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Share Name | Share Symbol | Market | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Acxiom Holdngs (delisted) | NASDAQ:ACXM | NASDAQ | Common Stock |
Price Change | % Change | Share Price | Bid Price | Offer Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Shares Traded | Last Trade | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.00 | 0.00% | 48.48 | 48.34 | 51.50 | 0 | 01:00:00 |
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
x |
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE |
ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2007
OR
o |
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE |
ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ----- to -----
Commission file number 0-13163
|
|
Acxiom Corporation (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
|
|
DELAWARE (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
71-0581897 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
|
P.O. Box 8180, 1 Information Way, Little Rock, Arkansas (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
|
72203 (Zip Code) |
(501) 342-1000 (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x |
No o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Large accelerated filer x |
Accelerated filer [ ] |
Non-accelerated filer [ ] |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes o |
No x |
The number of shares of Common Stock, $ 0.10 par value per share outstanding as of February 4, 2008 was 77,044,178.
1
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
December 31, 2007
|
Part I. |
Financial Information |
Page No. |
|
Item 1. |
Financial Statements |
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
|
as of December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007 (Unaudited) |
3 |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
|
for the Three Months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited) |
4 |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
|
for the Nine Months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited) |
5 |
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders Equity and Comprehensive Income
|
for the Nine Months ended December 31, 2007 (Unaudited) |
6 |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
|
for the Nine Months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited) |
7-8 |
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
|
1. |
Basis of presentation and summary of significant accounting policies |
9 |
|
2. |
Earnings per share and stockholders equity |
10-11 |
|
3. |
Share-based compensation |
11-13 |
|
4. |
Acquisitions and divestitures |
13-15 |
|
5. |
Other current and noncurrent assets |
15 |
|
6. |
Goodwill |
16 |
|
7. |
Long-term obligations |
16-17 |
|
8. |
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
17 |
|
9. |
Segment information |
17-18 |
|
10. |
Restructuring, impairment and other charges |
18-20 |
|
11. |
Commitments and contingencies |
20-21 |
|
12. |
Income taxes |
21-22 |
|
Item 2. |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
23-35 |
|
Item 3. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk |
36 |
|
Item 4. |
Controls and Procedures |
36 |
|
Part II. |
Other Information |
|
Item 1. |
Legal Proceedings |
37 |
|
Item 2. |
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
37 |
|
Item 4. |
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
38 |
|
Item 6. |
Exhibits |
38 |
|
Signature |
39 |
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financials Statements
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
|
|
December 31,
|
|
March 31,
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ 66,265 |
|
$ 37,776 |
Trade accounts receivable, net |
|
286,627 |
|
285,850 |
Deferred income taxes |
|
22,211 |
|
22,341 |
Refundable income taxes |
|
- |
|
7,657 |
Other current assets |
|
46,017 |
|
59,252 |
Total current assets |
|
421,120 |
|
412,876 |
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization |
|
278,782 |
|
312,292 |
Software, net of accumulated amortization |
|
60,836 |
|
44,289 |
Goodwill |
|
518,608 |
|
522,046 |
Purchased software licenses, net of accumulated amortization |
|
132,344 |
|
151,326 |
Unbilled and notes receivable, excluding current portions |
|
6,584 |
|
16,742 |
Deferred costs, net of accumulated amortization |
|
130,958 |
|
137,684 |
Data acquisition costs, net of accumulated amortization |
|
50,552 |
|
35,398 |
Other assets, net |
|
22,555 |
|
23,251 |
|
|
$ 1,622,339 |
|
$ 1,655,904 |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
Current installments of long-term obligations |
|
$ 85,450 |
|
$ 106,921 |
Trade accounts payable |
|
46,631 |
|
54,808 |
Accrued expenses: |
|
|
|
|
Payroll |
|
28,478 |
|
33,663 |
Other |
|
92,036 |
|
79,078 |
Deferred revenue |
|
70,904 |
|
113,318 |
Income taxes |
|
7,426 |
|
- |
Total current liabilities |
|
330,925 |
|
387,788 |
Long-term obligations: |
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt and capital leases, net of current installments |
|
594,627 |
|
631,184 |
Software and data licenses, net of current installments |
|
10,631 |
|
17,695 |
Total long-term obligations |
|
605,258 |
|
648,879 |
Deferred income taxes |
|
98,340 |
|
97,926 |
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Stockholders' equity: |
|
|
|
|
Common stock |
|
11,396 |
|
11,145 |
Additional paid-in capital |
|
774,527 |
|
718,336 |
Retained earnings |
|
511,711 |
|
462,844 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
27,777 |
|
17,526 |
Treasury stock, at cost |
|
(737,595) |
|
(688,540) |
Total stockholders' equity |
|
587,816 |
|
521,311 |
|
|
$ 1,622,339 |
|
$ 1,655,904 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. |
|
|
|
|
3
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months ended December 31 |
||
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Services |
|
|
|
$ 262,697 |
|
$ 265,798 |
Data |
|
|
|
87,572 |
|
87,043 |
Total revenue |
|
|
|
350,269 |
|
352,841 |
Operating costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Services |
|
|
|
201,648 |
|
199,704 |
Data |
|
|
|
60,551 |
|
53,004 |
Total cost of revenue |
|
|
|
262,199 |
|
252,708 |
Selling, general and administrative |
|
|
|
54,669 |
|
49,065 |
Gains, losses and other items, net |
|
|
|
(63,489) |
|
(225) |
Total operating costs and expenses |
|
|
|
253,379 |
|
301,548 |
Income from operations |
|
|
|
96,890 |
|
51,293 |
Other income (expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
|
|
|
(12,797) |
|
(14,911) |
Other, net |
|
|
|
1,394 |
|
1,157 |
Total other income (expense) |
|
|
|
(11,403) |
|
(13,754) |
Earnings before income taxes |
|
|
|
85,487 |
|
37,539 |
Income taxes |
|
|
|
30,791 |
|
12,594 |
Net earnings |
|
|
|
$ 54,696 |
|
$ 24,945 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
|
$ 0.69 |
|
$ 0.32 |
Diluted |
|
|
|
$ 0.69 |
|
$ 0.31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months ended December 31 |
||
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Services |
|
|
|
$ 795,085 |
|
$ 793,789 |
Data |
|
|
|
244,378 |
|
244,076 |
Total revenue |
|
|
|
1,039,463 |
|
1,037,865 |
Operating costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Services |
|
|
|
622,431 |
|
597,161 |
Data |
|
|
|
171,434 |
|
153,638 |
Total cost of revenue |
|
|
|
793,865 |
|
750,799 |
Selling, general and administrative |
|
|
|
162,380 |
|
157,818 |
Gains, losses and other items, net |
|
|
|
(38,167) |
|
(225) |
Total operating costs and expenses |
|
|
|
918,078 |
|
908,392 |
Income from operations |
|
|
|
121,385 |
|
129,473 |
Other income (expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
|
|
|
(40,214) |
|
(31,630) |
Other, net |
|
|
|
2,908 |
|
4,489 |
Total other income (expense) |
|
|
|
(37,306) |
|
(27,141) |
Earnings before income taxes |
|
|
|
84,079 |
|
102,332 |
Income taxes |
|
|
|
30,362 |
|
37,863 |
Net earnings |
|
|
|
$ 53,717 |
|
$ 64,469 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
|
$ 0.67 |
|
$ 0.77 |
Diluted |
|
|
|
$ 0.66 |
|
$ 0.75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
|
|
Common stock |
|
Additional |
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other |
|
Treasury stock |
|
Total |
||||
|
|
Number of shares |
|
Amount |
|
paid-in capital |
|
Comprehensive income |
|
Retained earnings |
|
comprehensive income |
|
Number of shares |
|
Amount |
|
stockholders equity |
Balances at March 31, 2007 |
|
111,445,769 |
|
$ 11,145 |
|
$ 718,336 |
|
|
|
$ 462,844 |
|
$ 17,526 |
|
(32,862,138) |
|
$ (688,540) |
|
$ 521,311 |
Employee stock awards, benefit plans and other issuances |
|
2,403,525 |
|
240 |
|
44,531 |
|
$ - |
|
- |
|
- |
|
2,704 |
|
41 |
|
44,812 |
Tax benefit of stock options and warrants exercised |
|
- |
|
- |
|
5,993 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
5,993 |
Non-cash share-based compensation |
|
- |
|
- |
|
5,678 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
5,678 |
Restricted stock units vested |
|
113,364 |
|
11 |
|
(11) |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
Acquisition of treasury stock |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
(4,038,154) |
|
(49,096) |
|
(49,096) |
Dividends |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
(4,850) |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
(4,850 ) |
Comprehensive income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
10,369 |
|
- |
|
10,369 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
10,369 |
Unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
(118) |
|
- |
|
(118) |
|
- |
|
- |
|
(118) |
Net earrnings |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
53,717 |
|
53,717 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
53,717 |
Total comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ 63,968 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at December 31, 2007 |
|
113,962,658 |
|
$ 11,396 |
|
$ 774,527 |
|
|
|
$ 511,711 |
|
$ 27,777 |
|
(36,897,588) |
|
$ (737,595) |
|
$ 587,816 |
|
|
|
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
6
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months ended December 31 |
||
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings |
|
|
|
$ 53,717 |
|
$ 64,469 |
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
177,345 |
|
170,379 |
Gain on disposal of assets, net |
|
|
|
(2,717) |
|
(1,483) |
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
|
505 |
|
(975) |
Non-cash share-based compensation expense |
|
|
|
5,678 |
|
2,699 |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable, net |
|
|
|
(1,553) |
|
(15,768) |
Other assets |
|
|
|
19,163 |
|
(2,159) |
Accounts payable and other liabilities |
|
|
|
4 |
|
(7,844) |
Deferred revenue |
|
|
|
(42,272) |
|
(25,900) |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
|
|
209,870 |
|
183,418 |
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disposition of operations |
|
|
|
14,250 |
|
- |
Payments received from investments |
|
|
|
3,603 |
|
2,708 |
Capitalized software development costs |
|
|
|
(26,774) |
|
(19,443) |
Capital expenditures |
|
|
|
(15,049) |
|
(5,995) |
Cash collected from the sale and license of software |
|
|
|
- |
|
10,000 |
Deferral of costs and data acquisition costs |
|
|
|
(43,219) |
|
(49,595) |
Net cash paid in acquisitions |
|
|
|
(9,191) |
|
(14,400) |
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
|
(76,380) |
|
(76,725) |
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from debt |
|
|
|
2,127 |
|
649,756 |
Payments of debt |
|
|
|
(108,009) |
|
(393,742) |
Dividends paid |
|
|
|
(4,850) |
|
(13,471) |
Sale of common stock under employee stock awards, benefit plans and other issuances |
|
|
|
44,812 |
|
25,801 |
Acquisition of treasury stock |
|
|
|
(45,565) |
|
(299,301) |
Tax benefit of stock options exercised |
|
|
|
5,993 |
|
4,081 |
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
|
|
(105,492) |
|
(26,876) |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
|
|
|
491 |
|
492 |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
28,489 |
|
80,309 |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
|
|
37,776 |
|
7,705 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
|
|
|
$ 66,265 |
|
$ 88,014 |
7
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
|
For the Nine Months ended December 31 |
||
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
Supplemental cash flow information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest |
|
|
|
$ 40,008 |
|
$ 31,375 |
Income taxes |
|
|
|
4,954 |
|
31,027 |
Payments on capital leases and installment payment arrangements |
|
|
|
54,330 |
|
57,556 |
Payments on software and data license liabilities |
|
|
|
19,998 |
|
21,151 |
Other debt payments, excluding line of credit |
|
|
|
11,554 |
|
6,632 |
Prepayment of debt |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
- |
Revolving credit payments |
|
|
|
2,127 |
|
308,403 |
Noncash investing and financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Enterprise software licenses acquired under software obligation |
|
|
|
493 |
|
15,266 |
Acquisition of property and equipment under capital leases and installment payment arrangements |
|
|
|
20,724 |
|
44,454 |
Disposal of assets under financing arrangements |
|
|
|
(5,304) |
|
- |
Construction and other financing |
|
|
|
9,346 |
|
18,167 |
Issuance of common stock for acquisition |
|
|
|
- |
|
3,610 |
Assets acquired under data obligation |
|
|
|
15,306 |
|
- |
Note payable issued in acquisition |
|
|
|
300 |
|
- |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
|
1. |
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: |
Basis of presentation
These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Acxiom Corporation (Registrant, Acxiom or the Company), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC or the Commission).
In the opinion of the Registrants management all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods included have been made and the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Certain note information has been omitted because it has not changed significantly from that reflected in notes 1 through 22 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements filed as part of Item 8 of the Registrants annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 (2007 Annual Report), as filed with the Commission on May 30, 2007. This report and the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in connection with the 2007 Annual Report. The financial information contained in this report is not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other period or for the full fiscal year ending March 31, 2008.
Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain of the accounting policies used in the preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements are complex and require management to make judgments and/or significant estimates regarding amounts reported or disclosed in these financial statements. Additionally, the application of certain of these accounting policies is governed by complex accounting principles and interpretations thereof. A discussion of the Companys significant accounting principles and the application thereof is included in note 1 and in Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, to the Companys 2007 Annual Report.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on the prior years net earnings as previously reported.
9
2. EARNINGS PER SHARE AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY:
Earnings Per Share
A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted earnings per share is shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts):
|
|
For the quarter ended December 31 |
|
For the nine months ended December 31 |
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
Basic earnings per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Numerator net earnings |
|
$ 54,696 |
|
$ 24,945 |
|
$ 53,717 |
|
$ 64,469 |
Denominator weighted-average shares outstanding |
|
79,418 |
|
77,717 |
|
79,802 |
|
83,957 |
Basic earnings per share |
|
$ 0.69 |
|
$ 0.32 |
|
$ 0.67 |
|
$ 0.77 |
Diluted earnings per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Numerator net earnings |
|
$ 54,696 |
|
$ 24,945 |
|
$ 53,717 |
|
$ 64,469 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average shares outstanding |
|
79,418 |
|
77,717 |
|
79,802 |
|
83,957 |
Dilutive effect of common stock options, warrants, and restricted stock as computed under the treasury stock method |
|
253 |
|
2,238 |
|
1,380 |
|
2,237 |
|
|
79,671 |
|
79,955 |
|
81,182 |
|
86,194 |
Diluted earnings per share |
|
$ 0.69 |
|
$ 0.31 |
|
$ 0.66 |
|
$ 0.75 |
At December 31, 2007, the Company had options and warrants outstanding providing for the purchase of approximately 11.9 million shares of common stock. Options and warrants that were outstanding during the periods presented, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares are shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts):
|
|
For the quarter ended December 31 |
|
For the nine months ended December 31 |
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
Number of shares outstanding under options and warrants |
|
10,868 |
|
2,831 |
|
6,136 |
|
2,940 |
Range of exercise prices |
|
$13.14-$268.55 |
|
$24.44-$268.55 |
|
$13.24-$268.55 |
|
$25.00- $268.55 |
Stockholders Equity
The Company declared dividends on its common stock in the nine months ended December 31, of $0.06 per share in 2007 and $0.16 in 2006.
10
During the nine months ended December 31, 2006, 0.6 million shares were repurchased pursuant to the Companys common stock repurchase program for an aggregate purchase price of $13.9 million. Cash paid for repurchases differs from the aggregate purchase price due to trades at the end of the period, which were settled shortly after the end of their respective purchase periods. Cash paid for repurchases in the nine months ended December 31, 2006 was $15.4 million. In addition, the Company repurchased 11.1 million shares for approximately $278 million under its Dutch Auction self tender offer in September 2006 (see note 7). On October 26, 2007, the board of directors adopted a new common stock repurchase program, which ended the previous common stock repurchase program. Under the new common stock repurchase program, the Company may purchase up to $75 million worth of its common stock over the twelve months ending October 25, 2008. Through December 31, 2007, the Company had repurchased 4.0 million shares of its stock for $49.1 million. Cash paid for repurchases of $45.6 million differs from the aggregate purchase price due to trades made at the end of the period which were settled in the following period.
|
3. |
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION: |
Share-based Compensation Plans
Options and Equity Compensation
The Company has stock option plans and equity compensation plans (collectively referred to as the share-based plans) administered by the compensation committee of the board of directors under which options and restricted stock were outstanding as of December 31, 2007.
The Company has reserved 37.1 million shares of the Companys common stock for awards pursuant to the Companys share-based plans of which approximately 7.3 million shares were available for grant at December 31, 2007.
The Companys 2005 Equity Compensation Plan provides that all associates (employees, officers, directors, affiliates, independent contractors or consultants) are eligible to receive awards (grant of any option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock award, restricted stock unit award, performance award, performance share, performance unit, qualified performance-based award, or other stock unit award) pursuant to the plan with the terms and conditions applicable to an award set forth in the applicable grant documents.
Incentive stock option awards granted pursuant to the share-based plans cannot be granted with an exercise price less than 100% of the per-share market value of the Companys shares at the date of grant and have a maximum duration of ten years from the date of grant. Board policy has required that nonqualified options be priced at or above the fair market value of the common stock at the time of grant with a maximum duration of twelve years.
Restricted stock units may be issued pursuant to the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan and represent the right to receive shares in the future by way of an award agreement which includes vesting provisions. Award agreements can further provide for forfeitures triggered by certain prohibited activities, such as breach of confidentiality. All restricted stock units will be expensed over the vesting period as adjusted for estimated forfeitures.
Qualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In addition to the share-based plans, the Company maintains a qualified employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) that permits substantially all employees to purchase shares of common stock at 85% of the market price. The number of shares available for issuance at December 31, 2007 was approximately 1.6 million. Approximately 0.2 million shares were purchased under the ESPP during the nine months ended December 31, 2007. The total expense to the Company in the nine months ended December 31, 2007 for the discount to the market price was approximately $0.4 million.
Stock Option Activity
The Company granted 730,000 stock options in the nine months ended December 31, 2007. The per-share weighted-average fair value of the stock options granted during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 was $4.69. This valuation was determined using a customized binomial lattice approach with the following weighted-average assumptions: dividend yield of 1.4%; risk-free interest rate of 4.6%; expected option life of 5.6 years and expected volatility of 22%. There were 435,000 stock options granted in the nine months ended December 31, 2006. The per-share weighted-average fair value of the stock options granted during the nine months ended December 31, 2006 was $9.45 on the date of grant using a customized binomial lattice approach with the following weighted-average assumptions: dividend yield of 1.0%; risk-free interest rate of 4.6%; expected option life 8.7 years and expected volatility of 25%.
11
Option activity for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 was as follows:
|
|
Number of shares subject to options |
|
Weighted-average exercise price per share |
|
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years) |
|
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands) |
Outstanding at March 31, 2007 |
|
11,784,406 |
|
$ 21.52 |
|
|
|
|
Granted |
|
730,000 |
|
$ 18.14 |
|
|
|
|
Exercised |
|
(1,922,243) |
|
$ 18.87 |
|
|
|
$ 15,934 |
Forfeited or cancelled |
|
(164,967) |
|
$ 25.46 |
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2007 |
|
10,427,196 |
|
$ 21.72 |
|
7.86 |
|
$ 1,436 |
Exercisable at December 31, 2007 |
|
9,476,124 |
|
$ 21.98 |
|
7.67 |
|
$ 1,288 |
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between Acxioms closing stock price on the last trading day of its third quarter of fiscal 2008 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had vested option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2007. This amount changes based upon changes in the fair market value of Acxioms stock.
Following is a summary of stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2007:
|
|
Options outstanding |
|
Options exercisable |
||||||
Range of
|
|
Options
|
|
Weighted- average remaining contractual life |
|
Weighted-average
|
|
Options
|
|
Weighted-average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ 0.11 - $ 9.62 |
|
178,045 |
|
5.93 years |
|
$ 6.12 |
|
146,322 |
|
$ 5.91 |
$ 10.17 - $ 14.68 |
|
1,507,567 |
|
8.46 years |
|
$ 12.24 |
|
1,505,673 |
|
$ 12.24 |
$ 15.00 - $ 19.82 |
|
2,819,891 |
|
8.14 years |
|
$ 16.44 |
|
2,237,436 |
|
$ 16.64 |
$ 20.12 - $ 24.53 |
|
2,976,942 |
|
8.25 years |
|
$ 22.80 |
|
2,976,942 |
|
$ 22.80 |
$ 25.00 - $ 27.10 |
|
1,749,045 |
|
7.50 years |
|
$ 26.57 |
|
1,414,045 |
|
$ 26.65 |
$ 27.11 - $ 39.12 |
|
875,403 |
|
6.22 years |
|
$ 35.70 |
|
875,403 |
|
$ 35.70 |
$ 40.50 - $ 75.55 |
|
316,136 |
|
6.56 years |
|
$ 44.64 |
|
316,136 |
|
$ 44.64 |
$168.61 - $268.55 |
|
4,167 |
|
2.14 years |
|
$ 206.52 |
|
4,167 |
|
$ 206.52 |
|
|
10,427,196 |
|
7.86 years |
|
$ 21.72 |
|
9,476,124 |
|
$ 21.98 |
Total expense related to stock options for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 was approximately $1.5 million. Future expense for these options is expected to be approximately $4.9 million over the next six years.
Restricted Stock Unit Activity
Non-vested restricted stock units as of December 31, 2007 and changes during the nine-month period ended December 31, 2007 were as follows:
|
|
Number of shares |
|
Weighted average fair value per share at grant date (in thousands) |
|
Weighted-average remaining contractual term (in years) |
Outstanding at March 31, 2007 |
|
451,750 |
|
$ 23.79 |
|
3.35 |
Granted |
|
89,965 |
|
23.52 |
|
2.94 |
Vested |
|
(113,364) |
|
23.84 |
|
|
Forfeited or cancelled |
|
(8,252) |
|
24.65 |
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2007 |
|
420,099 |
|
$ 23.39 |
|
2.69 |
12
During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, the Company granted restricted stock units covering 89,965 shares of common stock with a value at the date of grant of $2.1 million. The value at the date of grant is determined by reference to quoted market prices for the shares, less an immaterial calculated discount to reflect the fact that the restricted shares do not pay dividends until they are vested. Restricted stock units generally vest in equal annual increments over four years although the specific grants may specify other vesting provisions. The expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 for all restricted stock units was $3.4 million. Future expense for these restricted stock units is expected to be approximately $7.4 million over the next four years.
|
4. |
ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES: |
Acquisitions
On November 9, 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with Automatic Research, Inc., to purchase certain assets collectively known as MKTG. MKTG is one of five operating subsidiaries of Automatic Research Inc.. MKTG is a traditional direct marketing operation that provides its customers with data processing, list sales and list management services. The acquisition extends offerings to markets with favorable growth that were not currently serviced by the Company. The Company paid $3.7 million for MKTG. There are no earnout agreements or other contingencies related to this acquisition. The operations of MKTG are included in the consolidated results beginning November 9, 2007. The annual revenues of MKTG are approximately $7.4 million. Due to the immateriality to the consolidated results, no pro forma disclosures have been included.
On August 28, 2007, the Company acquired EchoTarget, Inc., an on-line behavioral targeting and ad-serving company based in New York. The Company paid $1.8 million net of cash acquired and executed a promissory note in the amount of $0.3 million which is payable in two equal annual installments. The total purchase price of $2.1 million does not include amounts, if any, payable under an earnout arrangement under which the Company may pay up to an additional $2.1 million over a two-year period ending March 30, 2010. Payment, if any, under the earnout agreement will be treated as compensation expense when earned. The operations of EchoTarget are included in the consolidated results beginning September 1, 2007. The annual revenues of EchoTarget are less than $0.5 million. Due to the immateriality to the consolidated results, no pro forma disclosures have been included.
On March 27, 2007, the Company acquired Kefta, Inc. (Kefta), a leader in real-time, dynamic personalization solutions for the Internet. The Company paid $8.9 million, net of cash acquired, for Kefta not including amounts, if any, payable pursuant to the terms and conditions of two deferred payment agreements. The first deferred payment agreement is a deferred cash compensation agreement that requires the Company to pay up to $1.5 million if three of Keftas key employees are retained by the Company for eight consecutive quarters following the acquisition. The second deferred payment agreement is an earnout agreement that allows for payment of up to $1.5 million if the acquired business achieves certain revenue goals. The Company has accrued $0.6 million for the retention bonus and $0.4 million had been paid as of December 31, 2007. No accrual was recorded for the earnout agreement. Subsequent to December 31, 2007, the Company determined that it will be required to pay $0.8 million under the earnout agreement, which it expects to pay in the quarter ending March 31, 2008. This payment will be treated as purchase price. The Company has also amended the deferred cash compensation agreement to require payment of an additional $0.8 million if certain key employees remain employed through June 30, 2008. Payments under this agreement will be treated as compensation expense.
On March 15, 2007, the Company purchased Harbinger Associates, LLC and its wholly owned subsidiary Harbinger Technologies, Inc. (Harbinger) from ICx Technologies, Inc. Harbinger is an international consulting and technology firm that develops software tools and training programs for personnel involved in homeland defense, national security and the prevention of international terrorism. The Company paid $9.5 million in cash, net of cash acquired, and executed a promissory note for another $1.3 million to acquire Harbinger. The interest-free promissory note requires a $1 million payment on March 15, 2008 and the remaining $0.3 million payment on March 15, 2009.
On December 29, 2006, the Company completed the acquisition of certain assets of the Equitec division of Henry Group, Ltd. (Equitec), a consulting and analytics company headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. The Company paid approximately $14.7 million in cash for Equitec, and issued shares of the Companys common stock with an approximate value of $3.6 million. The $18.3 million purchase price paid for Equitec does not include amounts, if any, payable pursuant to the terms and conditions of an earnout agreement under which the Company may pay up to an additional $12 million based on Equitecs achievement of certain operating targets over the period ending March 31, 2009. A portion of the earnout payments that are dependent on continued employment will be charged to compensation expense if the operating targets are met.
13
In August 2005, the Company completed the acquisition of InsightAmerica, Inc. (IA), a privately held company based in Broomfield, Colorado. IA specializes in fraud prevention and risk mitigation services. The Company paid approximately $34.6 million in cash for IA, net of cash acquired, and not including amounts payable pursuant to the terms and conditions of an earnout agreement. The Company paid an additional $2.4 million during the quarter ending December 31, 2005. The Company completed negotiations to settle the earnout and made a final payment of $1.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2008.
In fiscal 2004, the Company completed the acquisition of the Claritas Europe group of companies for approximately $38.0 million, net of cash acquired. The purchase price was finalized in an October 2007 agreement between the parties which finalized all components of the purchase price calculation. The agreement resulted in a $0.4 million payment from the Company to VNU (the former owner). The settlement was $2.0 million less than the Company had previously accrued, which was adjusted to goodwill in the current period.
The following table shows the allocation of MKTG, EchoTarget, Kefta, Harbinger, Equitec and IA purchase prices to assets acquired and liabilities assumed (dollars in thousands):
|
MKTG |
|
EchoTarget |
|
Kefta |
|
Harbinger |
|
Equitec |
|
IA |
Assets acquired: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
$ - |
|
$ 13 |
|
$ 75 |
|
$ 74 |
|
$ - |
|
$ 541 |
Goodwill |
2,344 |
|
2,089 |
|
7,299 |
|
7,652 |
|
14,100 |
|
30,085 |
Other intangible assets |
780 |
|
- |
|
2,870 |
|
2,375 |
|
4,100 |
|
7,000 |
Other current and noncurrent assets |
1,228 |
|
87 |
|
447 |
|
1,308 |
|
79 |
|
6,716 |
|
4,352 |
|
2,189 |
|
10,691 |
|
11,409 |
|
18,279 |
|
44,342 |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and capital leases assumed |
689 |
|
32 |
|
1,323 |
|
559 |
|
- |
|
5,850 |
Net assets acquired |
3,663 |
|
2,157 |
|
9,368 |
|
10,850 |
|
18,279 |
|
38,492 |
Less: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash acquired |
- |
|
13 |
|
75 |
|
74 |
|
- |
|
541 |
Common stock issued |
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
3,610 |
|
- |
Promissory note |
- |
|
300 |
|
- |
|
1,300 |
|
- |
|
- |
Accrued liabilities |
- |
|
- |
|
350 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
Net cash paid |
$ 3,663 |
|
$ 1,844 |
|
$ 8,943 |
|
$ 9,476 |
|
$ 14,669 |
|
$ 37,951 |
The allocations of purchase price for the MKTG, EchoTarget and Harbinger acquisitions are preliminary and subject to revisions as more detailed analyses are completed and additional information about fair value of assets and liabilities becomes available. Any change in the estimated fair value of the net assets of the acquired companies will change the amount of purchase price allocable to goodwill.
As a result of the acquisition of Digital Impact in fiscal 2006 and the acquisition of Claritas Europe and Consodata in fiscal 2004 and 2005, management formulated plans to consolidate certain facilities, eliminate duplicative operations, and terminate or relocate certain associates. The Company recorded aggregate accruals in other accrued liabilities for the estimated costs of the integration process, including lease termination costs, costs of terminating or relocating associates, and for other contract termination costs. The table below shows adjustments and payments related to these accruals during the nine months ended December 31, 2007.
(dollars in thousands)
|
|
Associate-related reserves |
|
Lease and related reserves |
|
Other contract termination reserves |
|
Total |
Balance at March 31, 2007 |
|
$ 253 |
|
$ 1,219 |
|
$ 1,205 |
|
$ 2,677 |
Adjustments |
|
- |
|
- |
|
(766) |
|
(766) |
Payments |
|
(5) |
|
(669) |
|
(159) |
|
(833) |
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment |
|
22 |
|
90 |
|
62 |
|
174 |
Balance at December 31, 2007 |
|
$ 270 |
|
$ 640 |
|
$ 342 |
|
$ 1,252 |
The remaining items are expected to be paid through approximately April 2008.
14
Divestitures
On December 7, 2007, the Company entered into an agreement with Pitney Bowes Software to sell the Companys GIS operations in France. The Company received $14.2 million for the sale and recorded a gain in the statement of operations of $2.6 million. The gain was net of $6.7 million in goodwill which was allocated to the disposed operations from the goodwill of the Information Products segment based on the relative fair value of the disposed operations to the international component of the Information Products segment. Also, included in the gain calculation was a $1.8 million accrual for exit activities. The entire $1.8 million accrual remained in other accrued liabilities at December 31, 2007 as none of the liability had been paid. The ultimate gain on the disposal is subject to adjustment once the parties complete an agreement as to the final working capital. The gain recorded is net of an estimated $0.9 million adjustment to the final working capital. The final agreement on working capital is expected to occur either in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 or in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The annual revenue associated with the GIS operations was approximately $14 million.
|
5. |
OTHER CURRENT AND NONCURRENT ASSETS: |
Unbilled and notes receivable are from the sales of software, data licenses, and equipment and from the sale of divested operations, net of the current portions of such receivables. Other current assets include the current portion of the unbilled and notes receivable of $4.7 million and $10.9 million at December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007, respectively. There are no allowances recorded against any of the unbilled and notes receivable (dollars in thousands).
|
|
December 31,
|
|
March 31,
|
Notes receivable from divestitures |
|
$ 1,529 |
|
$ 4,932 |
Less current portion |
|
917 |
|
3,940 |
Long-term portion |
|
612 |
|
992 |
Unbilled and notes receivable arising from operations |
|
9,759 |
|
22,714 |
Less current portion |
|
3,787 |
|
6,964 |
Long-term portion |
|
5,972 |
|
15,750 |
Unbilled and notes receivable, excluding current portions |
|
$ 6,584 |
|
$ 16,742 |
Other current assets consist of the following (dollars in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
March 31,
|
Current portion of unbilled and notes receivable |
|
$ 4,704 |
|
$ 10,904 |
Prepaid expenses |
|
18,373 |
|
23,736 |
Non-trade receivables |
|
4,670 |
|
7,432 |
Other miscellaneous assets |
|
18,270 |
|
17,180 |
Other current assets |
|
$ 46,017 |
|
$ 59,252 |
Other noncurrent assets consist of the following (dollars in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
March 31,
|
Investments in marketable and nonmarketable securities |
|
$ 4,040 |
|
$ 4,299 |
Acquired intangible assets, net |
|
14,824 |
|
15,747 |
Other miscellaneous noncurrent assets |
|
3,691 |
|
3,205 |
Other assets |
|
$ 22,555 |
|
$ 23,251 |
The acquired intangible assets noted above include customer relationship intangibles acquired through purchase acquisitions, net of accumulated amortization.
15
6. GOODWILL:
Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition costs over the fair values of net assets acquired in business combinations. Goodwill is reviewed at least annually for impairment under a two-part test. Impairment exists to the extent that the reporting units recorded goodwill exceeds the residual fair value assigned to such goodwill. Any impairment that results from the completion of the two-part test is recorded as a charge to operations during the period in which the impairment test is completed. Completion of the Companys most recent annual impairment test indicated that no potential impairment of its goodwill balances existed as of April 1, 2007.
The carrying amount of goodwill, by business segment, for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 is presented in the following table.
(dollars in thousands)
|
Information Services |
|
Information Products |
|
Infrastructure Management |
|
Total |
Balance at March 31, 2007 |
$ 323,709 |
|
$ 154,306 |
|
$ 44,031 |
|
$ 522,046 |
EchoTarget acquisition |
2,089 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
2,089 |
MKTG acquisition |
2,344 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
2,344 |
Sale of GIS operations in France |
(6,652) |
|
- |
|
- |
|
(6,652) |
Purchase adjustments |
(7,398) |
|
(3,337) |
|
- |
|
(10,735) |
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment |
2,855 |
|
6,661 |
|
- |
|
9,516 |
Balance at December 31, 2007 |
$ 316,947 |
|
$ 157,630 |
|
$ 44,031 |
|
$ 518,608 |
The Company revised its segments, effective April 1, 2007 (see note 9). As a result of the revision to the segments, the balances recorded at March 31, 2007 have been reallocated to the new segments based on the relative fair value of the segments at March 31, 2007.
|
7. |
LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS: |
Long-term obligations consist of the following (dollars in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
March 31,
|
Term loan credit agreement |
|
$ 522,500 |
|
$ 547,000 |
Capital leases and installment payment obligations on land, buildings and equipment payable in monthly payments of principal plus interest at rates ranging from approximately 3% to 12%; remaining terms up to fifteen years |
|
87,859 |
|
121,399 |
Warrants |
|
1,508 |
|
1,651 |
Other debt and long-term liabilities |
|
38,424 |
|
41,135 |
Total long-term debt and capital leases |
|
650,291 |
|
711,185 |
Less current installments |
|
55,664 |
|
80,001 |
Long-term debt, excluding current installments |
|
$ 594,627 |
|
$ 631,184 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Software license liabilities payable over terms up to seven years; effective interest rates ranging from approximately 5% to 7% |
|
$ 25,111 |
|
$ 44,615 |
Data license agreement; effective interest rate 6% |
|
15,306 |
|
- |
Total license liabilities |
|
40,417 |
|
44,615 |
Less current installments |
|
29,786 |
|
26,920 |
License liabilities, excluding current installments |
|
$ 10,631 |
|
$ 17,695 |
16
Effective September 15, 2006, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement allowing (1) term loans up to an aggregate principal amount of $600 million and (2) revolving credit facility borrowings consisting of revolving loans, letter of credit participations and swing-line loans up to an aggregate amount of $200 million. The term loan is payable in quarterly principal installments of $1.5 million through September 2011, followed by quarterly principal installments of $150 million through June 2012, followed by a final installment of $50 million due September 15, 2012. The term loan also allows prepayments before maturity. Revolving loan commitments and all borrowings of revolving loans mature on September 15, 2011. The credit agreement is secured by the accounts receivable of Acxiom and its domestic subsidiaries, as well as by the outstanding stock of certain Acxiom subsidiaries.
On September 15, 2006, the Company borrowed the entire amount of the term loan. Term loan proceeds were used to purchase shares of the Companys common stock pursuant to the terms of its Dutch auction self-tender offer for approximately $278 million, to pay certain fees of approximately $6.4 million related to entering into the credit agreement and to pay off an existing revolving loan of approximately $267 million. The remainder of the term loan proceeds were used to retire additional debt or for general corporate purposes.
Revolving credit facility borrowings under the new facility currently bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.5% or at an alternative base rate or at the Federal Funds rate plus 2.25%, depending on the type of borrowing. Term loan borrowings currently bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.75%. There were no revolving loan borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2007 or March 31, 2007. The Company had available borrowing capacity of approximately $192.8 million under the revolving credit facility at December 31, 2007, representing the full amount of the facility less the outstanding letters of credit. The interest rate on term loan borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2007 was 6.6%. Outstanding letters of credit at December 31, 2007 were $7.2 million.
Under the terms of certain of the above borrowings, the Company is required to maintain certain debt-to-cash flow and debt service coverage ratios, among other restrictions. At December 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with these covenants and restrictions. In addition, if certain financial ratios and other conditions are not satisfied, the Company may be limited in its ability to pay dividends in excess of $30 million in any fiscal year (plus additional amounts in certain circumstances) or to repurchase additional shares of the Companys common stock.
|
8. |
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS: |
Trade accounts receivable are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts, returns and credits of $9.6 million at December 31, 2007 and $8.3 million at March 31, 2007.
|
9. |
SEGMENT INFORMATION: |
The Company reports segment information consistent with the way management internally disaggregates its operations to assess performance and to allocate resources. In the current fiscal year, the Company realigned its business segments to better reflect the way management assesses the business. The Companys new business segments consist of Information Services, Information Products and Infrastructure Management. Information Services develops, sells and delivers industry-tailored solutions globally through the integration of products, services and consulting. Information Products develops and sells all global data products as well as domestic fraud and risk mitigation products. Infrastructure Management develops and delivers information technology products and services such as IT outsourcing and transformational solutions. The Company evaluates performance of the segments based on segment operating income, which excludes certain gains, losses and other items.
17
Substantially all of the nonrecurring gains and losses and impairment charges incurred by the Company have been recorded in Corporate and other, since the Company does not hold the individual segments responsible for these items. The following tables present information by business segment (dollars in thousands):
|
|
For the quarter ended December 31 |
|
For the nine months ended December 31 |
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Information services |
|
$ 184,504 |
|
$ 187,673 |
|
$ 556,713 |
|
$ 543,501 |
Information products |
|
111,225 |
|
106,002 |
|
316,127 |
|
305,871 |
Infrastructure management |
|
112,916 |
|
117,966 |
|
339,319 |
|
357,740 |
Eliminations |
|
(58,376) |
|
(58,800) |
|
(172,696) |
|
(169,247) |
Total revenue |
|
$ 350,269 |
|
$ 352,841 |
|
$ 1,039,463 |
|
$ 1,037,865 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Information services |
|
$ 25,626 |
|
$ 37,954 |
|
$ 78,315 |
|
$ 102,259 |
Information products |
|
8,216 |
|
6,834 |
|
10,654 |
|
9,925 |
Infrastructure management |
|
11,138 |
|
13,666 |
|
36,016 |
|
39,523 |
Corporate and other |
|
51,910 |
|
(7,161) |
|
(3,600) |
|
(22,234) |
Income from operations |
|
$ 96,890 |
|
$ 51,293 |
|
$ 121,385 |
|
$ 129,473 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The revenue attributed to the Infrastructure Management segment above includes revenue from internal customers of approximately $31 million for quarterly periods reported and $93 million for nine-month periods reported. These intersegment revenues, as well as revenues from external customers which are counted as revenues by multiple segments, are shown as eliminations in the table above.
|
10. |
RESTRUCTURING, IMPAIRMENT AND OTHER CHARGES: |
As discussed below, the following table shows the balances that were accrued for restructuring plans and the Spain closure as well as the changes in those balances during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 (dollars in thousands):
Restructuring plans: |
|
Associate-related reserves |
|
Ongoing
|
|
Other accruals |
|
Total |
Balance at March 31, 2007 |
|
$ 2,293 |
|
$ 1,511 |
|
$ 144 |
|
$ 3,948 |
Payments |
|
(5,674) |
|
(252) |
|
- |
|
(5,926) |
Restructuring accrual |
|
5,045 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
5,045 |
Balance at December 31, 2007 |
|
$ 1,664 |
|
$ 1,259 |
|
$ 144 |
|
$ 3,067 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spain closure: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at March 31, 2007 |
|
$ 278 |
|
$ 93 |
|
$ 4,589 |
|
$ 4,960 |
Adjustments |
|
- |
|
- |
|
60 |
|
60 |
Payments |
|
(206) |
|
(95) |
|
(1,341) |
|
(1,642) |
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment |
|
13 |
|
2 |
|
397 |
|
412 |
Balance at December 31, 2007 |
|
$ 85 |
|
$ - |
|
$ 3,705 |
|
$ 3,790 |
Restructuring Plans
During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, the Company recorded a total of $5.8 million in restructuring charges included in gains, losses and other items in the consolidated statement of operations. The expense includes severance and other associate-related payments to be made to terminate associates during the second and third quarters. Of the $5.8 million, $1.1 million remained accrued as of December 31, 2007. These costs are expected to be paid out in the remainder of fiscal 2008.
18
In March 2007, the Company recorded a total of $2.5 million in restructuring charges included in gains, losses and other items in the consolidated statement of operations. The charges included $1.5 million in severance and other associate-related reserves for payments to be made to approximately 105 associates who were notified in March that they were to be involuntarily terminated and $0.3 million in fees paid to terminate contract workers. In the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company adjusted its original estimate with an additional severance accrual for $0.2 million. All of the accrued costs were paid as of December 31, 2007.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2005, the Company recorded a total of $13.0 million in restructuring and other impairment charges included in gains, losses and other items in the consolidated statement of operations. The charges included $6.8 million in severance and other associate-related reserves for payments to be made to approximately 160
associates who were notified during the quarter that they were to be involuntarily terminated; $3.7 million in lease termination costs or costs to be incurred after exiting certain leased facilities; and $2.5 million in other costs including the write-off of certain non-productive assets and other contract termination costs. The remaining accrued costs of $2.0 million are expected to be paid out over the terms of the related leases or contracts, of which the longest one runs through fiscal 2012.
Spain Closure
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company announced plans to shut down its operations in Spain. Upon the completion of this closure, the Company recorded $6.6 million of exit costs including $0.7 million severance costs, $3.9 million in accruals for contingent liabilities related to governmental data protection claims pending in Spain, and $2.0 million in asset write offs and other accruals. The Company recorded an additional $0.3 million of expense during the nine months ended December 31, 2007. Of this amount, $3.8 million remained accrued as of December 31, 2007 and is expected to be paid out in the remainder of fiscal 2008.
Terminated Acquisition of the Company
On May 16, 2007, the Company announced it had entered into an agreement to be acquired by Silver Lake and ValueAct Capital, at a price of $27.10 per share plus the assumption of outstanding debt. On October 1, 2007, the Company announced that this transaction had been terminated. For the nine months ended December 31, 2007, the Company has incurred transaction related expenses of $17.7 million which are included in gains, losses and other items. Per the terms of the merger termination agreement, which was signed October 1, 2007, Silver Lake and ValueAct were required to pay the Company a settlement fee of $65 million. This settlement fee was received on October 10, 2007 and recorded in gains, losses and other items during the third quarter of fiscal 2008.
Leased Asset Disposal
During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company entered into an agreement to dispose of a leased asset. Under the terms of the lease, the Company is required to make a termination payment to the lessor and the lessor will sell the asset and pay the proceeds to the Company. The Company has recorded $2.5 million in gains, losses and other items, for the net payment to terminate the lease and dispose of the asset.
Retirement Payment
In November 2007, the Company entered into a transition agreement with its Chief Executive Officer under which he retired, and agreed to continue to serve on an interim basis until the selection of a successor by the board. Under the agreement, the Company paid $3.0 million. Subsequent to the selection of a successor, the Company will also pay the retiring officer $0.5 million per year for consulting services for approximately three years. The successor officer has been hired, effective February 4, 2008.
19
Gains, Losses and Other Items
Gains, losses and other items for each of the quarters presented are as follows (dollars in thousands):
|
|
For the quarter ended December 31 |
|
For the nine months ended December 31 |
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
Terminated merger expenses |
|
$ 331 |
|
$ - |
|
$ 17,689 |
|
$ - |
Merger termination fee |
|
(65,000) |
|
- |
|
(65,000) |
|
- |
Retirement payment |
|
3,000 |
|
- |
|
3,000 |
|
- |
Fiscal 2008 restructuring plan |
|
624 |
|
- |
|
5,814 |
|
- |
Gain on disposal of certain operations in France |
|
(2,573) |
|
- |
|
(2,573) |
|
- |
Fiscal 2007 restructuring plan adjustment |
|
- |
|
- |
|
171 |
|
- |
Loss on lease termination |
|
141 |
|
- |
|
2,451 |
|
- |
Montgomery Ward bankruptcy recoveries |
|
(150) |
|
(225) |
|
(150) |
|
(225) |
Spain closure adjustment |
|
138 |
|
- |
|
431 |
|
- |
|
|
$ (63,489) |
|
$ (225) |
|
$ (38,167) |
|
$ (225) |
Impairment
The Company reviews the recoverability of its capitalized costs whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The test of recoverability is performed by comparing the carrying value of the asset to its undiscounted expected future cash flows. If such review indicates that the carrying amount of an asset exceeds the sum of its expected future cash flows, the assets carrying amount is written down to its estimated fair value. Fair value is determined by an internally developed discounted projected cash flow analysis of the asset. Due to a renegotiation of two contracts with two different outsourcing customers, the first of which occurred in the quarter ending June 30, 2007 and the second in the quarter ending September 30, 2007, the Company performed a test for potential impairment of the related capitalized costs at June 30, 2007 and September 30, 2007. The Company determined that the future cash flows relating to these renegotiated outsourcing contracts would not be sufficient to recover the costs that were capitalized. Based on these analyses, the Company recorded a write-down of $5.2 million in the first quarter for one contract and another $4.4 million in the second quarter for the second contract relating to the capitalized costs of these contracts. The combined $9.6 million charge is recorded in cost of revenue in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations and in the Corporate segment for segment disclosures. In addition as a result of the restructuring activities in the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company abandoned and wrote off $0.4 million in capitalized software. This is included in cost of revenue in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations and in the Corporate segment.
|
11. |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: |
Legal Matters
Linda Brooks and Richard Fresco v. Auto Data Direct, Inc., et al., (U.S. Dist. Court, S.D. Florida, 03-61063) is a putative class action lawsuit, removed to federal court in May 2003, filed against Acxiom and several other information providers. The plaintiffs allege that the defendants obtained and used drivers license data in violation of the federal Drivers Privacy Protection Act. To date, a class has not been certified. Among other things, the plaintiffs seek injunctive relief, statutory damages, and attorneys fees. While certain defendants have agreed to conditionally settle the case, Acxiom will continue to defend the case vigorously in that it believes it has acted in conformity with the applicable law. Two companion cases, Sharon Taylor, et al., v. Acxiom, et al., (U.S. District Court, E.D. Texas, 207CV001) and Sharon Taylor, et al. v. Biometric Access Company, et al., (U.S. District Court, E.D. Texas, 2:07-CV-00018 ) , were filed in January 2007.
20
The Company is involved in a number of actions with the Data Protection Authority of Spain, involving alleged improper usage of individuals data. The total claims sought by the Data Protection Authority may be as high as $10.6 million. The Company is negotiating with the Data Protection Authority in an attempt to settle the claims, and the Company maintains that the Companys usage of data has been in compliance with the applicable law. However, upon advice of counsel and after review of the pending claims, the Company accrued $3.9 million as part of the cost of closure of the Spain office (see note 10). The amount accrued represents legal fees incurred to date along with an estimate of the amount which will be required to ultimately settle the claims.
In the opinion of management, none of the above cases will have a material adverse effect on the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
The Company is involved in various other claims and legal actions in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of all of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Commitments
The Company leases data processing equipment, software, office furniture and equipment, land and office space under noncancellable operating leases. Additionally, the Company has entered into synthetic operating leases for computer equipment, furniture and aircraft (Leased Assets). These synthetic operating lease facilities are accounted for as operating leases under generally accepted accounting principles and are treated as capital leases for income tax reporting purposes. Initial lease terms under the synthetic computer equipment and furniture facility range from two to ten years, with the Company having the option at expiration of the initial lease to return the equipment, purchase the equipment at a fixed price, or extend the term of the lease.
The Company has a future commitment for synthetic lease payments of $27.2 million over the next ten years. In the event the Company elects to return the Leased Assets, the Company has guaranteed a portion of the residual value to the lessors. Assuming the Company elects to return the Leased Assets to the lessors at its earliest opportunity under the synthetic lease arrangements and assuming the Leased Assets have no significant residual value to the lessors, the maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these residual value guarantees was $12.9 million at December 31, 2007.
The Company also has an aircraft leased from a business controlled by a former officer of the Company. Should the Company elect early termination rights under the lease or not extend the lease beyond the initial term and the lessor sells the aircraft, the Company has guaranteed a residual value of 70% of the then outstanding indebtedness of the lessor, or $2.3 million at December 31, 2007.
In connection with certain of the Companys facilities, the Company has entered into 50/50 joint ventures with local real estate developers. In each case, the Company is guaranteeing portions of the loans for the buildings. In addition, in connection with the disposal of certain assets, the Company has guaranteed loans for the buyers of the assets. These guarantees were made by the Company primarily to facilitate favorable financing terms for those third parties. Should the third parties default on this indebtedness, the Company would be required to perform under its guarantee. Substantially all of the third-party indebtedness is collateralized by various pieces of real property. At December 31, 2007 the Companys maximum potential future payments under all of these guarantees of third-party indebtedness were $4.9 million.
|
12. |
INCOME TAXES: |
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48) that clarifies the accounting and recognition for income tax positions taken or expected to be taken on tax returns. The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 as of the beginning of its 2008 fiscal year. As a result of its adoption of FIN 48, the Company made no adjustments to retained earnings. In addition, the Company anticipates no changes to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits established as of the beginning of the year in the next twelve months.
21
As of the beginning of its 2008 fiscal year and at December 31, 2007, the total amount of reserves for income taxes is $3.8 million. The entire amount of the $3.8 million, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. Any prospective adjustments to the reserve for income taxes will be recorded as an increase or decrease to the provision for income taxes and would impact the effective tax rate.
The Company accrues penalties and interest related to reserves for income taxes in the provision for income taxes. The amount of penalties and interest accrued as of the beginning of the 2008 fiscal year is $0.7 million. During the quarter ended December 31, 2007, the Company effectively settled the issue with no payment, therefore the accrual was reversed.
The Company files a consolidated U.S. income tax return and tax returns in various state and local jurisdictions. The Companys subsidiaries also file tax returns in various foreign jurisdictions. In addition to the U.S., the Companys major taxing jurisdictions include the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. The number of years with open tax examinations varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. In the U.S., the Internal Revenue Service has completed its examination of the Companys federal income tax returns for fiscal years through 2005. The status of foreign tax examinations varies by jurisdiction. The Company does not anticipate any material adjustments to its financial statements resulting from tax examinations currently in progress.
In the quarter ended December 31, 2007, the Company completed the filing of its U.S. income tax returns for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. In addition the Company completed tax audits and amended returns for prior periods. As a result, the Companys income tax expense in the period ending December 31, 2007 was decreased by $1.7 million.
22
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Introduction and Overview
Acxiom Corporation (Acxiom or the Company) integrates data, services and technology to create and deliver customer and information management solutions for many of the largest and most respected companies in the world. The core components of Acxioms innovative solutions are customer data integration (CDI) technology and services, data, database services, information technology (IT) outsourcing, consulting and analytics, and privacy leadership. Founded in 1969, Acxiom is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, with locations throughout the United States (US) and Europe, and in Canada, Australia and China.
Highlights of the quarter ended December 31, 2007 are identified below.
|
|
Revenue of $350.3 million, down 0.7 percent from $352.8 million in the third fiscal quarter a year ago. |
|
|
Income from operations of $96.9 million, an 88.9 percent increase compared to $51.3 million in the third fiscal quarter last year. |
|
|
Pre-tax income of $85.5 million, compared to pre-tax earnings of $37.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007. |
|
|
Diluted earnings per share of $0.69, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.31 in the third fiscal quarter last year. |
|
|
Operating cash flow of $130.1 million and free cash flow available to equity of $83.9 million. The free cash flow available to equity is a non-GAAP financial measure which is discussed in Capital Resources and Liquidity. |
|
|
Income from operations includes $63.5 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, net benefit related to gains, losses and other items, including a $65.0 million payment received after the termination of the planned acquisition of the Company. |
The highlights above are intended to identify to the reader some of the more significant events and transactions of the Company during the quarter ended December 31, 2007. However, these highlights are not intended to be a full discussion of the Companys results for the quarter or for the nine-month period ending December 31, 2007. These highlights should be read in conjunction with the following discussion of Results of Operations and Capital Resources and Liquidity and with the Companys condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes accompanying this report.
23
Results of Operations
A summary of selected financial information for each of the periods reported is presented below (dollars in millions, except per share amounts):
|
|
For the quarter ended December 31 |
|
For the nine months ended December 31 |
||||||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Services |
|
$ 262.7 |
|
$ 265.8 |
|
(1.2)% |
|
$ 795.1 |
|
$ 793.8 |
|
0.2 % |
Data |
|
87.6 |
|
87.0 |
|
0.6 % |
|
244.4 |
|
244.1 |
|
0.1 % |
|
|
$ 350.3 |
|
$ 352.8 |
|
(0.7)% |
|
$ 1,039.5 |
|
$ 1,037.9 |
|
0.2 % |
Total operating costs and expenses |
|
253.4 |
|
301.5 |
|
(16.0)% |
|
918.1 |
|
908.4 |
|
1.1 % |
Income from operations |
|
$ 96.9 |
|
$ 51.3 |
|
88.9 % |
|
$ 121.4 |
|
$ 129.5 |
|
(6.2)% |
Diluted earnings per share |
|
0.69 |
|
0.31 |
|
122.6 % |
|
$ 0.66 |
|
$ 0.75 |
|
(12.0)% |
Revenues
Services revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 was $262.7 million. This represents a $3.1 million decrease or 1.2% when compared to the same period in the prior year. International services increased approximately $3.2 million, of which almost half was attributed to favorable exchange rate variances. Revenue growth in the US from acquisitions of $2.0 million was offset by declines in traditional services and in a few large IT management contracts. Traditional services revenue was negatively impacted by reductions in processing volumes in many large financial services clients.
Services revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 was $795.1 million. This represents a $1.3 million increase or 0.2%. International services increased approximately $8.5 million, of which $4.4 million was due to favorable exchange rate variances, while US services declined $7.2 million. Excluding acquisitions, US services revenue declined $14.5 million or approximately 2.0%. The decline is primarily attributable to Infrastructure Management contract reductions of certain large clients and to reductions in processing volumes in many large financial services clients.
Data revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 was $87.6 million. This represents a $0.6 million increase or 0.6%. International data revenue was up approximately $1.0 million, however, after adjusting for the impact of exchange rates was actually down $2.2 million. This decrease is substantially due to the sale of the French GIS business effective December 1, 2007. US data revenue was substantially unchanged compared to last year. Pass-through data revenue from the purchase of third-party data on behalf of a large client accounted for $2.0 million of the increase. (Pass-though data revenue is offset in cost of data discussed below.) Offsetting this increase in pass-through data revenue, is a decrease in other US data revenue, including revenue from the InfoBase product line.
Data revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 was $244.4 million. This represents an increase of $0.3 million or 0.1%. International data revenue was up $1.7 million, however after adjusting for the impact of exchange rates, was actually down slightly. This decrease is substantially due to the sale of the French GIS business effective December 1, 2007. The US data revenue was relatively flat.
24
The Companys business segments consist of Information Services, Information Products and Infrastructure Management.
The following table shows the Companys revenue by business segment for each of the periods reported (dollars in millions):
|
|
For the quarter ended December 31 |
|
For the nine months ended December 31 |
||||||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
Information services |
|
$ 184.5 |
|
$ 187.7 |
|
(1.7)% |
|
$ 556.7 |
|
$ 543.5 |
|
2.4 % |
Information products |
|
111.2 |
|
106.0 |
|
4.9 % |
|
316.1 |
|
305.9 |
|
3.4 % |
Infrastructure management |
|
112.9 |
|
117.9 |
|
(4.3)% |
|
339.3 |
|
357.7 |
|
(5.1)% |
Eliminations |
|
(58.3) |
|
(58.8) |
|
(0.7)% |
|
(172.6) |
|
(169.2) |
|
2.0 % |
Total revenue |
|
$ 350.3 |
|
$ 352.8 |
|
(0.7)% |
|
$ 1,039.5 |
|
$ 1,037.9 |
|
0.2 % |
For the quarter ended December 31, 2007 Information Services revenue decreased $3.2 million, or 1.7%, to $184.5 million compared to the same quarter a year ago. For the nine months ended December 31, 2007 Information Services revenue increased $13.2 million, or 2.4%, to $556.7 million compared to the same period a year ago. The favorable results are due to revenue growth in the multi-industry client services and digital units, offset by declines in the financial services unit. The segment also benefited from favorable foreign currency exchange rates.
Compared to the same quarter a year ago, Information Products revenue increased 4.9% to $111.2 million. For the nine months ended December 31, 2007 Information Products revenue increased $10.3 million, or 3.4%, to $316.1 million compared to the same period a year ago. Growth is primarily attributable to the risk line of business.
Compared to the same quarter a year ago, Infrastructure Management decreased 4.3% to $112.9 million. For the nine months ended December 31, 2007 Infrastructure Management revenue decreased $18.4 million, or 5.1%, to $339.3 million compared to the same period a year ago. The decrease is due to contract reductions with certain large clients.
Operating Costs and Expenses
The following table presents the Companys operating costs and expenses for each of the periods presented (dollars in millions):
|
|
For the quarter ended December 31 |
|
For the nine months ended December 31 |
||||||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
Cost of revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Services |
|
$ 201.6 |
|
$ 199.7 |
|
1.0 % |
|
$ 622.4 |
|
$ 597.2 |
|
4.2 % |
Data |
|
60.6 |
|
53.0 |
|
14.2 % |
|
171.5 |
|
153.6 |
|
11.6 % |
Total cost of revenue |
|
$ 262.2 |
|
$ 252.7 |
|
3.8 % |
|
$ 793.9 |
|
$ 750.8 |
|
5.7 % |
Selling, general and administrative |
|
54.7 |
|
49.0 |
|
11.4 % |
|
162.4 |
|
157.8 |
|
2.9 % |
Gains, losses and other items, net |
|
(63.5) |
|
(0.2) |
|
100.0 % |
|
(38.2) |
|
(0.2) |
|
100.0 % |
Total operating costs and expenses |
|
$ 253.4 |
|
$ 301.5 |
|
(16.0) % |
|
$ 918.1 |
|
$ 908.4 |
|
1.1 % |
25
|
|
For the quarter ended December 31 |
|
For the nine months ended December 31 |
||||
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
Gross profit margin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Services |
|
23.2% |
|
24.9% |
|
21.7% |
|
24.8% |
Data |
|
30.9 |
|
39.1 |
|
29.8 |
|
37.1 |
Total gross profit margin |
|
25.1% |
|
28.4% |
|
23.6% |
|
27.7% |
Operating profit margin |
|
27.7% |
|
14.5% |
|
11.7% |
|
12.5% |
Cost of services revenue of $201.6 million represents an increase of $1.9 million compared to the same quarter a year ago. Gross margin for services revenue decreased from 24.9% to 23.2%. Margin decreases are primarily due to headcount growth in parts of the services operations over the last year.
Cost of services revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 of $622.4 million represents an increase of $25.3 million compared to the same period a year ago. Gross margin for services revenue decreased from 24.8% to 21.7%. The increase includes the unusual charges attributable to the $9.6 million in write-downs associated with two renegotiated contracts with Infrastructure Management clients (see note 10 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Increases in headcount and other costs of sales also resulted in higher costs.
Cost of data revenue of $60.6 million represents an increase of $7.6 million compared to the same quarter a year ago. Data revenue gross margins decreased from 39.1% a year ago to 30.9% in this quarter. The increase in expense is attributable to additional headcount and increases in foreign exchange rates.
Cost of data revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 of $171.5 million represents an increase of $17.8 million compared to the same period a year ago. Data revenue gross margins decreased from 37.1% a year ago to 29.8% in this quarter. The increase in expense is due to additional headcount and increases in foreign exchange rates.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $54.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2007. This represents a $5.6 million increase over the prior-year same quarter. The increase is due to a favorable compensation accrual adjustment in the prior period as well as an increase in non-cash equity compensation in the current year. Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $162.4 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2007. This represents a $4.6 million increase over the prior-year same period.
Gains, losses and other items were a $63.5 million benefit for the quarter ended December 31, 2007. Included were $65.0 million in termination fees received from Silver Lake and ValueAct Capital, offset by merger expenses of $0.3 million. Also included were a $3.0 million payment to retiring Company Leader Charles Morgan, $0.8 million expense primarily related to ongoing restructuring activities in Europe, and a $2.6 million gain on the disposition of certain operations in France.
Gains, losses and other items were a $38.2 million benefit for the nine months ended December 31, 2007, which primarily consist of $65.0 million in termination fees received from Silver Lake and ValueAct Capital offset by $17.7 million in various professional fees related to the terminated acquisition, and a $2.6 million gain on the disposition of certain operations in France. Other charges include $6.0 million in severance costs for implementation of a restructuring plan, a $3.0 million payment to retiring Company Leader Charles Morgan, and $2.5 million expense related to the termination of a lease.
Other Income (Expense)
Interest expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 is $12.8 million compared to $14.9 million a year ago. The decrease is due to a lower average balance and rate on the term loan. (See note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements).
Interest expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 is $40.2 million compared to $31.6 million a year ago due primarily to the new term loan borrowing of $600 million under the amended and restated credit agreement which closed September 15, 2006 (See note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements).
26
Other income decreased $0.2 million to $1.4 million in the current quarter and decreased $1.6 million in the nine-month period. Both in the current quarter and nine-month periods, other income is composed primarily of interest income on notes receivable and investment income. The prior-year periods also included a $1.6 million gain on the sale of an investment.
Income taxes
The current year effective tax rate is 36% and the prior-year rate was 37%. The current year tax rate reflects a positive adjustment of $0.7 million related to a FIN 48 reserve which was effectively settled during the period. Additionally, the tax rate is impacted by adjustments of $1.7 million related to the finalization of prior year tax returns, tax audits and amended returns. Except for these items, the effective tax rate for the current quarter would have been approximately 39%.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
Working Capital and Cash Flow
Working capital at December 31, 2007 totaled $90.2 million compared to $25.1 million at March 31, 2007. Total current assets increased $8.2 million due to increases in cash which was driven by current year exercises of stock options and receipt of the termination fee from Silver Lake and ValueAct Capital, offset by the purchase of treasury stock. Current liabilities decreased $56.9 million due to decreases in deferred revenue of $42.4 million and current installments of long-term obligations of $21.5 million.
Accounts receivable days sales outstanding (DSO) was 75 days at December 31, 2007 and was 72 days at March 31, 2007, and is calculated as follows (dollars in thousands):
|
|
December 31,
|
|
March 31,
|
Numerator trade accounts receivable, net |
|
$ 286,627 |
|
$ 285,850 |
Denominator: |
|
|
|
|
Quarter revenue |
|
350,269 |
|
357,271 |
Number of days in quarter |
|
92 |
|
90 |
Average daily revenue |
|
$ 3,807 |
|
$ 3,970 |
Days sales outstanding |
|
75 |
|
72 |
For the nine months ended December 31, 2007, net cash provided by operating activities increased $26.5 million, to $209.9 million. Cash flow from operations was positively impacted by the merger termination fee of $65 million offset by merger expenses.
Investing activities used $76.4 million in cash during the nine months ended December 31, 2007. This was primarily deferral of costs of $43.2 million and capitalization of software of $26.8 million. Capital expenditures were $15.0 million for the nine month period. However, as noted in the supplemental cash flow information, the Company acquired $24.8 million of property under capital leases and other financing and acquired data under a long-term data obligation of $15.3 million. Payments under these arrangements will be reflected in future cash flows as payments of debt. Also included in investing activities was $9.2 million used primarily for the purchase of EchoTarget and MKTG and $14.3 million received as a result of the sale of the French GIS business.
Cash flows from financing activities during the nine months ended December 31, 2007 include payments of debt of $108.0 million including a $20.0 million term loan prepayment, capital lease payments of $54.3 million, software license payments of $20.0 million, and other debt payments of $13.7 million. Financing activities also include $44.8 million in proceeds from stock sales and $6.0 million of tax benefits related to the exercise of stock options.
27
During the nine months ended December 31, 2006, 0.6 million shares were repurchased pursuant to the Companys common stock repurchase program for an aggregate purchase price of $13.9 million. Cash paid for repurchases differs from the aggregate purchase price due to trades at the end of the period, which were settled shortly after the end of their respective purchase periods. Cash paid for repurchases in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $15.4 million. In addition, the Company repurchased 11.1 million shares for approximately $278 million under its Dutch Auction self tender offer in September 2006 (see note 7). On October 26, 2007 the board of directors adopted a new common stock repurchase program. Under the new common stock repurchase program the Company may repurchase up to $75 million worth of its common stock over the twelve months ending October 25, 2008. Through December 31, 2007 the Company had repurchased 4.0 million shares of stock for $49.1 million. Cash paid for purchases of $45.6 million differs from the aggregate price due to trades made at the end of the period which were settled in the following period.
Free cash flow available to equity is not a generally accepted accounting principle (GAAP) financial measure. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined as a numerical measure of the Companys financial performance, financial position or cash flow that excludes (or includes) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the Companys consolidated financial statements. Free cash flow available to equity, as defined by the Company, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Management of the Company has included free cash flow available to equity in this filing because it represents the amount of money available for the Companys discretionary spending, after funding all required payments including scheduled debt payments, and it therefore provides investors with a useful alternative measure of liquidity by allowing an assessment of the amount of cash available for general corporate and strategic purposes. The table below reconciles free cash flow available to equity to net cash provided by operating activities, the nearest comparable GAAP measure.
The Company generated free cash flow available to equity of $83.9 million in the current quarter and $62.8 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2007, compared to $12.6 million in the prior-year same quarter and $39.8 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2006, as shown in the table below:
|
|
For the quarter ended December 31 |
|
For the nine months ended December 31 |
||||
(dollars in thousands) |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
$ 130,094 |
|
$ 62,659 |
|
$ 209,870 |
|
$ 183,418 |
Plus: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disposition of operations |
|
14,250 |
|
- |
|
14,250 |
|
- |
Payments received from investments |
|
1,804 |
|
- |
|
3,603 |
|
2,708 |
Less: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capitalized software development costs |
|
(8,507) |
|
(6,798) |
|
(26,774) |
|
(19,443) |
Capital expenditures |
|
(6,891) |
|
(2,518) |
|
(15,049) |
|
(5,995) |
Deferral of costs and data acquisition costs |
|
(17,460) |
|
(16,149) |
|
(43,219) |
|
(49,595) |
Payments on capital leases and installment payment arrangements |
|
(17,542) |
|
(16,700) |
|
(54,330) |
|
(57,556) |
Payments on software and data license liabilities |
|
(6,226) |
|
(6,000) |
|
(19,998) |
|
(21,151) |
Other required debt payments |
|
(5,612) |
|
(3,117) |
|
(11,554) |
|
(6,632) |
Sub-total |
|
83,910 |
|
11,377 |
|
56,799 |
|
25,754 |
Plus: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax benefit of stock options and warrants |
|
25 |
|
1,237 |
|
5,993 |
|
4,081 |
Sub-total |
|
83,935 |
|
12,614 |
|
62,792 |
|
29,835 |
Plus: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash collected from sale of software |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
10,000 |
Free cash flow available to equity |
|
$ 83,935 |
|
$ 12,614 |
|
$ 62,792 |
|
$ 39,835 |
28
Credit and Debt Facilities
Effective September 15, 2006, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement allowing (1) term loans up to an aggregate principal amount of $600 million and (2) revolving credit facility borrowings consisting of revolving loans, letter of credit participations and swing-line loans to an aggregate amount of $200 million. On September 15, 2006, the Company borrowed the entire amount of the term loan. The term loan is payable in quarterly principal installments of $1.5 million through September 2011, followed by quarterly principal installments of $150.0 million through June 2012, followed by a final installment of $50 million due September 15, 2012 (see note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). The term loan also allows prepayments before maturity. Revolving loan commitments and all borrowings of revolving loans mature on September 15, 2011. The credit agreement is secured by the accounts receivable of Acxiom and its domestic subsidiaries, as well as by the outstanding stock of certain Acxiom subsidiaries. At December 31, 2007 there were no revolving credit borrowings outstanding. The Company had available borrowing capacity of approximately $192.8 million under the revolving credit facility at December 31, 2007, representing the full amount of the facility less outstanding letters of credit. Borrowings under the revolving credit agreement bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.5%, an alternative base rate, or at the federal funds rate plus 2.25%.
The Companys debt-to-capital ratio, as calculated below, was 51% at December 31, 2007 compared to 55% at March 31, 2007 (dollars in thousands).
|
|
December 31,
|
|
March 31,
|
Numerator - long-term obligations, net of current installments |
|
$ 605,258 |
|
$ 648,879 |
Denominator: |
|
|
|
|
Long-term obligations, net of current installments |
|
605,258 |
|
648,879 |
Stockholders equity |
|
587,816 |
|
521,311 |
|
|
$ 1,193,074 |
|
$ 1,170,190 |
Debt-to-capital ratio |
|
51% |
|
55% |
The foregoing calculation of the debt-to-capital ratio excludes current maturities of long-term obligations in the amounts of $85.5 million and $106.9 million at December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007, respectively.
Funded Software Arrangement
On December 29, 2005, the Company entered into a definitive Asset Purchase and License Agreement (the Agreement) with EMC Corporation (EMC). The Agreement provides, among other things, for the purchase by EMC of the Companys information grid operating system software (the Base Technology) and for the grant of a perpetual license from EMC to the Company of the Base Technology and further developments for the Companys continued use in connection with its business. The Company also licensed other ancillary related technology to EMC.
Under the terms of the Agreement, the parties worked together to further develop the Base Technology. EMC paid the Company $20 million in fiscal year 2006 and $10 million in fiscal 2007. The Agreement also gave EMC the option during a two-year option period to acquire the Acxiom division responsible for the further development of the technology, upon payment of an option price specified in the Agreement. EMC did not exercise the option per its original terms and the parties are now engaged in negotiations concerning an ongoing commercial relationship.
Payments received by Acxiom from EMC under the Agreement have offset previously capitalized software balances associated with development of the sold and licensed technology and additional amounts capitalized to further develop the technology. These payments have no effect on revenue, earnings, or operating cash flow, but do contribute to free cash flow available to equity. The reduction in the capitalized balance will reduce future amortization expense.
29
Off-Balance Sheet Items and Commitments
The Company has entered into synthetic operating lease facilities for computer equipment, furniture and aircraft (Leased Assets). These synthetic operating lease facilities are accounted for as operating leases under GAAP and are treated as capital leases for income tax reporting purposes. Lease terms under the computer equipment and furniture facility range from two to six years, with the Company having the option at expiration of the initial term to return, or purchase at a fixed price, or extend or renew the term of the leased equipment. The synthetic lease term for an aircraft expires in November 2017, with the Company having the option at the expiration to either purchase the aircraft at a fixed price, enter into a lease for an additional twelve-month period (with a nominal purchase price paid at the expiration of the renewal period), or return the aircraft in the condition and manner required by the lease. In the event the Company elects to return the Leased Assets, the Company has guaranteed a portion of the residual value to the lessors. Assuming the Company elects to return the Leased Assets to the lessors at its earliest opportunity under the synthetic lease arrangements and assuming the Leased Assets have no significant residual value to the lessors, the maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these residual value guarantees was $12.9 million at December 31, 2007. As of December 31, 2007 the Company has a future commitment for synthetic lease payments of $27.2 million over the next ten years.
In connection with certain of the Companys buildings and facilities, the Company has entered into 50/50 joint ventures with local real estate developers. In each case, the Company is guaranteeing portions of the loans for the buildings. In addition, in connection with the disposal of certain assets, the Company has guaranteed loans for the buyers of the assets. Substantially all of the third party indebtedness for which the Company has provided guarantees is collateralized by various pieces of real property. The aggregate amount of the guarantees at December 31, 2007 was $4.9 million.
Outstanding letters of credit which reduce the borrowing capacity under the Companys revolving credit facility at December 31, 2007 were $7.2 million and $10.2 million at March 31, 2007.
Contractual Commitments
The following table presents Acxioms contractual cash obligations and purchase commitments at December 31, 2007 (dollars in thousands). The column for 2008 represents the three months ending March 31, 2008. All other columns represent fiscal years ending March 31.
|
|
For the years ending March 31 |
||||||||||||
|
|
2008 |
|
2009 |
|
2010 |
|
2011 |
|
2012 |
|
Thereafter |
|
Total |
Capital lease and installment payment obligations |
|
$ 19,109 |
|
$ 35,469 |
|
$ 17,189 |
|
$ 4,387 |
|
$ 635 |
|
$ 11,070 |
|
$ 87,859 |
Software and data license liabilities |
|
12,011 |
|
22,577 |
|
5,739 |
|
90 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
40,417 |
Warrant liability |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
1,508 |
|
1,508 |
Other long-term debt |
|
5,269 |
|
19,494 |
|
7,858 |
|
19,022 |
|
304,325 |
|
204,956 |
|
560,924 |
Total long-term obligations |
|
36,389 |
|
77,540 |
|
30,786 |
|
23,499 |
|
304,960 |
|
217,534 |
|
690,708 |
Synthetic aircraft leases |
|
305 |
|
1,219 |
|
1,219 |
|
1,219 |
|
1,219 |
|
6,908 |
|
12,089 |
Synthetic equipment and furniture leases |
|
2,318 |
|
8,837 |
|
3,849 |
|
125 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
15,129 |
Total synthetic operating leases |
|
2,623 |
|
10,056 |
|
5,068 |
|
1,344 |
|
1,219 |
|
6,908 |
|
27,218 |
Equipment operating leases |
|
781 |
|
2,209 |
|
698 |
|
559 |
|
46 |
|
- |
|
4,293 |
Building operating leases |
|
5,072 |
|
18,604 |
|
15,397 |
|
11,640 |
|
10,051 |
|
50,041 |
|
110,805 |
Partnerships building leases |
|
536 |
|
2,155 |
|
46 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
2,737 |
Related party aircraft lease |
|
225 |
|
900 |
|
900 |
|
900 |
|
375 |
|
- |
|
3,300 |
Total operating lease payments |
|
9,237 |
|
33,924 |
|
22,109 |
|
14,443 |
|
11,691 |
|
56,949 |
|
148,353 |
Operating software license obligations |
|
467 |
|
5,207 |
|
5,191 |
|
1,674 |
|
1,674 |
|
837 |
|
15,050 |
Total operating lease and software license obligations |
|
9,704 |
|
39,131 |
|
27,300 |
|
16,117 |
|
13,365 |
|
57,786 |
|
163,403 |
Total contractual cash obligations |
|
$ 46,093 |
|
$ 116,671 |
|
$ 58,086 |
|
$ 39,616 |
|
$ 318,325 |
|
$ 275,320 |
|
$ 854,111 |
30
|
|
For the years ending March 31 |
||||||||||||
|
|
2008 |
|
2009 |
|
2010 |
|
2011 |
|
2012 |
|
Thereafter |
|
Total |
Purchase commitments on synthetic aircraft leases |
|
$ - |
|
$ - |
|
$ - |
|
$ - |
|
$ - |
|
$ 2,251 |
|
$ 2,251 |
Purchase commitments on synthetic equipment and furniture leases |
|
- |
|
1,755 |
|
4,030 |
|
215 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
6,000 |
Other purchase commitments |
|
30,368 |
|
19,507 |
|
14,633 |
|
10,868 |
|
11,026 |
|
30,353 |
|
116,755 |
Total purchase commitments |
|
$ 30,368 |
|
$ 21,262 |
|
$ 18,663 |
|
$ 11,083 |
|
$ 11,026 |
|
$ 32,604 |
|
$ 125,006 |
The related party aircraft lease relates to an aircraft leased from a business owned by a former officer of the Company. The Company has agreed to pay the difference, if any, between the sales price of the aircraft and 70% of the related loan balance (approximately $2.3 million at December 31, 2007) should the Company elect to exercise its early termination rights or not extend the lease beyond its initial term and the lessor sells the equipment as a result.
The purchase commitments on the synthetic equipment, furniture and aircraft leases assume the leases terminate and are not renewed, and the Company elects to purchase the assets. The other purchase commitments include contractual commitments for the purchase of data and open purchase orders for equipment, paper, office supplies, construction and other items. Other purchase commitments in some cases will be satisfied by entering into future operating leases, capital leases, or other financing arrangements, rather than payment of cash.
The following table shows contingencies or guarantees under which the Company could be required, in certain circumstances, to make cash payments as of December 31, 2007 (dollars in thousands):
Residual value guarantee on the synthetic computer equipment and furniture lease |
|
$ 10,626 |
Residual value guarantee on synthetic aircraft lease |
|
2,251 |
Residual value guarantee on related party aircraft lease |
|
2,313 |
Guarantees on certain partnership and other loans |
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4,899 |
Outstanding letters of credit |
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7,187 |
The total of loans of which the Company guarantees the portion noted in the above table, is $12.0 million as of December 31, 2007.
While the Company does not have any other material contractual commitments for capital expenditures, certain levels of investments in facilities and computer equipment continue to be necessary to support the growth of the business. In some cases, the Company also sells software and hardware to clients. In addition, new outsourcing or facilities management contracts frequently require substantial up-front capital expenditures to acquire or replace existing assets. Management believes that the Companys existing available debt and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet the Companys working capital and capital expenditure requirements for the foreseeable future. The Company also evaluates acquisitions from time to time, which may require up-front payments of cash. Depending on the size of the acquisition it may be necessary to raise additional capital. If additional capital becomes necessary as a result of any material variance of operating results from projections or from potential future acquisitions, the Company would first use available borrowing capacity under its revolving credit agreement, followed by the issuance of debt or equity securities. However, no assurance can be given that the Company would be able to obtain funding through the issuance of debt or equity securities at terms favorable to the Company, or that such funding would be available.
For a description of certain risks that could have an impact on results of operations or financial condition, including liquidity and capital resources, see the Risk Factors contained in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors of the Companys 2007 Annual Report.
31
Related Parties
See note 15 to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Companys 2007 Annual Report for additional information on certain relationships and related transactions.
Non-U.S. Operations
The Company has a presence in the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Poland, Australia, Canada and China. Most of the Companys exposure to exchange rate fluctuation is due to translation gains and losses as there are no material transactions that cause exchange rate impact. In general, each of the foreign locations is expected to fund its own operations and cash flows, although funds may be loaned or invested from the U.S. to the foreign subsidiaries subject to limitations in the Companys revolving credit facility. These advances are considered to be long-term investments, and any gain or loss resulting from changes in exchange rates as well as gains or losses resulting from translating the foreign financial statements into U.S. dollars are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Exchange rate movements of foreign currencies may have an impact on the Companys future costs or on future cash flows from foreign investments. The Company has not entered into any foreign currency forward exchange contracts or other derivative instruments to hedge the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Critical Accounting Policies
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These accounting principles require management to make certain judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The consolidated financial statements in the Companys 2007 Annual Report include a summary of significant accounting policies used in the preparation of Acxioms consolidated financial statements. In addition, the Managements Discussion and Analysis filed as part of the 2007 Annual Report contains a discussion of the policies which management has identified as the most critical because they require managements use of complex and/or significant judgments. None of the Companys critical accounting policies have materially changed since the date of the last annual report.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48) that clarifies the accounting and recognition for income tax positions taken or expected to be taken on tax returns. The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 as of the beginning of its 2008 fiscal year. As a result of its adoption of FIN 48, the Company made no adjustments to retained earnings. In addition, the Company anticipates no changes to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits established as of the beginning of the year in the next twelve months.
As of the beginning of its 2008 fiscal year and at December 31, 2007, the total amount of reserves for income taxes is $3.8 million. The entire amount of the $3.8 million, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. Any prospective adjustments to the reserve for income taxes will be recorded as an increase or decrease to the provision for income taxes and would impact the effective tax rate.
The Company accrues penalties and interest related to reserves for income taxes in the provision for income taxes. The amount of penalties and interest accrued as of the beginning of the 2008 fiscal year is $0.7 million. During the quarter ended December 31, 2007, the Company effectively settled the issue with no payments, therefore the accrual was reversed.
The Company files a consolidated U.S. income tax return and tax returns in various state and local jurisdictions. The Companys subsidiaries also file tax returns in various foreign jurisdictions. In addition to the U.S., the Companys major taxing jurisdictions include the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. The number of years with open tax examinations varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. In the U.S., the Internal Revenue Service has completed its examination of the Companys federal income tax returns for fiscal years through 2005. The status of foreign tax examinations varies by jurisdiction. The Company does not anticipate any material adjustments to its financial statements resulting from tax examinations currently in progress.
32
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141(R), Business Combinations, (SFAS 141R), which replaces SFAS 141. SFAS 141R requires most assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, contingent consideration, and certain acquired contingencies to be measured at their fair values as of the date of acquisition. SFAS 141R also requires that acquisition related costs and restructuring costs be recognized separately from the business combination. SFAS 141R will be effective for the Company for fiscal year 2010 and will be effective for business combinations entered into after April 1, 2009.
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements, (SFAS 160). SFAS 160 amends previous accounting literature to establish new accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS 160 is effective for the Company as of the beginning of fiscal 2010.
Recent Event
Subsequent to December 31, 2007, the Company initiated plans to restructure its Harbinger operation including potentially exiting certain facilities and terminating associates. Harbinger was acquired in March 2007. The Company is in the process of finalizing the restructuring plan. The final determination will be made in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. The Company anticipates a potential charge of $2 million to $12 million in its fourth quarter ending March 31, 2008, the majority of which will be non-cash.
33
Forward-looking Statements
This document and other written reports and oral statements made from time to time by the Company and its representatives contain forward-looking statements. These statements, which are not statements of historical fact, may contain estimates, assumptions, projections and/or expectations regarding the Companys financial position, results of operations, market position, product development, growth opportunities, economic conditions, and other similar forecasts and statements of expectation. The Company generally indicates these statements by words or phrases such as anticipate, estimate, plan, expect, believe, intend, foresee, and similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause the Companys actual results and experiences to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements.
The factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following:
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The possibility that certain contracts may not be closed, or may not be closed within the anticipated time frames; |
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the possibility that clients may attempt to reduce the amount of business they do with the Company; |
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the possibility that in the event that a change of control of the Company was sought that certain of the clients of the Company would invoke certain provisions in their contracts resulting in a decline in the revenue and profit of the Company; |
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the possibility that certain contracts may not generate the anticipated revenue or profitability; |
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the possibility that negative changes in economic or other conditions might lead to a reduction in demand for our products and services; |
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the possibility of an economic slowdown or that economic conditions in general will not be as expected; |
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the possibility that the historical seasonality of our business may change; the possibility that significant customers may experience extreme, severe economic difficulty; |
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the possibility that the integration of acquired businesses may not be as successful as planned; |
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the possibility that the fair value of certain of our assets may not be equal to the carrying value of those assets now or in future time periods; the possibility that sales cycles may lengthen; |
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the possibility that we may not be able to attract and retain qualified technical and leadership associates, or that we may lose key associates to other organizations; |
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the possibility that we wont be able to properly motivate our sales force or other associates; |
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the possibility that we wont be able to achieve cost reductions and avoid unanticipated costs; |
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the possibility that we wont be able to continue to receive credit upon satisfactory terms and conditions; |
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the possibility that competent, competitive products, technologies or services will be introduced into the marketplace by other companies; |
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the possibility that we may be subjected to pricing pressure due to market conditions and/or competitive products and services; |
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the possibility that there will be changes in consumer or business information industries and markets that negatively impact the Company; |
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the possibility that changes in accounting pronouncements may occur and may impact these projections; |
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the possibility that we wont be able to protect proprietary information and technology or to obtain necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms; |
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the possibility that we may encounter difficulties when entering new markets or industries; |
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the possibility that there will be changes in the legislative, accounting, regulatory and consumer environments affecting our business, including but not limited to litigation, legislation, regulations and customs relating to our ability to collect, manage, aggregate and use data; |
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the possibility that data suppliers might withdraw data from us, leading to our inability to provide certain products and services; |
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the possibility that we may enter into short-term contracts which would affect the predictability of our revenues; |
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the possibility that the amount of ad hoc, volume-based and project work will not be as expected; |
34
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the possibility that we may experience a loss of data center capacity or interruption of telecommunication links or power sources; |
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the possibility that we may experience failures or breaches of our network and data security systems, leading to potential adverse publicity, negative customer reaction, or liability to third parties; |
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the possibility that postal rates may increase, thereby leading to reduced volumes of business; |
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the possibility that our clients may cancel or modify their agreements with us; |
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the possibility that we will not successfully complete customer contract requirements on time or meet the service levels specified in the contracts, which may result in contract penalties or lost revenue; |
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the possibility that we experience processing errors which result in credits to customers, re-performance of services or payment of damages to customers; the possibility that the services of the United States Postal Service, their global counterparts and other delivery systems may be disrupted; and |
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the possibility that we may be affected by other competitive factors. |
With respect to the provision of products or services outside our primary base of operations in the United States, all of the above factors apply, along with the difficulty of doing business in numerous sovereign jurisdictions due to differences in scale, competition, culture, laws and regulations.
Other factors are detailed from time to time in periodic reports and registration statements filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company believes that we have the product and technology offerings, facilities, associates and competitive and financial resources for continued business success, but future revenues, costs, margins and profits are all influenced by a number of factors, including those discussed above, all of which are inherently difficult to forecast.
The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements based on the occurrence of future events, the receipt of new information or otherwise.
35
Acxioms earnings are affected by changes in short-term interest rates primarily as a result of its term loan and revolving credit agreement, which bears interest at a floating rate. Acxiom does not currently use derivative or other financial instruments to mitigate the interest rate risk. Risk can be estimated by measuring the impact of a near-term adverse movement of one percentage point in short-term market interest rates. If short-term market interest rates increase one percentage point during the next four quarters compared to the previous four quarters, there would be no material adverse impact on Acxioms results of operations. Acxiom has no material future earnings or cash flow expenses from changes in interest rates related to its other long-term debt obligations as substantially all of Acxioms remaining long-term debt instruments have fixed rates. At both December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007, the fair value of Acxioms fixed rate long-term obligations approximated carrying value.
The Company has a presence in the United Kingdom, France, The Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Poland, Australia, China and Canada. In general, each of the foreign locations is expected to fund its own operations and cash flows, although funds may be loaned or invested from the U.S. to the foreign subsidiaries. Therefore, exchange rate movements of foreign currencies may have an impact on Acxioms future costs or on future cash flows from foreign investments. Acxiom, at this time, has not entered into any foreign currency forward exchange contracts or other derivative instruments to hedge the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a) |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. |
An evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Companys management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures, which are defined under SEC rules as controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
(b) |
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting |
The Companys management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated any changes in the Companys internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarterly period covered by this report, and has concluded that there was no change during the quarterly period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
36
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The Company is involved in various claims and litigation matters that arise in the ordinary course of the business. None of these, however, are believed to be material in their nature or scope, except as follows:
Linda Brooks and Richard Fresco v. Auto Data Direct, Inc., et al., (U.S. Dist. Court, S.D. Florida, 03-61063) This is a putative class action lawsuit, removed to federal court in May 2003, filed against Acxiom and several other information providers. The plaintiffs allege that the defendants obtained and used drivers license data in violation of the federal Drivers Privacy Protection Act. To date, a class has not been certified. Among other things, the plaintiffs seek injunctive relief, statutory damages, and attorneys fees. While certain defendants have agreed to conditionally settle the case, Acxiom will continue to defend the case vigorously in that it believes it has acted in conformity with the applicable law. Two companion cases, Sharon Taylor, et al., v. Acxiom, et al., (U.S. District Court, E.D. Texas, 207CV001) and Sharon Taylor, et al. v. Biometric Access Company, et al., (U.S. District Court, E.D. Texas, 2:07-CV-00018), were filed in January 2007.
Data Protection Authority of Spain --The Company is involved in a number of actions with the Data Protection Authority of Spain, involving alleged improper usage of individuals data. The total claims sought by the Data Protection Authority may be as high as $10.6 million. The Company is negotiating with the Data Protection Authority in an attempt to settle the claims, and the Company maintains that the Companys usage of data has been in compliance with the applicable law. However, upon advice of counsel and after review of the pending claims, the Company accrued $3.9 million as part of the cost of closure of the Spain office (see note 10). The amount accrued represents legal fees incurred to date along with an estimate of the amount which will be required to ultimately settle the claims.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
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(a) |
Not Applicable |
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(b) |
Not Applicable |
(c) The table below provides information regarding purchases by Acxiom of its common stock during the periods indicated.
Period |
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Total Number
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Average Price Paid
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Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs |
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Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs |
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10/1/07 10/31/07 |
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100,000 |
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13.28 |
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100,000 |
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$ 73,672,240 |
11/1/07 - 11/30/07 |
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2,368,154 |
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12.45 |
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2,368,154 |
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44,178,077 |
12/1/07 - 12/31/07 |
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1,570,000 |
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11.64 |
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1,570,000 |
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25,902,020 |
Total |
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4,038,154 |
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12.16 |
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4,038,154 |
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$ 25,902,020 |
The repurchases listed above were made pursuant to a repurchase program adopted by the Board of Directors on October 26, 2007. Under this common stock repurchase program, the Company may purchase up to $75 million worth of its common stock over the twelve months ending October 25, 2008.
37
Item 4. Submissions of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Acxioms annual meeting of shareholders was held on December 21, 2007. At the meeting, the shareholders voted on the following proposals:
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1) |
A proposal for the election of three directors - Voting results for each individual nominee were as follows: Mary L. Good, 56,358,795 votes for, 11,033,449 votes withheld and 145,632 votes abstained; Stephen M. Patterson, 60,672,519 votes for, 6,647,651 votes withheld and 217,706 votes abstained; and Kevin M. Twomey, 62,684,982 votes for, 4,630,882 votes withheld and 222,012 votes abstained. These three elected directors will serve with the other current board members: William T. Dillard II, Thomas F. McLarty, III, Jeffrey W. Ubben and R. Halsey Wise, whose terms will expire at the 2008 annual meeting, and Michael J. Durham, Ann Die Hasselmo, John A. Meyer and William J. Henderson, whose terms will expire at the 2009 annual meeting. |
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2) |
A proposal to approve an amendment to the 2005 Equity Compensation Plan to increase the number of shares of the Companys common stock available for grant thereunder from 13.3 million shares to 20.3 million shares Voting results were as follows: 42,066,169 votes for, 11,460,223 votes withheld, 640,510 votes abstained, and 13,370,974 broker non votes. |
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Item 6. |
Exhibits |
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(a) |
The following exhibits are filed with this Report: |
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31(a) |
Certification of Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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31(b) |
Certification of Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer) pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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32(a) |
Certification of Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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32(b) |
Certification of Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
38
ACXIOM CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Acxiom Corporation
Dated: February 7, 2008
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By: |
/s/Christopher W. Wolf |
(Signature)
Christopher W. Wolf
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
39
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