Cohu (COHU) 10-K 23 Feb 16 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Feb. 11, 2016	Jun. 26, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	COHU INC
Entity Central Index Key	21,535
Trading Symbol	cohu
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-26
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		26,249,438
Entity Public Float			$ 193
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 26, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 115,370	$ 70,885
Short-term investments	1,652	1,155
Accounts receivable, net	59,832	70,490
Inventories:
Raw materials and purchased parts	24,423	26,239
Work in process	20,124	19,044
Finished goods	6,801	3,917
Net inventory	51,348	49,200
Other current assets	$ 6,261	8,363
Current assets of discontinued operations (Note 2)		10,318
Total current assets	$ 234,463	210,411
Property plant and equipment, net	19,000	31,854
Goodwill	60,264	63,132
Intangible assets, net	25,297	33,087
Other assets	6,322	6,281
Total assets	345,346	344,765
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	27,290	25,119
Accrued compensation and benefits	15,628	18,687
Accrued warranty	3,785	4,846
Deferred profit	3,730	6,941
Income taxes payable	4,195	3,133
Other accrued liabilities	$ 8,563	6,708
Current liabilities of discontinued operations (Note 2)		2,783
Total current liabilities	$ 63,191	68,217
Accrued retirement benefits	15,397	$ 13,180
Noncurrent deferred gain on sale of facility (Note 3)	13,142
Deferred income taxes	6,954	$ 7,269
Noncurrent income tax liabilities	6,761	7,321
Other accrued liabilities	$ 1,764	1,004
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations (Note 2)		$ 706
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value; 1,000 shares authorized, none issued
Common stock, $1 par value; 60,000 shares authorized, 26,240 shares issued and outstanding in 2015 and 25,692 shares in 2014	$ 26,240	$ 25,692
Paid-in capital	105,516	97,938
Retained earnings	128,153	134,152
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(21,772)	(10,714)
Total stockholders' equity	238,137	247,068
	$ 345,346	$ 344,765

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	60,000,000	60,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	26,240,000	25,692,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	26,240,000	25,692,000

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Net sales	$ 269,654	$ 316,629	$ 214,511
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales	180,616	210,657	157,111
Research and development	33,107	36,018	40,450
Selling, general and administrative	51,170	$ 50,551	$ 47,925
Gain on sale of facility (Note 3)	(3,198)
Cost and expenses	261,695	$ 297,226	$ 245,486
Income (loss) from operations	7,959	19,403	(30,975)
Interest income	44	30	54
Total	8,003	19,433	(30,921)
Income tax provision (benefit)	2,211	4,653	(2,373)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	5,792	14,780	(28,548)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (Note 2)	(5,542)	(6,072)	(4,870)
Net income (loss)	$ 250	$ 8,708	$ (33,418)
Basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.58	$ (1.15)
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.21)	(0.24)	(0.19)
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	0.01	0.34	(1.34)
Diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	0.22	0.57	(1.15)
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	(0.21)	(0.24)	(0.19)
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.33	$ (1.34)
Weighted average shares used in computing income (loss) per share:
Basic (in shares)	26,057	25,393	24,859
Diluted (in shares)	26,788	26,006	24,859

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Net income (loss)	$ 250	$ 8,708	$ (33,418)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment	(11,000)	(14,107)	3,270
Adjustments related to postretirement benefits, net of tax	$ (58)	$ (3,258)	1,604
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of tax			(6)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$ (11,058)	$ (17,365)	4,868
Comprehensive loss	$ (10,808)	$ (8,657)	$ (28,550)

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 29, 2012	$ 24,632	$ 83,547	$ 170,937	$ 1,783	$ 280,899
Net loss			$ (33,418)		(33,418)
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment				$ 3,270	3,270
Adjustments related to postretirement benefits, net of tax				1,604	1,604
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of tax				$ (6)	(6)
Cash dividends - $0.24 per share			$ (5,973)		(5,973)
Exercise of stock options	$ 117	$ 769			886
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan	163	1,088			$ 1,251
Shares issued for restricted stock units vested	249	(249)
Repurchase and retirement of stock	$ (81)	(740)			$ (821)
Share-based compensation expense		5,468			5,468
Balance at Dec. 28, 2013	$ 25,080	$ 89,883	$ 131,546	$ 6,651	253,160
Net loss			$ 8,708		8,708
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment				$ (14,107)	(14,107)
Adjustments related to postretirement benefits, net of tax				$ (3,258)	$ (3,258)
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of tax
Cash dividends - $0.24 per share			$ (6,102)		$ (6,102)
Exercise of stock options	$ 237	$ 1,764			2,001
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan	139	1,001			$ 1,140
Shares issued for restricted stock units vested	353	(353)
Repurchase and retirement of stock	$ (117)	(1,133)			$ (1,250)
Share-based compensation expense		6,776			6,776
Balance at Dec. 27, 2014	$ 25,692	$ 97,938	$ 134,152	$ (10,714)	247,068
Net loss			$ 250		250
Changes in cumulative translation adjustment				$ (11,000)	(11,000)
Adjustments related to postretirement benefits, net of tax				$ (58)	$ (58)
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of tax
Cash dividends - $0.24 per share			$ (6,249)		$ (6,249)
Exercise of stock options	$ 175	$ 1,335			1,510
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan	123	977			$ 1,100
Shares issued for restricted stock units vested	377	(377)
Repurchase and retirement of stock	$ (127)	(1,250)			$ (1,377)
Share-based compensation expense		6,893			6,893
Balance at Dec. 26, 2015	$ 26,240	$ 105,516	$ 128,153	$ (21,772)	$ 238,137

Consolidated Statements of Sto7

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Retained Earnings [Member]
Cash dividend, per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.24	$ 0.24

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 27, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2013USD ($)
Broadcast Microwave Services, Inc. (“BMS”) [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain (loss) on disposal of segment	$ 3,573
Changes in current assets and liabilities, excluding effects from acquisitions and divestitures:
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses	$ 4,881
Cohu Electronics [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain (loss) on disposal of segment		$ (4,434)
Changes in current assets and liabilities, excluding effects from acquisitions and divestitures:
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses		10,258
Net income (loss)	$ 250	$ 8,708	$ (33,418)
Gain on sale of facility	(3,198)
Operating cash flows of discontinued operations	(1,039)	$ 9,466	$ 1,894
Depreciation and amortization	11,273	12,607	12,517
Share-based compensation expense	6,755	6,388	5,111
Accrued retiree benefits	2,185	787	662
Deferred income taxes	222	$ 832	$ (1,656)
Other assets	(326)
Loss on disposal and impairment of fixed assets	311
Other accrued liabilities	127
Accounts receivable	8,970	$ (18,656)	$ (1,585)
Inventories	(5,743)	(3,401)	11,656
Accrued compensation, warranty and other liabilities	(3,740)	6,218	(1,534)
Accounts payable	3,376	139	7,040
Deferred profit	(3,108)	2,181	3,448
Other current assets	2,420	(1,294)	(353)
Income taxes payable, including excess stock option exercise benefits	(828)	137	(365)
Net cash provided by operating activities	21,480	$ 19,678	$ 3,417
Net cash received from sale of facility	33,314
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(6,586)	$ (1,457)	$ (3,607)
Purchases of short-term investments	(656)	(1,000)
Sales and maturities of short-term investments	$ 155	$ 1,045	$ 6,221
Payment for purchase of Ismeca, net of cash received			(53,463)
Other assets			(176)
Investing cash flows of discontinued operations	$ (74)	$ (209)	(301)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	31,034	8,637	(51,326)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash dividends paid	(6,215)	(6,067)	(4,468)
Issuance of stock, net	1,233	1,891	1,316
Net cash used in financing activities	(4,982)	(4,176)	(3,152)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(3,047)	(4,922)	(79)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	44,485	19,217	(51,140)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	70,885	51,668	102,808
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	115,370	70,885	51,668
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid (refunded) during the year for income taxes	(253)	971	(900)
Inventory capitalized as capital assets	315	1,166	640
Dividends declared but not yet paid	1,573	$ 1,539	$ 1,504
Capitalized facility under build-to-suit lease	$ 682

Note 1 - Summary of Significant

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation Our fiscal years are based on a 52- or 53-week period ending on the last Saturday in December. Our fiscal years ended on December 26, 2015, December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 each consisted of 52 weeks. Certain prior-period amounts in our consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Discontinued Operations – On June 10, 2015, we sold our mobile microwave communications equipment business, Broadcast Microwave Services, Inc. (“BMS”) and on June 6, 2014, we completed the sale of our video camera business, Cohu Electronics. The operating results of BMS and Cohu Electronics are being presented as discontinued operations and all prior period amounts have been reclassified accordingly. See Note 2, “Discontinued Operations ” for additional information. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts herein relate to continuing operations. Income (Loss ) Per Share For the years ended December 26, 2015 and December 27, 2014 approximately 875,000 and 1,771,000 shares of our common stock were excluded from the computation, respectively. The following table reconciles the denominators used in computing basic and diluted income (loss) per share : (in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Weighted average common shares outstanding 26,057 25,393 24,859 Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units 731 613 - 26,788 26,006 24,859 Cohu has utilized the “control number” concept in the computation of diluted earnings per share to determine whether potential common stock instruments are dilutive. The control number used is income from continuing operations. The control number concept requires that the same number of potentially dilutive securities applied in computing diluted earnings per share from continuing operations be applied to all other categories of income or loss, regardless of their anti-dilutive effect on such categories. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments COHU, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Fair Value of Financial Instruments Concentration of Credit Risk Trade accounts receivable are presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.1 million at December 26, 2015 and $0.2 million at December 27, 2014. Our customers include semiconductor manufacturers and semiconductor test subcontractors and other customers located throughout many areas of the world. While we believe that our allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate and represents our best estimate of potential loss exposure at December 26, 2015, we will continue to monitor customer liquidity and other economic conditions, which may result in changes to our estimates regarding collectability. Inventories Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands) : December 26, December 27, 2015 2014 Property, plant and equipment, at cost: Land and land improvements $ 4,607 $ 11,762 Buildings and building improvements 8,971 31,065 Machinery and equipment 31,888 32,356 45,466 75,183 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (26,466 ) (43,329 ) Property plant and equipment, net $ 19,000 $ 31,854 Depreciation expense was approximately $4.2 million in 2015, $4.8 million in 2014 and $4.7 million 2013. Segment Information Segment Reporting COHU, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Goodwill, Purchased Intangible Assets and Other Long-lived Assets – We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually on October 1 st As of October 1, 2015, the results of our qualitative assessment indicated there was no impairment. Long-lived assets, other than goodwill, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets, impairment losses are only recorded if the asset’s carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted, probability-weighted future cash flows. We measure the impairment loss based on the difference between the assets carrying amount and estimated fair value. Product Warranty Income Taxes Contingencies and Litigation Revenue Recognition Revenue for established products that have previously satisfied a customer’s acceptance requirements and provide for full payment tied to shipment is generally recognized upon shipment and passage of title. In certain instances, customer payment terms may provide that a minority portion (e.g. up to 20%) of the equipment purchase price be paid only upon customer acceptance. In those situations, the majority portion (e.g. 80%) of revenue where the contingent payment is tied to shipment and the entire product cost of sale are recognized upon shipment and passage of title and the minority portion of the purchase price related to customer acceptance is deferred and recognized upon receipt of customer acceptance. In cases where a prior history of customer acceptance cannot be demonstrated or from sales where customer payment dates are not determinable and in the case of new products, revenue is deferred until customer acceptance has been received. Our post-shipment obligations typically include installation and standard warranties. The estimated fair value of installation related revenue is recognized in the period the installation is performed. Service revenue is recognized ratably over the period of the related contract or upon completion of the services if they are short-term in nature. Spares and kit revenue is generally recognized upon shipment. COHU, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Certain of our equipment sales are accounted for as multiple-element arrangements. A multiple-element arrangement is a transaction which may involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services, or rights to use assets, and performance may occur at different points in time or over different periods of time. For arrangements containing multiple elements, the revenue relating to the undelivered elements is deferred using the relative selling price method utilizing estimated sales prices until delivery of the deferred elements. We limit the amount of revenue recognition for delivered elements to the amount that is not contingent on the future delivery of products or services, future performance obligations or subject to customer-specified return or adjustment. On shipments where sales are not recognized, gross profit is generally recorded as deferred profit in our consolidated balance sheet representing the difference between the receivable recorded and the inventory shipped. In certain instances where customer payments are received prior to product shipment, the customer’s payments are recorded as customer advances. At December 26, 2015, we had total deferred revenue of approximately $5.0 million and deferred profit of $3.7 million. At December 27, 2014, we had total deferred revenue of approximately $10.7 million and deferred profit of $6.9 million. Advertising Costs Share-based Compensation Foreign Currency Translation Comprehensive Loss COHU, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements – Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-04, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Subtopic 715): Practical Expedient for the Measurement Date of an Employer's Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets.” This update provides a practical expedient that permits a company to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations using the month-end date that is closest to the company's fiscal year-end and apply that practical expedient consistently from year to year. The practical expedient should be applied consistently to all plans if the company has more than one plan. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, we elected to early adopt this guidance and the adoption had no impact on our results of operations. In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes”, which provides guidance on the presentation of deferred income taxes that requires deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with related valuation allowances, to be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. As a result, each tax jurisdiction will now only have one net noncurrent deferred tax asset or liability. The new guidance does not change the existing requirement that prohibits offsetting deferred tax liabilities from one jurisdiction against deferred tax assets of another jurisdiction. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, we elected to early-adopt this guidance retrospectively. Adoption had no impact on our results of operations. The following table summarizes the adjustments made to conform prior year classifications with the new guidance ( in thousands ): December 27, 2014 As Filed Reclass As Adjusted Current deferred income tax assets $ 4,406 $ (4,406 ) $ - Noncurrent deferred income tax assets - 353 353 Current deferred income tax liabilities (included in other accrued liabilities) (261 ) 261 - Noncurrent deferred income tax liabilities (11,061 ) 3,792 (7,269 ) Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities) $ (6,916 ) $ - $ (6,916 ) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern”. This standard sets forth management’s responsibility to evaluate, each reporting period, whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, and if so, to provide related footnote disclosures. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company does not believe that the adoption of this guidance will have any material impact on its financial position or results of operations. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11 “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory” (ASU 2015-11). ASU 2015-11 simplifies the guidance on the subsequent measurement of inventory, excluding inventory measured using last-in, first out or the retail inventory method. Under the new standard, in scope inventory should be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements and our timing for adoption. COHU, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16 “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments” (ASU 2015-16). ASU 2015-16 requires an entity to: recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined; record, in the same period's financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date; and present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. We do not expect the new standard to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

Note 2 - Discontinued Operation

Note 2 - Discontinued Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]	2. Discontinued Operations In 2015, we sold all of the outstanding stock of BMS for $4.9 million in cash and up to $2.5 million of contingent cash consideration. In 2014, we sold substantially all the assets of our video camera business, Cohu Electronics for $10.3 million comprised of $9.5 million in cash, $0.5 million in contingent consideration and a working capital adjustment. Our decision to sell these two non-core businesses resulted from management’s determination that they were no longer a strategic fit within our organization. As part of the divestiture of BMS we recorded a long-term contingent consideration receivable that has been classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 5, “Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value” for additional information on the three-tier fair value hierarchy. The contingent consideration represents the estimated fair value of future payments we are due based on BMS achieving annual revenue targets in certain years as specified in the sale agreement. We determine the value of the contingent consideration using a Monte Carlo simulation model with changes to the fair value of the contingent consideration being recognized in discontinued operations. At December 26, 2015, the current fair value of the receivable totaled $0.5 million. Balance sheet information for BMS presented as discontinued operations is summarized as follows (in thousands) : December 26, 2015 December 27, 2014 Assets: Accounts receivable, net $ - $ 3,156 Inventories - 6,345 Other current assets - 817 Total current assets $ - $ 10,318 Liabilities: Deferred Profit $ - $ 504 Other accrued current liabilities - 2,279 Total current liabilities - 2,783 Noncurrent liabilities 706 Total liabilities $ - $ 3,489 COHU, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Operating results of our discontinued operations are summarized as follows (in thousands) : December 26, December 27, December 28, 2015 2014 2013 Net sales: Microwave equipment segment $ 6,965 $ 16,694 $ 17,063 Video camera segment - 5,460 15,726 $ 6,965 $ 22,154 $ 32,789 Operating loss before income taxes: Microwave equipment segment $ (1,963 ) $ (10,305 ) $ (6,142 ) Video camera segment - (242 ) 1,317 (1,963 ) (10,547 ) (4,825 ) Loss from sale of BMS (3,573 ) - - Gain from sale of Cohu Electronics - 4,434 - Loss before taxes (5,536 ) (6,113 ) (4,825 ) Income tax provision 6 (41 ) 45 Loss, net of tax $ (5,542 ) $ (6,072 ) $ (4,870 ) In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 we finalized a working capital adjustment associated with the sale of BMS. We also adjusted the fair value contingent consideration to be earned pursuant to the definitive agreement based on our current estimates. These adjustments have been included in the loss from sale of BMS presented above.

Note 3 - Sale-leaseback of Powa

Note 3 - Sale-leaseback of Poway Facility	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Sale Leaseback Transaction Disclosure [Text Block]	3. Sale-leaseback of Poway Facility On December 4, 2015, we completed the sale of our headquarters facility located in Poway, California (the “Poway Facility”) for $34.1 million. After payment of commissions and other fees associated with the sale we realized net cash proceeds of approximately $33.3 million which resulted in a total gain of $18.5 million. Concurrent with the closing of the sale, we entered into two leases. One lease, with a ten-year term through 2025, provides for base rent of approximately $1.6 million per annum, with 3% annual adjustments for inflation and a pro rata share of property operating costs. The lease, covers approximately 43% of the Poway Facility that Cohu and our wholly owned subsidiary, Delta Design, Inc. will consolidate into. This lease also contains two five-year renewal options. The other lease is for a term of one year, provides for base rent of approximately $0.6 million and a pro rata share of property operating costs, and covers the balance of the Poway Facility. The transaction allows us to reduce the utilized space within the Poway Facility to better fit our current and anticipated future needs, as we transition manufacturing activities to Asia. We accounted for this transaction in accordance with ASC subtopic 840-40, Sale-leaseback transactions

Note 4 - Goodwill and Purchased

Note 4 - Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	4. Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets Changes in the carrying value of goodwill by during the years ended December 26, 2015 and December 27, 2014 were as follows ( in thousands : Total Goodwill Balance, December 28, 2013 $ 67,983 Impact of currency exchange (4,851 ) Balance, December 27, 2014 63,132 Impact of currency exchange (2,868 ) Balance, December 26, 2015 $ 60,264 COHU, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Purchased intangible assets, subject to amortization, are as follows (in thousands) : December 26, 2015 December 27, 2014 Remaining Gross Carrying Accumulated Useful Life Gross Carrying Accumulated Amount Amortization (years) Amount Amortization Rasco technology $ 26,904 $ 23,776 0.9 $ 29,845 $ 22,616 Ismeca technology 27,043 10,329 5.0 27,014 6,879 Trade names 5,547 92 14.7 5,723 - $ 59,494 $ 34,197 $ 62,582 $ 29,495 Changes in the carrying values of purchased intangible assets presented above are a result of the impact of fluctuation in currency exchange rates. We review the assessment of indefinite life for our trade names each period to determine whether the indefinite life assumption continues to be supportable. If it is deemed unsupportable the change in useful life from indefinite to finite is made and amortization is recognized on a prospective basis after testing the assets for impairment. On September 24, 2015, we introduced a rebranding initiative and unveiled a new “Cohu” logo. The primary goal of the change was to improve the cohesiveness of our organization and come to the market as one brand. Previously, it had been our determination that the Rasco and Ismeca trade names had an indefinite life. As a result of the rebranding initiative, we determined that the classification of the useful life of our trade names as indefinite was no longer appropriate based on our expectations of the future period over which the assets will provide economic benefit to Cohu. After performing a test for impairment, we determined that the assets should be amortized over fifteen years. Amortization expense related to purchased intangible assets was approximately $7.0 million in 2015 and $7.8 million in both 2014 and 2013. As of December 26, 2015, we expect amortization expense in future periods to be as follows: 2016 - $6.8 million; 2017 - $3.7 million; 2018 - $3.7 million; 2019 - $3.7 million 2020 - $3.7 million; and thereafter $3.7 million.

Note 5 - Financial Instruments

Note 5 - Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Text Block]	5. Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value Our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments consisted primarily of cash and other investment grade securities. We do not hold investment securities for trading purposes. All short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value. Investment securities are exposed to market risk due to changes in interest rates and credit risk and we monitor credit risk and attempt to mitigate exposure by making high-quality investments and through investment diversification. Gains and losses on investments are calculated using the specific-identification method and are recognized during the period in which the investment is sold or when an investment experiences an other-than-temporary decline in value. Factors that could indicate an impairment exists include, but are not limited to: earnings performance, changes in credit rating or adverse changes in the regulatory or economic environment of the asset. Gross realized gains and losses on sales of short-term investments are included in interest income. Realized gains and losses for the periods presented were not significant. Investments that we have classified as short-term, by security type, are as follows (in thousands) : At December 26, 2015 Gross Gross Estimated Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Cost Gains Losses Value Foreign government security $ 650 $ - $ - $ 650 Bank certificates of deposit 1,002 - - 1,002 $ 1,652 $ - $ - $ 1,652 COHU, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS At December 27, 2014 Gross Gross Estimated Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Cost Gains Losses Value Municipal securities $ 155 $ - $ - $ 155 Bank certificates of deposit 1,000 - - 1,000 $ 1,155 $ - $ - $ 1,155 Effective maturities of short-term investments at December 26, 2015, were as follows: Amortized Estimated (in thousands) Cost Fair Value Due in one year or less $ 1,450 $ 1,450 Due after one year through three years 202 202 $ 1,652 $ 1,652 Accounting standards pertaining to fair value measurements establish a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. When available, we use quoted market prices to determine the fair value of our investments, and they are included in Level 1. When quoted market prices are unobservable, we use quotes from independent pricing vendors based on recent trading activity and other relevant information. The following table summarizes, by major security type, our financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy (in thousands) Fair value measurements at December 26, 2015 using: Total estimated Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 fair value Cash $ 73,746 $ - $ - $ 73,746 Foreign government security - 650 - 650 Money market funds - 41,624 - 41,624 Bank certificates of deposit - 1,002 - 1,002 $ 73,746 $ 43,276 $ - $ 117,022 Fair value measurements at December 27, 2014 using: Total estimated Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 fair value Cash $ 66,467 $ - $ - $ 66,467 Municipal securities - 155 - 155 Money market funds - 4,418 - 4,418 Bank certificates of deposit - 1,000 - 1,000 $ 66,467 $ 5,573 $ - $ 72,040

Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans

Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	6. Employee Benefit Plans Defined Contribution Retirement Plans COHU, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Defined Benefit Retirement Plans Net periodic benefit cost of the Swiss Plan was as follows : (in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Service cost $ 856 $ 749 $ 841 Interest cost 311 491 398 Expected return on assets (193 ) (343 ) (267 ) Settlements 235 - - Net periodic costs $ 1,209 $ 897 $ 972 The following table sets forth the projected benefit obligation, the fair value of plan assets, the funded status and the liability we have recorded in our consolidated balance sheet related to the Swiss Plan: (in thousands) 2015 2014 Change in projected benefit obligation: Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ (26,027 ) $ (23,850 ) Service cost (856 ) (749 ) Interest cost (311 ) (491 ) Actuarial gain (loss) (660 ) (3,649 ) Participant contributions (672 ) (728 ) Benefits paid 296 998 Plan change 558 - Settlements 2,199 - Foreign currency exchange adjustment (10 ) 2,442 Benefit obligation at end of year (25,483 ) (26,027 ) Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 15,603 16,083 Return on assets, net of actuarial loss 277 652 Employer contributions 672 728 Participant contributions 672 728 Benefits paid (296 ) (998 ) Settlements (2,199 ) - Foreign currency exchange adjustment (13 ) (1,590 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year 14,716 15,603 Net liability at end of year $ (10,767 ) $ (10,424 ) At December 26, 2015 and December 27, 2014, the Swiss Plan’s net liability is included in noncurrent accrued retirement benefits. Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income net of tax related to the Swiss Plan consisted of an unrecognized net actuarial loss totaling $1.8 million at December 26, 2015 and $2.0 million at December 27, 2014. COHU, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the projected benefit obligation under the Swiss Plan are as follows : 2015 2014 Discount rate 1.0 % 1.3 % Compensation increase 1.8 % 1.8 % Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost of the Swiss Plan are as follows : 2015 2014 2013 Discount rate 1.3 % 2.3 % 1.8 % Rate of return on Assets 1.3 % 2.3 % 1.8 % Compensation increase 1.8 % 2.0 % 2.0 % During 2016 employer and employee contributions to the Swiss Plan are expected to total $0.7 million. Estimated benefit payments are expected to be as follows: 2016 - $0.6 million; 2017 - $0.6 million; 2018 - $0.7 million; 2019 - $0.8 million; 2020 - $0.9 million; and $5.2 million thereafter through 2025. As is customary with Swiss pension plans, the assets of the plan are invested in a collective fund with multiple employers. We have no investment authority over the assets of the plan that are held and invested by a Swiss insurance company. Investment holdings are made with respect to Swiss laws and target allocations for plan assets are 75% debt securities, 12% real estate investments, 8% alternative investments, 2% cash and 3% equity securities. The valuation of the collective fund assets as a whole is a Level 3 measurement; however the individual investments of the fund are generally Level 1 (equity securities), Level 2 (fixed income) and Level 3 (real estate and alternative) investments. We determine the fair value of the plan assets based on information provided by the collective fund, through review of the collective fund’s annual financial statements. See Note 5, “Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value” for additional information on the three-tier fair value hierarchy. Retiree Medical Benefits The weighted average discount rate used in determining the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation was 4.2% in 2015, 3.8% in 2014 and 4.6% in 2013. Annual rates of increase of the cost of health benefits were assumed to be 7.5% in 2016. These rates were then assumed to decrease 0.3% per year to 4.5% in 2025 and remain level thereafter. A one percent increase (decrease) in health care cost trend rates would increase (decrease) the 2015 net periodic benefit cost by approximately $14,000 ($11,000) and the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation as of December 26, 2015, by approximately $411,000 ($338,000). Contributions to the post-retirement health benefit plan are expected to total $0.1 million in 2016. Estimated benefit payments are expected to be as follows: 2016 - $0.1 million; 2017 - $0.1 million; 2018 - $0.1 million; 2019 - $0.1 million; 2020 - $0.1 million; and $0.7 million thereafter through 2025. The following table sets forth the post-retirement benefit obligation, funded status and the liability we have recorded in our consolidated balance sheets : (in thousands) 2015 2014 Accumulated benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 2,428 $ 2,021 Service cost - 13 Interest cost 90 91 Actuarial loss 187 370 Benefits paid (56 ) (67 ) Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year 2,649 2,428 Plan assets at end of year - - Funded status $ (2,649 ) $ (2,428 ) COHU, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Deferred Compensation Employee Stock Purchase Plan provides for the issuance of a maximum of 2,650,000 shares of our common stock. Under the Plan, eligible employees may purchase shares of common stock through payroll deductions. The price paid for the common stock is equal to 85% of the fair market value of our common stock on specified dates. During the last three years we issued shares under the Plan as follows: 2015 - 122,528; 2014 - 138,831 and 2013 - 163,120. At December 26, 2015, there were 811,063 shares reserved for issuance under the Plan. Stock Options Stock option activity under our share-based compensation plans was as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg. (in thousands, except per share data) Shares Ex. Price Shares Ex. Price Shares Ex. Price Outstanding, beginning of year 2,435 $ 11.67 3,086 $ 11.93 3,113 $ 12.62 Granted 10 $ 10.98 10 $ 12.58 470 $ 9.83 Exercised (175 ) $ 8.65 (237 ) $ 8.43 (117 ) $ 7.55 Cancelled (305 ) $ 16.07 (424 ) $ 15.37 (380 ) $ 16.37 Outstanding, end of year 1,965 $ 11.25 2,435 $ 11.67 3,086 $ 11.93 Options exercisable at year end 1,673 $ 11.47 1,901 $ 12.08 2,195 $ 12.46 The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised was $0.7 million in both 2015 and 2014, and $0.4 million in 2013. At December 26, 2015, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding, vested and expected to vest and exercisable was $1.2 million. Information about stock options outstanding at December 26, 2015 is as follows (options in thousands) : Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Approximate Wt. Avg. Range of Number Remaining Wt. Avg. Number Wt. Avg. Exercise Prices Outstanding Life (Years) Ex. Price Exercisable Ex. Price $7.32 - $10.58 1,182 5.2 $ 8.82 922 $ 8.54 $10.59 - $15.50 498 4.2 $ 14.06 466 $ 14.26 $15.51 - $20.73 285 1.7 $ 16.44 285 $ 16.44 1,965 4.4 $ 11.25 1,673 $ 11.47 COHU, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Restricted Stock Units Restricted stock unit activity under our share-based compensation plans was as follows : 2015 2014 2013 Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg. (in thousands, except per share data) Units Fair Value Units Fair Value Units Fair Value Outstanding, beginning of year 1,026 $ 9.54 887 $ 9.46 615 $ 10.54 Granted 482 $ 10.54 497 $ 10.07 531 $ 8.80 Released (339 ) $ 9.63 (315 ) $ 10.16 (223 ) $ 10.86 Cancelled (91 ) $ 9.82 (43 ) $ 9.41 (36 ) $ 9.86 Outstanding, end of year 1,078 $ 9.93 1,026 $ 9.54 887 $ 9.46 Equity-Based Performance Stock Units – Performance based stock unit activity under our share-based compensation plans was as follows : 2015 2014 2013 Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg. (in thousands, except per share data) Units Fair Value Units Fair Value Units Fair Value Outstanding, beginning of year 334 $ 10.49 238 $ 9.32 122 $ 9.89 Granted 156 $ 10.69 208 $ 11.34 158 $ 9.03 Released (38 ) $ 9.52 (38 ) $ 9.52 (26 ) $ 9.89 Cancelled (76 ) $ 9.86 (74 ) $ 9.59 (16 ) $ 9.89 Outstanding, end of year 376 $ 10.80 334 $ 10.49 238 $ 9.32 Share-based Compensation COHU, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock unit awards is calculated based on the market price of our common stock on the date of grant, reduced by the present value of dividends expected to be paid on our common stock prior to vesting of the restricted stock unit. Estimated forfeitures are required to be included as a part of the grant date expense estimate. We used historical data to estimate expected employee behaviors related to option exercises and forfeitures. The following weighted average assumptions were used to value share-based awards granted: Employee Stock Purchase Plan 2015 2014 2013 Dividend yield 2.2 % 2.4 % 2.6 % Expected volatility 35.3 % 35.3 % 38.4 % Risk-free interest rate 0.1 % 0.1 % 0.1 % Expected term (years) 0.5 0.5 0.5 Weighted-average grant date fair value per share $ 2.71 $ 2.52 $ 2.32 Employee Stock Options 2015 2014 2013 Dividend yield 2.1 % 2.0 % 2.6 % Expected volatility 39.1 % 42.5 % 44.9 % Risk-free interest rate 1.6 % 1.9 % 1.1 % Expected term (years) 5.9 5.9 6.4 Weighted-average grant date fair value per share $ 3.46 $ 4.39 $ 3.37 Restricted Stock Units 2015 2014 2013 Dividend yield 2.1 % 2.2 % 2.5 % Performance Stock Units 2015 2014 2013 Dividend yield 2.1 % 2.2 % 2.5 % Reported share-based compensation is classified in the consolidated financial statements as follows : (in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Cost of sales $ 566 $ 491 $ 390 Research and development 1,092 1,858 1,623 Selling, general and administrative 5,097 4,039 3,098 Share-based compensation of continuing operations 6,755 6,388 5,111 Discontinued operations 138 388 357 Income tax benefit (249 ) (204 ) - Total share-based compensation, net of tax $ 6,644 $ 6,572 $ 5,468 At December 26, 2015, excluding a reduction for forfeitures, we had approximately $0.6 million of pre-tax unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.2 years. At December 26, 2015, excluding a reduction for forfeitures, we had approximately $10.0 million of pre-tax unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock units and performance stock units which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.3 years.

Note 7 - Income Taxes

Note 7 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	7. Income Taxes Significant components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes for continuing operations are as follows : (in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Current: U.S. Federal $ 5 $ (307 ) $ (1,539 ) U.S. State 28 40 42 Foreign 1,956 4,088 780 Total current 1,989 3,821 (717 ) Deferred: U.S. Federal 89 112 763 U.S. State 49 (17 ) 24 Foreign 84 737 (2,443 ) Total deferred 222 832 (1,656 ) $ 2,211 $ 4,653 $ (2,373 ) Income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations consisted of the following : (in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 U.S. $ (5,214 ) $ 1,076 $ (23,193 ) Foreign 13,217 18,357 (7,728 ) Total $ 8,003 $ 19,433 $ (30,921 ) Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows: (in thousands) 2015 2014 Deferred tax assets: Inventory, receivable and warranty reserves $ 8,207 $ 9,585 Net operating loss carryforwards 7,605 8,266 Tax credit carryforwards 12,291 11,905 Accrued employee benefits 4,993 5,232 Deferred profit and gain on facility sale 6,084 1,091 Stock-based compensation 4,443 4,352 Acquisition basis differences 1,544 2,133 Other 265 608 Gross deferred tax assets 45,432 43,172 Less valuation allowance (42,289 ) (37,023 ) Total deferred tax assets 3,143 6,149 Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation and fixed asset related 227 1,822 Acquisition basis differences 8,904 10,600 Other 563 643 Total deferred tax liabilities 9,694 13,065 Net deferred tax liabilities $ (6,551 ) $ (6,916 ) Companies are required to assess whether a valuation allowance should be recorded against their deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) based on the consideration of all available evidence, using a “more likely than not” realization standard. The four sources of taxable income that must be considered in determining whether DTAs will be realized are, (1) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences (i.e. offset of gross deferred tax assets against gross deferred tax liabilities); (2) taxable income in prior carryback years, if carryback is permitted under the tax law; (3) tax planning strategies and (4) future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards. COHU, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS In assessing whether a valuation allowance is required, significant weight is to be given to evidence that can be objectively verified. We have evaluated our DTAs each reporting period, including an assessment of our cumulative income or loss over the prior three-year period and future periods, to determine if a valuation allowance was required. A significant negative factor in our assessment was Cohu's three-year cumulative U.S. loss history at the end of various fiscal periods including 2015. As a result of our cumulative, three-year U.S. GAAP pretax loss from continuing operations of approximately $27.3 million at the end of 2015, and our U.S. loss in 2015, we were unable to conclude at December 26, 2015 that it was “more likely than not” that our U.S. DTAs would be realized. We will evaluate the realizability of our DTAs at the end of each quarterly reporting period in 2016 and should circumstances change it is possible the remaining valuation allowance, or a portion thereof, will be reversed in a future period. Our valuation allowance on our DTAs at December 26, 2015 and December 27, 2014 was approximately $42.3 million and $37.0 million, respectively. The remaining gross DTAs for which a valuation allowance was not recorded are realizable through future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences. As the realization of DTAs is determined by tax jurisdiction, the deferred tax liabilities recorded as part of the 2008 acquisition of Rasco, a German corporation, and the fiscal 2013 acquisition of Ismeca, a Swiss Corporation, were not a source of taxable income in assessing the realization of our DTAs in the U.S. The reconciliation of income tax computed at the U.S. federal statutory tax rate to the provision (benefit) for income taxes for continuing operations is as follows: (in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Tax provision (credit) at U.S. 35% statutory rate $ 2,801 $ 6,802 $ (10,822 ) State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit (152 ) 119 (1,089 ) Settlements, adjustments and releases from statute expirations (104 ) (65 ) (849 ) Federal tax credits (221 ) (244 ) (1,340 ) Stock-based compensation on which no tax benefit provided 156 160 168 Change in valuation allowance 2,181 437 9,574 Foreign income taxed at different rates (2,601 ) (2,151 ) 1,513 Other, net 151 (405 ) 472 $ 2,211 $ 4,653 $ (2,373 ) State income taxes, net of federal benefit, have been reduced by research tax credits totaling approximately $0.4 million, $0.5 million and $0.7 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. At December 26, 2015, we had federal, state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $19.3 million, $21.3 million and $1.6 million, respectively, that expire in various tax years beginning in 2018 through 2035 or have no expiration date. We also have federal and state tax credit carryforwards at December 26, 2015 of approximately $6.7 million and $13.6 million, respectively, certain of which expire in various tax years beginning in 2016 through 2035 or have no expiration date. The federal and state loss and credit carryforwards are subject to annual limitations under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable state tax law. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which reinstated the United States federal research and development tax credit retroactively from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013, was not enacted into law until the first quarter of 2013. Therefore, the tax benefit from the credits for 2012 and 2013 is reflected in the Company's 2013 income tax provision. U.S. income taxes have not been provided on approximately $41 million of accumulated undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries, as we currently intend to indefinitely reinvest these earnings in operations outside the U.S. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of tax that might be payable if some or all of such earnings were to be remitted. We have certain tax holidays with respect to our operations in Malaysia and the Philippines. These holidays require compliance with certain conditions and expire at various dates through 2023. The impact of these holidays was an increase in net income of approximately $0.8 million, or $0.03 per share, in 2015 and not significant in fiscal 2014 and 2013. COHU, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS A reconciliation of our gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding accrued interest and penalties, is as follows: (in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Balance at beginning of year $ 10,841 $ 10,483 $ 6,080 Gross additions for tax positions of current year 215 761 933 Gross additions for tax positions of prior years 248 365 3,700 Reductions due to lapse of the statute of limitations (243 ) (587 ) - Foreign exchange rate impact (617 ) (181 ) (230 ) Balance at end of year $ 10,444 $ 10,841 $ 10,483 The 2013 gross additions for tax positions of prior years are primarily composed of additions from the Ismeca acquisition. If the unrecognized tax benefits at December 26, 2015 are ultimately recognized, approximately $5.6 million ($6.2 million at December 27, 2014) would result in a reduction in our income tax expense and effective tax rate. It is reasonably possible that our gross unrecognized tax benefits as of December 26, 2015 could decrease in 2016 by approximately $0.5 million as a result of the expiration of certain statutes of limitations. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Cohu had approximately $1.4 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at December 26, 2015 and December 27, 2014. Interest and penalty expense, net of accrued interest reversed, was approximately $0.1 in 2015, not significant in 2014 and approximately $(0.1) million in 2013. Our U.S. federal and state income tax returns for years after 2011 and 2010, respectively, remain open to examination, subject to the statute of limitations. Net operating loss and credit carryforwards arising prior to these years are also open to examination if and when utilized. The statute of limitations for the assessment and collection of income taxes related to our foreign tax returns varies by country. In the foreign countries where we have significant operations these time periods generally range from four to ten years after the year for which the tax return is due or the tax is assessed.

Note 8 - Segment and Geographic

Note 8 - Segment and Geographic Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	8. Segment and Geographic Information We applied the provisions of ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting During the last three years, the following customers comprised 10% or greater of our consolidated net sales: 2015 2014 2013 Intel 18.0 % 15.7 % 18.5 % NXP Semiconductors N.V. (1) 11.4 % 11.4 % 13.5 % (1) The merger of NXP Semiconductors N.V. and Freescale Semiconductor, Ltd. was completed on December 7, 2015. Sales to these customers have been combined for all periods presented. COHU, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Net sales to customers, attributed to countries based on product shipment destination, were as follows: (in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Malaysia $ 60,776 $ 73,818 $ 51,491 China 52,589 51,662 39,202 United States 50,704 72,266 39,504 Philippines 16,270 28,669 26,489 Rest of the World 89,315 90,214 57,825 Total $ 269,654 $ 316,629 $ 214,511 Geographic location of our property, plant and equipment and other long-lived assets was as follows : (in thousands) 2015 2014 Property, plant and equipment: United States $ 3,054 $ 18,986 Germany 6,882 7,484 Philippines 4,171 2,721 Malaysia 4,165 1,838 Rest of the World 728 825 Total, net $ 19,000 $ 31,854 Goodwill and other intangible assets: Germany $ 31,337 $ 38,527 Switzerland 22,444 25,921 United States 17,241 17,241 Malaysia 6,995 6,988 Singapore 6,558 6,558 Rest of the World 986 984 Total, net $ 85,561 $ 96,219

Note 9 - Commitments and Contin

Note 9 - Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	9. Commitments and Contingencies We lease certain of our facilities and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. Rental expense was $1.8 million in both 2015 and 2014 and $1.7 million 2013. Future minimum lease payments at December 26, 2015 are as follows: (in thousands) 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Total Non-cancelable operating leases $ 3,639 $ 2,628 $ 2,389 $ 2,404 $ 2,453 $ 11,901 $ 25,414 From time-to-time we are involved in various legal proceedings, examinations by various tax authorities and claims that have arisen in the ordinary course of our business. The outcome of any litigation is inherently uncertain. While there can be no assurance, we do not believe at the present time that the resolution of the matters described above will have a material adverse effect on our assets, financial position or results of operations.

Note 10 - Guarantees

Note 10 - Guarantees	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments Contingencies and Guarantees [Text Block]	10. Guarantees Accrued Warranty Changes in accrued warranty during the three-year period ended December 26, 2015 was as follows : (in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Beginning balance $ 5,848 $ 4,673 $ 4,206 Warranty accruals 6,747 6,176 4,814 Warranty payments (7,709 ) (5,001 ) (6,180 ) Warranty liability assumed - - 1,833 Ending balance $ 4,886 $ 5,848 $ 4,673 Accrued warranty amounts expected to be incurred after one year are included in noncurrent other accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. These amounts total $1.1 million at December 26, 2015 and $1.0 million at December 27, 2014. Prior period long-term accrued warranty amounts have been reclassified to a long-term liability in the December 27, 2014 balance sheet to conform to the current period presentation. This reclassification had no effect on previously reported net income and is considered immaterial. Standby Letters of Credit During the ordinary course of business, we provide standby letters of credit instruments to certain parties as required. At December 26, 2015, the maximum potential amount of future payments that we could be required to make under these standby letters of credit was approximately $0.2 million. We are required to maintain deposits of cash or other approved investments, which serve as collateral, in amounts that approximate our outstanding standby letters of credit. We have not recorded any liability in connection with these arrangements beyond that required to appropriately account for the underlying transaction being guaranteed. We do not believe, based on historical experience and information currently available, that it is probable that any amounts will be required to be paid under these arrangements. Lines of Credit Our wholly owned Ismeca subsidiary has two available lines of credit which provide it with borrowings of up to a total of 2.5 million Swiss Francs. At December 26, 2015 and December 27, 2014 no amounts were outstanding under the lines of credit.

Note 11 - Accumulated Other Com

Note 11 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	11. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components of other comprehensive income (loss), on an after-tax basis, were as follows : (in thousands) Before Tax amount Tax (Expense) Benefit Net of Tax Amount Year ended December 28, 2013 Foreign currency translation adjustments $ 3,270 $ - $ 3,270 Adjustments related to postretirement benefits 1,889 (285 ) 1,604 Change in unrealized gain/loss on investments (14 ) 8 (6 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) $ 5,145 $ (277 ) $ 4,868 Year ended December 27, 2014 Foreign currency translation adjustments $ (14,107 ) $ - $ (14,107 ) Adjustments related to postretirement benefits (3,809 ) 551 (3,258 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) $ (17,916 ) $ 551 $ (17,365 ) Year ended December 26, 2015 Foreign currency translation adjustments $ (11,000 ) $ - $ (11,000 ) Adjustments related to postretirement benefits (24 ) (34 ) (58 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) $ (11,024 ) $ (34 ) $ (11,058 ) COHU, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, at the end of each period are as follows: (in thousands) 2015 2014 Accumulated net currency translation adjustments $ (19,327 ) $ (8,327 ) Accumulated net adjustments related to postretirement benefits (2,445 ) (2,387 ) Total accumulated other comprehensive loss $ (21,772 ) $ (10,714 )

Note 12 - Quarterly Financial D

Note 12 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	12. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Quarter First (a) Second (a) Third (a) Fourth (a) Year (in thousands, except per share data) Net sales: 2015 $ 63,447 $ 75,211 $ 67,512 $ 63,484 $ 269,654 2014 $ 60,170 $ 74,299 $ 91,573 $ 90,587 $ 316,629 Gross profit: 2015 $ 20,145 $ 25,702 $ 22,794 $ 20,397 $ 89,038 2014 $ 20,030 $ 24,263 $ 32,952 $ 28,727 $ 105,972 Income (loss) from 2015 $ (1,720 ) $ 3,887 $ 1,335 $ 2,290 $ 5,792 2014 $ (2,707 ) $ 2,200 $ 10,012 $ 5,275 $ 14,780 Net income (loss) 2015 $ (2,740 ) $ (72 ) $ 1,113 $ 1,949 $ 250 2014 $ (3,348 ) $ 4,163 $ 7,519 $ 374 $ 8,708 Income (loss) per share (b): Basic: Income (loss) from 2015 $ (0.07 ) $ 0.15 $ 0.05 $ 0.09 $ 0.22 2014 $ (0.11 ) $ 0.09 $ 0.39 $ 0.21 $ 0.58 Net income (loss) 2015 $ (0.11 ) $ 0.00 $ 0.04 $ 0.07 $ 0.01 2014 $ (0.13 ) $ 0.16 $ 0.30 $ 0.01 $ 0.34 Diluted: Income (loss) from 2015 $ (0.07 ) $ 0.15 $ 0.05 $ 0.08 $ 0.22 2014 $ (0.11 ) $ 0.09 $ 0.38 $ 0.20 $ 0.57 Net income (loss) 2015 $ (0.11 ) $ 0.00 $ 0.04 $ 0.07 $ 0.01 2014 $ (0.13 ) $ 0.16 $ 0.29 $ 0.01 $ 0.33 (a) All quarters presented above were comprised of 13 weeks. (b) The sum of the four quarters may not agree to the year total due to rounding within a quarter and the inclusion or exclusion of common stock equivalents.

Schedule II - Valuation and Qua

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]	COHU, INC. SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (in thousands) Additions Additions (Reductions) (Reductions) Balance at Not Charged Balance Beginning Charged (Credited) Deductions/ at End Description of Year to Expense to Expense Write-offs of Year Allowance for doubtful accounts: Year ended December 28, 2013 $ 12 $ 353 (2) $ 172 $ 207 $ 330 Year ended December 27, 2014 $ 330 $ (1 ) (1) $ (126 ) $ 24 $ 179 Year ended December 26, 2015 $ 179 $ 1 (1) $ 19 $ 128 $ 71 Reserve for excess and obsolete inventories: Year ended December 28, 2013 $ 25,261 $ 7,398 (3) $ 7,068 $ 4,506 $ 35,221 Year ended December 27, 2014 $ 35,221 $ (762 ) (1) $ 2,624 $ 9,232 $ 27,851 Year ended December 26, 2015 $ 27,851 $ (648 ) (1) $ 2,409 $ 2,959 $ 26,653 All amounts presented above have been restated to exclude the impact of our discontinued operations. (1) Changes in reserve balances resulting from foreign currency impact. (2) Includes $0.4 million resulting from Ismeca Acquisition on December 31, 2012 and foreign currency impact. (3) Includes $6.8 million resulting from Ismeca Acquisition on December 31, 2012, foreign currency impact and

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Presentation Our fiscal years are based on a 52- or 53-week period ending on the last Saturday in December. Our fiscal years ended on December 26, 2015, December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 each consisted of 52 weeks. Certain prior-period amounts in our consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
Discontinued Operations, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Discontinued Operations – On June 10, 2015, we sold our mobile microwave communications equipment business, Broadcast Microwave Services, Inc. (“BMS”) and on June 6, 2014, we completed the sale of our video camera business, Cohu Electronics. The operating results of BMS and Cohu Electronics are being presented as discontinued operations and all prior period amounts have been reclassified accordingly. See Note 2, “Discontinued Operations ” for additional information. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts herein relate to continuing operations.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income (Loss ) Per Share For the years ended December 26, 2015 and December 27, 2014 approximately 875,000 and 1,771,000 shares of our common stock were excluded from the computation, respectively. The following table reconciles the denominators used in computing basic and diluted income (loss) per share : (in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Weighted average common shares outstanding 26,057 25,393 24,859 Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units 731 613 - 26,788 26,006 24,859 Cohu has utilized the “control number” concept in the computation of diluted earnings per share to determine whether potential common stock instruments are dilutive. The control number used is income from continuing operations. The control number concept requires that the same number of potentially dilutive securities applied in computing diluted earnings per share from continuing operations be applied to all other categories of income or loss, regardless of their anti-dilutive effect on such categories.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments
Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Concentration of Credit Risk Trade accounts receivable are presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.1 million at December 26, 2015 and $0.2 million at December 27, 2014. Our customers include semiconductor manufacturers and semiconductor test subcontractors and other customers located throughout many areas of the world. While we believe that our allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate and represents our best estimate of potential loss exposure at December 26, 2015, we will continue to monitor customer liquidity and other economic conditions, which may result in changes to our estimates regarding collectability.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventories
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands) : December 26, December 27, 2015 2014 Property, plant and equipment, at cost: Land and land improvements $ 4,607 $ 11,762 Buildings and building improvements 8,971 31,065 Machinery and equipment 31,888 32,356 45,466 75,183 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (26,466 ) (43,329 ) Property plant and equipment, net $ 19,000 $ 31,854 Depreciation expense was approximately $4.2 million in 2015, $4.8 million in 2014 and $4.7 million 2013.
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Segment Information Segment Reporting
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill, Purchased Intangible Assets and Other Long-lived Assets – We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually on October 1 st As of October 1, 2015, the results of our qualitative assessment indicated there was no impairment. Long-lived assets, other than goodwill, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. For long-lived assets, impairment losses are only recorded if the asset’s carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted, probability-weighted future cash flows. We measure the impairment loss based on the difference between the assets carrying amount and estimated fair value.
Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Product Warranty
Regulatory Income Taxes, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income Taxes
Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Contingencies and Litigation
Revenue Recognition Leases [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition Revenue for established products that have previously satisfied a customer’s acceptance requirements and provide for full payment tied to shipment is generally recognized upon shipment and passage of title. In certain instances, customer payment terms may provide that a minority portion (e.g. up to 20%) of the equipment purchase price be paid only upon customer acceptance. In those situations, the majority portion (e.g. 80%) of revenue where the contingent payment is tied to shipment and the entire product cost of sale are recognized upon shipment and passage of title and the minority portion of the purchase price related to customer acceptance is deferred and recognized upon receipt of customer acceptance. In cases where a prior history of customer acceptance cannot be demonstrated or from sales where customer payment dates are not determinable and in the case of new products, revenue is deferred until customer acceptance has been received. Our post-shipment obligations typically include installation and standard warranties. The estimated fair value of installation related revenue is recognized in the period the installation is performed. Service revenue is recognized ratably over the period of the related contract or upon completion of the services if they are short-term in nature. Spares and kit revenue is generally recognized upon shipment. Certain of our equipment sales are accounted for as multiple-element arrangements. A multiple-element arrangement is a transaction which may involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services, or rights to use assets, and performance may occur at different points in time or over different periods of time. For arrangements containing multiple elements, the revenue relating to the undelivered elements is deferred using the relative selling price method utilizing estimated sales prices until delivery of the deferred elements. We limit the amount of revenue recognition for delivered elements to the amount that is not contingent on the future delivery of products or services, future performance obligations or subject to customer-specified return or adjustment. On shipments where sales are not recognized, gross profit is generally recorded as deferred profit in our consolidated balance sheet representing the difference between the receivable recorded and the inventory shipped. In certain instances where customer payments are received prior to product shipment, the customer’s payments are recorded as customer advances in our consolidated balance sheet. At December 26, 2015, we had total deferred revenue of approximately $5.0 million and deferred profit of $3.7 million. At December 27, 2014, we had total deferred revenue of approximately $10.7 million and deferred profit of $6.9 million.
Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Advertising Costs
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	Share-based Compensation
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Foreign Currency Translation
Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Comprehensive Loss
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements – Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-04, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Subtopic 715): Practical Expedient for the Measurement Date of an Employer's Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets.” This update provides a practical expedient that permits a company to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations using the month-end date that is closest to the company's fiscal year-end and apply that practical expedient consistently from year to year. The practical expedient should be applied consistently to all plans if the company has more than one plan. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, we elected to early adopt this guidance and the adoption had no impact on our results of operations. In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes”, which provides guidance on the presentation of deferred income taxes that requires deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with related valuation allowances, to be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. As a result, each tax jurisdiction will now only have one net noncurrent deferred tax asset or liability. The new guidance does not change the existing requirement that prohibits offsetting deferred tax liabilities from one jurisdiction against deferred tax assets of another jurisdiction. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, we elected to early-adopt this guidance retrospectively. Adoption had no impact on our results of operations. The following table summarizes the adjustments made to conform prior year classifications with the new guidance ( in thousands ): December 27, 2014 As Filed Reclass As Adjusted Current deferred income tax assets $ 4,406 $ (4,406 ) $ - Noncurrent deferred income tax assets - 353 353 Current deferred income tax liabilities (included in other accrued liabilities) (261 ) 261 - Noncurrent deferred income tax liabilities (11,061 ) 3,792 (7,269 ) Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities) $ (6,916 ) $ - $ (6,916 ) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern”. This standard sets forth management’s responsibility to evaluate, each reporting period, whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, and if so, to provide related footnote disclosures. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company does not believe that the adoption of this guidance will have any material impact on its financial position or results of operations. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11 “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory” (ASU 2015-11). ASU 2015-11 simplifies the guidance on the subsequent measurement of inventory, excluding inventory measured using last-in, first out or the retail inventory method. Under the new standard, in scope inventory should be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements and our timing for adoption. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16 “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments” (ASU 2015-16). ASU 2015-16 requires an entity to: recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined; record, in the same period's financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date; and present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. We do not expect the new standard to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

Note 1 - Summary of Significa23

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	(in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Weighted average common shares outstanding 26,057 25,393 24,859 Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units 731 613 - 26,788 26,006 24,859
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	December 26, December 27, 2015 2014 Property, plant and equipment, at cost: Land and land improvements $ 4,607 $ 11,762 Buildings and building improvements 8,971 31,065 Machinery and equipment 31,888 32,356 45,466 75,183 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (26,466 ) (43,329 ) Property plant and equipment, net $ 19,000 $ 31,854
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Table Text Block]	December 27, 2014 As Filed Reclass As Adjusted Current deferred income tax assets $ 4,406 $ (4,406 ) $ - Noncurrent deferred income tax assets - 353 353 Current deferred income tax liabilities (included in other accrued liabilities) (261 ) 261 - Noncurrent deferred income tax liabilities (11,061 ) 3,792 (7,269 ) Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities) $ (6,916 ) $ - $ (6,916 )

Note 2 - Discontinued Operati24

Note 2 - Discontinued Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Income Statement Information [Member]
Notes Tables
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Table Text Block]	December 26, December 27, December 28, 2015 2014 2013 Net sales: Microwave equipment segment $ 6,965 $ 16,694 $ 17,063 Video camera segment - 5,460 15,726 $ 6,965 $ 22,154 $ 32,789 Operating loss before income taxes: Microwave equipment segment $ (1,963 ) $ (10,305 ) $ (6,142 ) Video camera segment - (242 ) 1,317 (1,963 ) (10,547 ) (4,825 ) Loss from sale of BMS (3,573 ) - - Gain from sale of Cohu Electronics - 4,434 - Loss before taxes (5,536 ) (6,113 ) (4,825 ) Income tax provision 6 (41 ) 45 Loss, net of tax $ (5,542 ) $ (6,072 ) $ (4,870 )
Balance Sheet Information [Member]
Notes Tables
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Table Text Block]	December 26, 2015 December 27, 2014 Assets: Accounts receivable, net $ - $ 3,156 Inventories - 6,345 Other current assets - 817 Total current assets $ - $ 10,318 Liabilities: Deferred Profit $ - $ 504 Other accrued current liabilities - 2,279 Total current liabilities - 2,783 Noncurrent liabilities 706 Total liabilities $ - $ 3,489

Note 4 - Goodwill and Purchas25

Note 4 - Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	Total Goodwill Balance, December 28, 2013 $ 67,983 Impact of currency exchange (4,851 ) Balance, December 27, 2014 63,132 Impact of currency exchange (2,868 ) Balance, December 26, 2015 $ 60,264
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	December 26, 2015 December 27, 2014 Remaining Gross Carrying Accumulated Useful Life Gross Carrying Accumulated Amount Amortization (years) Amount Amortization Rasco technology $ 26,904 $ 23,776 0.9 $ 29,845 $ 22,616 Ismeca technology 27,043 10,329 5.0 27,014 6,879 Trade names 5,547 92 14.7 5,723 - $ 59,494 $ 34,197 $ 62,582 $ 29,495

Note 5 - Financial Instrument26

Note 5 - Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes Tables
Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block]	At December 26, 2015 Gross Gross Estimated Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Cost Gains Losses Value Foreign government security $ 650 $ - $ - $ 650 Bank certificates of deposit 1,002 - - 1,002 $ 1,652 $ - $ - $ 1,652 At December 27, 2014 Gross Gross Estimated Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair Cost Gains Losses Value Municipal securities $ 155 $ - $ - $ 155 Bank certificates of deposit 1,000 - - 1,000 $ 1,155 $ - $ - $ 1,155
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	Amortized Estimated (in thousands) Cost Fair Value Due in one year or less $ 1,450 $ 1,450 Due after one year through three years 202 202 $ 1,652 $ 1,652
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	Fair value measurements at December 26, 2015 using: Total estimated Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 fair value Cash $ 73,746 $ - $ - $ 73,746 Foreign government security - 650 - 650 Money market funds - 41,624 - 41,624 Bank certificates of deposit - 1,002 - 1,002 $ 73,746 $ 43,276 $ - $ 117,022 Fair value measurements at December 27, 2014 using: Total estimated Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 fair value Cash $ 66,467 $ - $ - $ 66,467 Municipal securities - 155 - 155 Money market funds - 4,418 - 4,418 Bank certificates of deposit - 1,000 - 1,000 $ 66,467 $ 5,573 $ - $ 72,040

Note 6 - Employee Benefit Pla27

Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	(in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Service cost $ 856 $ 749 $ 841 Interest cost 311 491 398 Expected return on assets (193 ) (343 ) (267 ) Settlements 235 - - Net periodic costs $ 1,209 $ 897 $ 972
Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets, and Funded Status of Plan [Table Text Block]	(in thousands) 2015 2014 Change in projected benefit obligation: Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ (26,027 ) $ (23,850 ) Service cost (856 ) (749 ) Interest cost (311 ) (491 ) Actuarial gain (loss) (660 ) (3,649 ) Participant contributions (672 ) (728 ) Benefits paid 296 998 Plan change 558 - Settlements 2,199 - Foreign currency exchange adjustment (10 ) 2,442 Benefit obligation at end of year (25,483 ) (26,027 ) Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 15,603 16,083 Return on assets, net of actuarial loss 277 652 Employer contributions 672 728 Participant contributions 672 728 Benefits paid (296 ) (998 ) Settlements (2,199 ) - Foreign currency exchange adjustment (13 ) (1,590 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year 14,716 15,603 Net liability at end of year $ (10,767 ) $ (10,424 )
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	2015 2014 Discount rate 1.0 % 1.3 % Compensation increase 1.8 % 1.8 % 2015 2014 2013 Discount rate 1.3 % 2.3 % 1.8 % Rate of return on Assets 1.3 % 2.3 % 1.8 % Compensation increase 1.8 % 2.0 % 2.0 %
Schedule of Net Funded Status [Table Text Block]	(in thousands) 2015 2014 Accumulated benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 2,428 $ 2,021 Service cost - 13 Interest cost 90 91 Actuarial loss 187 370 Benefits paid (56 ) (67 ) Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year 2,649 2,428 Plan assets at end of year - - Funded status $ (2,649 ) $ (2,428 )
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	2015 2014 2013 Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg. (in thousands, except per share data) Shares Ex. Price Shares Ex. Price Shares Ex. Price Outstanding, beginning of year 2,435 $ 11.67 3,086 $ 11.93 3,113 $ 12.62 Granted 10 $ 10.98 10 $ 12.58 470 $ 9.83 Exercised (175 ) $ 8.65 (237 ) $ 8.43 (117 ) $ 7.55 Cancelled (305 ) $ 16.07 (424 ) $ 15.37 (380 ) $ 16.37 Outstanding, end of year 1,965 $ 11.25 2,435 $ 11.67 3,086 $ 11.93 Options exercisable at year end 1,673 $ 11.47 1,901 $ 12.08 2,195 $ 12.46
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]	Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Approximate Wt. Avg. Range of Number Remaining Wt. Avg. Number Wt. Avg. Exercise Prices Outstanding Life (Years) Ex. Price Exercisable Ex. Price $7.32 - $10.58 1,182 5.2 $ 8.82 922 $ 8.54 $10.59 - $15.50 498 4.2 $ 14.06 466 $ 14.26 $15.51 - $20.73 285 1.7 $ 16.44 285 $ 16.44 1,965 4.4 $ 11.25 1,673 $ 11.47
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity [Table Text Block]	2015 2014 2013 Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg. (in thousands, except per share data) Units Fair Value Units Fair Value Units Fair Value Outstanding, beginning of year 1,026 $ 9.54 887 $ 9.46 615 $ 10.54 Granted 482 $ 10.54 497 $ 10.07 531 $ 8.80 Released (339 ) $ 9.63 (315 ) $ 10.16 (223 ) $ 10.86 Cancelled (91 ) $ 9.82 (43 ) $ 9.41 (36 ) $ 9.86 Outstanding, end of year 1,078 $ 9.93 1,026 $ 9.54 887 $ 9.46
Schedule of Nonvested Performance-based Units Activity [Table Text Block]	2015 2014 2013 Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg. (in thousands, except per share data) Units Fair Value Units Fair Value Units Fair Value Outstanding, beginning of year 334 $ 10.49 238 $ 9.32 122 $ 9.89 Granted 156 $ 10.69 208 $ 11.34 158 $ 9.03 Released (38 ) $ 9.52 (38 ) $ 9.52 (26 ) $ 9.89 Cancelled (76 ) $ 9.86 (74 ) $ 9.59 (16 ) $ 9.89 Outstanding, end of year 376 $ 10.80 334 $ 10.49 238 $ 9.32
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	Employee Stock Purchase Plan 2015 2014 2013 Dividend yield 2.2 % 2.4 % 2.6 % Expected volatility 35.3 % 35.3 % 38.4 % Risk-free interest rate 0.1 % 0.1 % 0.1 % Expected term (years) 0.5 0.5 0.5 Weighted-average grant date fair value per share $ 2.71 $ 2.52 $ 2.32 Employee Stock Options 2015 2014 2013 Dividend yield 2.1 % 2.0 % 2.6 % Expected volatility 39.1 % 42.5 % 44.9 % Risk-free interest rate 1.6 % 1.9 % 1.1 % Expected term (years) 5.9 5.9 6.4 Weighted-average grant date fair value per share $ 3.46 $ 4.39 $ 3.37 Restricted Stock Units 2015 2014 2013 Dividend yield 2.1 % 2.2 % 2.5 % Performance Stock Units 2015 2014 2013 Dividend yield 2.1 % 2.2 % 2.5 %
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]	(in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Cost of sales $ 566 $ 491 $ 390 Research and development 1,092 1,858 1,623 Selling, general and administrative 5,097 4,039 3,098 Share-based compensation of continuing operations 6,755 6,388 5,111 Discontinued operations 138 388 357 Income tax benefit (249 ) (204 ) - Total share-based compensation, net of tax $ 6,644 $ 6,572 $ 5,468

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Tables)

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	(in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Current: U.S. Federal $ 5 $ (307 ) $ (1,539 ) U.S. State 28 40 42 Foreign 1,956 4,088 780 Total current 1,989 3,821 (717 ) Deferred: U.S. Federal 89 112 763 U.S. State 49 (17 ) 24 Foreign 84 737 (2,443 ) Total deferred 222 832 (1,656 ) $ 2,211 $ 4,653 $ (2,373 )
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]	(in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 U.S. $ (5,214 ) $ 1,076 $ (23,193 ) Foreign 13,217 18,357 (7,728 ) Total $ 8,003 $ 19,433 $ (30,921 )
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	(in thousands) 2015 2014 Deferred tax assets: Inventory, receivable and warranty reserves $ 8,207 $ 9,585 Net operating loss carryforwards 7,605 8,266 Tax credit carryforwards 12,291 11,905 Accrued employee benefits 4,993 5,232 Deferred profit and gain on facility sale 6,084 1,091 Stock-based compensation 4,443 4,352 Acquisition basis differences 1,544 2,133 Other 265 608 Gross deferred tax assets 45,432 43,172 Less valuation allowance (42,289 ) (37,023 ) Total deferred tax assets 3,143 6,149 Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation and fixed asset related 227 1,822 Acquisition basis differences 8,904 10,600 Other 563 643 Total deferred tax liabilities 9,694 13,065 Net deferred tax liabilities $ (6,551 ) $ (6,916 )
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	(in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Tax provision (credit) at U.S. 35% statutory rate $ 2,801 $ 6,802 $ (10,822 ) State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit (152 ) 119 (1,089 ) Settlements, adjustments and releases from statute expirations (104 ) (65 ) (849 ) Federal tax credits (221 ) (244 ) (1,340 ) Stock-based compensation on which no tax benefit provided 156 160 168 Change in valuation allowance 2,181 437 9,574 Foreign income taxed at different rates (2,601 ) (2,151 ) 1,513 Other, net 151 (405 ) 472 $ 2,211 $ 4,653 $ (2,373 )
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]	(in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Balance at beginning of year $ 10,841 $ 10,483 $ 6,080 Gross additions for tax positions of current year 215 761 933 Gross additions for tax positions of prior years 248 365 3,700 Reductions due to lapse of the statute of limitations (243 ) (587 ) - Foreign exchange rate impact (617 ) (181 ) (230 ) Balance at end of year $ 10,444 $ 10,841 $ 10,483

Note 8 - Segment and Geograph29

Note 8 - Segment and Geographic Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Revenue by Major Customers by Reporting Segments [Table Text Block]	2015 2014 2013 Intel 18.0 % 15.7 % 18.5 % NXP Semiconductors N.V. (1) 11.4 % 11.4 % 13.5 %
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area [Table Text Block]	(in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Malaysia $ 60,776 $ 73,818 $ 51,491 China 52,589 51,662 39,202 United States 50,704 72,266 39,504 Philippines 16,270 28,669 26,489 Rest of the World 89,315 90,214 57,825 Total $ 269,654 $ 316,629 $ 214,511
Schedule of Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Long-Lived Assets in Individual Foreign Countries by Country [Table Text Block]	(in thousands) 2015 2014 Property, plant and equipment: United States $ 3,054 $ 18,986 Germany 6,882 7,484 Philippines 4,171 2,721 Malaysia 4,165 1,838 Rest of the World 728 825 Total, net $ 19,000 $ 31,854 Goodwill and other intangible assets: Germany $ 31,337 $ 38,527 Switzerland 22,444 25,921 United States 17,241 17,241 Malaysia 6,995 6,988 Singapore 6,558 6,558 Rest of the World 986 984 Total, net $ 85,561 $ 96,219

Note 9 - Commitments and Cont30

Note 9 - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes Tables
Operating Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Table Text Block]	(in thousands) 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Total Non-cancelable operating leases $ 3,639 $ 2,628 $ 2,389 $ 2,404 $ 2,453 $ 11,901 $ 25,414

Note 10 - Guarantees (Tables)

Note 10 - Guarantees (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]	(in thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Beginning balance $ 5,848 $ 4,673 $ 4,206 Warranty accruals 6,747 6,176 4,814 Warranty payments (7,709 ) (5,001 ) (6,180 ) Warranty liability assumed - - 1,833 Ending balance $ 4,886 $ 5,848 $ 4,673

Note 11 - Accumulated Other C32

Note 11 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	(in thousands) Before Tax amount Tax (Expense) Benefit Net of Tax Amount Year ended December 28, 2013 Foreign currency translation adjustments $ 3,270 $ - $ 3,270 Adjustments related to postretirement benefits 1,889 (285 ) 1,604 Change in unrealized gain/loss on investments (14 ) 8 (6 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) $ 5,145 $ (277 ) $ 4,868 Year ended December 27, 2014 Foreign currency translation adjustments $ (14,107 ) $ - $ (14,107 ) Adjustments related to postretirement benefits (3,809 ) 551 (3,258 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) $ (17,916 ) $ 551 $ (17,365 ) Year ended December 26, 2015 Foreign currency translation adjustments $ (11,000 ) $ - $ (11,000 ) Adjustments related to postretirement benefits (24 ) (34 ) (58 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) $ (11,024 ) $ (34 ) $ (11,058 )
Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	(in thousands) 2015 2014 Accumulated net currency translation adjustments $ (19,327 ) $ (8,327 ) Accumulated net adjustments related to postretirement benefits (2,445 ) (2,387 ) Total accumulated other comprehensive loss $ (21,772 ) $ (10,714 )

Note 12 - Quarterly Financial33

Note 12 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	Quarter First (a) Second (a) Third (a) Fourth (a) Year (in thousands, except per share data) Net sales: 2015 $ 63,447 $ 75,211 $ 67,512 $ 63,484 $ 269,654 2014 $ 60,170 $ 74,299 $ 91,573 $ 90,587 $ 316,629 Gross profit: 2015 $ 20,145 $ 25,702 $ 22,794 $ 20,397 $ 89,038 2014 $ 20,030 $ 24,263 $ 32,952 $ 28,727 $ 105,972 Income (loss) from 2015 $ (1,720 ) $ 3,887 $ 1,335 $ 2,290 $ 5,792 2014 $ (2,707 ) $ 2,200 $ 10,012 $ 5,275 $ 14,780 Net income (loss) 2015 $ (2,740 ) $ (72 ) $ 1,113 $ 1,949 $ 250 2014 $ (3,348 ) $ 4,163 $ 7,519 $ 374 $ 8,708 Income (loss) per share (b): Basic: Income (loss) from 2015 $ (0.07 ) $ 0.15 $ 0.05 $ 0.09 $ 0.22 2014 $ (0.11 ) $ 0.09 $ 0.39 $ 0.21 $ 0.58 Net income (loss) 2015 $ (0.11 ) $ 0.00 $ 0.04 $ 0.07 $ 0.01 2014 $ (0.13 ) $ 0.16 $ 0.30 $ 0.01 $ 0.34 Diluted: Income (loss) from 2015 $ (0.07 ) $ 0.15 $ 0.05 $ 0.08 $ 0.22 2014 $ (0.11 ) $ 0.09 $ 0.38 $ 0.20 $ 0.57 Net income (loss) 2015 $ (0.11 ) $ 0.00 $ 0.04 $ 0.07 $ 0.01 2014 $ (0.13 ) $ 0.16 $ 0.29 $ 0.01 $ 0.33

Schedule II - Valuation and Q34

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Notes Tables
Summary of Valuation Allowance [Table Text Block]	Additions Additions (Reductions) (Reductions) Balance at Not Charged Balance Beginning Charged (Credited) Deductions/ at End Description of Year to Expense to Expense Write-offs of Year Allowance for doubtful accounts: Year ended December 28, 2013 $ 12 $ 353 (2) $ 172 $ 207 $ 330 Year ended December 27, 2014 $ 330 $ (1 ) (1) $ (126 ) $ 24 $ 179 Year ended December 26, 2015 $ 179 $ 1 (1) $ 19 $ 128 $ 71 Reserve for excess and obsolete inventories: Year ended December 28, 2013 $ 25,261 $ 7,398 (3) $ 7,068 $ 4,506 $ 35,221 Year ended December 27, 2014 $ 35,221 $ (762 ) (1) $ 2,624 $ 9,232 $ 27,851 Year ended December 26, 2015 $ 27,851 $ (648 ) (1) $ 2,409 $ 2,959 $ 26,653

Note 1 - Summary of Significa35

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2015	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Reserve for Excess and Obsolete Inventories [Member]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense		$ 2,400,000	$ 2,600,000	$ 7,100,000
Minimum [Member] | Land, Buildings and Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		30 years
Minimum [Member] | Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		5 years
Minimum [Member] | Machinery, Equipment and Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		3 years
Minimum [Member]
Standard Product Warranty Term		1 year
Maximum [Member] | Land, Buildings and Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		40 years
Maximum [Member] | Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		15 years
Maximum [Member] | Machinery, Equipment and Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		10 years
Maximum [Member]
Standard Product Warranty Term		3 years
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$ 0
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount		875,000	1,771,000
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current		$ 100,000	$ 200,000
Depreciation		$ 4,200,000	4,800,000	$ 4,700,000
Number of Operating Segments		1
Percentage of Revenue Recognized upon Customer Acceptance		20.00%
Percentage of Revenue Recognized upon Shipment and Passage of Title		80.00%
Deferred Revenue		$ 5,000,000	10,700,000
Deferred Profit		3,730,000	6,941,000
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Realized		1,400,000	2,000,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax		(21,772,000)	(10,714,000)
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		$ 11,000,000	$ 14,100,000

Note 1 - Computation of Basic a

Note 1 - Computation of Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	26,057	25,393	24,859
Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units (in shares)	731	613
(in shares)	26,788	26,006	24,859

Note 1 - Property, Plant and Eq

Note 1 - Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Land and Land Improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment	$ 4,607	$ 11,762
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment	8,971	31,065
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment	31,888	32,356
Property, plant and equipment	45,466	75,183
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(26,466)	(43,329)
Property plant and equipment, net	$ 19,000	$ 31,854

Note 1 - Prior Year Reclassific

Note 1 - Prior Year Reclassifications (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 27, 2014USD ($)
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect [Member]
Current deferred income tax assets	$ 4,406
Noncurrent deferred income tax assets
Current deferred income tax liabilities (included in other accrued liabilities)	$ (261)
Noncurrent deferred income tax liabilities	(11,061)
Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)	(6,916)
Restatement Adjustment [Member] | New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect [Member]
Current deferred income tax assets	(4,406)
Noncurrent deferred income tax assets	353
Current deferred income tax liabilities (included in other accrued liabilities)	261
Noncurrent deferred income tax liabilities	$ 3,792
Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect [Member]
Current deferred income tax assets
Noncurrent deferred income tax assets	$ 353
Current deferred income tax liabilities (included in other accrued liabilities)
Noncurrent deferred income tax liabilities	$ (7,269)
Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)	(6,916)
Noncurrent deferred income tax liabilities	(7,269)
Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)	$ (6,916)

Note 2 - Discontinued Operati39

Note 2 - Discontinued Operations (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Broadcast Microwave Services, Inc. (“BMS”) [Member]
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses	$ 4,881
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Contingent Consideration	2,500
Contingent Consideration Receivable, Fair Value	$ 500
Cohu Electronics [Member]
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses		$ 10,258
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Contingent Consideration		500
Initial Cash Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses		$ 9,500

Note 2 - Summary of Balance She

Note 2 - Summary of Balance Sheet Information of Discontinued Video Camera Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Broadcast Microwave Services, Inc. (“BMS”) [Member]
Accounts receivable, net		$ 3,156
Inventories		6,345
Other current assets		817
Total current assets		10,318
Deferred Profit		504
Other accrued current liabilities		2,279
Total current liabilities		2,783
Noncurrent liabilities		706
Total liabilities		3,489
Total current assets		10,318
Total current liabilities		2,783
Noncurrent liabilities		$ 706

Note 2 - Summary of Operating R

Note 2 - Summary of Operating Results (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Broadcast Microwave Services, Inc. (“BMS”) [Member]
Net sales	$ 6,965	$ 16,694	$ 17,063
Operating loss before income taxes	(1,963)	$ (10,305)	$ (6,142)
Gain (loss) from disposal of segment	$ (3,573)
Cohu Electronics [Member]
Net sales		$ 5,460	$ 15,726
Operating loss before income taxes		(242)	$ 1,317
Gain (loss) from disposal of segment		4,434
Net sales	$ 6,965	22,154	$ 32,789
Operating loss before income taxes	(1,963)	(10,547)	(4,825)
Gain (loss) from disposal of segment	(5,536)	(6,113)	(4,825)
Income tax provision	6	(41)	45
Loss, net of tax	$ (5,542)	$ (6,072)	$ (4,870)

Note 3 - Sale-leaseback of Po42

Note 3 - Sale-leaseback of Poway Facility (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	Dec. 04, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 26, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 27, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2013USD ($)
Lease 1 [Member] | Sale-leaseback of Poway Facility [Member]
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Number of Renewal Options	2
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	10 years
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Annual Rental Payments	$ 1,600
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Adjustments and Pro Rata Share of Property Operating Costs	3.00%
Percentage of Facility to be Consolidated	43.00%
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Renewal Term	5 years
Lease 2 [Member] | Sale-leaseback of Poway Facility [Member]
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	1 year
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Annual Rental Payments	$ 600
Sale-leaseback of Poway Facility [Member]
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Gross Proceeds, Investing Activities	34,100
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Net Proceeds, Investing Activities	33,300
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Deferred Gain, Gross	18,500
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Current Period Gain Recognized	3,200
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Deferred Gain, Net	$ 15,300
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Deferred Gain, Amortization Period	10 years
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Net Proceeds, Investing Activities		$ 33,314
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Current Period Gain Recognized		$ 3,198

Note 4 - Goodwill and Purchas43

Note 4 - Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 24, 2015	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	15 years	14 years 255 days
Amortization of Intangible Assets		$ 7	$ 7.8	$ 7.8
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months		6.8
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two		3.7
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three		3.7
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four		3.7
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five		3.7
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five		$ 3.7

Note 4 - Changes in Carrying Va

Note 4 - Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Balance	$ 63,132	$ 67,983
Impact of currency exchange	(2,868)	(4,851)
Balance	$ 60,264	$ 63,132

Note 4 - Purchased Intangible A

Note 4 - Purchased Intangible Assets, Subject to Amortization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Rasco Technology [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 26,904	$ 29,845
Accumulated Amortization	$ 23,776	22,616
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	328 days
Ismeca Technology [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 27,043	27,014
Accumulated Amortization	$ 10,329	6,879
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	5 years
Trade Names [Member]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 5,547	$ 5,723
Accumulated Amortization	$ 92
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	14 years 255 days
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 59,494	$ 62,582
Accumulated Amortization	$ 34,197	$ 29,495

Note 5 - Short-term Investments

Note 5 - Short-term Investments by Security Type (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Investments, Amortized Cost	$ 650
Investments, Gross Unrealized Gains
Investments, Gross Unrealized Losses
Short-term investments	$ 650
Municipal Bonds [Member]
Investments, Amortized Cost		$ 155
Investments, Gross Unrealized Gains
Investments, Gross Unrealized Losses
Short-term investments		$ 155
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Investments, Amortized Cost	$ 1,002	$ 1,000
Investments, Gross Unrealized Gains
Investments, Gross Unrealized Losses
Short-term investments	$ 1,002	$ 1,000
Investments, Amortized Cost	$ 1,652	$ 1,155
Investments, Gross Unrealized Gains
Investments, Gross Unrealized Losses
Short-term investments	$ 1,652	$ 1,155

Note 5 - Effective Maturities o

Note 5 - Effective Maturities of Short-term Investments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2015USD ($)
Due in one year or less, amortized cost	$ 1,450
Due in one year or less, estimated fair value	1,450
Due after one year through three years, amortized cost	202
Due after one year through three years, estimated fair value	202
	1,652
	$ 1,652

Note 5 - Assets Measured at Fai

Note 5 - Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Cash [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring	$ 73,746	$ 66,467
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Municipal Securities [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring	$ 73,746	$ 66,467
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Cash [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring	$ 650
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Municipal Securities [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring		$ 155
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring	41,624	4,418
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring	1,002	1,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring	$ 43,276	$ 5,573
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Cash [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Municipal Securities [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring
Cash [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring	$ 73,746	$ 66,467
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring	650
Municipal Securities [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring		155
Money Market Funds [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring	41,624	4,418
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Assets fair value, recurring	1,002	1,000
Assets fair value, recurring	$ 117,022	$ 72,040

Note 6 - Employee Benefit Pla49

Note 6 - Employee Benefit Plans (Details Textual) - USD ($)	May. 12, 2015	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Swiss Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Net Gains (Losses), after Tax		$ (1,800,000)	$ (2,000,000)
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year		700,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months		600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two		600,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three		700,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four		800,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five		900,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter		5,200,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost		$ 1,209,000	$ 897,000	$ 972,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate					1.00%	1.30%
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized	750,000
Stock Issued During Period Shares Employee Stock Purchase Plans Future Issuance		2,650,000
Percentage of Fair Value to Determine Price of Common Stock		85.00%
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans		122,528	138,831	163,120
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant		811,063
Equity Incentive Plan 2005 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized	1,500,000
Percentage of Fair Value to Determine Price of Common Stock		100.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant		2,255,701
Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		75.00%
Real Estate Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		12.00%
Alternative Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		8.00%
Cash [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		2.00%
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Plan Asset Allocations		3.00%
Post-retirement Health benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year		$ 100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months		100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two		100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three		100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four		100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five		100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter		700,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost		$ 100,000		$ 100,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Income			$ 100,000
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		1 year
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		4 years
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period		10 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		1 year
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		4 years
Equity Based Performance Stock Units [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Percentage of Shares Available for Issue		0.00%
Equity Based Performance Stock Units [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Percentage of Shares Available for Issue		150.00%
Equity Based Performance Stock Units [Member] | Vest on Second and Third Anniversary Grant Date [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage			50.00%
Equity Based Performance Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		3 years
Unvested Stock Options [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options		$ 600,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition		1 year 73 days
Unvested Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition		2 years 109 days
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options		$ 10,000,000
Deferred Compensation Liability, Current		2,600,000	$ 2,600,000
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance		2,300,000	$ 2,300,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value		1,200,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value		1,200,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value		$ 1,200,000
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay		3.00%	3.00%	1.50%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount		$ 700,000	$ 700,000	$ 300,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate		4.20%	3.80%	4.60%
Defined Benefit Plan, Health Care Cost Trend Rate Assumed for Next Fiscal Year		7.50%
Defined Benefit Plan Decrease In Assumed Healthcare Cost Trend Rate Percentage		0.30%
Defined Benefit Plan, Ultimate Health Care Cost Trend Rate		4.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Year that Rate Reaches Ultimate Trend Rate		2,025
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Service and Interest Cost Components		$ 14,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Service and Interest Cost Components		11,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation		411,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation		338,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value		$ 700,000	$ 700,000	$ 400,000

Note 6 - Net Periodic Benefit C

Note 6 - Net Periodic Benefit Cost of Swiss Plan (Details) - Swiss Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Service cost	$ 856	$ 749	$ 841
Interest cost	311	491	398
Expected return on assets	(193)	$ (343)	$ (267)
Settlements	235
Net periodic costs	$ 1,209	$ 897	$ 972

Note 6 - Benefit Obligation, Fa

Note 6 - Benefit Obligation, Fair Value of Plan Assets, Funded Status and Liability of Swiss Plan (Details) - Swiss Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 26,027	$ 23,850
Service cost	(856)	(749)	$ (841)
Interest cost	(311)	(491)	(398)
Actuarial gain (loss)	(660)	(3,649)
Participant contributions	(672)	(728)
Benefits paid	296	$ 998
Plan change	558
Settlements	2,199
Foreign currency exchange adjustment	(10)	$ 2,442
Benefit obligation at end of year	25,483	26,027	23,850
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	15,603	16,083
Return on assets, net of actuarial loss	277	652
Employer contributions	672	728
Participant contributions	672	728
Benefits paid	(296)	$ (998)
Settlements	(2,199)
Foreign currency exchange adjustment	(13)	$ (1,590)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	14,716	15,603	$ 16,083
Net liability at end of year	$ (10,767)	$ (10,424)

Note 6 - Weighted-average Actua

Note 6 - Weighted-average Actuarial Assumptions to Determine Benefit Obligation and Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Swiss Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate	1.00%	1.30%
Compensation increase	1.80%	1.80%
Discount rate	1.30%	2.30%	1.80%
Rate of return on Assets	1.30%	2.30%	1.80%
Compensation increase	1.80%	2.00%	2.00%

Note 6 - Post-retirement Benefi

Note 6 - Post-retirement Benefit Obligation to Funded Status and Liability (Details) - Defined Benefit Retirement Plans [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Accumulated benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 2,428	$ 2,021
Service cost		13
Interest cost	$ 90	91
Actuarial gain (loss)	187	370
Benefits paid	(56)	(67)
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	$ 2,649	$ 2,428
Plan assets at end of year
Funded status	$ (2,649)	$ (2,428)

Note 6 - Stock Option Activity

Note 6 - Stock Option Activity under Share-based Compensation Plans (Details) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Outstanding, beginning of year (in shares)	2,435	3,086	3,113
Outstanding, beginning of year (in dollars per share)	$ 11.67	$ 11.93	$ 12.62
Granted (in shares)	10	10	470
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 10.98	$ 12.58	$ 9.83
Exercised (in shares)	(175)	(237)	(117)
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$ 8.65	$ 8.43	$ 7.55
Cancelled (in shares)	(305)	(424)	(380)
Cancelled (in dollars per share)	$ 16.07	$ 15.37	$ 16.37
Outstanding, end of year (in shares)	1,965	2,435	3,086
Outstanding, end of year (in dollars per share)	$ 11.25	$ 11.67	$ 11.93
Options exercisable at year end (in shares)	1,673	1,901	2,195
Options exercisable at year end (in dollars per share)	$ 11.47	$ 12.08	$ 12.46

Note 6 - Stock Options Outstand

Note 6 - Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Details) shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015$ / sharesshares
Range 1 [Member]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower (in dollars per share)	$ 7.32
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper (in dollars per share)	$ 10.58
Number Outstanding (in shares) | shares	1,182
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Life	5 years 73 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 8.82
Options Exercisable (in shares) | shares	922
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 8.54
Range 2 [Member]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower (in dollars per share)	10.59
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper (in dollars per share)	$ 15.50
Number Outstanding (in shares) | shares	498
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Life	4 years 73 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 14.06
Options Exercisable (in shares) | shares	466
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 14.26
Range 3 [Member]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower (in dollars per share)	15.51
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper (in dollars per share)	$ 20.73
Number Outstanding (in shares) | shares	285
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Life	1 year 255 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 16.44
Options Exercisable (in shares) | shares	285
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 16.44
Number Outstanding (in shares) | shares	1,965
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Life	4 years 146 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 11.25
Options Exercisable (in shares) | shares	1,673
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 11.47

Note 6 - Restricted Stock Unit

Note 6 - Restricted Stock Unit Activity under Share-based Compensation Plans (Details) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Outstanding, beginning of year, Units (in shares)	1,026	887	615
Outstanding, beginning of year, Wt. Avg. Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 9.54	$ 9.46	$ 10.54
Granted, Units (in shares)	482	497	531
Granted, Wt. Avg. Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 10.54	$ 10.07	$ 8.80
Released, Units (in shares)	(339)	(315)	(223)
Released, Wt. Avg. Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 9.63	$ 10.16	$ 10.86
Cancelled, Units (in shares)	(91)	(43)	(36)
Cancelled, Wt. Avg. Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 9.82	$ 9.41	$ 9.86
Outstanding, end of year, Units (in shares)	1,078	1,026	887
Outstanding, end of year, Wt. Avg. Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 9.93	$ 9.54	$ 9.46

Note 6 - Performance Based Stoc

Note 6 - Performance Based Stock Unit Activity Under Share-based Compensation Plans (Details) - Equity Based Performance Stock Units [Member] - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Outstanding, beginning of year, Units (in shares)	334	238	122
Outstanding, beginning of year, Wt. Avg. Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 10.49	$ 9.32	$ 9.89
Granted, Units (in shares)	156	208	158
Granted, Wt. Avg. Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 10.69	$ 11.34	$ 9.03
Released, Units (in shares)	(38)	(38)	(26)
Released, Wt. Avg. Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 9.52	$ 9.52	$ 9.89
Cancelled, Units (in shares)	(76)	(74)	(16)
Cancelled, Wt. Avg. Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 9.86	$ 9.59	$ 9.89
Outstanding, end of year, Units (in shares)	376	334	238
Outstanding, end of year, Wt. Avg. Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$ 10.80	$ 10.49	$ 9.32

Note 6 - Weighted-average Assum

Note 6 - Weighted-average Assumptions to Value Share-based Awards Granted (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Dividend yield	2.20%	2.40%	2.60%
Expected volatility	35.30%	35.30%	38.40%
Risk-free interest rate	0.10%	0.10%	0.10%
Expected term (years)	182 days	182 days	182 days
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.71	$ 2.52	$ 2.32
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Dividend yield	2.10%	2.00%	2.60%
Expected volatility	39.10%	42.50%	44.90%
Risk-free interest rate	1.60%	1.90%	1.10%
Expected term (years)	5 years 328 days	5 years 328 days	6 years 146 days
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.46	$ 4.39	$ 3.37
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Dividend yield	2.10%	2.20%	2.50%
Performance Stock Units [Member]
Dividend yield	2.10%	2.20%	2.50%

Note 6 - Reported Share-based C

Note 6 - Reported Share-based Compensation in Consolidated Financial Statements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Cost of Sales [Member]
Share-based compensation of continuing operations	$ 566	$ 491	$ 390
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Share-based compensation of continuing operations	1,092	1,858	1,623
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Share-based compensation of continuing operations	5,097	4,039	3,098
Share-based compensation of continuing operations	6,755	6,388	5,111
Discontinued operations	138	388	$ 357
Income tax benefit	(249)	(204)
Total share-based compensation, net of tax	$ 6,644	$ 6,572	$ 5,468

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details

Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 19,300
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	6,700
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	21,300
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	13,600
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 1,600
Minimum [Member]
Collection Term Range	4 years
Maximum [Member]
Collection Term Range	10 years
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	$ 1,400	$ 1,400
Cumulative Three Year Pre-tax Income (Loss)	(27,300)
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	42,289	37,023
Income Tax Credits and Adjustments	400	500	$ 700
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries	41,000
Increase (Decrease) of Net Income Due to Impact of Tax Holidays	$ 800
Increase (Decrease) of Earning Per Share Due To Impact Of Tax Holidays	$ 0.03
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	$ 5,600	$ 6,200
Decrease in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible	500
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest Expense, Net of Accrued Interest Reversed	$ 100		$ (100)

Note 7 - Components of Provisio

Note 7 - Components of Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes for Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
U.S. Federal	$ 5	$ (307)	$ (1,539)
U.S. State	28	40	42
Foreign	1,956	4,088	780
Total current	1,989	3,821	(717)
U.S. Federal	89	112	763
U.S. State	49	(17)	24
Foreign	84	737	(2,443)
Total deferred	222	832	(1,656)
	$ 2,211	$ 4,653	$ (2,373)

Note 7 - Income (Loss) Before I

Note 7 - Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes from Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
U.S.	$ (5,214)	$ 1,076	$ (23,193)
Foreign	13,217	18,357	(7,728)
Total	$ 8,003	$ 19,433	$ (30,921)

Note 7 - Components of Deferred

Note 7 - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Inventory, receivable and warranty reserves	$ 8,207	$ 9,585
Net operating loss carryforwards	7,605	8,266
Tax credit carryforwards	12,291	11,905
Accrued employee benefits	4,993	5,232
Deferred profit and gain on facility sale	6,084	1,091
Stock-based compensation	4,443	4,352
Acquisition basis differences	1,544	2,133
Other	265	608
Gross deferred tax assets	45,432	43,172
Less valuation allowance	(42,289)	(37,023)
Total deferred tax assets	3,143	6,149
Depreciation and fixed asset related	227	1,822
Acquisition basis differences	8,904	10,600
Other	563	643
Total deferred tax liabilities	9,694	13,065
Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)	$ (6,551)	$ (6,916)

Note 7 - Reconciliation of Inco

Note 7 - Reconciliation of Income Tax Computed at U.S. Federal Statutory Tax Rate to Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes for Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Tax provision (credit) at U.S. 35% statutory rate	$ 2,801	$ 6,802	$ (10,822)
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	(152)	119	(1,089)
Settlements, adjustments and releases from statute expirations	(104)	(65)	(849)
Federal tax credits	(221)	(244)	(1,340)
Stock-based compensation on which no tax benefit provided	156	160	168
Change in valuation allowance	2,181	437	9,574
Foreign income taxed at different rates	(2,601)	(2,151)	1,513
Other, net	151	(405)	472
	$ 2,211	$ 4,653	$ (2,373)

Note 7 - Reconciliation of In65

Note 7 - Reconciliation of Income Tax Computed at U.S. Federal Statutory Tax Rate to Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes for Continuing Operations (Details) (Parentheticals)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
U.S. Federal statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%

Note 7 - Reconciliation of Gros

Note 7 - Reconciliation of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Balance at beginning of year	$ 10,841	$ 10,483	$ 6,080
Gross additions for tax positions of current year	215	761	933
Gross additions for tax positions of prior years	248	365	$ 3,700
Reductions due to lapse of the statute of limitations	(243)	(587)
Foreign exchange rate impact	(617)	(181)	$ (230)
Balance at end of year	$ 10,444	$ 10,841	$ 10,483

Note 8 - Segment and Geograph67

Note 8 - Segment and Geographic Information (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015
Number of Operating Segments	1

Note 8 - Customers Comprising 1

Note 8 - Customers Comprising 10% of Consolidated Sales (Details) - Semiconductor Equipment [Member] - Sales Revenue, Net [Member] - Customer Concentration Risk [Member]		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Intel [Member]
Net sales percentage		18.00%	15.70%	18.50%
NXP Semiconductors N.V. [Member]
Net sales percentage	[1]	11.40%	11.40%	13.50%
[1]	The merger of NXP Semiconductors N.V. and Freescale Semiconductor, Ltd. was completed on December 7, 2015. Sales to these customers have been combined for all periods presented.

Note 8 - Summary of Net Sales t

Note 8 - Summary of Net Sales to Customers, Attributed to Countries (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Malaysia [Member]
Net sales	$ 60,776	$ 73,818	$ 51,491
CHINA
Net sales	52,589	51,662	39,202
UNITED STATES
Net sales	50,704	72,266	39,504
PHILIPPINES
Net sales	16,270	28,669	26,489
Rest of the World [Member]
Net sales	89,315	90,214	57,825
Net sales	$ 269,654	$ 316,629	$ 214,511

Note 8 - Summary of Property, P

Note 8 - Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment and Other Long Lived Assets in Geographical Area (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
UNITED STATES
Net property, plant and equipment	$ 3,054	$ 18,986
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net	17,241	17,241
GERMANY
Net property, plant and equipment	6,882	7,484
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net	31,337	38,527
PHILIPPINES
Net property, plant and equipment	4,171	2,721
Malaysia [Member]
Net property, plant and equipment	4,165	1,838
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net	6,995	6,988
Rest of the World [Member]
Net property, plant and equipment	728	825
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net	986	984
SWITZERLAND
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net	22,444	25,921
SINGAPORE
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net	6,558	6,558
Net property, plant and equipment	19,000	31,854
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net	$ 85,561	$ 96,219

Note 9 - Commitments and Cont71

Note 9 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 1.8	$ 1.8	$ 1.7

Note 9 - Future Minimum Lease P

Note 9 - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2015USD ($)
2,016	$ 3,639
2,017	2,628
2,018	2,389
2,019	2,404
2,020	2,453
Thereafter	11,901
Total	$ 25,414

Note 10 - Guarantees (Details T

Note 10 - Guarantees (Details Textual) SFr in Millions	Dec. 26, 2015CHF (SFr)	Dec. 26, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 27, 2014USD ($)
Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value		$ 0
Long-term Line of Credit		0	$ 0
Product Warranty Accrual, Noncurrent		1,100,000	$ 1,000,000
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted		$ 200,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity | SFr	SFr 2.5

Note 10 - Changes in Accrued Wa

Note 10 - Changes in Accrued Warranty (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Beginning balance	$ 5,848	$ 4,673	$ 4,206
Warranty accruals	6,747	6,176	4,814
Warranty payments	$ (7,709)	$ (5,001)	(6,180)
Warranty liability assumed			1,833
Ending balance	$ 4,886	$ 5,848	$ 4,673

Note 11 - Components of Other C

Note 11 - Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$ (11,000)	$ (14,107)	$ 3,270
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$ (11,000)	$ (14,107)	$ 3,270
Adjustments related to postretirement benefits	(24)	(3,809)	1,889
Adjustments related to postretirement benefits	(34)	551	(285)
Adjustments related to postretirement benefits	$ 58	$ 3,258	(1,604)
Change in unrealized gain/loss on investments			(14)
Change in unrealized gain/loss on investments			8
Change in unrealized gain/loss on investments			(6)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (11,024)	$ (17,916)	5,145
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(34)	551	(277)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (11,058)	$ (17,365)	$ 4,868

Note 11 - Components of Accumul

Note 11 - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Accumulated net currency translation adjustments	$ (19,327)	$ (8,327)
Accumulated net adjustments related to postretirement benefits	(2,445)	(2,387)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (21,772)	$ (10,714)

Note 12 - Summary of Quarterly

Note 12 - Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	[1]	Sep. 26, 2015	[1]	Jun. 27, 2015	[1]	Mar. 28, 2015	[1]	Dec. 27, 2014	[1]	Sep. 27, 2014	[1]	Jun. 28, 2014	[1]	Mar. 29, 2014	[1]	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Net sales	$ 63,484		$ 67,512		$ 75,211		$ 63,447		$ 90,587		$ 91,573		$ 74,299		$ 60,170		$ 269,654	$ 316,629
Gross profit	20,397		22,794		25,702		20,145		28,727		32,952		24,263		20,030		89,038	105,972
Income (loss) from continuing operations	2,290		1,335		3,887		(1,720)		5,275		10,012		2,200		(2,707)		5,792	14,780
Net loss	$ 1,949		$ 1,113		$ (72)		$ (2,740)		$ 374		$ 7,519		$ 4,163		$ (3,348)		$ 250	$ 8,708
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.09	[2]	$ 0.05	[2]	$ 0.15	[2]	$ (0.07)	[2]	$ 0.21	[2]	$ 0.39	[2]	$ 0.09	[2]	$ (0.11)	[2]	$ 0.22	$ 0.58
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	0.07	[2]	0.04	[2]	0	[2]	(0.11)	[2]	0.01	[2]	0.30	[2]	0.16	[2]	(0.13)	[2]	0.01	0.34
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	0.08	[2]	0.05	[2]	0.15	[2]	(0.07)	[2]	0.20	[2]	0.38	[2]	0.09	[2]	(0.11)	[2]	0.22	0.57
Net income (loss) (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	[2]	$ 0.04	[2]	$ 0	[2]	$ (0.11)	[2]	$ 0.01	[2]	$ 0.29	[2]	$ 0.16	[2]	$ (0.13)	[2]	$ 0.01	$ 0.33
[1]	All quarters presented above were comprised of 13 weeks.
[2]	The sum of the four quarters may not agree to the year total due to rounding within a quarter and the inclusion or exclusion of common stock equivalents.

Schedule II - Valuation and Q78

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details Textual) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013USD ($)
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Amount Includes from Acquisition and Foreign Currency Impact	$ 0.4
Inventory Valuation Reserve [Member]
Amount Includes from Acquisition and Foreign Currency Impact	$ 6.8

Schedule II - Valuation and Q79

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015		Dec. 27, 2014		Dec. 28, 2013
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Balance	$ 179		$ 330		$ 12
Additions (Reductions) Not Charged to Expense	1	[1]	(1)	[1]	353	[2]
Additions (Reductions) Charged (Credited) to Expense	19		(126)		172
Deductions/ Write-offs	128		24		207
Balance	71		179		330
Inventory Valuation Reserve [Member]
Balance	27,851		35,221		25,261
Additions (Reductions) Not Charged to Expense	(648)	[1]	(762)	[1]	7,398	[3]
Additions (Reductions) Charged (Credited) to Expense	2,409		2,624		7,068
Deductions/ Write-offs	2,959		9,232		4,506
Balance	$ 26,653		$ 27,851		$ 35,221
[1]	Changes in reserve balances resulting from foreign currency impact.
[2]	Includes $0.4 million resulting from Ismeca Acquisition on December 31, 2012 and foreign currency impact.
[3]	Includes $6.8 million resulting from Ismeca Acquisition on December 31, 2012, foreign currency impact and reclass from other reserves.