Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal quarter ended February 29, 2008

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number: 1-11869

 

 

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   13-3362547

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

601 Merritt 7, Norwalk, Connecticut   06851
(Address of principal executive office)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 810-1000

 

 

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  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer  x    Accelerated Filer  ¨    Non-Accelerated Filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The total number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, $.01 par value, outstanding on February 29, 2008 was 47,870,664.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

Form 10-Q

Table of Contents

 

             Page
Part I     FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
    Item 1.     Financial Statements   
   

Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007

   3
   

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of February 29, 2008 and August 31, 2007

   4
   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007

   5
   

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

   6

Item 2.

    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    20

Item 3.

    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    29

Item 4.

    Controls and Procedures    29
Part II     OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 2.

    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    30

Item 6.

    Exhibits    30
    Signatures    31

 

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Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME – Unaudited

 

     Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
(In thousands, except per share data)    Feb 29, 2008    Feb 28, 2007    Feb 29, 2008    Feb 28, 2007

Revenues

   $ 140,238    $ 116,313    $ 274,413    $ 225,194

Operating expenses

           

Cost of services

     47,478      36,730      92,421      71,671

Selling, general and administrative

     49,520      41,798      96,255      80,317
                           

Total operating expenses

     96,998      78,528      188,676      151,988

Income from operations

     43,240      37,785      85,737      73,206

Other income

     1,431      1,797      3,473      3,284
                           

Income before income taxes

     44,671      39,582      89,210      76,490

Provision for income taxes

     15,179      13,101      30,319      26,214
                           

Net income

   $ 29,492    $ 26,481    $ 58,891    $ 50,276
                           

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.61    $ 0.54    $ 1.22    $ 1.03

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.59    $ 0.52    $ 1.17    $ 0.98

Weighted average common shares (Basic)

     48,069      48,957      48,225      48,957

Weighted average common shares (Diluted)

     50,023      51,314      50,388      51,230

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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FactSet Research Systems Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION – Unaudited

 

(In thousands, except share data)    February 29,
2008
    August 31,
2007
 

CURRENT ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 123,380     $ 168,834  

Investments

     23,745       17,388  

Accounts receivable, net of reserves

     70,767       59,579  

Deferred taxes

     3,019       2,808  

Prepaid taxes

     10,244       —    

Other current assets

     5,031       3,723  
                

Total current assets

     236,186       252,332  

LONG-TERM ASSETS

    

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, at cost

     137,296       135,419  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (56,491 )     (56,474 )
                

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net

     80,805       78,945  

Goodwill

     159,989       146,187  

Intangible assets, net

     37,847       36,789  

Deferred taxes

     8,602       7,211  

Other assets

     2,471       2,286  
                

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 525,900     $ 523,750  
                

CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 23,237     $ 23,461  

Accrued compensation

     20,922       30,105  

Deferred fees

     22,842       25,730  

Dividends payable

     5,744       5,802  

Taxes payable

     —         5,552  
                

Total current liabilities

     72,745       90,650  

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

Deferred taxes

     6,156       6,450  

Taxes payable

     4,097       —    

Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities

     19,021       17,339  
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES

   $ 102,019     $ 114,439  

Commitments and contingencies (See Note 8)

    

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued

   $ —       $ —    

Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 56,813,411 and 56,160,500 shares issued; 47,870,664 and 48,348,703 shares outstanding at February 29, 2008 and August 31, 2007, respectively

     568       562  

Capital in excess of par value

     189,969       162,561  

Treasury stock, at cost: 8,942,747 and 7,811,797 shares at February 29, 2008 and August 31, 2007, respectively

     (298,760 )     (233,372 )

Retained earnings

     518,528       469,880  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     13,576       9,680  
                

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     423,881       409,311  
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 525,900     $ 523,750  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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FactSet Research Systems Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS – Unaudited

 

     Six Months Ended  
(In thousands)    Feb 29, 2008     Feb 28, 2007  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income

   $ 58,891     $ 50,276  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

    

Depreciation and amortization

     14,932       13,573  

Stock-based compensation expense

     7,612       4,604  

Deferred income taxes

     (1,928 )     (2,549 )

Gain on sale of assets

     (65 )     (61 )

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

     (6,981 )     (2,602 )

Changes in assets and liabilities

    

Accounts receivable, net of reserves

     (10,712 )     (10,539 )

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (625 )     1,209  

Accrued compensation

     (9,272 )     (5,874 )

Deferred fees

     (3,241 )     28  

Taxes payable

     (4,468 )     (213 )

Deferred rent

     1,505       1,387  

Landlord contributions

     207       416  

Other working capital accounts, net

     (1,048 )     (1,548 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     44,807       48,107  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

     (13,891 )     —    

Proceeds from sales of investments

     18,893       9,584  

Purchases of investments

     (25,103 )     (9,855 )

Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements

     (13,060 )     (15,300 )
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (33,161 )     (15,571 )

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Dividend payments

     (11,543 )     (5,781 )

Repurchase of common stock

     (65,387 )     (21,432 )

Repayment of note

     —         (2,210 )

Proceeds from employee stock plans

     12,678       6,596  

Income tax benefits from stock option exercises

     6,981       2,602  
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (57,271 )     (20,225 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     171       282  
                

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (45,454 )     12,593  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     168,834       126,549  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 123,380     $ 139,142  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

February 29, 2008

(Unaudited)

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (the “Company” or “FactSet”) is a leading provider of global financial and economic information, including fundamental financial data on tens of thousands of companies worldwide. FactSet offers access to financial data and analytics to thousands of investment professionals around the world. Combining hundreds of databases into its own dedicated online service, FactSet provides the tools to download, combine, and manipulate financial data for investment analysis. FactSet applications support and make more efficient workflows for buy and sell-side professionals. These professionals include portfolio managers, research and performance analysts, risk managers, marketing professionals, sell-side equity research professionals, investment bankers and fixed income professionals. FactSet applications provide users access to company analysis, multicompany comparisons, industry analysis, company screening, portfolio analysis, predictive risk measurements, alphatesting, portfolio optimization and simulation, real-time news and quotes and tools to value and analyze fixed income securities and portfolios. FactSet is also available via wireless, handled devices and is fully integrated with Microsoft Office applications such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint that allows for the creation of extensive custom reports.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial data as of February 29, 2008 and for the three and six months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007 has been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The August 31, 2007 Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the financial statements and footnotes to them included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying statements of financial condition and related interim statements of income and cash flows include all normal adjustments in order to present fairly the results of the Company’s operations for the periods presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany activity and balances have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates have been made in areas that include receivable reserves, valuation of goodwill, useful lives and valuation of fixed and intangible assets, accrued compensation, asset retirement obligations, income and other taxes, stock-based compensation and allocation of purchase price to assets and liabilities acquired. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

FactSet revenues are derived from month-to-month subscriptions to services such as workstations (also referred to as users), content and applications. At the option of each investment management client, FactSet services may be paid either in commissions from securities transactions or in cash. To facilitate the payment for services in commissions, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, FactSet Data Systems, Inc. (“FDS”), is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and is a registered broker-dealer under Section 15 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Services paid in commissions are derived from securities transactions introduced and cleared on a fully disclosed basis through a

 

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designated clearing broker. That is, a client paying subscription charges on a commission basis directs the clearing broker to credit the commission on the transaction to FDS at the time the client executes a securities transaction. Clients may also direct commissions to unrelated third party brokers and request payment be transmitted to FactSet to pay for its services.

FactSet applies Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104 (“SAB 104”), Revenue Recognition, to its business arrangements for revenue recognition. Primarily all clients are invoiced monthly to reflect the actual services provided. Remaining clients are invoiced quarterly or annually in advance. Subscription revenue is earned each month as the service is rendered to clients on a monthly basis. A receivable reserve is estimated for uncollectible amounts previously billed. This provision is accounted for as a reduction of revenue, with a corresponding reduction to accounts receivable. FactSet recognizes revenue when all the following criteria are met:

 

   

the client subscribes to FactSet services,

 

   

the FactSet service has been rendered and earned during the month,

 

   

the amount of the subscription is fixed and determinable based on established rates for each product offering, quoted on an annualized basis, and

 

   

collectibility is reasonably assured.

Under the guidance in SAB 104, the Company’s subscriptions represent a single earnings process. Collection of subscription revenues through FDS’s external clearing broker does not represent a separate service or earnings process since FDS is not the principal party to the settlement of the securities transactions for which the clearing broker charges clearing fees. Clearing fees are recorded as a reduction to revenues in the period incurred, at the time that a client executes securities transactions through the designated clearing broker. The Company earns the right to recover the clearing fee from its clients at the time the securities transactions are executed, which is the period in which the clearing fees are incurred.

Amounts that have been earned but not yet paid are reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as accounts receivable, net of reserves. Amounts invoiced in advance or client payments that are in excess of earned subscription revenues are reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as deferred fees. As of February 29, 2008, the amount of accounts receivable, net of reserves that was unbilled totaled $0.7 million, which was billed at the beginning of March 2008.

The Company calculates its receivable reserve through analyzing aged client receivables and reviewing the recent history of client receivable write-offs. As of February 29, 2008 and August 31, 2007, the receivable reserve was $1.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively.

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Computers and related equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of three years or less. During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company completed its upgrade from Hewlett Packard (“HP”) Alpha mainframe machines to HP Integrity mainframe machines. All HP Integrity machines purchased during fiscal 2008 are depreciated over a useful life of three years.

Effective as of the beginning of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company elected to change its method of depreciation for furniture and fixtures to straight-line from the double declining balance method. Furniture and fixtures are depreciated over their estimated useful lives between five and seven years. This change did not have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases or estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever period is shorter.

The Company performs a test for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an individual asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Should projected undiscounted future cash flows be less than the carrying amount of the asset or asset group, an impairment charge reducing the carrying amount to fair value is required. Fair value is determined based on the most appropriate valuation technique, including discounted cash flows.

Income Taxes

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, which supplements SFAS 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, by defining the confidence level that a tax position must meet in order to be recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the tax effect of a position to be recognized only if it is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained based solely on its technical merits as of the reporting date. If a tax position is not considered more-likely-than-not to be sustained based solely on its technical merits, no benefits of the position are recognized. This is a different standard for recognition than was previously required. The more-likely-than-not threshold must continue to be met in each reporting period to support continued recognition of a benefit. At adoption, companies must adjust their financial statements to reflect only those tax positions that are more-likely-than-not to

 

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be sustained as of the adoption date. Any necessary adjustment is recorded directly to opening retained earnings in the period of adoption and reported as a change in accounting principle. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006 and as a result was effective for the Company on September 1, 2007. See Note 12 for information relating to the implementation of this interpretation and other required disclosures pertaining to uncertain tax positions.

Derivative Instruments

The Company conducts business globally in several currencies including the British Pound Sterling, Euro and Japanese Yen. As such, it is exposed to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates. To limit the financial exposure related to the effects of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, the Company may utilize derivative instruments (foreign currency contracts). The Company does not enter into foreign exchange forward contracts for trading or speculative purposes.

Commencing in February 2008, FactSet entered into foreign currency forward contracts with an aggregate notional value of 6.0 million Euros and maturities up to six months to reduce the short-term effects of foreign currency fluctuations. These hedging programs are not designed to provide foreign currency protection over longer time horizons. In designing a specific hedging approach, FactSet considered several factors, including offsetting exposures, significance of exposures, forecasting risk and potential effectiveness of the hedge. The gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts partially offset the variability in operating expenses associated with currency movements. The Company’s market risks associated with its foreign currency expenses relate to variances from its forecasted versus actual foreign currency transactions and balances. These transactions are designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges in accordance with SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged exposure affects earnings.

3. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements. Among other requirements, SFAS 157 defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring fair value and also expands disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS 157 is effective for the first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. The provisions of SFAS 157 will be applied prospectively to fair value measurements and disclosures beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 and is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115, which will permit the measurement of many financial instruments and certain other assets and liabilities at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis (the fair value option). The guidance is applicable for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company will adopt SFAS 159 in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 and does not expect the adoption of this Statement to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141(R)”) and SFAS 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 141(R) will significantly change current practices regarding business combinations. Among the more significant changes, SFAS 141(R) expands the definition of a business and a business combination; requires the acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests (including goodwill), measured at fair value at the acquisition date; requires acquisition-related expenses and restructuring costs to be recognized separately from the business combination; requires assets acquired and liabilities assumed from contractual and non-contractual contingencies to be recognized at their acquisition-date fair values with subsequent changes recognized in earnings; and requires in-process research and development to be capitalized at fair value as an indefinite-lived intangible asset. SFAS 160 will change the accounting and reporting for minority interests, reporting them as equity separate from the parent entity’s equity, as well as requiring expanded disclosures. The Company will adopt SFAS 141(R) and SFAS 160 in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 and does not expect the adoption of these standards to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

4. COMMON STOCK AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

On February 12, 2008, the Company announced a regular quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share. The cash dividend of $5.8 million was paid on March 18, 2008, to common stockholders of record on February 29, 2008. Shares of common stock outstanding were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Six Months Ended  
     February 29, 2008     February 28, 2007  

Balance at September 1

   48,349     48,889  

Common stock issued for employee stock plans (see Note 10)

   653     330  

Repurchase of common stock

   (1,131 )   (372 )
            

Balance at February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007

   47,871     48,847  
            

 

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Share Repurchase Program

On January 25, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an expansion of the existing share repurchase program by an additional $125 million. At that time, the Company completed the $100 million expansion to the existing share repurchase program authorized by the Board on March 19, 2007. Repurchases will be made from time to time in the open market and privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions. No minimum number of shares to be repurchased has been fixed. There is no timeframe to complete the repurchase program and it is expected that share repurchases will be paid using existing and future cash generated by operations. During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the Company repurchased 1,126,131 shares at an average cost of $57.78 per share under the program. At February 29, 2008, $117.1 million remains authorized for future share repurchases. The remaining 4,819 shares repurchased during the first half of fiscal 2008 were repurchases of common stock owned by employees in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, which was terminated on June 20, 2005.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential common shares consist of employee stock options and restricted stock. Diluted shares outstanding include the dilutive effect of in-the-money options which is calculated based on the average share price for each fiscal period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the exercise price paid by the optionee, future stock-based compensation expense that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of tax benefits that would be recorded in additional paid-in capital when the award becomes deductible are assumed to be used to repurchase shares. A reconciliation between the weighted average shares outstanding used in the basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) computations is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Net Income
(Numerator)
   Weighted
Average

Common
Shares

(Denominator)
   Per
Share

Amount
        

For the three months ended February 29, 2008

        

Basic EPS

        

Income available to common stockholders

   $ 29,492    48,069    $ 0.61

Diluted EPS

        

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock

     —      1,954   
              

Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions

   $ 29,492    50,023    $ 0.59

For the three months ended February 28, 2007

        

Basic EPS

        

Income available to common stockholders

   $ 26,481    48,957    $ 0.54

Diluted EPS

        

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock

     —      2,357   
              

Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions

   $ 26,481    51,314    $ 0.52

For the six months ended February 29, 2008

        

Basic EPS

        

Income available to common stockholders

   $ 58,891    48,225    $ 1.22

Diluted EPS

        

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock

     —      2,163   
              

Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions

   $ 58,891    50,388    $ 1.17

 

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For the six months ended February 28, 2007

        

Basic EPS

        

Income available to common stockholders

   $ 50,276    48,957    $ 1.03

Diluted EPS

        

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock

     —      2,273   
              

Income available to common stockholders plus assumed conversions

   $ 50,276    51,230    $ 0.98

Dilutive potential common shares consist of stock options and unvested restricted stock awards. For the three and six months ended February 29, 2008, 680,449 and 17,049, respectively, of stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. Similarly, for the three and six months ended February 28, 2007, the January 2007 non-employee Directors’ stock option grant of 22,500 stock options was excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because its inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

No restricted stock awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007, respectively.

For the three and six months ended February 29, 2008, 1,756,427 of performance-based stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share in accordance with SFAS 128, Earnings per Share. For the three and six months ended February 28, 2007, 904,104 of performance-based stock options were excluded. As indicated in SFAS 128, performance-based stock options should be omitted from the calculation of diluted earnings per share until the performance criteria have been met. The criteria have not yet been met at February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007, respectively.

5. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

DealMaven, Inc.

On January 31, 2008, the Company acquired DealMaven, Inc. (“DealMaven”) for $14.0 million in cash. Formed in 1999, DealMaven provides tools to improve the workflow of investment bankers when working in Microsoft Excel and helps firms gather, analyze, check and present data more efficiently. The company is headquartered in New York City and supported by approximately 17 employees.

The acquisition is consistent with the Company’s strategy of developing tools to make client workflows more efficient. This factor contributed to a purchase price in excess of fair value of the DealMaven net tangible and intangible assets, and as a result, the Company has recorded goodwill in connection with this transaction.

The total purchase price of the acquisition is as follows (in thousands):

 

Cash consideration

   $  14,000

Estimated working capital

     624

Direct acquisition costs

     11
      

Total purchase price

   $ 14,635
      

Allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has not been finalized for this acquisition. The final purchase price is dependent on the actual direct acquisition costs and the final working capital adjustment. The estimated purchase price is being allocated to DealMaven’s net tangible and intangible assets based upon their estimated fair value as of the date of acquisition. Based upon the purchase price and the valuation, the preliminary purchase price allocation is as follows (in thousands):

 

Tangible assets acquired

   $ 1,261  

Amortizable intangible assets:

  

Software technology

     1,856  

Client relationships

     1,040  

Non-compete agreements

     105  

Goodwill

     11,998  
        

Total assets acquired

     16,260  

Liabilities assumed

     (1,625 )
        

Net assets acquired

   $ 14,635  
        

 

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Intangible assets of $3.0 million have been allocated to amortizable intangible assets consisting of software technology, amortized over five years using a straight-line amortization method; client relationships, amortized over five years using an accelerated amortization method; and non-compete agreements, amortized over two years using a straight-line amortization method.

Goodwill totaling $12.0 million represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill will not be amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually. Goodwill generated from the DealMaven acquisition is included in the U.S. segment and is not deductible for income tax purposes.

The results of operations of DealMaven have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income since the completion of the acquisition on January 31, 2008. Pro forma information has not been presented because the effect of this acquisition was not material on the Company’s consolidated financial results.

6. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company’s identifiable intangible assets consist of certain acquired content databases, software technology, client relationships, trade names, and non-compete agreements resulting from prior acquisitions. During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, $3.0 million of identifiable intangible assets were added as a result of the acquisition of DealMaven. The acquired business and related assets have been fully integrated into the Company’s operations.

The Company amortizes intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. The weighted average useful life of all acquired intangible assets at February 29, 2008 is 10.1 years. Amortizable intangible assets are tested for impairment based on undiscounted cash flows, and, if impaired, written down to fair value based on either discounted cash flows or appraised values. No impairment of intangible assets has been identified during any of the periods presented. These intangible assets have no assigned residual values.

The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization totals related to the Company’s identifiable intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):

 

At February 29, 2008

   Gross Carrying Amount    Accumulated Amortization    Net Carrying Amount

Data content

   $ 23,362    $ 6,152    $ 17,210

Software technology

     19,121      8,410      10,711

Client relationships

     15,923      6,429      9,494

Trade names

     561      412      149

Non-compete agreements

     874      591      283
                    

Total

   $ 59,841    $ 21,994    $ 37,847
                    

At August 31, 2007

   Gross Carrying Amount    Accumulated Amortization    Net Carrying Amount

Data content

   $ 22,746    $ 6,084    $ 16,662

Software technology

     19,432      9,139      10,293

Client relationships

     14,697      5,387      9,310

Trade names

     1,739      1,512      227

Non-compete agreements

     1,365      1,068      297
                    

Total

   $ 59,979    $ 23,190    $ 36,789
                    

The intangible assets acquired during the six months ended February 29, 2008 in connection with the acquisition of DealMaven were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Weighted Average
Amortization Period
   Acquisition
Cost

Software technology

   5.0 years    $ 1,856

Client relationships

   5.0 years      1,040

Non-compete agreements

   2.0 years      105
         
   5.0 years    $ 3,001
         

 

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Amortization expense recorded for intangible assets for the three months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007 was $1.9 million and $2.0 million, respectively. Amortization expense recorded for intangible assets for the six months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007 was $3.7 million and $3.9 million, respectively. Estimated intangible asset amortization expense for the remainder of fiscal 2008 and the succeeding years are as follows (in thousands):

 

Years Ended August 31,

   Estimated
Amortization Expense

2008 (Remainder)

   $ 3,939

2009

     7,515

2010

     6,981

2011

     4,537

2012

     3,568

Thereafter

     11,307
      

Total

   $ 37,847
      

7. GOODWILL

Goodwill has resulted from the acquisitions of the Insyte, LionShares, Mergerstat, CallStreet, JCF, TrueCourse, DSI, AlphaMetrics, Global Filings and DealMaven businesses. Goodwill resulting from the acquisitions of LionShares, Mergerstat, TrueCourse and DSI are income tax-deductible based on the structure of the acquisition. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates goodwill at the reporting unit level for indications of potential impairment. Goodwill is tested for impairment based on the present value of discounted cash flows, and, if impaired, written down to fair value based on discounted cash flows. Based on the guidance in SFAS 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, the Company has determined that there were three reporting units during fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006, which are consistent with the operating segments reported under SFAS 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information because there is no discrete financial information available for the subsidiaries within each operating segment. The Company’s reporting units evaluated for potential impairment during fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006 were the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific, which reflects the level of internal reporting the Company uses to manage its business and operations. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, as well as any additional impairment test required on an event-driven basis. In the fourth quarter of each of fiscal 2007 and 2006, the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test and determined that goodwill was not impaired.

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the six months ended February 29, 2008 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     U.S.    Europe    Total

Balance at August 31, 2007

   $ 62,999    $ 83,188    $ 146,187

Goodwill acquired during the period

     11,998      —        11,998

Purchase price adjustments

     —        —        —  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     —        1,804      1,804
                    

Balance at February 29, 2008

   $ 74,997    $ 84,992    $ 159,989
                    

8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Lease Commitments

At February 29, 2008, the Company leases office space in the U.S. in Norwalk, Connecticut; Newark, New Jersey; Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Manchester, New Hampshire; Reston, Virginia; Austin, Texas; Tuscaloosa, Alabama; San Mateo and Santa Monica, California; and outside the U.S. in London; Tokyo; Hong Kong; Sydney; Amsterdam; Frankfurt; Milan; Hyderabad, India; and Paris and Avon, France. The leases expire on various dates through March 2021. Total minimum rental payments associated with the leases are recorded as rent (a component of selling, general and administrative expenses) on a straight-line basis over the periods of the respective non-cancelable lease terms.

At February 29, 2008, the Company’s lease commitments for office space provide for the following future minimum rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases with remaining terms in excess of one year (in thousands):

 

Years Ended August 31,

    

2008 (Remainder)

   $ 5,849

2009

     15,420

2010

     16,526

2011

     15,920

2012

     15,153

Thereafter

     82,310
      

Minimum lease payments

   $ 151,178
      

 

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Revolving Credit Facilities

In February 2008, the Company renewed both its 364-day revolving credit facility and its three-year credit facility. The credit facilities (the “facilities”) are available in an aggregate principal amount of up to $25.0 million for working capital and general corporate purposes, with the facilities split into two equal tranches and maturing in March 2009 and 2011. Approximately $3.9 million in aggregate of these credit facilities has been utilized for letters of credit issued during the ordinary course of business as of February 29, 2008. The Company is obligated to pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the facilities at a weighted average annual rate of 0.125%. The facilities also contain covenants that, among other things, require the Company to maintain minimum levels of consolidated net worth and certain leverage and fixed charge ratios.

Derivative Instruments

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage exposures to foreign currency. The Company’s primary objective in holding derivatives is to reduce the volatility of earnings and cash flows associated with changes in foreign currency. As a result of the use of derivative instruments, the Company is exposed to counterparty risk. To mitigate such risk, FactSet enters into contracts with only one large financial institution. The Company regularly reviews its credit exposure balances as well as the creditworthiness of the counterparty. At February 29, 2008, the Company does not expect any losses as a result of default by the counterparty.

9. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company accounts for share-based compensation under the provisions of SFAS 123(R), Share-Based Payment. SFAS 123(R) requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors including employee stock options and employee stock purchases related to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“employee stock purchases”) based on estimated fair values of the share awards that are scheduled to vest during the period.

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense recognized under SFAS 123(R) for the three months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007, which was allocated as follows (in thousands):

 

     2008     2007  

Cost of services

   $ 1,342     $ 660  

Selling, general and administrative

     3,557       1,495  
                

Stock-based compensation included in operating expenses*

     4,899       2,155  

Tax impact of stock-based compensation

     (1,666 )     (774 )
                

Stock-based compensation, net of tax

   $ 3,233     $ 1,381  
                

 

* Included in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was a pre-tax charge of $2.4 million related to an increase in the estimate of the number of performance-based stock options that will vest in August 2008. During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company estimated that it was probable it would achieve organic annualized subscription value (“ASV”) and diluted earnings per share growth of at least 20% on a compounded annual basis for the two years ended August 31, 2008. This revised estimate reflects a performance level of “excellent” and increased the number of options that is estimated to vest at the end of fiscal 2008. Refer to footnote 10 for further information regarding performance-based stock options.

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense recognized under SFAS 123(R) for the six months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007, which was allocated as follows (in thousands):

 

     2008     2007  

Cost of services

   $ 2,104     $ 1,417  

Selling, general and administrative

     5,508       3,187  
                

Stock-based compensation included in operating expenses

     7,612       4,604  

Tax impact of stock-based compensation

     (2,591 )     (1,643 )
                

Stock-based compensation, net of tax

   $ 5,021     $ 2,961  
                

As of February 29, 2008, $27.5 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.4 years. There were no stock-based compensation costs capitalized as of February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007.

 

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10. EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION AND RETIREMENT PLANS

Stock Option Awards

Options granted without performance conditions under the Company’s stock option plans (the “Option Plans”) expire either seven or ten years from the date of grant and the majority vest at a rate of 20% after the first year and 1.67% per month thereafter for years two through five. The stock options granted on January 31, 2008 to key employees of DealMaven vest at a rate of 40% after the first two years and 1.67% per month thereafter for years three through five. Options become vested and exercisable provided the employee continues employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date, and remain exercisable until expiration or cancellation. Options granted with performance conditions under the Company’s 2004 Stock Option Plan expire seven years from the date of grant and vest at a rate of 40% after the first two years and 1.67% per month thereafter for years three through five. Options generally are not transferable or assignable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. During the grantee’s lifetime, they may be exercised only by the grantee.

General Option Activity

A summary of option activity follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Options Available
for Grant
    Number
Outstanding
    Weighted Average
Exercise Price Per Share

Balance at August 31, 2007

   4,918     8,407     $ 32.76

Granted

   —       —         —  

Exercised

   —       (308 )   $ 21.64

Forfeited

   16     (16 )   $ 48.53
              

Balance at November 30, 2007

   4,934     8,083     $ 33.15

Granted

   (120 )   120     $ 56.04

Exercised

   —       (297 )   $ 13.05

Forfeited

   48     (48 )   $ 42.03
              

Balance at February 29, 2008

   4,862     7,858     $ 34.20

The total number of in-the-money options exercisable as of February 29, 2008 was 4.2 million with a weighted average exercise price of $22.75. As of August 31, 2007, 4.5 million outstanding options were exercisable with a weighted average exercise price was $21.53.

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock price of $52.64 as of February 29, 2008 and the exercise price multiplied by the number of options outstanding as of that date. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercisable at February 29, 2008 and August 31, 2007 was $126.3 million and $172.9 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the three months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007 was $11.7 million and $4.8 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the six months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007 was $26.2 million and $10.2 million, respectively.

Stock Option Fair Value Determination

The Company utilizes the lattice-binomial option-pricing model (“binomial model”) to estimate the fair value of new employee stock option grants. The Company’s determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using the binomial model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, interest rates, option forfeitures and employee stock option exercise behaviors.

In connection with the acquisition of DealMaven, on January 31, 2008, 120,000 stock options were granted to key employees of DealMaven now employed by the Company. No other stock options were granted to employees of the Company during the three and six months ended February 29, 2008. The weighted average estimated fair value of the 120,000 employee stock options granted to key employees of DealMaven was $17.72 per share, using the lattice-binomial option model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

Term structure of risk-free interest rate

   2.0% - 3.2%

Expected life *

   5.44 years

Term structure of volatility

   28.9% - 38.9%

Dividend yield

   0.86%

 

* Expected life is an output in a binomial model as opposed to being an input in the Black-Scholes model.

 

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No stock options were granted to employees during the three and six months ended February 28, 2007.

The risk-free interest rate assumption for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercises and employee termination within the valuation model. The dividend yield assumption is based on the Company’s history and expectation of dividend payouts.

The expected life of employee stock options represent the weighted average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and is a derived output of the binomial model. The expected life of employee stock options is impacted by all of the underlying assumptions and calibration of the Company’s model. The binomial model assumes that employees’ exercise behavior is a function of the option’s remaining vested life and the extent to which the option is in-the-money. The binomial model estimates the probability of exercise as a function of these two variables based on the entire history of exercises and cancellations of all past option grants made by the Company.

Non-Employee Director Stock Option Grants

The Company utilizes the Black Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of new non-employee Director stock option grants. The Company’s determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using the Black Scholes model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, interest rates, option forfeitures and employee stock option exercise behaviors.

There were no stock options granted to the Company’s non-employee Directors during the three and six months ended February 29, 2008 due to the expiration of the Company’s non-employee Directors plan.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2007, 22,500 stock options were granted to the Company’s non-employee Directors with a weighted average estimated fair value of $21.20 per share, using the lattice-binomial option model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

Term structure of risk-free interest rate

   4.7% - 5.1%

Expected life *

   5.9 years

Term structure of volatility

   16.6% - 43.9%

Dividend yield

   0.4%

 

* Expected life is an output in a binomial model as opposed to being an input in the Black-Scholes model.

Performance-based Stock Awards

Performance-based stock options require management to make assumptions regarding the likelihood of achieving Company performance targets. The number of performance-based options that vest will be predicated on the Company achieving the least favorable performance levels of organic ASV or diluted earnings per share during the two fiscal years ending August 31, 2009 and 2008. Dependent on the financial performance levels attained by FactSet during the two subsequent fiscal years, 0%, 20%, 60% or 100% of the performance-based stock options will vest to the grantees of those stock options. There is no current guarantee however that such options will vest in whole or in part.

August 2006 Performance-based Option Grant Review

In August 2006, the Company granted 924,989 performance-based employee stock options. The number of performance-based options that vest is based on the Company achieving the least favorable performance levels of organic ASV or diluted earnings per share during the two fiscal years ended August 31, 2008. During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, FactSet estimated that it was probable the Company would achieve ASV and diluted earnings per share growth of at least 20% on a compounded annual basis for the two years ended August 31, 2008. This reflects a higher performance level than previously estimated and accordingly increased the number of options that is estimated to vest at the end of fiscal 2008.

As such, at February 29, 2008, the Company has estimated that 60% or 554,993 of the performance-based stock options should vest, up from 20% or 184,998 performance-based stock options in previous periods. The change in estimate required the Company to record a pre-tax charge of $2.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and requires an expense of $4.2 million in unamortized stock-based compensation to be recognized over the next forty-two months as of February 29, 2008. A change in the financial performance levels achieved by the Company could result in the following changes to the Company’s current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense (in thousands):

 

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Vesting

Percentage

   Total Unamortized Stock-based
Compensation Expense at February 29, 2008
   One-time
Adjustment (A)
    Average Remaining Quarterly
Expense to be Recognized

0%

   $ —      $ (3,630 )   $ —  

20%

   $ 1,395    $ (2,420 )   $ 100

60%

   $ 4,185    $ —       $ 300

100%

   $ 6,975    $ 2,420     $ 500

 

(A) Amounts represent the one-time cumulative adjustment to be recorded if there was a change in the vesting percentage as of February 29, 2008. The one-time cumulative adjustment increments each quarter by the amount stated in the average remaining quarterly expense to be recognized column.

August 2007 Performance-based Option Grant Review

In August 2007, the Company granted 896,194 performance-based employee stock options. The number of performance-based options that vest is based on the Company achieving the least favorable performance levels of organic subscriptions or diluted earnings per share during the two fiscal years ended August 31, 2009. At February 29, 2008 the Company estimated that none of the performance-based stock options should vest. This results in zero unamortized stock-based compensation expense as of February 29, 2008. The Company’s estimate considered the current environment in which many large banks are carefully managing expenses. A change in the financial performance levels achieved by the Company could result in the following changes to the Company’s current estimate of the vesting percentage and related expense (in thousands):

 

Vesting

Percentage

   Total Unamortized Stock-based
Compensation Expense at February 29, 2008
   One-time
Adjustment (A)
   Average Remaining Quarterly
Expense to be Recognized

0%

   $ —      $ —      $ —  

20%

   $ 2,610    $ 499    $ 145

60%

   $ 7,830    $ 1,498    $ 435

100%

   $ 13,050    $ 2,496    $ 725

 

(A) Amounts represent the one-time cumulative adjustment to be recorded if there had been a change in the vesting percentage as of February 29, 2008. The one-time cumulative adjustment increments each quarter by the amount stated in the average remaining quarterly expense to be recognized column.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company implemented an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Purchase Plan”) in fiscal 2001 for all eligible employees. Under the Purchase Plan, shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased at three-month intervals at 85% of the lower of the fair market value of FactSet common stock on the first or the last day of each three-month period. Employee purchases may not exceed 10% of their gross compensation during an offering period. Employees purchased 24,491 shares at an average price of $44.74 during the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

The Company continues to use the Black-Scholes model to calculate the estimated fair value for the employee stock purchase plan. The weighted average estimated value of employee stock purchase plan grants during the three months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007 was $9.62 and $10.37 per share, respectively, with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

     Three Months Ended
     Feb 29, 2008    Feb 28, 2007

Risk-free interest rate

   2.64%    5.03%

Expected life

   3 months    3 months

Expected volatility

   15.0%    8.9%

Dividend yield

   0.9%    0.4%

The weighted average estimated value of employee stock purchase plan grants during the six months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007 was $10.11 and $9.00 per share, respectively, with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

     Six Months Ended
     Feb 29, 2008    Feb 28, 2007

Risk-free interest rate

   3.2%    5.03%

Expected life

   3 months    3 months

Expected volatility

   15.5%    10.2%

Dividend yield

   0.8%    0.4%

 

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Restricted Stock Awards

The Company stock option plans permit the issuance of restricted stock and restricted stock units. Restricted stock awards are subject to continued employment over a specified period. During fiscal 2005, The Company granted restricted stock awards which entitle the holder to shares of common stock as the award vests over time. The Company’s restricted stock awards generally vest ratably over a four-year period. Restricted stock grants are amortized to expense over the vesting period using the straight-line attribution method. The Company granted 49,178 shares of common stock in restricted stock grants during fiscal 2005. Based on the $37.51 average market price of FactSet common stock on the grant date, a deferred compensation charge of $1.8 million was recorded to stockholders’ equity, and is being amortized ratably to compensation expense over the vesting period of four years. No restricted stock awards vested during the three and six months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007. As of February 29, 2008, 50% of the restricted stock grants have vested and issued to restricted stock award holders. There were no restricted stock awards granted during the three and six months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007.

11. SEGMENTS

The Company has three reportable segments based on geographic operations: U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific. Each segment markets online integrated database services to investment managers, investment banks and other financial services professionals. The U.S. segment services financial institutions throughout North America, while the European and Asia Pacific segments service investment professionals located throughout Europe, Asia and other regions.

The European segment is headquartered in London, England and maintains office locations in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy. The Asia Pacific segment is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan with office locations in Hong Kong and Australia. Sales, consulting, data collection, and engineering personnel are the primary functional groups based at foreign operations. Segment revenues reflect direct sales of products and services to clients based in their respective geographic locations. There are no intersegment or intercompany sales of the FactSet service. Each segment records compensation, including stock-based compensation, amortization of intangible assets, depreciation of furniture and fixtures, amortization of leasehold improvements, communication costs, professional fees, rent expense, travel, marketing, office and other direct expenses related to its employees. Expenditures associated with the Company’s data centers including product development and corporate headquarters charges are recorded by the U.S. segment and are not allocated to the European and Asia Pacific segments. At February 29, 2008, total goodwill of $160.0 million, is allocated to the U.S. segment totaling $75.0 million and in the European segment totaling $85.0 million. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007.

The following tables reflect the results of operations of the segments consistent with the Company’s management system. These results are used, in part, by management, both in evaluating the performance of, and in allocating resources to, each of the segments.

 

(In thousands)    U.S.    Europe    Asia Pacific    Total

For the three months ended February 29, 2008

           

Revenues from clients

   $ 97,140    $ 34,305    $ 8,793    $ 140,238

Segment operating profit

     29,826      7,452      5,962      43,240

Total assets at February 29, 2008

     378,455      138,670      8,775      525,900

For the three months ended February 28, 2007

           

Revenues from clients

   $ 81,933    $ 28,012    $ 6,368    $ 116,313

Segment operating profit

     26,361      7,312      4,112      37,785

Total assets at February 28, 2007

     334,599      146,593      7,592      489,144

For the six months ended February 29, 2008

           

Revenues from clients

   $ 190,971    $ 66,652    $ 16,790    $ 274,413

Segment operating profit

     59,377      15,707      10,653      85,737

For the six months ended February 28, 2007

           

Revenues from clients

   $ 158,176    $ 54,697    $ 12,321    $ 225,194

Segment operating profit

     50,926      15,159      7,121      73,206

 

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12. INCOME TAXES – ADOPTION OF FIN 48

On September 1, 2007, the Company adopted FIN 48 which prescribes a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, classification and disclosure of uncertain tax positions that a company has taken or expects to take on a tax return. Under FIN 48, a company can recognize the benefit of an income tax position only if it is more likely than not (greater than 50%) that the tax position will be sustained upon tax examination, based solely on the technical merits of the tax position. Otherwise, no benefit can be recognized. The tax benefits recognized are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Additionally, companies are required to accrue interest and related penalties, if applicable, on all tax exposures for which reserves have been established consistent with jurisdictional tax laws. As a result of the adoption of FIN 48, the Company reduced current taxes payable by $0.2 million and increased non-current deferred tax assets by $1.1 million. The adoption of FIN 48 was accounted for as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle and accordingly, increased retained earnings by $1.3 million.

Gross unrecognized tax benefits at September 1, 2007 were $4.1 million, of which $0.9 million related to the accrual of interest. FactSet historically classified unrecognized tax benefits in current taxes payable. In implementing FIN 48, the Company has reclassified unrecognized tax benefits for which the Company does not anticipate payment or receipt of cash within one year to long-term taxes payable. The Company’s policy to include interest and penalties related to income taxes, including unrecognized tax benefits, within the provision for income taxes did not change as a result of implementing FIN 48. As of the date of adoption of FIN 48, the Company had accrued $0.9 million in taxes payable for the payment of interest relating to unrecognized tax benefits.

As of February 29, 2008, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $4.1 million, of which $1.0 million related to the accrual of interest. If recognized, essentially all of the unrecognized tax benefits and related interest would be recorded as a benefit to income tax expense on the consolidated statement of income.

In the normal course of business, the Company’s tax filings are subject to audit by federal, state and foreign tax authorities. Audits by three tax authorities are currently ongoing. The Company has no reason to believe that such audits will result in the payment of additional taxes or penalties, or both, that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position, beyond current estimates. The Company has accounted for its uncertain income tax positions in accordance with FIN 48. Although timing of the resolution on audits is highly uncertain, the Company does not currently believe it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change in the next 12 months.

As of September 1, 2007, the Company remained subject to examination in the following major tax jurisdictions for the tax years as indicated below:

 

Major Tax Jurisdictions

  

Open Fiscal Years

    

U.S.

     

Federal

   2006* and 2007   

State (various)

   2002 through 2007   

Europe

     

France

   2004 through 2007   

United Kingdom

   2005 through 2007   

 

* During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company’s fiscal 2006 U.S. Federal tax return was closed due to completion of the audit.

13. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

FactSet enters into foreign currency forward contracts to manage its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. These transactions are designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges. The effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged exposure affects earnings.

There was no gain or loss on derivatives recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Income Statement for the three and six months ended February 29, 2008. At February 29, 2008, the aggregated notional amount of all foreign currency forward contracts outstanding was 4.5 million Euros. The fair value of all derivative instruments recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition at February 29, 2008 was $0.1 million in other current assets and $0.1 million in accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

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14. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The components of comprehensive income were as follows for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
     Feb 29, 2008     Feb 28, 2007     Feb 29, 2008    Feb 28, 2007  

Net income

   $ 29,492     $ 26,481     $ 58,891    $ 50,276  

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

         

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments

     73       (27 )     147      (10 )

Net change in unrealized gain on derivative instruments

     143       —         143      —    

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (820 )     (513 )     3,606      2,795  
                               

Comprehensive income

   $ 28,888     $ 25,941     $ 62,787    $ 53,061  
                               

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income were as follows (in thousands):

 

     February 29, 2008    August 31, 2007

Accumulated unrealized gains on investments, net of tax

   $ 194    $ 47

Accumulated unrealized gain on derivatives instruments

     143      —  

Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment

     13,239      9,633
             

Total accumulated other comprehensive income

   $ 13,576    $ 9,680
             

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Executive Overview

FactSet is a leading provider of integrated global financial and economic information, including fundamental financial data on tens of thousands of companies worldwide. Our applications support and make more efficient workflows for buy and sell-side professionals. These professionals include portfolio managers, research and performance analysts, risk managers, marketing professionals, sell-side equity research professionals, investment bankers and fixed income professionals. Our applications provide users access to company analysis, multicompany comparisons, industry analysis, company screening, portfolio analysis, predictive risk measurements, alphatesting, portfolio optimization and simulation, real-time news and quotes and tools to value and analyze fixed income securities and portfolios.

We combine more than 200 databases, including content regarding tens of thousands of companies and securities from major markets all over the globe, into a single online platform of information and analytics. Clients have simultaneous access to content from an array of sources, which they can combine and utilize in nearly all of our applications. We are also fully integrated with Microsoft Office applications such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint. This integration allows our users to create extensive custom reports. Our revenues are derived from month-to-month subscriptions to services, databases and financial applications. Our investment management clients represent 78% of our total annualized subscription value (“ASV”), while the remaining ASV is primarily derived from investment banking clients.

Services paid in commissions are derived from securities transactions introduced and cleared on a fully disclosed basis through a designated clearing broker. Clients may also direct commissions to unrelated third party brokers and request that payment be transmitted to FactSet to pay for its services. Services paid in commissions represented 22% of total revenues during the three months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007, respectively.

Employee count at February 29, 2008 was 1,828. Excluding former DealMaven employees, headcount increased 22% from a year ago and 10% over the past six months. Approximately one-third of our employees conduct sales and consulting services, another one-third are involved in product development, software and systems engineering and the remaining are involved with content collection or provide administrative support.

Results of Operations

For an understanding of the significant factors that influenced our performance during the three and six months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007, respectively, the following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
(In thousands, except per share data)    Feb 29, 2008    Feb 28, 2007    Change     Feb 29, 2008    Feb 28, 2007    Change  

Revenues

   $ 140,238    $ 116,313    20.6 %   $ 274,413    $ 225,194    21.9 %

Cost of services

     47,478      36,730    29.3       92,421      71,671    29.0  

Selling, general and administrative

     49,520      41,798    18.5       96,255      80,317    19.8  

Income from operations

     43,240      37,785    14.4       85,737      73,206    17.1  

Net income

     29,492      26,481    11.4       58,891      50,276    17.1  

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.59    $ 0.52    13.5 %   $ 1.17    $ 0.98    19.4 %

Diluted weighted average common shares

     50,023      51,314        50,388      51,230   

Revenues

Revenues for the three months ended February 29, 2008 increased 20.6% to $140.2 million from $116.3 million for the same period a year ago. Revenues in the year ago quarter included an incremental $1.2 million of non-subscription revenues from our Partners software product that is used to author equity research reports. Excluding the incremental $1.2 million of non-subscription revenues, revenue growth was 22.1% year over year. Revenues from FactSet services that are not sold on a subscription basis, such as our Partners product and workstations purchased for use by summer interns are excluded from our reported ASV and are referred to as non-subscription revenues. Revenue growth in the second quarter is indicative of our broad product suite that benefits a global, blue chip client base. The sale of additional services to existing clients, especially to investment management professionals, further contributed to our revenue growth. The 20.6% year over year revenue growth was achieved despite the current environment in which many large banks continue to carefully manage expenses.

 

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For the first half of fiscal 2008, revenues advanced 21.9% to $274.4 million from $225.2 million in the prior year period. Revenue growth was driven by our investment management business, which is accelerating across all geographies and represents 78% of our total ASV as of February 29, 2008. Our clients continue to license our advanced applications such as Portfolio Analytics, the portfolio optimizer, Alphatesting and Marquee. The ability for our end users to access more than one hundred premium third-party content providers and integrate their own data into these applications continues to be a reason for our expanding number of users. We continue to appeal to larger institutions to scale FactSet across many users groups and our ability to deliver intensive computing power and analytics to end users. Incremental content for non-U.S. investors helped increase demand for our services.

Our Risk, Quantitative and Portfolio Analytics applications continued to be a source of growth during the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Clients have been receptive to this suite that is comprehensive and includes the applications for portfolio attribution, risk and quantitative analysis. Our Alphatesting application and new content to analyze as reported data back in time continues to advance our quant offerings within existing clients. The portfolio analysis workstation is the largest revenue contributing member of the Portfolio Analytics suite. Approximately 595 clients consisting of over 5,248 users subscribed to the PA 2.0 application as of February 29, 2008, a net increase of 97 clients and a 25% growth in the number of users over the prior year.

Annual Subscription Value – ASV at a given point in time represent the forward-looking revenues for the next twelve months from all subscription services currently being supplied to our clients. With proper notice to us, our clients are generally able to add to, delete portions of, or terminate service at any time. At February 29, 2008, ASV was $575.1 million, up $112.3 million or 24.3% from the prior year total of $462.8 million. Excluding the acquisition of DealMaven and foreign currency exchange, ASV increased $104.0 million over the last twelve months, up 22.5%. Subscriptions from overseas operations increased from $138.4 million at February 28, 2007 to $179.1 million at February 29, 2008, representing 31% of the Company-wide total.

ASV growth in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was $33.9 million. Excluding $3.2 million from the acquisition of DealMaven and $0.4 million from foreign currency exchange, ASV increased $30.3 million since November 30, 2007. The ASV change in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was primarily derived from our global investment management client base. ASV growth rates in the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific all exceeded 20% year over year. During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, a pricing change for most U.S. investment management clients was implemented, which increased ASV by $6.0 million during the quarter. The 3% price change was announced in the summer of 2007 and took effect on January 1, 2008.

As disclosed in the first quarter of fiscal 2008, our investment banking clients are carefully managing expenses during the current market cycle downturn. While ASV growth from investment banking clients declined 66% as compared to the year ago quarter, user counts from investment banking clients rose during each of the past two quarters in fiscal 2008. Total ASV growth in the three months ended February 29, 2008 demonstrates our ability to deploy solutions to service the global needs of large institutions. The performance of portfolio analytics and our ability to license our proprietary content, including FactSet estimates, deal data and ownership data, enhanced our subscription growth. At quarter-end, the average subscription per client was $285,000, up from $265,000 at August 31, 2007 and $247,000 at February 28, 2007.

Clients and Users – At February 29, 2008, client count was 2,021, a net increase of 149 clients or 8% over the prior 12 months and 28 clients in the past three months. There were approximately 39,100 users at February 29, 2008, up 1,300 net users from the beginning of the quarter and up 22% from February 28, 2007. The ability to consolidate multiple services into one through the FactSet platform has been a compelling opportunity for firms to recognize efficiencies.

At February 29, 2008, client retention remained at a rate in excess of 95%, confirming breadth and depth of a product suite that is deployed to a high quality, institutional client base. No individual client accounted for more than 3% of total ASV as of February 29, 2008. ASV from Bear Stearns was less than 1% of total ASV at February 29, 2008. Subscriptions from the ten largest clients are less than 16% of total client subscriptions.

Revenues by Geographic Region

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
(In thousands)    Feb 29, 2008     Feb 28, 2007     Change     Feb 29, 2008     Feb 28, 2007     Change  

Domestic

   $ 97,140     $ 81,933     18.6 %   $ 190,971     $ 158,176     20.7 %

% of revenues

     69.3 %     70.4 %       69.6 %     70.2 %  

International

   $ 43,098     $ 34,380     25.4 %   $ 83,442     $ 67,018     24.5 %

% of revenues

     30.7 %     29.6 %       30.4 %     29.8 %  

Consolidated

   $ 140,238     $ 116,313     20.6 %   $ 274,413     $ 225,194     21.9 %

 

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Revenues from the domestic business increased 18.6% to $97.1 million during the three months ended February 29, 2008 compared to $81.9 million in the same period a year ago. Excluding $0.6 million of incremental non-subscription revenues in the year ago quarter, domestic revenue growth was 19.6% year over year. International revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 were $43.1 million, an increase of 25.4% from $34.4 million in the prior year period. Excluding $0.6 million of revenues attributable to the impact of foreign currency and a net year over year decrease of $0.6 million in non-subscription revenues, international revenue growth was 26.3% year over year. Revenues from international operations accounted for 31% and 30% of our consolidated revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and 2007, respectively. European revenues advanced 22.5% to $34.3 million, largely related to incremental Marquee users and a broader selection of global content. Asia Pacific revenues grew to $8.8 million, up 38.1% from the same period a year ago. The total revenue growth in Asia Pacific was our strongest ever in terms of total dollar revenue growth, increasing over $2.4 million year over year.

Operating Expenses

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
(In thousands)    Feb 29, 2008     Feb 28, 2007     Change     Feb 29, 2008     Feb 28, 2007     Change  

Cost of services

   $ 47,478     $ 36,730     29.3 %   $ 92,421     $ 71,671     29.0 %

Selling, general and administrative

     49,520       41,798     18.5       96,255       80,317     19.8  
                                    

Total operating expenses

   $ 96,998     $ 78,528     23.5 %   $ 188,676     $ 151,988     24.1 %

Operating Margin

     30.8 %     32.5 %       31.2 %     32.5 %  

Included in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was a pre-tax charge of $2.4 million related to an increase in the estimate of the number of performance-based stock options that will vest in August 2008. During the second quarter, we estimated that it was probable we would achieve ASV and diluted earnings per share growth of at least 20% on a compounded annual basis for the two years ended August 31, 2008. This revised estimate reflects a higher performance level than previously estimated and accordingly, increased the number of options that are estimated to vest at the end of fiscal 2008. This change in estimate increased total operating expenses by $2.4 million and decreased operating margins by 180 basis points from 32.6% to 30.8%.

Total operating expenses have been adjusted in the chart below to exclude the incremental $2.4 million of stock-based compensation from a favorable change in the expected outcome of performance-based stock options. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our financial results and that investors may benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods.

 

     Three Months Ended  
(In thousands)    Feb 29, 2008     Feb 28, 2007     Change  

Cost of services

   $ 47,478     $ 36,730     29.3 %

Incremental FAS 123(R) expense

     610       —      
                  

Non-GAAP Cost of services

   $ 46,868     $ 36,730     27.6 %

Selling, general and administrative

   $ 49,520     $ 41,798     18.5 %

Incremental FAS 123(R) expense

     1,810       —      
                  

Non-GAAP SG&A

   $ 47,710     $ 41,798     14.1 %

Non-GAAP Operating expenses

   $ 94,578     $ 78,528     20.4 %

Non-GAAP Operating Margin

     32.6 %     32.5 %  

Cost of Services

For the three months ended February 29, 2008, cost of services increased 29.3% to $47.5 million from $36.7 million in the comparable prior year period. During the first six months of fiscal 2008, cost of services advanced 29.0% to $92.4 million from $71.7 million in the first half of fiscal 2007. Cost of services expressed as a percentage of revenues was 33.9% during the second quarter of fiscal 2008, an increase of 230 basis points from 31.6% a year ago. The increase in cost of services as a percentage of revenues was 190 basis points for the first half of fiscal 2008. The increase was driven by higher employee compensation, performance-based stock option expense and additional data costs partially offset by lower amortization of intangible assets.

Employee compensation and benefits for our software engineering and consulting departments increased 1.7% and 2.3%, respectively, as a percentage of revenues during the three and six months ended February 29, 2008 compared to the same

 

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period a year ago. Employee additions as well as normal merit increases primarily accounted for the rise in employee compensation. The rise in stock-based compensation reflects the $0.6 million incremental charge to cost of services from performance-based stock options. The increase in data costs as a percentage of revenues by 1.1% and 0.7%, respectively, for the three and six months ended February 29, 2008 compared to the same period in fiscal 2007 was driven by variable payments to data vendors from additional content subscriptions and higher levels of proprietary data content collection.

A reduction in amortization of intangible assets and computer related expenses partially offset these component increases of cost of services. Amortization expense as a percentage of revenues declined 0.4% for the three and six months ended February 29, 2008 compared to the same periods in fiscal 2007 due to a decline in acquisition activity compared to previous years and certain intangible assets became fully amortized.

Selling, General and Administrative

For the three months ended February 29, 2008, selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses advanced 18.5% to $49.5 million from $41.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2007. During the first six months of fiscal 2008, SG&A advanced 19.8% to $96.3 million from $80.3 million in the first half of fiscal 2007. However, SG&A expenses expressed as a percentage of revenues declined to 35.3% during the second quarter of fiscal 2008 from 35.9% a year ago. The decrease in SG&A as a percentage of revenues was also 60 basis points for the first half of fiscal 2008. The decrease in SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenues of 60 basis points for the three and six months February 29, 2008 was driven by lower compensation costs and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenues partially offset by the performance-based stock option expense.

Employee compensation and benefits as a percentage of revenues decreased 1.0% during the three and six months ended February 29, 2008 as compared to the same period a year ago primarily due to the ability to leverage SG&A staff through our enhanced internal information systems. Marketing expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased by 0.4% during fiscal 2008 as compared to the prior year as a result of a reduction in the number of marketing related events year over year as well as more effectively utilizing in-house resources to run marketing events.

The rise in stock-based compensation reflects the $1.8 million incremental charge to SG&A from performance-based stock options.

Income from Operations and Operating Margin

Operating income advanced 14.4% to $43.2 million for the three months ended February 29, 2008 as compared to the prior year period. Our operating margin during the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was 30.8%, down from 32.5% a year ago. Excluding the pre-tax charge of $2.4 million related to an increase in the estimate of the number of performance-based stock options that will vest in August 2008, non-GAAP operating margins expanded 10 basis points to 32.6% year over year.

For the six months ended February 29, 2008, income from operations advanced 17.1% to $85.7 million as compared to $73.2 million in the same period a year ago. Our operating margin during the first half of fiscal 2008 was 31.2%, down from 32.5% a year ago. However, excluding the pre-tax charge of $2.4 million related performance-based stock option expense, non-GAAP operating margin improves to 32.1% for the first half of fiscal 2008.

Other Income, Income Taxes, Net Income and Earnings per Share

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
(In thousands, except per share data)    Feb 29, 2008     Feb 28, 2007     Change     Feb 29, 2008     Feb 29, 2007     Change  

Other income

   $ 1,431     $ 1,797     (20.4 )%   $ 3,473     $ 3,284     5.8 %

Provision for income taxes

   $ 15,179     $ 13,101     15.9 %   $ 30,319     $ 26,214     15.7 %

Net income

   $ 29,492     $ 26,481     11.4 %   $ 58,891     $ 50,276     17.1 %

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.59     $ 0.52     13.5 %   $ 1.17     $ 0.98     19.4 %

Effective Tax Rate

     34.0 %     33.1 %       34.0 %     34.3 %  

Other Income

During the three months ended February 29, 2008, other income decreased $0.4 million or 20.4%, year over year. Other income advanced $0.2 million or 5.8% during the first half of fiscal 2008 as compared to the same period a year ago. The decline in other income during the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was a result of reallocating investments to U.S. government backed securities and the Federal Reserve lowering U.S. interest rates by 150 basis points during the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

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Income Taxes

For the three months ended February 29, 2008, the provision for income taxes increased to $15.2 million from $13.1 million in the comparable prior year period. For the six months ended February 29, 2008, the provision for income taxes increased to $30.3 million from $26.2 million in the comparable prior year period. Our effective tax rate for the three and six months ended February 29, 2008 was 34.0%. Our estimated annual effective tax rate as of February 29, 2008 was 34.3%, which included the adverse impact from the expiration of the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit on December 31, 2007. The expiration caused our effective tax rate to increase 70 basis points in the second quarter. The R&D credit, enacted in 1981 has been extended thirteen times by Congress and lapsed for one year from July 1995 through June 1996.

Net Income and Earnings per Share

Net income rose 11.4% to $29.5 million and diluted earnings per share increased 13.5% to $0.59 for the three months ended February 29, 2008. During the first half of fiscal 2008, net income advanced 17.1% to $58.9 million and diluted earnings per share increased 19.4% to $1.17 as compared to same period a year ago. Excluding the pre-tax charge of $2.4 million related to an increase in the estimate of the number of performance-based stock options that will vest in August 2008, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share advanced 17.4% and 19.2%, respectively, in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 as compared to the same period a year ago.

Use of non-GAAP Financial Measures

Financial measures in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) including revenues, operating expenses, operating margins, net income and diluted earnings per share have been adjusted to report non-GAAP financial measures that exclude revenues attributable to the impact of foreign currency, non-subscription revenues and a charge of $2.4 million related to an increase in the estimate of the number of performance-based stock options that will vest in August 2008. We use these non-GAAP financial measures, both in presenting our results to shareholders and the investment community, and in our internal evaluation and management of the businesses. We believe that these financial measures and the information we provide are useful to investors because it permits investors to view our performance using the same tool that management uses to gauge progress in achieving our goals. Investors may benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods and may also facilitate comparisons to our historical performance.

Foreign Currency

Certain wholly-owned subsidiaries within the European and Asia Pacific segments operate under a functional currency different from the U.S. dollar. The financial statements of these foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities, and average rates for the period for revenues and expenses. Translation gains (losses) that arise from translating assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of foreign operations are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a component of stockholders’ equity.

Our primary foreign currency exchange exposures are related to our operating expense base in countries outside the U.S., where approximately 30% of our employees are located. To limit our exposure related to the effects of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, we may utilize derivatives (foreign currency contracts). We do not enter into foreign currency forward contracts for trading or speculative purposes.

Commencing in February 2008, we entered into foreign currency forward contracts with an aggregate notional value of 6.0 million Euros and maturities up to six months to reduce the short-term effects of foreign currency fluctuations. These transactions are designated as cash flow hedges. The effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged exposure affects earnings.

As depicted in the chart below, our non-dollar denominated revenues to be recognized over the next twelve months are estimated to be $31 million while our non-dollar denominated expenses are $109 million, which translates into a net foreign currency exposure of $78 million per year or $19.5 million per quarter.

 

     Annualized Foreign Currency Exposure  

(In thousands)

   Revenues    Expenses    Net Exposure  

Euro

   $ 3,980    $ 37,653    $ (33,673 )

British Pound Sterling

     16,736      60,175      (43,439 )

Other

     10,287      11,242      (955 )
                      

Total

   $ 31,003    $ 109,070    $ (78,067 )

 

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To reduce variability in operating expenses caused by Euro denominated operating expenses, we entered into foreign currency forward contracts with maturities up to six months. Based on our view of the correlation between the British Pound Sterling and the U.S. dollar, we have not hedged our exposure to the British Pound Sterling as of February 29, 2008. These hedging programs are not designed to provide foreign currency protection over longer time horizons. In designing a specific hedging approach, we considered several factors, including offsetting exposures, significance of exposures, forecasting risk and potential effectiveness of the hedge. The gains and losses on foreign exchange contracts mitigate the variability in operating expenses associated with currency movements. Primarily because our operations are in regions with stable currencies, the effect of foreign currency fluctuations has not been material to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

There was no gain or loss on derivatives recorded in our Consolidated Income Statement for the three and six months ended February 29, 2008. At February 29, 2008, the notional amount of all foreign currency forward contracts outstanding was 4.5 million Euros. The fair value of all derivative instruments recorded in our Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition at February 29, 2008 was $0.1 million in other current assets and $0.1 million in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Liquidity

The table below, for the periods indicated, provides selected cash flow information (in thousands):

 

Six months ended

   February 29, 2008     February 28, 2007  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 44,807     $ 48,107  

Capital expenditures (2)

     13,060       15,300  
                

Free cash flow (1)

   $ 31,747     $ 32,807  

Net cash used in investing activities

   $ (33,161 )   $ (15,571 )

Net cash used in financing activities

   $ (57,271 )   $ (20,225 )

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 123,380     $ 139,142  

 

(1)

We define free cash flow as cash provided by operating activities, which includes the cash cost for taxes and changes in working capital, less capital expenditures. Free cash flow is not intended as an alternative measure of cash flows provided by operating activities, as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. We use this financial measure, both in presenting our results to shareholders and the investment community, and in our internal evaluation and management of the businesses. Management believes that this financial measure and the information we provide are useful to investors because they permit investors to view our performance using the same tools that management uses to gauge progress in achieving our goals. This measure is also useful to investors because it is an indication of cash flow that may be available to fund further investments in future growth initiatives.

(2)

Included in net cash used in investing activities during each period reported above.

Cash and cash equivalents aggregated to $123.4 million or 23% of our total assets at February 29, 2008, compared with $139.1 million or 28% of our total assets at February 28, 2007. All our operating and capital expense requirements were financed entirely from cash generated from our operations. Our cash and cash equivalents decreased $45.5 million since August 31, 2007 as a result of cash outflows of $65.4 million related to stock repurchases, $29.0 million from the payment of variable employee compensation, $13.9 million from the acquisition of DealMaven, dividends paid of $11.5 million and capital expenditures of $12.9 million, net of landlord contributions, partially offset from cash provided by operations of $44.8 million and $19.7 million from the exercise of employee stock options.

During the last twelve months, free cash flows rose 24% to $115.6 million. Free cash flows generated during the second quarter of fiscal 2008 were $23.7 million, up 33% from $17.8 million over the year ago quarter. Drivers of free cash flow during the second quarter of fiscal 2008 were record levels of net income and higher non-cash expenses partially offset by a decline in working capital. The decline in working capital was caused by a $7.3 million increase in accounts receivable and the timing of U.S. federal estimated tax payments.

The increase in accounts receivable was primarily due to the issuance of invoices for services to be provided over the next twelve months that aggregated to approximately $11 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2008. DSO has been reduced by 18% to a low of approximately 45 days at February 29, 2008 as compared to 55 days at February 28, 2007. Over the last twelve months, accounts receivable has increased 1% while ASV has advanced 22%.

Regarding the timing of the U.S. federal tax payments, we historically remit two estimated tax payments for the first half of the year during the second quarter. Estimated tax payments during the second quarter of fiscal 2008 were $33.0 million, up from $23.4 million in the year ago quarter. This additional cash outlay reduced fiscal 2008 free cash flow by an incremental $9.6 million.

 

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Capital Resources

Capital Expenditures

For the quarter ended February 29, 2008 capital expenditures, net of landlord contributions, totaled $7.4 million, up from $7.3 million in the same period a year ago. Expenditures for computer equipment were $5.2 million and the remainder covered office space expansion. Major computer expenditures included adding six Hewlett Packard Integrity mainframes to our data centers, which successfully completed the upgrade to Hewlett Packard Integrity mainframes from Hewlett Packard Alpha mainframes. During the first half of the year capital expenditures were $13.1 million, net of landlord contributions for construction. As a result, our system capacity has been expanded by 40% and the system speed is approximately 20% faster. The cost per Integrity mainframe is 35% less than an Alpha mainframe and the power consumption has been reduced by a third.

Capital Needs

We currently have no other outstanding indebtedness, other than the letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, as discussed below.

In February 2008, we renewed both our 364-day revolving credit facility and our three-year credit facility. The credit facilities (the “facilities”) are available in an aggregate principal amount of up to $25.0 million for working capital and general corporate purposes, with the facilities split into two equal tranches and maturing in March 2009 and 2011. Approximately $3.9 million in aggregate of these credit facilities has been utilized for letters of credit issued during the ordinary course of business as of February 29, 2008. We are obligated to pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the facilities at a weighted average annual rate of 0.125%. The facilities also contain covenants that, among other things, require us to maintain minimum levels of consolidated net worth and certain leverage and fixed charge ratios.

Business Combinations

DealMaven, Inc.

On January 31, 2008, we acquired DealMaven, Inc. (“DealMaven”) for $14.0 million in cash. Formed in 1999, DealMaven provides tools to improve the workflow of investment bankers when working in Microsoft Excel and helps firms gather, analyze, check and present data more efficiently. DealMaven’s financial analysis training has also been deployed by several bulge bracket investment banks. The company is headquartered in New York City and supported by approximately 17 employees.

The acquisition is consistent with our strategy of developing tools to make client workflows more efficient. This factor contributed to a purchase price in excess of fair value of the DealMaven net tangible and intangible assets, and as a result, we have recorded goodwill in connection with this transaction.

The total purchase price of the acquisition is as follows (in thousands):

 

Cash consideration

   $ 14,000

Estimated working capital

     624

Direct acquisition costs

     11
      

Total purchase price

   $ 14,635
      

Allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has not been finalized for this acquisition. The final purchase price is dependent on the actual direct acquisition costs and the final working capital adjustment. The estimated purchase price is being allocated to DealMaven’s net tangible and intangible assets based upon their estimated fair value as of the date of acquisition. Based upon the purchase price and the valuation, the preliminary purchase price allocation is as follows (in thousands):

 

Tangible assets acquired

   $ 1,261  

Amortizable intangible assets:

  

Software technology

     1,856  

Client relationships

     1,040  

Non-compete agreements

     105  

Goodwill

     11,998  
        

Total assets acquired

     16,260  

Liabilities assumed

     (1,625 )
        

Net assets acquired

   $ 14,635  
        

 

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Intangible assets of $3.0 million have been allocated to amortizable intangible assets consisting of software technology, amortized over five years using a straight-line amortization method; client relationships, amortized over five years using an accelerated amortization method; and non-compete agreements, amortized over two years using a straight-line amortization method.

Goodwill totaling $12.0 million represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill will not be amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually. Goodwill generated from the DealMaven acquisition is included in the U.S. segment and is not deductible for income tax purposes.

The results of operations of DealMaven have been included in our Consolidated Statement of Income since the completion of the acquisition on January 31, 2008. Pro forma information has not been presented because the effect of this acquisition was not material on our consolidated financial results.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of SEC Regulation S-K as of February 29, 2008.

Contractual Obligations

Fluctuations in our operating results, the degree of success of our accounts receivable collection efforts, the timing of tax and other payments as well as necessary capital expenditures to support growth of our operations will impact our liquidity and cash flows in future periods. The effect of our contractual obligations on our liquidity and capital resources in future periods should be considered in conjunction with the factors mentioned here. During the three and six months ended February 29, 2008, there were no significant changes to our contractual obligations as of August 31, 2007.

Share Repurchases

On January 25, 2008, our Board of Directors approved an expansion of the existing share repurchase program by an additional $125 million. At that time, we completed the $100 million expansion to the existing share repurchase program authorized by the Board on March 19, 2007. Repurchases will be made from time to time in the open market and privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions. No minimum number of shares to be repurchased has been fixed. There is no timeframe to complete the repurchase program and it is expected that share repurchases will be paid using existing and future cash generated by operations. During the six months ended February 29, 2008, we repurchased 1,126,131 shares at an average cost of $57.78 per share under the program. At February 29, 200, $117.1 million remains authorized for future share repurchases. The remaining 4,819 shares repurchased during the first half of fiscal 2008 were repurchases of common stock owned by employees in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, which was terminated on June 20, 2005.

Dividends

On February 12, 2008, we announced a regular quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share. The cash dividend of $5.8 million was paid on March 18, 2008, to common stockholders of record on February 29, 2008. Cash dividends will be paid using existing and future cash generated by operations.

Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates

We describe our significant accounting policies in Note 2, Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007. We discuss our critical accounting estimates in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007. With the exception of the adoption of FIN 48 as of September 1, 2007, there were no significant changes in our accounting policies or critical accounting estimates since the end of fiscal 2007. As a result of the adoption of FIN 48, we reduced current taxes payable by $0.2 million and increased non-current deferred tax assets by $1.1 million. The adoption of FIN 48 was accounted for as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle and accordingly, increased retained earnings by $1.3 million. As of February 29, 2008, gross unrecognized tax benefits were $4.1 million, of which $1.0 million related to the accrual of interest and penalties.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the expected dates of adoption, which we include here by reference.

 

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Forward-Looking Factors

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including without limitation statements about our strategy for growth, product development, market position, subscriptions and expected expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like “expected,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects,” “should,” “indicates,” “continues,” “subscriptions,” and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions (“future factors”). Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. We will publicly update forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events in accordance with applicable Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.

Risk Factors

Investors should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision. These risks are not the only ones we face. Additional risks we are not presently aware of or that we currently believe are immaterial may also impair our business operations. Our business could be harmed by any of these risks. The trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks. In assessing these risks, investors should also refer to the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto.

Risk factors which could cause future financial performance to differ materially from the expectations as expressed in any of our forward-looking statements made by or on our behalf include, without limitation:

 

   

The status of the global economy, including the financial status of global investment banks

 

   

Our ability to integrate newly acquired companies

 

   

The stability of the global securities markets

 

   

The protection and privacy of our client data

 

   

Our ability to hire and retain key qualified personnel

 

   

Prolonged outage at one of our data centers could result in reduced service and the loss of customers

 

   

Retention of key clients and their current service levels

 

   

Security holes within our products

 

   

The negotiation of contract terms supporting new and existing databases or products

 

   

Maintenance of our leading technological position through the introduction of new products and product enhancements

 

   

Changes to our corporate headquarters or regional offices that impact our business continuity plan

 

   

Resolution of ongoing and other probable audits by tax authorities

 

   

Malicious, ignorant or illegal employee acts regarding insider information or client data

 

   

The ability to mitigate the risk of our software introducing a virus to client networks

 

   

The ability to achieve historical levels of profitability and growth rates for revenues, earnings per share and cash flows

 

   

Uncertain economic and financial market conditions may affect our revenues

 

   

Increased competition in our industry may cause price reductions or loss of market share

 

   

Third parties may claim infringement upon their intellectual property rights

 

   

Changes in accounting

 

   

Internal controls may be ineffective

 

   

Potential changes in securities laws and regulations governing the investment industry’s use of soft dollars may reduce our revenues

 

   

Competition in our industry and the result of regulatory activity

 

   

The absence of U.S. or foreign governmental regulation restricting international business

 

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Business Outlook

The following forward-looking statements reflect our expectations as of April 9, 2008. Given the number of risk factors, uncertainties and assumptions discussed above, actual results may differ materially. We do not intend to update our forward-looking statements until our next quarterly results announcement, other than in publicly available statements.

Third Quarter Fiscal 2008 Expectations

 

   

Revenues are expected to range between $145 million and $149 million. This guidance assumes no revenues from Bear Stearns and that its pending sale will not result in additional revenues from displaced users being employed at new or existing clients.

 

   

Operating margins are expected to range between 30.5% and 32.5%. This operating margin guidance includes $0.9 million of expenses related to the bi-annual FactSet engineering conference scheduled for May 2008.

 

   

The effective tax rate is expected to range between 34.0% and 35.0% and assumes the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit is not reenacted.

Full Year Fiscal 2008

 

   

Capital expenditures, net of landlord contributions, should total between $35 million to $41 million, a reduction in the range of $3.0 million from the November 30, 2007 guidance.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We have exposure to foreign exchange and interest rate risk. In the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we began transitioning our billing of JCF clients from local currency invoices to U.S. dollar invoices. As a result, our exposure to the Euro and British Pound Sterling is expected to increase by approximately $7.3 million over the next twelve months. To limit our exposure related to the effects of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, we may continue to utilize derivatives (foreign currency contracts). Refer to the annualized foreign currency table disclosed in the Foreign Currency section within our Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further analysis of our market risk which incorporates the impact of our billing transition over the next twelve months.

There have been no material changes to our exposure to interest rate risks from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007. Refer to Market Sensitivities in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of our fiscal 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company has evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the Company’s second quarter of fiscal 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Items 2(a) and (b) are inapplicable.

 

(c) The following table provides a month-to-month summary of the share repurchase activity under the current stock repurchase program during the three months ended February 29, 2008:

 

Period

   Total number
of shares
purchased
   Average
price paid per
share
   Total number of
shares purchased as
part of publicly
announced plans or
programs
   (1) Maximum number of shares
(or approximate dollar value)
of shares that may yet be
purchased under the plans or
programs (in thousands)

December 2007

   —        —      —      $ 27,809

January 2008 (1)

   565,982    $ 52.40    565,982      123,154

February 2008

   117,084    $ 51.78    117,084      117,091
                   
   683,066       683,066    $ 117,091
                   

 

(1) On January 25, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an expansion of the existing share repurchase program by an additional $125 million. At that time, the Company completed the $100 million expansion to the existing share repurchase program authorized by the Board on March 19, 2007. Repurchases will be made from time to time in the open market and privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions. No minimum number of shares to be repurchased has been fixed. There is no timeframe to complete the repurchase program and it is expected that share repurchases will be paid using existing and future cash generated by operations. The table does not include share repurchases of common stock owned by employees in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, which was terminated on June 20, 2005.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a) EXHIBITS:

 

EXHIBIT

NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

10.1   Ninth Amendment to 364-Day Credit Agreement, dated February 29, 2008
10.2   Third Amendment to Three Year Credit Agreement, dated February 28, 2008
31.1   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer
31.2   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer
32.1   Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
32.2   Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

  FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS INC.
  (Registrant)
Date: April 9, 2008  

/s/ PETER G. WALSH

  Peter G. Walsh
 

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

/s/ MAURIZIO NICOLELLI

 

Maurizio Nicolelli

 

Vice President and Comptroller

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT

NUMBER

    
10.1   Ninth Amendment to 364-Day Credit Agreement, dated February 29, 2008
10.2   Third Amendment to Three Year Credit Agreement, dated February 28, 2008
31.1   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer
31.2   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer
32.1   Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer
32.2   Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer

 

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