MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC
10-K, 1998-05-27
SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
  X  Annual report  pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange
 --- Act of 1934

     For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998 or

     Transition  report  pursuant  to  Section  13 or  15(d)  of the  Securities
 --- Exchange Act of 1934

     For the transition period from            to
                                    ----------    ----------

     Commission File Number: 0-21184

                        MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
                     ---------------------------------------

         Delaware                                         86-0629024
(State of Incorporation)                    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                   2355 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85224
          (Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)

                                 (602) 786-7200
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                      None

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                     Common Stock, $.001 Par Value Per Share
                         Preferred Share Purchase Rights

     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
and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

     Yes    X                   No
           ---                     ---

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form
10-K. (X)

     The  approximate  aggregate  market  value  of  the  voting  stock  of  the
registrant  beneficially owned by stockholders,  other than directors,  officers
and affiliates of the registrant, at April 26, 1998 was $1,497,258,399.

     Number of shares of Common Stock, $.001 par value,  outstanding as of April
26, 1998 was: 52,870,389.

                       Documents Incorporated by Reference
                       -----------------------------------

     Document                                              Part of Form 10-K
     --------                                              -----------------
     Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual                          III
     Meeting of Stockholders

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<PAGE>
                                     PART I

Item 1.   BUSINESS

     Microchip Technology  Incorporated,  a Delaware corporation ("Microchip" or
the  "Company"),  develops,  manufactures  and markets  8-bit  microcontrollers,
application-specific  standard  products (ASSPs) and related memory products for
high-volume  embedded control applications in the consumer,  automotive,  office
automation,  communications and industrial markets.  The Company provides highly
cost-effective  embedded control products for a wide variety of applications and
believes that its PIC(R)  product  family is a  price/performance  leader in the
worldwide 8-bit  microcontroller  market.  Microchip's embedded control products
also offer the advantages of a small  footprint and low voltage  operation along
with ease of development, enabling timely and cost-effective product integration
by its customers.  The Company's ASSP products  include a variety of specialized
integrated  circuits,  including its family of KEELOQ(R) security products.  The
Company's memory products are primarily  comprised of Serial EEPROMs,  which are
used  primarily  to provide  non-volatile  memory  storage in  embedded  control
systems.

     Except as noted below,  references  to the Company  include the Company and
its  subsidiaries.  The  Company's  executive  offices  are located at 2355 West
Chandler  Boulevard,  Chandler,  Arizona  85224-6199 and its telephone number is
(602) 786-7200.

     The following  discussion of the Company's  business  contains certain risk
factors that may affect  future  operating  results.  For further  discussion on
certain risk factors that may affect the Company's future operating results, see
"Item 7 -  Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and
Results of Operation," below.

     This report contains certain forward-looking  statements within the meaning
of Section  27A of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which involve risks and uncertainties, including
statements regarding the Company's strategy,  financial performance, and revenue
sources.  The Company's actual results could differ  materially from the results
anticipated in these  forward-looking  statements as a result of certain factors
including  those set forth under "Item 7 - Management's  Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and elsewhere in this report.

Industry Background

     Competitive pressures  increasingly require manufacturers to expand product
functionality and provide differentiation while maintaining or reducing cost. To
address  these   requirements,   manufacturers   increasingly   use   integrated
circuit-based  embedded control systems which provide an integrated solution for
application-specific  control  requirements.  Embedded  control  systems  enable
manufacturers   to   differentiate   their  products,   replace  less  efficient
electromechanical  control devices, add product  functionality and significantly
reduce product  costs.  In addition,  embedded  control  systems  facilitate the
emergence  of complete new classes of products.  Embedded  control  systems have
been incorporated into thousands of products and subassemblies in a wide variety
of markets  worldwide,  including  automotive  air bag systems,  remote  control
devices, handheld tools, appliances,  portable computers,  cordless and cellular
telephones, motor controls and security systems.

     Embedded control systems  typically  incorporate a  microcontroller  as the
principal  active,  and  sometimes  sole,  component.  A  microcontroller  is  a
self-contained  computer-on-a-chip  consisting  of a  central  processing  unit,
non-volatile   program   memory,   RAM  memory  for  data  storage  and  various
input/output functions. In addition to the microcontroller,  a complete embedded
control  system  incorporates  application-specific  software  and  may  include
specialized  peripheral  device  controllers  and external  non-volatile  memory
components, such as EEPROMs, to store additional program software.

     The  increasing  demand  for  embedded  control  has  made the  market  for
microcontrollers  one of the largest segments of the semiconductor logic market.
Microcontrollers are currently available in 4-bit through 32-bit  architectures.
Although 4-bit  microcontrollers are relatively  inexpensive,  typically costing
under $1.00 each,  they  generally  lack the minimum  performance  and  features
required  by  today's  design  engineers  for  product  differentiation  and are
typically used only to produce basic  functionality  in products.  While 16- and
32-bit  architectures  provide  very high  performance,  they are  prohibitively
expensive for most high-volume embedded control applications,  typically costing
over $5.00 each. As a result, manufacturers of competitive, high-volume products
have  increasingly  found 8-bit  microcontrollers,  that typically cost $1.00 to
$8.00  each,  to be the  most  cost-effective  embedded  control  solution.  For
example,  a typical new  automobile may include one 32-bit  microcontroller  for
engine control,  three 16-bit  microcontrollers for transmission control,  audio
systems and anti-lock braking,  and up to 50 8-bit  microcontrollers  to provide
other embedded control functions,  such as door locking,
<PAGE>
automatic windows, sun roof,  adjustable seats, electric mirrors, air bags, fuel
pump, speedometer, and the security and climate control systems.

     Most microcontrollers  available today are ROM-based and must be programmed
by the semiconductor supplier during manufacturing,  resulting in six-to-20 week
lead times for delivery of such microcontrollers. In addition to delayed product
introduction,   these  long  lead  times  can  result  in  potential   inventory
obsolescence and factory shutdowns when changes to the firmware are required. To
address time-to-market constraints, some suppliers have made EPROM-, EEPROM-, or
Flash Memory-based programmable  microcontrollers  available for prototyping and
preproduction  runs.  However,   these  microcontrollers  have  been  relatively
expensive,  and  manufacturers  have still been required to send program code to
the semiconductor  factory for ROM programming as product changes are made. As a
result, the long lead times for production volume microcontrollers have not been
significantly reduced by traditional approaches.

Products

     Microchip's  strategic  focus is on embedded  control  products,  including
microcontrollers,  ASSPs,  related memory products and  application  development
systems.

     Microcontrollers

     Microchip offers a broad family of proprietary 8-bit microcontrollers under
the   PIC(R)   name  and  has   shipped   approximately   600   million   PIC(R)
microcontrollers  to  customers  worldwide  since  1990.  The  Company's  PIC(R)
products are designed for applications  requiring high performance and low cost.
They feature a variety of memory  configurations,  low voltage and power,  small
footprint and ease of use. Microchip believes this product family is currently a
price/performance leader in the 8-bit microcontroller  marketplace.  Microchip's
performance  results from an exclusive  RISC-based  architecture  that  provides
significant speed advantages over the alternative 8-bit CISC  architectures.  In
addition to providing up to 40 MHz performance, this architecture offers up to a
2:1 software  compaction  advantage,  thereby  significantly  reducing  software
development  time.  RISC  architectures  also have the  advantage  of being more
easily scaled to higher  internal  clock speeds in future  products.  Prices for
Microchip's 8-bit  microcontrollers  range from approximately $.49 to $12.00 per
unit.

     Microchip's  original  market  focus was in the lowest cost  segment of the
8-bit microcontroller marketplace. With its baseline 8-bit products, the Company
built its current market position as the leading supplier of field  programmable
microcontrollers.  Over the past three years, Microchip has introduced more than
100 new 8-bit  microcontrollers  targeted at  baseline,  mid-range  and high-end
segments of the 8-bit microcontroller  marketplace,  as well as the lower end of
the  16-bit  microcontroller   market.  In  addition,   with  its  8-pin,  8-bit
microcontroller, introduced in the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company has
also  targeted a portion of the large  4-bit  microcontroller  marketplace.  The
Company  believes  that  these  additional   segments  represent  a  significant
opportunity for future sales growth.

     Microchip  has used its  manufacturing  experience  and design and  process
technology to bring additional  enhancements and  manufacturing  efficiencies to
the development and production of its PIC(R) family of microcontroller products.
This extensive  experience base has enabled the Company to develop its advanced,
low cost user  programmability  feature  by  incorporating  non-volatile  memory
(EPROM,  EEPROM and Flash Memory) into the microcontroller in addition to masked
ROM program memory.

     Development Systems

     The  Company  offers a  comprehensive  set of low  cost  and  easy-to-learn
application  development  tools.  These tools enable system designers to quickly
and easily program a PIC(R)  microcontroller for specific applications and are a
key factor for obtaining design wins.  Microchip's  family of development  tools
operates  in  the  standard   Windows   environment  on  standard  PC  hardware.
Entry-level  systems,  which include an assembler and programmer  hardware,  are
priced at less  than  $200.  A fully  configured  system,  which  also  provides
in-circuit emulation hardware, performance simulators and software debuggers, is
priced at approximately  $3,700.  Customers  moving from entry-level  designs to
those  requiring  real-time  emulation are able to preserve their  investment in
software  tools as they migrate to future  PIC(R)  devices since all the product
families are assembly- and C- language compatible.

     Many independent companies also develop and market application  development
tools and systems which support  Microchip's  standard  microcontroller  product
architecture.  The Company  believes that  familiarity  with and adoption of the
Company's,  and  third-party,  development  systems by an  increasing  number of
product  designers  will be an  important  factor
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<PAGE>
in  the  future  selection  of  Microchip's  embedded  control  products.  These
development   tools   allow   design   engineers   to   develop   thousands   of
application-specific   products  from  Microchip's  standard   microcontrollers.
Currently,  there are more than 120 third-party  tool suppliers  worldwide whose
products support the Company's proprietary microcontroller architecture.

     ASSPs (Application-Specific Standard Products)

     Microchip's application-specific standard products are specialized products
designed to perform specific  end-user  applications as opposed to the Company's
other  products  which are more general  purpose in nature.  The Company's  ASSP
device  families   currently   include  the  KEELOQ(R)  family  of  secure  data
transmission  products, as well as other specialized integrated circuit devices.
KEELOQ(R) security products are designed for low cost,  secure,  uni-directional
communications and verification purposes. Applications include automotive remote
keyless entry systems, automotive immobilizer systems, automatic garage and gate
openers and smart cards.

     Memory Products

     Microchip's  memory  products  consist  primarily  of Serial  EEPROMs.  The
Company sells these devices  primarily  into the embedded  control market and is
the third  largest  supplier of such  devices  worldwide.  EEPROM  (electrically
erasable  programmable  read only  memory)  products  are used for  non-volatile
program and data storage in systems where such data must be modified frequently.
Serial  EEPROMs have a very low I/O pin  requirement,  permitting  production of
very small  devices.  As a result,  Serial  EEPROMs  are  widely  used to supply
non-volatile memory in space-sensitive  applications such as portable computers,
cellular and cordless telephones, pagers and remote control devices.

     Within this market,  Microchip has emphasized  providing  Serial EEPROMs to
customers that require features such as highly compact packaging,  low operating
voltage, reduced power consumption,  extended data retention and high endurance.
The Company  addresses these  requirements  by offering  products with extremely
small  package  sizes  and very low  operating  voltage  for both read and write
functions  (1.8 volts in  contrast  with the  industry  standard  of 3.3 volts),
together  with  a  wide  operating  voltage  range  (1.8  to  5.5  volts).  High
performance   circuitry  and  microcode  are  also  available  to  reduce  power
consumption  when a device is not in use, while permitting  immediate  operating
capability when required. The products also feature long data retention and high
erase/write endurance.

     Microchip  currently  offers a complete  Serial EEPROM family,  which meets
three  principal  industry  bus  interface  standards  and is  available in most
standard density,  configuration and packaging alternatives. The Company's Smart
Serials(TM)   line  of  specialized   Serial   EEPROMs  with   user-configurable
architecture and other advanced  features targets  applications such as cellular
telephones and data communications.

Manufacturing

     Microchip's  ownership  of  its  manufacturing  resources  is an  important
component  of its  business  strategy,  enabling  it to maintain a high level of
manufacturing control and to be one of the lowest cost producers in the embedded
control  industry.  By owning its wafer fabrication and the majority of its test
operations, and by employing proprietary statistical process control techniques,
the Company has been able to achieve high production yields. Direct control over
wafer  fabrication  also allows  Microchip to shorten the  Company's  design and
production  cycles and to capture the manufacturing and a portion of the testing
profit  margin.  Wafer  fabrication  and wafer test  facilities  are  located in
Chandler ("Fab 1") and Tempe ("Fab 2"),  Arizona.  The Company  performs product
test at its facilities in Kaohsiung, Taiwan and Chachoengsao,  Thailand, located
near Bangkok.

     Wafers are produced in Class 10 fabrication modules in Fab 1 and Fab 2. Fab
1 currently contains  approximately  27,000 square feet. Fab 2 has approximately
50,000  square feet of useable  clean room space of which  approximately  40,000
square feet are used to support current production requirements. Fab 1 currently
produces  5-inch and 6-inch wafers,  while Fab 2 currently  produces  6-inch and
8-inch  wafers.  Wafer sort is performed  in an 8,000 square foot,  Class 10,000
clean room,  equipped with automated wafer handlers and test equipment.  The two
wafer  fabrication  sites are  managed by the same  management  team and utilize
similar production techniques.

     The Company is continuing the process of transitioning  products to smaller
geometries and to larger wafer sizes.  The Company has transitioned a portion of
its products to a 0.7 micron  process and has commenced  development of its next
generation process technology.  Other companies in the industry have experienced
difficulty in effecting  transitions to 
                                       3
<PAGE>
smaller  geometry  processes  and  to  larger  wafers  and,  consequently,  have
experienced reduced  manufacturing  yields or delays in product deliveries.  The
Company believes that its transition to smaller  geometries and to larger wafers
will be important for the Company to remain  competitive and operating  results,
particularly gross profit margins,  could be adversely affected if the Company's
transition is substantially delayed or inefficiently implemented.

     Microchip currently employs proprietary design and manufacturing  processes
in developing its microcontroller and memory products.  The Company believes its
processes  afford it both  cost-effective  designs in  existing  and  derivative
products and greater  functionality  in new product  designs.  While many of the
Company's  competitors  develop and optimize separate  processes for their logic
and memory  product lines,  Microchip uses a common process  technology for both
microcontroller and non-volatile memory products.  This allows Microchip to more
fully  absorb its  process  research  and  development  costs and to deliver new
products to market more rapidly.  Microchip engineers utilize advanced CAD tools
and software to perform  circuit  design,  simulation and layout.  The Company's
in-house photomask and wafer fabrication facilities enable it to rapidly verifiy
design techniques by processing test wafers quickly and efficiently.

     The  Company's  Taiwan and Thailand  subsidiaries  test the majority of the
products  produced  in Fab 1 and  Fab 2.  Currently,  the  150,000  square  foot
Chachoengsao test facility has the capacity to handle up to 30 million units per
month. If required, the Chachoengsao facility could be expanded in the future to
more than double its current capacity. The 88,700 square foot Kaohsiung facility
has a monthly  capacity of 19 million plastic  packages.  Final test and burn-in
functions  are  handled  by  advanced  automated  equipment.  The  Company  uses
third-party  contractors in Bangkok,  Thailand to assemble a significant portion
of its products.  The balance of Microchip's  assembly and test requirements are
fulfilled by several third-party assembly and test contractors in Thailand,  the
Philippines, People's Republic of China, and several other countries in Asia and
the Pacific Rim.

     Over the last several years, Microchip shifted its assembly operations from
Company-owned  facilities to third-party  contractors in order to meet increased
product shipment requirements.  At March 31, 1998, all assembly was conducted by
third-party   contractors.   The  Company  will  continue  to  use   third-party
contractors  to provide a majority of its assembly  services.  Reliance on third
parties  involves  some  reduction  in the  Company's  level of control over the
assembly  and test  portion  of its  business.  While the  Company  reviews  the
quality,  delivery and cost performance of these third-party contractors,  there
can be no assurance that increased reliance on third-party  contractors will not
adversely  impact  results  in  future  reporting  periods  if  any  third-party
contractor  is  unable  to  maintain  assembly  and  test  yields  and  costs at
approximately  their current levels. See also "Item 7 - Management's  Discussion
and Analysis of Financial  Condition and Results of Operations - Gross  Profit,"
below.

     The Company's reliance on facilities in Taiwan,  Thailand,  the Philippines
and  other  foreign  countries,  and  maintenance  of  substantially  all of its
finished goods in inventory  overseas,  entails  certain  political and economic
risks,  including  political  instability and expropriation,  supply disruption,
currency  controls  and exchange  fluctuations,  as well as changes in tax laws,
tariff and freight rates.  Microchip currently employs the Alphatec  Electronics
Public Company Limited group of companies ("Alphatec") headquartered in Bangkok,
Thailand  for a  significant  portion  of its  product  assembly  volume.  While
Alphatec's  assembly  operations  have  performed  reliably  for the Company for
several years, Alphatec has experienced financing issues in connection with some
of  its  joint  ventures  involving  semiconductor   fabrication  facilities  in
Thailand.  Such financing  difficulties  have not impacted  Alphatec's  assembly
facilities nor its provision of services to the Company.  However,  there can be
no  assurance  that  assembly  operations  will not be  affected  in the future.
Microchip  currently  has second  sources for product  assembly  for most of its
package  types and can shift  additional  wafer  output to other  factories,  if
necessary.  However, there can be no assurance that such action would not result
in short-term  disruption  including possible  temporary product shortages.  The
Company  has  not  experienced  any  significant  interruptions  in its  foreign
business operations to date.  Nonetheless,  the Company's business and operating
results could be adversely  affected if foreign  operations or international air
transportation were disrupted.

     Due to  the  high  fixed  cost  inherent  in  semiconductor  manufacturing,
increased  manufacturing  yields can have significant  positive effects on gross
profits and overall operating results. During fiscal 1998, the Company continued
to focus on manufacturing  productivity,  and maintained  average wafer fab line
yields in excess of 90%.  The yields  are  primarily  driven by a  comprehensive
implementation of statistical  process control,  extensive employee training and
selective  upgrading of the Company's  manufacturing  facilities  and equipment.
Maintenance of manufacturing  productivity  and yields are important  factors in
the  achievement  of the  Company's  operating  results.  As is  typical  in the
semiconductor industry, the Company has from time to time experienced lower than
anticipated  manufacturing  yields.  The  Company's  operating  results would be
adversely  affected if it were unable to maintain  yields at  approximately  the
current levels.
                                       4
<PAGE>
     The raw  materials and  equipment  used in the  production of the Company's
integrated circuits currently are available from a number of suppliers,  and the
Company is not materially dependent on any single source of supply. Although the
Company has not  experienced  any material  difficulty  to date in obtaining raw
materials or equipment, the interruption of certain components or ingredients of
certain raw materials could reduce the  availability or increase the cost of raw
materials  used by the  Company.  The  manufacture  and  assembly of  integrated
circuits, particularly non-volatile, erasable CMOS memory and logic devices such
as those produced by the Company, is a highly complex process and sensitive to a
wide  variety  of  factors,   including  the  level  of   contaminants   in  the
manufacturing environment,  impurities in the materials used and the performance
of the fabrication equipment.

Research and Development

     The Company's  current  research and  development  activities  focus on the
design of new  microcontroller  and  memory  products,  ASSPs,  new  development
systems, and software and  application-specific  software libraries. The Company
is also  developing  new design and process  technology to achieve  further cost
reductions and performance  improvements in existing  products.  As of April 26,
1998,  277 employees were engaged in research and  development.  In fiscal 1998,
1997 and 1996,  the  Company's  research  and  development  expenses  were $38.4
million, $32.1 million and $27.5 million, respectively. The Company expects that
it will  continue  to  spend  substantial  funds  on  research  and  development
activities.

     The Company's future operating results will depend to a significant  extent
on its ability to continue to develop  and  introduce  new  products on a timely
basis which compete  effectively on the basis of price and performance and which
address customer requirements. If the Company were unable to design, develop and
introduce  competitive  products on a timely basis, its future operating results
would be adversely affected.

Sales and Distribution

     The  Company  markets  its  products   worldwide  through  a  direct  sales
organization  and through  distributors.  In fiscal  1998,  the Company  derived
approximately  47% of its net sales from direct sales to OEM  customers  and 53%
from sales through distributors.

     The  Company's  direct sales  force,  currently  consisting  of 166 people,
focuses on three  geographical  markets:  the Americas,  Europe and Asia. In the
Americas,  the Company  currently has Technical Support Centers in San Jose, Los
Angeles,  Dallas,  Dayton,  Chicago,  Atlanta,  Boston,  New York  and  Toronto.
Microchip also maintains  Technical  Support Centers in Tokyo,  London,  Munich,
Paris, Milan, Taipei,  Seoul,  Singapore,  Hong Kong,  Shanghai,  and Bangalore,
India.  Microchip's  direct sales force is  augmented by a worldwide  network of
national  distributors  and regional  distributors  in North and South  America.
Microchip's  distribution  effort  also  includes  a network  of  manufacturer's
representatives in North America and Europe.

     Microchip believes that a strong technical service presence is essential to
the  continued  development  of the  embedded  control  market.  The majority of
Microchip's field sales engineers (FSEs), field application engineers (FAEs) and
sales management have technical degrees and have been previously  employed in an
engineering  environment.  The Company  believes the technical  knowledge of its
sales force is a key  competitive  advantage  in the sale of field  programmable
products.  Currently,  Microchip has at least one dedicated application engineer
in every  Technical  Support  Center.  The primary mission of the FAE team is to
provide  technical  assistance to OEM customers and to conduct periodic training
sessions for FSEs,  manufacturer's  representatives and distributor sales teams.
The FAEs also conduct  frequent  technical  seminars in major cities  around the
world. FAEs also work closely with the Company's distributors and manufacturer's
representatives  to provide  technical  assistance  in  end-user  support and to
assist in the sales process.

     As is  common in the  semiconductor  industry,  the  Company  grants  price
protection to distributors. Under this policy, distributors receive a credit for
the difference,  at the time of a price  reduction,  between the price they were
originally  charged for  products in inventory  and the reduced  price which the
Company subsequently charges distributors.  From time to time, distributors also
receive credit on an individual basis for  Company-approved  price reductions on
specific transactions.  The Company also grants some distributors limited rights
to return  products.  The Company defers  recognition of net sales and profit on
sales to  distributors  that have  rights of return and price  protection  until
those distributors have resold the products to end-customers.

     Foreign sales, primarily in Asia and Europe, represented approximately 68%,
66% and 65% of  consolidated  net sales in  fiscal  years  1998,  1997 and 1996,
respectively.  International  sales are  predominately  billed in U.S.  Dollars.
Although 
                                       5
<PAGE>
foreign sales are subject to certain government export restrictions, the Company
has not experienced any material difficulties as a result of export restrictions
to date.

     The Company's policy is to hedge its net foreign currency  positions in the
normal  course of business to reduce its  exposure  to  fluctuations  in foreign
exchange  rates.  Foreign  exchange  gains and losses were not  material  during
fiscal years 1996 through 1998.

Backlog

     As of April 26, 1998, the Company's backlog was approximately $76.7 million
as compared to $93.7 million as of April 27, 1997.  The Company  includes in its
backlog all purchase  orders  scheduled  for delivery  within the  subsequent 12
months.

     Microchip  produces  standard  products that can be shipped from  inventory
within a short time after receipt of an order. The Company's  business and, to a
large extent,  that of the entire  semiconductor  industry is  characterized  by
short-term  orders and shipment  schedules.  Orders  constituting  the Company's
current backlog are subject to changes in delivery  schedules or to cancellation
at the  option  of  the  purchaser  without  significant  penalty.  Accordingly,
although useful for scheduling production, backlog as of any particular date may
not be a reliable  measure of sales for any future period.  Turns orders (orders
received in a quarter for shipment in that quarter) have become an  increasingly
important component of the Company's quarterly operating results.  See "Item 7 -
Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations - Results of Operations - Net Sales," below.

Competition

     The   semiconductor   industry  is  intensely   competitive  and  has  been
characterized  by  price  erosion,   rapid  technological   change  and  foreign
competition  with  respect to many  products.  The Company  competes  with major
domestic and international  semiconductor companies,  many of which have greater
market recognition and substantially  greater financial,  technical,  marketing,
distribution  and  other  resources  than  the  Company  with  which  to  pursue
engineering,  manufacturing,  marketing  and  distribution  of  their  products.
Emerging  companies are also increasing  their  participation  in the market for
embedded control applications.  The Company's overall average selling prices for
its microcontroller  products have remained relatively  constant,  while average
selling  prices of its memory  products  have  declined  over time.  The Company
expects to continue to experience  increased  pricing  competition and declining
prices for memory  products.  While average selling prices for  microcontrollers
have remained relatively constant,  the Company has experienced,  and expects to
continue to experience,  increasing pricing pressure in certain  microcontroller
product  lines,  due primarily to competitive  conditions.  The Company has been
able to maintain  average selling prices by continuing to introduce new products
with more features and higher prices, thereby offsetting price declines in older
products.  There  can be no  assurance  that  average  selling  prices  for  the
Company's  microcontroller  or other products can be maintained due to increased
pricing pressure in the future.  An increase in pricing pressure could adversely
affect the Company's  operating results.  In addition,  the Company's ability to
compete  successfully depends on a number of factors both within and outside its
control, including the quality, performance, reliability, features, ease of use,
pricing and diversity of its products;  the quality of its customer  service and
its ability to address the needs of its customers;  its success in designing and
manufacturing  new  products  including  those  implementing  new  technologies;
efficiency of production,  adequate  sources of raw materials and other supplies
at acceptable  prices;  protection  of the  Company's  products and processes by
effective utilization of intellectual property laws; the rate at which customers
incorporate   the  Company's   products   into  their  own   products;   product
introductions by the Company's  competitors;  the number,  nature and success of
its competitors in a given market;  and general market and economic  conditions.
Furthermore,  capacity in the semiconductor industry is increasing over time and
such increased capacity or improved product  availability could adversely affect
the Company's competitive position.

     The Company  currently  competes  principally on the basis of the technical
innovation and  performance of its embedded  control  products,  including their
speed,  functionality,  density,  power  consumption,  reliability and packaging
alternatives, as well as on price and product availability. The Company believes
that other important  competitive factors in the embedded control market include
ease of use,  functionality  of  application  development  systems and technical
service and support.  The Company believes that it competes favorably with other
companies  on all of these  factors,  although  there is no  assurance  that the
Company will continue to be able to compete successfully in the future.
                                       6
<PAGE>
Patents, Licenses and Trademarks

     The  Company's  success  depends in part on its ability to obtain  patents,
licenses  and other  intellectual  property  rights  covering  its  products and
manufacturing processes, and to protect its proprietary information. As of March
31, 1998, the Company owned 60 U.S. patents and 11 foreign patents,  expiring on
various  dates  between  1997 and 2015,  and had an  additional  78 U.S.  patent
applications and 55 foreign patent applications  pending. The Company intends to
continue  to  seek  patents  on  its   inventions   used  in  its  products  and
manufacturing  processes.  However,  the  Company  believes  that its  continued
success  depends  primarily  on such  factors  as the  technological  skills and
innovative  abilities of its personnel rather than on its patents.  There can be
no assurance the Company's  existing  patents or any new patents that are issued
will be of  sufficient  scope or strength to provide  meaningful  protection  or
other commercial advantage to the Company.

     The Company has entered into  certain  intellectual  property  licenses and
cross-licenses  with other  companies  related  to  semiconductor  products  and
manufacturing  processes.  As is  typical  in the  semiconductor  industry,  the
Company  has  from  time  to  time  received,  and  may in the  future  receive,
communications  alleging possible  infringement of patents or other intellectual
property  rights of  others.  The  Company  investigates  all such  notices  and
responds as it believes is appropriate.  The Company is currently in discussions
with several other companies  regarding  intellectual  property licenses of such
other  companies'  semiconductor  patents  and  technology.  Based  on  industry
practice,  the Company believes that in most cases it could obtain any necessary
licenses or other rights on commercially reasonable terms. However, no assurance
can be given that licenses would be on acceptable  terms,  that litigation would
not ensue, that damages for any past infringement  would not be assessed or that
the Company would not be forced to pay  royalties on future  sales.  Litigation,
which  could  result  in  substantial  cost  to the  Company  and  diversion  of
management  effort,  may be necessary to enforce  patents or other  intellectual
property  rights  of the  Company  or to  defend  the  Company  against  claimed
infringement of the rights of others. See "Item 3 - Legal Proceedings."

Environmental Regulation

     The  Company  is  subject  to  a  variety  of  federal,   state  and  local
governmental regulations related to the use, storage,  discharge and disposal of
toxic,  volatile or  otherwise  hazardous  chemicals  used in its  manufacturing
processes,   including   the  Resource   Conversation   and  Recovery  Act,  the
Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,  Compensation  and  Liability  Act,  the
Superfund  Amendment  and  Reauthorization  Act, the Clean Air Act and the Water
Pollution  Control  Act.  The Company  believes it has  obtained  all  necessary
environmental  permits to conduct its  business.  Although the Company  believes
that its activities conform to presently applicable  environmental  regulations,
the failure to comply with present or future  regulations  could result in fines
being  imposed on the  Company,  suspension  of  production  or a  cessation  of
operations. While the Company has not experienced any materially adverse effects
on its operations from governmental regulations,  there can be no assurance that
changes in such  regulations  will not  require  the  Company to acquire  costly
equipment or to incur other  significant  expenses to comply with  environmental
regulations.  Any  failure by the  Company to control  the use of or  adequately
restrict  the  discharge  of  hazardous  substances  could  subject it to future
liabilities.  There can be no assurance  that  environmental  problems  will not
occur  in the  future  which  could  subject  the  Company  to  future  costs or
liabilities.

Employees

     As of April 26, 1998, the Company had 2,153  employees,  including 1,555 in
manufacturing,  277 in research and development,  196 in sales and marketing and
125 in finance and administration.  Approximately 41% of the Company's employees
work at the final test facilities located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan and Chachoengsao,
Thailand.  No  employees  in the U.S. or  Thailand  are  represented  by a labor
organization.  All  employees  in the  Kaohsiung  facility,  except for  certain
management employees,  are represented by a labor organization.  The Company has
never had a work stoppage and believes that its employee relations are good.
                                       7
<PAGE>
Executive Officers

     The  following  sets forth  certain  information  regarding  the  Company's
executive officers as of April 26, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     Name                     Age                        Position
     ----                     ---                        --------
<S>                           <C>        <C>
Steve Sanghi                  42         Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
Timothy B. Billington         55         Vice President, Manufacturing Operations
C. Philip Chapman             44         Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
George P. Rigg                58         Vice President, Advanced Microcontroller and Systems Group
Mitchell R. Little            45         Vice President, Americas Sales
</TABLE>                           

     Mr. Sanghi is currently,  and has been since August, 1990, President of the
Company,  since October,  1991, Chief Executive Officer and since October, 1993,
Chairman of the Board of  Directors.  He has served as a director of the Company
since  August,  1990. He served as the Company's  Chief  Operating  Officer from
August,  1990 through  October,  1991 and as Senior Vice President of Operations
from February,  1990 through  August,  1990. Mr. Sanghi holds an M.S.  degree in
Electrical and Computer  Engineering from the University of Massachusetts  and a
B.S. degree in Electronics and Communication from Punjab University,  India. Mr.
Sanghi is also a director of ADFlex Solutions, Inc., a U.S. supplier of flexible
circuit-based interconnect solutions.

     Mr. Billington has served as Vice President, Manufacturing Operations since
October,  1994 and was Vice President,  Process  Development  and  Manufacturing
Operations  from April,  1991 until October,  1994.  Prior to his appointment as
Vice President,  Mr.  Billington  served as Director of Wafer  Fabrication  from
November,  1990 to April, 1991 and Wafer Fabrication  Manager from June, 1989 to
November,  1990. Mr.  Billington  holds a B.S.  degree in marketing from Abilene
Christian University.

     Mr. Chapman has served as the Company's Vice President and Chief  Financial
Officer  since  joining the Company in  September,  1992 and as Secretary of the
Company since  December,  1992.  Mr.  Chapman  holds an M.B.A.  from the Harvard
Graduate School of Business  Administration  and B.A.  degrees in Accounting and
Managerial Finance from the University of California.

     Mr. Rigg has served as Vice President, Advanced Microcontroller and Systems
Group since March,  1997. From November,  1995 to March,  1997 he served as Vice
President,  Advanced Microcontroller and Technology Division. From June, 1989 to
November,  1995, he served as Vice President,  Logic Products Division. Mr. Rigg
holds a B.S. degree in Physics from Manchester University, England.

     Mr. Little has served as Vice President,  Americas Sales since April, 1998.
From  November,  1995 to  April,  1998 he  served  as Vice  President,  Standard
Microcontroller and ASSP Division.  From September,  1993 to November,  1995, he
served  as Vice  President,  Memory  Products  and ASSP  Division.  Prior to his
appointment as Vice  President,  Mr. Little served as Division  Director for the
Company's  Memory Products  Division from July, 1991 to September,  1993, and as
Director of Memory Marketing from November, 1989 to July, 1991. Mr. Little holds
a BSET from United Electronics Institute.

Item 2.   PROPERTIES

     The Company's current headquarters, research and development center and one
of its U.S wafer fabrication  facilities are located in three buildings totaling
approximately  242,000  square  feet  situated  on a  77-acre  parcel of land in
Chandler,  Arizona.  A second  U.S.  manufacturing  site  consisting  of a wafer
fabrication facility,  office and warehouse facilities and a development systems
center,  totaling  approximately  253,000  square feet, is situated on a 22-acre
parcel of land in Tempe, Arizona. The Chandler and Tempe facilities are owned by
the  Company.  Company-owned  final test  facilities  are  located in Taiwan and
Thailand. The Taiwan operations are housed in a three-story,  88,700 square foot
building located in the Kaohsiung Export  Processing Zone in Kaohsiung,  Taiwan,
Republic  of  China.  The  Taiwan  building  is  owned by the  Company's  Taiwan
subsidiary  and is located  on land that is leased to the  Company  pursuant  to
leases from the Taiwan  government  expiring  in  December,  1998 and 2002.  The
Company intends to renew the lease that expires in December, 1998. The Company's
Thailand  final test  operations  are housed in a 150,000  square foot  facility
located in the Alphatechnopolis Industrial Park in Chachoengsao,  Thailand, near
Bangkok. The Thailand facility,  owned by the Company's Thailand subsidiary,  is
situated  on land to which the  Company  expects to acquire  title by the end of
fiscal 1999,  in accordance  with an agreement  between the Company and the land
owner. The Company leases space for 20 Technical Support Centers in San 8
<PAGE>
Jose  and  Los  Angeles,  California;  Dallas,  Texas;  Dayton,  Ohio;  Chicago,
Illinois; Atlanta, Georgia; Boston,  Massachusetts;  New York, New York; as well
as Toronto, Tokyo, London, Munich, Paris, Milan, Taipei, Seoul, Singapore,  Hong
Kong,  Shanghai and Bangalore,  India.  The Company's  aggregate  monthly rental
payments for its facilities are approximately $107,000.

     The  Company  currently  believes  that  its  existing  facilities  will be
adequate to meet its requirements for the next 12 months.

Item 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     In the  ordinary  course of its  business,  the  Company is  involved  in a
limited  number of legal  actions,  both as plaintiff and  defendant,  and could
incur  uninsured  liability in any one or more of them.  Although the outcome of
these  actions is not  presently  determinable,  the Company  believes  that the
ultimate  resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on
the Company's results of operations or financial  conditions.  The Company could
also be  subject  to  future  litigation  if it is  unable  to  resolve  pending
intellectual  property  and  technology  licensing  discussions.  The Company is
currently  the  defendant in one case  regarding  intellectual  property and has
commenced  litigation  against other  companies for alleged  infringement of the
Company's  intellectual  property  rights.  The  Company  does not expect  these
matters  will have a  material  adverse  effect on its  business  or  results of
operation. However, the failure to obtain necessary licenses or other rights, or
litigation  arising out of infringement  claims,  could have a material  adverse
effect on the Company's business and results of operations.  Litigation relating
to the semiconductor industry is not uncommon, and the Company is, and from time
to time, has been,  subject to such litigation.  No assurances can be given with
respect to the extent or outcome of any such litigation in the future.

     The  Securities  and  Exchange   Commission  is  presently   conducting  an
investigation into matters relating to the Company's  disclosure on February 26,
1996 that  revenues and  earnings for the quarter  ended March 31, 1996 would be
lower than previously estimated. While the outcome of the investigation, and its
effect on the Company,  if any,  cannot be predicted  at the present  time,  the
Company  does not  believe  that the  investigation  will  result in a  material
adverse effect on the Company.

     Microchip Technology  Incorporated v. Lucent Technologies Inc. (District of
Arizona,  CIV97-1502  PHX EHC) On January  13,  1998,  the  Company  finalized a
settlement in its patent  litigation with Lucent  Technologies Inc. and the case
was  dismissed on January 30, 1998.  In  connection  with this  settlement,  the
Company recorded a $5 million charge during the quarter ended December 31, 1997.
See "Item 5 - Market For  Registrant's  Common  Equity and  Related  Stockholder
Matters," below, and Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

     No matters  were  submitted  to a vote of the  Company's  security  holders
during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998.

                                     PART II

Item 5.   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

     The Company's  Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq  National  Market under
the symbol  "MCHP."  The  Company's  Common  Stock has been quoted on the Nasdaq
National  Market  since  March 19,  1993.  The  following  table  sets forth the
quarterly  high and low  closing  prices of the Common  Stock as reported by the
Nasdaq  National  Market for the last two years,  adjusted  to reflect a 3-for-2
stock split effected in January, 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           Fiscal 1998         High         Low                 Fiscal 1997         High         Low
           -----------         ----         ---                 -----------         ----         ---
         <S>                  <C>           <C>               <C>                  <C>          <C>   
         First Quarter        $36.25        $29.00            First Quarter        $19.50       $14.67
         Second Quarter        48.88         29.88            Second Quarter        25.67        14.00
         Third Quarter         48.38         26.94            Third Quarter         34.84        23.34
         Fourth Quarter        31.88         21.00            Fourth Quarter        39.50        25.00
</TABLE>

     On May 22, 1998, the closing sale price for the Company's  Common Stock was
$27.125  per share.  As of such date,  there were  approximately  515 holders of
record of the Company's  Common Stock.  This figure does not reflect  beneficial
ownership of shares held in nominee names.
                                       9
<PAGE>
     The Company has not paid cash dividends on its capital  stock.  The Company
currently  anticipates  that it will retain all  available  funds for use in the
operations of its business and  therefore  does not  anticipate  paying any cash
dividends in the foreseeable future.

     The trading price of the Company's Common Stock has been, and in the future
could be, subject to wide  fluctuations  in response to quarterly  variations in
operating results of the Company and other  semiconductor  companies,  actual or
anticipated  announcements  of  technical  innovations  or new  products  by the
Company or its  competitors,  changes in analysts'  estimates  of the  Company's
financial  performance,   general  conditions  in  the  semiconductor  industry,
worldwide  economic and  financial  conditions  and other events or factors.  In
addition,  the  stock  market  has  experienced  significant  price  and  volume
fluctuations  which have  particularly  affected the market prices for many high
technology  companies  and which  often  have been  unrelated  to the  operating
performance of such companies. These broad market fluctuations and other factors
may adversely affect the market price of the Company's Common Stock.

     As of January  13, 1998 and in  connection  with the  settlement  of patent
infringement litigation,  the Company issued a warrant to acquire 300,000 shares
of Common Stock at $25.25 per share. The warrant is currently fully  exercisable
and expires on June 30, 2001. The issuance of the warrant was deemed exempt from
registration  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as  amended,  in  reliance on
Section 4(2) of such Act. See "Item 3, Legal  Proceedings,"  above and Note 2 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     The following selected consolidated financial data for the five-year period
ended  March  31,  1998  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto and "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"  included in Item
7 of this report. The Company's  consolidated  income statement data for each of
the years in the three year period ended March 31, 1998,  and the balance  sheet
data as of March 31, 1998 and 1997,  are derived  from the audited  consolidated
financial statements of the Company, included in Item 8 of this report.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Year Ended March 31,
                                           1998        1997         1996         1995         1994
                                           -------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except per share data)
Income Statement Data:
<S>                                     <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>      
Net sales ...........................   $ 396,894   $ 334,252    $ 285,888    $ 207,961    $ 138,742
Cost of sales .......................     199,538     167,330      137,708      101,039       73,765
Research and development ............      38,362      32,073       27,517       20,746       13,840
Selling, general and administrative .      67,549      56,248       48,903       36,975       26,933
Special charges .....................       5,000       7,544       11,448         --           --
Operating income ....................      86,445      71,057       60,312       49,201       24,204
Interest income (expense), net ......       1,505      (1,852)        (947)        (881)        (593)
Other income, net ...................         217         288          569          808          522
Income before income taxes ..........      88,167      69,493       59,934       49,128       24,133
Provision for income taxes ..........      23,799      18,361       16,182       12,829        4,974
Net income ..........................   $  64,368   $  51,132    $  43,752    $  36,299    $  19,159
Basic net income per share ..........   $    1.21   $   0. 99    $    0.86    $    0.76    $    0.44
Diluted net income per share ........   $    1.14   $    0.94    $    0.80    $    0.70    $    0.42
Basic common shares outstanding .....      53,376      51,569       50,750       47,525       43,446
Diluted common shares outstanding ...      56,313      54,683       54,533       51,641       46,155
<CAPTION>
                                                               As of March 31,
                                           1998        1997         1996         1995         1994
                                           -------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>      
Balance Sheet Data:
Working capital .....................   $  55,171   $  91,176    $  55,855    $  71,307    $  53,584
Total assets ........................     524,743     428,092      358,187      249,480      151,425
Long-term obligations, less current
portion .............................       8,768       5,999       33,250       15,340       14,424
Stockholders' equity ................     367,308     316,584      219,632      161,825       87,864
</TABLE>
                                       10
<PAGE>
Item 7.   MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  FINANCIAL  CONDITION  AND
          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations

     The following table sets forth certain  operational data as a percentage of
net sales for the years indicated:

                                                    Year Ended March 31,
                                                 1998      1997      1996
                                                 ------------------------

       Net sales .........................      100.0%    100.0%    100.0%
       Cost of sales .....................       50.3%     50.1%     48.2%
                                                 ----      ----      ---- 
       Gross profit ......................       49.7%     49.9%     51.8%
       Research and development ..........        9.7%      9.6%      9.6%
       Selling, general and administrative       17.0%     16.8%     17.0%
       Special charges ...................        1.2%      2.2%      4.0%
                                                 ----      ----      ---- 
       Operating income ..................       21.8%     21.3%     21.1%
                                                 ====      ====      ==== 

       Net Sales

    Microchip's  net sales of $396.9  million in fiscal 1998  increased by $62.6
million,  or 18.7%,  over fiscal 1997 and net sales of $334.3  million in fiscal
1997 increased by $48.4 million, or 16.9%, over fiscal 1996.

    The  Company's  family  of 8-bit  microcontrollers  represents  the  largest
component  of  Microchip's  total net  sales.  Microcontrollers  and  associated
application  development  systems  accounted  for 66%,  64% and 59% of total net
sales in fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996,  respectively.  A related  component of the
Company's  product  sales  consists  primarily of Serial EEPROM  memories  which
accounted  for 34%,  36% and 41% of net  sales in  fiscal  1998,  1997 and 1996,
respectively.

    The  Company's  net  sales  in  any  given  quarter  are  dependent  upon  a
combination  of orders  received in that  quarter for  shipment in that  quarter
("turns  orders") and shipments  from backlog.  The Company has emphasized its
ability  to  respond  quickly  to  customer  orders  as part of its  competitive
strategy. This strategy,  combined with current industry conditions,  results in
customers placing orders with short delivery schedules.  The Company experienced
increasing  turns orders as a portion of the Company's  business in fiscal 1998,
as compared to fiscal 1997, which reduced the Company's visibility in projecting
net sales levels. Because turns orders are difficult to predict, there can be no
assurance that the combination of turns orders and shipments from backlog in any
quarter will be sufficient to achieve  growth in net sales.  If the Company does
not achieve a  sufficient  level of turns orders in a  particular  quarter,  the
Company's revenues and operating results would be adversely affected.

     The  Company's  overall  average  selling  prices  for its  microcontroller
products have remained relatively constant,  while average selling prices of its
memory  products  have  declined  over time.  During  fiscal  1998,  the Company
continued  to  experience  increased  pricing  pressure  on its memory  products
primarily  due to the less  proprietary  nature of these  products and increased
competition,  and expects this to continue in the future.  While average selling
prices for microcontrollers  have remained relatively constant,  the Company has
experienced, and expects to continue to experience,  increasing pricing pressure
in  certain   microcontroller   product  lines,  due  primarily  to  competitive
conditions.  The  Company has been able to maintain  average  selling  prices by
continuing  to introduce  new  products  with more  features and higher  prices,
thereby  offsetting price declines in older products.  There can be no assurance
that average selling prices for the Company's  microcontroller or other products
can be maintained due to increased  pricing pressure in the future.  An increase
in pricing pressure could adversely affect the Company's operating results.

    The foregoing statements regarding turns orders,  average selling prices and
pricing  pressures are forward looking  statements within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended,  and are subject to the safe harbors  created
thereby.  Actual  results  could  differ  materially  because  of the  following
factors,  among others: the level of orders that are received and can be shipped
in a quarter;  inventory,  mix and timing of customer  orders;  competition  and
competitive pressures on pricing and product availability;  customers' inventory
levels,  order  patterns  and  seasonality;  the  cyclical  nature  of both  the
semiconductor  industry  and the markets  addressed by the  Company's  products;
market acceptance of the products of both the Company and
                                       11
<PAGE>
its customers;  demand for the Company's  products,  fluctuations  in production
yields,  production  efficiencies and overall capacity  utilization;  changes in
product mix; and absorption of fixed costs, labor and other fixed  manufacturing
costs.

    Several Asian  countries  have recently  experienced  economic  difficulties
including  high  rates  of  loan  defaults,   business   failures  and  currency
devaluations.  During the quarters  ended  December 31, 1997 and March 31, 1998,
the Company  experienced  weakness in the expected level of turns orders and net
sales  related to its  business  in Asia.  During the fourth  fiscal  quarter of
fiscal  1998,  shipments  to Asia  were  lower  than the  preceding  quarter  by
approximately  30%. The Company  derives a substantial  portion of its net sales
from  customers  in Asia  and  there  can be no  assurance  that  such  economic
difficulties  will not  continue to  adversely  affect the  Company's  operating
results in future periods.

    Foreign sales represented 68%, 66% and 65% of net sales in fiscal 1998, 1997
and 1996,  respectively.  The Company's foreign sales have been predominantly in
Asia and Europe which the Company  attributes to the  manufacturing  strength in
those areas for consumer,  automotive,  office  automation,  communications  and
industrial products.  The majority of foreign sales are U.S. Dollar denominated.
The Company has entered  into and,  from time to time,  will enter into  hedging
transactions  in order to  minimize  exposure  to  currency  rate  fluctuations.
Although none of the countries in which the Company conducts significant foreign
operations have had a highly inflationary  economy in the last five years, there
is no assurance that inflation rates or  fluctuations in foreign  currency rates
in countries where the Company conducts operations will not adversely affect the
Company's operating results in the future.

      Additional Factors Affecting Operating Results

    The Company  believes that future growth in net sales of its 8-bit family of
microcontroller  products and related  memory  products will depend largely upon
the  Company's  success in having its current  and new  products  designed  into
high-volume customer  applications.  Design wins typically precede the Company's
volume  shipment of products  for such  applications  by 15 months or more.  The
Company  also  believes  that  shipment  levels of its  proprietary  application
development  systems  are an  indicator  of  potential  future  design  wins and
microcontroller  sales. The Company continued to achieve a high volume of design
wins and shipped increased numbers of application  development systems in fiscal
1998  compared to previous  fiscal  years.  There can be no  assurance  that any
particular  development  system  shipment will result in a product design win or
that any particular design win will result in future product sales.

    The  Company's  operating  results are  affected by a wide  variety of other
factors that could  adversely  impact its net sales and  profitability,  many of
which are beyond the  Company's  control.  These  factors  include the Company's
ability  to  design  and  introduce  new  products  on a  timely  basis,  market
acceptance  of products of both the Company and its  customers,  customer  order
patterns  and  seasonality,  changes  in  product  mix,  whether  the  Company's
customers  buy  from  a  distributor  or  directly  from  the  Company,  product
performance and  reliability,  product  obsolescence,  the amount of any product
returns, availability and utilization of manufacturing capacity, fluctuations in
manufacturing  yield, the availability and cost of raw materials,  equipment and
other supplies,  the cyclical nature of both the semiconductor  industry and the
markets addressed by the Company's products,  technological changes, competition
and competitive pressures on prices, and economic, political or other conditions
in the United States,  and other  worldwide  markets served by the Company.  The
Company believes its ability to continue to increase its manufacturing  capacity
to meet customer demand and maintain  satisfactory delivery schedules will be an
important  competitive  factor.  As a result of the  increase in fixed costs and
operating  expenses  related  to  expanding  its  manufacturing   capacity,  the
Company's  operating  results  may be  adversely  affected  if net  sales do not
increase  sufficiently to offset the increased costs. The Company's products are
incorporated  into a wide variety of consumer,  automotive,  office  automation,
communications and industrial  products. A slowdown in demand for products which
utilize the  Company's  products as a result of economic or other  conditions in
the worldwide markets served by the Company could adversely affect the Company's
operating results.

      Gross Profit

    The Company's  gross profit was $197.3  million,  $166.9  million and $148.2
million in fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996,  respectively.  Gross profit as a percent
of sales was 49.7%, 49.9% and 51.8% in fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
The gross  profit  percentage  in fiscal  years  1998 and 1997 was down from the
fiscal 1996 level,  primarily as a result of reduced 5-inch wafer  production at
one of the Company's wafer fabrication facilities and increased pricing pressure
on its non-volatile  memory  products.  The Company is continuing the process of
transitioning products to smaller geometries and to larger wafer sizes to reduce
future manufacturing  costs.  Eight-inch wafer production commenced at the Tempe
wafer  fabrication  facility in early fiscal 1998 and the Company is  continuing
the  transitioning  of products to its 0.7 micron  process.  The Company expects
that 25% of its products will come from 8-inch wafers  during  fiscal 1999.  The
Company
                                       12
<PAGE>
anticipates that its cost of sales and gross product margins will fluctuate over
time, driven primarily by the product mix of 8-bit microcontroller  products and
related  memory  products,  manufacturing  yields,  wafer fab loading levels and
competitive and economic conditions.

    The foregoing  statements  relating to anticipated  gross  margins,  cost of
sales,   8-inch  wafer  production,   and  the  transition  to  higher  yielding
manufacturing  processes are  forward-looking  statements  within the meaning of
Section 27A of the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbors
created thereby. Actual results could differ materially because of the following
factors,   among  others:   fluctuations   in  production   yields,   production
efficiencies  and overall  capacity  utilization;  cost and  availability of raw
materials;  absorption  of fixed  costs,  labor and other  direct  manufacturing
costs; the timing and success of manufacturing  process  transition;  changes in
product mix; competitive pressures on prices; and other economic conditions.

    In the  quarter  ended June 30,  1997,  the  Company  changed  its method of
accounting  for  inventories  from the last-in,  first-out  (LIFO) method to the
first-in,  first-out (FIFO) method. The change did not have a material effect on
the results of operations.  The FIFO method is the predominant accounting method
used  in the  semiconductor  industry.  Prior  to  this  change,  the  Company's
inventory costs did not differ significantly under the two methods. Prior period
results of  operations  have not been  restated for this change as the impact is
not material.

     All  of  Microchip's  assembly  operations  are  performed  by  third-party
contractors in order to meet product  shipment  requirements.  Reliance on third
parties  involves some  reduction in the  Company's  level of control over these
portions of its business.  While the Company  reviews the quality,  delivery and
cost  performance of these  third-party  contractors,  there can be no assurance
that reliance on third-party  contractors  will not adversely  impact results in
future  reporting  periods if any  third-party  contractor is unable to maintain
assembly yields and costs at approximately their current levels.

     The Company's reliance on facilities in Taiwan,  Thailand,  the Philippines
and  other  foreign  countries,  and  maintenance  of  substantially  all of its
finished goods in inventory  overseas,  entails  certain  political and economic
risks,  including  political  instability and expropriation,  supply disruption,
currency  controls  and exchange  fluctuations,  as well as changes in tax laws,
tariff and freight rates.  Microchip currently employs the Alphatec  Electronics
Public Company Limited group of companies ("Alphatec") headquartered in Bangkok,
Thailand  for a  significant  portion  of its  product  assembly  volume.  While
Alphatec's  assembly  operations  have  performed  reliably  for the Company for
several years, Alphatec has experienced financing issues in connection with some
of  its  joint  ventures  involving  semiconductor   fabrication  facilities  in
Thailand.  Such financing  difficulties  have not impacted  Alphatec's  assembly
facilities nor its provision of services to the Company.  However,  there can be
no  assurance  that  assembly  operations  will not be  affected  in the future.
Microchip  currently  has second  sources for product  assembly  for most of its
package  types and can shift  additional  wafer  output to other  factories,  if
necessary.  However, there can be no assurance that such action would not result
in short-term  disruption  including possible  temporary product shortages.  The
Company  has  not  experienced  any  significant  interruptions  in its  foreign
business operations to date.  Nonetheless,  the Company's business and operating
results could be adversely  affected if foreign  operations or international air
transportation were disrupted.

    Research and Development

    The  Company  is  committed  to  continued  investment  in new and  enhanced
products,  including  its  development  systems  software  and in its design and
manufacturing  process technology,  which are significant factors in maintaining
the  Company's  competitive  position.  The dollar  investment  in research  and
development  increased  20% in fiscal 1998 over fiscal  1997,  and 17% in fiscal
1997 over fiscal  1996.  The  Company  will  continue to invest in research  and
development  in the  future,  including  an  investment  in process  and product
development  associated with the capacity expansion of the Company's fabrication
facilities.

    The Company's future operating  results will depend to a significant  extent
on its ability to continue to develop  and  introduce  new  products on a timely
basis which can compete  effectively on the basis of price and  performance  and
which address customer  requirements.  The success of new product  introductions
depends on various  factors,  including  proper new  product  selection,  timely
completion and introduction of new product designs, development of support tools
and collateral  literature  that make complex new products easy for engineers to
understand and use and market acceptance of customers' end products.  Because of
the complexity of its products,  the Company has experienced delays from time to
time in completing  development  of new products.  In addition,  there can be no
assurance  that any new  products  will receive or maintain  substantial  market
acceptance.  If the  Company  were  unable  to  design,  develop  and  introduce
competitive  products on a timely basis, its future  operating  results would be
adversely affected.
                                       13
<PAGE>
    The  Company's  future  success will also depend upon its ability to develop
and  implement  new design and process  technologies.  Semiconductor  design and
process technologies are subject to rapid technological change,  requiring large
expenditures for research and development.  Other companies in the industry have
experienced  difficulty in effecting  transitions to smaller geometry  processes
and to larger  wafers and,  consequently,  have suffered  reduced  manufacturing
yields or delays in product deliveries. The Company believes that its transition
to smaller  geometries and to larger wafers will be important for the Company to
remain  competitive,  and operating  results could be adversely  affected if the
transition is substantially delayed or inefficiently implemented.

      Selling, General and Administrative

      The Company  increased  its level of  investment  in selling,  general and
administrative  costs to $67.5  million,  $56.2  million  and $48.9  million for
fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.  The increased costs reflect the
requirement  to invest in  incremental  worldwide  sales and  technical  support
resources to promote the Company's embedded control products.

      Other Income (Expense)

     Interest  income in fiscal  1998  increased  over fiscal 1997 and 1996 as a
result of increased  invested cash  balances,  resulting  from  completion of an
equity  offering in February,  1997.  Interest  expense in fiscal 1998 decreased
over fiscal 1997 and 1996 due to reductions in borrowing levels  associated with
the Company's capital  equipment  additions.  Other income  represents  numerous
immaterial non-operating items. The Company's interest expense could increase in
fiscal 1999 if the Company  increases its borrowings and interest  expense would
be adversely impacted by increased interest rates.

      Provision for Income Taxes

    Provisions for income taxes reflect tax on foreign  earnings and federal and
state tax on U.S.  earnings.  The  Company had an  effective  tax rate of 27.0%,
26.4% and 27.0% for the years ended March 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively,
due primarily to lower tax rates at its foreign locations.  The Company believes
that its tax rate for the  foreseeable  future will be  approximately  27%.  The
foregoing  statement  regarding the Company's  anticipated  future tax rate is a
forward-looking  statement  within the meaning of section 27A of the  Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended,  and is subject to the safe harbors created thereby.  Actual results
could differ materially because of the following factors,  among others: current
tax laws and regulations, taxation rates in geographic regions where the Company
has  significant  operations;  and current  tax  holidays  available  in foreign
locations.

    Year 2000 Conversion

    The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer  programs  being written using
two digits rather than four to define the year, thus rendering them incapable of
properly  managing and  manipulating  data that includes 21st century dates. The
Company  is  currently  installing  business  and  financial  systems to replace
existing software systems to address the Year 2000 compliance issue. The Company
is also currently  reviewing  other aspects of its computer  systems,  including
manufacturing and product development areas.  Microchip's products, for the most
part,  involve  hardware  integrated  circuit devices  manufactured by Microchip
which,  subsequent  to their sale,  are combined  with  proprietary  application
firmware by Microchip's  customers.  Thus,  Microchip believes that its products
have no inherent date sensitive features. At this time management is not able to
assess the cost of Year 2000  compliance.  The Company does not anticipate  that
the Year 2000 will pose significant operating problems.  However,  delays in the
implementation  of new information  systems,  or a failure to fully identify and
resolve  all Year  2000  deficiencies  in the  Company's  systems  could  have a
material adverse effect on the Company's future results of operations.

      Liquidity and Capital Resources

    The  Company  had $32.2  million in cash and cash  equivalents  at March 31,
1998, a decrease of $10.8 million from the March 31, 1997  balance.  The Company
has an  unsecured  line of credit with a syndicate  of domestic  banks  totaling
$90.0 million. Borrowings under the domestic line of credit as of March 31, 1998
were $7.0 million.  The domestic line of credit  requires the Company to achieve
certain  financial ratios and operating  results.  The Company was in compliance
with these  covenants at March 31, 1998. The Company also has an unsecured short
term  line  of  credit  totaling  $19.8  million  with  certain  foreign  banks.
Borrowings  under the  foreign  line of credit as of March 31,  1998 were  $16.0
million. There are no covenants related to the foreign line of credit.
                                       14
<PAGE>
    At March 31, 1998,  an aggregate of $86.8  million of these  facilities  was
available,  subject to financial covenants and ratios with which the Company was
in  compliance.  The  Company's  ability to fully  utilize  these  facilities is
dependent on the Company remaining in compliance with such covenants and ratios.

    During the year ended March 31, 1998, the Company  generated  $136.5 million
of cash from operating activities, an improvement of $59.0 million from the year
ended March 31, 1997 and an  improvement  of $63.1  million  from the year ended
March 31, 1996. The  improvement in cash flow from  operations was primarily due
to increased  profitability,  the impact of changes in accounts payable, accrued
expenses and accounts receivable and an increase in depreciation expense.

    The Company's  level of capital  expenditures  varies from time to time as a
result of actual and anticipated  business  conditions.  Capital expenditures in
the years ended March 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 were $145.3 million, $79.0 million
and $115.8 million,  respectively.  Capital  expenditures were primarily for the
expansion of  production  capacity and the addition of research and  development
equipment  in each of these  periods.  The  Company  currently  intends to spend
approximately  $55.0 million  during the next 12 months for  additional  capital
equipment to increase capacity at its existing wafer fabrication  facilities and
to expand product test operations. The Company expects capital expenditures will
be financed by cash flow from operations,  available debt arrangements and other
sources  of  financing.  The  Company  believes  that the  capital  expenditures
anticipated  to be  incurred  over the next 12 months  will  provide  sufficient
additional manufacturing capacity to meet its currently anticipated needs.

    Net cash used in  financing  activities  was $2.1 million for the year ended
March 31, 1998. Net cash provided by financing  activities was $13.4 million and
$27.1 million for the years ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 respectively. Proceeds
from sale of stock and put options were $12.5  million,  $59.5  million and $9.6
million  for the years  ended  March  31,  1998,  1997 and  1996,  respectively.
Proceeds  from  issuance of long-term  debt were $2.9 million for the year ended
March 31, 1996.  Payments on long term debt and capital lease  obligations  were
$6.1 million,  $5.7 million and $5.9 million for the years ended March 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996,  respectively.  Proceeds  from lines of credit were $23.0 million
and $20.5  million for the years  ended  March 31,  1998 and 1996  respectively.
Repayments  on lines of credit  were $21.0  million for the year ended March 31,
1997.  Cash  expended for the purchase of the  Company's  Common Stock was $31.5
million  and  $19.5  million  for the  years  ended  March  31,  1998 and  1997,
respectively.

    On January 30, 1998 and July 26,  1997,  the  Company's  Board of  Directors
authorized   the   repurchase  of  2,500,000   shares  and   1,500,000   shares,
respectively,  in connection  with a Common Stock  repurchase  plan. On July 26,
1997, the Board of Directors  also  authorized the Company to sell up to 750,000
put options in  connection  with the same plan. As of March 31, 1998 the Company
has  purchased  1,277,500  shares  of  Common  Stock  at an  aggregate  cost  of
$31,481,000  and has  outstanding  400,000  put options at prices  ranging  from
$29.63 to $38.81.  Subsequent  to March 31, 1998 the Company  purchased  222,500
shares of Common Stock at an aggregate  price of $6,667,000 and sold put options
of 100,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $27.50. 

    Subsequent  to March 31, 1998,  the Company  completed two  transactions  in
connection with the stock repurchase program.  April, 1998 the Company completed
a costless  collar  transaction  for 500,000  calls priced at $25.95 and 665,000
puts priced at $25.19. The expiration date of the transaction is April 23, 1999.
Also in connection with the stock repurchase  program,  the Company  completed a
net share settled forward  contract for 2,000,000  shares at an average price of
$29.24.  The  expiration  date of this  transaction  is May, 2000 with quarterly
interim settlement dates as determined by the Company.

    Also  subsequent  to  March  31,  1998  the  Company's  Board  of  Directors
authorized an additional  share  repurchase of Common Stock of 2,000,000  shares
and to sell up to 500,000 additional put options.  The Company expects from time
to time to purchase  shares of Common Stock in  connection  with its  authorized
Common Stock repurchase plan.

    The Company  believes that its existing  sources of liquidity  combined with
cash  generated  from  operations  will  be  sufficient  to meet  the  Company's
currently  anticipated  cash  requirements  for at  least  the  next 12  months.
However,  the semiconductor  industry is capital  intensive.  In order to remain
competitive,  the Company  must  continue  to make  significant  investments  in
capital equipment, for both production and research and development. The Company
may seek additional  equity or debt financing  during the next 12 months for the
capital  expenditures  required  to  maintain  or  expand  the  Company's  wafer
fabrication and product test facilities or other purposes. The timing and amount
of any such capital  requirements will depend on a number of factors,  including
demand for the Company's  products,  product mix, changes in industry conditions
and competitive  factors.  There can be no assurance that such financing will be
available on acceptable  terms, and any additional equity financing could result
in additional dilution to existing investors.

Item 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

    Not applicable.
                                       15
<PAGE>
Item 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

    The  Consolidated  Financial  Statements of the Company  listed in the index
appearing  under Item 14(a)(1) hereof are filed as part of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K. See also Index to Financial Statements on page F- I hereof.

Item 9.   CHANGES  IN AND  DISAGREEMENTS  WITH  ACCOUNTANTS  ON  ACCOUNTING  AND
          FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

     Not applicable.

                                    PART III

Item 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

     Information with respect to the Company's  directors is incorporated herein
by reference to the Company's  proxy  statement  for the 1998 annual  meeting of
stockholders under the caption "Election of Directors."

     See Item I,  Part I hereof  under  the  caption  "Executive  Officers"  for
information with respect to the Company's executive  officers.  Information with
respect to compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's proxy statement
for the 1998 annual  meeting of  stockholders  under the  caption  "Section16(a)
Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance."

Item 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     Information with respect to executive  compensation is incorporated  herein
by reference to the information  under the caption  "Executive  Compensation" in
the Company's proxy statement for the 1998 annual meeting of stockholders.

Item 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     Information with respect to security ownership of certain beneficial owners
and  management  of the  Company  is  incorporated  herein by  reference  to the
information  under the caption  "Security  Ownership of Principal  Stockholders,
Directors and Executive  Officers" in the Company's proxy statement for the 1998
annual meeting of stockholders.

Item 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     Not applicable.

                                     PART IV

Item 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

     (a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form
10-K:

                                                                        Page No.
           (1)    Financial Statements:

                  Independent Auditors' Report                            F-1

                  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
                  March 31, 1998 and 1997                                 F-2

                  Consolidated Statements of Income for each
                  of the years in the three-year period ended
                  March 31, 1998                                          F-3
                                       16
<PAGE>
                  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for
                  each of the years in the three-year period
                  ended March 31, 1998                                    F-4

                  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders'
                  Equity for each of the years in the
                  three-year period ended March 31, 1998                  F-5

                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements              F-6


           (2)    Financial Statement Schedules - Applicable
                  schedules have been omitted because informa-
                  tion is included in the footnotes to the Financial
                  Statements.

           (3)    The Exhibits which are filed with this report or
                  which are incorporated herein by reference are set
                  forth in the Exhibit Index which appears on page
                  E-1 hereof, which Exhibit Index is incorporated
                  herein by this reference.

     (b)   No current reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter
           ended March 31, 1998.

     (c)   See Item 14(a)(3) above.

     (d)   See "Index to Financial Statements" included under Item 8
           to this report.
                                       17
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                        MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
                                        (Registrant)


                                        By:/s/ Steve Sanghi
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Steve Sanghi
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

Date:    May 26, 1998

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
this  report has been  signed  below by the  following  persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Name and Signature                      Title                          Date
- ------------------                      -----                          ----


/s/ Steve Sanghi               Director, President and              May 26, 1998
- ---------------------------    Chief Executive Officer
Steve Sanghi                   

Albert J. Hugo-Martinez*       Director                             May 26, 1998

Jon H. Beedle*                 Director                             May 26, 1998

L. B. Day*                     Director                             May 26, 1998

Matthew W. Chapman*            Director                             May 26, 1998

/s/ C. Philip Chapman          Vice President, Chief Financial      May 26, 1998
- ---------------------------    Officer and Secretary (Principal
C. Philip Chapman              Financial and Accounting Officer)

*By:/s/ Steve Sanghi           Individually and as Attorney-in-fact May 26, 1998
    -----------------------
        Steve Sanghi
                                       18
<PAGE>
                           Annual Report on Form 10-K

                   Item 8, Item 14(a)(1) and (2), (c) and (d)

                        ---------------------------------


                          INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                        CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                    EXHIBITS

                        ---------------------------------


                            YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1998

                        MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                CHANDLER, ARIZONA
<PAGE>
               MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   Index to Consolidated Financial Statements



                                                                     Page Number
                                                                     -----------

Independent Auditors' Report                                             F-1

Consolidated Balance Sheets
     as of March 31, 1998 and 1997                                       F-2

Consolidated Statements of Income
     for each of the years in the three-year
     period ended March 31, 1998                                         F-3

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
     for each of the years in the three-year
     period ended March 31, 1998                                         F-4

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
     for each of the years in the three-year
     period ended March 31, 1998                                         F-5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                               F-6
                                       i
<PAGE>
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP






                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT



The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Microchip Technology Incorporated:


We have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets of  Microchip
Technology  Incorporated and subsidiaries as of March 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
related consolidated statements of income,  stockholders' equity, and cash flows
for each of the years in the  three-year  period  ended  March 31,  1998.  These
consolidated  financial  statements  are  the  responsibility  of the  Company's
management.  Our  responsibility is to express an opinion on these  consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Microchip Technology
Incorporated  and subsidiaries as of March 31, 1998 and 1997, and the results of
their  operations  and their cash flows for each of the years in the  three-year
period ended March 31, 1998, in conformity  with generally  accepted  accounting
principles.


                                        /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP





Phoenix, Arizona
April 22, 1998, except as to the
   second and third paragraphs in
   note 13 which are as of May 18, 1998
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
               MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                      (in thousands except share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     ASSETS
                                                                           March  31,   March 31,
                                                                             1998         1997
                                                                           ---------    ---------
<S>                                                                        <C>          <C>      
Cash and cash equivalents                                                  $  32,188    $  42,999
Accounts receivable, net                                                      56,320       61,102
Inventories                                                                   66,293       56,813
Prepaid expenses                                                               2,208        1,715
Deferred tax asset                                                            35,778       24,251
Other current assets                                                           1,802        2,656
                                                                           ---------    ---------
   Total current assets                                                      194,589      189,536

Property, plant and equipment, net                                           325,892      234,058
Other assets                                                                   4,262        4,498
                                                                           ---------    ---------

   Total assets                                                            $ 524,743    $ 428,092
                                                                           =========    =========

                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Short-term lines of credit                                                 $  16,000    $    --
Accounts payable                                                              36,049       35,281
Current maturities of long-term debt                                           2,196        2,470
Current maturities of capital  lease obligations                               2,206        3,776
Accrued liabilities                                                           53,452       36,392
Deferred income on shipments to distributors                                  29,515       20,441
                                                                           ---------    ---------
   Total current liabilities                                                 139,418       98,360

Long-term lines of credit                                                      7,000         --
Long-term debt, less current maturities                                        1,420        3,616
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities                               348        2,383
Long-term pension accrual                                                        976          980
Deferred tax liability                                                         8,273        6,169

Commitments and Contingencies

Stockholders'  equity:

Preferred stock, $.001 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares;
  no shares issued or outstanding                                               --           --
Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares;
  issued 53,891,041 and outstanding 52,870,389 shares at March 31, 1998;          54           53
  issued 53,300,619 and outstanding 53,196,037 shares at March 31, 1997 
Additional paid-in capital                                                   176,865      168,185
Retained  earnings                                                           214,193      149,825
Less shares of common stock held in treasury at cost; 1,020,652 shares
at March 31, 1998 and 104,582 shares at March 31, 1997                       (23,804)      (1,479)
                                                                           ---------    ---------
   Net stockholders' equity                                                  367,308      316,584

   Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                              $ 524,743    $ 428,092
                                                                           =========    =========
</TABLE>
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
               MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                    (in thousands except per share amounts)

                                                   Years Ended March 31,
                                            -----------------------------------
                                              1998         1997         1996
                                            ---------    ---------    ---------


Net sales                                   $ 396,894    $ 334,252    $ 285,888
Cost of sales                                 199,538      167,330      137,708
                                            ---------    ---------    ---------
   Gross profit                               197,356      166,922      148,180


Operating expenses:
   Research and development                    38,362       32,073       27,517
   Selling, general and administrative         67,549       56,248       48,903
   Special charges                              5,000        7,544       11,448
                                            ---------    ---------    ---------
                                              110,911       95,865       87,868

Operating income                               86,445       71,057       60,312

Other income (expense):
   Interest income                              2,635        1,419        2,034
   Interest expense                            (1,130)      (3,271)      (2,981)
   Other, net                                     217          288          569
                                            ---------    ---------    ---------

Income before income taxes                     88,167       69,493       59,934

Income taxes                                   23,799       18,361       16,182
                                            ---------    ---------    ---------

Net income                                  $  64,368    $  51,132    $  43,752
                                            =========    =========    =========


 Basic net income per share                 $    1.21    $    0.99    $    0.86
                                            =========    =========    =========


 Diluted net income per share               $    1.14    $    0.94    $    0.80
                                            =========    =========    =========

Weighted average common
   shares outstanding                          53,376       51,569       50,750
                                            =========    =========    =========

Weighted average common and common
   equivalent shares outstanding               56,313       54,683       54,533
                                            =========    =========    =========

          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
               MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                 (in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Years Ended March  31,
                                                                       -----------------------------------
                                                                         1998         1997         1996
                                                                         ----         ----         ----
<S>                                                                    <C>          <C>          <C>      
Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income                                                             $  64,368    $  51,132    $  43,752
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating
activities:
     Provision for doubtful accounts                                         638          452          634
     Provision for inventory valuation                                     2,126        1,886        7,639
     Provision for pension accrual                                         1,202        1,316        1,197
     Special charges                                                       5,000        2,483         --
     Depreciation and amortization                                        53,468       39,853       29,975
     Amortization of purchased technology                                    300          300         --
     Deferred income taxes                                                (9,423)      (3,000)      (7,402)
     Tax benefit from exercise of stock options                            5,332        5,742        4,130
     (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable                            4,144      (14,346)      (9,974)
     Increase in inventories                                             (11,606)      (2,572)     (23,565)
     Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities      12,828       (3,699)      28,788
     Change in other assets and liabilities                                8,164       (1,961)      (1,815)
                                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------

Net cash provided by operating activities                                136,541       77,586       73,359
                                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------

Cash flows from investing activities:
     Capital expenditures                                               (145,301)     (79,012)    (115,845)
     Sales of marketable securities                                         --           --         13,796
                                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------

Net cash used in investing activities                                   (145,301)     (79,012)    (102,049)
                                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------

Cash flows from financing activities:

     Net proceeds from (repayments on) lines of credit                    23,000      (21,000)      20,499
     Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                               --           --          2,926
     Payments on long-term debt                                           (2,470)      (2,734)      (2,688)
     Payments on capital lease obligations                                (3,605)      (2,948)      (3,251)
     Repurchase of common stock                                          (31,481)     (19,463)        --
     Proceeds from sale of stock and put options                          12,505       59,511        9,625
                                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                       (2,051)      13,366       27,111
                                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                     (10,811)      11,940       (1,579)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                            42,999       31,059       32,638
                                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                               $  32,188    $  42,999    $  31,059
                                                                       =========    =========    =========
</TABLE>
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
               MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIAIRES
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    Common                    Common                          Net
                                             Stock and Additional         Stock held in        Retained   Stockholders'
                                                Paid-in Capital              Treasury          Earnings      Equity
(in thousands)                                Shares      Amount        Shares       Amount
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>       <C>             <C>       <C>          <C>         <C>      
Balance March 31, 1995                        49,955    $ 106,884         --           --      $  54,941   $ 161,825

Sale of Stock
        Exercise of stock options              1,368        5,686         --           --           --         5,686
        Employee stock purchase plan             258        3,292         --           --           --         3,292

Sale of put options                             --            647         --           --           --           647
Tax benefit from exercise of options            --          4,130         --           --           --         4,130
Unrealized holding loss                         --            240         --           --           --           240
Compensation expense                            --             60         --           --           --            60
Net income                                      --           --           --           --         43,752      43,752
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance March 31, 1996                        51,581    $ 120,939         --           --      $  98,693   $ 219,632

Sale of Stock
        Public offering (net of offering
        Costs of $2,905)                       1,380       47,120         --           --           --        47,120
        Exercise of stock options              1,315        8,388         --           --           --         8,388
        Employee stock purchase plan             246        3,576         --           --           --         3,576

Purchase of treasury stock                      --           --          1,326      (19,463)        --       (19,463)
Issuance of treasury stock for the
exercise of options and purchases in
the employee stock purchase plan              (1,221)     (17,984)      (1,221)      17,984         --          --
Sale of put options, net                        --            427         --           --           --           427
Tax benefit from exercise of options            --          5,742         --           --           --         5,742
Compensation expense                            --             30         --           --           --            30
Net income                                      --           --           --           --         51,132      51,132
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance March 31, 1997                        53,301    $ 168,238          105    $  (1,479)   $ 149,825   $ 316,584

Sale of Stock
        Exercise of stock options                778        5,972         --           --           --         5,972
        Employee stock purchase plan             173        4,318         --           --           --         4,318

Purchase of treasury stock                      --           --          1,277      (31,481)        --       (31,481)
Issuance of treasury stock for the
exercise of options and purchases in
the employee stock purchase plan                (361)      (9,156)        (361)       9,156         --          --
Sale of put options, net                        --          2,215         --           --           --         2,215
Tax benefit from exercise of options            --          5,332         --           --           --         5,332
Net income                                      --           --           --           --         64,368      64,368
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance March 31, 1998                        53,891    $ 176,919        1,021    $ (23,804)   $ 214,193   $ 367,308
=======================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
           See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
         -------------------------------

         Principles of Consolidation
         The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Microchip
         Technology   Incorporated  and  its  wholly  owned   subsidiaries  (the
         "Company"). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have
         been eliminated in consolidation.

         Cash and Cash Equivalents
         All highly liquid investments including marketable securities purchased
         with an original  maturity of three months or less are considered to be
         cash  equivalents.  At March  31,  1997,  the  Company  had  classified
         marketable  securities  of  $25,964,000,  with a maturity  of less than
         three  months as cash and cash  equivalents.  There were no  marketable
         securities at March 31, 1998.

         Inventories
         Inventories  are  valued  at the  lower  of cost or  market  using  the
         first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

         Property, Plant and Equipment
         Property,  plant and equipment are stated at cost.  Major  renewals and
         improvements  are  capitalized,   while  maintenance  and  repairs  are
         expensed when  incurred.  Depreciation  is provided on a  straight-line
         basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets which range
         from three to twenty-five years.

         Assets acquired under capital lease  arrangements have been recorded at
         the present value of the future  minimum  lease  payments and are being
         amortized on a  straight-line  basis over the estimated  useful life of
         the asset or the lease term, whichever is shorter. Amortization of this
         equipment is included in depreciation and amortization expense.

         Foreign Currency Translation and Forward Contracts
         The Company's  foreign  subsidiaries are considered to be extensions of
         the U.S. company and any translation  gains and losses related to these
         subsidiaries are included in income.  As the U.S. Dollar is utilized as
         the  functional  currency,  gains and  losses  resulting  from  foreign
         currency  transactions  (transactions  denominated  in a currency other
         than  the  subsidiaries'  functional  currency)  are also  included  in
         income.  Gains and losses  associated  with  currency  rate  changes on
         forward contracts are recorded currently in income.

         Revenue Recognition
         Revenue  from product  sales to direct  customers  is  recognized  upon
         shipment.  The Company  defers  recognition of net sales and profits on
         sales to distributors  that have rights of return and price  protection
         until the distributors have resold the products.

         Income Taxes
         Deferred tax assets and  liabilities  are recognized for the future tax
         consequences   attributable   to  differences   between  the  financial
         statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
         respective tax bases.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
         using  enacted  tax rates  expected  to apply to taxable  income in the
         years in which these temporary differences are expected to be recovered
         or settled.

         Computation of Net Income per Share
         In 1997, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 128,
         Earnings  per  Share  ("SFAS  No.  128").  SFAS No.  128  replaced  the
         calculation of primary and fully diluted  earnings per share with basic
         and diluted  earnings  per share.  Unlike  primary  earnings per share,
         basic  earnings per share  excludes  any  dilutive  effects of options,
         warrants and convertible securities. Diluted earnings per share is very
         similar to the previously  reported  fully diluted  earnings per share.
         All earnings per share amounts for all periods have been presented, and
         where   appropriate   restated,   to   conform  to  the  SFAS  No.  128
         requirements.
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
         Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
         The Company  records  impairment  losses on  long-lived  assets used in
         operations   when   indicators  of  impairment   are  present  and  the
         undiscounted  cash flows  estimated to be generated by those assets are
         less than the assets' carrying amount.

         Stock Option Plans
         Prior to April 1, 1996,  the  Company  accounted  for its stock  option
         plans in accordance with the provisions of Accounting  Principles Board
         ("APB") Opinion No. 25,  Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,  and
         related  interpretations.   As  such,  compensation  expense  would  be
         recorded,  only if, on the date of grant,  the current  market price of
         the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price. On April 1, 1996, the
         Company adopted SFAS No. I23, Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation,
         which permits  entities to recognize as expense over the vesting period
         the  fair  value  of all  stock-based  awards  on the  date  of  grant.
         Alternatively,  SFAS No. 123 also allows  entities to continue to apply
         the  provisions  of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide pro forma net income
         and pro forma earnings per share  disclosures for employee stock option
         grants made in fiscal 1996 and future years as if the  fair-value-based
         method  defined  in SFAS No.  123 had been  applied.  The  Company  has
         elected to continue to apply the  provisions  of APB Opinion No. 25 and
         provide the pro forma disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123.

         Use of Estimates
         The Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions  relating to
         the  reporting  of  assets  and   liabilities  and  the  disclosure  of
         contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements
         in conformity with generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  Actual
         results could differ from those estimates.

         Reclassifications
         Certain 1997 and 1996 fiscal year  balances have been  reclassified  to
         conform to the fiscal year 1998 presentation.

2.       SPECIAL CHARGES
         ---------------

         Legal Settlement With Lucent Technologies Inc. 
         On January 13, 1998,  the Company  finalized a settlement of its patent
         litigation  with  Lucent  Technologies  Inc.  resulting  in the Company
         recording a $5 million special charge during the quarter ended December
         31, 1997. Under the terms of the settlement,  Microchip made a one-time
         cash payment to Lucent and issued to Lucent warrants to acquire 300,000
         shares of Common Stock of the Company  priced at $25.25 per share.  The
         terms  of the  settlement  also  provide  for  the  Company  to  make a
         contingent  payment  to  Lucent  if the  Company's  earnings  per share
         performance for the three and one-half year period ending June 30, 2001
         does not meet certain targeted levels. It is currently anticipated that
         any contingent payment required under the terms of the settlement would
         be expensed in the period the amount is determined.

         Acquisitions
         ------------

         Keeloq(R) Hopping Code
         On November 17, 1995, the Company  acquired the Keeloq(R)  hopping code
         technology  and patents  developed  by Nanoteq  Ltd. of the Republic of
         South Africa,  and the marketing  rights  related  thereto (the "Keeloq
         Acquisition").  The Keeloq Acquisition was treated as an asset purchase
         for accounting  purposes.  The amount paid for the Keeloq  Acquisition,
         including all related costs, was  $12,948,000.  The Company has written
         off a  substantial  portion  of the  purchase  price  that  relates  to
         in-process research and development costs, which is consistent with the
         Company's ongoing treatment of research and development  costs, as well
         as all Keeloq  Acquisition-related costs. The special charge associated
         with the Keeloq  Acquisition was $11,448,000,  with the balance treated
         as purchased  technology  and  amortized on a straight  line basis over
         five  years.  Under the terms of the Keeloq  Acquisition,  the  Company
         agreed to a secondary  payment  which will be  determined  by a formula
         based on the net sales and gross margin results of the division for the
         six month period ended December 31, 1998. Any such secondary payment is
         based on future  performance and is currently not  determinable.  It is
         currently  anticipated  that any such payment  would be expensed in the
         quarter the amount is determined.  The impact of the Keeloq Acquisition
         to the Company's  reported financial position and results of operations
         is  immaterial,   therefore,  pro-forma  information  illustrating  the
         combined results after the Keeloq Acquisition has not been provided.
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
         ASIC Technical Solutions
         On June 25, 1996, the Company acquired ASIC Technical Solutions,  Inc.,
         a  fabless  provider  of quick  turn  gate  array  devices  (the  "ASIC
         Acquisition").  The ASIC  Acquisition  was  treated as a  purchase  for
         accounting  purposes.  The  amount  paid for the ASIC  Acquisition  and
         related  costs was  $1,750,000.  As part of the ASIC  Acquisition,  the
         Company  allocated  a  substantial  portion  of the  purchase  price to
         in-process research and development costs, which is consistent with the
         Company's  on-going  treatment of research and development  costs.  The
         total  special  charge   associated  with  the  ASIC   Acquisition  was
         $1,575,000, with the balance treated as purchased technology related to
         current  products and amortized over five years. The impact of the ASIC
         Acquisition to the Company's reported financial position and results of
         operations is immaterial, therefore, pro-forma information illustrating
         the combined results after the ASIC Acquisition has not been provided.

         Restructuring Charges
         During the  quarter  ended June 30,  1996,  primarily  in  response  to
         inventory correction activities at the Company's customers, the Company
         implemented a series of actions to reduce production capacity,  curtail
         the growth of inventories and reduce operating expenses.  These actions
         included   delaying  capital  expansion  plans  and  deferring  capital
         spending,  a 15% production cutback in wafer  fabrication,  a headcount
         reduction in early April,  1996  representing  approximately  3% of the
         Company's  worldwide  employees,  and a two-week wafer fab shut down in
         early July, 1996. As a result of these actions,  the Company recorded a
         pre-tax special charge of $5,969,000 in the quarter ended June 30, 1996
         to cover costs primarily related to idling part of the Company's 5-inch
         wafer  fab  capacity,  paying  continuing  expenses  during  the  wafer
         fabrication  facility  shutdown and paying  severance costs  associated
         with the April, 1996 headcount reduction.

3.       CONTINGENCIES
         -------------

         The  Company is subject to  lawsuits  and other  claims  arising in the
         ordinary  course of its business.  In the Company's  opinion,  based on
         consultation  with legal  counsel,  as of March 31, 1998, the effect of
         such matters will not have a material  adverse  effect on the Company's
         financial position.

4.       ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
         -------------------

         Accounts receivable consists of the following (amounts in thousands):

                                                        March 31,
                                                     1998      1997
                                                   -----------------
            Trade accounts receivable              $57,922   $62,165
            Other                                      790     1,031
                                                   -----------------

                                                    58,712    63,196

            Less allowance for doubtful accounts     2,392     2,094
                                                   -----------------

                                                   $56,320   $61,102
                                                   =================

5.       INVENTORIES
         -----------

         The components of inventories are as follows (amounts in thousands):

                                                         March 31,
                                                      1998      1997
                                                    -----------------
           Raw materials                            $ 5,795   $ 3,365
           Work in process                           40,000    44,813
           Finished goods                            30,021    16,966
                                                    -----------------

                                                     75,816    65,144

           Less allowance for inventory valuation     9,523     8,331
                                                    -----------------

                                                    $66,293   $56,813
                                                    =================
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
         In the quarter ended June 30, 1997,  the Company  changed its method of
         accounting for inventories from the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method to
         the  first-in,  first-out  (FIFO)  method.  The  change  did not have a
         material  effect on the results of  operations.  The FIFO method is the
         predominant accounting method used in the semiconductor industry. Prior
         to  this  change,   the  Company's   inventory  costs  did  not  differ
         significantly under the two methods. Prior period results of operations
         have not been restated for this change as the impact is not material.

6.       PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
         -----------------------------

         Property,  plant and equipment  consists of the  following  (amounts in
         thousands):

                                                       March 31,
                                                    1998       1997
                                                 -------------------

            Land                                 $ 11,749   $ 10,837
            Building and building improvements     59,725     51,796
            Machinery and equipment               322,624    218,284
            Projects in process                    82,528     52,608
                                                 --------   --------

                                                  476,626    333,525
            Less accumulated depreciation
              and amortization                    150,734     99,467
                                                 --------   --------

                                                 $325,892   $234,058
                                                 ========   ========

7.       LONG-TERM DEBT
         --------------

         Long-term  debt consists of borrowings  (denominated  in U.S.  Dollars)
         from three Taiwan financial institutions, secured by equipment financed
         thereby.  Interest rates are at the Singapore  Interbank  Offering Rate
         (SIBOR)  (5.69%  at  March  31,  1998)  plus  0.75%  and at the  London
         Interbank  Offering  Rate (LIBOR)  (5.69% at March 31, 1998) plus .75%.
         The weighted  average  interest rate on these  borrowings  was 5.89% at
         March 31, 1998.  Payments,  including  interest,  are due semi-annually
         through  September 15, 2000.  The aggregate  annual  maturities of long
         term debt as of March 31, 1998 are $2,196,000,  $1,147,000 and $273,000
         for the years ending March 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively.

         The Company has an  unsecured  line of credit with a syndicate  of U.S.
         banks for up to $90,000,000,  bearing  interest at the LIBOR plus .325%
         expiring in October,  2000.  At March 31, 1998 the Company had utilized
         $7,000,000  of this line of  credit.  At March 31,  1997  there were no
         borrowings  against  the line of  credit.  The  agreement  between  the
         Company  and the  syndicate  of banks  requires  the Company to achieve
         certain  financial  ratios and  operating  results.  The Company was in
         compliance with these covenants as of March 31, 1998.

         The Company has an  additional  unsecured  line of credit with  various
         Taiwan  financial  institutions  for  up to  $19,750,000  (U.S.  Dollar
         equivalent).  These  borrowings  are  predominantly  denominated in New
         Taiwan  Dollars,  bearing  interest at SIBOR plus .75% and  expiring on
         various dates through November, 1998. At March 31, 1998 the Company had
         utilized $16,000,000 of this line of credit.

8.       EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
         ----------------------

         The Company maintains a contributory profit-sharing plan for a majority
         of its domestic  employees  meeting certain service  requirements.  The
         plan qualifies  under Section 401(k) of the Internal  Revenue Code, and
         allows employees to contribute up to 15% of their compensation, subject
         to  maximum  annual  limitations  prescribed  by the  Internal  Revenue
         Service.  Company  contributions  to the plan were at the discretion of
         the Board of Directors  until January 1, 1997,  when the employer match
         was revised to provide  for a fixed and  discretionary  component.  The
         Company shall make a matching contribution of up to 25% of the first 4%
         of the  participant's  eligible  compensation  and may  award  up to an
         additional 25% under the discretionary  match. All matches are provided
         on a  quarterly  basis  and  require  the  participant  to be an active
         employee at the end of each  quarter.  For the fiscal years ended March
         31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, the Company  contributions to the plan totaled
         $525,000, $452,000 and $407,000, respectively.
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
         The Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Purchase Plan") allows
         eligible employees of the Company to purchase shares of Common Stock at
         semi-annual intervals through periodic payroll deductions. The purchase
         price  per  share,  in  general,  will be 85% of the  lower of the fair
         market value of the Common Stock on the  participant's  entry date into
         the offering  period or 85% of the fair market value on the semi-annual
         purchase date. As of March 31, 1998,  312,772 shares were available for
         issuance under the Purchase  Plan.  Since the inception of the Purchase
         Plan,  3,306,000 shares of Common Stock have been reserved for issuance
         under the  Purchase  Plan.  During  fiscal  1995,  a purchase  plan was
         adopted for  employees in non-U.S.  locations.  The plan allows for the
         purchase  price per  share to be 100% of the  lower of the fair  market
         value of the Common Stock on the  beginning  or end of the  semi-annual
         purchase plan period.

         Effective January 1, 1997, the Company adopted a non-qualified deferred
         compensation  arrangement.  This  plan is  unfunded  and is  maintained
         primarily  for the purpose of  providing  deferred  compensation  for a
         select group of  management  as defined in ERISA  Sections 201, 301 and
         401. There are no Company matching  contributions  with respect to this
         plan.

         Substantially  all  employees  in foreign  locations  are  covered by a
         statutory   pension  plan.   Contributions  are  accrued  based  on  an
         actuarially  determined  percentage of  compensation  and are funded in
         amounts  sufficient to meet  statutory  requirements.  Pension  expense
         amounted to  $1,202,000,  $1,316,000 and $1,197,000 for the years ended
         March 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

         The Company  has an  incentive  compensation  plan which  provides  for
         awards,  based on a percentage of base salary,  from an incentive  pool
         created from operating profits of the Company, at the discretion of the
         Board of  Directors.  During the years ended March 31,  1998,  1997 and
         1996, $1,851,000, $2,064,000 and $1,357,000,  respectively, was charged
         against operations for this plan.

         The  Company  also has a plan which  provides a cash bonus based on the
         operating  profits of the Company for all employees,  at the discretion
         of the Board of Directors.  During the years ended March 31, 1998, 1997
         and 1996,  $1,746,000,  $1,373,000 and  $1,025,000,  respectively,  was
         charged against operations for this plan.

9.       STOCK OPTION PLANS
         ------------------

         Under the Company's  stock option plans (the  "Plans"),  key employees,
         non-employee  directors and consultants may be granted  incentive stock
         options or  non-statutory  stock  options to purchase  shares of Common
         Stock at a price  not less than  100% of the fair  value of the  option
         shares on the grant date. Options granted under the Plans vest over the
         period  determined  by the Board of Directors at the date of grant,  at
         periods ranging from one year to four years.

         At March 31, 1998 there were 4,887,709 shares available for grant under
         the Plans. The per share  weighted-average  fair value of stock options
         granted  under the Plans for the years ended March 31,  1998,  1997 and
         1996 was $15.61, $9.66 and $13.22,  respectively,  based on the date of
         grant using the Black-Scholes  option-pricing  model with the following
         weighted average assumptions:

                                               Years Ended March 31,
                                             1998      1997       1996
                                             -------------------------

            Expected life (years)           3.64       3.50       3.50
            Risk-free interest rate         5.75%      6.25%      6.25%
            Volatility                        62%        60%        60%
            Dividend yield                     0%         0%         0%


         Under the Plans,  18,897,476  shares of Common Stock had been  reserved
         for issuance since the inception of the Plans.
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
         The stock option activity is as follows:


                                                Options Outstanding
                                    Shares       Weighted Average Exercise Price
                                 -----------------------------------------------
  Outstanding at March 31, 1995   7,110,672                $    7.76

  Granted                           981,833                    23.77
  Exercised                      (1,367,832)                    4.01
  Canceled                         (177,366)                   10.86
                                 ----------

  Outstanding at March 31, 1996   6,547,307                    10.88

  Granted                         2,092,952                    17.74
  Exercised                      (1,314,977)                    6.16
  Canceled                         (967,610)                   21.28
                                 ----------

  Outstanding at March 31, 1997   6,357,672                $   12.50

  Granted                         1,631,821                    27.80
  Exercised                        (778,418)                    7.72
  Canceled                       (1,006,781)                   25.99
                                 ----------

  Outstanding at March 31, 1998   6,204,294                $   14.84
                                 ==========

         The  following  table  summarizes  information  about the stock options
         outstanding at March 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Weighted
                                                Average            Weighted                     Weighted
         Range                     Options      Remaining          Average         Options      Average
         Exercise Prices           Outstanding  Contractural Life  Exercise Price  Exercisable  Exercise Price
         ---------------           -----------  -----------------  --------------  -----------  --------------
         <S>                       <C>                <C>           <C>          <C>               <C>    
         $  0.0300 - $  2.4070       423,506          4.64          $  1.80        423,478         $  1.80
         $  3.9630 - $  7.1110     1,322,632          5.47          $  7.09      1,322,632         $  7.09
         $  7.5930 - $ 13.7220     1,436,296          6.28          $ 13.50        583,262         $ 13.21
         $ 14.5550 - $ 16.8330       953,292          8.15          $ 16.71         59,867         $ 15.68
         $ 17.0000 - $ 21.5000     1,257,033          8.77          $ 19.02        182,759         $ 18.03
         $ 22.5000 - $ 45.6250       811,535          8.57          $ 27.97         53,829         $ 25.93
                                     -------          ----          -------         ------         -------

         $   0.0300 - $ 45.6250    6,204,294          7.09          $ 14.84      2,625,827         $  8.94
                                   =========          ====          =======      =========         =======
</TABLE>

         At March 31,  1998 and 1997,  the  number of  options  exercisable  was
         2,625,827  and  2,208,808,   respectively,   and  the  weighted-average
         exercise price of those options was $8.94 and $6.60, respectively.

         On March 2, 1998,  the Board of  Directors  of the Company  approved an
         option  exchange  program  for  options  priced in  excess  of  $25.00.
         Excluding  executive   officers,   corporate  officers  and  directors,
         employees  who were issued stock  options in this category and who were
         active employees on March 2, 1998, could elect to keep their options to
         buy Common Stock at the original  grant price or elect to exchange such
         options for options  priced at $21.50 per share,  the fair market value
         of the Company's Common Stock on March 9, 1998. If the employee elected
         to exchange  the options  for options  priced at $21.50 per share,  the
         vesting  commencement  date was  extended by 90 days from the  original
         vesting  date.  There were 534,522  shares  exchanged  under the option
         exchange program.

         For certain  options  granted,  the Company  recognized as compensation
         expense the excess of the deemed value for  accounting  purposes of the
         Common Stock  issuable  upon exercise of such options over the exercise
         price of such options.  This deferred compensation expense is amortized
         ratably over the vesting period of each option.  During the years ended
         March 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company recorded  compensation  expense of
         $30,000 and $60,000, respectively.

         The  Company  received a tax  benefit  of  $5,332,000,  $5,742,000  and
         $4,130,000  for  the  years  ended  March  31,  1998,  1997  and  1996,
         respectively,  on the exercise of  non-qualified  stock options and the
         disposition of stock  acquired 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
         with  incentive  stock  options  or  through  the  Purchase  Plan.  For
         financial  reporting  purposes,  the tax  effect of this  deduction  is
         accounted for as a credit to additional  paid-in capital rather than as
         a reduction of income tax expense.

         The Company  applies APB Opinion No. 25 in  accounting  for its various
         stock plans and, accordingly,  no compensation cost has been recognized
         for the Plans or the Purchase Plan in the financial statements. Had the
         Company  determined  compensation cost in accordance with SFAS No. 123,
         the  Company's  net income per share would have been reduced to the pro
         forma amounts indicated below:

                                                    Years Ended March 31,     
                                                1998         1997         1996
                                            ------------------------------------

         Net income           As reported   $   64,368   $   51,132   $   43,752
                              Pro forma         58,063       48,202       40,691

         Basic net income     As reported   $     1.21   $     0.99   $     0.86
         per share            Pro forma           1.09         0.93         0.80

         Diluted  net income  As reported   $     1.14   $     0.94   $     0.80
         per share            Pro forma           1.03         0.88         0.75

         Pro forma net income  reflects only options  granted  during the fiscal
         years ended March 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.  Therefore,  the full impact
         of calculating  compensation  cost for stock options under SFAS No. 123
         is not  reflected  in pro  forma net  income  amounts  presented  above
         because  compensation cost is reflected over the options' vested period
         and compensation cost for options granted prior to April 1, 1995 is not
         considered.

10.      LEASE COMMITMENTS
         -----------------

         The Company  leases office space,  transportation  and other  equipment
         under  capital  and  operating  leases  which  expire at various  dates
         through March,  2007. The future minimum lease  commitments under these
         leases are payable as follows (amounts in thousands):

         Year ended                                     Capital        Operating
         March 31,                                      Leases          Leases
         ---------                                      ------          ------
                                                                      
         1999                                          $ 2,319          $ 1,288
         2000                                              363            1,099
         2001                                             --                806
         2002                                             --                591
         2003                                             --                476
         Thereafter                                       --              1,707
                                                       ------------------------
         Total minimum lease payments                  $ 2,682          $ 5,967
                                                                        =======
                                                                
         Less amount representing interest
         (at rates ranging from 6.7% to 8.5%)             (128)
                                                       -------
         
         Present value of net minimum lease payments     2,554
         
         Less current maturities                         2,206
                                                       -------
         
         Capital lease obligations                     $   348
                                                       =======


         Rental expense under operating  leases totaled  $2,811,000,  $2,644,000
         and  $1,675,000  for the years  ended  March 31,  1998,  1997 and 1996,
         respectively.
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
11.      INCOME TAXES
         ------------

         The provision for income taxes is as follows (amounts in thousands):

                                            Years Ended March 31,
                                        1998        1997        1996
                                       --------------------------------
      
         Current expense:
                  Federal              $ 22,575    $ 13,814    $ 15,923
                  State                   2,508       3,454       4,122
                  Foreign                 8,139       4,093       3,539
                                       --------    --------    --------
      
                                         33,222      21,361      23,584
                                       --------    --------    --------
      
         Deferred expense (benefit):
                  Federal                (6,315)     (1,322)     (5,922)
                  State                    (702)       (331)     (1,480)
                  Foreign                (2,406)     (1,347)       --
                                       --------    --------    --------
      
                                         (9,423)     (3,000)     (7,402)
                                       --------    --------    --------
      
                                       $ 23,799    $ 18,361    $ 16,182
                                       ========    ========    ========
      
     
         The tax benefit  associated with the exercise of employee stock options
         reduced  taxes   currently   payable  by  $5,332,000,   $5,742,000  and
         $4,130,000  for  the  years  ended  March  31,  1998,  1997  and  1996,
         respectively.

         The  provision  for income taxes  differs  from the amount  computed by
         applying the statutory  federal tax rate to income before income taxes.
         The sources and tax effects of the differences are as follows  (amounts
         in thousands):

                                                   Years Ended March 31,
                                               1998        1997        1996
                                             --------------------------------
     
         Computed expected provision         $ 30,858    $ 24,323    $ 20,977
         State income taxes, net
         of federal benefit                     1,630       2,245       1,669
         Foreign sales corporation benefit     (3,707)     (2,552)     (2,123)
         Foreign income taxed at
         lower than the federal rate           (4,982)     (5,655)     (4,341)
                                             --------    --------    --------
     
                                             $ 23,799    $ 18,361    $ 16,182
                                             ========    ========    ========


         Pretax income from foreign operations was $39,554,000,  $32,172,000 and
         $29,434,000  for the  years  ended  March  31,  1998,  1997  and  1996,
         respectively.  Unremitted  foreign  earnings that are  considered to be
         permanently invested outside the United States and on which no deferred
         taxes have been provided,  amounted to  approximately  $147,874,000  at
         March 31, 1998.
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
         The tax effects of temporary  differences that give rise to significant
         portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as
         follows (amounts in thousands):



                                                             March 31,
                                                         1998        1997
                                                       --------------------
         Deferred tax assets:
     
                Intercompany profit in inventory       $ 15,168    $ 10,408
                Deferred income on shipments
                to distributors                           9,398       6,475
                Inventory reserves                        3,550       2,392
                Technology assets                         2,798       2,934
                Accrued expenses and other                7,662       4,976
                                                       --------    --------
                Gross deferred tax assets                38,576      27,185
                                                       --------    --------
     
         Deferred tax liabilities:
     
                Property, plant and equipment,
                principally due to differences in
                depreciation                            (11,071)     (8,479)
                Other deferred liabilities                 --          (624)
                                                       --------    --------
                Gross deferred tax liability            (11,071)     (9,103)
                                                       --------    --------
                Net deferred tax asset                 $ 27,505    $ 18,082
                                                       ========    ========
  
         Management believes that it is more likely than not that the results of
         future  operations will generate  sufficient  taxable income to realize
         the deferred tax assets.

         The  Company  has  benefited  from a partial tax holiday for its Taiwan
         manufacturing  operations  over the past several years.  The Company is
         currently benefiting from a tax holiday for its Thailand  manufacturing
         operations. The aggregate dollar benefits derived from this tax holiday
         status approximated $5,614,000, $5,415,000 and $5,003,000 for the years
         ended March 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.  The benefit the tax
         holiday status had on net income per share  approximated  $0.10,  $0.10
         and  $0.09  for  the  years  ended  March  31,  1998,  1997  and  1996,
         respectively.  The  Company's tax holiday  status in Taiwan  expired in
         March, 1997, and expires in Thailand in March, 2005.

12.      ACCRUED LIABILITIES
         -------------------

         Accrued liabilities consists of the following (amounts in thousands):

                                                  March 31,
                                               1998      1997
                                              -----------------
                 Accrued salaries and wages   $ 7,468   $ 6,344
                 Income taxes                  22,396    14,957
                 Other accrued expenses        23,588    15,091
                                              -------   -------
                                              $53,452   $36,392
                                              =======   =======


13.      STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
         --------------------

         Stockholder  Rights Plan. On February 13, 1995, the Company's  Board of
         Directors  adopted a Stockholder  Rights Plan (the  "Plan").  Under the
         Plan,  each share of the  Company's  Common  Stock has one right  which
         entitles  the  stockholder  to buy 1/100th of a share of the  Company's
         Series A  Participating  Preferred  Stock.  The rights have an exercise
         price of $66.67  and  expire  in  February,  2005.  The  rights  become
         exercisable and transferable upon the occurrence of certain events.

         Stock  Repurchase  Activity.  In  connection  with a  stock  repurchase
         program,  during the years ended  March 31, 1998 and 1997,  the Company
         purchased a total of 1,277,500  and  1,326,477  shares of the Company's
         Common Stock in open market  activities at a total cost of  $31,481,000
         and $19,463,000 respectively.  Subsequent to March 31, 1998 the Company
         purchased  222,500  additional  shares  of  Common  Stock  at a cost of
         $6,667,000. Also, in connection 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
         with a stock repurchase program, during fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997 the
         Company  sold put  options for  700,000  shares and  500,000  shares of
         Common  Stock,  respectively.  Pricing per share  ranged from $29.50 to
         $38.81 in  fiscal  1998 and from  $15.00  to  $24.88  in  fiscal  1997.
         Subsequent  to March 31, 1998 the Company  sold put options for 100,000
         shares of Common  Stock.  Pricing per share was $27.50.  During  fiscal
         1998 and 1997,  the  Company  repurchased  put  options for 300,000 and
         142,500  shares,  respectively.  As of March 31, 1998,  the Company had
         outstanding put options for 400,000 shares which have expiration  dates
         ranging  from June 16,  1998 to March 3, 1999 at  prices  ranging  from
         $29.63  to  $38.81  per  share.  The net  proceeds  from  the  sale and
         repurchase of these  options,  in the amount of $2,215,330 and $427,750
         for fiscal  years 1998 and 1997,  respectively,  has been  credited  to
         additional paid-in capital.

         Subsequent to March 31, 1998, the Company completed two transactions in
         connection with the stock repurchase  program.  April, 1998 the Company
         completed a costless  collar  transaction  for 500,000  calls priced at
         $25.95 and 665,000 puts priced at $25.19.  The  expiration  date of the
         transaction  is April  23,  1999.  Also in  connection  with the  stock
         repurchase  program,  the Company completed a net share settled forward
         contract  for  2,000,000  shares at an  average  price of  $29.24.  The
         expiration date of this transaction is May, 2000 with quarterly interim
         settlement dates as determined by the Company.

         Also  subsequent  to March 31, 1998 the  Company's  Board of  Directors
         authorized an additional  share repurchase of Common Stock of 2,000,000
         shares and to sell up to 500,000  additional  put options.  The Company
         expects  from  time to time to  purchase  shares  of  Common  Stock  in
         connection with its authorized Common Stock repurchase plan.

14.      GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
         ----------------------

         The Company operates in one industry  segment and engages  primarily in
         the design,  development,  manufacture  and marketing of  semiconductor
         products.  The Company sells its products to system  manufacturers  and
         distributors in a broad range of industries,  performs  on-going credit
         evaluations of its customers and generally requires no collateral.  The
         Company's operations outside the United States consist of comprehensive
         product final test  facilities in Taiwan and Thailand and sales offices
         in certain foreign countries.  Domestic  operations are responsible for
         the design,  development and wafer fabrication of all products, as well
         as the  coordination  of  production  planning  and  shipping  to  meet
         worldwide customer commitments. The Taiwan and Thailand test facilities
         are  reimbursed  in  relation  to  value  added  with  respect  to test
         operations and other  functions  performed,  and certain  foreign sales
         offices  receive a commission  on export sales within their  territory.
         Accordingly,  for financial statement purposes, it is not meaningful to
         segregate  sales or  operating  profits for the test and foreign  sales
         office  operations.  Identifiable  assets  by  geographic  area  are as
         follows (amounts in thousands):

                                             March 31,
                                          1998       1997
                                        -------------------

                    United States       $306,142   $254,477
                    Taiwan               136,128    101,036
                    Thailand              57,374     44,126
                    Other                 25,099     28,453
                                        --------   --------

                         Total Assets   $524,743   $428,092
                                        ========   ========


         Sales to  unaffiliated  customers  located  outside the United  States,
         primarily in Asia and Europe, aggregated approximately 68%, 66% and 65%
         of consolidated  net sales for the years ended March 31, 1998, 1997 and
         1996, respectively.

15.      FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
         -----------------------------------

         The carrying amount of cash equivalents approximates fair value because
         their  maturity  is less than  three  months.  The  carrying  amount of
         accounts   receivable,   accounts   payable  and  accrued   liabilities
         approximates  fair value due to the short term maturity of the amounts.
         The fair value of capital lease  obligations,  long-term debt and lines
         of credit  approximate  their  carrying  value as they are estimated by
         discounting  the future  cash flows at rates  currently  offered to the
         Company for similar debt instruments.
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
         The Company is party to financial  instruments  with  off-balance-sheet
         risk in the  normal  course of  business  to  reduce  its  exposure  to
         fluctuations  in foreign  exchange rates.  These financial  instruments
         include  standby  letters  of  credit  and  foreign   currency  forward
         contracts.  When  engaging in forward  contracts,  risks arise from the
         possible  inability  of  counterparties  to meet  the  terms  of  their
         contracts and from movements in securities  values,  interest rates and
         foreign  exchange  rates.  At March 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company held
         contracts totaling $9,158,000 and $5,421,000,  respectively, which were
         entered  into and hedged  the  Company's  foreign  currency  risk.  The
         contracts  matured  in April  and May of 1998 and  1997,  respectively.
         Unrealized  gains and losses as of the balance sheet dates and realized
         gains and losses for the years  ending  March 31,  1998,  1997 and 1996
         were not material.

16.      NET INCOME PER SHARE
         --------------------

         The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net
         income per share (in thousands except per share amounts):

                                                  Years Ended March 31,
                                                1998      1997      1996
                                              ---------------------------
         Net income                           $64,368   $51,132   $43,752
                                              =======   =======   =======
        
         Weighted average common
         shares outstanding                    53,376    51,569    50,750
        
         Dilutive effect of stock options       2,937     3,114     3,783
                                              -------   -------   -------
        
         Weighted average common and common    56,313    54,683    54,533
         equivalent shares outstanding        =======   =======   =======
        
         Basic net income per share           $  1.21   $  0.99   $  0.86
                                              =======   =======   =======
         Diluted net income per share         $  1.14   $  0.94   $  0.80
                                              =======   =======   =======
       
17.      QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)
         -----------------------------

         The following table presents the Company's selected unaudited quarterly
         operating  results for eight quarters ended March 31, 1998. The Company
         believes  that all  necessary  adjustments  have been  made to  present
         fairly the related  quarterly  results (in  thousands  except per share
         amounts).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              First     Second      Third     Fourth
                                            Quarter    Quarter    Quarter    Quarter      Total
                                           ----------------------------------------------------
            <S>                            <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>     
            Fiscal 1998
            -----------
            
            Net sales                      $ 97,228   $103,036   $103,550   $ 93,080   $396,894
            Gross profit                     49,393     52,141     49,804     46,018    197,356
            Operating income                 23,955     25,563     17,583     19,344     86,445
            Net income                       17,832     19,182     13,127     14,227     64,368
            Diluted net income per share        .32        .34        .23        .26       1.14
            
            
            Fiscal 1997
            -----------
            
            Net sales                      $ 74,161   $ 79,510   $ 87,076   $ 93,505   $334,252
            Gross profit                     36,636     39,788     43,514     46,984    166,922
            Operating income                  9,545     18,517     20,791     22,204     71,057
            Net income                        6,686     13,126     14,755     16,565     51,132
            Diluted net income per share       0.12       0.24       0.27       0.30       0.94
</TABLE>
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
18.      SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
         ----------------------------------

         Cash paid for income  taxes  amounted to  $19,857,000,  $8,108,000  and
         $17,557,000  during  the years  ended  March 31,  1998,  1997 and 1996,
         respectively.  Cash paid for interest amounted to $796,000,  $3,183,000
         and  $2,643,000  during the years ended March 31, 1998,  1997 and 1996,
         respectively.

         A summary of additions and  deductions  related to the  allowances  for
         accounts receivable and inventories for the years ended March 31, 1998,
         1997 and 1996 follows:

                        Balance at    Charged to
                        beginning     costs and                    Balance at
                        of year       expenses      Deductions     end of year
                        ------------------------------------------------------
    
         Allowance for doubtful accounts:
    
             1998       $ 2,094       $   638       $  (340)       $ 2,392
             1997         1,834           452          (192)         2,094
             1996         1,394           634          (194)         1,834
    
         Allowance for inventory valuation:
    
             1998       $ 8,331       $ 2,126       $  (934)       $ 9,523
             1997        10,372         1,886        (3,927)         8,331
             1996         4,373         7,639        (1,640)        10,372
                                          F-17
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
                                  -------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No.        Description                                                           Page No.
- -----------        -----------                                                           --------
<S>                <C>                                                                   <C>
3.1                Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant
                   [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registration
                   Statement No. 33-70608]

3.1.1              Certificate of Amendment to Registrant's Restated Certificate of
                   Incorporation [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3.1 to the
                   Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                   ended March 31, 1994]

3.1.2              Certificate of Designation of Rights, Preferences and Privileges
                   of Series A Participating Preferred Stock of Registrant
                   [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.1.2 to Registrant's
                   Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31,
                   1995]

3.1.3              Certificate of Amendment to Registrant's Restated Certificate of
                   Incorporation [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 1 to
                   Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
                   September 30, 1995]

3.1.4              Certificate of Amendment to Registrant's Certificate of
                   Incorporation [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.1 to
                   Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
                   June 30, 1997

3.2                Amended and Restated By-Laws of Registrant, as amended through
                   May 19, 1997 [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.2 to
                   Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                   ended March 31, 1997]

4.1                Preferred Share Rights Agreement dated as of February 13, 1995
                   between Registrant and Bank One, Arizona, N.A., including the
                   form of Rights Certificate and the Summary of Rights attached as
                   exhibits thereto [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 1 to
                   Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with
                   the Securities and Exchange Commission as of February 14, 1995]

10.1               Form of Indemnification Agreement between Registrant and its
                   directors and certain of its officers [Incorporated by reference
                   to Exhibit No. 10.1 to Registration Statement No. 33-57960]

10.2               Land Lease Contract dated January 1, 1989 between Registrant's
                   subsidiary and Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone Administration
                   Summary (English Summary) [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                   No. 10.10 to Registration Statement No. 33-57960]

10.3               Land Lease Contract dated September 1, 1992 between Registrant's
                   subsidiary and Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone Administration
                   Summary (English Summary) [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                   No. 10.11 to Registration Statement No. 33-57960]

10.4               Amended and Restated 1989 Stock Option Plan [Incorporated by
                   reference to Exhibit No. 10.14 to Registration Statement No.
                   33-57960]
</TABLE>
                                      E-1
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
                                  -------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No.        Description                                                           Page No.
- -----------        -----------                                                           --------
<S>                <C>                                                                   <C>
10.5               1993 Stock Option Plan, as amended through April 25, 1997
                   [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Registrant's
                   Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31,
                   1997]

10.6               Form of Notice of Grant For 1993 Stock Option Plan, with Exhibit
                   A thereto, Form of Stock Option Agreement; and Exhibit B
                   thereto, Form of Stock Purchase Agreement [Incorporated by
                   reference to Exhibit No. 10.6 Registration Statement No.
                   333-872]

10.7               Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended through April 25, 1997
                   [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Registrant's
                   Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31,
                   1997]

10.8               Form of Stock Purchase Agreement for Employee Stock Purchase
                   Plan [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to
                   Registration Statement No. 333-872]

10.9               Form of Enrollment Form For Employee Stock Purchase Plan
                   [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.3 to Registration
                   Statement No. 333-872]

10.10              Form of Change Form For Employee Stock Purchase Plan
                   [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.4 to Registration
                   Statement No. 333-872]

10.11              Form of Executive Officer Severance Agreement [Incorporated by
                   reference to Exhibit No. 10.7 to Registration Statement No.
                   333-872]

10.12              Credit Agreement dated as of October 28, 1997 among Registrant,
                   the Banks named therein, Bank One, Arizona, NA as Administrative
                   Agent and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Documentation
                   Agent [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to
                   Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended
                   September 30, 1997]

10.13              Modification Agreement dated as of March 30, 1998 to the Credit
                   Agreement dated as of October 28, 1997 among Registrant, the
                   Banks named therein, Bank One, Arizona, NA, as Administrative
                   Agent and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Documentation
                   Agent

10.14              Development Agreement dated as of August 29, 1997 by and between
                   Registrant and the City of Chandler, Arizona [Incorporated by
                   reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to Registrant's Quarterly Report
                   on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1997]
</TABLE>
                                      E-2
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
                                  -------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No.        Description                                                           Page No.
- -----------        -----------                                                           --------
<S>                <C>                                                                   <C>
10.15              Development Agreement dated as of July 17, 1997 by and between
                   Registrant and the City of Tempe, Arizona [Incorporated by
                   reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to Registrant's Quarterly Report
                   on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1997]

10.16              1997 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan

10.17              Form of Notice of Grant For 1997 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan,
                   with Exhibit A thereto, Form of Stock Option Agreement

10.18              International Employee Stock Purchase Plan as Amended Through
                   April 25, 1997 [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to
                   Registration Statement No. 333-40791]

18.1               Letter from KPMG Peat Marwick LLP re: Change in Accounting
                   Principles [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 18.1 to
                   Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
                   June 30, 1997]

21.1               Subsidiaries of Registrant [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                   No. 21.1 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                   fiscal year ended March 31, 1996]

23.1               Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

24.1               Power of Attorney Re: Microchip Technology Incorporated, the
                   Registrant
</TABLE>
                                      E-3

                             MODIFICATION AGREEMENT


         BY THIS MODIFICATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), made and entered into
as of the 30th day of March,  1998, BANK ONE,  ARIZONA,  NA, a national  banking
association, as administrative agent for the Banks (as hereinafter defined) (the
"Administrative  Agent"),  and  MICROCHIP  TECHNOLOGY  INCORPORATED,  a Delaware
corporation  (the  "Borrower"),  in consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which is hereby acknowledged, hereby confirm and agree as follows:

                                    RECITALS:
                                    ---------

         A.  Borrower,  the  Administrative  Agent,  The First  National Bank of
Chicago, a national banking association,  as Documentation Agent and the "Banks"
named  therein  entered into that Credit  Agreement  dated October 28, 1997 (the
"Credit  Agreement")  to provide  financial  accommodations  to the  Borrower as
provided therein.

         B.  Borrower  and the  Administrative  Agent,  with the  consent of the
Banks, desire to modify the Credit Agreement as set forth herein.

         C. All undefined  capitalized  terms used herein shall have the meaning
given them in the Credit Agreement.

                                   AGREEMENT:
                                   ----------

SECTION 1.  ACCURACY OF RECITALS.
            --------------------

         Borrower acknowledges the accuracy of the Recitals.

SECTION 2.  MODIFICATION OF CREDIT AGREEMENT.
            --------------------------------

         2.1 Section 6.9 of the Credit  Agreement  is hereby  amended to read as
follows:

                  SECTION 6.9 Debt/EBITDA  Ratio. At any time,  permit the ratio
         of  (i)  the  sum  of  its  Consolidated   Debt  plus  its  Convertible
         Subordinated Indebtedness,  less its accruals and accounts payables and
         deferred income, to (ii) its Cash Flow to be greater than 0.8 to 1.0.

         2.2 Each of the Loan  Documents is modified to provide that it shall be
a default or an event of default  thereunder  if  Borrower  shall fail to comply
with  any of the  covenants  of  Borrower  herein  or if any  representation  or
warranty by Borrower herein is materially incomplete,  incorrect,  or misleading
as of the date hereof.
<PAGE>
         2.3 Each  reference in the Loan  Documents to any of the Loan Documents
is hereby amended to be a reference to such document as modified herein.

SECTION 3.  RATIFICATION OF LOAN DOCUMENTS.
            ------------------------------

         The Loan  Documents  are  ratified  and  affirmed by Borrower and shall
remain in full force and effect as modified herein.

SECTION 4.  BORROWER REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
            ---------------------------------------

         Borrower represents and warrants to the Banks:

         4.1 No default or event of default  under any of the Loan  Documents as
modified herein,  nor any event,  that, with the giving of notice or the passage
of time or both,  would be a  default  or an event  of  default  under  the Loan
Documents as modified herein has occurred and is continuing.

         4.2 There has been no material  adverse change taken as a whole, in the
financial  condition of Borrower or any other person whose  financial  statement
has been delivered to the Administrative Agent in connection with the Loans from
the most recent financial statement received by the Administrative Agent.

         4.3 Each and all representations and warranties of Borrower in the Loan
Documents are accurate in all material respects on the date hereof.

         4.4. Borrower has no claims, counterclaims,  defenses, or set-offs with
respect to the Loans or the Loan Documents as modified herein.

         4.5 The Loan  Documents as modified  herein are the legal,  valid,  and
binding obligation of Borrower,  enforceable against Borrower in accordance with
their terms.

SECTION 5.  BORROWER COVENANTS.
            ------------------

         Borrower covenants with the Banks:

         5.1 Borrower shall execute,  deliver, and provide to the Administrative
Agent such  additional  agreements,  documents,  and  instruments  as reasonably
required by the Banks to effectuate the intent of this Agreement.

         5.2 Borrower fully,  finally,  and absolutely and forever  releases and
discharges the Banks and the  Administrative  Agent and their present and former
directors,   shareholders,   officers,   employees,   agents,   representatives,
successors  and assigns,  and their  separate  and  respective  heirs,  personal
representatives,  successors  and assigns,  from any and all actions,  causes of
action, claims, debts, damages, demands, liabilities, obligations, and suits, of
whatever kind or nature,
                                      -2-
<PAGE>
in law or equity of  Borrower,  whether  now known or unknown to  Borrower,  and
whether contingent or matured,  (i) in respect of the Loans, the Loan Documents,
or the actions or omissions of the Banks and the Administrative Agent in respect
of the Loans or the Loan Documents and (ii) arising from events  occurring prior
to the date of this Agreement.

SECTION 6.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.
            --------------------

         The  agreements  of the  Banks  and the  Administrative  Agent  and the
modifications  contained  herein  shall not be binding  upon the Banks until the
Banks  have  executed  and  delivered   consents  to  this   Agreement  and  the
Administrative Agent has received,  at Borrower's expense, all of the following,
all of which shall be in form and  content  satisfactory  to the  Administrative
Agent and shall be subject to approval by Administrative Agent:

         6.1 An original of this Agreement fully executed by the Borrower.

         6.2 Such resolutions or authorizations  and such other documents as the
Administrative  Agent may require relating to the existence and good standing of
the Borrower,  and the authority of any person executing this Agreement or other
documents on behalf of the Borrower.

         6.3  Payment  of all the  internal  and  external  costs  and  expenses
incurred  by  the  Administrative   Agent  in  connection  with  this  Agreement
(including,  without  limitation,  inside and outside attorneys,  expenses,  and
fees).

SECTION 7.  INTEGRATION,  ENTIRE AGREEMENT,  CHANGE, DISCHARGE,  TERMINATION, OR
            --------------------------------------------------------------------
            WAIVER.
            ------

         The  Loan   Documents   as  modified   herein   contain  the   complete
understanding  and  agreement  of Borrower and the Banks in respect of the Loans
and supersede all prior representations,  warranties, agreements,  arrangements,
understandings, and negotiations. No provision of the Loan Documents as modified
herein may be changed, discharged, supplemented, terminated, or waived except in
a writing signed by the parties thereto.

SECTION 8.  BINDING EFFECT.
            --------------

         The Loan  Documents as modified  herein shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of Borrower and the Banks and their  successors and assigns
and  the  executors,  legal  administrators,  personal  representatives,  heirs,
devisees,  and beneficiaries of Borrower,  provided,  however,  Borrower may not
assign  any of its  right  or  delegate  any of its  obligation  under  the Loan
Documents and any purported assignment or delegation shall be void.

SECTION 9.  CHOICE OF LAW.
            -------------

         This  Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in accordance  with
the laws of the State of Arizona,  without  giving  effect to  conflicts  of law
principles.
                                      -3-
<PAGE>
SECTION 10.  COUNTERPART EXECUTION.
             ---------------------

         This  Agreement  may be executed in one or more  counterparts,  each of
which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one
and the same document. Signature pages may be detached from the counterparts and
attached to a single copy of this Agreement to physically form one document.

         DATED as of the date first above stated.

                                        MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, 
                                        a Delaware corporation



                                        By: /s/ Gordon Parnell
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name: Gordon Parnell
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title: VP Controller & Treasurer
                                              ----------------------------------

                                                                        BORROWER


                                        BANK ONE, ARIZONA, NA, a national 
                                        banking association



                                        By: /s/ Steve Reinhart
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name: Steve Reinhart
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title: Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------

                                                            ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
                                      -4-
<PAGE>
                              CONSENT OF THE BANKS


         Re:      Microchip Technology Incorporated

         The following:

                  (a) is a Bank named in that Credit Agreement dated October 28,
1997 between  Microchip  Technology  Incorporated,  a Delaware  corporation (the
"Borrower"),   Bank  One,  Arizona,  NA,  a  national  banking  association,  as
administrative  agent  for the Banks  (the  "Administrative  Agent"),  The First
National  Bank of Chicago,  a national  banking  association,  as  Documentation
Agent, and the Banks; and

                  (b) consents to that  Modification  Agreement  dated March 30,
1998 entered into between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.


                                        THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, a
                                        national banking association



                                        By: /s/ Mark A. Isley
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name: Mark A. Isley
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title: First Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------

                                                "Documentation Agent" and "Bank"
<PAGE>
                              CONSENT OF THE BANKS


         Re:      Microchip Technology Incorporated

         The following:

                  (a) is a Bank named in that Credit Agreement dated October 28,
1997 between  Microchip  Technology  Incorporated,  a Delaware  corporation (the
"Borrower"),   Bank  One,  Arizona,  NA,  a  national  banking  association,  as
administrative  agent  for the Banks  (the  "Administrative  Agent"),  The First
National  Bank of Chicago,  a national  banking  association,  as  Documentation
Agent, and the Banks; and

                  (b) consents to that  Modification  Agreement  dated March 30,
1998 entered into between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.


                                        THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN, LIMITED,
                                        San Francisco Agency



                                        By: /s/ Haruhiko Masuda
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name: Haruhiko Masuda
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title: Deputy General Manager
                                              ----------------------------------

                                                                          "Bank"
                                      -2-
<PAGE>
                              CONSENT OF THE BANKS


         Re:      Microchip Technology Incorporated

         The following:

                  (a) is a Bank named in that Credit Agreement dated October 28,
1997 between  Microchip  Technology  Incorporated,  a Delaware  corporation (the
"Borrower"),   Bank  One,  Arizona,  NA,  a  national  banking  association,  as
administrative  agent  for the Banks  (the  "Administrative  Agent"),  The First
National  Bank of Chicago,  a national  banking  association,  as  Documentation
Agent, and the Banks; and

                  (b) consents to that  Modification  Agreement  dated March 30,
1998 entered into between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.


                                        NORWEST BANK ARIZONA, N.A.



                                        By: /s/ Mae G. DelaBarre
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name: Mae G. DelaBarre
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title: Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------

                                                                          "Bank"
                                      -3-
<PAGE>
                              CONSENT OF THE BANKS


         Re:      Microchip Technology Incorporated

         The following:

                  (a) is a Bank named in that Credit Agreement dated October 28,
1997 between  Microchip  Technology  Incorporated,  a Delaware  corporation (the
"Borrower"),   Bank  One,  Arizona,  NA,  a  national  banking  association,  as
administrative  agent  for the Banks  (the  "Administrative  Agent"),  The First
National  Bank of Chicago,  a national  banking  association,  as  Documentation
Agent, and the Banks; and

                  (b) consents to that  Modification  Agreement  dated March 30,
1998 entered into between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.


                                        WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.



                                        By: /s/ Stephanie Arnold
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name: Stephanie Arnold
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Title: Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------

                                                                          "Bank"
                                      -4-

                        MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
                       1997 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN

                                NOVEMBER 10, 1997

                                    ARTICLE I

     1.1. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN. The purposes of this  Nonstatutory  Stock Option
Plan are:

         o        to  attract  and  retain  the  best  available  personnel  for
                  positions of substantial responsibility;

         o        to provide additional  incentive to Employees and Consultants,
                  and

         o        to promote the success of the Company's business.

     Options granted under the Plan will be Nonstatutory Stock Options.

     1.2. DEFINITIONS. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

          (a) "Administrator" means the Board or the Employee Committee as shall
     be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 1.4 of the Plan.

          (b)  "Applicable   Laws"  means  the  requirements   relating  to  the
     administration  of stock option plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S.
     federal  and state  securities  laws,  the  Code,  any  stock  exchange  or
     quotation  system on which  the  Common  Stock is listed or quoted  and the
     applicable laws of any foreign  country or jurisdiction  where Options are,
     or will be, granted under the Plan.

          (c) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

          (d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

          (e) Common Stock" means the common stock,  par value $0.001 per share,
     of the Company.

          (f) "Company"  means  Microchip  Technology  Incorporated,  a Delaware
     corporation.

          (g)  "Consultant"  means any  person,  including  an  advisor  but not
     including  Directors,  engaged by the Company or a Parent or  Subsidiary to
     render services to such entity.

          (h) "Director" means a member of the Board.
<PAGE>
          (i)  "Disability"  means total or permanent  disability  as defined in
     Code Section 22(e)(3).

          (j)  "Employee"  means any person,  excluding  Officers and Directors,
     employed  by the  Company or any Parent or  Subsidiary  of the  Company.  A
     Service  Provider  shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any
     leave  of  absence  approved  by the  Company  or  (ii)  transfers  between
     locations  of  the  Company  or  between  the  Company,   its  Parent,  any
     Subsidiary, or any successor.  Neither service as a Director nor payment of
     a  director's  fee  by  the  Company  shall  be  sufficient  to  constitute
     "employment" by the Company.

          (k) "Employee  Committee" means a committee of Directors  appointed by
     the Board in accordance with Section 1.4 of the Plan.

          (l)  "Exchange  Act" means the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as
     amended.

          (m) "Fair Market  Value"  means,  as of any date,  the value of Common
     Stock determined as follows:

               (i)    If the  Common  Stock is listed on any  established  stock
                      exchange or a national  market system,  including  without
                      limitation  the  Nasdaq  National  Market  or  The  Nasdaq
                      SmallCap  Market  of The  Nasdaq  Stock  Market,  its Fair
                      Market  Value  shall be the  closing  sales price for such
                      stock (or the closing  bid, if no sales were  reported) as
                      quoted on such  exchange or system for the market  trading
                      day on the  date of  determination  or the  closing  sales
                      price on the last market  trading day prior to the date of
                      determination  if there is no reported closing sales price
                      on the  date of  determination,  as  reported  in The Wall
                      Street  Journal or such other source as the  Administrator
                      deems reliable;

               (ii)   If the Common  Stock is  regularly  quoted by a recognized
                      securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the
                      Fair Market  Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the
                      mean  between  the high bid and low asked  prices  for the
                      Common  Stock on the last market  trading day prior to the
                      day of  determination,  as  reported  in The  Wall  Street
                      Journal or such other  source as the  Administrator  deems
                      reliable;

               (iii)  In the absence of an  established market  for  the  Common
                      Stock,  the Fair Market Value shall be  determined in good
                      faith by the Administrator.

          (n) "Notice of Grant" means a written or electronic  notice evidencing
     certain terms and conditions of an individual  Option grant.  The Notice of
     Grant is part of the Option Agreement.
                                       2
<PAGE>
          (o) "Officer"  means a person who is an officer of the Company  within
     the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
     promulgated  thereunder or who is otherwise  considered an "officer"  under
     applicable NASD or stock exchange rules.

          (p) "Option" means a nonstatutory stock option granted pursuant to the
     Plan,  that is not intended to qualify as an incentive  stock option within
     the meaning of Code Section 422 and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

          (q) "Option  Agreement" means an agreement  between the Company and an
     Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant.
     The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

          (r) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option.

          (s) "Optionee" means the holder of an outstanding Option granted under
     the Plan.

          (t)  "Parent"  means  "parent  corporation,"  whether now or hereafter
     existing, as defined in Code Section 424(e).

          (u) "Plan" means this 1997 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan.

          (v) "Service Provider" means an Employee or Consultant.

          (w)  "Share"  means  a share  of the  Common  Stock,  as  adjusted  in
     accordance with Section 1.3(b), 2.2 and 2.3 of the Plan.

          (x)  "Subsidiary"  means a  "subsidiary  corporation,"  whether now or
     hereafter existing, as defined in Code Section 424(f).

     1.3. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

          (a)  Reservation  of  Shares;   Unpurchased  Shares.  Subject  to  the
     provisions  of  Sections  1.3(b),  2.2 and  2.3 of the  Plan,  the  maximum
     aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and sold under the Plan is
     2,000,000 Shares. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired
     Common  Stock  including  shares  repurchased  by the  Company  on the open
     market.

          If an Option  expires or becomes  unexercisable  without  having  been
     exercised in full, the unpurchased  Shares which were subject thereto shall
     become  available  for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan
     has terminated).

          If  Shares  otherwise  issuable  under  the Plan are  withheld  by the
     Company in  satisfaction  of the  withholding  taxes incurred in connection
     with the  exercise  of an  outstanding  Option,  then the  number of Shares
     available  for issuance  shall be reduced by the gross number of Shares for
     which the Option is exercised, and not by the net number of Shares actually
     issued to the Optionee.
                                       3
<PAGE>
          (b) Adjustments for Organic Changes.  Should any change be made to the
     Common Stock  issuable  under the Plan by reason of any stock split,  stock
     dividend,  recapitalization,  combination of shares,  exchange of shares or
     other change affecting the outstanding  Common Stock as a class without the
     Company's receipt of consideration,  then appropriate  adjustments shall be
     made to (i) the maximum  number and/or class of securities  issuable  under
     the Plan,  and (ii) the number  and/or  class of  securities  and price per
     share in  effect  under  each  Option  outstanding  under  the  Plan.  Such
     adjustments to the outstanding Options are to be effected in a manner which
     shall  preclude the  enlargement  or dilution of rights and benefits  under
     such  Options.  The  adjustments  determined  by the Board  shall be final,
     binding and conclusive.

     1.4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.

          (a)  Administration of the Plan. The Plan shall be administered by the
     Board.  The  Board,  however,  may at any time  appoint  a  committee  (the
     "Employee  Committee")  of one or more persons who are members of the Board
     and delegate to such Employee  Committee the power, in whole or in part, to
     administer the Plan.  Unless  otherwise  required by law,  decisions  among
     members of an Administrator shall be by majority vote.

          (b) Term on Committee.  Members of the Employee  Committee shall serve
     for such period of time as the Board may  determine and shall be subject to
     removal by the Board at any time.  The Board at any time may  terminate the
     functions of the Employee  Committee  and reassume all powers and authority
     previously delegated to the Employee Committee.

          (c)  Powers of the  Administrator.  Subject to the  provisions  of the
     Plan, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:

               (i)    to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock;

               (ii)   to select the  Service  Providers  to whom  Options may be
                      granted hereunder;

               (iii)  to  determine  whether  and to  what  extent  Options  are
                      granted hereunder;

               (iv)   to  determine  the number of shares of Common  Stock to be
                      covered by each Option granted hereunder;

               (v)    to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

               (vi)   to determine the terms and  conditions,  not  inconsistent
                      with  the  terms  of  the  Plan,   of  any  award  granted
                      hereunder.  Such terms and conditions include, but are not
                      limited  to, the  exercise  price,  the time or times when
                      Options   may  be   exercised   (which  may  be  based  on
                      performance criteria),  any vesting acceleration or waiver
                      of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                      or limitation regarding any Option or the shares of Common
                      Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors
                      as  the  Administrator,  in  its  sole  discretion,  shall
                      determine;

               (vii)  to reduce  the  exercise  price of any  Option to the then
                      current  Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the
                      Common Stock  covered by such Option  shall have  declined
                      since the date the Option was granted;

               (viii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards
                      granted pursuant to the Plan;

               (ix)   to  prescribe,  amend and  rescind  rules and  regulations
                      relating  to the Plan,  including  rules  and  regulations
                      relating  to  sub-plans  established  for the  purpose  of
                      qualifying  for preferred tax treatment  under foreign tax
                      laws;

               (x)    to modify or amend each Option  (subject to Section 3.1(b)
                      of the Plan),  including  the  discretionary  authority to
                      extend  the  post-termination   exercisability  period  of
                      Options longer than is otherwise  provided for in the Plan
                      as provided in Section 2.1(g);

               (xi)   to  authorize  any  person  to  execute  on  behalf of the
                      Company any instrument  required to effect the grant of an
                      Option or previously granted by the Administrator;

               (xii)  to  determine  the terms and  restrictions  applicable  to
                      Options;

               (xiii) to allow Optionees to satisfy  withholding tax obligations
                      as provided in Section 3.2; and

               (xiv)  to make  all  other  determinations  deemed  necessary  or
                      advisable for administering the Plan.

          (d) Effect of Administrator's Decision. The Administrator's decisions,
     determinations  and  interpretations  shall be  final  and  binding  on all
     Optionees and any other holders of Options.

          (e)   Indemnification.   In   addition   to  such   other   rights  of
     indemnification as they may have, the members of each  Administrator  shall
     be  indemnified  and held  harmless by the Company to the extent  permitted
     under  applicable  law,  for,  from and  against  all  costs  and  expenses
     reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, legal proceeding
     to which any such  member  thereof  may be party,  by reason of any  action
     taken or failed to be taken,  under or in  connection  with the Plan or any
     rights  granted  thereunder,  and  against  all  amounts  paid  by  them in
     settlement  thereof or paid by them in  satisfaction  of a judgment  of any
     such action, suit or proceeding,  except a judgment based upon a finding of
     bad faith. 
                                       5
<PAGE>
     1.5.  ELIGIBLE  PERSONS UNDER THE PLAN. The persons eligible to participate
in the Plan are Employees and Consultants.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                  OPTION GRANTS

     2.1. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.

          (a) General.  Options granted to eligible persons pursuant to the Plan
     shall be authorized  by action of the  Administrator.  Each granted  Option
     shall be evidenced by one or more  instruments  in the form approved by the
     Administrator;  provided,  however,  that each such instrument shall comply
     with the terms and conditions specified below.

          (b) Option  Price.  The Option  price per Share  shall be fixed by the
     Administrator and shall in no event be less than one hundred percent (100%)
     of the Fair Market Value of such Common Stock on the grant date.

          (c) Payment of Option Price. The Option price shall become immediately
     due  upon  exercise  of the  Option  and  shall  be  payable  in one of the
     following alternative forms specified below:

               (i)    full  payment  in cash or  check  drawn  to the  Company's
                      order;

               (ii)   full payment through a  broker-dealer  sale and remittance
                      procedure pursuant to which the Optionee (A) shall provide
                      irrevocable written instructions to a designated brokerage
                      firm to effect the immediate sale of the purchased  Shares
                      and  remit  to  the  Company,  out of  the  sale  proceeds
                      available  on the  settlement  date,  sufficient  funds to
                      cover the aggregate Option price payable for the purchased
                      Shares plus all  applicable  Federal and State  income and
                      employment taxes required to be withheld by the Company in
                      connection  with  such  purchase  and  (B)  shall  provide
                      written   directives   to  the   Company  to  deliver  the
                      certificates  for the  purchased  Shares  directly to such
                      brokerage firm in order to complete the sale transaction.

                      For purposes of this  Section  2.1(c),  the Exercise  Date
                      shall be the date on which  written  notice of the  Option
                      exercise is delivered to the Company. Except to the extent
                      the  sale  and   remittance   procedure   is  utilized  in
                      connection with the exercise of the Option, payment of the
                      Option price for the purchased  Shares must accompany such
                      notice.

          (d) Term and Exercise of Options.  Each Option  granted under the Plan
     shall be  exercisable  at any time or times and  during  such  period as is
     determined by the Administrator and 
                                       6
<PAGE>
     set forth in the instrument evidencing the grant. No such Option,  however,
     shall have a maximum  term in excess of ten (10) years from the grant date.
     During the lifetime of the Optionee,  the Option shall be exercisable  only
     by the Optionee and shall not be assignable or transferable by the Optionee
     other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution following the
     Optionee's death.

          (e) Termination of Service.  The following provisions shall govern the
     exercise period applicable to any outstanding  Options held by the Optionee
     at the time of cessation of Service or death:

               (i)    Should an Optionee cease Service for any reason (including
                      Disability  but not including  death) while holding one or
                      more  outstanding  Options  under the  Plan,  then none of
                      those  Options  shall  (except  to  the  extent  otherwise
                      provided   pursuant  to  Section   2.1(f)   below)  remain
                      exercisable  for more than a ninety  (90) day  period  (or
                      such   shorter  or  longer   period   determined   by  the
                      Administrator  and set forth in the instrument  evidencing
                      the grant,  but not to exceed twelve (12) months) measured
                      from the date of such cessation of Service.

               (ii)   Any  Option  held  by the  Optionee  under  the  Plan  and
                      exercisable  in  whole  or in  part  on the  date  of said
                      Optionee's  death  may be  subsequently  exercised  by the
                      personal representative of the Optionee's estate or by the
                      person  or  persons  to whom  the  Option  is  transferred
                      pursuant to the Optionee's  will or in accordance with the
                      laws of descent and distribution.  Such exercise, however,
                      must occur  prior to the  earlier of six months  following
                      the date of Optionee's  death or the specified  expiration
                      date  of the  Option  term.  Upon  the  occurrence  of the
                      earlier event,  the Option shall terminate and cease to be
                      outstanding.

               (iii)  Under no circumstances,  however, shall any such Option be
                      exercisable  after the  specified  expiration  date on the
                      Option term.

               (iv)   During the applicable  post-Service  exercise period,  the
                      Option shall not be  exercisable  for more than the number
                      of shares (if any) in which the  Optionee is vested at the
                      time of  Optionee's  cessation of Service (less any Option
                      Shares  subsequently  purchased by the  Optionee  prior to
                      death).  Upon the  expiration of the limited  post-Service
                      exercise   period  or  (if  earlier)  upon  the  specified
                      expiration date of the Option term, each such Option shall
                      terminate and cease to be outstanding  with respect to any
                      vested shares for which the Option has not otherwise  been
                      exercised.   However,   each   outstanding   Option  shall
                      immediately terminate and cease to be outstanding,  at the
                      time of the Optionee's cessation of Service,  with respect
                      to any  shares for which the  Option is not  otherwise  at
                      that  time  exercisable  or in which the  Optionee  is not
                      otherwise at that time vested. 
                                       7
<PAGE>
               (v)    Should  (A)  the  Optionee's  service  be  terminated  for
                      misconduct  (including,  but not  limited  to,  any act of
                      dishonesty,  willful misconduct, fraud or embezzlement) or
                      (B) the Optionee make any  unauthorized  use or disclosure
                      of  confidential  information  or  trade  secrets  of  the
                      Company  or any  Parent  or  Subsidiary,  then in any such
                      event all  outstanding  Options held by the Optionee under
                      the  Plan  shall  terminate  immediately  and  cease to be
                      outstanding.

          (f) Discretion to Accelerate  Vesting.  The  Administrator  shall have
     complete  discretion,  exercisable either at the time the Option is granted
     or at any time while the Option remains outstanding,  to permit one or more
     Options held by the Optionee  under this Plan to be  exercised,  during the
     limited post-Service exercise period applicable under Section 2.1(e) above,
     not only with  respect to the number of vested  shares of Common  Stock for
     which  each  such  Option  is  exercisable  at the  time of the  Optionee's
     cessation  of  Service  but also  with  respect  to one or more  subsequent
     installments  of vested  shares for which the Option would  otherwise  have
     become exercisable had such cessation of Service not occurred.

          (g) Discretion to Extend Exercise Period. The Administrator shall also
     have full  power and  authority  to extend the period of time for which the
     Option is to remain  exercisable  following  the  Optionee's  cessation  of
     Service or death from the limited  period in effect  under  Section  2.1(e)
     above  to such  greater  period  of time as the  Administrator  shall  deem
     appropriate.  In no event, however,  shall such Option be exercisable after
     the specified expiration date of the Option term.

          (h)  Definitions.  For purposes of the  foregoing  provisions  of this
     Section 2.1 and for all other purposes under the Plan:

               (i)    The  Optionee  shall  (except  to  the  extent   otherwise
                      specifically  provided in the applicable Option Agreement)
                      be  deemed  to  remain  in  Service  for so  long  as such
                      individual  renders  services  on a periodic  basis to the
                      Company (or any Parent or  Subsidiary)  in the capacity of
                      an Employee or a Consultant.

               (ii)   The Optionee  shall be considered to be an Employee for so
                      long as  Optionee  remains in the employ of the Company or
                      one or more Parent or Subsidiary corporations,  subject to
                      the control and direction of the employer  entity not only
                      as to the work to be  performed  but also as to the manner
                      and method of performance.

          (i) Stockholder  Rights. An Optionee shall have no stockholder  rights
     with  respect to any Shares  covered  by the Option  until such  individual
     shall have exercised the Option and paid the Option price for the purchased
     Shares. 
                                       8
<PAGE>
     2.2. CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.

          (a)  Definition.  For  purposes  of this  Plan,  any of the  following
     stockholder approved  transactions to which the Company is a party shall be
     considered a "Corporate Transaction":

               (i)    a merger or  consolidation in which the Company is not the
                      surviving  entity,  except for a transaction the principal
                      purpose  of  which is to  change  the  State in which  the
                      Company is incorporated,

               (ii)   the  sale,   transfer  or  other  disposition  of  all  or
                      substantially all of the assets of the Company in complete
                      liquidation or dissolution of the Company, or

               (iii)  any reverse  merger in which the Company is the  surviving
                      entity but in which securities  possessing more than fifty
                      percent  (50%) of the total  combined  voting power of the
                      Company's outstanding securities are transferred to person
                      or persons  different from those who held such  securities
                      immediately prior to such merger.

          (b)  Acceleration  of  Option.  Upon  the  stockholder  approval  of a
     Corporate  Transaction,  each Option which is at the time outstanding under
     the Plan shall  automatically  accelerate  so that each such Option  shall,
     immediately  prior  to the  specified  effective  date  for  the  Corporate
     Transaction,  become fully  exercisable with respect to the total number of
     shares  of  Common  Stock at the time  subject  to such  Option  and may be
     exercised for all or any portion of such shares.  However,  an  outstanding
     Option  under the Plan shall not so  accelerate  if and to the extent:  (A)
     such Option is, in connection with the Corporate Transaction,  either to be
     assumed by the successor  corporation  or parent  thereof or to be replaced
     with a  comparable  option to purchase  shares of the capital  stock of the
     successor  corporation or parent thereof, (B) such Option is to be replaced
     with a cash incentive program of the successor  corporation which preserves
     the option  spread  existing at the time of the Corporate  Transaction  and
     provides for subsequent payout in accordance with the same vesting schedule
     applicable  to such  Option,  or (C) the  acceleration  of such  Option  is
     subject to other  limitations  imposed by the  Administrator at the time of
     the option grant. The  determination of option  comparability  under clause
     (A) above shall be made by the Administrator,  and its determination  shall
     be final, binding and conclusive.

          (c) Termination of Operations.  Upon the consummation of the Corporate
     Transaction,  all  outstanding  options under the Plan shall  terminate and
     cease to be  outstanding,  except to the extent  assumed  by the  successor
     corporation or its parent company.

          (d) Adjustments on Assumption or Continuation. Each outstanding Option
     under  the  Plan  which  is  assumed  in  connection   with  the  Corporate
     Transaction  or is otherwise  to continue in effect shall be  appropriately
     adjusted,  immediately  after  such  Corporate  Transaction,  to apply  and
     pertain to the number and class of securities  which would have been issued
     to the Option holder,  in consummation of such Corporate  Transaction,  had
     such person exercised the Option 
                                       9
<PAGE>
     immediately prior to such Corporate  Transaction.  Appropriate  adjustments
     shall also be made to the Option  price  payable  per share,  provided  the
     aggregate  Option price payable for such securities  shall remain the same.
     In  addition,  the class and number of  securities  available  for issuance
     under the Plan  following the  consummation  of the  Corporate  Transaction
     shall be appropriately adjusted.

          (e)  Discretion  to  Accelerate.  The  Administrator  shall  have  the
     discretion,  exercisable  either  in  advance  of any  actually-anticipated
     Corporate Transaction or at the time of an actual Corporate Transaction, to
     provide  (upon such  terms as it may deem  appropriate)  for the  automatic
     acceleration  of one or more  outstanding  Options  granted  under the Plan
     which are  assumed or  replaced  in the  Corporate  Transaction  and do not
     otherwise  accelerate  at the time,  in the event  the  Optionee's  Service
     should  subsequently  terminate  within a designated  period  following the
     effective date of such Corporate Transaction.

          (f) Plan Not to Affect  Company.  The grant of Options  under the Plan
     shall in no way  affect the right of the  Company  to  adjust,  reclassify,
     reorganize  or  otherwise  change its capital or business  structure  or to
     merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or sell or transfer all or any part
     of its business or assets.

     2.3. CHANGE IN CONTROL.

          (a)  Definition.  For purposes of this Plan, a Change in Control shall
     be deemed to occur in the event:

               (i)    any person or related  group of  persons  (other  than the
                      Company or a person that directly or indirectly  controls,
                      is controlled  by, or is under common  control  with,  the
                      Company)  directly  or  indirectly   acquires   beneficial
                      ownership  (within  the  meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934
                      Act) of  securities  possessing  more than  fifty  percent
                      (50%) of the total combined  voting power of the Company's
                      outstanding  securities  pursuant  to a tender or exchange
                      offer made  directly to the Company's  stockholders  which
                      the Board does not recommend such  stockholders to accept;
                      or

               (ii)   there is a change in the  composition  of the Board over a
                      period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months or less such
                      that a majority  of the Board  members  (rounded up to the
                      next whole number) ceases,  by reason of one or more proxy
                      contests  for  the  election  of  Board  members,   to  be
                      comprised  of  individuals  who either (A) have been Board
                      members continuously since the beginning of such period or
                      (B) have been elected or  nominated  for election as Board
                      members  during  such period by at least a majority of the
                      Board  members  described  in clause (A) who were still in
                      office  at  the  time  such  election  or  nomination  was
                      approved by the Board.

          (b)  Discretion  to  Accelerate.  The  Administrator  shall  have  the
     discretionary  authority,  exercisable  either in advance  of any  actually
     anticipated  Change  in  Control  or at the  time of an  actual  Change  in
     Control,  to  provide  for  the  automatic  acceleration  of  one  or  more
     outstanding  Options  under the Plan upon the  occurrence  of the Change in
     Control. The Administrator shall 
                                       10
<PAGE>
     also  have  full  power  and   authority  to  condition   any  such  option
     acceleration  upon the subsequent  termination  of the  Optionee's  Service
     within a specified period following the Change in Control.

          (c) Exercise  Rights.  Any Options  accelerated in connection with the
     Change in Control shall remain fully  exercisable  until the  expiration or
     sooner termination of the Option term.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     3.1. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.

          (a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter,
     suspend or terminate the Plan.

          (b) Effect of  Amendment or  Termination.  No  amendment,  alteration,
     suspension  or  termination  of the Plan  shall  impair  the  rights of any
     Optionee,  unless  mutually agreed  otherwise  between the Optionee and the
     Administrator,  which  agreement  must  be in  writing  and  signed  by the
     Optionee  and the  Company.  Termination  of the Plan  shall not affect the
     Administrator's ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with
     respect  to  Options  granted  under  the  Plan  prior  to the date of such
     termination.

     3.2 TAX WITHHOLDING.

          (a) General.  The  Company's  obligation  to deliver  Shares of Common
     Stock upon the  exercise of Options for such Shares under the Plan shall be
     subject to the  satisfaction  of all  applicable  Federal,  State and local
     income tax and employment tax withholding requirements.

          (b)  Shares  to Pay for  Withholding.  An  Administrator  may,  in its
     discretion and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.2(b) and
     such  supplemental  rules as the Administrator may from time to time adopt,
     provide any or all holders of Options  under the Plan with the right to use
     Shares  in  satisfaction  of all or part of the  Federal,  State  and local
     income tax and  employment  tax  liabilities  incurred by such Optionees in
     connection with the exercise of their Options (the "Taxes"). Such right may
     be  provided  to any  such  Optionee  in  either  or both of the  following
     formats:

               (i)    Stock  Withholding.  The Optionee may be provided with the
                      election  to have the  Company  withhold,  from the Shares
                      otherwise  issuable  upon the exercise of such  Option,  a
                      portion of these  Shares  with an  aggregate  Fair  Market
                      Value equal to the percentage of the applicable Taxes (not
                      to exceed one hundred  percent  (100%))  designated by the
                      holder.

               (ii)   Stock Delivery.  The Administrator may, in its discretion,
                      provide the  Optionee  with the election to deliver to the
                      Company, at the time the Option is exercised, 
                                       11
<PAGE>
                      one or more Shares previously  acquired by such individual
                      (other than  pursuant to the  transaction  triggering  the
                      Taxes) with an  aggregate  Fair Market  Value equal to the
                      percentage of the Taxes  incurred in connection  with such
                      Option exercise (not to exceed one hundred percent (100%))
                      designated by the Optionee.

     3.3 EFFECTIVE  DATE AND TERM OF PLAN.  The Plan is effective as of November
10, 1997 (the "Effective Date"). It shall continue in effect for ten (10) years,
unless sooner terminated under Section 3.1 of the Plan.

     3.4. USE OF PROCEEDS.  Any cash  proceeds  received by the Company from the
sale of Shares  pursuant  to  Option  grants  under  the Plan  shall be used for
general corporate purposes.

     3.5. CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES.

          (a) Legal  Compliance.  Shares  shall not be  issued  pursuant  to the
     exercise of an Option  unless the  exercise of such Option and the issuance
     and delivery of such Shares shall comply with  Applicable Laws and shall be
     further  subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to
     such compliance.

          (b) Investment  Representations.  As a condition to the exercise of an
     Option,  the  Company  may  require  the person  exercising  such Option to
     represent  and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are
     being  purchased only for  investment and without any present  intention to
     sell or  distribute  such  Shares if, in the  opinion  of  counsel  for the
     Company, such a representation is required.

          (c) Securities Registration. No shares of Common Stock or other assets
     shall be issued or  delivered  under this Plan unless and until there shall
     have been compliance with all applicable  requirements of Federal and State
     securities  laws,  including the filing and  effectiveness  of the Form S-8
     registration  statement for the shares of Common Stock  issuable  under the
     Plan, and all applicable listing requirements of any securities exchange on
     which stock of the same class is then listed.

          (d)  Inability to Obtain  Authority.  The  inability of the Company to
     obtain  authority  from any  regulatory  body  having  jurisdiction,  which
     authority is deemed by the Company's  counsel to be necessary to the lawful
     issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any
     liability  in  respect to the  failure  to issue or sell such  Shares as to
     which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

     3.6.  NO  EMPLOYMENT/SERVICE  RIGHTS.  Neither the action of the Company in
establishing the Plan, nor any action taken by the Administrator  hereunder, nor
any provision of the Plan shall be construed so as to grant any  individual  the
right to remain in the  employ  or  service  of the  Company  (or any  Parent or
Subsidiary) for any period of specific duration,  and the Company (or any Parent
or Subsidiary  retaining  the services of such  individual)  may terminate  such
individual's  employment  or  service  at any time and for any  reason,  with or
without cause. 
                                       12
<PAGE>
     3.7. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

          (a)  Assignment.  The right to acquire  Common  Stock or other  assets
     under the Plan may not be assigned,  encumbered or otherwise transferred by
     any Optionee or other Option holder. The provisions of the Plan shall inure
     to the benefit of, and be binding upon,  the Company and its  successors or
     assigns,  whether by Corporate Transaction or otherwise, and the Optionees,
     the legal  representatives  of their respective  estates,  their respective
     heirs or legatees and their permitted assignees.

          (b) Choice of Law. The provisions of the Plan relating to the exercise
     of options and the  vesting of shares  shall be governed by the laws of the
     State of Arizona,  as such laws are applied to  contracts  entered into and
     performed in such State.

          (c) Plan Not Exclusive.  This Plan is not intended to be the exclusive
     means by which the  Company  may issue  options or  warrants to acquire its
     shares of Common  Stock,  stock awards or  issuances,  or any other type of
     award or  issuance.  To the extent  permitted by  applicable  law, any such
     other option,  warrants,  issuance,  or awards may be issued by the Company
     other than pursuant to this Plan, without shareholder approval.


          EXECUTED as of the 10th day of November, 1997.

                                MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED,
                                a Delaware corporation


                                By /s/ Steve Sanghi
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                       Steve Sanghi
                                       Its: Chairman of the Board, President and
                                       Chief Executive Officer

Attested by:


/s/ C. Philip Chapman
- -------------------------------
C. Philip Chapman
Secretary


/s/  Mary Simmons-Mothershed
- -------------------------------
Mary Simmons-Mothershed
Assistant Secretary
                                       13

                        MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
                         NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK OPTION
                       1997 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN

Notice is hereby  given of the  following  nonstatutory  stock option grant (the
"Option")  to  purchase  shares  of the  Common  Stock of  Microchip  Technology
Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"):

Optionee:                  _____________________________________________________

Grant Date:                ______________________________________________, 199__

Date Vesting Begins:       ______________________________________________, 199__

Vesting Period:            _____________________________________________________

Option Price:              _____________________________________________________

Number of Option Shares:   _____________________________________________________

Expiration Date:           ______________________________________________, 200__

Type of Option:            Nonstatutory Stock Option

Exercise/Vesting  Schedule:  The Option may be  exercised  for any or all of the
Vested  Option  shares.  If the Grant Date and the Date  Vesting  Begins are the
same,  then the monthly  installments  for the first year of the Vesting  Period
will vest only in a lump sum upon the Optionee's  completion of twelve months of
Service  measured from the Grant Date,  the balance will vest over the remainder
of the vesting period on a monthly basis. However, if the Date Vesting Begins is
not the same as the  Grant  Date,  then the  Option  Shares  will  vest in equal
monthly  installments  (12 x the number of years in the Vesting Period) over the
Optionee's period of Service, beginning one month after the Date Vesting Begins.
In no event  will the  Optionee  vest in any  additional  shares  following  the
Optionee's cessation of Service (as defined in the attached Plan).

Optionee  understands  that the Option is granted  subject to and in  accordance
with the express terms and conditions of the Microchip  Technology  Incorporated
1997 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). Optionee agrees to be bound by
the terms and  conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of the Option
as set forth in the Stock Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Optionee hereby  acknowledges  receipt of a copy of the official Plan prospectus
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

NO EMPLOYMENT OF SERVICE  CONTRACT.  NOTHING IN THE OPTION AGREEMENT OR THE PLAN
SHALL  CONFER UPON THE OPTIONEE THE RIGHT TO CONTNUE IN THE EMPLOY OR SERVICE OF
THE COMPANY FOR ANY PERIOD OF SPECIFIC  DURATION OR INTERFERE  WITH OR OTHERWISE
RESTRICT IN ANYWAY THE RIGHTS OF THE COMPANY OR THE  OPTIONEE,  WHICH RIGHTS ARE
HEREBY EXPRESSLY  RESERVED BY EACH, TO TERMINATE  OPTIONEE'S SERVICE AT ANY TIME
FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

Dated:____________, 199___                    MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED

                                              By:_______________________________
                                                 Steve Sanghi, President and CEO

                                              Optionee: ________________________

                                              Address: _________________________
<PAGE>
                                    Exhibit A
                                    ---------

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

                       1997 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN

                  THIS  AGREEMENT  is made by and between  Microchip  Technology
Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and the Optionee listed on
the Notice of Grant of Stock Option (the "Grant Notice") to which this Agreement
is attached as Exhibit A.

                  Optionee is a key person associated with the Company,  and the
Company  considers it desirable  and its best interest that Optionee be given an
inducement to acquire a proprietary  interest in the Company and added incentive
to advance the interest of the Company by  possessing  an option to purchase the
Company's  Common  Stock,  subject to the terms and  conditions of the Company's
1997 Nonstatutory  Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") which is attached to the Grant
Notice as Exhibit B.

                  Now,  therefore,  it is agreed by and  between  the parties as
follows:

                  1. Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants to Optionee,  as
of the Grant Date specified in the Grant Notice, the right, privilege and option
to  purchase  shares of  Common  Stock as set  forth in the  Grant  Notice  (the
"Optioned  Shares"),  subject  in all  respects  to the  terms,  conditions  and
provisions of this Agreement and the Plan, which is attached to the Grant Notice
as Exhibit B and  incorporated  by  reference  in this  Agreement.  The Optionee
acknowledges having received and carefully reviewed a copy of the Plan.

                  2. Option  Price.  The option  price (the  "Option  Price") as
determined by the  Administrator is set forth in the Grant Notice which has been
determined by the Administrator in accordance with Sections 1.2(m) and 1.4(c)(i)
of the Plan.

                  3. Vesting of Option.

                           (a) Vesting Schedule.  The time at which the Optioned
Shares vest and the  optionholder  may exercise this option with respect to such
Optioned Shares shall be as set forth in the Grant Notice.  Optioned Shares that
have vested may be acquired at any time,  and from time to time,  in whole or in
part, until the option expires as provided in Section 6 hereof.

                           (b) Acceleration.  The Optioned Shares may vest on an
accelerated  basis only as provided in the Plan. In addition,  the Administrator
may,  by  resolution  adopted  after the  Grant  Date,  allow  the  option to be
exercised on an accelerated basis.

                  4. Exercise of Option.

                           (a) Right to  Exercise.  This  Option is  exercisable
during its term in  accordance  with the Vesting  Schedule  set out in the Grant
Notice and the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

                           (b) Method of Exercise. This Option is exercisable by
delivery  of an  exercise  notice,  in the  form  attached  as  Schedule  A (the
"Exercise  Notice"),  which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the
number  of Shares  in  respect  of which  the  Option  is being  exercised  (the
<PAGE>
"Exercised  Shares"),  and such other  representations  and agreements as may be
required by the Company  pursuant to the  provisions  of the Plan.  The Exercise
Notice shall be completed  by the  Optionee  and  delivered to Human  Resources,
ATTN: Stock Administration.  The Exercise Notice shall be accompanied by payment
of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all Exercised Shares. This Option shall be
deemed to be  exercised  upon  receipt by the  Company  of such  fully  executed
Exercise Notice accompanied by such aggregate Exercise Price. No Shares shall be
issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option unless such issuance and exercise
complies with Applicable Laws. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes
the Exercised Shares shall be considered transferred to the Optionee on the date
the Option is exercised with respect to such Exercised Shares.

                  5. Method of Payment.  Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price
shall be by any of the following,  or a combination  thereof, at the election of
the Optionee:

                           (a) cash;

                           (b) check drawn to the Company's order; or

                           (c)  consideration  received by the  Company  under a
cashless  exercise  program  implemented  by the Company in connection  with the
Plan.

                  6.  Termination  of  Option.  This  Option,  to the extent not
previously  exercised,  shall  terminate  upon the  first to occur of the  tenth
anniversary of the Grant Date or as otherwise set forth in the Plan.

                  7. No Privilege of Stock  Ownership.  The holder of the Option
granted hereunder shall not have any of the rights of a stockholder with respect
to the Optioned Shares until such Optionee shall have exercised the option, paid
the Option Price,  and received a stock  certificate for the purchased shares of
Common Stock.

                  8.  Compliance  with  Applicable  Laws.  The  exercise of this
Option and the  issuance  of the Shares upon such  exercise  shall be subject to
compliance  by the  Company  and the  Optionee  with  all  Applicable  Laws.  In
connection with the exercise of this Option,  Optionee shall execute and deliver
to the  Company  such  representations  in  writing as may be  requested  by the
Company in order for it to comply with  applicable  requirements  of federal and
state securities laws.

                  9.  Liability of the Company.  The inability of the Company to
obtain approval from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is
deemed by the Company's  counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale
of any Shares  pursuant  to this  Agreement  shall  relieve  the  Company of any
liability with respect to the nonissuance or sale of the Shares as to which such
approval shall not have been obtained. The Company,  however, shall use its best
efforts to obtain all such approvals.

                  10. NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE.  OPTIONEE  ACKNOWLEDGES
AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS
EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE  PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (AND
NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN OPTION OR PURCHASING SHARES
HEREUNDER).  OPTIONEE FURTHER  ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT,  THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO
<PAGE>
NOT  CONSTITUTE  AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED  PROMISE  OF  CONTINUED  ENGAGEMENT  AS A
SERVICE  PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD,  FOR ANY PERIOD,  OR AT ALL, AND SHALL
NOT  INTERFERE  WITH  OPTIONEE'S  RIGHT  OR THE  COMPANY'S  RIGHT  TO  TERMINATE
OPTIONEE'S  RELATIONSHIP  AS A SERVICE  PROVIDER  AT ANY TIME,  WITH OR  WITHOUT
CAUSE.

                  11.  Assignability.  Neither  this  Option  nor any  rights or
privileges conferred thereby shall be assignable or transferable by the Optionee
other than by will or by the laws of descent and  distribution,  and this Option
shall be exercisable only by Optionee during the Optionee's  lifetime.  Upon the
death of Optionee,  the rights of the successors to Optionee shall be limited as
set forth in the Plan.

                  12. Binding Affect.  This Option  Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the parties  hereto and their  respective  heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

                  13. Securities Matters.

                           (a) Exercise of Option.  The option granted hereunder
may be exercised  by the Optionee  only if (i) the Shares which are to be issued
upon such execution are registered  under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "1933 Act"),  the Arizona  Securities  Act, as amended (the "Arizona Act"),
and the  securities  laws of any  other  applicable  jurisdiction,  or (ii)  the
Company, upon advice of counsel, determines that the issuance of the Shares upon
the exercise of the Optionee is exempt from registration requirements.

                           (b)  Restriction  of Shares.  The Company is under no
obligation  to register,  under the 1933 Act, the Arizona Act or the  securities
laws of any other  jurisdiction,  any of the Shares to be issued to the Optionee
upon the exercise of any option or to take any action which would make available
any exemption from registration. If the Shares to be issued to the Optionee upon
the  exercise of any option  have not been  registered  under the 1933 Act,  the
Arizona Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction,  those Shares will
be "restricted securities" within the meaning of Rule 144 under the 1933 Act and
must be held indefinitely without any transfer, sale or other disposition unless
(a) the shares are  subsequently  registered under the 1933 Act, the Arizona Act
and  the  securities  laws  of any  other  applicable  jurisdiction,  or (b) the
Optionee  obtains an opinion of counsel which is satisfactory to counsel for the
Company  that  the  Shares  may  be  sold  in  reliance  on  an  exemption  from
registration requirements.

                  14.  Tax  Consequences;  Withholding  Taxes and  Reporting  of
Disposition  of Shares.  Some of the federal tax  consequences  relating to this
Option,  as of the date of this  Option,  are set forth  below.  THIS SUMMARY IS
NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE,  AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
THE  OPTIONEE  SHOULD  CONSULT A TAX ADVISER  BEFORE  EXERCISING  THIS OPTION OR
DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.

                           (a)  Exercising  the Option.  The  Optionee may incur
regular  federal  income tax  liability  upon exercise of a  nonstatutory  stock
option.  The Optionee  will be treated as having  received  compensation  income
(taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess,  if any, of the Fair
Market  Value  of the  Exercised  Shares  on the  date of  exercise  over  their
aggregate Exercise Price.

                           (b) Withholding.  If the Optionee is an Employee or a
former  Employee,  the Company  will be  required  to  withhold  from his or her
compensation  or  collect  from  Optionee  and  pay  to  
<PAGE>
the  applicable  taxing  authorities  an amount in cash equal to a percentage of
this  compensation  income at the time of exercise,  and may refuse to honor the
exercise  and  refuse to  deliver  Shares if such  withholding  amounts  are not
delivered at the time of exercise.  Optionee  hereby agrees to make  appropriate
arrangements  with the Company for the  satisfaction of any applicable  federal,
state or local income tax withholding  requirements  relating to the exercise of
the  Option  or the  payment  of any  employment  taxes  due as a result  of the
exercise of such Option.

                           (c)  Disposition  of Shares.  If the  Optionee  holds
Shares  acquired upon the exercise of a  nonstatutory  stock option for at least
one year,  any gain  realized  on  disposition  of the Shares will be treated as
long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes.

                           (d) Reporting of Disposition of Shares.  The Optionee
shall,  at the  Company's  request,  promptly  complete  and  return any and all
informational  requests regarding the Optionee's  disposition of Shares acquired
upon exercise of the Options covered by this Agreement.

                  15. Defined Terms. All capitalized  terms herein which are not
otherwise  defined herein shall have the same meaning  ascribed to such terms in
the Plan.

                  16.  Notices.  Except as set forth in Section 4 of this Option
Agreement, any notice required to be given or delivered to the Company under the
terms of this Option  Agreement shall be in writing and addressed to the Company
in care of the  Corporate  Secretary at its  principal  corporate  offices.  Any
notice required to be given or delivered to Optionee at the address indicated in
the Grant  Notice.  All notices  shall be deemed to have been given or delivered
upon personal  delivery or upon deposit in the U.S.  mail,  postage  prepaid and
properly addressed to the party to be notified.

                  17.  Construction.   This  Option  Agreement  and  the  Option
evidenced  hereby  are  made  and  granted  pursuant  to the Plan and are in all
respects limited by and subject to the express terms and provisions of the Plan.
Subject to Section  3.1(b) of the Plan,  in the event of a conflict  between the
terms and  conditions  of the Plan and the terms and  conditions  of this Option
Agreement,  the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail. All decisions of
the  Administrator  with respect to any question or issue arising under the Plan
or this  Agreement  shall be  conclusive  and binding on all  persons  having an
interest in this option.

                  18. Entire  Agreement;  Governing  Law. The Plan and the Grant
Notice are incorporated herein by reference. This Option Agreement, the Plan and
the Grant Notice  constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings
and  agreements of the Company and Optionee  with respect to the subject  matter
hereof, and may not be modified  adversely to the Optionee's  interest except by
means of a writing signed by the Company and the Optionee.  The  interpretation,
performance, and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal
substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the State of Arizona.

                                 Initials of Optionee:  ________________________
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE A

                        FORM OF EXERCISE NOTICE UNDER THE

                       1997 NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
2355 West Chandler Boulevard
Chandler, Arizona 85224
Attention: Human Resources, Stock Administration

         Exercise of Option.  Effective as of today,  _____________,  19__,  the
undersigned ("Purchaser") hereby elects to purchase shares (the "Shares") of the
Common Stock of Microchip  Technology  Incorporated  (the  "Company")  under and
pursuant  to the 1997  Nonstatutory  Stock  Option  Plan  (the  "Plan")  for the
grant(s)  specified in the Stock Option Exercise  Instruction Form  accompanying
this Exercise Notice.  The purchase price for the Shares shall be as required by
the individual Grant Notice(s) and Option Agreement(s).

         Delivery of  Payment.  Purchaser  herewith  delivers to the Company the
full purchase price for the Shares.

         Representations of Purchaser. Purchaser acknowledges that Purchaser has
received,  read and  understood  the  Plan,  the  Grant  Notice  and the  Option
Agreement and agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

         Rights  as  Stockholder.  Until  the  issuance  (as  evidenced  by  the
appropriate  entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized  transfer
agent of the  Company) of the Shares,  no right to vote or receive  dividends or
any other  rights as a  stockholder  shall  exist with  respect to the  Optioned
Stock,  notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Shares so acquired shall
be issued to the Optionee as soon as  practicable  after exercise of the option.
No  adjustment  will be made for a dividend  or other right for which the record
date is prior to the date of  issuance,  except as provided in Sections  2.2 and
2.3 of the Plan.

         Tax  Consultation.  Purchaser  understands  that  Purchaser  may suffer
adverse tax  consequences as a result of Purchaser's  purchase or disposition of
the Shares.  Purchaser  represents  that  Purchaser has  consulted  with any tax
consultants  Purchaser  deems  advisable  in  connection  with the  purchase  or
disposition  of the Shares and that  Purchaser is not relying on the Company for
any tax advice.

         Entire Agreement;  Governing Law. The Plan, the Grant Notice and Option
Agreement are incorporated  herein by reference.  This Agreement,  the Plan, the
Grant Notice and the Option  Agreement  constitute  the entire  agreement of the
parties  with  respect  to the  subject  matter  hereof and  supersede  in their
entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Purchaser with
respect to the subject matter hereof,  and may not be modified  adversely to the
Purchaser's  interest  except by means of a writing  signed by the  Company  and
Purchaser.  This agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not
the choice of law rules, of the State of Arizona.

Submitted by:                             Accepted by:

PURCHASER:                                MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED

- --------------------------------------    --------------------------------------
Signature                                 By

- --------------------------------------    --------------------------------------
Print Name                                Title

KPMG Peat Marwick LLP



                          Independent Auditors' Consent
                          -----------------------------






The Board of Directors
Microchip Technology Incorporated:


We consent to  incorporation  by reference in the  registration  statements (No.
33-59686,  No.  33-80072,  No.  33-81690,  No.  33-83196,  No.  333-872  and No.
333-40791) on Form S-8 of Microchip Technology  Incorporated of our report dated
April 22, 1998,  except as to the second and third  paragraphs  of note 13 which
are as of May 18, 1998, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of Microchip
Technology  Incorporated and subsidiaries as of March 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
related consolidated  statements of income,  stockholders' equity and cash flows
for each of the years in the  three-year  period  ended  March 31,  1998,  which
report  appears in the March 31,  1998 annual  report on Form 10-K of  Microchip
Technology Incorporated.


                                        /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Phoenix, Arizona
May 22, 1998

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  That the undersigned officer and/or director of
Microchip Technology Incorporated,  a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), does
hereby  constitute and appoint STEVE SANGHI AND C. PHILIP  CHAPMAN,  and each of
them,  with  full  power to each of them to act  alone,  as the true and  lawful
attorneys and agents of the  undersigned,  with full power of  substitution  and
resubstitution to each of said attorneys to execute, file or deliver any and all
instruments  and to do any and all acts and  things  which  said  attorneys  and
agents,  or any of them, deem advisable to enable the Company to comply with the
Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  as  amended,  and any  requirements  of the
Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereto relating to annual reports
on Form 10-K,  including  specifically,  but without  limitation  of the general
authority  hereby  granted,  the power and  authority to sign such person's name
individually  and on behalf of the  Company as an officer  and/or  director  (as
indicated  below  opposite  such person's  signature)  to the  Company's  annual
reports on Form 10-K or any amendments or papers supplemental  thereto; and each
of the undersigned  does hereby fully ratify and confirm all that said attorneys
and agents or any of them,  shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.  This
power of Attorney revokes any and all previous powers of attorney granted by any
of the  undersigned  which such power would have  entitled  said  attorneys  and
agents, or any of them, to sign such person's name, individually or on behalf of
the Company, to any Form 10-K.

         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each of the  undersigned  has  subscribed  these
presents this 30th day of January, 1998.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                      TITLE
- ----                                      -----

<S>                                       <C>
/s/ Steve Sanghi                          Director, President and Chairman of the Board
- -----------------------------             (Principal Executive Officer)
Steve Sanghi                              

/s/ C. Philip Chapman                     Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
- -----------------------------             Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting
C. Philip Chapman                         Officer)                                     
                                          

/s/ Albert J. Hugo-Martinez               Director
- -----------------------------
Albert J. Hugo-Martinez

/s/ Jon H. Beedle                         Director
- -----------------------------
Jon H. Beedle

/s/ L.B. Day                              Director
- -----------------------------
L.B. Day

/s/ Matthew W. Chapman                    Director
- -----------------------------
Matthew W. Chapman
</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<MULTIPLIER>                  1000
<CURRENCY>                    U.S. Dollars
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                       APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                         MAR-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                                1
<CASH>                                                                     32188
<SECURITIES>                                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                              56320
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                                                66293
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                          194589
<PP&E>                                                                    325892
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                            524743
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                     139418
<BONDS>                                                                     1768
                                                          0
                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                      54
<OTHER-SE>                                                                391058
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                              524743
<SALES>                                                                   396894
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                          396894
<CGS>                                                                     199538
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                             199538
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                          1130
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                            88167
<INCOME-TAX>                                                               23799
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                        64368
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                               64368
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                               1.21
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                               1.14
        

</TABLE>


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