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, 20092012

OR

OR
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)

Delaware04-3099750
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
  
P.O. Box 10212 
P.O. Box 10212
56 Top Gallant Road
Stamford, CT
06902-7700
(Address of principal executive offices)06902-7700
(Zip Code)
  
(203) 316-1111 
(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
Title of each class
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 ofRegulation 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 oþ No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 ofRegulation 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 thisForm 10-K or any amendment to thisForm 10-K. o

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” inRule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filerþAccelerated fileroAcceleratedNon-accelerated fileroNon-accelerated filer oSmaller reporting companyo
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined inRule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yeso Noþ

As of June 30, 2009,2012, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $935,105,805$3,900,309,164 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 95,924,91093,366,230 as of January 31, 2010.

2013.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Document 
Document
Parts Into Which Incorporated
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to
to be held June 3, 2010May 30, 2013 (Proxy Statement)
 Part III


 

GARTNER, INC.
20092012 ANNUAL REPORT ONFORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I  
BUSINESS13
RISK FACTORS46
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS911
PROPERTIES911
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS911
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERSMINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES (not applicable)11
  9
 
PART II
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES1012
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA1113
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS1214
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK2526
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA2627
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE2627
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES2627
OTHER INFORMATION28
  27
 
PART III
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE2829
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION2829
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS2829
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE2829
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES29
  28
 
PART IV
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES30
  29 
3132
3233
3334
3435
3536
37
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME3638
3739
40
SIGNATURES61
382
 
58
EX-10.1
EX-21.1
EX-23.1
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-32


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PART I

ITEM 1. 

BUSINESS.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

GENERAL

Gartner, Inc. (“Gartner”) (NYSE: IT) is the world’s leading information technology research and advisory company. Since its founding in 1979, Gartner has established a leading brand in the IT research marketplace. The cornerstones of our strategy are to focus on producing extraordinary research content, deliver innovative and highly differentiated product offerings, enhance our sales capability, provide world class client service, and improve operational effectiveness.

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 technology investors, to supply chain leaders,professionals and to the front-line professionals in the technology organization,investors, we are the indispensablevaluable partner to 60,000 clients in 10,000over 13,300 distinct organizations in over 80 countries.organizations. We work with every clientclients to research, analyze and interpret the business of IT within the context of their individual role.
roles. Founded in 1979, Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.A., and as of December 31, 2012, we had 5,468 associates, including 1,405 research analysts and consultants, and clients in 85 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 customerbusiness segments — Research, Consulting and Events:

Researchprovides objective insight on critical and timely technology and supply chain initiatives for CIOs, other IT professionals, supply chain leaders, technology companies and the investment community through reports, and briefings, proprietary tools, access to our analysts, as well as peer networking services and membership programs designed specifically for CIOsthat enable our clients to make better decisions about their IT and other senior executives.supply chain investments.
 
Consultingconsists primarily of consulting, measurement engagements provides customized solutions to unique client needs through on-site, day-to-day support, as well as proprietary tools for measuring and strategic advisory services (paidone-day analyst engagements) (“SAS”), which provide assessments ofimproving IT performance with a focus on cost, performance, efficiency, and quality focused on the IT industry.quality.
 
Eventsconsists of provide 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 IT industry.latest Gartner research into applicable insight and advice.
Gartner is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.A. We have 4,305 associates, including almost 1,200 research analysts and consultants.

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

.

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

MARKET OVERVIEW

Technological innovations today 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. Major technological forces - including social media, mobile, cloud and information – are driving change on a scale not seen before in every organization around the world, from business enterprises of every size, to governments and government agencies, as well as other organizations. This technology revolution is likely to remain vibrant for decades to come.

Information technology (IT) is critical to supporting increased productivity, service improvement and revenue growth. IT and the operational and financial success of all business enterprises and other organizations,supply chain are viewed today as well as government and government agencies. Once a support function, IT is now viewed as a strategic componentcomponents of growth and operating performance. Accordingly, it has become imperative for executives and IT professionals to invest in IT and manage their IT spending and purchasing decisions efficiently and effectively.

As the costcosts of IT solutions continuescontinue to rise, IT executives and technology professionals have realized the importance of making well-informed decisions and increasingly seek to maximize their returns on IT capital investments. As a result, any 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, and meet both their current and future needs.

Given the strategic and critical nature of technology decision makingdecision-making and spending, business enterprises, organizations, and governments and their agencies, are increasingly turningand other organizations turn to outside expertsGartner for guidance in IT procurement, implementation and operations in order to make the right decisions to maximize the value of their IT investments. Accordingly, it is critical that CIOs and other executives and personnel within an IT organization obtain value-added, independent and objective research and analysis of the IT market to assist them in these IT-related decisions.

OUR SOLUTION

We provide high-quality, independentIT decision makers with the insight they need to understand where - and objective researchhow – to successfully use IT and analysis of the IT industry. Through our entire product portfolio, our global research team provides thought leadership and insight about technology acquisition and deploymentsupply chain to CIOs, executives and other technology leaders and professionals.

achieve their objectives. 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 hosting symposia, conferencesour events, including Gartner Symposium/ITxpo.

Our 902 analysts located around the world create timely, high-quality, independent and exhibitions.

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objective research and fact-based analysis on all aspects of the IT industry. Through our robust product portfolio, our global research team provides thought leadership and

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With a base of 720 researchtechnology insights that CIOs, supply chain professionals, executives and other technology practitioners need to make the right decisions, every day. In addition to our analysts, we create timely and relevant technology-related research. In addition, we have 450503 experienced consultants who combine our objective, independent research with a practical business perspective focused on the IT industry. OurFinally, our events are among the world’s 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 ITtechnology 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 analysis.advice. We also seek to extend the Gartner brand name to develop new client relationships, and 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. The Gartner core globaldelivers independent, objective IT research productand insight primarily through a subscription-based, digital media service. Gartner Research is the fundamental building block for all Gartner services and covers all ITtechnology-related markets, topics and industries.industries, as well as supply chain topics. We combine our proprietary research methodologies with extensive industry and academic relationships to create Gartner solutions.solutions that address each role within an IT organization. Our researchResearch agenda is defined by clients’ needs, focusing on the critical issues, opportunities and challenges they face every day. Our researchResearch 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 websiteand/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, which is typically one year.
Our research analysts 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. Clients typically sign contracts that provide access to our research content for individual users over a defined period of time. The research contracts are renewed on an ongoing basis; despite difficult economic conditions, in 2009 we experienced strong research client retention, with 78% of user organizations renewing their contracts, as well as 87% wallet retention, a measure of the dollar amount of contract value we have retained with clients over the prior year.
Our strategy is to align our service and product offerings around individual roles within targeted key client groups. For example, Gartner Executive Programs (EXP) comprises exclusive membership programs designed to help CIOs, senior IT executives and other business executives become more effective in their enterprises. An EXP membership leverages the knowledge and expertise of Gartner in ways that are specific to the CIO’s needs and offers role-based offerings and member-only communities for peer-based collaboration. Our 3,700 EXP members also receive advice and counsel from an executive partner who understands their goals and can ensure the most effective level of support from Gartner.
Other programs focus on the needs of the IT end-user market and IT vendors with a variety of product offerings. Gartner for IT Leaders currently provides eight role-based research offerings to assist end-user IT leaders with effective decision making. These products align a client’s specific job-related challenges with appropriate Gartner analysts and insight, and connect IT leaders to IT peers who share common business and technology issues. Gartner for Enterprise IT Leaders provides a personalized service consisting of Gartner research, peer-interaction and networking to help senior leaders save time and money, mitigate risk and exploit new opportunities. Gartner for Business Leaders provides a series of role-based offerings to help sales, marketing, product management and professional services leaders successfully manage their organizations and better interact with Gartner analysts.
Our Industry Advisory Services address technology issues and topics with a focus on their impacts on specific vertical industries.
Our Best Practices Councils provide peer networks to senior IT leaders in large organizations, currently in six practice areas, including IT architecture and strategic planning, information security, emerging technology management, infrastructure management, enterprise applications for SAP and IT sourcing management.
Gartner for Technology Investors provides premium research focused on the strategies and behaviors of technology end users and providers to support the activities of institutional investors who invest in technology companies.
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 our clients use and manage IT to enableoptimize business performance. We seek to accomplish three major outcomes for our clients: applying IT to drive improvements in business performance; creating sustainable IT efficiency that ensures a constant return on IT investments; and strengthening the
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Consulting solutions capitalize on Gartner assets that are invaluable to IT organizationdecision 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 client’s 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, to ensure high-valueprograms and portfolio management, and sourcing and vendor relationships. Consulting also provides targeted consulting services to the client’s lines of businessprofessionals in specific industries. Finally, we provide actionable solutions for IT cost optimization, technology modernization and to enable the client to adapt to business changes.IT sourcing optimization initiatives.
We deliver our consulting solutions by capitalizing 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 client’s success; and (3) our market-leading benchmarking capabilities, which provide relevant comparisons and best practices to assess and improve performance.
Gartner Consulting provides solutions aimed at IT roles and IT initiatives in various industries. We provide consulting engagements to CIO’s and IT executives, and to those professionals responsible for IT applications, enterprise architecture,go-to-market strategies, infrastructure and operations, programs and portfolio management and sourcing and vendor relationships, that are relevant to the role played by the client within the organization. We also provide targeted consulting services to professionals in the banking and investment services, education, energy and utilities, government, healthcare providers and high tech and telecom providers that utilize our in-depth knowledge of the demands of each industry. Finally, we provide actionable solutions for IT Cost Optimization, Technology Modernization and IT Sourcing Optimization initiatives.
EVENTS. Gartner symposiaSymposium/ITxpo events and conferencesGartner Summit events are gatherings of technology’s most senior IT professionals, business strategists and practitioners. SymposiaGartner Events offers current, relevant and conferences give clients live access to insights developed from our latest proprietary research in a concentrated way. Informativeactionable technology sessions led by Gartner analysts to clients and non-clients. These sessions are augmented with technology showcases, peer exchange,exchanges, analystone-on-one meetings, workshops and keynotes by technology’s top leaders. Symposia and conferences, which are not limited to Gartner research clients,They also provide participantsattendees with an opportunity to interact with business executives from the world’s leading technology companies. In 2009, we
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 54 Gartner eventsin various locations throughout the United States, Europe, Latin Americaworld for CIOs and other senior IT and business professionals. Gartner Summit events focus on specific topics, technologies and industries, providing IT professionals with the Asia/Pacific region that attracted 30,610 attendees.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.
Gartner conferences attract high-level IT and business professionals who seek in-depth knowledge about technology products and services. Gartner Symposia are large, strategic conferences held in various locations throughout the world for senior IT and business professionals. Symposia are combined with ITxpo, an exhibition where the latest technology products and solutions are demonstrated. Gartner Summits focus on specific topics, technologies and industries, providing IT Professionals with the insight, solutions and networking opportunities to succeed in their job role. At the present time we offer Summits in Applications, Business Intelligence and Information Management, Business Process Improvement, Enterprise Architecture, IT Infrastructure and Operations, Portfolio and Production Management, Security and Risk Management, and Sourcing and Vendor Relationships, among others. Finally, we offer targeted events for CIOs and IT executives.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS
In December 2009, we acquired AMR Research, Inc. (“AMR Research”), which provides information technology research, consulting and events for organizations with supply chain management issues, thereby expanding the breadth and depth of our IT research coverage. Additionally, in the same month, we acquired Burton Group, Inc. (“Burton Group”), which provides a complementary portfolio of research, consulting and events specifically designed to meet the unique needs of front-line technology professionals within IT teams. The acquisition of Burton Group will enable us to meet the demand of our clients and offer a complete solution to every level and functional expert within the IT organization. We believe these companies will greatly enhance Gartner’s product and services offerings.
See Note 2 — Acquisitions in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding these acquisitions.

COMPETITION

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

are the following:

Superior IT Research Contentresearch content — We believe that we create the broadest, highest-quality and most relevant research coverage of the IT industry. 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 Nameleading brand nameFor over 30 years weWe have been providingprovided critical, trusted insight under the Gartner name.name for over 30 years.
 
Our Global Footprintglobal footprint and Established Customer Baseestablished customer base — We have a global presence with clients in over 8085 countries on six continents. Approximately 45%For both 2012 and 47%2011, 46% of our revenues for 2009 and 2008, respectively, were derived from sales outside of the U.S.
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Experienced management team — Our management team is composed of IT research veterans and experienced industry executives.
Substantial Operating Leverageoperating leverage in Our Business Modelour 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 revenues and profitability.
 
• Experienced Management Team — Our management team is composed of IT research veterans and experienced industry executives.
 
Vast Networknetwork of Analystsanalysts and ConsultantsconsultantsWe have almost 1,200As of December 31, 2012, we had 1,405 research analysts and consultants located around the world. Our analysts alonecollectively speak 47 languages and are located in numerous26 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 against consulting firms and other information providers, including electronic and print media companies. These indirect competitors could choose to compete directly with us in the future. Additionally,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. However, we believe the breadth and depth of our research assets position us well versus our competition. Increased competition may 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, and we also enter into agreements with our employees as appropriate that protect our intellectual property.

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

As

We had 5,468 employees as of December 31, 2009,2012, an increase of 10% compared to the prior year end as we had 4,305continued to invest for future growth. We have 976 employees of which 691 were located at our headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut and a nearby office in Trumbull, Connecticut; 1,945 were2,198 employees located elsewhere in the United States; and 1,669 were2,294 employees located outside of the United States. These amounts include the addition of 290 new employees as a result of the AMR Research and Burton Group acquisitions.

Our employees may be subject to collective bargaining agreements at a company or industry level 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 iswww.gartner.com and the investor relations section of our website is located atwww.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 onForm 10-K, quarterly reports onForm 10-Q, current reports onForm 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 atwww.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) Code of Business Conduct, which applies to all Gartner officers, directors and employees, (iii) Principles of Ethical Conduct which applies to all Gartner employees, (iv) Board Principles and Practices, the corporate

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governance principles that have been adopted by our Board and (v)(iv) charters for each of the Board’s standing committees: Audit, Compensation and Governance/Nominating.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE PERFORMANCE.

We operate in a veryhighly 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 section discussessections discuss many, but not all, of thesethe risks and uncertainties that may affect our future performance, but is not intended to be all-inclusive.

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Any of the risks described below could have a material adverse impact on ourbusiness, prospects, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows, and couldtherefore 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 mayalso harm us and negatively affect your investment.


Risks related to our business

Our operating results could be negatively impacted by generalglobal economicconditions.Our business is impacted by general economic conditions both domesticand trends, in the U.S and abroad. TheAmong these conditions are government deficit spending in the U.S. and other countries, ongoing uncertainty in global credit crisistrade, difficulties related to the refinancing of sovereign debt, and economic downturn that began in 2008 and continued throughout 2009currency stability. In addition, there continues to be risks related to one or more Euro-Zone countries discontinuing the use of the Euro as their currency. These conditions could negatively and materially affect future demand for our products and services. This downturnSuch difficulties could materially and adversely affect our business, includinginclude the ability to maintain client retention, wallet retention and consulting utilization rates, achieve contract value and consulting backlog growth, and attract attendees and exhibitors to our events.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 couldmaterially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. 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, limited barriers to entry exist in the markets in which we do business. As a result, additional new competitors may emerge and existing competitors may start to provide additional or complementary services. Additionally, technological advances may provide increased competition from a variety of sources.

While we believe the breadth and depth of our research assets position us well versus our competition, there

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 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 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. Failure to increase and improve our 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 remaincompetitive.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, enhance and improve our products and services, develop or acquire new products and services, deliver all products and services in a timely manner, and appropriately position and price new products and services relative to the marketplace and our costs of producing 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 newsubscription-based services for a significant portion of our revenue, and ourfailure to renew at historical rates or generate new sales of such servicescould 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 66%70% and 60%69% of our revenues for 20092012 and 2008,2011, respectively. Generating new sales of our subscription-based products and services, both to new and existing clients, is often a time consuming process. If we are unable to generate new sales, due to competition or other factors, our revenues will be adversely affected.

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Our research subscription agreements have terms thatare generally range fromfor twelve to thirty months. 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.
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Additionally, as we implementcontinue to adjust our strategyproducts and service offerings to realignmeet our business to clientclients’ continuing needs, we may shift the type and pricing of our products which may impact client renewal rates. While our research client retention rate was 78%83% at December 31, 20092012 and 82% at December 31, 2008,2011, 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 newengagements could lead to a decrease in our revenues.Consulting segment revenues constituted 25%19% of our total revenues for 20092012 and 27%21% for 2008. These consulting2011. 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.

The profitability and success of our conferences, symposia and events could beadversely affected by external factors beyond our control. The global credit crisis and economic downturn that began in 2008 and continued throughout 2009 severely impacted travel budgets of all organizations, which may continue to negatively impact our business. The market for desirable dates and locations for conferences, symposia and events is highly competitive. If we cannot secure desirable dates and locations 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, terrorist attacks, weather, natural disasters, and other world eventsoccurrences impacting the global, regional, or national economy, the occurrence of any of which could negatively impact the success of the event.

event and as the global economy recovers, our ability to procure space for our events and keep associated costs down could become more challenging.

Our sales to governments are subject to appropriations and may be terminated.We derive significant revenues from contracts with the U.S. government and its respective agencies, numerous state and local governments and their respective agencies, as well asand foreign governments and their agencies. At December 31, 20092012 and 2008,2011, approximately $182.0$255.0 million and $192.0$225.0 million, respectively, of our Research contract value and Consulting backlog was attributable to governments. We believe substantially all of the amount attributable to governments at December 31, 20092012 will be filled in 2010.2013. 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, and our contracts at the state and local levels are subject to various government authorizations and funding approvals and mechanisms. In general, most if not all of these contracts may be terminated at any time without cause (“termination for convenience”). Additionally, many state governments, their agencies, and municipalities across the United States are under severe financial strain and are considering significant budget cuts. Should appropriations for the governments and agencies that contract with us be curtailed, or should government contracts be terminated for convenience, we may experience a significant loss of revenue.

segment and consolidated revenues.

We may not be able to attract and retain qualified personnel which couldjeopardize 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 the limited pool of these 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. Some of the personnel that we attempt to hire are subject to non-compete agreements that could impede our short-term recruitment efforts. Any failure to retain key personnel or hire and train additional qualified personnel as required to support the evolving needs of clients or growth in our business, could adversely affect the quality of our products and services, 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 theour brand and otherwise increase

7

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 whichcould negatively impact our future revenue and growth.We have clients in over 8085 countries and a significant partsubstantial amount of our revenue comes from international sales.revenues are 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

6


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.

Our international operations expose us to changesvolatility in foreign currencyexchange rates. Approximately 45% and 47% of our revenues for 2009 and 2008, respectively, were derived from sales outside of the U.S. Revenues earned outside the U.S. are typically transacted in local currencies, which may fluctuate significantly against the 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.

Catastrophic eventsNatural disasters or geo-political conditionsevents may disrupt our business.A disruption or failure of our systems or operations in the event of a major weather event, cyber-attack, terrorist attack, earthquake, flood, volcanic activity, or other catastrophic eventdisaster could significantly disrupt our operations. Such events could cause delays in initiating or completing sales, providingimpede delivery of our products and services to our clients, disrupt other critical client-facing and business processes, or performing other mission-critical functions.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, in a hurricane-prone area. We also operate in numerous international locations. A catastrophic event that resultslocations, and we have offices in a number of major cities across the destruction or disruption of any of our critical business or information technology systems could harm our ability to conduct normal business operations and negatively impact our operating results.globe. Abrupt political change, terrorist activity, 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.

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. A cyber-attack, widespread Internet failure, or disruption of our critical information technology systems through 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 condition and operating results.

We take steps generally acknowledged as standard for the industry 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/or 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 tomaintain 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 and to upgrade our technology and network infrastructure to handle increased traffic on our websites. 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 and financial condition.results.

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Our outstanding debt obligationsobligation could impact our financial condition or future operating results. At December 31, 2009, we had $329.0 million outstanding under our Credit Agreement, whichWe have a credit arrangement that provides for two amortizinga five-year, $200.0 million term loans with quarterly paymentsloan and a $300.0$400.0 million revolving credit facility.facility (the “2010 Credit Agreement”). The credit arrangement contains an expansion feature by which the term loan and revolving credit facility may be increased, at our option and under certain conditions, by up to an additional $100.0$150.0 million at our lenders’ discretion (the “expansion feature”), for a total revolving credit facility of $400.0 million. However,in the $100.0 million expansion featureaggregate which may or may not be available to us depending upon prevailing credit market conditions.

At both December 31, 2012 and 2011, we had a total of $200.0 million outstanding under the 2010 Credit Agreement.

The affirmative, negative and financial covenants of the 2010 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 Credit Agreement,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 Agreement.

credit arrangement. The associated debt service costs of the borrowingthis credit arrangement under our Credit Agreement 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 onfavorable terms or at all.We believe that our existing cash balances, projected cash flow from operations, and the remaining borrowing capacity we have under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to fund our plans for our expected short-termthe next 12 months and the foreseeable long-term operating needs.

Wefuture.

However, we may however, 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. If our existing financial resources are insufficient to satisfy our requirements, we may seek additional borrowings. Prevailing credit 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 ourcompetitive position may be harmed.We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark, trade secret, 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

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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. Our employees are subject to non-compete agreements. 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.
Additionally, there can be no assurance that another party will not assert that we have infringed its intellectual property rights.

We have grown, and may continue to grow, through acquisitions and strategicinvestments, 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. 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 or 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 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 may in the future 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, 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 successful claim is made against us and we fail to settle the claim on reasonable terms, our business, results of operations or financial position could be materially adversely affected.

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We face risks related to taxation.We operate in numerous domestic and foreign taxing jurisdictions and ourjurisdictions. Changes to the tax laws as well as the level of operations and profitability in each jurisdiction may have an unfavorable impact upon the amount of income taxes that we recognize in any given year. In addition, our tax filings for various tax years are subject to audit by the tax authorities in jurisdictions where we conduct business, and in the ordinary course of business, we may be under audit by one or more tax authorities from time to time.

These audits may result in assessments of additional taxes, and resolution of these matters involves uncertainties and there are no assurances that the ultimate resolution will not exceed the amounts we have recorded. Additionally, the results of an audit could have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows in the period or periods for which that determination is made.

Our corporate compliance program cannot guarantee that we are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.We operate in a number of countries, 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 or regulations, 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 material impact on our business.

Risks related to our common stock

Common Stock

Our operating results may fluctuate from period to period and may not meet theexpectations of securities analysts or investors or 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 causeperiod-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 securities analysts or investors in the future or guidance we have given. If this occurs, the price of our stock would likely decline.

Our stock price may be volatile,impacted by factors outside of our control and you maynot be able to resell shares of our Common Stock at or above the price youpaid.The trading prices of our Common Stock could be subject to significant fluctuations in response to, among other factors, variations in operating results, developments in the industries in which we do business, general economic conditions, general market conditions, 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. Such volatilityperiod, as well as other factors outside of our control. 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 stockprice.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. awards which have the effect of adding shares of Common Stock into the public market.

As of December 31, 2009,2012, the aggregate number of shares of our Common Stock issuable pursuant to outstanding grants and awards under these plans was approximately 11.54.8 million shares (approximately 5.81.2 million of which have vested). In addition, approximately 7.46.4 million shares may be issued in connection with future

8


awards under our equity incentive plans. Shares of Common Stock issued under these plans are freely transferable without further registration 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). 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.yours As of December 31, 2009, ValueAct Capital and affiliates (“ValueAct”) owned approximately 21.7% of our Common Stock.. To our knowledge, as of the date of this report,December 31, 2012, and based upon publicly-available SEC filings, four other institutional investors each presently hold over 5% of our Common Stock. Additionally, a representative of ValueAct presently holds one seat on our Board of Directors.

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 companyCompany by a third party, this concentration of ownership may delay or prevent a change of control in the Company.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 the Companyus or all stockholders.

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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.
There are

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.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

We lease 29 domestic and 49 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 approximately 213,000 square feet of leased office space in three buildings located in Stamford, Connecticut. Our StamfordStamford. This facility also accommodates research and analysis, marketing, sales, client support, production, corporate services, executive offices, and administration. TheIn 2010, the Company entered into an amended and restated lease agreement for the Stamford headquarters facility expires in October 2010. We have completed negotiationsthat provides for a term of fifteen years. The amended lease also grants the Company three options to renew the lease at fair market value for five years each, an amendmentoption to purchase the facility at fair market value, and 15 year extension of this lease witha $25.0 million tenant improvement allowance provided by the landlord to renovate the three buildings comprising the facility. The renovation work commenced in 2011 and expect to executedate the amended lease agreementrenovation of two buildings has been completed. Renovation on the third building is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2010.

We also have a significant presence in Ft. Myers, Florida and Egham, the United Kingdom. March 2013.

Our Ft. Myers location consists of approximately 62,400operations are located in 120,000 square feet of leased office space located in one building for which the lease expireswill expire in January 2013.2026. Our Egham location has approximately 72,000 square feet of leased office space in two buildings for which the leases expire in 2020 and 2025, respectively. We lease an additional 16Our other domestic and 40 international locations that support our research, and analysis,consulting, domestic and international sales efforts, and other functions. The Company does not currently own any properties.

We continue to constantly assessevaluate our space needs on a continuous basis as our business changes, but we believe thatchanges. While our existing facilities are adequate for our current and foreseeable needs, and thatshould additional space be necessary, we believe that it will be available as needed.

at reasonable terms.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

We are involved in various legal and administrative proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. WeThe outcome of these individual matters is not predictable at this time. However, we believe that the potential liability, if any, in excessultimate resolution of these matters, after considering amounts already accrued from all proceedings, claims and litigationinsurance coverage, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, or results of operations, when resolvedor cash flows in a future period.

periods.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.11
We did not submit any matter to a vote of our stockholders during the fourth quarter of the year covered by this Annual Report.
Our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on June 3, 2010 at the Company’s offices in Stamford, Connecticut.
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PART II

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

As of January 29, 2010, there were 2,585 holders of record of our

Our Common Stock which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol IT. As of January 31, 2013, there were 2,184 holders of record of our Common Stock. Our 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on May 30, 2013 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 2012.

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

                 
  2009  2008 
  
  High  Low  High  Low 
  
 
Quarter ended March 31 $18.55  $8.33  $21.29  $13.75 
Quarter ended June 30  16.54   10.55   24.80   19.50 
Quarter ended September 30  18.50   14.14   28.39   19.20 
Quarter ended December 31  20.27   16.85   22.80   13.07 
 
 

  2012  2011 
  High  Low  High  Low 
Quarter ended March 31 $43.19  $34.39  $41.68  $33.11 
Quarter ended June 30  44.97   39.50   43.39   35.79 
Quarter ended September 30  51.45   42.49   41.87   31.98 
Quarter ended December 31  48.65   42.81   41.09   32.24 

DIVIDEND POLICY

We currently do not pay cash dividends on our Common Stock. OurIn addition, our 2010 Credit Agreement dated as of January 31, 2007, as amended, 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 thisForm 10-K is hereby incorporated by reference into this Part II, Item 5.

SHARE REPURCHASES

The Company has a $250.0$500.0 million authorized stockshare repurchase program, that was authorized by the Board of Directors in February 2008. At the present time, as indicated in the table below, approximately $78.6which $210.2 million remainsremained available for share repurchases under this program.

as of December 31, 2012. Repurchases are primarilymay be made fromtime-to-time through open market purchases, private transactions, tender offers or other transactions. The amount and aretiming of repurchases will be subject to the availability of stock, prevailing market conditions, the trading price of the stock, the Company’s financial performance and cash needs, and other conditions. Repurchases may also be made fromtime-to-time in connection with the settlement of the Company’s shared-based compensation awards. Repurchases maywill be funded from cash flow from operations and borrowings under the Company’s Credit Agreement. All repurchased shares are added to treasury stock. The open market purchases were made by brokers pursuant to purchase programs that complied withRules 10b5-1 and10b-18 under the Exchange Act.
or borrowings.

The following table provides detail related to repurchases of our Common Stock in the three months ended December 31, 2009:

2012 pursuant to our share repurchase program and pursuant to the settlement of share-based compensation awards:

Period Total Number of Shares Purchased
(#)
  Average Price Paid Per Share
($)
  Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
(#)
  Maximum Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
($000’s)
 
October  205  $46.41   205     
November  475,282   46.03   475,282     
December  2,658   45.63   2,658     
Total (1)  478,145  $46.02   478,145  $210,200 
 
                   
             Maximum
 
          Total Number
  Approximate
 
          of Shares
  Dollar Value
 
          Purchased
  of Shares that
 
          as Part of
  May Yet
 
    Total
     Publicly
  Be Purchased
 
    Number of
  Average
  Announced
  Under the
 
    Shares
  Price Paid
  Plans or
  Plans or
 
    Purchased
  Per Share
  Programs
  Programs
 
Period   (#)  ($)  (#)  ($000’s) 
  
 
October    321  $19.67   321     
November               
December    229   18.43   229     
   
   
Total (1)    550  $19.15   550  $78,636 
   
   
(1)For the year ended December 31, 2009,2012, the Company repurchased 306,0322,738,238 shares at an average price of $12.24 per share for a total cost of approximately $3.7$111.3 million. All of these shares were acquired in connection with the settlement of share-based compensation awards.
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ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA12

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 ourForm 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 onForm 10-K.

                       
(In thousands, except per share data)   2009  2008  2007  2006  2005 
  
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:                      
Revenues:                      
Research   $752,505  $781,581  $683,380  $585,656  $536,591 
Consulting    286,847   347,404   325,030   305,231   301,074 
Events    100,448   150,080   160,065   146,412   126,475 
   
   
Total revenues    1,139,800   1,279,065   1,168,475   1,037,299   964,140 
Operating income    134,477   164,368   129,458   98,039   20,474 
Income (loss) from continuing operations    82,964   97,148   70,666   54,258   (6,200)
Income from discontinued operations       6,723   2,887   3,934   3,763 
   
   
Net income (loss)   $82,964  $103,871  $73,553  $58,192  $(2,437)
 
 
PER SHARE DATA:                      
Basic:                      
Income (loss) from continuing operations   $.88  $1.02  $0.68  $0.48  $(0.05)
Income from discontinued operations       0.07   0.03   0.03   0.03 
   
   
Income (loss) per share   $.88  $1.09  $0.71  $0.51  $(0.02)
   
   
Diluted:                      
Income (loss) from continuing operations   $.85  $0.98  $0.65  $0.47  $(0.05)
Income from discontinued operations       0.07   0.03   0.03   0.03 
   
   
Income (loss) per share   $.85  $1.05  $0.68  $0.50  $(0.02)
   
   
Weighted average shares outstanding                      
Basic    94,658   95,246   103,613   113,071   112,253 
Diluted    97,549   99,028   108,328   116,203   112,253 
 
 
OTHER DATA:                      
Cash and cash equivalents   $116,574  $140,929  $109,945  $67,801  $70,282 
Total assets    1,215,279   1,093,065   1,133,210   1,039,793   1,026,617 
Long-term debt    124,000   238,500   157,500   150,000   180,000 
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)    112,535   (21,316)  17,498   26,318   146,588 
 
 

(In thousands, except per share data) 2012  2011  2010  2009  2008 
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:                    
Revenues:                    
Research $1,137,147  $1,012,062  $865,000  $752,505  $781,581 
Consulting  304,893   308,047   302,117   286,847   347,404 
Events  173,768   148,479   121,337   100,448   150,080 
Total revenues  1,615,808   1,468,588   1,288,454   1,139,800   1,279,065 
Operating income  245,707   214,062   149,265   134,477   164,368 
Income from continuing operations  165,903   136,902   96,285   82,964   97,148 
Income from discontinued operations              6,723 
Net income $165,903  $136,902  $96,285  $82,964  $103,871 
                     
PER SHARE DATA:                    
Basic:                    
Income from continuing operations $1.78  $1.43  $1.01  $0.88  $1.02 
Income from discontinued operations              0.07 
Income per share $1.78  $1.43  $1.01  $0.88  $1.09 
                     
Diluted:                    
Income from continuing operations $1.73  $1.39  $0.96  $0.85  $0.98 
Income from discontinued operations              0.07 
Income per share $1.73  $1.39  $0.96  $0.85  $1.05 
Weighted average shares outstanding                    
Basic  93,444   96,019   95,747   94,658   95,246 
Diluted  95,842   98,846   99,834   97,549   99,028 
OTHER DATA:                    
Cash and cash equivalents $299,852  $142,739  $120,181  $116,574  $140,929 
Total assets  1,621,277   1,379,872   1,285,658   1,215,279   1,093,065 
Long-term debt  115,000   150,000   180,000   124,000   238,500 
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)  306,673   181,784   187,056   112,535   (21,316)
Cash flow from operations  279,814   255,566   205,499   161,937   184,350 

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

• ·In December 20092012 we acquired AMR ResearchIdeas International, Inc. and Burton Group. The results of these businesses are included beginning on the respective dates ofrecognized $2.4 million in pre-tax acquisition and integration charges (see Note 2 — Acquisitions in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements). ForIn addition, in 2009 we recorded approximatelyacquired AMR Research, Inc. and Burton Group, Inc., and in 2010 and 2009 we recognized $7.9 million and $2.9 million in pre-tax acquisition and integration charges related tocharges. The results of these acquisitions.businesses, which were not material, were included beginning on their respective acquisition dates.
 
 Effective January 1,·In 2012 we repurchased 2.7 million of our common shares under our share repurchase program at a total cost of $111.3 million. We also repurchased 5.9 million, 3.9 million, 0.3 million, and 9.7 million of our common shares in 2011, 2010, 2009, the Company eliminated its previously reported “Other” revenue line. The “Other” revenue line primarily consisted of fees earned from Research reprints and other miscellaneous products. These revenues are now included with Research revenues2008, respectively (see Note 17Business and Significant Accounting PoliciesStockholders’ Equity in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
 
 We·In 2010 we refinanced our debt (see Note 5 — Debt in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements). In conjunction with the refinancing, we recorded $3.7 million in incremental pre-tax charges in that year related to the termination of the previous credit arrangement.
·In 2008 we sold our Vision Events business, which had been part of our Events segment, in early 2008 and have reportedsegment. Accordingly, the results of operations of this business as a discontinued operation (see Note 3 — Discontinued Operations inand the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The statement of operations and per share data for 2005 — 2007 have been restated to present the results of the Vision Events businessrelated gain on sale were reported as a discontinued operation.
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• We acquired META Group, Inc. on April 1, 2005, and the results of that business are included beginning on that date. For 2006 and 2005 we recorded $1.5 million and $15.0 million, respectively, in pre-tax integration charges related to this acquisition.
• We repurchased 0.3 million, 9.7 million, 8.4 million, 14.9 million, and 0.8 million of our common shares in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
• We recorded Other charges, which includes costs for severance, excess facilities, litigation, and other items, on a pre-tax basis, of $9.1 million in 2007 and $29.2 million in 2005.
• We recorded pre-tax charges for loss on investments, net of $5.8 million in 2005.
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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.

The following items impact the presentation and discussion of results in this MD&A section:
On December 18, 2009

In 2012 we acquired AMR Research, and on December 30, 2009 we acquired Burton Group. The financial results of these businesses, which were not material to our 2009 results, have been included in our results beginning on their respective dates of acquisitionIdeas International Limited (“Ideas International”), a publicly-owned Australian corporation (see Note 2 — AcquisitionsAcquisition in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements)Statements for additional information). The operating metrics of these acquired businessesIdeas International’s business operations have been excluded from our Business Measurements presentationsintegrated into the Company’s Research segment, and discussions below for comparability purposes.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company reclassified certain amounts presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company eliminated its previously reported “Other” revenue line. The “Other” revenue line primarily consisted of fees earned from Research reprintsoperating results and other miscellaneous products, and these revenues and related expensesbusiness measurements are now included in the Research segment. In addition, certain expenses that were formerly classified in Selling, general & administrative are now included in CostCompany’s consolidated and segment results beginning on the date of services and product development and are included in Research segment expense. Prior periods have been reclassified in order to be consistent withacquisition. The impact of the current period presentation. (see Note 1 — Business Significant Accounting Policies and Note 16 — Segment Information in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
In early 2008 we sold our Vision Events business, which had been part of our Events segment. As a result, the results of operations for this business for 2008 and earlier periods have been reported as a discontinued operation (see Note 3 — Discontinued Operations in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
acquisition was not material.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In addition to historical information, this Annual Report onForm 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 underin 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 ourother 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 approximately 10,000thousands of client organizations including approximately 400 ofacross the Fortune 500 companies, in over 80 countries.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.

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

Consultingconsists primarily of consulting engagements that utilize our research insight, benchmarking data, problem-solving methodologies provides customized solutions to unique client needs through on-site, day-to-day support, as well as proprietary tools for measuring and handsimproving IT performance with a focus on experience to improve the return on an organization’s IT investment through assessments of cost, performance, efficiency, and quality.
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Eventsconsists of provide IT, supply chain, and business professionals the opportunity to attend various symposia, summitsconferences and conferencesexhibitions 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 IT industry as a whole, as well as ITlatest Gartner research into applicable to particular industriesinsight and particular roles within an organization.advice.

BUSINESS MEASUREMENTS

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

BUSINESS SEGMENT BUSINESS MEASUREMENTS
Research Contract valuerepresents 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.
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  Client retention raterepresents 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 raterepresents 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.
  Number of executive program membersrepresents the number of paid participants in executive programs.
 
Consulting Consulting backlogrepresents future revenue to be derived from in-process consulting, measurement and strategic advisory services engagements.
  
Utilization ratesraterepresent 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 Rateraterepresents earned billable revenue divided by total billable hours.
  Average annualized revenue per billable headcountrepresents 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 eventsrepresents the total number of hosted events completed during the period.
  
Number of attendeesrepresents the total number of people who attend events.
 
 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL POSITION

We purchased AMR Researchhave executed a consistent growth strategy since 2005 to drive double-digit annual revenue and Burton Group in December 2009. We believe eachearnings growth. The fundamentals of these companies is recognized asbest-in-class for what they do,our strategy include a focus on creating extraordinary research content, delivering innovative and will expandhighly 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 research market opportunity and accelerate our growth rate over time.

operational effectiveness.

We had total revenues of $1,139.8$1,615.8 million in 2009, a decline2012, an increase of 11% from the prior year. Revenues decreased in all 3 of our business segments and all of our geographic regions.10% over 2011 while diluted earnings per share increased by $.34 per share, to $1.73. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, translation,2012 total revenues were down about 8% in 2009. We attribute the decline in revenueincreased 12% over 2011.

Research revenues rose 12% year-over-year, to the global economic downturn that began in 2008.

We had income from continuing operations of $83.0$1,137.1 million in 2009, or $0.85 per diluted share, compared to income from continuing operations of $97.1 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, for 2008. The decline primarily reflects lower profitability in our Consulting2012, and Events segments.
Research revenues were down 4%year-over-year, to $752.5 million in 2009 from $781.6 million in the prior year. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, Research revenues were down 1%year-over-year. Despite theyear-over-year decline in Research revenues, gross contribution margin increased by 2 points, primarily due1 point, to the tight cost controls we have implemented and to a lesser extent, our ability to implement price increases for our products.
As of68%. At December 31, 2009, research2012, Research contract value was $784.4$1,262.9 million, client retention was 78%, and wallet retention was 87%. Research contract value atan increase of 14% over December 31, 2009 was down 6% compared to the prior year end, but2011 adjusted for the impact of foreign currency,exchange. Client retention was down 1%year-over-year. While downyear-over-year, the $784.4 million of contract value83% and wallet retention was 99% at December 31, 2009 increased 6% from September 30, 2009, reflecting a broad-based increase with all industries, geographies, and client sizes showing improvement during the quarter.
2012.

Consulting revenues declined 17%year-over-year,in 2012 decreased 1% compared to $286.8 million in 2009 from $347.4 million in 2008, primarily due to a decline in core consulting. Excluding2011, while the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation, revenues declined 15%. The Consulting segmentgross contribution margin declined 2 points, primarily duewas 36%. Consultant utilization was 67% for 2012 compared to lower revenue65% in our contract optimization business2011, and fewer SAS days filled, which have a higher contribution margin than core consulting. Utilization in core consulting was 68% for 2009.we had 503 billable consultants at December 31, 2012 compared to 481 at year-end 2011. Backlog was $90.9increased 2% year-over-year, to $102.7 million at December 31, 2009, a decline of 6% from December 31, 2008.

2012.

Events revenues decreased 33% in 2009 comparedincreased 17% year-over-year, to $173.8 million, while the prior year due to discontinued events and a decline in revenue from our on-going events. We discontinued a number of events in 2009 in response to the economic downturn, travel restrictions, and other

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factors. We held 54 events in 2009 compared to 70 in 2008, with a 12% decline in attendees at our 51 on-going events. The segment contribution margin declined by 2 pointsyear-over-year,was 46%. We held 62 events in 2012 compared to 41%.
60 in 2011, with an increase in overall attendance of 8%, to 46,307.

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

During 2009 we

Cash flow from our operating activities increased 9% in 2012 compared to 2011, to $279.8 million. We continued ourto focus on enhancingmaximizing shareholder value by reducing our outstanding debt. We repaid $95.3in 2012, and we repurchased 2.7 million of our term loanscommon shares outstanding during 2009, which represented approximately 32% of the amount outstanding.year. We also used $104.5ended 2012 with almost $300.0 million in cash and cash equivalents. In addition to acquire AMR Research and Burton Group.

Weour record year-end cash balance, as of year-end 2012 we also had $161.9almost $347.0 million of operating cash flow for the year ended December 31, 2009. Our cash and cash equivalents totaled $116.6 million as of December 31, 2009 and we had approximately $170.0 million of available borrowing capacity underon our $400.0 million revolving credit facility. We believe that our cash position and borrowing capacity is more thanwe have adequate liquidity to meet our existing cash and liquidity requirements.currently anticipated needs.

The Company’s 2010 Credit Agreement expires in December 2015. The Company is currently exploring refinancing options to take advantage of favorable market conditions.

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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 SymposiumITxpoSymposium/ITxpo series, thatwhich are normally are held during the fourth calendar quarter, andas well as other events; the timing and amount of new business generated; the mix ofbetween 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.factors which are beyond our control. The potential fluctuations in our operating income could causeperiod-to-period comparisons of operating results not to be meaningful and could provide an unreliable indication of future operating results.

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 also 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 – We recognize revenue— Revenue is recognized in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements (“SAB 101”), and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition (“SAB 104”). OnceRevenue is only recognized once all required criteria for revenue recognition have been met, revenuemet. 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 shipped.

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.
• 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 shipped.
• Consulting revenues are principally generated from fixed fee and time and material engagements. Revenues from fixed fee contracts are recognized on a percentage of completion basis. Revenues from time and materials engagements are recognized as work is deliveredand/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 recognized upon the completion of the related symposium, conference or exhibition.

Events revenues are deferred and 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, which have not produced material cancellations to date.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.

For those government contracts that permit cancellation, we bill the client the full amount billable under the contract but only record a receivable equal to the earned portion of the contract. In addition, we only record deferred revenue on these government contracts when cash is received. Deferred revenues attributable to government contracts were $65.3 million and $61.6 million at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. In addition, at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, we had
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not recognized uncollected receivables or deferred revenues relating to government contracts that permit termination of $8.3 million and $12.1 million, respectively.
Uncollectible fees receivable – The— 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 material estimates. These valuation reserves are periodically re-evaluated and adjusted as more information about the ultimate collectibilitycollectability 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, 
  2012  2011 
       
Total fees receivable $470,368  $428,293 
Allowance for losses  (6,400)  (7,260)
Fees receivable, net $463,968  $421,033 
16
           
  December 31, 
    2009  2008 
  
Total fees receivable   $325,698  $326,311 
Allowance for losses    (8,100)  (7,800)
   
   
Fees receivable, net   $317,598  $318,511 
   
   

Impairment of goodwillGoodwill and other intangible assets The evaluation ofCompany evaluates recorded goodwill is performed 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 ismay also be performed on a periodic basis.

Our annual goodwill assessment requires us to estimate the fair values of our reporting units based on estimates of future business operations and market and economic conditions in developing long-term forecasts.basis should events or circumstances indicate potential impairment. If we determine that the fair value of anya reporting unit or an intangible asset is less than its related carrying amount, we must recognize an impairment charge for a portion ofagainst earnings. Among the associated goodwill of that reporting unit against earnings in our financial statements.
Factorsfactors we consider important that could trigger aan impairment review for impairment includeare 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 economic trends;
• Significant decline in our stock price for a sustained period; and
• Our market capitalization relative to net book value.
Due to historical or projected future operating results;

Significant changes in the numerous variables associated withmanner 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 qualitative or qualitative assessment or a combination of the two. Both methods require the use of estimates which in turn contain judgments and assumptions relating to the valuation of the reporting unitsregarding future trends and the effects of changes in circumstances affecting these valuations,events. As a result, both the precision and reliability of the resulting estimates are subject to uncertainty, and as additional information becomes known,uncertainty. In 2012, we may change our estimates.

We completed the required annual goodwill impairment testing intest utilizing a qualitative approach. Based on this assessment, the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and concluded thatCompany believes the fair values of each of the Company’s reporting units continue to substantially exceededexceed their respective carrying values.
amounts. See Note 1 — Business and Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion.

Accounting for income taxes As we prepare our consolidated financial statements, 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. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets when future realization is in question. We consider the availability of loss carryforwards, existing deferred tax liabilities, future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance. In the event we determine that we are able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of ourthe net recorded amount, an adjustment is made to reduce the valuation allowance and increase income in the period such determination is made. Likewise, if we determine that we will not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance is charged against income in the period such determination is made.

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,

15


over the related service period, net of estimated forfeitures (see Note 108 — Stock-Based Compensation in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements)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 highly complex and subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the stock compensation awardsaward 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.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated Results

The following table summarizestables summarize the changes in selected line items in our Consolidated Statements of Operation for the periods indicatedthree years ended December 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

  Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2012
  Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2011
  Increase
(Decrease)
$
  Increase
(Decrease)
%
 
Total revenues $1,615,808  $1,468,588  $147,220   10%
Costs and expenses:                
Cost of services & product development  659,067   608,755   (50,312)  (8)%
Selling, general and administrative  678,843   613,707   (65,136)  (11)%
Depreciation  25,369   25,539   170   1%
Amortization of intangibles  4,402   6,525   2,123   33%
Acquisition & integration charges  2,420      (2,420)  (100)%
Operating income  245,707   214,062   31,645   15%
Interest expense, net  (8,859)  (9,967)  1,108   11%
Other expense, net  (1,252)  (1,911)  659   34%
Provision for income taxes  (69,693)  (65,282)  (4,411)  (7)%
Net income $165,903  $136,902  $29,001   21%

  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
2011
  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
2010
  Increase (Decrease)
$
  Increase
(Decrease)
%
 
Total revenues $1,468,588  $1,288,454  $180,134   14%
Costs and expenses:                
Cost of services & product development  608,755   552,238   (56,517)  (10)%
Selling, general and administrative  613,707   543,174   (70,533)  (13)%
Depreciation  25,539   25,349   (190)  (1)%
Amortization of intangibles  6,525   10,525   4,000   38%
Acquisition & integration charges     7,903   7,903   100%
Operating income  214,062   149,265   64,797   43%
Interest expense, net  (9,967)  (15,616)  5,649   36%
Other (expense) income, net  (1,911)  436   (2,347)  >(100)%
Provision for income taxes  (65,282)  (37,800)  (27,482)  (73)%
Net income $136,902  $96,285  $40,617   42%

 
                                 
  2009 vs. 2008  2008 vs. 2007 
  Twelve Months
  Twelve Months
        Twelve Months
  Twelve Months
       
  Ended
  Ended
  Dollar
  Percentage
  Ended
  Ended
  Dollar
  Percentage
 
  December 31,
  December 31,
  Increase
  Increase
  December 31,
  December 31,
  Increase
  Increase
 
  2009 (a)  2008  (Decrease)  (Decrease)  2008  2007  (Decrease)  (Decrease) 
  
 
Total revenues $1,139,800  $1,279,065  $(139,265)  (11)% $1,279,065  $1,168,475  $110,590   9%
Costs and expenses:                                
Cost of services and product development  498,363   572,208   73,845   13%  572,208   546,569   (25,639)  (5)%
Selling, general and administrative  477,003   514,994   37,991   7%  514,994   456,975   (58,019)  (13)%
Depreciation  25,387   25,880   493   2%  25,880   24,298   (1,582)  (7)%
Amortization of intangibles  1,636   1,615   (21)  (1)%  1,615   2,091   476   (23)%
Acquisition and integration charges  2,934      (2,934)  (100)%            
Other charges                 9,084   9,084   100%
   
   
Operating income  134,477   164,368   (29,891)  (18)%  164,368   129,458   34,910   27%
Interest expense, net  (16,032)  (19,269)  3,237   17%  (19,269)  (22,154)  2,885   13%
Other (expense) income, net  (2,919)  (358)  (2,561)  >(100)%  (358)  3,193   (3,551)  >(100)%
Provision for income taxes  32,562   47,593   15,031   32%  47,593   39,831   (7,762)  (19)%
   
   
Income from continuing operations  82,964   97,148   (14,184)  (15)%  97,148   70,666   26,482   37%
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes     6,723   (6,723)  (100)%  6,723   2,887   3,836   >100%
   
   
Net income $82,964  $103,871  $(20,907)  (20)% $103,871  $73,553  $30,318   41%
   
   
(a)In December 2009 we acquired AMR Research and Burton Group. The operating results of these businesses are included in our consolidated results beginning on the respective dates of acquisition. The results of these businesses were not material to our 2009 results.
2009

2012 VERSUS 2008

2011

TOTAL REVENUES for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 decreased $139.32012 increased $147.2 million, or 11%10%, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2008.2011. Total revenues increased 12% excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency. Revenues increased by double-digits in both our Research and Events segments but declined slightly in Consulting. Revenues increased across all of our geographic regions, andwith a double-digit increase in all three of our business

16


segments. The impact of foreign currency had a negative impact on ourResearch revenues in 2009, and excluding this impact, total revenues in 2009 were down 8% compared to 2008. Our revenues and operating results were negatively impacted by global economic conditions in 2009.
every region.

An overview of our resultsrevenues by geographic region follows:

Revenues from sales to United States and Canadian clients increased 10%, to $947.1 million in 2012 from $861.5 million in 2011.

Revenues from sales to clients in Europe, the Middle East and Africa increased to $458.6 million in 2012 from $437.2 million in 2011, a 5% increase.

Revenues from sales to clients in our Other International region increased to $210.1 million in 2012 from $169.9 million in 2011, a 24% increase.
18
• Revenues from sales to United States and Canadian clients decreased 8%, to $663.8 million in 2009 from $723.2 million in 2008.
 
• Revenues from sales to clients in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) decreased to $360.8 million in 2009 from $430.4 million in 2008, a 16% decrease.
• Revenues from sales to clients in our Other International region decreased 8%, to $115.2 million in 2009 from $125.4 million in 2008.

An overview of our resultsrevenues by segment follows:

Research revenues increased 12% in 2012, to $1,137.1 million compared to $1,012.1 million in 2011, and comprised 70% and 69% of our total revenues in 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Consulting revenues decreased 1% in 2012, to $304.9 million compared to $308.0 million in 2011, and comprised 19% and 21% of our total revenues in 2012 and 2011, respectively.
• Researchrevenues decreased 4% in 2009 to $752.5 million compared to $781.6 million in 2008, and comprised approximately 66% and 61% of our total revenues in 2009 and 2008, respectively.
• Consultingrevenues decreased 17% in 2009 to $286.8 million, compared to $347.4 million in 2008, and comprised approximately 25% and 27% of our total revenues in 2009 and 2008, respectively.
• Eventsrevenues were $100.4 million in 2009, a decrease of 33% from $150.1 million in 2008, and comprised approximately 9% and 12% of our total revenues in 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Events revenues increased 17% in 2012, to $173.8 million compared to $148.5 million in 2011, and comprised 11% of total revenues in 2012 and 10% in 2011.

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 decreased $73.8(“COS”) expense increased 8% in 2012, or $50.3 million,year-over-year, or 13%. to $659.1 million compared to $608.8 million in 2011. 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 and related travel expenses due to an increase in the number of events, as well as additional attendees and exhibitors at our events. These additional costs were partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign currency translation reduced expense by about $19.0 million. We had lower conference expenses of $18.5 million primarily due to discontinued events. We also had reduced travel and internal meeting charges of $16.7 million and lower personnel costs of about $12.5 million, primarily due to our tight cost controls. The remaining $7.1 million net decrease was spread across a number of other expense categories. Cost of services and product developmentcurrency. COS as a percentage of sales declined by 1 point, to 44% in 2009 from 45% in 2008, primarily due to tight expense controls across our businesses.

revenues was 41% for both periods.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE (“SG&A”) expense decreasedincreased by about $38.0$65.1 million in 2009,2012, or 7%11%, to $678.8 million compared to 2008, despite increasing our sales force.$613.7 million in 2011. The impact of foreign currency translation reduced expense by about $18.0 million. We also had lower travel, internal meeting, and recruiting costs of about $19.0 million, againincrease was primarily due to our tight cost controls. The remaining net reduction was spread across a number of other expense categories. Excluding the 60 sales associates that joined us from AMR Research and Burton Group, we had 942 quota-bearing sales associates at December 31, 2009, a 2% increase from the prior year end. This additional investment in sales associates resulted in $9.0 million of higher payroll and related benefits costs, which was partially offset by lower G&A charges.

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 1,417 at December 31, 2012, a 12% increase over the prior year-end.

DEPRECIATION expense decreased 2%slightly year-over-year due to certain assets becoming fully depreciated which reflects reduced capital spending during 2009.was only partially offset by the additional depreciation related to asset additions. Capital spending decreasedexpenditures increased to $15.1$44.3 million in 20092012 from $24.3$42.0 million in 2008, a 38% decline,2011, which reflectsincludes $17.0 million and $9.5 million, respectively, of expenditures for the Company’s reduced 2009 capital expenditures.

renovation of our Stamford headquarters facility. Up to $25.0 million of these expenditures are reimbursable by the facility landlord, and as of December 31, 2012, $22.0 million had been reimbursed.

AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES decreased year-over-year due to certain intangibles becoming fully amortized, which was $1.6 million for both 2009 and 2008.

only partially offset by the additional amortization from the intangible assets recorded from the Ideas International acquisition in mid-2012.

ACQUISITION AND INTEGRATION CHARGESwas $2.9$2.4 million in 20092012 and zero in 2008. Included is these2011. These charges are legal fees and consultant fees in connection with the acquisitions and integration of AMR Research and Burton Group, as well as severance costs related to redundant headcount.

the acquisition of Ideas International and included legal, consulting, severance, and other costs.

OPERATING INCOME decreased 18%increased $31.6 million year-over-year, or 15%, to $134.5$245.7 million in 20092012 from $164.4$214.1 million in 2008.2011. Operating income as a percentage of revenues was 15% for both periods. Although both Research and Events had higher segment contributions in 2012, these increases were partially offset by a lower contribution in Consulting, as well as higher SG&A expenses, as discussed above.

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET declined 1 pointyear-over-year,by 11% in 2012 when compared to 2011. The decline was primarily due to a lower profitabilityaverage amount of debt outstanding, which declined to $207.0 million in our Consulting and Events segments and the $2.92012 from $220.0 million acquisition and integration charge related to AMR Research and Burton Group.

Please refer to the sectionin 2011, as well as lower amortization of this MD&A entitled “Segment Results” below for a further discussion of revenues and results by segment.
INTERESTcapitalized debt refinancing costs.

OTHER EXPENSE, NET was $16.0$1.3 million in 20092012 and $19.3$1.9 million in 2008, a 17% decline. The 2009 period includes $1.1 million of expense related to the discontinuance of hedge accounting on an interest rate swap contract (See Note 7 — Debt in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Excluding the $1.1 million charge, Interest expense, net would have

17


declined approximately 22%year-over-year. Theyear-over-year decline is2011. These expenses primarily attributable to a reduction in the weighted-average amount of debt outstanding.
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME, NET of $(2.9) million in 2009 consisted of net foreign currency exchange gains and losses. The $(0.4) million Other expense in 2008 primarily consisted of a $1.2 million gain related to the settlement of a litigation matter offset by net foreign currency exchange losses.

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES on continuing operations was $32.6$69.7 million in 2009 as2012 compared to $47.6$65.3 million in 2008. The2011 and the effective tax rate was 28.2% in 2009 and 32.9% in 2008.29.6% for 2012 compared to 32.3% for 2011. The lower effective tax rate in 2009 as compared to 2008 is2012 was primarily attributable to several items. The most significantthe recognition of these items includetax benefits in 2012 resulting from the following: (a) the releasesettlement of reserves for uncertain tax positionsaudits, as well as benefits recorded in 2012 relating to the expirationrecognition of statutescertain state tax credits.

During 2012, the Company closed the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) audit of limitation was larger in 2009 than in 2008 while pretaxits 2007 federal income was lower, and (b) differences relating totax return. The resolution of the taxabilityaudit did not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, cash flows, or results of life insurance contractsyear-over-year.

INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAXES, includesoperations of the resultsCompany.

In 2011 the IRS commenced an audit of the Company’s Vision Events business, which we soldfederal income tax returns for the 2008 and 2009 tax years. The IRS has proposed adjustments for both 2008 and 2009 and the Company expects to settle the audit in early 2008. 2013. Although the audit has not been fully resolved, the Company believes that the ultimate disposition will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, cash flows, or results of operations.

19

The $6.7American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the “Tax Act”) was enacted in January of 2013 and contains beneficial tax provisions for the Company which apply retroactively to 2012. However, since the Tax Act was passed in 2013, approximately $1.5 million of income for 2008 includes a net gain on saletax benefits relating to its retroactive application will be recorded by the Company in the first quarter of approximately $7.1 million and a $(0.4) million operating loss.

2013.

NET INCOME was $83.0$165.9 million in 20092012 and $103.9$136.9 million in 2008, a decline2011, an increase of $20.9$29.0 million, or 20%. The decline21%, primarily due to a higher operating income, which was primarily drivenpartially offset by $4.4 million in higher income tax charges. Although the reduced contributions by our three business segmentsyear-over-year effective tax rate declined, pre-tax income increased substantially, resulting in the 2009 periodhigher dollar amount of tax charges. Both basic and diluted earnings per share increased 24% year-over-year due to the higher net income and to a lesser extent the $2.9 million acquisition and integration charge we recorded related to AMR Research and Burton Group. These decreases were partially offset by lower SG&A charges, a lower effective income tax rate, and reduced interest expense. Also contributing to theyear-over-year decline in net income was the $6.7 million net gain from the salenumber of the Company’s former Vision Events business recorded in the 2008 period.

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations decreased 14%year-over-year. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations decreased 13%year-over-year.
2008weighted-average shares outstanding.

2011 VERSUS 2007

2010

TOTAL REVENUES for the twelve months ended December 31, 20082011 increased $110.6$180.1 million, or 9%14%, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2007.2010. Total revenues increased 11% excluding the impact of foreign currency. Revenues increased across all of our geographic regions and in all three of our Research and Consulting segments. Excluding the favorable effect of foreign currency translation, total revenues for 2008 would have increased 8% over 2007.

business segments on a reported basis.

An overview of our results by geographic region follows:

Revenues from sales to United States and Canadian clients increased 12%, to $861.5 million in 2011 from $765.8 million in 2010.

Revenues from sales to clients in Europe, the Middle East and Africa increased to $437.2 million in 2011 from $380.8 million in 2010, a 15% increase.
• Revenues from sales to United States and Canadian clients increased 9%, to $723.2 million in 2008 from $661.2 million in 2007.
• Revenues from sales to clients in EMEA increased to $430.4 million in 2008 from $403.9 million in 2007, a 7% increase.
• Revenues from sales to clients in our Other International region increased 21%, to $125.4 million in 2008 from $103.3 million in 2007.

Revenues from sales to clients in our Other International region increased 20%, to $169.9 million in 2011 from $141.9 million in 2010.

An overview of our results by segment follows:

Research revenues increased 17% in 2011, to $1,012.1 million compared to $865.0 million in 2010, and comprised 69% and 67% of our total revenues in 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Consulting revenues increased 2% in 2011, to $308.0 million compared to $302.1 million in 2010, and comprised approximately 21% and 23% of our total revenues in 2011 and 2010, respectively.
• Researchrevenues increased 14% in 2008 to $781.6 million, compared to $683.4 million in 2007, and comprised approximately 61% and 58% of our total revenues in 2008 and 2007, respectively.
• Consultingrevenues increased 7% in 2008 to $347.4 million, compared to $325.0 million in 2007, and comprised approximately 27% and 28% of our total revenues in 2008 and 2007, respectively.
• Eventsrevenues were $150.1 million in 2008, a decrease of 6% from $160.1 million in 2007, and comprised approximately 12% and 14% of our total revenues in 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Events revenues increased 22% in 2011, to $148.5 million compared to $121.3 million in 2010, and comprised approximately 10% of total revenues in both 2011 and 2010.

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 $25.610% in 2011, or $56.5 million, to $608.8 million compared to $552.2 million in 2010. Approximately half of the increase was due to higher payroll and related benefits costs resulting from our investment in additional headcount and merit salary increases. The rest of the increase was primarily due to the negative impact of foreign currency translation, as well as incremental expenses and additional investment in the Events business. COS as a percentage of revenues improved by 2 points year-over-year, primarily driven by higher research revenues and the operating leverage inherent in our Research business.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE (“SG&A”) expense increased by $70.5 million in 2011, or 5%.13%, to $613.7 million from $543.2 million in 2010. The increase was primarily due to higher payroll and to a lesser extent, the negative impact of foreign currency translation. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange, Cost of service and product development would haveSG&A expense increased by about 4%.

11% year-over-year. Theyear-over-year increase was due to several factors. We had $17.0 million of higher salary,payroll costs resulted from additional investment in headcount, as well as higher sales commissions and other benefit costs, $5.7 million in additional severance and benefits charges related to our fourth quarter reduction in force, and $4.0 million in additional Events fulfillment costs.merit salary increases. The impact of foreign currency translation added about $2.1 million of expense. Partially offsetting these higher chargesincreased headcount was a decrease of approximately $3.2 million in lower headcount costs, primarily due to our exit from consulting operations in Asia-Pacific in mid-2007.
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As a percentage of sales, Cost of services and product development was 45% and 47% in 2008 and 2007 respectively, a decrease of 2 points, which is due to a number of factors. These factors include higher revenues coupled with the inherent operating leverage in our Research business, improved productivity in core Consulting, substantially increased revenues in our higher margin contract optimization business in our Consulting segment, and a continued focus on expense management.
SG&A expense increased by $58.0 million in 2008, or 13%, compared to 2007. The increase in 2008 expense was primarily due to higher investment in our sales organization, severance and benefits charges related to our fourth quarter reduction in force, and increases in other payroll and benefits costs. Growth in our sales organization resulted in approximately $38.0 million of additional payroll and benefits, commissions, and travel expense in 2008 when compared to 2007. We had 928 quota-bearing sales associates, as ofwhich increased 21% compared to December 31, 2008, a 15% increase over December 31, 2007. We had $2.8 million in severance and benefits charges related to our fourth quarter 2008 reduction in force, while higher payroll and related benefits costs for our other staff added about $13.0 million in costs. The remaining increase was spread across a number of other cost categories, which was offset to some extent by lower recruiting and stock-based compensation charges.
2010.

DEPRECIATION expense increased 7%slightly year-over-year. Capital spending increased to $42.0 million in 2008,2011 from $21.7 million in 2010. The $42.0 million of capital expenditures in 2011 included $9.5 million of expenditures related to $25.9the renovation of our Stamford headquarters facility, of which $9.0 million compared to $24.3 million for the prior year. The increase was primarily due to a changereimbursed by our landlord in the mix of investment in capital expenditures.

2011.

AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES was $1.6 million in 2008 compared to $2.1 million in 2007. The decrease wasdecreased 38% year-over-year due to certain intangibles becoming fully amortized in 2007.

OTHER2010.

ACQUISITION AND INTEGRATION CHARGES was zero in 20082011 and $9.1$7.9 million in 2007. The $9.1 million included2010. These charges of $8.7 million related to the settlementacquisitions of litigationAMR Research and $2.7 million ofBurton Group in December 2009 and included legal, consulting, severance, costs related to the Company’s exit from consulting operations in Asia. Offsetting these charges was a credit of $2.3 million related to an excess facility which the Company returned to service.and other costs.

20

OPERATING INCOME was $164.4increased $64.8 million and $129.5year-over-year, or 43%, to $214.1 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively, an increase of $34.92011 from $149.3 million or 27%.in 2010. Operating income as a percentage of revenues was 13%improved by 3 points year-over-year, to 15% in 2008 and 11%2011 compared to 12% in 2007, a 2 point increase, which is2010, primarily due to a number of factors,significantly higher segment contribution from the most significant being the impact from higher revenues in our Research business and Consulting businesses. The improved operating margin also reflects our tight focus on expense management,to a lesser extent, lower intangible amortization and charges of $9.1 million in 2007 related to the settlement of litigationacquisition and other items.

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

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET was $19.3 million and $22.2$10.0 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively,2011 compared to $15.6 million in 2010, a decrease36% decline. The $15.6 million of $2.9 million. The decrease wasinterest expense in 2010 included $3.7 million of incremental expense related to the refinancing of our debt (See Note 5 — Debt in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Excluding the $3.7 million incremental charge, Interest expense, net declined approximately 15% year-over-year, primarily due to a decline in the weighted-average interest rate on our outstanding debt. The weighted-average interest rate on our debt, including the impact of our interest rate swaps, was 4.8% in 2008 and 6.0% in 2007. The impact of the lower average rate was partially offset by an increase in the weighted-average amount of debt outstanding, of approximately $50.0which declined to $220.0 million during 2008. In 2008 we also had about $0.2in 2011 from $326.0 million of additional interest income, as well as a $0.2 million decrease in the amortization of debt issuance costs, both of which are recorded in Interest Expense, net.

2010.

OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME, NET was $(0.4)$(1.9) million in 2008 and $3.2 million in 2007. The $(0.4) million Other expense in 20082011, which primarily consisted of net foreign currency exchange losses, and $0.4 million in 2010, which consisted of a $1.2$2.4 million gain from an insurance recovery related to the settlement of a litigation matterprior period loss, offset by net foreign currency exchange losses. The $3.2 million of Other income in 2007 primarily consisted of a $1.8 million gain from the settlement of a claim and net foreign currency exchange gains.

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES on continuing operations was $47.6$65.3 million in 2008 as2011 compared to $39.8$37.8 million 2007. Thein 2010 and the effective tax rate was 32.9% in 2008 and 36.0% in 2007.32.3% for 2011 compared to 28.2% for 2010. The lower effective tax rate in 2008 as compared to 20072010 was primarily attributable to several items. The most significantthe release of these items included the following: (a) the Company generated a larger percentage of its income in low tax jurisdictions in 2008 as compared to 2007, and (b) differencesvaluation allowances relating to the tax impact of repatriated funds in 2008 as compared to 2007.

INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAXES, which includes the results of the Company’s Vision Events business, was $6.7 million and $2.9 million for 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company sold the Vision Events business, which had been part of the Company’s Events segment, in early 2008. The results for 2008 included acertain net gain on the sale of approximately $7.1 million and a loss from operations of $(0.4) million.
operating losses.

NET INCOME was $103.9$136.9 million in 2011 and $73.6$96.3 million for 2008 and 2007, respectively,in 2010, an increase of $30.3$40.6 million, or 41%.

42%, primarily due to a substantially higher operating income, which was partially offset by higher income tax charges. Basic earnings per share from continuing operations increased $0.34 per shareyear-over-year. Diluted42% year-over-year while diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased $0.33 per shareyear-over-year.
19
45% due to the higher net income.


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, and SG&A, Depreciation, Acquisition and integration charges, and Amortization of intangibles, and Other charges.intangibles. Gross contribution margin is defined as gross contribution as a percentage of revenues.

We acquired AMR Research on December 18, 2009 and Burton Group on December 30, 2009. The financial results of these businesses are included in the Financial Measurements beginning on their respective dates of acquisition. The results of these businesses were not material to our segment results. Business Measurements exclude data applicable to these businesses.

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

Research

  2012 vs. 2011  2011 vs. 2010 
  As Of And
For The
Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2012
  As Of And
For the
Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2011
  Increase
(Decrease)
  Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
  As Of And
For The
Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2011
  As Of And
For the
Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2010
  Increase
(Decrease)
  Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
 
Financial Measurements:                                
Revenues (1) $1,137,147  $1,012,062  $125,085   12% $1,012,062  $865,000  $147,062   17%
Gross contribution (1) $774,342  $682,136  $92,206   14% $682,136  $564,527  $117,609   21%
Gross contribution margin  68%  67%  1 point      67%  65%  2 points    
Business Measurements:                                
Contract value (1) $1,262,865  $1,115,801  $147,064   13% $1,115,801  $977,710  $138,091   14%
Client retention  83%  82%  1 point      82%  83%  (1) point    
Wallet retention  99%  99%        99%  98%  1 point    

 
Research
                                 
  2009 vs. 2008  2008 vs. 2007 
  As Of And
  As Of And
        As Of And
  As Of And
       
  For The
  For the
        For the
  For the
       
  Twelve Months
  Twelve Months
        Twelve Months
  Twelve Months
       
  Ended
  Ended
     Percentage
  Ended
  Ended
     Percentage
 
  December 31,
  December 31,
  Increase
  Increase
  December 31,
  December 31,
  Increase
  Increase
 
  2009  2008  (Decrease)  (Decrease)  2008  2007  (Decrease)  (Decrease) 
  
 
Financial Measurements:(1)
                                
Revenues (2) $752,505  $781,581  $(29,076)   (4)% $781,581  $683,380  $98,201   14%
Gross contribution (2) $489,862  $495,440  $(5,578)   (1)% $495,440  $419,639  $75,801   18%
Gross contribution margin  65%  63%  2 points      63%  61%  2 points    
Business Measurements:(3)
                                
Contract value (2) $784,443  $834,321  $(49,878)   (6)% $834,321  $752,533  $81,788   11%
Client retention  78%  82%  (4) points      82%  82%      
Wallet retention  87%  95%  (8) points      95%  98%  (3) points   
Exec. program members  3,651   3,733   (82)   (2)%  3,733   3,753   (20)   
   
   

(1)Includes the operating results of AMR Research and Burton Group, which we purchased in December 2009. The results of these businesses were not material to our 2009 segment results.
(2)Dollars in thousands.
(3)Excludes AMR Research and Burton Group.
2009

2012 VERSUS 2008

2011

Research segment revenues declined 4%year-over-year,increased 12% in 2012 compared to 2011 but excluding the unfavorable effect of foreign currency translation, Research segment revenues were down about 1%increased 14%.

In spite of lower revenues, the Research The segment gross contribution margin increased 2 pointsyear-over-year. The improved margin was primarilyby 1 point, driven by higher revenues and the tight cost controlsoperating leverage in this business. Contribution margin improved in spite of a 10% increase in segment headcount as we have implemented, which resultedcontinue to invest for future growth.

Research contract value increased 13% in lower costs concentrated in personnel, travel, and internal meetings, and our ability2012, to implement price increases for our products.

Contract value decreased 6% when comparing December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2008,$1,262.9 million, but increased 14% year-over-year excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation,translation. We had double-digit contract value was down 1%year-over-year.
While downyear-over-year, contract value increased $42.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, or 6%, one of our highest ever quarterly increases, with growth across all industries, geographies,of our Research product lines and client sizes.sizes, and almost every industry group. The number of research client organizations we serve increased by 7% in 2012, to 13,305, and has increased 27% since 2009. We believeattribute the increase reflects both improvedin contract value and the number of client organizations we serve to our extraordinary research content, our continuing focus on sales effectiveness, as well as an improving economic environment.and the expansion in the number of our quota-bearing sales associates. Both client retention and wallet retention remained strong during 2012 at 83% and 99%, respectively.

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2008

2011 VERSUS 2007

Revenue2010

Research segment revenues increased 17% in our Research business was up 14% in 2008,2011 compared to $781.6 million. We had growth across our entire product portfolio in 2008. Foreign currency translation impact was not significant.

Research gross contribution increased to $495.4 million in 2008 from $419.6 million in 2007, an 18% increase, while2010 and reached the contribution margin increased 2 points, to 63% from 61%. Theyear-over-year contribution margin improved primarily due to our stronger revenue performance coupled with the operating leverage inherent in our Research business, along with tight expense management.
Contract value was $834.3 million as of December 31, 2008, up 11% from $752.5 million at December 31, 2007. Adjustedone billion dollar level for the first time. Excluding the favorable impacteffect of foreign currency translation, Research segment revenues increased 14%. The segment gross contribution margin increased by 2 points, to 67%, as higher segment revenues and the operating leverage in this business resulted in a higher segment contribution. Research contract value was up approximately 8%.
increased 14% in 2011, to $1,115.8 million. Foreign currency translation had an immaterial impact year-over-year on contract value. We had double-digit contract value growth in most of our Research product lines, client sizes, and industry groups. Client retention and wallet retention remained strong at 82% and 99%, respectively.

Consulting

  2012 vs. 2011  2011 vs. 2010 
  As Of And
For The
Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2012
  As Of And
For the
Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2011
  Increase
(Decrease)
  Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
  As Of And
For The
Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2011
  As Of And
For the
Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2010
  Increase
(Decrease)
  Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
 
Financial Measurements:                                
Revenues (1) $304,893  $308,047  $(3,154)  (1)% $308,047  $302,117  $5,930   2%
Gross contribution (1) $109,253  $114,838  $(5,585)  (5)% $114,838  $121,885  $(7,047)  (6)%
Gross contribution margin  36%  37%  (1) point      37%  40%  (3) points    
Business Measurements:                                
Backlog (1) $102,718  $100,564  $2,154   2% $100,564  $100,839  $(275)   
Billable headcount  503   481   22   5%  481   473   8   2%
Consultant utilization  67%  65%  2 points      65%  68%  (3) points    
Average annualized revenue per billable headcount (1) $430  $424  $6   1% $424  $424  $    

 
20


Consulting
                                 
  2009 vs. 2008  2008 vs. 2007 
  As Of And
  As Of And
        As Of And
  As Of And
       
  For the
  For the
        For the
  For the
       
  Twelve Months
  Twelve Months
        Twelve Months
  Twelve Months
       
  Ended
  Ended
     Percentage
  Ended
  Ended
     Percentage
 
  December 31,
  December 31,
  Increase
  Increase
  December 31,
  December 31,
  Increase
  Increase
 
  2009  2008  (Decrease)  (Decrease)  2008  2007  (Decrease)  (Decrease) 
  
 
Financial Measurements:(1)
                                
Revenues (2) $286,847  $347,404  $(60,557)   (17)% $347,404  $325,030  $22,374   7%
Gross contribution (2) $112,099  $141,395  $(29,296)   (21)% $141,395  $128,215  $13,180   10%
Gross contribution margin  39%  41%  (2) points      41%  39%  2 points    
Business Measurements:(3)
                                
Backlog (2) $90,891  $97,169  $(6,278)   (6% $97,169  $121,400  $(24,231)  (20)%
Billable headcount  442   499   (57)   (11%  499   472   27   6%
Consultant utilization  68%  72%  (4) points      72%  69%  3 points    
Average annualized revenue per billable headcount (2) $435  $460  $(25)   (5)% $460  $430  $30   7%
   
   
(1)Includes the operating results of AMR Research and Burton Group, which we purchased in December 2009. The results of these businesses were not material to our 2009 segment results.
(2)Dollars in thousands.
(3)Excludes AMR Research and Burton Group.
2009

2012 VERSUS 2008

2011

Consulting revenues declined 17% when comparing 2009 with 2008, with the majority of the decline in core consulting, anddecreased 1% year-over-year due to a lesser extent, in our SAS and contract optimization businesses. The decline in core consulting was driven by lower headcount, utilization, and billing rates. The decline in revenuerevenues in our contract optimization business reflectsbusiness. Contract optimization revenues, which can fluctuate from period to period, currently represent about 10% of total Consulting segment revenues and have been declining over time as a largepercentage of overall segment revenue. The decrease in contract received at the end of 2008optimization revenue was substantially offset by higher core consulting revenues, which was not repeatedincreased 5% year-over-year, driven by additional demand and increased headcount. Strategic advisory (“SAS”) revenues were flat year-over-year, in 2009. SAS revenues declined due to approximately 17% fewer fulfilled SAS days.accordance with our segment plan. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency overall Consulting revenues were down about 15%.

The 2 point decline in the Consulting contribution margin reflects lower revenue in our SAS and contract optimization businesses, which have higher margins than core consulting. To a lesser extent, the decline also reflects lower utilization and billing rates in core consulting.
We ended 2009 with 442 billable consultants, a decline of 11% from the prior year end as we tightly managed resources to match demand. The decline reflects normal attrition as well as the termination of approximately 30 consultants in January 2009 to better align our delivery resources with lower backlog.
Consulting backlog declined 6%year-over-year but increased 7% sequentially in the fourth quarter of 2009 to $90.9 million, as demand for our consulting services was solid in the U.S. while demand in Europe lagged.
2008 VERSUS 2007
Consulting revenues increasedyear-over-year by $22.4 million, or 7%. Excluding the favorable impact of foreign currency translation, revenues for 2008 were up about 6%.increased 1% year-over-year. The revenue increase was due to strength in both the core consulting and benchmarking businesses and exceptionally strong results in our contract optimization business. Contributing to theyear-over-year revenue increase in our contract optimization business was the completion of one large contract in the fourth quarter of 2008 which resulted in approximately $11.0 million of revenue.
Consulting gross contribution increased by $13.1 million while the gross contribution margin improveddeclined by 2 points. These improvements were driven by improved utilization on higher headcount and higher billing rates, and higher1 point due to the lower revenues in our contract optimization business, which has a higher contribution margin than our core consulting business.
Consulting backlog, which represents future revenuesor SAS. Backlog increased 2% year-over-year, to be recognized from in-process consulting, measurement and SAS, was $97.2$102.7 million at December 31, 2008, compared to $121.4 million at December 31, 2007, as bookings slowed in the fourth quarter of 2008 due to the weaker economic environment.
21
2012.


2011 VERSUS 2010

Events
                                 
  2009 vs. 2008  2008 vs. 2007 
  As Of And
  As Of And
        As Of And
  As Of And
       
  For the
  For the
        For the
  For the
       
  Twelve Months
  Twelve Months
        Twelve Months
  Twelve Months
       
  Ended
  Ended
     Percentage
  Ended
  Ended
     Percentage
 
  December 31,
  December 31,
  Increase
  Increase
  December 31,
  December 31,
  Increase
  Increase
 
  2009  2008  (Decrease)  (Decrease)  2008  2007  (Decrease)  (Decrease) 
  
 
Financial Measurements:(1)
                                
Revenues(2) $100,448  $150,080  $(49,632)   (33)% $150,080  $160,065  $(9,985)  (6)%
Gross contribution(2) $40,945  $64,954  $(24,009)   (37)% $64,954  $81,908  $(16,954)  (21)%
Gross contribution margin  41%  43%  (2) points      43%  51%  (8) points   
Business Measurements:(3)
                                
Number of events  54   70   (16)   (23)%  70   62   (8)  (13)%
Number of attendees  30,610   41,352   (10,742)   (26)%  41,352   44,216   (2,864)  (6)%
   
   
(1)Includes the operating results of AMR Research and Burton Group, which we purchased in December 2009. The results of these businesses were not material to our 2009 segment results.
(2)Dollars in thousands.
(3)Excludes AMR Research and Burton Group.
2009 VERSUS 2008
Events revenue was down $49.6 million, or 33% in 2009 due to the impact of discontinued events and a decline in revenue from our on-going events. We held 54 events in 2009, a decline of 16 events compared to the prior year. The 54 events held in 2009 consisted of 51 on-going events and 3 new events. The number of attendees at our 51 on-going events was down 12% while the number of exhibitors was down 31%. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency, Events

Consulting revenues were down 32%year-over-year.

Approximately $24.0 million of the revenue decrease was due to 19 discontinued events, including our Spring Symposium, which was a significant event in prior years. We discontinued these events in 2009 in response to the difficult operating environment, with tight travel restrictions and budget cuts at many companies due to the weak economy. We also had a $30.0 million decline in revenue from our 51 on-going events. These declines were slightly offset by approximately $4.0 million in higher revenue from new event launches and other miscellaneous events revenues. The Events contribution margin was down 2 pointsincreased 2% year-over-year primarily due to lower average attendee and exhibitor revenue at our 51 on-going events.
While the number of attendees was down significantlyyear-over-year, this trend began to show improvementhigher revenues in the fourth quarter of 2009 with attendance at our on-going events up 2%. We also began to see improvement in exhibitor participation. We believe these trends reflect a loosening of corporate travel budgets, resumed growth in marketing spend by technology companies, and our continuing efforts to increase client retention by enhancing the value and experience that our clients derive from our events.
2008 VERSUS 2007
Events revenues decreased 6%year-over-year, or $10.0 million, reflecting lower revenues from both attendees and exhibitors.core consulting. Excluding the favorable impact of foreign currency translation, events revenues were down approximately 7%year-over-year. We held 70 events in 2008 compared to 62 events in 2007, with overall attendance down about 6%, to 41,352 in 2008 from 44,216 in 2007.
slightly. The 70 events held in 2008 included 59 on-going events and 11 new events. During 2008, the number of exhibitors at our on-going events declined by approximately 13%, while attendance was 38,961 as compared to 42,554 attendees in 2007, an 8% decrease. Average revenue at these on-going events declined slightly for attendees but increased slightly for exhibitors. Revenues from the 11 new events we held in 2008 was only slightly higher than the events we discontinued. The majority of theyear-over-year revenue shortfall occurred in our fourth quarter, as travel restrictions, cuts in marketing budgets, and other expense controls at many companies took effect in response to the credit crisis and weakening global economy.
Events gross contribution was $65.0 million in 2008 compared to $81.9 million for 2007, while theyear-over-year gross contribution margin declined by 83 points, due to 43%lower utilization in core consulting and higher payroll and benefit costs resulting from 51%. The decreasemerit salary increases and the full year impact in 2011 from the additional headcount we added in the fourth quarter of 2010. Backlog was down slightly year-over-year, to $100.6 million at December 31, 2011.

Events

  2012 vs. 2011  2011 vs. 2010 
  As Of And
For The
Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2012
  As Of And
For the
Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2011
  Increase
(Decrease)
  Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
  As Of And
For The
Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2011
  As Of And
For the
Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2010
  Increase
(Decrease)
  Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
 
Financial Measurements:                                
Revenues (1) $173,768  $148,479  $25,289   17% $148,479  $121,337  $27,142   22%
Gross contribution (1) $80,119  $66,265  $13,854   21% $66,265  $55,884  $10,381   19%
Gross contribution margin  46%  45%  1 point      45%  46%  (1) point    
Business Measurements:                                
Number of events  62   60   2   3%  60   56   4   7%
Number of attendees  46,307   42,748   3,559   8%  42,748   37,219   5,529   15%

(1)Dollars in thousands.
22

2012 VERSUS 2011

Events revenues increased 17% year-over-year, or $25.3 million, but excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation, revenues increased 20% year-over-year. We held 62 events in 2012 compared to 60 in 2011. The 62 events held in 2012 consisted of 57 ongoing events and 5 new event launches, with 3 events held in prior years discontinued, while the overall number of attendees and exhibitors increased 8% and 20%, respectively. Average revenue per attendee rose 3% and average revenue per exhibitor increased 1%. Both the additional revenue and the higher contribution margin in 2012 were primarily due to the significantly higher exhibitor volume at our ongoing events.

2011 VERSUS 2010

Events revenues increased 22% year-over-year, or $27.1 million. Excluding the favorable impact of foreign currency translation, revenues increased 21%. We held 60 events in 2011, which consisted of 53 ongoing events and 7 new event launches, compared to 56 events in 2010. We discontinued 3 events in 2011 that had been held in prior years. The additional revenue we earned in 2011 was attributable to significantly higher revenue at our ongoing events, with double-digit increases in the number of attendees and exhibitors. Average revenue per attendee rose 2% and average revenue per exhibitor increased 5%. For full year 2011, gross contribution margin wasdecreased 1 point, primarily due to lower revenues, higher fulfillment costs,incremental expenses and additional investment in the impact of lower margin new events,business to strengthen the portfolio and severance charges related to our reduction in force.

provide a foundation for future growth.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We finance our operations primarily through cash generated from our on-going operating activities. As of December 31, 2009,For 2012, we had $116.5operating cash flow of $279.8 million, which was the highest in the Company’s history and an increase of 9% over 2011. 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 12% in 2012 compared to 2011, constituted 70% and 69% of our total revenues in 2012 and 2011, respectively. Our Research contracts generally 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 been enhanced by our continuing efforts to improve the operating efficiencies of our businesses as well as the effective management of our working capital as we increase our sales volume.

In addition to the strong increase in our operating cash flows, we also had almost $300.0 million of cash and cash equivalents at year-end 2012, which was the highest cash balance in the Company’s history, and $170.0$347.0 million of available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility (not including the $100.0 million expansion feature). at year-end 2012. We believe that our 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.

The Company’s 2010 Credit Agreement expires in December 2015. The Company is currently exploring refinancing options to take advantage of favorable market conditions.

Our cash and cash equivalents are held in numerous locations throughout the world, withworld. At December 31, 2012, approximately 60%$167.0 million of our cash was held outside the United States asU.S. Approximately half of December 31, 2009.

22


We repaid $95.3 million of our term loans in 2009, thus reducing the amount of term loans outstanding by about 32%. We paid $104.5 millioncash held overseas represents unremitted earnings of our non-U.S subsidiaries. Under U.S. accounting rules, no provision for U.S. federal and local taxes is required for these unremitted overseas earnings 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, and as a result 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, no provision for U.S. federal and state income taxes has been recorded for these unremitted 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 for U.S. taxes as a result, and these charges could be material and would be recorded in future periods.

23

Changes in cash in December 2009 and $13.1 million in January 2010 for the acquisitions of AMR Research and Burton Group.

We believe that we have adequate liquidity and that the cash we expect to earn from our on-going operating activities, our existing cash balances, and the borrowing capacity we have under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient for our expected short-term and foreseeable long-term operating needs.
equivalents

The following tabledisclosure summarizes and explains the Company’s changes in our cash and cash equivalents for the three years ending December 31, 2009:

                         
  2009 vs. 2008  2008 vs. 2007 
  Twelve Months
  Twelve Months
     Twelve Months
  Twelve Months
    
  Ended
  Ended
  Dollar
  Ended
  Ended
  Dollar
 
  December 31,
  December 31,
  Increase
  December 31,
  December 31,
  Increase
 
  2009  2008  (Decrease)  2008  2007  (Decrease) 
  
 
Cash provided by operating activities $161,937  $184,350  $(22,413) $184,350  $148,335  $36,015 
Cash used by investing activities  (119,665)  (16,455)  (103,210)  (16,455)  (24,136)  7,681 
Cash used in financing activities  (73,780)  (119,835)  46,055   (119,835)  (93,695)  (26,140)
                         
Net (decrease) increase  (31,508)  48,060   (79,568)  48,060   30,504   17,556 
Effects of exchange rates  7,153   (17,076)  24,229   (17,076)  11,640   (28,716)
Beginning cash and cash equivalents  140,929   109,945   30,984   109,945   67,801   42,144 
   
   
Ending cash and cash equivalents $116,574  $140,929  $(24,355) $140,929  $109,945  $30,984 
   
   
20092012 (in thousands):

  2012 vs. 2011  2011 vs. 2010 
  Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2012
  Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2011
  Increase
(Decrease)
  Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2011
  Twelve Months
Ended
December 31,
2010
  Increase
(Decrease)
 
Cash provided by operating activities $279,813  $255,566  $24,247  $255,566  $205,499  $50,067 
Cash used for investing activities  (54,673)  (41,954)  (12,719)  (41,954)  (33,845)  (8,109)
Cash used in financing activities  (72,570)  (186,559)  113,989   (186,559)  (171,556)  (15,003)
Net increase  152,570   27,053   125,517   27,053   98   26,955 
Effects of exchange rates  4,543   (4,495)  9,038   (4,495)  3,509   (8,004)
Beginning cash and cash equivalents  142,739   120,181   22,558   120,181   116,574   3,607 
Ending cash and cash equivalents $299,852  $142,739  $157,113  $142,739  $120,181  $22,558 

2012 VERSUS 2008

2011

Operating

Our

Operating cash flow increased by 9%, or $24.2 million, in 2012 compared to 2011, which was primarily due to higher net income. We also had lower cash payments for interest on our debt and other items, as well as higher cash reimbursements related to the renovation of our Stamford headquarters facility. These increased cash flows were partially offset by higher cash payments for income taxes during 2012.

Investing

Cash used for investing purposes was $54.7 million in 2012, an increase in cash used of $12.7 million compared to 2011, due to $10.3 million of cash used for the acquisition of Ideas International and higher capital expenditures.

Capital expenditures were $44.3 million in 2012 compared to $42.0 million in 2011, which included $17.0 million and $9.5 million, respectively, which we paid for the renovation of our Stamford headquarters facility. Up to $25.0 million of these expenditures are reimbursable by the facility landlord, and $13.0 million was reimbursed in 2012 and $9.0 million in 2011. The reimbursements are included in operating cash flow decreased by 12%flows.

Financing

We used $114.0 million less cash in 2009, or $22.4 million. We hadour financing activities in 2012 compared to 2011, primarily due to a declinelower number of approximately $23.0shares repurchased. Cash used for share repurchases was $111.3 million in 2012 compared to $212.0 million in 2011, with 2.7 million and 5.9 million of shares repurchased, respectively. Cash used also declined due to net debt activity, as we borrowed an additional $5.0 million in 2012 compared to $20.1 million of debt repayments in 2011.

2011 VERSUS 2010

Operating

Operating cash from our core operations, along with $14.5flow increased by 24%, or $50.1 million more in cash taxes paid and $8.02011 compared to 2010. The increase was primarily due to $40.6 million in higher net income and lower cash payments for acquisition costs, severance, and other costs. We also received $9.0 million in landlord cash reimbursements for capital expenditures on the renovation of our Stamford headquarters facility. These increased cash flows were partially offset by higher cash bonus and commission payments we paid in 2011 due to the workforce reduction completed in early January 2009. Partially offsetting the declines were $14.8 million in lower interest payments on our debt, bonus payments, and payments on our excess facilities, and an $8.3 million improvement in working capital. The improved working capital primarily reflects improved cash collection on receivables.

stronger financial performance.

Investing

We used an additional $103.2$8.1 million of additional cash in our investing activities in 20092011 compared to 2010, due to higher capital expenditures. Capital expenditures were $42.0 million in 2011 compared to $21.7 million in 2010. We also made $12.2 million in payments related to the $104.5 millionacquisition of cash used for the acquisitions of AMR Research and Burton Group. We had $15.1Group in early 2010, which we acquired in December 2009. The $42.0 million of capital expenditures in 2009, a declinethe 2011 period included $9.5 million we paid for the renovation of 38% compared toour Stamford headquarters facility, which is fully reimbursable by the $24.3landlord. The Company received reimbursement of $9.0 million of capital expendituresthis amount in 2008. The decline reflects the Company’s tight focus on reducing costs. 2011.

Financing

We also realized $7.8used an additional $15.0 million of cash proceeds in 2008 from the sale of our Vision Events business.

Financing
Cash used in financing activities declined by $46.1 million,in 2011 compared to 2010, primarily due to a significant declineadditional share repurchases. During 2011, we used $212.0 million for share repurchases, compared to $99.8 million in the use of cash for stock repurchases. Cash used for stock repurchases declined by about $197.1 million. Offsetting the decline2010. The increase in cash used for share repurchases in 2011 was an increasesubstantially offset by lower debt repayments in the use of cash to repay debt of about $108.7 million and a decline in cash proceeds from option exercises and excess tax benefits from equity compensation of approximately $42.3 million.
2008 VERSUS 2007
Operating
Cash provided by operating activities increased $36.1 million, or 24%, in 20082011 compared to 2007. The increase2010. On a net basis, we repaid $99.8 million of debt in cash flow from operating activities was primarily due to substantially increased cash from our core operations2010 and improvement in our working capital, which together added approximately $45.0we paid $4.8 million in higher operating cash flow. Our working capital improved primarily due to improved collection of receivables. Also contributing to the improved cash flow was $12.0 million in lower cash paymentsfees related to severance, excess facilities, and settlement of litigation, and about $2.0 million less in interest paid on our debt as interest rates declined. The improved operating cash flow in 2008 was somewhat offset by higher cash payments for taxes and bonuses of approximately $23.0 million.
Investing
Cash used in investing activities was $16.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008,refinancing, compared to cash used of $24.1 million in 2007. We had capital expenditures of $24.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2008, which was offset by net cash proceeds from the sale of our Vision Events business of approximately $7.8 million. We had capital expenditures of $24.2 million in 2007.
23


Financing
Cash used in financing activities totaled $119.8 million in 2008 compared to cash used of $93.7 million in 2007, an increase in cash used of $26.1 million. The increased use of cash was primarily due to a significantly higher use of cash for stock repurchases in 2008. We used an additional $34.0$20.1 million of cash to repurchase our sharesdebt repayments in 2008, to $200.8 million in 2008 compared to $166.8 million in 2007. Partially offsetting the additional use of cash used for stock repurchases was an increase of $10.2 million in cash proceeds from stock issued for stock plans, which rose to $44.7 million in 2008 compared to $34.5 million in 2007, driven by higher option exercises.2011.

24

OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

At December 31, 2009,2012, we had $329.0$200.0 million outstanding under our 2010 Credit Agreement which provides for two amortizinga five-year, $200.0 million term loansloan and a $300.0$400.0 million revolving credit facility. The 2010 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 $100.0$150.0 million at our lenders’ discretion (the “expansion feature”), for a total revolving credit facility of $400.0 million. However,in the $100.0 million expansion feature may or may not be available to us depending upon prevailing credit market conditions.

aggregate. The term loans are beingloan will be repaid in 19 consecutive quarterly installments plus awith the final payment due on January 31, 2012,in December 2015, and may be prepaid at any time without penalty or premium at ourthe Company’s option. The revolving loancredit 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 reborrowedre-borrowed until January 31, 2012,December 2015, at which time all amounts borrowed must be repaid. See Note 75 — Debt in the accompanying notesNotes to the consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the 2010 Credit Agreement.

Cash Commitments

The Company has certain contractual commitments that require future payment. The following table presents ourthe Company’s contractual cash commitments due after December 31, 20092012 (in thousands):

  Due In  Due In  Due In  Due In    
Commitment Description: Less Than
1 Year
  2-3
Years
  4-5
Years
  More Than
5 Years
  Total 
Debt – principal and interest (1) $47,100  $168,900  $300  $5,300  $221,600 
Operating leases (2)  37,820   53,9550   24,590   75,055   191,420 
Deferred compensation arrangement (3)  2,730   5,185   3,160   20,240   31,315 
Tax liabilities (4)  2,225            2,225 
Other (5)  16,500   13,900   1,790      32,190 
Totals $106,375  $241,940  $29,840  $100,595  $478,750 

 
                     
     Less Than
  1-3
  4-5
  More Than
 
Commitment Type: Total  1 Year  Years  Years  5 Years 
  
Operating leases (1) $137,158  $33,946  $39,309  $19,821  $44,082 
Debt outstanding (2)  329,000   77,000   252,000       
Acquisition payables (3)  13,059   13,059          
Deferred compensation arrangement (4)  22,996   1,878   3,722   2,518   14,878 
Tax liabilities (5)  1,310   1,310          
                     
Totals $503,523  $127,193  $295,031  $22,339  $58,960 
                     

(1)The Company leases various facilities, furniture,Includes both the term and computer equipment expiring between 2010 and 2025.
(2)Representrevolver principal amounts dueborrowed under the Company’s 2010 Credit Agreement.Agreement, which matures in December 2015(see Note 5 — Debt in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information), as well as estimated interest payments. Amounts dueborrowed under the term loan arrangement have been classified in the table based on the scheduled repayment dates, while revolver borrowings are classified in the 1-3Due In 2-3 Years category since the amounts are not contractually due until January 31, 2012.December 2015. Also included is the $5.0 million the Company borrowed in December 2012 under a State of Connecticut economic development program which has a 10 year maturity and is included in the Due In More Than 5 Years category.
 
Interest payments on ouramounts outstanding debtunder the 2010 Credit Facility are excluded frombased on a floating rate. However, the amounts payable due toCompany has a $200.0 million notional interest rate swap that converts the variable nature of the interest rates and resulting payment amounts. Information regarding current interest ratespayments on the Company’s debt is containedto a 2.26% fixed rate on the first $200.0 million of borrowings. As a result, in order to calculate an estimate for the future interest payments, the Company has used a rate of 3.76%, which includes the swap rate of 2.26% plus a loan margin of 1.50%, for the 2010 Credit Facility.
(2)The Company leases various facilities, furniture, autos, and computer equipment. These leases expire between 2013 and 2027 (see Note 71DebtBusiness and Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, cash interest paid on our debt was $13.9 million, $22.4 million, and $24.1 million, respectively.Statements for additional information).
 
(3)Includes amounts payable consisting primarily of a portion ofRepresents the purchase price relatedCompany’s liability to our acquisition of Burton Group on December 30, 2009. These amounts were paidparticipants in January 2010.
(4)Represents a liability under the Company’sits supplemental deferred compensation arrangement.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)(4)Includes interest and penalties. In addition to the $1.3$2.2 million tax liability, approximately $13.8$16.5 million of unrecognized tax benefits have been recorded as liabilities, and we are uncertain as to if or when such amounts may be settled. Related to the unrecognized tax benefits not included in the table, the Company has also recorded a liability for potential interest and penalties of $1.5$3.4 million.
(5)Includes contractual commitments for software, building maintenance, and telecom services.

25

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

The following tables present our quarterly operating results for the two year period ended December 31, 2009:

                 
(In thousands, except per share data)
            
2009 First  Second  Third  Fourth 
  
Revenues $273,533  $269,971  $267,469  $328,827 
Operating income  34,451   30,761   27,521   41,744 
Net income  19,996   17,185   20,067   25,716 
Net income per share(1)                
Basic $0.21  $0.18  $0.21  $0.27 
                 
Diluted $0.21  $0.18  $0.21  $0.26 
                 
24
2012:


2012
(In thousands, except per share data)
 First  Second  Third  Fourth 
Revenues $369,171  $397,482  $374,406  $474,749 
Operating income  53,556   62,722   49,768   79,661 
Net income  34,221   41,484   31,375   58,823 
Net income per share: (1)                
Basic $0.37  $0.44  $0.34  $0.63 
Diluted $0.36  $0.43  $0.33  $0.61 

2011
(In thousands, except per share data)
 First  Second  Third  Fourth 
Revenues $329,567  $365,543  $345,784  $427,694 
Operating income  45,781   51,568   47,250   69,463 
Net income  29,191   32,223   30,464   45,024 
Net income per share: (1)                
Basic $0.30  $0.33  $0.32  $0.48 
Diluted $0.29  $0.32  $0.31  $0.46 

                 
(In thousands, except per share data)
            
2008 First  Second  Third  Fourth 
  
Revenues $290,099  $343,939  $297,706  $347,321 
Operating income  26,330   47,575   34,682   55,781 
Net income  21,544   29,900   18,781   33,646 
Net income per share (1)                
Basic:                
From continuing operations $0.15  $0.32  $0.20  $0.36 
From discontinued operations (2)  0.07          
                 
  $0.22  $0.32  $0.20  $0.36 
                 
Diluted:                
From continuing operations $0.14  $0.30  $0.19  $0.35 
From discontinued operations (2)  0.07          
                 
  $0.21  $0.30  $0.19  $0.35 
                 

(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.
(2)The first quarter of 2008 includes $0.07 per share from gain on disposal of discontinued operations.
NEW

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

The FASB has issued new accounting rules which have not yet become effective. These new rules are described below, together with our assessment of the potential impact they may have on our financial statements and related disclosures in future periods:

Other Comprehensive Income Reclassifications. In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02,Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The standard requires that public companies present information about reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income in their financial statements in a single note or on the face of the financial statements. Public companies will also have to provide this information in both their annual and interim financial statements. The new requirements will take effect for Gartner beginning January 2010,1, 2013 and will be applied prospectively. While the Company has not completed its analysis of the new standard, it believes the new rule may result in additional disclosures and changes to the presentation of the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Balance Sheet Offsetting. In December 2011, theFASB issued ASU2010-6,No. 2011-11,Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurementsabout Offsetting Assets and Liabilities, which. The new guidance requires reporting entities to make new disclosures about recurringassets and liabilities that are offset or nonrecurring fair-value measurements including significant transfers intohave the potential to be offset under U.S. GAAP rules. The new disclosure requirements mandate that entities disclose both gross and out of Level 1net information about financial instruments and Level 2 fair-value measurements and information on purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basistransactions eligible for offset in the reconciliationstatement of Level 3 fair-value measurements. ASU2010-6 isfinancial position as well as instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of collateral received and posted in connection with master netting agreements or similar arrangements. These disclosures are intended to address differences in the asset and liability offsetting requirements under U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. This new guidance will be effective for Gartner for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for Level 3 reconciliationJanuary 1, 2013, with retrospective application required. While the adoption of this new guidance may result in additional disclosures, which are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. Wewe do not expect the adoption of ASU2010-6it to have a materialan impact on our consolidated financial statements.

the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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.

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

INTEREST RATE RISK

We have exposure to changes in interest rates resultingarising from the $201.0borrowings under our 2010 Credit Agreement. At December 31, 2012, we had $150.0 million outstanding on our twounder the term loansloan and $128.0$50.0 million outstanding on our revolver as of December 31, 2009. All of these borrowingsunder the revolver. Borrowings under this facility are floating rate, which may be either prime-based or LIBOR-based. Interest rates underEurodollar-based. The rate paid for these borrowings includeincludes a base floating rate plus a margin currently between 0.00%0.50% and 0.75%1.25% on prime borrowings and between .625%1.50% and 1.75%2.25% on LIBOR-basedEurodollar-based borrowings.

As of December 31, 2009 the annualized interest rates on the original term loan, the 2008 term loan, and the revolver were 1.0%, 1.26%, and 1.0%, respectively. The rates on the original and 2008 term loans consisted of a three-month LIBOR base rate plus margins of 0.75% and 1.00%, respectively. The rate on the revolver consisted of a one-month LIBOR base rate plus a margin of 0.75%.

We have an interest rate swap contract which effectively converts the floating base rate on the original term loanfirst $200.0 million of our borrowings to a 2.26% fixed rate. As a result, our exposure toThe Company only hedges the base interest rate risk on the original term loan is capped. Including the effectfirst $200.0 million of the interest rate swap, the annualized interest rate on the original term loan was 5.81% as of December 31, 2009.

The Company does not hedge the interest rate risk on the 2008 term loan and the revolver.its outstanding borrowings. Accordingly, we are exposed to interest rate risk on this debt.borrowings in excess of $200.0 million. A 25 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates wouldcould change pre-tax annual interest expense on the $300.0 millionadditional revolver andborrowing capacity under the $80.0 million outstanding on2010 Credit Agreement (not including the 2008 term loanexpansion feature) by approximately $1.0$0.9 million.

26
25


FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RISK
We have clients in over 80 countries

Approximately 46% of our revenues for both the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and as2011 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,Eurodollar, the British Pound, the Japanese Yen, the Australian dollar, and the Canadian dollar. Our 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. 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 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets can be determined through a sensitivity analysis of our cash and cash equivalents. As ofAt December 31, 2009,2012, we had $116.6almost $300.0 million of cash and cash equivalents, of whichwith approximately $70.0 million washalf denominated in foreign currencies. If the foreign exchange rates of the major currencies in which we operate changed in comparison to the U.SU.S. dollar changed by 10%, the amount of cash and cash equivalents we would have reported on December 31, 20092012 would have increased or decreased by approximately $4.0$12.0 million.

Our

Because our foreign subsidiaries generally operate in a local functional currency that differs from the U.S. dollar. Revenuesdollar, 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 weforeign subsidiaries typically enter into transactions in the normal course of business that are denominated in foreign currencies that differ from the local functional currenciescurrency in which the foreign subsidiaries operate.

subsidiary operates. We typicallymay enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to offsetmitigate the effects of this foreign currency transaction risk. These contracts are normally short term in duration. Unrealizedduration and unrealized and realized gains and losses are recognized in current period earnings. At December 31, 2009,2012, we had 1968 outstanding foreign currency forward contracts outstanding with a total notional amount of $117.3$76.1 million and aan immaterial net unrealized gain of approximately $0.7 million.gain. All of these contracts matured by the end of January 2010.
CONCENTRATION OF 2013.

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 interest rate swap contracts. The majority of the Company’s cash equivalent investmentsand cash equivalents and its two interest rate swap contracts are with large investment grade commercial banks that are participants in the Company’s 2010 Credit Agreement. Accounts receivable balances deemed to be collectible from customers have limited concentration of credit risk due to our diverse customer base and geographic dispersion.

ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

Our consolidated financial statements for 2009, 2008,2012, 2011, and 2007,2010, together with the reports of KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, are included herein in this Annual Report onForm 10-K.

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

None.

ITEM 9A. 

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Management conducted an evaluation, as of December 31, 2009,2012, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, (as such term is defined inRules 13a- 15(e) and15d- 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.

26


27

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 ActRules 13a-15(f) and15d-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, 2009.2012. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework 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, 2009,2012, Gartner’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

The effectiveness of management’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 20092012 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included in this Annual Report onForm 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, 20092012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION28
Not applicable.
27


PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

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, 2010.2013. If the Proxy Statement is not filed with the SEC by April 30, 2010,2013, such information will be included in an amendment to this Annual Report filed by April 30, 2010.2013. See also Item 1. Business — Available Information.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

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, 2010.2013. If the Proxy Statement is not filed with the SEC by April 30, 2010,2013, such information will be included in an amendment to this Annual Report filed by April 30, 2010.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
2013.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT ANDRELATED 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, 2010.2013. If the Proxy Statement is not filed with the SEC by April 30, 2010,2013, such information will be included in an amendment to this Annual Report filed by April 30, 2010.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
2013.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTORINDEPENDENCE.

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, 2010.2013. If the Proxy Statement is not filed with the SEC by April 30, 2010,2013, such information will be included in an amendment to this Annual Report filed by April 30, 2010.

2013.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

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, 2010.2013. If the Proxy Statement is not filed with the SEC by April 30, 2010,2013, such information will be included in an amendment to this Annual Report filed by April 30, 2010.2013.

29
28


PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

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
3.1a(1)3.1(1) Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
3.1b(2) Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company, dated November 27, 2006.
3.2(3)3.2(2) Bylaws as amended through May 1, 2007.February 2, 2012.
4.1(1) Form of Certificate for Common Stock as of June 2, 2005.
4.2(4)
4.2(3) Credit Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2007,December 22, 2010, among the Company, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent (the “Credit Agreement”).agent.
4.3(12) First Amendment dated as of April 9, 2008 to the Credit Agreement.
10.1*Agreement of Merger among Gartner, Inc., Clover Acquisition Corporation and AMR Research, Inc. dated as of November 29, 2009.
10.2(13)Agreement of Merger among Gartner, Inc., Jasmine Acquisition Corporation and Burton Group, Inc. dated as of December 30, 2009.
10.3(5)10.1(4) Lease dated December 29, 1994April 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(6) 
10.2(4)First Amendment to Lease dated MayApril 16, 19972010 between Soundview Farms and the Company for premises at 56 Top Gallant Road, 70 Gatehouse Road, and 88 Gatehouse Road, and 10 Signal Road, Stamford, Connecticut (amendment to lease dated December 29, 1994, see exhibit 10.3).Connecticut.
10.5(7)
10.4(5)+ 1991 Stock Option Plan as amended and restated on October 19, 1999.
10.6(8)+20022011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and restated effective June 1, 2008.Plan.
10.7(1)+ 1994 Long Term Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated on October 12, 1999.
10.8(9)+1999 Stock Option Plan.
10.10(14)10.6(6)+ 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated on June 4, 2009.
10.11(15)+ 2008-1 Amendment to 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan dated October 28, 2008.
10.12(15)+2008-2 Amendment to 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan dated October 28, 2008.
10.13(15)10.7(7)+ Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Eugene A. Hall and the Company dated as of December 31, 2008.April 13, 2011.
10.14(10)+ Restricted Stock Agreement by and between Eugene A. Hall and the Company dated November 9, 2005.
10.15(15)10.8(8)+ Company Deferred Compensation Plan, effective January 1, 2009.
10.17(11)
10.9(9)+ Form of Stock Appreciation Right Agreement for executive officers.
10.18(11)
10.10(9)+ Form of RestrictedPerformance 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 onForm 8-K dated June 29, 2005 as filed on July 6, 2005.
 
(2)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report onForm 8-K dated November 27, 2006 as filed on November 30, 2006.
(3)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report onForm 8-K dated May 3, 2007 as filed on May 3, 2007.
(4)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report onForm 8-K dated January 31, 2007February 2, 2012 as filed on February 6, 2007.7, 2012.
 
(5)(3)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report onForm 10-K as filed on December 21, 1995.February 15, 2011.
 
(6)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report onForm 10-K as filed on December 12, 1997.
 
(7)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report onForm 10-K filed on December 22, 1999.
(8)(4)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Quarterly Report onForm form 10-Q as filed on May 8, 2008.August 9, 2010.
 
(9)Incorporated by reference from the Company’sForm S-8 as filed on February 16, 2000.
 
(10)(5)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Quarterly Report onForm 10-Q as filed on November 9, 2005.
29


(11)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report onForm 8-K dated February 11, 2010 as filed on February 16, 2010.
(12)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report onForm 8-K dated April 9, 2008Proxy Statement (Schedule 14A) as filed on April 14, 2008.18, 2011.

30
 
(13)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report onForm 8-K dated December 30, 2009 as filed on January 5, 2010.
(14)(6)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Proxy Statement (Schedule 14A) as filed on April 21, 2009.
 
(15)(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 onForm 10-K as filed on February 20, 2009.
(9)Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 12, 2013 as filed on February 13, 2013.

31
30


INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GARTNER, INC.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3233
3334
3435
3536
37
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) and Comprehensive Income for the YearsThree Year Period Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 200720123638
3739
3840

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.

32
31


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, 20092012 and 2008,2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit) and comprehensive income, (loss),stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009.2012. 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, 20092012 and 2008,2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009,2012, 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, 2009,2012, based on criteria established inInternal Control — Integrated Frameworkissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 19, 201022, 2013 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 22, 2013

33
February 19, 2010
32


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, 2009,2012, based on criteria established inInternal Control — Integrated Frameworkissued 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, 2009,2012, based on criteria established inInternal Control — Integrated Frameworkissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

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, 20092012 and 2008,2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit) and comprehensive income, (loss),stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009,2012, and our report dated February 19, 201022, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

(KPMG LLP LOGO)

/s/ KPMG LLP

New York, New York
February 22, 2013

34
February 19, 2010
33


GARTNER, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

         
  December 31, 
  2009  2008 
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $116,574  $140,929 
Fees receivable, net of allowances of $8,100 and $7,800 respectively  317,598   318,511 
Deferred commissions  70,253   52,149 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  53,400   42,935 
         
Total current assets  557,825   554,524 
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net  52,466   61,869 
Goodwill  513,612   398,737 
Intangible assets, net  24,113   2,015 
Other assets  67,263   75,920 
         
Total assets $ 1,215,279  $1,093,065 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $255,966  $219,381 
Deferred revenues  437,207   395,278 
Current portion of long-term debt  205,000   177,750 
         
Total current liabilities  898,173   792,409 
Long-term debt  124,000   238,500 
Other liabilities  80,571   83,472 
         
Total liabilities  1,102,744   1,114,381 
Commitments and contingencies        
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):        
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; 156,234,416 shares issued for both periods  78   78 
Additional paid-in capital  590,864   570,667 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net  11,322   (1,741)
Accumulated earnings  509,392   426,428 
Treasury stock, at cost, 60,356,672 and 62,353,575 common shares, respectively  (999,121)  (1,016,748)
         
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)  112,535   (21,316)
         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) $ 1,215,279  $1,093,065 
         

  December 31, 
  2012  2011 
       
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $299,852  $142,739 
Fees receivable, net of allowances of $6,400 and $7,260 respectively  463,968   421,033 
Deferred commissions  87,933   78,492 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  75,713   63,521 
Total current assets  927,466   705,785 
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net  89,089   68,132 
Goodwill  519,506   508,550 
Intangible assets, net  11,821   7,060 
Other assets  73,395   90,345 
Total Assets $1,621,277  $1,379,872 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $287,763  $259,490 
Deferred revenues  692,237   611,647 
Current portion of long-term debt  90,000   50,000 
Total current liabilities  1,070,000   921,137 
Long-term debt  115,000   150,000 
Other liabilities  129,604   126,951 
Total liabilities  1,314,604   1,198,088 
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  679,871   646,815 
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net  5,968   5,793 
Accumulated earnings  908,482   742,579 
Treasury stock, at cost, 62,873,100 and 62,891,251 common shares, respectively  (1,287,726)  (1,213,481)
Total stockholders’ equity  306,673   181,784 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $1,621,277  $1,379,872 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

35
34


GARTNER, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

             
  Year Ended December 31, 
  2009  2008  2007 
Revenues:            
Research $752,505  $781,581  $683,380 
Consulting  286,847   347,404   325,030 
Events  100,448   150,080   160,065 
             
Total revenues  1,139,800   1,279,065   1,168,475 
Costs and expenses:            
Cost of services and product development  498,363   572,208   546,569 
Selling, general and administrative  477,003   514,994   456,975 
Depreciation  25,387   25,880   24,298 
Amortization of intangibles  1,636   1,615   2,091 
Acquisition and integration charges  2,934       
Other charges        9,084 
             
Total costs and expenses  1,005,323   1,114,697   1,039,017 
             
Operating income  134,477   164,368   129,458 
Interest income  830   3,121   2,912 
Interest expense  (16,862)  (22,390)  (25,066)
Other (expense) income, net  (2,919)  (358)  3,193 
             
Income before income taxes  115,526   144,741   110,497 
Provision for income taxes  32,562   47,593   39,831 
             
Income from continuing operations  82,964   97,148   70,666 
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes     6,723   2,887 
             
Net income $82,964  $103,871  $73,553 
             
Net income per share:            
Basic:            
Income from continuing operations $0.88  $1.02  $0.68 
Income from discontinued operations     .07   .03 
             
  $0.88  $1.09  $0.71 
             
Diluted:            
Income from continuing operations $0.85  $0.98  $0.65 
Income from discontinued operations     .07   .03 
             
  $0.85  $1.05  $0.68 
             
Weighted average shares outstanding:            
Basic  94,658   95,246   103,613 
Diluted  97,549   99,028   108,328 

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2012  2011  2010 
Revenues:            
Research $1,137,147  $1,012,062  $865,000 
Consulting  304,893   308,047   302,117 
Events  173,768   148,479   121,337 
Total revenues  1,615,808   1,468,588   1,288,454 
Costs and expenses:            
Cost of services and product development  659,067   608,755   552,238 
Selling, general and administrative  678,843   613,707   543,174 
Depreciation  25,369   25,539   25,349 
Amortization of intangibles  4,402   6,525   10,525 
Acquisition and integration charges  2,420      7,903 
Total costs and expenses  1,370,101   1,254,526   1,139,189 
Operating income  245,707   214,062   149,265 
Interest income  1,046   1,249   1,156 
Interest expense  (9,905)  (11,216)  (16,772)
Other (expense) income, net  (1,252)  (1,911)  436 
Income before income taxes  235,596   202,184   134,085 
Provision for income taxes  69,693   65,282   37,800 
Net income $165,903  $136,902  $96,285 
             
Net income per share:            
Basic $1.78  $1.43  $1.01 
Diluted $1.73  $1.39  $0.96 
Weighted average shares outstanding:            
Basic  93,444   96,019   95,747 
Diluted  95,842   98,846   99,834 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

36
35


GARTNER, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(IN THOUSANDS)

                             
           Accumulated
          
           Other
        Total
 
     Additional
  Unearned
  Comprehensive
        Stockholders’
 
  Common
  Paid-In
  Compensation,
  Income (Loss),
  Accumulated
  Treasury
  Equity
 
  Stock  Capital  Net  Net  Earnings  Stock  (Deficit) 
  
 
Balance at December 31, 2006 $78  $544,686  $(2,208) $13,097  $249,004  $(778,339) $26,318 
Comprehensive income:                            
Net income              73,553      73,553 
Other comprehensive income:                            
Foreign currency translation adjustments           10,570         10,570 
Interest rate swap, net of tax           (2,966)        (2,966)
Pension unrecognized gain, net of tax           2,940         2,940 
                             
Other comprehensive income              10,544           10,544 
                             
Comprehensive income                          84,097 
Issuances under stock plans     (36,210)           73,357   37,147 
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation     14,759               14,759 
Purchase of shares for treasury stock                 (169,064)  (169,064)
Stock compensation expense (net of forfeitures)     22,419   1,822            24,241 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2007 $78  $545,654  $(386) $23,641  $322,557  $(874,046) $17,498 
Comprehensive income:                            
Net income              103,871      103,871 
Other comprehensive loss:                            
Foreign currency translation adjustments           (20,497)        (20,497)
Interest rate swaps, net of tax           (6,060)        (6,060)
Pension unrecognized gain, net of tax           1,175         1,175 
                             
Other comprehensive loss              (25,382)          (25,382)
                             
Comprehensive income                          78,489 
Issuances under stock plans     (10,128)           55,874   45,746 
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation     14,831               14,831 
Purchase of shares for treasury stock                 (198,576)  (198,576)
Stock compensation expense (net of forfeitures)     20,310   386            20,696 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2008 $78  $570,667  $  $(1,741) $426,428  $(1,016,748) $(21,316)
Comprehensive income:                            
Net income              82,964      82,964 
Other comprehensive income:                            
Foreign currency translation adjustments           9,088         9,088 
Interest rate swaps, net of tax           3,535         3,535 
Pension unrecognized gain, net of tax           440         440 
                             
Other comprehensive income              13,063           13,063 
Comprehensive income                          96,027 
Issuances under stock plans     (6,522)           21,371   14,849 
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation     653               653 
Purchase of shares for treasury stock                 (3,744)  (3,744)
Stock compensation expense (net of forfeitures)     26,066               26,066 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2009 $78  $590,864  $  $11,322  $509,392  $(999,121) $112,535 
 
 

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2012  2011  2010 
          
Net income $165,903  $136,902  $96,285 
Other comprehensive income (loss)            
Foreign currency translation adjustments  4,318   (4,454)  582 
Interest rate swap hedge - deferred (loss) gain  (127)  (7,790)  6,243 
Pension - deferred actuarial (loss) gain  (5,993)  283   (1,012)
Subtotal  (1,802)  (11,961)  5,813 
Tax effect of comprehensive income (loss) items  1,977   3,116   (2,497)
Other comprehensive income (loss)  175   (8,845)  3,316 
Comprehensive income $166,078  $128,057  $99,601 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

37
36


GARTNER, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWSSTOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(IN THOUSANDS)

             
  Year Ended December 31, 
  2009  2008  2007 
Operating activities:            
Net income $82,964  $103,871  $73,553 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:            
Gain on sale of Vision Events business     (7,061)   
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles  27,023   27,495   26,389 
Stock-based compensation expense  26,066   20,696   24,241 
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation expense  (2,392)  (14,831)  (14,759)
Deferred taxes  5,003   2,617   6,740 
Amortization and write-off of debt issue costs  1,480   1,222   1,363 
Changes in assets and liabilities:            
Fees receivable, net  25,349   20,987   (10,880)
Deferred commissions  (16,750)  (1,403)  (5,266)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  13,059   (21)  (857)
Other assets  532   2,907   (12,288)
Deferred revenues  5,101   (308)  26,858 
Accounts payable, accrued, and other liabilities  (5,498)  28,179   33,241 
             
Cash provided by operating activities  161,937   184,350   148,335 
             
Investing activities:            
Proceeds from sale of Vision Events business     7,847    
Additions to property, equipment and leasehold improvements  (15,142)  (24,302)  (24,136)
Acquisitions (net of cash received)  (104,523)      
             
Cash used in investing activities  (119,665)  (16,455)  (24,136)
             
Financing activities:            
Proceeds from terminated interest rate swap        1,167 
Proceeds from stock issued for stock plans  14,822   44,702   34,458 
Proceeds from debt issuance  78,000   180,000   525,000 
Payments for debt issuance costs     (801)  (1,257)
Payments on debt  (165,250)  (157,750)  (501,000)
Purchases of treasury stock  (3,744)  (200,817)  (166,822)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation expense  2,392   14,831   14,759 
             
Cash used by financing activities  (73,780)  (119,835)  (93,695)
             
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents  (31,508)  48,060   30,504 
Effects of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents  7,153   (17,076)  11,640 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period  140,929   109,945   67,801 
             
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $116,574  $140,929  $109,945 
             
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:            
Cash paid during the period for:            
Interest $13,942  $22,380  $24,100 
Income taxes, net of refunds received $34,438  $19,961  $3,564 

  Common
Stock
  Additional
Paid-In
Capital
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income, Net
  Accumulated
Earnings
  Treasury
Stock
  Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Balance at December 31, 2009 $78  $590,864  $11,322  $509,392  $(999,121) $112,535 
Net income           96,285      96,285 
Other comprehensive income        3,316         3,316 
Issuances under stock plans     (30,254)        53,822   23,568 
Stock compensation tax benefits     18,520            18,520 
Common share repurchases              (99,820)  (99,820)
Stock compensation expense     32,652            32,652 
Balance at December 31, 2010 $78  $611,782  $14,638  $605,677  $(1,045,119) $187,056 
Net income           136,902      136,902 
Other comprehensive loss        (8,845)        (8,845)
Issuances under stock plans     (23,579)        43,624   20,045 
Stock compensation tax benefits     25,778            25,778 
Common share repurchases              (211,986)  (211,986)
Stock compensation expense     32,834            32,652 
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 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

38
37


GARTNER, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(IN THOUSANDS)

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2012  2011  2010 
Operating activities:            
Net income $165,903  $136,902  $96,285 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:            
Depreciation and amortization of intangibles  29,771   32,064   35,874 
Stock-based compensation expense  36,378   32,865   32,634 
Excess tax benefits from employee stock-based compensation exercises  (21,304)  (25,572)  (18,364)
Deferred taxes  973   (965)  (2,609)
Amortization and write-off of debt issue costs  2,008   2,288   1,567 
Changes in assets and liabilities:            
Fees receivable, net  (38,617)  (58,887)  (48,177)
Deferred commissions  (8,871)  (6,928)  (2,184)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (10,604)  3,540   (376)
Other assets  15,113   4,397   (34,130)
Deferred revenues  71,645   91,765   85,336 
Accounts payable, accrued, and other liabilities  37,418   44,097   59,643 
Cash provided by operating activities  279,813   255,566   205,499 
Investing activities:            
Additions to property, equipment and leasehold improvements  (44,337)  (41,954)  (21,694)
Acquisitions (net of cash received)  (10,336)     (12,151)
Cash used in investing activities  (54,673)  (41,954)  (33,845)
Financing activities:            
Proceeds from employee stock-based compensation plans and ESP Plan  12,430   20,011   23,527 
Proceeds from borrowings  35,000      200,000 
Payments on debt  (30,000)  (20,156)  (313,627)
Purchases of treasury stock  (111,304)  (211,986)  (99,820)
Excess tax benefits from employee stock-based compensation exercises  21,304   25,572   18,364 
Cash used by financing activities  (72,570)  (186,559)  (171,556)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  152,570   27,053   98 
Effects of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents  4,543   (4,495)  3,509 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period  142,739   120,181   116,574 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $299,852  $142,739  $120,181 
             
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:            
Cash paid during the period for:            
Interest $8,968  $13,312  $11,484 
Income taxes, net of refunds received $46,907  $24,126  $25,486 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

39

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 Inc. 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 Inc. (the “Company”) represents the twelve-month period from January 1 through December 31. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassifiedAll references to conform2012, 2011, and 2010 herein refer to the currentfiscal year presentation. When used in these notes, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” mean Gartner, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

On December 18, 2009, we acquired AMR Research, Inc., and on December 30, 2009, we acquired Burton Group, Inc. (see Note 2 — Acquisitions). The results of these businesses are included in our operating results beginning on their respective dates of acquisition.
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 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 accounts 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. Management believes its use of estimates in the accompanying consolidated financial statements to be reasonable.

Management continuously evaluates and revises its estimates on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the general economic environment and actions it may take in the future. We adjust suchManagement 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 ourmanagement’s best judgment at a point in timetime. As a result, differences between our estimates and as such these estimates may ultimately differ from actual results.

The global credit crisis and economic downturn that began in 2008, volatile foreign currency rates, cuts in travel, marketing and technology budgets, and other external factors have combined to increase the risks and uncertainty inherent in such estimates. These external factors may increase the risks the Company faces in developing estimates in particular relating to the collection of receivables, the achievement of the performance targets on performance-based compensation elements, and the valuation of goodwill. Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing weakness in the economic environment or other factors beyond our controlresults could be material and would be reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in future periods.

Reclassifications.Revenues.  Effective January 1, 2009, the Company has reclassified certain amounts presentedRevenue is recognized in itsaccordance with U.S. GAAP and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101,Revenue Recognitionin Financial Statements (“SAB 101”), 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:

“Other”

Research

Research revenues —The Company eliminated its previously reported “Other” revenue line. The “Other” revenue line primarily consisted of fees earned are derived from Research reprints and other miscellaneous products, and theseannual subscription contracts for research products. These revenues and related expenses are now included in the Research segment. The Company made this change because the “Other” revenue has declined in magnitude, from approximately $10.0 million in 2007, slightly less than 1.0% of total revenues in that year, to about $8.3 million in 2008, about half a percent of total revenues in that year, and this trend is continuing. The revenue decline reflects the Company’s decision to discontinue some of these products.

Expense reclassifications — Certain expenses that were formerly classified as Selling, general & administrative expense are now included in Cost of services and product development. These reclassifications reflect changes in the way we service and deliver value to our Research clients and related changes in work responsibilities of certain departments and associates.
Prior periods have been reclassified in order to be consistent with the current period presentation. See Note 16 — Segment Information for additional information.
Codification of accounting standards.  On September 30, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 168,The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles(the Codification). The Codification combines the previous U.S. GAAP hierarchy which included four levels of authoritative accounting literature distributed among a number of different sources. The Codification does not by itself create new accounting standards but instead reorganizes thousands of pages of existing U.S. GAAP accounting rules into approximately 90 accounting topics.
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All existing accounting standard documents are superseded by the Codification and all other accounting literature not included in the Codification is now considered non-authoritative. The Codification explicitly recognizes the rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under federal securities laws as authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification is now the single source of authoritative nongovernmental accounting standards in the United States. As a result of the Codification, the references to authoritative accounting pronouncements included herein in this Annual Report onForm 10-K now refer to the Codification topic section rather than a specific accounting rule as was past practice.
Subsequent events.  The Company has evaluated the potential impact of subsequent events on the consolidated financial statements herein through the date of filing of this Annual Report onForm 10-K.
Revenues.  Revenues from research products are deferred and recognized ratably over the applicable contract term. The Company typically enters into annually renewable subscription contracts for research products. Reprint fees are recognized when the reprint is shipped.

The majority of research contracts are billable upon signing, absent special terms granted on a limited basis from time to time. All researchResearch 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 to date. With the exception of certain government contracts which permit termination and contracts with special billing terms, itcancellations. It is Companyour policy to record the entire amount of the contract that is billable as a fee receivable at the time the contract is signed which represents a legally enforceable claim, andwith a corresponding amount as deferred revenue. For those government contracts that permit termination, the Company bills the client the full amount billable underrevenue, since the contract but only recordsrepresents a receivable equal to the earned portion of the contract. In addition, the Company only records deferred revenue on these government contracts when cash is received.

Deferred revenue attributable to government contracts was $65.3 million and $61.6 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In addition, at December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had not recognized receivables or deferred revenues relating to government contracts that permit termination of $8.3 million and $12.1 million, respectively, which had been billed but not yet collected.
legally enforceable claim.

Consulting

Consulting revenues, primarily derived from consulting, measurement and strategic advisory services (paidone-day analyst engagements), are principally generated from fixed fee or time and materials for discrete projects.engagements. Revenues for such projectsfrom fixed fee engagements are recognized on a proportional performance basis, while revenues from time and material engagements are recognized as work is deliveredand/or services are provided. Unbilled fees receivable associated with consulting engagements were $30.0 million at December 31, 2009 and $35.3 million at December 31, 2008. Revenues related to contract optimization contractsengagements 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 $34.0 million at December 31, 2012 and $29.2 million at December 31, 2011.

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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 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 anevent-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 in revenues or as an increase to expense. The amount of the allowance for losses is based on historical loss experience, aging of outstanding receivables, anour assessment of current economic conditions and the financial health of specific clients.

Cost of services and product development.development (“COS”).  IncludesCOS expense includes the direct costs incurred in the creation and delivery of our products and services.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”).SG&A expense includes direct and indirect selling costs, and general and administrative costs.

costs, and charges against earnings related to uncollectible accounts.

Commission expense.The Company records the commission obligation related to research contractsobligations upon the signing of the contractcustomer contracts and amortizes the corresponding deferred obligation as commission expense over the contract period in which the related revenues are earned. The Company records commissionCommission 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,

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which is normally the same as the vesting period. TheDuring 2012, 2011, and 2010, the Company records thisrecognized $36.4 million, $32.9 million, and $32.6 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense (see Note 8 — Stock-Based Compensation), which is recorded in both Cost of services and product developmentCOS and SG&A in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
During 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company recognized $26.1 million, $20.7 million, and $24.2 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense (see Note 10 — Stock-Based Compensation).

Income tax expense.  The provision forAs we prepare our consolidated financial statements, we estimate our income taxes is the sumin each of the amountjurisdictions where we operate. This process involves estimating our current tax expense together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of incomeitems for tax paid or payable for the year as determined by applying the provisions of enacted tax laws to taxable income for that year and the net changes during the yearaccounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferredliabilities, which are included within our consolidated balance sheets. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets when future realization is in question. We consider the availability of loss carryforwards, existing deferred tax liabilities, future taxable income and liabilitiesongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance. In the event we determine that we are recognized based on differences betweenable to realize our deferred tax assets in the bookfuture in excess of the net recorded amount, an adjustment is made to reduce the valuation allowance and increase income in the period such determination is made. Likewise, if we determine that we will not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax basis of assets and liabilities using presently enacted tax rates. We credit additional paid-in capital for realized tax benefits arising from stock transactions with employees. The tax benefit on a nonqualified stock option is equalasset in the future, an adjustment to the tax effect of the difference between the market price of Common Stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price.

Sales taxes.  Sales tax collected from customers remitted to governmental authoritiesvaluation allowance is presented on a net basischarged against income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
period such determination is made.

Cash and cash equivalents.  AllIncludes cash and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, which are classified asconsidered cash equivalents. The carrying value of these investmentscash equivalents approximates fair value based upondue to their short-term maturity. Investments with maturities of more than three months are classified as marketable securities. Interest earned on investments 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 concessions, contractualincreases, rent increases,concessions, and landlord incentives, are recognized ratably over the life of the related lease agreement. Lease expense was $22.5$30.3 million, $26.2 million, and $23.5 million in both 20092012, 2011, and 2008 and $23.8 million in 2007.

2010, respectively.

Equipment, leasehold improvements, and other fixed assets owned by the Company are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization anddepreciation. 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 assetsimprovements or the remaining term of the related leases. The Company had total depreciation expense of $25.4 million, $25.5 million, and $25.3 million in 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

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Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, less accumulated depreciation and amortization, consist of the following (in thousands):

  Useful Life December 31, 
  (Years) 2012  2011 
Computer equipment and software 2 - 7 $135,167  $130,733 
Furniture and equipment 3 - 8  29,907   34,828 
Leasehold improvements 2 - 15  64,346   63,773 
     229,420   229,334 
Less — accumulated depreciation and amortization    (140,331)  (161,202)
    $89,089  $68,132 

 
             
     December 31, 
  Useful Life
       
  (Years)  2009  2008 
  
Computer equipment and software  2 - 7  $118,487  $123,970 
Furniture and equipment  3 - 8   32,183   34,220 
Leasehold improvements  2 - 10   46,945   49,110 
             
       197,615   207,300 
Less — accumulated depreciation and amortization      (145,149)  (145,431)
             
      $52,466  $61,869 
             

The Company also capitalizes certain developmentincurs costs incurred to develop internal use software used in accordance withour operations, and certain costs meeting the criteria outlined in FASB ASC Topic 350.350 are capitalized and amortized over future periods. At December 31, 20092012 and 2008,2011, net capitalized development costs for internal use software were $16.1$14.4 million and $19.6 million, respectively, net of accumulated amortization of $20.4 million and $18.9$13.6 million, respectively. Amortization of capitalized internal software development costs, which is classified in Depreciation in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, totaled $8.3 million, $7.4 million, $7.8 million, and $6.5$7.9 million during 2009, 2008,2012, 2011, and 2007,2010, respectively.

Stamford headquarters lease renewal

The Company’s corporate headquarters is located in 213,000 square feet of leased office space in three buildings in Stamford, Connecticut. The Stamford facility accommodates research and analysis, marketing, sales, client support, production, corporate services, executive offices, and administration. In 2010 the Company entered into a new 15 year lease agreement for this facility which provides for a reduced rental until completion of certain renovation work. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 840, the Company accounted for the new Stamford lease as an operating lease arrangement. The total minimum payments the Company is obligated to pay under this lease, including contractual escalation clauses and reduced rents during the renovation period, are being expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Under this arrangement, the landlord has provided a $25.0 million tenant improvement allowance to be used to renovate the three buildings. The renovation work began in 2011 and is expected to be completed in early 2013. The $25.0 million contractual amount due from the landlord was recorded as a tenant improvement allowance in Other assets and as deferred rent in Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As the renovation work progresses and payments are received from the landlord, the tenant improvement receivable is relieved and leasehold improvement assets are recorded in Property, equipment, and leasehold improvements. The leasehold improvement assets are being amortized to Depreciation expense over their useful lives, beginning when the assets are placed in service. The amount recorded as deferred rent is being amortized as a reduction to rent expense (SG&A) on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $21.0 million of remaining unamortized deferred rent resulting from the tenant improvement allowance, of which $1.5 million is recorded in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and $19.5 million is recorded in Other liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company had total depreciation expense of $25.4 million, $25.9paid $17.0 million and $24.3$9.5 million in 2009, 2008,renovation costs for this project in 2012 and 2007, respectively.

2011, respectively, which are classified as cash outflows in the Investing activities section of the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company received landlord cash reimbursements for these expenditures of $13.0 million and $9.0 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively, which are classified as cash inflows in the Operating activities section of the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Intangible assets.  IntangibleThe Company has amortizable intangible assets which are amortized against earnings using the straight-line method over their expected useful lives. IntangibleChanges in intangible assets subject to amortization includeduring the followingtwo year period ended December 31, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

December 31, 2012 Trade
Name
  Customer
Relationships
  Content  Software  Total 
Gross cost, December 31, 2011 $5,758  $7,210  $  $  $12,968 
Additions due to acquisition (1)  240   3,170   3,170   1,955   8,535 
Foreign currency translation impact  21   182   277   169   649 
Gross cost  6,019   10,562   3,447   2,124   22,152 
Accumulated amortization (2)  (3,531)  (5,896)  (497)  (407)  (10,331)
Balance, December 31, 2012 $2,488  $4,666  $2,950  $1,717  $11,821 
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        Customer
  Noncompete
    
December 31, 2009 Content  Trade Name  Relationships  Agreements  Total 
  
Gross cost (1) $10,634  $5,758  $14,910  $416  $31,718 
Accumulated amortization        (7,315)  (290)  (7,605)
                     
Net $10,634  $5,758  $7,595  $126  $24,113 
                     
             
  Customer
  Noncompete
    
December 31, 2008 Relationships  Agreements  Total 
  
Gross cost $7,700  $278  $7,978 
Accumulated amortization  (5,775)  (188)  (5,963)
             
Net $1,925  $90  $2,015 
             
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December 31, 2011 Trade
Name
  Customer
Relationships
  Total 
Gross cost, December 31, 2010 $5,758  $7,210  $12,968 
Foreign currency translation impact         
Gross cost  5,758   7,210   12,968 
Accumulated amortization (2)  (2,303)  (3,605)  (5,908)
Balance, December 31, 2011 $3,455  $3,605  $7,060 


 
(1)Includes $23.6The Company acquired Ideas International in 2012 and recorded a total of $8.5 million of purchased intangibles related to the acquisitions of AMR, Research, Inc. and Burton Group, Inc. in December 2009.amortizable intangible assets. See Note 2 — 2—Acquisitions above for additional information.
Intangible assets will be amortized against earnings over the following period:

(2)
Useful Life
(Years)
Content1.5
Intangible assets are being amortized against earnings over the following periods: Trade Namename—2 to 5
years; Customer Relationshipsrelationships—4
Noncompete agreements2-5 years; Content—4 years; Software—3 years. Aggregate amortization expense related to intangible assets was $4.4 million, $6.5 million, and $10.5 million in 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.
Aggregate amortization expense related to intangible assets was $1.6 million, $1.6 million, and $2.1 million for 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

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

     
2010 $10,541 
2011  6,530 
2012  2,958 
2014  2,958 
2015 and thereafter  1,126 
     
  $24,113 
     

2013 $5,490 
2014  3,615 
2015  2,005 
2016  711 
  $11,821 

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. A reporting unitlevel 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 an operating segmentbased on either a qualitative or qualitative assessment or a business if discrete financial information is preparedcombination of the two. Both methods utilize estimates which in turn require judgments and reviewed by management. Underassumptions regarding future trends and events. As a result, both the impairment test, ifprecision and reliability of the resulting estimates are subject to uncertainty.

The Company conducted a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value, goodwill impairment is recognized toqualitative assessment of the extent that the reporting unit’s carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill. The fair value ofits three reporting units is estimated using discounted cash flows,as of September 30, 2012 based in part on the demonstrated historical trend of the fair values of the Company’s reporting units substantially exceeding their carrying values and its 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 multiples, and other valuation techniques.

assessments. Based on the results of the qualitative assessment, the Company believes the fair values of its reporting units continue to substantially exceed their respective carrying values.

The following table presents changes to the carrying amount of goodwill by reporting segmentunit during the two yearsyear period ended December 31, 20092012 (in thousands):

  Research  Consulting  Events  Total 
Balance, December 31, 2010 (1) $368,521  $99,817  $41,927  $510,265 
Foreign currency translation adjustments  (1,541)  (140)  (34)  (1,715)
Balance, December 31, 2011 $366,980  $99,677  $41,893  $508,550 
Addition due to acquisition (2)  7,455         7,455 
Foreign currency translation adjustments  2,790   672   39   3,501 
Balance, December 31, 2012 $377,225  $100,349  $41,932  $519,506 

 
                 
  Research  Consulting  Events  Total 
Balance, January 1, 2008 (1) $291,281  $88,425  $36,475  $416,181 
Purchase accounting adjustments (2)  (520)        (520)
Foreign currency translation adjustments  (10,600)  (4,377)  (107)  (15,084)
Divestitures (3)        (1,840)  (1,840)
                 
Balance, December 31, 2008 $280,161  $84,048  $34,528  $398,737 
Foreign currency translation adjustments  4,386   1,434   73   5,893 
Additions due to acquisitions (4)  86,083   15,262   7,637   108,982 
                 
Balance, December 31, 2009 $370,630  $100,744  $42,238  $513,612 
                 
(1)The Company hasdoes not recorded charges forhave accumulated goodwill impairment since the adoption of the current goodwill impairment rules on January 1, 2002. Accordingly, the Company considers the goodwill amount as of January 1, 2008 to be the gross amount of goodwill.losses.

(2)The Company reduced Researchacquired Ideas International in mid-2012 and recorded $7.5 million of goodwill. All of the recorded goodwill by $0.5 million due to a tax purchase accounting adjustment related toresulting from the acquisition of META Group, Inc.has been included in 2005. The adjustment related to the utilization or anticipated utilization of net operating lossesResearch segment. See Note 2—Acquisitions above for which a valuation was recorded at the acquisition date.
(3)The Company reduced Events segment goodwill by $1.8 million related to the sale of its Visions Events business in February 2008 (see Note 3 — Discontinued Operations).
(4)The Company recorded $109.0 million of goodwill related to the acquisitions of AMR Research, Inc. and Burton Group, Inc. in December 2009 (see Note 2 — Acquisitions).additional information.

Impairment of long-lived assets and intangible assets.The Company reviews its long-lived assets 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 otherexternal economic and market variables.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

43

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.

41
The Company did not record any material impairment charges for long-lived and intangible assets during 2012, 2011, or 2010.


Pension obligations.The Company has defined-benefit pension plans in several of its international locations (see Note 1513 — Employee Benefits). Benefits earned under these plans are generally based on years of service and level of employee compensation. The Company accounts for material defined benefit plans in accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 715. The Company determines the periodic pension obligationsexpense and related benefit expenseliabilities for these plans through actuarial assumptions and valuations. The Company recognized $2.2$2.6 million, $2.2$2.7 million, and $2.7$2.4 million of expense for these plans in 2009, 2008,2012, 2011, and 2007,2010, 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. Accrued interest on amounts borrowed is classified in Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company had $205.0 million and $200.0 million of debt outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2011. See Note 5—Debt for additional information regarding the Company’s debt.

Foreign currency exposure.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 (Loss),other comprehensive income, net within the Stockholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates for the year.

Currency transaction gains or losses arising from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of a subsidiary are includedrecognized in results of operations withinin Other (expense) income, (expense), net within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Net currency transaction (losses) gains were $(3.6)$(2.3) million, $(0.9)$(1.3) million, and $4.1$(4.8) million in 2009, 2008,2012, 2011, and 2007,2010, respectively.

We may enter The Company enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to offsetmitigate the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.rates on these transactions. These contracts generally have a short duration and are recorded at fair value with unrealizedboth realized and realizedunrealized gains and losses recorded in Other (expense) income, (expense).net. The net gain (loss) from these contracts was $0.7$0.6 million, $(0.6)$(1.2) million, and $(3.0)$2.8 million in 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

Comprehensive income.On January 1, 2012, the Company retrospectively adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-05,Comprehensive Income (Topic 220-10): Presentation of Comprehensive Income,and a related amendment. Comprehensive income includes income and expense items from nonowner sources and consists of two separate components: net income as reported and other comprehensive income. ASU No. 2011-05 eliminates the option to report comprehensive income and its components in the statement of stockholders’ equity. Instead, the new rule optionally requires the presentation of net income and comprehensive income in one continuous statement, or in two separate, but consecutive statements. The Company has presented net income, other comprehensive income and its components, and comprehensive income in a new, separate statement called theConsolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income,which is included herein.While the Company’s presentation of comprehensive income has changed, there were no changes to the components or amounts that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income under existing accounting guidance. As a result, the adoption of this new rule did not impact the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, or financial position.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02,Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,whichupdates ASU No. 2011-05. The standard requires that public companies present information about reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income in their financial statements in a single note or on the face of the financial statements. Public companies will have to provide this information in both their annual and interim financial statements. The new requirements will take effect for 2009, 2008,Gartner beginning January 1, 2013 and 2007, respectively.

will be applied prospectively. While the Company has not completed its analysis of the new standard, it believes the new rule may result in additional disclosures and changes to the presentation of the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

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 1412 — Fair Value Disclosures.

Concentrations of credit risk.  ItemsAssets that potentiallymay subject the Company to concentration of credit risk at December 31, 2009 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 two interest rate swap contractscontract are with investment grade commercial banks that are participants in the Company’s Credit Agreement.credit facility. 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, 2009.

2012.

Stock repurchase programs.The Company records the cost to repurchase its own common shares to treasury stock. During 2009, 20082012, 2011 and 2007,2010 the Company recorded $3.7$111.3 million, $198.6$212.0 million, and $169.1$99.8 million, respectively, of stock repurchases (seeNote 9-Equity)7 — Stockholders’ Equity). Shares repurchased by the Company are added to treasury shares and are not retired.

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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:

Balance sheet offsetting.In January 2010,December 2011, theFASB issued ASU2010-6,No. 2011-11,Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurementsabout Offsetting Assets and Liabilities, which. The new guidance requires reporting entities to make new disclosures about recurringassets and liabilities that are offset or nonrecurring fair-value measurements including significant transfers into and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair-value measurements and information on purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basishave the potential to be offset under U.S. GAAP rules. These disclosures are intended to address differences in the reconciliationasset and liability offsetting requirements under U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The new disclosure requirements mandate that entities disclose both gross and net information about financial instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of Level 3 fair-value measurements.financial position as well as instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of collateral received and posted in connection with master netting agreements or similar arrangements. However, as of year-end 2012, the FASB is considering certain amendments to ASU2010-6 is No. 2011-11 which may limit the scope of the new rules. ASU No. 2011-11 will be effective for Gartner for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for Level 3 reconciliationJanuary 1, 2013, with retrospective application required. While the adoption of this new guidance may result in additional disclosures, which are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010.

2—we do not expect it to have an impact on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Other comprehensive income disclosures.See discussion above inComprehensive Income.

2 — ACQUISITIONS

The Company acquired two businesses in December 2009:
AMR Research, Inc.
On December 18, 2009,

2012

In May 2012 the Company acquired allIdeas International Limited (“Ideas International”), a publicly-owned Australian corporation (ASX: IDE) headquartered outside of Sydney with 40 employees. Ideas International provided intelligence on IT infrastructure configurations and pricing data to IT professionals and vendors. The Company paid aggregate cash consideration of $18.8 million for 100% of the outstanding shares of AMR Research, Inc. (“AMR Research”), a privately-owned, Boston-based firm with 170 employees, for approximately $63.0 million in cash. AMR is a leading authority on global supply chain and supporting technologies. AMR offers operations and technology executives of manufacturing and retail companies an integrated set of services, including written research, access to research analysts, peer networking through its forum advisory services, consulting and participation at its executive conferences. Gartner’sIdeas International. The Company’s strategic objectiveobjectives in acquiring AMR isIdeas International are to leverage Gartner’s scale and worldwide distribution capability, introduce Ideas International’s products and sell AMR’s suite of research, consulting, and events offeringsservices to Gartner’s much larger end user client base, with supply chainand further penetrate the technology concerns, as well as introduce AMR’s supply chain clients to Gartner’s suite of products. The combination is also expected to drive operational efficiencies and cost savings.

Burton Group, Inc.
On December 30, 2009,vendor market. Ideas International’s business operations have been integrated into the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Burton Group, Inc. (“Burton Group”), a privately-owned Utah-based firm with 120 employees, for approximately $55.0 million in cash. Burton Group is a leading research and advisory services firm that focuses on providing practical, technically in-depth advice to front-line IT professionals. Gartner’s strategic objective in acquiring Burton Group is to expand Gartner’s product and service offerings and to leverage Gartner’s scale
42
Company’s Research segment.


and worldwide distribution capability to sell Burton Group’s suite of research, consulting, and events offerings to Gartner’s much larger client base. The combination is also expected to drive operational efficiencies and cost savings.
Operating Results
The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the operating results of these acquisitionsIdeas International beginning with their respective datesthe date of acquisition, which wasacquisition. These results were not material to the Company’s 20092012 results. The Company recorded $2.9$2.4 million of pre-tax acquisition and integration charges related to these businesses for the year ended December 31, 2009,this acquisition in 2012, which is classified in Acquisition and integration expensecharges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Included in these charges are legal, feesconsulting, and consultant fees in connection with the acquisition and integration, as well as severance costs, relatedall of which were direct and incremental charges from the acquisition. Had the Company acquired Ideas International on January 1, 2010, the impact to redundant headcount.
Thethe Company’s acquisitions of AMR Researchoperating results for 2011 and Burton Group were2010 would not consideredhave been material, individually or in the aggregate, and as a result pro forma financial statements are not presented. However, on a pro forma basis, had the acquisitions of these businesses occurred on January 1, 2007, the Company would have recorded approximately $72.0 million, $79.0 million, and $67.0 million of additional revenues in 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectfully, while the impact to the Company’s consolidated operating income and net incomeinformation for those years wouldperiods has not have been material.
Purchase Price Allocation
Gartner utilized its existing cash on hand and availability under its revolving credit facility to fund the acquisitions. presented.

The final acquisition costs are subject to certain post-closing and other adjustments. The acquisitions are beingwas accounted for under the acquisition method in accordance withof accounting as prescribed by FASB ASC Topic 805,Business Combination,Combinations.whichThe acquisition method of accounting requires the consideration paid to be allocated to the net assets and liabilities acquired based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Anydate, and any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, wasmust be allocated to goodwill.

The Company considers its allocation of the respective purchase pricesprice to be preliminary, particularly with respect to the valuation of intangibles and certain tax related items. In accordance with existing accounting rules,FASB ASC Topic 805, a final determination of the purchase price allocation and resulting goodwill must be made within one year of the acquisition dates.date. The following table representsCompany anticipates that none of the aggregate preliminary purchase price allocation torecorded goodwill arising from the assets acquired and liabilities assumedacquisition will be deductible for tax purposes. All of the two acquisitions (dollarsrecorded goodwill was included in thousands):
     
Assets:    
Fees receivable, net $16,919 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  19,015 
Property, equipment, and leasehold improvements, net  2,666 
Intangible assets:    
Trade name  5,758 
Content  10,634 
Customer relationships  7,210 
     
Total intangible assets  23,602 
Goodwill  108,983 
Other assets  1,014 
     
Total assets $172,199 
     
Liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $27,175 
Deferred revenues  26,402 
Other liabilities  1,045 
     
Total liabilities $54,622 
     
Of the total $109.0 million recorded in goodwill, $86.1 million, $15.3 million, and $7.6 million has been allocated to theCompany’s Research Consulting, and Events segments, respectively.segment. The Company believes the recorded goodwill is supported by the anticipated revenues and synergies in general and administrative costs. related to the acquisition.

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase price allocation includes an estimate ofto the fair value of the cost to fulfillassets acquired and liabilities assumed in the deferred revenue obligations which was determined by estimating the costs to provide the services plus a normal profit margin, and did not include any costs associated with selling efforts. The preliminary amount that is expected to be deductible for tax purposes is approximately $55.4 million.

acquisition (dollars in thousands):

Assets:    
Cash $8,502 
Fees receivable  1,310 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  560 
Goodwill and amortizable intangible assets (1)  15,990 
Total assets $26,362 
     
Liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $2,203 
Deferred revenues (2)  5,321 
Total liabilities $7,524 
 
In connection with the acquisitions,

(1)Includes $7.5 million allocated to goodwill and $8.5 million allocated to amortizable intangible assets (see Note 1—Business and Significant Accounting Policies above for additional information).
(2)The fair value of the cost to fulfill the deferred revenue obligations was determined by estimating the costs to provide the services plus a normal profit margin, and did not include costs associated with selling efforts.

2009

The Company has received contractual indemnifications from the selling shareholders for certain pre-acquisition liabilitiesacquired all of the acquired companies. The Company estimates these liabilities at approximately $6.1 million. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 805, the Company has recorded a $6.1 million receivableoutstanding shares of AMR Research and Burton Group in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and a $6.1 million liability in Accrued liabilities, which are included in the purchase price allocation table above. The Company believes the indemnification assets are fully collectible since a portion of the sale proceeds have been escrowed pending resolution of the liabilities.

43


3—DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
In early 2008 the Company sold its Vision Events business, which had been part of the Company’s Events segment,2009 for $11.4 million in cash. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 205, the operating results of the Vision Events business have been reported separately as a discontinued operation for 2008 and 2007. The Vision Events business generated revenues of zero and $20.7 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively, and had an operating (loss) income of $(0.3) million and $2.9 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively.
The Company realizedtotal net cash proceeds from the sale of $7.8 million and recorded a net gain on the sale of approximately $7.1 million after deducting direct costs to sell, a charge of $1.8$116.7 million, of Events segment goodwill,which $12.2 million was paid in 2010 and related tax charges. The gain is recorded$104.5 million was paid in Income from discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The goodwill charge was recorded in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, which requires an allocated portion of goodwill to be included in the gain or loss on disposal of a portion of a reporting unit. The assets and liabilities of the Vision Events business that were included in the sale were not material to the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
4—OTHER CHARGES
2009. The Company recorded Other charges$7.9 million of $0 in both 2009acquisition and 2008 and $9.1 million in 2007.
Other charges of $9.1 million recorded in 2007 included charges of $8.7 millionintegration expenses related to a litigation settlement and $2.7 million related to our decision to exit consulting operations in Asia. Offsetting these charges was a credit of $2.3 million related to an excess facility that was returned to service.
The following table summarizes the activity related to restructuring costs recorded as Other Charges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands):
                 
  Workforce
  Excess
  Asset
    
  Reduction
  Facilities
  Impairments
    
  Costs  Costs  and Other  Total 
  
Accrued liability at December 31, 2006 $681  $15,030  $  $15,711 
Charges during 2007  2,682      8,681   11,363 
Adjustment for excess facility     (2,280)     (2,280)
Currency translation and reclassifications  (156)  164      8 
Payments  (2,871)  (5,138)  (8,681)  (16,690)
                 
Accrued liability at December 31, 2007 $336  $7,776  $  $8,112 
Charges during 2008            
Currency translation and reclassifications  (114)        (114)
Payments  (222)  (4,117)     (4,339)
                 
Accrued liability at December 31, 2008 $  $3,659  $  $3,659 
Charges during 2009            
Currency translation and reclassifications            
Payments     (2,856)     (2,856)
                 
Accrued liability at December 31, 2009(1),(2) $  $803  $  $803 
                 
(1)The $0.8 million liability for excess facilities represents the present value of the estimated remaining lease payments less projected sublease income. Accretion expense related to the obligations is charged against earnings.
(2)Costs for excess facilities will be paid as the leases expire through 2011. The Company intends to fund these payments from existing cash.
5—acquisitions during 2010.

3 — OTHER ASSETS

Other assets consist of the following (in thousands):

         
  December 31, 
  2009  2008 
  
Security deposits $3,545  $2,796 
Debt issuance costs  1,384   2,376 
Benefit plan related assets  30,903   23,095 
Non-current deferred tax assets  29,527   46,378 
Other  1,904   1,275 
         
Total other assets $67,263  $75,920 
         
44


  December 31, 
  2012  2011 
Security deposits $7,740  $6,581 
Debt issuance costs  2,768   3,866 
Benefit plan-related assets  37,016   38,403 
Non-current deferred tax assets  22,527   22,795 
Tenant improvement allowance (1)     16,062 
Other  3,344   2,638 
Total other assets $73,395  $90,345 

 
6—

(1)The balance as of December 31, 2011 represented the landlord receivable related to the renovation of the Company’s Stamford headquarters facility, the majority of which was collected during 2012, with the balance reclassified to current assets. See Note 1 — Business and Significant Accounting Policies for additional information.

4 — ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCRUED, AND OTHER LIABILITIES

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

  December 31, 
  2012  2011 
Accounts payable $27,344  $27,573 
Payroll, employee benefits, severance  71,892   66,110 
Bonus payable  68,776   62,191 
Commissions payable  49,128   42,328 
Taxes payable  18,897   15,917 
Rent and other facilities costs  4,310   5,046 
Professional, consulting, audit fees  8,355   6,907 
Events fulfillment liabilities  4,209   2,255 
Other accrued liabilities  34,852   31,163 
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities $287,763  $259,490 

 
         
  December 31, 
  2009  2008 
  
Accounts payable $14,312  $12,130 
Payroll, employee benefits, severance  63,600   58,840 
Bonus payable  53,264   45,040 
Commissions payable  39,705   33,797 
Taxes payable  17,693   29,508 
Acquisition payables (1)  13,059    
Rent and other facilities costs  9,666   6,575 
Professional and consulting fees  4,112   4,007 
Other accrued liabilities  40,555   29,484 
         
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities $255,966  $219,381 
         
(1)Includes amounts payable consisting primarily of a portion of the purchase price related to our acquisition of Burton Group on December 30, 2009. These amounts were paid in January 2010.

Other liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

  December 31, 
  2012  2011 
Non-current deferred revenue $5,508  $4,572 
Interest rate swap liabilities  10,017   9,891 
Long-term taxes payable  16,760   20,141 
Deferred rent (1)  19,586   21,046 
Benefit plan-related liabilities  54,779   47,326 
Other  22,954   23,975 
Total other liabilities $129,604  $126,951 
46

 
         
  December 31, 
  2009  2008 
  
Non-current deferred revenue $3,912  $1,913 
Long-term taxes payable  15,064   15,386 
Benefit plan-related liabilities  37,977   30,098 
Other  23,618   36,075 
         
Total other liabilities $80,571  $83,472 
         
7—

(1)Represents the remaining unamortized long-term deferred rent on the $25.0 million tenant improvement allowance on the Company’s Stamford headquarters facility. See Note 1 — Business and Significant Accounting Policies above for additional information.

5 — DEBT

2010 Credit Agreement

The Company has a Credit Agreement dated as of January 31, 2007credit arrangement that provides for a $300.0five-year, $200.0 million term loan and a $400.0 million revolving credit facility which it entered into in December 2010 (the “2010 Credit Agreement”). The Company terminated its prior credit arrangement when it entered into the 2010 Credit Agreement and a five-year, $180.0 millionpaid down the remaining amounts outstanding. The 2010 Credit Agreement contains an expansion feature by which the term loan (the “original term loan”). On April 9, 2008, the Company entered into a First Amendment (the “First Amendment”) with the lenders to the Credit Agreement, which provided for a new $150.0 million term loan (the “2008 term loan”). Theand revolving credit facility may be increased, at the Company’s option and under certain conditions, by up to an additional $100.0$150.0 million atin the discretion of the Company’s lenders (the “expansion feature”), for a total revolving credit facility of $400.0 million. However, the $100.0 million expansion feature may or may not be available to the Company depending upon prevailing credit market conditions. To date the Company has not sought to borrow under the expansion feature.

aggregate. The following table provides information regarding amounts outstanding under the Company’s Credit Agreement:
             
  Amount
  Amount
  Annualized
 
  Outstanding
  Outstanding
  Effective
 
  December 31, 2008
  December 31, 2009
  Interest Rate
 
  (In thousands)  (In thousands)  December 31, 2009(2) 
  
 
Description:
            
Original Term Loan (1) $157,500  $126,000   5.81%
2008 Term Loan (1)  138,750   75,000   1.26%
Revolver (3)  120,000   128,000   1.00%
             
Total $416,250  $329,000     
             
(1)During 2009 the Company repaid $31.5 million of the original term loan and $23.8 million of the 2008 term loan pursuant to the loan amortization schedules. In addition, the Company prepaid $40.0 million of the 2008 term loan on September 30, 2009.
(2)The rate on the original term loan consisted of the interest rate swap rate (see below) plus a margin of 0.75%. The rate on the 2008 term loan consisted of a three-month LIBOR base rate plus a margin of 1.00%, while the revolver consisted of a one-month LIBOR base rate plus a margin of 0.75%.
(3)The Company had approximately $170.0 million of available borrowing capacity on the revolver (not including the expansion feature) as of December 31, 2009.
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement carry interest rates that are either prime-based or Libor-based. Interest rates under these borrowings include a base rate plus a margin between 0.00% and 0.75% on Prime-based borrowings and between 0.625% and 1.75% on Libor-based borrowings. Generally, the Company’s borrowings are Libor-based. The revolving loans may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed until January 31, 2012, at which time all amounts borrowed must be repaid. The revolver borrowing capacity is reduced for both amounts outstanding under the revolver and for letters of credit.
45


The original term loan will beis being repaid in 1819 consecutive quarterly installments which commenced on September 30, 2007, with theMarch 31, 2011, plus a final payment due on January 31, 2012,December 22, 2015, and may be prepaid at any time without penalty or premium 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 22, 2015, at which time all amounts borrowed must be repaid.

Amounts borrowed under the 2010 Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to, at the Company’s option, either (i) the greatest of: the administrative agent’s prime rate; the average rate on overnight federal funds plus 1/2 of 1%; and the eurodollar rate (adjusted for statutory reserves) plus 1%, in each case plus a margin equal to between 0.50% and 1.25% depending on the Company’s leverage ratio as of the Company. The 2008 term loan is co-terminus withend of the original 2007 term loan underfour consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended, or (ii) the Credit Agreement and will be repaid in 16 consecutive quarterly installments which commenced June 30, 2008,eurodollar rate (adjusted for statutory reserves) plus a final payment duemargin equal to between 1.50% and 2.25%, depending on January 31, 2012, and may be prepaid at any time without penalty or premium at the optionCompany’s leverage ratio as of Gartner.

the end of the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended.

The 2010 Credit Agreement contains certain customary restrictive loan covenants, including, among others, financial covenants requiring a maximum leverage ratio, a minimum fixed chargeinterest expense coverage ratio, and a minimum annualized contract value ratio, and covenants limiting Gartner’sthe Company’s ability to incur indebtedness, grant liens, make acquisitions, be acquired, dispose of assets, pay dividends, repurchase stock, make capital expenditures, make investments and make investments.enter into certain transactions with affiliates. The Company was in full compliance with its financialthese covenants as of December 31, 2009, after giving effect2012.

In December 2010, the Company recorded certain incremental pre-tax charges due to the acquisitions. A failuretermination of the prior credit arrangement. The majority of these charges would have been recognized as expenses in 2011, but accounting rules required their accelerated recognition in 2010. These accelerated pre-tax charges included $3.3 million for deferred losses on interest rate swap contracts that had been recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) since the swaps had previously been designated as accounting hedges, and $0.4 million for the write-off of a portion of capitalized debt issuance costs related to complythe previous debt. In accordance with these covenantsFASB ASC Topic 815, the deferral of the unrealized losses on the swaps recorded in OCI was no longer permitted since the forecasted interest payments related to the previous debt would not occur. Both the capitalized debt issuance write-off and the interest rate swap charge were classified in Interest expense in the future could result in accelerationConsolidated Statements of all amountsOperations for the year ended December 31, 2010.

The following table provides information regarding the Company’s total outstanding under the Credit Agreement, which would materially impact our financial condition unless accommodations could be negotiated with our lenders.

borrowings:

Description: Amount
Outstanding
December 31,
2012
(In thousands)
  Contractual
Annualized
Interest Rate
December 31,
2012
  Amount
Outstanding
December 31,
2011
(In thousands)
 
2010 Credit Facility - term loan (1) $150,000   1.81% $180,000 
2010 Credit Facility - revolver (1), (2)  50,000   1.81%  20,000 
Other (3)  5,000   3.00%   
Total $205,000      $200,000 

 

(1)Both the term and revolver loan rates consisted of a floating Eurodollar base rate of 0.31% plus a margin of 1.5%. 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 effective annual interest rate on the $200.0 million of outstanding debt under the 2010 Credit Facility as of December 31, 2012, including the margin, was 3.76%.

(2)The Company had $346.6 million of available borrowing capacity on the revolver (not including the expansion feature) as of December 31, 2012.
47

(3)In December 2012 the Company borrowed $5.0 million under a previously disclosed financial assistance package provided by an economic development program through the State of Connecticut in connection with the Company’s renovation of its Stamford headquarters facility. The loan has a 10 year maturity and bears a 3% fixed rate of interest. 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 in the State of Connecticut during the first five years of the loan.

Interest Rate Swap Contracts

Hedge

The Company has twoentered into a $200.0 million notional fixed-for-floating interest rate swap contracts:

Swapcontract in December 2010 which it designated as a hedge
The Company has an interest rate swap contract that hedges the base interest rate risk on its original term loan. The effect of the swap is to convert the floating base rateforecasted interest payments on the term loan to a fixed rate.Company’s variable rate borrowings. Under the swap terms, the Company pays a base fixed rate of 5.06% on the original term loan2.26% and in return receives a three-month LIBOREurodollar base rate. The three-month LIBOR rate received on the swap matches the base rate paid on the term loan since the Company optionally selects a three-month LIBOR rate on the term loan. The notional amount of the interest rate swap declines over time and constantly matches the outstanding amount of the term loan. Other critical terms of the swap and the term loan also match.

The Company accounts for the interest rate swap on its original term loan as a cash flow hedge in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815. Since the swap is hedging the forecasted interest payments, on the term loan and qualifies as a cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the swap are recorded in Other comprehensive incomeOCI as long as the swap continues to be a highly effective hedge of the basedesignated interest rate risk on the term loan.risk. Any ineffective portion of change in the fair value of the hedge is recorded in earnings. At December 31, 2009,2012, there was no ineffective portion of the hedge. The interest rate swap had a negative fair value to the Company of approximately $6.6$10.0 million at December 31, 2009,2012, which is recordedclassified in Other comprehensive income,OCI, net of tax effect.

Swap not designated as a hedge
On September 30, 2009, the Company discontinued hedge accounting on an interest rate swap contract that previously hedged the 2008 term loan. In addition, on the same date the Company prepaid $40.0 million of the outstanding amount of the 2008 term loan.
The interest rate swap had a negative fair value of $3.3 million as of September 30, 2009. In accordance with the hedge accounting rules in FASB ASC Topic 815, the $3.3 million was recorded in Other comprehensive income, net of tax effect, as a deferred loss. However, because of the $40.0 million loan prepayment, the Company reclassified $1.1 million of the deferred loss from Other comprehensive income to Interest expense, net. The remaining $2.2 million deferred loss in Other comprehensive income as of September 30, 2009, will be amortized to interest expense through maturity of the 2008 term loan. The 2008 term loan matures in January 2012. For the three months ended December 31, 2009, the Company reclassified approximately $0.4 million of the deferred loss in Other comprehensive income to interest expense.

Letters of Credit

The Company issueshad $10.1 million of letters of credit and related guarantees outstanding at year-end 2012. The Company issues these instruments in the ordinary course of business. At December 31, 2009, the Company had outstanding letters of creditbusiness to facilitate transactions with customers and guarantees of approximately $2.5 million.

8—others.

6 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contractual Lease Commitments.The Company leases various facilities, furniture, and computer and office equipment under operating lease arrangements expiring between 20102013 and 2026.2027. The future minimum annual cash payments under non-cancelable operating lease agreements at December 31, 2009,2012, are as follows (in thousands):

Year ended December 31,   
2013 $37,820 
2014  31,660 
2015  22,295 
2016  14,680 
2017  9,910 
Thereafter  75,055 
Total minimum lease payments (1) $191,420 

 
     
Year ended December 31,   
  
 
2010 $33,946 
2011  23,344 
2012  15,965 
2013  11,554 
2014  8,267 
Thereafter  44,082 
     
Total minimum lease payments (1) $137,158 
     
46


(1)Excludes approximately $5.5$2.2 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. WeThe outcome of these individual matters is not predictable at this time. However, we believe that the potential liability, if any, in excessultimate resolution of these matters, after considering amounts already accrued from all proceedings, claims and litigationinsurance coverage, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, or results of operations, when resolvedor cash flows in a future period.

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, 2009,2012, we did not have any indemnification agreements that wouldcould require material payments.

The Company received cash proceeds of $1.2 million in 2008 related to the settlement of a litigation matter which was recorded as a gain in Other (expense) income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
9—

7 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CapitalCommon 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.

48

The following table summarizes transactions relating to Common Stock for the three years’ ending December 31, 2009:

2012:

  Issued
Shares
  Treasury
Stock
Shares
 
Balance at December 31, 2009  156,234,415   60,356,672 
Issuances under stock plans     (4,029,673)
Purchases for treasury     3,918,719 
Balance at December 31, 2010  156,234,415   60,245,718 
Issuances under stock plans     (3,244,705)
Purchases for treasury (1)     5,890,238 
Balance at December 31, 2011  156,234,415   62,891,251 
Issuances under stock plans     (2,756,389)
Purchases for treasury     2,738,238 
Balance at December 31, 2012  156,234,415   62,873,100 

 
         
     Treasury
 
  Issued
  Stock
 
  hares  Shares 
  
 
Balance at December 31, 2006  156,234,416   52,169,591 
Issuances under stock plans     (3,353,421)
Purchases for treasury     8,386,490 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2007  156,234,416   57,202,660 
Issuances under stock plans     (4,568,658)
Purchases for treasury     9,719,573 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2008  156,234,416   62,353,575 
Issuances under stock plans     (2,302,935)
Purchases for treasury     306,032 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2009  156,234,416   60,356,672 
 
 

(1)Includes 2,148,434 shares the Company repurchased directly from ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P. (“ValueAct”) in two separate transactions during 2011. The total cost of the shares repurchased directly from ValueAct was $75.2 million.

Share repurchase programs.program.The Company has a $250.0$500.0 million authorized stockshare repurchase program, of which $78.6$210.2 million remained available for share repurchases as of December 31, 2009.2012. Repurchases aremay be made fromtime-to-time through open market purchases, private transactions, tender offers or other transactions. The amount and aretiming of repurchases will be subject to the availability of stock, prevailing market conditions, the trading price of the stock, the Company’s financial performance and other conditions. Repurchases aremay also be made fromtime-to-time in connection with the settlement of the Company’s shared-based compensation awards. Repurchases may be funded from cash flow from operations and borrowings under the Company’s Credit Agreement.

During 2009, 2008, and 2007, theor borrowings.

The Company recorded $3.7paid cash of $111.3 million, $198.6$212.0 million, and $169.1$99.8 million, in 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, for common stock repurchases. The $212.0 million paid for share repurchases in 2011 includes the cost of Common Stock repurchases. Included in the 2008 total was $26.9 million for shares repurchased directly from Silver Lake Partners and affiliates (collectively, “Silver Lake”).

Secondary Offering.  On December 14, 2009, Silver Lake sold 7,960,641 shares of Common Stock in a secondary offering, which represented its entire remaining holdings in the Common Stock. The Company did not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of these shares. Additionally, in conjunction with the sale, the Amended and Restated Securityholders Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2002, between the Company and Silver Lake, pursuant to which Silver Lake was entitled to designate two board members and to certain consent rights, was terminated with the exception of certain indemnification rights.
10—ValueAct.

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’s stock compensationCompany currently awards include stock-settled stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, service-service-based and performance-based restricted stock units, and common stock equivalents, and stock options.equivalents. At December 31, 2009,2012, the Company had approximately 7.46.4 million shares of Common Stock available for awards of stock-based compensation under its 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which includes 4.0 million additional shares approved by stockholders at the Company’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

47
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. 107107”) and No. 110 (“SAB No. 110.110”). 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 stockstock-based compensation awards requires the input of certain highly complex and subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the stockstock-based compensation awards and the Company’s 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 stockstock-based 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 stockstock-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 (in millions)by award type for the years ended December 31:31 (in millions):

Award type: 2012  2011  2010 
Stock appreciation rights $6.4  $4.4  $4.6 
Common stock equivalents  0.5   0.5   0.5 
Restricted stock units  29.5   28.0   27.5 
Total (1) $36.4  $32.9  $32.6 
49

 
             
Award type: 2009  2008  2007 
  
 
Restricted stock $  $0.4  $1.8 
Restricted stock units (RSUs)  21.3   14.8   13.7 
Common stock equivalents (CSEs)  0.4   0.4   0.5 
Stock appreciation rights (SARs)  4.4   3.2   2.4 
Options     1.9   5.8 
   
   
Total (1) $26.1  $20.7  $24.2 
   
   

(1)Includes $1.9 million, $1.3 million, and $0.9charges of $5.1 million in 2009, 2008,2012 and 2007, respectively,$3.1 million in both 2011 and 2010 for charges relatedawards to retirement-eligible employees.employees since these awards vest on an accelerated basis

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

             
Amount recorded in: 2009  2008  2007 
  
 
Costs of services and product development $12.6  $9.6  $10.8 
Selling, general, and administrative  13.5   11.1   13.4 
   
   
Total stock-based compensation expense $26.1  $20.7  $24.2 
   
   
follows (in millions):

Amount recorded in: 2012  2011  2010 
Costs of services and product development $15.3  $14.8  $14.8 
Selling, general, and administrative  21.1   18.1   17.8 
Total $36.4  $32.9  $32.6 

As of December 31, 2009,2012, the Company had $41.5$38.5 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 22.2 years. Currently, the Company issues treasury shares upon the exercise, release or settlement of stock-based compensation awards.

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:

awards in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 505:

Stock Appreciation Rights

Stock-settled stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) are settled in common shares and are similar to options as they(SARs) permit the holder to participate in the appreciation of the Common Stock. SARs may beare 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 will withholdwithholds a portion of the shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise to satisfy minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. SARs recipients do not have any of thestockholder rights of a Gartner stockholder, including voting rights and the right to receive dividends and distributions, 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. At the present time, SARs are awarded only to the Company’s executive officers.

The Company determines the fair value of SARs on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model. The SARs vest ratably over a four-year service period and expire seven years from the grant date. Total compensation expense for SARs was $4.4 million, $3.2 million, and $2.4 million in 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

48


A summary of thefollowing table summarizes changes in SARs outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2009, follows:
2012:

  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, 2011  2.5  $20.39  $7.66   4.00 years 
Granted  0.4   37.81   12.99   6.11 years 
Forfeited            
Exercised  (0.9)  18.35   6.82   na 
Outstanding at December 31, 2012 (1), (2)  2.0  $24.59  $9.04   4.10 years 
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2012 (2)  0.8  $18.74  $7.14   3.12 years 

 
                 
           Weighted
 
        Weighted
  Average
 
     Weighted
  Average
  Remaining
 
  SARs in
  Average
  Grant Date
  Contractual
 
  millions  Exercise Price  Fair Value  Term 
  
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2008  2.1  $17.42  $6.61   5.12 years 
Granted  1.0   11.15   4.97   6.11 years 
Forfeited  (0.2)  15.08   6.11   na 
Exercised (1)            
Outstanding at December 31, 2009 (2)  2.9  $15.43  $6.09   4.67 years 
   
   
Vested and exercisable at December 31,2009(2)  1.1  $16.65  $6.51   3.67 years 
   
   
na=

na = not applicable

(1)SARs exercised in 2009 were immaterial.
(2)At December 31, 2009,2012, 1.2 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, 2012, SARs outstanding had an intrinsic value of $9.4$42.9 million. SARs vested and exercisable had an intrinsic value of $2.4$23.1 million.

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

  2012  2011  2010 
Expected dividend yield (1)  0%  0%  0%
Expected stock price volatility (2)  40%  38%  40%
Risk-free interest rate (3)  0.8%  2.2%  2.4%
Expected life in years (4)  4.61   4.75   4.75 
50

 
             
  2009  2008  2007 
  
 
Expected dividend yield (1)  0%  0%  0%
Expected stock price volatility (2)  50%  36%  33%
Risk-free interest rate(3)  2.3%  2.8%  4.7%
Expected life in years(4)  4.80   4.75   4.74 

(1)The dividend yield assumption is based on both the history and expectation of the Company’s dividend payouts. Historically Gartnerthe 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 in yearsrepresents 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). Beginning January 1, 2012, the expected life has been calculated based on the “simplified” calculation provided for in SAB No. 107. The simplified method determinesCompany’s historical exercise data. Previously, the Company determined the expected life in years based on the vesting perioda simplified calculation permitted by SEC SAB No. 107 and contractual terms as set forth when the award is made. The Company continues to use the simplified method for awards of stock-based compensationSAB No. 110 since it does not have the necessary historical exercise and forfeiture data to determinewas not available. The change in methodology had an insignificant impact on the calculation of the expected life for SARs, as permitted by SAB No. 110.life.

Restricted Stock Restricted Stock Units and Common Stock Equivalents

Restricted stock awards give the awardee the right to vote and to receive dividends and distributions on these shares; however, the awardee may not sell the restricted shares until all restrictions on the release of the shares have lapsed and the shares are released.

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 rightsright of a Gartner stockholder, including voting rights and the right to receive dividends and distributions, until after the common 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, 2012:

  Restricted
Stock Units
(RSUs)
(in millions)
  Per Share
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2011  3.1  $21.53 
Granted (1)  0.7   37.98 
Vested and released  (1.3)  19.53 
Forfeited      
Outstanding at December 31, 2012 (2), (3)  2.5  $27.95 

 

(1)The 0.7 million RSUs granted in 2012 consisted of 0.3 million performance-based RSUs awarded to executives and 0.4 million service-based RSUs awarded to non-executive employees and certain board members. The 0.3 million performance-based RSUs awarded to executive personnel represented the target amount of the RSU award for the year, which was tied to an increase in the Company’s subscription-based Research contract value (“CV”) for 2012. The final number of performance-based RSUs granted could range from 0% to 200% of the target amount, with the final amount dependent on the actual increase in CV for the year as measured on December 31, 2012. The actual CV increase achieved for 2012 was 104.3% of the targeted amount, which resulted in the grant of 0.3 million performance-based RSUs to executives.

(2)The Company expects that substantially all of the outstanding awards at December 31, 2012 will vest in future periods.

(3)The weighted-average remaining contractual term of the outstanding RSUs is approximately 0.9 years.

Common Stock Equivalents

Common stock equivalents (CSEs) are convertible into Common Stock and each CSE entitles the holder to one common share. Certain membersMembers of our Board of Directors receive directors’ fees payable in CSEs unless they opt for cash payment.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 athe director terminates unless the director has elected an accelerated release.

The fair value of restricted stock, RSUs, andthe 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. The fair value of these awards is recognized as compensation expense as follows: (i) outstanding restricted stock awards vest based on the achievement of a market condition and are expensed on a straight-line basis over approximately three years; (ii) service-based RSUs vest ratably over four years and are expensed on a straight-line basis over four years; (iii) performance-based RSUs are subject to both performance and service conditions, vest ratably over four years, and are expensed on an accelerated basis; and (iv) CSEs vest immediately and as a result are recorded as expense on the date of grant.

51
49


A summary ofThe following table summarizes the changes in restricted stock, RSUs, and CSEs duringoutstanding for the year ended December 31, 2009 is presented in the table below:
2012:

  Common Stock
Equivalents
(CSEs)
  Per Share
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2011  97,268  $15.93 
Granted  11,373   45.30 
Converted to common shares  (8,096)  45.27 
Outstanding at December 31, 2012  100,545  $16.89 

 
                         
     Weighted-
     Weighted-
  Common
  Weighted-
 
     Average
  Restricted
  Average
  Stock
  Average
 
  Restricted
  Grant Date
  Stock Units
  Grant Date
  Equivalents
  Grant Date
 
  Stock  Fair Value  (RSUs)  Fair Value  (CSEs)  Fair Value 
  
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2008  200,000  $7.30   2,614,847  $18.40   158,511   na 
Granted (1),(2)        2,251,020   11.38   26,531  $15.03 
Vested or released (2)        (884,761)  17.93   (49,818)  na 
Forfeited        (217,301)  15.20      na 
   
   
Outstanding at December 31, 2009(3),(4)  200,000  $7.30   3,763,805  $14.57   135,224   na 
   
   
na=not available
(1)The 2.3 million RSUs granted during 2009 consisted of 1.1 million performance-based RSUs awarded to executives and 1.2 million service-based RSUs awarded to non-executive employees. The number of performance-based RSUs granted was subject to the achievement of a performance condition tied to the annual increase in the Company’s subscription-based contract value for 2009, which ranged from 0% and 200% of the target number depending on the performance level achieved. The aggregate performance-based RSU target for 2009 was 1.0 million. The actual performance target achieved was 119.4%, resulting in the granting of 1.1 million performance-based RSUs in 2009.
(2)CSEs represent fees paid to directors. The CSEs vest when granted and are convertible into common shares when the director leaves the Board of Directors or earlier if the director elects to accelerate the release.
(3)Vesting on the 200,000 shares of restricted stock held by our CEO is subject to a market condition as follows: (i) 100,000 shares will vest when the Common Stock trades at an average price of $25 or more each trading day for sixty consecutive trading days; and (ii) 100,000 shares will vest when the Common Stock trades at an average price of $30 or more each trading day for sixty consecutive trading days. There is no remaining unamortized cost on these shares.
(4)The weighted-average remaining contractual term of the RSUs is 1.28 years. The restricted stock awards and the CSEs have no defined contractual term.

Stock Options

Historically, the Company granted stock options to employees that allowed them to purchase shares of Common Stock at a certain price. The Company has not made significantany stock option grants since 2005.2006. All outstanding options are fully vested and there is no remaining unamortized cost. The Company received approximately $12.2$8.6 million, $16.6 million, and $20.7 million in cash from stock option exercises in the year ended December 31, 2009.

A summary of2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

The following table summarizes the changes in stock options outstanding forduring the year ended December 31, 2009, follows:

2012:

  Options in
millions
  Per Share
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
  Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in millions)
 
Vested and outstanding at December 31, 2011  1.2  $10.93   1.47 years  $27.7 
Expired        na   na 
Exercised  (0.9)  10.59   na   25.9 
Vested and outstanding at December 31, 2012  0.3  $11.73   1.28 years  $11.7 

 
             
        Weighted
 
        Average
 
     Weighted
  Remaining
 
  Options in
  Average
  Contractual
 
  millions  Exercise Price  Term 
  
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2008  6.1  $10.78   3.56 years 
Expired  (0.2)  17.66   na 
Exercised (1)  (1.2)  10.42   na 
Outstanding at December 31, 2009 (2)  4.7  $10.65   3.07 years 
   
   

na=not applicable

(1)Options exercised during 2009 had an aggregate intrinsic value of $7.7 million.
(2)At December 31, 2009, options outstanding had an aggregate intrinsic value of $34.8 million.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company has an employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP“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 price as reported by the New York Stock Exchange at the end of each offering period.

At December 31, 2009,2012, the Company had 1.6approximately 1.3 million shares of Common Stock available for purchase under the ESPPESP Plan. The ESPPESP Plan is considered non-compensatory under FASB ASC Topic 718, and as a result the Company does not record stock-based compensation expense related tofor employee share purchases. The Company received $2.7$3.8 million, $3.4 million, and $2.8 million in cash from share purchases under the ESPPESP Plan in the year ended December 31, 2009.
50
during 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.


11—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 antidilutive, they are excluded from the calculation.

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations (in thousands, except per share amounts):

for the years ended December 31:

  2012  2011  2010  
Numerator:         
Net income used for calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share $165,903  $136,902  $96,285 
Denominator:(1)            
Weighted average number of common shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share  93,444   96,019   95,747 
Common share equivalents associated with stock-based compensation plans  2,398   2,827   4,087 
Shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share  95,842   98,846   99,834 
Earnings per share:            
Basic $1.78  $1.43  $1.01 
Diluted $1.73  $1.39  $0.96 

 
             
  2009  2008  2007 
  
 
Numerator:
            
Net income used for calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share $82,964  $103,871  $73,553 
   
   
Denominator:(1)
            
Weighted average number of common shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share  94,658   95,246   103,613 
Common share equivalents associated with stock-based compensation plans  2,891   3,782   4,715 
   
   
Shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share  97,549   99,028   108,328 
   
   
Earnings per share:
            
Basic (2) $0.88  $1.09  $0.71 
   
   
Diluted (2) $0.85  $1.05  $0.68 
   
   
(1)During 2009, 20082012, 2011 and 2007,2010, the Company repurchased 0.32.7 million, 9.75.9 million, and 8.43.9 million shares of its Common Stock, respectively.
52
 
(2)Basic and diluted earnings per share include income from discontinued operations of $0.07 per share and $0.03 per share for 2008 and 2007, 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 antidilutive. During periods with reportednet income, these common share equivalents were antidilutive because their exercise price was greater than the average market value of a share of Common Stock during the period. During periods with reported loss, all common share equivalents would have an antidilutive effect.

             
  2009  2008  2007 
  
 
Antidilutive common share equivalents as of December 31 (in millions):  1.7   1.3   0.6 
Average market price per share of Common Stock during the year $15.52  $20.17  $23.00 
12—

  2012  2011  2010 
Antidilutive common share equivalents as of December 31 (in millions):   0.7   0.5   0.5 
Average market price per share of Common Stock during the year  $43.80  $37.53  $26.35 

10 — INCOME TAXES

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

             
  2009  2008  2007 
  
 
U.S.  $54,793  $79,393  $59,884 
Non-U.S.   60,733   65,348   50,613 
   
   
Income before income taxes $115,526  $144,741  $110,497 
   
   

  2012  2011  2010 
U.S. $150,023  $124,915  $78,933 
Non-U.S.  85,573   77,269   55,152 
Income before income taxes $235,596  $202,184  $134,085 

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

             
  2009  2008  2007 
  
 
Current tax expense (benefit):            
U.S. federal $8,749  $10,564  $3,321 
State and local  3,107   3,341   (2,935)
Foreign  14,340   15,614   14,286 
   
   
Total current  26,196   29,519   14,672 
Deferred tax (benefit) expense:            
U.S. federal  7,477   (547)  2,695 
State and local  3,168   1,848   5,487 
Foreign  1,281   (2,798)  (381)
   
   
Total deferred  11,926   (1,497)  7,801 
   
   
Total current and deferred  38,122   28,022   22,473 
Benefit (expense) relating to interest rate swap used to increase (decrease) equity  (2,530)  3,776   2,449 
Benefit from stock transactions with employees used to increase equity  621   15,876   15,237 
Benefit (expense) relating to defined-benefit pension adjustments used to increase (decrease) equity  (296)  (594)  (1,688)
Benefit (expense) of acquired tax assets (liabilities) used to decrease (increase) goodwill  (3,355)  513   1,360 
   
   
Tax expense on continuing operations  32,562   47,593   39,831 
Tax expense on discontinued operations     622   777 
   
   
Total tax expense $32,562  $48,215  $40,608 
   
   
51


  2012  2011  2010 
Current tax expense:            
U.S. federal $25,290  $23,327  $9,078 
State and local  2,508   4,236   2,645 
Foreign  18,889   13,845   10,341 
Total current  46,687   41,408   22,064 
Deferred tax (benefit) expense:            
U.S. federal  8,494   (5,192)  4,263 
State and local  (753)  1,269   72 
Foreign  (8,080)  (1,434)  (6,013)
Total deferred  (339)  (5,357)  (1,678)
Total current and deferred  46,348   36,051   20,386 
Benefit (expense) relating to interest rate swap used to increase (decrease) equity  51   3,134   (2,523)
Benefit from stock transactions with employees used to increase equity  21,304   25,812   18,559 
Benefit (expense) relating to defined-benefit pension adjustments used to increase (decrease) equity  1,926   285   375 
Benefit (expense) of acquired tax assets (liabilities) used to decrease (increase) goodwill  64      1,003 
Total tax expense $69,693  $65,282  $37,800 

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

  December 31, 
  2012  2011 
Expense accruals $49,404  $40,438 
Loss and credit carryforwards  22,433   24,282 
Assets relating to equity compensation  18,878   18,226 
Other assets  7,613   8,949 
Gross deferred tax asset  98,328   91,895 
Depreciation  (8,995)  (9,199)
Intangible assets  (23,129)  (17,024)
Prepaid expenses  (10,500)  (10,183)
Gross deferred tax liability  (42,624)  (36,406)
Valuation allowance  (1,943)  (1,869)
Net deferred tax asset $53,761  $53,620 

53
         
  December 31, 
  2009  2008 
  
 
Depreciation and software amortization $3,261  $6,591 
Expense accruals  28,751   32,865 
Loss and credit carryforwards  35,232   37,036 
Other assets  25,213   24,294 
   
   
Gross deferred tax asset  92,457   100,786 
Intangible assets  (17,259)  (10,238)
Prepaid expenses  (7,098)  (6,533)
Other liabilities  (1,190)  (970)
   
   
Gross deferred tax liability  (25,547)  (17,741)
Valuation allowance  (19,692)  (24,924)
   
   
Net deferred tax asset $47,218  $58,121 
   
   

Current net deferred tax assets and current net deferred tax liabilities were $19.0$32.6 million and $1.2$1.3 million as of December 31, 20092012 and $15.7$31.4 million and $2.8$0.6 million as of December 31, 2008,2011, 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 $29.5$22.5 million and $0.1 million as of December 31, 20092012 and $46.4$22.8 million and $1.2 millionzero as of December 31, 2008,2011, respectively, and are included in Other assets and Other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The valuation allowances in 2009 and 2008 relate primarily tonon-U.S. net operating losses, domestic capital loss carryforwards, and domestic foreign tax credits that It is more likely than not that the results of future operations will expire unutilized. generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets.

The net decrease in the valuation allowanceallowances of $5.2 million in 2009 relates primarily to the following items: (a) the release of approximately $1.9 million as of the valuation allowance for changes in both actualDecember 31, 2012 and anticipated utilization$1.9 million as of foreign tax credits and (b) the release of approximately $3.2 million of the valuation allowance on federal and state capital loss carryovers.

The Company has established a full valuation allowance against domestic realized and unrealized capital losses, as the future utilization of these losses is uncertain. December 31, 2011, respectively, largely relates to net operating losses.

As of December 31, 2009,2012, the Company had U.S. federal capital loss carryforwards of $15.5 million, of which $13.4 million expire in 2011 and $2.1 million expire in 2012 and 2013. The Company also had $15.5 million in state and local capital loss carryforwards that expire over a similar period of time.

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of $1.8 million expiring in 2028 and 2029. The utilization of these net operating losses is subject to certain limitations under the Internal Revenue Code. The Company believes that the losses will be fully utilized prior to their expiration. As of December 31, 2009, the Company also has state and local tax net operating loss carryforwards of $161.2$108.8 million, of which $3.5$3.3 million expiresexpire within one to five years, $98.0$99.7 million expiresexpire within six to fifteen years, and $59.7$5.8 million expiresexpire within sixteen to twenty years. In addition, the Company hadnon-U.S. net operating loss carryforwards of $30.5$30.6 million, of which $4.7$2.1 million expiresexpire over the next 20 years and $25.8$28.5 million that can be carried forward indefinitely.
As of December 31, 20092012 the Company also had foreign tax credit carryforwards of $12.1$6.7 million, allthe majority of which expire in 2018.

The differences between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and the Company’s effective tax rate on income before income taxes are:

             
  2009  2008  2007 
  
 
Statutory tax rate  35.0%  35.0%  35.0%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit  3.0   2.8   2.9 
Foreign income taxed at different rates  (5.0)  (4.4)  (2.4)
Non-deductible meals and entertainment  0.5   0.7   0.8 
Repatriation of foreign earnings  4.1   7.6    
Record (release) valuation allowance  (4.5)  (9.2)  (1.4)
Foreign tax credits  (1.9)  (1.0)  (1.8)
(Release) increase reserve for tax contingencies  (3.5)  (0.3)  1.8 
Other items (net)  0.5   1.7   1.1 
   
   
Effective tax rate  28.2%  32.9%  36.0%
   
   
The Company adopted new accounting principles on accounting for uncertainthe years ended December 31 follow:

  2012  2011  2010 
Statutory tax rate  35.0%  35.0%  35.0%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit  1.8   3.8   3.3 
Foreign income taxed at different rates  (6.4)  (5.9)  (6.2)
Subpart F/repatriation of foreign earnings  1.0   (0.4)  8.5 
Record (release) valuation allowance     (0.4)  (12.7)
Foreign tax credits  (1.0)  (2.3)  (0.8)
Record (release) reserve for tax contingencies  0.7   3.1   2.0 
Other items, net  (1.5)  (0.6)  (0.9)
Effective tax rate  29.6%  32.3%  28.2%

In 2012 state income taxes, net of federal tax positions on January 1, 2007. benefit include approximately $2.6 million of benefit relating to economic development tax credits associated with the renovation of the Company’s Stamford headquarters facility.

As of December 31, 20092012 and December 31 2008,2011, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $13.8$17.6 million and $16.3$18.3 million, respectively. The reductiondecrease is primarily attributable to the expirationreductions for tax positions of certain statutesprior years and settlements resulting from closure of limitationtax audits, partially offset by additions in the third quarter of 2009.unrecognized tax benefits attributable to 2012. It is reasonably possible that the gross unrecognized tax benefits will be decreased by $0.3$4.5 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 anticipated settlements.

52
the utilization of certain tax attributes.


The Company classifies uncertain tax positions not expected to be settled within one year as long term liabilities. As of December 31, 20092012 and December 31, 2008,2011, the Company had Other Liabilities of $13.5$13.1 million and $14.2$15.4 million, respectively, related to long term uncertain tax positions.
positions included in Other Liabilities.

The Company records accruedaccrues interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in its income tax provision. As of December 31, 20092012 and December 31, 2008,2011, the Company had $2.8$4.6 million and $3.6$4.8 million of accrued interest and penalties respectively, related to unrecognized tax benefits. These amounts are in addition to the gross unrecognized tax benefits noted above. The total amount of interest and penalties recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ending December 31, 20092012 and 2008December 31, 2011 was ($0.5)$0.4 million and $1.4$1.5 million, respectively.

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):

  2012  2011 
Beginning balance $18,345  $15,824 
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year  4,301   2,269 
Additions for tax positions of prior years  105   4,375 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years  (3,427)  (746)
Reductions for expiration of statutes  (296)  (269)
Settlements  (1,372)  (2,661)
Change in foreign currency exchange rates  (104)  (447)
Ending balance $17,552  $18,345 

54
         
  2009  2008 
  
 
Beginning balance $16,347  $18,051 
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year  953   1,253 
Additions for tax positions of prior years  415   1,424 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years  (334)  (1,692)
Reductions for expiration of statutes  (3,349)  (2,128)
Settlements  (447)  (264)
Change in foreign currency exchange rates  219   (297)
   
   
Ending balance $13,804  $16,347 
   
   
In 2009

Included in the Company repatriated approximately $52.0balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2012 are potential benefits of $12.6 million that if recognized would reduce the effective tax rate on income from its foreign subsidiaries. The cost of the repatriation was offset with the utilization of foreign tax credits.

continuing operations.

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, 20062007 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, Italy, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands,India, and Ireland.

The

During 2012, the Company closed the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) audit of its 2007 federal income tax return. 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 2011 the IRS commenced an audit of the Company’s 2007federal income tax year early in 2009.returns for the 2008 and 2009 tax years. The audit is ongoingIRS has proposed adjustments for both 2008 and 2009 and the IRSCompany expects to settle the audit in early 2013. Although the audit has not proposed any adjustments at this time. Thebeen fully resolved, the Company believes that it has recorded reserves sufficient to cover exposures related to such review. However, the resolution of such matters involves uncertainties and there are no assurances that the ultimate resolutiondisposition will not exceed the amounts recorded. The results of the audit could have a material adverse effect on the Company’sits consolidated financial position, cash flows, or results of operations, or cash flowsoperations.

Earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries are generally subject to U.S. taxation when repatriated. The Company intends to reinvest these earnings outside the U.S. except in period or periods forinstances where repatriating such earnings would result in minimal additional tax. The Company currently has no plan to remit earnings which will result in a material tax cost. Accordingly, the Company has not recognized additional tax expense that determination is made.

Undistributedmay result from the remittance of such earnings. The accumulated undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries outside of the U.S. amounted to approximately $1.6approximated $85.0 million as of December 31, 2009. The Company intends to reinvest2012. An estimate of the income tax liability that would be payable if such earnings innon-U.S. operations. However, the Company may repatriate a portion of these earnings to the extent that it doeswere not incur an additional U.S. tax liability. Accordingly, no provision for U.S. federal and state income taxes has been provided thereon.
13—indefinitely invested is $17.0 million.

11 — DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING

The Company typically 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, whetherincluding derivatives designated as accounting hedges, or not, to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value.

Information

The following tables provide information regarding the Company’s outstanding derivatives activitycontracts as of, and for, the twelve monthsyears ended December 31, 2009 follows (in thousands, except for number of outstanding contracts):

December 31, 2012

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 $(10,000) Other liabilities $(6,010)
Foreign currency forwards (2)  68  76,100  4  Other current assets   
Total  69 $276,100 $(9,996)   $(6,010)

December 31, 2011

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 $(9,891) Other liabilities $(5,934)
Interest rate swaps (4)  2  30,750  (98) Accrued liabilities   
Foreign currency forwards (2)  60  99,585  272  Other current assets   
Total  63 $330,335 $(9,717)   $(5,934)

 
                       
  Number of
  Contract
  Fair Value
  Balance
 Gain (Loss)
  Gain (Loss)
 
  Outstanding
  Notional
  Asset
  Sheet
 Recognized in
  Recorded in
 
Derivative Contract Type Contracts  Amount  (Liability)(4)  Line Item Earnings(5)  OCI(6) 
  
 
Interest Rate Swap(1)  1  $126,000  $(6,594) Other Liabilities $227  $(2,573)
Interest Rate Swap(2)  1   112,500   (2,769) Other Liabilities  (950)  (1,189)
Foreign Currency Forwards(3)  19   117,296   740  Other Current Assets  674    
       
       
Total  21  $355,796  $(8,623)   $(49) $(3,762)
       
       

(1)The Company designates and accounts for this interest rate 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 7—Debt)5 — Debt for additional information).

55
 
(2)The Company discontinued hedge accounting on this interest rate swap on September 30, 2009 (see Note 7—Debt).
(3)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 currencies in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate.currency. The Company may enterenters into short-term foreign currency forward exchange contracts to offset the economic effects of thisthese foreign currency transaction risk.risks. These contracts are normally short term in duration. Bothaccounted for at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses are recognized in earningsOther income (expense), net since the Company does not designate these contracts as hedges for accounting purposes.
53


All of the outstanding contracts at December 31, 2012 matured by the end of February 2013.
(4)
(3)See Note 14—12 — Fair Value Disclosures below for the determination of the fair value of these instruments.
 
(5)The gain/loss on the swaps is recorded in Interest expense, net and represents the amounts reclassified from Other comprehensive income (OCI) to earnings during the period. The gain on the foreign currency forward contracts is recorded in Other income (expense), net and represents the net amount of realized and unrealized gains and losses recorded during the year.
 
(6)(4)RepresentsChanges in the amounts recordedfair value of these swaps were recognized in OCI as of December 31, 2009, net of income taxes.earnings. Both swaps matured in January 2012.

At December 31, 2009,2012, 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: 2012  2011  2010 
Interest expense (1) $3.6  $4.1  $10.7 
Other (income) expense, net (2)  (0.6)  1.2   (2.8)
Total expense $3.0  $5.3  $7.9 

 
14—

(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 and 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.

Atvalue due to their short-term nature. The Company’s financial instruments also includes borrowings outstanding under its 2010 Credit Agreement, and at December 31, 2009,2012, the Company had $329.0$200.0 million of outstanding floating rate debt outstanding under this arrangement, which is carried at amortized cost. The Company believes the carrying amount of the debtoutstanding borrowings reasonably approximates its fair value assince the rate of interest on the term loans and revolver are floating rate whichborrowings reflect current market rates of interest for similar instruments with comparable maturities.

FASB ASC Topic 820 provides a framework for measuringthe measurement of fair value and a valuation hierarchy based upon the transparency of inputs used in the valuation of an asset or liability.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—Valuation inputs are unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
• Level 2—Valuation inputs are quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, quoted market prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and other observable inputs directly or indirectly related to the asset or liability being measured.
• Level 3—Valuation inputs are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
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 following table presents 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.

On January 1, 2012, the Company adopted ASU No. 2011-04,Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs,which updates FASB ASC Topic 820 with new requirements. These include: (1) a prohibition on grouping financial instruments for purposes of determining fair value, except when an entity manages market and credit risks on the basis of the entity’s net exposure to the group; (2) an extension of the prohibition against the use of a blockage factor to all fair value measurements (that prohibition currently applies only to financial instruments with quoted prices in active markets); and (3) a requirement that for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements, entities disclose additional quantitative information about unobservable inputs, a description of the valuation process used and qualitative details about the sensitivity of the measurements and their potential impact on operating results. The Company has a limited number of assets and liabilities measured atrecorded in its Consolidated Balance Sheets that are remeasured to fair value on a recurring basis, and the Company does not currently utilize Level 3 valuation inputs to remeasure any of its assets or liabilities. In addition, the Company typically does not transfer assets or liabilities between different levels of the fair value hierarchy. As a result, the adoption of ASU No. 2011-04 did not result in any changes to the Company’s processes for determining fair values or require additional fair value disclosures.

56

The Company’s assets and liabilities that are remeasured to fair value are presented in the following table (in thousands):

Description: Fair Value
December 31,
2012
  Fair Value
December 31,
2011
 
Assets:        
Deferred compensation plan assets (1) $27,795  $25,050 
Foreign currency forward contracts (2)  4   272 
  $27,799  $25,322 
Liabilities:        
Deferred compensation plan liabilities (1) $31,260  $28,100 
Interest rate swap contracts (3)  10,000   9,989 
  $41,260  $38,089 

 
         
  Fair Value
  Fair Value
 
  December 31,
  December 31,
 
Description: 2009  2008 
  
 
Assets:        
Deferred compensation assets(1) $20,214  $13,900 
Foreign currency forward contracts(2)  740    
   
   
  $20,954  $13,900 
   
   
Liabilities:        
Interest rate swap contracts(3) $9,363  $14,700 
Foreign currency forward contracts(2)     2,500 
   
   
  $9,363  $17,200 
   
   
(1)The Company has a supplemental deferred compensation arrangementplan for the benefit of certain highly compensated officers, managers and other key employees (see Note 15—13 — Employee Benefits). The plan’s assets consist of investments in money market and mutual funds, and company-owned life insurance. insurance contracts.
The money market and mutual funds consist of cash equivalents or securities traded in active markets, whichwhile 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 $8.2 million and $8.0 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The carrying amount of the life insurance contracts equals their cash surrender value, which approximates fair value. Cash surrender value represents the estimated amount that the Company would receive upon termination of the contract. The Company considers the life insurance contracts to be valued based on a Level 1 input. The2 input, and these assets had a fair value of $19.6 million and $17.0 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The related deferred compensation plan liabilities are recorded at the Company-owned life insuranceamount needed to settle the liability, which approximates fair value, and is based on indirectly observable prices which the Company considers to bea Level 2 inputs.input.
 
(2)The Company periodically enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to hedge the effects of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates (see Note 13—11 — Derivatives and Hedging). Valuation of the foreign currency forward contracts is based on foreign currency exchange rates in active markets; thusmarkets, which the Company measures the fair value of these contracts underconsiders a Level 2 input.
 
(3)The Company has twoenters into interest rate swap contracts to hedge the risk from interest rates on its borrowings (see Note 7—Debt)11 — Derivatives and Hedging). To determine the fair value of the swaps,these financial instruments, the Company relies onmark-to-market valuations prepared by a third-party brokersbroker. Valuation is based on observable interest rate yield curves. Accordingly,rates from recently executed market transactions and other observable market data, which the fair valueCompany considers Level 2 inputs. The Company independently corroborates the reasonableness of the swaps is determined under a Level 2 input.valuations prepared by the third-party broker through the use of an electronic quotation service.
15—

13 — EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Savings and investmentDefined contribution plan.The Company has a savings and investment plan (the “401k Plan”) covering substantially all domesticU.S. employees. Company contributions are based upon the level of employee contributions, up to a maximum of 4% of the employee’s eligible

54


salary, subject to an annual maximum. For 2009,2012, the maximum match was $6,600.$6,800. In addition, the Company, in its discretion, may also contributescontribute at least 1% of an employee’s base compensation, subject to an IRS annual limitation, of $2,450which was $2,500 for 2009.2012. Amounts expensed in connection with the plan401k Plan totaled $13.0$14.2 million, $12.5$15.9 million, and $11.8$14.6 million, for 2009, 2008,in 2012, 2011, and 2007,2010, respectively.

Deferred compensation arrangement.plan.The Company has a supplemental deferred compensation arrangementplan for the benefit of certain highly compensated officers, managers and other key employees, which is structured as a rabbi trust. We classify theThe plan’s investment assets are classified in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at current fair value, and thevalue. The value of thethese assets was $20.2$27.8 million and $13.9$25.1 million at December 31, 20092012 and 2008, respectively.2011, respectively (see Note 12 — Fair Value Disclosures for fair value information). The corresponding deferred compensation liability of $23.0$31.3 million and $16.5$28.1 million at December 31, 20092012 and 2008,2011, respectively, is recordedcarried at fair market 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 andwhich is includedclassified in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Total compensation expense (benefit)recognized for the arrangementplan was $0.1$0.4 million $(0.4) million, andin 2012, $0.3 million for 2009, 2008,in 2011, and 2007, respectively.

zero in 2010.

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

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

  2012  2011  2010 
Service cost $1,775  $1,890  $1,875 
Interest cost  980   1,010   840 
Expected return on plan assets  (115)  (125)   
Recognition of actuarial gain  (215)  (135)  (350)
Recognition of termination benefits  175   65   65 
Total defined benefit pension expense (1) $2,600  $2,705  $2,430 

 
             
  2009  2008  2007 
  
 
Service cost $1,465  $1,470  $1,922 
Interest cost  742   717   599 
Recognition of actuarial (gain) loss  (200)  (74)  129 
Recognition of termination benefits  192   40   24 
   
   
Net periodic pension expense $2,199  $2,153  $2,674 
   
   
(1)Pension expense is classified in SG&A in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
57
Assumptions

The following are the assumptions used in the computation of net periodic pension expense are as follows:

for the years ended December 31:

  2012  2011  2010 
Weighted-average discount rate(1)  3.20%  4.40%  3.95%
Average compensation increase  2.70%  2.65%  2.80%

 
             
  2009  2008  2007 
  
 
Weighted-average discount rate  4.85%  5.09%  5.01%
Average compensation increase  3.27%  3.27%  3.32%
The Company determines the weighted-average discount rate by utilizing the yields on long-term corporate bonds in the relevant country with a duration consistent with the pension obligations.
(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):

  2012  2011  2010 
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $21,160  $19,730  $14,358 
Service cost  1,775   1,890   1,875 
Interest cost  980   1,010   840 
Actuarial loss (gain) due to assumption changes(1)  6,265   (948)  1,100 
Additions  1,925      1,961 
Benefits paid(2)  (680)  (390)  (220)
Foreign currency impact  180   (132)  (184)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year(3) $31,605  $21,160  $19,730 

 
             
  December 31, 
  2009  2008  2007 
 
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $13,286  $13,224  $13,900 
Service cost  1,465   1,470   1,922 
Interest cost  742   717   599 
Actuarial gain  (1,034)  (1,799)  (4,589)
Benefits paid (1)  (562)  (583)  (217)
Foreign currency impact  461   257   1,609 
   
   
Projected benefit obligation at end of year (2) $14,358  $13,286  $13,224 
   
   
(1)The 2012 actuarial loss was primarily due to a decline in the weighted-average discount rate.
(2)The estimated benefits toCompany projects the following amounts will be paid in future years are as follows: $0.2to plan participants: $0.5 million in 2010; $0.22013; $2.0 million in 2011; $0.32014; $0.8 million in 2012;2015; $0.9 million in 2013; $1.02016; $1.2 million in 2014;2017; and $3.6$7.0 million in the five years thereafter.
 
(2)(3)Measured as of December 31.

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

Funded status of the plans:

  2012  2011  2010 
Projected benefit obligation $31,605  $21,160  $19,730 
Plan assets at fair value (1)  (8,885)  (2,480)  (2,130)
Funded status – shortfall (2) $22,720  $18,680  $17,600 
             
Amounts recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the plans:
       
Other liabilities — accrued pension obligation (2) $22,720  $18,680  $17,600 
Stockholders’ equity — deferred actuarial (loss) gain (3) $(1,578) $2,488  $2,205 

 
             
  December 31, 
Funded status of the plans: 2009  2008  2007 
  
 
Projected benefit obligation $14,358  $13,286  $13,224 
Plan assets at fair value(1)         
   
   
Funded status(2) $14,358  $13,286  $13,224 
   
   
Amounts recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
            
Other assets — reinsurance asset(1) $10,451  $9,141  $8,380 
   
   
Other liabilities — accrued pension obligation $14,358  $13,286  $13,224 
   
   
Stockholders’ equity — unrecognized actuarial gain(3) $3,217  $2,777  $1,602 
   
   
(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, and the Company considers the overall portfolio of these assets to be of low-to-medium investment risk. For the year-ended December 31, 2012, the Company contributed $6.4 million to these plans, and benefits paid to participants was $0.7 million. While the actual return on plan assets for these plans was effectively zero in 2012, the Company projects a future long-term rate of return on these plan assets of 3.6%, which it believes is reasonable based on the composition of the assets and both current and projected market conditions.
The
In addition to the plan assets held with third-party trustees, the Company hasalso maintains a reinsurance asset arrangement with a large international insurance company that was rated investment grade as of December 31, 2009.company. The purpose of the reinsurance asset arrangement is to fund the benefit obligation under
55


one of the plans. However, the reinsurance asset is not acknowledged as a plan asset for accounting purposes since it is considered an asset of the Company andwhose purpose is not legally segregated or restrictedto provide funding for purposesbenefit payments for one of meeting the pension obligation. Theplans. At December 31, 2012, the reinsurance asset iswas carried on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at its cash surrender value whichof $8.8 million and is classified in Other Assets. The Company believes the cash
58
surrender value approximates fair value and is equivalent to aLevel 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 believes approximates its fair valuehas 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, 2009.
(2)Contributions expected2012, 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 2013 will be immaterial. For 2012, 2011, and 2010, approximately $0.2 million, $0.1 million, and $0.2 million, respectively, of deferred actuarial pension gains were reclassified from AOCI to pension expense. The Company considers the impact of the reclassifications for those years to be paid to the plans in 2010 total $0.2 million.
(3)The $3.2 million recorded in Stockholders’ equity, net of tax effect as of December 31, 2009 represents the plan’s net unrecognized actuarial gain. This amount will be amortized to net periodic pension cost over approximately 15 years. Amortization of the gain is estimated to reduce the net periodic pension cost in 2010 by approximately $0.2 million.immaterial.
16—

14 — SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company manages its business inthrough three reportable segments: Research, Consulting and Events. Research consists primarily of subscription-based research products, access to research inquiry, as well as 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 cost of servicesCOS and product development and SGASG&A expenses, depreciation, acquisition and integration charges, and amortization of intangibles and Other charges.intangibles. Certain bonus and fringe benefit costs included in consolidated Cost of services and product developmentCOS 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.

We earn

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.

We do The Company does not identify or allocate assets, including capital expenditures, by operatingreportable 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.
On January 1, 2009 the Company eliminated the previously reported “Other” revenue line. The “Other” revenue line primarily consisted of fees earned from Research reprints and other miscellaneous products, and these revenues and related expenses are now being included in the Research segment. In addition, certain expenses that were formerly classified as Selling, general & administrative expense are now reported in Cost of sales and product development and are included in the Research segment. Prior periods presented below have been reclassified in order to be consistent with the current period presentation. For 2008 these actions increased Research segment revenue by $8.3 million, increased Research segment expense by $20.6 million, and decreased Research segment gross contribution by $12.3 million. For 2007, these actions increased Research segment revenue by $10.0 million, increased Research segment expense by $19.4 million, and decreased Research segment gross contribution by $9.4 million.

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

                 
  Research  Consulting  Events  Consolidated 
  
 
2009
                
Revenues $752,505  $286,847  $100,448  $1,139,800 
Gross contribution  489,862   112,099   40,945   642,906 
Corporate and other expenses              (508,429)
                 
Operating income             $134,477 
                 
                 
  Research  Consulting  Events  Consolidated 
  
 
2008
                
Revenues $781,581  $347,404  $150,080  $1,279,065 
Gross contribution  495,440   141,395   64,954   701,789 
Corporate and other expenses              (537,421)
                 
Operating income             $164,368 
                 
56


  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 
                 
   Research   Consulting   Events   Consolidated 
2011                
Revenues $1,012,062  $308,047  $148,479  $1,468,588 
Gross contribution  682,136   114,838   66,265   863,239 
Corporate and other expenses              (649,177)
Operating income             $214,062 
                 
   Research   Consulting   Events   Consolidated 
2010                
Revenues $865,000  $302,117  $121,337  $1,288,454 
Gross contribution  564,527   121,885   55,884   742,296 
Corporate and other expenses              (593,031)
Operating income             $149,265 

                 
  Research  Consulting  Events  Consolidated 
 
2007
                
Revenues $683,380  $325,030  $160,065  $1,168,475 
Gross contribution  419,639   128,215   81,908   629,762 
Corporate and other expenses              (500,304)
                 
Operating income             $129,458 
                 

The Company’s consolidated 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.

59

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 below 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, and EMEA (Europe,Europe, Middle East, Africa). Most of our products and services are provided on an integrated worldwide basis. Because of the integration of products and services delivery, it is not practical to separate precisely our revenues by geographic location. Long-lived assets exclude goodwill and other intangible assets. Accordingly, the separation set forth in the table below is based upon internal allocations, which involve certain management estimates and judgments.

Africa.

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

  2012  2011  2010 
Revenues:            
United States and Canada $947,075  $861,481  $765,793 
Europe, Middle East and Africa  458,675   437,194   380,771 
Other International  210,058   169,913   141,890 
Total revenues $1,615,808  $1,468,588  $1,288,454 
             
Long-lived assets:(1)            
United States and Canada(2) $114,557  $85,194  $69,163 
Europe, Middle East and Africa  30,967   23,673   21,856 
Other International  16,956   10,754   6,175 
Total long-lived assets $162,480  $119,621  $97,194 

 
             
  2009  2008  2007 
  
 
Revenues:            
United States and Canada $663,832  $723,247  $661,216 
Europe, Middle East and Africa  360,791   430,401   403,919 
Other International  115,177   125,417   103,340 
   
   
Total revenues $1,139,800  $1,279,065  $1,168,475 
   
   
Long-lived assets:            
United States and Canada $65,896  $67,753  $73,859 
Europe, Middle East and Africa  21,924   19,324   21,861 
Other International  2,404   4,325   4,029 
   
   
Total long-lived assets $90,224  $91,402  $99,749 
   
   
17—
(1)Excludes goodwill and other intangible assets.
(2)The 2012 balance for the United States and Canada includes approximately $17.0 million of additional costs capitalized in 2012 in connection with the renovation of the Company’s Stamford headquarters facility (see Note 1 — Business and Significant Accounting Policies for additional description).

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 provides information regardingsummarizes activity in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts and returns and allowances (inthe 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
 
 2012:               
Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns and allowances $7,260  $1,930  $1,860  $(4,650) $6,400 
                     
2011:                    
Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns and allowances $7,200  $930  $4,390  $(5,260) $7,260 
                     
2010:                    
Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns and allowances $8,100  $800  $2,000  $(3,700) $7,200 
                     
     Additions
  Additions
       
  Balance at
  Charged
  Charged
  Deductions
  Balance
 
  Beginning
  to Costs and
  Against Other
  from
  at End
 
  of Year  Expenses  Accounts (1)  Reserve  of Year 
  
 
2007:
                    
Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns and allowances $8,700  $691  $6,608  $(7,549) $8,450 
   
   
2008:
                    
Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns and allowances $8,450  $1,650  $5,000  $(7,300) $7,800 
   
   
2009:
                    
Allowance for doubtful accounts and returns and allowances $7,800  $2,100  $6,000  $(7,800) $8,100 
   
   
(1)Amounts charged against revenues.60
57

SIGNATURES


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this Report onForm 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in Stamford, Connecticut, on February 19, 2010.
22, 2013.

 Gartner, Inc.
  
Date: February 19, 201022, 2013By:
/s/ Eugene A. Hall
Eugene A. HallChiefHall
Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Eugene A. Hall and Christopher J. Lafond 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 onForm 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. HallDirector and Chief Executive OfficerFebruary 22, 2013
Eugene A. Hall(Principal Executive Officer) 
     
/s/ Eugene A. Hall

Eugene A. HallChristopher J. Lafond
 DirectorExecutive Vice President and Chief ExecutiveFinancial Officer
February 22, 2013
Christopher J. Lafond(Principal ExecutiveFinancial and Accounting Officer) February 19, 2010
     
/s/ ChristopherMichael J. Lafond

Christopher J. LafondBingle
 Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)Director
 February 19, 201022, 2013
Michael J. Bingle
     
/s/ MichaelRichard J. Bingle

Michael J. BingleBressler
 Director February 19, 201022, 2013
Richard J. Bressler
     
/s/ Richard J. Bressler

Richard J. BresslerRaul E. Cesan
 Director February 19, 201022, 2013
Raul E. Cesan
     
/s/ Karen E. Dykstra

Karen E. Dykstra
 Director February 19, 201022, 2013
Karen E. Dykstra
     
/s/ Russell P. Fradin

Russell P. FradinAnne Sutherland Fuchs
 Director February 19, 201022, 2013
Anne Sutherland Fuchs
     
/s/ Anne Sutherland Fuchs

Anne Sutherland FuchsWilliam O. Grabe
 Director February 19, 201022, 2013
William O. Grabe
     
/s/ William O. Grabe

William O. GrabeStephen G. Pagliuca
 Director February 19, 201022, 2013
Stephen G. Pagliuca
     
/s/ Stephen G. Pagliuca

Stephen G. Pagliuca
DirectorFebruary 19, 2010
/s/  James C. Smith

James C. Smith
 Director February 19, 201022, 2013
James C. Smith    
/s/  Jeffrey W. Ubben

Jeffrey W. Ubben
DirectorFebruary 19, 201061
58