Cree announces common stock offering

Date Announced: 08 Sep 2009 DURHAM, N.C. -- Cree, Inc. today announced it has commenced an underwritten public offering of 11,000,000 shares of its common stock. The offering includes a 30-day option for the underwriters to purchase up to 1,650,000 additional shares to cover overallotments, if any. Cree is conducting the offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933. Cree intends to use the proceeds from the offering for anticipated capital expenditures of approximately $150 million in fiscal year 2010 and additional future capital expenditure needs with the remainder being used for general corporate purposes, including working capital and potential strategic investments. J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc. is the sole book-running manager for the offering, Bank of America Merrill Lynch is the lead manager, and Piper Jaffray, Morgan Keegan, Oppenheimer and America's Growth Capital are acting as co-managers. The offering is being made solely by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. A copy of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering of common stock can be obtained by contacting J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., National Statement Processing, Prospectus Library, 4 Chase Metrotech Center, CS Level, Brooklyn, NY 11245, (718) 242-8002. Potential investors should first read the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, the registration statement and the other documents that Cree has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the offering. Investor may obtain these documents free of charge by visiting the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. About Cree, Inc. Cree is leading the LED lighting revolution and setting the stage to obsolete the incandescent light bulb through the use of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly LED lighting. Cree is a market-leading innovator of lighting-class LEDs, LED lighting, and semiconductor solutions for wireless and power applications. Cree's product families include LED fixtures and bulbs, blue and green LED chips, high-brightness LEDs, lighting-class power LEDs, power-switching devices and radio-frequency/wireless devices. Cree solutions are driving improvements in applications such as general illumination, backlighting, electronic signs and signals, variable-speed motors, and wireless communications.

Contact
Cree, Inc. Raiford Garrabrant, Director, Investor Relations Tel. 919-287-7895 Fax: 919-313-5615

E-mail:[email protected]

Web Site:www.cree.com