Altera Updates First Quarter Guidance

SAN JOSE, Calif.--Mar. 2, 2009-- Altera Corporation (NASDAQ: ALTR) today announced its mid-quarter update for the first quarter of 2009.

First quarter sales are now expected to be down 15 to 20 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2008. Prior guidance for first quarter sales was for sequential sales to decline in the range of 15 to 25 percent. The improved outlook is largely attributable to better than expected demand from OEMs providing equipment for Chinese 3G wireless networks. Overall, the first quarter sales outlook remains muted as a result of slowing global business conditions.

With initial Stratix® IV FPGA shipments last quarter, Altera became the first programmable logic company to ship 40-nm devices. Altera remains on track to sell more than $1 million of 40-nm FPGAs in the first quarter including sales of the Stratix IV GX and the just introduced Stratix IV GT families.

About Altera

Altera’s programmable solutions enable system and semiconductor companies to rapidly and cost-effectively innovate, differentiate and win in their markets. Find out more at www.altera.com.