RISK
FACTORS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements in this webcast that refer to plans and expectations
for the second quarter and the future are forward-looking
statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.
These statements do not reflect the potential impact of any
mergers, acquisitions and divestitures that may be completed
after April 18, 2006. In addition to factors discussed in
the slides, the important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially include the following: Intel
operates in intensely competitive industries that are characterized
by a high percentage of costs that are fixed or difficult
to reduce in the short term, and by product demand that is
highly variable and difficult to forecast. Revenue and the
gross margin percentage are affected by the timing of new
Intel product introductions and the demand for and market
acceptance of Intel's products; actions taken by Intel's competitors,
including product offerings, marketing programs and pricing
pressures; Intel's ability to respond quickly to technological
developments and to incorporate new features into its products;
and the availability of sufficient inventory of Intel products
and related components from other suppliers to meet demand.
Factors that could cause demand to be different from Intel’s
expectations include customer acceptance of Intel and competitors'
products; changes in customer order patterns, including order
cancellations; changes in the level of inventory at customers;
and changes in business and economic conditions. The gross
margin percentage could vary from expectations based on changes
in revenue levels; product mix and pricing; variations in
inventory valuation, including variations related to the timing
of qualifying products for sale; excess or obsolete inventory;
manufacturing yields; changes in unit costs; capacity utilization;
impairments of long-lived assets, including manufacturing,
assembly/test and intangible assets; and the timing and execution
of the manufacturing ramp and associated costs, including
start-up costs. Expenses, particularly certain marketing and
compensation expenses, vary depending on the level of demand
for Intel’s products and the level of revenue and profits.
The tax rate expectation is based on current tax law and current
expected income and assumes Intel continues to receive tax
benefits for export sales. The tax rate may be affected by
the closing of acquisitions or divestitures; the jurisdictions
in which profits are determined to be earned and taxed; changes
in the estimates of credits, benefits and deductions; the
resolution of issues arising from tax audits with various
tax authorities; and the ability to realize deferred tax assets.
Gains or losses from equity securities and interest and other
could vary from expectations depending on equity market levels
and volatility; gains or losses realized on the sale or exchange
of securities; impairment charges related to marketable, non-marketable
and other investments; interest rates; cash balances; and
changes in fair value of derivative instruments. Dividend
declarations and the dividend rate are at the discretion of
Intel’s board of directors, and plans for future dividends
may be revised by the board. Intel’s dividend and stock
buyback programs could be affected by changes in its capital
spending programs, changes in its cash flows and changes in
the tax laws, as well as by the level and timing of acquisition
and investment activity. Intel’s results could be impacted
by unexpected economic, social and political conditions in
the countries in which Intel, its customers or its suppliers
operate, including security risks, possible infrastructure
disruptions, health concerns, natural disasters and fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange rates. Intel’s results
could be affected by adverse effects associated with product
defects and errata (deviations from published specifications),
and by litigation or regulatory matters involving intellectual
property, stockholder, consumer, antitrust and other issues,
such as the litigation and regulatory matters described in
Intel’s SEC reports. Intel’s results could be
affected by the amount, type, and valuation of share-based
awards granted as well as the amount of awards cancelled due
to employee turnover and the timing of award exercises by
employees. Please refer to Intel's most recent Earnings Release
and most recent Form 10-K or 10-Q filing for more information
on the risk factors that could cause actual results to differ.
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