEOs. In the event of the NEOs’ death or disability, except as required by applicable law, we will have no obligation to pay or provide any compensation or benefits under the employment agreements between us and the NEOs.

 

CEO Pay Ratio

For 2023, our CEO pay ratio was determined as follows:

The annual total compensation of our CEO was $14,643,469 as reported in the “Total” column in the 2023 Summary Compensation Table disclosed above.

The median of the annual total compensation of all employees (other than our CEO) was $49,493. The median employee was located in China. 

The ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the median of the annual total compensation of all employees was 296 to 1.  This pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K.

To determine the median of the annual total compensation of our employees, we applied the following methodologies and assumptions:

We selected December 31, 2023 as the date for purposes of establishing the employee population used in identifying the median employee.

As of December 31, 2023, our global headcount consisted of approximately 3,500 permanent and temporary employees, with a majority of these employees located in international locations with various market wages and cost of living standards. All of these employees were included in the employee population used in identifying the median employee.

51

We used payroll and equity plan records for the twelve-month period from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023. The components of annual compensation included base salary, sales commissions, bonuses, the grant date fair value of stock awards and certain employee benefits.

Total compensation was annualized for permanent employees who commenced employment during the year. Total compensation was not annualized for temporary employees.

No cost-of-living or other adjustments permissible by the SEC rules were made.

The SEC rules for identifying the median employee and calculating the pay ratio based on that employee’s annual total compensation allow companies to adopt a variety of methodologies, to apply certain exclusions, and to make reasonable estimates and assumptions that reflect their compensation practices. Therefore, the pay ratio reported by other companies may not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above, as other companies may have different employment and compensation practices and may utilize different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and assumptions in calculating their own pay ratios.

Alternative Measure:

As discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section above, more than 94% of our CEO’s annual compensation was tied to rigorous performance conditions in 2023, while the annual compensation of our median employee was not tied to performance goals. Accordingly, as an alternative measure, management believes that a more direct and meaningful pay ratio is to compare compensation that is not tied to any performance objectives. Based on this method, our alternative CEO pay ratio was determined as follows:

The alternative annual total compensation of our CEO was $822,877 (consisting of his cash salary for 2023).

The median of the annual total compensation of all employees (other than our CEO) remained $49,493.

The ratio of the alternative annual total compensation of our CEO to the median of the annual total compensation of all employees was 17 to 1.  

Pay Versus Performance

The following Pay Versus Performance information presents the compensation of our NEOs disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”), as well as compensation actually paid (“CAP”) to our NEOs and certain performance measure results prepared in accordance with Item 402(v) of SEC Regulation S-K.

As discussed further below, the CAP amounts do not necessarily represent actual compensation earned or realized by our NEOs in a given year. The Compensation Committee did not consider the Pay Versus Performance information in making its compensation decisions for our NEOs. For additional information about our performance-based pay philosophy and how the Compensation Committee aligns executive compensation with our performance, refer to “NamedExecutive Officer Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” 

52

                  

Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on:

         

Year

 

Summary

Compensation

Table Total for

PEO ($)(1)

  

Compensation

Actually Paid to

PEO ($)(1)(2)

  

Average Summary

Compensation Table

Total for Non-PEO

NEOs ($)(1)

  

Average

Compensation

Actually Paid to Non-

PEO NEOs ($)(1)(2)

  

TSR ($)(3)

  

Peer Group

TSR ($)(3)

  

Net Income

(in thousands)($)(4)

  

Company-Selected

Measure:

Revenue

Growth Rate (5)

 

2023

  14,643,469   138,253,668   5,936,147   48,844,169   365.00   225.75   427,374   2%

2022

  20,664,936   (66,596,378)  8,578,977   (18,412,649)  203.03   136.90   437,672   49%

2021

  20,254,831   114,053,034   7,227,671   35,989,415   281.12   213.35   242,023   43%

2020

  14,670,153   166,896,795   4,194,878   50,263,845   207.49   151.14   164,375   34%


(1)

For each of 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020 (each, a “Covered Year”), our CEO, Mr. Hsing, served as our principal executive officer (“PEO”). For each Covered Year, our non-PEO NEOs were Mr. Blegen, Mr. Xiao, Mr. Sciammas and Ms. Tseng.

(2)

The CAP amounts reflect the following adjustments to the SCT amounts for each Covered Year:

PEO:

Reconciliation of SCT amounts to CAP amounts (a)

 

FY 2023 ($)

  

FY 2022 ($)

  

FY 2021 ($)

  

FY 2020 ($)

 
                  

Total SCT amounts

  14,643,469   20,664,936   20,254,831   14,670,153 
-

“Stock Awards” amounts under the SCT

  (12,311,787)  (13,865,090)  (13,782,908)  (12,395,153)

+

Covered Year-end fair value of awards granted in the Covered Year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the Covered Year

  16,607,564   13,362,890   18,645,892   25,907,039 

+/-

Change in fair value (from prior year-end to Covered Year-end) of awards granted prior to Covered Year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the Covered Year

  66,793,621   (60,534,831)  73,338,316   118,265,198 

+/-

Change in fair value (from prior year-end to vesting date) of awards granted prior to Covered Year that vested in the Covered Year

  52,520,801   (26,224,283)  15,596,903   20,449,558 

Total CAP amounts

  138,253,668   (66,596,378)  114,053,034   166,896,795 

Average Non-PEO NEOs:

Reconciliation of SCT amounts to CAP amounts (a)

 

FY 2023 ($)

  

FY 2022 ($)

  

FY 2021 ($)

  

FY 2020 ($)

 
                  

Total SCT amounts

  5,936,147   8,578,977   7,227,671   4,194,878 
-

“Stock Awards” amounts under the SCT

  (4,729,791)  (5,061,001)  (3,880,508)  (3,189,878)

+

Covered Year-end fair value of awards granted in the Covered Year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the Covered Year

  6,380,090   3,843,543   5,249,657   6,629,115 

+/-

Change in fair value (from prior year-end to Covered Year-end) of awards granted prior to Covered Year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the Covered Year

  25,927,600   (19,793,194)  23,214,310   36,946,829 

+/-

Change in fair value (from prior year-end to vesting date) of awards granted prior to Covered Year that vested in the Covered Year

  15,330,123   (7,053,985)  4,178,285   5,682,901 

+

Excess fair value for award modifications

  -   1,073,011   -   - 

Total CAP amounts

  48,844,169   (18,412,649)  35,989,415   50,263,845 

        ______________

(a)

Our equity awards include PSUs with a purchase price condition, MSUs and MPSUs. The grant date fair value for these awards was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Assumptions used in the grant date valuation are disclosed in our 2023 Annual Report. For equity awards vested during the applicable Covered Year, the fair value was based on the closing stock price plus accumulated dividend equivalents at the vesting date. For outstanding equity awards for which the performance conditions have not been achieved, the year-end fair value was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The increases or decreases in the year-end fair value were mainly driven by changes in our stock price. For outstanding equity awards for which all the performance conditions have been achieved but additional time-based service conditions are required, the year-end fair value was based on the closing stock price plus accumulated dividend equivalents.

(3)

For purposes of this tabular disclosure, our peer group represents the PHLX Index, which we also disclose in the stock performance graph required by Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K included in our 2023 Annual Report. For each Covered Year, our TSR and our peer group’s TSR were calculated as the cumulative TSR from December 31, 2019 through the last day of the applicable Covered Year, assuming that $100 was invested on December 31, 2019. Because fiscal years are presented in the table in reverse chronological order (from top to bottom), the table should be read from bottom to top for purposes of understanding cumulative returns over time.

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(4)

The amounts represent GAAP net income.

(5)

In our assessment, the Company-Selected Measure is our revenue growth rate, which represents the most important financial performance measure used by us to link CAP to our NEOs for 2023 to our performance. Refer to “Named Executive Officer Compensation — Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for further discussion. Revenue growth rate represents the year-over-year percentage increase in GAAP revenue. While the performance measure under our long-term equity compensation program for 2023 is based on the average of our three-year revenue growth rate, the Company-Selected Measure presented in the table covers our one-year revenue growth rate for each applicable Covered Year in accordance with SEC rules.

Relationship Between CAP and Performance Measures

Because our executive compensation program is significantly comprised of performance-based equity awards, the primary determinants of the CAP amounts, as calculated under SEC rules, are our stock price, actual payouts from awards vested during the applicable Covered Year, and the number of outstanding awards based on projected and actual performance achievement. As shown in the table above, the CAP amounts include year-end revaluations of equity awards granted in the applicable Covered Year, plus the year-over-year changes in the fair value of vested and outstanding equity awards granted in multiple historical years, all of which are heavily impacted by the performance of our stock price.

Relationship Between CAP and TSR:

The following chart compares the CAP amounts to the cumulative TSR since December 31, 2019, measured as of the last day of each Covered Year.

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Relationship Between CAP and Net Income:

The following chart compares the CAP amounts to our net income for each Covered Year.

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Net income is not a direct performance measure in our executive compensation program. However, we use non-GAAP operating income as the performance measure in our short-term cash incentive plan. Net income and non-GAAP operating income metrics measure different levels of our profitability. The CAP amounts do not always correlate to our profitability because our executive compensation program is heavily weighted towards long-term equity awards, which could vary significantly in value with changes to our stock price.

Relationship Between CAP and Company-Selected Measure:

The following chart compares the CAP amounts to the Company-Selected Measure for each Covered Year.

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While the performance measure for our 2023 equity awards takes into consideration the average of our three-year revenue growth rate, we presented our one-year revenue growth rate as the Company-Selected Measure in accordance with SEC rules. In addition, since our executive compensation program is heavily weighted towards long-term equity awards, the CAP calculations in any Covered Year are largely impacted by changes to our stock price.

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Performance Measures

The following list includes the financial performance measures that, in our assessment, represent the most important financial performance measures used by us to link CAP to our NEOs for 2023 to our performance. These measures are not ranked.

1.

Revenue growth rate

2.

Non-GAAP operating income

3.

Manufacturing capacity outside of China

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

The following table summarizes certain information under our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2020:2023:

 

Plan Category

 

Number of

securities to be

issued

upon exercise of

outstanding

options, warrants

and rights (#)(a)

  

Weighted-average

exercise price

of outstanding

options, warrants

and rights ($)(b)

  

Number of

securities

remaining

available for future

issuance under equity

compensation plans

(excluding

securities reflected

in column (a)) (#)(c)

  

Number of

securities to be

issued

upon exercise of

outstanding

options, warrants

and rights (#)(a)

  

Weighted-average

exercise price

of outstanding

options, warrants

and rights ($)(b)

  

Number of

securities

remaining

available for future

issuance under

equity

compensation plans

(excluding

securities reflected

in column (a)) (#)(c)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders (1)

  3,105,000(2)  7.69(3)  10,464,000(4) 2,086,000(2) 30.00(3) 8,553,000(4)

 


(1)

Our equity compensation plans approved by stockholders include the following:

 

 

(i)

2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2004 Equity Plan”), which expired in November 2014. We can no longer grant equity awards under the 2004 Equity Plan. Certain equity awards granted prior to its expiration date remained unvested and outstanding.

(ii)

Amended 2014 Equity Plan, which became effective in June 2020 and provides for the issuance of up to 10.5 million shares. The Amended 2014 Equity Plan has a ten-year term.term and will expire in June 2030.

 

 

(iii)(ii)

Amended 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”),ESPP, which incorporates an evergreen provision pursuantbecame effective in August 2023 and provides for the issuance of up to which on January 1 of each year, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance can increase by a number of shares equal to the least of: (i) 2% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock on the first day of the year, (ii) 1.04.4 million shares or (iii) a lesser number of shares determined by the Board.shares. The Amended 2004 ESPP has a 20-year term.15-year term and will expire in August 2038.

 

(2)

Includes the following outstanding awards: 161,000102,000 RSUs, 1,169,000427,000 PSUs, 1,554,0001,502,000 MSUs, and 221,00055,000 MPSUs. The number of securities reported for performance awards was generally based on the actual number of shares that have been earned, but are subject to additional service conditions before they vest. For those performance awards that have not been earned because the performance period was still in progress, the number of securities reported was based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions.conditions, and thus may differ from eventual dilution.

 

(3)

Includes theRSUs, MSUs and MPSUs have no purchase price related to theprice. PSUs which require employees to pay MPS $30 per share upon vesting of the shares. Beginning in 2020, theHowever, this purchase price requirement for the PSUs is waived if certain price targets are met during the performance period. All other outstanding awards (RSUs, MSUs and MPSUs) have no purchase price.

 

(4)

Includes 5,958,0004,153,000 shares that remained available for future issuance under the Amended 2014 Equity Plan (all of which may be subject to awards other than options, warrants and 4,506,000other rights), and 4,400,000 shares that remained available for future issuance under the Amended 2004 ESPP. 

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Audit Committee Report

 

The purpose of the Audit Committee is to provide oversight of our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audit of our financial statements;statements, appoint the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements;statements, and assist the Board in the oversight of: (i) the integrity of our financial statements, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the independent auditor’sregistered public accounting firm's qualifications, independence and performance, and (iv) our internal accounting and financial controls. In addition, the Audit Committee provides the Board with such information and materials as it may deem necessary to make the Board aware of financial matters requiring the attention of the Board.

 

The Audit Committee has a duly adopted charter, which it reviews on an annual basis.

 

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The Audit Committee is responsible for recommending to the Board that our financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Audit Committee took a number of steps in making this recommendation for 2020,2023, including:

 

reviewing and discussing the audited financial statements with our independent registered public accounting firm and management;

 

reviewing and discussing the audited financial statements with ourthe independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; and management;

 

discussing with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; and

 

receiving the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm's communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and discussing with the independent registered public accounting firm their independence. 

 

Based upon the reviews and discussions described in this report, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20202023 for filing with the SEC.

 

Members of the Audit Committee (as of the date the actions above were taken):

 

Victor K. Lee, Chairman

Herbert Chang

Eileen Wynne

Jeff Zhou

 

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PROPOSAL FOUR

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL TO ELECT EACH DIRECTOR ANNUALLY

The following stockholder proposal has been submitted to us by John Chevedden, 2215 Nelson Avenue, No. 205, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (the “Proponent”). In accordance with SEC regulations, the Proponent has submitted documentation indicating that he is the beneficial owner of 15 shares of our Common Stock and he intends to continue to hold the requisite amount of shares through the date of the Annual Meeting. The complete text of the stockholder proposal is reproduced verbatim as submitted to us. All statements contained in the stockholder proposal are the sole responsibility of the Proponent.

For the reasons set forth following the Proponent’s proposal, our Board opposes adoption of the proposal and recommends that you vote AGAINST the proposal.

Proponents Proposal

Proposal 4 Elect Each Director Annually

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RESOLVED, shareholders ask that our Company take all the steps necessary to reorganize the Board of Directors in order that each director stands for election at each annual meeting.

Although our management can adopt this proposal topic in one-year and one-year implementation is a best practice, this proposal allows the option to phase it in.

Classified Boards like the Monolithic Power Systems Board have been found to be one of 6 entrenching mechanisms that are negatively related to company performance according to “What Matters in Corporate Governance” by Lucien Bebchuk, Alma Cohen and Allen Ferrell of the Harvard Law School.

Arthur Levitt, former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission said, “In my view it’s best for the investor if the entire board is elected once a year. Without annual election of each director shareholders have far less control over who represents them.”

A total of 79 S&P 500 and Fortune 500 companies, worth more than $1 trillion, have adopted this important proposal topic since 2012. Annual election of each director could make directors more accountable, and thereby contribute to improved performance and increased company value at virtually no extra cost to shareholders. Thus it was not a surprise that this proposal topic won more than 96%-support at both Centene Corporation and Teleflex in 2021.

Annual election of each director gives shareholders more leverage if the Board of Directors performs poorly. For instance if the Board of Directors approves executive pay that is excessive or is poorly incentivized shareholders can soon vote against the Board’s executive pay committee members instead of potentially waiting 3-years under the current setup.

For instance MPWR executive pay was rejected by 43% of shares in 2023 in spite of management using shareholder money for an extra promotion for the excessive executive pay that was ultimately rejected by 42% of shares when a 5% rejection is often the norm at well performing companies.

Consequently the members of the MPWR executive pay committee deserved negative votes but under the 3-year director terms at MPWR none of these 3 directors were on the 2023 annual meeting ballot.

However the 2 directors on the 2023 annual meeting ballot, Mr. James Moyer and Mr. Victor Lee, each received 22% in negative votes when 5% in negative votes is often the norm at well performing companies. To make matters whose Mr. Moyer at age 81 is now elected to serve until age 83 with no intervening opportunity for shareholders to vote against Mr. Moyer. Due to poor health Mr. Moyer missed 2 Board meetings which is all the worse because the Monolithic Power Systems board has only 8 directors.

Please vote yes:

Elect Each Director Annually - Proposal 4

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Boards Opposing Statement

Our Board recommends a vote AGAINST the stockholder proposal requesting that we take all necessary steps to declassify our Board.

Our Board believes that there is no “one size fits all” governance approach. The appropriate standard by which to judge MPS’s classified board structure is whether it protects the interests of our stockholders.

Our Board does not believe that declassifying our Board is in the best interest of MPS and stockholders for the following reasons:

1.

Our Classified Board Structure Reduces our Vulnerability to Takeovers and Protects Stockholder Value.

Our classified board structure reduces our vulnerability to coercive takeover tactics and inadequate takeover bids by encouraging persons seeking control of MPS to negotiate with our Board, and thereby better positions our Board to negotiate effectively on behalf of all our stockholders. Our classified board structure is designed to safeguard against an insurgent stockholder replacing a majority of our directors with its own nominees at a single annual meeting of stockholders, thereby gaining control of MPS and assets without paying fair value to our stockholders. In particular, in recent years, hedge funds and other activist investors have increasingly used the threat of a proxy fight to pressure boards to take actions that produce short-term gains at the expense of strategies designed to achieve meaningful long-term stockholder value. Because only approximately one-third of our directors are elected at any annual meeting of stockholders, at least two annual meetings of stockholders would be required to change a majority of the directors serving on our Board, providing incumbent directors substantial leverage to negotiate the best results for our stockholders.

Our classified board structure does not preclude a takeover, but rather provides our Board the time and flexibility necessary to be in the best position to evaluate the adequacy and fairness of proposed offers, consider alternative methods of maximizing stockholder value, protect all stockholders against abusive tactics during a takeover process and, as appropriate, negotiate the best possible return for all stockholders, without the threat of imminent removal of a majority of the members of our Board. We believe this is particularly important in the current environment of stock market volatility, in which persons seeking to gain control of a company may pursue coercive takeover tactics during a period of depressed stock prices, even where the decline in the company’s stock price may be temporary and due to factors outside of its control. The closing price of our Common Stock has ranged from $342.95 to $637.39 per share during 2023, and $571.06 to $767.60 per share during the three-month period from December 15, 2023 to March 15, 2024, which illustrates how attractive and vulnerable we might be to an opportunistic acquirer seeking to acquire our Common Stock at a time when our intrinsic value may not be fully reflected in our Common Stock. Elimination of our classified board structure would make it more difficult for our stockholder-elected Board to preserve and maximize value for all stockholders in the event of an unsolicited takeover bid.

2.

Our Classified Board Structure Promotes Independence, Stability, Continuity and Experience.

We are committed to strong corporate governance and our Board regularly reviews our governance structure, including our classified board structure. Our Board is divided into three classes, with each class serving a staggered three-year term. Electing directors to three-year terms, rather than one-year terms, enhances the independence of our non-management directors and encourages them to make decisions in the long-term best interest of our company and stockholders. This reduces the potential influence of certain investors and special interest groups with short-term agendas that may be harmful to the long-term interests of MPS and stockholders. This long-term perspective differentiates MPS from other companies, and we believe this perspective is a significant reason why our stock price has increased by 1,900% in the past ten years (from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2023).

Our classified board structure also promotes orderly succession of directors by ensuring that at any given time there are experienced, tenured directors serving on our Board who are familiar with MPS and its business, strategic goals, history, technology, operations, culture and employee base. We believe three-year terms enable our directors to develop substantive knowledge about our complex business and operations, which enables them to make long-term strategic decisions that are in the best interest of our stockholders. Currently, our Board is comprised of individuals with the following tenures:

Name

Director Since

Michael Hsing

1997

Herbert Chang

1999

Eugen Elmiger

2012

Victor K. Lee

2006

Carintia Martinez

2021

James C. Moyer

1998

Eileen Wynne

2023

Jeff Zhou

2010

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We believe our Board strikes an appropriate balance between directors with long-term institutional knowledge of MPS and new directors with fresh perspectives. If our Board were declassified, in a single election cycle it could be wholly replaced by directors unfamiliar with our history, business and strategies, resulting in a significant loss of critical institutional knowledge. Our classified board structure allows for orderly change, with new directors with fresh perspectives benefitting from serving with directors with longer tenures. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regularly reviews succession planning for our Board, intends to implement a policy regarding director time commitments and plans to establish an advisory board to assist us in various areas of our business and to provide potential candidates to join the Board over time.

Competition for qualified directors in our industry is intense and increases each year. Our classified board structure assists us in attracting and retaining highly qualified directors by increasing the likelihood that they will have sufficient time to immerse themselves in our business and operations and execute on important long-term initiatives. Our classified board structure also requires a higher level of commitment from our newly appointed directors, as they are generally expected to serve up to a three-year first term.

3.

Our Classified Board Structure Provides Accountability to Our Stockholders.

Since becoming a public company, our Board has been comprised of a majority of independent, non-employee directors and each of our board committees has always consisted entirely of independent directors. We have adopted director membership criteria to help ensure that the nominees to our Board reflect our high governance standards and are prepared to serve the best interests of all of our stockholders. We believe that our corporate governance practices reflect our commitment to accountability and serve the interests of our stockholders.

In addition, all directors, regardless of the length of their term, have a fiduciary duty under the law to act in a manner that they believe to be in the best interests of MPS and our stockholders. Accountability depends on the selection of experienced and committed individuals, not on whether they serve terms of one year or three years. As a result, the classified board structure maintains the same level of accountability as with annual elections of directors.

After careful consideration, our Board has determined that continuation of our classified board structure is appropriate and in the best long-term interests of MPS and our stockholders.

OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTEAGAINST APPROVAL OF PROPOSAL FOUR.

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Other Matters

 

We know of no other matters to be submitted at the meeting. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy to vote the shares they represent as we may recommend.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Safe Harbor Statement

 

This Proxy Statement contains forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts or guarantees of future performance or events, are based on current expectations, estimates, beliefs, assumptions, goals, and objectives, and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from the results expressed by these statements. Readers of this Proxy Statement are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, including those identified in our SEC filings, including, but not limited to, our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2021.Report. The forward-looking statements in this Proxy Statement represent our projections and current expectations, as of the date hereof, not predictions of actual performance.

 

 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dated: April 30, 202129, 2024

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Saria Tseng

 

Executive Vice President, Strategic Corporate Development, General Counsel and

Corporate Secretary

 

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Annexure A

Annexure A

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES (1)

(in thousands, except per-share amounts)

 

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES (1)

  

FY 2020

  

FY 2019

  

FY 2018

 

GAAP operating income

 $158,882  $102,562  $113,488 

Stock-based compensation expense

  85,551   78,699   60,607 

Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets

  -   110   841 

Deferred compensation plan (income) expense

  5,650   3,995   (591)

Non-GAAP operating income

  250,083   185,366   174,345 

Litigation expense

  7,804   2,464   1,922 

Non-GAAP operating income used in short-term cash incentive plan

 $257,887  $187,830  $176,267 
             

GAAP net income

 $164,375  $108,839  $105,268 

Stock-based compensation expense

  85,551   78,699   60,607 

Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets

  -   110   841 

Deferred compensation plan expense

  1,057   189   431 

Tax effect

  (14,229)  (10,128)  (313)

Non-GAAP net income

 $236,754  $177,709  $166,834 
             

GAAP net income per share - diluted

 $3.50  $2.38  $2.36 

Non-GAAP net income per share - diluted

 $5.04  $3.88  $3.74 

Shares used in the calculation of diluted net income per share

  47,014   45,763   44,602 

(in thousands, except per-share amounts)

 

  

FY 2023

  

FY 2022

  

FY 2021

 

GAAP operating income

 $481,736  $526,785  $262,417 

Stock-based compensation expense

  149,711   160,992   123,479 

Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets

  132   132   44 

Deferred compensation plan expense (income)

  9,561   (7,011)  5,124 

Non-GAAP operating income

  641,140   680,898   391,064 

Litigation expense

  6,891   8,001   9,225 

Non-GAAP operating income used in short-term cash incentive plan

 $648,031  $688,899  $400,289 
             

GAAP net income

 $427,374  $437,672  $242,023 

Stock-based compensation expense

  149,711   160,992   123,479 

Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets

  132   132   44 

Deferred compensation plan expense (income)

  1,055   (411)  561 

Tax effect

  (3,625)  1,559   (9,434)

Non-GAAP net income

 $574,647  $599,944  $356,673 
             

GAAP net income per share - diluted

 $8.76  $9.05  $5.05 

Non-GAAP net income per share - diluted

 $11.78  $12.41  $7.45 

Shares used in the calculation of diluted net income per share

  48,771   48,358   47,889 

____________


(1)

These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. MPS utilizes both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures to assess what it believes to be its core operating performance, and to evaluate and manage its internal business and assist in making financial, operating and compensation decisions. Our Compensation Committee also evaluates non-GAAP financial measures when reviewing management’s performances and reaching compensation decisions. MPS believes that the non-GAAP financial measures, together with GAAP measures, provide investors with an alternative presentation useful to their understanding of MPS’s core operating results and trends. Additionally, MPS believes that the inclusion of non-GAAP measures, together with GAAP measures, may provide investors with an alternative presentation useful to their understanding of MPS’s core operating results and trends. Additionally, MPS believes that the inclusion of non-GAAP measures, together with GAAP measures, may provide investors with an additional dimension of comparability to similar companies. However, investors should be aware that non-GAAP financial measures utilized by other companies are not likely to be comparable in most cases to the non-GAAP financial measures used by MPS.

 

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