SEC Filing | Gartner, Inc.

View:

Download DOC

Download PDF

Download XLS

Download XBRL

IT - 12.31.2014 - 10K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K



þ	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014



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

Commission file number: 1-14443

GARTNER, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware	04-3099750
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)

P.O. Box 10212
56 Top Gallant Road
Stamford, CT	06902-7700
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(203) 316-1111
(Registrant’s telephone number,
including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:



Title of each class		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.0005 par value per share		New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes o No þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):



Large accelerated filer þ	Accelerated filer o	Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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

As of June 30, 2014, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $6,067,265,349 based on the closing sale price as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock was 87,522,468 as of January 31, 2015.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE



Document		Parts Into Which Incorporated
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 28, 2015 (Proxy Statement)		Part III

GARTNER, INC.

2014 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS



PART I
ITEM 1.	BUSINESS	3
ITEM 1A.	RISK FACTORS	6
ITEM 1B.	UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS	12
ITEM 2.	PROPERTIES	12
ITEM 3.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	13
ITEM 4.	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES (not applicable)	13

PART II
ITEM 5.	MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES	14
ITEM 6.	SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA	15
ITEM 7.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	16
ITEM 7A.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	32
ITEM 8.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA	33
ITEM 9.	CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE	33
ITEM 9A.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	33
ITEM 9B.	OTHER INFORMATION	33

PART III
ITEM 10.	DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE	34
ITEM 11.	EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION	34
ITEM 12.	SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS	34
ITEM 13.	CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE	34
ITEM 14.	PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES	34

PART IV
ITEM 15.	EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES	35

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS		37
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM		38
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM		39
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS		40
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS		41
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME		42
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		43
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS		44
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS		45
SIGNATURES		72

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

GENERAL

Gartner, Inc. (“Gartner”) (NYSE: IT) is the world’s leading information technology research and advisory company. We deliver the technology-related insight necessary for our clients to make the right decisions, every day. From CIOs and senior IT leaders in corporations and government agencies, to business leaders in high-tech and telecom enterprises and professional services firms, to supply chain professionals, digital marketing professionals and technology investors, we are the valuable partner to clients in 9,958 distinct enterprises. We work with clients to research, analyze and interpret the business of IT within the context of their individual roles. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.A., and as of December 31, 2014, had 6,758 associates, including 1,556 research analysts and consultants, and clients in over 90 countries.

The foundation for all Gartner products and services is our independent research on IT and supply chain issues. The findings from this research are delivered through our three business segments – Research, Consulting and Events:

•

Research provides objective insight on critical and timely technology and supply chain initiatives for CIOs, other IT professionals, supply chain leaders, digital marketing professionals, technology companies and the institutional investment community through reports, briefings, proprietary tools, access to our analysts, peer networking services and membership programs that enable our clients to make better decisions about their IT, supply chain and digital marketing investments.


•	Consulting provides customized solutions to unique client needs through on-site, day-to-day support, as well as proprietary tools for measuring and improving IT performance with a focus on cost, performance, efficiency and quality.

•

Events provides IT, supply chain, and business professionals the opportunity to attend various symposia, conferences and exhibitions to learn, contribute and network with their peers. From our flagship event Symposium/ITxpo, to summits focused on specific technologies and industries, to experimental workshop-style seminars, our events distill the latest Gartner research into applicable insight and advice.

For more information regarding Gartner and our products and services, visit gartner.com.

References to “the Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” are to Gartner, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

MARKET OVERVIEW

Technological innovations are changing how businesses and organizations work and what they do at an increasingly rapid pace. Today, everyone is living and working in the midst of a technological revolution. The nexus of four powerful forces – social, mobile, cloud and information, coupled with the "Internet of things" – are blurring the line between the physical and digital worlds, creating unprecedented change on a scale not seen before facing every organization around the world, from business enterprises and units within enterprises of every size, to governments and government agencies, as well as other organizations. This change falls into three categories: optimizing the use of technology to improve performance across every function in the organization; managing disruptive technology-based innovation; and protecting the organization from security threats. This technology revolution will remain vibrant for decades to come.

Information technology (IT) is critical to supporting increased productivity, service and performance improvement, revenue growth and cyber-security. As the costs of IT solutions continue to rise, IT executives and professionals have realized the importance of making well-informed decisions and increasingly seek to maximize their returns on IT capital investments. As a result, every IT investment decision in an enterprise is subject to increased financial scrutiny, especially in the current challenging economic climate. In addition, today’s IT marketplace is dynamic and complex. Technology providers continually introduce new products with a wide variety of standards and features that are prone to shorter life cycles. Users of technology – a group that encompasses nearly all organizations – must keep abreast of new developments in technology to ensure that their IT systems are reliable, efficient, secure, and meet both their current and future needs.

Given the strategic and critical nature of technology decision-making and spending, business enterprises, governments and their agencies, and other organizations turn to Gartner for guidance in order to make the right decisions to maximize the value of their IT investments.

OUR SOLUTION

We provide IT decision makers with the insight they need to understand where – and how – to successfully harness technology to achieve their mission critical priorities. We employ a diversified business model that utilizes and leverages the breadth and depth of our intellectual capital. The foundation of our business model is our ability to create and distribute our proprietary research content as broadly as possible via published reports and briefings, consulting and advisory services, and our events, including Gartner Symposium/ITxpo.

We have 1,021 analysts located around the world who create compelling, relevant, independent and objective research and fact-based analysis on every major IT initiative and all aspects of the IT industry, including supply chain and digital marketing. Through our robust product portfolio, our global research team provides thought leadership and technology insights that CIOs, supply chain professionals, digital marketing professionals, executives and other technology practitioners need to make the right decisions, every day. In addition to our analysts, we have 535 experienced consultants who combine our objective, independent research with a practical business perspective focused on the IT industry. Finally, our events are the largest of their kind, gathering highly qualified audiences of CIOs, other senior business executives and IT professionals, supply chain leaders, and purchasers and providers of technology and supply chain products and services.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Our diversified business model provides multiple entry points and synergies that facilitate increased client spending on our research, consulting services and events. A critical part of our long-term strategy is to increase business volume with our most valuable clients, identifying relationships with the greatest sales potential and expanding those relationships by offering strategically relevant research and advice. We also seek to extend the Gartner brand name to develop new client relationships, augment our sales capacity, and expand into new markets around the world. In addition, we seek to increase our revenue and operating cash flow through more effective pricing of our products and services. These initiatives have created additional revenue streams through more effective packaging, campaigning and cross-selling of our products and services.

Our principal products and services are delivered via our Research, Consulting and Events segments:

•

RESEARCH. Gartner delivers independent, objective IT research and insight primarily through a subscription-based, digital media service. Gartner research is the fundamental building block for all Gartner services and covers all technology-related markets, topics and industries, as well as supply chain and digital marketing. We combine our proprietary research methodologies with extensive industry and academic relationships to create Gartner solutions that address each role within an IT organization. Our research agenda is defined by clients’ needs, focusing on the critical issues, opportunities and challenges they face every day. Our research analysts are in regular contact with both technology providers and technology users, enabling them to identify the most pertinent topics in the IT marketplace and develop relevant product enhancements to meet the evolving needs of users of our research. They provide in-depth analysis on all aspects of technology, including hardware; software and systems; services; IT management; market data and forecasts; and vertical-industry issues. Our proprietary research content, presented in the form of reports, briefings, updates and related tools, is delivered directly to the client’s desktop via our website and/or product-specific portals. Clients normally sign subscription contracts that provide access to our research content for individual users over a defined period of time. The majority of our research subscription agreements are for twelve months. However, with increasing frequency we are entering into multi-year agreements.

•

CONSULTING. Gartner Consulting deepens relationships with our Research clients by extending the reach of our research through custom consulting engagements. Gartner Consulting brings together our unique research insight, benchmarking data, problem-solving methodologies and hands-on experience to improve the return on a client’s IT investment. Our consultants provide fact-based consulting services to help clients use and manage IT to optimize business performance.

Consulting solutions capitalize on Gartner assets that are invaluable to IT decision making, including: (1) our extensive research, which ensures that our consulting analyses and advice are based on a deep understanding of the IT environment and the business of IT; (2) our market independence, which keeps our consultants focused on our clients' success; and (3) our market-leading benchmarking capabilities, which provide relevant comparisons and best practices to assess and improve performance.

Gartner Consulting provides solutions to CIOs and other IT executives, and to those professionals responsible for IT applications, enterprise architecture, go-to-market strategies, infrastructure and operations, program and portfolio management, and sourcing and vendor relationships. Consulting also provides targeted consulting services to professionals

in specific industries. Finally, we provide actionable solutions for IT cost optimization, technology modernization and IT sourcing optimization initiatives.

•

EVENTS. Gartner Symposium/ITxpo events and Gartner Summit events are gatherings of technology’s most senior IT professionals, business strategists and practitioners. Gartner Events offers current, relevant and actionable technology sessions led by Gartner analysts, while facilitating peer exchanges. These sessions are augmented with technology showcases, peer exchanges, analyst one-on-one meetings, workshops and keynotes by technology’s top leaders. They also provide attendees with an opportunity to interact with business executives from the world’s leading technology companies.

Gartner events attract high-level IT and business professionals who seek in-depth knowledge about technology products and services. Gartner Symposium/ITxpo events are large, strategic conferences held in various locations throughout the world for CIOs and other senior IT and business professionals. Gartner Summit events focus on specific topics, technologies and industries including supply chain and digital marketing, providing IT professionals with the insight, solutions and networking opportunities to succeed in their job role. Finally, we offer targeted events for CIOs and IT executives, such as CIO Leadership Forum.

COMPETITION

We believe that the principal factors that differentiate us from our competitors are the following:


•	Superior IT research content – We believe that we create the broadest, highest-quality and most relevant research coverage of the IT industry, with offerings for every member of an IT organization. Our research analysis generates unbiased insight that we believe is timely, thought-provoking and comprehensive, and that is known for its high quality, independence and objectivity.


•	Our leading brand name – We have provided critical, trusted insight under the Gartner name for 35 years.


•	Our global footprint and established customer base – We have a global presence with clients in over 90 countries on six continents. A substantial portion of our revenues is derived from sales outside of the U.S.


•	Experienced management team – Our management team is composed of IT research veterans and experienced industry executives with long tenure at Gartner.


•	Substantial operating leverage in our business model — We have the ability to distribute our intellectual property and expertise across multiple platforms, including research publications, consulting engagements, conferences and executive programs, to derive incremental revenue and profitability.


•	Vast network of analysts and consultants – As of December 31, 2014, we had 1,556 research analysts and consultants located around the world. Our analysts collectively speak 50 languages and are located in 26 countries, enabling us to cover all aspects of IT on a global basis.

Notwithstanding these differentiating factors, we face competition from a significant number of independent providers of information products and services. We compete indirectly with 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, we face competition from free sources of information that are available to our clients through the Internet. Limited barriers to entry exist in the markets in which we do business. As a result, new competitors may emerge and existing competitors may start to provide additional or complementary services. While we believe the breadth and depth of our research assets position us well versus our competition, increased competition could result in loss of market share, diminished value in our products and services, reduced pricing, and increased sales and marketing expenditures.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Our success has resulted in part from proprietary methodologies, software, reusable knowledge capital and other intellectual property rights. We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, confidentiality, non-compete and other contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property rights. We have policies related to confidentiality, ownership, and the use and protection of Gartner’s intellectual property. We also enter into agreements with our employees as appropriate that protect our intellectual property, and we enforce these agreements if necessary. We recognize the value of our intellectual property in the marketplace and vigorously identify, create and protect it. Additionally, we actively monitor and enforce contract compliance by our end users.

EMPLOYEES

We had 6,758 employees as of December 31, 2014, an increase of 13% compared to the prior year end as we continued to invest for future growth. We have 1,291 employees located at our headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut and a nearby office in Trumbull, Connecticut; 2,605 employees located elsewhere in the United States in 30 offices; and 2,862 employees located outside of the United States in 65 offices. Our employees may be subject to collective bargaining agreements at a company or industry level, or works councils, in those foreign countries where this is part of the local labor law or practice. We have experienced no work stoppages and consider our relations with our employees to be favorable.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Our Internet address is www.gartner.com and the Investor Relations section of our website is located at www.investor.gartner.com. We make available free of charge, on or through the Investor Relations section of our website, printable copies of our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Also available at www.investor.gartner.com, under the “Corporate Governance” link, are printable and current copies of our (i) CEO & CFO Code of Ethics which applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller and other financial managers, (ii) Global Code of Conduct, which applies to all Gartner officers, directors and employees, wherever located, (iii) Board Principles and Practices, the corporate governance principles that have been adopted by our Board and (iv) charters for each of the Board’s standing committees: Audit, Compensation and Governance/Nominating.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

We operate in a highly competitive and rapidly changing environment that involves numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control. In addition, we and our clients are affected by global economic conditions. The following sections discuss many, but not all, of the risks and uncertainties that may affect our future performance, but is not intended to be all-inclusive. Any of the risks described below could have a material adverse impact on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows, and could therefore have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock. Additionally risks not currently known to us or that we now deem immaterial may also harm us and negatively affect your investment.

Risks related to our business

Our operating results could be negatively impacted by global economic conditions. Our business is impacted by general economic conditions and trends, in the U.S and abroad. U.S. economic data continues to be mixed, but the overall economy continues to grow and unemployment continues to fall. However, economic growth continues to be uneven globally, with continuing weakness across Europe and emerging markets, as recent geopolitical events add to the uncertainty. These conditions could negatively and materially affect future demand for our products and services. Such difficulties could include the ability to maintain client retention, wallet retention and consulting utilization rates, achieve contract value and consulting backlog growth, attract attendees and exhibitors to our events or obtain new clients. Such developments could negatively impact our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

We face significant competition and our failure to compete successfully could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. We face direct competition from a significant number of independent providers of information products and services, including information available on the Internet free of charge. We also compete indirectly against consulting firms and other information providers, including electronic and print media companies, some of which may have greater financial, information gathering and marketing resources than we do. These indirect competitors could also choose to compete directly with us in the future. In addition, low barriers to entry exist in the markets in which we do business. As a result, 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.

There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully compete against current and future competitors and our failure to do so could result in loss of market share, diminished value in our products and services, reduced pricing and increased marketing expenditures. Furthermore, we may not be successful if we cannot compete effectively on quality of research and analysis, timely

delivery of information, customer service, and the ability to offer products to meet changing market needs for information and analysis, or price.

We may not be able to maintain the quality of our 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. 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 data, viewpoints, or 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 must continue to improve our methods for delivering our products and services in a cost-effective manner, including via the Internet and mobile applications. Failure to maintain state of the art electronic delivery capabilities could adversely affect our future business and operating results.

We may not be able to enhance and develop our existing products and services, or introduce the new products and services that are needed to remain competitive. The market for our products and services is characterized by rapidly changing needs for information and analysis on the IT industry as a whole. The development of new products is a complex and time-consuming process. Nonetheless, to maintain our competitive position, we must continue to anticipate the needs of our client organizations, develop, enhance and improve our existing as well as new products and services to address those needs, deliver all products and services in a timely, user-friendly and state of the art manner, and appropriately position and price new products and services relative to the marketplace and our costs of developing them. Any failure to achieve successful client acceptance of new products and services could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position. Additionally, significant delays in new product or services releases or significant problems in creating new products or services could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial position.

We depend on renewals of subscription-based services and sales of new subscription-based services for a significant portion of our revenue, and our failure to renew at historical rates or generate new sales of such services could lead to a decrease in our revenues. A large portion of our success depends on our ability to generate renewals of our subscription-based research products and services and new sales of such products and services, both to new clients and existing clients. These products and services constituted 72% and 71% of our total revenues for 2014 and 2013, respectively. Generating new sales of our subscription-based products and services, both to new and existing clients, is a challenging, costly, and often time consuming process. If we are unable to generate new sales, due to competition or other factors, our revenues will be adversely affected.

The majority of our research subscription agreements are for twelve months. However, we do enter into multi-year agreements, which have been increasing in frequency. Our ability to maintain contract renewals is subject to numerous factors, including the following:


•	delivering high-quality and timely analysis and advice to our clients;


•	understanding and anticipating market trends and the changing needs of our clients; and


•	delivering products and services of the quality and timeliness necessary to withstand competition.

Additionally, as we continue to adjust our products and service offerings to meet our clients’ continuing needs, we may shift the type and pricing of our products which may impact client renewal rates. While our Research enterprise client retention rate was 85% at December 31, 2014 and 83% at December 31, 2013, there can be no guarantee that we will continue to maintain this rate of client renewals.

We depend on non-recurring consulting engagements and our failure to secure new engagements could lead to a decrease in our revenues. Consulting segment revenues constituted 17% of our total revenues in 2014 and 18% in 2013. Consulting engagements typically are project-based and non-recurring. Our ability to replace consulting engagements is subject to numerous factors, including the following:


•	delivering consistent, high-quality consulting services to our clients;


•	tailoring our consulting services to the changing needs of our clients; and


•	our ability to match the skills and competencies of our consulting staff to the skills required for the fulfillment of existing or potential consulting engagements.

Any material decline in our ability to replace consulting arrangements could have an adverse impact on our revenues and our financial condition. In addition, revenue in our contract optimization business can fluctuate from period to period.

The profitability and success of our conferences, symposia and events could be adversely affected by external factors beyond our control. The market for desirable dates and locations for conferences, symposia and events is highly competitive. If we cannot secure desirable dates and suitable venues for our conferences, symposia and events their profitability could suffer, and our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. In addition, because our events are scheduled in advance and held at specific locations, the success of these events can be affected by circumstances outside of our control, such as labor strikes, transportation shutdowns and travel restrictions, economic slowdowns, reductions in government spending, geo-political crises, terrorist attacks, weather, natural disasters, communicable diseases, and other occurrences impacting the global, regional, or national economies, the occurrence of any of which could negatively impact the success of the event. We also face the challenge of procuring venues that are sizeable enough at a reasonable cost to accommodate some of our major events.

Our sales to governments are subject to appropriations and may be terminated. We derive significant revenues from research and consulting contracts with the U.S. government and its respective agencies, numerous state and local governments and their respective agencies, and foreign governments and their agencies. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately $310.0 million and $283.0 million, respectively, of our total contracts were attributable to government entities. We believe substantially all of the amounts attributable to government entities at December 31, 2014 will be filled in 2015. Our U.S. government contracts are subject to the approval of appropriations by the U.S. Congress to fund the agencies contracting for our services. Additionally, our contracts at the state and local levels, as well as foreign government contracts, are subject to various governmental authorizations and funding approvals and mechanisms. In general, most if not all of these contracts may be terminated at any time without cause or penalty (“termination for convenience”). Similarly, contracts with U.S. federal, state and local, and foreign governments and their respective agencies are subject to increasingly complex bidding procedures, compliance requirements and intense competition. Should appropriations for the governments and agencies that contract with us be curtailed, or should our government contracts be terminated for convenience, we may experience a significant loss of segment and consolidated revenues.

We may not be able to attract and retain qualified personnel which could jeopardize our future growth plans, as well as the quality of our products and services. Our success depends heavily upon the quality of our senior management, research analysts, consultants, sales and other key personnel. We face competition for qualified professionals from, among others, technology companies, market research firms, consulting firms, financial services companies and electronic and print media companies, some of which have a greater ability to attract and compensate these professionals. Recent improvements in the U.S economy have heightened this competition. Additionally, some of the personnel that we attempt to hire are subject to non-compete agreements that could impede our short-term recruitment efforts. Any inability to retain key personnel, or to hire and train additional qualified personnel to support the evolving needs of clients or the projected growth in our business, could adversely affect the quality of our products and services, as well as future business and operating results.

We may not be able to maintain the equity in our brand name. We believe that our “Gartner” brand, including our independence, 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, and expend additional sums to protect our brand and otherwise increase expenditures to create and maintain client brand loyalty. If we fail to effectively promote and maintain the Gartner brand, or incur excessive expenses in doing so, our future business and operating results could be adversely impacted.

Our international operations expose us to a variety of operational risks which could negatively impact our future revenue and growth. We have clients in over 90 countries and a substantial amount of our revenues is earned outside of the U.S. 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 tariffs and other trade barriers, challenges in staffing and managing foreign operations, changes in regulatory requirements, compliance with numerous foreign laws and regulations, differences between U.S. and foreign tax rates and laws, and the difficulty of enforcing client agreements, collecting accounts receivable and protecting intellectual property rights in international jurisdictions. Furthermore, we rely on local distributors or sales agents in some international locations. If any of these arrangements are terminated by our agent or us, 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.

We are exposed to volatility in foreign currency exchange rates from our international operations. Revenues earned outside the U.S. are typically transacted in local currencies, which may fluctuate significantly against the U.S. dollar. While we may use forward exchange contracts to a limited extent to seek to mitigate foreign currency risk, our revenues and results of operations could be adversely affected by unfavorable foreign currency fluctuations. Additionally, our effective tax rate is increased as the U.S dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, which could impact our operating results.

Natural disasters or geo-political events may disrupt our business. A major weather event, terrorist attack, earthquake, flood, volcanic activity, or other catastrophic disaster could significantly disrupt our operations. Such events could cause delays in initiating or completing sales, impede delivery of our products and services to our clients, disrupt other critical client-facing and business processes, or dislocate our critical internal functions and personnel. Our corporate headquarters is located approximately 30 miles from New York City, and we have an operations center located in Ft. Myers, Florida, a hurricane-prone area. We also operate in numerous international locations, and we have offices in a number of major cities across the globe. Abrupt political change, terrorist activity, communicable diseases, and armed conflict pose a risk of general economic disruption in affected countries and regions, which may negatively impact our sales and increase our operating costs. Additionally, these conditions also may add uncertainty to the timing and budget decisions of our clients. Such events could significantly harm our ability to conduct normal business operations and negatively impact our financial condition and operating results.

Privacy concerns could damage our reputation and deter current and potential clients from using our products and services or attending our events. Concerns relating to global data privacy have the potential to damage our reputation and deter current and prospective clients from using our products and services or attending our events. In the ordinary course of our business and in accordance with applicable laws, we collect personal information (i) from our employees (ii) from the users of our products and services, including event attendees; and (iii) from prospective clients. We collect only basic personal information from our clients and prospects (name, email address, job title) and do not as a rule collect sensitive personal information like SSNs and credit card numbers.

Even if unfounded, concerns about our practices with regard to the collection, use, disclosure, or security of this personal information or other data privacy related matters, could damage our reputation and adversely affect our operating results. In addition, because many of our products and services are web-based, the amount of data we store on our servers (including personal information) has been increasing. Any systems failure or compromise of our security that results in the disclosure of our users’ personal data could seriously limit the consumption of our products and services and the attendance at our events, as well as harm our reputation and brand and, therefore, our business.

In addition, while we are a Safe Harbor certified company and while we have implemented a company-wide privacy compliance program, regulatory authorities around the world continue to adopt new laws, regulations and penalties concerning data privacy. The interpretation and application of these laws in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere are often uncertain, inconsistent and ever changing. It is possible that these laws may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our data privacy practices. Complying with these various laws could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner adverse to our business.

Internet and critical internal computer system failures, cyber-attacks, or compromises of our systems or security could damage our reputation and harm our business. A significant portion of our business is conducted over the Internet and we rely heavily on computer systems to conduct our operations. Individuals, groups, and state-sponsored organizations may take steps that pose threats to our operations, our computer systems, our employees, and our customers. They may develop and deploy malicious software to gain access to our networks and attempt to steal confidential information, launch distributed denial of service attacks, or attempt other coordinated disruptions. These threats are constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated, thereby increasing the difficulty of detecting and successfully defending against them. A cyber-attack, widespread Internet failure, or disruption of our critical information technology systems through denial of service, viruses, or other events could cause delays in initiating or completing sales, impede delivery of our products and services to our clients, disrupt other critical client-facing or business processes, or dislocate our critical internal functions. Such events could significantly harm our ability to conduct normal business operations and negatively impact our financial results.

We take steps to secure our management information systems, including our computer systems, intranet, proprietary websites, email and other telecommunications and data networks, and we carefully scrutinize the security of outsourced website and service providers prior to retaining their services. However, the security measures implemented by us or by our outside service providers may not be effective and our systems (and those of our outside service providers) may be vulnerable to theft, loss, damage and interruption from a number of potential sources and events, including unauthorized access or security breaches, cyber-attacks, computer viruses, power loss, or other disruptive events. Our reputation, brand, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected if, as a result of a significant cyber event or other technology-related catastrophe, our operations are disrupted or shutdown; our confidential, proprietary information is stolen or disclosed; we incur costs or are required to pay fines in connection with stolen customer, employee, or other confidential information; we are required to dedicate significant resources to system repairs or increase cyber security protection; or we otherwise incur significant litigation or other costs as a result of these occurrences.

We may experience outages and disruptions of our online services if we fail to maintain an adequate operations infrastructure. Our increasing user traffic and complexity of our products and services demand more computing power. We have spent and expect

to continue to spend substantial amounts to maintain data centers and equipment, to upgrade our technology and network infrastructure to handle increased traffic on our websites, and to deliver our products and services through emerging channels, such as mobile applications. However, any inefficiencies or operational failures could diminish the quality of our products, services, and user experience, resulting in damage to our reputation and loss of current and potential users, subscribers, and advertisers, potentially harming our financial condition and operating results.

Our outstanding debt obligation could impact our financial condition or future operating results. We have a credit arrangement that provides for a five-year, $400.0 million term loan and a $1.1 billion revolving credit facility (the “2014 Credit Agreement”). In addition, the credit arrangement contains an expansion feature by which the term loan and revolving facility may be increased, at our option and under certain conditions, by up to an additional $500.0 million in the aggregate. At December 31, 2014, we had a total of $400.0 million outstanding under the term loan of the 2014 Credit Agreement.

The affirmative, negative and financial covenants of the 2014 Credit Agreement could limit our future financial flexibility. Additionally, a failure to comply with these covenants could result in acceleration of all amounts outstanding under the arrangement, which would materially impact our financial condition unless accommodations could be negotiated with our lenders. No assurance can be given that we would be successful in doing so in this current financial climate, or that any accommodations that we were able to negotiate would be on terms as favorable as those presently contained in the credit arrangement. The associated debt service costs of this credit arrangement could impair our future operating results. The outstanding debt may limit the amount of cash or additional credit available to us, which could restrain our ability to expand or enhance products and services, respond to competitive pressures or pursue future business opportunities requiring substantial investments of additional capital.

We may require additional cash resources which may not be available on favorable terms or at all. We believe that our existing cash balances, projected cash flow from operations, and the borrowing capacity we have under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to fund our plans for the next 12 months and the foreseeable future.

However, we may require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions, implementation of our strategy and stock repurchase program, to repay indebtedness or to pursue future business opportunities requiring substantial investments of additional capital, including acquisitions. If our existing financial resources are insufficient to satisfy our requirements, we may seek additional borrowings or issue debt. Prevailing credit and debt market conditions may negatively affect debt availability and cost, and, as a result, financing may not be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. In addition, the incurrence of additional indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could require us to agree to operating and financial covenants that would further restrict our operations.

If we are unable to enforce and protect our intellectual property rights our competitive position may be harmed. We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark, trade secret, patent, confidentiality, non-compete and other contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property rights. Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights, unauthorized third parties may obtain and use technology or other information that we regard as proprietary. Our intellectual property rights may not survive a legal challenge to their validity or provide significant protection for us. The laws of certain countries, particularly in emerging markets, do not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as 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. Additionally, there can be no assurance that another party will not assert that we have infringed its intellectual property rights.

Our employees are subject to non-compete agreements to the extent permitted under applicable law. When the non-competition period expires, former employees may compete against us. If a former employee chooses to compete against us prior to the expiration of the non-competition period, we seek to enforce these non-compete provisions but there is no assurance that we will be successful in our efforts.

We have grown, and may continue to grow, through acquisitions and strategic investments, which could involve substantial risks. We have made and may continue to make acquisitions of, or significant investments in, businesses that offer complementary products and services or otherwise support our growth objectives. The risks involved in each acquisition or investment include the possibility of paying more than the value we derive from the acquisition, dilution of the interests of our current stockholders should we issue stock in the acquisition, decreased working capital, increased indebtedness, the assumption of undisclosed liabilities and unknown and unforeseen risks, the ability to retain key personnel of the acquired company, the inability to integrate the business of the acquired company, the time to train the sales force to market and sell the products of the acquired business, the potential disruption of our ongoing business and the distraction of management from our day to day business. The realization of any of these risks could adversely affect our business. Additionally, we face competition in identifying acquisition targets and consummating acquisitions.

We face risks related to litigation. We are, and in the future may be, subject to a variety of legal actions, such as employment, breach of contract, intellectual property-related, and business torts, including claims of unfair trade practices and misappropriation of trade secrets. Given the nature of our business, we are also subject to defamation (including libel and slander), negligence, or other claims relating to the information we publish. Regardless of the merits and despite vigorous efforts to defend any such claim can affect our reputation, and responding to any such claim could be time consuming, result in costly litigation and require us to enter into settlements, royalty and licensing agreements which may not be offered or available on reasonable terms. If a claim is made against us which we cannot defend or resolve on reasonable terms, our business, brand, and financial results could be materially and adversely affected.

We face risks related to taxation. We are a global company with operations and clients in over 90 countries. A substantial amount of our earnings is generated outside of the U.S. and taxed at rates significantly less than the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate. Our effective tax rate, financial position and results of operations could be adversely affected by earnings being higher than anticipated in jurisdictions with higher statutory tax rates and, conversely, lower than anticipated in jurisdictions that have lower statutory tax rates, by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and/or by changes in tax laws or accounting principles and their interpretation by relevant authorities.

At the present time, the United States and other countries where we do business have either changed or are actively considering changes in their tax, accounting and other related laws. In the United States, proposed tax law changes, particularly those directed at taxing unremitted and future foreign earnings, could increase our effective tax rate. In addition, Ireland recently modified its tax residency rules. While, at the present time, these changes are not effective until 2020 for many companies with Irish resident operations, including Gartner, the new rules could increase our effective tax rate at that future date. Likewise, certain international organizations such as the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation, are actively considering proposals, certain of which, if enacted by foreign governments, could significantly increase our tax obligations in many countries where we do business. These actual, potential, and other changes, both individually and collectively, could materially increase our effective tax rate and negatively impact our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

In addition, our tax filings for various years are subject to examination by domestic and international taxing authorities and, during the ordinary course of business, we are under audit by tax authorities. Although we believe that our tax filings and related accruals are reasonable, the final resolution of tax audits may be materially different from what is reflected in our historical tax provisions and accruals and could have a material adverse effect on our effective tax rate, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, particularly in major taxing jurisdictions including, but not limited to: the United States, Ireland, India, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, France, and Italy.

Our corporate compliance program cannot guarantee that we are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. We operate in a number of countries, including emerging markets, and as a result we are required to comply with numerous, and in many cases, changing international and U.S. federal, state and local laws and regulations. As a result, we have developed and instituted a corporate compliance program which includes the creation of appropriate policies defining employee behavior that mandate adherence to laws, employee training, annual affirmations, monitoring and enforcement. However, if any employee fails to comply with, or intentionally disregards, any of these laws, regulations or our policies, a range of liabilities could result for the employee and for the Company, including, but not limited to, significant penalties and fines, sanctions and/or litigation, and the expenses associated with defending and resolving any of the foregoing, any of which could have a negative impact on our reputation and business.

Risks related to our Common Stock

Our operating results may fluctuate from period to period and may not meet the expectations of investors or the financial guidance we have given, which may cause the price of our Common Stock to decline. Our quarterly and annual operating results may fluctuate in the future as a result of many factors, including the timing of the execution of research contracts, the extent of completion of consulting engagements, the timing of symposia and other events, the amount of new business generated, the mix of domestic and international business, currency fluctuations, 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. The potential fluctuations in our operating results could cause period-to-period comparisons of operating results not to be meaningful and may provide an unreliable indication of future operating results. Furthermore, our operating results may not meet the expectations of investors or the financial guidance we have previously provided. If this occurs, the price of our Common Stock could decline.

Our stock price may be impacted by factors outside of our control and you may not be able to resell shares of our Common Stock at or above the price you paid. The price of our Common Stock is subject to significant fluctuations in response to, among other factors, developments in the industries in which we do business, general economic conditions, general market conditions, geo-

political events, changes in the nature and composition of our stockholder base, changes in securities analysts’ recommendations regarding our securities and our performance relative to securities analysts’ expectations for any quarterly period, as well as other factors outside of our control including any and all factors that move the securities markets generally. These factors may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock.

Future sales of our Common Stock in the public market could lower our stock price. Sales of a substantial number of shares of Common Stock in the public market by our current stockholders, or the threat that substantial sales may occur, could cause the market price of our Common Stock to decrease significantly or make it difficult for us to raise additional capital by selling stock. Furthermore, we have various equity incentive plans that provide for awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards which have the effect of adding shares of Common Stock into the public market. At the present time, we are executing against a board-approved share repurchase program to reduce the number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock. At December 31, 2014, $413.3 million remained available for share purchases under this program. No assurance can be given that we will continue these activities in the future when the program is completed, or in the event that the price of our Common Stock reaches levels at which repurchases are not accretive.

As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate number of shares of our Common Stock issuable pursuant to outstanding grants and awards under these plans was approximately 2.9 million shares (approximately 0.6 million of which have vested). In addition, at the present time, approximately 8.0 million shares may be issued in connection with future awards under our equity incentive plans. Shares of Common Stock issued under these plans are freely transferable and have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), except for any shares held by affiliates (as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) which are subject to certain limitations. We cannot predict the size of future issuances of our Common Stock or the effect, if any, that future issuances and sales of shares of our Common Stock will have on the market price of our Common Stock.

Interests of certain of our significant stockholders may conflict with yours. To our knowledge, as of the date hereof, and based upon publicly-available SEC filings, four institutional investors each presently hold over 5% of our Common Stock. While no stockholder or institutional investor individually holds a majority of our outstanding shares, these significant stockholders may be able, either individually or acting together, to exercise significant influence over matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, amendment of our certificate of incorporation, adoption or amendment of equity plans and approval of significant transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, consolidations and sales or purchases of assets. In addition, in the event of a proposed acquisition of the Company by a third party, this concentration of ownership may delay or prevent a change of control in us. Accordingly, the interests of these stockholders may not always coincide with our interests or the interests of other stockholders, or otherwise be in the best interests of us or all stockholders.

Our anti-takeover protections may discourage or prevent a change of control, even if a change in control would be beneficial to our stockholders. Provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law may make it difficult for any party to acquire control of us in a transaction not approved by our Board of Directors. These provisions include:


•	the ability of our Board of Directors to issue and determine the terms of preferred stock;


•	advance notice requirements for inclusion of stockholder proposals at stockholder meetings; and


•	the anti-takeover provisions of Delaware law.

These provisions could discourage or prevent a change of control or change in management that might provide stockholders with a premium to the market price of their Common Stock.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

The Company has no unresolved written comments that were received from the SEC staff 180 days or more before the end of our fiscal year relating to our periodic or current reports under the Exchange Act.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

We currently lease 32 domestic and 65 international offices and we have a significant presence in Stamford, Connecticut; Ft. Myers, Florida; and Egham, the United Kingdom. The Company does not own any properties.

Our corporate headquarters is located in 213,000 square feet of leased office space in three buildings located in Stamford. This facility also accommodates research and analysis, marketing, sales, client support, production, corporate services, and administration. The Company's lease on the Stamford facility expires in 2028 and we have three options to renew the lease at fair market value for five years each.

Our Ft. Myers operations are currently located in 120,000 square feet of leased office space in one building for which the lease will expire in 2026. We have also leased an additional 132,000 square feet of space in Ft. Myers in an adjoining building, which is under construction. We currently anticipate this facility will open in mid-2015, and the lease will expire in 2030. Our Egham location has approximately 72,000 square feet of leased office space located in two separate buildings. However, we recently exercised our rights to early termination of one of the Egham leases, and we have entered into agreements with the landlord to occupy under lease a new 120,000 square foot building in the location of one of the existing buildings. Our other domestic and international locations support our research, consulting, domestic and international sales efforts, and other functions.

Our existing and planned facility expansions are adequate for our currently anticipated needs. However, we expect to continue to invest in our business by adding headcount. As a result, we may need additional office space in various locations. Should additional space be necessary, we believe that it will be available and at reasonable terms.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

We are involved in various legal and administrative proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The outcome of these individual matters is not predictable at this time. However, we believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters, after considering amounts already accrued and insurance coverage, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows in future periods.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

Our Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol IT. As of January 31, 2015, there were 1,493 holders of record of our Common Stock. Our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on May 28, 2015 at the Company’s corporate headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut. We did not submit any matter to a vote of our stockholders during the fourth quarter of 2014.

The following table sets forth the high and low sale prices for our Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange for the periods indicated:



	2014				2013
	High		Low		High		Low
Quarter ended March 31	$	73.53	$	61.28	$	54.52	$	46.52
Quarter ended June 30	75.61		65.55		59.09		53.01
Quarter ended September 30	76.82		67.83		63.00		55.75
Quarter ended December 31	$	87.58	$	71.22	$	71.49	$	57.19

DIVIDEND POLICY

We currently do not pay cash dividends on our Common Stock. In addition, our 2014 Credit Agreement contains a negative covenant which may limit our ability to pay dividends.

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

The equity compensation plan information set forth in Part III, Item 12 of this Form 10-K is hereby incorporated by reference into this Part II, Item 5.

SHARE REPURCHASES

The Company has an $800.0 million share repurchase program, of which $413.3 million remained available for repurchases as of December 31, 2014. The Company may repurchase its common stock from time-to-time in amounts and at prices the Company deems appropriate, subject to the availability of stock, prevailing market conditions, the trading price of the stock, the Company’s financial performance and other conditions. Repurchases may be made through open market purchases, private transactions, or other transactions and will be funded from cash on hand and borrowings under the Company’s credit agreement. Repurchases may also be made from time-to-time in connection with the settlement of the Company's share-based compensation awards.

The following table summarizes the repurchases of our Common Stock in the three months ended December 31, 2014 pursuant to our $800.0 million share repurchase authorization and pursuant to the settlement of share-based compensation awards:



Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased (#)	Average Price Paid Per Share ($)		Maximum Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs ($000’s)
October	460,905	$	74.51
November	7,473	85.42
December	78,153	84.18
Total (1)	546,531	$	76.04	$	413,300


(1)	For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company repurchased a total of 5.9 million shares.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The fiscal years presented below are for the respective twelve-month period from January 1 through December 31. Data for all years was derived or compiled from our audited consolidated financial statements included herein or from submissions of our Form 10-K in prior years. The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



(In thousands, except per share data)	2014		2013		2012		2011		2010
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
Research	$	1,445,338	$	1,271,011	$	1,137,147	$	1,012,062	$	865,000
Consulting	348,396		314,257		304,893		308,047		302,117
Events	227,707		198,945		173,768		148,479		121,337
Total revenues	2,021,441		1,784,213		1,615,808		1,468,588		1,288,454
Operating income	286,162		275,492		245,707		214,062		149,265
Net income	$	183,766	$	182,801	$	165,903	$	136,902	$	96,285

PER SHARE DATA:
Basic income per share	$	2.06	$	1.97	$	1.78	$	1.43	$	1.01
Diluted income per share	$	2.03	$	1.93	$	1.73	$	1.39	$	0.96

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	89,337		93,015		93,444		96,019		95,747
Diluted	90,719		94,830		95,842		98,846		99,834

OTHER DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	365,302	$	423,990	$	299,852	$	142,739	$	120,181
Total assets	1,904,351		1,783,582		1,621,277		1,379,872		1,285,658
Long-term debt	385,000		136,250		115,000		150,000		180,000
Stockholders’ equity	161,171		361,316		306,673		181,784		187,056
Cash provided by operating activities	$	346,779	$	315,654	$	279,814	$	255,566	$	205,499

The following items impact the comparability and presentation of our consolidated data:


•	In 2014 we refinanced our debt (see Note 5 — Debt in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements). We also refinanced our debt in 2013 and 2010.


•	In 2014 we repurchased 5.9 million of our common shares. We also repurchased 3.4 million, 2.7 million, 5.9 million, and 3.9 million of our common shares in 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively (see Note 7 — Stockholders’ Equity in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

•

In 2014 we acquired three businesses and recognized $21.9 million in pre-tax acquisition and integration charges (see Note 2 — Acquisitions in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The operating results of these three businesses, which were not material, were included in our consolidated financial results beginning on their respective acquisition dates. We also recognized $2.4 million and $7.9 million of pre-tax acquisition and integration charges in 2012 and 2010, respectively, related to other acquisitions.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The purpose of the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is to help facilitate the understanding of significant factors influencing the operating results, financial condition and cash flows of Gartner, Inc. Additionally, the MD&A also conveys our expectations of the potential impact of known trends, events or uncertainties that may impact future results. You should read this discussion in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this report. Historical results and percentage relationships are not necessarily indicative of operating results for future periods. References to “the Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” are to Gartner, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In addition to historical information, this Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements. 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,” “expect,” “should,” “could,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “predict,” “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 implied by, the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Part 1, Item 1A, Risk Factors. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s 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 should review carefully any risk factors described in other reports we filed with the SEC.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Gartner, Inc. is the world’s leading information technology research and advisory company that helps executives use technology to build, guide and grow their enterprises. We offer independent and objective research and analysis on the information technology, computer hardware, software, communications and related technology industries. We provide comprehensive coverage of the IT industry to thousands of client organizations across the globe. Our client base consists primarily of CIOs and other senior IT and executives from a wide variety of business enterprises, government agencies and the investment community.

We have three business segments: Research, Consulting and Events.

•


•	Consulting provides customized solutions to unique client needs through on-site, day-to-day support, as well as proprietary tools for measuring and improving IT performance with a focus on cost, performance, efficiency, and quality.

•

Events provides IT, supply chain, and business professionals the opportunity to attend various symposia, conferences and exhibitions to learn, contribute and network with their peers. From our flagship event Symposium/ITxpo, to Summits focused on specific technologies and industries, to experimental workshop-style Seminars, our events distill the latest Gartner research into applicable insight and advice.

BUSINESS MEASUREMENTS

We believe the following business measurements are important performance indicators for our business segments:



BUSINESS SEGMENT		BUSINESS MEASUREMENTS
Research		Contract value represents the value attributable to all of our subscription-related research products that recognize revenue on a ratable basis. Contract value is calculated as the annualized value of all subscription research contracts in effect at a specific point in time, without regard to the duration of the contract.

		Client retention rate represents a measure of client satisfaction and renewed business relationships at a specific point in time. Client retention is calculated on a percentage basis by dividing our current clients, who were also clients a year ago, by all clients from a year ago.

		Wallet retention rate represents a measure of the amount of contract value we have retained with clients over a twelve-month period. Wallet retention is calculated on a percentage basis by dividing the contract value of clients, who were clients one year earlier, by the total contract value from a year earlier, excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange. When wallet retention exceeds client retention, it is an indication of retention of higher-spending clients, or increased spending by retained clients, or both.

Consulting		Consulting backlog represents future revenue to be derived from in-process consulting, measurement and strategic advisory services engagements.

		Utilization rate represents a measure of productivity of our consultants. Utilization rates are calculated for billable headcount on a percentage basis by dividing total hours billed by total hours available to bill.

		Billing rate represents earned billable revenue divided by total billable hours.

		Average annualized revenue per billable headcount represents a measure of the revenue generating ability of an average billable consultant and is calculated periodically by multiplying the average billing rate per hour times the utilization percentage times the billable hours available for one year.

Events		Number of events represents the total number of hosted events completed during the period.

		Number of attendees represents the total number of people who attend events.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL POSITION

We have executed a consistent growth strategy since 2005 to drive double-digit annual revenue and earnings growth. The fundamentals of our strategy include a focus on creating extraordinary research content, delivering innovative and highly differentiated product offerings, building a strong sales capability, providing world class client service with a focus on client engagement and retention, and continuously improving our operational effectiveness.

We had total revenues of $2.021 billion in 2014, an increase of 13% over 2013 on a reported basis and 14% adjusted for foreign exchange impact. Diluted earnings per share increased by $.10 per share, or 5%, to $2.03 per share in 2014.

Research revenues rose 14% year-over-year, to $1.445 billion in 2014, and the contribution margin was 69%, the same as 2013. At December 31, 2014, Research contract value was $1.603 billion, an increase of 13% over December 31, 2013 on a reported basis and 14% adjusted for the impact of foreign exchange. Enterprise client retention was 85% and enterprise wallet retention was 106% at December 31, 2014.

Consulting revenues in 2014 increased 11% when compared to 2013, while the gross contribution margin was 34%, the same as 2013. Consultant utilization was 68% for 2014 compared to 64% in 2013, and we had 535 billable consultants at December 31, 2014 compared to 509 at year-end 2013. Backlog decreased 3% year-over-year, to $102.6 million at December 31, 2014.

Events revenues increased 14% year-over-year, to $227.7 million, and 16% adjusted for foreign currency impact. The segment contribution margin was 49% in 2014, a 3 point increase over 2013. We held 61 events in 2014 compared to 64 in 2013, while the number of attendees increased 9% year-over-year, to over 49,000.

For a more detailed discussion of our results, see the Segment Results section below.

Cash flow from our operating activities was $346.8 million in 2014, an increase of 10% compared to 2013. We continue to focus on maximizing shareholder value, and in 2014 we repurchased 5.9 million of our outstanding common shares. We ended 2014 with $365.3 million in cash and cash equivalents. We refinanced our existing credit facility during the fourth quarter of 2014 to take advantage of favorable market conditions, provide for additional liquidity, and extend the maturity of our debt. Our total borrowing capacity under the new arrangement is $1.5 billion, which consists of a $400.0 million term loan and a $1.1 billion revolving credit arrangement. The new facility has a five year maturity. At December 31, 2014, approximately $1.1 billion was available for borrowing under the revolver. We believe that we have adequate liquidity to meet our currently anticipated needs.

The Company completed three business acquisitions in 2014 (the "2014 Acquisitions"). These include Software Advice, Inc., which assists customers with software purchases; Market Visio Oy, a Finnish company and former sales agent for Gartner research in Finland and Russia; and SircleIT, Inc., a provider of cloud-based search technology that identifies subject-matter experts. Note 2 - Acquisitions in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K provides additional information regarding the 2014 Acquisitions. The operating results of these acquisitions have been included in our consolidated and segment operating results beginning on their respective dates of acquisition. The results of these businesses were not material to our consolidated or segment results for the year ended December 31, 2014.

FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY RESULTS

Our quarterly and annual revenue, operating income, and cash flow fluctuate as a result of many factors, including: the timing of our Symposium/ITxpo series, which are normally held during the fourth calendar quarter, as well as other events; the timing and amount of new business generated; the mix between domestic and international business; changes in market demand for our products and services; changes in foreign currency rates; the timing of the development, introduction and marketing of our new products and services; competition in the industry; general economic conditions; and other factors which are beyond our control. The potential fluctuations in our operating income could cause period-to-period comparisons of operating results not to be meaningful and could provide an unreliable indication of future operating results and cash flows.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements requires the application of appropriate accounting policies and the use of estimates. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Management considers the policies discussed below to be critical to an understanding of our financial statements because their application requires complex and subjective management judgments and estimates. Specific risks for these critical accounting policies are described below.

The preparation of our financial statements also requires us to make estimates and assumptions about future events. We develop our estimates using both current and historical experience, as well as other factors, including the general economic environment and actions we may take in the future. We adjust such estimates when facts and circumstances dictate. However, our estimates may involve significant uncertainties and judgments and cannot be determined with precision. In addition, these estimates are based on our best judgment at a point in time and as such these estimates may ultimately differ from actual results. On-going changes in our estimates could be material and would be reflected in the Company’s financial statements in future periods.

Our critical accounting policies are as follows:

Revenue recognition — Revenue is recognized in accordance with the requirements of U.S. GAAP and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition (“SAB 104”). Revenue is only recognized once all required criteria for revenue recognition have been met. Revenue by significant source is accounted for as follows:


•	Research revenues are derived from subscription contracts for research products and are deferred and recognized ratably over the applicable contract term. Fees from research reprints are recognized when the reprint is delivered.

•

Consulting revenues are principally generated from fixed fee and time and material engagements. Revenues from fixed fee contracts are recognized on a proportional performance basis. Revenues from time and materials engagements are recognized as work is delivered and/or services are provided. Revenues related to contract optimization contracts are contingent in nature and are only recognized upon satisfaction of all conditions related to their payment.


•	Events revenues are deferred and then recognized upon the completion of the related symposium, conference or exhibition.

The majority of research contracts are billable upon signing, absent special terms granted on a limited basis from time to time. All research contracts are non-cancelable and non-refundable, except for government contracts that may have cancellation or fiscal funding clauses. It is our policy to record the entire amount of the contract that is billable as a fee receivable at the time the contract is signed with a corresponding amount as deferred revenue, since the contract represents a legally enforceable claim.

Uncollectible fees receivable — We maintain an allowance for losses which is composed of a bad debt allowance and a sales reserve. Provisions are charged against earnings, either as a reduction in revenues or an increase to expense. The measurement of likely and probable losses and the allowance for losses is based on historical loss experience, aging of outstanding receivables, an assessment of current economic conditions and the financial health of specific clients. This evaluation is inherently judgmental and requires estimates. These valuation reserves are periodically re-evaluated and adjusted as more information about the ultimate collectability of fees receivable becomes available. Circumstances that could cause our valuation reserves to increase include changes in our clients’ liquidity and credit quality, other factors negatively impacting our clients’ ability to pay their obligations as they come due, and the effectiveness of our collection efforts.

The following table provides our total fees receivable and the related allowance for losses (in thousands):



	December 31,
	2014			2013
Total fees receivable	$	558,807		$	497,923
Allowance for losses	(6,700		)	(7,000		)
Fees receivable, net	$	552,107		$	490,923

Goodwill and other intangible assets — The Company evaluates recorded goodwill in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 350, which requires goodwill to be assessed for impairment at least annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. In addition, an impairment evaluation of our amortizable intangible assets may also be performed on a periodic basis should events or circumstances indicate potential impairment. If we determine that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its related carrying amount, we must recognize an impairment charge against earnings. Among the factors we consider important that could trigger an impairment review are the following:


•	Significant under-performance relative to historical or projected future operating results;


•	Significant changes in the manner of our use of acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business;


•	Significant negative industry or general economic trends;


•	Significant decline in our stock price for a sustained period; and


•	Our market capitalization relative to net book value.

The annual assessment of the recoverability of recorded goodwill can be based on either a quantitative or qualitative assessment or a combination of the two. Both methods require the use of estimates which in turn contain judgments and assumptions regarding future trends and events. As a result, both the precision and reliability of the resulting estimates are subject to uncertainty. In 2014, we completed the required annual goodwill impairment test utilizing a qualitative approach. Based on this assessment, the Company believes the fair values of the Company’s reporting units continue to exceed their respective carrying amounts. See Note 1 — Business and Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion.

Accounting for income taxes — The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. We estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions where we operate. This process involves estimating our current tax expense together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our consolidated balance sheets. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We consider the availability of loss carryforwards, projected reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in making this assessment. The Company recognizes the tax

benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not the tax position will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position.

Accounting for stock-based compensation — The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topics 505 and 718, as interpreted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins No. 107 (“SAB No. 107”) and No. 110 (“SAB No. 110”). The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense, which is based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant, over the related service period, net of estimated forfeitures (see Note 8 — Stock-Based Compensation in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding stock-based compensation).

Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of stock compensation awards requires the input of certain complex and subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the stock compensation award and the Company’s Common Stock price volatility. In addition, determining the appropriate amount of associated periodic expense requires management to estimate the rate of employee forfeitures and the likelihood of achievement of certain performance targets. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock compensation awards and the associated periodic expense represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company deems it necessary in the future to modify the assumptions it made or to use different assumptions, or if the quantity and nature of the Company’s stock-based compensation awards changes, then the amount of expense may need to be adjusted and future stock compensation expense could be materially different from what has been recorded in the current period.

Restructuring and other accruals — We may record accruals for severance costs, costs associated with excess facilities that we have leased, contract terminations, asset impairments, and other costs as a result of on-going actions we undertake to streamline our organization, reposition certain businesses and reduce ongoing costs. Estimates of costs to be incurred to complete these actions, such as future lease payments, sublease income, the fair value of assets, and severance and related benefits, are based on assumptions at the time the actions are initiated. These accruals may need to be adjusted to the extent actual costs differ from such estimates. In addition, these actions may be revised due to changes in business conditions that we did not foresee at the time such plans were approved.

We also record accruals during the year for our various employee cash incentive programs. Amounts accrued at the end of each reporting period are based on our estimates and may require adjustment as the ultimate amount paid for these incentives are sometimes not known with certainty until after year end.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated Results

2014 VERSUS 2013

The following table presents the changes in selected line items in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the two years ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):



	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014			Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2013			Income Increase (Decrease) $			Increase (Decrease) %
Total revenues	$	2,021,441		$	1,784,213		$	237,228		13	%
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services & product development	797,933			713,484			(84,449		)	(12	)
Selling, general and administrative	876,067			760,458			(115,609		)	(15	)
Depreciation	31,186			28,996			(2,190		)	(8	)
Amortization of intangibles	8,226			5,446			(2,780		)	(51	)
Acquisition & integration charges	21,867			337			(21,530		)	>(100)
Operating income	286,162			275,492			10,670			4
Interest expense, net	(10,887		)	(8,837		)	(2,050		)	(23	)
Other expense, net	(592		)	(216		)	(376		)	>(100)
Provision for income taxes	(90,917		)	(83,638		)	(7,279		)	(9	)
Net income	$	183,766		$	182,801		$	965		1	%

TOTAL REVENUES for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 increased $237.2 million, or 13%, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2013. Total revenues increased 14% excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency. Revenues increased in all three of our business segments and across all geographic regions.

The following table presents total revenues by geographic region for the twelve months ended (in thousands):



Geographic Region	December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013		Increase (Decrease) $		Increase (Decrease) %
U.S. and Canada	$	1,204,476	$	1,049,734	$	154,742	15	%
Europe, Middle East, Africa	570,334		508,755		61,579		12
Other International	246,631		225,724		20,907		9
Totals	$	2,021,441	$	1,784,213	$	237,228	13	%

The following table presents our revenues by segment for the twelve months ended (in thousands):



Segment	December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013		Increase (Decrease) $		Increase (Decrease) %
Research	$	1,445,338	$	1,271,011	$	174,327	14	%
Consulting	348,396		314,257		34,139		11
Events	227,707		198,945		28,762		14
Totals	$	2,021,441	$	1,784,213	$	237,228	13	%

Please refer to the section of this MD&A below entitled “Segment Results” for a further discussion of revenues and results by segment.

COST OF SERVICES AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (“COS”) expense increased 12% in 2014 compared to 2013, or $84.4 million, to $797.9 million compared to $713.5 million in 2013. The impact of foreign currency exchange for the full year was not significant. The increase was primarily due to higher payroll and related benefits costs from additional headcount, which increased 12%. The headcount increase reflects our continued investment in our Research business and includes the additional employees resulting from the 2014 Acquisitions. COS as a percentage of revenues was 39% in the 2014 period compared to 40% in the 2013 period.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE (“SG&A”) expense increased by $115.6 million in 2014, or 15%, to $876.1 million compared to $760.5 million in 2013. Excluding the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange, SG&A expense increased 16% year-over-year. The increase was primarily due to higher payroll and related benefits costs from additional headcount, higher sales commissions, and merit salary increases. The increased headcount includes our investment in additional quota-bearing sales associates, which increased to 1,881 at December 31, 2014, a 14% increase over year-end 2013.

DEPRECIATION expense increased 8% in 2014 compared to 2013, which reflects our additional investment in fixed assets.

AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES increased 51% year-over-year due to the intangibles arising from the 2014 Acquisitions.

ACQUISITION AND INTEGRATION CHARGES was $21.9 million in 2014 compared to $0.3 million in 2013. These charges are directly-related to our acquisitions and primarily include amounts accrued for payments contingent on the achievement of certain employment conditions, legal, consulting, and severance costs.

OPERATING INCOME increased $10.7 million year-over-year, or 4%, to $286.2 million in 2014 from $275.5 million in 2013. The increased operating income was attributable to higher segment contributions from our Research and Events businesses. Operating income as a percentage of revenues was 14% in 2014 and 15% in 2013.

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET increased 23% year-over-year due to additional borrowings in the 2014 period.

OTHER EXPENSE, NET was $0.6 million in 2014 and $0.2 million in 2013. These expenses primarily consisted of net foreign currency exchange gains and losses.

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES was $90.9 million in 2014 compared to $83.6 million in 2013 and the effective tax rate was 33.1% for 2014 compared to 31.4% for 2013. The higher effective tax rate in 2014 was primarily due to the impact of certain favorable items in 2013, as well as the unfavorable mix of pretax income by jurisdiction in 2014 which was partially offset by foreign tax credit benefits in 2014. The favorable items in 2013 included the enactment of certain beneficial legislation in 2013, the release of tax reserves due to audit settlements, and increased tax exempt income.

During 2014, the Internal Revenue Service closed its audit of the Company's 2011 and 2010 federal income tax returns. The resolution of the audit did not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, cash flows, or results of operations.

NET INCOME was $183.8 million in 2014 and $182.8 million in 2013, an increase of 1%, as the increased operating income in 2014 was substantially offset by additional income tax charges. Diluted earnings per share increased 5% year-over-year, to $2.03 in 2014, primarily due to a lower number of weighted-average shares outstanding.

2013 VERSUS 2012

The following table presents the changes in selected line items in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the two years ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands):



	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2013			Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2012			Income Increase (Decrease) $			Increase (Decrease) %
Total revenues	$	1,784,213		$	1,615,808		$	168,405		10	%
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services & product development	713,484			659,067			(54,417		)	(8	)
Selling, general and administrative	760,458			678,843			(81,615		)	(12	)
Depreciation	28,996			25,369			(3,627		)	(14	)
Amortization of intangibles	5,446			4,402			(1,044		)	(24	)
Acquisition & integration charges	337			2,420			2,083			86
Operating income	275,492			245,707			29,785			12
Interest expense, net	(8,837		)	(8,859		)	22			—
Other expense, net	(216		)	(1,252		)	1,036			83
Provision for income taxes	(83,638		)	(69,693		)	(13,945		)	(20	)
Net income	$	182,801		$	165,903		$	16,898		10	%

TOTAL REVENUES for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 increased $168.4 million, or 10%, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2012. Total revenues increased 11% excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency. Revenues increased in all three of our business segments and across all of our geographic regions.

The following table presents total revenues by geographic region for the twelve months ended (in thousands):



Geographic Region	December 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		Increase (Decrease) $		Increase (Decrease) %
U.S. and Canada	$	1,049,734	$	947,075	$	102,659	11	%
Europe, Middle East, Africa	508,755		458,675		50,080		11
Other International	225,724		210,058		15,666		7
Totals	$	1,784,213	$	1,615,808	$	168,405	10	%

The following table presents our revenues by segment for the twelve months ended (in thousands):



Segment	December 31, 2013		December 31, 2012		Increase (Decrease) $		Increase (Decrease) %
Research	$	1,271,011	$	1,137,147	$	133,864	12	%
Consulting	314,257		$	304,893	9,364		3
Events	198,945		$	173,768	25,177		14
Totals	$	1,784,213	$	1,615,808	$	168,405	10	%

Please refer to the section of this MD&A below entitled “Segment Results” for a further discussion of revenues and results by segment.

COST OF SERVICES AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (“COS”) expense increased 8% in 2013 compared to 2012, or $54.4 million, to $713.5 million compared to $659.1 million in 2012. The increase was primarily due to higher payroll and related benefits costs from additional headcount as we continued to invest to support the growth in our business, and to a lesser extent, merit salary increases. We also had higher conference costs due to an increase in the number of events, a double-digit increase in the number of exhibitors at our events, and the upgrading of facilities in several locations to support anticipated growth in the

events business. These additional costs were partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign currency. COS as a percentage of revenues was 40% in the 2013 period compared to 41% in the 2012 period.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE (“SG&A”) expense increased by $81.6 million in 2013, or 12%, to $760.5 million compared to $678.8 million in 2012. The increase was primarily due to higher payroll and related benefits costs, which was partially offset by favorable foreign currency impact. The higher payroll and benefit cost was primarily driven by our investment in additional headcount, and to a lesser extent, higher sales commissions and merit salary increases. The increased headcount includes additional quota-bearing sales associates, which increased to 1,643 at December 31, 2013, a 16% increase over year-end 2012.

DEPRECIATION expense increased 14% in 2013 compared to 2012, primarily due to additional depreciation on leasehold improvements from two renovated buildings on our Stamford headquarters campus being placed into service during 2013.

AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES increased 24% year-over-year due to a full year of amortization in 2013 of the intangible assets recorded from the Ideas International acquisition in mid-2012.

ACQUISITION AND INTEGRATION CHARGES was $0.3 million in 2013 compared to $2.4 million in 2012. These charges are directly-related to our acquisitions and primarily include legal, consulting, and severance costs.

OPERATING INCOME increased $29.8 million year-over-year, or 12%, to $275.5 million in 2013 from $245.7 million in 2012. The increased operating income was primarily attributable to a substantially higher segment contribution from our Research segment. Operating income as a percentage of revenues was 15% for both periods.

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET was flat year-over-year.

OTHER EXPENSE, NET was $0.2 million in 2013 and $1.3 million in 2012. These expenses primarily consisted of net foreign currency exchange gains and losses.

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES was $83.6 million in 2013 compared to $69.7 million in 2012 and the effective tax rate was 31.4% for 2013 compared to 29.6% for 2012. The higher effective tax rate in 2013 was primarily attributable to a change in the annual mix of pre-tax income by jurisdiction as well as the impact of certain state tax credits recognized in 2012.

In 2013 the Company closed the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) audit of its 2008 and 2009 federal income tax returns. The resolution of the audit did not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, cash flows, or results of operations of the Company. In late 2013 the Company received notice that the IRS would conduct an audit of the Company's 2010 and 2011 tax years.

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the “2012 Tax Act”) was enacted in January of 2013 and contained beneficial tax provisions for the Company which applied retroactively to 2012. However, since the 2012 Tax Act was passed in 2013, approximately $1.5 million of tax benefits relating to its retroactive application were recorded by the Company in early 2013.

NET INCOME was $182.8 million in 2013 and $165.9 million in 2012, an increase of $16.9 million, or 10%, primarily due to the higher operating income, which was partially offset by higher income tax charges. Diluted earnings per share increased 12% year-over-year due to the higher net income and to a lesser extent a lower number of weighted-average shares outstanding.

SEGMENT RESULTS

We evaluate reportable segment performance and allocate resources based on gross contribution margin. Gross contribution is defined as operating income excluding certain Cost of services and product development charges, SG&A, Depreciation, Acquisition and integration charges, and Amortization of intangibles. Gross contribution margin is defined as gross contribution as a percentage of revenues.

The following sections present the results of our three business segments.

Research

The following table presents the financial results and business measurements of our Research segment as of and for the twelve months ended December 31:



	2014		2013		Increase (Decrease)		% Increase (Decrease)		2013		2012		Increase (Decrease)		% Increase (Decrease)
Financial Measurements:
Revenues (1)	$1,445,338		$1,271,011		$	174,327	14	%	$1,271,011		$1,137,147		$	133,864	12	%
Gross contribution (1)	$1,001,914		$879,384		$	122,530	14	%	$879,384		$774,342		$	105,042	14	%
Gross contribution margin	69	%	69	%	—		—		69	%	68	%	1 point		—
Business Measurements:
Contract value (1)	$1,603,200		$1,423,179		$	180,021	13	%	$1,423,179		$1,262,865		$	160,314	13	%
Enterprise client retention (2)	85	%	83	%	2 points		—		83	%	84	%	(1) point		—
Enterprise wallet retention (2)	106	%	104	%	2 points		—		104	%	105	%	(1) point		—
Organization client retention (2)	84	%	82	%	2 points		—		82	%	83	%	(1) point		—
Organization wallet retention (2)	100	%	98	%	2 points		—		98	%	99	%	(1) point		—


(1)	Dollars in thousands.


(2)	We define an enterprise as a single company or customer. We define an organization as a buying center within an enterprise, such as a location or department. A single enterprise may have multiple organizations.

2014 VERSUS 2013

Research segment revenues in 2014 increased 14% compared to 2013. The impact of foreign exchange translation was not significant. The segment gross contribution margin was 69% for both periods. Contribution margin remained at 69% in spite of a 16% increase in segment headcount, which includes the additional employees from the 2014 Acquisitions.

Research contract value increased 13% in 2014 to $1.603 billion, and increased 14% year-over-year adjusted for the impact of foreign currency translation. Our growth in contract value was broad-based, with every region, industry segment, and client size growing at double-digit rates compared to 2013. The number of our research client enterprises increased by 10% in 2014, to 9,958. Both enterprise client retention and wallet retention remained strong, at 85% and 106% as of December 31, 2014, respectively.

2013 VERSUS 2012

Research segment revenues in 2013 increased 12% compared to 2012. The impact of foreign exchange translation was not significant. The segment gross contribution margin increased by 1 point, to 69%, driven by the operating leverage in this business. Contribution margin improved in spite of an 8% increase in segment headcount. Research contract value increased 13% in 2013 to $1.423 billion, and increased 12% year-over-year adjusted for the impact of foreign currency translation. Our growth in contract value was broad-based, with almost every region, industry segment, and client size growing at double-digit rates compared to 2012. Enterprise client retention and wallet retention were 83% and 104% at December 31, 2013, respectively.

Consulting

The following table presents the financial results and business measurements of our Consulting segment as of and for the twelve months ended December 31:



	2014			2013			$ Increase (Decrease)			% Increase (Decrease)		2013			2012			$ Increase (Decrease)			% Increase (Decrease)
Financial Measurements:
Revenues (1)	$348,396			$314,257			$	34,139		11	%	$314,257			$304,893			$	9,364		3	%
Gross contribution (1)	$119,931			$107,565			$	12,366		11	%	$107,565			$109,253			$	(1,688	)	(2	)%
Gross contribution margin	34		%	34		%	—			—		34		%	36		%	(2) points			—
Business Measurements:
Backlog (1)	$102,600			$106,130			$	(3,530	)	(3	)%	$106,130			$102,718			$	3,412		3	%
Billable headcount	535			509			26			5	%	509			503			6			1	%
Consultant utilization	68		%	64		%	4 points			—		64		%	67		%	(3) points			—
Average annualized revenue per billable headcount (1)	$	442		$	409		$	33		8	%	$	409		$	430		$	(21	)	(5	)%


(1)	Dollars in thousands.

2014 VERSUS 2013

Consulting revenues increased 11% year-over-year and 12% when adjusted for the impact of foreign exchange. The increase was primarily due to higher core consulting revenues and to a lesser extent, higher contract optimization revenues. Contract optimization revenues can fluctuate from period to period but are generally about 10-15% of total annual Consulting segment revenues. The gross contribution margin was 34% for both periods. Backlog decreased $3.5 million, or 3%, year-over-year, to $102.6 million at December 31, 2014.

2013 VERSUS 2012

Consulting revenues increased 3% year-over-year and 4% when adjusted for the impact of foreign exchange. The increase was due to higher contract optimization revenue. The increased contract optimization revenues were partially offset by slightly lower core consulting and strategic advisory (“SAS”) revenues. The gross contribution margin declined by 2 points due to higher payroll and benefit costs from additional headcount and merit salary increases, and to a lesser extent, lower utilization in core consulting. Backlog increased $3.4 million, or 3%, year-over-year, to $106.1 million at December 31, 2013.

Events

The following table presents the financial results and business measurements of our Events segment as of and for the twelve months ended December 31:



	2014		2013		$ Increase (Decrease)			% Increase (Decrease)		2013		2012		$ Increase (Decrease)			% Increase (Decrease)
Financial Measurements:
Revenues (1)	$227,707		$198,945		$	28,762		14	%	$198,945		$173,768		$	25,177		14	%
Gross contribution (1)	$112,384		$91,216		$	21,168		23	%	$91,216		$80,119		$	11,097		14	%
Gross contribution margin	49	%	46	%	3 points			—		46	%	46	%	—			—
Business Measurements:
Number of events	61		64		(3		)	(5	)%	64		62		2			3	%
Number of attendees	49,047		44,986		4,061			9	%	44,986		46,307		(1,321		)	(3	)%


(1)	Dollars in thousands.

2014 VERSUS 2013

Events revenues increased $28.8 million when comparing 2014 to 2013, or 14%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, revenues increased 16% year-over-year. We held 61 events in 2014, consisting of 59 ongoing events and 2 new events, compared to 64 events in 2013. Five events that were held in 2013 were discontinued in 2014. The year-over-year revenue increase was primarily attributable to higher exhibitor revenue at our ongoing events and to a lesser extent, higher attendee revenue. The overall number of attendees increased 9%, while the number of exhibitors increased 10%. Average revenue per attendee rose 6% and average revenue per exhibitor increased 9%. The gross contribution margin increased 3 points year-over-year.

2013 VERSUS 2012

Events revenues increased $25.2 million when comparing 2013 to 2012, or 14%, but excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, revenues increased 15% year-over-year. We held 64 events in 2013, consisting of 58 ongoing events and 6 new events, compared to 62 events in 2012. The year-over-year revenue increase was primarily attributable to higher exhibitor revenue at our ongoing events. The overall number of attendees declined slightly while the number of exhibitors increased 11%. Average revenue per attendee rose 15% and average revenue per exhibitor increased 6%. The gross contribution margin was flat year-over-year at 46%.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We finance our operations primarily through cash generated from our operating activities. For 2014, we had operating cash flow of $346.8 million, which was the highest in the Company’s history and represented an increase of 10% over 2013. Our operating cash flow has been continuously enhanced by the leverage characteristics of our subscription-based business model as well as our focus on operational efficiencies. Revenues in our Research segment, which increased 14% in 2014 compared to 2013, constituted 72% and 71% of our total revenues in 2014 and 2013, respectively. The majority of our research contracts renew annually and typically are paid in advance, and combined with a strong customer retention rate and high incremental margins, has generally resulted in strong growth in operating cash flow each year. Our cash flow generation has also benefited from our continuing efforts to improve the operating efficiencies of our businesses as well as a focus on the optimal management of our working capital as we increase our sales volume.

We had over $365.0 million of cash and cash equivalents at year-end 2014. We refinanced our debt in 2014 to take advantage of favorable market conditions and we had approximately $1.1 billion of available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility at year-end 2014. We believe that our consistently strong operating cash flow, as well as our existing cash balances and our available borrowing capacity, provide us with adequate liquidity to meet our currently anticipated needs.

Our cash and cash equivalents are held in numerous locations throughout the world. At December 31, 2014, $305.0 million of our cash and cash equivalents was held outside the U.S. Approximately 61% of the cash and cash equivalents held overseas represents unremitted earnings of our non-U.S subsidiaries. Under U.S. accounting rules, no provision for income taxes that may result from the remittance of such earnings is required if the Company intends to reinvest such funds overseas. Our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate these undistributed earnings to fund our U.S. operations or otherwise satisfy the liquidity needs of our U.S operations. We intend to reinvest these earnings in our non-U.S. operations, except in instances in which the repatriation of these earnings would result in minimal additional tax. As a result, the Company has not recognized additional income tax expense that may result from the remittance of these earnings. However, should our liquidity needs change or we decide to repatriate some or all of these unremitted earnings, we may be required to accrue additional taxes which could have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, cash flows, and results of operations.

Changes in cash and cash equivalents

The following disclosure summarizes and explains the changes in our cash and cash equivalents for the three years ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):



	2014 vs. 2013									2013 vs. 2012
	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014			Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2013			Increase (Decrease)			Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2013			Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2012			Increase (Decrease)
Cash provided by operating activities	$	346,779		$	315,654		$	31,125		$	315,654		$	279,813		$	35,841
Cash used in investing activities	(162,777		)	(36,498		)	(126,279		)	(36,498		)	(54,673		)	18,175
Cash used by financing activities	(208,670		)	(153,855		)	(54,815		)	(153,855		)	(72,570		)	(81,285		)
Net (decrease) increase	(24,668		)	125,301			(149,969		)	125,301			152,570			(27,269		)
Effects of exchange rate changes (1)	(34,020		)	(1,163		)	(32,857		)	(1,163		)	4,543			(5,706		)
Beginning cash and cash equivalents	423,990			299,852			124,138			299,852			142,739			157,113
Ending cash and cash equivalents	$	365,302		$	423,990		$	(58,688	)	$	423,990		$	299,852		$	124,138


(1)	During 2014, a number of foreign currencies in which we hold cash weakened relative to the U.S. Dollar. As a result, the effects of exchange rates had a significant impact on the December 31, 2014 cash and cash equivalent balance.

2014 VERSUS 2013

Operating

Operating cash flow increased by $31.1 million, or 10%, when comparing 2014 to 2013. The increase was primarily due to additional cash collections in our Research and Events businesses and other positive working capital changes. Partially offsetting the additional collections were higher cash payments for bonuses, commissions, and income taxes.

Investing

We used an additional $126.3 million of cash in our investing activities in 2014 compared to 2013, principally due to the 2014 Acquisitions, in which we paid a total of $109.9 million (net of the cash acquired), and an additional $14.4 million was placed in escrow. The Company used both existing cash and additional borrowings to finance the 2014 Acquisitions. We also used an additional $2.0 million in cash for capital expenditures in the 2014 period.

Financing

We used $208.7 million of cash in our financing activities during 2014 compared to $153.9 million of cash used in 2013. During 2014, the Company used $432.0 million of cash for share repurchases, which was partially offset by $195.4 million of net proceeds from debt issuance and related debt issuance costs and $28.0 million from employee share-based activity. During 2013 the Company used $182.0 million of cash for share repurchases and $4.0 million for debt refinancing fees, which was partially offset by $32.0 million from employee share-based activities.

2013 VERSUS 2012

Operating

Operating cash flow increased by $35.8 million, or 13%, when comparing 2013 to 2012. The increase was primarily due to higher net income in the 2013 period, as well as additional receivable collections and other positive working capital changes. These increases were partially offset by additional cash payments in the 2013 period for bonus, commissions, and income taxes, and we also had lower cash reimbursements in the 2013 period related to the completion of the renovation of our Stamford headquarters facility.

Investing

Cash used in our investing activities declined by $18.2 million in 2013 compared to 2012. The decrease was primarily due to $10.3 million of cash used in 2012 for the acquisition of Ideas International and to a lesser extent, higher capital expenditures in 2012.

Capital expenditures were $36.5 million in 2013 compared to $44.3 million in 2012, which included $7.7 million and $17.0 million, respectively, that were paid for the renovation of our Stamford headquarters facility. The Company's total expenditures on the renovation were approximately $34.2 million. The Company received a total of $25.0 million of reimbursements from the facility landlord for the renovation, of which $3.0 million was received in 2013, $13.0 million in 2012, and $9.0 million in 2011, which were recorded in operating cash flows.

Financing

We used $154.0 million of cash in our financing activities in 2013 compared to $73.0 million in 2012, an increase in cash used of $81.0 million, primarily due to share repurchases. We used $182.0 million of cash in 2013 for share repurchases compared to $111.0 million in 2012. We also had lower cash proceeds from employee share-based activity in the 2013 period, and we also paid $4.0 million of fees related to our debt refinancing in the 2013 period.

OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

2014 Credit Agreement

The Company has a five-year credit arrangement that it entered into in December 2014 that provides for a $400.0 million term loan and a $1.1 billion revolving credit facility (the “2014 Credit Agreement”). Under the revolving credit facility, amounts may be borrowed, repaid, and re-borrowed through the maturity date of the agreement in December 2019. The term and revolving facilities may be increased, at the Company's option, by up to an additional $500.0 million in the aggregate. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $400.0 million outstanding under the term facility and zero under the revolver. See Note 5 - Debt in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the 2014 Credit Agreement.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Through December 31, 2014, we have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements or transactions with unconsolidated entities or other persons.

Contractual Cash Commitments

The Company has certain contractual commitments that require future cash payments. The following table summarizes these contractual cash commitments due after December 31, 2014 (in thousands):



Commitment Description:	Due In Less Than 1 Year		Due In 2-3 Years		Due In 4-5 Years		Due In More Than 5 Years		Total
Debt – principal and interest (1), (2)	$	28,950	$	61,660	$	341,570	$	5,120	$	437,300
Operating leases (3)	35,230		51,445		35,535		100,960		223,170
Deferred compensation arrangement (4)	4,190		5,725		3,300		25,625		38,840
Tax liabilities (5)	1,200		—		—		—		1,200
Other (6)	17,100		6,620		6,335		18,845		48,900
Totals	$	86,670	$	125,450	$	386,740	$	150,550	$	749,410


(1)	Includes amounts due under the 2014 Credit Agreement, which matures in December 2019. Amounts borrowed under the term loan arrangement have been classified in the table based on the scheduled repayment dates. Interest payments on amounts outstanding under the 2014 Credit Agreement were based on the floating rate as of December 31, 2014.

(2)

The Company's $5.0 million State of Connecticut economic development loan is included in the Due In More Than 5 Years category since it has a 10 year maturity. Interest payments on the loan have been calculated based on the contractual fixed rate of interest of 3%. Under certain circumstances, part or all of this debt may be forgiven by the State. See Note 5 — Debt in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.


(3)	The Company leases various facilities, furniture, autos, and computer equipment. These leases expire between 2015 and 2028. See Note 1 — Business and Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Company's leases.

(4)

Represents the Company’s liability to participants in its supplemental deferred compensation arrangement (see Note 13 — Employee Benefits in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information). Amounts payable to active employees whose payment date is unknown have been included in the Due In More Than 5 Years category since the Company cannot determine when the amounts will be paid.


(5)	Includes interest and penalties. In addition to the amount presented in the table, the Company also has recorded liabilities of $19.9 million for unrecognized tax benefits and $2.9 million for related potential interest and penalties. We are uncertain as to when or if such amounts may be settled.


(6)	Includes (i) contractual commitments for software, building maintenance, and telecom services; (ii) amounts due for share repurchase transactions that occurred in late December 2014 but were settled in early January 2015; and (iii) projected cash contributions to the Company's defined benefit pension plans.

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

The following tables present our quarterly operating results for the two-year period ended December 31, 2014:



2014
(In thousands, except per share data)	First		Second		Third		Fourth
Revenues	$	446,702	$	519,820	$	470,940	$	583,979
Operating income	59,170		81,761		49,391		95,840
Net income	37,736		53,040		33,846		59,144
Net income per share: (1)
Basic	$	0.41	$	0.59	$	0.38	$	0.67
Diluted	$	0.40	$	0.58	$	0.38	$	0.66



2013
(In thousands, except per share data)	First		Second		Third		Fourth
Revenues	$	406,754	$	446,047	$	410,705	$	520,707
Operating income	54,005		73,987		58,743		88,757
Net income	36,675		46,514		38,194		61,418
Net income per share: (1)
Basic	$	0.39	$	0.50	$	0.41	$	0.67
Diluted	$	0.38	$	0.49	$	0.40	$	0.65


(1)	The aggregate of the four quarters’ basic and diluted earnings per common share may not equal the reported full calendar year amounts due to the effects of share repurchases, dilutive equity compensation, and rounding.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Accounting rules issued by the various U.S. standard setting and governmental authorities that have not yet become effective and may impact our Consolidated Financial Statements in future periods are described below, together with our assessment of the potential impact they may have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures in future periods:

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASU No. 2014-09"). ASU No. 2014-09 is intended to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue by: removing inconsistencies and weaknesses in revenue recognition requirements; providing a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues; improving comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets; and providing more useful information to users of financial statements through improved revenue disclosure requirements. The provisions of the new rule are effective for Gartner on January 1, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. We continue to evaluate the impact of ASU No. 2014-09.

Discontinued Operations

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity ("ASU 2014-08"), which changes the criteria for determining which disposal transactions can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. Under the new guidance, a discontinued operation is defined as a disposal of a component or group of components that is disposed of or is classified as held for sale and represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The Company adopted the new rule on January 1, 2015 and it did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

The FASB also continues to work on a number of significant accounting rules which may impact the Company’s accounting and disclosures in future periods. Since these rules have not yet been issued, the effective dates and potential impact are unknown.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

INTEREST RATE RISK

The Company's 2014 Credit Agreement provides for a five-year, $400.0 million term loan and a $1.1 billion revolving credit facility. We have exposure to changes in interest rates arising from borrowings under the 2014 Credit Agreement since amounts borrowed are based on a floating base rate of interest. At December 31, 2014, we had $400.0 million outstanding under the term portion of the 2014 Credit Agreement and zero under the revolver. We have an interest rate swap contract which effectively converts the floating base rate on the first $200.0 million of our borrowings to a 2.26% fixed rate. Since the Company only hedges the base interest rate risk on the first $200.0 million of its outstanding borrowings, we are exposed to interest rate risk on floating rate borrowings in excess of $200.0 million. Assuming the Company borrowed the entire $1.5 billion under the 2014 Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2014, a 25 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates could change pre-tax annual interest expense by approximately $3.3 million.

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK

For both the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately 45% of our revenues were derived from sales outside of the U.S. As a result, we conduct business in numerous currencies other than the U.S dollar. Among the major foreign currencies in which we conduct business are the Euro, the British Pound, the Japanese Yen, the Australian dollar, and the Canadian dollar. This foreign currency exposure results in both translation risk and transaction risk:

Translation Risk

We are exposed to foreign currency translation risk since the functional currencies of our foreign operations are generally denominated in the local currency. Translation risk arises since the assets and liabilities that we report for our foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates, and these exchange rates fluctuate over time. For accounting purposes, these foreign currency translation adjustments are deferred and are recorded as a component of stockholders’ equity and do not impact our operating results.

A measure of the potential impact of foreign currency translation on our Consolidated Balance Sheets can be determined through a sensitivity analysis of our cash and cash equivalents. At December 31, 2014, we had over $365.0 million of cash and cash equivalents, with a substantial portion denominated in foreign currencies. If the foreign exchange rates of the five major foreign currencies in which we operate changed in comparison to the U.S. dollar by 10%, the amount of cash and cash equivalents we would have reported on December 31, 2014 could have increased or decreased by approximately $24.0 million.

Because our foreign subsidiaries generally operate in a local functional currency that differs from the U.S. dollar, revenues and expenses in these foreign currencies translate into higher or lower revenues and expenses in U.S. dollars as the U.S. dollar continuously weakens or strengthens against these other currencies. Therefore, changes in exchange rates may affect our consolidated revenues and expenses (as expressed in U.S. dollars) from foreign operations. Historically, this impact on our consolidated earnings has not been material since foreign currency movements in the major currencies in which we operate tend to impact our revenues and expenses fairly equally.

Transaction Risk

We also have foreign exchange transaction risk since foreign subsidiaries typically enter into transactions in the normal course of business that are denominated in foreign currencies that differ from the local functional currency in which the foreign subsidiary operates. We may enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to mitigate the effects of foreign currency transaction risk. These contracts are normally short term in duration and both realized and unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings. At December 31, 2014, we had 77 outstanding foreign currency forward contracts with a total notional amount of approximately $45.6 million and an immaterial net unrealized gain. Substantially all of these contracts matured by the end of January 2015.

CREDIT RISK

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of short-term, highly liquid investments classified as cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and an interest rate swap contract. The majority of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and its interest rate swap contract are with large investment grade commercial banks. Accounts receivable balances collectible from customers have limited concentration of credit risk due to our diverse customer base and geographic dispersion.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

Our consolidated financial statements for 2014, 2013, and 2012, together with the reports of KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, are included herein in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Management conducted an evaluation, as of December 31, 2014, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, (as such term is defined in Rules 13a- 15(e) and 15d- 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer. Based upon that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in alerting them in a timely manner to material Company information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed or submitted under the Act.

MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Gartner management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Gartner’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions and that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in the Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Management’s assessment was reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Based on its assessment of internal control over financial reporting, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, Gartner’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

The effectiveness of management’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K in Part IV, Item 15.

CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item will be set forth under the captions “Proposal One: Election of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Corporate Governance,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Miscellaneous — Available Information” in the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC no later than April 30, 2015. If the Proxy Statement is not filed with the SEC by April 30, 2015, such information will be included in an amendment to this Annual Report filed by April 30, 2015. See also Item 1. Business — Available Information.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item is incorporated by reference from the information set forth under the caption “Executive Compensation” in the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC no later than April 30, 2015. If the Proxy Statement is not filed with the SEC by April 30, 2015, such information will be included in an amendment to this Annual Report filed by April 30, 2015.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item will be set forth under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC by April 30, 2015. If the Proxy Statement is not filed with the SEC by April 30, 2015, such information will be included in an amendment to this Annual Report filed by April 30, 2015.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.

The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item will be set forth under the captions “Transactions With Related Persons” and “Corporate Governance — Director Independence” in the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC by April 30, 2015. If the Proxy Statement is not filed with the SEC by April 30, 2015, such information will be included in an amendment to this Annual Report filed by April 30, 2015.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item will be set forth under the caption “Principal Accountant Fees and Services” in the Company’s Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC no later than April 30, 2015. If the Proxy Statement is not filed with the SEC by April 30, 2015, such information will be included in an amendment to this Annual Report filed by April 30, 2015.

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

(a) 1. and 2. Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules

The reports of our independent registered public accounting firm and consolidated financial statements listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements herein are filed as part of this report.

All financial statement schedules not listed in the Index have been omitted because the information required is not applicable or is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

3. Exhibits



EXHIBIT NUMBER		DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
3.1(1)		Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.

3.2(2)		Bylaws as amended through February 2, 2012.

4.1(1)		Form of Certificate for Common Stock as of June 2, 2005.

4.2*		Credit Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2014, among the Company, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent.

10.1(3)		Lease dated April 16, 2010 between Soundview Farms and the Company for premises at 56 Top Gallant Road, 70 Gatehouse Road, and 88 Gatehouse Road, Stamford, Connecticut.

10.2(3)		First Amendment to Lease dated April 16, 2010 between Soundview Farms and the Company for premises at 56 Top Gallant Road, 70 Gatehouse Road, and 88 Gatehouse Road, Stamford, Connecticut.

10.4(4)+		2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

10.5(5)+		2003 Long -Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective June 4, 2009.

10.6(6)+		2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, effective May 29, 2014.

10.7(7)+		Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Eugene A. Hall and the Company dated as of April 13, 2011.

10.8(8)+		Company Deferred Compensation Plan, effective January 1, 2009.

10.9(9)+		Form of Stock Appreciation Right Agreement for executive officers.

10.10(9)+		Form of Performance Stock Unit Agreement for executive officers.

21.1*		Subsidiaries of Registrant.

23.1*		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

24.1		Power of Attorney (see Signature Page).

31.1*		Certification of chief executive officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*		Certification of chief financial officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32*		Certification under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.



*	Filed with this document.

+	Management compensation plan or arrangement.

(1)	Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 29, 2005 as filed on July 6, 2005.

(2)	Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 2, 2012 as filed on February 7, 2012.

(3)	Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Quarterly Report on form 10-Q as filed on August 9, 2010.

(4)	Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement (Schedule 14A) as filed on April 18, 2011.

(5)	Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement (Schedule 14A) as filed on April 21, 2009

(6)	Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement (Schedule 14A) as filed on April 15, 2014.

(7)	Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed on August 2, 2011.

(8)	Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed on February 20, 2009.

(9)	Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 9, 2015 as filed on February 10, 2015.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GARTNER, INC.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	38
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	39
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013	40
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Year Period Ended December 31, 2014	41
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Year Period Ended December 31, 2014	42
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Three Year Period Ended December 31, 2014	43
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Year Period Ended December 31, 2014	44
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	45

All financial statement schedules have been omitted because the information required is not applicable or is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Gartner, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Gartner, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Gartner, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 27, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

(KPMG LLP LOGO)

/s/ KPMG LLP

New York, New York

February 27, 2015

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Gartner, Inc.:

We have audited Gartner, Inc. and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Gartner, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, and our report dated February 27, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

(KPMG LLP LOGO)

/s/ KPMG LLP

New York, New York

February 27, 2015

GARTNER, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)



	December 31,
	2014			2013
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	365,302		$	423,990
Fees receivable, net of allowances of $6,700 and $7,000 respectively	552,107			490,923
Deferred commissions	115,381			106,287
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	63,868			63,682
Total current assets	1,096,658			1,084,882
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	97,990			91,759
Goodwill	586,665			519,203
Intangible assets, net	30,689			6,107
Other assets	92,349			81,631
Total Assets	$	1,904,351		$	1,783,582
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	353,761		$	325,059
Deferred revenues	841,457			766,114
Current portion of long-term debt	20,000			68,750
Total current liabilities	1,215,218			1,159,923
Long-term debt	385,000			136,250
Other liabilities	142,962			126,093
Total Liabilities	1,743,180			1,422,266
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock:
$.01 par value, authorized 5,000,000 shares; none issued or outstanding	—			—
Common stock:
$.0005 par value, authorized 250,000,000 shares for both periods; 156,234,415 shares issued for both periods	78			78
Additional paid-in capital	764,433			718,644
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net	(21,170		)	8,345
Accumulated earnings	1,275,049			1,091,283
Treasury stock, at cost, 68,713,890 and 64,268,863 common shares, respectively	(1,857,219		)	(1,457,034		)
Total Stockholders’ Equity	161,171			361,316
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	1,904,351		$	1,783,582

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

GARTNER, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Revenues:
Research	$	1,445,338		$	1,271,011		$	1,137,147
Consulting	348,396			314,257			304,893
Events	227,707			198,945			173,768
Total revenues	2,021,441			1,784,213			1,615,808
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services and product development	797,933			713,484			659,067
Selling, general and administrative	876,067			760,458			678,843
Depreciation	31,186			28,996			25,369
Amortization of intangibles	8,226			5,446			4,402
Acquisition and integration charges	21,867			337			2,420
Total costs and expenses	1,735,279			1,508,721			1,370,101
Operating income	286,162			275,492			245,707
Interest income	1,413			1,551			1,046
Interest expense	(12,300		)	(10,388		)	(9,905		)
Other expense, net	(592		)	(216		)	(1,252		)
Income before income taxes	274,683			266,439			235,596
Provision for income taxes	90,917			83,638			69,693
Net income	$	183,766		$	182,801		$	165,903

Net income per share:
Basic	$	2.06		$	1.97		$	1.78
Diluted	$	2.03		$	1.93		$	1.73
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	89,337			93,015			93,444
Diluted	90,719			94,830			95,842

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

GARTNER, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(IN THOUSANDS)



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Net income	$	183,766		$	182,801		$	165,903
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(27,461		)	503			4,318
Interest rate hedge - net change in deferred gain (loss)	2,163			2,107			(76		)
Pension - net change in deferred actuarial (loss) gain	(4,217		)	(233		)	(4,067		)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(29,515		)	2,377			175
Comprehensive income	$	154,251		$	185,178		$	166,078

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

GARTNER, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(IN THOUSANDS)



	Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net			Accumulated Earnings		Treasury Stock			Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	78	$	646,815		$	5,793		$	742,579	$	(1,213,481	)	$	181,784
Net income	—		—			—			165,903		—			165,903
Other comprehensive income	—		—			175			—		—			175
Issuances under stock plans	—		(24,626		)	—			—		37,059			12,433
Stock compensation tax benefits	—		21,304			—			—		—			21,304
Common share repurchases	—		—			—			—		(111,304		)	(111,304		)
Stock compensation expense	—		36,378			—			—		—			36,378
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	78	$	679,871		$	5,968		$	908,482	$	(1,287,726	)	$	306,673
Net income	—		—			—			182,801		—			182,801
Other comprehensive income	—		—			2,377			—		—			2,377
Issuances under stock plans	—		(21,354		)	—			—		27,388			6,034
Stock compensation tax benefits	—		25,392			—			—		—			25,392
Common share repurchases	—		—			—			—		(196,696		)	(196,696		)
Stock compensation expense	—		34,735			—			—		—			34,735
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	78	$	718,644		$	8,345		$	1,091,283	$	(1,457,034	)	$	361,316
Net income	—		—			—			183,766		—			183,766
Other comprehensive loss	—		—			(29,515		)	—		—			(29,515		)
Issuances under stock plans	—		(11,727		)	—			—		19,527			7,800
Stock compensation tax benefits	—		18,671			—			—		—			18,671
Common share repurchases	—		—			—			—		(419,712		)	(419,712		)
Stock compensation expense	—		38,845			—			—		—			38,845
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	78	$	764,433		$	(21,170	)	$	1,275,049	$	(1,857,219	)	$	161,171

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

GARTNER, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(IN THOUSANDS)



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Operating activities:
Net income	$	183,766		$	182,801		$	165,903
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles	39,412			34,442			29,771
Stock-based compensation expense	38,845			34,735			36,378
Excess tax benefits from employee stock-based compensation exercises	(20,193		)	(25,392		)	(21,304		)
Deferred taxes	(759		)	16,663			973
Amortization and write-off of debt issue costs	2,645			2,710			2,008
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Fees receivable, net	(76,424		)	(28,097		)	(38,617		)
Deferred commissions	(12,340		)	(18,608		)	(8,871		)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(3,017		)	(1,187		)	(10,604		)
Other assets	(7,139		)	(5,268		)	15,113
Deferred revenues	105,354			80,938			71,645
Accounts payable, accrued, and other liabilities	96,629			41,917			37,418
Cash provided by operating activities	346,779			315,654			279,813
Investing activities:
Additions to property, equipment and leasehold improvements	(38,486		)	(36,498		)	(44,337		)
Acquisitions (net of cash acquired)	(109,928		)	—			(10,336		)
Acquisitions - increase in restricted cash (escrow)	(14,363		)	—			—
Cash used in investing activities	(162,777		)	(36,498		)	(54,673		)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from employee stock-based compensation plans and ESP Plan	7,767			6,042			12,430
Proceeds from borrowings	400,000			205,625			35,000
Payments on debt	(200,000		)	(205,625		)	(30,000		)
Purchases of treasury stock	(432,006		)	(181,736		)	(111,304		)
Fees paid for debt refinancing	(4,624		)	(3,553		)	—
Excess tax benefits from employee stock-based compensation exercises	20,193			25,392			21,304
Cash used by financing activities	(208,670		)	(153,855		)	(72,570		)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(24,668		)	125,301			152,570
Effects of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	(34,020		)	(1,163		)	4,543
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	423,990			299,852			142,739
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	365,302		$	423,990		$	299,852

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	10,600		$	8,500		$	8,968
Income taxes, net of refunds received	$	70,100		$	50,767		$	46,907

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

GARTNER, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1 — BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business. Gartner, Inc. is a global information technology research and advisory company founded in 1979 with its headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut. Gartner delivers its principal products and services through three business segments: Research, Consulting, and Events. When used in these notes, the terms “Gartner,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Gartner, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Basis of presentation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), as defined in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 270 for financial information and with the applicable instructions of U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Regulation S-X. The fiscal year of Gartner represents the twelve-month period from January 1 through December 31. All references to 2014, 2013, and 2012 herein refer to the fiscal year unless otherwise indicated.

Principles of consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Use of estimates. The preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Such estimates include the valuation of fees receivable, goodwill, intangible assets, and other long-lived assets, as well as tax accruals and other liabilities. In addition, estimates are used in revenue recognition, income tax expense, performance-based compensation charges, depreciation and amortization, and the allowance for losses on fees receivable. Management believes its use of estimates in the accompanying consolidated financial statements to be reasonable.

Management continuously evaluates and revises its estimates using historical experience and other factors, including the general economic environment and actions it may take in the future. Management adjusts these estimates when facts and circumstances dictate. However, these estimates may involve significant uncertainties and judgments and cannot be determined with precision. In addition, these estimates are based on management’s best judgment at a point in time. As a result, differences between our estimates and actual results could be material and would be reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in future periods.

Acquisitions. The Company accounts for acquisitions in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting as prescribed by FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. The acquisition method of accounting requires the Company to record the net assets and liabilities acquired based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date, with any excess of the consideration transferred over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, to be recorded to goodwill. Under the acquisition method, the operating results of acquired companies are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements beginning on the date of acquisition. The Company had acquisitions in 2014 and 2012, which are discussed in Note 2 — Acquisitions.

Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition (“SAB 104”). Revenues are only recognized once all required criteria for recognition have been met. The accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations presents revenues net of any sales or value-added taxes that we collect from customers and remit to government authorities.

The Company’s revenues by significant source are as follows:

Research

Research revenues are derived from subscription contracts for research products. These revenues are deferred and recognized ratably over the applicable contract term. The Company typically enters into twelve-month subscription contracts for research products, although multi-year contracts are being entered into with greater frequency. Reprint fees are recognized when the reprint is delivered.

The majority of research contracts are billable upon signing, absent special terms granted on a limited basis from time to time. Research contracts are non-cancelable and non-refundable, except for government contracts that may have cancellation or fiscal funding clauses, which historically have not produced material cancellations. It is our policy to record the entire amount of the contract that is billable as a fee receivable at the time the contract is signed with a corresponding amount as deferred revenue, since the contract represents a legally enforceable claim.

Consulting

Consulting revenues, primarily derived from consulting, measurement and strategic advisory services (paid one-day analyst engagements), are principally generated from fixed fee or time and materials engagements. Revenues from fixed fee engagements are recognized on a proportional performance basis, while revenues from time and material engagements are recognized as work is delivered and/or services are provided. Revenues related to contract optimization engagements are contingent in nature and are only recognized upon satisfaction of all conditions related to their payment. Unbilled fees receivable associated with consulting engagements were $44.0 million at December 31, 2014 and $37.0 million at December 31, 2013.

Events

Events revenues are deferred and recognized upon the completion of the related symposium, conference or exhibition. In addition, the Company defers certain costs directly related to events and expenses these costs in the period during which the related symposium, conference or exhibition occurs. The Company's policy is to defer only those costs, primarily prepaid site and production services costs, which are incremental and are directly attributable to a specific event. Other costs of organizing and producing our events, primarily Company personnel and non-event specific expenses, are expensed in the period incurred. At the end of each fiscal quarter, the Company assesses on an event-by-event basis whether expected direct costs of producing a scheduled event will exceed expected revenues. If such costs are expected to exceed revenues, the Company records the expected loss in the period determined.

Allowance for losses. The Company maintains an allowance for losses which is composed of a bad debt allowance and a sales reserve. Provisions are charged against earnings, either as a reduction of revenues or as an increase to expense. The amount of the allowance for losses is based on historical loss experience, aging of outstanding receivables, our assessment of current economic conditions and the financial health of specific clients.

Cost of services and product development (“COS”). COS expense includes the direct costs incurred in the creation and delivery of our products and services. These costs primarily relate to personnel.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”). SG&A expense includes direct and indirect selling costs, general and administrative costs, and charges against earnings related to uncollectible accounts.

Commission expense. The Company records commission obligations upon the signing of customer contracts and amortizes the deferred obligation as commission expense over the period in which the related revenues are earned. Commission expense is included in SG&A in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Stock-based compensation expense. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topics 505 and 718, as interpreted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins No. 107 (“SAB No. 107”) and No. 110 (“SAB No. 110”). Stock-based compensation cost is based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant, which is expensed over the related service period, net of estimated forfeitures. The service period is the period over which the employee performs the related services, which is normally the same as the vesting period. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized $38.8 million, $34.7 million and $36.4 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense, a portion of which is recorded in both COS and SG&A in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (see Note 8 — Stock-Based Compensation for additional information).

Income tax expense. The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. We estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions where we operate. This process involves estimating our current tax expense together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our consolidated balance sheets. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We consider the availability of loss carryforwards, projected reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in making this assessment. The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not the tax position will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position.

Cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, which are considered cash equivalents. The carrying value of cash equivalents approximates fair value due to their short-term maturity. Investments with maturities of more than three months are classified as marketable securities. Interest earned is classified in Interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements. The Company leases all of its facilities and certain equipment. These leases are all classified as operating leases in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 840. The cost of these operating leases, including any contractual rent increases, rent concessions, and landlord incentives, are recognized ratably over the life of the related lease agreement. Lease expense was $31.5 million, $30.8 million, and $30.3 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Equipment, leasehold improvements, and other fixed assets owned by the Company are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Except for leasehold improvements, these fixed assets are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the improvement or the remaining term of the related lease. The Company had total depreciation expense of $31.2 million, $29.0 million, and $25.4 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The Company's total fixed assets, less accumulated depreciation and amortization, consisted of the following (in thousands):



	Useful Life	December 31,
Category	(Years)	2014			2013
Computer equipment and software	2-7	$	144,293		$	136,640
Furniture and equipment	3-8	37,221			34,024
Leasehold improvements	2-15	78,094			70,261
		$	259,608		$	240,925
Less — accumulated depreciation and amortization		(161,618		)	(149,166		)
Property, equipment, and leasehold improvements, net		$	97,990		$	91,759

The Company incurs costs to develop internal use software used in our operations, and certain of these costs meeting the criteria outlined in FASB ASC Topic 350 are capitalized and amortized over future periods. Net capitalized development costs for internal use software was $14.1 million at both December 31, 2014 and 2013, which is included in the Computer equipment and software category above. Amortization of capitalized internal software development costs, which is classified in Depreciation in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, totaled $8.2 million in both 2014 and 2013, and $7.4 million in 2012.

Intangible assets. The Company has amortizable intangible assets which are amortized against earnings using the straight-line method over their expected useful lives. Changes in intangible assets subject to amortization during the two-year period ended December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):



December 31, 2014	Trade Names			Customer Relationships			Content			Software			Non-Compete			Total
Gross cost, December 31, 2013	$	6,023		$	10,146		$	3,496		$	2,143		$	—		$	21,808
Additions due to acquisitions (1)	915			18,054			206			5,000			7,800			31,975
Non-competition agreement (2)	—			—			—			—			1,500			1,500
Foreign currency translation impact	(14		)	(267		)	(142		)	(574		)	(28		)	(1,025		)
Gross cost	6,924			27,933			3,560			6,569			9,272			54,258
Accumulated amortization (3), (4)	(6,202		)	(11,072		)	(2,246		)	(2,603		)	(1,446		)	(23,569		)
Balance, December 31, 2014	$	722		$	16,861		$	1,314		$	3,966		$	7,826		$	30,689



December 31, 2013	Trade Names			Customer Relationships			Content			Software			Total
Gross cost, December 31, 2012	$	6,019		$	10,562		$	3,447		$	2,124		$	22,152
Foreign currency translation impact	4			(416		)	49			19			(344		)
Gross cost	6,023			10,146			3,496			2,143			21,808
Accumulated amortization (3), (4)	(4,817		)	(8,372		)	(1,388		)	(1,124		)	(15,701		)
Balance, December 31, 2013	$	1,206		$	1,774		$	2,108		$	1,019		$	6,107


(1)	The additions are due to the Company's 2014 Acquisitions. See Note 2 — Acquisitions for additional information.


(2)	The non-competition intangible relates to a separation agreement with the Company's former CFO.


(3)	Intangible assets are amortized against earnings over the following periods: Trade name—2 to 5 years; Customer relationships 4 to 7 years; Content—1.5 to 4 years; Software—3 years; Non-compete—4 to 5 years.


(4)	Aggregate amortization expense related to intangible assets was $8.2 million, $5.4 million, and $4.4 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

The estimated future amortization expense by year from amortizable intangibles is as follows (in thousands):



2015	$	8,094
2016	6,956
2017	5,507
2018	4,330
2019	2,807
Thereafter	2,995
	$	30,689

Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquired businesses over the estimated fair value of the tangible and identifiable intangible net assets acquired. The evaluation of the recoverability of goodwill is performed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, which requires an annual assessment of potential goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable. The annual assessment of the recoverability of recorded goodwill can be based on either a qualitative or quantitative assessment or a combination of the two. Both methods utilize estimates which in turn require judgments and assumptions regarding future trends and events. As a result, both the precision and reliability of the resulting estimates are subject to uncertainty.

The Company conducted a qualitative assessment of the fair value of its reporting units as of September 30, 2014 based in part on the demonstrated historical trend of the fair values of the Company’s reporting units substantially exceeding their carrying values and the Company's recent financial performance. Among the factors included in the Company’s qualitative assessment were general economic conditions and the competitive environment; actual and projected reporting unit financial performance; forward-looking business measurements; and external market assessments. Based on the results of the qualitative assessment, the Company believes the fair values of its reporting units continue to exceed their respective carrying values.

The following table presents changes to the carrying amount of goodwill by segment during the two-year period ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):



	Research			Consulting			Events			Total
Balance, December 31, 2012 (1)	$	377,225		$	100,349		$	41,932		$	519,506
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(657		)	328			26			(303		)
Balance, December 31, 2013	$	376,568		$	100,677		$	41,958		$	519,203
Addition due to acquisitions (2)	78,373			—			—			78,373
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(9,481		)	(1,260		)	(170		)	(10,911		)
Balance, December 31, 2014	$	445,460		$	99,417		$	41,788		$	586,665


(1)	The Company does not have an accumulated goodwill impairment loss.


(2)	The addition is due to the 2014 Acquisitions (See Note 2—Acquisitions for additional discussion). All of the recorded goodwill from these acquisitions has been included in the Research segment.

Impairment of long-lived and intangible assets. The Company reviews its long-lived and intangible assets other than goodwill for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the respective asset may not be recoverable. Such evaluation may be based on a number of factors including current and projected operating results and cash flows, changes in management’s strategic direction as well as external economic and market factors. The Company’s policy regarding long-lived assets and intangible assets other than goodwill is to evaluate the recoverability of these assets by determining whether the balance can be recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows. Should events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value might not be recoverable based on undiscounted future operating cash flows, an impairment loss would be recognized. The amount of impairment, if any, is measured based on the difference between projected discounted future operating cash flows using a discount rate reflecting the Company’s average cost of funds and the carrying value of the asset. The Company did not record any material impairment charges for long-lived and intangible assets during the three year period ended December 31, 2014.

Pension obligations. The Company has defined-benefit pension plans in several of its international locations (see Note 13 — Employee Benefits). Benefits earned under these plans are generally based on years of service and level of employee compensation. The Company accounts for defined benefit plans in accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 715. The Company determines the periodic pension expense and related liabilities for these plans through actuarial assumptions and valuations. The Company recognized $3.4 million, $3.8 million, and $2.6 million of expense for these plans in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The Company classifies pension expense in SG&A in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Debt. The Company presents amounts borrowed in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at amortized cost. Interest accrued on amounts borrowed is classified in Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company refinanced its debt in 2014 and had $405.0 million of debt outstanding at December 31, 2014 (see Note 5—Debt for additional information).

Foreign currency exposure. The functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries is typically the local currency. All assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates for the year. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as foreign currency translation adjustments, a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income, net within the Stockholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Currency transaction gains or losses arising from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of a subsidiary are recognized in results of operations in Other expense, net within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Net currency transaction losses were $(1.7) million, $(0.9) million, and $(2.3) million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The Company enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to mitigate the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on these transactions. These contracts generally have a short duration and are recorded at fair value with both realized and unrealized gains and losses recorded in Other expense, net. The net gain (loss) from these contracts was $0.6 million, $(0.1) million, and $0.6 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Comprehensive income. The Company reports comprehensive income in a separate statement termed the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, which is included herein. The Company's comprehensive income disclosures are included in Note 7 — Stockholders' Equity.

Fair value disclosures. The Company has a limited number of assets and liabilities that are adjusted to fair value at each balance sheet date. The Company’s fair value disclosures are included in Note 12 — Fair Value Disclosures.

Concentrations of credit risk. Assets that may subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of short-term, highly liquid investments classified as cash equivalents, accounts receivable, interest rate swaps, and a pension reinsurance asset. The majority of the Company’s cash equivalent investments and its interest rate swap contract are with investment grade commercial banks. Accounts receivable balances deemed to be collectible from customers have limited concentration of credit risk due to our diverse customer base and geographic dispersion. The Company’s pension reinsurance asset (see Note 13 — Employee Benefits) is maintained with a large international insurance company that was rated investment grade as of December 31, 2014.

Stock repurchase programs. The Company records the cost to repurchase its own common shares to treasury stock. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company used $432.0 million, $181.7 million, and $111.3 million, respectively, in cash for stock repurchases (see Note 7 — Stockholders’ Equity). Shares repurchased by the Company are added to treasury shares and are not retired.

Adoption of new accounting rules. The Company adopted the following accounting rules in the year ended December 31, 2014:

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

The Company adopted ASU No. 2013-11, "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists" ("ASU No. 2013-11") on January 1, 2014. ASU No. 2013-11 addresses the balance sheet presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. ASU No. 2013-11 requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. The balance sheet impact from the adoption of ASU No. 2013-11 was not material to the Company.

Cumulative Translation Adjustments

The Company adopted ASU No. 2013-05, Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity ("ASU No. 2013-05"), on January 1, 2014. ASU No. 2013-05 provides updated guidance to resolve diversity in practice concerning the release of the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment into net income when a parent sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within a foreign entity. When a company ceases to have a controlling financial interest, the company should recognize any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary had resided. Upon a partial sale, the company should release into earnings a pro rata portion of the cumulative translation adjustment. The adoption of ASU No. 2013-05 did not impact the Company's financial statements and will only have an impact upon the occurrence of a transaction within its scope.

Recent accounting developments. Accounting rules that have been issued by the FASB that have not yet become effective and that may impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures in future periods are described below:

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASU No. 2014-09"). ASU No. 2014 -09 is intended to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue by removing inconsistencies and weaknesses in revenue recognition requirements; providing a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues; improving comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions and capital markets; and providing more useful information to users of financial statements through improved revenue disclosure requirements. The provisions of the new rule are effective for Gartner on January 1, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. We continue to evaluate the impact of ASU No. 2014-09.

Discontinued Operations

2 — ACQUISITIONS

The Company completed three acquisitions in the year ended December 31, 2014 (the "2014 Acquisitions") and one acquisition in 2012, which are discussed below.

2014

In March 2014, the Company acquired Software Advice, Inc., (“Software Advice”), a privately-owned company based in Austin, Texas with 120 employees. Software Advice assists customers with software purchases. At closing, the Company paid $103.2 million in cash for 100% of the outstanding shares of Software Advice. The Company is also obligated to pay up to an additional $31.9 million in cash related to the acquisition. This includes $13.5 million placed in escrow as security for potential losses. Release of the escrowed funds is also subject to the achievement of certain employment conditions. The escrow amount is considered restricted cash and is recorded in Other Assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. An additional $18.4 million is payable contingent on the achievement of certain employment conditions. This amount is also subject to any indemnified losses in excess of the escrowed funds. The $31.9 million obligation (adjusted for any indemnified losses) is being recognized as compensation expense over the two-year service period of the relevant employees in Acquisition and integration charges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. If the employment conditions are not met, any expense previously accrued will be reversed in the period employment terminates.

In May 2014, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Market-Visio Oy ("Market-Visio"), a privately-owned Finnish company with 68 employees, now named Gartner Finland Oy. Market-Visio was previously an independent sales agent of Gartner research products, as well as locally-created research content, in Finland and Russia. Gartner Finland Oy conducts its operations in Russia through a wholly-owned operating subsidiary, now named Gartner RUS LLC. The Company paid a total of $6.5 million in cash for Market-Visio, which included $4.1 million paid at close in May and $2.4 million paid in October for working capital adjustments.

In June 2014, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of SircleIT Inc., a developer of cloud-based knowledge automation software, for $5.7 million in cash. SircleIT Inc. is a domestic company that conducts its operations principally through Senexx Israel Ltd., its wholly-owned subsidiary in Israel with 2 employees. Gartner paid $4.9 million in cash at close and an additional $0.8 million was placed in escrow as security for certain indemnity claims, which is payable 18 months from the date of close.

The Company's financial statements include the operating results of these businesses beginning from their respective dates of acquisition. The operating results of these businesses were not material to the Company's consolidated and segment operating results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. In addition, had the Company acquired these businesses in prior periods the impact to the Company's operating results for prior periods would not have been material, and as a result pro forma financial information for prior periods has not been presented. The Company recorded $21.9 million of pre-tax acquisition and integration charges in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 related to these acquisitions, which are classified in Acquisition and integration charges in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Acquisition and integration charges are directly-related to our acquisitions and primarily include amounts accrued for payments contingent on the achievement of certain employment conditions, legal, consulting, and severance costs.

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the 2014 Acquisitions (in thousands):



	Software Advice		Other Acquisitions (1)		Total
Assets:
Cash	$	1,450	$	3,203	$	4,653
Fees receivable and other current assets	3,606		3,694		7,300
Property, equipment, and leasehold improvements	235		170		405
Amortizable intangible assets (2)	26,928		5,047		31,975
Goodwill (3)	73,663		4,710		78,373
Total assets	$	105,882	$	16,824	$	122,706

Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	2,657	$	4,484	$	7,141
Total liabilities	$	2,657	$	4,484	$	7,141

Net assets acquired (4)	$	103,225	$	12,340	$	115,565


(1)	Includes the SircleIT Inc. and Market-Visio acquisitions.


(2)	See Note 1 - Business and Significant Accounting Policies for additional information regarding the types and amounts of amortizable intangibles recorded from the 2014 Acquisitions.

(3)

During 2014, and subsequent to the 2014 Acquisitions, the Company recorded certain working capital, tax, and other minor adjustments which decreased the recorded goodwill resulting from the Market-Visio and SircleIT Inc. acquisitions by approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively. In addition, the recorded amount of an amortizable intangible asset resulting from the Software Advice acquisition was reduced by $2.7 million and goodwill was increased by the same amount due to a change in the underlying assumptions used to value the amortizable intangible asset based on the consideration of additional information that became available.


(4)	The Company paid $114.6 million in cash on a gross basis for the net assets acquired through December 31, 2014. On a net basis, and for cash flow reporting, the Company paid $109.9 million in cash through December 31, 2014, which represents the $114.6 million in cash paid on a gross basis minus the $4.7 million of cash acquired from the purchased companies.

The determination of the fair value of the amortizable intangibles required management judgment and the consideration of a number of factors, significant among them the historical financial performance of the acquired businesses and projected performance, estimates surrounding customer turnover, as well as assumptions regarding the level of competition and the cost to reproduce certain assets. In determining the fair value of the intangibles, management primarily relied on income methodologies, in particular the discounted cash flow approach. Establishing the useful lives of the amortizable intangibles also required management judgment and the evaluation of a number of factors, among them projected cash flows and the likelihood of competition.

The Company considers the allocation of the purchase price for the 2014 Acquisitions to be preliminary with respect to certain tax contingencies. The majority of the recorded goodwill and intangibles from these transactions will be deductible for tax purposes over 15 years. All of the recorded goodwill from the 2014 Acquisitions was included in the Company’s Research segment. The Company believes the recorded goodwill is supported by the anticipated revenue synergies, customer retention, and cost savings resulting from the combined operations.

2012

In 2012 the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Ideas International Limited (“Ideas International”), a publicly-owned Australian corporation for aggregate cash consideration of $18.8 million. The operating results of Ideas International were not material to the Company’s 2012 results. The Company recorded $7.5 million of goodwill and $8.5 million of amortizable intangible assets as a result of the acquisition. The Company also recorded $0.3 million and $2.4 million of pre-tax charges in 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to the acquisition, which are classified in Acquisition and integration charges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

3 — OTHER ASSETS

Other assets consist of the following (in thousands):



	December 31,
	2014		2013
Security deposits	$	4,951	$	5,505
Debt issuance costs	7,781		4,878
Benefit plan-related assets	43,293		42,367
Non-current deferred tax assets	17,960		24,371
Acquisition escrow - restricted cash	14,363		—
Other	4,001		4,510
Total other assets	$	92,349	$	81,631

4 — ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCRUED, AND OTHER LIABILITIES

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):



	December 31,
	2014		2013
Accounts payable	$	16,802	$	17,671
Payroll and employee benefits payable	79,831		72,650
Severance and retention bonus payable	26,965		10,574
Bonus payable	83,000		75,758
Commissions payable	64,888		57,078
Taxes payable	18,538		14,392
Rent and other facilities costs	4,259		3,903
Professional, consulting, audit fees	9,429		9,159
Events fulfillment liabilities	6,586		6,600
Other accrued liabilities	43,463		57,274
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	353,761	$	325,059

Other liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):



	December 31,
	2014		2013
Non-current deferred revenue	$	7,056	$	8,959
Interest rate swap liability	2,900		6,505
Long-term taxes payable	8,506		9,590
Deferred rent	16,667		18,127
Benefit plan-related liabilities	64,994		58,000
Other	42,839		24,912
Total other liabilities	$	142,962	$	126,093

5 — DEBT

2014 Credit Agreement

The Company entered into a new credit arrangement in December 2014 (the “2014 Credit Agreement”) to take advantage of favorable credit conditions. The 2014 Credit Agreement provides for a five-year, $400.0 million term loan and a $1.1 billion revolving credit facility. In addition, the 2014 Credit Agreement contains an expansion feature by which the term loan and revolving credit facility may be increased, at the Company’s option and under certain conditions, by up to an additional $500.0 million in the aggregate.

The term loan will be repaid in 16 consecutive quarterly installments which will commence on March 31, 2015, plus a final payment due in December 2019, and may be prepaid at any time without penalty or premium (other than applicable breakage costs) at the Company’s option. The revolving credit facility may be used for loans, and up to $40.0 million may be used for letters of credit. The revolving loans may be borrowed, repaid and re-borrowed until December 2019, at which time all amounts borrowed must be repaid. The Company recorded a charge of $0.5 million for capitalized debt issuance costs related to the termination of the previous credit arrangement, which is included in Interest expense, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company incurred $4.6 million in debt issuance costs related to the new credit facility, which was capitalized and is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the 2014 Credit Agreement.

Amounts borrowed under the 2014 Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to, at Gartner’s option, either:

(1) the greatest of: (i) the administrative agent’s prime rate; (ii) the average rate on overnight federal funds plus 1/2 of 1%; (iii) the eurodollar rate (adjusted for statutory reserves) plus 1%; in each case plus a margin equal to between 0.125% and 0.50% depending on Gartner’s consolidated leverage ratio as of the end of the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended; or

(2) the eurodollar rate (adjusted for statutory reserves) plus a margin equal to between 1.125% and 1.50%, depending on Gartner’s leverage ratio as of the end of the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended.

The 2014 Credit Agreement contains certain customary restrictive loan covenants, including, among others, financial covenants requiring a maximum leverage ratio, a minimum interest expense coverage ratio, and covenants limiting Gartner’s ability to incur indebtedness, grant liens, make acquisitions, be acquired, dispose of assets, pay dividends, repurchase stock, make capital expenditures, make investments and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. The Company was in full compliance with the loan covenants as of December 31, 2014.

The following table summarizes the Company’s total outstanding borrowings (in thousands):



	Amount Outstanding December 31,		Amount Outstanding December 31,
Description:	2014		2013
Term loan (1)	$	400,000	$	144,375
Revolver (1), (2)	—		55,625
Other (3)	5,000		5,000
Total (4)	$	405,000	$	205,000

(1)

The contractual annual interest rate as of December 31, 2014 on the term loan was 1.42%, which consisted of a floating Eurodollar base rate of 0.17% plus a margin of 1.25%. However, the Company has an interest rate swap contract which converts the floating Eurodollar base rate to a 2.26% fixed base rate on the first $200.0 million of Company borrowings (see below). As a result, the Company’s weighted-average annual interest rate on the $400.0 million of outstanding debt under the 2014 Credit Facility as of December 31, 2014, including the margin, was approximately 2.46%.


(2)	The Company had approximately $1.1 billion of available borrowing capacity on the revolver (not including the expansion feature) as of December 31, 2014.


(3)	Consists of a $5.0 million State of Connecticut economic development loan with a 3.0% fixed rate of interest. The loan was originated in 2012 and has a 10 year maturity. Principal payments are deferred for the first five years and the loan may be

repaid at any point by the Company without penalty. The loan has a principal forgiveness provision in which up to $2.5 million of the loan may be forgiven if the Company meets certain employment targets during the first five years of the loan.


(4)	As of December 31, 2014, $20.0 million of debt was classified as short term and $385.0 million was classified as long term on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Interest Rate Hedge

The Company has a $200.0 million notional fixed-for-floating interest rate swap contract which it designates as a hedge of the forecasted interest payments on the Company’s variable rate borrowings. Under the swap terms, the Company pays a base fixed rate of 2.26% and in return receives a floating Eurodollar rate. The swap contract expires in late 2015.

The Company accounts for the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815. Since the swap is hedging forecasted interest payments, changes in the fair value of the swap are recorded in OCI as long as the swap continues to be a highly effective hedge of the designated interest rate risk. Any ineffective portion of change in the fair value of the hedge is recorded in earnings. At December 31, 2014, there was no ineffective portion of the hedge. The interest rate swap had a negative fair value (liability) to the Company of $2.9 million and $6.5 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which is recorded in Other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Subsequent to year-end 2014, the Company entered into an additional $200.0 million notional fixed-for-floating interest rate swap which will also hedge the forecasted interest payments on the Company's variable rate borrowings. The swap contract requires the Company to pay a fixed rate of 1.6% and in return receive a floating Eurodollar rate. The swap contract expires in September 2019.

Letters of Credit

The Company had $9.3 million of letters of credit and related guarantees outstanding at year-end 2014. The Company issues these instruments in the ordinary course of business to facilitate transactions with customers and others.

6 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contractual Lease Commitments. The Company leases various facilities, computer and office equipment, furniture, and other assets under non-cancelable operating lease agreements expiring between 2015 and 2030. The future minimum annual cash payments under these operating lease agreements as of December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):



Year ended December 31,
2015	$	35,230
2016	28,515
2017	22,930
2018	18,795
2019	16,740
Thereafter	100,960
Total minimum lease payments (1)	$	223,170


(1)	Excludes $0.1 million of future contractual sublease rental income.

Legal Matters. We are involved in various legal and administrative proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The outcome of these individual matters is not predictable at this time. However, we believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters, after considering amounts already accrued and insurance coverage, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows in future periods.

Indemnifications. The Company has various agreements that may obligate us to indemnify the other party with respect to certain matters. Generally, these indemnification clauses are included in contracts arising in the normal course of business under which we customarily agree to hold the other party harmless against losses arising from a breach of representations related to such matters as title to assets sold and licensed or certain intellectual property rights. It is not possible to predict the maximum potential amount of future payments under these indemnification agreements due to the conditional nature of the Company’s obligations and the

unique facts of each particular agreement. Historically, payments made by us under these agreements have not been material. As of December 31, 2014, we did not have any indemnification agreements that could require material payments.

7 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common stock. Holders of Gartner’s Common Stock, par value $.0005 per share (“Common Stock”) are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted by stockholders. The Company does not currently pay cash dividends on its Common Stock. Also, our credit arrangement contains a negative covenant which may limit our ability to pay dividends. The following table summarizes transactions relating to Common Stock for the three years’ ending December 31, 2014:



	Issued Shares	Treasury Stock Shares
Balance at December 31, 2011	156,234,415	62,891,251
Issuances under stock plans	—	(2,756,389	)
Purchases for treasury (1)	—	2,738,238
Balance at December 31, 2012	156,234,415	62,873,100
Issuances under stock plans	—	(2,037,091	)
Purchases for treasury (1)	—	3,432,854
Balance at December 31, 2013	156,234,415	64,268,863
Issuances under stock plans	—	(1,452,419	)
Purchases for treasury (1)	—	5,897,446
Balance at December 31, 2014	156,234,415	68,713,890


(1)	The Company used a total of $432.0 million, $181.7 million, and $111.3 million in cash for share repurchases in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Share repurchase authorization. On February 4, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized $800.0 million to repurchase the Company's common stock. This authorization succeeded the Company’s prior $500.0 million share repurchase authorization, which was substantially utilized. The Company may repurchase its common stock from time to time in amounts and at prices the Company deems appropriate, subject to the availability of stock, prevailing market conditions, the trading price of the stock, the Company’s financial performance and other conditions. Repurchases may be made through open market purchases, private transactions or other transactions and will be funded from cash on hand and borrowings under the Company’s credit agreement. As of December 31, 2014, approximately $413.3 million of this authorization remained available for repurchases.

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net. The following tables disclose information about changes in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), a component of equity, by component and the related amounts reclassified out of AOCI to income during the years indicated (net of tax, in thousands) (1):

2014



	Interest Rate Swap			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Total
Balance - December 31, 2013	$	(3,903	)	$	(1,811	)	$	14,059		$	8,345
Changes during the period:
Change in AOCI before reclassifications to income	(292		)	(4,275		)	(27,461		)	(32,028		)
Reclassifications from AOCI to income during the period (2), (3)	2,455			58			—			2,513
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	2,163			(4,217		)	(27,461		)	(29,515		)
Balance - December 31, 2014	$	(1,740	)	$	(6,028	)	$	(13,402	)	$	(21,170	)

2013



	Interest Rate Swap			Defined Benefit Pension Plans			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments		Total
Balance - December 31, 2012	$	(6,010	)	$	(1,578	)	$	13,556	$	5,968
Changes during the period:
Change in AOCI before reclassifications to income	(297		)	(257		)	503		(51		)
Reclassifications from AOCI to income during the period (2), (3)	2,404			24			—		2,428
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period	2,107			(233		)	503		2,377
Balance - December 31, 2013	$	(3,903	)	$	(1,811	)	$	14,059	$	8,345

(1) Amounts in parentheses represent debits (deferred losses).

(2) The reclassifications related to the interest rate swap (cash flow hedge) were recorded in Interest expense, net of tax effect. See Note 11 – Derivatives and Hedging for information regarding the hedge.

(3) The reclassifications related to defined benefit pension plans were recorded in Selling, general and administrative expense, net of tax effect. See Note 13 – Employee Benefits for information regarding the Company’s defined benefit pension plans.

8 — STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company grants stock-based compensation awards as an incentive for employees and directors to contribute to the Company’s long-term success. The Company currently awards stock-settled stock appreciation rights, service-based and performance-based restricted stock units, and common stock equivalents. At December 31, 2014, the Company had 8.0 million shares of Common Stock available for awards of stock-based compensation under its 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation awards in accordance with FASB ASC Topics 505 and 718, as interpreted by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins No. 107 (“SAB No. 107”) and No. 110 (“SAB No. 110”). Stock-based compensation expense is based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant, which is then recognized as expense over the related service period, net of estimated forfeitures. The service period is the period over which the related service is performed, which is generally the same as the vesting period. Currently the Company issues treasury shares upon the exercise, release or settlement of stock-based compensation awards.

Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation awards requires the input of certain complex and subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the stock-based compensation awards and the Common Stock price volatility. In addition, determining the appropriate amount of associated periodic expense requires management to estimate the amount of employee forfeitures and the likelihood of the achievement of certain performance targets. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation awards and the associated periodic expense represent management’s best estimates, which involve inherent uncertainties and the application of judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company deems it necessary in the future to modify the assumptions it made or to use different assumptions, or if the quantity and nature of the Company’s stock-based compensation awards changes, then the amount of expense may need to be adjusted and future stock-based compensation expense could be materially different from what has been recorded in the current period.

The Company recognized the following amounts of stock-based compensation expense by award type for the years ended December 31 (in millions):



Award type:	2014		2013		2012
Stock appreciation rights	$	5.0	$	5.2	$	6.4
Common stock equivalents	0.6		0.6		0.5
Restricted stock units	33.2		28.9		29.5
Total (1)	$	38.8	$	34.7	$	36.4


(1)	Includes charges of $14.8 million, $12.5 million, and $5.1 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, for awards to retirement-eligible employees since these awards vest on an accelerated basis

Stock-based compensation expense was recognized by line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31 (in millions):



Amount recorded in:	2014		2013		2012
Costs of services and product development	$	17.6	$	15.3	$	15.3
Selling, general, and administrative	21.2		19.4		21.1
Total	$	38.8	$	34.7	$	36.4

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $44.9 million of total unrecognized stock-based compensation cost, which is expected to be recognized as stock-based compensation expense over the remaining weighted-average service period of approximately 2.2 years.

Stock-Based Compensation Awards

The following disclosures provide information regarding the Company’s stock-based compensation awards, all of which are classified as equity awards in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 505:

Stock Appreciation Rights

Stock-settled stock appreciation rights (SARs) permit the holder to participate in the appreciation of the Common Stock. SARs are settled in shares of Common Stock by the employee once the applicable vesting criteria have been met. SARs vest ratably over a four-year service period and expire seven years from the grant date. The fair value of SARs awards is recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over four years. SARs have only been awarded to the Company’s executive officers.

When SARs are exercised, the number of shares of Common Stock issued is calculated as follows: (1) the total proceeds from the SARs exercise (calculated as the closing price of the Common Stock on the date of exercise less the exercise price of the SARs, multiplied by the number of SARs exercised) is divided by (2) the closing price of the Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on the exercise date. The Company withholds a portion of the shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise to satisfy minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. SARs recipients do not have any stockholder rights until after actual shares of Common Stock are issued in respect of the award, which is subject to the prior satisfaction of the vesting and other criteria relating to such grants.

The following table summarizes changes in SARs outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2014:



	SARs in millions		Per Share Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Per Share Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1.6		$	34.14	$	11.63	4.34 years
Granted	0.4		64.64		14.99		6.11 years
Forfeited	(0.1	)	na		na		na
Exercised	(0.5	)	24.12		8.82		na
Outstanding at December 31, 2014 (1), (2)	1.4		$	44.44	$	13.26	4.34 years
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2014 (1)	0.6		$	33.36	$	11.62	3.22 years

na = not applicable


(1)	At December 31, 2014, 0.8 million of these SARs were unvested. The Company expects that substantially all of these unvested awards will vest in future periods.


(2)	At December 31, 2014, SARs outstanding had an intrinsic value of $58.5 million. SARs vested and exercisable had an intrinsic value of $30.8 million.

The fair value of the SARs granted was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model with the following weighted-average assumptions for the years ended December 31:



	2014		2013		2012
Expected dividend yield (1)	—	%	—	%	—	%
Expected stock price volatility (2)	25	%	35	%	40	%
Risk-free interest rate (3)	1.3	%	0.8	%	0.8	%
Expected life in years (4)	4.43		4.49		4.61


(1)	The dividend yield assumption is based on both the history and expectation of the Company’s dividend payouts. Historically the Company has not paid cash dividends on its Common Stock.


(2)	The determination of expected stock price volatility was based on both historical Common Stock prices and the implied volatility from publicly traded options in Common Stock.


(3)	The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield of a U.S. Treasury security with a maturity similar to the expected life of the award.


(4)	The expected life represents the Company’s weighted-average estimate of the period of time the SARs are expected to be outstanding (that is, the period between the service inception date and the expected exercise date).

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock units (RSUs) give the awardee the right to receive shares of Common Stock when the vesting conditions are met and the restrictions lapse, and each RSU that vests entitles the awardee to one common share. RSU awardees do not have any of the right of a Gartner stockholder, including voting rights and the right to receive dividends and distributions, until the shares are released.

The fair value of RSUs is determined on the date of grant based on the closing price of the Common Stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on that date. Service-based RSUs vest ratably over four years and are expensed on a straight-line basis over four years. Performance-based RSUs are subject to both performance and service conditions, vest ratably over four years, and are expensed on an accelerated basis.

The following table summarizes the changes in RSUs outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2014:



	Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) (in millions)		Per Share Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1.8		$	38.83
Granted (1)	0.6		65.48
Vested and released	(0.9	)	34.17
Forfeited	(0.1	)	—
Outstanding at December 31, 2014 (2), (3)	1.4		$	50.76

(1)

The 0.6 million RSUs granted in 2014 consisted of 0.3 million performance-based RSUs awarded to executives and 0.3 million service-based RSUs awarded to non-executive employees and non-management board members. The aggregate target number of performance-based RSUs awarded in 2014 was 0.2 million, subject to adjustment from 0% to 200% of the target number depending upon the increase in the Company's subscription-based contract value ("CV') measured on December 31, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013. The actual CV increase achieved for 2014 was 172.6%, which resulted in the final grant of approximately 0.3 million performance-based RSUs to the executives.


(2)	The Company expects that substantially all of the outstanding awards at December 31, 2014 will vest in future periods.


(3)	The weighted-average remaining contractual term of the outstanding RSUs is approximately 1 year.

Common Stock Equivalents

Common stock equivalents (CSEs) are convertible into Common Stock and each CSE entitles the holder to one common share. Members of our Board of Directors receive directors’ fees payable in CSEs unless they opt to receive up to 50% of the fees in cash. Generally, the CSEs have no defined term and are converted into common shares when service as the director terminates unless the director has elected an accelerated release. The fair value of the CSEs is determined on the date of grant based on the closing price of the Common Stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on that date. CSEs vest immediately and as a result are recorded as expense on the date of grant.

The following table summarizes the changes in CSEs outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2014:



	Common Stock Equivalents (CSEs)		Per Share Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	102,479		$	17.71
Granted	8,509		74.48
Converted to common shares	(6,785	)	74.48
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	104,203		$	18.65

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company has an employee stock purchase plan (the “ESP Plan”) under which eligible employees are permitted to purchase Common Stock through payroll deductions, which may not exceed 10% of an employee’s compensation (or $23,750 in any calendar year), at a price equal to 95% of the closing price of the Common Stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange at the end of each offering period. At December 31, 2014, the Company had approximately 1.1 million shares available for purchase under the ESP Plan. The ESP Plan is considered non-compensatory under FASB ASC Topic 718, and as a result the Company does not record stock-based compensation expense for employee share purchases. The Company received $7.8 million, $6.0 million, and $12.4 million in cash from share purchases under the ESP Plan and exercises of stock options during 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

9 — COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution of securities that could share in earnings. When the impact of common share equivalents is anti-dilutive, they are excluded from the calculation. The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the years ended December 31 (in thousands, except per share amounts):



	2014		2013		2012
Numerator:
Net income used for calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share	$	183,766	$	182,801	$	165,903
Denominator: (1)
Weighted average number of common shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share	89,337		93,015		93,444
Common share equivalents associated with stock-based compensation plans	1,382		1,815		2,398
Shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share	90,719		94,830		95,842
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	2.06	$	1.97	$	1.78
Diluted	$	2.03	$	1.93	$	1.73


(1)	The Company repurchased 5.9 million, 3.4 million, and 2.7 million shares of its Common Stock in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

The following table presents the number of common share equivalents that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS in the table above because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. During periods with net income, these common share equivalents were anti-dilutive because their exercise price was greater than the average market value of a share of Common Stock during the period.



	2014		2013		2012
Anti-dilutive common share equivalents as of December 31 (in millions):	0.3		0.3		0.7
Average market price per share of Common Stock during the year	$	73.27	$	57.50	$	43.80

10 — INCOME TAXES

Following is a summary of the components of income before income taxes for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):



	2014		2013		2012
U.S.	$	188,963	$	186,330	$	150,023
Non-U.S.	85,720		80,109		85,573
Income before income taxes	$	274,683	$	266,439	$	235,596

The expense for income taxes on the above income consists of the following components (in thousands):



	2014			2013			2012
Current tax expense:
U.S. federal	$	49,281		$	20,215		$	25,270
State and local	5,135			4,928			2,508
Foreign	16,653			17,167			18,822
Total current	71,069			42,310			46,600
Deferred tax (benefit) expense:
U.S. federal	(6,670		)	18,824			8,379
State and local	6,477			2,742			(770		)
Foreign	779			(4,688		)	(7,797		)
Total deferred	586			16,878			(188		)
Total current and deferred	71,655			59,188			46,412
Benefit (expense) relating to interest rate swap used to increase (decrease) equity	(1,442		)	(1,405		)	51
Benefit from stock transactions with employees used to increase equity	18,704			25,373			21,304
Benefit (expense) relating to defined-benefit pension adjustments used to increase (decrease) equity	2,000			482			1,926
Total tax expense	$	90,917		$	83,638		$	69,693

Current and long-term deferred tax assets and liabilities are comprised of the following (in thousands):



	December 31,
	2014			2013
Accrued liabilities	$	67,066		$	56,787
Loss and credit carryforwards	13,350			17,648
Assets relating to equity compensation	19,920			19,773
Other assets	3,420			1,306
Gross deferred tax assets	103,756			95,514
Property, equipment, and leasehold improvements	(10,817		)	(12,067		)
Intangible assets	(29,400		)	(25,338		)
Prepaid expenses	(26,584		)	(22,517		)
Other liabilities	(3,591		)	—
Gross deferred tax liabilities	(70,392		)	(59,922		)
Valuation allowance	(570		)	(617		)
Net deferred tax assets	$	32,794		$	34,975

Current net deferred tax assets and current net deferred tax liabilities were $17.5 million and $2.1 million as of December 31, 2014 and $19.5 million and $8.7 million as of December 31, 2013, respectively, and are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Long-term net deferred tax assets and long-term net deferred tax liabilities were $18.0 million and $0.6 million as of December 31, 2014 and $24.4 million and $0.2 million as of December 31, 2013, respectively, and are included in Other assets and Other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Based on its assessment, management has concluded it is more likely than not that the reversal of deferred tax liabilities and results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets, net of the valuation allowance at December 31, 2014.

The valuation allowances of $0.6 million as of both December 31, 2014 and 2013 largely relate to certain net operating losses.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had state and local tax net operating loss carryforwards of $7.8 million, of which $0.7 million expire within one to five years, $6.3 million expire within six to fifteen years, and $0.8 million expire within sixteen to twenty years. The Company also had state tax credits of $1.6 million which will expire within two to five years. These amounts have been reduced for unrecognized tax benefits, consistent with FASB ASU 2013-11.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had non-U.S. net operating loss carryforwards of $30.2 million, of which $2.6 million expire over the next 20 years and $27.6 million can be carried forward indefinitely. In addition, the Company also had foreign tax credit carryforwards of $3.4 million, of which approximately half will expire at the end of 2017 and the remainder at the end of 2024.

The differences between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and the Company’s effective tax rate on income before income taxes for the years ended December 31 follow:



	2014		2013		2012
Statutory tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	3.1		3.2		1.8
Effect of non-U.S. operations (1)	(7.0	)	(6.1	)	(6.4	)
Record (release) reserve for tax contingencies	2.6		0.9		0.7
Record (release) valuation allowance	—		(0.5	)	—
Other items, net	(0.6	)	(1.1	)	(1.5	)
Effective tax rate	33.1	%	31.4	%	29.6	%


(1)	Includes the effect of foreign income taxed at different rates, U.S. tax on actual and deemed distributions, and foreign tax credits.

For 2014 and 2013 state income taxes, net of federal tax benefit, include approximately $1.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively, of benefit relating to economic development tax credits associated with the renovation of the Company’s Stamford headquarters facility.

As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $20.6 million and $14.5 million, respectively. The increase is primarily attributable to positions taken with respect to state income tax apportionment and the realizability of certain refund claims. It is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits will be decreased by $4.9 million within the next 12 months due to anticipated closure of audits and the expiration of certain statutes of limitation. The unrecognized tax benefits relate primarily to the utilization of certain tax attributes, state income tax positions, and intercompany transactions.

The Company classifies uncertain tax positions not expected to be settled within one year as long term liabilities. As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had $15.7 million and $11.4 million, respectively, related to long term uncertain tax positions.

The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, for the years ending December 31 (in thousands):



	2014			2013
Beginning balance	$	14,488		$	17,552
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	6,351			4,237
Additions for tax positions of prior years	4,112			827
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(2,317		)	(1,973		)
Reductions for expiration of statutes	(1,027		)	(3,860		)
Settlements	(143		)	(1,575		)
Change in foreign currency exchange rates	(819		)	(720		)
Ending balance	$	20,645		$	14,488

Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014 are potential benefits of $16.5 million that if recognized would reduce the effective tax rate on income from continuing operations. Also included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2014 are potential benefits of $4.1 million that, if recognized, would result in adjustments to other tax accounts, primarily deferred taxes.

The Company accrues interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in its income tax provision. As of both December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had $3.3 million of accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. These amounts are in addition to the unrecognized tax benefits disclosed above. The total amount of interest and penalties recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ending December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

The number of years with open statutes of limitation varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. Generally, the Company’s statutes are open for tax years ended December 31, 2010 and forward, with the exception of India which is open for tax years 2003 and forward. Major taxing jurisdictions include the U.S. (federal and state), the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Italy, India, France, and Ireland.

During 2014, the Internal Revenue Service closed the audit of the Company's 2010 and 2011 federal income tax returns. The resolution of the audit did not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, cash flows, or results of operations of the Company.

Under U.S. accounting rules, no provision for income taxes that may result from the remittance of earnings held overseas is required if the Company intends to reinvest such funds overseas. Our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate these undistributed earnings to fund our U.S. operations or otherwise satisfy the liquidity needs of our U.S operations. We intend to reinvest these earnings in our non-U.S. operations, except in instances in which the repatriation of these earnings would result in minimal additional tax. As a result, the Company has not recognized additional income tax expense that may result from the remittance of these earnings. The accumulated undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries were approximately $186.5 million as of December

31, 2014. An estimate of the income tax liability that would be payable if such earnings were not indefinitely invested is $35.8 million.

11 — DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING

The Company enters into a limited number of derivative contracts to offset the potentially negative economic effects of interest rate and foreign exchange movements. The Company accounts for its outstanding derivative contracts in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815, which requires all derivatives, including derivatives designated as accounting hedges, to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value.

The following tables provide information regarding the Company’s outstanding derivatives contracts as of, and for, the years ended (in thousands, except for number of outstanding contracts):

December 31, 2014



Derivative Contract Type	Number of Outstanding Contracts	Contract Notional Amount		Fair Value Asset (Liability) (3)			Balance Sheet Line Item	OCI Unrealized (Loss), Net Of Tax
Interest rate swap (1)	1	$	200,000	$	(2,900	)	Other liabilities	$	(1,740	)
Foreign currency forwards (2)	77	45,650		238			Other current liabilities	—
Total	78	$	245,650	$	(2,662	)		$	(1,740	)

December 31, 2013



Derivative Contract Type	Number of Outstanding Contracts	Contract Notional Amount		Fair Value Asset (Liability) (3)			Balance Sheet Line Item	OCI Unrealized (Loss), Net Of Tax
Interest rate swap (1)	1	$	200,000	$	(6,505	)	Other liabilities	$	(3,903	)
Foreign currency forwards (2)	89	61,325		(60		)	Other current assets	—
Total	90	$	261,325	$	(6,565	)		$	(3,903	)


(1)	The swap is designated as a cash flow hedge of the forecasted interest payments on borrowings. As a result, changes in the fair value of this swap are deferred and are recorded in OCI, net of tax effect (see Note 5 — Debt for additional information).

(2)

The Company has foreign exchange transaction risk since it typically enters into transactions in the normal course of business that are denominated in foreign currencies that differ from the local functional currency. The Company enters into short-term foreign currency forward exchange contracts to offset the economic effects of these foreign currency transaction risks. These contracts are accounted for at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses recognized in Other expense, net since the Company does not designate these contracts as hedges for accounting purposes. Substantially all of the outstanding contracts at December 31, 2014 matured by the end of January 2015.


(3)	See Note 12 — Fair Value Disclosures for the determination of the fair value of these instruments.

At December 31, 2014, the Company’s derivative counterparties were all large investment grade financial institutions. The Company did not have any collateral arrangements with its derivative counterparties, and none of the derivative contracts contained credit-risk related contingent features.

The following table provides information regarding amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for derivative contracts for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):



Amount recorded in:	2014			2013		2012
Interest expense (1)	$	4.1		$	4.0	$	3.6
Other expense, net (2)	(0.5		)	0.1		(0.6		)
Total expense	$	3.6		$	4.1	$	3.0


(1)	Consists of interest expense from interest rate swap contracts.


(2)	Consists of realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency forward contracts.

12 — FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

The Company’s financial instruments include cash equivalents, fees receivable from customers, accounts payable, and accruals which are normally short-term in nature. The Company believes the carrying amounts of these financial instruments reasonably approximates their fair value due to their short-term nature. The Company’s financial instruments also includes borrowings outstanding under its 2014 Credit Agreement, and at December 31, 2014, the Company had $400.0 million of floating rate debt outstanding under this arrangement, which is carried at amortized cost. The Company believes the carrying amount of the outstanding borrowings reasonably approximates fair value since the rate of interest on the borrowings reflect current market rates of interest for similar instruments with comparable maturities.

FASB ASC Topic 820 provides a framework for the measurement of fair value and a valuation hierarchy based upon the transparency of inputs used in the valuation of assets and liabilities. Classification within the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the resulting fair value measurement. The valuation hierarchy contains three levels. Level 1 measurements consist of quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 measurements include significant other observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets; observable inputs such as interest rates and yield curves; and other market-corroborated inputs. Level 3 measurements include significant unobservable inputs, such as internally-created valuation models. The Company does not currently utilize Level 3 valuation inputs to remeasure any of its assets or liabilities. However, level 3 inputs may be used by the Company in its required annual impairment review of goodwill. Information regarding the periodic assessment of the Company’s goodwill is included in Note 1 — Business and Significant Accounting Policies. The Company does not typically transfer assets or liabilities between different levels of the fair value hierarchy.

The Company enters into a limited number of derivatives transactions but does not enter into repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions, or master netting arrangements. Receivables or payables that result from derivatives transactions are recorded gross in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s assets and liabilities that are remeasured to fair value are presented in the following table (in thousands):



	Fair Value		Fair Value
Description:	December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
Assets:
Values based on Level 1 inputs:
Deferred compensation plan assets (1)	$	7,650	$	7,775
Total Level 1 inputs	$	7,650	$	7,775
Values based on Level 2 inputs:
Deferred compensation plan assets (1)	$	27,000	$	24,780
Foreign currency forward contracts (2)	458		116
Total Level 2 inputs	$	27,458	$	24,896
Total Assets	$	35,108	$	32,671
Liabilities:
Values based on level 2 inputs:
Deferred compensation plan liabilities (1)	$	39,100	$	36,410
Foreign currency forward contracts (2)	220		176
Interest rate swap contract (3)	2,900		6,505
Total Level 2 inputs	$	42,220	$	43,091
Total Liabilities	$	42,220	$	43,091


(1)	The Company has a deferred compensation plan for the benefit of certain highly compensated officers, managers and other key employees (see Note 13 — Employee Benefits). The plan’s assets consist of investments in money market and mutual funds, and company-owned life insurance contracts.

The money market funds consist of cash equivalents while the mutual fund investments consist of publicly-traded and quoted equity shares. The Company considers the fair value of these assets to be based on Level 1 inputs, and these assets had a fair value of $7.7 million and $7.8 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The carrying amount of the life insurance contracts equals their cash surrender value. Cash surrender value represents the estimated amount that the Company would receive upon termination of the contract, which approximates fair value. The Company considers the life insurance contracts to be valued based on a Level 2 input, and these assets had a fair value of $27.0 million and $24.8 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The related deferred compensation plan liabilities are recorded at the amount needed to settle the liability, which approximates fair value, and is based on a Level 2 input.


(2)	The Company enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to hedge the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates (see Note 11 — Derivatives and Hedging). Valuation of the foreign currency forward contracts is based on foreign currency exchange rates in active markets, which the Company considers a Level 2 input.

(3)

The Company has an interest rate swap contract which hedges the risk from variability of interest rates on its borrowings (see Note 11 — Derivatives and Hedging). The fair value of the swap is based on a mark-to-market valuation prepared by a third-party broker. Valuation is based on observable interest rates from recently executed market transactions and other observable market data, which the Company considers Level 2 inputs. The Company independently corroborates the reasonableness of the valuation prepared by the third-party broker through the use of an electronic quotation service.

13 — EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Defined contribution plan. The Company has a savings and investment plan (the “401k Plan”) covering substantially all U.S. employees. Company contributions are based upon the level of employee contributions, up to a maximum of 4% of the employee’s eligible salary, subject to an annual maximum. For 2014, the maximum match was $7,000. Amounts expensed in connection with the 401k Plan totaled $17.4 million, $15.8 million, and $14.2 million, in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Deferred compensation plan. The Company has a supplemental deferred compensation plan for the benefit of certain highly compensated officers, managers and other key employees, which is structured as a rabbi trust. The plan’s investment assets are classified in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The value of these assets was $34.7 million and $32.6 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively (see Note 12 — Fair Value Disclosures for detailed fair value information). The corresponding deferred compensation liability of $39.1 million and $36.4 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, is carried at fair value, and is adjusted with a corresponding charge or credit to compensation cost to reflect the fair value of the amount owed to the employees which is classified in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Total compensation expense recognized for the plan was $0.6 million in 2014 and $0.4 million in both 2013 and 2012.

Defined benefit pension plans. The Company has defined-benefit pension plans in several of its non-U.S. locations. Benefits earned under these plans are based on years of service and level of employee compensation. The Company accounts for defined benefit plans in accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC Topics 715 and 960.

The following are the components of defined benefit pension expense for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):



	2014			2013			2012
Service cost (1)	$	2,630		$	2,545		$	1,775
Interest cost	1,190			1,075			980
Expected return on plan assets	(540		)	(340		)	(115		)
Recognition of actuarial loss (gain)	75			30			(215		)
Recognition of termination benefits	30			455			175
Total defined benefit pension expense (2)	$	3,385		$	3,765		$	2,600


(1)	The higher service cost beginning in 2013 was primarily due to additional employees covered under the plans.


(2)	Pension expense is classified in SG&A in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The following are the assumptions used in the computation of pension expense for the years ended December 31:



	2014		2013		2012
Weighted-average discount rate (1)	2.15	%	3.35	%	3.20	%
Average compensation increase	2.65	%	2.70	%	2.70	%


(1)	Discount rates are typically determined by utilizing the yields on long-term corporate or government bonds in the relevant country with a duration consistent with the expected term of the underlying pension obligations.

The following table provides information related to changes in the projected benefit obligation for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):



	2014			2013			2012
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	34,585		$	31,605		$	21,160
Service cost	2,630			2,545			1,775
Interest cost	1,190			1,075			980
Actuarial loss (gain) due to assumption changes and plan experience (1)	6,300			625			6,265
Additions and contractual termination benefits	30			460			1,925
Benefits paid (2)	(1,350		)	(1,255		)	(680		)
Foreign currency impact	(5,270		)	(470		)	180
Projected benefit obligation at end of year (3)	$	38,115		$	34,585		$	31,605


(1)	The 2014 and 2012 actuarial losses were primarily due to significant declines in the weighted-average discount rate.


(2)	The Company projects the following approximate amounts will be paid in future years to plan participants: $1.0 million in 2015; $1.9 million in 2016; $1.4 million in each of the years 2017, 2018, and 2019; and $9.6 million in total in the five years thereafter.


(3)	Measured as of December 31.

The following table provides information regarding the funded status of the plans and related amounts recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31 (in thousands):

Funded status of the plans:



	2014			2013			2012
Projected benefit obligation	$	38,115		$	34,585		$	31,605
Plan assets at fair value (1)	(13,220		)	(13,870		)	(8,885		)
Funded status – shortfall (2)	$	24,895		$	20,715		$	22,720



Amounts recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the plans:
Other liabilities — accrued pension obligation (2)	$	24,895		$	20,715		$	22,720
Stockholders’ equity — deferred actuarial loss (3)	$	(6,028	)	$	(1,811	)	$	(1,578	)

(1)

The plan assets are held by third-party trustees and are invested in a diversified portfolio of equities, high quality government and corporate bonds, and other investments. The assets are primarily valued based on Level 1 and Level 2 inputs under the fair value hierarchy in FASB ASC Topic 820, with the majority of the invested assets considered to be of low-to-medium investment risk. The Company projects a future long-term rate of return on these plan assets of 2.7%, which it believes is

reasonable based on the composition of the assets and both current and projected market conditions. For the year-ended December 31, 2014, the Company contributed $2.8 million to these plans, and benefits paid to participants were $1.4 million.

In addition to the plan assets held with third-party trustees, the Company also maintains a reinsurance asset arrangement with a large international insurance company. The reinsurance asset is an asset of the Company whose purpose is to provide funding for benefit payments for one of the plans. At December 31, 2014, the reinsurance asset was carried on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at its cash surrender value of $8.5 million and is classified in Other Assets. The Company believes the cash surrender value approximates fair value and is equivalent to a Level 2 input under the FASB’s fair value framework in ASC Topic 820.


(2)	The Funded status — shortfall represents the amount of the projected benefit obligation that the Company has not funded with a third-party trustee. This amount is a liability of the Company and is recorded in Other Liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(3)

The deferred actuarial loss as of December 31, 2014 is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) and will be reclassified out of AOCI and recognized as pension expense over approximately 14 years, subject to certain limitations set forth in FASB ASC Topic 715. The impact of this amortization on the periodic pension expense in 2015 is projected to be approximately $0.4 million. The actual amortization of deferred actuarial losses (gains) from AOCI to pension expense was less than $0.1 million in 2014 and 2013 and $(0.2) million in 2012.

14 — SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company manages its business through three reportable segments: Research, Consulting and Events. Research consists primarily of subscription-based research products, access to research inquiry, peer networking services, and membership programs. Consulting consists primarily of consulting, 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 in the table below, is defined as operating income excluding certain COS expenses, SG&A expense, depreciation, acquisition and integration charges, and amortization of intangibles. Certain bonus and fringe benefit costs included in consolidated COS are not allocated to segment expense. The accounting policies used by the reportable segments are the same as those used by the Company. There are no intersegment revenues.

The Company earns revenue from clients in many countries. Other than the United States, there is no individual country in which revenues from external clients represent 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated revenues. Additionally, no single client accounted for 10% or more of total revenue and the loss of a single client, in management’s opinion, would not have a material adverse effect on revenues. The Company does not identify or allocate assets, including capital expenditures, by reportable segment. Accordingly, assets are not being reported by segment because the information is not available by segment and is not reviewed in the evaluation of performance or making decisions in the allocation of resources.

The following tables present operating information about the Company’s reportable segments for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):



	Research		Consulting		Events		Consolidated
2014
Revenues	$	1,445,338	$	348,396	$	227,707	$	2,021,441
Gross contribution	1,001,914		119,931		112,384		1,234,229
Corporate and other expenses							(948,067		)
Operating income							$	286,162
	Research		Consulting		Events		Consolidated
2013
Revenues	$	1,271,011	$	314,257	$	198,945	$	1,784,213
Gross contribution	879,384		107,565		91,216		1,078,165
Corporate and other expenses							(802,673		)
Operating income							$	275,492
	Research		Consulting		Events		Consolidated
2012
Revenues	$	1,137,147	$	304,893	$	173,768	$	1,615,808
Gross contribution	774,342		109,253		80,119		963,714
Corporate and other expenses							(718,007		)
Operating income							$	245,707

The following table provides a reconciliation of total segment gross contribution to net income for the periods indicated (in thousands):



	Twelve months ended
	December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
Total segment gross contribution	$	1,234,229	$	1,078,165	$	963,714
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services and product development - unallocated (1)	10,721		7,436		6,973
Selling, general and administrative	876,067		760,458		678,843
Depreciation and amortization	39,412		34,442		29,771
Acquisition and integration charges	21,867		337		2,420
Operating income	286,162		275,492		245,707
Interest expense and other	11,479		9,053		10,111
Provision for income taxes	90,917		83,638		69,693
Net income	$	183,766	$	182,801	$	165,903


(1)	The unallocated amounts consist of certain bonus and related fringe costs recorded in Consolidated cost of services and product development expense that are not allocated to segment expense. The Company's policy is to only allocate bonus and related fringe charges to segments for up to 100% of the segment employee's target bonus. Amounts above 100% are absorbed by corporate.

The Company’s revenues are generated primarily through direct sales to clients by domestic and international sales forces and a network of independent international sales agents. Most of the Company’s products and services are provided on an integrated worldwide basis, and because of this integrated delivery, it is not practical to precisely separate our revenues by geographic location.

Accordingly, the separation set forth in the table below is based upon internal allocations, which involve certain management estimates and judgments. Revenues in the table are reported based on where the sale is fulfilled; “Other International” revenues are those attributable to all areas located outside of the United States and Canada, as well as Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

Summarized information by geographic location as of and for the years ended December 31 follows (in thousands):



	2014		2013		2012
Revenues:
United States and Canada	$	1,204,476	$	1,049,734	$	947,075
Europe, Middle East and Africa	570,334		508,755		458,675
Other International	246,631		225,724		210,058
Total revenues	$	2,021,441	$	1,784,213	$	1,615,808
Long-lived assets: (1)
United States and Canada	$	142,963	$	123,877	$	114,557
Europe, Middle East and Africa	34,093		34,363		30,967
Other International	13,282		13,936		16,956
Total long-lived assets	$	190,338	$	172,176	$	162,480


(1)	Excludes goodwill and other intangible assets.

15 — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

The Company maintains an allowance for losses which is composed of a bad debt allowance and a revenue reserve. Provisions are charged against earnings either as an increase to expense or a reduction in revenues. The following table summarizes activity in the Company’s allowance for the years ended December 31(in thousands):



	Balance at Beginning of Year		Additions Charged to Expense		Additions Charged Against Revenues		Deductions from Reserve			Balance at End of Year
2014:
Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns and allowances	$	7,000	$	2,950	$	3,240	$	(6,490	)	$	6,700
2013:
Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns and allowances	$	6,400	$	2,350	$	5,050	$	(6,800	)	$	7,000
2012:
Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns and allowances	$	7,260	$	1,930	$	1,860	$	(4,650	)	$	6,400

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in Stamford, Connecticut, on February 27, 2015.



		Gartner, Inc.

Date:	February 27, 2015	By:	/s/ Eugene A. Hall
		Eugene A. Hall
		Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Eugene A. Hall and Craig W. Safian and each of them, acting individually, as his or her attorney-in-fact, each with full power of substitution, for him or her in all capacities, to sign all amendments to this Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with appropriate exhibits and other related documents, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Each of the undersigned ratifies and confirms his or her signatures as they may be signed by his or her attorney-in-fact to any amendments to this Report. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:



Name	Title	Date

/s/ Eugene A. Hall	Director and Chief Executive Officer	February 27, 2015
Eugene A. Hall	(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Craig W. Safian	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer	February 27, 2015
Craig W. Safian	(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

/s/ Michael J. Bingle	Director	February 27, 2015
Michael J. Bingle

/s/ Richard J. Bressler	Director	February 27, 2015
Richard J. Bressler

/s/ Raul E. Cesan	Director	February 27, 2015
Raul E. Cesan

/s/ Karen E. Dykstra	Director	February 27, 2015
Karen E. Dykstra

/s/ Anne Sutherland Fuchs	Director	February 27, 2015
Anne Sutherland Fuchs

/s/ William O. Grabe	Director	February 27, 2015
William O. Grabe

/s/ Stephen G. Pagliuca	Director	February 27, 2015
Stephen G. Pagliuca

/s/ James C. Smith	Director	February 27, 2015
James C. Smith

IT - 12.31.2014 Credit Agreement - EX4.2

EXECUTION VERSION

$1,500,000,000

CREDIT AGREEMENT

among

GARTNER, INC.,

as Borrower,

The Several Lenders from Time to Time Parties Hereto,

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and CITIZENS BANK, N.A.,

as Co-Syndication Agents,

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., MUFG UNION BANK, N.A. F/K/A UNION BANK, N.A.,

SUNTRUST BANK, TD BANK, N.A., and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Co-Documentation Agents,

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

Dated as of December 16, 2014

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC, WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC, and CITIZENS BANK, N.A.,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page


SECTION 1.	DEFINITIONS 1


1.1	Defined Terms 1


1.2	Other Definitional Provisions 22


SECTION 2.	AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS 23


2.1	Term Commitments 23


2.2	Procedure for Term Loan Borrowing 24


2.3	Repayment of Term Loans 24


2.4	Revolving Commitments 25


2.5	Procedure for Revolving Loan Borrowing 26


2.6	Commitment Fees, etc 26


2.7	Termination or Reduction of Revolving Commitments 26


2.8	Optional Prepayments 27


2.9	Mandatory Prepayments and Commitment Reductions 27


2.10	Conversion and Continuation Options 27


2.11	Limitations on Eurodollar Tranches 28


2.12	Interest Rates and Payment Dates 28


2.13	Computation of Interest and Fees 28


2.14	Inability to Determine Interest Rate 29


2.15	Pro Rata Treatment and Payments 29


2.16	Requirements of Law 31


2.17	Taxes 32


2.18	Indemnity 35


2.19	Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs 35


2.20	Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders 36


2.21	Defaulting Lenders 36


SECTION 3.	LETTERS OF CREDIT 38


3.1	L/C Commitment 38


3.2	Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit 38


3.3	Fees and Other Charges 39


3.4	L/C Participations 39


3.5	Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower 40


3.6	Obligations Absolute 41


3.7	Letter of Credit Payments 41


3.8	Applications 41


3.9	Existing Letters of Credit 41


SECTION 4.	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 42


4.1	Financial Condition 42


4.2	No Change 42


4.3	Existence; Compliance with Law 42


4.4	Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations 42


4.5	No Legal Bar 43


4.6	Litigation 43


4.7	No Default 43


4.8	Ownership of Property; Liens 43


4.9	Intellectual Property 43


4.10	Taxes 43


4.11	Federal Regulations 43


4.12	Labor Matters 44


4.13	ERISA 44


4.14	Investment Company Act; Other Regulations 44


4.15	Subsidiaries 44


4.16	Use of Proceeds 44


4.17	Environmental Matters 44


4.18	Accuracy of Information, etc 45


4.19	Solvency 45


4.20	Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions 45


SECTION 5.	CONDITIONS PRECEDENT 46


5.1	Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit 46


5.2	Conditions to Each Extension of Credit 47


SECTION 6.	AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS 47


6.1	Financial Statements 47


6.2	Certificates; Other Information 48


6.3	Payment of Obligations 49


6.4	Maintenance of Existence; Compliance 49


6.5	Maintenance of Property; Insurance 49


6.6	Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions 49


6.7	Notices 50


6.8	Environmental Laws 50


6.9	Additional Subsidiaries 51


SECTION 7.	NEGATIVE COVENANTS 51


7.1	Financial Condition Covenants 51


7.2	Indebtedness 51


7.3	Liens 53


7.4	Fundamental Changes 55


7.5	Disposition of Property 56


7.6	Restricted Payments 57


7.7	Lines of Business 58


7.8	Investments 58


7.9	Transactions with Affiliates 61


7.10	Sales and Leasebacks 61


7.11	Swap Agreements 61


7.12	Changes in Fiscal Periods 61


7.13	Negative Pledge Clauses 61


7.14	Clauses Restricting Subsidiary Distributions 62


7.15	Use of Proceeds 62


SECTION 8.	EVENTS OF DEFAULT 62


8.1	Events of Default 62


SECTION 9.	THE AGENTS 65


9.1	Appointment 65


9.2	Delegation of Duties 65


9.3	Exculpatory Provisions 65


9.4	Reliance by Administrative Agent 66


9.5	Notice of Default 66


9.6	Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders 66


9.7	Indemnification 67


9.8	Agent in Its Individual Capacity 67


9.9	Successor Administrative Agent 67


9.10	Co-Syndication Agents and Co-Documentation Agents 67


SECTION 10.	MISCELLANEOUS 68


10.1	Amendments and Waivers 68


10.2	Notices 69


10.3	No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies 70


10.4	Survival of Representations and Warranties 70


10.5	Payment of Expenses and Taxes 70


10.6	Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments 72


10.7	Adjustments; Set‑off 75


10.8	Counterparts 76


10.9	Severability 76


10.10	Integration 76


10.11	GOVERNING LAW 76


10.12	Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers 76


10.13	Acknowledgements 77


10.14	Releases of Guarantees 78


10.15	Confidentiality 78


10.16	WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL 79


10.17	USA PATRIOT Act 79


10.18	Keepwell 79

SCHEDULES:

1.1A Commitments

3.9 Existing Letters of Credit

4.6 Litigation

4.10 Tax Claims

4.15 Subsidiaries

7.2(d) Existing Indebtedness

7.3(f) Existing Liens

7.8(e) Existing Investments

EXHIBITS:

A Form of Guarantee

B Form of Compliance Certificate

C Form of Closing Certificate

D Form of Assignment and Assumption

E Form of Legal Opinion of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

F Form of Exemption Certificate

G Form of Increasing Lender Supplement

H Form of Augmenting Lender Supplement

CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of December 16, 2014 among GARTNER, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to this Agreement (the “Lenders”), WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and CITIZENS BANK, N.A., as co-syndication agents (in such capacity, the “Co-Syndication Agents”), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., MUFG UNION BANK, N.A. F/K/A UNION BANK, N.A., SUNTRUST BANK, TD BANK, N.A., and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as co-documentation agents (in such capacity, the “Co-Documentation Agents”), and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”).

The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

Section 1.DEFINITIONS

1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the terms listed in this Section 1.1 shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section 1.1.

“ABR”: for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus ½ of 1% and (c) the Eurodollar Rate that would be calculated as of such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, as of the next preceding Business Day) in respect of a proposed Eurodollar Loan with a one-month Interest Period plus 1.0%. Any change in the ABR due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or such Eurodollar Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the day of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or such Eurodollar Rate, respectively.

“ABR Loans”: Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the ABR.

“Acquisition Step-Up Period”: a period of four fiscal quarters commencing with the fiscal quarter during which a Designated Acquisition is consummated and ending on the last day of the fourth fiscal quarter ending after the date on which the Designated Acquisition is consummated.

“Adjustment Date”: as defined in the definition of “Applicable Margin”.

“Administrative Agent”: JPMorgan Chase Bank, together with its affiliates, as the arranger of the Commitments and as the administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with any of its successors.

“Affiliate”: as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 20% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person or (b) direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise.

“Agents”: the collective reference to the Co-Syndication Agents, the Co-Documentation Agents and the Administrative Agent.

“Aggregate Exposure”: with respect to any Lender at any time, an amount equal to (a) until the Closing Date, the aggregate amount of such Lender’s Commitments at such time and (b) thereafter, the sum of (i) the aggregate then unpaid principal amount of such Lender’s Term Loans and (ii)

the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment then in effect or, if the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding.

“Aggregate Exposure Percentage”: with respect to any Lender at any time, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of such Lender’s Aggregate Exposure at such time to the Aggregate Exposure of all Lenders at such time; provided, that in the case of Section 2.21 when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, “Aggregate Exposure Percentage” shall mean the percentage of the Aggregate Exposure of all Lenders (disregarding any Defaulting Lender’s Aggregate Exposure) represented by such Lender’s Aggregate Exposure. If the Commitments have terminated or expired, the Aggregate Exposure Percentages shall be determined based upon the Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments and to any Lender’s status as a Defaulting Lender at the time of determination.

“Agreement”: as defined in the preamble hereto.

“Anti-Corruption Laws”: all laws, rules and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.

“Applicable Margin”: for each Type of Loan or the Commitment Fee Rate, the rate per annum set forth under the relevant column heading below:



Level	Consolidated Leverage Ratio	Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans	Applicable Margin for ABR Loans	Commitment Fee Rate
I	> 2.75 to 1.00	1.50%	0.50%	0.25%
II	> 1.75 to 1.00 ≤ 2.75 to 1.00	1.375%	0.375%	0.20%
III	> 0.75 to 1.00 ≤ 1.75 to 1.00	1.25%	0.25%	0.175%
IV	≤ 0.75 to 1.00	1.125%	0.125%	0.15%

The Applicable Margin and Commitment Fee Rate on the Closing Date and until the first Adjustment Date (as defined below) following the Closing Date shall be the rate per annum set forth in Level III above. Changes in the Applicable Margin and the Commitment Fee Rate resulting from changes in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective on the date (the “Adjustment Date”) that is three Business Days after the date on which financial statements are delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.1 and shall remain in effect until the next change to be effected pursuant to this paragraph. If any financial statements referred to above are not delivered within the time periods specified in Section 6.1, then, until the date that is three Business Days after the date on which such financial statements are delivered, the highest Applicable Margin and Commitment Fee Rate shall apply. Each determination of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio pursuant hereto shall be made in a manner consistent with the determination thereof pursuant to Section 7.1(a). In the event that any financial statement or certification delivered pursuant to Section 6.2(a) is shown to be inaccurate (regardless of whether this Agreement or the Commitments are in effect when such inaccuracy is discovered), and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Margin for any period (an “Applicable Period”) than the Applicable Margin applied for such Applicable Period, the Borrower shall immediately (a) deliver to the Administrative Agent a corrected Compliance Certificate for such Applicable Period, (b) determine the Applicable Margin for such Applicable Period based upon the corrected Compliance Certificate, and (c) immediately pay to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders the

accrued additional interest and other fees owing as a result of such increased Applicable Margin for such Applicable Period, which payment shall be promptly distributed by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders entitled thereto.

“Application”: an application, in such form as the Issuing Lender may specify from time to time, requesting the Issuing Lender to open a Letter of Credit.

“Approved Fund”: as defined in Section 10.6(b).

“Asset Sale”: any Disposition of property or series of related Dispositions of property (excluding any such Disposition permitted by clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (g) of Section 7.5) that yields gross proceeds to any Group Member (valued at the initial principal amount thereof in the case of non-cash proceeds consisting of notes or other debt securities and valued at fair market value in the case of other non-cash proceeds) in excess of $100,000,000.

“Assignee”: as defined in Section 10.6(b).

“Assignment and Assumption”: an Assignment and Assumption, substantially in the form of Exhibit D.

“Augmenting Revolving Lender”: as defined in Section 2.4(b).

“Augmenting Term Lender”: as defined in Section 2.1(b).

“Available Revolving Commitment”: as to any Revolving Lender at any time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such Lender’s Revolving Commitment then in effect over (b) such Lender’s Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding.

“Bankruptcy Event”: with respect to any Person, such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment, provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof, provided, further, that such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.

“Benefitted Lender”: as defined in Section 10.7(a).

“Board”: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).

“Borrower”: as defined in the preamble hereto.

“Borrowing Date”: any Business Day specified by the Borrower as a date on which the Borrower requests the relevant Lenders to make Loans hereunder.

“Business Day”: a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to close, provided, that with respect to notices and determinations in connection with, and payments of principal and interest on, Eurodollar Loans, such day is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the interbank eurodollar market.

“Capital Lease Obligations”: as to any Person, the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP (as in effect on the Closing Date) and, for the purposes of this Agreement, the amount of such obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in accordance with GAAP (as in effect on the Closing Date). Any lease that would be characterized as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP on the Closing Date (whether or not such operating lease was in effect on such date) shall continue to be accounted for as an operating lease (and not as a capital lease) for purposes of this Agreement, regardless of any change in GAAP following the Closing Date that would otherwise require such lease to be re-characterized (on a prospective or retroactive basis or otherwise) as a capitalized lease.

“Capital Stock”: any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation) and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing.

“Cash Equivalents”: (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits, eurodollar certificates or overnight bank deposits of (i) any domestic commercial bank of recognized standing having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000, (ii) any U.S. branch or agency of a non−U.S. commercial bank of internationally recognized standing, having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 or (iii) any bank whose short−term commercial paper rating is at least A−2 or the equivalent thereof from Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (“S&P”) or at least P−2 or the equivalent thereof from Moody’s Investment Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) (any such bank being an “Approved Bank”), in each case with maturities of not more than three hundred sixty−four (364) days from the date of acquisition; (c) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by any Approved Bank (or by any Affiliate or Subsidiary thereof) or any variable rate notes issued by, or guaranteed by any domestic corporation rated A−2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P−2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s, or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper issues generally, and maturing within six months of the date of acquisition; (d) repurchase obligations of any Lender or of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government; (e) securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory or by any foreign government, the securities of which state, commonwealth, territory, political subdivision, taxing authority or foreign government (as the case may be) are rated at least A by S&P or A by Moody’s; (f) securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any Lender (or any Affiliate or Subsidiary thereof) or any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition; (g) money market mutual or similar funds that invest primarily in assets satisfying the requirements of clauses (a) through (f) of this definition; or

(h) money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (ii) are rated A by S&P and A1 by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000.

“Closing Date”: the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.1 shall have been satisfied.

“Co-Documentation Agent”: as defined in the preamble hereto.

“Co-Syndication Agent”: as defined in the preamble hereto.

“Code”: the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

“Commitment”: as to any Lender, the sum of the Term Commitment and the Revolving Commitment of such Lender.

“Commitment Fee Rate”: at any date, the rate set forth under the heading “Commitment Fee Rate” in the definition of “Applicable Margin”.

“Commodity Exchange Act”: the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

“Commonly Controlled Entity”: an entity, whether or not incorporated, that is under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA or is part of a group that includes the Borrower and that is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

“Compliance Certificate”: a certificate duly executed by a Responsible Officer substantially in the form of Exhibit B.

“Conduit Lender”: any special purpose corporation organized and administered by any Lender for the purpose of making Loans otherwise required to be made by such Lender and designated by such Lender in a written instrument; provided, that the designation by any Lender of a Conduit Lender shall not relieve the designating Lender of any of its obligations to fund a Loan under this Agreement if, for any reason, its Conduit Lender fails to fund any such Loan, and the designating Lender (and not the Conduit Lender) shall have the sole right and responsibility to deliver all consents and waivers required or requested under this Agreement with respect to its Conduit Lender, and provided, further, that no Conduit Lender shall (a) be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to Section 2.16, 2.17, 2.18 or 10.5 than the designating Lender would have been entitled to receive in respect of the extensions of credit made by such Conduit Lender or (b) be deemed to have any Commitment.

“Confidential Information Memorandum”: the Confidential Information Memorandum dated November 2014 and furnished to certain Lenders.

“Consolidated EBITDA”: for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period plus, without duplication and to the extent reflected as a charge in the statement of such Consolidated Net Income for such period, the sum of (a) income tax expense, (b) interest expense, amortization or writeoff of debt discount and debt issuance costs and commissions, prepayment penalties, agency fees under debt facilities, amortization or expensing of deferred financing fees, amendment and consent fees, discounts and other fees and charges associated with Indebtedness (including the Loans), (c) depreciation, accretion and amortization expense, (d) amortization of intangibles (including, but not limited to, goodwill) and

organization costs, (e) any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring expenses or losses not to exceed 20.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for any fiscal year (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis) and any extraordinary non-cash or non-recurring non-cash expenses or losses (each including, in any event, (i) compensation charges or other expenses or charges arising from the grant of or issuance of stock, stock options, other equity-based awards, stock appreciation rights or restricted stock units to the directors, officers and employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (ii) loss on investments excluding marketable securities, (iii) writeoffs of fixed assets not included in depreciation, and (iv) writeoffs or impairment of any goodwill or intangible assets), (f) costs and expenses incurred in connection with Permitted Acquisitions, Material Dispositions, and debt issuances or equity financings, including restructuring and integration expenses (whether or not consummated), (g) non-cash charges related to the application of purchase accounting for Permitted Acquisitions, (h) non-cash expenses and losses relating to hedging activities, (i) charges taken related to stock repurchases, (j) cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies related to any Specified Transaction, restructurings, cost savings initiatives and other initiatives and/or actions (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis; provided that any such amounts would be of the type that would be permitted to be included in financial statements prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X) and (k) any other non-cash charges and minus, (a) to the extent included in the statement of such Consolidated Net Income for such period, the sum of (i) interest income, (ii) any extraordinary non-cash or non-recurring non-cash income or gains (including, whether or not otherwise includable as a separate item in the statement of such Consolidated Net Income for such period) in the ordinary course of business, (iii) income tax credits (to the extent not netted from income tax expense), and (iv) any other non-cash income (other than accruals of revenue by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business) and (b) any cash payments made during such period in respect of items described in clauses (e)(i) and (j) above subsequent to the fiscal quarter in which the relevant non-cash expenses or losses were reflected as a charge in the statement of Consolidated Net Income, all as determined on a consolidated basis.

“Consolidated Interest Expense”: for any period, total cash interest expense (including that attributable to Capital Lease Obligations) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing and net payments made (less net payments, if any, received) under Swap Agreements in respect of interest rates to the extent such net payments are allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP) minus, to the extent included in cash interest expense, any payments required in connection with the termination of any Swap Agreement and all premiums paid, gains/losses incurred, charges and fees paid, in each case by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with the redemption, repurchase or retirement of Indebtedness, amortization of debt discounts and premiums and any interest income for the period.

“Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio”: for any period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such period to (b) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period.

“Consolidated Leverage Ratio”: as at the last day of any period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt on such day to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for such period.

“Consolidated Net Income”: for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded (a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or, other than an existing Subsidiary, is merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) the income (or deficit) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary of

the Borrower) in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income is actually received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the form of dividends or similar distributions, (c) the undistributed earnings of any Subsidiary of the Borrower to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary to the Borrower or another Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by the terms of any Contractual Obligation (other than under any Loan Document) or Requirement of Law applicable to such Subsidiary, (d) any gain (or loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (including pursuant to any sale and leaseback arrangement) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business, (e) any net after-tax gain (loss) attributable to the early repurchase, extinguishment or conversion of Indebtedness, hedging obligations or other derivative instruments, (f) any unrealized foreign currency gains or losses in respect of Indebtedness of any Person denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of such Person, and (g) any income or loss from discontinued operations.

“Consolidated Total Debt”: at any date, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

“Contractual Obligation”: as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any material agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

“Credit Party”: the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender or any other Lender.

“Default”: any of the events specified in Section 8, whether or not any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.

“Defaulting Lender”: any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Borrower or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event.

“Designated Acquisition”: any acquisition of assets or series of related acquisitions of property that (a) constitutes assets comprising all or substantially all of an operating unit of a business or

constitutes all or substantially all of the common stock of a Person and (b) involves payment of total consideration by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $200,000,000.

“Designated Foreign Currencies”: Australian dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros, Hong Kong dollars, New Zealand dollars, Singapore dollars, Sterling, Swiss francs, Indian rupees, Korean won, Mexican pesos, Yen and other currencies to be agreed upon by the Issuing Lenders.

“Disposition”: with respect to any property, any sale, lease, sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other disposition thereof. The terms “Dispose” and “Disposed of” shall have correlative meanings.

“Disqualified Institutions”: (i) competitors of the Borrower and its respective Subsidiaries specified to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower in writing prior to the Closing Date and otherwise specified in writing to the Administrative Agent from time to time and provided to the Lenders (it being understood that any update shall not apply retroactively to disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in the Facilities), (ii) certain banks, financial institutions, other institutional lenders and other entities that have been specified to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower in writing on or prior to the Closing Date and provided to the Lenders and (iii) in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) above, any of their known Affiliates that are readily identifiable as such on the basis of such Affiliates’ names (in each case other than any Affiliate that is a bona fide diversified debt fund).

“Dollars” and “$”: dollars in lawful currency of the United States.

“Dollar Equivalent”: with respect to any amount in respect of any Letter of Credit denominated in any Designated Foreign Currency, at any date of determination thereof, an amount in Dollars equivalent to such amount calculated on the basis of the Spot Rate of Exchange.

“Domestic Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Borrower organized under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States.

“Environmental Laws”: any and all applicable foreign, Federal, state, local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, decrees, requirements of any Governmental Authority or other Requirements of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning protection of human health as it relates to any Materials of Environmental Concern, or the protection of the environment, as now or may at any time hereafter be in effect.

“ERISA”: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

“Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements”: for any day as applied to a Eurodollar Loan, the aggregate (without duplication) of the maximum rates (expressed as a decimal fraction) of reserve requirements in effect on such day (including basic, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves) under any regulations of the Board or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto dealing with reserve requirements prescribed for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board) maintained by a member bank of the Federal Reserve System.

“Eurodollar Base Rate”: with respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, the London interbank offered rate as administered by ICE Benchmark

Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate for Dollars for a period equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Reuters screen that displays such rate (or, in the event such rate does not appear on a Reuters page or screen, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion; in each case the “Screen Rate”) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; provided that if the Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement; provided further that if the Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for such Interest Period (an “Impacted Interest Period”) with respect to Dollars then the Eurodollar Base Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate; provided that if any Interpolated Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

“Eurodollar Loans”: Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the Eurodollar Rate.

“Eurodollar Rate”: with respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum determined for such day in accordance with the following formula (rounded upward to the nearest 1/100,000th of 1%):

Eurodollar Base Rate

1.00 - Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements

“Eurodollar Tranche”: the collective reference to Eurodollar Loans under a particular Facility the then current Interest Periods with respect to all of which begin on the same date and end on the same later date (whether or not such Loans shall originally have been made on the same day).

“Event of Default”: any of the events specified in Section 8, provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.

“Exchange Act”: as defined in Section 8.1(j).

“Excluded Swap Obligation”: with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor of, or the grant by such Subsidiary Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Subsidiary Guarantor’s failure to constitute an “eligible contract participant,” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder (determined after giving effect to any applicable keepwell, support or other agreement for the benefit of such Subsidiary Guarantor and any and all guarantees by the other Loan Parties of such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations in respect of Swap Obligations), at the time the guarantee of or grant of such security interest by such Subsidiary Guarantor becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one Swap Obligation, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to Swaps for which such guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

“Existing Credit Agreement”: the credit agreement dated as of March 7, 2013, among the Borrower, the several lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the administrative agent, and the other agents party thereto, as amended.

“Existing Letters of Credit”: those letters of credit individually described on Schedule 3.9.

“Facility”: each of (a) the Term Commitments and the Term Loans made thereunder (the “Term Facility”) and (b) the Revolving Commitments and the extensions of credit made thereunder (the “Revolving Facility”).

“FATCA”: (a) Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code or any associated regulations; (b) any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of any law or regulation referred to in paragraph (a) above; or (c) any agreement pursuant to the implementation of any treaty, law or regulation referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) above with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the United States government or the government or tax authority of any other jurisdiction.

“Federal Funds Effective Rate”: for any day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day of such transactions received by JPMorgan Chase Bank from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it; provided, that, if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

“Fee Payment Date”: (a) the third Business Day following the last day of each March, June, September and December and (b) the last day of the Revolving Commitment Period.

“Foreign Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

“Funding Office”: the office of the Administrative Agent specified in Section 10.2 or such other office as may be specified from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its funding office by written notice to the Borrower and the Lenders.

“GAAP”: generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time, except that for purposes of Section 7.1, GAAP shall be determined on the basis of such principles in effect on the date hereof and consistent with those used in the preparation of the most recent audited financial statements referred to in Section 4.1. In the event that any “Accounting Change” (as defined below) shall occur and such change results in a change in the method of calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms in this Agreement, then the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree to enter into negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to reflect equitably such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Borrower’s financial condition shall be the same after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made. Until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, all financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Changes had not occurred. “Accounting Changes” refers to changes in accounting principles required by (x) the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American

Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if applicable, the SEC, or (y) the adoption by the Borrower of International Financial Reporting Standards.

“Governmental Authority”: any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory organization (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners).

“Group Members”: the collective reference to the Borrower and its respective Subsidiaries.

“Guarantee”: the Guarantee to be executed and delivered by each Subsidiary Guarantor, substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

“Guarantee Obligation”: as to any Person (the “guaranteeing person”), any obligation (other than, with respect to any guaranteeing person, any Excluded Swap Obligations of such guaranteeing person), including a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, of the guaranteeing person that guarantees or in effect guarantees, or which is given to induce the creation of a separate obligation by another Person (including any bank under any letter of credit) that guarantees or in effect guarantees, any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations (the “primary obligations”) of any other third Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of the guaranteeing person, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds (1) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (2) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iii) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of any such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the term Guarantee Obligation shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guarantee Obligation of any guaranteeing person shall be deemed to be the lower of (a) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee Obligation is made and (b) the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee Obligation, unless such primary obligation and the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable are not stated or determinable, in which case the amount of such Guarantee Obligation shall be such guaranteeing person’s maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Borrower in good faith.

“Impacted Interest Period” as defined in the definition of “Eurodollar Base Rate”.

“Increasing Revolving Lender”: as defined in Section 2.4(b).

“Increasing Term Lender”: as defined in Section 2.1(b).

“Incremental Amendment”: as defined in Section 2.1(b).

“Incremental Extensions of Credit”: as defined in Section 2.1(b).

“Incremental Facility Closing Date”: as defined in Section 2.1(b).

“Incremental Term Loans”: as defined in Section 2.1(b).

“Indebtedness”: of any Person at any date, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price or deferred consideration or similar arrangements in respect of property or services (other than (i) current trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of such Person’s business and (ii) any earnout obligation until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP (excluding disclosure on the notes and footnotes thereto)), (c) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar instruments, (d) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property), (e) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (f) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, as an account party or applicant under or in respect of acceptances, letters of credit, surety bonds or similar arrangements, except that, for the purposes of the definition of “Consolidated Total Debt” only, obligations in respect of letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued in support of obligations not otherwise constituting Indebtedness shall not constitute Indebtedness except to the extent such letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance is drawn, (g) all Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above, (h) all obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above secured by (or for which the holder of such obligation has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property (including accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, whether or not such Person has assumed or become liable for the payment of such obligation, and (i) for the purposes of Section 8.1(e) only, all obligations of such Person in respect of Swap Agreements. For the avoidance of doubt, neither deferred compensation nor any pension obligations or liabilities shall be deemed to constitute “Indebtedness.” The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness expressly provide that such Person is not liable therefor.

“Insolvency”: with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA.

“Insolvent”: pertaining to a condition of Insolvency.

“Intellectual Property”: the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including, without limitation, copyrights, copyright licenses, patents, patent licenses, domain names, trademarks, trademark licenses, technology, know-how and processes, and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.

“Interest Payment Date”: (a) as to any ABR Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December to occur while such Loan is outstanding and the final maturity date of such Loan, (b) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period of three months or less, the last day of such Interest Period, (c) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period longer than three months, each day that is three months, or a whole multiple thereof, after the first day of such Interest Period and the last day of such Interest Period, and (d) as to any Loan (other than any Revolving Loan that is an ABR Loan), the date of any repayment or prepayment made in respect thereof.

“Interest Period”: as to any Eurodollar Loan, (a) initially, the period commencing on the borrowing or conversion date, as the case may be, with respect to such Eurodollar Loan and ending one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its notice of borrowing or notice of conversion, as the case may be, given with respect thereto (provided that the initial Interest Period for the Term Loans shall commence on the Closing Date and end December 31, 2014; provided further that for the purposes of the initial Interest Period only, all necessary calculations related thereto shall be determined as if the Borrower had selected a one month Interest Period); and (b) thereafter, each period commencing on the last day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan and ending one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower by irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the date that is three Business Days prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto; provided that, all of the foregoing provisions relating to Interest Periods are subject to the following:

(i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

(ii) the Borrower may not select an Interest Period under a particular Facility that would extend beyond the Revolving Termination Date or beyond the Term Loan Maturity Date, as the case may be;

(iii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of a calendar month; and

(iv) the Borrower shall select Interest Periods so as not to require a payment or prepayment of any Eurodollar Loan during an Interest Period for such Loan.

“Interpolated Rate”: at any time, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the Eurodollar Base Rate) determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the Screen Rate for the longest period for which the Screen Rate is available for Dollars) that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period; and (b) the Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which that Screen Rate is available for Dollars) that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, at such time.

“Investments”: as defined in Section 7.8.

“Issuing Lender”: each of (a) JPMorgan Chase Bank, (b) Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and (c) Citizens Bank, N.A., or any of their respective affiliates, in each case in its capacity as an issuer of any Letter of Credit. Each reference herein to “the Issuing Lender” shall be deemed to be a reference to the relevant Issuing Lender.

“JPMorgan Chase Bank”: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

“L/C Commitment”: (a) $20,000,000 with respect to JPMorgan Chase Bank, (b) $10,000,000 with respect to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and (c) $10,000,000 with respect to Citizens Banks, N.A.

“L/C Obligations”: at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of the then outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under Letters of Credit that have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section 3.5. The L/C Obligations in respect of any Letter of Credit in a Designated Foreign Currency shall be deemed for the purposes of calculating the Available Revolving Commitments and similar amounts from time to time and commitment fees and Letter of Credit and fronting fees to be equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of such Designated Foreign Currency as at the date of issuance thereof, and such Dollar Equivalent shall be thereafter re-calculated by the Issuing Lender from time to time in its discretion (but no less often than quarterly); any such determination by the Issuing Lender of any such Dollar Equivalent amount shall be conclusive and binding on the other parties hereto in the absence of manifest error.

“L/C Participants”: the collective reference to all the Revolving Lenders other than the Issuing Lender.

“Lenders”: as defined in the preamble hereto; provided, that unless the context otherwise requires, each reference herein to the Lenders shall be deemed to include any Conduit Lender.

“Letters of Credit”: as defined in Section 3.1(a).

“Lien”: any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other security interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

“Limited Conditionality Representations”: (a) those representations and warranties enumerated in Sections 4.3 (but only with respect to its obligations under this Agreement), 4.4 (but only with respect to its obligations under this Agreement), 4.5 (but only with respect to no violation of any Requirement of Law on any material Contractual Obligation and not with respect to the creation or imposition of any Lien or any Material Adverse Effect), 4.11, 4.14, 4.19 and 4.20 and (b) with respect to any acquisition, those representations and warranties that are made by the target of the applicable acquisition in the acquisition agreement related thereto as are material to the interests of the Lenders, but only to the extent that the accuracy of such representations and warranties is a condition to the obligations of the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary to close under such acquisition agreement or the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary has the right to decline to consummate the acquisition as a result of a breach of such representations and warranties in such acquisition agreement.

“Loan”: any loan made by any Lender pursuant to this Agreement.

“Loan Documents”: this Agreement, the Guarantee, the Notes and any amendment, waiver, supplement or other modification to any of the foregoing.

“Loan Party”: each Group Member that is a party to a Loan Document.

“Majority Facility Lenders”: with respect to any Facility, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans or the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit, as the case may be, outstanding under such Facility (or, in the case of the Revolving Facility, prior to any termination of the Revolving Commitments, the holders of more than 50% of the Total Revolving Commitments).

“Margin Stock”: “margin stock” as defined in Regulation U.

“Market Disruption Event”: as defined in Section 2.14(b).

“Material Acquisition”: any acquisition of assets or series of related acquisitions of property that (a) constitutes assets comprising all or substantially all of an operating unit of a business or constitutes all or substantially all of the common stock of a Person and (b) involves payment of total consideration by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000.

“Material Adverse Effect”: a material adverse effect on (a) the business, property, operations, or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) the validity or enforceability of any of the material provisions of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder or thereunder.

“Material Disposition”: any Disposition of property or series of related Dispositions of property that yields gross proceeds to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000.

“Material Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Borrower that either (i) holds assets having a total book value of greater than five percent (5%) of the total assets held by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (as determined as of the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date of determination) or (ii) has revenues representing greater than five percent (5%) of total revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended at or prior to such time and for which financial statements are available); provided, that (x) any Subsidiary that directly or indirectly owns a Material Subsidiary shall itself be a Material Subsidiary and (y) in the event Subsidiaries that would otherwise not be Material Subsidiaries shall in the aggregate account for a percentage in excess of 10% of the total assets attributable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (as determined as of the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date of determination) or 30% of the revenue of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended at or prior to such time and for which financial statements are available) then, in each case, one or more of such Subsidiaries designated by the Borrower (or, if the Borrower shall make no designation, one or more of such Subsidiaries in descending order based on their respective contributions to the total assets held by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole), shall be included as Material Subsidiaries to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess.

“Materials of Environmental Concern”: any gasoline or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation and any other substances, materials or wastes, defined or regulated as “hazardous” or “toxic”, under, or that could give rise to liability pursuant to, any Environmental Law.

“Multiemployer Plan”: a Plan that is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

“Net Cash Proceeds”: (a) in connection with any Asset Sale or any Recovery Event, the proceeds thereof in the form of cash and Cash Equivalents (including any such proceeds received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received), net of attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, investment banking fees, amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Lien expressly permitted hereunder on any asset that is the subject of such Asset Sale or Recovery Event and other customary fees and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith and net of taxes paid or

reasonably estimated to be payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements) and (b) in connection with any issuance or sale of Capital Stock or any incurrence of Indebtedness, the cash proceeds received from such issuance or incurrence, net of attorneys’ fees, investment banking fees, accountants’ fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and other customary fees and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith.

“Non-Excluded Taxes”: as defined in Section 2.17(a).

“Non-U.S. Lender”: as defined in Section 2.17(d).

“Notes”: the collective reference to any promissory note evidencing Loans.

“Obligations”: the unpaid principal of and interest on (including interest accruing after the maturity of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) the Loans and all other obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender (or, in the case of Specified Swap Agreements, any affiliate of any Lender), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Letters of Credit, any Specified Swap Agreement or any other document made, delivered or given in connection herewith or therewith, whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses (including all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender that are required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant hereto) or otherwise.

“Other Taxes”: any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

“Parent”: with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.

“Participant”: as defined in Section 10.6(c).

“Participant Register”: as defined in Section 10.6(c)(i).

“PBGC”: the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA (or any successor).

“Permitted Acquisitions”: any acquisition (by way of merger, consolidation, amalgamation, purchase of assets or otherwise) permitted pursuant to Section 7.4 or Section 7.8.

“Permitted Preferred Stock”: preferred stock issued by the Borrower that (a) does not require any repurchase or redemption (other than conversion or exchange into the common stock of the Borrower), whether contingent or not, prior to the date that is 91 days after the later of the Revolving Termination Date or Term Loan Maturity Date and (b) is in the Borrower’s good faith opinion on terms and conditions customary in the relevant capital markets for preferred stock issued by issuers similar to the Borrower.

“Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt”: senior unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower that (a) requires no scheduled cash payments of principal and no mandatory repurchase or redemption obligations prior to the date that is 91 days after the later of the Revolving Termination Date or Term Loan Maturity Date, other than in connection with a change of control of Borrower or similar event, an asset disposition or, if the Indebtedness is incurred to finance a Permitted Acquisition and related costs and expenses (including refinancings), subject to conditions relating to the non-occurrence of such Permitted Acquisition, and (b) does not impose financial “maintenance” (as distinct from “incurrence”) covenants on the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries that are more restrictive than the maintenance covenants herein.

“Permitted Subordinated Debt”: unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower subordinated to the Obligations that (a) requires no scheduled cash payments of principal and no mandatory repurchase or redemption obligations prior to the date that is 91 days after the later of the Revolving Termination Date or Term Loan Maturity Date, other than in connection with a change of control of Borrower or similar event, an asset disposition or, if the Indebtedness is incurred to finance a Permitted Acquisition and related costs and expenses (including refinancings), subject to conditions relating to the non-occurrence of such Permitted Acquisition, (b) does not impose financial “maintenance” (as distinct from “incurrence”) covenants on the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries that are more restrictive than the maintenance covenants herein, and (c) contains customary subordination terms that are reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

“Person”: an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever nature.

“Plan”: at a particular time, any employee benefit plan that is covered by ERISA and in respect of which the Borrower or a Commonly Controlled Entity is (or, if such plan were terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

“Prime Rate”: the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City (the Prime Rate not being intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with extensions of credit to debtors).

“Pro Forma Basis”: with respect to any calculation made at any time that is, at any date or for any period, after taking into account (a) any Specified Transaction and (b) any redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance, discharge or incurrence of Indebtedness that has occurred on or by such time as though such Specified Transaction, redemption, repurchase, retirement, discharge or incurrence had occurred at or prior to such date or on the first day of such period, as the case may be. For the purposes of any such calculation, if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of the event for which the calculation is made had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any interest hedging arrangements applicable to such Indebtedness); provided, in the case of repayment of any Indebtedness, to the extent actual interest related thereto was included during all or any portion of the applicable period, the actual interest may be used for the applicable portion of such period. Interest on a Capital Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by the Borrower to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capital Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate

based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be determined to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary may designate.

“Projections”: as defined in Section 6.2(b).

“Recovery Event”: any settlement of or payment in respect of any property or casualty insurance claim or any condemnation proceeding relating to any asset of any Group Member.

“Register”: as defined in Section 10.6(b).

“Regulation U”: Regulation U of the Board as in effect from time to time.

“Regulation S-X”: Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

“Reimbursement Obligation”: the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.5 for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit.

“Reimbursement Percentage”: as defined in Section 3.5.

“Reinvestment Deferred Amount”: with respect to any Reinvestment Event, the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by any Group Member in connection therewith that are not applied to prepay the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.9(a) as a result of the delivery of a Reinvestment Notice.

“Reinvestment Event”: any Asset Sale or Recovery Event in respect of which the Borrower has delivered a Reinvestment Notice.

“Reinvestment Notice”: a written notice executed by a Responsible Officer stating that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and that the Borrower (directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary) intends and expects to use all or a specified portion of the Net Cash Proceeds of an Asset Sale or Recovery Event to acquire or repair assets useful in its business.

“Reinvestment Prepayment Amount”: with respect to any Reinvestment Event, the Reinvestment Deferred Amount relating thereto less any amount expended prior to the relevant Reinvestment Prepayment Date to acquire or repair assets useful in the Borrower’s business.

“Reinvestment Prepayment Date”: with respect to any Reinvestment Event, the earlier of (a) the date occurring twelve months after such Reinvestment Event and (b) the date on which the Borrower shall have determined not to, or shall have otherwise ceased to, acquire or repair assets useful in the Borrower’s business with all or any portion of the relevant Reinvestment Deferred Amount.

“Reorganization”: with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such plan is in reorganization within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA.

“Reportable Event”: any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than those events as to which the thirty day notice period is waived under subsections .27, .28, .29, .30, .31, .32, .34 or .35 of PBGC Reg. § 4043.

“Required Lenders”: at any time, the holders of more than 50% of (a) until the Closing Date, the Commitments then in effect and (b) thereafter, the sum of (i) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans then outstanding and (ii) the Total Revolving Commitments then in effect or, if the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding.

“Requirement of Law”: as to any Person, the Certificate of Incorporation and By‑Laws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

“Responsible Officer”: the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer of the Borrower, but in any event, with respect to financial matters, the chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer of the Borrower.

“Restricted Payments”: as defined in Section 7.6.

“Revolving Commitment”: as to any Lender, the obligation of such Lender, if any, to make Revolving Loans and participate in Letters of Credit in an aggregate principal and/or face amount not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading “Revolving Commitment” opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1.1A or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender became a party hereto, as the same may be changed from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof. The original amount of the Total Revolving Commitments is $1,100,000,000.

“Revolving Commitment Increase”: as defined in Section 2.4.

“Revolving Commitment Period”: the period from and including the Closing Date to the Revolving Termination Date. “Revolving Extensions of Credit”: as to any Revolving Lender at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans held by such Lender then outstanding and (b) such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding.

“Revolving Facility”: as defined in the definition of “Facility”.

“Revolving Lender”: each Lender that has a Revolving Commitment or that holds Revolving Loans.

“Revolving Loans”: as defined in Section 2.4(a).

“Revolving Percentage”: as to any Revolving Lender at any time, the percentage which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment then constitutes of the Total Revolving Commitments or, at any time after the Revolving Commitments shall have expired or terminated, the percentage which the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans then outstanding constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans then outstanding, provided, that, in the event that the Revolving Loans are paid in full prior to the reduction to zero of the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit, the Revolving Percentages shall be determined in a manner designed to ensure that the other outstanding Revolving Extensions of Credit shall be held by the Revolving Lenders on a comparable basis.

“Revolving Termination Date”: December 16, 2019.

“Sanctioned Country”: at any time, a country or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).

“Sanctioned Person”: at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons.

“Sanctions”: economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

“Screen Rate” as defined in the definition of “Eurodollar Base Rate”.

“SEC”: the Securities and Exchange Commission, any successor thereto and any analogous Governmental Authority.

“Single Employer Plan”: any Plan that is covered by Title IV of ERISA, but that is not a Multiemployer Plan.

“Solvent”: when used with respect to any Person, means that, as of any date of determination, (a) the amount of the “present fair saleable value” of the assets of such Person and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, will, as of such date, exceed the amount of all “liabilities of such Person and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, contingent or otherwise”, as of such date, as such quoted terms are determined in accordance with applicable federal and state laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, will, as of such date, be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the liability of such Person and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, on its debts as such debts become absolute and matured, (c) such Person and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, will not have, as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital with which to conduct their business, and (d) such Person and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, will be able to pay their debts as they mature. The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at the time, represents the amount that would reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

“Specified Swap Agreement”: any Swap Agreement entered into by the Borrower and any Lender or affiliate thereof at the time of entering into such Swap Agreement in respect of interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices.

“Specified Transaction” means any (a) Material Acquisition or Material Disposition, (b) Permitted Acquisition, (c) Investment that results in a Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower (which, for purposes hereof, shall be deemed to also include (1) the merger, consolidation, liquidation or similar amalgamation of any Person into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, so long as the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary is the surviving Person, and (2) the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary), (d) designation of any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or (e) the proposed incurrence of Indebtedness or making of a Restricted Payment or payment

in respect of Indebtedness in respect of which compliance with any financial ratio is by the terms of this Agreement required to be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

“Spot Rate of Exchange”: with respect to any Designated Foreign Currency, at any date of determination thereof, the spot rate of exchange in London that appears on the display page applicable to such Designated Foreign Currency on the Telerate System (or such other page as may replace such page for the purpose of displaying the spot rate of exchange in London); provided that if there shall at any time no longer exist such a page, the spot rate of exchange shall be determined by reference to another similar rate publishing service selected by the Administrative Agent and, if no such similar rate publishing service is available, by reference to the published rate of the Administrative Agent in effect at such date for similar commercial transactions.

“Subsidiary”: as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

“Subsidiary Guarantor”: each Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a Material Subsidiary.

“Swap”: any agreement, contract, or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

“Swap Agreement”: any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be a “Swap Agreement”.

“Swap Obligation”: with respect to any Person, any obligation to pay or perform under any Swap.

“Term Commitment”: as to any Lender, the obligation of such Lender, if any, to make a Term Loan to the Borrower in a principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading “Term Commitment” opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1.1A. The original aggregate amount of the Term Commitments is $400,000,000.

“Term Facility”: as defined in the definition of “Facility”.

“Term Lender”: each Lender that has a Term Commitment or that holds a Term Loan.

“Term Loan”: as defined in Section 2.1.

“Term Loan Maturity Date”: December 16, 2019.

“Term Percentage”: as to any Term Lender at any time, the percentage which such Lender’s Term Commitment then constitutes of the aggregate Term Commitments (or, at any time after the Closing Date, the percentage which the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s Term Loans then outstanding constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans then outstanding).

“Total Revolving Commitments”: at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments then in effect.

“Total Revolving Extensions of Credit”: at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Extensions of Credit of the Revolving Lenders outstanding at such time.

“Transferee”: any Assignee or Participant.

“Type”: as to any Loan, its nature as an ABR Loan or a Eurodollar Loan.

“United States”: the United States of America.

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity”: when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

(a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by

(b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

“Wholly Owned Subsidiary”: as to any Person, any other Person all of the Capital Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares or similar third party share agreements required by law) is owned by such Person directly and/or through other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.

“Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor”: any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

“Withholding Agent”: any Loan Party and the Administrative Agent.

1.2 Other Definitional Provisions. (a) Unless otherwise specified therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in the other Loan Documents or any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.

(b) As used herein and in the other Loan Documents, and any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, (i) accounting terms relating to any Group Member not defined in Section 1.1 and accounting terms partly defined in Section 1.1, to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP (provided that all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to (i) any election under Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (previously referred to as Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 159) (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (ii) any treatment of Indebtedness in respect of

convertible debt instruments under Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof), (ii) the words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”, (iii) the word “incur” shall be construed to mean incur, create, issue, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist (and the words “incurred” and “incurrence” shall have correlative meanings), (iv) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, Capital Stock, securities, revenues, accounts, leasehold interests and contract rights, and (v) references to agreements or other Contractual Obligations shall, unless otherwise specified, be deemed to refer to such agreements or Contractual Obligations as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

(c) The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

(d) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS

2.1 Term Commitments. (e) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Term Lender severally agrees to make a term loan (a “Term Loan”) to the Borrower in Dollars on the Closing Date in an amount not to exceed the amount of the Term Commitment of such Lender. The Term Loans may from time to time be Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans, as determined by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.2 and 2.10.

(f) (i) The Borrower may at any time or from time to time after the Closing Date, by notice to the Administrative Agent (whereupon the Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver a copy to each of the Lenders), request one or more additional tranches of term loans (the “Incremental Term Loans” and such borrowing, an “Incremental Extension of Credit”); provided that both at the time of any such request and upon the effectiveness of any Incremental Amendment (other than with respect to any acquisition permitted by this Agreement) referred to below, no Default or Event of Default shall exist. Each Incremental Extension of Credit shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is not less than $5,000,000. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the aggregate amount of any Incremental Extension of Credit, when taken together with all other Incremental Extensions of Credit and all Revolving Commitment Increases, shall not exceed $500,000,000. The Incremental Term Loans shall rank pari passu in right of payment and of security with the Term Loans. The Incremental Term Loans (i) shall not mature earlier than the Revolving Termination Date and shall have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity no shorter than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Term Loans (except by virtue of amortization of or prepayment of the Term Loans and prepayments of scheduled amortization prior to such date of determination) and (i) except as set forth above and below, shall be treated substantially the same as the Term Loans (in each case, including with respect to mandatory and voluntary prepayments); provided that (x) the interest rates and amortization schedule (subject to clause (i) above) applicable to the Incremental Term Loans shall be determined by the Borrower and the lenders thereof and (y) to the extent such terms

applicable to the Incremental Term Loans are not consistent with the then existing Term Loans (except as permitted by the immediately preceding clause (x)) such terms shall be mutually agreed to by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(ii) Each notice from the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall set forth the requested amount and proposed terms of the relevant Incremental Extension of Credit. The Borrower may arrange for any such increase to be provided by one or more Lenders (each Lender so agreeing to an increase in its Term Commitment, an “Increasing Term Lender”), or by one or more new banks, financial institutions or other entities (each such new bank, financial institution or other entity, an “Augmenting Term Lender”); provided that (i) each Augmenting Term Lender, shall be subject to the approval of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (such approval by the Administrative Agent not to be unreasonably withheld) and (ii) (x) in the case of an Increasing Term Lender, the Borrower and such Increasing Term Lender execute an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto, and (y) in the case of an Augmenting Term Lender, the Borrower and such Augmenting Term Lender execute an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto. For the avoidance of doubt, no existing Lender will be required to provide any Incremental Term Loans and the Borrower shall have no obligation to offer any existing Lender the opportunity to provide any commitment for any Incremental Term Loans.

(iii) Commitments in respect of Incremental Term Loans shall become Commitments under this Agreement pursuant to an amendment (an “Incremental Amendment”) to this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents, executed by the Borrower, each Lender agreeing to provide such Commitment, if any, each Increasing Term Lender, if any, each Augmenting Term Lender, if any, and the Administrative Agent. The Incremental Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section; provided that any amendments included in any Incremental Amendment meant to effect changes not relating to this Section 2.1(b) shall require the vote of the Lenders as described in Section 10.1 hereof. The making of any loans pursuant to any Incremental Amendment shall not be effective unless on the date thereof (each, an “Incremental Facility Closing Date”), after giving effect to such Incremental Extension of Credit (i) the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 are satisfied; provided that with respect to Incremental Term Loans used to finance an acquisition permitted by this Agreement, (i) as of the date of consummation of such acquisition, (x) the only representations and warranties that are required to be true as a condition to the borrowing of such Incremental Term Loans are the Limited Conditionality Representations and (y) no payment Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) the Borrower shall be in compliance with Section 7.1, (iii) the Administrative Agent shall have received documents consistent with those delivered on the Closing Date under Section 5.1(f) as to the corporate power and authority of the Borrower to borrow hereunder after giving effect to such increase, and (iv) such other conditions as the Borrower and the Lender of Incremental Term Loans may agree. The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Incremental Term Loans for any purpose not prohibited by this Agreement. No Lender shall be obligated to provide any Incremental Term Loans unless it so agrees.

2.2 Procedure for Term Loan Borrowing. The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice (which notice must be received by the Administrative Agent prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, three Business Days prior to the anticipated Closing Date) requesting that the Term Lenders make the Term Loans on the Closing Date and specifying the amount to be borrowed. The Term Loans made on the Closing Date shall initially be Eurodollar Loans. Upon receipt of such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Term Lender thereof. Not later than 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the Closing Date each Term Lender shall make available to the

Administrative Agent at the Funding Office an amount in immediately available funds equal to the Term Loan or Term Loans to be made by such Lender. The Administrative Agent shall credit the account of the Borrower on the books of such office of the Administrative Agent with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the Term Lenders in immediately available funds.

2.3 Repayment of Term Loans. The Term Loan of each Lender shall mature in 16 consecutive quarterly installments (with the balance of the Term Loan of each Lender maturing on the Term Loan Maturity Date), each of which shall be in an amount equal to such Lender’s Term Percentage multiplied by the amount set forth below opposite such installment:



Installment	Principal Amount
March 31, 2015 June 30, 2015 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2015 March 31, 2016 June 30, 2016 September 30, 2016 December 31, 2016 March 31, 2017 June 30, 2017 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2018 June 30, 2018 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2018 Term Loan Maturity Date	$5,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 $5,000,000 $7,500,000 $7,500,000 $7,500,000 $7,500,000 $10,000,000 $10,000,000 $10,000,000 $10,000,000 $290,000,000

2.4 Revolving Commitments. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Revolving Lender severally agrees to make revolving credit loans (“Revolving Loans”) to the Borrower in Dollars from time to time during the Revolving Commitment Period in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding which, when added to such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding does not exceed the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment. During the Revolving Commitment Period the Borrower may use the Revolving Commitments by borrowing, prepaying the Revolving Loans in whole or in part, and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. The Revolving Loans may from time to time be Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans, as determined by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.5 and 2.10.

(b) The Borrower may from time to time elect to increase the Revolving Commitments (a “Revolving Commitment Increase”) in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 so long as, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of the Incremental Extensions of Credit and Revolving Commitment Increases does not exceed $500,000,000. The Borrower may arrange for any such increase to be provided by one or more Lenders (each Lender so agreeing to an increase in its Revolving Commitment, an “Increasing Revolving Lender”), or by one or more new banks, financial institutions or other entities (each such new bank, financial institution or other entity, an “Augmenting Revolving Lender”), to increase their existing Revolving Commitments, or extend Revolving Commitments, as the case may be, provided that (i) each Augmenting Revolving Lender, shall be subject to the approval of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (such approval by the

Administrative Agent not to be unreasonably withheld) and (ii) (x) in the case of an Increasing Revolving Lender, the Borrower and such Increasing Revolving Lender execute an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto, and (y) in the case of an Augmenting Revolving Lender, the Borrower and such Augmenting Revolving Lender execute an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto. Increases and new Revolving Commitments created pursuant to this clause shall become effective on the date agreed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent (such approval by the Administrative Agent not to be unreasonably withheld) and the relevant Increasing Revolving Lenders or Augmenting Revolving Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no increase in the Revolving Commitments (or in the Revolving Commitment of any Lender), shall become effective under this paragraph unless, (i) on the proposed date of the effectiveness of such increase, the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 5.2 shall be satisfied or waived by the Required Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate to that effect dated such date and executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, (ii) after giving effect to such Revolving Commitment Increase, the Borrower shall be in compliance with Section 7.1, and (iii) the Administrative Agent shall have received documents consistent with those delivered on the Closing Date under Section 5.1(f) as to the corporate power and authority of the Borrower to borrow hereunder after giving effect to such increase. On the effective date of any increase in the Revolving Commitments, (i) each relevant Increasing Revolving Lender and Augmenting Revolving Lender shall make available to the Administrative Agent such amounts in immediately available funds as the Administrative Agent shall determine, for the benefit of the other Revolving Lenders, as being required in order to cause, after giving effect to such increase and the use of such amounts to make payments to such other Revolving Lenders, each Revolving Lender’s portion of the outstanding Revolving Loans of all the Revolving Lenders to equal its Revolving Percentage of such outstanding Revolving Loans, and (ii) the Borrower shall be deemed to have repaid and reborrowed all outstanding Revolving Loans as of the date of any increase in the Revolving Commitments (with such reborrowing to consist of the Types of Revolving Loans, with related Interest Periods if applicable, specified in a notice delivered by the Borrower in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.5). The deemed payments made pursuant to clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence in respect of each Eurodollar Loan shall be subject to indemnification by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.18 if the deemed payment occurs other than on the last day of the related Interest Periods. For the avoidance of doubt, no existing Lender will be required to provide any Revolving Commitment Increase and the Borrower shall have no obligation to offer any existing Lender the opportunity to provide any commitment for any Revolving Commitment Increase.

2.5 Procedure for Revolving Loan Borrowing. The Borrower may borrow under the Revolving Commitments during the Revolving Commitment Period on any Business Day, provided that the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice (which notice must be received by the Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, (a) three Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, or (b) one Business Day prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of ABR Loans) (provided that any such notice of a borrowing of ABR Loans under the Revolving Facility to finance payments required by Section 3.5 may be given not later than 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the date of the proposed borrowing), specifying (i) the amount and Type of Revolving Loans to be borrowed, (ii) the requested Borrowing Date and (iii) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the respective amounts of each such Type of Loan and the respective lengths of the initial Interest Period therefor. Any Revolving Loans made on the Closing Date shall initially be ABR

Loans. Each borrowing under the Revolving Commitments shall be in an amount equal to (x) in the case of ABR Loans, $1,000,000 or a whole multiple thereof (or, if the then aggregate Available Revolving Commitments are less than $1,000,000, such lesser amount) and (y) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Upon receipt of any such notice from the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Lender thereof. Each Revolving Lender will make the amount of its pro rata share of each borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Borrower at the Funding Office prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the Borrowing Date requested by the Borrower in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent. Such borrowing will then be made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of such office with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the Revolving Lenders and in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent.

2.6 Commitment Fees, etc. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a commitment fee for the period from and including the date hereof to the last day of the Revolving Commitment Period, computed at the Commitment Fee Rate on the average daily amount of the Available Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period for which payment is made, payable quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof.

(b) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent the fees in the amounts and on the dates as set forth in any fee agreements with the Administrative Agent and to perform any other obligations contained therein.

2.7 Termination or Reduction of Revolving Commitments. The Borrower shall have the right, upon not less than three Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, to terminate the Revolving Commitments or, from time to time, to reduce the amount of the Revolving Commitments; provided that no such termination or reduction of Revolving Commitments shall be permitted to the extent that, after giving effect thereto and to any prepayments of the Revolving Loans made on the effective date thereof, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit would exceed the Total Revolving Commitments. Any such reduction shall be in an amount equal to $5,000,000, or a whole multiple thereof, and shall reduce permanently the Revolving Commitments then in effect.

2.8 Optional Prepayments. The Borrower may at any time and from time to time prepay the Loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, upon irrevocable notice delivered to the Administrative Agent no later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, three Business Days prior thereto, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, and no later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, one Business Day prior thereto, in the case of ABR Loans, which notice shall specify the date and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans; provided, that if a Eurodollar Loan is prepaid on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall also pay any amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.18. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof. If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with (except in the case of Revolving Loans that are ABR Loans) accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid. Amounts to be applied in connection with prepayments made pursuant to this Section 2.9 shall be applied to the prepayment of the Term Loans in accordance with Section 2.15(b). Partial prepayments of Term Loans and Revolving Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple thereof.

2.9 Mandatory Prepayments and Commitment Reductions. (a) If on any date any Group Member shall receive Net Cash Proceeds from any Asset Sale or Recovery Event, and the Consolidated Leverage Ratio of the Borrower for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters is greater than 2.00 to 1.00, then, unless a Reinvestment Notice shall be delivered in respect thereof, an amount equal to 50% of such Net Cash Proceeds shall be applied on such date to the prepayment of the Term Loans as set forth in Section 2.9(b); provided, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, on each Reinvestment Prepayment Date, an amount equal to the Reinvestment Prepayment Amount with respect to the relevant Reinvestment Event shall be applied to the prepayment of the Term Loans as set forth in Section 2.9(b).

(b) Amounts to be applied in connection with prepayments made pursuant to this Section 2.9 shall be applied to the prepayment of the Term Loans in accordance with Section 2.15(b). The application of any prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.9 shall be made, first, to ABR Loans and, second, to Eurodollar Loans. Each prepayment of the Loans under this Section 2.9 shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the amount prepaid.

2.10 Conversion and Continuation Options. (a) The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert Eurodollar Loans to ABR Loans by giving the Administrative Agent prior irrevocable notice of such election no later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the Business Day preceding the proposed conversion date, provided that any such conversion of Eurodollar Loans may only be made on the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans by giving the Administrative Agent prior irrevocable notice of such election no later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding the proposed conversion date (which notice shall specify the length of the initial Interest Period therefor), provided that no ABR Loan under a particular Facility may be converted into a Eurodollar Loan when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent or the Majority Facility Lenders in respect of such Facility have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such conversions. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.

(b) Any Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such upon the expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by the Borrower giving irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the term “Interest Period” set forth in Section 1.1, of the length of the next Interest Period to be applicable to such Loans, provided that no Eurodollar Loan under a particular Facility may be continued as such when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent has or the Majority Facility Lenders in respect of such Facility have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such continuations, and provided, further, that if the Borrower shall fail to give any required notice as described above in this paragraph or if such continuation is not permitted pursuant to the preceding proviso such Loans shall be automatically converted to ABR Loans on the last day of such then expiring Interest Period. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.

2.11 Limitations on Eurodollar Tranches. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all borrowings, conversions and continuations of Eurodollar Loans and all selections of Interest Periods shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to such elections so that, (a) after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount of the Eurodollar Loans comprising each Eurodollar Tranche shall be equal to $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (b) no more than ten Eurodollar Tranches shall be outstanding at any one time.

2.12 Interest Rates and Payment Dates. (a) Each Eurodollar Loan shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate determined for such day plus the Applicable Margin.

(b) Each ABR Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the ABR plus the Applicable Margin.

(c) (i) If all or a portion of the principal amount of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), all outstanding Loans and Reimbursement Obligations (whether or not overdue) shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to (x) in the case of the Loans, the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section plus 2% or (y) in the case of Reimbursement Obligations, the rate applicable to ABR Loans under the Revolving Facility plus 2%, and (ii) if all or a portion of any interest payable on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation or any commitment fee or other amount payable hereunder shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate then applicable to ABR Loans under the relevant Facility plus 2% (or, in the case of any such other amounts that do not relate to a particular Facility, the rate then applicable to ABR Loans under the Revolving Facility plus 2%), in each case, with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) above, from the date of such non‑payment until such amount is paid in full (as well after as before judgment).

(d) Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date, provided that interest accruing pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable from time to time on demand.

2.13 Computation of Interest and Fees. (a) Interest and fees payable pursuant hereto shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed, except that, with respect to ABR Loans the rate of interest on which is calculated on the basis of the Prime Rate, the interest thereon shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366-, as the case may be) day year for the actual days elapsed. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Borrower and the relevant Lenders of each determination of a Eurodollar Rate. Any change in the interest rate on a Loan resulting from a change in the ABR or the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements shall become effective as of the opening of business on the day on which such change becomes effective. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Borrower and the relevant Lenders of the effective date and the amount of each such change in interest rate.

(b) Each determination of an interest rate by the Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error. The Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Borrower, deliver to the Borrower a statement showing the quotations used by the Administrative Agent in determining any interest rate pursuant to Section 2.12(a).

2.14 Inability to Determine Interest Rate. If prior to the first day of any Interest Period:

(a) the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period, or

(b) the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Majority Facility Lenders in respect of the relevant Facility that the Eurodollar Rate determined or to be determined for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (as conclusively certified by such Lenders) of making or maintaining their affected Loans during such Interest Period (each of clause (a) and (b), a “Market Disruption Event”),

the Administrative Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to the Borrower and the relevant Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If such notice is given (x) any Eurodollar Loans under the relevant Facility requested to be made on the first day of such Interest Period shall be made as ABR Loans, (y) any Loans under the relevant Facility that were to have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to Eurodollar Loans shall be continued as ABR Loans and (z) any outstanding Eurodollar Loans under the relevant Facility shall be converted, on the last day of the then-current Interest Period, to ABR Loans. Until such notice has been withdrawn by the Administrative Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans under the relevant Facility shall be made or continued as such, nor shall the Borrower have the right to convert Loans under the relevant Facility to Eurodollar Loans; provided that during any period in which a Market Disruption Event is in effect, the Borrower may request that the Administrative Agent request the Majority Facility Lenders to confirm that the circumstances giving rise to the Market Disruption Event continue to be in effect; provided that (A) the Borrower shall not be permitted to submit any such request more than once in any 30-day period and (B) nothing contained in this Section 2.14 or the failure to provide confirmation of the continued effectiveness of such Market Disruption Event shall in any way affect the Administrative Agent’s or Majority Facility Lenders’ right to provide any additional notices of a Market Disruption Event as provided in this Section 2.14.

2.15 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments. (a) Each borrowing by the Borrower from the Lenders hereunder, each payment by the Borrower on account of any commitment fee and any reduction of the Commitments of the Lenders shall be made pro rata according to the respective Term Percentages or Revolving Percentages, as the case may be, of the relevant Lenders.

(b) Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrower on account of principal of and interest on the Term Loans shall be made pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Term Loans then held by the Term Lenders. The amount of each principal prepayment of the Term Loans shall be applied to reduce the then remaining installments of the Term Loans pro rata based upon the then remaining principal amounts thereof. Amounts prepaid on account of the Term Loans may not be reborrowed.

(c) Each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrower on account of principal of and interest on the Revolving Loans shall be made pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Revolving Loans then held by the Revolving Lenders.

(d) All payments (including prepayments) to be made by the Borrower hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall be made without setoff or counterclaim and shall be made prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the due date thereof to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, at the Funding Office, in Dollars and in immediately available funds. The Administrative Agent shall distribute such payments to the Lenders promptly upon receipt in like funds as received. If any payment hereunder (other than payments on the Eurodollar Loans) becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day. If any payment on a Eurodollar Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to extend such

payment into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In the case of any extension of any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding two sentences, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension.

(e) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by any Lender prior to a borrowing that such Lender will not make the amount that would constitute its share of such borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender is making such amount available to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If such amount is not made available to the Administrative Agent by the required time on the Borrowing Date therefor, such Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent, on demand, such amount with interest thereon, at a rate equal to the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (ii) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, for the period until such Lender makes such amount immediately available to the Administrative Agent. A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this paragraph shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. If such Lender’s share of such borrowing is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three Business Days after such Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans under the relevant Facility, on demand, from the Borrower.

(f) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by the Borrower prior to the date of any payment due to be made by the Borrower hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower is making such payment, and the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Lenders their respective pro rata shares of a corresponding amount. If such payment is not made to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower within three Business Days after such due date, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover, on demand, from each Lender to which any amount which was made available pursuant to the preceding sentence, such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum equal to the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Borrower.

2.16 Requirements of Law. (a) If the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof or compliance by any Lender (which shall, for the avoidance of doubt, include any Issuing Lender) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority made subsequent to the date hereof:

(i) shall subject any Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any Application or any Eurodollar Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof (except for in each case Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes, which are covered by Section 2.17, changes in the rate or basis of imposition of tax imposed on or measured by the net income of such Lender, franchise taxes in lieu of such net income taxes and branch profits taxes);

(ii) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances, loans or other extensions of credit by, or any other acquisition of

funds by, any office of such Lender that is not otherwise included in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate; or

(iii) shall impose on such Lender any other condition affecting this Agreement;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender, by an amount that such Lender reasonably deems to be material, of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining Eurodollar Loans or issuing or participating in Letters of Credit, or to reduce any amount receivable hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any such case, the Borrower shall promptly pay such Lender upon its demand, any additional amounts necessary to compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduced amount receivable. If any Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this paragraph, it shall promptly notify the Borrower in writing (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of the event by reason of which it has become so entitled.

(b) If any Lender shall have determined that the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law regarding capital adequacy or liquidity requirements or in the interpretation or application thereof or compliance by such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy or liquidity requirements (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority made subsequent to the date hereof shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such corporation’s capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder or under or in respect of any Letter of Credit to a level below that which such Lender, or such corporation could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration such Lender’s, or such corporation’s policies with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity requirements) by an amount reasonably deemed by such Lender to be material, then from time to time, after submission by such Lender or to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of a written request therefor, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, or such corporation for such reduction; provided, that the Borrower shall not be required to pay additional amounts to compensate any Lender (i) any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes, which are covered by Section 2.17 or (ii) any change in the rate or basis of imposition of applicable taxes imposed on or measured by net income, franchise taxes in lieu of such net income taxes and branch profits taxes.

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or by United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, and (ii) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof shall in each case be deemed to be a change in a Requirement of Law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented; provided that the protection of this Section 2.16(c) shall be available to each Lender regardless of any possible contention of the invalidity or inapplicability of the law, rule, regulation, guideline or other change or condition which shall have occurred or been imposed, so long as it shall be customary for Lenders affected thereby to comply therewith. No Lender shall be entitled to compensation under this Section 2.16(c) with respect to any date unless it shall have notified the Borrower that it will demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.16(c) not more than 90 days after the date on which it shall have become aware of such incurred costs or reductions. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, no Lender shall demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.16(c) if it shall not at the time be the general policy or practice of such Lender to demand

such compensation in similar circumstances under comparable provisions of other credit agreements, if any.

(d) A certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section submitted by any Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) shall set forth in reasonable detail the calculation of such amounts and shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section, the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any amounts incurred more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided that, if the circumstances giving rise to such claim have a retroactive effect, then such nine-month period shall be extended to include the period of such retroactive effect. The obligations of the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

2.17 Taxes. (a) All payments made by or on behalf of any Loan Party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority, excluding net income taxes, branch profits taxes and franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of net income taxes) imposed on the Administrative Agent or any Lender by the jurisdiction under the laws of which the Administrative Agent or such Lender is organized or as a result of a present or former connection between the Administrative Agent or such Lender and the jurisdiction of the Governmental Authority imposing such tax or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (other than any such connection arising solely from the Administrative Agent or such Lender having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or any other Loan Document) (such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, the “Non-Excluded Taxes”); provided that, if any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes are required to be withheld from any amounts payable to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as determined in good faith by the applicable Withholding Agent, (i) such amounts shall be paid to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and (ii) the amounts so payable by the applicable Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall be increased to the extent necessary to yield to the Administrative Agent or such Lender (after payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes including any such taxes imposed on amounts payable under this Section) interest or any such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this Agreement as if such withholding or deduction had not been made, provided further, however, that the Borrower shall not be required to increase any such amounts payable to the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to any Non-Excluded Taxes (i) that are attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the requirements of paragraph (d), (e) or (f) of this Section, (ii) that are United States withholding taxes imposed under FATCA or (iii) that are United States withholding taxes resulting from any Requirement of Law in effect on the date the Administrative Agent or such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement or designates a new lending office, except to the extent that the Administrative Agent or such Lender (or its assignor (if any)) was entitled, immediately prior to such designation of a new lending office or at the time of assignment, as applicable, to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such Non-Excluded Taxes pursuant to this paragraph.

(b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(c) Whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes are payable by the Borrower, as promptly as possible thereafter the Borrower shall send to the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the account of the relevant Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy of an original official receipt received by the Borrower showing payment thereof. If (i) the Borrower fails to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority, (ii) the Borrower fails to remit to the Administrative Agent the required receipts or other required documentary evidence or (iii) any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes are imposed directly upon the Administrative Agent or any Lender, the Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for such amounts and any incremental taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable by the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of any such failure, in the case of (i) and (ii), or any such direct imposition, in the case of (iii); provided that the requirement to indemnify shall apply only if the Borrower is required under this Section 2.17 to pay additional amounts with respect to such Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes.

(d) Each Lender (or Transferee) that is not a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (a “Non-U.S. Lender”) shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased) (i) two copies of U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E, Form W-8ECI or Form W-8IMY (together with any applicable underlying IRS forms), (ii) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of “portfolio interest”, a statement substantially in the form of Exhibit F and the applicable IRS Form W-8, or any subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto, properly completed and duly executed by such Non‑U.S. Lender claiming complete exemption from, or a reduced rate of, U.S. federal withholding tax on all payments by the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or (iii) any other form prescribed by applicable requirements of U.S. federal income tax law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Requirements of Law to permit the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made. Such forms shall be delivered by each Non‑U.S. Lender on or before the date it becomes a party to this Agreement (or, in the case of any Participant, on or before the date such Participant purchases the related participation) and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, a Non-U.S. Lender shall not be required to deliver any form pursuant to this Section that such Non-U.S. Lender is not legally able to deliver.

(e) A Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of non-U.S. withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate, provided that such Lender is legally entitled to complete, execute and deliver such documentation and in such Lender’s judgment such completion, execution or submission would not materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

(f) The Administrative Agent and each Lender, in each case that is organized under the laws of the United States or a state thereof, shall, on or before the date of any payment by the Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to, or for the account of, such

Administrative Agent or Lender, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased), two duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, or successor form, certifying that such Administrative Agent or Lender is a “United States Person” (as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) and that such Administrative Agent or Lender is entitled to a complete exemption from United States backup withholding tax.

(g) If the Administrative Agent or any Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by a Loan Party or with respect to which a Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17, it shall pay over such refund to such Loan Party (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Loan Party under this Section 2.17 with respect to the Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided, that such Loan Party, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This paragraph shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to any Loan Party or any other Person.

(h) Each Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of (i) any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions, withholdings or similar charges imposed by any Governmental Authority that are attributable to such Lender and (ii) any taxes attributable to such Lender's failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.6(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent, together with all interest, penalties, reasonable costs and expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, as determined by the Administrative Agent in good faith, whether or not such taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error; provided that if it is demonstrated to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent that any Lender has overpaid in respect of any such amounts due, the Administrative Agent shall reimburse such Lender for such overpaid amount. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (h).

(i) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. Federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such

Lender has complied with such Lender's obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this paragraph (i), "FATCA" shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

(j) Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered under this Section expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(k) For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “Lender” includes any other Issuing Lender and the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.

(l) The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

2.18 Indemnity. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender for, and to hold each Lender harmless from, any loss or expense that such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by the Borrower in making a borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower has given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (b) default by the Borrower in making any prepayment of or conversion from Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or (c) the making of a prepayment of Eurodollar Loans on a day that is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. Such indemnification may include an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of such Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Loans provided for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin included therein, if any) over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) that would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank eurodollar market. A certificate setting forth the calculation in reasonable detail as to any amounts payable pursuant to this Section submitted to the Borrower by any Lender shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

2.19 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs. If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Sections 2.15(e), 2.15(f), 3.4, 3.5 or 9.7, then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion and notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender for the benefit of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations to it under such Section until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid, and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under any such Section, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.

2.20 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.16, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans

hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.16 or 2.17, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.16, or does not consent to any proposed amendment, supplement, modification, consent, or waiver of this Agreement or any other Loan Document requested by the Borrower which requires the consent of all the Lenders (including such Lender’s consent) and which has been consented to by the Required Lenders, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16 and Section 2.17, or if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 10.6), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) such assignment does not conflict with any Requirement of Law, (ii) the Borrower shall be liable to the assigning Lender under Section 2.18 if any Eurodollar Loan owing to such assigning Lender shall be purchased other than on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto, (iii) until such time as such assignment shall be consummated, the Borrower shall pay all additional amounts (if any) required pursuant to Section 2.16 or 2.17(a), as the case may be, (iv) if the assignee is not already a Lender, the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned, the Issuing Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (v) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in Letters of Credit, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts), (vi) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.16 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments and (vii) any such assignment shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights that the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender shall have against the replaced Lender. No action by or consent of the replaced Lender shall be necessary in connection with such removal or assignment, which shall be immediately and automatically effective upon payment of such purchase price. In connection with any such assignment, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, such replaced Lender and the replacement Lender shall otherwise comply with Section 10.6; provided that if such replaced Lender does not comply with Section 10.6 within three Business Days after the Borrower’s request, compliance with Section 10.6 shall not be required to effect such assignment. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

2.21 Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(a) fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.6;

(b) the Commitments of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 10.1); provided, that this clause (b) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender affected thereby;

(i) all or any part of the L/C Obligations of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Aggregate Exposure Percentages but only to the extent the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Aggregate Exposure Percentages plus such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Obligations does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Commitments;

(ii) if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall within one Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent cash collateralize for the benefit of the Issuing Lender only the Borrower’s obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Obligations (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 8.1 for so long as such L/C Obligations are outstanding;

(iii) if the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Obligations pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 3.3 with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Obligations during the period such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Obligations are cash collateralized;

(iv) if the L/C Obligations of the non-Defaulting Lenders are reallocated pursuant to clause (i) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.6 and Section 3.3 shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Aggregate Exposure Percentages; and

(v) if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Obligations is neither reallocated nor cash collateralized pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Lender or any other Lender hereunder, all Letter of Credit fees payable under Section 3.3 with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Obligations shall be payable to the Issuing Lender until and to the extent that such L/C Obligations are reallocated and/or cash collateralized; and

(d) so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Issuing Lender shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure and the Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding L/C Obligations will be 100% covered by the Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.21(c), and participating interests in any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.21(c)(i) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).

If (i) a Bankruptcy Event with respect to a Parent of any Lender shall occur following the date hereof and for so long as such event shall continue or (ii) the Issuing Lender has a good faith belief

that any Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, the Issuing Lender shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless the Issuing Lender, shall have entered into arrangements with the Borrower or such Lender, satisfactory to the Issuing Lender, to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.

In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Issuing Lender each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the L/C Obligations of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Aggregate Exposure Percentage.

SECTION 3. LETTERS OF CREDIT

3.1 L/C Commitment. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuing Lender, in reliance on the agreements of the other Revolving Lenders set forth in Section 3.4(a), agrees to issue letters of credit (“Letters of Credit”) for the account of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and with the Borrower as the applicant on any Business Day during the Revolving Commitment Period in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Issuing Lender; provided that no Issuing Lender shall have any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, (i) its L/C Obligations would exceed its L/C Commitment, (ii) the aggregate amount of L/C Obligations would exceed the aggregate amount of L/C Commitments or (iii) the aggregate amount of the Available Revolving Commitments would be less than zero. Each Letter of Credit shall (i) be denominated in Dollars or in any Designated Foreign Currency and (ii) expire no later than the earlier of (x) the first anniversary of its date of issuance and (y) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Termination Date, provided that any Letter of Credit with a one-year term may provide for the renewal thereof for additional one-year periods (which shall in no event extend beyond the date referred to in clause (y) above).

(b) The Issuing Lender shall not at any time be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit if such issuance would conflict with, or cause the Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant to exceed any limits imposed by, any applicable Requirement of Law.

3.2 Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit. The Borrower may from time to time request that the Issuing Lender issue a Letter of Credit by delivering to the Issuing Lender at its address for notices specified herein an Application therefor (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), completed to the satisfaction of the Issuing Lender, and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as the Issuing Lender may request. Upon receipt of any Application, the Issuing Lender will process such Application and the certificates, documents and other papers and information delivered to it in connection therewith in accordance with its customary procedures and shall promptly issue the Letter of Credit requested thereby (but in no event shall the Issuing Lender be required to issue any Letter of Credit earlier than three Business Days after its receipt of the Application therefor and all such other certificates, documents and other papers and information relating thereto) by issuing the original of such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise may be agreed to by the Issuing Lender and the Borrower. The Issuing Lender shall furnish a copy of such Letter of Credit to the Borrower promptly following the issuance thereof. The Issuing Lender shall promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent, which shall in turn promptly furnish to the Lenders, notice of the issuance of each Letter of Credit (including the amount thereof).

3.3 Fees and Other Charges. (d) The Borrower will pay a fee on all outstanding Letters of Credit at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Margin then in effect with respect to Eurodollar Loans under the Revolving Facility, shared ratably among the Revolving Lenders and payable quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date after the issuance date. In addition, the Borrower shall pay to the Issuing Lender for its own account a fronting fee of 0.125% per annum on the undrawn and unexpired amount of each Letter of Credit, payable quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date after the issuance date. Such fees shall be payable in Dollars.

(e) In addition to the foregoing fees, the Borrower shall pay or reimburse the Issuing Lender for such normal and customary costs and expenses as are incurred or charged by the Issuing Lender in issuing, negotiating, effecting payment under, amending or otherwise administering any Letter of Credit.

3.4 L/C Participations. (a) The Issuing Lender irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby grants to each L/C Participant, and, to induce the Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit, each L/C Participant irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from the Issuing Lender, on the terms and conditions set forth below, for such L/C Participant’s own account and risk an undivided interest equal to such L/C Participant’s Revolving Percentage in the Issuing Lender’s obligations and rights under and in respect of each Letter of Credit and the amount of each draft paid by the Issuing Lender thereunder. Each L/C Participant agrees with the Issuing Lender that, if a draft is paid under any Letter of Credit for which the Issuing Lender is not reimbursed in full by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (or in the event that any reimbursement received by the Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by it at any time), such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing Lender upon demand (which demand, in the case of any demand made in respect of any draft under a Letter of Credit denominated in any Designated Foreign Currency, shall not be made prior to the date that the amount of such draft shall be converted into Dollars in accordance with Section 3.5) at the Issuing Lender’s address for notices specified herein an amount equal to such L/C Participant’s Revolving Percentage of the amount of such draft, or any part thereof, that is not so reimbursed (or is so returned). Each L/C Participant’s obligation to pay such amount shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (i) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such L/C Participant may have against the Issuing Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (ii) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or an Event of Default or the failure to satisfy any of the other conditions specified in Section 5, (iii) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower, (iv) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other L/C Participant or (v) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

(b) If any amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant to the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.4(a) in respect of any unreimbursed portion of any payment made by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit is paid to the Issuing Lender within three Business Days after the date such payment is due, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing Lender on demand an amount equal to the product of (i) such amount, times (ii) the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate during the period from and including the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Issuing Lender, times (iii) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse during such period and the denominator of which is 360. If any such amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant pursuant to Section 3.4(a) is not made available to the Issuing Lender by such L/C Participant within three Business Days after the date such payment is due, the Issuing Lender shall be entitled to recover from such L/C Participant, on demand, such amount with interest thereon calculated from such due date at the rate per annum applicable to

ABR Loans under the Revolving Facility. A certificate of the Issuing Lender submitted to any L/C Participant with respect to any amounts owing under this Section shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

(c) Whenever, at any time after the Issuing Lender has made payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any L/C Participant its pro rata share of such payment in accordance with Section 3.4(a), the Issuing Lender receives any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of collateral applied thereto by the Issuing Lender), or any payment of interest on account thereof, the Issuing Lender will distribute to such L/C Participant its pro rata share thereof; provided, however, that in the event that any such payment received by the Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by the Issuing Lender, such L/C Participant shall return to the Issuing Lender the portion thereof previously distributed by the Issuing Lender to it.

3.5 Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower. If any draft is paid under any Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse the Issuing Lender for the amount of (a) the draft so paid and (b) any taxes, fees, charges or other costs or expenses incurred by the Issuing Lender in connection with such payment, not later than 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on (i) the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice of such draft, if such notice is received on such day prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, or (ii) if clause (i) above does not apply, the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice. Each such payment shall be made to the Issuing Lender at its address for notices referred to herein in the currency in which such Letter of Credit is denominated (except that, in the case of any Letter of Credit denominated in any Designated Foreign Currency, upon notice by the Issuing Lender to the Borrower, such payment shall be made in Dollars from and after the date on which the amount of such payment shall have been converted into Dollars at the Spot Rate of Exchange on such date of conversion, which date of conversion may be any Business Day after the Business Day on which such payment is due) and in immediately available funds. Any conversion by the Issuing Lender of any payment to be made in respect of any Letter of Credit denominated in any Designated Foreign Currency into Dollars in accordance with this Section 3.5 shall be conclusive and binding upon the other parties hereto in the absence of manifest error; provided that upon the request of the Borrower, the Issuing Lender shall provide to the Borrower a certificate including reasonably detailed information as to the calculation of such conversion. Interest shall be payable on any such amounts from the date on which the relevant draft is paid until payment in full at the rate set forth in (x) until the Business Day next succeeding the date of the relevant notice, Section 2.12(b) and (y) thereafter, Section 2.12(c); provided that if any such amount is denominated in a Designated Foreign Currency for any period, such interest shall be payable at the rate charged by the Issuing Lender for reimbursement of overdue obligations in such Designated Foreign Currency owing by account parties with similar credit profiles to that of the Borrower; and provided, further, that if any reimbursement is required to be paid in respect of a Letter of Credit denominated in Dollars, and such reimbursement is not made in accordance with this Section 3.5, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Extension of Credit in an equivalent amount of such owed reimbursement (provided such request would not result in the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit at such time exceeding Total Revolving Commitments) and to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting Revolving Loan. If the Borrower fails to make such reimbursement when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender of the applicable disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender’s share thereof based on the Revolving Percentages (the “Reimbursement Percentage”). Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Reimbursement Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.5 hereof with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section

2.5 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the relevant Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Issuing Lender the amounts so received by it from such Lenders.

3.6 Obligations Absolute. The Borrower’s obligations under this Section 3 shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the Issuing Lender under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower's obligations hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor the Issuing Lender, nor any of their related parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Lender; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Lender from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Lender's failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Lender (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Lender shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

3.7 Letter of Credit Payments. If any draft shall be presented for payment under any Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower of the date and amount thereof. The responsibility of the Issuing Lender to the Borrower in connection with any draft presented for payment under any Letter of Credit shall, in addition to any payment obligation expressly provided for in such Letter of Credit, be limited to determining that the documents (including each draft) delivered under such Letter of Credit in connection with such presentment are substantially in conformity with such Letter of Credit.

3.8 Applications. To the extent that any provision of any Application related to any Letter of Credit is inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 3, the provisions of this Section 3 shall apply.

3.9 Existing Letters of Credit. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Existing Letter of Credit that is outstanding on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 3.9 shall, effective as of the Closing Date and without any further action by the Borrower, be continued as a Letter of Credit hereunder and from and after the Closing Date shall be deemed a Letter of Credit for all purposes hereof and shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof and shall cease to be outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement.

SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans and issue or participate in the Letters of Credit, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:

4.1 Financial Condition. The audited consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2011, December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations and of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2011, the year ended December 31, 2012, and the year ended December 31, 2013, reported on by and accompanied by an unqualified report from KPMG LLP, present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at such date, and the consolidated results of its operations and its consolidated cash flows for the respective fiscal periods then ended. All such financial statements, including the related schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods involved (except as approved by the aforementioned firm of accountants and disclosed therein). No Group Member has any material Guarantee Obligations, contingent liabilities and liabilities for taxes, or any long‑term leases or unusual forward or long‑term commitments, including any interest rate or foreign currency swap or exchange transaction or other obligation in respect of derivatives, that are not reflected in the most recent financial statements referred to in this paragraph. During the period from December 31, 2013 to and including the date hereof there has been no Disposition by any Group Member of any material part of its business or property.

4.2 No Change. Since December 31, 2013, there has been no development or event that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.3 Existence; Compliance with Law. Each Group Member (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the power and authority, and the legal right, to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation or other organization and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law; except, in each case except clause (a) (only with respect to the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors), to the extent that the failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.4 Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations. Each Loan Party has the power and authority, and the legal right, to make, deliver and perform the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to obtain extensions of credit hereunder. Each Loan Party has taken all necessary organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to authorize the extensions of credit on the terms and conditions of this Agreement. No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other

act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in connection with the extensions of credit hereunder or with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents. Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of each Loan Party party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document upon execution will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party party thereto, enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).

4.5 No Legal Bar. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the issuance of Letters of Credit, the borrowings hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof will not violate any Requirement of Law or any material Contractual Obligation (except those to which waivers or consents have been obtained or to the extent the violation of such material Contractual Obligation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect) of any Group Member and will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of their respective properties or revenues pursuant to any Requirement of Law or any such material Contractual Obligation. No Requirement of Law applicable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.6 Litigation. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.6 hereto, no litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in writing by or against any Group Member or against any of their respective properties or revenues (a) with respect to any of the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or (b) that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.7 No Default. No Group Member is in default under or with respect to any of its Contractual Obligations in any respect that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

4.8 Ownership of Property; Liens. Each Group Member has title in fee simple to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its real property, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its other property, and none of such property is subject to any Lien except as permitted by Section 7.3, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.9 Intellectual Property. Each Group Member owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person challenging any Intellectual Property owned by any Group Member, which would reasonably be expected to have any Material Adverse Effect. The conduct of the business by each Group Member does not infringe the rights of any Person, and to its knowledge, each Group Member’s Intellectual Property is not being infringed by any Person, except in each case as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.10 Taxes. Each Group Member has filed or caused to be filed all Federal, state, and other material tax returns that are required to be filed and has paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns or on any assessments made against it or any of its property and all other taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than taxes not

yet due and payable or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of the relevant Group Member); no tax Lien has been filed, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, other than as disclosed on Schedule 4.10, no material claim is being asserted, with respect to any such tax, fee or other charge.

4.11 Federal Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Loans, and no other extensions of credit hereunder, will be used (a) for “buying” or “carrying” any “margin stock” within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as now and from time to time hereafter in effect for any purpose that violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board or (b) for any purpose that violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board. If requested by any Lender or the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form G-3 or FR Form U-1, as applicable, referred to in Regulation U. The Borrower is not principally engaged in the business of extending credit for “buying” or “carrying” any “margin stock” within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as now and from time to time hereafter in effect for any purpose that violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board.

4.12 Labor Matters. Except as, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) there are no strikes or other labor disputes against any Group Member pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened; (b) hours worked by and payment made to employees of each Group Member have not been in violation in any material respect or in respect of any material amount under the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Requirement of Law dealing with such matters; and (c) all material payments due from any Group Member on account of employee health and welfare insurance have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the relevant Group Member.

4.13 ERISA. Neither the Borrower nor any Commonly Controlled Entity has (a) any Single Employer Plan that is in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA), (b) failed to make a material contribution or material payment to any Single Employer Plan, or made any amendment to any Single Employer Plan, which has resulted in the imposition of a Lien or the posting of a bond or other security under Section 303(k) of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29) of the Code, or (c) incurred, or is reasonably likely to incur, any material liability under Title IV of ERISA.

4.14 Investment Company Act; Other Regulations. No Loan Party is required to register as an “investment company”, or a company “controlled” by an “investment company”, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. No Loan Party is subject to regulation under any Requirement of Law (other than Regulation X of the Board) that limits its ability to incur Indebtedness.

4.15 Subsidiaries. Except as disclosed to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower in writing from time to time after the Closing Date, (a) Schedule 4.15 sets forth the name and jurisdiction of incorporation of each Subsidiary and, as to each such Subsidiary, the percentage of each class of Capital Stock owned by any Loan Party and (b) there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights or other agreements or commitments (other than stock options, stock appreciation rights or restricted stock units granted to employees, officers, consultants or directors or stock issued pursuant to the Borrower’s stock purchase plans to employees, officers, consultants or directors and directors’ qualifying shares) of any nature relating to any Capital Stock of any Subsidiary, except as created by the Loan Documents.

4.16 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Term Loans and Revolving Loans shall be used to repay amounts outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement (including to pay related fees and expenses) and for working capital or general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. The Letters of Credit shall be used for general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

4.17 Environmental Matters. Except as, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

(a) each Group Member is, and within the period of all applicable statutes of limitation has been, in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws;

(b) Materials of Environmental Concern have not been released and are not present under circumstances that could be expected to result in a release at, on, under, in, or about any real property now or formerly owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or at any other location (including, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any location to which Materials of Environmental Concern have been sent for re-use or recycling or for treatment, storage, or disposal) which could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability of any Group Member under any applicable Environmental Law;

(c) there is no judicial, administrative, or arbitral proceeding (including any notice of violation or alleged violation) under or relating to any Environmental Law to which any Group Member is, or to the knowledge of the Borrower will be, named as a party that is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened;

(d) no Group Member has received any written request for information, or been notified that it is a potentially responsible party under or relating to the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act or any similar Environmental Law, or with respect to any Materials of Environmental Concern;

(e) no Group Member has entered into or agreed to any consent decree, order, or settlement or other agreement, nor is subject to any judgment, decree, or order or other agreement, in any judicial, administrative, arbitral, or other forum, relating to compliance with or liability under any Environmental Law; and

(f) no Group Member has entered into any agreement assuming any liabilities of any other Person under or related to any Environmental Law.

4.18 Accuracy of Information, etc. No statement or information contained in this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Confidential Information Memorandum or any other document, certificate or written statement furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, or any of them, for use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, taken as a whole, contained as of the date such statement, information, document or certificate was so furnished (or, in the case of the Confidential Information Memorandum, as of the date of this Agreement), any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which such information was provided. The projections and pro forma financial information contained in the materials referenced above are based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by management of the Borrower to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by the Lenders that such financial information as it relates to future events is not to be viewed as fact and that actual results during the period or periods covered by such financial information

may differ from the projected results set forth therein by a material amount. There is no fact known to any Loan Party that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not been expressly disclosed herein (including the Schedules hereto), in the other Loan Documents, in the Confidential Information Memorandum or in any other documents, certificates and statements furnished to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents.

4.19 Solvency. Each Loan Party is, and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby and the incurrence of all Indebtedness and obligations being incurred in connection herewith and therewith will be and will continue to be, Solvent.

4.20 Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. The Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to promote compliance by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and to the knowledge of the Borrower, their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and to the knowledge of the Borrower, their respective officers, employees, directors and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects. None of (a) the Borrower or any Subsidiary or (b) to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer, agent, employee or other person acting on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, is a Sanctioned Person. No Loan or Letter of Credit, use of proceeds or other transaction contemplated by the Credit Agreement will violate Anti-Corruption Laws or applicable Sanctions.

SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

5.1 Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit. The agreement of each Lender to make the initial extension of credit requested to be made by it is subject to the satisfaction, prior to or concurrently with the making of such extension of credit on the Closing Date, of the following conditions precedent:

(f) Credit Agreement; Guarantee. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) this Agreement, executed and delivered by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and each Person listed on Schedule 1.1A and (ii) the Guarantee, executed and delivered by each Subsidiary Guarantor.

(g) Financial Statements. The Lenders shall have received (i) audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the 2011, 2012 and 2013 fiscal years and (ii) unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for each fiscal quarter ended after the date of the latest applicable financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph as to which such financial statements are available, and such financial statements shall not, in the reasonable judgment of the Lenders, reflect any material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, as reflected in the financial statements or projections contained in the Confidential Information Memorandum.

(h) Approvals. All governmental and third party approvals necessary or, in the reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent, advisable in connection with the continuing operations of the Group Members and the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken or threatened by any competent authority that would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose adverse conditions on the financing contemplated hereby.

(i) Fees. The Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the arrangers and counsel to the Administrative Agent and the arrangers shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all expenses for which invoices have been presented at least three Business Days prior to the Closing Date or such later time as may be reasonable under the circumstances, but at least one Business Day prior to the Closing Date (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel), on or before the Closing Date. All such amounts will be paid with proceeds of Loans made on the Closing Date and will be reflected in the funding instructions given by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent on or before the Closing Date.

(j) Closing Certificate; Certified Certificate of Incorporation; Good Standing Certificates. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit C, with appropriate insertions and attachments, including the certificate of incorporation of each Loan Party that is a corporation certified by the relevant authority of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party, and (ii) a long form good standing certificate for each Loan Party from its jurisdiction of organization.

(k) Legal Opinions. The Administrative Agent shall have received the legal opinion of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, counsel to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, substantially in the form of Exhibit E.

(l) Existing Credit Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have received satisfactory evidence that amounts owing by the Borrower under the Existing Credit Agreement shall have been paid in full.

(m) KYC. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received all documentation and other information about the Borrower and the other Loan Parties as has been reasonably requested at least five Business Days prior to the Closing Date that they reasonably determine is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act.

5.2 Conditions to Each Extension of Credit. The agreement of each Lender to make any extension of credit requested to be made by it on any date (including its initial extension of credit) is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

(d) Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless such representations and warranties are already so qualified in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date unless such representation relates solely to an earlier date, in which case such representation shall be true and correct as of such date.

(e) No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date or after giving effect to the extensions of credit requested to be made on such date.

Each borrowing by and issuance of a Letter of Credit on behalf of the Borrower hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower as of the date of such extension of credit that the conditions contained in this Section 5.2 have been satisfied.

SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

The Borrower hereby agrees that, so long as the Commitments remain in effect, any Letter of Credit remains outstanding or any Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Borrower shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to:

6.1 Financial Statements. Furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

(f) as soon as available, but in any event (i) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower or (ii) if the Borrower has been granted an extension by the Securities and Exchange Commission permitting the late filing by the Borrower of any annual report on form 10-K the earlier of (x) 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower or (y) the last day of any such extension, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related audited consolidated statements of operations and of cash flows for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, reported on without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit (other than, in each case, any qualification or exception solely with respect to, or resulting solely from, the impending maturity date of any indebtedness under this Agreement), by KPMG LLP or other independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing; and

(g) as soon as available, but in any event (i) not later than 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower or (ii) if the Borrower has been granted an extension by the Securities and Exchange Commission permitting the late filing by the Borrower of any quarterly report on form 10-Q the earlier of (x) 60 days after the end of the relevant fiscal quarter or (y) the last day of any such extension, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter and the related unaudited consolidated condensed statements of operations and of cash flows for such quarter and the portion of the fiscal year through the end of such quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous year, certified by a Responsible Officer as being fairly stated in all material respects (subject to normal year‑end audit adjustments).

All such financial statements shall be complete and correct in all material respects and shall be prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP applied (except as approved by such accountants or officer, as the case may be, and disclosed in reasonable detail therein and except, in the case of unaudited financials, for the absence of footnotes) consistently throughout the periods reflected therein and with prior periods. Reports or financial information required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 6.1 (to the extent any such financial statements, reports, proxy statements or other materials are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which the Borrower gives notice to the Administrative Agent (who shall then give notice to the Lenders) that the Borrower has filed such report or financial information through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System or posted such report or financial information or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the internet. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of any report or financial statement referred to in this Section 6.1 to any Lender if the Administrative Agent, on behalf and upon the reasonable request of such Lender, requests the Borrower to furnish such paper copies.

6.2 Certificates; Other Information. Furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender (or, in the case of clause (f), to the relevant Lender):

(c) concurrently with the delivery of any financial statements pursuant to Section 6.1, (i) a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that, to the best of such Responsible Officer’s knowledge, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, except as specified in such certificate and (ii) a Compliance Certificate containing all information and calculations necessary for determining compliance by each Group Member with the provisions of this Agreement referred to therein as of the last day of the fiscal quarter or fiscal year of the Borrower, as the case may be;

(d) as soon as available, and in any event no later than 60 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a projected consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the following fiscal year, the related consolidated statements of projected cash flow, projected changes in financial position and projected income and a description of the underlying assumptions applicable thereto), and, as soon as available, significant revisions, if any, of projections with respect to such fiscal year (collectively, the “Projections”), which Projections shall in each case be accompanied by a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that such Projections are based on reasonable estimates, information and assumptions and that such Responsible Officer has no reason to believe that such Projections are incorrect or misleading in any material respect;

(e) within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower other than the last fiscal quarter of the Borrower’s fiscal year, and 90 days after the end of the Borrower’s fiscal year, a narrative discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarter and for the period from the beginning of the then current fiscal year to the end of such fiscal quarter, as compared to the portion of the Projections covering such periods and to the comparable periods of the previous year; provided, that this requirement shall be deemed satisfied on delivery of the Borrower’s 10-Q or 10-K, as applicable, which is in compliance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Regulation S -X (which may be delivered in the same manner provided for in Section 6.1);

(f) within five days after the same are sent, copies of all financial statements and reports that the Borrower sends to the holders of any class of its debt securities or public equity securities, and, within five days after the same are filed, copies of all financial statements and reports that the Borrower may make to, or file with, the SEC (which may be delivered in the same manner provided for in Section 6.1); and

(g) promptly, such additional financial and other information as the Administrative Agent, on behalf of any Lender, may from time to time reasonably request.

6.3 Payment of Obligations. Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all its material obligations (including taxes) of whatever nature, except where the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on the books of the relevant Group Member.

6.4 Maintenance of Existence; Compliance. (a)(i) Preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its organizational existence and (ii) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except, in each case, as otherwise permitted by Section 7.4 and except, in the case of clause (ii) above, to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) comply with all Contractual Obligations and Requirements of Law except to the extent that failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) maintain in

effect and enforce in accordance with its internal business practices, policies and procedures designed to promote compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

6.5 Maintenance of Property; Insurance. (a) Keep all material property necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and casualty excepted, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (b) maintain with reputable insurance companies that are financially sound at the time such insurance is purchased insurance on all its property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks as are customarily insured against in the same general area by companies engaged in the same or a similar business.

6.6 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions. (a) Keep proper books of records and accounts in which true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities from which financial statements in conformity with GAAP can be prepared, in each case in all material respects, and (b) following reasonable advance notice, permit representatives of the Administrative Agent and any Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties and examine and make abstracts from any of its books and records (but in such a manner so as not to unreasonably interfere with the normal business operations of any Group Member) and to discuss the business, operations, properties and financial and other condition of the Group Members with officers and employees of the Group Members and with their independent certified public accountants during normal business hours not more than one time per fiscal year, or if an Event of Default then exists, as often as reasonably requested.

6.7 Notices. Promptly give notice to the Administrative Agent and each Lender of:

(a) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

(b) any (i) default under any material Contractual Obligation of any Group Member or (ii) litigation, investigation or proceeding that may exist at any time between any Group Member and any Governmental Authority, that in either case, if not cured or if adversely determined, as the case may be, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) any litigation or proceeding affecting any Group Member (i) in which the amount involved is $20,000,000 or more and not covered by insurance, (ii) in which injunctive or similar relief is sought that if granted would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (iii) which relates to any Loan Document;

(d) the following events, as soon as practicable and in any event within 30 days after the Borrower knows thereof: (i) the occurrence of any Reportable Event with respect to any Plan; a failure to make any required contribution to a Plan, a determination that any Single Employer Plan is in “at risk” status, or a determination that any Multiemployer Plan is in “endangered” or “critical” status, and in each case that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the creation of any Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan; or any withdrawal from, or the termination, Reorganization or Insolvency of, any Multiemployer Plan, or (ii) the institution of proceedings or the taking of any other action by the PBGC or the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity or any Multiemployer Plan with respect to the withdrawal from, or the termination, Reorganization or Insolvency of, any Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA; and

(e) any development or event that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.7 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the relevant Group Member proposes to take with respect thereto.

6.8 Environmental Laws. (e) Comply with all applicable Environmental Laws, and obtain and comply with and maintain, any and all licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations or permits required by applicable Environmental Laws. For purposes of this Section 6.8(a), noncompliance by the Borrower with any applicable Environmental Law shall be deemed not to constitute a breach of this covenant provided that, upon learning of any actual or suspected noncompliance, the Borrower shall promptly undertake all reasonable efforts to achieve compliance, and provided further that, in any case, such non -compliance, and any other noncompliance with Environmental Law, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to give rise to a Material Adverse Effect.

(f) Conduct and complete all investigations, studies, sampling and testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required by a Governmental Authority to be conducted by a Group Member under Environmental Laws or any other Requirement of Law and promptly comply with all orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities regarding Environmental Laws, in each case except where failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and other than such orders and directives as to which an appeal has been timely and properly taken in good faith, and provided that the pendency of any and all such appeals could not reasonably be expected to give rise to a Material Adverse Effect.

6.9 Additional Subsidiaries. With respect to any new Material Subsidiary (other than a Foreign Subsidiary) created or acquired after the Closing Date by any Group Member (which, for the purposes of this Section 6.9, shall include any existing Material Subsidiary that ceases to be a Foreign Subsidiary), within 30 days (or such longer period agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) (i) cause such new Material Subsidiary (A) to become a party to the Guarantee and (B) to deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of such Material Subsidiary, substantially in the form of Exhibit C, with appropriate insertions and attachments, and (ii) if requested by the Administrative Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent customary legal opinions relating to the matters described above.

SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS

7.1 Financial Condition Covenants. (h) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. (i) Permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, calculated as at the end of any fiscal quarter for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower then ended, to exceed 3.50 to 1.00 (other than in the case of any such period ending during an Acquisition Step-Up Period) or (ii) permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, calculated as at the end of any Acquisition Step-Up Period, to exceed 3.75 to 1.00; or

(i) Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio, calculated as at the end of such fiscal quarter for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower then ended, to be less than 3.25 to 1.00.

Each of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio and Consolidated Interest Expense Ratio shall be calculated for purposes of this Section 7.1 on a Pro Forma Basis.

7.2 Indebtedness. Create, issue, incur, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a) Indebtedness of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document;

(b) Indebtedness of the Borrower to any Subsidiary and of any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor to the Borrower or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor shall be subject to Section 7.8(g);

(c) Guarantee Obligations (i) incurred in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (ii) incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations of (or to) suppliers, customers, franchisees, lessors and licensees, and (iii) otherwise constituting an Investment permitted by Section 7.8;

(d) Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.2(d) and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof (including any associated fees, expenses and accrued but unpaid interest);

(e) Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Capital Lease Obligations, industrial development or similar bonds, or tax-advantaged governmental or quasi-governmental financings) and purchase money obligations (including obligations in respect of mortgage or other similar financings) to finance the purchase, repair or improvement of fixed or capital assets secured by Liens permitted by Section 7.3(g) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed, as at the date of any incurrence thereof, 5.0% of the total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of the fiscal quarter most recently ended at or prior to such time and for which financial statements are available, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis;

(f) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of (i) standby or performance letters of credit, surety bonds, security deposits or other performance guarantees; provided that the aggregate amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (i) shall not at any time exceed, at the time of any incurrence thereof, the greater of (A) $100,000,000 and (B) 25.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended at or prior to such time and for which financial statements are available, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis; and (ii) trade letters of credit;

(g) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof and any refinancing thereof; provided that such Indebtedness exists at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary and is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Subsidiary;

(h) additional Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount (for the Borrower and all Subsidiaries) not to exceed at any one time

outstanding the greater of (A) $160,000,000 and (B) 40.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended at or prior to such time and for which financial statements are available, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis;

(i) Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of bank guarantees issued in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self insurance, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers compensation claims; provided that any reimbursement obligations in respect thereof are reimbursed within 30 days following the due date thereof;

(j) (i) Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections, automatic clearinghouse arrangements and similar arrangements in each case in connection with deposit accounts and (ii) Indebtedness arising from the honoring of a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided that any such Indebtedness is extinguished within 30 days of its incurrence;

(k) customer deposits and advance payments received in the ordinary course of business from customers for goods and services purchased in the ordinary course of business;

(l) Indebtedness consisting of promissory notes issued by any Loan Party to current or former officers, directors and employees, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses to finance the purchase or redemption of equity interests of the Borrower permitted by Section 7.6;

(m) Indebtedness in respect of hedging obligations (to the extent constituting Indebtedness) incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(n) Indebtedness consisting of obligations of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries under earnout obligations, purchase price adjustments, deferred consideration or other similar arrangements incurred by such Person in connection with Permitted Acquisitions and any other Investments permitted hereunder;

(o) Permitted Subordinated Debt and Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt; provided that the Borrower shall be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the covenants set forth in Section 7.1 after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Permitted Subordinated Debt or such Permitted Senior Unsecured Debt and any refinancings or repayment of Indebtedness;

(p) Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries (and renewals, refinancing and extensions thereof) in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $20,000,000; and

(q) For the purposes of determining compliance with, and the outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to and in compliance with, this Section 7.2, in the event that Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in this Section 7.2, the Borrower, in its sole discretion, shall classify, and may from time to time reclassify, such item of Indebtedness and only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one of the clauses of this Section 7.2.

7.3 Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

(d) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges not yet due or the nonpayment of which in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided that adequate reserves (in the good faith judgment of the management of the Borrower) with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in conformity with GAAP;

(e) statutory or common law Liens of landlords, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business that are not overdue for a period of more than 90 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

(f) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business (i) in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation and (ii) securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of bank guarantees issued for the account of Foreign Subsidiaries) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

(g) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, governmental contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, surety, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature (including those required or requested by any Governmental Authority) incurred in the ordinary course of business, and earnest money deposits to secure obligations under purchase agreements;

(h) leases, subleases, easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning restrictions) and other similar encumbrances and minor title defects incurred in the ordinary course of business that do not in any case materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

(i) Liens in existence on the date hereof listed on Schedule 7.3(f), securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.2(d), or the renewal, modification, replacement, refinancing, extension or refunding of such Indebtedness, provided that (i) no such Lien is spread to cover any additional property after the Closing Date other than (A) after-acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien or financed by Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.2(d), and (B) proceeds and products thereof and (ii) the renewal, modification, replacement, refinancing, extension or refunding of the obligations secured or benefited by such Liens, to the extent constituting Indebtedness, is permitted by Section 7.2(d);

(j) Liens securing Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary incurred pursuant to Section 7.2(e) to finance the acquisition of fixed or capital assets, provided that (i) such Liens shall be created within 90 days after the acquisition, repair, replacement or improvement of such fixed or capital assets, (ii) such Liens (other than in the case of Liens securing industrial development or similar bonds, or tax-advantaged governmental or quasi-governmental financings, in which case Liens may encumber such property as may be permitted under the terms of such financings) do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness, replacements, additions and accessions thereto and the proceeds thereof and (iii) the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased;

(k) any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or existing on any property or asset of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or to secure Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 7.2(g); provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary, as the case may be, and refinancings, extensions, renewals and replacements thereof not to exceed the outstanding principal amount thereof together with associated fees, expenses and premium and accrued but unpaid interest;

(l) any judgment Lien not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.1(h);

(m) any interest or title of a licensor or sublicensor of Intellectual Property or any lessor or sublessor under any license or sublicense agreement (including software and other technology licenses) or lease or sublease entered into by the Borrower or any other Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business;

(n) Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section so long as the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed $60,000,000 at any one time;

(o) Liens granted by a Foreign Subsidiary (i) to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary to secure Indebtedness owed by such Foreign Subsidiary to the Borrower or such other Subsidiary and (ii) in respect of Indebtedness that was incurred in connection with the acquisition of such Foreign Subsidiary pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50,000,000 at any one time outstanding, and renewals, refinancings and extensions thereof;

(p) Liens arising from precautionary UCC (or other similar recording or notice statutes) financing statement filings regarding operating leases permitted pursuant to this Agreement;

(q) Liens in favor of a banking or other financial institution arising as a matter of law or under customary general terms and conditions encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) incurred in the ordinary course of business or arising pursuant to such banking institutions’ general terms and conditions;

(r) Liens (i) on cash advances in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 7.8, or (ii) consisting of an agreement to Dispose of any property in a Disposition permitted by Section 7.5, in each case, solely to the extent such Investment or Disposition, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;

(s) Liens on property of any Foreign Subsidiary securing Indebtedness of such Foreign Subsidiary to the extent such Indebtedness is permitted hereunder;

(t) Liens on cash or Cash Equivalents securing reimbursement obligations of the Borrower under letters of credit in an aggregate amount of all such cash and Cash Equivalents not to exceed $75,000,000;

(u) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement with respect to a transaction permitted under this Agreement and Liens in connection with escrow arrangements for the proceeds of Indebtedness intended to fund a Permitted Acquisitions and related costs and expenses (including refinancings); and

(v) for the purposes of determining compliance with this Section 7.3, in the event that any Lien meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Liens described in this Section 7.3, the Borrower, in its sole discretion, shall classify, and may from time to time reclassify, such Lien and only be required to include the amount and type of such Lien in one of the clauses of this Section 7.3.

7.4 Fundamental Changes. Enter into any merger, consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or Dispose of all or substantially all of its property or business, except that the following are permitted:

(c) any Person may be merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Borrower (provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving corporation or the surviving Person shall expressly assume the obligations of the Borrower pursuant to documents reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; provided further that such surviving Person shall be incorporated in the United States) or with or into any Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor (provided that the Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving corporation or the surviving Person shall expressly assume the obligations of the Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to documents reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent); provided that any such merger involving a Person that is not a Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger shall not be permitted unless also permitted by Section 7.8(i); provided further, that prior to consummating any merger pursuant to this clause (a) involving a Person that is not a Subsidiary, the Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer demonstrating compliance immediately following such merger, on a pro forma basis giving effect to such merger, with Section 7.1;

(d) subject to Section 7.4(a) hereof, any Subsidiary may be merged or consolidated with or into any other Subsidiary;

(e) (i) any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve or any Subsidiary may change its legal form if the Borrower determines in good faith that such action is in the best interests of the Borrower, and (ii) any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if all or substantially all of its assets are transferred to the Borrower or a Subsidiary, it being understood that in the case of any dissolution of a Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Subsidiary shall at or before the time of such dissolution transfer its assets to another Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor unless such Disposition of assets is permitted hereunder; and in the case of any change in legal form, a Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor will remain a Subsidiary Guarantor unless such Subsidiary Guarantor is otherwise permitted to cease being a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder;

(f) (i) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may Dispose of any or all of its assets to the Borrower or another Subsidiary (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise), provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Subsidiary Guarantor, then (A) the transferee must either be the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor and (B) to the extent constituting an Investment, such Investment must be a permitted Investment in accordance with Section 7.8, and (ii) the Borrower or any

Subsidiary of the Borrower may Dispose of any or all of its assets pursuant to a Disposition permitted by Section 7.5; and

(g) the Borrower or any Subsidiary may make any Investment expressly permitted by Section 7.8 structured as a merger, consolidation or amalgamation.

7.5 Disposition of Property. Dispose of any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or, in the case of any Subsidiary, issue or sell any shares of such Subsidiary’s Capital Stock to any Person, except:

(c) Dispositions of obsolete, surplus or worn out property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business and Dispositions of property no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including the abandonment or other Disposition of Intellectual Property that is, in the reasonable business judgment of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, no longer material to the conduct of the business of the Loan Parties taken as a whole);

(d) the sale, transfer or lease of any assets in the ordinary course of business;

(e) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.3 and Section 7.4;

(f) the sale, contribution or issuance of any Subsidiary’s Capital Stock to the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(g) Dispositions by the Borrower to any Subsidiary and by any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary on reasonable terms;

(h) Dispositions constituting the making or liquidating of Investments permitted by Section 7.8;

(i) Dispositions constituting the making of a Restricted Payment permitted by Section 7.6;

(j) Dispositions of assets to the extent that (i) such assets are exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement assets or (ii) the proceeds of such Dispositions are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement assets;

(k) Dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof;

(l) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses of property (including Intellectual Property) on customary terms in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially interfere with the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

(m) Dispositions of cash and Cash Equivalents;

(n) Dispositions of assets subject to any casualty or condemnation proceeding (including in lieu thereof);

(o) the lapse or abandonment of any intellectual property in the ordinary course of business which in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Borrower is no longer used or useful in its business;

(p) Dispositions of leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses for the use of property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in each case in the ordinary course of business and that do not materially interfere with the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

(q) the unwinding of hedging obligations pursuant to their terms; and

(r) the Disposition of other property having a fair market value not to exceed 7.5% of the total assets in the aggregate for any fiscal year of the Borrower, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis (prior to giving effect to such Disposition).

7.6 Restricted Payments. Declare or pay any dividend (other than dividends payable solely in common stock or similar equity interests or options or other rights to acquire such equity interests of the Person making such dividend) on, or make any payment on account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of, any Capital Stock of any Group Member, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or make any other distribution in respect thereof, either directly or indirectly, whether in cash or property or in obligations of any Group Member (collectively, “Restricted Payments”), except:

(f) the payment of dividends and distributions within sixty days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration of such payment, such payment would have complied with the other provisions of this Section 7.6;

(g) any Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary (and, in the case of a Restricted Payment by a non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary, to the Borrower and any Subsidiary and to each other owner of equity interests of such Subsidiary based on their relative ownership interests);

(h) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for management, employees consultants or directors of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and stock purchase plans with employees, officers, consultants or directors;

(i) the Borrower may pay cash dividends to holders of Permitted Preferred Stock; provided that, in the case of any Restricted Payment made pursuant to this clause (d), (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment and (y) the Borrower shall be in pro forma compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 7.1 after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment and the incurrence of any Indebtedness in connection therewith;

(j) repurchases of equity interests of the Borrower deemed to occur upon the non-cash exercise of stock options, warrants, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units;

(k) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments with any cash proceeds contributed to its common equity and from the Net Cash Proceeds of any permitted equity issuance, so long as, with respect to any such Restricted Payments, no Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment;

(l) the Borrower may repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units or other equity securities of the Borrower from directors, officers or employees of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor (or their estate, family members, spouse and/or former spouse);

(m) the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor may honor any conversion request by a holder of convertible Indebtedness and make cash payments in lieu of fractional shares in connection with any such conversion and may make payments on convertible Indebtedness in accordance with its terms;

(n) purchases of fractional shares of equity interests of the Borrower arising out of stock dividends, splits or combinations or business combinations; and

(o) the Borrower may make other Restricted Payments not otherwise permitted by this Section so long as (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment and (y) the Borrower shall be in pro forma compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 7.1 (provided that the Borrower’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be at least 0.25 less than the applicable level set forth in Section 7.1(a)) after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment and the incurrence of any Indebtedness in connection therewith.

7.7 Lines of Business. Enter into any material line of business, either directly or through any Subsidiary, substantially different from those lines of businesses in which the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are engaged on the date of this Agreement or that are not reasonably related, complementary, synergistic, ancillary or incidental thereto or reasonable extensions thereof.

7.8 Investments. Make any advance, loan, extension of credit (by way of guaranty or otherwise) or capital contribution to, or purchase any Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other debt securities of, or any assets constituting a business unit of, or make any other investment in, any Person (all of the foregoing, “Investments”), except:

(c) extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business (including advances made to distributors consistent with past practice), Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors, and Investments consisting of prepayments to suppliers in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;

(d) investments in cash and Cash Equivalents or that were Cash Equivalents when made;

(e) Guarantee Obligations permitted by Section 7.2;

(f) loans and advances to officers, directors and employees of any Group Member (i) in the ordinary course of business (including for travel, entertainment and relocation expenses), (ii) in connection with such Person’s purchase of equity interests of the Borrower, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $20,000,000 at any one time outstanding and (iii) relating to indemnification of any officers, directors or employees in respect of liabilities relating to their serving in any such capacity, and any reimbursement of any such officer, director or employee of expenses relating to the claims giving rise to such indemnification;

(g) Investments in existence on the date hereof listed on Schedule 7.8(e) and any modification, replacement, renewal or extension thereof;

(h) intercompany Investments by any Group Member in the Borrower or any Person that, prior to, or after giving effect to, such investment, is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor;

(i) intercompany Investments by any Group Member in a Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor; provided that the aggregate amount of such Investments (excluding all such Investments otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section 7.8), less any cash return on Investments received after the date hereof, shall not at the time of the making of any such Investment exceed the greater of (i) $180,000,000 and (ii) 45.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior to such time for which financial statements are available, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis;

(j) Investments consisting of deposit or securities accounts maintained in the ordinary course of business;

(k) any acquisition of any assets or capital stock of another Person (including as a result of merger or otherwise); provided that (i) the Borrower shall be in pro forma compliance with the covenants in Section 7.1 after giving effect to such acquisition for which financial statements are available as if such acquisition occurred immediately prior to the first day of the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended prior to such acquisition; and (ii) if such acquisition would require the Borrower to provide pro forma financial information regarding such acquisition in a current report on Form 8-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q, or annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, the Borrower shall have delivered a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying the Borrower’s pro forma compliance described in clause (i) above and containing all information and calculations necessary for determining such compliance;

(l) Investments (including debt obligations and equity interests) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(m) Investments in exchange for, or made with the proceeds (within 180 days of receipt) of, existing Investments which are of at least equivalent market value (as reasonably determined by the Borrower’s chief financial officer, chief executive officer, corporate controller or president as at the time of exchange or disposition) as such existing Investments and are of the same type and nature as such existing Investment;

(n) Investments by the Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary in any Foreign Subsidiary in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or Investment permitted by this Section 7.8; provided that the proceeds of such Investments shall be used directly or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries solely for the purpose of paying the consideration and transaction costs related to such Permitted Acquisition or Investment permitted by this Section 7.8;

(o) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of (i) endorsements for collection or deposit, (ii) customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices, (iii) extensions of credit in the nature of the performance of bids and (iv) Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction of amounts owing from financially troubled account

debtors or received in respect of delinquent accounts or in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of account debtors or other obligors or in settlements of disputes with obligors;

(p) the licensing, sublicensing or contribution of Intellectual Property rights with Persons other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business on customary terms;

(q) Investments of a Subsidiary that is acquired after the Closing Date or of a company merged or amalgamated or consolidated into the Borrower or merged, amalgamated or consolidated with a Subsidiary, in each case in accordance with Section 7.4, after the Closing Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, and that do not constitute a material portion of the assets acquired by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in such transaction and were in existence or committed to be made on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;

(r) advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business and Investments made pursuant to employment and severance arrangements of officers and employees in the ordinary course of business and transactions pursuant to stock option plans and employee benefit plans and arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

(s) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of supplies, materials and equipment;

(t) Investments by any Foreign Subsidiary in any other Foreign Subsidiary;

(u) in addition to Investments otherwise expressly permitted by this Section, Investments by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount (valued at cost) not to exceed $100,000,000 in any fiscal year;

(v) Investments acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with a Disposition permitted under Section 7.5;

(w) Investments consisting of Swap Agreements permitted hereunder;

(x) Investments held by any Person as of the date such Person is acquired in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, provided that (i) such Investments were not made, in any case, by such Person in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Permitted Acquisition, and (ii) with respect to any such Person which becomes a Subsidiary as a result of such Permitted Acquisition, such Subsidiary remains the only holder of such Investment; and

(y) for purposes of determining compliance with this Section 7.8, in the event that any Investment meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Investments described in this Section 7.8, the Borrower, in its sole discretion, shall classify, and may from time to time reclassify, such Investment and only be required to include the amount and type of such Investment in one of the clauses of this Section 7.8.

7.9 Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into any transaction, including any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of property, the rendering of any service or the payment of any management, advisory or similar fees, with any Affiliate (other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary) unless such transaction is (a) otherwise permitted under this Agreement, (b) upon fair and reasonable terms and

conditions substantially as favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary as it would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate, and (c) in the ordinary course of business of the relevant subsidiary, except any Restricted Payment otherwise permitted hereunder.

7.10 Sales and Leasebacks. Enter into any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by any Group Member of real or personal property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by such Group Member to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property or rental obligations of such Group Member unless such arrangement is permitted under Section 7.2(e).

7.11 Swap Agreements. Enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into, or guaranteed, to hedge or mitigate risks, including currency risks, or potential Capital Stock dilution to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary has actual exposure and (b) Swap Agreements entered into, or guaranteed, in order to effectively fix, cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability, currency liability, Capital Stock values or investment of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

7.12 Changes in Fiscal Periods. Permit the fiscal year of the Borrower to end on a day other than December 31 or change the Borrower’s method of determining fiscal quarters, provided, however, that the Borrower may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, change its fiscal year to any other fiscal year reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in which case, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement that are necessary to reflect such change in fiscal year.

7.13 Negative Pledge Clauses. Enter into or suffer to exist or become effective any agreement that prohibits or limits the ability of any Group Member to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien securing the Obligations upon any of its property or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than:

(a)this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

(b)any restrictions imposed by any agreements governing any secured Indebtedness (including any purchase money Liens or Capital Lease Obligations) otherwise permitted hereby (in which case, any prohibition or limitation shall only be effective against the assets financed thereby);

(c)any restrictions imposed by agreements governing a Disposition permitted under Section 7.5, provided that such prohibition or limitation relates solely to property to be disposed of;

(d)customary restrictions in leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such restrictions may relate to the assets subject thereto;

(e)customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest;

(f)customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(g)any restrictions imposed by Requirement of Law;

(h)customary provisions in joint venture agreements or similar agreements or the organizational documents of Subsidiaries that are not Wholly Owned Subsidiaries; and

(i)any agreement in effect at the time a Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or the assets governed by such agreement are acquired, so long as such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or such assets being acquired.

7.14 Clauses Restricting Subsidiary Distributions. Enter into or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary of the Borrower to (a) make Restricted Payments to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in respect of any Capital Stock of such Subsidiary held by, or pay any Indebtedness owed to, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower, (b) make loans or advances to, or other Investments in, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower or (c) transfer any of its assets to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) applicable law, (ii) any restrictions existing under the Loan Documents, (iii) any restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into in connection with the Disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Subsidiary, (iv) any restrictions governing a Disposition permitted under Section 7.5, provided that such restriction relates solely to property to be disposed of, (v) any restrictions in existence at the time of any acquisition consummated in accordance with Section 7.8(i) (and any renewal, modification or amendment thereof), (vi) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business, (vii) customary provisions in joint venture agreements or similar agreements or the organizational documents of Subsidiaries that are not Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, (viii) any agreements governing purchase money Indebtedness or Capital Lease Obligations permitted hereby and (ix) any restrictions under Indebtedness permitted to be incurred hereunder (or any permitted refinancing in respect thereof), to the extent such restrictions are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the restrictions contained in the Loan Documents, as determined by the Borrower in good faith.

7.15 Use of Proceeds. Request any Loan or Letter of Credit, and the Borrower shall not use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit (a) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws, (b) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, or (c) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

8.1 Events of Default. If any of the following events shall occur and be continuing:

(r) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation when due in accordance with the terms hereof; or the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation, or any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, within five days after any such interest or other amount becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof; or

(s) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document or that is contained in any certificate, document or financial or

other written statement furnished by it at any time under or in connection with this Agreement or any such other Loan Document shall prove to have been inaccurate in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made; or

(t) any Loan Party shall default in the observance or performance of any agreement contained in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 6.4(a) (with respect to the Borrower only), Section 6.7(a) or Section 7 of this Agreement; or

(u) any Loan Party shall default in the observance or performance of any other agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than as provided in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Section), and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice to the Borrower from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; or

(v) (i) any Group Member shall (A) default in making any payment of any principal of any Indebtedness (including any Guarantee Obligation, but excluding the Loans) on the scheduled or original due date with respect thereto; or (B) default in making any payment of any interest on any such Indebtedness beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created; or (ii) any party other than the Borrower to any Indebtedness accelerates the maturity of any amount owing in respect thereof as a result of a default with respect to such Indebtedness, other than secured Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.2 that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness; provided, that a default, event or condition described in clause (i) or (ii) of this paragraph (e) shall not at any time constitute an Event of Default unless, at such time, one or more defaults, events or conditions of the type described in clauses (i) or (ii) of this paragraph (e) shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to Indebtedness the outstanding principal amount of which exceeds in the aggregate $30,000,000; or

(w) (i) the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall commence any case, proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding‑up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or (ii) there shall be commenced against the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause (i) above that (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (B) remains undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of 60 days; or (iii) there shall be commenced against the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary any case, proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or similar process against all or any substantial part of its assets that results in the entry of an order for any such relief that shall not have been vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or (iv) the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall take any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) above; or (v) any the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they become due; or

(x) (i) any Person shall engage in any “prohibited transaction” (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and not exempt under Section 408 of ERISA and the regulations thereunder) involving any Plan, (ii) any failure to meet the minimum funding standards (as defined in Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived, shall exist with respect to any Plan or any Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan shall arise on the assets of any Group Member or any Commonly Controlled Entity, (iii) a Reportable Event shall occur with respect to, or proceedings shall commence to have a trustee appointed, or a trustee shall be appointed, to administer or to terminate, any Single Employer Plan, which Reportable Event or commencement of proceedings or appointment of a trustee is likely to result in the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, or any Single Employer Plan shall terminate for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (iv) any Single Employer Plan shall be determined to be in “at risk” status (with the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA), or (v) any Group Member or any Commonly Controlled Entity shall incur any liability in connection with a withdrawal from, or the Insolvency or Reorganization of, a Multiemployer Plan or determination that such Multiemployer Plan is in “endangered” or “critical” status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA); and in each case in clauses (i) through (v) above, such event or condition could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

(y) one or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against any Group Member involving in the aggregate a liability (not paid or fully covered by insurance as to which the relevant insurance company has acknowledged coverage) of $30,000,000 or more, and all such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or

(z) the guarantee contained in Section 2 of the Guarantee shall cease, for any reason (other than in accordance with Section 10.14 hereof), to be in full force and effect or any Loan Party or any Affiliate of any Loan Party shall so assert; or

(aa) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) shall become, or obtain rights (whether by means or warrants, options or otherwise) to become, the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)‑5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 40% of the outstanding common stock of the Borrower;

then, and in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (f) above with respect to the Borrower, automatically the Commitments shall immediately terminate and the Loans (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all amounts of L/C Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented the documents required thereunder) shall immediately become due and payable, and (B) if such event is any other Event of Default, either or both of the following actions may be taken: (i) with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower declare the Revolving Commitments to be terminated forthwith, whereupon the Revolving Commitments shall immediately terminate; and (ii) with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower, declare the Loans (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all amounts of L/C Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented the documents required thereunder) to be due and payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall

immediately become due and payable. With respect to all Letters of Credit with respect to which presentment for honor shall not have occurred at the time of an acceleration pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall at such time deposit in a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letters of Credit and all such amounts deposited shall be applied to reduce the outstanding L/C Obligations. Amounts held in such cash collateral account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the payment of drafts drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion thereof after all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be applied to repay other obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. After all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, all Reimbursement Obligations shall have been satisfied and all other obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall have been paid in full, the balance, if any, in such cash collateral account shall be returned to the Borrower (or such other Person as may be lawfully entitled thereto). Except as expressly provided above in this Section, presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.

SECTION 9. THE AGENTS

9.1 Appointment. Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.

9.2 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through agents or attorneys‑in‑fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys in‑fact selected by it with reasonable care.

9.3 Exculpatory Provisions. Neither any Agent nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, attorneys‑in‑fact or affiliates shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from its or such Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Agents under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any failure of any Loan Party a party thereto to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Agents shall not be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any

of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Loan Party.

9.4 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any instrument, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telecopy, email message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders), and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans.

9.5 Notice of Default. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders); provided that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders.

9.6 Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders. Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Agents nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates have made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by any Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of a Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Agents that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with

any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

9.7 Indemnification. The Lenders agree to indemnify each Agent in its capacity as such and its officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents, advisors, and controlling persons (each an “Agent Indemnitee”) (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), ratably according to their respective Aggregate Exposure Percentages in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought under this Section (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such Aggregate Exposure Percentages immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent Indemnitee in any way relating to or arising out of, the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent Indemnitee under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent Indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of the Agreement and payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

9.8 Agent in Its Individual Capacity. Each Agent and its affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party as though such Agent were not an Agent. With respect to its Loans made or renewed by it and with respect to any Letter of Credit issued or participated in by it, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include each Agent in its individual capacity.

9.9 Successor Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent upon 10 days’ notice to the Lenders and the Borrower. If the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders, which successor agent shall (unless an Event of Default under Section 8.1(a) or Section 8.1(f) with respect to the Borrower shall have occurred and be continuing) be subject to approval by the Borrower (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent, and the term “Administrative Agent” shall mean such successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former Administrative Agent’s rights, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Loans. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date that is 10 days following a retiring Administrative Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective, and the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for above. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 9 and Section 10.5 shall

continue to inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

9.10 Co-Syndication Agents and Co-Documentation Agents. The Co-Syndication Agents and Co-Documentation Agents shall have no duties or responsibilities hereunder in their capacity as such.

SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS

10.1 Amendments and Waivers. Neither this Agreement, any other Loan Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended, supplemented or modified except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.1. The Required Lenders and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may, or, with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may, from time to time, (a) enter into written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the other Loan Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders or of the Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder or (b) waive, on such terms and conditions as the Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences; provided, however, that no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification shall (i) forgive the principal amount or extend the final scheduled date of maturity of any Loan, extend the scheduled date of any amortization payment in respect of any Term Loan, reduce the stated rate of any interest or fee payable hereunder (except (x) in connection with the waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates (which waiver shall be effective with the consent of the Majority Facility Lenders of each adversely affected Facility) and (y) that any amendment or modification of defined terms used in the financial covenants in this Agreement shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest or fees for purposes of this clause (i)) or extend the scheduled date of any payment thereof, or increase the amount or extend the expiration date of any Lender’s Revolving Commitment, in each case without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; (ii) eliminate or reduce the voting rights of any Lender under this Section 10.1 without the written consent of such Lender; (iii) reduce any percentage specified in the definition of “Required Lenders,” consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, release or limit any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Material Subsidiary from its obligations under the Guarantee (other than pursuant to Section 10.14 hereof), in each case without the written consent of all Lenders; (iv) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 2.15 without the written consent of all Lenders under each Facility adversely affected thereby; (v) reduce the amount of Net Cash Proceeds required to be applied to prepay Loans under this Agreement without the written consent of the Majority Facility Lenders with respect to each Facility; (vi) reduce the percentage specified in the definition of “Majority Facility Lenders” with respect to any Facility without the written consent of all Lenders under such Facility; (vii) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 9 or any other provision of any Loan Document that affects the Administrative Agent without the written consent of the Administrative Agent; (viii) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 3 without the written consent of the Issuing Lender or (ix) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 2.21 without the written consent of the Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent. Any such waiver and any such amendment, supplement or modification shall apply equally to each of the Lenders and shall be binding upon the Loan Parties, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and all future holders of the Loans. In the case of any waiver, the Loan Parties, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall be restored to their former position and rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and any Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; but no such waiver

shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default, or impair any right consequent thereon.

Notwithstanding this Section 10.1, the Commitments of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded for all purposes of any determination of whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any waiver, amendment, supplement or modification pursuant to this Section 10.1); provided that any waiver, amendment, supplement or modification of the type described in clause (i) of this Section 10.1 shall require the consent of any Defaulting Lender.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (a) to add one or more additional credit facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Term Loans and Revolving Extensions of Credit and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and (b) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders and Majority Facility Lenders.

In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders providing the relevant Replacement Term Loans (as defined below) to permit the refinancing, replacement or modification of all or a portion of the outstanding Term Loans having the same terms (“Replaced Term Loans”) with a replacement term loan tranche hereunder (“Replacement Term Loans”), provided that (a) the aggregate principal amount of such Replacement Term Loans shall not exceed the aggregate principal amount of such Replaced Term Loans and (b) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Replacement Term Loans shall not be shorter than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Replaced Term Loans at the time of such refinancing.

Further, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 10.1, this Agreement may be amended to extend the maturity date of outstanding Term Loans and/or Revolving Commitments pursuant to one or more offers made from time to time by the Borrower to all the Lenders on a pro rata basis (based on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the respective Term Loans or Revolving Commitments) and on the same terms to each such Lender, with the written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers and each of the Lenders holding Loans having an extended maturity date. Each group of Term Loans or Revolving Commitments so extended shall constitute a separate tranche with the same terms as the original Term Loans or Revolving Commitments.

Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, with the consent of the Borrower, may amend, modify or supplement any Loan Document without the consent of any Lender or the Required Lenders in order to correct, amend or cure any inconsistency or defect or correct any typographical error or other manifest error in any Loan Document.

10.2 Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by telecopy), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered, or three Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of telecopy notice, when received, addressed as follows in the case of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and as set forth in an administrative questionnaire delivered to the Administrative Agent in the case of the Lenders, or to such other address as may be hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto:



Borrower:	Gartner, Inc. 56 Top Gallant Road Stamford, CT 06904 Attention: General Counsel Facsimile: (203) 316-6245 Telephone: (203) 316-6311
with a copy to:	Gartner, Inc. 56 Top Gallant Road Stamford, CT 06904 Attention: Chief Financial Officer Facsimile: (203) 547-6031 Telephone: (203) 316-6543
Administrative Agent:	JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. JPMorgan Loan Services 10 South Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60603 Attention: Leonida Mischke Facsimile: 888-292-9533 Telephone: 312-385-7055 Email: JPM.Agency.Servicing.4@jpmorgan.com
with a copy to:	JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Two Corporate Drive, Suite 730 Shelton, CT 06484 Attention: Scott Farquhar Telephone: 203-944-8424 Email: SCOTT.FARQUHAR@jpmorgan.com

provided that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Administrative Agent or the Lenders shall not be effective until received.

Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Section 2 unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

10.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

10.4 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder, in the other Loan Documents and in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans and other extensions of credit hereunder.

10.5 Payment of Expenses and Taxes. The Borrower agrees (a) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred

in connection with the development, preparation and execution of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and filing and recording fees and expenses, with statements with respect to the foregoing to be submitted to the Borrower prior to the Closing Date (in the case of amounts to be paid on the Closing Date) and from time to time thereafter on a quarterly basis or such other periodic basis as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate, (b) to pay or reimburse each Lender and the Administrative Agent for all its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel to each Lender and of counsel to the Administrative Agent, (c) to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender and the Administrative Agent harmless from, any and all recording and filing fees and any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, stamp, excise and other similar taxes, if any, that may be payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution and delivery of, or consummation or administration of any of the transactions contemplated by, or any amendment, supplement or modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, and (d) to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender, Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent and their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents and controlling persons (each, an “Indemnitee”) harmless from and against any and all other liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, including any of the foregoing relating to the use of proceeds of the Loans or Letter of Credit (including any refusal by the Issuing Lender to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit) or the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under, any Environmental Law applicable to any Group Member including with respect to any property at any time owned, leased, or used by any Group Member, or any orders, requirements or demands of Governmental Authorities related thereto or any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not such claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding is brought by the Borrower or any other Loan Party or their respective equity holders, Affiliates, creditors or any other third Person and whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, and the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of legal counsel (limited to one counsel for all Indemnitees taken as a whole and, if reasonably necessary, a single local counsel for all Indemnitees taken as a whole in each relevant jurisdiction and, solely in the case of a conflict of interest, one additional counsel (and, if reasonably necessary, one firm of local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction) to each group of affected Indemnitees similarly situated taken as a whole) and other reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any of the foregoing in connection with claims, actions or proceedings by any Indemnitee against any Loan Party under any Loan Document (all the foregoing in this clause (d), collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”), provided, that the Borrower shall have no obligation hereunder to any Indemnitee with respect to Indemnified Liabilities (i) to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, (ii) to the extent they are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from a material breach of the obligations of such Indemnitee under any Loan Document and (iii) to the extent arising from any dispute solely among Indemnitees other than against any Indemnitee in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as Administrative Agent or arranger or any similar role under this Agreement and other than any claims

arising out of any act or omission on the part of the Borrower or its Affiliates (as determined by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction). Without limiting the foregoing, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower agrees not to assert and to cause its Subsidiaries not to assert, and hereby waives and agrees to cause its Subsidiaries to waive, all rights for contribution or any other rights of recovery with respect to all claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature, under or related to Environmental Laws, that any of them might have by statute or otherwise against any Indemnitee. The Borrower shall not be liable for any settlement of any action effected without the Borrower’s consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), but if settled with the Borrower’s written consent or if there is a final judgment in any such actions, the Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses by reason of such settlement or judgment in accordance with this Section. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, if at any time an Indemnitee shall have requested confirmation of the Borrower’s obligation to indemnify such indemnified person in accordance with this Agreement, the Borrower shall be liable for any settlement or other action referred to in the immediately preceding sentence effected without the Borrower’s consent if (a) such settlement or other action is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by the Borrower of such request for confirmation and (b) the Borrower shall not have provided such confirmation in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement or other action. The Borrower shall not, without the prior written consent of an Indemnitee (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), effect any settlement of any pending or threatened actions in respect of which indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnitee unless such settlement (a) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnitee in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnitee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such actions and (b) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of such Indemnitee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Indemnitee shall be obligated to refund or return promptly any and all amounts paid by the Borrower or on the Borrower’s behalf under this Section to such Indemnitee for any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses to the extent such Indemnitee is not entitled to payment of such amounts in accordance with the terms hereof. All amounts due under this Section 10.5 shall be payable not later than 10 days after written demand therefor. Statements payable by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 10.5 shall be submitted to the Borrower at the address set forth in Section 10.2, or to such other Person or address as may be hereafter designated by the Borrower in a written notice to the Administrative Agent. The agreements in this Section 10.5 shall survive repayment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

10.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments. (c) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Lender that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section.

(d) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (other than a natural person or any Disqualified Institutions (except to the extent the Borrower has consented to such assignment, it being understood that the list of Disqualified Institutions shall be available to all Lenders); provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not have any obligation to determine whether any potential assignee is a Disqualified Institution or any liability with respect to any assignment made to

a Disqualified Institution) (each, an “Assignee”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent of:

(A) the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund (as defined below) or, if an Event of Default under Section 8.1(a) or (f) has occurred and is continuing, any other Person; and provided, further, that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless the Borrower shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten days after having received notice thereof;

(B) the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; and

(C) the Issuing Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), provided that no consent of the Issuing Lender shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan.

(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitments or Loans under any Facility, the amount of the Commitments or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 (or, in the case of the Term Facility, $1,000,000) unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that (1) no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under Section 8.1(a) or (f) has occurred and is continuing and (2) such amounts shall be aggregated in respect of each Lender and its Affiliates or Approved Funds, if any;

(B) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; and

(C) the Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an administrative questionnaire.

For the purposes of this Section 10.6, “Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) below, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such

Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.16, 2.17, 2.18 and 10.5). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 10.6 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.

(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an Assignee, the Assignee’s completed administrative questionnaire (unless the Assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

(e) (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (other than any natural person or Disqualified Institutions (except to the extent the Borrower has consented to such participation, it being understood that the list of Disqualified Institutions shall be available to all Lenders); provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not have any obligation to determine whether any potential participant is a Disqualified Institution or any liability with respect to any participation sold to a Disqualified Institution) (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver that (1) requires the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby pursuant to the proviso to the second

sentence of Section 10.1 and (2) directly affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of, and subject to the limitations of, Sections 2.16, 2.17 and 2.18 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.7(b) as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant shall be subject to Section 10.7(a) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender, each Loan Party and the Administrative Agent shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register pursuant to the terms hereof as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.

(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.16 or 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. No Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.17 unless such Participant complies with Section 2.17(d), (e) and (f) as if it were a Lender.

(f) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or Assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(g) The Borrower, upon receipt of written notice from the relevant Lender, agrees to issue Notes to any Lender requiring Notes to facilitate transactions of the type described in paragraph (d) above.

(h) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Conduit Lender may assign any or all of the Loans it may have funded hereunder to its designating Lender without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent and without regard to the limitations set forth in Section 10.6(b). Each of the Borrower, each Lender and the Administrative Agent hereby confirms that it will not institute against a Conduit Lender or join any other Person in instituting against a Conduit Lender any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding under any state bankruptcy or similar law, for one year and one day after the payment in full of the latest maturing commercial paper note issued by such Conduit Lender; provided, however, that each Lender designating any Conduit Lender hereby agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless each other party hereto for any loss, cost, damage or expense arising out of its inability to institute such a proceeding against such Conduit Lender during such period of forbearance.

10.7 Adjustments; Set‑off. (g) Except to the extent that this Agreement expressly provides for payments to be allocated to a particular Lender or to the Lenders under a particular Facility, if any Lender (a “Benefitted Lender”) shall, at any time after the Loans and other amounts payable hereunder shall immediately become due and payable pursuant to Section 8, receive any payment of all or part of the Obligations owing to it, or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set‑off, pursuant to events or proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 8.1(f), or otherwise), in a greater proportion than any such payment to or collateral received by any other Lender, if any, in respect of the Obligations owing to such other Lender, such Benefitted Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders a participating interest in such portion of the Obligations owing to each such other Lender, or shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, as shall be necessary to cause such Benefitted Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral ratably with each of the Lenders; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefitted Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

(h) In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law, each Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to the Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon the occurrence and during the Continuance of an Event of Default, to set off and appropriate and apply against such amount any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Lender or any branch or agency thereof to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower, as the case may be, provided that to the extent prohibited by applicable law as described in the definition of “Excluded Swap Obligation,” no amount received from, or set-off with respect to, any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such setoff and application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

10.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile transmission or via email attachment shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof. A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all the parties shall be lodged with the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

10.9 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

10.10 Integration. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the entire agreement of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Administrative Agent or any Lender relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents.

10.11 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

10.12 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers. The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

(c) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;

(d) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

(e) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to the Borrower, as the case may be at its address set forth in Section 10.2 or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;

(f) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and

(g) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

10.13 Acknowledgements. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that:

(e) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

(f) neither the Administrative Agent nor any other Credit Party has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to the Borrower arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between Administrative Agent and the other Credit Parties, on one hand, and the Borrower, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor;

(g) the Loan Parties are capable of evaluating and understanding, and the Loan Parties understand and accept, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

(h) the Loan Parties have been advised that the Credit Parties are engaged in a broad range of transactions that may involve interests that differ from the Loan Parties’ interests and that the Credit Parties have no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Loan Parties;

(i) the Loan Parties have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent the Loan Parties have deemed appropriate in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

(j) each Credit Party has been, is, and will be acting solely as a principal and, except as otherwise expressly agreed in writing by it and the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Loan Parties, any of their affiliates or any other Person;

(k) none of the Credit Parties has any obligation to the Loan Parties or their affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents except those obligations expressly set forth herein or therein or in any other express writing executed and delivered by such Credit Party and the Loan Parties or any such affiliate; and

no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Credit Parties or between the Borrower and the Credit Parties.

10.14 Releases of Guarantees. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender (without requirement of notice to or consent of any Lender except as expressly required by Section 10.1) to take any action requested by the Borrower having the effect of releasing any guarantee obligations (i) to the extent necessary to permit consummation of any transaction not prohibited by any Loan Document or that has been consented to in accordance with Section 10.1 or (ii) under the circumstances described in paragraph (b) below.

(b) At such time as the Loans, the Reimbursement Obligations and the other obligations under the Loan Documents (including obligations under or in respect of Specified Swap Agreements) shall have been paid in full, the Commitments have been terminated and no Letters of Credit shall be outstanding, the Guarantee and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Administrative Agent and each Loan Party under the Guarantee shall terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any Person.

10.15 Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and each Lender agrees to keep confidential all non-public information provided to it by any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement; provided that nothing herein shall prevent the Administrative Agent or any Lender from disclosing any such information (a) to the Administrative Agent, any other Lender or any affiliate thereof, (b) subject to an agreement to comply with the provisions of this Section or provisions no less restrictive than those in this Section, to any actual or prospective Transferee or any direct or indirect counterparty to any Swap Agreement (or any professional advisor to such counterparty), (c) to its employees, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors or those of any of its affiliates, (d) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority, (e) in response to any order of any court or other Governmental Authority or as may otherwise be required pursuant to any Requirement of Law, (f) if requested or required to do so in connection with any litigation or similar proceeding, (g) that has been publicly disclosed, (h) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender’s investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender, or (i) in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

Each Lender acknowledges that information furnished to it pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities, and confirms that it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and that it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with those procedures and applicable law, including Federal and state securities laws.

All information, including requests for waivers and amendments, furnished by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent pursuant to, or in the course of administering, this Agreement or the other Loan Documents will be syndicate-level information, which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower and its Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities. Accordingly, each Lender represents to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that it has identified in its administrative questionnaire a credit contact who may receive information that may contain material non-public information in accordance with its compliance procedures and applicable law, including Federal and state securities laws.

10.16 WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL. THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

10.17 USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.

10.18 Keepwell. The Borrower absolutely, unconditionally, and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Loan Party to honor all of its obligations under the Guarantee in respect of any Swap Obligation. The obligations of the Borrower under this Section 10.18 shall remain in full force and effect until all the Borrower Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee) and the obligations of each Guarantor under Section 2 of the Guarantee shall have been satisfied by payment in full, no Letter of Credit shall be outstanding and the Commitments shall be terminated, notwithstanding that from time to time during the term of the Credit Agreement the Borrower may be free from any Borrower Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee). The Borrower intends that this Section 10.18 constitute, and this Section 10.18 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Loan Party for all purposes of section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

GARTNER, INC.

By:

Name:

Title: