Edgar Filing: NETSCOUT SYSTEMS INC

Definitive Notice & Proxy Statement

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(RULE 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 3)

Filed by the Registrant x Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨

Check the appropriate box:


¨		Preliminary Proxy Statement
¨		Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
x		Definitive Proxy Statement
¨		Definitive Additional Materials
¨		Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):



¨	No fee required.

¨	Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

	(1)	Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:


	(2)	Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:


	(3)	Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):


	(4)	Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:


	(5)	Total fee paid:


x	Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

LOGO

May 8, 2015

Dear Stockholders:

You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of the stockholders of NetScout Systems, Inc., or NetScout, to be held on June 25, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. local time, at NetScout Systems, Inc., 310 Littleton Road, Westford, Massachusetts to vote on actions associated with a strategic acquisition that your board of directors has determined represents an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen NetScout and position it to deliver enhanced, sustainable shareholder value. A notice of the special meeting and the proxy statement follow.

As previously announced, on October 12, 2014, NetScout entered into a merger agreement with Danaher Corporation, or Danaher, under which NetScout will acquire Danaher’s Communications Business, comprising Tektronix Communications, Arbor Networks, and certain parts of Fluke Networks, which we refer to as the Communications Business.

We believe the acquisition is highly compelling strategically, operationally and financially, and that it will create shareholder value well in excess of what NetScout could achieve on its own, based on benefits that include:

•

a broader portfolio of best-in-class solutions that will roughly double NetScout’s total addressable market to over $8 billion;

•

acceleration of our plans to participate more substantially in growth-oriented market sectors such as cyber intelligence and business intelligence analytics;

•

stronger go-to-market capabilities to support a broader, more global and diverse customer base of service provider and enterprise customers; and

•

notable operating synergies arising from our greater scale that will enable us to improve efficiencies across a number of key functional areas, along with the resources necessary to fund continued innovation and key sales, marketing and support programs.

In combination, we believe that these benefits will enable NetScout to sustain strong growth on a substantially larger revenue base, which, in combination with notable operating synergies and prudent investment, will enable us to drive our profitability to new levels.

At the special meeting, you will be asked to approve a proposal to issue shares of NetScout common stock in connection with the transactions necessary to combine the Communications Business with the business of NetScout. You will also be asked to approve a proposal to adjourn or postpone the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the acquisition. The NetScout board of directors recommends that you vote “FOR” both of the foregoing proposals. If the proposal to approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock is not approved, the proposed acquisition cannot be completed.

After consummation of the transactions described in the proxy statement, it is expected that pre-transaction Danaher stockholders and employees of the Communications Business will hold approximately 59.5% of NetScout’s common stock on a fully-diluted basis and NetScout’s existing equityholders will hold approximately 40.5% of NetScout’s common stock on a fully-diluted basis. After the transactions, NetScout common stock will continue to be listed on NASDAQ under NetScout’s current symbol, “NTCT.”

Your proxy is being solicited by the board of directors of NetScout. After careful consideration, our board of directors unanimously approved the merger agreement and other transaction documents and determined that the merger agreement, the mergers and the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in accordance with the terms of the definitive agreement are advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, NetScout and its stockholders.

We urge all NetScout stockholders to read the accompanying proxy statement carefully and in its entirety. In particular, we urge you to read carefully the matters discussed under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 33.

Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares you own. We cannot complete the acquisition unless the proposal to issue shares of NetScout common stock in the transaction is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of shares of NetScout common stock represented and voting at the special meeting, either in person or by proxy (assuming a quorum is present). Regardless of your plans to attend the special meeting in person, please vote by proxy over the telephone, on the internet or by mail as described in the enclosed proxy materials. If you submit your proxy without indicating how you want to vote, your proxy will be counted as a vote “FOR” each of the proposals presented at the special meeting. If you do not vote by telephone, by using the internet or by mail, or if you do not specifically instruct your bank, broker or other nominee how to vote any shares held for you in “street name,” your shares will not be voted at the special meeting.

On behalf of our Board of Directors, we thank you for your support and appreciate your consideration of this matter. We look forward to reporting the results from the special meeting to you.

Very truly yours,

Anil Singhal

Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer

This document is dated May 8, 2015 and is first being mailed to NetScout’s stockholders on or about May 8, 2015.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This proxy statement relates to the special meeting of stockholders of NetScout Systems, Inc. (“NetScout”) to approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock, par value $0.001 per share, that will be issued in the two-step merger process whereby (i) RS Merger Sub I, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“NetScout”), will merge with and into Newco, with Newco continuing as the surviving company (the “First Merger”) and (ii) immediately following the First Merger, Newco will merge with and into RS Merger Sub II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Merger Sub II”), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout, with Merger Sub II surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout (the “Second Merger”, and together with the First Merger, the “Mergers”). Prior to the Mergers, Danaher will transfer certain assets and liabilities related to the communications business of Danaher, including Tektronix Communications, Arbor Networks and certain parts of Fluke Networks Enterprise, but excluding Danaher’s data communications cable installation business and its communication service provider (field and test tools systems) business (the “Communications Business”), to Newco or one of its subsidiaries or NetScout or one of its subsidiaries. In exchange therefor, Danaher will receive all of the issued and outstanding Newco common units, and those units will be distributed to Danaher stockholders as provided below. Newco is a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Danaher that was organized specifically for the purpose of effecting the Separation (as defined below). Newco has engaged in no business activities to date and it has no material assets or liabilities of any kind, other than those incident to its formation and those incurred in connection with the Transactions (as defined below). The Newco common units will be immediately converted into shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger. NetScout has filed this proxy statement that relates to the special meeting of stockholders of NetScout to approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger. In addition, NetScout has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-200704) to register the shares of its common stock, which will be issued in the First Merger.

Based on market conditions prior to the closing of the Mergers, Danaher will determine whether the Newco common units will be distributed to Danaher’s stockholders in a spin-off or a split-off. In a spin-off, all Danaher stockholders would receive a pro rata number of Newco common units. In a split-off, Danaher would offer its stockholders the option to exchange all or part of their shares of Danaher common stock for Newco common units in an exchange offer, resulting in a reduction in Danaher’s outstanding shares. If the exchange offer is undertaken and consummated but the exchange offer is not fully subscribed because fewer than all Newco common units owned by Danaher are exchanged, the remaining Newco common units owned by Danaher would be distributed on a pro rata basis to Danaher stockholders whose shares of Danaher common stock remain outstanding after consummation of the exchange offer. After the distribution of Newco common units in a split-off and/or spin-off, as applicable, Newco common units will immediately be converted into shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger.

REFERENCES TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This document incorporates important business and financial information about NetScout from documents filed with the SEC that have not been included or delivered with this document. This information is available to NetScout stockholders without charge by accessing the SEC’s website maintained at www.sec.gov, or upon written or oral request to NetScout Systems, Inc., 310 Littleton Road, Westford, Massachusetts 01886, Attention: Investor Relations, telephone: (978) 614-4000. See “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

All information contained or incorporated by reference in this document with respect to NetScout, Merger Sub and Merger Sub II and their respective subsidiaries, as well as information on NetScout after the consummation of the Transactions, has been provided by NetScout. All other information contained or incorporated by reference in this document with respect to Danaher, Newco or their respective subsidiaries, or the Communications Business and with respect to the terms and conditions of Danaher’s exchange offer and/or spin-off has been provided by Danaher. This document contains or incorporates by reference references to trademarks, trade names and service marks, including AIRMAGNET^®, FLUKE NETWORKS^®, ARBOR NETWORKS^®, TEKTRONIX^® Communications and VSS MONITORING^® that are owned by Danaher and its related entities.

The information included in this document regarding Danaher’s exchange offer is being provided for informational purposes only and does not purport to be complete. For additional information on Danaher’s exchange offer and the terms and conditions of Danaher’s exchange offer, NetScout’s stockholders are urged to read Newco’s registration statement on Form S-4 and Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-200711), NetScout’s registration statement on Form S-4 (Reg. No. 333-200704), when each is available, and all other documents Newco or NetScout file with the SEC relating to the Mergers. This document constitutes only a proxy statement for NetScout stockholders relating to the special meeting and is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase shares of NetScout common stock, Danaher common stock or Newco common units.

LOGO

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

310 Littleton Road

Westford, MA 01886

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held June 25, 2015

To the Stockholders of NetScout Systems, Inc.:

A special meeting of stockholders (the “special meeting”) of NetScout Systems, Inc. (“NetScout”) will be held at 10:00 a.m. local time, on June 25, 2015, at NetScout Systems, Inc., 310 Littleton Road, Westford, Massachusetts 01886. The special meeting will be held for the following purposes:

to approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger;

to approve the adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger; and

to transact any other business that may properly come before the special meeting or any adjourned or postponed session of the special meeting.

NetScout’s board of directors has unanimously approved the Mergers and the Transaction Documents, including the Merger Agreement (each as defined in this proxy statement), and determined that the Merger Agreement, the Mergers and the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in accordance with the Merger Agreement are advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, NetScout and its stockholders. NetScout’s board of directors recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to issue shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger and “FOR” the proposal to approve adjournments or postponements of the special meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies, if necessary or appropriate. If the proposal to approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger is not approved, the Mergers cannot be completed.

Holders of record at the close of business on May 1, 2015, the Record Date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting, will be entitled to vote at the meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the special meeting.

The attached proxy statement contains a description of the Merger Agreement and the proposed Transactions.

All NetScout stockholders are cordially invited to attend the special meeting in person. However, whether or not NetScout stockholders plan to attend the meeting, we urge each NetScout stockholder to vote by proxy over the telephone, on the internet or by mail by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy card to ensure its vote is counted. A NetScout stockholder may still attend the meeting in person even if it has already voted by proxy. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, you may be eligible to vote electronically or by phone—please refer to the voting instruction form provided to you by your bank, broker or other nominee. If you attend the meeting, you may vote in person even if you have previously returned your vote in accordance with the foregoing.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Anil K. Singhal

Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer

Westford, Massachusetts

May 8, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS


HELPFUL INFORMATION			1

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE TRANSACTIONS AND THE SPECIAL MEETING			6

SUMMARY			19

SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA			28

RISK FACTORS			33

Risks Related to the Transactions			33

Risks Related to the Combined Company’s Business Following the Transactions			36

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			40

INFORMATION ON THE SPECIAL MEETING			42

General; Date; Time and Place; Purposes of the Meeting			42

Record Date; Quorum; Voting Information; Required Votes			42

Recommendation of Board of Directors			43

How to Vote			43

Solicitation of Proxies			44

Revocation of Proxies			44

Adjournments and Postponements			45

Attending the Special Meeting			45

Householding			45

Questions and Additional Information			46

INFORMATION ON THE DISTRIBUTION			47

INFORMATION ON NETSCOUT			48

Overview			48

NetScout’s Business After the Transactions			48

NetScout’s Liquidity and Capital Resources After the Transactions			50

Directors and Officers of NetScout Before and After the Transactions			51

INFORMATION ON THE COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS			54

The Company			54

Markets, Customers and Products			54

Strategy			55

Manufacturing and Materials			56

Sales, Distribution and Backlog			56

Research and Development			57

Seasonality			57

Competition			57

Intellectual Property			57

Working Capital			57

Employee Relations			57

Regulatory Matters			58



International Operations			58

Properties			59

Legal Proceedings			59

HISTORICAL MARKET PRICE DATA AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION			60

Comparative Historical and Pro Forma Per Share Data			60

Historical Common Stock Market Price and Dividend Data			60

NetScout Dividend Policy			61

SELECTED FINANCIAL STATEMENT DATA			62

Selected Historical Combined Financial Data of the Communications Business			62

Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of NetScout			63

Unaudited Combined Pro Forma Information of NetScout and the Communications Business			65

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS			76

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			76

Basis of Presentation			76

Overview			77

Results of Operations			79

Income Taxes			84

Inflation			85

Risk Management			85

Liquidity and Capital Resources			86

Critical Accounting Estimates			87

New Accounting Standards			91

THE TRANSACTIONS			92

Overview			92

Transaction Timeline			93

The Separation and the Distribution			95

The Mergers			96

Calculation of the Merger Consideration			96

Background of the Transactions			97

NetScout’s Reasons for the Transactions			102

Opinion of NetScout’s Financial Advisor			105

Certain Financial Forecasts Prepared by NetScout			114

Danaher’s Reasons for the Transactions			120

Ownership of NetScout Following the Transactions			121

Board of Directors and Management of NetScout Following the Transactions			121

Interests of Certain Persons in the Transactions			122

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Transactions			122

Accounting Treatment and Considerations			124



Regulatory Approvals			125

Federal Securities Law Consequences; Resale Restrictions			125

No Appraisal or Dissenters’ Rights			125

NASDAQ Listing			126

THE MERGER AGREEMENT			127

The Mergers			127

Closing; Effective Time			127

Merger Consideration			127

Exchange of Newco Common Units			128

Distribution With Respect to Shares of NetScout Common Stock After the Effective Time of the First Merger			128

Termination of the Distribution Fund			128

Conversion of Shares in the Second Merger			129

Adjustment Amount			129

Post-Closing NetScout Board of Directors and Officers			129

Stockholders’ Meeting			129

Representations and Warranties			129

Conduct of Business Pending Closing			132

SEC Filings			135

Regulatory Matters			135

No Solicitation			136

Board Recommendation			138

Covenant Not to Compete			139

Non-Solicitation of Employees			140

Certain Other Covenants and Agreements			140

Conditions to the Merger			141

Termination			143

Termination Fee Payable in Certain Circumstances			144

Expenses			144

Specific Performance			144

Amendments			144

THE DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT			145

The Separation			145

Conditions to the Separation			150

The Distribution			150

Conditions to the Distribution			150

NetScout Guarantee			151

Additional Covenants			151

Insurance			151

iii



Mutual Releases; Indemnification			151

Amendment and Waiver			153

Termination			153

OTHER AGREEMENTS			154

Employee Matters Agreement			154

Tax Matters Agreement			158

Transition Services Agreement			159

Trademark License Agreement			160

IP License Agreement			160

DBS License Agreement			160

Lease Agreement			160

Voting Agreement			161

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF NETSCOUT AND THE COMBINED COMPANY			163

Common Stock			163

Preferred Stock			163

Certain Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the NetScout Charter and the NetScout Bylaws			163

Listing			164

Transfer Agent			164

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF NETSCOUT COMMON STOCK			165

PROPOSAL NO. 1—PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE ISSUANCE OF SHARES OF NETSCOUT COMMON STOCK IN THE FIRST MERGER			167

PROPOSAL NO. 2—PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING, IF NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE			168

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2015 ANNUAL MEETING			169

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE			170

INDEX TO FINANCIAL PAGES			F-1
ANNEX A: Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization
ANNEX B: Separation and Distribution Agreement
ANNEX C: Opinion of RBC Capital Markets, LLC
ANNEX D: Form of Employee Matters Agreement
ANNEX E: Form of Tax Matters Agreement

HELPFUL INFORMATION

Certain abbreviations and terms used in the text and notes are defined below:


Abbreviation/Term		Description
Ancillary Agreements		The Tax Matters Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement, the Trademark License Agreement, the DBS License Agreement, the IP License Agreement, the Lease Agreement and any other agreements mutually agreed to by the parties pursuant to or in connection with the Distribution Agreement

Audited Financial Statements		The audited combined financial statements of (x) the Communications Business and (y) Newco (before giving effect to the internal restructuring described in the Distribution Agreement), including the combined balance sheets of (x) the Communications Business and (y) Newco (before giving effect to the internal restructuring described in the Distribution Agreement) as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 together with a report on the financial statements from the independent registered public accounting firm for the Communications Business

Code		The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended

Communications Business		The communications group business of Danaher conducted under the brands Tektronix Communications, Fluke Networks and Arbor Networks, and including Newco and its subsidiaries; provided, however, that the “Communications Business” shall exclude Danaher’s data communications cable installation business and its communication service provider (field and test tools systems) business

Danaher		Danaher Corporation

Danaher common stock		The common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Danaher

Danaher Equity Award		Any Danaher Option that is issued and unexercised and any Danaher RSU that is issued and unvested, in each case at the effective time of the First Merger, and which is treated in each case in accordance with the Employee Matters Agreement

Danaher group		Danaher and each of its subsidiaries, but excluding any member of the Newco group

Danaher Option		Options to purchase shares of Danaher common stock from Danaher, whether granted by Danaher pursuant to the Danaher Stock Plans, assumed by Danaher in connection with any merger, acquisition or similar transaction or otherwise issued or granted and whether vested or unvested

Danaher RSU		Each restricted stock unit representing the right to vest in and be issued shares of Danaher common stock by Danaher, whether granted by Danaher pursuant to a Danaher Stock Plan, assumed by Danaher in connection with any merger, acquisition or similar transaction or otherwise issued or granted and whether vested or unvested

Danaher Shared Contract		Any contract relating to (but not relating primarily to) the Communications Business that also relates to any business or business function of the Danaher group to which Danaher, Newco or any member of their respective groups is a party or by which any of their respective assets is bound


Abbreviation/Term		Description
Danaher Stock Plans		Danaher’s 1998 Stock Option Plan, Danaher’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, Tektronix 2002 Stock Incentive Plan and Tektronix 2005 Stock Incentive Plan

DBS License Agreement		The DBS License Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E to the Distribution Agreement

Debt Financing		Any debt financing entered into by the NetScout Companies in connection with the Mergers, the Distribution and other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, including the amendment of that certain Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2007, by and among NetScout, KeyBank National Association, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Bank of America, N.A., Silicon Valley Bank, Comerica Bank, and the lenders party thereto, as amended by First Amendment Agreement, dated as of December 4, 2009

DGCL		General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

The Distribution		The distribution by Danaher, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, of 100% of the Newco common units to Danaher’s stockholders in either an exchange offer followed, if necessary, by a spin-off or in a spin-off distribution not including an exchange offer. Danaher expects for the Distribution to be effected through an exchange offer, but the ultimate structure selected will be based on market conditions

The Distribution Agreement		The Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2014, by and among Danaher, NetScout and Newco (as the same may be amended from time to time)

Distribution Date		The date selected by the Danaher board or its designee for the distribution of Newco common units to holders of Danaher common stock as of the record date in connection with the Distribution

Employee Matters Agreement		The Employee Matters Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C to the Distribution Agreement

Exchange Act		The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

The exchange offer		An exchange offer whereby Danaher is offering to its stockholders the option to exchange all or a portion of their shares of Danaher common stock for all of the Newco common units, which Newco common units will be immediately exchanged for NetScout common stock in the Mergers

The First Merger		The merger of Merger Sub with and into Newco, with Newco surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout, as contemplated by the Merger Agreement

GAAP		Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States

HSR Act		The Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended

Internal Restructuring		The corporate structuring steps contemplated by the Plan of Reorganization

IP License Agreement		The Intellectual Property Cross-License Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit G to the Distribution Agreement


Abbreviation/Term		Description
IRS		Internal Revenue Service

IRS ruling		Private letter ruling from the IRS with respect to certain aspects of the anticipated non-taxable nature of the Transactions

Lease Agreement		The Commercial Lease Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit F to the Distribution Agreement

The Merger Agreement		The Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of October 12, 2014, by and among Danaher, Newco, NetScout, Merger Sub and Merger Sub II (as the same may be amended from time to time)

The Mergers		The First Merger together with the Second Merger

Merger Sub		RS Merger Sub I, Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout

Merger Sub II		RS Merger Sub II, LLC, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout

NASDAQ		The NASDAQ Global Select Market

NetScout		NetScout Systems, Inc.

NetScout Bylaws		NetScout’s Amended and Restated Bylaws

NetScout Charter		NetScout’s Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

NetScout common stock		The common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of NetScout

NetScout Companies		NetScout and each of NetScout’s subsidiaries, including Merger Sub and Merger Sub II

NetScout Products		Products or services (i) both (x) designated or developed and (y) sold, or (ii) under development and substantially completed, or (iii) manufactured, sold or distributed, in each of the foregoing (i), (ii) and (iii), by or on behalf of the NetScout Companies as of October 12, 2014, including the products listed in the NetScout disclosure letter to the Merger Agreement

NetScout Superior Offer		An unsolicited bona fide written offer by a third party to purchase at least a majority of the outstanding shares of NetScout common stock or at least a majority of the assets of NetScout (whether through a tender offer, merger or otherwise), that is determined by the NetScout board of directors, in its good faith judgment, after consulting with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, and after taking into account the terms and conditions of the offer, including the likelihood and anticipated timing of consummation, (i) to be more favorable, from a financial point of view, to NetScout’s stockholders than the combination with Newco, (ii) is reasonably likely to be completed, taking into account any financing and approval requirements that the NetScout board of directors determines to be relevant and all other financial, legal, regulatory and other aspects of such proposal that the NetScout board of directors determines to be relevant, and (iii) for which financing, if a cash transaction (in whole or part), is then fully committed

Newco		Potomac Holding LLC, which is a Delaware limited liability company and currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of Danaher Corporation

Newco Assets		Has the meaning ascribed to the Communications Assets in the Distribution Agreement


Abbreviation/Term		Description
Newco common units		Common units representing limited liability company interests in Newco

Newco Companies		Newco and its subsidiaries after giving effect to the transactions and transfer of assets and liabilities as set forth in the Distribution Agreement

Newco Employee		Each employee who as of the date of the Separation is an employee of Danaher’s Tektronix Communications business or Danaher’s Arbor Networks business and each employee of Danaher’s Fluke Networks Enterprise business who is determined to be either primarily dedicated to the Communications Business in the ordinary course or required for the ongoing operation of the Communications Business, and in all cases regardless of whether any such employee is actively at work as of the date of the Separation or is not actively at work as of the date of the Separation as a result of disability or illness, an approved leave of absence (including military leave with reemployment rights under federal law and leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993), vacation, personal day or similar short- or long-term absence

Newco group		Newco, and each of the subsidiaries of Danaher contemplated to be owned (directly or indirectly) by Newco immediately prior to the Separation Time pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization

Newco Indemnitees		Newco, each member of the Newco group, NetScout (from and after the Separation Time), each of their respective successors and assigns, all persons who are or have been stockholders, directors, partners, managers, managing members, officers, agents or employees of any member of the Newco group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns

Newco Independent Contractor		Each independent contractor who as of the date of the Separation provides services to Danaher’s Tektronix Communications business or Danaher’s Arbor Networks business and each independent contractor providing services to Danaher’s Fluke Networks Enterprise business who is determined to be either primarily dedicated to the Communications Business in the ordinary course or required for the ongoing operation of the Communications Business

Newco IP		(a) All intellectual property constituting, and all intellectual property rights embodied by, the Newco Products and for which Danaher has (or purports to have, including as a result of the transfers under the Distribution Agreement) ownership rights; and (b) all other material intellectual property rights with respect to which any of the Newco Companies has (or purports to have, including as a result of the transfers under the Distribution Agreement) an ownership interest

Newco Products		Products or services (i) both (x) designated or developed and (y) sold, or (ii) under development and substantially completed, or (iii) manufactured, sold or distributed, in each of the foregoing (i), (ii) and (iii), by or on behalf of the Communications Businesses or Newco Companies as of October 12, 2014, including the products listed in the Danaher disclosure letter to the Merger Agreement

Newco Shared Contract		Any contract primarily relating to the Communications Business that also relates to any business or business function of the Danaher group to which Danaher, Newco or any member of their respective groups is a party or by which any of their respective assets is bound


Abbreviation/Term		Description
NYSE		The New York Stock Exchange

Operating Profit		The earnings before income taxes of the Communications Business, taken as a whole, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, calculated in a manner consistent with GAAP consistently applied but before (1) impairment of intangible assets, (2) intangible amortization, (3) stock based compensation, (4) corporate allocations and (5) allocations from Fluke Industrial or Tektronix Instruments, calculated in a manner consistent with the schedules to the Merger Agreement

Plan of Reorganization		The plan to allocate and convey to Newco (or the applicable Newco Sub (as defined in the Distribution Agreement)) the Communications Assets (as defined in the Distribution Agreement), the Communications Liabilities (as defined in the Distribution Agreement) and ownership of the Newco Subs to reach the Newco structure as it will exist immediately prior to the Distribution

The Second Merger		After the First Merger, the merger of Newco with and into Merger Sub II, with Merger Sub II surviving the merger, as contemplated by the Merger Agreement

Securities Act		The Securities Act of 1933, as amended

The Separation		The internal restructuring to separate and consolidate certain assets and liabilities used in the Communications Business under Newco pursuant to the Distribution Agreement and/or the transfer of certain assets or liabilities of the Communications Business directly to NetScout or one or more subsidiaries of NetScout pursuant to any other arrangement entered into between NetScout and Danaher to effect such transfer

Separation Date		The effective date of the Separation

Separation Time		The effective time of the Separation

Tax Matters Agreement		The Tax Matters Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A to the Distribution Agreement

Tax Opinion		The tax opinion of Danaher’s tax counsel, dated as of the closing date of the Mergers

The Transactions		The Separation, the Distribution, the Mergers and all other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents

Trademark License Agreement		The Trademark License Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D to the Distribution Agreement

Transaction Documents		The Merger Agreement, the Distribution Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement, the Trademark License Agreement, the IP License Agreement, the DBS License Agreement, the Lease Agreement and the Voting Agreement

Transition Services Agreement		The Transition Services Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B to the Distribution Agreement

Voting Agreement		The Voting Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2014, between Danaher and Anil Singhal

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE TRANSACTIONS AND THE SPECIAL MEETING

The following are some of the questions that NetScout stockholders may have and answers to those questions. These questions and answers, as well as the following summary, are not meant to be a substitute for the information contained in the remainder of this document, and this information is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed descriptions and explanations contained elsewhere in this document. NetScout urges its stockholders to read this document in its entirety prior to making any decision.

Why am I receiving these materials?

NetScout and Danaher have entered into the Merger Agreement pursuant to which the Communications Business will combine with NetScout’s business. NetScout is holding a special meeting of its stockholders in order to obtain stockholder approval of the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger. NetScout cannot complete the Mergers unless the proposal relating to the issuance of NetScout common stock in the First Merger is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of NetScout common stock represented and voting at the special meeting, either in person or by proxy (assuming a quorum is present). The adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger must also be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of NetScout common stock represented and voting at the special meeting, either in person or by proxy.

This document includes important information about the Transactions and the special meeting of the stockholders of NetScout. NetScout stockholders should read this information carefully and in its entirety. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached as Annex A to this document. The enclosed proxy materials allow NetScout stockholders to vote their shares without attending the NetScout special meeting. The vote of NetScout stockholders is very important and NetScout encourages its stockholders to vote their proxy as soon as possible. Please follow the instructions set forth on the enclosed proxy card (or on the voting instruction form provided by the record holder if shares of NetScout common stock are held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee).

Who can vote at the special meeting?

Only holders of record at the close of business on May 1, 2015 will be entitled to vote at the special meeting. On this record date, there were 40,807,787 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.

Holder of Record

If, on May 1, 2015, a NetScout stockholder’s shares were registered directly in that stockholder’s name with NetScout’s transfer agent, Computershare, then that stockholder is a holder of record. As a holder of record, a NetScout stockholder may vote in person at the meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not NetScout stockholders plan to attend the meeting, we urge NetScout stockholders to vote by returning the enclosed proxy card or voting by proxy over the telephone or on the internet as instructed on the enclosed proxy card to ensure their vote is counted.

Beneficial Owner

If, on May 1, 2015, a NetScout stockholder holds shares of NetScout common stock in “street name” or “beneficial name” (that is, the NetScout stockholder holds its shares through a bank, broker or other nominee), a voting instruction form has been forwarded to that stockholder by its bank, broker or other nominee or its agent which is considered the holder of record with respect to these shares. As the beneficial owner, a NetScout stockholder has the right to direct its bank, broker or other nominee as

to how to vote its shares by following the instructions in the voting instruction form or by voting via the internet or by telephone, but the scope of its rights depends upon the voting processes of the bank, broker or other nominee. Please carefully follow the voting instructions provided by the bank, broker or other nominee or its respective agent.

What is NetScout proposing?

NetScout is proposing to combine the Communications Business with NetScout’s business. The combination will be effected through a series of Transactions that are described in more detail below and elsewhere in this document. Upon the consummation of these Transactions:

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the Communications Business will be owned by Merger Sub II, which will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout; and

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it is expected that pre-First Merger holders of Newco common units and Newco Employees will hold approximately 59.5% of NetScout’s common stock on a fully-diluted basis and NetScout’s existing equityholders will hold approximately 40.5% of NetScout’s common stock on a fully-diluted basis.

In the First Merger, NetScout expects to issue an aggregate number of shares of NetScout common stock equal to (x) 62.5 million shares of NetScout common stock plus the product of (A) 1.46 multiplied by (B) the number of shares of NetScout common stock issued in any acquisition by NetScout prior to the effective time of the First Merger, divided by (y) the aggregate number of Newco common units issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the First Merger. Based upon the reported closing sale price of $43.05 per share for NetScout common stock on NASDAQ on May 1, 2015, the total value of the shares expected to be issued by NetScout would have been approximately $2.7 billion. The value of the consideration to be paid by NetScout in the First Merger will fluctuate with the market price of NetScout common stock until the Mergers are consummated.

What are the “Transactions” referenced above?

On October 12, 2014, NetScout and Danaher agreed to enter into Transactions to effect the transfer of the Communications Business to NetScout. These Transactions provide for the Separation and the Distribution of the Communications Business and the subsequent mergers of (a) Merger Sub with and into Newco, with Newco surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout and (b) Newco with and into Merger Sub II, with Merger Sub II surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout. In order to effect the Separation, the Distribution and the Mergers, Danaher, Newco, NetScout, Merger Sub and Merger Sub II entered into the Merger Agreement and Danaher, Newco and NetScout entered into the Distribution Agreement. In addition, Danaher, Newco, NetScout and certain of their respective affiliates have entered into, or will enter into, various ancillary agreements in connection with the Transactions. These agreements, which are described in greater detail in this document, govern the relationship among Danaher, Newco, NetScout and their respective affiliates after the Separation, the Distribution and the Mergers.

Immediately after the Distribution and on the closing date of the Mergers, Merger Sub will merge with and into Newco, whereby the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease and Newco will continue as the surviving company and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout. Afterwards, Newco will merge with and into Merger Sub II, whereby the separate corporate existence of Newco will cease and Merger Sub II will continue as the surviving company and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout. After the Mergers, NetScout will own and operate the Communications Business through Merger Sub II and will also continue its current businesses. All shares of NetScout common stock, including those issued in the First Merger, will be listed on NASDAQ under NetScout’s current trading symbol “NTCT.”

What are NetScout’s reasons for pursuing the Transactions described in this proxy statement?

The board of directors of NetScout considered the following factors as generally supporting its decision to approve the Merger Agreement and recommend that NetScout stockholders approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger:

Advances Strategic Objectives. The acquisition advances NetScout’s strategic objectives of expanding its product portfolio across service assurance and performance analytics, business intelligence and cyber security solutions for communications service providers and large and small enterprises, and government organizations. Consequently, NetScout believes that the acquisition will enhance its ability to create long-term value for its stockholders, including by providing the following benefits:

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The acquisition enables NetScout to grow to a combined non-GAAP annual revenue base of more than $1.2 billion with an expanded range of complementary products, which is expected to position NetScout to drive strong revenue growth and improved profitability over the long term. Over the long term, NetScout’s management believes that the combined company will be capable of growing revenue at an approximate compounded annual growth rate of 10 percent.

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The acquisition increases NetScout’s addressable market and broadens both its service provider and enterprise customer base. The acquisition significantly expands NetScout’s total addressable market to more than $8 billion. International Data Corporation (“IDC”) estimated that spending on network and application performance management solutions, NetScout’s core market prior to the acquisition, was approximately $5.0 billion in 2013. However, NetScout did not have the requisite offerings to fully address key segments within its core market. The acquisition provides NetScout with new capabilities to fill gaps in its product portfolio and target parts of these markets that were previously not available to NetScout such as radio access network optimization and the low-mid tier of the enterprise network performance management market. Additionally, the acquisition enables NetScout to enter the cyber security market and further enhance its capabilities in the advanced analytics (business intelligence) market, in which such markets global spending was estimated by IDC to be over $3 billion in 2013.

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The acquisition of the Tektronix Communications business provides NetScout with broader access to service provider customers.

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The acquired portions of the Fluke Networks Enterprise business allow NetScout to expand into serving mid-tier and smaller enterprise customers.

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The acquisition of Arbor Networks allows NetScout to immediately enter the cyber intelligence and cyber security market.

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NetScout will gain complementary, award-winning technologies, capabilities and offerings that can better position it to deliver high-value products and services.

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NetScout will expand its geographical footprint outside of North America.

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The combined company is expected to have more than 35% of the workforce composed of research and development personnel.

Cost Synergies. NetScout expects to achieve initial annualized run-rate cost synergies of approximately five percent of the combined cost base, or approximately $45 to $55 million within two years from the consummation of the Transactions as a result of increased size, economies of scale, and elimination of redundancies after the Transactions. NetScout expects to generate additional cost synergies in subsequent years by using common infrastructure platforms, and by eliminating or reducing expenses associated with programs and capabilities already in place as NetScout aligns its go-to-market and related support programs and initiatives. However, the magnitude and timing of such synergies has yet to be determined. NetScout’s initial estimates of cost synergies were based on NetScout’s prior experience in integrating acquired companies and an analysis of the cost base of NetScout and the Communications Business. NetScout anticipates that a significant portion of the initial cost savings will

result from improved gross margins due to improved purchasing power, rationalization of consulting and support services, and opportunities for the combined company to sell lower cost of goods sold products. The remainder of the initial cost savings will be realized as a result of operating expense reduction from sales force rationalization and product roadmap integration.

Accretive Transaction. NetScout expects the Transactions to be accretive on a non-GAAP basis in the first full year of operations.

Transaction Terms and Other Considerations. The board of directors of NetScout also considered the other facts about the Transactions and combined company, such as the fixed share nature of the merger consideration, that the Merger Agreement and the consideration to be paid by NetScout were the result of extensive arm’s-length negotiations, that the Transactions would not require NetScout to deplete cash resources or incur debt, the opinion, dated October 12, 2014, of RBC Capital Markets, LLC (“RBC Capital Markets”) to NetScout’s board of directors as to the fairness, from a financial point of view and as of such date, to NetScout of the merger consideration to be paid by NetScout in the First Merger, the modest changes to NetScout’s governance structure and the ability of the board of directors of NetScout, subject to the payment of a termination fee, to withdraw or modify its recommendation to the NetScout stockholders to approve the issuance of the NetScout common stock in the First Merger in certain circumstances.

What are the key steps of the Transactions?

Below is a step-by-step list illustrating the material events relating to the Separation, the Distribution and the Mergers. Each of these events is discussed in more detail elsewhere in this proxy statement.

Step #1—Internal Restructuring; The Separation. Prior to the Distribution and the First Merger, Danaher will convey to Newco or one or more subsidiaries of Danaher certain assets and liabilities constituting the Communications Business, and will cause any applicable subsidiary of Danaher to convey to Danaher or its designated subsidiary (other than Newco or any of Newco’s subsidiaries) certain excluded assets and excluded liabilities in order to separate and consolidate the Communications Business. Immediately thereafter, Danaher will contribute all the equity interests in each such subsidiary of Danaher holding assets and liabilities constituting the Communications Business to Newco in exchange for Newco common units. In addition, certain assets, liabilities and employees of the Communications Business may be transferred directly to NetScout or one or more subsidiaries of NetScout.

Step #2—The Distribution; Exchange Offer and/or Spin-Off. On the closing date of the Mergers, Danaher will distribute 100% of the Newco common units to Danaher stockholders either through an exchange offer followed by, in the event the exchange offer is not fully subscribed, a spin-off distribution or in a spin-off distribution not including an exchange offer. Danaher expects for the Distribution to be effected through an exchange offer, but the ultimate structure selected will be based on market conditions. In the exchange offer, Danaher will offer its stockholders the option to exchange all or a portion of their shares of Danaher common stock for Newco common units. In the event the exchange offer is not fully subscribed, Danaher will distribute the remaining Newco common units owned by Danaher on a pro rata basis to Danaher stockholders whose shares of Danaher common stock remain outstanding after consummation of the exchange offer.

Step #3—The Mergers. In the First Merger, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Newco, with Newco surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout. Immediately thereafter, in the Second Merger, Newco will be merged with and into Merger Sub II, with Merger Sub II surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout. In the First Merger, each outstanding Newco common unit (except Newco common units held by Danaher, Newco, NetScout or Merger Sub) will be converted into the right to receive a number of shares of NetScout common stock equal to (x) 62.5 million shares of NetScout common stock plus the product of (A) 1.46 multiplied by (B) the number of shares of NetScout common stock issued in any acquisition after the date of the

Merger Agreement and prior to the effective time of the First Merger, divided by (y) the aggregate number of Newco common units issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time of the First Merger.

Why will the ownership of NetScout following the Transactions between Danaher equityholders and existing NetScout equityholders be approximately 59.5% and 40.5% on a fully-diluted basis, respectively?

It is expected that upon completion of the Transactions, pre-First Merger holders of Newco common units and Newco Employees will hold approximately 59.5% of NetScout’s common stock on a fully-diluted basis and NetScout’s existing equityholders will hold approximately 40.5% of NetScout’s common stock on a fully-diluted basis (subject to adjustment in limited circumstances as provided in the Merger Agreement). The ownership of NetScout following the First Merger was the result of a negotiated value exchange between Danaher and NetScout, which was based upon each party’s valuations, prior to the First Merger, of NetScout and the Communications Business. The proposed Transactions are structured as a Reverse Morris Trust acquisition, which is intended to allow a parent company (here, Danaher) to distribute a subsidiary or a business (here, Newco and the Communications Business) in a tax-efficient manner. The first step of such a transaction is the distribution through a dividend (a “spin-off”), exchange (a “split-off”) or a combination of a spin-off and split-off of the subsidiary stock to or with the parent company stockholders that is intended to qualify under Section 355 of the Code. The distributed subsidiary then merges with the acquiring third party (here, Merger Sub, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout) in a reorganization that is intended to qualify under Section 368 of the Code. Such a transaction can qualify as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes for the parent company, its stockholders and the acquiring third party’s stockholders if the transaction structure meets all applicable requirements, including that the parent company stockholders own more than 50% of the stock of the combined entity immediately after the merger. Therefore, in order to meet all applicable requirements of the Code, Danaher stockholders must own more than 50% of the NetScout common stock outstanding immediately following the First Merger.

What are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to NetScout and NetScout’s stockholders resulting from the Transactions?

NetScout will not recognize any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Mergers. Because NetScout stockholders will not participate in the Distribution or the Mergers, NetScout stockholders will generally not recognize gain or loss upon either the Distribution (including the exchange offer) or the Mergers. NetScout stockholders should consult their own tax advisors for a full understanding of the tax consequences to them of the Distribution and the Mergers. The material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Distribution and the Mergers are described in more detail in the section of the document entitled “The Transactions—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Transactions.”

What will NetScout stockholders receive in the Mergers?

NetScout stockholders will not directly receive any consideration in the Mergers. All shares of NetScout common stock issued and outstanding immediately before the Mergers will remain issued and outstanding after consummation of the Mergers. Immediately after the Mergers, NetScout stockholders will continue to own shares in NetScout, which will include the Communications Business.

What is the estimated total value of the consideration to be paid by NetScout in the Transactions?

In the Mergers, NetScout expects to issue approximately 62.5 million shares of NetScout common stock, assuming no adjustment pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Based upon the reported closing

sale price of $43.05 per share for NetScout common stock on NASDAQ on May 1, 2015, the total value of the shares expected to be issued by NetScout would have been approximately $2.7 billion. The value of the consideration to be paid by NetScout in the Mergers will fluctuate with the market price of NetScout common stock until the Mergers are consummated.

What are the principal adverse consequences of the Transactions to NetScout stockholders?

Following the consummation of the Transactions, NetScout stockholders will participate in a company that holds the Communications Business, but their percentage interest in this company will be diluted. Upon completion of the Transactions, pre-First Merger NetScout equityholders are expected to own approximately 40.5% of NetScout common stock. Under limited circumstances described in the section of this document entitled “The Merger Agreement—Merger Consideration,” pre-First Merger NetScout equityholders could own less than approximately 40.5% of NetScout common stock on a fully-diluted basis following the consummation of the Transactions and under such circumstances, there is no minimum percentage of NetScout common stock that pre-First Merger NetScout equityholders may own. The voting power represented by the shares held by pre-First Merger NetScout stockholders will be lower immediately following the Mergers than immediately prior to the First Merger. In addition, in the event that the Distribution is structured as an exchange offer, Danaher stockholders that participate in the exchange offer will be exchanging their shares of Danaher common stock for Newco common units at a discount to the per-share value of NetScout common stock. The existence of a discount, along with the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock pursuant to the First Merger, may negatively affect the market price of NetScout common stock. NetScout also expects to incur significant one-time costs in connection with the Transactions, including advisory, legal, accounting and other professional fees related to the Transactions, transition and integration expenses, such as consulting professionals’ fees, information technology implementation costs and relocation costs, that NetScout’s management believes are necessary to realize anticipated annualized cost synergies. The incurrence of these costs may have an adverse impact on NetScout’s liquidity or operating results in the periods in which they are incurred. Finally, NetScout will be required to devote a significant amount of time and attention to the process of integrating the operations of NetScout and the Communications Business. If NetScout is not able to effectively manage the process, NetScout’s business could suffer and its stock price may decline. In addition, the market price of NetScout common stock could decline as a result of sales of a large number of shares of NetScout common stock in the market after the consummation of the Transactions or even the perception that these sales could occur. See “Risk Factors” for a further discussion of the material risks associated with the Transactions.

What is NetScout’s dividend policy?

NetScout currently intends to retain its future earnings, if any, to finance the development and expansion of its business and is limited in its ability to pay cash dividends under the terms of its current credit facility. Therefore, NetScout does not intend to pay cash dividends on its common stock for the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of NetScout’s board of directors and will depend on NetScout’s financial condition, results of operations and capital requirements, restrictions contained in any financing instruments and such other factors as the NetScout board of directors deems relevant.

What will Danaher stockholders receive in the Transactions?

If the Distribution is structured as an exchange offer, Danaher will offer to Danaher stockholders the right to exchange all or a portion of their shares of Danaher common stock for Newco common units. In the event the exchange offer is not fully subscribed, Danaher will distribute in the spin-off the remaining Newco common units owned by Danaher on a pro rata basis to Danaher stockholders whose shares of Danaher common stock remain outstanding after the consummation of the exchange offer. If

the Distribution is structured as a spin-off not including an exchange offer, Danaher will distribute in the spin-off the Newco common units owned by Danaher on a pro rata basis to Danaher stockholders. In the First Merger, the Newco common units will be converted into the right to receive NetScout common stock. Thus, each Danaher stockholder will ultimately receive shares of NetScout common stock in the Distribution and the First Merger. Danaher stockholders will not be required to pay for the Newco common units distributed in the spin-off or the shares of NetScout common stock issued in the First Merger. If the Distribution is structured as an exchange offer, Danaher stockholders will receive cash from the exchange offer agent in lieu of any fractional shares of NetScout common stock to which such stockholders would otherwise be entitled. All shares of NetScout common stock issued in the First Merger will be issued in book entry form. Calculated based on the number of outstanding shares and the closing price on NASDAQ of NetScout common stock as of May 1, 2015, the shares of NetScout common stock that NetScout expects to issue to Danaher stockholders as a result of the Transactions would have had a market value of approximately $2.7 billion in the aggregate (the actual value will not be known until the closing date of the Mergers). For more information, see “The Transactions—The Separation and Distribution,” “The Transactions—The Mergers,” and “The Transactions—Calculation of the Merger Consideration.”

Are there any conditions to the consummation of the Transactions?

Yes. Consummation of the Transactions is subject to a number of conditions, including:

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the approval of NetScout’s stockholders of the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger;

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the receipt by Danaher of the IRS ruling (unless Danaher has not obtained the IRS ruling by June 30, 2015, in which case the condition will be considered waived);

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the receipt by Danaher of the Tax Opinion;

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the completion of the various transaction steps contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Distribution Agreement, including the Separation and the Distribution;

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termination of any waiting period applicable to the Mergers under applicable antitrust or competition laws in the United States (which waiting period has been effectively terminated);

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the absence of any Material Adverse Effect (as this term is described in the section of this document entitled “The Merger Agreement—Representations and Warranties”) with respect to NetScout or the Newco Companies; and

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other customary conditions.

If NetScout waives the satisfaction of a material condition to the consummation of the Transactions, NetScout will evaluate the appropriate facts and circumstances at that time and resolicit stockholder approval of the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger if required to do so by law.

This proxy statement describes these conditions in more detail under “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Merger.”

When will the Transactions be completed?

NetScout and Danaher are working to complete the Mergers as quickly as possible after satisfaction of the closing conditions, including consummation of certain transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Distribution Agreement (such as the Separation) and receipt of NetScout stockholder approval for the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger. In addition, other important conditions to the closing of the Separation and the Mergers exist, including,

among other things, the completion of the internal restructuring necessary to separate Danaher’s communications assets and liabilities from Danaher’s other business, the receipt of the IRS ruling unless Danaher has not obtained the IRS ruling by June 30, 2015, in which case the condition will be considered waived, and the receipt of the Tax Opinion. NetScout and Danaher anticipate that the transfer of certain assets and liabilities of the Communications Business will be completed after the closing date of the Mergers due to regulatory and other delays in certain jurisdictions outside the United States. It is possible that factors outside NetScout’s and Danaher’s control could require Danaher to complete the Separation and the Distribution and NetScout and Danaher to complete the Mergers at a later time or not complete them at all. For a discussion of the conditions to the Separation and the Mergers, see “The Transactions—Regulatory Approvals” beginning on page 125, “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Merger” beginning on page 141, and “The Distribution Agreement—Conditions to the Separation” beginning on page 150.

When is the termination date of the Merger Agreement?

Subject to specified qualifications and exceptions, either Danaher or NetScout may terminate the Merger Agreement at any time prior to the consummation of the First Merger if the First Merger has not been consummated by October 12, 2015.

Are there risks associated with the Transactions?

Yes. The material risks and uncertainties associated with the Transactions are discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 33 and the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” beginning on page 40. Those risks include, among others, the possibility that NetScout may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the Mergers, the uncertainty that NetScout will be able to integrate the Communications Business successfully, the possibility that NetScout may be unable to provide benefits and services or access to equivalent financial strength and resources to the Communications Business that historically have been provided by Danaher, and the substantial dilution to the ownership interest of current NetScout stockholders following the consummation of the Mergers.

Will there be any change to the board of directors of NetScout after the Transactions?

Yes. Those directors of NetScout serving on its board of directors immediately before the effective time of the First Merger are expected to continue to serve as directors of NetScout immediately following the closing of the Mergers. In addition, as of immediately following the effective time of the First Merger, NetScout will increase the size of its board of directors by one member, and one individual selected by Danaher (which individual is currently anticipated by NetScout and Danaher to be James A. Lico, Danaher’s Executive Vice President) will be appointed to fill the vacancy and will, subject to the fiduciary duties of NetScout’s board of directors, be nominated for re-election at the expiration of such director’s initial term. However, if Danaher’s designated director: (i) is unwilling or unable to serve at the effective time of the First Merger; (ii) is unwilling or unable to serve when such new term starts; or (iii) is not nominated to serve such new term, then Danaher will designate a replacement, acceptable to NetScout in its sole discretion, for such director before the effective time of the First Merger or the start of such new term, as applicable.

Will NetScout’s current senior management team manage the business of NetScout after the Transactions?

Yes. It is expected that NetScout’s current management team will remain intact for the combined business, but may be augmented with new management team members from Danaher. The executive officers of NetScout immediately prior to the closing of the Mergers are expected to remain executive officers of NetScout immediately following the closing of the Mergers. The Merger Agreement

provides that NetScout and Newco will take all necessary action to appoint certain specified individuals to management and/or executive officer positions at NetScout or Newco as of the effective time of the Mergers.

What stockholder approvals are needed in connection with the Transactions?

Where will the NetScout shares issued in connection with the Mergers be listed?

NetScout common stock is listed on NASDAQ under “NTCT.” After consummation of the Transactions, all shares of NetScout common stock issued in the Mergers, and all other outstanding shares of NetScout common stock, will continue to be listed on NASDAQ.

What is the current relationship between Newco and NetScout?

Newco is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of Danaher and was formed as a Delaware limited liability company in September 29, 2014 to effectuate the Separation, the Distribution and the Mergers. Other than in connection with the Transactions, there is no relationship between Newco and NetScout.

Have any NetScout stockholders already agreed to vote for the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger?

Anil K. Singhal, NetScout’s Chief Executive Officer, has agreed with Danaher to vote the shares of NetScout common stock that he owns, representing approximately 5.5% of the outstanding shares of NetScout common stock as of May 1, 2015, in favor of the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock. In addition, Danaher intends to vote the shares of NetScout common stock that Danaher owns, representing approximately 2.9% of the outstanding shares of NetScout common stock as of May 1, 2015, in favor of the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger.

Do Danaher stockholders have to vote to approve the Transactions?

No.

How does the NetScout board of directors recommend stockholders vote?

The NetScout board of directors recommends that the stockholders of NetScout vote “FOR” approval of the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger and, if necessary or appropriate, “FOR” the adjournment or postponement of the special meeting to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger.

How can NetScout stockholders cast their vote?

The procedures for voting are fairly simple:

Holder of Record

NetScout holders of record may vote in person at the special meeting, vote by proxy over the telephone, vote by proxy through the internet, or vote by proxy by mail using the enclosed proxy card. Whether or not NetScout stockholders plan to attend the meeting, we urge each NetScout stockholder to vote by proxy to ensure its vote is counted. A NetScout stockholder may still attend the meeting in person even if it has already voted by proxy.

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To vote in person, a NetScout stockholder should come to the special meeting and we will give it ballot when it arrives.

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To vote by mail using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If a NetScout stockholder returns a signed proxy card to us before the special meeting, we will vote that NetScout stockholder’s shares as directed.

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To vote over the telephone, dial the toll-free number specified on the enclosed proxy card using a touch-tone phone and follow the recorded instructions. NetScout stockholders will be asked to provide the company number and control number from the proxy card. Telephone votes must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 24, 2015 to be counted.

•

To vote through the internet, go to the website specified on the enclosed proxy card to complete an electronic proxy card. NetScout stockholders will be asked to provide the company number and control number from the proxy card. Internet votes must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on June 24, 2015 to be counted.

Beneficial Owner

If a NetScout stockholder is a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, that NetScout stockholder should have received a notice containing voting instructions from that organization rather than from NetScout. A NetScout stockholder should simply follow the voting instructions to ensure that its vote is counted. Alternatively, a NetScout stockholder may vote by telephone or over the internet as instructed by its bank, broker or other nominee. To vote in person at the special meeting, a NetScout stockholder must bring to the special meeting a letter from the bank, broker or other nominee confirming its beneficial ownership of the shares and that the bank, broker or other nominee is not voting the shares at the special meeting.

How is a quorum determined?

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to conduct any business at the special meeting. A quorum will be present if a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting are present at the meeting in person or represented by proxy. On the Record Date, there were 40,807,787 shares outstanding and entitled to vote.

To determine a quorum, NetScout includes abstentions and broker non-votes. Broker non-votes occur when a beneficial owner does not give instructions to the broker, bank or other nominee as to how to vote on matters deemed “non-routine.” Because neither of the proposals to be voted on at the special meeting are “routine” matters, there will be no broker non-votes at the special meeting. A NetScout stockholder’s shares will be counted towards the quorum only if such stockholder submits a valid proxy or one is submitted on such stockholder’s behalf by such stockholder’s bank, broker or other nominee or if such NetScout stockholder votes in person at the meeting. If there is no quorum, the meeting may adjourn to another date.

What if a NetScout stockholder does not vote on the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger?

The outcome depends on how the NetScout common stock is held and whether any vote is cast or not:

Holder of Record

•

if a NetScout stockholder submits a proxy to NetScout but the proxy does not indicate how it should be voted on the proposals, the proxy will be counted as a vote “FOR” the proposals;

•

if a NetScout stockholder submits a proxy to NetScout and the proxy indicates that the stockholder abstains from voting, it will count towards the required quorum but have no effect on the proposals;

•

if a NetScout stockholder fails to submit a proxy to NetScout, it will have no effect on the proposals and that stockholder’s shares will not count towards the required quorum;

Beneficial Owner

•

if a NetScout stockholder does not instruct its bank, broker or other nominee to vote its shares on the proposal to approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger or the proposal to approve the adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger, the bank, broker or other nominee may not vote such shares on this proposal because it is a “non-routine matter,” so no proxy will be submitted on such stockholder’s behalf and such stockholder’s shares will not count toward the required quorum; and

•

if a NetScout stockholder instructs its bank, broker or other nominee to vote its shares but does not instruct broker or other nominee as to how to vote its shares on one or both proposals, the bank, broker or other nominee will vote such stockholder’s shares “FOR” the uninstructed proposal(s).

If a NetScout stockholder is not going to attend the special meeting, should that stockholder return its proxy card or otherwise vote its shares?

Yes. Returning the proxy card by mail, voting by calling the toll-free number shown on the proxy card or voting instruction form, as applicable, or logging on to the website specified on the proxy card or voting instruction form, as applicable, ensures that the shares will be represented and voted at the special meeting, even if a NetScout stockholder will be unable to or does not attend.

Can a NetScout stockholder change its vote after submitting its proxy?

Yes. If a holder of record of NetScout common stock has properly completed and submitted its proxy card, the NetScout stockholder can change its vote in any of the following ways:

•

by sending a signed notice of revocation to the Secretary of NetScout that is received prior to the special meeting stating that the NetScout stockholder revokes its proxy;

•

by properly completing a new proxy card bearing a later date and properly submitting it so that it is received prior to the special meeting;

•

by logging onto the internet website specified on the proxy card in the same manner a stockholder would to submit its proxy electronically or by calling the toll-free number specified on the proxy card prior to the special meeting, in each case if the NetScout stockholder is eligible to do so and following the instructions on the proxy card; or

•

by attending the special meeting and voting in person.

Simply attending the special meeting will not revoke a proxy. In the event of multiple online or telephone votes by a stockholder, each vote will supersede the previous vote and the last vote cast will be deemed to be the final vote of the stockholder unless such vote is revoked in person at the special meeting.

If a NetScout stockholder holds shares in “street name” through its bank, broker or other nominee, and has directed such person to vote its shares, it should instruct such person to change its vote, or if in the alternative a NetScout stockholder wishes to vote in person at the special meeting, it must bring to the special meeting a letter from the bank, broker or other nominee confirming its beneficial ownership of the shares and that the bank, broker or other nominee is not voting the shares at the special meeting.

What should NetScout stockholders do now?

After carefully reading and considering the information contained in this document, NetScout stockholders should vote their shares as soon as possible so that their shares will be represented and voted at the NetScout special meeting. NetScout stockholders should follow the instructions set forth on the enclosed proxy card (or on the voting instruction form provided by the record holder if their shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee). The NetScout board of directors recommends that the stockholders of NetScout vote “FOR” approval of the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger, and, if necessary or appropriate, “FOR” the adjournment or postponement of the special meeting to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger.

Can NetScout stockholders dissent and require appraisal of their shares?

No.

Will the instruments that govern the rights of NetScout stockholders with respect to their shares of NetScout common stock after the Transactions be different from those that govern the rights of current NetScout stockholders?

No. The rights of NetScout stockholders with respect to their shares of NetScout common stock after the consummation of the Transactions will continue to be governed by federal and state laws and NetScout’s governing documents, including:

•

the corporate law of the State of Delaware, including the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”);

•

the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NetScout Systems, Inc. (the “NetScout Charter”); and

•

the Amended and Restated Bylaws of NetScout Systems, Inc. (the “NetScout Bylaws”).

Who can answer my questions?

If NetScout stockholders have any questions about the Transactions or the special meeting, need assistance in voting their shares or need additional copies of this document, the proxy card or voting instruction form, they should contact:

Innisfree M&A Incorporated

501 Madison Avenue, 20^th floor

New York, New York 10022

Shareholders may call toll free: (888) 750-5834

Banks and Brokers may call collect: (212) 750-5833

NetScout Systems, Inc.

310 Littleton Road

Westford, Massachusetts 01886

Attention: Investor Relations

Telephone: (978) 614-4000

Where can I find more information about NetScout and the Communications Business?

NetScout stockholders can find more information about NetScout and the Communications Business in the sections of this document entitled “Information on NetScout,” “Information on the Communications Business” and from the various sources described in the section of this document entitled “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

SUMMARY

The following summary contains certain information described in more detail elsewhere in this document. It does not contain all the details concerning the Transactions, including information that may be important to you. To better understand the Transactions, you should carefully review this entire document and the documents it refers to. See “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

The Companies

NetScout Systems, Inc.

NetScout Systems, Inc.

310 Littleton Road

Westford, Massachusetts 01886

Telephone: (978) 614-4000

NetScout was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts. NetScout is an industry leader for advanced network, application and service assurance solutions, providing high-quality performance analytics and operational intelligence solutions that facilitate the evolution toward new computing paradigms, including virtualization, mobility and cloud. NetScout designs, develops, manufactures, markets, licenses, sells and supports products focused on assuring service delivery quality, performance and availability for some of the world’s largest, most demanding and complex internet protocol (IP) based service delivery environments. NetScout manufactures and markets these products in integrated hardware and software solutions that are used by commercial enterprises, large governmental agencies and telecommunication service providers worldwide.

RS Merger Sub I, Inc.

RS Merger Sub I, Inc.

c/o NetScout Systems, Inc.

310 Littleton Road

Westford, Massachusetts 01886

Telephone: (978) 614-4000

RS Merger Sub I, Inc., a Delaware corporation referred to in this document as Merger Sub, is a newly formed, direct wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout that was organized specifically for the purpose of completing the Mergers. Merger Sub has engaged in no business activities to date and it has no material assets or liabilities of any kind, other than those incident to its formation and in connection with the Transactions.

RS Merger Sub II, LLC

RS Merger Sub II, LLC

c/o NetScout Systems, Inc.

310 Littleton Road

Westford, Massachusetts 01886

Telephone: (978) 614-4000

RS Merger Sub II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company referred to in this document as Merger Sub II, is a newly formed, direct wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout that was organized specifically for the purpose of completing the Mergers. Merger Sub II has engaged in no business activities to date and it has no material assets or liabilities of any kind, other than those incident to its formation and in connection with the Transactions.

Danaher Corporation

Danaher Corporation

2200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW—Suite 800W

Washington, DC 20037-1701

Telephone: (202) 828-0850

Danaher Corporation, referred to as Danaher, designs, manufactures and markets professional, medical, industrial and commercial products and services, which are typically characterized by strong brand names, innovative technology and major market positions. Danaher’s research and development, manufacturing, sales, distribution, service and administrative facilities are located in more than 50 countries. For the 2014 fiscal year, Danaher had sales of over $19.91 billion and approximately 71,000 employees employed globally. Danaher operates its business in five segments: Test & Measurement, Environmental, Life Sciences & Diagnostics, Dental and Industrial Technologies.

Potomac Holding LLC

Potomac Holding LLC

c/o Danaher Corporation

2200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW—Suite 800W

Washington, DC 20037-1701

Telephone: (202) 828-0850

Potomac Holding LLC, a Delaware limited liability company referred to in this document as Newco, is a newly formed, direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Danaher that was organized specifically for the purpose of effecting the Separation. Newco has engaged in no business activities to date and it has no material assets or liabilities of any kind, other than those incident to its formation and those incurred in connection with the Transactions.

Newco is a holding company. In the Transactions, Danaher will transfer the assets and liabilities related to the Communications Business, including certain subsidiaries of Danaher, to Newco or one of its subsidiaries. In exchange therefor, Danaher will receive all the issued and outstanding Newco common units. The Communications Business is the communications group business of Danaher conducted under the brands Tektronix Communications, Fluke Networks and Arbor Networks, and including Newco and its subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Communications Business excludes Danaher’s data communications cable installation business and its communication service provider (field and test tools systems) business. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, the Communications Business generated total sales of $760,223,000 and net earnings of $42,552,000.

The Transactions

Transaction Timeline

Set forth below are diagrams that graphically illustrate, in simplified form, the existing corporate structure, the corporate structure immediately following the Separation and Distribution but before the First Merger, the corporate structure immediately following the consummation of the First Merger, and the corporate structure immediately following the consummation of the Second Merger.

LOGO

The Separation and the Distribution

Prior to the Distribution and the First Merger, Danaher will convey to Newco or one or more subsidiaries of Danaher certain assets and liabilities constituting the Communications Business, and will cause any applicable subsidiary of Danaher to convey to Danaher or its designated subsidiary (other than Newco or any of Newco’s subsidiaries) certain excluded assets and excluded liabilities in order to separate and consolidate the Communications Business. Immediately thereafter, Danaher will contribute all the equity interests in each such subsidiary of Danaher holding assets and liabilities constituting the Communications Business to Newco in exchange for Newco common units. In addition, certain assets, liabilities and employees of the Communications

Business may be transferred directly to NetScout or one or more subsidiaries of NetScout.

NetScout and Danaher anticipate that the transfer of certain assets and liabilities of the Communications Business will be completed after the closing date of the Mergers due to regulatory and other delays in certain jurisdictions outside the United States.

On the closing date of the Mergers, Danaher will distribute 100% of the Newco common units to Danaher stockholders through either an exchange offer followed by, in the event the exchange offer is not fully subscribed, a spin-off distribution or in a spin-off distribution not including an exchange offer. In the case of an exchange offer, Danaher will offer its stockholders the option to exchange all or a portion of their shares of Danaher common stock for Newco common units. In the event the exchange offer is not fully subscribed, Danaher will distribute the remaining Newco common units owned by Danaher on a pro rata basis to Danaher stockholders whose shares of Danaher common stock remain outstanding after consummation of the exchange offer. If the Distribution is structured as a spin-off not including an exchange offer, Danaher will distribute in the spin-off the Newco common units owned by Danaher on a pro rata basis to Danaher stockholders.

An agent appointed by Danaher will hold, for the account of the relevant Danaher stockholders, the global certificate(s) representing all of the outstanding Newco common units pending the consummation of the First Merger. Newco common units will not be traded during this period.

The Mergers; Merger Consideration

Under the Merger Agreement and in accordance with the DGCL and the DLLCA, at the effective time of the First Merger, Merger Sub will merge with and into Newco. As a result of the First Merger, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will terminate and Newco will continue as the surviving company and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout and will succeed to and assume all the rights, powers and privileges and be subject to all of the obligations of Merger Sub in accordance with the DGCL and the DLLCA. The certificate of formation and the limited liability company operating agreement of Newco in effect immediately prior to the First Merger will be amended and restated in their entirety following the consummation of the First Merger. Immediately following the First Merger, Newco will merge with and into Merger Sub II. As a result of the Second Merger, the separate corporate existence of Newco will terminate and Merger Sub II will continue as the surviving company and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NetScout and will succeed to and assume all the rights, powers and privileges and be subject to all of the obligations of Newco in accordance with the DLLCA.

The Merger Agreement provides that, at the effective time of the First Merger, each issued and outstanding Newco common unit (except Newco common units held by Danaher, NetScout, Merger Sub or Newco) will be automatically converted into a number of shares of NetScout common stock equal to (x) 62.5 million shares of NetScout common stock plus the product of (A) 1.46 multiplied by (B) the number of shares of NetScout common stock issued in any acquisition by NetScout prior to the effective time of the First Merger divided by (y) the aggregate number of Newco common units issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the First Merger. Prior to the consummation of the Distribution, Newco will authorize the issuance of a number of Newco common units such that the total number of Newco common units outstanding immediately prior to the First Merger will be that number that results in the exchange ratio in the First Merger equaling one and, as a result, each Newco common unit (except Newco common units held by Danaher, Newco, NetScout or Merger Sub) will be converted into one share of NetScout common stock in the First Merger. The calculation of the merger consideration as set forth in the Merger Agreement is expected to result, prior to the elimination of fractional shares, in Newco’s members immediately prior to the First Merger and Newco Employees collectively holding approximately 59.5% of the outstanding equity interests of NetScout on a fully-diluted basis upon completion of the Transactions and NetScout’s equityholders immediately prior to the First Merger collectively holding approximately 40.5% of such equity interests on a fully-diluted basis.

No fractional shares of NetScout common stock will be issued pursuant to the First Merger. Any holder of Newco common units who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fraction of a share of NetScout common stock (after aggregating all fractional shares issuable to such holder) shall, in lieu of such fraction of a share, be paid in cash the dollar amount (rounded to the nearest whole cent), after deducting any required withholding taxes, on a pro rata basis, without interest, determined by multiplying such fraction by the closing price of a share of NetScout common stock on NASDAQ on the last business day prior to the closing of the First Merger.

Risk Factors

In deciding how to vote your shares, you should carefully consider the matters described in the section “Risk Factors,” as well as other information included in this document and the other documents to which you have been referred.

Board of Directors and Management of NetScout Following the Transactions

Directors of NetScout serving on its board of directors immediately before the effective time of the First Merger are expected to continue to serve as directors of NetScout immediately following the closing of the Mergers. In addition, as of immediately following the effective time of the First Merger, NetScout will increase the size of its board of directors by one member, and one individual selected by Danaher (which individual is currently anticipated by NetScout and Danaher to be James A. Lico, Danaher’s Executive Vice President) will be appointed to fill the vacancy and will, subject to the fiduciary duties of NetScout’s board of directors, be nominated for re-election at the expiration of such director’s initial term. However, if Danaher’s designated director: (i) is unwilling or unable to serve at the effective time of the First Merger; (ii) is unwilling or unable to serve when such new term starts; or (iii) is not nominated to serve such new term, then Danaher will designate a replacement, acceptable to NetScout in its sole discretion, for such director before the effective time of the First Merger or the start of such new term, as applicable.

It is expected that NetScout’s current management team will remain intact for the combined business, but may be augmented with new management team members from Danaher. The executive officers of NetScout immediately prior to the closing of the Mergers are expected to remain the executive officers of NetScout immediately following the closing of the Mergers. The Merger Agreement provides that NetScout and Newco will take all necessary action to appoint certain specified individuals to management and/or executive officer positions at NetScout or Newco as of the effective time of the Mergers.

Interests of Certain Persons in the Transactions

Based on publicly-available filings, as of March 9, 2015, Danaher’s directors and executive officers owned approximately 13% of the outstanding shares of Danaher’s common stock and, as of May 1, 2015, NetScout’s directors and executive officers owned approximately 6.5% of the outstanding shares of NetScout common stock. None of NetScout’s or Newco’s executive officers will receive any severance or other compensation as a result of the Transactions. The directors and officers of Danaher, Newco and NetScout will receive no extra or special benefit that is not shared on a pro rata basis by all other Newco common unit holders and NetScout stockholders in connection with the Transactions. As with all holders of shares of Danaher common stock, if a director or officer of Danaher, Newco or NetScout owns shares of Danaher common stock, directly or indirectly, such person may participate in the exchange offer on the same terms as other holders of shares of Danaher common stock. Based on publicly-available filings, as of May 1, 2015, Danaher owned approximately 2.9% of the outstanding shares of NetScout common stock (not including any shares Danaher may be deemed to beneficially own pursuant to the Voting Agreement).

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Steven M. Rales, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Danaher, and Mitchell P. Rales, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Danaher, delivered separate letters to NetScout, in which they each agreed not to exchange more than the number of shares of

Danaher common stock in an exchange offer for Newco common units that would result (after taking into consideration any Newco common units distributed in a pro-rata spin off to Danaher stockholders in the event the exchange offer is not fully subscribed) in his receiving more than 5% of the issued and outstanding shares of NetScout common stock after giving effect to the closing under the Merger Agreement.

NetScout’s Stockholders Vote

NetScout cannot complete the Transactions unless the proposal relating to the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger is approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of NetScout common stock represented and voting at the special meeting, either in person or by proxy (assuming a quorum is present). Anil K. Singhal, NetScout’s Chief Executive Officer, has agreed with Danaher to vote the shares of NetScout common stock that he owns, representing approximately 5.5% of the outstanding shares of NetScout common stock as of May 1, 2015, in favor of the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock. In addition, Danaher intends to vote the shares of NetScout common stock that Danaher owns, representing approximately 2.9% of the outstanding shares of NetScout common stock as of May 1, 2015, in favor of the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger. No vote of Danaher stockholders is required or being sought in connection with the Transactions.

Accounting Treatment and Considerations

ASC 805, Business Combinations, requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. In applying the acquisition method, it is necessary to identify both the accounting acquiree and the accounting acquiror. In a business combination effected through an exchange of equity interests, such as the Mergers, the entity that issues the interests (NetScout in this case) is generally the acquiring entity. In identifying the acquiring entity in a combination effected through an exchange of equity interests, however, all pertinent facts and circumstances must be considered, including the following:

•

The relative voting interests of significant shareholders and the ability of any of those shareholders to exercise control over the consolidated entity after the Transactions. In this case, it was determined that the shareholder bases of both entities are dispersed such that no single shareholder or group of related shareholders would control the entity after the Transactions.

•

The composition of the governing body of NetScout after the Transactions. In this case, the board of directors of NetScout immediately following the Mergers is expected to consist of the members of the board of directors of NetScout immediately prior to the consummation of the Mergers. In addition, as of the consummation of the Mergers, NetScout will increase the size of its board of directors by one member, and one individual selected by Danaher (which individual is currently anticipated by NetScout and Danaher to be James A. Lico, Danaher’s Executive Vice President) will be appointed to fill the vacancy and will, subject to the fiduciary duties of NetScout’s board of directors, be nominated for re-election at the expiration of such director’s initial term.

•

The composition of the senior management of NetScout after the Transactions. In this case, it is expected that NetScout’s current management team will remain intact for the combined business, but may be augmented with new management team members from Danaher. The executive officers of NetScout immediately prior to the closing of the Mergers are expected to remain the executive officers of NetScout immediately following the closing of the Mergers.

NetScout’s management has determined that NetScout will be the accounting acquiror in the Mergers based on the facts and circumstances outlined above and the detailed analysis of the relevant GAAP guidance. Consequently, NetScout will apply acquisition accounting to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Newco upon consummation of the Mergers. Upon consummation of the Mergers, the historical financial statements will reflect only the operations and financial condition of NetScout.

Regulatory Approvals

Under the HSR Act and the rules promulgated under the HSR Act by the Federal Trade Commission, the parties must file notification and report forms with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and observe specified waiting period requirements before consummating the Mergers. NetScout and Danaher each filed the requisite notification and report forms with the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division on October 24, 2014. NetScout withdrew its filing on November 24, 2014 and refiled on November 26, 2014.

On December 24, 2014, NetScout received a request for additional information (“second request”) from the U.S. Department of Justice. The effect of the second request was to extend the waiting period imposed by the HSR Act until 30 days after both NetScout and Danaher substantially complied with the request, unless that period was extended voluntarily by the parties or terminated sooner by the U.S. Department of Justice. On April 22, 2015, the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice gave Danaher and NetScout written notice that it had closed its investigation into the Transactions, which effectively terminated the waiting period under the HSR Act.

SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA

The following summary combined financial data of the Communications Business and summary consolidated financial data of NetScout are being provided to help you in your analysis of the financial aspects of the Transactions. You should read this information in conjunction with the financial information included elsewhere and incorporated by reference into this document. See “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the Communications Business,” “Information on the Communications Business,” “Information on NetScout,” and “Selected Financial Statement Data.”

Summary Historical Combined Financial Data of the Communications Business

Newco is a newly-formed holding company organized for the purpose of holding the Communications Business and consummating the Transactions with NetScout. The following data, insofar as it relates to each of the years 2012 through 2014, has been derived from audited annual financial statements, including the combined balance sheets at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and the related combined statements of earnings for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 and notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein. The data as of December 31, 2012 and for the year ended December 31, 2011 has been derived from audited combined financial statements not included or incorporated by reference in this document. The data as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and for the year ended December 31, 2010 has been derived from unaudited combined financial information not included or incorporated by reference into this document. This information is only a summary and you should read the table below in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the Communications Business” and the financial statements of the Communications Business and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this document ($ in thousands).


	As of and for the Year Ended December 31
	2014		2013		2012		2011		2010
Sales
Product	$	535,281	$	623,632	$	594,770	$	483,782	$	367,141
Service		224,942		211,259		190,968		185,497		121,204

Total sales	$	760,223	$	834,891	$	785,738	$	669,279	$	488,345
Earnings before income taxes		62,335		116,598		157,881		106,722		43,707

Net earnings		42,552		83,806		103,798		74,371		28,028
Total assets	$	1,238,829	$	1,235,903	$	1,185,543	$	998,760	$	1,047,998

Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data of NetScout

The following summary historical consolidated financial data of NetScout for the years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, and as of such dates, has been derived from NetScout’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. The following summary historical consolidated financial data as of and for the nine-month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 has been derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements of NetScout and is not necessarily indicative of the results or financial condition to be expected for the remainder of the year or for any future period. NetScout’s management believes that the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the results and the financial condition as of and for the interim periods presented to be fairly stated. This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of NetScout and the notes thereto and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section contained in NetScout’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2014 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2014, each of which is incorporated by reference into this document. See “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”


	As of and for the Nine Months Ended December 31,						As of and for the Year Ended March 31,
	2014			2013			2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Results of Operations:
Revenue:
Product	$	198,765		$	163,895		$	234,268		$	198,749		$	168,141
Service		135,519			120,435			162,379			151,801			140,538

Total revenue		334,284			284,330			396,647			350,550			308,679

Cost of revenue:
Product		45,015			36,117			51,219			45,752			39,271
Service		26,158			24,111			33,294			28,256			26,401

Total cost of revenue		71,173			60,228			84,513			74,008			65,672

Gross profit		263,111			224,102			312,134			276,542			243,007

Operating expenses:
Research and development		56,872			50,951			70,454			61,546			49,478
Sales and marketing		104,304			96,184			129,611			116,807			109,624
General and administrative		33,211			22,367			30,623			29,718			27,488
Amortization of acquired intangible assets		2,539			2,571			3,432			2,877			2,131
Restructuring charges		—			—			—			1,065			603

Total operating expenses		196,926			172,073			234,120			212,013			189,324

Income from operations		66,185			52,029			78,014			64,529			53,683
Interest and other expense, net		(1,186	)		(88	)		(158	)		(793	)		(2,765	)

Income before income tax expense		64,999			51,941			77,856			63,736			50,918
Income tax expense		24,661			19,511			28,750			23,127			18,490

Net income	$	40,338		$	32,430		$	49,106		$	40,609		$	32,428

Basic net income per share	$	0.98		$	0.78		$	1.19		$	0.97		$	0.77
Diluted net income per share	$	0.97		$	0.77		$	1.17		$	0.96		$	0.76

Financial Highlights:
Cash, cash equivalents and short and long-term marketable securities	$	240,726		$	182,213		$	218,794		$	154,091		$	213,516
Total assets	$	638,928		$	577,877		$	607,763		$	552,176		$	567,757
Debt	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	62,000
Total stockholders’ equity	$	432,118		$	395,598		$	409,161		$	371,903		$	342,369

Cash Flow Data:
Cash from operating activities	$	57,322		$	60,767		$	110,946		$	95,412		$	68,307
Purchases of fixed assets	$	(8,630	)	$	(8,709	)	$	(13,066	)	$	(11,671	)	$	(11,088	)
Purchases of intangible assets	$	(131	)	$	(713	)	$	(1,086	)	$	(277	)	$	(200	)
Non-GAAP free cash flow	$	48,561		$	51,345		$	96,794		$	83,464		$	57,019


	As of and for the Nine Months Ended December 31,				As of and for the Year Ended March 31,
	2014		2013		2014		2013		2012
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Other Selected Data:
Weighted average common shares outstanding–basic		41,128		41,417		41,366		41,665		42,035
Weighted average common shares outstanding–diluted		41,679		41,969		41,955		42,322		42,750
Non-GAAP revenue(1)	$	334,302	$	284,749	$	397,205	$	351,765	$	308,991
Non GAAP net income(1)	$	56,445	$	43,992	$	64,218	$	56,014	$	46,970
Non-GAAP net income per share(1)	$	1.35	$	1.05	$	1.53	$	1.32	$	1.10

(1)	For the reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP revenue, GAAP to non-GAAP net income, and GAAP to non-GAAP net income per share, see “Selected Financial Statement Data—Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of NetScout.”

Summary Unaudited Combined Pro Forma Financial Data of NetScout and the Communications Business

The following summary unaudited pro forma combined financial information of NetScout and the Communications Business is being presented for illustrative purposes only, and this information should not be relied upon for purposes of making any investment or other decisions. The following summary unaudited pro forma combined financial data assumes that the Communications Business had been owned by NetScout for all periods, and at the date presented. NetScout and the Communications Business may have performed differently had they actually been combined for all periods or on the date presented. You should also not rely on the following summary unaudited pro forma combined financial data as being indicative of the results or financial condition that would have been achieved had NetScout and the Communications Business been combined other than during the periods or on the date presented or of the actual future results or financial condition of NetScout to be achieved following the Transactions.


	As of and for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2014		As of and for the Year Ended March 31, 2014
	(In thousands, except per share data)

Results of Operations:

Revenue:
Product	$	560,687	$	842,169
Service		295,046		335,931

Total revenue		855,733		1,178,100


Cost of revenue
Product		199,541		282,677
Service		65,244		81,806

Total cost of revenue		264,785		364,483

Gross profit		590,948		813,617


	As of and for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2014			As of and for the Year Ended March 31, 2014
	(In thousands, except per share data)

Operating expenses:
Research and development		176,072			220,149
Sales and marketing		261,460			308,033
General and administrative		89,800			133,113
Amortization of acquired intangible assets		55,258			46,840
Impairment of intangible assets		—			31,063

Total operating expenses		582,590			739,198


Income from operations		8,358			74,419
Total other income (expense)		(1,186	)		(158	)


Income before income tax expense		7,172			74,261
Income tax expense		1,638			15,869

Net income	$	5,534		$	58,392


Per share information:
Basic net income per share:	$	0.05		$	0.56
Diluted net income per share:	$	0.05		$	0.56
Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing
Net income per share - Basic		103,628			103,866
Net income per share - Diluted		104,211			104,497


	December 31, 2014
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Financial Highlights:
Cash and cash equivalents and short and long-term marketable securities	$	248,138
Total Assets	$	4,015,882
Debt	$	—
Total stockholders’ equity	$	3,114,669

Summary Comparative Historical and Pro Forma Per Share Data

The following table sets forth certain historical and pro forma per share data for NetScout. The NetScout historical data has been derived from and should be read together with NetScout’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto contained in NetScout’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, and NetScout’s unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto contained in NetScout’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2014, each of which are incorporated by reference into this document. The pro forma data has been derived from the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements of NetScout and the Communications Business included elsewhere in this document. See “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

This summary comparative historical and pro forma per share data is being presented for illustrative purposes only. NetScout and the Communications Business may have performed differently had the Transactions occurred prior to the periods or at the date presented. You should not rely on the pro forma per share data presented as being indicative of the results that would have been achieved had NetScout and the Communications

Business been combined during the periods or at the date presented or of the actual future results or financial condition of NetScout or the Communications Business to be achieved following the Transactions.


	As of and for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2014				As of and for the Year Ended March 31, 2014
(shares in thousands)	Historical		Pro Forma		Historical		Pro Forma
Basic earnings per share	$	0.98	$	0.05	$	1.19	$	0.56
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.97	$	0.05	$	1.17	$	0.56
Weighted average common shares outstanding—Basic		41,128		103,628		41,366		103,866
Weighted average common shares outstanding—Diluted		41,679		104,211		41,955		104,497
Book value per share of common stock	$	10.48	$	30.03	$	9.94		Not available

Historical Common Stock Market Price Data

Historical market price data for Newco has not been presented because the Communications Business is currently operated by Danaher and there is no established trading market in Newco common units. Newco common units do not currently trade separately from Danaher common stock.

Shares of NetScout common stock currently trade on NASDAQ under the symbol “NTCT.” On October 10, 2014, the last trading day before the announcement of the Transactions, the last sale price of NetScout’s common stock reported by NASDAQ was $41.91. On May 1, 2015, the last sale price of NetScout common stock reported by NASDAQ was $ 43.05.

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated, the high and low sale prices of NetScout common stock on NASDAQ. The quotations are as reported in published financial sources.


	NetScout Common Stock
	High		Low
Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2016
First Quarter (through May 1, 2015)	$	45.53	$	40.76
Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2015
First Quarter	$	44.54	$	33.30
Second Quarter	$	48.13	$	41.15
Third Quarter	$	46.17	$	31.59
Fourth Quarter	$	44.76	$	33.53
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014
First Quarter	$	24.92	$	21.22
Second Quarter	$	27.55	$	23.22
Third Quarter	$	30.76	$	24.04
Fourth Quarter	$	39.10	$	28.64

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the following risks, together with the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this document and the annexes hereto. Some of the risks described below relate principally to the business and the industry in which NetScout, including the Communications Business, will operate after the Transactions, while others relate principally to the Transactions. The remaining risks relate principally to the securities markets generally and ownership of shares of NetScout common stock. For a discussion of additional uncertainties associated with forward-looking statements in this document, please see the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements.” In addition, you should consider the risks associated with NetScout’s business that appear in NetScout’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2014 and NetScout’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended June 30, 2014, September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014, which are incorporated by reference into this document.

Risks Related to the Transactions

The risk to NetScout stockholders that the calculation of the merger consideration will not be adjusted if the value of the business or assets of the Communications Business declines or if the value of NetScout increases before the Mergers are completed.

The calculation of the number of shares of NetScout common stock to be distributed in the Mergers will not be adjusted if the value of the business or assets of the Communications Business declines prior to the consummation of the Mergers or the value of NetScout increases prior to the Mergers. NetScout will not be required to consummate the Mergers if there has been any Material Adverse Effect on the Communications Business. However, NetScout will not be permitted to terminate the Merger Agreement or resolicit the vote of NetScout stockholders because of any changes in the market prices of NetScout’s common stock or any changes in the value of the Communications Business that do not constitute a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Communications Business.

NetScout’s estimates and judgments related to the acquisition accounting models used to record the purchase price allocation may be inaccurate.

Management will make significant accounting judgments and estimates for the application of acquisition accounting under GAAP and the underlying valuation models. NetScout’s business, operating results and financial condition could be materially and adversely impacted in future periods if NetScout’s accounting judgments and estimates related to these models prove to be inaccurate.

NetScout may be required to recognize impairment charges for goodwill and other intangible assets.

The proposed transaction will add approximately $3.0 billion of goodwill and other intangible assets to NetScout’s consolidated balance sheet. In accordance with GAAP, management periodically assesses these assets to determine if they are impaired. Significant negative industry or economic trends, disruptions to NetScout’s business, inability to effectively integrate acquired businesses, unexpected significant changes or planned changes in use of the assets, divestitures and market capitalization declines may impair goodwill and other intangible assets. Any charges relating to such impairments would adversely affect results of operations in the periods recognized.

NetScout and Danaher may be unable to satisfy the conditions or obtain the approvals required to complete the Mergers.

The consummation of the Mergers is subject to numerous conditions, as described in this document, including consummation of certain transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Distribution

Agreement (such as the Separation) and the receipt of NetScout stockholder approval for the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger. Neither Danaher nor NetScout can make any assurances that the Mergers and related transactions will be consummated on the terms or timeline currently contemplated, or at all. Each of Danaher and NetScout has and will continue to expend time and resources and incur expenses related to the proposed Transactions.

If completed, the Mergers may not be successful or achieve their anticipated benefits.

If the Mergers are completed NetScout may not be able to successfully realize anticipated growth opportunities or integrate NetScout’s business and operations with the Communications Business’ business and operations. After the Mergers, NetScout will have significantly more revenue, expenses, assets and employees than NetScout did prior to the Mergers. In the Separation, NetScout will also be assuming certain liabilities of the Communications Business and taking on other obligations (including collective bargaining agreements and certain non-U.S. pension obligations with respect to transferred employees). NetScout may not successfully or cost-effectively integrate the Communications Business’ business and operations into NetScout’s existing business and operations. Even if the combined company is able to integrate the combined businesses and operations successfully, this integration may not result in the realization of the full benefits of the growth and other opportunities that NetScout currently expects from the Mergers within the anticipated time frame, or at all.

NetScout is required to abide by potentially significant restrictions which could limit NetScout’s ability to undertake certain corporate actions (such as the issuance of NetScout common stock or the undertaking of a merger or consolidation) that otherwise could be advantageous.

To preserve the tax-free treatment to Danaher and/or its stockholders of the Distribution and certain related transactions, under the Tax Matters Agreement, NetScout is restricted from taking any action that prevents such transactions from being tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes. These restrictions may limit NetScout’s ability to pursue certain strategic transactions or engage in other transactions, including using NetScout common stock to make acquisitions and in connection with equity capital market transactions that might increase the value of NetScout’s business. See “Other Agreements—Tax Matters Agreement” for a detailed description of these restrictions.

The Distribution could result in significant tax liability, and NetScout may be obligated to indemnify Danaher for any such tax liability imposed on Danaher.

Danaher will receive the Tax Opinion from Skadden to the effect that the Distribution offer will qualify as a tax-free transaction under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code and that the Mergers will qualify as a tax-free transaction under Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code. Assuming that the Distribution and the Mergers so qualify, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, no gain or loss will be recognized by a holder of Danaher common stock upon the receipt of Newco common units in the Distribution or upon the exchange of Newco common units for NetScout common stock pursuant to the First Merger other than with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares, and Danaher will not recognize gain or loss with respect to the transfer of Newco units pursuant to the Distribution. Danaher also intends to seek a ruling from the IRS regarding certain issues relevant to the qualification of the Distribution and certain other aspects of the Separation for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Although the IRS ruling, if received, will generally be binding on the IRS, the continuing validity of such ruling will be subject to the accuracy of factual representations and assumptions made in the ruling request. Also, as part of the IRS’s general policy with respect to rulings on spin-off and split-off transactions (including the Distribution), the IRS will not rule on the overall qualification of the transaction for tax-free treatment, but instead only on certain significant issues related thereto. As a result of this IRS policy, Danaher will obtain the opinion of counsel described above. The opinion will be based upon various factual representations and assumptions, as well as certain undertakings made by Danaher and Newco. If any of those factual representations or assumptions are untrue or incomplete in any material respect, any undertaking is not complied with, or the facts upon which the opinion will be based are materially different from the facts at the time of the Distribution,

the Distribution may not qualify for tax-free treatment. Opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS. As a result, the conclusions expressed in the opinion of counsel could be challenged by the IRS, and if the IRS prevails in such challenge, the tax consequences to Danaher and its stockholders could be materially unfavorable.

If the Distribution were determined not to qualify for non-recognition of gain and loss under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, Danaher would generally recognize gain with respect to the transfer of Newco common units in the Distribution.

The Distribution and certain aspects of the Separation could be taxable to Danaher if Newco, its unit holders, NetScout or NetScout’s stockholders were to engage in a Disqualifying Action (as defined in the Tax Matters Agreement). In such cases, under the Tax Matters Agreement, Newco and NetScout will be required to indemnify Danaher against any taxes resulting from the Distribution or certain aspects of the Separation that arise as a result of a Disqualifying Action. If Danaher were to recognize gain on the Distribution or certain aspects of the Separation for reasons not related to a Disqualifying Action by Newco or NetScout, Danaher would not be entitled to be indemnified under the Tax Matters Agreement and the resulting tax to Danaher could have a material adverse effect on Danaher. If Newco or NetScout were required to indemnify Danaher as a result of the Distribution or certain aspects of the Separation being taxable, this indemnification obligation would likely be substantial and could have a material adverse effect on NetScout, including with respect to its financial condition and results of operations.

Upon completion of the Transactions, NetScout will incur significant expenses in connection with the integration of the Communications Business.

Upon completion of the Transactions, NetScout expects to incur significant expenses in connection with the integration of the Communications Business, including integrating products and technology, personnel, information technology systems, accounting systems, suppliers, and channel partners of each business and implementing consistent standards, policies, and procedures, and may possibly be subject to material write downs in assets and charges to earnings, which may include severance pay and other costs.

Failure to consummate the Transactions could adversely impact the market price of NetScout’s common stock as well as NetScout’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

If the Transactions are not completed for any reason, the price of NetScout’s common stock may decline. In addition, NetScout may be subject to additional risks, including:

•

depending on the reasons for and the timing of the termination of the Merger Agreement, the requirement in the Merger Agreement that NetScout pay Danaher a termination fee of $55 million or reimburse Danaher for certain out-of-pocket costs relating to the Transactions; and

•

substantial costs related to the Transactions, such as legal, accounting, regulatory filing, financial advisory and financial printing fees, which must be paid regardless of whether the Transactions are completed.

The Merger Agreement contains provisions that may discourage other companies from trying to acquire NetScout. In addition, NetScout will have more shares of its common stock outstanding after the Transactions, which may discourage other companies from trying to acquire NetScout.

The Merger Agreement contains provisions that may discourage a third-party from submitting a business combination proposal to NetScout prior to the closing of the Transactions that might result in greater value to NetScout stockholders than the Transactions. For example, the Merger Agreement generally prohibits NetScout from soliciting any takeover proposal. In addition, if the Merger Agreement is terminated by NetScout or Danaher in circumstances that obligate NetScout to pay a termination fee or to reimburse transaction expenses to Danaher, NetScout’s liquidity or financial condition may be materially adversely affected as a result of such payment, and the requirement to make such a payment might deter third parties from proposing alternative

business combination proposals. In addition, the Merger Agreement requires that NetScout seek stockholder approval for the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the Merger, even if the NetScout board of directors changes its recommendation regarding the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the Merger.

NetScout expects to issue 62.5 million shares of its common stock as part of the Transactions, assuming no adjustments pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Because NetScout will be a significantly larger company and have significantly more shares of its common stock outstanding after the Transactions, an acquisition of NetScout may become more expensive. As a result, some companies may not seek to acquire NetScout, and the reduction in potential parties that may seek to acquire NetScout could negatively impact the prices at which NetScout’s common stock trades.

Risks Related to the Combined Company’s Business Following the Transactions.

NetScout will assume certain non-U.S. pension benefit obligations associated with the Communications Business. Future funding obligations related to these liabilities could restrict cash available for NetScout’s operations, capital expenditures or other requirements, or require NetScout to borrow additional funds.

In the Transactions, NetScout will assume certain funded and unfunded non-U.S. pension obligations related to non-U.S. employees of the Communications Business who become employees of Newco to the extent the assumption is required by applicable law. In connection therewith, Danaher will transfer to NetScout all assets set aside by Danaher to fund such non-U.S. pension obligations related to the Communications Business. If the non-U.S. pension liabilities transferred by Danaher exceed the assets transferred by Danaher, Danaher is obligated to transfer an amount of cash to NetScout equal to the difference between the non-U.S. pension liabilities transferred and the assets transferred. The transfers of assets and non-U.S. pension liabilities will be governed by applicable law, provided that if the mechanism for the transfers is not mandated by applicable law, the assets and liabilities will be transferred on a projected benefit obligation basis in accordance with GAAP.

Funding obligations with respect to non-U.S. pension plans change due to, among other things, the actual investment return on plan assets. Continued volatility in the capital markets may have a further negative impact on the funded status of the non-U.S. pension plans, which may in turn increase attendant funding obligations. Changing economic conditions, poor pension investment returns or other factors may require NetScout to make substantial cash contributions to the pension plans in the future, preventing the use of increased cash contributions for other purposes and adversely affecting NetScout’s liquidity.

While NetScout intends to comply with any future funding obligations for its non-U.S. pension benefit plans through the use of cash from operations, there can be no assurance that NetScout will generate enough cash to do so and also meet its other required or intended cash uses. NetScout’s inability to fund these obligations through cash from operations could require it to seek funding from other sources, including through additional borrowings, which could materially increase NetScout’s outstanding debt or debt service requirements.

Current NetScout stockholders’ ownership interest in NetScout will be substantially diluted in the Mergers.

Following the consummation of the Mergers, NetScout’s stockholders will, in the aggregate, own a significantly smaller percentage of NetScout than they will own of NetScout immediately prior to the Mergers. It is expected that upon completion of the Transactions, pre-First Merger holders of Newco common units and Newco Employees will hold approximately 59.5% of NetScout’s common stock on a fully-diluted basis and NetScout’s existing equityholders will hold approximately 40.5% of NetScout’s common stock on a fully-diluted basis. NetScout’s current stockholders, as a group, will be able to exercise less influence over the management and policies of NetScout following the Mergers than they will exercise over the management and policies of NetScout immediately prior to the Mergers.

Sales of NetScout common stock after the Transactions may negatively affect the market price of NetScout common stock.

The shares of NetScout common stock to be issued in the Transactions to holders of Newco common units will generally be eligible for immediate resale. The market price of NetScout common stock could decline as a result of sales of a large number of shares of NetScout common stock in the market after the consummation of the Transactions or even the perception that these sales could occur.

It is expected that upon completion of the Transactions, pre-First Merger holders of Newco common units and Newco Employees will hold approximately 59.5% of NetScout’s common stock on a fully-diluted basis and NetScout’s existing equityholders will hold approximately 40.5% of NetScout’s common stock on a fully-diluted basis, subject to potential adjustment under limited circumstances as described in the section of this document entitled “The Merger Agreement—Merger Consideration.” Currently, Danaher stockholders may include index funds that have performance tied to certain stock indices and institutional investors subject to various investing guidelines. Because NetScout may not be included in these indices following the consummation of the Transactions or may not meet the investing guidelines of some of these institutional investors, these index funds and institutional investors may decide to or may be required to sell the NetScout common stock that they receive in the Transactions. In addition, the investment fiduciaries of Danaher’s defined contribution and defined benefit plans may decide to sell any NetScout common stock that the trusts for these plans receive in the Transactions, or may decide not to participate in the exchange offer, if applicable, in response to their fiduciary obligations under applicable law. These sales, or the possibility that these sales may occur, may also make it more difficult for NetScout to obtain additional capital by selling equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that it deems appropriate.

The historical financial information of the Communications Business may not be representative of its results or financial condition if it had been operated independently of Danaher and, as a result, may not be a reliable indicator of its future results.

The Communications Business is currently operated by Danaher. Consequently, the financial information of the Communications Business included in this document has been derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of the Communications Business and reflects all direct costs as well as assumptions and allocations made by management of Danaher. The financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Communications Business presented may be different from those that would have resulted had the Communications Business been operated independently of Danaher during the applicable periods or at the applicable dates. For example, in preparing the financial statements of the Communications Business, Danaher made allocations of costs and Danaher corporate expenses deemed to be attributable to the Communications Business. However, these costs and expenses reflect the costs and expenses attributable to the Communications Business operated as part of a larger organization and do not necessarily reflect costs and expenses that would be incurred by the Communications Business had it been operated independently. As a result, the historical financial information of the Communications Business may not be a reliable indicator of future results.

NetScout’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected following the Transactions if NetScout cannot negotiate terms that are as favorable as those Danaher has received when NetScout replaces contracts after the closing of the Transactions.

Prior to consummation of the Transactions, certain functions (such as purchasing, information systems, sales, logistics and distribution) for the Communications Business are generally being performed under centralized systems that will not be transferred to NetScout and, in some cases, under contracts that are also used for Danaher’s other businesses and which are not intended to be assigned to NetScout with the Communications Business. In addition, some other contracts that Danaher or its subsidiaries are a party to on behalf of the Communications Business require consents of third parties to assign them to Newco. While Danaher, under the Transition Services Agreement, will agree to provide NetScout with certain services, there can be no assurance that NetScout will be able to obtain those consents or negotiate terms that are as favorable as those Danaher

received when and if NetScout replaces these services with its own agreements for similar services. Although NetScout believes that it will be able to obtain any such consents or enter into new agreements for similar services, it is possible that the failure to obtain consents for or replace a significant number of these agreements for any of these services or to replace them on terms that as are as favorable as those Danaher has received could have a material adverse impact on NetScout’s business, financial condition and results of operations following the Transactions.

NetScout’s failure to successfully integrate the Communications Business into its business within its expected timetable could adversely affect the combined company’s future results and the market price of NetScout’s common stock following the completion of the Transactions.

The success of the Transactions will depend, in large part, on NetScout’s ability, as a combined company following the completion of the Transactions, to realize the anticipated benefits and on the sales and profitability of the combined company. To realize these anticipated benefits, the combined company must successfully integrate its respective businesses. This integration will be complex and time-consuming. The failure to successfully integrate and manage the challenges presented by the integration process may result in NetScout’s failure to achieve some or all of the anticipated benefits of the Transactions.

Potential difficulties that may be encountered in the integration process include the following:

•

lost sales and customers as a result of customers of NetScout or the Communications Business deciding not to do business with the combined company;

•

complexities associated with managing the larger, more complex, combined business;

•

integrating personnel of NetScout and the Communications Business while maintaining focus on providing consistent, high-quality products and service to customers;

•

the loss of key employees; and

•

potential unknown liabilities and unforeseen expenses, delays or regulatory conditions associated with the Transactions.

If any of these events were to occur, NetScout’s ability to maintain relationships with customers, channel partners, suppliers and employees or NetScout’s ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Transactions could be adversely affected, or could reduce NetScout’s sales or earnings or otherwise adversely affect NetScout’s business and financial results after the Transactions and, as a result, adversely affect the market price of NetScout’s common stock.

The success of the combined company will also depend on relationships with third parties and pre-existing customers and channel partners of NetScout and the Communications Business, which relationships may be affected by customer, channel partner or third-party preferences or public attitudes about the Transactions. Any adverse changes in these relationships could adversely affect the combined company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

The combined company’s success will depend on NetScout’s ability to maintain and renew relationships with pre-existing customers, channel partners, suppliers, and other third parties of both NetScout and the Communications Business and NetScout’s ability to establish new relationships. There can be no assurance that the business of the combined company will be able to maintain and renew pre-existing contracts and other business relationships, or enter into or maintain new contracts and other business relationships, on acceptable terms, if at all. The failure to maintain important business relationships could have a material adverse effect on NetScout’s business, financial condition or results of operations as a combined company.

The growth of the combined company could suffer if the markets into which the combined company sells its products and services experience cyclicality.

The growth of the combined company will depend in part on the growth of the markets which the Communications Business serves. The Communications Business serves certain industries that have historically been cyclical and have experienced periodic downturns that have had a material adverse impact on demand for the products, software and services that the Communications Business offers. Any of these factors could adversely affect the business, financial condition and results of operations of the combined company in any given period.

Defects, quality issues, inadequate disclosure or misuse with respect to the products, software or services of the combined company could adversely affect the business, reputation and financial statements of the combined company.

Defects in, quality issues with respect to or inadequate disclosure of risks relating to the use of the combined company’s products, software and services, or the misuse of the combined company’s products, software and services, could lead to lost profits and other economic damage, property damage, violation of privacy rights, personal injury or other liability resulting in third-party claims, criminal liability, significant costs, damage to its reputation and loss of business. Any of these factors could adversely affect the business, financial condition and results of operations of the combined company.

International economic, political, legal, compliance and business factors could negatively affect the financial statements and growth of the combined company.

The Communications Business derives significant sales from customers outside the U.S. and certain manufacturing operations, suppliers and employees of the Communications Business are located outside the U.S. The Communications Business expects to continue to increase its sales and presence outside the U.S., particularly in the high-growth markets. The Communications Business’ international business (and particularly its business in high-growth markets) is subject to risks that are customarily encountered in non-U.S. operations, any of which could negatively affect the business, financial condition and results of operations of the combined company.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document (including information included or incorporated by reference herein) contains certain statements relating to future events and NetScout’s intentions, beliefs, expectations and predictions for the future, including, but not limited to, statements concerning future business conditions and prospects, growth opportunities and estimates of growth, the outlook for NetScout’s business, the expected benefits of the Transactions, integration plans and expected synergies therefrom and the expected timing of consummation of the Transactions described in this document based upon information currently available. Any such statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Wherever possible, these “forward-looking” statements have been identified by words such as “will,” “may,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “plans,” “targets,” “forecasts,” and similar phrases. These forward-looking statements are based upon current assumptions and expectations of NetScout’s management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause NetScout’s actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements included in this document. These risks and uncertainties include risks relating to:

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NetScout’s ability to obtain requisite stockholder approval to complete the Transactions;

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Danaher being unable to obtain the IRS ruling and other regulatory approvals required to complete the Transactions, or such required approvals delaying the Transactions or resulting in the imposition of conditions that could have a material adverse effect on the combined company or causing the companies to abandon the Transactions;

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other conditions to the closing of the Transactions not being satisfied;

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a material adverse change, event or occurrence affecting NetScout or the Communications Business prior to the closing of the Transactions delaying the Transactions or causing the companies to abandon the Transactions;

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problems arising in successfully integrating the Communications Business and NetScout, which may result in the combined company not operating as effectively and efficiently as expected;

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the possibility that the Transactions may involve other unexpected costs, liabilities or delays;

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the possibility that there may be delays in consummating the Transactions, or the Transactions may not be consummated at all;

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the possibility that the failure to complete the Transactions could adversely affect the market price of NetScout common stock as well as NetScout’s business, financial condition and results of operations;

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the possibility that if completed, the Transactions may not be successful or achieve their anticipated benefits;

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the business of NetScout being negatively impacted as a result of uncertainty surrounding the Transactions;

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disruptions from the Transactions harming relationships with customers, employees or suppliers;

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dependence upon broad-based acceptance of the combined company’s products and services;

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the presence of competitors with greater financial resources than the combined company and their strategic response to the combined company’s products;

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the possibility that conditions of the capital markets during the periods covered by the forward-looking statements may have an adverse effect on NetScout’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows; and

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other risk factors discussed herein and listed from time to time in NetScout’s public filings with the SEC.

In addition, other factors besides those listed here could adversely affect NetScout’s business and results of operations.

Because forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond NetScout’s control or are subject to change, actual results could be materially different and any or all of these forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and can be affected by assumptions NetScout might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors mentioned in this document and in NetScout’s annual and quarterly reports will be important in determining future results. Consequently, NetScout cannot assure you that expectations or forecasts expressed in such forward-looking statements will be achieved. Actual future results may vary materially. Except as required by law, NetScout does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking or other statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

INFORMATION ON THE SPECIAL MEETING

General; Date; Time and Place; Purposes of the Meeting

NetScout is furnishing this proxy statement to its stockholders in connection with the solicitation of proxies by its board of directors for use at a special meeting of stockholders to be held at 10:00 a.m. local time, on June 25, 2015, or at any adjournments or postponements of the special meeting, for the purposes set forth in this document and in the accompanying notice of special meeting. The special meeting will be held at NetScout Systems, Inc., 310 Littleton Road, Westford, Massachusetts. At the special meeting, stockholders will be asked to:

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approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger;

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approve the adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger; and

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transact any and all other business that may properly come before the special meeting or any adjourned or postponed session of the special meeting.

A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached to this document as Annex A. All stockholders of NetScout are urged to read the Merger Agreement carefully and in its entirety.

NetScout does not expect a vote to be taken on any other matters at the special meeting. If any other matters are properly presented at the special meeting for consideration, however, the holders of the proxies, if properly authorized, will have discretion to vote on these matters in accordance with their best judgment.

When this document refers to the “special meeting,” it is also referring to any adjourned or postponed session of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate.

Record Date; Quorum; Voting Information; Required Votes

Holders of record of NetScout common stock at the close of business on May 1, 2015, the record date for the special meeting, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting and any adjourned or postponed session thereof. At the close of business on the record date, 40,807,787 shares of NetScout common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote. Stockholders are entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to the stockholders for each share of NetScout common stock held as of the record date.

Shares entitled to vote at the special meeting may take action on a matter at the special meeting only if a quorum of those shares exists with respect to that matter. The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of NetScout common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the special meeting. If a share is represented for any purpose at the special meeting, it will be deemed present for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists. Abstentions will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. Because neither of the proposals to be voted on at the special meeting are “routine” matters, there will be no broker non-votes at the special meeting.

The issuance of NetScout common stock in the First Merger must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of NetScout common stock represented and voting at the special meeting, either in person or by proxy (assuming a quorum is present). If NetScout’s stockholders fail to approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger upon a vote at the NetScout special meeting, each of Danaher and NetScout will have the right to terminate the Merger Agreement, as described in the section of this document entitled “The Merger Agreement—Termination.”

The adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger must also be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of NetScout common stock represented and voting at the special meeting, either in person or by proxy.

As of May 1, 2015, NetScout’s directors and executive officers held approximately 6.5% of the shares entitled to vote at NetScout’s special meeting of the stockholders. Based on publicly-available filings, as of May 1, 2015, Danaher owned approximately 2.9% of the outstanding shares of NetScout common stock (not including any shares Danaher may be deemed to beneficially own pursuant to the Voting Agreement). As of May 1, 2015, Newco’s directors, executive officers and their affiliates did not hold shares entitled to vote at NetScout’s special meeting of the stockholders. Newco’s stockholders are not required to vote on any of the proposals, and Newco will not hold a special meeting of stockholders in connection with the Transactions.

Under the terms of the Voting Agreement between Anil Singhal and Danaher, Anil Singhal has agreed in writing to vote his shares, and has granted Danaher a proxy to vote his shares, in favor of the Mergers and against any competing or superior proposals or proposals that would hinder or delay the completion of the Mergers. NetScout estimates that Anil Singhal holds approximately 5.5% of the outstanding shares of NetScout common stock as of May 1, 2015. For a more complete description of the Voting Agreement, see “Other Agreements—Voting Agreement.” In addition, Danaher intends to vote the shares of NetScout common stock that Danaher owns, representing approximately 2.9% of the outstanding shares of NetScout common stock (not including any shares Danaher may be deemed to beneficially own pursuant to the Voting Agreement) as of May 1, 2015, in favor of the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger.

Recommendation of Board of Directors

After careful consideration, the board of directors of NetScout unanimously approved the Mergers and the Transaction Documents (including the Merger Agreement) and determined that the Merger Agreement, the Mergers and the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in accordance with the Merger Agreement are advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, NetScout and its stockholders. The NetScout board of directors recommends that the stockholders of NetScout vote “FOR” approval of the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger, and, if necessary or appropriate, “FOR” the adjournment or postponement of the special meeting to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger.

How to Vote

NetScout stockholders can vote in person by completing a ballot at the NetScout special meeting, or NetScout stockholders can vote before the NetScout special meeting by proxy. Even if NetScout stockholders plan to attend the special meeting, NetScout encourages its stockholders to vote their shares as soon as possible by proxy. NetScout stockholders can vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card, or by internet or by telephone as discussed below.

Holder of Record

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To vote in person, a NetScout stockholder should come to the special meeting and we will give it ballot when it arrives.

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To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly by mail in the envelope provided. If a NetScout stockholder returns a signed proxy card to us before the special meeting, we will vote that NetScout stockholder’s shares as directed.

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Beneficial Owner

If a NetScout stockholder returns a signed and dated proxy card or otherwise votes without marking voting selections, its shares will be voted “FOR” approval of the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger and “FOR” the proposal to approve the adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies, and in accordance with the recommendations of the NetScout board of directors on any other matters properly brought before the special meeting for a vote or any adjourned or postponed session of the special meeting.

Solicitation of Proxies

NetScout will bear the entire cost of soliciting proxies from its stockholders. In addition to solicitation of proxies by mail, proxies may be solicited in person, by telephone or other electronic communications, such as emails or postings on NetScout’s website by NetScout’s directors, officers and employees, who will not receive additional compensation for these services. NetScout has retained Innisfree M&A Incorporated to assist in the solicitation of proxies for an initial fee of $25,000 plus reimbursement for various expenses incurred in conjunction with the delivery of its services. Bankers, brokers and other nominees will be requested to forward soliciting material to beneficial owners of stock held of record by them, and NetScout will reimburse those persons for their reasonable expenses in doing so.

Revocation of Proxies

If a holder of record of NetScout common stock has properly completed and submitted its proxy card, the NetScout stockholder can change its vote in any of the following ways:

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by sending a signed notice of revocation to the Secretary of NetScout that is received prior to the special meeting stating that the NetScout stockholder revokes its proxy;

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by properly completing a new proxy card bearing a later date and properly submitting it so that it is received prior to the special meeting;

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prior to the special meeting, in each case if the NetScout stockholder is eligible to do so and following the instructions on the proxy card; or

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by attending the special meeting and voting in person.

Adjournments and Postponements

Although it is not currently expected, the special meeting may be adjourned or postponed, if necessary, for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger. Any adjournment or postponement may be made from time to time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of NetScout common stock represented and voting at the special meeting, either in person or by proxy, without further notice other than by an announcement made at the special meeting. Any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies will allow NetScout stockholders who have already sent in their proxies to revoke them at any time prior to their use at the special meeting as adjourned or postponed.

The adjournment or postponement proposal relates only to an adjournment or postponement of the special meeting occurring for purposes of soliciting additional proxies for the approval of the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger. NetScout’s board of directors retains full authority to adjourn or postpone the special meeting for any other purpose, including the absence of a quorum, or to postpone the special meeting before it is convened, without the consent of any stockholders.

Attending the Special Meeting

All NetScout stockholders, including holders of record and stockholders who hold their shares through banks, brokers or other nominees, are invited to attend the NetScout special meeting. Holders of record can vote in person at the special meeting. Cell phones must be turned off prior to entering the special meeting. Cameras and video, audio or any other electronic recording devices will not be allowed in the meeting room during the special meeting, other than for NetScout purposes.

NetScout does not expect representatives of either PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or Ernst & Young LLP to be present at the special meeting.

Householding

SEC rules allow delivery of a single document to households at which two or more stockholders reside. Accordingly, stockholders sharing an address who have been previously notified by their bank, broker or other nominee or its agent will receive only one copy of this document, unless the stockholder has provided contrary instructions. Individual proxy cards or voting instruction forms (or electronic voting facilities) will, however, continue to be provided for each stockholder account. This procedure, referred to as “householding,” reduces the volume of duplicate information received by stockholders, as well as NetScout’s expenses. Stockholders having

multiple accounts may have received householding notifications from their respective banks, brokers or other nominees and, consequently, such stockholders may receive only one document.

Stockholders who prefer to receive separate copies of the document may request to receive separate copies of the document by notifying NetScout’s Secretary in writing or by telephone at the following address: NetScout Systems, Inc., Attn: Secretary, 310 Littleton Road, Westford, Massachusetts 01886, telephone: (978) 614-4000. NetScout will provide the document promptly upon request. Stockholders currently sharing an address with another stockholder who wish to have only one proxy statement and annual report delivered to the household in the future should also contact NetScout’s Secretary.

Questions and Additional Information

If NetScout stockholders have more questions about the Transactions or how to submit their proxies, or if they need additional copies of this document or the proxy card or voting instructions, please contact:

Innisfree M&A Incorporated

501 Madison Avenue, 20^th floor

New York, New York 10022

Shareholders may call toll free: (888) 750-5834

Banks and Brokers may call collect: (212) 750-5833

NetScout Systems, Inc.

310 Littleton Road

Westford, Massachusetts 01886

Attention: Investor Relations

Telephone: (978) 614-4000

The vote of NetScout stockholders is important. Please promptly sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy card or vote by internet or telephone by following the instructions on the proxy card or voting instruction form, as applicable.

INFORMATION ON THE DISTRIBUTION

In the Transactions, Danaher will distribute 100% of the Newco common units to Danaher stockholders through either an exchange offer followed by, in the event the exchange offer is not fully subscribed, a spin-off distribution or in a spin-off distribution not including an exchange offer. In the case of an exchange offer, Danaher will offer its stockholders the option to exchange all or a portion of their shares of Danaher common stock for Newco common units. In the event the exchange offer is not fully subscribed, Danaher will distribute the remaining Newco common units owned by Danaher on a pro rata basis to Danaher stockholders whose shares of Danaher common stock remain outstanding after consummation of the exchange offer. If the Distribution is structured as a spin-off not including an exchange offer, Danaher will distribute in the spin-off the Newco common units owned by Danaher on a pro rata basis to Danaher stockholders. See “The Transactions.” Newco has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 and Form S-1 to register the Newco common units, which will be distributed to Danaher stockholders pursuant to the Distribution. The Newco common units will be immediately converted into shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger. NetScout has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 to register the shares of its common stock, which will be issued in the First Merger. NetScout and NetScout stockholders are not a party to the Distribution and are not being asked to separately vote on the exchange offer, the spin-off or to otherwise participate in the exchange offer.

Upon consummation of the Distribution, Danaher will irrevocably deliver to an agent selected by Danaher a global certificate representing all of the Newco common units being distributed. Shares of NetScout common stock will be delivered immediately following the Distribution and the effectiveness of the Merger, pursuant to the procedures determined by the agent and Danaher’s transfer agent.

In the Mergers, NetScout expects to issue an aggregate number of shares of NetScout common stock equal to (x) 62.5 million shares of NetScout common stock plus the product of (A) 1.46 multiplied by (B) the number of shares of NetScout common stock issued in any acquisition by NetScout prior to the effective time of the First Merger, divided by (y) the aggregate number of Newco common units issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the First Merger. Based upon the reported closing sale price of $43.05 per share for NetScout common stock on NASDAQ on May 1, 2015, the total value of the consideration to be paid by NetScout in the Transactions would have been approximately $2.7 billion. The value of the consideration to be paid by NetScout in the Mergers will fluctuate with the market price of NetScout common stock until the Mergers are consummated.

The information included in this section regarding Danaher’s exchange offer, if applicable, is being provided to NetScout’s stockholders for informational purposes only and does not purport to be complete. For additional information on Danaher’s exchange offer and the terms and conditions of Danaher’s exchange offer, NetScout stockholders are urged to read Newco’s registration statement on Form S-4 and Form S-1, or NetScout’s registration statement on Form S-4, and all other documents Newco will file with the SEC. This document constitutes only a proxy statement for NetScout stockholders relating to the approval of the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the Mergers and is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase shares of NetScout common stock.

INFORMATION ON NETSCOUT

Overview

NetScout was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts. NetScout is an industry leader for advanced network, application and service assurance solutions, providing high-quality performance analytics and operational intelligence solutions that facilitate the evolution toward new computing paradigms, such as virtualization, mobility and cloud. NetScout designs, develops, manufactures, markets, licenses, sells and supports these products focused on assuring service delivery quality, performance and availability for some of the world’s largest, most demanding and complex internet protocol (“IP”) based service delivery environments. NetScout manufactures and markets these products in integrated hardware and software solutions that are used by commercial enterprises, large governmental agencies and telecommunication service providers worldwide. NetScout has a single operating segment and substantially all of its identifiable assets are located in the United States.

NetScout’s Business After the Transactions

NetScout believes that the Transactions will help support the following key elements of its growth strategy:

Drive technology innovation. NetScout will continue to invest in research and development, and leverage the strong technical and domain expertise across its organization. As a result of the acquisition of the Communications Business, NetScout’s base of research and development professionals will more than quadruple from its current level of over 350 people and the combined company’s engineering teams will be focused on advancing technical innovation across its broad product portfolio. By capitalizing on NetScout’s extensive experience with global enterprise, service provider and government organizations with IP-based networks, NetScout will be well positioned to cross-leverage its technology development across all major platforms and relevant technologies to address the evolving demands of current and prospective customers. NetScout works closely with its largest enterprise and service provider customers to better understand and address their near-term and longer-term requirements. By better understanding the key, time-sensitive needs of NetScout’s global customer base, NetScout will continue to enhance and extend its product line to meet the increasing challenges of managing a diverse range of services over an increasingly global network environment.

Enable pervasive visibility. NetScout intends to continue to expand its intelligent data source family to enable its customers to achieve greater visibility into more places across their end-to-end network environment. NetScout plans to integrate various capabilities, including its Adaptive Session Intelligence software, across the combined company’s product portfolio to enable wider deployment of NetScout’s technology within virtual computing environments, network devices and computing platforms and to support a broader range of network and application performance management, security and business intelligence requirements. This includes fortifying and enhancing NetScout’s capabilities and technologies by supporting new and innovative ways to address the ongoing challenges associated with the increasing volume of data traffic and enable scalable support for 40 Gigabit, 100 Gigabit topologies and increasing global deployments of IPv6. Advancing these capabilities will enable NetScout to cross-sell a wider range of solutions into NetScout’s existing base of customers using solutions from the Communications Business, as well as increase business with the current base of Communications Business customers by cross-selling NetScout solutions.

Continued portfolio enhancements. NetScout plans to continue to enhance its products and solutions to address the management challenges associated with virtualization, cloud computing, service-oriented architectures, VoIP, video, and telepresence technologies. In addition, NetScout will continue to drive its solutions to help IT organizations address the challenges of complex service delivery, datacenter consolidation, branch office consolidation and optimization, increasing mobility and the move to a more process-oriented operating environment. The acquisition will add Tektronix Communications’ high-value troubleshooting capabilities, which targets service providers, with Fluke Networks’ troubleshooting capabilities, which targets small to mid-sized enterprises. These capabilities are expected to complement NetScout’s traditional strengths in monitoring

large, complex IP-based networks and the mission-critical services that run across them. Over the longer term, NetScout anticipates that the post-acquisition product roadmap integration would support migrating key features and functionalities from various product platforms into new, higher value solutions at more attractive price points that will appeal to a broader range of customers globally.

Extension into adjacent markets. By enhancing and expanding NetScout’s product portfolio, NetScout can also enter complementary adjacent markets that will help it further expand its customer relationships and increase its total addressable market. For example, the acquisition of the Arbor Networks business will bring new security offerings that complement NetScout’s core range of solutions by helping customers identify, mitigate and remediate complex technical threats and unauthorized intrusions into their network and IT infrastructures. The Arbor Networks business will accelerate NetScout’s entry into cyber security with market-leading solutions used by leading service providers and enterprises to prevent and mitigate distributed denial of service (“DDoS”) attacks. In addition, the acquisition will bring new solutions for optimizing the radio access networks (“RANs”) of service providers and sophisticated business intelligence analytics that are used by service providers to increase customer satisfaction, reduce churn, and increase profits.

Leverage NetScout’s direct sales force and pursue cross-selling opportunities. As a result of the acquisition, NetScout will have a larger direct sales force with specialized expertise in targeting the enterprise, service provider and government markets. Each of these markets has different technology issues, challenges and sales cycles. To augment NetScout’s direct sales resources, particularly in key international markets, NetScout plans to leverage relationships with a range of value-added resellers and systems integrators that have historically supported the Tektronix Communications, Arbor Networks and acquired portions of the Fluke Networks Enterprise businesses. These firms possess specialized technical capabilities and local market knowledge, and NetScout believes that they will be important partners to support NetScout following the Transactions. Consequently, NetScout will be very well positioned to better meet the needs of these diverse markets. Additionally, NetScout believes that the Transactions will help create a range of attractive opportunities for the direct sales force to cross-sell various products into NetScout’s customer base. For example, NetScout will seek to leverage its strong relationships with its enterprise customers to accelerate adoption of Arbor Networks’ cyber security solutions and bring additional cyber security solutions to the marketplace that can take advantage of Arbor Networks’ established customer relationships; NetScout also will focus on broadening its relationships with its existing service provider customers by driving sales of the Tektronix Communications’ RAN solutions and cross-selling Tektronix Communications’ business intelligence analytics into new departments.

Increase market relevance and awareness. The acquisition will substantially expand NetScout’s customer base around the world. To generate increased demand for NetScout’s products, NetScout will implement marketing campaigns aimed at promoting its thought leadership and driving lead generation for its technology, products and solutions among both enterprise and service provider customers. In addition, NetScout will continue to drive industry initiatives around managing service delivery.

Extend NetScout’s technology partner alliance ecosystem. Supporting a larger, more global customer base as a result of the acquisition will require alliances with complementary solutions providers. NetScout plans to continue to enhance its technology value, product capabilities and customer relevance through the continued integration of NetScout’s products into technology partner products. This includes both interoperability integration efforts, as well as embedding NetScout’s technology into alliance partner products to gain a more pervasive footprint across both enterprise and service provider networks.

Pursue strategic acquisitions. Prior to the Transactions, NetScout completed five acquisitions in recent years that helped broaden NetScout’s capabilities, products and technologies, and better position the Company to meet the needs of its customers and prospects. Following the Transactions, NetScout plans to be opportunistic in pursuing strategic acquisitions in order to achieve key business and technology objectives.

Improve cost structure and drive efficiencies. NetScout believes that the Transactions will create a range of opportunities to further improve NetScout’s operating profitability by pursuing cost synergies. NetScout will seek to leverage its purchasing power and extend its proven manufacturing techniques in ways that can improve product gross margin. In addition, NetScout plans to integrate certain operations that have previously been managed separately across various business and product lines. NetScout also expects to achieve synergies by using common infrastructure platforms, and by eliminating or reducing redundancies associated with pre-existing resources, programs and capabilities.

NetScout’s Liquidity and Capital Resources After the Transactions

Overview

NetScout’s principal use of its liquidity and capital for nine months ended December 31, 2014 was to support its operations, including the payment of routine liabilities, to maintain and improve NetScout’s facilities and systems and to pay variable and incentive compensation to its employees. NetScout’s capital deployment priorities included investments in product development as well as a share repurchase program focusing on the repurchase of incremental shares issued in relation to NetScout’s employee stock compensation programs. For the nine months ended December 31, 2014, cash provided by operating activities was approximately $57 million, capital expenditures were approximately $9 million and free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures and the purchase of intangible assets, was $48 million. Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $26 million, net cash used in financing activities was approximately $27 million primarily because of share repurchases of approximately $32 million. NetScout’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were approximately $241 million as of December 31, 2014.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, cash provided by the operating activities of the Communications Business was approximately $93 million, capital expenditures were approximately $17 million, and free cash flow (as defined above) was approximately $76 million. Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $17 million and net cash used in financing activities was approximately $76 million, including payments to its parent of approximately $73 million. Danaher has historically provided various services to the Communications Business including cash management and other treasury services. As such, the cash and liquidity is maintained at the Danaher corporate level.

Following the consummation of the Transactions, NetScout expects cash from operating activities to be in the range of $200.0 million to $250.0 million during the first year of the combined operations. Due to the low capital intensive nature of the combined business, NetScout expects that capital expenditures will continue to be less than 5 percent of total combined revenue following the consummation of the Transactions. NetScout expects to incur approximately $11 million of investment banking fees. Due to the ongoing nature of the integration planning, there is no estimate of costs associated with achieving any of the projected synergies or the consolidation of any operations and systems as well as professional fees associated with these activities. Additionally, as part of the Merger Agreement, the Communications Business will enter into a Transition Services Agreement with Danaher, under which Danaher will provide the Communications Business specified support services and other assistance for a limited time following the closing of the Transactions. Certain of the services covered under the Transition Services Agreement are costs that are currently included as operating costs in the Communications Business Combined Statements of Earnings, however, there is no guarantee that the Communications Business will not incur higher operating costs than those reflected in those financial statements and NetScout may incur certain costs to replace services at the end of the Transition Services Agreement.

NetScout anticipates that its primary sources of liquidity for working capital and operating activities will be cash provided by operations as well as a financing arrangement which is being reviewed. While NetScout has an existing Revolving Credit Agreement for $250 million that is fully available, NetScout is reviewing alternative financing arrangements including amending the existing facility to cover the requirements of the combined company. NetScout expects these sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund working capital and capital expenditure requirements, including the significant one-time costs relating to the Transactions described above.

For more information on the Communications Business’ and NetScout’s existing sources of liquidity, see the section of this document entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the Communications Business” and the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in NetScout’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2014 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended June 30, 2014, September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014, each filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this document. See “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

Directors and Officers of NetScout Before and After the Transactions

Board of Directors

The Merger Agreement provides that the NetScout board of directors will take all actions necessary such that, effective as of the effective time of the First Merger, one person selected by Danaher and approved by NetScout will be elected to the NetScout board of directors. NetScout and Danaher currently anticipate that such individual will be James A. Lico, age 48, Danaher’s Executive Vice President. In accordance with the Merger Agreement, this individual will also, subject to the fiduciary duties of NetScout’s board of directors, be nominated for re-election to the board of directors of NetScout at NetScout’s 2015 annual meeting of stockholders. Listed below is the biographical information for each person who is currently a member of the board of directors of NetScout.

Anil Singhal, age 61, co-founded NetScout in June 1984 and has served as NetScout’s Chief Executive Officer and as a director on NetScout’s Board since inception. In January 2007, Mr. Singhal was appointed Chairman of the Board, and has been serving as NetScout’s President, CEO and Chairman since that time. In his current role, Mr. Singhal is focused on providing strategic leadership and vision, as well as setting operational priorities for the NetScout’s management team. Mr. Singhal’s vision of “traffic-based instrumentation” has guided NetScout’s product direction and focus for the past three decades, helping to shape the evolution for the industry in the process. Under Mr. Singhal’s leadership, NetScout has grown substantially during the past three decades, completing its initial public offering in 1999 and exceeding $450 million in revenue in fiscal year 2015. He is credited with numerous innovations in the field of network traffic monitoring and analysis that have helped NetScout gain several of industry accolades. During the past decade, Mr. Singhal has also been an instrumental part of a number of strategic acquisitions that have fortified and enhanced NetScout’s technology, customer base and go-to-market capabilities. Mr. Singhal has earned notable recognition for his entrepreneurial success, including the TiE (The Indus Entrepreneur) Boston Lifetime Achievement in 2013, Enterprise Bank’s 2013 George L. Duncan Award of Excellence and Ernst & Young’s New England Entrepreneur of the Year in 1997. Mr. Singhal holds a BSEE from BITS, Pilani, India and an MS in Computer Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Victor A. DeMarines, age 78, has been a NetScout director since June 2004. Mr. DeMarines was the President and Chief Executive Officer of MITRE from 1994 until his retirement in 2000. He continued to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees and as Chairman of the Technology Committee of MITRE until his retirement from the Board in 2010. He continues his relationship as a consultant to MITRE Corporation on its Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and cyber activity initiatives. Since February 2013, he has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Verint Systems Inc., a publicly-held provider of systems to the internet security marketplace. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of Verint Systems since 2002 and is also currently a member of its Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and its Audit Committee.

Robert E. Donahue, age 66, has been a NetScout director since March 2013. He served on the board of directors of Sycamore Networks, Inc., an intelligent optical networking and multiservice access provider, from July 2007 until October 2014. Mr. Donahue served on the board of directors of Cybersource Corporation, a leading provider of electronic payment and risk management solutions, from November 2007 to August 2010. From August 2004 to November 2007, Mr. Donahue served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Authorize.Net

Holdings, Inc. (formerly Lightbridge Inc.), a leading transaction processing company, before it was acquired by Cybersource Corporation in November 2007.

John R. Egan, age 57, has been a NetScout director since October 2000 and serves as NetScout’s Lead Independent Director. Mr. Egan is a founding managing partner of Egan-Managed Capital, L.P., a Boston-based venture capital fund specializing in New England, information technology, and early-stage investments, which began in the fall of 1996, and is a managing partner of Carruth Associates. Since 1992, he has been a member of the Board of Directors and is currently the Chairman of the Mergers and Acquisitions Committee and member of the Finance Committee at EMC Corporation, a publicly-held provider of computer storage systems and software. Since 2007, Mr. Egan has served as a member of the Board of Directors and is currently the Chairman of the Mergers and Acquisitions Committee at VMWare, a publicly-held leader in virtualization and cloud infrastructure. Since 2011, Mr. Egan has served as a member of the Board of Directors and currently serves as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and serves on the Compensation Committee at Progress Software Corp., a global software company. Since 2012, Mr. Egan has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Verint Systems, Inc., a publicly-held provider of systems to the internet security market, where he is currently the Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Egan also serves on the Board of Trustees at Boston College and as a director for two other privately held companies.

Joseph G. Hadzima, Jr., age 63, has been a NetScout director since July 1998. Mr. Hadzima has been a Managing Director of Main Street Partners, LLC, a venture capital investing and technology commercialization company, since April 1998. Since 2000, he has also been President of IPVision, Inc., a Main Street Partners portfolio company that provides intellectual property analysis systems and services. Mr. Hadzima is also a Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management, of counsel at a law firm, and serves as a director on two private company boards.

Vincent J. Mullarkey, age 67, has been a NetScout director since November 2000. From May 2005 to June 2007, he was a member of the Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Audit Committee of webMethods, Inc., a then publicly-held business process integration software company that was acquired by Software AG in June 2007. Mr. Mullarkey was the Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Digital Equipment Corporation from 1994 until his retirement in September 1998.

Christopher Perretta, age 57, has been a NetScout director since September 2014. Mr. Perretta served as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer at State Street Corporation since September 2007 and as a member of State Street Corporation’s Management Committee since February 2013. From December 1996 to September 2007, Mr. Perretta served in various roles at General Electric Corporation, including as Chief Information Officer for the North American Consumer Financial Services unit, Chief Technology Officer for General Electric Capital, and most recently, from January 2003 to September 2007, as Chief Information Officer of General Electric Commercial Finance. Mr. Perretta also serves as a member of the board of directors of a privately-held technology company, and the Advanced Cyber Security Center.

Executive Officers

part of a number of strategic acquisitions that have fortified and enhanced NetScout’s technology, customer base and go-to-market capabilities. Mr. Singhal has earned notable recognition for his entrepreneurial success, including the TiE (The Indus Entrepreneur) Boston Lifetime Achievement in 2013, Enterprise Bank’s 2013 George L. Duncan Award of Excellence and Ernst & Young’s New England Entrepreneur of the Year in 1997. Mr. Singhal holds a BSEE from BITS, Pilani, India and an MS in Computer Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Michael Szabados, age 63, has served as NetScout’s Chief Operating Officer since April 2007. In this role, Mr. Szabados is focused on executing NetScout’s vision and strategy. During his tenure, he has been critical in helping lead NetScout’s key functional areas as NetScout more than doubled in size. Mr. Szabados has also helped lead the integration of Network General and five other companies that NetScout has acquired. His career at NetScout began in 1997 when he joined the company as vice president, marketing, charged with increasing the company’s overall visibility and market awareness. His responsibilities expanded in 2001 to encompass product development, manufacturing and customer support when he was promoted to Senior Vice President, Product Operations. A veteran of the enterprise networking industry, Mr. Szabados held senior leadership roles with companies including UB Networks, SynOptics/Bay Networks and MIPS Corporation following engineering and product management roles at Intel Corporation and later at Apple. Mr. Szabados holds a BSEE from UC Irvine and an MBA from UC Santa Clara.

Jean Bua, age 56, has served as NetScout’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since November 2011. She joined the company in September 2010 as Vice President, Finance, in conjunction with the company’s succession planning. In her current role, Ms. Bua is responsible for investor relations, treasury, financial planning and analysis, real estate development, accounting and compliance. Ms. Bua has played a key role in executing on the financial aspects of NetScout’s strategy during a period in which the company’s market capitalization grew by 300%. During her tenure, NetScout has successfully completed and integrated five acquisitions. Before joining NetScout, Ms. Bua served as Executive Vice President, Finance & Treasurer of American Tower Corporation, a leading provider of infrastructure for the wireless telecommunications industry. While at American Tower, she was a critical contributor to multiple equity and debt financings, and numerous acquisitions that enabled the company to more than double in revenue through both acquisition and organic growth. Prior to American Tower, Ms. Bua spent nine years at Iron Mountain, Inc., concluding as Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Worldwide Controller. During her tenure, Iron Mountain successfully consolidated the records management industry and grew from annual revenue of $100 million to over $2 billion through more than 100 domestic and international acquisitions. Previously, she held senior positions at Duracraft Corp. and Keithley Instruments. She was a management consultant at Ernst & Young and an auditor at KPMG. Ms. Bua earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, summa cum laude, from Bryant College and her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island.

John W. Downing, age 56, has served as NetScout’s Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales Operations, since 2007. In this role, Mr. Downing is responsible for directing NetScout’s sales leadership in both the service provider and enterprise markets. Under Mr. Downing’s direction, NetScout has reported strong revenue growth and built vibrant, long-term relationships with leading telecommunications service providers, government agencies and many of the world’s largest corporations. He joined NetScout in 2000 as Vice President, Sales Operations, instituting and refining key go-to-market programs and sales processes that have underpinned the company’s four-fold revenue growth during the past fourteen years. Prior to NetScout, from April 1998 until September 2000, Mr. Downing served as Vice President of Sales at Genrad Corporation, a $300 million manufacturer of electronic testing equipment and production solutions, and was Vice President of North American Sales from January 1996 until March 1998. Mr. Downing earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics from Tufts University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Suffolk University.

INFORMATION ON THE COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS

The Company

The Communications Business has been operated as Danaher Corporation’s Communications platform since 2008. Danaher created the Communications platform from the enterprise network performance management and diagnostics business of Fluke Networks Enterprise, which Danaher acquired in 1998, the telecommunications network monitoring, subscriber troubleshooting and diagnostics business of Tektronix, Inc., which Danaher acquired in 2007, the network security solutions business of Arbor Networks, Inc., which Danaher acquired in 2010, as well as from the acquisitions of AirMagnet and Aran Technologies in 2009, VSS Monitoring in 2012 and Newfield Wireless and PacketLoop in 2013. Danaher established its Communications platform primarily to address the market opportunities arising from the convergence of telecommunication and enterprise technologies, which historically had been relatively distinct but have converged as a result of the emergence of internet protocol as the predominant underlying technology for both applications.

Today, the Communications Business is a leading provider of products and solutions used in the design, deployment, monitoring and security of traditional, virtualized, mobile and cloud-based networks operated by communications service providers, hosting service providers, enterprises and government agencies worldwide. The Communications Business derives revenue principally by developing, manufacturing, and selling a broad range of hardware, software and support services. The Communications Business maintains operations and conducts business in all major geographies, including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America.

The headquarters of the Communications Business is located at 3033 W. President George Bush Highway in Plano, Texas and the Communications Business’ telephone number is (469) 330-4000.

Markets, Customers and Products

The Communications Business designs, manufactures, markets, licenses, sells and supports innovative hardware and software solutions that help its customers deploy, manage and secure their communication network technologies and services. Communication networks include telecommunication and other service provider networks as well as enterprise networks. The Communications Business’ solutions collect and analyze massive volumes of voice, video and data traffic that traverse communication networks. The data the Communications Business collects is in the form of “packets” (also known as network data) and “flows” (also known as machine data). These forms of data provide granular detail regarding what is occurring within communication networks, both in real-time and historically. The Communications Business’ solutions allow its customers to analyze the large amount of packets and flows on their communication networks. From these packets and flows the Communications Business’ analytics solutions derive contextual and correlated insights about what is occurring at different physical points and times in a network. These insights help the Communications Business’ customers to:

•

improve the quality of their end users’ experience;

•

monitor the performance of their network infrastructure and the services it delivers;

•

troubleshoot customer service and operational problems across vast, complex networks;

•

enable and deliver location-based services for their mobile subscribers; and

•

detect and mitigate cyber security events in their network, including distributed denial-of-service (“DDoS”) attacks and advanced persistent threats (“APT”).

The Communications Business’ product offerings include the following:

•

telecommunications network monitoring systems for performance management and troubleshooting;

•

cyber security detection and mitigation systems for service provider and enterprise networks;

•

portable enterprise network analysis and optimization tools;

•

network packet brokering tools;

•

enterprise network performance management systems; and

•

geolocation systems for mobile telecommunications networks.

The Communications Business’ products are configured either as stationary solutions that continuously monitor packet and flow traffic, typically in a live network environment, or as handheld or portable tools used in laboratories and/or live networks to design, deploy or test specific types of equipment, services or points in a network.

Businesses in multiple industry verticals (including wireless and fixed-line communications service providers, hosting service providers, enterprises and governmental agencies) use the Communications Business’ solutions to reduce operating expenses and improve the performance and availability of their communication networks. The Communications Business’ broad portfolio of solutions addresses the “end-to-end” needs of large, physically diversified networks: from centralized information technology data centers and network operations centers to the remote access points of networks such as enterprise branch offices and mobile telecommunications “cell towers.”

Sales to the Communications Business’ two largest customers, AT&T and Verizon, were 18% and 12%, respectively, of total sales in 2014, 25% and 11%, respectively, of total sales in 2013, and 23% and 10%, respectively, of total sales in 2012. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated sales in 2014, 2013 or 2012.

The Communications Business’ products and solutions are marketed under the AIRMAGNET, ARBOR NETWORKS, FLUKE NETWORKS, TEKTRONIX COMMUNICATIONS and VSS MONITORING brands.

Strategy

The Communications Business’ management believes there are several key trends driving growth in the Communications Business’ served markets, including the:

•

proliferation of “smart” devices, including mobile phones and machine-to-machine and “Internet of Things” communications;

•

increasing sophistication of “real-time” communications services requiring superior network performance and availability;

•

growing prevalence of cyber security attacks (such as DDoS and APT) on network integrity and availability;

•

new investments in network function virtualization (“NFV”) and software defined networks (“SDN”);

•

continuing transition of “premise-based” infrastructures and services to “cloud-based” infrastructure and services; and

•

increasing demand for the extraction of insights from “Big Data” such as the traffic traversing communication networks.

The Communications Business’ management believes communications service providers, enterprises and government agency network operators worldwide will continue to invest in solutions like the Communications Business’ to address the increasing complexities associated with these trends.

The Communications Business’ strategy is to focus on facilitating the deployment, management and security of the Communications Business’ customers’ communication network technologies and services. As the

Communications Business’ customers migrate to new technologies and services the Communications Business seeks to adapt and enhance its solutions accordingly with the objective of offering a broad, complementary and best-in-class portfolio that addresses the Communications Business’ customers’ needs. The initiatives the Communications Business is pursuing to accomplish this strategy include:

•

improving the cost-effective, technical scalability of the Communications Business’ solutions to address the ever-increasing volumes of traffic customers need to monitor and analyze in real-time;

•

migrating the Communications Business’ hardware solutions to virtualized formats in a manner that preserves technical performance and financial attractiveness for the Communications Business’ customers;

•

embracing the opportunities presented by the “cloud,” to improve the Communications Business’ competitive positioning and expand the size of the Communications Business’ addressable market;

•

re-purposing the contextual and correlated insights the Communications Business derives from network traffic to serve not only the technical functions of the Communications Business’ customers but also the business and marketing functions; and

•

leveraging the Communications Business’ broad footprint in monitoring internet traffic to help the Communications Business’ security solutions deployed in customer networks around the world better identify cyber security threats and fortify network defenses.

To accomplish this strategy, the Communications Business is investing in internal product development, pursuing strategic acquisitions as appropriate to gain access to technology, products, or markets and leveraging the Communications Business’ strong industry brands, customer relationships and global distribution channels.

Manufacturing and Materials

The Communications Business’ primary manufacturing activities occur at facilities located in North America. The Communications Business performs installation and integration activities at customer sites using internal direct labor and third-party integration providers. These installation and integration activities occur primarily at network operator sites located in all of the major geographic regions that the Communications Business serves.

The Communications Business’ manufacturing operations employ a variety of raw materials that the Communications Business purchases from independent sources around the world. No single supplier is material, although for some components that require particular specifications or qualifications there may be a single supplier or a limited number of suppliers that can readily provide such components. The Communications Business utilizes a number of techniques to address potential disruption in and other risks relating to its supply chain, including in certain cases the use of safety stock, alternative materials and qualification of multiple supply sources. During 2014, the Communications Business had no raw material shortages that had a material effect on its business.

Sales, Distribution and Backlog

The Communications Business maintains a direct sales and field maintenance organization, staffed with technically trained personnel throughout the world. Sales to end-customers are made through the Communications Business’ direct sales organization and to a lesser extent through independent distributors and resellers located in principal market areas. The Communications Business’ distribution strategy is to align the sales channel with the Communications Business’ customer base, concentrating direct selling efforts in large or strategic geographies and markets, and utilizing distributors or other partners to expand geographic and customer reach.

The Communications Business’ unfilled product and service orders were $359,942,000 as of December 31, 2014 and $357,334,000 as of December 31, 2013. A large majority of the unfilled orders are expected to be delivered to customers within one year.

Research and Development

The Communications Business conducts research and development activities for the purpose of developing new products, enhancing the functionality, effectiveness, ease of use and reliability of its existing products and expanding the applications for which uses of its products are appropriate. The Communications Business’ research and development efforts include internal initiatives and those that use licensed or acquired technology. Research and development activities occur in North America, Asia and Europe. The Communications Business anticipates that it will continue to make significant expenditures for research and development as it seeks to provide a continuing flow of innovative products to maintain and improve its competitive position. Expenditures for research and development during fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $159,554,000, $147,553,000 and $130,872,000, respectively. Customer-sponsored research and development was not significant in 2014, 2013 or 2012.

Seasonality

General economic conditions impact the Communications Business’ business and financial results, but it is not subject to material seasonality.

Competition

The Communications Business’ primary competitors include Astellia SA, Empirix Inc., FireEye Inc., Gigamon, Inc., International Business Machines Corporation, Ixia, JDS Uniphase Corporation, NetScout, Polystar, Riverbed Technology, Inc., network equipment manufacturers (“NEMs”) and various in-house solutions. The Communications Business encounters a variety of competitors, including well-established regional competitors, competitors who are more specialized than the Communications Business is in particular markets, as well as larger companies or divisions of larger companies with substantial sales, marketing, research, and financial capabilities. The Communications Business is facing increased competition in a number of its served markets as a result of the entry of new, large companies into certain markets, the entry of competitors based in low-cost manufacturing locations, and increasing consolidation in particular markets. The Communications Business’ management believes that the Communications Business has a market leadership position in many of the markets it serves. Key competitive factors vary among its product and service lines, but include product scalability and performance, technology and product availability, price, quality, delivery speed, service and support, innovation, distribution network and brand name recognition.

Intellectual Property

The Communications Business owns numerous patents along with trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and licenses to intellectual property owned by others. Although in aggregate the Communications Business’ intellectual property is important to its operations, the Communications Business’ management does not consider any single patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret or license to be of material importance to the Communications Business’ business. From time to time the Communications Business engages in litigation to protect its intellectual property rights.

Working Capital

The Communications Business maintains an adequate level of working capital to support its business needs. There are no unusual industry practices or requirements relating to working capital items. In addition, the Communications Business’ sales and payment terms are generally similar to those of its competitors.

Employee Relations

As of December 31, 2014, the Communications Business employed approximately 2,160 persons, of whom approximately 1,370 were employed in the United States and approximately 790 were employed outside of the

United States. In the United States, the Communications Business does not have any hourly-rated, unionized employees. Outside the United States, the Communications Business has government-mandated collective bargaining arrangements and union contracts in certain countries.

Regulatory Matters

The Communications Business faces government regulation both within and outside the United States relating to the development, manufacture, marketing, sale and distribution of its products, software and services. The following sections describe certain significant regulations that the Communications Business is subject to. These are not the only regulations that the Communications Business’ businesses must comply with.

Environmental, Health and Safety Laws and Regulations

The Communications Business’ operations, products and services are subject to environmental laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which they operate, which impose limitations on the discharge of pollutants into the environment and establish standards for the generation, use, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. The Communications Business must also comply with various health and safety regulations in both the United States and abroad in connection with its operations. Compliance with these laws and regulations has not had and, based on current information and the applicable laws and regulations currently in effect, is not expected to have a material effect on the Communications Business’ capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position, and the Communications Business’ management does not anticipate material capital expenditures for environmental control facilities.

Export/Import Compliance

The Communications Business is required to comply with various U.S. export/import control and economic sanctions laws, including: (1) the Export Administration Regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, which, among other things, impose licensing requirements on the export or re-export of certain dual-use goods, technology and software (which are items that potentially have both commercial and military applications); (2) the regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, which implement economic sanctions imposed against designated countries, governments and persons based on United States foreign policy and national security considerations; and (3) the import regulatory activities of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Other nations’ governments have implemented similar export and import control regulations, which may affect the Communications Business’ operations or transactions subject to their jurisdictions.

International Operations

The Communications Business’ products, software and services are available worldwide, and the Communications Business’ principal markets outside the United States are in Europe, Asia and Latin America. The Communications Business’ management believes that the Communications Business’ future growth depends in part on its ability to continue developing products and sales models that successfully target emerging markets. Annual revenue derived from customers outside the United States (based on geographic destination) as a percentage of total annual revenue was 44% in 2014, 41% in 2013 and 42% in 2012. Long-lived assets located outside the United States as a percentage of total long-lived assets as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were 7%, 8% and 8%, respectively.

The manner in which the Communications Business’ products and services are sold outside the United States differs by product and by region. Most of the Communications Business’ sales in non-U.S. markets are made directly from the U.S., but it also sells products through various representatives and distributors. In countries with low sales volumes, the Communications Business often sells through representatives and distributors as well as other partners such as third party system integrators. Financial information about the Communications Business’ international operations is contained in Note 15 of the Communications Business’ Combined Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Properties

The Communications Business’ headquarters is located in Plano, Texas. The following is a summary of the Communications Business’ significant operating locations.


Location	Own/Lease	Functional Use
Plano, Texas	Own¹	R&D, service, manufacturing and administrative
Ann Arbor, Michigan	Lease	R&D and service
Burlington, Massachusetts	Lease	R&D, service, manufacturing and administrative
Atlanta, Georgia	Lease	R&D
Berlin, Germany	Lease	R&D and manufacturing
Frankfurt, Germany	Lease	Service and administrative
Dublin, Ireland	Lease	R&D, manufacturing and administrative
Padova, Italy	Lease	R&D
Shanghai, China	Lease	R&D
Sunnyvale, California	Lease	R&D, manufacturing and administrative
Berkeley, California	Lease	R&D and administrative
Colorado Springs, Colorado	Lease	R&D and administrative
Santa Clara, California	Lease	R&D and administrative
Beijing, China	Lease	R&D
Rockville, Maryland	Lease	Sales and service

¹	As of the closing of the distribution of the Communications Business, the ownership of this facility will be transferred to Danaher or a subsidiary of Danaher and leased to NetScout or a subsidiary of NetScout.

Legal Proceedings

The Communications Business is, from time to time, subject to a variety of litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings incidental to its business. Based upon the Communications Business’ management’s experience, current information and applicable law, the Communications Business’ management does not believe it is reasonably possible that these proceedings and claims will have a material effect on the Communications Business’ financial statements.

HISTORICAL MARKET PRICE DATA AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION

Comparative Historical and Pro Forma Per Share Data

The following table sets forth certain historical and pro forma per share data for NetScout. The historical data has been derived from and should be read together with NetScout’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto contained in NetScout’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, and NetScout’s unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto contained in NetScout’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2014, each of which are incorporated by reference into this document. The pro forma data has been derived from the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements of NetScout and the Communications Business included elsewhere in this document. See “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

This comparative historical and pro forma per share data is being presented for illustrative purposes only. NetScout and the Communications Business may have performed differently had the Transactions occurred prior to the periods or at the date presented. You should not rely on the pro forma per share data presented as being indicative of the results that would have been achieved had NetScout and the Communications Business been combined during the periods or at the date presented or of the actual future results or financial condition of NetScout or the Communications Business to be achieved following the Transactions.


	As of and for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2014				As of and for the Year Ended March 31, 2014
(shares in thousands)	Historical		Pro Forma		Historical		Pro Forma
Basic earnings per share	$	0.98	$	0.05	$	1.19	$	0.56
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.97	$	0.05	$	1.17	$	0.56
Weighted average common shares outstanding—Basic		41,128		103,628		41,366		103,866
Weighted average common shares outstanding—Diluted		41,679		104,211		41,955		104,497
Book value per share of common stock	$	10.48	$	30.03	$	9.94		Not available

Historical Common Stock Market Price and Dividend Data

Historical market price data for Newco has not been presented because the Communications Business is currently operated by Danaher and there is no established trading market in Newco common units. Shares of Newco common units do not currently trade separately from Danaher common stock.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sale prices of NetScout common stock on NASDAQ for the periods indicated. The quotations are as reported in published financial sources. For current price information, NetScout stockholders are urged to consult publicly available sources.


	NetScout Common Stock
	High		Low
Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2016
First Quarter (through May 1, 2015)	$	45.53	$	40.76
Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2015
First Quarter	$	44.54	$	33.30
Second Quarter	$	48.13	$	41.15
Third Quarter	$	46.17	$	31.59
Fourth Quarter	$	44.76	$	33.53
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014
First Quarter	$	24.92	$	21.22
Second Quarter	$	27.55	$	23.22
Third Quarter	$	30.76	$	24.04
Fourth Quarter	$	39.10	$	28.64

NetScout Dividend Policy

SELECTED FINANCIAL STATEMENT DATA

Selected Historical Combined Financial Data of the Communications Business


	As of and for the Year Ended December 31
	2014		2013		2012		2011		2010
Sales
Product	$	535,281	$	623,632	$	594,770	$	483,782	$	367,141
Service		224,942		211,259		190,968		185,497		121,204

Total sales	$	760,223	$	834,891	$	785,738	$	669,279	$	488,345
Earnings before income taxes		62,335		116,598		157,881		106,722		43,707

Net earnings		42,552		83,806		103,798		74,371		28,028
Total assets	$	1,238,829	$	1,235,903	$	1,185,543	$	998,760	$	1,047,998

Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of NetScout

The following selected historical consolidated financial data of NetScout for the years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, and as of March 31, 2014 and 2013, has been derived from NetScout’s audited consolidated financial statements, which are incorporated by reference into this document. The following selected financial data as of and for the years ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 has been derived from NetScout’s audited historical consolidated financial statements, which are not included or incorporated by reference into this document. The following selected historical consolidated financial data as of and for the nine-month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 has been derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements of NetScout, which are incorporated by reference in this document. The selected historical consolidated financial data presented below is not necessarily indicative of the results or financial condition that may be expected for any future period or date. This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of NetScout and the notes thereto and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section contained in NetScout’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2014 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2014, each of which is incorporated by reference into this document. See “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”


	As of and for the Nine Months Ended December 31,						As of and for the Year Ended March 31,
	2014			2013			2014			2013			2012			2011			2010
	(In thousands, except for share data)
Results of Operations:
Revenue:
Product	$	198,765		$	163,895		$	234,268		$	198,749		$	168,141		$	159,948		$	142,113
Service		135,519			120,435			162,379			151,801			140,538			130,592			118,229

Total revenue		334,284			284,330			396,647			350,550			308,679			290,540			260,342

Cost of revenue:
Product		45,015			36,117			51,219			45,752			39,271			38,175			35,564
Service		26,158			24,111			33,294			28,256			26,401			23,186			20,500

Total cost of revenue		71,173			60,228			84,513			74,008			65,672			61,361			56,064

Gross profit		263,111			224,102			312,134			276,542			243,007			229,179			204,278

Operating expenses:
Research and development		56,872			50,951			70,454			61,546			49,478			40,628			36,650
Sales and marketing		104,304			96,184			129,611			116,807			109,624			105,271			99,059
General and administrative		33,211			22,367			30,623			29,718			27,488			23,308			20,609
Amortization of acquired intangible assets		2,539			2,571			3,432			2,877			2,131			1,907			2,057
Restructuring charges		—			—			—			1,065			603			—			—

Total operating expenses		196,926			172,073			234,120			212,013			189,324			171,114			158,375

Income from operations		66,185			52,029			78,014			64,529			53,683			58,065			45,903
Interest and other expense, net		(1,186	)		(88	)		(158	)		(793	)		(2,765	)		(1,772	)		(2,832	)

Income before income tax expense		64,999			51,941			77,856			63,736			50,918			56,293			43,071
Income tax expense		24,661			19,511			28,750			23,127			18,490			19,028			15,154

Net income	$	40,338		$	32,430		$	49,106		$	40,609		$	32,428		$	37,265		$	27,917

Basic net income per share	$	0.98		$	0.78		$	1.19		$	0.97		$	0.77		$	0.89		$	0.69
Diluted net income per share	$	0.97		$	0.77		$	1.17		$	0.96		$	0.76		$	0.87		$	0.67

Financial highlights:
Cash, cash equivalents and short and long-term marketable securities	$	240,726		$	182,213		$	218,794		$	154,091		$	213,516		$	228,478		$	170,551
Total assets	$	638,928		$	577,877		$	607,763		$	552,176		$	567,757		$	527,570		$	482,601
Debt	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	62,000		$	68,106		$	79,356
Total stockholder’s equity	$	432,118		$	395,598		$	409,161		$	371,903		$	342,369		$	319,559		$	266,843


	As of and for the Nine Months Ended December 31,						As of and for the Year Ended March 31,
	2014			2013			2014			2013			2012			2011			2010
	(In thousands, except for share data)
Cash flow data:
Cash from operating activities	$	57,322		$	60,767		$	110,946		$	95,412		$	68,307		$	67,189		$	45,654
Purchases of fixed assets	$	(8,630	)	$	(8,709	)	$	(13,066	)	$	(11,671	)	$	(11,088	)	$	(7,491	)	$	(5,242	)
Purchases of intangible assets	$	(131	)	$	(713	)	$	(1,086	)	$	(277	)	$	(200	)		—			—
Non-GAAP free cash flow(1)	$	48,561		$	51,345		$	96,794		$	83,464		$	57,019		$	59,698		$	40,412

Other Selected Data:
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic		41,128			41,417			41,366			41,665			42,035			42,059			40,691
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted		41,679			41,969			41,955			42,322			42,750			42,973			41,915
Non-GAAP revenue(1)	$	334,302		$	284,749		$	397,205		$	351,765		$	308,991		$	289,743		$	261,659
Non-GAAP net income(1)	$	56,445		$	43,992		$	64,218		$	56,014		$	46,970		$	44,881		$	35,859
Non-GAAP net income per share(1)	$	1.35		$	1.05		$	1.53		$	1.32		$	1.10		$	1.04		$	0.86

(1)

NetScout supplements the GAAP financial measures NetScout reports in quarterly and annual earnings announcements, investor presentations and other investor communications by reporting the following non-GAAP measures: non-GAAP revenue, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP free cash flow and non-GAAP net income per diluted share. Non-GAAP revenue eliminates the GAAP effects of acquisitions by adding back revenue related to deferred revenue revaluation, and, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, eliminates the revenue impact of recently adopted accounting guidance. Non-GAAP net income includes the foregoing adjustment and also removes expenses related to the amortization of acquired intangible assets, share-based compensation, restructuring, certain expenses relating to acquisitions including compensation for post-combination services, business development charges and loss on early extinguishment of debt, net of related income tax effects. Non-GAAP diluted net income per share also excludes these expenses as well as the related impact of all these adjustments on the provision for income taxes. Non-GAAP free cash flow is operating cash flow less cash outflows for PP&E and intangibles.

These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with GAAP, should not be considered an alternative for measures prepared in accordance with GAAP (revenue, net income and diluted net income per share), and may have limitations in that they do not reflect all our results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures. The presentation of non-GAAP information is not meant to be considered superior to, in isolation from, or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

NetScout’s management believes these non-GAAP financial measures enhance the reader’s overall understanding of NetScout’s current financial performance and its prospects for the future by providing a higher degree of transparency for certain financial measures and providing a level of disclosure that helps investors understand how NetScout plans and measures its business. NetScout believes that providing these non-GAAP measures affords investors a view of NetScout’s operating results that may be more easily compared to its peer companies and also enables investors to consider NetScout’s operating results on both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis during and following the integration period of NetScout’s acquisitions. Presenting the GAAP measures on their own may not be indicative of our core operating results. Furthermore, NetScout’s management believes that the presentation of non-GAAP measures when shown in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures provide useful information to management and investors regarding present and future business trends relating to NetScout’s financial condition and results of operations.

The following table reconciles revenue, net income and net income per share on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis (in thousands, except for per share amounts):


	Nine Months Ended December 31,						Year ended March 31,
	2014			2013			2014			2013			2012			2011			2010
GAAP revenue	$	334,284		$	284,330		$	396,647		$	350,550		$	308,679		$	290,540		$	260,342
Revenue adjustments		18			419			558			1,215			312			(797	)		1,317

Non-GAAP revenue	$	334,302		$	284,749		$	397,205		$	351,765		$	308,991		$	289,743		$	261,659

GAAP net income	$	40,338		$	32,430		$	49,106		$	40,609		$	32,428		$	37,265		$	27,917
Revenue adjustments		18			419			558			1,215			312			(797	)		1,317
Inventory fair value amortization		—			—			—			453			—			—			—
Share based compensation expense		11,947			9,959			12,930			9,580			8,702			6,439			5,456
Amortization of acquired intangible assets		5,301			5,051			6,765			7,424			6,782			5,887			6,037
Business development and integration expense		6,175			482			523			1,618			4,715			755			—
Compensation for post combination services		1,393			1,685			2,215			2,721			438			—			—
Restructuring charges		—			—			—			1,065			603			—			—
Loss on extinguishment of debt		—			—			—			—			690			—			—
Income tax adjustments		(8,727	)		(6,034	)		(7,879	)		(8,671	)		(7,700	)		(4,668	)		(4,868	)

Non-GAAP net income	$	56,445		$	43,992		$	64,218		$	56,014		$	46,970		$	44,881		$	35,859

GAAP diluted net income per share	$	0.97		$	0.77		$	1.17		$	0.96		$	0.76		$	0.87		$	0.67
Per share impact of non-GAAP adjustments identified above		0.38			0.28			0.36			0.36			0.34			0.17			0.19

Non-GAAP diluted net income per share	$	1.35		$	1.05		$	1.53		$	1.32		$	1.10		$	1.04		$	0.86

Unaudited Combined Pro Forma Information of NetScout and the Communications Business

The following unaudited pro forma combined financial information was prepared using the historical consolidated financial statements of NetScout and the historical combined financial statements of the Communications Business. The unaudited pro forma combined financial information, including the notes thereto, should be read in conjunction with the following historical financial statements and accompanying notes for the applicable periods, which are incorporated by reference or included in this document:

•

NetScout’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 (fiscal year 2014) included in NetScout’s Annual Report on Form 10-K which was filed with the SEC on May 20, 2014 (incorporated by reference);

•

NetScout’s unaudited consolidated financial statements for the nine month period ended December 31, 2014 included in NetScout’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q which was filed with the SEC on January 27, 2015 (incorporated by reference); and

•

The Communications Business’ audited combined financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 included in this document.

The accompanying unaudited pro forma combined financial statements give pro forma effect to the acquisition of all of the outstanding common units of the Communications Business by NetScout assuming an equity consideration of $2,690.6 million, paid in NetScout Systems, Inc. common stock based on the closing price of NetScout common stock as of May 1, 2015 (the “Communications Business Acquisition”).

NetScout’s fiscal year 2014 ended on March 31, 2014. The Communications Business’ corresponding fiscal year ended on December 31, 2013. The unaudited interim pro forma combined balance sheet assumes that the Communications Business Acquisition took place on December 31, 2014 and combines NetScout’s historical consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 with the Communications Business’ historical combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 and applies pro forma adjustments to the resulting amounts.

The unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, and the nine month period ended December 31, 2014 assume that the Communications Business Acquisition took place on the first day of fiscal year 2014 (April 1, 2013). The unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations for the year ended March 31, 2014 combines NetScout’s historical consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal year 2014 with the Communications Business’ historical combined statement of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 and applies pro forma adjustments to the resulting amounts. The unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 combines NetScout’s historical consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 with the Communications Business’ historical unaudited combined statement of operations for the nine month fiscal period ended December 31, 2014 and applies pro forma adjustments to the resulting amounts.

The unaudited pro forma combined financial information has been prepared by NetScout’s management and is based on the estimates and assumptions set forth in the notes to such information. The unaudited pro forma combined financial information is being presented for illustrative purposes only and, therefore, is not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations or financial position that might have been achieved by the combined company for the dates or periods indicated, nor is it necessarily indicative of the results of operations or financial position of the combined company that may occur in the future.

The unaudited pro forma combined financial information has been prepared using the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The unaudited pro forma adjustments related to the Communications Business Acquisition are preliminary and do not reflect the final purchase price or final allocation of the excess of the purchase price over the net book value of the net assets of the Communications Business. The final purchase price and allocation of the purchase price will be based on the fair value of assets and liabilities that exist at the closing date of the Communications Business Acquisition. Accordingly, the pro forma purchase price adjustments are preliminary and are subject to further adjustments as additional information becomes available and additional analysis is performed. Upon closing of the acquisition, final valuations will be performed. The completion of the valuation, accounting for the Communications Business Acquisition and the allocation of the purchase price may be different than that of the amounts reflected in the pro forma purchase price allocation, and any differences could be material. Such differences could affect the purchase price and allocation of the purchase price, which may affect the value assigned to the tangible or intangible assets and amount of depreciation and amortization expense recorded in the combined statements of operations. There can be no assurance that NetScout will not alter the financing structure of the Communications Business Acquisition described herein.

The unaudited pro forma combined financial information contains only adjustments that are factually supportable, directly attributable to the Transactions and with respect to the pro forma combined statements of operations, expected to have a continuing impact on the combined business. The unaudited pro forma combined financial information does not reflect any cost savings or synergies that NetScout may realize after the completion of the Communications Business Acquisition.

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET

(Dollar information in thousands)


	NetScout Systems, Inc. As of December 31, 2014			Communications Business As of December 31, 2014			Transaction Adjustments			Pro Forma Adjustments			Pro Forma As of December 31, 2014
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	106,704		$	—		$	7,412	(B)	$	—		$	114,116
Marketable Securities		87,967			—			—			—			87,967
Accounts receivable, net		83,415			188,058			16,284	(D)		—			287,757
Inventories		10,274			54,530			—			30,969	(F)		95,773
Prepaid income taxes		2,864			—			—			2,926	(L)		5,790
Deferred income taxes		14,174			—			25,814	(A)		(11,707	)(K)		28,281
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		9,846			33,492			(25,814	)(A)		22,188	(H)		39,712

Total current assets		315,244			276,080			23,696			44,376			659,396

NONCURRENT ASSETS:
Fixed assets, net		23,016			46,323			(15,569	)(C)		1,289	(G)		55,059
Goodwill		200,271			704,890			—			1,188,161	(H)		2,093,322
Intangible assets, net		52,469			204,291			—			893,209	(I)		1,149,969
Deferred income taxes		—			—			5,725	(A)		(4,200	)(K)		1,525
Long-term marketable securities		46,055			—			—			—			46,055
Other assets		1,873			7,245			1,438	(A)(E)		—			10,556

Total assets	$	638,928		$	1,238,829		$	15,290		$	2,122,835		$	4,015,882

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	$	10,927		$	48,759		$	—		$	—		$	59,686
Accrued compensation		39,369			—			28,275	(A)		—			67,644
Accrued other		11,026			91,591			(28,275	)(A)		11,000	(L)		85,342
Deferred revenue		107,595			194,104			—			(84,874	)(J)		216,825

Total current liabilities		168,917			334,454			—			(73,874	)		429,497

NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
Other long-term liabilities		2,147			78,933			(65,938	)(A)		—			15,142
Deferred tax liability - noncurrent		2,679			—			58,526	(A)		332,234	(K)		393,439
Accrued long-term retirement benefits		1,586			—			7,412	(A)		—			8,998
Long-term deferred revenue		27,036			35,026			—			(12,370	)(J)		49,692
Contingent liabilities, net of current portion		4,445			—			—			—			4,445

Total liabilities		206,810			448,413			—			245,990			901,213
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Parent’s investment		—			810,518			15,290	(B)(C)(D)(E)		(825,808	)(L)		—
Common stock		51			—			—			62	(L)(H)		113
Additional paid-in capital		292,059			—			—			2,690,563	(L)(H)		2,982,622
Treasury stock		(149,345	)		—			—			—			(149,345	)
Retained earnings		290,905			—			—			(8,074	)(L)		282,831
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(1,552	)		(20,102	)		—			20,102	(L)		(1,552	)

Total stockholders’ equity		432,118			790,416			15,290			1,876,845			3,114,669

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	638,928		$	1,238,829		$	15,290		$	2,122,835		$	4,015,882

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined financial information, including Note 2 for an explanation of the preliminary pro forma adjustments.

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(Dollar and share information in thousands except per share data)


	NetScout Systems, Inc. Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2014			Communications Business Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2013		Pro Forma Adjustments			Pro Forma Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2014
Revenue:
Product	$	234,268		$	623,632	$	(15,731	)(P)	$	842,169
Service		162,379			211,259		(37,707	)(M)		335,931

Total revenue		396,647			834,891		(53,438	)		1,178,100
Cost of revenue
Product		51,219			195,077		36,381	(O)(P)(S)		282,677
Service		33,294			48,043		469	(S)		81,806

Total cost of revenue		84,513			243,120		36,850			364,483
Gross profit		312,134			591,771		(90,288	)		813,617

Operating expenses:
Research and development		70,454			147,553		2,142	(S)		220,149
Sales and marketing		129,611			276,896		(98,474	)(A)(S)		308,033
General and administrative		30,623			—		102,490	(A)(S)		133,113
Amortization of acquired intangible assets		3,432			19,661		23,747	(P)		46,840
Impairment of intangible assets		—			31,063		—			31,063

Total operating expenses		234,120			475,173		29,905			739,198

Income from operations		78,014			116,598		(120,193	)		74,419

Interest and other expense, net:
Interest income		309			—		—			309
Interest expense		(768	)		—		—			(768	)
Other income/(expense), net		301			—		—			301

Total other income (expense)		(158	)		—		—			(158	)

Income (loss) before income tax expense		77,856			116,598		(120,193	)		74,261

Income tax expense		28,750			32,792		(45,673	)(Q)		15,869

Net income (loss)	$	49,106		$	83,806	$	(74,520	)	$	58,392


Per share information:
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	1.19			—		—		$	0.56
Diluted	$	1.17			—		—		$	0.56
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		41,366			—		62,500	(R)		103,866
Diluted		41,955			—		62,542	(R)		104,497

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined financial information, including Note 2 for an explanation of the preliminary pro forma adjustments.

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(Dollar and share information in thousands except per share data)


	NetScout Systems, Inc. Nine months ended December 31, 2014			Communications Business Nine months ended December 31, 2014		Pro Forma Adjustments			Pro Forma Nine months ended December 31, 2014
Revenue:
Product	$	198,765		$	366,361	$	(4,439	)(P)	$	560,687
Service		135,519			170,349		(10,822	)(M)		295,046

Total revenue		334,284			536,710		(15,261	)		855,733
Cost of revenue
Product		45,015			130,431		24,095	(O)(P)(S)		199,541
Service		26,158			38,886		200	(S)		65,244

Total cost of revenue		71,173			169,317		24,295			264,785
Gross profit		263,111			367,393		(39,556	)		590,948

Operating expenses:
Research and development		56,872			118,285		915	(S)		176,072
Sales and marketing		104,304			218,205		(61,049	)(A)(S)		261,460
General and administrative		33,211			—		56,589	(A)(N)(S)		89,800
Amortization of acquired intangible assets		2,539			12,042		40,677	(P)		55,258

Total operating expenses		196,926			348,532		37,132			582,590


Income (loss) from operations		66,185			18,861		(76,688	)		8,358

Interest and other expense, net:
Interest income		298			—		—			298
Interest expense		(580	)		—		—			(580	)
Other income/(expense), net		(904	)		—		—			(904	)

Total other income (expense)		(1,186	)		—		—			(1,186	)

Income (loss) before income tax expense		64,999			18,861		(76,688	)		7,172

Income tax expense		24,661			6,118		(29,141	)(Q)		1,638

Net income (loss)	$	40,338		$	12,743	$	(47,547	)	$	5,534

Per share information:
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$	0.98			—		—		$	0.05
Diluted	$	0.97			—		—		$	0.05
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		41,128			—		62,500	(R)		103,628
Diluted		41,679			—		62,532	(R)		104,211

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined financial information, including Note 2 for an explanation of the preliminary pro forma adjustments.

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Note 1—Basis of Presentation

On October 13, 2014, Danaher announced a definitive agreement with NetScout to combine the Communications Business with NetScout. The Transactions will be structured as a distribution of the Communications Business to Danaher stockholders in either a spin-off transaction, a split-off transaction, or a combination split-off and spin-off, followed by a merger with a subsidiary of NetScout for consideration of 62.5 million NetScout shares, subject to adjustment. Both the distribution and merger are expected to qualify as tax-free transactions to Danaher and its stockholders, except to the extent that cash is paid to Danaher stockholders in lieu of fractional shares. If Danaher elects a spin-off, all Danaher stockholders will participate pro-rata. If Danaher elects a split-off, Danaher will conduct an exchange offer pursuant to which its stockholders will elect whether to exchange Danaher shares for common units of Newco. If the split-off exchange offer is not fully subscribed, the additional Newco common units held by Danaher will be distributed in a spin-off on a pro rata basis to Danaher stockholders. Danaher will determine which approach it will take prior to closing the Transactions and no decision has been made at this time. At closing, depending on the number of shares of NetScout common stock outstanding, it is expected that pre-First Merger holders of Newco common units and Newco Employees will receive approximately 59.5% of the shares of NetScout common stock on a fully-diluted basis following the Transactions. NetScout will be the legal and accounting acquirer. The Transactions are expected to be completed in 2015. NetScout and Danaher anticipate that the transfer of certain assets and liabilities of the Communications Business will be completed after the closing date of the Mergers due to regulatory and other delays in certain jurisdictions outside the United States.

In connection with the Transaction Documents, it is currently expected that Newco common unit holders will receive, in aggregate, 62.5 million shares of NetScout, or a ratio of one NetScout share for each Newco common unit.

The pro forma combined financial information has been prepared for illustrative purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of the actual results that would have been achieved by NetScout if the Communications Business Acquisition had already occurred for the periods presented or that will be achieved in the future.

The accompanying unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet assumes the Communications Business Acquisition took place on December 31, 2014 and combines NetScout’s historical consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 with the Communications Business’ historical combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 and applies pro forma adjustments to the resulting amounts.

The unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 and the nine months ended December 31, 2014 assume that the Communications Business Acquisition took place on the first day of the earliest period presented (April 1, 2013). The unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations for the year ended March 31, 2014 combines NetScout’s historical consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal year 2014 with the Communications Business’ historical combined statement of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 and applies pro forma adjustments to the resulting amounts. The unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 combines NetScout’s historical consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 with the Communications Business’ historical combined statement of operations for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 and applies pro forma adjustments to the resulting amounts.

The unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations for the year ended March 31, 2014 has been prepared utilizing period ends that differ by less than 93 days, as permitted by Regulation S-X. Omitted from the unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations for the year ended March 31, 2014 are the results of operations of the Communications Business for the three months ended March 28, 2014 (“Communications Business’ Fiscal Q1 2014”). The results of operations of the Communications Business for the three months ended March 29, 2013 (“Communications Business’ Fiscal Q1 2013”) have been included in lieu of the omitted period. The Communications Business’ Fiscal Q1 2014 reflected product revenue, service revenue, gross profit

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION—(Continued)

and income from operations of $168.9 million, $54.6 million, $159.8 million, and $43.5 million, respectively. The Communications Business’ Fiscal Q1 2013 reflected product revenue, service revenue, gross profit and income from operations of $171.0 million, $48.1 million, $156.4 million, and $51.6 million, respectively.

Certain reclassifications have been included within the pro forma adjustments to conform the Communications Business’ historical financial statements to NetScout’s financial statement classifications. Upon completion of the Communications Business Acquisition, NetScout will perform a further review of the Communications Business’ accounting policies. As a result of that review, NetScout may identify additional differences between the accounting policies of the two companies that, when conformed, could have a material impact on the combined financial statements.

Note 2—Unaudited Pro Forma Adjustments

The pro forma adjustments included in the accompanying information do not reflect the final purchase price or final allocation of the excess of the purchase price over the net book value of the net assets of the Communications Business. The fair value assigned to the various tangible and intangible assets acquired, including goodwill, is preliminary and subject to change. Final adjustments may result in a materially different purchase price and allocation of the purchase price, which will affect the value assigned to the tangible or intangible assets and the depreciation and amortization expense recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.

Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet

Transaction Adjustments

(A)

Represents reclassifications within the balance sheet and statements of operations of the Communications Business to conform them to the classifications of the financial statements of NetScout. The reclassifications relate to breaking out financial statement captions not separately disclosed in the financial statements of the Communications Business.

(B)

Represents the funding by Danaher of certain pension and post-retirement plans that are being assumed by NetScout such that the cash to be received from Danaher is equivalent to the projected benefit obligation as of December 31, 2014.

(C)

Represents the elimination of the carrying value of certain property from the historic balance sheet of the Communications Business, which will be retained by Danaher after the Transactions.

(D)

Represents a receivable related to the pre-closing liabilities of the Communications Business that are to be paid by NetScout and fully reimbursed by Danaher pursuant to the Employee Matters Agreement.

(E)

Represents a contingent receivable of $7.2 million related to income tax matters for which NetScout has been indemnified by Danaher pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement. The actual amounts that NetScout may be obligated to pay and ultimately reimbursed by Danaher could vary depending upon the outcome of the unresolved tax matters, which may not be resolved for several years.

Pro Forma Adjustments

(F)

Represents the adjustment to record the inventory of the Communications Business at its estimated fair value. The related inventory is expected to be sold within the next three months; therefore the adjustment has not been reflected in the accompanying pro forma combined statements of operations, as it will not have a continuing impact on the combined entity.

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION—(Continued)

(G)

Represents the adjustment to the net book value of the plant, property and equipment of the Communications Business, in order to record it at its fair value as of the assumed acquisition date.

(H)

Represents the elimination of the historical goodwill of the Communications Business of $704.9 million and the addition of goodwill of $1,893.1 million related to the Communications Business Acquisition. A preliminary calculation of the goodwill based on the excess of estimated purchase price over the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed resulting from the Communications Business Acquisition is shown below (in thousands):


Purchase Price Allocation:
Total equity consideration	2,690,625	(1)
Less: Equity consideration for replacement awards	(22,188	)(2)

Estimated purchase price	2,668,437


Estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Cash	7,412
Accounts Receivable	204,342
Inventories	85,500
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets	16,361
Property, Plant and Equipment	32,043
Trademarks	47,700
Customer Relationships	735,700
Developed Technology	230,800
Other Intangible Assets	83,300
Accounts Payable	(48,759	)
Accrued Compensation	(28,275	)
Accrued Other	(76,311	)
Deferred Revenue	(131,886	)
Accrued Retirement Benefits	(7,412	)
Deferred tax liabilities, net	(375,129	)

Goodwill	1,893,051

(1)

Represents 62.5 million new shares of NetScout common stock expected to be issued to the existing common unit holders of Newco based on the May 1, 2015 NetScout common stock closing share price of $43.05 per share. The final consideration could significantly differ from the amounts presented in the unaudited pro forma financial information due to movement in the price of NetScout common stock as of the closing of the First Merger.

(2)

Represents the value of certain outstanding Danaher equity awards held by Newco employees for which continuing employees will receive value after the closing date. A portion of this amount relates to awards that have been modified such that the awards are expected to be vested in Danaher shares after the anticipated closing date of the Mergers. These future compensation amounts will be settled in shares other than shares of the acquired business. The balance of this amount also represents future compensation expense and relates to a cash award to be paid by NetScout to acquired Newco employees on the later of the first anniversary of the transaction closing date or August 4, 2016. The cash payment by NetScout will be reimbursed by Danaher. These items are further described in the Employee Matters Agreement and have been accounted for separately from the Communications Business Acquisition.

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION—(Continued)

The final purchase price will vary based on the trading price of NetScout common stock on the date that the First Merger closes. For purposes of this unaudited pro forma combined financial information, it has been assumed to be the closing share price as of May 1, 2015. For each $1 change in the price of NetScout common stock, the estimated purchase price will increase or decrease by approximately $62.5 million. Such an increase or decrease would result in an increase or decrease to goodwill from that shown in the unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2014. The final allocation of the purchase price may have a material impact on the pro forma combined balance sheet and therefore final goodwill recorded could be materially different than the amount calculated.

The Communications Business Acquisition will result in the recognition of significant intangible assets which requires management to make assumptions and estimates to determine the fair value of these assets. The following discussion sets forth the methodologies, assumptions and estimates used in the preliminary determination set forth in these pro forma financial statements:

Trademarks have been valued using the relief from royalty method for each significant portfolio of trademarks to be acquired. This method requires management to estimate the future revenues associated with trademarks, estimate a market royalty rate for the use of the trademarks, estimate an effective tax rate, and estimate a discount rate used to calculate the present value of the savings generated by purchasing the trademarks versus paying projected royalty payments to third parties.

Customer relationships have been valued using an excess earnings approach. This method requires management to estimate the future revenues associated with each existing customer base, estimate a customer attrition rate, estimate contributory asset charges, estimate operating expenses associated with obtaining new customers and developing new products, estimate an effective tax rate, and estimate a discount rate used to calculate the present value of the future expected cash inflows from the existing customer base.

Developed technology assets have been valued using the relief from royalty method. This method requires management to estimate the future revenues associated with the technologies to be acquired, estimate technology migration curves for the identified technologies, estimate a market royalty rate for the use of the technologies being acquired, estimate an effective tax rate, and estimate a discount rate used to calculate the present value of the savings generated by purchasing the technology versus paying projected royalty payments to third parties.

Other intangibles primarily relate to projected backlog. Valuing the backlog intangibles required management to estimate the revenues associated with in-process orders and the costs associated with fulfilling those orders.

Future revenues were estimated using both projections provided by the Communications Business and NetScout’s own assumptions and projections. Royalty rates were estimated by calculating an average of selected market observable royalty rates for similar trademarks and technologies. Discount rates were estimated by adjusting the implied discount rate from NetScout’s deal model for risks associated with individual assets based on the characteristics of each asset. Management estimated the tax rate at 38% which approximates a blended effective rate for the tax jurisdictions where these assets reside. Customer attrition and technology migration curves were calculated using historical information of the Communications Business about changes in the customer base and in technology source code. Finally, costs to fulfill orders were estimated based on existing financial metrics and costs associated with the intangible assets being acquired. These assumptions are considered reasonable by management and are Level Three fair value measures under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

(I)

Represents the elimination of $204.3 million of the historical Communications Business’ intangible assets and the allocation of $1,097.5 million of the estimated purchase price of the Communications Business Acquisition to intangible assets comprising of the asset classes shown in Note (H) above.

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION—(Continued)

(J)

Represents the adjustment necessary to recognize the fair value of the performance obligations assumed by NetScout for deferred revenue of the Communications Businesses.

(K)

Represents a net increase to deferred tax liabilities resulting from the assignment of a portion of the estimated purchase price allocation to identifiable tangible and intangible assets which are not expected to be deductible for tax purposes ($343.9 million), as well as the valuation of historical deferred tax assets of the Communications Business ($4.2 million).

(L)

Reflects the (i) elimination of the historical equity of the Communications Business (which results in a reduction to pro forma equity of $805.7 million after consideration of funding of certain liabilities by Danaher as noted in notes (B)(D) and (E) as well as other transaction adjustments noted in note (C)); (ii) addition of equity recorded for the issuance of 62.5 million shares of NetScout common stock issued as Equity Consideration at the May 1, 2015 price of $43.05 per share (which results in an increase in pro forma equity of $2,690.6 million); and (iii) an $8.1 million (after tax) impact to retained earnings of transaction costs associated with the Communications Business Acquisition. As these transaction costs are not expected to have a continuing impact on the combined entity, they were not included in the pro forma combined statements of operations for any period presented; however, pro forma effect has been given to the incurrence of all expected transaction costs in the pro forma combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2014. The net effect of these adjustments to pro forma equity is an increase of $1,876.8 million.

Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statements of Operations

(M)

Represents the adjustment to revenues to reflect the measurement of deferred revenue based upon the fair value of the performance obligation that would have been assumed on the first day of fiscal 2014.

(N)

Represents the elimination of non-recurring transaction costs incurred during the nine month period ended December 31, 2014 of $6.2 million that are directly related to the Transactions. No transaction costs were incurred during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

(O)

Represents the net adjustment necessary to reflect the elimination of depreciation of certain property that is being retained by Danaher as part of the transactions and the additional lease expense that will be incurred in relation to such buildings pursuant to the Transaction Documents. Depreciation expense recorded in the Communications Businesses for this property not acquired was $1.0 million and $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 and the nine months ended December 31, 2014, respectively. Total rent expense to be recorded for the year ended March 31, 2014 and the nine months ended December 31, 2014 is $2.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively.

(P)

Reflects the pro forma adjustments for the amortization expense resulting from the allocation of a portion of the estimated purchase price of the Communications Business Acquisition to intangible assets.

NetScout has estimated the pro forma amortization expense of acquired intangibles for the following periods based upon the estimated fair value and expected remaining useful lives (in thousands):


Acquired Intangible Asset Amortization:	Classification of Expense	Nine Months Ended December 31, 2014		Year Ended March 31, 2014
Leasehold Interest	Amortization of intangible assets	$	1,506	$	2,008
Customer Relationships	Amortization of intangible assets		44,782		33,214
Backlog	Revenue		4,439		15,731
Trademarks	Amortization of intangible assets		6,431		8,186
Developed Technology	Cost of sales		30,898		44,300

Total Acquired Intangible Asset Amortization		$	88,056	$	103,439

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION—(Continued)

In addition, this adjustment reflects the elimination of the Communications Business’ historical intangible amortization as follows (in thousands):


Historical Intangible Asset Amortization:	Classification of Expense	Nine Months Ended December 31, 2014		Year Ended March 31, 2014
Technology	Cost of sales	$	7,840	$	9,344
Customer relationships and Other Intangible Assets	Amortization of intangible assets		12,042		19,661

Total Historical Intangible Asset Amortization		$	19,882	$	29,005

(Q)

Reflects the estimated tax effect of pro forma adjustments to income before provision for income taxes using an estimated blended statutory rate of 38.0% for the periods presented based on the impact of the Communications Business Acquisition on the combined company, as the effective rate approximates the statutory rate for the periods presented.

(R)

Reflects the pro forma total number of shares outstanding giving effect to the common stock issued as consideration for the Communications Business Acquisition and the replacement awards. The pro forma weighted average number of shares of NetScout common stock outstanding for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 and the nine months ended December 31, 2014 have been calculated as if the common stock issued as part of the Communications Business Acquisition and the replacement equity awards had been issued or purchased as of April 1, 2013. The following table sets forth the computation of pro forma adjustment to basic and diluted shares for the following periods (in thousands):


	Nine Months Ended December 31, 2014				Year Ended March 31, 2014
	Basic		Diluted		Basic		Diluted
NetScout, Inc. common shares outstanding		41,128		41,679		41,366		41,955
Record new equity issued to Danaher Shareholders		62,500		62,500		62,500		62,500
Dilutive impact of replacement awards		—		32		—		42

Pro Forma Common Shares Outstanding		103,628		104,211		103,866		104,497

(S)

Reflects the incremental expense related to compensation arrangements entered into pursuant to the Communications Business Acquisition Agreements of $6.7 million for the year ended March 31, 2014 and $2.9 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014. The incremental expense for each period is classified within the unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations as follows:


	Nine Months Ended December 31, 2014		Year Ended March 31, 2014
Cost of product	$	29	$	67
Cost of service		200		469
Research & development		915		2,142
Sales & marketing		801		1,874
General & administrative		915		2,142

Total Incremental Expense	$	2,860	$	6,694

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE COMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS

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

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is designed to provide a reader of the financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of the management of the Communications Business. The MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Communications Business’ Combined Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014. The MD&A is divided into five sections:

•

Basis of Presentation and Overview

•

Results of Operations

•

Risk Management

•

Liquidity and Capital Resources

•

Critical Accounting Estimates

Basis of Presentation

The Communications Business consists of the Tektronix Communications and Arbor Networks businesses and certain parts of the Fluke Networks Enterprise business of Danaher and is a leading provider of products and solutions used in the design, deployment, monitoring and security of traditional, virtualized, mobile and cloud-based networks operated by communications service providers, hosting service providers, enterprises and government agencies worldwide. The Communications Business derives revenue principally by developing, manufacturing, and selling a broad range of hardware, software and support services.

On October 13, 2014, Danaher announced a definitive agreement with NetScout to combine the Communications Business with NetScout whereby Danaher will distribute to its stockholders all of the common units of Newco, a wholly owned subsidiary. Prior to the Distribution, Danaher will cause specified assets used in, and liabilities of, the Communications Business to be conveyed to Newco. The distribution of Newco common units to Danaher stockholders will be effected as either a spin-off transaction, a split-off transaction, or a combination split-off and spin-off, followed by a merger with a subsidiary of NetScout for consideration of 62.5 million NetScout shares, subject to adjustment. Both the Distribution and Mergers are expected to qualify as tax-free transactions to Danaher and its stockholders, except to the extent that cash is paid to Danaher stockholders in lieu of fractional shares. If Danaher elects a spin-off, all Danaher stockholders will participate pro-rata. If Danaher elects a split-off, Danaher will conduct an exchange offer pursuant to which its stockholders will elect whether to exchange Danaher shares for common units of Newco. If the split-off exchange offer is not fully subscribed, the additional Newco common units held by Danaher will be distributed in a spin-off on a pro rata basis to Danaher stockholders. Danaher will determine which approach it will take prior to closing the Transactions and no decision has been made at this time. At closing, depending on the number of shares of NetScout common stock outstanding, it is expected that pre-First Merger holders of Newco common units and Newco Employees will receive approximately 59.5% of the shares of NetScout common stock on a fully-diluted basis following the Transactions. The Transactions are expected to be completed in 2015. NetScout and Danaher anticipate that the transfer of certain assets and liabilities of the Communications Business will be completed after the closing date of the Mergers due to regulatory and other delays in certain jurisdictions outside the United States.

The Transactions remain subject to the approval of the issuance of shares of NetScout common stock in the First Merger by NetScout’s stockholders and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and the absence of a Material Adverse Effect with respect to either the Communications Business or NetScout. On December 24, 2014, NetScout received a second request from the U.S. Department of Justice. The effect of the second request was to extend the waiting period imposed by the HSR Act until 30 days after both NetScout and Danaher substantially complied with the request, unless that period was extended voluntarily by the parties or terminated sooner by the U.S. Department of Justice. On April 22, 2015, the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice gave Danaher and NetScout written notice that it had closed its investigation into the Transactions, which effectively terminated the waiting period under the HSR Act.

The accompanying combined financial statements present the historical financial position, results of operations, changes in Danaher’s, or “parent”, equity and cash flows of the Communications Business of Danaher in accordance with GAAP for the preparation of carved-out combined financial statements.

The Communications Business has historically operated as part of Danaher and not as a stand-alone company and has no separate legal status or existence. The financial statements have been derived from Danaher’s historical accounting records and are presented on a carve-out basis. All revenues and costs as well as assets and liabilities directly associated with the business activity of the Communications Business are included as a component of the financial statements. The financial statements also include allocations of certain general, administrative, sales and marketing expenses and cost of sales from Danaher’s corporate office and from other Danaher businesses to the Communications Business and allocations of related assets, liabilities, and parent’s investment, as applicable. The allocations have been determined on a reasonable basis; however, the amounts are not necessarily representative of the amounts that would have been reflected in the financial statements had the Communications Business been an entity that operated independently of Danaher. Related party allocations are discussed further in Note 16 of the Notes to the Combined Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Net parent investment, which includes retained earnings, represents Danaher’s interest in the recorded net assets of the Communications Business. All significant transactions between the Communications Business and Danaher have been included in the accompanying Combined Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014. Transactions with Danaher are reflected in the accompanying Combined Statements of Changes in Parent’s Equity as “Net transfers from (to) parent” and in the accompanying Combined Balance Sheets within “Net parent investment.”

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions between the operations comprising the Communications Business have been eliminated in the accompanying Combined Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Overview

General

Please see “Information on the Communications Business” for a discussion of the Communications Business’ products and services, customer base, and the strategy of the business. The Communications Business is a multinational business that serves communication service providers and enterprise networks in all major geographic regions. During 2014, approximately 44% of the Communications Business’ sales were derived from customers outside the United States. As a global business, the Communications Business’ operations are affected by worldwide, regional and industry-specific economic and political factors, as well as technology trends in the markets served. As a result of the Communications Business’ geographic diversity, as well as the breadth of product offerings across a broad segment of communication industry customers, the Communications Business faces a variety of opportunities and challenges. Market drivers that the Communications Business’ management believes will continue to create opportunities for the Communications Business include, among others, the continued proliferation of mobile devices that increase the bandwidth requirements for networks, continued challenges for IT organizations to assure secure networks, and the expansion and evolution of networks in emerging market economies. Challenges include, among other things, the need for rapid technological development, a concentration of customers in North America, trends and costs associated with a global labor

force, and competition from local competitors as well as new market entrants. The Communications Business operates in a highly competitive business environment, and the Communications Business’ long-term growth and profitability will depend in particular on its ability to maintain and expand business with existing customers and to provide continually enhanced technology solutions that address customer needs.

Restructuring Activities

In light of shifts in demand and consistent with the Communications Business’ approach of positioning itself to provide superior products and services to its customers in a cost efficient manner, the Communications Business will, from time to time, initiate actions to improve productivity, reduce costs and align the organization with the current market opportunities, incurring severance and other reorganization costs to do so. In 2014, the Communications Business aligned its selling and research and development investments with what management believed to be its highest growth opportunities, including investments in cyber security, next-generation networks and virtualization. The Communications Business recorded restructuring and other related charges of $23,910,000, $5,529,000 and $2,340,000, in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively; of which approximately 88%, 91% and 55%, in each respective year was included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying Combined Statements of Earnings, with the remaining amount charged to cost of sales. In each year, the amounts are predominantly cash charges. The 2014 restructuring actions are expected to result in annual savings of approximately $25,000,000 in 2015 compared to 2014 expense levels.

Acquisitions

During 2014, the Communications Business made no acquisitions.

For a discussion of the Communications Business’ 2013 and 2012 acquisition activity, refer to “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Investing Activities.”

Results of Operations

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013


	Year Ended December 31
($ in thousands)	2014			2013
Sales
Products	$	535,281		$	623,632
Services		224,942			211,259

Total sales		760,223			834,891
Cost of sales:
Products		(180,233	)		(195,077	)
Services		(52,750	)		(48,043	)

Total cost of sales		(232,983	)		(243,120	)
Gross profit:
Products		355,048			428,555
Services		172,192			163,216

Total gross profit		527,240			591,771

Operating costs and other
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(289,193	)		(276,896	)
Research and development expenses		(159,554	)		(147,553	)
Amortization of intangible assets		(16,158	)		(19,661	)
Impairment of intangible assets		—			(31,063	)

Earnings before income taxes		62,335			116,598
Income Taxes		(19,783	)		(32,792	)

Net Earnings	$	42,552		$	83,806

Product gross profit as a % of product sales		66.3	%		68.7	%
Service gross profit as a % of service sales		76.5	%		77.3	%
Gross profit as a % of sales		69.4	%		70.9	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a % of sales		38.0	%		33.2	%
Research and development expenses as a % of sales		21.0	%		17.7	%
Earnings before income taxes as a % of sales		8.2	%		14.0	%

Sales and Backlog

The Communications Business’ total sales decreased $74,668,000, or 8.9%, during 2014 as compared to 2013.

Product sales declined $88,351,000, or 14.2%, in 2014 as compared to 2013 due primarily to lower sales of telecommunications network monitoring systems in North America. Certain of the Communications Business’ large customers are in the process of migrating their infrastructure to next-generation communication network technologies, and as a result have delayed capital spending on their networks. The Communications Business is actively working with these customers to support this transition, including by increasing research and development investments to bring to market solutions for these customers’ next generation technology requirements. The Communications Business anticipates this technology migration will continue to adversely impact product sales in the first half of 2015 but does expect year-over-year sales growth for the full year ending December 31, 2015. As noted below, the Communications Business received significant orders for next-generation products in the second half of 2014 that were not converted to sales in 2014 and remained in backlog as of December 31, 2014. Management anticipates that these orders for next-generation products will be converted to sales in 2015 and will be a significant contributing factor to the return to growth for the full year 2015. The overall decline in telecommunications network monitoring systems sales was partially offset by increased year-over-year product sales from recently acquired businesses, which contributed $30,728,000 to reported sales, as well as high-single digit sales growth from enterprise performance management products.

Sales of services increased by $13,683,000, or 6.5%, in 2014 as compared to 2013. This sales growth was primarily a result of continued strong demand for maintenance and service for the Communications Business’ growing installed base of communications network monitoring systems, cyber security systems and growth in new service offerings, including those from recently acquired businesses.

Geographically, year-over-year sales for products and services decreased significantly in North America and to a lesser extent in Australia, which was partially offset by increases in Western Europe and the Middle East.

Backlog at December 31, 2014 was $359,942,000, an increase of $2,608,000 as compared to the balance at December 31, 2013, driven by increases in backlog for network security products and, to a lesser extent, enterprise network performance management products, which was largely offset by decreased backlog for network monitoring systems. Orders booked during 2014 decreased $30,990,000 compared to 2013 due primarily to the North American customer capital spending delays described above. However, as noted above, orders declined at a slower rate than sales due to the booking of significant large orders for next-generation monitoring solutions during the second half of 2014, which are expected to be converted to sales in 2015. The Communications Business’ book to bill ratio (representing total orders booked divided by total sales), which was significantly below 1.0 for the first half of 2014, increased to 1.25 for the second half of 2014 and finished the full year at 1.02. The Communications Business also experienced order growth in a number of product categories including cyber security and application performance management for enterprise networks. Order growth rates across the Communications Business’ product offerings can vary significantly due to the size and timing of receipt of customer orders.

Cost of Sales

Cost of products sales decreased $14,844,000, or 7.6%, during 2014 as compared to 2013, due primarily to the decrease in sales volume as noted above, partially offset by increased cost of sales from recent acquisitions of approximately $13,448,000 and incremental year-over-year costs associated with restructuring actions of approximately $1,029,000 resulting from the Communications Business’ continuing efforts to align its organization with the current market opportunities.

Cost of services sales increased $4,707,000, or 9.8%, during 2014 as compared to 2013 and grew faster than service sales due to higher service costs associated with recently acquired businesses of approximately $710,000 and incremental year-over-year costs associated with restructuring actions of approximately $1,544,000 resulting from the Communications Business’ continuing efforts to align its organization with the current market opportunities.

Gross Profit

Gross profit decreased $64,531,000 or 150 basis points as a percent of sales during 2014 as compared to 2013.

Product gross profit as a percent of product sales decreased 240 basis points during 2014 as compared to 2013 primarily as a result of North American sales comprising a lower percentage of total product sales, the dilutive impact of recent acquisitions and incremental year-over-year costs associated with restructuring actions resulting from the Communications Business’ continuing efforts to align its organization with the current market opportunities.

Service gross profit as a percent of service sales decreased 80 basis points during 2014 as compared to 2013, primarily as a result of the dilutive impact of recent acquisitions and incremental year-over-year costs associated with restructuring actions resulting from the Communications Business’ continuing efforts to align its organization with the current market opportunities.

Operating Costs and Other Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $12,297,000, or 480 basis points as a percent of sales, during 2014 as compared to 2013. This increase was due primarily to the following factors:

•

growth investments to expand the reach of the Communications Business’ direct sales force in developed and emerging markets and to align investments with the Communications Business’ highest growth opportunities increased selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of sales by 210 basis points;

•

incremental year-over-year costs associated with restructuring actions resulting from the Communications Business’ continuing efforts to align its organization with the current market opportunities increased selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of sales by 220 basis points;

•

recent acquisitions increased selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of sales by 110 basis points; and

•

adjustments to earn-out obligations decreased selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of sales by 60 basis points.

Research and development expenses increased $12,001,000, or 330 basis points as a percent of sales, during 2014 as compared to 2013. This increase was due primarily to investments in new product development, including a next-generation telecommunications monitoring platform designed to address the customer technology migrations described above and expansion of the Communications Business’ cyber security offering into advanced persistent threat (“APT”) as well as continued product development for recently acquired businesses.

Amortization of intangibles decreased $3,503,000 during 2014 as compared to 2013 primarily due to the impairment of the customer relationship intangible assets in 2013 as discussed below, offset by the amortization of additional intangible assets from the acquisitions in 2013.

The Communications Business recorded an impairment charge of $31,063,000 in 2013 to reduce certain acquired customer relationship intangible assets to their fair value. These customer relationship assets were deemed to be impaired because, as of December 31, 2013, orders and financial results of the business had not materialized according to the original expectations of the Communications Business as of the date of acquisition. There were no impairment charges recorded during 2014. For additional information regarding the impairment charge see Note 6 to the Combined Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Earnings Before Income Taxes

The Communications Business’ earnings before income taxes declined $54,263,000 during 2014 as compared to 2013, and as a percent of sales, declined from 14.0% of sales in 2013 to 8.2% of sales in 2014. The reduction in earnings before income taxes as a percent of sales is due to the factors below.

2014 vs. 2013 earnings before income taxes margin comparisons were favorably impacted by:

•

the intangible asset impairment taken in 2013—370 basis points as a percent of sales; and

•

adjustments to earn-out obligations in 2014—60 basis points.

2014 vs. 2013 earnings before income taxes margin comparisons were unfavorably impacted by:

•

the year-over-year decline in sales and incremental year-over-year costs associated with new product development and sales and marketing growth investments, offset by savings associated with restructuring actions and continuing productivity improvement initiatives—750 basis points;

•

the year-over-year incremental costs associated restructuring actions taken in 2014 and 2013—240 basis points; and

•

the dilutive impact of recent acquisitions, due primarily to higher research and development costs—20 basis points.

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012


	Year Ended December 31
($ in thousands)	2013			2012
Sales
Products	$	623,632		$	594,770
Services		211,259			190,968

Total sales		834,891			785,738
Cost of sales:
Products		(195,077	)		(189,711	)
Services		(48,043	)		(44,544	)

Total cost of sales		(243,120	)		(234,255	)
Gross profit:
Products		428,555			405,059
Services		163,216			146,424

Total gross profit		591,771			551,483

Operating costs and other
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(276,896	)		(245,403	)
Research and development expenses		(147,553	)		(130,872	)
Amortization of intangible assets		(19,661	)		(17,327	)
Impairment of intangible assets		(31,063	)		—

Earnings before income taxes		116,598			157,881
Income Taxes		(32,792	)		(54,083	)

Net Earnings	$	83,806		$	103,798

Product gross profit as a % of product sales		68.7	%		68.1	%
Service gross profit as a % of service sales		77.3	%		76.7	%
Total gross profit as a % of sales		70.9	%		70.2	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a % of sales		33.2	%		31.2	%
Research and development expenses as a % of sales		17.7	%		16.7	%
Earnings before income taxes as a % of sales		14.0	%		20.1	%

Sales and Backlog

The Communications Business’ total sales increased $49,153,000, or 6.3%, during 2013 as compared to 2012. Price increases contributed approximately 1.0% to sales growth during 2013 as compared to 2012.

Product sales grew $28,862,000, or 4.9%, in 2013 as compared to 2012 due to strong demand for telecommunications network monitoring systems, primarily in North America, as carriers continued to expand wireless telecommunication service offerings and increase the capacity of their networks. Increased demand for enterprise network performance management products and enterprise cyber security systems also contributed to growth. Recent acquisitions contributed slightly to product sales growth.

The Communications Business’ service sales increased by $20,291,000, or 10.6%, in 2013 as compared to 2012. This sales growth was primarily a result of continued strong demand for maintenance and service for the

Communications Business’ growing installed base (which installed base increased significantly in 2012 as a result of strong year-over-year product sales growth) of communications network monitoring systems, cyber security systems and growth in new service offerings, including those from recently acquired businesses.

Geographically, the Communications Business sales for products and services increased significantly in North America and Latin America during 2013 as compared to 2012, which was offset somewhat by declines in Europe and Asia.

Backlog at December 31, 2013 was $357,334,000, a decrease of $41,070,000 as compared to the balance at December 31, 2012. However, orders booked during 2013 increased $103,494,000 compared to 2012 bookings. Order growth rates can vary significantly due to the size and timing of receipt of customer orders.

Cost of Sales

Cost of products sales increased $5,366,000, or 2.8%, during 2013 as compared to 2012, due primarily to the increase in demand for communications network monitoring systems. Cost of products sales increased at a lower rate than product sales for the period due to the leveraging of certain fixed costs on higher sales levels.

Cost of services sales increased $3,499,000, or 7.9%, during 2013 as compared to 2012 consistent with increased demand for the Communications Business’ service offerings. Cost of services sales increased at a lower rate than services sales for the period due to the leveraging of certain fixed costs on higher sales levels.

Gross Profit

Gross profit increased $40,288,000 or 70 basis points as a percent of sales in 2013 as compared to 2012.

Product gross profit as a percent of product sales increased 60 basis points during 2013 as compared to 2012 primarily as a result of strong demand in North America for communications network management products and resulting fixed cost leverage, offset slightly by the dilutive impact of product sales from recently acquired businesses.

Service gross profit as a percent of service sales increased 60 basis points during 2013 as compared to 2012 primarily as result of strong demand for the Communications Business’ service offerings as discussed above.

Operating Costs and Other Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $31,493,000, or 200 basis points as a percent of sales, during 2013 as compared to 2012, due to sales and marketing growth investments to expand the reach of the Communications Business’ direct sales force in developed and emerging markets and the acquisition of VSS, which contributed 100 basis points to selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of sales during 2013 as compared to 2012.

Research and development expenses increased $16,681,000, or 100 basis points as a percent of sales, during 2013 as compared to 2012. This increase was due primarily to investments in new product development, including a next-generation telecommunications monitoring platform designed to address the customer technology migration described above and expansion of the Communications Business’ cyber security offering into APT as well as continued product development for recently acquired businesses.

Amortization of intangibles increased $2,334,000 during 2013 as compared to 2012 primarily due to the amortization of intangible assets from the acquisition of VSS in the second quarter 2012 and to a lesser extent from business acquisitions in 2013.

The Communications Business recorded an impairment charge of $31,063,000 in 2013 to reduce certain acquired customer relationship assets to their fair value. These customer relationship assets were deemed to be impaired because, as of December 31, 2013, orders and financial results of the business to had not materialized according to the original expectations of the Communications Business as of the date of acquisition. For additional information regarding the impairment charge see Note 6 to the Combined Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Earnings Before Income Taxes

The Communications Business’ earnings before income taxes declined $41,283,000 during 2013 as compared to 2012, and as a percent of sales declined from 20.1% of sales in 2012 to 14.0% of sales in 2013. The reductions in earnings before income taxes as a percent of sales is due to the following factors:

•

the dilutive impact of recent acquisitions negatively impacted earnings before income taxes by 220 basis points;

•

intangible asset impairment negatively impacted earnings before income taxes by 370 basis points; and

•

the year-over-year increase in sales, and incremental year-over-year cost savings associated with the restructuring actions and continuing productivity improvement initiatives taken in 2013 and 2012, offset by incremental year-over-year costs associated with new product development and sales and marketing growth investments negatively impacted earnings before income taxes as a percent of sales by 20 basis points.

Income Taxes

General

The Communications Business’ domestic and international earnings are included in tax returns filed by Danaher. The Communications Business accounts for income taxes under the separate returns method. Under this approach, income tax expense and deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined as if the Communications Business were filing separate returns. The Communications Business records the tax effect of discrete items in the period in which they occur.

The Communications Business’ effective tax rate can be affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates (including as a result of business acquisitions and dispositions), changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, accruals related to contingent tax liabilities and period-to-period changes in such accruals, the results of audits and examinations of previously filed tax returns (as discussed below), the expiration of statutes of limitations, the implementation of tax planning strategies, tax rulings, court decisions, settlements with tax authorities and changes in tax laws.

As part of Danaher, the amount of income taxes the Communications Business pays is subject to ongoing audits by federal, state and foreign tax authorities, which often result in proposed assessments. Management performs a comprehensive review of its global tax positions on a quarterly basis. Based on these reviews, the results of discussions and resolutions of matters with certain tax authorities, tax rulings and court decisions, and the expiration of statutes of limitations, reserves for contingent tax liabilities are accrued or adjusted as necessary.

The Communications Business’ effective tax rate for 2014, 2013 and 2012, was 31.7%, 28.1% and 34.3%, respectively. The Communications Business’ effective tax rate for each year was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due principally to tax benefits of the Domestic Production Activities Deduction and the lapse of certain statutes of limitation, partially offset by state income taxes. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the effective tax rate was also lower due to the reinstatement of the research and experimentation credit resulting from the enactments of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 and American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, partially offset by foreign income taxed at different rates than the U.S. federal statutory rate.

Inflation

The effect of inflation on the Communications Business’ revenues and net earnings was not significant in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012.

Risk Management

The Communications Business is exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, credit risk, and commodity prices, each of which could impact its financial statements. The Communications Business generally addresses its exposure to these risks through its normal operating and financing activities.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk

The Communications Business faces transactional exchange rate risk from transactions with customers in countries outside the United States and from intercompany transactions between affiliates. Transactional exchange rate risk arises from the purchase and sale of goods and services in currencies other than the Communications Business’ functional currency or the functional currency of an applicable subsidiary. The Communications Business also faces translational exchange rate risk related to the translation of financial statements of foreign operations into U.S. dollars, the Communications Business’ functional currency. Costs incurred and sales recorded by subsidiaries operating outside of the United States are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates effective during the respective period. As a result, the Communications Business is exposed to movements in the exchange rates of various currencies against the U.S. dollar, particularly the Euro. Therefore, when the Euro strengthens or weakens against the U.S. dollar, operating profits are increased or decreased, respectively. The effect of a change in currency exchange rates on the Communications Business’ net investment in international subsidiaries is reflected in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component of parent’s equity. A 10% depreciation in the Euro to the U.S. dollar at December 31, 2014 would have resulted in a reduction of parent’s equity of approximately $8,300,000.

The impact of currency exchange rates on reported sales during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was negligible. In 2012 currency exchange rates negatively impacted sales by approximately 1.0% as compared to 2011.

If the exchange rates in effect as of December 31, 2014 were to prevail throughout 2015, currency exchange rates would adversely impact 2015 estimated sales by approximately 1.0% relative to the Communications Business’ performance in 2014 due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against most major currencies at the end of the fourth quarter of 2014. Additional strengthening of the U.S. dollar against other major currencies would further adversely impact the Communications Business’ sales and results of operations on an overall basis. Any weakening of the U.S. dollar against other major currencies would positively impact the Communications Business’ sales and results of operations.

As part of Danaher, the Communications Business has generally accepted the exposure to exchange rate movements without using derivative financial instruments to manage this risk. Both positive and negative movements in currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar will therefore continue to affect the reported amount of sales, profit, and assets and liabilities in the Communications Business’ financial statements.

Credit Risk

The Communications Business is exposed to potential credit losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to its financial instruments. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Communications Business to credit risk consist of receivables from customers.

Sales to the Communications Business’ largest two customers were 30% of total sales in 2014, 36% of total sales in 2013, and 33% in of total sales in 2012. No other individual customer accounted for more than 10% of

combined sales during these periods. Accounts receivable from these customers accounted for 19% and 11% of total customer receivables as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

The Communications Business’ management performs credit evaluations of their customers’ financial conditions as appropriate and also obtains collateral or other security when appropriate.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As part of Danaher, the Communications Business is dependent upon Danaher for all of its working capital and financing requirements as Danaher uses a centralized approach to cash management and financing of its operations. Financial transactions relating to the Communications Business are accounted for through the parent investment account of the Communications Business. Accordingly, none of Danaher’s cash, cash equivalents or debt at the corporate level has been assigned to the Communications Business in the financial statements. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Communications Business generated sufficient cash from operating activities to fund its capital spending and acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2012, Danaher provided funding to the Communications Business to support the Communications Business’ investing activities.

The following is an overview of the Communications Business’ cash flows and liquidity:

Overview of Cash Flows and Liquidity


	For the Year Ended December 31
($ in thousands)	2014			2013			2012
Total operating cash flows	$	92,621		$	102,962		$	172,132

Cash paid for acquisitions	$	—		$	(74,719	)	$	(189,138	)
Payments for additions to property, plant and equipment		(16,877	)		(13,438	)		(12,487	)

Net cash used in investing activities	$	(16,877	)	$	(88,157	)	$	(201,625	)

Net transfers from (to) parent	$	(73,244	)	$	(14,805	)	$	29,493
Payments relating to earn-out liability		(2,500	)		—			—

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	$	(75,744	)	$	(14,805	)	$	29,493

Operating cash flows decreased $10,341,000 during 2014 as compared to 2013 principally due to lower net earnings offset by the timing of customer deposits received in 2014 and net cash outflows related to trade accounts receivable, inventories and trade accounts payable during 2014 as compared to 2013, which can be significantly impacted by the timing of collections and payments in a period. Cash used in investing activities decreased $71,280,000 during 2014 as compared to 2013, as the business did not make any acquisitions during 2014. Cash used in financing activities increased $60,939,000 during 2014 compared to 2013, primarily due to cash flows generated by the Communications Business being returned to Danaher in 2014 where these amounts were invested in acquired businesses in 2013.

Operating cash flows decreased $69,170,000 during 2013 as compared to 2012 principally due to lower net earnings and the timing of customer deposits received in 2012. Cash used in investing activities decreased $113,468,000 during 2013 as compared to 2012, as cash paid for acquisitions decreased by $114,419,000. Cash used in financing activities increased $44,298,000 during 2013 as compared to 2012, as Danaher had funded a portion of the Communications Business’ investing activities in 2012.

Contractual Obligations

The following table sets forth, by period due or year of expected expiration, as applicable, a summary of the Communications Business’ contractual obligations as of December 31, 2014 under (1) leases, (2) purchase obligations and (3) other long-term liabilities reflected on the Communications Business’ balance sheet under GAAP. The amounts presented in the table below do not reflect $6,671,000 of gross unrecognized tax benefits, the timing of which is uncertain. Refer to Note 12 to the Combined Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 for additional information on unrecognized tax benefits.


($ in thousands)	Total		Less Than One Year		1-3 Years		3-5 Years		More Than 5 Years
Operating Lease Obligations ^(a)	$	22,179	$	6,327	$	11,057	$	4,027	$	768
Other:
Purchase Obligations ^(b)		39,567		36,055		3,428		84		—
Earn-out Obligations		18,291		18,291		—		—		—
Other Long-Term Liabilities Reflected on the Communications Business’ Balance Sheet Under GAAP ^(c)		78,933		—		33,521		20,187		25,225

Total	$	158,970	$	60,673	$	48,006	$	24,298	$	25,993

^(a)

As described in Note 10 to the Combined Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, certain leases require the Communications Business to pay real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance and other operating expenses associated with the leased premises. These future costs are not included in the schedule above.

^(b)

Consist of agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding on the Communications Business and that specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased, fixed, minimum or variable price provisions and the approximate timing of the transaction.

^(c)

Primarily consist of obligations for indemnification obligations, self-insurance and litigation claims, pension obligations, deferred tax liabilities (excluding unrecognized tax benefits) and deferred compensation obligations. The timing of cash flows associated with these obligations is based upon management’s estimates over the terms of these arrangements and is largely based upon historical experience.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In the normal course of business, the Communications Business periodically enters into agreements that require it to indemnify customers, suppliers or other business partners for specific risks, such as claims for injury or property damage arising out of the Communications Business’ products or services or claims alleging that Communications Business products, services or software infringe third party intellectual property. Historically, the Communications Business has not experienced significant losses on these types of indemnification obligations.

Legal Proceedings

Please refer to Note 11 to the Combined Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 for information regarding legal proceedings and contingencies. For a discussion of risks related to legal proceedings and contingencies, please refer to the section entitled “Risk Factors” above.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of the Communications Business’ financial condition and results of operations is based upon the Communications Business’ Combined Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for the preparation of

carved-out, combined financial statements. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Communications Business bases these estimates and judgments on historical experience, the current economic environment and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates and judgments.

The Communications Business believes the following accounting estimates are most critical to an understanding of its financial statements. Estimates are considered to be critical if they meet both of the following criteria: (1) the estimate requires assumptions about material matters that are uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and (2) material changes in the estimate are reasonably likely from period to period. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting estimates, refer to Note 2 in the Communications Business’ Combined Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Accounts Receivable

The Communications Business maintains allowances for doubtful accounts to reflect probable credit losses inherent in its portfolio of receivables. Determination of the allowances requires management to exercise judgment about the timing, frequency and severity of credit losses that could materially affect the allowances for doubtful accounts and, therefore, net income. The allowances for doubtful accounts represent management’s best estimate of the credit losses expected from the Communications Business’ trade accounts, contract and finance receivable portfolios. The level of the allowances is based on many quantitative and qualitative factors including historical loss experience by receivable type, portfolio duration, delinquency trends, economic conditions and credit risk quality. The Communications Business regularly performs detailed reviews of its accounts receivable portfolio to determine if an impairment has occurred and to assess the adequacy of the allowances. If the financial condition of the Communications Business’ customers were to deteriorate with a severity, frequency and/or timing different from the Communications Business’ assumptions, additional allowances would be required and the Communications Business’ financial statements would be adversely impacted.

Inventories

The Communications Business records inventory at the lower of cost or market value. The Communications Business estimates the market value of its inventory based on assumptions of future demand and related pricing. Estimating the market value of inventory is inherently uncertain because levels of demand, technological advances and pricing competition in many of the Communications Business’ markets can fluctuate significantly from period to period due to circumstances beyond the Communications Business’ control. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, the Communications Business could be required to reduce the value of its inventory, which would adversely impact the Communications Business’ financial statements.

Acquired Intangibles

The Communications Business’ acquisitions typically result in the recognition of goodwill, in-process research and development and other intangible assets, which affect the amount of future period amortization expense and possible impairment charges that the Communications Business may incur. Refer to Notes 2, 3 and 6 in the Communications Business’ Combined Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a description of the Communications Business’ policies relating to goodwill, acquired intangibles and acquisitions.

In performing its goodwill impairment testing, the Communications Business estimates the fair value of its reporting units primarily using a market based approach. The Communications Business estimates fair value based on appropriate multiples of sales or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) determined by current trading market multiples of earnings and/or sales for companies operating in

businesses similar to each of the Communications Business’ reporting units, in addition to recent market available sale transactions of comparable businesses. In evaluating the estimates derived by the market based approach, management makes judgments about the relevance and reliability of the multiples by considering factors unique to its reporting units, including operating results, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, and transactions and marketplace data as well as judgments about the comparability of the market proxies selected. In certain circumstances the Communications Business also estimates fair value utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis (i.e., an income approach) in order to validate the results of the market approach. The discounted cash flow model requires judgmental assumptions about projected revenue growth, future operating margins, discount rates and terminal values. There are inherent uncertainties related to these assumptions and management’s judgment in applying them to the analysis of goodwill impairment.

As of December 31, 2014, the Communications Business had four reporting units for goodwill impairment testing. Reporting units resulting from recent acquisitions generally present the highest risk of impairment. The Communications Business’ management believes the impairment risk associated with these reporting units decreases as these businesses are integrated into the Communications Business and better positioned for potential future earnings growth. The carrying value of the goodwill included in each individual reporting unit ranges from $59,330,000 to $411,157,000. The Communications Business’ annual goodwill impairment analysis in 2014 indicated that in all instances, the fair values of the Communications Business’ reporting units exceeded their carrying values and consequently did not result in an impairment charge.

The Communications Business reviews identified intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The Communications Business also tests intangible assets with indefinite lives at least annually for impairment. Determining whether an impairment loss occurred requires a comparison of the carrying amount to the sum of undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. These analyses require management to make judgments and estimates about future revenues, expenses, market conditions and discount rates related to these assets.

As a result of these impairment analyses, the Communications Business recorded impairment charges of $31,063,000 in 2013 related to the value of customer relationship and technology intangible assets. There were no impairments recorded in 2014 or 2012. The 2013 impairment charge was recorded to reduce the value of certain customer relationship assets to their estimated fair value. These customer relationship assets were deemed to be impaired because as of December 31, 2013, orders and financial results of the acquired business to which these assets relate had not materialized according to the original expectations of the Communications Business as of the date of acquisition.

If actual results are not consistent with management’s estimates and assumptions, goodwill and other intangible assets may be overstated and a charge would need to be taken against net earnings which would adversely affect the Communications Business’ financial statements.

Contingent Liabilities

As discussed above under “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Legal Proceedings,” the Communications Business is, from time to time, subject to a variety of litigation and similar contingent liabilities incidental to its business (or the business operations of previously owned entities). The Communications Business recognizes a liability for any contingency that is known or probable of occurrence and reasonably estimable. These assessments require judgments concerning matters such as litigation developments and outcomes, the anticipated outcome of negotiations, the number of future claims and the cost of both pending and future claims. In addition, because most contingencies are resolved over long periods of time, liabilities may change in the future due to various factors, including those discussed above under “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Legal Proceedings.” If the reserves established by the Communications Business with respect to these contingent liabilities are inadequate, the Communications Business would be required to incur an expense equal to the amount of the loss incurred in excess of the reserves, which would adversely affect the Communications Business’ financial statements.

In connection with acquisitions, the Communications Business may enter into post-closing financial arrangements such as purchase price adjustments, earn-out obligations and indemnification obligations. These obligations are recorded at their fair value at the time of acquisition and require management to make judgments and estimates about the ultimate settlement amount. While the Communications Business believes it has made reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the fair value of these obligations, if actual results are not consistent with management’s estimates and assumptions, these obligations may be understated and a charge would need to be taken against net earnings.

Revenue Recognition

The Communications Business derives revenues from the sale of products and services. Refer to Note 2 to the Communications Business’ Combined Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a description of the Communications Business’ revenue recognition policies.