METHODE ELECTRONICS INC

Our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are subject to various ‎risks which could cause actual results to vary from recent results or from anticipated future results. ‎Please refer to Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 27, 2024, for a description of certain material risks and uncertainties to which our business, financial condition and results of operations are subject. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially ‎and adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.‎

Except as updated below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 27, 2024:

We are, and in the future may be, subject to securities class action and other litigation, as well as government investigations and inquiries, which may harm our business and results of operations.

We are involved in legal proceedings related to various matters, including securities litigation, and may become involved in other legal proceedings, as well as government investigations and inquiries, that arise from time to time in the future. For example, as discussed further in Note 12, “Contingencies” to the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this Quarterly Report, on August 26, 2024, a purported shareholder of the Company filed a putative class action lawsuit alleging that the Company, its former Chief Executive Officer, and its former Chief Financial Officer violated the federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements relating to our business, operations and prospects, including in respect of our transition to production of more specialized components for manufacturers of electric vehicles and our operations at our facility in Monterrey, Mexico. The complaint seeks unspecified money damages along with equitable relief and costs and expenses, including counsel fees and expert fees. Another purported shareholder filed a substantially similar action against the same defendants and a former Chief Operating Officer of the Company on October 7, 2024. In addition, on November 26, 2024 and February 4, 2025, respectively, two purported shareholders filed derivative lawsuits on behalf of the Company against the current members of the Company’s Board of Directors, as well as certain former directors and executives, alleging that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties by allowing the Company to issue various statements that are alleged to have been false or misleading for the same reasons alleged in the securities class action complaints. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself against the allegations but there can be no assurance as to outcome. An unfavorable outcome in this litigation and other legal proceedings may have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows or liquidity of the Company. This type of litigation can also result in substantial costs, and a diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could adversely affect our business, operating results, or financial condition. In addition, the Company received a subpoena from the Securities and Exchange Commission dated November 1, 2024 seeking documents and information relating to, among other things, the Company’s operations in certain foreign countries, and certain financial reporting and accounting relating thereto, compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-corruption laws, and material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting previously reported in its public filings. This request may lead to the assertion of claims or the commencement of legal proceedings against the Company, which in turn may lead to material fines, penalties or other liabilities. The subpoena and similar requests could result in costs to the Company, including the expenditure of financial and managerial resources in connection with responding to the subpoena and related investigation or any other future requests for information or investigations. Additionally, the dramatic increase in the cost of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance may cause us to opt for lower overall policy limits or to forgo insurance that we may otherwise rely on to cover any significant defense costs, settlements, and damages awarded to plaintiffs, or incur substantially higher costs to maintain the same or similar coverage. These factors may make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified executive officers and members of our board of directors.

We operate our business on a global basis and changes to trade policy, including tariffs and customs regulations, could have a material and adverse effect on our business.

We manufacture and sell our products globally and rely on a global supply chain to deliver the required raw materials, components, and parts, as well as the final products to our customers. Existing free trade laws and regulations, such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, provide certain duties and tariffs for qualifying imports and exports, subject to compliance with the applicable classification and other requirements. Changes in laws or policies governing the terms of foreign trade, and in particular increased trade restrictions, tariffs or taxes on imports from countries or geographic regions where we manufacture products, such as Canada, China, Egypt, Europe and Mexico, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. The U.S. and Chinese governments have imposed a series of significant incremental retaliatory tariffs to certain imported products. Most notably with respect to the automotive and commercial vehicle industries, the U.S. imposed tariffs on imports of electric vehicles and certain steel, aluminum and automotive components, and China imposed retaliatory tariffs on imports of U.S. vehicles and certain automotive components. The U.S. has also ordered an investigation into the imports of copper, particularly from China. Depending upon their continued duration and potential expansion, these tariffs and other regulatory actions could materially affect our business, including in the form of an increase in cost of goods sold, decreased margins, increased pricing for customers, and reduced sales.

As of March 4, 2025, the U.S. has enacted a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada, and an additional 20% tariff on goods imported from China. Canada has announced a plan to imminently introduce 25% tariffs on a rolling schedule on a variety of U.S. goods, and Mexico has also indicated that it intends to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. We do not know when such tariffs will take effect, how long any of these tariffs will last, or if some products may initially or eventually be subject to a different rate or be exempted. We continue to monitor statements made and actions taken by the U.S. government regarding tariffs on goods imported into the U.S. from Mexico, Canada, and other countries. We continue to also monitor similar actions by other countries with which we do business. It is possible other countries may impose retaliatory tariffs on goods imported into their countries from the U.S.