UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X] | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF | |
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. |
For the Quarter Ended December 31, 2001
OR
[ ] | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF | |
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 1-14443
Gartner, Inc.
Delaware | 04-3099750 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer | |
incorporation or organization) | Identification Number) | |
56 Top Gallant Road | 06904-2212 | |
P.O. Box 10212 | (Zip Code) | |
Stamford, CT | ||
(Address of principal executive offices) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (203) 316-1111
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES X NO .
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrants capital stock as of January 31, 2002 was 52,079,444 shares of Class A Common Stock and 32,547,828 shares of Class B Common Stock.
Table Of Contents
Page | ||||
PART I | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |||
ITEM 1: | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | |||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2001 and September 30, 2001 | 3 | |||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 | 4 | |||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 | 5 | |||
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | 6 | |||
ITEM 2: | MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS | 12 | ||
ITEM 3: |
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
23 | ||
PART II | OTHER INFORMATION | |||
ITEM 6: | EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K | 25 |
2
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
GARTNER, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited, in thousands)
December 31, | September 30, | |||||||||
2001 | 2001 | |||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||||
Cash and cash
equivalents |
$ | 27,431 | $ | 37,128 | ||||||
Marketable equity securities |
75 | 3,250 | ||||||||
Fees receivable, net |
315,194 | 300,306 | ||||||||
Deferred commissions |
39,704 | 34,822 | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
64,840 | 73,315 | ||||||||
Total current assets |
447,244 | 448,821 | ||||||||
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net |
94,540 | 100,288 | ||||||||
Intangible assets, net |
221,970 | 222,233 | ||||||||
Other assets |
65,652 | 67,660 | ||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 829,406 | $ | 839,002 | ||||||
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity (Deficit) |
||||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 161,579 | $ | 161,251 | ||||||
Deferred revenues |
325,808 | 351,263 | ||||||||
Short-term debt |
| 15,000 | ||||||||
Total current liabilities |
487,387 | 527,514 | ||||||||
Long-term convertible debt |
331,138 | 326,200 | ||||||||
Other liabilities |
20,635 | 19,806 | ||||||||
Commitments and contingencies |
||||||||||
Stockholders equity (deficit): |
||||||||||
Preferred stock |
| | ||||||||
Common stock |
59 | 59 | ||||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
347,986 | 342,216 | ||||||||
Unearned compensation, net |
(4,831 | ) | (5,145 | ) | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net |
(14,278 | ) | (14,961 | ) | ||||||
Accumulated earnings |
135,126 | 116,083 | ||||||||
Treasury stock, at cost |
(473,816 | ) | (472,770 | ) | ||||||
Total stockholders equity (deficit) |
(9,754 | ) | (34,518 | ) | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity (deficit) |
$ | 829,406 | $ | 839,002 | ||||||
See the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
GARTNER, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
Three months ended | ||||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||||
2001 | 2000 | |||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||
Research |
$ | 129,474 | $ | 139,182 | ||||||
Consulting |
53,542 | 49,663 | ||||||||
Events |
59,466 | 62,465 | ||||||||
Other |
4,724 | 4,305 | ||||||||
Total revenues |
247,206 | 255,615 | ||||||||
Costs and expenses: |
||||||||||
Cost of services and product development |
113,640 | 122,832 | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
89,193 | 91,801 | ||||||||
Depreciation |
9,924 | 7,515 | ||||||||
Amortization of intangibles |
502 | 3,287 | ||||||||
Total costs and expenses |
213,259 | 225,435 | ||||||||
Operating income |
33,947 | 30,180 | ||||||||
Net gain on sale of investments |
792 | 5,318 | ||||||||
Net gain (loss) from minority-owned investments |
79 | (1,700 | ) | |||||||
Interest income |
511 | 378 | ||||||||
Interest expense |
(5,604 | ) | (5,511 | ) | ||||||
Other expense, net |
(428 | ) | (574 | ) | ||||||
Income from continuing operations before provision for
income taxes |
29,297 | 28,091 | ||||||||
Provision for income taxes |
10,254 | 10,394 | ||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
19,043 | 17,697 | ||||||||
Loss from discontinued operation, net of taxes (See Note 4) |
| (13,800 | ) | |||||||
Net income |
$ | 19,043 | $ | 3,897 | ||||||
Basic income (loss) per common share: |
||||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
$ | 0.23 | $ | 0.21 | ||||||
Loss from discontinued operation |
| (0.16 | ) | |||||||
$ | 0.23 | $ | 0.05 | |||||||
Net income |
||||||||||
Diluted income (loss) per common share: |
||||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
$ | 0.17 | $ | 0.20 | ||||||
Loss from discontinued operation |
| (0.16 | ) | |||||||
Net income |
$ | 0.17 | $ | 0.04 | ||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: |
||||||||||
Basic |
83,883 | 86,048 | ||||||||
Diluted |
129,578 | 86,816 |
See the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
GARTNER, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited, in thousands)
Three months ended | |||||||||
December 31, | |||||||||
2001 | 2000 | ||||||||
Operating activities: |
|||||||||
Net income |
$ | 19,043 | $ | 3,897 | |||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
|||||||||
Loss from discontinued operation |
| 13,800 | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles |
10,426 | 10,802 | |||||||
Deferred compensation |
300 | 198 | |||||||
Tax benefit associated with employee exercise of stock options |
502 | 904 | |||||||
Provision for doubtful accounts |
1,913 | 732 | |||||||
Deferred revenues |
(23,310 | ) | (35,722 | ) | |||||
Deferred tax expense |
822 | 765 | |||||||
Net (gain) on sale of investments |
(792 | ) | (5,318 | ) | |||||
Net (gain) loss from minority-owned investments |
(79 | ) | 1,700 | ||||||
Accretion of interest and amortization of debt issue costs |
5,420 | 5,422 | |||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisitions and discontinued
operation: |
|||||||||
Increase in fees receivable |
(18,048 | ) | (10,775 | ) | |||||
(Increase) decrease in deferred commissions |
(4,940 | ) | 4,955 | ||||||
Decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets |
13,408 | 3,864 | |||||||
Decrease in other assets |
1,424 | 4,509 | |||||||
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
815 | (33,460 | ) | ||||||
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
6,904 | (33,727 | ) | ||||||
Investing activities: |
|||||||||
Payment for businesses acquired (excluding cash acquired) |
(679 | ) | (8,842 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from sale of investments |
| 8,604 | |||||||
Additions of property, equipment and leasehold improvements |
(4,381 | ) | (12,360 | ) | |||||
Cash used in investing activities |
(5,060 | ) | (12,598 | ) | |||||
Financing activities: |
|||||||||
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options |
5,283 | 641 | |||||||
Proceeds from Employee Stock Purchase Plan offering |
3 | | |||||||
Proceeds from issuance of debt |
| 30,000 | |||||||
Payments on debt |
(15,000 | ) | |||||||
Payments for debt issuance costs |
| (5,000 | ) | ||||||
Purchase of treasury stock |
(1,047 | ) | (3,002 | ) | |||||
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
(10,761 | ) | 22,639 | ||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
(8,917 | ) | (23,686 | ) | |||||
Cash used by discontinued operation |
| (13,938 | ) | ||||||
Effects of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents |
(780 | ) | 246 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
37,128 | 61,698 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ | 27,431 | $ | 24,320 | |||||
See the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
GARTNER, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 Basis of Presentation
The fiscal year of Gartner, Inc. represents the period from October 1 through September 30. References to the Company are to Gartner, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All references to 2002 and 2001, unless otherwise indicated, are to the three months ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
Note 2 Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
These interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes of Gartner, Inc. filed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of operating revenues and expenses. These estimates are based on managements knowledge and judgments. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented have been included. The results of continuing operations for the three months ended December 31, 2001 may not be indicative of the results of continuing operations for the remainder of fiscal 2002. In addition, certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the current years presentation.
Note 3 Business Combinations and Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
On July 1, 2001 the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 141, Business Combinations. As a result, the purchase method of accounting will be used for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001. During the quarter ended December 31, 2001 the Company acquired a company that provides quantitative research content. The purchase price, net of cash received, was $0.7 million, of which $0.1 million was allocated to tangible assets, $0.6 million was allocated to goodwill, $0.1 million was allocated to non-compete agreements and $0.1 million was allocated to liabilities assumed.
Effective October 1, 2001, the beginning of its fiscal year, the Company adopted early SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. SFAS No. 142 eliminates goodwill amortization upon adoption and requires an initial assessment for goodwill impairment within six months after initial adoption and at least annually thereafter. Accordingly, no goodwill amortization was recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2002. The Company expects to complete the transitional goodwill impairment assessment by the end of its second quarter which ends on March 31, 2002; accordingly, any impairment charge will be treated as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in accordance with SFAS No. 142 in the second fiscal quarter of 2002.
6
The following table reconciles the prior periods reported net income and earnings per share to its respective pro forma amount adjusted to exclude goodwill amortization, which is no longer recorded under SFAS No. 142.
In thousands, except per share | Three months ended December 31, | |||||||
2001 | 2000 | |||||||
Net income: |
||||||||
Reported net income |
$ | 19,043 | $ | 3,897 | ||||
Add back: Goodwill amortization, net of taxes |
| 2,255 | ||||||
Adjusted net income |
$ | 19,043 | $ | 6,152 | ||||
Basic earnings per share: |
||||||||
Reported net income |
$ | 0.23 | $ | 0.05 | ||||
Add back: Goodwill amortization, net of taxes |
| 0.02 | ||||||
Adjusted net income |
$ | 0.23 | $ | 0.07 | ||||
Diluted earnings per share: |
||||||||
Reported net income |
$ | 0.17 | $ | 0.04 | ||||
Add back: Goodwill amortization, net of taxes |
| 0.02 | ||||||
Adjusted net income |
$ | 0.17 | $ | 0.06 | ||||
Included in the Companys balance sheet as of December 31, 2001 are the following categories of acquired intangible assets (in thousands).
Accumulated | ||||||||||||||
Gross cost | amortization | Net | ||||||||||||
Goodwill |
||||||||||||||
Research |
$ | 150,160 | $ | (29,751 | ) | $ | 120,410 | |||||||
Consulting |
72,801 | (8,742 | ) | 64,059 | ||||||||||
Events |
33,441 | (3,001 | ) | 30,440 | ||||||||||
Other |
2,579 | (497 | ) | 2,081 | ||||||||||
Total goodwill |
258,981 | (41,991 | ) | $ | 216,990 | |||||||||
Intangible assets with finite lives |
||||||||||||||
Non-compete agreements |
12,603 | (9,352 | ) | 3,251 | ||||||||||
Trademarks and tradenames |
3,510 | (1,781 | ) | 1,729 | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 275,094 | $ | (53,124 | ) | $ | 221,970 | |||||||
Amortization related to intangible assets with finite lives was $0.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2001 and was $0.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2000. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, the Company reassessed the useful lives of all other intangible assets. There were no changes to such lives and there are no expected residual values associated with these intangible assets. Non-compete agreements are amortized over the term of the individual contracts, generally two to four years, and trademarks and tradenames are amortized over a period of nine to twelve years.
Note 4 Discontinued Operation
On July 2, 2001, the Company sold its subsidiary, TechRepublic, to CNET Networks, Inc. (CNET) for approximately $23.5 million in cash and common stock of CNET, before reduction for certain termination benefits. The proceeds were $14.3 million in cash and 755,058 shares of CNET common stock which had a fair market value of $12.21 per share on July 2, 2001. The consolidated financial statements have been restated to reflect the disposition of the TechRepublic segment as a discontinued operation in accordance with APB Opinion No. 30. Accordingly, revenues, costs and expenses and cash flows of TechRepublic
7
have been excluded from the respective captions in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and have been reported through the date of disposition as Loss from discontinued operation, net of taxes and Net cash used by discontinued operation.
Summarized financial information for the discontinued operation is as follows (in thousands):
Statements of Operations Data
Three months ended | ||||
December 31, 2000 | ||||
Revenues |
$ | 4,480 | ||
Loss from discontinued operation before income taxes |
$ | (16,956 | ) | |
(Benefit) for income taxes |
(3,156 | ) | ||
Loss from discontinued operation, net of taxes |
$ | (13,800 | ) | |
Note 5 Investments
A summary of the Companys investments in marketable equity securities and other investments at December 31, 2001 and September 30, 2001, are as follows (in thousands):
At December 31, 2001:
Gross | Gross | ||||||||||||||||
Unrealized | Unrealized | ||||||||||||||||
Cost | Gains | Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||
Marketable equity securities |
$ | 56 | $ | 20 | $ | (1 | ) | $ | 75 | ||||||||
Other investments |
15,187 | | | 15,187 | |||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 15,243 | $ | 20 | $ | (1 | ) | $ | 15,262 | ||||||||
At September 30, 2001:
Gross Unrealized | Gross Unrealized | ||||||||||||||||
Cost | Gains | Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||
Marketable equity securities |
$ | 5,287 | $ | 2 | $ | (2,039 | ) | $ | 3,250 | ||||||||
Other investments |
15,248 | | | 15,248 | |||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 20,535 | $ | 2 | $ | (2,039 | ) | $ | 18,498 | ||||||||
At September 30, 2001, marketable equity securities were comprised of 755,058 shares of CNET received in connection with the sale of TechRepublic which had a fair value of $12.21 per share, or $9.2 million on July 2, 2001, the closing date. Subsequent to the closing, the market value of the CNET shares declined substantially; accordingly, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001, the Company recorded a $3.9 million impairment charge in net loss from minority-owned investments, representing an other than temporary decline in market value of the CNET common stock. At September 30, 2001, these shares were reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at their fair market value of $3.2 million after giving effect to an additional $2.0 million of unrealized losses. During the three months ended December 31, 2001,
8
747,208 shares of CNET were sold for $6.0 million at a per share price of $8.06 resulting in a pre-tax gain of $0.8 million. The cash proceeds were received in January 2002.
In addition to equity securities owned directly by the Company and through SI Ventures, L.L.C. (SI I), a wholly owned affiliate, the Company also owns 34% of SI Venture Fund II, L.P. (SI II). Both entities are venture capital funds engaged in making investments in early to mid-stage IT-based or Internet-enabled companies. Both entities are managed by SI Services Company, L.L.C., an entity controlled by the Companys former Chairman of the Board, who continues as an employee of the Company, and certain of the Companys former officers and employees. Management fees paid to SI Services Company, L.L.C. are approximately $1.2 million per year. In addition, the Company provides access to research and the use of certain office space at no cost to SI Services Company, L.L.C. The Company had a total original investment commitment to SI I and SI II of $10.0 million and $30.0 million, respectively. The commitment to SI I has been fully funded in prior years. Of the commitment to SI II, $7.4 million remained unfunded at December 31, 2001. This commitment is expected to be funded in fiscal 2002.
Other investments is comprised of investments in SI I, SI II and various cost-based investments. The carrying value of the Companys investments held by SI I and SI II were $3.3 million and $7.2 million, respectively, at December 31, 2001. The carrying value of other cost-based investments was $4.7 million at December 31, 2001. The Companys share of equity gains was $0.1 million for 2002 and was negligible for 2001. During 2001, the Company recognized a $1.7 million impairment loss related to equity securities owned through SI I for other than temporary declines in the value of certain investments which is reflected in Net gain (loss) from minority-owned investments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company made an assessment of the carrying value of its investments and determined that certain investments were in excess of their fair value due to the significance and duration of the decline in valuation of comparable companies operating in the Internet and technology sectors. The impairment factors the Company evaluated may change in subsequent periods, given that the entities underlying these investments operate in a volatile business environment. In addition, these entities may require additional financing to meet their cash and operational needs; however, there can be no assurance that such funds will be available to the extent needed, at terms acceptable to the entities, if at all. This could result in additional material non-cash impairment charges in the future.
Note 6 Computations of Earnings per Share of Common Stock
Basic earnings per share (EPS) is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution of securities that could share in earnings. When the exercise of stock options or conversion of debt is anti-dilutive, they are excluded from the calculation.
9
The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (in thousands, except per share data):
Three months ended December 31 | ||||||||
2001 | 2000 | |||||||
Basic income per share: |
||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
$ | 19,043 | $ | 17,697 | ||||
Denominator for basic income per shareweighted average number of common shares |
83,883 | 86,048 | ||||||
Basic income per common share from continuing operations |
$ | 0.23 | $ | 0.21 | ||||
Diluted income per share: |
||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
$ | 19,043 | $ | 17,697 | ||||
After-tax interest on convertible long-term debt |
3,041 | | ||||||
Income for purposes of computing diluted income per share |
$ | 22,084 | $ | 17,697 | ||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding |
83,883 | 86,048 | ||||||
Weighted average number of shares relating to convertible long-term debt outstanding |
44,322 | | ||||||
Weighted average number of option shares outstanding |
1,373 | 768 | ||||||
Dilutive potential common shares |
45,695 | 768 | ||||||
Denominator for diluted income per shareadjusted weighted average number of common
shares outstanding |
129,578 | 86,816 | ||||||
Diluted income per common share from continuing operations |
$ | 0.17 | $ | 0.20 | ||||
For 2002 and 2001, unvested restricted stock awards were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. For 2002, options to purchase 24.5 million shares of the Companys Class A Common Stock with exercise prices greater than the average market price of $9.79 per share were not included in the computation of diluted income per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. For 2001, options to purchase 29.1 million shares of the Companys Class A Common Stock with exercise prices greater than the average market price of $9.32 per share were not included in the computation of diluted income per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. Additionally, for the three months ended December 31, 2000, a convertible note outstanding issued to Silver Lake Partners, L.P. (SLP) and affiliates, representing approximately 19.7 million shares of Class A Common Stock, if converted, and the related interest expense of $4.8 million ($2.9 million after-tax), was not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share, because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
10
Note 7 Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) includes all changes in equity, except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. The components of comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 are as follows (in thousands).
Three months ended | |||||||||
December 31, | |||||||||
2001 | 2000 | ||||||||
Net income |
$ | 19,043 | $ | 3,897 | |||||
Foreign currency translation gain (loss) |
(655 | ) | 2,462 | ||||||
Change in unrealized holding gain (loss) on marketable securities |
1,338 | (10,339 | ) | ||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) |
$ | 19,726 | $ | (3,980 | ) | ||||
The balance of net unrealized holding gains at December 31, 2001 was $0.2 million.
Note 8 Segment Information
The Company manages its business in three reportable segments organized on the basis of differences in products and services: research, consulting and events. Research consists primarily of subscription-based research products. Consulting consists primarily of consulting and measurement engagements and strategic advisory services. Events consists of various symposia, conferences and exhibitions.
The Company evaluates reportable segment performance and allocates resources based on gross contribution margin. Gross contribution, as presented below, is defined as operating income excluding certain selling, general and administrative expenses, depreciation, amortization of intangibles and other charges. The accounting policies used by the reportable segments are the same as those used by the Company.
The Company does not identify or allocate assets, including capital expenditures, by operating segment. Accordingly, assets are not reported by segment because the information is not available and is not reviewed in the evaluation of performance or making resource allocation.
The following tables present information about reportable segments (in thousands). The Other column includes certain revenues, corporate and other expenses (primarily selling, general and administrative) unallocated to reportable segments, and expenses allocated to operations that do not meet the segment reporting quantitative threshold. There are no inter-segment revenues:
Three months ended December 31, 2001 | Research | Consulting | Events | Other | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 129,474 | $ | 53,542 | $ | 59,466 | $ | 4,724 | $ | 247,206 | ||||||||||
Gross contribution |
$ | 84,568 | $ | 14,027 | $ | 36,926 | $ | 2,774 | $ | 138,295 | ||||||||||
Corporate and other expenses |
(104,348 | ) | (104,348 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net gain on sale of investments |
792 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net gain from minority-owned investments |
79 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
511 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(5,604 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other expense, net |
(428 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Income before provision for income taxes |
$ | 29,297 | ||||||||||||||||||
11
Three months ended December 31, 2000 | Research | Consulting | Events | Other | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 139,182 | $ | 49,663 | $ | 62,465 | $ | 4,305 | $ | 255,615 | ||||||||||
Gross contribution |
$ | 91,250 | $ | 5,853 | $ | 35,626 | $ | 1,319 | $ | 134,048 | ||||||||||
Corporate and other expenses |
(103,868 | ) | (103,868 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Net gain on sale of investments |
5,318 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net loss from minority-owned investments |
(1,700 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
378 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(5,511 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other expense, net |
(574 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Income before provision for income taxes |
$ | 28,091 | ||||||||||||||||||
Note 9 Other Charges
During fiscal 2001, the Company recorded other charges of $46.6 million. Of these charges, $24.8 million were associated with a workforce reduction announced in April 2001. This workforce reduction has resulted in the elimination of 383 positions, or approximately 8% of the Companys workforce. Approximately $14.3 million of the other charges were associated with the write-down of goodwill and other long-lived assets to net realizable value as a result of the Companys decision to discontinue certain unprofitable products, and $7.5 million of the charge was associated primarily with the write-off of internally developed systems in connection with the launch of gartner.com and seat-based pricing. At December 31, 2001 and September 30, 2001, $2.9 million and $6.6 million, respectively, of the termination benefits relating to the workforce reduction remained to be paid. The remaining amounts will be paid primarily in the second and third quarters of fiscal 2002. The Company is funding these costs out of operating cash flows.
Note 10 Subsequent Event
On January 22, 2002, the Company announced its plan to reduce fixed operating expenses through a reduction in facilities and through a workforce reduction. The Company expects to record a pre-tax charge of approximately $15.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2002 comprised of $10.0 million for lease termination expenses and $5.0 million for involuntary employee termination severance and benefits. The Company anticipates funding this charge out of operating cash flows.
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
References to the Company, we, our, and us are to Gartner, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All references to 2002 and 2001, unless otherwise indicated, are to the three months ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
Forward-Looking Statements In addition to historical information, this Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, hopes, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as may, will, expects, should, believes, plans, anticipates, estimates, predicts, potential, continue, or other words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in, or
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implied by, the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Factors That May Affect Future Results, Euro Conversion, and elsewhere in this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2001. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect managements opinion only as of the date on which they were made. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to review or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances as they occur. Readers also should review carefully any risk factors described in other reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Results of Operations
Overall Results
TOTAL REVENUES decreased 3% in the first quarter of fiscal 2002 to $247.2 million compared to $255.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2001. The decrease in total revenues resulted from the decline in demand throughout the entire technology sector and the overall weakness in the general economy.
| Research revenues decreased 7% in the first quarter of fiscal 2002 to $129.5 million compared to $139.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 and comprised 52% and 54% of total revenues in fiscal 2002 and 2001, respectively. | |
| Consulting revenues increased 8% in the first quarter of fiscal 2002 to $53.5 million compared to $49.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 and comprised 22% and 19% of total revenues in fiscal 2002 and 2001, respectively. | |
| Events revenues decreased 5% in the first quarter of fiscal 2002 to $59.5 million compared to $62.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 and comprised 24% of total revenues in both fiscal 2002 and 2001. | |
| Other revenues, consisting principally of software licensing, increased 10% in the first quarter of fiscal 2002 to $4.7 million compared to $4.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2001. |
COST OF SERVICES AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT decreased 7% to $113.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2002 from $122.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2001. The decrease in costs and expenses for the current quarter resulted from the continued emphasis on cost reductions, including the effects of the workforce reduction during fiscal 2001. Cost of services and product development are expected to continue to be favorably impacted as a result of our on-going initiatives, including facility and workforce reductions announced in January 2002.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES decreased $2.6 million, or 3%, to $89.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2002 from $91.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2001. The decreases were primarily the result of sales cost reductions on increased leverage of our inside sales organization, fewer and more focused investments, outsourcing and other efforts to closely manage these expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses are expected to continue to be favorably impacted as a result of our on-going initiatives, including facility and workforce reductions announced in January 2002.
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OPERATING INCOME increased 12% to $33.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2002 from $30.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2001. The improvement in operating income was due mainly to overall margin improvement for our business segments and reductions in selling, general and administrative expenses. On January 22, 2002, we announced our plan to reduce fixed operating expenses through a reduction in facilities and through a workforce reduction. We expect to record a pre-tax charge of approximately $15.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2002 comprised of $10.0 million for lease termination expenses and $5.0 million for involuntary employee termination severance and benefits. We anticipate funding this charge out of operating cash flows. Savings associated with the charge are expected to be in the range of $9.0 to $11.0 million on an annualized basis.
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE for the first quarter of fiscal 2002 increased 32% to $9.9 million compared to $7.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2001. The increase was primarily due to fiscal 2001 capital spending, including internal use software development costs required to support business growth and the launch of the gartner.com web site in January 2001.
AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES of $0.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2002 decreased from $3.3 million for the same period in fiscal 2001. The primary reason for the decrease was the early adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. The standard eliminates goodwill amortization upon adoption and requires an initial assessment for goodwill impairment within six months of adoption and at least annually thereafter. As a result of adoption, diluted earnings per share for the first quarter improved by $0.02.
NET GAIN ON SALE OF INVESTMENTS in the first quarter of fiscal 2002 reflected the sale of 747,208 shares of CNET Networks, Inc. (CNET) for $6.0 million resulting in a pre-tax gain of $0.8 million. The cash was received in January 2002. During the three months ended December 31, 2000, we sold 361,000 shares of Jupiter Media Metrix for net cash proceeds of $4.0 million for a pre-tax gain of $1.5 million. In addition, we received additional stock distributions from our investment in SI I and SI II. During the three months ended December 31, 2000, we sold a portion of the shares received as distributions for cash proceeds of $4.6 million for a pre-tax gain of $3.8 million.
NET GAIN (LOSS) FROM MINORITY-OWNED INVESTMENTS were a gain of $0.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2001 and a loss of $1.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2000. The loss for last year was the result of impairment losses related to equity securities owned by us through SI I.
INTEREST EXPENSE increased slightly to $5.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2002 from $5.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2001. The increase related primarily to higher amounts outstanding under our long-term convertible debt due to the addition of interest to the principal balance.
OTHER EXPENSE, NET primarily includes foreign currency exchange gains and losses. Foreign currency exchange losses were $0.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2001 and 2000.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES was $10.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2002, compared to a provision of $10.4 million in the same quarter of fiscal 2001. The effective tax rate was 35% for the three months ended December 31, 2001 and 37% for the three months ended December 31, 2000. The reduction in the effective tax rate reflects on-going tax planning and the elimination of non-deductible amortization of goodwill pursuant to the adoption of SFAS No. 142.
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DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE from continuing operations was 17 cents for the first quarter of fiscal 2002, compared to 20 cents for the first quarter of fiscal 2001. Basic earnings per common share from continuing operations for the three months ended December 31, 2001 was 23 cents compared to 21 cents for the first quarter of fiscal 2001. Total diluted earnings per common share was 17 cents for the first quarter of fiscal 2002 compared with 4 cents for the first quarter of fiscal 2001. The year ago quarter included a fully diluted loss from discontinued operations of 16 cents per common share. The elimination of goodwill amortization in accordance with the adoption of SFAS No. 142 improved basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations by 2 cents for the first quarter of fiscal 2002 as compared to a year ago.
Discontinued Operation TechRepublic
On July 2, 2001, we sold our subsidiary, TechRepublic, to CNET for approximately $23.0 million in cash and common stock of CNET, before reduction for certain termination benefits. The proceeds were $14.3 million in cash and 755,058 shares of CNET common stock which had a fair market value of $12.21 per share on July 2, 2001. Our consolidated financial statements have been restated to reflect the disposition of the TechRepublic segment as a discontinued operation in accordance with APB Opinion No. 30. Accordingly, revenues, costs and expenses and cash flows of TechRepublic have been excluded from the respective captions in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and have been reported through the date of disposition as Loss from discontinued operation, net of taxes and Net cash used by discontinued operation for all periods presented.
BUSINESS AND TRENDS
Historically, research revenues have typically increased in the first quarter of the fiscal year over the immediately preceding quarter primarily due to the increase in contract value at the end of the prior fiscal year. Historically, events revenues have increased similarly due to annual conferences and exhibition events held in the first quarter. Additionally, operating income margin (operating income as a percentage of total revenues) has typically improved in the first quarter of the fiscal year over the immediately preceding quarter due to the increase in research revenue upon which we were able to further leverage our selling, general and administrative expenses, plus operating income generated from the first quarter Symposium and ITxpo exhibition events. Although operating income margins historically have generally not been as high in the remaining quarters, the full year impact of acquisitions and strategic initiatives and other factors may result in operating margin trends in the future that are not comparable to historical trends.
Research contracts are generally billable upon signing and are non-cancelable and non-refundable, except for government contracts which have a 30-day cancellation clause. Government contracts have not produced material cancellations to date. With the exception of those government contracts which permit cancellation, it is our policy to record at the time of signing a contract the entire amount of the contract billable as a fee receivable, which represents a legally enforceable claim, and a corresponding amount as deferred revenue. For government contracts which permit cancellation, we bill the client the full amount billable under the contract but only record a receivable equal to the earned portion of the contract. In addition, we only record deferred revenue on these contracts when cash is received. Deferred revenues attributable to government contracts were $24.9 million and $24.5 million at December 31, 2001 and September 30, 2001, respectively. In addition, at December 31, 2001 and September 30, 2001, we had billed but not yet collected $11.5 million and $13.3 million, respectively, on government contracts which
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permit cancellation. Accordingly, we have not recorded the receivable and associated deferred revenue for these contracts. We record the commission obligation related to research contracts upon the signing of the contract and amortize the corresponding deferred commission expense over the contract period in which the related revenues are earned.
SEGMENT RESULTS
We evaluate reportable segment performance and allocate resources based on gross contribution margin. Gross contribution is defined as operating income excluding certain selling, general and administrative expenses, depreciation, amortization of intangibles and other charges.
Research
Research revenues decreased 7% to $129.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2001, compared to $139.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2000. The decrease was due to lower demand throughout the entire technology sector and to the overall weakness in the general economy. Research gross contribution of $84.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2001, decreased 7% from $91.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2000. The decrease in gross contribution reflects our investments in growth initiatives such as GartnerG2, a new research service designed specifically for business executives, and Gartner Executive Programs, a concierge-quality service and personalized programs for senior IT executives. Gross contribution margin for the quarter ended December 31, 2001 decreased slightly to 65% from 66% in the prior year. Research contract value, which consists of the annualized value of all subscription-based research products with ratable revenue recognition, was $533.7 million at December 31, 2001, a decrease of 8% from $578.4 million at December 31, 2000. The decrease in contract value reflects a decline in demand throughout the entire technology sector as well as overall weakness in the general economy.
Consulting
Consulting revenues increased 8% to $53.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2001, compared to $49.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2000. While the total number of active engagements was about the same as last year, increases in average project size and length resulted in higher revenues. Consulting gross contribution of $14.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2002 increased 137% from $5.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2001. Gross contribution margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2002 increased to 26% from 12% for the same period in the prior year. Consulting gross contribution and margin increased over the same period of the prior year due primarily to the increase in utilization rates and reductions in spending. Consulting backlog, which represents future revenues to be recognized from in-process consulting, measurement and strategic advisory services engagements increased 15% to $120.5 million at December 31, 2001 compared to $104.4 million at December 31, 2000.
Events
Events revenues decreased 5% to $59.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2001, compared to $62.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2000, primarily due to a general decline in the economy and a reluctance to travel on the part of many individuals. Gross contribution of $36.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2001 increased 4% from $35.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2000. Gross contribution margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2002 of 62% increased
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from 57% for the first quarter of fiscal 2001. The improvement in gross contribution and margin was due primarily to cost saving measures and higher net prices. Deferred revenue for events decreased 9% to $34.3 million at December 31, 2001 as compared to $37.8 million at December 31, 2000.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash provided by operating activities totaled $6.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2001, compared to cash used in operating activities of $33.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2000. The net improvement of $40.6 million was due primarily to changes in balance sheet accounts, particularly accounts payable and accrued liabilities, which were favorably impacted by our ongoing cost reductions. Cash used in investing activities was $5.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2001, compared to $12.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2000. The decrease was due primarily to lower amounts spent on capital expenditures and business acquisitions in the current quarter. Cash used in financing activities totaled $10.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2001 compared to cash provided by financing activities of $22.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2000. The change in cash provided by financing activities resulted primarily from the $15.0 million used in the current quarter for the payment of short-term debt versus the $30.0 million provided last year from short-term borrowings. The effect of exchange rates reduced reported cash and cash equivalent balances by $0.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2001, compared to an increase of $0.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2000. Total cash used by discontinued operations was $13.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2000. At December 31, 2001, cash and cash equivalents totaled $27.4 million.
Obligations and commitments
We have a $200.0 million unsecured senior revolving credit facility led by JPMorgan Chase Bank. At December 31, 2001, there were no amounts outstanding under the facility. We are subject to certain customary affirmative, negative and financial covenants under this credit facility, and continued compliance with these covenants could preclude us from borrowing the maximum amount of the credit facilities. As a result of these covenants, our borrowing availability at December 31, 2001 was $148.5 million.
As of December 31, 2001, we have convertible notes outstanding with Silver Lake Partners, L.P. and affiliates (SLP), in the amount of $331.1 million. These notes are due and payable on April 17, 2005. On or after April 17, 2003, subject to satisfaction of certain customary conditions, we may redeem all of the convertible notes for cash provided that (1) the average closing price of our Class A Common Stock for the twenty consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date the redemption notice is given equals or exceeds $11.175 (150% of the adjusted conversion price of $7.45 per share), and (2) the closing price of our Class A Common Stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date the redemption notice is given also equals or exceeds $11.175. The redemption price is the face amount of the notes plus all accrued interest. If we initiate the redemption, SLP has the option of receiving payment in cash, stock (at a conversion price of $7.45 per share), or a combination of cash and stock. Commencing on April 18, 2003, or prior thereto in certain circumstances upon a change in control of us, SLP may elect to convert all or a portion of the notes to stock. If SLP initiates the conversion, we have the option of redeeming all such notes for cash at a price based on the number of shares into which the notes would be converted (at a conversion price of $7.45 per share) and the market price on the date the notice of conversion is given. If we were to redeem all of the notes for cash in response to SLPs election to convert the notes to our Class A Common Stock, we would incur a significant cash charge at the time of the redemption equal to the difference between the market value of our Class A Common Stock at the time of redemption and the
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conversion price of $7.45 per share. At December 31, 2001, the notes were convertible into 44.5 million shares with a total market value of $520.7 million, using our December 31, 2001 market price of $11.69 per share. On the maturity date, April 17, 2005, we must satisfy any remaining notes for cash equal to the face amount of the notes plus accrued interest; if none of the notes have been redeemed or converted on that date, such amount will be $403.2 million.
We also issue letters of credit in the ordinary course of business. As of December 31, 2001, we had letters of credit outstanding with JPMorgan Chase Bank for $3.6 million, The Bank of New York for $2.0 million and Safeco Insurance Company of America for $0.3 million.
We lease various facilities, furniture and computer equipment under operating lease arrangements expiring between 2002 and 2036. Future commitments under non-cancellable operating lease agreements are $21 million for January 1, 2002 through September 30, 2002, and are $24 million, $22 million, $19 million and $16 million for fiscal 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.
At December 31, 2001, we had involuntary employee termination severance and benefit obligations remaining relative to our 2001 workforce reduction of $2.9 million, which we anticipate paying primarily in the second and third quarters of fiscal 2002.
On January 22, 2002, we announced our plan to reduce fixed operating expenses through a reduction in facilities and through a workforce reduction. We expect to record a pre-tax charge of approximately $15 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2002. The expected facility charges of $10 million will be paid over the next several years in accordance with the lease terms. The termination severance payments of $5 million will be primarily made over the course of fiscal 2002.
We have a total remaining investment commitment to the SI II Venture Fund, II, L.P. of $7.4 million at December 31, 2001. This remaining commitment is expected to be funded in fiscal 2002.
We believe that our current cash balances, together with cash anticipated to be provided by operating activities, the sale of marketable equity securities, and borrowings available under the existing credit facility, will be sufficient for our expected short-term and foreseeable long-term cash needs in the ordinary course of business. If we were to require substantial amounts of additional capital to pursue business opportunities that may arise involving substantial investments of additional capital, there can be no assurances that such capital will be available to us or will be available on commercially reasonable terms.
Proposed Merger of our Class A and Class B Common Stock
On January 10, 2002, we announced that we would not proceed with our plan to convert shares of our Class B Common Stock into shares of our Class A Common Stock. The decision was made after the IRS declined to rule either favorably or unfavorably on the potential tax liability of the proposed combination to IMS Health and its stockholders for which we assumed the risk. Alternatives for tax indemnity insurance were deemed cost-prohibitive and not in our stockholders best interests under current conditions.
Stock Repurchase Program
During the three months ended December 31, 2001, pursuant to the previously announced stock repurchase program, we purchased 94,400 shares of our Class A Common Stock in the open market at an average price of $11.09 and a total cost of $1.0 million. Through December 31, 2001, we have
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repurchased approximately $24 million of our common stock out of the $75 million approved for a stock repurchase program.
Factors That May Affect Future Performance.
We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment that involves numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control. In addition, our clients and we are affected by the condition of the general economy. The following section discusses many, but not all, of these risks and uncertainties.
General Economic Conditions. Our revenues and results of operations are influenced by general economic conditions. A general economic downturn or a recession, anywhere in the world, could negatively effect demand for our products and services and may substantially reduce existing and potential client information technology-related budgets. The current economic downturn in the United States and globally may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, including the ability to achieve continued customer renewals and achieve new contract value, backlog and deferred events revenue. The recent less favorable economic conditions and the September 11th terrorist attacks, which occurred three weeks before the 2001 fiscal year end, have led to constrained IT spending impacting our overall business and some unwillingness on the part of clients to travel, thereby impacting our events business.
Competitive Environment. We face competition from a significant number of independent providers of information products and services, and the internal marketing and planning organizations of our current and prospective clients. We also compete indirectly against consulting firms and other information providers, including electronic and print media companies. These indirect competitors could choose to compete directly with us in the future. In addition, limited barriers to entry exist in the markets in which we compete. As a result, additional new competitors may emerge and existing competitors may start to provide additional or complementary services. Additionally, technological advances may provide increased competition from a variety of sources. Although our market share has been increasing, increased competition may result in loss of market share, diminished value in our products and services, reduced pricing and increased marketing expenditures. We may not be successful if we cannot compete effectively on quality of research and analysis, timely delivery of information, customer service, the ability to offer products to meet changing market needs for information and analysis, or price.
Hiring and Retention of Employees. Our success depends heavily upon the quality of our senior management, sales personnel, analysts, consultants and other key personnel. We face competition for these qualified professionals from, among others, technology companies, market research firms, consulting firms, and electronic and print media companies. Some of the personnel that we attempt to hire are subject to non-competition agreements that could impede our short-term recruitment efforts. Any failure to retain key personnel or hire additional qualified personnel, as required to support the evolving needs of clients or growth in our business, could adversely affect the quality of our products and services, and therefore, our future business and operating results.
Maintenance of Existing Products and Services. We operate in a rapidly evolving market, and our success depends upon our ability to deliver high quality and timely research and analysis to our clients and to anticipate and understand the changing needs of our clients. Any failure to continue to provide credible and reliable information that is useful to our clients could have a material adverse effect on future business and operating results. Further, if our predictions prove to be wrong or are not substantiated by appropriate research, our reputation may suffer and demand for our products and services may decline. In addition, we
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must continue to improve our methods for delivering our products and services. Failure to increase and improve our Internet capabilities could adversely affect our future business and operating results.
Introduction of New Products and Services. The market for our products and services are characterized by rapidly changing needs for information and analysis. To maintain our competitive position, we must continue to enhance and improve our products and services, develop or acquire new products and services in a timely manner, and appropriately position and price new products and services relative to the market place and our costs of producing them. Any failure to successfully do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial position.
International Operations. A substantial portion of our revenues are derived from international sales. As a result, our operating results are subject to the risks inherent in international business activities, including general political and economic conditions in each country, changes in market demand as a result of exchange rate fluctuations and tariffs, challenges in staffing and managing foreign operations, changes in regulatory requirements, compliance with numerous foreign laws and regulations, different or overlapping tax structures, higher levels of United States taxation on foreign income, and the difficulty of enforcing client agreements and protecting intellectual property rights in international jurisdictions. Additionally, we rely on local distributors or sales agents in some international locations. If any of these arrangements are terminated, we may not be able to replace the arrangement on beneficial terms or on a timely basis or clients of the local distributor or sales agent may not want to continue to do business with us or our new agent.
Branding. We believe that our Gartner brand is critical to our efforts to attract and retain clients and that the importance of brand recognition will increase as competition increases. We may expand our marketing activities to promote and strengthen the Gartner brand and may need to increase our marketing budget, hire additional marketing and public relations personnel, expend additional sums to protect the brand and otherwise increase expenditures to create and maintain brand loyalty among clients. If we fail to effectively promote and maintain the Gartner brand, or incur excessive expenses in attempting to do so, our future business and operating results could be materially and adversely impacted.
Investment Activities. We maintain investments in equity securities in private and publicly traded companies through direct ownership and through wholly and partially owned venture capital funds. The companies we invest in are primarily early to mid-stage IT-based and Internet-enabled businesses. The risks related to such investments, due to their nature and the volatile public markets, include the possibilities that anticipated returns may not materialize or could be significantly delayed. In addition, these entities may require additional financing to meet their cash and operational needs; however, there can be no assurance that such funds will be available to the extent needed, at terms acceptable to the entities, if at all. As a result, our financial results or financial position could be materially impacted.
Indebtedness. Through our $331 million convertible notes we have incurred significant indebtedness. Additionally, we have a senior revolving credit facility under which we can incur significant additional indebtedness. The associated debt service could impair future operating results. Further, the outstanding debt could limit the amount of cash or additional credit available to us, which in turn could restrain our ability to expand or enhance products and services, respond to competitive pressures or pursue business opportunities that may arise in the future and involve substantial investments of additional capital. Although we have the right to redeem the convertible notes in certain circumstances, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain sufficient capital on a commercially reasonable basis, or at all, in order to fund a redemption; even if we were able to obtain sufficient capital, it could materially adversely impact our future business and operating results. On the maturity date, April 17, 2005, we must satisfy any
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remaining notes for cash equal to the face amount of the notes plus accrued interest; if none of the notes have been redeemed or converted on that date, such amount will be $403.2 million. The payment of this amount could materially adversely impact our future business and operating results.
Convertible Notes. Commencing on April 18, 2003, or prior thereto in certain circumstances upon a change in control of us, the holders of our $331 million convertible notes may elect to convert all or a portion of the notes to shares of our Class A Common Stock. If all or a substantial portion of the notes are converted, the note holders will own a substantial number of shares of our Class A Common Stock. At December 31, 2001, all the notes were convertible into 44.5 million shares, or 34.6% of our Class A Common Stock that would then be outstanding, based upon the conversion price of $7.45 per share. We may redeem the notes if the holders elect to convert them (see Obligations and commitments). If we do not redeem the notes and all or a substantial portion of the notes are converted, our stockholders may experience significant dilution of their current stockholdings, the holders may be able to exercise significant control over us and the price of our Common stock may be affected negatively if such shares of our Common Stock are sold in the open market.
Organizational and Product Integration Related to Acquisitions. We have made and may continue to make acquisitions of, or significant investments in, businesses that offer complementary products and services. The risks involved in each acquisition or investment include the possibility of paying more than the value we derive from the acquisition, diluting the interests of our current stockholders or decreasing working capital, the assumption of undisclosed liabilities and unknown and unforeseen risks, the ability to integrate successfully the operations and personnel of the acquired business, the ability to retain key personnel of the acquired company, the time to train the sales force to market and sell the products of the acquired company, the potential disruption of our ongoing business and the distraction of management from our business. The realization of any of these risks could adversely affect our business.
Enforcement of the Companys Intellectual Rights. We rely on a combination of copyright, patent, trademark, trade secrets, confidentiality, non-compete and other contractual procedures to protect our intellectual property rights. Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights, it may be possible for unauthorized third parties to obtain and use technology or other information that we regard as proprietary. In addition, our intellectual property rights may not survive a legal challenge to their validity or provide significant protection for us. Furthermore, the laws of certain countries do not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. Accordingly, we may not be able to protect our intellectual property against unauthorized third-party copying or use, which could adversely affect our competitive position. Our employees are subject to non-compete agreements. When the non-competition period expires, former employees can decide to compete against us. Further, if a former employee chooses to compete against us prior to the expiration of the non-competition period, there is no assurance that we will be successful in our efforts to enforce the non-compete provision.
Agreements with IMS Health Incorporated. In connection with our recapitalization in July 1999, we agreed to certain restrictions on business activity to reduce the risk to IMS Health and its stockholders of substantial tax liabilities associated with the spin-off by IMS Health of its equity interest in us. We also agreed to assume the risk of such tax liabilities if we were to undertake certain business activities that give rise to the liabilities. As a result, we may be limited in our ability to undertake acquisitions involving the issuance of a significant amount of stock unless we were to seek and obtain a ruling from the IRS that the transaction will not give rise to such tax liabilities. In addition, we have certain limits in purchasing our common stock under the terms of the recapitalization.
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Possibility of Infringement Claims. Third parties may assert infringement claims against us. Regardless of the merits, responding to any such claim could be time consuming, result in costly litigation and require us to enter into royalty and licensing agreements which may not be offered or available on reasonable terms. If a successful claim is made against us and we fail to develop or license a substitute technology, our business, results of operations or financial position could be materially adversely affected.
Potential Fluctuations in Operating Results. Our quarterly and annual operating income may fluctuate in the future as a result of many factors, including the timing of the execution of research contracts, the performance of consulting engagements, the timing of symposia and other events, the amount of new business generated, the mix of domestic and international business, changes in market demand for our products and services, the timing of the development, introduction and marketing of new products and services, and competition in the industry. An inability to generate sufficient earnings and cash flow, and achieve our forecasts, may impact our operating and other activities.
Euro Conversion
Twelve of the fifteen member countries of the European Union previously established fixed conversion rates between their sovereign currencies and a new currency called the euro and adopted the euro as their common legal currency. Effective January 1, 2002, participating countries adopted the euro as their single currency. The participating countries issued new euro-denominated bills and coins for use in cash transactions. Legacy currency will no longer be legal tender for any transactions beginning July 1, 2002, making conversion to the euro complete. We do not believe that the translation of financial transactions into euros has had, or will have, a significant effect on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition. Additionally, we do not anticipate any material impact from the euro conversion on our financial information systems, which accommodate multiple currencies. Costs associated with the adoption of the euro have not been and are not expected to be significant and are being expensed as incurred.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Effective October 1, 2001, the beginning of our fiscal year, we adopted early Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. SFAS No. 142 eliminates goodwill amortization upon adoption and requires an initial assessment for goodwill impairment within six months after initial adoption and at least annually thereafter. Accordingly, no goodwill amortization was recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2002 (see Note 3 Business Combinations and Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).
In November 2001, the Emerging Issues Task Force reached a consensus on Topic No. D-103, Income Statement Characterization of Reimbursements Received for Out-of Pocket Expenses Incurred. The consensus states that reimbursements received for out-of-pocket expenses incurred should be characterized as revenue in the statements of operations. Out-of-pocket expenses are incidental expenses incurred as part of central on-going operations and often include, but are not limited to, expenses related to airfare, mileage, hotel stays, out of town meals, photocopies and telecommunication and facsimile charges. This consensus is to be applied to financial reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2001 with reclassification of prior periods for comparability. We will adopt the consensus beginning with the second quarter of our fiscal year which began on January 1, 2002. We do not expect the impact of this adoption to be significant but, we do expect a reclassification of certain reimbursable expenses to revenues from costs and expenses.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to borrowing under long-term debt which consists of a $200.0 million multi-bank unsecured senior revolving credit facility led by JPMorgan Chase Bank and $331.1 million of 6% convertible subordinated notes. At December 31, 2001, there were no amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility. Under the revolving credit facility, the interest rate on borrowings is based on LIBOR plus an additional 100 to 200 basis points based on our debt to EBITDA ratio. We believe that an increase or decrease of 10% in the effective interest rate on available borrowings from the senior revolving credit facility, if fully utilized, will not have a material effect on future results of operations. The conversion price of the convertible notes, which have a fixed interest rate, is $7.45 per share. The number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the notes on December 31, 2001 was 44.5 million shares with a total market value of $520.7 million, using our December 31, 2001 market price of $11.69 per share. Commencing on April 17, 2003, or prior thereto in certain circumstances upon a change in control of us, the note holder can convert the notes into shares of Class A Common Stock. Although we have the right to redeem the notes in certain circumstances, including after a conversion election, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain sufficient capital on a commercially reasonable basis, or at all, to fund a redemption.
We are exposed to market risk as it relates to changes in the market value of equity investments. We invest in equity securities of public and private companies directly and through SI I and SI II. We own 100% of SI I and 34% of SI II. SI I and SI II are engaged in making venture capital investments in early to mid-stage IT-based or Internet-enabled companies (see Note 5 Investments in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). As of December 31, 2001, we had equity investments totaling $15.3 million. These investments are inherently risky as the businesses are typically in early development stages and may never develop. Furthermore, certain of these investments are in publicly traded companies whose shares are subject to significant market price volatility. Adverse changes in market conditions and poor operating results of the underlying investments may result in us incurring additional losses or an inability to recover the carrying value of our investments. We do not attempt to reduce or eliminate the market exposure on our investments in equity securities and may incur additional losses related to these investments. If there were a 100% adverse change in the value of our equity portfolio as of December 31, 2001, this would result in a non-cash impairment charge of $15.3 million.
We face two risks related to foreign currency exchange: translation risk and transaction risk. Amounts invested in our foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the stockholders equity (deficit) section of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our foreign subsidiaries generally collect revenues and pay expenses in currencies other than the United States dollar. Since the functional currency of our foreign operations is generally the local currency, foreign currency translation adjustments are reflected as a component of stockholders equity (deficit) and do not impact operating results. Revenues and expenses in foreign currencies translate into higher or lower revenues and expenses in U.S. dollars as the U.S. dollar weakens or strengthens against other currencies. Therefore, changes in exchange rates may negatively affect our consolidated revenues and expenses (as expressed in U.S. dollars) from foreign operations. Currency transaction gains or losses arising from transactions in currencies other than the functional currency are included in results of operations. The devaluation of the peso in Argentina by approximately 30% as of December 31, 2001 is not expected to have any significant impact on us due to the relatively small investment we have there relative to the entire company. We have generally not entered into foreign currency forward exchange contracts or other derivative financial instruments to hedge the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign
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currency exchange rates. At December 31, 2001, we had only one foreign currency forward contract outstanding. The contract requires us to sell U.S. dollars and purchase Japanese yen. The contract amount is $1.0 million, is for a one-year term expiring on September 25, 2002, and contains a forward exchange rate of 114.26 Japanese yen. The foreign currency forward contract was entered into to offset the foreign exchange effects of our Japanese yen intercompany payable, which had a value at December 31, 2001 of $0.9 million. The forward contract and the intercompany payable are each reflected at fair value with gains and losses recorded currently in earnings.
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PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) | Exhibits | |
10.16 Employment Agreement between Steven Tait and the Company dated as of June 15, 2001. | ||
(b) | Reports on Form 8-K | |
We did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2001. |
Items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are not applicable and have been omitted.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed on our behalf by the undersigned who is duly authorized.
Gartner, Inc. |
Date February 13, 2002 | /s/ Regina M. Paolillo | |
|
Regina M. Paolillo Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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Exhibit 10.16
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into as of June 15, 2001, between Steven Tait, an individual (Executive) and Gartner, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company).
Recitals
A. The Company and the Executive desire to set forth their agreement pursuant to which the Executive will an Executive Vice President effective June 15, 2001 and to provide for Executives employment by the Company upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
Agreement
Therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment. Executive will serve as Executive Vice President of the Company for the Employment Term specified in Section 2 below. Executive will report solely to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and will render such services consistent with his role as the Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors may from time to time direct. Executives office shall be located at the executive offices of the Company in Stamford, Connecticut or Ft. Myers, Florida. Executive may (i) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees and (ii) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions, to the extent consistent with the Companys policies (as applicable) or disclosed to the Chief Executive Officer and that the Chief Executive Officer determines in good faith do not interfere with the performance of Executives responsibilities hereunder.
2. Term. The employment of Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall continue through September 30, 2003 (the Employment Term), unless extended or earlier terminated as provided in this Agreement. The Employment Term shall automatically be extended for additional one-year periods commencing on October 1, 2003 and continuing each year thereafter, unless either Executive or the Company gives the other written notice, in accordance with Section 12(a) and at least 90 days prior to the then scheduled expiration of the Employment Term, of such partys intention not to extend the Employment Term.
3. Salary. As compensation for the services rendered by Executive under this Agreement, the Company shall pay to Executive a base salary initially equal to $300,000 per year (Base Salary) for fiscal year 2001, payable to Executive in accordance with the Companys payroll practices as in effect from time to time during the Employment Term. The Base Salary shall be subject to adjustment by the Board of Directors of the Company or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, in the sole discretion of the Board or such Committee, on an annual basis; provided, however, that Executives salary may not be decreased other than any such reduction consistent with a general reduction of pay across the executive staff as a group as an economic or strategic measure due to poor financial performance by the Company.
4. Bonus. In addition to his Base Salary, Executive shall be entitled to
participate in the Companys executive bonus program. The Board or its
Compensation Committee shall establish the
annual target bonus, in the discretion of the Board or such Committee, and shall be payable based on achievement of specified Company and individual objectives. Executives target bonus for the fiscal years ending September 30, 2001 and 2002 shall be between $200,000 and $400,000 with a guaranteed minimum of $100,000. Such bonus amounts shall be subject to annual adjustment by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board, in the sole discretion of the Board or such Committee, on an annual basis; provided, however, that Executives target bonus may not be decreased without Executives consent other than any such reduction consistent with a general reduction of pay across the executive staff as a group, as an economic or strategic measure due to poor financial performance by the Company.
5. Executive Benefits.
(a) Spin-Off. If during the Employment Term the Company should create a material spin-off entity in which the Company intends to offer an equity stake to third party investors or the public and in which executives or employees of the Company or such entity are to receive capital stock or options to purchase capital stock, then Executive shall be granted capital stock in such entity, or an option to purchase such capital stock, in such amounts as the Board of Directors of the Company or its compensation Committee shall deem appropriate in connection with the formation or spin-off.
(b) Other Employee and Executive Benefits. Executive will be entitled to receive all benefits provided to senior executives, executives and employees of the Company generally from time to time, including medical, dental, life insurance and long-term disability, and the executive split-dollar life insurance and executive disability plan, in each case so long as and to the extent the same exist; provided, that in respect to each such plan Executive is otherwise eligible and insurable in accordance with the terms of such plans. Executive will also be entitled to automobile benefits pursuant to a policy to be implemented by the Company with the concurrence of the Chairman of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
(c) Tax and Visa Green Card Assistance. Executive will be reimbursed for assistance in tax planning with respect to his United States and United Kingdom tax situation and tax return preparation as necessary. The Company will support Executives efforts to obtain appropriate visas and a green card. Executive will also be reimbursed for legal expenses and al reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in maintaining his work visa in the United States and obtaining and maintaining his green card. The Company further agrees that until such time as Executives United States visa becomes valid, the Company will reimburse Executive or pay for all medical expenses incurred by Executive and his family. In the event that Executive is unable to maintain a work visa for the United States, the Company will cover relocation expenses for the Executives return to the United Kingdom and will arrange a comparable position for him within the Company.
(d) Vacation, Sick Leave, Holidays and Sabbatical. Executive shall be entitled to vacation, sick leave, holidays and sabbatical in accordance with the policies of the Company as they exist from time to time. Executive understands that under the current policy he is entitled to up to four (4) weeks vacation per calendar year. Vacation which is not used during any calendar year will roll over to the following year only to the extent provided under the Companys vacation policies as they exist from time to time.
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6. Severance Benefits.
(a) At Will Employment. Executives employment shall be at will. Either the Company or Executive may terminate this agreement and Executives employment at any time, with or without Business Reasons (as defined in Section 7(a) below), in its or his sole discretion, upon sixty days prior written notice of termination.
(b) Involuntary Termination. If at any time during the term of this Agreement, other than following a Change in Control to which Section 6(c) applies, the Company terminates the employment of Executive involuntarily and without Business Reasons or a Constructive Termination occurs, then in addition to salary and vacation accrued through the Termination Date, Executive shall be entitled to receive the following: (i) continued salary for a period of three years following the Termination Date at the rate then in effect, payable in accordance with the Companys regular payroll schedule as in effect from time to time, (ii) at the Termination Date Executives minimum target bonus for the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs plus any unpaid bonus from the prior fiscal year, (iii) following the end of the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs and management bonuses have been determined, a pro rata share (based on the proportion of the fiscal year during which Executive remained an employee of the Company) of the bonus that would have been payable to Executive under the bonus plan in excess of Executives minimum target bonus for the fiscal year, (iv) following the end of the first fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs, Executives minimum target bonus for such following fiscal year (or, if the target bonus for such year was not previously set, then Executives minimum target bonus for the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurred), (v) acceleration in full of vesting of all outstanding stock options, TARPs and other equity arrangements subject to vesting and held by Executive (and in this regard, all such options and other exercisable rights held by Executive shall remain exercisable for one year following the Termination Date, (vi) (A) for three years following the Termination Date, continuation of group health benefits at the Companys cost pursuant to the Companys standard programs as in effect from time to time (or at the Companys election substantially similar health benefits as in effect at the Termination Date, through a third party carrier) for Executive, his spouse and any children, and (B) thereafter, to the extent COBRA shall be applicable to the Company, continuation of health benefits for such persons at Executives cost, for a period of 18 months or such longer period as may be applicable under the Companys policies then in effect, provided the Executive makes the appropriate election and payments, (vii) continuation of Executives auto benefits for one year following the Termination Date, and (viii) no other compensation, severance or other benefits, except only that this provision shall not limit any benefits otherwise available to Executive under Section 6(c) in the case of a termination following a Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, the Company shall not be required to continue to pay the salary or bonus specified in clauses (i)(iii) or (iv) hereof for any period following the Termination Date if Executive violates the noncompetition agreement set forth in Section 11.
(c) Change in Control.
(i) Benefits. If during the term of this Agreement a Change in Control occurs (as defined below), then Executive shall be entitled to receive the following: (i) salary and vacation accrued through the date of the Change in Control plus an amount equal to three years of Executives salary as then in effect, payable immediately upon the Change in Control, (ii) an amount equal to three times Executives target bonus for the fiscal year in which the Change in Control
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occurs (as well as any unpaid bonus from the prior fiscal year), all payable immediately upon the Change in Control, (iii) acceleration in full of vesting of all outstanding stock options, TARPs and other equity arrangements subject to vesting and held by Executive (and in this regard, all such options and other exercisable rights held by Executive shall remain exercisable one year following the date of the Change in Control, (iv) (A) continuation of group health benefits at the Companys cost pursuant to the Companys standard programs as in effect from time to time (or at the Companys election substantially similar health benefits as in effect at the Termination Date (if applicable), through a third party carrier) for Executive, his spouse and any children, for one three years following the date of the Change in Control (even if Executive ceases employment), and (B) thereafter, to the extent COBRA shall be applicable, continuation of health benefits for such persons at Executives cost, for a period of 18 months or such longer period as may be applicable under the Companys policies then in effect, provided the Executive makes the appropriate election and payments, and (v) no other compensation, severance or other benefits.
(ii) Additional Payments by the Company.
A. If it is determined (as hereafter provided) that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise pursuant to or by reason of any other agreement, policy, plan, program or arrangement, including without limitation any stock option, stock appreciation right or similar right, or the lapse or termination of any restriction on or the vesting or exercisability of any of the foregoing (a Payment), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) or to any similar tax imposed by state or local law, or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such tax or taxes, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereafter collectively referred to as the Excise Tax), then Executive will be entitled to receive an additional payment or payments (a Gross-Up Payment) in an amount such that, after payment by Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any Excise Tax, imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
B. Subject to the provisions of clause F below, all determinations required to be made under this Section 6(c)(ii), including whether an Excise Tax is payable by Executive and the amount of such Excise Tax and whether a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, will be made by the Companys independent certified public accountants prior to the Change in Control (the Accounting Firm). The Company will direct the Accounting Firm to submit its determination and detailed supporting calculations to both the Company and Executive within 15 calendar days after the date of the Change in Control or the date of Executives termination of employment, if applicable, and any other such time or times as may be requested by the Company or Executive. If the Accounting Firm determines that any Excise Tax is payable by Executive, the Company will pay the required Gross-Up Payment to Executive within five business days after receipt of such determination and calculations. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by Executive, it will, at the same time as it makes such determination, furnish Executive with an opinion that he has substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on his federal, state, local income or other tax return. Any determination by the Accounting Firm as to the amount of the Gross-Up Payment will be binding upon the Company and Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code (or any
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successor provision thereto) and the possibility of similar uncertainty regarding applicable state or local tax law at the time of any determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (an Underpayment), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts or fails to pursue its remedies pursuant to clause F below and Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Company or Executive may direct the Accounting Firm to determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and to submit its determination and detailed supporting calculations to both the Company and Executive as promptly as possible. Any such Underpayment will be promptly paid by the Company to, or for the benefit of, Executive within twenty days after receipt of such determination and calculations.
C. The Company and Executive will each provide the Accounting Firm access to and copies of any books, records and documents in the possession of the Company or Executive, as the case may be, reasonably requested by the Accounting Firm, and otherwise cooperate with the Accounting Firm in connection with the preparation and issuance of the determination contemplated by clause B above.
D. The federal, state and local income or other tax returns filed by Executive will be prepared and filed on a consistent basis with the determination of the Accounting Firm with respect to the Excise Tax payable by Executive. Executive will make proper payment of the amount of any Excise Tax, and at the request of the Company, provide to the Company true and correct copies (with any amendments) of his federal income tax return as filed with the Internal Revenue Service and corresponding state and local tax returns, if relevant, as filed with the applicable taxing authority, and such other documents reasonably requested by the Company, evidencing such payment. If prior to the filing of Executives federal income tax return, or corresponding state or local tax return, if relevant, the Accounting Firm determines that the amount of the Gross-Up Payment should be reduced, Executive will within twenty days thereafter pay to the Company the amount of such reduction.
E. The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm for its services in connection with the determinations and calculations contemplated by clauses B and D above will be borne by the Company. If such fees and expenses are initially advanced by Executive, the Company will reimburse Executive the full amount of such fees and expenses within twenty days after receipt from Executive of a statement therefor and reasonable evidence of his payment thereof.
F. Executive will notify the Company in writing of any claim by the
Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the
Company of a Gross-Up Payment. Such notification will be given as promptly as
practicable but no later than 10 business days after Executive actually
receives notice of such claim and Executive will further apprise the Company of
the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be
paid (in each case, to the extent known by Executive). Executive will not pay
such claim prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the 30-calendar-day
period following the date on which he gives such notice to the Company and (ii)
the date that any payment of amount with respect to such claim is due. If the
Company notifies Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period
that it desires to contest such claim, Executive will:
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(i) provide the Company with any written records or documents in his possession relating to such claim reasonably requested by the Company; | |
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company will reasonably request in writing from time to time, including without limitation accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney competent in respect of the subject matter and reasonably selected by the Company; | |
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim; and | |
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim; |
provided, however, that the Company will bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and will indemnify and hold harmless Executive, on an after-tax basis, for and against any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest and penalties with respect thereto, imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this clause F, the Company will control all proceedings taken in connection with the contest of any claim contemplated by this clause F and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim (provided that Executive may participate therein at his own cost and expense) and may, at its option, either direct Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company will determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund, the Company will advance the amount of such payment to Executive on an interest-free basis and will indemnify and hold Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest or penalties with respect thereto, imposed with respect to such advance; and provided further, however, that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of Executive with respect to which the contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Companys control of any such contested claim will be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and Executive will be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
G. If, after the receipt by Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to clause F above, Executive receives any refund with respect to such claim, Executive will (subject to the Companys complying with the requirements of clause F above) within twenty days thereafter pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after any taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to clause F above, a determination is made that Executive will not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial or refund prior to the expiration of 30
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days after such determination, then such advance will be forgiven and will not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance will offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid pursuant to this Section 6(c)(ii).
(d) Termination for Disability. If at any time during the term of this Agreement other than following a Change in Control to which Section 6(c) applies Executive shall become unable to perform his duties as an employee as a result of incapacity, which gives rise to termination of employment for Disability, then in addition to salary and vacation accrued through the Termination Date, Executive shall be entitled to receive the following: (i) continued salary for a period of three years following the Termination Date, payable in accordance with the Companys regular payroll schedule as in effect from time to time, (ii) at the Termination Date, Executives minimum target bonus for the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs (plus any unpaid bonus from the prior fiscal year), (iii) following the end of the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs and management bonuses have been determined, any bonus that would have been payable to Executive under the bonus plan in excess of Executives target bonus, (iv) acceleration in full of vesting of all outstanding stock options held by Executive (and in this regard, all such options and other exercisable rights held by Executive shall remain exercisable one year following the Termination Date (v) (A) for three years following the Termination Date, continuation of group health benefits at the Companys cost pursuant to the Companys standard programs as in effect from time to time (or at the Companys election substantially similar health benefits as in effect at the Termination Date, through a third party carrier) for Executive, his spouse and any children, and (B) thereafter, to the extent COBRA shall be applicable to the Company, continuation of health benefits for such persons at Executives cost, for a period of 18 months or such longer period as may be applicable under the Companys policies then in effect, provided the Executive makes the appropriate election and payments, and (vi) no other compensation, severance or other benefits, except only that this provision shall not limit any benefits otherwise available to Executive under Section 6(c) in the case of a termination following a Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, the Company may deduct from the salary specified in clause (i) hereof the amount of any payments then received by Executive under any disability benefit program maintained by the Company.
(e) Voluntary Termination, Involuntary Termination for Business Reasons or Termination following a Change in Control. If (A) Executive voluntarily terminates his employment (other than in the case of a Constructive Termination), (B) Executive is terminated involuntarily for Business Reasons, or (C) Executive is terminated involuntarily, is terminated in a Constructive Termination or is terminated upon the Disability of Executive, in any such case following a Change in Control to which Section 6(c) applies, then in any such event Executive or his representatives shall be entitled to receive the following: (i) salary and accrued vacation through the Termination Date only, (ii) the right to exercise all stock options held by Executive for thirty days following the Termination Date (or such longer period as may be provided in the applicable stock option plan or agreement), but only to the extent vested as of the Termination Date, (iii) to the extent COBRA shall be applicable to the Company, continuation of group health plan benefits pursuant to the Companys standard programs as in effect from time to time (or at the Companys election continuation by the Company of substantially similar group health benefits as in effect at the Termination Date, through a third party carrier), for Executive, his spouse and any children, for a period of 18 months (or such longer period as may be applicable under the Companys policies then in effect) following the Termination Date provided Executive makes the appropriate election and payments, and (iv) no
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further severance, benefits or other compensation, except only that this provision shall not limit any benefits otherwise available to Executive under Section 6(c) in the case of a termination following a Change in Control.
(f) Termination Upon Death. If Executives employment is terminated because of death, then Executives representatives shall be entitled to receive the following: (i) salary and vacation accrued through the Termination Date, (ii) a pro rata share of Executives target bonus for the year in which death occurs, based on the proportion of the fiscal year during which Executive remained an Employee of the Company (plus any unpaid bonus from the prior fiscal year), (iii) except in the case of any such termination following a Change in Control to which Section 6(c) applies, acceleration in full of vesting of all outstanding stock options, TARPs and other equity arrangements subject to vesting and held by Executive (and in this regard, all such options and other exercisable rights held by Executive shall remain exercisable for one year following the Termination (iv) to the extent COBRA shall be applicable to the Company, continuation of group health benefits pursuant to the Companys standard programs as in effect from time to time (or at the Companys election continuation by the Company of substantially similar group health benefits as in effect at the Termination Date, through a third party carrier), for Executives spouse and any children for a period of 18 months (or such longer period as may be applicable under the Companys policies then in effect) provided Executives estate makes the appropriate election and payments, (v) any benefits payable to Executive or his representatives upon death under insurance or other programs maintained by the Company for the benefit of the Executive, and (vi) no further benefits or other compensation, except only that this provision shall not limit any benefits otherwise available to Executive under Section 6(c) in the case of a termination following a Change in Control.
(g) Exclusivity. The provisions of this Section 6 are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of any other rights or remedies to which Executive or the Company may otherwise be entitled, either at law, tort or contract, in equity, or under this Agreement, in the event of any termination of Executives employment. Executive shall be entitled to no benefits, compensation or other payments or rights upon termination of employment other than those benefits expressly set forth in paragraph (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) of this Section 6, whichever shall be applicable and those benefits required to be provided by law.
7. Definition of Terms. The following terms referred to in this Agreement shall have the following meanings:
(a) Business Reasons. Business Reasons means (i) gross negligence, willful misconduct or other willful malfeasance by Executive in the performance of his duties, (ii) Executives conviction of a felony, or any other criminal offense involving moral turpitude, (iii) Executives material breach of this Agreement, including without limitation any repeated breach of Sections 8 through 11 hereof, provided that, in the case of any such breach, the Board provides written notice of breach to the Executive, specifically identifying the manner in which the Board believes that Executive has materially breached this Agreement, and Executive shall have the opportunity to cure such breach to the reasonable satisfaction of the Board within thirty days following the delivery of such notice. For purposes of this paragraph, no act or failure to act by Executive shall be considered willful unless done or omitted to be done by Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that Executives action or omission was in the best interests of the Company or its affiliates. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a
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resolution duly adopted by the Board or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The Board must notify Executive of any event constituting Business Reasons within ninety days following the Boards actual knowledge of its existence (which period shall be extended during the period of any reasonable investigation conducted in good faith by or on behalf of the Board) or such event shall not constitute Business Reasons under this Agreement.
(b) Disability. Disability shall mean that Executive has been unable to perform his duties as an employee as the result of his incapacity due to physical or mental illness, and such inability, at least 26 weeks after its commencement, is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to Executive or Executives legal representative (such Agreement as to acceptability not to be unreasonably withheld). Termination resulting from Disability may only be effected after at least sixty days written notice by the Company of its intention to terminate Executives employment. In the event that Executive resumes the performance of substantially all of his duties hereunder before the termination of his employment becomes effective, the notice of intent to terminate shall automatically be deemed to have been revoked.
(c) Termination Date. Termination Date shall mean (i) if this Agreement is terminated on account of death, the date of death; (ii) if this Agreement is terminated for Disability, the date specified in Section 7(b); (iii) if this Agreement is terminated by the Company, the date on which indicated in a notice of termination is given to Executive by the Company in accordance with Sections 6(a) and 12(a); (iv) if the Agreement is terminated by Executive, the date indicated in a notice of termination given to the Company by Executive in accordance with Sections 6(a) and 12(a); or (v) if this Agreement expires by its terms, then the last day of the term of this Agreement.
(d) Constructive Termination. A Constructive Termination shall be deemed to occur if (A) (1) Executives position changes as a result of an action by the Company such that (w) Executive shall no longer be an Executive Vice President of the Company, or (x) Executive shall have duties and responsibilities demonstrably less than those typically associated with an Executive Vice President, Sales & Client Operations or (2) Executive is required to relocate his place of employment, other than a relocation within fifty miles of Executives current residence or the Companys current Stamford or Ft. Myers headquarters, (3) there is a reduction in Executives base salary or target bonus (other than any such reduction or termination consistent with a general reduction of pay across the executive staff as a group, as an economic or strategic measure as a result of poor performance by the Company) or (4) there occurs any other material breach of this Agreement by the Company (other than a reduction of Executives base salary or target bonus which is not described in the immediately preceding clause (3)) after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Board by Executive which specifically identifies the manner in which Executive believes that the Company has materially breached this Agreement, and the Company has failed to cure such breach to the reasonable satisfaction of Executive within thirty days following the delivery of such notice and (B) within the ninety day period immediately following an action described in clauses (A)(1) through (4), Executive elects to terminate his employment voluntarily.
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(e) Change in Control. A Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) any Person, as such term is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) (other than (i) the Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, or (iii) any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company), becomes the Beneficial Owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing (A) in the case of any Person filing as a passive investor on Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act, 25% or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then-outstanding securities (but only for so long as such Person continues to report as a 13G passive investor), and (B) in the case of any Person not filing or no longer filing as a 13G passive investor, 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then-outstanding securities;
(ii) during any period of twenty-four months (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than (i) a director nominated by a Person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section (7)(e)(i), (iii) or (iv) hereof, (ii) a director nominated by any Person (including the Company) who publicly announces an intention to take or to consider taking actions (including, but not limited to, an actual or threatened proxy contest) which if consummated would constitute a Change in Control or (iii) a director nominated by any Person who is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 10% or more of the combined voting power of the Companys securities) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Companys stockholders was approved in advance by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at lease a majority thereof;
(iii) the stockholders of the Company approve any transaction or series of transactions under which the Company is merged or consolidated with any other company, other than a merger or consolidation (A) which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 66 2/3% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and (B) after which no Person holds 20% or more of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of the Company or such surviving entity;
(iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Companys assets; or
(v) the Board adopts a resolution to the effect that, for purposes of this Agreement, a Change in Control has occurred.
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(vi) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the issuance of shares of the Companys common stock upon conversion of the Companys 6% Convertible Subordinated Notes (as such notes may be amended, restated, refinanced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), which Notes were issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of March 21, 2000 among the Company and the purchasers party thereto, shall not constitute a Change of Control for purposes of this Agreement.
8. Confidential Information.
(a) Executive acknowledges that the Confidential Information (as defined below) relating to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries which Executive has obtained or will obtain during the course of his association with the Company and subsidiaries and his performance under this Agreement are the property of the Company and its subsidiaries. Executive agrees that he will not disclose or use at any time, either during or after the Employment period, any Confidential Information without the written consent of the Company, other than proper disclosure or use in the performance of his duties hereunder. Executive agrees to deliver to the Company at the end of the Employment Term, or at any other time that the Company may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records, documentation and other materials (and copies thereof) containing Confidential Information relating to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, no matter where such material is located and no matter what form the material may be in, which Executive may then possess or have under his control. If requested by the Company, Executive shall provide to the Company written confirmation that all such materials have been delivered to the Company or have been destroyed. Executive shall take all appropriate steps to safeguard Confidential Information and to protect it against disclosure, misuse, espionage, loss and theft.
(b) Confidential Information shall mean information which is not generally known to the public and which is used, developed, or obtained by the Company or its subsidiaries relating to the businesses of any of the Company and its subsidiaries or the business of any customer thereof including, but not limited to: products or services; fees, costs and pricing structure; designs; analyses; formulae; drawings; photographs; reports; computer software, including operating systems, applications, program listings, flow charts, manuals and documentation; databases; accounting and business methods; inventions and new developments and methods, whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice; all copyrightable works; the customers of any of the Company and its subsidiaries and the Confidential Information of any customer thereof; and all similar and related information in whatever form. Confidential Information shall not include any information which (i) was rightfully known by Executive prior to the Employment Term; (ii) is publicly disclosed by law or in response to an order of a court or governmental agency; (iii) becomes publicly available through no fault of Executive or (iv) has been published in a form generally available to the public prior to the date upon which Executive proposes to disclose such information. Information shall not be deemed to have been published merely because individual portions of the information have been separately published, but only if all the material features comprising such information have been published in combination.
9. Inventions and Patents. In the event that Executive, as a part of Executives activities on behalf of the Company, generates, authors or contributes to any invention, new development or method, whether or not patentable and whether or not reduced to practice, any copyrightable work, any trade secret, any other Confidential Information, or any information that gives any of the
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Company and its subsidiaries an advantage over any competitor, or similar or related developments or information related to the present or future business of any of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively Developments and Information), Executive acknowledges that all Developments and Information are the exclusive property of the Company. Executive hereby assigns to the Company, its nominees, successors or assigns, all rights, title and interest to Developments and Information. Executive shall cooperate with the Company to protect the interests of the Company and its subsidiaries in Developments and Information. Executive shall execute and file any document related to any Developments and Information requested by the Company including applications, powers of attorney, assignments or other instruments which the Company deems necessary to apply for any patent, copyright or other proprietary right in any and all countries or to convey any right, title or interest therein to any of the Companys nominees, successors or assigns.
10. No Conflicts.
(a) Executive agrees that in his individual capacity he will not enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether written or oral, with any supplier, contractor, distributor, wholesaler, sales representative, representative group or customer, relating to the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, without the express written consent of the Company.
(b) As long as Executive is employed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, Executive agrees that he will not, except with the express written consent of the Company, become engaged in, render services for, or permit his name to be used in connection with, any for-profit business other than the business of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any corporation or partnership in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries have an equity interest.
11. Non-Competition Agreement.
(a) Executive acknowledges that his services are of a special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company and that he has access to the Companys trade secrets, Confidential Information and strategic plans of the most valuable nature. Accordingly, Executive agrees that during the term of this Agreement and for the period of three years following the Termination Date, Executive shall not directly or indirectly own, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for, or in any manner engage in any business competing with the businesses of the Company or any of its subsidiaries as such businesses exist or are in process of development on the Termination Date (as evidenced by written proposals, market research or similar materials), including without limitation the publication of periodic research and analysis of the information technology industries. Nothing herein shall prohibit Executive from being a passive owner of not more than 1% of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation which is publicly traded, so long as Executive has no active participation in the business of such corporation.
(b) In addition, for a period of three years commencing on the Termination Date, Executive shall not (i) directly or indirectly induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or any subsidiary (other than his own assistant) to leave the employ of the Company or such subsidiary, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company or any subsidiary and any employee thereof, (ii) hire directly or through another entity any person who was an employee of the Company or any subsidiary at any time during the then preceding 12 months, or
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(iii) directly or indirectly induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee or other business relation of the Company or any subsidiary to cease doing business with the Company or such subsidiary, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business relation and the Company or any subsidiary.
(c) Executive agrees that these restrictions on competition and solicitation shall be deemed to be a series of separate covenants not-to-compete and a series of separate non-solicitation covenants for each month within the specified periods, separate covenants not-to-compete and non-solicitation covenants for each state within the United States and each country in the world, and separate covenants not-to-compete for each area of competition. If any court of competent jurisdiction shall determine any of the foregoing covenants to be unenforceable with respect to the term thereof or the scope of the subject matter or geography covered thereby, such remaining covenants shall nonetheless be enforceable by such court against such other party or parties or upon such shorter term or within such lesser scope as may be determined by the court to be enforceable.
(d) Because Executives services are unique and because Executive has access to Confidential Information and strategic plans of the Company of the most valuable nature, the parties agree that the covenants contained in this Section 11 are necessary to protect the value of the business of the Company and that a breach of any such covenant would result in irreparable and continuing damage for which there would be no adequate remedy at law. The parties agree therefore that in the event of a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, the Company or its successors or assigns may, in addition to other rights and remedies existing in their favor, apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for specific performance and/or injunctive or other relief in order to enforce, or prevent any violations of, the provisions hereof.
12. Miscellaneous Provisions.
(a) Notice. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement shall be in writing, shall be effective when given, and in any event shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) when delivered, if personally delivered, (ii) three business days after deposit in the U.S. mail, if mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or (iii) one business day after the business day of deposit with Federal Express or similar overnight courier, if so delivered, freight prepaid. In the case of Executive, notices shall be addressed to him at the home address which he most recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the Company, notices shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices shall be directed to the attention of its Corporate Secretary.
(b) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company or Executive shall be communicated by a notice of termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with paragraph (a) hereof. Such notice shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon.
(c) Successors.
(i) Companys Successors. Any successor to the Company (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or
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substantially all of the Companys business and/or assets shall be entitled to assume the rights and shall be obligated to assume the obligations of the Company under this Agreement and shall agree to perform the Companys obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would be required to perform such obligations in the absence of a succession. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term Company shall include any successor to the Companys business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption agreement described in this subsection (i) or which becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement by operation of law.
(ii) Executives Successors. The terms of this Agreement and all rights of Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Executives personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.
(iii) No Other Assignment of Benefits. Except as provided in this Section 12(c), the rights of any person to payments or benefits under this Agreement shall not be made subject to option or assignment, either by voluntary or involuntary assignment or by operation of law, including (without limitation) bankruptcy, garnishment, attachment or other creditors process, and any action in violation of this subsection (iii) shall be void.
(d) Waiver. No provision of this Agreement shall be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive). No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.
(e) Entire Agreement. This Agreement shall supersede any and all prior agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or written and whether express or implied) between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
(f) Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect.
(g) Arbitration. Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in Stamford, Connecticut, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrators award in any court having jurisdiction. No party shall be entitled to seek or be awarded punitive damages. All attorneys fees and costs shall be allocated or apportioned as agreed by the parties or, in the absence of an agreement, in such manner as the arbitrator or court shall determine to be appropriate to reflect the final decision of the deciding body as compared to the initial positions in arbitration of each party. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut as they apply to contracts entered into and wholly to be performed within such State by residents thereof.
(h) Employment Taxes. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable taxes.
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(i) Indemnification. In the event Executive is made, or threatened to be made, a party to any legal action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, by reason of the fact that Executive is or was a director or officer of the Company or serves or served any other entity of which the Company owns 50% or more of the equity in any capacity, Executive shall be indemnified by the Company, and the Company shall pay Executives related expenses when and as incurred, all to the full extent permitted by law, pursuant to Executives existing indemnification agreement with the Company in the form made available to all Executive and all other officers and directors or, if it provides greater protection to Executive, to the maximum extent allowed under the law of the State of the Companys incorporation.
(j) Legal Fees. The Company will pay directly the fees and expenses of counsel retained by Executive in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Agreement.
(k) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the Company by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written.
GARTNER, INC. | ||||
By: | ||||
Michael D. Fleisher Chief Executive Officer |
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STEVEN TAIT | ||||
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