8-KLeadership Changes

LAM RESEARCH CORP 8-K Report, Executive Changes (Feb 5, 2010)

Filed February 5, 2010For Securities:LRCX

Summary

Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) filed an 8-K on February 4, 2010, detailing the adoption of performance objectives and award structures for its executive compensation programs for the calendar year 2010. The report focuses on the Annual Incentive Program (AIP), the 2009/2010 Multi-Year Incentive Program (MYIP), and the 2010/2011 Long-Term Incentive Program (LTIP). These programs aim to incentivize key officers, including President and CEO Stephen G. Newberry, and other senior executives, by linking a significant portion of their compensation to company performance metrics. Key performance indicators for these programs include ongoing operating profit as a percentage of revenue, market share, new product revenue, and gross margin. The compensation structures involve both cash and equity components, with awards often contingent on sustained company performance over multi-year periods and, in some cases, stock price appreciation. This filing provides transparency into how Lam Research intends to align executive interests with shareholder value creation through well-defined performance-based incentive plans.

Key Highlights

  • 1Lam Research established performance goals for its 2010 Annual Incentive Program (AIP) for key officers, with awards tied to ongoing operating profit as a percentage of revenue.
  • 2Target opportunities under the 2010 AIP vary by executive, with CEO Stephen Newberry having the highest target at 150% of base salary.
  • 3The maximum award payable under the 2010 AIP is 225% of the target opportunity.
  • 4Performance factors for the 2009/2010 Multi-Year Incentive Program (MYIP) and 2010/2011 Long-Term Incentive Program (LTIP) cash components are based on ongoing operating profitability.
  • 5The 2010/2011 LTIP includes both a cash component (2010/2011 MYIP) and an equity component (2010/2011 Long-Term Equity Component).
  • 6Equity awards under the 2010/2011 LTIP consist of restricted stock units (RSUs) with both time-based and performance-contingent vesting, with performance tied to ongoing operating profitability.
  • 7Dr. Richard Gottscho received a separate grant of 28,000 RSUs under the Global Product Group Key Incentive Program, contingent on company-wide and product line market share achievement.

Frequently Asked Questions

This 8-K details the adoption of performance goals and award structures for three key executive compensation programs: the 2010 Annual Incentive Program (AIP), the 2009/2010 Multi-Year Incentive Program (MYIP), and the 2010/2011 Long-Term Incentive Program (LTIP).

Executive compensation is heavily linked to company performance. The AIP is tied to ongoing operating profit as a percentage of revenue. The MYIP and the cash component of the LTIP use ongoing operating profitability as a key performance factor, with potential enhancements from stock price appreciation. The equity component of the LTIP is tied to ongoing operating profitability and time-based vesting.

For the 2010 AIP, awards can range from 0% to 100% of the target amount, with a maximum payout of 225% of the target opportunity. For the MYIP and the cash component of the LTIP, payouts can vary from 0 to 2.5 times the target amounts, depending on performance factors and stock price multipliers. Equity awards under the LTIP also have performance-contingent vesting tied to operating profitability.

Awards under the 2010 AIP are likely paid in cash during the performance year or shortly after. Awards under the 2009/2010 MYIP will be paid in cash in 2011. Awards under the 2010/2011 MYIP will be paid in cash in 2012. Equity awards under the 2010/2011 LTIP will vest on the second anniversary of the grant date.