Vishay Intertechnology (VHY) Risk Analysis

The conversion of some or all of our outstanding 2.25% convertible senior notes due 2030 (the "2030 Notes") may dilute the ownership interests of our existing stockholders. Any sales in the public market of the common stock issuable upon such conversion could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock. We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to settle conversions of our outstanding 2030 Notes in cash or to repurchase the notes upon a fundamental change or on a repurchase date, as applicable, and our current debt contains, and our future debt may contain, limitations on our ability to pay cash upon conversion or repurchase of the 2030 Notes. Holders of our outstanding 2030 Notes have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of their 2030 Notes, as the case may be, upon the occurrence of a fundamental change at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2030 Notes, as the case may be, to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, upon conversion of the 2030 Notes, we will be required to make cash payments for each $1,000 in principal amount of 2030 Notes converted of at least the lesser of $1,000 and the sum of the daily conversion values as described in the indenture governing the 2030 Notes.  However, we may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to make repurchases of the 2030 Notes surrendered therefor or notes being converted. In addition, our ability to repurchase the 2030 Notes or to pay cash upon conversion of the 2030 Notes may be limited by law, by regulatory authority or by agreements governing our existing and future indebtedness, as described below. For example, our credit facility in effect from time to time may prohibit us from making any cash payments on the conversion or repurchase of the 2030 Notes, as the case may be, upon a fundamental change repurchase if, after giving effect to such conversion or repurchase (and any additional indebtedness incurred in connection with such conversion or a repurchase), we would not be in pro forma compliance with the applicable financial covenants under that facility.  Any new credit facility into which we may enter may have similar restrictions unless certain conditions are met. Our failure to make cash payments upon the conversion or repurchase of the 2030 Notes, as the case may be, as required under the terms of the applicable indenture governing such notes would permit holders of the 2030 Notes to accelerate our obligations under the 2030 Notes. Our failure to repurchase the 2030 Notes at a time when the repurchase is required by the applicable indenture or to pay any cash payable on future conversions of the 2030 Notes as required by the applicable indenture would constitute a default under such indenture. A default under such indenture or the fundamental change itself could also lead to a default under agreements governing our existing and future indebtedness, including our credit facility. If the repayment of the related indebtedness were to be accelerated after any applicable notice or grace periods, we may not have sufficient funds to repay the indebtedness and repurchase the notes or make cash payments upon conversions thereof. 23 The conditional conversion feature of our outstanding 2030 Notes, if triggered, may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results. In the event the conditional conversion feature of the 2030 Notes is triggered, holders of such notes will be entitled to convert the notes at any time during specified periods at their option.  If one or more holders elect to convert their notes, we would be required to settle any converted principal through the payment of cash, which could adversely affect our liquidity. In addition, even if holders do not elect to convert their notes, we could be required under applicable accounting rules to reclassify all or a portion of the outstanding principal of the notes as a current rather than long-term liability, which would result in a material reduction of our net working capital. Certain provisions in the indentures governing the 2030 Notes could delay or prevent an otherwise beneficial takeover or takeover attempt of us. Certain provisions in the 2030 Notes and the applicable indenture could make it more difficult or more expensive for a third party to acquire us. For example, if a takeover would constitute a fundamental change, holders of the notes will have the right to require us to repurchase their notes in cash. In addition, if a takeover constitutes a make-whole fundamental change, we may be required to increase the conversion rate for holders who convert their notes in connection with such takeover.  In either case, and in other cases, our obligations under the notes and the applicable indenture could increase the cost of acquiring us or otherwise discourage a third party from acquiring us or removing incumbent management, including in a transaction that holders of the notes or holders of our common stock may view as favorable. The capped call transactions may affect the market price of our common stock. In connection with the pricing of, and the initial purchasers' exercise in full of their option to purchase additional, 2030 Notes, we entered into capped call transactions with the option counterparties. The capped call transactions are expected generally to reduce potential dilution to our common stock upon conversion of any 2030 Notes and to offset any cash payments made in excess of the principal amount of converted 2030 Notes, as the case may be, with such reduction and/or offset subject to a cap. In connection with establishing their initial hedges of the capped call transactions, we expect the option counterparties or their respective affiliates to have purchased shares of our common stock and/or entered into various derivative transactions with respect to our common stock concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the 2030 Notes. In addition, the option counterparties and/or their respective affiliates may modify their hedge positions by entering into or unwinding various derivatives with respect to our common stock and/or purchasing or selling our common stock or other securities of ours in secondary market transactions following the pricing of the 2030 Notes and prior to the maturity of the 2030 Notes (and are likely to do so on each exercise date for the capped call transactions or following any termination of any portion of the capped call transactions in connection with any repurchase, redemption or early conversion of the 2030 Notes). This activity could cause or avoid an increase or decrease in the market price of our common stock. In addition, if any such capped call transactions fail to become effective, the option counterparties or their respective affiliates may unwind their hedge positions with respect to our common stock, which could adversely affect the value of our common stock. We do not make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any potential effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, we do not make any representation that the option counterparties will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice. We are subject to counterparty risk with respect to the capped call transactions. The option counterparties are financial institutions, and we will be subject to the risk that any or all of them might default under the capped call transactions. Our exposure to the credit risk of the option counterparties will not be secured by any collateral. Past global economic conditions have resulted in the actual or perceived failure or financial difficulties of many financial institutions. If an option counterparty becomes subject to insolvency proceedings, we will become an unsecured creditor in those proceedings with a claim equal to our exposure at that time under the capped call transactions with such option counterparty. Our exposure will depend on many factors but, generally, an increase in our exposure will be correlated to an increase in the market price and in the volatility of our common stock. In addition, upon a default by an option counterparty, we may suffer more dilution than we currently anticipate with respect to our common stock. We can provide no assurance as to the financial stability or viability of the option counterparties. Anti-takeover defenses in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws and under Delaware law may impede or discourage a merger, a takeover attempt or other business combinations, which could also reduce the market price of our common stock. We are a Delaware corporation, and the anti-takeover provisions of Delaware law impose various impediments to the ability of a third party to acquire control of us, even if a change in control would be beneficial to our existing stockholders. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws also contain provisions that could delay or prevent a change in control of our company. These provisions could also make it difficult for stockholders to elect directors that are not nominated by the current members of our Board of Directors or take other corporate actions, including effecting changes in our management. These provisions include: - the provision that our Class B common stock is generally entitled to ten votes per share, while our common stock is entitled to one vote per share, enabling the holders of our Class B common stock to effectively control the outcome of substantially all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, including the election of directors and change of control transactions; - the provision establishing a classified board of directors with three-year staggered terms and the provision that a director may be removed only for cause, each of which could delay the ability of stockholders to change the membership of a majority of our board of directors; - the ability of our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms of those shares, including preferences and voting rights, without stockholder approval, which could be used to significantly dilute the ownership of a hostile acquirer; - the right of our board of directors to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of our board of directors or the resignation, death or removal of a director, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on our board of directors; - the requirement that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by the directors or by any officer instructed by the directors to call the meeting, which could delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors; and - the ability of our board of directors, by majority vote, to amend the bylaws, which may allow our board of directors to take additional actions to prevent an unsolicited takeover and inhibit the ability of an acquirer to amend the bylaws to facilitate an unsolicited takeover attempt. In addition, as a Delaware corporation, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. This statute prohibits a Delaware corporation listed on a national securities exchange from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder (generally a person who, together with its affiliates, owns or within the last three years has owned 15% or more of our voting stock subject to certain exceptions) for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. The application of Section 203 also could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of us. Any of these provisions could, under certain circumstances, depress the market price of our common stock. The ability of our board of directors or a committee thereof to create and issue a new series of preferred stock and certain provisions of Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could impede a merger, takeover attempt or other business combination involving us or discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer for our common stock, which, under certain circumstances, could reduce the market price of our common stock.