Littelfuse (LFUS) Risk Factors

The market price of the Company's stock can fluctuate widely. Between December 31, 2022 and December 30, 2023, the closing sale price of the Company's common stock ranged between a low of $212.8 and a high of $309.9. The volatility of the stock price may be related to any number of factors, such as volatility in the financial markets, general macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, market expectations concerning the Company's results of operations, or the volatility of its revenues as discussed above under "The Company's revenues may vary significantly from period to period." The historic market price of the Company's common stock may not be indicative of future market prices. The Company may not be able to sustain or increase the value of its common stock. Declines in the market price of the Company's stock could adversely affect the Company's ability to retain personnel with stock incentives, to acquire businesses or assets in exchange for stock and/or to conduct future financing activities with or involving the Company's common stock.

The bankruptcy or insolvency of a major customer could result in lower sales revenue and cause a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows. In addition, the bankruptcy or insolvency of a major auto manufacturer or significant supplier likely could lead to substantial disruptions in the automotive supply base, resulting in lower demand for the Company's products, which would likely cause a decrease in sales revenue and have a substantial adverse impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

The Company seeks to grow through strategic acquisitions. In the past, the Company has acquired a number of businesses or companies and additional product lines and assets. The Company intends to continue to expand and diversify its operations with additional future acquisitions. An acquired business, technology, service or product could under-perform relative to the Company's expectations and the price paid for it, or not perform in accordance with the Company's anticipated timetable. This could cause the Company's financial results to differ from expectations in any given fiscal period, or over the long term. The success of these transactions also depends on the Company's ability to integrate the assets, operations, and personnel associated with these acquisitions. The Company may encounter difficulties in integrating acquisitions with the Company's operations and may not realize the degree or timing of the benefits that are anticipated from an acquisition. The Company may also discover liabilities or deficiencies associated with the companies or assets it acquires that were not identified in advance, which may result in significant unanticipated costs. The effectiveness of the Company's due diligence review and its ability to evaluate the results of such due diligence are dependent upon the accuracy and completeness of statements and disclosures made or actions taken by the companies acquired or their representatives, as well as the limited amount of time in which acquisitions are executed. In addition, the Company may fail to accurately forecast the financial impact of an acquisition transaction, including tax and accounting charges. Acquisitions may also result in recording of significant additional expenses to the results of operations and recording of substantial intangible assets on the balance sheet upon closing. Any of these factors may adversely affect the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

The Company's customers, suppliers, employees and operations are located in numerous countries around the world, and contribute significantly to its revenues and earnings. Sales to customers outside the U.S. constituted approximately 65% of the Company's net sales in fiscal 2023, including approximately 23% to China, which decreased from 25% in fiscal 2022. Economic conditions in China have been, and may continue to be, volatile and uncertain. In addition, the legal and regulatory system in China continues to evolve and is subject to change. There also continues to be significant uncertainty about the relationship between the U.S. and China, including with respect to geopolitics, trade policies, treaties, government regulations, and tariffs. Further deterioration of economic conditions or outlook, such as lower economic growth, recession or fears of recession in China may adversely affect the demand for or profitability of our products and services. Many of the Company's key customers are located outside of U.S. and maintain global operations. Serving a global customer base and remaining competitive in the global marketplace requires the Company to diversify its operations outside the U.S. to capitalize on customer and market opportunities, build a global workforce and maintain a cost efficient structure. In addition, the Company sources a significant amount of raw materials, components and finished goods from third-party suppliers and contract manufacturers. The Company's operating activities are subject to a number of risks generally associated with multi-national operations, including risks relating to the following: - general economic conditions;- currency fluctuations and exchange restrictions;- import and export duties and restrictions;- the imposition of tariffs and other import or export barriers;- compliance with regulations governing import and export activities;- current and changing regulatory requirements;- political and economic instability;- potentially adverse income tax consequences;- transportation delays and interruptions;- labor unrest;- natural disasters;- terrorist activities;- war and acts of war - public health concerns, including the outbreak of the coronavirus or other pandemics;- difficulties in staffing and managing multi-national operations; and - limitations on the Company's ability to enforce legal rights and remedies. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

The Company is subject to taxes in the U.S. and numerous non-U.S. jurisdictions. Therefore, it is subject to changes in tax laws in each of these jurisdictions, including changes discussed in the paragraphs below. The outcome of these and other legislative developments, including changes to interpretations of recently enacted legislation, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's future effective tax rate and cash flows. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ("OECD") has been working with a group of more than 100 countries to significantly change the tax treatment of multinational businesses, subjecting them to tax in additional jurisdictions, modifying the methods by which they allocate profits among jurisdictions, and subjecting them to a minimum level of tax of 15%, on a country-by-country-basis. As part of this effort, in December of 2021, the OECD published model rules to assist with implementation of the minimum tax regime. In December of 2022, the European Union reached an agreement pursuant to which all European Union countries agreed to enact laws based upon the OECD-led minimum tax proposals. As of the end of 2023, many of the European Union countries have already enacted these rules effective for years beginning on or after December 31, 2023. Similar legislation was adopted, or is expected to be adopted, in other countries with widespread implementation of the global minimum tax anticipated by the end of 2025. The Company's income tax rate in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions is lower than 15%. Once these minimum tax rules are effective, they could have a significant adverse effect on the Company's future effective tax rate and cash flows. The Company has two subsidiaries in China which benefit from lower income tax rates due to "tax holidays" which apply for three-year periods. The tax holiday for one of the subsidiaries expired at the end of 2022 but was later extended for an additional three years, retroactive to include all of 2023, as well as 2024 and 2025, and for the other subsidiary the tax holiday expired at the end of 2023. Future year tax benefits will depend upon the Company's ability to obtain extensions, after the three-year periods expire. There can be no assurance that future extensions will be granted. The tax rates applicable in the jurisdictions within which the Company operates vary widely. Therefore, the Company's effective tax rate may be adversely affected by changes in the mix of its earnings by jurisdiction. The Company's tax returns are subject to examination by various U.S. and non-U.S. tax authorities, including the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of its provision for income taxes. However, there can be no assurance as to the outcome of these examinations.

The Company considers its intellectual property, including patents, trade names, and trademarks, to be of significant value to its business as a whole. The Company's products are manufactured, marketed, and sold under a portfolio of patents, trademarks, licenses, and other forms of intellectual property, some of which expire or are allowed to lapse at various dates in the future. The Company develops and acquires new intellectual property on an ongoing basis and considers all of its intellectual property to be valuable. The Company's policy is to file applications and obtain patents for the great majority of its novel and innovative new products including product modifications and improvements. Based on the broad scope of its product lines, the Company believes that the loss or expiration of any single intellectual property right would not have a material adverse effect upon its consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows; however, multiple losses or expirations could have a material adverse effect upon the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

The Company relies on its information technology systems and networks in connection with many of its business activities. Some of these networks and systems are managed directly by the Company, while others are managed by third-party service providers and are not under the Company's direct control. The Company's operations routinely involve receiving, storing, processing and transmitting sensitive information pertaining to its business, customers, dealers, suppliers, employees, and other sensitive matters. As with most companies, the Company has experienced cyber-attacks, attempts to breach its systems, and other similar incidents, none of which have been material. Any future cyber incidents could, however, materially disrupt operational systems; result in loss of trade secrets or other proprietary or competitively sensitive information; compromise personally identifiable information regarding employees or customers or other third parties; and jeopardize the security of the Company's facilities. A cyber incident could be caused by malicious outsiders using sophisticated methods to circumvent firewalls, encryption, and other security defenses. Because techniques used to obtain unauthorized access or to sabotage systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until they are launched against a target, the Company may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Information technology security threats, including security breaches, computer malware, and other cyber-attacks are increasing in both frequency and sophistication and could create financial liability, subject the Company to legal or regulatory sanctions or damage the Company's reputation with customers, dealers, suppliers, and other stakeholders. The Company continuously seeks to maintain a robust program of information security and controls, but the impact of a material information technology event could have a material adverse effect on the Company's competitive position, reputation, results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

The Company operates in markets that are highly competitive. The Company competes on the basis of price, product performance and quality, service, and / or brand name across the industries and markets it serves. Competitive pressures could affect the prices the Company is able to charge its customers or demand for its products. The Company may not always be able to compete on price, particularly when compared to manufacturers with lower cost structures. Some of the Company's competitors have substantially greater sales, financial and manufacturing resources and may have greater access to capital than the Company. As other companies enter its markets or develop new products, competition may further intensify. The Company's failure to compete effectively could materially adversely affect its business, financial condition, and results of operations.