Altera Updates Fourth Quarter Revenue Guidance, Issues 2013 Guidance

SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 4, 2012 -- Altera Corporation (NASDAQ: ALTR) today announced updated fourth quarter 2012 revenue guidance and key guidance elements for 2013.

The company currently expects that revenue for the fourth quarter will be 8 to 10 percent lower than third quarter levels. Prior guidance was for a decline of 6 to 10 percent. Sales of the company's new products are expected to grow sequentially but that growth will be more than offset by lower sales of the company's older products.

Fourth quarter results will be released after the market close on January 23, 2013.

2013 Guidance
During the fourth quarter, the company typically issues key guidance elements for the following year. Data for 2013 appears in the following table:

Gross Margin	69% to 70%
Research and Development	Approximately $404 million
SG&A	Approximately $315 million
Other Income/Expense	Approximately Expense of $1 million
Tax Rate	Approximately 13% to 14%
Capital Expenses	Approximately $65 million

Today's Conference Call
A conference call will be held today at 1:45 Pacific Time to discuss Altera's 2013 guidance. A web cast and subsequent replay will be available in the Investor Relations section of the company's website at www.altera.com. A telephonic replay of the call may be accessed later in the day by calling (719) 457-0820 and referencing confirmation code 258712. The telephonic replay will be available for two weeks following the live call.

About Altera
Altera programmable solutions enable system and semiconductor companies to rapidly and cost-effectively innovate, differentiate and win in their markets. Find out more about Altera's FPGA, CPLD and ASIC devices at www.altera.com. Follow Altera via Facebook, RSS and Twitter.