-- Management supplementally considers performance without the impact of stock-based compensation charges and believes this information is useful to investors to compare our performance to prior periods before SFAS 123R and to the performance of other companies in our industry who present non-GAAP results adjusted to exclude stock compensation expense. We view stock-based compensation as a key element of our employee retention and long-term incentives, not as an expense that should be an element of evaluating core operations in any given period. We therefore exclude these charges for purposes of evaluating our core performance.

-- Income tax expense (benefit) is adjusted by the amount of additional tax expense or benefit that we would accrue if we used non-GAAP results instead of GAAP results in the calculation of our tax liability, taking into consideration the company's long-term tax structure. We use a normalized effective tax rate of 17%, which reflects the weighted average tax rate applicable under the various tax jurisdictions in which the company operates. This non-GAAP weighted average tax rate is subject to change over time for various reasons, including changes in the geographic business mix and changes in statutory tax rates.

Non-GAAP net income (loss) also facilitates comparison with other companies in our industry, which use similar financial measures to supplement their GAAP results. However, non-GAAP net income (loss) has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider this measure in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. In the future the company expects to continue to incur expenses similar to the non-GAAP adjustments described above and exclusion of these items in our non-GAAP presentation should not be construed as an inference that these costs are unusual, infrequent or nonrecurring. Some of the limitations in relying on non-GAAP net income (loss) are:

-- Amortization of purchased intangibles, though not directly affecting our current cash position, represents the loss in value as the technology in our industry evolves, is advanced or is replaced over time. The expense associated with this loss in value is not included in the non-GAAP net income (loss) presentation and therefore does not reflect the full economic effect of the ongoing cost of maintaining our current technological position in our competitive industry, which is addressed through our research and development program.

-- The company regularly engages in acquisition and assimilation activities as part of its ongoing business and therefore we will continue to experience special charges and merger and acquisition charges on a regular basis. These costs also directly impact available funds of the company.

-- The company's stock option and stock purchase plans are important components of our incentive compensation arrangements and will be reflected as expenses in our GAAP results for the foreseeable future under SFAS 123R.

-- The company's income tax expense (benefit) will be ultimately based on its GAAP taxable income and actual tax rates in effect, which often differ significantly from the 17% rate assumed in our non-GAAP presentation.

-- Other companies, including other companies in our industry, may calculate non-GAAP net income (loss) differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

About Mentor Graphics

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq: MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of about $800 million and employs approximately 4,200 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777. World Wide Web site: http://www.mentor.com/.

(Mentor Graphics and Calibre are registered trademarks of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.)

Statements in this press release regarding the company's guidance for future periods constitute "forward-looking" statements based on current expectations within the meaning of section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or industry results to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following: (i) the company's ability to successfully offer products and services that compete in the highly competitive EDA industry; (ii) discounting of products and services by competitors, which could force the company to lower its prices or offer other more favorable terms to customers; (iii) reductions in the spending on the company's products by its customers due to cyclical downturns; (iv) changes in accounting or reporting rules or interpretations, limitations of reparation of earnings; (v) the impact of tax audits by the IRS or other taxing authorities, or changes in the tax laws, regulations or enforcement practices where the company does business; (vi) effects of the increasing volatility of foreign currency fluctuations on the company's business and operating results; (vii) effects of unanticipated shifts in product mix on gross margin; (viii) effects of customer seasonal purchasing patterns and the timing of significant orders may negatively or positively impact the company's quarterly results of operations; and (ix) weakness in the US or other economies, all as may be discussed in more detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in the company's most recent Form 10-K or Form 10-Q. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. In addition, statements regarding guidance do not reflect potential impacts of mergers or acquisitions that have not been announced or closed as of the time the statements are made. Mentor Graphics disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.

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Contact:

Mentor Graphics
Ryerson Schwark, 503.685.1462
Public and Investor Relations Director
Email Contact