FLEXTRONICS INTERNATIONAL LTD - 10-Q Quarterly Report

(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

MICHAEL E. MARKS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FLEXTRONICS INTERNATIONAL LTD.
36 ROBINSON ROAD #18-01
CITY HOUSE
SINGAPORE 068877
(65) 6299-8888
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [X] No [ ]

As of November 4, 2003, there were 527,523,156 shares of the Registrant’s ordinary shares outstanding.

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Flextronics and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2003, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 and of cash flows for the six-month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have previously audited, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of March, 31, 2003 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flow for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated April 21, 2003 (May 5, 2003 as to a subsequent event), we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2003 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

FLEXTRONICS INTERNATIONAL LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

FLEXTRONICS INTERNATIONAL LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

FLEXTRONICS INTERNATIONAL LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements

FLEXTRONICS INTERNATIONAL LTD.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2003
(Unaudited)

Flextronics International Ltd. (“Flextronics” or the “Company”) was incorporated in the Republic of Singapore in May 1990. The Company is a leading provider of advanced electronics manufacturing services, or EMS, to original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, primarily in the handheld electronics devices, information technologies infrastructure, communications infrastructure, computer and office automation, and consumer devices industries. Flextronics provides design, engineering, manufacturing, logistics, and after-market services. The Company’s strategy is to provide customers with end-to-end services where it takes responsibility for engineering, supply chain management, new product introduction and implementation, manufacturing, and logistics management, with the goal of delivering a complete packaged product. Once a complete packaged product is delivered, Flextronics also provides after-market services such as repair and warranty services and network and communications installation and maintenance.

In addition to the assembly of printed circuit boards and complete systems and products, the Company’s manufacturing services include the fabrication and assembly of plastic and metal enclosures, the fabrication of printed circuit boards and backplanes (which are printed circuit boards into which other printed circuit boards or cards may be inserted) and the fabrication and assembly of photonics components. Throughout the production process, the Company offers design and engineering services; logistics services, such as materials procurement, inventory management, vendor management, packaging and distribution; and automation of key elements of the supply chain through advanced information technologies. The Company has recently begun providing original design manufacturing, or ODM, services where it designs, develops and manufactures products, such as cell phones and other consumer-related devices, that are sold by its OEM customers under their brand name.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003 contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and six month periods ended September 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending March 31, 2004.

The Company’s fiscal year ends on March 31 of each year. Interim quarterly reporting periods end on the Friday closest to the last day of each fiscal quarter, except the third and fourth fiscal quarters which end on December 31 and March 31, respectively.

Amounts included in the financial statements are expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise designated as Singapore dollars (S$) or Euros (€).

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Flextronics and its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries, after elimination of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets (three to thirty years), with the exception of building leasehold improvements, which are amortized over the life of the lease, if shorter. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

The Company reviews property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of property and equipment is measured by comparing its carrying amount to the projected cash flows the property and equipment are expected to generate. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value.

Goodwill is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment, applying a fair value based test. Additionally, an acquired intangible asset in a business combination is separately recognized if the benefit of the intangible asset is obtained through contractual or other legal rights, or if the intangible asset can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged, regardless of the acquirer’s intent to do so. Other intangibles, with finite lives, are valued and amortized over their estimated useful lives. In-process research and development is written off immediately.

Goodwill of the Company’s reporting units is tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests in certain circumstances. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. Further,

in the event that the carrying amount of the Company as a whole is greater than its market capitalization, there is a potential likelihood that some or all of its goodwill would be considered impaired. The Company has not recognized any impairment of its goodwill except as disclosed in “Restructuring and Other Charges”. However, no assurances can be given that future impairment tests of goodwill will not result in an impairment.

The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s goodwill account during the six months ended September 30, 2003 (in thousands):

All of the Company’s acquired intangible assets are subject to amortization over their estimated useful lives. The Company’s intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate that the carrying amount of an intangible may not be recoverable. Intangible assets are comprised of contractual agreements, patents and trademarks, developed technologies and other acquired intangibles. Contractual agreements are being amortized over periods up to ten years. Patents and trademarks and developed technologies are being amortized on a straight-line basis up to ten years. Other acquired intangibles relate to favorable leases and customer lists, and are amortized on a straight-line basis over three to ten years. No residual value is estimated for the intangible assets. During the six months ended September 30, 2003, there were approximately $4.2 million of additions to intangible assets, primarily related to purchased patents and trademarks. The components of other intangible assets as of the dates presented are as follows (in thousands):

The Company expects that its amortization expense for the six-month period ending March 31, 2004, will be approximately $17.0 million. Expected annual amortization expense will be approximately $17.0 million, $7.5 million, $4.5 million and $4.0 million, respectively for each of the next four fiscal years and approximately $13.0 million in total thereafter.

The Company provides for income taxes in accordance with the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of “temporary differences” between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities by applying the applicable statutory tax rate to such differences.

At September 30, 2003, the Company had six stock-based employee compensation plans. The Company accounts for its stock option awards to employees under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and related interpretations. No compensation expense is recorded for options granted in which the exercise price equals or exceeds the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant in accordance with the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25. The following table illustrates the effect on net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share had the Company applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation,” to stock-based employee compensation.

The fair value of employee stock options granted and stock purchased under the Company’s employee share purchase plan were estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model and the following weighted average assumptions:

Due to the subjective nature of the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model, the proforma net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share disclosures may not reflect the associated fair value of the outstanding options.

The Company provides restricted stock grants to key employees under its 2002 Interim Incentive Plan. Shares awarded under the plan vest in installments over a five-year period and unvested shares are forfeited upon termination of employment. During fiscal 2003, 1,230,000 shares of restricted stock were granted with a fair value on the date of grant of $5.88 per share. During the first half of fiscal 2004, 237,000 shares of restricted stock were granted with a fair value on the date of grant of $10.34 per share. The unearned compensation associated with the restricted stock grants was $7.5 million as of September 30, 2003. This amount is included in shareholders’ equity. Grants of restricted stock are recorded as compensation expense over the vesting period at the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant. During the three and six months ended September 30, 2003 compensation expense related to the restricted stock grants amounted to approximately $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (on a first-in, first-out basis) or market value. Cost is comprised of direct materials, labor and overhead. The components of inventories, as of the dates presented were as follows (in thousands):

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the applicable periods.

Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of ordinary shares and dilutive ordinary share equivalents outstanding during the applicable periods. Ordinary share equivalents include ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options, and are computed using the treasury stock method, as well as shares issuable upon conversion of debt instruments.

Earnings (loss) per share data were computed as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

The following table summarizes the components of other comprehensive income (loss) (in thousands):

In May 2003, the Company issued $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.5% senior subordinated notes due May 2013. In June 2003, the Company used $156.6 million of the net proceeds from this issuance to redeem all of its outstanding 8.75% senior subordinated notes due October 2007, of which $150.0 million aggregate principal amount was outstanding. In connection with the redemption, the Company incurred a loss of approximately $8.7 million associated with the early extinguishment of the notes during the first quarter of fiscal 2004.

In August 2003, the Company issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 1% convertible subordinated notes due August 2010. The notes are convertible at any time prior to maturity into ordinary shares of the Company’s stock at a conversion price of $15.525 (subject to certain adjustments). In August 2003, the Company used a portion of the net proceeds from this issuance and other cash sources to repurchase $492.3 million aggregate principal amount, or 98.5%, of its outstanding 9.875% senior subordinated notes due July 2010. In connection with the repurchase, the Company incurred a loss of approximately $95.2 million associated with the early extinguishment of the notes during the second quarter of fiscal 2004.

All derivative instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in shareholders’ equity as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is recognized in the statement of operations when the hedged item affects earnings. Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are immediately recognized in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings in the current period.

The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk inherent in forecasted sales, cost of sales and assets and liabilities denominated in non-functional currencies. The Company has established currency risk management programs to protect against reductions in value and volatility of future cash flows caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company enters into short-term foreign currency forward contracts to hedge only those currency exposures associated with certain assets and liabilities, mainly accounts receivable and accounts payable, and cash flows denominated in non- functional currencies.

As of September 30, 2003, the fair value of these short-term foreign currency forward contracts was recorded as an asset amounting to $11.3 million. At

the same date, the Company had recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) deferred gains of approximately $6.2 million relating to the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts. These gains are expected to be recognized in earnings over the next twelve months. The gains and losses recognized in earnings due to hedge ineffectiveness were immaterial for all periods presented.

The Company continuously sells a designated pool of trade receivables to a third party qualified special purpose entity, which in turn sells an undivided ownership interest to a conduit, administered by an unaffiliated financial institution. In addition to this financial institution, the Company participates in the securitization agreement as an investor in the conduit. The securitization agreement allows the operating subsidiaries participating in the securitization to receive a cash payment for sold receivables, less a deferred purchase price receivable. The Company’s share of the total investment varies depending on certain criteria, mainly the collection performance on the sold receivables. The agreement, which expires in March 2004, is subject to annual renewal. Currently, the unaffiliated financial institution’s maximum investment limit is $250.0 million. The Company has sold $351.5 million of its accounts receivable as of September 30, 2003, which represents the face amount of the total outstanding trade receivables on all designated customer accounts at that date. The Company received net cash proceeds of $205.4 million from the unaffiliated financial institution for the sale of these receivables. The Company has a recourse obligation that is limited to the deferred purchase price receivable, which approximates 5% of the total sold receivables, and its own investment participation, the total of which was $148.7 million as of September 30, 2003.

The Company continues to service, administer and collect the receivables on behalf of the special purpose entity and receives a servicing fee of 1.0% of serviced receivables per annum. The Company pays facility and commitment fees of up to 0.24% for unused amounts and program fees of up to 0.34% of outstanding amounts.

The accounts receivable balances that were sold were removed from the consolidated balance sheet and are reflected as cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

The Company accounts for costs associated with restructuring activities initiated after December 31, 2002 in accordance with SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.” SFAS No. 146 supersedes previous accounting guidance, principally Emerging Issues Task Force Issue (“EITF”) No. 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity.” SFAS No. 146 requires that the liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred.

As a result of strategic decisions to optimize the operating efficiencies provided by the Company’s global presence and to reduce its workforce and manufacturing capacity, the Company approved plans during the first half of fiscal 2004 to exit certain activities and involuntarily terminate employees. Accordingly, the Company recognized restructuring charges of approximately $387.4 million during the six months ended September 30, 2003, related to the closure and consolidation of, and impairment of certain long-lived assets at various manufacturing facilities. As further discussed below, $308.8 million and $42.4 million of the charge were classified as a component of cost of sales in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2004, respectively.

Restructuring charges recorded during the six months ended September 30, 2003 by reportable geographic regions were as follows: Americas, $136.9 million; Asia, $111.3 million; and Europe, $139.2 million.

The Company currently anticipates that the facility closures and activities to which all of these charges relate will be substantially completed within one year of the commitment dates of the respective exit plans, except for certain long-term contractual obligations.

The components of the restructuring charges recorded during the first and second quarters of fiscal 2004 were as follows (in thousands):

During the six months ended September 30, 2003, the Company recorded approximately $32.0 million of employee termination costs associated with the involuntary terminations of approximately 2,400 employees in connection with the various facility closures and consolidations. As of September 30, 2003, approximately 1,500 employees had been terminated, and the remaining 900 employees have been notified that they are to be terminated upon completion of the various facility closures and consolidations. Approximately $8.2 million and $13.7 million of the charges were classified as a component of cost of sales in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2004.

During the six months ended September 30, 2003, the Company also recorded approximately $310.1 million for the write-down of property, plant and equipment from their carrying value of $385.0 million. Approximately $282.1 million and $14.7 million of this amount were classified as a component of cost of sales during the first and second quarters of fiscal 2004, respectively. Certain assets will be held for use and remain in service until their anticipated disposal dates. For assets being held for use, impairment is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset. This calculation is measured at the asset group level which is the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows. The fair value of assets held for use was determined based on projected discounted cash flows of the asset plus salvage value. Certain other assets will be held for disposal as these assets are no longer required in operations. Assets held for disposal are no longer being depreciated. For assets being held for disposal, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value less cost to sell.

The restructuring charges recorded during the six months ended September 30, 2003, also included approximately $45.3 million for other exit costs. Approximately $18.5 million and $14.0 million of this amount were classified as a component of cost of sales in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2004, respectively. Other exit costs included contractual obligations totaling $24.3 million, which were incurred directly as a result of the various exit plans. The contractual obligations consisted of facility lease terminations amounting to $15.6 million, equipment lease terminations amounting to $6.1 million and payments to suppliers and third parties to terminate contractual agreements amounting to $2.6 million. The Company expects to make payments associated with its contractual obligations with respect to facility and equipment leases through the end of fiscal 2024 and with respect to the other contractual obligations with suppliers and third parties through the end of fiscal 2004. Other exit costs also included charges of $12.1 million relating to asset impairments primarily resulting from customer contracts that were terminated by the Company as a result of various facility closures. The Company expects to dispose of the impaired assets, primarily through scrapping and write-offs, by the end of fiscal 2004. Other exit costs also included $2.1 million primarily related to facility refurbishment and abandonment costs related to certain building repair work necessary to prepare the exited facilities for sale or to return the facilities to their respective landlords. The remaining $6.8 million primarily relate to legal and consulting costs incurred as a direct result of the facility closures.

The Company will be required to take additional restructuring charges in the future as a result of these activities. Such charges will be recognized when the liability is incurred.

The following table summarizes the activity related to restructuring charges recorded during the first and second quarters of fiscal 2004:

The Company accounted for costs associated with restructuring activities initiated prior to December 31, 2002 in accordance with EITF No. 94-3.

The Company recognized pre-tax restructuring and other charges of approximately $304.4 million during fiscal 2003, of which $297.0 million related to the closure and consolidation of various manufacturing facilities and $7.4 million related to the impairment of investments in certain technology companies. Approximately $179.4 million and $86.9 million of the charges relating to facility closures were classified as a component of cost of sales in the first and third quarters of fiscal 2003, respectively.

Net restructuring and other charges recorded during fiscal 2003 by reportable geographic regions were as follows: Americas, $174.5 million; Asia, $1.8 million; and Europe, $128.1 million.

The components of the net restructuring and other charges recorded during the first and third quarters of fiscal 2003 were as follows (in thousands):

The following table summarizes the activity of the restructuring charges recorded during fiscal 2003 and prior years.

The Company operates and is managed internally by two operating segments that have been combined for operating segment disclosures, as they do not meet the quantitative thresholds for separate disclosure established in SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.” Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

Geographic information as of and for the periods presented is as follows (in thousands):

Revenues are generally attributable to the country in which the product is manufactured.

For purposes of the preceding tables, “Asia” includes China, Japan, India, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, “Americas” includes Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United States, “Europe” includes Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Effective April 1, 2003, the Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”, which expands upon and strengthens existing accounting guidance concerning when a company should include in its financial statements the assets, liabilities and activities of another entity. Prior to the issuance of FIN 46, a company generally included another entity in its consolidated financial statements only if it controlled the entity through voting interests. FIN 46 now requires a variable interest entity, as defined in FIN 46, to be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity’s activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s residual returns or both. FIN 46 also requires disclosures about variable interest entities that the company is not required to consolidate but in which it has a significant variable interest.

The Company has variable interests in real estate assets subject to operating lease arrangements located in Mexico and Texas. The principal impact of the adoption of FIN 46 was the recording of additions to land and building and long-term debt in the amount of $89.9 million at September 30, 2003. The cumulative effect of adopting FIN 46 was not material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

On September 24, 2003, a jury rendered a verdict in a trial in Orange County, California, against us in favor of Beckman Coulter, Inc. The verdict totals $934 million, including $931 million of punitive damages, and arose out of a $2 million contract dispute relating to a 3-year manufacturing relationship between the companies that aggregated approximately $20 million of revenues. On September 30, 2003, the court entered a judgment based on the verdict and stayed collection on the judgment until approximately 40 days after the ruling on the now-pending post-trial motions to correct the verdict, set it aside, reduce the judgment or order a new trial, which are currently scheduled to be heard on November 25, 2003. If these motions are not successful, we plan to appeal the judgment. The post-judgment motion and appeal process are in early stages, and no assurances can be given as to the ultimate outcome of this case. In the event that we are ultimately found in future proceedings in this case to have engaged in extraordinarily reprehensible behavior, then the amount of damages sustained by the Courts could be material. While we do not believe that we have so acted, no assurances can be given that a court will not make such a finding. In addition, if it were ruled that applicable law permits punitive damages to be based not merely on actual damages but also on “likely potential harm” and if the courts found that the evidence supports significant likely potential harm from our conduct, then the amount of damages sustained by the Courts awarded to the plaintiff could be material exceed the amounts we anticipate. While there is U.S. Supreme Court authority that allowed punitive damages to be awarded if they bear a reasonable relationship to “likely potential harm,” the jury in this case was not instructed to base its determination on “likely” potential harm, but rather was instructed that it could base its determination on any potential damages (whether or not likely), in addition to actual damages.

In the event that the judgment is not set aside or appropriately modified, we would generally be required to post an appeal bond in order to prevent Beckman Coulter from seeking to collect on the judgment while it is being appealed. A court order is presently in place that, in the absence of a bond, stays collection on the judgment until approximately 40 days after the ruling on the now-pending post trial motions. Such bonds in California are generally required to be in an amount equal to 1.5 times the amount of the judgment that is ultimately entered. If an appeal should be required, we intend to take available steps to attempt to limit the amount of the bond, but no assurances can be given that we will be able to do so. If we are not able to secure such a bond, Beckman Coulter may begin to enforce the judgment against our assets, and an event of default would occur under our outstanding debt securities and credit facilities. Such actions would have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and financial condition. There can be no assurances that we will be able to secure a sufficient bond or as to the terms of any such bond. In addition, if we are able to secure such a bond, there can be no assurances as to its cost, which will be substantial and would adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company believes that following post-verdict proceedings and/or any appeals it is probable that the total damages that the courts will ultimately award the plaintiff will be substantially lower than the current verdict. Based on our understanding of the applicable law and facts, the Company believes that the likelihood that it will ultimately be required to pay an amount approaching $934 million is remote, and that of the wide range of different potential amounts of damages that could ultimately be awarded, $8 million is the most reasonably estimable and probable amount at this time. Accordingly, the Company has accrued approximately $8 million in the accompanying financial statements as of September 30, 2003 for this matter as the most probable of these potential outcomes following post-verdict proceedings and any appeals. However, the ultimate outcome of the post-verdict proceedings and appeals is uncertain, and the potential results range from no liability up to $934 million plus interest.

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of SFAS No. 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 149 amends and clarifies accounting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133. In particular, SFAS No. 149 clarifies under what circumstances a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristic of a derivative. It also clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component that warrants special reporting in the statement of cash flows. SFAS No. 149 is generally effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003 and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity.” SFAS No. 150 establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. Financial instruments that are within the scope of the statement, which previously were often classified as equity, must now be classified as liabilities. This statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise shall be effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The words “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “plans” and similar expressions

identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements which refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly disclose any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring subsequent to filing this Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, those discussed below in “Certain Factors Affecting Operating Results.” Accordingly, our future results may differ materially from historical results or from those discussed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. For further discussion of our significant accounting policies, refer to Note 2, “Summary of Accounting Policies,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003. See also the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this report on Form 10-Q.

We review property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. Recoverability of property and equipment is measured by comparing its carrying amount to the projected discounted cash flows the property and equipment are expected to generate. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the property and equipment exceeds its fair value.

We evaluate goodwill and other intangibles for impairment on an annual basis and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable from its estimated future cash flows. Recoverability of goodwill is measured at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and a second test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. If, at the time of our annual evaluation, the net asset value (or “book value”) of any reporting unit is greater than its fair value, some or all of the related goodwill would likely be considered to be impaired. To date, we have not recognized any impairment of our goodwill and other intangible assets in connection with our impairment evaluations. However, we have recorded impairment charges in connection with our restructuring activities.

We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and make provisions for doubtful accounts based on the outcome of our credit evaluations. We evaluate the collectibility of our accounts receivable based on specific customer circumstances, current economic trends, historical experience with collections and the age of past due receivables. Unanticipated changes in the liquidity or financial position of our customers may require additional provisions for doubtful accounts.

Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost (on a first-in, first-out basis) or market value. Our industry is characterized by rapid technological change, short-term customer commitments and rapid changes in demand. We make provisions for estimated excess and obsolete inventory based on our regular reviews of inventory quantities on hand and the latest forecasts of product demand and production requirements from our customers. If actual market conditions or our customers’ product demands are less favorable than those projected, additional provisions may be required. In addition, unanticipated changes in liquidity or financial position of our customers and/or changes in economic conditions may require additional provisions for inventories due to our customers’ inability to fulfill their contractual obligations with regard to inventory being held on their behalf.

We recognized restructuring charges during the first and second quarters of fiscal 2004 and in fiscal 2003, fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2001, related to our plans to close or consolidate duplicate manufacturing and administrative facilities. In connection with these activities, we recorded restructuring charges for employee termination costs, long-lived asset impairment and other exit-related costs. These charges were incurred pursuant to formal plans developed by management. Until December 31, 2002, a liability for the exit costs was recognized at the date of our commitment to the exit plans in accordance with the provisions of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity.” In June 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,” which addresses accounting for restructuring and similar costs. SFAS No. 146 requires that the liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred and not at the date of our commitment to the exit plan. We have adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 146 for restructuring activities initiated after December 31, 2002.

The recognition of the restructuring charges required that we make certain judgments and estimates regarding the nature, timing and amount of costs associated with the planned exit activity. If our actual results in exiting these facilities differ from our estimates and assumptions, we may be required to revise the estimates of future liabilities, requiring the recording of additional restructuring charges or the reduction of liabilities already recorded. At the end of each reporting period, we evaluate the remaining accrued balances to ensure that no excess accruals are retained and the utilization of the provisions are for their intended purpose in accordance with developed exit plans.

Refer to Note I, “Restructuring and Other Charges,” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of our restructuring activities.

Our deferred income tax assets represent temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amount and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities that will result in deductible amounts in future years, including net operating loss carryforwards. Based on estimates, the carrying value of our net deferred tax assets assumes that it is more likely than not that we will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions. Our judgments regarding future profitability may change due to future market conditions, changes in U.S. or international tax laws and other factors. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to increase our valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets resulting in additional income tax expense.

We have actively pursued business acquisitions and strategic transactions with customers to expand our global reach, manufacturing capacity and service offerings and to diversify and strengthen customer relationships. Accordingly, we made a number of acquisitions and strategic customer transactions, which were accounted for using the purchase method. Our consolidated financial statements include the operating results of each business from the date of acquisition. Proforma results of operations have not been presented because the effects of these acquisitions were not material on either an individual or an aggregate basis.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain statements of operations data expressed as a percentage of net sales.

Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2004 increased 5% to $3.5 billion from $3.3 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2003. Net sales for the first six months of fiscal 2004 increased 2% to $6.6 billion from $6.5 billion for the same period in fiscal 2003. The increases in net sales in fiscal 2004 were primarily attributable to new and existing customer programs combined with the revenues associated with our acquisitions and strategic customer transactions completed in fiscal 2003, primarily our strategic transaction with Casio Computer Co., Ltd. The increases were partially offset by weakness in certain areas of customer demand, particularly in the information technology infrastructure and communications infrastructure markets.

Our ten largest customers during the six months ended September 30, 2003 accounted for approximately 68% of net sales, with Hewlett-Packard Company and Sony-Ericsson accounting for 13% and 12% of net sales, respectively. In the six months ended September 30, 2002, our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 71% of net sales with Hewlett-Packard Company and Sony-Ericsson accounting for 15% and 10% of net sales, respectively. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales during these periods.

Gross profit varies from period to period and is affected by a number of factors, including product mix, component costs and availability, product life cycles, unit volumes, startup, expansion and consolidation of manufacturing facilities, capacity utilization, pricing, competition and new product introductions.

Gross margin for the second quarter of fiscal 2004 decreased to 4.0% from 5.5% in the second quarter of fiscal 2003. The decrease in gross margin in the current quarter primarily relates to approximately $42.4 million of restructuring charges recorded during the second quarter of fiscal 2004. Gross margin for the first half of fiscal 2004 decreased to 0.0% from 2.6% for the same period in fiscal 2003. This includes restructuring and other charges of $351.2 million and $179.4 million during the six months ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002, respectively. Such charges were associated with the closure and consolidation of and impairment of certain long-lived assets various manufacturing facilities, as more fully described below in “Restructuring and Other Charges”. Our gross margins continue to remain depressed due to industry pricing pressures as a consequence of the excess capacity resulting from the economic downturn, and under-absorbed fixed costs caused by underutilization of capacity, resulting in part from the continued decline in our customers’ product demand.

Increased mix of products that have relatively high material costs as a percentage of total unit costs has historically been a factor that has adversely affected our gross margins. We believe that this and other factors may adversely affect our gross margins, but we do not expect that this will have a material effect on our income from operations.

We recognized restructuring charges of approximately $387.4 million during the six months ended September 30, 2003, which was related to the closure and consolidation of, and impairment of certain long-lived assets at various manufacturing facilities. Of this amount, approximately $308.8 million and $42.4 million of the charges were classified as a component of cost of sales in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2004.

We recognized restructuring and other charges of approximately $207.8 million during the six months ended September 30, 2002, of which $200.4 million related to the closure and consolidation of various manufacturing facilities and $7.4 million for the impairment of investments in certain technology companies. Of this amount, approximately $179.4 million of the charges were classified as a component of cost of sales.

We believe that the potential cost of goods savings achieved through lower depreciation and reduced employee expenses will be offset in part by reduced revenues at the affected facilities. In addition, we may incur further restructuring charges in the future, as we continue to reconfigure our operations in order to address excess capacity concerns, which may materially affect our results of operations in those future periods.

Refer to Note I, “Restructuring and Other Charges,” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of our restructuring activities.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, or SG&A for the second quarter of fiscal 2004 remained relatively flat at $108.9 million compared to $109.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2003. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A for the second quarter of fiscal 2004 decreased to 3.1% compared to 3.3% in the second quarter of fiscal 2003. SG&A for the first six months of fiscal 2004 also remained flat at $225.4 million compared to $224.6 million for the same period of fiscal 2003. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A for the first six months of fiscal 2004 decreased slightly to 3.4% from 3.5% in the same period a year ago. The percentage decreases in SG&A in fiscal 2004 were a result of increased revenues and reflect savings generated by our focus on controlling discretionary spending combined with efficiencies gained from our restructuring activities. The reductions were partially offset by spending associated with our recently begun ODM initiative.

Intangibles amortization for the second quarter of fiscal 2004 increased to $8.6 million from $5.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2003. For the first six months of fiscal 2004, intangibles amortization was $17.4 million compared to $9.2 million for the comparable period of fiscal 2003. The increases in intangibles amortization in fiscal 2004 were attributable to intangible assets acquired through various business acquisitions completed in the second half of fiscal 2003, in particular due to the completion of our assessment of the value of intangible assets acquired from Telia Companies and Xerox Corporation.

Interest and other expense, net was $20.7 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2004 compared to $27.9 million for the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2003. Interest and other expense, net for the first six months of fiscal 2004 remained flat at $46.6 million compared to $46.9 million in the same period a year ago. The decrease in net expense in the second quarter of fiscal 2004 was primarily driven by our reduced interest expense from the redemption of $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 8.75% notes in June 2003 and the repurchase of $492.3 million aggregate principal amount of our 9.875% notes in August 2003. In the first six months of fiscal 2004, we issued $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.5% senior subordinated notes due May 2013 and $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1% convertible subordinated notes due August 2010.

We recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $8.7 million and $95.2 million during the first and second quarters of fiscal 2004. In June 2003, we used a portion of the net proceeds from our issuance of $400.0 million of 6.5% senior subordinated notes in May 2003 to redeem all of our $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.75% senior subordinated notes due October 2007. In the second quarter of fiscal 2004, we used a portion of the net proceeds from our issuance in August 2003 of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1% convertible subordinated notes due May 2013 and other cash sources to repurchase $492.3 million aggregate principal amount, or 98.5%, of our 9.875% senior subordinated notes due July 2010.

Certain of our subsidiaries have, at various times, been granted tax relief in their respective countries, resulting in lower income taxes than would otherwise be the case under ordinary tax rates.

Our consolidated effective tax rate was a benefit of 10% for the second quarter of fiscal 2004 and a provision of 10% for the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2003. For the first six months of fiscal 2004, our consolidated effective tax rate was a benefit of 10% compared to a benefit of 31% for the comparable period of 2003. The consolidated effective tax rate for a particular period varies depending on the amount of earnings from different jurisdictions, operating loss carryforwards, income tax credits, changes in previously established valuation allowances for deferred tax assets based upon management’s current analysis of the realizability of these deferred tax assets, as well as certain tax holidays and incentives granted to us and our subsidiaries in China, Hungary and Malaysia.

As of September 30, 2003, we had cash and cash equivalents totaling $699.5 million and total bank and other debts totaling $1.5 billion. Also, we have a revolving credit facility of $880.0 million, which is subject to compliance with certain financial covenants, under which we had no borrowings as of September 30, 2003.

Cash provided by operating activities was $250.8 million and $411.8 million during the six months ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002, respectively. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities in the current fiscal year was primarily due to a net loss of $389.8 million recorded during the first six months of fiscal 2004 compared to a net loss of $96.5 million in fiscal 2003. Also, increases in current assets, including accounts receivable and

inventories, contributed to the decline in cash generated from operating activities.

Cash used in investing activities was $142.1 million and $616.0 million for the first six months of fiscal 2004 and fiscal 2003, respectively. Cash used in investing activities during the first half of fiscal 2004 primarily related to (i) net capital expenditures of $66.1 million to purchase manufacturing equipment and for continued expansion of manufacturing facilities in certain lower cost (high volume) centers, primarily in Asia, (ii) net payments of $46.7 million for investments and notes receivable, including our participation in our trade receivables securitization program and (iii) payments of $29.3 million for acquisitions of businesses. Cash used in investing activities for the first six months of fiscal 2003 consisted of (i) net capital expenditures of $110.4 million to purchase equipment and for continued expansion of various manufacturing facilities, (ii) payment of $454.2 million for acquisitions of businesses and for purchases of certain OEM assets, primarily NatSteel Broadway and (iii) payment of $51.4 million primarily related to our participation in our trade receivables securitization program.

Our financing activities provided net cash of $169.7 million in the first six months of fiscal 2004, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $53.5 million for the first six months of fiscal 2003. Cash provided by financing activities during the first six months of fiscal 2004 primarily related to our issuances of: (i) 6.5% senior subordinated notes due May 2013 in May 2003, which generated net proceeds of $393.7 million and (ii) 1% convertible subordinated notes due August 2010 in August 2003, which generated net proceeds of $484.7 million. In June 2003, we used $156.6 million to redeem our 8.75% senior subordinated notes due October 2007. Also, in August 2003, we repurchased $492.3 million aggregate principal amount of our 9.875% senior subordinated notes due July 2010. In connection with the early extinguishments of these notes, we incurred a loss of approximately $103.9 million, of which $91.6 million were cash charges paid in the first six months of fiscal 2004. Additionally, proceeds from ordinary shares issued under our stock plans generated approximately $26.3 million of cash. Cash used in financing activities during the first six months of fiscal 2003 related to repayments of debt and capital lease obligations of approximately $401.2 million, offset by additional borrowings of $335.8 million and $11.8 million in proceeds from ordinary shares under our stock plans.

On September 24, 2003, a jury rendered a verdict in a trial in Orange County, California, against us in favor of Beckman Coulter, Inc. The verdict totals $934 million, including $931 million of punitive damages, and arose out of a $2 million contract dispute relating to 3-year manufacturing relationship between the companies that aggregated approximately $20 million of revenues. On September 30, 2003, the court entered a judgment based on the verdict and stayed collection on the judgment until approximately 40 days after the ruling on the now-pending post-trial motions to correct the verdict, set it aside, reduce the judgment or order a new trial, which are currently scheduled to be heard on November 25, 2003. If these motions are not successful, we plan to appeal the judgment. In the event that the judgment is not set aside or appropriately modified, we would generally be required to post an appeal bond in order to prevent Beckman Coulter from seeking to collect on the judgment while it is being appealed. Such bonds in California are generally required to be in an amount equal to 1.5 times the amount of the judgment that is ultimately entered. If we are not able to secure such a bond, Beckman Coulter may begin to enforce the judgment against our assets, and an event of default would occur under our outstanding debt securities and credit facilities. Such actions would have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and financial condition. There can be no assurances that we will be able to secure a sufficient bond or as to the terms of any such bond. In addition, if we are able to secure such a bond, there can be no assurances as to its cost, which will be substantial and would adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Our working capital requirements and capital expenditures could continue to increase in order to support future expansions of our operations. It is possible that future acquisitions may be significant and may require the payment of cash. Future liquidity needs will also depend on fluctuations in levels of inventory and accounts receivable, the timing of capital expenditures by us for new equipment, the extent to which we utilize operating leases for the new facilities and equipment, the extent of cash charges associated with future restructuring activities and levels of shipments and changes in volumes of customer orders.

We believe that our existing cash balances, together with anticipated cash flows from operations and borrowings available under our credit facility will be sufficient to fund our operations through at least the next twelve months. Historically, we have funded our operations from the proceeds of public offerings of equity and debt securities, cash and cash equivalents generated from operations, bank debt, sales of accounts receivable and capital equipment lease financings. We anticipate that we will continue to enter into debt and equity financings, sales of accounts receivable and lease transactions to fund our acquisitions and anticipated growth. The sale of equity or convertible debt securities could result in dilution to our current shareholders. Further, we may issue debt securities that have rights and privileges senior to those of holders of our ordinary shares, and the terms of this debt could impose restrictions on our operations. Such financings and other transactions may not be available on terms acceptable to us or at all.

We have an $880.0 million revolving credit facility with a syndicate of domestic and foreign banks. The credit facility consists of two separate credit agreements, one providing for up to $440.0 million principal amount of revolving credit loans to us and designated subsidiaries; and one providing for up to $440.0 million principal amount of revolving credit loans to a U.S. subsidiary of the Company. Of the total amount available, $173.3 million relates to a new 364-day facility and $266.7 million expires in March 2005. Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest, at our option, either at (i) the base rate (as defined in the credit facility); or (ii) the LIBOR rate (as defined in the credit facility) plus the applicable margin for LIBOR loans ranging between 1.125% and 2.50%, based on our credit ratings and facility usage. We are required to pay a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.15% to 0.50% per annum, based on our credit ratings, of the unutilized portion of the credit facility.

The credit facility is unsecured, and contains certain restrictions on our ability to (i) incur certain debt, (ii) make certain investments and (iii) make certain acquisitions of other entities. The credit facility also requires that we maintain certain financial covenants, including, among other things, a maximum ratio of total indebtedness to EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), a minimum ratio of fixed charge coverage, and a minimum net worth, as defined, during the term of the credit facility. Borrowings under the credit facility are guaranteed by us and certain of our subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2003, there were no borrowings outstanding under the credit facility.

As of September 30, 2003, our outstanding debt obligations included: (i) borrowings outstanding related to our senior subordinated notes, (ii) borrowings outstanding related to our convertible junior subordinated notes, (iii) amounts drawn by subsidiaries on various lines of credit, (iv) equipment and property financed under leases and (v) other term obligations, including mortgage loans. Additionally, we have leased certain of our facilities under operating lease commitments.

We have entered into agreements with respect to properties located in Mexico and Texas, which were historically accounted for as operating leases. Construction on both properties has been completed. The amounts outstanding on the Mexico and Texas properties as of September 30, 2003, were

$22.9 million and $67.0 million, respectively. Upon the expiration of these leases in 2006 and 2007, respectively, we may renew the leases for an additional five years subject to certain approvals and conditions, or arrange a sale of the buildings to a third party. We also have the right to purchase the buildings at cost at the end of the lease terms, or to terminate the leases at any time by paying the outstanding termination value. We have provided a residual value guarantee, which means that if the building is sold to a third party, we are responsible for making up any shortfall between the actual sales price and the amount funded under the leases. The maximum potential amount of the residual value guarantee is $76.4 million. As of September 30, 2003, the Company recorded the properties as fixed assets and also recorded the related debt. Refer to Note K, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

We continuously sell a designated pool of trade receivables to a third party qualified special purpose entity, which in turn sells an undivided ownership interest to a conduit, administered by an unaffiliated financial institution. In addition to this financial institution, we participate in the securitization agreement as an investor in the conduit. The securitization agreement allows the operating subsidiaries participating in the securitization to receive a cash payment for sold receivables, less a deferred purchase price receivable. Our share of the total investment varies depending on certain criteria, mainly the collection performance on the sold receivables. The agreement, which expires in March 2004, is subject to annual renewal. Currently, the unaffiliated financial institution’s maximum investment limit is $250.0 million. We sold $351.5 million of our accounts receivable as of September 30, 2003, which represents the face amount of the total outstanding trade receivables on all designated customer accounts at that date. We received net cash proceeds of $205.4 million from the unaffiliated financial institution for the sale of these receivables. We have a recourse obligation that is limited to the deferred purchase price receivable, which approximates 5% of the total sold receivables, and our own investment participation, the total of which was $148.7 million as of September 30, 2003. The accounts receivable balances that were sold were removed from the consolidated balance sheet and are reflected as cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Since June 30, 2002, neither we nor any of our subsidiaries have made or will make any loans to our executive officers. Prior to that time, we made loans to several of our executive officers. Each loan is evidenced by a promissory note in favor of Flextronics and is generally secured by a deed of trust on property of the officer. Certain notes are non-interest bearing and others have interest rates ranging from 2.48% to 5.85%. The remaining outstanding balance of the loans, including accrued interest, as of September 30, 2003, was approximately $10.5 million. Additionally, in connection with an investment partnership, we made loans to several of our executive officers to fund their contributions to the investment partnership. Each loan is evidenced by a full-recourse promissory note in favor of the subsidiary. Interest rates on the notes range from 5.05% to 6.40%. The remaining balance of these loans, including accrued interest, as of September 30, 2003 was approximately $2.6 million.

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of SFAS No. 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 149 amends and clarifies accounting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133. In particular, SFAS No. 149 clarifies under what circumstances a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristic of a derivative. It also clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component that warrants special reporting in the statement of cash flows. SFAS No. 149 is generally effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003 and the adoption did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity.” SFAS No. 150 establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. Financial instruments that are within the scope of the statement, which previously were often classified as equity, must now be classified as liabilities. This statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise shall be effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

If we do not manage effectively changes in our operations, our business may be harmed.

We have experienced growth in our business as a result of internal growth and acquisitions. Since the beginning of fiscal 2001, our global workforce has more than doubled in size. During that time, we have also reduced our workforce at some locations and closed certain facilities in connection with our restructuring activities. These changes are likely to considerably strain our management control systems and resources, including decision support, accounting management, information systems and facilities. If we do not continue to improve our financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures to manage our employees effectively and to expand our facilities, our business could be harmed.

We plan to continue to transition manufacturing to lower cost locations. We plan to increase our manufacturing capacity in our low-cost regions by expanding our facilities and adding new equipment. This expansion and transition involves significant risks, including, but not limited to, the following:

	•		we may not be able to attract and retain the management personnel and skilled employees necessary to support expanded operations;

	•		we may not efficiently and effectively integrate new operations and information systems, expand our existing operations and manage geographically dispersed operations;

	•		we may incur cost overruns;

	•		we may incur unusual charges related to our restructuring activities;

	•		we may encounter construction delays, equipment delays or shortages, labor shortages and disputes and production start-up problems that could harm our growth and our ability to meet customers’ delivery schedules; and

	•		we may not be able to obtain funds for this transition, and we may not be able to obtain loans or operating leases with attractive terms.

In addition, we expect to incur new fixed operating expenses associated with our expansion efforts that will increase our cost of sales, including increases in depreciation expense and rental expense. If our revenues do not increase sufficiently to offset these expenses, our operating results could be seriously harmed. Over the past few years, our transition to low-cost manufacturing regions has contributed to our incurring significant charges that have resulted from reducing our workforce and capacity at higher-cost locations. In fiscal 2003, we recognized restructuring charges of approximately $297.0 million associated with the consolidation and closure of several manufacturing facilities. In the first six months of fiscal 2004, we incurred restructuring charges of $387.4 million related to the closure and consolidation of and impairment of certain long-lived assets at several manufacturing facilities. We will be required to take additional restructuring charges in the future, as a result of these activities. We expect to recognize additional restructuring charges and currently anticipate that such charges will total approximately $50.0 to $60.0 million during the remainder of our fiscal year ending March 31, 2004, although the actual amount may vary, due to changes in market and other conditions. We cannot assure you as to the timing or amount of any future restructuring charges. If we are required to take additional restructuring charges in the future, this could have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

We depend on the handheld devices, computer and office automation, communications and information technologies infrastructure and consumer devices industries which continually produce technologically advanced products with short life cycles; our inability to continually manufacture such products on a cost-effective basis could harm our business.

During the six months ended September 30, 2003, we derived approximately 31% of our revenues from customers in the handheld devices industry, whose products include cell phones, pagers and personal digital assistants; approximately 27% of our revenues from customers in the computers and office automation industry, whose products include copiers, scanners, graphic cards, desktop and notebook computers and peripheral devices such as printers and projectors; approximately 14% of our revenues from providers of communications infrastructure, whose products include equipment for optical networks, cellular base stations, radio frequency devices, telephone exchange and access switches and broadband devices; approximately 12% of our revenues from the consumer devices industry, whose products include set-top boxes, home entertainment equipment, cameras and home appliances; and approximately 8% of our revenues from providers of information technologies infrastructure, whose products include servers, workstations, storage systems, mainframes, hubs and routers. The remaining 8% of our revenues was derived from customers in a variety of other industries, including the medical, automotive, industrial and instrumentation industries.

Factors affecting these industries in general could seriously harm our customers and, as a result, us. These factors include:

	•		rapid changes in technology, which result in short product life cycles;

	•		seasonality of demand for our customers’ products;

	•		the inability of our customers to successfully market their products, and the failure of these products to gain widespread commercial acceptance; and

	•		recessionary periods in our customers’ markets.

Our customers have and may continue to cancel their orders, change production quantities or locations, or delay production.

As a provider of electronics manufacturing services, we must provide increasingly rapid product turnaround for our customers. We generally do not obtain firm, long-term purchase commitments from our customers, and we often experience reduced lead-times in customer orders. Customers cancel their orders, change production quantities and delay production for a number of reasons. The uncertain economic conditions and geopolitical situation has resulted, and may continue to result, in some of our customers delaying the delivery of some of the products we manufacture for them, and placing purchase orders for lower volumes of products than previously anticipated. Cancellations, reductions or delays by a significant customer or by a group of customers have harmed, and may continue to harm, our results of operations by reducing the volumes of products manufactured by us for the customers and delivered in that period, as well as causing a delay in the repayment of our expenditures for inventory in preparation for customer orders and lower asset utilization resulting in lower gross margins. In addition, customers require that manufacturing of their products be transitioned from one facility to another to achieve cost and other objectives. Such transfers result in inefficiencies and costs due to resulting excess capacity and overhead at one facility and capacity constraints and related stresses at the other.

In addition, we make significant decisions, including determining the levels of business that we will seek and accept, production schedules, component procurement commitments, personnel needs and other resource requirements, based on our estimates of customer requirements. The short-term nature of our customers’ commitments and the rapid changes in demand for their products reduce our ability to estimate accurately future customer requirements. This makes it difficult to schedule production and maximize utilization of our manufacturing capacity. We often increase staffing, increase capacity and incur other expenses to meet the anticipated demand of our customers, which cause reductions in our gross margins if customer orders continue to be delayed or cancelled. Anticipated orders may not materialize, and delivery schedules may be deferred as a result of changes in demand for our customers’ products. On occasion, customers require rapid increases in production, which stress our resources and reduce margins. Although we have increased our manufacturing capacity, and plan further increases, we may not have sufficient capacity at any given time to meet our customers’ demands. In addition, because many of our costs and operating expenses are relatively fixed, a reduction in customer demand harms our gross profit and operating income.

We experience significant fluctuations in our results of operations. Some of the principal factors that contribute to these fluctuations are:

	•		changes in demand for our services;

	•		our effectiveness in managing manufacturing processes and costs in order to decrease manufacturing expenses;

	•		the mix of the types of manufacturing services we provide, as high-volume and low-complexity manufacturing services typically have lower gross margins than lower volume and more complex services;

	•		changes in the cost and availability of labor and components, which often occur in the electronics manufacturing industry and which affect our margins and our ability to meet delivery schedules;

	•		the degree to which we are able to utilize our available manufacturing capacity;

	•		our ability to manage the timing of our component purchases so that components are available when needed for production, while avoiding the risks of purchasing inventory in excess of immediate production needs; and

	•		local conditions and events that may affect our production volumes, such as labor conditions, political instability and local holidays.

Two of our significant end-markets are the handheld devices market and the consumer devices market. These markets exhibit particular strength toward the end of the calendar year in connection with the holiday season. As a result, we have historically experienced stronger revenues in our third fiscal quarter as compared to our other fiscal quarters.

Our increased original design manufacturing activity may reduce our profitability.

We have recently begun providing original design manufacturing, or ODM, activities, wherein we design and develop products that are sold to the end user by our OEM customers under their brand name. We are actively pursuing ODM projects, focusing primarily on consumer related devices, such as cell phones and related products, which requires that we make investments in research and development, technology licensing, test and tooling equipment, patent applications, facility expansion and recruitment. Our contracts with our customers can generally be terminated by either party on short notice, and there is no assurance that we will be able to maintain our current level of ODM activity at all or for an extended period of time. Due to the initial costs of investing in the resources necessary for this business, our increased ODM activities have adversely affected our profitability and may continue to do so in fiscal 2004.

Customers for our ODM services typically require that we indemnify them against the risk of intellectual property infringement. If any claims are brought against our customers for such infringement, whether or not these have merit, we could be required to expend significant resources in defense of such claims. In the event of such an infringement claim, we may be required to spend a significant amount of money to develop non-infringing alternatives or obtain licenses. We may not be successful in developing such alternatives or obtaining such a license on reasonable terms or at all. Further, the products we design must satisfy safety and regulatory standards and some products must also receive government certifications. If we fail to timely obtain these approvals or certifications, we would be unable to sell these products, which would harm our sales, profitability and reputation.

We have a substantial amount of intangible assets. These intangible assets are generally attributable to acquisitions and represent the difference between the purchase price paid for the acquired businesses and the fair value of net tangible assets of the acquired businesses. We are required to evaluate goodwill and other intangibles for impairment on at least an annual basis, and whenever changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable from estimated future cash flows. As a result of our annual and other periodic evaluations, we may determine that the intangible asset values need to be written down to their fair values, which could result in material charges that could be adverse to our operating results and financial position.

We may encounter difficulties with acquisitions, which could harm our business.

Since the beginning of fiscal 2001, we have completed over 40 acquisitions of businesses and we expect to continue to acquire additional businesses in the future. We are currently in preliminary discussions with respect to potential acquisitions and strategic customer transactions, however, we do not have any agreements or commitments to make any material acquisitions or strategic customer transactions. Any future acquisitions may require additional debt or equity financing, or the issuance of shares in the transaction. This could increase our leverage or be dilutive to our existing shareholders. We may not be able to complete acquisitions or strategic customer transactions in the future to the same extent as the past, or at all.

	•		difficulties in integrating acquired businesses and operations;

	•		diversion of management’s attention from the normal operation of our business;

	•		potential loss of key employees and customers of the acquired companies;

	•		difficulties in managing and integrating operations in geographically dispersed locations;

	•		lack of experience operating in the geographic market or industry sector of the acquired business;

	•		increases in our expenses and working capital requirements, which reduce our return on invested capital; and

	•		exposure to unanticipated contingent liabilities of acquired companies.

Any of these and other factors have harmed, and in the future could harm, our ability to achieve anticipated levels of profitability at acquired operations or realize other anticipated benefits of an acquisition, and could adversely affect our business and operating results.

Over the past several years, we have completed numerous strategic transactions with OEM customers, including, among others, Telia Companies, Xerox, Alcatel, Casio and Ericsson. Under these arrangements, we generally acquire inventory, equipment and other assets from the OEM, and lease or acquire their manufacturing facilities, while simultaneously entering into multi-year supply agreements for the production of their products. We intend to continue to

pursue these OEM divestiture transactions in the future. There is strong competition among EMS companies for these transactions, and this competition may increase. These transactions have contributed to a significant portion of our revenue growth, and if we fail to complete similar transactions in the future, our revenue growth could be harmed. As part of these arrangements, we typically enter into manufacturing services agreements with these OEMs. These agreements generally do not require any minimum volumes of purchases by the OEM, and the actual volume of purchases may be less than anticipated. The arrangements entered into with divesting OEMs typically involve many risks, including the following:

	•		we may need to pay a purchase price to the divesting OEMs that exceeds the value we may realize from the future business of the OEM;

	•		the integration into our business of the acquired assets and facilities may be time-consuming and costly;

	•		we, rather than the divesting OEM, bear the risk of excess capacity at the facility;

	•		we may not achieve anticipated cost reductions and efficiencies at the facility;

	•		we may be unable to meet the expectations of the OEM as to volume, product quality, timeliness and cost reductions; and

	•		if demand for the OEM’s products declines, the OEM may reduce its volume of purchases, and we may not be able to sufficiently reduce the expenses of operating the facility or use the facility to provide services to other OEMs.

As a result of these and other risks, we have been, and in the future may be, unable to achieve anticipated levels of profitability under these arrangements, and they have not, and in the future may not, result in any material revenues or contribute positively to our earnings per share.

Future growth in our revenue depends on new outsourcing opportunities in which we assume additional manufacturing and supply chain management responsibilities from OEMs. To the extent that these opportunities are not available, either because OEMs decide to perform these functions internally or because they use other providers of these services, our future growth would be limited.

The majority of our sales come from a small number of customers; if we lose any of these customers, our sales could decline significantly.

Sales to our ten largest customers have represented a significant percentage of our net sales in recent periods. Our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 68% and 71% of net sales during the six months ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002, respectively. Our largest customers during the six months ended September 30, 2003 were Hewlett-Packard and Sony-Ericsson, accounting for approximately 13% and 12% of net sales, respectively. Our largest customers during the six months ended September 30, 2002 were Hewlett-Packard and Sony-Ericsson, accounting for approximately 15% and 10% of net sales, respectively. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales during those periods.

Our principal customers have varied from year to year, and our principal customers may not continue to purchase services from us at current levels, if at all. Significant reductions in sales to any of these customers, or the loss of major customers, would seriously harm our business. If we are not able to timely replace expired, canceled or reduced contracts with new business, our revenues could be harmed.

The EMS industry is extremely competitive and includes hundreds of companies, several of which have achieved substantial market share. Current and prospective customers also evaluate our capabilities against the merits of internal production. Some of our competitors may have greater design, manufacturing, financial or other resources than us. Additionally, we face competition from Taiwanese ODM suppliers, who have a substantial share of the global market for information technology hardware production, primarily related to notebook and desktop computers and personal computer motherboards, as well as provide consumer products and other technology manufacturing services.

In recent years, many participants in the industry, including us, have substantially expanded their manufacturing capacity. The overall demand for electronics manufacturing services has decreased, resulting in increased capacity and substantial pricing pressures, which has harmed our operating results. Certain sectors of the EMS industry are currently experiencing increased price competition, and if this increased level of competition should continue, our revenues and gross margin may continue to be adversely affected.

We may be adversely affected by shortages of required electronic components.

At various times, there have been shortages of some of the electronic components that we use, as a result of strong demand for those components or problems experienced by suppliers. These unanticipated component shortages have resulted in curtailed production or delays in production, which prevented us from making scheduled shipments to customers in the past and may do so in the future. Our inability to make scheduled shipments could cause us to experience a reduction in our sales and an increase in our costs and could adversely affect our relationship with existing customers as well as prospective customers. Component shortages may also increase our cost of goods sold because we may be required to pay higher prices for components in short supply and redesign or reconfigure products to accommodate substitute components. As a result, component shortages could adversely affect our operating results for a particular period due to the resulting revenue shortfall and increased manufacturing or component costs.

Our customers compete in markets that are characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards and continuous improvement in products and services. These conditions frequently result in short product life cycles. Our success will depend largely on the success achieved by our customers in developing and marketing their products. If technologies or standards supported by our customers’ products become obsolete or fail to gain widespread commercial acceptance, our business could be adversely affected.

We have structured our operations in a manner designed to maximize income in countries where:

	•		tax incentives have been extended to encourage foreign investment; or

	•		income tax rates are low.

We base our tax position upon the anticipated nature and conduct of our business and upon our understanding of the tax laws of the various countries in which we have assets or conduct activities. However, our tax position is subject to review and possible challenge by taxing authorities and to possible changes in law, which may have retroactive effect. We cannot determine in advance the extent to which some jurisdictions may require us to pay taxes or make payments in lieu of taxes.

Several countries in which we are located allow for tax holidays or provide other tax incentives to attract and retain business. These tax incentives expire over various periods from 2004 to 2010 and are subject to certain conditions with which we expect to comply. We have obtained tax holidays or other incentives where available, primarily in China, Malaysia and Hungary. In these three countries, we generated an aggregate of approximately $5.8 billion of our total revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003. Our taxes could increase if certain tax holidays or incentives are not renewed upon expiration, or tax rates applicable to us in such jurisdictions are otherwise increased. In addition, further acquisitions of businesses may cause our effective tax rate to increase.

We conduct operations in a number of countries and are subject to risks of international operations.

The geographical distances between the Americas, Asia and Europe create a number of logistical and communications challenges for us. These challenges include managing operations across multiple time zones, directing the manufacture and delivery of products across distances, coordinating procurement of components and raw materials and their delivery to multiple locations, and coordinating the activities and decisions of the core management team, which is based in a number of different countries. Facilities in several different locations may be involved at different stages of the production of a single product, leading to additional logistical difficulties.

Because our manufacturing operations are located in a number of countries throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe, we are subject to the risks of changes in economic and political conditions in those countries, including:

	•		fluctuations in the value of local currencies;

	•		labor unrest and difficulties in staffing;

	•		longer payment cycles;

	•		increases in duties and taxation levied on our products;

	•		imposition of restrictions on currency conversion or the transfer of funds;

	•		limitations on imports or exports of components or assembled products, or other travel restrictions;

	•		expropriation of private enterprises; and

	•		a potential reversal of current favorable policies encouraging foreign investment or foreign trade by our host countries

The attractiveness of our services to our U.S. customers can be affected by changes in U.S. trade policies, such as most favored nation status and trade preferences for some Asian countries. In addition, some countries in which we operate, such as Brazil, Hungary, Mexico, Malaysia and Poland, have experienced periods of slow or negative growth, high inflation, significant currency devaluations or limited availability of foreign exchange. Furthermore, in countries such as China and Mexico, governmental authorities exercise significant influence over many aspects of the economy, and their actions could have a significant effect on us. Finally, we could be seriously harmed by inadequate infrastructure, including lack of adequate power and water supplies, transportation, raw materials and parts in countries in which we operate.

We transact business in various foreign countries. As a result, we are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currencies. We have currency exposure arising from both sales and purchases denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of our entities. Volatility in the exchange rates between the foreign currencies and the functional currencies of our entities could seriously harm our business, operating results and financial condition. We try to manage our foreign currency exposure by borrowing in various foreign currencies and by entering into foreign exchange forward contracts. Mainly, we enter into foreign exchange forward contracts intended to reduce the short-term impact of foreign currency fluctuations on current assets and liabilities denominate in foreign currency. These exposures are primarily, but not limited to, cash, receivables, payables and inter-company balances, in currencies other than the functional currency unit of the operating entity. We will first evaluate and, to the extent possible, use non-financial techniques, such as currency of invoice, leading and lagging payments, receivable management or local borrowing to reduce transactions exposure before taking steps to minimize remaining exposure with financial instruments. Foreign exchange forward contracts are treated as cash flow hedges and such contracts generally expire within three months. The credit risk of these forward contracts if minimal since the contracts are with large financial institutions. The gains and losses on forward contracts generally offset the gains and losses on the assets, liabilities and transactions hedged.

Our success depends to a large extent upon the continued services of our executive officers. Generally our employees are not bound by employment or non-competition agreements, and we cannot assure that we will retain our executive officers and other key employees. We could be seriously harmed by the

loss of any of our executive officers. In addition, in order to manage our growth, we will need to recruit and retain additional skilled management personnel and if we are not able to do so, our business and our ability to continue to grow could be harmed.

We are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations, including those governing the use, storage, discharge and disposal of hazardous substances in the ordinary course of our manufacturing process. In addition, we are responsible for cleanup of contamination at some of our current and former manufacturing facilities and at some third party sites. If more stringent compliance or cleanup standards under environmental laws or regulations are imposed, or the results of future testing and analyses at our current or former operating facilities indicate that we are responsible for the release of hazardous substances, we may be subject to additional remediation liability. Further, additional environmental matters may arise in the future at sites where no problem is currently known or at sites that we may acquire in the future. Currently unexpected costs that we may incur with respect to environmental matters may result in additional loss contingencies, the quantification of which cannot be determined at this time.

The stock market in recent years has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market prices of technology companies. These fluctuations have often been unrelated to or disproportionately impacted by the operating performance of these companies. The market for our ordinary shares may be subject to similar fluctuations. Factors such as fluctuations in our operating results, announcements of technological innovations or events affecting other companies in the electronics industry, currency fluctuations and general market conditions may cause the market price of our ordinary shares to decline.

As a result of a recent jury verdict against us, we may be liable for a substantial amount of damages in a contract dispute with Beckman Coulter, Inc., which could significantly harm our liquidity and financial position if upheld and enforced by the court.

Like all litigation, the ultimate outcome of the post-verdict proceedings is uncertain, and there is a wide range of potential results. The post-judgment motion and appeal process are in early stages, and no assurances can be given as to the ultimate outcome of this case. In the event that we are ultimately found in future proceedings in this case to have engaged in extraordinarily reprehensible behavior, then the amount of damages sustained by the Courts s could be material. While we do not believe that we have so acted, no assurances can be given that a court will not make such a finding. In addition, if it were ruled that applicable law permits punitive damages to be based not merely on actual damages but also on “likely potential harm” and if the courts found that the evidence supports significant likely potential harm from our conduct, then the amount of damages sustained by the Courts awarded to the plaintiff could be material exceed the amounts we anticipate. While there is U.S. Supreme Court authority that allowed punitive damages to be awarded if they bear a reasonable relationship to “likely potential harm,” the jury in this case was not instructed to base its determination on “likely” potential harm, but rather was instructed that it could base its determination on any potential damages (whether or not likely), in addition to actual damages.

In the event that the judgment is not set aside or appropriately modified within 60 days after entry, we would generally be required to post an appeal bond in order to prevent the plaintiff Beckman Coulter from seeking to collect its the judgment while the verdict it is being appealed. A court order is presently in place that, in the absence of a bond, stays collection on the judgment until approximately 40 days after the ruling on the now-pending post trial motions. Such bonds in California are generally required to be in an amount equal to 1.5 times the amount of the judgment that is ultimately entered. If an appeal should be required, we intend to take available steps to attempt to limit the amount of the bond, but no assurances can be given that we will be able to do so. If we are not able to secure such a bond, the plaintiff Beckman Coulter may begin to enforce the judgment against our assets, and an event of default would occur under our outstanding debt securities and credit facilities. Such actions would have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and financial condition. There can be no assurances that we will be able to secure a sufficient bond or as to the terms of any such bond. In addition, if we are able to secure such a bond, there can be no assurances as to its cost, which will be substantial and would adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

We are a defendant in several securities class action lawsuits and this litigation could harm our business whether or not determined adversely to us.

Between June and August 2002, Flextronics and certain of our officers and directors were named as defendants in several securities class action lawsuits filed in the Untied States District Court for the Southern District of New York. These actions, which were filed on behalf of those who purchased, or otherwise acquired, Flextronics’ ordinary shares between October 2, 2001 and June 4, 2002, generally allege that, during this period, the defendants made misstatements to the investing public about the financial condition and prospects of Flextronics. After the Court consolidated these actions, plaintiffs amended their allegations to change the class period to January 18, 2001 to June 4, 2002. They also added claims on behalf of plaintiffs who purchased shares pursuant to, or traceable to, the secondary offerings of Flextronics on February 1, 2001 and January 7, 2002. In addition, plaintiffs added claims against the underwriters involved in those offerings. On April 23, 2003, the Court entered an order transferring these lawsuits to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. On July 16, 2003, Flextronics filed a motion to dismiss on behalf of itself and its officers and directors named as defendants. A hearing on the motion to dismiss is scheduled for November 26, 2003.

These actions seek unspecified damages. Although we believe that the plaintiffs’ claims lack merit and intend to vigorously defend these lawsuits, we are unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these lawsuits. There can be no assurance we will be successful in defending these lawsuits, and, if we are unsuccessful, we may be subject to significant damages. Even if we are successful, defending the lawsuits may be expensive and may divert management’s attention from other business concerns and harm our business.

There were no material changes during the six months ended September 30, 2003 to our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.

(a)		Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 require public companies to maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” which are defined to mean a company’s controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. Our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, based on their evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective for this purpose.

(b)		There have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date we carried out this evaluation.

On September 24, 2003, a jury rendered a verdict in a trial in Orange County, California, against us in favor of Beckman Coulter, Inc. This proceeding is described in detail in Part I, Item 1 under Note L to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Between June and August 2002, Flextronics and certain of our officers and directors were named as defendants in several securities class action lawsuits filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. These actions, which were filed on behalf of those who purchased, or otherwise acquired, Flextronics’ ordinary shares between October 2, 2001 and June 4, 2002, generally allege that, during this period, the defendants made misstatements to the investing public about the financial condition and prospects of Flextronics. After the Court consolidated these actions, plaintiffs amended their allegations to change the class period to January 18, 2001 to June 4, 2002. They also added claims on behalf of plaintiffs who purchased shares pursuant to, or traceable to, the secondary offerings of Flextronics on February 1, 2001 and January 7, 2002. In addition, plaintiffs added claims against the underwriters involved in those offerings. On April 23, 2003, the Court entered an order transferring these lawsuits to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. On July 16, 2003, Flextronics filed a motion to dismiss on behalf of itself and its officers and directors named as defendants. A hearing on the motion to dismiss is scheduled for September 24, 2003.

We are also subject to legal proceedings, claims, and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We defend ourselves vigorously against any such claims. While the outcome of these matters is currently not determinable, management does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

We held our Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on September 30, 2003, at which the following matters were acted upon:

Neither abstentions nor broker non-votes are counted in tabulations of the votes cast on proposals presented to shareholders.

*		Certain schedules have been omitted. The Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to the Commission upon request.

**		As contemplated by SEC Release No. 33-8212, these exhibits are furnished with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and are not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not incorporated by reference in any filing of Flextronics International Ltd. under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Act of 1934, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in such filings.

On August 4, 2003, we filed a current report on Form 8-K to report under Item. 5 and to file the press releases related to our offering of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 1% convertible subordinated notes due August 2010.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused its Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

*		Certain schedules have been omitted. The Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to the Commission upon request.

**		As contemplated by SEC Release No. 33-8212, these exhibits are furnished with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and are not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not incorporated by reference in any filing of Flextronics International Ltd. under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Act of 1934, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in such filings.


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
	ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
		INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT
		CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
		CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
		CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
		NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
	ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
	ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
	ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
	ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO VOTE TO SECURITY HOLDERS
	ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8K
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT 4.01
EXHIBIT 4.02
EXHIBIT 23.01
EXHIBIT 31.01
EXHIBIT 31.02
EXHIBIT 32.01
EXHIBIT 32.02


		PAGE

	PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Independent Accountants’ Report		3
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets — September 30, 2003 and March 31, 2003		4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations — Three and Six Months Ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002		5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Six Months Ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002		6
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements		7
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		14
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		24
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		25
	PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal proceedings		25
Item 4.	Submission of Matters to Vote to Security Holders		25
Item 6.	Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K		27
	Signatures		28


			As of			As of
			September 30, 2003			March 31, 2003

			(In thousands, except share
			and per share amounts)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	699,505		$	424,020
	Accounts receivable, net			1,747,449			1,417,086
	Inventories			1,196,224			1,141,559
	Deferred income taxes			33,223			29,153
	Other current assets			545,148			466,942

		Total current assets		4,221,549			3,478,760
Property, plant and equipment, net				1,652,884			1,965,729
Deferred income taxes				469,522			415,041
Goodwill				2,235,651			2,121,997
Other intangibles, net				62,219			70,913
Other assets				436,945			341,664

		Total assets	$	9,078,770		$	8,394,104

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
	Bank borrowings and current portion of long-term debt		$	61,132		$	52,484
	Current portion of capital lease obligations			3,545			7,622
	Accounts payable			2,155,854			1,601,923
	Other current liabilities			969,751			918,990

		Total current liabilities		3,190,282			2,581,019
Long-term debt, net of current portion:
	Capital lease obligations			5,336			7,909
	8 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007			—			150,000
	Zero Coupon Convertible Junior Subordinated Notes due 2007			200,000			200,000
	9 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010, net of discount			7,687			497,172
	9 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010			172,315			160,192
	1% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2010			500,000			—
	6 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013			400,000			—
	Other			109,620			34,580
Other liabilities				218,441			221,212
Commitments and contingencies (Note L)
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
	Ordinary shares, S$.01 par value, authorized - 1,500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 525,472,319 and 520,228,062 as of September 30, 2003 and March 31, 2003, respectively			3,107			3,078
	Additional paid-in capital			4,980,214			4,948,601
	Retained deficit			(759,898	)		(370,093	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			59,152			(33,419	)
	Deferred compensation			(7,486	)		(6,147	)

		Total shareholders’ equity		4,275,089			4,542,020

		Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	9,078,770		$	8,394,104


		Three months ended					Six months ended

		September 30, 2003			September 30, 2002		September 30, 2003			September 30, 2002

		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net sales		$	3,503,242		$	3,340,613	$	6,609,919		$	6,467,640
Cost of sales			3,320,772			3,158,386		6,262,408			6,118,316
Restructuring and other charges			42,362			—		351,197			179,352

	Gross profit (loss)		140,108			182,227		(3,686	)		169,972
Selling, general and administrative expenses			108,940			109,911		225,355			224,610
Intangibles amortization			8,573			5,933		17,390			9,167
Restructuring and other charges			17,890			—		36,163			28,471
Interest and other expense, net			20,703			27,856		46,614			46,855
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			95,214			—		103,909			—

	Income (loss) before income taxes		(111,212	)		38,527		(433,117	)		(139,131	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes			(11,122	)		3,857		(43,312	)		(42,629	)

	Net income (loss)	$	(100,090	)	$	34,670	$	(389,805	)	$	(96,502	)

Earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic	$	(0.19	)	$	0.07	$	(0.75	)	$	(0.19	)

	Diluted	$	(0.19	)	$	0.07	$	(0.75	)	$	(0.19	)

Weighted average shares used in computing per share amounts:
	Basic		523,529			516,698		522,315			515,929

	Diluted		523,529			524,452		522,315			515,929


			Six months ended

			September 30, 2003			September 30, 2002

			(In thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
	Net loss		$	(389,805	)	$	(96,502	)
	Depreciation and amortization			174,624			167,456
	Change in working capital and other			465,996			340,875

		Net cash provided by operating activities		250,815			411,829

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
	Purchases of property and equipment, net of dispositions			(66,084	)		(110,411	)
	Purchases of OEM facilities and related assets			—			(5,319	)
	Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired			(29,324	)		(448,871	)
	Other investments and notes receivable			(46,741	)		(51,373	)

		Net cash used in investing activities		(142,149	)		(615,974	)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
	Bank borrowings and proceeds from long-term debt			998,164			335,847
	Repayments of bank borrowings and long-term debt			(755,646	)		(387,563	)
	Repayments of capital lease obligations			(7,515	)		(13,633	)
	Proceeds from exercise of stock options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan			26,309			11,814
	Cash paid for early extinguishment of debt			(91,647	)		—

		Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		169,665			(53,535	)

Effect on cash from exchange rate changes				(2,846	)		11,797

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents				275,485			(245,883	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				424,020			745,124

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period			$	699,505		$	499,241

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[X]		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.


[ ]		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.


SINGAPORE (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)		NOT APPLICABLE (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)


Balance as of April 1, 2003	$	2,121,997
Additions		46,043
Foreign currency translation adjustments		67,611

Balance as of September 30, 2003	$	2,235,651


			September 30, 2003							March 31, 2003

			Gross					Net		Gross					Net
			carrying		Accumulated			carrying		carrying		Accumulated			carrying
			amount		amortization			amount		amount		amortization			amount

Intangible assets:
	Contractual agreements		$	65,563	$	(14,979	)	$	50,584	$	61,629	$	(10,875	)	$	50,754
	Patents and trademarks			2,868		(51	)		2,817		161		(34	)		127
	Developed technologies			7,633		(6,761	)		872		7,633		(5,546	)		2,087
	Other acquired intangibles			48,821		(40,875	)		7,946		47,639		(29,694	)		17,945

		Total	$	124,885	$	(62,666	)	$	62,219	$	117,062	$	(46,149	)	$	70,913


	September 30, 2003		March 31, 2003

Raw materials	$	732,898	$	692,881
Work-in-process		223,505		231,738
Finished goods		239,821		216,940

	$	1,196,224	$	1,141,559

(1)		Due to the Company’s net losses reported, the ordinary share equivalents from stock options and other equity instruments to purchase 14,151,915, 11,999,452 and 10,603,990 shares outstanding were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share during the three months ended September 30, 2003 and the six months ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002, respectively because the inclusion would be anti-dilutive for the periods.

		Additionally, ordinary share equivalents from other convertible debt instruments of 19,047,619 shares outstanding were anti-dilutive for three and six months ended September 30, 2003, and therefore not assumed to be converted for diluted earnings per share computation. The ordinary share equivalents from the 1% convertible subordinated notes due August 2010 are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as the Company has the positive intent and ability to settle the notes in cash.

		Also, the ordinary share equivalents from stock options to purchase 19,483,348, 28,921,865, 21,320,277 and 29,145,570 shares outstanding during the three months ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002 and the six months ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise price of these options was greater than the average market price of the Company’s ordinary shares during the respective periods.


			First Quarter		Second Quarter		Total
			Charges		Charges		Charges

Restructuring charges:
	Severance		$	11,891	$	20,075	$	31,966	cash
	Long-lived asset impairment			290,572		19,521		310,093	non-cash
	Exit costs			24,645		20,656		45,301	cash/non-cash

		Total restructuring charges	$	327,108	$	60,252	$	387,360


					Long-lived
					Asset			Other Exit
		Severance			Impairment			Costs			Total

Activities during the quarter:
	Provision	$	11,891		$	290,572		$	24,645		$	327,108
	Cash payments		(1,372	)		—			(3,022	)		(4,394	)
	Non-cash write-downs		—			(290,572	)		(7,899	)		(298,471	)

Balance as of June 30, 2003			10,519			—			13,724			24,243
Activities during the quarter:
	Provision		20,075			19,521			20,656			60,252
	Cash payments		(14,938	)		—			(9,073	)		(24,011	)
	Non-cash write-downs		—			(19,521	)		(4,242	)		(23,763	)

Balance as of September 30, 2003			15,656			—			21,065			36,721
Less: current portion (classified as other current liabilities)			15,656			—			14,737			30,393

Accrued restructuring costs net of current portion (classified as other long-term liabilities)		$	—		$	—		$	6,328		$	6,328


			First Quarter			Third Quarter			Total
			Charges			Charges			Charges

Restructuring charges:
	Severance		$	76,901		$	41,574		$	118,475		cash
	Long-lived asset impairment			56,279			14,285			70,564		non-cash
	Exit costs			67,187			40,729			107,916		cash/non-cash

		Total restructuring charges		200,367			96,588			296,955
Other charges				7,456			—			7,456		non-cash

		Net restructuring and other charges before income tax benefit		207,823			96,588			304,411
Income tax benefit				(49,826	)		(29,460	)		(79,286	)

		Net restructuring and other charges	$	157,997		$	67,128		$	225,125


1a)	Re-election of Mr. Richard L. Sharp to the Board of Directors.	For: Against:	371,329,101 12,517,953

2a)	Election of Mr. James A. Davidison to the Board of Directors.	For: Against:	380,291,758 3,555,296

2b)	Election of Mr. Lip-Bu Tan to the Board of Directors.	For: Against:	380,157,529 3,689,525

3)	Re-appointment of Mr. Patrick Foley to the Board of Directors.	For: Against:	379,892,934 3,954,119

4)	Appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2004.	For: Against: Abstain:	378,838,595 4,639,543 368,918

5)	Approval of amendment to the Company’s 1997 Employee Share Purchase Plan	For: Against: Abstain:	254,794,696 3,423,042 799,411

6)	Approval of authorization of Board of Directors to allot and issue shares.	For: Against: Abstain:	331,054,061 51,989,336 803,658

7)	Approval of authorization of annual director compensation.	For: Against: Abstain:	379,306,101 3,260,609 1,280,345


8)		Approval of authorization of renewal of the share purchase mandate.		For: Against: Abstain:			372,374,620 10,713,288 759,145


Exhibit No.		Exhibit

4.01		Amendment No. 2 to the FIL Credit Agreement dated as of March 8, 2002 among Flextronics International Ltd., the lenders named in Schedule I to the Credit Agreement, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. as agent for the lenders, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and Fleet National Bank, as co-lead arrangers, Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown Inc., Bank of America, N.A., Citicorp USA, Inc. and Fleet National Bank, as co-syndication agents, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as senior managing agent, BNP Paribas and Credit Suisse First Boston, as managing agents, and Fleet National Bank, as the issue of letters of credit (the *“FIL Credit Agreement”).

4.02		Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement dated as of March 8, 2002 among Flextronics International USA, Inc., the lenders named in Schedule I to the Credit Agreement, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. as agent for the lenders, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and Fleet National Bank, as co-lead arrangers, Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown Inc., Bank of America, N.A., Citicorp USA, Inc. and Fleet National Bank, as co-syndication agents, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as senior managing agent, BNP Paribas and Credit Suisse First Boston, as managing agents, and Fleet National Bank, as the issue of letters of credit (the *“FIUI Credit Agreement”).

23.01		Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

31.01		Certification of Periodic Report by Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.02		Certification of Periodic Report by Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.01		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. **

32.02		Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. **


	FLEXTRONICS INTERNATIONAL LTD. (Registrant)

Date: November 10, 2003	/s/	Michael E. Marks

		Michael E. Marks
		Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: November 10, 2003	/s/	Robert R.B. Dykes

		Robert R.B. Dykes
		President, Systems Group and
		Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

Date: November 10, 2003	/s/	Thomas J. Smach

		Thomas J. Smach
		Senior Vice President, Finance
		(Principal Accounting Officer)