MICREL INC
10-K, 1998-02-27
SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES
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                 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION              
                             WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                    FORM 10-K

[X]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE 
     ACT OF 1934
     For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.

[  ] 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 0-25236

                      M I C R E L,   I N C O R P O R A T E D
               (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

          California                                          94-2526744 
(State or other jurisdiction of                            (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or Organization)                            Identification No.)

                      1849 Fortune Drive, San Jose, CA  95131
                (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (408) 944-0800

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock,
no par value

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

   Indicate by check mark 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 this Form 10-K or any 
amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

   As of January 30, 1998, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held 
by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $407,743,199 based upon 
the closing sales price of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National 
Market on such date.  Shares of Common Stock held by officers, directors and 
holders of more than ten percent of the outstanding Common Stock have been 
excluded from this calculation because such persons may be deemed to be 
affiliates.  The determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a 
conclusive determination for other purposes.

   As of January 30, 1998, the Registrant had outstanding 19,517,014 shares of 
Common Stock.

                        __________________________________

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

   Portions of the following documents are incorporated by reference in this 
report: Registrant's Proxy Statement for its 1998 Annual Meeting of 
Shareholders (Part III).


   This Report on Form 10-K includes 48 pages with the Index to Exhibits 
located on pages 25 to 26.

<PAGE>


                                MICREL, INCORPORATED
                                      INDEX TO
                            ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
                         FOR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997


                                                                      Page
                                       PART I

Item 1   Business                                                       3
Item 2   Properties                                                    13
Item 3   Legal Proceedings                                             13
Item 4   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders           13

                                 PART II

Item 5   Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related 
         Shareholder Matters                                           14
Item 6   Selected Financial Data                                       15
Item 7   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
         Condition and Results of Operations                           16
Item 7A  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    22
Item 8   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                   22
Item 9   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on 
         Accounting and Financial Disclosure                           22


                                 PART III

Item 10   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant           23
Item 11   Executive Compensation                                       24
Item 12   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
          and Management                                               24
Item 13   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions               24


                                 PART IV

Item 14   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports
          on Form 8-K                                                  25
Signatures                                                             44


                                    2
<PAGE>


                                      PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

General

   The Company was incorporated in California in July 1978. References to the 
"Company" and "Micrel" refer to Micrel, Incorporated and Subsidiaries, which 
also does business as Micrel Semiconductor. The Company's principal executive 
offices are located at 1849 Fortune Drive, San Jose, California 95131. The 
Company's telephone number is (408) 944-0800.

   Micrel designs, develops, manufactures and markets a range of high-
performance analog integrated circuits. The Company currently ships over 850 
standard products and has derived the majority of its standard products revenue 
for the year ended December 31, 1997 from sales of analog integrated circuits 
for power management. These circuits are used in a wide variety of electronic 
products, including those in the communications, computer and industrial 
markets. The Company's standard products business has represented the Company's 
most rapidly growing revenue source. For the years ended December 31, 1997, 
1996, and 1995, the Company's standard products accounted for 76%, 66% and 56%, 
respectively, of the Company's net revenues. In addition, the Company 
manufactures custom analog and mixed-signal circuits and provides wafer foundry 
services for a diverse range of customers who produce electronic systems for 
communications, consumer and military applications.

   Recent trends in the communications and computing markets have created 
increased demand for power analog circuits, which control, regulate, convert 
and route voltage and current in electronic systems. This demand for power 
analog circuits has been fueled by the recent growth of battery powered 
cellular telephones and computing devices and the emergence of lower voltage 
microprocessors and Personal Computer Memory Card International Association 
("PCMCIA") standards for peripheral devices. Micrel's standard products 
business is focused on addressing this demand for high-performance power analog 
circuits. The Company sells a wide range of regulators, references and switches 
designed for cellular telephones and laptop computers. The Company believes it 
was one of the first companies to offer analog products for the PCMCIA Card 
market and that it currently provides a majority of the power analog circuits 
used in PC Card sockets. The Company also offers standard products that address 
other markets, including power supplies and automotive, industrial, defense and 
avionics electronics. 

   In addition to standard products, Micrel offers customers various 
combinations of design, process and foundry services. Through interaction with 
customers in its custom and foundry business, the Company has been able to 
enhance its design and process technology capabilities, which in turn provides 
engineering and marketing benefits to its standard products business.


Industry Background 

  Analog Circuit Market 

   Integrated circuits may be divided into three general categories - digital, 
analog (also known as "linear") and mixed-signal. Digital circuits, such as 
memories and microprocessors, process information in the form of on-off 
electronic signals and are capable of implementing only two values ("1" or "0", 
or "on" or "off"). Analog circuits, such as regulators, converters and 
amplifiers, process information in the form of continuously varying voltages 
and currents that have an infinite number of values or states. Analog circuits 
condition, process, measure or control real world variables such as current, 
sound, temperature, pressure or speed. Mixed-signal integrated circuits combine 
analog and digital functions on one chip. 

                                        3
<PAGE>


   Analog circuits are used in virtually every electronic system, and the 
largest markets for such circuits are computers, telecommunications and data 
communications, industrial equipment, and military, consumer and automotive 
electronics. Because of their numerous applications, analog circuits have a 
wide range of operating specifications and functions. For each application, 
different users may have unique requirements for circuits with specific 
resolution, processing linearity, speed, power and signal amplitude capability. 
Such differentiation results in a high degree of market fragmentation, which 
provides smaller companies an opportunity to compete successfully against 
larger suppliers in certain market segments. 

   As compared with the digital integrated circuit industry, the analog 
integrated circuit industry has the following important characteristics: 

     Dependence on Individual Design Teams. The design of analog circuits
      involves the complex and critical placement of various circuits.
      Computer-aided design is less effective for analog devices. Analog
      circuit design has traditionally been highly dependent on the skills and
      experience of individual design engineers. 

     Interdependence of Design and Process. Analog designers, especially at
      companies having their own wafer fabrication facility ("fab"), are able
      to select from several wafer fabrication processes in order to achieve
      higher performance and greater functionality from their designs. 

     Longer Product Cycles and More Stable Pricing. Analog circuit
      manufacturers offer a greater variety of circuits to a more diverse group
      of customers, in a market characterized by greater fragmentation
      emphasizing performance, functional value, quality and reliability.
      Analog circuits generally have longer product cycles as compared to
      digital circuits. As a result, analog circuit pricing has historically
      been more stable than most digital circuit pricing.

     Reduced Capital Requirements. As compared to digital circuits, analog
      circuits are produced with larger line width geometries in wafer
      fabrication facilities that are significantly less costly than 
      state-of-the-art digital fabrication facilities. The wafer fabrication
      facilities for analog circuits generally utilize capital equipment that
      is less subject to obsolescence than the capital equipment utilized in
      digital fabrication facilities.

   Analog circuits are sold to customers as either standard products or custom 
products. Standard products are available to customers "off-the-shelf" and are 
often sold in large volumes to a wide variety of customers in different 
industries. Custom products are designed to an individual customer's 
specifications. 


  Recent Trends in Analog Power Management 

   Most electronic systems utilize analog circuits to perform power management 
functions ("power analog circuits") such as the control, regulation, conversion 
and routing of voltages and current. The computer and communications markets 
have emerged as two of the largest markets for power analog circuits. In 
particular, the recent growth and proliferation of portable, battery powered 
devices, such as cellular telephones and laptop computers, have increased 
demand and created new technological challenges for power analog circuits. 

   Cellular telephones, which are composed of components and subsystems that 
utilize several different voltage levels, require multiple power analog 
circuits to precisely regulate and control voltage. Manufacturers are replacing 
traditional pass regulators with higher performance low dropout ("LDO") 
regulators to lengthen battery life and are utilizing smaller, more highly 
integrated power analog circuits, such as regulators and references. 

   Certain trends in personal computers and other computing devices have also

                                         4
<PAGE>


increased market demand and created new requirements for power analog circuits. 
One major trend is the advent of lower voltage microprocessors, such as Intel's 
Pentium product. These lower voltage microprocessors reduce power consumption, 
thereby prolonging battery life for portable and desktop personal computers. 
These mixed voltage personal computers require multiple LDO regulators to 
manage power in the system. Another recent trend is the emergence of PCMCIA 
standards that require rugged components and a voltage protection capability, 
thereby creating new specifications for higher performance power analog 
switches. 


Micrel's Strategy 

   Micrel seeks to capitalize on the growth opportunities within the high 
performance analog semiconductor market. The Company's core competencies are 
its analog design and process technology, its large, in-house wafer fabrication 
capability and its manufacturing expertise. The Company intends to build a 
leadership position in its targeted markets by pursuing the following 
strategies: 

     Focus on Standard Products for High Growth Markets. Currently, Micrel
      ships over 850 standard products, with net revenues from standard
      products generating 76% of the Company's net revenues for the year ended
      December 31, 1997. Micrel intends to continue to transition to standard 
      products and believes that its long-term growth will depend substantially
      on its ability to increase standard products sales in its existing
      markets and to penetrate new standard products markets. The Company,
      however, will from time to time pursue additional custom and foundry
      business as opportunities arise. 

     Target Power Analog Circuit Markets. Micrel has leveraged its expertise in
      analog circuits by addressing market opportunities in cellular
      telephones, battery powered computers and desktop personal computers. A
      majority of the Company's standard products net revenues for the year
      ended December 31, 1997 were derived from standard products relating to
      power management. 

     Maintain Technological Leadership. The Company seeks to utilize its design
      strengths and its process expertise to enhance what the Company believes
      are its competitive advantages in LDO regulators and PCMCIA sockets 
      devices. In order to maintain its technology leadership, the Company has
      developed plans for successive generations of products with increased
      functionality. 

     Capitalize on In-house Wafer Fab. The Company believes that its in-house
      wafer fab provides a significant competitive advantage because it
      facilitates close collaboration between design and process engineers in
      the development of the Company's products. The Company intends to expand
      its manufacturing capacity by adding additional equipment and employees
      at its fabrication facility. 

     Maintain a Strategic Level of Custom and Foundry Products Revenue. Micrel
      believes that its custom and foundry products business complements its
      standard products business by generating a broader revenue base and
      lowering overall per unit manufacturing costs through greater utilization
      of its fab. Through interaction with customers, Micrel has been able to
      enhance its design and process technology capabilities.


Products and Markets 

  Overview 

   The following table sets forth the net revenues attributable to the 
Company's standard products and its custom and foundry products expressed in 
dollars and as a percentage of total net revenues.

                                        5
<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        Net Revenues by Product Category 
                              (dollars in thousands) 


                                                  Years Ended  December 31,
                                              -------------------------------
                                                 1997       1996       1995  
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C.
        Net Revenues Data:
        Standard Products                     $  79,203  $  43,530  $  29,576
        Custom and Foundry Products              24,955     22,714     23,459
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------
        Total net revenues                    $ 104,158  $  66,244  $  53,035
                                              =========  =========  =========

        As a Percentage of Total Net Revenues:
        Standard Products                            76%        66%        56%
        Custom and Foundry Products                  24         34         44
                                              ---------  ---------  ---------
        Total net revenues                          100%       100%       100%
                                              =========  =========  =========
</TABLE>

   For a discussion of the changes in net revenues from period to period, see 
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations." 

  Standard Products 

   In recent years, the Company has directed a majority of its development, 
sales and marketing efforts towards standard products in an effort to address 
the larger markets for these products and to broaden its customer base. The 
Company offers power analog circuits that address certain high growth markets 
including cellular telephones, battery powered computers and desktop personal 
computers. The Company's remaining standard products address other markets, 
including power supplies and automotive, industrial, defense and avionics 
electronics. 

   Cellular Telephone Market. Micrel offers a range of power control and 
regulating analog circuits to address the demand for cellular telephones with 
longer battery lives. Micrel also provides a range of high performance LDO 
regulators that convert, regulate, switch and control the DC voltages used in 
cellular telephones. Micrel's SuperBeta PNP LDO regulators enable cellular 
telephones to continue to operate effectively until the battery is almost 
completely exhausted. Micrel products are designed to reduce board space and 
decrease system cost. In addition, Micrel offers switch mode power supply 
("SMPS") regulators that convert AC to useable DC power in battery chargers and 
cellular base stations.

   PCMCIA Card and Socket Markets. The Personal Computer Memory Card 
International Association, of which Micrel is a member, has established 
standards for personal computer cards that are the size of credit cards and for 
sockets that allow insertion of such cards into personal computers.  Micrel 
believes that it is a leader in the design and manufacture of integrated 
circuits that enable PC Card sockets to have such compatibility.

   Portable Battery Powered Computer Market. The Company makes power analog 
circuits for laptop, palmtop computers and pocket organizers. Products in this 
growing segment are differentiated on the basis of power efficiency, weight, 
small size and battery life. Micrel has developed a family of 95% efficient 
SMPS controllers that it believes to be one of the leading solutions for these 
applications.

   Power Supply Market. Most electronic equipment includes a power supply that 
converts and regulates the electrical power source into usable current for the 
equipment. In addition to SMPS controllers and single chip SMPS circuits, 
Micrel offers a full line of MOSFET drivers, references, LDOs and Super LDOs.

   Automotive Electronics Market. Micrel's LDO products, including the line of 
monolithic SuperBeta PNP LDO regulators, have been designed in for such 
automotive controller applications and safety features as automotive airbags 
and antilock brake systems.  Micrel is developing several other products for

                                         6
<PAGE>


the automotive electronic market. For each of the years ended December 31, 
1997, 1996, and 1995, the automotive electronics market represented less than 
2% of net revenues. 

   General Purpose Analog. During 1997, Micrel introduced a variety of general 
purpose analog products including timers, op-amps, and a family of intelligent 
controlled one and two amp switches. These products were focused on the low 
voltage and low current applications.

   The Company's future success will depend in part upon the timely completion, 
introduction, and market acceptance of new standard products. As compared with 
the Company's custom and foundry products business, the standard products 
business is characterized by shorter product lifecycles, greater pricing 
pressure, larger competitors and more rapid technological change. Generally, 
the standard products market is a rapidly changing market in which the Company 
faces the risk that its product offerings will quickly become obsolete. The 
success of new standard products depends on a variety of factors, including 
product selection, successful and timely completion of product development, 
achievement of acceptable manufacturing yields by the Company's foundry and the 
Company's ability to offer products at competitive prices.

   Micrel's new products are generally incorporated into a customer's products 
or systems at the design stage. The value of any design win largely depends 
upon the commercial success of the customer's product and on the extent to 
which the design of the customer's electronic system accommodates incorporation 
of components manufactured by the Company's competitors. In addition, products 
or systems may be subsequently redesigned so that they no longer require the 
Company's products. No assurance can be given that the Company will achieve 
design wins or that any design win will result in future revenues. The failure 
of the Company to achieve design wins would materially and adversely affect the 
Company's financial condition and results of operations.


  Custom and Foundry Products 

   Micrel offers customers various combinations of design, process and foundry 
services in order to provide them with the following alternatives: 

     Full Service Custom - Based on a customer's specification, Micrel designs
      and then manufactures integrated circuits for the customer. 

     Custom and Semi-Custom - Based on a customer's high level or partial
      circuit design, Micrel uses varying levels of its design and process
      technologies to complete the design and then manufactures integrated
      circuits for the customer. 

     R&D Foundry - Micrel modifies a process or develops a new process for a
      customer. Using that process and mask sets provided by the customer,
      Micrel manufactures fabricated wafers for the customer. 

     Foundry - Micrel duplicates a customer's process to manufacture fabricated
      wafers designed by the customer. 

   Micrel's full service custom, custom and semi-custom products primarily 
address consumer and military applications and use both analog and digital 
technologies. The military applications include communications, transport 
aircraft and cruise missile technology.

   With respect to R&D foundry and other foundry products, Micrel provides 
wafers to a variety of companies as well as to the military. The Company 
believes that the foundry business reduces somewhat the Company's sensitivity 
to fluctuations in its standard products markets as the Company's foundry 
customers are often in different markets that are not affected by the same 
business cycles. 

                                        7
<PAGE>


Sales, Distribution and Marketing 

   The Company sells its products through a worldwide network of independent 
sales representative firms and distributor firms and through a direct sales 
staff. The Company currently utilizes 20 independent sales representative firms 
in the United States and Canada. The Company currently utilizes four national 
distributor firms. In the year ended December 31, 1997, sales through North 
American distributor firms accounted for 11% of the Company's net revenues. As 
the Company continues its transition to standard products, the Company believes 
that its sales through representative firms and distributor firms will be 
increasingly important and will account for an increasing percentage of the 
Company's net revenues.

   The Company sells its products in Europe through a direct sales staff in 
England as well as independent sales representative firms, independent 
distributors and independent stocking representative/distributor firms. Asian 
sales are handled through independent stocking representative/distributor firms 
with Micrel sales offices in Korea and Taiwan. The stocking 
representatives/distributor firms may buy and stock the Company's products for 
resale or may act as the Company's agent in arranging for direct sales from the 
Company to an OEM customer.

   Sales to customers in North America, Asia and Europe accounted for 50%, 37% 
and 13%, respectively, of the Company's net revenues for the year ended 
December 31, 1997 compared to 59%, 30% and 11%, respectively, of the Company's 
net revenues for 1996 and 66%, 22% and 12%, respectively, of the Company's net 
revenues for 1995. The Company's standard products are sold throughout the 
world, while its custom and foundry products are primarily sold to North 
American customers.
 
   The Company's international sales are primarily denominated in U.S. 
currency. Consequently, changes in exchange rates that strengthen the U.S. 
dollar could increase the price in local currencies of the Company's products 
in foreign markets and make the Company's products relatively more expensive 
than competitors' products that are denominated in local currencies, leading to 
a reduction in sales or profitability in those foreign markets. The Company has 
not taken any protective measures against exchange rate fluctuations, such as 
purchasing hedging instruments with respect to such fluctuations.


Customers

   For the year ended December 31, 1997, one customer, Qualcomm, accounted for 
11% of the Company's net revenues. For the year ended December 31, 1996, one 
customer, Lexmark, accounted for 11% of the Company's net revenues.  For the 
year ended December 31, 1995, no single customer accounted for ten percent or 
more of the Company's net revenues. 


Design and Process Technology 

   Micrel's proprietary design technology depends on the skills of its analog 
design team. The Company has experienced analog design engineers who utilize an 
extensive macro library of analog and mixed-signal circuits and computer 
simulation models. 

   Micrel can produce integrated circuits using a variety of manufacturing 
processes, some of which are proprietary and provide enhanced product features. 
Designers at companies that do not have in-house fabs or have a limited 
selection of available processes often have to compromise design methodology in 
order to match process parameters. 

                                         8
<PAGE>


   The Company utilizes the following process technologies: 

     Bipolar - Bipolar technology is one of the oldest technologies. It is
      utilized where precision analog elements are required.

     SuperBeta PNP - The Company's proprietary SuperBeta PNP process
      technology allows power transistors to be driven with much lower current
      as compared to conventional PNP Bipolar technology, which gives such
      transistors a competitive advantage. 

     CMOS - CMOS technology is the technology most widely used in digital
      applications. It has the advantages of low power consumption and high
      packing density. 

     BiCMOS - Bipolar/CMOS ("BiCMOS") merges the Bipolar and CMOS technologies
      and offers the benefits of both technologies. This process, however, adds
      more expense to a product. 

     BCD - Bipolar/CMOS/DMOS ("BCD") merges three technologies, Bipolar, CMOS
      and DMOS. DMOS is best suited for handling high current and is used in
      the output section of the circuit. BCD combines the high speed,
      ruggedness and power of DMOS and the benefits of BiCMOS. 


Research and Development 

   The ability of the Company to compete will substantially depend on its 
ability to define, design, develop and introduce on a timely basis new products 
offering design or technology innovations. Research and development in the 
analog integrated circuit industry is characterized primarily by circuit design 
and product engineering that enables new functionality or improved performance. 
The Company's research and development efforts are also directed at its process 
technologies and focus on cost reductions to existing manufacturing processes 
and the development of new process capabilities to manufacture new products and 
add new features to existing products. With respect to more established 
products, the Company's research and development efforts also include product 
redesign, shrinkage of device size and the reduction of mask steps in order to 
improve yields per wafer and reduce per device costs. 

   The Company's design engineers principally focus on developing next 
generation standard products. The Company's new product development strategy 
emphasizes a broad line of standard products that are based on customer input 
and requests. The Company often develops new standard products with the 
cooperation of customers in order to better ensure market acceptance. The 
Company is currently developing products to expand its line of PCMCIA switches, 
SMPS regulators, LDOs and MOSFET drivers. 

   In 1997, 1996, and 1995 the Company spent approximately $14.0 million, $8.6 
million, and $6.5 million, respectively, on research and development. The 
Company expects that it will continue to spend substantial funds on research 
and development activities. The Company is currently developing, and may in the 
future develop, certain types of standard products with which the Company has 
only limited experience. Certain of these new standard products will be 
targeted at emerging market segments in which the Company has not previously 
participated. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the Company will be 
able to identify new standard product opportunities successfully and develop 
and bring to market such new products or that the Company will be able to 
respond effectively to new technological changes or new product announcements 
by others. 


Patents and Intellectual Property Protection

   The Company seeks patent protection for those inventions and technologies

                                         9
<PAGE>


for which such protection is suitable and is likely to provide competitive 
advantage to the Company. The Company currently holds 28 United States patents 
on semiconductor devices and methods, with various expiration dates through 
2016. The Company has applications for 6 United States patents pending. The 
Company holds no issued foreign patents and has applications for 29 foreign 
patents pending. The Company has also routinely protected its numerous original 
mask sets under mask work laws. There can be no assurance that any patent owned 
by the Company will not be invalidated, circumvented or challenged, that the 
rights granted thereunder will provide competitive advantages to the Company or 
that any of the Company's pending or future patent applications will issue or 
will be issued with the scope of the claims sought by the Company. 
Notwithstanding the Company's active pursuit of patent and mask work 
protection, the Company believes that its future success will depend primarily 
upon the technical expertise, creative skills and management abilities of its 
officers and key employees rather than on patent and copyright ownership.

   The semiconductor industry is characterized by frequent litigation regarding 
patent and other intellectual property rights. To the extent that the Company 
becomes involved in such intellectual property litigation, it could result in 
substantial costs and diversion of resources to the Company and could have a 
material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of 
operations.

   On May 9, 1994, Linear Technology Corporation ("Linear"), a competitor of 
the Company, filed a complaint against the Company, entitled Linear Technology 
Corporation v. Micrel, Incorporated, in the United States District Court in San 
Jose, California, alleging patent and copyright infringement and unfair 
competition. All claims, except the patent infringement claim, have been 
settled or dismissed. In this lawsuit, Linear claims that two of the Company's 
products infringe one of Linear's patents. The complaint in the lawsuit seeks 
unspecified compensatory damages, treble damages and attorneys' fees as well as 
preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against infringement of the Linear 
patent at issue. The Company has asserted defenses of invalidity and 
unenforceability of the Linear patent at issue, as well as noninfringement of 
such patent. The Company believes that the ultimate outcome of this action will 
not result in a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or 
results of operation. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, 
and no assurance can be given that the Company will prevail in such litigation. 
Accordingly, the pending litigation with Linear as well as potential future 
litigation with other companies could result in substantial costs and diversion 
of resources and could have a material adverse effect on the Company's 
financial condition or results of operations. In addition, Linear has 
previously notified the Company that certain of the Company's products may 
infringe other Linear patents.


Supply of Materials and Purchased Components

   Micrel currently purchases certain components from a limited group of 
vendors. The packaging of the Company's products which is performed by, and 
certain of the raw materials included in such products are obtained from a 
limited group of suppliers. For example, four-inch, and six-inch going forward, 
silicon substrates, which are a key ingredient in the Company's products, are 
currently available from four suppliers and are subject to long ordering lead 
times. Although the Company seeks to reduce its dependence on its sole and 
limited source suppliers, disruption or termination of any of these sources 
could occur and such disruptions could have at least a temporary adverse effect 
on the Company's financial condition or results of operations. The Company has 
rarely experienced delays in obtaining raw materials, which have adversely 
affected production.


Manufacturing

   All of Micrel's wafers are manufactured at its facility in San Jose, 
California. This 57,000 square foot office and manufacturing facility contains 
a 24,800 square foot clean room facility, which provides all production 
processes. The San Jose facility is classified as a Class 10 facility, which

                                        10
<PAGE>


means that the facility achieves a clean room level of fewer than 10 foreign 
particles larger than 0.5 microns in size in each cubic foot of space. In the 
third quarter of 1996, the Company began purchasing equipment that will allow 
the processing of six inch wafers and allow process lithography as small as one 
micron. In the third quarter of 1997, the Company began processing certain 
products using six inch wafers. In the fourth quarter of 1997, approximately 5% 
of wafer fab outputs were produced using six inch wafers. In February 1995, the 
Company leased approximately 63,000 square feet of additional adjacent space in 
San Jose and began using the structure as a testing facility in June 1995.

   The fabrication of integrated circuits is a highly complex and precise 
process. Minute impurities, contaminants in the manufacturing environment, 
difficulties in the fabrication process, defects in the masks used to print 
circuits on a wafer, manufacturing equipment failure, wafer breakage or other 
factors can cause a substantial percentage of wafers to be rejected or numerous 
die on each wafer to be nonfunctional. There can be no assurance that the 
Company in general will be able to maintain acceptable manufacturing yields in 
the future. 

   Generally, each die on the Company's wafers is electrically tested for 
performance, and most of the wafers are subsequently sent to independent 
assembly and final test contract facilities in Malaysia and other Asian 
countries. At such facilities, the wafers are separated into individual 
circuits and packaged. The Company's reliance on independent assemblers may 
subject the Company to longer manufacturing cycle times. The Company from time 
to time has experienced competition with respect to these contractors from 
other manufacturers seeking assembly of circuits by independent contractors. 
Although the Company currently believes that alternate foreign assembly sources 
could be obtained without significant interruption, there can be no assurance 
that such alternate sources could be obtained quickly. 

   The Company manufactures all of its products at one wafer fabrication 
facility. Given the nature of the Company's products, it would be difficult to 
arrange for independent manufacturing facilities to supply such products. Any 
prolonged inability to utilize the Company's manufacturing facility as a result 
of fire, natural disaster or otherwise, would have a material adverse effect on 
the Company's financial condition or results of operations. 


Competition

   The analog semiconductor industry is highly competitive and subject to rapid 
technological change. Significant competitive factors in the analog market for 
standard products include product features, performance, price, the timing of 
product introductions, the emergence of new computer standards, quality and 
customer support. The Company believes that it competes favorably in all these 
areas. 

   Because the standard products market for analog integrated circuits is 
diverse and highly fragmented, the Company encounters different competitors in 
its various market areas. The Company's principal competitors include Linear 
Technology Corporation and National Semiconductor Corporation in one or more of 
its product areas. Other competitors include Texas Instruments, Motorola, Maxim 
Integrated Products, Inc. and certain Japanese manufacturers. Each of these 
companies has substantially greater technical, financial and marketing 
resources and greater name recognition than the Company. Due to the increasing 
demands for analog circuits, the Company expects intensified competition from 
existing analog circuit suppliers and the entry of new competitors. 

   With respect to the custom and foundry products business, significant 
competitive factors include product quality and reliability, established 
relationships between customers and suppliers, timely delivery of products and 
price. The Company believes that it competes favorably in all these areas. The 
Company's principal competitors in the custom and foundry products business 
include American Microelectronics, Inc., Callogic Corporation and certain local 
foundry companies. 

                                        11
<PAGE>


Backlog

   At December 31, 1997, the Company's backlog was approximately $39.9 million, 
all of which is scheduled to be shipped during the first six months of 1998. At 
December 31, 1996, the Company's backlog was approximately $21.6 million. 
Orders in backlog are subject to cancellation or rescheduling by the customer, 
generally with a cancellation charge in the case of custom and foundry 
products. The Company's backlog consists of distributor and customer released 
orders required to be shipped within the next six months. Shipments to United 
States and Canadian distributors are not recognized as revenue by the Company 
until the product is sold from the distributor stock and through to the end-
users. Because of possible changes in product delivery schedules and 
cancellation of product orders and because the Company's sales will often 
reflect orders shipped in the same quarter that they are received, the 
Company's backlog at any particular date is not necessarily indicative of 
actual sales for any succeeding period. 


Environmental Matters 

   Federal, state and local regulations impose various environmental controls 
on the storage, handling, discharge and disposal of chemicals and gases used in 
the Company's manufacturing process. The Company believes that its activities 
conform to present environmental regulations. Increasing public attention has, 
however, been focused on the environmental impact of semiconductor operations. 
While the Company has not experienced any materially adverse effects on its 
operations from environmental regulations, there can be no assurance that 
changes in such regulations will not impose the need for additional capital 
equipment or other requirements or restrict the Company's ability to expand its 
operations. Any failure by the Company to adequately restrict the discharge of 
hazardous substances could subject the Company to future liabilities or could 
cause its manufacturing operations to be suspended. 


Employees

   As of December 31, 1997, the Company had 546 full-time employees. The 
Company's employees are not represented by any collective bargaining 
agreements, and the Company has never experienced a work stoppage. The Company 
believes that its employee relations are good. 

                                        12
<PAGE>


ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

   The Company's main executive, administrative, manufacturing and technical 
offices are located in a 57,000 square foot facility and an adjacent 63,000 
square foot facility in San Jose, California under lease agreements that expire 
in May 2000 and May 2005 respectively. The Company fabricates its wafers at 
this location in a 24,800 square foot clean room facility, which provides all 
production processes. In addition to wafer fabrication, the Company also the 
uses this location as a testing facility.

   The Company believes that its existing and planned facilities are adequate 
for its current manufacturing needs. The Company believes that if it should 
need additional space, such space would be available at commercially reasonable 
terms.


ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

   On May 9, 1994, Linear Technology Corporation, a competitor of the Company, 
filed a complaint against the Company, entitled Linear Technology Corporation 
v. Micrel, Incorporated, in the United States District Court in San Jose, 
California, alleging patent and copyright infringement and unfair competition. 
All claims, except the patent infringement claim, have been settled or 
dismissed. In this lawsuit, Linear claims that two of the Company's products 
infringe one of Linear's patents. The complaint in the lawsuit seeks 
unspecified compensatory damages, treble damages and attorneys' fees as well as 
preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against infringement of the Linear 
patent at issue. The Company has asserted defenses of invalidity and 
unenforceability of the Linear patent at issue, as well as noninfringement of 
such patent. The Company believes that the ultimate outcome of this action will 
not result in a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or 
results of operation. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, 
and no assurance can be given that the Company will prevail in such litigation. 
Accordingly, the pending litigation with Linear as well as potential future 
litigation with other companies could result in substantial costs and diversion 
of resources and could have a material adverse effect on the Company's 
financial condition or results of operations. In addition, Linear has 
previously notified the Company that certain of the Company's products may 
infringe other Linear patents.

   Certain additional claims and lawsuits have also arisen against the Company 
in its normal course of business. The Company believes that these claims and 
lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of 
operation or financial position. 

   In the event of an adverse ruling in any intellectual property litigation 
that now exists or might arise in the future, the Company might be required to 
discontinue the use of certain processes, cease the manufacture, use and sale 
of infringing products, expend significant resources to develop non-infringing 
technology or obtain licenses to the infringing technology. There can be no 
assurance, however, that under such circumstances, a license would be available 
under reasonable terms or at all. In the event of a successful claim against 
the Company and the Company's failure to develop or license substitute 
technology on commercially reasonable terms, the Company's financial position 
and results of operations could be adversely affected.


ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

   In the fourth quarter of 1997, no matters were submitted to a vote of 
security holders.

                                        13
<PAGE>


                                      PART II

ITEM 5.   MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER 
MATTERS

   The Company's Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market tier of 
The Nasdaq National Market under the trading Symbol "MCRL". The range of daily 
closing prices per share for the Company's common stock from January 1, 1996 to 
December 31, 1997 was:

<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>          <C>
               Year Ended December 31, 1997:        High          Low

               Fourth quarter                     $ 46.313     $ 23.000
               Third quarter                      $ 42.313     $ 23.813
               Second quarter                     $ 26.625     $ 13.500
               First quarter                      $ 20.000     $ 14.500

               Year Ended December 31, 1996:        High          Low

               Fourth quarter                     $ 16.250     $  9.625
               Third quarter                      $ 11.875     $  6.250
               Second quarter                     $  9.375     $  6.125
               First quarter                      $ 10.125     $  6.250

</TABLE>

   In July 1997, the Company declared a two-for-one stock split of its common 
stock in the form of a 100% stock dividend payable August 19, 1997, on shares 
of common stock outstanding as of August 4, 1997.  All share and per share 
information has been adjusted to retroactively give effect to the stock split 
for all periods presented.

   The reported last sale price of the Company's Common Stock on the Nasdaq 
National Market on December 31, 1997 was $28.000. The approximate number of 
holders of record of the shares of the Company's Common Stock was 98 as of 
January 30, 1998.  This number does not include shareholders whose shares are 
held in trust by other entities. The actual number of shareholders is greater 
than this number of holders of record.  The Company estimates that the number 
of beneficial shareholders of the shares of the Company's Common Stock as of 
January 30, 1998 was approximately 2000.

   The Company has authorized Common Stock, no par value and Preferred Stock, 
no par value. The Company has not issued any Preferred Stock.

   The Company has not paid any cash dividends on its capital stock. The 
Company currently intends to retain its earnings to fund the development and 
growth of its business and, therefore, does not anticipate paying any cash 
dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, the Company's existing credit 
facilities prohibit the payment of cash or stock dividends on the Company's 
capital stock without the lender's prior written consent. See Item 7 - 
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources" and Note 4 of Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8.

   During the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company did not sell any equity 
securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as 
amended. 

                                        14
<PAGE>


ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Years Ended December 31,
                              ------------------------------------------------
                                1997      1996      1995      1994      1993(1)
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                                  (in thousands, except per share amounts)
<S>                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Income Statement Data:
  Net revenues                $104,158  $ 66,244  $ 53,035  $ 35,941  $ 17,615
  Cost of revenues              48,641    32,407    26,843    20,863    10,739
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
    Gross margin                55,517    33,837    26,192    15,078     6,876
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
  Operating expenses:
    Research and development    13,986     8,613     6,469     3,792     2,573
    Selling, general and 
      administrative            17,128    11,936     9,083     6,457     3,836
    Relocation                       -         -         -         -       225
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
      Total operating expenses  31,114    20,549    15,552    10,249     6,634
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
  Income from operations        24,403    13,288    10,640     4,829       242
  Other income 
   (expenses), net                 971       730       682      (231)      (64)
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
  Income before income taxes
    and cumulative effect of
    accounting change           25,374    14,018    11,322     4,598       178
  Income tax expense (benefit)   8,627     4,766     3,963     1,656      (132)
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
  Income before cumulative
    effect of accounting
    change                      16,747     9,252     7,359     2,942       310
  Cumulative effect of change
   in accounting for 
   income taxes                      -         -         -         -       401
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
  Net income                  $ 16,747  $  9,252  $  7,359  $  2,942  $    711
                              ========  ========  ========  ========  ========

  Net income per share:
    Basic                     $   0.88  $   0.51  $   0.42  $   0.22  $   0.05
                              ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
    Diluted                   $   0.80  $   0.46  $   0.37  $   0.19  $   0.05
                              ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
  Shares used in computing 
   per share amounts:
    Basic                       19,069    18,303    17,504    13,424    13,064
                              ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
    Diluted                     20,822    20,048    19,950    15,532    14,232
                              ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                December 31,   
                              ------------------------------------------------
                                1997      1996      1995      1994      1993(1)
                              --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                                               (in thousands)
<S>                           <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Balance Sheet Data:
  Working capital             $ 41,694  $ 32,978  $ 28,494  $ 23,313  $  6,066
  Total assets                  85,527    60,008    48,342    36,482    12,962
  Long-term debt                   552     1,287     2,523     1,561     1,416
  Total shareholders' equity    70,568    47,431    36,033    26,634     7,662
</TABLE>

________________
(1)   Net income per basic and diluted share includes the cumulative effect of 
adoption of the change in accounting for income taxes in 1993 of $.03 per 
share.

                                       15
<PAGE>


ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

   Micrel designs, develops, manufactures and markets a range of high 
performance standard analog integrated circuits. These circuits are used in a 
wide variety of electronics products, including those in the communications, 
computer and industrial markets. In addition to standard products, the Company 
manufactures custom analog and mix-signal circuits and provides wafer foundry 
services.

   The Company has shifted its focus and revenue base from custom and foundry 
products to standard products. For 1997, 1996, and 1995 the Company's standard 
products sales accounted for 76%, 66%, and 56%, respectively, of the Company's 
net revenues. The Company believes that a substantial portion of its net 
revenues in the future will depend upon standard products sales. The standard 
products business is characterized by short-term orders and shipment schedules, 
and customer orders typically can be canceled or rescheduled without 
significant penalty to the customer. Since most standard products backlog is 
cancelable without significant penalty, the Company typically plans its 
production and inventory levels based on internal forecasts of customer demand, 
which is highly unpredictable and can fluctuate substantially. In addition, the 
Company is limited in its ability to reduce costs quickly in response to any 
revenue shortfalls. 

   The Company may experience significant fluctuations in its results of 
operations. Factors that affect the Company's results of operations include the 
volume and timing of orders received, changes in the mix of products sold, 
competitive pricing pressures and the Company's ability to meet increasing 
demand. As a result of the foregoing or other factors, there can be no 
assurance that the Company will not experience material fluctuations in future 
operating results on a quarterly or annual basis, which would materially and 
adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition or results of 
operations. 

   In July 1997, the Company declared a two-for-one stock split of its common 
stock in the form of a 100% stock dividend payable August 19, 1997, on shares 
of common stock outstanding as of August 4, 1997.  All share and per share 
information has been adjusted to retroactively give effect to the stock split 
for all periods presented.

Results of Operations 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   The following table sets forth certain operating data as a percentage of 
total net revenues for the periods indicated. 
                                             Years Ended December 31,
                                            --------------------------
                                             1997      1996      1995
                                            ------    ------    ------
<S>                                         <C>       <C>       <C>
      Net revenues                           100.0%    100.0%    100.0%
      Cost of revenues                        46.7      48.9      50.6
                                            ------    ------    ------
        Gross margin                          53.3      51.1      49.4
                                            ------    ------    ------
      Operating expenses:
        Research and development              13.4      13.0      12.2
        Selling, general and administrative   16.5      18.0      17.1
                                            ------    ------    ------
          Total operating expenses            29.9      31.0      29.3
                                            ------    ------    ------
      Income from operations                  23.4      20.1      20.1
      Other income, net                        1.0       1.1       1.3
                                            ------    ------    ------
      Income before income taxes              24.4      21.2      21.4
      Provision for Income Taxes               8.3       7.2       7.5
                                            ------    ------    ------
      Net income                              16.1%     14.0%     13.9%
                                            ======    ======    ======
</TABLE>

                                        16
<PAGE>


MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF 
OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

   Net Revenues.  Net revenues increased approximately 57% to $104.2 million 
for the year ended December 31, 1997 from $66.2 million in 1996 principally due 
to higher standard product revenues, which grew to 76% of net revenues from 66% 
in 1996. Sales of standard products were led by the increased sales of low 
dropout regulators, computer peripheral IC components, MOS drivers, and 
switching regulators. Such products were sold to manufacturers of portable 
computing, computing peripherals, telecommunications and industrial products. 
While the Company has experienced some slowdown in Asian orders recently, the 
Company believes that growth in other revenue channels will be sufficient to 
offset any slowdown in orders from the Company's Asian customers. 

   The Company believes that pricing pressures continue to be experienced by 
the general technology sector and by companies in the analog segment of the 
semiconductor industry despite an increase in unit demand for integrated 
circuits. In the fourth quarter of 1997, standard product customer demand 
continued to be short-term focused due to shorter than historical order lead 
times. These factors affect the Company's ability to predict future sales 
growth, profitability and forward visibility. The Company's ability to predict 
demand in future quarters also continues to be affected by the trend of its 
customers to place orders close to desired shipment dates and to reduce their 
long-term purchasing commitments, which is the result of less predictable 
demand for such customers' products and increased product availability in the 
semiconductor industry. The Company has sought to address these reduced order 
lead times by implementing faster production cycles.

   Net revenues increased approximately 25% to $66.2 million for the year ended 
December 31, 1996 from $53.0 million in 1995 principally due to higher standard 
product revenues, which grew to 66% of net revenues from 56% in 1995. Sales of 
standard products by the Company were led by the increased sales of low dropout 
regulators, computer peripherals, latched drivers and metal oxide semiconductor 
drivers and such products were sold to manufacturers of portable computing, 
computing peripherals, industrial and telecommunications products.

   International sales represented 50%, 41% and 34% of net revenues for the 
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The increase in 
international sales resulted from shipments to manufacturers of personal 
computers and communications products and demand for the Company's products 
primarily in Asian markets and, to a lesser extent, in Europe.

   The Company's international sales are primarily denominated in U.S. 
currency. Consequently, changes in exchange rates that strengthen the U.S. 
dollar could increase the price in local currencies of the Company's products 
in foreign markets and make the Company's products relatively more expensive 
than competitors' products that are denominated in local currencies, leading to 
a reduction in sales or profitability in those foreign markets. The Company has 
not taken any protective measures against exchange rate fluctuations, such as 
purchasing hedging instruments with respect to such fluctuations.

   The Company defers recognition of revenue derived from sales to domestic and 
Canadian distributors until such distributors resell the Company's products to 
their customers. Sales to international distributors are recognized upon 
shipment. The Company estimates international distributor returns and provides 
an allowance when the revenue is recognized. 

   Gross Margin.  Gross margin is affected by the volume of product sales, 
product mix, manufacturing utilization, product yields and average selling 
prices. The Company's gross margin increased to 53% for the year ended 
December 31, 1997 from 51% for the year ended December 31, 1996. The 
improvement in gross margin reflected an increase in manufacturing efficiency 
resulting from greater capacity utilization. 

   The Company's gross margin increased to 51% for the year ended December 31, 
1996 from 49% for the year ended December 31, 1995. The improvement in gross 
margin reflects an increase in manufacturing efficiency resulting from greater 
capacity utilization, cost reductions, yield improvements and spreading of

                                        17
<PAGE>


MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF 
OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)


overhead over a larger sales base that was partially offset by an increase in 
fixed expense levels associated with the expansion of manufacturing facilities.

   Manufacturing yields, which affect gross margin, may from time to time 
decline because the fabrication of integrated circuits is a highly complex and 
precise process. Factors such as minute impurities and difficulties in the 
fabrication process can cause a substantial percentage of wafers to be rejected 
or numerous die on each wafer to be nonfunctional. There can be no assurance 
that the Company in general will be able to maintain acceptable manufacturing 
yields in the future. 

   Research and Development Expenses.  Research and development expenses 
include costs associated with the development of new processes and the 
definition, design and development of standard products. The Company also 
expenses prototype wafers and new production mask sets related to new products 
as research and development costs until products based on new designs are fully 
characterized by the Company and are demonstrated to support published data 
sheets and satisfy reliability tests.

   The Company's research and development expenses increased by approximately 
$5.4 million or 62% to $14.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 from 
$8.6 million in 1996. The increase in research and development expenses for the 
year ended December 31, 1997 was primarily due to increased costs associated 
with the Company's conversion to six-inch wafer fabrication, and increased 
expenses due to engineering staffing, design services, and prototype wafers to 
support the development of new standard products. The Company believes that the 
development and introduction of new standard products is critical to its future 
success and expects that research and development expenses will increase on a 
dollar basis in the future.

   The Company's research and development expenses increased by approximately 
$2.1 million or 33% to $8.6 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 from 
$6.5 million in 1995. The increase in research and development expenses for the 
year ended December 31, 1996 was primarily due to increased costs associated 
with the Company's conversion to six inch wafer fabrication and with design 
services, and prototype wafers used to support the development of new standard 
products. In addition to these factors, the increase in research and 
development expenses for the year ended December 31, 1996 was also due to 
increased salary expenses associated with expanded engineering staffing to 
support the development of new standard products. 

   Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and 
administrative expenses increased on a dollar basis to approximately $17.1 
million for the year ended December 31, 1997 from $11.9 million for 1996 while 
decreasing on a percentage basis to 16% in 1997 from 18% of net revenues in 
1996. The dollar increase was due, in part, to higher commissions, advertising 
and other sales and administrative expenses associated with the growth of the 
Company's standard products revenues. Although the Company expects that 
selling, general and administrative expenses will increase on a dollar basis in 
the future, the Company seeks to have such expenses not increase as a 
percentage of net revenues.

   Selling, general and administrative expenses increased on a dollar basis to 
approximately $11.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 from $9.1 
million for 1995 while increasing on a percentage basis to 18% in 1996 from 17% 
of net revenues in 1995. The dollar increase was due, in part, to higher 
commissions, compensation, and other sales and marketing and promotion expenses 
associated with the growth of the Company's sales organization to support 
continuing revenue growth as well as a profit sharing accrual to promote 
personnel retention.

   Other Income, Net.  Other income, net reflects interest income from 
investments in short-term investment grade securities offset by interest 
incurred on line of credit borrowings and term notes. Other income, net 
increased by approximately $241,000 to $971,000 in 1997 from $730,000 in 1996. 
Such increase reflected a $222,000 increase in interest income due to an

                                        18
<PAGE>


MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF 
OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)


increase in average cash and investment balances and decrease in interest 
expense by $120,000 due to a reduction in the average amount of notes payable. 
The Company expects to continue to utilize term financing as appropriate to 
finance its capital equipment needs.

   Other income, net increased by approximately $48,000 to $730,000 in 1996 
from $682,000 in 1995. Such increase reflected a $120,000 gain on the 
settlement of litigation, which was offset by a $84,000 decrease in interest 
income due to a decline in average interest rates and an increase in interest 
expense of $18,000 due to higher average outstanding loan balances.

   Provision for Income Taxes.  For the year ended December 31, 1997 the 
provision for taxes on income was $8.6 million or 34% of income before 
provision for income taxes compared to $4.8 million or 34% for 1996. The 1997 
income tax provision differs from taxes computed at the federal statutory rate 
due to the effect of state taxes offset by the benefit from the foreign sales 
corporation, federal and state research and development credits, and state 
manufacturing credits.

   For the year ended December 31, 1996 the provision for taxes on income was 
$4.8 million or 34% of income before provision for income taxes compared to 
$4.0 million or 35% for 1995. The 1996 income tax provision differs from taxes 
computed at the federal statutory rate due to the effect of state taxes offset 
by the benefit from the foreign sales corporation established by the Company in 
the first quarter of 1995, state research and development credits, state 
manufacturing credits and the reinstitution of the federal research and 
development tax credit in July 1996.

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

   Since inception, the Company's principal sources of funding have been its 
cash from operations, bank borrowings and sales of common stock. Principal 
sources of liquidity at December 31, 1997 consisted of cash and short-term 
investments of $20.1 million and borrowing facilities consisting of (i) $3.0 
million under a revolving line of credit, of which all was unused and 
available, and (ii) $5.0 million under a non-revolving line of credit, under 
which there were no borrowings outstanding at December 31, 1997. The two lines 
of credit are covered by the same loan and security agreement. This agreement 
expires on September 30, 1998, subject to automatic renewal on a month to month 
basis thereafter unless terminated by either party upon 30 days notice. 
Borrowings are collateralized by substantially all of the Company's assets. The 
agreement contains certain restrictive covenants that include a restriction on 
the declaration and payment of dividends without the lender's consent. The 
Company was in compliance with all such covenants at December 31, 1997.

   The non-revolving bank line of credit that is covered by the loan agreement 
described above, can be used to fund purchases of capital equipment whereby the 
Company may borrow up to 100% of the cost, excluding installation charges, 
sales tax, freight and software charges. Amounts borrowed under this credit 
line may be converted to four-year installment notes. All equipment notes are 
collateralized by the equipment purchased, bear interest at prime and are 
subject to the same restrictive covenants as the revolving line of credit.

   Under two other notes payable, the Company had $0.2 million and $1.2 million 
outstanding at December 31, 1997. The notes are collateralized by the equipment 
purchased.

   The Company's working capital increased by $8.7 million to $41.7 million as 
of December 31, 1997 from $33.0 million as of December 31, 1996. The increase 
was primarily attributable to increases in accounts receivable of $8.2 million 
combined with increases in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of 
$3.6 million which was partially offset by a $3.3 million reduction in 
inventories as of December 31, 1997. The Company's short-term investments were 
principally invested in investment grade, interest-bearing securities.

                                        19
<PAGE>


MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF 
OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)


   The Company's cash flows from operating activities increased to 
approximately $23.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 from 
approximately $12.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. The increase 
was primarily attributable to an increase in net income to $16.7 million for 
the year ended December 31, 1997 from $9.3 million for the comparable prior 
year period and to a $3.3 million decrease in inventory combined with a $3.6 
million tax benefit from employee stock transactions, which were partially 
offset by a $8.2 million increase in accounts receivable resulting from higher 
sales. For the year ended December 31, 1996, cash flows from operating 
activities increased to approximately $12.3 million from approximately $3.8 
million for the year ended December 31, 1995. The increase in 1996 was 
primarily attributable to net income of $9.3 million for the year ended 
December 31, 1996 and increases in income taxes payable and accrued 
compensation coupled with decreases in accounts receivable, which were offset 
by increases in inventories. 

   The Company's investing activities in the year ended December 31, 1997 used 
cash of approximately $25.6 million compared to $10.8 million for 1996. The 
increase in cash used by investing activities resulted primarily from an 
incremental $11.8 million increase in equipment purchases and leasehold 
improvements primarily relating to the six-inch wafer fabrication operation for 
the year ended December 31, 1997 and $3.1 million in net additional purchases 
of short-term investments.

   Financing activities for the year ended December 31, 1997 provided cash of 
approximately $1.7 million as compared to $0.2 million of cash used in 
financing activities for the comparable period in 1996. This change was the 
result of an increase of $1.4 million in proceeds from the issuance of common 
stock through the exercise of stock options in the year ended December 31, 1997 
as compared to the same period in 1996, and a $0.4 million reduction in 
repayments of long-term debt during the same periods.

   The Company currently intends to spend up to approximately $44.0 million 
during the next twelve months primarily for the purchase of additional wafer 
and test manufacturing equipment and leasehold improvements. The Company 
expects that its cash requirements through 1998 will be met by its existing 
cash balances and short-term investments, cash from operations and its existing 
credit facilities.

Factors That May Affect Operating Results

   The statements contained in this Report on Form 10-K that are not purely 
historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of 
the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934, including statements regarding the Company's expectations, hopes, 
intentions or strategies regarding the future. Forward-looking statements 
include: statements regarding future products or product development; 
statements regarding future research and development spending and the Company's 
product development strategy; and statements regarding the levels of 
international sales. All forward-looking statements included in this document 
are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof, and the 
Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. It 
is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially 
from those in such forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could 
cause actual results to differ materially are set forth below. 

   The Company may experience significant fluctuations in its results of 
operations. Factors that affect the Company's results of operations include the 
volume and timing of orders received, changes in the mix of products sold, 
market acceptance of the Company's and its customers' products, competitive 
pricing pressures, the Company's ability to meet increasing demand, the 
Company's ability to introduce new products on a timely basis, the timing of 
new product announcements and introductions by the Company or its competitors, 
the timing and extent of research and development expenses, fluctuations in 
manufacturing yields, cyclical semiconductor industry conditions, the Company's 
access to advanced process technologies and the timing and extent of process

                                       20
<PAGE>


MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF 
OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)


development costs. As a result of the foregoing or other factors, there can be 
no assurance that the Company will not experience material fluctuations in 
future operating results on a quarterly or annual basis, which would materially 
and adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition or results of 
operations.

   The Company has transitioned its business to rely more heavily on the sale 
of standard products. The Company believes that a substantial portion of its 
net revenues in the future will continue to depend upon standard products 
sales. As compared with the custom and foundry products business, the standard 
products business is characterized by shorter product lifecycles, greater 
pricing pressures, larger competitors and more rapid technological change. 
Generally, the standard products market is a rapidly changing market in which 
the Company faces the risk that, as the market changes, its product offerings 
will become obsolete. The Company competes in the standard products market with 
established companies, most of which have substantially greater financial, 
engineering, manufacturing and marketing resources than the Company. No 
assurance can be given that the Company will be able to compete successfully in 
the standard products market or that it will be able to successfully introduce 
new standard products in the future. The failure of the Company to compete 
successfully in the standard products business would materially and adversely 
affect the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

   The analog semiconductor industry is highly competitive and subject to rapid 
technological change. Significant competitive factors in the analog market 
include product features, performance, price, timing of product introductions, 
emergence of new computer standards, quality and customer support. Because the 
standard products market for analog integrated circuits is diverse and highly 
fragmented, the Company encounters different competitors in its various market 
areas. Most of these competitors have substantially greater technical, 
financial and marketing resources and greater name recognition than the 
Company. Due to the increasing demands for analog circuits, the Company expects 
intensified competition from existing analog circuit suppliers and the entry of 
new competition. Increased competition could adversely affect the Company's 
financial condition or results of operations. There can be no assurance that 
the Company will be able to compete successfully in either the standard 
products or custom and foundry products business in the future or that 
competitive pressures will not adversely affect the Company's financial 
condition or results of operations.

   The fabrication of integrated circuits is a highly complex and precise 
process. Minute impurities, contaminants in the manufacturing environment, 
difficulties in the fabrication process, defects in the masks used to print 
circuits on a wafer, manufacturing equipment failures, wafer breakage or other 
factors can cause a substantial percentage of wafers to be rejected or numerous 
die on each wafer to be nonfunctional. Moreover, there can be no assurance that 
the Company will be able to maintain acceptable manufacturing yields in the 
future. 

   The semiconductor industry is characterized by frequent litigation regarding 
patent and other intellectual property rights. There can be no assurance that 
these existing claims or any other assertions (or claims for indemnity 
resulting from infringement claims) will not materially adversely affect the 
Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.

   The Company's future success depends in part upon its intellectual property, 
including patents, trade secrets, know-how and continuing technology 
innovation. There can be no assurance that the steps taken by the Company to 
protect its intellectual property will be adequate to prevent misappropriation 
or that others will not develop competitive technologies or products. There can 
be no assurance that any patent owned by the Company will not be invalidated, 
circumvented or challenged, that the rights granted thereunder will provide 
competitive advantages to the Company or that any of the Company's pending or 
future patent applications will be issued with the scope of the claims sought 
by the Company, if at all. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that others 
will not develop technologies that are similar or superior to the Company's 
technology, duplicate the Company's technology or design around the patents 
owned by the Company.

                                        21
<PAGE>


MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF 
OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)


   The Company has generated a substantial portion of its net revenues from 
export sales. See Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
contained in Item 8. The Company believes that a substantial portion of its 
future net revenues will depend on export sales to customers in international 
markets including Asia. International markets are subject to a variety of 
risks, including changes in policy by foreign governments, social conditions 
such as civil unrest, and economic conditions including high levels of 
inflation, fluctuation in the value of foreign currencies and currency exchange 
rates and trade restrictions or prohibitions. In addition, the Company sells to 
domestic customers that do business worldwide and cannot predict how the 
businesses of these customers may be affected by economic conditions in Asia or 
elsewhere. Such factors could adversely affect the Company's future revenues, 
financial condition or results of operations.

Readiness for Year 2000

   The Company has and will continue to make certain investments in its 
software systems and applications to ensure the Company is year 2000 compliant. 
The financial impact to the Company has not been and is not anticipated to be 
material to its financial position or results of operations in any given year.


ITEM 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

   Disclosures under this item are not required for the current fiscal year.


ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

   The Company's financial statements are set forth on pages 27 through 42, 
which follow Item 14.


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

   Not applicable.

                                        22
<PAGE>


                                      PART III

ITEM 10.   DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

   The information concerning the directors of the Company is included in the 
Company's Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the Company's 1998 
annual meeting of shareholders under the caption "Election of Directors" and is 
incorporated herein by reference. The information concerning the executive 
officers of the Company required by this item is as follows:

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

   The executive officers of the Company, and their ages as of December 31, 
1997, are as follows:


           Name               Age                     Position
      --------------------   -----   ------------------------------------------

      Raymond D. Zinn          60    President, Chief Executive Officer

      Warren H. Muller         58    Vice President, Test Operations, Secretary

      Robert J. Barker         51    Vice President, Finance and
                                     Chief Financial Officer

      John D. Husher           65    Vice President, Wafer Fabrication Division

      George T. Anderl         58    Vice President, Sales and Marketing

      Lawrence R. Sample       51    Vice President, Design



   Mr. Zinn is a co-founder of the Company and has been its President, Chief 
Executive Officer and a member of its Board of Directors since its 
incorporation in 1978. Prior to co-founding Micrel, Mr. Zinn held various 
management and manufacturing executive positions in the semiconductor industry 
at Electromask TRE, Electronic Arrays, Inc., Teledyne, Inc., Fairchild 
Semiconductor Corporation and Nortek, Inc. He holds a B.S. in Industrial 
Management from Brigham Young University and a M.S. in Business Administration 
from San Jose State University. 

   Mr. Muller is a co-founder of the Company and has served as a member of the 
Company's Board of Directors and as its Vice President of Test Operations since 
its incorporation in 1978. He was previously employed in various positions in 
semiconductor processing and testing at Electronic Arrays, Inc. and General 
Instruments Corporation. Mr. Muller holds a B.S.E.E. from Clarkson College. 

   Mr. Barker joined the Company as Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial 
Officer in April 1994. From April 1984 until he joined Micrel, Mr. Barker was 
employed by Waferscale Integration, Inc., where his last position was Vice 
President of Finance and Secretary. Prior to 1984, Mr. Barker held various 
accounting and financial positions at Monolithic Memories and Lockheed Missiles 
and Space Co. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a M.B.A. from 
University of California at Los Angeles. 

   Mr. Husher joined the Company in May 1982 and his current position is Vice 
President and General Manager, Wafer Fabrication Division. He was previously 
employed in engineering and management positions with Sprague Semiconductor and 
Fairchild Semiconductor Corp. Mr. Husher received his B.S.E.E. from the 

                                        23
<PAGE>


University of Pittsburgh. 

   Mr. Anderl joined the Company in June 1996 as its Vice President, Sales and 
Marketing. From 1991 until he joined Micrel, Mr. Anderl was employed by Quality 
Semiconductor, where his last position was Vice President, Worldwide Sales. His 
prior employers include Austek Microsystems, Advanced Micro Devices, and 
Monolithic Memories. Mr. Anderl holds a B.S.E.E. degree from Purdue University 
and a M.S.E.E. from Santa Clara University. 

   Mr. Sample joined the Company in September 1989 and is currently its Vice 
President, Design. Prior to joining Micrel, Mr. Sample was employed by Motorola 
and National Semiconductor Corporation in various engineering positions of 
analog semiconductor products. Mr. Sample received his B.S.E.E. degree from the 
University of Illinois and his M.S.E.E. from Arizona State University. 


ITEM 11.   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   The information required by this item is included under the caption 
"Executive Compensation" and "Stock Option Grants and Exercise" in the 
Company's Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the Company's 1998 
annual meeting of shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference. 


ITEM 12.   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

   The information required by this item is included under the caption 
"Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" in the 
Company's Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the Company's 1998 
annual meeting of shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference. 


ITEM 13.   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

   The information required by this item is included under the caption "Certain 
Transactions" in the Company's Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with 
the Company's 1998 annual meeting of shareholders and is incorporated herein by 
reference.

                                        24
<PAGE>


                                      PART IV

ITEM 14.   EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
  (a) The following documents are filed as part of this Report:
      1.  Financial Statements.  The following financial statements of the
          company and the Report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent
          Auditors, are included in this Report on the pages indicated:

                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
          Independent Auditors' Report                                      27
          Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1996      28
          Consolidated Income Statements for the Years ended 
           December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995                                 29
          Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the
           Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995                     30
          Consolidated Statements of Cash flows for the Years ended
           December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995                                 31
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                        32

      2.  Financial Statement Schedules.  The following financial statement
          schedule of the Company for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
          and 1995 is filed as part of this report on Form 10-K and should be
          read in conjunction with the financial statements.

           Schedule                  Title                                 Page
           --------    ------------------------------------------------    ----
                       Independent Auditors' Report                         43
              II       Valuation and Qualifying Accounts                    44

          Schedules not listed above have been omitted because they are not
          applicable, not required, or the information required to be set forth
          therein is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes
          thereto.

      3.  Exhibits.  See Exhibit Index on pages 25 and 26 hereof for a list of
          exhibits filed or incorporated by reference as a part of this report.

  (b) Reports on Form 8-K.  No Report on Form 8-K was filed by the Company in
      the quarter ended December 31, 1997.

  (c) Exhibits Pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K

      Exhibit
      Number            Description
      -------           -----------
        3.1    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the
               Registrant. (1)
        3.2    Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of
               the Registrant. (2)
        3.3    Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant. (2)
        4.1    Certificate for Shares of Registrant's Common Stock. (3)
       10.1    Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and each
               of its officers and directors. (3)
       10.2    1989 Stock Option Plan and form of Stock Option Agreement. (1) *
       10.3    1994 Stock Option Plan and form of Stock Option Agreement. (1) *
       10.4    1994 Stock Purchase Plan. (4)
       10.5    Lease Agreement dated November 1, 1981 between the Registrant 
               and Pastoria Limited Partnership, as amended March 3, 1988. (1)

                                        25
<PAGE>


       10.6    Lease Agreement dated June 24, 1992 between the Registrant and
               GOCO Realty Fund I, as amended August 6, 1992 and February 5,
               1993. (1)
       10.7    Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated
               November 29, 1990 between the Registrant and Bank of the West,
               as amended February 11, 1991, August 6, 1991, October 31, 1991,
               June 24, 1992, September 24, 1992, August 16, 1993, April 29,
               1994, July 2, 1994, August 23, 1994, September 30, 1994,
               October 24, 1994. (1)
       10.8    Form of Domestic Distribution Agreement. (2)
       10.9    Form of International Distributor Agreement. (2)
       10.10   Second Amendment dated February 20, 1995 between the Registrant
               and TR Brell Cal Corporation to Lease Agreement dated June 24,
               1992 between the Registrant and GOCO Realty Fund I, as amended
               August 6, 1992 and February 5, 1993. (3)
       10.11   Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated
               November 29, 1990 between the Registrant and Bank of the West,
               as amended March 31, 1995. (4)
       10.12   Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated
               November 29, 1990 between the Registrant and Bank of the West,
               as amended September 30, 1996. (5)
       10.13   Amended and Restated 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as
               amended January 1, 1996. (6)
       23.1    Independent Auditors' Consent.
       24.1    Power of Attorney.  (See Signature Page.)
       27.1    Financial Data Schedule

     *   Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

      (1)Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration
         Statement on Form S-1 ("Registration Statement"), File No. 33-85694,
         in which this exhibit bears the same number, unless otherwise
         indicated.

      (2)Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
         Statement, in which this exhibit bears the same number, unless 
         otherwise indicated.

      (3)Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K 
         for the year ended December 31, 1995, in which this exhibit bears the
         same number, unless otherwise indicated.

      (4)Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 filed with the Company's
         quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1995.

      (5)Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 filed with the Company's
         quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1996.

      (6)Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K 
         for the year ended December 31, 1996, in which this exhibit bears the
         number 10.14.

  (d) Financial Statement Schedules.  The financial statement schedule required
      by this Item is listed under Item 14(a)(2) above.

                                        26
<PAGE>



INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
 Micrel, Incorporated:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Micrel, 
Incorporated and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the 
related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows 
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997.  These 
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our 
responsibility is to express an opinion on these 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, such financial statements present fairly, in all material 
respects, the financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries at 
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of their operations and their cash 
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997 in 
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.





Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Jose, California
January 22, 1998

                                        27
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             MICREL, INCORPORATED

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                          DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
                     (in thousands, except share amounts)

                                                           1997         1996  
                                                         --------     --------
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>
ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:  
  Cash and cash equivalents                              $  2,581     $  3,239
  Short-term investments                                   17,565       13,334
  Accounts receivable, less allowances:
  1997, $2,015; 1996, $1,224                               16,938        8,748
  Inventories                                              10,664       13,922
  Prepaid expenses and other                                  404          447
  Deferred income taxes                                     4,772        2,591
                                                         --------     --------
    Total current assets                                   52,924       42,281

EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS, NET                  32,423       17,476

OTHER ASSETS                                                  180          251
                                                         --------     --------
TOTAL                                                    $ 85,527     $ 60,008
                                                         ========     ========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY  

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable                                       $  2,858     $  2,409
  Accrued compensation                                      2,719        2,244
  Accrued commissions                                         974          685
  Income taxes payable                                      1,152          913
  Other accrued liabilities                                   775          720
  Deferred income on shipments to domestic distributors     1,940        1,180
  Current portion of long-term debt                           812        1,152
                                                         --------     --------
    Total current liabilities                              11,230        9,303
                                                         --------     --------

LONG-TERM DEBT, NET OF CURRENT PORTION                        552        1,287
DEFERRED RENT                                                 916          917
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                                       2,261        1,070

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 7 and 11)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Preferred stock, no par value - authorized: 5,000,000 
   shares; issued and outstanding: none                         -            -
  Common stock, no par value - authorized: 50,000,000
   shares; issued and outstanding:  1997 - 19,483,319;
   1996 - 18,661,286                                       27,703       21,315
  Net unrealized losses on short-term investments               -           (2)
  Retained earnings                                       42, 865       26,118
                                                         --------     --------
    Total shareholders' equity                             70,568       47,431
                                                         --------     --------
TOTAL                                                    $ 85,527     $ 60,008
                                                         ========     ========

See notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                        28
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            MICREL, INCORPORATED

                       CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS 
                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
                   (in thousands, except per share amounts) 

                                               1997        1996        1995   
                                             --------    --------    -------- 
<S>                                         <C>         <C>          <C>
NET REVENUES                                $ 104,158    $ 66,244   $  53,035

COST OF REVENUES                               48,641      32,407      26,843
                                             --------    --------    -------- 
GROSS MARGIN                                   55,517      33,837      26,192
                                             --------    --------    -------- 
OPERATING EXPENSES:
  Research and development                     13,986       8,613       6,469
  Selling, general and administrative          17,128      11,936       9,083
                                             --------    --------    -------- 
    Total operating expenses                   31,114      20,549      15,552
                                             --------    --------    -------- 
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                         24,403      13,288      10,640
                                             --------    --------    -------- 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
  Interest income                               1,088         866         950
  Interest expense                               (161)       (281)       (263)
  Other, net                                       44         145          (5)
                                             --------    --------    -------- 
    Total other income, net                       971         730         682
                                             --------    --------    -------- 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                     25,374      14,018      11,322

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                      8,627       4,766       3,963
                                             --------    --------    -------- 
NET INCOME                                   $ 16,747     $ 9,252     $ 7,359
                                             ========     =======     =======

NET INCOME PER SHARE:
  Basic                                      $   0.88     $  0.51     $  0.42
                                             ========     =======     =======
  Diluted                                    $   0.80     $  0.46     $  0.37
                                             ========     =======     =======

SHARES USED IN COMPUTING PER SHARE AMOUNTS:
  Basic                                        19,069      18,303      17,504
                                             ========     =======     =======
  Diluted                                      20,822      20,048      19,950
                                             ========     =======     =======

See notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                        29
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            MICREL, INCORPORATED

               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
                    (in thousands, except share amounts) 

                                                Net Unreal-
                                                ized Gains
                              Common Stock      (Losses)on
                          --------------------  Short-Term   Retained
                            Shares     Amount   Investments  Earnings   Total  
                          ----------  --------  -----------  --------  -------- 
<S>                       <C>         <C>       <C>          <C>       <C>
Balances, January 1,
 1994                     17,300,738  $ 17,127  $         -  $  9,507  $ 26,634 

Employee stock
 transactions                496,326       806            -         -       806 

Tax benefit of employee
 stock transactions                -     1,229            -         -     1,229 

Change in net unrealized
 gains from short-term 
 investments                       -         -            5         -         5 

Net income                         -         -            -     7,359     7,359 
                          ----------  --------  -----------  --------  -------- 
Balances, December 31,
 1995                     17,797,064    19,162            5    16,866    36,033 

Employee stock
 transactions                864,222     1,309            -         -     1,309 

Tax benefit of employee
 stock transactions                -       844            -         -       844

Change in net unrealized
 gains from short-term
 investments                       -         -           (7)        -        (7)

Net income                         -         -            -     9,252     9,252
                          ----------  --------  -----------  --------  --------
Balances, December 31,
 1996                     18,661,286    21,315           (2)   26,118    47,431

Employee stock
 transactions                822,033     2,748            -         -     2,748

Tax benefit of employee
 stock transactions                -     3,640            -         -     3,640

Change in net unrealized
 gains from short-term
 investments                       -         -            2         -         2

Net income                         -         -            -    16,747    16,747
                          ----------  --------  -----------  --------  --------
Balances, December 31,
 1997                     19,483,319  $ 27,703  $         -  $ 42,865  $ 70,568
                          ==========  ========  ===========  ========  ========

See notes to consolidated financial statements. 
</TABLE>

                                  30
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            MICREL, INCORPORATED

                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
                               (in thousands)

                                                  1997       1996       1995  
                                                --------   --------   -------- 
<S>                                             <C>        <C>        <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income                                    $ 16,747   $  9,252   $  7,359
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
   cash provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                  6,509      3,420      2,176
    Loss on disposal of assets                       (44)         6          -
    Deferred rent                                     (1)       114        113
    Deferred income taxes                           (990)      (171)      (365)
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable                         (8,190)       533     (3,662)
      Inventories                                  3,258     (2,508)    (3,650)
      Prepaid expenses and other assets              114       (296)       (45)
      Accounts payable                               449       (469)      (425)
      Accrued compensation                           475        994        173
      Accrued commissions                            289        101        379
      Income taxes payable                         3,879      1,264        922
      Other accrued liabilities                       55       (142)        96
      Deferred income on shipments to domestic
       distributors                                  760        223        721
                                                --------   --------   --------
        Net cash provided by operating
         activities                               23,310     12,321      3,792
                                                --------   --------   --------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchases of equipment and leasehold
   improvements                                  (21,410)    (9,608)    (7,719)
  Purchases of short-term investments            (37,531)   (29,118)   (26,567)
  Proceeds from sales and maturities of
   short-term investments                         33,300     27,951     23,242
                                                --------   --------   --------
        Net cash used in investing activities    (25,641)   (10,775)   (11,044)
                                                --------   --------   --------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:   
  Repayments of long-term debt                    (1,075)    (1,517)    (1,047)
  Proceeds from the issuance of common stock       2,748      1,309        806
  Proceeds from long-term borrowings                   -          -      2,500
                                                --------   --------   --------
        Net cash provided by (used in)
         financing activities                      1,673       (208)     2,259
                                                --------   --------   --------

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
 CASH EQUIVALENTS                                   (658)     1,338     (4,993)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - Beginning of year      3,239      1,901      6,894
                                                --------   --------   --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - End of year         $  2,581   $  3,239   $  1,901
                                                ========   ========   ========

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:   
  Cash paid during the year for:
    Interest                                    $    152   $    103   $    257
                                                ========   ========   ========
    Income taxes                                $  5,625   $  2,598   $  3,407
                                                ========   ========   ========

See notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                        31
<PAGE>


                                MICREL, INCORPORATED
                     NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


1.   SIGNIFICANT  ACCOUNTING  POLICIES

Nature of Business - Micrel, Incorporated (the "Company") develops, 
manufactures and markets analog semiconductor devices and provides custom and 
foundry services which include silicon wafer fabrication, integrated circuit 
assembly and testing.  The Company's standard integrated circuits are sold 
principally in North America, Asia, and Europe for use in a variety of 
products, including those in the computer, communication, and industrial 
markets.  The Company's custom circuits and wafer foundry services are provided 
to a wide range of customers that produce electronic systems for 
communications, consumer and military applications.  All wafers are processed 
at the Company's wafer fabrication facility located in San Jose, California. 
After wafer fabrication, the completed wafers are then separated into 
individual circuits and packaged at independent assembly and final test 
contract facilities located in Malaysia.

Principles of Consolidation - The accompanying consolidated financial 
statements include the accounts of Micrel, Incorporated and its wholly-owned 
subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been 
eliminated.

Use of Estimates - In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, 
management utilizes certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported 
amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and 
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  
Significant estimates include the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, 
reserves for sales returns,  and net realizable value of inventory.  Actual 
results could differ from those estimates.

Cash Equivalents - The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments 
purchased with remaining maturities of less than three months to be cash 
equivalents.

Short-term Investments - Short-term investments consist primarily of highly 
liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity date of greater 
than 90 days.  Short-term investments are classified as available for sale 
securities and are stated at market value with unrealized gains and losses 
included in shareholders' equity, net of income taxes.  At December 31, 1997 
and 1996, short-term investments consisted of corporate debt securities 
(commercial paper) and repurchase agreements with a financial institution with 
maturities of less than one year. 

Concentration of Credit Risk - Financial instruments that potentially subject 
the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and equivalents, 
short-term investments, and accounts receivable.  Risks associated with cash 
are mitigated by banking with creditworthy institutions. Cash equivalents and 
short-term investments consist primarily of commercial paper and bank 
certificates of deposit and are regularly monitored by management.  Credit risk 
with respect to the trade receivables is spread over a large number of 
geographically diverse customers, who make up the Company's customer base. At 
December 31, 1997, two customers accounted for 13% and 10% of total accounts 
receivable and at December 31, 1996, one customer accounted for 15% of total 
accounts receivable. 

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

Equipment and Leasehold Improvements - Equipment and leasehold improvements are 
stated at cost. Depreciation on equipment is computed using straight-line and 
accelerated methods over estimated useful lives of three to five years.  
Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the 
useful lives of the improvements. The Company evaluates the recoverability of 
long-lived assets at least annually.

                                        32
<PAGE>


                                MICREL, INCORPORATED
                     NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


Revenue Recognition - Revenues from products sold directly to customers is 
recognized upon shipment.  Certain of the Company's sales are made to United 
States and Canadian distributors under agreements allowing certain rights of 
return and price protection on merchandise unsold by these distributors.  
Accordingly, the Company defers recognition of such revenues until the 
merchandise is sold by the distributors.  Sales to international distributors 
are recognized upon shipment.  The Company estimates international distributor 
returns and warranty costs, and provides allowances as revenue is recognized.  
Warranty costs have not been material in any period.

Research and Development Expenses - Research and development expenses include 
costs associated with the development of new processes and the definition, 
design and development of standard products. The Company also expenses 
prototype wafers and new production mask sets related to new products as 
research and development costs until products based on new designs are fully 
characterized by the Company and are demonstrated to support published data 
sheets and satisfy reliability tests.

Income Taxes - Income taxes are provided at current rates.  Deferred income 
taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying 
amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and amounts 
used for income tax purposes.

Stock-based Awards - The Company accounts for stock-based awards to employees 
using the intrinsic value method in accordance with Accounting Principles Board 
Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.

Net Income per Common and Equivalent Share -In the fourth quarter of 1997 the 
Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128 
"Earnings Per Share" and, retroactively, restated the earnings per share (EPS) 
for 1996 and 1995. SFAS 128 requires presentation of basic and diluted EPS. 
Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income by the number of weighted average 
common shares outstanding.  Diluted EPS reflects potential dilution from 
outstanding stock options, using the treasury stock method.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Reconciliation of weighted average shares used in computing earnings per share 
are as follows (in thousands):

                                                 Years Ended December 31,
                                             --------------------------------
                                               1997        1996        1995  
                                             --------    --------    --------
<S>                                          <C>         <C>         <C>
Weighted average common shares outstanding     19,069      18,303      17,504
Dilutive effect of stock options outstanding,
 using the treasury stock method                1,753       1,745       2,446
                                             --------    --------    --------
Shares used in computing diluted earnings
 per share                                     20,822      20,048      19,950
                                             ========    ========    ========
</TABLE>

In July 1997, the Company declared a two-for-one stock split of its common 
stock in the form of a 100% stock dividend payable August 19, 1997, on shares 
of common stock outstanding as of August 4, 1997. All share and per share 
information, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, have been 
adjusted to retroactively give effect to the stock split for all periods 
presented.

                                        33
<PAGE>


                                MICREL, INCORPORATED
                     NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Financial instruments included in the 
Company's consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 1997 and 1996 consist of 
cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term debt. For cash, 
the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of the fair value. The carrying 
amount for cash equivalents approximates fair value because of the short 
maturity of those investments.  The fair value of long-term debt approximates 
the carrying amount as the borrowings are at adjustable interest rates and 
repriced based on fluctuations in market conditions.

2.   INVENTORIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Inventories at December 31 consist of the following (in thousands):

                                                           1997        1996  
                                                         --------    --------
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>
Finished goods                                           $  2,480    $  2,735
Work in process                                             6,351       8,313
Raw materials                                               1,833       2,874
                                                         --------    --------
                                                         $ 10,664    $ 13,922
                                                         ========    ========
</TABLE>

3.   EQUIPMENT  AND  LEASEHOLD  IMPROVEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Equipment and leasehold improvements at December 31 consist of the following
(in thousands):

                                                           1997        1996  
                                                         --------    --------
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>
Manufacturing equipment                                  $ 47,619    $ 28,510
Leasehold improvements                                      2,223       1,620
Office furniture and equipment                              1,520         884
                                                         --------    --------
                                                           51,362      31,014
Accumulated depreciation and amortization                 (18,939)    (13,538)
                                                         --------    --------
                                                         $ 32,423    $ 17,476
                                                         ========    ========
</TABLE>

4.   BORROWING  ARRANGEMENTS

Under a revolving line of credit and security agreement expiring September 30, 
1998, the Company can borrow up to 80% of its eligible accounts receivable to a 
maximum of $3.0 million. Borrowings under the line of credit agreement bear 
interest at prime (8.5% at December 31, 1997) and are collateralized by 
substantially all of the assets of the Company. There were no borrowings under 
this revolving line of credit at December 31, 1997.

Under the same security agreement, the Company has a non-revolving bank line of 
credit of $5.0 million for funding purchases of capital equipment under which 
the Company may borrow up to 100% of the cost, excluding installation charges, 
sales tax, freight and software. Amounts borrowed under this credit line may be 
converted to four-year installment notes. All equipment notes are 
collateralized by the equipment purchased and bear interest at prime. There 
were no borrowings under this non-revolving line of credit at December 31, 
1997.

                                        34
<PAGE>


                                MICREL, INCORPORATED
                     NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


Under another nonrevolving bank line of credit that expired, the Company had 
$1.4 million outstanding at December 31, 1997 under term notes that are 
collateralized by the equipment purchased.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long-term debt at December 31, collateralized by equipment, consists of the 
following (in thousands):

                                                           1997        1996  
                                                         --------    --------
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>
Notes payable bearing interest at prime plus 0.75%,
 payable in monthly installments through September 1998  $    187    $    689

Notes payable bearing interest at prime, payable in
 monthly installments through January 2000                  1,177       1,750
                                                         --------    --------
Total long-term debt                                        1,364       2,439
Current portion                                              (812)     (1,152)
                                                         --------    --------
Long-term debt                                           $    552    $  1,287
</TABLE>

Maturities of long-term debt subsequent to December 31, 1997 are as follows: 
$812,000 in 1998, $521,000 in 1999 and $31,000 in 2000.

The agreements contain certain restrictive covenants that include a restriction 
on the declaration and payment of dividends without the lender's consent. The 
Company was in compliance with all such covenants at December 31, 1997.

5.   SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 

Preferred Stock

The Company has authorized 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value, 
of which none were issued or outstanding at December 31, 1997. The preferred 
stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series.  The Board of 
Directors is authorized to determine or alter the rights, preferences, 
privileges and restrictions of such preferred stock.

Stock Option Plans

Under the Company's 1994 and 1989 Stock Option Plans (the "Option Plans"), 
6,964,668 shares of common stock were authorized for issuance to key employees. 
The Option Plans provide that the option price will be determined by the Board 
of Directors at a price not less than the fair value at the date of grant.  
Certain shareholder/employees of the Company are granted options at 110% of the 
current fair market value. Options granted become exercisable in not less than 
cumulative annual increments of 20% per year from the date of grant. In 1996, 
the shareholders approved an amendment to the 1994 Stock Option Plan which 
authorized an additional 1,000,000 shares to be made available for issuance 
under the 1994 Stock Option Plan. At December 31, 1997, 2,053,046 shares were 
available for future grants under the Option Plans.

                                        35
<PAGE>


                                MICREL, INCORPORATED
                     NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Option activity under the Option Plans is as follows:


                                                                     Weighted
                                                                      Average
                                                          Number     Exercise
                                                        of Shares      Price 
                                                        ---------    --------
<S>                                                     <C>          <C>
Outstanding, January 1, 1995                            2,830,200    $   1.11
  Granted                                                 438,500        9.84
  Exercised                                              (388,192)       1.02
  Canceled                                                (26,400)       3.48
                                                        ---------
Outstanding, December 31, 1995 (1,165,308 exercisable
 at a weighted average price of $0.71)                  2,854,108        2.44
  Granted                                                 937,000        8.35
  Granted (at 110% of fair market value)                  100,000        7.57
  Exercised                                              (798,800)       1.06
  Canceled                                               (476,500)       3.97
                                                        ---------
Outstanding, December 31, 1996 (769,308 exercisable
 at a weighted average price of $1.58)                  2,615,808        4.89
  Granted                                                 865,250       25.60
  Exercised                                              (783,350)       2.68
  Canceled                                               (141,900)       7.14
                                                        ---------
Outstanding, December 31, 1997 (452,658 exercisable
 at a weighted average price of $3.65)                  2,555,808    $  12.44
                                                        =========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additional information regarding options outstanding as of December 31, 1997 
is as follows:

                         Stock Options Outstanding         Options Exercisable
                    ----------------------------------    ---------------------
                                  Weighted
                                  Average     Weighted                 Weighted
                                  Remaining   Average                  Average
   Range of            Number    Contractual  Exercise      Number     Exercise
Exercise Prices     Outstanding  Life (yrs)    Price      Exercisable   Price
- ----------------    -----------  -----------  --------    -----------  --------
<S>                 <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
$ 0.50 to $ 6.84       685,508       5.4       $ 1.68       320,008     $ 1.23
$ 6.85 to $10.25       822,850       7.7       $ 7.75        87,350     $ 8.02
$10.26 to $13.67       219,700       8.4       $11.88        36,300     $11.51
$13.68 to $17.09        66,000       8.7       $15.57         9,000     $15.51
$17.10 to $25.64       410,000       9.7       $23.90           -           -
$25.65 to $34.19       761,750       9.7       $27.07           -           -
                     ---------                             --------
                     2,555,808                 $12.44       452,658      $3.65
                     =========                             ========
</TABLE>

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Under the 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, (the "Purchase Plan"), eligible 
employees are permitted to have salary withholdings to purchase shares of 
common stock at a price equal to 85% of the lower of the market value of the 
stock at the beginning or end of each six-month offer period, subject to an 
annual limitation.  Stock issued under the Purchase Plan were 38,683, 65,422 
and 108,134 in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, at weighted average prices of 
$16.75, $7.08 and $3.83, respectively. At December 31, 1997, there are 212,239 

                                        36
<PAGE>


                                MICREL, INCORPORATED
                     NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


shares of common stock issued under the Purchase Plan and 387,761 shares were 
reserved for future issuance under the Purchase Plan.  The Purchase Plan 
excludes all Company Officers (as defined in the Purchase Plan) from 
participation in the Purchase Plan.

Additional Stock - Based Award Information

As discussed in Note 1, the Company continues to account for its stock-based 
awards using the intrinsic value method in accordance with Accounting 
Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and 
its related interpretations.  Accordingly, no compensation expense has been 
recognized in the financial statements for employee stock arrangements.

SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, requires the disclosure 
of pro forma net income and earnings per share had the Company adopted the fair 
value method as of the beginning of fiscal 1995.  Under SFAS 123, the fair 
value of stock-based awards to employees is calculated through the use of 
option pricing models, even though such models were developed to estimate the 
fair value of freely tradable, fully transferable options without vesting 
restrictions, which significantly differ from the Company's stock option 
awards. These models also require subjective assumptions, including future 
stock volatility and expected time to exercise, which greatly affect the 
calculated values.  The Company's calculations were made using the Black-
Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: 
expected life, 60 months; stock volatility, 74.3% in 1997, 75.3% in 1996 and 
1995; risk free interest rates, 5.44% in 1997, 6.16% in 1996 and 1995; and no 
dividends during the expected term. The Company's calculations are based on a 
multiple option valuation approach and forfeitures are recognized as they 
occur.  If the computed fair values of the 1997, 1996 and 1995 awards under 
both the Option Plans and the Purchase Plan had been amortized to expense over 
the vesting period of the awards, pro forma net income and net income per share 
would have been as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Years Ended December 31,
                                             --------------------------------
                                               1997        1996        1995  
                                             --------    --------    --------
<S>                                          <C>         <C>         <C>
Pro forma net income                         $ 13,975    $  7,718    $  6,748

Pro forma net income per share:
  Basic                                        $ 0.73      $ 0.42      $ 0.39
  Diluted                                      $ 0.71      $ 0.41      $ 0.38
</TABLE>

The amounts used above are based on calculated values for option awards in 
1997, 1996 and 1995 aggregating $4,917,000.  The impact of outstanding stock 
options granted prior to 1995 has been excluded from the pro forma calculation; 
accordingly, the 1997, 1996 and 1995 pro forma adjustments are not indicative 
of future period pro forma adjustments, when the calculation will apply to all 
applicable stock options. 

                                        37
<PAGE>


                                MICREL, INCORPORATED
                     NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


6.   INCOME  TAXES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31 consists of the 
following (in thousands):

                                               1997        1996        1995  
                                             --------    --------    --------
<S>                                          <C>         <C>         <C>
Currently payable:   
  Federal                                    $ 10,735    $  4,440    $  4,365
  Research and experimentation tax credits     (1,118)       (451)       (285)
                                             --------    --------    --------
                                                9,617       3,989       4,080
                                             --------    --------    --------

  State                                         1,576       1,309       1,097
  Research and experimentation and
   manufacturing tax credits                   (1,576)       (361)       (849)
                                             --------    --------    --------
                                                    -         948         248
                                             --------    --------    --------
Total currently payable                         9,617       4,937       4,328
                                             --------    --------    --------

Deferred income taxes:
  Federal                                        (814)       (148)       (283)
  State                                          (176)        (23)        (82)
                                             --------    --------    --------
Total deferred                                   (990)       (171)       (365)
                                             --------    --------    --------
Total provision                              $  8,627    $  4,766    $  3,963
                                             ========    ========    ========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective tax 
rate for the years ended December 31 is as follows:


                                               1997        1996        1995  
                                             --------    --------    --------
<S>                                          <C>         <C>         <C>
Statutory federal income tax rate                 35%         35%         35%
State income taxes (net of federal
 income tax benefit)                               1           2           2
Research and experimentation and
   manufacturing tax credits                      (2)         (1)         (3)
Export sales tax credit                           (2)         (2)          -
Other                                              2           -           1
                                             -------     -------     -------
Effective tax rate                                34%         34%         35%
                                             =======     =======     =======
</TABLE>

                                        38
<PAGE>


                                MICREL, INCORPORATED
                     NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities at 
December 31 are as follows (in thousands):


                                                           1997        1996  
                                                         --------    --------
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>
Deferred tax assets:  
  Inventory reserves and capitalization                  $  1,805    $    812
  Accrued compensation                                        873         342
  Allowance for doubtful accounts                             866         510
  Deferred revenue                                            834         433
  Deferred rent                                               394         337
  State income taxes                                            -         157
                                                         --------    --------
Total deferred tax asset                                    4,772       2,591
                                                         --------    --------
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Depreciation                                             (2,035)     (1,070)
  State income taxes                                         (226)          -
                                                         --------    --------
Total deferred tax liability                               (2,261)     (1,070)
                                                         --------    --------
Net deferred tax asset                                   $  2,511    $  1,521
                                                         ========    ========
</TABLE>

7.   OPERATING  LEASES  AND  COMMITMENTS

The Company leases two manufacturing and office facilities through 2000 and 
2005 (with an option to extend the terms for five years) under operating lease 
agreements.  The lease agreements provide for escalating rental payments over 
the lease periods.  Rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over 
the term of the lease.  Deferred rent represents the difference between rental 
payments and rent expense recognized on a straight-line basis.  Future minimum 
payments under these agreements are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
Year Ending 
December 31, 
- ------------
<S>                                                      <C>
    1998                                                 $  1,056
    1999                                                    1,095
    2000                                                      829
    2001                                                      633
    2002                                                      650
Thereafter                                                  1,570
                                                         --------
                                                         $  5,833
                                                         ========
</TABLE>

Rent expense under operating leases was $1,031,000, $1,014,000, and $896,000 
for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

8.   PROFIT-SHARING  401(k)  PLAN

The Company has a profit-sharing plan and deferred compensation plan (the 
"Plan").  All employees completing six months of service are eligible to 
participate in the Plan.  Participants may contribute 1% to 12% of their annual 
compensation on a before tax basis, subject to Internal Revenue Service 
limitations.  Profit-sharing contributions by the Company are determined at the

                                        39
<PAGE>


                                MICREL, INCORPORATED
                     NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995


discretion of the Board of Directors.  The Company accrued $605,000 in 1997, 
$400,000 in 1996, and $100,000 in 1995. Participants vest in Company 
contributions ratably over six years of service.

9.   SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS

In 1997 one customer accounted for $11.2 million (11%) of net revenues. In 1996 
a different customer accounted for $7.1 million (11%) of net revenues. In 1995, 
no single customer accounted for ten percent or more of net revenues.  

10.   EXPORT SALES INFORMATION

The Company develops, manufactures and markets analog semiconductor devices and 
provides custom and foundry services which include silicon wafer fabrication, 
integrated circuit assembly and testing in its one industry segment.

Micrel's products are manufactured at the Company's wafer fabrication facility 
located in San Jose, California and are sold principally in North America, 
Asia, and Europe.  The Company markets internationally through both exports, a 
foreign-based sales force and international distributors.  The following table 
presents a summary of export sales by geographic region for the years ended 
December 31 (in thousands).

<TABLE>
                                               1997        1996        1995  
                                            ---------    --------    --------
<S>                                         <C>          <C>         <C>
Net revenues by geographical region:   
  United States of America                   $ 52,275    $ 38,982    $ 34,747
  Taiwan                                       13,300      10,726       6,883
  Korea                                        11,898       2,843         870
  Other Asian Countries                        13,197       5,559       3,893
  Europe                                       13,402       7,562       6,642
  Other                                            86         220           -
                                            ---------    --------    --------
    Consolidated net revenues               $ 104,158    $ 66,244    $ 53,035
</TABLE>

11.   CONTINGENCIES

On May 9, 1994, Linear Technology Corporation, a competitor of the Company, 
filed a complaint against the Company, entitled Linear Technology Corporation 
v. Micrel, Incorporated, in the United States District Court in San Jose, 
California, alleging patent and copyright infringement and unfair competition. 
All claims, except the patent infringement claim, have been settled or 
dismissed. In this lawsuit, Linear claims that two of the Company's products 
infringe one of Linear's patents. The complaint in the lawsuit seeks 
unspecified compensatory damages, treble damages and attorneys' fees as well as 
preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against infringement of the Linear 
patent at issue. The Company has asserted defenses of invalidity and 
unenforceability of the Linear patent at issue, as well as noninfringement of 
such patent. Management believes that the ultimate outcome of this action will 
not result in a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or 
results of operation.

Certain additional claims and litigation against the Company have also arisen 
in the normal course of business.  Management believes that it is unlikely that 
the outcome of these claims and lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on 
the Company's financial position or results of operations.

                                        40
<PAGE>


                                MICREL, INCORPORATED
                     NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995



12.   RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statements of 
Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income", which 
requires that an enterprise report, by major components and as a single total, 
the change in its net assets during the period from nonowner sources; and No. 
131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information", 
which establishes annual and interim reporting standards for an enterprise's 
business segments and related disclosures about its products, services, 
geographic areas, and major customers.  Adoption of these statements will not 
impact the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or 
cash flows.  Both statements are effective for the Company in 1998.

13.   QUARTERLY RESULTS - UNAUDITED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

(in thousands, except per                     Three Months Ended
 share amounts)                  --------------------------------------------
                                 Mar. 31,    June 30,    Sept. 30,   Dec. 31, 
                                   1997        1997        1997        1997  
                                 --------    --------    --------    --------
<S>                              <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Net revenues                     $ 22,113    $ 24,327    $ 27,203    $ 30,515
Gross margin                     $ 11,382    $ 12,901    $ 14,543    $ 16,691
Net income                       $  3,241    $  3,837    $  4,467    $  5,202
Net income per share:
  Basic                          $   0.17    $   0.20    $   0.23    $   0.27
  Diluted                        $   0.16    $   0.18    $   0.21    $   0.25
Shares used in computing per
 share amounts:    
  Basic                            18,734      18,934      19,198      19,409
  Diluted                          20,518      20,754      21,054      20,960
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Three Months Ended
                                 --------------------------------------------
                                 Mar. 31,    June 30,    Sept. 30,   Dec. 31, 
                                   1996        1996        1996        1996  
                                 --------    --------    --------    --------
<S>                              <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Net revenues                     $ 13,910    $ 15,317    $ 17,614    $ 19,403
Gross margin                     $  7,052    $  7,812    $  9,012    $  9,961
Net income                       $  1,893    $  2,112    $  2,418    $  2,829
Net income per share:
  Basic                          $   0.11    $   0.12    $   0.13    $   0.15
  Diluted                        $   0.10    $   0.11    $   0.12    $   0.14
Shares used in computing per
 share amounts:
  Basic                            17,958      18,190      18,498      18,566
  Diluted                          19,888      19,864      20,076      20,362
</TABLE>

                                        41
<PAGE>


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
 Micrel, Incorporated:

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Micrel, Incorporated 
as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the three years in the period 
ended December 31, 1997, and have issued our report thereon dated January 22, 
1998.  Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of Micrel, 
Incorporated, listed in Item 14 (a) (2).  This financial statement schedule is 
the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to 
express an opinion based on our audits.  In our opinion, such financial 
statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial 
statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the 
information set forth therein.




Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Jose, California
January 22, 1998

                                        42
<PAGE>


                                                                   SCHEDULE II
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            MICREL, INCORPORATED
                      VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
             For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
                           (Amounts in thousands)


                              Balance at   Additions    Write-offs   Balance at
                              Beginning    Charges to       and         End
Description                    of Year     Expenses     Deductions    Of Year
- --------------------------    ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
<S>                           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Year Ended December 31, 1997
Accounts receivable allowance   $ 1,224      $   863      $   (72)     $ 2,015
                                =======      =======      =======      =======

Year Ended December 31, 1996
Accounts receivable allowance   $   688      $   536      $     -      $ 1,224
                                =======      =======      =======      =======

Year Ended December 31, 1995
Accounts receivable allowance   $   752      $     -      $   (64)     $   688
                                =======      =======      =======      =======
</TABLE>

                                        43
<PAGE>


                                    SIGNATURES

   Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and 
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed 
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in San Jose, 
California on the 27th day of February, 1998.

                                            MICREL, INCORPORATED

                                       By   /S/ RAYMOND D. ZINN
                                            --------------------
                                              Raymond D. Zinn
                                   President and Chief Executive Officer


                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY

   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears 
below constitutes and appoints Raymond D. Zinn and Robert J. Barker, and each 
of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him in 
any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Report on Form 10-K and 
to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection 
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and 
confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or 
substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

   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 date indicated.


        Signature                       Title                        Date
- -----------------------   --------------------------------     ----------------
 /S/ RAYMOND D. ZINN      President, Chief Executive           February 27,1998
- -----------------------   Officer and Chairman of the
     Raymond D. Zinn      Board of Directors (Principal
                          Executive Officer)


 /S/ ROBERT J. BARKER     Vice President, Finance and         February 27, 1998
- -----------------------   Chief Financial Officer
     Robert J. Barker     (Principal Financial and
                          Accounting Officer)


 /S/ WARREN H. MULLER     Vice President, Secretary and       February 27, 1998
- -----------------------   Director
     Warren H. Muller


 /S/ GEORGE KELLY         Director                            February 27, 1998
- -----------------------
     George Kelly


 /S/ DALE L. PETERSON     Director                            February 27, 1998
- -----------------------
     Dale L. Peterson


 /S/ LARRY L. HANSEN      Director                            February 27, 1998
- -----------------------
     Larry L. Hansen


                                        44
<PAGE>


                                Micrel, Incorporated
                  Exhibits Pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K


      Exhibit
      Number            Description
      -------           -----------
        3.1    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the
               Registrant. (1)
        3.2    Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of
               the Registrant. (2)
        3.3    Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant. (2)
        4.1    Certificate for Shares of Registrant's Common Stock. (3)
       10.1    Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and each
               of its officers and directors. (3)
       10.2    1989 Stock Option Plan and form of Stock Option Agreement. (1) *
       10.3    1994 Stock Option Plan and form of Stock Option Agreement. (1) *
       10.4    1994 Stock Purchase Plan. (4)
       10.5    Lease Agreement dated November 1, 1981 between the Registrant 
               and Pastoria Limited Partnership, as amended March 3, 1988. (1)
       10.6    Lease Agreement dated June 24, 1992 between the Registrant and
               GOCO Realty Fund I, as amended August 6, 1992 and February 5,
               1993. (1)
       10.7    Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated
               November 29, 1990 between the Registrant and Bank of the West,
               as amended February 11, 1991, August 6, 1991, October 31, 1991,
               June 24, 1992, September 24, 1992, August 16, 1993, April 29,
               1994, July 2, 1994, August 23, 1994, September 30, 1994,
               October 24, 1994. (1)
       10.8    Form of Domestic Distribution Agreement. (2)
       10.9    Form of International Distributor Agreement. (2)
       10.10   Second Amendment dated February 20, 1995 between the Registrant
               and TR Brell Cal Corporation to Lease Agreement dated June 24,
               1992 between the Registrant and GOCO Realty Fund I, as amended
               August 6, 1992 and February 5, 1993. (3)
       10.11   Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated
               November 29, 1990 between the Registrant and Bank of the West,
               as amended March 31, 1995. (4)
       10.12   Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated
               November 29, 1990 between the Registrant and Bank of the West,
               as amended September 30, 1996. (5)
       10.13   Amended and Restated 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as
               amended January 1, 1996. (6)
       23.1    Independent Auditors' Consent.
       24.1    Power of Attorney.  (See Signature Page.)
       27.1    Financial Data Schedule

     *   Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

     (1)Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration
        Statement on Form S-1 ("Registration Statement"), File No. 33-85694,
        in which this exhibit bears the same number, unless otherwise
        indicated.

     (2)Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
        Statement, in which this exhibit bears the same number, unless 
        otherwise indicated.

     (3)Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K 
        for the year ended December 31, 1995, in which this exhibit bears the
        same number, unless otherwise indicated.

                                        45
<PAGE>


     (4)Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 filed with the Company's
        quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1995.

     (5)Incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 filed with the Company's
        quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1996.

     (6)Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K 
        for the year ended December 31, 1996, in which this exhibit bears the
        number 10.14.

                                        46
<PAGE>


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT                                   EXHIBIT 23.1


We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements Nos. 
33-87222 and 333-10167 of Micrel, Incorporated on Form S-8 of our reports dated 
January 22, 1998, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Micrel, 
Incorporated for the year ended December 31, 1997.





Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Jose, California
February 26, 1998

                                        47
<PAGE>
 



 

 




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-K
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                           2,581
<SECURITIES>                                    17,565
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,938
<ALLOWANCES>                                     2,015
<INVENTORY>                                     10,664
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                52,924
<PP&E>                                          32,423
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  85,527
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           11,230
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        27,703
<OTHER-SE>                                      42,865
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    85,527
<SALES>                                        104,158
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               104,158
<CGS>                                           48,641
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   48,641
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                31,114
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 161
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 25,374
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,627
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             16,747
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    16,747
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.88
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.80
        

</TABLE>


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